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There’s a reason Marjorie Taylor Greene is being surprisingly nice to Nancy Pelosi

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There’s a reason Marjorie Taylor Greene is being surprisingly nice to Nancy Pelosi

In response to Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announcing her planned retirementMAGA firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., praised the former House speaker on BLN Thursday for “an incredible career for her party” and said she was “very impressed at her ability to get things done.” Greene added, “I wish we could get things done for our party like Nancy Pelosi was able to deliver for her party,” and said, “I wish her well in retirement.”

Greene is the same politician who, shortly after entering Congress in 2021, was stripped of her committee assignments after reports emerged that she had liked comments on social media calling for Pelosi’s assassination.

If you’re scratching your head at Greene now praising Pelosi and wishing her well, then you’re not alone. Greene has long represented the most virulent wing of the MAGA movement, heckling Democrats and peddling noxious conspiracy theories about the left. What was she doing acting so graciously?

Her wager, it appears, is that she might be able to position herself as future leader of the right, in part by delivering where she thinks Trump has failed.

I’d put my money on ambition for higher office. In fact, the highest office: The news publication NOTUS reports that Greene has “confided to colleagues that she wants to run for president, according to four sources familiar with the matter, including one who has spoken with her directly about it.” (Greene told NOTUS after publication that the article was “baseless” and “disappointing.”)

When asked on comedian Tim Dillon’s podcast in October if she wanted to run for president in 2028, Greene sidestepped the question, leaving the possibility open. “I hate politics so much, Tim,” Greene said. “People are saying that, and I’ve seen a few people saying ‘she’s running.’… What I’m doing right now is I very much want to fix problems. That’s honestly all I care about.”

Greene appears to be attempting to change her reputation in various ways, by trying to become a little less toxic and separating herself from the MAGA mainstream. Her wager, it appears, is that she might be able to position herself as future leader of the right, in part by delivering where she thinks Trump has failed. But it’s going to be an uphill climb for Greene, who is most well-known for holding the bizarre antisemitic theory that wildfires were caused by space lasers controlled by the Rothschilds.

Greene has historically been the kind of Republican most at home on shows such as Alex Jones’ disinformation-laden “Infowars.” But a suddenly more pleasant Greene has shown an increasing interest in national mainstream media, appearing recently on BLN, “The View” and “Real Time with Bill Maher.”

On BLN on Thursday, she talked about “speaking nicely” to everyone. “I’m trying to lead by example, and I can only do my part, and that is to talk to everyone and to talk to everyone in kindness,” she said. “We don’t all have to agree, but that’s being an American, and thank goodness for that, right?”

Greene’s appeal to kindness and civility was pretty rich coming from a woman who called a Parkland school shooting survivor an “idiot” (and that school shooting itself a hoax) and interrupted and jeered at former President Joe Biden during multiple State of the Union addresses. But to the extent that she is trying to change how she engages with the public, she might be trying to carve out a more friendly persona, looking to appear more conventionally “presidential,” and maybe believes there is an opening for a MAGA politician who takes a less overtly adversarial posture.

In addition to projecting a softer image, Greene is also making political pivots. Over the past year, and especially in recent months, she has broken with President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson on several issues and openly criticized them. In the ongoing government shutdown, she has sided with the Democrats who’ve called for extending Affordable Care Act subsidies (even as she’s spread misinformation about undocumented immigrants using the ACA). She signed the Democratic-led effort to force a House vote that would require the Justice Department to release its Epstein files. And on foreign policy, she’s been a lonely voice in the GOP, calling Israel’s conduct in Gaza a genocide and trying to block aid to Israel. She also criticized Trump sending aid to Ukraine and slammed Trump’s strikes on Iran.

It would be a mistake to read the list above and say Greene is tacking to the left. Instead, her departures from the GOP leadership follow a pattern of idealism on the right: an agenda to defend right-wing nationalist tenets that Trump has broken from in the eyes of some of its purists. For example, much of the MAGA base was infuriated by Trump’s 180-degree turn: from promising to release the Epstein files to deciding against their release. The Epstein scandal is the closest thing to a real-world analogue to the QAnon conspiracy theory.

