| | | | 4 reasons I'm convinced Trump will talk to Robert Mueller | | President Donald Trump continues to insist -- publicly at least -- that he is gung-ho about talking to special counsel Robert Mueller.
"I'm looking forward to it, actually," Trump said of a potential Mueller sit-down in January. "I would love to do that -- I'd like to do it as soon as possible." Last month, Trump reiterated that desire. "Sure, I would like to," he said of a Mueller interview.
Privately, Trump equivocates far more about whether to chat with Mueller, according to CNN reporting.
His lawyers are deeply divided, according to Washington Post reporting on Tuesday night. John Dowd, who left Trump's legal team last month, strongly opposed a Trump-Mueller sit-down. Jay Sekulow and Ty Cobb, who remain on Trump's legal operation, worry about the politics of Trump not talking to Mueller.
I have long believed that Trump will eventually talk to Mueller -- no matter what his lawyers say. Here's why: - This special counsel probe makes Trump insane. It irritates him. It wears on him. He wants it over yesterday. And he knows that the best -- and maybe only -- way for that to happen is for him to give Mueller what the former FBI director wants: An interview.
- Trump believes he has nothing to hide. Even as the guilty pleas from Trump campaign associates have piled up, Trump has been absolutely adamant that he took part in "no collusion" with the Russians and has zero to hide. And I believe he believes that.
- Trump is supremely confident in himself. Remember that Trump believes himself to be one of the great salesmen and persuaders of all time. He thinks he can convince anyone of anything. That includes Mueller.
- Trump likes the idea of a one-on-one face-off. Trump loves drama. He loves the idea of staring someone down across a boardroom table, taking their measure and emerging triumphant.
The Point: Until Trump actually walks into a room with Mueller, it's worth being somewhat skeptical of whether he will actually do so. But I think there's plenty of reason to believe that Trump views the Mueller face-off as not only the best chance to prove his innocence but also to prove his dominance over a man he's sick of hearing praised.
-- Chris | | "This is going to be a challenging election year. We know the wind is going to be in our face. We don't know whether it's going to be a Category 3, 4 or 5."
-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in an interview with Kentucky Today editorial board | | | PRUITT'S PROBLEMS CONTINUE | | Criticism of embattled Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt continued Wednesday, with the White House weighing in on reports that Pruitt rented a room in a condo for around $50 a night from Vicki and Steven Hart, lobbyists whose firm has lobbied the EPA.
From CNN's Dan Merica: "President Trump is not OK with the deal EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt received to rent a room in Washington, D.C., from the family of an energy lobbyist, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. Asked if Trump is OK with the deal, Sanders said, 'The President is not. We are reviewing the situation. When we have had the chance to have done a deeper dive on that we will let you know the outcomes of that. We are currently revising that at that White House.'
"Asked if Trump has faith in Pruitt, Sanders said, 'The President thinks he is doing a good job, particularly on the deregulation front. But again, we take this seriously and we are looking into it.'"
The comments also come in the wake of reports that Pruitt bypassed the White House to give large pay raises to two aides.
Read more in Dan's story here. | | It's been 50 years since Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the age of 39. Cities across the United States are honoring him with ceremonies and performances. CNN has been doing some amazing coverage. Here are some highlights: - Sites across the country will ring bells 39 times, symbolizing the civil rights leader's age at his death. Bells will toll around the time King was shot (Read more in CNN's story by Jason Hanna here).
- In Washington, D.C.: Marchers are gathering for the ACT to End Racism Rally on the National Mall.
- In Memphis: Tributes saluting King will take place in the courtyard of the Lorraine Motel, now home to the National Civil Rights Museum.
- In Atlanta: In the city of his birth, a bell at the King center will toll for each year of King's life.
- Bernice King, one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s children, told CNN her father would be ready to help movements like #MeToo and the student-led March for Our Lives.
- Martin Luther King III tweeted: "I think Dad would be very excited about the non-violent movements taking place, particularly the student-led activity."
- CNN's Jennifer Hansler talked to civil rights leaders about the impact MLK's death had on them.
- CNN's Dana Bash traveled to Memphis with a bipartisan group of members of Congress to the sites where Martin Luther King Jr. spent his final hours.
- Former President Barack Obama joined civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis to reflect on MLK's legacy in a six-and-a-half minute video shared on YouTube by the Obama Foundation. Read more in CNN's story about that here.
For more of CNN's coverage of the 50th anniversary, check out this feature by Elliot C. McLaughlin. | | | The cast for "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" was announced! Anyway, in honor of that nerdy musical news, listen to "Come What May," sung by the movie's stars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. | | WISCONSIN 'RISK OF A #BLUEWAVE' | | CNN's Eric Bradner reports: "The Democratic-backed candidate won a seat Tuesday on Wisconsin's Supreme Court, another warning signal for the GOP that led Republican Gov. Scott Walker to tweet that the party is "at risk of a #BlueWave" in November.
"Liberal Rebecca Dallet trounced conservative Michael Screnock in the race for a 10-year term on the state's high court. Screnock conceded the race, and results continued to trickle in late Tuesday, showing Dallet with a double-digit lead.
"Walker, who is up for re-election to a third term next fall, tweeted that the results were another sign that the GOP is in trouble."
Read more here. | | TRUMP'S WEDNESDAY NIGHT PLANS | | CNN's Dan Merica and Elizabeth Landers report: "President Donald Trump will attend a private dinner benefiting pro-Trump super PAC America First Action on Wednesday night in Washington.
" 'Tonight, the President will be having dinner with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and supporters,' White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters confirmed to CNN.
"Jeff Miller, a GOP strategist and lobbyist, will host Wednesday's private dinner, according to a source with knowledge, the third of its kind with supporters of America First Action, the primary super PAC backing Trump's agenda. A White House official added that the event is 'not a fundraiser' and that 'no funds were solicited' surrounding it."
Read more here. | | | We're bringing back this daily dose of nice news to help break up all the other news you read: So, today's fun/uplifting story of the day: A Texas teen applied to 20 of the best universities in the United States. He was admitted to every single one with a full ride. Watch his reaction in a video -- from HLN -- here. | | | The Point is on Instagram Video! Can you guess what today's topic is based on these emojis?
😨 🏠 🏛️ ☎️ 🌬️
Click on CNN Politics' Instagram video story every Monday through Friday afternoon for more #content from Chris and Brenna Williams. | | | Brenna asks: "Can you tell the cherry blossoms are moving?" We thought this GIF was beautiful, and timely given #MLK50. As always, thanks for reading. And a reminder: Tell people you know to subscribe. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | | | | |
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