| | | | | Barack Obama and Michelle Obama unveil thier official portraits at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images | | | The Obama Portraits Are Everything: Barack and Michelle Obama's portraits are different and people are freaking
It's Infrastructure Week at the White House: So buckle up, because we love a theme week
Hunter's in Pyeongchang!: Hunter writes in all week from the Winter Olympics to tell us about how politics are playing in South Korea | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump today rolled out his infrastructure plan.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
It's Infrastructure Week at the White House, so look out.
Also, Sarah Sanders is set to do the briefing at 3:00, but the time always changes after I hit send on this newsletter.
Hold Please, Because the Obama Portraits are Everything:
Before I go any further, I have to devote some space to the portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama that were unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery this morning, because I for one think they are amazing. Obama chose Kehinde Wiley (whose portraits of African Americans done in the style of the Old Masters are completely different and special) to paint his picture, and Michelle Obama chose Amy Sherald (whose portraits of African Americans done in a more realism style than a traditional style are insanely compelling). I think the most important thing about these portraits -- and this goes especially for those of you who are thinking "they don't look like them" -- is the artists selected. Both use their artwork as vehicles for social justice and change, and to shine a light on the lives of modern black Americans, notably in urban environments. I think that the Obamas selected Wiley and Sherald from dozens of options says more about their conversations for the future of America than about art, or a mere painting. But that's just me. What do you think? Read my story to learn a bit more about the artists here. And CNN Style's Deana Haggag has a great piece on the cultural implications of the portraits here. Here's what I say to those of you who are stuck on the idea that portraits are only successful if they look exactly like the subjects they depict: | | | Also, here's Barack Obama looking at Michelle's new portrait: | | Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
And here's a closer look at Wiley's portrait of Obama. I loved what Wiley said in his remarks about how the flowers reflect "charting [Obama's] path on Earth," like the chrysanthemum, which is the official flower of Chicago. | | Credit: Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
But Back to Infrastructure:
Trump's new 53-page plan includes a lot of things, you can read about it here. This morning he met with community and state leaders to discuss some of the changes he would like to see implemented.
During remarks this morning, captured by the pool, it's clear Trump finds infrastructure a turn-on, what with all the roads and bridges and highways: | | Credit: @MichaelCBender/Twitter
Also This Week? The Great Immigration Debate:
Look for Capitol Hill to go tooth and nail over the future of immigration this week as the Senate narrows the fight for multiple proposals on the topic. It should quite honestly produce a very interesting and perhaps emotional debate between lawmakers.
I Survived New Orleans:
Not sure what was more difficult, going to three Mardi Gras parades and eating 65 lbs of crawfish, or a few days with my mom and my sister (I kid, I kid). Seriously, though, whenever I go down to visit my family in New Orleans, I'm reminded of the spirit and resilience of the city, and the kindness of its inhabitants. I barely minded when I was beaned with some beads from the upper deck of a float at the Tucks parade on Friday. Took a decent shot to the head -- price of doing business. | | What Washington is Talking About:
The Senate is expected to vote on opening debate on immigration this afternoon, and Rep. Adam Schiff said he plans to talk with the FBI about the Dem memo that the White House said last week it would not release.
What America is Talking About:
There's a new website sweeping your Facebook feed that shows what you look like as a member of the opposite sex.
What PyeongChang is Talking About:
The controversy over Dutch speed skater and 1500m silver medalist Sjinkie Knegt flipping the bird in a photo, and US figure skater Mirai Nagasu, who became the first American and third woman ever to land a triple axel at the Olympics. | | Credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Poll of the Day:
Don't be surprised if viewership for the Olympics is down this year. A Gallup poll found 39% of Americans said they plan to watch either a "great deal" or "fair amount" of the Games, the lowest percentage for a Winter Olympics going back to Salt Lake City in 2002. | | Credit: Gallup
Pence Says the US is Ready to Talk to North Korea:
On his way back from PyeongChang Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence told the Washington Post the US is ready to talk with North Korea but, "the maximum pressure campaign is going to continue and intensify," and talks will happen only if North Korea takes meaningful steps toward denuclearization. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson weighed in from Cairo, Egypt, today, reiterating that it's up to North Korea to decide when it's ready to talk.
Senate Finance Committee Member Wants Records on Trump Sale to Russians:
Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Dem, asked the Treasury Department to turn over records on President Trump's sale of a Palm Beach property to a Russian billionaire. The property, purchased by Trump in 2004 for $41.35 million, was sold four years later for $95 million -- $30 million more than it was appraised for in 2008.
Russia's Not Officially at the Olympics, but...:
Countries typically set up hospitality centers in Olympic host cities to provide a place to enjoy watching the Games. Since Russia isn't officially at the Olympics, there is no "Russia House," but there is a "Sports House" that's Russian in all but name. They have replica jerseys of Olympic-winning Soviet hockey teams, and the hashtag #RussiaInMyHeart plastered all over. The slogan apparently means that Russia is more than just a flag or a place, which is fitting for an Olympics where they're not technically competing. Still, they have a medal count up for the hardware brought in by OAR athletes. | | Credit: Hunter Schwarz
Politics in PyeongChang:
I'll be posting more photos and videos from Pyeongchang of how politics is playing here over on my Insta. It's been interesting seeing it all from a different perspective (like the fact I saw more Pence on TV here during his visit than I think I ever have in a single day back in America). | | Credit: Ryan Alexander
Street Art Sighting:
Since the 2006 Games in Turin, Italy, host cities have put up a "Truce Mural" to represent the Olympic Truce, the tradition that athletes should be able to travel from their home countries to the Games and back in safety. The Pyeongchang mural, produced by Korean artist Jaeseok Lee, features peace signs, Olympic torches and rings, and "I ❤️ Yous." Here are US Olympians Emily Sweeney, Opening Ceremony flag bearer Erin Hamlin and Summer Britcher posing in front of it. | | Credit: Dan Istitene/Getty Images
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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