Election 2024 live: Beyonce takes stage with Harris; Trump leaves Michigan rally-goers waiting three hours

Kamala Harris appeared alongside pop superstar Beyonce and country music veteran Willie Nelson in Houston, Texas, for a rally focused on the future of reproductive rights.

The Democrat held a start-studded rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday where she was joined by Barack Obama, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Tyler Perry and Bruce Springsteen, the latter serenading her supporters and denouncing Donald Trump as an “American tyrant”.

Meanwhile on Friday, Trump told supporters waiting for his rally in Traverse City, Michigan, he would be “two hours” late, despite having already kept them waiting for over an hour.

The former president delivered the news via video from his plane, that was projected at the site of the rally – explaining that he had been busy recording a podcast with Joe Rogan. He had been due to speak at around 7.30pm local time in Michigan.

“We’re stepping on the gas, but it’s all about winning so we had to spend some time with people, a lot of people actually… we’re gonna have a good time tonight. See you soon,” he said.

Scores of people were seen leaving the venue following the announcement.

Key Points

• Thirteen ex-Trump officials sign open letter backing up John Kelly’s ‘fascist’ criticism

• Beyonce to join Kamala Harris on campaign trail in Houston on Friday

• Harris joined by Obama, Springsteen and Jackson at star-studded Atlanta rally

• Trump calls America ‘garbage can for the world’

• Harris blames scheduling for missing out on Joe Rogan’s podcast

Beyonce and Kelly Rowland speaks at Harris rally in Texas

03:16 , Mike Bedigan

Music superstar Beyonce has taken to the stage in Texas to rally for Kamala Harris, alongside her former Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland.

The pair were greeted with roars from the crowd as they entered.

“Welcome to this day, this remarkable, this joyous day, a date, a day, a time, a moment with weight and meaning for our country, for our people and for the world, a moment, Houston, where we grab back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story of division and hatred,” Rowland said.

“Houston, you’ve already had a hand in creating destiny. So do what you do and do this thing again.”

Joe Rogan drops Donald Trump episode

02:54 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast has dropped – with a run time of 2 hours 58 minutes and 49 seconds.

The episode has dropped as the former president is currently in transit to his rally in Michigan.

Kamala Harris will shortly take to the stage in Houston, Texas, alongside music superstar Beyonce.

In pictures: Country star Willie Nelson performs at Harris rally in Texas

02:40 , Mike Bedigan

Beyonce tells Texas ‘it’s time for America to sing a new song’

03:25 , Mike Bedigan

Before welcoming Harris to the stage Beyonce told supporters “it’s time for America to sing a new song.”

“Your voice has power and magnitude,” she said.

“Your vote is one of the most valuable tools, and we need you. Your freedom is your God given right, your human right.

“We all have a role to play to make this a reality. We’re all part of something much bigger. We must vote, and we need you.

“It’s time to sing a new song, a song that began 248 years ago. The old notes of downfall, discord, despair no longer resonate. Our generations of loved ones before us are whispering a prophecy, a quest, a calling, an anthem.

Our moment right now. It is time for America to sing a new song. Our voices sing a chorus of unity. They sing a song of dignity and opportunity. Are you all ready to add your voice to the new American song? Because I am. So let’s do this.”

Doug Bergum holds the fort in Michigan for Trump following news of delay

02:30 , Mike Bedigan

North Dakota governor Doug Bergum is currently onstage holding the fort for Donald Trump in Traverse City, Michigan, following the former president’s announcement that he would be around two hours late.

Bergum has been onstage for more than 30 minutes already.

Beyonce: ‘I’m here as a mother’

03:22 , Mike Bedigan

Beyonce told crowds in Houston that she was at the rally she was addressing them not as a celebrity or a politician, but “as a mother.”

“H-town. We are so happy to be standing here on this stage as proud country Texas Women, supporting and celebrating the one and only vice president Kamala Harris – a woman who’s been pushing for what this country really needs right now, unity,” she said.

“It’s impossible not to feel the energy in this room, the positivity, the community, the humanity. We are at the precipice of an incredible shift, the brink of history.

“I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother, a mother who cares deeply about the world, my children, and all of our children living. A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies.”

“My children and all of our children live in a world where we have the freedom to control our bias, a world where we’re not divided our past, our present, our future, merge to meet us here.

She continued: “Imagine our daughters growing up, seeing what’s possible with no ceilings, no limitations. Imagine our grandmothers.

“Imagine what they feel right now, those who have lived to see this historic day, even those who are no longer physically with us, imagine all of their sacrifice, the sacrifices made so we can witness the strength of a woman standing in her power, reimagining what leadership is for all the men and women in this room and watching around the country.”

Willie Nelson performs for crowds in Texas ahead of Harris remarks

02:15 , Mike Bedigan

Veteran musician Willie Nelson took to the stage and performed to crowds ahead of remarks by Kamala Harris.

The 91-year-old country star played a medley of his hits including On The Road Again.

The vice president will also reportedly be joined by Beyonce at the rally in Houston, Texas.

On Thursday, Bruce Springsteen serenaded crowds at a Harris rally in Atlanta, Georgia.

