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--> 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: Biden says he didn't treat Anita Hill 'badly' | Declines to apologize to women accusers | Trump takes a shot at Biden's age | Gloves start to come off in Dem 2020 race | Trump defends Charlottesville remarks | Calls Robert E. Lee a 'great general' | Trump says he didn't tell McGahn to fire Mueller | Preview of WHCD weekend | National Pretzel Day

THIS MORNING OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE

A Don v. Don fight:

While speaking to reporters outside the White House this morning before leaving for Indianapolis, Ind., President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE said he did not order former White House counsel Don McGahn to fire special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE, despite McGahn’s testimony to the contrary. http://bit.ly/2VvaCf3

In Trump’s words: "I’m a student of history. I see what you get when you fire people, and it’s not good ... I never told Don McGahn to fire Mueller. If I wanted to fire Mueller I would’ve done it myself. It’s very simple. I had the right to. And frankly, whether I did or [McGahn] did, we had the absolute right to fire Mueller."

What now?

Trump says Robert E Lee was a great general pic.twitter.com/HuVMAh9Vqe — Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) April 26, 2019

The president also defended his 2017 comments when he argued there were "very fine people on both sides" in the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., when a counterprotester died. http://bit.ly/2Pt8xe4

In Trump’s words: "If you look at what I said, you will see that that question was answered perfectly. I was talking about people that went because they felt very strongly about the monument to Robert E. Lee, a great general. Whether you like it or not, he was a great general. ... People were there protesting the taking down of the monument of Robert E. Lee. Everybody knows that." http://bit.ly/2Pt8xe4

For context: “He said this while standing about 500 feet away from the exact spot where Robert E. Lee declined command of the Union Army and decided to take up arms against his country in defense of slavery.” (Via The IJR’s Josh Billinson) http://bit.ly/2GKs0nW

Lol ouch: “I thought he didn't like people who got captured.” (From The New York Times’s Astead W. Herndon) http://bit.ly/2vmAyLh

TRUMP ALSO TOOK A SHOT A Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Harris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle MORE, BECAUSE WHY NOT?:

When asked if there was an age factor in the 2020 race, Trump said, “I just feel like a young man. I am a young, vibrant man. ... I look at Joe, I don’t know about him” while nodding and smiling at the press corps. “I would never say anyone’s too old, but I know they’re all making me look very young, both in terms of age and I think in terms of energy.” http://bit.ly/2vpypOM

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 .

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NEWS THIS MORNING

You go, Glen Coco!:

Via The Hill’s Sylvan Lane, the U.S. economy grew 3.2 percent in the first quarter of 2019, blowing past expectations. http://bit.ly/2UHnSIX

For context: Economists expected the economy to grow roughly 2.5 percent.

When will we have the full numbers: A fuller data set of that estimate will be released on May 30.

What this means for the U.S. economy: “The surprisingly high first quarter growth rate is the latest sign of strength for the U.S. economy well into its 10th year of expansion since the Great Recession. The economy grew at a solid 2.9-percent rate in 2018, but slowing growth and severe financial market turmoil to end the year raised concerns of an impending slowdown. Despite a sluggish start to 2019, the U.S. economy has added an average 180,000 jobs per month this year while the stock market has reached record highs.”

American Airlines is taking a pretty big hit because of Boeing:

Via Reuters’ Sanjana Shivdas and Tracy Rucinski, American Airlines said it is expecting to take a $350 million hit from the groundings of the Boeing 737 Max plane. https://reut.rs/2PsZ5aA

How many aircraft American had to ground: 24

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

That is a bold move, North Korea. Bold move.:

The Washington Post’s Anna Fifield reported that North Korea sent the United States a $2 million bill for the hospital care that American student Otto Warmbier received. https://wapo.st/2ILzOIm

Why: North Korea insists that the U.S. pledged to pay for his medical care before Warmbier was allowed to return home.

What happened with the bill: “The bill went to the Treasury Department, where it remained — unpaid — throughout 2017, the people said. However, it is unclear whether the Trump administration later paid the bill, or whether it came up during preparations for [President Trump’s] two summits with Kim Jong Un Kim Jong UnSatellite images indicate North Korea preparing for massive military parade South Korea warns of underwater missile test launch by North Korea Trump says he didn't share classified information following Woodward book MORE.”

Keep in mind: As recently as September, Trump said the U.S. did not pay to get American “hostages” back.



BACK STORY — WHY THE REPORT IS LIKELY TO ANGER WASHINGTON...:

Otto Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labor in March 2016 on charges of pulling down a North Korean propaganda sign at a hotel in Pyongyang. The U.S. found out 15 months later that Warmbier had been in a coma since his sentencing and negotiated his return. Warmbier died when he returned home.

