White House Correspondents Insider

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

Trump Contradicts White House Press Team, Threatens to End All White House Press Briefings, Hints Recordings May Exist

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Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

In a week dominated by the news of President Trump firing former FBI director James Comey late Tuesday, the narrative from the White House and its supporters has been inconsistent and unclear, ranging from contradictory and misleading to adversarial.

Since Comey’s dismissal, the explanation and reasoning from White House press staff has been constantly evolving. Deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during Wednesday’s press briefing that the president fired the former FBI director after receiving such recommendation from the Department of Justice. This argument has also been aggressively stated by others in the White House, including Vice President Mike Pence and special advisor Kellyanne Conway.

President Trump contradicted his press team Thursday night during an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt.

“I was going to fire Comey – my decision,” Trump said. “There is no good time to it, by the way. I was going to fire regardless of recommendation.”

Facing backlash on Thursday, Sanders stated she had answered questions based on facts as she had understood it at the time.

“I didn’t ask that question directly, ‘had you already made that decision.’ I went off of the information that I had when I answered your question,” Sanders stated during Thursday’s press briefing.

In response to the confusion and contradictory statements coming from White House staff and supporters, President Trump has suggested he may end all press briefings.

In addition, the president hinted that there possibly could be recordings of conversations he held with Comey in the White House.

The White House press office has not yet commented on the existence of recordings between the two individuals.

Valerie Jarrett Announces Launch of the Galvanize Program

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Valerie Jarrett shows her support for SAP NS2 Serves, a veteran’s education and training program. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

Following the first-ever United State of Women Summit sponsored by President Obama’s White House Council on Women and Girls, former senior presidential advisor Valerie Jarrett announced the launch of the Galvanize Program to bring conversations to communities across the country.

“[T]oday The United State of Women is launching the Galvanize Program to build on the momentum of the Summit and bring the conversation to communities across the country,” Jarrett said in a statement. “Galvanize will host mini-United State of Women Summits in six cities over the next year, bringing people together to discuss the challenges that women face and empower participants to become the next generation of local and national leaders. These summits will provide women with the tools and training they need to organize, to advocate for policy solutions, to run for office or to become an entrepreneur.”

The Galvanize Program will start with seminars in Chicago, Columbus and Atlanta, and will include workshops on critical local and national issues, skills training and an engagement fair. Attendees choose their track based on interests to receive in-depth and skills-based training developed by partner organizations.

With the launch of the Galvanize Program, Jarrett and the United State of Women are pledging to work across America to support women, defend progress and make lasting change toward gender equality.

Dog Tag Bakery Alum Sedrick Banks Receives Visionary Award at White House Correspondents Garden Brunch

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Retired Sgt. Maj. Sedrick Banks speaks at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

The White House Correspondents Weekend is in full swing as Washington insiders and Hollywood stars gather at Connie Milstein’s Georgetown home for the annual Garden Brunch. This year’s theme is supporting two pillars of democracy: veterans and their families, and a free and fair press. That’s why the hosts have awarded U.S. Army Sergeant Major Sedrick A. Banks (Retired), a Dog Tag Bakery fellow the Visionary Award for overcoming his combat injuries and creating a successful small business.

Mark Testoni talks hiring veterans with NS2 Serves at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

Mark Testoni, President of SAP National Security Services (NS2). Testoni founded NS2 Serves, a nonprofit that trains and employs veterans in high-tech careers and Ian Kahn who plays George Washington presented him with the award.

According to Testoni, “U.S. Army Sergeant Major Sedrick Banks embodies perseverance.  In 2010, Sergeant Major Banks survived a mortar attack while deployed in Iraq. Like so many, he was left with both visible and invisible wounds. Defying the odds, he joined Dog Tag Inc’s program in 2014 in the hopes of turning his entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Sergeant Major Banks launched the Genuine Life Institute – a motivational coaching program.”

Democracy Fund’s Joe Goldman Accepts White House Correspondents Garden Brunch Visionary Award

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Democracy Fund’s Joe Goldman at the Microsoft Wall at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

This year’s White House Correspondents Garden Brunch saw celebrities and Washington media gather to celebrate two important pillars of American democracy. One of those pillars, a free and fair press, is essential to keeping our leaders honest. That’s why Democracy Fund president Joe Goldman received this year’s Visionary Award for his work in supporting independent journalists.

Democracy Fund is a bipartisan foundation that supports independent journalists and newsrooms across America through grants. It was founded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

Democracy Fund’s Joe Goldman stands beside Greta Van Susteren at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

Introducing Goldman was legendary commentator Greta Van Susteren who took the stage to discuss the important work done by Joe Goldman and Democracy Fund which included giving over $12 million in grants to support press freedom and boost state and local newsrooms. “Last month Democracy Fund and its partners at First Look Media announced $12 million in grants to support press freedom. These grants ensure journalists have the resources and protections they need to meet the reporting challenges of today’s political landscape.”

After accepting the award, Goldman highlighted the need for organizations like Democracy Fund saying, “Hard-hitting journalists play a crucial role in our political system: informing the public and holding power accountable.”

