Donald Trump has lashed out at Hollywood star George Clooney after the Democratic mega-donor added his voice to the ongoing calls for President Joe Biden to drop out of the race for the White House.
“So now fake movie actor George Clooney, who never came close to making a great movie, is getting into the act,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee fumed on Truth Social.
“He’s turned on Crooked Joe like the rats they both are. What does Clooney know about anything?... Clooney should get out of politics and go back to television. Movies never really worked for him!!!”
The star, a life-long Democrat, penned an an op-ed in The New York Times on Wednesday arguing that the party needs a new nominee, just a month after co-hosting a $28m fundraiser for the president.
Biden is set to give a major solo press conference on Thursday as part of the Nato summit in Washington DC marking the alliance’s 75th anniversary.
Campaign officials will also brief Senate Democrats in the afternoon to try to reassure them about the commander-in-chief’s ability to serve a second term, after influential ex-House speaker Nancy Pelosi made non-commital remarks about his future.
Key Points
- Trump lashes out at ‘fake actor’ George Clooney after he calls on Biden to drop out of race
- Biden to hold major solo press conference at Nato summit as doubts over his fitness persist
- Pelosi evasive on Biden’s future: ‘Whatever he decides we go with’
- Two-thirds of Americans believe Biden should step aside, new poll finds
- Where is Barron Trump going to college?
Comer subpoenas White House aides over Biden’s cognitive condition
12:45
Joe Sommerlad
Having comprehensively failed to produce any evidence to justify his “impeachment inquiry” into the president, Republican House Oversight Committee chair James Comer has now issued subpoenas to three Biden staffers requesting their depositions on their boss’s cognitive condition, insinuating a cover-up.
The subpoenas, first reported by Axios, are for first lady Dr Jill Biden’s senior adviser Anthony Bernal, White House deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini and White House senior adviser Ashley Williams.
The letters accompanying them allege that the aides have “firsthand knowledge of the extent to which President Biden is personally carrying out the duties of his office and whether he is capable of doing so”.
Comer continues: “The committee seeks this information to explore whether the time has come for Congress to revisit potential legislation to address the oversight of presidents’ fitness to serve pursuant to its authority under Section 4 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment.”
The chairman said his grossly opportunistic panel is concerned the aides “may be running interference on behalf of the president and perhaps doing some of the president’s job for him”, concluding: “President Biden is clearly unfit for office, yet his staff are trying to hide the truth from the American people.”
BREAKING
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 10, 2024
Chairman James Comer has subpoenaed three key White House staff who are reportedly running interference for President Biden and doing the President’s job for him amid his declining cognitive state.
According to one former Biden aide, these three employees have… pic.twitter.com/T3cXSpC2ov
Whitmer says ‘it wouldn’t hurt’ for Biden to take cognitive test
12:15
Joe Sommerlad
Speaking to Abby Phillip on CNN last night, the Michigan governor, promoting her new memoir True Gretch, said “I don’t think that it would hurt” when asked whether she thought Biden should take a cognitive test to allay fears about his well-being in the wake of his debate nightmare, which she conceded was “not a great success” for the president.
Pushing back on calls for Biden to step aside from the 2024 campaign, Whitmer said: “He shows up every day and fights for the American public.
“He cares about other people more than he cares about himself, and that’s precisely why I think this moment where we have Donald Trump, who’s been convicted of 34 felonies, who cares only about Donald Trump, we can’t lose sight of how high these stakes are.
“We have a field, and unless one person, Joe Biden, makes an alternative decision, this is the field, and we’ve got to go.”
Whitmer: I understand that some are playing fantasy football and want to just pick a couple of random leaders that they like across the country and design a ticket that's just not how this works… pic.twitter.com/VxZ9WQX42v
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 11, 2024
I asked Michigan Gov. @gretchenwhitmer if VP Kamala Harris would be the best person at the top of the ticket if Biden drops out: "She is the number two leader in this country for a reason." pic.twitter.com/J9DrEyuR6c
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) July 11, 2024
Gov. @gretchenwhitmer on the prospects of Trump seeking retribution against her: “I'm told he keeps a list and it's a very long list…Especially with this new Supreme Court ruling on immunity, this could be a very scary time if Donald Trump is back in the White House.” pic.twitter.com/E4rqj6dePI
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) July 11, 2024
This dodge on The Late Show was rather nice too.
