What Is Usha Vance Thinking?
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Plus: Jason Bateman Still Hates Baths
August 12, 2026 |
It’s possible to read the headline of this newsletter—which is also the headline of Kate Andersen Brower’s juicy new story about America’s second lady—in two ways. The first: What exactly is going on inside the brain of Usha Vance, a public figure who has morphed herself into the perfect Republican politician’s wife: “present, useful, and almost invisible,” as Kate puts it? The second: What would drive a high-powered liberal lawyer like Usha toward this strange position in the first place? (In other words: What on earth is she thinking?) Kate offers a few convincing potential answers for both readings.
Elsewhere, I’ve got a dispatch from a very entertaining live recording of Amy Poehler’s podcast, and Rebecca Ford has a wide-ranging conversation with another Emmy nominee: Jason Bateman, recognized in four distinct categories this year for his work on two different shows. More tomorrow! |
HILLARY BUSIS,
FEATURES EDITOR |
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What Is Usha Vance Thinking? |
BY KATE ANDERSEN BROWER |
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“It’s patronizing to say that she’s been silenced,” one Yale Law classmate says of JD Vance’s wife, who has perfected the art of knowing where she stands in the Trump administration’s political pecking order. “She has chosen this.”… Read more |
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From the Archive |
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Stealing Mona Lisa |
BY THOMAS HOOBLER & DOROTHY HOOBLER |
The shocking theft of the Mona Lisa, in August 1911, appeared to have been solved 28 months later, when the painting was recovered. From the May 2009 issue, the authors suggest that the audacious heist concealed a perfect—and far more lucrative—crime… |
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posted by Francis Dwight at 2:12 PM
Clocking in With The Pitt’s Patrick Ball
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
As a doctor’s daughter born and raised in Pittsburgh, I’m thrilled today to present yinz (look it up!) with a long Q&A I did with Patrick Ball—a.k.a. The Pitt’s Dr. Langdon, the recovering addict with the best head of hair at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Ball and I connected recently to talk about his show’s startling Emmy-nomination haul (25, more than any other series this year), as well as getting to work on its third season and his opinions about The Pitt’s, ahem, extremely devoted fandom. My favorite part of our chat was his response to the diehards hoping his character hooks up with Taylor Dearden’s Mel: “That has nothing to do with me,” he said, laughing, “but I’m glad everybody’s having a lot of fun.”
Elsewhere, Dan Adler reports on the latest from the Luigi Mangione state trial. More tomorrow!
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HILLARY BUSIS,
FEATURES EDITOR
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The Emmy nominee has thoughts on fans who turned on Noah Wyle’s Dr. Robby, and those who hope he and Taylor Dearden’s Mel become a couple. Ahead, a chat with the breakout star on shipping, stardom, and season three... Read more
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At the final hearing before the accused assassin’s state murder trial, husband-and-wife defense attorneys Karen and Marc Agnifilo sought a larger audience for their global symbol of a client. Vanity Fair reports from the Manhattan courtroom... Read more
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It was, in 1947, that rarest of unions: a royal love match. But though the dashing Prince Philip of Greece and the 21-year-old heir to Britain’s throne were clearly besotted as they began a life and family together, trouble lay ahead as “Lilibet” became “Her Majesty” and the new Duke of Edinburgh chafed at his consort role.
From the January 2012 issue, Sally Bedell Smith describes the dynastic struggle that rocked Queen Elizabeth II’s marriage and the difficult choices she was forced to make... Read more
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Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.
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posted by Francis Dwight at 2:17 PM
