Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani joined President Trump's legal team last week to represent him in the Russia investigation. (AP)
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Developing now, Friday, May 4, 2018 (May the Fourth be with you!)
- Rudy Giuliani's revelation that President Trump reimbursed Michael Cohen's payment to porn star Stormy Daniels sends the mainstream media into a frenzy and reportedly stuns White House officials
- Federal investigators surveilled, but did not record, phone calls by Michael Cohen, Fox News has learned, contrary to a previous report by NBC News; the Peacock network is forced to correct its story
- President Trump and Vice President Pence will speak at the NRA's annual meeting in Dallas on Friday
- A Detroit hip-hop radio station has banned Kanye West from its airwaves because of his recent comments about slavery
THE LEAD STORY - GIULIANI INTERVIEW FALLOUT: Rudy Giuliani's revelation on “Hannity” that President Donald Trump reimbursed his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, for the $130,000 that Cohen paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump sent shock waves across the mainstream media and cable channels. It also reportedly stunned the White House ... The former New York City mayor and recent addition to Trump’s legal team later clarified to Fox News that the president reimbursed Cohen for "expenses" and that Trump was not aware that the $130,000 payment to Daniels was included.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, who had told reporters for months that Trump had no knowledge of the payment, said she learned about the president's reimbursement to Cohen for the first time from Giuliani’s interview Wednesday. Several aides, the Wall Street Journal reported, were concerned Giuliani was operating outside the White House staff structure. However, Giuliani told the Journal that the president authorized the disclosure and was “very pleased” with the Fox News interview.
- Howard Kurtz: Giuliani roils the waters in saying Trump reimbursed Stormy Daniels payment
- Sean Hannity: 'Lazy' media ignored crucial info from Giuliani interview
- Jonathan Turley: Giuliani-Hannity interview 'caused some damage' for Trump
- 'Take it to the Supreme Court': Mark Levin says DOJ precedent shows 'rogue' Mueller can't indict Trump
- GOP congressman blasts Sarah Sanders, calls for hearings on Stormy Daniels payment
NBC ERRS ON COHEN STORY: Federal investigators kept a register of phone calls made by President Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen, but those calls were not recorded, contrary to an earlier report by NBC News, sources told Fox News ... Investigators used a pen register, or dialed number recorder (DNR), on at least one of Cohen's phones, Fox News has learned. A pen register records all numbers dialed from a given phone number, as well as the length of each call, but does not record content.
Earlier Thursday, NBC reported that Cohen's conversations had been recorded in the weeks leading up to FBI raids on his home, office and hotel room last month. The report also claimed that investigators recorded at least one call made to the White House from a number associated with Cohen. Later, NBC had to issue a correction on the report, giving more ammunition to the nation’s highest-ranked media critic: Trump has frequently criticized the mainstream media for catering to America’s left wing and coastal elite with “fake news.”
- Comey’s memo leak contact worked at FBI for over a year, defended him in media on Clinton probe
NRA TO WELCOME TRUMP, PENCE: President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are expected to speak Friday at the National Rifle Association's annual meeting in Dallas on Friday ... Trump will be making his fourth consecutive address to the NRA's annual meeting. His remarks will be closely watched as they come less than three months after the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., left 17 dead. The massacre reignited the national debate on gun control and sparked a student-led movement for gun law reform. At one point Trump raised the idea of raising the age of purchase for certain guns to 21 and proposed expanding background checks. He tempered his views after meeting with NRA leaders.
- John R. Lott: Ahead of NRA speeches by Trump, Pence hypocritical media get it wrong on gun ban
- No guns allowed at NRA convention when Trump, Pence speak
'MUTE KANYE': A Detroit radio station said it will ban Kanye West's music over controversial comments he made earlier this week that slavery “was a choice" ... Hosts Shay Shay and BiGG of 105.1 the Morning Bounce made the announcement Thursday on Facebook with the hashtag #MuteKanye. “Kanye has gone too far” with his latest comments, they said. They wrote that they are refusing to give him a platform, according to the New York Post. "We don't want to hear Kanye's music, we don't want to play Kanye on our show, we don't want to talk about Kanye anymore,” the Facebook post read. “So we are taking a stand and we aren't playing his music anymore; we just are refusing to give him a platform."
- Roseanne Barr defends Kanye
- Kanye compares himself to Nat Turner
AS SEEN ON FOX NEWS
A 'CONSPIRACY’ AGAINST TRUMP, FROM THE BEGINNING: "From the time Donald Trump was the nominee of the Republican Party, there has been a conspiracy -- a fifth column -- to stop him from getting elected [and] to stop his effective work for the people of this country." – Former FBI Assistant Director James Kallstrom, on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," saying the investigators probing President Trump are "out of control." WATCH
SOME 'COMMON SENSE' FROM CAVUTO: "How can you drain the swamp if you keep muddying the waters? Your own words on lots of stuff give me lots of pause." – Neil Cavuto, in his "Common Sense" monologue on "Your World," sounding off on President Trump's pattern of changing the record on things he previously claimed. WATCH
TRENDING
Hillary Clinton says being a capitalist likely hurt her among socialist Dems.
Dem senator's pal defends ex-Clinton adviser after roadside rant video.
George Soros-funded app helps illegal immigrants avoid arrest.
Illinois Senate passes bill that requires LGBT history in public schools.
THE SWAMP
Don Blankenship hits McConnell's 'China family' in new ad as Trump Jr. tells voters to 'reject' him.
Former aide Caputo says Mueller team knows more about Trump campaign than anyone who worked there.
