Free Republic

Mark Hamill says the force is with President Biden — the actor made a surprise visit Friday to the White House briefing room and offered a “Star Wars”-inspired nickname for the commander in chief. “How many of you had ‘Mark Hamill will lead the press briefing’ on your bingo cards?” Hamill, sporting a pair of sunglasses, told reporters at the top of the White House’s press briefing. “I just got to meet the president, and he gave me these aviator glasses,” added Hamill, known for his role as Luke Skywalker. Asked about his Oval Office visit with Biden, Hamill said,...

French President Emmanuel Macron’s office is closing the press room inside the presidential palace amid broader efforts by the French leader to control his public image.Advisers for Macron announced Wednesday that journalists will be moved to a new site out of the presidential Élysée Palace with less access to presidential activity. […] Macron’s office has increasingly used Facebook and YouTube to spread his message instead of publicly answering media questions. …

"There definitely aren't a lot of laughs around the briefing room these days," says Washington Examiner White House correspondent Julie Mason. "Robert's little digs and evasions have lost their power to amuse — particularly since we haven't had a presser since July."