Trump’s “Mini-Me”
Democrats are ratcheting up their efforts of painting Gov. Ron DeSantis as an “incompetent” leader who can’t do anything for Floridians without the blessing of President Donald Trump, who he is mirroring in regards his response to the COVID-19 virus response. DeSantis is being called Trump’s “Mini-Me” READ MORE
She’s “sick and tired” of all the “Mini-me” antics and “political games.”
Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D) is a bit fed up with how her political party and Republicans are politicizing the spread of the pandemic. READ MORE
The Silence of the Dems
Remember how vocal congressional Democrats were when President Trump and Judge Kavanaugh were accused of sexual assault? Democrats wanted heads mounted on spikes, but now that vice president Joe “Fast Fingers” Biden is accused of sexual assault, crickets. Rick Scott chimes in. MUST-READ MORE
Florida’s Trail…
The Florida GOP is eating their Democratic rival’s lunch, dinner, and midnight snack when it comes to grassroots outreach during the pandemic. READ MORE
NRCC--Several of Florida’s congressional candidates continue to excel in their efforts to reach the U.S. Congress. Charlie Crist beware. You have two women knocking at your door. READ MORE
Speaking of lunch, has Governor DeSantis ever told us if he prefers Chick-Fil-A's or Popeye’s?
Word on the street is that he like both, but Chick-Fil-A could have the advantage. Just this past weekend, DeSantis is said to have gotten his chicken sandwich “fil.”
Here is a snapshot of the most up-to-date numbers from the Florida Dept. of Health:
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“House Democrats silent over sexual assault claim against Biden” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – It appears as if a double-standard exists with congressional House Democrats when it comes to calling out individuals accused of sexual harassment or sexual assault, especially if the individual in question is running for president in 2020. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who along with several other members of Florida’s Democratic Congressional delegation endorsed Joe Biden, has been tight-lipped about the allegation since it surfaced last week. When asked for comment about the allegation made against Biden, even as the claim has been corroborated by several friends and family members of the accuser, Tara Reade, members of Congress have remained silent. “He greeted me, he remembered my name, and then we were alone. It was the strangest thing…There was no like, exchange really. He just had me up against the wall.” The Floridian reached out to several of these Florida Democrats for a response to the allegation made against vice president Biden.
“Trump Victory crushing Florida Democrats with 3.3 million grassroots calls made” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – With Floridians adhering to the stay-at-home order Gov. Ron DeSantis put in place to help prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, political campaigns have had to change up their grassroots strategies in order to stay competitive in their respective contests. Florida will once again play a pivotal role in electing a new president or re-elect President Donald Trump. The stakes are high and both state Republicans and Democrats are preparing for another epic statewide cage match similar to what we saw between then-candidates Trump and Clinton. So who is winning Florida so far? According to the latest Real Clear Politics average of polls in Florida, vice president Joe Biden leads President Trump by 3.3 percentage points. The latest Fox News poll has Biden up by 3 percentage points, but the poll’s margin of error is 3%, so the two men are in a virtual tie. We are still months away from election day, but in looking at all the polls and what is coming out of the state parties, the advantage in November could be given to Trump because of the herculean grassroots effort being implemented by Trump Victory in Florida.
“Democrats call DeSantis “Trump’s Mini-Me” and “incompetent” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Florida Democrats are on offense these days, having weaponized the COVID-19 pandemic for political gain by questioning the leadership and capabilities of both President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). It’s fair game. During a video press conference with reporters Monday morning, Florida Democratic Party Chair Terrie Rizzo, Rep, Fentice Driskell, Dr. Bernard Ashby, Dr. Kayser Enneking, and Reps. Darren Soto and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell took Trump and DeSantis to task over what they call a “continuously chaotic approach” to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. As usual, the political gloves when it came down to referencing about Trump, his allies, and their leadership skills. Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo fired the first salvo at DeSantis, referring to him as President Trump’s “Mini-Me.”
“Trump Hit Pause on Monday’s Coronavirus Task Force Press Briefing” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – The White House has canceled Monday night Coronavirus Task Force daily press briefing scheduled for Monday evening, the third straight day in a row since the pandemic began. A daily guidance sent to members of the press was sent out Sunday evening, showing that a press briefing with members of the Coronavirus Task Force members listed for an on-camera for 5pm Eastern Monday evening. That plans were scrapped shortly after White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told Fox News would now being doing a Q&A with a small pool of reporters before a meeting with with industry executives scheduled for 4pm ET. “We’re looking at different ways to showcase this president leading,” McEnany said on Fox News America “Newsroom” Monday morning. “The briefing is a key component of that. We will have briefings this week. But again, the media needs to not read into what’s happening and look at this as an opportunity for the president to speak to the American people.”
