Salena Zito, Hadas Gold and Larry Kudlow joined WMAL on Tuesday!

Mornings on the Mall

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Hosts: Brian Wilson and Mary Walter

Executive Producer: Heather Hunter

5am – A/B/C BUDGET BATTLE:

• Conservatives fume over ‘complete’ spending concession to Democrats. (Washington Examiner/Susan Ferrechio) — Conservatives are blasting the five-month, fiscal 2017 spending deal written by Republicans and Democrats as nothing short of a “cave in” by the GOP despite its control of both the House, Senate and White House. The deal, conservatives say, will make the fiscal 2018 spending process even more difficult. The $1 trillion bill “does little more than kowtow to liberal Democrats and so-called moderate’ Republicans,” Jason Pye, policy director for the conservative FreedomWorks advocacy group, said Monday.

• First Trump-Era Spending Law Funds Planned Parenthood, Not Border Wall
• White House, Democrats claim victory in budget deal
• Cuccinelli – GOP have surrendered to dems once again
• Rep. Jim Jordan on spending bill deal: “I think you’re going to see a lot of conservatives be against this”

5am – D SOCIAL SECURITY REALITY: Are you dependent on SS for your retirement? Do you even think it will be there for you to collect?

• Data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) shows that 61% of retired workers count on their benefits to provide at least half of their monthly income. (USA Today) – For unmarried elderly individuals this figure jumps to 71%. Yet according to the SSA, Social Security benefits are only truly designed to replace about 40% of the average worker’s wages during retirement. Based on the $1,363.66 that the average retired worker receives each month (as of Feb. 2017), or $16,364 a year, this means around $24,000 in additional annual income (approximately 60%) should be derived from other sources aside from Social Security (e.g., a pension, 401(k), IRA, or some other retirement or investment account).

5am – E BALTIMORE AND CHICAGO CRIME:

• Mayor Asking FBI For Help With Investigating City Crime, Rising Murder Rate. ‘Out of control’: Murder rate in Baltimore worst ever, Chicago paces record high. (RT) – New crime numbers show the murder rate in Chicago is keeping up with the record set in 2016, while homicides in Baltimore have reached such alarming levels that the mayor is getting federal assistance and requesting more support from the FBI. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the city of Baltimore, Maryland, has experienced more than 100 murders before the end of April. After five people were killed last weekend, the total number of homicides in 2017 ticked up to 108, according to the Baltimore Sun. The last time the city experienced more murders by this point was 1993. Since the population was greater in 1993, this year marks the city’s highest murder rate per capita ever, according to the Baltimore Sun. The murder rate in the city is up more than 30 percent compared to last year. Violent crime, shootings and robberies have also gone up by double-digit percentages from last year. At last week’s news briefing, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh explained how she went to the FBI’s Baltimore office to meet with the special agent in charge and requested assistance in bringing down the murder rate in the city.
• Baltimore: Murder Rate Continues to Rise, 4 More Murders Over the Weekend. (Baltimore Sun) — Two men were fatally shot in separate incidents on Sunday, Baltimore police said. One man was found shot around 9:15 p.m. in the 2400 block of East Preston Street in the Broadway East neighborhood. The 23-year-old had been shot in the head and was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he died. Two people were killed and two others were injured in shootings within 45 minutes of each other in Baltimore Saturday night, police said. At about 10 p.m., a 26-year-old man was sitting in a car in the 1800 block of Presbury Street in Sandtown-Winchester when gunfire erupted and he was shot in the back, police said. An acquaintance drove the victim to the hospital, where he was expected to recover.
• Chicago nearing 200 homicides this year. (Chicago Tribune) — The number of homicides in Chicago this year is nearing 200 after the last weekend in April recorded 23 people shot, four of them fatally, according to police. As of Monday morning, the count was at least 193 homicides — most of them fatal shootings. That is about the same number of killings as this time in 2016, a year that went down as the most violent in Chicago in two decades. While homicides have kept pace, the number of people shot and wounded this year is down from the same time last year, according to data kept by the Tribune. As of Monday morning, at least 1,051 people have been shot, compared to 1,129 the year before. While noting the “modest reduction” in shootings, the Chicago Police Department said “violence driven by illegally obtained guns remains unacceptably high.” Three of the four fatal shootings over the weekend occurred during a six-hour period late Friday. The fourth fatal shooting happened around 1:45 a.m. Monday on the Southwest Side.

