memeorandum: Exclusive — Federal Health Officials Investigating Wuhan Lab Suspected of Leaking Coronavirus, Taxpayer Grants to Lab (Matthew Boyle/Breitbart)

9:01 PM ET, April 27, 2020

Top Items:

President's intelligence briefing book repeatedly cited virus threat — U.S. intelligence agencies issued warnings about the novel coronavirus in more than a dozen classified briefings prepared for President Trump in January and February, months during which he continued to play down the threat …

Discussion: CNN, POLITICUSUSA, Daily Kos, Raw Story and Lawyers, Guns & Money

Rich McHugh / Business Insider:

A former neighbor of Joe Biden's accuser Tara Reade has come forward to corroborate her sexual assault account, saying Reade discussed the allegations in detail in the mid-1990s — Tara Reade, a former staffer in Joe Biden's Senate office, has accused the Democratic presidential nominee …

Rich McHugh / Business Insider:

Why Now? In an exclusive interview, Tara Reade's former neighbor explains her decision to come forward, and why she's still voting for Joe Biden. — A friend of former Biden staffer Tara Reade tells Insider that in the mid-1990s, Reade confided in her that the Democratic presidential nominee …

Discussion: Fox News, Townhall and The Daily Caller

The Daily Beast:

Fox News Cuts Ties With Diamond & Silk, Unofficial Trump ‘Advisers’ Who Spread Bonkers Coronavirus Claims — The MAGA superstars lost their Fox gig after pushing absolutely bonkers conspiracy theories about the coronavirus pandemic. — Fox News has cut ties with MAGA vlogging superstars Diamond & Silk …

Discussion: Raw Story, Big League Politics, The Daily Caller, Breitbart, The Wrap, The Week and Mediaite, more at Mediagazer »

New York Times:

Top E.R. Doctor Who Treated Virus Patients Dies by Suicide — “She tried to do her job, and it killed her,” said the father of Dr. Lorna M. Breen, who worked at a Manhattan hospital hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. — A top emergency room doctor at a major Manhattan hospital died by suicide on Sunday, according to her father.

Discussion: New York Post

Jeff Reeves / CBS17.com:

ReOpen NC leader says she tested positive for COVID-19 — RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) - A leader of the ReOpen NC group revealed in a Facebook post that she tested positive for COVID-19. — Audrey Whitlock posted to the ReOpen NC Facebook page early Sunday saying her two-week quarantine was ending.

Discussion: Raw Story and VICE

Steve Wiseman / Raleigh News & Observer:

One of the leaders of ReOpen NC group says she tested positive for COVID-19 — One of the leaders of a group opposing Gov. Roy Cooper's stay-at-home measures aimed at slowing the coronavirus spread has identified herself as having tested positive for the virus.

Discussion: ABC11 and Daily Kos

Burgess Everett / Politico:

McConnell dangles aid to states — with a catch — Mitch McConnell is open to cutting a deal to provide reeling states and cities with relief during the pandemic-fueled recession. But it will come at a price. — In an interview on Monday, the Senate majority leader said it's “highly likely” …

Discussion: The Daily Beast, Axios, Slate and Fox News

Bloomberg: McConnell Demands Liability Protections in Next Coronavirus Bill

Toluse Olorunnipa / Washington Post:
As Trump puts partisan spin on federal aid for states, Republicans and Democrats warn of coming financial calamity

Discussion: New York Times and NBC News

Robert McCartney / Washington Post:
McConnell's rejection of federal aid for states risks causing a depression, analysts say

Discussion: The Week, Raw Story, STUMP and Lawyers, Guns & Money

Marianne LeVine / Politico:
Schumer to introduce legislation preventing Trump from signing stimulus checks

Discussion: CNN, NBC News, The Hill, The Daily Beast, Breitbart, VICE, Daily Kos, IJR, POLITICUSUSA, Fox News, National Review and Talking Points Memo

Stefan Becket / CBS News:

Pentagon formally releases 3 Navy videos showing “unidentified aerial phenomena” — Washington — The Pentagon on Monday formally released three unclassified videos taken by Navy pilots that have circulated for years showing interactions with “unidentified aerial phenomena.”

