The Political Page, T+188 -- July 27, 2017

Fake news: need to confirm. Via Twitter, President Trump says that The New York Times has opined that Fox and Friends is the most powerful TV show in America. If accurate, amazing.

Daily WH press briefing: huge new stories breaking yesterday, but press focused on "trans in military." Ms Sanders finally said that if that's all they wanted to talk about, the press briefing was over. One more question came in -- on "trans in military" -- she repeated for the umpteenth time that she had answered the question -- and abruptly ended the briefing -- but did so very nicely, saying she had to go to a White House function celebrating children. Good for her. CNBC anchor was obviously dismayed by the lack of questions on other breaking issues.

Jobs:

• up 10,000 to 244,000 expecting 240,000; last week revised upward from 233,000 to 234,000
• durable goods orders up 6.5% almost double what forecast 
• trade imbalance slightly less than expected
• see previously posted graph; 240,000, takes us back to the low numbers we saw a year ago 

GDP now: latest forecast, July 19, 2017 -- 2.5%. Next GDPNow update will be later today.

Every Arab for himself: stand-off between Saudi Arabia and Qatar will last months, if not years. Saw this movie in 2014. The Wall Street Journal. 

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