Brutal confirmation process threatens to turn off would-be Trump picks.
Greitens impeachment to be considered in special session, Missouri lawmakers say.
Former president of Massachusetts Senate to resign Friday over charges against his husband.
ACROSS THE NATION
Hawaii volcano eruption prompts evacuations.
New Jersey superintendent defecated on high school football field 'on a daily basis,' cops say.
Arkansas woman develops 'deadly' meat allergy after tick bite.
North Carolina teenager accepted into 113 colleges.
MINDING YOUR BUSINESS
Job creation expected to bounce back in April.
Albertsons supermarket chain's no-Spanish policy must go, feds say.
Tesla rival Nikola wins Anheuser-Busch electric truck order | Meet the Tesla conference call questioner Elon Musk liked
Boeing, American Express among companies expanding in China despite trade conflict.
Kentucky Derby: Why an Amazon company is backing a contender.
FOX NEWS OPINION
Marc Thiessen: On North Korea, Trump should refuse to take the bait.
Newt Gingrich, Mary Mayhew: Hope for those trapped in welfare dependency -- Thanks to Trump.
Bryan Dean Wright: To drain the swamp, Trump should make congressional term limits a top priority.
HOLLYWOOD SQUARED
Bill Cosby, Roman Polanski expelled from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Jay-Z in hot water for dodging subpoena in ongoing investigation.
Deadpool dances in Celine Dion's new 'Ashes' music video.
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS?
Horse sues former guardian for neglect, seeks $100,000 in damages.
Family of dog killed on United flight considering lawsuit.
King David's city discovered? Ancient site linked to biblical kingdom, archaeologists say.
STAY TUNED
On Fox News:
Fox & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: An inside look at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Gala hosted by Ainsley Earhardt. Janice Dean is live all morning at Churchill Downs ahead of the Kentucky Derby. Other guests include: counselor to President Trump, Kellyanne Conway, Geraldo Rivera and "The Next Revolution" host Steve Hilton.
On Fox Business:
Mornings with Maria, 6 a.m. ET: Bud Cummins, former U.S. attorney; Gordon Chang, author of "The Coming Collapse of China"; Byron York, Washington Examiner chief political correspondent; Joel Peresman, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame president; Graeme Edge, member of the Moody Blues.
Varney & Co., 9 a.m. ET: Glenn Jacobs (aka WWE wrestler Kane), candidate for Knox County, Tenn. Mayor; Andy Puzder, former CKE Restaurants CEO; Mike Gibbons, Ohio GOP Senate candidate.
Countdown to the Closing Bell, 3 p.m. ET: Liz Claman will broadcast live from the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder meeting at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb. She will be with Warren Buffett and several of the leaders of his global business conglomerate at his “Weekend with Warren” gathering for the 10th straight year. Her guests will include: Kraft-Heinz CEO Bernardo Hees; Pampered Chef CEO Tracy Britt Cool; Brooks Running CEO Jim Weber and Wall Street legend Mario Gabelli, GAMCO Chairman & CEO.
On Fox News Radio:
The Fox News Rundown podcast: Rudy Giuliani's revelation to Sean Hannity about President Trump reimbursing attorney Michael Cohen's hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels sparked headlines. Alan Dershowitz, Harvard law professor emeritus, weighs in. Cambridge Analytica has shut down in wake of the Facebook data mining scandal. The company’s former director faced reporters and Fox News' Tonya J. Powers was there. Plus, commentary from "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace.
Want the Fox News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher.
The Brian Kilmeade Show, 9 a.m. ET: Shannon Bream breaks down the latest in the Mueller investigation and the Michael Cohen case; Adam Housley on immigration debate over the 'caravan' of migrants at the border and a preview of his new show with his wife, Tamera Mowry-Housley, on HGTV; Kennedy and Ainsley Earhardt sound off on the top headlines of the day.
On Fox News Weekend:
Cavuto Live, Saturday, 10 a.m. ET: Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price on some critics calling the Mueller Russia probe a “witch hunt"; Brandon Judd, National Border Patrol Council president, on the influx of migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border; student Will Riley on organizing this week’s pro-Second Amendment school walkout; N.J. State Senate President Steve Sweeney on concerns that tax hikes are driving away businesses and jobs from high-tax states.
America's News Headquarters, Saturday, Noon ET: "America’s News Headquarters" kicks off preview coverage of the May 8 primaries -- the first multi-state midterm primaries (Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and North Carolina) -- from Cleveland. ANHQ will visit some of the industries fueling jobs in the Buckeye State, and get voters' take of the state of the economy going into this critical swing state’s primary. They will also talk to political leaders in the state with their report card on President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress when it comes to issues that matter to Ohioans. Leland Vittert will co-host the special two-hour ANHQ show with Elizabeth Prann in Washington.
Legends & Lies: The Civil War, Sunday, 8 p.m. ET: "Ulysses S. Grant: Intoxicated By War" - Once drummed out of the Army for drinking, Grant earns his place as the North’s best general. Meanwhile, the Union’s first black regiment marches into battle.
Life, Liberty & Levin, Sunday, 10 p.m. ET: Attorney Joseph diGenova and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino sit down with host Mark Levin for an in-depth look the Mueller investigation.
#OnThisDay
1961: The first group of "Freedom Riders" leave Washington, D.C., to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals.
1959: The first Grammy Awards ceremony is held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
1830: The Edward Bulwer-Lytton novel "Paul Clifford," with its famous opening, "It was a dark and stormy night...," is first published in London.
Fox News First is compiled by Fox News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for joining us! Enjoy your day and weekend! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Monday morning.
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