President Trump’s attempts to emulate Barack Obama’s inaugurations largely fell flat.
He wanted record crowds, but was dwarfed by the Women’s March on Washington. He wanted A-list performers, but had to settle for Toby Keith. He wanted mass celebration, he got mass protests.
However, one thing he successfully borrowed from Obama was the former President’s incredible cake. Trump’s inauguration cake was an exact replica of the towering treat created by pastry chef Duff Goldman for Obama’s 2013 celebration. The only problem? Goldman didn’t make it.
The cake on the left is the one I made for President Obama's inauguration 4 years ago. The one on the right is Trumps. I didn't make it. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/qJXpCfPhii
Instead, Trump’s cake was crafted by D.C.’s Buttercream Bakeshop.
“They came to us a couple of weeks ago, which is pretty last minute, and said, ‘We have a photo that we would like to replicate,’” Tiffany MacIsaac, owner of the bakery, told the Washington Post.
She also revealed that, unlike Goldman’s creation, only the bottom layer — the one Trump is slicing into in the photo above — is edible. The rest of the cake is Styrofoam. (That Trump’s cake is all grandeur, no substance is somewhat fitting.)
While the nature of the cake’s creation is confusing, there is at least some good news: Donald Trump’s team has accidentally donated to an LGBT rights organization. In a post on Instagram, Buttercream Bakeshop revealed that the profits from the cake are being donated to the Human Rights Campaign.
Federal agencies under the Trump administration have flagged hundreds of words to avoid in official government memos, public-facing websites, and informational materials.
Government agencies are seeking to comply with a President Trump executive order seeking to rid the government of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices, and any programs or initiatives that conservatives decry as "woke," including those that focus on racial and cultural identity, LGBTQ identity, and the idea of "equity" rather than equality.
The list appeared in government memos and agency guidance, ordering the removal of the words from government websites, internal communications, and from written or printed materials.
The Trump administration canceled at least 68 grants to 46 institutions, totaling about $40 million, that had been awarded to study issues related to LGBTQ health.
Some of the grant money was already spent, but at least $1.36 million -- and likely more -- in future support has been pulled as part of the Trump administration's efforts to target what it calls "ideologically-driven" science.
That is part of a larger effort to purge the federal government of -- and to pressure the private sector to eliminate -- diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and programs, including anything that acknowledges the existence of transgender identity.
Schools run by the U.S. Department of Defense have reportedly scrapped affinity clubs celebrating diverse identities, canceled celebrations that acknowledge those identities, and attempted to remove books containing LGBTQ content or characters.
The moves come following an executive order from Donald Trump seeking to end what the president has termed "racial indoctrination" and "discriminatory equity ideology" in schools, referring to lessons dealing with race, racism, or identity groups, as well as the inclusion of LGBTQ-related topics, as part of the classroom curriculum.
While few U.S. public school districts -- which are locally controlled -- have made changes in response to the orders, as part of the federal government, the Defense Department has rapidly sought to comply.
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.