All TPM News

What's The Story?

2016-12-22T22:05:00-05:00

Today TPM, along with a slew of other news outlets, picked up a story out of Lancaster County, PA, which detailed a series of false but weaponized 'War on Christmas' stories from Fox and the Breitbart hate network, that had allegedly led a Jewish family to leave the area fearing a replay of the recent "Pizzagate" episode. What appears undisputed is that the original conservative media reports falsely claimed that a Jewish family's complaints about the production of 'A Christmas Carol' had led to the play's cancelation. The question is whether the family reacted to being demonized in these publications by temporarily leaving the area.

Sessions Downplayed Relationship With Breitbart News In Senate Questionnaire

2016-12-22T17:58:29-05:00

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), vastly undercounted his appearances on Breitbart News’ radio programs and website in a questionnaire required for his confirmation hearings, according to a review by Right Wing Watch published Thursday.

Trump Now Pushing for 10% Import Tariff

2016-12-22T17:33:00-05:00

Just yesterday I noticed two stories on Trump administration plans to impose 5% tariffs on imports. One was about the Trump administration, another was about plans emerging from the GOP House, going back to June and seemingly independent of Trump. This is for a so-called "border adjustment tax" of 5% on imports as part of corporate tax reform. Here's an explanation of how the "border adjustment tax" would work and why retailers are up in arms about it. The latter isn't a tariff exactly. But it has a similar practical effect of imposing an additional cost on imports and thus making them less attractive than domestic manufactures.

No, New Mexico's GOP Governor Did Not Rail Against Obamacare Repeal

2016-12-22T17:32:28-05:00

New Mexico's health care exchange is apologizing after a draft letter it wrote to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on behalf of the governor was leaked. The letter – in which Republican Gov. Susana Martinez purportedly warned against GOP plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act right away without a replacement – was apparently never seen by the governor, and she never even knew it existed.

The state's Obamacare exchange is now conceding to TPM that it drafted the letter for the governor's review and that the draft was somehow leaked.

Trump: US Must 'Greatly Strengthen' Nuclear Capability

2016-12-22T16:38:06-05:00

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday abruptly called for the United States to "greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability" until the rest of the world "comes to its senses" regarding nuclear weapons.

Did They Meet or Not?

2016-12-22T16:37:00-05:00

A couple days ago I noted news that the leader of the far-right Austrian Freedom Party had met with incoming Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn at Trump Tower recently. The Austrian Freedom Party was founded in the 1950s by former Nazis and in its current incarnation is another far-right nationalist anti-immigrant party like others now on the ascent in Europe. Today though, Trump spokesman Jason Miller denied the two men had ever met and further said that Flynn "strongly disavows groups with such viewpoints."

Wisconsin GOPer Threatens Funding Over ‘Problem Of Whiteness’ College Course

2016-12-22T15:50:44-05:00

A Republican lawmaker upset over a new University of Wisconsin-Madison course called “The Problem of Whiteness” has threatened to put a hold on additional state funding for the university unless the course is canceled.

Trump Spokesman Denies Flynn Met With Austrian Far-Right Leader

2016-12-22T15:33:00-05:00

A spokesman for President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team denied Thursday that Trump’s incoming national security adviser ever met with the leader of a far-right Austrian political party at Trump Tower, as the politician had claimed.

Hillary Clinton Wins Popular Vote By Nearly 2.9 Million

2016-12-22T15:02:38-05:00

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Clinton received nearly 2.9 million more votes than President-elect Donald Trump, giving her the largest popular vote margin of any losing presidential candidate.

Jewish Family Flees Home After Breitbart Runs Story On Canceled Christmas Play

2016-12-22T14:44:00-05:00

A Jewish family has temporarily left its Lancaster County, Pennsylvania home, citing fear of retribution after coming under fire from conservative news outlets that blamed it for the cancellation of an elementary school production of "A Christmas Carol."

Sean Spicer To Serve As Trump's White House Press Secretary

2016-12-22T14:10:27-05:00

President-elect Donald Trump named the senior staff of the communications department for his administration on Thursday, including Republican National Committee spokesman Sean Spicer as press secretary.

Heidi Heitkamp Signals She's Staying In The U.S. Senate

2016-12-22T13:37:40-05:00

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) surprised colleagues earlier this month when she went to meet with President-elect Donald Trump about a potential cabinet appointment.

Just Kidding, Guys! Gingrich ‘Goofed’ When He Said ‘Drain The Swamp’ Is Dead

2016-12-22T12:49:12-05:00

Minutes after President-elect Donald Trump tweeted Thursday that his administration “will always be trying to DTS”—“drain the swamp”—ally Newt Gingrich tweeted a short video asking forgiveness for ever implying otherwise.

Trump: I Just Want To Be (Celebrity) Loved

2016-12-22T12:45:00-05:00

My friend Stuart Stevens has the rare combined vantage point of being both a top Republican campaign professional and also someone who has built a successful career in Hollywood. He's mentioned more than once the unique challenges of entertainment programming at the GOP's quadrennial nominating conventions. But something unique or heretofore unprecedented is happening with the Trump inauguration. It's no surprise there'd be a 85% or even 95% freeze out from Hollywood and the music industry. But it appears to be closer to 99% or 100%.

Trump Reportedly Scrambles To Secure Talent For His Inauguration Next Month

2016-12-22T12:37:19-05:00

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly "very unhappy" with his team's inability to secure entertainers for his Jan. 20 inauguration, as A-list stars are rumored to continue turning down requests to perform.

Give The Gift of Prime

2016-12-22T11:47:54-05:00

Do you know someone who might like a subscription to TPM Prime for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus or really any other holiday you or they celebrate? Well, you can do that! You can purchase a Prime gift subscription right here!

Not a member yet? It's definitely time to join. Just click right here and help us get to our year end goal.

Report: Ivanka Trump Jeered At By Fellow Passenger In JetBlue Coach

2016-12-22T11:42:00-05:00

Gossip website TMZ reported that a passenger on Ivanka Trump's Thursday morning flight "began verbally berating her" before he was removed from the plane.

Lewandowski Says ‘Drain The Swamp’ Is At ‘The Bottom’ Of Trump’s Priorities

2016-12-22T11:31:00-05:00

Just one day after news broke that informal Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski was opening a political consulting firm in Washington, D.C., the former campaign manager said that the President-elect's campaign promise to “drain the swamp” of lobbyists “is somewhere down the bottom” on Trump's list of priorities.

Obama Admin To Dismantle Dormant ‘Muslim Registry’ Ahead Of Inauguration

2016-12-22T11:15:41-05:00

In its final weeks, the Obama administration is expected to undo regulations that supported a national registry program for immigrants from countries with active terrorist groups, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Congressional Inquiry Says Snowden In Contact With Russian Intel Services

2016-12-22T10:44:00-05:00

WASHINGTON (AP) — A declassified report on a congressional investigation into Edward Snowden says the former National Security Agency contractor has remained in contact with Russian intelligence services since he arrived in Moscow three years ago.