CNN anchor Chris Wallace compared former President Donald Trump to the “origin stories” of both The Joker and Richard Nixon, telling MSNBC’s Jen Psaki that Trump was “already a dangerous character” when the trauma of losing to President Joe Biden occurred.

Wallace — who hosts the Max series Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace and CNN’s The Chris Wallace Show — has been on an extensive media tour to promote his new book Countdown 1960: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of the 312 Days that Changed America’s Politics Forever.

That tour took Wallace to a rival network on Monday’s edition of MSNBC’s Inside With Jen Psaki, during which Wallace drew parallels to the trials and tribulations of Nixon, Trump, and Arthur Fleck — currently lighting up (and darkening) screens in the film Joker: Folie à Deux:

PSAKI: It was such a reminder to me in reading, and I hope to people out there who read it, I mean, I lived through a lot of transitions too. I mean, Bush and Obama didn’t exactly love each other, agree. That was a smooth transition of power. Obama transitioned to Trump. This is what happens throughout history, and this is a reminder of that.

You also note that Nixon’s loss in 1960 led to him to resort to kind of more cutthroat tactics. Obviously, we know that through history, and had played out, which eventually, of course, led to Watergate. Similarly — and I would be interested in what you think about this comparison. Obviously, Trump losing in 2020 has led to, in some ways, a more aggressive approach to this election and what he may want to do post-election.

How do you think in terms of lessons from history, bitterness and anger applies? And how do you think it applies? As it applied to Nixon, how does it apply now?

WALLACE: Well it’s so interesting, Jen, because Nixon had a reputation as being a dirty politician. That’s where he got the nickname Tricky Dick.

But, in 1960, he decided to run as a statesman to try to put that all behind him. And some people have suggested to me that maybe his defeat in 1960 and how nicely he played was the origin story of the villain, sort of like the origin story of the Joker.

And, clearly, in some of the Watergate tapes, you can hear his anger and his bitterness and his sense, hey, Kennedy stole the election from me in 60. All bets are off in terms of what I’m prepared to do, as it turned out, in 1972 with Watergate.

And there’s no question that it had an impact on him, a very bad impact. And I think it’s definitely — you could say Trump was already a dangerous character before, but, clearly, losing the 19 — the 2020 election has not improved his sense of fair play or thinking about the country over his own personal benefit.

Watch above via MSNBC’s Inside With Jen Psaki.

A firewall is an essential security tool for your Mac. Not only does it help keep your Mac safe from security threats online, but it also improves your privacy by allowing you to keep an eye on data that's sent and received from the internet. In some cases, this data sharing is essential, such as during a software update for your Mac. In other cases, it could be used by a malicious app to send your private data to servers on the other side of the world. With a firewall, you can stop that from happening.

What is a firewall?

A firewall is a tool that allows you to keep an eye on network traffic that's sent from and received by your computer. You can think of it as a gate between your computer and the internet. Without a firewall, all apps have unrestricted access to the internet, but when you use a firewall, these apps will have to ask for your permission before they can phone home.

A firewall can be a hardware tool or a software utility. Most of us have already used hardware firewalls, because modern routers have firewall features built-in. By default, they can block incoming connections, and some of the more expensive routers even let you block outgoing connections.

Hardware firewalls can protect all devices on your network, and unlike software firewalls, they can't be disabled easily by malware on any one computer. A software firewall, on the other hand, is a gatekeeper between your computer and the internet, which means that it's better suited to controlling connections for individual apps on your computer. 

Should I use a software firewall?

Although software firewalls are great for privacy and security, they are not for everyone. I think everyone should use a firewall, but the reality is that some people will find firewalls a bit restrictive because you'll have to approve every single incoming and outgoing connection. That said, you can set up rules to ensure that the firewall doesn't get in the way.

How does a firewall work?

By default, your Mac will allow all network traffic to reach your computer, and it'll allow almost all apps to send data out. When you enable a strong firewall, you'll have to approve nearly every single request for incoming and outgoing traffic. This includes an app's checks for software updates, downloads, uploading data, and pretty much anything that requires you to connect to the internet.

