On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace dropped a lot of new information about King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation. I’m doing several different stories about all of this, so please don’t threadjack! This story is about, you know, “Queen Camilla.” For months now, we were supposed to call her Queen Consort Camilla, but most English-language outlets dropped the “consort” part two seconds after QEII’s passing. Well, now the palace has formally dropped the “consort” part of Cam’s title too, and they did so on the coronation invitation which was just released last night. The invitation is… colorful. Some might say gaudy?

First she was to be known as Princess Consort. Then she became Queen Consort. But Buckingham Palace’s coronation invitation confirms what most have suspected all along. From now on, it’s officially Queen Camilla. For years, the palace has shied away from answering “the queen” question when asked directly what Camilla would be known as when Charles acceded the throne.

Upon her 2005 marriage to the then Prince of Wales, a statement from Clarence House mooted that she would be known as Princess Consort, such was the sensitivity around the thorny subject. In February last year, Queen Elizabeth II made clear her wish for her daughter-in-law to hold the title Queen Consort.

But the official invitation, being sent out to more than 2,000 guests for the 6 May ceremony at Westminster Abbey, is the last word on the subject. Finally fulfilling Charles’s immutable ambition, it invites recipients to the “Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla”. It marks the incredible journey of Camilla over more than five decades, from secret romantic involvement to official partner and finally wife of the king – and which will end with her formally being crowned queen alongside the new king.

A palace source said: “It made sense to refer to Her Majesty as the Queen Consort in the early months of His Majesty’s reign, to distinguish from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. ‘Queen Camilla’ is the appropriate title to set against ‘King Charles’ on the invitation. The coronation is an appropriate time to start using ‘Queen Camilla’ in an official capacity. All former queen consorts have been known as ‘Queen’ plus their first name.”

The royal website will be updated post-coronation to reflect Camilla’s change in title, with Queen Consort being replaced with Queen Camilla, the Palace said.

[From The Guardian]

What’s funny/stupid is that Charles thinks he’s being so slick with this? Like, he really believes he pulled off some brilliant decades-long campaign to ensure that the British people “accept” Queen Camilla, the Sidechick In Chief, the woman who neighed her way into his first marriage. When really, people didn’t “care” about what Camilla was called formally because everyone knows she’s the homewrecker, the side-chick, the mistress-turned-official. As I’ve said for years now, while The Crown never really exposed Charles and Camilla for how dreadful they really were and are, that show completely exposed that their support is a mile wide and an inch deep. Queen Camilla is tolerated, not loved (and she’s barely even tolerated). Just because people aren’t screaming about Queen Sidepiece 24-7, doesn’t make her popular. In fact, Charles and Camilla are both historically unpopular. And so is their Struggle Chubbly.

The palace also released a new portrait of Charles and Queen Camilla. Too much blue – instead of coordinating, they’re too matchy.

Quite the journey.

From ‘there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded’ to being anointed with holy oil and crowned in an abbey. pic.twitter.com/BwIGOn2qRV

— Peter Hunt (@_PeterHunt) April 4, 2023

Photos courtesy of Buckingham Palace, Backgrid.

The fourth season of Love is Blind started recently and the show is just as messy as ever. Aside from the new location (Seattle), one distinction is that there was more than one clear villain this season. Irina and Micah banded together early on to behave as total mean girls toward the other women, some of the men (like Irina’s fiancé), and later, each other. They were roasted online, especially Irina, and she took to Instagram with a video apology for mistreating her costars. She was really awful to them.

Irina Solomonova apologized to all the people she “mistreated” while on “Love Is Blind” after being called out for being a “mean girl.”

“The first thing I want to say is that I have privately apologized to the people that I have hurt and mistreated,” she said in an Instagram video Sunday.

“Second of all, I wanted to say I am so, so, so sorry for the people that watched the show that felt frustrated, angry, hurt by the way that I was mistreating people on the show. It was very immature and naive of me in a lot of those situations.” she continued.

