| | | | | President Trump crosses the South Lawn after arriving at the White House Saturday. Credit: Zach Gibson/Getty Images | | | Today's the Day: Melania will announce her platform, and yes, cyberbullying will be part of it
Melania Poll Results Skyrocket: Her favorable rating has jumped 10 points since January
The Quest to Build a Million Obamas: Obama's ambitious post-presidency | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump, with the exception of his daily intelligence briefing, has nothing on his public schedule today.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
Despite that, watch for him to make an appearance at Melania Trump's platform announcement this afternoon in the Rose Garden.
Sarah Sanders is scheduled to brief at 2 p.m.
Our Daily Melania:
Today's the day. Melania will announce her formal platform -- a branded, actual platform -- at 3 p.m. today from the Rose Garden. I find it interesting that she's doing it from there because it's technically on the West Wing side of the building, so she's definitely making a statement of significance with that decision. I wrote a preview piece here, which outlines what I know ahead of time. The platform is obviously going to be centered around the well-being of children, something she has focused on in very broad strokes for the past several months. But what will be unique about her initiative is that it won't just be one big thing -- instead she'll break it up into two, possibly three, sections of focus. I think those sections will include health, the opioid crisis and its effect on kids and families, and, yes, social media and children. She will include cyberbullying. I'm anxious to have this argument with people who believe it silly or hypocritical for her to tackle a behavior her husband is known to frequently exhibit. Because I say: why shouldn't she? I think she's talking about it not in spite of Trump's proclivity to name-calling, but perhaps because of it. What better example of "don't be like this guy," than to point to the habits of a 70-year-old man who probably can't be talked into changing his ways anyway? In other words, just because he does it, doesn't mean she shouldn't try to help children facing the bullies in their own lives. Right?
Melania Poll Results Skyrocket:
You like her. You really, really like her. Or, at least, that's what it would appear from new polling out today from CNN, conducted by SSRS, about the first lady. Her favorable rating has jumped a massive 10 points to 57%, up from January's 47%. Melania remains the most-liked Trump family member, making this her
her highest mark in CNN polling and higher than any favorability rating earned by her husband in CNN polling dating back to 1999.
Overall, 57% say they view Melania Trump favorably, 27% unfavorably. At the anniversary of her husband's inauguration in January, 47% held a positive view, 37% an unfavorable one. Trump's previous high mark occurred last March, when 52% approved and 32% disapproved. She is also up among women and Democrats, an interesting note that comes in the wake of salacious headlines about the President's alleged infidelities. | | Rudy Giuliani Not "Up to Speed" is an Understatement:
Probably in a lot of ways, actually. And yet - and yet - he👏🏼 keeps 👏🏼 going 👏🏼 on 👏🏼 television 👏🏼. Giuliani made the interview rounds on Sunday, basically admitting he doesn't all have the facts, but he is speaking on behalf of the President of the United States anyway. He also met Trump at his Virginia golf club for a meeting yesterday, and said the President "... was in a good mood and feels like things are moving in the right direction." | | Huge Congrats to Brooke Baldwin (and James)! :
My girl Brooke Baldwin got married this weekend -- wearing THE most fabulous Naeem Kahn gown. Brooke, in addition to being a great journalist, is a real, funny, smart and super-cool lady. We wish her and James the very, very best. Here are some pics of the happy couple: | | | Credit: @brookebcnn/Instagram, @wolfblitzer/Twitter, @danabashcnn/Instagram | | What Washington is Talking About:
The House and Senate return from recess today, and House chaplain the Rev. Pat Conroy is also returning, after rescinding his resignation letter.
What America is Talking About:
At least 26 homes have been destroyed in Hawaii following the eruption of the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island.
The Quest to Build a Million Obamas:
In retirement, Barack Obama is working to create a new generation of leaders in the US and around the world, a million Obamas, as he himself said. It's one of the most ambitious goals ever by a former president. More than 60 Obama alumni are running for office this year, the first wave of neo-Obamas. Ammar Campa-Najjar, who worked in the Obama White House reading through letters from Americans to give to Obama to read daily and is now running for US House in California, said:
"The way forward is keep the spirit of Obama alive, even if his policies and accomplishments are superseded by our own in the future."
