White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield will leave the White House at the end of this month and will be succeeded by Ben Labolt, a veteran of the Barack Obama presidential campaigns.
Bedingfield led President Joe Biden’s communications team since the start of his presidential campaign in 2019, and then joined the administration at its start as communications director. She had planned to depart last summer, but then changed her plans and stayed on through the midterms. Bedingfield also served as Biden’s communications director when he was vice president, after serving as spokesperson for the Motion Picture Association of America.
Labolt led communications for the White House on the Supreme Court confirmation process for Ketanji Brown Jackson. He was senior national spokesperson for the Obama-Biden presidential campaign in 2008 and national press secretary for the campaign in 2012. He currently leads a San Francisco-based communications and marketing agency, Bully Pulpit Interactive.
Bedingfield led President Joe Biden’s communications team since the start of his presidential campaign in 2019, and then joined the administration at its start as communications director. She had planned to depart last summer, but then changed her plans and stayed on through the midterms. Bedingfield also served as Biden’s communications director when he was vice president, after serving as spokesperson for the Motion Picture Association of America.
Labolt led communications for the White House on the Supreme Court confirmation process for Ketanji Brown Jackson. He was senior national spokesperson for the Obama-Biden presidential campaign in 2008 and national press secretary for the campaign in 2012. He currently leads a San Francisco-based communications and marketing agency, Bully Pulpit Interactive.
- 2/10/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
A Justice Department search of President Joe Biden’s Wilmington home resulted in the seizure of six items with classified markings, some of which were from his time in the Senate and some of which were from his tenure as vice president.
In a statement, Biden’s personal attorney Bob Bauer said that the DOJ took possession of handwritten notes by Biden “for further review.”
Bauer said that the Justice Department conducted the search on Friday from 9:45 Am to 10:30 Pm and it “covered all working, living and storage spaces” in the home. By agreement with the DOJ, representatives from Biden’s personal legal team and the White House counsel’s office were present.
CBS News broke the story that classified documents were discovered last November at the Penn Biden Center, which served as Biden’s personal office after he left the vice presidency. Then, Biden’s representatives revealed...
In a statement, Biden’s personal attorney Bob Bauer said that the DOJ took possession of handwritten notes by Biden “for further review.”
Bauer said that the Justice Department conducted the search on Friday from 9:45 Am to 10:30 Pm and it “covered all working, living and storage spaces” in the home. By agreement with the DOJ, representatives from Biden’s personal legal team and the White House counsel’s office were present.
CBS News broke the story that classified documents were discovered last November at the Penn Biden Center, which served as Biden’s personal office after he left the vice presidency. Then, Biden’s representatives revealed...
- 1/22/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Grant Wahl, a respected sports journalist who has publicly criticized World Cup host Qatar’s repressive anti-gay policies and its cruel treatment of migrant workers, died suddenly on Friday while covering a World Cup match. He was 48.
Wahl had covered 11 world cups during his career, wrote two books about soccer, and notably has worked for Sports Illustrated. He also served as a producer on the three-part Amazon Prime soccer documentary “Good Rivals.”
“I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl’s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight. I’m in complete shock,” Wahl’s wife, Celine Gounder, said after the news was made public.
Wahl made headlines on November 21 after he was denied entrance to a world cup match because he was wearing a rainbow shirt to protest the country’s oppressive policies against the LGBT community. When he tweeted about the incident,...
Wahl had covered 11 world cups during his career, wrote two books about soccer, and notably has worked for Sports Illustrated. He also served as a producer on the three-part Amazon Prime soccer documentary “Good Rivals.”
“I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl’s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight. I’m in complete shock,” Wahl’s wife, Celine Gounder, said after the news was made public.
Wahl made headlines on November 21 after he was denied entrance to a world cup match because he was wearing a rainbow shirt to protest the country’s oppressive policies against the LGBT community. When he tweeted about the incident,...
- 12/10/2022
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
HBO debuted the trailer for Year One: A Political Odyssey, which examines President Joe Biden’s first year in office, with what the premium network calls a “rare glimpse into the inner working of the White House.”
