Trump takes credit for Joe Manchin’s retirement announcement - latest updates
Donald Trump appeared in an ebullient mood on Truth Social after holding a boisterous rally in Hialeah, Florida, in which he was endorsed for the 2024 election by former press secretary and current Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
The former president is following up the rally with an interview on Univision on Thursday evening — the night after his rivals for the 2024 Republican nomination appeared on stage in Miami in the party’s third presidential debate.
Adding to his good humour, Mr Trump also took credit for Joe Manchin’s announcement that he will not be seeking re-election.
The former president also clocked up a victory in Minnesota where the state Supreme Court ruled that he will not be removed from the 2024 ballot under the 14th Amendment.
Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump has testified in his civil fraud trial in New York – becoming the fourth member of the family to do so after Mr Trump’s chaotic appearance, and testimony from her brothers Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump last week.
The New York Attorney General’s office has now rested its case and Mr Trump’s defence case will be presented to Judge Arthur Engoron on Monday.
Key Points
Trump takes credit for Manchin not running for re-election
‘Heir apparent’ Ivanka Trump to give testimony in her father’s fraud trial
Voices: Whinging into the void on the Day of the Don
‘You don’t like him?’: Trump surprised as crowd boos GOP congressman
Don Jr to be first witness for defence in Trump civil fraud trial
Donald Trump Jr to return to stand as first defence witness in NY fraud trial
11:10 , Rachel Sharp
Donald Trump’s legal team have now revealed who will be the first witness called for the defence in the civil fraud trial in New York.
The former president’s son Donald Trump Jr will take the stand on Monday morning for what marks the start of the defence’s case as they seek to prevent the Trump family business empire from being toppled in the Big Apple.
Don Jr has already taken to the stand once in the case as a witness for New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office on 2 and 3 November, where he struggled to remember much about his role at the Trump Organization.
During courtroom testimony, he denied knowledge of the fraudulent financial statements at the heart of the $250m case – pushing the responsibility onto accountants who he said “had an incredible, intimate knowledge” of the documents.
“I relied on them,” he said on the stand.
Read more...
Donald Trump Jr to return as first defence witness in NY fraud trial
‘Insurrection’ lawsuit to keep Trump from primary tossed out by Minnesota court
10:45 , Oliver O'Connell
The Minnesota Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to bar former president Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential primary ballot.
The challenge, from a bipartisan group of state voters, sought to block Mr Trump’s campaign under a 14th Amendment provision forbidding candidates who “engaged in insurrection.”
The state appellate court held in a brief ruling on Wednesday that the Civil War-era measure did not apply to the Minnesota primary process, which it argued was a fundamentally local process outside the purview of the US Constitution.
“There is no state statute that prohibits a major political party from placing on the presidential nomination primary ballot, or sending delegates to the national convention supporting, a candidate who is ineligible to hold office,” the ruling reads.
The court left open the possibility that the voters could challenge Donald Trump’s inclusion on the general election ballot in 2024.
Minnesota court tosses ‘insurrection’ lawsuit to keep Trump from primary
Trump: ‘Stench of McConnell’ for Republican candidate’s defeat
09:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Former president Donald Trump insisted Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell was to blame for Republican gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron losing to his opponent on Tuesday night, claiming the relationship was “too much to bear” for voters.
“Daniel Cameron lost because he couldn’t alleviate the stench of Mitch McConnell,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I told him early that’s a big burden to overcome,” the ex-president said while adding that Mr McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader is “kryptonite” for GOP candidates.
Mr McConnell and Mr Cameron are close colleagues and allies. Many Republicans believed Mr Cameron’s campaign would be successful because he had the backing of Mr McConnell.
Sadly for Mr Cameron, it was not to be...
Trump blames the ‘stench of McConnell’ for Republican candidate’s defeat
Trump team reveals first witness for defence in NY fraud trial
09:30 , Rachel Sharp
Donald Trump’s legal team have now revealed the first witness to be called for the defence in the civil fraud trial in New York.
The former president’s son Donald Trump Jr will take the stand on Monday morning for what marks the start of the defence’s case as they seek to prevent the Trump family business empire from being toppled in the Big Apple.
Don Jr has already taken to the stand once in the case as a witness for New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office, where he struggled to remember much about his role at the Trump Organization.
Ivanka Trump was the fourth and final family member – and the last prosecution witness – to testify on Wednesday, before the AG’s office rested its case.
As Nikki Haley’s star rises, can her poll numbers catch up with Trump?
08:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Nikki Haley is known for a lot of firsts — the first Asian American woman to serve as governor in US history, the first Indian American member of a presidential Cabinet, the first woman of colour to run for the GOP nomination — but will she become the first woman to serve as US president?
Few think so.
On paper, Ms Haley is arguably the ideal GOP candidate. She boasts impressive foreign policy experience amid the bloody conflict in Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas. She is the only woman in the race, giving her a sophisticated position to discuss reproductive rights as Republicans struggle to appeal to voters following the demise of Roe v Wade. Still, the 51-year-old can’t seem to catch up to Mr Trump. Ms Haley’s candidacy demonstrates a larger problem with the 2024 Republican race — no one can touch him.
However, some have argued that her path to the White House isn’t as far-reaching as it once was, as her star has risen in recent weeks. As of the beginning of November, she is tied with rival candidate Florida Gov Ron DeSantis for the spot trailing the prominent frontrunner.
Read the full article by Kelly Rissman
Christie blames Trump ‘poison’ for GOP election losses
07:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Former New Jersey governor and 2024 GOP hopeful Chris Christie has blamed Donald Trump’s “poison” for the Republican party’s disappointing results in the off-year elections.
Mr Christie, Mr Trump’s onetime staunch ally turned sworn nemesis, pointed out that the former president had endorsed Daniel Cameron in the Kentucky’s gubernatorial race – and that Mr Cameron then landed a major defeat in the red state.
“Cameron was a rising star in the Republican party until he decided to throw his lot in with Donald Trump,” he told CNN on Tuesday night.
“Let’s face it, Donald Trump is political and electoral poison down ballot.”
ICYMI: Trump fumes about ‘beautiful’ Ivanka having to testify
06:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has fumed about his “beautiful daughter” Ivanka Trump being forced to give testimony at his civil fraud trial, as the former first daughter heads to New York for her day in court.
