Trump news - live: Trump defames E Jean Carroll again ahead of court appearance in hush money case

Donald Trump will appear in court by video today for the second time after he became the first US president in American history arrested and charged with a crime.

The former president will appear virtually in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday afternoon so that Judge Juan Merchan can make sure he understands the terms of the protective order in the case.

The judge imposed the order after Mr Trump took aim at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Judge Merchan himself on social media as he was charged with 34 felonies for falsifying business records while making hush money payments to cover up alleged affairs with women.

Mr Trump’s other legal troubles are also heating up. On Monday, author E Jean Carroll amended her remaining defamation lawsuit against Mr Trump to include the derogatory remark he made about her at a CNN town hall.

Attorney Roberta Kaplan filed a proposed update to the $10m Manhattan civil court complaint to include the comments which were made by Mr Trump after he was found liable for the sexual abuse and defamation of Ms Carroll by jury trial in New York.

The former president responded by defaming her again on Truth Social.

Key points

• Trump to appear in court virtually today in criminal case

• Trump Organization ordered to hand over foreign deal records in classified documents probe

• E Jean Carroll moves to amend defamation case against Trump to include CNN town hall insults

• Trump’s media company sues Washington Post for $3.78bn

• Trump lawyer exits legal team as Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe heats up

• Trump posts another tirade against E Jean Carroll as she seeks further damages

In pictures: Trump appears in court by video link

20:18 , Oliver O'Connell

CNN: Ratings plummet in fallout from much-maligned Trump town hall

20:05 , Oliver O'Connell

CNN‘s ratings appear to have taken a hit in the wake of its much-maligned town hall featuring former President Donald Trump.

More than a week after the controversial television spectacle, the network weathered its lowest-rated week since June 2015, according to The Daily Beast.

Graig Graziosi has the details.

CNN ratings plummet after much-maligned Trump town hall

Full story: Trump appears virtually in Manhattan criminal court

19:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump appeared virtually in Manhattan criminal court on 23 May for the first time since he was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Judge Juan Merchan is disclosing the terms of a protective order that prohibits the former president from publicly discussing evidence in the case after prosecutors with the New York District Attorney’s office share information with Mr Trump’s legal team in a case stemming from hush money payments during his 2016 campaign.

A trial is set to begin on 25 March, 2024, days after voting begins in Republican presidental primaries as Mr Trump once again seeks the GOP nomination.

Alex Woodward has the latest.

Trump appears virtually in Manhattan court for first time since felony charges

Judge Merchan sets date for Trump’s criminal trial

19:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Juan Merchan has set the date for former president Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York — 25 March 2024.

Jury selection will commence on that day and Judge Merchan says that parties, including Mr Trump, are directed to not enter any commitments from then until the trial is completed. He will likely be in the midst of his campaign for reelection.

19:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Judge Merchan explains the main reason for the hearing is to explain the protective order surrounding the case against Mr Trump. He asks if Mr Blanche has reviewed it with his client and he replies that he has.

Asked if there is anything that was not understood, Mr Blanche responds that their existing objections remain.

“He believes his First Amendment rights are being violated. He is running for President and is the leading contender.”

Judge Merchan says he does not mean to impede Mr Trump’s ability to campaign.

Trump hearing gets underway

19:17 , Oliver O'Connell

The Manhattan Criminal Court hearing of New York State v Donald Trump is getting underway with Judge Juan Merchan presiding.

Former president Donald Trump is on screen with two American flags behind him, he is seated next to Todd Blanche, his attorney.

Trump slams Fox News’ Laura Ingraham over ‘hit piece’

19:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has lashed out at his longtime booster and Fox News host Laura Ingraham after she reported on polls suggesting the former president’s Republican rival would be a better match to take back the White House in 2024.

Graig Graziosi has the details.

Trump slams Fox News’ Laura Ingraham over ‘hit piece’ praising DeSantis

What to expect in court this afternoon

18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump will make a virtual appearance in court today for the second hearing in his landmark criminal hush money case – so that a New York judge can warn him about posting evidence on social media.

The former president will appear via video in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday afternoon where Judge Juan Merchan can make sure he understands the terms of the protective order issued in the case.

The judge imposed the order after Mr Trump took aim at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Judge Merchan himself after being charged with 34 felonies for falsifying business records during the 2016 race for the White House.