The controversial reality star, 26, specifically apologized to castmates Zack Goytowski, Bliss Poureetezadi, Amber Wilder, Jackelina Bonds and Micah Lussier, who also raised some eyebrows with her catty behavior.

“None of those people deserved to be treated the way that I treated them,” Solomonova explained. “I know that none of those things were OK.”

She concluded the video by saying that she is actually someone that wants to make people “feel seen” and felt like she acted the “exact opposite.”

“I feel like being on the show was like getting a mirror put in front of your face, in the sense of seeing yourself from a different perspective,” she continued. “That opened up so much to me and I’m still processing and going through everything that happened.”

However, most of Solomonova’s followers didn’t seem to believe her emotional plea, saying it didn’t seem even “slightly authentic.”

“What? Sorry..I only heard ‘I’m posting this so I don’t get fully cancelled and this is all about me’ lolol,” one person commented.

“You can use me as the dislike button ppl,” another person said, prompting over 3,000 users to “like” the comment.

“The way you put down and belittled Zack was really difficult for many people to watch especially anyone who has been bullied,” a third person added. “You really wouldn’t care at all if not for all the backlash on yourself.”

During the first half of Season 4, Solomonova and Lussier came under fire for laughing at some of their female co-stars while they were crying while still in the pods.

Solomonova also feuded with Poureetezadi as they tried to win over the same man. She also made a pass on Lussier’s fiancé, Paul Peden.

Yet after getting engaged to Goytowski, Solomonova called him “creepy,” saying he looked like a “cartoon character.” The pair eventually called off their engagement.

The next three episodes of “Love Is Blind” hit Netflix on April 7.

[From Page Six]

That apology looked and sounded more like a hostage video! Irina is clearly doing it because of the backlash and not because she is actually sorry. I think she’s just mean and liked being mean to the other women, to her fiancé, and eventually to Micah. I said to my friend as we were watching that it seemed like Irina and Micah were just in it for influencer fame/clout and didn’t care much about their guys or the experiment. And I stand by that theory, even more so after this weak apology. Irina even alludes to eventually sharing what she was going through emotionally at the time that caused her to behave in such a way, which sounds like a rebrand attempt if I ever heard one. If season two Shayne is defending you, you are 100% in the wrong. The only thing I will say in Irina’s slight favor is I feel like none of the male villains like Shane, Shake, Bartise, or Cole, were pressured to apologize quite like this.

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Last week we talked about Justine Bateman’s 60 Minutes Australia interview in which she said she had no desire to erase the evidence of her age on her face. I was thrilled to see the positive response to her comments. Apparently, we were not the only ones to fist bump Justine and her ‘rad’ appearance, she’s seeing a lot of love in her DMs. While promoting her new book Face on Today, Justine told Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie that women get plastic surgery because of fear. But we’re being “lied to” about what would happen if we did look older because people make a lot of money off our desire to look younger.

Speaking to Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie this morning on the TODAY Show, Bateman said that after the segment aired, she received a meaningful message. The woman, a mom, said, “I never realized what impact this conversation was having on younger women until my [16-year-old] daughter came in from the other room. She said, ‘Hey, did you guys see the 60 Minutes thing with Justine Bateman?’ She said it was great–now I’m not afraid of getting old.”

Bateman was glad to hear it. “I was like, oh my god, if just one person, like, is not afraid,” she said. “It’s silly. I’ve never been smarter, I’ve never had more connections. It’s like when you’re younger you know the [guy at the] door of the nightclub? When you’re older, you know the person who owns the building that the nightclub is in.”

The 57-year-old said the war on aging was an “inside job” that left some women doubting their appearance. “I would say to any young woman, you’re being lied to. Who is making money off this? You’re being lied to and you’re being tricked off your path… You’ve got awesome things coming your way. Just stay on your path and just ride it out.”