Trump and Rogan boast of three hour podcast as crowds in Michigan head to their cars

02:05 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump posted a short video with Joe Rogan after wrapping up his podcast, which was apparently three hours long.

Meanwhile, in Michigan, crowds of people were seen heading to their vehicles due to Trump’s delayed arrival.

Jessica Alba speaks at Harris rally in Texas

01:55 , Mike Bedigan

Trump tells supporters in Michigan he will be two hours late

01:46 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump told supporters waiting for his rally in Traverse City, Michigan, he would be “two hours” late, despite having already kept them waiting for over an hour.

The former president delivered the news via video, that was projected at the site of the rally, from his plane – explaining that he had been busy recording . He had been due to speak at around 7.30pm local time in Michigan.

“We’re stepping on the gas, but it’s all about winning so we had to spend some time with people, a lot of people actually… we’re gonna have a good time tonight. See you soon,” he said.

Scores of people were seen leaving the venue following the announcement.

Woodward and Bernstein speak out on Washington Post decision not to endorse either candidate

01:36 , Mike Bedigan

Veteran journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who broke the Watergate scandal, have condemned their former publication The Washington Post, following the news that the title would not be endorsing a candidate in the 2024 election.

“We respect the traditional independence of the editorial page, but this decision 11 days out from the 2024 presidential election ignores the Washington Post’s own overwhelming reportorial evidence on the threat Donald Trump poses to democracy,” the pair said in a newly released joint statement.

“Under Jeff Bezos’s ownership, the Washington Post’s news operation has used its abundant resources to rigorously investigate the danger and damage a second Trump presidency could cause to the future of American democracy and that makes this decision even more surprising and disappointing, especially this late in the electoral process.”

Obama calls out Mark Robinson at North Carolina rally

01:25 , Mike Bedigan

Russian actors made video falsely depicting mail-in ballots for Donald Trump being destroyed in Pennsylvania, FBI says

01:15 , Mike Bedigan

Russian operatives were behind a video falsely depicting mail-in ballots for Donald Trump being destroyed in Pennsylvania, the FBI has said.

The video, based in a suburban Philadelphia county, took off quickly on social media Thursday afternoon, prompting cries of election fraud.

But within three hours Bucks County election officials were countering the video, identifying it as fake.

“The envelope and materials depicted in this video are clearly not authentic materials belonging to or distributed by the Bucks County Board of Elections,” read a statement released by the board on Thursday.

Live from the Trump rally in Michigan

01:05 , Mike Bedigan

Excruciating moment JD Vance gives a shout out to Mark Robinson at rally – then realises his mistake

Saturday 26 October 2024 00:55 , Mike Bedigan

Vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance tripped over his words on Friday at a rally in North Carolina and appaered to briefly praise the state’s scandal-plagued lieutenant governor Mark Robinson, who’s accused of claiming to be a “Black Nazi” in online comments on a porn site.

“I want to give a shout out, to, and you guys have a great lieutenant governor,” Vance told the crowd. “Sorry, we’ve got— sorry, Mark isn’t here.”

Josh Marcus watched the somewhat cringeworthy moment:

Excruciating moment JD Vance gives a shout out to Mark Robinson at rally

Ahead of Michigan rally Trump plays video attacking… Biden

Saturday 26 October 2024 00:40 , Mike Bedigan

Ahead of his appearance in Traverse City, Michigan, Donald Trump played a video clip showing his wins over Joe Biden.

The former president has not been competing with Biden since July, when the president dropped out in favor of Kamala Harris.

Trump sits for Joe Rogan podcast ahead of rally in Michigan

Saturday 26 October 2024 00:30 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump has sat down to record an episode of wildly popular podcast The Joe Rogan experience, ahead of his rally in Michigan this evening.

The former president is reportedly recording the podcast – which boasts 14.5 million Spotify followers and 17.5 million YouTube subscribers – in Rogan’s studio in Austin, Texas.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris is set to be joined by singer Beyonce onstage at a rally in Houston.

Leonardo DiCaprio shares presidential endorsement as 2024 election approaches

Saturday 26 October 2024 00:15 , Mike Bedigan

Leonardo DiCaprio has endorsed Kamala Harris in next month’s presidential election, arguing that her rival Donald Trump “continues to deny the facts” and “deny the science” around climate change.

The Oscar-winning actor, 49, previously endorsed Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

Kevin EG Perry has the full story:

Leonardo DiCaprio shares presidential endorsement as 2024 election approaches

Chinese hackers reportedly targeted data on phones used by Trump and Vance

Friday 25 October 2024 23:58 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump and JD Vance may have been among a number of people targeted by Chinese hackers, who have gained access to US communications networks, according to a new report.

Investigators from national security agencies including the FBI are working to establish the scope of the data breach and determine whether the hackers could have gained access to text messages, or other comms sent through unencrypted channels.

Read more here:

Chinese hackers reportedly targeted data on phones used by Trump and Vance

Trump again pushes no taxes – for anyone!