Firewalls support a stealth mode, which follows your preset instructions without any prompts, but even that is restrictive because you may not be able to use the internet as freely as you'd like to. The flip side is that you're far more protected from cybersecurity threats or, at least, you become very well aware of every connection your Mac makes to the internet. 

How can I use the Mac's firewall?

Your Mac ships with a firewall, but it is disabled by default and it can only monitor incoming connections to the computer. It doesn't allow you to control outgoing traffic. You can try using your Mac's firewall to see if you like it, but I have recommendations for third-party apps from reputed developers, which make it a lot easier to both use a firewall and enjoy the security and privacy benefits. On your Mac, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and go to System Settings. Now, navigate to Network > Firewall and enable Firewall.

You can click the Options button on this page to set up the firewall to your liking: You'll see an option to allow built-in software to receive incoming connections (i.e. Apple's own software), as well as any signed software you've downloaded. Those apps are usually quite safe, since Apple vets the developers that have their apps "signed." You can also choose whether or not to allow incoming connections to a variety of apps and services, but you'll quickly notice that you can't control outgoing connections, which means if a shady app wants to send your data to an obscure server, you can't use the built-in firewall to stop that.

Which firewall apps should I use?

Credit: Little Snitch

Fortunately, there are some great third-party firewall apps for the Mac. Little Snitch is the one I like the most: It has a solid set of features, such as the ability to monitor and block any kind of traffic on your Mac; blocklists that automatically keep trackers at bay; and a great interface that provides useful information and makes things easy to understand. As much as I like this app, it is pricey at $59, which means it may not be for everyone.

You can also try a cheaper alternative, such as Radio Silence, which Lifehacker has recommended before. It may not have the polished interface and all the features of Little Snitch, but it will do the job a firewall should: let you stop apps from phoning home. The app is good at its job and costs $9, which makes it a great option for those who want a firewall on a budget. 

Finally, there's also a completely free firewall app for the Mac called LuLu. I'm usually wary of recommending free apps that serve such a critical security purpose, but LuLu has earned the trust of the community. It's free and open source, and you can take a look at its GitHub page to learn more about the app. It's in active development at the time of writing, which is also a bonus, since sometimes apps like these are abandoned and never updated again. The interface isn't as polished as that of the paid apps I've recommended, but it works well and you can use it to see if a firewall app is for you.

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There are two competing philosophies in life that I try to impart to my sons as they manage their way through life. First, “fortune favors the bold” (or “fate loves the fearless”), which suggests that bold moves are rewarded in life. Aim big, hoping you will reap the benefits of reasonable chance-taking. The second but equally important approach is “discretion is the better part of valor,” or shortened to a phrase I always say to my sons, “Why borrow trouble?”

These disparate but complementary approaches come to mind as I try to understand the news that Vice President Kamala Harris has agreed to sit down with Fox News anchor Bret Baier in a pre-taped interview set to air Wednesday evening on Special Report. It’s not difficult to get the impression that this sit-down represents a shift in strategy for Team Harris, and it’s also easy to see her going on Fox News as her riskiest media play to date, but one with the highest reward.

The Harris campaign has been pretty locked down on its overall strategy, and an early pivot to patriotism and Harris effectively running as a “Rockefeller Republican” in a successful DNC came with a significant rise in the polls. But things have plateaued since she’s engaged in a low-key approach of local news hits and podcast interviews, and interviews with CNN’s Dana Bash and 60 Minutes’ Bill Whitaker seemed to fail to move any polling needle.

Last week’s sit-down on The View offered the sort of “Madame President” genuflecting that felt eerily similar to the hubris on display in October 2016 by the Hillary Clinton campaign. And with an NBC News national poll showing that Trump and Harris are literally tied, the decision to go on Fox News doesn’t suggest panic but perhaps a recognition that things need to change.

“I think that the campaign realizes they have to do more outreach. And, you know, the countdown is on here,” Baier recently said on Fox News about the looming interview. “I think they’re realizing that there is a shift in the polls. It may be small, but it is noticeable towards the former president.”

