Trump's Georgia trial to be televised and live-streamed as he moves to ditch co-defendants – live

Donald Trump’s Georgia trial over his efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 election will be filmed and live-streamed, the judge overseeing the case has said.

It is the first of the former president’s four criminal cases in which a judge has said they will allow cameras.

Earlier Mr Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him in the Georgia election interference case and waived his right to an arraignment, currently scheduled for 6 September in Fulton County.

Shortly after filing the plea, Mr Trump’s lawyers also moved to sever his case from any co-defendants who opted for a speedy trial.

Meanwhile, the former president made a chilling threat to “lock up” his political rivals if he wins the 2024 presidential race.

In an interview with conservative media personality Glenn Beck, Mr Trump was reminded about his 2016 campaign statement that he would “lock up” Hillary Clinton – but then decided against it when he entered the White House.

This time round, Mr Trump said he would have “no choice” but to follow through with his threats.

Key Points

Trump moves to sever his own Georgia election fraud case from co-defendants seeking speedy trial
Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election subversion case
Trump threatens to ‘lock up’ rivals if he wins 2024 race
Mitch McConnell’s health struggles back in focus as he suffers second ‘freeze’ on camera
Marjorie Taylor Greene unexpectedly joins Democrats in call for cameras in federal court
Right wing social media accounts ignore Biden plans to mark 9/11 and spin into outrage over supposed snub

WATCH: Trump co-defendant John Eastman admits plan to stop 2020 election certification live on air

12:56 , Rachel Sharp

Raskin pushes to revive probe into Jared Kushner’s foreign cash

11:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has asked the panel’s chairman to compel ex-Trump White House adviser Jared Kushner’s investment firm to disclose information about the funding it has received from foreign countries.

In a letter to Chairman James Comer, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin asked the Kentucky Republican to approve a subpoena to Mr Kushner’s firm, A Fin Management LLC, regarding what he described as “extraordinary funding” which the relatively new investment venture took in from Saudi Arabian and Qatari sovereign wealth funds in the months after Mr Kushner and his father-in-law, former president Donald Trump, left the White House.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

Senior Democrat pushes to revive probe into Jared Kushner’s foreign cash

Did Trump codefendant just confess? John Eastman makes shock admission in Fox News interview

11:25 , Rachel Sharp

One of Donald Trump’s codefendants in the Georgia election interference case may have shot himself in the foot after he appeared to make bombshell confession in a recent Fox News interview.

John Eastman, one of the 19 defendants in the sprawling 41-count indictment, appeared on Fox News on Wednesday night where he denied all wrongdoing and insisted he and the former president are innocent of all charges.

But, in his interview defending himself in the case, the attorney actually made a shock admission which legal experts say mounted to him confessing to a crime.

Read on...

Did Trump codefendant just confess? John Eastman makes shock admission

Anti-Trump Republican group erects huge billboard in Times Square reeling off ex-president's criminal charges

11:05 , Rachel Sharp

Check out our billboard in Times Square: pic.twitter.com/7rUlBROD3d
— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) August 31, 2023

Trump co-defendant Harrison Floyd claims indictment was because he’s Black

10:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Harrison Floyd, one of the 19 defendants in former President Donald Trump in the Georgia election case, has suggested that he was included in the indictment because he is Black.

Mr Floyd, who served as the director of “Black Voices for Trump” during the 2020 presidential campaign, spoke to Steve Bannon after he was released on bond nearly a week following his arrest in Fulton County.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Trump Georgia co-defendant Harrison Floyd claims he was indicted because he’s Black

Full story: Trump’s Georgia election interference trial will be televised and live streamed, judge decides

10:05 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump’s trial for allegedly attempting to subvert the presidential election in Georgia will be televised and live-streamed, a judge has decided.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee announced on Thursday that he would allow all hearings and trials in the case to appear on a YouTube stream. The court will operate the stream.

The judge will also allow pool coverage for television, photography and radio, he announced.

Trump’s Georgia election interference trial will be televised and live streamed

Jan 6 rioter’s trial jurors ask whether he has access to their personal details

09:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Jurors deciding the fate of an alleged January 6 rioter are wondering if he has access to their personal details.

Brandon Fellows has been charged with entering a restricted building or grounds and violent entry or disorderly conduct over his part in the 2021 riot.

In a note from the jury dated 30 August at 11.08am, the jury wrote: “We wanted to confirm that the defendant does not have any personal information on individual jurors, since he was defending himself. Includes name, address, etc.”

Jurors question whether Jan 6 rioter has access to their personal details

Trump very late night/early morning Truth Social rant

09:25 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump appeared to be having trouble sleeping on Thursday night – after a judge ruled that his Georgia trial and all its accompanying court hearings will be fully televised and live-streamed to the world.

The former president took to Truth Social for a very late night/early morning rant.

“I am being “railroaded” by a highly partisan and corrupt system of INJUSTICE, headed up by an opponent who is losing in the polls and, simultaneously with all of this, destroying our once Great Country!” he posted at around 3am ET.

He followed it up with a link to an apparently “MUST WATCH” interview with Trump sympathiser Mark Levin.

Bill Barr slams Trump’s claims that his arrests are election interference: ‘Simply wrong’

09:05 , Rachel Sharp

“Just think of a mayor charged with massive embezzlement, and he says, Well, it’s a year and a half to the election; let’s put that on hold, while I’m running for reelection. It’s silly,” said the former Trump administration attorney general.

“The idea that this is interfering with the election is simply wrong.”

Trump’s former AG Bill Barr utterly destroys Trump’s argument that prosecuting him for his crimes is “Election interference”:

“Just think of a mayor charged with massive embezzlement, and he says, Well, it's a year and a half to the election; let’s put that on hold, while I'm… pic.twitter.com/d7Z36Mpw4x
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) August 31, 2023

Full story: Proud Boy Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in prison for Jan 6 seditious conspiracy

08:45 , Oliver O'Connell

A prominent member of the neo-fascist gang the Proud Boys who federal prosecutors argued played an instrumental role in propelling the group towards political violence has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Joe Biggs, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy earlier this year alongside three other members of the group for their roles on January 6, had called the assault at the US Capitol a “warning shot” to the government in its aftermath. He now faces one of the longest prison sentences to date among hundreds of people charged in connection with the attack.

Alex Woodward has been following the case.

Proud Boy Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in prison for Jan 6 seditious conspiracy

When is Trump on trial? Here are all the court dates

06:45 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump’s 2024 calendar is quickly booking up with court dates corresponding to his plentiful criminal indictments and civil lawsuits.

The ex-president and his legal team are preparing for a busy year ahead as they attempt to juggle the many trial dates while Mr Trump continues his campaign for 2024 president.

So far, Mr Trump has been criminally indicted four times – two of which are on the federal level and two are on the state level. This is on top of two civil lawsuits the ex-president is involved in New York City.

Though Mr Trump’s legal team has continuously pushed judges to delay trial dates until after the 2024 election, nearly all of the dates for his criminal indictments have been set for next spring.

Here are the trial dates for Mr Trump thus far.

When is Donald Trump going on trial?

Fani Willis: The Georgia prosecutor who could take down Trump

05:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Her first day as the chief prosecutor for Fulton County came with news that then-President Donald Trump attempted to pressure Georgia’s top election officials to reverse his loss in the state during the 2020 presidential election.

A phone call between Mr Trump and Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was published by The Washington Post late at night on 3 January, 2021.

Hours later, Fani Willis would walk into her first day on the job as Fulton County’s district attorney, an office that is now spearheading a criminal investigation into Mr Trump, with the phone call serving as a central damning piece of evidence against him.

Alex Woodward reports.

Who is Fani Willis, the Georgia prosecutor who could take down Trump

Gov Brian Kemp rejects MAGA push to impeach DA Fani Willis for Trump indictment

04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has pushed back on calls from within the state Republican Party to impeach or defund Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

“As long as I’m governor, we are going to follow the law and the Constitution – regardless of who it helps politically,” the governor said.

Georgia governor rejects MAGA push to impeach DA Fani Willis for Trump indictment

Is Trump likely to go to prison?

03:45 , Oliver O'Connell

America wants to know...

Will Donald Trump go to prison?

Election workers get threats, warnings they'll be lynched, US government says

02:45 , AP

More than a dozen people nationally have been charged with threatening election workers by a Justice Department unit trying to stem the tide of violent and graphic threats against people who count and secure the vote.

