| Welcome to Fox News First. Not signed up yet? Click here. Developing now, Thursday, April 26, 2018 - President Trump's legal team reportedly wants to know whether Russia Special Counsel Robert Mueller has 'an open mind' as they negotiate a possible interview between the president and Mueller's team
- Trump joins 'Fox & Friends' for an exclusive interview Thursday at 8 a.m. ET
- Memos that fired FBI Director James Comey leaked to the media were more widely shared than previously believed, sources tell Fox News
- Fox News' Bret Baier will interview Comey on 'Special Report' Thursday at 6 p.m. ET
- Bill Clinton 'casually encouraged' Trump to run for president before the 2016 race to disrupt the GOP, according to a new book
- Dr. Ronny Jackson, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, reportedly faces more pressure from Republicans to withdraw his nomination amid new allegations of improper conduct
THE LEAD STORY - TRUMP'S TEAM SIZES UP MUELLER: President Trump's revamped legal team wants to determine how much of an "open mind" Special Counsel Robert Mueller has about the Russia investigation as they negotiate a possible interview with Trump, according to a report ... "Does the special prosecutor really have an open mind?" former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said to the Wall Street Journal. "We're trying to assess their good faith." Giuliani, who joined Trump's legal team last week, met with Mr. Mueller's team on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of an interview, sources told the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. In a statement to Fox News, Giuliani said his objective "is to end this investigation and distraction from the critical issues facing our President as quickly as possible. The President has produced 1.2 million documents that is historically unprecedented. We believe it presents overwhelming proof that the President did not collude with regard to the 2016 election." WIDER COMEY LEAK: The James Comey memos that were leaked to the media and served as a catalyst for the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller were more widely shared than previously known, three sources told Fox News ... In addition to Columbia law professor Daniel Richman, who shared contents with the media, sources identified former U.S. Attorney and special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald as a likely recipient and did not rule out a third individual. The memos documenting Comey's private conversations with the president are now the subject of a Justice Department Inspector General review over the presence of classified information. Fitzgerald is a longtime friend of Comey's and now his lawyer, as first reported by Talking Points Memo. Fitzgerald did not respond to emails or a voicemail seeking comment. Richman worked as a "special government employee" (SGE) for Comey's FBI. WILL HILLARY BLAME BILL?: Former President Bill Clinton "casually encouraged" Donald Trump to run for president less than a year before the 2016 campaign began, according to one reporter's tell-all memoir detailing life as a journalist covering Hillary Clinton ... Amy Chozick, a New York Times reporter, released her new book, "Chasing Hillary: Ten Years, Two Presidential Campaigns, and One Intact Glass Ceiling" on Tuesday. It's filled with details of the drama inside the Clinton campaign during their frustrating battle against Trump. But one chapter appears to bolster past reports that Clinton's former president husband actually nudged Trump toward running in the first place. "Less than a year before the campaign started, Bill and Trump golfed together at Trump National. Bill casually encouraged Trump to run, thinking his candidacy would roil the Republican field," Chozick wrote. "For all his political foresight, Bill spent most of the primaries oblivious that this reality TV schmo could win the Republican nomination." TRUMP'S DOC UNDER PRESSURE: Embattled Veterans Affairs nominee Dr. Ronny Jackson is facing growing pressure from Republicans to withdraw his nomination amid mounting new allegations of improper conduct and questions about qualifications ... Democrats on Wednesday unleashed a string of new allegations against Jackson, including that he crashed a government car while drunk. Based on conversations with 23 of Jackson's colleagues and former colleagues, a review by Democrats says Jackson was nicknamed "Candyman" by White House staff because he would provide prescriptions without paperwork. Jackson has denied the accusations. However, some Senate Republicans told the Hill they hope Jackson withdraws his nomination to avoid a messy Senate confirmation fight. In addition, some Republicans have questions about the White House physician's managerial experience. AS SEEN ON FOX NEWS 'TYRANNY OF THE JUDICIARY': "The very idea that one unelected district court judge could have this type of power should outrage any American." – Laura Ingraham, on "The Ingraham Angle," outlining how several judges have "abused power" by overturning policies otherwise deemed constitutional. WATCH THE JOY OF LYING: "There's not a single fashionable opinion Joy Reid doesn't have or isn't happy to denounce you for not having. But, she wasn't always that way." – Tucker