Trump news – live: Trump attends UFC fight as campaign confirms not hiring ‘Islamophobe’ Laura Loomer

Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign has backed out of a plan to hire right-wing extremist Laura Loomer after the job offer set off a furious row in MAGA world.

Mr Trump reportedly told aides to give the “proud Islamophobe” a role in his reelection campaign, despite concerns over her history of inflammatory statements and embrace of fringe movements.

On Friday afternoon that backlash spilled on to Twitter where Ms Loomer and Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene traded insults.

The offer to join the Trump campaign was withdrawn late on Friday, a senior Trump aide told the New York Times.

The row comes the day after an interview between Stormy Daniels and Piers Morgan aired in which she expressed some sympathy for Mr Trump but also called his arrest over the hush money payments to her and other “progress for women”.

The former president meanwhile raged at the Biden administration’s review of Afghanistan, which blamed him for the chaos that unfolded as the US left the country in August 2021.

His Truth Social rant followed Mr Trump describing his arrest and arraignment as the “Best Day in History”.

Key Points

• Crowd ‘erupts’ as Donald Trump sits in front row at UFC 287

• MAGA at war as Greene and Loomer clash over Trump

• Trump lashes out at Biden after White House blames him for Afghanistan chaos

• Stormy Daniels says she gets ‘suicide bomber’ style death threats

• Trump forced to admit he is one inch shorter than he claims

Crowd ‘erupts’ as Donald Trump sits in front row at UFC 287

03:48 , Lucy Gray

Donald Trump was greeted by huge cheers as he sat in the front row at UFC 287 on Saturday night, next to Mike Tyson and Dana White in the Miami-Dade Arena.

The former president is known to have a friendship with UFC president White, and has attended numerous past events staged by the mixed martial arts promotion.

You can follow the fight live here...

UFC 287 LIVE: Adesanya vs Pereira

‘He still owes me dinner!’ Stormy Daniels jokes about Trump

03:00 , Bevan Hurley

Stormy Daniels has joked that Donald Trump still “owes me dinner” as she told Piers Morgan about her alleged sexual liaison with the former president.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges connected with $130,000 in hush money payments made to the adult movie actress.

Following his arrest and arraignment earlier this week, Ms Daniels told Morgan about the evening she alleges she slept with Mr Trump following a golf event at Lake Tahoe.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal

Everything should be going right for the GOP; instead they’re getting bad headlines

02:00 , Bevan Hurley

Eric Garcia writes:

On the surface, Republicans should have all the reasons to feel confident. President Joe Biden’s approval ratings are still fairly low, as a Fox News poll shows he has a 56 per cent disapproval rating. Inflation remains stubbornly high, even if it isn’t skyrocketing the way it once did. Friday’s latest jobs report shows that while the labour market is strong, the Federal Reserve’s increased interest rates caused it to slow down as it tries to tamp down prices.

Those numbers typically signal a bumpy road for a president seeking re-election. Instead, Republicans got hit with a bevy of negative headlines from both the national and state level.

Read more...

Everything should be going right for Republicans; they’re still getting bad headlines

Trump campaign withdraws offer to hire Laura Loomer: report

01:00 , Bevan Hurley

After a furious backlash led by Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign has withdrawn an offer to hire far-right extremist Laura Loomer, according tothe New York Times.

A report that Mr Trump had instructed campaign officials to hire the “proud Islamaphobe” set off internecine fighting within MAGA world.

Ms Greene and Ms Loomer exchanged barbs on Twitter on Friday, before a Trump campaign aide said that the job offer had been rescinded.

Clarence Thomas says luxury trips with GOP megadonor ‘personal hospitality’ from ‘dearest friends’

Sunday 9 April 2023 00:00 , Bevan Hurley

US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has released his first public statement since once again coming under fire from court watchdogs and US lawmakers following a ProPublica investigation finding that the conservative justice has accepted luxury trips from a prominent Republican donor for more than two decades.

In his response on 7 April, Justice Thomas called Texas developer Harlan Crow – an influential GOP donor who has supported right-wing candidates, causes and legal efforts – one of his “dearest friends”.

Alex Woodward has the story.

Clarence Thomas responds to report he accepted trips from GOP megadonor over 20 years

GOP cries foul over Trump hush money judge’s donation to Biden campaign... of $15

Saturday 8 April 2023 23:00 , Bevan Hurley

Conservative critics of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg‘s case against Donald Trump are claiming the judge overseeing the proceedings is biased because he donated $15 to Joe Biden‘s campaign.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Trump hush money judge gave $15 to Biden campaign as Republicans cry bias

Trump arrest shows ‘progress for women’, Stormy Daniels says

Saturday 8 April 2023 22:30 , Bevan Hurley

Stormy Daniels says that Donald Trump’s arrest in New York shows “progress” for women in the United States and its judicial system.