“Anna Paulina Luna makes NRCC’s coveted “On The Radar” List” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Several of Florida’s Republican congressional candidates led by Air Force Veteran Anna Paulina Luna have elevated their respective campaigns to a status very few candidates achieve every election cycle: On The Radar. Luna, Casey Askar, and Rep. Byron Donalds (R) were just added to the National Republican Congressional Committee list of “On The Radar” candidates for its Young Guns Program. All three candidates have raised over $300K and could soon be elevated to “Contender” status. Both Anna Paulina Luna and Byron Donalds are in contested primary races, with Luna looking to take on Rep. Charlie Crist (D) in the general election, and Donalds vying to win Rep. Francis Rooney’s soon-to-be-vacated seat, but must first defeat Askar who just dropped $3 million into the race. Luna must also first get past Amanda Makki, who is already enjoying “Contender” status. Other Floridians who are now on the “Contender” list are Dr. Leo Valentin, Dr. William Figlesthaler, and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
“Stephanie Murphy “Sick and Tired of the Political Games” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D) shared a video on Twitter with her followers taken in Washington right before voting on the Coronavirus bill that would help small businesses and “fund more COVID-19 testing for Central Florida.” Since the spread of the coronavirus, Florida lawmakers have rushed to assure that Floridians, small businesses, and the economy are not gravely hit as the virus continues to claim lives and the psychological health of Floridians across the state. Saying that “this is just one more step in what must be a strong and decisive response to this pandemic,” the Florida lawmaker was visibly moved as she added that Republicans and Democrats are not exactly making things easier for Floridians as they are only adding to the frustration that citizens are already experiencing. In the video, she expressed her frustration for the gridlock that politicians have taken an active role in, adding that she is “sick and tired of the political games.” Rep. Murphy further explained that “Congress should always put people over politics especially during a national crisis.”
“Bipartisan effort underway to reevaluate trade with China” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – Florida lawmakers are targeting China in a new letter directed to Secretary Sonny Perdue, the Secretary of Agriculture. China has faced heavy scrutiny since the spread of the coronavirus, and lawmakers have not only slammed the threat that China faces on a technological level, but they have also pointed out that the chinese did not accurately report coronavirus cases since the COVID-19 outbreak. Now, after the spread of the virus has turned into a pandemic that has stricken the world, a bipartisan effort is asking the USDA to reconsider its working relationship with China regarding the importation of fruits and vegetables. Florida Rep. Darren Soto (D) shared the letter on Twitter for his followers to read, adding that the letter is an effort “to protect our Fla citrus, fruits and vegetables, and food supply by opposing USDA’s new decision to import from China, Mexico, etc.” Furthermore, Soto informed his followers that “Citrus greening came from China and has devastated Fla’s groves,” asserting that Florida lawmakers “stand with Fla’s farmers!”
“Pelosi endorses Biden amid sexual assault allegation” by The Floridian’s Javier Manjarres – Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D) has just given her blessing to Joe Biden, endorsing the former vice president for president amid a sexual assault allegation made against him by a former aide last week. The video endorsement appears to be strategic, as more and more Americans begin to find out about the allegation made against him. “I’m proud to endorse Joe Biden for president of the United States because he will be an extraordinary president,” Pelosi said in the video. “He knows how to get the job done.” Pelosi went on to mention Biden’s work to help craft and implement the Affordable Care Act, and how he has partnered up with Congress to help protect the healthcare plan. Pelosi also added that throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Biden has been the “voice of reason and resilience” to lead the country out of the pandemic or crisis. In addition, the speaker said that President Barack Obama had a ‘deep respect’ for Biden even as the former president refrained from endorsing his friend and vice president throughout the Democratic primary election. Obama endorsed Biden only after Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race.