Taking to Truth Social on Tuesday night, Mr Trump once again lashed out at “corrupt” New York Attorney General Letitia James and “Trump hating” Judge Arthur Engoron as he said that calling his daughter to the stand is “sad”.
Rachel Sharp reports.
Trump fumes about ‘beautiful’ Ivanka taking stand at civil fraud trial
Jack Smith strikes at Trump’s ‘culmination’ of election lies
05:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked a federal judge in Washington DC to reject Donald Trump’s efforts to strike “inflammatory” descriptions of January 6 from the criminal indictment against him, saying Mr Trump is “responsible for the events at the Capitol” thus the statements are relevant.
In a filing sent to Judge Tanya Chutkan on Monday, Mr Smith’s office explicitly attributed the ex-president’s behaviour on the days leading up to January 6 to the violent attack on the Capitol.
Special counsel strikes at Trump’s ‘culmination’ of election lies
Trump’s children testified at his New York civil fraud trial — but why?
04:45 , Oliver O'Connell
The main focus on Donald Trump’s myriad of legal woes shifted to Lower Manhattan in October as his civil fraud case came to trial at New York state’s Supreme Court.
New York Attorney General Letitia James brought the case against the Trump Organization and maintains that between 2011 and 2021 the company falsified financial statements regarding the development of several real estate projects and artificially inflated Mr Trump’s net worth in order to get better financing terms from banks and insurance companies.
This was done by over-stating valuations of the former president’s most prestigious holdings including his triplex penthouse at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and his current home at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
Their entire New York real estate empire is already in peril after a pre-trial ruling included the cancellation of their business licences in the state.
As the prosecution’s case draws to a close, three of his adult children are taking the stand to testify under oath, which begs the question: how are they wrapped up in all this and why is their testimony important at the trial?
Why are Trump’s children testifying at New York civil fraud trial?
Trump falsely claims ‘60 Minutes’ proves Pence could flip election
03:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump falsely claimed that an episode of 60 Minutes and a recent federal law clarifying the electoral process backed up his unprecedented theory that former vice-president Mike Pence had the power to stop or overturn the counting of the 2020 election results.
Refering to the December 2022 Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, which was mentioned on a recent 60 Minutes broadcast, Mr Trump argued on Truth Social, “The fact that they had to CLARIFY THE LAW means that there was UNCERTAINTY, which means that it was open to INTERPRETATION. It could have been done!”
Legal scholars dispute this interpretation.
ICYMI: Alina Habba says New York AG Letitia James ‘just not that bright
02:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump‘s attorney, Alina Habba, said the New York attorney general leading the civil case against the former president was “just not that bright.”
She made the comments on Monday.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is spearheading the former president’s civil trial. She has accused Mr Trump and the Trump Organization of inflating the value of his assets in order to secure better loans, and then devaluing his asset cost to avoid paying taxes. A judge already found Mr Trump liable for fraud, which may end with the further dismantling of his businesses in New York.
Ms Habba appeared on Newsmax on Monday to assure the network’s viewers that Ms James does not have a case against Mr Trump.
“She’s just not that bright. I’m sorry, I have to say it,” Ms Habba said. “I’ve seen their case; I’ve seen their lawyers. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”
Biden jokes about recent falls in Illinois speech
01:45 , Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden joked about his recent falls during a speech to auto workers in Illinois.
As there was a crash heard in the audience, Mr Biden shared a self-deprecating quip, saying “I want the press to know that wasn’t me,” seemingly in reference to the widespread reporting of his recent tumbles.
It was the first visit to the northern Illinois Stateline area by a sitting US president since Ronald Reagan visited his hometown Dixon to mark his 73rd birthday in February 1984.
Mr Biden has often responded to recent attacks on his age with humour, much like Mr Reagan did.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Biden jokes about his past falls in speech to auto union
Voices: Joe Manchin’s reign is over – with a middle finger to his own party
00:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
As much as he may have irritated Democrats, they realised they had to tolerate Mr Manchin because he had proven to be the only Democrat who could win in West Virginia. In one of his ads when he first ran for Senate in 2010, he shot a proposed cap and trade bill to curb climate change with a rifle and touted his support from the National Rifle Association.
Democrats hoped that pleasing him could convince Mr Manchin to seek re-election in a state where Donald Trump won every county, since they faced a tough map where they would be defending eight swing-state seats. But Mr Manchin remained purse-lipped about his plans.
When I asked whether Gov Andy Beshear’s victory in Kentucky, a neighbouring heavily working-class white Appalachian state similar to West Virginia, would impact his decision, he said flashed a grin and said, “Nothing impacts my decision except my family.”
Read more...
Joe Manchin’s reign is over – with a middle finger to his own party
Pro-Palestine protester interrupts Biden speech
Thursday 9 November 2023 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden’s speech to union workers in northern Illinois was interrupted by a protester calling on him to push for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
It was the first visit to the northern Illinois Stateline area by a sitting US president since Ronald Reagan visited his hometown Dixon to mark his 73rd birthday in February 1984.
Mr Biden joined members of the United Auto Workers union, saying that he sees “the future here in Belvidere” just east of Rockford, adding that the Stellantis auto plant is the “beating heart of the community” as it reopened following the union striking a deal with the automakers.
“President Biden, you need to call for a ceasefire in Gaza,” a protester yelled during Mr Biden’s speech, but she was soon drowned out by the auto workers chanting “we love Joe”.
Pro-Palestine protester interrupts Biden speech
Trump: Israel losing public relations battle in Gaza war
Thursday 9 November 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell
As Israel is fighting a war against Hamas, former President Donald Trump suggested that the country is losing a separate conflict – a battle of public relations.
“I think Israel has to do a better job of public relations, frankly, because the other side is beating them at the public relations front,” Mr Trump said in an interview with Univision, obtained by Semafor.
The former president previously bashed Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he “was not prepared” for the Hamas attack on 7 October, in which hundreds of people were kidnapped and more than 1,000 were killed. He also said Mr Netanyahu “let us down” before the killing of Iranian Gen Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
In the latest interview, Mr Trump refined his take, calling the Israeli leader “strong.”
Kelly Rissman has the details.
