‘Young, vibrant’ Trump doubles down on ‘very fine people’ comment after Charlottesville

Plus, FBI Director Christopher Wray says the Russian influence on the 2016 election was a "dress rehearsal" for 2020. [View in browser]( [Image](  APRIL 26, 2019 Russia doesn't just try to influence American public opinion during elections, FBI Director Chris Wray said Friday.  "It's pretty much a [365-days-a-year threat](. And that has absolutely continued," Wray said.  The FBI chief said it consists of constant use of social media, with "fake news, propaganda, false personas, et cetera, to spin us up, pit us against each other, sow divisiveness and discord, and undermine Americans' faith in democracy."  In an appearance before the Council on Foreign Relations, Wray said social media companies have made enormous strides in identifying and shutting down Russia's social media efforts. "But we recognize our adversaries will keep upping their game. 2018 was just a dress rehearsal for 2020," he said. Joe Biden laughed off President Trump's suggestion Friday that the former vice president is [too old to run for the Oval Office](.  "If he looks young and vibrant compared to me, I should probably go home," Biden, 76, quipped in an appearance on ABC's "The View."  "Well, I think that — I just feel like a young man," Trump said earlier Friday. "I'm so young. I can't believe it. I'm the youngest person. I am a young, vibrant man."  As [Brian Williams pointed out tonight](, Trump and Biden, both in their 70s, are trading insults over age. ICYMI: Videos from MSNBC Today [Image]( [Trump doubles down on ‘very fine people’ comment after Charlottesville]( President Trump is once again defending comments he made about the white supremacists who gathered in Charlottesville in 2017. Former Vice President Joe Biden highlighted the president's statements as part of his campaign announcement, saying the episode shows how "we are in a battle for the soul of this nation." (Hardball) [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Image](  [Ex-DOJ official: 'Weak' Rosenstein let Trump, Barr use him]( New reporting from The Washington Post alleges that Mueller’s former boss, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, was secretly giving President Trump the impression he was on his team. The report asserts that in an effort to save his job, Rosenstein told Trump he was not the target of the probe. Former Justice Department spokesperson Matt Miller weighs in. (The Beat with Ari Melber) [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Image](  [Mueller report shows Trump’s repeated efforts to obstruct]( Rachel Maddow recounts an incident detailed in Volume II of the Mueller report between the president and Corey Lewandowski that shows how President Trump’s actions check all the boxes for obstruction of justice, as anonymous sources close to AG Barr try to change the narrative about how he handled the report. (Rachel Maddow Show) [Facebook]( [Twitter]( More Videos - [Maria Butina receives maximum 18-month sentence, will be deported after (MSNBC Live with Craig Melvin)]( - [Breaking down Biden's campaign in the first 24 hours (MTP Daily)](  - [Joe Biden struggles to apologize for a past lack of sensitivity (11th Hour)]( - [Trump blasts billionaire Tom Steyer’s push for impeachment (MSNBC Live with Ali Velshi)](  - [Author Elizabeth Drew on 'The Danger In Not Impeaching Trump (The Last Word)Â]( - [Trump calls himself a 'student of history.' Did he get a failing grade? (11th Hour)](  - [Indivisible: The 2020 candidate pledge, a call for Democratic presidential hopefuls to promise unity (Rachel Maddow Show)]( -  [Fallback Friday: Members of the legendary hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan join MSNBC’s Ari Melber for a wide-ranging interview](  [Latest from NBC News]( Quote of the Day ["I don't think it's surprising at all that we hear these sociopathic ramblings... I've testified in front of Congress... and absolutely I'll do it again."]( — Fmr. CIA Dir. John Brennan on President Trump's comments on Fox News about the attempted "coup" by the CIA to overthrow him. ([video]() Analysis and Opinion [FIRST READ:](  If it's Biden v. Bernie, buckle up. Joe Biden versus Bernie Sanders — the two 2020 candidates who lead in almost every Democratic poll — represents one heck of an ideological contrast, if the race ultimately comes down to these two men. [By Chuck Todd, Mark Murray and Carrie Dann.](  [HOT TAKE](: Vladimir Putin is a better match for Kim Jong Un than Donald Trump ever was. Putin, it seems, wants to play the role of global power broker with North Korea that President Trump may have lusted after but failed to claim. Kim Jong Un and Putin are more natural allies, and the U.S. is at risk of being squeezed out. [By David A. Andelman](, Executive Director of The RedLines Project.  What to Watch This Weekend [Image]( The Rev. Al Sharpton questions 2020 presidential contenders about inequality in America on ["Not Just Black and White: Race and the 2020 Election,"Â]( airing Saturday 8 p.m. ET.  Joe Biden’s in for 2020. Will his notable career in Washington help him or hurt him as he works to reach the White House? Watch ["Headliners: Joe Biden"]( with Chris Matthews on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. —This newsletter was prepped for you by Stephanie Haberman. Tell us what you think and [drop us an e-mail](mailto:msnbc.digital.editors@nbcuni.com). [Image: Bagman on YouTube]( Follow MSNBC [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [LinkedIn]( Download the NBC News Mobile App and watch MSNBC [Image] [Image] [Privacy]( [Unsubscribe](listvar=sub_daily)