Donald Trump says an agreement has been reached with the Kamala Harris campaign over the rules for their first presidential debate.
The former president wrote on Truth Social: “I have reached an agreement with the Radical Left Democrats for a Debate with Comrade Kamala Harris. It will be Broadcast Live on ABC FAKE NEWS, by far the nastiest and most unfair newscaster in the business, on Tuesday, September 10th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.”
He added: “The Rules will be the same as the last CNN Debate, which seemed to work out well for everyone except, perhaps, Crooked Joe Biden.”
Also on Tuesday, Special Counsel Jack Smith unveiled a fresh indictment against the former president for his allegedly illegal attempts to reverse his 2020 election loss. The new Grand Jury indictment comes after the Supreme Court granted Trump some “immunity” from criminal prosecution for his “official actions in office.”
Meanwhile, a group of more than 200 Republicans who worked for President George W Bush and senators John McCain and Mitt Romney have endorsed Harris for president over Trump.
The vice president has clinched a seven-point national lead over her Republican rival, leading him 50 per cent to 43 per cent, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll.
Key Points
- Trump faces new indictment in election interference case after Supreme Court immunity ruling
- Trump says agreement reached on ABC News presidential debate setting stage for first showdown with Harris
- More than 200 Republicans who worked for Bush, McCain and Romney endorse Harris
- Trump gives thumbs up at Marine’s grave during visit to Arlington cemetery
- Harris takes seven-point lead over Trump in new poll
- Tim Walz’s dog at center of Maga conspiracy
Trump faces new indictment in election interference case after Supreme Court immunity ruling
23:18
Mike Bedigan
A newly assembled grand jury has indicted Donald Trump, again, for his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, after the Supreme Court ruled that the former president has some “immunity” from prosecution.
Alex Woodward has the story:
Lindsey Graham pressed by CNN over claim Trump would protect reproductive freedom
23:00
Oliver O'Connell
Senator Lindsey Graham found himself forced into an age-old position — explaining something Donald Trump had said — on Sunday as he appeared on CNN’s State of the Union.
John Bowden reports.
22:45
Oliver O'Connell
2024 race to watch: A neck-and-neck Senate race in deep-blue Maryland has taken an interesting turn
22:30
Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden writes:
A race for US Senate in deep-blue Maryland remains in a dead heat thanks to the persistence of a well-known Republican candidate, complicating the electoral map for Democrats this fall.
Larry Hogan’s campaign for the state’s open Senate seat held by retiring Senator Ben Cardin is tied with his opponent, Angela Alsobrooks, according to an AARP poll of likely voters, with both candidates sitting at 46 percent in the race.
The hotly contested race comes as little surprise to Marylanders, who know Hogan from his two terms as governor where he enjoyed some of the highest popularity ratings of any state leader in the country. He was widely viewed as the only Republican with a serious chance of winning the seat before the governor announced his candidacy.
Continue reading...
Trump faces new indictment in election interference case after Supreme Court immunity ruling
22:25
Mike Bedigan
A newly assembled grand jury has indicted Donald Trump, again, for his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, after the Supreme Court ruled that the former president has some ‘immunity’ from prosecution.
Alex Woodward has the story here:
Trump faces new indictment in election interference case after Supreme Court immunity ruling
22:19
Mike Bedigan
A newly assembled grand jury has indicted Donald Trump, again, for his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, after the Supreme Court ruled that the former president has some ‘immunity’ from prosecution.
Alex Woodward has the story here:
Trump faces new indictment in election interference case after Supreme Court immunity ruling
22:15
Mike Bedigan
A newly assembled grand jury has indicted Donald Trump, again, for his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, after the Supreme Court ruled that the former president has some ‘immunity’ from prosecution.
Alex Woodward has the story here:
Trump faces new indictment in election interference case after Supreme Court immunity ruling
22:12
Mike Bedigan
A newly assembled grand jury has indicted Donald Trump, again, for his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, after the Supreme Court ruled that the former president has some ‘immunity’ from prosecution.
Alex Woodward has the story here:
Is Powerfulnnz’, the new ‘Covfefe’?
