Meet the Baby-Faced Comms Squad of Trump 2.0

Plus: Prince Edward Breaks His Silence on the Epstein Files

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS The Pentagon press secretary, Kingsley Wilson, is a 27-year-old former MAGA influencer who once called the US intelligence services—which include the Defense Intelligence Agency, a component of the Department of Defense—"more evil than Vladimir Putin." She's one of many fresh-faced communications staffers who've brought very online tactics to very senior positions in the Executive branch. As Andrew Zucker reports for Vanity Fair today, when these folks were interviewing to become some of President Trump's top messengers in his second term, they benefited from their youth in a key respect: There was no public record of them ever breaking with him, even after January 6. They were too young at the time, and those spotless records make them sinless, uncorrupted beings within Trumpworld. Elsewhere, Katie Nicholl tracks Prince Edward as he breaks his silence on the scandal enveloping his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. JACK HOLMES, SENIOR EDITOR Trump 2.0's Baby-Faced Comms Squad Is Rewriting the Rules of Government Communication BY ANDREW ZUCKER While babyish faces regularly dot government org charts (see: the Pod Save America crew circa 2009), many Trump 2.0 youngsters are in notably higher positions with immense authority over messaging. And this go-around? They're extremely online, extremely feisty, and extremely MAGA. READ MORE Trending Stories ROYALS The Royal Family Is "Appalled" by Latest Epstein Files Release BY KATIE NICHOLL During a televised interview with a CNN anchor on Tuesday, Prince Edward was asked about the recent release of new files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included incriminating photographs of his brother Andrew. READ MORE PARTY REPORT Inside the Splashy Premiere of Love Story BY CHRIS MURPHY After screening the Ryan Murphy drama about the whirlwind romance and tragic end of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette- Kennedy, the stars celebrated at a glittering New York institution with major thematic resonance. READ MORE MEDIA How Disney's New CEO Won Bob Iger's Heart BY JOY PRESS Dana Walden seemed poised to inherit Iger's seat. Insiders explain why Josh D'Amaro leapfrogged her in the battle to succeed Iger. READ MORE Hollywood History How Samuel L. Jackson's Battle With Addiction Inspired His Breakthrough Performance BY GAVIN EDWARDS As the 1980s came to a close, the future superstar was spending his summers acting in Spike Lee joints—and his nights freebasing cocaine. Ahead, Gavin Edwards reveals how hitting rock bottom inspired Jackson to transform his life, and shaped his game-changing performance in Jungle Fever: "When my character died, it was almost like I was killing off that part of my life." READ MORE In Other News Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Royal Move Out It is understood King Charles was keen for Andrew to move out of Windsor sooner than originally planned following the release of new files from the Epstein investigation, in which Andrew is included in disconcerting emails and photographs. The Latest on Savannah Guthrie's Missing Mother NBC colleagues held back tears on-air and shared frequent updates and pleas for help in the investigation into the possible abduction of Nancy Guthrie, Savannah's 84-year-old mom. 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 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.