Cal Thomas, Breitbart News White House reporter Charlie Spiering, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy, WMAL host Mark Levin and Diamond & Silk joined WMAL on Wednesday!
Mornings on the Mall
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Hosts: Mary Walter and Vince Coglianese
5am – A/B/C Trustees warn Medicare finances worsening (Fox News) – Medicare’s financial problems have gotten worse, and Social Security’s can’t be ignored forever, the government said Tuesday in an annual assessment that amounts to a sobering checkup on programs vital to the middle class. The report from program trustees says Medicare will become insolvent in 2026 — three years earlier than previously forecast. Its giant trust fund for inpatient care won’t be able to cover projected medical bills starting at that point. The report says Social Security will become insolvent in 2034 — no change from the projection last year.
5am – D/E Miss America competition is getting a major makeover (New York Post) -There she is, Miss America … fully clothed. Miss America is scrapping its swimsuit competition and will no longer judge contestants based on their looks, the organization announced Tuesday. “We’ve heard from a lot of young women who say, ‘We’d love to be a part of your program but we don’t want to be out there in high heels and a swimsuit,’ so guess what, you don’t have to do that anymore,” Gretchen Carlson, chairwoman of the Miss America Organization, told “Good Morning America.” “Who doesn’t want to be empowered, learn leadership skills and pay for college and be able to show the world who you are as a person from the inside of your soul,” she said. “That’s what we’re judging them on now.”
6am – A IHOP says it’s changing iconic name; pancake lovers flip out (Fox News) -The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) is getting ready for a new name. “For 60 pancakin’ years, we’ve been IHOP,” the restaurant chain said on Twitter Monday. “Now, we’re flippin’ our name to IHOb. Find out what it could b on 6.11.18. #IHOb.” The tweet has sparked thousands of comments on the social media platform. In the lead-up to next week’s reveal, IHOP also tweeted a poll, asking, “IHOb? What could it b?” People can vote for one of four options: biscuits, bacon, butternut squash and barnacles. However, that hasn’t stopped Twitter users from weighing in with other ideas. “Blueberries?” a user asked the chain. “Blueberries, bacon, breakfast… There are so many possi-b-ilities,” IHOP responded.
6am – B White House Blasts Super Bowl Champs’ “Political Stunt” Before Donald Trump Sings National Anthem On South Lawn (Deadline.com) – President staged his Celebration of America on the White House lawn this afternoon, after pulling the plug on the annual invitation to Super Bowl champions. Trump left about 10 minutes after the start of the ceremony, at which he sang the national anthem and “God Bless America.” At a press briefing shortly before the ceremony started, White House Pres Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders blasted the Philadelphia Eagles, saying “if this wasn’t a political event by the Eagles franchise, then they would not have planned to attend the event, then backed out at the last minute.” “Let’s not forget there were 80 members who RSVP’d and committed to attend as recently as Friday, as well as over 1,000 fans. The Eagles are the ones who tried to change their commitment at the 11th hour,” she said.
6am – C Dennis Rodman will be in Singapore during Trump-Kim summit, report says (Fox News) – Former NBA star Dennis Rodman and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un will reportedly continue their unusual bromance at the much-anticipated summit in Singapore. Rodman, who struck up a relationship with the strongman during a visit in 2013, will be traveling to Singapore a day before the June 12 sitdown between President Trump and Kim, the New York Post reported Tuesday. “No matter what you might think about his presence, one thing’s for sure the ratings will be huge,” a source told the Post. “A lot of times in situations that involve complex diplomacy, countries like to identify ambassadors of goodwill, and whether you agree with it or not, Dennis Rodman fits the bill.” The Hall of Famer is also reported to be playing “some sort of role in the negotiations.”
6am – D INTERVIEW – CAL THOMAS – syndicated columnist – discussed Bill Clinton’s interview on the Today Show, 50th anniversary of Bobby Kennedy’s death, and the Eagles feud with Trump.
6am – E California’s key primaries: Trump-backed John cox outpaces Villaraigosa for governor, Feinstein takes to spot in Senate contest (Fox News) – Republican John Cox has secured a spot on the ballot to face Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom in the California gubernatorial election in November, boosted by a late endorsement from President Trump and voter discontent over liberal state policies. Fox News projects that Cox will advance to the general election in the race for governor, outpacing a former Democratic mayor for the No. 2 spot on the ballot. The state’s jungle primary system allows the top two finishers to advance regardless of party. The result is disappointing for Democratic former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was widely considered the most viable potential challenger to Newsom in November’s general election in the extremely liberal state. Fox News projects that Cox will advance to the general election in the race for governor, outpacing a former Democratic mayor for the No. 2 spot on the ballot. The state’s jungle primary system allows the top two finishers to advance regardless of party.