22:00
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump deleted a Truth Social post about the “Powerfulnnz Border” after it was strewn with errors and typos.
Sadly, it probably won’t be the new “Covfefe” — his viral typo from during his presidency — as being on Truth Social it didn’t get quite the same audience.
Here’s Rhian Lubin to explain all about it.
Campaign events to watch out for this week...
21:45
Oliver O'Connell
August 28
On the morning of Wednesday, August 28, Democratic vice presidential nominee Governor Tim Walz will deliver remarks at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.
Vice President Kamala Harris will begin a series of campaign events in south Georgia, including the Savannah area. It will be her seventh visit to Georgia and second trip to Savannah this year.
Republican vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance will deliver remarks on the economy and energy in Erie, Pennsylvania at 3pm ET. Later he will speak about the economy, inflation, and energy in De Pere, Wisconsin at 6.30pm CT.
August 29
On Thursday, August 29, Former president Donald Trump will speak about the economy, inflation, and manufacturing in Potterville, Michigan at 3.30pm ET. At 6pm CT he will visit La Crosse, Wisconsin, for a town hall moderated by former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard at 6pm CT.
Meanwhile, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will travel to Ketchum, Idaho, to deliver remarks at a campaign event.
Vice President Kamala Harris will hold a rally for voters in Savannah, Georgia.
August 30
On Friday, former president Trump will hold a Rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania at 4.30pm ET.
The second gentleman will deliver remarks at a campaign event in San Francisco, California, before traveling to Aspen, Colorado, to speak at an event there.
Kerry Kennedy says she is ‘disgusted’ by her brother RFK Jr’s Trump endorsement
21:30
Oliver O'Connell
Kerry Kennedy has said she is “disgusted” by her brother Robert F Kennedy Jr’s “obscene” backing of Donald Trump.
In a scathing rebuke of her brother, Kennedy said by dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Trump, RFK Jr has “set fire” to their father’s memory.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Melania Trump’s newly-unveiled book cover design raises eyebrows
21:15
Oliver O'Connell
Former first lady Melania Trump’s memoir went on pre-sale last Friday and the cover is raising eyebrows as it appears awfully similar to that of Chanel Catwalk - a fashion tome which has been on sale for years.
The title of the book, Melania, appears in white on a plain black background on the cover. The design and font appears to be extremely close to the 2020 book by French author Patrick Mauries, The Daily Beast noted.
Gustaf Kilander takes a look for The Independent.
Listen: Vance attacks teaching union head for not having children
21:05
Oliver O'Connell
During a Center for Christian Virtue forum in 2021, now senator and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance attacked American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten for “brainwashing” children while not having children of her own, WCPT820 reports.
Here’s what he said: “So many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal about this, but they're people without kids trying to brainwash the minds of our children ... Randi Weingarten ... she doesn't have a single child. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone.”
Listen here:
NEW VANCE AUDIO: During a Center for Christian Virtue forum in 2021, JD Vance attacked American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten for "brainwashing" children while not having children of her own:
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) August 27, 2024
"So many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal… pic.twitter.com/g7fXb1ReZV
ICYMI: Trump team settles on new attack line against Harris — Afghanistan
21:00
Oliver O'Connell
Early Monday morning, Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement commemorating the deaths of 13 US service members in Afghanistan. Those service members died in a terror attack during the US withdrawal from the country.
It was a clear pre-emptive strike against Republicans. During the RNC, Republicans made a point of highlighting those deaths.
Eric Garcia reports.
Coming up tonight...
20:55
Oliver O'Connell
Brace yourselves, Donald Trump sat down for another interview with Dr Phil on Friday and it airs tonight on Merit+ — the streaming service that the TV psychologist founded it. We’ll be covering any notable moments here on the blog — so stay tuned.
If that’s not enough, Dr Phil also sat down with Robert F Kennedy Jr and that will air tomorrow night...
The respective interviews took place on August 23 in Las Vegas and Phoenix respectively.
Per Merit Street Media:
The Trump conversation, airing Tuesday, August 27, at 8 p.m. ET, covers a range of topics, including the assassination attempt, allegations of a cover-up regarding President Biden’s health, his message to independent voters, and the potential role of RFK Jr. in a future administration.
