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Step inside the Gilded Age mansion that just sold for $34.5 million after years in bankruptcy

  • Bidding has closed on a 1901 mansion where Oleg Cassini designed fashions for Jacqueline Onassis.
  • On Wednesday, a bankruptcy judge approved a $34.5 million top bid for the Gilded Age townhouse.
  • Look inside the Beaux-Arts beauty and read about its contentious, sometimes violent history.

A 20-room Gilded Age mansion, once the atelier of fashion designer Oleg Cassini, is under contract at a bargain discount: $34.5 million.

A federal bankruptcy judge signed off on the mystery buyer’s winning bid on Wednesday, approving a price tag for the 18,000-square-foot Manhattan townhouse that’s nearly half the original asking price of two years ago.

The bankruptcy — in which two octogenarian sisters, one of them Cassini’s widow, were forcibly removed from the home by federal Marshals — caps a history of transformation.

Built steps from Fifth Avenue’s “Millionaire’s Row” as a stockbroker’s statement mansion in 1901, the stately limestone home was subdivided into apartments throughout the ’60s and ’70s.

And before his death in 2006, Cassini sketched wardrobes for longtime client Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis by the light of a towering window spanning the six-story home’s two topmost floors.

As the new buyer prepares to move in as early as next month, let’s take a look at the stunning rooms and tumultuous history of 15 East 63rd Street.

The 125-year history of the House of Cassini begins and ends with unwelcome intrusions.

The limestone facade of the House of Cassini, a 1901 Gilded Age mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Evan Joseph for Sotheby’s International Realty

For all its serene style, the story of the House of Cassini begins and ends with a violent forced entry.

Its first owner, a millionaire broker and banker, was bludgeoned and robbed by armed burglars who broke in soon after his Beaux-Arts beauty was built.

A century later, its most recent owner — Cassini’s 85-year-old sister-in-law, Peggy Nestor — would be physically pulled from the home by federal Marshals, who busted open the brass front door to enforce a bankruptcy judge’s 2024 eviction order.

“They put me on the street in a robe!” Cassini’s widow, Marianne Cassini, also in her 80s, told the judge of being evicted along with her sister and their niece.

The sisters battled in the courts for a decade to manage rising debts.


A fireplace mantle featured a photo of fashion designer Oleg Cassini with longtime client Jacqueline Kennedy from back in her days as First Lady.

A fireplace mantle featured a photo of fashion designer Oleg Cassini with longtime client Jacqueline Kennedy when she was First Lady.

Evan Joseph

For the past decade, the two sisters have battled in state and federal court to keep the home they purchased together in 1984, 12 years after Marianne’s secret marriage to the designer (the union was revealed only after Cassini’s death). Nestor, Cassini’s sister-in-law, took sole title in 2016, according to court papers.

The sisters ultimately lost their battle against the eviction and the bankruptcy judge’s final 2024 order that the home be sold to satisfy more than $30 million of Nestor’s mortgage debts and liens.

“Enough, enough, enough — we’re done,” a frustrated-sounding Judge Michael E. Wiles told the protesting sisters in approving the sale at a hearing on Wednesday.

“It’s in the court file, for heaven’s sake,” Wiles said, rejecting the pair’s repeated claim that they remain co-owners and that rent-stabilization laws somehow bar their eviction from the single-family residence.

In the two years since the eviction, the home’s sale price had plummeted — from $65 million under Sotheby’s International Realty, to $39.5 million under its latest listing with Brown Harris Stevens, to the current $34.5 million purchase agreement.

First stop on our look inside: an ornate and unusual vestibule.


The House of Cassini entryway features an unusual vestibule of marble, brass and curved glass.

The House of Cassini entryway features an unusual vestibule of curving marble, brass, and glass.

Evan Joseph for Sotheby’s International Realty

Before diving into the home’s tumultuous history and tranquil interior, it’s worth pausing at the front door, where the original vestibule still greets visiting guests.

Built of curving marble, brass, and glass, the unusual structure served as an airlock — a buffer against the cold in a home warmed by 14 fireplaces.

Marble, glass, and brass bend together to frame the vestibule.


A closeup of the Cassini mansion vestibule shows its unusual, turn-of-the-century curve of marble, brass and glass.

A close-up of the Cassini mansion vestibule shows its turn-of-the-century beauty.

Evan Joseph

In the summer, the vestibule helps keep in the central air conditioning, a much later and controversial addition.

In 2006, next-door-neighbor Neil Diamond sued Nestor, saying her new rooftop cooling unit illegally added 13 feet to the height of her building.

The “Sweet Caroline” and “Song Sung Blue” singer sought $2 million in damages for the obstruction of views from his terrace. They settled for an undisclosed sum in 2010.

The 1901 mansion was a wealthy stockbroker’s statement home, steps from Manhattan’s “Millionaire’s Row.”


The first floor boasts white marble floors and a sweeping marble staircase.

The first floor has white marble floors and a sweeping marble staircase.

Evan Joseph for Sotheby’s International Realty

The home’s story begins with Wall Street stockbroker Elias Asiel, who purchased 15 East 63rd Street in 1885 as a new Victorian brownstone.

Asiel had grander plans. He hired one of the top architects of the day, John H. Duncan, to reimagine the 25-foot-wide property as a limestone-clad mansion to rival any on the nearby stretch of Fifth Avenue known as “Millionaire’s Row.”

Duncan had just finished the General Grant National Memorial — a mausoleum for the 17th president and Civil War hero, overlooking the Hudson River — when he went to work for Asiel in 1897.

Entering Duncan’s design tour-de-force, guests can cross a 46-foot, marble-tiled gallery to an oval-shaped dining room, or climb a sweeping, curved staircase to the parlor level.

The dining room was the first stop for a pair of burglars in a 1906 break-in.


This view of the House of Cassini's dining room shows its stunning mirrors and the toll taken by time upon the carved wood paneling.

This view of the House of Cassini’s dining room shows its stunning mirrors and the toll time has taken on the carved wood paneling.

Evan Joseph

The dining room, enclosed by pocket doors, mirrors, and fading, carved wood paneling, played a role in a 1906 break-in that left Asiel bloodied and bereft of his silverware.

The pre-dawn, gunpoint robbery was front-page news. “Elias Asiel Pounded Insensible with Brass Knuckles in Bedroom,” blared a headline in the evening edition of the Sun.

According to accounts in four city newspapers, the two robbers broke into the basement service door with a saw and a diamond glass-cutting blade.

Awakened upstairs in bed, Asiel was no easy mark.

He got in a good punch or two before being beaten with brass knuckles and bound at the wrists and ankles “with stout pieces of cord.”

He also refused to give up the combination to his safe, which contained “a fortune in gems” — heirloom jewelry he would bequeath to his daughter, asleep one floor up.

Struggling free in his bedroom, Asiel cut short the robbery.


The sitting room adjoining the mansion's master bedroom, site of a violent struggle a century ago.

The sitting room adjoining the mansion’s master bedroom.

Evan Joseph for Sotheby’s International Realty

“Would one of you please wipe the blood out of my eyes?” the trussed broker asked as the pair ransacked his bedroom.

The younger burglar paused to wet a cloth in the adjoining bathroom and gently wiped Asiel’s eyes, an act of kindness that later swayed a judge to impose a mere five-year sentence.

The robbers pocketed Asiel’s $250 gold watch, 12 of his pearl-and-sapphire scarf pins, and $90 in cash. They then headed back downstairs to the dining room, where they’d left Asiel’s silver in a pile to grab on the way out.

The two managed to pack up just three dozen forks and four dozen spoons when they were interrupted. Wriggling free of his ties, Asiel pulled a bedside bell cord to wake the seven sleeping servants, and was shouting for help out the window.

The thieves fled into nearby Central Park, leaving most of the silver on the sideboard. They were caught and convicted some two years later.

On the second floor — a library and drawing room.


This view of the Cassini mansion's second floor library shows its wood and marble paneling and one of two windows overlooking 63rd Street.

