Donald Trump has lashed out at Special Counsel Jack Smith after he outlined a sprawling criminal case against the Republican presidential nominee over his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
Smith’s latest filing in a Washington DC federal court was unsealed by Judge Tanya Chutkan on Wednesday and detailed the former president’s alleged “increasingly desperate efforts” to cling to power with “knowingly false claims of election fraud”.
Responding on Truth Social, Trump furiously – and baselessly – claimed the allegations are an “obvious attempt by the Harris-Biden regime to undermine and Weaponize American Democracy, and INTERFERE IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.”
While the Republican nominee fields his legal problems, Kamala Harris is heading to the birthplace of the GOP to campaign with anti-Trump Republican Liz Cheney.
The Vice President will be joined by the former Wyoming representative in Ripon, Wisconsin – the site of political meetings in 1854 that led to the formation of what became the Republican Party.
Meanwhile, Melania Trump has publicly voiced her support for abortion rights in her new memoir and in a new post on X – despite her own husband’s pivotal role in rolling back protections.
Key Points
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Donald Trump ‘pursued multiple criminal means to overturn election’ new special counsel filing claims
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Trump posts furious and defiant reaction to election subversion filing
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Kamala Harris to campaign with Liz Cheney in birthplace of the GOP
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Melania defends ‘fundamental’ right to abortion in memoir despite husband bringing about demise of Roe v Wade
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JD Vance again refuses to answer 2020 question as Tim Walz presses his advantage
A ranting, QAnon-adjacent fired weatherman is trying to pass himself off as a moderate Republican
16:20 , Oliver O’Connell
MAGA Republicanism has a pretty simple recipe for success: untested political novice with celebrity appeal, plus right-wing populism, equals election victories.
John Bowden looks at how this is playing out on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
In Michigan, a QAnon-adjacent fired weatherman rebrands as a ‘moderate’ Republican
Is there a political motive behind Melania Trump’s beliefs on abortion rights?
16:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Journalist and former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson believes there is a political strategy to Melania Trump confirming her support for abortion rights.
Carlson wrote on X: “Why now? Ya she’s selling a book — but don’t think for a minute there’s not massive political strategy here to try & move the needle w/ suburban moms & independents …. As both Trump & Vance have tried to moderate destroying a woman’s choice.”
Why now? Ya she’s selling a book — but don’t think for a minute there’s not massive political strategy here to try & move the needle w/ suburban moms & independents …. As both Trump & Vance have tried to moderate destroying a woman’s choice. #melaniatrump #melania #abortion https://t.co/cvdqWsiG0e
— Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) October 3, 2024
Watch: Ex-Trump White House aide backs Harris for president
15:50 , Joe Sommerlad
Cassidy Hutchinson, formerly an assistant to Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows who spoke up over the trauma of January 6, has been discussing her endorsement of the Democratic nominee with Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC, backing the VP to safeguard the US Constitution.
Truth Social: Trump attacks Harris over inflation and Hurricane Helene response and Jack Smith over ‘election interference’
15:30 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s the latest all-caps rant from the Desk of Don:
“PRICES ARE TOO HIGH! THE CONSUMER IS ANGRY AT THIS INCOMPETENT ADMINISTRATION. KAMALA HAS NO IDEA HOW TO BRING PRICES DOWN. SHE IS AFRAID TO EVEN DISCUSS IT WITH THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA. EVEN WORSE THAN HER V.P. CANDIDATE, SHE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A CLUE….BUT I DO, AND IT WILL HAPPEN FAST!”
A short while earlier, he was back to bashing Kamala and President Biden over their hurricane response (which has been proactive and positive and is starting to make him look bad) and accusing Jack Smith of election interference for having the temerity to investigate him for election interference.
Kamala and Sleepy Joe are universally being given POOR GRADES for the way that they are handling the Hurricane, especially in North Carolina. It is going down as the WORST & MOST INCOMPETENTLY MANAGED “STORM,” AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, EVER SEEN BEFORE – BUT THEIR MANAGEMENT OF THE…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) October 3, 2024
This is a case of Election interference by Jack Smith. Old information that should not have been released prior to the Election. There was no reason to release it. Gregg Jarrett, FoxNews
Donald Trump Truth Social 07:03 AM EST 10/03/24 @realDonaldTrump
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) October 3, 2024
Hurricane Helene brings climate change to forefront of the presidential campaign
15:10 , Joe Sommerlad
As we’ve seen, Kamala Harris traveled to Georgia on Wednesday to see hard-hit areas, two days after her Republican opponent was in the state and criticized the federal response to the storm, which has killed at least 178 people.