The former president has pleaded not guilty to 34 charges of falsifying business records in relation to $130,000 in hush money paid to Ms Daniels over her claims of a sexual relationship.

Ms Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, told Piers Morgan that she did not believe there was a double standard in the treatment of Mr Trump, a Republican, and previous Democratic politicians such as John F Kennedy, Bill Clinton and John Edwards.

And she rejected Republican claims that Mr Trump was specifically being targeted by prosecutors.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump arrest shows ‘progress for women’

Watch: What did we learn from Stormy Daniels’ interview with Piers Morgan?

Saturday 8 April 2023 22:00 , Bevan Hurley

Five things we learnt from Stormy Daniels’ interview with Piers Morgan

‘Un-Christian’ Marjorie Taylor Greene and ‘mentally unstable’ Laura Loomer at war over Trump

Saturday 8 April 2023 21:30 , Bevan Hurley

Marjorie Taylor Greene warned Donald Trump against hiring anti-Muslim activist Laura Loomer, branding her as “mentally unstable” and a “documented liar” during a public clash.

Graeme Massie reports on the conflict that broke out on Friday at the core of MAGA world.

Maga at war as Taylor Greene and Laura Loomer squabble over Trump’s affections

Trump campaign withdraws offer to hire Laura Loomer: report

Saturday 8 April 2023 20:57 , Bevan Hurley

After a furious backlash led by Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign has withdrawn an offer to hire far-right extremist Laura Loomer, according to the New York Times.

A report that Mr Trump had instructed campaign officials to hire the “Islamaphobe” set off internecine fighting within MAGA world.

Ms Greene and Ms Loomer exchanged barbs on Twitter, before a Trump campaign aide said that the job offer had been rescinded.

Trump lashes out at ‘moron’ Biden after review blames him for Afghanistan chaos

Saturday 8 April 2023 20:30 , Bevan Hurley

Donald Trump responded quickly on Thursday after the White House issued a report eviscerating his handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

Trump lashes out as White House blames him for Afghanistan chaos

Eric Trump roasted for ‘hallucinating’ that ‘tens and tens of thousands’ showed up for father

Saturday 8 April 2023 20:00 , Bevan Hurley

Eric Trump has been roasted for falsely claiming that “tens and tens of thousands” of Americans came out to support his father on the day of his arrest and arraignment.

Donald Trump’s son made the outlandish claim in an interview on Fox News on Tuesday night, just hours after his father became the first current or former US president to ever face criminal charges.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Eric Trump roasted for ‘hallucinating’ crowd size of father’s supporters

New poll: Only a third of Americans think Biden deserves to be reelected in 2024

Saturday 8 April 2023 19:30 , Bevan Hurley

With less than a year until the 2024 primary election season kicks off, a large majority of Americans say they’d prefer Democrats to put up someone other than President Joe Biden as the party’s nominee next year.

Andrew Feinberg has the details.

One third of Americans say Biden deserves to be reelected in 2024, new poll suggests

Everything should be going right for the GOP; instead they’re getting bad headlines

Saturday 8 April 2023 19:00 , Bevan Hurley

Eric Garcia writes:

On the surface, Republicans should have all the reasons to feel confident. President Joe Biden’s approval ratings are still fairly low, as a Fox News poll shows he has a 56 per cent disapproval rating. Inflation remains stubbornly high, even if it isn’t skyrocketing the way it once did. Friday’s latest jobs report shows that while the labour market is strong, the Federal Reserve’s increased interest rates caused it to slow down as it tries to tamp down prices.

Those numbers typically signal a bumpy road for a president seeking re-election. Instead, Republicans got hit with a bevy of negative headlines from both the national and state level.

Read more...

Everything should be going right for Republicans; they’re still getting bad headlines

Clarence Thomas says luxury trips with GOP megadonor ‘personal hospitality’ from ‘dearest friends’

Saturday 8 April 2023 18:30 , Bevan Hurley

US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has released his first public statement since once again coming under fire from court watchdogs and US lawmakers following a ProPublica investigation finding that the conservative justice has accepted luxury trips from a prominent Republican donor for more than two decades.

In his response on 7 April, Justice Thomas called Texas developer Harlan Crow – an influential GOP donor who has supported right-wing candidates, causes and legal efforts – one of his “dearest friends”.

Alex Woodward has the story.

Clarence Thomas responds to report he accepted trips from GOP megadonor over 20 years

Florida Democrats fight to be relevant in the shadow of DeSantis

Saturday 8 April 2023 18:00 , Bevan Hurley

Florida‘s Democrats don’t have much to celebrate these days.