6am – A MAY DAY PROTESTS:

• 25 arrested in Portland May Day violence after protesters hurl bottles, Molotov cocktails at police. Twenty five people were arrested during a May Day march in downtown Portland, Oregon, after protesters threw bottles and other items at police officers monitoring the event, authorities said. The Portland Police Bureau said that lead balls, smoke bombs, paint, glass bottles and full cans of Pepsi were “launched” at police. Officers were forced to put on protective helmets and other protective equipment due to the items that were being thrown at them, police said. The bureau on Tuesday shared mugshots for 22 of the 25 suspects who were arrested in “riots” that broke out at the march. A window was also broken at the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building, police said. Police initially encouraged peaceful protesters to separate themselves from “anarchists committing acts of violence/property damage.”
• DNC Chairman Claims ‘No Human Being Is Illegal’ (Daily Caller) — Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez spoke at an immigrant and workers rally outside of the White House Monday. “The Democratic party will always be here, fighting for you,” Perez told the group Monday afternoon. “The Democratic party is here, fighting for you.” Perez asserted that the Democratic party and the immigrant community share the same values, centered around diversity. He claimed that “our nation’s diversity is our greatest strength.” He also expressed frustration with the current president, who he would not mention by name. “Our most important power is not the mister in the White House, I can’t even mention his name, the power is with all of you,” Perez said, before extolling the power of big labor, which was present at the march in solidarity. “No human being is illegal, we must treat everyone with dignity,” Perez continued, as he switched between English and Spanish for the crowd. The protest outside of the White House, which grew to a few thousand by the dinner hour, was a part of nationwide May Day protests. The day is recognized around the globe as the international version of Labor Day. “We will be fighting for racial justice, economic justice, and moral justice,” Perez said, listing off a plethora of talking points. Perez said he spent over ten years with Casa Maryland, one of the groups organizing the May Day protest.

6am – B British Student Union Aims to Ban Clapping and Cheering Because It Excludes Deaf People. (National Review) — The National Union of Students warned audience members at its conference that they must not clap or cheer during speeches because clapping and cheering make deaf people feel excluded. According to an article in The Telegraph, attendees at last week’s conference were warned that clapping and cheering could have a “serious impact” on deaf participants, and they were instructed to use “jazz hands” to show their support instead. “No whooping, it does have a serious impact on some delegates’ ability to access [the] conference,” Estelle Hart, an NUS elections-committee member and chairwoman of a Thursday session, told students.

6am – C SPORTS NEWS: CAPS WON: Kevin Shattenkirk’s OT Goal Lifts Capitals to Win vs. Penguins After Blowing Lead. (Bleacher Report) — Despite allowing two late goals to force overtime, the Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on the road in Game 3 in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. After the Penguins pulled the goaltender, Evgeni Malkin and Justin Schultz scored inside the last two minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime. The NHL provided a second look at Schultz’s game-tying tally: Following the Penguins’ comeback, Capitals fans likely expected the worst based on the franchise’s string of recent playoff disappointments. Instead, Kevin Shattenkirk spared Washington another bitter defeat with a goal three minutes, 13 seconds into the extra frame.

6am – D SECRETS OF LONGEVITY:

• Va. woman turns 109, still feels young. ARLINGTON, VA (WUSA9) – Viola Graham is a former housekeeper. “She goes to bed at midnight,” said her daughter. “Just because you’re 109 years old doesn’t mean you can’t stay up. Her mind is still sharp so we stay up and talk about her brothers and sisters.” Miss Viola stays busy; walking laps around the house, setting the dinner table, and making the bed. When she’s sitting you can catch her reading her favorite romance novel. “I feel good,” she said about turning 109. She said prayer got her through the hardships in life. Her motto in life: “A little of this, a little of that, laugh a lot, and mind your business.”
• ‘Oldest human’ dies in Indonesia ‘aged 146’ (BBC) – The Indonesian man who claimed to be 146 years old – the longest living human ever – has died in his village in Central Java. According to his papers, Sodimedjo, also known as Mbah Ghoto (grandpa Ghoto), was born in December 1870. When asked about the secret of his longevity, Mbah Ghoto told the BBC last year that patience was key and that he had “a long life because I have people that love me looking after me”. A heavy smoker until the end, he outlived four wives, 10 siblings and all his children.

