The Trump-Vance transition team says that several of the president-elect’s nominees and appointees have been victims of bomb threats and swatting incidents.
In a statement, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: “With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump said he spoke with the president of Mexico on Wednesday, who he said promised to stop migration through the country. The announcement came after the Republican threatened to tariff trade with the U.S. partner over complaints about immigration and drugs.
The president-elect also named a string of nominations for his incoming administration opting for loyalty over experience, including some critical of agencies they are supposed to lead.
On Tuesday, Trump picked Jamieson Greer as US trade representative, Jim O’Neill as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, Jay Bhattacharya as National Institutes of Health director, Kevin Hassett as National Economic Council director, Vince Haley as Domestic Policy Council chief and John Phelan as Navy secretary.
Bhattacharya, a Covid-19 lockdown skeptic, called for reduced powers of the 27 institutes and centers that constitute the NIH. Phelan, a businessman and Republican megadonor, has no military experience.
Key Points
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Trump nominees targeted in swatting incidents and bomb threats
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Biden briefed on swatting of Trump nominees, condemns threats of political violence
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Donald Trump vows to impose tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico to stop drug smuggling
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Why Elon Musk wants in on the battle between Alex Jones and The Onion
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List of Trump’s most recent picks for his second administration
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Trump taps Jamieson Greer as US trade representative
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President-elect’s nominees to receive ‘sweeping security clearances’ and delayed FBI background checks, report claims
Democrat flips Republican House seat in California
01:59 , Josh Marcus
Despite their thumping in the 2024 election, the Democrats got at least one spot of good news heading into a new season in Washington.
Derek Tran eked out a win over Republican incumbent Michelle Steel to represent a district comprising parts of Los Angeles and Orange County.
Trump invents the drug PSA
01:30 , Josh Marcus
Donald Trump is vowing to pursue a public information campaign warning Americans about the dangers of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that has drive drug abuse and overdoses across the country.
“I will be working on a large scale United States Advertising Campaign, explaining how bad Fentanyl is for people to use – Millions of lives being so needlessly destroyed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. “By the time the Campaign is over, everyone will know how really bad the horror of this Drug is.”
Stopping the opioid crisis was among the key priorities of the first Trump administration.
Trump claims ‘wonderful’ call with Mexican president amid tariff threat
01:22 , Josh Marcus
Donald Trump claimed on Thursday he had a “wonderful” conversation with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, after tensions between the two countries ratcheted up as Trump threatened to tariff Mexican goods to stop the flow of migrants and drugs into the U.S.
“Just had a wonderful conversation with the new President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “She has agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border. We also talked about what can be done to stop the massive drug inflow into the United States, and also, U.S. consumption of these drugs. It was a very productive conversation!”
“Mexico will stop people from going to our Southern Border, effective immediately,” he added in another post. “THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARD STOPPING THE ILLEGAL INVASION OF THE USA. Thank you!!!”
Mexico already conducts immigration enforcement at its own borders, so it’s unclear what new steps Trump is referring to here.
Here’s more info on the tariff threat that kicked off the whole exchange.
‘A real horror show’: Democrats on the Hill react to Trump’s proposed tariffs
Trump team reportedly gearing up to invade Mexico
01:15 , Josh Marcus
Donald Trump and his team are reportedly debating “how much” to invade Mexico once he takes office, a new report claims.
Trump and his transition team staff are discussing a “soft invasion” of the country, Rolling Stone reports. These conversations come after Trump promised to “wage war” on drug cartels in Mexico both during his first term and on the campaign trail.
“How much should we invade Mexico?” a senior Trump transition member told Rolling Stone. “That is the question.”
This “soft invasion” would involve American special forces assassinating cartel leaders in Mexico, another source close to the president-elect told Rolling Stone.
Katie Hawkinson reports.
Trump team said to be debating ‘how much’ to invade Mexico
Why Elon Musk wants in on the battle between Alex Jones and The Onion
00:55 , Josh Marcus
After fantasizing about buying MSNBC and installing Alex Jones on the liberal media network, Elon Musk inserted himself into a legal battle to try to block The Onion from obtaining any X accounts belonging to the bankrupt conspiracy theorist.