Bateman told Kotb and Guthrie it was this fear that left people not wanting to look older. “Some people are afraid they’ll lose their job or never get a job or not get a mate or no one’s going to listen to them or whatever. And that fear, my position is, that fear existed before their face started changing,” Bateman says.

“I’m just somebody who got myself on the other side of what that fear was for me in particular, and I’m just sharing what worked for me. Lots of ways to get there, but for anyone who wants to get free,” she told the TODAY Show.

[From Yahoo!]

To be fair to Justine, in the full interview, she emphasizes that she is not an advocate against plastic surgery, she just pushed past the desire to do any work. Ultimately, I agree with her points, too. I absolutely agree that Bottled Youth is big business and nobody’s willing to give up that cash cow. I agree that the pervasive ageism in society motivates women to hide their age. But in Justine’s segment, posted below, when she spoke about how we are being lied to, she suggests the hurdles are all in our heads and we just need to push past it like she did. On this point she may be coming from a position of privilege of being able to jump from actress to director/author. Any job site warns you to restructure your work experience on your resume so potential employers can’t tell your age. While some myths are being perpetuated about the need to turn back the clock, it isn’t just in our heads.

Justine’s primary message, though, is to push past the fear of looking older, which is a good one. I appreciate the part that we should embrace our age and celebrate who we are. I also still believe, however, that we all have our little ways of getting there. I’ve admitted that I dress flamboyantly as kind of an armor. Justine clearly still dyes her hair. Maybe someone else minimizes their smile lines but keeps their crows’ feet. We all push past the fear in different ways so let’s continue to lift each other up along the way.

In an exclusive interview with @SavannahGuthrie and @hodakotb, @JustineBateman opens up about women and aging: “When you’re younger, you know the doorman of the nightclub. When you’re older, you know the person who owns the building that the nightclub is in.” pic.twitter.com/84tZHf9LuK

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 3, 2023

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Neil Diamond, 82, is a living legend. There’s a Broadway musical about his life, A Beautiful Noise, starring Will Swenson and Marc Jacoby as young and old Diamond, which Diamond was able to see. He thrilled theatergoers with a rousing rendition of Sweet Caroline at the opening this December. You can see that here!

Diamond told the show’s producers to show him “warts and all” through his two divorces and struggles, but it was hard for him to see his life story on stage. He told CBS Sunday Morning’s Anthony Mason that it was tough to watch A Beautiful Noise and called it like therapy. He has countless hits and has been performing for decades. Diamond stopped touring in 2018 after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. On CBS, he talked about the disease for the first time. He said it was hard for him to accept and that it’s only been in the last few weeks that he’s come to terms with it. He also said he can still sing, that he’s been “doing it for the past 50 years and I enjoy it.” It sure shows. Here’s People’s writeup on that interview.

Neil Diamond is coming to terms with having Parkinson’s disease.

In an interview set to air on CBS Sunday Morning… the “Hello Again” singer, 82, shares that it has only been “in the last few weeks” that he has accepted his diagnosis, which he first made public in 2018.

“But somehow, a calm has moved in, and the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, as quiet as this recording studio,” he tells reporter Anthony Mason. “And, I like it. I find that I like myself better. I’m easier on people. I’m easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I’m gone.”

The singer retired from touring five years ago, but that hasn’t stopped him from reaching out to his devoted fans.

“I’m still doing it. And I don’t like it. But the … this is me; this is what I have to accept,” he says in the interview. “And I’m willing to do it. And, OK, so this is the hand that God’s given me, and I have to make the best of it, and so I am. I am…”

During the interview on Sunday, Mason asks the star what was most difficult about watching his younger self depicted on stage.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“It was all pretty hard,” Diamond says. “I was a little embarrassed. I was flattered and I was scared.”

“What were you scared of?” Mason asks.

“Being found out is the scariest thing you can hope, because we all have a façade. And the truth be known to all of ’em. I’m not some big star. I’m just me,” Diamond says.