It is impossible to overestimate the political influence of Fox News, especially in an era of flagging network news viewership and the rise of cable news opinion shows filling that and the void of leadership ceded to media personalities by elected officials. Fox News enjoys more viewers than MSNBC and CNN combined, especially during prime-time shows that are dedicated to painting Kamala Harris in the most negative light possible while consistently ignoring almost any story that makes former President Donald Trump look bad.

Baier has shown himself to be a tough but fair interviewer. He is always respectful of his guests, but he almost certainly will question Harris on some subjects that have been avoided on friendlier turf, particularly The View appearances and various alternative podcasts.

Baier will certainly press the vice president on topics that Fox News viewers seem to hold dearest — immigration issues under the Biden-Harris administration. Harris has successfully punted any failures on the border by blaming Trump for effectively killing a bipartisan bill. Still, she has failed to answer why it took over three years to put that forth or enact the Executive Orders that have brought down border crossings dramatically.

But while Harris might risk getting her feet held to the fire, this is still potentially a massive win for her. Mediaite understands that Special Report has more independent viewers than other Fox News shows. Also? More swing state viewers watch Fox News than any other network by a wide margin.

Regardless of how this interview will work out for the Harris election effort, I’m a longtime believer in the benefits of this kind of media appearance. I wrote a column recently beseeching Harris to go on Fox News (though I suggested Steve Doocy and Dana Perino), and going back to Mediaite’s earliest days, I went long in 2009 explaining why then-embattled President Barack Obama should go on The O’Reilly Factor to push back on the socialist warnings that Obamacare would lead us into an economic depression (it did not).

Harris could fail spectacularly in her 20-or-so-minute interview with Baier. If so? That’s a good indicator that she’s not ready for The White House. But it’s just as likely, if not more so, that she acquits herself in a manner that not only impresses some persuadable voters but also undermines the caricature she is made to be by the more strident pro-Trump voices on the network like Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, and Sean Hannity.

It’s not quite as big as the debate, but this could very well seal the 2024 election. For whom, however, remains an open question.

About 2.4 million funerals are held every year—and no matter how prepared you think you are, the loss of loved ones hits you hard, both emotionally and financially. The stress of making funeral arrangements after losing someone important to you is compounded by the dizzying array of choices you have to make about what to do next, and the cost, which averages as much as $8,300.

In the midst of all the emotional and financial upheaval, it’s easy to let your guard down, and that’s why scammers like to target the bereaved. You’re devastated, exhausted, and trying to manage an avalanche of details as you set someone’s affairs in order and prepare to let them go, leaving you vulnerable to criminals who see your loss as nothing more than an opportunity to take your money.

Here are four "funeral scams" to watch for when you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Imposter service providers

Some of the most common funeral scams are also the most basic: Impersonation. Scammers will contact you claiming to be someone else entirely in order to convince you to part with some of your cash. The most common variations of the impersonation scam include

• The funeral home. Scammers contact you, other members of your family, or even friends of the deceased and claim to be the funeral home, and demand money. They’ll say that the bill wasn’t paid or that other expenses have come up and the service or burial will be canceled unless you fork over more money immediately, often demanding you pay through an app like Zelle. Funeral homes don’t operate like this—if you’re not sure who's calling you or what you actually owe, hang up and contact the funeral home directly.

• The IRS. Sometimes scammers will contact the relatives of a deceased person by phone and claim that the recently departed owed back taxes. The scammer will insist that you are now responsible and must make an immediate payment to avoid penalties and fines. This can be an easy fraud to spot: The Internal Revenue Service will never contact you by phone—it will always reach out to you by mail.

• Life insurance. Scammers will sometimes call claiming to be the deceased person’s insurance agent, informing you that they had missed their most recent premium payment, and that a big life insurance payout is possible if you bring the premiums current. This is simply a form of an inheritance scam, but since the death of a spouse or parent can leave people reeling financially, it can be quite effective.

Make sure the details of your loved one’s death are reported to the appropriate government agencies, and remember: No legitimate debt needs to be paid over the phone immediately.