Trump says Israel is losing the public relations battle with Gaza war
Thursday 9 November 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Biden makes sign of the cross after mentioning Trump
Don Jr to be first witness for defence in Trump civil fraud trial
Thursday 9 November 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump Jr will be the first witness for the defence at the Trump Organization civil fraud trial in New York when lawyers for former president Donald Trump begin setting out their case refuting the charges against the family and their company on Monday.
The New York Attorney General’s office rested its case on Wednesday and today was denied a motion to limit certain expert witnesses from testifying for the defence.
They had argued such testimony would be irrelevant but Judge Arthur Engoron said he would allow them to testify as he wanted to be thorough: “I don’t want a retrial of this case, I don’t want to be reversed.”
Their testimony will however be limited to relevant topics that fall in line with his pretrial ruling that the Trumps were liable for fraud.
A last-ditch attempt by the defence team to toss out the remaining six charges against the defendants is yet to be ruled on, but with the court closed tomorrow in observance of Veterans’ Day it is likely that the judge will rule that the case must proceed as planned on Monday.
Beyond the charges of fraud, the remaining six counts in the case include falsifying business records, issuing false financial statements, insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit the alleged fraud.
Don Jr testified as a witness for the plaintiff (New York State) last week. Here’s our coverage of his testimony:
Donald Trump Jr quips he ‘should have worn make-up’ in NY fraud trial
McCarthy attacks fellow Republican Gaetz after House speaker ouster
Thursday 9 November 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Kevin McCarthy has attacked his Republican critics who unceremoniously ousted him as House speaker last month.
The California lawmaker unloaded on Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who led the effort to remove him, and said that the Republican Party would benefit “tremendously” if he was no longer in the House.
Mr McCarthy, who lost his job when eight Republicans turned against him and voted with Democrats, also said that Rep Nancy Mace does not deserve to hold onto her South Carolina seat in 2024.
The former speaker told CNN that Mr Gaetz should face “consequences” for forcing the vote that saw him removed. Mr McCarthy was replaced in the job by Mike Johnson after a chaotic 22-day period in which multiple candidates failed to get enough votes to secure the job.
Graeme Massie reports.
Kevin McCarthy attacks fellow Republican Matt Gaetz after House speaker ouster
Mar-a-Lago staff may testify at Trump classified documents trial, report says
Thursday 9 November 2023 21:19 , Oliver O'Connell
A plumber, a maid, a chauffeur and a woodworker are among Mar-a-Lago staffers and contract workers who federal prosecutors may call to testify against former President Donald Trump and his two co-defendants at their upcoming criminal trial in Florida, according to multiple people familiar with the investigation.
CNN has assembled a comprehensive picture of how prosecutors are structuring their caseâ¯against Trump over his mishandling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago.
While some of the witnesses who may be called to testify hail from Trump’s inner circle, including his career in business, as a political candidate and from his time in the White House, other potential witnesses are the types of workers rarely noticed by Mar-a-Lago’s wealthy guests, according to the sources.
Voices: Why the GOP debates are increasingly meaningless without Trump
Thursday 9 November 2023 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden writes:
Mr Trump was mentioned sporadically by both the moderators and candidates, but without the frontrunner present the criticism of his policies and record as president seemed less effective. The big attention-grabbing moment of the night had nothing to do with him; it played out when Mr Ramaswamy took a swipe at Ms Haley’s daughter over her TikTok usage, prompting the South Carolinian to label him “scum”.
Right now, it’s hard to say what, if anything, could move the needle in the GOP primary in any meaningful way. But it does seem clear that the debates are not going to do it, not as long as Mr Trump refuses to attend.
Read the full article...
Why the GOP debates are increasingly meaningless without Trump
Manchin not ruling out run for president, report says
Thursday 9 November 2023 20:39 , Oliver O'Connell
NEW - Joe Manchin is NOT ruling out a run for President.
“Nothing is off the table,” person with direct knowledge tells @NBCNews.
“No specific decisions have been made other than a commitment to find a way to change the country’s political dialogue.”— Julie Tsirkin (@JulieNBCNews) November 9, 2023
‘You don’t like him?’: Trump surprised as crowd boos GOP congressman
Thursday 9 November 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump seemed dumbfounded during a Wednesday night rally after his mentioning the name of a Republican congressman drew jeers from the audience.
Mr Trump visited Hialeah, Florida to hold a counter-rally as the third GOP presidential primary debate was underway nearby.
During the rally, Mr Trump name-dropped Republican Congressman Carlos Gimenez of Florida — but only after butchering his name on a first attempt — and was met with a wave of boos from the audience.
Mr Trump seemed genuinely surprised by the response.
Graig Graziosi has the story.
Trump surprised as crowd boos GOP congressman
Trump takes credit for Manchin not running for re-election
Thursday 9 November 2023 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Obviously, Donald Trump is taking credit for Joe Manchin not running for reelection to the US Senate in West Virginia.
Because I Endorsed Big Jim Justice of West Virginia for the U.S. Senate, and he has taken a commanding lead, Democrat Joe Manchin has decided not to seek re-election. Looking good for Big Jim!
Get a load of this friggen guy pic.twitter.com/PEx43DVcBb
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 9, 2023
Full story: Democratic Senator Joe Manchin won’t seek re-election
Thursday 9 November 2023 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Sen Joe Manchin (D-WV), the conservative Democratic Senator from the arch-Republican state of West Virginia whose aversion to more liberal policies often dictated the course of President Joe Biden’s domestic policy agenda, announced on Thursday that he would not run for re-election.
Eric Garcia reports for The Independent on this developing story.
Democratic Senator Joe Manchin won’t seek re-election
Key moments from Ivanka Trump’s testimony
Thursday 9 November 2023 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Ivanka Trump became the fourth and final member of the Trump family to give testimony in her father’s high-profile civil fraud case.
The former first daughter attended the lower Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday after exhausting her attempts to avoid testifying in the trial, that threatens her family’s business and vast real-estate empire.
However, unlike her father – who gave evidence two days earlier – Ms Trump’s remarks on the stand were not infused with fiery rhetoric, grandiose statements or back-chat to Judge Arthur Engoron.
