Jan 10, 2018

Trump welcomes press 'back to the studio' for Cabinet meeting

President Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting. Photo: JIm Watson / AFP via Getty Images

President Trump welcomed the press "back to the studio" today for the first Cabinet meeting of 2018, and boasted about his handling of yesterday's bipartisan meeting on immigration, reiterating that "we want to see something happen with DACA."

"My performance — some people called it my performance, I consider it work — got great reviews by everybody except two networks ... [Some said] it was one of the greatest meetings they've ever seen." Note: no agreement was reached on immigration during the meeting.

Key quotes:

"Our current libel laws are a sham and a disgrace and do not represent American values or American fairness. So we're going to take a strong look at that. You can't say things that are false, knowingly false and be able to smile as money pours into your bank account."'
"The media will ultimately support Trump in the end, because they're going to say, 'If Trump doesn't win in 3 years [we're] all out of business.'"

Go deeper: NYT breaks down what Trump can and can't do on libel laws

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Caitlin Owens

Special report: Health care workers vs. coronavirus

Photo Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images, Bruce Bennett/Getty Images, and Europa Press News/Europa Press via Getty Images

Health care workers are at an especially high risk of catching the coronavirus, because of their prolonged exposure to patients who have it. Making matters worse, the U.S. doesn't have enough of the protective equipment, like masks and gloves, that keeps them safe.

And yet these workers, with loved ones of their own, keep showing up at hospitals across the country, knowing that more Americans than they can possibly care for are depending on them.

Go deeper18 mins ago - Health

Dion Rabouin

Backed by the Fed, bond investors get bullish

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The Fed's massive injections of liquidity have reopened much of the bond market, and after back-to-back weeks in which more than $100 billion flowed out of bond funds, investors have regained their bearings and now see opportunity.

What's happening: But after the hemorrhaging outflows relented last week, bulls may now be sticking their heads out a bit too far. Junk bond funds took in more than $7 billion for the week ended April 1, according to Refinitiv Lipper, setting a new weekly record.

Go deeper48 mins ago - Economy & Business

Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen

What top CEOs fear telling America about the coronavirus shutdown

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Top CEOs, in private conversations and pleas to President Trump, are warning of economic catastrophe if America doesn't begin planning for a phased return to work as soon as May, corporate leaders tell Axios.

Why it matters: The CEOs say massive numbers of companies, big and small, could go under if business and government don't start urgent talks about ways groups of workers can return.

Go deeper3 hours ago - Economy & Business