To view past editions of The Hill's 12:30 Report, click here: http://bit.ly/1M1mIfw

To receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: http://bit.ly/1Tt4hqN

--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump pushes back on whistleblower controversy | Complaint reportedly involves Ukraine | Trump says focus should be on Biden's Ukraine ties | Trump hits Iran's national bank with sanctions | De Blasio drops out | How Sanders is retooling his campaign | Trumps to host Australian PM for state dinner | What's on the dinner menu | O'Rourke's minivan gets stuck | National Punch Day

NEWS THIS MORNING

Mmm, this makes sense:

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE has dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

De Blasio said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe": "I feel like I have contributed all I can to this primary election. It's clearly not my time, so I'm going to end my presidential campaign, continue my work as mayor of New York City, and I'm going to keep speaking up for working people."

ADVERTISEMENT

Watch de Blasio's appearance on "Morning Joe": http://bit.ly/2IeB84H

And following his announcement, de Blasio released an NBC News op-ed: He explains why he is ending his campaign and what he plans to do next: https://nbcnews.to/2Ii2ZAK

Keep in mind: De Blasio did not make the debate stage in September and hinted at ending his presidential bid if he did not qualify for October's debate.

LIKE THE 'GOOD GAME, GOOD GAME' HANDSHAKES IN SPORTS:

President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE tweeted, "Oh no, really big political news, perhaps the biggest story in years! Part time Mayor of New York City, @BilldeBlasio, who was polling at a solid ZERO but had tremendous room for growth, has shocking dropped out of the Presidential race. NYC is devastated, he's coming home!" Ouch. http://bit.ly/2IdTJO6

Happy Friday! I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Happening now — Trump is speaking:

President Trump is holding a joint press conference right now with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Livestream: http://bit.ly/2IfVfzb

HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR:

FLOTUS got a shout out: “Really great job, honey,” Trump said about first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Ginsburg becomes the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rabbi memorializes Ginsburg: Her dissents were 'blueprints for the future' MORE’s planning of the state dinner. http://bit.ly/2VfWEeJ

On China and tariffs: “China is China and they know what they’re doing as well as anybody,” Trump said. “My relationship with President Xi is a very amazing one ... but we have right now a little spat.”

Haha!: Australian Prime Minister Morrison selected a reporter named Andrew for the next question. “I assume Andrew is a nice person?” Trump joked to Morrison. Morrison got a good laugh out of that comment. Photo of the interaction: http://bit.ly/2V7NaC2

On Iran: “We are by far the strongest military in the world. Going into Iran would be a very easy decision ... most people thought I would go in within two seconds but [we have] plenty of time.”

Trump discusses Iran sanctions:

This morning, President Trump announced that he has sanctioned Iran's national bank and called them the "highest sanctions ever imposed on a country." http://bit.ly/2Id6Xun

We have a new detail about the whistleblower complaint:

Via The Washington Post's Ellen Nakashima, Shane Harris, Greg Miller and Carol D. Leonnig, the whistleblower complaint about a troubling "promise" President Trump made during discussions with a foreign leader involves Ukraine. https://wapo.st/2Ii24jM

Keep in mind: "Two and a half weeks before the complaint was filed, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian and political newcomer who was elected in a landslide in May."

This a.m. -- nothing to see here:

President Trump defended his conduct this morning while dismissing the whistleblower complaint. http://bit.ly/2IhgBMF

He tweeted: "The Radical Left Democrats and their Fake News Media partners, headed up again by Little Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff to subpoena top DHS official, alleges whistleblower deposition is being stonewalled Schiff claims DHS is blocking whistleblower's access to records before testimony GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power MORE, and batting Zero for 21 against me, are at it again! They think I may have had a 'dicey' conversation with a certain foreign leader based on a 'highly partisan' whistleblowers statement. Strange that with so many other people hearing or knowing of the perfectly fine and respectful conversation, that they would not have also come forward. Do you know the reason why they did not? Because there was nothing said wrong, it was pitch perfect!" Read his full tweets: http://bit.ly/2IeJ7yo