Government employees are being bombarded with threats even in normally quiet periods between elections, secretaries of state and experts warn. Some point to former President Donald Trump and his allies repeatedly and falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen and spreading conspiracy theories about election workers. Experts fear the 2024 election could be worse and want the Justice Department to do more to protect election workers.

'We’ll … kill you:' Election workers get threats, warnings they'll be lynched, US government says

Explained: Trump’s criminal charges and lawsuits - and where they stand

01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has never been more vulnerable.

Without the privileges and prestige of the presidency to protect him, Mr Trump is facing serious lawsuits and criminal indictments across New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington.

Federal officials, local prosecutors, and individuals are going after him for everything from his private conduct to his political maneuvering during the 2020 election. If even just one of these efforts are successful, the US could see its first-ever former president in prison.

Here, The Independent explains each major case:

Tracking Trump’s criminal charges and lawsuits - and where they stand

Trump’s Georgia trial to be televised

01:12 , Phil Thomas

Donald Trump’s trial on charges related to his efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 election in Georgia will be televised and live-streamed, a judge has ruled.

Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee, who is overseeing the criminal racketeering case against the former president, said he would allow a YouTube stream, to be operated by the court, as well as permission for pool coverage for television, radio and still photography.

It is the first of Trump’s four criminal trials where filming has been confirmed. Photographers were briefly allowed into a New York court at the beginning of Trump’s first hearing there.

Graeme Massie has the full story:

Trump’s Georgia election interference trial will be televised and live streamed

Recap: Trump wants to sever his own Georgia election fraud case from speedy trial co-defendants

01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has moved to sever Georgia case from the defendants seeking a speedy trial, arguing that it would violate his right to a fair process.

“President Trump moves the Court to sever his case from those of his co-defendants who have demanded a speedy trial ... and who have a scheduled trial date of October 23, 2023,” lawyer Steven Sadow wrote in a filing on Thursday.

Gustaf Kilander has the details.

Trump moves to sever his own Georgia election fraud case from co-defendants

NY AG: Trump inflated his net worth by as much as $2.2bn

Friday 1 September 2023 00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump fraudulently inflated his net worth by as much as $2.2bn in one year and by hundreds of millions of dollars in other years over a decade, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office is suing the former president and his business empire following a years-long fraud investigation.

Alex Woodward has the details.

Trump inflated his net worth by as much as $2.2bn, AG says

Recap: Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election subversion case

Thursday 31 August 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty in the Georgia election subversion case to charges that he took part in criminal conspiracies in connection to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state.

The former president entered the plea on Thursday morning, waiving a formal arraignment following the 13 felony counts being filed against him.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election subversion case

Voices: Republicans forced to contemplate a Senate without Mitch McConnell

Thursday 31 August 2023 22:44 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

On Thursday, the Capitol Hill doctor gave the Kentucky senator a clean bill of health that allowed him to resume normal activities. Earlier this year, he took a spill at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington during a fundraiser, which briefly put him out of commission. When he returned, he at times looked more wobbly, a sign of how diminished his injury left the 81-year-old.

Now, his latest freeze-up has made Washington, and more importantly, Senate Republicans, fathom the unthinkable: what does the Senate look like without him?

Read on...

Republicans forced to contemplate a Senate without Mitch McConnell

Why is Biden taking the short stairs on Air Force One?

Thursday 31 August 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has been taking the shorter stairs to get on Air Force One much more often since falling over a sandbag on stage during the US Air Force Academy graduation in June, a news photography analysis has shown.

NPR reports that Mr Biden has been eschewing the 18-foot staircase, which may at times be unstable, traditionally used when getting on and off Air Force One.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Why Biden is taking the short stairs on Air Force One

Breaking: Inmate killed in ‘ongoing mass stabbing’ at Georgia jail where Trump had mug shot taken

Thursday 31 August 2023 21:55 , Oliver O'Connell

One inmate has been killed in an ongoing mass stabbing at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta where former President Donald Trump was booked and had his mug shot taken earlier this month.

Natalie Ammons at the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office told CNN that the situation remains active.

Gustaf Kilander is following this developing story.

Inmate killed in ‘ongoing mass stabbing’ at jail where Trump had mug shot taken

Breaking: Philadelphia Proud Boys leader sentenced to 15 years in prison for Jan 6 crimes

Thursday 31 August 2023 21:37 , Oliver O'Connell

The former leader of a Philadelphia chapter of the neo-fascist gang the Proud Boys who stormed the halls of Congress on January 6 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Zachary Rehl, the son and grandson of Philadelphia police officers who used pepper spray against law enforcement outside the US Capitol then lied on the witness stand about it, had called for “firing squads” for “traitors” who wanted to “steal” the 2020 election from Donald Trump.

Alex Woodward reports.

Philadelphia Proud Boys leader sentenced to 15 years in prison for Jan 6 crimes

Trump video about ‘Covid tyrants’ gets brutal fact check on X

Thursday 31 August 2023 21:33 , Oliver O'Connell

A Donald Trump campaign video about a recent surge in Covid-19 infections and advice that some people may want to use face masks has received a brutal fact check via a “Community Note” on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In the video, the former president rails against the possibility of new restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. The clip posted by Team Trump is captioned: “COVID Tyrants want to take away our Freedom. Hear my words— WE WILL NOT COMPLY.”

Brutal community note, yikes https://t.co/EDTMljEOtJ
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) August 31, 2023

The community note — a function on X by which members of the community may add context to the posts of others — notes that in the original Covid-19 outbreak at the beginning of the pandemic: “The Trump Administration along with other federal agencies began the lockdown and social distancing rules in 2020.”

The note comes with a link to one of Mr Trump’s own tweets from the time.

A second note, citing an article in The New York Times, reads: “President Trump issued national guidelines that included closing schools and avoiding bars, restaurants and groups of more than 10.”

Full story: Senate’s doctor gives McConnell clean bill of health after latest ‘freezing’ scare

Thursday 31 August 2023 21:20 , Oliver O'Connell

US Senator Mitch McConnell has been given a clean bill of health by the Capitol Hill doctor after his latest “freezing” health scare.

The Minority Leader, a Republican from Kentucky, appeared to briefly freeze up and was unable to answer a question from a reporter at an event in the state on Wednesday.

Now the 81-year-old politician has been told he is free to continue with his schedule by the Office of the Attending Physician at Congress.

Graeme Massie has the details.

Senate’s doctor gives McConnell clean bill of health after latest ‘freezing’ scare

This afternoon on Truth Social (so far)

Thursday 31 August 2023 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump has been busy on Truth Social, first attacking Fox News for inviting his nemesis Chris Christie and “lethargic” Bill Barr on as guests.

RINO John Roberts of FoxNews just put failed political candidate Chris Christie, and terminated A.G., lethargic Bill Barr, on to talk about your favorite President, ME! What does he expect from these two losers, one who I refused to give a job, the other who I fired because he was petrified of the Radical Left and what they would do to him. Anyway, my polls are even higher since the so-called Debate. Republicans should unite against the Fascist Lunatics who are destroying our Country!

Next, he celebrated reporting that a Ron DeSantis super PAC is closing its doors over “rookie mistakes” on the part of the Florida governor’s campaign.

Wow! “A Super PAC set up to back Ron DeSanctimonious with $50 Million, is closing as donors have backed out - while its founder said the Florida Governor’s campaign is guilty of rookie mistakes, and he will now back Donald Trump.” Daily Mail, by Morgan Phillips. Thank you to John Thomas, the highly respected Republican strategist!

Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (REUTERS)

Harrison Floyd claims he was indicted in Georgia as Trump co-defendant because he’s Black

Thursday 31 August 2023 20:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Harrison Floyd, one of the 19 defendants in former President Donald Trump in the Georgia election case, has suggested that he was included in the indictment because he is Black.

Mr Bannon led Mr Floyd to bring race into the matter, asking if he thought he was “singled out because you are an African American” especially because he is also a Trump supporter and a veteran.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Trump Georgia co-defendant Harrison Floyd claims he was indicted because he’s Black

Today on ‘Geraldo’: Trump made me dump HIM!

Thursday 31 August 2023 20:40 , Oliver O'Connell

TV personality Geraldo Rivera has given an interview with The New York Times about life after Fox News, which he left in June after 22 years.

