The Full Belmonte, 3/10/2024
"Smokin' Joe Biden" hits road, airwaves
Two scenes from Biden's new ad. Screenshots: Biden-Harris 2024
“The White House and Biden campaign call this State of the Union Month:
Thursday's speech is being amplified by a $30 million ad buy (including spots during March Madness) and presidential travel to swing states — Pennsylvania yesterday, Georgia today.
Why it matters: The campaign wants viewers to keep seeing Biden as a feisty fighter — "Smokin' Joe Biden," House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called him yesterday — while trying to dent Trump's image of strength after repeated triumphs in GOP primaries.
The first ad, ‘For You,’ out this morning, juxtaposes a relaxed, smiling Biden with awkward footage of former President Trump.
‘Donald Trump believes the job of the president is to take care of Donald Trump,’ Biden says. ‘I believe the job of the president is to fight for you.’
By the end of this month, the campaign expects to surge from 100 staff in the seven battlegrounds to 350+, with 100+ field offices.
The six-week ad flight will run in the seven swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina.
The ad will run on broadcast and cable — including ESPN, TNT, FX, Adult Swim and Comedy Central — as well as Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, with a focus on young voters and voters of color.
The Trump campaign's Steven Cheung said in reply to Biden's ad: ‘Instead of gaslighting the American people, he should apologize for all the misery and destruction he has brought.’
32 million people watched the State of the Union address live across 14 TV networks — 18% higher than last year's 27 million, Nielsen says.
56% watched on broadcast networks ... 44% watched on cable networks.
Fox News won in total viewers, coming in ahead of ABC.
Only 5% of viewers were ages 18-34 ... 19% were 35-54 ... 74% were 55+.” [Axios]
Shutdown averted
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
“Lawmakers passed a $460 billion bundle of government funding bills last night to avoid a government shutdown. Another deadline looms in just weeks.
What to watch: Congress will have to pass another batch of spending bills by March 22. Lawmakers have conceded that those negotiations will be a tougher lift, Axios' Stephen Neukam writes.
The funding measures passed by the Senate yesterday in a 75-to-22 vote included appropriations for agriculture, housing, transportation and energy. They amount to just under half of government funding.
Thornier fights are ahead.
The debate over funding of the Department of Homeland Security is sure to be a fight, with border security as a top election issue.” [Axios]
How Virginia's arena deal got stuck
Plans for the proposed arena in Potomac Yard in Alexandria. Image: JBG SMITH
“Virginia Democrats struck the $2 billion financial package for the Wizards and Capitals Alexandria arena from the state's budget on the last day of the legislative session.
Why it matters: The move could blow up the handshake agreement Gov. Glenn Youngkin made with the teams' owner, Ted Leonsis, for good, Axios' Cuneyt Dil writes. It's not dead, but it's way more complicated.
‘It was truly ... a monumental opportunity,’ Youngkin said outside of the statehouse in Richmond.
Had Democratic firebrand Virginia Sen. L. Louise Lucas — who now may go down as singlehandedly shattering the project — stood down, other Democrats looked ready to compromise with Youngkin. But she didn't budge.
What to watch: D.C. officials say they still have $500 million in public money to offer the team owners to upgrade Capital One Arena in downtown Washington.
David Rubenstein at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Photo via @DM_Rubenstein on X
On the other side of the DMV: The MLB approved the purchase of a controlling stake in the Baltimore Orioles by Carlyle Group, Inc. co-founder David Rubenstein and other investors.