On Monday, attorneys for X — which Musk owns — filed a narrow objection to the sale of InfoWars that would prevent the satirical news outlet from taking ownership of Jones’s accounts on the social media platform.
X’s terms of service “make clear that it owns the X Accounts” and that X “merely grants its users a non-exclusive license to use their accounts,” attorneys for the company wrote in a federal bankruptcy court filing in Texas.
“X Corp. is compelled to file this Objection to make clear that X Corp. does not consent to the sale or any other transfer of the non-assignable X Accounts, which in turn, means the X Accounts cannot be sold or transferred at this time,” attorneys argued.
Alex Woodward reports.
Elon Musk is trying to stop The Onion from taking Alex Jones accounts on X
Democrats on the Hill react to Trump’s proposed tariffs
00:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Democrats reacted with consternation to Donald Trump’s vow to impose massive tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico, saying that the president-elect has failed to grasp the potential consequences of his promises and is heading into a “real horror show.”
Mike Bedigan reports.
‘A real horror show’: Democrats on the Hill react to Trump’s proposed tariffs
Kash Patel ‘in battle’ to be CIA No. 2 – no Senate confirmation needed
00:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Some members of Donald Trump’s transition team are reportedly frustrated that Kash Patel and Cliff Sims, both MAGA insiders, appear to be using their positions to promote themselves for deputy director of the CIA.
Patel and Sims are both going head-to-head for the No. 2 position at the CIA, Politico reports. The CIA’s deputy director wields immense influence over the intelligence community but does not have to be confirmed by the Senate, unlike cabinet members.
Katie Hawkinson and Rhian Lubin report.
Controversial Kash Patel said to be ‘in battle’ to be No. 2 at CIA
Trump tariffs: Ikea CEO warns prices will jump
Wednesday 27 November 2024 23:45 , Oliver O’Connell
The CEO of Swedish furniture giant Ikea has joined the throng of politicians and business leaders warning that new international tariffs proposed by Donald Trump will result in price hikes for consumers.
Jesper Brodin, chief executive of Ingka Group – which runs the majority of Ikea stores – said that the company had “never experienced a period of benefit” when high tariffs had been imposed.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Ikea CEO warns prices will jump under new Trump tariffs
Elon Musk mocks Ben Stiller with offensive Tropic Thunder reference
Wednesday 27 November 2024 23:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Elon Musk used an insensitive slur to ridicule Ben Stiller for his support of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
On Wednesday (November 27), a tweet from former investment banker and author John LeFevre went viral. In the post, he included a screenshot of a headline, which read: “Ben Stiller says woke America killed ‘edgier’ comedy,” alongside a photo of Stiller’s Tropic Thunder character.
Inga Parkel reports.
Elon Musk calls Ben Stiller offensive slur over Kamala Harris support
Five Republican senators could thwart Trump’s agenda and nominees — here’s who they are…
Wednesday 27 November 2024 23:14 , Oliver O’Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
Donald Trump’s nominees will now need to be confirmed by the Senate, which Republicans control with a 53-seat majority. Trump got a reality check last week when Matt Gaetz, the embattled former Republican congressman, pulled his nomination for attorney general after it became clear he would face Senate opposition.
During his presidency, Biden had to grapple with Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, the conservative Democrats-turned-independents, when he wanted to pass anything. Now Trump may face his own bloc of opposition within his party. Here are the Republican senators who could be a roadblock to Trump’s agenda.
Read on…
The five Republican senators who could thwart Trump’s agenda and nominees
Trump’s tariffs: Goldman Sachs analyst spells out ‘significant consequences’ for US consumers
Wednesday 27 November 2024 22:54 , Oliver O’Connell
A researcher with Goldman Sachs said he foresees “significant consequences” for US consumers under President-elect Donald Trump‘s proposed tariffs.
Trump announced that Canada and Mexico could soon see a 25 percent tariff added to all imported goods while China could face an additional 10 percent. Trump claims this is part of an effort to curtail “crime and drugs” coming into the U.S. and slow the number of illegal border crossings – but many critics are concerned it could lead to rising prices.
Daan Struyven, head of commodities research at Goldman, is one of those critics.
Katie Hawkinson reports.
