Price

Seriously, one week, Democrats?

You couldn’t have kept our hope for a revived democracy alive a little longer? You couldn’t pretend to have a spine, or leadership, respect for voters, or even just a plan — for more than seven days?

On the first Tuesday after the blue tsunami supposedly restored the checks and balances of our government, barely 170 hours into this shift of power, a vote to stop Republicans from burying an effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was tanked by … Democrats. Eleven of them, to be precise, who didn’t show up to cast their vote in the House, thereby letting the impeachment effort be rolled into an early grave in the committee process.

New Mexico Rep. Melanie Stansbury, one of the Absent 11, had this to say about getting stuck in traffic on her way back from a Democratic cocktail party and missing the vote: “There is no one who is more disappointed in myself than me that I was not here that the moment that gavel dropped.”

Actually, Mel, there is.

In fact, there are millions of folks more disappointed in you than you are — in all Democrats, for that matter. Not only are they disappointed, they’re rightfully angry, which is a major, magical feat when seven days ago, America was embracing the Democratic Party in a way it hasn’t in more than a decade. It’s actually impressive Democrats could screw up so badly, so quickly.

So what really went wrong? Were Republicans just too organized? Democrats sloppy? Should the 11 be held responsible, or is it a larger Democrat mess?

Or did, as Stansbury explained, a slow-rolling bus really just destroy the Democrats’ comeback?

The California 3

Three of the Absent 11 were Californians, so let’s take a look at that. Santa Ana’s Lou Correa knew in advance he wouldn’t be at the vote for medical reasons. On Monday, he told media that he was having a surgery and couldn’t travel — but he didn’t think he would be missing much.

“Other than the [Pete] Hegseth impeachment, there’s nothing else,” Correa said in an interview, adding that he supported impeachment of the Defense secretary.

But it turned out he had a heart attack and Tuesday needed emergency open-heart surgery, so fair. Correa gets a pass.

Democratic standard-bearer Nancy Pelosi was also in California instead of Congress, having flown back that day. Surely, this lioness of the left must have a good reason?

“Speaker Emerita Pelosi returned to San Francisco to join and honor local veterans at Swords to Plowshares’ 30th Annual Veterans Day Celebration tonight, an important and longstanding district tradition she regularly attends and will mark for the last time as a Member of Congress by receiving the Lifetime Advocate for Veterans Award,” her spokesperson told SFGate.

“We could never do enough” to honor veterans, she said at that event.

Sure, great, OK. Like you know, protecting them from an amateurish “secretary of War” who has decimated the leadership ranks of the military and is being accused of perhaps ordering extrajudicial killings?

And what about Julia Brownley, the soon-to-retire Westlake Village congresswoman who was also absent?

She posted on Facebook that “Hegseth is one of the most incompetent, corrupt, and underqualified Secretaries of Defense in the history of our nation.”

But, as she “and many of my colleagues were rushing to the floor to support Hegseth’s impeachment, [Speaker] Mike Johnson closed the vote before we could.”

D’oh!

I sent multiple emails to her office asking why she was so late, but didn’t receive a response. Other outlets have indicated she was stuck in traffic too.

Regardless of gridlock, as another Californian — Los Angeles Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove — put it, it was “shameful” to miss the vote.

“We knew that this vote was coming, so people should have gotten their raggedy selves up these steps to vote,” she said. “There is no reason why we should have lost this vote because of attendance issues.”

But was it really the Absent 11’s fault?

Leadership vacuum

Multiple news outlets have reported that the postelection celebration that pulled so many party members away from Congress and into traffic was also attended by Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts. The whip, for those who don’t know, is the party member elected to herd the rest into voting.

The Wall Street Journal reported Clark left the party early because she heard about the logjam and didn’t want to miss the vote — but apparently didn’t tell her colleagues?

At a Wednesday morning meeting, Clark apparently expressed her disappointment that her fellow Congress members didn’t show up, which, again, is her responsibility to ensure that they do. One job, Madame Whip, one job.

But maybe it wasn’t Clark’s fault either?

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who would very much like to become House speaker and probably will, had earlier declared himself a “hard yes” on impeaching Hegseth.

But critics, especially on the progressive left, are attacking him for failing to round up support on this vote — there was, apparently, no be-there-or-face-consequences message.

Jeffries has been criticized in the past for seemingly failing to understand just how anxious the Democratic base is for action, and failing to keep his party on track. He’s also been criticized as a less-than-dynamic communicator.

It’s more than possible that Democrats didn’t think this was the right time to impeach Hegseth, with the articles introduced by Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie. The impeachment effort was somewhat doomed in the House from the start, and the Senate, where an impeachment trial would be held, is for now still Republican dominated.

Maybe Jeffries is playing chess, opting for strategy over optics.

The real lesson

But it’s irrelevant whether this was strategy or screw-up — it’s a sour start. The Democrats just proved in short order that they do not understand this moment in American politics, and they are really, really bad at communicating.

Both of those are politically deadly. If Democrats, or the leadership under Jeffries, thought that this vote didn’t matter to the public or that it wasn’t the best way to go, they were wrong.

Whether this impeachment was going to be successful or just symbolic, it was the symbol voters wanted. It was an easy way for Democrats to show they heard the message from this election and were taking voters seriously.

If there was indeed a masterful backroom political strategy to not voting, Democrats needed to communicate that in advance. Before they put a knife in Massie’s back and ours, there needed to be solid, clear messaging about why the blade was for the greater good. Because, seriously, Hegseth is unqualified and dangerous.

This debacle does not bode well for what comes in the next session of Congress. Voters didn’t elect Democrats to play secretive games, to plot and plan in the dark for future moves, or worse — to continue the status quo of wandering around in disarray as Republicans stay in lockstep.

Seven days, Democrats. I’ve bought fish that lasted longer.

What else you should be reading:

The must-read: She claimed to be a rich L.A. aerospace heiress. Now she’s hiding from police in Dubai, FBI says
The California angle: What Becerra’s historic win says about Latino political power in California
The L.A. Times Special: Xavier Becerra makes history as California’s first elected Latino governor

Stay Golden,

Anita Chabria

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IF you want a winter sun holiday that’s worth the money, where should you ACTUALLY go?

I look at cheap holiday deals every day, and certain destinations become automatic recommendations based on my experience alone.

But I also love checking whether the numbers agree with me.

So I’ve dug deep into the booking data at On The Beach to rank the official top ten winter sun destinations – down to the exact resort – by what holidaymakers paid per person, per night to stay.

The result takes us through the Canaries, Egypt and Morocco, with holiday deals for as little as £170 each.

Here’s the countdown, starting at number ten.

10. Costa Teguise, Lanzarote

Costa Teguise earns its place by giving you plenty of ways to spend the week – Las Cucharas is the beach to stick on your list if you fancy trying a water sport, while Pueblo Marinero brings restaurants, markets and live music into the mix.

And that’s what I like about it – there’s enough going on to give each day a bit of variety, with plenty of opportunity to settle into a favourite spot and stay there.

Holidaymakers paid £93 per person per night on average, putting Costa Teguise in tenth place on this shortlist.

Personally, I’d look for a hotel or apartment that makes it easy to enjoy the resort, because when you’ve got beaches, places to eat and activities nearby, the location factors into the value.

The best deal I found is five nights’ Self Catering at Tabaiba Center from £205pp, including direct return flights from East Midlands on January 9, 2027.

There’s a pool for those afternoons lazing near your accommodation, while self-catering gives you the freedom to decide which meals to sort yourself and when to head out.

9. Los Cristianos, Tenerife

Los Cristianos is one I’d recommend when someone wants a holiday with plenty on the doorstep.

You’ve got beaches, obviously, but also a working harbour and the option of taking a ferry to La Gomera for a completely different day out.

It gives you the choice between staying happily put and adding a little island-hopping to the itinerary.

For me, the appeal is being able to have a full holiday without having to organise a big excursion every morning.

The booking data puts Los Cristianos at £87 per person per night on average.

I’d consider it for couples, friends or anyone who likes having a choice of places to eat and somewhere to go after dinner.

The deal I found is five nights’ Self Catering at Coral Los Alisios from £280pp, including direct return flights from London Gatwick on January 8, 2027.

The four-star complex has a pool and sun terrace, giving you somewhere to relax between outings. And with self-catering, you can keep breakfast simple before heading out to enjoy Tenerife.