“Eight weeks later DeSantis returns to a changed Tampa Bay, stunted by COVID-19” by Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Contorno and Justine Griffin – The Tampa that Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Monday was unrecognizable from the city he last saw March 2 — the day he confirmed that the new coronavirus had reached Hillsborough County and the Sunshine State. A normally bustling downtown was quiet and the treacherous traffic had subsided. Metal guard rails were affixed outside Curtis Hixon Park. The parking lots outside Raymond James Stadium, once awaiting another season of tailgaters, now drew motorists in line for an uncomfortable swab test. It was here that DeSantis first sought to assure Florida residents that his administration has what it takes to control this fast-spreading and unknown virus. He did so at the Florida Department of Health laboratory in a room packed with reporters, with local leaders and health care professionals standing shoulder-to-shoulder around him. A mask or glove was nowhere to be found then. Exactly eight weeks later, he returned to declare there was a "light at the end of the tunnel.” This time, reporters were screened for symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
“More than 500 residents of South Florida senior-care homes have coronavirus, new state data shows” by Sun Sentinel’s Skyler Swisher and Mario Ariza – South Florida nursing homes and assisted-living facilities are reporting more than 500 residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to new state data released Monday. The updated state report shows several long-term care facilities across Florida are reporting dozens of cases of the virus. The information released Monday doesn’t give a complete picture of how the disease is affecting senior-care homes. It doesn’t break down which facilities have recorded deaths. It also doesn’t detail how much testing each facility has done, which could lead to a larger number of positive cases. In South Florida, North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has the highest count of residents who have tested positive for the virus and the second highest in the state. Forty-five residents at the 245-bed nursing home tested positive. Another eight residents who tested positive were transferred out of the facility. Three workers also tested positive. A message left with the administrator was not returned on Monday.
“Florida senator says "arbitrary" rules could explain 200k+ denied state unemployment claims” by Fox 35 Orlando’s Sydney Cameron – Thousands of Floridians are being told they are ineligible for state unemployment benefits, leaving many frustrated and confused. Jeff Farrell said he was furloughed from the hospitality industry in late March because of COVID-19 business shutdowns. He applied for unemployment benefits through Florida’s CONNECT system but recently found out he did not qualify for the $275 weekly benefits. He said the system did not state a reason why and he could not get in contact with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to find out why he was denied. “You call, you get the recording, it disconnects,” he said.” The system told Farrell he could reapply or appeal the decision. On Monday night, the DEO website showed more than 200,000 processed claims, or 40 percent, were ineligible for benefits. State Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez (District-37) said he thinks people are being denied because of rules regarding wage history and the wage base period. He said, “Likely a lot of people are being disqualified by the arbitrary rules that calculate how much work you did.”
“North Central Florida Hospitals to participate in coronavirus study” by WCJB’s Walker Thomas – Hospitals in North Central Florida will be participating in a study on a possible treatment for COVID-19. HCA Health Care announced hospitals in North Florida and the panhandle will be part of a national study researching the benefits of plasma taken from recovered coronavirus patients. North Florida Regional Medical, Lake Cty Medical, and Putnam Community Medical centers will be part of the study. People who have recovered from COVID-19 can help by donating plasma.
“Florida releases more data on assisted living facility coronavirus infections” by WOKV’s Rich Jones – The Florida Department of Health is now reporting the number of coronavirus cases in assisted care facilities. The data includes COVID-19 positive cases among residents and staff. It also displays the number of positive resident cases that have ‘transferred out’. The dashboard does not provide additional details about the date of infection, deaths or hospitalization. A snapshot of the date shows Governors Creek Health and Rehabilitation and Heartland Health Care Center in Clay County as having the most infected residents and staff. In Duval County, Camellia at Deerwood has the largest number of confirmed infections.
“Report details economic impact of school closures in Florida” by News Service of Florida – Florida’s economy could take an estimated $859 million hit as a result of school campuses being closed for six weeks during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report released Monday by the Florida Council of 100 business group. Gov. Ron DeSantis last week said all students should continue distance learning for the rest of the academic year to halt the spread of the highly contagious virus. Children have been learning from home for about six weeks. A 12-week school closure could cost the state’s economy about $1.7 billion, according to the Council of 100 report. A survey commissioned by the organization found that 41 percent of employed parents with minor children said Florida’s school closures or a lack of child care have “somewhat” hurt their ability to fully perform their jobs during the pandemic, while 23 percent of working parents said they had been “greatly” impacted. “Mothers express greater levels of difficulty performing job responsibilities while juggling child care: 71 percent say that this has either somewhat (41 percent) or greatly (23 percent) hurt their job performance, compared with 44 percent of employed fathers who say so,” the report said.
