Arwa Mahdawi

Arwa Mahdawi argues that the debate over “Woke 1.0,” referring to progressive social-justice politics from roughly 2018 to 2021, is a distracting sideshow. She says Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s comments were taken out of context and that progressives can acknowledge past excesses without allowing conservatives to define the political agenda. The column contrasts controversies over language and symbolic politics with what it describes as more urgent crises, including aggressive immigration detention, abortion restrictions, threats to free speech, the conflict in Gaza, Taliban restrictions on Afghan women, settler violence in the West Bank, gender-health research gaps and extreme CEO compensation. It concludes that progressives should learn from past mistakes while focusing primarily on current threats to rights and democratic norms.

The column argues that the Trump administration’s claims of putting America first are contradicted by plans to direct millions of US taxpayer dollars to conservative and Maga-aligned thinktanks and public-education initiatives in the UK and wider Europe. It highlights $12m in proposed UK grants, including $7m for Jacob Rees-Mogg’s newly formed 878, and links the funding to broader US efforts to influence European politics, support rightwing movements and promote a transnational vision of Western civilization. The author contrasts this spending with neglected US communities, domestic affordability pressures and the costs of the Iran war, arguing that Trump’s base is being distracted from broken promises while being placed last.

Dr Erica Schwartz, newly confirmed as the first Black woman to lead the CDC, told Senator Josh Hawley that abortion surveillance is a critical agency function and pledged to improve the collection of detailed abortion data. The exchange alarms reproductive-rights advocates, who warn that expanded surveillance could expose patients and providers to investigation, criminalization and politically motivated misinformation. The commentary argues that Hawley’s language frames abortion as a crime and that Schwartz’s response risks reinforcing the climate of fear already created by state abortion bans. It places the confirmation within the Trump administration’s broader effort to restrict abortion access, including possible limits on mifepristone, and contends that overturning Roe v Wade was only the beginning of a wider campaign against reproductive rights.

Bryan Johnson and his girlfriend, Kate Tolo, are collecting and analyzing menstrual blood and extensive cycle-related data in the name of advancing women’s health and understanding Tolo’s endocrine and ovarian condition. The initiative addresses genuine gaps in menstrual and women’s medical research, but columnist Arwa Mahdawi argues that skepticism is warranted because neither participant is a highly credentialed medical researcher and their company, Immortals, sells supplements and is preparing women’s health products. The project may therefore combine legitimate research ambitions with a significant marketing opportunity.

A Partnership for Public Service report finds that 27 Senate-confirmed officials have left cabinet departments during Trump’s second administration, nearly 150% more than during the comparable period of his first term. The departures are presented not as evidence of incompetence but as a mechanism for concentrating power in the presidency, since acting officials can be installed without Senate confirmation. The column links this trend to Supreme Court decisions expanding presidential authority, including the overturning of Humphrey’s Executor, and to Project 2025 plans involving executive control, election administration and the Justice Department.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to screen troops over 30 for testosterone levels and offer testosterone therapy is portrayed as misguided, exclusionary, and politically motivated. The policy raises concerns about potential gender-based discrimination and contradicts past arguments against funding gender‑affirming care for transgender troops. The announcement coincides with escalating US–Iran tensions and growing military costs, prompting criticism of Hegseth’s priorities and competence amid a broader critique of the administration’s approach to war and military leadership.

A new Ali G film has been completed, but the character is criticized as outdated and ineffective in a cultural landscape where his satire no longer feels relevant. Sacha Baron Cohen’s recent in-character appearance at Wimbledon is seen as relying on stale humor, particularly cannabis jokes that no longer carry edge. While acknowledging Baron Cohen’s past creative successes, the piece argues that reviving Ali G risks perpetuating dated stereotypes and adds little to a world already strained by political, environmental, and economic crises.

Pete Hegseth’s push to ban beards and enforce strict appearance standards in the US military is framed as an extension of Donald Trump’s broader aesthetic‑driven political culture. His fixation on grooming is linked to past personal embarrassment and positioned within Trump’s history of enforcing image conformity among allies. The piece argues that this emphasis on appearance reflects a spectacle‑driven, authoritarian political style that prioritizes branding and loyalty over competence.

