White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

Over 400,000 Sign The #SaveYourUber Petition!

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Photo courtesy Pixabay.

Uber riders have responded in force to the U.K. Government’s move to shut down Uber London operations. In this Change.org riders ask the London Mayor to reconsider the decision.
https://www.change.org/p/save-your-uber-in-london-saveyouruber

In an announcement that caught many by surprise, the city agency Transport for London has announced it will not reissue Uber’s private hire license within the city.

According to the agency, the company operations were not “fit and proper” for the city, and the groundbreaking ride-sharing company had only one week left until its current license runs out.

Uber has announced it will appeal the decision, which will allow drivers to stay on the road until a final ruling is passed.

Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber London, slammed the decision, saying that:

“3.5 million Londoners who use our app, and more than 40,000 licensed drivers who rely on Uber to make a living, will be astounded by this decision.  By wanting to ban our app from the capital Transport for London and the Mayor have caved in to a small number of people who want to restrict consumer choice.  If this decision stands, it will put more than 40,000 licensed drivers out of work and deprive Londoners of a convenient and affordable form of transport.”

Uber also noted that their drivers undergo the same background checks as London’s black cab drivers.  In a statement, the company countered the city’s criticism, saying:

“Drivers who use Uber are licensed by Transport for London and have been through the same enhanced DBS background checks as black cab drivers. Our pioneering technology has gone further to enhance safety with every trip tracked and recorded by GPS.  Uber operates in more than 600 cities around the world, including more than 40 towns and cities here in the UK. This ban would show the world that, far from being open, London is closed to innovative companies who bring choice to consumers.

For now, the ride-sharing platform will continue to operate within London.  The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 states that companies are permitted to appeal decisions within 21 days.  Uber has already announced it will counter Transport for London’s claims in court, which would enable drivers to keep operating until a final judgement is passed.

Uber has created a petition on Change.org petitioning the Mayor to reconsider the decision.  You may view the petition here:

https://www.change.org/p/save-your-uber-in-london-saveyouruber

Top World Leaders and CEOs Gather for Bloomberg Global Business Forum in New York

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Screen grab courtesy Bloomberg Global Business Forum.

On Wednesday, the first-ever Bloomberg Global Business Forum gathered at the Plaza Hotel in New York City to tackle some of the most important international issues of the day.

Joined by innovators, heads of state and celebrities, former New York City mayor and Bloomberg, L.P. founder Mike Bloomberg launched the day’s events saying:

“Too often governments and businesses don’t talk to each other. This forum aims to fix that, and it’s especially important when isolationism is rearing its head, including here in the U.S.”

Recognizing that diplomacy is often contingent and influenced by economic relationships, the first annual Bloomberg Global Business Forum aimed to strike an unprecedented collaboration between corporations and nations, seizing the opportunity to reinforce the notion that those in the private sector and boost and enhance diplomatic ties that governments may neglect.

“We have to take [cooperation] to another level, and it depends upon our mind and our heart,” said Bloomberg as he opened the Bloomberg Global Business Forum. “First believing that we can and must every day expand the definition of ‘us,’ shrink the definition of ‘them.’ We shouldn’t have to have an earthquake or a hurricane to know that that is what we are about.”


Former President Bill Clinton addressed the crowd, challenging them to work to unite people around the globe, instead of building barriers.

“I want you to look to the future, but I believe underneath all these debates that are going on today lingers one simple question. Whether you believe social strength, economic reform and political reform flow from division or multiplication,” Clinton said.


Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chimed in on the importance of economic relationships, and how trade policies and pro-growth agendas are needed to counter modern-day scourges such as discrimination, poverty and inequality.

“[T]rade leads to growth, and we made a deal with citizens that we would pursue pro-growth policies and that everyone would benefit. So we’ve seen growth, but it hasn’t necessarily reached everyone. And that’s where we fall into the politics of fear and envy… So now we need to make a turn into a new progressive trade agenda,” Trudeau told the forum attendees.


Apple CEO Tim Cook pointed specifically to restricting border crossings and cutting back on immigration opportunities being one of the largest challenges to advance economic growth and prosperity around the globe.