Friday 25 October 2024 23:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Experts on both sides of the aisle have criticized his ideas as mathematically unworkable and damaging to the economy, The New York Times noted. Legislators are unlikely to end the income tax even if Republicans gain control of Congress, even as tariffs and tax cuts have been some of the top issues pushed by Trump.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Trump again pushes no taxes – for anyone – in latest pitch to woo economic support

ICYMI: Ex-Trump administration officials sign open letter backing John Kelly’s claims

Friday 25 October 2024 23:10 , Oliver O’Connell

A group of former Trump administration officials has penned an open letter backing his former chief of staff John Kelly, after he warned that the former president meets the definition of “a fascist.”

In the explosive letter, the 13 former aides highlight the “danger” of a potential second Trump term, saying: “This is who Donald Trump is.”

Rhian Lubin reports.

Group of ex-Trump administration officials sign letter backing John Kelly’s claims

Former head of RNC claps back at Trump

Friday 25 October 2024 23:00 , Oliver O’Connell

Michael Steele, a Catholic and former chairman of the Republican National Committee, has responded to Donald Trump’s latest diatribe about Catholics who might vote for Kamala Harris.

Recently, the former president has repeated a bizarre accusation that Catholics are being persecuted by the Democrats, which is especially odd given President Joe Biden is a devout follower of the faith.

Today in Texas he began the same diatribe only to get distracted. Trump said: “Anybody that votes as a Catholic for this, this horrible candidate that can’t put two sentences together— she can’t speak. She can’t put two sentences together.”

Steele posted the clip on X, adding: “As a Catholic…I heard you speak…you couldn’t put one sentence together @DonaldTrump, so I voted for @KamalaHarris.”

He also linked to a post from yesterday in which he explained his vote, writing: “In 2020, I reminded my fellow citizens that the ballot was how we restore the soul of our nation.

“Today, we are asked once again to make a choice, between a darker version of ourselves, or a more hopeful future for our children and grandchildren.

“I choose the love of my country over my party. I choose the noble responsibility of my civic duty. I choose my conscience because it reminds me of what I value as a citizen. I choose to stand with my neighbors against those who would lie to them, undermine their freedoms, turn neighbor against neighbor for the sake of one man. I choose a leader who, despite our political differences, values us more than herself.

“Today I voted for @KamalaHarris, because I choose hope.”

Stephen A Smith spars with Fox News’ Hannity over Trump’s mental state

Friday 25 October 2024 22:50 , Oliver O’Connell

Stephen A Smith sparred with Sean Hannity live on air when the Fox News host launched into a strong defense of Donald Trump’s mental state.

The ESPN First Take host appeared on Fox News Hannity on Thursday evening soon after Trump made a campaign stop in Nevada, Las Vegas.

During the live segment, it wasn’t long before the two TV personalities exchanged barbs on the presidential candidates’ behalfs.

James Liddell has the story.

Stephen A Smith spars with Fox News’ Hannity over Trump’s mental state

5th Circuit rules ballots must be received by Election Day per federal law

Friday 25 October 2024 22:40 , Oliver O’Connell

The 5th Circuit has ruled that ballots must be received by Election Day and state laws allowing them to arrive later are preempted by federal law. 18 states plus the District of Columbia count ballots received after that day. This decision would override those laws.

However, Kyle Cheney of Politico notes: “Though the circuit decision could theoretically impact this election cycle significantly, the panel left the decision on whether to apply it to this election cycle up to the district court judge who initially ruled the other way.”

Read the full decision here

Watch: ‘Trump calls Kamala a fascist quite regularly … so spare me’, says Fox News panelist

Friday 25 October 2024 22:35 , Oliver O’Connell

Brady Bunch actor claims reboot axed over her MAGA support

Friday 25 October 2024 22:30 , Oliver O’Connell

The Brady Bunch star Susan Olsen, who portrayed Cindy Brady in the beloved Seventies sitcom, has claimed a revival series was axed due to her controversial views and support for Donald Trump.

In a recent appearance on the Walk Away Campaign podcast, Olsen said a reboot of The Brady Bunch, which originally aired from 1969 to 1974, was in the works at CBS Studios. However, the revival series was scrapped, she claims, by the network over her past remarks on Covid-19 vaccines and the LGBTQ+ community.

Meredith Clark reports on what happened.

The Brady Bunch actor claims reboot was axed over her MAGA support

Chinese hackers targeted phones of Trump, Vance, people associated with Harris campaign

Friday 25 October 2024 22:28 , AP

Chinese hackers targeted cellphones used by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, his running mate, JD Vance, and people associated with the Democratic campaign of Kamala Harris, people familiar with the matter said Friday.

It was not immediately clear what data, if any, may have been accessed. U.S. officials are continuing to investigate, according to the people, who were not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing inquiry and spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press.

An FBI statement did not confirm that Trump and Vance were among the potential targets but said it was investigating “unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure by actors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China.”

“Agencies across the U.S. Government are collaborating to aggressively mitigate this threat and are coordinating with our industry partners to strengthen cyber defenses across the commercial communications sector,” the FBI said.

