White House Correspondents Insider

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

Sessions Non-Committal On Prosecuting Journalists

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Sessions speaking at a campaign event for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on August 31, 2016. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), nominee for Attorney General under President-election Donald Trump’s incoming administration, dodged a question posed to him during his Senate confirmation hearings on whether he would prosecute journalists for their work.

During the confirmation hearing, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) asked Sessions whether he would continue current regulations in the Justice Department that require federal prosecutors to receive approval for subpoenaing or prosecuting reporters.  She probed him to pledge not to “put reporters in jail for doing their job.”

His answer was non-committal.

“Senator Klobuchar, I am not sure,” Sessions replied. “I have not studied that, those regulations. I would note that when I was the United States Attorney, we knew, everybody knew, that you could not subpoena a witness or push them to be interviewed if they’re a member of the media, without approval at high levels of the Department of Justice. That was in the 1980s. So I do believe the Department of Justice does have sensitivity to this issue.”

He expanded his answer to take a pessimistic view on journalists reporting about classified information from sources in the federal government.

“For the most part, there is a broadly recognized and proper deference to the news media,” he testified. “But you could have a situation in which media’s not the unbiased media we seen today, and they could be a mechanism through which unlawful intelligence is obtained. There are other dangers that could happen with regard to the federal government that normally doesn’t happen to the media covering murder cases in the states.”

Sessions has opposed a federal shield law in the past, which would prevent journalists from being forced to reveal their confidential sources during investigations by the federal government.

Past Attorneys General, including Loretta Lynch and Eric Holder both serving in the Obama administration, publicly pledged not to imprison journalists.  The Obama administration has subpoenaed reporters to testify in cases prosecuting government employees.  Members of the media refusing to comply were threatened with jail time.  Although no journalists were jailed during the current administration.

Denzel Washington Blasts Media for “B.S.”

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Washington at the premiere of The Equalizer in 2014. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Washington at the premiere of The Equalizer in 2014. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Hollywood star Denzel Washington, in DC Wednesday for the premier of his new film “Fences,” blasted the mainstream media for selling “B.S.”

“If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you do read it, you’re misinformed,” Washington told ITK at the movie premier, held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Denzel Washington is no stranger to false news reports. During the presidential election, a fake news story was wildly circulated that he was changing his support from Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump. He blasted those picking up and circulating the story on “the need to be first,” instead of the motivation on reporting the truth.

“In our society, now it’s just first — who cares, get it out there. We don’t care who it hurts. We don’t care who we destroy. We don’t care if it’s true,” Washington said.

“Just say it, sell it. Anything you practice you’ll get good at — including B.S.”

Washington’s new film “Fences,” based on an award-winning play of the same name and featuring Viola Davis, centers on the life of a black family in 1950s Pittsburgh. Washington also starred in the film and directed it. The movie is set to be released on Christmas.

Arianna Huffington Helping U THRIVE

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Hilary Rosen, Steve Case, Jean Case, Arianna Huffington and Nicolas Berggruen. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

Hilary Rosen, Steve Case, Jean Case, Arianna Huffington and Nicolas Berggruen. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

After leaving the Huffington Post earlier in 2016 after 11 years, Arianna Huffington has already launched a new relaxing endeavor.

Thrive Global launched November 20 and in true Arianna tradition has found a way to make you successful and happy. Thrive is focused on ending the collective delusion that burnout is the price we must pay for success.

“We’re more aware than ever that this way of living leaves us depleted, distracted and unfulfilled. Thrive Global is born in response to the need to take control of our lives, offering new strategies and tools, based on the latest science, to address the unintended consequences of these profound and invasive changes.”

Speaking to ABC’s Rebecca Jarvis, she said, “the reason why I became such an evangelist of this new way of living, that we call ‘thriving,’ is because I now know that we can actually get to that place where we are achieving and creating and getting things done without burning out.”

Thank you Arianna for pushing us all to achieve solid, restful sleep and sound mental well-being! Thrive Global offers a variety of apps using technology to “set boundaries.” Thrive Global’s website will also provide content, events and corporate offerings such as workshops and seminars. A pop-up store on Broom Street in SoHo will sell items through January 15.

