Trump news - live: Trump mocked for ‘disgusting’ pizza offer after slamming Florida in DeSantis attack

John Bowden and Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has come under fire for offering a slice of pizza to his supporters - after taking a bite out of it.

The former president courted a crowd of fans on Friday night at a pizza parlour in Fort Meyers, Florida, where he ordered a massive pie for himself.

Viral video showed Mr Trump sinking his teeth into a pepperoni slice before raising it in the air and asking: “Does anybody want a piece that I’ve eaten?”

While the fans didn’t seem fazed by the offer, viewers sounding off on social media were quick to brand it “disgusting”.

The pizza shop visit came after Mr Trump insulted his own home state of Florida in his latest attack on Governor Ron DeSantis as the war between the likely 2024 rivals continues to heat up.

The former president, who lives in Palm Beach, said Florida is “among the worst states” to live, die, pay taxes and “be safe”, among other things, in a campaign email on Friday.

“The real DeSantis record is one of misery and despair,” a Trump spokesperson said. “He has left a wake of destruction all across Florida.”

Key Points

Texts reveal Trump operatives’ plan to use breached Georgia voter data

21:00 , Graeme Massie

Leaked text messages reveal that operatives for Donald Trump allegedly discussed using breached voter data in Georgia to overturn the 2020 presidential election, according to new a report.

Two men working for the former president in January 2021 also allegedly talked about the possibility of the data being used in an attempt to decertify the state’s pivotal Senate runoffs, according to CNN.

Republicans lost control of the US Senate to the Democrats when Jon Ossoff beat Republican David Perdue, which left the upper chamber of Congress tied at 50 votes each giving vice president Kamala Harris the vote to break all ties.

The news network reports that the messages were exchanged two weeks after the operatives allegedly breached the voting machine in Georgia’s Coffee County.

“Here’s the plan. Let’s keep this close hold,” wrote Jim Penrose, a former NSA official working with Trump lawyer Sidney Powell to access voting machines in Georgia, CNN reports.

Read more:

Texts reveal Trump operatives’ plan to use breached Georgia voter data

Nearly half of Republicans don’t want Trump to run for president again

19:00 , Megan Sheets

Despite Donald Trump’s frequent boasting of his popularity in the 2024 presidential race, a recent poll shows a whopping 44 per cent of Republicans don’t want him to run at all.

The poll from the Associated Press and the University of Chicago’s research centre NORC, released on Thursday, highlights trouble ahead for the former president.

Overall, 70 per cent of Americans said they don’t want Mr Trump to run for reelection.

That includes 93 per cent of Democrats, 63 per cent of independents and 44 per cent of Republicans.

However, the poll showed 68 per cent of Republicans hold a favourable view of Mr Trump - compared with just 4 per cent of Democrats and 34 per cent of respondents overall.

Manhattan DA allows Congress to question former prosecutor over Trump probe

18:00 , Ariana Baio

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has agreed to let former prosecutor Mark F Pomerantz testify before the House Judiciary Committee over the DA’s investigation into former president Donald Trump.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee with be permitted to ask Mr Pomerantz questions under oath on 12 May.

An attorney from the DA’s office will be present with Mr Pomerantz according to a statement from the Manhattan DA’s Office on Twitter.

“We are pleased with this resolution, which ensures any questioning of our former employee will take place in the presence of our General Counsel on a reasonable, agreed upon timeframe,” the statement from the Manhattan DA says.

It continued, “Our successful stay of this subpoena blocked the immediate deposition and afforded us the time necessary to coordinate with the House Judiciary Committee on an agreement that protects the District Attorney’s privileges and interests.”

The move will bring Mr Bragg’s battle with Jim Jordan (R-OH), the chairman of the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee, to an end. For now.

The Independent’s Ariana Baio reports:

Manhattan DA allows Congress to question former prosecutor over Trump probe

Longtime Trump ally jumps ship for DeSantis

16:58 , Megan Sheets

Adam Laxalt, the former Nevada attorney general and longtime ally of Donald Trump, appears to be throwing his weight behind rival Ron DeSantis in the 2024 race.

Mr Laxalt will help lead the Never Back Down super PAC encouraging Mr DeSantis to take on Mr Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, the PAC announced Saturday.

Mr Laxalt and Mr DeSantis have a long history, having roomed together at the Naval Justice School years back.

But despite their long friendship, the move to support Mr DeSantis will likely anger Mr Trump, whose campaign Mr Laxalt chaired in Nevada in 2020.

