John Fetterman, Fervent Israel Backer, Has Never Actually Been

Democrats on Israel • Scenes From a Manhattan Courtroom • Piercing Through Trump’s Armor [View in your browser]( | [Update your preferences](newsletter=vf) [Vanity Fair Hive logo image]( John Fetterman, Fervent Israel Backer, Has Never Actually Been Hello from the Hive newsroom. Despite growing condemnation of Israel among Democrats, Pennsylvania senator John Fetterman has been unflinching in his support for the country, rankling his staffers in the process. “What’s even more curious,” [writes]( Pablo Manríquez, is that “Fetterman has never actually visited Israel, one of the most common travel destinations for members of Congress on official business.” Another flash point over the war in Gaza, which has now dragged on for nearly seven months and has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, is antisemitism on college campuses as pro-Palestinian student protests have reverberated across the country. Eric Lutz has [the latest]( on the turmoil. Elsewhere, it’s, of course, Trump Trial Week. Dan Adler takes us [inside the courtroom]( for opening statements, where [the stakes]( are high. Plus, Molly Jong-Fast [writes]( about observing a depleted Trump last week, “a grumpy 77-year-old man who was exhausted from hours of sitting on a hard chair in a cold room, falling asleep to potential jurors talking about their (oft-negative) feelings about him.” Thanks for reading. [Image may contain: Accessories, Glasses, Body Part, Finger, Hand, Person, Adult, People, Head, Indoors, and Face]( [John Fetterman, Fervent Israel Backer, Has Never Actually Been]( By [Pablo Manríquez]( [Perturbing his staff, the Democrat from Pennsylvania has been unequivocal in his support for Israel since October 7, despite a growing shift among Democrats to rebuke the military response in Gaza.]( [Read more button](   [Trump Trial Opening Statements: It’s Just-the-Facts vs. an Emotional Appeal]( By [Dan Adler]( [In previewing the weeks of arguments ahead, prosecutors laid out what they said was a straightforward case of conspiracy. The former president’s defense team professed his innocence and tried to downplay the accusations.]( [Read more button](   [Defendant Trump Is Not Helping Candidate Trump]( By [Molly Jong-Fast]( [The former president came off looking sad, old, and tired during his criminal trial—and it’s only just getting started.]( [Read more button](   [Biden Condemns Antisemitism as Student Protests Over Gaza Spread Beyond Columbia]( By [Eric Lutz]( [The demonstrations are just the latest cultural flashpoint over the Israel-Hamas war, which continues to pose a major threat to the president’s reelection prospects.]( [Read more button](   [What’s at Stake, Exactly, in Donald Trump’s Criminal Trial?]( By [Dan Adler]( [A strange coda to an incomparable chapter in the American political-celebrity nexus.]( [Read more button](   Get on the list Subscribe to our Hollywood newsletter for your essential industry and awards-season news, every day. [Sign Up Now](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn](   This e-mail was sent to you by The Hive. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe]( Sent from Condé Nast, 1 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007 Copyright © 2024 Condé Nast