Florida man goes on television

Hello and welcome to Wednesday.

Here we go — Florida man and former President Donald Trump will appear on CNN this evening, a day after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse against writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump is expected to repeat comments he made on Truth Social, where he called the verdict “A DISGRACE” and part of a “WITCH HUNT” against him.

New trend — Trump’s appearance on CNN for the first time in years highlights an emerging trend where despite all the disdain Trump has thrown toward the mainstream media his camp has decided to embrace traditional outlets, according to our POLITICO colleagues Adam Wren, Meridith McGraw, Natalie Allison and Sally Goldenberg.

Everywhere — One Republican strategist told POLITICO that “the difference is, Trump will do both Real America’s Voice and CNN interviews, and the campaign or PAC will highlight New York Times articles as well as Jack Posobiec tweets. We are dealing with the whole spectrum of media, whether liberal or very right wing. … I think there is a concerted effort to not isolate ourselves to conservative media and talk to all outlets because people still read those outlets. The New York Times has a huge readership. CNN has more viewers than Newsmax.”

Not on board — The most obvious contrast here is Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose gravitates toward friendly conservative outlets for sit-down interviews. And earlier this year, he held a roundtable where he and others criticized the “legacy media” and called for changes to the state’s defamation laws. Members of his team are routinely combative with many in the media. The governor does hold press conferences (primarily but not always outside of Tallahassee) and he even did an interview with a British newspaper during his recent international trip.

Why it could work — DeSantis isn’t running for president… yet. (He has taken a big step in that direction with his decision to sever his connection to his state political committee.) Once he does jump into the race, those conservative outlets that have connected with the governor could prove helpful in the GOP primary.

Why it may not work — But the question is whether DeSantis will let Trump continue to soak up all the mainstream media attention or if he will change his strategy in the weeks ahead. (Worth noting that DeSantis regularly engaged with the media before Covid-19.) One disadvantage for DeSantis is that Trump’s record is well-known — and well-dissected — for primary voters. While the governor has gotten copious attention from Florida outlets, his record is about to re-litigated by the national press looking for something, anything that could shed light on how he might act as president. One could argue about whether this will be a fair standard given everything that Trump has done. But that’s the way it likely will be.

— WHERE’S RON? — Gov. DeSantis is holding a press conference in Jacksonville.

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TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP

IN THE AIR TONIGHT — Trump goes mainstream on CNN. The rest of the pack sucks wind, by POLITICO’s Adam Wren, Meridith McGraw, Natalie Allison and Sally Goldenberg: When the lights flick on for Donald Trump’s town hall on CNN tonight, much of Washington will fixate on the clash between the former president and a network he’s derided as “fake news.” But what the prime-time event will lay bare is something far more consequential for the presidential primary: Trump is fast-forwarding toward a broader, general election media strategy, while some of his rivals are stuck in primary mode.

ONE NIGHT ONLY — Trump world booked CNN hoping for a big audience. Now, they’re in the thick of it, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison, Alex Isenstadt and Meridith McGraw: Former President Donald Trump’s camp anticipates that Tuesday’s verdict, which found him liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll, for which she was awarded $5 million in damages, will come up. But they also see the CNN town hall as an opportunity to reach a major national audience, according to a person familiar with their thinking. And they also see political opportunity ahead. The Trump campaign is expected to fundraise off the Carroll decision, that person said.

VERDICT — Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse in E. Jean Carroll case, by POLITICO’s Erica Orden and Wesley Parnell: A federal jury on Tuesday found that Donald Trump sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll, a writer who accused the former president of attacking her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. The verdict in the civil trial marks the first time that Trump, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women, has been held legally responsible for sexual assault. And it adds fresh tarnish to the former president’s reputation as he seeks to regain the White House amid a tide of legal troubles.

Response — In a social media post Tuesday, Trump called the verdict “a disgrace.” He added: “a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time!” Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina said Trump would appeal the verdict. “They rejected the rape claim and they always claimed this was a rape case, so it’s a little perplexing. But we move forward,” Tacopina said.