Asked on The Late Show what her reaction to Joe Biden’s debate performance was, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer leans into Stephen Colbert and says, “I like your tie.” pic.twitter.com/DdAWo2tkIG
— Andrew Roth (@RothTheReporter) July 11, 2024
Here’s more from James Liddell.
Biden hails ‘greatest alliance the world has ever known’ at Nato dinner
11:45
Joe Sommerlad
Meanwhile, here’s a little more on the president’s day yesterday, where he met with Sir Keir and the two men agreed on the importance of maintaining the “special relationship” between the US and UK, supporting Ukraine and standing up to Russian aggression and finding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Biden later attended a White House dinner at which he made the following remarks:
“This is a big night at the White House, celebrating 75 years of the greatest alliance the world has ever known. Jill and I are honored to have so many close allies and close friends all in the same room.
“The allies in this room not only share a common language – don’t share a common language – we do not share a common border, but we are neighbors. We’re neighbors because we all share common beliefs in dignity, equality, democracy and freedom. And we’re all neighbors because we’re there for one another.
“In the neighborhood that I grew up in, that’s what you do. When a neighbor needed help, you pitched in. Bullies threatened to block, you stepped up. When a bad snowstorm hit, you shared supplies and made sure everyone was safe. When a new family moved into the neighborhood, you welcomed them with open arms.
“And why did we do this? Because we know we were in it together, that our own house was safer when the entire neighborhood was as well. This simple yet profound idea lies at the heart of our alliance.
“Over the last 75 years, it has allowed our people to reach for new possibilities. It’s allowed our nations to meet any threat with strength and resolves. And above all, it allowed women and men of generations to know the lives of freedom, security and democracy.”
Here’s the president raising a glass to Jens Stoltenberg…
…and here’s more from Andrew Feinberg and David Maddox on his sit-down with the newly-minted British PM.
Two-thirds of Americans believe Biden should step aside, new poll finds
11:17
Joe Sommerlad
Yikes. That’s 67 per cent of respondents and a majority of Biden supporters calling on the president to make way for a younger model in this latest survey of voting intentions from ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos.
BREAKING: Two-thirds of Americans – including a majority of Joe Biden’s own supporters – say he should step aside as his party’s presumptive nominee for president given his debate performance two weeks ago, new @ABC News/WaPo/Ipsos poll finds. https://t.co/yN3aHt1I7J
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 11, 2024
The poll also sees Trump beating Biden by 47 per cent of the vote to 46 per cent if the election were held today, but that replacing the president on the Democratic ticket with Kamala Harris would tilt the vote 49 per cent to 46 per cent in her favour.
Where is Barron Trump going to college?
11:00
Joe Sommerlad
The appearance of the president’s youngest son at his Florida rally on Tuesday evening has seemingly whipped up a great deal of interest in the 18-year-old high school graduate’s immediate future.
Trump introduced Barron, his only child with Melania, to the MAGA faithful at his Doral golf resort by describing him as “a very young man who’s now going to college”.
The 78-year-old added that his son “got into every college he wanted to and he made his choice”, adding: “He’s a very good guy, I’ll tell you... He’s a very special guy, Barron Trump… This is the first time he’s ever done this.”
According to The Daily Mail, Barron is “widely believed to be choosing between New York University, Georgetown, or the University of Pennsylvania” as he looks ahead to his undergraduate years and possible political future thereafter.
Here’s Alex Woodward on the most junior of the Trumps.
