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Don't whitewash the GOP's extremism on full display during Whitmer protest — We were promised it wasn't a Republican protest. We were promised people were just upset they couldn't golf or buy seeds (in stores) during a pandemic that's already killed 2,000 of their neighbors.
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The rightwing groups behind wave of protests against Covid-19 restrictions — Protesters in Michigan and other states claim to speak for ordinary citizens, but are also supported by street-fighting far-right groups — A wave of planned anti-lockdown demonstrations that have broken out around …
Discussion:
VICE, Raw Story, Politico and Washington Post, more at Techmeme »

Trump calls to ‘liberate’ states where protesters have demanded easing coronavirus lockdowns — WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump called on supporters Friday to “liberate” states that have experienced protests over coronavirus lockdowns, a day after he unveiled guidelines aimed at reopening the nation's economy.
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Talking Points Memo, The American Independent and The Daily Caller
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Coronavirus Live Updates: As Governors Look to Reopen, Trump Encourages Anti-Restriction Protests
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Washington Post, Power Line, Mother Jones and The Spinoff
Brett Samuels / The Hill:
Trump appears to back those protesting social distancing measures
Trump appears to back those protesting social distancing measures
Discussion:
Washington Post, Breitbart, IJR and Political Wire

'Thank you Mr. President - for doing YOUR JOB!' Andrew Cuomo launches total war on Donald Trump as president demands gratitude for helping New York, scorns his knowledge of the constitution and says: ‘Maybe he should get up and go to work’ — The New York governor gave a relentless lecture …
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Cuomo mocks Trump in Friday diatribe
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Breitbart, Washington Post and Political Wire

Elon Musk says he sent ventilators to California hospitals, they say they got something else instead — (CNN Business)California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded Thursday to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's claim that the company had delivered more than 1,000 ventilators to the state's hospitals treating a surge of coronavirus patients.

Smugglers sawed into Trump's border wall 18 times in one month in San Diego area, records show — Smugglers sawed into new sections of President Trump's border wall 18 times in the San Diego area during a single one-month span late last year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection records obtained …
Discussion:
The Daily Caller and POLITICUSUSA

Here are the drugs that could treat coronavirus. But don't expect a magic bullet. — Despite Trump's boosterism, there are no treatments ready to fight covid-19 — The journey of EIDD-2801, from laboratory to the mouth of a human, unfolded with head-snapping speed.
Discussion:
In the Pipeline, National Review, Washington Examiner, ABC17NEWS and Los Angeles Times
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Feds charge doctor who cited Trump to push hydroxychloroquine ‘miracle cure’ — Dr. Gupta explains concerns over medicines touted by Trump — (CNN)It was described as the “magic bullet” to protect against the deadly coronavirus — a “remarkable clinical phenomenon” that could cure the disease within hours.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says schools to remain closed for rest of academic year but eases some coronavirus restrictions — While urging Texans to keep taking precautions, Abbott says some medical procedures and state park visits can resume next week - with stores able to begin ‘to go’ service April 24.
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Patrick Svitek / The Texas Tribune:
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces team to restart the economy, loosens some restrictions
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces team to restart the economy, loosens some restrictions
Discussion:
Townhall

Donald Trump's Greatest Escape — His audacity masked his desperation. — It was the spring of 1995. Donald Trump was this close to finished. He had spent the previous five years constantly, and barely, avoiding financial ruin and what he worried would be a permanent stain of personal bankruptcy.

Florida beaches will start reopening THIS EVENING: Jacksonville becomes first county to start easing restrictions - despite state's RISING COVID-19 infection rate - after Trump handed control to governors with three-phase plan to reopen America — Beaches in Jacksonville will be among …
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Marty Johnson / The Hill:
Beaches, parks to reopen in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday
Beaches, parks to reopen in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday
Discussion:
COJ.net and New York Post

Enough with the WFH sweatpants. Dress like the adult you're getting paid to be — I've waited, watched and bit my tongue during the last month of the pandemic-induced work-from-home era but I just can't take it any more. Please, can we all put away those sweatpants, ratty, gray …
Discussion:
Twitchy

Heartland hotspots: A sudden rise in coronavirus cases is hitting rural states without stay-at-home orders — NY Gov extends stay-at-home order until at least May 15th — Washington (CNN)The test results came back on Easter Sunday. Tammy had been feeling “kind of crappy” …
Discussion:
Blue Virginia and Politico

Bill Gates, at Odds With Trump on Virus, Becomes a Right-Wing Target — The Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist has been attacked with falsehoods that he created the coronavirus and wants to profit from it. — In a 2015 speech, Bill Gates warned that the greatest risk to humanity …
Discussion:
New York Post and The Verge

Influential Covid-19 model uses flawed methods and shouldn't guide U.S. policies, critics say — A widely followed model for projecting Covid-19 deaths in the U.S. is producing results that have been bouncing up and down like an unpredictable fever, and now epidemiologists are criticizing …
Discussion:
PJ Media Home and Marginal REVOLUTION

What Have Epidemiologists Learned About the Coronavirus? — Justin Lessler, a professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, models disease transmission, and has been studying the novel coronavirus. A month ago, as the first confirmed covid-19 deaths …

