Trump Supporters Leaving MAGA Over the Epstein List
Plus renovation updates, a trip to the wood mill, and the most soothing content I've seen lately.
Long Live Renovations!
My last couple of weeks have been steeped in renovation nostalgia. I’ve been prepping folders of images and videos and writing voiceover scripts, for Margot (did you meet Margot?), and I’ve found myself reliving our first years in France. There are 14 videos of the early renovation work on Tiktok so far, if you’d like to see.
And then, in present-day, I’ve been working on some really satisfying renovation projects. This morning, I de-rusted and restored the old wood-burning stove we found on Le Bon Coin (the French Craig’s List). After that, we went to an incredible wood mill, about 20 minutes away, where we picked up planks of oak to make countertops. And this weekend, we’re supposed to pick up 10 meters of exhaust pipe that will take the smoke from the wood-burning stove up the chimney. All good things!
I know it seems like I should be sick of renovation projects at this point, but I love it so much. Last weekend, we went to a going away party for some family friends, and we got to have a tour of an abandoned grand manor that shares their property line. It felt like a treasure hunt. It would take a massive amount of work to bring it back to life, but I was itching to work on it immediately. And I know there are hundreds — probably thousands — of similar properties in France. Maybe this is how I should spend my next 50 years.
ICE Attacks & the Epstein List
I’ve had less time for Threads this week, but when I have logged on, my feed is mostly ICE raids. Seeing them makes me feel out of control and really frustrated. But every once in awhile, one of the videos will show a community pushing back, banding together to resist, and protecting the people who ICE is trying to disappear. And my heart just leaps with joy! They are a reminder that there are more of us than there are of them!
If my feed isn’t showing me ICE raids, then it’s showing me commentary on the Epstein List.
I’m not sure what else there is to say about the Epstein List. To me, it seems like old and established news. I remember when Julie K Brown broke the story in the Miami Herald in 2017 — it was all over Twitter and seemed to get good coverage from legacy media. I remember reading the court testimony of someone who was repeatedly raped by Donald Trump, at Epstein’s estate, when she was 13 years old. I remember reading about the powerful men among liberals and conservatives who spent a lot of time with Epstein on his island — and I would be happy to see them all rot in prison regardless of their political beliefs.
This information is well-established. Like many of you, I’ve known this information for nearly almost 8 years. There’s no “other side” to the story. There’s nothing to argue. It’s a bunch of powerful men who raped young girls and who have thus far, gotten away with it. It would be really good to see these men brought to justice.
The only new thing I’m seeing is some Trump supporters, ready to cut ties with him, because of the unwillingness to publish the list.
I’m not clear what that’s about. Is this a situation where they know they shouldn’t have supported Trump, but can’t admit they were wrong, and are using the Epstein List as an excuse to finally reject MAGA? What are your thoughts on this?
Something Soothing
When the news is overwhelming, I’m drawn to soothing content — videos that show big improvements. I went through a rug-cleaning-video phase, a shoe-repair-video phase, and lately I keep watching handbag-renewal-videos. What’s the most soothing content you’re watching lately? (Besides our renovation projects, of course — hah! But really, did you see the kitchen island?)
Last Chance To Register for the Relocation Retreat!
Registration for the Relocation Retreat closes tomorrow (Saturday). So if you’d like grab one of the last spots, I’ve got all the information you need.
I’ve been working on the schedule for the retreat and it’s going to be so good. Lots of practical stuff, lots of fun stuff. And we’ll be visiting actual houses for sale! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email (designmom @ designmom.com).
That’s all for now. I hope you have something good to look forward to this weekend.
kisses,
Gabrielle
Cake Decorating videos do it for me. I've joked they are the intersection of meditation and pornography: both soothing and exciting!
I will admit to occasionally watching 'cat tv' bird/squirrel videos on youtube. My cat is, sadly, too smart to be into them -- after a quick exploratory paw confirms he can't reach into the screen, he curls up and goes to sleep. But clearly, I am less smart than my cat...