Pelosi evasive on Biden’s future: ‘Whatever he decides we go with’
10:30
Joe Sommerlad
Biden campaign officials will brief Senate Democrats this afternoon to try to reassure them about the commander-in-chief’s ability to serve a second term, after influential ex-House speaker Nancy Pelosi made non-commital remarks about his future yesterday.
Pelosi refused to say on Wednesday whether she believes the president should remain atop the Democratic ticket following his dismal debate performance in Atlanta last month and struggle to reassure the party that he’s able to do the job for another four years.
Appearing on MSNBC on Wednesday morning, Pelosi was asked if she still supported Biden to lead the Democratic ticket.
Gustaf Kilander reports on her decidedly cagey response.
Biden to hold major solo press conference at Nato summit as doubts over his fitness persist
10:00
Joe Sommerlad
As for President Biden himself, he is set to deliver his “big boy press conference” later today at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in DC as part of the Nato summit marking the alliance’s 75th anniversary.
Here’s Holly Baxter for Indy Voices on why his meeting with new British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer at the White House yesterday was difficult to watch.
Trump again tries to distance himself from Project 2025
09:30
Joe Sommerlad
Also on the former president’s social feed, he’s been busy trying, again, to put distance between himself and the Heritage Foundation’s disturbing blueprint for his next administration, despite its being co-authored by several former Trump 1.0 officials.
The conservative think-tank’s 900-page manual envisions a politicised civil service packed with Trump loyalists, the abolition of the Department of Education, greater presidential powers over the Department of Justice and further draconian federal restrictions on abortion, among other nasty things.
I know nothing about Project 2025. I have not seen it, have no idea who is in charge of it, and, unlike our very well received Republican Platform, had nothing to do with it. The Radical Left Democrats are having a field day, however, trying to hook me into whatever policies are…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 11, 2024
Here’s James Liddell on Seth Meyers calling out Trump’s “flagrant lie” on the matter.
Trump lashes out at ‘fake actor’ George Clooney after he calls on Biden to drop out of White House race
09:00
Joe Sommerlad
Good morning!
Donald Trump has lashed out at Hollywood star George Clooney after the Democratic mega-donor added his voice to the ongoing calls for President Joe Biden to drop out of the race for the White House.
“So now fake movie actor George Clooney, who never came close to making a great movie, is getting into the act,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee fumed on Truth Social.
“He’s turned on Crooked Joe like the rats they both are. What does Clooney know about anything?... Clooney should get out of politics and go back to television. Movies never really worked for him!!!”
So now fake movie actor George Clooney, who never came close to making a great movie, is getting into the act. He’s turned on Crooked Joe like the rats they both are. What does Clooney know about anything? He uses the Democrat “talking point” that Biden, the WORST President in…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 11, 2024
The star, a life-long Democrat, penned an an op-ed in The New York Times on Wednesday arguing that the party needs a new nominee, just a month after co-hosting a $28m fundraiser for the president.
Here’s Andrew Feinberg on Clooney’s reluctant but heartfelt call for change.
Who are the House Democrats who say Biden should step aside?
08:30
Oliver O'Connell
Despite attempting to dig himself out of the political crisis that has engulfed him since his debate debacle, Joe Biden appears to become more entrenched with every swipe of the shovel.
Thirteen House Democrats – eight publicly and at least five privately – have so far called on the president to drop out of the race for the White House, as of Wednesday.
James Liddell reports.
Watch: The View host reacts to calls for Biden to step aside for younger generation
08:00
Oliver O'Connell
.@AlyssaFarah reacts to some calling for Pres. Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee. pic.twitter.com/vgVwt2lu24
— The View (@TheView) July 10, 2024
Biden’s medical record puts White House transparency under spotlight
07:30
Oliver O'Connell
While Joe Biden is facing scrutiny over his competence to take on Donald Trump and serve a second term, scrutiny is also falling on the White House and his aides’ transparency when it comes to his medical records.
Since the president’s debate disaster last month, reporters and White House staff have thrashed it out in numerous heated press conferences about the 81-year-old’s mental fitness.
