Obama warns of ‘loony’ Trump’s Hitler praise as Harris reveals Joe Rogan podcast decision

Kamala Harris held a start-studded rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday at which she was joined on stage before a packed crowd 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”.

The 44th president was on particular form, ridiculing the Republican as a “loony” while also stressing the danger he represents, as pointed out by his own former generals, while also mocking him for last weekend’s McDonald’s stunt in Pennsylvania.

Harris’s campaign has meanwhile revealed that she will be unable to appear on Joe Rogan’s popular podcast before the election but, on Friday, she will appear alongside pop superstar Beyonce in Houston, Texas, as she focuses on the future of reproductive rights.

At his own rally in Las Vegas, Trump falsely claimed that the Vice President had “absolutely bombed” in Georgia, before spewing fresh bile about his opponent and immigrants and lying about how many people had attended his stage-managed McDonald’s shift, laughably insisting 29,000 people had been there.

He had earlier called America “a garbage can for the world” in Arizona, another first.

Key Points

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

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

• Trump calls America ‘garbage can for the world’

• Republican falsely claims Harris ‘absolutely bombed’ in Georgia and inflates McDonald’s crowd size

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

Trump calls into JD Vance town hall to ask: ‘How brilliant is Donald J Trump?’

10:50 , Joe Sommerlad

The Republican vice presidential nominee was taking part in a town hall event hosted by Chris Cuomo on NewsNation last night when Trump – in full “John Barron” mode – called in to ask an important question.

“We have a call right now from former president Donald John Trump,” Cuomo told his audience of undecided voters, many of whom clapped like seals.

“He wants to weigh in. Mr President… What is your question?”

“Well, I can hear you, Chris, and I do have a question,” spoke the caller. “And I think it will be quite an interesting one. The answer should be easy. How brilliant is Donald J Trump?”

The Ohio Senator, perhaps finally starting to have second thoughts about his life choices, obligingly gushed on cue: “Well, first of all, sir, this is supposed to be undecided voters. I would hope that I have your vote, of all people.

“But here’s… First of all, sir, of course, you’re very brilliant. And we both agree. We both agree that it’s important to have smart people running the government.”

Vance, warming to his theme, proceeded to butter up his man like a fat crumpet, praising Trump’s “ability to relate to anybody in any environment”, stating that “that’s the true brilliance of Donald J Trump”.

Yuck.

Watch: Beyonce to join Harris on campaign trail in Houston on Friday

10:30 , Joe Sommerlad

The Democrat may be missing out on the chance to appeal to Joe Rogan’s conspiracy-curious bro audience but, on Friday, she will appear alongside pop superstar Beyonce in Houston, Texas, as she focuses on the future of reproductive rights.

Not a bad compensation.

Trump claims Harris ‘absolutely bombed’ in Georgia, inflates McDonald’s crowd size and issues fresh Springfield lie

10:10 , Joe Sommerlad

After that, The Donald crossed into Nevada to tell Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point crowd in Las Vegas that “they say” Harris “absolutely bombed” at her celebrity-packed Atlanta rally, as cheerily regardless of the truth as ever.

He went on to spew fresh bile about his opponent and immigrants and lie about how many people had attended his stage-managed McDonald’s shift, laughably insisting 29,000 people had been there.

Incredibly, he also offered a brand new lie about poor old beleaguered Springfield, Ohio, scene of his slur about Haitian migrants eating cats and dogs.

Now, he says, the town’s hospitals are overflowing with people who don’t speak English, as screeching a racist dog whistle as you could hope to hear.

He also struggled to pronounce the word “tip” but perhaps the teleprompter brag below topped it all for sheer naked absurdity.

Rhian Lubin has this on his McDonald’s nonsense.

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

Trump calls America ‘garbage can for the world’

09:50 , Joe Sommerlad

Let’s have a look at the Republican nominee’s Thursday outings.

First up, he appeared with Florida Senator Marco Rubio at an eatery in Arizona where he was forced to deny John Kelly’s recent claim that he demanded generals as “loyal” as Adolf Hilter’s.

He then gave a particularly doom-laden rally address in Tempe in the same state at which he called America “a garbage can for the world”.

He then repeated his obviously false insistence that armed migrants had taken over Times Square in New York City and that the US is now an “occupied country”, called journalists “the enemy of the people” and called for the death penalty before telling voters to get their “fat asses” off the couch and fire Harris.