The Cassini mansion’s library overlooks 63rd Street.

Evan Joseph for Sotheby’s International Realty

The mansion’s two most exquisite spaces — a wood-clad library and a bright drawing room — are at either end of the mansion’s second level, the “parlor floor,” where the ceilings are 17 feet high.

The wood and marble-clad library faces the front of the building, its two tall arching windows overlooking leafy East 63rd Street.

The library’s ceiling is the nesting site of four pairs of winged and clever cherubs.


This photo shows the ceiling of the Cassini mansion's library, where owls stand watch and pairs of winged cherubs gazing upon Latin-inscribed scrolls.

The library’s ceilings are populated by watchful owls and pairs of cherubs gazing upon Latin-inscribed scrolls, the room’s only reading material.

Evan Joseph/Sotheby’s International Realty

Photos of the library show no bookshelves. But there is reading material, if you’re a cherub.

Pairs of the erudite tykes roost in each corner of the elaborately coffered ceiling, holding scrolls enscribed in Latin.

“Malo Esse Quam Videri,” reads one, paraphrasing Cicero — “I would rather be than seem.”

The drawing room is a bright sanctuary.


The House of Cassini's second floor drawing room looks like a wedding cake, frosted with garlands and roses.

The House of Cassini’s drawing room looks like a wedding cake, frosted with garlands and roses.

Evan Joseph for Sotheby’s International Realty

The second-floor drawing room is a bright sanctuary where sunlight from the terrace floods inside through two French doors and alights mirror to mirror.

The room resembles an intricate wedding cake, frosted with garlands of roses.


Garlands of plasterwork roses ring the second floor's sunny drawing room.

Garlands of plasterwork roses ring the second floor’s sunny drawing room.

Evan Joseph for Sotheby’s International Realty

A profusion of plasterwork decorates the ceiling and walls, ringing the space in garlands of budding and full-flower blooms.

The effect is like standing atop a wedding cake, under a rose bower, and enclosed by a house of mirrors all at once.

“Elegance upon elegance upon elegance,” Louise Beit, the mansion’s previous broker, enthused of the drawing room, in a YouTube tour of the home last year.

A spacious gallery connects the library and drawing room, and features a balcony for “string quartets” to perform.


The Cassini mansion's second floor gallery connects the library and the drawing room.

The Cassini mansion’s second-floor gallery connects the library and the drawing room.

Evan Joseph for Sotheby’s International Realty

A spacious gallery connects the second floor’s library and drawing room.

“Standing here in the gallery, you can feel how they love lavish entertaining in the Gilded Age,” said Beit, of Sotheby’s International Realty.

“You can greet your guests at the top of the steps with a string quartet entertaining you from the balcony.”

Asiel died in his bedroom in 1920, at age 69.


Another view of the Cassini mansion library shows light from East 63rd street streaming in through a pair of tall, arched windows.

Another view of the Cassini mansion library shows light from East 63rd Street streaming in through a pair of tall, arched windows.

Evan Joseph for Sotheby’s International Realty

Asiel and his two children — his daughter would marry a Bloomingdale — enjoyed the mansion through the nineteen-teens.

In 1920, a year after his retirement, the broker died at home at age 69, missing the stock market crash by nine years.

The robbery was his most lasting claim to fame. His obituary in The New York Times noted that he “gained high praise from the police for his coolness and bravery in a single-handed battle with two burglars.”

In the ’60s and ’70s, the home was divided into seven rent-stabilized apartments.


The sweeping staircase of the House of Cassini spirals up toward its added sixth floor and skylight.

The sweeping staircase of the House of Cassini spirals up toward its added sixth floor and skylight.

Evan Joseph

City records show that in the ’60s and ’70s, the home was owned by a California development company and had been divided into seven rent-stabilized apartments.

In 1984, it was purchased by Nestor and Marianne Cassini, the designer’s secret wife.

The sisters spent the next 30 years taking out mortgages, renovating, evicting the old tenants, and running the designer’s businesses — Oleg Cassini, Inc. and Cassini Parfums, Ltd., both in receivership since 2015.

The winning, anonymous bidder pledged $34.5 million and may need to spend many millions more to renovate.


The front entrance to the Cassini mansion.

The mystery buyer’s architect estimates that renovating the home will cost $25 million and take three to four years.

Evan Joseph

The next owner — named only as “15 East 63rd Street, LLC” in court papers — is now poised to inherit an architectural gem, rich in history and potential.

“It appears that it has been a significant number of years since the townhouse was last comprehensively renovated,” Brown Harris Stevens broker Sami Hassoumi said in a court document on Tuesday.

The mystery buyer’s architect estimates that fully renovating the home will cost $25 million and take three to four years, Hassoumi said.




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What happened after Elon Musk took the Russian army offline

This story originally ran in Welt and appears on Business Insider through the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network.

“All we’ve got left now,” the Russian soldier said, “are radios, cables and pigeons.”

A decision earlier this month by SpaceX to shut down access to Starlink satellite-internet terminals caused immediate chaos among Russian forces who had become increasingly reliant upon the Elon Musk-owned company’s technology to sustain their occupation of Ukraine, according to radio transmissions intercepted by a Ukrainian reconnaissance unit and shared with the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, to which POLITICO and Business Insider belong.

The communications breakdown significantly constrained Russian military capabilities, creating new opportunities for Ukrainian forces. In the days following the shutdown, Ukraine recaptured roughly 77 square miles in the country’s southeast, according to calculations by the news agency Agence France-Presse based on data from the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.


Three men sitting at brown desks in military fatigues

Analysts in Ukraine’s Bureviy Brigade eavesdrop on Russian communications from an underground listening post in northeastern Ukraine.

Viktor Lysenko/BI



SpaceX began requiring verification of Starlink terminals on Feb. 4, blocking unverified Russian units from accessing its services. Almost immediately, Ukrainian eavesdroppers heard Russian soldiers complaining about the failure of “Kosmos” and “Sinka” — apparently code names for Starlink satellite internet and the messaging service Telegram.

“Damn it! Looks like they’ve switched off all the Starlinks,” one Russian soldier exclaimed. “The connection is gone, completely gone. The images aren’t being transmitted,” another shouted.

Dozens of the recordings were played for Axel Springer Global Reporter Network reporters in an underground listening post maintained by the Bureviy Brigade in northeastern Ukraine. Neither SpaceX nor the Russian Foreign Ministry responded to requests for comment.

“On the Russian side, we observed on the very day Starlink was shut down that artillery and mortar fire dropped drastically. Drone drops and FPV attacks also suddenly decreased,” said a Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance operator from the Bureviy Brigade who would agree to be identified only by the call sign Mustang, referring to first-person view drones. “Coordination between their units has also become more difficult since then.”

The satellite internet network has become a crucial tool on the battlefield, sustaining high-tech drone operations and replacing walkie-talkies in low-tech combat. Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion, which destroyed much of Ukraine’s traditional communications infrastructure, Western governments have provided thousands of the Starlink units to Kyiv.


A man in military fatigues with a Ukrainian flag on his shoulder.

At some point, it felt like the Russians had more devices than we did,” said a Ukrainian soldier identified by the call sign Mustang

Viktor Lysenko/BI




Walkie talkies under red light on a shelf

Viktor Lysenko/BI



With the portable terminals, there is no need to lay kilometers of cable that can be damaged by shelling or drone strikes. Drone footage can be transmitted in real time to command posts, artillery and mortar fire can be corrected with precision, and operational information can be shared instantly via encrypted messaging apps such as Signal or Telegram.

At the outset of the Russian invasion, Starlink access gave Ukraine’s defenders a decisive operational advantage. Those in besieged Mariupol sent signs of life in spring 2022 via the backpack-size white dishes, and army units used them to coordinate during brutal house-to-house fighting in Bakhmut in 2023.

