Donald Trump makes bizarre claim about windmills during speech
Former President Donald Trump delivered a chest-thumping speech to autoworkers in Michigan – where he vowed to “dismantle the corrupt power structure” and to rebuild America’s “industrial bedrock”
His free-wheeling speech – which generated huge applause and chants of “Trump! Trump! Trump!” – saw the former POTUS focus on workers and jobs. But he also fired shots at Biden, China and the “corrupt power structure that has feasted on the suffering of the American autoworker”.
It came as the Republican presidential candidates were gathered on the debate stage in California. Trump, however, was situated over 2,000 miles from the event, in the suburbs of Detroit.
His visit served a dual purpose: not only did it help maintain Trump’s visibility in the media as he bypasses the debate, but it also formed part of his strategy to reach out to union-affiliated voters and undercut Joe Biden’s position during the UAW strike.
He delivered an address to a non-unionized supplier within the automotive industry, with the aim of securing the support of working-class voters. He told them American workers are “getting screwed” and that Biden only came to Michigan after Trump announced he was going to be there.
The former president also criticized Biden for his support for “electric vehicles,” saying this would cause the collapse of the auto industry. He said electric vehicles “don’t go far enough” are “too expensive” and aren’t selling”.
“What’s bad for the environment is having vehicles that don’t go,” he added. And also said: “Crooked Joe is siding with the lefties” who will “destroy our country.”
Taking aim at the ‘swamp’, he said: “Together we will dismantle the corrupt power structure that has feasted on the suffering of the American autoworker.” And he slammed the “political class” that has “taken control of this country for their own enrichment and selfish purposes – stealing your wealth and stealing your labor, while shipping off our best and brightest to die”.
Turning his ire on the sitting president, Trump said: “How can they go with this guy? He can’t find his way off a stage.
“How the hell does it work that you can’t find your way off a stage. But he can’t”
He said Biden has done a worse job than the “five worst presidents added up” and vowed to “get rid of the cheaters and scammers”.
“Together we will dismantle the corrupt power structure that has feasted on the suffering of the American autoworker,” said Trump. He then slammed the “political class” that “have taken control of this country for their own enrichment and selfish purposes – stealing your wealth and stealing your labor, while shipping off our best and brightest to die”.
His free-wheeling speech also saw a quick gear shift, where he briefly touched on gender issues. To huge applause, Trump said: “Sex changes for children will banned”. The former POTUS said the “country has gone insane” regarding the “mutilation” of children.
Changing lanes again, and looking back to his time as President, he told the audience: “I rebuilt the entire military. The entire United States military.
And, switching back to the main theme of his speech, he vowed that “we will rebuild the industrial bedrock of this country”, telling workers that the rusted factories will “be in Beijing, not here in Michigan”.
You can see how Trump’s speech unfolded in our live blog below.
KEY EVENTS
And now he’s gone… and so are we
And that’s your lot. As the music played, Donald Trump did a little shimmy and left the stage. And yes, he knew how to get off the stage.
On his way out, he chatted to workers in the audience as posed for photos. It’s fair to say, the Michigan autoworkers in attendance are definitely Team Trump. We’ll leave our live coverage there for now. Goodnight – and thanks for following.
‘I rebuilt the military
Trump says: “I rebuilt the entire military. The entire United States military.
“We gave it 80 billion dollars – think of it, brand new tanks and planes. 700,000 guns and rifles. 70,000 new made cars.”
‘We will rebuilt the industrial bedrock’
“We will rebuild the industrial bedrock of this country” says Trump. He tells the workers the rusted factories will “be in Beijing, “not here in Michigan”.
Trump vows to stop crime
“We will stop the crime in our cities and we will stop the crime in our country,” says Trump.
Trump takes aim at ‘corrupt power structure’
Trump says: “Together we will dismantle the corrupt power structure that has feasted on the suffering of the American autoworker”.He slammed the political class that “have taken control of this country for their own enrichment and selfish purposes – stealing your wealth and stealing your labor, while shipping off our best and brightest to die”.
Biden has done a worse job than the ‘five worst presidents added up’
Trump says Biden has done a worse job than the “five worst presidents added up”.”I’ll get rid of the cheaters and scammers” he vows.
Biden ‘can’t find his way off stage’
Trump has seemingly taken a swipe at Biden. “How can they go with this guy?” he asks. “He can’t find his way off a stage.
“How the hell does it work that you can’t find your way off a stage. But he can’t”
‘TRUMP! TRUMP! TRUMP!’
