White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of one of the most powerful clubs in America.

Omarosa Debuts Secretly-Taped Conversations with President and CoS

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Omarosa Manigault Newman, the former “Apprentice” contestant, White House staffer, and now author of gossip-y Trumpworld book Unhinged, was secretly taping her colleagues in the Trump administration including President Trump and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly.

She debuted a conversation she had with President Trump the day after she was unceremoniously fired from her White House role, parts of which she also recorded secretly. In the tape, Donald Trump expresses disbelief that she has been fired though many claim he was being disingenuous.

Omarosa also claims to have heard the long-rumored “Apprentice” tapes showing then-host Donald Trump repeatedly using the N-word while referring to the show’s African-American contestants. Additionally, she claims to have 3 sources which have to corroborate her story. Her book is out Tuesday, August 14th.

Zignal Labs Beats the Bots CEO Josh Ginsberg Warns Business Leaders 50% of Social Media is Fake

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Josh Ginsberg, CEO of Zignal Labs, with Andrew Ross Sorkin on CNBC’s Squawk Box July 17, 2018

How do you know if your social media followers are real? Zignal Labs has developed a powerful new solution to combat malicious online bot attacks. Zignal Bot Intelligence is a patent-pending software that extends Zignal’s media analytics capabilities to identify bots, create a realtime visual picture of the attack, and provide their customer with data-driven insights about the attack so the customer can put together an informed response strategy.

“Bots are synthetic accounts, these are not real people. Oftentimes, it’s one person controlling thousands, even millions of conversations online in a coordinated manner so that they’re able to influence the outcome of something,” says Josh Ginsberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Zignal Labs. “Here’s the problem: companies have no idea this is happening.”

Based upon extensive media analysis of Fortune 1000 companies, Zignal Labs has found that virtually all businesses, regardless of size or industry, are at risk of attack from bot-led disinformation and media manipulation campaigns – if they haven’t been attacked already.

“This is more than just a problem with a singular platform…when an attack happens, it’s happening on multiple platforms, it’s happening on blogs and comment sections, all of this is working together,” says Ginsberg. “This is a massive problem and the only way you can solve it is with technology. Zignal Labs has developed a unique solution and that’s why we’re committed to working with customers to solve it.”

See for yourself at Zignal’s Bot Intelligence:
http://www.zignallabs.com/bots

 

HHS Secretary Alex Azar Addresses Family Separations at Washington Post Health Event

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HHS Secretary speaks with Paige Winfield Cunningham at the Washington Post Health 202 Live event

The Trump administration policy forcing asylum seekers entering to US to split up with their children has sparked outrage around the world. As part of the Washington Post’s Health 202 Live event, health policy reporter Paige Winfield Cunningham spoke to HHS Secretary Alex Azar about his role in shaping the president’s policies, including immigration and child separation, as well as lowering insurance costs, and Medicare reform on Wednesday, June 20th.

On the controversial issue Azar said, “Nobody has ever desired to separate children from their families but, just like you or me, if you are arrested, your kids aren’t going to be with you. If you want to remain with your children, don’t come across the border illegally… Present yourself at a legal border crossing.”

Azar added, “Once members of Congress—the one who have actually visited facilities and toured it as opposed to those who are just talking about it—I think have been impressed. We take the mission quite seriously.”

Uber’s Danielle Burr and DC Tech Leaders Meet Brotopia Author Emily Chang to Discuss Empowering Women Tech Execs

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Danielle Burr & Emily Chang

DC’s tech and media leaders gathered just steps from the Capitol at Charlie Palmer Steak on Tuesday, May 22nd to toast the publication of Bloomberg Technology host Emily Chang’s new book, Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boy’s Club of Silicon Valley, on the eve of her nationwide book tour.

Emily Chang’s book, which Kirkus Reviews calls “an in-depth analysis of the tech-industry brotherhood,” explores how tech became known as a male-dominated industry. Uber’s Head of Federal Affairs Danielle Burr hosted the lunchtime discussion. Chang applauded the steps certain tech companies have taken to expand on diversity and inclusivity initiatives that seek to bring more women and people of color into tech executive roles.

Attending the discussion was Daniel Lippman, Michael LaRosa, Katherine Vargas, Craig Gordon, Juleanna Glover, Meredith Balenske, Jen Stout, Jessica Nigro, Cecilia Kang, Pete Eskew, Heather Childs, Ruth Marcus, Pete Selfridge, Parita Shah, and Patrice Willoughby. Uber executive Amanda Anderson, Rachel Holt, Arathi Mehrotra, and Dave Barmore were also spotted at the gathering.

