Good evening. It was a day filled with terror, and of course Trump. We have lots of news you need to know that’s just a scroll away.
TIMES SQUARE TERROR: A 27-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh strapped a pipe bomb to his body this morning with the intent to cause devastation on the New York City subway system. Instead the device detonated early, seriously wounding only himself. Akayed Ullah had burns and lacerations but is expected to live. With so many smartphones and security cameras in Manhattan, it wasn’t long before there was video of the bomb exploding and pictures of the wounded bomber lying alone on the floor of a connecting tunnel between stations. The subway system was chaotic and closed in places. But by Monday evening, the city had returned to its frenetic holiday pace. The New York Times has everything you need to know about the bomber, his motive and the day that could have been so much worse.
TRUMP VICTIMS TELL THEIR STORIES AGAIN. IS ANYONE LISTENING? Here is how the White House tries to change the narrative of a negative story. It began early this morning when three women who accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct appeared together on NBC with Megyn Kelly to re-tell their horror stories. By early afternoon Trump went into full bully mode by tweeting about the (fake news) media and verbally assaulting a CNN anchor via Twitter. Soon after, Sarah Sanders gets into a shouting match with a CNN reporter at the White House briefing after Sanders says the press is purposely misleading the American public. Distractions anyone? Before the end of the day, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on Trump to resign, also on CNN. Three other Democrats are also calling on the President to step down. Whew!
Exclusive: If President Trump does not "immediately resign," @SenGillibrand tells me, Congress "should have appropriate investigations of his behavior and hold him accountable." https://t.co/n1TsoTwA7i pic.twitter.com/gXssRSBUCw
— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) December 11, 2017
CELEBRITY CHEF BATALI TAKES LEAVE: Mario Batali, who has built a restaurant and food empire has taken leave of his businesses and television program after being accused of sexual misconduct by four women. Batali is the star of ABC’s “The Chew” and owns restaurants all across America. The celebrity chef doesn’t deny it happened. He apologized and says he is “deeply sorry” for any pain or humiliation he has caused. The story was first reported by Eater, a restaurant news website.
BAD IDEA OF THE DAY: A Trump supporting super PAC thought it would be a good idea to have a 12-year-old girl interview Roy Moore for a campaign commercial. Millie March, who appeared with Donald Trump during his run for the White House last year became an unfortunate political prop for Moore and his campaign. Moore has been accused of acting inappropriately with teenage girls decades ago.
SAUDIS TO ALLOW MOVIE THEATERS: Saudi religious leaders have called commercial films a source of mental depravity. So, it was a bit of a surprise when the Crown Prince announced that movie theaters would be allowed to open in the kingdom. Women driving and now movie theaters? Welcome to the 20th century. And be sure to check out Lawrence of Arabia.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “In many ways one of our worst nightmares. The reality turns out better than the initial expectation and fear.” –New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
