Yahoo News Biden not confident of peaceful 2024 election; Trump visits Georgia alongside Governor Brian Kemp: Live
Kamala Harris hammered Donald Trump’s labor record during a rally in Flint, Michigan, on Friday, trying to keep up the momentum after scoring high-profile endorsements from Liz Cheney and Bruce Springsteen.
“Donald Trump is no friend of labor,” the vice president told the crowd, arguing Trump didn’t do enough to help the auto industry or support United Auto Workers who went on strike, like Joe Biden did.
Donald Trump, for his part, told a crowd in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Friday he supported creating a taskforce to monitor for “woke” generals and diversity training within the military.
Biden, meanwhile, said on Friday he did not know if November’s election would be “peaceful” given Trump’s “dangerous” rhetoric, in a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room.
Biden was also asked if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was delaying a diplomatic agreement regarding the Gaza conflict to influence the election. He said that no administration has helped Israel more than he has and Netanyahu should remember that.
Trump will be joined by tech billionaire Elon Musk at his Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the site of his attempted assassination on July 13.
Key Points
Biden says he can’t guarantee election will be peaceful but is confident it will be fair
Trump attacks ‘Low IQ War Hawk’ Cheney over Harris support
Where are Donald Trump and Kamala Harris campaigning today?
Trump and Anna Paulina Luna slam Harris on Hurricane Helene response
New jobs numbers are very good news for Harris and Biden
Polls: Who’s ahead in Georgia and Michigan as Trump and Harris visit key states?
Elon Musk to join Donald Trump as he returns to scene of assassination attempt in Pennsylvania
The debate remark that keeps coming back to bite Trump
Trump says he’ll set up an anti-woke task force in US military to monitor generals
02:04 , Josh Marcus
During a campaign event on Friday in North Carolina, Donald Trump said he would create a task force to monitor “woke generals” and eliminate diversity trainings in the military.
“They’re gone,” Trump told the crowd, referring to the generals.
The proposal came in response to a question from Matthew Lohmeier, a former F-15 pilot who was relieved of his command in Trump’s Space Force in 2021 after criticizing diversity and inclusion training on a conservative podcast.
More details in our full story.
Trump says he’ll set up an anti-woke task force in US military to monitor generals
Alyssa Farah Griffin gets emotional over Liz Cheney ‘speaking out’ against Trump
01:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Alyssa Farah Griffin, former Donald Trump aide-turned-TV presenter, has praised longtime Republican Liz Cheney for putting aside her “ambition” and “career” to endorse Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
On the latest episode of The View, co-host Griffin appeared to get emotional as she spoke out in awe of Cheney, who on Thursday (October 3) pledged her support of Vice President Harris.
“Liz Cheney is one of the people I admire most,” the former Pentagon Press Secretary, 35, said on the latest episode of the ABC talk show.
Inga Parkel has the story.
Alyssa Farah Griffin gets emotional over Liz Cheney ‘speaking out’ against Trump
Trump campaign encourages early voting again, even though it also hates that
01:00 , Josh Marcus
The Trump campaign is once again encouraging its supporters to vote early, despite Donald Trump’s regular attacks on mail-in voting.
This time, it was RNC co-chair Lara Trump who closed today’s North Carolina rally with a call for early votes.
So what does Trump actually think about early voting? Well, it depends on the day.
Trump is all over the place on ‘stupid’ early voting
JD Vance praises Marjorie Taylor Greene hours after she suggested Hurricane Helene was man-made
Saturday 5 October 2024 00:45 , Josh Marcus
Senator JD Vance had kind words for Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene — just hours after she suggested that a mysterious “they” can control the weather and inflicted Hurricane Helene on Republican voters in Georgia and North Carolina.
Greene is well known for repeating nonsense conspiracy theories. She’s voiced her belief in “Jewish space lasers”and has been cozy with QAnon ideas both before and during her time in office.
She made her latest bizarre claim on X, this time concerning the weather.
“Yes, they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done,” Greene wrote.
Graig Graziosi reports.
JD Vance praises MTG hours after she suggested Hurricane Helene was man-made
Trump falsely claims he gave military the biggest pay raise
Saturday 5 October 2024 00:40 , Josh Marcus
During his North Carolina town hall on Friday, Donald Trump just claimed he gave the military the largest pay raise in its history.
In fact, in late 2023, it was Joe Biden who gave the military its largest basic pay raise in decades.
Trump and Anna Paulina Luna slam Harris on Hurricane Helene response
Saturday 5 October 2024 00:37 , Josh Marcus
Donald Trump and Representative Anna Paulina Luna are both tearing into the Biden-Harris administration’s response to Hurricane Helene.
Trump claimed the response was the worst disaster response since Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, while Representative Luna baselessly accused federal officials of cutting off aid because conservative communities were among those that got hit by the storm.
In fact, Asheville, one of the cities facing the most storm destruction, is highly Democratic, and sits in a county that went for Joe Biden in 2020.
Stephen Colbert points out ‘weird word choice’ in Trump court filing
Saturday 5 October 2024 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Stephen Colbert has pointed out a “weird word choice” in special counsel Jack Smith’s latest court filing regarding Donald Trump in the federal election interference case.
The 165-page dossier, which was unsealed by a federal judge in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, alleges that Trump intentionally lied to voters, election officials, and even his vice president in a “desperate” effort to cling to power. It marks the most detailed case laid out by prosecutors to date, coming after the Supreme Court ruling granted him some immunity from criminal prosecution.
Kevin E G Perry reports on what word caught Colbert’s eye.
Stephen Colbert points out ‘weird word choice’ in Trump court filing
Did Kamala Harris really ‘lose' thousands of migrant kids?
