When and where to watch Vance and Walz take the vice presidential debate stage tonight

The Trump campaign appears to be trying to manage expectations ahead of tonight’s vice presidential debate between Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, but Donald Trump doesn’t seem to be on message, calling Kamala Harris’s running mate “a moron”.

Earlier, during a campaign call with reporters, senior Trump adviser Jason Miller said: “Walz is very good in debates. I want to repeat that: Tim Walz is very good in debates. Really good. He’s been a politician for nearly 20 years. He’ll be very well-prepared for tomorrow night.”

Walz will square up to Vance on the debate stage on Tuesday evening in what promises to be a hugely consequential and fiery encounter in New York. Betting odds currently favor the Democrat.

Meanwhile, Trump has continued to try to attack Harris and Joe Biden over the federal response to Hurricane Helene, which has wrought havoc in states including Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. State governors have said they have received the support they need.

As the Biden administration coordinates the response to the disaster, the president and vice president are also monitoring Iran’s attack on Israel from the White House Situation Room.

Key Points

• Betting odds: Walz and Vance go head-to-head in VP debate tonight, but who will win?

• Trump campaign tries to temper expectations ahead of VP debate — former president has other ideas

• When is the VP debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance?

• VP debate could change the course of the election, according to the data

• After Iran launches missiles at Israel, Trump claims Harris and Biden are leading world to brink of WWIII

• Who are the moderators in the vice presidential debate?

Trump holds press conference ahead of VP debate

23:45 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump is speaking with a notably hoarse voice while holding a news briefing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin ahead of the vice presidential debate.

Repeating familiar complaints and falsehoods about Vice President Kamala Harris, migrants crossing the border and crime rates, the former president seemingly read from a piece of paper while speaking.

Trump held multiple rallies in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania over the weekend and then traveled back to Wisconsin on Tuesday.

Trump backing out of 60 Minutes interview

23:30 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump is reportedly pulling out of the 60 Minutes interview he agreed to, CBS News said in a statement.

Just hours before the network is set to host the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, they announced the former president would no longer participate in the interview that was supposed to air next Monday, October 7.

“After initially accepting 60 Minutes’ request for an interview with Scott Pelley, former President Trump’s campaign has decided not to participate. Pelley will address this Monday evening. Our election special will broadcast the Harris interview on Monday as planned. Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump to be interviewed on 60 Minutes stands,” CBS News said in a statement.

23:15 , Oliver O’Connell

6,000-pound nude Trump statue vanishes from Vegas road days after being erected

23:00 , Oliver O’Connell

A nude statue of Donald Trump erected next to a Las Vegas highway didn’t stay up for long.

The 43-foot-tall installation resembling the former president in a birthday suit had towered over Interstate 15 north of Las Vegas since September 28. But now, it has disappeared, according to the New York Post.

Kelly Rissman reports on the mystery.

Mystery after 6,000-lb nude Trump statue vanishes from Vegas road overnight

Who are the moderators of tonight’s vice presidential debate?

22:45 , Oliver O’Connell

Tonight sees CBS News host the vice presidential debate between Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in New York.

It is the first and only meeting between the two vice presidential candidates. Voters in several states have already begun receiving their ballots for the election presidential election on November 5.

Moderating the debate will be Norah O’Donnell, anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News, and Margaret Brennan, moderator of Face the Nation and chief foreign affairs correspondent. No audience will be present for the debate.

Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s moderators, per CBS News.

Norah O’Donnell

O’Donnell has earned multiple Emmy Awards over her nearly three decades of experience in journalism. She is covering her eighth presidential election and has interviewed every living president of the United States.

She has been anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News since 2019, leading CBS News’ flagship broadcast from Washington, DC. O’Donnell recently secured a historic interview with Pope Francis.

O’Donnell has conducted interviews with newsmakers in Washington and beyond for the CBS Evening News, including President Biden’s first interview since taking office; an exclusive sit-down with Vice President Mike Pence after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani; the first-ever interview with the four highest-ranking women in the US military; an exclusive interview with a former staffer for New York’s then-Governor Andrew Cuomo who alleged sexual harassment; and more.

She also contributes to 60 Minutes and is the host of CBS News 24/7’s Person to Person.

O’Donnell joined CBS News in 2011 as chief White House correspondent and was the co-anchor of CBS This Morning from 2012 to 2019.