You can visit Arianna’s new venture at ThriveGlobal.com.

VandeHei and Allen Announce New Strategy for Media Superiority

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Jim VandeHei, Jenny Licht and Mike Allen. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

Jim VandeHei, Jenny Licht and Mike Allen. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

After months of intrigue and mystery, former Politico notables Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen announced the groundwork of their new strategy for media domination.  Named “Axios,” the Greek term for “worthwhile,” this new media venture aspires to break the current traffic trap – termed the “crap trap” by VandeHei.

The goal of Axios will be to advance media news to the space it should have evolved into in the age of online information.  Per VandeHei, dominant players in the mainstream media such as The New York Times or The Economist have failed to move into these new arenas due to institutional attachments and decision-making based in part on their 19th century print roots.

He quipped that Axios is best summarized as what the media would be like if “Economist mated with Twitter,” and “smartly narrated all the good stuff its own reporters missed.”  The core mission of Axios will be to create reliable, solid content that can co-exist on social media and other platforms as well.

The mission of Axios is to break the mold on the current media business model — the “crap trap” — where traffic and clicks leading to short-term ad revenue are more important than sound reporting, quality information and long-term corporate sustainability.  “Google and Facebook are gobbling up the media business—they now control two-thirds of the ad market—and conventional publishers are tanking. The media business needs radical overhaul, not knock-offs or wishful thinking.”

This new outlet will focus primarily on politics, business, technology and media trends.  The founders have dedicated their efforts to hiring writers “who are authentically wired and smart in these topic areas.”

VandeHei and Allen have secured $10 million in initial funding for this venture, from sources such as Lerer Hippeau Ventures, NBC News, Emerson Collective, Greycroft Partners, and David and Katherine Bradley.

FIGHT NIGHT BREAKS RECORD $5.2 MILLION RAISED – MORE AUCTION ITEMS NOW

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Caption Fight night 2016 Steve Schmidt, Kevin Plank, Tammy Haddad, Harold Ford. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

Fight Night 2016 – Steve Schmidt, Kevin Plank, Tammy Haddad, Harold Ford. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

Washington’s Fight for Children’s annual Fundraiser, Fight Night, continued its over the top tradition with boxing matches, great music and giant steaks and cigars.

Co-chairman Kevin Plank and Raul Fernandez brought together Washington sparklies for boxing, cigars, steaks and great music. Musical performances included Foreigner, Sheila E, GrandMaster Flash to name a few.

If you missed the event you can still contribute to the educational services of the children of Washington and Baltimore by checking out these After Fight Night Auction items. Looking for ways to support Fight For Children? The Fight Night Online Auction  has a variety of new and exclusive items available for bidding right now – click here and select “After Fight Night Sale” under Categories, to see the full list.

Check out a quick video of the evening’s highlights here.

U.S. CHAMBER UPS SUZANNE CLARK TO NUMBER 2 EXECUTIVE

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Rich Galen, Suzanne Clark, and Dr. Faruk Taban. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

Rich Galen, Suzanne Clark, and Dr. Faruk Taban. Photo courtesy of Haddad Media.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced the promotion of Suzanne Clark as senior executive vice president, the Chamber’s number two executive, leading their Government Affairs division.

“Suzanne is the ideal choice to lead this all-star team,” said Chamber president and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. “Her prior experience as the Chamber’s chief operating officer, as president of the National Journal Group of Atlantic Media, and as CEO and owner of a Washington-based public policy research organization gives her an unparalleled perspective on the issues and public attitudes facing our members. She is an individual of high energy, keen intelligence, and total integrity who enjoys the trust and confidence of the Chamber’s board, key members, federation partners, and me.”

Sullivan succeeds Giovanni Coratolo, who retired earlier this year.

“With a new administration and Congress on the way, we couldn’t have assembled a better team at such an important moment for the business community and our country,” concluded Donohue. “We are well positioned for success in 2017 and beyond.”