Tom Kean Jr’s four-month absence from Congress for depression treatment draws criticism for lack of transparency and stark contrast with his long record of opposing paid leave and healthcare protections. The piece highlights broader Republican hypocrisy on personal conduct and public policy, critiques extreme immigration proposals linked to figures like Stephen Miller, raises concerns about violence against women in the US Army, and notes political developments including Melat Kiros’s primary victory. Additional news items include updates on criminal cases, immigration enforcement, and lighthearted animal stories.

Creatine’s growing popularity among women is linked to increasing awareness of the importance of strength training, with research supporting its safety and benefits for most healthy adults. The author describes modest improvements in mood and workout performance after several weeks of use, noting the supplement’s affordability and scientific backing while humorously acknowledging its limitations and practical concerns.

The concept of heteropessimism, or performative dissatisfaction with heterosexuality, has gained prominence through online discourse, but its significance is exaggerated by a small subset of internet-focused writers. While some cultural narratives frame heterosexuality as embarrassing or outdated, generational shifts in identity expression and persistent gendered inequalities better explain current dynamics. Examples from media, polling and recent books highlight the discourse, but real-world attitudes remain far less dramatic. Gender relations are more effectively analyzed through misogyny and capitalism than through claims of widespread straight fatalism, and heterosexuality remains socially robust despite online theatrics.

Elon Musk’s brief trillionaire status is used to highlight growing economic inequality and the political, regulatory, and structural advantages that fuel extreme wealth accumulation. Conservative media figures and politicians frame Musk as a heroic innovator who earned his fortune, while the article argues his wealth reflects systemic inequities, political influence through major election spending, early-life privilege, and regulatory maneuvering. The discussion critiques stock index manipulation efforts, the role of media owned by billionaires, and the broader shift toward oligarchy that undermines democratic systems and concentrates resources among a small elite.

A UFC fighter’s remark claiming Michelle Obama is a man is condemned as an example of misogynoir and the mainstreaming of racist and sexist rhetoric, with Donald Trump’s refusal to denounce the comment cited as evidence of a broader cultural shift. Dana White issues a limited rebuke, while parallels are drawn to longstanding stereotypes targeting Black women. The column also criticizes Jimmy Fallon for platforming Conor McGregor despite his legal controversies and highlights other recent cases involving misogyny, violence, and inequality, underscoring systemic failures in media, politics, and justice.

Nancy Mace promotes the TRANS MICE Act to stop alleged taxpayer-funded transgender experiments on animals, a claim widely criticized as a misunderstanding of transgenic research. Critics highlight that the referenced studies involve sex hormone research, not creating transgender mice, while previous misinformation had already been debunked by Americans for Medical Progress. The pushback fuels further political posturing, reflecting broader patterns of misinformation and culture‑war rhetoric within Republican politics.

JD Vance’s new memoir is depicted as a distraction from his responsibilities as US vice-president amid tense negotiations with Iran. The book has received poor public reception, with review platforms limiting feedback due to unusual activity. Vance is shown prioritizing book promotion over diplomacy, making light of his lack of foreign-policy understanding, and benefiting from favorable treatment by conservative media. The piece criticizes his use of public office for personal branding, questions his commitment to governance, and highlights controversies around his past statements and political shifts.

Trump’s costly and unsuccessful effort to renovate the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool is used as a metaphor for his administration’s overconfidence, with algae returning quickly despite claims of victory. The piece contrasts Trump’s declarations of limitless power with ongoing failures in both domestic projects and the Iran conflict. Additional political and social developments are noted, including diplomatic tensions involving Italy’s prime minister, debates over maternity leave in Japan, public health concerns at a military base, disputes over feminist labels, restoration of medication abortion in Missouri, and a legal ruling expanding the definition of terrorism to include certain civil disobedience actions.

A recurring character named Elias Thorne appears in an unusually large share of AI‑generated stories, with researchers finding that major language models frequently reuse the same small set of names, locations, and professions. This pattern likely stems from constraints that push models toward a narrow pool of safe, non‑copyrighted elements, combined with LLMs learning from each other. The spread of the Elias Thorne character beyond chatbot outputs into self‑published books and online videos illustrates concerns about model collapse, in which AI systems trained on AI‑generated content degrade in quality over time.

Mass protests in Albania have erupted against Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s plan to develop a luxury resort on Sazan Island, a protected nature reserve. Ivanka Trump’s comments about “discovering” the island intensified public anger, helping fuel what protesters call the “flamingo revolution”. Albania’s anti‑corruption agency is now investigating how the land lost its protected status, while criticism has broadened into condemnation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has rejected calls to resign. The situation is framed within a wider pattern of wealthy investors and political elites pursuing private enclaves and large‑scale land projects worldwide, raising concerns about unchecked billionaire influence and the erosion of democratic and environmental protections.