[From People]

My dear departed father-in-law had Parkinson’s. He was also a hardworking, somewhat hard-headed man who continued to do things he was no longer physically equipped to, if that makes sense. I came away from this interview with so much respect and gratitude for Diamond. He dedicated his life to entertaining us and we’re lucky he gave us so many banging songs and performances. I hope Diamond has the best doctors and you know he has his friends and family there to support him. I’m happy he’s getting his flowers now.

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Donald Trump left Trump Tower at approximately 1 pm today and entered his armored vehicle, with his full Secret Service protection detail. According to the New York Times, Trump “traveled alone in a car with Secret Service agents.” His lawyers and aides traveled in other cars. While on the road to the courthouse, Trump posted this on Truth Social:

oh man he’s posting from his ride to court pic.twitter.com/3i1Hj6H2EF

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 4, 2023

Holy yikes. When he arrived at the courthouse for his surrender, everything seemed to go smoothly and quickly – arrangements had been made ahead of time for Bigly Christ Superstar, and he was in court for his arraignment by 2:30. Before the arraignment, he was fingerprinted but not handcuffed.

Former President Donald J. Trump entered the courtroom for his arraignment at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, taking his first steps into life as a criminal defendant and facing dozens of felony charges for his role in the payment of hush money to a porn star days before the 2016 presidential election.

In a remarkable spectacle playing out before a divided nation, Mr. Trump’s 11-vehicle motorcade had arrived just before 1:30 at the district attorney’s office, part of the towering Manhattan Criminal Courts Building. While in custody, he was fingerprinted, but special accommodations were made for him: He spent only a short time in the office before his court appearance and most likely was not handcuffed nor was a mug shot likely taken.

With fears of protests and Trump-inspired threats, his movements in and around the courthouse were highly choreographed by the Secret Service, the New York City Police Department, court security and the district attorney’s office, which has been investigating Mr. Trump for nearly five years.

[From The NY Times]

Before now, Trump and his team believed that most of the counts in the previously sealed indictment were misdemeanors. They were shocked today when the indictment was unsealed and it was revealed that Trump will be prosecuted for 34 FELONIES. Trump pleaded not guilty, but he’s got to feel a little shaken. Oh well! So how are we feeling on this glorious day? I’m feeling… fine. Not gleeful, not sad. Just kind of like: it is what it is. F–k this guy. (Edited to add additional photos)

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Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Getty.

Ben Affleck also made a movie called Hypnotic? It honestly looks like the kind of dad-movie which would normally star Gerard Butler, right? [Pajiba]
It’s so funny that Gigi Hadid & Leo DiCaprio are still “hanging out.” [JustJared]
Would you wear rattail sunglasses? [OMG Blog]
Backstory on Priyanka Chopra’s Bollywood beef. [LaineyGossip]
Drake is desperate to be included in the Kim Kardashian-Kanye West narrative. In other words, Drake needs attention. [Dlisted]
WTF was Leslie Stahl thinking with this? [Jezebel]
Paul Mescal & other photos from this weekend’s Olivier Awards. [Tom & Lorenzo]
Pedro Pascal loves his cardigans. [GFY]
The election in Wisconsin is incredibly important. [Buzzfeed]
Disney CEO Bob Iger calls out “anti-business” Ron DeSantis. [Towleroad]

LMAO, Melania Trump has not left Mar-a-Lago. Her husband flew on Con Air up to New York last night and Melania did not travel with him. Reportedly, she has no plans to return to New York to support Donald. She’ll support him from Mar-a-Lago, darling. Thinking of you while I get my spa treatment! Sending you positive energy from Florida as I get a facial! Prayers up for the man who got indicted for paying off Stormy Daniels, whom Donald Trump slept with while Melania was pregnant! People Magazine has another hilarious update from the Trumps:

Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, were both “shocked” upon hearing the news that the former president had been indicted on roughly 30 counts last week, sources tell PEOPLE, despite understanding that possible criminal charges were looming in Manhattan.