Trump dubiously claims he’s leading 2024 polls ‘by a lot’

15:12 , Megan Sheets

Donald Trump kicked off his Saturday morning with a Truth Social post bragging about his standing in the polls.

According to him, all media outlets aside from the Wall Street Journal show him ahead of President Joe Biden and Ron DeSantis “by a lot”.

“In the Polls, I am beat Biden everywhere, by a lot, except in the Globalist inspired Wall Street Journal, one of the worst, and most partisan, media outlets anywhere,” he wrote.

“It was that way with them in 2016, until I beat Crooked Hillary. Now they are using the same Fake Playbook, that I beat Ron DeSanctimonious easily, but Biden is close.

“All others media outlets have me beating both by a lot. Don’t buy their Bull…. They are FAKE NEWS!!!”

In reality, the latest polling does not show anyone leading by a significant margin, according to data compiled by Race to the White House.

ICYMI: Trump remains silent on Fox’s Dominion lawsuit settlement

13:00 , Ariana Baio

Former president Donald Trump’s social media output in the hours since Fox News reached a $787m settlement with Dominion Voting Systems has included numerous posts promoting a series of digital trading cards he is selling, attacks on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and bizarre complaints about Elon Musk and alleged censorship on Twitter (where Mr Trump’s account has gone unused since it was restored earlier this year).

But Mr Trump has not weighed in on Fox’s decision to offer more than three-quarters of a billion dollars to Dominion rather than allow a Delaware jury to determine how much the right-wing network should pay for broadcasting repeated lies about the company’s products rather than report the truth because it was upsetting their audience.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump remains silent on Fox’s Dominion lawsuit settlement

Who is E Jean Carroll the woman suing Donald Trump?

12:00 , Ariana Baio

E Jean Carroll released a memoir in 2019 which contained a list of men she encountered and a bombshell accusation: that she had been raped by the then-president of the United States 30 years earlier.

Not only did the accusation skyrocket her to mainstream media fame, but it sparked several civil lawsuits against Donald Trump.

Next week, Ms Carroll will take on Mr Trump’s attorneys representing him for defamation and rape.

But who is the pioneering advice columnist, author and TV talk show host who took on Mr Trump?

Bevan Hurley reports:

E Jean Carroll: The author and TV talkshow host who took on Donald Trump

Trump trolls DeSantis’ Florida

11:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump is continuing his attack on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, this time by releasing a list of statistics indicating Florida is not in good shape.

The press release, titled “The Real Ron DeSantis Playbook” claims that under Mr DeSantis “Florida has become one of the least affordable states to live in.”

“The real DeSantis record is one of misery and despair,” Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Mr Trump wrote.

What followed was a list of statistics indicating Florida was a bad place to pay taxes, be safe, rent a home, have a baby, retire, die, be a teacher, be a doctor, be a police officer, be a working parent, and more.

Mr Trump resides in Palm Beach, Florida

Judge scolds lawyer for withdrawing from Jan 6 defendant case

10:00 , Ariana Baio

A federal judge in Washington scolded an attorney for withdrawing from a January 6th defendant’s case, causing a delay in the man’s trial, but did not refer him for disciplinary action.

US District Judge Trevor McFadden, an appointee of former president Donald Trump, said he was considering referring the attorney, Joseph McBride, to the court’s committee on grievances.

He said it appeared that Mr McBride misled the court when he withdrew from the case of Christopher Quaglin, charged with assaulting officers during the January 6th riot.

McBride told Judge McFadden that another attorney familiar with the case, Jonathan Gross, would take over.

However, Mr Gross asked Judge McFadden to delay the case because he does not practice criminal law.

Mr McBride explained that Mr Gross was only going to serve as lead counsel “for a time” until they found a replacement. He later clarified that his client fired him because he thought the judge did not like him.

Donald Trump says he has ‘universal’ support in Florida

09:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump says he has ‘universal’ support in Florida

Rumours are swirling that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be announcing his bid for 2024 Republican presidential candidate soon and Mr Trump is sticking his foot out.

For months, the former president has been launching attacks at Mr DeSantis as people begin to pit the two GOP leaders against each other.

But more recently, Mr Trump has been more aggressive about making strides against Mr DeSantis by seeking endorsements from members of Congress in Mr DeSantis’ home state.

On Truth Social, Mr Trump boasted about his accomplishments saying he has “almost universal” support in Florida.

