First American Pope, Biden on The View, Trump's Surgeon General Pick: AM Update 5/9

New Pope Elected

• 🇻🇦 White smoke from the Sistine Chapel signals the election of a new Pope, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff.
• 💡 Born Robert Francis Pvost in Chicago, he has spent much of his career in Peru and holds dual citizenship.
• 🗣️ President Trump congratulated the new Pope, calling it a "great honor for our country."
• 🧐 Speculation surrounds his centrist leanings, with past online activity showing criticism of Mr. Trump and support for JD Vance's views on love.

Biden's Appearance on The View

• 📺 Former President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden made an appearance on "The View" amidst the release of books discussing his cognitive decline.
• 🗣️ Biden attributed Kamala Harris's loss to President Trump to sexism and racism, defending her qualifications.
• 💬 Dr. Jill Biden defended her husband's work ethic, stating that book authors did not witness his daily efforts in the White House.
• 💔 She also addressed criticisms of her role, calling them "very hurtful," especially from "so-called friends."
• audio from Special Counsel Robert Hur's interview with Biden is being considered for release.

Trump's Surgeon General Pick

• 🩺 President Trump announced Dr. Casey Means as his pick for Surgeon General, replacing Dr. Janette Neshewat.
• 💡 Dr. Means, a functional medicine doctor and co-author of "Good Energy," is supported by figures like Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump Jr.
• 🎯 Trump stated Means will work with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse the chronic disease epidemic.
• ⚠️ The pick has faced criticism from some in the MAGA movement, including Nicole Shanahan, and from Laura Loomer regarding her father's book and her inactive medical license.

US-UK Trade Deal

• 🤝 President Trump announced the first post-election trade deal with the United Kingdom, citing their "longtime history and allegiance."
• 🇺🇸 The deal aims for reciprocity and fairness in international trade, increasing market access for American exports like beef and ethanol.
• 🇬🇧 The UK will remove tariffs on US ethanol and agreed to reciprocal market access on beef, while the US will remove some tariffs on UK steel, aluminum, and vehicles.
• 🏆 Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik highlighted President Trump's role as a "closer" in finalizing the deal.