| | | | | President Trump stands on the field during the National Anthem before the CFP National Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Monday. Credit: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images | | | But Is He, Though?: What Repubs think of Trump's "very stable" tweet
Obama Dems Weigh in on Oprah Boomlet: "She doesn't need the attention"
Trump's Not the Only One Making Up Awards Shows: The CPJ named world leaders who "silence critical voices" | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump hosted a bipartisan group from Congress at the White House to talk about DACA. Later, he'll sign an executive order supporting veterans.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
CNN's reorg of our stellar Washington correspondents, including some moves on the White House beat. Sara Murray heads over to the Justice beat to track the Russia investigation, swapping spots with Pamela Brown, who now joins Jeff Zeleny as a senior White House correspondent. Joe Johns moves to the national politics beat, with a specific focus on midterm elections. And the inimitable Jim Acosta has been promoted to chief White House correspondent.
POTUS to Davos:
The New York Times today reported Trump will attend the annual World Economic Forum, which is basically a meeting of wealthy industry and business leaders, in Davos, Switzerland, later this month. Sarah Sanders confirmed Trump's upcoming trip, saying, "At this year's World Economic Forum, the President looks forward to promoting his policies to strengthen American businesses, American industries, and American workers."
Joe Arpaio for Senate:
Because he's running. He announced it today.
Ivanka Tweet:
After a full day of ignoring the whole Oprah phenomenon yesterday, Ivanka Trump chose to wade in last night, tweeting this in support of Oprah's speech and its message: | | Credit: @IvankaTrump/Twitter
For me, one of the most interesting things about this tweet is how much it's been replied to: about 21,000 times, while likes are just 14,000, and retweets only 3,000. In other words, it gave people feels, but not really in a good way. Most blasted Trump for writing in support of #TimesUp when her father has been accused of sexually inappropriate behavior -- charges he denies -- and the whole "Access Hollywood" debacle. (Ivanka called his behavior on that tape "jarring" in a 2016 interview.) In a way, and don't @ me, I find myself feeling for Ivanka on this one. Clearly she wants to get in on the movement, but she's between a rock and hard place because of her father and her position in his administration. Does it negate her being able to say anything? As a woman? A mother of three? A businesswoman? I don't know. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Btw, a bunch of celebrities responded to Ivanka's tweet, but one of the best had to be Chrissy Teigen: | | Credit: @chrissyteigen/Twitter
But Is He, Though?:
CNN's Manu Raju went to the Hill to see what Republican members think of Trump's tweet from the weekend -- the one where he declared that he is a genius, and a "very stable" one at that. The response was not mixed, but it was interesting.
(N)Oprah:
New York City is divided. | | Credit: @davebriggstv/Twitter
I'm Literally Going to Buy the Shoes:
The closing ceremony uniforms for Team USA at the Winter Olympics were unveiled by Nike today. They're honestly not bad and pretty much designed for warmth and comfort. But I'm super-into the lady sneakers with the higher tops and the big, white U-S-A letters. Good news for me -- they go on sale January 15. The Olympics kick off February 9, one month from today. | | What Washington is Talking About:
Negotiations over a spending deal to avert a government shutdown hinge on DACA (which Dems are demanding) and The Wall (which Trump is demanding), and talks are "a mess," one source involved in them told CNN.
What America is Talking About:
Alabama's 26-23 win over Georgia at the College Football Playoff National Championship game, the Tide's fifth championship in nine years, and Pizza Hut announced at CES it's partnering with Toyota on a concept for an autonomous delivery vehicle (wasn't there a "Black Mirror" episode about this?).
What Pyeongchang is Talking About:
North Korea said it will send athletes and supporters to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, and South Korea proposed they march together in the Opening Ceremonies.
Obama Dems Weigh in on Oprah Boomlet:
Oprah BFF Gayle King didn't put the 2020 speculation to rest on "CBS This Morning," saying the two talked yesterday and that although Oprah is not considering a run, she finds the idea "very intriguing." | | Credit: CBS
Everyone has an opinion on the possibility of Oprah 2020, but I was most interested in reaction from Obama's orbit. Here are a few of their comments: - Former Obama adviser David Axelrod said he doubts she'll run because "she is both stable AND a genius. She doesn't need the attention and probably figures her best role is not this."
- Former Obama speechwriter David Litt wrote that regardless of whether she runs, her Golden Globes speech was "textbook" and "a master class in writing a powerful, thoughtful speech" and broke down why.
- Obama's 2012 Iowa state director Brad Anderson said, "There are 99 county chairs in Iowa. And I promise you every one of them would call her back. And I can't say that about every potential presidential candidate."
Pence is Optimistic About 2018:
Vice President Mike Pence told the Wall Street Journal he believes Repubs can break the curse of parties losing seats in the first midterm after they take the White House. He said:
"We have great momentum in the economy and we think we have an opportunity to not only buck that historic trend but we think we can expand our majority in the Senate. And we really believe that we can re-elect a majority in the House."
Wow, that's bold. Repubs' strategy was described as a "two-step," with Pence heading into competitive states and districts first to raise money, followed by President Trump, who will hold big rallies and gin up excitement.
Trump's Not the Only One Making Up Awards Shows:
In response to Trump's made-up "THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR" that were scheduled for yesterday but then moved to next week, the Committee to Protect Journalists announced its own awards. The Press Oppressors Awards recognize world leaders who have "gone above and beyond to silence critical voices and weaken democracy."
Trump was awarded Overall Achievement in Undermining Global Press Freedom and runner-up for Most Thin-Skinned, behind Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Washington's Fav Books of 2017:
Amazon released a list of its most-purchased books by state, and the top three books in D.C. were completely predictable.
No. 1 was "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, No. 2 was "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance (who, by the way, has been asked by top Repubs including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to run for Senate in Ohio, per Politico), and No. 3 was "What Happened" by Hillary Clinton. You can see Amazon's full list and check out what books topped other states here. | | Credit: Amazon
Thank Repubs for Your Lower Pepco Bill:
Washington utility provider Pepco said because the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act slashes the amount of federal income tax it pays from 35% to 21%, it's planning on billing 296,000 customers less this year.
Donald Wasn't the Only Trump at the Championship:
His second wife, Georgia-born Marla Maples, was there last night to cheer on the Bulldogs. I'd say awwwwkward, except it didn't seem to phase her, as far as her Instagram story showed. | | | Credit: @itsmarlamaples/Instagram | | | | | | |
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