• The 2025 Independent Spirit Awards took place in Santa Monica on Saturday.
• "Anora" was the big winner in the film categories, taking home best feature.
• Meanwhile, Netflix's "Baby Reindeer" nabbed three acting prizes.

The 40th annual Independent Spirit Awards took place in Santa Monica on Saturday, with "Anora" dominating in the film categories and Netflix's "Baby Reindeer" also winning big.

Sean Baker's sex worker drama took home multiple awards, including best feature, best director, and best lead performance for star Mikey Madison.

Madison picked up the trophy fresh off of winning best actress at the BAFTAs last weekend. The film itself has been on a hot streak in the final leg of this year's award season, nabbing prizes at the Critics Choice, PGA, DGA, and WGA awards in recent weeks.

Madison beat out Demi Moore as well as some of the year's most acclaimed male performers, including Colman Domingo and Sebastian Stan.

In short, "Anora" has gained some major awards season momentum. Per Gold Derby's latest predictions, the Neon indie drama is now the frontrunner to win in the best film and best director categories at the Academy Awards next month.

Elsewhere in the film categories, Sean Wang's "Dìdi" won best first feature and best first screenplay, while Kieran Culkin continued his winning streak as he picked up best supporting performance for "A Real Pain," which also won best screenplay for director-writer Jesse Eisenberg.

In other categories, "Nickel Boys" nabbed the best cinematography prize, "September 5" won for best editing, and "No Other Land" scored the win for best documentary.

Over on the TV side, "Baby Reindeer" went home with multiple awards. The Netflix series won three acting prizes for cast members Richard Gadd, Nava Mau, and Jessica Gunning who won for lead, supporting, and breakthrough performance, respectively.

The award for best new scripted series went to FX's "Shōgun." Meanwhile, "Hollywood Black" took home the award for best new non-scripted series.

The Independent Spirit Awards aims to celebrate the best in independent film and television, offering a more irreverent take on the Oscars.

Joking at the ceremony, returning emcee Aidy Bryant called it "Hollywood's third or fourth biggest night."

• My husband and I have a nine-year age gap; I'm in my 50s, while he's in his 40s.
• We often have to compromise on things, but sex can become an issue as my libido diminishes.
• Luckily, we have learned to compromise and put in effort while in the bedroom.

I never imagined myself married to a much younger man. It wasn't part of my plan. When my first husband died, I assumed my next chapter would be one of quiet companionship — if I found love again at all. But then I met him.

We had been friends for a few years and even worked together for a while. It wasn't until we met in person for the first time that things shifted. His smile made me weak in the knees; his energy was infectious, and before I knew it, I was smitten. The fact that he was nine years younger than me? That detail barely registered at first.

As our age-gap relationship deepened, I started noticing the ways our age difference showed up — not just in pop culture references or childhood memories, but in how we approached life, relationships, and, yes, even intimacy.

We have our differences as an age-gap couple, but we make it work

He was in his late 30s, still in his prime, while I was staring down the barrel of my 50s, navigating perimenopause, joint pain, a waning libido, and the occasional existential crisis in the beauty aisle. I worried about keeping up and about whether our differences would eventually pull us apart.

But love has a way of silencing doubts. From the beginning, we clicked on a level that transcended age. We laughed at the same ridiculous jokes, found joy in the same adventures, and, most importantly, communicated.

Sure, there are generational differences. I grew up with landlines and handwritten letters; he downloaded music off Napster before I knew what a digital file was. There are moments when our pop culture references completely miss each other; I'll talk about a classic song from my youth, and he'll respond with a blank stare, and vice versa.

But instead of seeing these differences as a divide, we treat them as a chance to learn from each other.

I introduce him to my favorite throwback R&B, and he gets me into shows I wouldn't have given a second glance. I teach him about the pre-internet dating world, and he keeps me up to speed on what's trending.

If there was ever an unspoken rule about relationships working best when both people are in the same generation, we never got the memo.

Sex and intimacy can get tricky, but it's all about making an effort

Sure, as an older person, I have a diminishing libido, but there's a misconception that younger men are always the ones with the higher sex drive and that older women are the ones trying to keep up.

What I've found is that libido isn't dictated by age alone. Some nights, he's ready to go, and I just want to curl up with a book. Other times, I initiate sex while he's wiped out from a long day.

Compromise plays a big role in our intimacy. He has more energy for spontaneous late-night plans, while I'm more of a "let's schedule sexy fun" kind of woman. We meet in the middle: I rally for the occasional late-night adventure, and he indulges my need for a well-planned weekend getaway.