“I’m very honored. He’s a smart guy,” Trump said of RFK Jr.’s support. “I think he’s going to be a great asset. Will I have him in the administration? I don’t know. We haven’t discussed it.
Immediately following the Trump interview, McGraw traveled to Phoenix to speak with RFK Jr., marking his first interview since suspending his campaign and removing his name from the ballot in about ten battleground states to avoid being a spoiler. The interview, which will air on Wednesday, August 28, at 8 p.m. ET, delves into RFK Jr.’s decision to support Trump and his aspirations for a role in a potential Trump administration.
“We recognize from our polling is that if I stayed in the race, it would have almost certainly swung the race to Vice President Harris, who was trying to throw me off the ballot in all of the states, ironically,” offered RFK, Jr.
Dr Phil also interviewed both Trump and Kennedy in June.
Kamala Harris’s tax plans: What do we know so far?
20:45
Alex Woodward
Kamala Harris has pledged that strengthening America’s middle class will be a “defining goal” of her presidency, if elected.
In her keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Harris envisioned what she called an “opportunity economy” anchored by a “middle class tax cut that will benefit more than 100 million Americans,” standing in stark contrast to Donald Trump’s sweeping tax cuts that largely benefit America’s wealthiest households.
Harris has not yet rolled out a specific tax plan, though her campaign says she supports President Joe Biden’s latest budget, which aims to raise more than $5 trillion in taxes over a decade.
Under that plan, individuals making less than $400,000 a year would not see their taxes raised. Instead, Harris would target America’s wealthiest households and corporations — proposed changes that congressional Republicans have roundly rejected.
Here is what we know about Harris’s tax plans so far:
Trump mocked over new batch of digital trading cards
20:35
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has launched a new collection of digital trading cards as he struggles to keep up with the fundraising of rival Kamala Harris’s campaign.
Trump announced the “very exciting news” in a video on Truth Social on Tuesday, saying the cards were returning “by popular demand.” The cards cost a whopping $99 each.
Gustaf Kilander has the story of the latest fundraising gimmick.
Exclusive: Black Trump supporter claims he was called a ‘slave’ by right-wing organization he was canvassing for
20:20
Oliver O'Connell
A die-hard Trumper in Florida says he was discriminated against by a right-wing political advocacy group, claiming he was called a “slave” during his 12 days with the organization before it fired him for complaining.
Carl Baxter, who is Black, is suing Americans for Prosperity, the nonprofit “grassroots” conservative operation run by Charles and David Koch, the billionaire siblings and hard-line climate change deniers.
Justin Rohrlich has the story.
Trump campaign spends thousands on pointless ad airing around Mar-a-Lago to keep ex-president happy
20:15
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is reportedly planning to air advertisements in the Palm Beach area where the former president’s Mar-a-Lago residence lies – despite the area being historically Democratic in a Republican state.
The cable news ads, set to run this week, are not for strategy purposes but to keep Trump and donors happy, according to reporting from The Bulwark.
Ariana Baio reports.
Watch: Lincoln Project releases powerful ad on reproductive rights under Project 2025
20:07
Oliver O'Connell
If Trump wins and enacts his #Project2025 agenda, America will no longer be the land of the free. pic.twitter.com/OPPA8Bu1Aw
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) August 27, 2024
Watch: JD Vance claims overdose deaths ‘were coming down’ under Trump — they actually hit a record high
20:00
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance claims that overdose deaths “were coming down” during the Trump administration. In fact, they hit record highs...
JD Vance claims that overdose deaths "were coming down" under Trump, which is a blatant lie -- in fact they hit record highs https://t.co/iwvNzR2rkH pic.twitter.com/rwIRyaMo26
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 27, 2024
Here’s Alex Woodward writing in 2022:
BREAKING: Trump says agreement reached on ABC News presidential debate
19:44
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social that an agreement has been reached on the September 10 presidential debate against Kamala Harris to be hosted by ABC News.
