• YouTuber MKBHD tested the Xiaomi SU7 Max, a Chinese EV. He was a fan of its various features and relatively low price tag.
• "It raises the ceiling for all cars to get better, more impressive, and more complete," he said.
• Ford CEO Jim Farley also loved the EV, going so far as to ship it from Shanghai to Chicago.

The Chinese electric vehicles continue to make waves in the US — even if you can't buy them. One of the most influential tech critics just gave his stamp of approval.

YouTuber Marques Brownlee, who goes by MKBHD, drove a Xiaomi SU7 Max for two weeks. The EV retails for 299,000 Chinese yuan, or about $42,000. Compare that to a Tesla Model 3 Performance, which retails at just under $55,000.

The verdict? MKBHD was blown away.

"This feels nothing like a $42,000 car," he said. "This is a nice car."

Walking around the EV, MKBHD compared it to a variety of other vehicles, including a Polestar and Mercedes. It looked a bit like a Porsche Taycan, he said, and had a Porsche-like steering wheel.

Inside, MKBHD called the software "so good." It looked like what Apple would have done if the company made a car, he said.

MKBHD was particularly impressed with the vehicle's accessory mounting points. Drivers can add additional gadgets like a speedometer, magnetic phone mount, charger, microphone, or walkie-talkie.

"What other car does this?" he asked. "I've never seen the ability to customize just how much hardware, or how little hardware, you have in the interior layout like Xiaomi does."

Taking it for a drive, MKBHD said that it was a "really capable car," comparing it to a Tesla Model 3 or a BMW I4.

"This is a $42,000 car that feels like a $75,000 car," he added.

Like other Chinese EVs, the Xiaomi Speed Ultra 7 is not available in the United States, although more Americans have been going to great lengths to drive them. Ford CEO Jim Farley said in October that he loved the EV.

"We flew one from Shanghai to Chicago, and I've been driving it for six months now, and I don't want to give it up," Farley said on "The Fully Charged Podcast."

Xiaomi is in many more industries than EVs. The company sells phones, robot vacuums, and more. Its EV division recently posted its first profit, a rarity for the industry.

Speaking to the question of what would happen if Chinese EVs were ever offered in the US, MKBHD asked: "Are we cooked?"

Not yet, he said — because they're not available. That international crossover is muddled by political conflict, he said.

"We may never get a car like this available in the US for $42,000," he said, citing tariffs and import fees.

However, other markets will soon face the competition. Xiaomi's EVs are headed to Europe in 2027, the company's president said on an August earnings call.

Europe could prove a helpful battleground for Xiaomi. While the Chinese EV company sets up shop, American producers like Tesla faced challenges in the market. European Tesla sales were down an estimated 48.5% year over year in October, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.

"It raises the ceiling for all cars to get better, more impressive, and more complete," MKBHD said.

• Some of the most hyped films of 2026 are based on blockbuster novels.
• BookTok faves like "The Love Hypothesis" and "People We Meet on Vacation" will hit screens in 2026.
• Or you might want to brush up on "The Odyssey" before next July.

Any booklover knows that news of an adaptation can be complicated: Can we trust the directors, screenwriters, and actors to bring our favorite stories to life?

Next year's movie slate is filled with books that are near and dear to thousands of readers, including classics that are hundreds of years old, like "Sense and Sensibility," "The Odyssey," and "Wuthering Heights."

There are also some new classics set to be adapted next year, like "Project Hail Mary" and "The Dog Stars."

We've compiled a list of 23 must-read books that you should crack open before they're adapted next year.

'People We Meet on Vacation'

"People We Meet on Vacation" (or "PWMOV"), by Emily Henry, was immediately beloved by BookTok after it was published in 2021. The film adaptation premieres on Netflix on January 9.

The story follows Poppy and Alex, two longtime friends who made a pact after graduating from college to take a vacation together once a year — and they did, until something happened on a trip to Croatia that caused them to stop speaking for years. The book jumps back and forth in time between Poppy and Alex's past vacations and their current reunion in Palm Springs.

The movie stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth as Poppy and Alex, respectively, with a supporting cast of Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, Lukas Gage, Alan Ruck, and Molly Shannon.

'Box Hill'

"Box Hill," a 2020 novel written by Adam Mars-Jones, is being turned into the film "Pillion," which will be released in theaters on February 6.

The book (and film) follows Colin, a gay man, who becomes involved in a relationship with Ray, his polar opposite. While Colin is shy, introverted, and even a bit timid, Ray is confident and controlling.

The film stars Harry Melling as Colin and Alexander Skarsgård as Ray.

'Wuthering Heights'

If you somehow escaped high school without reading Emily Brontë's 1847 gothic classic "Wuthering Heights," now is the perfect time to tick it off your reading list, ahead of its newest film adaptation releasing on February 13.

The film stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as doomed lovers Catherine and Heathcliff, who are torn apart by societal expectations, time, illness, resentment, and guilt.

But since this is an Emerald Fennell movie (director of "Saltburn" and "Promising Young Woman"), you shouldn't expect a run-of-the-mill book-to-film adaptation.

'Broken'

"Broken" is a 2020 collection of six novellas written by famed author Don Winslow. One of its short stories, "Crime 101," has been adapted into a film that hits theaters on February 13.

The story takes its title from California's iconic Highway 101, which runs from Los Angeles all the way up to the California-Portland border.

In it, a master jewel thief named Mike Davis perfectly executes heists up and down the 101 with an elite crew, but Detective Lou Lubesnick is on his tail.

Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo play Mike and Lou respectively, while the rest of the cast is filled out by Barry Keoghan, Halle Berry, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and more.

'Cold Storage'

"Cold Storage" is the third book adaptation that will be released on February 13. It's based on David Koepp's 2019 novel of the same name and follows a trio of unlikely friends who team up to stop a mutant killing machine from ending the world.

It stars Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, and Liam Neeson.

'Reminders of Him'

The first of two Colleen Hoover books to hit the big screen in 2026 is "Reminders of Him," which was published in 2022. The film will be released on March 13.

Like all Hoover's books, this story deals with heavy themes, including alcoholism, death, life after incarceration, grief, and redemption — and, of course, romance.

