memeorandum: Biden offers fresh assurances he would shut down border ‘right now’ if Congress sends him a deal (Associated Press)

3:30 AM ET, January 28, 2024

Top Items:

Nikki Haley targeted in ‘swatting’ incident at her South Carolina home — Authorities responded to a fake emergency at the South Carolina home of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley last month after a man claimed to have shot a woman and threatened to harm himself at her home, according to town records obtained by Reuters.

Discussion: New York Times, RedState, Mother Jones, HuffPost, The Guardian, The Daily Caller, The Hill, USA Today, Fox News, New York Post, The Messenger, Washington Examiner, Politico, Political Wire and The Sun

New York Times:

Key Network of G.O.P. Megadonors to Meet With Trump and Haley Camps — Assessing the presidential race, the American Opportunity Alliance has invited representatives from both the Trump and Haley campaigns to make their pitches at a meeting next week. — A network of Republican megadonors …

Discussion: Political Wire

Dan Balz / Washington Post:

Nikki Haley taunts Trump and he takes the bait. Will she keep it up? — Haley is the latest strong, persistent woman to find a soft spot in Trump's armor. That makes the Republican race much more interesting if she decides to keep tormenting him. — Donald Trump doesn't respond well to women who challenge, question or mock him.

Steven Shepard / Politico:
The 2024 door is closing faster than Haley thinks. Here's what the delegate math shows.

Discussion: Business Insider, Breitbart and The Messenger

David Smith / The Guardian:
Trump's ‘achilles heel’? Haley's refusal to drop out infuriates ex-president

Discussion: Hopium Chronicles, Washington Examiner and RedState

Associated Press:

Biden offers fresh assurances he would shut down border ‘right now’ if Congress sends him a deal — Bidding to salvage a border deal in Congress that also would unlock money for Ukraine, President Joe Biden offered fresh assurances Saturday night that he would be willing to close …

Tara Suter / The Hill:

House Majority Whip: Biden only interested in border because it's a ‘political liability’ — House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) criticized President Biden Saturday for what he believes to be an increased interest in securing the southern border, as lawmakers continue to battle over a Senate-backed border deal.

Discussion: Fox News, Washington Times, The Messenger, Political Wire, TASS, The White House, Politico and Twitchy

Mary Papenfuss / The Messenger:
Trump Bashes ‘Worst’ Ever Border as He Arm-Twists GOP Lawmakers to Block Border Bill

Discussion: The Hill, RedState, New York Post, Vanity Fair, NBC News, HuffPost, USA Today, Politico, Political Wire, New Republic and ABC News

Peter Baker / New York Times:

Negotiators Close In on Hostage Deal That Would Halt Fighting in Gaza for Weeks — A written draft agreement calls for the phased release of captives held by Hamas in exchange for a cessation in Israel's military offensive for about two months. — American-led negotiators are edging closer …

Discussion: Associated Press, Reuters and Axios

Roger Sollenberger / The Daily Beast:

Trump's $50 Million Mystery Debt Looks Like ‘Tax Evasion’ — Donald Trump has long claimed he personally owed tens of millions to an obscure entity related to his Chicago tower. But court docs claim Trump Org. now says it never existed. — Always read the footnotes.

Discussion: The Messenger and MeidasTouch

Lauren Irwin / The Hill:

George Conway calls Trump an ‘evil man’ with ‘no conscience’ after defamation verdict — Conservative attorney George Conway railed against former President Trump, calling him an “evil man,” after a jury ruled Trump must pay columnist E. Jean Carroll for defaming her by repeatedly denying her sexual assault allegations.

Joyce Vance / Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance:
$83.3 Million — I had not intended to write about the E Jean Carroll trial again tonight; I was going to give you a night off.

Discussion: Raw Story, The Daily Beast, VICE, NBC News, The Hill, HotAir, New York Magazine, Fox News, RedState, Politico, The 19th and Washington Post

Filip Timotija / The Hill:

Former senator says new film shows ‘how close’ we came to losing democracy on Jan. 6 — Former Alabama Sen. Doug Jones (D) said that the new film “War Game” shows “how close” the U.S. came to losing democracy on Jan. 6, 2021. — During his appearance on CNN Saturday …

Kelly Rissman / The Independent:

Rudy Giuliani targets Donald Trump for ‘unpaid legal fees’ in new bankruptcy filing — Mr Giuliani filed for bankruptcy last month after he was ordered to pay $148m to Georgia election workers he defamed — Rudy Giuliani announces lawsuit against Joe Biden

Discussion: Law & Crime, UPROXX, Business Insider, Talking Points Memo, The Messenger, The Daily Beast and Bloomberg

Alec Dent / The Messenger:

Trump Trade Adviser Peter Navarro Criticizes His ‘Death Sentence’ of 4 Months in Prison — Navarro was found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress for ignoring a subpoena to testify about events leading to the violent insurrection — Former Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro complained …

Discussion: Washington Times, The Hill, Breitbart, Fox News, Political Wire and The Daily Caller

Ben Smith / Semafor:

On The Record with Will Lewis — ON THE RECORD — Semafor Business' signature interview series, On The Record, brings you conversations with the people running, shaping, and changing our economy. Read Liz Hoffman's earlier conversations with Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz on Hollywood's golden age of IP …

Discussion: The Daily Beast, Politico and emptywheel, more at Mediagazer »

Perry Bacon Jr / Washington Post:

Journalism may never again make money. So it should focus on mission. — America is struggling with several crises, most notably a radical, antidemocratic leader and movement controlling one of its major political parties. America's journalism industry is also in crisis …

GOV.UK:

Statement on allegations about UNRWA staff and 7 October attacks — The FCDO has issued a statement in response to allegations that UN Relief and Works Agency staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel — An FCDO spokesperson said: … Media enquiries — Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Discussion: Washington Examiner, The Hill, The Guardian, The Daily Caller, Middle East Monitor, UN Press, Politico and HotAir

BBC:
UNRWA claims: UK halts aid to UN agency over allegation staff helped Hamas attack

Olivia Alafriz / Politico:

What the Cheney-Stefanik clash shows about the GOP and Jan. 6 — Their personal insults expose still-festering fissures over the Capitol riot as the party looks ahead to the general election. — A bitter clash over the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack erupted between two prominent Republicans on Saturday …

Discussion: Raw Story, The Messenger, HuffPost, The Hill, The Daily Beast and Political Wire

Paul Kane / Washington Post:

On Trump-Biden rematch, many senators say bring it on — Republicans and Democrats see the general election as historic moment pitting clearly different visions and records — Congressional bureau chief — Unlike some American voters, senators have come to grips with the reality …

Discussion: New York Times