^ This morning — Trump responds:

President Trump did not deny that North Korea sent a $2 million bill for Warmbier’s care but said the United States never paid North Korea’s request. http://bit.ly/2GIl9ey

Trump tweeted: “No money was paid to North Korea for Otto Warmbier, not two Million Dollars, not anything else.”

He then criticized Obama: “This is not the Obama Administration that paid 1.8 Billion Dollars for four hostages, or gave five terrorist hostages plus, who soon went back to battle, for traitor Sgt. Bergdahl!”

It’s a cool nickname, but you can’t give yourself nicknames. That’s the rule: “Chief Hostage Negotiator, USA!” Trump tweeted.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Just now — Biden’s first TV interview since his 2020 announcement:

Former Vice President Joe Biden appeared on ABC’s “The View” this morning for his first televised interview since he announced he is running for president in 2020.

Biden declined to apologize to women accusers: “I’m really sorry if what I did in talking to them in trying to console, if in fact they took it in a different way. It’s my responsibility to make sure that I bend over backwards to understand how not to do that ... So I invaded your space and I’m sorry this happened. But I’m not sorry in the sense I think I did anything that was intentionally wrong or did anything inappropriate.” http://bit.ly/2VrZP5b

On Anita Hill: “I’m sorry for the way she got treated. Look at what I said and didn’t say, I don’t think I treated her badly ... I believed Dr. Hill, I believed what she was saying. There were a lot of mistakes made across the board and for those I apologize. We could have conducted it better but I believed Dr. Hill from the beginning and I said it.” http://bit.ly/2IHDF9r

Other tidbits from the interview: https://nyti.ms/2IZKPoP

Drop your gloves:

Via The Hill’s Jonathan Easley, the race for the Democratic presidential nomination are showing signs it could get nasty. http://bit.ly/2GEDEj7

Why that’s especially noteworthy: The race “so far has resembled more of a tea party than a barroom brawl.”

An example: “South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Hillicon Valley: FBI, DHS warn that foreign hackers will likely spread disinformation around election results | Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day | Trump to meet with Republican state officials on tech liability shield MORE (D) said this week he didn’t think Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.) could rebuild the coalition that pushed his 2016 candidacy forward, a line many saw as a shot undercutting a rival campaign. Those remarks came after Sanders's campaign co-chairman Ro Khanna Rohit (Ro) KhannaThe Hill Interview: Jerry Brown on climate disasters, COVID-19 and Biden's 'Rooseveltian moment' Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery DeJoy defends Postal Service changes at combative House hearing MORE (D-Calif.) lashed out at Buttigieg for comparing Sanders's supporters to President' Trump's, even though Buttigieg had been praising Sanders for reaching out to the anti-establishment voters that Democrats have been accused of ignoring.”

Other examples of the race turning ugly: http://bit.ly/2GEDEj7

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Nerd prom weekend!:

Tonight kicks off the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner weekend.

Is Trump attending?: No, he is holding a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wis., on Saturday. http://bit.ly/2XGq19G

HERE’S A LIST OF THE PARTIES THIS WEEKEND:

http://bit.ly/2IUEc6W

HOW TO FOLLOW THE WEEKEND'S EVENTS:

The Hill’s “In The Know” blog is tracking the weekend’s news and festivities: http://bit.ly/2GJ7XGn

NOTABLE TWEETS

This looks like the cover of a romantic thriller:

This is an interesting picture to use here https://t.co/fNsojasoBI — Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) April 26, 2019

This is incredible:

3 professional football players take on 100 children ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Gq7AXgTaNA — Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) April 25, 2019

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out until next week.

8 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence and second lady Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceHow 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 The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE left Washington, D.C., for Indianapolis.

9 a.m. EDT: President Trump left Washington, D.C., for Indianapolis.

1 p.m. EDT: President Trump leaves Indianapolis and heads back to Washington, D.C.

4:15 p.m. EDT: President Trump meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the White House and holds bilateral meetings.

5:40 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence attends a Trump Victory event in Indianapolis.

7:15 p.m. EDT: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpTrump privately blamed Black Americans for lacking initiative: report The Hill's 12:30 Report: Ginsburg lies in repose Melania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' MORE host Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Akie Abe, for dinner at the White House residence.

Saturday evening: The annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Details: http://bit.ly/2DAzpo1

April 29: The Hill editor-in-chief Bob Cusack interviews Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoTreasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities Navalny released from hospital after suspected poisoning Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers MORE for The Hill's Newsmaker series. Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2Iug5wK

WHAT TO WATCH

This morning: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to State Department employees. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2UJTDRG

11:10 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence spoke at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Indianapolis. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2DBnw0P

11:35 a.m. EDT: President Trump spoke at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Indianapolis. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2DBnw0P

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Pretzel Day!

If you want a quick break from work, I highly suggest watching this: http://bit.ly/2Pxuwk0