It’s Wednesday. Thoughts and prayers to anyone wearing a full suit in Washington, D.C., today because it is HOT. Here’s a preview for today: -
Adult film star Stormy Daniels’s testimony got raunchy yesterday. So much that former President Trump’s lawyers (unsuccessfully) demanded a mistrial.
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The New York Times is reporting that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says doctors found a dead parasite in his brain in 2012. He says he’s fine now, though.
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There are a lot of interesting tidbits from Capitol Hill this week, including a video of two House members playing with a skateboard in the halls.
- Dunkin’ unveiled a watermelon donut, and I don’t know what to feel.
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-release.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. |
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Things got raunchy, LET ME TELL YOU: |
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Adult film star Stormy Daniels gave the most risque testimony yet in former President Trump’s hush money trial, leaving little to the imagination.
Like? I’m so sorry for this, but…: Daniels testified that she had sex with Trump in his lavish hotel suite in 2006. She described sex positions and said he didn’t use a condom. She even described spanking the former president with a rolled-up magazine. All right, I’ll stop there.
If you want to read more: ‘Risque Stormy Daniels testimony creates uproar at Trump trial’
Her testimony became so crude that Trump’s lawyers even demanded a mistrial by the afternoon. Judge Juan Merchan sympathized with the defense’s concerns, but still let Daniels testify. Is Daniels done testifying?: No, she will return to the stand on Thursday when the trial resumes. |
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➤ ‘FIVE QUESTIONS LOOMING OVER TRUMP’S HUSH MONEY TRIAL’: |
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Watch out, Mike. Don’t make casual promises, Mike. Don’t do it, Mike.: |
“Senate Republicans are urging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) not to make any promises to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) about future military aid for Ukraine, warning it would be a ‘grave mistake’ for the Speaker to box himself in.” Why this is top of mind: “Senators expect the Biden administration to request another round of Ukraine aid at the end of the year, and they want Johnson to have the flexibility to move it through the House. Greene asked Johnson during a Monday meeting to commit to not supporting any more foreign assistance to Ukraine.” Read more: ‘GOP senators warn Speaker to stand firm on Greene’s Ukraine demand’ |
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| ➤ MY FAVORITE CAPITOL HILL TIDBITS THIS WEEK:
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Awkward: HuffPost’s Igor Bobic noticed that Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) paused “for a moment on the way to vote so he doesn’t share an elevator with [Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.)], who was a few steps ahead.” Why this is worth pointing out: Fetterman has been very critical of Menendez, who is facing bribery and corruption charges. 📸 Photo of Menendez briefly stopping
Honestly, this is an impressive scrum: NOTUS’s Haley Byrd Wilt posted a photo of a huge scrum of reporters outside the U.S. Capitol. 📸 Photo of the reporter swarm
This caption made me laugh out loud: Hill staffer Hannah Spengler posted a video of Reps. Don Davis (D-N.C.) and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) playing with a skateboard in the hall. “As a former teacher I am very tempted to take this away from the Members,” Spengler posted on X. 📹 Watch the clip
^ I am very concerned about potential injuries here.
People of the world, spice up your life!: Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice from the Spice Girls, was spotted on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. 📸 Photo |
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The Fani Willis saga continues: |
“A Georgia appeals court agreed Wednesday to review a lower court’s decision not to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) from prosecuting former President Trump in his election interference case in the state.”
Backstory: “Revelations that Willis was in a romantic relationship with one of Trump’s top prosecutors caused a multimonth detour in the case, including a series of whirlwind hearings that culminated in the district attorney being allowed to remain.”
Full context from The Hill’s Ella Lee and Zach Schonfeld |
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RFK Jr. says there’s a dead worm in his brain: |
Yes, you read that right.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says that doctors found a dead parasite that ate part of his brain in 2012, reports The New York Times’s Susanne Craig. Kennedy said in a deposition: “The doctor believed that the abnormality seen on his scans was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.'” Kennedy also said in 2012: “I have cognitive problems, clearly. I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me.”
Keep in mind: Kennedy told the Times that he fully recovered and is fine now. Read the full NYT report |
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➤ SOME DRAMA IN THE KENNEDY FAMILY:
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“Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President Kennedy, is mocking his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate for president, as the famous family grapples with political division.” (The Hill) |
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➤ A LOT CAN CHANGE IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS:
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➤ TIDBIT — A CASUAL 128K VOTES FOR A CANDIDATE WHO DROPPED OUT:
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“Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley garnered more than 128,000 votes in Indiana’s GOP presidential primary Tuesday, according to election results from Decision Desk HQ, despite suspending her White House bid in early March.” (The Hill) |
West Coast, best coast (for fundraising): |
President Biden is heading to San Francisco and Seattle later this week to fundraise for his reelection campaign. (The Hill) |
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🥥 Celebrate: Today is National Coconut Cream Pie Day!
🍩 You lost me at watermelon donut: Dunkin’ unveiled its summer menu. It includes a Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee, a Vanilla Frosted Donut Signature Latte, a Kiwi Watermelon Dunkin’ Refresher and a Watermelon Burst Donut. I am excited about the Green Goddess Wrap. Details and photos — that donut looks … unnatural.
☀️ Well, that’s not a great record to break: Bloomberg’s Eamon Akil Farhat reports that “April was the 11th consecutive month of record-breaking heat.” 🍎 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week!: Northjersey.com posted a list of specials and deals this week for teachers and nurses. |
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The House and Senate are in. President Biden is in Wisconsin and Illinois today, and Vice President Harris is in Pennsylvania this afternoon. (all times Eastern) |
12:45 p.m.: Biden delivers remarks at Gateway Technical College on “Investing in America.” 💻 Livestream
1 p.m.: Senators meet for weekly caucus meetings. 📆Today’s agenda 2:15 p.m.: Biden participates in a campaign event in Racine County, Wis.
2:30 p.m.: Harris participates in a campaign event in Philadelphia. 4:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆Today’s agenda
5:30 p.m.: Biden participates in a campaign reception in Chicago. 6 p.m.: First lady Jill Biden hosts a virtual appreciation event for educators. 💻Livestream 7 p.m.: Harris speaks at an EMILY’s List gala in Washington, D.C. 10:50 p.m.: Biden returns to the White House.
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