Apr 17, 2019

Amy Klobuchar follows Bernie’s lead with Fox News town hall

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) will be the second 2020 Democratic candidate to participate in a town hall with Fox News' Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, AP reports.

Why it matters: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) had 2.5 million viewers tune in for his Fox News town hall earlier this week, becoming the most-watched event of its kind so far this cycle. That success has led at least four other 2020 Dems to consider taking part in an event with the conservative cable network, according to The Daily Beast.

The big picture: Democrats' flirtation with their own Fox News events comes one month after the DNC said it wouldn't allow the network to host one of its official presidential debates, citing a New Yorker article that outlined its close ties to the Trump administration, per the Washington Post.

What they're saying: Asked if the DNC was feeling pressure regarding its stance now that Democratic candidates are taking part in Fox News events, DNC communications director Xochitl Hinojosa told Axios' Alayna Treene:

"While the DNC does not believe that FOX is equipped to be a partner for a 2020 debate because of concerns of fairness at the highest levels within their organization, the DNC believes that we must reach all voters, including their audience. Therefore, candidates should do what they need to do in order to engage these voters directly."

Go deeper: Fox News still trying for Democratic debate in 2020 presidential election primaries

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Rebecca Falconer, Orion Rummler, Rashaan Ayesh
Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

George Floyd updates

Protesters gather north of Lafayette Square near the White House during a demonstration against racism and police brutality, in Washington, D.C. on Saturday evening. Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AFP via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have been rallying in cities across the U.S. and around the world to protest the killing of George Floyd. Huge crowds assembled in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Chicago for full-day events on Saturday.

Why it matters: Twelve days of nationwide protest in the U.S. has built pressure for states to make changes on what kind of force law enforcement can use on civilians and prompted officials to review police conduct. A memorial service was held for Floyd in Raeford, North Carolina, near where he was born. Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all flags to fly at half-staff to honor him until sunset.

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Axios
Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 11:30 p.m. ET: 6,889,889 — Total deaths: 399,642 — Total recoveries — 3,085,326 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 11:30 p.m. ET: 1,920,061 — Total deaths: 109,802 — Total recoveries: 500,849 — Total tested: 19,778,873 — Map.
  3. Public health: Why the pandemic is hitting minorities harder — Coronavirus curve rises in Florida — How racism threatens the response to the pandemic — Some people are drinking and inhaling cleaning products in attempt to fight the virus.
  4. Tech: The pandemic is accelerating next-generation disease diagnostics — Robotics looks to copy software-as-a-service model.
  5. Business: Budgets busted by coronavirus make it harder for cities to address inequality — Sports, film production in California to resume June 12 after 3-month hiatus.
  6. Education: Students and teachers flunked remote learning.
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Rashaan Ayesh, Rebecca Falconer
Updated 6 hours ago - World

In photos: People around the world rally against racism

Despite a ban on large gatherings implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic, protesters rally against racism in front of the American Embassy in Paris on June 6. Photo: Julien Mattia/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of people have continued to rally in cities across the world against racism and show their support this week for U.S. demonstrators protesting the death in police custody of George Floyd.

Why it matters: The tense situation in the U.S. has brought the discussion of racism and discrimination onto the global stage at a time when most of the world is consumed by the novel coronavirus.

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