She began her career as a print reporter for Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, before working for more than a decade at NBC News, where she covered the Pentagon, Congress and the White House. O’Donnell is a graduate of Georgetown University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Margaret Brennan

Brennan has been moderator of Face the Nation since 2018, when she became the second woman to host the prestigious Sunday morning public affairs program. She has interviewed world leaders like Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as congressional leaders including House Speakers Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi.

In 2023, Face the Nation was recognized with a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in TV Political Journalism, citing Brennan’s moderating approach as “measured, completely consistent, researched and prepared”.

Before becoming moderator of Face the Nation, she held several roles at CBS News, including State Department and White House correspondent. She remains the network’s chief foreign affairs correspondent.

She has covered historic moments such as the landmark nuclear deal with Iran; restoration of diplomatic ties with Cuba; the standoff with North Korea; the conflict in Ukraine; and the accord to transfer control of Syria’s chemical weapons. She broke the news that members of Trump’s Cabinet were discussing invoking the 25th Amendment following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, and her interview with Kevin McCarthy in 2023 played a role in his ouster as speaker just days later.

She began her career as a producer at CNBC and spent a decade covering global financial markets before joining CBS News in 2012. Brennan graduated from the University of Virginia in 2002.

Vance’s unpopularity is unprecedented, polling expert says ahead of debate

22:30 , Oliver O’Connell

If the 2024 presidential election boils down to a popularity contest, Senator JD Vance may be in trouble.

The Republican vice presidential candidate is currently suffering from a negative-11 favorability rating, according to polling reviewed by CNN’s Harry Enten.

During a recent segment on the network, Enten discussed the gulf between Vance’s dismal likability scores and those of his Democratic challenger, Governor Tim Walz, who enjoys a plus four favorability rating in the same poll. The two candidates will face off on Tuesday night for the vice presidential debate.

“Oy vey, when it comes to JD Vance,” Enten said.

Graig Graziosi reports.

JD Vance’s unpopularity is unprecedented, polling expert says ahead of debate

VP debate: Who is backing up each candidate in the spin room tonight?

22:15 , Oliver O’Connell

These are the Democrats that will be stumping for Tim Walz in the spin room at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City tonight:

• Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota

• Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona

• Governor Jared Polis of Colorado

• Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois

• US Representative Jasmine Crockett

• Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison

• Senator Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico

And here’s your reminder of who is in JD Vance’s corner:

• Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller

• Donald Trump Jr

• Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas

• Senator Katie Britt of Alabama

• US Representative Elise Stefanik

• US Representative Byron Donalds

• Howard Lutnick

Harris says Iran is threat to American personnel and interests as well as innocent civilians

22:04 , Oliver O’Connell

Vice President Kamala Harris gave remarks on today’s attack on Israel by Iran: “Iran is not only a threat to Israel, Iran is also a threat to American personnel in the region, American interests, and innocent civilians across the region who suffer at the hands of Iran based and backed terrorist proxies.”

Harris says she “fully” supports President Joe Biden’s order for the US military to shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel and that joint defenses appear to have succeeded.

“I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias.”

Watch her full remarks here:

Self-proclaimed billionaire Trump launches GoFundMe to help hurricane victims

22:00 , Oliver O’Connell

Despite being worth an estimated $4 billion, Donald Trump launched a GoFundMe page, asking others to donate to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The GOP nominee launched a “Trump authorized” fundraiser to help those impacted by the deadly storm that hit the southeastern part of the country last week.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Self-proclaimed billionaire Trump launches GoFundMe to help hurricane victims

Watch: MAGA fans greet Harris-Walz bus outside CBS Broadcast Center

21:56 , Oliver O’Connell

I watched hours of JD Vance and Tim Walz past debate footage. Here’s what I learned

21:50 , Oliver O’Connell

Eric Garcia writes:

The Independent reviewed multiple debate performances from Walz and Vance’s career. For Walz, we looked at his first debate in 2006 when he ran for Congress; his 2010 re-election debate after he voted for Obamacare; and his 2022 debate when he ran for re-election for governor in the aftermath of strident Black Lives Matter protests.

For Vance, The Independent reviewed two of his primary debates when he was at the back of the pack, and one of his general election debates against his Democratic opponent, Tim Ryan. We are also including coverage of his second debate with Ryan.

Continue reading…

I watched hours of JD Vance and Tim Walz debate footage. Here’s what I learned

Walz will head to Pennsylvania tomorrow as Harris surveys hurricane damage

21:41 , Oliver O’Connell

Trump Force 47 plans rally for Vance outside New York debate studio

21:36 , Oliver O’Connell

Trump Force 47, the ground game for the Trump-Vance campaign, is arranging a rally in support of JD Vance outside the CBS Broadcast Center on Manhattan’s westside this evening, just hours ahead of the vice presidential debate.