Washington Celebrates Bret Baier at Three Days in Moscow Book Party

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Bret Baier’s newest book is already creating buzz. On Monday evening, an A-list of Washington politicos descended on the Marriott Marquis at the invitation of co-hosts David & Carrie Marriott and Ande & Mae Grennan for a reception celebrating Fox News Anchor Bret Baier’s new book, Three Days in Moscow: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Union.

Bret and Amy Baier were joined by Kellyanne Conway, Attorney-General Jeff Sessions and Mary Sessions, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Hilary Ross, and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.

Marriott Executive Chairman Bill Marriott and wife Donna entertained guests alongside their son and daughter-in-law in the hotel’s Liberty Ballroom.

Fox News Anchor Chris Wallace mingled with National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow before Baier gave his remarks.  He discussed key moments in the book and told previously unheard stories about the Reagan family, including a humorous account of Nancy Reagan saving longtime White House Correspondent Helen Thomas from a flash mob in Moscow. When Secret Service agents formed a protective circle around the First Lady, she spotted Helen in the crowd, pointed to her, and exclaimed, “She’s with us!”

The reception kicked-off a two-week national book tour, which concludes just before the author heads to Singapore to cover the much-anticipated U.S.-North Korea summit.

Guests included Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Azerbaijani Ambassador Elin & LaLa Suleymanov, Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar, Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem & Rima Al-Sabah, Barbara Allbritton, Heather Podesta, Kay Kendall and Jack Davies, Janet Donovan, Willie and Finlay Lewis, and Ryan Williams.

Pulitzer Prize-Winner Ronan Farrow at Cafe Milano War on Peace Book Lunch

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Ronan Farrow Book Party 5/3

Franco Nuschese gathered Washington politicos and journalists at Cafe Milano to toast Ronan Farrow on the publication of his new book War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence on Thursday, May 3rd. Farrow’s new book features interviews with every living former Secretary of State and challenges the rise of the use of military power over the use of diplomacy.

Tammy Haddad interviewed Farrow for the Washington Insider podcast, asking him about his work at the State Department and his reporting on the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations for which he recently won the Pulitzer Prize for public service.

Toasting the author were Washington influencers Wayne Reynolds, Greta Van Susteren and John Coale, Virginia Shore, Sally Quinn, Ryan Williams, Robyn Bash, Kristine Coratti, Juleanna Glover, Jane Mayer, Emily Lenzner, Greta Van Susteren, John Coale, Ann Klenk, Ann Hand, Adrienne Arsht, Mariella Trager, Lynn Sweet, Kevin Latek, Betsy Fischer Martin, Ruth Marcus, Elisabeth Bumiller, Holly Page, Kevin Baron, Jennifer Maguire, Autumn VandeHei, Dan Meyers, Eileen Shields, Samia Farouki, Megan Smith, Courtney Haynes, Lisa Dickey, Helena Andrews, and Kendra Barkoff.

Virginia Congressman Don Beyer Awards NS2 Serves Graduates at White House Correspondents Garden Brunch

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Mark Testoni, of NS2 Serves, and Rep. Don Beyer handing a Garden Brunch Champions of Freedom Award to an NS2 graduate at the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch

The 25th annual White House Correspondents Garden Brunch brought together Washington politicos and Hollywood A-listers to recognize veterans and their contributions to our democracy including SAP NS2 Serves, a non-profit dedicated to helping veterans by providing valuable IT training and employment assistance at absolutely no cost to the veterans.

“At NS2 Serves, we are all about Boots to Suits,” said NS2 president and CEO Mark Testoni. “These veterans and their families have sacrificed so much for their country — they deserve our support.”

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) joined Testoni on stage at the Garden Brunch to present this year’s NS2 Serves graduates with the Garden Brunch Champions of Freedom Award.

“I’m so proud to be here with you to honor the contributions of these veterans and military families,” said Beyer, whose father is a Korean War veteran. “My district is home to over 50,000 veterans and active duty men and women, and I’m proud to represent a district with such a strong ethic of service, the same devotion shown by all these individuals before you today.”

In just four years, NS2 Serves has celebrated ten graduating classes totaling over 200 students, giving graduates and their families the benefits of quality, skilled-based employment in technology fields. Every graduate from this year’s class has been hired by Deloitte.

The Garden Brunch is proud to support NS2 Serves and its commitment to providing skills training and high-tech jobs to veterans.

Here’s All The Big Stars Who Attended This Year’s White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch

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The annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch brings together Hollywood stars, politicians, and of course, the brightest lights of Washington media, and this year’s 25th anniversary was no different.

Stormy Daniels’ attorney Michael Avenatti was spotted at the brunch as well as celebrities like HBO Ballers star Richard Schiff, Gloria Calderon Kellett showrunner Netflix’s One Day at a Time, and The View co-host Sunny Hostin.

