| | | | | Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who visited the White House today, is pictured at the State Department. Credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images | | | State Department Upheaval is Happening: Rex T was at the White House this morning as reports claimed he's on the outs
Christmas Tree Lighting, Entertainment?: The headliners for this year's lighting are out, and they're not as big as Obama's
This Is Why I Have Trust Issues: The woman who tried to plant a fake story in WaPo attempted to infiltrate them for months | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump today met with the Crown Prince of Bahrain, and later he and first lady Melania Trump will attend the lighting of the National Christmas Tree at The Ellipse at 5 p.m.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
Traffic around that time is going to be a mess. Also, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson could be on the way out.
State Department Upheaval is Happening:
After months of speculation, it appears the rumors of Tillerson's ouster are true. The White House is apparently contemplating replacing him with current CIA Director Mike Pompeo, "within the next few months," according to sources. This new plan is reportedly the brainchild of WH chief of staff John Kelly. Tillerson was at the White House earlier today, and Sarah Sanders made this statement to the print pool: "As the President just said, 'Rex is here.' There are no personnel announcements at this time. Secretary Tillerson continues to lead the State Department and the entire Cabinet is focused on completing this incredibly successful first year of President Trump's administration."
(Alleged) Sexual Harassment Ick Files Update:
CNN's MJ Lee broke news of a new accuser against Sen. Al Franken -- the woman says Franken groped her in 2003 during a photo the two took together. Matt Lauer issued a statement this morning, apologizing, but also sort of denying some of the accusations against him. Sen. John Conyers is in the hospital, due to stress; meanwhile, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi called for Conyers to step down. Oh, and Rep. Joe Barton said today he won't seek reelection. | | Mags Going in for the Year of Trump Features:
Pretty sure a lot of publications are going to go with an annual review of the year of Trump for their December and/or January issues -- Washingtonian just dropped its newest with this as the cover story. Here's the opening illustration to the feature: | | Credit: Justin Metz, Washingtonian magazine
Christmas Tree Lighting, Entertainment:
The lighting of the National Christmas Tree is an annual thing and there's typically a few bold-faced entertainers on hand to perform for the first family and guests, and to add some general pizzazz and star power. Last year, the Obama's celebrated with Eva Longoria, Chance the Rapper, Marc Anthony, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and Kelly Clarkson. This year is ... different? Kathie Lee Gifford and Dean Cain are hosting, Jack Wagner is performing (google him), as are Wynonna Judd, Craig Campbell, The Texas Tenors, Us the Duo and Boys II Bow Ties (¯\_(ツ)_/¯). The Beach Boys, who participated in Trump's inaugural festivities, will also be there. In March, to a UK publication, the Beach Boys' Mike Love said that the President "has never been anything but kind to us." Tickets are all sold out.
Dear Father Christmas:
That is already adorable, the whole "Father Christmas" thing, but I literally loved these shots of Prince William showing Santa Claus the wish list of his four-year-old son, George. Guy, he wants a police car and I'm dying it's so cute. | | | Credit: @DailyMailUK/Twitter | | What Washington is Talking About:
The Senate tax bill is "almost ready to take out of the oven," Sen. Lindsey Graham said on CNN this morning. Sen. John McCain said he now supports it and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Repubs are "on the cusp of a great victory." We have no set time for a vote, but it could come tomorrow.
What America is Talking About:
Russell Simmons has stepped down from his companies following sexual harassment and assault allegations.
The Guy Who Deactivated Trump's Twitter Account:
His name is Bahtiyar Duysak, he's a former Twitter contractor who worked on a team that handled reported accounts, and he's from Germany.
Duysak told TechCrunch it was a "mistake" and that on his last day working at Twitter, after someone reported Trump's account, he initiated the process to deactivate it, assuming it wouldn't actually go through. He then closed his computer and left the building and didn't realize what happened until hours later.