Of former President Donald Trump he said: “I feel awful that he made me dump him.”

Further, he called Mr Trump:

“Crazy, really crazy,”

and:

“underrated, over-prosecuted and persecuted”.

Geraldo Rivera in his final appearance on Fox News (Screenshot / Fox News)

GOP senators consider extra leadership meeting after McConnell’s second freeze, report says

Thursday 31 August 2023 20:35 , Oliver O'Connell

A number of Republican senators are considering a push for a debate on their leadership after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell froze up during a press conference for the second time within a month, a report has alleged.

Politico reports that Republicans have discussed the idea of having a larger conversation on the subject when they get back to Washington, DC next week.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

GOP senators considering leadership meeting after McConnell’s freeze, report says

Raskin pushes to revive probe into Jared Kushner’s foreign cash

Thursday 31 August 2023 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

Senior Democrat pushes to revive probe into Jared Kushner’s foreign cash

Voices: What would Trump’s TV trial have looked like?

Thursday 31 August 2023 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Jay Black writes:

That carefully cultivated aura of power is harder to maintain, though, when you’re in court. Court won’t be like his impeachment, where he didn’t have to appear and where he had yawping muppets like Rand Paul to summon faux-outrage on his behalf, like after-dinner burps on taco night.

No, the thing about court is that there is only one person in charge, and that person is decidedly not Donald Trump.

It makes sense, then, that he wouldn’t want to have to subject himself to that next week. Unfortunately, for those of us who view Trump as a particularly agitated orangutan, equal parts hilarious and dangerous, it deprives us of all the fun a Trump court appearance would entail.

Read on...

What would Trump’s TV trial have looked like?

Election workers get threats, warnings they'll be lynched, US government says

Thursday 31 August 2023 19:50 , Oliver O'Connell

'We’ll … kill you:' Election workers get threats, warnings they'll be lynched, US government says

When is Trump on trial? All the court dates you need to know...

Thursday 31 August 2023 19:42 , Oliver O'Connell

First off, to answer that question you really need to be more specific...

Ariana Baio is keeping track of the multitude of court dates facing the former president.

When is Donald Trump going on trial?

Biden spoke with McConnell after second ‘freeze’ as Capitol physician clears him for duties

Thursday 31 August 2023 19:37 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden says he spoke with his friend Senate Mitch McConnell after the minority leader suffered a second “freeze” while speaking live on camera.

“I spoke to him today. And you know, he was his old self on the telephone. And having a little understanding of dealing with neurosurgeons ... it’s not at all unusual to have a response that sometimes happens to Mitch when you’ve had a severe concussion,” the president said before adding that he thinks Mr McConnell can carry out his role in the Senate.

Biden says he's spoken to McConnell, who he calls a "friend," and says "he was an old self on the telephone." pic.twitter.com/trLcyqhqLN
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 31, 2023

Meanwhile, the Capitol attending physician Dr Brian Monahan says he talked with Senator McConnell and his neurology team. He says Mr McConnell is “medically clear” to keep his to his schedule as planned.

“Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration,” Dr Monahan says.

U.S. Capitol physician says Sen. McConnell is "medically clear" to continue with his schedule. pic.twitter.com/WTgPYPfgXZ
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 31, 2023

Full story: Trump moves to sever his own Georgia election fraud case from co-defendants seeking speedy trial

Thursday 31 August 2023 19:31 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has moved to sever Georgia case from the defendants seeking a speedy trial, arguing that it would violate his right to a fair process.

The filing states that the timeline wouldn’t allow for the counsel to “have sufficient time to prepare President Trump’s case”.

Gustaf Kilander has the details.

Trump moves to sever his own Georgia election fraud case from co-defendants

Trump has the values of an axe murderer, says former GOP official

Thursday 31 August 2023 19:17 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Georgia Lieutenant Gov Geoff Duncan, a Republican, said that former President Donald Trump has the values of an “axe murderer.”

Mr Duncan, who testified earlier this month in the Fulton County probe into the alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, told CNN that Republicans will determine the future of the party in the 2024 election when they decide whether they will support “fake Republican” Donald Trump for the GOP nomination.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Former GOP Georgia official says Trump has the values of an axe murderer

Trump formally moves to sever Georgia racketeering case from other defendants seeking a speedy trial

Thursday 31 August 2023 19:11 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump has formally moved to sever his Fulton County racketeering case from other defendants seeking a speedy trial in Georgia.

He argues that it would violate his right to a fair trial.

JUST IN Donald TRUMP has formally moved to sever his racketeering case from defenants seeking a speedy trial in Georgia, saying it would violate his rights to a fair trial. https://t.co/wFP8PFWMmD pic.twitter.com/W6A56NPFOr
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) August 31, 2023

Trump codefendants ask for trials to be severed from former president

Thursday 31 August 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Two of Donald Trump’s codefendants in his Georgia election subversion case have asked the judge to sever their trials from the rest of the accused – including the former president.

Gustaf Kilander has the latest.

Two Trump codefendants ask judge to sever their trials from former president

OK, but is Trump going to prison?

Thursday 31 August 2023 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

It’s the question everyone wants to know the answer to...

Will Donald Trump go to prison?

Can Trump still run for president after four indictments?

Thursday 31 August 2023 18:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Yes, but it could get complicated and kind of embarrassing for the nation...

Can Donald Trump still run for president after four indictments?

Georgia Gov Brian Kemp rejects MAGA push to impeach Fani Willis over Trump indictment

Thursday 31 August 2023 18:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has pushed back on calls from within the state Republican Party to impeach or defund Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

“As long as I’m governor, we are going to follow the law and the Constitution – regardless of who it helps politically,” the governor said.

Georgia governor rejects MAGA push to punish DA Fani Willis for Trump indictment

Years after sex conviction, Epstein held meetings with Trump associates before 2016 election

Thursday 31 August 2023 18:08 , Oliver O'Connell

Jeffrey Epstein arranged several meetings with people close to Donald Trump during the former president’s 2016 campaign, a new report revealed.

The convicted sex offender’s emails and schedules reviewed by the Wall Street Journal showed he invited real estate investor Thomas Barrack and billionaire Peter Thiel, both Trump campaign backers, to gatherings with former Russian United Nations Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.

It was also revealed that Epstein had planned meetings with Churkin’s son, Max, who was in business school at the time, and then later employed at a Russian bank.

Andrea Cavallier has the story.

Jeffrey Epstein held meetings with Trump associates ahead of 2016 election: report

Breaking: Proud Boy Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in prison for Jan 6 seditious conspiracy

Thursday 31 August 2023 17:54 , Oliver O'Connell

A prominent member of the neo-fascist gang the Proud Boys who federal prosecutors argued played an instrumental role propelling the group towards political violence has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Alex Woodward has been following the case for The Independent.

Proud Boy Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in prison for Jan 6 seditious conspiracy

Ted Cruz mocked for ‘phony’ beer stunt amid false claims Biden pushing new prohibition

Thursday 31 August 2023 17:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Ted Cruz became the target of widespread mockery after attempting to give a hot take about a cold one - as Republicans continue to push false claims that the Biden administration is looking to limit Americans to two beers a day.

The Texas senator appeared on Newsmax on Wednesday night with a beer in hand and asked: “What is it with liberals and wanting to control every damn aspect of your life?”

Kelly Rissman reports on the latest Saturday Night Live cold open that just writes itself...

Ted Cruz mocked for ‘phony’ beer stunt amid GOP alcohol uproar

ICYMI: Georgia election workers who sued Giuliani awarded default judgment in defamation case

Thursday 31 August 2023 17:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Two election workers in Georgia who sued Rudy Giuliani over baseless claims that fuelled threats of violence against them have been awarded a default judgment following the long-running defamation case against him.

Donald Trump’s former attorney, who has also been criminally charged in connection with the former president’s attempts to upend the 2020 presidential election, is liable for defamation claims from Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, as well claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil conspiracy, and punitive damages.

Alex Woodward has the story.

Election workers who sued Giuliani awarded default judgment in defamation case

Navarro tries and fails to rip up ‘Trump Lost’ sign at awkward press conference

Thursday 31 August 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Peter Navarro tried to unsuccessfully snatch an anti-Trump sign outside a courthouse on Wednesday following a US district judge’s order that he would not be able to use executive privilege as a shield to evade providing testimony and documents to the House Jan 6 Committee.