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Trump to face court in hush money case for warning about Truth Social rants

In-fighting among former president’s legal team

18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

An attorney working Donald Trump’s legal team has quit, citing in-fighting among the former president’s inner circle.

Timothy Parlatore left his role this week, according to The New York Times, after working for Mr Trump for at least a year.

In an interview with CNN on Saturday, Mr Parlatore explained that the reason for his departure was ongoing friction with Boris Epshteyn, another legal adviser to Mr Trump.

John Bowden filed this report from Washington, DC.

Ex-Trump lawyer reveals in-fighting among former president’s legal team

Trump launches bizarre jealous rant at Dominion payout

18:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Another bizarre post from the former president on Truth Social, again portraying himself as the victim while expressing jealousy at the Fox News settlement with Dominion Voting Systems.

He wrote:

So Dominion gets almost a Billion Dollars and I, after years of Fake News, Hoaxes, Scams, and Investigations, am entitled to NOTHING? Is that really the way it’s supposed to work? I don’t think so!

Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The company behind Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform has filed a $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against the Washington Post.

The lawsuit, filed by Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (TMTG) in Florida’s Sarasota County, claims that a 13 May article that alleged the company may have committed securities fraud was false and defamatory, and posed an “existential threat”.

Bevan Hurley reports.

Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

Trump welcomes Scott to 2024 race (while bashing DeSantis)

17:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump took yet another swing at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as he welcomed South Carolina Senator Tim Scott to the Republican presidential race.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Trump slams DeSantis as he welcomes Tim Scott to presidential race

Classified documents probe: Trump Organization ordered to hand over foreign real estate deal records

17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Trump Organization has been ordered to hand over records related to foreign real estate deals made since Donald Trump entered the White House – as the investigation into the former president’s handling of classified documents continues to heat up.

Two sources told the New York Times that Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office has subpoenaed the business empire for documents on real estate licensing and development dealings made in seven countries since he was sworn into office in 2017.

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Trump Organization subpoenaed over foreign deals in classified documents probe

How the Trump’s sex abuse verdict is paving the way for more women to hold powerful men to account

16:45 , Oliver O'Connell

An ex-president, a disgraced comedian, a world heavyweight boxing champion, a deceased music mogul and a former New York City mayor.

In the six months since New York passed the Adult Survivors Act, which removed the statute of limitations for certain sexual misconduct, powerful men from the worlds of politics, business, entertainment and sport have had to answer their accusers in civil court.

Bevan Hurley reports.

Donald Trump and the powerful men finally being forced to face sexual abuse accusers

Trump defames E Jean Carroll yet again

16:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump launched a fresh defamatory attack on E Jean Carroll hours after her lawyers formally asked to amend her remaining defamation lawsuit against the ex-president to include his smears at a CNN town hall.

Ms Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan filed a proposed update to the $10m Manhattan civil court complaint on Monday to include comments made by Mr Trump after he was found liable for the sexual assault and defamation at a jury trial in New York.

Mr Trump made a perhaps unsurprising move in response, delivering a new compounded salvo via Truth Social on Tuesday morning.

Read more...

Trump defames E Jean Carroll yet again after she sues him over CNN town hall insults

This afternoon: Trump to face court again in hush money case

15:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump will make a virtual appearance in court today for the second hearing in his landmark criminal hush money case – so that a New York judge can warn him about posting evidence on social media.

The former president will appear via video in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday afternoon where Judge Juan Merchan can make sure he understands the terms of the protective order issued in the case.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Trump to face court in hush money case for warning about Truth Social rants

Judge dismisses Kari Lake’s final claim in election loss for Arizona governor

15:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A judge on Monday dismissed the only remaining legal claim in Republican Kari Lake’s challenge of her loss in last year’s race for Arizona governor, affirming the election of Democrat Katie Hobbs.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter A Thompson said Lake failed to prove her claim that Maricopa County did not verify signatures on mail ballots as required by law.

Lake was among the most vocal of last year’s Republican candidates promoting former President Donald Trump’s election lies, which she made the centrepiece of her campaign. She has built a loyal following among Trump supporters and is openly considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Kyrsten Sinema, an independent and former Democrat. Lake is also often mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick for Trump.

While most other election deniers around the country conceded after losing their races in November, Lake did not. She has touted her legal battle in fundraising appeals and speeches around the country.

Lake did not immediately comment on the ruling.