On several occasions over the fortnight since the debate, the Oval Office has been forced to clear up discrepancies in comments, statements or facts put out only hours or days earlier.
James Liddell has the story.
Trump complains about bacon while airing his beef with Biden
05:30
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail on Tuesday night and dedicated much of his rambling speech to airing his beef with President Joe Biden — and with bacon.
Speaking at his Doral resort in Miami on Tuesday night, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee went on a bizarre rant about the rising cost of the favorite breakfast meat, blaming the price hike on inflation under the Biden administration.
Kelly Rissman reports on the latest claim from the purported billionaire.
Breaking: Biden to sit for NBC News interview on Monday
04:00
Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden will sit down with NBC News anchor Lester Holt for a one-on-one interview on Monday in Austin, Texas.
The full interview will air in its entirety at 9pm ET on NBC.
MONDAY: President Joe Biden to sit down with @LesterHoltNBC in an exclusive one-on-one interview.
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 10, 2024
Watch the interview in its entirety on NBC and NBC News NOW on Monday, July 15 at 9 p.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/ISXriaMN4j
ICYMI: Pelosi gives cagey response when pressed on Biden’s re-election bid
03:30
Oliver O'Connell
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to say on Wednesday whether she believes President Joe Biden should remain atop the Democratic ticket following his dismal debate performance and struggle to reassure the party that he’s able to do the job for another four years.
Appearing on MSNBC on Wednesday morning, Pelosi was asked if she still supported Biden to lead the Democratic ticket.
Gustaf Kilander reports on her response.
‘Whomever we nominate’
03:00
Oliver O'Connell
Ritchie Torres, the Democratic rep of the Bronx in New York, says that the party has to proceed with “an unsentimental analysis of the cold hard numbers” in deciding how to proceed with “whomever we nominate” as the candidate in November’s election.
He does not mention Joe Biden at all.
”In determining how to proceed as a party, there must be a serious reckoning with the down-ballot effect of whomever we nominate,” Torres says.
“An unsentimental analysis of the cold hard numbers—which have no personal feelings or political loyalties—should inform what we decide and whom we nominate. If we’re going to choose a particular path, we should be clear-eyed about its consequences.”
“An unsentimental analysis of the cold hard numbers—which have no personal feelings or political loyalties—should inform what we decide and whom we nominate. If we’re going to choose a particular path, we should be clear-eyed about its consequences,” Torres says
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) July 10, 2024
Trump’s ‘flagrant lie’ that he doesn’t know anything about Project 2025 called out by Seth Meyers
02:30
Oliver O'Connell
Seth Meyers has blasted Donald Trump’s “flagrant” lies as the former president attempts to distance himself from a far-right think tank’s “presidential transition” proposal, Project 2025.
More than a dozen former White House aides who worked for Trump, along with the Heritage Foundation, have masterminded a 900-page manifesto in a bid to “rescue the country from the grip of the radical left,” its website declares.
Project 2025, which vies to increase executive power, aims to place a conservative leader in office to execute its radical policies, such as a further crackdown on abortion rights.
Trump, however, says that he “knows nothing” about Project 2025, a claim the Late Night host was quick to contest.
James Liddel has the story.
Watch: Michael Douglas responds to George Clooney op-ed about Biden
02:00
Oliver O'Connell
“I think it’s a valid point. I mean, I’m deeply, deeply concerned. ... It’s difficult because the Democrats have a big bench. I mean, they’ve got a lot of heavy hitters.”
— Michael Douglas
Actor Michael Douglas responds to George Clooney's op-ed calling for Biden to step aside as Dem nominee:
— The Recount (@therecount) July 10, 2024
"I think it's a valid point. I mean, I'm deeply, deeply concerned. ... It's difficult because the Democrats have a big bench. I mean, they've got a lot of heavy hitters." pic.twitter.com/oOAXwqeV6n
George Clooney calls for Biden to step aside weeks after hosting $28m fundraiser
01:30
Oliver O'Connell
George Clooney, who just weeks ago headlined a star-studded fundraiser that raked in $28m for president Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, has penned an emotional op-ed telling his “friend” in no uncertain terms to take himself out of the 2024 presidential race.