Saturday 5 October 2024 00:29 , Josh Marcus
Trump just brought up the now-familiar Republican claim that Kamala Harris lost hundreds of thousands of migrant kids on her watch.
As usual for the Trump campaign, the comment is related to a kernel of actual fact and a whole lot exagerration.
“300,000 children are missing during the Biden reign,” Trump said.
“Many of them are dead. Many of them are in sex slavery. Many of them are in slavery, period,” Trump continued.
Here’s the actual news that spawned this GOP smear, an inspector general report that found that hundreds of thousands of migrant children hadn’t appeared in removal proceedings because they hadn’t been immediately served with notices to appear.
Department of Homeland Security may have lost track of thousands of child migrants
Trump takes the stage in Fayetteville
Saturday 5 October 2024 00:22 , Josh Marcus
Donald Trump is campaigning in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at the moment, an important appearance in a state still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene.
We’ll be following the latest live.
Why JD Vance kept making that face during the debate
Saturday 5 October 2024 00:16 , Josh Marcus
Vice Presidential contender JD Vance is opening up about that viral debate look in his first interview since he went head-to-head with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Tuesday.
Vance, the junior Republican senator from Ohio, and Walz, Democratic governor of Minnesota, debated each other in what is likely to be the last match-off before election day. Poll watchers declared the event essentially a tie. According to a CBS News poll, 42 percent of debate watchers said Vance won the debate, while 41 percent thought Walz emerged as the winner.
JD Vance kept breaking the fourth wall tonight during the VP Debate. It was giving Jim Halpert from The Office vibes 🤣 pic.twitter.com/nkPutrrjCq
— DEL (@delinthecity_) October 2, 2024
During a recent podcast recording, Vance addressed a snapshot of him from the event that’s now gone viral. In one moment, he’s seen looking into the TV cameras in what social media has called a Jim Halpert from The Office look.
Michelle Del Rey explains.
JD Vance talks viral debate reaction compared to meme from The Office
Cheney dubs Trump ‘petty, vindictive and cruel’ as she campaigns with Harris
Saturday 5 October 2024 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday stood alongside former Wyoming representative Liz Cheney — one of the most conservative women to ever serve in Congress — to accept her endorsement in this year’s presidential election and warn of the dire consequences of re-electing Donald Trump to the White House.
In an unprecedented joint appearance with the former House GOP conference chair in Ripon, Wisconsin — the place where the Republican Party was first formed more than 150 years ago — Harris said upholding the US Constitution should be a “basic requirement” for seeking and holding the highest office in the United States.
Andrew Feinberg filed this report after last night’s event.
Liz Cheney dubs Trump ‘petty, vindictive and cruel’ as she campaigns with Harris
Harris campaign still keeping Uncommitted Movement at arm’s length
Friday 4 October 2024 23:55 , Josh Marcus
The Uncommitted Movement, a group which has pushed the Harris campaign and Biden administration to cut off military aid to Israel, appears to still not be finding purchase with the vice president.
That’s even as she visits Michigan, which is home to a large population of Palestinian-Americans, with reports Harris plans to meet with Arab-American leaders.
Here’s what Uncommitted leader Abbas Alawieh had to say about the situation this afternoon.
We’re hearing @VP will be meeting w/ Arab+Muslim groups supportive of her campaign. @uncommittedmvmt, though not invited, is glad our pressure is helping yield more engagement.
What we need right now is for the @VP to specifically say that as president she will respect…— Abbas Alawieh (@AZAlawieh) October 4, 2024
We’re hearing @VP will be meeting w/ Arab+Muslim groups supportive of her campaign. @uncommittedmvmt, though not invited, is glad our pressure is helping yield more engagement. What we need right now is for the @VP to specifically say that as president she will respect international humanitarian and U.S. law and stop sending the Israeli military weapons for war crimes. And we reiterate our longstanding request: meet with Palestinian & Lebanese American families whose loved ones have been killed using U.S. bombs this admin is sending Netanyahu.
Uncommitted lobbied the Democrats to feature a Palestinian-American at the DNC, a push that was ultimately unsuccessful.
Uncommitted delegates demand DNC give Palestinian speakers stage time
She escaped the religious sect she grew up in. Now she says Trump’s MAGA movement is eerily similar
Friday 4 October 2024 23:50 , Oliver O'Connell
A woman has drawn similarities between Donald Trump’s MAGA movement and the apocalyptic, religious sect she escaped from.
In the autumn of 1974, as former president Richard Nixon resigned and the US was still entrenched in the Vietnam War, Cyd Chartier and her parents were introduced to the fundamentalist religious organization The Move of God.
The Move was founded by Sam Fife after he was allegedly booted from the Baptist church for adultery.
As the sect’s enigmatic and autocratic leader – up until his death in 1979 – Fife wrote a Divine Order doctrine in 1974 in which he claimed God had put The Move in place as a “many-membered manchild to govern the world.”
Now, five decades after she joined the religious sect as a child, Chartier has spoken out about the eerie resemblances between the group and Trump’s loyal fanbase setting out to “make America great again.”
James Liddell has the story.
Woman compares religious sect she escaped to Trump’s MAGA movement
Why are people leaving Donald Trump’s rallies as he is still on stage?
Friday 4 October 2024 23:47 , Josh Marcus
One of Donald Trump’s favorite and most frequent boasts is about his rallies, and the size of the crowds he pulls in to see him speak.
Over the past months the former president has seemingly become more and more obsessed with attendance, as well as his ratings and other optics – so much so that it has become a target of jabs and jokes by the Democratic party.
However despite his claim that “nobody” leaves his rallies, made at a recent town hall event in Flint, Michigan, it seems that that is not quite true. In fact, scores of punters have been known, and seen on live broadcasts, to be leaving the events early.
