| | | | | Ivanka Trump and President Donald Trump on Thursday visiting a manufacturing lab in Iowa. Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images | | | He Said, He Said: The bromance between Michael Cohen and Donald Trump is over, and now there's a war of words about who to believe
We're in the Money: A huge economic jump makes for a congratulatory moment for the President
Melania Makes Christmas in July: Worried about those White House decorations? FLOTUS is ON IT | | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump today has a closed-door meeting with his national security team to discuss election security. Later this afternoon, he and first lady Melania Trump depart the White House for Bedminster, New Jersey.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
CNN's exclusive scoop: Michael Cohen says Trump *did* know in advance about the Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer.
Cohen Says Trump Knew:
Michael Cohen is reportedly willing to tell special counsel Robert Mueller that Trump knew in advance about the now-infamous 2016 Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer and members of the Trump inner circle, including Donald Trump Jr. This is possibly a big deal because Trump and Trump Jr. have both denied that the President had prior knowledge of the meeting.
Trump Says He Didn't Know:
But this morning, the President tweeted that Cohen is lying. "Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories." | | Credit: @realDonaldTrump/Twitter
But the Economy is Doing Great, So:
Today new economic indicators were released which show the US is doing better than it has done financially since 2014. Experts are saying the numbers prove the United States economy is in excellent shape: Unemployment is near an 18-year low, factories are seeing more orders, and exports are surging. The President is so thrilled with the news he convened an impromptu South Lawn press announcement featuring his entire economic team. Trump was his usual, low-key self. I kid, I kid -- he was his usual effusive self. "We've turned it all around. Once again, we are the economic envy of the entire world," Trump said. "We've accomplished an economic turnaround of historic proportions." Vice President Mike Pence released a separate statement lauding Trump's leadership and saying that POTUS had promised to "rev America's engine." During the announcement this morning, Pence then did the thing where he stares at Trump the entire time he is speaking without looking away. | | Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images
When The My Pillow Guy Steals the Show:
I popped into Sean Spicer's book party at the Trump Hotel last night with a couple hundred other revelers to celebrate the publication of "The Briefing," and the biggest draw was the My Pillow guy. I'm not even going to say his name because a) I don't know it and b) everyone kept pointing to him and saying, "My Pillow guy!" The line to take a picture with Spicer in front of a step-and-repeat was long (I did not do this), but the line for a selfie with My Pillow guy was just as long, if not longer (I did not do this either.) The second most-selfie-requested guest at the party was Sarah Sanders, who, from my observation of the action, was a very patient, good sport about basically strangers flinging their arms around her neck and holding up their phones in her face. And, naturally, another big draw was Donald Trump Jr., who sauntered through the lobby with his girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle (in a super-short, tight red dress), in tow. I got there too late to see Kellyanne Conway, but I guess she was there, too. Some of the FLOTUS staff was there as well: communications director Stephanie Grisham and communications coordinator Annie LeHardy. White House social secretary Rickie Niceta also appeared, wearing the best dress of the event (a Delpozo, in case you're wondering.)
I Can Barely Get My Christmas Shopping Done By Christmas:
So I felt extra lazy when Melania posted yesterday that she and her staff are already on top of the holiday decorations for the White House this year. News flash: It's July. Sensing a red and gold theme ...? | | Credit: @FLOTUS/Twitter
Dress Like the First Daughter:
People were asking me about Ivanka Trump's dress from yesterday and whether it was from her personal line, being worn as an homage and farewell. It wasn't. It's actually a $1,450 dress by Alessandra Rich that is mostly sold-out. I actually like it better in the mini-version, here from a British website for about $1,500 US. | | | Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images, weselectdresses.com | | | Hunter Schwarz is off. His section will return Monday. | | | | | | |
