In the News: "We Will Make BP Pay"

President Obama's first White House speech last night, which addressed the Gulf of Mexico disaster, lambasted BP's "recklessness" and promised the company's reparations fund and swift action, while also focusing on U.S. energy policy.

In response to Obama's speech, a BP spokesperson told CNN that the company shared his goals of "shutting off the well as quickly as possible, cleaning up the oil and mitigating the impact on the people and environment of the Gulf Coast," and viewed today's Washington hearing with BP executives "for a constructive discussion about how best to achieve these mutual goals."

BP, also under fire for staff "reporter" while blocking media, now faces more than 225 lawsuits in 11 states. TED's upcoming Washington event will tackle the oil spill later this month. More brands in the news after the jump.Continue reading...