Election Day Noshes and Snacks

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Historically, alcohol was prohibited from being sold in many states on Election Day (with South Carolina being the last and final state to repeal the ban in 2014).  But bars and restaurants have always used campaigns as marketing tools as well.

This year, there are plenty of food and drink specials across the District brandishing election-themed delicacies and desserts.  As Jessica Sidman at Washingtonian magazine writes in “Eat The Vote: Which Candidate Has The Superior Food and Drink Specials?,” there are treats for people of every partisan leaning to nosh.

Astro Donuts and Fried Chicken by Metro Center has taken a step into the 2016 campaign by serving both “Trump’s Vanilla Cherry Coke Doughnuts” and “Clinton’s Spicy Hot Chocolate Doughnuts.”

Art and Soul (Washingtonian’s winner of Best of Breakfast and Brunch 2012) is offering cocktails inspired by swing states across the nation.  There you may sip on “The Granite State” with rye, bitters, sugar and an orange slice, or “The Great Lakes” made with bourbon, vermouth and cherry juice.

Or stop in at Bourbon Steak in the Georgetown Four Seasons Hotel for “Freedom fries” cooked in duck fat, complimentary for guests wearing “I Voted” stickers.  While there, be sure to enter their contest to win dinner for two and a night in the Four Seasons’ Presidential Suite.

Even the Dupont seafood haven Hank’s Oyster Bar is getting in on the action.  Serving “Wanna Go to Canada?” poutine and “Bi-Partisan” platters, it seems everyone is sharing in the patriotic spirit this year.

 

New York Times Names Cafe Milano Among Top Restaurants for DC Power Dining

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Clint Hill, Franco, Nuschese, Marcello Muzzatti and Daniel DeSimone at Cafe Milano, Photo Courtesy of Haddad Media

Clint Hill, Franco, Nuschese, Marcello Muzzatti and Daniel DeSimone at Cafe Milano, Photo Courtesy of Haddad Media

A New York Times story out Wednesday, October 19th named Franco Nuschese’s Cafe Milano among the top restaurants for power dining. According to the Times’ Shivani Vora, “with the presidential election just weeks away, the scene has been heating up throughout town.”

Cafe Milano has hosted numerous celebrities and politicos. Frequenters include President Obama and First Lady Michelle. Vice President Joe Biden celebrated his granddaughter Finnegan’s 18th birthday there.

Also on the list of top power dining include Georgetown’s Fiola Mare, 14th Street institution Le Diplomate, Centrolina, and NoMa newcomer Masseria.

For more on the DC power dining scene, check out Vora’s article here.

Garden Brunch Guests Share Their Advice For ‘Starting Out And Starting Up’

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As guests arrived at the 2016 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch, they were asked to share their advice for individuals who are seeking to launch a new career and change the world.

Scroll through the slideshow for insights shared by successful individuals from business, entertainment, media and politics.

Sheila Johnson Sachiko Kuno Rosario Dawson Robin Bronk Todd Harris and Ieva Augstums Betsy Fischer-Martin Ashley Graham Heather Podesta Jeff Goldblum Joanna Coles Debbie Dingell Gugu Mbatha-Raw Helen Mirren Jazmyn Simon and Dule Hill Stephanie Ruhle Sela Ward Deesha Dyer Amy Klobuchar Gayle King Derrick and Emma Dockery Omarosa Greta Van Susteren Kevin Plank Bridget Moynahan Jaimie Alexander Joy Behar Anne V Tony Goldwyn Gary Knell Arianna Huffington and Travis Kalanick Guillermo Diaz Wolf Blitzer Daniela Lopez David Adler Michael Eric and Marcia Dyson Brian and Jamie Stelter Neve Campbell Jessie Usher Jeff Perry Scott Foley Constance Zimmer Matthew and Renee Morrison Lisa Edelstein Candace Cameron Bure
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"Life is about filling your plate with everything you want. Don't push your food around. Don't take less than what you need or more than you can chew. But definitely wipe it clean!" - Rosario Dawson

A special thanks to Microsoft for providing the interactive PPI board.