Books book culture The Evolving, Living Art of Books There’s something timeless about holding a novel in your hands, feeling the weight of its pages, and getting lost in its world. By Abi Walton | Published on October 15, 2024 Art by Charles Emmanuel Biset (c.1648-93) Comment 0 Share New Share Art by Charles Emmanuel Biset (c.1648-93) Yesterday, I finished reading Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea for the second time this year, and it reminded me of something I’ve always loved—the way the physical form of a book shapes the experience of a story. The Starless Sea is a novel about the love of storytelling and books. Zachery, our main protagonist, finds himself lost in a world full of stories, a place known as The Starless Sea, a cavern-like refuge which is truly is a bookworm’s dream. Stacks of books, cosy wingback chairs and bumble bees to bake you biscuits as you have the time and space to just read. It made me consider how precious reading is. There’s something timeless about holding a novel in your hands, feeling the weight of its pages, and getting lost in its world. Many readers speak lovingly of the smell of a new book, the thrill of finding a floppy paperback at Waterstones, or the magic of discovering a sun-aged title hidden in the back of a second-hand shop. But beyond the tactile nostalgia, there is an art form here—one that is evolving in surprising ways. With the rise of social media like BookTok and Bookstagram, readers are increasingly drawn to beautiful editions. These special titles have become an affordable luxury, especially important amid the cost-of-living crisis. Some of my favourites include the Folio Society edition of The Song of Achilles, Wuthering Heights from Chiltern Publishing and my beautiful edition of The Tainted Cup from Inkstone Books.  But it’s not just about aesthetics. The book as an object, from its typeface, to its dimensions, plays a crucial role in how we experience stories. Having worked in publishing for over a decade, I’ve witnessed firsthand the intricate process of transforming digital manuscripts into tangible books that live on readers’ shelves. Although I haven’t been directly involved in production, I’ve observed the meticulous attention given to every aspect of a book’s creation—from the jacket design to the choice of typeface, each element carefully selected to enhance the story’s impact. The choice of typeface is especially crucial, as it can subtly influence the mood and tone of a narrative. For example, when Natasha Pulley selected the Bell typeface for her novels, she wasn’t merely choosing a font; she was making a deliberate artistic decision. Bell, originally designed by Richard Austin in 1788 for John Bell’s The Oracle newspaper, evokes a sense of classical elegance and historical continuity, qualities that resonate deeply with Pulley’s intricate, time-spanning narratives. Similarly, Anna Smaill’s use of the Doves typeface in her debut, The Chimes, carries profound historical significance. The Doves type was infamously lost to the Thames in 1913, thrown into the river by Thomas James Cobden-Sanderson amidst a bitter dispute with his business partner. Rediscovered in 2015 after nearly a century submerged, the Doves typeface has come to symbolise a resurrection of forgotten art, mirroring the themes of memory and loss that Smaill explores in her novel. The physical form of a book is more than just its packaging; it’s integral to the story it conveys. In a world increasingly dominated by digital media, this aspect of storytelling deserves celebration. Books transcend mere narratives—they offer comfort and refuge. My connection to literature took root at fourteen, during my first experience away at boarding school. Homesick and yearning for the familiar, I found solace in the volumes I had brought with me: Prince Caspian, A Little Princess, and Tom’s Midnight Garden. These stories, gifted from my grandmother’s library, served as a bridge to home. My Grandmother is a formidable woman—reminiscent of Maggie Smith’s character in Downton Abbey—who instilled in me the importance of treating books with respect. She encouraged my curiosity, allowing me to explore the library while teaching me to be gentle and mindful with each cherished volume. Our shared love for literature has always forged a bond between us, and I have many cherished memories of us reading together in her garden. A Little Princess, in particular, resonated deeply, as I identified with Sara Crewe, a girl navigating loneliness but ultimately rewarded for her kindness and resilience, much like many Victorian heroes that my Grandmother and I read together. This led me to see books as more than just objects; they carry the marks of our experiences. As David Mitchell once said, “A book you finish reading is not the same book it was before you read it.” He was referring to the transformation that happens within us when we finish a story, but for me, this also speaks to how books themselves change in the act of being read. My mother is constantly urging me to sort through my overflowing collection of books, and she’s right—I don’t have enough space in my London flat for the number of books I own. But, as we all know, book buying and book reading are entirely separate hobbies. This shift towards beautiful, ‘affordable luxury’ editions is a smart move by publishers—since lockdown, we’ve seen a rise in physical book sales, and last