What keeps our relationship passionate isn't just physical chemistry; it's effort. We don't just assume passion will take care of itself; we cultivate it.

We prioritize intimacy, not just in the bedroom but in the small ways we stay connected every day: the lingering touches in the kitchen, the flirty texts in the middle of the afternoon, and the date nights where we still dress up for each other.

Confidence is the most important for me

Society often suggests that women over 50 should fade into the background and be grateful for any attention they receive. This sentiment is reflected in a 2021 AARP survey, which found that nearly two out of three women aged 50 and older experience regular discrimination, affecting their mental health.

Despite these societal attitudes, I refuse to buy into the notion that aging should equate to invisibility or diminished value.

I don't try to be 40 again for my partner. I don't compete with younger women for him. I own who I am — laugh lines, wisdom, and all.

And that self-assuredness? That's what keeps the attraction alive. He didn't fall for me because I was trying to be something I'm not; he fell for me because I embrace precisely who I am.

There's no magic formula to an age-gap relationship

I've found that love doesn't follow generational rules. It's not about pretending the differences don't exist or trying to mold yourself into someone younger (or older). It's about meeting each other where you are, keeping curiosity alive, and never taking each other — or the spark — for granted.

At least, that's how we've kept the sexy alive and grown closer, even as we grow older.

Nine years apart? That's just a number for us. What really matters is that we keep choosing each other — one inside joke, one stolen kiss, one well-planned weekend romp, and one "how the hell do you not know this song?" moment at a time.

• Katy Allen has three children and runs a business.
• She has no family nearby, and her husband is a touring musician.
• She relies on home assistants for about nine hours each week.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Katy Allen, founder of Artful Agenda. It has been edited for length and clarity.

For the past eight years, I've relied on recent college graduates to help me make my life happen. They're not babysitters or admin assistants — I think of each helper as a "second me," who will do with any of the tasks I might, whether that's processing Amazon returns, putting away laundry, or taking the car for an oil change.

I'm a mom of three kids, who are now 11, 8, and 5. I'm also a business owner and was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. My husband is a musician who is often on tour, and our closest family lives five hours away.

Hiring help fills an important gap for me. It allows me not only to get things done but, more importantly, to close some of the mental tabs that I constantly have open in my brain. Because of the help, I've been more successful at work and more present with my kids.

Find yourself also wishing for a body double? Here's how I've made the arrangement work seamlessly.

Find the right help

I live near a university, and that's where I've found most of my helpers. The women who help me are typically students or recent college grads. They might work for a year or two before moving on. When they do, I typically ask them to refer a friend who might be interested in the job.

If I have to advertise, I say right in the ad I'm looking for a second me. I explain that they might be asked to do anything I would do (within reason — I won't have them scrubbing up bathroom messes), and each day will look different.

Automate the process

Having a helper is all about reducing my workload, but a lot of my friends worry that hiring help will actually be more work. To avoid that, I automate as much as possible. My helper works a set schedule, typically two to three days each week for about three hours at a time. She has a key to my house and can let herself in and start working without me giving directions. Some days I don't even see her.

I keep a running list of items (like laundry) that constantly need attention in a Google Doc. If I have time each week, I add more pressing items, like returning items to the store, getting a birthday gift, or organizing a particular area of the house.

The Google doc is great because my helper can leave comments and notes, letting me know what she did and if she had trouble with anything. I can process that when I have time, rather than during my workday or when I'm with the kids. I can also provide simple feedback in the document.

Trust is key

As you can see, my helpers have a lot of access to my life. I even share another Google Doc with log-in information for certain accounts, like Amazon. A relationship like this only works if you can really trust the person who's working for you.

I've never had issues with a helper being untrustworthy. Once, I had a helper who just wasn't a great personality fit. She must have felt the same, because we parted ways fairly quickly, and I advertised the position again.

Start small

I pay my helper a decent rate, somewhere between what I'd pay a babysitter and what I'd pay a professional admin assistant. So, the cost can add up. When I started this eight years ago, I'd be surprised at how much I spend on hired help today. Yet, it makes sense because I am more productive at work.

If you're new to hiring help, start small. Hire someone for ad-hoc projects or for just a few hours a month, and see if the impact on your productivity and brain space is worth the cost. For me, it certainly has been.

People with disabilities say President Trump's DEI purge is eroding health care, education and legal protections they've only won in recent decades.