6am – F IG Report and McCabe News:
- Lawmakers Warn IG Being Pressured to Slow Roll Clinton FBI Report (Sara Carter) – The Department of Justice and the FBI are deliberately attempting to slow roll and redact significant portions of DOJ Inspector General, Michael Horowitz’s report on the bureau’s handling of the Hillary Clinton investigation, according to numerous congressional officials and investigators. The 400-page report, which was completed several weeks ago and addresses Clinton’s use of her private server for government business, is currently being reviewed by the DOJ and FBI. According to sources, individuals mentioned in the reports are also allowed to review the document. It is expected to be “long and thorough” and will criticize the handling of the investigation by former FBI Director James Comey, who has spent the better part of the past several months promoting his book A Higher Loyalty.
- Report: Andrew McCabe Seeks Immunity Deal For Testimony (Breitbart) – Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is reportedly in negotiations with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley to be granted immunity in exchange for his testimony on the upcoming Justice Department Inspector General report on the FBI’s handling of the Clinton email probe. “Grassley, an Iowa Republican, has quietly requested that several former officials appear in front of the Judiciary Committee to discuss the long-awaited internal Justice Department report, which sources say will detail a series of missteps surrounding the Justice Department and FBI’s investigation into Clinton’s handling of classified information while secretary of state,” CNN reports.
7am – A INTERVIEW – CHARLIE SPIERING – White House reporter, Breitbart News – discussed the latest news from the White House
7am – B/C Miss America competition is getting a major makeover (New York Post) -There she is, Miss America … fully clothed. Miss America is scrapping its swimsuit competition and will no longer judge contestants based on their looks, the organization announced Tuesday. “We’ve heard from a lot of young women who say, ‘We’d love to be a part of your program but we don’t want to be out there in high heels and a swimsuit,’ so guess what, you don’t have to do that anymore,” Gretchen Carlson, chairwoman of the Miss America Organization, told “Good Morning America.” “Who doesn’t want to be empowered, learn leadership skills and pay for college and be able to show the world who you are as a person from the inside of your soul,” she said. “That’s what we’re judging them on now.”
7am – D INTERVIEW – PETER DOOCY – Reporter for Fox News Channel – discussed Tuesday night’s primaries
7am – E Melania Trump Spox: David Frum ‘Disgusting’ for Insinuating Domestic Abuse in White House (Breitbart) – Mainstream media members jumped the shark and took Trump Derangement Syndrome to new heights by concocting tales of domestic abuse when trying to determine first lady Melania Trump’s whereabouts before she showed up to a White House event on Monday night. Melania Trump was painted as “missing in action” when news broke on Sunday night that the first lady, who is fresh off an operation for a kidney condition, will not join her husband on a pair of international trips. CNN even aired a graphic of a calendar, placing question marks on each date since the first lady was “last seen” on May 10 – but CNN’s coverage turned out to be less appalling than some conspiracy theories floated on Twitter. Rolling Stone senior writer Jamil Smith wrote, “I wish that I didn’t suspect that the prolonged, poorly explained public absence of Melania Trump could be about concealing abuse. I wish that it was a ludicrous prospect.”
8am – A INTERVIEW – MARK LEVIN – “The Great One” – WMAL host from 6 to 9 pm, host of Levin TV and host of new Fox show “Life, Liberty & Levin” – discussed the news of the day and his nomination for the National Radio Hall of Fame
8am – B/C INTERVIEW – DIAMOND & SILK – YouTube sensations and President Trump supporters – discussed the feud between the Eagles and President Trump
8am – D Manchin goes full MAGA (Politico) – Joe Manchin wants you to know he really likes Donald Trump. The West Virginia senator doesn’t put it quite that way. But more than any other Democrat in Congress, he’s positioned himself as a vocal Trump ally. In fact, the senator, up for reelection in a state Trump won by more than 40 points, told POLITICO he isn’t ruling out endorsing Trump for reelection in 2020 — a position practically unheard of for a politician with a “D” next to his name. “I’m open to supporting the person who I think is best for my country and my state,” Manchin said this week from the driver’s seat of his Grand Cherokee, insisting he’s game to work with any president of either party. “If his policies are best, I’ll be right there.” Trump’s popularity in West Virginia has Republicans salivating over the prospect of knocking off the legendary 70-year-old senator and former governor this fall. In response, Manchin is sidling up to the president — his policies, his nominees, at times even Trump himself — as the independent-minded Democrat prepares for the toughest race of his career against GOP state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.
8am – E Mitch McConnell cancels August recess for Senate (CNN) – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Tuesday the Senate will skip much of its treasured August recess to press ahead confirming the President’s nominees and passing government spending bills. The move follows months of frustration by GOP leaders — and President Donald Trump — over the countless Democratic filibusters that have dramatically slowed progress in the Senate. “Due to the historic obstruction by Senate Democrats of the President’s nominees, and the goal of passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year, the August recess has been canceled,” McConnell said in a statement. “Senators should expect to remain in session in August to pass legislation, including appropriations bills, and to make additional progress on the President’s nominees.” With the move, McConnell is pushing off a potentially costly conflict with Trump who wants the Senate to stay and work and isn’t afraid to say it. “It’s totally out of fear of what Trump will do,” said one Republican senator, speaking anonymously who warned a spat with Trump could hurt Republicans in the midterm elections.
