11 Stress Relief Products That Aren't a Gimmick

We love these products, and we hope you do too. E! has affiliate relationships, so we may get a small share of the revenue from your purchases. Items are sold by the retailer, not...


from E! Online (US) - lifestyle https://ift.tt/2Vcu13n

The 1975 Are Hosting A Listening Party This Weekend For Their Debut Album

The 1975 are throwing fans a special listening party on Friday (our Saturday morning). The online listening party will see the band take us through a track by track guide to their 2013, debut, self-titled album.

They haven’t shared a whole bunch of detail just yet. What we do know is, it’s set for 7pm BST, which is 4am AEST on Saturday, 2nd May. We’re not sure whether it’ll be on Instagram Live or a separate platform just yet.

Sharing the news via Instagram, they posted the self-titled release’s album art with the listening party’s deets. The post was captioned, “// A L B U M 1 – L I S T E N I N G P A R T Y – F R I D A Y 7 P M B S T // L O V E.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

// A L B U M 1 – L I S T E N I N G P A R T Y – F R I D A Y 7 P M B S T // L O V E #the1975

A post shared by The1975 (@the1975) on Apr 27, 2020 at 1:40pm PDT

The 1975 was released in September back in 2013. It topped UK charts and was home to classics like ‘Chocolate’, ‘Sex’, and ‘Girls’.

We’re currently patiently awaiting a slightly delayed The 1975 album. Notes On A Conditional Form is due to land in our ears on Friday, 22nd May. The good news is the tracklist has a whopping 22 songs on it — have a looksie down below.

We received the latest offering from the album just last week with ‘If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know’, which you can have a listen to below.

The 1975 – ‘Notes on a Conditional Form’ Tracklist

1. The 1975
2. People
3. The End (Music for Cars)
4. Frail State of Mind
5. Streaming
6. The Birthday Party
7. Yeah I Know
8. Then Because She Goes
9. Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America
10. Roadkill
11. Me & You Together Song
12. I Think There’s Something You Should Know
13. Nothing Revealed / Everything Denied
14. Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)
15. Shiny Collarbone
16. If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)
17. Playing On My Mind
18. Having No Head
19. What Should I Say
20. Bagsy Not in Net
21. Don’t Worry
22. Guys

The post The 1975 Are Hosting A Listening Party This Weekend For Their Debut Album appeared first on Music Feeds.

from Music Feeds https://ift.tt/3aUr2RT

New top story from Time: The Parks and Recreation Reunion Was a Sweet, Slight Dispatch From an Alternate Universe

Parks and Recreation has only been off the air for five years, but what a five years it has been. When the NBC sitcom about a tireless, obsessive, irrepressibly kind public servant—Amy Poehler‘s Leslie Knope—and her beloved colleagues aired its finale, on February 24, 2015, America had a very different collective self-image. A global network of Ebola fighters had just won a tough, worrisome but nonetheless decisive battle against that deadly virus. After a devastating summer of police violence, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement at least seemed poised to effect positive change. As pop culture was making unprecedented strides in trans representation, an unstoppable queer rights movement was about to make same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. Our first black President still had two years left in his second term, and Donald Trump was four months away from officially kicking off his campaign. The idea that the best way to represent a red state like Indiana—home to Parks‘ fictional city of Pawnee and the titular department Leslie helps run—was as a hub of cheerful, multicultural, bipartisan progress didn’t seem that farfetched.

But by April 30, 2020, as the show returned to NBC for a one-off reunion special to benefit Feeding America, the national mood had—to put it extremely mildly—shifted. In contrast to post-racial Pawnee, we’ve had to contend with a fresh wave of white nationalism and xenophobia; “kids in cages” is not a phrase I can imagine coming out of the mouth of anyone in that city’s government. #MeToo has all but squashed the notion that a woman could rise to a position of power without encountering some form of sexual misconduct. (That reckoning eventually came for both series regular Aziz Ansari and—to a far greater, more disappointing extent—frequent guest star Louis C.K. “I don’t remember when I heard the rumors about him,” co-creator Mike Schur said at the time. “But I’m sure it was before the last time he was on Parks and Rec. And that sucks. And I’m sorry.”) And a country where Leslie Knope works in the Department of the Interior, a position to which she ascended in the finale, is not a country that could be blindsided by the novel coronavirus. Her gentle, scrupulously informed competence can’t exist in the same universe where entire news cycles are devoted to parsing whether the President suggested drinking bleach.

