Here's what's making headlines in the political world on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018:
Trump blasts “Wacky” Omarosa after revelation of recordings
-- President Trump responded to Omarosa Manigault Newman’s release of audio recordings during her time as a White House staff member, saying his former aide “got fired for the last time.”
In a Monday morning tweets, the president said: “Wacky Omarosa, who got fired 3 times on the Apprentice, now got fired for the last time. She never made it, never will. She begged me for a job, tears in her eyes, I said Ok. People in the White House hated her. She was vicious, but not smart. I would rarely see her but heard really bad things. Nasty to people & would constantly miss meetings & work. When Gen. Kelly came on board he told me she was a loser & nothing but problems. I told him to try working it out, if possible, because she only said GREAT things about me - until she got fired!”
Wacky Omarosa, who got fired 3 times on the Apprentice, now got fired for the last time. She never made it, never will. She begged me for a job, tears in her eyes, I said Ok. People in the White House hated her. She was vicious, but not smart. I would rarely see her but heard....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2018
...really bad things. Nasty to people & would constantly miss meetings & work. When Gen. Kelly came on board he told me she was a loser & nothing but problems. I told him to try working it out, if possible, because she only said GREAT things about me - until she got fired!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2018
Manigault Newman’s release of audio recordings has led to criticism from White House officials, who cited the revelation as threatening to national security and a breach of ethics.
Omarosa recorded Chief of Staff Kelly firing her
-- Omarosa Manigault Newman, the former "Apprentice" star and estranged aide to President Trump, claimed on Sunday that she recorded White House chief of staff John Kelly firing her in the Situation Room.
Manigault Newman provided audio to NBC, which aired portions of her recording during an interview on "Meet the Press" and posted more online.
In one clip, Kelly can be heard saying she would be "leaving the White House."
"It's come to my attention over the last few months that there's been some pretty, in my opinion, significant integrity issues," Kelly said.
In audio NBC published online, Kelly tells Manigault Newman his concerns involve the "use of government vehicles and some other issues," and adds, "there's some money issues and other things, but from my view the integrity issues are very serious."
He can be heard in another clip aired by the network Sunday morning suggesting a smooth exit would help her reputation, a remark that Manigault Newman told NBC she took as a threat.
Trump to sign massive defense spending bill
-- President Trump will put pen to paper on a military spending bill Monday afternoon in upstate New York.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 is named for Arizona Sen. John McCain. The bill will reportedly provide nearly $720 billion in funding to the U.S. military.
Following the signing of the bill at Fort Drum, the president will head to Utica for a fundraiser in support of Rep. Claudia Tenney.
Stormy Daniels’ lawyer talks possible presidential run
-- Michael Avenatti, who represents adult film star Stormy Daniels, told ABC News that he is considering running for president.
In an interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” Avenatti said, “Over 18 years I’ve been fighting on behalf of David versus Goliath. Some of the largest corporations, con men, I’ve had great success. I’ve tried cases all across this country.
Michael Avenatti on potential 2020 run: "We've lost track of holding (Trump) accountable ... I'm going to put Donald Trump on trial. We're going to have a trial one way or the other. The only question is how many jurors are we going to have" https://t.co/mBaeYPEZqe #ThisWeek pic.twitter.com/TEhQ9luoHc
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) August 13, 2018
Avenatti has drawn national media attention through his outspoken representation of Daniels in her lawsuit against Trump.
CNN contributed to this report
