Nerd Prom
Glitzy Parties and Gaza Protests Collide at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
It was another long, boozy weekend in Washington—though one accompanied by stark reminders of war and the stakes of November’s election. Still, the glasses raised to the fourth estate offer “a rare moment of respite for this industry,” says CBS’s Robert Costa, “because we’re covering a convulsive moment in America.”
2024
Donald Trump Accepts Bill Barr’s Endorsement by Implying He’s a Tub of Lard
In fairness, Barr probably should have seen this coming.
WTF
Kristi Noem’s New Book Includes a Bizarrely Detailed Account of Killing Her Pet Dog
This might actually win her points with Donald Trump, who famously hates canines and is said to be considering Noem for VP.
Trump Trial: David Pecker’s Testimony and the Long Life of a Media Bromance
Taking the stand in Donald Trump’s historic hush money trial, the former National Enquirer publisher described how the supermarket tabloid became a campaign instrument—and rehashed his glory days.
Levin Report
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Argues Presidents Must Be Allowed to Commit Federal Crimes or Democracy as We Know It Will Be Over
Incredible logic from the conservative wing of the Court.
Republicans Add Fuel to the Fire as Student Arrests Sweep College Campuses
Mike Johnson has called for the deployment of the National Guard at Columbia University, while Greg Abbott argued that University of Texas “protesters belong in jail.”
Crime
Trump Escapes Arizona Felony Charges (The Same Can’t Be Said for His Pals)
Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, and more have been indicted for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election in Arizona. Trump is an unindicted coconspirator.
Inside the Hive
“You Can’t Believe This Happened”: A “Surreal” Trial and Tabloid Tales of Donald Trump
Vanity Fair’s Dan Adler paints a vivid picture of his time in the courtroom, while The Hollywood Reporter’s Lachlan Cartwright recounts the atmosphere of fear and anxiety at the National Enquirer under David Pecker.
2024
Trump Boys Eric and Don Jr. Want to Run Second-Term “Loyalty” Vetting for Their Dad: Report
According to Don Jr., he plans to “make sure we stop some of the DC swamp rats and the swamp creatures from getting in there and doing their thing.”
Jack Smith’s One Job Is to Take Donald Trump to Trial Before the Election. (The Supreme Court May Not Let Him.)
The special counsel has told the justices that the former president’s alleged crimes “strike at the heart of our democracy.” So far, the response has been a supreme shrug.
Kari Lake and the GOP's Clumsy Messaging About Abortion
Republicans are trying to muddy the waters on abortion while Biden and the Democrats work to cut through the noise.
Fighting Words
Mitt Romney: Of Course Trump Had Sex With Stormy Daniels
The senator from Utah isn’t buying Trump’s denials.
Crime
“Help the Campaign”: Former National Enquirer Publisher’s Testimony Seems Pretty Bad for Donald Trump
David Pecker told a jury on Tuesday how he did everything he could to help Trump get elected, following a 2015 meeting with the then candidate.
Crime
Fox News One Day Away From Likening the Trump Trial to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
According to Jesse Watters, Donald Trump is being frozen “to death” and treated like a prisoner at Guantánamo Bay.
House of Horrors
The Motion to Vacate Mike Johnson Seems Pretty Darn Motionless
Only two Republicans support Marjorie Taylor Greene’s effort to oust the House Speaker, while Donald Trump may have just thrown him a big lifeline.
John Fetterman, Fervent Israel Backer, Has Never Actually Been
Perturbing his staff, the Democrat from Pennsylvania has been unequivocal in his support for Israel since October 7, despite a growing shift among Democrats to rebuke the military response in Gaza.
Biden Condemns Antisemitism as Student Protests Over Gaza Spread Beyond Columbia
The demonstrations are just the latest cultural flashpoint over the Israel-Hamas war, which continues to pose a major threat to the president's reelection prospects.
Legal Woes
Defendant Trump Is Not Helping Candidate Trump
The former president came off looking sad, old, and tired during his criminal trial—and it’s only just getting started.
Trump Trial Opening Statements: It’s Just-the-Facts vs. an Emotional Appeal
In previewing the weeks of arguments ahead, prosecutors laid out what they said was a straightforward case of conspiracy. The former president’s defense team professed his innocence and tried to downplay the accusations.
CAMPAIGN COFFERS
Donald Trump’s Massive Legal Bills Are Nearly Bankrupting His Major PAC
The Save America political action committee spent $3.7 million on the former president’s legal fees in March alone.
FOREIGN AID FINANCIALS
Despite Intense GOP Infighting, House Passes $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package
But Speaker Mike Johnson is still facing the prospect of an effort to oust him from the top job.