And so the reunion takes place not in the real Indiana or America but in a sort of utopian alternate Indiana, USA—one that has also somehow fallen prey to the COVID-19 pandemic. Scripted by Schur with a handful of the show’s original writers and filmed via smartphone from each social-distancing star’s home, the half-hour episode is a collage of video chats and local news programs. Leslie has, of course, instituted a daily “7 PM phone tree” to make sure all of her former co-workers, spread out across the country though they may be, are mentally as well as physically healthy. Her loving husband Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) is now a Congressman but still possesses the manic nerd energy to imagine Cones of Dunshire spinoffs.

Meanwhile, Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), logging on from his/Offerman’s wood shop, boasts that “I’ve been practicing social distancing since I was four years old.” Treat Yo’ Self pals Tom (Ansari) and Donna (Retta) are indulging in tropical Zoom—sorry, Gryzzl—backgrounds; Tom has been brainstorming such quarantine-themed inventions as “a clock with dials that just move randomly.” April (Aubrey Plaza with a bikini top draped over her head) and Andy (Chris Pratt), wild imaginations intact, are thriving in isolation. Because Ann (Rashida Jones) has gone back to work as a nurse, she and Chris (Rob Lowe) are quarantining in separate areas of their home. No one wants to be the one to check in on office scapegoat Garry “Jerry” Gergich (eternal good sport Jim O’Heir), whose ineptitude with technology does not disappoint.

Leslie and Ben’s appearances on local news programs, to dispense bleach-free advice on best coronavirus practices, offer an excuse to bring back some other familiar faces—not just demented talk-show host Joan Callamezzo (Mo Collins) and awkward anchor Perd Hapley (Jay Jackson), but also beloved guest stars like Jon Glaser as devious dentist Jeremy Jamm and Jason Mantzoukas’ ridiculous fragrance magnate Dennis Feinstein. With apologies to Sweetums heir Bobby Newport (Paul Rudd), who opens the episode from his family’s “private fox-hunting estate” in Switzerland, and the captive Tammy 2 (Megan Mullally, taking full advantage of the fact that she and Offerman are actually married and sheltering together), the best of these surprises is a commercial from Ben Schwartz’s Jean-Ralphio. Coiffed and scarfed to the nines, all he has to advertise is his own his phone number. “I have been banned from Cameo,” he explains, in song, “for doing my videos naked.”

Is anyone in the special actually sick with COVID-19 or mourning loved ones who’ve died of it? Of course not. Jerry’s Season 5 “fart attack” notwithstanding, Pawnee is not a place of illness and death. Its only fallen hero is miniature horse Li’l Sebastian—and you’d better believe the Parks Dept. alums are still broken up enough about that loss to close out their group chat with a rousing rendition of Andy’s tribute song, “5,000 Candles in the Wind.” In the end, despite the social distancing that the reunion had no choice but to depict, Parks is exactly as we left it five years ago: light, funny, comforting but willfully naive, and ultimately more appealing for its cast and the chemistry they’ve somehow retained than it is convincing in its worldview.

Even in its heyday, Parks and Recreation was pegged by some critics as a “liberal fantasy” and faced criticism for its “childish optimism“—both fair assessments, as far as I’m concerned. Most of us probably decided long ago how we feel about the show’s limited range of emotions, its inability to imagine a harder, crueler reality. (Wouldn’t a real-life Ron Swanson, staunch libertarian that he is, be grumbling about the overreaches of a hysterical “nanny state” these days?) Watching the reunion special, I found I could still enjoy its bighearted comedy, albeit less as optimistic realism and more as utopian science fiction.