The once dominant party hasn’t elected a governor since 1994. It’s more than a decade since a Democratic presidential candidate won the state. Republicans gained a supermajority in the Florida House and Senate in 2022, and the GOP made gains in the congressional delegation, too.

In a state where elections are sometimes decided by a mere percentage point, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis won a commanding 20-point reelection last year. DeSantis, now moving toward an expected run for president, even carried the longtime Democratic stronghold of Miami-Dade County.

In DeSantis' shadow, Florida Democrats fight to be relevant

‘He still owes me dinner!’ Stormy Daniels jokes about Trump

Saturday 8 April 2023 17:00 , Bevan Hurley

Stormy Daniels has joked that Donald Trump still “owes me dinner” as she told Piers Morgan about her alleged sexual liaison with the former president.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges connected with $130,000 in hush money payments made to the adult movie actress.

Following his arrest and arraignment earlier this week, Ms Daniels told Morgan about the evening she alleges she slept with Mr Trump following a golf event at Lake Tahoe.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal

House panel subpoenas ex-Manhattan prosecutor who criticised pace of Trump probe

Saturday 8 April 2023 16:30 , Bevan Hurley

The House Judiciary Committee is attempting to compel testimony from a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney who resigned last year after criticising District Attorney Alvin Bragg for not pursuing a criminal case against former president Donald Trump.

Chairman Jim Jordan on Thursday issued a subpoena for testimony from Mark Pomerantz, a veteran New York attorney who left a high-profile law firm to serve as a prosecutor under Mr Bragg’s predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr, but quit the district attorney’s office last March before leaking a highly critical resignation letter to news outlets.

John Bowden and Andrew Feinberg filed this report from Washington, DC.

House panel subpoenas ex-Manhattan prosecutor who criticised pace of Trump probe

Could a New York judge finally force Donald Trump to shut up?

Saturday 8 April 2023 16:00 , Bevan Hurley

Donald Trump’s arraignment in Manhattan on Tuesday was remarkable for many reasons; not only was it the first time a former US president has ever been arrested, it was also a media spectacle on a scale unheard of before, even in New York.

But there was another first during the proceedings, lesser noticed, that could have profound implications on the next election and beyond. It raises the prospect that a New York judge may succeed where many others have tried and failed, and force Mr Trump to be quiet.

Richard Hall reports.

Many before him have tried, but could a New York judge force Donald Trump to shut up?

Everything should be going right for the GOP; instead they’re getting bad headlines

Saturday 8 April 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

On the surface, Republicans should have all the reasons to feel confident. President Joe Biden’s approval ratings are still fairly low, as a Fox News poll shows he has a 56 per cent disapproval rating. Inflation remains stubbornly high, even if it isn’t skyrocketing the way it once did. Friday’s latest jobs report shows that while the labour market is strong, the Federal Reserve’s increased interest rates caused it to slow down as it tries to tamp down prices.

Those numbers typically signal a bumpy road for a president seeking re-election. Instead, Republicans got hit with a bevy of negative headlines from both the national and state level.

Read more...

Everything should be going right for Republicans; they’re still getting bad headlines

What did we learn from Stormy Daniels’ interview with Piers Morgan?

Saturday 8 April 2023 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Five things we learnt from Stormy Daniels’ interview with Piers Morgan

‘Un-Christian’ Marjorie Taylor Greene and ‘mentally unstable’ Laura Loomer at war over Trump

Saturday 8 April 2023 14:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Marjorie Taylor Greene warned Donald Trump against hiring anti-Muslim activist Laura Loomer, branding her as “mentally unstable” and a “documented liar” during a public clash.

Graeme Massie reports on the conflict that broke out on Friday at the core of MAGA world.

Maga at war as Taylor Greene and Laura Loomer squabble over Trump’s affections

Saturday 8 April 2023 14:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Orders given by former president Donald Trump in the waning days of his administration left Joe Biden “severely constrained” in how he handled the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, an interagency review of the disastrous exit has found.

White House blames Donald Trump for Afghanistan withdrawal chaos

Could a New York judge finally force Donald Trump to shut up?

Saturday 8 April 2023 13:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s arraignment in Manhattan on Tuesday was remarkable for many reasons; not only was it the first time a former US president has ever been arrested, it was also a media spectacle on a scale unheard of before, even in New York.

But there was another first during the proceedings, lesser noticed, that could have profound implications on the next election and beyond. It raises the prospect that a New York judge may succeed where many others have tried and failed, and force Mr Trump to be quiet.

Richard Hall reports.

Many before him have tried, but could a New York judge force Donald Trump to shut up?

