Topic: Waldorf Astoria

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was hospitalized with a concussion after a fall at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington D.C. The incident is compared to the past injury of Harry Reid, with speculation regarding the circumstances of the fall given McConnell's political ties. At 81 years old, the severity of the injury is noted as a significant concern for Republican leadership.

A trip to Las Vegas for a Bruno Mars concert at the Park Theater highlighted the challenges of navigating the city's high-noise environment while using hearing aids. The stay at the Cosmopolitan Hotel included an accidental upgrade to a disabled-accessible suite and observations of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding conference attendees. The visit also noted the high cost of beverages on the Strip and the transition of the Mandarin Oriental into a Waldorf Astoria property.

The hosts discuss historical methods used by leaders to avoid the press, including Franklin D. Roosevelt's private train spur under the Waldorf Astoria. John C. Dvorak shares an anecdote about a secret bookshelf door in the Canadian Prime Minister's office used to evade reporters. They conclude that Trump's desire for privacy is not unprecedented.

The annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria featured comedic sets from both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. The event, a tradition since 1945, is criticized for showing the political and media elite "yucking it up" while the general public faces economic hardship. The scripted jokes, often written by professional comedy writers, are viewed as a sign that the political process is a "big joke" to those in power.