Thousands of people in the Carolinas still lack running water, cellphone service and electricity.
President Joe Biden toured some of the hardest-hit areas by helicopter on Wednesday.
Biden, who has frequently been called on to survey damage and console victims after tornadoes, wildfires, tropical storms and other natural disasters, traveled to the Carolinas to get a closer look at the hurricane devastation.
He is expected to visit Georgia and Florida later this week.
Hurricane Helene brings climate change to forefront of the presidential campaign
Trump-endorsed candidate slams Republican nominee for refusing to back Ukraine
14:50 , Joe Sommerlad
Donald Trump-endorsed Republican senate candidate Larry Hogan has attempted to further distance himself from the Republican presidential nominee by criticizing the ex-president for refusing to say whether he wants Ukraine to defeat Russia.
Speaking at a campaign press conference at the Washington headquarters of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Hogan, the former Maryland governor running for Senate, slammed Trump for exhibiting what he described as a “lack of moral clarity” on the war during his debate with Vice President Harris last month.
Andrew Feinberg and John Bowden have more.
Trump-endorsed candidate slams Republican nominee for refusing to back Ukraine
Jimmy Kimmel says Jack Smith’s filing shows Mike Pence was Trump’s ‘Baby Reindeer’
14:30 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s James Liddell with the latest from late-night as Kimmel offers his take on the Special Counsel’s damning new Trump filing.
Jimmy Kimmel says Jack Smith’s filing shows Mike Pence was Trump’s ‘Baby Reindeer’
Vance’s debate performance was ‘hated by hardcore MAGA social media,’ ex-Republican strategist says
14:10 , Joe Sommerlad
Former GOP operative and author Stuart Stevens has said that Trump’s running mate was on a “personal rehabilitation campaign aimed at 2028” in the debate against Tim Walz on Tuesday night – something he claims did not go down well with the MAGA movement.
Rhian Lubin has more.
JD Vance’s debate performance ‘hated by hardcore MAGA social media’: GOP strategist
Harris now tied with Trump on who voters think will best handle inflation
13:50 , Joe Sommerlad
The Vice President is now tied with Donald Trump on who voters believe will do a better job as president on bringing down inflation, according to a new survey.
Polling by the Cook Political Report Swing State Project, released on Wednesday, shows Harris has closed a six-point gap on the issue, which Trump led her on in August.
Back then, the former president led Harris on inflation and cost of living 48 percent to 42 percent.
The latest figures show that voters are evenly divided, with both candidates taking 47 percent.
Mike Bedigan has the details.
Harris now tied with Trump on who voters think will best handle inflation
Corey Lewandowski scolded by Jim Acosta for botching Harris’s name
13:30 , Joe Sommerlad
On the same network, Acosta quickly lost patience with the Trump stooge over the 2020 question and the Haitian immigrants smear before rebuking him for seemingly-intentionally mispronouncing “Kamala”.
“I think you’re a mature grown-up… Can you say Kamala?”
Trump aide scolded by CNN host for botching Kamala Harris’s name
Kaitlan Collins pushes Republican who coached Vance on 2020 question
13:10 , Joe Sommerlad
The CNN anchor has been at it again, this time putting Minnesota GOP Representative Tom Emmer – who stood in for Tim Walz in JD Vance’s debate prep – on the rack over the 2020 election question.
Collins: Did you talk about how to answer the 2020 question?
Emmer: Listen, he answered it. You don’t like the answer, but he answered it. This is something that you folks in the media want to focus on.. pic.twitter.com/g9vkqlpFGh
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 3, 2024
Watch: Melania says access to abortion ‘a fundamental principle’
12:52 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s the former first lady breaking with her husband on women’s rights in the latest promo for her new memoir.
Liz Cheney to campaign with Harris in birthplace of Republican Party
12:30 , Joe Sommerlad
The New York Times reports this morning that the former Wyoming GOP representative, who broke with her party after chairing the House panel that investigated the events of January 6, will join Kamala Harris today in Ripon, Wisconsin, the site of political meetings in 1854 that led to the formation of what became the Republican Party.
Cheney has endorsed Harris and will hope to persuade disaffected conservatives and liberals alike to follow her example in shunning the Trump takeover of her old party.
