Wednesday, September 17 | By Cate Martel |
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It's Wednesday. I've been watching the livestream of Trump in the United Kingdom all morning, and now all I want is to enjoy high tea 🫖 this afternoon. |
- Gilded carriage ride for Trump in UK
- Protesters put spotlight on Epstein
- Fired CDC chief divulges on RFK Jr.
- Read Charlie Kirk alleged assassin's texts
- Fed tees up 2 p.m. interest rate decision
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The royals *really* know how to do pomp and circumstance:
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And President Trump appears to be delighted by it. He and first lady Melania Trump are in the United Kingdom today — and King Charles III greeted him with grandeur. Trump was treated to a ride in a horse-drawn gilded carriage while "The Star-Spangled Banner" was performed live. 📸 Omg, what an incredible photo, from the great Doug Mills 💬 Follow today's live blog |
Protesters projected photos on Windsor Castle: Some of the photos show Jeffrey Epstein, Trump, the first lady and Prince Andrew. NewsNation reports that four people were arrested for the stunt. 📸 Photos projected on Windsor Castle What is Kate, the Princess of Wales wearing?: She is wearing a maroon coat dress with a matching hat. Trump told her, "You're beautiful, so beautiful," per People. 📸 Photos of the greeting Melania Trump's outfit for tonight: CNN's Alayna Treene reports that the first lady has been planning her outfit for tonight's State Banquet "for months." 📹 The Prince and Princess of Wales posted a video of the arrival Gifts exchanged: The Trumps were gifted several items, including a personalized Anya Hindmarch handbag. (Melania Trump is known for her love of fashion.) The King and Queen Camilla were also given several gifts, including a replica of former President Eisenhower's sword as a reminder of their partnership during WWII. 📝 List of gifts exchanged 📹 Trump riding in a horse-drawn carriage Can you lip read?: The Daily Mail's Rebecca English posted a clip of Trump and the king. English says the king says to Trump: "Watch the sword." The Trumps' accommodations: Fox News reports they will stay in one of Windsor Castle's grand guest suites. They will also reportedly be offered the special "Royal Blend" tea. Trump viewed artifacts related to U.S. independence: Five tables displayed artifacts and documents related to U.S.-British relations. "Wow," Trump said when he looked at documents related to the Revolutionary War. King Charles called them "fascinating." Lunch at Windsor Castle: The White House press corps was served "cucumber (and tuna) sandwiches" for lunch at Windsor Castle, per AFP's Danny Kemp. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff were also given carriage rides. You get a ride! Everyone gets a ride! |
CNN: The first lady and the princess: Two high-profile but private women prepare to meet on the world stage The New York Times: Most U.K. Political Leaders Are Cautiously Welcoming Trump. Not This One. |
Tell us EVERYTHING, Susan: |
Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Susan Monarez, who was fired just 29 days into her tenure, is testifying on Capitol Hill today, divulging her clashes with her former boss, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Plus, ex-CDC Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry is also testifying. The line from Monarez that's getting traction: "I could have stayed silent, agreed to the demands, and no one would have known," Monarez said. "What the public would have seen were scientists dismissed without cause and vaccine protections quietly eroded. … I could have kept the office, the title, but I would have lost the one thing that cannot be replaced: my integrity." 📹 Watch the clip On the childhood vaccine schedule: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) asked Monarez whether Kennedy instructed her to change childhood vaccine recommendations without science or data. "Correct," Monarez answered. 📹 Watch the clip Monarez says Kennedy was 'very upset' during their last meeting: "The secretary in that morning meeting was very upset, very animated," Monarez said. "And he said, with regard to that particular topic, 'I have heard that you may not sign off on the forthcoming ACIP recommendations.' And I said, 'I cannot sign off on something before I see the data and the evidence.'" Keep in mind that Kennedy denies making this request for blanket approval for recommendations from his vaccine advisory panel. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) got into a testy exchange with Monarez: Read more. 💻 Watch the hearing Kennedy's side of the story — Remember his justification for firing Monarez?: During some heated testimony, Kennedy told Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.): "I told her that she had to resign because I asked her, 'Are you a trustworthy person?' and she said, 'No.' So, if you had an employee who told you they weren't trustworthy, would you ask them to resign, senator?" 📹 Watch that clip Reminder — Monarez's exit wasn't quiet: Several top CDC officials abruptly quit once Monarez was fired. Hundreds of CDC employees also protested to show their support. Monarez then published an op-ed, divulging her experiences. |
