Pete Hegseth Can Bring You in…and Take You Out

Politics

Pete Hegseth Can Bring You in…and Take You Out

What's going on: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth might be pulling the plug on AI at the Pentagon. Axios reports that he’s close to labeling Anthropic (the creator of Claude) a “supply chain risk.” The label is typically reserved for foreign adversaries — not for a company that has a $200 million contract with the US military. But things have changed since Hegseth and Anthropic first signed their partnership over the summer. For months, both sides have tried to negotiate Anthropic’s terms of use. And while the company is ready to ease some restrictions on its AI, it wants assurances that the tech won’t be used to surveil Americans or create fully autonomous weapons systems. The Pentagon argues there’s no need for all of these limitations. But we’ve seen Terminator before.

What it means: Anthropic’s CEO has concerns about how the Pentagon is using its tech. Unfortunately, it might be too late to draw a moral line in the sand. Previous reports have found that the Pentagon already collects Americans’ data, buying it from brands scraping your social media, your Bluetooth headphones — even your car tires. And the stakes remain high for defense contractors. If Hegseth does cut the cord, they’ll have to choose between doing business with Anthropic and keeping their government contracts. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is applying the pressure elsewhere. Last month, Hegseth said the military “will not employ AI models that won’t allow you to fight wars.” What happens next could set the stage for future Defense Department negotiations with other AI heavyweights, including Google and OpenAI.

Related: How the Military Used Claude To Capture the Venezuelan President (WSJ Gift Link)

The News in 5

🗞️ Amid nuclear talks with the US, Iran temporarily closed a vital global route for oil — an unprecedented move that could further raise tensions.

🗞️ Yes, ICE agents are talking sh*t about each other online. And some of the details in the chat might surprise you.

🗞️ Why is Secretary of State Marco Rubio campaigning in Hungary?

🗞️ The heir to one of the largest hotel chains in the world stepped down after admitting he was associated with Jeffrey Epstein.

🗞️ Turns out, President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to federal health, education, research, and housing programs might not go through after all.

TV

The FCC Takes Another Swipe at Late Night

What's going on: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has meddled with the late-night lineup once again. This time, it’s Stephen Colbert’s show. This week, Colbert said CBS refused to air his Late Show interview with Texas lawmaker and Senate candidate Rep. James Talarico (D). So Colbert posted it to his YouTube page instead. The host said CBS’s decision came after FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned that the agency would more strictly enforce the “equal time” rule. Daytime and late-night shows have typically been exempt from this regulation, which requires that all candidates in a political race get the same amount of air time. But Carr may change that, believing late-night shows can be “motivated by partisan purposes.” Rep. Talarico had another theory: “I think that Donald Trump is worried that we’re about to flip Texas.” We’ll see if Carr finds that funny.

What it means: In the YouTube interview, Talarico called the kerfuffle a major First Amendment problem, especially since his appearance on The View is also under an FCC “equal time” investigation. This all comes after ABC temporarily took Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air following the host’s comments about Charlie Kirk. There was also that FCC dust-up over former VP Kamala Harris’s appearance on Saturday Night Live in 2024. With all of this in mind, some critics worry political comedy could grow more risk-averse. Bottom line: If every laugh needs legal review? Expect fewer laughs.

Related: Anderson Cooper Shared His Personal Reason For Leaving CBS’s 60 Minutes (USA Today)

Technology

Get Ready To Vibe-Code

What's going on: Life brims with tedious tasks — or at least it did. But now, more people are “vibe-coding” their way out of them. How? By asking chatbots to generate easy-to-execute code that automates admin work, no developer degree required. With simple instructions, the AI makes vibe-coding easy enough, even for people who struggle to successfully create a TikTok (guilty). The trend doesn’t apply to a specific generation — nor a single set of work tasks. One person claimed they figured out how to vibe code their way to being a “better Catholic,” while another created a tutor for her son with dyslexia.

What it means: If you hardcoded your Myspace, you can vibe-code your life. Start small. Pick one specific folder, one recurring task, one clearly defined goal. Describe the problem in precise terms and ask the bot how code could solve it. The chatbot will create a script and explain how to use it. Run a test, and voilà — your own tiny automation invention. We bet this is exactly how Lisa Simpson felt when she created Linguo. Just be sure to consider the privacy risks. There are some things you should never share with a chatbot. When coding won’t cut it, schedule an “admin night,” light a candle, and reward yourself afterward with a little treat.

Related: Companies Are Treating Chatbots Like a New Generation of Influencers (NYT Gift Link)

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Congress is set to depose former Victoria's Secret CEO Les Wexner in relation to the Epstein files.

🗓️ Michelle Yeoh will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Time for another Crazy Rich Asians rewatch. 

🗓️ The Olympic men’s hockey quarterfinals. Team USA takes on Sweden at 3:10 pm ET.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

TOGETHER WITH BOSTON SCIENTIFIC

Ask An Expert

Q: For people living with obesity who are curious about potential weight loss treatments, how do you determine what’s right for that person? 

Rabia de Latour, M.D.: It’s important to hear about a patient’s journey, and that includes their personal and family history. I learn about their diet, exercise, relationship with food and medicine, previous surgeries, and personal and professional responsibilities so that we can carve out a realistic plan including potential treatments. One lesser-known, innovative approach I’ve recommended to eligible patients in my practice is endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG),^† part of Endura Weight Loss Solutions. This minimally invasive procedure makes the stomach smaller — without external incisions — so there’s minimal recovery time for patients. Translation: ESG helps patients feel fuller, faster, resulting in lasting weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.

Know It All

Elana Meyers Taylor just made history by becoming the oldest Olympic Winter Champion in an individual event. She's…

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.