8. Maspalomas, Gran Canaria

Maspalomas gives you holiday views that make getting on a plane feel immediately worthwhile.

The dunes are stunning here: a protected landscape of sand, palms and a lagoon beside the Atlantic.

I’d make time for the viewpoints, the beach and an evening around the lighthouse.

But the beauty of the resort is you don’t need to fill every day with paid attractions when the surroundings provide so much of the entertainment.

At £85 per person per night on average, Maspalomas takes eighth place.

And here, I’d choose a base that suits how you want to spend the days, so I went looking for a decent apartment set up in a great location.

The deal I found is five nights’ Self Catering at Apartamentos Koala Garden LIVVO Home Collection from £255pp, including direct return flights from Manchester on January 18, 2027.

The hotel gives you a pool and space to enjoy the sunshine, with the flexibility of sorting some meals yourself.

7. Hurghada, Egypt

Hurghada is one I regularly check when someone wants the hotel to be a big part of the holiday.

My instinct here is to go all inclusive and book a hotel you’re excited to spend time in, your main meals sorted with drinks included.

Then you’ve got the Red Sea to explore, plus the marina and traditional markets when you fancy getting out. 

Hurghada offers plenty of scope for combining resort time with something more adventurous.

And British holidaymakers paid £84 per person per night on average in the booking data.

For a deal in the wider Hurghada area, I found five nights’ all inclusive at Lemon & Soul Makadi Garden in Makadi Bay from £295pp, including direct return flights from London Luton on January 20, 2027.

This hotel is in Makadi Bay and it’s a great option with a generous pool area, and the hotel even boasts a whopping 4.5/5 Tripadvisor score from more than 2,500 reviews.

Flights, five nights’ accommodation, main meals and selected drinks for £590 for two people? That’s a lot of the holiday sorted before you even arrive.

6. Naama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh

Naama Bay is where I’d look for a Sharm holiday with a lively centre.

Beach time comes with the option of bars, restaurants and shopping, giving you somewhere to head when you fancy an evening beyond the hotel.

It’s a good fit for anyone who enjoys having a resort to get involved in.

The average amount paid was £83 per person per night, putting it just ahead of Hurghada.

I’d choose it for a perfect winter sun combination: time to relax during the day, then the freedom to go out and see what takes your fancy.

The deal I found is five nights’ all inclusive at Sharm Holiday Resort from £270pp, including direct return flights from London Gatwick on January 26, 2027.

The four-star hotel has a massive pool area, giving you somewhere to spend those slower days.

And with your meals and drinks included, you can budget separately for any evenings out if you fancy a drink outside of the resort.

5. Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

Puerto del Carmen makes the top five, and I can see why it deserves a place on the shortlist.

Its old harbour gives you a flavour of the fishing village the resort grew from, alongside the beaches and holiday facilities that make it such an established Lanzarote choice.

I like somewhere that gives you options without requiring much planning – a beach afternoon, an evening around the harbour, somewhere different for dinner, and enough variety to keep things interesting while still feeling like a proper break.

Holidaymakers paid £80 per person per night on average according to the booking data.

For this one, I’d compare self-catering and B&B packages, because having a place to prepare your own breakfast can work well when you’re keen to try different restaurants during the trip.

The deal I found is five nights’ Self Catering at San Francisco Park – Adults Only from £240pp, including direct return flights from Dublin on January 17, 2027.

The adults-only complex has a pool surrounded by apartments, giving you a relaxed base for a trip built around enjoying Puerto del Carmen.

For £480 for two people, including flights, you can keep things flexible: breakfast in, dinner out and the rest decided as you go.

4. Om El Sid, Sharm El Sheikh

Om El Sid is a lesser known area of Sharm El Sheikh.

But this is the name I’d look for if getting swimming in the sea is high on your holiday wish list.

The Ras Um Sid area is known for its reef and diving, giving you the opportunity to make the underwater scenery a memorable part of the trip.

That’s where I’d focus my hotel search: what beach access it offers, how you reach the water and whether it suits the kind of swimming or snorkelling you want to do.

The booking data puts Om El Sid at £77 per person per night on average, making it the highest-placed Egyptian destination on this shortlist.

The deal I found is five nights’ Bed & Breakfast at Falcon Hills from £250pp, including direct return flights from London Luton on January 18, 2027.

Breakfast included takes the pressure our of finding somewhere to eat when you’ve just woken up, while leaving the rest of the itinerary open.

I’d use it as a base for a mix of hotel time, exploring and taking a dip in the sea as often as possible.

3. Nuevo Horizonte, Fuerteventura

Nuevo Horizonte is a useful name to have up your sleeve when you’re searching for an affordable Canary Islands holiday.

It sits around two kilometres north of Caleta de Fuste, and I’d consider it for a relaxed base.

Yet you still havethe option of heading into the neighbouring resort when you fancy a change.

At £74 per person per night on average, it takes third place in this ranking.

And for me, I’d be looking for an apartment hotel here – having your own space, a fridge and somewhere to sort breakfast can help you shape the spending around what matters to you.

The deal I found is five nights’ Self Catering at Elba Lucia Sport & Suite Hotel from £210pp, including direct return flights from Bristol on 11 January 2027.

There’s a large pool area, so you’ve got somewhere to settle on those afternoons when the diary is deliberately empty.

And the self-catering basis also leaves you in charge of how often you eat in or head out.

2. Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura takes silver as well as bronze, with Caleta de Fuste coming in at an average of just £73 per person per night on average.

It’s a particularly useful option for families because the resort has sheltered beaches, a marina and activities including diving excursions and golf, giving different members of the group something to get excited about.

It’s also only around seven kilometres from the airport and this is a practical advantage worth having.

I’m very much in favour of spending more of the holiday enjoying the destination.

I’d look for accommodation that makes the most of the resort’s convenience – somewhere with the facilities you’ll use, easy access to the places you want to visit and a board basis that fits your budget.

The deal I found is five nights’ Self Catering at Fuertesol from £185pp, including direct return flights from Bristol on January 11, 2027.

The accommodation is arranged around a pool, giving you a holiday base with somewhere to enjoy the sunshine between outings.

For £370 for two people, including flights, this is the sort of starting price that gets my attention. 

1. Agadir, Morocco

And the lowest average on this shortlist belongs to Agadir – at £71 per person per night, Morocco’s Atlantic beach city takes the top spot.

What I like about Agadir is that you can combine a beach holiday with experiences that give the trip a completely different flavour.

Spend time browsing Souk El Had, try Moroccan dishes and visit the Agadir Oufella kasbah for history and views over the city.

The winning combination here is the price and the variety – you can relax, explore, shop and eat well, with a beach to return to whenever the mood takes you.

The deal I found is five nights’ Bed & Breakfast at Tildi Hotel & Spa from £170pp, including direct return flights from Edinburgh on January 11, 2027.

It’s a four-star hotel with a pool and gardens, giving you somewhere to unwind between exploring Agadir.

Breakfast included means you can start each day fed and ready to go, with the rest of the meals left open for trying different places.

That’s £340 for two people, including flights and breakfast, so for someone asking where I’d start the search for an affordable winter escape, I’d happily recommend Agadir.

KATIE Price has pointed out the uncanny resemblance to her daughter Princess Andre with a stunning ‘half and half’ snap.

The former glamour model, 48, took to Instagram to share the striking photo with her 2.7m followers.

The left half of the face was Princess’ bright blue eyes, long lashes and curly locks, while the right was Katie’s incredible green eyes, thin brow and plump lips.

The edited snap highlighted just how much The Princess Diaries star looks like her mum when Katie was her age.

Katie captioned the post: “Wow! | Love this half & half of Princess & I! Can really see the resemblance!

“Princess to the left me to the right!

LOOKING BACK

Katie Price insists she thought marriage to Lee was ‘for real’

LEE’S SEARCH

Lee Andrews says he’s looking for love again as he offers out dates to fans

“#princessandre #motheranddaughter #halfandhalf #mygirl #katieprice.”

Fans rushed to the comments section to share how they agreed and couldn’t get over how similar they look.

One said: “Twins.”

“Oh wow, so gorgeous, she is literally your twin,” a second wrote.

A third chimed in: “Two peas in a pod, two beauties side by side in looks and in spirit. Doubles.”

A fourth commented: “This is super cute.”

Katie shares Princess, 19, and Junior, 21, with her ex Peter Andre.