The former president and Republican candidate wrote:
I have reached an agreement with the Radical Left Democrats for a Debate with Comrade Kamala Harris. It will be Broadcast Live on ABC FAKE NEWS, by far the nastiest and most unfair newscaster in the business, on Tuesday, September 10th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rules will be the same as the last CNN Debate, which seemed to work out well for everyone except, perhaps, Crooked Joe Biden. The Debate will be “stand up,” and Candidates cannot bring notes, or “cheat sheets.” We have also been given assurance by ABC that this will be a “fair and equitable” Debate, and that neither side will be given the questions in advance (No Donna Brazile!). Harris would not agree to the FoxNews Debate on September 4th, but that date will be held open in case she changes her mind or, Flip Flops, as she has done on every single one of her long held and cherished policy beliefs. A possible third Debate, which would go to NBC FAKE NEWS, has not been agreed to by the Radical Left. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Marjorie Taylor Greene takes aim at ‘commie’ Democrats over beach badges
19:30
Oliver O'Connell
Marjorie Taylor Greene has blamed so-called “commie” Democrats for the arrest of a surfer over a $12 per day beach badge.
Liam Mahoney, 28, from Junction City, California, was arrested during a trip to a beach near Belmar’s 19th Avenue Beach in New Jersey last Tuesday.
There’s a little more to the story than meets the eye, as James Liddell explains.
‘Learn to STFU’ Ann Coulter begs Trump
19:15
Oliver O'Connell
Right-wing pundit Ann Coulter issued a clear-cut message to the former president on X.
Coulter, a former Trump supporter who has since turned against the former president, told him to “STFU” on Monday morning amid a debate on the issue of hot microphones during the upcoming presidential debate.
Katie Hawkinson has the story.
Full story: More than 200 Republicans who worked for Bush, McCain and Romney endorse Harris
19:00
Oliver O'Connell
Hundreds of former staffers who worked for President George H. W. Bush, President George W. Bush, Senator John McCain and Senator Mitt Romney have published an open letter asking fellow Republicans to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in November.
The group of more than 200 people warns that another four “chaotic” years of Donald Trump “will hurt real, everyday people and weaken our sacred institutions”.
They raised concerns about Project 2025, the 900-page plan authored by former Trump aides and endorsed by The Hertiage Foundation, as well as the former president’s potential to grovel to dictators like Vladimir Putin.
Ariana Baio reports.
RFK Jr withdraws petition to be placed on Georgia ballot after endorsing Trump
18:44
Oliver O'Connell
Updates: RFK Jr. withdraws petition to be placed on Georgia’s ballot. He said last week he would pull himself from the ballot in competitive states after endorsing Trump, then on Monday a judge issued ruled he be removed from the ballot because of issues with his address. #gapol pic.twitter.com/rflYlKTgi9
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) August 27, 2024
Watch LIVE: JD Vance gives a speech in Michigan on the economy
18:32
Oliver O'Connell
Foo Fighters to donate royalties to Harris campaign after Trump played song without permission
18:30
Oliver O'Connell
In a statement shared with The Independent, a spokesperson for Foo Fighters said: “Foo Fighters were not asked permission, and if they were, they would not have granted it.
The spokesperson added that “appropriate actions are being taken” against the Trump campaign and any royalties received as a result of this usage will be donated to the Harris/Walz campaign.
Mike Bedigan has the story.
Biden reacts to court order pausing new immigration policy
18:15
Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden released the following statement regarding a district court’s order on the Biden-Harris Administration’s action to keep families together:
America is not a country that tears families apart.
That is why, in June, my Administration announced new action to keep American families together. These married couples—in which one spouse is a United States citizen and the other has been living in America for 10 years or more—include our neighbors who have been working, raising their families, paying taxes, worshipping with us, and sending their kids to school. They have become our friends, our neighbors, and our co-workers. They're the parents to our kid's best friends. They have become invaluable contributors to our communities. They make us a better country. Nothing I did changed the requirements people have to meet to adjust their status under immigration law. All I did was make it possible for these long-time residents to file the paperwork here – together with their families. But without the Keeping Families Together process, spouses of U.S. citizens won't be able to stay in the U.S. while they obtain the long-term legal status for which they're already eligible. They’ll be forced to either leave their families in America, or live in the shadows in constant fear of deportation.