Stacey Dash and Husband Jeffrey Marty Are Calling It Quits After 2 Years

The pair have had their fair share of ups and downs.

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from News https://ift.tt/2KP0kPX

"KUWTK" Goes Into Quarantine This September

Someone "close to home" has coronavirus. Find out how the Kardashians are coping during the pandemic when "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" returns this fall on E!

from E! Online Videos (US) https://ift.tt/3aPY7hF

It's a Christmas Nightmare: "KUWTK" Katch-Up (S18, Ep6)

Kim reveals she's not hosting the annual Christmas Eve party, sending her sisters into a tailspin. Plus, Khloe fills in as Kris' assistant!

from E! Online Videos (US) https://ift.tt/2yUY8Uz

Meet Paris Hilton's Boyfriend Carter Reum

The hotel heiress and her businessman BF are Instagram official. See Paris' adorable declaration of love for their anniversary!

from E! Online Videos (US) https://ift.tt/3aYUYfS

Baker Boy’s New ‘Move’ Video Will Inspire Your Next Iso TikTok

Baker Boy has shared a new video for his latest single ‘Move’ today, and it has the energy we all seriously need right now. The video premiered last night with Baker Boy, real name Danzal, chatting with fans throughout its first play.

The Yolngu rapper says this release is dedicated to his partner — who appears in the clip, as well as all the strong women surrounding him. So it was important to him to enlist a strong female team.

“Move was a really fun video to make, it had such a chilled vibe and a really great team!” said Baker Boy on the 90s style clip.

“One of the main things I wanted was to have a strong female team around the video, I was lucky to work with Freya (Esders) as the Director and I collaborated with Aurie (Indianna) again on the Creative Direction and Styling which is always a fun process.

“We had a mostly female team the whole way through this clip form Freya and Aurie, to the dance Choreographer, Hair and Make Up Artist to the editor.”

The video was shot on film in early March, and so there were some delays due to COVID-19 restrictions according to Baker Boy.

“It was great process, it got slowed down a bit getting the film scanned in New York during a global pandemic, but it all came together, and it really nailed the vibe and direction I have been trying to send the Baker Boy project in,” he said.

Catch the new video for ‘Move’ below.

The post Baker Boy’s New ‘Move’ Video Will Inspire Your Next Iso TikTok appeared first on Music Feeds.

from Music Feeds https://ift.tt/35jTjAd

Drew Barrymore, Walmart Sued For Allegedly Copying Pillow Patterns

Drew Barrymore and Walmart are getting dragged into more than a pillow fight ... they're getting sued for allegedly copying a fabric design studio's patterns to sell pillows. Rule of Three Studio just filed a lawsuit against Drew and Walmart for…

Permalink

from TMZ Celebrity News for Celebrity Justice https://ift.tt/2VSF3uZ

Australia plots return of sport as spread of coronavirus slows

The Australian government will meet on Friday to discuss how sport can restart as the number of new coronavirus cases dwindles and states begin to relax restrictions on social gatherings, two sources familiar with the details told Reuters.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2Smlc5g

Most of U.S. House urges more diplomacy at U.N. to renew Iran arms embargo: sources

Nearly 90% of U.S. House of Representatives members have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to increase its diplomatic action at the United Nations to renew an arms embargo on Iran, congressional sources said on Thursday.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/3f8uGuM

Signs Taylor Swift & Joe Alwyn Are Quarantining Together

The pop singer has fans thinking she is self-isolating with her "Lover" Joe and dropping hints about a new song?! Plus, Victor details his 20-hour FaceTime call with GF Karrueche.

from E! Online Videos (US) https://ift.tt/2WhxtJh

Eminem Comes Face-to Face With Home Intruder

The "Lose Yourself" rapper confronts a trespasser who slipped past his security at his Detroit-area home. Get all the details on the alleged suspect here.

from E! Online Videos (US) https://ift.tt/2KPHhoE

Fiona Ex Machina

By BY WESLEY MORRIS AND JENNA WORTHAM from NYT Podcasts https://ift.tt/3f6bY75

Two Arrested in Killings of Transgender Women in Puerto Rico

By BY MICHAEL LEVENSON AND SANDRA E. GARCIA from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2YnU3CH

