| | | | | Vice President Mike Pence visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem Tuesday. Credit: Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images | | | Melania Cancels Davos Trip with POTUS: Her last-minute change of plans blamed on "scheduling and logistics"
What Washington is Talking About: The government is open until February 8
Kid Rock Donates Fake Senate Run Money: College Repub group received $122K | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump today will sign Section 201, which is about solar panel and washing machine tariffs.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
Shutdown's over, guys. And everyone is googling "solar panel and washing machine tariffs."
Sarah Sanders briefs at 3:30.
Our Daily Melania:
Caught a little scoop late last night that Melania Trump has canceled her trip to Davos, Switzerland, which her office had confirmed to CNN was happening as recently as a week ago. Last night her communications director told me it was "scheduling and logistics" related, which I'm sure is true, but I will note FLOTUS likely doesn't have a problem with people largely assuming she isn't attending because she's upset with the headlines about her husband's alleged dalliance and reported pay-off to a porn star. Melania might be more silent than a lot of first ladies, but she can be A+ at subliminal messaging.
Sessions Takes Questions from Mueller :
Attorney General Jeff Sessions was questioned last week by special counsel Robert Mueller's office as part of the ongoing Russia investigation, but he wasn't under subpoena. In related Sessions news, last night Axios had a story that he was involved in pressuring the FBI director to fire the FBI deputy director. Drama. | | And the Winner is ... France!:
Michelle Kosinski reports the first official state visit of the Trump administration will be held in honor of France, and could take place in late winter or early spring. I'm stoked, of course, because state visits mean state dinners, and I'm all about the state dinner. (Early prediction: Melania will wear either Dior or Chanel.) The choice of France makes sense because Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron hosted the Trumps in Paris in July for Bastille Day, and it's kind to return the favor. Also, the President liked watching all of those tanks come down the Champs-Élysées so much that afterward he said "it was one of the greatest parades" he'd ever seen and promised the US was "going to have to try and top it."
Laura Bush is On "Fixer Upper" Tonight:
Laura and JOJO! HGTV fam, set your DVRs tonight for Laura Bush on "Fixer Upper." I got a tip that she will appear on tonight's episode when Joanna visits Mrs. Bush's tree farm at former first couple's Crawford, Texas, ranch. They chat and Laura helps pick out a favorite red oak for a lucky family's new yard. | | Marlon Bundo Pence Wishes He Had Gone To Egypt:
But he's a bunny, so. | | Credit: @marlonbundo/Instagram
Cool Profile on Trump's Personal Photographer:
Worth your time today to read this Marie Claire feature Q&A with chief official White House photographer Shealah Craighead. She talks about working for Trump ("He's true to himself and I admire that in a person -- especially in somebody I'm photographing"), and also what she thought about when selecting a photographer for Melania Trump ("Looking at Mrs. Trump and her background in fashion and modeling, I wanted somebody who had a keen understanding of that world, who was also somebody who could communicate with her and understand her needs as a first lady.") And this part: | | What Washington is Talking About:
With the government now funded until February 8, Dems are waiting to see exactly what Majority Leader Mitch McConnell meant when he said it would be his "intention" to address DACA.
What America is Talking About:
Oscar nominations are out, and "The Shape of Water" leads with 13.
What Pyeongchang is Talking About:
North Korean pop star Hyon Song-wol, a member of Kim Jong Un's fav girl group Moranbong, traveled to South Korea with a delegation looking for venues for North Korea's art troupe at the Olympic Games next month. Coverage of her visit in South Korea has been "near wall-to-wall." | | Credit: Korea Pool/Getty Images
Poll of the Day:
CNN is out with a new poll today that pits various potential 2020 Dem candidates against Trump. Joe Biden performed the best, followed by Bernie Sanders and Oprah. | | Credit: CNN
But just because someone says they wouldn't vote for Oprah doesn't mean they don't like her. The poll found her favorable rating is 64%, including 71% of moderates, 72% of women, and 83% of those who disapprove of Trump.
Group Files Complaint Over Alleged Stormy Daniels Payout:
The Department of Justice and the Federal Election Commission received letters from the group Common Cause asking for investigations into possible wrongdoing related to then-candidate Trump's attorney allegedly paying hush money to adult actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an affair she reportedly had with the future president. The FEC was asked specifically to look into whether the $130,000 payment was an in-kind contribution from his campaign. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem yesterday, Vice President Mike Pence called the story "baseless."
The Stick That Helped End the Shutdown:
Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Repub, hosted bipartisan talks to reach a deal during the shutdown, and to keep things orderly, lawmakers were forbidden from talking unless they were holding a talking stick that she showed off on "New Day" this morning. At one point, the stick was thrown across the room and it damaged a glass elephant, so they swapped it out for a rubber band ball. | | Credit: @Phil_Mattingly/Twitter
Omarosa Signs Speaking Deal:
The former director of communications for the White House Public Liaison Office has signed with the speaking agency American Program Bureau. The news was first reported by TMZ, which said she'll charge up to $50,000 per appearance and is expecting to be booked 10 times in the next three months. | | Credit: APB
Kid Rock Finally Donated His Fake Senate Candidacy Money:
Kid Rock donated about $122,000 raised from selling "Kid Rock for Senate" merchandise last year when he teased a Senate run that never happened to CRNC Action, a College Republicans affiliate group, his publicist told the Detroit News.
Britney Heading to the DMV:
Britney Spears announced she's taking her "Piece of Me" show on the road this summer, opening at MGM National Harbor for two nights in July.
Time Magazine Cover Artist to Headline Show:
Edel Rodriguez, whose screaming orange and yellow portrayals of Trump have graced the covers of magazines including Time and Der Spiegel, will be featured in a gallery show in Portland Thursday. The promotional poster for the show, titled "Agent Orange," is something: | | Credit: Wieden+Kennedy
Street Art Sighting:
This mash-up of Trump and Putin's faces in a sea of Bitcoin logos was spotted in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg by Bethany Ford. It's by New York street artist Mauricio Arenas, who also put up the face in Paris last year. | | Credit: Bethany Ford
If you spot political street art, I'd love to see it. Here's how you can reach me:
1. Tweet me @hunterschwarz
2. Tag me on Instagram @hunterschwarz
3. Email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com | | | | | | |
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