AP

Judge dismisses Kari Lake's final claim in election loss for Arizona governor

Trump begins day with another tirade against E Jean Carroll as she seeks further damages

14:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has begun his day with another Truth Social tirade against E Jean Carroll, just two weeks after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse against her.

Ms Carroll is now seeking to amend an outstanding suit against the former president to include his further defamatory statements against her that he made the day after the verdict on a live CNN town hall.

This morning, he wrote:

I don’t know E. Jean Carroll, I never met her or touched her (except on a celebrity line with her African American husband who she disgustingly called the “Ape,”), I wouldn’t want to know or touch her, I never abused her or raped her or took her to a dressing room 25 years ago in a crowded department store where the doors are LOCKED, she has no idea when, or did anything else to her, except deny her Fake, Made Up Story, that she wrote in a book. IT NEVER HAPPENED, IS A TOTAL SCAM, UNFAIR TRIAL!

He then followed up that post with:

Page 2: The Carroll case is part of the Democrats playbook to tarnish my name and person, much like the now fully debunked Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, the 51 Intelligence Agents, FBI/Twitter Files, and so much more. It is being funded and tried by Democrat operatives, although this was denied by them, and when they got caught in the lie, the Clinton appointed judge would not let us use it in trial. Time will prove him to be highly partisan & very unfair. Where’s the dress she said she had?

Here’s the full story:

E Jean Carroll sues Trump over CNN town hall insults

Trump’s White House lawyer predicts ex-president will end up in jail as Mar-a-Lago probe heats up

14:15 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump’s former attorney has boldly predicted that the former president is going to jail as the criminal investigation into the trove of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago continues to heat up.

Ty Cobb, who worked as a White House attorney for the Trump administration from July 2017 to May 2018, told CNN that he believes the evidence against Mr Trump will lead to a conviction and prison time.

“I wouldn’t necessarily expand the case to try to prove the Espionage Act piece of it because there is so much evidence of guilty knowledge on the espionage piece that all they really have to do is show that Trump moved these documents at various times when DOJ was either demanding them or actually present, that he filed falsely with the Justice Department, had his lawyers file falsely with the Justice Department and affidavit to the effect that none existed, which was shattered by the documents they discovered after the search and the many other misrepresentations that he and others have made on his behalf with regard to his possession of classified documents,” he said.

“Yes, I do think he will go to jail on it.”

Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

13:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The company behind Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform has filed a $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against the Washington Post.

The lawsuit, filed by Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (TMTG) in Florida’s Sarasota County, claims that a 13 May article that alleged the company may have committed securities fraud was false and defamatory, and posed an “existential threat”.

Bevan Hurley has the details.

Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

ICYMI: Trump alleges FBI offered $1m to frame him

13:30 , Shweta Sharma

Former president Donald Trump claimed on Sunday night that the FBI offered former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele $1m to frame him.

The jaw-dropping allegation comes after the publication of the Durham report which found that the FBI improperly rushed into its investigation of allegations of collusion between Russia and Mr Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

“The FBI offered Christopher Steele One Million Dollars in order to FRAME me. Why aren’t all of the so called Special “Prosecutors,” together with their bosses at the DOJ, doing something about this. Why aren’t people under arrest,” he said on Truth Social.

“They spied on my campaign, and bribed people all over the place, and then go after ME. The people of our once great Country won’t stand for it. How much more can they take, as the USA goes to HELL? MAGA!!!”

Mar-a-Lago documents: Damning new evidence spells trouble for Trump

13:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be hotting up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he shouldn’t have taken classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing that it had found 16 presidential records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was in the White House.

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Damning evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Trump plays victim card, whines about ‘weaponisation of justice’

12:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has again complained that he is the “victim” of what Republicans baselessly claim is the “weaponisation” of the federal government.

The one-term president made the remark in response to the Jim Jordan-led House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing on Thursday.

Graeme Massie reports.

Trump whines that he is a ‘victim’ of ‘weaponisation of justice’

Trump to make virtual appearance in hush money case – so judge can warn him about Truth Social ranting

12:15 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump will make a virtual appearance in court today for the second hearing in his landmark criminal case – so that a New York judge can warn him about posting evidence on social media.

The former president will appear via video in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday afternoon where Judge Juan Merchan can make sure he understands the terms of the protective order issued in the case.

The judge imposed the order after Mr Trump took aim at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Judge Merchan himself after being charged with 34 felonies for falsifying business records during the 2016 race for the White House.