“Melania and Donald were both shocked when they were told,” a political source tells PEOPLE. “They weren’t expecting it, but Melania will support him. That’s what she does. They are a family.”

While the former president has left the couple’s home at the private Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, the couple were as recently as last week living life as usual. Donald and Melania dined with a group of people Thursday night after the indictment came down. According to a Palm Beach source, they appeared not to be terribly rattled.

“Like usual, drama swirls around them and they wade through it,” the source tells PEOPLE. “It’s part of their lives.”

The source adds that Melania is upset and angry about the indictment — which stems from an alleged hush money payment he made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016 — but not devastated. Like her husband, she is more surprised.

The former president, meanwhile, has found solace in his many supporters that greet him with a thumbs-up in the halls and on the golf green at his private club. “They think it’s a political witch hunt and nothing will change their minds,” a social source says. “Even though nobody knows what is in the sealed indictment, their minds are made up.” The source continues: “Donald’s supporters rally around them, and that buoys his spirits.”

Another political source says in Donald’s moments of confidence, he thinks the indictment will portray him as a victim. “Donald continues to use the indictment as a way to gain prominence in his attempts to be the GOP nominee again…but is he worried? Very much so,” the political source asserts to PEOPLE. “He doesn’t think he can get a fair trial in New York, and is already blasting the judge who he said hates his company.”

Responding to hearsay swirling around recently, a spokesperson for the former president cautioned to PEOPLE that “anyone who talks about President Trump’s mood has no idea what they’re talking about and are simply lying to make it seem like they know what’s going on. In fact, they are on the outside looking in, quite sad,” the spokesperson said.

[From People]

They “are simply lying to make it seem like they know what’s going on. In fact, they are on the outside looking in, quite sad.” So Donald Trump is acting as his own spokesperson again, it seems. Sad! Melania “will support him. That’s what she does. They are a family” – more like Melania will watch his New York perp walk from her mud bath at Mar-a-Lago and toast with a glass of champagne. I mean… props to her, in this very narrow area. Melania is just as contemptible as her husband, but I think it’s hilarious that she didn’t go to New York and that she’s going to stick with this mess so she can be the widow.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.

Over the weekend, Dan Wootton made an ass out of himself online when he threw a Twitter tantrum about President Biden’s alleged plan to skip King Charles’s coronation. I didn’t have “royal commentators spreading malicious lies about Joe Biden” on my 2023 Bingo Card, but here we are. Wootton and Piers Morgan are giving Scorpio Joe the full Sussex treatment. In Wootton’s case, that means devoting his weekly Mail column to spinning lunatic conspiracies about why President Biden won’t simply deport Prince Harry and come to the coronation. Wootton’s headline: “Joe Biden apologists can come up with all the excuses they want, but snubbing King Charles’ coronation shows he hates Britain, just like his pals Harry and Meghan. Trump would have made history by attending.”

Joe Biden has spent his life devoted to the sole purpose of hating Britain: It was the fateful moment in 2020 when Joe Biden made abundantly clear to the world that the Anglophilia of his predecessor was about to be brutally kicked to the curb. Already plotting to have the bust of Britain’s greatest ever leader Winston Churchill banished from the Oval Office, a viral video emerged of the then president elect being asked for comment during the campaign by the Donald Trump-hating BBC. ‘Mr. Biden, a quick word for the BBC,’ the British Bashing Corporation’s New York correspondent Nick Bryant hollered. ‘The BBC? I’m Irish,’ Biden replied with a threatening glare, before breaking out into a demented grin. That obvious disdain, which I am prepared to call out as both monarchy and Britain-hating, has continued throughout his presidency.

No more special relationship!! Be it consistently backing Ireland and the EU during highly sensitive Brexit negotiations, slamming ex-PM Liz Truss publicly for trying to cut taxes, or siding with the ghastly Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over their fake Royal Family racism claims to Oprah Winfrey. Never has it been made clearer that the special relationship is spluttering on in spite of the occupant of the White House not because of him.