House panel subpoenas ex-Manhattan prosecutor who criticised pace of Trump probe

Saturday 8 April 2023 12:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House Judiciary Committee is attempting to compel testimony from a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney who resigned last year after criticising District Attorney Alvin Bragg for not pursuing a criminal case against former president Donald Trump.

Chairman Jim Jordan on Thursday issued a subpoena for testimony from Mark Pomerantz, a veteran New York attorney who left a high-profile law firm to serve as a prosecutor under Mr Bragg’s predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr, but quit the district attorney’s office last March before leaking a highly critical resignation letter to news outlets.

John Bowden and Andrew Feinberg filed this report from Washington, DC.

House panel subpoenas ex-Manhattan prosecutor who criticised pace of Trump probe

Saturday 8 April 2023 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Stormy Daniels has described the moment Donald Trump allegedly took off “most of his clothes” in a hotel room.

The former US president has been arrested and arraigned over so-called hush money payments to the adult film star in 2016.

She claims she was “caught off guard” when she came back from the bathroom to find their meeting had taken a “hard left.”

“I felt really ashamed. I felt stupid,” she told Good Morning Britain, adding she thought their chat was business in nature.

Stormy Daniels describes moment Trump allegedly ‘took off most of his clothes’

‘He still owes me dinner!’ Stormy Daniels jokes about Trump

Saturday 8 April 2023 10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Stormy Daniels has joked that Donald Trump still “owes me dinner” as she told Piers Morgan about her alleged sexual liaison with the former president.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges connected with $130,000 in hush money payments made to the adult movie actress.

Following his arrest and arraignment earlier this week, Ms Daniels told Morgan about the evening she alleges she slept with Mr Trump following a golf event at Lake Tahoe.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan he’s like her fan base

Saturday 8 April 2023 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Porn star Stormy Daniels told Piers Morgan that he fitted her usual demographic in their interview for TalkTV on Thursday (6 April).

Morgan was interviewing Daniels over her central role in the hush money payments that led to 34 criminal charges being brought against former president Donald Trump this week.

Tom Murray reports from Los Angeles.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan her fan base is generally ‘guys like you’

Saturday 8 April 2023 06:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Stormy Daniels has shared a message for Donald Trump’s wife, the former first lady, during her interview with Good Morning Britain.

Stormy Daniels shares message for Melania Trump

Florida Democrats fight to be relevant in the shadow of DeSantis

Saturday 8 April 2023 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Florida‘s Democrats don’t have much to celebrate these days.

The once dominant party hasn’t elected a governor since 1994. It’s more than a decade since a Democratic presidential candidate won the state. Republicans gained a supermajority in the Florida House and Senate in 2022, and the GOP made gains in the congressional delegation, too.

In a state where elections are sometimes decided by a mere percentage point, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis won a commanding 20-point reelection last year. DeSantis, now moving toward an expected run for president, even carried the longtime Democratic stronghold of Miami-Dade County.

In DeSantis' shadow, Florida Democrats fight to be relevant

Clarence Thomas says luxury trips with GOP megadonor ‘personal hospitality’ from ‘dearest friends’

Saturday 8 April 2023 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has released his first public statement since once again coming under fire from court watchdogs and US lawmakers following a ProPublica investigation finding that the conservative justice has accepted luxury trips from a prominent Republican donor for more than two decades.

In his response on 7 April, Justice Thomas called Texas developer Harlan Crow – an influential GOP donor who has supported right-wing candidates, causes and legal efforts – one of his “dearest friends”.

Alex Woodward has the story.

Clarence Thomas responds to report he accepted trips from GOP megadonor over 20 years

New poll: Only a third of Americans think Biden deserves to be reelected in 2024

Saturday 8 April 2023 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

With less than a year until the 2024 primary election season kicks off, a large majority of Americans say they’d prefer Democrats to put up someone other than President Joe Biden as the party’s nominee next year.

Andrew Feinberg has the details.

One third of Americans say Biden deserves to be reelected in 2024, new poll suggests

Eric Trump roasted for ‘hallucinating’ that ‘tens and tens of thousands’ showed up for father

Saturday 8 April 2023 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Trump has been roasted for falsely claiming that “tens and tens of thousands” of Americans came out to support his father on the day of his arrest and arraignment.

Donald Trump’s son made the outlandish claim in an interview on Fox News on Tuesday night, just hours after his father became the first current or former US president to ever face criminal charges.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Eric Trump roasted for ‘hallucinating’ crowd size of father’s supporters

Trump lashes out at ‘moron’ Biden after being blamed for Afghanistan chaos

Saturday 8 April 2023 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump responded quickly on Thursday after the White House issued a report eviscerating his handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

John Bowden reports.

Trump lashes out as White House blames him for Afghanistan chaos

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bizarre new theory about Trump’s arrest

Friday 7 April 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has a new theory regarding the prosecution of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony counts.

