Trump news live: Republican rallies in Wisconsin after Milwaukee jibe as poll reveals impact of guilty verdict

Donald Trump will stage his latest campaign rally in Racine, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, less than a week after he reportedly dismissed Milwaukee as “horrible” in conversation with congressional Republicans and a month before the city hosts the Republican National Convention at which he will formally be offered the GOP 2024 nomination.

Meanwhile, a new poll conducted by Ipsos shows a decrease in trust in the American legal system among Republican voters since the verdict was handed down in the presidential contender’s hush money trial last month.

A sizable number of US citizens, including independents, questioned whether the outcome was the result of a fair and impartial process.

However, most respondents rejected the idea that the prosecution was brought by Manhattan’s district attorney Alvin Bragg to help President Joe Biden by smearing his opponent and keeping him cooped up in court and away from the campaign trail.

Most significantly, one in five Americans said they were less likely to support Trump for president in November as a result of the verdict.

After some initial caution, the president has finally begun to use the outcome to his advantage, attacking Trump as a “convicted criminal” in a new $50m attack ad.

Key Points

• Trump rallying in Wisconsin today after calling Milwaukee ‘horrible'

• Former president's guilty verdict sinks Republican faith in legal system – and eats into candidate’s likely support

• Biden finally goes there and attacks Trump as a ‘convicted criminal’ in new $50m attack ad

Impeachment warrior or showboater? Trump’s shadow looms over controversial primary

14:45 , Joe Sommerlad

You might remember Eugene Vindman and his brother Alexander from Trump’s first impeachment inquiry.

He’s an example of a new breed of political candidate — and not everyone is happy about it.

John Bowden reports.

Impeachment warrior or showboater? Trump’s shadow looms over a controversial primary

John Oliver explains why Trump’s second term would be ‘far worse'

14:15 , Joe Sommerlad

The Last Week Tonight host turned the spotlight on Trump’s 2024 campaign during the latest episode of his HBO show on Sunday.

Here’s Jacob Stolworthy on what Oliver had to say.

John Oliver explains why Trump becoming president would be ‘far worse’ than before

Controversial Republicans named to House Intelligence Committee

13:45 , Joe Sommerlad

A former White House doctor accused of sexually harassing women and a lawmaker accused of plotting an attempt to overthrow millions of Americans’ votes are the newest members of a key congressional committee that oversees national intelligence information.

Now, Democratic and Republican lawmakers are bracing for the worst after House speaker Mike Johnson tapped two hard-right GOP members for the influential House Intelligence Committee.

The appointments of congressmen Scott Perry and Ronny Jackson – both allies of Trump who face their own legal and ethics probes – have roiled members of both parties and reportedly surprised both the committee’s top Democrat as well as the committee’s Republican chair.

Alex Woodward reports.

Controversial Republicans named to House Intelligence committee

Scott says he stands by decision to certify 2020 election

13:15 , Joe Sommerlad

South Carolina senator Tim Scott, another contender to be Trump’s vice president, said he stands by his vote to certify Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.

“I will stand by that decision and the next decision to certify the fact that Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States,” the South Carolina senator said on Sunday on ABC News’ This Week.

Scott also said “the Constitution is clear” regarding then-vice president Mike Pence’s decision to certify the results, despite Trump’s unfounded claims that there was widespread voter fraud in the election and that Joe Biden was not the real winner.

Top Trump VP candidate says he stands by decision to certify 2020 election

Trump believes Kim Kardashian ‘betrayed’ him by celebrating Biden win

12:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Ready for a retro celebrity beef?

Here’s Graig Graziosi on Kim K.

Trump believes Kim Kardashian ‘betrayed’ him when she celebrated Biden’s 2020 win

Hannity makes excuses in advance for Trump’s poor debate performance

12:15 , Joe Sommerlad

Speaking of Fox, here’s Sean Hannity talking with Lara Trump last night and already preparing the ground for negative coverage of their man’s performance at his CNN debate with Biden next week (assuming it happens) by getting in their accusations early that the president will be doped up like an old race horse (see also their reaction to his barn-storming State of the Union address in March).