Rudy Giuliani allegedly sent a text begging Michigan to overturn 2020 election. But he got the wrong number
12:10 , Joe Sommerlad
Rhian Lubin brings us this particularly delicious nugget on the disgraced former New York City mayor from Jack Smith’s latest filing on Trump’s alleged 2020 election interference plot.
Rudy Giuliani ‘text lawmakers to overturn 2020 election’. But got the wrong number
Kamala HQ trashes Vance with Mike Pence meme
11:50 , Joe Sommerlad
This is, all at once, incredibly brutal, bang on and just good advice to job-seekers generally, I’d say.
Kamala Harris visits victims of Hurricane Helene in Georgia
11:20 , Joe Sommerlad
This is what actual leadership in a crisis looks like, since we’re on the subject.
Over the past few days, communities in the southeast have endured destruction and devastation.
While in Augusta, Georgia today, I spoke with people impacted by Hurricane Helene. I also received briefings from those who are working around the clock to help folks on the ground. We… pic.twitter.com/5Hrmg8AexJ
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 3, 2024
Thank you to all those who are doing critical work in Georgia and throughout the region to get folks the support and the relief that they so desperately need, and so rightly deserve, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. pic.twitter.com/Spbe21jhgK
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 3, 2024
Vance drops nice guy act to resume attacks on Harris and Walz
11:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Just hours after attracting congratulatory headlines for the “cordial” and “collegiate” manner in which Tuesday night’s VP debate was conducted, Vance was back out there mocking Walz, calling Harris “an absolute disgrace” and “very insecure” (who does that remind you of ?) and reverting to his anti-intellectual guise to bash economists who “don’t know what the hell they’re talking about”.
His no-inflation-under-Trump argument rather overlooks a little affair you might recall known as the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused the total shutdown of the entire world and which Trump, then the president of the United States of America, entirely mismanaged.
JD Vance says he was “annoyed” by Tim Walz citing economists saying Trump’s policies will lead to a rise in inflation, because “I don’t think economists know what the hell they’re talking about” pic.twitter.com/o17KJFB5h2
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 2, 2024
JD Vance again refuses to answer 2020 question as Tim Walz presses his advantage
10:40 , Joe Sommerlad
On the campaign trail in Auburn Hills, Michigan, yesterday, Trump’s running mate again declined to admit that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election fairly, instead preferring to – you guessed it – attack the media.
Reporter: Why did you not answer the question last night during the debate about who won the 2020 presidential election?
Vance: The media is obsessed with talking about the election from four years ago… pic.twitter.com/LTmvyUPRGf
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 2, 2024
Over in York, Pennsylvania, his Democratic rival Tim Walz addressed the same issue he raised at the close of their debate and said Vance’s refusal to answer so simple a question should “absolutely disqualify” him and his boss from higher office.
Walz: I asked the simplest of all questions that every single American should be able to answer. I asked him if Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. He refused to answer. pic.twitter.com/icNeGRCGwu
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 2, 2024
Walz: Understand in that 88th minute last night with that damning nonanswer, Vance made it clear he will always make a different choice than Mike Pence made. And as I said then and I will say now, that should be absolutely disqualifying.. pic.twitter.com/LxzsIxvuXs
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 2, 2024
Trump says he will ‘absolutely’ revoke temporary protection status for Springfield’s Haitian migrants
10:20 , Joe Sommerlad
Also taking to the airwaves last night was the Republican nominee himself, keen to air his grievances against Jack Smith to NewsNation’s Ali Bradley.
He again called the Justice Department Special Counsel “a deranged person”, said his latest filing amounted to “pure election interference” and its unsealing by Judge Chutkan nothing less than the “weaponization of the government”.
Of course it is.
More worryingly, he also pledged to deport Springfield’s Haitian migrant population should he return to the White House.
There are around 15,000 Haitians in Springfield, for the record, at least 12,000 of whom are in the United States legally, as the CBS fact-checkers reminded JD Vance during Tuesday’s vice presidential debate.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Trump vows to deport legal Haitian migrants from Ohio in middle of Jack Smith rant
Melania surprised it took so long for husband to be impeached as rivals feared his ‘peace through strength’
10:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Speaking of the former first lady, she was interviewed by Fox News’s Sean Hannity last night, during which this interesting exchange took place.
“What stunned me is when you actually said that when they first impeached him, ‘I’m surprised it took so long’,” Hannity said, alluding to a passage in her new memoir.
“I did because I saw how they treat him, how the media was against him. I think they are afraid of his strength – he was leading this country with peace through strength,” she responded.