Loeffler to Fox News: Criticizing My Coronavirus Stock Trades Is Just a ‘Socialist Attack’ — “This is a political attack that is designed to distract from the issue at hand and to use this outbreak to play politics,” she insisted. — Embattled Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) …
Discussion:
Raw Story, Democratic Party of Georgia and McClatchy Washington Bureau

Matt Gaetz rents office space from longtime friend and donor — at taxpayer expense — Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz has spent nearly $200,000 in taxpayer funds renting an office from a longtime friend, adviser, campaign donor and legal client. — Both men said in separate interviews Gaetz …
Discussion:
Associated Press and Raw Story

For Mark Meadows, Transition From Trump Confidant to Chief of Staff Is a Hard One — Weeks into the job, Mr. Meadows has confronted the same problems that frustrated his three predecessors. It hasn't helped him with his new White House colleagues that he's emotional and sometimes cries.
Discussion:
Raw Story, Gothamist and Lawyers, Guns & Money

Inside Mohammed Bin Salman's £230m house - the most expensive home in the world — The French Chateau boasts a nightclub, aquarium, two ballrooms, a wine cellar and a cinema room, and is owned by Bin Salman, who has an estimated personal worth of £7bn and is behind the Newcastle United takeover bid

Antibody research indicates coronavirus may be far more widespread than known — Of 3,300 people in California county up to 4% found to have been infected. — A critical question in the path towards the future is how many people actually have protective novel coronavirus antibodies and possible immunity?
Discussion:
The Daily Caller and The Gateway Pundit

GOP lawmakers eye return to Capitol in protest of pandemic shutdown — Nearly two dozen House Republicans are contemplating returning to Washington next week regardless of whether they're called back for a vote — a direct protest of Democratic leadership's plans to keep lawmakers away from the Capitol amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As officials plan to reopen the economy, a key unknown remains: How deadly is the coronavirus? — With government officials debating how and when to reopen the economy, a fundamental question about the coronavirus pandemic remains unanswered: Just how deadly is this disease?
Discussion:
Michigan Advance

Trump's Culture Warriors Are a Literal Death Cult Now — In Trumpworld, reopening is just a matter of will. And strength. And devotion to the leader. — BEAST INSIDE — You know where this is headed, right? We all know. Donald Trump and the Republicans are going to turn …
Discussion:
Raw Story
Eric Boehlert / PRESS RUN:
ABC, CNN, New York Times all admit Trump briefings aren't news — so now what? — Stay healthy. — Be kind. — Share PRESS RUN — If Trump's daily pandemic press briefings aren't newsworthy events, why does the news media continue to shower them with ceaseless attention?

Joe Biden's VP pick better be a Black woman - and it needs to be Kamala Harris — OPINION: At this point, Biden's not trying to break box office records - he just doesn't want to flop. — Some casting decisions make sense the moment the movie is announced.

Less than half of L.A. County residents still have jobs amid coronavirus crisis — Because of the colossal impact that the coronavirus outbreak has had on the U.S. economy, less than half of Los Angeles County residents — 45% compared with 61% in mid-March — still hold a job …

Freedom Caucus calls on Trump to reopen economy: ‘We are a free people’ — A group of conservative House members Friday urged President Trump to reopen the economy, arguing the social distancing restrictions have wreaked too much havoc on the economy. — The House Freedom Caucus sent Trump …
Discussion:
Breitbart and The Daily Caller

Trump's Pandemic Plan: “Absolute Authority,” No Responsibility — The novel coronavirus brings out the same old, same old President. — A week ago, President Trump foreshadowed his growing anxiety over when and how to end the Great Shutdown, a decision he is well aware will have existential consequences …

After Fauci urged caution in reopening the economy, Fox News turned to Dr. Phil for a second opinion — After Anthony S. Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, explained the White House's new guidelines for states to slowly reopen their economies in a three-phase process …
Discussion:
Mediaite, Rolling Stone, TheGrio, The Week and HuffPost

Former Arizona governor Jane Dee Hull, a trailblazing politician, dies at age 84 — Hull was the first woman elected as Arizona governor and Speaker of the House. Her husband, Dr. Terry Hull, has also died. — Author: Brahm Resnik — PHOENIX — Former Arizona Gov. Jane Dee Hull …

New WH press secretary points to non-existent ‘testing system’ — The new White House press secretary believes Trump's helped create “the most expansive and accurate testing system in the world.” I wish that were true. — As premature conversations about re-opening the country continue …

Trump Assails Critics of His Coronavirus Response as He Focuses on Reopening U.S. — President has sought to deflect political blame in shift toward addressing economic fallout from pandemic — WASHINGTON—President Trump warned the nation two weeks ago to expect the most difficult period …

‘I have never been so mad about a phone call in my life’ — Senate Democrats exploded in frustration during a conference call with Vice President Mike Pence and Trump administration officials on Friday afternoon, with one normally laid-back senator asserting it was the most maddening phone call he's ever …

Time to fire Jared and Ivanka — / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) — Peter Bergen is CNN's national security analyst, a vice president at New America and a professor of practice at Arizona State University.
Discussion:
New York Daily News, The Daily Caller, The American Independent and New York Times