Satellite internet became “one of, if not the most important components” of Ukraine’s way of war, according to military analyst Franz-Stefan Gady, an adviser to European governments and security agencies who regularly visits Ukrainian units. “Starlink constituted the backbone of connectivity that enabled accelerated kill chains by helping create a semi-transparent battlefield.”

The operational advantages of Starlink did not go unnoticed by Russian forces. By the third year of the war, Starlink terminals were increasingly turning up in Russian-occupied territory. One of the first documented cases surfaced in January 2024 in the Serebryansky forest. Month by month, Ukrainian reconnaissance drones spotted more of the devices.

The Ukrainian government subsequently contacted Musk’s company, urging it to block Russian access to the network. Mykhailo Fedorov, then digital minister and now defense minister, alleged Russian forces were acquiring the devices via third countries. “Ukraine will continue using Starlink, and Russian use will be restricted to the maximum extent possible,” Fedorov pledged in spring 2024.

Yet Russian use of the terminals continued to grow throughout 2025, and their use was not limited to artillery or drone units. Even Russian infantry soldiers were carrying mini Starlink terminals in their backpacks.

“We found Starlink terminals at virtually every Russian position along the contact line,” said Mustang. “At some point, it felt like the Russians had more devices than we did.”

In the listening post this month, he scrolled through more than a dozen images from late 2025 showing Russian Starlink terminals set up between trees or beside the entrances to their positions.

“We targeted their positions deliberately,” Mustang continued. “But even if we destroyed a terminal in the morning or evening, a new one was already installed by the next morning.”

In the Russian-occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Kreminna, there was even a shop where soldiers could buy Starlink terminals starting in 2024. According to Ukrainian officials, these devices were not registered in Russia.

SpaceX’s move in early February to enforce a stricter verification system effectively cut off unregistered Starlink terminals operating in Russian-occupied areas. Only devices approved and placed on a Ukrainian Ministry of Defense “whitelist” remained active, while terminals used by Russian forces were remotely deactivated.

“That’s it, basically no one has internet at all,” a Russian soldier said in one of the messages played for Axel Springer reporters. “Everything’s off, everything’s off.”

The temporary shutdown allowed Ukraine to slow the momentum of Vladimir Putin’s forces, although the localized counteroffensives do not represent a fundamental shift along the front. Soldiers from other Ukrainian units, including the Black Arrow battalion, confirmed the military consequences of the Starlink outage for Russian forces in their sectors in interviews with the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network.

By mid-February, Russian shelling had increased again, though largely against frontline positions that had long been identified and precisely mapped — suggesting that Russia has yet to fully restore all of its lost capabilities.

Now, analysts from the Bureviy Brigade say Russian forces are scrambling for alternatives. They have been forced to rely far more heavily on radio communication, according to Mustang, which creates additional opportunities for interception.

Russian units will likely attempt to switch to their own satellite terminals. But their speed and connection quality are significantly lower, Mustang says. And because of their size, the devices are difficult to conceal.”The shutdown of Starlink, even if only of limited effect for now, highlights the limited ability of the Russian armed forces to rapidly implement ongoing cycles of innovation,” said Col. Markus Reisner of the Austrian Armed Forces. “This could represent a potential point of leverage for Western supporters to provide swift and sustainable support to Ukraine at this stage.”

Ibrahim Naber is a chief reporter at Welt.




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I moved to Coral Gables for my dogs. I’m spending almost $2,000 more in rent, but we get to walk everywhere.

I’ve learned that there are three types of dog owners in the world: those who have dogs but treat them like pets with basic needs, those who absolutely love their dogs and spoil them, and those who treat their dogs like children.

I’m proudly in the third category.

I grocery shop for my dogs so I can home-cook their meals. I buy them Christmas presents, post photos of them on their Instagram account to more than 12,000 followers (whom I reply to on their behalf), take them to photoshoots and brand partnerships, and got them European passports so I can take them on vacation with me.

Not only that, but I play Bluey, SpongeBob SquarePants, and meditation music for them while I’m busy working to keep them entertained. I let them lick my vanilla ice-cream cone, and they sleep in my bed, cuddled under the covers at night.

But all of those things directly align with my lifestyle and the tasks I already do regularly; however, six months ago, I did the most drastic thing in my life for their benefit. I moved zip codes, prioritizing their well-being.

I chose a neighborhood where I could walk with them everywhere

Last year, while deciding where to move, I focused on finding a neighborhood where I could walk almost everywhere and bring them with me, while feeling safe walking at any hour of the day or night. After researching the best neighborhoods in the city for dog parents, all signs pointed to Coral Gables — one of the most expensive and also most dog-friendly areas in Miami.


French bulldogs on bed

The author is paying almost $2,000 more in rent for her dogs to have a better lifestyle.

Courtesy of the author



Moving to Coral Gables from Doral meant switching from an apartment with a $2,500 monthly rent to one with a $4,700 a month rent. While that is a drastic shift in rent pricing I’m choosing to make, given my current priorities and the lifestyle I want my dogs to have, it makes sense. People always say, “You’re paying for the location,” and quite frankly, that’s never felt more true to me.

Many of the residential buildings in Coral Gables allow pets, which takes the stress off people who need to move but can’t find dog-friendly places. Since the dog culture is so pronounced in this part of Miami, many buildings make it acceptable to have more than one dog.

I moved from Europe to Florida with my dogs

I lived in Europe for nearly five years — three of them in London, then the South of France, and finally Rome — before moving back to Florida in 2022. While in London, I became a dog mom after someone gifted me Bentley for Christmas.


Woman in Rome with dogs

The author moved from Europe back to Miami with her two dogs.

Courtesy of the author



During my time in Europe, I never owned a car because public transportation made getting around effortless. When I moved to Miami, that was what I missed most. Since moving back, I’ve been eager for something that comes as close as possible to the life I lived in Europe, with the dog-friendly energy that comes with it.

My French Bulldogs have many special needs. Being brachycephalic, they can only walk at certain temperatures, which means our walks have to happen during specific hours of the day so it’s not too hot. They also need to maintain a healthy weight, since excess weight can affect their backs and ligaments. Frenchies are prone to skin allergies as well, which I’ve never seen manifest in mine — and I credit that to their fully home-cooked diet.


Dog in the alps

The author wanted a lifestyle that allowed her to take her dogs with her.

Courtesy of the author



While we often get compliments at the vet for being among “the healthiest Frenchies” they’ve ever seen, that level of care comes with real responsibility and sacrifice. Owning a French Bulldog means shaping your lifestyle around its health and wellness needs. I never planned to have this breed, but life had other plans, and I ended up with two that I love with my whole heart.

They’re my buddies, my besties, and I’m grateful I found a place in Miami that makes me miss Europe a little less — while giving me more time to simply be with them and involve them in my daily activities.




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Anthropic is dropping its signature safety pledge amid a heated AI race

Anthropic is no longer daring to be quite so different.

The AI startup founded by former OpenAI employees, laser-focused on the proper development of the technology, is weakening its foundational safety principle.

In a statement on Tuesday, Anthropic said that amid heightened competition and a lack of government regulation, it will no longer abide by its commitment “to pause the scaling and/or delay the deployment of new models” when such advancements would have outpaced its own safety measures.

The new policy means Anthropic is far less constrained by safety concerns at a moment when its flagship chatbot, Claude, is upending financial markets and sparking concerns about the death of software.

As part of the changes, Anthropic now has separate safety recommendations, called its Responsible Scaling Policy, for itself and the AI industry as a whole. The policy was loosely modeled after the US government’s biosafety level (BSL) standards

Anthropic’s chief science officer, Jared Kaplan, told Time Magazine that the responsible scaling policy was not in keeping with the current state of the AI race.

“We felt that it wouldn’t actually help anyone for us to stop training AI models,” Kaplan told Time. “We didn’t really feel, with the rapid advance of AI, that it made sense for us to make unilateral commitments … if competitors are blazing ahead.”

The new policy still includes a commitment to delay the development or release of “a highly capable” AI model, but only in more limited circumstances.