Why it matters: The Trump administration has taken actions that undermine accessibility measures — critical for leveling the playing field for people with disabilities — as part of its efforts targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

• "It's very clear that there is an orchestrated attack by conservatives to dismantle the rights of people with disabilities," said Shawn Murinko, a Washington resident who has cerebral palsy.

State of play: Trump last month ordered an end to all federal programs that mandate or invoke accessibility, alongside diversity, equity and inclusion.

• The Department of Justice said it will penalize programs that promote accessibility.
• Trump has pledged to close the Department of Education, which enforces protections for students with disabilities in school.
• Meanwhile, Food and Drug Administration officials said the word "disabled" was banned from external communications, though the White House later claimed that was an error.
• Cuts to National Institutes of Health funding also threaten existing and future disability research.
• The federal government is one of the largest employers for people with disabilities, but return-to-office mandates could force some out of their jobs.

Reality check: "Disability is a natural part of the human experience," said Katy Neas, chief executive officer of The Arc, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• "All people will probably face disability at some point in their life, whether it's due to illness, injury or age, and disability affects every family, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, income or political party."

Republicans have floated cutting Medicaid, which provides health care for more than 10 million children and adults with disabilities — nearly 15% of the program's beneficiaries.

• Medicaid covers services that allow people with disabilities to live and work in their own communities rather in institutions or medical facilities. But waiting lists for those services are long.
• Medicaid-provided home and community services have been vital to Sean Pevsner, a Texas-based civil rights attorney with cerebral palsy. Their support has allowed him to attend college and law school, practice law, and lobby for disability rights, he said.

Threat level: A Republican-led lawsuit challenging a Biden-era policy to treat gender dysphoria as a protected disability has the potential to undermine a 1973 civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability, advocates warn.

• Republican attorneys general leading the lawsuit told the court they don't want the entire section of the law overturned, only the provisions on transgender care.
• However, advocates remain concerned and say LGBTQ support programs frequently overlap with the disabilities community.
• According to the Human Rights Campaign, 1 in 3 LGBTQ adults report having a disability — including more than half of transgender adults.
• "Not only is disability on the chopping block," said Lizzy Graham, an autistic transgender woman with ADHD. "We have the entire LGBTQ community on the chopping block."

Beyond policies, advocates say Trump and those in his orbit routinely denigrate people with disabilities, giving supporters license to use the same rhetoric online.

• For example Trump incorrectly blamed DEI hires and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Federal Aviation Administration for a fatal plane crash outside of Washington, D.C.
• Elon Musk, who heads Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, also regularly uses ableist slurs in his social media posts.
• This tone is "very hurtful, because people with disabilities have a right to work, and they get their jobs because they're qualified," said Sydney Badeau, a neurodivergent self-advocate in Wisconsin.

The other side: The Trump administration takes issue with lowering standards to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility goals — not DEIA itself, the White House told Axios.

• "President Trump is a leader for all Americans. The Trump-Vance administration values the contributions of government employees with disabilities and believes they should be recognized and rewarded based on the merit of the work," a White House official said in an email.

Yes, but: Trump administration officials such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have stigmatized disabilities by falsely linking vaccines to conditions such as autism, advocates say.

• That medicalizes disabilities, treating them as impairments that need to be fixed, Graham said. She prefers a "social model" that emphasizes societal barriers that create challenges for people with disabilities.
• Eroding support for disabled people "harkens back to the time when people with disabilities were put behind closed doors and not talked about instead of being celebrated and supported," said Nicole Jorwic, advocacy chief at Caring Across Generations, a coalition of caregivers and care recipients.

What's next: Ray Hemachandra, whose son Nicholas is autistic and medically fragile, said he wants more Republican families to join and be welcomed into disability advocacy circles.

• "I'm hopeful that we recognize, and that politicians recognize and legislators recognize, that Republicans are as likely to have a family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities as Democrats do," Hemachandran said.

Go deeper:

• Trump's DEI orders may halt progress for disabled workers
• Mapped: Medicaid recipients across the U.S.

• Antoine Sallis was rejected for a car loan because his credit score was 378.
• About a decade later, he was a millionaire.
• He repaired his credit and used debt to build wealth.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Antoine Sallis, author of "The Great American Credit Secret: Part 2." It has been edited for length and clarity.

The best thing that ever happened to my finances felt like the worst thing possible at the time. I was in my late 20s, working as a sales rep at Teen Mobile. I was proud of that job and felt like I was making moves. My next step was to get a decent car, better than the $300 cars from Craigslist that I'd driven in the past.