It’s pretty far-fetched, even for Rep Greene.

Marjorie Taylor Greene tweets bizarre new theory about Trump’s arrest

Everything should be going right for the GOP; instead they’re getting bad headlines

Friday 7 April 2023 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

On the surface, Republicans should have all the reasons to feel confident. President Joe Biden’s approval ratings are still fairly low, as a Fox News poll shows he has a 56 per cent disapproval rating. Inflation remains stubbornly high, even if it isn’t skyrocketing the way it once did. Friday’s latest jobs report shows that while the labour market is strong, the Federal Reserve’s increased interest rates caused it to slow down as it tries to tamp down prices.

Those numbers typically signal a bumpy road for a president seeking re-election. Instead, Republicans got hit with a bevy of negative headlines from both the national and state level.

Read more...

Everything should be going right for Republicans; they’re still getting bad headlines

‘Un-Christian’ Marjorie Taylor Greene and ‘mentally unstable’ Laura Loomer at war over Trump

Friday 7 April 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Marjorie Taylor Greene warned Donald Trump against hiring anti-Muslim activist Laura Loomer, branding her as “mentally unstable” and a “documented liar” during a public clash.

Graeme Massie reports on the conflict that broke out on Friday at the core of MAGA world.

Maga at war as Taylor Greene and Laura Loomer squabble over Trump’s affections

Loomer job offer off the table, report says

Friday 7 April 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Court sides with DOJ on January 6 obstruction charge

Friday 7 April 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A federal appeals court sided Friday with the Justice Department in a case that could have upended hundreds of charges brought in the Capitol riot investigation.

A divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said a lower court judge was wrong in dismissing the obstruction of Congress offense after concluding that the rioters’ conduct wasn’t covered by the charge in three cases.

The decision, however, leaves open the possibility of further challenges to the charge, which has been brought in more than 300 cases in the Justice Department’s massive Jan. 6, 2021, prosecution. The defendants who brought the challenge may also ask the full appeals court or the US Supreme Court to review the decision.

Court sides with Justice Dept. on Jan. 6 obstruction charge

What did we learn from Stormy Daniels’ interview with Piers Morgan?

Friday 7 April 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Five things we learnt from Stormy Daniels’ interview with Piers Morgan

GOP cries foul over Trump hush money judge’s donation to Biden campaign... of $15

Friday 7 April 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Conservative critics of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg‘s case against Donald Trump are claiming the judge overseeing the proceedings is biased because he donated $15 to Joe Biden‘s campaign.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Trump hush money judge gave $15 to Biden campaign as Republicans cry bias

Nikki Haley’s 2024 campaign asks: ‘What indictment?'

Friday 7 April 2023 21:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Nikki Haley’s 2024 campaign has a jab at former president Donald Trump by asking: “What indictment?” while marking “another big week” for the former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador.

Trump arrest shows ‘progress for women’, Stormy Daniels says

Friday 7 April 2023 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Stormy Daniels says that Donald Trump’s arrest in New York shows “progress” for women in the United States and its judicial system.

The former president has pleaded not guilty to 34 charges of falsifying business records in relation to $130,000 in hush money paid to Ms Daniels over her claims of a sexual relationship.

Ms Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, told Piers Morgan that she did not believe there was a double standard in the treatment of Mr Trump, a Republican, and previous Democratic politicians such as John F Kennedy, Bill Clinton and John Edwards.

And she rejected Republican claims that Mr Trump was specifically being targeted by prosecutors.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump arrest shows ‘progress for women’

Trump lashes out at ‘moron’ Biden after review blames him for Afghanistan chaos

Friday 7 April 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump responded quickly on Thursday after the White House issued a report eviscerating his handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

Trump lashes out as White House blames him for Afghanistan chaos

Trump moves to hire ‘proud Islamophobe’ Laura Loomer, report says

Friday 7 April 2023 20:07 , Oliver O'Connell

According to reports by The New York Times, Donald Trump has told aides to hire Laura Loomer, a far-right and anti-Muslim activist with a history of expressing bigoted views, for a campaign role.

The paper cites four people familiar with the plans.

Mr Trump and Ms Loomer met recently and he directed advisers to give her a role in support of his 2024 candidacy, two of the people familiar with the move told the Times.

It is unclear whether she would serve on his campaign or the main super PAC backing his presidential bid.

Ms Loomer attended the former president’s speech at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night.

Some of Mr Trump’s aides are said to have concerns that such a hire will cause a backlash, given her history of inflammatory statements and her embrace of the Republican Party’s fringes.

She once described Islam as a “cancer” and tweeted under the hashtag “#proudislamophobe,” and she has also celebrated the deaths of migrants crossing the Mediterranean.