In a lengthy blog post, Anthropic cited “an anti-regulatory political climate” as part of the reason for its decision. The company and its CEO, Dario Amodei, have pushed for AI regulations with some success on the state level, but without any major steps at the federal level.

“We remain convinced that effective government engagement on AI safety is both necessary and achievable, and we aim to continue advancing a conversation grounded in evidence, national security interests, economic competitiveness, and public trust,” the company wrote. “But this is proving to be a long-term project—not something that is happening organically as AI becomes more capable or crosses certain thresholds.”

The company said the scaling policy was always intended to be “a living document,” which was outlined in the first version in 2023. That said, Amodei has previously said the safety policy was meant to mitigate the risks AI could unleash — even quoting Uncle Ben’s famous admonition to Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man.

“The power of the models and their ability to solve all these problems in biology, neuroscience, economic development, governance, and peace, large parts of the economy, those come with risks as well, right?” Amodei told podcaster Lex Fridman in November 2024. “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Anthropic said another reason for changing the standards is that higher theoretical levels of risk, ASL-4 and beyond, in their framework, cannot be contained by any one company alone. (In the biosecurity world, BSL-4 refers to the highest level of protection that an extremely small number of labs implement to handle pathogens like the Ebola virus.)

Safety is the core of Anthropic’s soul

Amodei has repeatedly said his company’s commitment to safety is evident in one of its first major decisions: holding back on releasing Claude in the summer of 2022.

Looking back on the move, Amodei has said that Anthropic was worried that it could not develop safeguards quickly enough for the public release of a breakthrough technology. OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022, kick-starting the AI race. Months later, Anthropic finally released Claude.

“Now, that was very commercially expensive,” Amodei said during a recent interview with billionaire and investor Nikhil Kamath. “We probably seeded the lead on consumer AI because of that.”

One of Claude’s previous training documents is internally referred to as the “Soul doc,” an example of rhetoric that would be out of place at most other AI companies.

Kamath pressed Amodei on how he responds to critics who say Anthropic is just pushing regulation to stop the growth of future competitors. Amodei said the 2022 decision was an example of how is company backs up its talk on safety. He also pointed to advocating for US export controls on advanced chips to China, a position that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has criticized.

“Anyone who thinks we benefit from being the only ones to do that, it’s really hard to come up with a picture where that’s the case,” Amodei said. “You look at any one of these and, ‘okay, fine,’ but you put enough of them together, and I don’t know, I ask you to judge us by our actions.”




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Kelsey Baker, Military and Defense Reporting Fellow

Medal of Honor pilot was hit repeatedly by machine-gun fire during the Maduro raid, Trump says, revealing mission details

President Donald Trump shared vivid details Tuesday night of the firefight that erupted as an American helicopter reached Nicolás Maduro’s compound during the US raid into Venezuela last month.

As the Chinook helicopter carrying elite US ground troops and piloted by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover approached what the president had previously described as a fortress, “enemy machine guns fired from every angle,” Trump said during his State of the Union Address.

“Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip,” the president said as he awarded the military’s top valor award, the Congressional Medal of Honor, to Slover.

Immediately following the January 3 raid to capture the then-president of Venezuela, Trump said that a helicopter got hit “pretty hard” and that “a couple of guys were hit.” Official details of the injuries were limited. His speech on Tuesday shed new light on what happened that night.


US Air Force crew chiefs watch as F-35A Lightning II's taxi following military actions in Venezuela in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, Jan. 3, 2026.

Stealth fighters and supersonic bombers were among the aircraft involved in the mission.

US Air Force Photo



After numerous American warplanes, including advanced stealth fighters, suppressed Venezuela’s air defense network, helicopters carrying ground troops moved in, approaching Maduro’s fortified compound.

Slover’s helicopter encountered “two machine gunners who escaped the wrath of the previous planes,” Trump said. As the bullets hit the aircraft, Slover “absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces,” he continued. “He was gushing blood.”

Helicopter pilots rely on both a control stick and floor pedals for maneuvering. Most helicopters have one main rotor and a small tail rotor to keep them from spinning, but a Chinook has two large rotors that balance each other.

Despite his serious wounds, Slover managed to maneuver his helicopter into position so that onboard gunners could “take care of business” and “eliminate the threat,” the president said, crediting Slover with “saving the lives of his fellow warriors from what could have been a catastrophic crash, deep in enemy territory.”

After landing, Slover told his co-pilot, who was also wounded but not as gravely, to “take over,” saying, “I’m about ready to pass out.” A total of seven US troops were injured during the raid.


US First Lady Melania Trump presents US veteran Captain E. Royce Williams with the Medal of Honor

US First Lady Melania Trump was involved in presenting US veteran Captain E. Royce Williams with the Medal of Honor.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images



During his State of the Union address, Trump also presented a second Medal of Honor to centenarian US Navy pilot E. Royce Williams, a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Three years ago, Williams was awarded the Navy Cross for “extraordinary heroism” in a Korean War air battle in which he was outgunned and outmatched in his F9F Panther by Soviet MiG-15 fighters but still managed to shoot down four of them.

The 1952 dogfight was classified for decades.

The Congressional Medal of Honor is usually awarded in solemn, less politically charged ceremonies at the White House. The award can take years, or even decades, as was the case for Williams, to be bestowed. It requires eyewitness accounts and has strict criteria. Other valor awards, such as the Navy Cross or Silver Star, can occasionally be upgraded to a Medal of Honor, a notoriously lengthy process.

The top award is bestowed upon troops engaged against an enemy of the US or an “opposing foreign force,” according to the military’s awards manual.

That the medal was awarded during the State of the Union elicited reactions from some veterans online who felt that the timing dampened the gravity of the award’s significance.

During the event, Trump reiterated his previously stated desire to receive the Medal of Honor.

“I’ve always wanted the Congressional Medal of Honor, but I was informed, I’m not allowed to give it to myself,” Trump told the crowd. “I wouldn’t know why I’d be taking it, but if they ever open up that law, I will be there with you someday.”




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35 of the best and worst looks Melania Trump has worn as first lady

Updated

  • Melania Trump’s style has been closely watched since she became first lady.
  • Her best first lady looks mix her personal style with a professional edge.
  • Melania Trump has also worn some controversial outfits over the years.

Melania Trump has been quietly reinventing her style in her second tenure as first lady.

Since she returned to the White House in 2025, she has largely struck a more subdued tone with her attire than she did when President Donald Trump first took office in 2017.

Since becoming first lady, Melania Trump’s style has often drawn attention, with some of her outfits proving controversial.

Take a look at some of the best and worst looks she’s worn during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Melania Trump paid homage to Jackie Kennedy when she debuted as first lady.

Donald and Melania Trump on Inauguration Day 2017.

Kevin Dietsch – Pool/Getty Images

Ralph Lauren Collection designed the knee-length, powder-blue dress Melania wore to Trump’s inauguration in 2017, along with the coordinating shrug and gloves.

She accessorized the outfit with pearl earrings and blue, pointed-toe heels.

The full ensemble evoked Jackie Kennedy’s style. From the bright color to the nod to one of America’s most iconic first ladies, Melania’s look was the perfect choice for her husband’s first inauguration.

Her custom gown for the 2017 inaugural balls featured standout three-dimensional detailing.


Donald and Melania Trump at the 2017 Inauguration Ball 2017.

Donald and Melania Trump at a 2017 inaugural ball.

Kevin Dietsch – Pool/Getty Images

Hervé Pierre custom-designed Melania’s off-the-shoulder dress for the inaugural ball.

The cream dress had an A-line silhouette, a thigh-high slit on one side, and three-dimensional fabric that curved across the bodice. A thin red belt cinched at the waist for a pop of color.

The dress felt high-fashion, connecting the first lady to her past as a model as she stepped into a new role.

Melania’s outfit for a visit to Texas in August 2017 got attention online.


Donald and Melania Trump in Texas in August 2017.