The story follows Kenna, a young woman who is released from prison after seven years and is desperately trying to get her life back and reconnect with her daughter, Diem. The story flashes back and forth in time to show how Kenna ended up in prison after the death of her boyfriend, Scotty, and how she's finding new love with Scotty's best friend, Ledger.

Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, and Rudy Pankow play Kenna, Ledger, and Scotty, respectively, while Scotty's parents are played by Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford.

'Project Hail Mary'

Andy Weir, author of the beloved novel "The Martian," published "Project Hail Mary" in 2021 to critical acclaim. Five years later, the story of astronaut Ryland Grace, played by another RG (Ryan Gosling), is coming to cinemas on March 20.

The story begins with Ryland waking up aboard a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. From there, we flash back to learn that Ryland is a science teacher who was recruited for this mission to save the human race, as our sun is dying.

People love this book — and love its directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, the brains behind "Into the Spider-Verse" and "21 Jump Street" — so the hype is high for this one.

'The Dog Stars'

"The Dog Stars," written by Peter Heller, was published in 2012. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic society with the survivors of a flu-like pandemic. It follows a pilot living an isolated existence in Colorado with just one other (quite bitter) person for company. But when he hears a mysterious signal over his plane's radio while flying one day, he resolves to seek out its source.

The film adaptation, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, will be released on March 27.

'Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story'

Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like: "Three Bags Full," a German novel written in 2006 by Leonie Swann, focuses on a flock of sheep who become determined to solve the murder of their beloved shepherd, George.

The adaptation, which has been retitled "The Sheep Detectives," stars Hugh Jackman as George, while his flock of sheep are voiced by Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, and Patrick Stewart.

It will be released on May 8.

'The Odyssey'

Homer's epic poem has been translated from Homeric Greek a great many times since it was first translated in the 1500s.

But director Christopher Nolan told Empire Magazine that he was specifically working off Emily Wilson's translation, published in 2017, so that's the one we'll recommend, too.

If it's been a minute since you dusted off your Greek mythology gap, "The Odyssey" follows Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, on his decadeslong journey to return home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he meets some of the most iconic monsters, legends, and gods in the Greek canon, including the Cyclops, Circe, the Sirens, Athena, and more.

The film hits theaters on July 17, though tickets at some theaters are already sold out.

'The Book of Magic'

Maybe you could've guessed from the cover, but "The Book of Magic," written by Alice Hoffman, is the long-awaited sequel to her novel "Practical Magic." The first book was published in 1995, and 26 years later, Hoffman published its follow-up in 2021.

The film adaptations will have a similarly long gap. "Practical Magic" was released in theaters in 1998, and its sequel, "Practical Magic 2," will be released on September 18.

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as the witchy Owens sisters, as are Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as their magical aunts. Newcomers to the cast include Joey King, Xolo Maridueña, Maisie Williams, and Lee Pace.

'Sense and Sensibility'

Thirty years after "Sense and Sensibility" was adapted by Emma Thompson and Ang Lee, the 1811 novel by Jane Austen will once again return to the silver screen, this time starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Frank Dillane, Herbert Nordrum, and George MacKay, on September 25.

"Sense and Sensibility" is the tale of the Dashwood sisters, who are left penniless after their half-brother and his wife take almost all of their inheritance from their father. While Elinor (Edgar-Jones) tries to be practical, her younger sister Marianne (Creed-Miles) is determined to, as the kids say, romanticize her life.

'Verity'

"Verity" is the second Colleen Hoover adaptation of 2026, though it couldn't be more different from "Reminders of Him."

"Verity," published in 2018, is easily Hoover's darkest book. It follows Lowen Ashleigh, a writer struggling to get by, who by chance gets hired to take over as the ghost writer for the now-comatose Verity Crawford. But when Lowen begins looking over Verity's manuscript, she soon wonders if she's reading a disturbing work of fiction, or a confession of heinous crimes.

The adaptation stars Dakota Johnson as Lowen, Anne Hathaway as Verity, and Josh Hartnett as Verity's husband Jeremy. It will come to theaters on October 2.

'Incidents Around the House'

This one isn't for the faint of heart. "Incidents Around the House," written by Josh Malerman in 2024, is about an 8-year-old girl, Bela, who is terrorized by a mysterious entity she calls Other Mommy.

Fittingly, the adaptation, which comes to big screens on October 9, has a new title: "Other Mommy." It stars Jessica Chastain, Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, and Arabella Olivia Clark as Bela.

'Remain'

No, it's not a particularly random game of MadLibs — director M. Night Shyamalan and romance author Nicholas Sparks teamed up to write the novel "Remain," which was published earlier this year.

"Remain" is the story of architect Tate Donovan, who retreats to a bed-and-breakfast in Cape Cod after the death of his mother. Before long, he bonds with a mysterious resident of the small town named Wren. But, as this is a Shyamalan story, all is not what it seems.

The film, which stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor as Tate and Wren, will be released in theaters on October 23.

'Sunrise on the Reaping'

For years, fans begged "Hunger Games" author Suzanne Collins to tell the story of Haymitch Abernathy's games. In March 2025, she obliged, publishing "Sunrise on the Reaping," a "Hunger Games" prequel that takes place 24 years before the first novel.

It tells the story of the 25th Hunger Games, which Haymitch, the future tribute mentor for District 12, won. As with all "Hunger Games" books, it's devastating.

"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping," which boasts an all-star cast of Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Billy Porter, Maya Hawke, Lili Taylor, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Whitney Peak, and newcomer Joseph Zada as Haymitch, will be in theaters on November 20.

'Dune Messiah'

After the two-part adaptation of "Dune," the third film in the series is set to take on Frank Herbert's second novel in the series, "Dune Messiah," published in 1969.

Picking up after the events of "Dune: Part Two," "Dune: Part Three" will follow Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he struggles to control the galaxy, prevent the death of millions, avenge his father, and juggle relationships with Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) and his love Chani (Zendaya). It's set to be released on December 18.

'The Love Hypothesis'

We've reached the part of the list where the adaptations don't have official release dates, but it's a safe bet that they'll come out at some point in 2026.

First up is Ali Hazelwood's "The Love Hypothesis," originally published in 2021, after originally being posted on the internet as "Star Wars" fan fiction.

It's about a young PhD student, Olive, who, after a series of mishaps, is forced to fake-date a faculty member at her university: Dr. Adam Carlsen. You can guess what happens.

