Group Loses Libel Case

Big oil spent a stunning $445 million throughout the last election cycle to influence Donald Trump and Congress, The Guardian reports.

Playbook: “Trump is due to be beamed by video link into the WEF — the annual summit in Switzerland populated by world leaders, CEOs and other global elite lizards — having overshadowed the whole weeklong event without setting foot outside Washington.” “The moneyed elites will be hoping — praying — to hear at least a few calming words on global security and trade from the newly-installed leader of the free world.

Punchbowl News: “Nearly 20 lawmakers are taking active steps or exploring a bid for governor in their home states, according to interviews with over a dozen sources. Even though Republicans have unified control of Washington, the prospect of leading an entire state — and being a more direct governing partner to President Donald Trump during his second term — can be more appealing than serving in Congress.” “That’s especially true if you’re just one of 435 members of the House.” “There are 10 states where Republican governors are term-limited in 2026, paving the wave for open races.”

Dan Alexander: “I’ve covered Trump’s finances for 8 years and wrote a book about conflicts of interest during his first term. I’ve never seen anything quite like the profiteering that occurred over the last few days.”

“The core of President Donald Trump’s agenda runs through Chuck Grassley, who has been in the chamber longer than his vice president has been alive,” Politico reports. “Trump must count on the 91-year-old Senate Judiciary chair for everything from remaking the immigration system to unraveling the so-called “deep state” to ushering in conservative dominance of the federal courts — and that may turn out to be risky: According to interviews with a dozen lawmakers, lobbyists and other current and former GOP officials, some Republicans are privately questioning whether he’s too old for a job central to the execution of Trump’s agenda.”

New York Times: “Give people news when and where they want it.” “That, says Mark Thompson, CNN’s chief executive, was one of the brilliant insights Ted Turner had when he started the network at the dawn of cable TV. And if CNN doesn’t follow that advice for the digital age, Mr.