Monthly Archives: June 2017

The public portion of these gatherings of all of the president's top advisers are usually staid affairs. Photographers are let in to take pictures. The president makes a very brief statement. A reporter shouts a question, unanswered. The end.

Donald Trump did something very different in his Cabinet meeting Monday.

First, he reviewed the various alleged successes of his first 143 days and made this remarkable claim: "Never has there been a president....with few exceptions...who's passed more legislation, who's done more things than I have."

(Nota bene: You can't say "never has" something happened and then say "with few exceptions." Either it's never happened or it, well, has.)

But, that wasn't even close to the weirdest part of the Cabinet meeting!

Once Trump finished touting his administration's accomplishments, he turned to several of his newly-minted Cabinet secretaries like Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Each of those Cabinet secretaries lavished praise on Trump, which he accepted without comment but with a broad smile.

At first, I thought Trump was just going to have the new members of the Cabinet spend a few minutes praising him. NOPE! It soon became clear that Trump planned to have every Cabinet member speak. And when I say "speak" what I really mean is "praise Trump for his accomplishments, his foresight, his just being awesome."

I mean, WHAT?!?

The whole thing reminded me of a scene directly from the boardroom of "The Apprentice." A group of supplicants all desperately trying to hold on to their spots on the show by effusively praising Trump -- each one trying to take it a step further than the last. And Trump in the middle of it all, totally and completely pleased with himself. (Reminder: Around that Cabinet table are hugely accomplished generals, billionaires and political people with long track records of success.)

What those contestants knew is the same thing Trump's Cabinet has now realized: Flattery will get you everywhere. Donald Trump's favorite topic of conversation is Donald Trump. The best way to talk about Donald Trump, if you want to keep working for Donald Trump, is to praise Donald Trump. The more over-the-top, the better.

Chuck Schumer was quick off the line to mock Trump with this re-creation of the Cabinet meeting:

There's a tendency in Trump's presidency to overlook or dismiss these smaller sorts of things. "Keep focused on the stuff that really matters," people tweet at me every day, all day. (For liberals sending those tweets, it's about Russia and Trump's finances. For conservatives, it's Trump's many accomplishments that are being allegedly ignored.)

My contention is that things like this Cabinet meeting -- while totally inconsequential in terms of actual policy -- are deeply revealing about who Trump is and how he views himself, the people who work for him and the world. And how he views all of those things is this: With Trump at the center and everyone a spoke emanating from his hub.

View post:

Donald Trump just held the weirdest Cabinet meeting ever - CNN

Caitlyn Jenner (front) arrives for the Candlelight Dinner at Union Station in honor of President-elect Donald J. Trump, one day before Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.(Photo: ERIK S. LESSER, EPA)

Caitlyn Jenner has a growing voice in the transgender community, but it also is one that is misconstrued at times.

Part of the reason for that, Jenner concedes, could be based on her choice for president in November. Jenner, a Republican her entire life, spoke to President Trump on the campaign trail and says she felt assured he would protect the LGBT community as he promised at the Republican National Convention.

Listen, I understand the Democratic party is better on all LGBT issues, Im not an idiot, Jenner says.

For me, philosophically, Im on the Republican side. I have conservative views. But Im also trans. I would much rather convince Republicans to do better with (LGBT) issues than to try to convince Democrats to lower taxes and have less regulations and less government. I work hard, mostly behind the scenes, to change (Republicans) views. When I sit down with Republican senators, theyll tell me theyve never met a trans person before and theyll mention their faith. I explain how faith has played a big part in what I have done and am doing right now. Just sitting at the table with someone, that can change peoples minds.

RELATED:

Caitlyn Jenner's growth into transgender advocate role

Jenner, who attended the Presidential Inauguration in January, says she expected Trump to reinforce the federal protection guidelines for transgender youth set in place by the Obama administration. Before Trump took office, a U.S. District Court judge blocked the Obama-scripted rules allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity. The Trump administration removed the guidelines, preferring to allow individual states to create the policy a decision Jenner describes as a crushing blow for the community shes fighting for.

When (Trump) pulled back on the Title IX (guidelines), it kind of killed It destroyed me, Jenner says. This of all cases is when we need (the government) to step in. The bottom line is bullying in schools is going to be worse, and then theres already bullying online where theres no protection, no escape. When you take away protection in schools, to be honest with you, it is devastating to these kids. These politicians say it is to protect their children in bathrooms. But young peoplewilldie. And they are transgender. Suicide rates will go up. What if thats your kid? The federal government is basically saying, you dont really exist.

I was outspoken when Trump did that. And I should be.

Jenner, right, speaks at an American Unity Fund brunch at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on July 20, 2016, on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention.(Photo: Josh Lederman, AP)

Jenner, who has been fighting for transgender rights for the past two years since her own coming out, lived her life for 65 years as Bruce Jenner once the epitome of masculinity after winning the 1976 Olympic decathlongold medal. Now as a woman and member of an often-stigmatized minority group,Jenner says she wants to meet with Trump as soon as possible to help lift the curtain she believes is over his eyes.