Here’s more from Josh Marcus.

Trump comes up with new slur against US: ‘We’re the garbage can for the world’

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

09:30 , Joe Sommerlad

The Vice President will not appear on popular podcaster Joe Rogan’s program after all, a spokesperson for her campaign said on Thursday.

Harris’s team had been in touch with Rogan’s show about a possible appearance but scheduling did not line up, spokesperson Ian Sams said on MSNBC.

“We talked with Rogan and his team about the podcast. Unfortunately it isn’t going to work out right now because of the scheduling of this… period of the campaign,” he said.

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

09:05 , Joe Sommerlad

Good morning!

The Democrat held her starriest rally yet in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, where the likes of Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen, Samuel L Jackson, Spike Lee and Tyler Perry turned out to support her in front of a packed crowd.

Peach State senator Raphael Warnock showed exactly why is so admired for his oratory as he denounced Donald Trump as a racist and elegantly compared Joe Biden’s decision to step aside from the nomination to geese in flight.

Obama was there to ridicule Trump as a “loony” while also stressing the danger he represents, as pointed out by his own former generals, while also mocking him for last weekend’s McDonald’s stunt in Pennsylvania.

Harris herself also picked up on John Kelly’s latest Hitler revelations and characterized the election as a choice between her to-do list and Trump’s enemies list.

But, of course, it was The Boss that stole the show as denounced the Republican as an “American tyrant”.

Mike Bedigan reports.

Bruce Springsteen calls Trump ‘an American tyrant’ at Harris rally

What happens if a convicted felon – like Trump – wins the presidency?

08:00 , Mike Bedigan

Earlier this year, Donald Trump made history by becoming the first former president ever convicted of a crime.

Now, with Election Day looming and the Republican neck-and-neck with Kamala Harris in the polls, he could make history again: by becoming the first convicted felon elected to the nation’s highest office.

Read more:

What happens if a convicted felon – like Trump – wins the presidency?

Democrats troll Trump with huge billboard display referencing Hitler quotes outside of Vegas rally

07:00 , Mike Bedigan

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will run a billboard plastered with Donald Trump’s alleged remarks about Adolf Hitler outside a Las Vegas rally held by the former president on Thursday.

“Trump: ‘I Need the Kind of Generals That Hitler Had’” the billboard will read, referencing a recent report in The Atlantic which claimed Trump once told White House officials he needed generals as loyal to him as those of the German dictator.

Read more here:

Democrats put up billboard referencing Trump Hitler quotes outside of his Vegas rally

Watch: Stephen Colbert says Kelly’s Hitler claims about Trump are hardly an October surprise

06:00 , Mike Bedigan

In pictures: Trump rallies in Las Vegas

05:01 , Mike Bedigan

Trump says he’s ‘not supposed’ to tell people he’s winning

04:45 , Mike Bedigan

Trump says ‘tariff’ is the ‘most beautiful word’ behind ‘love’ and ‘religion’

04:30 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump proclaimed his loves for imposing tariffs on other countries, declaring that it was the “most beautiful” word, before quickly backtracking.

“I can make anybody do anything through the use of tariffs. I can keep people out of war. I can keep us out of war,” he said.

“The word tariff is the most beautiful… I think I’ll do this just so I don’t get myself in trouble. I’m going to say the third most beautiful [after] love and religion, and then the word tariff.

“I think I’d better say love is the most and religion… You could switch it back and forth anyway you want. This way, I’ve just protected myself. But the third most beautiful word is the word tariff.”

Trump then claimed he would impose “200 percent” tarriffs on warring nations and cited two – “you know them, they’ve been fighting for 1,000 years” – who had agreed to peace because of the threat he wielded.

Trump claims Harris will ‘kill thousands of people’ if elected

04:15 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump claimed that Kamala Harris would “kill thousands of people” at his rally in Las Vegas, though failed to put the remark in context or elaborate on what he meant.

“You have to get out and vote,” he said.

“If Kamala gets four more years she will obliterate our economy, kill millions of jobs, kill thousands of people too, by the way, and destroy your family finances –probably forever.”

Trump claims Harris ‘bombed’ at rally in Georgia

04:00 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump opened his rally in Las Vegas by claiming that Kamala Harris had “bombed” at her event in Georgia earlier that day.