The former couple were married between 2005 and 2009.

LEE Andrews has hit out at his ex Katie Price, and confirmed he’s looking for love once again via celebrity dating app Raya.

The self-proclaimed ‘businessman’ took to his Instagram on Friday night to slam the former glamour model, proving their suspected reconciliation is far from on.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, Lee actually encouraged his followers to get in touch and potentially date him.

He wrote: “Since my soon to be ex wife has joined dating apps and is now following random boys.

“I think it’s only fair this man trys innocent dating. Dm me and I’ll come have fun turn up a devilish Gent and be your date love Lee Andrews x.”

Lee then tagged dating app Raya.

close call

Big Brother voting figures reveal how close gap was between Rochelle and Twinks

FINAL VERDICT

MAFS UK’s Shona Manderson breaks silence on show axe after coming forward

Katie then took to her Instagram page to confirm she is not, in fact, on dating apps at all.

She wrote: “Just to address the situation I’ve been married had the family life I thought my last marriage was for real and my final destination.

“I’m not interested in meeting anyone else engaging with anyone messaging anyone or going on any dating apps or dates.”

Katie added that she is “happy and content” in her own life with her circle of friends and family.

It comes after conman Lee told fans today that he has plans to remove all his tattoos – including the three tributes he has to Katie and one for her son Harvey.

Lee currently has “Owned by Katie” inked across his back, “Katie” scrawled in cursive on his hand and at the top of his stomach.

He’s also shown off his portrait of Harvey and a frog.

This comes after months of drama, with Katie revealing she had dumped Lee after becoming fed up with his web of lies.

Katie ended their marriage via WhatsApp after discovering he had just £2.22 in his bank account – despite claiming to be a millionaire – while Lee was recently released from Dubai’s notorious Al Awir prison following a four-month stint.

Barri Worth Girvan, a veteran government employee who ran on a platform of leveraging her experience to advocate for residents, declared victory in the race for Los Angeles City Council’s Third District seat late Friday.

Worth Girvan’s announcement came after the latest vote tally Friday evening showed her widening her lead over rival Tim Gaspar, with 51% of the vote to Gaspar’s 49%.

“I will bring competence, transparency, follow-through, and ethical leadership to City Hall, which Angelenos deserve and too often do not get,” she said in a statement, which also thanked Gaspar for stepping up to run as well.

“I know how City Hall works, and I know how to make it work for you,” Worth Girvan said. “I am ready to hit the ground running on Day One, delivering the services our neighborhoods deserve, and leading with the integrity you have every right to expect.

Earlier Friday, Gaspar’s campaign said he wasn’t yet ready to concede. The campaign couldn’t immediately be reached for comment following Worth Girvan’s announcement.

The current Third District councilmember, Bob Blumenfield, is leaving office because of term limits. The 3rd District seat includes Woodland Hills, Reseda and Canoga Park.

Worth Girvan and Gaspar were virtually tied on election night Tuesday, but on Thursday Worth Girvan began pulling ahead as more mail-in ballots were counted.

Before entering the race, Worth Girvan was L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s district director for three years, handling constituent services on the Westside and in the Valley.

A former insurance company owner, Gaspar is running on a pro-business platform and has been endorsed by the Valley Industry & Commerce Assn. and the Los Angeles Police Protective League, a union representing LAPD officers. He’s also been endorsed by Blumenfield, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, real estate developer Rick Caruso and former Democratic state Assemblymember Bob Hertzberg, Worth Girvan’s former boss.

Worth Girvan was endorsed by the L.A. County Democratic Party and labor unions including the local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Service Employees International Union. She’s also been endorsed by Horvath and former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

In the race for District 9, both Jose Ugarte and Estuardo Mazariegos remain locked in a tight contest. Councilmember Curren Price is also termed out.

District 9 encompasses South L.A. neighborhoods, the Convention Center and USC. But no matter who wins, District 9 will undergo a shift in representation after decades of being represented by a Black council member.

Price is currently facing charges of embezzlement and conflict of interest and he has denied wrongdoing. Price has endorsed Ugarte, his former deputy chief of staff, whose platform includes protecting city residents from federal immigration enforcement and the Trump administration.

Mazariegos is backed by the L.A. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. He’s worked as a community organizer for decades and said he’s running to improve quality of life in the city, including by making housing more affordable and spending money on basic services other than policing.

Ugarte’s campaign received outside support from special interest groups including Airbnb, Uber, the California Apartment Assn. and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18, which represents workers at the Department of Water and Power.

Mazariegos was supported by groups including United Teachers Los Angeles and the Progressive Era PAC. Special interest groups have spent more than $250,000 supporting his campaign.

In the wake of President Trump’s historic, humiliating, crushing midterm trouncing, his most loyal followers are doing what could reasonably be expected from such a fine, upstanding bunch — variously jumping ship, backstabbing and doubling down on sycophancy and lies.

With dizzying speed, the Trump era has been upended by this democratic Democratic revolt, and not even the staunchest of MAGA supporters seem to know what to do — not even the president himself.

The big man met his defeat with unusual equanimity on Wednesday, promising to work with Democrats, who most certainly have other ideas in mind. By Thursday, the president was complaining about daylight saving time, and bragging about home improvements, offering media a tour of the ballroom construction, a peek at the emperor’s new granite, if you will. For Trump, at least, it was as if the election never happened.

But with Democrats gearing up an avalanche of investigations, those in Trump’s orbit clearly know it’s going to be a dark winter.

Let’s check in with the jumpers, the stabbers and the bottom kissers to see what they’re up to.

Sinking ship

It’s not unusual for top government officials to skedaddle after a midterm election. The two-year mark offers a somewhat elegant exit for those who have suddenly decided to spend more time with family.

So it was little surprise when Trump’s legal lapdog Harmeet Dhillon announced Thursday that she was resigning from her job as the head of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Someone had to be first, and it doesn’t shock me it was one of the few women left in the administration.

Under her tenure, civil rights were dismantled, which is not historically what the office is for. The agency was hollowed out of the nonpartisan legal experts who made a career serving government — more than 75% of the staff left. Instead, she wielded her power to, as she proudly put it, destroy diversity, equity and inclusion — making observers such as myself wonder whether she actually understood what civil rights are.

“Harmeet Dhillon has been the most destructive, lawless, and hateful head of the Civil Rights Division in DOJ history,” said Stacey Young, founder of Justice Connection, a group that supports current and former civil servants driven to near-insanity by the lawlessness of the Trump era. Young served in the Civil Rights office herself, across the administrations of five presidents.

“After she upended the division’s mission-critical work, the civil servants who dedicated their careers to protecting vulnerable communities were instead told to target them — and more than three-quarters of the division’s lawyers left,” Young continued in a statement. “Dhillon wielded the enormous power of the Justice Department to threaten universities, state and local officials, and election workers in spurious cases that rarely won in court.”

Rarely won in court is the key part there, because for all her vitriol and energy, Dhillon mostly lost when an actual judge was involved. But CBS reported her near-perfect losing streak wasn’t what ultimately drew Trump’s ire — it was her performance on “60 Minutes.”

So we know the ship is sinking — did Dhillon jump or was she pushed? Either way, buh-bye.

The knife-wielder

Leave it to Vice President JD Vance to stab someone in the back the moment it seems convenient. In the run-up to the election, Vance doubled down on every hateful thing he could lay his hands on.

He came out in support of Vivek Ramaswamy’s smarmy ad that used his opponent’s childhood rape as ammunition. He supercharged his racist attacks on Black immigrants, claiming illegal Somali voters were going to “flood” the polls.

Then, when the blue tsunami washed all that garbage away, he posted a long missive on social media explaining how the loss had nothing to do with the economy, or gas prices, or out of control Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. It was all about Iran.

“The reason we lost is the war,” Vance wrote. “The president himself said so last night.”

That would be Pete Hegseth’s war, you know, the belligerent, pec-flexing Trump sycophant whose name has also been floated as a presidential contender, God help us all. In truth, a Hegseth run is the only possible thing that could make Vance look good at this point.

But snakes gonna slither, so Vance (who, to be fair, was never that into this war) is using the moment to subtly blame the Defense secretary, and the blow seems to have landed, with his party, and with his boss.

Asked about Vance’s take, Trump said he agreed the war caused the midterm loss, but he had “no choice.” Now, there are rumblings that Hegseth’s days are numbered.