“If I were a leader of a country… I’d want every smart person coming into my country… Smart people create jobs.”

NBA star LeBron James summed up the purpose of the gathering during a video statement.

“We all know what’s happening right now, how hard it is suddenly to understand so much in this world. You’re in this room for a reason. We’re leaders. We all know the world needs us to step up.”


Other notable attendees at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum included French President Emmanuel Macron, Alibaba founder and CEO Jack Ma, World Bank president Dr. Jim Kum, Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Softbank CEO Masayshi Son.

New Morning Consult / Bloomberg Global Business Forum Poll: U.S. Supporters of Globalization Outnumber Opponents Nearly 2-to-1

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According to a new poll conducted by Morning Consult for the Bloomberg Global Business Forum, almost half of American adults support globalization.

The release of these results follows Bloomberg L.P. founder and former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands last week to assess hurricane damage and prior to this Wednesday’s first Bloomberg Global Business Forum, a gathering of global business and government leaders to discuss plans for growth and opportunity around the world during U.N. General Assembly Week.

Nearly half of the survey respondents said they either “strongly” (15 percent) or “somewhat” (32 percent) support globalization.  This number is almost double those that “somewhat” (14 percent) or “strongly” (11 percent) oppose globalization.

Even with a protectionist trade push coming from the Trump administration, fifty-two percent of respondents say they support expanding international free trade, with only 25 percent opposing.  Republicans were less supportive of free trade according to the results, with 49% in support, compared to 61% of Democrats.

Other notable results from the survey include:

  • Thirty-six percent say globalization will help create American jobs, compared to 23 percent that believe it will not.
  • Seventy-two percent of respondents feel less safe now, compared to 16 percent that do.
  • Thirty-nine percent say their personal financial situation has improved over the past five years, compared to 28% saying it has stayed about the same and 12% saying it has gotten worse.
  • Fifty-two percent of Americans support immigration, with 35% opposing.  Only 35% of respondents think immigration may pose a threat to the U.S. economy, compared to 16% saying it will have no effect and 31% saying immigration will create jobs.

The Morning Consult survey was conducted September 12-14, interviewing 2,094 adults in the United States.  The margin of error is +-2 percent.

You may review the Morning Consult / Bloomberg Global Business Forum survey results and cross-tabs here.

U.S. Virgin Islands Needs Americans’ Help

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Mike Bloomberg and Tim Duncan help unload supplies from a boat in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, on Thursday, September 14, 2017. Photo courtesy Michael Nagle/Bloomberg

The U.S. Virgin Islands are in critical need for assistance following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, which swept over the region earlier this month, killing more than 33 people and causing untold damage. The Category 5 storm was the strongest hurricane ever measured in the Atlantic Ocean, bringing 185 mph wings that caused significant devastation to the idyllic St. John and St. Thomas.

On Thursday, former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg joined retired NBA star Tim Duncan and U.S.V.I. Governor Kenneth Mapp to assess the damage on the islands.  The founder of Bloomberg LP also brought with him supplies and technical relief, including a car full of life-saving medicine from Johns Hopkins in New York.

“We had big hurricanes in Florida, Miami and Texas, but this is part of America and we wanted to make sure people didn’t forget that there was another part of this country that was struck by a deadly hurricane,” Bloomberg said during a press conference at the St. Thomas Jet Center.  “The damage here is just unimaginable.”

Bloomberg also praised the spirit and dedication of the island residents, noting that “there is a lot of optimism coming from the people.  Everyone I’ve talked to said that they’re staying, that they are going to rebuild and that the best days are yet to come.”

Donations for disaster relief on the islands can be made to the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI).  100 percent of all donations made to the CFVI’s Fund for the Virgin Islands, established to provide critical relief and recovery needs in the U.S. Virgin Islands, will go directly to the Fund’s mission.

You can learn more about the local relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands and make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation by visiting USVIRecovery.org.

Every Former Living U.S. President Launch Joint Campaign for Hurricane Relief Effort

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Photo by Eric Draper, courtesy the White House.

