Howard Fineman Archives

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Two Fat Men Walk Into a Bar … and Meet Chris...

Marion - August 20, 2011 79

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Tesla Car Sales Dropped 9% in 2025, Falling Behind China’s BYD

As the largest maker of electric vehicles in the United States, Tesla suffered more than other carmakers from the elimination of federal incentives. [...]

After Watergate, the Presidency Was Tamed. Trump Is Unleashing It.

In the 1970s, Congress passed a raft of laws to hold the White House accountable. President Trump has decided they don’t apply to him. [...]

Brenna Henn Wanted to Improve Genetic Medicine. Then Her N.I.H. Grant Was Cut.

Brenna Henn had a long-term grant to study the genetic diversity of Africans and people of African descent. Then her N.I.H. funding was cut. [...]

Russia Asks United States to Stop Pursuit of Fleeing Oil Tanker

The tanker, which had been sailing to Venezuela to pick up oil, has claimed Russian protection, although the U.S. authorities say it is a stateless vessel. [...]

Toby Morton, a Comedy Writer, Owns the Trump Kennedy Center URL

A comedy writer bought the web domain TrumpKennedyCenter.org and the satirical site he created is drawing attention amid the backlash over the institution’s renaming. [...]

CI.A. Says Ukraine Did Not Target Putin’s Home in a Drone Strike, Contradicting Russia’s Claims

The assessment rebutted a claim that the Russian leader made to President Trump in a phone call this week. [...]

Oil Tanker Fleeing the Coast Guard Now Listed in Russian Ship Database

The listing could make it more challenging for U.S. forces to board the ship, which an arm of the Kremlin’s maritime authority says is now flying the Russian flag. [...]

Coast Guard Searches for Survivors After More Boat Strikes

The U.S. military attacked a convoy of three boats in the eastern Pacific on Tuesday, and two more on Wednesday, as part of the Trump administration’s campaign against people suspected of drug trafficking. [...]

In Hearing Transcript, Jack Smith Defends Decision to Indict Trump

The former special counsel accused President Trump of “exploiting” violence on Jan. 6, 2021, according to an interview released by House Republicans. [...]

In Chief Justice’s Annual Report, a History Lesson and Embrace of Independence

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. did not directly address the tensions between the Trump administration and federal judges who have blocked the president’s agenda. [...]

Maduro says Venezuela is open to U.S. talks on drug trafficking, but keeps mum on CIA strike

In a pretaped interview aired Thursday, Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro expressed readiness to discuss serious agreements with the U.S. [...]

Trump wants to overhaul the 'president's golf course.' He hasn't played there yet

President Donald Trump has spent much of his two-week vacation in Florida golfing. But when he gets back to the White House, there's a military golf course that he's eyeing for a major construction project. [...]

How the new class of billionaires solidified outsized political influence

Many New Year's traditions are meant to bring prosperity in the months ahead, but America's relationship to wealth is complicated. As billionaires' influence has grown, so too has skepticism. In a recent Washington Post/Ipsos poll, 58% of respondents said billionaires' spending on campaigns is bad for the country. Lisa Desjardins discussed the intersection of money and politics with Beth Reinhard. [...]

Trump delays increased tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities for a year

Trump's order signed Wednesday keeps in place a 25% tariff he imposed in September on those goods, but delays for another year a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture and 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets and vanities. [...]

Federal employees file complaint against Trump administration's ban on gender-affirming care

The complaint argues that denying coverage of gender-affirming care is sex-based discrimination and asks the personnel office to rescind the policy. [...]

WATCH: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani gives inaugural speech after taking oath of office

"Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try," Mamdani told a cheering crowd. [...]

Zohran Mamdani officially sworn in as New York City's mayor on a Quran full of symbolism

Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani took his midnight oath of office on a centuries-old Quran, marking the first time a mayor of New York City uses Islam's holy text to be sworn in and underscoring a series of historic firsts for the city. [...]

Jan. 6 attack 'does not happen' without Trump, Jack Smith told Congress

In a closed-door interview, Smith characterized the Republican president as the "most culpable and most responsible person" in the criminal conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election. [...]

Why PolitiFact has labeled 2025 the 'Year of the Lies'

For the past 15 years, the fact-checkers at PolitiFact have sorted through hundreds of statements by politicians to name the "Lie of the Year." This year, the editors dubbed 2025 the "Year of the Lies." Lisa Desjardins discussed more with PolitiFact Editor-in-Chief Katie Sanders. A warning: some images in this story are disturbing. [...]

With major Supreme Court rulings ahead, Chief Justice Roberts says Constitution remains 'firm and unshaken'

Chief Justice John Roberts said Wednesday that the Constitution remains a sturdy pillar for the country, a message that comes after a tumultuous year in the nation's judicial system with pivotal Supreme Court decisions on the horizon. [...]

Some on-air claims about Dominion Voting Systems were false, Fox News acknowledges in statement after deal is announced

Dominion still has pending lawsuits against election deniers such as Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell

Here are the 20 specific Fox broadcasts and tweets Dominion says were defamatory

• Fox-Dominion trial delay 'is not unusual,' judge says • Fox News' defamation battle isn't stopping Trump's election lies [...]

Judge in Fox News-Dominion defamation trial: 'The parties have resolved their case'

The judge just announced in court that a settlement has been reached in the historic defamation case between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems. [...]

'Difficult to say with a straight face': Tapper reacts to Fox News' statement on settlement

A settlement has been reached in Dominion Voting Systems' defamation case against Fox News, the judge for the case announced. The network will pay more than $787 million to Dominion, a lawyer for the company said. [...]

Millions in the US could face massive consequences unless McCarthy can navigate out of a debt trap he set for Biden

• DeSantis goes to Washington, a place he once despised, looking for support to take on Trump • Opinion: For the GOP to win, it must ditch Trump • Chris Christie mulling 2024 White House bid • Analysis: The fire next time has begun burning in Tennessee [...]

White homeowner accused of shooting a Black teen who rang his doorbell turns himself in to face criminal charges

• 'A major part of Ralph died': Aunt of teen shot after ringing wrong doorbell speaks • 20-year-old woman shot after friend turned into the wrong driveway in upstate New York, officials say [...]

Newly released video shows scene of Jeremy Renner's snowplow accident

Newly released body camera footage shows firefighters and sheriff's deputies rushing to help actor Jeremy Renner after a near-fatal snowplow accident in January. The "Avengers" actor broke more than 30 bones and suffered other severe injuries. CNN's Chloe Melas has more. [...]

Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Lee Curtis spent the Covid-19 lockdown together

It's sourdough bread and handstands for Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Lee Curtis. [...]

Toddler crawls through White House fence, prompts Secret Service response

A tiny intruder infiltrated White House grounds Tuesday, prompting a swift response from the US Secret Service. [...]

Swiss bar fire likely started by sparklers on champagne bottles

The investigation into the fire that killed 40 people will consider whether criminal prosecutions are necessary, officials said. [...]

'Living a nightmare': Families of teens missing after ski resort fire desperate for news

Families are appealing for information about children as young as 15 who are thought to have been at the bar. [...]

Trump warns US will intervene if Iran kills protesters

The US president says "we will come to their rescue" after days of demonstrations and clashes. [...]

Zelensky names spy chief to head presidential office

Kyrylo Budanov has led the Hur military intelligence, which has claimed a number of highly-effective strikes against Russia. [...]

Yemen clashes bring Saudi- and UAE-backed forces into confrontation

The powerful Gulf allies back rival sides in an escalating conflict which threatens to divide Yemen. [...]

Anthony Joshua's driver charged over Nigeria crash that killed two

The former heavyweight champion was a passenger in the crash, which killed two of his team members on Monday. [...]

US slashes proposed tariffs on Italian pasta imports

The plan to impose steep tariffs on 13 producers could have seen major price rises for US consumers. [...]

Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 27 people in New Year attack in occupied Kherson region

Ukraine says it only conducts strikes against military targets and adheres to international law. [...]

China's BYD overtakes Tesla as world's top EV seller

It marks the first time the Chinese firm has outpaced its American rival for annual sales. [...]

Dozens missing after boat carrying 200 migrants sinks off Gambia

It is the latest accident on one of the world’s most dangerous routes used by West Africans trying to reach Spain. [...]

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Two Fat Men Walk Into a Bar … and Meet Chris...