6am – E MEDIA NEWS: Fox News co-president Bill Shine out in latest shake-up for network. Fox News co-president Bill Shine is out at the network, the latest casualty in the scandal that has plagued Fox News and its parent company 21st Century Fox since last summer. Shine’s departure was announced Monday. The network said he resigned. “This is a significant day for all at Fox News,” Rupert Murdoch, the executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, said in a statement announcing Shine’s resignation. “Bill has played a huge role in building Fox News to its present position as the nation’s biggest and most important cable channel in the history of the industry. His contribution to our channel and our country will resonate for many years.” Shine, who had been with Fox since its inception in 1996, was a right-hand man to former Fox News chief Roger Ailes.

6am – F White House Rumors Update:

• Strategist Bannon Isn’t Going Anywhere, Trump Says. (Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed widespread reports that his administration is riven by discord, saying he is sticking by his polarizing chief strategist, Steve Bannon, calling him a “very decent guy” who is getting a “bad rap.” Trump also said that Bannon and Trump’s senior adviser, son-in-law Jared Kushner, have managed to repair their relationship. “Bannon is a very decent guy who feels very strongly about the country. Likewise, Jared. And they’re getting along fine,” Trump said, calling Kushner “a very brilliant young guy.”

• Spicer says no knowledge of plans for Gorka to leave White House. (Politico) — White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that he’s not aware of any current plans for deputy assistant to the president Sebastian Gorka to leave his job, despite reports from multiple media outlets that the controversial counterterrorism adviser will be shifted out of the role in the coming weeks. Gorka, whose hard-line stance on issues relating to terrorism and Islam have stirred debate, has been reported to be on his way out of the White House, possibly over concerns related to his lack of a security clearance. Asked about reports swirling around Gorka, Spicer said Monday that he had no new information regarding the adviser’s role or future at the White House. “There’s no personnel announcement at the time,” the press secretary said. “I have no belief that he is currently leaving the White House, so there’s nothing to update you on with respect to that. And we wouldn’t comment on personnel matters at this time.

7am – A/B/C BUDGET BATTLE:

• Conservatives fume over ‘complete’ spending concession to Democrats. (Washington Examiner/Susan Ferrechio) — Conservatives are blasting the five-month, fiscal 2017 spending deal written by Republicans and Democrats as nothing short of a “cave in” by the GOP despite its control of both the House, Senate and White House. The deal, conservatives say, will make the fiscal 2018 spending process even more difficult. The $1 trillion bill “does little more than kowtow to liberal Democrats and so-called moderate’ Republicans,” Jason Pye, policy director for the conservative FreedomWorks advocacy group, said Monday.

• First Trump-Era Spending Law Funds Planned Parenthood, Not Border Wall
• White House, Democrats claim victory in budget deal
• Cuccinelli – GOP have surrendered to dems once again
• Rep. Jim Jordan on spending bill deal: “I think you’re going to see a lot of conservatives be against this”

7am – D INTERVIEW — SALENA ZITO – national political reporter for Washington Examiner

• Inside the Mind of President Trump. By SALENA ZITO in this week’s special cover story for Washington Examiner / In an exclusive conversation with the Washington Examiner, he jumps, in classic Trump fashion, over a range of topics, from his relations with foreign leaders to the danger of North Korea, from the election last year to his hopes for America tomorrow.
• Trump: ‘Why was there the Civil War?’ President Trump said he doesn’t understand why the Civil War had to be fought instead of lawmakers finding a legislative way to avoid war. In an interview with the Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito, Trump compared himself to President Andrew Jackson and said Jackson, if he was born later, could have helped avoid the Civil War. And then, in comments that whipped Washington into frenzy Monday morning, Trump said he didn’t understand why the Civil War had to be fought. “I mean, had Andrew Jackson been a little later you wouldn’t have had the Civil War,” he said. “He was a very tough person but he had a big heart. He was really angry that he saw with regard to the Civil War, he said ‘There’s no reason for this.'” “People don’t realize, you know, the Civil War, if you think about it, why? People don’t ask that question, but why was there the Civil War? Why could that one not have been worked out?”

