The Note: Conway Coming to the White House

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December 22, 2016

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Conway Coming to the White House

Donald Trump Adviser Kellyanne Conway Joining White House Team

Donald Trump has named Kellyanne Conway counselor to the president, adding a senior transition team member and his third campaign manager to the incoming West Wing staff, ABC's BENJAMIN SIEGEL reports. Conway, who became the first female campaign manager from either major party to steer a winning presidential bid, will continue to advise Trump in the White House and help coordinate Trump administration messaging. "Kellyanne Conway has been a trusted advisor and strategist who played a crucial role in my victory," Trump said in a statement. "She is a tireless and tenacious advocate of my agenda and has amazing insights on how to effectively communicate our message." http://abcn.ws/2hg0m7h

Today on 'GMA': Conway Defends Wealthy Cabinet and Administration Picks

Conway today defended the president-elect's wealthy cabinet and administration picks, saying his relationship with Wall Street is unlike Hillary Clinton's. "There's a difference in Hillary Clinton's relationship with Wall Street where she's getting tens of millions of dollars in speeches, tens of millions of dollars in contributions for her foundation, even while she's sitting at the State Department, and Donald Trump tapping some of the greatest talents that we've seen on Wall Street to go and serve in his Cabinet," Conway said on ABC News' "Good Morning America." More from ABC's MORGAN WINSOR: http://abcn.ws/2hg0fsj

Trump Sons Skipping Event That Promised Donors Access to President-Elect

President-elect Donald Trump's eldest sons are now expected to skip an inauguration weekend fundraiser, according to transition sources, after questions emerged about the group offer of access to Trump to anonymous donors, reports ABC's BENJAMIN SIEGEL, JOHN SANTUCCI and KATHERINE FAULDERS. Billed as a benefit to raise money for unnamed conservation charities, the "Camouflage & Cufflinks" event planned for Jan. 21 had initially promised donors access to the Trump family, according to a draft invitation first obtained by TMZ and confirmed by ABC News. On Wednesday, the Trump team said Eric and Donald Trump Jr. would no longer be attending the event, which touted their appearance and listed them as "honorary co-chairmen." "They are not going - period, "a senior transition source told ABC News. http://abcn.ws/2ihb9d9

Trump Calls Berlin Tragedy 'an Attack on Humanity,' Appears to Double Down on Muslim Ban

President-elect Donald Trump called the deadly truck attack in Berlin an "attack on humanity" that's "gotta be stopped," he told reporters at his property in Florida today. Trump also appeared to double down on his proposed ban on Muslim immigration when asked if the attacks changed any of his positions on that specific proposal. ABC's KATHERINE FAULDERS and ALEXANDER MALLIN have more: http://abcn.ws/2igiEkS

Obama's Final Hawaiian Vacation as President

All the details of the president's final winter Hawaiian vacation while in office, courtesy of ABC's SERENA MARSHALL: http://abcn.ws/2gKBn6K

Analysis-- ABC's Rick Klein

With the North Carolina legislature keeping the so-called "bathroom bill" in place, 2017 gets to deal with some more unfinished business from 2016. But the issue serves as a reminder that this new era of Republican dominance has severe limits. The tide has already turned in North Carolina, and new efforts to repeal the bill - under public and economic pressure - are likely to be more successful after Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper takes office. While there's no predicting the president-elect's Tweets, does anyone think Donald Trump will provide air cover on the issue next year? It's a reminder – like the minimum-wage increases that passed last month – the country is shading red, but not necessarily moving right.