Greetings from sunny Los Angeles, where Party Animals has touched down for a few days on a story.
More on that soon. In the meantime, back in Washington, the town is gearing up for a series of splashy events to mark America’s 250th. The proceedings have been beset with all the drama and chaos you’d expect in the Trump era.
We’re just days away from President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, which means one thing: White House cage fight. For this week, I looked into the UFC fight Trump is hosting on the South Lawn—who’s going, which celebrities are mysteriously unable to attend, and what Trump’s $60 million birthday party means for his clout in the capital.
PLUS: Trump taps an alarming pick to replace Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and 60 Minutes falls into a bloody civil war.
Also mentioned in this issue: Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Scott Pelley, Nick Bilton, Bari Weiss, Bill Pulte, Dana White, Adam Sandler, Guy Ritchie, Tom Brady, Ari Emanuel, Jared Leto, Jason Statham, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and George Santos.
Got tips? Hit the Party Animals hotline: aidan_mclaughlin@condenast.com. Or text me—my personal number is 917-817-8266. Complaints will be covered up by the director of national intelligence. Praise will be stamped on the mat of the White House octagon. | 
