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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Washington’s views on pop culture in 2017

Randy Holmes/ABC After complications during the birth of his son, Jimmy Kimmel gave an impassioned speech on his laten-night talk show to influence the Affordable Health Care Act debate. A week after his son's recent heart surgery, Kimmel brought the baby on stage and further urged Congress to restore Children's Health Insurance Program, which has been left unfunded and stuck in a political stalemate since September.
Randy Holmes/ABC After complications during the birth of his son, Jimmy Kimmel gave an impassioned speech on his laten-night talk show to influence the Affordable Health Care Act debate. A week after his son's recent heart surgery, Kimmel brought the baby on stage and further urged Congress to restore Children's Health Insurance Program, which has been left unfunded and stuck in a political stalemate since September.

How did pop culture look from inside the White House and the halls of Congress in 2017? After a year as Times reporters covering Washington, we recently shared our analysis with Patrick Healy, a deputy culture editor and former political reporter.

PATRICK HEALY: For starters, let’s have fun: What’s something about culture and politics in 2017 that most people don’t know?

KATIE ROGERS: Melania Trump recently told me her favorite show is “How To Get Away With Murder.” I love that the first lady is a Shondaland fan. She also enjoys “Empire.” And reality TV did not come up once.

MATT FLEGENHEIMER: Robert Mueller and Freud both reading this with interest.

HEALY: What do you make of her tastes, Katie?