“A great group of supportive Florida Congressmen and Congresswomen, all who have Endorsed me, will be coming to Mar-a-Lago tonight. Our support is almost universal in Florida and throughout the USA,” Mr Trump wrote.

Florida Representatives Greg Steube, John Rutherford, and Brian Mast have all endorsed Mr Trump.

When does the rape and defamation case against Trump begin?

08:00 , Ariana Baio

Former president Donald Trump will face the latest in his string of legal woes next week when E Jean Carroll’s case against him begins.

The case is expected to begin on 25 April in New York.

Ms Carroll, a columnist and author, is suing the former president for defamation and battery.

She alleges that Mr Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a department store in the 1990s. After going public with the accusations in her book in 2019, Mr Trump denied them and said he had “never met” Ms Carroll nor was she his “type.”

Bevan Hurley reports.

When is the E Jean Carroll rape and defamation trial against Donald Trump?

Who is running for president in 2024?

07:00 , Ariana Baio

With less than two years remaining until US voters decide who will serve as president, candidates are beginning to announce their campaigns.

Familiar faces like former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley have made their bid to run against the former US president, Donald Trump, who already announced his campaign.

But rumours are swirling that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence could throw their hats in the ring too.

As tensions heat up, here’s what you need to know.

Who is running for president in 2024?

Inside the Stormy Daniels hush money case that led to Trump’s arrest

06:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump became the first-ever US president to be charged with a crime on 4 April when he appeared before a judge at Manhattan Criminal Court accused of falsifying business records.

Now, his lawyers are preparing to go back to court in a defamation and rape trial brought on by columnist E Jean Carroll.

In case you need a refresher, here’s a recap of Mr Trump’s indictment.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

Is Donald Trump going to jail?

New poll shows half of Democrats think President Joe Biden should run again in 2024

05:00 , Ariana Baio

Only about half of Democrats think President Joe Biden should run again in 2024, a new poll shows, but a large majority say they’d be likely to support him if he became the nominee.

The poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that 26% of Americans overall want to see Biden run again — a slight recovery from the 22% who said that in January

The ambivalence among Democratic voters comes as Biden is preparing to formally announce his 2024 reelection campaign as soon as next week, according to people briefed on the discussions.

Both the current and former presidents could face resistance from the public as a whole in a general election. A total of 65% of U.S. adults say they would definitely or probably not support former President Donald Trump if he is nominated in a general election, including 53% who say they definitely would not.

Trump's former financial chief Weisselberg gets out of jail

04:00 , Ariana Baio

Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer at Donald Trump’s company, got out of jail Wednesday but might not have freed himself from the legal morass surrounding the former president.

The 75-year-old emerged from New York City’s Rikers Island jail complex facing the same pressures he was under three months ago, when he started serving time for tax evasion.

Trump's former financial chief Weisselberg gets out of jail

Larry Elder announces 2024 GOP bid for president

03:00 , Ariana Baio

Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, who sought to replace the California governor in a failed 2021 recall effort, announced Thursday he is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

Elder, 70, made the announcement on Fox News‘ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” and followed up with a tweet.

“America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. That’s why I’m running for President,” he wrote.

Radio host Larry Elder announces 2024 bid for president

ICYMI: Congressional hearing features Trump’s ‘greatest hits’ of Covid misinformation

02:00 , Ariana Baio

In case you missed it:

Florida Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz listed off a series of former president Donald Trump’s lies about Covid-19 during a House subcommittee hearing on the origins of the pandemic.

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic convened on Tuesday to discuss the origins, with Republicans largely focusing on the likelihood that a lab leak in the Wuhan province caused the virus to spread.

Eric Garcia reports.

Trump’s ‘greatest hits’ of Covid misinformation are read out at congressional hearing

Have Republicans have anything on the Biden family?

01:00 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden is expected to announce that he is officially seeking re-election soon and GOP members of Congress have been busy conducting investigations that they hope will tarnish the 46th president’s public image enough to convince voters that former president Donald Trump — not Mr Biden — deserves four more years.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

House GOP targets Hunter Biden: Do Republicans have anything on Biden family?

The allegations against Trump

Saturday 22 April 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio

Columnist and author E Jean Carroll is suing Donald Trump for defamation and rape.

Ms Carroll alleges that Mr Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a department store in the 1990s. After revealing the assault in her memoir What Do We Need Men For? Mr Trump disputed them, indicating Ms Carroll was lying.

Now Ms Carroll is taking Mr Trump to trial.