On Friday afternoon that backlash erupted, sparking a furious row on Twitter between Ms Loomer and Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, with prominent far-right figures joining in to support Ms Loomer.

‘He still owes me dinner!’

Friday 7 April 2023 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Stormy Daniels has joked that Donald Trump still “owes me dinner” as she told Piers Morgan about her alleged sexual liaison with the former president.

Graeme Massie reports from Los Angeles.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal

Trump ‘deejayed until 2am’ at a private Mar-a-Lago arraignment party

Friday 7 April 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

That’s one way to mark a historic and unprecedented moment in US presidential history.

Trump ‘deejayed until 2am’ at a private Mar-a-Lago arraignment party

Stormy Daniels says her fan base shifted after she came forward with accusations against Trump

Friday 7 April 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Porn star Stormy Daniels told Piers Morgan that he fitted her usual demographic in their interview for TalkTV on Thursday (6 April).

Morgan was interviewing Daniels over her central role in the hush money payments that led to 34 criminal charges being brought against former president Donald Trump this week.

Tom Murray reports from Los Angeles.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan her fan base is generally ‘guys like you’

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan she gets ‘suicide bomber’ style death threats

Friday 7 April 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

seem as dedicated to their cause as “suicide bombers” while the amount of abuse from Trump supporters has escalated following the former president’s arraignment on charges stemming from hush money paid to the porn actor.

“They genuinely feel that they’re doing something right. That they are the patriots,” she said.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan she gets ‘suicide bomber’ style death threats

‘The king has been dethroned’

Friday 7 April 2023 17:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Stormy Daniels says that she felt “sad” to see Donald Trump make history as the first president to be arrested and arraigned in court on criminal charges linked to hush money payments he made to her.

The adult film actress told Piers Morgan that she had expected to be “excited” to see the former president appear before a New York judge but instead admitted she found her actual emotions on the day “shocking.”

Graeme Massie reports.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan she felt ‘sad’ seeing Trump in court

Friday 7 April 2023 17:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bizarre new theory about Trump’s arrest

Friday 7 April 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

She’s really reaching here.

Marjorie Taylor Greene tweets bizarre new theory about Trump’s arrest

Friday 7 April 2023 16:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Stormy Daniels describes moment Trump allegedly ‘took off most of his clothes’

Biden condemns Tennessee GOP for ‘shocking’ move to expel gun protest Democrats

Friday 7 April 2023 16:20 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden condemned Tennessee Republicans on Thursday for pushing to remove three Democratic lawmakers who participated in a gun violence protest on the statehouse floor last week following the recent Nashville mass shooting that killed six people at an elementary school.

Josh Marcus reports.

Biden condemns Tennessee Republicans for ‘shocking’ move to expel Democrats

‘He still owes me dinner!’

Friday 7 April 2023 15:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Stormy Daniels has joked that Donald Trump still “owes me dinner” as she told Piers Morgan about her alleged sexual liaison with the former president.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal

Friday 7 April 2023 15:37 , Oliver O'Connell

US adds 236,000 jobs in March

Friday 7 April 2023 15:35 , Oliver O'Connell

The US economy added 236,000 in the month of March, but the unemployment rate changed very little as the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates.

Eric Garcia looks at the latest numbers.

US adds 236,000 jobs in March as unemployment rate remains little changed

New poll: Just one in three Americans think Biden deserves to be reelected in 2024

Friday 7 April 2023 15:17 , Oliver O'Connell

With less than a year until the 2024 primary election season kicks off, a large majority of Americans say they’d prefer Democrats to put up someone other than President Joe Biden as the party’s nominee next year.

The Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg looks at the latest figures.

One third of Americans say Biden deserves to be reelected in 2024, new poll suggests

This morning on Truth Social

Friday 7 April 2023 14:41 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump flexed his fingers and fired up his Truth Social machine this morning to kickstart the day with a few dubiously capitalised rants featuring a bizarre use of quotation marks.

First, he claimed that lots of DeSantis campaign staffers were jumping ship:

We’re getting lots of job requests from people currently working for the Social Security/Medicare cutting (JUST WATCH!) DeSanctimonious Campaign. Ron’s Poll numbers are dropping so fast and furious that many people are speculating he’s not going to run. Just hired “Kiss of Death” Jeff Roe, who dropped YoungKim, to see if he can help (he will only help make Ron poor!). I’m leading in Texas by 42 points, Iowa and New Hampshire by a lot, overall by close to 40, and by 10 against Scamer Joe Biden!