One day, I walked by a dealership with a sign that said, "Your job is your credit." I took that to mean that as long as I had a job, I could get approved for a loan. I already knew I'd have to go somewhere lenient to get a car loan, but this seemed perfect. I didn't think I had any credit, but I definitely had a job.

To make the purchase even more of a slam dunk, I saved a $500 down payment and picked the cheapest car on the lot, which cost about $9,000. I strolled in to apply, filling out the long paper application. I waited for about 20 minutes. Then, the sales rep came out, barely containing his laugh. He told me my credit score was 378 — so low that I was an exception to their rule, and they couldn't give me a loan despite my job.

I learned about the potential of responsible debt

I walked out of there feeling dejected. I'd been planning to drive off that lot. On my bus ride home, I started thinking about credit, which I knew basically nothing about.

I got tunnel vision, and started to learn everything I could about credit. I started with books and videos. Later, I called people who worked in finance, offering them $60 to answer my questions for 30 minutes.

I cleaned up my own credit, which started with understanding why it was so bad. Once I pulled my credit report, I saw I had unresolved accounts I didn't even know about and student loans with late payments. I started paying my debts on time to build a positive credit history. Soon, people began asking me to help them understand theirs.

As I learned more, I realized credit could be an incredible tool. Once my credit score was better, I took loans to invest in real estate. Most people think debt is bad. But I realized debt can give an opportunity: if you can take out a loan and triple your money over the life of the loan, that's a win.

My mindset made me a millionaire

When I embraced that mindset, things started changing rapidly for me. I started a credit repair company and continued to invest in real estate. By 2020, my company was doing very well, and I was a millionaire. Today I'm 42, and I'm a multimillionaire with a 780 credit score.

In addition to learning about credit and debt, I've seen that your mindset can make a huge difference in your outcomes. Some people in my life are constantly looking for a handout, and they're stuck in a mindset of believing they can't do things. I used to be that way, but I changed.

I became a millionaire in my mind before I ever became one at the bank, because I adopted a strong mindset. I became focused and driven.

I pay for my son's college and give him an allowance

The importance of mindset is what I want my son, who is 18, to take from my story. I can see he's learned that lesson. He used to have C's and D's on his report card, but since he moved in with me, he's a straight-A student. He's about to graduate, and I'm rewarding his hard work by paying for college.

Throughout high school I gave my son a generous allowance, with the expectation that he'd keep his grades up. I pay for everything he needs, but if he wants money to hang out with friends, he knows that's his responsibility. He's seen my financial transformation, and I've talked with him since he was 10 about the importance of credit. Today, I think he knows more about credit than most people, and he even helps with my business teaching others about building their credit.

Now, I have good enough credit to drive luxury cars

That day when I was rejected for a car loan, I laughed along with the salesman. But really, it was no laughing matter. Today, I have multiple luxury cars, which I love. The Lamborghini Gallardo is probably my favorite, though my Bentley is really comfortable.

I want people to know that no matter how dismal your financial situation feels, you can change it. Leveraging credit and debt is a hidden avenue for people who didn't grow up wealthy to build their financial security. You can access more and more, as long as you do it responsibly.

• The Oscars are on Sunday, March 2.
• Edward Norton and Cynthia Erivo are two of this year's nominees who've never won an Oscar before.
• Norton received his fourth nomination for best actor in a supporting role for "A Complete Unknown."

The Academy Awards are just around the corner, and while some stars like Mikey Madison are competing for their first award, others, like Edward Norton and Cynthia Erivo, are entering familiar territory.

This year, Norton is nominated for his fourth Oscar for his portrayal of Pete Seeger in "A Complete Unknown" and Erivo is nominated for her third thanks to her performance as Elphaba Thropp in "Wicked." Both will be looking for the first Oscar win of their careers on March 2 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

And they're not alone. Call it a snub or simply not the right time, plenty of other actors, directors, producers, and others in the industry are still waiting to receive their first Academy Award — much to the public's surprise.

From Bradley Cooper to David Fincher, here are 20 Hollywood stars we can't believe have never won an Oscar.

Carrie Wittmer contributed to an earlier version of this story.

Amy Adams

Adams has earned six Oscar nominations throughout her career, thanks to her roles in films like "Doubt," "The Fighter," and "American Hustle."

Her most recent nomination came in 2019, for her role as Lynne Cheney in Adam McKay's "Vice."