The group has asked the tri-state area MAGA faithful to meet up on West 56th St in deep blue Manhattan “to show Senator JD Vance that New York is Voting for TRUMP/VANCE this year!”

“We will be peacefully organizing to SHOW Corrupt New York Albany Democrats that President Donald J. Trump and Senator JD Vance is LOVED and SUPPORTED in New York City!”

The group is promising MAGA hats and merchandise as prizes for the best homemade signs and food and drinks will be provided.

Kellyanne Conway pushes Trump to debate again

21:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Kellyanne Conway has urged Donald Trump to debate Kamala Harris a second time to ensure that JD Vance doesn’t have the “last word.”

The former president swiftly dismissed rumors of a second debate following their first showdown last month – a showdown that many Republicans believed Harris won.

But while Trump appears to have shut the door on a second outing, former Trump advisor Conway hasn’t given up hope, claiming the former president’s response wasn’t “totally no”.

James Liddell reports.

Kellyanne Conway pushes Trump to debate again so Vance doesn’t have ‘last word’

Watch: Trump claims Democrats wanted to rebuild Manhattan with water-free bathrooms and without windows

21:22 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump claims that Democrats in favor of the Green New Deal wanted to demolish Manhattan and rebuild it with no windows and water-free bathrooms.

Earlier, he also served up this word salad:

New polls show Trump and Harris tied by statewide Democrats leading

21:15 , Oliver O’Connell

New Emerson College Polling/RealClearWorld surveys in the key battlegrounds of Arizona and North Carolina, find a too-close-to-call presidential election.

In Arizona, 50 per cent support former President Donald Trump while 47 per cent support Vice President Kamala Harris.

In North Carolina, 49 per cent support Trump, while 48 per cent support Harris.

Statewide Democratic candidates lead the Republicans in both states, outperforming Harris on the ballot.

In the Arizona US Senate Election between Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake, 52 per cent support Gallego, 41 perncet support Lake, and seven per cent are undecided.

In the North Carolina gubernatorial election, Democrat Josh Stein leads Republican Mark Robinson, 52 per cent to 33 per cent, with 12 per cent undecided.

The Emerson College Polling/RealClearWorld surveys were conducted September 27-28, 2024. The sample of likely voters in Arizona is n=920, in North Carolina is n=850. The polls have a credibility interval, similar to a poll’s margin of error (MOE), of +/- 3.2 percentage points in Arizona and +/- 3.3 percentage points in North Carolina. The data sets were weighted by gender, education, race, age, party registration, and region based on 2024 likely voter modeling. Turnout modeling per state is based on U.S. Census parameters, exit polling, and voter registration data.

Watch: Trump appears to struggle with words ‘rage’, ‘age’, and ‘wage’

21:05 , Oliver O’Connell

Biden insiders say president is feeling ‘left behind’

21:00 , Oliver O’Connell

President Joe Biden has reportedly complained to his closest allies that he feels “left behind” as his fellow Democrats rush to embrace their new presidential nominee Kamala Harris and support her in the fight against Donald Trump.

Biden, 81, made the historic decision to step aside from the 2024 in July following intense pressure from his own party in the wake of his disastrous debate performance against Trump in June.

The president moved quickly to endorse the vice president, who went on to pick up the nomination unchallenged, her dramatic ascent reinvigorating a race many were previously unenthused by.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

Biden insiders say he is feeling ‘left behind’ by Harris campaign

Watch: Trump claims he doesn’t need a teleprompter… standing before a teleprompter

20:55 , Oliver O’Connell

‘He’s a pro’: Trump says Vance ‘doesn’t need a lot of advice’ ahead of debate

20:50 , Oliver O’Connell

NBC News correspondent Garrett Haake reports that Donald Trump told him regarding JD Vance and tonight’s debate: “He doesn’t need a lot of advice. He’s a pro.”

He also wants his running mate to be aggressive about immigration.

Analysis: As Iran retaliates for Israel’s Lebanon campaign against Hezbollah – what comes next for the Middle East?

20:45 , Oliver O’Connell

Chris Stevenson writes:

The missiles lit up the sky across Israel, explosions ringing out as they were intercepted or they hit the ground. Civilians across the country were asked to stay in shelters while air raid sirens blared.