Trump has appeared to become more frustrated and fixated with crowd size ever since Kamala Harris needled him over it during their presidential debate, when she suggested people leave early out of “exhaustion and boredom.”
Mike Bedigan has the story.
The real reason why people are leaving Donald Trump’s rallies as he is still on stage
The debate remark that keeps coming back to bite Trump
Friday 4 October 2024 23:35 , Josh Marcus
Donald Trump gets away with saying a lot that most other politicians wouldn’t dream of, but there’s one comment that he can’t seem to get away from.
During the presidential debate with Kamala Harris, Trump said he has “concepts of a plan” to replace the Affordable Care Act, the signature Obama administration policy he spent years trying to repeal while in office.
Since then, the Harris campaign hasn’t let voters forget Trump is willing to axe a law that contains popular provisions like protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
“He said he quote has ‘concepts of a plan,’” Harris told the crowd today at her rally in Flint. “Concepts! Now you know I have said that I do believe he is an unserious man, and the consequences of him being president again are absolutely, critically serious.”
The audience loudly booed.
“Think about it,” Harris continued, “even on healthcare, he has concepts of a plan, so he’s going to threaten the health insurance of 45 million people in our country based on a concept? To take us back? Do you remember that, when insurance companies could deny people with pre-existing conditions?”
The Harris campaign has repeatedly attacked Trump over his vague stance on Obamacare.
Harris campaign launches ad blitz attacking Trump’s ‘concepts of a plan’
Harris dings Trump’s ‘concept of a plan’ evasion during campaign event with Oprah
As expected, Harris goes after Trump on labor issues
Friday 4 October 2024 23:19 , Josh Marcus
Kamala Harris is using her Flint, Michigan, rally today to go after Donald Trump on his labor record.
“When it came to building the cars of the future, Donald Trump sat on the sidelines and let China dominate,” she told the crowd. “Then he talk down to American workers, saying we can’t compete with Chinese workers.
“And make no mistake, Donald Trump is no friend of labor,” the vice president continued. “He encouraged automakers to move their plants out of Michigan so they could pay their workers less. When the UAW [United Auto Workers union] went on strike to demand higher wages that they deserved, Donald trump webnt to a non-union shop, don’t you forget.”
Here’s the story she’s talking about.
Did Trump fake union turnout at his Michigan rally?
Both candidates have been visiting Michigan to try to prove their pro-labor, auto industry bona fides, with Harris touting the Biden administration’s support for EVs.
Watch LIVE: Kamala Harris speaks in Flint, Michigan
Friday 4 October 2024 22:55 , Oliver O'Connell
As president, I will fight for every American—no matter how they vote. Don’t miss my rally in Flint, MI. Watch now. https://t.co/eqzNORVftj
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 4, 2024
Trump falsely claimed he was endorsed by Jamie Dimon — then didn’t seem to know anything about it
Friday 4 October 2024 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell
At 1.56pm ET today a post was made on Donald Trump’s Truth Social proclaiming that Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase, had endorse him for president.
NBC News did some digging on X:
A search of X showed what appeared to be the earliest post from someone falsely claiming the Dimon endorsement, published from a verified account at 12:33 p.m. ET. That message was quickly echoed by other verified pro-Trump accounts, including some with large followings.
Dimon spokesman Joe Evangelisti quickly pushed back on the claim, telling CNBC: “Jamie Dimon has not endorsed anyone. He has not endorsed a candidate.”
Jake Traylor of NBC News was out on the campaign trail with the former president and asked about the alleged endorsement, to which the president replied: “I don’t know anything about it.”
He added: “Somebody put it up — no, I don’t know.”
Here’s that moment:
Its hard to hear the reporter but according to NBC, Trump is being asked about a post made on his account claiming Jamie Dimon endorsed him
Trump: I don’t know anything about it. pic.twitter.com/8Q9EI3zRd5— Acyn (@Acyn) October 4, 2024
The question remains — who put it up? And why is it still almost four hours later?
Trump has thoughts on Cheney’s endorsement of Harris
Friday 4 October 2024 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell
And they’re pretty much what you were probably expecting.
Here’s the latest from Truth Social:
Has Liz Cheney, one of the dumber people in politics, ever looked at the horrible statements she’s made about Lyin’ Kamala Harris? Every view and policy is the exact opposite of what Cheney and her equally ridiculous father, who got us into the never ending Wars in the Middle East, have stated over the years. They’re being posted all over the internet, and Cheney looks even dumber than I thought she was - But I still say Kamala is worse!
Watch: Harris campaign launches new ad highlight Republican support
Friday 4 October 2024 22:40 , Oliver O'Connell
NEW AD >> As voters are increasingly concerned about an erratic, unstable Trump, we're highlighting the *Republican* officials who are endorsing @KamalaHarris because they know she's fit to lead. pic.twitter.com/SD3GtH8lBo
— Ammar Moussa (@ammarmufasa) October 4, 2024
Cheney trolls Trump’s fake tan habit as she campaigns with Harris
Friday 4 October 2024 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Liz Cheney mocked Donald Trump’s use of bronzer on Thursday during a campaign appearance with Kamala Harris in Wisconsin, where the vice president formally accepted last month’s surprise endorsement from the Republican.
“I was a Republican even before Donald Trump started spray tanning,” Cheney told the crowd.
Josh Marcus reports.
Liz Cheney trolls Trump’s fake tan as she campaigns with Harris at birthplace of GOP
Trump dismisses jobs report, pushes tariffs, and says US being ‘poisoned’ by migrants
Friday 4 October 2024 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell
In an interview with Larry Kudlow on Fox Business, Donald Trump dismissed today’s strong jobs report, claiming illegal immigrants are getting the jobs.
