Elon Musk, Serious CEO; Kate Middleton’s “Very Thoughtful” Gesture; What to Watch on Netflix Now

Plus: Five Years After George Floyd's Murder

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS MATTHEW LYNCH, EXECUTIVE EDITOR Hello from New York, where it's Zohran Week! Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist candidate for mayor, is down in the polls by a wide margin, but the media capital of the world would never let numbers get in the way of good copy. And Mamdani is great copy. The son of a renowned filmmaker and Columbia academic, a former mixtape rapper, and current proponent of free mass transit: He's probably the best pure campaigner in the race to top front-runner Andrew Cuomo, as one observer pointed out to VF's Chris Smith. The thing is, Mamdani most certainly isn't winning, at least not this go-round. So why does it feel like he's already won? Elsewhere: Justin Bieber is breaking new, strange ground in pro forma Instagram shows of spousal support and Kase Wickman profiles the "Ivanka Trump of newsletters." More tomorrow! What Has Changed Since George Floyd's Death—and What Hasn't BY JIMMIE BRIGGS Five years ago this week, George Floyd—a part-time bouncer, rapper, and former high school athlete—was killed in broad daylight by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was later found guilty of murder. The slaying was captured in a cell phone video by a daring teenage onlooker named Darnella Frazier. She managed to keep her camera running for a harrowing 10 minutes, much of the video showing Floyd being pinned to the ground, under Chavin's knee. The footage of Floyd, essentially narrating his own death, quickly went viral. On the fifth anniversary of his murder, VF contributor Jimmie Briggs examines America's capacity to grapple with itself. READ MORE Read All About It POLITICS The Elon Musk Rebrand Is in Full Swing. But Will Anyone Buy It? BY ISSIE LAPOWSKY Elon Musk appears to be serious about getting back to the business of being a CEO. Well, serious except for the fact that he was wearing a Tesla-branded jacket with the word "S3XY" embroidered on it during an interview yesterday. READ MORE AWARDS SEASON Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor Tell a Heartbreaking Love Story in The History of Sound BY RICHARD LAWSON How much stifled yearning can one gay period drama take? Chief critic Richard Lawson reviews Oliver Hermanus's stately new drama. READ MORE TELEVISION Give The Real Housewives an Emmy, You Cowards BY JOHN ROSS TV's glam awards show would be less—what's the word?—boring if there were best-performance categories for reality TV. READ MORE TELEVISION The Best Shows and Movies on Netflix Next Month BY CHRIS MURPHY AND SAVANNAH WALSH June brings the return of several beloved series. READ MORE Local Politics Zohran Mamdani, New York City's Next Mayor? BY CHRIS SMITH New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has been a stark contrast to somber, gray-haired political lifers, offering a fresh voice packaged in clever Instagram, X, and TikTok posts and touting populist ideas such as low-cost city-owned grocery stores, free buses, and rent freezes for some tenants. Naturally, not everyone is along for the ride; a spokesperson for his rival, Andrew Cuomo, calls Mamdani a "silver spoon socialist." But those who are onboard tend to be hardcore about it. So how did a relative political novice amass such an ardent following and free buzz? Chris Smith investigates the Zohran phenomenon. READ MORE Chatter How "the Ivanka Trump of Newsletters" Grew Into a Must-Read for Political Leaders of All Stripes With 5 million active subscribers, TheSkimm has earned its reputation as a crucial media resource for female readers. What Is Really Going On With Justin and Hailey Bieber? The singer's bizarre reaction to his wife's first solo Vogue cover has raised eyebrows. Lady Gabriella Windsor on Kate Middleton's "Very Thoughtful" Gesture After Her Husband's Death Last year was a challenging one for both royals. MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. 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 Copyright © Condé Nast 2025. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.