In many ways, her testimony was unremarkable. But she repeatedly said she “could not recall” the details or documents about her involvement with major projects she later said she was “proud” to work on, or whether she was involved with her father’s financial statements that Judge Engoron has already determined were fraudulent.
Mike Bedigan rounds up some of the stand-out moments from her evidence:
‘Who’s she?’: Key moments from Ivanka Trump’s testimony
Breaking: Joe Manchin not seeking re-election
Thursday 9 November 2023 19:38 , Oliver O'Connell
To the West Virginians who have put their trust in me and fought side by side to make our state better – it has been an honor of my life to serve you. Thank you. My statement on my political future: pic.twitter.com/dz8JuXAyTL
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) November 9, 2023
Court resumes after lunch with an apology and a ruling
Thursday 9 November 2023 19:32 , Oliver O'Connell
The motions hearing in the New York State civil fraud trial of Donald Trump and the Trump Organization resumed following lunch with a rare moment of peacemaking.
Mr Trump's lawyer Christopher Kise apologised for telling New York Attorney General’s counsel Andrew Amer to consider a job with Vladimir Putin.
He told Judge Arthur Engoron: “When you're right, you're right ... I want to apologise on the record.”
Amer says he accepts the apology.
Having considered the NY AG’s motion to exclude four of the defence’s witnesses on the grounds of irrelevance (as the fraud charge ruling was made pretrial) Judge Engoron says he feels it would be prudent to let the witnesses in.
“I don't want a retrial of this case. I don't want to be reversed.”
He later adds: “I'm going to allow the testimony without prejudice to objecting to anything that may be irrelevant.”
Turning to a different issue, the judge clarifies what his role is and is not: “I'm not here to value these properties. I'm here to decide whether these statements of financial condition were fraudulent.”
He is referring to an insinuation by the former president that he personally assigned a lowball value to Mar-a-Lago when he did not. The $18m figure cited came from an independent appraisal from 2011.
Reiterating that he will let the defence’s expert witnesses testify (but saying he will cut short irrelevant testimony) Judge Engoron adjourns the court for the Veterans’ Day holiday and the weekend.
The directed verdict motion brought by the defence remains unresolved and court is scheduled to resume at 10am on Monday when the defence will begin presenting their case.
Jimmy Kimmel roasts Ivanka Trump over trial testimony
Thursday 9 November 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel roasted Ivanka Trump on Wednesday night, after she struggled to recall much as she gave testimony in her father’s $250 million civil fraud trial.
Ms Trump, the former president’s oldest daughter, was the last of the Trump children to testify in Donald Trump’s case in New York on Wednesday.
The former president, his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, and other Trump Organization executives and associates are currently being sued for defrauding banks and investors by overvaluing Mr Trump’s net worth and assets by as much as $2.2bn a year to gain more favourable financing terms. Mr Trump has denied the allegations.
Ms Trump hired her own attorney and successfully removed herself as a defendant in the case earlier this year, but her attempts to dodge testifying ultimately failed.
Martha McHardy reports on what Kimmel had to say.
Jimmy Kimmel roasts Ivanka Trump over trial testimony
ICYMI: Third GOP 2024 debate — Your guide to the winners and losers
Thursday 9 November 2023 18:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Republican presidential candidates descended on Miami for a debate on Wednesday – and the third one without former president Donald Trump sharing the stage.
All of the Republican candidates continue to trail behind the twice-impeached, four-times-indicted former president. Still, some of the sharpest exchanges took place when discussing foreign policy, the Israel-Hamas war, Russia’s incursion into Ukraine and China’s rising influence. Many of the Republican presidential candidates once again attacked Vivek Ramaswamy as the millennial businessman came out swinging.
Here are the winners and losers from the third Republican debate.
Who won the third GOP debate? Your guide to the winners and losers
ICYMI: Five key takeaways from the third Republican 2024 debate
Thursday 9 November 2023 18:20 , Oliver O'Connell
The third Republican primary debate was an ugly slugfest reminiscent of the earliest Trump debates of 2015 — except the former president wasn’t even there.
A group of five candidates, minus their party’s frontrunner, appeared onstage Wednesday evening in Miami for what was billed as a presidential debate but in the end may have just been an exercise in futility, given the continued dominance of Donald Trump in every available poll of the GOP primary.
What transpired over two hours served as a reminder of what Mr Trump has done to this party, and raised the question of whether his shadow will loom over Republicans long after he fades from relevance.
Let’s look at the main takeaways from Wednesday’s showdown:
Third GOP debate: Five key takeaways
Thursday 9 November 2023 18:08 , Oliver O'Connell
Kise argues that the NY AG wants to determine what evidence they should be allowed to present.
“Now they say we shouldn’t be allowed to put on our case,” Kise says.
There is a contentious moment when Kise launched into a personal attack on the NY AG counsel, telling him to “check the internet” and that “Vladimir Putin has some openings”.
Judge Engoron is not impressed and asks him to apologise. Kise walks back the statement.
Continuing, Kise says “the world is watching” and argues the public is entitled to hear from all of the defence witnesses.
Amer notes that they are not trying to block the defence’s case, just four witnesses whose testimony has become irrelevant since the judge’s ruling.
The court breaks for lunch.
NY AG counsel moves to bar defence expert witnesses
Thursday 9 November 2023 17:44 , Oliver O'Connell
New York Attorney General counsel Andrew Amer is now arguing that the court bar four of the expert witnesses put forward by Donald Trump’s defence team as part of their case against fraud charges levelled at the former president and the Trump Organization.
As Judge Arthur Engoron made a pre-trial ruling that found the defendants liable of the headline charge of fraud — leaving the trial to proceed on the remaining claims of insurance fraud, issuing false financial statements, falsifying business records and conspiracy — the NY AG now contends that some of the expert witnesses are no longer relevant.
“The valuation and accounting issues raised in this case with respect to the preparation of the [financial statements] have already been resolved in plaintiff’s favour by the court on summary judgment,” the NY AG's office said in a letter filed last night.
Amer tells Judge Engoron: “This trial is not their opportunity to attempt to get a do-over on the summary judgment motion.”
Trump attorney Christopher Kise is especially indignant at this notion, claiming that the NY AG doesn’t want them to argue a defence case.
