Key Takeaways
- E. Jean Carroll's second defamation trial against Donald Trump began, focusing on damages.
- FBI and Capitol Police are investigating Roger Stone's alleged assassination remarks.
- President Biden called top congressional leaders to discuss Ukraine funding and border security.
- The Biden administration will re-list Yemen's Houthi rebels as global terrorists.
- Donald Trump faced multiple legal appeal denials on January 17, 2024.
Deep Dive
- Donald Trump lost several legal appeals on January 17, 2024, including in the E. Jean Carroll case.
- The Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied his immunity claims and dismissed arguments.
- The D.C. Circuit Court denied a rehearing on his appeal regarding the search warrant of his Twitter account.
- Pete Navarro's request for a new trial was also denied.
- Jury selection began for the second E. Jean Carroll defamation trial against Donald Trump in New York.
- The trial focuses on damages for Trump's 2019 comments after a 2023 verdict found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million.
- Carroll's attorneys are currently seeking $10 million in damages.
- Donald Trump attended the first day, sitting behind Carroll in the courtroom.
- President Biden invited the top four congressional leaders to the White House to discuss national security funding.
- Discussions will include aid for Ukraine and Israel, and border security.
- This meeting occurs as Congress faces a Friday deadline to pass a funding bill.
- Senate negotiators are working on a border security and Ukraine aid package.
- Reporter Simon Shuster discusses his book, 'The Showman,' focusing on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's leadership during the invasion.
- Zelensky's background as a comedian and performer influenced his leadership style.
- Shuster describes Zelensky's 'showmanship' as a 'superpower' enabling him to secure international support.
- Zelensky adopted a wartime leader persona that became indistinguishable from his true self.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky was entangled in Donald Trump's first impeachment.
- He experienced pressure and 'blackmail' from the US president.
- This reportedly led to cynicism regarding international alliances.
- It also fostered a distrust of political figures within Zelensky.
- Zelensky's relationship with top general Valery Zaluzhny developed strategic disagreements, primarily over resource allocation.
- Initially trusting generals, Zelensky later developed his own strategic priorities.
- A key disagreement involved the decision to attack Russian positions in the Kharkov region in late 2022.
- Zelensky overrode Zaluzhny's objections for a Kharkiv victory, recovering significant territory.
- Listener Danny's $40,000 student loans from a 2006 master's in education were fully forgiven due to streamlined Biden administration processes.
- She faced denials despite consistent income-based payments and annual applications since 2017.
- Another listener, Chris, received a $17,000 refund and loan forgiveness after paying over $17,000 on an $8,600 Corinthian college loan that had grown to $24,000.
- Listener Carisa from Oklahoma reported community efforts to aid the growing unhoused population during a cold snap.
- Churches, organizations, and individuals provided direct assistance.
- Aid included hotel rooms, even for pet owners, and food.
- These actions demonstrated a surge of local support.