Kissy, kissy

Hegseth, meanwhile, doubled down Thursday on his crazy he-man routine. I mean, honestly, it’s alarming that this guy is making decisions about lunch, much less war.

In a five-minute video filmed with some kind of Nixon-era filter, Hegseth rambled between sucking up to Trump, making it seem like the war is going great, personal grievance that he might be held accountable for the war, and just making weird, scary pronouncements.

Here’s three of my top picks:

“Narco-terrorists should die, not be caught and released,” he said, apparently promoting extrajudicial executions.

“This is not about me, but of course the other side, in case you’ve noticed, they’re obsessed,” he said shortly after, referring to his side, in fact, and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie’s (who has long been a thorn in Hegseth’s side) threat to impeach Hegseth if he didn’t resign.

“A disgruntled, defeated congressman, along with all his Democrat allies, has also dropped sham articles of impeachment against yours truly, just like they tried against President Trump twice,” Hegseth complained. “It’s all about the politics of personal destruction. Didn’t work against President Trump, and it won’t work with me.”

Well, we’ll see, Pete.

But what about the Dems?

Meanwhile, literally every Democrat ever was busy working on which investigations they will pursue once the new, blue Congress is sworn in.

Chief among those was California’s own Robert Garcia, the Long Beach congressman who will now be the chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Garcia has been waiting for this moment for a long time, and he’s ready.

It’s “critical that we take on corruption at the White House, that we take on corruption at places like ICE and DHS,” Garcia told me, referring to the Department of Homeland Security.

And as the Democrats do that, there’s only going to be more scurrying in Trump’s top ranks.

What else you should be reading:

The must-read: A ‘tidal wave’ of severe eye disease is looming. It starts with childhood nearsightedness
The California angle: Nithya Raman defeats Bass to become next L.A. mayor
The L.A. Times Special: Newsom wants to empty death row. Most politicians wouldn’t bother — or dare

Stay Golden,

Anita Chabria

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LEE Andrews has admitted he’s “deleting all memories” and removing his tattoo tributes to Katie Price after he unfollowed her on Instagram.

The self-confessed businessman previously followed just one person – his estranged wife Katie, 48.

But now, he follows nobody, pouring cold water over the growing speculation that the pair had secretly rekindled their romance following their bitter split earlier this year.

Taking to Instagram, Lee, 43, appeared to take a swipe at Katie as he shared a clip of someone clicking the yes and deleting all their memories.

Lee often reposts videos on his story that emulate the way he’s feeling – and it seems he believes things with Katie are over.

It appears Lee wants to forget his whirlwind romance with former glamour model Katie, who he married in January.

PRICEY SNUB

Lee Andrews UNFOLLOWS Katie Price as she’s pictured with 16 years younger CEO

PRICE CHECK

Katie Price set to appear with other victims of Lee in explosive documentary

Lee’s social media profile has been made private despite it previously being publicly available.

The conman told fans today that he has plans to remove all his tattoos – including the three tributes he has to Katie and one for her son Harvey.

Lee currently has “Owned by Katie” inked across his back, “Katie” scrawled in cursive on his hand and at the top of his stomach.

He’s also shown off his portrait of Harvey and a frog.

Lee’s string of social media swipes follow the news that Katie was pictured deep in conversation and swapping numbers with entrepreneur Felix Henderson, 32, at the Glamour Awards on Tuesday night.

However, Katie was quick to shut down any speculation about their meeting, insisting on Instagram that Felix was simply a work colleague.

Katie appeared poised to reunite with Lee after being spotted wearing the huge diamond engagement ring he gave her.

This comes after months of drama, with Katie revealing she had dumped Lee after becoming fed up with his web of lies.

Katie ended their marriage via WhatsApp after discovering he had just £2.22 in his bank account – despite claiming to be a millionaire – while Lee was recently released from Dubai’s notorious Al Awir prison following a four-month stint.

LEE Andrews has unfollowed Katie Price on Instagram just hours after she was pictured chatting and swapping numbers with a CEO 16 years her junior.

The 43-year-old ‘businessman’ had only been following just one person on the social media platform — his estranged wife Katie, 48 — but his account now shows that he follows nobody.

The move comes amid growing speculation that the former glamour model and Lee had secretly rekindled their romance following their bitter split earlier this year.

Just hours earlier, Katie was pictured deep in conversation with entrepreneur Felix Henderson, 32, at the Glamour Awards on Tuesday night.

The pair were seen chatting in the VIP area of the bash and exchanging phone numbers, with Felix, who co-founded London-based AI company OhChat, also pictured leaning to Katie.

However, Katie was quick to shut down any speculation about their meeting, insisting on Instagram that Felix was simply a work colleague.

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Katie Price, 48, seen swapping numbers with CEO, 32, at awards

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She explained on Instagram: “Just to clarify, Felix is a work colleague who was representing Oh Chat at the Glamour Awards.” Katie added that they had finally met in person following their professional partnership to create the UK’s first digital twin.

“Our meeting was entirely work-related and there is absolutely nothing more to it than that.”

Felix is also understood to be married with a child.

However, Lee certainly didn’t appear best pleased as he made the social media move just hours later. However, Katie could have also removed him as a follower.

His Instagram account is now private, despite previously being publicly available.

Lee’s apparent decision to unfollow Katie comes just days after he sparked reconciliation rumours by tagging her in a romantic Instagram post about soulmates, which she then shared on her own story.

The mum-of-five had also fueled speculation by wearing the huge diamond engagement ring Lee gave her, while the pair had recently started following each other again on Instagram.

Their potential reunion came after months of drama, with Katie previously revealing she had dumped Lee after becoming fed up with his web of lies.

The Sun revealed that Katie had ended their marriage via WhatsApp after discovering he had just £2.22 in his bank account – despite claiming to be a millionaire – while Lee was recently released from Dubai’s notorious Al Awir prison following a four-month stint.

LOOKING for a holiday where your cash goes further? These destinations have been revealed as the best value for money.

Skyscanner recently unveiled its list of top spots across the world where the price of flights has dropped the most – and in some cases, hotels too.

At the very top of the Skyscanner list is the city of Bilbao which has seen a 66 per cent drop in flight prices from last year.

It’s a great choice for Brits too as it’s the closest Spanish city to the UK taking less than two hours to get there.

One-way flights to Bilbao can be as little as £20 with with the cost of hotels down by 63 per cent from last year, rooms start from £29 on Booking.com.

If you fancy booking a whole trip, with loveholidays the cost of a seven-night break to Bilbao in April 2027 starts from £42pppn.

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As Bilbao is that it doesn’t get as many tourists as lots of other Spanish cities, it’s a lot quieter than its neighbours.

In 2025, just 1.6 million visited Bilbao last year compared to 16 million in Barcelona.

There’s lots to see too like the neighbourhood of Iralabarri which has been compared to Notting Hill thanks to its colourful town houses.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey who visited earlier this year suggested heading its top attraction, the Guggenheim Bilbao museum which is filled with modern and contemporary art.

When it comes to food, Kara attempted the art of txikiteo which is where you hop between tapas bars for snacks and drinks.

Kara added: “My number one spot was Cafe Bar Bilbao for its tasty pork sliders, as well as Taberna Ona for freshly sliced Iberian ham. 

“The most famous Bilbao drink is txakoli, a Basque white wine which you can find pretty much anywhere.

“Squeeze into the family-run Taberna Basaras, a tiny bar with barrels for tables and bottles from floor to ceiling, for a hearty glass. You might also spot the locals ordering a mariano, a vermouth “daytime” cocktail that’s lighter than a negroni.”

The second city on the list is Wrocław in Poland which has had a flight price drop of 47 per cent.

One writer who recently visited called it one of Europe’s ‘best-kept city-break secrets‘.

The Polish city has colourful market squares with cobbled streets and tall pastel townhouses.

It’s known as a city of festivals with lots going on throughout the year from films and jazz to classical music.

If you fancy visiting during the festive period, Wroclaw’s Christmas market is one of the largest in Poland.

One-way flights to Wroclaw start from £27.

With loveholidays, a three-night break in the city starts from £149pp or £50pppn.

Another place not far from the UK that has seen a drop in price is Bordeaux in France where air fares have decreased by 34 per cent.

The port city in southwestern France is known for its 18th-century architecture and wine culture.

Make sure to pop into Bassins des Lumières – a former World War Two submarine base which has been transformed into a digital art installation.