As for foreign policy, Trump’s general maintenance of the status quo on Israel and interventionism abroad is at odds with the more isolationist tendencies among some in the MAGA coalition. And as for health care subsidies, some right-wing nationalists are either agnostic about or mildly supportive of a moderate social safety net, either out of a strategic or ideological belief that the austerity-minded right is wrong about what ails the economy. (Some right-wing nationalists are more concerned about trade and immigration as economic strategies than they are cutting back social programs.)

Greene likely fancies herself a strategic advocate for true MAGA orthodoxy. “I’m not some sort of blind slave to the president, and I don’t think anyone should be,” she said in an interview with NBC News in October. This all sets her up for a potential lane for what in 2028 could be the biggest intra-MAGA presidential primary to date. Her attempts at independence could also shield her from association with Trump’s declining credibility on the economy and the social safety net.

Will Greene’s makeover work? I’ve learned to not make predictions about where Republican voters might draw the line on considering a candidate out-of-bounds in GOP primaries. But it’s hard to imagine her shedding her reputation as a fanatic — even by the low standards of the Trump era — in a general election.

Zeeshan Aleem is a writer and editor for BLN Daily. Previously, he worked at Vox, HuffPost and Blue Light News, and he has also been published in, among other places, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Nation, and The Intercept. You can sign up for his free politics newsletter here.

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The Dictatorship

French company Capgemini to sell subsidiary working with ICE

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French company Capgemini to sell subsidiary working with ICE

PARIS (AP) — French company Capgemini announced Sunday it is selling off its subsidiary that provides technology services to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, during global scrutiny of ICE agents’ tactics in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

France’s government had pressured the company to be more transparent about its dealings with ICE, whose actions in Minneapolis in recent weeks have raised concern in France and other countries. The government’s campaign against immigrants in Minnesota’s capital has led to the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal immigration officers.

Capgemini said in a statement Sunday that it will immediately start the process of selling off its subsidiary Capgemini Government Solutions. It said the rules for working with U.S. federal government agencies ″did now allow the group to exercise appropriate control over certain aspects of the operations of this subsidiary to ensure alignment with the group’s objectives.″

It didn’t give further explanation for the decision, but noted that the subsidiary represents only 0.4% of the company’s estimated 2025 revenue.

Capgemini CEO Aiman Ezzat said he was only recently made aware of the subsidiary’s contract with ICE. In a LinkedIn post, he said, “The nature and scope of this work has raised questions compared to what we typically do as a business and technology firm.’’

The company selloff announcement came after French Finance Minister Roland Lescure, speaking to parliament last week, urged Capgemini ″to shed light, in an extremely transparent manner, on its activities … and to question the nature of these activities.″ Lescure’s office did not comment on the company’s decision.

Non-governmental organization Multinationals Observatory reported that Capgemini Government Solutions provided ICE technical tools to locate targets for the immigration crackdown. CapgemiSni did not immediately respond to a query about the tools.

Capgemini is a consulting and technology company that employs more than 340,000 people in more than 50 countries.

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‘Melania’ opens with strong ticket sales for a documentary

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‘Melania’ opens with strong ticket sales for a documentary

NEW YORK (AP) — Promoted by President Donald Trump as “a must watch,” the Melania Trump documentary “Melania” debuted with a better-than-expected $7 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The release of “Melania” was unlike any seen before. Amazon MGM Studios paid $40 million for the rights, plus some $35 million to market it, making it the most expensive documentary ever. Directed by Brett Ratner, who had been exiled from Hollywood since 2017, the film about the first lady debuted in 1,778 theaters in the midst of Trump’s turbulent second term.

While the result would be a flop for most films with such high costs, “Melania” was a success by documentary standards. It’s the best opening weekend for a documentary, outside of concert films, in 14 years. Going into the weekend, estimates ranged from $3 million to $5 million.

But there was little to compare “Melania” to, given that presidential families typically eschew in-office memoir or documentary releases to avoid the appearance of capitalizing on the White House. The film chronicles Melania Trump over 20 days last January, leading up to Trump’s second inauguration.

Marc Beckman, left, shake hands with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer as they arrive for the premiere of first lady Melania Trump's movie

Marc Beckman, left, shake hands with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer as they arrive for the premiere of first lady Melania Trump’s movie “Melania” at The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

On Thursday, Trump hosted a premiere of the film at the Kennedy Centerwith attendees including Cabinet members and members of Congress. There, Ratner downplayed its box-office potential, noting: “You can’t expect a documentary to play in theaters.”