“So as soon as he announced that he’s running for president, everything changed. I saw it and I said, ‘You know, this will not be very pleasant,’ but I knew that he’s into it, what he’ll need to deal with.
“And as soon as they announced his presidency, and then when he won, they start already talking about impeachment… I always said to him, ‘What is next?’
“Every event that happened, I’m thinking, ‘What is next? What are they trying to do?’You always fear the worst, and that happened.”
Here’s more from James Liddell.
Melania Trump reveals her reaction when Donald announced he was running for president
Melania defends ‘fundamental’ right to abortion in memoir despite Trump bringing about demise of Roe v Wade
09:30 , Joe Sommerlad
The former first lady reportedly offers vocal support for abortion rights in her “deeply personal” new memoir, despite her own husband’s instrumental role in rolling back abortion protections.
“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” Melania Trump writes in the forthcoming Melania, according to a review copy obtained by The Guardian.
“A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”
Josh Marcus has more.
Melania defends ‘fundamental’ right to abortion in memoir despite Trump stance
Trump, January 6 and a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election: The federal investigation explained
09:03 , Joe Sommerlad
A sprawling Justice Department probe into the former president and his allies yielded four criminal charges in a stunning indictment outlining a path to power at whatever cost, Alex Woodward reports.
The federal investigation into Trump and January 6, explained
‘What does injured mean?’: Fury as Trump downplays severity of brain injuries suffered by 109 US soldiers
08:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump is facing backlash for downplaying the traumatic brain injuries suffered by 109 U.S. service members after an Iranian ballistic missile attack in 2020.
The Republican presidential candidate made the remarks at a campaign press event on Tuesday after a reporter asked him if he should have been “tougher” on Iran during his time in the White House following the attack that left troops injured.
“First of all, injured, what does injured mean?” Trump replied. “You mean because they had a headache? Because the bombs never hit the fort.”
Ariana Baio reports.
Fury as Trump downplays severity of brain injuries suffered by 109 US soldiers
Full story: Trump ‘pursued multiple criminal means to overturn election’ new special counsel filing claims
07:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Special counsel Jack Smith has outlined a sprawling criminal case against Donald Trump for his attempts to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election, detailing for the first time the former president’s “increasingly desperate efforts” to cling to power with “knowingly false claims of election fraud.”
Trump intentionally lied to voters, election officials, and his own vice president Mike Pence in what amounted to a criminal effort to stay in office, culminating in his failure to stop a mob that tried to do it with violence, according to the document filed in federal court in Washington DC on Wednesday.
Alex Woodward has been closely following the case for The Independent and has the details.
Jack Smith outlines Trump’s ‘multiple criminal means’ to overturn 2020 election
Trump posts furious and defiant reaction to election subversion filing
06:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Former president Donald Trump has posted a furious and defiant reaction to the publication of the redacted Jack Smith filing in the election interference case brought against him — saying that it was an “obvious attempt by the Harris-Biden regime to undermine and Weaponize American Democracy, and INTERFERE IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.”
There is no evidence of any coordination between the White House and Smith.
The Republican nominee posted on Truth Social:
The release of this falsehood-ridden, Unconstitutional, J6 brief immediately following Tim Walz’s disastrous Debate performance, and 33 days before the Most Important Election in the History of our Country, is another obvious attempt by the Harris-Biden regime to undermine and Weaponize American Democracy, and INTERFERE IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. Deranged Jack Smith, the hand picked Prosecutor of the Harris-Biden DOJ, and Washington, D.C. based Radical Left Democrats, are HELL BENT on continuing to Weaponize the Justice Department in an attempt to cling to power. “TRUMP” is dominating the Election cycle, leading in the Polls, and the Radical Democrats throughout the Deep State are totally “freaking out.” This entire case is a Partisan, Unconstitutional, Witch Hunt, that should be dismissed, entirely, just like the Florida case was dismissed!
