🦊 Axios PM: Fox's Trump gamble

Plus: Stanley cup craze | Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Instagram   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Jan 10, 2024 🐫 Happy Wednesday! Today's PM — edited by Noah Bressner — is 588 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Sheryl Miller for the copy edit. 🚨 Breaking: Chris Christie will announce at his town hall tonight in New Hampshire that he is ending his presidential bid. —AP     1 big thing: Fox's Trump gamble Fox News anchors Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier. Photo: Reese Strickland for Fox News Fox News is betting that it won't fall into the same Trump trap as pretty much every other network that's attempted to interview the former president live, Axios Media Trends author Sara Fischer writes. Why it matters: Moderators Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier told Axios ahead of their live town hall with former President Trump that they're hoping to draw him into a substantive discussion around foreign policy. Few journalists — if any — have been able to keep him in line. In deciding to skip and counterprogram tonight's GOP primary debate on CNN — and all others this cycle — Trump hasn't had to answer many tough policy questions head-on while campaigning. "If I have a goal, it's to make sure that we're looking forward and not back, because I think that's really what voters care about," MacCallum said. "They want to know what's going to happen in terms of the commitment that the United States makes to these foreign wars." 🔎 Between the lines: The conservative network hasn't hosted former President Trump for a live interview since April 2022, the N.Y. Times reports. Read the full interview.     2. 🦍 How Earth's largest ape vanished An artist's impression of Gigantopithecus blacki, the giant ape from southern China. Illustration: Garcia/Joannes-Boyau (Southern Cross University) An ancient mega ape's massive size — clocking in at 10 feet tall and around 550 pounds — turned into an evolutionary disadvantage as it went extinct over 200,000 years ago, Axios' Jacob Knutson writes. Why it matters: New research published in Nature helps scientists resolve a long-standing mystery surrounding the legendary creature's disappearance from what's now southern China. Gigantopithecus blacki, the largest known primate to roam Earth, started to fade when the region's climate changed and became increasingly dry. The apes likely became less mobile because of their size and shrinking diet. Keep reading.     A message from Instagram More than 75% of parents want to approve the apps teens under 16 download     According to a new poll from Morning Consult, more than 75% of parents agree: Teens under 16 shouldn't be able to download apps from app stores without parental permission.1 Instagram wants to work with Congress to pass federal legislation that gets it done. Learn more.     3. Catch me up Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images 👀 Hunter Biden made a surprise appearance at a House hearing that was geared toward holding him in contempt of Congress, Axios' Andrew Solender and Alex Thompson write. 🚨 Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have more than tripled in the three months since the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, according to preliminary ADL data. Another report found a 47% rise in security costs for Jewish schools. More from Axios' Russell Contreras. ⚡ The SEC approved the first Bitcoin ETFs, a landmark move that will make it easier for investors to add crypto to their portfolios along with stocks and bonds, Axios' Crystal Kim writes. 📺 Jets QB Aaron Rodgers won't appear on ESPN star Pat McAfee's closely watched show for the rest of the NFL season after a feud with Jimmy Kimmel and a COVID vaccine rant. Go deeper.     4. 🥤 1 fun thing: Stanley cup craze This pink Starbucks-branded Stanley Quencher has been selling out in Target. Photo: Starbucks Tumbler brand Stanley was once known for thermoses used during World War II. But now it's better known as a viral brand that's generated an enthusiastic following on TikTok, Axios' Kelly Tyko and Nathan Bomey write. Why it matters: The colorfulness, durability and handy design of the cups — combined with an influencer-driven marketing campaign — has resonated with Gen Z. Online marketplace StockX told Axios that a "Watermelon Moonshine" Quencher has an average resale price of $215. "The craze has prompted long lines outside of Target stores in the dead of night. Ugly fights have broken out. Shouting matches have erupted," the L.A. Times reports. Keep reading.     A message from Instagram New federal legislation will give parents a say in teen app downloads     According to a new poll by Morning Consult conducted in November 2023, more than 75% of parents believe teens under 16 shouldn't be able to download apps without parental permission.1 Instagram wants to work with Congress to pass federal legislation that gets it done. Learn more.   📬 Thanks for reading. Please invite your friends to join. Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. 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