Senior moments: Debate over whether Trump or Biden is the more cognitively impaired continues to rage

11:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Ramin Setoodeh, author of the new book Apprentice in Wonderland, told MSNBC this week that he interviewed Trump six times in the aftermath of his presidency and concluded that he has “severe memory issues”.

Here’s his quote in full:

“Over the weekend, he was talking about how Joe Biden needs to take a cognitive test… Donald Trump had severe memory issues.

“As the journalist who spent the most time with him, I have to say, he couldn’t remember things. He couldn’t even remember me.

“We spent an hour together in May 2021, and then a few months later, I went back to Trump Tower to talk about his time in The White House. He had this vacant look and I said, do you remember me? He said, no. He had no recollection of the lengthy interview that we had, and he wasn’t doing a lot of interviews at that time.

“The American public really needs to see this portrait of Donald Trump. This shows what he is like and who he is and who he has always been.”

The debate over whether the 78-year-old challenger or Joe Biden, 81, is the more cognitively impaired and unfit for office has already raged for months and shows no sign of going away.

If you were watching CNN last night, you might have seen some of this…

…but if you switched to Fox News, the counter-argument was being loudly made.

Sigh. It’s going to be a loooooooooong year.

Burgum: Trump ‘winning against Hispanics’

11:15 , Joe Sommerlad

A lovely gaffe here from the North Dakota governor, who could well be Trump’s next veep if he’s looking for a less starry deputy than JD Vance or Marco Rubio, something closer to Mike Pence without that pesky independent streak.

Truth Social: Trump works hard to associate himself with US Open champion and exploits ‘migrant crime’ narrative

10:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Here’s Trump dwelling on what he actually cares about: golf and celebrity.

He’s been working mighty hard to associate his brand with US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau in recent days and continues that trend here.

Trump has otherwise been championing his primary candidates, whipping up more “migrant crime” scares and preparing the ground for a future election fraud claim by suggesting that Democrats are registering illegal immigrants to vote, ably assisted by The New York Post.

Biden finally goes there and attacks Trump as a ‘convicted criminal’ in new $50m attack ad

10:15 , Joe Sommerlad

After some initial caution, the president has finally begun to use the outcome of Trump’s trial to his advantage, attacking his White House rival as a “convicted criminal” in a new $50m attack ad.

Here’s Eric Garcia on Biden taking the gloves off, at last.

Biden has finally taken the gloves off with his anti-Trump ‘convicted criminal’ ad

Trump guilty verdict sinks Republican faith in legal system – and eats into candidate’s likely support

09:45 , Joe Sommerlad

A new poll conducted by Ipsos shows a decrease in trust in the American legal system among Republican voters since the verdict was handed down in the presidential contender’s hush money trial last month.

A sizable number of US citizens, including independents, questioned whether the outcome was the result of a fair and impartial process.

However, most respondents rejected the idea that the prosecution was brought by Manhattan’s district attorney Alvin Bragg to help President Joe Biden by smearing his opponent and keeping him cooped up in court and away from the campaign trail.

Most significantly, one in five Americans said they were less likely to support Trump for president in November as a result of the verdict.

Per Ipsos:

Compared to a July 2023 survey (49 per cent), the number of Republicans who say they trust state court judges a great deal or a fair amount has dropped ten points, to just 39 per cent . On the other hand, trust among Democrats increased from July 2023 from 48 per cent to 61 per cent in June 2024. Trust among independents is statistically unchanged from July 2023. Republican trust of district attorneys, state attorneys, and prosecuting attorneys (32 per cent) has also declined nine points since July 2023 (41 per cent). Perceptions among Democrats and independents is statistically unchanged (55 per cent and 47 per cent respectively) from July 2023 (50 per cent and 42 per cent).