Last night, a single district court in Texas ruled that our work to keep families together has to stop. That ruling is wrong. These families should not be needlessly separated. They should be able to stay together, and my Administration will not stop fighting for them.
I am not interested in playing politics with the border or immigration; I am interested in solving problems. Nor am I interested in tearing families apart. That is not who we are as Americans. I will continue to fight to secure our border and fix our broken immigration system.
Here’s more details on the administration’s action and the court ruling:
Trump slammed for flashing smile and making ‘disgraceful’ thumbs up at soldiers’ graves
18:05
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump faced criticism after giving the thumbs up and smiling while posing for photos at the graves of soldiers killed during the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan at Arlington National Cemetery.
The former president was at the Virginia cemetery to lay a wreath on the third anniversary of the terror attack at the Abbey Gate at Kabul Airport, where 13 American servicemembers were killed.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
ICYMI: Inside JD Vance’s very weird week on the road
18:00
Oliver O'Connell
Josh Marcus writes:
Ever since Tim Walz accused JD Vance and his running mate of being “weird,” the Republican vice presidential nominee has struggled to escape the perception, at least according to his political opponents, that he’s a strange, awkward guy who emerged from the right-wing corners of Silicon Valley and the Internet.
Sure, it may be hard to compete with the carnival charisma of Donald Trump, but another week on the campaign trail seemed to do little to change the attack lines against Vance.
There weren’t any all-time political gaffes like dismissing those without traditional families as “childless cat ladies,” but the US Senator for Ohio still managed to generate plenty of raised eyebrows and awkward silences.
Continue reading...
Megyn Kelly freaks out over column calling Doug Emhoff a ‘sex symbol’
17:40
Oliver O'Connell
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly had a minor meltdown over a Washington Post opinion column arguing that second gentleman Doug Emhoff is a “progressive sex symbol.”
Catherine Rampell wrote for The Post that Emhoff, a former entertainment lawyer who’s been married to Harris for 10 years, embodies “the modern female fantasy,” prompting Kelly to call the media “absolutely disgusting.” She also claimed the column was an attempt by Rampell to improve her standing with Democrats.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Watch: Trump launches another round of weird trading cards
17:34
Oliver O'Connell
During rambling interview, RFK Jr claims Trump has tapped him to join transition team
17:00
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has asked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to join his presidential transition team should he be elected in November, the former independent presidential candidate told Tucker Carlson on Monday evening.
Kennedy, who suspended his long-shot presidential campaign on Friday, has rapidly shifted gears from drawing votes away from Trump to now avowing to “fight” and “work” to get him elected.
His dedication to the Trump campaign is apparently sincere enough that he has been given an important task, as Ariana Baio reports.
After series of alarming votes, Georgia governor inquires whether he can remove MAGA election board members
16:40
Oliver O'Connell
Georgia’s governor has asked his attorney general if he can remove state election board members after three right-wing members approved a series of alarming new rules.
Republican Governor Brian Kemp asked Attorney General Christopher Carr for “guidance” on whether he can remove members of the state election board, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
This comes after three right-wing members of the five-person board championed and passed a series of new rules that add extra requirements for county election boards to certify their results.
Katie Hawkinson has the details.
Trump plans to appoint RFK Jr and Tulsi Gabbard to transition team
16:35
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump plans to appoint Robert F Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard to his transition team should he win the presidency in November’s election. The respective former independent and former Democrat have both endorsed the Republican nominee.
They will be honorary co-chairs of the team to help him select policies and personnel for a second Trump administration.
Brian Hughes, a senior advisor to Trump said: “As President Trump’s broad coalition of supporters and endorsers expands across partisan lines, we are proud that Robert F Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard have been added to the Trump/Vance Transition team. We look forward to having their powerful voices on the team as we work to restore America’s greatness.”
Jesse Watters called out by co-hosts for saying generals would ‘have their way’ with Harris if elected
16:20
Oliver O'Connell
Fox News’ Jesse Watters was called out by his own co-hosts for saying generals “would have their way” with Kamala Harris if she is elected president.
On Monday’s edition of The Five, the panel was discussing Harris’s foreign policy and the US
