Donald Trump

Happening Today: Trump, Ann Coulter, Health Care Bill, Martin Landau, Aaron Carter, George Romero

What to Know

  • President Trump's job-approval rating in the counties that propelled him to victory stands at 50 percent, according to a new poll
  • The Senate delayed a highly anticipated vote this coming week to repeal and replace the nation's health care law
  • Martin Landau, the actor who gained fame as the crafty master of disguise in the 1960s TV show "Mission: Impossible," has died

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Half Approve of Trump in Counties That Fueled His Win

President Trump's job-approval rating in the U.S. counties that propelled him to victory in 2016 stands at 50 percent, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll looking at "Trump Counties." Fifty percent of adults in these counties — consisting of Republicans, Democrats and independents – approve of the president's job, including 29 percent who strongly approve. The poll also showed that 46 percent disapprove of Trump's job, including 35 percent who do so strongly. By comparison, last month's national NBC/WSJ poll had Trump's overall approval rating at 40 percent. The poll's sample was taken from 439 counties in 16 states – Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin – that either flipped from Barack Obama to Trump, or where Trump greatly outpaced Mitt Romney's performance in 2012.

Ann Coulter Slams Delta on Twitter Amid Seat Dispute; Delta Fires Back

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter took to Twitter to express her displeasure with Delta Airlines about a seating dispute. Coulter posted a series of tweets after she said the airline gave away an "extra room seat" she had purchased before a flight from New York to Florida had departed. Coulter said she was upset about the seating change because she took the time to investigate the aircraft and choose her pre-booked seat. She tweeted she was moved "w/o explanation, compensation or apology." Delta's Anthony Black said in a statement that the airline had reached out to Coulter to address her complaints. Coulter then sent another tweet Sunday evening: "STILL WAITING FOR AN EXPLANATION FROM THE BRILLIANT, TALENTED, HARDWORKING STAFF AT @Delta." The airline responded to Coulter Sunday night in a statement on its website, saying that it would refund her the extra $30 she paid for her pre-booked seat.

More Hurdles as Senate Again Delays Vote on GOP Health Bill

The Senate delayed a highly anticipated vote this coming week to repeal and replace the nation's health care law after Sen. John McCain's announced absence due to surgery, an enormous setback as time dwindles for Republicans to pass the signature legislation after years of promises. The decision by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell came not long after McCain's office disclosed that he had undergone surgery to remove a blood clot from above his left eye. He's expected to be out for the week, recovering in Arizona. Adding to the uncertainty, the Congressional Budget Office also indicated it no longer expected to release its analysis on the estimated cost and scope of insurance coverage under the latest GOP bill, which has the support of President Donald Trump. The No. 2 Senate GOP leader, John Cornyn of Texas, said he still expected the Senate to move quickly, holding a vote as soon as McCain returns. But amid growing public unease over the bill, some Republicans suggested the delay will make McConnell's task of winning enough support even harder.

Oscar-winning Actor Martin Landau, 89, Has Died, His Publicist Says

Martin Landau, the chameleon-like actor who gained fame as the crafty master of disguise in the 1960s TV show "Mission: Impossible," then capped a long and versatile career with an Oscar for his poignant portrayal of aging horror movie star Bela Lugosi in 1994's "Ed Wood," has died. He was 89. Landau died of unexpected complications during a short stay at UCLA Medical Center, his publicist Dick Guttman said. "Mission: Impossible," which also starred Landau's wife, Barbara Bain, became an immediate hit upon its debut in 1966. It remained on the air until 1973, but Landau and Bain left at the end of the show's third season amid a financial dispute with the producers. They starred in the British-made sci-fi series "Space: 1999" from 1975 to 1977. Landau might have been a superstar but for a role he didn't play — the pointy-eared starship Enterprise science officer, Mr. Spock. "Star Trek" creator Gene Rodenberry had offered him the half-Vulcan, half-human who attempts to rid his life of all emotion. Landau turned it down.

Aaron Carter Arrested for DUI, Marijuana Possession. Officials Say

Pop star Aaron Carter was arrested outside of Atlanta, Georgia, for driving under the influence and drug possession, police said. The 29-year-old singer was arrested with girlfriend Madison Parker, according to a statement from Floyd Canup, Captain of the Habersham County Sheriff's Office. In addition to the DUI charge, Carter was arrested for possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana and drug-related objects. He was released on bail Sunday, Canup added. Parker was also arrested for possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana and drug-related objects, as well as obstruction. She is eligible for bail but has not been released and remains in jail for "unknown reasons," Canup said. Carter is the younger brother of the Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter.

George Romero, Father of the Zombie Film, Dies at 77

George Romero, whose classic "Night of the Living Dead" and other horror films turned zombie movies into social commentaries and who saw his flesh-devouring undead spawn countless imitators, remakes and homages, has died. He was 77. Romero died following a battle with lung cancer, said his family in a statement provided by his manager Chris Roe. Romero's family said he died while listening to the score of "The Quiet Man," one of his favorite films, with his wife, Suzanne Desrocher, and daughter, Tina Romero, by this side. Romero is credited with reinventing the movie zombie with his directorial debut, the 1968 cult classic, "Night of the Living Dead." The movie set the rules imitators lived by: Zombies move slowly, lust for human flesh and can only be killed when shot in the head. If a zombie bites a human, the person dies and returns as a zombie. Romero's zombies, however, were always more than mere cannibals. They were metaphors for conformity, racism, mall culture, militarism, class differences and other social ills.

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