Carlson, on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," ripping MSNBC host Joy Reid for claiming some of her years-old blog entries rife with homophobic references, questions about whether ideological opponents were gay, and opposition to gay marriage were a product of Russian hackers. WATCH KANYE VERSUS THE LEFT Kanye tweets right -- What happens when a hip hop icon takes the red pill and dares to challenge liberals? Chance the Rapper on Trump-Kanye friendship: 'Black people don't have to be democrats.' Kanye West goes on wild Twitter rant, praises Trump and abruptly fires manager. Candace Owens on Kanye praise: The left 'will not allow him to think differently.' THE SWAMP Trump's travel ban sees support from Supreme Court's conservative majority. Apple CEO Tim Cook meets Trump at White House amid trade conflict with China. Steve Wynn, Sheldon Adelson are GOP midterm fundraising no-shows for now. GOP congressional baseball team holds first practice since Scalise shooting. ACROSS THE NATION Suspected Golden State serial killer nabbed after book renews interest in case. 'Adversaries' jamming Air Force gunships in Syria, Special Ops general says. NFL players slam owners in heated meeting for leaving Colin Kaepernick 'hung out to dry,' report says. MINDING YOUR BUSINESS Ford to drop slow-selling sedans from lineup by 2020. Chipotle shares rise as higher prices boost earnings. Facebook advertising, user base strong after data breach scandal. Retirees will likely be disappointed with their Social Security check. Here's why. FOX NEWS OPINION Judge Andrew Napolitano: How did Trump get authorization to bomb Syria? Greg Gutfeld: Opioids -- Facts and fallacies. Newt Gingrich: Trump and Macron are two leading reformers trying to drain the swamp. HOLLYWOOD SQUARED Patton Oswalt shares pride for late wife for her role in the capture of suspected Golden State Killer. Chelsea Clinton slams NY Times reporter over book details on former first daughter's hair. Blake Shelton tweets about 'karma' after reports ex Miranda Lambert is dating a married man. DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS? Judge rules New York City bar can refuse service to Trump supporter wearing 'Make America Great Again' hat. Incredible Revolutionary War journal surfaces, detailing POW's escape from British prison ship. Rare Roman discovery thrills experts: Emperor's marble head found at Egyptian temple site. STAY TUNED On Fox News: Fox & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: President Donald Trump joins 'Fox & Friends' for an exclusive interview at 8 a.m. ET! Plus, in the next edition of "In the FoxLight," Adam Sandler and Chris Rock discuss their new movie, 'The Week Of.' Other expected guests include: Diamond and Silk, Rep. Jim Jordan, and Sen. John Cornyn. Special Report, 6 p.m. ET: Don't miss Bret Baier's must-see interview with former FBI Director James Comey! On Fox Business: Mornings with Maria, 6 a.m. ET: James Freeman, the Wall Street Journal; Pete Hegseth; Sharon Miller, head of small business at Bank of America; Rep. John Garamendi; Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Varney & Co., 9 a.m. ET: Rep. Louie Gohmert; Rep. Tom McClintock; Jonathan Golub, Credit Suisse chief U.S. equity strategist; Marcus Ruiz Evans, Yescalifornia.org president. Cavuto: Coast to Coast, Noon ET: David Tafuri, former State Department official under President Obama. On Fox News Radio: The Fox News Rundown podcast: President Trump's revised travel ban was argued before the Supreme Court Wednesday. Fox News' Jared Halpern shares what happened inside the courtroom. Jury deliberations are underway for the sex assault retrial of legendary comedian Bill Cosby. Fox News field producer, Tamara Gitt, has been in the courtroom for both trials and discusses the facts of the case. Plus, commentary from Judge Andrew Napolitano. Want the Fox News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher. The Brian Kilmeade Show, 9 a.m. ET: Why Trump appointments have lagged behind those of other presidents will be a major topic throughout the show. Corey Lewandowski on James Comey's book tour and the problem with his leaks; Sen. Bill Cassidy on the Supreme Court arguments on Trump's travel ban; Maria Bartiromo on Facebook's earnings and the Trump economy; RealClearPolitics' A.B. Stoddard on early signs of the November midterm elections; Chris Wallace on the takeaway from French President Macron's U.S. visit and the debate over the Iran nuke deal. The Tom Shillue Show, 3 p.m. ET: Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich sit down with Tom to discuss the most important stories and hot topics of the day! #OnThisDay 1994: Voting begins in South Africa's first all-race elections, resulting in victory for the African National Congress and the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president 1977: The legendary nightclub Studio 54 has its opening night in New York City. 1865: John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, is surrounded by federal troops and killed near Port Royal, Va. Fox News First is compiled by Fox News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for joining us! Enjoy your day! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Friday morning. | 
