memeorandum: State Department Inspector General probing suspension of Biden's Iran envoy (Jay Solomon/Semafor)

12:55 PM ET, February 18, 2024

Top Items:

Rukmini Callimachi / New York Times:

In New York, the Trump Brand Is Costing Some Condo Owners — When Donald J. Trump became president, condominiums in buildings emblazoned with his name began selling for less, according to an analysis. — In the world of real estate, Donald J. Trump's name has long been synonymous with luxury.

Discussion: CBS News and Raw Story

Washington Post:

Seeing Haley's attacks on Trump, some claim her as a member of the resistance — But the former S.C. governor rejects the label, saying her campaign ‘is not an anti-Trump movement’ — Speaking to influential Republican donors at a private gathering in Palm Beach, Fla., on the last Tuesday of January …

Discussion: Washington Examiner, The Hill, Politico, Chicago Tribune and Breitbart

Associated Press:

Trump hawks $399 branded shoes at ‘Sneaker Con,’ a day after a $355 million ruling against him — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — As he closes in on the Republican presidential nomination, former President Donald Trump made a highly unusual stop Saturday, hawking new Trump-branded sneakers at “Sneaker Con …

Ronald Brownstein / The Atlantic:

The GOP Has Crossed An Ominous Threshold on Foreign Policy — The long decline of the Republican Party's internationalist wing may have reached a tipping point. — Since Donald Trump emerged as the GOP's dominant figure in 2016, he has championed an isolationist and nationalist agenda …

Discussion: Global Affairs and Wall Street Journal

Jazmine Ulloa / New York Times:

Haley Says She Is Going the Distance Against Trump. Here's Her Plan. — The former South Carolina governor is expected to lose big in her home state. Beyond that, it's an even steeper climb. — One week before the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina …

Discussion: CBS News, New York Post, The Hill, South Carolina Public Radio and Fox News

The Guardian:

Trump launches gold high top sneaker line a day after $350m court ruling — ‘Never Surrender High-Tops’ cost $399 and arrive on the market just after judge hands former US president huge penalty — Donald Trump has launched his own sneaker brand, a day after a New York judge ordered …

Discussion: Balloon Juice, Raw Story, Reuters and DNyuz

ABC News:
‘This Week’ Transcript 2-18-24: Nikki Haley, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Charlamagne tha God

Discussion: USA Today

Jazmine Ulloa / New York Times:
Haley Calls Navalny a ‘Hero,’ Saying Trump Must Answer for His Death

Discussion: The Hill, Wall Street Journal, Washington Examiner, New York Magazine, The Guardian, RedState, ABC News, Breitbart, Trending Politics Conservative, New York Daily News, Raw Story, BizPac Review, Today's Edition Newsletter, Twitchy, DNyuz and The Daily Beast

NBC News:
Trump launches sneaker line

Discussion: New York Magazine, The Moderate Voice, DNyuz, Raw Story and BizPac Review

Associated Press:
Trump Launches $399 Sneaker Brand A Day After $355 Million Verdict Against Him

Discussion: Raw Story, MeidasTouch, DNyuz, New York Post, The Gateway Pundit and Associated Press

Suzanne Lynch / Politico:

Navalny's death fails to move the dial for Republican Senator J.D. Vance — At Munich Security Conference, American senator doubles-down on view that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia. — U.S. Senator J.D. Vance has made a name for himself in the United States Congress …

Discussion: Breitbart, Associated Press, RedState, Raw Story and New York Post

Edward-Isaac Dovere / CNN:

Inside Kamala Harris' quiet effort to break through the Biden campaign's information bubble — For some, it's been a conversation off to the side at the White House congressional holiday party. Others have gathered at actress Eva Longoria's house in Los Angeles.

Discussion: Political Wire and NPR

NBC News:

Biden's allies are stepping forward to vouch for him amid age questions — Some prominent Democrats aren't persuaded that the approach will ease concerns about his cognitive abilities. — WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden's approach to deflecting questions about his age has pivoted from “watch me” to vouch for me.

Discussion: RedState, New Yorker, BizPac Review, National Review and New York Magazine

Lauren Sforza / The Hill:

Cheney says it's ‘worth’ Johnson losing Speakership over passing Ukraine aid bill — Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said it's worth it for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to lose the Speakership if he passes a bill approving aid for Ukraine. — Cheney called on Johnson to bring a bill …

Discussion: Politico, BizPac Review, Raw Story, CNN and Crooks and Liars

Rachel Leingang / The Guardian:

Top Maricopa county official quits as election looms: ‘All I do is play defense’ — Clint Hickman, who helped lead Arizona's largest county through the pandemic and 2020 election, has faced endless harassment for the last few years — For Clint Hickman, an official who helped lead Arizona's …

David Corn / Mother Jones:

Why Trump's Sleaziest Criminal Case Is So Important — Editor's note: The below article first appeared in David Corn's newsletter, Our Land. The newsletter comes out twice a week (most of the time) and provides behind-the-scenes stories and articles about politics, media, and culture.

Paul Kane / Washington Post:

Schumer, McConnell exit Ukraine-Israel aid deal to familiar political rivalry — After working closely on the national security package, the Senate majority and minority leaders sketch out why they think their side has the edge heading into November — One Senate leader exited …

Discussion: Business Insider

Associated Press:

Israel strikes across Gaza as US says it will block another cease-fire resolution at the UN — Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 18 people overnight into Sunday, according to medics and witnesses, as the United States said it would veto another draft U.N. cease-fire resolution.