Peter Hunt, Who Directed the Broadway Hit ‘1776,’ Dies at 81

By BY NEIL GENZLINGER from NYT Theater https://ift.tt/2VR35Xb

Scrambling the Political Divide: ‘No Normal Recession’

By BY LISA LERER from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2VQ3U2w

In a Crisis, True Leaders Stand Out

By BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD from NYT Opinion https://ift.tt/2Wc5wTr

Democrats Assail McConnell for Bringing Senate Back Amid Pandemic

By BY SHERYL GAY STOLBERG from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2z1BiL2

Amazon Sells More, but Warns of Much Higher Costs Ahead

By BY KAREN WEISE from NYT Technology https://ift.tt/2xrY3Hw

Drew Barrymore, Walmart Sued For Allegedly Copying Pillow Patterns

Drew Barrymore and Walmart are getting dragged into more than a pillow fight ... they're getting sued for allegedly copying a fabric design studio's patterns to sell pillows. Rule of Three Studio just filed a lawsuit against Drew and Walmart for…

Permalink

from TMZ Celebrity News for Movies https://ift.tt/2VSF3uZ

Eminem Finds Home Intruder In His Living Room

A 26 year-old fan reportedly broke into Eminem’s house some time last month, according to TMZ.

Reports say that the fan entered Eminem’s gated property and snuck past his security guards before smashing his kitchen window with a paving stone to gain entry to the house.

The rapper’s Detroit home was apparently broken into at 4am, one morning in April. With the disturbance setting off an alarm, which then woke Eminem up. Eminem then confronted the 26-year-old breaking and entering suspect after finding him in his living room.

The suspect was then detained by the rapper’s security guards who had run inside after hearing the altercation.

He was held until the police showed up. No one was hurt and nothing was stolen. The man was charged with first-degree home invasion and malicious destruction of a building.

He apparently didn’t want to steal anything and just wanted to meet the rapper. He was charged a $50,000USD bond at the Macomb County Jail, making it potentially the most expensive meet and greet of all time.

In more wholesome news, Eminem has been busy throughout the pandemic, donating his Mum’s spaghetti to hospital workers.

The post Eminem Finds Home Intruder In His Living Room appeared first on Music Feeds.

from Music Feeds https://ift.tt/3bUS4d7

New top story from Time: Joe Biden Expected to Face Questions About Sexual Assault Allegation on Friday

(WASHINGTON) — A sexual assault allegation is Joe Biden’s first big challenge as the Democrats’ presidential nominee, fueling Republican attacks and leaving many in his own party in an uncomfortable bind.

Biden’s campaign has denied the allegation from his former Senate staffer Tara Reade, who has said Biden assaulted her in the basement of a Capitol Hill office building in the 1990s. But the story garnered fresh attention this week after two of Reade’s associates said she previously told them about elements of her allegations.

Republicans worried about President Donald Trump’s increasingly precarious political standing are seizing on the allegation to portray Democrats as hypocrites who only defend women who allege wrongdoing against conservatives. They are digging in despite the fact that it could renew attention on the multiple sexual assault allegations lodged against Trump.

Democrats, meanwhile, are in an awkward position of vigorously validating women who come forward with their stories while defending the man who will be their standard-bearer in what many in the party consider the most important election of their lifetimes.

The tension is heightened because Biden himself has said nothing about the allegation.

Like many Americans, he has spent the past several weeks at home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Biden has participated in a handful of local and national interviews, during which he wasn’t asked about the allegation. He will be interviewed Friday morning on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and is expected to face questions about the accusations.

Ahead of that appearance, Democrats urged a more forceful response.

“The campaign has issued statements, but he hasn’t issued any statements in his own voice,” said former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile. “It’s not helping, it’s just damaging — not only to the person who has come forward, but it’s also damaging the candidate.”

Lis Smith, a top strategist on Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign, also called on the Biden campaign to speak up.