I would try to enlighten President Trump or anyone about transgender rights that these are real issues because these are real people suffering, Jenner says. The President and so many people out there havent taken the time to meet or get to know a transgender person. They dont know the community. Its affecting so many people beneath everything.

I didnt know any transgender people before I came out, because I was afraid. I want to tell people, dont be afraid of trans people, show a little love, hear our stories. You hear people say, but its biology. Thats right. I didnt ask to be this way. Its just the way I am.

Jenners memoiropens with a quote from Milton Diamond that reads, Biology loves variation. Biology loves differences. Society hates it.

This is not an issue where you take two aspirin and wake up the next morning and itll go away, she says. No, this feeling lasts your ENTIRE LIFE. The question isnt whether itll go away, but how you choose to deal with it.

Jenner says she plans to speak this month about LGBT issues at the College Republican National Committee Convention in Washington D.C., noting that its up to the next generation to change the agenda of the Trump administration and fellow elder Republicans.

I think the best thing the Republican party can do is embrace peoples differences, Jenner says. I think it could do wonders. Itll take a couple generations to change peoples thinking, but the perception that Republicans are rich, white, evangelical Christians who are anti-LGBT could be changed. If they do it over 10-20 years, you can turn that around. You can do that with legislation, on the books, you can turn around the next generation so people dont look at the party that way that it doesnt promote (diversity).

See the original post here:

Caitlyn Jenner and Donald Trump's on again, off again relationship - USA TODAY

BBC News

Ivanka condemns Donald Trump's 'vicious critics' BBC News President Trump's daughter Ivanka has criticised "the level of viciousness" her father has been subjected to. She said that it went far beyond what she was expecting. In the interview with the Fox and Friends morning TV show, she said that she had been ... Ivanka Trump: 'There is a level of viciousness that I was not expecting'CNN all 176 news articles »

Read more:

Ivanka condemns Donald Trump's 'vicious critics' - BBC News

In 2016, Salma Hayek revealed that, many years ago, PresidentDonald Trumpasked her out.

According to Hayek, she rejected Trumps advances and, as a result, he told the National Enquirer that he had rejected herbecause she was too short.

After this story broke in October, many wondered how Trump got his tiny little hands on Hayeks number in the first place. Well, now, shes telling the awkward tale behind their initial meetup.

During a recent appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Noah asked Hayek about this particular incident and the 50-year-old actress spilled so much tea.

It all started when Hayek was cold at an event and Trump, who just happened to be sitting behind her and her then boyfriend, immediately put his coat around her shoulders.

I turn around and my boyfriend so charming, so nice he said hello [to Trump], she recalled. [Trump] said, Im sorry, your girlfriend, I saw she was cold. And then he kept talking to my boyfriend.

Trump sparked up a little friendship with Hayeks boyfriend that night and eventually told the couple they should stay in his hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, if they were ever in town. He asked for their phone numbers and, according to Hayek, Trump never spoke to her boyfriend again.

But he did give her a ring.

Hes inviting me out, and Im like, What about my boyfriend? Am I crazy? Are you asking me out? You know I have a boyfriend, she explained, adding that Trump responded with, Hes not good enough for you. Hes not important, hes not big enough for you. You have to go out with me.

Noah then joked that Trump was right. Hayek did not end up with that boyfriend and instead married French billionaire Franois-Henri Pinault in 2009.

The rest is here:

How Donald Trump Weaseled His Way Into Getting Salma Hayek's Number - HuffPost

NEW YORK -- Delta Air Lines and Bank of America have announced that they are pulling their sponsorship of a Manhattan-based theater company's portrayal of Julius Caesar as a Donald Trump look-alike in a business suit who gets knifed to death on stage.

Atlanta-based Delta released a statement on Sunday saying it was pulling its sponsorship from The Public Theater "effective immediately."

"No matter what your political stance may be, the graphic staging of Julius Caesar at this summer's Free Shakespeare in the Park does not reflect Delta Air Lines' values," the statement said. "Their artistic and creative direction crossed the line on the standards of good taste."

Though the Public's version of William Shakespeare's classic play is unchanged from its 400-year-old original, the production portrays Caesar with a gold bathtub and a pouty Slavic wife. President Trump's name is never mentioned.

Tina Benko, left, portrays Melania Trump in the role of Caesar's wife, Calpurnia, and Gregg Henry, center left, portrays President Trump in the role of Julius Caesar during a dress rehearsal of The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park production of "Julius Caesar" in New York in this May 21, 2017, file photo provided by The Public Theater. Teagle F. Bougere, center right, plays as Casca and Elizabeth Marvel, right, as Marc Anthony.

Joan Marcus/The Public Theater via AP

Later Sunday night, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Bank of America said it was withdrawing its funding for the production.

"The Public Theater chose to present Julius Caesar in such a way that was intended to provoke and offend," the bank said in a tweet. "Had this intention been made known to us, we would have decided not to sponsor it."

Mr. Trump's son Eric Trump thanked the companies on Twitter.

"Thank you Delta and Bank of America," Eric Trump said. "This was the right thing to do."