Donald and Melania Trump in Texas in August 2017.

JIM WATSON / AFP / Getty Images

In August 2017, the Trumps visited Corpus Christi, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey to assess recovery efforts.

The pair wore casual attire, with Melania arriving in a white button-down, black jeans, and sneakers. She also added a black baseball hat to her look that said “FLOTUS,” first lady of the United States, on the front.

Melania’s outfit quickly became a source of social-media chatter. Some said her hat called attention to her in the wake of the natural disaster, while others praised her casual outfit.

Her suit for a Canadian state visit in October 2017 was more fitting for the occasion.


Donald and Melania Trump with Justin and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau in October 2017.

Donald and Melania Trump with Justin and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau in October 2017.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

When greeting Justin and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau at the White House in October 2017, Melania wore a gray pinstripe suit instead of a dress.

The suit featured high-waisted pants, and she paired it with a white button-down and an untied black tie. The outfit was unexpected for a first lady, offering a fun style moment.

The president and first lady had a rare matching moment in April 2018, wearing coordinating striped looks.


Donald and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April 2018.

Donald and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April 2018.

Mandel NGAN / AFP / Getty Images

In April 2018, the Trumps hosted Japan’s prime minister at the time, Shinzo Abe, and his wife, Akie Abe, at Mar-a-Lago, during which the first lady wore an off-the-shoulder dress from Carolina Herrera.

The dress was covered in black and white stripes, with thicker black stripes on the bodice and the pattern reversed on the midi-length skirt.

She added white heels to her look, and Trump wore a navy and white striped tie that matched his wife’s look. The coordinating outfits were an atypical but welcome choice for the couple.

The same month, Melania stunned in a black minidress and coordinating coat.


The Trumps, President Macron, and his wife at the White House in April 2018.

Donald and Melania Trump, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife at the White House in April 2018.

Al Drago/Getty Images

Melania greeted President Macron of France and his wife, Brigitte, in a black minidress and black pumps at the White House.

The standout feature of her outfit was a Givenchy tuxedo cape, which added a flair of personality to the otherwise simple look.

The semi-sheer dress she wore to a state dinner for the Macrons during the same trip was a little too busy.


Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2018.

Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2018.

Alex Edelman-Pool/Getty Images

The first lady changed into a silver Chanel dress for the dinner.

Most of the form-fitting dress was covered in textured fabric, while the top of the bodice and bottom of the skirt were made of a sheer, black fabric adorned with silver embellishments.

The fabrics didn’t blend well, making the dress look too busy. It would have been a better look without the sheer fabric.

In June 2018, Melania received backlash for wearing a jacket that said, “I really don’t care, do u?”


Melania Trump getting into a car while wearing a jacket that says

Melania Trump in June 2018.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In June 2018, Melania visited an immigration facility in McAllen, Texas, where children were living, wearing a green Zara jacket that said “I really don’t care, do u?” on the back.

Critics said the jacket was insensitive to wear for the visit, critiquing both the first lady and the president for the fashion faux pas.

Melania’s former aide, Stephanie Grisham, wrote in her book “I’ll Take Your Questions Now” that the president yelled at Melania for wearing the jacket, though Trump and the first lady both said she wore it to send a message to the left-wing media.

A different bow would have improved her dress for an Independence Day celebration in July 2018.


Melania and Donald Trump in July 2018.

Melania and Donald Trump in July 2018.

Alex Edelman/Getty Images

Melania wore a floor-length wrap dress from Ralph Lauren to celebrate Independence Day 2018.

The blue-and-white gingham dress was fun and festive for the holiday, but the oversize red belt tied at her waist overwhelmed the look.

If the first lady had swapped the bow for a thinner belt, her dress would have been more effective.

Melania’s suit for a trip to Egypt in October 2018 also raised some eyebrows.


Melania Trump in October 2018.

Melania Trump in October 2018.

Tarek Wajeh/picture alliance via Getty Images

Melania posed for photos in front of pyramids in Egypt wearing cream trousers, a white blouse, a black tie, and a sand-colored Ralph Lauren blazer. A white-and-black boater hat completed the look.

The outfit may have been innocuously stylish in a different venue, but some social-media users thought the outfit looked similar to one worn by “Raiders of the Lost Ark” villain René Belloq during his visit to the pyramids in the film.

It wasn’t the first time Melania faced criticism for one of her outfits on her visit to Africa. During her tour of the pyramids and the Great Sphinx, Melania told reporters, “I wish people would focus on what I do, not what I wear,” following backlash for wearing a white pith helmet.

“You know what? We just completed an amazing trip,” she added. “We went to Ghana, we went to Malawi, we went to Kenya, here we are in Egypt. I want to talk about my trip, not what I wear.”

Brown pants weren’t a great choice for Melania’s evening arrival at the White House in December 2018.


v

Donald and Melania Trump in December 2018.

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

Donald and Melania Trump arrived at the White House on the evening of December 27, holding hands as they walked across the lawn.

While the president was in a suit, Melania wore a green jacket, light-brown pants, and matching shoes.

The pants might have been a better choice for a daytime look, as it was difficult for some to tell if the first lady was even wearing bottoms at first glance in the dark. The addition of sunglasses to her nighttime look was also an odd choice.

Melania’s outfit would have worked better during the day or with different pants.

In April 2019, Melania rocked a stylish polka-dot dress.


Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2019.

Donald and Melania Trump at the White House in April 2019.

Xinhua/Ting Shen/Getty Images

In April 2019, the first lady was photographed at the White House in a black-and-white polka-dot dress designed by Alessandra Rich.

The high-neck dress was cinched at the waist with a black belt, coordinating with the dots on the dress, and it hit her mid-calf.

Melania wore a cream coat over her shoulders and her signature sunglasses, adding glamour to the feminine look.

Gloves brought an elegant touch to her look for a June 2019 state dinner in the UK.


Melania Trump and Prince Charles in June 2019.

Melania Trump and then-Prince Charles in June 2019.

VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

During a visit to the UK, Melania attended a state dinner with the royal family in a Dior gown.

A layer of semi-sheer fabric covered the gown’s scooped neckline, forming points on the top of the bodice before transitioning into white fabric. The dress hugged her figure before flaring slightly at her waist.

Melania wore white, elbow-length gloves with the dress. The look was fitting for dining with royalty.

She appeared to take a page out of Kate Middleton’s fashion book when she and the president hosted the royals for dinner during the same trip.


Donald and Melania Trump in June 2019.

Donald and Melania Trump in June 2019.

CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Ahead of a dinner at Winfield House, where the American ambassador to the UK lives, Melania was photographed in a red Givenchy gown.

Melania’s floor-length dress was sleeveless and featured a built-in cape, a silhouette Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, often favors.

Melania’s yellow and pink outfit in December 2019 was almost too colorful.


Donald and Melania Trump in December 2019.

Donald and Melania Trump in December 2019.

Victoria Jones/Getty Images

During another visit to the UK in December 2019, Melania stepped out in a high-neck, cape coat from Valentino. The coat was mustard yellow, and Melania paired it with a pink dress and coordinating pumps.

The jacket was a big statement in and of itself, so the look would have been more effective if the first lady had worn a more neutral color with it than bright pink.

Melania’s black-and-white look for the Daytona 500 in February 2020 was stylish.


Donald and Melania Trump at the Daytona 500 in February 2020.

Donald and Melania Trump at the Daytona 500 in February 2020.

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Melania’s black Dior sundress was fairly simple. The midi-length dress featured a V-neckline and a white, dotted pattern.

The white lace belt from Alaïa and white Christian Louboutin pumps she wore with the dress made the look cohesive, and she also added sunglasses to the outfit.

The look balanced Melania’s personal style and traditional first lady attire.

A pink dress Melania wore during the virtual Republican National Convention in August 2020 would have been better without the bow detailing.


Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020.

Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Melania appeared alongside Trump in a hot-pink midi-dress from Jason Wu at the 2020 RNC.