It is not the first time Iran has fired on Israel this year, Tehran launched more than 330 drones and missiles against its most bitter adversary in April – retaliating for a strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. That attack, the first such strike ever, took a number of hours to complete compared to the one on Tuesday night, with the drones taking some time to reach Israel. Alongside help from allies such as the US and the UK, Israel said it had intercepted 99 per cent of the projectiles that day, in what was a highly-telegraphed move by Iran.

In the wake of that barrage, Tehran said it considered the matter “concluded” although it would respond if Israel struck back.

While we are waiting to see the extent of the damage from the latest attack, Israel said that there were few injuries and was bullish about its capability to fend off the attack, again with the help of the US.

Continue reading…

As Iran retaliates against Israel – what comes next for the Middle East?

Biden will ensure ‘severe consequences’ for Iran after Israel rocket attack

20:35 , Oliver O’Connell

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that the US will work closely with Israeli officials to determine what the response would be to nearly 200 missile attacks aimed at Israel on Tuesday, while declaring that there would be “severe consequences” for the strike.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

White House says Biden will enforce ‘severe consequences’ after Iran attack on Israel

How can Vance win tonight’s VP debate?

20:30 , Oliver O’Connell

George W Bush’s former speechwriter has revealed how JD Vance might be able to best his Democratic rival on the debate stage: by exposing his “goofs.”

William McGurn, who worked as former president Bush’s chief speechwriter between June 2006 and February 2008, penned his prognosis in a The Washington Post op-ed on Monday – one day before the vice presidential candidates were set to take to the debate stage in New York on Tuesday evening.

In the article titled “How JD Vance Wins the Vice-Presidential Debate With Tim Walz,” the former White House staffer said that Vance could win the debate by using Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and President Joe Biden’s “goofs” to pick apart Kamala Harris’s campaign.

James Liddell explains.

Vance can use Walz and Biden’s ‘goofs’ to win VP debate, Bush speechwriter says

Biden and Harris pictured in Situation Room discussing Iran attack on Israel

20:27 , Oliver O’Connell

Watch: Trump repeats claim Biden to blame for his small crowd sizes

20:12 , Oliver O’Connell

Biden to travel to North Carolina and South Carolina

20:11 , Oliver O’Connell

Per the White House:

On Wednesday, October 2nd, the President will travel to North Carolina and South Carolina. He will take an aerial tour of areas impacted by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, receive operational briefings, and greet with first responders and local officials. He will also engage with first responders and state and local officials in South Carolina en route to North Carolina.

Latest poll updates: Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump?

20:00 , Oliver O’Connell

Alicja Hagopian looks at the latest polling numbers.

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

Watch: National security adviser says Iranian attack on Israel appears ‘defeated and ineffective’

19:58 , Oliver O’Connell

Harris to travel to Georgia to survey impact of Hurricane Helene

19:55 , Oliver O’Connell

The White House has announced that on Wednesday, October 2, Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Georgia to survey the impacts of Hurricane Helene and receive an on-the-ground briefing about the continued recovery efforts that are occurring in communities across the state. The Vice President will also provide updates on federal actions that are being taken to support emergency response and recovery efforts in Georgia and several other states throughout the southeast.

The visit comes after yesterday’s visit by Harris to FEMA headquarters where she received a follow-up briefing on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene and thanked federal personnel and first responders for their work to support impacted communities. During her remarks, she made it clear that the Biden-Harris administration “will continue to do everything we can to help you recover and to help you rebuild – no matter how long it takes.”

Before visiting FEMA, Harris continued to speak with leaders from the impacted states. This included North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Mayor Knox White of Greenville, South Carolina, and Mayor Van Johnson of Savannah, Georgia. In her conversations, the Vice President received updates on response and recovery efforts, and shared how the administration will continue providing support to impacted communities. She also reached out to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa.

Watch: Harris wishes happy 100th birthday to ‘dear friend’ Jimmy Carter

19:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Ukraine support top priority for Nato’s new chief Mark Rutte

19:00 , Oliver O’Connell

New Nato chief Mark Rutte has vowed to help shore up Western support for war-ravaged Ukraine, as he takes charge at a critical time for the Western alliance.

The Dutch former prime minister has officially replaced Jens Stoltenberg as Nato secretary general after Mr Stoltenberg spent a decade in the job.

Mr Rutte’s appointment comes just before a pivotal US presidential election in November, with Nato-sceptic Donald Trump, who declined to say whether he wants Ukraine to win the war, on the Republican ticket. But Mr Rutte said he would be able to work with Mr Trump or the Democrat candidate Kamala Harris.

Alexander Butler reports.

