What's Happening

Politics

What in the Hegseth Is Going On?

What's going on: Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, is in damage-control mode amid mounting allegations against him. Hegseth is facing (and vehemently denying) accusations of sexual misconduct, mismanagement, and excessive drinking. Despite the growing concerns, he’s reassuring anyone who will listen (even writing an opinion piece) that he’s not going anywhere and promising that he’ll remain sober if he gets the job. “This is the biggest deployment of my life, and there won’t be a drop of alcohol on my lips while I’m doing it,” he said during an interview Wednesday — the same day he tried to assuage senators’ concerns. (Is this sounding oddly familiar to Matt Gaetz’s playbook?) Also part of the full-court press? Hegseth’s mother, who previously described him as a liar and a cheat in a 2018 email, appeared on Fox & Friends to defend her son. While no Republican senator has explicitly pledged a no vote, more than four have publicly expressed reservations, which could potentially block Hegseth’s confirmation.

What it means: While Trump has been clear that he has no qualms about bucking traditional choices for his Cabinet, Hegseth’s personal baggage could prove to be too distracting for his administration. Meanwhile, Hegseth’s efforts to win over lawmakers, including telling senators he still has Trump’s support, come at an awkward time. Media reports suggest Trump may be eyeing Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis (boots and all) to replace Hegseth. It’s unclear whether Trump, who is famously sober, is considering alternatives because he doubts his nominee has enough Senate votes, or if the allegations tied to Hegseth’s drinking and conduct are making him reconsider. Notably, the Trump transition team didn’t do thorough screenings of potential nominees, and only recently agreed with the Department of Justice to perform formal background checks on his picks. 

Related: Bitcoin Hits Record $100,000 After Trump Picks Crypto Supporter To Lead SEC (NPR)

US News

Health Care CEO Killed in a "Targeted" Attack, Suspect on the Run

What's going on: A manhunt is underway in New York after a masked gunman shot and killed the CEO of UnitedHealthcare early Wednesday outside the New York Hilton Midtown. Brian Thompson, 50, was preparing to speak at the company’s annual investor conference when a gunman approached him from behind, firing several rounds. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the attack “brazen” and “targeted,” indicating it was not a random act of violence. The suspect used a silencer and knew exactly which door Thompson would enter, allowing him to ambush the executive from a concealed position, according to sources familiar with the investigation. The suspect was last seen in Central Park riding a bike.

Tell me more: Thompson’s assassination is likely to bring further attention to the vulnerability of some high-profile CEOs working at such large and influential companies. UnitedHealth Group (the parent company of UnitedHealthcare) is the nation’s largest private health insurer — with a nearly $400 billion operation, it’s a cornerstone of the health care system. Earlier this year, a ransomware cyberattack on a UnitedHealth subsidiary affected the health data of over 100 million Americans, disrupted medical facilities nationwide, and prompted congressional hearings and federal investigations. The company has also faced allegations of systematically denying coverage for necessary health care procedures.

Related: Who was Brian Thompson? The CEO Who Kept a Low Profile (CBS News)

Music

Headphones on for Pop Princesses 

What's going on: Ah, Spotify Wrapped day — it’s the best of times for people with cool music taste, and the worst for those of us who didn’t realize how much we listen to the High School Musical soundtrack (new levels of shame: unwrapped). And this year, Wrapped was for the ladies, especially those in pop. Women artists created a whopping eight of the top 10 most-streamed albums — although, does it really count if Taylor Swift is behind three of those? Still, it’s a somewhat diverse cast, with Karol G, SZA, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter also making the list. Not to give Spotify too much credit for this — they (allegedly) didn’t pick these women, after all. Spotify’s global head of editorial, Sulinna Ong, says artists outside the mainstream are also performing well, like emerging indie star Luvcat and the rapper Doechii.

What it means: It’s not just Wrapped that’s indicating a winning year for women in music. Beyoncé was just named the greatest pop star of the 21st Century, and we’re still reeling from a ‘Brat summer’ defined by artists like Charli XCX and Chappell Roan. Plus, a landmark 35% of last year’s biggest chart hits were by women, according to one report. Being a woman in music isn’t all fun and sparkly microphones, though. Artists still face gender discrimination at alarming rates and a pay gap (and it’s worth noting that Spotify has been criticized for its royalties structure). Sabrina Carpenter has faced criticism lately for being “too sexual” on stage, a critique we don’t hear much about hip-gyrating frontmen. “If I was a man,” right? Still, to see so many women secure top Wrapped slots means something…At least according to Ong, who says: “Music is always a bellwether for what’s happening in the outer world.” 

Related: Ever Wondered What Would Be on Blair Waldorf's Spotify Wrapped? (Bustle)