Donald Trump's Debate-night Media-business Dry-run

This month marks the anniversary of a book that changed America. History.com: On June 15, 1974, Simon & Schuster releases All the President’s Men, the first definitive book about the Watergate scandal, authored by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the two Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporters from The Washington Post who broke the explosive story.

During a private meeting with congressional Republicans Thursday, convicted felon Donald Trump reportedly called Milwaukee, where the Republican National Convention will be held in July, a "horrible city." He then lied about crime in the city, where homicides are down 42% since 2022. But don’t worry, Wisconsin, you are not alone in Trump's disdain for the country’s most populous areas.

Democrats are not bringing Powerpoint slides to a gunfight any longer. Tiger Beat on the Potomac (AKA Politico, Thanks Charlie Pierce!) morning email thingie: A MATTER OF CONVICTION — The JOE BIDEN campaign is announcing a major new $50 million June ad push this morning, centered on a new spot slamming DONALD TRUMP over his conviction in the New York hush money case.

I just learned that Trial Balloon — the members-only podcast I do each week with Chris Riback — has now been downloaded in more than 100 countries. That’s extraordinary for any podcast, but especially one focused on American politics that is only available to members. Thanks so much for listening! If you’re not yet a member, sign up today.

“The White House on Monday blasted a string of altered videos that purported to show President Biden wandering or standing in a state of confusion, calling the footage ‘bad faith’ and a sign of desperation from Biden’s critics,” NewsNation reports.

NBC News: “Good, who chairs the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, told his supporters that he is former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s top target, as McCarthy looks to take down the small group of Republicans who ousted him late last year. McCarthy’s first effort fell short last week when Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina won her primary.” “But McCarthy is just one player lined up against Good in a race that could see him become the first member of Congress to lose to a primary challenger this year.