— “Melania fully behind Trump’s 2024 campaign, says it would be a ‘privilege’ to serve as first lady again,” by Fox News’ Brooke Singman

DESANTISLAND

GETTING READY — DeSantis takes major step ahead of expected presidential bid, by POLITICO’s Gary Fineout: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis severed his connection to his long-standing state political committee and the tens of millions of dollars that it now controls, a step he needs to take ahead of a presidential campaign. The Republican governor is expected to jump into the race for president soon and the move to rebrand his Florida political committee — called Friends of Ron DeSantis — is the most concrete sign so far that his candidacy is imminent.

Letting you know — DeSantis filed a notice last Friday with the state that he was “no longer associated with the political committee” and that he was no longer raising money either directly or indirectly for the organization. The website for the committee was changed on Tuesday morning to say that its mission is “committed to advancing the Freedom Agenda and keeping Florida free.” But more importantly, the website was changed to say that the committee is associated with state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia and not DeSantis.

GEARING UP — “Pro-DeSantis super PAC ramps up hiring into Super Tuesday,” by The Associated Press’ Thomas Beaumont: “The super PAC promoting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to have dozens of staff in place in the first 18 states on the Republican presidential primary calendar in the coming weeks, a move indicating that his expected 2024 announcement is drawing closer. The plans, shared with The Associated Press, are part of the group Never Back Down’s strategy to begin political organizing for DeSantis all the way through Super Tuesday on March 5 and point to a novel approach the super PAC is attempting ahead of a likely DeSantis run.”

NOT ON BOARD — “Steve Schwarzman holds off giving money to DeSantis after meeting him,” by Bloomberg’s Nancy Cook: “Steve Schwarzman will hold off donating money to Ron DeSantis for now, after a meeting with the expected presidential aspirant left him unconvinced of the Florida governor’s White House prospects. Schwarzman, a Republican megadonor, went to Tallahassee in the last few weeks to visit the governor and assess his national standing, according to people briefed on the matter. The billionaire co-founder of Blackstone Inc. is currently withholding support for anyone within the GOP field, said the people.”

— “Former Trump campaign adviser endorses Ron DeSantis for president,” by Fox News’ Kyle Morris

... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ...

‘WRITE A CHECK’ — “Florida law takes aim at teachers union that defied DeSantis,” by The Associated Press’ Brendan Farrington: “Teachers and other government employees will have to write monthly checks if they want to stay in their union after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Tuesday banning automatic dues deductions from public employees’ paychecks. The anti-union bill also gives employees the right to immediately quit a union for no reason and requires unions to recertify if the number of dues-paying members drops below 60% of those eligible to join. ‘If you want to join, you can, but you write a check and you hand it over. That is gonna lead to more take-home pay for teachers,’ DeSantis said at the bill-signing ceremony.”

DELETE APP? — “DeSantis shelves TikTok and cellphones in schools,” by News Service of Florida’s Ryan Dailey: “Saying that social media does ‘more harm than good,’ Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed education changes that include prohibiting students from using cellphones during class time and curtailing use of the social-media platform TikTok on school grounds. Also, DeSantis signed bills creating a ‘Teachers’ Bill of Rights’ and imposing eight-year term limits on school board members.

“The social-media measure (HB 379) prohibits the use of TikTok on devices owned by school districts and through internet access provided by districts. The governor signed another bill Monday that, in part, bars access to TikTok on state-owned wireless networks.”


MOUNT TALLAHASSEE — Florida approves K-12 social studies textbooks after pressing publishers to tweak content, by POLITICO’s Andrew Atterbury: Florida’s Department of Education as of Tuesday approved dozens of social studies textbooks for use in local schools after initially rejecting many over content the DeSantis administration found objectionable. Publishers in many cases tweaked the content in their books after an initial review from the state, according to the state’s education agency.

Hmm — State education officials flagged several potential textbooks for “political indoctrination,” including one lesson urging parents to speak with their children about kneeling during the National Anthem as a symbol representing America. Publishers also amended some of the books at Florida’s urging, such as removing a reference to the police killing of George Floyd in a middle school book, as Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to fight against “wokeness” in education.