Trump’s free-wheeling speech is going down a storm. The crowd is chanting: “TRUMP! TRUMP! TRUMP! TRUMP!”
Sex changes for children will banned
In a quick gear shift, Trump briefly talked about gender care. To more huge applause, Trump said: “Sex changes for children will banned”.The former POTUS said the “country has gone insane” regarding the “mutilation” of children.
Huge cheers from the crowd
Trump says he will not allow “under any circumstances” the American automobile industry “to die”. Unsurprisingly, that went down well with the workers in Michigan – and it drew huge cheers from the crowd.
Trump slamselectric vehicles
Trump has said electric vehicles “don’t go far enough and they’re too expensive”. He also says they “aren’t selling”.
He later added “what’s bad for the environment is having vehicles that don’t go”.
Trump says “workers are getting screwed” as he attacked Biden in speech
Trump said thanks to President Biden, American workers are “getting screwed” and that Biden only came to Michigan after Trump announced he was going to be there.
The former president also criticized Biden for his support for “electric vehicles,” saying this would cause the collapse of the auto industry.
He also said: “Crooked Joe is siding with the lefties” who will “destroy our country.”
Trump kicks off speech in Detroit
Trump began his speech to autoworkers at Drake Enterprises near Detroit, by saying autoworkers “don’t get the credit they deserve” and that they are the ones “who make the country run.”
Trump also said he has spent a lot of time with autoworkers and has defended the working class from the “corrupt class.”
The speech is taking place an hour before the 2nd GOP presidential primary debate. Some commentators believe Trump is using this speech to steal attention from the other GOP primary contenders.
Trump lands in Michigan
The former president says he’s in the state to meet with the United Autoworkers Workers union.
Biden launches new attack ad on Trump
President Biden’s Director of Rapid Response, Amar Moussa, tweeted out a the ad saying: “As Donald Trump heads to Michigan today we’re running a new ad highlighting his awful, anti-worker, anti-union record.”
The ad brings up Trump’s tax cuts to the wealthy and puts that in contrast to his comments saying he supports autoworkers. The video also flashed a slogan that reads “Manufacturing is coming back to Michigan.”
Judge Chutkan denies Trump’s request to recuse herself in election subversion case.
Judge Tanya Chutkan firmly declined to recuse herself from the 2020 election interference case involving Donald Trump. She rejected the former president’s assertions that her previous remarks cast doubt on her ability to preside impartially. Chutkan outlined in her written decision that she discerned no justification to step aside. The case, set for trial in March, alleges that Trump engaged in unlawful efforts to overturn his electoral defeat to Democrat Joe Biden.
Donald Trump en route to Michigan to address striking auto workers
Donald Trump boarded his private jet to launch his bid to woo blue-collar workers in Michigan.
The former president will address striking auto workers in Detroit instead of debating other GOP nomination hopefuls in California.
Trump says he will “save” autoworkers as he heads to Michigan
Trump posted on Truth Social: “I LOVE, & WILL SAVE, THE AUTOWORKERS.” United Auto Workers union president Shawn Fain responded to his comments saying there is “a pathetic irony that the former president is going to hold a rally for union members at a nonunion business.”
Hillary Clinton takes swipe at Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin at portrait unveiling
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hit out at Trump’s record while attending an event celebrating her contributions to American diplomacy.
The former presidential candidate took a thinly veiled swipe at the former president insisting on the importance for the US to rebuilding bridges with allies across the world following his administration.
She highlighted the importance of “reinstating a foreign policy that plays to the best of American values, that puts our interests and security front and centre, but does it in a way that actually brings people to us, not pushes them away, would have been thought to be extremely difficult.”
Clinton added: “And it is such a joy to be back here, and I haven’t seen this portrait in a really long time. Steve Paulson is amazing, but between COVID, between not wanting to finish it during the prior administration, it’s been a while.”
She then drew laughter from attendees by quipping: “Just an aside; too bad, Vladimir. You brought it on yourself.”
Donald Trump’s lawyers ask judge to clarify fraud ruling’s impact on ex-president’s business
Trump lawyer Christopher Kise pressed Engoron to clarify whether his ruling meant the 2024 Republican front-runner would be required simply to close up some corporate entities or if he’d be forced to relinquish some of his most prized assets, as Trump and his allies suggested in their reactions.
As he quizzed the judge, Kise noted that some of the Trump entities being stripped of their business licenses own properties such as Trump Tower and an office building at 40 Wall Street, both in Manhattan.
