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.

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 …

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.

GOP, UW at odds again — this time over ‘whiteness’ course  —  Turning up the heat on the long-smoldering relationship between state lawmakers and the University of Wisconsin System, leading Republicans are threatening to pull any hope of more state funding unless a new course at UW-Madison called “The Problem of Whiteness” is canceled.

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 …

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

Trump gives Carl Icahn a surprising role  —  Wall Street maven Carl Icahn will advise President-elect Trump on matters of regulatory reform, giving the famed investor a key say in how his own industry is monitored.  —  Icahn will advise Trump on regulatory topics as an individual …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Monsieur Vogue Is Leaving Trumpland  —  CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — André Leon Talley is eating a biscuit.  —  He shouldn't be eating a biscuit because he is on a long, difficult sojourn here through the holidays at Duke Diet & Fitness Center to try to lose 100 pounds and stop associating food with love.

Twitter is ‘toast’ and the stock is not even worth $10: Analyst  —  Twitter is “toast” as a company and the stock is not even worth $10, according to a research note published Tuesday, following the departure of another top executive at the social media service.

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 …

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 …

Cops: U-M student lied about man threatening to burn hijab  —  A University of Michigan student who told police in November that a man threatened to set her hijab on fire could face charges after investigators discovered she fabricated the entire story, police announced Wednesday.