Among the Trump administration and White House officials in attendance were Senior Advisor to the President Kellyanne Conway, Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley, and former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

Pollster Frank Luntz, political advisor Bill Knapp, Heather Podesta, and American Conservative Union head Matt Schlapp and his wife, White House Director of Strategic Communication Mercedes Schlapp were among the politicos seen at the brunch.

The bipartisan crowd featured members of Congress from both sides of the aisle including Representatives Darrell Issa, Debbie Dingell, Don Beyer, Joaquin Castro, and John Delaney.

Government officials included Virginia Lieutenant Gov. Justin Fairfax, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Councilman Jack Evans, DC Senator Paul Strauss, and Dr. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress.

Comedians Jordan Klepper, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Opposition”, and RJ Fried, the executive producer of “Our Cartoon President”, a segment of which made it into the program at the White House Correspondents Dinner, were also in attendance.

News Leaders included Fred Ryan, publisher of the Washington Post, Craig Gordon, Bloomberg DC Bureau Chief, Sam Feist, CNN Bureau Chief, and Andrew Morse, President of CNN Digital.

A handful of TV hosts including ABC Correspondents Bob Woodruff and Juju Chang, Brian Stelter, Don Lemon, MSNBC analyst Heidi Przybyla, Washington Post reporter and host of PBS Washington Week Robert Costa, and MSNBC hosts Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle joined the fun.

Making the rounds were media stars Margaret Talev, the veteran Bloomberg White House Correspondent and WHCA President, MSNBC’s Peter Alexander and his wife Alison Starling, CNN Political Director David Chalian and CNN reporters Jeff Zeleny and Jim Acosta, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist from the Washington Post Philip Rucker, ABC White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl, The Atlantic’s Steve Clemons, Politico’s Daniel Lippman and Anna Palmer, MSNBC national security analyst Jeremy Bash, Fresh FM Tommy McFly, and Defense One’s Kevin Baron.

Notables included MPAA President Charles Rivkin, President of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Patricia Harrison, Ted Olson and Lady Booth Olson, General John Campbell, Abbe Lowell, Valerie Jarrett, Ambassador Lloyd and Ann Hand, Sally Quinn, The Wing co-founder Audrey Gelman, Executive Director of Wikimedia Katherine Marler, David Adler, Robert & Elena Allbritton, Ryan Williams, Facebook’s Erin Egan and Rachel Whetstone, Zach Leonsis, co-owner Monumental Sports, Washington Wizards and Ed and Deborah Lerner Cohen, co-owners of the Washington Nationals, and Tina Tchen of the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund.

This year’s Brunch co-hosts were Mark and Sally Ein, who own the Beall-Washington House where the brunch took place, Greta Van Susteren and John Coale, Tammy Haddad, Hilary Rosen and Megan Murphy, Kevin Sheekey, Fred Humphries, Franco Nuschese, and Fritz Brogan.

Bob Woodruff Presents Army Veteran with a Mortgage-Free House at White House Correspondents Garden Brunch

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Bob Woodruff, Andrea Dellinger, Jerry Quinn, and LT Gov Justin Fairfax present Dominic with the official deed.

This year’s White House Correspondents Garden Brunch was full of surprises and the biggest came when ABC News Correspondent Bob Woodruff partnered with Wells Fargo to present Ret. Army Staff Sergeant Dominic Perrotte with a 100% mortgage-free house!

Perrotte, who completed 3 tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq and was wounded in 2012 when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb, was awarded the home after completing the Wells Fargo and Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes4WoundedHeroes’ three-year financial mentoring program.

Woodruff, who was wounded while covering the frontline in Iraq in 2006, praised Wells Fargo’s initiative to honor veterans and their families saying, “To date, Wells Fargo has donated over 350 homes, valued at $55 million, to veterans and gold star families in all 50 states. It’s not just about giving away homes — it’s about providing quality, long-term assistance for our veterans for many years down the road.”

Woodruff awarded Perrotte with an Ann Hand eagle pin, which is worn by Congressmen, Ambassadors, and military service members. Woodruff even invited Perrotte to attend the White House Correspondents Dinner as his guest! Virginia Congressman Don Beyer and Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax were there to congratulate Perrotte upon accepting the deed for the home, which is in Hampton, Virginia.

 

Our (Cartoon) President Addresses Press and Awardees at White House Correspondents Dinner

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RJ Fried and Tammy Haddad at the Bloomberg pre-party

Showtime’s Our Cartoon President made a special appearance at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday, April 28th to serenade the New York Times’ Maggie Haberman. The segment also featured cartoon versions of MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, and White House Correspondents’ Association president Margaret Talev.

Along with producers RJ Fried and Stephen Colbert, “Our Cartoon President” is executive produced by Chris Licht, the executive producer of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and Executive Vice President of special programming at CBS.