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12:30 REPORT
It’s Monday. My social media feeds are inundated with Kate Middleton conspiracy theories. I seriously can’t escape them — and the palace sure didn’t help itself this weekend. I’ll get into it below. Here’s what else is happening today:
- This was a big weekend for pop culture. Scarlett Johansson spoofed Sen. Katie Britt’s (R-Ala.) State of the Union response on “Saturday Night Live.” Plus, the Oscars had a lot of memorable moments this year. (cough *Ryan Gosling in a pink sparkly suit singing “I’m Just Ken”* cough)
- President Biden will unveil his budget wish list today for next year. I say “wish list” because presidents’ budget proposals typically don’t become law.
- The U.S. is having its warmest winter ever recorded, according to new NOAA data.
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.
📺 Talk of the Weekend
We knew this would be good:
Actress Scarlett Johansson impersonated Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) in a “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) spoof of her response of the State of the Union address.
“Tonight I’ll be auditioning for the part of scary mom,” Johansson began. “And I’ll be performing an original monologue called, ‘this country is hell.’”
💻 Watch the SNL cold open — Johansson’s part begins around the 02:20 mark
Tidbit: Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) posted a side-by-side photo comparison of SNL recreating her outfit in the State of the Union skit. “Who wore it better? I think @NBCSNL nailed my outfit!,” Moore posted.
Ken and a naked John Cena tried to steal the show:
The 2024 Oscars happened Sunday night. Here are the highlights you need to know so you can pretend that you watched:
- "Oppenheimer" won seven awards, including best picture.
- Emma Stone won best actress for "Poor Things." Oh, and she had a wardrobe malfunction.
- Actor Ryan Gosling performed “I’m Just Ken.” Notice singer Billie Eilish — who, along with her brother Finneas, won an Oscar for best original song — sitting behind him in the beginning laughing. 💻 Watch
- Actor and former WWE wrestler John Cena presented an award while nearly naked.
- ABC host Jimmy Kimmel hosted the awards. 💻 Watch Kimmel’s opening monologue
🏆 Full list of Oscars winners
💃 Red carpet outfit highlights
➤ TIDBIT:
Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel called out former President Trump after Trump posted a fiery message about Kimmel and the Oscars on his app TruthSocial.
“Isn’t it past your jail time?” Kimmel quipped. 💻 Watch the clip
💳 In the White House
Everyone has a budget:
President Biden unveiled his budget proposal today for the next fiscal year.
What would Biden's budget do?:
- Reduce the federal deficit by about $3 trillion over a 10-year period
- Raise taxes on wealthy Americans and businesses
- Cut taxes for low- and middle-income families
- Lower the costs of child care, prescription drugs, housing and utilities.
But keep in mind: This will likely never become law. Think of Biden’s budget request as his wish list.
More on what’s in the budget, via The Hill’s Brett Samuels
🍪 In Congress
Whoever can sell the most Girl Scout cookies will be the GOP leader:
The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports that the race to replace Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) could be decided by whomever can fundraise the best.
If it’s based on fundraising, who would that favor?: GOP senators say Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) would have an advantage against Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.). Cornyn is from a major fundraising hub and has given out much more money than Thune has.
Read more on the fundraising comparison between Cornyn and Thune and where the race stands.
➤ NINE HOUSE RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE HOUSE MAJORITY:
The races are in California, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Oregon. 📝 The list
JOIN THE HILL IN DC ON MARCH 14:
ACC Basketball Tournament Watch Party | In person @ Clyde's of Gallery Place, 6 p.m. | SIGN UP
Join The Hill, in partnership with CNCT, for the men’s Atlantic Coast Conference quarterfinal basketball watch party to eat, drink, watch, and mingle with fellow sport enthusiasts and DC influencers. Free tickets to be given away for semifinal game 12 and championship game 14, both of which will be played Capitol One Arena in D.C.
RSVP Now 👑 The Royal Family
If you’re trending for conspiracy theories, this is exactly what *NOT* to do:
Kate, Princess of Wales, posted her first official photo this weekend since undergoing abdominal surgery in January. Her extended absence from public had fueled lots of conspiracy theories online.
📸 Here's the photo posted on her official Instagram account
Well, some people noticed discrepancies in the photo when zooming in. Then, The Associated Press (AP) and several other major news agencies retracted the photo, citing concerns that the image was doctored.
For example: AP pointed out that Princess Charlotte’s left hand appears to have been manipulated.
See the photo discrepancies: The New York Times zoomed in to show the details of the photo that were clearly edited.
From AP’s mandatory kill notification for news outlets: “At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image. Please remove it from all platforms, including social, where it may still be visible.”
Then this morning: Kate issued an apology on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C”
➤ RELATED READS:
‘Unpacking the Kate Middleton Conspiracy Theories Amid a Tangle of Royal News’: E! News
‘The Kate Middleton Conspiracy-Theory Swirl’: The New Yorker
‘What happened to Kate Middleton? Her mysterious disappearance, explained as best we can.’: Vox
‘All the conspiracy theories surrounding Kate Middleton's whereabouts post-surgery’: Page Six
🐝 Internet Buzz
🍜 Celebrate: This is National Noodle Month.
👋 Buh-bye to the old record: Axios reports that the U.S. just had its hottest winter ever recorded.
💄 Well, this is cool: The world’s oldest known lipstick was found. Interestingly, the lip product was found in Iran, where makeup is prohibited. (The Washington Post)
🗓 On The Agenda
The House and Senate are in. President Biden is in New Hampshire, and Vice President Harris is in California. (all times Eastern)
- 1:15 p.m.: Biden lands in Manchester, N.H. Trip preview
- 2:30 p.m.: Biden delivers remarks in Goffstown, N.H. 💻 Livestream
- 3:35 p.m.: Biden participates in a campaign event in Manchester.
- 5:30 p.m.: Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff speak at a campaign reception in San Francisco. Harris then speaks at a second campaign reception.
- 5:30 p.m.: The Senate holds a confirmation vote. 🗓️ Today’s agenda
- 6:30 p.m.: First and last House votes for the day. 🗓️ Today’s agenda
- 6:50 p.m.: Biden returns to the White House.
👋 And Finally…
Because you made it this far, watch this service dog reunite with its favorite Disney character.
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