The film will star Lili Reinhart as Olive and Tom Bateman as Adam — and fans are already frothing at the mouth after Reinhart's TikToks from set went viral.

'The Last Mrs. Parrish'

This 2017 novel written by Liv Constantine tells the tale of Amber Patterson, a scammer with a plan to take over the life of rich, beautiful socialite Daphne Parrish.

The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Isabel May as Amber, Jennifer Lopez as Daphne, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Daphne's husband, Jackson, is expected to hit Netflix at some point next year.

And if that's not enough, there's always the sequel, "The Next Mrs. Parrish."

'You Deserve Each Other'

Sarah Hogle wrote "You Deserve Each Other" in 2020. The novel is about Nicholas and Naomi, an engaged couple who are the furthest thing from soon-to-be-newlywed bliss. In fact, they're in a game of chicken to see who can call off the wedding (and be stuck with the nonrefundable deposits) first.

The film adaptation will star Meghann Fahy and Penn Badgley as Naomi and Nick, with a supporting cast of Natalie Morales, Justin Long, Kyle MacLachlan, and Ana Gasteyer. It's not yet known if it will head straight to Prime Video or get a theatrical run.

'Cry to Heaven'

Nine years after his last directorial effort, Deadline reported that Tom Ford is going to adapt Anne Rice's 1982 novel "Cry to Heaven," with an aimed release date of fall 2026.

The novel follows a student and teacher in 18th-century Italy: Tonio Treschi and Guido Maffeo.

While we don't know who is playing whom yet, the announced cast is already iconic: Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, George MacKay, Paul Bettany, Hunter Schafer, Thandiwe Newton, and, making her acting debut, Adele.

'One Italian Summer'

Paramount acquired the rights to adapt Rebecca Serle's 2022 novel "One Italian Summer" in 2023, per Variety, but for over two years there was no news.

That is until a throwaway line in a December 2025 Hollywood Reporter piece about David Ellison's takeover of Paramount mentioned that the project would be moving forward starring Brie Larson.

The novel is about Katy, a 30-something woman mourning the death of her mother and best friend, Carol. As the two had planned a luxurious Italian vacation before Carol's death, Katy decides to take the trip herself to try to reconnect with her mother's spirit, but she gets a bit more than she asked for when she seemingly meets a younger version of her mom on the beach.

'The Bodyguard'

Netflix announced that Katherine Center's novel "The Bodyguard," published in 2022, will be adapted for the streamer — and while no release date has been set, since the film takes place around the holidays, we can assume a November or December release date is in the cards.

The story follows Jack Stapleton, a famous actor with a stalker, who hires bodyguard Hannah Brooks, to protect him. But since he doesn't want to worry his sick mother, the two instead pretend to date.

The catch with this adaptation? Since there's already a quite famous film called "The Bodyguard," Netflix, along with stars Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki, are asking fans to come up with a new name for the film.

• Berkshire Hathaway announced several leadership changes on Monday.
• The shake-up comes ahead of Greg Abel's succession to Warren Buffett as CEO in the new year.
• Here is the full list of new leadership appointments at Berkshire Hathaway.

Berkshire Hathaway is reshuffling its top ranks ahead of the departure of its legendary CEO, Warren Buffett, in January.

The company announced on Monday that Todd Combs, one of Buffett's key deputies and CEO of Berkshire-owned Geico, is departing the company to take on a role at JPMorgan.

Alongside Combs' departure, Berkshire Hathaway announced a series of new leadership appointments.

The company said that the new leaders are "stewards of the company's culture, demonstrate strong business acumen and judgment, and enable Berkshire's distinctive way of operating."

The shake-up of Berkshire Hathaway's top ranks comes weeks before Greg Abel is due to take over from Warren Buffett as CEO in January. 95-year-old Buffett will remain as chairman of the business that he has led for the past 60 years.

Here's the full list of appointments, most of which are effective immediately, according to Berkshire Hathaway's Monday announcement.

Nancy Pierce becomes Geico CEO

Nancy Pierce is succeeding Todd Combs as CEO of Geico, the auto insurer owned by Berkshire Hathaway and one of the conglomerate's core subsidiaries.

Pierce joined Geico in 1986 and was chief operating officer of the company before being tapped as CEO. She has held leadership roles across claims, underwriting, product management, and regional operations.

"Nancy knows the business inside and out. She's practical, decisive, and focused on results," said Ajit Jain, vice chairman for insurance operations.

Adam Johnson takes over as head of Berkshire's consumer division

Adam Johnson has been appointed president of Berkshire Hathaway's consumer products, service, and retailing businesses.

Johnson has been CEO of the Berkshire-owned private jet company NetJets for over 10 years — a role he'll continue alongside the new appointment.

"Adam is an accomplished leader with a proven ability to deliver long-term shareholder value," said Abel, Berkshire's incoming CEO, in Monday's press release.

"In his new role, he will support the outstanding CEOs of our 32 consumer products, service, and retailing businesses, and uphold Berkshire's culture and values."

Johnson's new role hints at Abel's plans for Berkshire. Under Buffett, the incoming CEO oversaw all non-insurance businesses.

The new CEO is splitting up the non-insurance businesses owned by the company.

Johnson will be in charge of consumer firms like See's Candies and Fruit of the Loom, while Abel will manage the rest, including BNSF Railway, BHE, Pilot, and McLane, alongside his CEO duties.

Marc Hamburg retires as chief financial officer

Marc Hamburg, the long-serving senior vice president and chief financial officer of Berkshire Hathaway, will retire on June 1, 2027.

Now 75 years old, Hamburg joined Berkshire in 1987.

Hamburg's role was to oversee the conglomerate's finances. The company hit a record $1 trillion market value in August 2024 and is currently valued at $1.09 trillion.

"Marc has been indispensable to Berkshire and to me. His integrity and judgment are priceless. He has done more for this company than many of our shareholders will ever know," said Buffett in Monday's press release.

"His impact has been extraordinary."

Charles Chang replaces Hamburg

Stepping into Hamburg's shoes when he retires in June 2027 is Charles Chang.

Chang has been a senior vice president and chief financial officer of Berkshire Hathaway Energy since 2024, and will take over as finance chief of Berkshire. He will be based in Omaha.