Here’s what you need to know about the allegations facing Mr Trump.

Bevan Hurley reports.

What are the allegations at the centre of E Jean Carroll’s rape trial against Trump?

Voices: Trump eats Ron DeSantis’ lunch in the endorsement contest

Friday 21 April 2023 23:30 , Ariana Baio

The Independent Washington DC correspondent Eric Garcia writes about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ aloofness and falling support as Donald Trump continues to grow in the run for 2024 president.

Eric Garcia reports:

Trump eats Ron DeSantis’ lunch in the endorsement contest

Donald Trump’s favorability is growing

Friday 21 April 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio

Polling from FiveThirtyEight shows that Donald Trump’s favorability is growing, not shrinking.

Mr Trump had a 54.6 per cent unfavorable rate on 1 January 2023, a +14 margin indicating most people were unfavorable toward the former president.

But as of 21 April, Mr Trump’s unfavorability has shrunken to 53.3 per cent. The margin has been reduced by two points.

The opposite effect has happened to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who went from being 40.2 per cent favorable on 1 January to 38 per cent favorable as of 21 April.

Who is E Jean Carroll the woman suing Donald Trump?

Friday 21 April 2023 22:30 , Ariana Baio

E Jean Carroll released a memoir in 2019 which contained a list of men she encountered and a bombshell accusation: that she had been raped by the then-president of the United States 30 years earlier.

Not only did the accusation skyrocket her to mainstream media fame, but it sparked several civil lawsuits against Donald Trump.

Next week, Ms Carroll will take on Mr Trump’s attorneys representing him for defamation and rape.

But who is the pioneering advice columnist, author and TV talk show host who took on Mr Trump?

Bevan Hurley reports.

E Jean Carroll: The author and TV talkshow host who took on Donald Trump

Trump rips into Florida

Friday 21 April 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump is continuing his attack on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, this time by releasing a list of statistics indicating Florida is not in good shape.

The press release, titled “The Real Ron DeSantis Playbook” claims that under Mr DeSantis “Florida has become one of the least affordable states to live in.”

"The real DeSantis record is one of misery and despair,” Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Mr Trump wrote.

What followed was a list of statistics indicating Florida was a bad place to pay taxes, be safe, rent a home, have a baby, retire, die, be a teacher, be a doctor, be a police officer, be a working parent, and more.

Mr Trump resides in Palm Beach, Florida

ICYMI: How the almost-trial of Dominion v Fox exploded into a Succession-worthy finale

Friday 21 April 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump’s election fraud accusations were at the center of a major lawsuit between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems.

The lawsuit, which was supposed to go to trial last week, ended in a $787m settlement but the twists and turns of the drama surrounding the suit could have made for a Succession-worthy finale.

In case you missed it: here’s how the lawsuit, and settlement, played out.

Alex Woodward reports.

The Succession-worthy finale of the Dominion v Fox nearly-trial

Will Donald Trump be at the E Jean Carroll trial?

Friday 21 April 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio

E Jean Carroll’s rape and defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump will begin next week but it is unclear if Mr Trump will appear in court.

In a letter to Judge Lewis Kaplan, Mr Trump’s attorney Joe Tacopina, said the former president “wishes” to attend but is concerned about the “logistical and financial burdens” of his appearance in New York City.

Judge Kaplan told attorneys that they are not allowed to relay the excuse to jurors next week but that “Mr. Trump is free to attend, to testify, or both. He is free also to do none of those things.”

Judge Kaplan requested Mr Trump’s attorneys notify him if Mr Trump will attend but Mr Tacopina said it was too early to decide.

Judge Kaplan noted that Mr Trump announced earlier this week he will speak at a campaign event in New Hampshire on 27 April - day two of the scheduled trial.

“If the Secret Service can protect him at that event, certainly the Secret Service, the Marshals Service, and the City of New York can see to his security in this very secure federal courthouse,” Judge Kaplan wrote.

What to know about the E Jean Carroll rape defamation case

Friday 21 April 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio

A pair of civil lawsuits against former president Donald Trump will be presented in a New York City federal courtroom starting on 25 April.

E Jean Carroll, a columnist and author, is accusing the former president of rape and defamation all stemming back to an alleged assault that occurred in the dressing room of Bergdorf Goodman’s in the 1990s.