American Express said it was not pulling funding, which the company said didn't go toward Shakespeare in the Park, but in a statement Monday said, "we do not condone this interpretation of the play."

Performances at Central Park's Delacorte Theater began in late May, just days before comedian Kathy Griffin was widely condemned for posing for a photograph in which she gripped a bloodied rendering of Mr. Trump's head.

Play Video

Kathy Griffin cried during a press conference in which she said that President Trump "broke" her. The press conference came after a controversial...

Oskar Eustis, the Public Theater's artistic director who also directed the play, said in a statement Sunday that "anyone seeing our production of 'Julius Caesar' will realize it in no way advocates violence towards anyone."

On Monday, the Public said in a statement that it stands "completely behind" its production. The nonprofit theater that prides itself on its innovative and challenging work said it was aware that the play has "provoked heated discussion" among audiences, sponsors and supporters.

"We recognize that our interpretation of the play has provoked heated discussion; audiences, sponsors and supporters have expressed varying viewpoints and opinions," the statement said. "Such discussion is exactly the goal of our civically-engaged theater; this discourse is the basis of a healthy democracy."

On Sunday, Donald Trump Jr. retweeted a Fox News story about the play and wrote, "I wonder how much of this 'art' is funded by taxpayers? Serious question, when does 'art' become political speech & does that change things?"

On Monday, the National Endowment for the Arts, which has had its federal funding threatened under Mr. Trump's administration, said in a statement that none of its funds have gone toward the Public's production. It added that "no NEA funds" are supporting the New York State Council on the Arts' grant to the Public or its performances.

"Julius Caesar" tells a fictionalized story of a powerful, popular Roman leader who is assassinated by senators who fear he is becoming a tyrant. It is set in ancient Rome, but many productions have costumed the characters in modern dress to give it a present-day connection.

The production runs through June 18.

Original post:

Donald Trump killing scene prompts sponsors to cut ties with play - CBS News

A Wyoming mayors decision to remove portraits of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence from the town hall and replace them with a picture of a Native American chief has some community members up in arms.

Mayor Pete Muldoon of Jackson, Wyoming, directed town staff members to make the swap on June 5, saying there is no requirement to have a picture of the president displayed in the building.

When the Town Of Jackson decides to honor such a divisive person, it is taking sides against some of its residents, Muldoon said in the statement. The Town Council has made no such decision, and until and unless it does, that kind of honor will not be bestowed.

Teton County Republican Party

Muldoon said he isnt sure who hung the photographs of Trump and Pence in January, but that the town council, a non-partisan body, never authorized their display.

We arent required to display signs of respect our respect is earned, not demanded, Muldoon said. Dictators like Joseph Stalin required their portraits to be displayed everywhere. Luckily, we do not live in a dictatorship.

Some community members arent happy with the mayors decision. Teton County Commissioner Paul Vogelheim,who also chairs the countys Republican Party, called the move totally disrespectful, and said portraits of U.S. presidents have hung in the town hall since at least the 1980s.

Vogelheim told HuffPost hes concerned the mayors action is bringing ugly, national partisan politics into Jackson, a popular tourist destination located about five miles from Grand Teton National Park.

It has fanned this fire of divisiveness among friends and neighbors, Vogelheim said. Its unfortunate.

Trump walloped Democrat Hillary Clinton in carrying Wyomings three electoral votes last November; he won close to 69 percent of the statewide vote while she got about 22 percent. But she dominated in Teton County, which includes Jackson, getting about 58 percent of the vote there to about 31 percent for Trump. It was the only Wyoming county she won.

Councilman Jim Stanford said hanging portraits of the president and vice president in town hall isnt a longstanding tradition, and only began in the early 2000s.

Stanford said someone without the councils permission first hung photographs of former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney, likely to honor Cheneys Wyoming roots. Those were then replaced by portraits of their successors, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Ive always found it a bit strange to have a portrait of thesupreme leader hanging in the town hall, Stanford said. We should be able to show up to a town meeting to work on town business without having to see the snarling mug of Donald Trump.

It was Stanford who suggested replacing the Trump and Pence portraits with an image of Chief Washakie, the leader of the local Shoshone Tribe in the mid-1800s.

Bill Clark via Getty Images

Washakie, who remains a well-known figure among many Jackson residents, brokered peace treaties and settlement deals between his tribe and the U.S. government. He became the only Native American chief to be given a full military funeral upon his death in 1900.

Its a way to honor our native history, Stanford said. I think its an improvement.

Like Muldoon and Stanford, Vogelheim said he is struggling with some of Trumps political stances, including on environmental issues and conservation measures.

Our current president is causing everyone to become activists in different ways, he said. But its a matter of how to channel your energy.

Vogelheim said the town council could vote to override the mayors decision and that he hopes a petition Republican Party activists are circulating will encourage it to do so.

Muldoon didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Theres no reason that [Washakies]picture cant be hanging, too Vogelheim said. But lets put the president and the vice presidents pictures back up.

Read the original here:

Wyoming Town Hall Replaces Donald Trump Portrait With Photo Of Native American Chief - HuffPost