Judge takes directed verdict arguments ‘under advisement'
Thursday 9 November 2023 17:28 , Oliver O'Connell
Returning from the morning break, Judge Arthur Engoron tells both parties that while the defendants were long-winded and the plaintiffs were “medium-winded” he would be short in his response to their arguments for and against a directed verdict:
“Taken under advisement,” he tells them, implying the possibility of a written order on his ruling.
Back from the break, Justice Engoron says:
“Defendants were king of long-winded, the plaintiffs were kind of medium-winded, so I’ll be short with you.”
“Taken under advisement.”
So we're going to have to wait for a ruling on this one.— Stewart Bishop (@stewartbishop) November 9, 2023
Thursday 9 November 2023 17:23 , Oliver O'Connell
While we wait for court to resume, here’s how Trump’s defence attacked the testimony of Michael Cohen:
Defence likens AG’s case to throwing spaghetti at a wall
Thursday 9 November 2023 17:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Trump defence attorney Christopher Kise responds to the New York Attorney General counsel’s arguments against a directed verdict by likening their whole case to throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks.
Judge Engoron quips: “You have to be careful talking about spaghetti around lunchtime.”
Court then adjourned for the morning break.
Morning recess: 10-minute break
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) November 9, 2023
NY AG counsel responds to directed verdict request
Thursday 9 November 2023 16:54 , Oliver O'Connell
The New York Attorney General’s counsel Kevin Wallace makes the case against a directed verdict before Judge Engoron.
He argues: “This is a documents case, and each of the three defendants signed documents stating that they were responsible” for the information collated in the statements of financial condition.
“That's the graveyard the defendants keep whistling past,” he adds.
Justice Engoron asks Wallace if he does his own taxes. Wallace says he had an accountant do them when he was at a law firm, but not now that he works for the state.
“Did you rely on your accountants at the time?” the judge asks.
Wallace says he did.
“The defendants here relied on their accountants, highly paid accountants [and] lawyers,” Judge Engoron says.
“If I [...] gave my accountants false information, I'm liable for that” if the returns are found to be fraudulent, he replies.
Wallace emphasises that the defendants are still responsible for the accuracy of the information in the financial statements since they signed certifications attesting that everything was accurate.
“I think there’s simply no basis for a directed verdict at this point,” Wallace says.
Wallace says they’re still responsible for the accuracy of the information in the financial statements since they signed certifications attesting that everything was on the up and up.
“I think there’s simply no basis for a directed verdict at this point,” Wallace says.— Stewart Bishop (@stewartbishop) November 9, 2023
Don Jr and Eric’s lawyer argues that they relied on info presented to them to be accurate
Thursday 9 November 2023 16:38 , Oliver O'Connell
Attorney Clifford Robert, representing Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, also makes his pitch for a directed verdict to Judge Engoron, underlining his contention that neither of his clients was involved in the creation of the statement of financial condition.
Robert says the NY AG hasn’t shown that there’s anything wrong with Eric relying on others at the company and outside accountants to assure him that the information in the statements of financial condition was accurate.
As for Don Jr, Robert says that while his client didn’t recall specifics, hr testified he would have sat with the finance team and accountants before certifying the statements of financial condition and would have asked questions about anything that stood out. He too relied on their expertise.
Trump team argue against NYAG disgorgement fine
Thursday 9 November 2023 16:34 , Oliver O'Connell
Christopher Kise argues against the New York Attorney General’s suggested fine of $250m for the defendants saying that there is no demonstration of any connection between the purported ill-gotten gains and the conduct of the defendants.
He also argues that any transaction before July 2014 falls outside of the statute of limitations and subsequent certifications by Trump folks of his compliance with the terms of those loans cannot support the allegations either.
Kise concludes by saying that there is no proof that the loans would not have been made if the banks had different information from the Trump Organization or if they would have been made under less favourable terms.
“This is what happens in the real world, not the world of make-believe, not the attorney general’s world,” Kise says.
Trump and Kise take aim at Cohen: What’s their argument about his testimony?
Thursday 9 November 2023 16:10 , Oliver O'Connell
As you will have seen from our post on Donald Trump’s earlier Truth Social rant about the trial (and his many before that), one of the big bones of contention from the defence team is that Michael Cohen, former Trump lawyer and fixer-turned-”star-witness”, did not offer the killer testimony that many had expected.
Essentially, Cohen testified that at no point did Trump tell him to change the statements of financial condition — rather he implied it or gave directives in code to Cohen and Weisselberg.
The defence claims that Cohen admitted to perjury in his testimony and has lied in every courtroom in which he has appeared.
Kise also contends that Trump is not a person who talks in code — though Judge Engoron questions that recalling the alleged “perfect” phone call in which the then-president tried to cajole Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into investigating the Bidens.
“I think the ‘perfect’ call with Zelenskyy about the military aid might have been code,” the judge says, referring to the call that was the subject of Trump's first impeachment, over his alleged attempt to cajole the Ukrainian president into investigating the Bidens.
— Stewart Bishop (@stewartbishop) November 9, 2023
It was after Cohen’s testimony that the defence last tried to get a directed verdict and Trump stormed out of the courtroom. Here’s our reporting from that day in court:
Trump lashes out at Michael Cohen and his fraud trial judge
How is Trump’s defence arguing for a directed verdict?
Thursday 9 November 2023 15:48 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s lead defence attorney Christopher Kise argues to Justice Arthur Engoron: “The claims involve only successful and profitable loan transactions.”
He adds that there were no late payments and the loans were all paid back — therefore there is no victim, no complainant, no injury: “All of that is established now.”
Kise also says that in any court in the country, Mr Trump would qualify as an expert on real estate.
A discussion regarding “materiality” commences: do any of the false financial statements matter to the banks and insurance companies using them for loans and coverage?
Engoron calls that part of Kise's presentation "misleading."
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) November 9, 2023
Justice Engoron calls Kise’s next point misleading — that the court stated it is “not here to hear what [Donald Trump] has to say. The judge asks if he heard what he had to say immediately after that...
The New York Attorney General’s counsel helpfully interjects that Judge Engoron went on to say that he was here to hear Mr Trump answer questions.
There is further scepticism from Judge Engoron concerning the defence’s contention that the disclaimer the Trump Organization put on its statements of financial condition undermines any claims of fraudulent intent.