Republicans are also less likely to say that current or former elected officials get special breaks in the criminal justice system (55 per cent) than they did in July 2023 (72 per cent). Democrats (72 per cent) and independents’ (67 per cent) perceptions are statistically unchanged since July 2023 (75 per cent and 67 per cent respectively).

Ipsos conducted a secondary analysis of the data by cross-referencing responses on how the verdict is likely to impact how Americans vote and if the verdict is important in making that choice. The secondary analysis shows a plurality of Americans say that the verdict has no impact on their likelihood of voting for Trump and it is not important in decision-making process (40 per cent). While 6 per cent of Americans say that they are more likely to support Trump and the conviction is important to how they will vote. One fifth of Americans (22 per cent) say they are less likely to support Trump for the presidency and the conviction is important.

Trump rallying in Wisconsin today after calling Milwaukee ‘horrible'

09:15 , Joe Sommerlad

The Republican presidential contender is rallying in Racine, Wisconsin, today, less than a week after he reportedly dismissed Milwaukee as a “horrible” city in conversation with congressional Republicans and a month before that very town hosts the Republican National Convention at which he will formally be offered the GOP 2024 nomination.

How kindly the locals will take to his comment remains to be seen.

Here’s Alex Lang’s report on the insult.

Donald Trump blasts RNC host Milwaukee as a ‘horrible city’

White House fumes at ‘cheap fake’ Biden video

08:45 , Oliver O’Connell

The White House has slammed what they have called an edited clip of Joe Biden “freezing” up while on stage at a fundraiser.

In a statement, the White House fumed at the so-called “cheap fake,” which supposedly showed President Biden freezing up as he and former President Barack Obama walked off stage following an interview with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater.

Martha McHardy reports:

White House fumes at ‘cheap fake’ Biden video

Ahead of first debate, Biden targets ‘convicted criminal’ Trump in $50m ad blitz

06:45 , Oliver O'Connell

With just over a week to go until he squares off with Donald Trump in their first face-to-face meeting since October 2020, President Joe Biden and his re-election campaign are looking to use Trump’s legal troubles to set the terms of this year’s electoral contest with a new advertisement listing the ex-president’s numerous courtroom setbacks.

Continue reading...

Biden targets ‘convicted criminal’ Trump in $50m ad blitz ahead of first debate

Feature: Trump gets to sidestep consequences of his conviction. Most people with criminal records don’t

04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The label of convicted felon has fueled Trump’s campaign this past few weeks, but to ordinary Americans it means something very different, as Alex Woodward reports:

Donald Trump gets to sidestep the consequences of his conviction. Most don’t

Trump could select two more Supreme Court justices if he wins election, Biden warns

03:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has warned of the possibility that Donald Trump could get to appoint two new Supreme Court justices if the former president wins November’s election.

Appearing at a star-studded fundraising gala on Saturday night, Biden explained on stage that “the next president is likely to have two new Supreme Court nominees.”

He added that Trump had previously appointed two justices who were “very negative in terms of the rights of individuals.”

“I think it is one of the scariest parts,” Biden said.

Continue reading...

Biden issues stark warning about Trump and the Supreme Court

Ex-aide says Trump talked about executing people

02:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump talked openly about executing people while he was president, a former White House aide has claimed.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, director of strategic communications at the White House from April to December 2020, made the claim on Mediaite’s Press Club podcast on June 14.

According to the former aide, Trump had called for the execution of a staffer who leaked a story, among others. Griffin said that Trump made the comments about the staffer during an Oval Office where she and former Attorney General Bill Barr were present.

John Bowden has the story:

Trump talked about executing people while in the White House, ex-aide reveals

Senate Democrat calls Supreme Court ‘brazenly corrupt’

01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

A Senate Democrat lamented the “brazenly corrupt and brazenly political” Supreme Court even as his party’s leadership says it sees no path to correcting it.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) appeared on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday and reacted to a Senate investigation that found this week that Justice Clarence Thomas, one of the Court’s most conservative members, had neglected to disclose millions of dollars in unreported gifts from a major conservative donor who has worked to get cases before the court.