A standout moment from the trailer is via Secretary of State Antony Blinken, talking about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. “President [Ashraf] Ghani said to me on the phone, ‘I will stay and fight to the death. he fled the country the next day,” Blinken says, underscoring the extent to which the administration was taken by surprise as the country so quickly fell to the Taliban.
But other moments suggest that key figures learned from Afghanistan and sought to get ahead of the Russian threat to Ukraine, as Biden built alliances that were in place when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion.
Blinken is among those interviewed for the project, along with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan,...
A standout moment from the trailer is via Secretary of State Antony Blinken, talking about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. “President [Ashraf] Ghani said to me on the phone, ‘I will stay and fight to the death. he fled the country the next day,” Blinken says, underscoring the extent to which the administration was taken by surprise as the country so quickly fell to the Taliban.
But other moments suggest that key figures learned from Afghanistan and sought to get ahead of the Russian threat to Ukraine, as Biden built alliances that were in place when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion.
Blinken is among those interviewed for the project, along with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan,...
- 10/7/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
President Joe Biden’s turbulent first year in office is the focus of HBO’s forthcoming documentary, “Year One: A Political Odyssey.”
In the trailer, which Variety can exclusively reveal, the documentary chronicles Biden’s first year as president, from his inauguration in 2021 to the State of the Union speech in March. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker John Maggio, “Year One” explores the dynamics of the President’s inner circle, featuring archival news footage and insider interviews with secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, CIA director William Burns and White House chief of staff Ron Klain, among other members of Biden’s cabinet.
After the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, Biden’s presidency began amid turmoil in the nation and the continued global pandemic. The documentary delves into several historical events under Biden’s first year, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the rise...
In the trailer, which Variety can exclusively reveal, the documentary chronicles Biden’s first year as president, from his inauguration in 2021 to the State of the Union speech in March. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker John Maggio, “Year One” explores the dynamics of the President’s inner circle, featuring archival news footage and insider interviews with secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, CIA director William Burns and White House chief of staff Ron Klain, among other members of Biden’s cabinet.
After the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, Biden’s presidency began amid turmoil in the nation and the continued global pandemic. The documentary delves into several historical events under Biden’s first year, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the rise...
- 10/7/2022
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Joe Biden Warns That Donald Trump And Maga Extremism Threaten “The Very Foundations Of Our Republic”
Joe Biden’s speech in Philadelphia on Thursday evening was a full-blown attack on Donald Trump and Maga Republicans that “represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic.”
Despite White House suggestions that the address would not be political, it’s hard to not see how it would not be seen through a partisan lens, or that it even makes any difference.
Just as the midterms kick into high gear, Biden turned the attention on his 2020 rival, Trump, who, by endorsing candidates like Dr. Oz and Blake Masters, has given Democrats new hopes of avoiding a wipeout by highlighting their opponents’ weaknesses and wild statements.
Biden’s pitch was that, while he’s worked with plenty of Republicans when he was in the Senate and during his presidency, the driving force of the party is Trump, with an agenda of denying the results of free and fair elections and,...
Despite White House suggestions that the address would not be political, it’s hard to not see how it would not be seen through a partisan lens, or that it even makes any difference.
Just as the midterms kick into high gear, Biden turned the attention on his 2020 rival, Trump, who, by endorsing candidates like Dr. Oz and Blake Masters, has given Democrats new hopes of avoiding a wipeout by highlighting their opponents’ weaknesses and wild statements.
Biden’s pitch was that, while he’s worked with plenty of Republicans when he was in the Senate and during his presidency, the driving force of the party is Trump, with an agenda of denying the results of free and fair elections and,...
- 9/2/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Update, July 30: White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield is remaining in her post.
After announcing her departure earlier this month, Bedingfield wrote on Twitter, “A massive thank you to everyone (every. one.) who endured listening to me wax on about how I regretted my decision to leave. There’s so much more to do and I’m so proud and grateful to be part of this team. Onward!”
Bedingfield wrote in a memo to staff on Friday, per The Wall Street Journal, “After much thought, discussion and reflection, I’ve decided to stay. I’m not done here and there is so much more good work to do with all of you.”