Then he unloaded on “Stupid People”:

The good ol’ USA is losing so much, so fast, that at the end of the 1 1/2 years remaining in the most incompetent administration in history, we may not even have a Country left. There’s an INVASION at our Border, we’re about to lose our “Dollar” as the World Standard, and we could, because of “Stupid People,” end up in World War lll. The only things they do well is CHEATING ON ELECTIONS, DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, and WEAPONIZING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. We are a Nation in Decline, a Failing Nation!!!

He rounded out the breakfast-time rant with:

Here’s the new DISINFORMATION chant from the people destroying our Country - IT’S TRUMP’S FAULT!!!

This is not new.

Trump attacks Fox News - then uses the network in fundraising plea

Friday 7 April 2023 14:00 , Megan Sheets

Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on his former favourite network late Thursday night over polling numbers that apparently didn’t fit his narrative.

“Why is FoxNews using Fake News CNN POLLS? Because they are Fake, even though I am leading by a lot, but not nearly as good as other polls,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Leading Biden by 9 points, leading Social Security cutting DeSanctimonious by 35 points. MAGA!”

Hours later, the former president put out a new plea for donations - via a video featuring Fox News coverage.

The video spliced together voiceovers of pundits including Sean Hannity dismissing the indictment against Mr Trump with dramatic scenes of Manhattan behind it - followed by heroic music and footage of his supporters.

In the eloquently-worded caption of his Truth Social post, Mr Trump wrote: “If you are doing poorly, as so many of you are, do not send anything.

“If you are doing well, which was made possible through the great policies of the Trump Administration, send your contribution to donaldjtrump.com/.

“We have to take back our Country and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Stormy Daniels reacts to Trump's favourite derogatory nickname for her

Friday 7 April 2023 13:30 , Megan Sheets

A quick look at Stormy Daniels’ Twitter feed proves she has never been one to shy away from ugly nicknames given by her critics - in fact she enjoys using them to fire back.

Now, the adult film star has addressed Donald Trump’s favourite nickname for her: “Horseface.”

Speaking to Piers Morgan in a wide-ranging interview aired Thursday night, Ms Daniels said the name says more about Mr Trump than it does about her.

“This is our president of the United States, ladies and gentleman, outing to the world that he has a penchant for bestiality, because this is a guy who chased me for sex repeatedly, and then says I look like a horse?” she quipped.

Report: Security aides tell special counsel Trump repeatedly warned he couldn’t seize voting machines

Friday 7 April 2023 13:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Ex-national security officials have reportedly told prosecutors and a grand jury that they told former President Donald Trump on several occasions that he wasn’t allowed to seize voting machines after the 2020 election.

Former top Homeland Security official Ken Cuccinelli was asked about discussions within the Trump administration regarding the agency taking control of voting machines when he spoke in front of the grand jury previously this year, CNN reported on Thursday.

Mr Cuccinelli told the jury that he “made clear at all times” that DHS couldn’t take measures like that, one person told the outlet.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Trump was repeatedly warned he couldn’t seize voting machines: report

House panel subpoenas Mark Pomerantz who criticised pace of Trump probe

Friday 7 April 2023 12:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House Judiciary Committee is attempting to compel testimony from a former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney who resigned last year after criticising District Attorney Alvin Bragg for not pursuing a criminal case against former president Donald Trump.

John Bowden and Andrew Feinberg have the latest from Washington, DC.

House panel subpoenas ex-Manhattan prosecutor who criticised pace of Trump probe

Stormy Daniels says Trump fans send her ‘suicide bomber’ style death threats

Friday 7 April 2023 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Stormy Daniels has said that she receives death threats from people who seem as dedicated to their cause as “suicide bombers” while the amount of abuse from Trump supporters has escalated following the former president’s arraignment on charges stemming from hush money paid to the porn actor.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan she gets ‘suicide bomber’ style death threats

Stormy Daniels says she would ‘absolutely’ testify against Donald Trump

Friday 7 April 2023 10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Porn star Stormy Daniels says she would “absolutely” testify against Donald Trump if asked — but doesn’t want the former president to go to prison for his alleged crimes involving her.

Eleanor Noyce explains.

Stormy Daniels would ‘absolutely’ testify against Trump - but doesn’t want him jailed

Agency review says Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal plan ‘severely constrained by conditions’ set by Trump

Friday 7 April 2023 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Orders given by former president Donald Trump in the waning days of his administration left President Joe Biden “severely constrained” in how he handled the US withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of war, an interagency review of the disastrous exit has found.

The White House released the review’s conclusions in a 12-page document laying out the findings on Thursday, the day Congress was set to receive a significant number of classified documents pertaining to the withdrawal.

Andrew Feinberg reports from the White House.

Afghanistan withdrawal ‘severely constrained by conditions’ set by Trump, review says

Could a New York judge finally force Donald Trump to shut up?

Friday 7 April 2023 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Many have tried and failed, but could a gag order be imposed on the former president if needed?