He added:
WHETHER NOW THE FULLY DEBUNKED RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, IRAN, IRAN, IRAN, UKRAINE, UKRAINE, UKRAINE, 51 INTELLIGENCE AGENTS, SPYING ON MY CAMPAIGN, IMPEACHMENT HOAX NUMBER ONE, IMPEACHMENT HOAX NUMBER TWO, OR ANY OF THE OTHER SCAMS, THIS ILLEGAL ACTION TAKEN BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THEIR RAID ON MAR-A-LAGO FOR A CASE THAT WAS DISMISSED, WILL END JUST LIKE ALL OF THE OTHERS – WITH COMPLETE VICTORY FOR “PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.” MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
The former president wasn’t done there:
Democrats are Weaponizing the Justice Department against me because they know I am WINNING, and they are desperate to prop up their failing Candidate, Kamala Harris. The DOJ pushed out this latest “hit job” today because JD Vance humiliated Tim Walz last night in the Debate. The DOJ has become nothing more than an extension of Joe’s, and now Kamala’s, Campaign. This is egregious PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT, and should not have been released right before the Election. The Democrat Party is turning America into a Third World Country that tries to censor, harass, and intimidate their Political Opponents. What they have done to our Justice System is one of the Great, All Time, Tragedies….
….The Democrat Party is guilty of the Worst Election Interference in American History. They are trying to DESTROY OUR DEMOCRACY, allowing millions of people to enter our Country illegally. They are determined to stop us from winning back the White House, sealing the Border, and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. BUT THEY WILL FAIL, AND WE WILL SAVE OUR NATION!
Vance is a better debater than Trump, Gretchen Whitmer says – but still thinks Walz triumphed
05:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer weighed in following the vice presidential debate on Tuesday and believes that JD Vance outperformed running mate Donald Trump when it comes to debating skills.
“JD Vance was a better debater than Donald Trump,” Whitmer said, during an appearance on late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on Tuesday evening. “Donald Trump should have taken some lessons from him.”
Ariana Baio reports.
Vance is a better debater than Trump, Gretchen Whitmer says
Vance-Walz debate attracts 20m fewer viewers than 2020 face-off between Harris and Pence
04:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Just under 39 million people tuned in across eight networks to watch Tuesday’s vice presidential debate between Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz, falling 20 million people short of the audience draw when Vice President Kamala Harris and former Vice President Mike Pence debated in 2020.
Graig Graziosi has the details.
Polling shows the vice presidential debate was a draw — that’s good news for JD Vance
03:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
Most political pundits declared that Republican Senator JD Vance got the better of Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz during the sole vice presidential debate on Tuesday evening. Walz made a few slip-ups, such as when he accidentally said he befriended school shooters and had to own up to the fact he had not been in Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in China.
Many were also surprised by the fact that Vance presented a more restrained and less awkward version of himself than has been seen on the campaign trail so far.
Put together, these facts have made commentators likely to say that Vance was the winner.
The truth is a bit more complicated than that.
Continue reading…
Polls show the debate was a draw — that’s good news for JD Vance
Latest poll updates: Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump?
02:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Alicja Hagopian looks at the latest polling.
Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump? Latest poll updates from the 2024 election
Vance’s debate performance has Republicans hopeful he can shake off ‘weird’ label
01:30 , Oliver O’Connell
The Trump-Vance campaign is hopeful the vice presidential candidate’s debate performance last night will improve his “weird” image and could kick-start the campaign for the Republican ticket, according to reports.
For months, JD Vance has struggled to shirk off the “weird” label given to him by his Democratic opponent Tim Walz early on in the 2024 presidential campaign.
But last night could mark a turning point. Trump’s aides believe Vance “reset the narrative over his image”.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Republicans hopeful Vance’s debate performance has helped shake off ‘weird’ label
Cybersecurity head says no chance foreign country could change election results in November
01:00 , Ariana Baio, AP
The United States’s election systems are so secure that Russia, Iran or any other foreign adversary would be able to alter the outcome of the presidential election, the director of the nation’s cybersecurity agency said on Wednesday
“Malicious actors, even if they tried, could not have an impact at scale such that there would be a material effect on the outcome of the election,” Jen Easterly, the director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told the Associated Press.
Continue reading…
Cybersecurity head says no chance a foreign adversary can change election results
Scandal-hit Mark Robinson blows off voting for North Carolina hurricane relief
Thursday 3 October 2024 00:30 , Oliver O’Connell
North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson did not vote to pass an emergency relief declaration as Hurricane Helene barrelled towards the state, public records have shown.
Robinson, who has been rocked by public scandal in recent weeks, skipped out on a vote on September 25, shortly before the storm arrived, leaving communities devastated and at least 160 people dead across multiple states.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said on Tuesday that his office was working with the state’s information and referral service to determine the number of missing, but that “more fatalities” were expected.
Mike Bedigan reports.
Scandal-hit Mark Robinson blows off voting for North Carolina hurricane relief
Trump raised $160m in September
Thursday 3 October 2024 00:00 , Oliver O’Connell
The Trump-Vance campaign says it ended September having raised over $160m (96 per cent of which was small dollar donations). They also have $283m cash on hand across the campaign and authorized committees.
