| | | | Donald Trump knows how to put out the Notre Dame fire |  | | | As the famed Notre Dame cathedral in Paris burned, President Donald Trump, watching the news of the fire live on Fox News aboard Air Force One, took to Twitter to offer some advice. "So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris," the President tweeted. "Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!" After landing, Trump added: "When we left the plane it was burning at a level that you rarely see a fire burn."
Which is, well, kind of weird. Presumably, Trump was talking about the planes that drop water and fire-stopping chemicals on wildfires in the US when he referred to "flying water tankers." And presumably, the French police and government had already thought of that idea prior to Trump tweeting it. And, of course, they had -- as the French security service made clear in a tweet soon after Trump made his comments that said such water from above could collapse the entire structure.
What we know for sure is that Donald Trump isn't a) a trained firefighter b) an emergency responder c) an architect or d) an engineer. In similar situations, past presidents would typically release a statement expressing their shock and sadness about the damage to such an iconic structure and offering to help the French authorities in any possible way as they grapple with the aftermath of the fire.
I couldn't find any other politicians who came anywhere close to the Trump approach to the fire. Heck, his wife -- first lady Melania Trump -- sounded a FAR more presidential note, tweeting: "My heart breaks for the people of Paris after seeing the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. Praying for everyone's safety."
That Trump offered his own two cents on the best way to put out the fire as opposed to simply expressing condolences is a reflection of his belief that a) everyone wants his opinion at all times and b) his is an expert opinion, no matter what the subject matter.
Remember that Trump has done similar things when it came the forest fires ravaging northern California (raking!) and the crash of two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in recent months (branding!). It's who he is and what he does. He believes he knows best -- no matter the situation or circumstances.
The Point: We've all met people like this in our lives. People who think they have all the answers, on every subject, at all times -- and want to make sure they share them with you. In this case, the person just happens to be the President of the United States.
-- Chris | | "I finally agree with @Cher!"
-- President Donald Trump (on Twitter) retweeting Cher's tweet about sanctuary city Los Angeles' ability to take care of its own residents. | | | ⏳THURSDAY IS MUELLER TIME | | We have official word on when to expect Robert Mueller's report on Russian meddling into the 2016 campaign: Thursday.
The nearly 400-page report is expected Thursday morning, according to the Justice Department.
For what it's worth, there will be redactions (color-coded to explain why the omissions were made) but it is expected still to provide more insight into what exactly Mueller found in his investigation -- beyond AG William Barr's four-page summary published last month. | | | No one makes more interesting songs -- lyrically and musically -- than The Mountain Goats. This is their new one: "Sicilian Crest." | | WHAT IS PROTECTED SPEECH? | | Is "FUCT" vulgar?
Short for "Friends You Can't Trust," it's the name of a fashion label whose owner sued the US Patent and Trademark Office after it refused to trademark the "scandalous" name in 2011.
The Supreme Court's justices had their say (while keeping their language clean!) while hearing oral arguments today -- the latest step of a years-long process for the fashion label founded to question authority and society's assumptions.
If the court does rule in FUCT's favor, the justices could open the doors to more so-called "scandalous" marks in the marketplace and even broaden a category of speech protected by the Constitution, according to CNN Supreme Court Reporter Ariane de Vogue. | |
LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST | | Donald Trump: Raised more than $30 million for his campaign account in the first quarter of 2019 -- bringing the President's total war chest to $40.8 million.
Bernie Sanders: Has released 10 years of his taxes, showing he earned more than $1 million in 2016 and 2017 -- with "significant income" coming from his bestselling books, his campaign said.
Kirsten Gillibrand: Raised $3 million in the first quarter of 2019. Want more updates on 2020 campaign filings? Check out our live blog on CNN.com.
Elizabeth Warren: Has rolled out a presidential plan for public lands that includes a moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters.
Andrew Yang: Holds a campaign rally on the National Mall tonight.
Pete Buttigieg: Has officially become the 19th Democrat in the 2020 field.
Bill Weld: Has made his primary challenge to Donald Trump official. | | Richard Nixon's iconic "I am not a crook" adage has some tax day significance.
Nixon actually used the line in reference to his taxes.
Nixon paid a small amount of taxes on his presidential earnings in 1970 and 1971 -- something that was initially withheld and the data subsequently leaked to a reporter.
In response, Nixon said: "I welcome this kind of examination, because people have got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I am not a crook." | | | | | | |
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