| | | | | Ratings aren't everything. They're the only thing. | | | As President Donald Trump wrapped up his brief remarks standing beside three American prisoners just released by North Korea, he said this:
"I want to thank you all. It's very early in the morning. I think you probably broke the all time in history television rating for three o'clock in the morning. That I would say." Consider the context. It is 3 a.m. Trump is standing beside a trio of men who have been held captive in an authoritarian regime for months and, in some cases, years. And he talks about how many people must be watching on TV.
It's a reminder of just how much reality TV -- and TV more generally -- serves as the most useful lens through which to look when you are trying to understand the Trump presidency.
To Trump, good ratings mean success. It's that simple. If people are watching you, you are winning. It's a uniquely reality TV way of thinking -- and one that would fit comfortably as a life mantra for, say, Kim Kardashian or Jake Paul.
Failure is not having people judge you poorly. Failure is not being interesting enough to have them judge you.
What's remarkable about all of this is that Trump doesn't seem to distinguish between talking about ratings for a TV show, ratings for his inauguration or ratings for the arrival of former prisoners of the North Korean regime.
It's all ratings to him. And good ratings are something to be proud of, to talk about. People are interested in you, he was telling the three newly released prisoners. There's a lot of good buzz out there about you! You are going to do great!
The Point: This is Trump. He sees himself only as people see him. If people are interested in him -- and ratings are how he judges that -- then he must be doing something right. The end. -- Chris | | "You should never name anything after a live politician, cause you don't know if they'll get indicted."
-- California Gov. Jerry Brown | | | CNN's Eric Bradner reports: "President Donald Trump is heading to the Indiana city that Barack Obama took credit for reviving from the depths of the Great Recession to claim his share of the credit for a bustling economy, too.
"Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are set to hold a campaign rally with the Republican Party's new nominee in Indiana's Senate race Thursday night in Elkhart -- a frequent presidential backdrop because of its unique tendency to ride the highs and lows of the national economy.
"It's the recreational vehicle-making capital of the world: More than 80% of all RVs are manufactured in the region. When the economy tanks -- as it had when Obama took office -- Americans' discretionary income evaporates, access to financing dries up and RV sales halt. Elkhart's unemployment was at 20%, at one point the nation's highest rate, when Obama made it the site of his first trip in office in 2009."
The rally kicked off at 7 p.m. ET. Read more in Eric's story here and follow along with CNN's coverage online and on air. | | MEETING ON THE CALENDAR 🗓️ | | CNN's Jeremy Diamond and Kevin Liptak reported Thursday: President Donald Trump tweeted he will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore. Read more here.
Speaking of North Korea ... CNN's David Gelles tweeted about how Trump's language on Kim has evolved significantly since last year. See below examples: - September 2017: "Obviously a madman"
- November 2017: "Short & Fat" and "Little Rocket Man"
- April 2018: "Very honorable"
- May 2018: "Nice" and "excellent" to detainees.
Earlier this year, Saba pulled together an interactive guide with CNN's Joyce Tseng of all the times Trump has insulted North Korea. | | | Chris is a very big fan of Soccer Mommy. Here's "Your Dog." | | | Today's topic: Is Vice President Mike Pence the worst? One conservative columnist thinks so. Chris weighs in. | | 'GAME CHANGER FOR PARENTS' RUNNING FOR OFFICE | | From CNN's Maegan Vazquez: "The Federal Election Commission on Thursday approved a New York congressional candidate's request to use federal campaign funds to cover the child care expenses for her two children incurred while she is campaigning.
"Appearing before the FEC with her 2-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter, Liuba Grechen Shirley, a New York Democrat, requested the $22-per-hour child care expenses she incurred as a result of joining the race for the 2nd Congressional District seat be covered by campaign dollars. The FEC swiftly approved a draft of a subject advisory opinion that concluded the expenses for Grechen Shirley wouldn't exist had she not sought office.
"Grechen Shirley tweeted Thursday: 'WE WON! Thank you to the FEC Commissioners for their unanimous vote to approve our request to use campaign funds for childcare! This is a game changer for women and parents considering a run for office.' "
Read more here. | | It's official: Net neutrality is set to end on June 11. CNN's Seth Fiegerman reports: "The Federal Communications Commission said in a notice filed Thursday that new rules repealing the net neutrality protections are set to take effect 30 days from this Friday, or June 11.
" 'Now, on June 11, these unnecessary and harmful internet regulations will be repealed and the bipartisan, light-touch approach that served the online world well for nearly 20 years will be restored,' Ajit Pai, chairman of the FCC, said in a statement Thursday." Read more here. | | Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who is trying to position himself as a potential 2020 Democratic presidential contender, posted a pic on Instagram with former President Barack Obama. "Great to see you last night in LA again Mr. President!" he wrote. CNN's Maeve Reston recently profiled him.
Speaking of California ... Sen. Kamala Harris, another potential Democratic 2020 contender, said in a tweet Thursday she plans to support her fellow Democratic colleague Sen. Cory Booker's legislation to legalize marijuana. She made her announcement in a video for Now This News. Booker is also considered a potential presidential contender. Read more in CNN's story by Daniella Diaz. | | CNN's Veronica Stracqualursi reported Thursday: "Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer invoked first lady Melania Trump's 'Be Best' initiative in a response to President Donald Trump's tweet Thursday morning calling him 'Cryin' Chuck.'
" 'Senator Cryin' Chuck Schumer fought hard against the Bad Iran Deal, even going at it with President Obama, & then Voted AGAINST it!' Trump wrote on Twitter Thursday morning. 'Now he says I should not have terminated the deal - but he doesn't really believe that!'
" '#BeBest,' the New York Democrat responded, referencing Melania Trump's newly announced initiative, which encourages children to use the internet in positive ways." Read more here. | | | From Brenna: "President Trump was up far later than I was last night to welcome the freed North Korean captives back, which is great, even though it ended with this awkward hand pat." Anyway, thanks for reading. Just a friendly reminder to tell people you know to subscribe to The Point. | | 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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