Exclusive: A Former Apprentice Producer Responds to Donald Trump Being Elected President  —  “Did we think this clown, this buffoon with the funny hair, would ever become a world leader?  Not once.  Ever.” … There's a larger issue at hand: non-fiction or “reality” television …

Delta Concludes From Multiple Witnesses That YouTube Prankster Was Actually Shouting, Disruptive  —  So you know that video that went viral that allegedly showed Delta kicking off a passenger for speaking Arabic?  Well, apparently, Delta investigated the situation, and now says it's not quite what it all seemed.

James Comey's year of unintended — and ruinous — consequences  —  What a year it has been for James Comey!  —  At the start of 2016, the FBI director enjoyed a reputation as a public servant of high integrity, earning bipartisan acclaim for his stewardship of the nation's preeminent law enforcement agency.

Donald Trump is holding a government casting call.  He's seeking ‘the look.’  —  Donald Trump believes that those who aspire to the most visible spots in his administration should not just be able to do the job, but also look the part.  —  Given Trump's own background as a master brander …

Donald Trump's trade team has based their analysis on a remarkably silly mistake  —  There's a smart critique of current trade policy out there, and this isn't it.  —  Donald Trump gives every indication of wanting to govern like a conventional conservative Republican on the vast majority of domestic issues.

Trump team floats tariffs  —  Washington (CNN)The Trump transition team is floating the possibility of an early executive action to impose tariffs on foreign imports, according to multiple sources.  —  Such a move would deliver on President-elect Donald Trump's “America First” campaign theme.

Legislators criticize UW-Madison professor's course on race, tweets about shooting of officers  —  A Republican lawmaker called for UW-Madison to cancel a planned course on racism and fire its professor for posting tweets the legislator said condoned violence against police officers …

Arrest made in ‘Vote Trump’ burning of Mississippi black church  —  GREENVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi authorities have made an arrest in the burning of an African-American church spray-painted with the words, “Vote Trump.”  —  Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Warren Strain …

After meeting with Trump, Boeing CEO relents on cost of Air Force One  —  “Cancel the order!”  Donald Trump, the incoming president of the United States, tweeted ominously about a contract with Boeing to build Air Force One, the state-of-the-art airplanes he and future presidents rely on.

EXCLUSIVE: Facebook ‘fact checker’ who will arbitrate on ‘fake news’ is accused of defrauding website to pay for prostitutes - and its staff includes an escort-porn star and ‘Vice Vixen domme’  — Facebook has announced plans to check for ‘fake news’ using a series of organizations to assess whether stories are true

Ann Coulter Attends VDARE Christmas Party - Her Second White Nationalist Event In Three Months  —  Ann Coulter, an infamous far-right attack dog who has spent years attacking the left, was at the Christmas party of a racist anti-immigration group earlier this month — the second such event she has attended since September.

Donald Trump on Proposed Muslim Ban: ‘You Know My Plans’  —  “All along, I've been proven to be right.  100% correct”  —  President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday called the recent attacks in Germany and Turkey “terrible” and suggested that he does not intend to reevaluate his plans …

Conservatives target red-state Democrats to speed Trump's nominations  —  The prospect of brutal confirmation hearings has Republicans targeting red-state Democrats in hopes of softening opposition to some of Donald Trump's most conservative Cabinet nominees — from Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions.

Sources: Jared Kushner Quietly Tries to Sell New York Observer  —  According to insiders, Kushner has been quietly shopping the Observer to potential buyers.  —  Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump at the Met Gala, May 2016.  —  Jared Kushner appears to be ready to pick up sticks and move to Washington …

One-on-one with Trump's doctor: Hecklers, house calls, and why Obamacare must be shut down  —  NEW YORK — On a frigid December afternoon, Dr. Harold Bornstein was talking about his most famous patient, President-elect Donald Trump.  —  He hadn't spoken with Trump since the election …

Final tally shows Trump lost popular vote by 2.8 million - but he BEAT Clinton by 3 million votes outside of California and New York  — Clinton won California by 4.2 million votes and New York by 1.6 million, running up the score in places where she would have won no matter what

Germany is facing a ticking time bomb of rage  —  I've learned that it's best not to say anything about a terrorist atrocity on social media, especially not if it confirms one's political prejudices.  It just looks crass, or it has when I've done it.  Try not to say anything profound either …

The failed electoral-college rebellion bodes ill for future elections  —  Efforts to spurn Donald Trump in the electoral college may have unsavoury consequences  —  THE last-ditch effort by some Democrats to thwart a Donald Trump presidency ended in a fizzle on December 19th.

North Carolina lawmakers leave ‘bathroom bill’ in place  —  North Carolina lawmakers failed Wednesday to repeal a law regulating transgender people's use of public restrooms, despite convening in a special legislative session for the express purpose of rescinding the controversial law.

Trump to Name Carl Icahn as Adviser on Regulatory Overhaul  —  Billionaire investor already has helped with search for new head of Securities and Exchange Commission  —  Billionaire investor Carl Icahn is expected to be named special adviser to the president on overhauling federal regulations …

Katie Couric will fill in as co-anchor on NBC's ‘Today’ show in January  —  Katie Couric, shown last January, was co-anchor of “Today” from 1991 to 2006.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)  —  Katie Couric is returning to NBC's “Today” show for a weeklong fill-in stint at the morning program's anchor desk next month.