Bedingfield has been serving as communications director since the start of President Joe Biden’s term. Before that, she worked on his presidential campaign, and also served as communications director when he was vice president.
Previously, July...
After announcing her departure earlier this month, Bedingfield wrote on Twitter, “A massive thank you to everyone (every. one.) who endured listening to me wax on about how I regretted my decision to leave. There’s so much more to do and I’m so proud and grateful to be part of this team. Onward!”
Bedingfield wrote in a memo to staff on Friday, per The Wall Street Journal, “After much thought, discussion and reflection, I’ve decided to stay. I’m not done here and there is so much more good work to do with all of you.”
Bedingfield has been serving as communications director since the start of President Joe Biden’s term. Before that, she worked on his presidential campaign, and also served as communications director when he was vice president.
Previously, July...
- 7/30/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Alyssa Milano is expanding her relationship with A+E Studios with a first-look production and writing deal. Under the pact, Milano will write and produce projects for A+E Studios for sale on all global and domestic television platforms and services.
The deal follows A+E Studios’ acquisition of her pilot script Things I’m Seeing Without You, which she adapted based on Peter Bognanni’s YA novel. Things tells the story of a teenage girl reconnecting with her estranged father following the death of her boyfriend.
“Alyssa Milano is a creative force-of-nature,” said Barry Jossen, President & Head of A+E Studios. “She has already achieved so much in her life as a performer, activist, author, podcaster and more. Alyssa’s tireless energy and brilliant creative instincts are certain to bolster her current and emerging career as a top producer in television. She is also an inspired writer, having written her...
The deal follows A+E Studios’ acquisition of her pilot script Things I’m Seeing Without You, which she adapted based on Peter Bognanni’s YA novel. Things tells the story of a teenage girl reconnecting with her estranged father following the death of her boyfriend.
“Alyssa Milano is a creative force-of-nature,” said Barry Jossen, President & Head of A+E Studios. “She has already achieved so much in her life as a performer, activist, author, podcaster and more. Alyssa’s tireless energy and brilliant creative instincts are certain to bolster her current and emerging career as a top producer in television. She is also an inspired writer, having written her...
- 10/28/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Update, 8:33 Pm Pt Friday: The Texas abortion law was at least temporarily reinstated as a federal appeals court considers a lower court judge’s ruling.
The law bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, generally after about six weeks of pregnancy. That essentially restricts abortions in the state.
Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman granted a temporary restraining order that put a hold on enforcement until a challenge to the law could make its way through the courts. Pitman said that the law was a “scheme” to try to get around court precedent. Instead of tasking enforcement to state officials, the law created a “private right of action,” in which citizens could file lawsuit against those to violated it.
The state of Texas appealed the ruling.
But a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal reinstated the law pending the court’s consideration of the appeal.
The law bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, generally after about six weeks of pregnancy. That essentially restricts abortions in the state.
Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman granted a temporary restraining order that put a hold on enforcement until a challenge to the law could make its way through the courts. Pitman said that the law was a “scheme” to try to get around court precedent. Instead of tasking enforcement to state officials, the law created a “private right of action,” in which citizens could file lawsuit against those to violated it.
The state of Texas appealed the ruling.
But a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal reinstated the law pending the court’s consideration of the appeal.
- 10/9/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Self-help guru Tony Robbins is facing the wrath of angry Twitter mobs after critical comments he made on March 15 towards the MeToo movement went viral on Saturday.
“If you use the #MeToo movement to try to get significance and certainty by attacking and destroying someone else… all you’ve done is basically use a drug called significance to make yourself feel good,” said Robbins during one of his seminars in San Jose, California, last month.
Robbins also told the story of a “very powerful man” who passed on hiring a female candidate even though she was the most qualified because she was too attractive and would be “too big a risk.”
Also Read: Motivational Speaker Tony Robbins Burns Supporters, Literally
The moment passed with little fanfare at the time, but came roaring back to public attention after the viral news site NowThis, released a video which included audience member Nanine McCool pushing back against Robbin’s comments.
“Certainly there are people who are using it for their own personal devices, but there are also a significant number of people who are using it not to relive whatever may have happened to them, but to make it safe for the young women,” she said. “So that they don’t have to feel unsafe.”