Maybe if Wootton squeals & whines more, then Biden will come? If Biden were prepared to show respect for the UK, there could be no better way than turning up at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, alongside dozens of other heads of state the world over, including all three presidents of our political enemies over at the EU. Sure, Biden is already travelling to Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement later this month and describing the 80-year-old gaffe-prone leader as doddery is being kind to him. But, given the magnitude of the historic event, another trip a few weeks later is warranted.

Colonialism was good!! Biden’s anti-English stance is indicative of the way the left internationally have started slowly turning on the UK and our Royal Family as some sort of walking talking manifestation of colonialism, which they deride for political purposes on a daily basis, forgetting the many wonders the British Empire brought to the world.

Trump would have come, Trump hated the Sussexes!! Whatever one thinks of him, I have not a shadow of doubt that Donald Trump would have moved mountains to attend the King’s coronation. Perhaps in part because of his mother’s Scottish heritage, he had a deep respect for both the late Queen personally, as well as the importance of the British monarchy and the danger posed by a destructive Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The Sussexes have left their fingerprints all over this: I have no doubt that the malign influence of Harry and Meghan on the way many left-wing Americans think about the UK and Royal Family has played a part in Biden’s decision. Harry had formed a close friendship with Biden and his wife Jill through his Invictus Games, with the president once stating: ‘Jill went to London for the last games. She spent too much damn time with Prince Harry!’

[From The Daily Mail]

I mean… if President Biden was looking for a reason not to come to the Struggle Chubbly (aka the Struggly), then the completely deranged reaction to the mere RUMORS of his declining the invitation would surely be reason enough. Wootton and his ilk make it seem like the lunatics are running the asylum, what with their crazed, lurid fantasies of the Bidens cozying up to Harry and Meghan, like the President of the United States would make a decision about attending a coronation based on anything other than politics and a demanding schedule. That’s the other thing – President Biden’s schedule isn’t full of dumbf–k busywork like the Windsors and (seemingly) every Tory MP. Biden actually has work to do constantly, and he simply doesn’t have the time (or the desire) to go to the Struggly.

Also: tell us more about how wonderful Trump was because of his Anglophilia. Trump is literally being handcuffed, booked and arraigned this week, two years after he tried to overthrow the American republic and install himself as a dictator. Arguing “but Trump would have come” is not some flex.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

Prince Harry was in London for at least four full days last week. He did not see his father and if they spoke, it was only on the phone. I suspect that they didn’t even speak, and that Harry spoke to various palace courtiers about his visit. The point is that even when Harry and his father are in the same country, their relationship is utterly dysfunctional and built on institutional gaslighting. Instead of using the moment of his son’s sudden appearance to personally invite Harry to the coronation, the palace is once again left staggering through another week where the Sussexes’ Chubbly attendance or non-attendance is the story. And let me tell you, these posh dumbasses are so nervous.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry risk causing an “irreversible blow” to the royal family if they choose not to attend the King’s coronation, a royal expert claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex — who received their invitations to the May 6 ceremony — are still mulling over whether or not they will make the 5,459-mile-long trip from their Montecito, Calif. home to London. If they do go, the exiled royals will be met with a “cold shoulder” from senior members of the royal family, according to a report.

Now, a royal expert has warned that by skipping the historic celebration — which coincides with Prince Archie’s 4th birthday — the exiled royals may cause a “fatal” rift with the Firm.

“In a universe in which the damage already caused by the rift is still recoverable from, at least in part, a no-show would be the fatal, irreversible blow, both in the public perception as well, potentially, as within the family itself,” public relations expert Edward Coram-James told GB News. “It risks drawing out the conflict over the long term.”

Coram-James added that if the Sussexes decide to skip the festivities, it “would draw as much, if not more, media attention. It would give further oxygen to the rift and allegations that the Sussexes have leveled at the royal family,” he told the outlet.

