“The US is nowhere”

The RNC's presidential backdrop, Ellen Show execs knew of problems, a viral photo of outside class

THE BIG STORY Trump used the power of his office as a prop during the RNC   On the second night of the Republican National Convention, President Donald Trump walked through the hallways of the White House and used his presidential powers as a backdrop. The RNC featured segments where Trump pardoned an ex-felon and participated in a naturalization ceremony. This, to put it mildly, is not in accordance with political norms, which have long separated official government business from political campaigning. For instance, you didn't see George W. Bush deliver his 2004 RNC speech from, say, the Situation Room.  The government business segments during the RNC have raised questions about whether they violate the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from participating in partisan political events. Also from the RNC: 👉 The RNC is creating a false coronavirus fantasy. Over the first two nights, Republicans' message to Americans after six months of a failed pandemic response has come down to this plea: Ignore reality. 👉 Billy Graham's granddaughter fear-mongered about trans students in her speech. Evangelical Christian leader Cissie Graham Lynch condemned the inclusion and acceptance of transgender children in schools. Handout / Photo Courtesy of the Committee STAYING ON TOP OF THIS   Ellen Show executives knew of toxic workplace allegations in 2018 Last week, three top producers at The Ellen Degeneres Show were fired after being accused by dozens of former employees of sexual misconduct and harassment. The show's executives promised to investigate a culture many employees said is toxic. But we found that executives behind the show knew of allegations of sexism and a toxic work environment two years ago. One current and one former employee said a complaint was filed with an industry union in 2018 that alleged gender discrimination — including sexist remarks made by top producers. A spokesperson for the show's distributor, Warner Bros., confirmed the 2018 complaint in a statement, but added that "there is nothing new or noteworthy about this issue." SNAPSHOTS   A refugee from Vietnam has been named the new leader of ICE. Tony Pham takes over the agency amid a major drop in the number of immigrant detainees as facilities grapple with the coronavirus. The US immigration system won't come to a halt after massive work furloughs were canceled. More than 13,000 US Citizenship and Immigration Services employees were set to be furloughed after a drop in revenue. The agency canceled its planned furlough of nearly 70% of its staff. A viral photo shows a Texas State university class taking place in a parking lot. As you can imagine, the photo quickly went viral. The music education student who took the photo said, "We were outside because, with wind instruments, being inside is far, far more dangerous."  Getting the band back together. Cade T. "THE US IS NOWHERE"   As the political crisis in Belarus deepens, America is conspicuously absent Earlier this week, more than 100,000 demonstrators in Minsk defied the threat of a military crackdown and demanded the ouster of authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for the past 26 years, claimed victory in the Aug. 9 presidential election despite evidence that the vote was heavily rigged in his favor. He has made it clear he has no intention of leaving office without a fight, which has plunged the country into further unrest. And where has the US been in all of this? Despite a top US diplomat meeting with Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the self-exiled opposition candidate, experts say the US response has been muddled and muted. Here's how one expert put it: "The EU is playing the lead role as far as the Western response. The US is nowhere." BRINGING THE JOY BACK   I can't stop watching TikToks of people getting dressed up Maybe it's because my pandemic uniform has been t-shirts and joggers, but I'm starting to really miss the days of putting together elaborate outfits. You know, for when we had to go out. In the Before Times. There's a new TikTok trend of people getting dressed up, transforming from their home clothes into their fanciest. It's fun and hypnotic to watch. Shannon Keating wrote about the trend and the joy it brings. Fashion bloggers Denise Mercedes and Maria Castellanos. Instagram screenshot. Build time into your day to remember gratitude, Elamin P.S. If you like this newsletter, help keep our reporting free for all. Support BuzzFeed News by becoming a member here. (Monthly memberships are available worldwide). 📝  This letter was edited and brought to you by Elamin Abdelmahmoud and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.   🔔  Want to be notified as soon as news breaks? Download the BuzzFeed News app for iOS and Android (available in Canadian, UK, Australian, and US app stores). 💌  Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to get BuzzFeed News in your inbox! Show privacy notice and cookie policy. BuzzFeed, Inc. 111 E. 18th St. New York, NY 10003 Unsubscribe