Andrew Feinberg reports

Trump facing trial: What to know about the E Jean Carroll rape defamation case

The Waco siege and a ‘straight line' to January 6th

Friday 21 April 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Reflecting on the 25th anniversary of the Waco siege, Kevin Cook, the author of  Waco Rising: David Koresh, the FBI, and the Birth of America’s Modern Militias, can see a “straight line” between the siege and January 6th.

Josh Marcus reports.

Waco: The infamous Texas siege with a ‘straight line’ to QAnon, militias, and Jan 6

How does Donald Trump’s age compare to other US presidents?

Friday 21 April 2023 19:30 , Ariana Baio

When Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, he became the oldest commander-in-chief sworn in at the age of 70 years and 220 days old.

That was surpassed by his successor Joe Biden, who was 78 years and 61 days when he became the country’s 46th president in January 2021.

Depending on who wins the 2024 presidential election, a new record could be set as both Mr Biden and Mr Trump are running for re-election.

It would be the first election where both candidates are older than the national average life expectancy.

Graeme Massie reports.

How old is Donald Trump and how does his age compare to other US presidents?

Donald Trump’s history of marriages and sexual assault allegations

Friday 21 April 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio

Former President Donald Trump will be represented in court, again, next week as E Jean Carroll’s rape and defamation case against him goes to trial.

Ms Carroll is alleging that Mr Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a department store in the 1990s.

Mr Trump denies her allegations.

But this is not the first time Mr Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct. Throughout his marriages and life, Mr Trump has faced accusations from at least 26 women.

Chelsea Ritschel reports:

A timeline of Trump’s marriages and sexual assault allegations

Judge scolds lawyer for withdrawing from Jan 6 defendant case

Friday 21 April 2023 18:30 , Ariana Baio

A federal judge in Washington scolded an attorney for withdrawing from a January 6th defendant’s case, causing a delay in the man’s trial, but did not refer him for disciplinary action.

US District Judge Trevor McFadden, an appointee of former president Donald Trump, said he was considering referring the attorney, Joseph McBride, to the court’s committee on grievances.

He said it appeared that Mr McBride misled the court when he withdrew from the case of Christopher Quaglin, charged with assaulting officers during the January 6th riot.

McBride told Judge McFadden that another attorney familiar with the case, Jonathan Gross, would take over.

However, Mr Gross asked Judge McFadden to delay the case because he does not practice criminal law.

Mr McBride explained that Mr Gross was only going to serve as lead counsel “for a time” until they found a replacement. He later clarified that his client fired him because he thought the judge did not like him.

Read more from The Independent

Judge scolds 1/6 lawyer, but won't seek disciplinary action

Donald Trump says he has ‘universal’ support in Florida

Friday 21 April 2023 18:00 , Ariana Baio

Rumours are swirling that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be announcing his bid for 2024 Republican presidential candidate soon and Mr Trump is sticking his foot out.

For months, the former president has been launching attacks at Mr DeSantis as people begin to pit the two GOP leaders against each other.

But more recently, Mr Trump has been more aggressive about making strides against Mr DeSantis by seeking endorsements from members of Congress in Mr DeSantis’ home state.

On Truth Social, Mr Trump boasted about his accomplishments saying he has “almost universal” support in Florida.

“A great group of supportive Florida Congressmen and Congresswomen, all who have Endorsed me, will be coming to Mar-a-Lago tonight. Our support is almost universal in Florida and throughout the USA,” Mr Trump wrote.

Florida Representatives Greg Steube, John Rutherford, and Brian Mast have all endorsed Mr Trump.

When does the rape and defamation case against Trump begin?

Friday 21 April 2023 17:30 , Ariana Baio

Former president Donald Trump will face the latest in his string of legal woes next week when E Jean Carroll’s case against him begins.

The case is expected to begin on 25 April in New York.

Ms Carroll, a columnist and author, is suing the former president for defamation and battery.

She alleges that Mr Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a department store in the 1990s. After going public with the accusations in her book in 2019, Mr Trump denied them and said he had “never met” Ms Carroll nor was she his “type.”

Ms Carroll then filed a lawsuit against Mr Trump for defamation.

In 2022, Ms Carroll filed a separate civil lawsuit against Mr Trump under a New York law that allows sexual assault survivors to bring cases after the statute of limitations has expired on alleged offences.

The new case accuses him of battery – and also adds a new defamation claim based on recent posts where Mr Trump called her a “con job”.

Bevan Hurley reports.

When is the E Jean Carroll rape and defamation trial against Donald Trump?