"Ghosting," or posthumous identity theft

Ghosting is a form of identity theft that targets the very recently deceased. Scammers attempt to glean personal and financial details about the person in order to steal their identity before the death can be reported to financial institutions and government agencies. They can then access the deceased’s accounts to steal money, or use their identity to open up fraudulent lines of credit, which can impact the deceased's estate. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your loved one’s accounts, credit cards, and other financial assets in the immediate aftermath of your loss.

Fake funeral livestreams

One of the more recent, complex, and horrifying funeral scams involves fake funeral livestreams. Yes, you read that correctly: Scammers scan death notices and then set up social media pages “in loving memory” of the deceased, advertising a livestream of the funeral proceedings (usually with the correct time and date). Anyone who wants to participate is then asked for a payment for access—but of course, there is no actual livestream. Plus, these bereaved folks have handed their credit card info directly to scammers.

Your best defense against the livestream scam is to communicate clearly to anyone who may be interested in honoring the departed that there is no such event, and work with social media platforms to take down fake pages advertising one of them.

Fake obituaries

Finally, a scam that doesn’t actually involve a death or an actual funeral, but rather fake deaths. Scammers look for people who have a large social media presence and create fake obituary pages for them, shocking their friends and family. They link these pages to ad platforms so they make money on every click and view—and since they’ve chosen someone with a large network of friends, family, and/or fans, they can rake in significant cash before the deception is discovered.

There’s really no way to stop this from happening—there’s simply too much personal information out there, so if you’re a “high traffic” name for any reason at all you could be targeted. Aside from the confusion and emotional stress these fake obituaries cause, there’s usually no financial cost to the victim—so long as your job doesn't stop paying you because they think you’re dead, of course.

Most of us don't even want to think about the winter holidays until after all of the Halloween candy has been consumed. But although the winter holidays still seem far away, we are actually only 10 weeks out from Christmas Day, and now is the best time to start working on your gift shopping—especially if you have kids. Here are five reasons to get them started on their wishlists before donning any costumes.

It saves money

The most obvious reason to start planning for holiday gifts well in advance is the ability to shop during seasonal sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday (and the weeks leading up to them), when you can get decent deals on everything from tech toys to clothing, especially from major retailers. While savings vary widely, the average discount across 13 big-box stores in 2023 was 35%, according to WalletHub. Shopping early also allows you to track and compare prices over a longer period of time, avoid last-minute demand-related increases, and catch other sales, even at smaller stores and from more niche brands.

It helps you stay within budget

According to a survey from NerdWallet, nearly half of parents with kids under 18 feel pressure to overspend on holiday gifts, and 13% plan to use emergency savings to cover those costs. The further in advance you are able to account for the cost of gifts, the better you can know how said shopping will fit within your (realistic) budget—and perhaps you'll also be less likely to spend emotionally under pressure.

Planning ahead can also help you account for other related costs, such as teacher's gifts and holiday parties, as well as allow time to shop secondhand or utilize other thrifty strategies, such as buying on Facebook Marketplace.

It (almost) guarantees delivery

Thanks to Amazon, many kids and teens think anything can be delivered in two days or less, and those with specific tastes in apparel and accessories from smaller online shops may not realize that these items can take weeks to arrive—especially during the busy holiday season. While shipping carriers do publish holiday deadlines (usually set for about a week before Dec. 25, depending on package type), placing an order in mid-December doesn't guarantee your gifts will be processed and sent in time. Waiting until the last minute also increases the risk of items being out of stock or backordered, which means they definitely won't arrive by the holidays. Ask your kids this: Would you rather open that poster you really want for your bedroom, or would you rather open a note that says the poster will arrive in mid-January?

It simplifies shipping and wrapping

If you're able to order gifts with weeks (or months) to spare, you don't have to scramble to get items wrapped and delivered at the last minute. This is especially helpful if you're traveling for the holidays and want to bring gifts with you or know that you'll have the extra time to have them sent to you, wrapped, and then sent back out to their final destination with time to spare.