year, the number of independent bookshops in the UK increased for the sixth consecutive year. Communities like BookTube, BookTok, and Bookstagram have played a significant role in bringing physical books back into the mainstream. In particular, genres like romantasy and book subscription boxes have fueled this resurgence, and for some readers, owning multiple editions of the same book has become a rite of passage. Whenever I visit friends, I always check their bookshelves first because they tell me so much about who they are and what they love. Despite working in publishing and knowing the ins and outs of the industry, I am an unabashed buyer of beautiful books. I own three copies of In Memoriam by Alice Winn and have been easily persuaded to buy multiple editions of Babel because they are simply gorgeous. I regularly check Goldsboro Books for their latest special editions and love that they only sell signed first print. However, I can’t ignore the real challenges that come with overconsumption and rising prices. Like many readers, I find myself struggling with space and can’t justify owning multiple copies of the same book, no matter how beautiful they are. As hardbacks climb to around £20, it becomes a luxury to consider their format, and sometimes, the aesthetics alone can’t justify the expense. Some publishers now prefer print paperbacks with French flaps and foil-stamped jackets to justify the £14.99 price point, moving away from the traditional hardback as the first print run. Is this a sign that hardbacks might become less common in the future? We’ve already seen genres like Romance and Crime adopt paperback originals, and I wouldn’t be surprised if historical fiction follows suit. While book subscription boxes might keep hardcovers alive for genres like science fiction and fantasy, the price tag is likely to keep rising. Are e-books the ultimate solution for storytelling? My Kindle mostly serves as a tool for work-related reading, but I completely understand why many people prefer it. The convenience of carrying thousands of books in one device is incredibly appealing, especially when space is limited. For readers with dyslexia, like myself, the ability to customize fonts can make reading more accessible and enjoyable. And audiobooks hold a special place in my heart. My brother, who is blind, relies on audiobooks to immerse himself in the joy of storytelling. Witnessing his deep appreciation for this format highlights the diverse ways we connect with literature. Each Christmas, we engage in lengthy discussions about the books we’ve been reading, providing a cherished opportunity for my very British family to bond. He shares which narrators he’s enjoyed, discussing the voices that brought stories to life and those that didn’t quite capture the essence he hoped for. Knowing that audiobooks now account for nearly 12% of the UK’s book sales reassures me that this format will continue to grow, making books more accessible and offering new opportunities for publishers. While I deeply appreciate the tactile joy of physical novels and their significance in my life, I also recognise the benefits of digital formats. After all, though the story itself is central, the format through which we experience it profoundly shapes our connection to it. Few novels have buried themselves into my soul like The Wode Series by J Tullos Hennig, Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly and anything written by Natasha Pulley. Yet even among these beloved books, my most prized possession—the one thing I would risk running back into a burning building to save—is my copy of The Song of Achilles. My battered and bruised copy was purchased in 2012 on the night it won the Orange Book Prize (now the Women’s Prize for Fiction). At seventeen, I found myself in the audience at the ceremony, captivated as Miller read an extract—specifically the moment when Patroclus first catches sight of Golden Achilles, “his heels flashing pink as licking tongues.” In that instant, I felt profoundly seen by Miller’s words, resonating with the boy experiencing desire and jealousy toward someone destined for greatness. I was enamoured by Miller’s intellect and her ability to make the Iliad and Odyssey—texts I had only dabbled with at school—accessible and wonderfully queer. This queerness echoed the feelings I had long suspected within myself but had been too afraid to acknowledge in school. From that moment, I was smitten. As I prepared to attend university in Vermont, this book dug itself deep into my soul, inspiring me to change my degree to include a minor in classical literature. During J-Term, I even took Ancient Greek, just in case I ever encountered the original text. It has been my steadfast companion for more than a decade, travelling with me through the pivotal moments of my life. This book carried me through university in a foreign country and accompanied me as I explored the U.S., dragging it across San Francisco and the West Coast. A deep black mark stretches across the bottom from the time my suitcase burst open, and I unwittingly pulled it along the pavement for over a mile before a kind stranger informed me I was about to lose it. It has been read to reluctant strangers on long coach journeys, and on romantic evenings in Italy. It was with me during my inter-railing trip across Europe and while island-hopping in Greece. This book even helped me land my first job at Penguin