Discussion: National Review, Raw Story, American Military News, VodkaPundit and Sara A. Carter

Luis Martinez / ABC News:
Pentagon declassifies Navy videos that purportedly show UFOs

Discussion: The National Interest, The Daily Caller, VICE, Axios and KRQE-TV

Daniel Arkin / NBC News:

Tyson Foods chairman warns that ‘the food supply chain is breaking’ — In recent weeks, the poultry producer has temporarily suspended operations at plants across the country. — The board chairman of Tyson Foods is warning that “millions of pounds of meat will disappear” …

Discussion: Tyson Foods, Townhall, Raw Story, Just The News, Big League Politics, Fox News, Mediaite and TheBlaze

Bloomberg: Americans on Cusp of Meat Shortage With Food Chain Breaking

Bloomberg:
White House Urges Reopening Despite Outbreaks at Warehouses

Discussion: CNN, South Bend Tribune, Vanity Fair and POLITICUSUSA

David D. Kirkpatrick / New York Times:

In Race for a Coronavirus Vaccine, an Oxford Group Leaps Ahead — As scientists at the Jenner Institute prepare for mass clinical trials, new tests show their vaccine to be effective in monkeys. — In the worldwide race for a vaccine to stop the coronavirus, the laboratory sprinting fastest is at Oxford University.

Discussion: Fox News and Marginal REVOLUTION

Ryan Parker / Hollywood Reporter:

Howard Stern Questions Who Would Vote for Trump After Disinfectant Remarks — The SiriusXM host says he will support Joe Biden for president. — Howard Stern on Monday said he will support Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential election. — The SiriusXM host made the comment while taking …

David Frum / The Atlantic:
The Very Real Threat of Trump's Deepfake

Discussion: Lawfare and VICE

Brian Niemietz / New York Daily News:
Howard Stern encourages Trump supporters to get together and drink disinfectants

Discussion: NB Blog, The Daily Beast and Raw Story

Joe Concha / The Hill:
Howard Stern: ‘I am all in on Joe Biden’

Discussion: Washington Post, The Daily Caller, Fox News, ABC News and Associated Press

Susan Page / USA Today:

USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll: Six months out, Biden jumps to lead over Trump amid coronavirus concerns — Six months before Election Day, the coronavirus pandemic has done what impeachment did not: Cost President Donald Trump his advantage over Joe Biden in the 2020 campaign.

Discussion: Washington Post, Bloomberg, The Hill and Mother Jones

Elizabeth Williamson / New York Times:

In Kayleigh McEnany, Trump Taps a Press Fighter for the Coronavirus Era — Kayleigh McEnany saw Donald J. Trump as her ticket to stardom. She has been fighting for him for much of her adult life, now as the president's fourth press secretary. — WASHINGTON — Kayleigh McEnany …

Discussion: Mediaite

Peter Baker / New York Times:

Briefings Were ‘Not Worth the Time,’ Trump Said. But He Couldn't Stay Away. — Just hours after his own White House officially canceled his planned appearance on Monday, the lure of the cameras in the Rose Garden proved too hard to resist. — WASHINGTON — To the surprise of exactly no one …

Discussion: Talking Points Memo, Al Jazeera, Washington Monthly and Washington Post

Washington Post:

U.S. deaths soared in early weeks of pandemic, far exceeding number attributed to covid-19 — An analysis of federal data for the first time estimates excess deaths — the number beyond what would normally be expected — during that period.

Matthew Boyle / Breitbart:

Exclusive — Federal Health Officials Investigating Wuhan Lab Suspected of Leaking Coronavirus, Taxpayer Grants to Lab — The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has informed a company that used a taxpayer grant to provide U.S. tax dollars to the Wuhan lab in China-from which some authorities believe …

Discussion: Washington Examiner, The Daily Dot and Raw Story

Sarah Owermohle / Politico: Trump cuts U.S. research on bat-human virus transmission over China ties

Associated Press:

Trump's focus on his base complicates path to reelection — WASHINGTON (AP) — During times of war and strife, national leaders often aim to unite a broken country and, in the process, broaden their appeal beyond their most loyal supporters. Not President Donald Trump.