Goldman Sachs analyst spells out ‘significant consequences’ of Trump’s tariff plans
Musk and Ramaswamy set their sights on ending daylight savings time
Wednesday 27 November 2024 22:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have a new target in their war to make the government more efficient — daylight savings time.
The world’s richest person, who has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, took to X to push for the measure.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Musk and Ramaswamy reveal a new target in their efficiency war – daylight savings
Total wealth of Trump’s team tops $340bn — more than the GDP of 169 countries
Wednesday 27 November 2024 22:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump’s campaign pledged to be a champion for working class Americans. His incoming administration is stuffed with Wall Street figures and billionaires, including the world’s wealthiest person.
Trump himself is set to become the wealthiest president in history, with an estimated net worth of roughly $5.6 billion, according to Forbes. After spending years haranguing George Soros, claiming that the billionaire philanthropist was funding Trump’s political enemies and manipulating society with his support for progressive causes, incoming administration figure Elon Musk wants to be a Soros for the right.
Alex Woodward reports.
Total wealth of Trump’s top team is $340 billion — more than GDP of 169 countries
MAGA TV host rants about ‘woke’ and ‘racist’ Wicked before calling Ariana Grande ‘Hispanic’
Wednesday 27 November 2024 22:17 , Oliver O’Connell
MAGA media personality Gina Loudon claimed that blockbuster movie Wicked is “offensive” and “racist” against white people, shortly before incorrectly describing its star Ariana Grande as “obviously Hispanic.”
Grande is Italian American… 🤦♀️
Here’s Mike Bedigan’s report.
MAGA TV host rants about ‘racist’ Wicked before calling Ariana Grande ‘Hispanic’
CREW chief counsel says Musk and Ramaswamy’s visit to Capitol his is lobbying
Wednesday 27 November 2024 22:05 , Oliver O’Connell
Elon Musk accuses Trump impeachment witness of ‘treason’ and calls for ‘appropriate penalty’
Wednesday 27 November 2024 21:56 , Oliver O’Connell
Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man and President-elect Donald Trump’s “first buddy,” took to his social media platform X to ominously accuse the key witness in Trump’s first impeachment of treason while calling for him to “pay the appropriate penalty.”
Musk, who has been tasked by Trump to lead an outside agency on government efficiency named after a meme, took issue on Wednesday with comments made by former National Security Council official Alexander Vindman during an appearance on MSNBC.
Justin Barangoa reports.
Elon Musk calls for ‘appropriate penalty’ against Alexander Vindman for ‘treason’
Trump’s new trade chief previously called for trade deals between US and UK
Wednesday 27 November 2024 21:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump’s new trade chief has previously called for deals with the UK, it has emerged, as the president elect’s team seeks to force Keir Starmer to choose between the US and the EU.
Last year, Jamieson Greer voiced support for trade agreements with Britain during evidence to Congress.
Kate Devlin, The Independent’s Whitehall editor, reports from London.
Donald Trump’s new trade chief previously called for trade deals between US and UK
Steve Bannon names the one thing that made a difference in the election
Wednesday 27 November 2024 21:15 , Oliver O’Connell
In the weeks since the 2024 election ended, Democrats have been soul-searching about how Donald Trump was re-elected under a cloud of scandal and court cases. Was it the economy that did it? A weak Harris campaign?
For former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, the answer is pretty simple. The main difference maker was Elon Musk.
Josh Marcus reports.
Steve Bannon names the one thing that made a difference in the election
Biden tries to clean up a broken Middle East ahead of Trump’s arrival
Wednesday 27 November 2024 21:00 , Oliver O’Connell
John Bowden writes:
Twelve months ago, Joe Biden was expecting a very different Thanksgiving holiday for 2024.
Now, the 46th president rounds out November having been pushed out of his party’s nomination following a resounding debate-stage defeat and then watched his vice president, Kamala Harris, lose a decade-defining election to Donald Trump, a convicted felon who tried to stop the peaceful transfer of power in 2020.
His reputation in tatters compared to what it was four years ago, Biden is now hoping for whatever last-minute wins he can score in the final two-plus months of his presidency.
On Tuesday, his luck changed, if slightly.