Bradley Cooper

Cooper has been nominated for 12 Oscars across five categories, including best actor, best supporting actor, best picture, best adapted screenplay, and best original screenplay for films like "Silver Linings Playbook," "A Star Is Born," and "Maestro."

In 2024, Cooper's Oscars campaign for "Maestro" was widely criticized; as Business Insider's Olivia Singh wrote, "Cooper's effort to pay homage to the late musician was earnest, but his TMI approach to promoting the film during the press tour and awards season gave people the ick."

Taraji P. Henson

It may come as a surprise that Henson has only earned one Oscar nomination in her career despite starring in critically acclaimed films like "Hustle & Flow" and "Hidden Figures."

Still, her only nomination came in 2009 for best supporting actress for her role as Queenie in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Saoirse Ronan

Despite being just 30 years old, Ronan has earned an impressive four Oscar nominations without taking home the trophy.

Her first nomination came in 2008 — when she was only 13 years old — for her role as Briony Tallis in "Atonement," and her most recent nomination was in 2020 for her role as Jo March in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of "Little Women."

Greta Gerwig

Speaking of Gerwig, the American director and screenwriter also has been nominated for four awards throughout her career.

Her most recent nomination came in 2024 for best adapted screenplay for the cultural phenomenon "Barbie." Cord Jefferson ultimately took home the award for "American Fiction."

Paul Thomas Anderson

Thanks to his work on films like "There Will Be Blood," "Phantom Thread," and "Licorice Pizza," Anderson has earned 11 Oscar nominations across four categories, including best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, and best original screenplay.

Glenn Close

Close has been nominated for eight Oscars across the best actress and best supporting actress categories.

She earned her first nomination in 1983 for her role as Jenny Fields in "The World According to Garp" and her last in 2021 for her role as Mamaw in "Hillbilly Elegy."

Ed Harris

The iconic character actor has earned four nominations throughout his impressive career. His last nomination was in 2003 for best supporting actor in "The Hours."

Don Cheadle

Cheadle has only been nominated for an Oscar once for his role as Paul Rusesabagina in "Hotel Rwanda." Jamie Foxx ultimately took home the award for best actor for his performance in "Ray."

Still, Cheadle is one of few actors to have been nominated for every component of an EGOT, or Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award.

Ralph Fiennes

Fiennes has earned three Oscar nominations, including a best actor nod this year for his role as Cardinal Lawrence in "Conclave."

He was previously nominated in the category in 1996 for "The English Patient," and in 1994 he was arguably robbed of the award for best supporting actor for his role in Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List."

Michelle Williams

Since the ending of "Dawson's Creek," Williams has proved she's much more than just another teen soap star.

Throughout her career, she's earned five nominations, the most recent of which came in 2023 for her leading role in "The Fabelmans."

Edward Norton

Norton has been nominated for four Academy Awards thanks to his work in "Primal Fear," "American History X," "Birdman," and most recently, the Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown."

This year, Norton will compete against Yura Borisov, Kieran Culkin, Guy Pearce, and Jeremy Strong for best supporting actor.

David Fincher

Fincher has three Oscar nominations for best director for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Social Network," and "Mank."

His distinct style and impressive line of work — including "Seven," "Fight Club," "Zodiac," and "Gone Girl" — is bound to get a win one day.

Cynthia Erivo

This year, Erivo is nominated for her third Oscar thanks to her gravity-defying performance as Elphaba Thropp in Jon M. Chu's "Wicked."

In 2020, she was nominated for best actress and best original song for her work in "Harriet." She lost the former to Renée Zellweger and the latter to Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

If she wins the Oscar this year, Erivo will reach EGOT status.

Sigourney Weaver

Weaver has been nominated for three Oscars, including a best actress nod in 1987 for her role as Ripley in James Cameron's "Aliens."

In 2015, while promoting the film "Chappie," Weaver told Digital Spy that the science fiction genre "doesn't get enough respect when you consider how many issues sci-fi brings up that we need to deal with."

"I think part of it is the Academy is mostly people like me who are over a certain age and they're still probably looking for the more conventional movie. I think all that's going to change because some of the work being done in sci-fi is some of the most interesting, provocative work out there," she added.

Tom Cruise

Though he's arguably best known for his work in action films like "Mission: Impossible," Cruise has delivered Oscar-worthy performances, too.

His ambitious work in Paul Thomas Anderson's "Magnolia" got him a best supporting actor nomination in 2000, but he lost to Michael Caine for his work in "The Cider House Rules." He's also been nominated for lead roles in "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Jerry Maguire."