U.S. officials believe the campaigns were among numerous targets of a larger cyberespionage operation launched by China, the people said. It was not immediately clear what information China may have hoped to glean, though Beijing has for years engaged in vast hacking campaigns aimed at collecting the private data of Americans and government workers, spying on technology and corporate secrets from major American companies and targeting U.S. infrastructure.

Watch: Trump calls Putin and Kim Jong-Un ‘smart and streetwise’

Friday 25 October 2024 22:25 , Oliver O’Connell

Trump praises Putin and Kim Jong-Un as ‘smart and streetwise’

Harris to sir for interview with CBS News on Sunday

Friday 25 October 2024 22:20 , Oliver O’Connell

Kamala Harris will sit for an exclusive interview with Norah O’Donnell of CBS News on their Sunday morning politics show this week, CBS Sunday Mornings.

Full story: Harris slams Trump for ‘belittling’ Americans after he calls US the ‘garbage can of the world’

Friday 25 October 2024 22:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday clapped back at her Republican opponent’s description of the United States as a “dumping ground” for criminals after Donald Trump claimed the US is “like a garbage can for the world” in remarks the previous day.

Speaking to reporters in Houston, where she is set to appear alongside Beyonce at a rally Friday evening, Harris was asked to respond to the former president’s incendiary remarks at a Las Vegas event.

Harris called the racist tirade “another example of how he really belittles our country.”

Andrew Feinberg reports on the vice president’s full remarks.

Harris slams Trump for ‘belittling’ US after he calls it ‘garbage can of the world’

Watch: Former Haley voter explains decision to vote for Harris

Friday 25 October 2024 22:01 , Oliver O’Connell

Full story: McConnell and Johnson say calling Trump fascist encourages another assassin

Friday 25 October 2024 21:50 , Oliver O’Connell

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday warned that Vice President Kamala Harris is “inviting” another assassination attempt against Donald Trump by calling him a fascist.

“The man who was caught waiting in ambush in Florida left others with a chilling call to arms: ‘It is up to you now to finish the job’. Labeling a political opponent as a ‘fascist,’ risks inviting yet another would-be assassin to try robbing voters of their choice before Election Day,” the Republicans wrote in a joint statement.

Josh Marcus has the full story.

McConnell says calling Trump fascist encourages another assassin to’ finish the job’

The ‘Black Insurrectionist’ was actually white. The deception did not stop there

Friday 25 October 2024 21:40 , Oliver O’Connell

“Black Insurrectionist,” the anonymous social media persona behind some of the most widely circulated conspiracy theories about the 2024 election, can be traced to a man from upstate New York. He’s white.

But wait, there’s more…

The ‘Black Insurrectionist’ was actually white. The deception did not stop there

Bowen Yang says he struggled to play JD Vance on SNL — here’s why…

Friday 25 October 2024 21:35 , Oliver O’Connell

Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang has spoken about his initial resistance to performing as Ohio Senator JD Vance on the season 50 premiere of the NBC late-night sketch comedy.

On the September 28th episode, Yang, 33, made his debut as the mustachioed Vance.

However, in a recent interview with them, Yang revealed that up until the live show, he was positive he was the wrong choice to impersonate the Republican Vice Presidential nominee.

Inga Parkel has the story.

Bowen Yang says he struggled to play JD Vance because he ‘doesn’t have a personality’

Watch: Big crowd forming for Harris event in Houston

Friday 25 October 2024 21:34 , Oliver O’Connell

Biden apologizes for Native American boarding school policy he calls ‘blot’ on US history

Friday 25 October 2024 21:25 , Oliver O’Connell

President Joe Biden on Friday offered a formal apology to Native Americans for the US government’s attempt to erase tribal culture via a system of boarding schools that separated native children from their parents for decades, calling the long-discarded policy “a sin on our soul.”

Andrew Feinberg reports on the president’s apology on behalf of the United States.

Biden apologizes for forced Native American boarding school policy

Harris endorsed by largest Teamsters union in Texas

Friday 25 October 2024 21:22 , Oliver O’Connell

The largest Teamsters union in Texas, Local 988, has endorsed Kamala Harris before her rally in Houston this evening.

The Hill obtained a letter in which the union, based in Houston, said it surveyed more than 8,000 members before endorsing the vice president.

It cited the Biden administration’s protection of union pensions and Harris’s pledge if elected to sign the PRO Act, pro-labor legislation.

“There’s no doubt that politics can get bitter, complicated, and confusing,” Local 988 president Robert Mele said in a statement. “But Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have a proven track record of supporting workers throughout their careers.”

“As organizing continues to gain momentum, the Teamsters need elected officials who will fight for us, not against us. Kamala Harris is that candidate,” he added.

Harris to warn Trump will ban abortion nationwide in Houston remarks

Friday 25 October 2024 21:17 , Oliver O’Connell

Trump grumbles about Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize

Friday 25 October 2024 21:16 , Oliver O’Connell

With 11 days to go until Election Day, Donald Trump can’t stop obsessing about former President Barack Obama having been awarded a Nobel Prize in 2009, a little more than eight months after taking office.

