President Biden’s giving his first speech of 2024 today.

Election Year

The Story

President Biden’s giving his first speech of 2024 today. 

What’s it about?

January 6th. Tomorrow marks three years since the 2021 attack on the Capitol. Now, Biden’s using his speech to launch his reelection campaign and paint the election as a struggle for democracy. It all comes as polls show more Americans than ever believe in conspiracy theories surrounding the Capitol riot. One poll showed that a quarter of Americans believe the FBI instigated it. Another showed growing sympathy from Republicans for the Capitol assailants. But Biden’s not the only presidential candidate making speeches.

Former President Trump?

Yup. Tomorrow, Trump will be holding campaign events in Iowa in advance of the election cycle kickoff later this month. It’s unclear whether he’ll acknowledge the anniversary — but it comes as Trump wards off federal charges over his actions related to January 6th and works to appeal court decisions in Colorado and Maine keeping him off the ballots. Another thing he may not address: the House Oversight Committee revealed yesterday that Trump allegedly received almost $8 million from foreign governments while he was president, mostly from China and Saudi Arabia. None of this has kept Trump from leading in the GOP primary polls, despite skipping all the debates.

theSkimm

Tomorrow marks three years since the January 6th riot and Trump’s final days in office. Today, the legacy of both are looming large over an election year that is only just getting started.

Where people are mourning…

Iowa. Yesterday, a shooter killed one student and injured five others in a high school outside of Des Moines. Only four days into 2024, it was the second school shooting of the year — and the students’ first day back from winter break. The suspect, a 17-year-old student, later died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound and authorities have not yet named a motive. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) called the shooting a “senseless tragedy.” Still, Reynolds signed a law in 2021 allowing people to buy and carry handguns in Iowa without a permit. The president of a US national gun violence prevention organization said “new year, same horror.”

What Iranians are reeling from...

ISIS. Yesterday, the terror group claimed responsibility for the two explosions in Iran that left more than 80 people dead. It was the most recent attack ISIS carried out in Iran since 2022, when gunmen stormed a shrine, killing 13 people. The news comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East that threaten to pull the region further into violence. Yesterday, a US airstrike targeted an Iranian-linked militia in Baghdad in a strike the US described as “necessary and proportionate.” Meanwhile, Iranian-linked Houthis in Yemen launched a drone attack in the Red Sea — one of dozens of attacks against ships since November. It came after the group ignored a final warning by the US and allies to stop attacks or face consequences.

Whose backs must be hurting…

Women’s sports players, from helping to carry the NCAA. Yesterday, the NCAA agreed with ESPN to a $920 million eight year extension of media rights. The deal nearly triples the value of the current contract and comes after the NCAA women's basketball tournament drew a record 9.9 million views last year. While the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association celebrated it as a win, some reportedly hoped for a bigger contract to better value women’s athletes. Some had even hoped women’s basketball could be negotiated separately since it could be valued at upwards of $80 million. The NCAA's president described the contract as “the best deal” on the table. ESPN called the deal “unprecedented.”

Who’s ready to leave her gamer era…

Kim Kardashian.

What’s scarier than pre-teens at a Sephora…

Stanley Cups in Target.

Who tied the knot…

The Golden Bachelor.

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