Daily Skimm

Quote of the Day

"Forget the shoes what’s going on with those toes"

— Commenters had thoughts after Shaquille O’Neal showed off his open-toed sandals on Instagram. And you thought his free throws missed the mark.

Midterms

Dark (Money) Matters

What’s going on: As if the midterm elections weren’t giving us enough anxiety, a New York Times analysis just upped the ante. A new investigation revealed that $1 billion in “dark money” (anonymous political funding) has gone to both boost and discredit candidates this year. And that dollar amount is just what they could track through advertising data, campaign finance records, and tax forms. It’s likely a low-end estimate that doesn’t include money that's more difficult to track, like payments to influencers or the cost of direct mailers. We’re two months out from our “least transparent midterm yet,” as one election expert put it, and it’s mostly because we don’t know who’s funding it. In Maine, both parties have spent more than $74 million in dark money for support and attack ads involving Sen. Susan Collins (R). An independent super PAC backing James Talarico — a Democratic Senate candidate from Texas critical of corporate PAC money — received millions from anonymous dark money groups.

That’s…dark: This kind of financing isn’t new. But if you’re wondering how it stays that way, there are a few caveats that make it easy. Donors can hide behind vague nonprofits (which don’t have to disclose contributors) or use them to funnel money into super PACs. Sometimes, they create a “pop-up” super PAC right before an election, making it hard for voters to trace funds. “Secrecy has become so widespread it is essentially systematized,” writes the NYT. It doesn’t help that the IRS and Federal Election Commission — which monitor campaign funds and elections, respectively — lack manpower after Trump administration cuts. While some, including both Republicans and Democrats, argue dark money protects free speech and their donors, others are raging against the Big Money Machine and winning. After his victory in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary last month, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed — whose opponent accepted $62 million in secret money — said his campaign showed that “the power of our many is greater than the power of their money.”

Related: How Citizens United Shaped the 2024 Election (Brennan Center for Justice)

The News in 6

🗞️ After last week’s flash floods, more than 1,000 people are confirmed dead, and more than 4,400 people are missing at the Nepal-China border, including hundreds of workers believed to be trapped in underground hydropower tunnels.

🗞️ President Donald Trump called on the FCC to punish NBC host Kristen Welker (not something it can do, by the way) after she said his midterm endorsements had “mixed results” in recent elections.

🗞️ The FTC and 22 states filed a lawsuit against Amazon on Monday amid claims that it inflated advertising prices for millions of companies.

🗞️ After answers eluded police (and hip-hop fans) for three decades, former gang leader Duane Davis has been convicted of orchestrating the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur.

🗞️ Lionel Messi is hanging up his cleats, at least for Argentina. Don’t worry, he’s still playing for Inter Miami…for now.

🗞️ After a 5-4 split, the Supreme Court cleared the way for President Donald Trump to continue with his ballroom project, which is estimated to cost $400 million.

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In Our Rotation

Celebrate the return of candle season by getting 25% off P.F. Candle Co.'s Classic Collection, HI-FI Collection, or the Cafe Bundle with code LDWSKIMM.

Since we're constantly being asked for book recs, we collected all our favorite reads in one place.

Keep scrolling...more recs below

Groundbreaking?

John Galliano Backs Out of the Met Gala

What's going on: Amid growing backlash, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the cancellation (for now) of its planned exhibit honoring controversial British designer John Galliano yesterday, a month after it announced the show. Originally slated for spring to kick off the Met Gala, critics immediately opposed the exhibition due to Galliano’s past antisemitic, pro-Hitler, and anti-Asian rants. In a joint statement with Galliano, the museum announced the exhibit was off, and Anna Wintour — the original Met Gala mastermind and a longtime friend and supporter of Galliano — offered her support for the decision. Galliano said: “I remain fully accountable for the pain caused by my words in the past, particularly the hurt I caused to the Jewish and Asian communities, and I remain deeply sorry for it.”

Who thought this was a good idea?: Galliano has been trying to rehabilitate his image since 2011, when he was convicted of a hate crime by a French court for racist, antisemitic rants at people in a Paris bar. This led Dior to fire him from his post as creative director (though it didn’t render him unemployable). During his trial, he said he didn’t remember making the comments because he suffered from “triple addiction” to alcohol, sleeping tablets, and Valium, and has since called his own words “horrific” and “foul.” Many agree, which led them to protest the exhibit and ultimately change the Met’s decision. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin said she was glad to see the Met change course, especially during a time of rising antisemitism. She added: “This is the correct decision, as the harm and pain this was causing was simply unacceptable.”