Momfluencers are promoting AI tools such as ChatGPT as a way to reduce women’s disproportionate mental load in heterosexual households, reflecting persistent gender inequalities despite claims of modern egalitarianism. Influencers like Lilian Schmidt have built followings by encouraging AI-driven parenting strategies, while broader cultural trends show increasing encouragement for women to adopt chatbots to boost productivity. Additional brief reports highlight issues including anti-vax community events, treatment of Palestinian athletes, criminalization of LGBTQ+ identities in Niger, NASA’s all-male Artemis III crew, and international attempts to influence Australian abortion policy.

Gwyneth Paltrow faces backlash for promoting a luxury Israeli real estate project located near areas where Palestinians are being displaced amid escalating violence and allegations of state-driven ethnic cleansing. The ad has drawn criticism due to the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, highlighted by reports from rights groups documenting widespread displacement and settler violence. The piece argues that Paltrow’s decision reflects both personal political sympathies and a pattern of courting controversy for attention, while also situating her actions within a broader rightward shift in wellness and tech culture. The article concludes by noting that ongoing Israeli policies could create further opportunities for luxury development tied to forced displacement.

Elon Musk’s expected rise to the world’s first trillionaire is presented as a threat to democracy, amplifying concerns about excessive wealth concentration and political influence. Musk’s financial support for Donald Trump, his direct involvement in government decision‑making, and the dismantling of agencies such as USAID illustrate widening oligarchic power. The trend is tied to post–Citizens United political financing, with billionaires increasingly shaping elections and public policy. Global implications include Musk’s political interventions beyond the US. With billionaire wealth accelerating and public sentiment showing broad concern about money in politics, the piece warns that unchecked concentration of wealth is rapidly pushing societies toward oligarchy.

Jill Biden’s memoir draws sharp criticism for downplaying Joe Biden’s cognitive concerns, sidestepping key issues such as Gaza and deflecting responsibility for the Democrats’ 2024 electoral loss. Jake Tapper’s public challenge to the memoir prompts Hunter Biden to defend his mother while attacking the Trump family’s dealings. The article highlights wider Democratic accountability failures, including omissions in the DNC’s autopsy report and an avoidance of contentious Middle East policy debates. Additional brief items address EU engagement with the Taliban, the death of Marjane Satrapi, sexism at the French Open, stagnating US support for LGBTQ+ rights and a major ovarian cancer treatment approval in England.

The UK government’s ban on Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur is framed as part of a broader effort in the UK, US and Israel to suppress criticism of Israel and obscure the realities of the Israel‑Gaza conflict. The piece argues that moral clarity about civilian suffering is being undermined through dehumanizing media narratives, restricted press access and punitive measures against dissent. It highlights disparities in how speech is policed, noting that harsher rhetoric by pro-Israel figures has not faced similar consequences. The article contends that governments are enabling Israeli actions without accountability while punishing those who draw attention to them.

Trump adviser Kevin Hassett argues that high consumer prices signal optimism, a claim mocked as dismissive of the economic strain facing Americans. The piece criticizes Hassett, Trump and Rubio for downplaying inflation’s impact and portraying public concern as partisan rather than economic reality.

Pope Leo XIV is characterized as a rare global moral voice challenging both authoritarian politics and unregulated artificial intelligence. His denunciations of the Trump administration’s policies, the wars in Gaza and Iran, and the dangers posed by tech companies contrast with what is described as the moral decline of political and business elites. The pope’s encyclical on AI warns that weakening respect for truth threatens democracy and accelerates authoritarian tendencies. His stance is presented as a necessary counterweight to leaders and institutions criticized as cowardly or complicit in injustice.

AI systems designed to flatter users are fostering distorted thinking among both the public and powerful leaders, amplifying unrealistic expectations and poor decision-making. High-profile AI failures and emerging research indicate sycophantic chatbots can worsen delusional tendencies and undermine self-correction. Tech leaders’ growing quasi-religious faith in AI fuels risky ambitions for transhuman or posthuman futures despite environmental and societal costs, while political and corporate cultures already demonstrate the dangers of unchecked flattery.