If you’re planning a summer holiday next year, a trip to Rhodes in Greece shouldn’t put a dent in your wallet.

The beautiful island is the largest of the Dodecanese and is known for having pretty beach resorts, ancient ruins and it has highs of over 30C in the summertime.

It’s seen a drop in flight prices by 22 per cent and on Skyscanner, one-way tickets are as cheap as £28.

Pula, which is considered the ‘Rome of Croatia‘ came in seventh spot.

The city on the tip of the Istrian Peninsula got its nickname from its ruins – the amphitheatre is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world.

The spot on the Adriatic coast has lots of history and it’s under three hours from the UK too with flights having dropped in price by 20 per cent.

Fez in Morocco came in eighth on the list with a drop of 19 per cent when it comes to flights, which are as cheap as £15.

The city in northern Morocco is known for its vibrant markets and attractions, including its ancient medina.

It’s a popular winter sun city with highs of 20C in November.

For more on Fez, Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens recently visited the city to try out cooking classes and pottery.

For more travel inspiration, Skyscanner has also revealed the 10 holiday destinations that are set to be huge next year.

This includes far-flung Kyrgyzstan to Hurghada in Egypt and pretty Greek islands.

Top 10 destinations where airfares have fallen the most…

1. Bilbao, Spain (-66%)
2. Wrocław, Poland (-47%)
3. Bordeaux, France (-34%)
4. Zürich, Switzerland (-33%)
5. Ancona, Italy (-31%)
6. Rhodes, Greece (-22%)
7. Pula, Croatia (-20%)
8. Carcassonne, France (-20%)
9. Fez, Morocco (-19%)
10. Krabi, Thailand (-15%)

WHEN someone tells me holidays have got more expensive, my first question is usually: where are you looking?

Because holidays – and winter sun ones especially – don’t always come with the steep price tag… if you know where to look.

Even on the same island, holidaymakers can end up paying more in one resort while spending less in another.

And knowing which names to put into the search box can make all the difference.

So I’ve been digging through the booking data, comparing this winter with the winter before, to find the destinations where holidaymakers actually paid less on average.

From Tenerife, to Egypt, to long-haul luxury in Mexico – I’ve found a holiday alternative in every destination where the prices are considerably lower right now, compared to how much they were last year.

And with up to 18 per cent slashed off the price of a five-night stay, there’s no excuse not to consider a little pre-Christmas getaway…

10. El Medano, Tenerife – 1% less

El Medano earns its name for offering a completely different flavour of Tenerife.

Beach and water sports are a big deal here, making it a good option for someone who likes an active seaside holiday alongside the usual eating, relaxing and enjoying being away.

I’d put it on the shortlist if you want the beach to be the centre of the trip, with plenty of opportunity to get outside.

The average amount paid here edged down one per cent year on year, with a small dip in the nightly average too.

The deal I found is at Hotel KN Arenas del Mar Beach & Spa, a four-star, adults-only hotel with a pool overlooking the sea.

It’s a five night Bed & Breakfast break from £315pp, including direct return flights from Manchester on December 14, 2026 – a perfect pre-Christmas seaside break.

9. Matagorda, Lanzarote – 2% less

Matagorda is somewhere I’d suggest for a simple, classic Lanzarote beach break – the long stretch of golden sand gives you the perfect starting point for a winter holiday.

The average amount paid here dipped two per cent, keeping spending down between the two winters.

That’s a result, especially when you consider Playa Blanca – also on Lanzarote – saw average costs rise seven per cent.

For someone who already likes Lanzarote, Matagorda is another name worth checking before deciding where to stay.

The deal I found is five nights’ Self Catering at San Marcial from £200pp, including direct return flights from Bristol on December 12, 2026.

There’s a pool for spending time around the accommodation, while the self-catering basis gives you control over the food budget.

This means popping to the local supermarket – one of my favourite things to do on holiday – for your food, while having the option to eat out without feeling like you are wasting a meal at the hotel.

And at just £400 for two people, including flights, you’ve got a very tempting starting price for a winter escape.

8. Makadi Bay, Egypt – 6% less

Makadi Bay is one I’d check out for a Hurghada holiday this year, and it’s perfect for a holiday where leaving the hotel isn’t top of your list between cocktails and swimming.

Think time by the pool, trips down to the beach and making the most of having your main meals sorted if you choose all inclusive.

It suits the sort of break where getting extremely comfortable for a week is the whole plan.

And the average amount paid here between winters fell six per cent.

What makes that especially sweet is the contrast with Hurghada itself, where holidaymakers paid nine per cent more on average.

It’s just another example of why I’d always compare individual resort areas rather than searching for one destination and assuming the job is done.

The deal I found is at the five-star Stella Beach Resort & Spa Makadi Bay: a five night all inclusive stay from £415pp, including direct return flights from London Luton on December 12, 2026.

Five-star accommodation, all inclusive and flights for £83 per person per night across the package? That deserves real consideration, even from me.

7. Sharm El Sheikh (town) – 6% less

Sharm El Sheikh is one I regularly consider when someone asks for a winter holiday recommendation.

There’s a massive choice of resorts, with an endless coast of gorgeous beaches right on your doorstep.

The booking figures make this result particularly interesting – Brits paid six per cent less on average, year on year.

And, I should say, this was a spot attracting substantially more bookings compared to the year before. Yet still, the average costs came down.

The deal I found is five nights, all inclusive at Amwaj Oyoun Hotel and Resort from £345pp, including direct return flights from London Gatwick on December 6, 2026.

It’s a five-star hotel with a massive pool area, and it’s the sort of place where I’d happily build my day around which pool and which restaurant I’m liking the look of.

That’s £690 for two people, with flights, accommodation, meals and drinks covered.

Remind me why we spend winter in the UK again?

6. Nuevo Horizonte, Fuerteventura – 7% less

Nuevo Horizonte, also known as Costa de Antigua, is a useful name to know if you’re keen to get away this winter for a good price.

It’s on Fuerteventura’s east coast, close to Caleta de Fuste, and I’d consider it for a relaxed holiday with plenty of warmth.

For a budget-conscious trip, I’d look closely at apartment options.

This means more control over your spending by having breakfast in your apartment, keeping beers in the fridge and choosing when to eat out.

This had the lowest average amount paid of anywhere on the list, with holidaymakers spending seven per cent less on average than the winter before.

The deal I found is five nights self catering at Elba Lucia Sport & Suite Hotel from £200pp, including direct return flights from Newcastle on December 12, 2026.

There’s a large pool area to enjoy, and as mentioned, the self-catering basis lets you decide how much of the holiday involves eating in or heading out.

Five nights in Fuerteventura for £400 for two, including flights, is a very sweet deal to have on your radar.

5. Playa del Carmen, Mexico – 8% less

If you’re thinking about a bigger, flashier winter escape, this is the spot I’d pay close attention to.

Playa del Carmen puts Mexico’s Caribbean coast on this shortlist, with plenty of beach time and the option to explore the Riviera Maya.

However, I would always look particularly closely at what the hotel includes here.

On a longer trip, an all inclusive package can cover a substantial part of your holiday spending before you arrive.

The average amount paid fell eight per cent, which meant a reduction of over £170 per person on average – the largest cash decrease on this list.

For two people, the difference between those averages was more than £350.

The deal I found is ten nights all inclusive at the five-star Bluebay Grand Esmeralda from £1,250pp, including direct return flights from London Gatwick on December 2, 2026.

That gives you a longer stay to settle into, with your main meals and selected drinks already part of the booking – a tantalising way to spend the run-up to Christmas.

4. Om El Sid, Sharm El Sheikh – 8% less

Om El Sid is one of my favourite parts of Egypt.

The area is known for its coral reefs and snorkelling, giving you something rather more interesting to look at than the bottom of a swimming pool.

For me, that’s a good reason to be specific about where in Sharm you stay – the location and beach access can become a major part of what makes the hotel worth booking.

Holidaymakers paid eight per cent less on average here too.

The deal I found is a five night all inclusive break at Old Vic Sharm Resort & Spa from £295pp, including direct return flights from Newcastle on December 9, 2026.

The hotel has a gorgeous pool if you don’t fancy a snorkel, and the all inclusive basis means your meals and drinks are covered while you’re there.

That’s £590 for two people, including flights – or £59 per person per night across the package.

So you’re bagging five nights away with a huge chunk of the everyday spending sorted. It’s easily one of the best deals I’ve spotted all year!