Read the story here:

Trump to make virtual appearance in hush money case – for warning about online rants

Trump wishes good luck to Senator Tim Scott as he enters GOP primary race

12:00 , Shweta Sharma

Former president Donald Trump has wished senator Tim Scott good luck as he enters the Republican primary race saying he is “a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable”.

Here’s the full post from Truth Social:

Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race. It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!

Trump Organization ordered to hand over foreign real estate deal records as part of classified documents probe

11:49 , Rachel Sharp

The Trump Organization has been ordered to hand over records related to foreign real estate deals made since Donald Trump entered the White House – as the investigation into the former president’s handling of classified documents continues to heat up.

Two sources toldThe New York Times that Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office has subpoenaed the business empire for documents on real estate licensing and development dealings made in seven countries since he was sworn into office in 2017.

The countries are: China, France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.

Read the full story:

Trump Organization subpoenaed over foreign deals in classified documents probe

Trump’s White House lawyer predicts ex-president will end up in jail

11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s former attorney has boldly predicted that the former president is going to jail as the criminal investigation into the trove of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago continues to heat up.

Ty Cobb, who worked as a White House attorney for the Trump administration from July 2017 to May 2018, told CNN that he believes the evidence against Mr Trump will lead to a conviction and prison time.

Rachel Sharp has the story.

Trump’s White House lawyer predicts he’ll end up in jail as Mar-a-Lago probe heats up

Trump to appear in court virtually today in criminal case

11:05 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump will appear in court by video today for his second hearing in his criminal case after he became the first US president in American history arrested and charged with a crime.

The former president will appear virtually in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday afternoon so that Judge Juan Merchan can make sure he understands the terms of the protective order in the case.

The judge imposed the order after Mr Trump took aim at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Judge Merchan himself as he was charged with 34 felonies for falsifying business records while making hush money payments to cover up alleged affairs with women.

A timeline of Donald Trump’s rivalry with Ron DeSantis

10:45 , Shweta Sharma

No one will be watching more keenly than Donald Trump this week as Florida governor Ron DeSantis finally makes the long-awaited announcement that he will seek the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2024.

During his own tenure in the White House in 2018, Mr Trump loudly cheered Mr DeSantis’s bid for the governor’s mansion, throwing his weight behind the former congressman and appearing at rallies to stump for him, playing an important role in the candidate’s narrow defeat of Democratic rival and Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum.

Since then, however, a great deal of water has passed beneath the bridge and the two men are now increasingly antagonistic towards each other.

A timeline of Donald Trump’s rivalry with Ron DeSantis

Trump slams Fox News' Laura Ingraham over 'hit piece' saying DeSantis would do better against Biden than him

10:30 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has lashed out at Fox News’ Laura Ingraham over a so-called “hit piece” in which she said that Ron DeSantis has a better chance of taking on President Joe Biden in the 2024 race than him.

“Laura Ingraham on FoxNews just did a hit piece on me (there go her ratings!) showing some polls which indicate that Ron DeSanctimonious may do better against Biden than I would, when actually polls show that I do MUCH better against Biden than ‘Rob,’” he wrote on Truth Social on Monday night.

“The poll your looking at now, which has me doing far better against Crooked Joe, was just put out by FOX, I am sure unhappily. I’m also leading DeSanctus by over 40 points in Primary Voting.”

In-fighting among former president’s legal team revealed

10:15 , Oliver O'Connell

An attorney working Donald Trump’s legal team has quit, citing in-fighting among the former president’s inner circle.

Timothy Parlatore left his role this week, according to The New York Times, after working for Mr Trump for at least a year.

In an interview with CNN on Saturday, Mr Parlatore explained that the reason for his departure was ongoing friction with Boris Epshteyn, another legal adviser to Mr Trump.

John Bowden reports.

Ex-Trump lawyer reveals in-fighting among former president’s legal team

Lauren Boebert denies rumours of romance with MAGA country star after shock divorce

09:30 , Shweta Sharma

Lauren Boebert hit out at unsubstantiated claims that she was in a romantic relationship with a pro-Trump country singer following her divorce from her longtime husband.

The hard-right congresswoman told The Daily Beast that there was “absolutely nothing romantic” between her and Christian strummer Sean Feucht, nor had there ever been.

“How can I be with a man with better hair than me?” she quipped, referring to Mr Feucht’s chest-length mane of blond curls.