You can watch the encounter in the video below.
Life coach Tony Robbins says women are using #MeToo to make themselves ‘significant’ — but this brave sexual abuse survivor called him out pic.twitter.com/wYxhlmc10u
– NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 6, 2018
Also Read: Bill Nye Set to Debunk Tony Robbins-Style Hot Coal Walking With Hard Science
At various points when Robbins spoke, he was met by jeers from audience members, many of whom spent hundreds of dollars to attend his event.
Those jeers were even more ferocious online, as the mob quickly descended.
I’m a man. A heterosexual man. And what @TonyRobbins is saying in this is the biggest pile of dog shit I have ever seen. His friend didn’t hire a better qualified woman over 2 men because it was a “risk” that she was beautiful? Gtfoh. Tony should have told him to control himself. https://t.co/YMtpA6bfrV
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) April 7, 2018
I've never understood the appeal of Tony Robbins…and it's always shocked me how many influential and powerful people rely on his advice… https://t.co/qk27i0VTas
— Yashar Ali ???? (@yashar) April 7, 2018
If your famous pal can’t trust himself &/or his coworkers to behave respectfully & professionally around a qualified woman just because she’s attractive then he has a personal or personnel problem it’s not a problem of the #Metoo movement @TonyRobbins https://t.co/desJnEb7Dv
— Daryl Hannah (@dhlovelife) April 6, 2018
Many issues, but at the end he says dozens of high powered men have told him they don't hire more qualified women b/c they're attractive so they "can't have them around." That's the woman's fault? Perhaps the life coach could coach those dudes about keeping it in their pants? https://t.co/Z3XBpwjw5p
— Sarah Colonna (@sarahcolonna) April 7, 2018
I was made aware of this video Before I ever saw it because Tony Robbins people reached out to do damage control within 24 hours. They wanted to “give me context” apparently. I don’t need any. I have eyes. The full video is 11 mins. And it’s gross. Bravo to this woman. https://t.co/gjbm9GF1Mz
— Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 7, 2018
So @TonyRobbins has had "a dozen CEO-level men" – probably all middle-aged, predominantly white men – tell him they won't hire attractive women because it's "too risky." Well isn't that some twisted, woman-blaming bullshit… #MeToo https://t.co/JE5DXQ7sIk
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) April 7, 2018
Tony Robbins is hugely influential, and I wish he'd shut up and really listen to what women are saying. No woman looks for "significance" by being an assault survivor: they are looking for justice, fairness, opportunity — all the things that Robbins claims to stand for. https://t.co/wZLqPLhCla
— Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) April 7, 2018
Tony Robbins told a story about how the #MeToo movement made a man afraid to hire an attractive woman.
How in the world could you tell that story believing women need to change and not the man? https://t.co/iK0KR6bdul
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) April 7, 2018
Robbins posted an apology Sunday morning on Facebook for his choice of words.
“At a recent Unleash the Power Within (Upw) event in San Jose, my comments failed to reflect the respect I have for everything Tarana Burke and the #MeToo movement has achieved,” he wrote. “I apologize for suggesting anything other than my profound admiration for the #MeToo movement. Let me clearly say, I agree with the goals of the #MeToo movement and its founding message of ‘empowerment through empathy,’ which makes it a beautiful force for good.”
Read original story Tony Robbins Dragged Over #MeToo Comments: ‘Biggest Pile of Dog S–‘ (Video) At TheWrap...
“If you use the #MeToo movement to try to get significance and certainty by attacking and destroying someone else… all you’ve done is basically use a drug called significance to make yourself feel good,” said Robbins during one of his seminars in San Jose, California, last month.
Robbins also told the story of a “very powerful man” who passed on hiring a female candidate even though she was the most qualified because she was too attractive and would be “too big a risk.”
Also Read: Motivational Speaker Tony Robbins Burns Supporters, Literally
The moment passed with little fanfare at the time, but came roaring back to public attention after the viral news site NowThis, released a video which included audience member Nanine McCool pushing back against Robbin’s comments.