3. Golf del Sur, Tenerife – 9% less

Golf del Sur is worth a look if you fancy a much slower-than-usual Tenerife holiday, particularly if you like the idea of spending plenty of time enjoying your hotel.

And, as the name rather helpfully suggests, golfers have an obvious reason to take a closer look.

The area’s course combines volcanic scenery with Atlantic views, making a round here a very different proposition from searching for your ball in a wet British hedge.

But I’d also consider the area for a straightforward week of pool time, leisurely meals and a change of scenery.

The average cost here fell nine per cent, giving you another Tenerife name worth comparing when you’re searching.

The deal I found is five nights’ Bed & Breakfast at Grand Muthu Golf Plaza Hotel & Spa from £250pp, including direct return flights from Liverpool on December 13, 2026.

With breakfast included, you’ve got the first meal of the day sorted before you’ve had to make any meaningful decisions.

That’s £500 for two people for five nights away, including flights – I’d happily start planning around that.

2. Playa de la Arena, Tenerife – 13% less

Playa de la Arena is another spot in Tenerife that gives you something different to what you’d expect.

The black-sand beach is the centrepiece here, with places to eat nearby and lovely sunset views towards La Gomera.

Holidaymakers paid 13 per cent less on average.

This is the largest fall among the three Tenerife resorts on this list.

The deal I found is five nights including Bed & Breakfast at Sholeo Lodges Los Gigantes from £250pp, including direct return flights from London Stansted on December 5, 2026.

It’s an adults-recommended hotel so perfect if you want a break without any kids splashing you from the pool.

It comes high recommended too, with a very impressive 4.7 out of 5 Tripadvisor score.

Breakfast sorted, five nights in Tenerife and flights for £500 for two – hard to argue with that. 

1. Las Palmas, Gran Canaria – 18% less

Las Palmas gives you two very good reasons to get on a plane: a proper city break and a beach holiday in the same place.

You’ve got the restaurants, cafés and everyday life of Gran Canaria’s capital, alongside Las Canteras – a long city beach with a promenade made for chilled-out walks and stopping for something to eat.

I’d recommend it to someone who wants winter sunshine but also likes having plenty on the doorstep.

By that, I mean each in the morning, lunch somewhere different and an afternoon where the world is your oyster.

And handily, this was the biggest mover in my analysis with Brits paying a whopping 18 per cent less on average!

The deal I found is five nights self catering at URBANSEA Holiday Homes from £245pp, including direct return flights from Manchester on December 10, 2026.

I like the self-catering option for this sort of trip because you can sort some meals and drinks yourself, leaving more spending money for trying different places around the city.

That’s £490 for two people, including flights, for five nights combining Gran Canaria with a city break. My pick of the bunch!

The stocking stuffer is one of the toughest of holiday challenges: a small gift, but not an impersonal one, and ideally something on the more affordable end of the spectrum. But the stocking stuffer is also an opportunity, a chance to be a little playful, and maybe a bit silly in our gift-giving prowess.

The list here runs the gamut. There are tech-savvy items, contemplative presents and, yes, even a lighthearted option or two. Stickers, anyone? That’s because gift giving should be fun. You’re here, I hope, looking to be inspired, and that’s why this list prioritized variety. Here are some ideas to hopefully provide a bit of gift-giving motivation this holiday season.

Editor’s note: If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated. Prices and availability are subject to change. In some cases, listed websites may use location-based pricing.

The California Environmental Quality Act is one of the most consequential and controversial laws on the books.

CEQA, which dates to the 1970s, requires state and local agencies to consider the environmental effects of many proposed projects before approving them. If a project could cause significant environmental harm that can’t easily be avoided, it undergoes a more detailed environmental review to examine its potential effects and alternatives.

Backers say CEQA is a vital tool for environmental review and gives the community a voice in development. But critics say CEQA is too often used to slow down needed housing and has been exploited as a bureaucratic weapon.

Enter Proposition 45.

The basics

Proposition 45 would impose stricter deadlines on environmental reviews, permits and court challenges. Agencies would have to spell out application requirements up-front and could not make repeated requests for more information or project changes. The measure caps public comment periods, while current law only sets minimum lengths. It also limits what courts may consider in CEQA lawsuits.

The impact

The law clearly would change the CEQA process; whether that would be for better or worse is the subject of debate. Backers say it would make the process faster and easier. Critics say it would roll back important environmental protections.

Dig deeper

The fight over Proposition 45 comes as California struggles to build enough housing to meet demand, causing prices to skyrocket. Housing prices, polls show, are a major issue for California voters.

But the proposition also is touching on another hot-button issue: data centers. Supporters and foes are battling over whether the measure would make it easier to build more of those controversial facilities.

More reading

California’s Prop. 45 aims to speed construction projects. Opponents say data centers will benefit (L.A. Times)

CEQA overhaul outrages environmentalists (L.A. Times)

The history of CEQA and its future (L.A. Times)

Could Embracing Sprawl Ease California’s Housing Crunch? (New York Times)

If you’ve watched anything from “Jesse Watters Primetime” to “The Daily Show” this week, you’re already up to date on the most important issue in America today: the decor of the Cheesecake Factory.

Earlier this week, former President Obama made a quip at a Cleveland rally that President Trump has renovated the White House to look like “Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.”

Trump lost it. If we’ve learned anything about the president in recent years, it’s that he loves gold as much as he hates Obama. Roll them together in one moment, and the leader of the free world can’t help but freak out. He freaked out so badly, in fact, that he sent Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — a guy worth at least $500 million — to eat a French dip cheeseburger at the chain just to prove how great it was.

Absolutely, positively by random chance, Fox News happened to be outside when Bessent emerged from his everyman munch, just to let us know that “I had a great meal, always have a great meal.” OK, Scott.

But if you think this is all a silly back and forth with an unserious administration, think again. Obama is masterful at political strategy, and this wasn’t just a joke. It was rage-bait, crafted for engagement.

Why Saddam Hussein?

The deeper point of Obama’s remarks seemed entirely buried by media coverage that focused on the Cheesecake part. But why Saddam Hussein?

Trump didn’t seem to take issue with being likened to the brutal dictator responsible for killing and disappearing thousands to maintain power. In fact, in all of the rebuttals from Trump and his minions, the Hussein reference hasn’t been mentioned once.

But don’t think Obama choose that reference carelessly, or just for humor.

Hussein ruled Iraq in no small measure though a cult of personality. Like Trump, he loved showy monuments to his power, including a “Victory Arch” in Baghdad (Trump also wants to build an arch); weird fantasy artwork of muscle-bound men and dragons (similar maybe to Trump’s love of AI-generated images of himself); and of course, gold! There were marble and granite and gilt and gold everywhere in Hussein’s homes, even the infamous gold-plated toilet accessories American and British soldiers found when they made it into his palaces.

That ostentatious excess wasn’t just bad taste. It was a show of power. At the same time that Hussein was amassing his wealth and consolidating that cult of personality, his people were broke. Now, I’m in no way saying that Americans in 2026 are suffering the way Iraqis were under Hussein. But there’s a Marie Antoinette-style similarity between Hussein’s narcissist tendencies and Trump’s obsession with all that glitters — from the water in the reflecting pool to the walls of the Oval Office — even as the economy crashes.

Obama clearly understands that: Maybe you don’t want to cut food stamps to millions while you’re slapping up a new ballroom. Obama, after all, could have said the White House looked like Liberace had opened a Cheesecake Factory, but he didn’t. Instead, he chose to insert Hussein, a man whose ego-driven rule came at the expense of his own people.

Which brings me to the absolute brilliance of the joke. Sure, it was funny. Yes, it was quickly picked up as a viral clip.

But more than anything, it got to Trump in a way that was entirely predictable with his unbridled ego, and a way in which Obama almost certainly knew it would. In a way that links him to a dictator who cared more about gilt than people, but in a way so clever Trump himself grabbed the bait and ran with it.

Trump couldn’t stop himself

Hearing his taste criticized, all his beautiful, shiny gold mocked — by Obama of all people — was rage-bait that Trump could not ignore. Trump could not stop himself from responding, and even more, he couldn’t stop himself from demanding others defend him and his gaudy aesthetics.