At a campaign stop in Las Vegas on Thursday, the former president bombarded the audience with false claims about, among other things, hordes of undocumented “animals” entering the United States, widespread voter fraud, and the size of the crowd there to see him at the UNLV Thomas & Mack Center, insisting there were 29,000 people inside the 19,522-capacity arena.

Must’ve been cramped!

Justin Rohrlich reports.

Trump grumbles about Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize — and claims he deserved it more

Gaza, the voting gender gap, and whether Harris can really win over Republicans

Friday 25 October 2024 20:58 , Oliver O’Connell

John Bowden writes:

Will Kamala Harris lose Michigan because of her refusal to separate herself from Joe Biden on Gaza? Will she win enough Republicans elsewhere? Will women be Donald Trump’s downfall?

We’ll know the answers in two weeks. Welcome to the final stretch.

Read on…

Gaza, the voting gender gap, and whether Harris can really win over Republicans

Harris condemns Trump for calling America ‘the trash can of the world’

Friday 25 October 2024 20:55 , Oliver O’Connell

Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump for belittling the United States by calling it “the trash can of the world” saying Americans deserve better.

“It’s just another example of how he really belittles our country,” Harris said on Friday.

“This is someone who is a former president of the United States who has a bully pulpit, and this is how he uses it, to tell the rest of the world that somehow the United States of America is trash.”

“The President of the United States should be someone who elevates discourse and talks about the best of who we are and invests in the best of who we are, not someone like Donald Trump constantly demeaning and belittling who the American people are. America deserves better.”

COMMENT: This election, I’m keeping my vote a secret from my five kids. Here’s why

Friday 25 October 2024 20:50 , Oliver O’Connell

Megan Thompson writes:

When I hit the voting booths this November, I’ll have my five kids in tow. They may learn the importance of casting a vote, but if they ask who I’m voting for, I simply won’t tell them.

Continue reading…

I’ll never tell my five kids who I vote for. This is why

Bill Clinton called Kari Lake ‘attractive’, here’s her savage comeback

Friday 25 October 2024 20:46 , Oliver O’Connell

Arizona US Senate candidate Kari Lake had a sharp response on Thursday after former president Bill Clinton called her an “attractive” but substance-free backer of Donald Trump.

Josh Marcus has the story.

Kari Lake has savage comeback after Bill Clinton calls her attractive

Washington Post declines to endorse a candidate for president for first time in 36 years

Friday 25 October 2024 20:40 , Oliver O’Connell

The Washington Post editorial board will not be endorsing a candidate for president this year, nor will it do so in any future election, publisher and CEO Will Lewis announced on Friday.

The decision generated backlash from many who expected the Post to endorse Harris, who is locked in a statistical dead heat with Donald Trump, according to national polls — especially after its endorsement of Joe Biden in 2020 that called on voters to “expel the worst president of modern times.”

An endorsement of Harris was reportedly spiked by owner Jeff Bezos, as Justin Rohrlich reports.

Washington Post declines to endorse a candidate for president

Watch: Painful moment JD Vance begins shout out to scandal-tainted North Carolina Lt Gov

Friday 25 October 2024 20:36 , Oliver O’Connell

This is really, really, really awkward given the Trump campaign has been distancing itself from scandal-tainted Lt Gov Mark Robinson for weeks now.

If you can’t remember why, here’s a refresher:

‘Black Nazi’ and ‘perv’: Republican candidate’s stunning posts about self on forum

Trump mocked for claiming 29,000 supporters flocked to see him work fryer at McDonald’s

Friday 25 October 2024 20:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump has been mocked for claiming 29,000 supporters flocked to see him work the fryer at McDonald’s during his campaign stunt last weekend.

“We had 29,000 people surrounding it. We weren’t sure if we were able to get out,” Trump boasted at a rally in Las Vegas on Thursday night.

Unfortunately, that number eclipses the population of the town in which the outlet was situated, as Rhian Lubin reports.

Trump mocked for claiming 29,000 supporters flocked to see his McDonald’s stunt

Harris addresses Trump calling America world’s ‘garbage can’

Friday 25 October 2024 20:20 , Oliver O’Connell

Kamala Harris has commented on Donald Trump’s latest trash-talking of America during one of his rallies on Thursday.

The vice president said: “I also do want to address the comment that Donald Trump made about America being the trash can of the world… it’s just another example of how he really belittles our country.

“This is someone who is a former president of the United States who has a bully pulpit, and this is how he uses it, to tell the rest of the world that somehow the United States of America is is, it’s trash.

“And I think again, the President of the United States should be someone who elevates discourse and talks about the best of who we are and invests in the best of who we are, not someone like Donald Trump, constantly demeaning and belittling who the American people are. America deserves better.

Trump says he’s ‘not supposed’ to tell supporters he’s winning in battleground states

Friday 25 October 2024 20:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump claimed he’s winning in three key swing states – before telling supporters that he’s “not supposed to say that.”

The former president made the unfounded claims that he’s leading in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania at a Turning Point Action rally on Thursday night. The event was hosted by the political advocacy arm of Turning Point USA, an organization founded by far-right political activist Charlie Kirk.