— “Billie Jean King kids’ book under review in Leon school district after parent complaint,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Ana Goñi-Lessan

BEHIND THE CURTAIN — “Inside Andrew Gillum jury deliberations: Jurors point to ‘flimsy’ case, ‘biased’ holdouts,” by Tallahassee Democrat’s Jeff Burlew: “Several jurors in the Andrew Gillum trial say they were ‘heartbroken’ that they couldn’t reach a verdict on most of the charges and that the former Tallahassee mayor would have been acquitted fully were it not for two holdouts they described as ‘biased.’ In a statement to the Democrat signed anonymously by ‘Several Jurors,’ members of the panel spoke out about the trial, which ended Thursday with a verdict on only one of 19 counts, the government’s case, which they called ‘completely circumstantial,’ and their deliberations, which simmered with frustration across five days.”

— “State picks contractors for DeSantis’ migrant relocation program amid Florida illegal immigration crackdown,” by USA Today Network-Florida’s Douglas Soule

CAMPAIGN MODE

‘A MUCH BETTER CANDIDATE’ — “Morgan touts Grant Hill as challenger to Rick Scott in 2024,” by Orlando Sentinel’s Steven Lemongello: “[Grant] Hill, 50, a longtime Central Florida resident, was on the Orlando Magic roster from 2000 to 2007, one of four stops in his 19-year Hall of Fame career, which ended in 2013. Since then, he’s worked as a basketball analyst and is a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks. ‘A beloved celebrity makes a much better candidate than some political hack, especially when as smart and charismatic as Grant’ Morgan told the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday. ‘And he transcends politics.’”

— “Jacksonville City Council approves redistricting settlement 15-3,” by Florida Times-Union’s Hanna Holthaus

DATELINE D.C.

— “Gaetz calls Fox hosts ‘childish’ for jokes about romance with Ocasio-Cortez,” by The Hill’s Jared Gans

— “Florida congressional delegation to meet, discuss state agriculture needs,” by Florida Politics’ Jacob Ogles

PENINSULA AND BEYOND

EXECUTION SCHEDULED — “DeSantis signs another death warrant, this one for a 1984 murder,” by News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders: “In what would be Florida’s fourth execution in less than four months, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a death warrant for a man convicted of committing two murders in Palm Beach County nearly four decades ago. Duane Owen, 62, is scheduled to die by lethal injection June 15 in the murder of Georgianna Worden, who was bludgeoned with a hammer and sexually assaulted in her Boca Raton home in May 1984, according to the death warrant and court records.”

— “Protest in town of Caimanera sends warning message to the Cuban government, activists say,” by El Nuevo Herald’s Nora Gámez Torres

— “In Tampa: FBI raid, alleged ‘public corruption,’ cyber breach, evictions,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Sue Carlton and Justin Garcia

— “FL HCA hospital workers say staffing shortages are leading to unsafe conditions,” by Florida Phoenix’s Mitch Perry

ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN


— “Judge seems skeptical of Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend claims,” by The Associated Press’ Terry Spencer: “A Florida judge appeared skeptical Tuesday to arguments made by an attorney for superstar golfer Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend Erica Herman, who is trying to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement that would require the ongoing legal disputes between the two be decided privately by an arbitrator. During a 45-minute hearing, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Metzger repeatedly questioned why the mandatory arbitration clause in the couple’s disputed agreement wouldn’t invalidate Herman’s lawsuit against Woods.”

— “St. Petersburg’s controversial founder of insurance firm dies at 89,” by Tampa Bay Times’ Jay Cridlin: “Robert Menke, the founder of one of St. Petersburg’s largest private corporations and a key figure in a scandal over attempts to spy on a state insurance regulator, has died at 89. Menke, the longtime chairperson and director of insurance firm Bankers Financial Corp., died “peacefully at home with his family at his side” last week, according to a company statement.”

BIRTHDAYS: Former U.S. Ambassador Mel Sembler … Stephen M. Ross, principal owner of the Miami Dolphins … Reporter Forrest Saunders … Ryan Wiggins, chief of staff with The Lincoln Project … Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s Zac Anderson … The Associated Press’ Bobby Caina Calvan