With additional funding for Ukraine in limbo, Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to meet with leaders in Washington D.C. And, amid backlash following her testimony on antisemitism on college campuses, Penn’s president resigns. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Dec. 11, 2023.
Zelenskyy to meet with Biden in D.C. on Tuesday
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, where he will meet with President Joe Biden and congressional leaders as he looks for additional funding to aid his country’s ongoing war against Russia.
In a statement, the White House says the two presidents will discuss Ukraine’s “urgent needs” and “the vital importance of the United States’ continued support” as Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes.
The trip is taking place just days after Senate Republicans blocked a $110 billion package, which included aid for Ukraine and Israel. Republicans said the bill must include stricter border security measures to gain their support.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have invited Zelenskyy to speak at an all-senators meeting on Tuesday morning, Dec. 12. The Ukrainian president is also scheduled to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
Zelenskky had planned to address Senators during a classified briefing last week via video but canceled at the last moment. Schumer said it would have been the third time Zelenskyy had addressed Senators since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump will not testify again in his $250 million civil fraud trial
In an unexpected announcement, former President Donald Trump said he would not be retaking the stand on Monday, Dec. 11, in his defense in the $250 million civil fraud trial against him and his company in New York.
Trump had already taken the stand last month. But as the trial nears its end, Trump was expected to be one of the last witnesses called by the defense before it rests its case. However, according to a post on the former president’s social media platform, Truth Social, that is no longer the case.
“I have already testified to everything and have nothing more to say other than this is a complete and total election interference (Biden campaign!) witch hunt,” Trump wrote.
New York Attorney General Letitia James alleges Trump and his colleagues committed fraud by inflating the organization’s value and falsifying financial statements. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
In response to Trump’s last-minute reversal, the attorney general said her team has already proven their case. The trial, which was set to resume on Monday, Dec. 11, is now scheduled to resume on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
Penn president resigns after backlash over antisemitism testimony
There was more fallout this weekend following the testimony of three university presidents on Capitol Hill last week over the rise of antisemitism on their campuses as the war between Israel and Hamas surpasses two months. On Saturday, Dec. 9, Liz Magill resigned as president of the University of Pennsylvania.
Magill, along with Harvard President Claudine Gay and MIT President Sally Kornbluth, were heavily criticized by a bipartisan group of politicians for their answers.
Magill faced backlash from local lawmakers, donors, and business leaders for her response to the questions by the House committee of whether calling for the genocide of Jews violated Penn’s code of conduct. Magill answered it was a “context-dependent decision.”
In her resignation announcement, Magill said it has “been my privilege to serve as president of this remarkable institution.” She will remain a faculty member at Penn’s law school.
Shortly after Magill stepped down, Scott Bok, chair of Penn’s board of trustees, also submitted his resignation.
Speaking at an interfaith rally at a Philadelphia Synagogue on Sunday, Dec. 10, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said the “real work at the university begins now making sure that every student feels safe on campus.”
Meanwhile, at least 570 faculty members at Harvard University have signed a petition asking school administrators not to fire their school’s president, Claudine Gay, despite a letter from lawmakers demanding the change. Alison Frank Johnson, a Harvard professor and co-author of the petition wrote in an email to Reuters, “We don’t want to lose her because of a political stunt.”
At least 6 dead as tornadoes touched down in Tennessee
At least six people are dead, and dozens more are injured as tornadoes and severe storms tore through the state over the weekend. Police in Nashville confirmed a 31-year-old mother and her 2-year-old son were among three killed.
In Montgomery County, officials said two adults and one child were killed due to the severe weather, and 62 others in the county were injured.
With winds up to 150 miles per hour, the storms passed through multiple cities in Tennessee, destroying homes and businesses and knocking out power to more than 56,000 customers. Gov. Bill Lee said he and his wife are praying for all Tennesseans affected by the storm.
Investor group reportedly offers to buy Macy’s for $5.8 billion
A new investor group is offering to buy the famed department store chain Macy’s for $5.8 billion, more than $1 billion over its current market value. As the Wall Street Journal first reported, Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management are looking to take Macy’s private as the group believes the company is undervalued in the public markets.
Year over year, Macy’s has seen its sales slump by 7% despite efforts to reverse course, including announcing 30 new stores at strip malls instead of at traditional shopping malls. The company currently operates nearly 500 Macy’s department stores as well as dozens of locations for its upscale chain, Bloomingdale’s. Macy’s and the investor group have not commented on the reports.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson launching streaming service
A new option is expected to join the crowded field of streaming services on Monday, Dec. 11, as former Fox News host Tucker Carlson plans to launch his own.
According to reports, the Tucker Carlson Network is set to go live on his website. The subscription streaming service will cost $9 a month or $72 a year.
It will feature at least five different shows, with some of the content free for non-subscribers.
Since being fired from Fox News last spring, Carlson has hosted a show on the social media site X, which included an interview with former President Donald Trump. Though those interested can sign up now, Carlson is expected to officially announce the launch of his service during an appearance on the Megyn Kelly Show on SiriusXM later Monday.