Maroosha Muzaffar has the story.

Peter Navarro tries and fails to rip up ‘Trump Lost’ sign in press conference

Navarro will stand trial on contempt charges

Thursday 31 August 2023 16:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Trump White House trade advisor Peter Navarro will stand trial next month for allegedly wilfully defying a congressional subpoena after he claimed he was merely following an executive privilege claim from former president Donald Trump.

Judge Amit Mehta said Mr Navarro’s claim to have been instructed by Mr Trump to invoke executive privilege during a 20 February 2022 phone call was not accurate in a ruling delivered aloud from the bench and first reported by Politico.

Read more from Andrew Feinberg in Washington, DC.

Ex-Trump aide Peter Navarro will stand trial on contempt charges

Full story: Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election subversion case

Thursday 31 August 2023 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty in the Georgia election subversion case to charges that he took part in criminal conspiracies in efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state as he attempted to remain in power despite his loss.

The former president entered the plea on Thursday morning, waiving a formal arraignment following the 13 felony counts being filed against him.

Gustaf Kilander has the latest.

Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election subversion case

Chesebro and Powell formally ask for cases to be severed from Trump in Fulton County

Thursday 31 August 2023 16:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Two of Donald Trump’s codefendants in his Georgia election subversion case have asked the judge to sever their trials from the rest of the accused – including the former president.

Lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro have both requested speedy trials in the case.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Two Trump codefendants ask judge to sever their trials from former president

Trump pleads ‘not guilty’ in Fulton County case, waves arraignment

Thursday 31 August 2023 16:07 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has entered a “not guilty” plea in the Fulton County 2020 election interference case in Georgia.

The former president has waived his right to an arraignment which was scheduled for Wednesday 6 September. So far lawyers Ray Smith, Ken Chesebro, and Sidney Powell have also entered pleas and will not appear as scheduled.

The other 15 defendants are yet to enter pleas.

Breaking: Former President Donald Trump waives arraignment and enters a not guilty plea.

His arraignment had originally been scheduled for Wednesday Sept. 6. @ajc pic.twitter.com/rbLu0W1ghX
— Jozsef Papp (@JozsefPapp_) August 31, 2023

This is his fifth arraignment and fifth not-guilty plea. He has shown up in person three times.

By my count… Trump has now been arraigned five times. (Including twice in Florida, with superseding indictment)

Not guilty pleas all five times.

Showed up in person three times to do so
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) August 31, 2023

Who is Vivek Ramaswamy? Highly principled libertarian or ruthlessly ambitious kook?

Thursday 31 August 2023 16:00 , Gustaf Kilander

More than a decade and a half after Vivek Ramaswamy was described as an intense “debater-extraordinaire” in The Harvard Crimson in December 2006, he took centre stage at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee as one of the top two candidates.

Depending on who you ask, the biotech entrepreneur came out of the 23 August showdown as either the winner or the candidate who took the most punches from his more senior colleagues.

Highly principled libertarian or ruthlessly ambitious kook: Who is Vivek Ramaswamy?

If he wins in 2024 election, Trump says he would have ‘no choice’ but to jail his political enemies

Thursday 31 August 2023 15:40 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has made a chilling threat to “lock up” his political enemies if he wins the 2024 presidential race.

In an interview with conservative media personality Glenn Beck on Tuesday, the former president was reminded about his statements during the 2016 race that he would “lock up” Democratic rival Hillary Clinton – but then decided against it when he entered the White House.

“You said in 2016, you know, ‘Lock her up.’ And then when you became president, you said, ‘We don’t do that in America. That’s just not the right thing to do,’” said Mr Beck.

“That’s what they’re doing. Do you regret not locking her up? And if you’re president again, will you lock people up?”

This time round, Mr Trump said that he would have “no choice” but to follow through with his threats.

Trump says he would have ‘no choice’ but to jail rivals if he wins 2024 election

Fulton County to allow cellphones and laptops in court for ‘non-recording purposes’ at Trump trial

Thursday 31 August 2023 15:32 , Oliver O'Connell

The Superior Court of Fulton County will allow the use of cellphones and laptops for non-recording purposes for all parties and spectators for the duration of the State of Georgia v Donald John Trump et al.

Federal courts, take note. This isn't that hard: pic.twitter.com/oA3f3ldZML
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) August 31, 2023

Voices: Mark Meadows’ years of scheming might finally catch up with him

Thursday 31 August 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

Mr Meadows’s attempt to move the case to federal court echoes his entire tenure in Washington. The former congressman, with his ambition often so naked since he rarely cloaked it in humility, often saw himself as a playmaker but wound up having his plans blow up in his face.

Mark Meadows’ years of scheming might finally catch up with him

DA Fani Willis asks judge to advise Fulton County defendants on rights in speedy trial

Thursday 31 August 2023 15:20 , Oliver O'Connell

District Attorney Fani Willis has filed a motion asking Judge Scott McAfee to advise the 19 Fulton County defendants in the election interference case of the impact of a speedy trial demand on their procedural and evidentiary rights ahead of trial.

So far, two defendants — Ken Chesebro and Sidney Powell — have asked for speedy trials. Mr Chesebro has been given a trial date of 23 October and Ms Willis has advised she would like all defendants who request speedy trial to be tried together.

New: Fani Willis files motion asking Judge McAfee to advise Fulton County defendants of the impact of a speedy trial demand on their procedural and evidentiary rights ahead of trial. https://t.co/wja8NRZ4yi pic.twitter.com/tzNo1j44o0
— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) August 31, 2023

NY AG: Trump inflated his net worth by as much as $2.2bn

Thursday 31 August 2023 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Her motion for partial summary judgment estimates that Mr Trump had inflated his net worth by $812m to $2.2bn – roughly 17 to 39 per cent – each year from 2011 to 2021. The $2.2bn estimate came in 2014, according to the recently unsealed filing.

Alex Woodward has been following the case for The Independent.

Trump inflated his net worth by as much as $2.2bn, AG says

Trump attacks DeSantis as Florida governor responds to Hurricane Idalia

Thursday 31 August 2023 14:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Shortly before Governor Ron DeSantis gave his morning update on the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia, which slammed into the western shores of his state on Wednesday morning, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to lash out against him.

He accused the Florida governor of allegedly conspiring with a utility company in exchange for campaign donations and blamed him for the state of the insurance industry in a state blighted by hurricanes, storms, and flooding.

Here’s what the former president wrote:

So now it is learned that Governor Ron DeSanctimonious unnecessarily approved a 20% hike in Florida Electricity Rates, the largest in history (by far!), after taking a 9.5 Million Dollar Campaign Contribution from “money machine” Florida Power and Light, and subsidiaries. Next up to check out is the Insurance Industry, where DeSanctus gave up the store. His campaign and poll numbers have “CRASHED” to a point where it doesn’t much matter anymore, but what a shame for Florida!

After McConnell health issues resurface, Marjorie Taylor Greene attacks aging lawmakers

Thursday 31 August 2023 14:40 , Oliver O'Connell

After Mitch McConnell (R-KY) experienced another episode of suddenly freezing in front of the press, Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) launched an attack on lawmakers who remain in office for years.

Mr McConnell, 81, experienced an episode of “freezing” on Wednesday while answering questions from reporters. When asked if he planned to run for re-election he remained silent for approximately 30 seconds and stood motionless at the podium while noticeably gripping the sides of it.

A similar incident occurred last month which led people to question Mr McConnell’s health and call on lawmakers to enact term limits.

Ariana Baio reports on what Ms Greene had to say.

Marjorie Taylor Greene attacks aging lawmakers after Mitch McConnell freezes again

In just one day Trump posts a staggering 31 videos ranting at political opponents

Thursday 31 August 2023 14:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump on Wednesday went on a ranting spree, where he posted 31 angry videos in five hours targeting an array of people from president Joe Biden to his own attorney-general Bill Barr.

The former president began the series on Truth Social with a 42-second clip of him bragging about leading “with big numbers” in the Republican primary race.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports on what he posted next.

Trump posts a staggering 31 videos ranting at political opponents in one day

Right wing social media accounts ignore Biden plans to mark 9/11 and spin into outrage over supposed snub

Thursday 31 August 2023 14:00 , John Bowden

The right-wing outrage machine spun into action this week amid the realisation that Joe Biden would not be on the east coast for the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, thereby making him the first president to not commemorate the attacks at one of the crash sites.