Trump lawyer Chris Kise is arguing that there’s no proof the banks wouldn’t have offered Trump loans if his financial statements were accurate.
Notably, that is a missing piece of the case from the AG. If they got a lender to testify to that, it’d be a slam dunk. https://t.co/jHoaVgJWpj— Erik Uebelacker (@Uebey) November 9, 2023
Perhaps the most compelling line from the defence team is that there is no evidence to suggest that banks would not have offered the Trump Organization loans if the financial statements were accurate — no lender has testified that that was the case.
However, the disgorgement expert calculated what the interest rates and payments would be on loans had they been offered using accurate financial statements. The defendants would have paid an additional $168m in interest to lenders and the AG argues that is the basis of the fraud allegation.
Meanwhile, in a courtroom in Lower Manhattan...
Thursday 9 November 2023 15:11 , Oliver O'Connell
The New York Attorney General’s counsel has rested the prosecution case against Donald Trump et al in the civil fraud trial playing out on the third floor of the New York State Supreme Court in Lower Manhattan.
However, before the defence gets going with its case on Monday, Judge Arthur Engoron is hearing arguments over defence motions.
Trump's lead attorney Christopher Kise is up first to argue the defence's motion for a directed verdict. He's brought a slide deck of his arguments to show the court and keep everyone amused.
The defence already moved for a directed verdict in their favour back on 25 October, with Judge Engoron noting that there was “enough evidence in this case to fill this courtroom” before “absolutely” denying the motion.
The former president is not present, nor are his family or codefendants.
Trump to be interviewed on Univision tonight
Thursday 9 November 2023 15:04 , Oliver O'Connell
Former president Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social that he will be interviewed on Univision this evening.
“Very exciting! I will be doing a very important Interview tonight with Univision. Should be interesting!” he wrote.
That’s not all he had to say this morning.
In another post he [yet again] proclaimed that the civil fraud case against him is baseless, despite the judge already having found him liable for fraud.
The New York State Judicial System is under attack because of the way the bogus A.G. “case” has played out. It’s a giant SCAM, with no “smoking gun,” No Victim (except me!), and absolutely no crime. Their only witness, already convicted felon Michael Cohen, crumbled like nothing I have ever seen before. He ADMITTED HE LIED, AND THEN ADMITTED THAT I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, TOLD HIM TO INFLATE THE NUMBERS!!! Everybody thinks that this political Witch Hunt should END TODAY. It is an embarrassment to New York… And Remember Mar-a-Lago!!!
Not sure about the phrasing of that last bit — is Mar-a-Lago the new Alamo?
Last night on Truth Social...
Thursday 9 November 2023 14:44 , Oliver O'Connell
Of the back of the 14th Amendment decision in his favour in Minnesota and time spent in his happy place — one of his own rallies in Florida — an ebullient Donald Trump took to Truth Social to hammer out a few late-night posts before heading to bed.
After thanking the enthusiastic crowd he spoke to in Hialeah, he wrote:
In times like these, you can’t afford to have a president who wants to be POLITICALLY CORRECT—and we cannot have an administration that takes foreign policy advice from Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.On Day One, we will restore the Trump Travel Ban on entry from terror-plagued countries—and we will implement strict vetting and ideological screening for all new entrants. If you hate America, if you want to abolish Israel, if you sympathize with jihadists, then we don’t want you in our country, and you are NOT getting in!
He continued:
If you don’t want to let the Communists destroy America like they destroyed Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, then you need to send a message by voting Crooked Joe Biden and every last Democrat out of office in 2024!This race is not just about beating Crooked Joe—it’s about DEFEATING the entire rotten, corrupt, and tyrannical establishment in Washington, DC. This election will decide whether power in America belongs to THEM, forever—or whether it belongs to YOU, the men and women who make this country run.2024 is our final battle. Stand with me in this fight, and we will FINISH the job that we started 7 years ago tonight!
Then he posted:
With your vote, we are going to WIN the Florida Primary for the THIRD straight time, we are going to win this state in a landslide next November, and we are going to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, greater than ever before!
And in conclusion. a post reads:
The Great Silent Majority is rising like never before—and under our leadership, the Forgotten Men and Women Will Be Forgotten No Longer!We are ONE movement, ONE people, ONE family, and ONE GLORIOUS NATION UNDER GOD! And together, WE WILL MAKE AMERICA POWERFUL AGAIN.WE WILL MAKE AMERICA WEALTHY AGAIN.WE WILL MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN.WE WILL MAKE AMERICA PROUD AGAIN.WE WILL MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN—AND WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!THANK YOU FLORIDA! God Bless You, and God Bless America!
After a week in which he, Donald Jr, Eric, and Ivanka all took the stand at his civil fraud trial, he clearly needed to pep himself up.
‘Insurrection’ lawsuit to keep Trump from primary tossed by Minnesota court
Thursday 9 November 2023 14:20 , Oliver O'Connell
The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit seeking to bar former president Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential primary ballot.
The challenge, from a bipartisan group of state voters, sought to block Mr Trump’s campaign under a 14th Amendment provision forbidding candidates who “engaged in insurrection.”
The state appellate court held in a brief ruling that the Civil War-era measure did not apply to the Minnesota primary process, which it argued was a fundamentally local process outside the purview of the US Constitution.
“There is no state statute that prohibits a major political party from placing on the presidential nomination primary ballot, or sending delegates to the national convention supporting, a candidate who is ineligible to hold office,” the ruling reads.
Josh Marcus reports on how the Trump campaign responded.
Minnesota court tosses ‘insurrection’ lawsuit to keep Trump from primary
Key moments from Ivanka Trump’s testimony
Thursday 9 November 2023 14:05 , Oliver O'Connell
On Wednesday, the former first daughter became the fourth and final member of the Trump family to give testimony in her father’s high profile civil fraud case.
Ivanka Trump attended the lower Manhattan courtroom after exhausting her attempts to avoid testifying in the trial, that threatens her family’s business and vast real-estate empire.
However, unlike her father – who gave evidence two days earlier – Ms Trump’s remarks on the stand were not infused with fiery rhetoric, grandiose statements or back-chat to Judge Arthur Engoron.