“More than 200,000 Floridians deemed ineligible for unemployment this weekend, many of them jobless due to coronavirus” by Orlando Sentinel’s Chabeli Carrazana – Across Florida, thousands of newly jobless workers woke up Monday morning to check the status of their unemployment applications after the state’s struggling website was down for three days in order to catch up on processing payments. What they found: Florida did send out more payments, but in the process it marked a wave of Floridians as “ineligible” for benefits with no explanation, thrusting families across the peninsula into complete uncertainty. More than 40% of all processed applicants were told they were ineligible for unemployment as of Sunday, the most recent figure the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has put out. That’s an additional 203,699 claimants whose applications were added to the ranks of the unemployment ineligible in just three days, since Thursday, before the CONNECT website that processes the applications went down over the weekend. That number is the largest jump yet in ineligible applications, and it follows a big jump in application processing, too.
“Florida businesses sue Small Business Administration over delayed loans” by Orlando Sentinel’s Caroline Glenn – In a federal lawsuit filed in Orlando against the U.S. Small Business Administration, a group of Florida businesses alleges that the SBA, in charge of administering the federal government’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan, is not running the program as lawmakers intended. The more than 50 businesses represented in the suit, all clients of the Melbourne Widerman Malek law firm and mostly based in Florida, are among the countless who have applied to the program that’s usually reserved to help small businesses weather hurricanes, floods and earthquakes but was looked to as a remaining lifeline for small-business owners forced to scale back or close during the coronavirus outbreak. The program was initially advertised as being able to provide loans up to $2 million and more coveted, $10,000 advances that didn’t need to be paid back and would be quickly disbursed in just three days. Several small businesses saw the EIDL program as a more accessible alternative to the federal Paycheck Protection Program, but facing unprecedented demand, the SBA has recently attempted to scale back the program, limiting initial loan amounts to only $15,000 and advances to just $1,000 per employee.
“'The food supply chain is breaking,' Tyson says as plants close” by CNN Business’ Rob McLean – Tyson Foods (TSN) is warning that "millions of pounds of meat" will disappear from the supply chain as the coronavirus pandemic pushes food processing plants to close, leading to product shortages in grocery stores across the country. "The food supply chain is breaking," wrote board chairman John Tyson in a full-page advertisement published Sunday in The New York Times, Washington Post and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. US farmers don't have anywhere to sell their livestock, he said, adding that "millions of animals — chickens, pigs and cattle — will be depopulated because of the closure of our processing facilities." "There will be limited supply of our products available in grocery stores until we are able to reopen our facilities that are currently closed," Tyson wrote. Tyson Foods, which employs roughly 100,000 workers, closed its pork plants in Waterloo, Iowa, and Logansport, Indiana, last week so that workers in those facilities could be tested for the virus.
“Potential Biden running mates not asked about sex assault allegation” by Fox News’ Brian Flood – Two prominent, female Democratic vice-presidential front-runners appeared on three national political shows Sunday morning and neither were asked about explosive allegations against their potential running mate Joe Biden. A now-infamous clip from a 1993 episode of CNN’s "Larry King Live" resurfaced on Friday, appearing to include the mother of Tara Reade -- who has accused Biden of past sexual assault while in the Senate -- alluding to “problems” her daughter faced while working as a staffer for the then-U.S. senator from Delaware. Reade later confirmed to Fox News that it was her mother on the call, and the allegations against Biden reclaimed the spotlight. However, CNN’s Jake Tapper interviewed former candidate for governor in Georgia Stacey Abrams about her ambitions to Biden’s running mate on “State of the Union” and failed to ask about the allegations. NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd also gave Abrams a pass during an interview on Sunday. “Joe Biden is going to be the president of the United States,” Abrams told Todd while the Peacock Network host ignored the allegation.
“U.S. Debates How Quickly It Can Reopen” by WSJ’s Jennifer Calfas, Talal Ansari and Natasha Khan – Some U.S. states took tentative steps toward reopening from lockdowns spurred by the new coronavirus, as officials debated how quickly to remove restrictions amid uncertainty about when the worst of the pandemic would subside. Salons, retailers and other businesses in several U.S. states started to reopen over the weekend, as governors began easing restrictions in some sectors in an effort to begin to repair the battered economy. Around the world, too, officials began moves to ease restrictions. Hard-hit Italy announced a timetable for reopening beginning next month, while Spain allowed children to leave their homes after six weeks under one of the strictest lockdowns in the world. The moves in the U.S. come as the rate of growth in infections in some parts of the country appeared to slow, according to some health and state officials. Still, the number of confirmed infections neared 1 million in the U.S., according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Public-health officials warned social-distancing measures would likely continue through the summer and a return to normalcy could prove fitful.