“President Trump continues to inspire millions of everyday Americans to join his America First movement and help fuel the campaign with their hard-earned money. In September, nearly 2.5 million donations under $200 were made. These supporters have allowed us to bank the funds we need as we move into the campaign’s final weeks. Our momentum continues to grow from supporters and donors across the country as we enter the homestretch toward victory,” said Brian Hughes, Trump Campaign Senior Advisor.
The figure appears to be almost $90m less than they raised in September 2020 as the then-president sought re-election.
Trump rallygoers fume after late change denies them access to speech
Wednesday 2 October 2024 23:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump’s supporters were left confused when a last-minute change of plan dashed their hopes of catching a glimpse of the former commander-in-chief.
Dozens of supporters, some of whom had traveled overnight, were eagerly waiting outside the planned campaign event at the Discovery World Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just to be told by US Secret Service officials that the previously billed public rally would be a closed press conference due to security and capacity concerns.
Michelle Del Rey reports.
Trump rallygoers fume after late event change means they miss out
RECAP: Trump ‘pursued multiple criminal means to overturn election’ new special counsel filing claims
Wednesday 2 October 2024 23:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Special counsel Jack Smith has outlined a sprawling criminal case against Donald Trump for his attempts to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election, detailing for the first time the former president’s “increasingly desperate efforts” to cling to power with “knowingly false claims of election fraud.”
Trump intentionally lied to voters, election officials, and his own vice president Mike Pence in what amounted to a criminal effort to stay in office, culminating in his failure to stop a mob that tried to do it with violence, according to the document filed in federal court in Washington DC on Wednesday.
Alex Woodward has been closely following the case for The Independent and has the details.
Jack Smith outlines Trump’s ‘multiple criminal means’ to overturn 2020 election
Special counsel filing details attempts by Pence to get Trump to accept election loss
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:55 , Oliver O’Connell
A sampling of the pleas and persuasions Pence made to Trump to get him to acknowledge the truth of his election loss, from Jack Smith’s new motion pic.twitter.com/06ZRDdkkHG
— Sam Stein (@samstein) October 2, 2024
ICYMI: Biden directs military personnel to help in North Carolina
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:50 , Oliver O’Connell
I’ve directed one thousand military personnel from Fort Liberty to help the North Carolina National Guard provide critical supplies to isolated communities.
We’ve deployed 67 Starlink satellites so that folks in places like Canton can call for help and reach their loved ones.…
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 2, 2024
Meanwhile, in Augusta, Georgia…
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Vice President Kamala Harris is distributing food and posing for selfies with those impacted by Hurricane Helene.
…he wasn’t finished
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:39 , Oliver O’Connell
The former president has posted again…
Democrats are Weaponizing the Justice Department against me because they know I am WINNING, and they are desperate to prop up their failing Candidate, Kamala Harris. The DOJ pushed out this latest “hit job” today because JD Vance humiliated Tim Walz last night in the Debate. The DOJ has become nothing more than an extension of Joe’s, and now Kamala’s, Campaign. This is egregious PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT, and should not have been released right before the Election. The Democrat Party is turning America into a Third World Country that tries to censor, harass, and intimidate their Political Opponents. What they have done to our Justice System is one of the Great, All Time, Tragedies….
….The Democrat Party is guilty of the Worst Election Interference in American History. They are trying to DESTROY OUR DEMOCRACY, allowing millions of people to enter our Country illegally. They are determined to stop us from winning back the White House, sealing the Border, and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. BUT THEY WILL FAIL, AND WE WILL SAVE OUR NATION!
Trump posts furious and defiant reaction to election subversion filing
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:33 , Oliver O’Connell
Former president Donald Trump has posted a furious and defiant reaction to the publication of the redacted Jack Smith filing in the election interference case brought against him — saying that it was an “obvious attempt by the Harris-Biden regime to undermine and Weaponize American Democracy, and INTERFERE IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.”
There is no evidence of any coordination between the White House and Smith.