Nope https://t.co/Pl52HChS6b pic.twitter.com/mZ2Q9HQ5Qa
— Eric Columbus (@EricColumbus) October 4, 2024
Yet again making the case for his proposed high tariffs policy that economists have warned will mean higher prices for US consumers, Trump argued: “Our country was the richest when we were doing tariffs. This was in the 1880s and '90 ... McKinley was actually a great president. He was assassinated. Do you know why he was assassinated? Because he was charging all these countries money, probably.”
Trump to Kudlow on Fox Business: "A tariff is a beautiful thing, but it's gotta a bad image. It needs you to fix the image. We stop wars with tariffs ... I stopped a war. Will I get Nobel Prizes? Never." pic.twitter.com/zqjKiaFaws
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 4, 2024
He appeared so enamored with McKinley he talked about him twice and again claimed that the US is on the verge of a 1929-style depression (which he has said before). The stock market is currently at record highs.
Trump on Harris on the same day the stock market hit another record: "If you followed her policy you will end up in a 1929-style depression. 100 percent certain."
(He said the exact same nonsense about Biden in 2020, and the market has never done better.) pic.twitter.com/hSOr5jLc4x— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 4, 2024
Trump went on to say the country is being “poisoned” by migrants and pushed the conspiracy theory that “they’re trying to get those people to vote” — it is illegal for non-citizens to vote.
"They're trying to get those people to vote" -- Trump on Fox Business pushes the great replacement conspiracy theory that has inspired numerous right-wing mass shooters pic.twitter.com/2Op2hk1B9I
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 4, 2024
Elon Musk has been donating to GOP-aligned groups for years
Friday 4 October 2024 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Elon Musk was reportedly giving tens of millions of dollars to conservative political causes years before he made headlines this summer for creating a pro-Trump political action committee.
Beginning in 2022, the X billionaire funneled an estimated $60m to groups affiliated with former Trump adviser Stephen Miller and 2024 candidate and Florida governor Ron DeSantis, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Independent has contacted Musk, DeSantis, and Miller’s legal advocacy group for comment.
Josh Marcus reports.
Elon Musk has been sending millions of dollars to GOP-aligned groups for years
‘It’s a big scam’: The View’s Joy Behar accuses Melania Trump of lying about pro-abortion stance
Friday 4 October 2024 21:40 , Oliver O'Connell
The View hosts are not convinced by Melania Trump’s support for abortion rights put forth in the former First Lady’s new memoir.
Melania, 54, the wife of former president Donald Trump, made headlines this week after an excerpt from her forthcoming book was published by The Guardian.
“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she writes in Melania. “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”
Her pro-choice stance stands in stark contrast to her husband’s history of dismantling abortion protections. On The View on Thursday, co-host Joy Behar suggested it was all “a big scam.”
Inga Parkel reports.
The View’s Joy Behar accuses Melania Trump of lying about pro-abortion stance
Watch: Trump admits he lost Georgia in 2020 and hopes election will be ‘free and fair’
Friday 4 October 2024 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell
!!! Trump admits he lost Georgia in 2020: "I won it easily in 2016. We actually were very close last time." pic.twitter.com/wEa6MO2Vz2
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 4, 2024
Magic Johnson to appear with Harris at Flint rally, report says
Friday 4 October 2024 21:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Washington correspondent for NBC News Yamiche Alcindor is reporting that NBA legend Magic Johnson will be at Vice President Kamala Harris’s rally in Flint, Michigan, this evening.
Watch: Trump perpetuates lie about Biden hurricane response and FEMA money
Friday 4 October 2024 21:12 , Oliver O'Connell
Speaking in Evans, Georgia, Donald Trump baselessly claims there has been a terrible response to the hurricane from the White House and that there is money missing from FEMA that he falsely claims has been spent on migrants.
The White House response to those reports is included below.
Trump: It has been a terrible response from the white house. They are missing a billion dollars that was used for another purpose and nobody has seen anything like that. pic.twitter.com/ncuBiPFEx7
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 4, 2024
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 4, 2024
Trump and Kemp share handshake in hurricane hit Georgia
Friday 4 October 2024 21:04 , Oliver O'Connell
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp introduces Donald Trump at an event at a Hurricane Helene relief center — the first time the two have appeared together since Trump’s efforts to overturn Georgia’s election results in 2020. pic.twitter.com/b4SCubQZki
— The Recount (@therecount) October 4, 2024
Oklahoma’s school chief required Bibles in class but one seemed to meet his criteria...
Friday 4 October 2024 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Over the summer, Oklahoma ordered its public schools to begin teaching the Bible in every classroom. Now the state is being criticized for seeking to buy potentially millions of dollars worth of Bibles, with requirements that only seem to match Bibles endorsed by members of the Trump family.
Josh Marcus reports on what can surely only be a coincidence... right?
Trump-endorsed Bibles seem to be only ones that fit new Oklahoma curriculum mandate
Watch: Vance says ‘bless your heart’ in response to 2020 election rigging question
Friday 4 October 2024 20:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Reporter: Trump said yesterday the 2020 election was rigged. Do you concur with him that the election was rigged.
Vance: There’s a phrase in the south that works. Bless your heart. We’re focused on the future. pic.twitter.com/zuhY1mI744— Acyn (@Acyn) October 4, 2024
Republicans in Congress leave Helene victims hanging
Friday 4 October 2024 20:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
On Thursday evening, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia tweeted: “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.”
