| | | | | President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, answers questions while departing the White House Thursday morning. Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images | | | Mnuchin Requested Private Government Plane for European Honeymoon: Brb, grabbing popcorn, this story just keeps getting more unreal
Cruz on Porn Like: "It Was an Honest Mistake": Texas Republican says it was "a staffer who accidentally hit the wrong button"
Spicer's Chillest TV Appearance Since Trump Took Office: "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Spicer was much more fun than Briefing Room Spicer | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump and Melania Trump on the ground in Florida today to survey storm damage in Naples and Ft. Myers.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
Trump's wheel-and-deal dinners with Democrats and what that could mean for the health of his base support. Whether DACA or the wall, the whiff of a flip-flop has the Hill paying close attention.
"The Wall Will Come Later":
Um. Wait. What? Probably a lot of Trump base supporters are asking this after the President's promise of a shiny new wall appears to have been a replaced with a we'll-just-clean-up-the-old-one. It's like being 16 and thinking you're going to get a brand new car, but instead your parents give you their old Taurus.
But Why Chinese Food?:
When the President has dinner with Democratic leaders but I just want to know what was on the menu. Hi, I'm Kate. Seriously, though, Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi were the guests of honor at last night's White House dinner, and while much news was discussed (see above), the finer point of the dinner was that they ate Chinese food and chocolate pie. Ashley Parker's breakdown of the first White House dinner this week, when Sen. Joe Manchin was a guest, was perfect if only for Manchin's description of his perfectly formed scoop of ice cream: | | Credit: @AshleyRParker/Twitter
Brb, Grabbing Popcorn:
The Steven Mnuchin stories just keep getting more unreal. Last night it was reported that the Treasury secretary requested a private government plane to whisk him off for his European honeymoon this summer with new bride, Louise Linton. I mean. The spin is he wanted to ensure the proper lines of communication during his time away, but now that we've gotten to know the luxury proclivities of Linton, she of the designer label debacle, it's sort of hard to buy that line. (Also, if you haven't read the Washington Life cover story with Linton, please do.) White House insiders are speculating Mnuchin's stock with the President could be on a downward slide; this surely can't help the cause.
Blue Jacket with Black Pants?:
The White House released a photograph of Trump meeting with Sen. Tim Scott (whose name in the caption was listed as Tom Scott), and it appears the President was wearing a blue suit jacket with black suit pants -- what gives? I asked White House expert, CNN analyst and author Kate Andersen Brower if the President has a valet who helps him get dressed, sort of like in "Downton Abbey." She said yes, so it is unusual for something like this to happen, unless Trump meant to do it, which maybe he did? Brower says, "Presidents usually have valets, I believe there are two or three on rotation. George W. Bush initially said he didn't need one, and then realized how indispensable they are. They're the same people who bring lunch to the Oval Office for the president and pack extra shirts for trips, etc." | | Credit: Courtesy of the White House
Our Daily Melania:
Melania accompanies her husband on his trip to Florida, but then she has to do a quick turnaround upon her return to Washington because tonight is the black-tie dinner event in honor of the White House Historical Association, which she is hosting. It's a busy week for the first lady -- tomorrow she's expected at another event alongside POTUS.
Ivanka Trump Speaks:
The first daughter did a post-Charlottesville interview with FT and in it she doubles-down on her repeated stance that while she might have different beliefs or interests than those of her father, even she can't influence his decisions, nor does she find that to be her responsibility. Ivanka doesn't let her personal politics affect her agenda, saying, "While sometimes my heart wants me to fully engage on any host of issues outside of my responsibility or expertise, I try really hard to stay in my lane and execute on the initiatives I came to DC to take on."
Vice Is Casting For a DC Reality Show:
But, don't. Or, do. It's really up to you. Basically, they're looking to put a bunch of different politically minded people into a DC group house and watch the fireworks. I'm old enough to remember when this was called "The Real World" and it was on MTV. | | Look Out for the Rats, Tho:
This was the grossest story of the week, so far. Because of Washington's booming restaurant scene, and population growth, apparently, there are more and more rats.
