| | | | | President Trump holds his notes while hosting a listening session with survivors of mass shootings, their parents, and their teachers at the White House Wednesday. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | | | Trump's At Least Thinking About the Gun Issue, A Lot: His tweets are all over the map
White House Announces Closing Ceremony Delegation: Sarah Sanders will join Ivanka
Hope Hicks, Washington's Most Powerful Person: At least according to GQ | | | What the White House is Talking About:
Continuing the listening sessions, President Trump today meets with state and local officials about school safety.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
Whether last night's CNN Town Hall will have a lasting impact on politicians and their stance on gun control issues. Also, principal deputy press secretary Raj Shah is back in the briefing room today for his second on-camera briefing, scheduled for 2 p.m. Sarah Sanders is en route to the Olympics in South Korea.
Trump's At Least Thinking About the Gun Issue, A Lot:
While his tweets this morning were all over the map (arm *some* teachers; ban bump stocks; raise the age limit to purchase; do more mental health background checks), one thing is for certain: Trump is thinking about guns and what to do about them. Note card aside, he was clearly moved by yesterday's listening session with survivors and family members affected by school shootings. The President had some very human responses: "We're fighting hard for you and we will not stop... I just grieve for you, I feel so -- to me, there could be nothing worse than what you've gone through... Thank you for pouring out your hearts because the world is watching and we're going to come up with a solution."
Look for Trump to get firm with Congress about the issue. CNN reports it was the President's idea to open yesterday's listening session to the press, and aides inside the White House say Trump has been deeply affected by the tragedy in Parkland, and he's frustrated that Congress hasn't moved to act. | | Credit: @realDonaldTrump/Twitter
Town Hall:
Last night's riveting discussion during CNN's Town Hall was so compelling, not just for the poise and intelligence of those asking questions of lawmakers, the NRA and law enforcement, but in general for being a forum for a conversation that desperately needed to be had. The kids were so impressive, and they held feet to the fire, for sure. Again, no matter what side you fall on in the gun debate, something feels different about where we're headed this time. If you missed it, you can watch here, and I would encourage taking the time to click through this excellent gallery piece with images and quotes from participants. | | Credit: CNN
Obamas Weigh In:
Michelle Obama yesterday tweeted support for the young people fighting to have their voices and concerns acknowledged, and today Barack Obama did the same: | | Credit: @BarackObama/Twitter
McMaster Making Moves?:
CNN's crack Pentagon team has news that national security adviser H.R. McMaster might be moving out of his role and back into the military, following months of reported tension between him and the President.
Justin Trudeau, Sigh:
I can appreciate what the Trudeau family was maybe trying to do for their visit to India this week, but, man, it feels like a bridge too far. The Canadian Prime Minister and his wife, Sophie, along with their three kids, really took the dressing-up-in-homage, fashion-diplomacy thing to heart. Like, he dressed more Bollywood than actors who are actually in Bollywood. Here's the fam with famous Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan, whose expression is all of us: | | Credit: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images
I mean, who among us hasn't been so excited to go to something that we over-planned an outfit by a smidge? I know I have 🙋 . Still, too much is too much, and Trudeau is getting panned for it in the local Indian press and on social media. This quote from India Today: "We understand that the Trudeaus do not understand Indian clothing as well as Indian dignitaries do, but for someone who's been fond of wearing Indian kurtas even back home, it's not wrong to expect a touch of class." | | Credit: Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images, Sam Panthaky/AFP/Getty Images
Ivanka To the Olympics:
Ivanka Trump is on her way to South Korea to catch a few weekend events and lead the American delegation at the Closing Ceremony. White House officials held a call with media to discuss her involvement in the Games -- they said she's going in part because she's a "winter sports enthusiast," which is my favorite.
This Baby Dragon is Everything:
My favorite moment from the Autumn/Winter 2018 shows in Milan, Italy, this week is sleeping baby dragon as accessory on the Gucci runway. I love you, fashion, don't ever change. | | | Credit: Catwalking/Getty Images | | What Washington is Talking About:
What will happen with guns when Congress gets back next week. Last night's CNN Town Hall was a possible look at what lawmakers could hear from constituents, and President Trump tweeted that he hopes Congress is in a "mood to finally do something on this issue."
