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OnPolitics: Things don't look good for coronavirus relief

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Senate Democrats blocked a $300 billion COVID-19 stimulus bill Thursday, dampening the prospects Congress will pass much-needed financial relief for Americans weathering the coronavirus pandemic ahead of the November election.

The bill was defeated in a 52-47 vote, not meeting the 60 needed to break the Democratic filibuster, a mechanism requiring three-fifths of the chamber to agree to end the debate and allow a final vote. One Republican, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted with Democrats in opposing the bill. 

After the chamber failed to move forward, senators voiced skepticism that any movement would be made on a relief package before the election. 

Why would Trump do that?

Bob Woodward says President Donald Trump called him "out of the blue" in early February to "unburden himself" about how deadly a threat the coronavirus was to the U.S. 

The revelation of that call – one of 18 interviews Woodward conducted with Trump as part of his research for his upcoming book, "Rage" – sparked outrage Wednesday because it contrasted with the president's public comments at the time that downplayed the threat from the virus. And it raised a common question among Trump's allies and opponent alike: 

Why would Trump agree to so many interviews with a veteran Washington Post journalist known for his unflattering, behind-the-scenes portrayals of several presidential administrations? We have a few possible explanations. 

What else is going on? 

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