The actor, one of Biden’s most high-profile supporters, said that he had witnessed first-hand a change in the 81-year-old, as he accused party leaders of essentially gaslighting the public by blaming the president’s abysmal debate performance against Donald Trump on the fact that he was suffering from a cold and was exhausted by his busy travel schedule.
“The one battle he cannot win is the fight against time,” Clooney wrote. “None of us can. It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”
Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC
Watch: Senator Tim Kaine says Biden ‘will do the patriotic thing for the country'
01:00
Oliver O'Connell
Sen. Tim Kaine to @JoeKhalilTV: "I have complete confidence that Joe Biden will do the patriotic thing for the country. And he's going to make that decision. He's never disappointed me.“ pic.twitter.com/3k3ykeJmbD
— Kristen Eskow (@KristenEskow) July 10, 2024
Analysis: Nato comes to Washington. Republicans have a warning
Thursday 11 July 2024 00:30
Oliver O'Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
It’s Nato week in Washington. That means that traffic is backed up, metro stops are closed and American allies have descended on the nation’s capital to focus on its longstanding support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on its 75th anniversary.
Ostensibly, this should be a moment of celebration. Nato coming to Washington should symbolize America’s status as a world leader. Amid the war in Ukraine, President Joe Biden and allies have shown a unified front against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
Indeed, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a major supporter of Ukraine, introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Reagan Institute (a reminder of a bygone era when Republicans supported the robust American interventionism that the institute’s namesake championed.) House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries met with Zelensky and newly-minted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a sign they still want to make sure that politics doesn’t end at water’s edge.
But like with everything in Washington, especially as Biden’s re-election remains precarious, the specter of Donald Trump looms large over the summit.
Read on...
Biden’s ‘big boy’ press conference set for Thursday
Thursday 11 July 2024 00:00
Oliver O'Connell
The White House has been roasted for promising President Joe Biden will give a “big boy press conference” as part of the three-day Nato summit of world leaders beginning Tuesday in Washington DC.
In Monday’s White House press briefing, John Kirby, the White House’s national security communications adviser, raised eyebrows with his choice of phrase – coming at a time when the embattled president is facing growing calls to quit the 2024 race.
“The president will hold a press conference… a big boy press conference we’re calling it,” he said, with a nod to Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who responded with a grin in the affirmative.
Kirby’s tongue-in-cheek reference was actually a callback to an exchange last week between Jean-Pierre and Bloomberg journalist Justin Sink, who had asked her about the White House’s alleged strategy of shielding the president from “impromptu” settings in light of his disastrous presidential debate performance.
Joe Sommerlad explains.
Russia’s plans to meddle in 2024 election revealed by US intel
Wednesday 10 July 2024 23:30
Oliver O'Connell
Russia will attempt to influence the 2024 US presidential election using familiar tactics like spreading misinformation online to subvert the public’s faith in the democratic election process, according to intelligence officials.
On Tuesday, officials in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told reporters that Russia is using covert social media tactics like targeting voter groups in swing states with bot farms.
The goal, they said, is to drive a larger rift in domestic political ideology, promote mistrust in the electoral system and sway public opinion in favor of a certain candidate.
Ariana Baio reports.
Comer subpoenas key White House staff for ‘running interference’ for Biden
Wednesday 10 July 2024 23:15
Oliver O'Connell
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has subpoenaed three key White House staff who are reportedly running interference for President Biden and doing the President’s job for him amid his declining cognitive state.
BREAKING
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) July 10, 2024
Chairman James Comer has subpoenaed three key White House staff who are reportedly running interference for President Biden and doing the President’s job for him amid his declining cognitive state.