Relationships

Table for One

What's going on: Anyone who’s ever been the lone single person at a dinner party full of Smug Marrieds, Bridget Jones-style, can tuck this new research away as a reminder that, actually, they’re doing just fine. A series of three studies published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin in August examined “singlehood self-expansion potential” — looking at how being single encourages personal growth through new experiences and perspectives. The lead author told The Washington Post they wanted to move away from the idea that romantic relationships are necessary to live a fulfilling life and instead “recognize singlehood itself as an opportunity for self-expansion.”

What they found: The studies discovered that it’s all about mindset. As anyone who’s debated going to a friend’s wedding without a plus-one knows, entering new experiences with a positive perspective helps you get more out of them. The studies found that people who viewed being single as a chance to grow were more likely to do things that brought them happiness, like trying new hobbies and traveling. On the other hand, those who thought they couldn’t be happy without a partner were less likely to participate in such activities. The results challenge the dominant narrative of singlehood as “a state that must be escaped,” one psychologist told The Washington Post. With the number of single American adults on the rise, this research is timely — and affirming.

Quick Hits

🫖 Experts say these eight foods can help you feel calmer. We’re pairing numbers six and eight together with a British murder mystery for ultimate bliss.

🦋 Dollyfest, the two-day festival originally meant to mark Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday, will now be a celebration of her life. Get your rhinestones ready.

✨ Finally, a quiz that will tell you which kind of perfectionist you are. “Parisian perfectionist” sounds très chic.

🎂 Betty Crocker joined the handbag game with three adorable purses shaped like slices of cake. We could eat this up.

🎶 Miley appears to be dropping the Cyrus and going full mononym for her new album. Cher. Madonna. Beyoncé. Miley?

Skimm This

How would you skimm this photo?

You know the drill: Every week, we pick a photo and ask you to give us your best skimm — in 20 words or fewer. Once we choose the finalists, you vote for your favorite on Thursday. The winner gets a shoutout in Friday’s Daily Skimm.

This week: Olivia Rodrigo and Melinda French Gates at the Daisy Chain Music Festival. Between Rodrigo’s fundraising and Gates's matching donation, $20 million will go to charities that support women and girls.

Submit Your Skimm

On Our Calendar

Tuesday, September 1

⚖️ Primaries in Massachusetts

Voters across the state head to the polls today. The Democratic Senate run between Rep. Seth Moulton and sitting Sen. Ed Markey — which includes this center-stage topic — is one to watch.

🛍️ Adidas Originals by Jennie collection drops

Track pants, bodysuits, and fleece pullovers are all part of this ballet-inspired collection, co-created with Blackpink’s Jennie. Naturally, these are on our wishlist.

🍿 Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly drops on Netflix

Remember the breakdancer Raygun from the 2024 Olympics? Netflix’s Untold sports documentary series is breaking down (sorry) her whole story.

📅 Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month begins

Over 100,000 US women are diagnosed with one of these types of cancer — including ovarian, uterine (endometrial), cervical, vulvar, and vaginal — annually. Here are the most common symptoms and risk factors.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to theSkimm app and never miss a moment.

More for Less

When it comes to saving, Skimm Shopping takes a discount very seriously. We scour the internet, deep dive on sale sections, and serve up exclusive codes. Today’s lineup includes:

20% off an award-winning lube, plus a vibrator named The Artist
The points that stack up and actually grant you dining and transportation benefits
15% off a stainless steel spoon set for home chefs with code SKIMM15
20% off a pumpkin spice matcha latte mix that’s getting us ready for fall
20% off scents at P.F. Candle Co.

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In Our Rotation

These convertible heels transform into flats in a matter of seconds. Clever, right?

These satin pull-on pants are comfier than jeans, chicer than sweats, and transition nicely from summer to fall.

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

KNOW IT ALL

Which millennial favorite brand is back at a big-box store near you?

A. Delia’s

B. Limited Too

C. Wet Seal

Ease into your day with Typeshift, the word-building game. Start playing.

Have your cake and eat it too