| | | | | President Trump poses for a photograph with fans during the Army-Navy game Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Credit: Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images | | | Help Wanted: White House Chief of Staff: There are no clear frontrunners to succeed Kelly
Sully is Still the Best Very Good Dog: Best red carpet celebs ever
Wilbur Ross Went to Art Basel: He was reportedly interested in a piece inspired by Bernie Madoff | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump has nothing on his public schedule today, but he does have lunch behind closed doors with Vice President Mike Pence at the White House.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
Trump not having a solid backup plan in case Nick Ayers didn't want to be chief of staff -- which he didn't.
Help Wanted: White House Chief of Staff:
John Kelly was apparently supposed to announce today he would be leaving his post at the White House, after months of speculation and an increasingly sour relationship with the President. However, as he is wont to do, Trump decided to make the news himself, telling reporters on Saturday that Kelly would be leaving (or "retiring," as he put it) at the end of the year.
The President had been actively discussing terms for the COS job with Ayers, who was said to be interested, but only as a temporary assignment. Trump wanted him to stay in the job for much longer, reportedly two years, but Ayers said "no, thanks," citing his desire to return to his young family in Georgia. Now, the president is in a lurch, without a bench of COS candidates, and looking a bit like he couldn't get his number-one draft pick to sign.
Now, while there are names floating around, there are no clear frontrunners to succeed Kelly, which will likely make Trump even more frustrated about his predicament.
Meanwhile, Mueller:
The special counsel investigation is also a dark cloud over Trump's mood lately, again notable from his morning tweets on the topic, pointedly about James Comey's testimony on Friday to the House Judiciary Committee. As Robert Mueller's puzzle pieces inch closer to formation, Trump is getting louder at proclaiming his innocence.
Oh, Just 16 People?:
Here's the full list of the 16 Trump associates who had contacts with Russians during the campaign and/or transition. Because it's important to know this when the President says there weren't any.
Sully is Still The Best Very Good Dog:
Last night in New York, Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa hosted the 12th annual CNN Heroes event and one of the guests was Sully, the service dog who worked with former president George H.W. Bush before he passed away. Sully hung out with the service dog of one of the Heroes, Chris Stout. Best red carpet celebs ever. Later, Anderson called Sully on stage, which was also adorable. | | Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Our Daily Melania:
In today's Washington Post there is a lengthy profile of Stephanie Grisham, the communications director and deputy chief of staff for the East Wing -- and Melania Trump's trusted right hand. Grisham has been with Team Trump for longer than most of the folks who remain working in the administration, having joined back during the campaign. Melania scooped her up last year and since then it has been Grisham's job to serve as gatekeeper -- some would say protector -- of the first lady. She's been the one to fire off the hot-take tweets in Melania's defense, and most recently she was the author of the tweet that eventually ended the White House tenure of Mira Ricardel, a West Wing-er who butted heads with East Wing staff. I interact with Grisham quite a bit, as you can imagine, and she's a toughie, but she's also fair, and she is exceedingly loyal to FLOTUS. Also, when was the last time you read a relatively positive profile of anyone in the Trump administration? It's a rarity.
Cash Stash:
I found this list of reported funds from potential 2020 candidates really interesting -- and it also shows where everyone is in terms of building their presidential campaign platform. Via CNN's David Wright: | | | Credit: @DavidWright_CNN/Twitter | | What Washington is Talking About:
Republicans responded to Friday filings from Robert Mueller's team and federal prosecutors with near silence; the Democratic response included expected House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jerry Nadler, who said if it's proven President Trump coordinated making hush money payments to women during the campaign it would be an "impeachable offense" while Adam Schiff said President Trump could face jail time; and a bipartisan human rights commission named after the late Sen. John McCain is being announced today, Human Rights Day.
What America is Talking About:
Winter storms swept through the South this weekend, putting 25 million under winter weather alerts; Beyoncé performed at the wedding of the daughter of the wealthiest man in India; and Roger the ripped kangaroo has died.
Poll of the Day:
The percentage of American adults who believe Mueller should be allowed to finish his investigation has remained at a similar level throughout the year, according to a NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist poll. Today, 67% believe he should be allowed to continue, 18% believe he should be fired, and 15% are unsure. | | Credit: Marist
Booker Says He'll Decide on 2020 Run After Holidays:
New Hampshire Democrats told the New York Times that Sen. Cory Booker, who said he'll decide over the holidays whether to run for president in 2020, is among the most active potential candidates courting them. When a state lawmaker told Booker to come back soon after he spoke to about 300 in Manchester, Booker said, "I have a feeling I will."
Comey Wants Trump to Lose in a Landslide:
Speaking at an event in New York City Sunday, former FBI Director James Comey made it clear he thinks Trump needs to go. But Comey thinks the best route for that is at the ballot box and not impeachment, which he said some might view as a "coup."
"All of us should use every breath we have to make sure the lies stop on January 20, 2020," he said. "I understand the Democrats have important debates now over who their candidate should be, but they have to win."
Now With Even More Pinocchios:
The Washington Post Fact Checker announced today a new way to track Trump's false statements, with a "Bottomless Pinocchio" rating that will be used to describe regularly repeated inaccuracies. Among his most repeated are that his tax cut is the largest in history, that the American economy is stronger than ever before, and that he's started building his promised border wall. You can read their interactive "Bottomless Pinocchio" database here.
Obama's 2018 Obamacare Pitch:
Former President Obama put out a video today reminding people to sign up for healthcare (open enrollment ends Saturday), and he referenced some of his meme-ier past pitches -- like his BuzzFeed video and Between Two Ferns interview -- and promised this year will be different. "I think you're proven that you don't need to see me taking jump shots or sitting between a couple of first plants in order to know it's important to have health insurance," he says. The video ends with the "Deal With It" sunglasses floating down onto Obama's face, followed by, "You've got a filter on me, don't you?" | | Credit: @barackobama/Twitter
KUWTK Political Season Finale:
"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" finally covered Kim's White House visit in its season finale. KKW said she was "so straightforward" with Jared Kushner about her political views when she reached out. "This might not be a popular opinion, but I'll talk to who I need to talk to to get things done," she said.
Kardashian West said she was warned by Kushner that nothing is ever 100% with Trump. She also said she wore the Jackie Kennedy's Cartier watch she reportedly bought at an auction for $395,000 to her Oval Office meeting about commuting Alice Johnson's sentence -- for "Kennedy strength."
Maples Speaks at Chinese Women Conference:
Marla Maples has been posting up photos and videos from Sanya, China, where she spoke at a women's forum with Anna Yusim, a psychiatrist and author of a book about spirituality called "Fulfilled." | | Credit: @itsmarlamaples/Instagram story
Wilbur Ross Went to Art Basel:
The commerce secretary was in Miami for the art festival, where he reportedly asked a gallery for more information about a piece called "Made Off," per Bloomberg Businessweek. The sculpture, by Fredy Hadorn, shows two hands in handcuffs holding cash, and was inspired by Bernie Madoff. It was later found on the ground, with the cash and a fake Rolex watch missing.
Street Art Sighting:
The "Fearless Girl" statue installed in front of the "Charging Bull" in New York City's Bowling Green Park has been moved to its new home outside the New York Stock Exchange. Its old location now has this plaque: | | Credit: State Street Global Advisors
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.
Correction: In Friday's issue I inadvertently misstated Twitter's character limit. It is 280 characters. | | | | | | |
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