John Bowden has the story:

Senator calls Supreme Court ‘brazenly corrupt’ as he blasts justices over scandals

ICYMI: Biden Hollywood fundraiser nets $28m

Tuesday 18 June 2024 00:45 , Oliver O'Connell

George Clooney appears to have mended fences with President Joe Biden as he and fellow A-lister Julia Roberts joined a star-studded Hollywood fundraising gala on Saturday night which raised $28m.

The event, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with room for 7,100. Kimmel moderated a discussion with Biden and former president Barack Obama, where the three took turns blasting Biden’s presumed 2024 opponent, Donald Trump.

John Bowden reports:

Clooney joins $28m Biden fundraiser following White House spat over Amal’s work

Biden will open path for illegal immigrants married to US citizens to gain citizenship

Monday 17 June 2024 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden is expected to unveil a new program that will give a path to citizenship for people who are illegally in the United States but are married to Americans.

A source familiar with Biden’s plans said the president will announce the new program at a White House event on Tuesday to mark the 12-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

The program shields some undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children from deportation and provides them with legal work authorization.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC:

Biden will open legal pathway for undocumented spouses of American citizens

Veepstakes: Tim Scott stands by decision to certify Biden’s 2020 election win

Monday 17 June 2024 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Tim Scott, a top contender for Donald Trump’s vice president, said he stands by his vote to certify Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.

“I will stand by that decision and the next decision to certify the fact that Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States,” the South Carolina senator said Sunday on ABC News’ This Week.

Read on...

Top Trump VP candidate says he stands by decision to certify 2020 election

Following migrant ISIS arrests Trump accuses Biden of providing ‘material support for terrorism’

Monday 17 June 2024 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump baselessly accused Joe Biden of “providing material support for terrorism” during a speech on Friday, alluding to the recent arrest of eight migrants with suspected ties to ISIS.

“So, in addition to all of his other well-documented offenses, crooked Joe Biden is now also guilty of providing material support for terrorism,” the former president told a crowd gathered for an event in West Palm Beach, Florida, to celebrate his 78th Birthday.

Trump vowed the country is going to “pay a steep price for many, many years” over Biden’s border policy.

Josh Marcus reports from San Francisco:

Trump accuses Biden of ‘material support for terrorism’ after arrest of migrants

Watch: Whoopi Goldberg reacts to Trump visiting a Black church

Monday 17 June 2024 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Video of Trump walking down stairs raises concern: ‘There is something seriously wrong’

Monday 17 June 2024 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump and his allies seize on every possible opportunity to claim Biden is too old and infirm to be president (see their antics regarding his appearance in Italy last week).

But their own candidate is 78 now and seemingly not as robust as he and they would have you believe.

Here’s Sinead Butler for Indy100 on his struggle to clamber down the steps of his jet on Saturday.

Video of Trump walking down stairs raises concern: "There is something seriously wrong"

Opinion: Biden finally takes gloves off with his anti-Trump ‘convicted criminal’ ad

Monday 17 June 2024 21:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

On Monday, President Joe Biden launched his opening salvo against former president Donald Trump, ten days ahead of their first debate in Atlanta. The $50 million ad does not mince words and goes directly for Trump becoming the first criminally convicted former president.

Up until now, the Biden campaign has largely refrained from attacking Trump personally, though he has teased lines at fundraisers (at one, he told donors: “For the first time in American history, a former president that is a convicted felon is now seeking the office of the presidency.”)

Last year, Democratic strategists told The Independent that “the person who is doing the most effective job of driving the indictment news is Donald Trump.”

Read on...

Biden has finally taken the gloves off with his anti-Trump ‘convicted criminal’ ad

Mike Johnson vows to sue for Joe Biden special counsel recordings

Monday 17 June 2024 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed to federal court to enforce a subpoena against Attorney General Merrick Garland, after the Department of Justice announced it would not pursue a criminal case against the Biden administration official.

