Cheesecake Factory politics

Already, we’ve had a ton of great interviews with experts on What’s Your Source? Three of them were a convenient excuse to talk with old Washington Post colleagues, all of whom have gone on to other news organizations.

This last week, I spoke to Renée DiResta, who I had never met. While our team will never pick “favorites” amongst our episodes, dutiful podcast parents that we are, we really loved this interview. I was jogging along just to keep up with Renée, who expertly broke down every question with a thoughtful, detailed answer. I left the conversation smarter and I hope you do, too!

In the Before Times (before having a child), I would’ve been lined up to watch You Can See Everything opening night. I might’ve been a bit tired the next day, but no matter! I could just take a nap or go to sleep a little earlier the next night. The world was my cozy, well-rested oyster!

Alas, our beautiful, sweet tyrant of a toddler has other plans. And so I’ve been watching my social media feeds with one eye closed, trying to filter out any potential spoilers for You Can See Everything for over a week now. The parents who have seen it are both revered and rejected. There was another father outside dance class on Saturday who was desperate to talk about the film but had no one else to talk to yet. I was in awe of his planning that allowed for three hours of free time - or four hours, if you actually show up on time and watch the endless slog of previews and theater self-promotions. I was also filled with jealousy and sleep-deprived rage.

But at last, today, on Sunday, childcare has been secured so we can spend more time at the AMC with Nicole Kidman. I am seeing the movie with some of my family and my wife, who was excited up until yesterday (“It’s three hours long??”).

By the time this newsletter publishes on Sunday for paid subscribers, I’ll be in the theater. So, if you have seen it, I want you to act as my post-movie Reddit scroll of reactions. Send me all your thoughts and feelings on the movie here: [email protected].

I had the great privilege of trying Fullproof donuts for the first time this weekend. I had never heard of them. Like a trendy independent film that just might get nominated for an Oscar, these donuts survive off of word-of-mouth. The owner refuses to open up a brick and mortar store. I even heard him tell a patron in line that he “might get a food truck” at one point, but not anytime soon.

Instead, fans and newcomers alike find him on the road, selling his donuts at the storefront of other popular restaurants and cafes in Kansas City. The returnees were like groupies, pulling me into their orbit. Soon, I too may travel with them to find these donuts elsewhere. “Are they playing at Mildred’s next week? I’ll be there.” Am I a Fullproof Donut groupie now? Maybe. And here’s why.

When I first saw the Everything Bagel Donut listed amongst the miso chocolate, blackberry and apple donuts, I thought it a mistake. “Perhaps they’re selling everything bagels alongside the donuts?” I reasoned to my wife and completely disinterested child.

But no! Reader, these are donuts. They’ve got the everything bagel seasoning. They have a jalapeño cream cheese center. But they exist on this plane, in this time, as donuts. Scientists studying quantum physics will spend years trying to understand how it works, what allowed for this food paradox. Perhaps it’s that the donuts are made of sourdough. Or maybe … we’re not meant to know? What I do know is that I will be eagerly awaiting another post, foretelling of Fullproof’s next gig.

What will happen this midterm election? Who will show up? Who won’t show up? Will President Trump, who has tried to overturn an election before, interfere in this one as well?

I pointed out in last week’s newsletter that I don’t have the answers to these questions. What I do have is the ability to help dutifully describe what’s happening as it happens. We can hold the powerful accountable, and we can even do it while telling jokes! It worked in 2020, as we spent 10 days covering that election, doing our best to reflect the feelings of voters while also not jumping the gun on the results.

I’m spending this week getting ready for next week. In part, that means the whack-a-mole game of making short-form videos about everything coming our way. For example, the Trump administration is trying to preemptively block certification of Alaska’s Senate race if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan narrowly loses. While this is deeply concerning, I am excited to once again cover Alaskan politics, my favorite subgenre of American politics.

So, follow us on every channel and keep calling into the show. Alongside our short-form timely videos, What’s Your Source? will be answering the big questions around the election … whatever the results.

In the span of less than 24 hours, I read about the Cheesecake Factory twice. The first was a graph, comparing the profitability of Cheesecake Factory to tech companies. I can no longer find that graph and started to wonder if what I saw was just cheap social media engagement. But I’ve since read that Cheesecake Factory, otherwise known as ‘CAKE’ on the stock market ticker (incredible, btw), really is outperforming Nvidia this year.

The next bit of ‘CAKE’ news came as former President Obama gave a speech in Ohio. Like the White House Correspondents’ Dinners of yesteryear, Obama took a nice stroll down Trolling Trump Lane. It was a slow walk, starting with Trump’s redecorating ambitions at the White House. Obama noted that Trump should be on HGTV, not in the Oval Office. Yeah, that’s pretty funny. But a twinkle would not leave Obama’s eye as he continued. He had a closer.

To quote Obama … “Look.”

long pause

“People …”

another pause

It’s a pretty good joke. But what I found especially interesting is the instant virality of the joke. Popular Georgia senator Jon Ossoff is saying stuff like this every day. It does some numbers, but nothing like this. On a Saturday no less! At the risk of fully engaging in punditry here, there was something about this moment that felt both familiar and foreign.

To quote Obama again … “Look.”

long pause.

Obama has always been pretty good at delivering jokes. Even his early detractors had a hard time denying his on-stage charisma. But I had started to see Obama’s involvement in American politics in the past tense. He didn’t seem interested in the national stage after leaving office — and who can blame him? In 2024, he campaigned for Kamala Harris but, like the nomination itself, it felt rushed and haphazard. At the very least, it didn’t seem like he was generating viral clips like the Cheesecake Factory quote.

American politics feels a lot like a Cheesecake Factory. It’s always prevalent. You can’t ignore it. It doesn’t make a ton of sense but most of us secretly enjoy it. Back in 2021, D.C. was PUMPED for a new Cheesecake Factory. It was like a joke that we were all in on. Yes, the menu is longer than a former president’s autobiography. And yeah, it’s probably not even the best food you’ll find on that block. But Americans can’t stay away. Like the Cheesecake Factory, Americans can’t help but indulge in viral Obama and Trump moments.

Is this metaphor working for you? Or should I have compared American politics to Nickelback (“We love to hate it!”)?

What I’m trying to say is that I think this moment went viral for a few reasons. Sure, it’s funny. Also, it’s about the Cheesecake Factory, which most Americans have engaged with at one point or another. But I think there’s also just something about these mic drop moments that Americans can’t get enough of, no matter what side you are on. Is it good for you? Maybe not. But why not enjoy some cheesecake once in a while, you know?

We made another video with the brilliant teens at MediaWise Teen Creator Network. I really love working with this group. They bring their own style, perspective and skills to each video. Here’s the latest:

Finally, I hope you will share in my gratitude for our tiny team at LNI, who just keep producing hit after hit, week after week.