You can read my story on the Obama alumni running in 2018, how Obama is redefining the post-presidency, and New Obama Cool here. | | Credit: Will Mullery for CNN
Obama's First Senate Endorsement of the Midterms:
Obama endorsed Sen. Dianne Feinstein in California's primary Friday against state senator and California Senate President Kevin de León. León has for years attracted national attention, being one of the few state lawmakers to make semi-regular appearances on cable news. Obama called Feinstein "an indispensable leader for California" and "one of America's most effective champions for progress."
That African-American-Support-for-Trump Poll Isn't What You Think:
President Trump claimed Friday his support among African-American men has doubled, and credited Kanye West for the boost. But the director of US polling for Reuters, which did the poll, told CNN, "The sample sizes for those two measurements were too small to reliably suggest any shift in public opinion."
What John McCain is Telling Friends:
Battling brain cancer and prepping the arrival of his forthcoming book and HBO documentary, Sen. John McCain is spending time at his ranch outside Sedona, Arizona, talking with friends and current and former colleagues including Joe Biden, Lindsey Graham, and Jeff Flake. Here are some of the most interesting tidbits from his book/things Biden told the New York Times/a source told NBC: - McCain's concerned about the state of the country and that the United States' reputation around the world is being damaged
- He told Biden "not to walk away" from politics
- He regrets not picking Joe Lieberman as his running mate in 2008
- McCain insiders said he'd like Vice President Pence to attend his funeral, but not Trump, and he'd like Obama and former President George W. Bush to give eulogies
- Some McCain associates would like a "McCain person," including but not limited to his wife Cindy, to take his Senate seat
Jackie Evancho Presents GLAAD Award:
Trump inauguration performer Jackie Evancho appeared on stage with her sister Juliet Evancho and professional Ariana Grande brother Frankie Grande to present an award at Friday's Rising Stars Luncheon for the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. Trump-inauguration-performer-turned-transgender-activist continues to be imho one of the most unexpected titles of this administration. | | Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for GLAAD
Bryce Harper Has His Own Washington Baseball Field:
Harper, his wife Kayla, Washington Mayor Muriel Bower, and the Teddy Roosevelt racing president were on hand for the dedication of Bryce Harper Field at Takoma Community Center in Northwest Saturday. The Las Vegas native called D.C. his "second home" and told the kids there for the ceremony to "get good grades, listen to your parents," and "enjoy the process of playing baseball every single day." Not only is Bryce a G.O.A.T., he's a role model. Amazing. Harper will be eligible for free agency at the end of the season, and it's tbd if he stays with the Nets. | | Credit: @nationals/Instagram
Ivana Trump Appeared on Italy's "Dancing with the Stars":
She danced with ex-husband Rossano Rubicondi Saturday. Never forget when she criticized Marla Maples for appearing on the show. | | Credit: Marco Ravagli/Barcroft Images/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Street Art Sighting:
A controversial mural of Trump's head with a spear going through it at a California charter school has been covered and will be altered. The mural, done as part of a scholarship fundraiser for seniors, was painted on a wall at the school and was covered by a black tarp on Sunday, according to KUSI. The school's director Tommy Ramirez said:
"We understand that there was a mural painted at the event this past weekend that does not align with our school's philosophy of non-violence. We have been in communication with the artist who has agreed to modify the artwork to better align with the school's philosophy."
Did we learn nothing from Kathy Griffin? | | Credit: KUSI
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.:
The music video for Childish Gambino's "This Is America" is simply one of the most arresting pieces of political art made during the Trump administration so far. The clip comments on race and violence, and Donald Glover goes from dancing to fatally shooting a man and children's choir as the backdrop behind him grows increasingly chaotic. If you haven't seen yet, it's worth a watch. If you have, it's worth another. Wow. | | | Credit: ChildishGambinoVEVO/YouTube | | | | | | |