Random House, where I wrote an essay on the importance of Greek retellings for my internship. Over the years, I’ve annotated it in sparkly pink pen, tabbed my favourite quotes, and even accidentally put it through the washing machine. It’s now on the verge of collapse, but it is a truly loved book. I’ll never forget the look Madeline Miller gave me when I handed her my dog-eared, battered copy of The Song of Achilles at The British Library just before the pandemic. Her raised eyebrow spoke volumes. This encounter took place in 2017, long before TikTok fame and even before the release of Circe. I can’t recall who Miller was speaking with; all I remember is the incredibly long queue and the excitement bubbling within me as I counted down the number of people ahead. As always, I attempted to express my appreciation for her work, but I think I only managed to mumble that it was a pleasure to meet her before I hurried away, a whirlwind of nerves and admiration. In essence, I hope that all forms of storytelling remain accessible and cherished. Bookshops and libraries must always serve as safe third spaces, a place where everyone has the option to become Zachery finding their way to the Starless Sea. As Oliver Darkshire once said, ‘Anyone worth knowing enjoys spending time in a bookshop,’ and these spaces, filled with stories, should be celebrated. The romance of paper and ink, sun-bleached pages, and worn bindings deserves to be cherished. We should continue to expect and demand beautiful endpapers and marbled boards. Imprint yourself onto the pages of beloved paperbacks, highlight paragraphs, and leave your mark. These stories will carry a piece of you long after the final page is turned. Books are not meant to remain pristine; they are living objects meant to be handled, read, and loved. So, dog-ear that paperback, gently break the spine of a hardback, and leave your fingerprint smudges from the bath. Show each novel the joy of being read, and let it absorb its own story through your hands.[end-mark] The post The Evolving, Living Art of Books appeared first on Reactor.

With each new year comes a spate of New Year's resolutions, but we'll often find it hard to stick with them after we've made them. Some years, it seems like a miracle if we even still remember them by March. But if you've thought of something that you'd really like to stick to this year, perhaps a little motivation can be found in the resolutions that survived through the ages. At the very least... Source

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Today marked a notable development for Rumble, a video-sharing platform and cloud services provider, as they welcomed Sticker Mule, a prominent online custom merchandise seller, to their roster of cloud clients. Sticker Mule, known for its rapid production of a diverse range of personalized items, has opted to transfer its Artificial Intelligence processing to the Rumble Cloud, capitalizing on Rumble’s use of the NVIDIA H100 technology. This move deepens the existing ties between the two companies, which have previously collaborated with Sticker Mule advertising on Rumble for several years. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Amsterdam, NY, Sticker Mule has grown significantly, now boasting a global workforce exceeding 1,200 employees. The company offers a variety of customizable products, including stickers, magnets, buttons, labels, packaging, keychains, temporary tattoos and more. Rumble’s CEO, Chris Pavlovski, expressed enthusiasm about the enhanced partnership, stating, “Sticker Mule has been a great partner for Rumble, and we appreciate the chance to build on that by welcoming their AI processing to the Rumble Cloud.” He highlighted the shared values of creativity and customer-led design that define both entities: “Sticker Mule’s customers are only limited by their own imaginations, and our Rumble users are bound only by their own creativity.” Echoing this sentiment, Anthony Constantino, CEO of Sticker Mule, remarked on the symbiotic relationship with Rumble, emphasizing the alignment in values, particularly around freedom of expression: “Our partnership with Rumble has been mutually beneficial from the start and we are proud to be entrusting the Rumble Cloud with our important data. It’s a natural fit.” By choosing to migrate its Artificial Intelligence processing to Rumble Cloud, Sticker Mule not only diversifies the technology ecosystem beyond the dominant players like Amazon AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure but also validates the capabilities of alternative platforms to handle significant and sophisticated workloads. The narrative around free speech and reducing censorship has been a critical talking point for platforms like Rumble. Sticker Mule’s public support through actions like launching StickerPAC, which directly addresses political discourse, aligns with Rumble’s ethos. This alignment not only attracts users who prioritize free speech but also strengthens the platform’s brand as a bastion for unrestricted expression. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post Rumble Scores Big as Sticker Mule Chooses Its Cloud for AI Processing appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. PayPal has recently launched PayPal Ads, a new venture into the digital advertising space under the leadership of Mark Grether, a veteran from Uber and Amazon. The program raises concerns as it capitalizes on its access to extensive user transaction data, which includes data from not only PayPal itself but also Venmo and the shopping tool Honey. This approach involves analyzing the financial transactions of its 400 million active users in the US who still use the service, sparking skepticism about the ethical implications of such deep data mining for advertising purposes. In an interview with ADWEEK, Grether boasted about the unprecedented scale of transaction data available to PayPal, which exceeds what any single retailer could accumulate. Such statements highlight the vast scope of personal financial information PayPal plans to utilize, underlying potential privacy concerns for consumers who may not fully realize how their purchasing data is being commoditized. “The newest offering from PayPal underscores the importance of incrementally: While data and signals tied to consumer purchasing are not necessarily new, the opportunity to infuse incremental moments of influence throughout shoppers’ journeys opens up real-time engagement for advertisers,” JiYoung Kim, the chief operating officer for North America at GroupM told Business Insider. PayPal’s entry into this market includes features like Advanced Offers, which were tested earlier in its app to provide targeted cash-back promotions. This feature has now morphed into a broader ad-selling business across PayPal’s platforms, with plans to expand into video ads and self-serve ad technologies. While PayPal touts the advantages of its comprehensive view of consumer behavior, which purportedly helps brands optimize their advertising expenditures and increase market share, this level of surveillance and data exploitation can be seen as overreaching. The firm’s anticipation of an inevitable consolidation in retail ad networks, as stated by Grether, suggests a future where fewer, more powerful entities hold significant sway over consumer data and privacy. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post PayPal’s New Ad Move: Power Play or Privacy Overreach? appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you’re planning on putting your homestead on the market anytime soon, you’re most likely going to be looking at a few renovation projects before you sell. Besides adding value to your property, improvement projects are an amazing way to gain new skills and deepen the pride you feel for your home. However, if you’re planning on staying put for a while, renovating serves another purpose — it allows you to make your home better fit your lifestyle. Luckily for DIYers everywhere, there are a number of home improvement projects that can can do both at once. Home Improvement Projects 1. Boosting Curb Appeal When considering curb appeal, we tend to think of suburban homes. You know…homes that actually have curbs in front of them. That being said, it’s just as important for homesteads — curbs be damned. Most buyers associate the condition of the exterior with that of the interior, thereby forming an opinion of the house before setting foot inside. If you are planning on selling your homestead (either now or in the future), increasing curb appeal is the first thing you should focus on. | There are a number of factors that go into curb appeal, including: The condition of the grass, landscaping,  trees and bushes near the front of the property Condition of the roof The condition of the siding The condition/presence of patios and decks Improving the curb appeal of your property may be more costly than you imagined, but it’s definitely worth it. Not only can it have a huge impact on the sale price, it will also give your homestead a glow that will have you beaming for years to come. Landscaping: Start by tackling the landscaping. Put plants on the porch, flowers in the garden, and dark or redwood mulch around freshly trimmed trees and shrubs. If you have overgrown evergreen shrubs, rip them out and replace them with leafy plants and colorful annuals. Pull weeds and cut down invasive vines. Once you’re done, put a crisp edge on the garden beds to give everything a clean look. Baby your lawn by starting and maintaining a fertilizer and watering regimen. Cover any bare spots with seeds or sod, and be sure to get rid of crab grass and thistles. Fencing: Next comes your fencing. As any homesteader knows, the most important part about fencing is whether or not it keeps the animals in (and the predators out.) Aesthetic rarely plays much of a part. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make sure it’s clean and in good condition. Replace any broken slats, panels, and electric wiring, gates and tighten loose latches. A sturdy fence won’t necessarily give extra value to your property, but it will attract buyers who are bringing animals with them. Roof: Roof in disrepair? It’s time to replace it. If you’ll be staying in your homestead for a while, this will serve you well — and if you’re selling, you’ll be able to sell increase the asking price. Power wash the outside of the house to brighten it up. If you notice any damaged siding or peeling paint, you’ll need to replace and repaint. Do all of this for barns, outbuildings, and animal housing as well. Freshly painted trim, new shutters, and updated gutters can make your house look brand new. And if you really want to make things pop, paint your front door in a bright tone that compliments the trim. It doesn’t hurt to update the house numbers and mailbox, as well. Outdoor Living: Finally, you’ll want to create an outdoor living area. Repair, paint/stain, and seal your porch, patio, and/or deck. If space allows, furnish these areas with chairs, tables, benches, fire pits, lighting, decor, etc. To create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere, consider building a pergola or installing a water feature. Outdoor living spaces are in very high demand as most Americans find them a necessity for throwing parties, socializing, and spending time with friends and family. Not only do they add a ton of value to the home, they’re a great way to get your family outdoors for more than just doing farm chores. 