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Former ‘Apprentice’ Contestant Sues Trump for Defamation Former ‘Apprentice’ Contestant Sues Trump for Defamation
(35 minutes later)
■ With the filing of her civil sexual harassment suit, will Summer Zervos be Donald J. Trump’s Paula Jones?■ With the filing of her civil sexual harassment suit, will Summer Zervos be Donald J. Trump’s Paula Jones?
■ President-elect Trump assailed polling that puts his popularity at historic lows for an incoming president, and went after Representative John Lewis — again.■ President-elect Trump assailed polling that puts his popularity at historic lows for an incoming president, and went after Representative John Lewis — again.
■ Senate Democrats asked Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from investigations into Russian election interference. ■ Senate Democrats asked Senator Jeff Sessions, Mr. Trump’s choice for attorney general, to recuse himself from investigations into Russian election interference.
■ Mr. Trump’s pick for health secretary is in hot water over trades in health care stocks.■ Mr. Trump’s pick for health secretary is in hot water over trades in health care stocks.
It’s all there in the lawsuit: the most outrageous quotes from Mr. Trump’s “Access Hollywood” video with Billy Bush; the grabbing of women’s body parts; the lengthy blow-by-blow accusations of sexually boorish behavior spilling into assault; the Trumpian, blustery denials.It’s all there in the lawsuit: the most outrageous quotes from Mr. Trump’s “Access Hollywood” video with Billy Bush; the grabbing of women’s body parts; the lengthy blow-by-blow accusations of sexually boorish behavior spilling into assault; the Trumpian, blustery denials.
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on Mr. Trump’s reality television show “The Apprentice,” has filed suit against the president-elect, charging him with defamation and demanding compensatory and punitive damages, with Gloria Allred, the celebrity women’s rights lawyer, handling the case.Summer Zervos, a former contestant on Mr. Trump’s reality television show “The Apprentice,” has filed suit against the president-elect, charging him with defamation and demanding compensatory and punitive damages, with Gloria Allred, the celebrity women’s rights lawyer, handling the case.
Mr. Trump, who in the closing weeks of the campaign said he would sue all of the women who came forward to accuse him of harassment or assault, is no stranger to civil suits. But a word of warning to the president-elect: This one could be different.Mr. Trump, who in the closing weeks of the campaign said he would sue all of the women who came forward to accuse him of harassment or assault, is no stranger to civil suits. But a word of warning to the president-elect: This one could be different.
When Paula Jones sued Bill Clinton, powerful conservative backers bankrolled and pressed her case until the sitting president of the United States was deposed under oath — and fatefully denied having sexual relations with that woman, Monica Lewinsky. The result: the first and only impeachment of an elected president.When Paula Jones sued Bill Clinton, powerful conservative backers bankrolled and pressed her case until the sitting president of the United States was deposed under oath — and fatefully denied having sexual relations with that woman, Monica Lewinsky. The result: the first and only impeachment of an elected president.
Ms. Zervos could well have the same kind of political muscle behind her — from the left.Ms. Zervos could well have the same kind of political muscle behind her — from the left.
He held off when last week a Quinnipiac University poll put his approval rating at 37 percent. He kept his digits off the Twitter account when a Gallup poll on Friday put approval of the way he is handling his transition at 44 percent, about half of Barack Obama’s as he neared his swearing-in.He held off when last week a Quinnipiac University poll put his approval rating at 37 percent. He kept his digits off the Twitter account when a Gallup poll on Friday put approval of the way he is handling his transition at 44 percent, about half of Barack Obama’s as he neared his swearing-in.
But on Tuesday, when a Washington Post-ABC News poll had his favorability rating at 40 percent, compared with Mr. Obama’s 79 percent before inauguration and George W. Bush’s 62 percent, the president-elect had enough.But on Tuesday, when a Washington Post-ABC News poll had his favorability rating at 40 percent, compared with Mr. Obama’s 79 percent before inauguration and George W. Bush’s 62 percent, the president-elect had enough.
A CNN-ORC poll Tuesday also put Mr. Trump’s approval rating at 40 percent, “the lowest of any recent president and 44 points below that of President Barack Obama, the 44th president.” A CNN-ORC poll on Tuesday also put Mr. Trump’s approval rating at 40 percent, “the lowest of any recent president and 44 points below that of President Barack Obama, the 44th president.”
