Falls and a Freeze-Up: Mitch McConnell’s Health Scares Prompt Succession Chatter

Inside Trump Election Case • “Rock-Solid” Evidence • Cameras in Court? [View in your browser]( | [Update your preferences](newsletter=vf) [Vanity Fair Hive logo image]( Falls and a Freeze-Up: Mitch McConnell’s Health Scares Prompt Succession Chatter One could become numb by indictment number three, but it’s worth pausing to consider what a truly unprecedented moment this is in politics, and really, American history: A former president has been [criminally charged]( for trying to overturn a presidential election. Perhaps just as shocking is that Donald Trump remains the front-runner for the 2024 nomination, with Republicans—many of whom [objected]( to democracy last time around—trying to get him back in power. To catch up on the latest indictment, Bess Levin [runs through]( the “absolutely wildest details” in the DOJ’s case, as Brian Stelter [breaks down]( the evidence with former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann on Inside the Hive. Meanwhile, Charlotte Klein [questions]( whether the public will get to watch the Trump trials given a prohibition on cameras in federal court. Shifting from the courtroom to the Capitol, we have [fresh reporting]( from Pablo Manríquez on how Mitch McConnell’s health scares are stoking Senate succession chatter. “If and when the time comes, I’m interested,” John Thune tells him, while Mitt Romney says “people who would be interested in his position are people who are in leadership today,” noting Thune, John Barrasso, and Joni Ernst. Plus, Chris Smith [catches up]( with Trump ally turned critic Chris Christie. Thanks for reading, and we’ll see back Monday. —Michael Calderone, editor— [Mitch McConnell]( [Falls and a Freeze-Up: Mitch McConnell’s Health Scares Prompt Succession Chatter]( By [Pablo Manríquez]( [The 81-year-old minority leader is the longest-serving party head in Senate history. But a spate of health issues has fellow senators wondering whether McConnell’s reign is slowly coming to an end.]( [Read more button](   [“Unusually Strong”: A Mueller Prosecutor Says Trump’s Indictment No. 3 Packs a Wallop]( By [Brian Stelter]( [Andrew Weissmann runs through the “rock-solid” evidence ahead of a trial that he believes will test “whether we are going to adhere to the rule of law in this country.”]( [Read more button](   [The Absolutely Wildest Details of the Government’s Latest Indictment Against Donald Trump]( By [Bess Levin]( [Like the conversation that led Mike Pence’s chief of staff to alert the Secret Service, and Rudy Giuliani’s admission that he and Trump had no evidence at all of election fraud.]( [Read more button](   [Will the Public Get to Watch Donald Trump on Trial?]( By [Charlotte Klein]( [Cameras aren’t currently allowed in federal courtrooms, but legal experts are calling for changes given the immense national interest in cases against the former president. “This shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” says Neal Katyal. “Everyone benefits from increased transparency.”]( [Read more button](   [Image may contain: Tie, Accessories, Accessory, Electrical Device, Microphone, Human, Person, Suit, Coat, and Clothing]( [Chris Christie Isn’t Apologizing for Once Riding the Trump Train: “I’m Not Perfect”]( By [Chris Smith]( [After endorsing Trump in the 2016 election, the former New Jersey governor and 2024 candidate suddenly has nothing good to say about the ex-president—or Joe Biden. “The two of them are both unacceptable alternatives,” he tells Vanity Fair. “I would not vote if that’s the choice.”]( [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