| | | | | White House press secretary Sarah Sanders waits as President Trump watches an air assault exercise at Fort Drum, New York, Monday. Credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images | | | Trump Says There Are NDAs: POTUS claims Omarosa has a "fully signed" non-disclosure agreement
Tiffany Was Reportedly a Research Assistant for a Prison Reform Advocate: How she spent her summer vacation
Please Enjoy This Photo of Mitch McConnell Touring a Hemp Facility: He toured a processing facility for a hemp wellness company | | | What Washington is Talking About:
The prosecution rested its case in Paul Manafort's trial Monday; Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minnesota, has denied allegations he physically abused an ex-girlfriend, and President Trump called Omarosa, whose "Unhinged" is out today, a "dog" and the Trump campaign said it's taking legal steps against her.
What America is Talking About:
It's primary Election Day in Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wisconsin, and Aretha Franklin is in hospice care in her home.
Poll of the Day:
For the first time ever, a CNN poll has found President Trump is more popular than some of predecessors at this point in their presidency. Trump's approval now stands at 42%, higher than Ronald Reagan in 1982, Bill Clinton in 1994, or Jimmy Carter in 1978. | | Credit: CNN
Trump Says There Are NDAs:
Trump tweeted yesterday that Omarosa had a "fully signed Non-Disclosure Agreement," something she disputed during an interview with PBS's "Newshour" later in the day. "I never signed that draconian NDA that they presented to me when I walked into the White House," she said. She did say she signed NDAs for "The Apprentice" and during the 2016 campaign. Our Kaitlin Collins reported back in March that Trump came up with the idea to have White House staff sign NDAs a few weeks after he was elected, but was advised they couldn't be enforced for federal employees. He eventually got what was described to CNN as a watered-down, unenforceable non-disclosure agreement.
Trump Says There Are No "N-Word" Tapes:
Trump also said last night that he got a call from Mark Burnett, the creator of "The Apprentice," who told him "there are NO TAPES of the Apprentice where I used such a terrible and disgusting word," he tweeted. Then CBS published a new Omarosa tape in which she, Katrina Pierson, and Lynne Patton, allegedly discuss a damaging Trump tape in October 2016. Pierson said in the tape she wants to know the context Trump used the word to "figure out a way to spin it" and that Trump was "embarrassed." There is a White House briefing scheduled for later this afternoon, where I'm sure we'll hear more of the White House's response to Omarosa's accusations.
Trump Signs Bill Named for McCain, Doesn't Mention McCain:
Trump was at Fort Drum in New York Monday where he watched air assault exercises and signed the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. Trump simply called it the "National Defense Authorization Act," though and thanked a handful of lawmakers who weren't McCain -- Reps. Elise Stefanik, Don Bacon, Dan Donovan, Joe Wilson and Martha McSally. When the bill passed earlier this month, McCain, the Senate Armed Services Committee chair, said in a statement he was "humbled" the bill was named in his honor. | | Credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Tiffany Was Reportedly a Research Assistant for a Prison Reform Advocate:
Tiffany Trump has been sharing shots from Georgetown Law ahead of her second year there, and the Washington Post is out with a look at how her fellow students and professors interact with her. The most interesting tidbit to me was that she was a research assistant this summer for Shon Hopwood. Hopwood robbed banks and served time in a federal prison before getting a law degree, and he now teaches at Georgetown and is an advocate for prison reform. Maybe Tiffany will join Kim Kardashian in pushing her father on the issue? Fall classes begin August 27.
Wolf Breaks Down What News He Would and Wouldn't Cut Vaca Short For:
Our Wolf Blitzer was on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night where he and Kimmel discussed Trump's attacks on the press. Wolf called it "very concerning, very worrisome that the President of the United States go after us the way it does" and said it makes him mad and he hopes Trump stops. "We are not the enemy of the American people," he said. "We report the news, it's part of our democracy." Kimmel also quizzed Wolf on when he would and wouldn't cut a vacation short for news. If Trump fired Robert Mueller, Wolf said he'd come back, but if Vice President Pence got an earring, he'd stay on vaca. Wolf, if you ever need me to fill in on "Sit Room" to cover Pence getting a piercing, lmk. | | Credit: Jimmy Kimmel Live/YouTube
Please Enjoy This Photo of Mitch McConnell Touring a Hemp Wellness Company's Processing Facility:
When the Senate gets back from recess tomorrow and lawmakers share how they spent their summer vacation, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will have his visit to Ananda Hemp in Cynthia, Kentucky, to talk about. His press office tweeted out this photo of his tour. McConnell backs a bill that would legalize hemp as an agricultural commodity. | | Credit: @McConnellPress/Twitter
Street Art Sighting:
These posters of White House press secretary Sarah Sanders by Absurdlywell were spotted Sunday on a barrier near Freedom Plaza where Antifa members and other "Unite The Right 2" rally counterprotesters met Sunday. | | Credit: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
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.:
Beyoncé and Jay-Z's OTRII Tour rolled into Aretha Franklin's hometown of Detroit last night, and Beyoncé dedicated the performance to Franklin. "We love you and thank you for all the beautiful music," she said. | | | | | | |
