A definitive look at the best places for Trump to host Putin during their trip to Alaska

It's Monday, Alaska!

In this edition: A year out from the midterm elections, Alaska's congressional delegation is taking the "interesting" strategy of doubling down on Trump, just as their approval rankings are tanking. Last week, they hosted RFK Jr., who was hot off dismantling one of the country's leading vaccine efforts and will host other officials later this month. Let's have some fun today, shall we?

Current mood: 😬

A definitive look at the best places for Trump to host Putin during their trip to Alaska

Alaska-based polling firm Alaska Survey Research released its quarterly tracking poll of Alaska's top elected officials, finding perhaps unsurprisingly that Alaskans aren't particularly thrilled with their representation in the age of Trump. While Republicans have tried to spin the Trump presidency as a series of non-stop wins for Alaska – as Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. insisted at a news conference in Alaska last week – regular voters are facing a rolling nightmare of uncertainty around tariffs and tourism, mass layoffs, the civil rights rollback and an attack on the working class in the name of tax cuts for the wealthy see it very differently.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski fared the worst out of the bunch, with her approval rating among her base of progressive and moderate voters evaporating in the wake of her decisive vote for the Trump mega bill (which, by the way, didn't earn her a single net approval point from conservatives). Even the milquetoast U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, whose milquetoast-y-ness has helped him maintain a broadly inoffensive profile with tepid approval ratings, has also seen his approval slide by about 16 points in his new role as one of Trump's chief cheerleaders.

What that all means for their political futures is far from certain, especially when we can't be entirely sure there will be free and fair elections, but it's certainly made this parade of Trump cabinet officials on high-profile junkets to Alaska – which will include Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later this month – an interesting choice.

And that was all before we learned that Trump is scheduled to make a personal appearance in the state with his very good friend, Vladimir Putin, this Friday. They're set to discuss a possible end to Russia's war on Ukraine (without Ukraine) at a location that has everyone guessing – though, to be fair, Trump also seems unsure after twice saying during a presser today that “We’re going to Russia.” Oh, and they're also talking about land swaps... which is interesting given various Russian politicians' chest beating that reclaiming Alaska is next after Ukraine.

So, anyway, instead of peering into the abyss too much, let's have some fun and explore all the great places that Trump and Putin could spend their day in Alaska.

Who knows, maybe it'll be inspiration for your next trip with a very good friend.

Moose's Tooth after hiking Flattop together

The quintessential Anchorage-area date night for folks whose sole hobby in their dating profiles is “hiking” could also serve as a great way for the two world leaders to get to know each other, talk about their plans to spend every weekend of the summer sleeping on the ground and if it doesn’t work out, at least they’ll have some tasty leftovers.

The Igloo on the Parks Highway

It's a true testament to Alaska's history of high hopes and poor planning.

Room 604 of Juneau’s Baranof Hotel

The hideout of the notorious "Corrupt Bastards Club," the political scheme that showed just how little Alaska's legislators could be bought off for, has plenty of history. Plus, you probably get a discount for using the code “VECO” upon booking.

The 26 Glacier Cruise, which sails out of the city of Whittier, Alaska, where the entire population lives in a single 14-story building that houses a grocery store, school, post office, church, B&B and city government

Located 60 miles from Anchorage, the town is accessible by sea, air, rail and a one-way tunnel. Best of all, they can finally see what that Facebook meme everyone’s aunt keeps sharing is all about.

Skinny Dick’s Halfway Inn

After a close call with this summer’s fires, the aptly named bar — which comes with a warning that "We do have adult humor" (read: NO WOKE) — would also be a good place to talk about the shared challenges of evolving fire management in the circumpolar north.

A steamy soak in Chena Hot Springs

It's not the right season, but the hot springs are probably good for swollen ankles. Just don't forget a pair of flip flops.

Bear baiting with Gov. Mike Dunleavy

The two could bond over their shared passion for inflicting pain on others by joining Gov. Mike Dunleavy on one of the state's latest predator control hunts, which have included killing hundreds of brown bears (including cubs), black bears and wolves. The practice has also expanded to include bear baiting.

One of the state’s many majestic McDonald’s

The home of the Denali Mac, which appears to have escaped the executive order renaming Alaska's highest peak... for now.

The Kodiak Walmart that hosted Pitbull after 4chan users rigged an online contest

¡Dale!

Wasilla Middle School

If it was good enough for the 2019 "special" session that Gov. Mike Dunleavy tried to call in Wasilla, it’s good enough for two world leaders.

Yelling at each other from between Big Diomede and Little Diomede

And if nothing else works, they can always meet at the closest point between the U.S. and Russia.

Probably a military base or something

🫡

Stay tuned!