Annette Bening

Bening has earned five nominations spanning from 1991 to 2024.

Her latest nomination was for her portrayal of Diana Nyad in "Nyad," which she lost to Emma Stone for her performance as Bella Baxter in "Poor Things."

Kathleen Kennedy

Producer and current president of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy has been nominated for eight Oscars for best picture.

Some of these nominees include iconic films like "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," 1985's "The Color Purple," and "The Sixth Sense."

Ridley Scott

The stylish director has been making feature films since the late '70s, but he has only been nominated for four Oscars.

Though "Gladiator" took home the award for best picture in 2001, Scott lost out on the Oscar because he wasn't one of the film's producers. He was, however, nominated for best director, but ultimately lost to Steven Soderbergh.

Scott's other nominations include best director nods for "Thelma & Louise" and "Black Hawk Down," as well as a best picture nomination as a producer of 2015's "The Martian" starring Matt Damon.

Liam Neeson

Neeson's sole Oscar nomination came in 1994 for his performance as Oskar Schindler in "Schindler's List."

He lost the best actor award to Tom Hanks, who played Andrew Beckett in Jonathan Demme's "Philadelphia."

President Trump's political operation is profiting from his flurry of executive orders by hawking gear such as "Make Greenland Great Again," "Gulf of America" and "DOGE" T-shirts, along with the black "dark MAGA" caps worn by Elon Musk.

Why it matters: Trump's team is capitalizing on his loyalists' support for his early moves to help build a $500 million war chest, which will be used to promote his agenda, back favored midterm candidates and potentially help Trump engage in politics for years to come.

Zoom in: Trump's operation has been cashing in on MAGA-themed merchandise since his 2016 campaign. But this fundraising effort is the latest reminder that for Trump, the campaign never ends.

• The black "Make America Great Again" caps that Musk frequently wears have become the Trump team's second-best selling item ever — behind only the red and white MAGA hat, according to a person with direct knowledge of the sales.
• Trump's team has sold $1.6 million worth of black MAGA caps since the election, nearly twice as much as its red counterpart. Musk and his DOGE team are under fire for pushing huge cuts in the federal workforce, but the hats keep selling in Trump's world.
• The caps, which retail for $40, were first sold during the 2024 campaign. Sales took off after Musk wore one at an October rally and declared himself "dark MAGA." Trump's team also sells matching T-shirts and sweatshirts; sales of the T-shirts raised $1.25 million for Trump's 2024 campaign.
• Musk wore a gothic-font version of the black cap at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this week. Those have drawn $400,000 in sales since the election.

Newer items being sold by Trump's operation include "DOGE"-themed shirts, with an image of Trump, Musk and the "DOGE dog." They've raked in $111,000 since the election, according to a source familiar with the sales totals.

• Recently issued "Gulf of America" T-shirts also appear to be a hit. They've raked in $24,000 in the past month.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) also is tapping into the pro-Trump merch effort.

• The House GOP's campaign arm is selling its own "Gulf of America" T-shirt, complete with an image of an eagle (which has a Trumpian swoop of hair) sipping a beer on a beach chair.
• "Greetings from the Gulf of America," reads the shirt, which sells for $35.

The big picture: Trump's operation has long been adept at tapping into issues that fire up his base and annoy liberals, and turning them into merch his fans can't get enough of.

• His 2020 campaign sold Trump-themed plastic straws as an alternative to more eco-friendly paper straws. The item sold out within hours.
• "These items are based on top-story news, and the Trump operation excels at quickly releasing this merch to hook into the news cycle," said Tim Cameron, a Republican digital strategist.

Between the lines: Launchpad Strategies, a Republican digital firm co-founded by Trump campaign aide Sean Dollman, has had a key role in producing Trump merchandise.

• Trump lieutenants say that when an aide comes up with an idea, they pass it around to fellow staffers for input. If there's agreement, it's sent for production.
• Ideas become gear quickly, often within a few days. After then-President Biden appeared to refer to Trump supporters as "garbage" during the 2024 campaign, Trump campaign aides rushed out T-shirts that said "garbage" on the front.
• The merchandise is advertised to Trump supporters on Facebook and X, and through the operation's email list.
• When a supporter buys a cap, shirt or coffee mug, they're allowing Trump's operation to capture their data — so they can be hit up for donations later.

What's next: Trump aides say they're still determining what the next piece of Trump gear will be.

• "We're going to go after whatever POTUS does next," one adviser said.