No doubt, many people from both sides of the Trumpian divide will sympathize with his antipathy for pre-election polling — although Hillary Clinton’s two-percentage point win in the popular vote was about in line with national polling. The postelection polls are well outside the margin of sampling error in their comparisons to other presidents.No doubt, many people from both sides of the Trumpian divide will sympathize with his antipathy for pre-election polling — although Hillary Clinton’s two-percentage point win in the popular vote was about in line with national polling. The postelection polls are well outside the margin of sampling error in their comparisons to other presidents.
Mr. Trump consoled himself with all the buses and airplanes heading to Washington this week for the inauguration weekend.Mr. Trump consoled himself with all the buses and airplanes heading to Washington this week for the inauguration weekend.
Unmentioned: More than 200,000 of those people are going to protest the 45th president. Bikers for Trump has vowed to defend him.Unmentioned: More than 200,000 of those people are going to protest the 45th president. Bikers for Trump has vowed to defend him.
While on Twitter, the president-elect decided to again go after Mr. Lewis, Democrat of Georgia — even though last week’s Twitter confrontation is still reverberating among African-Americans and beyond.While on Twitter, the president-elect decided to again go after Mr. Lewis, Democrat of Georgia — even though last week’s Twitter confrontation is still reverberating among African-Americans and beyond.
It is, in fact, true that Mr. Lewis, a civil rights icon who had his skull cracked in Selma, Ala., questioned the legitimacy of President Bush, the last president elected despite losing the popular vote.It is, in fact, true that Mr. Lewis, a civil rights icon who had his skull cracked in Selma, Ala., questioned the legitimacy of President Bush, the last president elected despite losing the popular vote.
It is also true that Mr. Lewis is just not someone easily attacked by either political party.It is also true that Mr. Lewis is just not someone easily attacked by either political party.
The top Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have sent Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama a letter with two pointed questions: If confirmed as attorney general, will you commit to not shutting down any F.B.I. or Justice Department investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election? And will you recuse yourself from involvement in those investigations?The top Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have sent Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama a letter with two pointed questions: If confirmed as attorney general, will you commit to not shutting down any F.B.I. or Justice Department investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election? And will you recuse yourself from involvement in those investigations?
Since his appearance before the committee, Democrats have made clear they do not trust that an Attorney General Sessions would be an independent law enforcement officer when it comes to the man he loyally backed for president, who then picked him to be the highest law enforcement official in the land.Since his appearance before the committee, Democrats have made clear they do not trust that an Attorney General Sessions would be an independent law enforcement officer when it comes to the man he loyally backed for president, who then picked him to be the highest law enforcement official in the land.
A student painting that depicted police officers rendered as pigs has been removed from a House office building at the Capitol by the Architect of the Capitol, which originally approved it to hang last year.A student painting that depicted police officers rendered as pigs has been removed from a House office building at the Capitol by the Architect of the Capitol, which originally approved it to hang last year.
The painting, which had won its spot in a student art contest, was an abstract depiction of a conflict between the police and residents of St. Louis.The painting, which had won its spot in a student art contest, was an abstract depiction of a conflict between the police and residents of St. Louis.
The painting had been taken down a few times by Republican lawmakers and left at the office of Representative William Lacy Clay, Democrat of Missouri, who sponsored the piece, before finally appealing to the architect’s office, which oversees the contest, in which student artwork is chosen to hang in a well-traveled hall between the Cannon House Office Building and the Capitol. The architect wrote a letter on Tuesday suggesting that the painting broke contest rules by being too political.The painting had been taken down a few times by Republican lawmakers and left at the office of Representative William Lacy Clay, Democrat of Missouri, who sponsored the piece, before finally appealing to the architect’s office, which oversees the contest, in which student artwork is chosen to hang in a well-traveled hall between the Cannon House Office Building and the Capitol. The architect wrote a letter on Tuesday suggesting that the painting broke contest rules by being too political.
“By his unprecedented and unconstitutional action, following criticism of the artwork by Speaker Ryan and several G.O.P. Members, the Architect of the Capitol acted to suppress the free speech rights of my constituent,” Mr. Clay said, adding that he plans to seek reversal of the architect’s determination.“By his unprecedented and unconstitutional action, following criticism of the artwork by Speaker Ryan and several G.O.P. Members, the Architect of the Capitol acted to suppress the free speech rights of my constituent,” Mr. Clay said, adding that he plans to seek reversal of the architect’s determination.