“Certainly there are people who are using it for their own personal devices, but there are also a significant number of people who are using it not to relive whatever may have happened to them, but to make it safe for the young women,” she said. “So that they don’t have to feel unsafe.”
You can watch the encounter in the video below.
Life coach Tony Robbins says women are using #MeToo to make themselves ‘significant’ — but this brave sexual abuse survivor called him out pic.twitter.com/wYxhlmc10u
– NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 6, 2018
Also Read: Bill Nye Set to Debunk Tony Robbins-Style Hot Coal Walking With Hard Science
At various points when Robbins spoke, he was met by jeers from audience members, many of whom spent hundreds of dollars to attend his event.
Those jeers were even more ferocious online, as the mob quickly descended.
I’m a man. A heterosexual man. And what @TonyRobbins is saying in this is the biggest pile of dog shit I have ever seen. His friend didn’t hire a better qualified woman over 2 men because it was a “risk” that she was beautiful? Gtfoh. Tony should have told him to control himself. https://t.co/YMtpA6bfrV
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) April 7, 2018
I've never understood the appeal of Tony Robbins…and it's always shocked me how many influential and powerful people rely on his advice… https://t.co/qk27i0VTas
— Yashar Ali ???? (@yashar) April 7, 2018
If your famous pal can’t trust himself &/or his coworkers to behave respectfully & professionally around a qualified woman just because she’s attractive then he has a personal or personnel problem it’s not a problem of the #Metoo movement @TonyRobbins https://t.co/desJnEb7Dv
— Daryl Hannah (@dhlovelife) April 6, 2018
Many issues, but at the end he says dozens of high powered men have told him they don't hire more qualified women b/c they're attractive so they "can't have them around." That's the woman's fault? Perhaps the life coach could coach those dudes about keeping it in their pants? https://t.co/Z3XBpwjw5p
— Sarah Colonna (@sarahcolonna) April 7, 2018
I was made aware of this video Before I ever saw it because Tony Robbins people reached out to do damage control within 24 hours. They wanted to “give me context” apparently. I don’t need any. I have eyes. The full video is 11 mins. And it’s gross. Bravo to this woman. https://t.co/gjbm9GF1Mz
— Tarana (@TaranaBurke) April 7, 2018
So @TonyRobbins has had "a dozen CEO-level men" – probably all middle-aged, predominantly white men – tell him they won't hire attractive women because it's "too risky." Well isn't that some twisted, woman-blaming bullshit… #MeToo https://t.co/JE5DXQ7sIk
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) April 7, 2018
Tony Robbins is hugely influential, and I wish he'd shut up and really listen to what women are saying. No woman looks for "significance" by being an assault survivor: they are looking for justice, fairness, opportunity — all the things that Robbins claims to stand for. https://t.co/wZLqPLhCla
— Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) April 7, 2018
Tony Robbins told a story about how the #MeToo movement made a man afraid to hire an attractive woman.
How in the world could you tell that story believing women need to change and not the man? https://t.co/iK0KR6bdul
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) April 7, 2018
Robbins posted an apology Sunday morning on Facebook for his choice of words.
“At a recent Unleash the Power Within (Upw) event in San Jose, my comments failed to reflect the respect I have for everything Tarana Burke and the #MeToo movement has achieved,” he wrote. “I apologize for suggesting anything other than my profound admiration for the #MeToo movement. Let me clearly say, I agree with the goals of the #MeToo movement and its founding message of ‘empowerment through empathy,’ which makes it a beautiful force for good.”
Read original story Tony Robbins Dragged Over #MeToo Comments: ‘Biggest Pile of Dog S–‘ (Video) At TheWrap...
- 4/7/2018
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
The fall Presidential debates are fast approaching, and Donald Trump is busy ... snacking? The Republican nominee has taken a much more relaxed approach to debate preparation than his opponent - and arch enemy - Hillary Clinton, according to The Washington Post. While Clinton reportedly toils over heavy briefing books, Trump is taking leisurely lunches at his New Jersey golf course. On Sunday, he was enjoying bacon cheeseburgers and ice-cold Coca-Colas with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes, who is embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal. The first of three presidential debates run...
- 8/30/2016
- by Lindsay Kimble, @lekimble
- PEOPLE.com
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