This is wholly unsurprising for Greene, the right-wing firebrand and conspiracymonger who once mused about the possibility of Jews controlling space lasers for the purpose of starting wildfires. The more surprising aspect is that it reflects the approach the Republican Party is taking generally to Hurricane Helene: rather than doing its job and offering concrete aid to people suffering from the devastation, GOP lawmakers are devolving into conspiracy theories and, like everything else, fearmongering about undocumented immigrants.
Continue reading...
Republicans in Congress leave Helene victims hanging
Trump and Kemp receive joint briefing on hurricane damage in Georgia
Friday 4 October 2024 20:37 , Oliver O'Connell
Trump and Kemp shake hands during a briefing in Georgia on Hurricane Helene damage. This is their first time together since before the 2020 election. pic.twitter.com/koHYIQQgNw
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 4, 2024
Watch: Fox News guest says not a single red flag in today’s jobs report
Friday 4 October 2024 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Fox guest on jobs report: "I thought there would be more red flags than a communist parade in this report, and there's not a single one. ... There's not one data point in here that I can point to that is not good." pic.twitter.com/CVmMoleWuE
— Lis Power (@LisPower1) October 4, 2024
Is Netanyahu is pushing his Middle East war to influence US election? Democrats fear so
Friday 4 October 2024 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Democrats fear Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is escalating tensions in the Middle East in order to influence the U.S. election.
This past week, Israel has increased its attack on Lebanon, targeting the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah, and vowed to make Iran “pay” for its recent missile attack.
Democratic Senator Christ Murphy, of Connecticut told CNN he fears Netanyahu is being strategic in launching attacks right before the November election.
Ariana Baio reports.
Democrats fear Netanyahu is pushing his Middle East war to influence the US election
Watch: JD Vance responds to Melania Trump backing abortion rights
Friday 4 October 2024 20:10 , Oliver O'Connell
JD Vance reacts to Melania Trump backing abortion rights:
“I don't believe I have to attack, or disagree, or criticize anybody on this issue. ... She's going to express her views. ... It doesn't change how I talk about this issue or how the campaign talks about the issue.” pic.twitter.com/PrjiVBjWHm— The Recount (@therecount) October 4, 2024
Full story: Biden says he can’t guarantee election will be peaceful
Friday 4 October 2024 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden on Friday warned that he could not guarantee that the coming presidential election and transition period would be a peaceful one during his first appearance in the White House press briefing room since taking office 1,353 days ago.
Asked if he has confidence that the 2024 election would be both free and fair as well as peaceful, Biden told reporters he has confidence that the November 5 election will be “free and fair” but he demurred on the latter, citing previous actions by his predecessor, former president Donald Trump.
“The things that Trump has said and the things that he said last time out when he didn’t like the outcome of the election were very dangerous,” Biden said.
Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.
Biden makes first appearance in White House briefing room as president
Watch: Biden jokes about being back in race
Friday 4 October 2024 19:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Reporter: Do you want to reconsider dropping out of the race?
Biden: I’m back in pic.twitter.com/eHG7Z0x8pI— Acyn (@Acyn) October 4, 2024
Biden asked whether Netanyahu is delaying diplomatic agreement to influence US election
Friday 4 October 2024 19:27 , Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden was asked in the White House briefing room whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was delaying a diplomatic agreement in the Gaza conflict to influence the US election.
The president responded: “No administration has helped Israel more than I have. ... And whether [Netanyahu is] trying to influence the election or not, I don’t know, but I’m not counting on that.”
"No administration has helped Israel more than I have. ... And whether [Netanyahu is] trying to influence the election or not, I don't know, but I'm not counting on that."
— Biden on whether Israeli PM Netanyahu is delaying a diplomatic agreement to influence the U.S. election. pic.twitter.com/VfxL2Fev8x— The Recount (@therecount) October 4, 2024
Biden says ‘confident’ of free and fair election but concerned about ‘dangerous’ things Trump has said
Friday 4 October 2024 19:21 , Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden on the presidential election: “I'm confident it will be free and fair. I don't know whether it will be peaceful. The things that Trump has said, and the things he said last time... were very dangerous.”
Reporter: “Do you have confidence that it will be a free and fair election and that it will be peaceful?”
President Biden: “I'm confident it will be free and fair. I don't know whether it will be peaceful.” pic.twitter.com/6fzb04tNU2— The Recount (@therecount) October 4, 2024
Watch: Biden scoffs at MAGA accusations job numbers are fake
Friday 4 October 2024 19:17 , Oliver O'Connell
Reporter: Marco Rubio called todays jobs numbers fake job numbers
Biden: *laughs* If you notice, anything MAGA Republicans don’t like, they call fake pic.twitter.com/VkXtgCesty— Acyn (@Acyn) October 4, 2024
Biden makes first briefing room appearance of his presidency
Friday 4 October 2024 19:13 , Oliver O'Connell
President Biden has joined the WH briefing room for the first time in his presidency. pic.twitter.com/4G2pktGX1c
— Toluse Olorunnipa (@ToluseO) October 4, 2024
Watch LIVE: Kamala Harris delivers remarks in Detroit, Michigan
Friday 4 October 2024 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Raskin and AOC demand Chief Justice Roberts explain why Alito remained on Jan 6 case
Friday 4 October 2024 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell
House Democrats on the Oversight Committee led by Rep Jamie Raskin and Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have written to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts demanding an explanation for why Justice Samuel Alito was allowed to remain on the January 6 case heard this summer, despite a well-documented conflict of interest.
NEW: Ranking Member @RepRaskin and @RepAOC demand Chief Justice Roberts explain why he allowed Justice Alito to remain on Jan. 6 case despite recognizing conflict of interest: https://t.co/lkF65HZ8eh
— Oversight Committee Democrats (@OversightDems) October 4, 2024
Is Ted Cruz’s notorious Cancun scandal to blame for his tough re-election race?