“And the shadow of their absence would loom large over the entire ceremony, risking becoming the elephant in the room and an unwanted sideshow.”

[From Page Six]

So we’re clear: Harry and Meghan are utterly unwelcome at the coronation and they’ll be treated like sh-t if they come and no one will speak to them because everyone hates them. Additionally, it’s incredibly important that they come because if they don’t come, their non-attendance will be the story and the family will never recover from the snub and there will be no way back for them… until the Windsors invent some new reason for what the Sussexes must come back. Am I getting this? Anyway, I have no tea leaves about this… I truly don’t know what will happen. I do love that the Sussexes still aren’t saying anything. It’s glorious.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images.

Yesterday afternoon/evening, Donald Trump boarded his plane, now forever known as Con Air, and flew from Mar-a-Lago to New York. Most of the cable news channels covered it live, giving Trump the full “OJ Simpson in a white Bronco” treatment. Today, Trump will be arraigned in a Manhattan court. Reportedly, there were many negotiations, not only between Trump, his lawyers and DA Alvin Bragg and his team, but with the Secret Service as well. It was apparently negotiated ahead of time that Trump will not be handcuffed (because normal cuffs won’t fit on his tiny baby fists) and it doesn’t appear as though a mug shot will be taken or released. Still, Trump apparently wants today to be a pure MAGA spectacle.

Donald Trump insisted on turning his Tuesday arraignment into a spectacle, and he’s going to get his wish. A law enforcement official tells Rolling Stone that the former president was offered a chance to surrender quietly and be arraigned over Zoom. Instead, Trump opted for a midday, high-profile booking at the Manhattan courthouse, the official says.

“He wanted a perp walk, he wanted daylight hours,” says the law enforcement official, who’s involved in aspects of the security planning. “He wants to get out of the vehicle and walk up the stairs. This is a nightmare for Secret Service, but they can only strongly suggest — not order — that Trump enter through the secure tunnels,” the official says. “Trump wants to greet the crowd. This should be a surprise to no one — especially not his detail.”

Secret Service had argued in favor of holding the proceedings outside of court business hours, at night with minimal cameras and less risk. But Trump, a source close to his legal team says, wants to create the type of scene that he believes will galvanize his supporters.

“It’s kind of a Jesus Christ thing. He is saying ‘I’m absorbing all this pain from all around from everywhere so you don’t have to,’ ” says the source. Describing the message Trump hopes to send his supporters, the source says: “ ‘If they can do this to me they can do this to you,’ and that’s a powerful message.”

Trump’s arraignment is scheduled for 2:30, but the law enforcement official said Trump is now expected to arrive at the courthouse around 11:30 a.m. When it is time for him to appear, other people whose bookings are being processed will be temporarily detained. The floor above and below the courtrooms will be secured. He is expected to plead not guilty, his lawyers have said. Trump’s legal team is pushing for cameras to be kept out of the courtroom, with one lawyer warning it would create a would “create a circus-like atmosphere,” ABC News reports.

Trump will be fingerprinted and processed, and will have his mug shot taken in the booking office, a small office in the courthouse. He will not be handcuffed, according to the law enforcement official. “Secret Service said absolutely not, no cuffs, no way.”

[From Rolling Stone]

Now, Michael Isikoff at Yahoo News reports that not only will Trump avoid the handcuffs (wow, they’re really worried about the size of his hands), he will also avoid a mug shot. The arraignment and booking process will be specially streamlined for him. I hate that – if Bigly Christ Superstar wants a spectacle, then put on a f–king show. Storm into Trump Tower and handcuff him. Drag him into the courthouse in full view of the media. Release a mug shot with his crooked wig and smeared makeup.

Anyway, from the looks of things, New York is not putting up with any MAGA bullsh-t. There were (legitimate) fears that Trump and his supporters would try to incite another “January 6th” style insurrection. I just think there will be more people protesting TRUMP and not his arrest today.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.