The Republican nominee posted on Truth Social:
The release of this falsehood-ridden, Unconstitutional, J6 brief immediately following Tim Walz’s disastrous Debate performance, and 33 days before the Most Important Election in the History of our Country, is another obvious attempt by the Harris-Biden regime to undermine and Weaponize American Democracy, and INTERFERE IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. Deranged Jack Smith, the hand picked Prosecutor of the Harris-Biden DOJ, and Washington, D.C. based Radical Left Democrats, are HELL BENT on continuing to Weaponize the Justice Department in an attempt to cling to power. “TRUMP” is dominating the Election cycle, leading in the Polls, and the Radical Democrats throughout the Deep State are totally “freaking out.” This entire case is a Partisan, Unconstitutional, Witch Hunt, that should be dismissed, entirely, just like the Florida case was dismissed!
He added:
WHETHER NOW THE FULLY DEBUNKED RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, IRAN, IRAN, IRAN, UKRAINE, UKRAINE, UKRAINE, 51 INTELLIGENCE AGENTS, SPYING ON MY CAMPAIGN, IMPEACHMENT HOAX NUMBER ONE, IMPEACHMENT HOAX NUMBER TWO, OR ANY OF THE OTHER SCAMS, THIS ILLEGAL ACTION TAKEN BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THEIR RAID ON MAR-A-LAGO FOR A CASE THAT WAS DISMISSED, WILL END JUST LIKE ALL OF THE OTHERS – WITH COMPLETE VICTORY FOR “PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.” MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Coach praises Tim Walz’s son for helping protect other kids after shooting
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:30 , AP
When the issue of gun violence came up at the vice presidential debate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had a personal story to tell: His teenage son, Gus, had been at a sports center last year when a shooting took place.
Gus Walz was at volleyball practice at the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center in St. Paul the afternoon of Jan. 18, 2023, when a 16-year-old was shot and seriously wounded outside.
It wasn’t the first time Tim Walz had spoken about his son’s brush with gun violence, and the shooting itself was widely publicized locally. But the Democrat’s remarks Tuesday night at his debate with Republican JD Vance, as the public is still getting to know both vice presidential candidates, offered the biggest stage yet to personalize an issue that has deeply affected many American families.
Continue reading…
Coach praises Tim Walz’s son for helping protect other kids after shooting
Harris tells first responders ‘take care of yourselves’, thanks Georgia governor
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Vice President Kamala Harris thanks Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp for “his leadership and his close coordination” with the White House and federal authorities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
“There’s a lot of work that’s going to need to happen over the coming days, weeks and months, and the coordination that we have dedicated ourselves to will be long-lasting to get families, to get residents to get neighborhoods back up and running,” she said.
“We are at our best when we work together and coordinate resources, coordinate our communities to the maximum effect for the community.”
Harris added: “Today, I’m also announcing that the President has approved the governor’s request for 100% federal reimbursement of local costs.”
Former Pence aide reacts to Trump’s disregard for safety of vice president
Wednesday 2 October 2024 22:04 , Oliver O’Connell
Alyssa Farah Griffin, former aide to then-vice president Mike Pence, says: “To this day it makes me sick to read about Trump’s pressure campaign against Pence & the subsequent disregard for his safety on [January 6].”
She pleads: “Republicans — it’s never too late to admit what we all know: Trump is wholly unfit for office.”
To this day it makes me sick to read about Trump’s pressure campaign against Pence & the subsequent disregard for his safety on 1/6.
Republicans – it’s never too late to admit what we all know: Trump is wholly unfit for office. https://t.co/LSn86gy4T1
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) October 2, 2024
Trump-endorsed Maryland senate candidate slams Republican nominee for refusing to back Ukraine
Wednesday 2 October 2024 21:50 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump-endorsed Republican senate candidate Larry Hogan attempted to further distance himself from the Republican presidential nominee by criticizing the ex-president for refusing to say whether he wants Ukraine to defeat Russia.
Speaking at a campaign press conference at the Washington headquarters of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Hogan, the former Maryland governor running for US Senate, slammed Trump for exhibiting what he described as a “lack of moral clarity” during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris last month.
John Bowden and Andrew Feinberg report.
Trump-endorsed candidate slams Republican nominee for refusing to back Ukraine
Watch: Walz reminds crowd why he wasn’t debating Mike Pence last night
Wednesday 2 October 2024 21:36 , Oliver O’Connell
Walz: “There is a reason Mike Pence wasn’t on that stage with me … he chose the constitution over Donald Trump … Senator Vance made it clear he will always make a different choice.” pic.twitter.com/pbvCUW1VDH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 2, 2024
Trump makes claims about Pelosi saying Jan 6 case should be dismissed
Wednesday 2 October 2024 21:32 , Oliver O’Connell
As the political and legal world pours over the special counsel filing arguing that Donald Trump’s actions relating to overturning the result of the 2020 election were those of a private citizen and not covered by presidential immunity, the former president is trying to deflect attention on Truth Social.