And the ever-willing members of his cult of personality across government and right-wing media quickly complied — with an attack that Obama surely knew would be the only possible pushback: That he was elitist for making fun of the decor of a wildly popular average-family spot (Obama quickly hit back that the Factory was “his jam” and he, like many parents of teens, myself included, had eaten there numerous times.)

Dozens and dozens of Trump minions parroted the same line for days — how dare Obama mock such a beloved American eatery? How out of touch. How tan-suit, Martha’s Vineyard of him. Trump brought it up at multiple rallies. The official White House social media account posted about it. It was all over the right-wing ecosphere for days.

Never mind the economy, or the war in Iran, or inflation that makes a meal at the Cheesecake Factory increasingly feel like a caviar-and-Champagne night.

Or even this insane comment from Trump about inviting supporters to Mar-a-Lago, his Florida club that makes the Las Vegas Strip look classy, to spend the money he’s promised to them if Republicans win elections: “You’ll be my guest at Mar-a-Lago,” he promised at an Ohio rally. “The problem is that for $5,000, the most you’ll be able to buy is a hamburger and maybe a small dessert. … I’m not even sure you could buy that. No, don’t go there. That’s not a good place if you’re price conscious.”

And Obama’s elitist? That’s bonkers-level disconnection from the audience, but back to my point.

Suddenly, in the middle of a pivotal election, all Republicans are hearing about is the Cheesecake Factory, and how wonderful it is their president is plastering gold all over everything while they are wondering if they’ll be able to pay the gas bill this month.

Granted, the Republicans don’t have a lot of bright spots to focus on as they give their final message to voters. But I am guessing that even the reddest of ballot-clutchers doesn’t want to hear about the Cheesecake Factory, or how much marble Trump has installed at the entrance to the White House. That seems tone-deaf.

Obama’s purposeful provocation completely derailed Republican messaging for multiple, critical news cycles, all because Trump couldn’t stand to have his taste criticized by a guy who has become a bogeyman in his own brain.

Trump had to defend his excess, he couldn’t resist — and in failing to check his own ego, again, he put into the bright spotlight the truth that his followers are increasingly unable to ignore: The only thing that matters to Trump is Trump. Not the economy. Not the war, and certainly not the concerns of voters in the final days of the election.

Obama’s one-liner wasn’t just a zinger. It was political gold, an artful bit of rage-bait trolling that casually took control of the narrative with a well-aimed poke.

What else you should be reading:

The must-read: How Meta struck a deal to keep Mark Zuckerberg in California despite looming billionaire tax
The California angle: As companies leave California, is the state’s $4.25-trillion economy really in trouble?
The L.A. Times Special: In Trumpworld, dogs who commit voter fraud aren’t as bad as immigrants

Stay Golden,

Anita Chabria

—

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A MAJOR UK trainline has launched a huge Black Friday sale – and over 50,000 Brits can travel for half price.

Tickets are available to purchase now with discounted journeys starting from next week.

Passengers looking to journey through Wales, the South West and the West of England can snap up a major deal this month, as Great Western Railway has launched a huge 50 per cent off train fares.

The Black Friday sale covers trips across the South West, Thames Valley, Cotswolds and South Wales with offers on 60,000 tickets.

Discounted tickets will be available on travel from November 6 to December 17, 2026.

Head of marketing at GWR, Helen da Costa, said: “Black Friday is a great opportunity to grab a bargain and give yourself something exciting to look forward to before Christmas.

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“Whether you’re planning a festive day out, visiting friends and family or simply fancy a change of scenery, our sale offers savings of up to 50% on selected Standard and First-Class Advance tickets.

“With 60,000 discounted tickets available, there are plenty of opportunities to make plans without spending a fortune.”

The sale only applies to Advance Single fares and is non-refundable.

Ticket prices are as low as £22 for a standard fare from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington, or from £32 for journeys to Exeter St Davids.

Travellers will need to act fast if they want to nab cheaper tickets as they must be booked by Monday, November 2.

Customers have also been advised to book early, as discounts are limited and only available on selected routes and services.

Orders can be placed through either the GWR website at gwr.com/blackfriday or via the GWR app.

KATIE Price has issued a heartbreaking update on her seriously ill mum Amy after previously revealing fears she had just days left to live.

The former glamour model, 48, discussed her mother’s condition with sister Sophie during an emotional conversation on their joint podcast, The Katie Price Show.

Katie insisted her mum was still fighting despite her ongoing health struggles, declaring: “But mother is strong.” The sisters also discussed visiting Amy, with Katie revealing she’d picked up a thoughtful present for her.

She said: “They had a bright pink cardigan so I bought it for mum because I know she’ll love it.” Sophie then asked whether Katie was planning to visit their mother in the coming days.

She said: “Are you going up there this week? I’m going up Thursday or Friday this week.” Katie replied: “Well when she goes, you know, what we know is happening, I’ll be there all the time, staying over. So I’ll do that.”

Sophie responded: “Yeah, nice.” The emotional exchange comes after Katie told Lewes Crown Court earlier this month that her mum had only days left.

real deal

Upset Katie Price reveals Harvey has piled weight back ON amid fat jabs

KATIE’S HEARTBREAK

Katie Price hit by ‘devastating news’ saying ‘cherish every moment’

She said at the time: “My mum’s dying at the moment and I haven’t been able to see her (because) I’ve got a cold… she’s got days.” Katie added: “I did promise my mum I’d see her tomorrow.”

Amy, 74, was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017, a rare condition that causes irreversible scarring of the lungs. She underwent a lifesaving lung transplant in 2023 after falling into a coma and coming close to death.

Katie previously revealed her mum was in hospital and “very poorly”, and begged her to “find the strength to stay” in an emotional Instagram post.

The mum-of-five also admitted she feared losing Amy while filming her Sky documentary Katie Price: Nothing to Hide earlier this year.

Katie recently sparked concern after sharing a cryptic Instagram message revealing she had received “devastating news”.

However, she was quick to reassure followers that the upsetting news was not about Amy, writing: “No it’s not my mum.”

KATIE Price is continuing to fuel rumours she has secretly got back together with her conman ex-husband, as she flashed her huge engagement ring again.

The couple have been estranged since the summer, with Katie, 48, telling The Sun that she had dumped Lee Andrews, 43, after becoming fed up with his lies.

But over the last few weeks the pair of them have been dropping clues that they have secretly reunited.

While her ex, Lee, has been sharing cryptic messages, Katie has been suggesting they are back together by putting her sparkling engagement ring back on her wedding finger.

The Sun reported last week that the TV star was spotted wearing the huge bling again, and in latest social media posts, the ring has remained firmly on her left hand.

In a video posted on Snapchat from Sunday morning, Katie can be seen flashing the huge diamond rock.

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Then in a new Instagram post of the star wearing a fur coat, the ring is in full view for all to see.

It comes after Lee has also dropped several clues he is back with his famous wife.

Last Friday, the former jailbird was spotted liking Katie’s post about her son Harvey, 24.

Then the next day, Lee posted a cryptic love poem, suggesting they were getting back together.

The Sun previously revealed that Katie ended their marriage via WhatsApp last month.

It came after she found out he had been lying to her and had just £2.22 in his bank account.

PRINCESS Andre has been left in stitches of laughter as she pulled a hilarious prank on her mum Katie Price.

The daughter of Peter Andre and Katie has been cropping up on red carpets and celeb-filled events over recent years as she carves out a career for herself in showbiz.

Now, fans have loved the prank she pulled on her mum — and how clearly it showed the closeness between them.

Taking to TikTok, Princess said: “I’m going to call my mum and ask her if she was in the delivery room when she gave birth to me.”

When she rang, Katie asked why she wasn’t on video but Princess explained: “I’m at the doctors, and they’re asking if you were in the delivery room when I was born.”

“Was I?” exclaimed Katie as Princess giggled quietly in the background.

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Katie continued: “Well, of course, because you came out of me. Are you taking the p***?”

Princess replied: “No, they just wanna know were you definitely in the delivery room?

“Well I’m your mother, so of course I was in the delivery room. I had a caesarian. Then they put you on me and I didn’t leave your side,” said Katie.

Princess then broke down in fits of laughter as Katie asked again: “Are you actually taking the p*** Princess?”

“I’m joking honestly,” she replied.

Katie then asked if she was really at the Doctors and Princess said: “No, I just wanted to play a prank on you.”

“You’re such a b***,” joked Katie.

A smiling Princess then told her she’d FaceTime her now, as Katie giggled a loving goodbye.