The deal values the baseball team at $1.73 billion, Bloomberg notes.” [Axios]
Politics
“Kari Lake has reached out to the Arizona Republican establishment — including people she has attacked in the past — for support in her Senate bid.” [New York Times]
“New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, has forbidden National Guard soldiers who are searching bags in the New York City subway from carrying long guns.” [New York Times]
Israel-Hamas War
“Canada and Sweden will resume payments to the main U.N. agency in Gaza. They and other nations paused funding after Israeli accusations that a dozen of the agency’s employees were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks or their aftermath.” [New York Times]
“The U.S. military both provides Israel with munitions and delivers humanitarian aid to Palestinians under bombardment. It’s a rare situation. Read Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt’s analysis.” [New York Times]
“Israel's ties with Arab countries have frayed during the war, but its relationship with the United Arab Emirates — while increasingly strained — remains.” [New York Times]
“An image of a skeletal 10-year-old boy, Yazan Kafarneh, has circulated widely on social media and made him the face of starvation in Gaza.” [New York Times]
War in Ukraine
A commander of a Ukrainian artillery platoon.
“As Ukraine struggles against Russian assaults, more women are enlisting in the army.” [New York Times]
“In October 2022, intelligence suggested that Moscow could use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine. Interviews with U.S. and foreign officials reveal the depth of fear.” [New York Times]
“Russia made quick gains in the days after capturing the eastern city of Avdiivka. But the push has now lost momentum.” [New York Times]
More International News
In northern Brazil. Bruno Kelly/Reuters
“Rains should be drenching the Amazon by this time of year. Instead, a drought has led to wildfires in areas that usually do not burn.” [New York Times]
“Irish voters rejected changes to the Constitution that would have removed language about women’s duties being in the home.” [New York Times]
“China is using propaganda channels that once promoted the one-child policy to encourage people to have more babies. See how the messages have changed.” [New York Times]
Business
“Elon Musk runs a charity that has made him eligible for tax breaks. Donations have often supported his own interests.” [New York Times]
“The Justice Department is thought to have opened a criminal investigation into Boeing after a plane panel blew out during a flight in January.” [New York Times]
Inside Trump's TikTok flip-flop
Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
“Former President Trump stunned Republican China hawks this week when he appeared to argue against banning TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance.
Trump spearheaded the original U.S. threat to ban TikTok over national security concerns. Four years later, a bipartisan bill targeting ByteDance is set to hit the House floor next week, Axios' Sophia Cai reports.
Why it matters: Trump's position — if he sticks to it — could tear apart the GOP, which has spent years branding TikTok as Chinese spyware that's brainwashing America's youth.
‘If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business,’ Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday.
Hours earlier, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted unanimously to advance a bill — backed by Biden — that would force ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok within 165 days.
Zoom in: Neither Trump nor his campaign posts on TikTok. The shift is a sign the former president recognizes the platform's massive appeal to younger voters — many of whom are disenchanted with Biden.
Snippets of speeches, impersonations, and other organic content involving Trump routinely rack up tens of millions of views on TikTok.
Prominent MAGA figures and conservative comedians with large followings are big on TikTok, one of the top sources of news for Gen Z.
The Nelk Boys — hosts of a podcast where Trump has appeared twice — boast 4.6 million followers on TikTok.
The intrigue: One potential factor is Trump's newly repaired relationship with billionaire Jeff Yass, who has a huge financial stake in ByteDance and has spent millions backing lawmakers who support TikTok.
Days before his TikTok reversal, Trump publicly praised Yass for inviting him to a retreat held by Club for Growth, the powerful conservative group that also opposes banning the app.” [Axios]
Sam's bigger than ever
Sam Altman talks with Axios' Ina Fried in Davos in January. Photo: Dani Ammann for Axios
“OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will be returning to the company's board, the company announced yesterday.
Why it matters: The company has been looking to move past its dramatic leadership crisis of last November, Axios' Ina Fried reports.
Zoom in: OpenAI's board added three women — Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Nicole Seligman, former EVP and general counsel at Sony Corporation; and Fidji Simo, CEO and chair of Instacart.
Catch up quick: Altman was abruptly fired as CEO, then rehired over a several-day span in which the firm's board said it had lost trust in him. But nearly the entire company threatened to quit unless he was reinstated.
‘I'm pleased this whole thing is over,’ Altman said on a call with reporters.