Trump posted:
BIG NEWS: Nancy Pelosi has been EXPOSED on tape, during her daughter’s documentary, saying she, and she alone, is “responsible” for the events of January 6th, 2021. Can you imagine how that poor and loving daughter has suffered for allowing the TRUTH to get released?
Donald…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) October 2, 2024
He added:
These MAJOR revelations and the fact, as recently confirmed by the Great John Solomon and the STRONG work of Congressman Barry Loudermilk and Republicans on the House Oversight Committee, that the Deep State chose to DISREGARD my direct authorization of at least 10,000 National Guard Troops to ensure that Washington, D.C., was safe and secure on January 6th, automatically END the Sham J6 Civil Hoaxes and the lawless D.C. Case brought by Deranged Jack Smith, which has already been DEMOLISHED by the United States Supreme Court’s Historic Immunity and Fischer Decisions. I called for everyone to act PEACEFULLY and PATRIOTICALLY, and demanded that D.C. be PROTECTED. We have to END the Witch Hunts and restore our broken Justice System!
Wednesday 2 October 2024 21:19 , Oliver O’Connell
When the defendant lost the 2020 presidential election, he resorted to crimes to try to stay in office. With private co-conspirators, the defendant launched a series of increasingly desperate plans to overturn the legitimate election results in seven states that he had lost—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin (the “targeted states”).
Special Counsel Jack Smith on Donald Trump’s efforts to stay in office
Trump ‘pursued multiple criminal means to overturn election’ new special counsel filing claims
Wednesday 2 October 2024 21:08 , Oliver O’Connell
Special counsel Jack Smith has outlined a sprawling criminal case against Donald Trump for his attempts to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election, detailing for the first time the former president’s “increasingly desperate efforts” to cling to power with “knowingly false claims of election fraud.”
Trump intentionally lied to voters, election officials, and his own vice president, Mike Pence, in what amounted to a criminal effort to stay in office, according to the document filed in federal court in Washington DC on Wednesday.
“When the defendant lost the 2020 presidential election, he resorted to crimes to try to stay in office,” the filing says. “With private co-conspirators, the defendant launched a series of increasingly desperate plans to overturn the legitimate election results in seven states that he had lost.”
Alex Woodward reports.
Hurricane Helene: Harris briefed on impact of storm on Augusta, Georgia
Wednesday 2 October 2024 21:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Vice President Kamala Harris joined a meeting at a utility building near downtown Augusta, Georgia, where the mayor and other officials briefed her on the unprecedented impact of Hurricane Helene.
“These are very difficult times,” she says, “and in a moment of crisis, I think that really does bring out the best in us.”
“I’m here to thank you and to listen,” she added.
The VP arrives at a utility building near downtown Augusta, where the mayor and other officials brief her on the unprecedented storm. “These are very difficult times,” she says, “and in a moment of crisis, I think that really does bring out the best in us.” #gapol pic.twitter.com/BfpzPDwFnu
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) October 2, 2024
BREAKING: Judge unseals Jack Smith’s redacted motion on presidential immunity in federal case against Trump
Wednesday 2 October 2024 20:50 , Oliver O’Connell
Federal judge Tanya Chutkan has unsealed Special Counsel Jack Smith’s 165-page redacted motion on presidential immunity with regards to the 2020 election interference case against Donald Trump.
Read the full document here.
This is a developing story, more follows…
Watch: Vance dodges question on 2020 election
Wednesday 2 October 2024 20:35 , Oliver O’Connell
Reporter: Why did you not answer the question last night during the debate about who won the 2020 presidential election?
Vance: The media is obsessed with talking about the election from four years ago… pic.twitter.com/LTmvyUPRGf
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 2, 2024
Why has Trump pulled out of his ‘60 Minutes’ interview?
Wednesday 2 October 2024 20:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump pulled out of an election season interview with CBS News’s 60 Minutes that was set to air Monday, with the Republican’s camp citing fact-checking provisions and a long-running dispute over the Hunter Biden laptop story as reasons why.
60 Minutes announced the cancellation over X/Twitter, where many likened it to President Joe Biden’s decision to duck the traditional Super Bowl interview earlier this year triggering speculation about his cognitive abilities among conservative commentators and the MAGA faithful.
Josh Marcus reports.
Trump pulls out of ‘60 Minutes’ interview, after storming out of 2020 episode