Mr Biden will, however, be marking the solemn memory of the attack: he is slated to meet with military families and other relatives of victims in Alaska, where the president will be stopping over on his way back from a trip to Asia.

The trip to Asia is no vacation, either; it coincides with the set dates of the G20 summit, scheduled to be held in India from 9 to 10 September. He will also be making a stop in Vietnam to meet with several high-ranking regional officials.

But none of that matters (or was even mentioned) on Twitter, where accounts and persons affiliated with the Trump-aligned right wing of the GOP preferred to imagine the scheduling inconvenience as a malicious effort to insult the families of 9/11 victims and, ultimately, the US itself. Those sharing the news with such editorialising included right-wing commentator Ian Miles Cheong.

“Biden doesn’t care about the victims of 9/11”, Mr Cheong theorised.

Right wing social media spins into outrage over Biden’s 9/11 plans

Ted Cruz called out for pushing fake explanation for Mexico border photo

Thursday 31 August 2023 13:00 , John Bowden

Ted Cruz has just shared his second nonsense conspiracy theory on Twitter in as many weeks.

The Texas senator’s latest fixation for outrage is the US-Mexico border, where Republicans continue to argue that the Biden administration is not doing enough to stop illegal border crossings. Many of those crossings involve persons applying for asylum, which must be done on US soil.

Mr Cruz retweeted an image depicting a section of border fencing with several metal gateways opened, presumably allowing physical passage by any persons in the vicinity. The gates in question are floodgates, built as part of the border fencing under the Trump administration and opened seasonally to allow water to flow through during floods. The Washington Post first reported their existence in 2020.

Ted Cruz called out for pushing fake explanation for Mexico border photo

Special counsel Jack Smith is asking Trump witnesses about Giuliani’s drinking, report says

Thursday 31 August 2023 12:00 , Graeme Massie

Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutors have questioned witnesses about the drinking habits of Donald Trump’s former lawyer Rudy Giuliani, according to a report.

The questioning is an attempt to discover if the former president was knowingly taking legal advice from an inebriated attorney, reported Rolling Stone.

Federal investigators have asked witnesses if the former New York mayor was intoxicated on and after the 2020 election as Mr Trump allegedly tried to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden, sources told the magazine.

Special counsel Jack Smith is asking Trump witnesses about Giuliani’s drinking

Trump threatens to ‘lock up’ rivals if he wins 2024 race

Thursday 31 August 2023 11:37 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has made a chilling threat to “lock up” his political rivals if he wins the 2024 presidential race.

In an interview with conservative media personality Glenn Beck, the former president was reminded about his statements during the 2016 race that he would “lock up” Hillary Clinton – but then decided against it when he entered the White House.

“You said in 2016, you know, ‘Lock her up.’ And then when you became president, you said, ‘We don’t do that in America. That’s just not the right thing to do,’” said Mr Beck.

“That’s what they’re doing. Do you regret not locking her up? And if you’re president again, will you lock people up?”

This time round, Mr Trump said he would have “no choice” but to follow through with his threats.

“Well, I’ll give you an example… The answer is you have no choice, because they’re doing it to us,” he said, adding that he “never hit Biden as hard as I could have”.

He continued: “I always had such great respect for the office of the president and the presidency … And then I heard he was trying to indict me, and it was him that was doing it.”

Video emerges of 18-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy quizzing Al Sharpton over his lack of political experience

Thursday 31 August 2023 11:00 , Gustaf Kilander

A video has emerged on social media of 18-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy quizzing Reverend Al Sharpton over his supposed lack of political experience.

Rev Sharpton appeared on a 2003 episode of Hardball on MSNBC as he was running in the 2004 Democratic primary.

“Last week on the show, we had Senator [John] Kerry and the week before we had Senator [John] Edwards. And my question for you is, of all the Democratic candidates out there, why should I vote for the one with the least political experience?” the then-teenaged Mr Ramaswamy asked at the time.

“Well, you shouldn’t because I have the most political experience,” Rev Sharpton said. “I got involved in the political movement when I was 12 years old. And I’ve been involved in social policy for the last 30 years. So don’t confuse people that have a job with political experience.”

Video emerges of 18-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy quizzing Al Sharpton over experience

Dana Perino, Ilia Calderón, and Stuart Varney to host debate 27 September debate on Fox Business

Thursday 31 August 2023 10:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Stuart Varney and Dana Perino of Fox News Media, as well as Ilia Calderón of Univision, will moderate the second Republican primary debate on 27 September, the networks have announced.

The debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California will be broadcast on Fox Business and Univision.

So far, seven candidates have qualified to take part, including Donald Trump, who has said he won’t appear.

Jesse Watters under fire for saying Trump’s mug shot boosted his popularity among Black Americans

Thursday 31 August 2023 09:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Jesse Watters, the Fox News host who succeeded Tucker Carlson in the network’s primetime evening slot, has again drawn criticism by praising Donald Trump’s recent mug shot, suggesting the image is only likely to increase the disgraced former president’s appeal to America’s Black community.

Mr Watters invited ridicule last week when he reacted to the shot of Mr Trump – taken at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, as he was booked following his fourth criminal indictment in as many months – by declaring: “I say this with an unblemished record of heterosexuality. He looks good and he looks hard.”

He also argued in an opening monologue to his show: “The mug shot turned Trump into a sympathetic character in Black America. Don’t underestimate the power of a famous mug shot.”

Mr Watters cited the case of celebrity homemaker Martha Stewart, who befriended the hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg after being arrested, to support his contention that the notoriety that comes with a criminal case can lead a white felon to be embraced by the Black community.

Fox host under fire for saying Trump’s mug shot will boost appeal to Black Americans

Georgia election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani awarded default judgment in defamation case

Thursday 31 August 2023 08:00 , Alex Woodward

Mr Giuliani repeatedly sought to avoid further scrutiny in the case, and the judge overseeing the case previously reprimanded him for his “seemingly incongruous and certainly puzzling caveats” after he appeared to admit that he made false and defamatory statements about the two women in an effort to dodge the revelation of potentially damning evidence.

“Donning a cloak of victimization may play well on a public stage to certain audiences, but in a court of law this performance has served only to subvert the normal process of discovery,” US District Judge Beryl Howell wrote on 30 August.

Election workers who sued Giuliani awarded default judgment in defamation case

Proud Boys sentencing hearings cancelled ‘due to emergency’

Thursday 31 August 2023 07:00 , Alex Woodward

Federal prison sentencing hearings for former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and prominent member Ethan Nordean have been cancelled due to an unspecified emergency, the US Department of Justice has announced.

It was not immediately clear why the hearings were postponed, though it does not appear to involve the parties.

Tarrio, the former leader of the neo-fascist gang, was scheduled to appear for a sentencing hearing in Washington DC at 10am ET on 30 August after Tarrio and three other members of the group were found guilty of seditious conspiracy earlier this year for their roles in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, among the most serious crimes facing the hundreds of people arrested in connection with the mob’s assault.

Prosecutors are seeking 33 years for Tarrio.

Tarrio, Nordean, Joe Biggs, Dominic Pezzola and Zachary Rehl were also found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding. Four of the men – all but Pezzola – were also found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, civil disorder and destruction of government property.

Proud Boys sentencing hearings cancelled ‘due to emergency’

Ex-Trump aide Navarro will stand trial on contempt charges

Thursday 31 August 2023 06:00 , Andrew Feinberg

Former Trump White House trade advisor Peter Navarro will stand trial next month for allegedly wilfully defying a congressional subpoena after a federal judge in Washington rejected arguments that he was properly following an executive privilege claim from former president Donald Trump.

In a ruling delivered aloud from the bench and first reported by Politico, Judge Amit Mehta said Mr Navarro’s claim to have been instructed by Mr Trump to invoke executive privilege during a 20 February 2022 phone call was not accurate.

Mr Navarro had argued that an assertion of executive privilege by Mr Trump over a subpoena from a House select subcommittee on the coronavirus response also applied to a subpoena he later received from the House January 6 select committee — the compulsory process he is charged with ignoring.

But Judge Mehta noted that binding case law on how to handle executive privilege claims states that such a claim has to be specific and cannot be a blanket assertion made to avoid responding to any questions at all. He also said Mr Navarro would have had to show up for his deposition and make particularised assertions in response to questions.

