| | | | | New National Security Adviser John Bolton listens to President Trump speak during a Cabinet meeting at the White House Monday. Credit: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images | | | Larry Kudlow, King of the Driveway: Chatting up the press outside the White House is becoming his thing
Our Daily Melania: FLOTUS to meet with middle schoolers
Cardi B Loves Political Science: She's a living encyclopedia of presidential trivia | | | What the White House is Talking About:
This morning President Trump held a Cabinet meeting. Later this evening, he hosts senior military leadership for a meeting and a dinner in the State Dining Room.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
Doozy of a first day for new National Security Adviser John Bolton. Here's a good read on what he can expect.
And is the Larry Kudlow arriving-to-work-driveway-gaggle a thing now?
Sarah Sanders is scheduled to brief at 2:30 p.m.
"We're Talking About Humanity":
Before the Cabinet meeting, Trump spoke on Syria and said the horrific chemical gas attack issue is one of humanity, and that he and his team are looking at options. He called it a "heinous attack" and "barbaric act." The President said there will be "some major decisions over the next 24 to 48 hours," adding, "We cannot allow atrocities like that ... nothing's off the table."
Mattis Won't Rule Out Military Action Against Syria:
This morning, Defense Secretary James Mattis said it's possible we could launch airstrikes against Syria in retaliation for the truly abominable chemical gas attack there this weekend. "I don't rule anything out right now," Mattis said during a brief press avail at the Pentagon. Trump tweeted a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin and to Iran, saying there would be a "big price to pay" if they back "Animal Assad." A principal group of the President's National Security Council met this morning, led by Bolton, to talk about the situation in Syria and discuss possible options for handling the crisis.
Larry Kudlow, King of the Driveway:
Since he's been a regular presence at the White House, chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow has been walking into work via the north lawn, which is great for reporters to stop him for quick gaggles. Kudlow, commonly in a dapper neck scarf, has had some pretty quotable moments. Take today, for instance: When he was asked about Facebook regulation but instead gave Mark Zuckerberg sartorial advice: Q: Mark Zuckerberg will be on the Hill to testify, does the administration feel Facebook should be regulated?
A: "Is he gonna wear a suit and tie and a clean white shirt? That's my biggest question. Is he gonna behave like an adult, as a major corporate leader, or give me this phony bologna -- what is it, hoodies and dungarees? And what does that kinda statement send?"
Q: "You don't think much of Mark Zuckerberg I take it?
A: "I think I could help him clean up his act."
Here's Kudlow -- all pinstripes suit, scarf and pink tie -- and his media swarm on Friday's driveway walk to the West Wing: | | Credit: Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Our Daily Melania:
This afternoon is Melania Trump's listening session with middle schoolers at the White House. I'll be there, so follow along on my Twitter if you feel like it. I'm kind of getting impatient with how long it's taking for her to announce her formal platform -- like, it's April, it's time. She's now two months past the date in her tenure that Michelle Obama launched "Let's Move," and almost a year behind Laura Bush's literacy program announcement. I realize "the well-being of children" has been her primary concern, and that's noble and I appreciate that, but I think outlining a policy initiative and/or detailed path for how she intends to channel her role as first lady is coming due.
Unrelated: the first couple had another date night at BLT Prime restaurant inside the Trump International Hotel on Saturday night. Here they are leaving: | | Credit: Yuri Gripas/Getty Images
And here's a good video taken by a woman in the next booth as the Trumps walk in and sit down next to them. She even gets a good wave from Melania, I zoomed for your convenience: | | Credit: @jessicamcc44/Instagram
Wait, Don't Send A Gift for Harry and Meghan:
Because I know you want to. Instead, the soon-to-be-official royal couple has today asked, via a statement from the palace, that instead of wedding gifts, people make a donation to one of seven charities they have selected. "The couple have chosen charities which represent a range of issues that they are passionate about, including sport for social change, women's empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the Armed Forces. Many of these are small charities, and the couple are pleased to be able to amplify and shine a light on their work." You can go to the @KensingtonRoyal Twitter feed to read more about each of the charities. As I've mentioned before, imma use this space to talk royal wedding and all of the info (and my feels) as much as I can before the big day on May 19th. Thanks for understanding.
