Can Elise Stefanik Become MAGA’s Messenger in Chief?

GOP Rallies Behind Trump • Inside CNN’s Shake-Up • SCOTUS Stunner [View in your browser]( | [Update your preferences](newsletter=vf) [Vanity Fair Hive logo image]( Can Elise Stefanik Become MAGA’s Messenger in Chief? Good Saturday morning! Republican lawmakers, 2024 candidates, and right-wing media figures are rallying around Donald Trump as he [faces]( federal charges for his handling of classified documents, [reports]( Caleb Ecarma, while Eric Lutz [notes]( how reports of an audio recording blow a hole in the former president’s claims that he declassified documents in his possession. Elsewhere, Abigail Tracy [captured]( the rise of Elise Stefanik, a Paul Ryan protégé whose public posture is now more akin to those of the Marjorie Taylor Greenes of Congress. It’s a critical time for Stefanik, who is expected to keep the House GOP on message for a critical election cycle—and as Trump indictments mount. Also, this week Cristian Farias [explored]( how John Roberts, a longtime Voting Rights Act critic, actually defended Black voting rights in a surprising Supreme Court ruling, while Joe Pompeo and Charlotte Klein [dived]( into the chaos behind Chris Licht’s exit from CNN. Thanks for reading, and we’ll be back with more on Monday ahead of Trump’s expected court appearance. [Can Elise Stefanik Become MAGA’s Messenger in Chief?]( By [Abigail Tracy]( [Once a Paul Ryan protégé, New York Republican Elise Stefanik has morphed into one of Donald Trump’s biggest cheerleaders. She’s now being charged with keeping the House GOP on message for a critical election cycle—and as Trump indictments mount.]( [Read more button](   [Donald Trump’s Documents Defense Appears to Be Unraveling: “This Is Secret Information. Look.”]( By [Eric Lutz]( [As the former president faces federal charges, CNN reports that Trump admitted on tape to having documents he knew had not been declassified.]( [Read more button](   [Even Trump’s 2024 Rivals Are Rushing to Defend Him Post-Indictment News]( By [Caleb Ecarma]( [One Republican lawmaker appears to have even made a militia call to arms in response to the pending charges.]( [Read more button](   [John Roberts’s Shocking Defense of Black Voting Rights]( By [Cristian Farias]( [A decade ago, the chief justice gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Why did he join the Court’s liberals (and Brett Kavanaugh!) to preserve what’s left of it?]( [Read more button](   [Image may contain: Tie, Accessories, Accessory, Electrical Device, Microphone, Human, Person, Suit, Coat, and Clothing]( [Chris Licht’s Chaotic Tenure Atop CNN Is Over]( By [Joe Pompeo and Charlotte Klein]( [The executive’s exit follows a blistering profile of his disastrous year atop the cable news network.]( [Read more button](   Get on the list Subscribe to our Hollywood newsletter for your essential industry and awards-season news, every day. [Sign Up Now](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn](   This e-mail was sent to you by The Hive. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe](newsletter=vf) Sent from Condé Nast, 1 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007 Copyright © 2023 Condé Nast