The Russia story just keeps getting weirder. This morning, NBC News reported that a former Soviet counterintelligence officer was in the meeting with Junior and crew. And, a Republican donor and operative who said he had tried to obtain Hillary Clinton's missing emails from Russian hackers killed himself in a Minnesota hotel room days after talking to the WSJ about his efforts. Whoever writes this movie will have pah-lenty of material. Back on Capitol Hill, the fallout from the GOP attempt to repeal the ACA continues. If you’re keeping count, several Republicans are still on the fence and already Senators Susan Collins (D-ME) and Rand Paul (D-KY) are voting NO. Which means if just one more GOPer gives it a thumbs down, the Republican plan is DOA. In other news, “watch your back, bitch.” That’s how Trump’s personal attorney responded to a random, unsolicited email to him encouraging him to resign. Sheesh! Good thing this guy doesn’t check the info@TheBeatDC.com account. We’d have no friends. Speaking of inappropriate language, what’s the deal with Donald Trump telling the First Lady of France that she’s in good shape? Honestly, where are his handlers? Maybe had he said this to Beyoncé who just introduced the world to Rumi and Sir in an Instagram post where she’s wearing a bikini less than a month after giving birth to twins, we’d understand. But c’mon, dude. Not appropriate language on the world stage. Oh, and please take note of this very important PSA: On Sunday evening, we don’t care if you have a video of Donald Trump french kissing Vladimir Putin and you want to give The Beat the exclusive. Please don’t tweet, DM, email, or call us between 9 and 10P. We, just like the rest of the world, will be firmly planted in front of the TV eagerly watching the return of Game of Thrones. Here’s what we’ve got this Friday:
- Judge rules grandma can’t be banned and expands the definition of “bona fide” in Trump travel ban case.
- Don King says critics treat Trump like “a Black man.” Oookay.
- The number of Muslim refugees coming to the U.S. -- ban or no ban -- is down.
- Dow Jones CEO champions diversity -- for women.
- Corrine Brown hosts two fundraisers before sentencing.
- NABJ has a new ED.
- Chaka Fattah, both Junior and Senior, in more hot water.
- Meet Mónica García, the Latino Victory Project’s newest staffer.
- Congressmen Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Rubén Gallego want the FEC to investigate Trump Jr, Kushner, and Manafort.
- Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) started a new caucus for members who don’t take PAC money.
- Hate robocalls as much as we do? FCC’s Ajit Pai fights “spoofing.”
- Justice is one step closer for Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) and her husband.
- And we’re back to solar panels on the border wall. But Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), an electrical engineer, puts the kibosh on that idea.
- Lawsuit claims Customs and Border Protection are illegally turning asylum seekers away.
- NABJ gives Ebony and Fox News a thumbs down.
- #NRAtoDOJ takes place today and tomorrow. Learn more.