| | | | Trump's very political tweet on the Amtrak crash | | | Hours after a train derailed in Washington state, President Donald Trump took to Twitter to sound off on it. "The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly," tweeted Trump. "Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!"
That is a somewhat remarkable tweet from a president given the fact that emergency crews were still sorting through the rubble, several people had been killed in the accident and 77 people had been taken to various hospitals.
Trump followed that first tweet with a second, more traditionally presidential one 11 minutes later. "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the train accident in DuPont, Washington," Trump tweeted. "Thank you to all of our wonderful First Responders who are on the scene. We are currently monitoring here at the White House." What do those two tweets tell us? That Trump's first instinct is always to look for an angle that benefits him or, even more ideally, proves he is right about something controversial he has said in the past.
This is hardly the first time this has occurred. To wit: None of the above is to say that other men who have held Trump's job haven't had politically calculating thoughts in the immediate aftermath of tragedies. Of course they have. They are politicians, after all. It's what they do.
But what none before Trump did was jump into the politics right away. They held off a day or even a week until the full details of the tragedy were known and people had a chance to grieve. They sent that second Trump tweet first -- and, in most cases, didn't send the first one at all.
The Point: Trump's history suggests he is willing to play politics almost immediately after tragic events. Maybe that is the new normal given the pace of news cycles and the relentless focus on partisan side-taking. But either way it's definitely new.
-- Chris | |  | | Thanks to GIF queen Brenna Williams for this one | | CNN's Kevin Liptak reported on President Donald Trump's national security policy speech Monday. He writes:
"Trump framed his foreign policy as an extension of his populist economic message, lambasting past presidents and trumpeting his own achievements during a speech meant to outline the guiding principles of his national security strategy. In a speech that closely resembled a campaign address, Trump offered a laundry list of accomplishments and a reiteration of his view that Americans have been left behind as a result of decisions made by past administrations, including on immigration, the Iran nuclear deal and trade pacts.
" 'With this strategy, we are calling for a great reawakening of America, a resurgence of confidence, and a rebirth of patriotism, prosperity and pride,' Trump said."
If you're thirsty for more, read Kevin's full story here. CNN's Jeremy Diamond also outlined five things to know about Trump's new national security strategy. | | CNN's Phil Mattingly reports:
"This is the point where Republicans in both chambers are staring at the clock and hoping the time to the House and, more importantly, Senate votes ticks away quickly. Why? GOP aides in both chambers say at this moment, they are well on their way to sending the tax bill to President Donald Trump's desk by Wednesday.
"The House Rules Committee will meet Monday evening to set up Tuesday floor consideration of the bill. The House is expected to vote Tuesday. The Senate is expected to take up the bill soon after, with a final vote Tuesday or Wednesday.
"Just a reminder: There can be no more changes to the tax bill. None. Zero. What was released on Friday is it -- period."
Read more in Phil's full breakdown here. | | | Chris published a list of his favorite albums from 2017. You can read and listen here! | | "That's ridiculous."
-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, when asked by a reporter whether he was resigning | | | Sen. John McCain tweeted on Monday morning: "Thanks to everyone for your support & words of encouragement! I'm feeling well & looking forward to returning to work after the holidays."
The tweet comes after the senator from Arizona returned to his state Sunday to continue recovering from the side effects of chemotherapy for a brain tumor. Two sources close to McCain confirmed to CNN he will not be in Washington for the tax vote this week. | | 'FOX & FRIENDS' FEAT. IVANKA | | Ivanka Trump sat down on the "Fox & Friends" couch for an interview Monday morning. Chris writes:
"On its face, such a sitdown could have been quite newsy. After all, Ivanka is not only a senior adviser to President Donald Trump but also his eldest daughter and, as such, perhaps the person the President trusts the most in the world. If there was anyone who could shed real light -- and insight -- on Trump's first year in office, it's Ivanka. It didn't turn out that way. At all. Rather than ask any sort of probing questions about the tax cut plan, the Russia investigation or the Republican loss in Alabama last week, the hosts seemed to fight over who could fawn over Ivanka (and her father) best." Chris outlined the nine lamest 'questions' asked of Ivanka on the show. Here's one exchange: Steve Doocy with a hard-hitting question about the tax cut package: "There are so many people this benefits." The best part? Ivanka's response. "Uh huh." | | In Heyburn, Idaho, a coin flip in November decided that Glen Loveland would be the next Heyburn City Council member. But the loser of that toss -- incumbent Dick L. Galbraith -- requested a recount. CNN's Ryan Struyk has more:
Is this Idaho city council race the weirdest election result of 2017? Two local candidates in Heyburn, Idaho — population 3,275 — tied in their November city council race with 112 votes apiece. Then came the coin toss: The incumbent, Dick Galbraith, called heads (classic mistake) but the coin fell tails. But Galbraith contested, calling for a recount, where officials discovered one additional ballot marked too lightly to be read by the machine, Mayor Cleo Gallegos told CNN. Barring additional challenges, Galbraith will retain his seat by a 113-112 vote. | | From Brenna: On the eighth day of GIFmas, 2017 gave to me: the GIFification of "Monday." This exact moment happened on a Thursday, when President Trump signed an executive order aimed at Obamacare.
But it feels like a Monday. President Trump just straight up forgets to do the one thing he came to do — painfully relatable — before Vice President Pence taps him on the shoulder. We all need a teammate at work who will help get us through the day sometimes, right? Then he does this amazing/awkward arm swing shuffle back toward the desk.
"I'm only signing it because it costs nothing," Trump said, delivering a smoother recovery than I could probably come up with.
Remind everyone you know to subscribe to The Point. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | | | | |
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