All five living former presidents – Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama – have joined together to launch a campaign urging support for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

As stated on the website for the appeal, “Every storm is unique, but a look at Hurricane Harvey’s unprecedented intensity helps explain why the One America Appeal came to life.”

A special account was established to collect donations through the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, with the goal “to ensure that 100 cents out of every dollar goes to assist hurricane victims.”  The funds collected will go to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, focusing on the greater Houston region, along with the Rebuild Texas Fund.

With the onset of Hurricane Irma to reach the Florida coast this weekend, the appeal likely will expand to these victims as well.

You can learn more about the One America Appeal by clicking here.

James Murdoch Blasts Trump, Donates $1M to ADL

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James Murdoch in 2008.  Photo courtesy Wikimedia.

James Murdoch, CEO of 21st Century Fox and a trusted informal advisor to President Donald Trump, wrote a blistering email denouncing the president’s reaction to the violence and death last weekend in Charlottesville.

In the letter, he said that what “we watched this last week in Charlottesville and the reaction to it by the President of the United States concern all of us as Americans and free people.”

“These events remind us all why vigilance against hate and bigotry is an eternal obligation — a necessary discipline for the preservation of our way of life and our ideals. The presence of hate in our society was appallingly laid bare as we watched swastikas brandished on the streets of Charlottesville and acts of brutal terrorism and violence perpetrated by a racist mob,” Murdoch continued.

Also, he made the point that “I can’t even believe I have to write this: standing up to Nazis is essential; there are no good Nazis.  Or Klansmen, or terrorists.”

Murdoch concludes the email by noting he and his wife Kathryn would donate $1 million to the Anti-Defamation League, a renown international non-governmental organization working to fight anti-Semitism, and encouraged his friends to give as well.

Murdoch’s firm, 21st Century Fox, is the parent company of Fox News.  His father Rupert also has very close ties with Trump, speaking with the president several times a week, as confirmed by sources in both the White House and at Fox News.

Comedian Matt Lucas Dresses Like a Baby to Drum Up Support for Children Under 5

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Photo courtesy Theirworld.

British Comedian Matt Lucas dressed in a baby onesie to raise awareness of five crucial interventions needed for children under 5 years old.

Promoting the #5for5 campaign sponsored by the children’s charity Theirworld, Lucas returned to his Shooting Stars character George Dawes to draw attention to the five most crucial things infants and toddlers under the age of five years old need to thrive.

“I think 5 for 5 is a great campaign to be involved in, it’s a strong message. Theirworld is a great charity. For me, it was a good opportunity to be George Dawes again because I haven’t been George for eight years!” commented Lucas.

The comedian and actor is renowned for his work on the shows Little Britain and Dr. Who, and is the first of several comedians around the globe starring in short films to promote the #5for5 campaign of Theirworld.

Sarah Brown, president of Theirworld, explained the need for the #5for5 campaign. “By the time a child reaches the age of five, 90% of their brain has already developed… Despite the evidence world leaders are not committing funding for programs to make sure all children – particularly the poorest and most marginalized – are given the best start in life.”

The Theirworld campaign is calling on world leaders at the upcoming G20 conference in Hamburg, Germany to commit to a dramatic increase in pre-primary educational funding.

You can watch Lucas drumming up support for infants and toddlers with #5for5 here: http://www.theirworld.org/5for5/

Montana Rep-Elect Greg Gianforte Donates to Press Freedom Group

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Glacier National Park in Montana. Photo courtesy Pixabay.

Republican Representative-Elect Greg Gianforte, who won a special election to fill Montana’s at-large seat to the House of Representatives last month the day after after assaulting Guardian journalist Ben Jacobs, announced he has donated $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists as part of a civil settlement.

In a letter released Wednesday as part of the settlement, Gianforte states:

“My physical response to your legitimate question was unprofessional, unacceptable, and unlawful. As both a candidate for office and a public official, I should be held to a high standard in my interactions with the press and the public. My treatment of you did not meet that standard.”

