Wednesday, April 24

ByKevin Sheekey

Head in the Sand: In Push for 2020 Election Security, Top U.S. Official Was Warned to Not Tell Trump (New York Times)
While American intelligence agencies have warned of the dangers of new influence campaigns penetrating the 2020 elections, Trump and those closest to him have maintained that the effects of Russia’s interference in 2016 was overblown. In a meeting this year, Mick Mulvaney, the White House chief of staff, made it clear that the President still equated any public discussion of malign Russian election activity with questions about the legitimacy of his victory.

Jared Kushner said on Tuesday: “I think the investigations, and all of the speculation that’s happened for the last two years has had a much harsher impact on our democracy than a couple of Facebook ads.”

Fact Check: What We Learned from the 3,500 Russian Facebook Ads Meant to Stir Division in the U.S. (TechCrunch)

Trump’s ‘Run Out the Clock’ Legal Strategy (Axios)
Facing a multi-front war in the post-Mueller world, President Trump is turning to litigation strategies that he long used in business — resist, delay and sue. As Bloomberg Opinion’s Tim O’Brien told Axios: “This completely comports with Trump’s approach to business and life. Roy Cohn taught him how to weaponize the legal system when he was still in his late 20s — nearly 50 years ago.”

Climate Today: Bigger than Brexit (Politico’s London Playbook)
“Is my microphone on? Can you hear me?” 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg asked MPs and journalists in Westminster yesterday. “Around the year 2030 — 10 years, 252 days and 10 hours away from now — we will be in a position where we set off an irreversible chain reaction beyond human control that will most likely lead to the end of our civilization as we know it … These projections are backed up by scientific facts.” She paused. “Did you hear what I just said? Is my English OK? Is the microphone on? Because I’m beginning to wonder.”

In response, UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove promised tougher action on climate change after telling a teenage activist that she had made him feel guilty about his generation’s failure to address the problem.

Brexit ‘Rules of the Game’ Urgently Needed, U.K. Financial Regulator Says (Bloomberg)
Andrew Bailey, CEO of the U.K’s Financial Conduct Authority, said Tuesday that British and European Union negotiators need to undertake “a big debate” over post-Brexit oversight to allow for open markets and resolution of disputes. In a speech at Bloomberg London, Bailey said the U.K. should push to avoid “cliff-edge risks” of a no-deal departure from the EU.

Tax Breaks Today: Want to Make Millions and Pay No Taxes? Try Real Estate (Bloomberg)
Harry Macklowe, who recently built the tallest building in NYC, hasn’t paid income tax since the 1980s, according to a court opinion in his divorce proceedings which also divided luxury homes and an art collection worth more than $650 million.

Related: The U.S. Treasury Department won’t decide whether to turn over President Trump’s tax returns until May 6, missing another House deadline. (New York Times)

California’s Economy Isn’t Just a U.S. Powerhouse (Bloomberg Opinion – Matt Winkler)
With a GDP that ranks 5th globally, there are good reasons why California leaves big countries like France and Italy in the rearview mirror and overtook the U.K. last year.

Follow the Data: Philadelphia, Memphis Among Seven Cities Earning Accolades from Bloomberg Philanthropies for Using Data to Drive Government (US News & World Report)

Health Breakthrough: World’s First Malaria Vaccine to go to 360,000 African Children – World Health Organization (CNN)


Headlines from around the world.


Summer Movie Preview.


Best of late night.

On Passover and Easter:

“These are two big holidays. And the fact that they came at the same time, this created a lot of stress for one person who accidentally double-booked himself for both events. I’m talking, of course, about Jesus.”
— Conan O’Brien

“Bed, Bath and Beyond is trying to rebrand itself. They’re launching new stores that focus on home decor, furniture, food and beverages. They even have a name for the new store: Target.”
— Jimmy Fallon

Best Satire from The New Yorker’s Borowitz Report:

Sarah Huckabee Sanders Accuses Media of Anti-Liar Bias (Andy Borowitz)

Trump Names Lori Loughlin Education Secretary (Andy Borowitz)

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