Ex-Trump aide Peter Navarro will stand trial on contempt charges

Hungary's Orbán urges US to 'call back Trump' to end Ukraine war in Tucker Carlson interview

Thursday 31 August 2023 05:00 , Bela Szandelszky, AP

Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, said in a sprawling interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that the only path to ending the war in Ukraine would be the reelection of Donald Trump to the presidency.

In the interview, posted Wednesday on Carlson’s page on X, formerly known as Twitter, Orbán praised Trump’s foreign policy while blasting the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden and its approach to the war.

He said that Trump’s return to office would be “the only way out” of the conflict, and that any suggestion that Kyiv could win the war against Russia was “a lie.”

“The Russians are far stronger, far more numerous than the Ukrainians,” Orbán said. “Call back Trump. … Trump is the man who can save the Western world.”

Hungary's Orbán urges US to 'call back Trump' to end Ukraine war in Tucker Carlson interview

Trump co-defendant finally posts bond after almost a week in notorious Georgia jail

Thursday 31 August 2023 04:15 , Rachel Sharp

A lone Donald Trump co-defendant who was jailed following his arrest in the Georgia election subversion case has finally posted bond.

Harrison Floyd, who was the director of “Black Voices for Trump” during his 2020 campaign, surrendered to authorities in Fulton County on 24 August where he was arrested for his part in the sweeping 41-count criminal indictment.

Mr Trump and the other dozen defendants who turned themselves in for arrest sailed in and out of the Fulton County Jail quickly after posting bond.

But Mr Floyd wasn’t so lucky.

Unlike the others, the inmate – under booking number 2313818 – did not have a pre-arranged bond, so was held inside the notorious jail until Tuesday, when his $100,000 consent bond order was approved by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee.

He was expected to be released by 9am Wednesday, 11Alive reported.

Trump co-defendant finally posts bond after almost a week in notorious Georgia jail

DeSantis refuses to call out Trump’s silence on Hurricane Idalia

Thursday 31 August 2023 03:30 , Rachel Sharp

Ron DeSantis has refused to call out Donald Trump’s deafening silence over Hurricane Idalia – as the former president stays mum despite being a resident of the Sunshine State.

The Florida governor held an early morning press conference in Tallahassee on Wednesday where he warned residents that the category 4 hurricane would make landfall within around two hours, bringing with it “life-threatening” storm surges to the Big Bend region.

When asked in the briefing to comment on the fact that Mr Trump has not addressed the dangerous storm heading to the state that he calls home, Mr DeSantis quickly dismissed the question.

“Not my concern. My concern is protecting the people of Florida, being ready to go,” he said.

He continued to instead talk about the preparedness of the state for the hurricane: “In Florida, you just have to do this.”

DeSantis refuses to call out Trump’s silence on Hurricane Idalia

Mitch McConnell freezes and appears unresponsive in second press conference incident

Thursday 31 August 2023 02:45 , John Bowden

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell once again froze, appeared unable to speak and did not seem to register that someone was speaking to him in a concerning moment that occurred on Wednesday at a press conference.

Video of the incident emerged Wednesday afternoon after the senator, 81, appeared to trail off in the middle of answering a question about whether he would run for reelection. In the video, an aide approaches him and asks him if he has heard the question while he stares off at the cameras, appearing distant or overwhelmed.

He was then briefly led away, before returning.

“Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today,” said a spokesman for the senator Wednesday afternoon.

An aide to the GOP leader also indicated that Mr McConnell would seek a physician’s counsel before attending another press conference.

Mitch McConnell freezes and appears unresponsive in second press conference incident

Trump could be Republican nominee before voters know if he’ll be convicted

Thursday 31 August 2023 02:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump may be the Republican nominee for president before voters know if he’ll be convicted in any of the legal cases against him.

The New York Times reports that the former president may have the nomination locked down before the party “knows if he’s a felon”.

Mr Trump is displeased that DC federal Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled on the issue of when the trial will take place in the special counsel’s case against him for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

He has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.

The New York Times notes that the Republicans won’t have many choices if Mr Trump is convicted of several felonies.

Trump could be Republican nominee before voters know if he’ll be convicted

Trump considering Ramaswamy for VP but says he’s ‘getting controversial’

Thursday 31 August 2023 01:15 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump is considering Vivek Ramaswamy as a possible choice for running mate, the former president told a conservative TV host.

Mr Trump was speaking to rightwing talk show host Glenn Beck when he made the comments about the tech entrepreneur and author of Woke Inc.

The ex-president said Mr Ramaswamy, 38, could be a “very good” choice for vice president, but warned him that he may need to pull back on some of his more controversial statements.

“He’s a very, very, very intelligent person. He’s got good energy, and he could be some form of something,” Mr Trump said on BlazeTV. “I tell you, I think he’d be very good.”

But he added: “He’s starting to get out there a little bit. He’s getting a little bit controversial”.

Trump considering Ramaswamy for VP but says he’s ‘getting controversial’

White House hits back at claim Biden is too ‘tired’ to attend events before 10am: ‘Ridiculous assumption’

Thursday 31 August 2023 00:30 , Andrew Feinberg

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday pushed back aggressively when asked whether President Joe Biden’s age was causing the White House to delay the start of his daily schedule until closer to noon each day.

Ms Jean-Pierre was asked about claims made in a forthcoming book by journalist Franklin Foer, The Last Politician, about Mr Biden’s age impacting his ability to carry out the public-facing roles of the presidency.

In an excerpt from the book published by The Guardian, Foer writes that Mr Biden’s “advanced years were a hindrance, depriving him of the energy to cast a robust public presence or the ability to easily conjure a name”.

“It was striking that he took so few morning meetings or presided over so few public events before 10am. His public persona reflected physical decline and time’s dulling of mental faculties that no pill or exercise regime can resist ... in private, he would occasionally admit that he felt tired,” Foer adds, though he cites no source for Mr Biden’s alleged statement.

White House hits back at claim Biden is too ‘tired’ to attend events before 10am

VOICES: Why Hurricane Idalia could derail the 2024 campaign

Thursday 31 August 2023 00:00 , Eric Garcia

It’s no secret at this point that Ron DeSantis’s image has taken a hit since he hit his peak in November 2022 after he cruised to a nearly 20-point re-election as Florida governor in an otherwise dim year from Republicans. His lacklustre performance on the presidential campaign trail has led to many people questioning whether he can go the distance against Donald Trump in the GOP presidential primary.

And it looks like he might literally be facing even rougher waters than he already has weathered. This last week, a white gunman killed shot and killed three Black people at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville. In response, Mr DeSantis said that “the shooting, based on the manifesto that they discovered from the scumbag who did this, was racially motivated. He was targeting people based on their race.”

But when he attended a vigil in Jacksonville, a historically Republican city that recently elected a Democratic mayor, the residents of the city were not having it and they heckled the governor.

Why Hurricane Idalia could derail the 2024 campaign

Georgia election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani awarded default judgment in defamation case

Wednesday 30 August 2023 23:30 , Alex Woodward

Donald Trump’s former attorney, who has also been criminally charged in connection with the former president’s attempts to upend the 2020 presidential election, is liable for defamation claims from Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, as well as claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil conspiracy, and punitive damages.

Election workers who sued Giuliani awarded default judgment in defamation case

VIDEO: Former Trump advisor Peter Navarro attempts to snatch 'Trump lost' sign from protester

Wednesday 30 August 2023 23:15 , The Independent

VIDEO: Trump has the moral compass of an 'axe murderer', says former Georgia Republican

Wednesday 30 August 2023 23:00 , The Independent

Trump sends message about Hurricane Idalia after posting 21 ranting videos in an hour

Wednesday 30 August 2023 22:45 , Gustaf Kilander

After posting 21 short video clips to TruthSocial in the span of about an hour on topics ranging from his Tucker Carlson interview to Rupert Murdoch being a globalist, Donald Trump finally sent out a message about Hurricane Idalia this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/ZIg8q9PTfl
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) August 30, 2023

George Conway says justice system is dealing with ‘career criminal who has gone on a crime spree in multiple jurisdictions'

Wednesday 30 August 2023 22:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Coincidences like these tend to occur when the judicial system is dealing with a career criminal who has gone on a crime spree in multiple jurisdictions and remains a threat to the general public. https://t.co/nWaH2r8ySo
— Xeorge Xonway (@gtconway3d) August 30, 2023

Will Donald Trump go to prison?