In response to a question from Axios about how OpenAI will change, OpenAI chair Bret Taylor said: ‘We did adopt a number of governance enhancements,’ highlighting a whistleblower hotline and a new mission and strategy committee on the board.” [Axios]
Florida Middle Schoolers Arrested for Allegedly Creating Deepfake Nudes of Classmates
BY CAROLINE HASKINS
“Several Kansas City Chiefs fans who attended a playoff game in January suffered frostbite that required amputations.” [New York Times]
Our favorites this week
Get going with some of our most popular good news stories of the week
A loony holiday
“One typically doesn’t travel to Las Vegas to relax, but this yellow-billed loon found total solace in the cerulean waters of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino’s artificial lake. The birds are among the 10 rarest avian species in the US, and they usually stick to coastal regions — landlocked Nevada’s urban desert isn’t its ideal home. So the Bellagio powered down its famous fountain show to retrieve the little loon, one of the hotel’s ‘most exclusive guests,’ with state wildlife officials, who released him into a more suitable environment than the center of Sin City. The bird, a healthy juvenile, lives now in a remote location with ample food, space and peaceful waters. Footage of its release showed it propelling itself into the water using its wings in a sort of ‘birdy paddle.’ Now if only the loon could get a handle on its gambling addiction.”
Read the whole story here at CNN
A teary farewell with tape
“NFL fans and Swifties alike watched teary-eyed as longtime Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce announced his retirement from professional football this week. And though he wasn't taking the field, he made sure his trainer was there to tape his hands and ankles (typically to protect them from hard hits during games) before his farewell press conference. The tape was superficial, but it signified the end of one of the most meaningful working relationships of Kelce's career. Eagles trainer Joe O'Pella has exercised, rehabbed, and bonded with Kelce over 13 years, spending countless nights on each other's couches and watching each other build families. Due to a strict chemotherapy regimen to combat cancer, though, O'Pella couldn't make it to Kelce's last regular season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So Kelce asked O'Pella to share in his final moments as an Eagle, taping up his extremities for one of the most emotional moments in his career. All season long, Kelce supported O'Pella after the trainer received his cancer diagnosis — offering his vacation home for getaways, sending meals when O'Pella's family was too exhausted to cook, and checking in on O'Pella after long rounds of chemo. The pair were more like brothers than colleagues, O'Pella said: ‘That’s who he is as a person.’ O'Pella plans to stand by Kelce's side even in retirement, even if there's no need for tape.”
Read the whole story here at CNN
Raise a glass to...
“Australian journalist Ursula Heger, who kept her cool while a royally P.O.’d bird dug its pointy little feet into her scalp nine times during her live shot. Ever the professional, Heger calmly recited a breaking news report from her phone, ignoring her aerial attacker. The bird flitted to and fro too quickly to be identified, and its motive remains unknown. An aversion to news, perhaps? A phobia of tousled hair? A desire to appear on live TV? When the shot was over, and the winged menace abandoned his pursuit, Heger and her cameraman collapsed into giggles. ‘One of the most ridiculous moments of my life,’ she quipped. ‘Ridiculous’ probably isn’t what the bird was going for.” [CNN]
A bright idea
“Would-be genealogical sleuths who believe their ancestors hailed from Ireland have likely been stumped for years — countless records in Dublin’s Public Records Office were lost in a catastrophic fire in the 1920s, leaving gaping holes in descendents’ family trees. Ancestry, a leading genealogy company, has recovered millions of records that could contain keys to fill in family trees — thanks to none other than Guinness, Dublin’s hometown brewery. Guinness’ archive contained 1.6 million records, most of them employee records or trade ledgers that contained identifying information about Dubliners who worked for Guinness as well as pub owners across the UK who stocked Guinness at their bars. Guinness has been a central hub of Dublin since its founding in 1759 — at one point in time, 1 in 30 Dubliners worked for the brewery (whose perks included, among more substantial benefits, a free pint of Guinness per day for employees of age). Its archives, then, are uniquely detailed and rich sources that span centuries. Cheers to Guinness for connecting countless Irish descendants with their histories — and so close to St. Patrick’s Day! “
Read the whole story here. [CNN]
“Lives Lived: Dr. Anthony Epstein’s research alongside his doctoral student Yvonne Barr uncovered the first virus found capable of causing cancer in humans, now known as Epstein-Barr. Epstein died at 102.” [New York Times]
THE WEEK AHEAD
What to Watch For
“Daylight Saving Time started today.