“These accusations have not been found to be credible, so it’s in the Biden campaign’s interest to nip this in the bud directly and do it quickly,” she said.

The November contest between Biden and Trump will be the first presidential race of the #MeToo era, which has led numerous women to come forward with allegations of sexual assault. Trump has been accused of assault and unwanted touching by numerous women, allegations he denies.

Women are a core constituency for Democrats, and Biden has a mixed history. While he wrote the Violence Against Women Act as a senator, he also came under heavy criticism for his handling of Anita Hill’s Senate testimony in the 1990s. Just before he launched his 2020 campaign, several women accused him of unwanted touching, behavior for which he apologized.

Biden has pledged to pick a woman as a running mate, and the allegation has left those thought to be in contention in a tough spot.

Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia Democratic governor candidate, said, “I believe Joe Biden,” citing a New York Times investigation that she said exonerated him.

“Women deserve to be heard,” she said, “but I also believe that those allegations have to be investigated by credible sources.”

That echoed talking points issued by the Biden campaign to surrogates last week that were obtained by The Associated Press. They pointed to investigations by The New York Times, The Washington Post and the AP that found no other allegation of sexual assault and no pattern of sexual misconduct.

On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also defended Biden. Speaking on CNN, she said she was “satisfied with how he has responded,” even as she acknowledged “it’s a matter that he has to deal with.”

Some Democratic donors and fundraisers say the issue has not come up in calls with party financiers. Others worry that it could be used against Biden, much as Hillary Clinton’s private email server and the activities of the Clinton Foundation were wielded against her by Trump.

Some, most notably women, say they are paying close attention to the allegations, which gave them pause.

Alex Sink, a donor and former Democratic nominee for governor of Florida, said she was “not happy” to read about the allegations against Biden. While she still plans to vote for him, she worried his campaign was too quick to categorically deny Reade’s story.

“They put themselves immediately out on a limb by saying, ‘It didn’t happen, we categorically deny it, it’s not true,’” Sink said.

Some female Democratic operatives expressed concerns the allegation is particularly damaging because it’s an indictment of Biden’s central campaign rationale: that he provides a moral counter to Trump and that the election is a “battle for the soul of America.”

“The stakes could not be higher for defeating Donald Trump — but at the same time, I think we have to apply a consistent standard for how we treat allegations of sexual assault, and also be clear-eyed about how Donald Trump will use these allegations in the general election campaign,” said Claire Sandberg, who worked as Bernie Sanders’ organizing director.

The silence from the Biden campaign has given Republicans an opening on an issue that was, in 2016, more fraught for the GOP, when Trump was asked to answer for the more than two dozen women who alleged varying levels of sexual assault and harassment. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News on Thursday that Biden will “have to participate in releasing all the information related to” the allegation, a stance he didn’t take when Trump faced misconduct accusations.

The GOP argues Democrats aren’t being consistent, pointing to aggressive questioning and coverage of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh when he faced an allegation of sexual assault.

Speaking about the allegation for the first time on Friday, Trump said Biden “should respond” before proceeding to criticize the treatment of Kavanaugh as “an absolute disgrace to our country.”

Steve Guest, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, said “the left, and their media allies, has one standard for Republicans and another standard for Democrats like Joe Biden.”

“The double standard,” he said, “is appalling.”

___

Associated Press writers Brian Slodysko in Washington and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

HAIM Announce Postponed Album Release Date, Share New Single ‘I Know Alone’

HAIM have released a new single from their forthcoming Women in Music Pt. III, sharing the video for ‘I Know Alone’ today. It’s the fifth song we’ve heard from the album, with the trio previously sharing ‘Summer Girl’, ‘Now I’m in It’, ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘The Steps’.

In addition, they’ve also announced the new drop date for Women in Music Pt. III, confirming a June 26 release. The band’s third album was originally slated for release earlier this month on April 24, but was pushed back due to “everything that is going on with COVID-19 and the changing nature of travel policies and quarantines across the world.”