White House Correspondents’ Dinner In the News

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay / Geralt.

Hollywood’s D.C. Plans for White House Correspondents’ Dinner: No Trump? No Problem!

Hollywood Reporter, April 27, 2017

POTUS won’t be the only famous face absent from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Members in the past have filled their tables with the stars of such D.C.-centered shows as Scandal, Veep and House of Cards, but this year CNN and HuffPost will host student journalists, while Wall Street Journal staffers are bringing family. “We’re treating this event the way it was originally intended: for journalists, by journalists,” says Dow Jones communications director Steve Severinghaus.

The rise and fall — or maybe rebirth? — of the White House correspondents’ dinner

Washington Post, April 26, 2017

When Washington’s signature social event kicks off this weekend, Wolf Blitzer will not be dining with Ashton Kutcher.

Oscar winners will not clink cocktails along moonlit embassy balustrades. Distinguished political analysts will not tumble out of receptions with shoulder-straining gift bags stuffed with luxury cosmetics and gourmet organic cookies. The stars of “Saturday Night Live” will not lean in for selfies with Chuck Schumer.

What time is the White House Correspondents’ Dinner? And other burning questions answered!

Entertainment Weekly, April 27, 2017

This time last year, President Obama joked about the election, bid the Washington press adieu, and finally dropped the mic at his last White House Correspondents’ Dinner in office. Too bad nothing of major political significance has gone down since then and nobody will have anything to talk about this year, right?

Here’s How To Watch The 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Elite Daily, April 27, 2017

The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner is on Saturday, April 29.

Traditionally, this is a star-studded event honoring members of the press through a night of lavish partying and comedy.

Will President Obama Attend The White House Correspondents’ Dinner?

Romper.com, April 27, 2017

Throughout President Obama’s eight years in office, much of the American public came to look forward to the end of April with a level of anticipation usually reserved for a movie premiere. For 20 minutes a year, the leader of the free world turned into a brilliant comedian. And with this year’s guest list still under wraps, one has to wonder, if President Obama attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this year. White House Correspondents’ Association President Jeff Mason hinted at “a couple of surprises,” according to The Hill, and that certainly would be a good one.

Samantha Bee Interviewed By Lena Dunham About Not The White House Correspondents Dinner

Entertainment Weekly Canada, April 26, 2017

The power of social media is both a gift and a curse as far as Samantha Bee and Lena Dunham are concerned.  Dunham interviewed Bee for a feature in The Hollywood Reporter and you can bet the two Donald Trump detractors talked politics. The “Full Frontal” host reflected on the overwhelming attention she received the night of the U.S. presidential election. “I really felt a geyser of hatred was the day after the election — actually, the night of the election,” Bee explained. “I checked my Twitter mentions, and it was one of the last times I’ve checked it. I just went off. I just went dark.”

Trump Won’t Attend White House Correspondents’ Dinner – But Hillary Clinton Might

Heatstreet, April 27, 2017

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was Washington’s premiere event during the Obama years but, under Trump, its star power has definitely declined. Unable to attract even the lesser Kardashians for the gala, rumor has it the event’s only celebrity will be the woman who lost the Presidential election.

Hasan Minhaj: Facts About White House Correspondents’ Dinner Host & ‘Daily Show’ Star

Hollywood Life, April 27, 2017

Who’s excited to see Hasan Minhaj host the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner? It’s a tough event this year, but Hasan, hilarious and brutal with the truth, is the perfect pick for the job. Learn more about ‘The Daily Show’ star before the event!

 

Zignal Labs Survey: Most Don’t Fact-Check Social Media

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Zignal Labs CEO Josh Ginsburg. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

Zignal Labs released the results of a study on media trends conducted in January by Harris Poll, showing how media stories spread throughout social media and news-consumption habits of different generations.

Whether legitimate or fake, news and posts spread primarily because of an individual’s trust in friends and associates on social media.  Nearly 90% of Americans reading news on social media don’t fact-check the information presented by connections online, and over 61% are likely to share or comment content posted by a friend.  Over a quarter of Americans who do not fact-check news articles they see online also admit they may readily share these items on social media.  16% of respondents said they trust most or all of content shared by friends online, with a substantial 63% saying they trust at least some of it.

“We heard a lot about fake news in the presidential election,” said Randy Brasche of Zignal Labs. “What we’ve noticed is this is really a new form of cyber warfare on brands. Fake news is affecting presidential elections and it’s impacting brands too.”

In addition, “traditional” print and broadcast media is losing ground quickly to “alternative news” sites and social media.

“Brands need to understand what’s happening in real-time across the social media spectrum,” Brasche said. “Data and analytics on social media need to be part of the day-to-day work for a communications pro.”

Zignal Labs is based in San Francisco, and strives to turn media intelligence into a strategic asset for corporate brands and enterprises.  They serve customers globally, including Airbnb, IBM, PepsiCo, House Speaker Paul Ryan and FleishmanHillard.