In many ways, her testimony was unremarkable. But she repeatedly said she “could not recall” the details or documents about her involvement with major projects she later said she was “proud” to work on, or whether she was involved with her father’s financial statements that Judge Engoron has already determined were fraudulent.
Here are some of the stand-out moments from her evidence:
‘I don’t recall’: Key moments from Ivanka Trump’s testimony
Thursday 9 November 2023 13:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Ivanka Trump arrives to take stand in fraud trial as protesters chant ‘crime family’
Yesterday in court: Smiling Ivanka grilled on Donald Trump’s net worth in fraud trial testimony
Thursday 9 November 2023 13:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Ivanka Trump is on the witness stand inside a lower Manhattan courtroom after exhausting her attempts to avoid testifying in a trial that threatens her family’s business and vast real-estate empire.
Donald Trump’s oldest daughter walked briskly into New York Supreme Court on Wednesday morning in a dark suit and smiled as she entered a third-floor courtroom.
She is the final witness presented by New York Attorney General Letitia James in the sixth week of a trial that could last until Christmas.
Her appearance comes a week after testimony from her brothers and two days after testimony from her father, who was scheduled to be the headlining final act for the attorney general’s case.
But Ivanka Trump’s failed appeals to block her testimony shifted the attorney general’s witness schedule, making her Ms James’s last chance to put a Trump family member on the stand.
Alex Woodward filed this report from the courtroom in Lower Manhattan.
Ivanka grilled on Donald Trump’s net worth in fraud trial testimony
At rally, Trump slams ‘weak and ineffective’ GOP rivals
Thursday 9 November 2023 22:31 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has slammed his “Weak and ineffective” Republican rivals for the party’s presidential nomination as he again skipped the latest GOP debate.
The former president urged the party establishment to ditch his opponents and get behind his campaign to try and retake the White House in 2024.
“You have about seven or eight candidates left. I think they are at a debate tonight no one is talking about it, everyone is watching…it’s 61 per cent for your favourite president – me – 10 per cent for Ron DeSanctimonious and 7 per cent for Bird Brain (Nikki Haley),” said Mr Trump at his counter-programming debate in Hialeah, Florida, on Wednesday evening.
“Our nation is in very serious trouble and it is time for the Republican establishment to stop wasting time and resources trying to push weak and ineffective RINOs and Never Trumpers that nobody wants and nobody is going to vote for.
“I watched these guys coming in and they are not watchable. The last debate was the lowest-rated debate in the history of politics, so do you think we did the right thing by not participating?”
Trump slams ‘weak and ineffective’ rivals at rally during GOP debate
How did Trump do on the stand in the civil fraud trial?
Thursday 9 November 2023 12:30 , Oliver O'Connell
...according to a former Watergate prosecutor, not great.
Watch what Nick Akerman told CNN on Wednesday morning:
Trump blames the ‘stench of McConnell’ for GOP Kentucky loss
Thursday 9 November 2023 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Former president Donald Trump insisted Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell was to blame for Republican gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron losing to his opponent on Tuesday night, claiming the relationship was “too much to bear” for voters.
“Daniel Cameron lost because he couldn’t alleviate the stench of Mitch McConnell,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I told him early that’s a big burden to overcome,” the ex-president said while adding that Mr McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader is “kryptonite” for GOP candidates.
Mr McConnell and Mr Cameron are close colleagues and allies. Many Republicans believed Mr Cameron’s campaign would be successful because he had the backing of Mr McConnell.
However, Mr Cameron lost to the Democrat incumbent Governor Andy Beshear.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Trump blames the ‘stench of McConnell’ for Republican candidate’s defeat
2024 election: What off-year election wins mean for Democrats and Biden
Thursday 9 November 2023 10:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Democrats breathed a collective sigh of relief as last night’s election results rolled in.
In nearly every one of the states that hold their electoral contests in odd-numbered years — Virginia, Kentucky, and a handful of others — Democrats came up winners by impressive margins.
Andrew Feinberg takes a look at the results and what they might mean going into the 2024 election season.
What off-year election wins mean for Democrats and Biden heading into 2024
Key takeaways from Donald Trump’s fraud trial testimony
Thursday 9 November 2023 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s testimony in his high profile civil fraud case was, fittingly, not short of confrontation – with proceedings devolving into the typical bouts of name-calling and inflammatory rhetoric favoured by the former president.
On Monday Mr Trump took the stand in the New York trial, in which he is accused of overvaluing the worth of multiple properties in his portfolio.
Until he was called to the stand, he had been under no obligation to attend the trial which he has claimed is affecting his 2024 presidential bid – though he has appeared at court several times previously.
Despite being hit with $15,000 fines for breaching a gag order imposed by judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the case, Mr Trump did not hold back after taking to the stand on Monday.
Here are some of the stand-out moments from his testimony.
Seven key moments from Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial testimony
In the style of her boss, Trump attorney calls Letitia James ‘just not that bright’
Thursday 9 November 2023 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump‘s attorney, Alina Habba, said the New York attorney general leading the civil case against the former president was “just not that bright.”
She made the comments on Monday.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is spearheading the former president’s civil trial. She has accused Mr Trump and the Trump Organization of inflating the value of his assets in order to secure better loans, and then devaluing his asset cost to avoid paying taxes. A judge already found Mr Trump liable for fraud, which may end with the further dismantling of his businesses in New York.
Ms Habba appeared on Newsmax on Monday to assure the network’s viewers that Ms James does not have a case against Mr Trump.
“She’s just not that bright. I’m sorry, I have to say it,” Ms Habba said. “I’ve seen their case; I’ve seen their lawyers. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”
What happened when Donald Trump took the stand in New York?
Thursday 9 November 2023 07:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s day in court produced a chaotic fog of half-finished insults and cries of witch hunts, meant for an audience who weren’t there.
Reporting for The Independent on Monday, Alex Woodward watched the former President howl and rage to a roomful of lawyers and journalists.
Donald Trump’s day on the witness stand was a performance for his campaign
How does Trump feel about his daughter being on witness stand?
Thursday 9 November 2023 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell
In case you missed his Truth Social rant on Tuesday night, Rachel Sharp has you covered:
Donald Trump has fumed about his “beautiful daughter” Ivanka Trump being forced to give testimony at his civil fraud trial, as the former first daughter heads to New York for her day in court.