Friday 4 October 2024 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz is currently caught up in a tough re-election battle – something one top pollster believes is down to memories of his notorious Cancun scandal.
Cruz – a one-time Donald Trump enemy turned MAGA cheerleader and cable news favorite – faced backlash in February 2021 when he jetted off on holiday to a luxury beach resort in Cancun while his state was hammered by a winter storm that killed 246 Texans and left millions without power and running water.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Pollster blames Ted Cruz’s tough re-election race on his notorious Cancun scandal
Watch: Vance campaigns in Lindale, Georgia
Friday 4 October 2024 18:23 , Oliver O'Connell
Senator @JDVance Campaigns in Lindale, GA – LIVE online here: https://t.co/CVYvx70Noe
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 4, 2024
Walz to visit California and Washington
Friday 4 October 2024 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Governor Tim Walz will carry out a fundraising blitz through California and Washington on Sunday through to Tuesday.
He will make stops in San Diego, Montecito, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Sacramento, according to the campaign.
Governor Gavin Newsom will be hosting the Sacramento event.
Other hosts include LG @EleniForCA, Rep. Doris Matsui pic.twitter.com/AnYLqE6t7J
— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) October 4, 2024
Republicans court a skeptical Amish community in Pennsylvania
Friday 4 October 2024 18:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Richard Hall writes:
Daniel is a small business owner, he is deeply religious, and he lives in rural Pennsylvania. All of these things make him a prime target for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
There is one problem, however. Daniel is Amish, and the Amish do not tend to vote.
“My kingdom is not of this world,” he tells The Independent, using words attributed to Jesus in the Bible, when asked if he could ever be tempted to cast a ballot for either party. “That’s pretty much how we feel about it.”
That hasn’t stopped Republicans and MAGA activists from launching a campaign to turn the insular Amish community into Trump voters.
Continue reading...
Republicans are trying to convince a skeptical Amish community to vote for Trump
Bernie Sanders to campaign in Michigan for Harris
Friday 4 October 2024 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Inbox: Bernie Sanders, who won the 2016 Michigan primary and is still fairly popular there, will campaign with @ShawnFainUAW tomorrow in Warren and Saginaw for Kamala Harris. They will campaign in Grand Rapids and East Lansing on Sunday.
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) October 4, 2024
Marjorie Taylor Greene says ‘they’ control the weather
Friday 4 October 2024 17:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Is this the sequel to “Jewish Space Lasers”?
Controversial Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that a mysterious “they” can control the weather after Hurricane Helene killed more than two dozen people in her state and a total of 200 across the US.
Greene, a Republican from Georgia, made the post on X late Thursday night: “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.”
She did not elaborate on who “they” are.
Katie Hawkinson has the story.
Marjorie Taylor Greene says ‘they’ control the weather after Hurricane Helene
Friday 4 October 2024 17:38 , Oliver O'Connell
Republican Liz Cheney mocks Donald Trump’s fake tan
Polls: Who’s ahead in Georgia and Michigan as Trump and Harris visit key states?
Friday 4 October 2024 17:33 , Oliver O'Connell
As Donald Trump and Kamala Harris campaign in the key battleground states of Georgia and Michigan, polling shows there is everything to play for.
According to the latest averages from FiveThirtyEight.com, Trump has a small lead in Georgia of 1.3 per cent over Harris, with the Republican gaining support from an average of 48.4 per cent of those surveyed compared to the Democrat’s 47.1 per cent.
In Michigan, the story is reversed with Harris leading by 1.6 per cent with 47.9 per cent of support from those polled to Trump’s 46.4 per cent.
Watch: CNN fact checks false claim disaster relief money being ‘stolen’ to house migrants
Friday 4 October 2024 17:28 , Oliver O'Connell
.@CNN on-air fact check: "Congress appropriates funds with intent for specific purposes. The money allocated to DHS for helping states to house migrants is separate - completely separate - from the money for disasters. No money is being 'stolen' from disaster relief." pic.twitter.com/tssfyW4e9J
— Andrew Bates (@AndrewJBates46) October 4, 2024
ICYMI: County clerk Tina Peters, who pushed Trump’s election lies, sentenced to nine years in jail
Friday 4 October 2024 17:10 , Oliver O'Connell
A judge sentenced a former Colorado county clerk to nine years behind bars Thursday for leading a voting system data-breach scheme inspired by the rampant false claims that fraud altered the 2020 presidential outcome.
Judge Matthew Barrett handed down the sentence after jurors found Tina Peters guilty in August for allowing a man to misuse a security card to access to the Mesa County election system and for being deceptive about that person’s identity.
The man was affiliated with My Pillow chief executive Mike Lindell, a prominent promoter of false claims that voting machines were manipulated to steal the election from Trump.
Read more...
County clerk sentenced to nearly a decade behind bars for election data scheme
Where are Donald Trump and Kamala Harris campaigning today?
Friday 4 October 2024 17:03 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump will be reunited with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who as recently as August he called “disloyal” over his refusal to help the former president overturn the 2020 election.
The two will visit Evans, Georgia, to receive a briefing on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, and will give remarks at 3.45pm.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris will deliver remarks at a campaign event in Detroit at 1.50pm before heading to Flint, Michigan for another campaign stop at 5.55pm.
She will fly to North Carolina on Saturday for a further update on the hurricane damage. Trump will meanwhile be in Butler, Pennsylvania, the site of the first assassination attempt against him for another rally at 5pm.
During private donors’ dinner, Trump ‘launched curse word rant against immigrants’
Friday 4 October 2024 16:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump gave a foul-mouthed rant about immigrants to a small group of wealthy donors during a private fundraiser over the summer, according to reports.