He said the FBI is not currently investigating him and the press has been more aggressive trying to contact him than authorities. He said:
"I didn't hack anyone. I didn't do anything that I was not authorized to do. I didn't go to any site I was not supposed to go to. I didn't break any rules."
He also said he didn't realize he was wearing an American flag cardigan to his interview. | | Credit: TechCrunch
Dress Like a Former Twitter Contractor:
Duysak is wearing the Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply cotton stars & stripe cardigan. It's sold out, but there's one on eBay for $203. | | Credit: eBay
Trump to Visit with Mormon Church Leaders in Utah:
Trump will be meeting with Mormon Church leaders during his stop in Salt Lake City on Monday to announce he's shrinking national monuments. The visit was coordinated by Sen. Orrin Hatch, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. It's common for presidents to meet with Mormon Church leaders while in Utah (Obama did it in 2015 when he visited). Visits often includes the president being presented with with a copy of his genealogy or touring Welfare Square, a facility for the Church's welfare and humanitarian efforts.
Although Mormons are the most conservative religious group in the US, many members aren't happy with Trump. I wrote back in January about how Mormons' own history with religious discrimination makes them especially sensitive to Trump's attacks on Muslims. At their semi-annual General Conference in October, Mormon Apostle Elder M. Russell Ballard called for the elimination of "any prejudice, including racism, sexism, and nationalism." "We need to embrace God's children compassionately," he said.
During the campaign, Mike Pence toured Temple Square in Salt Lake City. I was the only member of the press to get a shot of him while on it, below in the blue suit and red tie with Hatch and Utah Gov. Gary Herbert. Donald Trump Jr. also posted a photo of a tour he took there in September. | | Credit: @hunterschwarz/Instagram
This is Why I Have Trust Issues:
The woman from Project Veritas who tried unsuccessfully to plant a fake story in the Washington Post attempted for months to infiltrate the paper, joining journalism networking groups and attending events, including farewell gatherings for departing Post staff members.
Shaq for Sheriff, and Also, Home Security Spokesman of the Year:
Shaq, who plans to run for sheriff of Henry County, Georgia in 2020, stopped by Business Insider to talk about his future candidacy and also promote the home security company Ring that he's a spokesman for in a moment of seemingly #spon serendipity (Get it? Ring? He's won NBA championship rings? And it's home security company? He wants to keep the homes of the people of Henry County, Georgia secure?). | | Credit: Business Insider
This is how Ring promotes Shaq on their site: | | Credit: Ring
Anyways, it just feels like a candidacy that doubles as a highly on-message influencer campaign. Shaq told BI he wants to "bring back community policing." He said:
"When I was coming up, the police were loved and respected, but you know, it's tough for both sides right now."
NFL Will Donate $89 Million to Social Causes:
The NFL agreed Wednesday night after meeting with a group players that it will donate $89 million over seven years to social causes including criminal justice reform and law enforcement-community relations, according to ESPN.
Custom Kaepernick Cleats:
The NFL is celebrating My Cleats My Cause this weekend, with players wearing cleats to support various groups and causes like Shriner's Hospital and Lupus Awareness. Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews plans to wear cleats for Colin Kaepernick's group Know Your Rights Camp. Matthews posted a shot of the cleats on Instagram, writing that Kaepernick "has paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to bring true everyday issues to light."
The cleats are done by SolesBySir, the same artist who did Bryce Harper's Las Vegas-themed cleats after the shooting there. | | Credit: @rishardmatthews/Instagram
Street Art Sighting:
This sticker sent in by an eagle-eyed tipster who asked to remain anonymous references multiple stories: some unsubstantiated claims made in the Steele dossier, Russian interference in the campaign, and Trump's bromance with Putin. So much going on in ten words. | | Credit: Eagle-eyed tipster
Send your political street art pics to me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com, tweet me @hunterschwarz or tag @cnncoverline on Instagram. | | | | | | |
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