The No. 1 movie of the weekend was Sam Raimi’s “Send Help,” a critically acclaimed survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. The Walt Disney Co. release debuted with $20 million. The film, with a $40 million budget, was an in-between kind of release for Raimi, whose hits have typically ranged from low-budget cult (“Army of Darkness”) to big-budget blockbuster (2002’s “Spider-Man”).

The microbudget sci-fi horror film “Iron Lung,” directed by YouTuber and filmmaker Markiplier, came in second with $17.9 million, far exceeding expectations. The Jason Statham action thriller “Shelter” debuted with $5.5 million.

But most of the curiosity was on how “Melania” would perform. A week earlier, the White House hosted a black-tie preview attended by Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy, Apple chief executive Tim Cook and former boxer Mike Tyson.

The audience waits in a movie theater for the start of the screening of a documentary about Melania Trump in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

The audience waits in a movie theater for the start of the screening of a documentary about Melania Trump in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

The film arrived in a week dominated by coverage of federal immigration tactics in Minnesota after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

“Melania” didn’t screen in advance for critics, but reviews that rolled out Friday, once the film was in theaters, weren’t good. Xan Brooks of The Guardian compared the film to a “medieval tribute to placate the greedy king on his throne.” Owen Gleiberman of Variety called it a “cheese ball informercial of staggering inertia.” Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: “To say that ‘Melania’ is a hagiography would be an insult to hagiographies.”

But among those who bought tickets over the weekend, the response was far more positive. “Melania” landed an “A” CinemaScore. Audiences were overwhelmingly 55 and older (72% of ticket buyers), female (72%) and white (75%). As expected, the movie played best in the South, with top states including Florida and Texas.

David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm FranchiseRe called it “an excellent opening for a political documentary.”

“For any other film, with $75 million in costs and limited foreign potential, it would be a problem,” said Gross. “But this is a political investment, not a for-profit movie venture, and if it helps Amazon with a regulatory, taxation, tariff or other government issue, then it will pay back. $75 million is insignificant to Amazon.”

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the premiere of her movie

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the premiere of her movie “Melania” at The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

“Melania” is Ratner’s first film since he was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017. Multiple women, including the actor Olivia Munn, accused Ratner of sexual harassment and misconduct. Ratner has denied the allegations. Last fall, after Trump’s reported intervention, Paramount Pictures said it would distribute his “Rush Hour 4.”

“Melania,” which will stream on Prime Video following its theatrical run, was released globally. Shortly before its debut, South African distributor Filmfinity said it would no longer release it. The company said it changed course “based on recent developments.”

International ticket sales for “Melania” were expected to be minuscule.

Top 10 movies by domestic box office

With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

1. “Send Help,” $20 million.

2. “Iron Lung,” $17.9 million.

3. “Melania,” $7 million.

4. “Zootopia 2,” $5.8 million.

5. “Shelter,” $5.5 million.

6. “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” $5.5 million.

7. “Mercy,” $4.7 million.

8. “The Housemaid,” $3.5 million.

9. “Marty Supreme,” $2.9 million.

10. “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” $1.5 million.

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‘ICE out’: Bad Bunny uses Grammy speech to speak out

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‘ICE out’: Bad Bunny uses Grammy speech to speak out

As awards season progresses, celebrities continue to speak out against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown — especially in Minneapolis. Though some stars have opted for a slight nod of resistance with pins that say “ICE out,” others have been more vocal in their stances.

Upon accepting the Grammy Award for Best Música Urbana Album on Sunday night, Bad Bunny got straight to the point.

“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” the Puerto Rican performer said as soon as he approached the podium with award in hand.

After a standing ovation and cheers from the crowd, he continued.

“We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”⁣

This is not the first time the artist has spoken out against the Trump administration’s rhetoric against immigrants in the United States. Last year, he announced he would no longer tour in the U.S., which drew criticism from some right-wing commentators.

Despite that pushback, Bad Bunny scored the headlining spot at this year’s Super Bowl and said he decided to “do just one date in the United States.”

The album Bad Bunny accepted the award for, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” also won Album of the Year, becoming the first primarily Spanish-language album to win the distinction in the ceremony’s 68-year history.

Kathleen Creedon is a platforms editor for MS NOW. She previously worked as a web producer for Vanity Fair.

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