Rep. Joe Kennedy Has a Message For Millennial Voters
Rep. Joe Kennedy III says millennial voters will be the defining factor in this year’s midterm elections.
“Regardless of whatever your political leanings are, you got to make your voice heard,” the Democrat from Massachusetts told Cheddar. “Waiting for a politician to try and come around and court you? That's not the way any of this should go. Go out there and demand their voice. Go out there and organize, activate, and demand that you get heard.”
Kennedy, a 37-year-old political scion, delivered the Democratic response to this year’s State of the Union. Some of his speeches have gone viral, and he has amassed more than a million followers across social media platforms.
The congressman says he empathizes with young adults who don’t yet understand how political policies may affect them or don’t act because they’ve “got a lot on their plate.”
But in the same breath he insists millennials go out and vote, warning that future concerns ranging from student loans to the deficit to climate change will all “fall on their shoulders.”
The president's personal attorney recorded a discussion with Trump two months before the election about payments to a former Playboy model who claims she had an affair with Trump, according to a New York Times report. Those payments are under investigation for any potential campaign finance law violations. "The White House is in scramble mode," says Siraj Hashmi, Commentary writer at the Washington Examiner.
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) condemns the President’s behavior at his public meeting with Putin and Trump's remarks in the days that followed. “My greatest concern, really, is what might happen over next few weeks and months where Putin decides to take advantage of this weakness,” he tells Cheddar.
The president, in an interview with CNBC this week, said he's looking to tax every single Chinese good that enters the U.S., which amounts to $505 billion. The tariffs would come at a time when prices for common consumer products, including the Apple Watch, FitBit, and smart speakers, could rise. Cheddar's Tim Stenovec and Kristen Scholer break down the news.
The actor, comedian, and activist created an augmented reality app called "House of Cats," which features an animated, satirical version of the president called "Trump-y Cat." A portion of the proceeds will go to support refugees. "We are going to counter his hostility with support," Takei tells Cheddar.
Economic growth at 4 percent is unsustainable and could pull back, warns Samantha Azzarello, Global Market Strategist at JPMorgan ETFs. GDP has been energized by tax cuts, increased spending, and consumption, and Azzarello predicts the high won't last.
Christopher Wray, who became director of the FBI last August, said in a statement that his assessment of Russia and the 2016 election has not changed, despite what Trump may say. "The President clearly has personal interests, or some sort of interests, that are separate from what the U.S. intelligence community has when it comes to Russia," says Eric Boehm, reporter for Reason.com.
These are the headlines you Need2Know.
* **Damage Control at the White House:** President Trump will meet with his cabinet today after widespread criticism of his comments spread following Monday's joint meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. To appease his base,Trump declared yesterday that he simply misspoke during the presser--but some critics find that hard to believe.
* **Manafort Goes to Court:** The case against former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort is moving forward--despite a denial of his team's request for a change of location. Manafort's team asked for the trial to be moved from Alexandria to Roanoke, believing that Alexandria's more liberal base would be less forgiving and attract more press.
* **University Doctor Under Fire:** A former Ohio State University doctor is accused of molesting student athletes after complaints surfaced from several ex-wrestlers--one of whom condemned is Congressman Jim Jordan for ignoring the allegations.
* **Vacancies at Comic-Con:** The 2018 Comic-Con kicks of in San Diego tonight. But some of the usual attendees will be missing: network HBO, the Avengers, X-Men and Deadpool will be among the absent guests.
* **American League Still Number One:** The American league clung to its title as reigning champ after it defeated the National League for the sixth straight year during last night's MLB All-Star game.
Cheddar Big News' Hena Doba gives us the details.