Wednesday 30 August 2023 22:15 , John Bowden

Donald Trump faces four criminal indictments in three separate jurisdictions. Nearly 100 felony criminal charges are leveled against the former president, who remains the odds-on favourite to win the 2024 Republican primary.

As his legal battles grow more complex by the day, a serious question has emerged: Whether Mr Trump will win the nomination and campaign for the general election as a convicted criminal.

That possibility, in turn, raises another, simpler question: Will the 45th President of the United States go to prison?

Between his 91 felony counts, Mr Trump faces a total of roughly seven centuries in total jail time, spread between dozens of various charges of differing seriousness. Obviously, Mr Trump is not going to be sealed inside a federal penitentiary for all eternity, but the increasingly wide range of actions for which he is now being prosecuted is slowly chipping away at the likelihood that he will evade the inside of a cell forever.

Here, we take a look at the four prosecutions Mr Trump currently faces, and how each affects his chances of campaigning behind bars next year:

Will Donald Trump go to prison?

Co-defendant asks judge to order disclosure of unindicted co-conspirators

Wednesday 30 August 2023 22:07 , Gustaf Kilander

New on the Fulton County docket: Kenneth Chesebro asks Judge McAfee to order disclosure of the identities of unindicted co-conspirators referred to in the indictment that charged Chesebro and 18 others with state crimes in Georgia.https://t.co/py5rrBBtTP
— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) August 30, 2023

Donald Trump makes 50 Truth Social posts in an hour amid legal woes

Wednesday 30 August 2023 22:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Donald Trump made about 50 posts to his Truth Social account on Wednesday morning, mostly about his many legal cases.

“He’s totally not worried and everything is fine,” lawyer Ron Filipkowski wrote on X, previously known as Twitter, sarcastically.

Mitch McConnell’s health struggles back in focus as he suffers second ‘freeze’ on camera

Wednesday 30 August 2023 21:45 , Gustaf Kilander, John Bowden, and Oliver O’Connell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s health struggles are back in focus after he suffered a second “freeze” on camera this summer.

He appeared unable to speak and did not seem to register that someone was speaking to him in a concerning moment that occurred on Wednesday at a press conference in Kentucky.

Video of the incident emerged after the senator, 81, appeared to trail off in the middle of answering a question about whether he would run for re-election. In the video, an aide approaches him and asks him if he has heard the question while he stares off at the cameras, appearing distant or overwhelmed.

He was then briefly led away, before returning.

The incident mirrored a moment that occurred just a few weeks ago in the halls of the US Senate when the GOP leader was led away by his Republican colleagues in the middle of a press conference after appearing unable to speak. In that situation he also returned a few minutes later, assuring reporters gruffly that he was fine.

Mitch McConnell’s health struggles back in focus as he suffers second ‘freeze’

A fourth person has died in a problem-plagued jail in Atlanta over the span of a month

Wednesday 30 August 2023 21:30 , AP

A 34-year-old man who was being held at a problem-plagued jail in Atlanta died after he was taken to a hospital. He was the fourth person to die in Fulton County custody in the span of a month.

A jail officer doing dinner rounds found Samuel Lawrence unresponsive in his cell at about 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday in a news release. Lawrence was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead.

The Fulton County Jail has been in the national spotlight recently. It’s where former President Donald Trump and the 18 people indicted along with him surrendered for booking last week on charges related to an alleged illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation into jail conditions in the county, citing violence, filthy conditions and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects.

A fourth person has died in a problem-plagued jail in Atlanta over the span of a month

VOICES: Mark Meadows’ years of scheming might finally catch up with him

Wednesday 30 August 2023 21:15 , Eric Garcia

In 2019, Michael Cohen testified before the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee as he was beginning his heel turn against former president Donald Trump. In response, then-congressman Mark Meadows brought Lynne Patton, a longtime aide to the Trump family, who was African-American, as a means to show the then-president was not racist.

When Rep Rashida Tlaib said Mr Meadows was using Ms Patton “as a prop” and called the act “alone racist in itself,” Mr Meadows took exception. The committee’s chairman, the late Elijah Cummings, noted he was friends with Mr Meadows and Mr Meadows and Ms Tlaib later hugged it out. It showed how Mr Meadows operated; through a combination of naked ambition, trying to play all sides and thinking of himself as clever when most saw him as scheming.

Now, Mr Meadows’ attempts might finally be catching up with him in Fulton County, Georgia, where he, Mr Trump and 17 other allies have been indicted for their sprawling attempt to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.

For years, Mr Meadows saw himself as a three-dimensional chess player, something he tried to do as Mr Trump’s chief of staff. He has once again tried a cleverly executed move in his attempt to move the case out of Fulton County to be heard in a federal court.

Mark Meadows’ years of scheming might finally catch up with him

Jan 6 rioter held in criminal contempt after saying he was ‘very comfy’ in senator’s chair during insurrection

Wednesday 30 August 2023 21:00 , Kelly Rissman

A January 6 rioter told a judge that he “felt very comfy” sitting in a senator’s seat during the Capitol insurrection – before he was later held in criminal contempt of court and sentenced to five months in prison.

Brandon Fellows has been charged with entering a restricted building or grounds and violent entry or disorderly conduct over his part in the January 6 2021 riot.

As his trial drew to a close on Tuesday, Mr Fellows took the stand and was asked by the judge about the moment he plopped himself at the desk seat of Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley.

“I didn’t know it was a senator’s desk. It felt very comfy,” Mr Fellows reportedly told US District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Donald Trump appointee.

“We had to take the election back. It was stolen,” he added.

Jan 6 rioter says he was ‘very comfy’ in senator’s chair during insurrection

Who is Enrique Tarrio? Ex-Proud Boys leader faces longest prison sentence yet for January 6

Wednesday 30 August 2023 20:30 , Alex Woodward

Two days before a mob of Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol, the now-former leader of a neo-fascist gang was arrested in Washington DC shortly after stepping off a plane from Miami.

Enrique Tarrio was wanted by police after he admitted to tearing down and burning a Black Lives Matter flag outside a historically Black church in the nation’s capital during December riots connected to a protest supporting then-President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

On 6 January, 2021, Tarrio watched the insurrection unfold from a hotel in Baltimore.

Before his arrest two days earlier, Tarrio wrote to his lieutenant: “Whatever happens … make it a spectacle.”

Tarrio is now among four members of the self-described “Western chauvinist” gang facing decades in prison after they were found guilty in May of seditious conspiracy and other charges in connection with the mob’s assault. Tarrio’s verdict marked the first successful seditious conspiracy conviction against a January 6 defendant who was not physically at the Capitol that day.

Who is Enrique Tarrio? Ex-Proud Boys leader faces longest January 6 prison sentence

Highly principled libertarian or ruthlessly ambitious kook: Who is the GOP’s new darling, Vivek Ramaswamy?

Wednesday 30 August 2023 20:00 , Gustaf Kilander

More than a decade and a half after Vivek Ramaswamy was described as an intense “debater-extraordinaire” in The Harvard Crimson in December 2006, he took centre stage at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee as one of the top two candidates.

Depending on who you ask, the biotech entrepreneur came out of the 23 August showdown as either the winner or the candidate who took the most punches from his more senior colleagues.

For part of his undergraduate career, Mr Ramaswamy headed the Harvard Political Union, a role in which he was referred to as simply “The Chairman”. In a moment of foresight, Mr Ramaswamy told The Crimson that “I consider myself a contrarian. I like to argue.”

“Harvard teaches you to be a better questioner… you can be heard even if you aren’t in the mainstream,” he told the school paper.

During the debate on 23 August, former Vice President Mike Pence attacked his age and inexperience, and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, clearly frustrated at his lack of foreign policy knowledge, ranted at him about his policy of cutting aid to Ukraine and handing over large swathes of land to Russia.

Highly principled libertarian or ruthlessly ambitious kook: Who is Vivek Ramaswamy?

Marjorie Taylor Greene unexpectedly joins Democrats in call for cameras in federal court

Wednesday 30 August 2023 19:30 , Kelly Rissman

In a surprise move, Georgia Republican Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene agreed with Democrats in saying that cameras should be allowed in federal courtrooms.