2. A Wow-Worthy Kitchen Since the kitchen is the popular room in the house, upgrading it is a sure-fire way to add value to your home. You can update an old-fashioned design, add and island to enhance your kitchen’s functionality, install energy efficient appliances, or simply remodel your kitchen to suit your family’s needs. No matter what reason you decide to do it, it’s important to remember that a kitchen remodel is a big deal. It can be surprisingly expensive and should be well thought out. To avoid blowing your budget, consider doing the following: | Stick with your current layout. While taking out walls, moving gas lines, plumbing connections, and electrical wiring doesn’t seem like too much work, the cost can add up really quickly. If your cabinets are in good shape and you like the style, give them a few coats of paint and fresh hardware for a whole new look. If you need new cabinets, buy ready to assemble or in stock cabinets, as custom cabinets will cost thousands more. Though granite has been king for the past few years, it can be quite expensive. There is a wide range of affordable countertop options to choose from — butcher block, concrete, tile, and even laminate can look equally as beautiful for a lot less dough. Don’t forget to make space for the utilitarian things as well. Oven hoods aren’t overrated — they work hard to vent smoke, heat, and humidity, and smells to the outside world. Create a hidden space for trash cans, whether it be under the sink or in it’s own dedicated pull-out drawer. Wall outlets are your friend; make sure to install a few extra so you always have room to plug in your countertop appliances. 3. Making the Most of Your Bathroom It might surprise you to know that bathrooms rarely have proper lighting. Light your bathroom in a series of layers. For general lighting, a ceiling fixture works well; but when it comes to your vanity you’ll want sconces or other vertical fixtures mounted on either side of the mirror to reduce shadows and light your face evenly. Use decorative light fixtures over tubs or showers to enhance the overall mood of the room. | Bathroom storage can be a real challenge — especially when you have a full size shower and pedestal sink. If you have room, a closet, armoire, or even just a simple chest is ideal for handling the essentials. Install shelving anywhere there is blank wall space, such as above the toilet or over towel bars. You can even use the spaces between wall studs to create built in niches for holding soaps and toiletries. There are also a multitude of ways to store the small stuff, including magnetic strips and undercabinet caddies. If you’re doing a full bathroom remodel, there are a few simple ways to avoid overspending. Consider refinishing your bathtub, shower, sink, or tile rather than replacing it — you’ll end paying a fraction of the price. You can also update your bathroom cheaply and easily by changing hardware, such as drawer pulls, faucet handles, and showerheads. And just like the kitchen, if you really want to save money, keep your current layout. Leave the sink and toilet where they are or you’ll find yourself hemorrhaging money to move the plumbing. 4. One Thing at a Time If you simply don’t have the budget for full on room renovations, there are smaller projects you can take on one at a time to add value and interest to your home. For instance, interior doors are a key part of a home's overall decor, and replacing them with flat or raised panel doors adds fresh style, character, and personality. In many homes, interior doors are hollow core. Switching them out with solid core doors will not only add weight, it will also significantly reduce noise. Poor lighting and outdated fixtures take attention away from your home’s true beauty. Install new fixtures with higher wattage bulbs to give your house a modern feel and friends and buyers alike focused on its best features. Something as simple as changing candle shaped bulbs to round ones in a chandelier can make a huge style difference! Staircases are often a focal point in homes, so keeping them in tip top shape is incredibly important. Repair broken treads, fill gouges, and fasten railings and carpeting securely. If you want to change the look of your stairs, you can replace the balusters, refinish/paint the wood, or add runners. There are tons of fun and easy ways to dress up staircases on a budget. If you live in an older house, you may find yourself lacking storage space. