Hey Everyone,

I was thrilled to chat today with new substacker, Kate Brower, the author of many books, including the New York Times bestseller: The Residence (now a major Netflix TV series) and First Women.

We discuss the peculiarity of Melania Trump’s letter to Vladimir Putin; and the possibility that the First Lady is much more influential in this administration than polls suggest. Is she an “accidental feminist?” asks Kate, citing the significance of the fact that Melania broke with tradition and refused Jill Biden’s invitation to tea.

We also get into this President’s micromanaging of the re-design of the Rose Garden and the White House, which is so extensive parts of it won’t be finished by the time his term ends. (Or, perhaps I should say, this term ends, because, as you know, that’s a question).

And, we debate the controversy supposedly raging at Vanity Fair: should the new editor, Mark Guiducci put Melania on the cover? (Some of the staff have reportedly threatened to walk out if he does).

Watch the rest of the conversation on Vicky Ward Investigates.