The band’s tour plans – which included a run of unannounced Australian shows – were also postponed.

“We can’t wait to reschedule everything we had in mind for you all and we can’t wait to see all of you on the road when it’s 100% safe to do so,” commented HAIM at the time.

The video for ‘I Know Alone’ was directed remotely by Jake Scherier and sees the trio dancing in front of a basketball hoop, choreographed by the band along with Francis Farewell Starlite.

Women in Music Pt. III will follow the band’s 2017 album Something to Tell You.

Watch the video for ‘I Know Alone’ below.

The post HAIM Announce Postponed Album Release Date, Share New Single ‘I Know Alone’ appeared first on Music Feeds.

from Music Feeds https://ift.tt/2Yj2qzJ

'The Masked Singer' Unmasked: The Astronaut Reveals How the Show Influenced His Upcoming Album (Exclusive)

The crooner under the astronaut mask opened up to ET about how the competition helped him with 'embracing the unknown.'

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from News https://ift.tt/2KHownk

'Survivor: Winners at War': Boston Rob Plays Through Injury and Tony Might Be the One to Beat

Plus, Kim makes a big mistake.

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from News https://ift.tt/2KKww71

Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson Reconnect Over Zoom in 'Parks and Rec' Reunion Teaser - Watch!

Check out this fun look at the upcoming TV special and see how Ron has been handling the coronavirus pandemic.

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from News https://ift.tt/35jfZAI

Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion Drop Surprise 'Savage' Remix -- See the Best Twitter Reactions

Fans are shook after the singers released a surprise remix on Wednesday. Here are the best reactions.

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from News https://ift.tt/3d3un2G

Magic Johnson Reveals His Own Documentary Series Is in the Works (Exclusive)

The Lakers legend also praised Vanessa Bryants's strength in the aftermath of her husband and daughter's tragic death.

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from News https://ift.tt/2Sk9A2B

Wendy Williams' Life in Quarantine: Why She Hesitated on Filming at Home & How She's Adjusting to Single Life

The talk show host opens up to ET about how she's handling self-isolation and getting back into dating.

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

from News https://ift.tt/2W5ALiU

Corrections: April 30, 2020

By Unknown Author from NYT Corrections https://ift.tt/2ybHjVg

Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today

By BY PATRICK J. LYONS from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2xhiE0W

Venezuelan migrants block Bogota road, demand to travel home

A large crowd of Venezuelan migrants held up traffic on a Bogota highway on Wednesday, demanding to be allowed to leave Colombia and return to Venezuela.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2KM9oFu

Exclusive: President Trump says China wants him to lose re-election race

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he believes China's handling of the coronavirus is proof that Beijing "will do anything they can" to make him lose his re-election bid.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/3bPBRWH

China opposes international COVID-19 probe that presumes its guilt: vice foreign minister

China "resolutely opposes" any international inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic that presumes its guilt, said Yue Yucheng, a vice-foreign minister, in comments published on Thursday.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2xjqGXa

Australia links coronavirus outbreak in remote south to Carnival Corp cruise ship

A coronavirus outbreak in Australia's remote southern island state of Tasmania likely originated from the Ruby Princess cruise ship, a government report published on Thursday concluded, as the national death toll rose to 91.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2Wcfu7i

Peru's leader says to propose comprehensive pension reform

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday rejected a bill approved by Congress earlier this month that would have let people withdraw up to 25% of their holdings in private pension funds and vowed to send a full pension reform plan to lawmakers.

from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2W8hoFS

New top story from Time: President Trump Erupts at Campaign Team as His Poll Numbers Slide

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump erupted at his top political advisers last week when they presented him with worrisome polling data that showed his support eroding in a series of battleground states as his response to the coronavirus comes under criticism.

As the virus takes its deadly toll and much of the nation’s economy remains shuttered, new surveys by the Republican National Committee and Trump’s campaign pointed to a harrowing picture for the president as he faces reelection.

While Trump saw some of the best approval ratings of his presidency during the early weeks of the crisis, aides highlighted the growing political cost of the crisis and the unforced errors by Trump in his freewheeling press briefings.