“In Georgia tonight, they say that Kamala has just absolutely bombed. She’s bombed,” he said.

“In fact, I was going to watch it. I didn’t want to come out. I wanted to watch that first, is that terrible? Then I could explain to you what happened. But I hear it was bad tonight. But it’s always bad.”

He added: “I’m not supposed to say it, but we are leading by so much.”

Video from the Harris rally appeared to show large crowds gathered to hear the vice president speak alongside Barack Obama.

Actress fired by Disney over controversial social media posts speaks at Trump rally in Las Vegas

03:50 , Mike Bedigan

Gina Carano, an actress fired by Disney over controversial social media posts, delivered remarks ahead of Donald Trump at a rally in Las Vegas.

“The Democrats, have suffered no accountability,” she said. “I will tell you my personal belief a vote for Kamala Harris is no other than a vote for a shadow government and greedy corporations who will walk over our dead bodies and turn around and use those bodies to keep themselves in power.”

In February 2021, Carano shared an Instagram post that compared “hating someone for their political views” to the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust and included an image taken during the Lviv pogroms. Many critics interpreted the post as comparing American conservatives to Jews in Nazi Germany.

She was subsequently dropped by Disney and Lucasfilm, losing her role in poular show The Mandalorian.

Carano is now suing Disney, with the help of Elon Musk, another ardent Trump supporter.

Hillary Clinton as election looms: ‘How can we be back here?’

03:40 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump denies alleged comments about Hitler

03:25 , Mike Bedigan

Ahead of his Thursday night rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, Donald Trump denied accusations that he had once told White House officials that he “needed generals like Adolf Hitler.”

Asked by a reporter about the claims, first published by The Atlantic, the former president replied: “No I never said that. He [journalist Jeffrey Goldberg] made it up for a story, he’s done it before, it’s a failing magazine – right before the election.”

The Trump campaign has also previously denied the claims on his behalf.

Fox News host claims most people don’t know what fascism is amid reports Trump praised Hitler

03:10 , Mike Bedigan

Fox News anchor Jesse Watters claimed Thursday most Americans don’t know what fascism is, amid an ongoing political discussion around the topic after former Donald Trump staffers claimed the Republican meets the defition of a fascist and praised Hitler.

“You can’t even define fascism,” Watters said during a discussion on The Five. “I challenge Kamala to tell us what it is.”

Read more here:

Fox News host claims most people can’t ‘define fascism’ amid Trump Hitler controversy

In pictures: Harris’ celebrity guest speakers in Atlanta

02:50 , Mike Bedigan

Obama blasts Trump’s alleged Hitler remarks in Georgia

02:30 , Mike Bedigan

Trump comes up with new slur against US: ‘We’re the garbage can for the world’

02:10 , Mike Bedigan

During a campaign event in Arizona, Donald Trump once again echoed nativist tropes while talking about migrants to the US, the latest in a long string of rhetoric about immigrants and political opponents that’s been compared to fascist dictators.

“We’re a dumping ground. We’re like a garbage can for the world,” Trump said. “That’s what’s happened. We’re like a garbage can.”

Josh Marcus has more:

Trump comes up with new slur against US: ‘We’re the garbage can for the world’

In pictures: Harris and Obama take the stage in Georgia

01:50 , Mike Bedigan

Harris says Trump should ‘never again’ stand behind the seal of the President

01:40 , Mike Bedigan

Harris later turned her attacks towards her rival Donald Trump, telling crowds: “Over the last eight years Donald Trump is more confused, more unstable and more angry. You see it every day, he has become increasingly unhinged.”

She continued: “He’s calling Americans the enemy within, who says that he would use the military to go after them, and he who has called for the, quote, ‘termination of the Constitution of the United States.’

“Let us be very clear. Someone who suggests we should terminate the Constitution of the United States of America should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States of America. Never again.”

Harris leads applause for young leaders and first-time voters

01:30 , Mike Bedigan

Kamala Harris led crowds at her rally in Atlanta, Georgia, to a round of applause for young leaders and first-time voters.

“I see you, and I see your power, and I know so many of you are voting for the first time, and know that our future is so good with you all at the helm, and I’m so proud of you,” she said.