7am – E NETFLIX NEWS:

• The ‘House of Cards’ Season 5 trailer is here. (Baltimore Sun) — Netflix has released the latest trailer for Season 5 of “House of Cards,” and the scent of fascism is definitely in the air. Sure, it was always there to some extent with Frank Underwood. But the forces of chaos let loose in the real 2016 election appear to have found their way into the lifeblood of this filmed-in-Baltimore production. Season 5 arrives May 30. It is going to be fascinating to see if this series — even at its most transgressive and outrageous — can compete with the reality of Donald Trump’s White House.
• Netflix responds to “13 Reasons Why” backlash with new trigger warnings. (Huffington Post) – Netflix has decided to alter the trigger warnings that play before its controversial series “13 Reasons Why.” By now, you’re probably aware that the show, based on the book of the same name by Jay Asher, tackles tough issues like sexual assault and suicide. In doing so, it features a few extremely graphic scenes that many believe are problematic. Backlash surrounding the show has been swift, with mental health advocates claiming its difficult-to-watch scenes are troublesome. Asher and executive producer Selena Gomez, however, stand by the series and its depictions of the difficult topics. Netflix released a statement about their decision to the outlet: “There has been a tremendous amount of discussion about our series “13 Reasons Why.” While many of our members find the show to be a valuable driver for starting important conversation with their families, we have also heard concern from those who feel the series should carry additional advisories.”
• School districts issue warnings about ’13 Reasons Why’ Netflix series. (WJLA) – The Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” is not on any D.C.-area high school curriculum. But administrators from several public school districts are issuing urgent warnings about the show, which tells the story of a teenage girl who commits suicide. The series centers around a student named Hannah Baker, who takes her own life after leaving audio recordings for the 13 people she says contributed to her death. Authorities are concerned that emotionally-disturbed young people are binge-watching the show, with no feedback or perspective from adults. Several school districts have taken action. The Arlington School District sent home a letter to parents, which said in part: “…While the story touches on important topics, the content is very graphic in nature. Although we do not encourage viewing, we believe it is critical for our children and youth to process this information with a trusted adult if they have watched this series…” The letter also noted some critics’ concerns that the series ‘romanticizes or glamorizes suicide but gives no healthy alternative to kids struggling with emotional problems.’ “It’s really important for people to know that about 90 percent of the people that die by suicide have a mental health issue at the time of their death,” Reisenberg says. “They miss the mental health aspects when it comes to suicide that are well known and well documented world-wide.”

8am – A Media Uproar Over Trump’s Comments:

• Trump ‘Would Be Honored’ to Meet ‘Pretty Smart Cookie’ Kim Jong-un. (Breitbart) — In a Monday interview, President Donald Trump said he would be willing to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un to discuss the latter’s nuclear weapons program under the proper circumstances. “If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would absolutely, I would be honored to do it,” Trump told Bloomberg News. “If it’s under the, again, under the right circumstances. But I would do that.” “Most political people would never say that, but I’m telling you under the right circumstances I would meet with him. We have breaking news,” the president added. Contrary to Trump’s assertion, many politicians do tout their willingness to meet with intransigent foreign leaders, and controversy frequently ensues. In a 2007 presidential debate, Senator Barack Obama declared his willingness to meet with just about every anti-American leader in the world because “the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them, which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of [the Bush administration], is ridiculous.” The leader of North Korea was specifically mentioned as one of the tyrants Obama would be happy to meet with. Obama notoriously maintained that he was willing to have such meetings without “preconditions,” leaving his defenders scrambling to argue that meetings without preconditions are not the same thing as “unconditional” meetings.