“We need public cameras in federal courtrooms,” Ms Greene tweeted on Tuesday. “A man plead (sic) guilty to planning to murder me and was only sentenced 3 months! BLM rioters attacked police night after night all summer in 2020 and over 95% of them had their charges dropped! America needs to see what’s happening!!”

Although the Georgia Republican did not allude to former President Donald Trump, Democrats have been making the case for federal courtrooms to be televised in at least one of Mr Trump’s federal proceedings. He has been indicted federally twice: one related to his handling of classified documents and one related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Marjorie Taylor Greene unexpectedly joins Democrats’ call for federal court cameras

Right wing social media accounts ignore Biden plans to mark 9/11 and spin into outrage over supposed snub

Wednesday 30 August 2023 19:00 , John Bowden

“Biden doesn’t care about the victims of 9/11”, Mr Cheong theorised.

Right wing social media spins into outrage over Biden’s 9/11 plans

Ted Cruz called out for pushing fake explanation for Mexico border photo

Wednesday 30 August 2023 18:30 , John Bowden

Ted Cruz has just shared his second nonsense conspiracy theory on Twitter in as many weeks.

Ted Cruz called out for pushing fake explanation for Mexico border photo

Special counsel Jack Smith is asking Trump witnesses about Giuliani’s drinking, report says

Wednesday 30 August 2023 18:00 , Graeme Massie

Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutors have questioned witnesses about the drinking habits of Donald Trump’s former lawyer Rudy Giuliani, according to a report.

The questioning is an attempt to discover if the former president was knowingly taking legal advice from an inebriated attorney, reported Rolling Stone.

Special counsel Jack Smith is asking Trump witnesses about Giuliani’s drinking

Video emerges of 18-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy quizzing Al Sharpton over his lack of political experience

Wednesday 30 August 2023 17:30 , Gustaf Kilander

A video has emerged on social media of 18-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy quizzing Reverend Al Sharpton over his supposed lack of political experience.

Rev Sharpton appeared on a 2003 episode of Hardball on MSNBC as he was running in the 2004 Democratic primary.

Video emerges of 18-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy quizzing Al Sharpton over experience

Dana Perino, Ilia Calderón, and Stuart Varney to host debate 27 September debate on Fox Business

Wednesday 30 August 2023 17:21 , Gustaf Kilander

Stuart Varney and Dana Perino of Fox News Media, as well as Ilia Calderón of Univision, will moderate the second Republican primary debate on 27 September, the networks have announced.

The debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California will be broadcast on Fox Business and Univision.

So far, seven candidates have qualified to take part, including Donald Trump, who has said he won’t appear.

‘Donald Trump’s army’: Proud Boys members face decades in prison for January 6 sedition

Wednesday 30 August 2023 17:00 , Alex Woodward

Aformer ringleader and three members of a neo-fascist gang that one member called the “foot soldiers for the right” were convicted on treason-related charges for plotting to unleash a violent assault in the halls of Congress.

More than two years after the attack, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and four other men connected to the far-right group – known for their black-and-yellow outfits – appeared in a federal courtroom in prison-orange jumpsuits to face what could be the longest sentences yet in connection with the violent siege.

On 4 May, following a four-month trial and six days of jury deliberation, Tarrio and three of four other Proud Boys associates on trial alongside him were found guilty of seditious conspiracy, among other charges.

Proud Boys members face decades in prison for January 6 sedition

Jesse Watters under fire for saying Trump’s mug shot boosted his popularity among Black Americans

Wednesday 30 August 2023 16:30 , Joe Sommerlad

He also argued in an opening monologue to his show: “The mug shot turned Trump into a sympathetic character in Black America. Don’t underestimate the power of a famous mug shot.”

Fox host under fire for saying Trump’s mug shot will boost appeal to Black Americans

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website

Key Points

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Raskin pushes to revive probe into Jared Kushner’s foreign cash

Did Trump codefendant just confess? John Eastman makes shock admission in Fox News interview

Anti-Trump Republican group erects huge billboard in Times Square reeling off ex-president's criminal charges

Trump co-defendant Harrison Floyd claims indictment was because he’s Black

Full story: Trump’s Georgia election interference trial will be televised and live streamed, judge decides

Jan 6 rioter’s trial jurors ask whether he has access to their personal details

Trump very late night/early morning Truth Social rant

Bill Barr slams Trump’s claims that his arrests are election interference: ‘Simply wrong’

Full story: Proud Boy Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in prison for Jan 6 seditious conspiracy

When is Trump on trial? Here are all the court dates

Fani Willis: The Georgia prosecutor who could take down Trump

Gov Brian Kemp rejects MAGA push to impeach DA Fani Willis for Trump indictment

Is Trump likely to go to prison?

Election workers get threats, warnings they'll be lynched, US government says

Explained: Trump’s criminal charges and lawsuits - and where they stand

Trump’s Georgia trial to be televised

Recap: Trump wants to sever his own Georgia election fraud case from speedy trial co-defendants

NY AG: Trump inflated his net worth by as much as $2.2bn

Recap: Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election subversion case

Voices: Republicans forced to contemplate a Senate without Mitch McConnell

Why is Biden taking the short stairs on Air Force One?

Breaking: Inmate killed in ‘ongoing mass stabbing’ at Georgia jail where Trump had mug shot taken

Breaking: Philadelphia Proud Boys leader sentenced to 15 years in prison for Jan 6 crimes

Trump video about ‘Covid tyrants’ gets brutal fact check on X

Full story: Senate’s doctor gives McConnell clean bill of health after latest ‘freezing’ scare

This afternoon on Truth Social (so far)

Harrison Floyd claims he was indicted in Georgia as Trump co-defendant because he’s Black

Today on ‘Geraldo’: Trump made me dump HIM!

GOP senators consider extra leadership meeting after McConnell’s second freeze, report says

Raskin pushes to revive probe into Jared Kushner’s foreign cash

Voices: What would Trump’s TV trial have looked like?

Election workers get threats, warnings they'll be lynched, US government says

When is Trump on trial? All the court dates you need to know...

Biden spoke with McConnell after second ‘freeze’ as Capitol physician clears him for duties

Full story: Trump moves to sever his own Georgia election fraud case from co-defendants seeking speedy trial

Trump has the values of an axe murderer, says former GOP official

Trump formally moves to sever Georgia racketeering case from other defendants seeking a speedy trial

Trump codefendants ask for trials to be severed from former president

OK, but is Trump going to prison?

Can Trump still run for president after four indictments?

Georgia Gov Brian Kemp rejects MAGA push to impeach Fani Willis over Trump indictment

Years after sex conviction, Epstein held meetings with Trump associates before 2016 election

Breaking: Proud Boy Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in prison for Jan 6 seditious conspiracy

Ted Cruz mocked for ‘phony’ beer stunt amid false claims Biden pushing new prohibition

ICYMI: Georgia election workers who sued Giuliani awarded default judgment in defamation case

Navarro tries and fails to rip up ‘Trump Lost’ sign at awkward press conference

Navarro will stand trial on contempt charges

Full story: Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election subversion case

Chesebro and Powell formally ask for cases to be severed from Trump in Fulton County

Trump pleads ‘not guilty’ in Fulton County case, waves arraignment

Who is Vivek Ramaswamy? Highly principled libertarian or ruthlessly ambitious kook?

If he wins in 2024 election, Trump says he would have ‘no choice’ but to jail his political enemies

Fulton County to allow cellphones and laptops in court for ‘non-recording purposes’ at Trump trial

Voices: Mark Meadows’ years of scheming might finally catch up with him

DA Fani Willis asks judge to advise Fulton County defendants on rights in speedy trial

NY AG: Trump inflated his net worth by as much as $2.2bn

Trump attacks DeSantis as Florida governor responds to Hurricane Idalia

After McConnell health issues resurface, Marjorie Taylor Greene attacks aging lawmakers

In just one day Trump posts a staggering 31 videos ranting at political opponents

Right wing social media accounts ignore Biden plans to mark 9/11 and spin into outrage over supposed snub

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Ted Cruz called out for pushing fake explanation for Mexico border photo

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Georgia election workers who sued Rudy Giuliani awarded default judgment in defamation case

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Proud Boys sentencing hearings cancelled ‘due to emergency’

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Ex-Trump aide Navarro will stand trial on contempt charges

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Hungary's Orbán urges US to 'call back Trump' to end Ukraine war in Tucker Carlson interview