Former Dutch PM takes over as Nato chief

Biden urges deal with striking dockworkers

18:45 , Oliver O’Connell

President Joe Biden issued the following statement on the negotiations between USMX and the International Longshoremen’s Association:

Collective bargaining is the best way for workers to get the pay and benefits they deserve. I have urged USMX, which represents a group of foreign-owned carriers, to come to the table and present a fair offer to the workers of the International Longshoremen’s Association that ensures they are paid appropriately in line with their invaluable contributions. Ocean carriers have made record profits since the pandemic and in some cases profits grew in excess of 800 percent compared to their profits prior to the pandemic. Executive compensation has grown in line with those profits and profits have been returned to shareholders at record rates. It’s only fair that workers, who put themselves at risk during the pandemic to keep ports open, see a meaningful increase in their wages as well.

As our nation climbs out of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, dockworkers will play an essential role in getting communities the resources they need. Now is not the time for ocean carriers to refuse to negotiate a fair wage for these essential workers while raking in record profits. My Administration will be monitoring for any price gouging activity that benefits foreign ocean carriers, including those on the USMX board.

It is time for USMX to negotiate a fair contract with the longshoremen that reflects the substantial contribution they’ve been making to our economic comeback.

Here’s what you need to know about the strike:

Dockworkers go on a strike that could reignite inflation and cause shortages in the holiday season

Jimmy Carter ‘can’t even talk on the phone,’ grandson says in heartbreaking birthday update

18:30 , Oliver O’Connell

As America celebrates its longest-lived former president Jimmy Carter on his 100th birthday, his grandson warned that he is “very limited in what he can do.”

The 39th president turned 100 years old on Tuesday. While he remains “excited” to vote for fellow Democrat Kamala Harris for president, he has trouble completing some daily tasks, like talking on the phone, his eldest grandson Jason Carter told CBS News.

Kelly Rissman has the story.

Jimmy Carter ‘can’t even talk on the phone,’ grandson says in heartbreaking update

Biden and Harris monitoring Iranian attack on Israel from White House Situation Room

18:26 , Oliver O’Connell

White House National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett says President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are monitoring the Iranian attack against Israel from the White House Situation Room and re receiving regular updates from their national security team.

President Biden directed the US military to aid Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles targeting Israel.

After Iran launches missiles at Israel, Trump claims Harris and Biden are leading world to brink of WWIII

18:14 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump has weighed in on the missile attack Iran launched at Israel on Tuesday, issuing a rambling, apocalyptic statement in which he declared the world “on fire and spiraling out of control.”

“We have no leadership, no one running the Country,” the former president posted, disingenuously, on his flagging Twitter clone, Truth Social. “We have a non-existent President in Joe Biden, and a completely absent Vice President, Kamala Harris, who is too busy fundraising in San Francisco, a City which she and Gavin Newscum totally destroyed, and staging fake photo ops. No one is in charge and it’s not even clear who is more confused: Biden or Kamala. Neither has any idea what is even going on.”

Trump went on, claiming, untruthfully, that when he was in office, “Iran was in total check.”

Justin Rohrlich reports.

Trump claims world at brink of WWIII after Iran launches missiles at Israel

Iran launches barrage of missiles against Israel

18:02 , Oliver O’Connell

Iran has launched an unknown number of missiles at Israel. Air raid sirens have sounded across the country, lights are visible in the skies over Tel Aviv and explosions can be heard.

Follow our full coverage here

Walz’s Trump-supporting brother is ‘100% opposed’ to his politics

18:00 , Oliver O’Connell

In 2016, Jeff Walz donated to Donald Trump’s campaign.

Now, eight years later, the 67-year-old’s brother Tim Walz is taking on the former president having joined Vice President Kamala Harris on the Democratic Party’s 2024 ticket.

And Jeff appears to be far from happy with his sibling’s political aspirations.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Tim Walz’s brother donated to Trump and is ‘100% opposed’ to his sibling’s politics

Who are the moderators of tonight’s vice presidential debate?

17:50 , Oliver O’Connell

Tonight sees CBS News host the vice presidential debate between Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in New York.

It is the first and only meeting between the two vice presidential candidates. Voters in several states have already begun receiving their ballots for the election presidential election on November 5.

Moderating the debate will be Norah O’Donnell, anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News, and Margaret Brennan, moderator of Face the Nation and chief foreign affairs correspondent. No audience will be present for the debate.

Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s moderators, per CBS News.

Norah O’Donnell

O’Donnell has earned multiple Emmy Awards over her nearly three decades of experience in journalism. She is covering her eighth presidential election and has interviewed every living president of the United States.