For his part, Mr Feucht called the claims “false and defamatory”, threatening to sue anyone making the accusation.

Lauren Boebert denies rumours of romance with MAGA country star after shock divorce

Trump bashes DeSantis as he shares surprisingly positive response to Scott

08:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump took yet another swing at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as he welcomed South Carolina Senator Tim Scott to the Republican presidential race.

“Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race,” the former president wrote on Truth Social on Monday morning. “It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!”

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Trump slams DeSantis as he welcomes Tim Scott to presidential race

Donald Trump to appear by video as judge reinforces ban on attacking witnesses

08:00 , Shweta Sharma

Donald Trump will not have to show up in court for a hearing at a Manhattan courthouse to bar him from using evidence to attack witnesses.

He will instead appear through a video link, with his face beaming onto courtroom TV monitors. However, his lawyers and prosecutors will still appear in person.

Judge Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to the extra step of personally instructing Mr Trump on the restrictions after listing them on 8 May in what’s known as a protective order.

Mr Trump is allowed to speak publicly about the case, but he risks being held in contempt if he uses evidence turned over by prosecutors in the pretrial discovery process to target witnesses or others involved.

The protective order bars the former president and his lawyers from disseminating evidence to third parties or posting it to social media, and it requires that certain, sensitive material shared by prosecutors be kept only by Mr Trump‘s lawyers, not Mr Trump himself.

Prosecutors sought the order soon after Mr Trump‘s arrest, citing what they say is his history of making “harassing, embarrassing, and threatening statements” about people he’s tangled with in legal disputes.

Judge dismisses Kari Lake's final claim in election loss for Arizona governor

07:30 , Shweta Sharma

A judge on Monday dismissed the only remaining legal claim in Republican Kari Lake’s challenge of her loss in last year’s race for Arizona governor, affirming the election of Democrat Katie Hobbs.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter A Thompson said Ms Lake failed to prove her claim that Maricopa County did not verify signatures on mail ballots as required by law.

“The evidence the Court received does not support Plaintiff’s remaining claim,” he wrote.

While most other election deniers around the country conceded after losing their races in November, Ms Lake did not. She has touted her legal battle in fundraising appeals and speeches around the country.

Ms Lake did not immediately comment on the ruling.

Haley v Scott: From South Carolina allies to 2024 rivals

06:45 , Oliver O'Connell

As the GOP field begins to take shape, the Haley-Scott faceoff is putting some of their mutual supporters in the critical early voting state of South Carolina in a conundrum as they weigh which candidate to support.

Read more...

Haley vs. Scott: From South Carolina allies to 2024 rivals

Prosecutor suggests any indictments in Trump election investigation would likely come in August

06:15 , Shweta Sharma

The Georgia prosecutor investigating whether former president Donald Trump and his allies broke the law while trying to overturn his 2020 election in Georgia is seemingly hinting that any grand jury indictments in the case would likely come in August.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sent a letter on Thursday to other Fulton County judges indicating that she plans to have much of her staff work remotely during the first three weeks of August.

In the letter, Ms Willis asked that judges not schedule trials and in-person hearings during part of that time.

“Thank you for your consideration and assistance in keeping the Fulton County Judicial Complex safe during this time,” Willis wrote in the letter, first reported by The New York Times.

The Georgia investigation is one of several that threatens his campaign for 2024 president.

Hillary Clinton says ‘people have the right to consider Biden’s age’

05:30 , Shweta Sharma

Former first lady Hillary Clinton said that Joe Biden has a “good record” as president but the “people still have the right to consider” his age as he is running for another term in office.

She was asked about the moment when Mr Biden almost tripped while walking down the stairs during the G7 summit meeting in Hiroshima, Japan.

“Well, I mean, it’s a concern for anyone. And we’ve had presidents who’ve fallen before who are a lot younger, and people didn’t go into heart palpitations,” Ms Clinton said at the Financial Times Weekend Festival in Washington.

“But his age is an issue. And people have every right to consider it.”

“And I am of the camp that I think he’s determined to run. He has a good record that three years ago people would not have predicted would have gotten done,” Ms Clinton added.

Tim Scott launches 2024 bid for Republican nomination

04:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Sen Tim Scott (R - South Carolina), the sole Black Republican in the United States Senate, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president, joining a crowded field.