Continue reading…
Biden tries to clean up a broken Middle East ahead of Trump’s arrival
Democrats flip California House seat from second term GOP lawmaker
Wednesday 27 November 2024 20:54 , Oliver O’Connell
‘He’s losing it’: Sketch artist describes Rudy Giuliani’s courtroom meltdown
Wednesday 27 November 2024 20:50 , Oliver O’Connell
Sketch artist Jane Rosenberg has encapsulated Rudy Giuliani’s apparent mental state as he faces financial ruin with a few simple words: “He’s losing it.”
Anchor Kaitlan Collins described what took place in a New York courtroom on Tuesday as the former personal attorney to President-elect Donald Trump “throwing a tantrum”.
“Oftentimes, it’s the transcripts that tell the story, but tonight, it’s really these court sketches,” she told CNN.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Sketch artist describes Rudy Giuliani’s courtroom meltdown: ‘He’s losing it’
Schumer: ‘Violence has no place in our politics. Period.’
Wednesday 27 November 2024 20:42 , Oliver O’Connell
How much does the US export to Mexico?
Wednesday 27 November 2024 20:30 , Oliver O’Connell
In short — a lot!
Economist Steve Rattner notes: “The US exports $165bn a year more to Mexico than it imports – starting a trade war with them would be terrible for US exporters, not to mention raise prices of imports at home.”
Here’s his latest chart:
How Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China could impact U.S. consumers
Wednesday 27 November 2024 20:20 , Oliver O’Connell
Oil, toys, vegetables and electronics are just some of the items imported to the U.S. from Mexico, Canada and China that could soon cost Americans more under Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs.
Trump has announced that Canada and Mexico could soon see a 25 percent tariff added to all imported goods while China could face an additional 10 percent – something Trump says is part of an effort to curtail “crime and drugs” coming into the U.S. and slow the number of illegal border crossings.
Though tariffs are designed to promote domestic production and purchasing by taxing imported goods, the increase in cost typically falls on consumers, not foreign governments. Numerous economic experts have warned that Trump’s tariffs on goods from those three countries could lead to price spikes and inflation – a concern shared by many voters who said they backed Trump.
The U.S. imports a host of goods from Canada, Mexico and China directly as well as supplies for products made in America. Here Here’s what resources, materials or products come from those countries:
How Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China could impact U.S. consumers
House task force on Trump assassination attempt sets public hearing
Wednesday 27 November 2024 20:17 , Oliver O’Connell
Full story: Trump cabinet picks targeted by bomb threats and swatting
Wednesday 27 November 2024 20:00 , Oliver O’Connell
A number of Donald Trump’s cabinet picks have been targeted by bomb threats and swatting attacks, the president-elect’s transition team has said.
Matt Gaetz, former nominee for attorney general, and Elise Stefanik, Trump’s choice to be his next U.N. ambassador, are among those said to have been subjected to threats that are now being investigated by the FBI.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Trump cabinet picks including Matt Gaetz targeted by bomb threats and swatting
Biden briefed on swatting of Trump nominees, condemns threats of political violence
Wednesday 27 November 2024 19:53 , Oliver O’Connell
A White House spokesperson says President Joe Biden has been briefed on the bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting nominees and appointees of the incoming Trump administration.
The president and his administration “unequivocally condemn threats of political violence.”
The President has been briefed. The White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and the President-elect’s team, and continues to monitor the situation closely. Federal law enforcement’s response, alongside state and local authorities, remains ongoing. The President and the Administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence.
White House spokesperson
Watch: Carville attacks Harris staffers for preventing Joe Rogan interview
Wednesday 27 November 2024 19:49 , Oliver O’Connell
Brooke Rollins also targeted in spate of threats against Trump admin picks
Wednesday 27 November 2024 19:41 , Oliver O’Connell
Brook Rollins, Donald Trump’s choice to be secretary of Agriculture, revealed on social media that she had faced a threat against her family and Texas home. After the area was cleared by Fort Worth police, they could return to the residence, she said.
D.C. residents want Airbnb blackout for Trump inauguration
Wednesday 27 November 2024 19:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Some Washington, D.C. residents are taking their Airbnbs off the market for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in protest.
