Making a Legacy

On Her Terms

Skimm’d by: Aryanna Prasad Bhullar and Maria Corpus

What’s going on: First Lady Melania Trump has been known for her fashion and for keeping a low profile (sometimes both at the same time). But lately, Melania’s spearheading new initiatives and executive orders and brokering global peace deals. This week, The New York Times detailed her work with Imperia, a networking forum she launched that’s been described as a “Davos for women.” In October, she pushed for an executive order prioritizing women’s health research. And most recently, she’s become a “dark horse diplomat” in the war between Ukraine and Russia, securing a short-term ceasefire and advocating for thousands of Ukrainian children in Russia to be returned home. Her efforts culminated in a rare White House meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials that she hosted last week. It’s quite a different picture than late-night hosts usually paint. 

Leaving her mark: Critics point out that some of Melania’s political efforts, especially in recent months, may contradict her husband’s policies. Many say Imperia directly conflicts with the Trump administration’s anti-DEI policy, something department officials and Melania herself have refuted. The New York Times reports the admin has sued companies like Coca-Cola for hosting similar woman-focused networking initiatives. Still, the first lady’s political influence has been limited and largely bipartisan — see her Be Best campaign and the Take It Down Act. As she takes a growing public approach to her role, she’s giving people a behind-the-scenes look of sorts with Melania, the Series — a follow-up to a documentary that one New York Times reviewer called an “outwardly apolitical portrait.”

Related: Melania Teamed Up With LSU To Give $7.2 Million in Scholarships to Former Foster Care Kids (The Associated Press)

Neverending Campaign

Who's the (Congressional) Boss?

Skimm’d by: Stephanie Gallman and Samantha Darby

What's going on: The midterm election was last week (some states are still counting ballots), but Congress now needs leaders. On Tuesday, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) was voted his party’s minority leader in the House. Labeled a “fighter,” Jordan has engaged in combative exchanges as head of the Judiciary Committee and is an outspoken ally of President Donald Trump. His win contrasts sharply with the reelection of an “old school,” institutional politician like Sen. John Thune (R-SD) to lead Senate Republicans. While Democrats clean up the confetti from their midterm wins, the battle for leadership hangs in the balance. The assumption that current minority leaders Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) would remain in their respective chamber roles is up in the air (and even got the Saturday Night Live treatment). 

What do these jobs even do?: Besides being the most visible spokespeople for their parties, congressional leaders for the majority largely articulate the agenda for sessions. They keep voting tabs for their party, and when necessary, act as lead negotiators to get legislation over the line. In the House, the speaker presides over votes and is second in line to the presidency. Jeffries feels like he’s made his case for the job — he pushed Republican-gerrymandered districts to go blue and helped raise $826 million for candidates. Schumer was a frontrunner, but some progressive Democrats oppose his appointment. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) announced Tuesday he won’t support him, and that the midterms are proof it’s time for generational change in the party.

Related: This Is the New Face of the Progressive Left (Politico)

Who Needs Caviar?

The “Luxification of Pie” Is Here 

Skimm’d by: Erika W. Smith

What’s going on: Whether you prefer pecan, pumpkin, or sweet potato, the best part of Thanksgiving is the pie. I look forward to my mom’s multi-year journey through the Sister Pie cookbook, but if you’re going store-bought, some prices are the opposite of humble. Earlier this month, New York Magazine declared that the best pie to order for the holiday comes from Queens bakery Mishie’s and costs up to $150 for a 12-inch version. It features a Cinnamon Toast Crunch crust (yes, the cereal) filled with custard and apple-cider caramel, and it's topped with gold leaf-flecked sour cream rosettes. As The New York Times puts it, “The luxification of pie is not just a big-city phenomenon.” While you can find them in San Francisco, Houston, and NYC, they're also in Kimmswick, Missouri. We know the tablescapers are already on this trend.

Who wants whipped cream?: Like pretty much everything else, the pie economy is K-shaped, experts say. This means that the wealthy increasingly seek out pricey pies while lower-income Americans are looking for deals, like Costco’s popular $5.99 pumpkin pie, which feeds 12 people — and sold nine million in 2024. Others see the dessert as a small luxury that can make the holiday feel special: “There are people who might be, like, I can’t afford a car, but I have $135 so I’ll go buy this fancy pie,” Commercial Baking editor-in-chief Joanie Spencer told The NYT. The good news: If you’re not trying to splurge on dessert, you don’t have to. Store-bought pumpkin pie prices are only 2.5% higher on average than last year, and if you’re going homemade, flour and sugar are slightly cheaper. And remember: Making more than you need means you can have pie for breakfast the next day.

Related: How To Make a Thanksgiving Meal for Under $40 for 10 People (Business Insider)

What I’m Buying for the Guys in My Life

Caroline, Senior Commerce Editor, here. Somehow, I find men the hardest people to buy gifts for. Their tastes are just…mysterious to me. For that reason, I’m getting a head start on shopping with these as-foolproof-as-possible options:

• A bottle of the body wash my boyfriend keeps stealing from me (plus a refill) 

• This tee for my Knicks-obsessed brother-in-law…and a complementary toddler sweatshirt for my nephew

• An app-controlled paper airplane my dad will get a kick out of

• And more gifts for guys, handpicked by an actual guy

PS: Want more options? Check out our gift guides here.

Quick Hits

❄️ A psychologist has the best tips for making it through — and enjoying — the winter months. You’re going to need some new candles.

👁️ People under 35 now represent the fastest-growing group of patients receiving blepharoplasty, an eyelid surgery that removes excess skin or fat. What happened to using eyeshadow as contour?

🎵 Coachella’s 2027 lineup just dropped, and whoever got Dua Lipa and SZA to headline deserves a raise. Don’t snooze on the rest of the list, either. 

👏 From the Muppets to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, we are completely OK with corporate commercials pandering to our millennial nostalgia. Our biggest question is… Bueller?

🎨 Thirteen-year-old Prince George illustrated a kingfisher bird for a Prince William-edited issue of Country Life, and the kid’s got skills. He and George W. should do a collab. 

🎶 Brandy and Monica are teaming up for a ten-show “The Boy Is Mine” Las Vegas residency. Xillennials, this is your moment.

😬 Journalists have to stand out on the red carpet, too, which is why this one gave Leslie Knope — sorry, Amy Poehler — a dry waffle. She hit him with a Leslie Nope.