Tim Scott launches 2024 bid: ‘America is not a nation in decline’

Trump v DeSantis: A timeline of their growing rivalry

03:15 , Oliver O'Connell

No one will be watching more keenly than Donald Trump this week as Florida governor Ron DeSantis finally makes the long-awaited announcement that he will seek the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2024.

During his own tenure in the White House in 2018, Mr Trump loudly cheered Mr DeSantis’s bid for the governor’s mansion, throwing his weight behind the former congressman and appearing at rallies to stump for him, playing an important role in the candidate’s narrow defeat of Democratic rival and Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum.

Since then, however, a great deal of water has passed beneath the bridge and the two men are now increasingly antagonistic towards each other.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

A timeline of Donald Trump’s rivalry with Ron DeSantis

Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

02:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The company behind Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform has filed a $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against the Washington Post.

The lawsuit, filed by Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (TMTG) in Florida’s Sarasota County, claims that a 13 May article that alleged the company may have committed securities fraud was false and defamatory, and posed an “existential threat”.

Read on...

Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

From Trump to Tyson: The powerful men finally being held to account by sexual assault accusers

01:15 , Oliver O'Connell

An ex-president, a disgraced comedian, a world heavyweight boxing champion, a deceased music mogul and a former New York City mayor.

In the six months since New York passed the Adult Survivors Act, which removed the statute of limitations for certain sexual misconduct, powerful men from the worlds of politics, business, entertainment and sport have had to answer their accusers in civil court.

Bevan Hurley reports.

The powerful men finally being forced to face their sexual assault accusers

Tuesday 23 May 2023 00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump supporter gets former president’s signature tattooed on arm

Trump bashes DeSantis as he shares surprisingly positive response to Tim Scott

Monday 22 May 2023 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump took yet another swing at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as he welcomed South Carolina Senator Tim Scott to the Republican presidential race.

Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, DC.

Trump slams DeSantis as he welcomes Tim Scott to presidential race

E Jean Carroll moves to amend defamation case against Trump

Monday 22 May 2023 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell

E Jean Carroll has moved to amend her remaining defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump to include his statement during his CNN town hall, the day after the verdict in the first defamation case.

Bevan Hurley has the full story.

E Jean Carroll applies to expand lawsuit against Trump to include CNN town hall

From South Carolina allies to 2024 rivals: Haley v Scott

Monday 22 May 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

As the GOP field begins to take shape, the Haley-Scott faceoff is putting some of their mutual supporters in the critical early voting state of South Carolina in a conundrum as they weigh which candidate to support.

Read on...

Haley vs. Scott: From South Carolina allies to 2024 rivals

Monday 22 May 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over latest development in Disney feud

Monday 22 May 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign wasted no time in knocking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the news that Disney is cancelling a $1bn plan to expand its business in Florida.

The campaign for the former president to return to the White House sent out a fundraising email on 18 May after the news broke about the shelving of the planned relocation of some thousands of staff to the Orlando area.

Read more:

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over Disney’s cancelled Florida expansion plan

Damning new Mar-a-Lago papers evidence spells trouble for Trump

Monday 22 May 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be hotting up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he shouldn’t have taken classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing that it had found 16 presidential records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was in the White House.

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Damning evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Pro-Trump Super PAC uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

Monday 22 May 2023 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A super PAC supporting former president Donald Trump’s campaign used the entrance of Sen Tim Scott (R - South Carolina) into the 2024 Republican presidential race to hit his main rival, Florida governor Ron DeSantis.

Make America Great Again Inc, a super PAC that supports Mr Trump, used Mr Scott’s planned announcement to repeat Mr Trump’s attacks on Mr DeSantis.

Eric Garcia reports.

Pro-Trump Super PAC uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

ICYMI: Trump whines that he is a ‘victim’ of ‘weaponisation of justice’

Monday 22 May 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has again complained that he is the “victim” of what Republicans baselessly claim is the “weaponisation” of the federal government.

The one-term president made the remark in response to the Jim Jordan-led House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing on Thursday.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Trump whines that he is a ‘victim’ of ‘weaponisation of justice’

As Mar-a-Lago probes heats up, Trump’s White House lawyer predicts ex-president will end up in jail

Monday 22 May 2023 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s former attorney has boldly predicted that the former president is going to jail as the criminal investigation into the trove of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago continues to heat up.