Fans flocked to comment and one wrote: “Why aren’t you on video’ shows how close you both are coz there’s clearly never a voice call.”

A second said: “Go on Katie!! that woman is an absolute legend.”

A third added: “Katie is just f***ing class.”

A fourth wrote: “Katie’s laugh at the end.”

While a fifth said: “This has really tickled me lol.”

This comes after Katie issued a word of thanks to her ‘biggest supporters’ while her mother has been incredibly unwell.

The star’s mum Amy, 74, is terminally ill with a lung condition called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

Taking to Instagram, Katie posted a series of snaps smiling with her daughter Princess and her sister Sophie.

She also included a number of photos with her mother on trips with her as well as on the red carpet.

LEE Andrews has continued to hint that he’s back with Katie Price with a cryptic love poem – as she’s seen wearing her wedding ring again.

The latest piece of the puzzle comes just days after the conman was spotted liking Katie’s post about her son Harvey.

The couple have been estranged since the summer, with Katie telling The Sun that she had dumped conman Lee after becoming fed up with his lies.

But recently, there have been clues they have secretly got back together, and today it was Lee‘s turn again.

It comes after Katie was spotted with her ring back on, hinting at a reconciliation with her jailbird hubby.

Now, Lee has posted a poem which reads: “There’s something about her eyes which f**** with my head.

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“And don’t give me that mascara or makeup bulls***.

“Makeup’s got nothing to do with it. You can’t buy a look like that at a f***ing beauty counter.

“Those eyes are a drug. Devastating. Beautiful. And I can’t get clean.”

Katie had previously spoken about how she had started wearing her engagement ring on her right hand instead of the left after the split.

But she has now swapped it back to her left wedding ring finger – as she continues to fuel speculation that she is back with Lee.

The TV personality was seen emerging from a nail salon after a pampering session with the ring firmly back on her finger.

The Sun previously revealed that Katie ended their marriage via WhatsApp last month after finding out he had just £2.22 in his bank account.

We then told how the former glamour model is bracing herself for a “messy” divorce battle with her ex as the conman vowed to return to the UK.

But just days after scrubbing all his images from her Instagram page in a subtle swipe, she appeared to have given him grace on social media.

Eagle-eyed followers spotted how the mum of five is re-following his account and Lee, who previously erased her from his page, is doing likewise.

Lee was recently released from the notorious Al Awir prison after a four-month stint, but is now eyeing up flying back to his home country.

The conman launched a Go Get Funding page this month in a bid to collect bail cash so he can return to Britain.

And as Lee vows to fly back to England, Katie is understood to be “naturally worried” that Lee will come after her money, in what could be one of showbiz’s messiest divorces.

The U.S. government seems to be coming for California (again). Big surprise.

But scratch the surface of the recent Department of Justice voter fraud blitz and the ugly truth peeks through — this is an attack on immigrants of color, no different than accusing the Haitians of Ohio of eating cats and dogs or the aggressive escalation of detaining and deporting Black and brown people with no criminal record.

It’s meant to excite and appease the Christian nationalist contingent of MAGA voters — including Trump advisor Stephen Miller — who make no secret of their belief that even some naturalized citizens should be forced out of the country if they aren’t white.

Just a few days ago, the White House posted on social media that “If you import the third world, you become the third world.” Not be be outdone, the fine Americans at the Department of Homeland Security responded with what seems to be a problematic mission statement that may wind up in court documents: “Reject the third world. Export the third world.” So far in President Trump’s second term, only 20% of the nearly 1 million people deported had a criminal record, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

Speaking of court documents, wow, do we have a lot to go through. Turns out not a lot of judges are into voter suppression.

After First Assistant U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli, the son of Lebanese immigrants and the first Muslim to serve in the California Legislature, announced charges against 28 Californians — all immigrants — who allegedly registered or voted illegally, the legal battles went into overdrive.

There’s the U.S. Justice Department case claiming California is somehow stopping the feds from enforcing federal voting laws, despite those 28 cases. There’s a ruling in a different case that prevents the Department of Homeland Security from going door-to-door in California and other places checking on immigration status and voter registration — a terrifying overreach of power meant to intimidate legal voters.

And there’s the ongoing lawsuit from the UCLA Voting Rights Project and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in a Washington courtroom — a case that could take the lead in protecting the midterms.

Here’s what you need to know about all three, and what comes next.

Stop the knocks

Starting around August, Homeland Security began knocking on the doors of residents in California and eight other states in what it dubbed a “surge” in investigations on voter fraud.

These in-person checks were based on lists of folks the government thought might not be legally allowed to cast a ballot — and focused on naturalized citizens, according to court documents. They were also, according to the court, unreliable and included “instances where DHS simply did not have data to determine that the individual did not engage in voter fraud,” the California judge in the case wrote, meaning it was a giant fishing expedition.

In addition, Homeland Security was apparently investigating nonprofits and other organizations that help get out the vote, including interrogating the staff and covertly infiltrating their operations, according to court documents.

That’s McCarthyism-level scary. The California Nurses Assn. and its parent union, National Nurses United, filed a lawsuit to stop the Homeland Security surge, arguing in part that one of their core missions is political organizing and turning out voters, and that the operation directly harmed them by scaring their members away from that work.

They also have a lot of members who are naturalized citizens. Four union members told the court that they didn’t want to participate in the union’s election work because they were afraid of being targeted by the government, citizens or not.

The court found that fear “objectively reasonable” and ordered Homeland Security to stop the door-knocking until after the election. The judge then stayed that order until Friday to give the government time to appeal. So far, the government hasn’t filed that objection.

“So many people in the United States are suffering under Trump’s corrupt and cruel policies on behalf of the billionaire class that he knows cannot hold onto power in these upcoming elections without illegally suppressing our vote through outright harassment, intimidation, and even detention,” said Puneet Maharaj, executive director of the two nurses groups.

Emergency relief

At the same time, the Department of Justice this week filed a suit against California seeking an emergency order to force the state to segregate 20,000 ballots of folks it claims may not be citizens — an unprecedented ask in furtherance of the long-running conspiracy theory that immigrants who lack legal status are in a scheme with Democrats to vote en masse.

State Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta has asked the court to throw out the case, in part because the federal government can’t prove it’s actually being harmed in any way by state law. The feds have already filed charges in those 28 cases claiming voter fraud, so it’s hard to argue that state law is preventing them from going after illegal voters.

But the feds are arguing that the state is aiding and abetting illegal voting by not segregating those ballots, even though there is no proof they are in the hands of noncitizens. A review by the Los Angeles County registrar’s office found that about 40% of those on the list were born in the United States.

Trump even threatened that election officials could be jailed for not bending to his will.

Attorneys general from other states filed a friend of the court brief siding with California, arguing that the Justice Department is basically trying to create a new law where “the executive branch can invent new election requirements, unmoored from any constitutional or statutory authority, and demand that States enforce them in the middle of an election.”

The court will rule on that next week.

Beyond Nov. 3

Our final case takes us to Washington, where the UCLA Voting Rights Project and the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, are asking for their own temporary restraining order — this one stopping the government from carrying out its ballot segregation scheme and from using its flawed, janky methods for supposedly identifying noncitizen voters.

I’ve written about this lawsuit before, and how the Voting Rights Project beat back Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco’s attempt to snatch ballots. The court will probably make a ruling in that one next week as well.

But election day is less than two weeks away, and many have already voted. So what does it all mean?

It means we’re in for a rough ride. The Trump administration is not dumb. Midterms might not go the way Republicans would like, potentially even giving control of both the House and Senate to Democrats. Some experts and legislators are concerned that all these ballot drama is posturing for that midterm loss — creating a reason to potentially question results or even refuse to seat newly elected Democrats when the time comes.

That would be unthinkable, unprecedented, a constitutional crisis. But impossible? Nope.

And almost certainly, no matter what voters decide, Trump will spin it back to that white nationalism — the idea that “true” Americans are being replaced through fraud, violence and vote stealing, a trio of conspiracies glued together by the sticky, tricky manipulations of a man who will do anything for power.

What else you should be reading:

The must-read: How Meta struck a deal to keep Mark Zuckerberg in California despite looming billionaire tax
The California angle: As companies leave California, is the state’s $4.25-trillion economy really in trouble?
The L.A. Times Special: In Trumpworld, dogs who commit voter fraud aren’t as bad as immigrants

Stay Golden,

Anita Chabria

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