“Investors bet on testing, treatments for restart of U.S. economy” by Reuters’ Sinéad Carew – Investors are pinning their hopes for the reopening of the U.S. economy on the potential for wider availability of testing for COVID-19 cases and on drug trials for treatments of the deadly disease but said, until there is concrete progress in these areas, further stock market gains may be limited. Much of the S&P 500's .SPX almost 27% advance above its March 23 low has been due to hopes that massive U.S. fiscal and monetary support would dampen the economic blow from stay-at-home orders designed to contain the coronavirus pandemic. But recently, the index has reacted to reports about trials and in particular Gilead Science’s (GILD.O) remdesivir experimental treatment for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus. Remdesivir, which previously failed as a treatment for Ebola, is designed to keep a virus from replicating and overwhelming a patient’s immune system. This volatility highlights investor impatience for indications of when state and Federal authorities might start to ease stay-at-home orders and get people back to work.
“New York hospitals are studying a common heartburn drug as treatment for Covid-19” by CNN’s Elizabeth Cohen – Hospitals in New York are giving Covid-19 patients heartburn medicine to see if it helps fight the virus, according to the doctor who initiated the trial. Preliminary results of the clinical trial of famotidine, the active ingredient in Pepcid, could come out in the next few weeks, said Dr. Kevin Tracey, president of Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, which runs 23 hospitals in the New York City area. So far, 187 patients have enrolled in the clinical trial, and Northwell eventually hopes to enroll 1,200, he said. "There are many examples in the history of medicine where a drug that was designed for one purpose turns out to have an effect in another disease," Tracey said. He said if famotidine works -- and that's a big if at this point -- it would be easy to use it on a widespread scale. "It's generic, it's plentiful and it's inexpensive," he said. But he emphasized that it might not work. "We don't know if it has any benefit. We really don't. I swear we don't," he said. "People are hoping for anything. But we need to do this clinical trial." He also emphasized that the patients in the study are in the hospital taking mega-doses intravenously -- doses about nine times what someone would normally take for heartburn.
“Pompeo preparing argument that US still 'participant' in Iran nuclear deal, in effort to restore UN sanctions” by Fox News’ Frank Miles, Rich Edson – A U.S. official confirmed to Fox News on Sunday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is preparing a legal argument claiming the country is still a participant in the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. This plan would give the U.S. standing at the United Nations Security Council to push to extend the arms embargo on Iran expiring in October, and restore sanctions for Iran’s violations of the deal. The State Department has been considering this strategy to restore U.N. sanctions on Iran that were in place for months before the deal came into effect. The New York Times reported the argument “would, in essence, claim it legally remains a ‘participant state’” in the Iran nuclear deal. Pompeo told the paper: “We cannot allow the Islamic Republic of Iran to purchase conventional weapons in six months. President Obama should never have agreed to end the U.N. arms embargo.” He added, “We are prepared to exercise all of our diplomatic options to ensure the arms embargo stays in place at the U.N. Security Council.”
“Trump Tamps Down Azar Departure Speculation” by WSJ’s Stephanie Armour and Rebecca Ballhaus – President Trump told Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in a call on Sunday that he wants to keep him in his post, after learning of discussions under way in the White House about replacing the secretary, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Wall Street Journal and other outlets reported on Saturday that administration officials were discussing replacing Mr. Azar following criticism of his management of the early response to the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Trump was frustrated by the reports and wanted to push back, another person familiar with the matter said. The president tweeted on Sunday that the reports were “fake news” and that the secretary was doing an “excellent job.” Mr. Azar issued his own tweet calling reports of his potential ouster “#FakeNews.” Administration officials said the White House is hesitant to shake up the leadership of HHS during a pandemic, though they acknowledged that frustration with the secretary has been growing in recent weeks. Internal conversations about a possible replacement for Mr. Azar had taken on a far more serious tone in recent days, the officials said.