Taking to Truth Social on Tuesday night, Mr Trump once again lashed out at “corrupt” New York Attorney General Letitia James and “Trump hating” Judge Arthur Engoron as he said that calling his daughter to the stand is “sad”.
“Tomorrow my wonderful and beautiful daughter, Ivanka, is going to the Lower Manhattan Courthouse, at the direction of Letitia Peekaboo James, the Corrupt and Racist New York State Attorney General, who has allowed Murder and Violent Crime in New York to flourish, and a Trump Hating, out of control Clubhouse appointed Judge, Arthur Engoron, who viciously ruled against me before the trial even started, wouldn’t even consider a Jury, and said that Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, is worth $18,000,000 when, in fact, it is worth 50 to 100 times that amount,” he said.
“Other properties likewise. Based on this information, which is so ridiculous, he said that I was a Fraud, when in fact it is Letitia James and the Judge who are Fraudulent for setting such LOW VALUATIONS in order to undermine and discredit my Financial Statements, thereby making me look bad - Election Interference!
“Now they are trying to bring Ivanka into the case, despite the Court of Appeals ruling that she cannot be charged. Sad!”
Thursday 9 November 2023 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Ivanka Trump arrives to take stand in fraud trial as protesters chant ‘crime family’
NY fraud trial: Smiling Ivanka grilled on Donald Trump’s net worth
Thursday 9 November 2023 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Ivanka Trump is on the witness stand inside a lower Manhattan courtroom after exhausting her attempts to avoid testifying in a trial that threatens her family’s business and vast real-estate empire.
Donald Trump’s oldest daughter walked briskly into New York Supreme Court on Wednesday morning in a dark suit and smiled as she entered a third-floor courtroom.
She is the final witness presented by New York Attorney General Letitia James in the sixth week of a trial that could last until Christmas.
Her appearance comes a week after testimony from her brothers and two days after testimony from her father, who was scheduled to be the headlining final act for the attorney general’s case.
But Ivanka Trump’s failed appeals to block her testimony shifted the attorney general’s witness schedule, making her Ms James’s last chance to put a Trump family member on the stand.
Alex Woodward reports from the courtroom in Lower Manhattan.
Ivanka grilled on Donald Trump’s net worth in fraud trial testimony
Roseanne Barr attacks ‘Deep State b******t’ at Trump rally
Thursday 9 November 2023 03:18 , Graeme Massie
Trump crowd boos congressman
Thursday 9 November 2023 03:05 , Graeme Massie
The former president introduced Rep Carlos Gimenez to the crowd at his rally, who loudly booed the Republican lawmaker.
“Oh, you don’t like him? Whats going on Carlos? We gotta get that straightened out. Really? Wos,” said Mr Trump as the boos continued.
Trump slams ‘weak and ineffective’ rivals at rally during GOP debate
Thursday 9 November 2023 02:53 , Graeme Massie
Former president held rally in Florida at same time as latest GOP debate.
Trump slams ‘weak and ineffective’ rivals at rally during GOP debate
Trump says he will go after Biden
Thursday 9 November 2023 02:40 , Graeme Massie
“Now that he indicted me, we’re allowed to look at him. But he did real bad things,” said Mr Trump at his rally.
Christie blames Trump ‘poison’ for GOP election losses
Thursday 9 November 2023 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Former New Jersey governor and 2024 GOP hopeful Chris Christie has blamed Donald Trump’s “poison” for the Republican party’s disappointing results in the off-year elections.
Mr Christie, Mr Trump’s onetime staunch ally turned sworn nemesis, pointed out that the former president had endorsed Daniel Cameron in the Kentucky’s gubernatorial race – and that Mr Cameron then landed a major defeat in the red state.
“Cameron was a rising star in the Republican party until he decided to throw his lot in with Donald Trump,” he told CNN on Tuesday night.
“Let’s face it, Donald Trump is political and electoral poison down ballot.”
Rachel Sharp reports.
Chris Christie blames Trump ‘poison’ for GOP election losses
Trump bashes Republican rivals at debate
Thursday 9 November 2023 02:09 , Graeme Massie
“You have about 7 or 8 candidates left. I think they are at a debate tonight no one is talking about it, everyone is watching…it’s 61 per cent for your favourite president - me- 10 per cent for Ron DeSanctimonious and 7 per cent for bird brain (Haley),” said Mr Trump.
“Our nation is in very serious trouble and it is time for the Republican establishment to stop wasting time and resources trying to push weak and ineffective RINOs and Never Trumpers that nobody wants and nobody is going to vote for.
“I watched these guys coming in and they are not watchable. The last debate was the lowest-rated debate in the history of politics, so do you think we did the right thing by not participating? “
And he added: “I’m standing in front of tens of thousands of people and it’s on television, that’s a hell of a lot harder to do than a debate.”
‘Insurrection’ lawsuit to keep Trump from primary tossed by Minnesota court
Thursday 9 November 2023 02:00 , Oliver O'Connell
The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit seeking to bar former president Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 presidential primary ballot.
The challenge, from a bipartisan group of state voters, sought to block Mr Trump’s campaign under a 14th Amendment provision forbidding candidates who “engaged in insurrection.”
The state appellate court held in a brief ruling that the Civil War-era measure did not apply to the Minnesota primary process, which it argued was a fundamentally local process outside the purview of the US Constitution.
“There is no state statute that prohibits a major political party from placing on the presidential nomination primary ballot, or sending delegates to the national convention supporting, a candidate who is ineligible to hold office,” the ruling reads.
Josh Marcus reports on how the Trump campaign responded.
Minnesota court tosses ‘insurrection’ lawsuit to keep Trump from primary
Trump claims ‘strong, young men’ flooding into US from Middle East
Thursday 9 November 2023 01:56 , Graeme Massie
“They have something in mind, something in mind. In many cases, these are the same people that did the attack on Israel a few weeks ago, the same people,” said Mr Trump.
Trump says ‘Hannibal Lecter’ allowed into the US
Thursday 9 November 2023 01:46 , Graeme Massie
“Hannibal Lecter, he was a nice fellow, but that’s what is coming into our country right now,” Trump says to a seemingly confused crowd at the event in Hialeah, Florida.