“But I’m not supposed to say that,” Trump said. “Pretend it’s close, everybody has to. They’re afraid that if you hear that they’re not going to vote.”

Katie Hawkinson reports on yet another incident of the former president saying the quiet part out loud.

Trump claims he’s ‘not supposed’ to tell supporters he’s winning in key swing states

Watch: Trump wants to break Eisenhower’s record for deportations

Friday 25 October 2024 20:05 , Oliver O’Connell

Tucker Carlson and Trump to hold Halloween rally – after ‘creepy’ speech about ‘angry daddy’

Friday 25 October 2024 19:50 , Oliver O’Connell

Tucker Carlson is now set to join Donald Trump for a campaign rally on Halloween, after he raised eyebrows for his bizarre rally speech where he likened the former president to a “dad” coming home to give his “bad little girl” a “vigorous spanking.”

The former Fox News host is hosting an event, described as a hurricane relief benefit, in the battleground state of Arizona on October 31 – just five days before Election Day. Trump is one of the guests billed to join him at the event.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

Tucker Carlson to join Trump for Halloween rally after ‘creepy’ ‘angry daddy’ speech

Trump targets Texas voters with misinformation about migrants

Friday 25 October 2024 19:42 , Ariana Baio

Trump touted his familiar claims about immigration at a rally in Austin, Texas on Friday afternoon claiming there is “mass migrant crime” and other countries are “dumping” prisoners into the United States.

COMMENT: No, young Black men aren’t to blame if Trump wins

Friday 25 October 2024 19:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Richard Addy and Luba Kassova write:

Several news outlets have reported that Black men and, more specifically, young Black men are increasingly likely to vote for Trump. And earlier in October, in his efforts to ramp up support for Kamala Harris, Barack Obama said at one high-profile Democratic campaigning event that he was disappointed to see less energy among them than during his own White House campaigns, prodding them to step up their game. His comments have proved controversial, with some Democrats angry with Obama for singling out men of color in this way.

Their anger is understandable. The evidence to back any of the claims for young Black men’s increased support for Trump is deeply flawed, perhaps even non-existent.

Continue reading…

No, young Black men aren’t to blame if Trump wins

Trump promises to give enemies ‘long term prison sentences’ if re-elected

Friday 25 October 2024 19:16 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump repeated his promise to prosecute those he believes are corrupt, this time declaring “lawyers, political operatives, donors, illegal voters and corrupt election officials” will be given “long term prison sentences.”

In a Truth Social post on Friday afternoon, Trump said “when” he is re-elected he will prosecute those people to the fullest extent of the law. With the Supreme Court’s recent presidential immunity ruling, Trump could use his executive power with no criminal implications to go after his opponents.

The former president said he would prosecute those people for “cheating” the election – a claim Trump waged in the last three presidential election cycles to use in the event he loses.

“WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again. We cannot let our Country further devolve into a Third World Nation, AND WE WON’T! Please beware that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country.”

Trump appears to be setting himself up to once again claim the election was stolen from him unfairly if Vice President Kamala Harris wins.

Pennsylvania county says election workers flagged 2,500 possibly fraudulent voter registrations

Friday 25 October 2024 19:10 , AP

Officials in a Pennsylvania county said Friday an investigation has been launched because election workers identified about 2,500 voter registration forms that may be fraudulent.

“Board of Elections staff members identified and contained incidents of voter registration fraud,” the Lancaster County Elections Board said in a news release early Friday. “Elections staff and the district attorney’s office are currently assessing the nature and the volume of fraud.”

Pennsylvania is a pivotal swing state in the Nov. 5 election, where polls indicate the presidential contest is a close race and where 19 electoral votes are at stake.

Read more…

Pennsylvania county says election workers flagged 2,500 possibly fraudulent voter registrations

Trump and Harris remain deadlocked in latest poll

Friday 25 October 2024 18:50 , Oliver O’Connell

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are tied at 48 percent in a new New York Times / Siena College poll.

Other polls have reflected similar numbers that put Harris and Trump neck-and-neck, suggesting this election will be one of the closest in recent history.

Ariana Baio reports.

Trump and Harris are deadlocked with 48% each in latest poll

Watch LIVE: Trump campaigns in Austin

Friday 25 October 2024 18:45 , Oliver O’Connell

Warning: This live feed may contain misinformation that has not been independently verified. Watch live as Donald Trump holds a rally in Austin, Texas, on Friday, 25 October.

The former president is expected to speak at a private airport as he travels to the state to record a podcast episode with Joe Rogan.

Watch live: Trump campaigns in Austin ahead of Joe Rogan interview

Watch: Trump compares US to ‘garbage can for the world’

Friday 25 October 2024 18:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Trump compares United States to ‘garbage can for the world’

Trump slams Virginia judge for blocking removal of alleged noncitizens from voter rolls

Friday 25 October 2024 18:36 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump is furious that a judge has blocked a plan by Republicans in Virginia to removed alleged non-citizens from the voter rolls so close to the election.

Here’s what the former president wrote, adding that he would call into Governor Glenn Youngkin’s rally tomorrow and announce a visit to the state.