LOL Washingtonian:
I saw this tweet and was like facepalm and everything that's wrong with this town. | | | Credit: @washingtonian/Twitter | | What Washington is Talking About:
Sen. Tammy Duckworth has given birth, the first sitting senator to do so. And ahead of his two days of testimony, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is already on the Hill today meeting with lawmakers, including Florida Dem Sen. Bill Nelson. His written statement to Congress is out, released by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. You can read it here.
What America is Talking About:
Patrick Reed won the Masters, opening statements in the retrial of Bill Cosby are expected today and Facebook will begin today alerting the 87 million people whose data was obtained by Cambridge Analytica via a link at the top of their newsfeed.
Poll of the Day:
Trump outperformed Mitt Romney in counties with the lowest levels of news subscribers, aka "news deserts," according to a Politico analysis using data from the Alliance for Audited Media. The authors wrote that their finding:
"gives new force to the widely voiced concerns of news-industry professionals and academicians about Trump's ability to make bold assertions about crime rates, unemployment and other verifiable facts without any independent checks."
Here are the counties classified as news deserts: | | Credit: Alliance for Audited Media
Zuck's Getting Presidential-Level Preparation:
To prep for Zuckerberg's hearings, Facebook has hired a team that includes a former special assistant to W. and other outside consultants. They've worked with Zuck on things like what kinds of questions lawmakers will ask and how to respond if he's interrupted, per the New York Times.
One Dead in Trump Tower Fire:
The fire Saturday killed Todd Brassner, 67, who lived on the 50th floor, and injured six firefighters. The upper floors of the building do not have sprinklers, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. Trump commented on the fire, tweeting that the structure was well built and that the firefighters did a good job, in that order. | | Credit: Muhammed Said Tanl/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
The Trump Bros' Dubai Trip Cost Taxpayers at Least $73K:
DJTJ and Eric Trump's trip to Dubai last week, where they met with the Trump Organization's Middle East business partner Hussain Sajwani, cost a minimum $73,000 for hotel and car service for Secret Service agents from March 26 through April 8, according to documents reviewed by CBS. Here are the Trump Bros with Sajwani, who's the man to the right of Don Jr.: | | Credit: @HussainSajwani/Twitter
DJTJ spent this weekend in Aragon, Spain, hunting, and posted some posed pics that are perhaps as good as that pic of him sitting on a stump.
Liberty U President Kills Student Journalist's Story:
Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr., an outspoken supporter of President Trump, told a student journalist for the school's Liberty Champion newspaper to not write a story about a gathering of progressive evangelicals in Lynchburg, Virginia, called the Red Letter Revival. That's according to Religion News Service, which reviewed a copy of an email from Falwell. In it, Falwell said, "No let's not run any articles about the event. That's all these folks are here for — publicity. Best to ignore them." The group that organized the revival, the Red Letter Christians, has been critical of Falwell and the university.
Reba McEntire Was in Washington to Get an Award:
She, along with Rob Lowe and the founder of Jimmy John's, were among the dozen 2018 Horatio Alger Award recipients, honoring individuals who represent perseverance and integrity. My fav photo from her trip was this one where she's wearing a name tag that says "Reba." | | Credit: @reba/Instagram
Cardi B Loves Political Science:
She said so in her GQ profile. "I love government. I'm obsessed with presidents. I'm obsessed to know how the system works," she said. Same, Cardi, same.
The rapper -- who announced Saturday she's pregnant and whose debut album Invasion of Privacy is set for a No. 1 start on the Billboard 200 later this week -- is an encyclopedia of presidential trivia and is especially a fan of FDR ("First of all he helped us get over the Depression, all while he was in a wheelchair. Like, this man was suffering from polio at the time of his presidency, and yet all he was worried about was trying to make America great—make America great again for real. He's the real 'Make America Great Again,' because if it wasn't for him, old people wouldn't even get Social Security.") and Eleanor Roosevelt, with whom she shares a birthday, on October 11. | | Credit: Christian Weber for GQ
Street Art Sighting:
A wheat paste of the president Donald with an angel Donald and devil Donald on his shoulders, spotted in Melbourne, Australia, last month by photographer Tor Varnell. | | Credit: @sunburstandsnowblind/Instagram
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.
P.S.:
Netflix is reportedly offering $300 million to purchase the Los Angeles-based billboard company Regency Outdoor Advertising. Netflix has used the company before to promote "Stranger Things" and "The Crown." | | | | | | |
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