Today on AirTalk, Larry discusses President Trump's State of the Union speech with a panel of political analysts. We also examine the unfortunate pervasiveness and durability of black face; explore Facebook's impact on political beliefs, social relationships, and sense of self as it turns 15; and more.
State of the Union 2019: President Trump calls for unity, reiterates tough stance on immigration
Face to face with emboldened Democrats, President Donald Trump called on Washington to cast aside "revenge, resistance and retribution" and end "ridiculous partisan investigations" in a State of the Union address delivered at a vulnerable moment for his presidency.
Trump appealed Tuesday night for bipartisanship but refused to yield on the hard-line immigration policies that have infuriated Democrats and forced the recent government shutdown. He renewed his call for a border wall and cast illegal immigration as a threat to Americans' safety and economic security. Trump accepted no blame for his role in cultivating the rancorous atmosphere in the nation's capital, and he didn't outline a clear path for collaborating with Democrats who are eager to block his agenda. Their opposition was on vivid display as Democratic congresswomen in the audience formed a sea of white in a nod to early 20th-century suffragettes.
Trump is staring down a two-year stretch that will determine whether he is re-elected or leaves office in defeat. His speech sought to shore up Republican support that had eroded slightly during the recent government shutdown and previewed a fresh defense against Democrats as they ready a round of investigations into every aspect of his administration.
"If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation," he declared. Lawmakers in the cavernous House chamber sat largely silent.
Looming over the president's address was a fast-approaching Feb. 15 deadline to fund the government and avoid another shutdown. Democrats have refused to acquiesce to his demands for a border wall, and Republicans are increasingly unwilling to shut down the government to help him fulfill his signature campaign pledge. Nor does the GOP support the president's plan to declare a national emergency if Congress won't fund the wall.
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
Marsha Catron, Democratic strategist and partner at Swann Street Strategies in Washington D.C.; She has worked for the Obama and Bill Richardson 2008 presidential campaigns
Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco; he is a former adviser to California Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and a former White House staffer for Presidents Reagan and H.W. Bush
As the Oscars goes host-less for the first time in 30 years, we ask -- what makes for a great host?
Following the controversy and subsequent stepping down of Kevin Hart from the Oscars hosting gig, the Academy has officially announced that the 91st Academy Awards will be foregoing a host altogether.
Instead, the show will be moved along by a spate of high-profile presenters, including Jennifer Lopez, Daniel Craig, Amy Poehler, Awkwafina and Chris Evans.
ABC has said that the uncertainty surrounding the show has actually been a positive, since it’s sparked interest. After hitting a ratings record low last year, ABC may be hoping that recent controversy will rescue the Oscars.
Will you be tuning in? Which Oscars hosts have connected with you and why? Do you think this new format might rescue an awards show that’s been on the decline with viewers for years?
Guest:
Marc Malkin, senior events and lifestyle editor at Variety; he tweets
The unfortunate pervasiveness and durability of black face
Another top Virginia Democrat has admitted to wearing blackface decades ago.
Attorney General Mark Herring issued a statement Wednesday saying he wore brown makeup and a wig in 1980 to look like a black rapper during a party as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia.
The revelation further roils the top levels of Virginia government. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax are already facing controversies, and Herring would be next in line to be governor after those two men.
Many including Herring have urged Northam to resign after the discovery of a photo of someone in blackface on his 1984 medical school yearbook page. Fairfax, next in line to be governor, has been accused of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
In light of these revelations coming from the Virginia legislature, AirTalk wants to hear your experiences with black face: when was the first, if ever, you had encountered it? What was your reaction?
Call 866-893-5722 to share your experience.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
Jody Armour, professor of law at USC; he tweets
Facebook turns 15: The social network's impact on your life
A decade and a half after the landmark social networking platform’s creation, Facebook reports over 2 billion users per month.
For some, Facebook is becoming less relevant; the company has been called out for funneling the political echochamber with false profiles, selling user data, and younger users are opting for other networks. For others, Facebook has become a lifeline as a primary source of news and social interactions.
Subsequently Facebook has changed how friendships evolve. The virtual-world of Facebook has created connections otherwise lost with time like childhood acquaintances, or relationships that would have never forged to begin with, like matchs made through Ancestry.com. As Zuckerberg's baby turns fifteen, AirTalk explores Facebook’s awkward adolescence and considers what the maturing platform means for our political beliefs, social relationships, and sense of self.
Guests:
Hannah Kuchler, reporter for the Financial Times, where she covers tech out of Silicon Valley
Joshua Tucker, professor of politics and co-director of the Social Media and Political Participation (SMaPP) laboratory at New York University
Julie Beck, senior editor at The Atlantic, where she covers family and education; her recent piece is “Facebook: Where Friendships Go to Never Quite Die”