Trump news – live: Melania seen for first time in 10 days as he wishes Happy Easter to ‘pathetic RINOs’

Melania Trump was spotted in public on Sunday for the first time since Donald Trump was criminally charged for falsifying records over alleged hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

The former first lady received a round of applause as she and her husband entered the Mar-a-Lago ballroom for Easter brunch, according to social media posts.

Mr Trump had earlier wished a Happy Easter to the “weak and pathetic RINOs” (aka “Republicans In Name Only”) after a new poll showed he had increased his support among GOP voters.

The first Reuters/Ipsos survey since his arrest and arraignment in New York this past week suggested he was pulling away from his closest potential rival for the GOP nomination, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

The poll showed 58 per cent of Republican voters favoured the former president, up from 48 per cent a week ago. Mr DeSantis, received 21 per cent of primary voters, slightly up from 19 per cent.

In a separate post, Mr Trump wrote, without context: “World War III.”

On Saturday night, Mr Trump was greeted by huge cheers as he sat front row at UFC 287 alongside Mike Tyson, Kid Rock and Dana White in the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Key Points

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

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

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

Melania Trump seen in public for first time in 10 days

22:37 , Bevan Hurley

The former first lady received a standing ovation as she entered the ballroom with husband Donald at Mar-a-Lago in Sunday morning, images posted to social media showed.

It was the first time she had been sighted in public since Mr Trump was arraigned on charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments paid to the porn star Stormy Daniels.

Melania Trump breaks social media silence with Easter Sunday post

Trump’s lawyer claims liberal Manhattan will ‘infect’ process of fair criminal trial

22:15 , Bevan Hurley

An attorney for Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that the former president would not be treated fairly if his criminal trial proceeds in Manhattan, and would seek to have it moved.

“The issue with venue is that Manhattan was like 87 per cent pro-Joe Biden in the last election. It’s a real stronghold of liberalism, of activism, and that infects the whole process,” Jim Trusty told ABC’s morning show, This Week.

However, Mr Trusty said the legal team’s top priority was filing a motion to dismiss the charges against Mr Trump.

John Bowden reports.

Trump’s lawyer claims liberal Manhattan will ‘infect’ process of fair criminal trial

Six bombshell claims from the Donald Trump indictment

21:45 , Bevan Hurley

Io Dodds reports on the six key takeaways from Donald Trump’s criminal indictment which was unsealed in New York last week.

Six bombshell claims from the New York indictment against Donald Trump

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

21:15 , 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

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

20:45 , 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?

Melania Trump breaks social media silence with Easter Sunday post

20:32 , Bevan Hurley

Melania Trump wished her Instagram and Twitter followers a Happy Easter on Sunday — breaking a month-long, conspicuous absence from social media.

The former first lady posted a photo of a pink rose along with the words “Happy Easter”.

Ms Trump, 52, had remained silent as her husband Donald Trump flew to New York last week for his arraignment on charges of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to the adult actress Stormy Daniels.

She did not attend a Tuesday night press conference the former president held at Mar-a-Lago after returning to Florida.

Mr Trump wished the “weak and pathetic RINOs” and “radical left Democrats” a Happy Easter in a post on Truth Social.

Donald Trump Jr confirms he signed father’s porn star ‘hush money’ check

20:15 , Bevan Hurley

Donald Trump Jr has admitted that he personally signed one of the hush money checks now at the centre of his father’s arrest on criminal charges.

The former president’s son told right-wing network Newsmax that part of Mr Trump’s indictment on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records refers to his own actions.

“That son is me. Like I said, clearly also not a campaign finance violation if it’s from his own trust, not to a campaign, not from the campaign, not from the funds raised from it,” he said.

“So, none of it actually makes any sense.”

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Donald Trump Jr confirms he signed father’s porn star ‘hush money’ check

Trump wishes a Happy Easter to the ‘weak and pathetic RINOs'

19:45 , Bevan Hurley

‘HAPPY EASTER TO ALL,’ Donald Trump wrote in an all caps Easter Sunday message posted to Truth Social.

‘INCLUDING THOSE THAT DREAM ENDLESSLY OF DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY ARE INCAPABLE OF DREAMING ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE, THOSE THAT ARE SO INCOMPETENT THEY DON’T REALIZE THAT HAVING A BORDER AND POWERFUL WALL IS A GOOD THING, & HAVING VOTER I.D., ALL PAPER BALLOTS, & SAME DAY VOTING WILL QUICKLY END MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD, & TO ALL OF THOSE WEAK & PATHETIC RINOS, RADICAL LEFT DEMOCRATS, SOCIALISTS MARXISTS, & COMMUNISTS WHO ARE KILLING OUR NATION.

‘REMEMBER, WE WILL BE BACK!’ he wrote in conclusion.