“The House disagrees with the assertions in the letter from the Department of Justice, and as Speaker, I will be certifying the contempt reports to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. We will also move to enforce the subpoena of Attorney General Garland in federal court,” Speaker Johnson wrote on X on Friday.

Alex Woodward and Josh Marcus filed this report on Friday:

Mike Johnson vows to sue for Biden tapes in Merrick Garland subpoena battle with GOP

New poll shows lower trust in legal system since Trump verdict but also decrease in likely support

Monday 17 June 2024 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The latest Ipsos poll for Politico shows a decrease in trust in the legal system among Republican voters since the verdict was handed down in Donald Trump’s hush money trial.

A sizable number of Americans, including independents, question whether the verdict was the result of a fair and impartial process, Politico reports — though most respondents rejected the idea that the prosecution was brought to help President Joe Biden.

Overall, a large number (43 per cent) either strongly or somewhat agreed that was the rationale for the case.

The same poll also shows that one in five Americans say they are less likely to support Trump for president in November and the verdict plays an important part in that decision-making.

Per Ipsos:

Compared to a July 2023 survey (49%), the number of Republicans who say they trust state court judges a great deal or a fair amount has dropped ten points, to just 39% . On the other hand, trust among Democrats increased from July 2023 from 48% to 61% in June 2024. Trust among independents is statistically unchanged from July 2023. Republican trust of district attorneys, state attorneys, and prosecuting attorneys (32%) has also declined nine points since July 2023 (41%). Perceptions among Democrats and independents is statistically unchanged (55% and 47% respectively) from July 2023 (50% and 42%).

Republicans are also less likely to say that current or former elected officials get special breaks in the criminal justice system (55%) than they did in July 2023 (72%). Democrats (72%) and independents' (67%) perceptions are statistically unchanged since July 2023 (75% and 67% respectively).

Ipsos conducted a secondary analysis of the data by cross-referencing responses on how the verdict is likely to impact how Americans vote and if the verdict is important in making that choice. The secondary analysis shows a plurality of Americans say that the verdict has no impact on their likelihood of voting for Trump and it is not important in decision-making process (40%). While 6% of Americans say that they are more likely to support Trump and the conviction is important to how they will vote. One fifth of Americans (22%) say they are less likely to support Trump for the presidency and the conviction is important.

‘Anti-woke’ water becomes a hit for conservatives

Monday 17 June 2024 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Water is being pushed on conservative voters as “anti-woke” that is “unapologetic.”

“Freedom2o” is becoming all the rage for some right-wing voters and now Alex Clark, a MAGA-world talking head, is pitching the water in a cringeworthy ad during Turning Point’s People’s Convention over the weekend, according to Mediaite.

Graig Graziosi reports:

‘Anti-woke’ water - Freedom2o - hawked to conservatives

Former senator Kelly Loeffler hosting watch party for Trump-Biden CNN debate

Monday 17 June 2024 19:59 , Oliver O'Connell

Former senator for Georgia Kelly Loeffler and her husband Jeff Sprecher are hosting a fundraiser for Donald Trump to coincide with the June 27 CNN presidential debate against Joe Biden. The cheapest ticket is $10,000, ranging up to $50,000.

The couple are the combined top donors for Trump in Georgia this cycle, with $2.6m (so far) in contributions to his re-election bid.

Trump talked about executing people while in the White House

Monday 17 June 2024 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump talked openly about executing people while he was president, a former White House aide has claimed.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, director of strategic communications at the White House from April to December 2020, made the claim on Mediaite’s Press Club podcast on June 14.

According to the former aide, Trump had called for the execution of a staffer who leaked a story, among others.

John Bowden has the story:

Trump talked about executing people while in the White House, ex-aide reveals

Biden targets Trump conviction with $50m election ad campaign

Monday 17 June 2024 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Joe Biden’s campaign is targeting Donald Trump’s criminal convictions in a new $50m advert campaign ahead of the first presidential debate between the two candidates at the end of the month.

