Today’s edition of quick hits.
* Another step backwards: “President Donald Trump’s proposed summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Budapest appears farther off than initially hoped, with talks toward planning such a sit-down now ‘on hold,’ a senior White House official told NBC News.”
* The White House finds another group of farmers to infuriate: “The American cattle ranching industry is blasting President Donald Trump’s proposal to purchase beef from Argentina in an effort to lower supermarket beef prices.”
* Speaking of Argentina, Trump’s bailout policy is off to a difficult start: “A group of banks including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs is struggling to put together a $20 billion loan to Argentina without leaving themselves too exposed to the financially distressed South American country, people familiar with the matter said.”
* Trump’s “compact” isn’t exactly finding a receptive audience: “Seven of the nine universities that the White House initially approached about a plan to steer more federal money toward schools aligned with President Trump’s priorities have refused to endorse the proposal. On Monday evening, an eighth signaled that it had reservations about it. Only one, the University of Texas, suggested it might be open to signing on quickly.”
* The closely watched Comey case: “James Comey filed his motion to dismiss the criminal charges against him based on ‘vindictive’ and ‘selective’ prosecution. If a federal judge agrees with either claim, both of which generally face high bars to succeed, then his case will be dismissed before it gets to trial.” * Diplomacy isn’t exactly his forte: “President Donald Trump sparred with Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd on Monday during a crowded press conference with the Australian prime minister, the latest clash in a relationship that has long been sour between the two officials.” * The latest on Biden’s cancer treatment: “Former President Joe Biden, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May, completed a course of radiation treatment Monday, his office said. Biden underwent several weeks of treatment, according to his office. It was not immediately clear whether Biden, 82, will require additional treatment or measures for his care.” See you tomorrow.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."
Latest Post
Recommended