The architect’s office, as is their wont, did not return emails requesting comment.The architect’s office, as is their wont, did not return emails requesting comment.
When the president-elect was named Time’s person of the year, the cover photo was endlessly analyzed. Some saw echoes of Time’s cover when Adolf Hitler won the honor.When the president-elect was named Time’s person of the year, the cover photo was endlessly analyzed. Some saw echoes of Time’s cover when Adolf Hitler won the honor.
In the new Golf Digest, the Trumps have a magazine cover that rises above the kibitzing.In the new Golf Digest, the Trumps have a magazine cover that rises above the kibitzing.
Only question: Is it better than the same magazine’s cover with President Obama — and Tiger Woods playing caddy?Only question: Is it better than the same magazine’s cover with President Obama — and Tiger Woods playing caddy?
First came The Wall Street Journal, which reported just before Christmas that Representative Tom Price of Georgia, the president-elect’s pick for secretary of health and human services, had traded more than $300,000 in health care stocks over four years while advocating or sponsoring legislation that could have increased their value.First came The Wall Street Journal, which reported just before Christmas that Representative Tom Price of Georgia, the president-elect’s pick for secretary of health and human services, had traded more than $300,000 in health care stocks over four years while advocating or sponsoring legislation that could have increased their value.
Then The New York Times followed with word that Mr. Price, Representative Chris Collins of New York, and a handful of other insiders had been offered a sweetheart deal on stocks for a tiny Australian company that then quintupled in value. Then The New York Times followed with word that Mr. Price; Representative Chris Collins, Republican of New York; and a handful of other insiders had been offered a sweetheart deal on stocks for a tiny Australian company that then quintupled in value.
On Monday, CNN weighed in with a story that revealed that Mr. Price had purchased shares in a medical device company just a week before introducing legislation to delay regulations that could significantly harm the firm.On Monday, CNN weighed in with a story that revealed that Mr. Price had purchased shares in a medical device company just a week before introducing legislation to delay regulations that could significantly harm the firm.
Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, called for an investigation. “This new report makes clear that this isn’t just a couple of questionable trades, but rather a clear and troubling pattern of Congressman Price trading stock and using his office to benefit the companies in which he is investing,” he said.Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, called for an investigation. “This new report makes clear that this isn’t just a couple of questionable trades, but rather a clear and troubling pattern of Congressman Price trading stock and using his office to benefit the companies in which he is investing,” he said.
There may be no time for that. But Mr. Price’s Senate confirmation hearings this week before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Finance Committee, already set to be contentious, what with Medicare and the Affordable Care Act being hot topics, now promise to be scorching.There may be no time for that. But Mr. Price’s Senate confirmation hearings this week before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Finance Committee, already set to be contentious, what with Medicare and the Affordable Care Act being hot topics, now promise to be scorching.
For much of Tuesday, Democratic members of Congress have been proclaiming on social media that no, they will not be attending Mr. Trump’s inauguration.For much of Tuesday, Democratic members of Congress have been proclaiming on social media that no, they will not be attending Mr. Trump’s inauguration.
And this flurry from the head of the Congressional Black Caucus:And this flurry from the head of the Congressional Black Caucus:
Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez put his boycott proclamation onto Facebook for the broadest possible dissemination. Representative Luis V. Gutiérrez of Illinois put his boycott proclamation on Facebook for the broadest possible dissemination.
The list of lawmakers exceeds 50 and continues to climb.The list of lawmakers exceeds 50 and continues to climb.
It is not unusual for members of Congress to skip the festivities, held outdoors on the steps of the Capitol in January. (This year, the weather forecast is for unseasonably warm temperatures, but rain.) What is unusual is the number proclaiming their truancy. If unity is what he wants, Mr. Trump has his work cut out for him.It is not unusual for members of Congress to skip the festivities, held outdoors on the steps of the Capitol in January. (This year, the weather forecast is for unseasonably warm temperatures, but rain.) What is unusual is the number proclaiming their truancy. If unity is what he wants, Mr. Trump has his work cut out for him.
