The Smile: 12/29

Hi friend,

Happy Monday! A survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse is speaking out with clarity and courage after Donald Trump’s latest outburst — and people are listening. Her words cut through the noise and remind us why truth, accountability, and survivors’ voices matter.

✍️ Applaud this powerful moment of courage and honesty.

There’s even more good news to start the week: the Supreme Court refused to greenlight a National Guard deployment in Chicago, Missouri voters are fighting back against a GOP gerrymander, and Democrats are spotting new openings.

Let’s dive into the good news! 💛

Epstein Survivor Calls Out Trump as He Loses It

Supreme Court Refuses to Allow National Guard Deployment in Chicago

Omaha holiday lights reconnect sisters with childhood home, unite families

For Muslim New Yorkers, Mamdani’s victory bridges long-standing divisions

‘There’s a whole new bench of progressive creators’: how Democrats can catch up in the online space

Democrats spy rare opening in rural America

‘I believe this is going to be a reckoning’: Ro Khanna, the man behind the Epstein files act, on building bipartisan wins

Hero middle schoolers help save bus driver

‘We won, the president lost,’ Jimmy Kimmel says in Christmas message

Missouri Voters Sue to Block GOP Gerrymander Until Referendum Vote

Today’s user-submitted photo comes from Judith M., who shared this beautiful photo of fireworks at Lake George, NY! If you want the chance to have your photo featured, reply to this email 😄

Thank you for reading, and we hope these articles shine a light on your day.

In solidarity,

Emily from The Smile

P.S. Know someone who could use a dose of good news? Forward this email and encourage them to subscribe to The Smile. Let’s spread the positivity together. 🌟