| | | | | President Trump poses for the news media with Hope Hicks on her last day of work at the White House before he departed to Ohio to deliver a speech Thursday. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | | | The "Next" Hope Hicks: Hicks had her last day; who will replace her?
The Identity Politics of Roseanne: Conservatives are elated with the reboot's success
Susan Rice Joins Netflix Board: Former Obama national security adviser joins her boss | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Donald Trump travels to Ohio where he'll give remarks about his infrastructure plan before getting back aboard Air Force One to head for Palm Beach, where he'll spend Easter weekend at Mar-a-Lago.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
After several days of relative silence, an opportunity to hear Trump speak. Also, David Shulkin out as Secretary of the VA; Dr. Ronny Jackson in.
Everything is Fine:
CNN's Kevin Liptak reporting today that the President is being told he maybe doesn't need a chief of staff, or a director of communications, for that matter. Sure, go it alone, say outside advisers. Clearly, Trump is a man used to being the boss, and although he often gets advice from colleagues, friends and staff, he's ultimately, as we've witnessed, the only one in charge. Could make sense that he opts out of two key White House positions, one which is currently filled by John Kelly, and the other now vacated by Hope Hicks.
Shulkin's Long Goodbye:
The writing was on the wall for Shulkin -- his name had been bandied about for weeks as one of the next on the Cabinet chopping block. He'd had his run-ins with Trump and the two clashed over privatizing the VA, plus he was dinged for spending government dollars to pay for a plane ticket to Europe for his wife, an expense he repaid out of pocket. Here's what Shulkin said on NPR this morning about getting fired: "When you're a Cabinet member, you serve at the pleasure of the president, and, you know when the president makes a decision, that's the way that goes." And, with that, a #tbt pic of Shulkin at the White House Halloween party: | | Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Meet Dr. Ronny Jackson:
Dr. Jackson has a long and distinguished career, and he's been a presidential physician for the past three administrations, but his nomination to be secretary of Veterans Affairs caught most by surprise. Still, Jackson is well-liked, and apparently Trump really appreciated all the nice things he said about his health during the presser Jackson held back in January.
Today in Things That Could Annoy the President:
Jeff Sessions gets the cover treatment in the new issue of Time magazine. Writer Molly Ball also tweeted today that she thinks Sessions is "the most effective member of Trump's Cabinet, whether his boss appreciates it or not." | | Credit: time.com
The "Next" Hope Hicks:
While we know there can never really be another Hope Hicks for Trump, her position inside the administration remains unfilled, even as Hicks' had her last day yesterday. Olivia Nuzzi has a new piece suggesting the two frontrunners are Mercedes Schlapp and Tony Sayegh -- but like most things in the West Wing, it's stickier than just picking the person most suited to the job. It's worth some time to read. On another note, I personally appreciated this fashion homage paid to Hicks' last few weeks of working in the White House. RIP, watching her rotating collection of Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee-boots and Theory blazer dresses.
Our Daily Melania:
Melania Trump has made the cover of Us Weekly for what is by my count the sixth time since becoming first lady. This week's story is all about how humiliated and ashamed she must be, according to "unnamed sources." When asked for comment, Melania's communications director Stephanie Grisham tells Us Weekly the claims are false and that she would "challenge the sources saying those things to do so on the record." I think that's a fair request. Here's the current cover: | | Credit: usmagazine.com
And here are the past covers: | | What Washington is Talking About:
A group of six House Dems have called on the FBI to investigate Jared Kushner's connection to to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
What America is Talking About:
It's MLB opening day. The Nationals are among the teams who's first game is being postponed, due to rain. They'll play the Reds at Cincinnati tomorrow.
Poll of the Day:
A majority of Americans, 54%, believe President Trump will lose his reelection campaign in 2020, while 40% think he'll win. CNN Politics polling director Jennifer Agiesta notes those figures are similar to what former President Obama received at this point in his first term. | | Credit: CNN
The poll also found among Democrats, Joe Biden received the highest level of support, with 84% of respondents saying they were "very or somewhat likely to support" him in 2020, ahead of second place Bernie Sanders at 75%. | | Credit: CNN
The Identity Politics of Roseanne:
Conservatives were elated with the success of the "Roseanne" reboot -- 18.2 million viewers for its debut. Trump called Roseanne Barr, Ivanka followed her, DJTJ tweeted his support and Sarah Palin posted a photo with Barr on Instagram.