On Wednesday, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt will appear before the Senate Energy and Public Works Committee for his hearing to be confirmed as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. On Wednesday, the Oklahoma attorney general, Scott Pruitt, will appear before the Senate Energy and Public Works Committee for his hearing to be confirmed as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
It may be one of the most contentious of the confirmation hearings.It may be one of the most contentious of the confirmation hearings.
The New York Times asked readers to supply senators some questions. More than 2,000 responded.The New York Times asked readers to supply senators some questions. More than 2,000 responded.
President-elect Trump — not exactly known for his piety — will be sworn in as the 45th president with not one Bible but two — the one that Abraham Lincoln used at his first inauguration and his own personal Good Book.President-elect Trump — not exactly known for his piety — will be sworn in as the 45th president with not one Bible but two — the one that Abraham Lincoln used at his first inauguration and his own personal Good Book.
Thomas Barrack Jr., who is leading the inaugural committee, said in a statement:Thomas Barrack Jr., who is leading the inaugural committee, said in a statement:
Mr. Trump’s Bible was apparently presented to him by his mother upon his graduation from the Sunday Church Primary School at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, Queens, on Children’s Day, June 12, 1955.Mr. Trump’s Bible was apparently presented to him by his mother upon his graduation from the Sunday Church Primary School at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, Queens, on Children’s Day, June 12, 1955.
The president-elect may not have studied it closely. At a speech to the evangelical Liberty University during the campaign, he famously referred to “Two Corinthians,” a faux pas in Christian circles (he also cursed, twice). It’s Second Corinthians.The president-elect may not have studied it closely. At a speech to the evangelical Liberty University during the campaign, he famously referred to “Two Corinthians,” a faux pas in Christian circles (he also cursed, twice). It’s Second Corinthians.
The late-day confirmation hearing for Betsy DeVos, a billionaire and Mr. Trump’s pick for education secretary, is expected to feature fierce questioning from Democrats over her still-incomplete ethics form.The late-day confirmation hearing for Betsy DeVos, a billionaire and Mr. Trump’s pick for education secretary, is expected to feature fierce questioning from Democrats over her still-incomplete ethics form.
Ms. DeVos, the heiress to an automotive fortune who married into the even more vast fortune of the family that owns Amway, is one of few nominees to go before a Senate panel before completing an ethics questionnaire for the independent Office of Government Ethics addressing her financial holdings. According to prepared remarks, Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, will say:Ms. DeVos, the heiress to an automotive fortune who married into the even more vast fortune of the family that owns Amway, is one of few nominees to go before a Senate panel before completing an ethics questionnaire for the independent Office of Government Ethics addressing her financial holdings. According to prepared remarks, Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, will say:
Mr. Trump had already upended Republican plans to quickly repeal the Affordable Care Act, then replace it several years down the road, by demanding that a new health care law be ready within weeks.Mr. Trump had already upended Republican plans to quickly repeal the Affordable Care Act, then replace it several years down the road, by demanding that a new health care law be ready within weeks.
He made matters worse for Republicans when he told The Washington Post this past weekend that any replacement plan should offer insurance to all Americans, and that Republicans should embrace the long-held Democratic proposal to empower the federal government to negotiate drug prices for Medicare and Medicaid.He made matters worse for Republicans when he told The Washington Post this past weekend that any replacement plan should offer insurance to all Americans, and that Republicans should embrace the long-held Democratic proposal to empower the federal government to negotiate drug prices for Medicare and Medicaid.
Now he is vexing them on taxes. Mr. Trump campaigned hard on a proposal to impose a 35 percent tariff on goods built by American companies abroad, then imported into the United States. Since Republicans are generally opposed to huge tax increases on corporations, congressional leaders had come up with an alternative: “border adjustment,” under which companies would no longer be able to deduct the cost of goods they import from their taxes or exclude the revenue from exports when calculating taxable income. That would encourage companies to buy parts and materials from American suppliers.
“Too complicated,” Mr. Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Friday.“Too complicated,” Mr. Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Friday.
“Anytime I hear border adjustment, I don’t love it,” Mr. Trump said. “Because usually it means we’re going to get adjusted into a bad deal. That’s what happens.”“Anytime I hear border adjustment, I don’t love it,” Mr. Trump said. “Because usually it means we’re going to get adjusted into a bad deal. That’s what happens.”
He’s not making it easy.He’s not making it easy.