Chang is a former partner at the Big Four professional services firm PwC, where he developed over three decades of experience in public company financial reporting and mergers and acquisitions for some of PwC's largest clients.

Michael O'Sullivan joins as general counsel

A new position has been created for Michael O'Sullivan when he joins Berkshire on January 1, 2026.

O'Sullivan will become senior vice president and general counsel at Berkshire and will be based in Omaha. The company has historically relied primarily on external legal counsel for corporate matters.

O'Sullivan was formerly an attorney at Munger, Tolles & Olson — the firm founded by Buffett's late right-hand man, Charlie Munger — for over twenty years.

The law firm has been Berkshire's go-to law firm for decades, meaning O'Sullivan knows the company well. He joins from Snap, where he has served as general counsel since 2017.

• Eight years ago, my partner and I were excited to buy a charming, century-old house.
• Our honeymoon phase is so over. We like that the house has character, but it's expensive to upkeep.
• It's a lovely place to live in many ways, but I can't say we'd ever buy an old house again.

When my partner and I bought our first house together eight years ago, we knew we wanted a place with character.

We'd both lived in new builds before and dreamed of owning a place with more charm and a real history. Then, we found exactly what we were looking for in a four-story house built in the early 1900s.

We fell in love with its high ceilings, spacious rooms, old stone garden wall, and semi-rural location, and we purchased it.

Eight years later, our relationship with the house is a lot more complicated.

After a few dreamy months, the reality of living in a century-old house set in

At first, living in our historic Edwardian house was everything we'd hoped it would be.

Our neighbors shared stories of the people who'd lived here before us and of what the area used to be like when it was mostly farmland. We felt a strong connection to the house and all its previous inhabitants.

We loved the exposed beams in the attic rooms and the sandstone on the exterior walls — even the narrow, steep staircases had their charm.

The two of us loved village life, and still do, actually. It was satisfying to realize our dreams of living in a period property.

Before moving in, we had several projects on our list that needed to be completed. For example, replacing the old windows and doors and converting an old stable at the bottom of the garden into an office.

However, those projects got pushed to the back burner as things we hadn't anticipated started to go wrong, and new problems began to drain our bank account.

Big issues are tough, but the little grievances really add up

Being a homeowner isn't cheap, especially not in an old home.

A few years after moving in, a fire broke out in the fuse box in our basement kitchen.

Thankfully, it was small and contained — but when the electrician began repairs, he discovered that the wiring had been cobbled together and was still hazardous. We ended up rewiring the entire kitchen.

One day, while I was showering, my partner ran in and said water was pouring into the living room below. The leaks were horrible, and we had to redo our bathroom.

However, what really makes this house more of a nightmare than a dream is all the little issues that rumble on and on.

It's drafty and hard to heat in the winter, perhaps because of those lovely high ceilings and certainly because of cracks and gaps in the walls.

It's damp, and mold grows on many of the walls in the cold seasons. We're constantly battling with it, wiping mold off surfaces and painting walls to keep them looking fresh.

Corners are crumbling, and our clothes in drawers and wardrobes smell stale with the damp if we haven't worn them for a few weeks.

There's no parking space outside as these old houses weren't built with cars in mind. This means we have to park on the road, and the once-quiet road is now getting busier and busier.

And I've never lived in a house with so many creepy crawlies invading our space. Spiders, flies, and beetles wander freely around our rooms. I guess they're getting in the same way the drafts do, through all those small cracks and holes.

We didn't truly freak out until one night when my partner went down to the basement kitchen for a drink of water and stepped on a slug with his bare feet.

Since then, we've noticed slug trails on our living room carpets and have found slugs on our bathroom tiles.

The honeymoon period is officially over

For us, the reality of living in an old house is far removed from our dreams. We romanticized having a period property, but we didn't properly consider the issues that a house over 100 years old would have.

Houses were built differently then, and we aren't benefiting from modern designs or upgraded ways of doing things; we're stuck in the past.

I must admit that I still love the character of old houses, but we now look longingly at modern homes with efficient heating, driveways, and no mold.

Looking back, I wish we'd tried to strike a balance. We love the individuality of our home that is far from cookie-cutter, but it'd be nice to have a property with good wiring, proper insulation, and fewer maintenance requirements.

• I tried chicken tenders from 14 different fast-food chains.
• Chick-fil-A and KFC's chicken tenders were similar in their breaded texture.
• Raising Cane's impressed me with its crispy yet juicy tenders and delicious signature sauce.

The fast-food chicken wars have entered a new battleground — now, it's all about the tender.

McDonald's launched its new McCrispy Strips in May, marking the first time chicken strips have been on the menu since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then, in September, Wendy's launched its own Wendy's Tendys and a lineup of six new sauces made for dunking.

"Consumers told us what they wanted in a chicken tender, and we listened — taste-tested, fine-tuned, and delivered," Lindsay Radkoski, Wendy's US chief marketing officer, told Business Insider.

I compared chicken tenders from 14 fast-food chains across the country to see which were the best.

Here's how the tenders ranked, from worst to best, based on taste and value.

Of all the chicken tenders I tried, the ones from Whataburger didn't completely wow me.

A three-piece chicken tender cost $7.48 at Whataburger at the location I visited in Austin.

The chicken tenders were large and perfectly fried.

I thought the tenders could only be described as "classic" — they weren't anything out-of-the-box, but I enjoyed them.

The meat inside was juicy, but I thought the fried coating could have had a bit more crunch.

The chicken tenders tasted good on their own, as well as with ranch dipping sauce. They weren't bad by any stretch of the imagination. However, I did think the other tenders I tried were slightly crispier and had just the slightest hint of more flavor in the batter.

Regardless, for a relatively low price, I'd definitely order these again.

I also ordered chicken tenders from Cook Out, a regional chain I visited in South Carolina.

The three-piece "snack" cost $4.99, not including tax.

The chicken tenders were crispy on the outside.

They were also a good size. I thought the price was also a great deal for the generous portion I received.

However, there wasn't an abundance of chicken meat inside.

These were undeniably classic chicken tenders, similar to the ones from Whataburger, but they were a touch too fried for my liking. However, I thought they were well-seasoned and had a lot of peppery flavor.

Smashburger's chicken tenders were just slightly too fried for my liking.