Residents are calling on Airbnb hosts to either blackout the dates around Trump’s inauguration or increase the prices and donate the proceeds to liberal causes, The Washington Post reports. Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president on January 20.
Katie Hawkinson has the story.
D.C. residents want Airbnb blackout to protest Trump’s inauguration
Speaker Johnson to host Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy at Capitol
Wednesday 27 November 2024 19:19 , Oliver O’Connell
Speaker Mike Johnson will host Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, soon to be co-heads of the Department of Government Efficiency, on Capitol Hill on December 5.
He posted on X: “Looking forward to hosting Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy next week on Capitol Hill to discuss major reform ideas to achieve regulatory rescissions, administrative reductions, and cost savings—& revive the principle of limited government! Donald Trump has made this possible!”
As GOP majority shaved further down, Marjorie Taylor Greene accuses Democrats of ‘stealing’ House race
Wednesday 27 November 2024 19:15 , Oliver O’Connell
Right-wing lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene is baselessly accusing Democrats of “stealing” of stealing a House race as Republicans cling onto a slim majority next Congress.
Incumbent John Duarte, a Republican, is facing off against Democratic challenger Adam Gray in northern California. As election workers count the ballots, Gray has pulled into a slight lead 22 days on.
Now, Greene has baselessly claimed Gray’s lead is due to “stealing.”
Katie Hawkinson reports.
MTG accuses Democrats of ‘stealing’ House race, shaving GOP majority even further
ICYMI: Giuliani rages in court as judge warns he could face sanctions in defamation case
Wednesday 27 November 2024 19:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Alex Woodward filed this report from the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday:
Rudy Giuliani lashed out in a federal courtroom after a judge admonished the cash-strapped former New York City mayor for failing to keep up with court orders after he defamed two women with his 2020 election lies.
Inside a Manhattan courthouse Tuesday, Judge Lewis Liman refused to delay an upcoming trial in the case after Giuliani’s repeated delays, missed deadlines, and failure to show “anything close to due diligence” around evidence requirements, including turning over the title to a Mercedes Benz he was ordered to send the women.
Giuliani then interrupted the judge, speaking out from the defense table after shaking his head and clicking his pen in frustration.
Read on…
Giuliani rages at judge in defamation case: ‘I don’t have a penny’
Speaker Johnson says Biden must condemn bomb threats on cabinet nominees
Wednesday 27 November 2024 18:55 , Oliver O’Connell
Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has called on President Joe Biden to condemn the bomb threats targeting some of Donald Trump’s nominees and appointees to join his second administration.
This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump. Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats.
This is dangerous and unhinged. It is not who we are in America.
Joe Biden and all Democrat leaders have an obligation to speak up and condemn this now.
Ray Epps’ January 6 defamation lawsuit against Fox News tossed by federal judge
Wednesday 27 November 2024 18:39 , Oliver O’Connell
The man at the center of unhinged January 6 “false flag” conspiracy theories trumpeted by MAGA media, including Tucker Carlson, has had his defamation lawsuit against Fox News thrown out of court.
United States District Judge Jennifer L. Hall granted the right-wing network’s motion to dismiss Ray Epps’s case on Wednesday, agreeing that he had failed to prove that Fox News had committed “actual malice” against him.
Justin Barangoa reports.
Former Trump supporter’s defamation lawsuit against Fox News tossed by federal judge
How to survive political debates at Thanksgiving dinner
Wednesday 27 November 2024 18:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Meredith Clark writes:
Thanksgiving is nearly here, but this year’s turkey-filled holiday may be a bit more contentious than years past; the 2024 U.S. presidential election was only three weeks ago, after all.
Ever since President-elect Donald Trump claimed victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, some Americans may not be feeling so jolly and bright this holiday season, what with the merry-go-round of controversial cabinet picks and concerns over Trump’s anti-immigration policies and stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
For some Americans, Thanksgiving serves as a time to gather with friends and family and acknowledge what it is we’re truly grateful for. But for others, the holidays can prove to be difficult, especially when your political views greatly differ from your relatives.