Sleepy Joe Biden and Comrade Kamala Harris ridiculously accuse me of wanting to “weaponize” the Justice Department, when they have done all of the weaponizing. Now, their truly Weaponized Department of “Injustice,” and a Judge (appointed by Joe), have ORDERED the Great Commonwealth of Virginia to PUT NON-CITIZEN VOTERS BACK ON THE ROLLS. This is a totally unacceptable travesty, and Governor Youngkin is absolutely right to appeal this ILLEGAL ORDER, and the U.S. Supreme Court will hopefully fix it! Only U.S. Citizens should be allowed to vote. Keep fighting, Glenn – AND REPUBLICANS IN VIRGINIA, KEEP VOTING EARLY! I will be calling in to Glenn’s Rally with Lara Trump tomorrow morning to talk about this crazy Ruling, and announce my final stop in Virginia before Election Day. TUNE IN!

Here’s the background to the case:

More than 1,600 voters have registration revoked under Virginia program targeting noncitizens

Watch: Biden gives remarks on administration’s record with Tribal communities

Friday 25 October 2024 18:32 , Oliver O’Connell

Harris trying to squeeze votes from Trump’s base

Friday 25 October 2024 18:30 , AP

This year’s presidential election could come down to microscopic margins, so Kamala Harris is hunting for votes in even the most unlikely of places. One of her latest targets is Donald Trump ‘s demographic base — white people who didn’t attend college.

“It’s tough turf,” said Dan Kanninen, the Harris campaign’s battleground states director. “But showing up is how you peel away the votes that you need to win.”

Kanninen and other members of the Democratic vice president’s team point to what they believe are positive signals in public polls that Harris may be making small inroads. Such shifts are difficult to measure, particularly in polls where subgroups of voters can have wide margins of error.

Continue reading…

In a tight election where every vote counts, Harris is trying to squeeze a few out of Trump’s base

Philadelphia Inquirer endorses Harris

Friday 25 October 2024 18:19 , Oliver O’Connell

The Philadelphia Inquirer has published a lengthy endorsement of Kamala Harris and a denunciation of Donald Trump.

Acknowledging that the road to the White House may run through Pennsylvania, the Editorial Board concludes its endorsement of the vice president over the former president by writing:

America deserves much more than an aspiring autocrat who ignores the law, is running to stay out of prison, and doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

The better angels of our nature demand it.

There is only one candidate — Kamala Harris — who will preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States from foreign and domestic enemies.

So help us, God.

Trump calls into Vance’s town hall to ask a question about himself — no, really

Friday 25 October 2024 18:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Perhaps aware that he never mentions his running mate during his own rallies, Donald Trump called into JD Vance’s town hall on Thursday to ask a pertinent question: “How brilliant is Donald J Trump?”

If you think that’s a joke, here’s James Liddell’s report to confirm that no, it is not.

Bizarre moment Trump calls into Vance’s town hall to ask question about himself

Boebert claims ‘Morning Joe’ host’s rhetoric is ‘getting Republicans shot’

Friday 25 October 2024 17:50 , Oliver O’Connell

Far-right lawmaker Lauren Boebert has claimed that a MSNBC journalist is using rhetoric that “is getting Republicans shot.”

Representative Boebert of Colorado posted a clip of ‘Morning Joe’ host Mika Brzezinski telling viewers that Donald Trump is “killing” women over his stance on reproductive rights.

Katie Hawkinson has the story.

Lauren Boebert claims Morning Joe host’s rhetoric is ‘getting Republicans shot’

Washington Post makes no endorsement in 2024 election

Friday 25 October 2024 17:36 , Oliver O’Connell

The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election — nor in any future election.

Publisher and chief executive officer William Lewis wrote in an op-ed piece that this was a return to the paper’s roots of not endorsing presidential candidates. The Post changed its stance in 1976 and endorsed Jimmy Carter.

Lewis writes of today’s decision:

We recognize that this will be read in a range of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility. That is inevitable. We don’t see it that way. We see it as consistent with the values The Post has always stood for and what we hope for in a leader: character and courage in service to the American ethic, veneration for the rule of law, and respect for human freedom in all its aspects. We also see it as a statement in support of our readers’ ability to make up their own minds on this, the most consequential of American decisions — whom to vote for as the next president.

Our job at The Washington Post is to provide through the newsroom nonpartisan news for all Americans, and thought-provoking, reported views from our opinion team to help our readers make up their own minds.

Most of all, our job as the newspaper of the capital city of the most important country in the world is to be independent.

And that is what we are and will be.

Stephen Colbert roasts Tucker Carlson’s Trump ‘daddy issues’

Friday 25 October 2024 17:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Late-night host Stephen Colbert was dumbfounded by Tucker Carlson’s “dad” metaphor for Donald Trump calling it “incredibly gross and weird” on his show on Thursday evening.

Colbert, a vocal Trump opponent, shared Carlson’s speech with his audience at the top of his show as part of his nightly news recap. As the election draws closer, Colbert is razor-focused on each presidential campaign.

Ariana Baio has the story.