In a 12-minute recording of the former president’s speech, obtained and reviewed by The Guardian, Trump claimed the United States is “going to hell” if Vice President Kamala Harris wins and that “terrorists”, prisoners and people in mental institutions were being sent from other countries.
Ariana Baio has the details.
Trump ‘launched curse word rant against immigrants’ during private donors’ dinner
Inside Larry Hogan’s tough campaign to convince both sides in the race for Maryland’s senate seat
Friday 4 October 2024 16:35 , Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden writes:
Larry Hogan may have beaten just about everyone else to the picket lines this week. But that shouldn’t shock you.
With Election Day just a month down the road and all kinds of “October surprises” popping out of the woodwork, the former governor of Maryland is charting his own path through the race’s final days. Not that he has much of a choice.
Continue reading...
Inside Larry Hogan’s tough campaign to convince both sides
Watch: Doug Emhoff responds to Andy Samberg’s SNL impression of him
Friday 4 October 2024 16:28 , Oliver O'Connell
.@AndySamberg nailed it.
Thanks for having me on, @JHudShow! pic.twitter.com/9zXj003Z0i— Doug Emhoff (@DouglasEmhoff) October 4, 2024
New jobs numbers are very good news for Harris and Biden
Friday 4 October 2024 16:10 , Oliver O'Connell
The US economy added 254,000 jobs in September, blowing past expectations after the Federal Reserve’s announcement that it would slash interest rates, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The number exceeded expectations from economists. Earlier in the week, ADP projected that the economy added 143,000 jobs in September.
The numbers are a boost to President Joe Biden, who is not seeking re-election. Biden touted the positive numbers in a statement on Friday.
Eric Garcia reports.
US jobs numbers blow past expectations as US economy adds 254,000 jobs
Latest poll updates: Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump?
Friday 4 October 2024 15:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Let’s check in with Alicja Hagopian who has the latest poll numbers.
Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump? Latest poll updates from the 2024 election
Watch: New Lincoln Project ad seeks to stoke Trump paranoia over Vance
Friday 4 October 2024 15:40 , Oliver O'Connell
US job growth blows past expectations
Friday 4 October 2024 15:35 , Reuters
US job gains increased by the most in six months in September and the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, pointing to a resilient economy that likely does not need the Federal Reserve to deliver large interest rate cuts for the rest of this year.
In addition to the better-than-expected increase in nonfarm payrolls reported by the Labor Department on Friday, wages rose at a solid pace last month. The closely watched employment report also showed the economy added 72,000 more jobs in July and August than previously estimated.
The report followed on the heels of annual benchmark revisions to national accounts data last week that showed the economy is in much better shape than previously estimated, with upgrades to growth, income, savings and corporate profits.
This improved economic backdrop was acknowledged by Fed Chair Jerome Powell this week when he pushed back against investors’ expectations for another half-percentage-point rate cut in November, saying “this is not a (policy-setting) committee that feels like it is in a hurry to cut rates quickly.”
Nonfarm payrolls increased by 254,000 jobs last month, the most since March, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast payrolls would rise by 140,000 positions after advancing by a previously reported 142,000 in August.
The initial payrolls count for August has typically been revised higher over the past decade. Estimates for September’s job gain ranged from 70,000 to 220,000. Job growth is now above the monthly average gain of 203,000 in the past 12 months.
But labor market could experience some brief turbulence after Hurricane Helene devastated large swathes of the US Southeast last week.
Trump says Harris has been ‘informed, legally’ that he has nothing to do with Project 2025
Friday 4 October 2024 15:32 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump continues to insist that he has nothing to do with Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s manifesto for a second Trump term, that reads like the backstory to a dystopian novel.
Here’s what the former president wrote on Truth Social this morning:
Lyin’ Kamal Harris, who refuses to do interviews or press conferences because she has no idea how to answer the questions, and is now losing in the polls, continues to make a thing called Project 2025 the central theme of her campaign, advertising and all. Lyin’ Kamala has been informed, legally, that I have, and had, nothing to do with it, NEVER READ IT, NEVER SAW IT, but her ads continue, full blast. When you see them talking about Project 2025, remember, Kamala is lying, just like she lied about working at McDonalds (she didn’t!), or added 818,000 new jobs that didn’t exist (a fraud!), and sooo many other lies. Just like San Francisco and California, itself, she would, if given the chance, COMPLETELY DESTROY OUR COUNTRY!
Trump breaks silence over abortion rift with Melania
Friday 4 October 2024 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has broken his silence over his apparent rift with wife Melania Trump around abortion rights, insisting that he told her “I’m not going to tell you what to do.”
In her upcoming memoir, as well as a video posted on X this week, the former first lady has signaled her support for a woman’s right to choose – a stance that appears to put her at odds with her husband and the Republican party.
On Thursday, the former president – who admitted he hadn’t read his wife’s book at a campaign rally last month – was asked about their differences in opinion.
James Liddell reports.
Trump breaks silence over abortion rift with Melania
Harris to visit North Carolina
Friday 4 October 2024 15:21 , Oliver O'Connell
Per the White House, on Saturday, October 5, Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to North Carolina to survey the impacts of Hurricane Helene and receive an on-the-ground briefing about the continued recovery efforts that are occurring in communities across the state.
Harris has previously visited Augusta, Georgia, to see the damage there, as well as received a briefing at FEMA headquarters regarding the extent of the impact of the storm across the southeast of the US.
Watch: Springsteen endorses Harris
Friday 4 October 2024 15:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Bruce Springsteen claims Trump ‘most dangerous president candidate in a lifetime’
Trump to be joined at Butler rally by family of slain firefighter and who’s who of MAGA world
Friday 4 October 2024 15:06 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump will return to Butler, Pennsylvania, for a rally this Saturday — the site of the first attempt on his life back on July 13.