Kellyanne Conway advises Ron DeSantis to lay off ‘culture wars’

Friday 21 April 2023 17:00 , ariana.baio

Kellyanne Conway, a former advisor to Donald Trump on his 2016 presidential campaign, had a piece of advice for Flordia Governor Ron DeSantis as he eyes a presidential campaign announcement.

“He spends way too much time on the culture wars, and that begins with Disney and includes many other things,” Ms Conway told Fox Business Network anchor Larry Kudlow on Friday.

“Woke is important, but you can’t have that as a replacement for a bold, growth-centric economic plan,” she added.

Mr Kudlow highlighted how Mr Trump is “crushing” Mr DeSantis in polling and Mr Trump has already received plenty of endorsements from Florida congressional members.

Ms Conway said this polling could be attributed to the fact that Mr Trump announced his candidacy in November whereas Mr DeSantis hasn’t launched his own yet.

But both Ms Conway and Mr Kudlow agreed that Mr DeSantis’ fight against Disney was not helping his numbers.

“Trump is running against DeSantis,” Mr Kudlow said. “Meanwhile, in my view, Desantis is running against Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. And I think that’s a huge mistake, and his obsession here I think is really damaging him.”

Larry Elder: the conservative radio host running for president

Friday 21 April 2023 16:30 , Ariana Baio

Larry Elder, the conservative radio host, announced he is joining Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, and others in the race for 2024 president.

Mr Elder, 70, made his announcement during an appearance on Fox News’s Tucker Carlson Tonight on Thursday evening.

“My announcement Tucker, is I’m announcing that I’m running for the presidency of the United States on your programme,” he said.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

Who is Republican presidential contender Larry Elder?

Who is running for president in 2024?

Friday 21 April 2023 16:00 , Ariana Baio

With less than two years remaining until US voters decide who will serve as president, candidates are beginning to announce their campaigns.

Familiar faces like former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley have made their bid to run against the former US president, Donald Trump, who already announced his campaign.

But rumours are swirling that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence could throw their hats in the ring too.

As tensions heat up, here’s what you need to know.

The Independent reports:

Who is running for president in 2024?

Judge dismissive of Trump’s excuse to not attend rape trial

Friday 21 April 2023 15:30 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump’s lawyers will not be allowed to tell jurors that he would like to testify in the trial with E Jean Carroll, a federal judge has ruled.

As Mr Trump’s attornies gear up to go to trial with Ms Carroll, a columnist who alleges Mr Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s, one person may be noticeably missing - Mr Trump.

Mr Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, requested Judge Lewis A Kaplan inform the jury at the trial that Mr Trump’s absence was intended to spare New York City and the court system from the logistical burdens of his presence

Judge Kaplan wrote in an order, “Mr. Trump is free to attend, to testify, or both. He is free also to do none of those things.”

He warned Mr Trump’s lawyers to make no reference to “Mr Trump’s alleged desire to testify or to the burdens that any absence on his part allegedly might spare, or might have spared, the Court or the City of New York.”

Chris Christie calls Trump nothing more than a ‘TV star'

Friday 21 April 2023 15:00 , Ariana Baio

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie delivered opening remarks against Donald Trump at a town hall in New Hampshire.

“Tonight is the beginning of the case against Donald Trump,” Mr Christie said to a crowd on Thursday, 20 April.

“Donald Trump is a TV star, nothing more, nothing less. Let me suggest to you that in putting him back in the White House, the reruns will be worse than the original show,” Mr Christie added.

Mr Christie, who once supported Mr Trump in the 2016 presidential election, has pushed a campaign against the former president since he refused to accept election results in 2020.

He is one of the few prominent Republicans to do so.

Mr Christie’s town hall appearance added to growing rumours that he may run for president in 2024. Though Mr Christie directly addressed these saying, “If I decide to run, I’ll be able to try to do something directly about it. And if I don’t, then I’ll be still on ABC-TV every Sunday.”

Clip of Rudy Giuliani dressed in drag resurfaces

Friday 21 April 2023 14:30 , Ariana Baio

An old clip of Rudy Giuliani appearing in drag alongside Donald Trump has resurfaced.

The clip, filmed in 2000, was a skit filmed for the mayor’s Inner Circle Press Roast, an annual event where New York politicians and White House journalists parody themselves for charity.

In the video, Mr Trump pushes his face into the then-New York City mayor’s fake breasts.

The clip comes at a time when multiple Republican-led states are trying to restrict drag performances.

Read More:

Clip resurfaces of Rudy Giuliani in drag as Republicans target performers

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