Continue reading…
How to survive political debates at Thanksgiving, according to a family therapist
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office clarifies reporting about threat against Gaetz
Wednesday 27 November 2024 18:13 , Oliver O’Connell
In a statement on social media, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office gave the following advisory concerning the alleged threat against former Florida Rep Matt Gaetz:
We received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9 a.m. this morning. A family member resides at the address but former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident.
The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.
Lee Zeldin targeted with bomb threat
Wednesday 27 November 2024 18:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, Donald Trump’s nominee for the Environmental Protection Agency says “a pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message.”
Domestic abuse activists worrried over JD Vance claim no-fault divorce is too easy
Wednesday 27 November 2024 18:00 , AP
Married couples across the U.S. have had access to no-fault divorce for more than 50 years, an option many call crucial to supporting domestic abuse victims and key to preventing already crowded family courts from drowning in complicated divorce proceedings.
But some advocates for women worried as old comments from now Vice President-elect JD Vance circulated during the presidential campaign opposing no-fault divorce. And after President-elect Donald Trump and Vance won the election, warnings began popping up on social media urging women who might be considering divorce to “pull the trigger” while they still could. Some attorneys posted saying they were seeing a spike in calls from women seeking divorce consultations.
Trump — who is twice-divorced — hasn’t championed overhauling the country’s divorce laws, but in 2021 Vance lamented that divorce is too easily accessible, as have conservative podcasters and others.
Continue reading…
JD Vance claimed no-fault divorce is too easy. Domestic abuse activists are worried
Gaetz among those targeted by bomb threats
Wednesday 27 November 2024 17:56 , Oliver O’Connell
Punchbowl News reports that former Rep. Matt Gaetz is among those targeted by today’s bomb threats against Donald Trump’s nominees and appointees to his next administration.
Gaetz withdrew from consideration to be attorney general.
Trump names Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia
Wednesday 27 November 2024 17:53 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump has named General Keith Kellogg as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
The President-elect posted on Truth Social:
I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Keith has led a distinguished Military and Business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first Administration. He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!
Law enforcement says no devices found after bomb threats
Wednesday 27 November 2024 17:41 , Oliver O’Connell
NBC News reports three senior law enforcement officials briefed on the swatting incidents involving members of the Trump transition said that these were not credible threats.
No devices or physical threats were found, and the threats did not involve President-elect Donald Trump or Vice President-elect JD Vance.
FBI responds to bomb threats and swatting incidents against Trump nominees
Wednesday 27 November 2024 17:39 , Oliver O’Connell
The FBI has given the following statement after a series of bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting some of Donald Trump’s nominees and appointees for his second administration:
The FBI is aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners.
We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.
Rachel Maddow suffers worst ratings of the year
Wednesday 27 November 2024 17:30 , Oliver O’Connell
The ratings woes continue for MSNBC post-election, as the liberal cable news channel saw nearly half of its viewers flee following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. Perhaps even more stark, though, is that the network’s biggest (and highest-paid) star just saw her viewership sink to the point where she was recently beaten by a rerun of Ancient Aliens.
Justin Barangoa reports.
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow suffers worst ratings of the year as Fox News dominates
Stefanik targeted by bomb threat
Wednesday 27 November 2024 17:11 , Oliver O’Connell
Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Donald Trump’s pick for US Ambassador to the United Nations, was one of those targeted by a bomb threat this morning.
Per her spokesperson: “This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband, and their 3-yr-old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence.
“New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism. We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.
“We want to share our best wishes to the Upstate NY community for a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We are especially grateful to our law enforcement officers and military families who are on duty over the holiday season.”
US inflation: Price pressures still stubborn
Wednesday 27 November 2024 17:00 , AP
Consumer price increases accelerated last month, the latest sign that inflation’s steady decline over the past two years has stalled.
According to the Federal Reserve‘s preferred inflation gauge, consumer prices rose 2.3% in October from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. That is up from just 2.1% in September, though it is still only modestly above the Fed’s 2% target.
Continue reading…
US inflation gauge ticks higher with price pressures still stubborn
Trump has been making private calls to foreign leaders — here’s why you should worry…
Wednesday 27 November 2024 16:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump’s calls with world leaders are worrying foreign policy experts after the president-elect and his team shut out the State Department from taking part.