Discussion: The Hill, Fox News, Politico, POLITICUSUSA, Daily Kos, Raw Story and The Week

Politico:
Trump looks to Hope Hicks as coronavirus crisis spills over

Discussion: The Hill, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Breitbart, CNN, The Atlantic, Axios, One America News Network and The Root, more at Mediagazer »

ABC News:

Trump encourages governors to ‘seriously consider’ reopening schools — The president also said governors should “maybe get going on it.” — As states continue to roll out plans to reopen their economies, President Donald Trump told governors during a Monday phone call that they should also …

Discussion: The Hill, Political Wire, Talking Points Memo and Twitchy

Alayna Treene / Axios:
White House to unveil coronavirus testing plan

Discussion: Fox News, Politico and Washington Post

John Kruzel / The Hill:

Barr tells prosecutors to watch for pandemic restrictions that violate Constitution — Attorney General William Barr on Monday directed federal prosecutors to “be on the lookout” for public health measures put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic that might be running afoul of constitutional rights.

Discussion: Associated Press, NBC News and Breitbart

Jeff Mordock / Washington Times:
Barr orders legal action against governors whose COVID-19 actions infringe on civil rights

Discussion: Big League Politics

Josh Wingrove / Bloomberg:

White House Nods to Possible Transition to New President in 2021 — The White House instructed federal agencies on Monday to begin preparations in case Donald Trump is defeated in November and a new president takes office, a routine contingency ahead of the election.

Scott Feinberg / Hollywood Reporter:

Top-Secret Michelle Obama Doc to Hit Netflix on May 6 — ‘Becoming,’ which originated with the Obamas' Higher Ground production company, shares the name of the former first lady's best-selling 2018 memoir and picks up where it left off. — A documentary feature about Michelle Obama …

Discussion: Netflix Media Center, Associated Press, The Week, Washington Post and The Verge

Katie Lobosco / CNN:

IRS workers offered incentive pay to go back to offices — Washington (CNN)Thousands of Internal Revenue Service employees volunteered to go back into their offices Monday after the agency offered incentive pay to those who handle “mission-critical” work. — That includes answering calls …

Discussion: The Hill, Raw Story and Ways and Means Committee

New York Times:

Live Coronavirus in the US Updates — About three million cases have been detected around the world, and the global death toll passed 200,000. The C.D.C. added six new Covid-19 symptoms. Some states gradually allowed some businesses to open, as oil prices plummeted.

Discussion: KTLA

David Harsanyi / National Review:

A Rant against the Media — Why is the first inclination of Donald Trump's supporters to lash out at the press when he says something ridiculous? Part of it is political expediency, of course. Most of it, though, is completely understandable. — Even when Trump badly mangles science …

Discussion: NBC News and The Wrap, more at Mediagazer »

The Texas Politics Project:

VIEWS ON AMOUNT OF LEGAL IMMIGRANTS (APRIL 2020) LATEST POLL NEWS — TEXAS ATTITUDES ON THE ECONOMY ON THE BRINK OF RECESSION — Texas government responses to the current crises will be shaped by public attitudes, and in particular whether the deep partisan influences over perceptions …

Discussion: Big League Politics

Emma Tucker / The Daily Beast:

Kelli Ward Urged Anti-Lockdown Protesters to Dress as Health-Care Workers — PART OF THE PROBLEM — Dr. Kelli Ward, the far-right chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party, further emboldened conservative protesters who are demanding that governors reopen states by telling them to dress as health-care workers to trick the media.

Discussion: Talking Points Memo

The Guardian:

‘Heads we win, tails you lose’: how America's rich have turned pandemic into profit — As 26 million Americans lose their jobs, the billionaire class has added $308bn to its wealth — Never let a good crisis go to waste: as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the world, America's 1% have taken profitable advantage of the old saying.