“Last remaining patient from the El Paso Walmart mass shooting dies” by CNN’s Nicole Chavez and Chuck Johnston – A youth soccer coach who had been hospitalized since last year's mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, has died. Guillermo "Memo" Garcia died Saturday evening at the Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, the hospital and Miriah Soliz, an attorney representing the family in a civil lawsuit against the retailer, told CNN. He was the last remaining patient at the hospital from the August 3 shooting, the hospital said. "After a nearly nine-month fight, our hearts are heavy as we report Guillermo "Memo" Garcia, our last remaining patient being treated from the El Paso shooting, has passed away," David Shimp, the hospital's chief executive officer, said in a statement. "His courage, his strength and his story have touched many lives, including those of our caregivers, who tirelessly fought with him and for him every step of the way. We are grieving with his family and with our community." Garcia is now the 23rd victim of the August mass shooting. He was outside the store with his wife Jessica and their two children, fundraising for the El Paso Fusion Soccer Club -- his daughter's soccer team that he helped coach -- when a gunman opened fire, killing 22 people and injuring dozens more.
“USNS Comfort's last patients discharged, ship to leave NY by end of month, Navy announces” by Fox News’ Bradford Betz – The USNS Comfort, a hospital ship brought to New York City to assist in the response to the coronavirus pandemic, has discharged its last patients and will return to Virginia by the end of the month, the Navy announced Sunday. The 1,000-bed hospital ship, which has been docked at a Manhattan pier since March 30, originally was deployed to care for patients without coronavirus but wound up switching gears and started accepting them as the city's hospitals became overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. As of Saturday, the ship had treated just 182 patients. There was just one patient left on the ship late Saturday evening. "We are proud and humbled to have assisted New York and New Jersey in this capacity," Lt. Lt Marycate Walsh, a Navy spokeswoman, said. The Comfort’s sister ship, the Mercy, was deployed to Los Angeles the same day to support efforts to combat the virus. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Eric Garcetti have yet to approve its withdrawal. The Comfort is expected to leave for its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, where it will restock and be readied for another possible assignment, Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said. He did not provide a date for the ship's departure.
“As Kim Jong Un Disappears, North Korea Watchers Advise Caution” by WSJ’s Andrew Jeong – One question swirled among North Korea watchers this weekend—where is Kim Jong Un?—as the dictator’s unexplained absence stretched past two weeks and Twitter lighted up with speculation about his incapacitation or death. As of late Sunday, there was little information about the third-generation leader’s health. The guessing game began when Mr. Kim missed the country’s most important holiday on April 15, then ratcheted higher after a South Korean publication reported he had had heart surgery. On Saturday, a Japanese magazine took it a step further, writing that he had been left in a vegetative state after the procedure was botched. The rumors illustrate North Korea’s outsize dependence on a single person for its political stability. The answer to the question of his health holds significant implications for the future of high-stakes nuclear negotiations with the U.S. and the stability of a country on China’s border. “These persistent rumors suggest that there are concerns that his health could impact his ability to lead the country,” said Jean Lee, a public-policy fellow at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center. “And those concerns are always worth paying attention to with a country like North Korea where the system has been built around the rule of one family.”
President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump -Because Shifty (Schiff) is a crooked politician!
Rep. Donna E. Shalala @RepShalala -The Trump Administration is expected to announce a new rule that would allow doctors to turn away #LGBTQ people in the middle of a pandemic.
As a member of the @LGBTEqCaucus. I am working to ensure that everyone means everyone.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz @DWStweets -Our state's stingy unemployment system was embarrassing even before coronavirus, but now it's an outright disaster. DeSantis has the authority and resources to keep Floridians above water, he's just refusing to do it.
Rep. Lois Frankel @RepLoisFrankel -As a former Mayor, I know how vital #LocalGov is to our communities—we cannot let them go bankrupt!
I'm proud to support this bill to get state and local governments the funds they need to get through the #coronavirus pandemic.
Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz -I wish my Democrat colleagues would spend half as much time working with President @realDonaldTrump as they spent trying to remove him from office.
Byron Donalds @ByronDonalds -President @RealDonaldTrump and @teamtrump are doing a tremendous job connecting with black voters and delivering on economic policy, school choice, and life issues––things that line up with our core at home. @GOP will win big!
Shevrin Jones @ShevrinJones -Stop looking for approval from people who will never understand the weight of your assignment. #GM #happyTUESDAY #youdontneedtheirvalidation
FL Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS -The @USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program purchases products from farmers struggling with #COVID19 while helping families in need.
FL Division of Emergency Management @FLSERT -The Division has been working around the clock to get critical PPE to Florida’s first responders and health care workers. Supplies to date include more than 14.5 million masks, more than 9 million gloves and more than 1.2 million face shields