In the 30-second ad, which will run in all swing battleground states, voters will be told: “This election is between a convicted criminal who’s only out for himself, and a president who’s fighting for your family.”

Martha McHardy has the details:

Biden targets ‘convicted criminal’ Trump in $50m ad blitz ahead of first debate

ICYMI: George Clooney joins $28m Hollywood fundraiser for Biden following White House spat over Amal’s work

Monday 17 June 2024 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

George Clooney appears to have mended fences with President Joe Biden as he and fellow A-lister Julia Roberts joined a star-studded Hollywood fundraising gala on Saturday night which raised $28m.

The event, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with room for 7,100. Kimmel moderated a discussion with Biden and former president Barack Obama, where the three took turns blasting Biden’s presumed 2024 opponent, Donald Trump.

John Bowden has the story:

Clooney joins $28m Biden fundraiser following White House spat over Amal’s work

Monday 17 June 2024 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Lawrence O’Donnell roasts Ted Cruz for supporting Trump in live broadcast

Watch: Melinda French Gates ‘absolutely not voting for Trump

Monday 17 June 2024 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Veepstakes: Former rival rises to the top of the pile

Monday 17 June 2024 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump may be on the verge of setting aside another grudge within the Republican Party and elevating a former rival to be his running mate in 2024.

The former president is reportedly considering three names as his current top choices to be the GOP’s vice presidential nominee as he gears up for a rematch with President Joe Biden this fall.

With his last vice president, Mike Pence, refusing to endorse him, Trump’s list of potential choices has shrunk to include only Republicans who the former president is sure will serve as a loyal yes-man in a hypothetical second administration.

John Bowden reports:

Trump’s veepstakes intensify as former rival rises to the top of the pile

Trump claims respect for US collapsed under Biden but data shows opposite

Monday 17 June 2024 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has often claimed that his presidency restored respect in the US from other countries during his time in office and that since Joe Biden became president, that respect has greatly diminished.

Unfortunately for the former president, there is no data at all to back this claim up. In fact, a new Pew Research Center survey finds that, internationally, Biden is viewed more positively than his rival.

Indeed, while confidence in the US slumped badly during Trump’s presidency, those numbers have rebounded under Biden.

Per Pew:

Across the 34 nations polled, a median of 43% have confidence in Biden to do the right thing regarding world affairs, while just 28% have confidence in Trump. The gap between ratings is quite wide in many countries, especially in Europe. Biden’s confidence rating is at least 40 percentage points higher than Trump’s in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.

However, there are exceptions. There is no statistically significant difference in ratings of Biden and Trump in eight nations we surveyed. And people in Hungary and Tunisia give Trump more positive reviews than Biden, although neither leader gets especially high marks there. (The survey was conducted before Trump’s conviction in a state criminal trial in New York.)

Even though Biden gets better assessments than Trump globally, ratings for the current U.S. president are down since last year in 14 of 21 countries where trends are available, including by double digits in Australia, Israel, Japan, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Watch: Trump calls Steve Bannon during live Kari Lake interview

Monday 17 June 2024 17:22 , Oliver O'Connell

NATO secretary says two-thirds of alliance will meet defense spending goal amid Trump threats

Monday 17 June 2024 17:15 , Oliver O'Connell

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday said 20 of the alliance’s 32 member states will spend at least two per cent of their respective gross domestic products on defense, meeting a threshold which former president Donald Trump has repeatedly mischaracterized as a prerequisite to receiving American help in a crisis.

Andrew Feinberg has the story:

NATO secretary says two-thirds of alliance will meet defense spending goal

Watch: Biden focuses on Trump legal woes

Monday 17 June 2024 17:11 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump event at ‘Black’ church sparks new row over attendance figures

Monday 17 June 2024 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Republican was in Detroit on Saturday to address an audience of Black churchgoers, which his supporters, like Kellyanne Conway, have been keen to champion as the latest evidence of his broad appeal.

But 8,000 people? In this venue?

And just how “Black” was this crowd listening to former Trump Cabinet member Dr Ben Carson?