There will be no efforts to hold Clarence Thomas for his seeming conflicts of interest

19:15 , Bevan Hurley

Eric Garcia writes:

Despite the outrage, Mr Thomas will likely avoid any measures of accountability largely because nobody has a vested interest in doing so.

First and foremost, any impeachment proceedings would need to begin in the House of Representatives, which Republicans currently control. Given that Mr Thomas is one of the biggest stalwarts on the court for originalism, the specific ideology that many conservatives espouse when interpreting the US Constitution, they have no vested interest in doing so.

There will be no efforts to hold Clarence Thomas for his conflicts of interest

Watch: Jorge Masvidal praises Donald Trump as he watches on at UFC 287: ‘I love that guy’

18:45 , Bevan Hurley

Jorge Masvidal praises Donald Trump as he watches on at UFC 287: ‘I love that guy’

Is Donald Trump going to jail?

18:15 , Bevan Hurley

Joe Sommerlad examines the merits of the Manhattan District Attorney’s case against Donald Trump.

Is Donald Trump going to jail?

Crowd erupts as Donald Trump sits in front row at UFC 287 with Mike Tyson and Dana White

17:45 , Bevan Hurley

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

Former US president Trump is known to have a friendship with UFCpresident White and has attended numerous events staged by the mixed martial arts promotion.

Alex Pattle has the story.

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

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

17:15 , 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

Six bombshell claims from the Donald Trump indictment

16:45 , Bevan Hurley

Io Dodds reports on the six key takeaways from Donald Trump’s criminal indictment which was unsealed in New York last week.

Six bombshell claims from the New York indictment against Donald Trump

Donald Trump Jr confirms he signed father’s porn star ‘hush money’ check

16:15 , Bevan Hurley

Donald Trump Jr has admitted that he personally signed one of the hush money checks now at the centre of his father’s arrest on criminal charges.

The former president’s son told right-wing network Newsmax that part of Mr Trump’s indictment on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records refers to his own actions.

“That son is me. Like I said, clearly also not a campaign finance violation if it’s from his own trust, not to a campaign, not from the campaign, not from the funds raised from it,” he said.

“So, none of it actually makes any sense.”

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Donald Trump Jr confirms he signed father’s porn star ‘hush money’ check

Trump admits he is one inch shorter than he claims on arraignment paperwork

15:42 , Bevan Hurley

Donald Trump reportedly told officers that he was 6 feet and 2 inches tall during his arrest and arraignment in New York last week — an inch shorter than he claims to be.

The 76-year-old provided his personal information including height, weight and occupation to the police is a routine process for those booked on criminal charges.

He gave his weight at 240 pounds, Mediaite reported.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar has the story.

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

Watch: Crowd erupts as Donald Trump sits in front row at UFC 287 in Miami

15:19 , Bevan Hurley

Watch: Crowd erupts as Donald Trump sits in front row at UFC 287 in Miami

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

15:14 , 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.

Pictured: Donald Trump at UFC 287

14:42 , Bevan Hurley

Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at UFC 287 in Miami on Saturday night.

The former president sat ringside with UFC president Dana White, boxing legend Mike Tyson, and Kid Rock.

The Kesaya Center crowd greeted the 76-year-old warmly, days after he appeared in a New York court on charges of falsifying business records.

The audience gave out a loud USA chant as Mr Trump entered the Kaseya Center.

Hometown hero Jorge Masvidal, who retired after his defeat to Gilbert Burns, said Mr Trump was the “greatest president in the history of the world, I love that guy” in a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

He then led the crowd in a chant of “let’s go Brandon”, a disparaging reference to President Joe Biden.

Kiwi-Nigerian fighter Israel Adesanya won the main fight of the night with a spectacular second round knockout of Brazilian rival Alex Pereira to reclaim his UFC middleweight title.

Trump’s poll numbers ‘bolstered’ after his arraignment in New York

14:25 , Bevan Hurley

The first poll taken since Donald Trump was arraigned on fraud charges in New York has shown a bump in support for the former president.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey showed 58 per cent of Republican voters favoured the former president, up from 48 per cent a week ago.

Mr Trump’s main rival for the nomination, Florida Governor Ron De Santis, received 21 per cent of primary voters, slightly up from 19 per cent.

Mr Trump later raved about his poll numbers on his social media app Truth Social.

“Polls are looking GREAT! New Poll, 61-19 against DeSanctimonious,” he wrote.

The former president is accused of 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to alleged hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, and two other people.

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

14:00 , 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’

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

13:00 , 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

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

12:00 , 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

11:00 , 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

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

10:00 , 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

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

09:00 , 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

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

08:00 , 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

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

07:00 , Bevan Hurley

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

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

06:00 , 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

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

05:00 , 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?

04:00 , 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?

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.