| | | | | Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz meets in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, February 20. Credit: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump today has meetings behind closed doors and later participates in a White House reception with the first lady to celebrate African American History Month.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
Jussie Smollett case, full stop. Also, bit of the Roger Stone court appearance and what will happen there.
Let's Talk Smollett for Just a Second:
I'm sorry, but I'm fascinated and angry and sad and annoyed by this Jussie Smollett story and I have to vent for a second. I sort of knew from the beginning that something strange was afoot about this thing -- just a gut feeling after hearing the details laid out by Smollett and the components surrounding the alleged attack. Anyway, I think the saddest thing for me with today's news is that the people who have really been victimized by a hate crime, be it racial or homophobic, or both, feel this apparent betrayal in a different way than the rest of us. My heart goes out to them because while many have been incomparably brave to come forward, there are still so many who suffer in silence and fear. That's who I'm thinking about today.
Here's the latest on the case, including what the Chicago PD is saying was the motive. I have a lot of respect for Chief Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who held a press conference this morning and said a lot of important things about this incident, including, "Why would anyone — especially an African-American man — use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations? How could someone look at the hatred and suffering associated with that symbol and see an opportunity to manipulate that symbol to further his own public profile?" I mean, exactly.
For the President, perhaps unsurprisingly, the Smollett case has provided another instance for a basically callous tweet with little in the way of emotion or gravitas. He also said Smollett had made "racist" comments.
Roger Stone *Could* Get His Bail Revoked:
Stone will go before the judge this afternoon and he could be in big trouble. Judge Amy Berman Jackson wants to talk to Stone about a photo he posted on his Instagram account of her face, and a crosshairs symbol. Although Stone apologized and removed the post, one of the terms following his arrest is that he cannot attempt to intimidate others, including judges and other officers of the court...
The Mueller Report *Could* Be Coming Soon:
In the world of Washington, the release of the Robert Mueller report is right up there in terms of anticipation and importance. And now it looks like the we could be close -- like, real close. Per CNN's reporting: "Attorney General Bill Barr is preparing to announce as early as next week the completion of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, with plans for Barr to submit to Congress soon after a summary of Mueller's confidential report, according to people familiar with the plans. The preparations are the clearest indication yet that Mueller is nearly done with his almost two-year investigation."
Of course, after the report comes out, there are still other investigations and inquiries that could hound the President, but the end of the Mueller saga, after so many months of Trump's obsession about it, could signal a tidal shift in the White House.
This Ornament is Cool, Guys:
The White House Historical Association released its 2019 Christmas ornament and it's pretty awesome, tbh. It's in honor of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his commitment to innovation -- he was the first president to use a helicopter for transportation. I just think it's more interesting an ornament than any we've had in recent years and was worth pointing out. They're now on sale for $22.95 and the money goes to supporting the association. | | Credit: whitehousehistory.org
Nancy Pelosi's Coat Inspired Max Mara's New Line:
The luxe fashion house Max Mara debuted its fall 2019 Collection in Milan, Italy, today and the entire show was inspired by Speaker Nancy Pelosi's coat moment from last December. You know the one. The burnt orange coat with the funnel collar that she wore as she exited the West Wing and slipped on those sunglasses? Yes, that one. Max Mara creative director Ian Griffiths said Pelosi's coat was the engine behind his inspiration, which was basically "a thorough analysis of how clothes empower," according to Women's Wear Daily. Griffiths added, "Men are restricted by conventions of dress and women aren't, there is a whole host of different personae and tricks women can use to empower themselves." I should note that Melania is also a fan of Max Mara and has worn the label several times as first lady. I personally appreciated the fashion show bringing back the threesome walk down the runway, a signature of the supermodel days when Christy, Naomi and Linda would march together down the catwalk. | | Credit: Estrop/Getty Images
Separated at Birth? Austrian Chancellor and ... Josh Groban?
I know a lot of people were talking about how young Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is (he's 32) when we saw him yesterday meeting with Trump at the White House. But I couldn't help thinking he looked so much like singer Josh Groban. Do you see it? | | | Credit: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images | | What Washington is Talking About:
Speaker Pelosi wrote a letter to members of Congress asking them to back a resolution that would terminate President Trump's state of emergency. Members have until 3 p.m. ET today to sign and it is expected to be introduced Friday.
What America is Talking About:
Jussie Smollett's arrest, and Duke basketball star Zion Williamson's shoe which busted open 36 seconds into their game against UNC last night. Former President Barack Obama was there and he wore a Rag & Bone bomber jacket that they customized with an embroidered "44."
This Isn't a Joke:
Trump's attacks on the press have received pushback throughout his time in office, but there seems to be a different urgency lately. After Trump called the media the "enemy of the people" yesterday, New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger published a statement that read in part:
"The phrase 'enemy of the people' is not just false, it's dangerous. It has an ugly history of being wielded by dictators and tyrants who sought to control public information."
And Capital Gazette reporter Rachael Pacella quote tweeted a Trump tweet calling the press dishonest and wrote, "As one of six survivors of our nation's only newsroom mass shooting, seeing generalized media-bashing tweets from the president makes me fear for my life. His words have power, and give bad actors justification to act."
Then it came out a 49-year-old Coast Guard lieutenant arrested Friday is allegedly a white supremacist and domestic terrorist who stockpiled weapons and human growth hormones, kept a spreadsheet hit list of Democratic politicians and presidential candidates and CNN and MSNBC journalists, and allegedly wanted to conduct a mass killing.
Nike's New Kaepernick Jersey is Already Sold Out:
Nike dropped its new $150 Kaepernick "Icon Jersey" yesterday with a limit of two per customer and as of this morning, the black-and-white jerseys are already sold out in all sizes. | | Credit: Nike
HBD to This Iconic Trump Tweet:
On this day in 2013, then-"Apprentice" host Donald Trump tweeted Lil Wayne lyrics from Britney Spears' "Scream & Shout (Remix)." That tweet has since been deleted and Trump tweeted that his account had been "seriously hacked." | | Credit: @realDonaldTrump/Twitter
Kamala Harris' Dad Isn't Happy About Her Pot Interview:
The presidential candidate's Jamaican father Donald J. Harris wasn't happy with her comments about smoking marijuana in college ("Half my family is from Jamaica, are you kidding me?" she said on "The Breakfast Club").
In a statement to Jamaica Global Online, the elder Harris said he and his immediate family wished to "categorically dissociate ourselves from this travesty" and said she used their Jamaican heritage for a "fraudulent stereotype of a pot-smoking joy seeker and in the pursuit of identity politics" Yeesh.
50 Cent Said He Turned Down Inauguration Offer:
50 Cent was on "The Late Show" last night (along with with Elizabeth Warren and Ariana Grande, who got a picture together that Warren posted but Grande did not) and he said he was offered $500,000 to appear at Trump's inauguration. Not perform, just appear. He said he turned it down because "all money's not good money."
Street Art Sighting:
This "I'm On Fire." Statue of Liberty billboard was spotted near the corner of Melrose and Cahuenga in Los Angeles: | | Credit: Hunter Schwarz
Tag or DM me your political street art sightings @hunterschwarz on Twitter or Instagram, or email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com. | | | | | | |