She has been anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News since 2019, leading CBS News’ flagship broadcast from Washington, DC. O’Donnell recently secured a historic interview with Pope Francis.

O’Donnell has conducted interviews with newsmakers in Washington and beyond for the CBS Evening News, including President Biden’s first interview since taking office; an exclusive sit-down with Vice President Mike Pence after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani; the first-ever interview with the four highest-ranking women in the US military; an exclusive interview with a former staffer for New York’s then-Governor Andrew Cuomo who alleged sexual harassment; and more.

She also contributes to 60 Minutes and is the host of CBS News 24/7’s Person to Person.

O’Donnell joined CBS News in 2011 as chief White House correspondent and was the co-anchor of CBS This Morning from 2012 to 2019.

She began her career as a print reporter for Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, before working for more than a decade at NBC News, where she covered the Pentagon, Congress and the White House. O’Donnell is a graduate of Georgetown University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Margaret Brennan

Brennan has been moderator of Face the Nation since 2018, when she became the second woman to host the prestigious Sunday morning public affairs program. She has interviewed world leaders like Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as congressional leaders including House Speakers Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi.

In 2023, Face the Nation was recognized with a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in TV Political Journalism, citing Brennan’s moderating approach as “measured, completely consistent, researched and prepared”.

Before becoming moderator of Face the Nation, she held several roles at CBS News, including State Department and White House correspondent. She remains the network’s chief foreign affairs correspondent.

She has covered historic moments such as the landmark nuclear deal with Iran; restoration of diplomatic ties with Cuba; the standoff with North Korea; the conflict in Ukraine; and the accord to transfer control of Syria’s chemical weapons. She broke the news that members of Trump’s Cabinet were discussing invoking the 25th Amendment following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, and her interview with Kevin McCarthy in 2023 played a role in his ouster as speaker just days later.

She began her career as a producer at CNBC and spent a decade covering global financial markets before joining CBS News in 2012. Brennan graduated from the University of Virginia in 2002.

Trump issues statemetn on Iran attack on Israel

17:48 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump issued the following statement on Iran’s imminent attack on Israel — currently underway.

“The World is on fire and spiraling out of control. We have no leadership, no one running the Country. We have a non-existent President in Joe Biden, and a completely absent Vice President, Kamala Harris, who is too busy fundraising in San Francisco, a City which she and Gavin Newscum totally destroyed, and staging fake photo ops. No one is in charge and it’s not even clear who is more confused: Biden or Kamala. Neither has any idea what is even going on.

When I was President, Iran was in total check. They were starved for cash, fully contained, and desperate to make a deal. Kamala flooded them with American cash and, ever since, they’ve been exporting terror all over, and unraveling the Middle East.

Under ‘President Trump,’ we had NO WAR in the Middle East, NO WAR in Europe, and Harmony in Asia, No Inflation, No Afghanistan Catastrophe. Instead, we had PEACE. Now, War or the threat of War, is raging everywhere, and the two Incompetents running this Country are leading us to the brink of World War III. You wouldn’t trust Joe or Kamala to run a lemonade stand, let alone lead the Free World.

It is no surprise that Iran desperately wants Kamala Harris to be President, because they know as long as she is in power, they can take advantage of America. That is why they have tried to target me.

If I was in charge, October 7th never happens, Russia/Ukraine never happens, Afghanistan Botched Withdrawal never happens, and Inflation never happens. If I win, we will have peace in the World again. If Kamala gets 4 more years, the World goes up in smoke.”

Harris and Biden are both in Washington, DC, and met with national security official this morning.

Is Team Trump doing enough to push voter turnout?

17:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Republican organizers in battleground states are worried that the Trump campaign isn’t doing enough to drive GOP turnout, as Kamala Harris maintains a roughly three per cent lead in national polls and similar margins in battleground states.

GOP operatives told Politico that the Trump campaign’s tactics to reach voters, relying heavily on super PACs and an army of “Trump Force 47” volunteers to knock on doors and get out the vote, hasn’t made as much of a dent as they would’ve wished in key toss-up states like Michigan and Nevada.

“There’s really no organization,” a Republican operative in Nevada told the outlet. “He comes out, they scramble to do a rally … but after that, there’s just really nothing else.”

Josh Marcus reports.

Trump’s volunteer army struggling to swing election – and it’s worrying Republicans

Watch: Kentucky governor reacts to Trump’s crude attacks on Walz

17:15 , Oliver O’Connell