An order of three chicken tenders from Smashburger costs $9.99, excluding tax and fees. I thought this was a little pricey.

The chicken tenders were heavily fried and bigger than other ones I tried.

The breading on the chicken tenders felt thick and crunchy.

The chicken tenders, overall, tasted dry, even when paired with sauce.

The chicken meat inside and the ranch dipping sauce provided could only do so much to offset the intense dryness of the crunchy breading.

The next time I order from Smashburger, I'll stick to the chain's beef offerings.

Next up were the crispy chicken tenders from Sonic Drive-In.

A five-piece order of chicken tenders cost $8.41, excluding tax.

The chicken tenders were evenly fried but on the thinner side.

Rather than thick and juicy like some of the other chicken tenders I tried, these were flatter. In fact, I'd say these were the thinnest and flattest tenders out of all the ones I tried.

I enjoyed the flavor of the seasoning, but there was a lot to be desired when it came to texture.

The chicken was on the drier side, and there simply wasn't a lot of it. I gravitate toward thicker, more shreddable chicken tenders, and these slightly missed the mark for me.

However, the flavor was definitely there — the breading had a peppery essence and the tenders were evenly fried.

My ninth favorite chicken tenders came from Popeyes.

A three-piece tender combo costs $16.89 before taxes and fees. The meal deal included a large serving of fries, a drink, and a biscuit, as well as a choice of dipping sauces. 

The chicken tenders from Popeyes were crispy, flaky, and crunchy.

I really liked the crunchy exterior.

The meat inside was flaky and moist as well.

I also thought the batter was quite flavorful — I could taste hints of seasoning and buttermilk, although they weren't quite as buttery-tasting as the Chick-fil-A tenders.

However, this meal felt expensive for only three chicken tenders, even though they were large.

I thought the chicken tenders from Bojangles were flavorful and super crispy.

A four-piece chicken tenders combo, including fries, a medium drink, and a biscuit, cost me $10.49, excluding taxes and fees.

I thought the chicken tenders were a good size.

The texture and flavor of the breading made them taste like a cross between the chicken tenders from Chick-fil-A and Cook Out. 

The breading was peppery, just the right thickness, and perfectly encased the juicy white chicken meat inside.

I also thought the price was fair, considering the amount of food I received. The chicken tenders paired perfectly with honey mustard but were also tasty on their own.

I would definitely order these again.

Wendy's is the latest chain to bring out chicken tenders.

Wendy's new tenders are available in a three-piece or four-piece option. I ordered a three-piece tender for $8.12, excluding tax and fees, at my local restaurant in Brooklyn, New York.

The tenders were about the same size as the ones from McDonald's, but crispier.

However, I preferred the slightly thinner breading on the McDonald's and KFC tenders.

In terms of flavor, these tenders had a distinct peppery flavor that paired well with the new signature sauce introduced with the tenders' release.

These tenders were solid, and I'd order them again.

However, the slight lack of chicken meat inside — at least compared to other chains — and the chunky breading prevented Wendy's tenders from ranking higher for me.

KFC's original recipe chicken tenders really impressed me with their taste and value.

I ordered a four-piece tender meal for $13.65, excluding taxes and fees, in Brooklyn, New York. I thought this was excellent value for the amount of food I received. 

The tenders were well-breaded on the outside, though the breading wasn't as crispy or crunchy as others I tried.

The breading stuck closely to the chicken tenders, rather than having a thick or crunchy texture.

However, the chicken tenders paired well with the chain's honey mustard and new comeback sauce. The breading had a tasty, very peppery flavor to it that was unique compared to the other chicken tenders I tried.

The chicken tenders were flavorful and contained an impressive amount of white meat chicken.

However, the slightly less crispy texture of the breading meant they didn't come out on top when compared to the last six chains I tried.

McDonald's recently launched its new McCrispy Strips.

At my local McDonald's in Brooklyn, New York, three McCrispy chicken strips cost $10.99, excluding tax and fees.

The chicken strips were large and evenly coated in breading.

The chicken strips differed from the chain's buttermilk crispy tenders, which were discontinued in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chicken tenders haven't been on the menu since, despite fans' pleas to bring them back.

The breading was relatively thin, but very crispy.

Unlike some flakier chicken tenders, each bite was evenly coated in well-seasoned, peppery breading. Inside, the chicken meat was thick and juicy.

Paired with the chain's creamy chili sauce, which was specifically created to go with the chicken strips, these packed a decent amount of flavor.

However, on their own, I thought they were just a touch blander than some of the higher-ranked tenders I tried.

Taco Bell released chicken strips after bringing out nuggets last year.

Taco Bell's chicken strips were available as part of three different kinds of tacos and burritos, or on their own with dipping sauce.

An order of four chicken strips and two sauces cost $9.14, excluding tax and fees.

The chicken strips were thick, juicy, and the ideal level of crispy.

The chicken strips were marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk and breaded with crispy tortilla chips and breadcrumbs, which is the same formula as the chain's chicken nuggets, which I ranked as my favorite across six chains.

The chicken strips packed a lot of flavor.

The breading was super flavorful, and I definitely got hints of tortilla chip. The chicken inside was also moist and juicy, while the breading remained crispy.

My only real complaint was that I wanted more than two.

Chick-fil-A's chicken tenders were perfectly crispy and juicy.

When it's not included in a meal deal, a three-piece chicken tender costs $9.69 at my nearest location in New York City. For a meal, the price bumps up to $17.35, excluding tax and fees.

Some of the chicken pieces looked slightly darker and more fried than others.

Small bits of fried breading were scattered on the outside, which I always love with chicken tenders.

The chicken tenders were nicely fried but still juicy on the inside.

When I dipped them in the chain's signature Chick-fil-A sauce, the experience was mouthwatering.

The chicken tenders were also great on their own, with the perfect balance of crispy breading and a delicious, briny flavor. The sauce just took them over the edge.

Wingstop's chicken tenders came in third place.

Wingstop recently revamped its chicken tenders, and I was excited to try them out.

The chain sells its chicken in various flavors, from original hot to hickory-smoked barbecue and mango habanero. However, I ordered these chicken tenders plain.

I ordered a five-piece chicken tender combo at my local Wingstop in Brooklyn, New York. It cost $15.39 and came with a drink, dipping sauce, and a regular side of fries.