As such, the conversations between Trump and foreign leaders have not been held on secure phone lines, there have been no State Department staff present to guide the president-elect on foreign policy matters and there have been no official interpreters to clear up any possible misunderstandings.
Which is just great.
Read the rest of Gustaf Kilander’s report:
Trump’s private phone calls with foreign leaders worry former diplomats
Trump nominees targeted in swatting incidents
Wednesday 27 November 2024 16:33 , Oliver O’Connell
The Trump-Vance transition team says that last night and this morning several of the president-elect’s nominees and appointees were the victims of bomb threats and swatting incidents.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance Transition spokesperson, released the following statement:
Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them. These attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting.’ In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.
President Trump and the Transition are focused on doing the work of uniting our nation by ensuring a safe and prosperous future. With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.
Trump escaped the consequences of his alleged crimes. Now his allies are after the prosecutors who brought the charges
Wednesday 27 November 2024 16:30 , Oliver O’Connell
The criminally convicted president-elect believes his election and the end of his federal cases exonerated him. Will his administration be able to stop the retribution he promised?
Alex Woodward reports.
Trump escaped the consequences. Now his allies are after Jack Smith and judges
Kash Patel ‘in battle’ to be CIA second in command
Wednesday 27 November 2024 16:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Some members of Donald Trump’s transition team are reportedly frustrated that Kash Patel and Cliff Sims, both MAGA insiders, appear to be using their positions to promote themselves for deputy director of the CIA.
Patel and Sims are both going head-to-head for the No. 2 position at the CIA, Politico reports. The CIA’s deputy director wields immense influence over the intelligence community but does not have to be confirmed by the Senate, unlike cabinet members.
Katie Hawkinson and Rhian Lubin have the details.
Controversial Kash Patel said to be ‘in battle’ to be No. 2 at CIA
Who’s who from Project 2025 and the AFPI in the incoming Trump administration
Wednesday 27 November 2024 15:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Despite claiming to have no idea about it, many of the authors of Project 2025 have been tapped by Donald Trump to be in his new administration. The same is true of the America First Policy Institute.
Both organizations created blueprints for a second Trump term.
Here’s Alex Woodward’s report on the Project 2025 authors who will be joining Trump in the executive branch:
Trump’s cabinet is filling up with Project 2025 authors
And here’s Ariana Baio reporting on the role of the AFPI:
The right-wing agenda replacing Project 2025
Top pollster: Wide-open field for who will have shot at 2028 nominations in race for White House
Wednesday 27 November 2024 15:30 , Oliver O’Connell
With four years to go to the next election, pollsters have already begun taking the temperature of voters to understand who they may prefer when the next presidential race comes around.
Gustaf Kilander looks at who is leading the pack so far…
Top pollster reveals frontrunners for 2028 nominations
And make sure you join us over in our new US Election 2028 live blog! [just kidding]
Trump asks NY AG to toss out civil fraud case in which he owes $250m
Wednesday 27 November 2024 15:10 , Alex Woodward
Donald Trump is asking New York Attorney General Letitia James to toss the civil fraud case against him, the Trump Organization, and senior executives including his elder sons, “in the spirit of unity” because it is “necessary for the health of our Republic.”
The attorney who wrote the letter is D John Sauer, Trump’s pick for solicitor general.
There is nothing new in the arguments made in the letter. It is mostly just a rehash of previous statements and claims that were shut down by the courts.
Trump is still on the hook for more than $350 million, a judgment that he has appealed.
Read the full letter to the NY AG here.
‘Don’t let anyone take your power’: Kamala Harris reemerges after election loss with new message to supporters
Wednesday 27 November 2024 15:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Kamala Harris reemerged following her election defeat by Donald Trump to deliver a message of hope to her supporters.
Harris, who has been lying low since she lost the race for the White House earlier this month, shared a defiant address on Tuesday night where she told her supporters: “Don’t let anyone take your power.”
Rhian Lubin reports.
Kamala Harris reemerges after election loss with new video message to supporters
Your next iPhone is likely to be even more expensive thanks to Trump
Wednesday 27 November 2024 14:30 , James Liddell
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to impose tariffs on China which are set to make a wide variety of goods more expensive come the new year. That may include your next iPhone.