The donation to CPJ, which promotes press freedom worldwide, was initiated “in the hope that perhaps some good can come of these events,” the letter continues. “I made a mistake and humbly ask for your forgiveness.”

The Congressman-elect still faces criminal charges over the assault. He could be fined up to $500 or face up to six months in jail if found guilty.

Jacobs has signed a release foregoing any civil claim against Gianforte in return for the apology and donation. The reporter has also requested that a crowdfunding campaign to replace his broken glasses also be donated to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Volta Insider: White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch 2017 Honors Military Veterans and a Free and Fair Press

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Rachel Greenberg interviews Mark Testoni, President & CEO of SAP NS2 | NS2 Serves. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

In the latest episode of Volta Insider, Rachel Greenberg interviewed several prominent attendees of the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch. This year’s Garden Brunch was dedicated to honoring military veterans and their families and celebrating a free press.

Greenberg provides insight into the themes of the Garden Brunch talking to elected officials, media titans, and some of the leading champions for military veterans.

Senator Mark Warner had a message for young people saying, “I think it’s more important than ever for young people to be involved.  Because if young people tune out, all you do is turn the keys over to the political extremes on the left or the right.  And for a nation that’s about 20 trillion in debt, to leave that kind of debt to the millenials, to our kids would be a disaster.  That is why your voices need to be heard.”

Rep. Darrell Issa had creative advice for those interested in pursuing a career in politics, “My advice [to young, aspiring journalists or politicians] … is to do something else first.  Really, the breadth of talent of people that go straight into politics, straight into journalism, there’s plenty of them.  The outliers — the people that make a difference — are the people that come with something to offer.  And so  particularly in the case for politics, life experience, real understanding.  Whether it’s working in soup kitchens or working on wall street, try to make sure you bring something other than a desire to vote.

Greenberg also spoke with CNN’s Brian Stelter on the new administration’s galvanizing effect on young journalism students, “There are so many problems in media right now, there are so many attempts to tear down the press, to delegitimize the press.  But it also makes it a more interesting time to be part of the solution.  And I see a lot of students nowawayds more motivated to be a part of it.”

Other interviews include Graham Moore, Academy Award winning screenwriter and author, Art Bilger, founder of the non-profit WorkingNation, and Meghan Ogilvie, CEO of Dog Tag Inc.

Check out the latest episode of Volta Insider here:

http://voltainsider.com/2017/05/16/episode-19-white-house-correspondents-garden-brunch-2017/

Comey Memo: Trump Asked FBI Director to “Lock Up” Reporters

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Photo courtesy Rich Girard via Flickr.

Late Tuesday, the New York Times reported a bombshell that former FBI Director James Comey had authored at least one memo documenting one-on-one discussions he had with President Donald Trump. Most devastating in the reported memo is that the president asked Comey to halt FBI investigations into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

However, other dark hints at the president’s war with the press were also reported in Comey’s memo, including Trump asking the head of the FBI to “consider putting reporters in prison.”

According to the memo, Comey met privately with President Trump following a meeting in the White House with other administration officials such as Vice President Mike Pence and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The president began the discussion with Comey by condemning “leaks” to the media, and asked the head of the FBI to consider putting journalists in prison for publishing classified information.

No American journalist has been prosecuted for publishing government secrets. But President Trump notably said in April that “it’s OK with me” if the Justice Department brought charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

During a House Intelligence Committee hearing in March this year, Comey testified on the topic of jailing journalists.

“That’s a harder question, as to whether a reporter incurs criminal liability by disclosing classified information,” he replied to an inquiry whether there was a law protecting journalists from prosecution.

Comey authored the memo immediately after meeting with the president as a paper trail documenting his perceived improper efforts by the president to influence an ongoing investigation.

Courts routinely consider FBI agents’ notes as credible evidence regarding the contents of conversations.

The White House has so far been silent on the reports regarding the contents of former director Comey’s memo. White House press secretary Sean Spicer did not take questions from journalists travelling on Air Force One Wednesday morning. President Trump also did not speak with reporters aboard the aircraft. Trump’s twitter feed was also uncharacteristically silent Wednesday morning.