The chain also sells four chicken tenders, which come with one dipping sauce, for $10.69, plus tax and fees.

The chicken tenders were large and well-breaded.

The chicken tenders were deep golden in color and evenly fried, with small clumps of fried breading adding even more texture to every bite.

These tenders were filled with real chicken.

The chicken tender easily tore apart with every bite, which is something I look for. The breading itself was slightly peppery, but not overly flavorful. They paired well with Wingstop's signature ranch — my favorite of any fast-food ranch — and the chain's honey mustard.

Wingstop delivered great classic tenders, though the breading didn't pack as much flavor as the top two chains I tried. Nevertheless, I'd definitely order these again.

My second favorite chicken tenders came from Zaxby's.

A five-piece chicken tenders combo came with fries, a small drink, coleslaw, and a piece of Texas toast. I also asked for a side of honey mustard and Zaxby's famous Zax sauce.

My meal cost $15.43, excluding taxes and fees.

The breading of the chicken tenders was similar to Chick-fil-A's in consistency, flavor, and texture, but I thought these ones had more meat.

The breading was crispy and flavorful, with a slight sweetness.

The chicken tenders held their own without sauce but were really taken to the next level when dipped in the tangy Zax sauce.

Zax sauce tastes similar to the Cane's sauce I tried from Raising Cane's, but I found it to be just ever-so-slightly less flavorful, and creamy. I also thought it didn't have the same kick.

However, the chicken tenders really impressed me. They were a good size, extremely flavorful, and addictingly delicious. I found myself craving even more than the five chicken tenders I was given, which is rare for me.

In the end, it was a really tough call on whether I preferred Zaxby's or Raising Cane's chicken tenders.

But my favorite chicken tenders came from Raising Cane's.

A combo that includes three chicken fingers, fries, Cane's sauce, Texas toast, and a regular drink costs $12.19, excluding tax and any additions or swaps. 

The chicken tenders were super crispy.

The chicken tenders were also thick. After biting in, I could actually see the strips of white chicken underneath, which, in my experience, you don't always find with fast-food chicken tenders.

The chicken tenders were crispy and juicy on the inside — I had to give them the win.

I tried the tenders on their own and with the Cane's sauce. On their own, the tenders were simply everything one could ask for: thick, juicy, and crispy on the outside.

However, the chain is famous for its chicken-complementing sauce, and after biting in, I could definitely see why. It had a slight kick to it, and it was creamy and surprisingly tangy. It paired perfectly with the chicken and was unlike any other sauce I've ever tried.

In the end, Raising Cane's took home the win for me with the chain's near-perfect chicken tenders and fair prices.

• My husband and I have three kids, ages 7, 5, and 5. He's a stay-at-home dad, and I work full time.
• He also loves the holidays, and they're really not my thing.
• He's always been responsible for ensuring the holiday magic happens.

All the conversations with my mom friends right now revolve around how exhausted they all are because of the holidays.

The pressure to keep up with the holiday magic is the number one topic of conversation, often accompanied by the observation that husbands simply don't participate in making it happen.

I can't relate, because in my house, it's my husband who is in charge of the holidays.

The holidays are not my thing

Since we started dating, and way before we had kids, my husband has always been the one to bring the holiday spirit to our home. From getting me my first ugly sweater to buying a tiny tree to fit in our Brooklyn apartment, he loves the holidays and wants to lean in fully.

I, on the other hand, kind of don't care. It's not that I'm a grinch; I love dressing up and celebrating, but the idea of decorating a house or organizing activities is simply not my thing.

I'm from Argentina, so the holidays happen during the summer, and we have very different traditions from those in the US. I didn't build a gingerbread house until 2022, when we already had three toddlers at home. A plastic tree feels equally as festive as a real tree (and even more practical), and standing in the Maine frigid temperatures to watch a tree get lit up just sounds like torture.

He's in charge of the holiday magic

Even so, our house has never lacked holiday spirit. My husband is the one in charge of pulling out all the decorations from the basement and setting them up. He wraps every present like it's his full-time job, and guarantees that everyone in the family has a stocking full of little surprises.

Recently, he decorated the Christmas tree with our kids, pulling out ornaments from his childhood, ones he had bought for our kids throughout their lives, and cherished memories of them. He spoke about each ornament with love, sharing stories and memories that came with each one.

Meanwhile, I just sat on the floor documenting it all.

I'm in charge of other things

This is not to say that I'm fully checked out during the holidays.

I'm the one who plans our vacation to South America to see my family. I pack everyone's suitcase, ensure they have entertainment for the trip, and confirm that their favorite stuffed animals are coming with us.

I work with the kids to get their lists for Santa ready in time, and then I'm the one who purchases all the gifts, always looking for a good deal and often buying them secondhand to stretch our budget as far as possible.

I'm the one who chooses cute outfits for the whole family, and I always have my camera ready to capture those special moments during the holidays.

I'm grateful to have a partner with whom I can share the lift of parenting, especially during the holidays.

• Day Job is the creative agency behind brands including buzzy tech industry podcast TBPN.
• Known for its CPG clients like Recess, Day Job is working with tech brands to make them less boring.
• Cofounder Rion Harmon spoke about how Day Job approaches its work and why AI needs a rebrand.

How can a new media company make a big splash in the tech world?

One answer: call Day Job, a Los Angeles-headquartered creative agency.

That's what the hosts of the "Technology Business Programming Network" — better known as TBPN — did when they wanted help nailing the podcast's branding and style.

Day Job cofounder Rion Harmon described the vision: a "cacophony of logos" slapped all over the screen (a nod to Formula 1 racecars), a "country club" forest green, and a VHS visual effect.

It'd be somewhere between a news station and a sports-casting channel — hence the rebranding from the "Technology Brothers Podcast" to TBPN.

"They're doing something new," Harmon told me. "It doesn't feel like a stuffy, sort of normal sort of journalism thing. It feels more alive. It feels vibrant. We were trying to capture their energy, right? It's funny to just be overly sponsored."

TBPN has had a big year. The podcast, which launched in 2024, has become a new center stage for a rotation of headline-making Big Tech guests like Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Palantir's Alex Karp, and Anduril's Palmer Luckey. Both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal profiled the hosts, John Coogan and Jordi Hays, reporting that the media company expects $5 million in revenue this year.

