‘HE’S LOST IT.’ Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House author Michael Wolff tells NBC the president is “a man who has less credibility than, perhaps, anyone who has ever walked on earth.”
■ Lynn Sweet in the Sun-Times: “This is not impeachment. This is about using the 25th Amendment for the first time to remove a president from office for … mental incapacity.”
■ Jonah Goldberg in the National Review: “I don’t recall so many White House luminaries competing to out-insult the commander in chief.”
■ On The Daily Show, Trevor Noah suggests the book gives Trump an out against charges he colluded with the Russians: “If you believe that he didn’t want to win, then it’s hard to believe that he colluded. … Trump should be sending a copy to Robert Mueller to be like, ‘You see? It exonerates me!’”
■ Trump’s attempt to quash the book backfired: Its release was moved up to today—to strong sales. (Cropped 2012 photo: Grace Villamil.)
■ The Trump-Fox News feedback loop is “crazier than you think.”
‘YOU DON’T GIVE A DAMN.’ An advocate for the homeless condemns the City of Chicago for dismantling an encampment under the Kennedy Expressway during the city’s potentially record-tying cold snap.
■ The city is suing some landlords over heating shortfalls.
■ Hang on until next week for highs in the 30s and 40s.
■ For the fourth class of in-state freshmen in a row, the University of Illinois is considering freezing tuition.
‘A FOOLHARDY APPROACH.’ An Illinois state senator says the Trump administration’s plan to step up enforcement of marijuana laws amounts to “trying to put the genie back in the bottle, and it’s going to be a challenge.”
■ The pot crackdown is angering vulnerable Republicans.
■ After an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at an Illinois veterans home, Gov. Rauner has moved in.
■ … but the Centers for Disease Control says the health risk at the home “cannot be eliminated.”
■ A Downstate candidate for governor complains reporters are ignoring him because he’s not rich.
RETAIL RETREAT. The Sears store in Orland Square will close as part of the chain’s latest cutbacks.
■ The Washington Post: “First, this town lost its Macy’s. Then Sears. Now, all eyes were on J.C. Penney.”
■ Emmy winner Lena Waithe’s new Chicago-set series, The Chi, is a “superb new drama” that “pushes back—confidently and entertainingly—on twisted perceptions of the city.”
OUT OF JEOPARDY! In a video message to fans, Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek says his prognosis is excellent after surgery for blood clots in the brain and he expects to return to the show soon.
‘YOU WILL NOT FIND A MORE … INSIGHTFUL STORY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A FREE PRESS.’ Richard Roeper gives Spielberg’s newest, The Post, four stars.
■ … but Michael Phillips says the ending “nosedives into sap.”
A message from a Chicago Public Square advertiser:
CORRECTIONS, AND THANKS.
■ To Ellen Mrazek for being first to note the misspelling of Capital One in yesterday’s Square.
■ To Mike Braden for being first to spot an extra word.
■ To Ron Schwartz for being first to spot another extra word.
… So, not a great day for precision Thursday. Have a great weekend.