"I was very honored by [Rex Tillerson's] comments," President Trump said, delivering remarks at a Las Vegas hospital. "It was fake news. It was a totally phony story ... It was made up by NBC ... [I have] total confidence in Rex."
Context: Tillerson said "I have never considered leaving this post" earlier today, after an NBC report said the Secretary of State called Trump a "moron" and contemplated resigning over the summer.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
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The Falcon 9 rocket with a Crew Dragon atop. Photo: SpaceX
SpaceX will attempt to launch NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station today.
Why it matters: If all goes well, this launch — expected to happen at 4:33 p.m. ET — will mark the first time a private company has successfully launched people to orbit and the first crewed, orbital rocket launch from the U.S. in 9 years.
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Photo: Nicholas Kamm/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement Wednesday that he has certified to Congress that Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from China and does not warrant special treatment under U.S. law.
Why it matters: Revoking Hong Kong's special status would hasten its economic and financial decline, already set in motion by China's growing political grip on the city. The preferential status that the U.S. has long granted Hong Kong has made the city a top U.S. trading partner.