The dress featured a boat neckline and a flared skirt, and two black bows sat on the waistline, which appeared to be cinched with elastic. Melania wore black pumps with the dress.

The bows on the dress could have been chic, but they looked a bit crumpled throughout the night, particularly because they sat atop the ruched waistline and contrasted so heavily with the pink fabric. The dress would have been a better fit if there had been just one or no bows on the waistline.

She wore a pleated dress at the 2020 RNC, but the green color felt out of place.


Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020.

Donald and Melania Trump in August 2020.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Melania wore a cape dress to close out the RNC, choosing a neon-green piece from Valentino.

The ankle-length, high-neck dress was covered in vertical pleats and featured two swaths of fabric flowing out from her shoulders like a cape. She added a thin pink belt and pink pumps to the outfit.

The silhouette was beautiful, but the green color was an odd choice for the RNC. Vanity Fair reported that it allowed social-media users to easily make memes out of the outfit using green screen technology.

If she had worn the dress in a different color, Melania’s look would have been a slam dunk.

In November 2020, Melania wore a gingham coat that featured a stylish, built-in scarf.


Melania Trump in November 2020.

Melania Trump in November 2020.

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

Melania oversaw the delivery of the 2020 White House Christmas tree in a gingham coat from Balenciaga.

The loose-fitting coat featured an off-center line of buttons, and the collar formed a scarf that wrapped around one of Melania’s shoulders. Quarter-length sleeves showed off the first lady’s black gloves, just as the knee-length hem spotlighted her black boots from Alaïa.

The look was effortlessly chic.

Melania’s final outfit as first lady in January 2021 offered a full-circle moment.


Donald and Melania Trump in January 2021.

Donald and Melania Trump in January 2021.

ALEX EDELMAN / AFP / Getty Images

When Trump left office in January 2021, Melania chose to wear an all-black outfit.

She paired a form-fitting Dolce & Gabbana dress with a cropped Chanel coat, gloves, Christian Louboutin pumps, and dark sunglasses.

The look seemed to nod to Jackie Kennedy, just as her first outfit as first lady did. However, the darker hues spoke to the more somber tone of the day for the Trumps.

Melania also made headlines for changing into a beachy dress before arriving at Mar-a-Lago later in the day.

When she returned to the White House on January 20, Melania set a new tone as first lady.


Melania Trump and Donald Trump on Inauguration Day 2025.

Melania Trump and Donald Trump on Inauguration Day 2025.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Rather than wearing another pastel look to mark the beginning of her husband’s second term as president, Melania donned navy and white for the 2025 inauguration.

Adam Lippes designed her coat, which she paired with a white scarf, navy pumps, and a custom boater-style hat from Eric Javits. Boater hats are typically worn in summer, but the wool piece Melania wore offered a winter version.

Although the hat got some negative attention online as people compared it to the one the Hamburglar or V in “V For Vendetta” wore, Melania’s inaugural outfit was a savvy choice. The look set a serious tone, blending professional style with Melania’s personal taste.

Melania also managed to pull attention from Trump with the look, which was a feat considering how many eyes he had on him throughout the day.

And her custom dress for the 2025 inaugural balls had a modern edge.


Donald Trump and Melania Trump onstage at the 2025 Inaugural Ball, with a screen showing red, white, and blue lights behind them. He's wearing a black tux, and she's wearing a white strapless gown with a black strip of fabric zig-zagging across the bodice and straight down the skirt,

Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the 2025 inaugural ball.

Jim WATSON / AFP

Melania opted for another custom Hervé Pierre dress for the 2025 inaugural balls, arriving in a black-and-white dress that felt like a continuation of the fashion story she started with the look she wore during the day.

The strapless dress had an off-the-shoulder neckline, and a zig-zag of black fabric adorned the bodice before framing a slit on one side of the skirt.

A coordinating choker with a brooch completed the stylish gown.

Melania’s trench coat for the 2025 Easter celebration went against tradition.


The Trumps at the 2025 Easter celebration at the White House.

The Trumps at the 2025 Easter celebration at the White House.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Traditionally, Easter fashion calls for pastel tones and festive prints like gingham, allowing people to have fun with their outfits.

However, Melania arrived at the 2025 Easter Egg Roll at the White House in a simple cream trench coat from Mackage and heels designed by Roger Vivier.

The subdued look was a shift from Melania’s more colorful outfits for previous Easter celebrations at the White House. Likewise, Mackage, a brand founded and headquartered in Canada, was a surprising choice for the first lady, given the ongoing trade dispute between the US and its northern neighbor.

Later that month, the first lady wisely chose an outfit made by Italian designers for Pope Francis’ funeral.


Donald Trump and Melania Trump at Pope Francis' funeral in April 2025.

Donald Trump and Melania Trump at Pope Francis’ funeral in April 2025.

Salvatore Laporta/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images

Melania joined her husband at Pope Francis’ funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

She wore a black coatdress designed by Dolce & Gabbana for the occasion, as well as lace gloves and a lace veil from the fashion house.

Wearing an Italian designer was fitting for the occasion since the Catholic Church is based in the country, though Melania also favors Dolce & Gabbana when she isn’t in Italy.

Melania wore a pretty yet pricey dress to see “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center in June.


Donald Trump and Melania Trump at The Kennedy Center in June 2025.

Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the Kennedy Center in June 2025.

Shannon Finney/Getty Images

Melania chose a $3,900 Bottega Veneta dress for the show.

The dress had an asymmetrical neckline and gold detailing on the shoulder and waist. Melania paired the designer gown with silver and gold Christian Louboutin pumps.

The dress was pretty, but Melania’s black and white looks for Trump’s second term are starting to feel a bit repetitive. A pop of color could have made the dress stand out more.

A few days later, she wore an American designer for the US Army’s 250th anniversary parade.


Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the Army 250th Anniversary Parade.

Donald Trump and Melania Trump attended the Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025.

DOUG MILLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Melania appeared alongside Trump at the US Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, DC, wearing another suit from Adam Lippes.

Both her $2,490 jacket and $1,190 skirt were cream-colored, with a subtle navy pinstripe pattern. The double-breasted jacket and pencil skirt had a looser, relaxed fit.

Blue Christian Louboutin heels completed the ensemble.

Melania wore another stylish striped look at a meeting at the White House in September.


Melania Trump attends a meeting at the White House in September 2025.

Melania Trump attends a meeting at the White House in September 2025.

Brian Snyder/Reuters

On September 4, Melania attended a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education.

She wore a soft gray linen suit that featured white pinstripes. The jacket was oversized, and the pants were wide-legged. The first lady added structure to the look with a fitted white T-shirt and a white belt.

Stilettos completed the chic menswear look.

The bright yellow dress she wore to a state banquet at Windsor Castle was memorable, but it looked slightly out of place at a dinner with royals.


Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump standing side-by-side in an ornately decorated room.

Queen Camilla, King Charles, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump at St George’s Hall for a state banquet.

Doug Mills/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.

On September 16, the president and first lady arrived in the UK for a state visit. The following evening, they attended a state banquet with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family.

Melania wore a bright yellow dress designed by Carolina Herrera to the dinner. The dress had an off-the-shoulder neckline, a column skirt, and a slit on the side. She added even more color to the ensemble with a wide, purple belt and bright green, dangly earrings.

It was nice to see Melania add some color to her wardrobe in 2025, but the bright hue and belt made the dress look a bit too casual for the event. The silhouette was pretty, but the first lady may have been better off wearing the gown in a more subdued color.

Later the same month, Melania wore a chic white suit, but a different top could have improved it.


Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the White House in September 2025.

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the White House in September 2025.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

On September 23, Melania accompanied the president on a visit to the UN General Assembly, wearing a white blazer and tailored pants from Dolce & Gabbana.

The suit was a strong choice, as the contrast of the long blazer and cropped pants felt professional and chic, and the cream Christian Louboutin shoes she paired with the look were stylish, too.