According to one former Biden aide, these three employees have… pic.twitter.com/T3cXSpC2ov
Michael Cohen takes his ‘retaliation’ battle with Donald Trump to the Supreme Court
Wednesday 10 July 2024 23:00
Oliver O'Connell
Michael Cohen is asking the Supreme Court to revive his case against Donald Trump, who is accused of violating his former attorney’s constitutional rights by keeping him in solitary confinement after revealing plans for a tell-all memoir.
A challenge that stems from a lawsuit from the one-time “fixer” — who recently testified against Trump during his hush money trial in New York — asks whether a president and federal officials can be held accountable for retaliating against their critics.
Alex Woodward reports.
Biden hits back at Clooney op-ed
Wednesday 10 July 2024 22:55
Oliver O'Connell
Annie Karni of The New York Times reports that according to a source familiar with the event planning of the George Clooney-hosted fundraiser for Joe Biden, the Hollywood star only stayed for a quick photo, while the president stayed for more than three hours.
Biden is fighting back on Clooney.
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) July 10, 2024
From a source familiar with event planning: “The President stayed for over 3 hours, while Clooney took a photo quickly and left.”
How many House Democrats say Biden needs to step aside?
Wednesday 10 July 2024 22:30
Oliver O'Connell
Despite attempting to dig himself out of the political crisis that has engulfed him since his debate debacle, Joe Biden appears to become more entrenched with every swipe of the shovel.
Thirteen House Democrats – eight publicly and at least five privately – have so far called on the president to drop out of the race for the White House, as of Wednesday.
At least 19 current and former senior party members have publicly raised doubts over whether the 81-year-old could defeat Donald Trump come November due to his perceived cognitive decline.
While embattled, Biden has continued to stake his claim for office, making a string of public appearances to make the case he is still fit to be commander in chief.
Watch: Pelosi refuses to make further statements after not explicitly backing Biden
Wednesday 10 July 2024 22:15
Oliver O'Connell
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not appear keen to expand on her remarks this morning on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, which fell short of explicitly backing President Joe Biden’s decision to run again, framed it as a decision yet to be made, and then implied people should wait until after the NATO summit this week to express opinions.
Here are her earlier remarks and her response to questions from Rachel Scott of ABC News.
Scott was asking Pelosi about her comments on "Morning Joe," when she stopped short of explicitly backing Biden's candidacy:https://t.co/MxeZIlmtjX
— The Recount (@therecount) July 10, 2024
What is a ‘blitz primary’ and how might Democrats deploy it?
Wednesday 10 July 2024 22:00
Oliver O'Connell
The phrase “blitz primary” has been flying around Democratic Party circles this week as concerns over President Joe Biden’s fitness to serve a second term refuse to die down in the wake of his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump late last month.
Since the president’s hoarse and frail appearance on the CNN debate stage in Atlanta on June 27, which the White House attributed to a cold and exhaustion from his recent overseas travels, his party has been in panic mode, holding frantic discussions about whether Biden can still be depended upon to beat Trump in November or whether he should drop out and make way for a younger successor.
A blitz primary, as proposed by Rosa Brooks and Ted Dintersmith, a Georgetown University law professor and venture capitalist respectively, would be a means of realizing that end.
Joe Sommerlad explains how it would work.
Watch: The View host reacts to calls for Biden to step aside for younger generation
Wednesday 10 July 2024 21:45
Oliver O'Connell
.@AlyssaFarah reacts to some calling for Pres. Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee. pic.twitter.com/vgVwt2lu24
— The View (@TheView) July 10, 2024
All the celebrities who have called for Biden to step down
Wednesday 10 July 2024 21:30
Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden continues to lose crucial support from his colleagues, big-name celebrities and donors.
Last month, Biden’s shaky performance at the first presidential debate against the Republican nominee, former president Donald Trump, led to questions about his capability to run for reelection.
Despite several major voices urging Biden to step aside, the incumbent president is insistent about his ability to run and win again.
However, Biden’s confidence does not seem to have calmed the minds of some of his once-ardent supporters, who have called on the president to step aside.
Inga Parkel takes a look at what people have said...
