Photos of a meeting between Elon Musk and Nigel Farage have fuelled speculation that "the world's disruptor-in-chief" intends to donate up to $100 million (£78 million) to the party led by "the UK's political disruptor-in-chief", said the BBC's political editor Chris Mason.

The photos, taken at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort this week, are "the most clear-cut proof yet of the richest man in the world's desire to get involved in – meddle in, as some see it – British politics".

What did the commentators say?
For the boss of X and Tesla, British politics seems to have become a bit of a "side hustle", said Matthew D'Ancona in London's The Standard. Musk has "endorsed Reform in the most theatrical fashion, and clearly intends to subsidise its campaign of nationalist disruption". If the $100 million donation materialises, it would be the largest donation in British political history, and would have "transformative consequences for Reform's prospects".

The image of Farage and Reform treasurer Nick Candy flanking Musk, who poured $250 million (£200 million) into helping Trump win a second term as US president, sums up the current state of UK politics, said The Guardian. This is "the second age of Farage as a domestic tribute act to Trump – one in which, Farage hopes, he also ends up with an election win".

"Pundits are right to be wary of all rich actors, foreign and domestic, meddling in politics," said Freddy Gray in The Spectator. Still, Reform's rise in the polls isn't just because Musk is behind them: voters are simply fed up with both Labour and the Conservatives. Many are drawn to Farage and others who talk about the "uniparty" running Britain, especially on hot-button issues such as immigration. Perhaps what British voters want is "more disruption, not less".

What next?
The Mar-a-Lago talks have "highlighted the urgent need to reform the UK's archaic rules on how political parties are funded", said Andrew Grice on The Independent.

Musk could legally give Reform money through X or Tesla, as the firms are UK-registered, but the Electoral Commission has reportedly urged the government to tighten the rules. The "Musk-Farage link-up" could be Keir Starmer's "golden opportunity to clean up the dark money flowing into British politics".

A lawsuit filed against the producers of US reality TV show "Love Is Blind" has "the quiet potential to disrupt and restructure an entire genre", said The New Statesman.

Several contestants from the Netflix series have come forward in recent years alleging that the producers subjected them to unfair and unsafe working conditions. Now, the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is taking action against the show's two production companies, Delirium TV and Kinetic Content, claiming that "Love Is Blind" "violated several labour laws". The lawsuit also makes an "unprecedented demand: that the show reclassify its stars as 'employees'".

'Ubiquitous in this space'
The complaint by the NLRB, an independent US government agency tasked with protecting workers' rights, demands that reality stars be regarded as employees rather than freelancers or participants. This would bring them under the board's jurisdiction and give them more protections and rights, such as union representation and compensation for lost wages while on the show.

Labour law violations are "ubiquitous in this space", Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for "Love Is Blind" contestant Renee Poche, told CNN. But the action could "change the reality TV industry forever", he predicted.

A judge will hear the complaint in April and decide if Delirium TV and Kinetic Content have broken any labour laws. Neither company has commented on the latest complaint, but have previously denied allegations made by contestants.

'Grim reality'
Several former contestants have "publicly, sometimes anonymously to the press, and in lawsuits" described "poor treatment they faced while filming the show, including allegations that their physical safety was at risk", said NPR. The allegations echo similar accounts from participants on other reality shows.

The "grim reality" of this sort of television is that it "thrives" on moments where its stars have been treated inhumanely, said The New Statesman. The "'best' moments usually come at the expense of at least one, if not all, of its participants". With this new complaint, "we may be about to learn whether the behind-the-scenes exploitation was always fundamental to reality TV's value – and whether, without it, people will still keep watching".

If you're "tired of slogging away in the kitchen" and hosting large groups of family and friends, said Good Housekeeping, consider "checking into a festive hotel" this Christmas instead. Here are some of the best…

The Lygon Arms, Cotswolds
Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, this cosy village hotel has "roaring log fires" and a "historic atmosphere", said Country Living. Those looking for the "perfect nostalgic Christmas", with gorgeous countryside and culinary feasts, need look no further.

The Savoy, Strand, London
It's hard to think of a better festive setting than the London hotel dubbed the "birthplace of 'fairy lights'" when it opened in 1889, said Condé Nast Traveller. Ever since, this hotel has put forward a "rather supreme" Christmas offering, with afternoon tea, cocktails and legendary parties.

Palé Hall, Gwynedd, Wales
This "Hogwarts-esque retreat" sits on the borders of Snowdonia, and is "wonderful and rather eccentric", said The Times. For a "cosy Welsh Christmas", this Relais & Châteaux property is an ideal location offering "the epitome of Victorian extravagance".

Penicuik Estate, Midlothian, Scotland
Only 10 miles south of Edinburgh, this rural estate is a quiet bolthole for visitors who wish to be surrounded by nature, in self-catering cottages with wood burners, roll-top baths and private outdoor terraces. The Penicuik team can also arrange a local private chef to cook Christmas-inspired meals.

Martha's Gift
The Times editorial board
"There was some scepticism among doctors" when Martha's Rule, which "allows relatives of rapidly deteriorating patients" to seek a second opinion, was trialled, says The Times. There were fears it "might be interpreted as a licence for families to complain about extraneous aspects of their relatives' care", but the scheme "has already helped save lives". Martha's Rule is "not about catching doctors out", but "a loved one's instinct can be a powerful tool". 

As a 'cuspy Waspi' woman, I have another reason to be furious with Labour's pensions betrayal
Catherine Pepinster for The Independent
I've always been "pleased" that I was born in the golden period of the "late Fifties", writes Catherine Pepinster, but the card fate has now "dealt me is one labelled 'Waspi woman'". Our retirement planning was "screwed" by the raising of women's state pension age to match men's. "I am going to have a poorer old age", but "you are never too old to learn. And I've learnt the hard way that you can't trust a politician's promises."

All Starmer's failings play into the hands of Farage – the prime minister is the gift that keeps on giving
Aditya Chakrabortty for The Guardian
That Keir Starmer is "sinking" while Nigel Farage is "soaring" should "ring alarm bells", writes Aditya Chakrabortty. The PM  "isn't just losing ground – he's handing it to Farage". Starmer's "shrugging acceptance of how limited and slow his political powers are" makes the Reform leader's case for him. If Starmer continues like this, he will "underline every saloon-bar gripe about how politics isn't working and they're all out for themselves".