| | | | | Rabbi Jeffrey Myers speaks to reporters outside the Tree of Life synagogue on October 29, 2018 in Pittsburgh. Credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images | | | President Trump to Pittsburgh Today: Several lawmakers turned down the opportunity to join his visit
Barbra Streisand Blames Trump for Making Her Fat: And also pancakes
If Kanye West Was a Giant Pumpkin: This is what he would look like, and it's not so bad? | | | What the White House is Talking About:
This afternoon, President Trump and Melania Trump will travel to Pittsburgh. They return to the White House in the evening.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
How Trump's visit today will play out. Follow live here.
Who Will Meet With Trump Today?:
The White House will only say the President and first lady intend to meet with first-responders to this weekend's tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue, but beyond that, the schedule for later today is unclear. Many local Pittsburgh officials, including the mayor, have said they won't meet with Trump today. Mayor Bill Peduto told CNN he thinks the focus today should be on the families of the victims. Additionally, members of Congress have declined to join Trump as well.
"Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi were all invited to join the President but were not planning to take part in the visit, according to two congressional sources. Through their offices, McConnell and Ryan both cited scheduling conflicts. Pennsylvania's two US senators were also not planning to join Trump in Pittsburgh. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican, was invited to join the President but declined, according to a spokesman, citing previous commitments in another part of the state. Democratic Sen. Bob Casey was not invited by the White House, according to his communications director. Casey will attend a vigil for the victims in southeastern Pennsylvania."
The issue is also timing -- many of the 11 victims are to be laid to rest today. A presidential visit coinciding with such a solemn occasion feels like a bad idea, especially if there has been an explicit request from leaders for Trump to postpone the trip.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner Going, Too:
Trump's daughter and son-in-law will be joining POTUS and FLOTUS in Pittsburgh today. Ivanka and Jared are practicing Orthodox Jews, and they are raising their three children in the faith. | | Meanwhile, the Impact of Ramped-Up Rhetoric:
The folks over at Fox News echoing the President's talking points about the caravan heading to the US border have, for the past several weeks, worked in the words "invasion," and "invaders" to define the pack of thousands of hopeful immigrants. The Pittsburgh shooter could have been inspired by the language. This is an interesting breakdown on the increase of the terminology.
Barbra Streisand Is in a Trump Crisis, and It's Making Her Fat:
And she's blaming the President for her weight gain. "I'm just so saddened by this thing happening to our country. It's making me fat. I hear what he said now, and I have to go eat pancakes now, and pancakes are very fattening. We make them with healthy flour, though — almond flour, coconut flour." Same, basically. Pancakes are delicious. But, I digress. Streisand spoke with Maggie Haberman of the New York Times to discuss her new album and its political theme, which the singer, a longtime Democrat, says has helped her cope with the Trump presidency.
White House China Reissued and Reinterpreted:
I love stuff like this. The White House Historical Association commissioned John Derian and Katharine Barnwell to reimagine the china of six previous presidential administrations and it's now for sale in support of the association. They picked three Democrats and three Republicans. Below are the plates inspired by the Johnson, Polk, and Grant presidential china. The little plates are $45 and the big ones are $75. | | Credit: White House Historical Association
Shaun White, OMG, No. Just, No:
Snowboarder Shaun White has rightfully now apologized for his terrible, terrible idea to dress as "Simple Jack" from the movie "Tropic Thunder" for a Halloween party. White, WHO IS 32 YEARS OLD, said he made the wrong choice in his "last-minute" costume decision and he issued a mea culpa after the Special Olympics community rightfully called him out.
Dr. Jill Biden Announces Memoir:
It's not out until May 2019, but the book will be about how she and her family built and then rebuilt their family after tragedy, according to an announcement about "Where the Light Enters," which is what the book will be titled. | | Kanye West, as 315-lb Pumpkin:
I know Hunter is off, but in his honor, I'm including this story about Kanye West. There's a woman who makes insane huge pumpkins each Halloween and paints them in the likeness of a famous person. This Jeanne Moos piece is worth a watch today, if you need a break from the heavy stuff. Guys, it's actually not a bad likeness: | | Credit: cnn.com
High Heel Race is TONIGHT:
If you still need a verified distraction from the heavy news of the past week, might I suggest tonight's annual high heel drag race in Dupont Circle? The race starts at 9 p.m., but there's great people-watching in the hours leading up. You're welcome. | | | | | | |