Wikipedia Founder Uses New Crowd-Funded Website WikiTribune to “Fix the News”

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Jimmy Wales of Wikimedia Foundation poses for a portrait on July 28, 2010 in San Francisco. (Lane Hartwell) Photo courtesy Wikipedia.

Jimmy Wales, founder of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, has announced he plans a new crowd-funded website aimed at countering the spread of fake news.  This platform will be named WikiTribune.

Working with volunteers and journalists alike, the new platform will also be free and advertisement-free, just like Wikipedia.  Supporters will be asked for assistance funding the site, and articles will be published alongside source material, leading to easy verification of presented facts.

“The news is broken, but we’ve figured out how to fix it,” Wales says in a video on the site’s home page.

While there are currently no news stories on WikiTribune, Wales intends to go live within the next month.  Plans include raising enough funding to hire up to ten professional reporters.  Articles would be authored, verified and fact-checked before publication, while site visitors could also flag issues and submit factual corrections.

“There’s nothing magical about being a citizen.  As a citizen you have your own bias and prejudice and experience,” Wales concluded.

Breitbart News’ Denied Permanent Senate Press Credentials, Temporary Passes Won’t Be Renewed

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Photo courtesy Pixabay.

The application submitted by Breitbart News for press credentials to cover Congress has been set aside, and temporary credentials currently held by the conservative news website will not be renewed.

The Standing Committee of Correspondents tabled Breitbart’s application on Tuesday, stating they have significant concerns about the editorial independence of the organization.  The Committee controls membership of the Senate Press Gallery.

Breitbart News was previously run by Steve Bannon, who is the chief strategist in President Trump’s White House.  The organization has struggled to prove that it is no longer affiliated with Bannon or the other political organizations he used to coordinate.

Standing Committee chairman and Omaha World Herald journalist Joe Morton stated that Breitbart could eventually qualify for press credentials after the organization gets better established.

“They are just not ready for a credential.  They need to hire a managing editor who also does not work for an advocacy group,” Morton stated.

Senate Press Gallery rules state that permanently-credentialed reporters:

“… must not be engaged in any lobbying or paid advocacy, advertising, publicity or promotion work for any individual, political party, corporation, organization, or agency of the U.S. Government, or in prosecuting any claim before Congress or any federal government department, and will not do so while a member of the Daily Press Galleries. Applicants’ publications must be editorially independent of any institution, foundation or interest group that lobbies the federal government, or that is not principally a general news organization.”

Trump Family Hosts White House Easter Egg Roll

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Photo courtesy the White House.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted their first White House Easter Egg Roll, amidst recent doubts the event would even take place.

With weather being overcast and cool on Monday, the Trumps welcomed children and their families from across the nation to partake in the 139-year tradition, with crowds approaching 20,000 people expected. About 200 volunteers – a fifth of the normal number – staffed the event.

Guests participated in activities beyond the egg rolling itself, including an egg hunt, decorating cookies, writing letters to U.S. troops, participating in a Minecraft coding activity with volunteers from Microsoft, and characters such as the Easter Bunny and Sesame Street’s Elmo.

Addressing the crowd, the President thanked the crowds and the soldiers deployed around the globe.

“We will be stronger and bigger and better as a nation than ever before and we are right on track…. Thanks you everybody for coming. We’re going to do cards for soldiers. Melania and Barron and myself are going to sign some cards for some great troops… We’re going come out and join you… for a great Easter egg roll.”

The first lady also addressed the participants, saying it was the “first time my husband and I are hosting this wonderful tradition. It’s great that all of you are here with us today. I want to thank the military band, staff and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make sure you enjoy the activities.”

At 10:30 AM, as a slight rain slowed to a drizzle, the Trumps joined scores of children waiting to begin.

“I’ve seen those kids and they’re highly, highly competitive,” the president said.

How important is President Trump’s Easter Egg Roll? This year Mark Halperin was on site as well as the usual morning show hosts including the Today Show’s Al Roker.

Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer Explain Why President Trump is Skipping out on This Year’s White House Correspondents Dinner

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Photo courtesy Newseum.

Wednesday’s Newseum Press Summit offered it’s fair share of newsworthy moments with one-on-one’s with both Press Secretary Sean Spicer and Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway. Both of them fielded questions about their place in the controversial new administration during its first 100 days, and they each gave some clues as to why President Trump and his administration have decided to skip out on the White House Correspondents Dinner this year.

Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Sean Spicer seemed to answer that question when asked by Greta Van Susteren about the decision to boycott the event, saying, “The relationship [with the press] and the coverage we have gotten, I don’t think we should fake it.”

Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

“I don’t think watching a bunch of celebrities walk by is any indication how much you care about and respect the press,” he added.

According to Variety, Kellyanne Conway cited “the unhappiness with the way that the administration has been covered [in the news media] and that it was a ‘two way’ street of responsibility.”

Conway added, “There is a selectivity there also — what do we choose to highlight and allow to recede into the background.”

You can read more about their comments here: http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/kellyanne-conway-criticizes-trump-media-coverage-1202029112/