Stephen Colbert roasts Tucker Carlson’s ‘daddy issues’ with Trump

Barron Trump helping father with podcast strategy

Friday 25 October 2024 17:18 , Oliver O’Connell

One of Donald Trump’s close advisers revealed that Barron Trump is the architect of his dad’s podcast strategy ahead of Election Day.

Jason Miller, senior adviser to Trump, told Politico’s Playbook Deep Dive podcast that Barron’s recommendations have been “absolutely ratings gold.” Barron, 18, is the former president’s youngest son and a first-year student at New York University’s Stern School of Business.

“Barron has been very involved in selecting or recommending, I should say, a number of the podcasts that we should do,” Miller said.

Katie Hawkinson has the story.

Barron has been helping his dad with podcast strategy: ‘Absolute ratings gold’

McConnell and Johnson slam Harris for calling Trump ‘fascist’, ignoring his own use of term

Friday 25 October 2024 17:07 , Oliver O’Connell

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson have issued a joint statement accusing Kamala Harris of promoting violence by “labeling a political opponent as a ‘fascist.’”

They rather conveniently make no mention of how Donald Trump has also been calling Harris “Marxist”, “communist”, and “fascist” for months.

Weird that.

Watch: Eric Trump more than doubles father’s crowd size in Georgia

Friday 25 October 2024 17:00 , Oliver O’Connell

Latest poll updates: Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump?

Friday 25 October 2024 16:50 , Oliver O’Connell

In just 11 days, Vice President Kamala Harris will go head-to-head with Donald Trump, as Americans cast their votes in the 2024 election.

The final New York Times/Siena College poll before the election has Trump and Harris in a deadlock, with each at 48 percent of the vote.

This could be the closest election in several decades. The race only became tighter in the past month, with what appears to be two unmovable camps of support.

Alicja Hagopian looks at the numbers.

Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump? Latest poll updates from the 2024 election

Watch: Borat is back to roast Trump

Friday 25 October 2024 16:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Sacha Baron Cohen brings back Borat to roast Trump in The Tonight Show chaos

Inside America’s abortion clinics, where doctors carry guns in the waistband of their scrubs

Friday 25 October 2024 16:30 , Oliver O’Connell

This story is part of an investigative series and new documentary, The A-Word, by The Independent examining the state of abortion access and reproductive care in the US after the fall of Roe v Wade.

Bel Trew reports from Bristol, Virginia.

Dr Aaron Campbell holds his gun as he accelerates towards the abortion clinic where he works.

Anti-abortion protesters who camp outside recognize him, although he uses different rental cars to confuse them. As his tires squeal around the corner, they surge towards the vehicle. “The killer has arrived,” one shouts.

The staff at Bristol Women’s Health Clinic, who are always notified of his arrival in advance, rush him in safely through a back door.

“When I pull up to the clinic, I typically will hold my firearm, finger off the trigger, but ready to go if I feel like I have a threat,” Dr Campbell tells The Independent between procedures, his pistol still visibly tucked into his scrubs.

Read on…

Inside America’s abortion clinics, where doctors carry guns while in their scrubs

Watch: CNN plays compare and contrast between Reagan and Trump’s rhetoric

Friday 25 October 2024 16:20 , Oliver O’Connell

COMMENT: What Donald Trump needs to know about Adolf Hitler

Friday 25 October 2024 16:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Simon Walters writes:

Donald Trump barely has to open his mouth to shock or display his ignorance. He managed to do both simultaneously this week when comments he is said to have made about Adolf Hitler were reported.

According to Trump’s former chief of staff John Kelly, Trump praised the Nazi leader saying he “did some good things”.

More specifically, he wanted his staff to be more like “German generals in World War II”, because they were “totally loyal” to Hitler.

Continue reading…

What Donald Trump needs to know about Adolf Hitler

Watch: Tyler Perry preaches ‘decency’ and importance of constitutional transfer of power

Friday 25 October 2024 16:00 , Oliver O’Connell

Pentagon denies falsehood about troops allowed to use force during election

Friday 25 October 2024 15:50 , AP

In a rare move, the Pentagon strongly pushed back Thursday against misinformation spread on social media that falsely suggests U.S. troops have been authorized to use force against American citizens during the election.

The misinformation — spread online by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., among others — suggests that a Defense Department policy revision released in late September was timed to interfere with the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Use of force by federal troops on U.S. soil against U.S. civilians is against the law — except in cases of self-defense — and is outlined in the Posse Comitatus Act.

Continue reading…

In rare move, Pentagon denies falsehood about troops allowed to use force during election

Harris to tour Philadelphia neighborhoods on Sunday to turn out the vote

Friday 25 October 2024 15:47 , Oliver O’Connell

NBC News reports that Kamala Harris will make multiple campaign stops around Philadelphia on Sunday in the hope of getting out the vote in historically Black and Latino neighborhoods.

Citing a campaign official, the network reports that the day will begin with the vice president speaking at a church service in the west of the city, followed by a trip to a barbershop to speak with Black men.

There will also be visits to a Puerto Rican restaurant and a youth basketball facility in the north of the city.