Ty Cobb, who worked as a White House attorney for the Trump administration from July 2017 to May 2018, told CNN that he believes the evidence against Mr Trump will lead to a conviction and prison time.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Trump’s White House lawyer predicts he’ll end up in jail as Mar-a-Lago probe heats up

In-fighting among former president’s legal team revealed

Monday 22 May 2023 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

An attorney working Donald Trump’s legal team has quit, citing in-fighting among the former president’s inner circle.

Timothy Parlatore left his role this week, according to The New York Times, after working for Mr Trump for at least a year.

In an interview with CNN on Saturday, Mr Parlatore explained that the reason for his departure was ongoing friction with Boris Epshteyn, another legal adviser to Mr Trump.

John Bowden reports.

Ex-Trump lawyer reveals in-fighting among former president’s legal team

From Trump to Tyson: The powerful men finally being held to account by sexual assault accusers

Monday 22 May 2023 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

An ex-president, a disgraced comedian, a world heavyweight boxing champion, a deceased music mogul and a former New York City mayor.

In the six months since New York passed the Adult Survivors Act, which removed the statute of limitations for certain sexual misconduct, powerful men from the worlds of politics, business, entertainment and sport have had to answer their accusers in civil court.

Bevan Hurley reports.

The powerful men finally being forced to face their sexual assault accusers

Trump v DeSantis: A timeline of their rivalry

Monday 22 May 2023 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

No one will be watching more keenly than Donald Trump this week as Florida governor Ron DeSantis finally makes the long-awaited announcement that he will seek the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2024.

During his own tenure in the White House in 2018, Mr Trump loudly cheered Mr DeSantis’s bid for the governor’s mansion, throwing his weight behind the former congressman and appearing at rallies to stump for him, playing an important role in the candidate’s narrow defeat of Democratic rival and Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum.

Since then, however, a great deal of water has passed beneath the bridge and the two men are now increasingly antagonistic towards each other.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

A timeline of Donald Trump’s rivalry with Ron DeSantis

Monday 22 May 2023 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump supporter gets former president’s signature tattooed on arm

Full story: Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

Monday 22 May 2023 17:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The company behind Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform has filed a $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against the Washington Post.

The lawsuit, filed by Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (TMTG) in Florida’s Sarasota County, claims that a 13 May article that alleged the company may have committed securities fraud was false and defamatory, and posed an “existential threat”.

Bevan Hurley has the latest.

Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

Voices: Tim Scott, the newest 2024 Republican candidate, is the most interesting -and most frustrating -Senator

Monday 22 May 2023 17:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Why Tim Scott is the most interesting - and most frustrating - Senator

Tim Scott launches 2024 presidential run

Monday 22 May 2023 16:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Sen Tim Scott, the sole Black Republican in the United States Senate, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president, joining a crowded field.

Mr Scott made the announcement in his home of North Charleston, where he referenced his humble upbringing, noting how his grandfather worked in cotton fields in South Carolina.

“My family went from cotton to Congress in his lifetime. And it was possible because my grandfather had stubborn faith.”

Tim Scott, the Senate’s sole Black Republican, announces 2024 presidential candidacy

Watch: Tim Scott to announce 2024 run

Monday 22 May 2023 16:22 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump wishes good luck to Senator Tim Scott as he enters GOP primary race

Monday 22 May 2023 16:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump has wished Senator Tim Scott good luck as he enters the Republican primary race saying he is “a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable”.

Here’s the full post from Truth Social:

Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race. It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!

Trump claims FBI offered $1m to frame him

Monday 22 May 2023 15:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump claimed on Sunday night that the FBI offered former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele $1m to frame him.

The jaw-dropping allegation comes after the publication of the Durham report which found that the FBI improperly rushed into its investigation of allegations of collusion between Russia and Mr Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Here’s what the former president wrote on Truth Social:

The FBI offered Christopher Steele One Million Dollars in order to FRAME me. Why aren’t all of the so called Special “Prosecutors,” together with their bosses at the DOJ, doing something about this. Why aren’t people under arrest. They spied on my campaign, and bribed people all over the place, and then go after ME. The people of our once great Country won’t stand for it. How much more can they take, as the USA goes to HELL? MAGA!!!

The FBI offered Mr Steele “up to $1m” to prove the allegations in his infamous dossier on Mr Trump according to testimony from FBI supervisory analyst Brian Auten at the trial of Igor Danchenko, the primary source of the allegations.

He testified that Mr Steele never got the money because he could not “prove the allegations”, CNN reported.