The Academy Awards ceremony is this evening.
Ramadan is expected to begin this evening.
Georgia, Mississippi and Washington have primary elections on Tuesday. Hawaii’s Republican caucus is also on Tuesday.
The European Union is expected to vote on A.I. regulations on Wednesday.
Russia’s presidential election begins on Friday. Vladimir Putin is running as an independent, instead of as the leader of his party, United Russia. He’s still expected to win.” [New York Times]
Microsoft first revealed the breach in January.
“Russian state-backed hackers gained access to some of Microsoft’s core software systems in a hack first disclosed in January, the company said, revealing a more extensive and serious intrusion into Microsoft’s systems than previously known.
President Joe Biden and Donald Trump kicked off the sequel to their 2020 contest in earnest with competing rallies in what could be a decisive state this November. Few battlegrounds will be more closely watched than Georgia, where Biden won by fewer than 12,000 votes four years ago.
Trump posted a $91.63 million bond as he appeals the judgment against him in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case. During the appeal, Carroll will not collect the $83.3 million awarded to her by a federal jury.
Biden signed a package of six government funding bills into law a day after lawmakers raced to fund critical government departments and agencies through the remainder of the fiscal year.
Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, was found guilty of drug trafficking by an American jury after a two-week trial in Manhattan. He was accused of conspiring with drug cartels to move more than 400 tons of cocaine toward the United States.
MONDAY
It’s the first day of fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends at sundown on April 9. If you’re not Muslim but don’t want to come across as insensitive to your fasting friends, neighbors and co-workers, we suggest revisiting this helpful Ramadan etiquette guide.
March 11 is also the day that online sports betting goes live in North Carolina — just in time for the NCAA's March Madness men's and women's college basketball tournaments. North Carolina is home to UNC, Duke and NC State, which together have won a combined 13 national titles. (Editor's note: Sports betting can have pitfalls — that's why at the end of every commercial for betting apps is a number to call for help with a gambling addiction.)
TUESDAY
A Biden-Trump rematch in November's presidential election is all but a lock given Nikki Haley's departure from the race, yet primary season continues until every state and territory has had its say. Up next on this Super-ish Tuesday: Georgia, Hawaii's Republican presidential caucuses, Mississippi, Washington, the Northern Mariana Islands Democratic primary and the Democrats Abroad presidential primary — which allows Americans living outside the US to cast their ballots.
Special counsel Robert Hur is expected to testify at a public hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee, sources familiar with the plans told CNN. Hur investigated President Biden’s handling of classified documents but ultimately declined to bring criminal charges and said the facts stopped short of finding that he willfully retained classified material. But in doing so, Hur painted a damaging portrait of an aging president beset by memory issues, who had trouble recalling dates and details during his five-hour interview with the special counsel.
The IRS will fully open its free tax filing program — Direct File — to eligible tax filers in 12 pilot states: Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
THURSDAY
Elon Musk is hoping to make a third attempt at launching his massive Starship rocket. The first two attempts failed to reach orbit after what SpaceX called a "rapid unscheduled disassembly" … which means the rockets exploded mid-flight in spectacular fashion.
March 14 is also Pi Day. What, exactly, is Pi Day? Glad you asked ...
FRIDAY
Voters in the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory in the Pacific some 3,700 miles west of Hawaii, select a candidate in the Republican presidential caucuses.
March 15 is the Ides of March, which any Shakespeare fan will tell you is when Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of Roman senators. Beware!” [CNN]