Harris on taking on criminals: ‘In 12 days, it’s Donald Trump’s turn’

01:20 , Mike Bedigan

After taking to the stage in Georgia, Kamala Harris listed her credentials as being vice president, California Attorney General, and courtroom prosecutor.

“And in those roles I took on perpetrators of all kinds, predators, fraudsters and repeat offenders. I took them on, and I won,” she said.

“Well Georgia, in 12 days it’s Donald Trump’s turn.”

In pictures: Barack Obama speaks at Harris rally in Atlanta

01:10 , Mike Bedigan

Barack Obama warns against the danger of another presidency under ‘goofy’ Trump

01:00 , Mike Bedigan

Addressing crowds in Georgia, Barack Obama cautioned against the danger of another Trump presidency.

“The interesting thing is, he acts so crazy, it’s become so common that people no longer take it seriously,” he said. “I’m here to explain to you just because he acts goofy does not mean his presidency wouldn’t be dangerous.”

Bruce Springsteen calls Trump ‘an American tyrant’ as he serenades crowd at Harris rally

Friday 25 October 2024 00:50 , Mike Bedigan

Bruce Springsteen described Donald Trump as “an American tyrant,” as he took to the stage in Atlanta, Georgia, at a rally in support of Kamala Harris.

The Boss threw his support behind the vice president and her running mate, and said her Republican rival “does not understand this country, or what it means to be deeply American.”

Read more here:

Bruce Springsteen calls Trump ‘an American tyrant’ at Harris rally

Tyler Perry tells crowds how he saw Trump go ‘from the Central Park Five to Project 2025′

Friday 25 October 2024 00:40 , Mike Bedigan

Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry told crowds how he had once “really admired” Donald Trump for his glamorous lifestyle, but had later “done my research” after checking into the Trump hotel.

“I watched him from the Central Park Five to project 2025, and what I realized is that in this Donald Trump America, there is no dream that looks like me,” he said.

“We want a president who believes that this American dream is for everyone. And that president is Kamala Harris.”

During an anecdote, Perry later added: “When I think about America, I think about my grandmother’s quilt.

“We are all shapes, sizes and colors, but we are one. And it was so important for me to stand with a candidate who understands that we as America, we are a quilt, and I could never stand with a candidate who wants America to be a sheet.”

In pictures: Bruce Springsteen performs at Harris rally in Atlanta

Friday 25 October 2024 00:20 , Mike Bedigan

County judge strikes down Ohio abortion ban, citing voter-approved reproductive rights amendment

Friday 25 October 2024 00:10 , AP

The most far-reaching of Ohio’s laws restricting abortion was struck down on Thursday by a county judge who said last year’s voter-approved amendment enshrining reproductive rights renders the so-called heartbeat law unconstitutional.

Enforcement of the 2019 law banning most abortions once cardiac activity is detected — as early as six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they’re pregnant — had been paused pending the challenge before Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Christian Jenkins.

Jenkins said that when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and returned power over the abortion issue to the states, “Ohio’s Attorney General evidently didn’t get the memo.”

Continue reading…

County judge strikes down Ohio abortion ban, citing voter-approved reproductive rights amendment

Report: Project 2025 proposals will ‘upend’ and devastate the Black community

Friday 25 October 2024 00:00 , Mike Bedigan

Project 2025, the controversial conservative thinktank blueprint for a future Republican administration, represents a “direct and deliberate threat to Black communities,” according to civil rights activists.

A report this month from the Legal Defense Fund argues that the blueprint, which would eliminate key government agencies and roll back policies aimed at remedying police misconduct, “is the latest and one of the most comprehensive efforts to turn back the clock and erase the hard-won progress of Black people in the United States that has strengthened U.S. democracy.”

The Independent has contacted the Heritage Foundation, authors of Project 2025, for comment.

The analysis points to some of the most controversial parts of Project 2025.

Josh Marcus reports.

Project 2025 proposals will ‘upend’ and devastate the Black community, report claims

Fox News edited Trump interview days after former president attacked CBS over Harris ‘60 Minutes’ sit down

Thursday 24 October 2024 23:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Fox News edited Donald Trump’s sit-down chat with voters at a Bronx barbershop – days after Trump condemned 60 Minutes for doing the same with Vice President Kamala Harris’s interview.

Ariana Baio reports.