Mr Danchenko was acquitted on all counts of lying to the FBI.

Trump’s media company sues Washington Post for $3.78bn

Monday 22 May 2023 14:59 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump’s social media company has sued The Washington Post for defamation.

Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), which owns the Truth Social platform, is seeking $3.78bn in damages.

The suit, filed on Saturday night in Florida state court in Sarasota County, accuses the news outlet of publishing a story that poses an “existential threat” to the social media company.

According to the lawsuit, the Post “published an egregious hit piece that falsely accused TMTG of securities fraud and other wrongdoing” and “has been on a years-long crusade against TMTG characterized by the concealment of relevant information in its possession”.

Further, it says: “WaPo’s false criminal charges exposed TMTG to public ridicule, contempt and distrust, and injured TMTG’s business and reputation.”

Trump rages at ‘liddle lightweights’ like DeSantis in Monday morning Truth Social post

Monday 22 May 2023 14:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump began his week ranting on Truth Social that he has to listen to “these liddle’ lightweights like “Ron” [DeSantis] say I can’t win. Like the Dems, it’s just DISINFORMATION. The TRUTH is, they can’t win!!!”

Here’s the full post:

I’ve won two Elections, the second far bigger than the first (it was Rigged!), my Endorsement is considered, far and away, the most powerful in political history, I’m blowing away DeSanctimonious in the Polls, and am leading Biden & Harris BIG, whereas DeSanctus is losing to BOTH. I have gotten more people Elected than any other human being. Yet I have to listen to these liddle’ lightweights like “Ron” say I can’t win. Like the Dems, it’s just DISINFORMATION. The TRUTH is, they can’t win!!!

Damning new evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Monday 22 May 2023 14:00 , John Bowden

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be heating up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he shouldn’t have taken classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing that it had found 16 presidential records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was in the White House.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Damning evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Prosecutor suggests any indictments in Trump election investigation would likely come in August

Monday 22 May 2023 13:30 , John Bowden

The Georgia prosecutor investigating whether former president Donald Trump and his allies broke the law while trying to overturn his 2020 election in Georgia is seemingly hinting that any grand jury indictments in the case would likely come in August.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sent a letter on Thursday to other Fulton County judges indicating that she plans to have much of her staff work remotely during the first three weeks of August.

In the letter, Ms Willis asked that judges not schedule trials and in-person hearings during part of that time.

“Thank you for your consideration and assistance in keeping the Fulton County Judicial Complex safe during this time,” Willis wrote in the letter, first reported by The New York Times.

The Georgia investigation is one of several that threatens his campaign for 2024 president.

FBI veterans admit to taking money from ex-Trump aide Kash Patel

Monday 22 May 2023 13:00 , John Bowden

A pair of federal law enforcement veterans who accused the FBI of drumming them out of service because of their conservative political beliefs have admitted to receiving money from a prominent ex-aide to former president Donald Trump, Kash Patel.

The shocking admission came during a Thursday hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponisation of the Federal Government.

The GOP-led panel has largely devoted its time to investigating conspiracy theories about social media companies’ cooperation with law enforcement, as well as advancing allegations that the Department of Justice probes into prominent Republicans who may have committed crimes are politically motivated.

Eric Garica and Andrew Feinberg report:

Anti-FBI witnesses at GOP hearing say they took money from ex-Trump aide

DeSantis super PAC tackles tricky task of organizing support for him in Iowa without the candidate

Monday 22 May 2023 12:30 , John Bowden

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis has yet to officially enter the 2024 presidential race. But that doesn’t mean that his team has ceased laying the groundwork for his (likely) inevitable entry.

Read more:

DeSantis super PAC tackles tricky task of organizing support for him in Iowa without the candidate

Biden and McCarthy to resume talks Monday as debt ceiling deadline looms

Monday 22 May 2023 12:00 , John Bowden

President Joe Biden spoke with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Sunday and agreed they would meet on Monday afternoon to try to break the stalemate over legislation to raise the national debt limit.

A call took place, according to a White House readout, which gave no indication to the tone of the discussion. Mr McCarthy characterised the call as “productive” in a comment to reporters.

The US remains on track to default on its debt obligations on or around 1 June if Congress does not pass legislation to extend the country’s borrowing limit.

John Bowden has more:

Biden and McCarthy to resume talks Monday as debt ceiling deadline looms