It allows you to be more intentional

Planning for kids' holiday gifts can save time, money, and stress, but a less frantic process can also help keep gifting aligned with what matters to you and your family rather than spending just to cross the finish line at the last minute. If you begin collecting wishlists now, you can also have honest conversations with your kids about what's realistic and meaningful for holiday giving.

Saturday Night Live went mocked former President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and President Joe Biden in a wild Family Feud sketch.

In the stunt, Trump — played by James Austin Johnson—  refuses to debate Maya Rudolph’s Harris again, but agrees to a game of Family Feud. On the Democratic side, Harris was joined by Doug Emhoff (played by Andy Samberg), Tim Walz (played by Jim Gaffigan) and Biden (played by Dana Carvey). Meanwhile, Mikey Day portayed Donald Trump Jr. and Bowen Yang played JD Vance.

“It’s wonderful to be here, Steve,” Harris told Kenan Thompson — who was playing Steve Harvey. “I love to see a man getting paid millions of dollars at his Black job.”

SNL then mocked Harris’ tendency to give long-winded answers to direct questions. Harvey asked Rudolph’s Harris what item she keeps in her glove compartment. She responded with a summary about her childhood.

“Steve, look, I was raised in a middle class family. Alright,” Harris says. “My mother raised my sister and me. Alright.  She worked hard and saved up.”

When Thompson’s Harvey finally pressed to answer the question she replies, “Oh a Glock, Steve. A big old Glock.”

The skit then mocked Biden mental acuity as he referred Harvey as Conan O’Brien before asking if he could buy a vowel.

“I’m not the old one now, Trump is,” he said. “The only difference, I know when to walk away: about six months too late!”

The skit ended with Trump giving one of his “signature weaves” to a question about what you keep in your glove compartment. After Trump gave a rambling answer, Harvey replied by yelling, “Show me dementia!”

Watch the clip above via NBC.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) cautioned his fellow Democrats for dismissing Elon Musk’s endorsement of former President Donald Trump Sunday, describing the billionaire tech CEO as “brilliant” and influential.

Fetterman joined Chris Stirewalt on this week’s edition of The Hill Sunday to discuss the possibility Democrats could lose the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in three weeks when he warned that writing off Musk as an eccentric non-factor in the election would be unwise.

“It’s the ultimate purple state and all of that,” the senator said of Pennsylvania. “I’ve never said that Pennsylvania is not a blue state. People assumed after 2012 that Pennsylvania is an easy layup, you know, for Dems and I’m like, ‘No, that’s just not that’s that’s not true.'” Fetterman continued:

Trump has now made it so competitive. And I want people to understand how how how popular he is in Pennsylvania. And one thing, you know, honestly, that really does have me concerned more than the polls. The polls is what I expected. But you know, now he is using and Musk is willing to actually show up at these kinds of rallies. And I witnessed that in Butler County a couple of days ago. You know, Musk is – most endorsements don’t count for much in this business. But Musk is incredibly popular and he has an appeal to a demographic that Democrats have been and [struggling] with the care and to some people, they see him as, that’s Tony Stark.

He’s the world’s richest man. And he’s undeniably a brilliant guy. So, I think that that is the situation for Democrats. We would have to acknowledge that. And it seems now, I see that on the front page of The New York Times, now talking about it. So you know that that’s a significant development for me in Pennsylvania that it would think would only make it more competitive here in my state.

Stirewalt then asked, “Who is it that Kamala Harris should bring to counteract that? Is it Joe Biden? Who’s the person that needs to come in for her to counteract the energy with Elon Musk, other than you, obviously?”

Fetterman noted Musk became a punchline after he jumped up and down onstage with Trump at the Butler rally but again stated he believed the Tesla CEO was a force to be reckoned with.

“The Harris campaign has plenty of surrogates and important kinds of endorsements,” Fetterman said. “But I would just say that it’s like, you know, some Democrats just, you know, just mock Musk and that, you know, we can laugh at this. We can goof at it. He’s jumping up and down and those things. Michael, you know, we ignore that is problem. You know, we I think we could do that [at] our peril.”

Watch above via The Hill Sunday.