Jul 18, 2018

Trump mocks his critics as victims of “Trump Derangement Syndrome”

Erica Pandey

President Trump defended his performance at his press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in a series of Wednesday morning tweets, one of which called those who criticize him victims of the "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

"Some people HATE the fact that I got along well with President Putin of Russia. They would rather go to war than see this. It’s called Trump Derangement Syndrome!"

The backdrop: Trump's refusal to unequivocally acknowledge the American intelligence community's conclusion on Russian election meddling drew sharp criticism from the right and the left on Monday. He partially walked back his Helsinki comments Tuesday.

Go deeper

Dan Primack

Trump's opportunity to use Bernie as an economic scapegoat

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photos: Zach Gibson/Stringer, The Washington Post/Getty Contributor

Bernie Sanders is poised to become an economic scapegoat for both the White House and Corporate America, assuming that Sanders comes through Super Tuesday unscathed.

The big picture: If the U.S. economy remains strong, President Trump and CEOs will claim credit (as they've been doing for three years). If it turns sour, they'll blame Bernie (even though it's a largely baseless charge).

Go deeperArrow34 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Ben Geman, Amy Harder

Why big banks are breaking up with some fossil fuels

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

JPMorgan Chase is the latest financial giant to unveil new climate commitments, and like its peers, it is hard to disentangle how much is motivated by pressure, conscience or making a virtue of necessity.

Why it matters: The move comes as grassroots and shareholder activists are targeting the financial sector's fossil energy finance, especially amid federal inaction on climate.

Go deeperArrow2 hours ago - Economy & Business
Jacob Knutson

Trump acknowledges lists of disloyal government officials to oust

Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump on Monday acknowledged the existence of assembled lists of government officials that his administration plans to oust and replace with trusted pro-Trump people, which were first reported by Axios' Jonathan Swan.

What he's saying: “I don’t think it's a big problem. I don’t think it's very many people,” Trump said during a press conference in India, adding he wants “people who are good for the country, loyal to the country.”

Go deeperArrow3 hours ago - Politics & Policy