Trump gets to sidestep the consequences of his conviction. Most people with criminal records don’t

Monday 17 June 2024 16:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Alex Woodward writes:

For former president Donald Trump – who can leverage his wealth, power and influence to sidestep the consequences of his white-collar crimes that threatened 2016 elections – that “felon” label is helping him rake in millions of dollars.

For any other person with 34 felony convictions, being branded a “felon” for life could threaten access to jobs, housing, healthcare, childcare and the ability to vote, let alone a path to the presidency.

Continue reading...

Donald Trump gets to sidestep the consequences of his conviction. Most don’t

Nikki Haley pays touching tribute to her late father

Monday 17 June 2024 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley announced that her father has died in a touching social media post.

Kelly Rissman reports:

Nikki Haley pays touching tribute to her father after his death

Trump could select two more Supreme Court justices if he wins election, Biden warns

Monday 17 June 2024 16:15 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has warned of the possibility that Donald Trump could get to appoint two new Supreme Court justices if the former president wins November’s election.

Appearing at a star-studded fundraising gala on Saturday night, Biden explained on stage that “the next president is likely to have two new Supreme Court nominees.”

He added that Trump had previously appointed two justices who were “very negative in terms of the rights of individuals.”

“I think it is one of the scariest parts,” Biden said.

Amelia Neath and James Liddell report:

Biden issues stark warning about Trump and the Supreme Court

Seconds after challenging Biden to a cognitive test, Trump forgets name of his White House doctor

Monday 17 June 2024 16:02 , Oliver O'Connell

Katie Hawkinson reports:

Donald Trump forgot the name of his White House doctor just moments after saying Joe Biden should take a cognitive test.

“I took a cognitive test, and I aced it. Doc Ronny — Doc Ronny Johnson,” Trump said, attempting to refer to Ronny Jackson, former White House physician turned US Rep.

“Does everyone know Ronny Johnson, Congressman from Texas? He was the White House Doctor,” Trump continued.

Read on...

Trump forgets name of his White House doctor after challenging Biden to a mental test

Why Trump’s second term would be ‘far, far worse’ than his first

Monday 17 June 2024 15:45 , Oliver O'Connell

John Oliver has explained why a second presidential term for Donald Trump would be “far, far worse” than his first.

The Last Week Tonight host placed the spotlight on Trump’s 2024 US presidential campaign during the latest episode of the HBO show, which aired on Sunday (16 June).

Jacob Stolworthy has the story:

John Oliver explains why Trump’s second term would be ‘far, far worse’ than his first

Voices: Hunter Biden’s conviction pushed Trumpland conspiracies to a new realm

Monday 17 June 2024 15:15 , Joe Sommerlad

The conviction of Joe Biden’s son has been weaponised by the Trump campaign just weeks after a jury found the ex-president guilty over hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, writes Jon Sopel.

But could the endless swirl of conspiracy theories actually prove helpful to Biden in the presidential battle?

Hunter Biden’s conviction has propelled Trumpland conspiracies into a new realm

Trump said Joan Rivers voted for him in 2016. She died in 2014

Monday 17 June 2024 14:45 , Joe Sommerlad

Just classic.

It’s a tragedy the comedy great is not here to respond to this one in person.

Kevin EG Perry has the details.

Donald Trump said Joan Rivers voted for him in 2016. She died in 2014

Fauci recounts expletive-filled talk from Trump during pandemic

Monday 17 June 2024 14:15 , Joe Sommerlad

You Know Who unleashed an expletive-filled rant about the stock market not increasing enough when the first Covid-19 vaccine trials were successful, Dr Anthony Fauci has recounted.

Fauci, one of the nation’s top infectious disease experts who helped lead the American response to the pandemic until 2022, is publishing On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service next week.

His chapter on working with Trump in lockdown is aptly titled, “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not,” according to The New York Times’ review of the book.

Katie Hawkinson takes a look.

Fauci recounts expletive-laden lecture he got from Trump during COVID pandemic