Trump said during the campaign that he would impose a 60 percent tariff on all Chinese products, with 10 to 25 percent tariffs being applied to other major trading partners.
If Trump goes ahead with his 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods, iPhone prices are likely to increase significantly. Economists have estimated that an iPhone 16 for $1,000 may cost $300 more under Trump’s policies.
Gustaf Kilander has the full story.
Your next iPhone is likely to be even more expensive thanks to Trump
Democrat says Trump tariff plans will ‘definitely bring Mexico to the table’
Wednesday 27 November 2024 14:06 , James Liddell
Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar said that Donald Trump’s latest tariff plans “will definitely get Mexico to the table”.
The president-elect announced on Tuesday that he plans to enact a 25 percent tariff on “all products” imported to the US from Mexico and Canad and an additional 10 percent tariff – with growing fears the president-elect has set the stage for a bitter global trade war ahead of his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Cueller, a representative for Texas’s 28th Congressional district which borders Mexico, argues that Trump’s new levies may help solve immigration and fentanyl problems.
“Well, let me put it this way: Laredo’s the largest port; we handle 40 percent of all the trade between the U.S. and Mexico. I know this is a way to negotiate, get some leverage. I know that Mexico will come to the table,” the Texas lawmaker told NewsNation on Tuesday.
He continued: “But nobody wants a 25 percent tariff on them, and the Mexicans are threatening to do the same thing, and we don’t want to get into that. But I think this will definitely get Mexico to the table so we can solve the problem about immigration and fentanyl.”
Harris campaign aides reveal YouTube show Hot Ones turned down interview
Wednesday 27 November 2024 13:45 , James Liddell
Kamala Harris’s campaign aides have revealed that the hit YouTube show Hot Ones turned down their offer off an interview with the vice president during her presidential election campaign.
Speaking about what went wrong for Harris for the first time since her loss to Donald Trump, campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and senior campaign adviser Stephanie Cutter told the Pod Save America podcast that the Democrat had struggled to catch a break on some non-political podcasts.
“It’s my understanding that you guys wanted to do a bunch of the larger, more popular, not specifically political, podcasts. Can you talk a little about why that may not have happened?” host Dan Pfeiffer asked.
Rhian Lubin has the full story.
Harris campaign aides reveal YouTube show Hot Ones turned down interview
Steve Bannon reveals ‘brutally frank’ reason behind Trump’s re-election
Wednesday 27 November 2024 13:24 , James Liddell
Steve Bannon said that he believes Elon Musk is the real “reason” behind Donald Trump’s re-election to the White House.
Trump’s former White House chief strategist, who oversaw the president-elect’s first term win, piled on praise for the MAGA megadonor, who the president-elect recently tasked with heading up the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency.
“Elon and I disagree on some things, but Elon deserves his place at the table,” Bannon told Puck magazine. “He stroked a $150 million check for the ground game, which is not sexy, at the exact moment we needed it. He came in with the money and the professionals.”
He added: “To be brutally frank, it’s the reason we won.”
GOP senator attacks anti-Trump Hollywood mob in wild rant about ‘Mr Potato Head’ and kale
Wednesday 27 November 2024 13:02 , James Liddell
Republican Senator John Kennedy has a way with words.
Speaking to Fox News’s Sean Hannity on Tuesday, the Louisiana lawmaker launched into rant about left-leaning Hollywood stars – such as Sharon Stone who recently called Donald Trump supporters passportless and “uneducated”.
Watch the exchange below:
Trump taps GOP megadonor with no military experience to head up US Navy
Wednesday 27 November 2024 12:42 , James Liddell
Donald Trump has tapped a GOP megadonor with no military experience to head up the U.S. Navy in his latest slew of cabinet picks.
On Tuesday night, the president-elect announced John Phelan as his choice to lead the Department of the Navy under defense secretary Pete Hegseth if the latter controversial nominee is confirmed by the Senate.
In the announcement, Trump said Phelan’s “record of success” will “speak for itself”.
Rhian Lubin has the details.
Trump taps GOP megadonor with no military experience to head up US Navy
Watch: GOP strategist gets into heated debate over Trump’s tariff plans
Wednesday 27 November 2024 12:20 , James Liddell