8am – B/C INTERVIEW – HADAS GOLD – Media Reporter, POLITICO – discussed the latest changes at Fox News Channel. Fox News co-president Bill Shine out in latest shake-up for network.

8am – D INTERVIEW — LARRY KUDLOW – CNBC Senior Contributor and host of The Larry Kudlow Show on WMAL Saturdays at 7 pm and author of “JFK and the Reagan Revolution: A Secret History of American Prosperity”

• BUDGET: Conservatives fume over ‘complete’ spending concession to Democrats. (Washington Examiner/Susan Ferrechio) — Conservatives are blasting the five-month, fiscal 2017 spending deal written by Republicans and Democrats as nothing short of a “cave in” by the GOP despite its control of both the House, Senate and White House. The deal, conservatives say, will make the fiscal 2018 spending process even more difficult. The $1 trillion bill “does little more than kowtow to liberal Democrats and so-called moderate’ Republicans,” Jason Pye, policy director for the conservative FreedomWorks advocacy group, said Monday.
• TRUMP TAX PLAN: Economist Larry Kudlow praised President Donald Trump’s proposed tax plan Sunday, calling it a “home run.” (Breitbart) — Economist Larry Kudlow praised President Donald Trump’s proposed tax plan Sunday, calling it a “home run.” “They’re going with the campaign tax-cut plan that Steve Moore and I and Steve Mnuchin and Steven Miller and others worked on for many many months to slash business tax rates. I can’t think of anything better for business, better for wage earners, better for economic growth than Trump’s 15 percent tax cut plan. I just think it’s terrific,” Kudlow told John Catsimatidis on his New York AM 970 radio show “The Cats Roundtable.” “I think it’s a home run,” he added. “I know there [were] disputes about it and there were contradictory statements made in recent weeks, but we won. I think this is a terrific victory for the president. He set a marker on tax reform and economic growth.”

8am – E RYAN SEACREST OVEREMPLOYED?

• Live Fans Can’t Believe (or Resist Poking Fun at) Co-Host Ryan Seacrest’s Incredibly Packed Schedule. Is there anything Ryan Seacrest can’t do? The new co-host of Live just added a new morning show gig to his already packed plate, and fans can’t help but have a little fun with how hard the DJ/host/designer/philanthropist/SoulCyclist works. Seacrest, 42, revealed on Monday morning that, though he’s taking up residence in New York City, he will also likely cross the country every week in order to juggle his Live hosting duties alongside Kelly Ripa, 46.
• @reemealy: Y’all wonder why millennials can’t get good jobs? It’s because Ryan Seacrest is taking literally all of them. 2:56 PM – 1 May 2017
• Kelly Ripa has settled on Ryan Seacrest as the new permanent co-host of her syndicated daily morning show, which as of today is renamed “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” The move gives Seacrest, the multi-hyphenate host and entrepreneur, another big media platform. He will relocate from Los Angeles to New York for the “Live” gig, but will continue to host his syndicated daily drive-time radio show for L.A.’s KIIS-FM and the weekly “American Top 40” radio program. Seacrest served as a co-host with Ripa a few times during the past year, when “Live” had a steady stream of guest hosts while she took her time in selecting a permanent partner. His most recent stint on the show came on Feb. 27 with “Live’s” annual post-Oscars edition. Seacrest will continue in his role as host and executive producer of E!’s “Live From the Red Carpet” franchise, as well as his annual hosting gig on ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” Seacrest’s move to “Live” comes a year after the curtain fell on the show that made him a household name, Fox’s “American Idol.” Over the years Seacrest has parlayed his success on air into a business empire that includes everything from investments in digital media startups (including DigiTour Media, Pinterest) and marketing/PR firms (Civic Entertainment Group) to a menswear line with Macy’s and an upcoming line of skincare products, Polished by Dr. Lancer. Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) is also a busy producer of scripted and unscripted TV series, notably E’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and its many spinoffs, Bravo’s “Shahs of Sunset” and the NBC drama series “Shades of Blue,” toplined by Jennifer Lopez.