“The Justice Department told White House personnel on Wednesday that they must preserve all notes regarding President Trump’s meetings and phone calls with foreign leaders,” CNN reports.
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“A parental advisory for you: In this block, I’m going to be quoting from things that the President of the United States has tweeted, so if you have kids in the room, you might want to mute the television…”
— Jake Tapper, during his show on CNN.
Trump Won’t Answer What He Asked Ukraine
When asked what specifically he asked Ukraine President Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son, President Trump repeatedly refused to answer the question. He became very agitated when it was pointed out that he did not answer the question.
Here’s the exchange with Jeff Mason of Reuters:
MASON: “The question, sir, was what did you want President Zelensky to do about Vice President Biden and his son Hunter?
TRUMP: “Are you talking to me?”
MASON: “Yes. It’s just a follow-up of what I just asked you, sir.”
TRUMP: “Listen, are you ready? We have the president of Finland. Ask him a question.”
MASON: “I have one for him. I wanted to follow-up on the one that I asked you.”
TRUMP: Did you hear me? Did you hear me? Ask him a question. I’ve given you a long answer, ask this gentleman a question. Don’t be rude. I’ve answered everything. It’s a whole hoax. And you know who’s playing into this hoax? People like you and the fake news media that we have in this country. And I say in many cases, the corrupt media.”
Overall, the press conference was a train wreck and showed Trump at his most rage-filled and victimized. He’s clearly in crisis.
Betsy DeVos’ Security Detail Could Cost $26 Million
The federal security detail assigned to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is expected to cost taxpayers more than $26 million during President Trump’s first term, CNN reports.
Pelosi Says Trump Is Scared
Speaker Nancy Pelosi told ABC News that President Trump is “scared” of the impeachment inquiry she launched last week.
Said Pelosi: “I think the president knows the argument that can be made against him, and he’s scared. And so he’s trying to divert attention from that to where [he’s] standing in the way of legislation.”
Schiff Got Heads Up on Whistleblower Complaint
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) learned about the outlines of a CIA officer’s concerns that President Trump had abused his power days before the officer filed a whistle-blower complaint, the New York Times reports.
“The early account by the future whistle-blower shows how determined he was to make known his allegations that Mr. Trump asked Ukraine’s government to interfere on his behalf in the 2020 election. It also explains how Mr. Schiff knew to press for the complaint when the Trump administration initially blocked lawmakers from seeing it.”
Hate Inc.
Out next week: Hate Inc.: Why Today’s Media Makes Us Despise One Another by Matt Taibbi.
The book reveals that what most people think of as “the news” is, in fact, a twisted wing of the entertainment business.
No products found.
Putin Says He Doesn’t Care If Calls Are Released
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he “would not mind if the White House made public his talks with President Trump at a summit meeting last year, because there was nothing incriminating in their conversations,” the New York Times reports.
“Just five days earlier, Mr. Putin’s spokesman had said the Kremlin would not want records of the two presidents’ talks released. But Mr. Putin, a former K.G.B. spy, said his previous job had taught him that any conversation he had could be published.”
Bonus Quote of the Day
“Obviously, Batman is a billionaire and he’s got all the great gear, so that’s appealing. Then again, he doesn’t really strike me as happy, so, yeah, I’m going to stick with Spiderman.
— Pete Buttigieg, quoted by the Hollywood Reporter, on which superhero he most relates to.
Trump Says House Investigations Are ‘Bullshit’
President Trump blasted House Democrats’ investigations as “BULLSHIT,” as his furor with the impeachment probe reaching new heights.
Said Trump: “The Do Nothing Democrats should be focused on building up our Country, not wasting everyone’s time and energy on BULLSHIT, which is what they have been doing ever since I got overwhelmingly elected in 2016, 223-306,” he wrote, incorrectly stating the breakdown of electoral college votes he and Hillary Clinton received.”
He added: “Get a better candidate this time, you’ll need it!”
Schiff Condemns Trump’s Tweets About Whistleblower
House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) condemned President Trump’s tweets demanding to “meet” the Ukraine whistleblower as “a blatant effort to intimidate witnesses” and “an incitement of violence,” Axios reports.
Said Schiff: “Let’s not make any mistake here. The president wants to make this all about the whistleblower, and suggests people that come forward with evidence of his wrongdoing are somehow treasonous and should be treated as traitors and spies. This is a blatant effort to intimidate a witness. It’s an incitement of violence.”
Trump Disputes Report About Border Demands
President Trump disputed a report that he wanted a border wall with spikes and a moat filled with alligators and snakes at the Mexican border.
Said Trump: “Now the press is trying to sell the fact that I wanted a Moat stuffed with alligators and snakes, with an electrified fence and sharp spikes on top, at our Southern Border. I may be tough on Border Security, but not that tough.”
He added: “The press has gone Crazy. Fake News!”
Warren Now Leads Democratic Field
A new Monmouth poll finds Elizabeth Warren leading the Democratic presidential field with 28%, followed by Joe Biden at 25%, Bernie Sanders at 15%, Pete Buttigieg at 5%, Kamala Harris at 5%, Andrew Yang at 2% and Mairrane Williamson at 2%.
The remaining 11 candidates included in the poll register 1% or less.
No Change in Trump Reelect Prospects
A new Monmouth poll finds recent events have not moved public opinion in either direction on whether President Trump deserves a second term, but his reelection bid remains underwater, with particular signs of weakness among critical voting blocs.
Just under 39% of registered voters feel that Trump should be reelected in 2020, while 57% say it is time to have someone new in the Oval Office.
Putin Jokes Russia Will Meddle In U.S. Election
Russian President Vladimir Putin “appeared to revel in the ongoing political maelstrom in the U.S., jokingly admitting to plans for future election meddling,” Politico reports.
When asked if Russia would interfere in the 2020 election cycle, Putin leaned into the microphone on stage and mimicked a whisper: “I’m going to tell you a secret. Yes, sure, we’re going to do that. Don’t tell anybody.”
Sanders Undergoes Heart Surgery
Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign announced Wednesday that he underwent surgery to insert two stents after blockage was found in an artery, Axios reports.
Sanders will cancel his events and appearances until further notice.
Warren Jumps Into National Lead
A new Economist/YouGov poll finds Elizabeth Warren leading the Democratic primary field with 26%, followed by Joe Biden at 22%, Bernie Sanders at 14%, Pete Buttigieg at 7% and Kamala Harris at 5%.
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