Trump reacted with defiance, incredulous that he could be losing to someone he viewed as a weak candidate.

“I am not f—-ing losing to Joe Biden,” he repeated in a series of heated conference calls with his top campaign officials, according to five people with knowledge of the conversations. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about private discussions.

The message to the president was sobering: Trump was trailing the former Democratic vice president in many key battleground states, he was told, and would have lost the Electoral College if the election had been held earlier this month.

On the line from the White House, Trump snapped at the state of his polling during a series of calls with campaign manager Brad Parscale, who called in from Florida; RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, on the line from her home in Michigan; senior adviser Jared Kushner; and other aides.

Echoing a number of White House aides and outside advisers, the political team urged Trump to curtail his daily coronavirus briefings, arguing that the combative sessions were costing him in the polls, particularly among seniors. Trump initially pushed back, pointing to high television ratings. But, at least temporarily, he agreed to scale back the briefings after drawing sharp criticism for raising the idea that Americans might get virus protection by injecting disinfectants.

Trump aides encouraged the president to stay out of medical issues and direct his focus toward more familiar and politically important ground: the economy.

Even as Trump preaches optimism, the president has expressed frustration and even powerlessness as the dire economic statistics pile up. It’s been a whiplash-inducing moment for the president, who just two months ago planned to run for reelection on the strength of an economy that was experiencing unprecedented employment levels. Now, as the records mount in the opposite direction, Trump is feeling the pressure.

“We built the greatest economy in the world,” Trump has said publicly. “I’ll do it a second time.”

Trump’s political team warned that the president’s path to reelection depends on how quickly he can bring about a recovery.

“I think you’ll see by June a lot of the country should be back to normal, and the hope is that by July the country’s really rocking again,” Kushner told “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday morning. But other aides, business leaders and economists predict a far longer road toward recovery.

Representatives for the RNC and the Trump campaign did not comment on the polling or last week’s phone calls.

According to people familiar with the incident, Trump vented much of his frustration at Parscale, who served as the bearer of bad news.

Trump has long distrusted negative poll numbers — telling aides for years that his gut was right about the 2016 race, when he insisted that he was ahead in the Midwest and Florida. At the same time, Parscale and other Trump aides are talking up the sophistication of their data and voter outreach capabilities this time.

The president and some aides have had simmering frustrations with Parscale for a while, believing the campaign manager — a close Kushner ally — has enriched himself from his association with Trump and sought personal publicity. Trump had previously been angered when Parscale was the subject of magazine profiles. This latest episode flared before the campaign manager was featured in a New York Times Magazine profile this week.

Aides have grown particularly worried about Michigan — which some advisers have all but written off — as well as Florida, Wisconsin and Arizona.

Trump announced Wednesday that he will visit Arizona next week — his first trip outside Washington in a month — as he looks to declare that much of the nation is ready to begin reopening after the virus.

The president has mocked Biden, his presumptive general election rival, for being “stuck in his basement” in his Delaware home during the pandemic.

Trump said Wednesday that he hopes to soon visit Ohio, a battleground state that Trump carried handily in 2016 but that aides see as growing slightly competitive in recent weeks.

Aides acknowledged that the president’s signature rallies would not be returning anytime soon. Some have privately offered doubts that he would be able to hold any in his familiar format of jam-packed arenas before Election Day, Nov. 3.

___

Lemire reported from New York.

Britney Spears Says She's ''Lost Weight'' While Self-Quarantining Separately From Sam Asghari

Britney Spears is giving fans an update about how the COVID-19 lockdown is going for her. On Wednesday afternoon, the singer took to Instagram to share that she's been quaranting...


from E! Online (US) - lifestyle https://ift.tt/2VP66ri

There's Still Time to Order These Sweet Treats for Mother's Day

We love these products, and we hope you do too. E! has affiliate relationships, so we may get a small share of the revenue from your purchases. Items are sold by the retailer, not E!. If...


from E! Online (US) - lifestyle https://ift.tt/3bP5jfB