However, the camel-colored blouse from Max Mara that she wore with the suit was almost too close to Melania’s skin tone. The look would have popped more with a different colored shirt.

Melania could have worn a more festive look for the 2025 Halloween celebration at the White House.


President Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House on Halloween 2025.

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House on Halloween 2025.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

When the president and first lady passed out candy at the White House on Halloween, neither opted to wear a costume. Instead, Melania donned a wool coat from Marni, which nodded to the holiday with orange trim on the collar, pockets, and lining.

She wore the khaki-colored coat buttoned to the collar, and it cinched at her waist with a thick belt — one of her go-to silhouettes. She paired the coat with taupe Manolo Blahnik heels.

While the orange aspects of the look had a subtle Halloween feel, the outfit just didn’t feel festive enough for the holiday, especially when compared to the plethora of decorations covering the White House for the event. Melania would have made a stronger statement in a full orange coat or a black and orange look.

For dinner at the White House in November 2025, Melania chose an elegant green gown.


Melania Trump at the White House in November 2025.

Melania Trump at the White House in November 2025.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

On November 18, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, dined at the White House during his visit to the US.

Melania donned a $3,350 Elie Saab dress for the occasion. The deep-green dress featured a strapless neckline, and ruching on both the bodice and the skirt added texture. A slit broke up the floor-length skirt, and Melania completed the look with black heels and sparkly earrings.

Every bit of Melania’s look seemed designed to welcome Crown Prince Mohammed. The dress was similar in color to Saudi Arabia’s national flag, seeming to nod to the nation. Plus, in November 2024, Elie Saab marked 45 years of his brand with “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab,” a massive fashion show held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Her sparkly dress for a New Year’s Eve celebration in December 2025 was a nice change of pace.


Donald and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago in December 2025.

Donald and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago in December 2025.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Melania celebrated the end of 2025 at Trump’s annual party at Mar-a-Lago wearing a sparkly, silver gown.

Designed by The New Arrivals, the $1,450 dress was sleeveless, with a scooped neckline, hugging Melania’s figure as it flowed into a midi-length skirt. She paired the dress with bedazzled Christian Louboutin shoes and loose waves.

The look was festive and fitting for Florida weather, offering a refreshing change from her more subdued style.

Melania’s black ensemble for the premiere of her documentary was lackluster.


Melania Trump attends the premiere of

Melania Trump attends the premiere of “Melania” in January 2026.

Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty Images

The first lady attended the premiere of her documentary “Melania” in a Dolce & Gabbana skirt suit.

Black buttons lined the center of the jacket, which was cinched at Melania’s waist with a black belt. The column skirt hit her mid-calf, spotlighting her black pumps.

The outfit might have been fine for any number of first lady engagements, but it felt too understated for the premiere of her film.

A black gown with a professional flair may have been more appropriate for the occasion.

Melania looked underdressed for a White House dinner in February 2026.


Donald and Melania Trump arrive at the National Governors Association Evening Dinner in February 2026.

Donald and Melania Trump arrive at the National Governors Association Evening Dinner in February 2026.

Al Drago/Getty Images

Trump invited only Republican governors to the National Governors Association dinner, which was held in the East Room of the White House on February 21.

The event seemed to have a formal dress code, as indicated by most attendees’ ensembles. The president and other men in attendance wore tuxedos, while women, including Usha Vance, wore gowns. Melania, though, went more casual for the event.

She paired silver, patterned Dolce & Gabbana pants with a black blouse that had tie detailing. Metallic pumps and shiny earrings completed the outfit.

Melania’s look may have been a good choice for a girls’ night, but it wasn’t fancy enough for a formal dinner at the White House. A gown with the same texture as her pants would have been a better choice.

Her dark suit for the 2026 State of the Union address was a solid choice.


Melania Trump wore a pantsuit to the State of the Union.

Melania Trump wore a pantsuit to the State of the Union.

SAUL LOEB / AFP

After wearing the designer to the dinner at the White House, Melania tapped Dolce & Gabbana again for her State of the Union look.

She wore a deep charcoal suit from the brand, featuring a tailored jacket and wide-legged pants. She kept the look simple, pairing it with a white blouse, black Manolo Blahnik pumps, and stud earrings.

The outfit struck a nice balance between simplicity and luxury.




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My family of 5 went on our first cruise. We had fun, but there are 4 things I wish we’d known before getting on the ship.

2024 was a big year in our household. All three kids were graduating — our oldest from high school and our twins from junior high.

When it came time to celebrate these achievements, we gave them an option. We could throw a party or use the money for an awesome family vacation instead.

So, before our oldest left for college, we came together one last time for a seven-day trip to Alaska on our first-ever cruise.

We were all excited about the idea, and honestly, everyone had a fantastic time. However, I don’t think any of us were completely prepared our first cruising experience.

Here are four things I wish we had known before boarding the Celebrity cruise ship.

Turning our phones on airplane mode would’ve saved us a lot of money

Our phones are such an important part of our lives that it’s almost unheard of to go without them for minutes, let alone days. However, we purposely didn’t purchase the ship’s WiFi package because we wanted a chance to disconnect and enjoy Alaska’s beauty.

What we were unaware of, however, is that once we got away from land, we should’ve put our phones on airplane mode. Since we didn’t, they switched to a service called Cellular at Sea, which uses satellites to keep the phones connected. However, this can be expensive.

Luckily, after racking up $100 in charges within hours of setting sail, AT&T cut my device off until I contacted them. However, this was a costly lesson.

Next time, we’ll be sure to turn on airplane mode and call our cellular provider to talk about cruise packages.

I wish we would’ve known about the formal night


Chris, his wife, and three sons pose in sweatshirts in front of formal photographs.

We didn’t come dressed for formal night.

Chris Thomas



We’re typically a jeans and T-shirt family. It’s not that we don’t clean up well; it’s just that we don’t do it often. So, a formal night wasn’t even on our radar.

We knew we needed nicer clothing for our dinner reservations on the ship, but we didn’t know that one night, everyone would go all out.

We skipped dinner that night and hit the buffet instead (which, honestly, we did more often than not anyway), and we certainly weren’t the only ones not dressed up.

However, I wish we had known about this in advance, as it would have been exciting to join in on the fun.

Excursions through the cruise line can be expensive


Sled dogs run on a path around a lake, with tall trees and mountains in the background.

Luckily, we found a cheaper excursion to visit a dog-sled team.

Chris Thomas



It’s no secret that cruising can be expensive. So, when it came time to book excursions, we knew they would be pricey. However, we still weren’t prepared for just how pricey they would be.

Luckily, almost every port we stopped at had third-party companies who would pick passengers up at the dock and take them to do fun and exciting things.

For example, being in Alaska, we wanted to learn about and visit a dog-sled team. Although the cruise line offered this experience, we saved more than 50% by booking with an outside party.

However, it’s important to know your schedule and check to make sure the third party will guarantee you’ll be back on time — because if you’re not, the ship won’t wait for you.

Getting a good space on the deck on cruising days can be hard

On the days the ship doesn’t stop at a port, the tables at breakfast, couches by the windows, and lounge chairs by the pool all become valuable real estate.

Instead of waking up early to claim a space near the pool, we chose to sleep in instead. However, because of this, we should’ve been prepared to settle for a less-than-prime space to sit and relax.

Instead of a view of the ocean and the mountains, we got stuck in the middle of the ship near the bathrooms.

Even with these small missteps, none of it was enough to put even the slightest damper on what was a fabulous time aboard our first cruise. The next time we take to the seas, though, we’ll be better prepared for what’s to come.

This story was originally published on January 31, 2025, and most recently updated on February 25, 2026.




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Your next ride with Uber could be in the sky

Uber riders can hail a car, motorbike, or boat, depending on where they are in the world. Soon, helicopter-like air taxis will join that list.

Passengers will be able to book an air taxi ride through the Uber app in Dubai before the end of 2026, the company said on Wednesday. The option will use flying electric vehicles created by startup Joby Aviation.