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to make the most of the closets you do have. Update your closets by installing multilevel rods, shelves, and pullout drawers. Not only will this leave you with a far more functional closet, your home will look more customized to potential buyers when you're ready to sell. 5. Hiring Smart When it comes to home improvement projects, you’ll want to honestly assess which projects you can do yourself, and which are better left to professionals. Trust me, it’s far cheaper to have a contractor do the project from the get-go than having to call them in to fix your mess. Of course, choosing the right contractor is the key to a successful home renovation project — and it’s not the easiest thing to do. Start by gathering referrals from friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Then, search the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of contractors available in your area. Once you have a list of three to five, you can start collecting bids. Be wary of the lowest bidder as this may indicate that a contractor is cutting corners or using subpar materials. You’re most likely safest with the bid that falls somewhere in the middle. Once you’ve chosen a contractor, ask for a copy of both their license and that of the major subcontractors who will work on the project. You absolutely must hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor. Otherwise, you’ll be liable if a member of the work crew gets injured on the job. Before you make your final decision, check disciplinary boards, the Better Business Bureau, and local court records for any claims. Finally, draw up a contract that details: Start and projected completion date Project description Specific materials and products to be used Total cost Payment schedule Contractor’s license number and that of all subcontractors Proof of liability insurance and worker's compensation payments A requirement that the contractor obtain lien releases from all subcontractors and suppliers Hiring a contractor means putting a lot of trust in a total stranger — not to mention welcoming them into your home. It’s important to do your due diligence in order to find the right person. You’ll find your thoroughness and patience was well worth it in the end when you’re left with an amazing finished product. Up Next: 15 Ingenious Garage Organization DIY Projects And More Did you find this post on home improvement projects useful and informational? Let us know in the comments section below! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!  

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During a Monday interview with Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck, Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump slammed opponent Vice President Kamala Harris for years of inaction on the border crisis as her campaign pulls a number of last-minute policy U-turns leading up to the November election.Trump told Beck that the top-of-mind concerns for voters are inflation, the economy, and the current administration's open-border policies that have allowed millions of largely unvetted foreign nationals to pour into the country.'We have people in our country that are going to be murdering a lot of people.'He torched Harris for her numerous policy flip-flops on everything from the border to fracking to crime. "She's changed 15," Trump said, referring to her policies. "She all of a sudden now wants to have a strong border, and she acts like nothing happened.""Where was she for four years?" Trump asked.During the interview, Beck played a clip of former President Bill Clinton campaigning for Harris and stating that Laken Riley's murder "probably wouldn't have happened" if the immigrants coming across the southern border were "properly vetted."Beck told Trump, "He sounds like he's campaigning for you."Trump believes the Democratic Party is "trying to steer a different path" after seeing that Harris' campaign policies are "not working."He stated that 21 million people have entered the country under the Biden-Harris administration's open-border policies. "Hundreds of thousands of those people are from prisons and from gangs and drug lords and human traffickers and murderers, and they're here," Trump stated, adding that Clinton is "a little late in saying it because we have a big problem." "We have people in our country that are going to be murdering a lot of people," he continued. Trump mentioned how illegal immigration has impacted New York City and Aurora, Colorado.Tren de Aragua, a bloodthirsty Venezuelan gang, has reportedly taken over some apartment complexes in Aurora. Trump called the situation "really bad.""They're basically in the real estate business," he continued, adding that the gang had taken over the properties with "guns" instead of finances. The former president explained how luxury hotel owners have profited off of the illegal immigration crisis that the Biden-Harris administration has created.He stated that the owners are "now operating a different product.""They used to operate luxury hotels, and now they operate them to get government money," Trump told Beck. "They're making more money than they have — 100% occupancy at room rates that are higher than they ever got, and they have illegal migrants living in the buildings.""These people are making a fortune," Trump added. "All they do is keep sending the government bills."He said that the "saddest part" of the situation is that homeless American veterans are sleeping outside on the sidewalks while illegal immigrants are provided luxury accommodations. "I really believe that [Harris is] worse than Biden," Trump warned.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!