Jul 29, 2017

This week's Axios Sourced: Zuckerberg, WH intrigue, Russia

Our video series Axios Sourced is an inside look at the reality of politics. Axios takes you behind the scenes of the week's biggest news stories, and last week's videos covered everything from Russia to Mark Zuckerberg. Here's what you missed:

  1. The Mooch vs. Reince: When deputy press secretary Michael Short suddenly resigned, he texted Jonathan Swan.
  2. Russia compounds: The U.S. isn't giving them back, despite Russia's pleas. Deputy news editor Dave Lawler went to Maryland to check them out.
  3. Mark Zuckerberg's money: Tech reporter Dave McCabe investigates where Zuck's billions are going.
  4. Mooch on the loose: Trump is happy with the "colorful, bombastic New Yorker," Swan explains.

The Mooch vs. Reince

Anthony Scaramucci assumed his role as communications director and quickly became the face of the admin's aggressive push to stop White House leaks. More on that here. In this episode, Swan explains the power struggle between The Mooch and Reince Priebus, just days before Priebus was abruptly replaced as chief of staff.

Russia compounds

Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian government will seize two U.S. diplomatic sites in Russia, in retaliation for looming U.S. sanctions. This came seven months after Barack Obama seized two Russian compounds in the U.S., accusing the Kremlin of using them as spy bases. In the interim, President Trump had been considering returning those Russian compounds, including a beautiful 45-acre estate in Maryland, after Russia warned relations couldn't improve until Trump did so.

Axios went to Maryland to look at the summer retreat at the heart of U.S.-Russia relations.

Mark Zuckerberg's money

In this episode of Axios Sourced, Tech Reporter Dave McCabe takes you behind the scenes on how Mark Zuckerberg is spending his billions via his philanthropic Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Go deeper: Read McCabe's article that breaks down exactly where the money is going and how the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative works.

The Mooch is loose

Scaramucci didn't waste any time becoming the public face of Trump's aggressive anti-leaks campaign. His

expletive-laden interview with the New Yorker

could have damaged any other official's career,

but Trump wasn't mad about it.

Swan explains how Trump views the newest member of his comms team.

Go deeper

Amy Harder
18 mins ago - Energy & Environment
Column / Harder Line

How Europe’s green pandemic recovery will push the rest of the world

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Europe, long the most progressive continent when it comes to tackling climate change, is doubling down on this ambition to revive pandemic-ravaged economies.

Why it matters: The European Union is the world’s third-largest emitting region after the U.S. and China, but it’s not just that. These plans will push global corporate behavior and prod other governments by creating either templates to follow or protectionist battles (or both).

Go deeper (3 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 10 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 7 p.m. ET: 12,859,834 — Total deaths: 567,123 — Total recoveries — 7,062,085 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 7 p.m. ET: 3,297,501— Total deaths: 135,155 — Total recoveries: 1,006,326 — Total tested: 40,282,176 — Map.
  3. States: Florida smashes single-day record for new coronavirus cases with over 15,000 — NYC reports zero coronavirus deaths for first time since pandemic hit.
  4. Public health: Ex-FDA chief projects "apex" of South's coronavirus curve in 2-3 weeks — Coronavirus testing czar: Lockdowns in hotspots "should be on the table"
  5. Education: Betsy DeVos says schools that don't reopen shouldn't get federal funds — Pelosi accuses Trump of "messing with the health of our children."
Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Jonathan Swan
10 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: How the White House is trying to trap leakers

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

President Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has told several White House staffers he's fed specific nuggets of information to suspected leakers to see if they pass them on to reporters — a trap that would confirm his suspicions. "Meadows told me he was doing that," said one former White House official. "I don't know if it ever worked."

Why it matters: This hunt for leakers has put some White House staffers on edge, with multiple officials telling Axios that Meadows has been unusually vocal about his tactics. So far, he's caught only one person, for a minor leak.

Go deeper (4 min. read)Arrow