He brings one of his favorite TV defenders to the White House.
According to a new Politico report, former Trump campaign adviser, TV surrogate and author Michael Caputo has been hired as the chief Health and Human Services’ communications officer.
Officials told Politico that the staunch Trump defender was brought to the White House to keep HHS Secretary Alex Azar in check. Trump reportedly suspects that Azar has been leaking to the media, and may have been behind a recent New York Times report that was critical of Trump’s response to the pandemic.
The recent report portrays Azar in a shining light — as an administration official who tried to warn Trump and other officials about the pending pandemic back in January. Trump refuted the allegations via Twitter this week.
The @nytimes story is a Fake, just like the “paper” itself. I was criticized for moving too fast when I issued the China Ban, long before most others wanted to do so. @SecAzar told me nothing until later, and Peter Navarro memo was same as Ban (see his statements). Fake News!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2020
Even if Azar isn’t the source of the critical press coverage, placing one of his top TV surrogates as the mouthpiece to Azar’s department is a predictable move. Trump’s been unhappy with Azar since he first started sounding the alarm about the coronavirus in the U.S.
Here’s more on that and other stories we’re following:
What The Investigations Team Is Watching
Matt Shuham is continuing his coverage of the high coronavirus-related death rate in nursing homes in New York and New Jersey.
Kate Riga is looking into the Pennsylvania Senate’s efforts to overturn a stay-at-home order.
Josh Kovensky is reporting on the findings of a new study that show the coronavirus pandemic is decreasing the availability of health care for non-COVID-19 related ailments for all Americans.
What The Breaking News Team Is Watching
While publicly reminding Americans to stay home and practice social distancing via social media, White House senior adviser and first daughter Ivanka Trump has not been practicing what she preaches. To celebrate the Passover, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and the couple’s three children traveled to President Trump’s golf resort in New Jersey. The White House has defended the family decision, arguing that the shut-down resort functions as a “family home” for the Trumps. We’ll keep an eye on any additional backlash the first daughter receives for the move.
As we knew he would, Trump lashed out against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) over remarks she made in a recent letter to colleagues. Pelosi criticized Trump’s response to the pandemic and said his sluggish reaction to the coronavirus caused “unnecessary death and disaster.” Trump, in turn, called Pelosi a “weak person.” We’ll update you if this back-and-forth continues.
Today’s Rundown
8:30 a.m. ET: Trump did a video teleconference with members of the G-7 to discuss COVID-19 responses.
10:00 a.m. ET: Trump held a phone call with member of the House, followed by a call with senators at 11 a.m. ET.
1:30 p.m. ET: Trump will deliver remarks on the South Lawn celebrating truckers.
3:00 p.m. ET: There will be a teleconference between Trump and governors in the Situation Room.
5:00 p.m. ET: The White House coronavirus task force will hold its daily briefing.
Yesterday’s Most Read Story
Conway Mistakes ‘19’ In COVID-19 For Strain Of Virus While Accusing WHO Of Not Knowing Facts — Cristina Cabrera
What We Are Reading
How Independent Music Could Suffer If Trump Kills The U.S. Postal Service — Marc Hogan
Your Maps Of Life Under Lockdown — Laura Bliss and Jessica Lee Martin
Broward Judge Tells Lawyers To Get Out Of Bed And Wear A Shirt For Zoom Hearings — C. Isaiah Smalls II