That, in turn, has helped make Day Job a hot commodity in the tech world, as startups and VCs seek to stand out with their branding. The growing attention from Silicon Valley is paying off. Harmon said that this year, Day Job has doubled its revenue and head count.

"With Day Job, what separates them is they will make four or five different brand directions that are all viable and all justifiable in different ways," Hays said.

From CPG brands to tech startups

Founded in 2018 by Harmon and Spen Madsen, Day Job is a bootstrapped and has a team of about 20 split between LA, New York, Portland, and Europe. Since its launch, it has worked with hundreds of brands, such as Millennial-coded pastel CBD Recess drinks and the chili crisp sauce brand Fly By Jing. Harmon had also worked on Coogan's Zyn competitor, Excel.

The firm collaborates with clients on a wide range of projects, from brand ideation at the earliest stages, including coming up with a company name, to fine-tuning product and creative design or running advertising campaigns.

While Day Job's roots are in consumer packaged goods like Recess or recent viral protein bar David — which Day Job helped name and created giant billboards of cod in New York City for — more and more tech clients are flocking to the creative agency.

Patron, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on consumer startups, hired Day Job to rebrand the firm and overhaul its website. Stuut, an Andreessen Horowitz-backed AI startup, also got the Day Job treatment this fall. The agency recently worked on advertising campaigns for customer service startup Bland AI and crypto exchange Gemini, too.

"Tech is in an interesting point where brand is becoming more important to them," Harmon said. "There's so much noise. You have to figure out how to talk to your consumer in a more profound way."

Tech needs better branding

Tech brands often look and feel … the same.

"There's this addiction to homogenous design choices right now," Patron's Amber Atherton said. "Every site has the same font, every interface feels so familiar."

Making a company stand out is hard, especially for AI startups.

"AI just kind of has a branding problem," Harmon said. "The valley adopts it … but there's something sort of ominous about something coming for your job."

Day Job worked with Stuut, which uses AI to process payments, to push against that narrative and presented it as a fun tool.

"This isn't some scary tech thing," Harmon said about Stuut's branding. "It's helping you get your job done so you can go home at five to hang out with your family and can go to your kids' soccer game."

Harmon highlighted how Stuut's mascot, a cartoon inspired by vintage clock-in-clock-out machines, is shown eating invoices, and when scrolling to the bottom of the site, "gives you a little kiss."

"Storytelling is kind of everything," Atherton said. "Whether it's fundraising, or hiring, or IPOing — that is so important."

VCs need branding, too.

Atherton said she came to Day Job after hearing about their work with TBPN. The firm wanted "the most non-VC website possible," she said.

When working with clients, Day Job will act as a sort of therapist, probing founders with existential questions. For instance, when working with Patron, Atherton said Day Job asked the VC firm's founding partners to "talk about each other and why you like working with each other and what makes you a strong partnership."

Day Job's style isn't for everyone.

"You've got to be bold, a little bit, to work with them," Atherton said.

Hays compared the agency's vibe to the hip LA neighborhood of Silver Lake, adding that Day Job's aesthetic is "timeless yet internet native."

Demand for creative minds

"It's never been easier to generate creative assets," Hays said. "Anybody can go on ChatGPT or Nano Banana and say, 'Make me a website.'"

But Hays said that AI is "creating more demand than ever" for creative minds who can "think differently" and "break through the noise."

It's something Harmon is taking solace in as he looks forward to the future of creative agencies like his own.

"No AI is going to tell you to name your protein brand David," he said.

And brands are, meanwhile, learning the hard way that not all AI will help you stay relevant or in favor of consumers.

"We may become more valuable in a way because everything goes to the mean," Harmon said. "AI is good at outputting things that have already happened, but they're not good at figuring out what's next."

• Comcast wasn't a leading contender for Warner Bros. streaming and studio assets, its president said.
• The cable giant opted for a stock-heavy bid that was light on cash, Comcast's Mike Cavanagh said.
• Netflix's bid for the Warner Bros. studio and HBO Max was selected, but Paramount is fighting back.

Comcast wasn't a top contender in the Warner Bros. bidding war, company president Mike Cavanagh said.

"We didn't expect that we had a high likelihood of prevailing with a deal that made sense to us," said Cavanagh, Comcast's soon-to-be co-CEO, at a media conference hosted by UBS on Monday morning.

Cavanagh said Comcast's bid for Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming and studio assets was "light" on cash compared to bids by Netflix and Paramount Skydance, which wanted to buy the whole company, including its TV networks like CNN and TNT. Netflix's bid was chosen by Warner Bros. Discovery's board.

"We are not interested in stressing the Comcast balance sheet," Cavanagh said in reference to its bid for Warner Bros. Instead, he said Comcast's bid was equity-heavy.

Cavanagh said Comcast decided to "take a look and do the work and see where it leads. You never know." He later added that "we're better for having taken a look."

Cavanagh said he would "respect and understand the decision of the Warner Bros. board to, obviously, prefer the certainty of high levels of cash."

Though Comcast is out, the battle for WBD isn't done. Paramount on Monday launched a hostile bid for WBD.

Some media analysts, like Rich Greenfield of LightShed Partners, thought Comcast needed Warner Bros. assets more than any other suitor.

"We believe it's time for Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts to make a bold move to change the narrative around Comcast," Greenfield wrote. Otherwise, the media analyst said its streaming service Peacock would be "stranded without an obvious merger partner and at a meaningful content deficit."

• I live in picturesque Victoria, British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada.
• My hometown serves as the filming location for hundreds of Hallmark movies and TV shows.
• There are many quaint coffee shops, restaurants, and beaches that make my hometown special.

My hometown of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is known for many things — its quaint architecture, temperate climate, stunning gardens … and serving as the backdrop for hundreds of Hallmark holiday movies.

When I moved back after years of "big-city life" in Toronto, it felt like I was living out the plot of a Hallmark movie.

Though Victoria is charming and picturesque, there's so much more to the city than what's captured for the small screen.

Fernwood Square is a popular hangout spot.

Fernwood Square is an off-the-beaten-path, cobblestone-lined town square that's become a favorite filming location for scenes with holiday markets.