The former president will be joined by a host of special guests including the family of Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was killed by one of the eight shots that shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks fired that day. Two other people were critically injured.
In addition to the Comperatore family, Trump will be joined by members of his own family, Elon Musk, running mate JD Vance, a host of Republican lawmakers, local law enforcement officials, and musician Lee Greenwood.
Here’s the full list, per the Trump Vance campaign:
Helen Comperatore, Wife of Corey Comperatore
Allyson Comperatore, Daughter of Corey Comperatore
Kaylee Comperatore, Daughter of Corey Comperatore
Douglas Meeder, Husband of Kelly Meeder
Kelly Meeder, Sister of Corey Comperatore
Dawn Comperatore-Schaffer, Sister of Corey Comperatore
Dr. Jim Sweetland, 7/13 Butler Rally Attendee & Doctor who served as first responder on 7/13
David Dutch, 7/13 Butler Rally Attendee who was injured
Lou Shear, 7/13 Rally Volunteer & Wife of Ed Shear
Tom Natoli, 7/13 Rally Attendee
Rene White, 7/13 Butler Rally Attendee
Malphine Fogal, 7/13 Butler Rally Attendee & Mother of Russian Prisoner Marc Fogal
Ed Lenz, 7/13 Butler Rally Paramedic
Eric Trump, Son of President Donald J. Trump & Executive Vice President, Trump Organization
Lara Trump, Daughter-in-Law of President Donald J. Trump & Co-Chair, Republican National Committee
Elon Musk, Founder, CEO, and Chief Engineer of SpaceX
Sen. JD Vance, Vice Presidential Nominee & U.S. Senator (OH)
Sen. Eric Schmitt, U.S. Senator (MO)
Rep. Ronny Jackson, U.S. Congressman (TX-13)
Rep. Dan Meuser, U.S. Congressman (PA-09)
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, U.S. Congressman (PA-14)
Rep. Glenn Thompson, U.S. Congressman (PA-15)
Rep. Mike Kelly, U.S. Congressman (PA-16)
Rep. Mike Waltz, U.S. Congressman (FL-06)
Rep. Cory Mills, U.S. Congressman (FL-07)
Comm’r. Sid Miller, Agriculture Commissioner of Texas
Mayor JD Longo, Mayor of Slippery Rock, PA
Sheriff Mike Slupe, Sheriff of Butler County, PA
Sheriff William McKenna, Sheriff of Montour County, PA
Sheriff Scott Neiswonger, Sheriff of Warren County, PA
Sheriff Frank Levindoski, Sheriff of Tioga County, PA
Sheriff Robert Fyock, Sheriff of Indiana County, PA
Sheriff William Carbaugh Jr., Sheriff of Forest County, PA
Sheriff Tony Guy, Sheriff of Beaver County, PA
Sheriff James Ott, Sheriff of Blair County, PA
Sheriff Shawn Zerfoss, Sheriff of Clarion County, PA
Sheriff Todd Caltagarone, Sheriff of Elk County, PA
Sheriff James Custer, Sheriff of Fayette County, PA
Sheriff Dave Powers, Sheriff of Crawford County, PA
Comm’r. Leslie Osche, Chair & Commissioner, Butler County
Comm’r. Kimberly Geyer, Vice Chair & Commissioner, Butler County
Comm’r. Ed Natali, Commissioner, Butler Township
Comm’r. Sam Zurzolo, Commissioner, Butler Township
Chairman Michael Whatley, Chairman, Republican National Committee
Christine Toretti, RNC National Committeewoman (PA)
Chairman Lawrence Tabas, Chairman, PAGOP
Vonne Andring, Senior Advisor, PAGOP
Dave McCormick, Candidate for U.S. Senate (PA)
Steve Witkoff, Founder, Witkoff Group
Jim Worthington, Campaign Bundler & Chairman, Pennsylvania RNC Delegation
Matt Coday, President & Founder, Oil and Gas Workers Association
Ranger Sean Parnell, Ranger, U.S. Army (RET.) & Best-Selling Author
Frog-X Parachute Team, Special Forces Sky Divers (RET.)
Lee Greenwood, American Musician
Scott Lobaido, Artist
Dan Newlin, Attorney, Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys and Donor to July 13 Victims
Rico Elmore, Captain, Trump Force 47, and 7/13 Rally Attendee and First Responder
Dr. Jim Sweetland, 7/13 Rally Attendee and First Responder
Ed Shear, 7/13 Rally Attendee and First Responder
Jim Jones, 7/13 Crane Owner
Surprising poll shows America’s millionaires back Harris over Trump
Friday 4 October 2024 14:50 , Joe Sommerlad
America’s wealthy classes are supporting Kamala Harris this November, according to new research, despite Donald Trump’s previous record of tax cuts for the rich.
The Arton Capital Affluence & Elections Survey polled 1,031 Americans with a net worth of at least $1m.
The survey found that 52 percent of millionaires will be voting for Harris next month, with just 42 percent for Trump.
Alicja Hagopian takes a closer look at the data.
Surprising poll shows America’s millionaires back Harris over Trump
How Mark Zuckerberg went from liberal darling to calls with Trump
Friday 4 October 2024 14:30 , Joe Sommerlad
Elon isn’t the only Silicon Valley kingmaker taking the Republican ticket seriously.
Zuckerberg, the CEO, chairman and controlling shareholder of Facebook’s parent company Meta says he wants to be “non-partisan”.
But that’s not so easy when you’re a monarch in all but name, writes Io Dodds.
How Mark Zuckerberg went from liberal darling to phone calls with Trump