What America is Talking About:
Guns.
Poll of the Day:
The percentage of American voters who believe it's important for a president to be loyal to their spouse: | | Credit: Quinnipiac poll
That includes 86% of Repubs, 85% of Dems, and 80% of independents.
What PyeongChang is Talking About:
The US women's hockey team is bringing home the gold, ending Canada's four-Olympics streak following a 3-2 shootout. | | Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
White House Announces Closing Ceremony Delegation:
Joining Ivanka Trump for the US Presidential Delegation at the Closing Ceremony in PyeongChang Sunday will be: - Sen. James Risch, an Idaho Repub
- White House press secretary Sarah Sanders
- Gen. Vincent Brooks, Commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces South Korea
- Marc Knapper, chargé d'affaires ad interim, US Embassy Seoul
- Sgt. Shauna Rohbock, a BYU grad (go Cougs), 2006 bobsled silver medalist, Team USA coach and US Army National Guard member
North Korea Announces its Closing Ceremony Delegation:
North Korea's delegation will be led by Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of the Party Central Committee, and the man believed responsible for a 2010 torpedo attack that killed 46 South Korean service members (Vice President Pence visited a monument to the attack when he was in South Korea for the Opening Ceremony). There is no planned meeting between the North Korean and American delegations, a senior Trump administration official said.
Pence Explains Why He Didn't Clap for the Unified Korean Team:
Speaking this morning at CPAC, Pence explained why he didn't stand and clap for the team's Opening Ceremony entrance, saying, "the United States doesn't stand with murderous dictatorships, we stand up to murderous dictatorships."
What the Warriors Are Doing Instead of Visiting the White House:
Since they were disinvited to the White House for the traditional championship visit by Trump, the Golden State Warriors are planning on visiting with local Washington kids instead when they're in town next Tuesday, per ESPN. No details yet on where or what exactly they plan to do. Head coach Steve Kerr told ESPN:
"It's their championship. They got disinvited to the White House, so it's up to them what they wanted to do. So they made their plans. I want the players to have a good day and to do something positive and to enjoy what they're doing."
GQ Names Hope Hicks Washington's Most Powerful Person:
The White House communications director came ahead of No. 2 Vice President Pence, and No. 3 special counsel Robert Mueller. | | Credit: GQ
Trump was intentionally not included in the ranking, but Javanka made the list, the only Trump family members to do so, at No. 37, right above Putin. See the full list here.
Hate Groups on the Rise:
The Southern Poverty Law Center's Year in Hate and Extremism report found the number of hate groups -- which they identify as "an organization that – based on its official statements or principles, the statements of its leaders, or its activities – has beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics" -- has risen from 917 in 2016 to 954 in 2017.
The growth was driven by an increase in black nationalist hate groups, which rose from 193 chapters to 233, and neo-Nazi groups, which grew from 99 groups to 121. Interestingly, KKK groups saw a decline of 130 to 72. The report said:
"The decline is a clear indication that the new generation of white supremacists is rejecting the Klan's hoods and robes for the hipper image of the more loosely organized alt-right movement."
For the first time, the SPLC also included male supremacy groups, one based in Washington, D.C., the other in Houston.
Alex Trebek to Host Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Debate:
Now here's one way to increase interest in a statewide election. The "Jeopardy!" host will moderate an October debate for gubernatorial candidates hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Trebek said in 2013 he'd like to host a presidential debate.
Michelle Wolf to Host WHCD 2018:
"The Daily Show" contributor will be this year's featured entertainer. Here's her take on Hillary Clinton in 2016, for a four minute 30 second intro, if you're unfamiliar. Earlier this month, Netflix announced Wolf was getting her own weekly show on the streaming service. | | Credit: Comedy Central
Marla Maples Candlesticks Up for Auction:
The candlesticks, used by Maples during her marriage to Trump, are up for auction today with a starting bid of $6,000. There's even still some wax left on them. | | | Credit: Nate D. Sanders Auctions | | | | | | |
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