Joby’s aircraft can fit up to four passengers and are flown by commercial pilots, the companies said. Joby will operate four landing locations, or “vertiports,” in Dubai, connecting Dubai International Airport with a mall, a hotel on Palm Jumeirah, and the American University of Dubai.

While Uber and Joby don’t have immediate plans to bring the air taxis to the US, the companies said that Joby is in the final stage of certifying its service with the Federal Aviation Administration.

“We’ve long believed in the power of advanced air mobility to transform how people move through cities,” Sachin Kansal, Uber’s Chief Product Officer, said.

The Uber partnership makes “this new mode of transportation familiar and accessible, connecting the ground and the sky through a system designed to save people time and fit seamlessly into how they already move,” said Eric Allison, Joby’s chief product officer.

Passengers will be able to book Uber Air rides on Joby aircraft alongside regular ride-hailing trips, the companies said. Air taxi trips will also include Uber Black pickup and drop-off from passengers’ origin and destination.

Once approved, Joby plans to eventually offer its service in markets including New York, Los Angeles, the UK, and Japan.

Joby’s planned Dubai debut comes almost six years after the startup acquired Uber Elevate, the ride-hailing app’s air mobility division. Under the 2020 deal, Uber invested $75 million in the company.

It was one of multiple divisions that Uber shed as transportation demand cratered during the first year of the pandemic. Around the same time, Uber sold its self-driving car division to startup Aurora — something it made up for last year by announcing a partnership with Lucid and Nuro for robotaxis.

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After weeks of getting bashed, two software giants can make the case for why AI won’t kill them

After being marked for dead, software companies have a chance to tell their side of the story.

Excluding Canada’s Olympic hockey teams, no one has had a tougher go recently than software companies. Everyone faces some fear over AI, but software’s diagnosis has been more dire than most. (Author Nassim Taleb was the latest to write software’s eulogy, although he’s not known for his optimism.)

Two software giants — Salesforce and Snowflake — get to make the case for why they’re still very much alive. Both companies report earnings after the bell and will be interested in changing a narrative that’s helped push their stocks down 27% (Salesforce) and 26% (Snowflake) this year.

(Workday, another software company that’s been getting hammered, made the case yesterday why AI is friend, not foe.)

A major problem for software companies is that their opponent is largely hypothetical. Even if both companies report blockbuster earnings, there’s still the counterargument that AI will eventually eat their lunch.

Anthropic has played this game masterfully. The startup has strategically rolled out product announcements for its AI chatbot, Claude. The news has devastated entire industries despite there being no evidence of widespread adoption yet.

Here’s what to look out for from Salesforce and Snowflake when they report:

Salesforce: Marc Benioff’s company is the prototypical enterprise software company. Customer relationship management systems are all about workflow and rely heavily on seat-based subscriptions. That makes Salesforce a prime target for AI automation and a bellwether for other software companies.

Benioff has sought to address competitors head-on with Salesforce’s own AI agents and even contemplated a name change to acknowledge the shift. But Agentforce has had its share of challenges. An internal survey showed that most employees feel AI is increasing their productivity, but Salesforce will want the same positivity coming from outside its walls.

These days, AI might not even be Salesforce’s biggest headache. An off-color joke from Benioff at a recent employee event has outraged many workers and even prompted fellow Salesforce executives to speak out.

Snowflake: The data-warehousing giant might seem like a major beneficiary of AI. Models need tons of data to function. Snowflake helps companies organize and analyze massive amounts of data. Everybody wins!

The potential future isn’t as rosy. Snowflake’s business might not face the direct risk that other software companies struggle with, but it could slide down the totem pole of customers’ tool set. Instead of being considered a crucial software, it could become just another piece of back-end infrastructure.

Snowflake’s own CEO warned of this future, saying models’ desire to have easy access to all types of data means “everything else, the world, is just a dumb data pipe that feeds into that big brain.”

And unfortunately for Snowflake, the value you provide to customers as a “dumb data pipe” is a lot lower, meaning you can’t charge as much.




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A $5.7 billion AI startup wants to help cut government benefit fraud. Experts aren’t so sure.

An AI startup in SF focused on identity verification has set a lofty goal: securing government contracts.

Daniel Yanisse, the CEO of Checkr, told Business Insider that the company wants to help the government reduce “fraud and waste” by not only screening new employees but also verifying people’s eligibility for benefits such as Medicare and Social Security.

Though Yanisse said the company isn’t ready to make any product announcement yet, he said a frictionless government assistance system may be just years away.

AI and safety experts, however, told Business Insider that there are legal and technical hurdles for any company to undertake the task of automating benefit and welfare systems with AI.

Checkr primarily uses AI to run background checks and surface information such as criminal records and motor vehicle reports. The company has major contracts with Uber and Lyft to screen new drivers, and is valued at more than $5.7 billion after raising $120 million in funding in 2022. In 2025, Checkr reported over $800 million in revenue and surpassed 120,000 customers.

When asked what Checkr wants to do for the government, Yanisse said that for Medicare and other programs, “there’s a lot of fraud happening and just bad actors getting the government dollars instead of the right people who need help,” adding that it’s very hard for the government to actually verify people’s employment status and income.

The Medicare Fee-for-Service program estimated that there were $28.83 billion in “improper payment” in 2025 at a rate of 6.55%, though not all such cases are the result of intentional fraud. Payments made to individuals who did not submit sufficient documentation and have unverified income levels are also considered improper by Medicaid.

“With AI, unfortunately, there’s going to be even more fraud, identity theft, and scams,” said Yanisse. “It’s a lot of friction, it’s a lot of repetition, and now there are also deepfakes.”

Checkr’s spokesperson told Business Insider that the company’s potential involvement in government is “still conceptual at this point.”

The company also pointed toward a study by Middesk, a business identity verification platform, that out of $1.09 trillion in Medicaid payments that went to around 1.6 million providers between 2018 and 2024, $563 million in payouts went to providers that are blacklisted from federal healthcare programs for criminal activity or misconduct.

Automating identity verification can be challenging

Stuart Russell, professor of computer science at UC Berkeley and an AI pioneer, told Business Insider that he is “not optimistic” that the plan to use AI to determine benefits eligibility will work as advertised.

“An AI system of this kind, some version of an LLM, is incapable of producing veridical explanations of its decisions, making it impossible to challenge false decisions,” Russell said.

Russell also cited the General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union, which bars decisions with significant legal effects on individuals from being made entirely by automated systems.

Baobao Zhang, the Maxwell Dean associate professor of the politics of AI at Syracuse University, told Business Insider that though she cannot assess exactly how good Checkr’s verification system is right now, past government attempts to mix people’s benefits with an automated system are cautionary tales.

“If the federal government or other state governments are trying to contract with a vendor to automate welfare fraud detection, they need to have a serious evaluation in the real world before they deploy it, because the stakes are high, as history has proven,” said Zhang.

In Indiana, an attempt to streamline and automate its welfare eligibility system by outsourcing a contract to IBM ended in a legal battle in which the state sued the company for $1.3 billion for the scrapped project in 2010. Based on court records, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration said that processing errors from IBM led to faulty benefits denials that brought harm to the needy.

In Australia, an automated government plan called Robodebt, designed to detect fraud, told welfare recipients to repay benefits and sent letters claiming they owed thousands of dollars in debt, based on an incorrect algorithm. A royal commission, which is Australia’s highest form of public inquiry, found that at least three people died by suicide after being falsely told to pay back debt they don’t owe by Robodebt. The system was ruled illegal by a court in 2019.

Ifeoma Ajunwa, the founding director of the AI and the Future of Work Program at Emory University, told Business Insider that if any government agency is to adopt AI, there should be an advisory council made up of technologists and social scientists, and affected constituencies should be given a say.

“I think we need to move cautiously when delegating governmental functions to AI technologies,” said Ajunwa. “While these tools are touted to increase efficiency and lower costs, we also need to establish guardrails for their use to protect citizens.”




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