TRUMP LATER MADE A COMMENT ABOUT Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE:

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office this morning, President Trump said the focus should instead be on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's ties to Ukraine. http://bit.ly/2IeG5dN

Interesting read -- it's not all hate and disgust:

Via The Hill's Brett Samuels, "[President Trump] was in a sunny mood following two days in the Golden State, and it showed. Trump eyed the chocolate cake sitting on journalists' meal trays in a light-hearted moment on Air Force One during the trip. 'They didn't give me cake like that,' he quipped to a Washington Post reporter." http://bit.ly/30ALPF0

Another tidbit: "Trump marveled at how a photographer on the plane captured a $20 bill sticking out of his back pocket a day earlier and pulled out a wad of cash to explain to reporters how he likes to leave tips for hotel workers."

Why moments like this are especially interesting: "Trump has an often acrimonious relationship with the media. He had criticized two of the reporters traveling with him by name on Twitter in recent weeks and decried The New York Times as a 'sad joke' while flying to New Mexico at the start of the week. But he can't resist interacting with the press, and he did so regularly during what had been billed as a series of private fundraisers closed to the media."

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

But I'm the OG!:

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley, Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt.) is retooling his campaign as his allies worry he will be overshadowed on the left by Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.). http://bit.ly/2IfIkgR

A problem for Sanders: "Many of the once-fringe policies Sanders championed in 2016 have become mainstream and are being promoted by his rivals, such as Warren, who has caught and in some cases surpassed Sanders in recent polling."

Sanders's supporters seem a bit worried: "It does look like she's starting to take over," said one Sanders ally with close ties to the campaign. "Nobody is attacking us, and that's probably because their internal polling says there's no reason to attack us, for the same reason you don't see people out there attacking Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE. Biden's not out there attacking our electability. His allies are out there attacking Warren's electability. Why do you think that is?"

But the campaign says it's not sweating it: "There are a lot of new candidates and voters are appropriately kicking the tires on them," said Sanders adviser Jeff Weaver. "But at the end of the day, Bernie's consistent advocacy and his willingness to fight for working people are what will set him apart."

How this could play out: http://bit.ly/2IfIkgR

NOTABLE TWEETS

Your daughter is wise beyond her years:

My 9-year-old daughter has taken an old lip balm tube and filled it with cheese so she can eat it in class. pic.twitter.com/YEAqZx2wnr — Valerie Schremp Hahn (@valeriehahn) September 17, 2019

Oh no:

Watch: http://bit.ly/30ufzDm

ON TAP

The House was in this morning. The Senate is out.

President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C., hosting the prime minister of Australia.

9 a.m. EDT: President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Pence and Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceTrump met with chants of protest as he pays respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg How fast population growth made Arizona a swing state The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Pence elbow bump at NYC Sept. 11 ceremony MORE welcomed the prime minister of Australia and his wife.

10 a.m. EDT: President Trump held meetings with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

10:15–11:15 a.m. EDT: Votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2Ie9ZPm

1:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump receives an intelligence briefing.

8:20 p.m. EDT: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump host Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny Morrison, for a state dinner. Vice President Pence and Karen Pence also attend. The dinner menu: https://wapo.st/2IfRoCd

Sept. 26: The Hill is hosting "The Future of Mobility Summit" in Washington, D.C. Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2ZXafvW

WHAT TO WATCH

11:45 a.m. EDT: President Trump held a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2IfVfzb

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Punch Day.

Because it'll be a beautiful weekend:

Via Washingtonian's Madeline Rundlett, here's a list of fun food events in the Washington, D.C. area this weekend: http://bit.ly/2IeGDjR

And to get your weekend off to a proper start, here's a corgi dog playing catch from his owner's backpack. I'm impressed, little man: http://bit.ly/2IaSoYv