Fox News edited Trump interview days after he slammed Harris over ‘60 Minutes’

Samuel L Jackson tells Georgia crowds Harris’ favorite curse words is ‘also one of mine’

Thursday 24 October 2024 23:20 , Mike Bedigan

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

Thursday 24 October 2024 23:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Far-right lawmaker Lauren Boebert has claimed that an 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 reports.

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

Watch: Samuel L Jackson says he’s proud to support Kamala Harris as next president

Thursday 24 October 2024 23:03 , Oliver O’Connell

Small-town mayor candidate who runs Trump Town USA merchandise store accused of assaulting ex-employees

Thursday 24 October 2024 22:55 , Oliver O’Connell

A candidate for mayor in a small Virginia town was arrested at the Trump Town USA store he owns less than two weeks before the election.

Donald “Whitey” Taylor, a 74-year-old running for mayor in the 250-person town of Boones Mill, was arrested on Tuesday and now faces four misdemeanor charges: three counts of assault and battery and one count of indecent exposure, court records show. He owns a store that sells pro-Trump merchandise.

Kelly Rissman has the story.

Virginia mayor candidate who runs Trump merch store accused of assaulting ex-staff

Watch: Trump rolls out new trash-talking of America, calling it ‘garbage can for the world’

Thursday 24 October 2024 22:47 , Oliver O’Connell

No taxes! For anyone! Trump again tries to woo support for economic plan

Thursday 24 October 2024 22:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Former President Donald Trump has again suggested his wildest tax reform plan – fully removing federal income taxes and saying that the lost revenue can be replaced by funds received from tariffs.

Appearing at a barbershop in the Bronx on Monday in a segment broadcast on Fox News, Trump was asked when the country could end all federal taxes. The former president suggested returning to the policies of the 1800s.

“It had all tariffs — it didn’t have an income tax,” Trump said. “Now we have income taxes, and we have people that are dying. They’re paying tax, and they don’t have the money to pay the tax.”

Similarly, in June, Trump suggested that federal income taxes be replaced by funds obtained via tariffs, something he has not explained further.

Gustaf Kilander digs into what the Republican nominee is getting at…

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

Trump asks judge to dismiss federal Jan 6 case

Thursday 24 October 2024 22:19 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump has asked Judge Tanya Chutkan for leave to file a motion to dismiss the federal January 6 case brought against him, accusing Special Counsel Jack Smith of being unlawfully appointed and spending $36m on the Trump cases to date.

Not only do Trump’s attorneys want Chutkan to dismiss the case on the grounds of Smith’s appointment, but they also want an injunction “against additional spending” to “prevent ongoing irreparable harm and to ensure complete relief for the Appropriations Clause violation.”

Read the full filing here

Former first son says his Republican dad would’ve voted Trump — his sister has other ideas

Thursday 24 October 2024 22:10 , Oliver O’Connell

The son of late president Gerald Ford has said that his father would have backed fellow Republican Donald Trump in the election after his sister proudly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.

Susan Ford Bales, Ford’s daughter, issued a statement earlier this week announcing her backing of Harris.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Former first son says his dad would’ve voted Trump after sister endorses Harris

Meanwhile in Atlanta…

Thursday 24 October 2024 22:04 , Oliver O’Connell

In rambling speech to young conservatives, Trump claims he ‘stopped wars with France’

Thursday 24 October 2024 21:55 , Oliver O’Connell

Can we assume he meant trade wars?

Who even knows at this point?

Here’s Josh Marcus to try and make sense of the former president’s remarks.

Trump claims he ‘stopped wars with France’ in rambling speech to young conservatives

Trump speaking soon in Tempe, Arizona

Thursday 24 October 2024 21:49 , Oliver O’Connell

The Mullett Arena at Arizona State University was slow to fill up according to reporters on site.

Nick Offerman (and some very angry children) want you to vote

Thursday 24 October 2024 21:46 , Oliver O’Connell

Actor Nick Offerman released a music video last week encouraging people to get out and vote for Kamala Harris.

In the video, a group of children reacts to finding out that one of their grandparents instead spent the day “smokin’ weed and watchin’ porn” instead of saving democracy. They are not happy and take vengeance on grandpa.

Responding to online haters a week later, Offerman wrote on X: “If you are replying to this with hatred and homophobia, you’re making my point for me. I vote for the party of acceptance and equal rights for all. #VoteBlue.”

Enjoy the video below: