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12:30 REPORT
It’s Wednesday. Guess what?! Krispy Kreme doughnuts will be sold at McDonald’s! I was way too excited to make you keep reading to find out that news. Here’s what else is happening:
- The U.S. Coast Guard called off search and rescue efforts for the six construction workers presumed dead in the Baltimore bridge collapse.
- NBC News dropped former Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel after significant backlash from staff.
- Robert Kennedy Jr. picked Nicole Shanahan as his VP running mate. Keep reading for a primer on her.
- President Biden’s new campaign strategy is to poke the bear (aka former President Trump).
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.
🏥 In Baltimore
I have a hard time grasping the magnitude of this collapse:
Six construction workers are presumed dead after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Tuesday, causing the bridge to collapse.
Why did the ship crash?: The ship lost power, according to The Washington Post. “[The ship’s pilot then] ordered its rudder turned hard to the left and its left anchor dropped in an effort to slow the vessel and stop it swinging to the right, according to the head of a national association for ship pilots.”
The Wall Street Journal reports that investigators will look into whether “dirty fuel” contributed to the crash.
Who are the victims?: The six men are from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, reports The Baltimore Banner. The men also reportedly had spouses and children.
Biden vowed to pay for the repairs: President Biden held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, where he called on the federal government to pay to rebuild the city’s artery. State officials told the Washington Post that more than 30,000 vehicles use that bridge daily.
Oh my gosh: A bystander near the bridge captured video of the collapse 📹 Watch
➤ HELPFUL READS:
Here’s a New York Times explainer of “what we know about the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.”
Cody Boteler posted a list of the stories The Baltimore Banner wrote in the aftermath of the collapse. Including: The effects on commuters, seafarers and questions about the engineering.
‘How did container ship strike bring down Baltimore’s Key Bridge?’: WTOP News spoke with an expert to explain.
⚖️ Trump's Legal Troubles
Tax Day is sharing a date with Trump’s first criminal trial:
Former President Trump’s first criminal trial, the New York hush money case, is scheduled to begin on April 15.
Keep in mind about timing: Trump has had a relatively light campaign schedule since becoming the presumptive GOP presidential nominee — and the polls are tightening for the general election. This trial, which could last for weeks, will keep him off the campaign trail for the most part.
The Hill’s Brett Samuels pointed out that Trump will likely hold weekend rallies in battleground states — and will use the trial itself as a backdrop for his argument that he is being targeted in a political “witch hunt.”
An interesting comparison — campaign stops: “While Trump has only traveled to Ohio in recent weeks for a rally ahead of the state’s competitive Senate primary, Biden has visited every major battleground state in the month of March.”
Another interesting comparison — cash: “Trump is also at a major cash disadvantage compared to the Biden campaign. Trump’s operation brought in roughly $20 million in February, while the Biden campaign raised about $53 million. Biden’s campaign also boasts a major advantage in cash on hand, while Trump continues to put huge sums toward paying his legal costs.”
The big question: If Trump is convicted, would it solidify his support in an angry Republican base — or hurt him in the election? Read Samuels’s reporting
➤ TRUMP BARRED FROM PUBLICLY ATTACKING WITNESSES, JURORS, ETC.:
The judge overseeing the hush money trial imposed a gag order against former President Trump, which will prevent him from publicly slamming witnesses, prosecutors, jurors and others involved in the case.
📺 Talk of the Media World
Easy come, easy go:
NBC News dropped former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Ronna McDaniel as a paid contributor on Tuesday after network staff vocally criticized her hiring.
Why was NBC staff critical of McDaniel?: Staff and high-profile on-air talent slammed McDaniel’s role in former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 election, arguing the network is giving a platform to election deniers.
NBCU News Group Chair Cesar Conde wrote in a memo to staff: “No organization, particularly a newsroom, can succeed unless it is cohesive and aligned. Over the last few days, it has become clear that this appointment undermines that goal.”
Trump unsurprisingly mocked McDaniel: “Wow! Ronna McDaniel got fired by Fake News NBC. She only lasted two days, and this after McDaniel went out of her way to say what they wanted to hear,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “It leaves her in a very strange place, it’s called NEVER NEVERLAND, and it’s not a place you want to be.”
➤ INTERESTING OP-ED:
Jeff Greenfield weighed in on the “Ronna McDaniel debacle.” Greenfield posted: “As a one-time political op turned journalist, I have some thoughts on the Ronna McDaniel story.”
Read the Politico op-ed
🗳 On The Campaign Trail
Biden’s new strategy — poke the bear:
The Hill’s Alex Gangitano reports that President Biden’s campaign has become more aggressive in mocking former President Trump’s lower fundraising numbers.
Last week: Biden referred to Trump as a “defeated man” with crushing debt.
And by Monday: Biden’s campaign took a rare shot at Trump’s day in court.
^ From Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer: “Donald Trump is weak and desperate — both as a man and a candidate for President. He spent the weekend golfing, the morning comparing himself to Jesus, and the afternoon lying about having money he definitely doesn’t have.”
Gangitano’s report is worth reading: ‘Biden campaign tests waters on Trump’s financial woes’
➤ ANOTHER STRATEGY BIDEN IS TESTING OUT:
President Biden has begun to remind Americans of the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports Politico’s Adam Cancryn.
Why?: To try to break the Trump-era nostalgia.
Kennahan? Shaneddy? I’ll keep workshopping ideas:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has chosen tech attorney and entrepreneur Nicole Shanahan as his running mate for his 2024 independent presidential bid.
What to know about Shanahan: She is a wealthy, 38-year-old Silicon Valley lawyer. She was married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin and has helped finance Kennedy’s campaign.
💻 Watch RFK Jr’s announcement
The tea in New Jersey
The Hill’s Al Weaver reports that “Rep. Andy Kim’s (D-N.J.) insurgent Senate bid has overcome the New Jersey Democratic machine, likely cementing him as the state’s next senator after a whirlwind week saw the path to the seat cleared.”
It was a wild week: “Kim seized control of the Democratic primary in recent days, buoyed by a groundswell of support that led to New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy’s decision to exit the race over the weekend, ahead of Monday’s filing deadline. Days before, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) also dropped his bid for the Democratic nomination and instead said he will consider a run as an independent if he is cleared of charges accusing him of accepting bribes and acting as a foreign agent.”
Read more: ‘Andy Kim deals blow to New Jersey Democratic machine’
Another lawmaker is calling it quits:
WMUR’s Adam Sexton reports that six-term incumbent Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) will not run for reelection.
Keep in mind: This creates an open House race in New Hampshire.
🐝 Internet Buzz
🦐 Celebrate: Today is National Paella Day!
🍩 The biggest news of the day: Krispy Kreme doughnuts will be sold at McDonald’s by 2026(!) Which flavors?: Glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles and cream-filled. Read the announcement
🚪The famous Titanic prop door was sold at auction: Remember the door that Rose held onto in James Cameron’s “Titanic?” The one that caused countless debates over whether Jack could have survived? Well, it just sold at auction for $718,750. (Time)
🗓 On The Agenda
The House and Senate are out. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington, D.C. It’s a quiet recess day in Washington. (all times Eastern)
👋 And Finally…
Because you made it this far, watch these monkeys hang out.
Stay Engaged
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View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time!
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