When the cameras aren't rolling, locals grab coffee at Little June, enjoy a romantic night under the twinkle lights at Stage Wine Bar, or shop for dreamy vintage finds at Cream.

The charming Fernwood Inn is a popular neighborhood pub.

At the heart of Fernwood Square is the Fernwood Inn. The charming neighborhood pub serves local brews in an inviting, festive atmosphere reminiscent of a small-town inn.

Unfortunately, the kind-eyed innkeeper with a heart of gold from half the Hallmark movie plots is not included — the pub looks like an inn but doesn't have rooms for rent.

Oak Bay Village is the perfect place to live out your Hallmark fantasies.

This time of year, Oak Bay Village is set up to feel like a quaint, small town featuring artisanal shops, independent restaurants, and seasonal decorations.

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel combines Hallmark-worthy coziness with jaw-dropping views.

The luxurious spa at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel features stunning, heated mineral pools that are accessible year-round, making it the perfect escape from the stress of the holidays.

Locals love this place, too, so make sure to book your treatments in advance.

Our annual Christmas-tree festival is not to be missed.

Our local mall never looks better than when it hosts the Festival of Trees, an annual event that features dozens of beautifully decorated one-of-a-kind Christmas trees.

You can make gourmet s'mores at the Fairmont Empress hotel.

The iconic, fairy-tale-like hotel is a holiday favorite for tourists and locals alike.

The Empress is mainly known for its afternoon tea, but in the evenings, you can head to the veranda bar to roast s'mores over an open fire and sip on hot buttered rum.

My town's light displays are delightfully over-the-top.

What we often lack in (real) snow here, we make up for in holiday lights.

Every year, Butchart Gardens transforms its 55-acre display garden into a holiday wonderland full of colorful string lights.

No matter the time of year, we love whimsical small businesses and a good pun.

Tucked away in the woods is the award-winning Shirley Delicious, a popular café and brunch spot.

But if you're in the mood for seafood, head to Shuck Taylor's, another playfully named spot known for its fresh oysters and on-tap cocktails.

There's stunning Victorian architecture everywhere.

My hometown lives up to its namesake (Queen Victoria). You'll find plenty of beautifully preserved Victorian homes and businesses all over the city.

You can also visit two castles in one day.

Step back in time at Craigdarroch Castle before heading over to Hatley Castle — a popular filming location featured in the "X-Men" film series.

Victoria is home to North America’s second-oldest Chinatown.

Named a national historic site in 1995, Victoria's Chinatown is now home to a diverse collection of restaurants, artist lofts, and even the design studio of the "RuPaul's Drag Race" alum Jimbo.

Behind San Francisco's, it's considered to be the second-oldest Chinatown in North America.

It's also home to North America’s narrowest commercial street, Fan Tan Alley.

Named after the Chinese gambling game fan-tan, the alley was once notorious for its opium factories.

Now, it's home to boutiques, cafés, and record shops.

There's a thriving food scene with a diverse range of dining options.

Victoria has more restaurants per capita than any other Canadian city.

Whether you're craving Vietnamese subs, El Salvadoran street food, or ethically sourced seafood sold out of a shipping container, you'll find it all within a five-minute walk of the city center.

In addition to being a foodie's paradise, Victoria has several award-winning cocktail bars and craft breweries.

Tucked-away cafés are our specialty.

Independent coffee shop culture is big here, and residents love a good tucked-away café that most tourists can't find.

A favorite, the aptly named Hide + Seek Coffee, is in the "backyard" of a pharmacy.

We're known for our incredible beaches and stunning mountain views.

Hallmark movies are usually set in winter, but my hometown thrives in the summer.

No matter where you are, you're always within an eight- to 10-minute drive of a fantastic beach and an incredible view.

Believe it or not, there are palm trees in Victoria.

Palm trees aren't indigenous to the area, but Victoria is one of the warmest cities in Canada and one of the few spots in the country where they can grow.

You may run into a film crew or two.

It's not unusual to stumble across a movie set while going about daily errands.

Summer is peak filming season, so don't be surprised if you arrive for a beach day and see a film crew setting up a Christmas display or come across a city street flooded with fake snow.

It's moments like these that make me smile and remind me how unique it is to live here.

Peacocks roam freely about the town.

Depending on the neighborhood, it's not unusual to see a peacock walking down the street or enjoying some birdseed outside a convenience store.

All in all, there's something for everyone.

In Hallmark movies, there's always a juxtaposition between "big city" and "small town" life.

After moving back here, I have a deep appreciation for what makes Victoria unique. It's not a small town or a big city — it's something in between.

Whether you're looking to experience the charm of your favorite holiday movies, get a taste of the city's foodie culture, or enjoy a beach getaway, you can find it here. You just might need to step over some fake snow now and then.

This story was originally published in 2023 and most recently updated on December 8, 2025.

• Trump says he will sign an executive order on AI regulation this week.
• The Trump administration has been seeking to limit states' ability to regulate AI.
• That's generated significant backlash, including from fellow Republicans.

President Donald Trump is done waiting for Congress when it comes to blocking state AI regulations.

Trump said on Monday that he would sign an executive order aimed at ensuring that there's only "One Rulebook" for AI in the US, saying that the technology will be "destroyed in its infancy" if companies have to comply with different regulations across all 50 states.

"We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won't last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "You can't expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something. THAT WILL NEVER WORK!"

It is not yet clear what shape the executive order will take, but a draft executive order seen by Business Insider last month would have directed the Department of Justice to sue states for having "onerous" AI laws.

One thing is clear: Trump is likely to provoke backlash from members of his own party if he follows through with this, as many Republicans have been eager to protect states' rights when it comes to AI.

The fault lines on this issue became clear over the summer, when Republicans tried to enact a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations via the "Big Beautiful Bill."

That provision ultimately got watered down over time before being stripped out of the bill in a 99-1 vote in the Senate in the final hours before passage.

Trump recently called for Republicans to include a version of that provision in a must-pass annual defense bill, but that didn't come to pass. On Sunday, lawmakers released the text of that bill, and it did not include the provision.

In the meantime, the Trump administration has sought other ways to prevent states from enacting AI laws. An "AI Action Plan" released by the White House in July calls for withholding federal funding from states with "burdensome" AI laws.