🎙️ 'The Ensemble': debate week wraps with an apparent assassination attempt on Trump, again.
Plus a week of somber anniversaries from Iran to Afghanistan and fashion's political moments.
Hey, Ensemble readers. What a week. From major political drama to fashion moments that are rewriting the rules, we’ve got a lot to unpack.
BREAKING: Another Assassination Attempt on Trump’s Life
Here’s the breaking news: yet another attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, this time while golfing at his West Palm Beach club. Secret Service agents spotted a man armed with an AK-style rifle hiding in the bushes. After a high-speed chase, the suspect was caught. Here’s a primer from the AP.
I was texting with a source close to Trump:
“Why all these assassination attempts now and not when he was president?’ I asked.
“Because the threat to democracy theme wasn’t big back then. Now, after three years of Dems pushing it, it is,” the source replied.
Both Biden and Harris expressed relief that Trump’s safe, but this event shows how much tensions are escalating.
A Week of Reflection: 9/11, Mahsa Amini, Kamala Harris, Quebec’s Anti-Islamophobia Adviser, and Campus Antisemitism
WOMEN BUILDING Peace & Security
23 Years Since 9/11
It’s been 23 years since the 9/11 attacks, and it feels like yesterday. A classmate messaged me on Instagram about how we used to practice post-9/11 drills at school, especially living near the CDC in Atlanta. It’s important to remember those we lost, but also to acknowledge the unfulfilled promises—particularly for Afghan women and girls, who are now being erased from public life under the Taliban . Sitting on the board of the Friends of the American University of Afghanistan, I’ve found the philanthropy seems to have given up on Afghan women and we can’t let that happen.
Two Years Since Mahsa Amini’s Death
Two years ago, Mahsa Amini’s death in Iran sparked a global cry for justice with the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Iranian women continue to fight back, defying oppressive laws every day.
The Women of Iran Are Not Backing Down.
Kamala Harris and the Double Standard for Women Leaders
Kamala Harris was back on the debate stage this week and the conversation turned toward the question of whether she’s “ready.” While she won the debate, she lost the airwaves and the internet. My take, very mindful, very demuretsy - smuggling political literacy into the feed via viral trends.
Quebec’s Anti-Islamophobia Adviser and Campus Antisemitism
Across North America, issues of representation and inclusion are sparking controversy, from Quebec to U.S. college campuses. In Quebec, Amira Elghawaby, the province’s anti-Islamophobia adviser, was pressured to resign after pushing for more Muslim professors to combat systemic Islamophobia. Meanwhile, U.S. universities are grappling with rising antisemitism, with current DEI initiatives often failing to protect Jewish students. Calls for stronger, more inclusive policies are growing as both Muslim and Jewish communities continue to face discrimination in academic spaces.
Read more in The Star | Read more in The Atlantic.
Join Me Monday for an Exclusive Event!
On Monday, September 18th, I’ll be hosting Empowering Women Changemakers in the Middle East. Whether you attend virtually or in person, you’ll get to hear from the women making real strides toward progress in one of the world’s toughest regions. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Fit Checks and Fact Checks: When Fashion and Politics Meet
At The Ensemble, we know that fashion isn’t just about clothes—it’s a tool for making powerful statements. Here’s how fashion and politics collided this week:
Kamala Couture
Kamala Harris didn’t just make headlines for her debate performance. Once again, her fashion choices—from those signature pearls to her tailored suits—became a talking point. But here’s the thing: she’s owning her narrative.
Ella Emhoff’s NYFW Moment
Ella Emhoff, Vice President Harris’ stepdaughter, made waves at New York Fashion Week. A finalist for the LVMH Prize, Emhoff’s avant-garde style is redefining what it means to be a political family member in the fashion world. Gen Z and Millennials are blending activism and style in ways we’ve never seen before.
King Charles Shakes Up London Fashion Week
Over in London, King Charles teamed up with an edgy fashion brand to promote sustainability at London Fashion Week. This unexpected collab is a reminder that fashion can be a powerful platform for advocacy—even for royalty.
Newsfluencers: Interview with DC’s Premier Influencer Tony P
In this week’s Newsfluencers segment, I caught with Tony P, one of DC’s top influencers, to chat about how content creators are reshaping the way we consume news and what Gen Z wants.
But here’s the catch: as I explored in this reel, the rise of influencers overtaking journalists is a double-edged sword. If influencers are going to lead, we need legacy media to take them under their wing to ensure the news is accurate and well-sourced. Democracy is at stake if we get this wrong.
And Finally: "They’re Eating the Dogs…"
To wrap up, let’s talk about Trump’s latest viral comment, “They’re eating the dogs.” Yep, it’s been meme central on social media this week. While Sky News has been busy debunking the claim, Jamie Angus raised a real question: Are we spending too much time debunking absurdities and not enough on the serious issues? It’s definitely something to think about as we navigate today’s media.