Richard Hall investigates.

Many before him have tried, but could a New York judge force Donald Trump to shut up?

Trump’s courtroom suit faux-pas spotted by menswear guru

Friday 7 April 2023 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A menswear influencer has pointed out the fashion faux pas Donald Trump made with his courtroom outfit.

Chelsea Ritschel has the details.

Menswear guru spots faux-pas in Trump’s courtroom suit

Trump forced to admit he is one inch shorter than he claims

Friday 7 April 2023 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former president Donald Trump provided information about his height and weight while stating his profession as a "business person" during his arraignment at a Manhattan courthouse earlier this week.

The 76-year-old told officers that he stands 6 feet and 2 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds, Mediaite reported citing sources.

The former president reportedly stated his height to be one inch shorter than what his doctors previously recorded in 2020 during his time in the White House.

Read more here.

Trump forced to admit he is one inch shorter during arrest paperwork

Byron Donalds endorses Trump for president

Friday 7 April 2023 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Member of congress Byron Donalds endorsed Republican leader Donald Trump for the upcoming presidential election.

“There is only one leader at this time in our nation’s history who can seize the moment and deliver what we need - to get us back on track, provide strength and resolve, and Make America Great Again,” Mr Donalds said in a statement.

Mr Donalds is one of three congressmen from Florida to endorse Mr Trump’s 2024 candidacy.

How Stormy Daniels cashed in on publicity from Trump arraignment

Friday 7 April 2023 06:30 , Oliver O'Connell

While Donald Trump’s historic appearance in a New York courtroom on criminal charges may have been a dark day for the former president, his arrest has been a boon for his tormentor Stormy Daniels.

The adult actress, who is a central figure in the hush money payments that led to 34 falsifying business records charges being brought against Mr Trump, has been using it to cash in on her increased notoriety.

Mr Trump appeared grim-faced as he faced a judge and pleaded guilty to the charges he now faces, while Ms Daniels has taken full advantage of the free publicity she has gained.

Graeme Massie has the story.

How Stormy Daniels cashed in on publicity from Donald Trump’s arrest

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan she felt ‘sad’ seeing Trump in court

Friday 7 April 2023 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Stormy Daniels said that she felt “sad” to see Donald Trump make history as the first president to be arrested and arraigned in court on criminal charges linked to hush money payments he made to her.

The adult film actor told Piers Morgan that she had expected to be “excited” to see the former president appear before a New York judge but instead admitted she found her actual emotions on the day “shocking.”

“At first I thought I would be really excited when that day finally came as I did not think it would, and then I really didn’t think it would.

“I thought he was going to get away with not being held accountable. When I found out it was coming, or potentially coming I thought I would feel excited or vindicated but it was kind of anticlimactic,” she told Morgan on TalkTV.

Graeme Massie reports.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan she felt ‘sad’ seeing Trump in court

ICYMI: Trump judge receives ‘dozens’ of threats after arraignment

Friday 7 April 2023 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The judge overseeing former president Donald Trump’s case in Manhattan regarding alleged hush money payments has received unsubstantiated threats since Mr Trump’s arraignment on Tuesday, NBC News reported.

One official told NBC News that Judge Juan Merchan and his chamber have received “dozens” of threats since Mr Trump vocally criticised the judge. Additionally, District Attorney Alvin Bragg has received threat since news broke that a grand jury would indict the former president.

Eric Garcia reports.

Trump judge receives ‘dozens’ of threats after arraignment

Trump says China trying to displace US dollar as number one currency under Biden’s leadership

Friday 7 April 2023 05:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former president Donald Trump yesterday claimed that China is trying to displace the American dollar as the number one currency throughout the world, which was unthinkable during his time in office.

“Unthinkable three years ago,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“If this happens, and under Biden’s leadership it probably will, this would be the biggest defeat for our Country in its history.

“We will be reduced to SECOND TIER STATUS. AMAZING. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

This week in karma

Friday 7 April 2023 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A member of the Central Park Five has responded to Donald Trump’s indictment and arrest by taking out a full-page advertisement, similar to the former president’s call for their execution more than 30 years ago.

Maroosha Muzaffar has the story.

Exonerated Central Park Five member turns tables on Trump

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal: ‘He still owes me dinner!’

Friday 7 April 2023 04:10 , Graeme Massie

Ex-president has pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges connected to hush money payments made to the adult movie actress.

Stormy Daniels tells Piers Morgan that Trump cheated her on offer of meal

Trump ‘deejayed until 2am’ at a private Mar-a-Lago arraignment party

Friday 7 April 2023 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Sounds like Mar-a-Lago was lit on Tuesday night.

Trump ‘deejayed until 2am’ at a private Mar-a-Lago arraignment party