There's a deep celebrity gap in politics. While liberals have an army of well-known supporters in movies, television, music, and sports, conservatives' bench is not deep. The 2016 DNC had a Katy Perry performance and Shonda Rhimes-produced video, while the RNC had Scott Baio. Conservatives, blue collar Americans, and Americans of faith often feel underrepresented in our culture, so the success of a show like "Roseanne" feels like vindication.
It's a lesson Hollywood learned last month with the blockbuster success of "Black Panther." People like seeing themselves represented in the media they consume, whether that's a black super hero or a white, blue collar family with a member who supports Trump. | | Credit: @sarahpalin97/Instagram
Sacramento Prepares for Stephon Clark's Funeral, Kings Game:
The funeral for Stephon Clark is scheduled for today at a south Sacramento church where the Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver a eulogy.
The Kings are scheduled to play the Indiana Pacers tonight, and Sacramento police said they have a plan to allow fans into Golden 1 Center after they were blocked before two recent games by protesters.
Cook V. Zuck:
Apple CEO Tim Cook threw shade at Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg during an interview for MSNBC's "Revolution" set to air next week. When asked what he would do if he was in Zuck's situation, he said, "I wouldn't be in this situation." "I think the best regulation is no regulation, is self-regulation," he said. "However, I think we're beyond that here." | | Credit: MSNBC
What Huntsman's Saying About the State of US-Russia Relations:
On the heels of mass expulsions of Russian diplomats by the US and more than 20 countries, US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman said he's still optimistic.
"These are difficult times in the US-Russia relationship," he said in a video posted to the US Embassy in Moscow Instagram account, referencing the UK nerve agent attack. He called the attack "unbelievably dangerous" and said "this kind of event cannot go unresponded to" but he said, "the bonds between our people remain strong. The door to dialogue is still open."
Trump's Out Here Using Old Pics to Claim The Wall is Under Construction:
Trump tweeted Wednesday that that he had a great briefing on the start of The Wall and attached a series of photos, leading followers, perhaps, to assume that that one of his campaign promises is fully underway. But there's an asterisks to the pics. The photos are from a preexisting project to replace portions of a border wall first built in the '90s. | | Credit: @realDonaldTrump/Twitter
Several photos are from a February Customs & Border Patrol San Diego tweet, BuzzFeed noted. In a statement, CBP said the construction was for a section of border wall about two-and-a-quarter miles long.
Who Is Brother In Law?:
Congratulations to Eric Trump for correctly answering the $600 clue for the "Relationships are hard" category on Jeopardy.
There were, of course, many responses on Twitter, including "Who is co-conspirator," "what is cellmate," and "who is complicit." | | Credit: @erictrump/Instagram
Susan Rice Joins Netflix Board:
Obama's former National Security Adviser Susan Rice has joined Netflix's board, the company announced Wednesday. Add that to Netflix's upcoming Obama shows reported by the New York Times earlier this month, and it makes me wonder how soon we'll see Netflix face the same partisan criticism entertainment companies like ESPN and Disney have faced.
Tiffany Trump Speaks:
GQ France has a rare interview with Tiffany Trump as part of a digital series on designer Philipp Plein. Trump attends a party at Plein's seven-story New York City home and calls him "very innovative, he's always pushing the boundaries." You can watch the clip featuring Tiffany here. | | Credit: GQ France/YouTube
Street Art Sighting:
The Mad Dog PAC, a group that puts up billboards calling for the end of the NRA and targeting Repubs in Congress, put up an "Impeachment Now" billboard in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump's motorcade passed it Friday en route to Mar-A-Lago. | | Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
If you spot political street art, I'd love to see it. Here's how you can reach me: 1. Tweet me @hunterschwarz, 2. Tag me on Instagram @hunterschwarz, or 3. Email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com.
P.S.:
When asked who he'd vote for for NBA MVP, LeBron James said LeBron James. "I would vote for me," he told the AP. "The body of work, how I'm doing it, what's been happening with our team all year long, how we've got so many injuries and things of that nature, guys in and out, to be able to still keep this thing afloat, I definitely would vote me." | | | | | | |
