| | | | | President Trump arrives at a Make America Great Again rally in Biloxi, Mississippi, Monday. Credit: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images | | | Mueller on the Brain: The President is clearly thinking about the Robert Mueller investigation
Bernie Lays Out Why He'd Run in 2020: Sen. Sanders on what would make him run again
"Netflix for Conservatives": The current lineup is more Sean Hannity than William F. Buckley | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump today has lunch with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis at the White House, and later meets with Congressional Republican leadership in the Oval Office. In the afternoon and again in the evening, the President and first lady Melania Trump host two private holiday receptions, one of them for Secret Service members and their families.
Trump, Pompeo and Mattis are likely to use their lunch to discuss the situation in Ukraine, which Trump has yet to condemn Russia for escalating. However, he did admit yesterday to reporters he thought the aggression was "not good. Not happy about it at all."
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
SIREN: There is a press briefing today. I repeat, there is a press briefing today.
It is scheduled for 1 p.m., and will likely kick off with a preview of Trump's trip to the G20 Summit in Argentina later this week.
Mueller on the Brain:
The President is clearly thinking about the Robert Mueller investigation, and perhaps doing some mental preparation for its culmination. Today was the second day Trump tweeted in the morning a multi-parter about Mueller and the "witch hunt." Alan Dershowitz, who has been a defender of Trump in recent months, said he anticipates the special counsel's final report will be "devastating" for the President.
Meanwhile, related, Michael Cohen is staring down a sentencing date of December 12th, and he's hoping the judge provides some leniency on the eight federal crimes he pleaded guilty to in August (which feels like two years ago now, tbh). Cohen is looking at 46-63 months of time, based on his charges and the plea deal he struck. The judge can shorten that, of course, but this interesting story about US District Judge William Pauley III shows he's not a super-lenient disciplinarian when it comes to sentencing white-collar criminals.
People Got Really, Really Mean About the Holiday Decorations:
I'm sorry, but is attacking Melania Trump for how she decorated the White House for the holidays really the hill you want to die on? I'm open to hearing criticism of her for other things, like her platform, or her stance on the #MeToo movement, or why she keeps turning me down for interviews -- sure, go after that stuff if you're looking for something. But -- her choice of holiday decorations? It's the HOLIDAYS, that's not the SPIRIT. For example, read this Vogue article and tell me what you think because I honestly just found it super-mean and not even clever. There were others like it, but not quite as mean.
Honestly, I loved the red trees. I have covered several years of White House holiday decorations and I was always pretty bored with the level of aesthetic creativity, so I found the different styles this year unique and visually compelling. I don't know. Thoughts?
The memes were sort of entertaining. There were funny ones, like the Phillies mascot and the Muppets, but there were also way creepier ones ... | | | Credit: @billy_penn/Twitter, @blueseros/Twitter | | Credit: @missmyrtle2/Twitter
Our Daily Melania:
Today Melania went with Karen Pence to the Red Cross headquarters to put together care packages for troops. Each package includes two bags, one with toiletries and one with snacks and food -- they also include a card that says the bag was prepared by the first and second lady, with thanks for their service and best wishes for the holidays. | | Credit: @markknoller/Twitter
José Andrés for the Nobel Peace Prize!:
I totally and completely endorse this move. I think what chef José Andrés has done in an incredibly short amount of time for people all over the world is nothing short of remarkable. When I need inspiration about how to be a better person, I often think about José and his selfless dedication to his cause. | | What Washington is Talking About:
President Trump meets today with House Republican leadership; Sen. Chuck Schumer said protections for Robert Mueller's investigation should be attached to a spending bill if they're not brought to the floor for a vote; and the fight against Nancy Pelosi for speaker got a boost from Gil Cisneros, who just won his House race in California and said he would not support her.
What America is Talking About:
GM announced it is closing five facilities in North America and cutting 15% of its salaried workers; an ATM in Houston inadvertently gave out $100 bills instead of $10s for about two hours and Bank of America said customers can keep the change; and the FDA said the romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak can be traced to California.
Poll of the Day:
Trump's disapproval rating has reached 60%, its highest point of the year, according to a Gallup poll.
The last time Trump's disapproval rating was this high was last December. Trump had endorsed Roy Moore, who was accused of sexual misconduct, and his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, our Grace Sparks noted. | | Credit: Gallup
Manafort Lied, Mueller's Team Says:
Prosecutors said after pleading guilty and agreeing to participate in Mueller's investigation, Paul Manafort lied to both Mueller's team and the FBI "on a variety of subjects," which "constitute breaches of the agreement," according to the court filing.
Love Hits Back at Trump:
The race for Utah's 4th Congressional District was finally settled yesterday, with Democrat Ben McAdams defeating Republican Mia Love. In true outgoing-Repub fashion, she said she'll now be more frank. "Now, I am unleashed, I am untethered and I am unshackled, and I can say exactly what's on my mind," she said. Love said Trump operates with, "No real relationships, just convenient transactions."
Bernie Lays Out Why He'd Run in 2020:
In an interview with New York magazine, Sen. Bernie Sanders said if there's someone who could do a better job than him in 2020, he will back him or her. But, "if it turns out that I am the best candidate to beat Donald Trump, then I will probably run," he said. Guys, I think he's going to run.
"Netflix for Conservatives":
That's how the New York Times referred to Fox News' new $5.99/month streaming app, Fox Nation. It was launched today and will feature exclusive content like a cooking show with Steve Doocy, "What Made America Great" by Brian Kilmeade, and plenty of Tomi Lahren.
The current lineup is more Sean Hannity than William F. Buckley. There's also Diamond and Silk, who spread debunked stories about conservative censorship online; Britt McHenry, who was suspended from ESPN after leaked footage showed her belittling a tow lot employee; and Mark Fuhrman, a police detective who lied during the OJ Simpson trial about having about used racist language. This morning, Fox Nation was No. 177 for news in the Apple App Store. | | Credit: App Store
Ted Cruz Grew Some Facial Hair:
It's not uncommon to see male lawmakers return from holidays with some facial hair, but it doesn't make it any less surprising. It's a sort of seeing-your-teacher-outside-of-school of politics.
Sen. Ted Cruz showed up yesterday to Capitol Hill with some scruff. The internet responded to the photo -- taken by Business Insider's Joe Perticone -- by joking that Cruz can't actually grow a beard. | | Credit: @JoePerticone/Twitter
"Becoming" Moves to No. 2 on Amazon 2018 List:
One down, one to go. Michelle Obama's memoir has now outsold Rachel Hollis' "Girl, Wash Your Face" on Amazon this year.
Street Art Sighting:
This sticker of a reimagined Gadsden flag -- this one saying "Don't Spy on Me" -- was spotted in Philadelphia. | | Credit: Hunter Schwarz
If you spot political street art, tweet me @hunterschwarz, tag me on Instagram @hunterschwarz, or email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com with your sighting so I can feature it in COVER/LINE. | | | | | | |
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