Dress Like the First Lady, Shoes Edition:
Today, leaving the White House for Florida, Melania wore these $750 Chanel Ballerinas in black and tan. And when she landed, she was wearing these iconic $80 Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers. | | Credit: (top) Nicholas Kamm/Getty Images; (bottom) pool/Getty Images
That Mooch Item:
I wrote yesterday about Anthony Scaramucci being at a party in Rome with Kimberly Guilfoyle and although I'm pretty sure my source was different than hers, I wanted to give props to Betsy Rothstein over at the Daily Caller, who had the item hours before I did -- I know what it's like to scrap for credit, so there you go. | | What Washington is Talking About:
Anger and confusion over what exactly President Trump believes on DACA. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Wednesday they and Trump agreed to "enshrine the protections of DACA into law quickly" after their meeting with him at the White House, but then Trump tweeted this morning that "no deal was made." However, he also seemed to support allowing the children of immigrants who entered the country illegally to stay in the country. Conservative outrage has followed.
What America is Talking About:
Selena Gomez, the most-followed person on Instagram, posted there that she received a kidney transplant from her friend, actress Francia Raisa.
Poll of the Day:
Guys, I found a poll that's actually good for Trump! A narrow majority -- 51% -- approve of his handling of the economy, according to Gallup. That's up from 45% in June. His approval when it comes to North Korea, foreign affairs, and immigration, however, are all under water. | | Credit: Gallup
Could We See Mass Retirements in Congress?:
That's what Rep. Mark Meadows suggested to reporters Wednesday, if Congress doesn't get anything done. "I think there are a lot of people, myself included, 'If you can't get something done, why stay in the fight?'" he said. "If we don't perform, sure, you're going to see more resignations just because they don't want to face the wrath of the voter. It's real. If we don't get it done, having the majority can no longer be taken for granted, let's put it that way."
Sanders Health Care Co-Sponsers Then Vs. Now:
Below is the list of co-sponsors of two different bills calling for Medicare for all introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, in 2013 and yesterday. His 2013 bill has zero, and his 2017 version has 16. | | Credit: Congress.gov
Writes the Washington Post's Dana Milbank: "The Democrats have become socialists. This became official, more or less, Wednesday afternoon," when Sanders introduced the bill, with Dem rising stars like Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren signed on.
White House Weighs in on ESPN Controversy:
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Wednesday ESPN host Jemele Hill's tweet calling Trump a white supremacist is a "fireable offense." Isn't saying someone should be fired for a tweet something a snowflake would say? ❄️❄️❄️
Cruz on Porn Like: "It Was an Honest Mistake":
ICYMI, watch Ted Cruz's full interview with our Dana Bash about that porn tweet like here. He said, "It was not me and it's not going to happen again," and that it was "a staffer who accidentally hit the wrong button." He also said he believes "consenting adults should be able to do whatever they want in their bedrooms."
Sean Spicer's Chillest TV Appearance Since Trump Took Office:
Spicey did so good on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night, guys. So proud of him. Kimmel pushed him, especially on the Inauguration crowd size presser, but Spicer remained pleasant, nervously laughing off uncomfortable questions and jokes. The full segment is 20 minutes, but worth a watch if you haven't seen it yet. | | Credit: Jimmy Kimmel Live/YouTube
Pharma Bro Jailed for Facebook Post About Clinton:
Martin Shkreli offered $5,000 to anyone who grabbed a strand of Hillary Clinton's hair on her book tour, and Wednesday, a federal judge revoked his bail, saying he is "an ongoing risk to the community." Shkreli called the post "satire."
Kelly Clarkson Has a Michelle Obama-Inspired Song:
The OG American Idol said her upcoming song "Go High" was inspired by Michelle Obama's "when they go low, we go high" line from her 2016 DNC speech. "When Michelle said that I was like, 'That is the perfect idea for this song!'" she told Entertainment Weekly. "Everyone relates to that. No one has gone through life without relating to at some point having to take the high road."
OKCupid Introduces Planned Parenthood Badge:
The dating site announced Wednesday that users who publicly answer "no" to the question "Should the government defund Planned Parenthood?" will now receive a "#IStandWithPP" badge on their profile. According to OKCupid, 80% of respondents have said "no" to the question.
On the image they shared of the badge, it's right next to height. 28, 5'4", stands with PP. | | Credit: OKCupid
K, but whatever happened to not talking about politics on a first date?
Street Art Sighting:
As seen in Newport, Kentucky, at La Mexicana: this The Wall-themed message about their food. Writes COVER/LINE reader Trey Grayson, their Huitlacoche tacos are all his wife ever orders now. | | Credit: Trey Grayson
Send me your pics of political street art to coverlinehunter@cnn.com, tweet me @hunterschwarz or tag @cnncoverline on Instagram. | | | | | | |
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