➤ WELCOME BACK FOR DAY 2: |
On the other side of the U.S. Capitol, FBI Director Kash Patel is testifying for his second day this week. |
➤ NOT TO BE THE BEARER OF BAD NEWS, BUT. …: |
The chances of a government shutdown are much higher now. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) released a 91-page plan to extend government funding through Nov. 21. However, Democratic leaders quickly rejected that plan, arguing it was put together with little of their input. They're also upset it doesn't extend health care subsidies. That means the chances of a shutdown have increased. Read more on how this could play out, via The Hill's Alexander Bolton |
🚓 CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION |
Utah County officials released text messages between Charlie Kirk's assassination suspect and his roommate, giving a glimpse into his possible motive. Excerpts from the alleged text messages: |
- Suspect Tyler Robinson allegedly told his roommate, "drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard." The roommate told police there was a note that read, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
- The roommate texted, "you weren't the one who did it right????" Robinson allegedly responded, "I am, I'm sorry."
- Robinson texted, "since Trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga" and also said he "had enough" with Kirk's "hatred."
- At one point, he told his roommate to "delete this exchange."🔎 Read more of the texts
By the way: ABC reporter Matt Gutman apologized for comments he made on air describing Robinson's alleged texts as "touching." 🔎 Read his apology |
➤ UTAH'S GOVERNOR CALLED FOR CIVILITY BUT HAS GOTTEN SOME GOP BACKLASH: |
Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) pleaded for self-reflection over political violence. But The Hill's Amie Parnes reports that some on the right were unhappy with Cox's sentiment. Read Parnes's reporting |
Students are returning to class at Utah Valley University, one week after Kirk's public assassination on campus. |
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The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in the United Kingdom. Vice President Vance is in Michigan. (All times EST) |
Today: Vance visits a metal stamping facility in Howell, Mich.
2:30 p.m.: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference. 💻 Livestream
3:30 p.m.: Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in a state banquet, followed by a postdinner program.
6:15 a.m. Thursday: Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
7:45 a.m. Thursday: Trump participates in a business leaders reception with Starmer.
9:20 a.m. Thursday: Trump participates in a joint press conference with Starmer.
12:05 p.m. Thursday: The Trumps depart the U.K.
8:10 p.m. Thursday: The Trumps return to the White House. |
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🥪🍎 Celebrate: Today is National Monte Cristo Day and National Apple Dumpling Day. 🍦 'Ben's' ice cream just doesn't have the same ring to it: Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield announced he is leaving the company because he felt owner Unilever was stifling the ice cream giant's "independence." Ben & Jerry's has a decades-long history of advocating for social justice issues. Read Jerry's statement. ✈️ Omg, Spirit: Air traffic control had to repeatedly tell a Spirit Airlines flight to steer away from Air Force One's path, according to media reports. Omg, this quote, per NBC News: "I got to talk to you twice every time, Spirit 1300… Pay attention. Get off the iPad," an air traffic controller was heard on audio telling the flight. A spokesperson for Spirit said the flight "followed procedures." 🚧 Spotted at the White House: Work crews have started cutting down trees as part of the construction for Trump's ballroom. A very large tree was removed. X user @hissgoescobra got very poetic in his reaction: "Metaphors abound. Trump destroying beautiful old trees with deep roots that are part of history, just like he's destroying the foundations of our democracy, which also go back to our deepest traditions." |
If you're considering getting a dog, I'd suggest you look into the multi-use ear upgrade. You'd save so much money on Halloween costumes! |
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