“Is it the court’s position that those assets are now going to be sold or just going to be managed under the direction of the (receiver)?” Kise asked.
Engoron turned to speak with his principal law clerk, Allison Greenfield, sitting by his side at the bench, before returning to the microphone a few minutes later.
“I’m not prepared to issue a ruling right now but we will take that up in various contexts, I’m sure,” Engoron said.
Kise also raised concerns about the scope of the ruling, noting that some limited liability corporations controlled by Trump and other defendants were used to purchase private homes, not skyscrapers or other commercial properties.
Vivek Ramaswamy and his wife have fierce clash over COVID-19 vaccines
Republican 2024 hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has been fiery and vocal about his stance against the COVID-19 vaccine – but his wife disagrees.
Apoorva Ramaswamy, an assistant professor and surgeon, acknowledged the family feud when she was asked about Vivek’s comments.
The Republican primary candidate recently said on a podcast he would not in retrospect have taken the vaccine, lashing out at Anthony Fauci who advised Donald Trump on the pandemic.
While Vivek said the Chief Medical Advisor to Joe Biden “betrays science”, Apoorva backed the jab saying her patients had a “different decision” than her husband.
Who is Vivek Ramaswamy’s wife? Candidate says marriage was the ‘best decision I ever made’
Vivek Ramaswamy is a biotech multi-millionaire running for president who was a stand-out performer in the Republican candidates’ first debate to see who would be the GOP nomination for the 2024 presidential election.
He will be taking part in tonight’s GOP debate, where he will face off against the likes of Ron DeSantis, while former president Donald Trump skips the event once again.
At his side supporting his campaign is his wife Apoorva Tewari, whom Vivek recently heavily praised on social media last week after she celebrated her birthday
On Instagram, Vivek wished a happy birthday to the “love of my life” and added: “So grateful for our every day together. Best decision I ever made.”
But who is Apoorva? She is 34 years old and was born in India but moved to the United States to pursue a very successful career in medicine.
How does the fraud ruling affect Donald Trump’s business?
Under the ruling, limited-liability companies that control some of his key properties such as 40 Wall Street will be “dissolved” and authority over how to run them handed over to receivers.
The judge’s order, if not successfully appealed, could mean Trump would no longer have any say in who to hire or fire, who to rent office space to, whether to pay back loans or take on new ones, essentially make any decision.
Lisa Renne Pomerantz, a lawyer in Bohemia, New York, who has helped businesses establish LLCs in the state, said canceling certificates is a significant order because you can’t operate without them.
“Their right to conduct business has been revoked,” Pomerantz said. “He’s just lost control of these entities.”
Vivek Ramaswamy warned he will be top target of debate as ‘everyone hates’ rising star
Vivek Ramaswamy is set to be the number one target at tonight’s Republican debate, a political strategist told Daily Express US.
Kaivan Shroff, who worked on Hillary Clinton’s failed 2016 campaign, said that “everyone hates” the business mogul attempting to turn politician who, according to a CNN poll, is second in the early primary state of New Hampshire behind former president Donald Trump.
He said: “Definitely expect Nikki Haley vs. Vivek round two – she got her moment with him last time going after him on foreign policy….he has been attacking her since.”
Ramaswamy recently used Nikki Haley’s maiden name, Nimarata Randhawa, on his campaign website in a move that some have perceived to be an attack on his fellow Indian American.
Who is Ron De Santis’s wife Casey? Inside the life of the First Lady of Florida
Florida governor Ron DeSantis will be taking part in another GOP debate tonight, while former-president Donald Trump will sit it out once again.
Ron has been hard on the political campaign trail over the past months, often appearing alongside his wife Casey, who is said to have played a key role in her husband’s rise to political fame.
Having managed her husband’s public image in his last re-election campaigning, the First Lady of Florida, 43, has had her fair share of public appearances too.
But, despite being the backbone of her husband’s campaigning strategies for more than 10 years, Ms. DeSantis has not always been so self-assured about her role in politics. However, she did have a successful career before she was the First Lady of Florida.
Election 2024 will be a blue wave as Americans ‘fight against extremist views’, polls say
With Democrats overperforming in dozens of special elections this year, political analysts predict that the country could see a blue wave in the state and national election of 2024.
Last week, Pennsylvania’s Lindsay Howell and New Hampshire’s Hal Rafter won house seats in a special election. Both were running against anti-choice MAGA Republicans, with Powell’s opponent actually attending the insurrection on January 6.
Experts emphasize that special-election results from political off-seasons have historically been the best indicators of how parties do in presidential and congressional election years as opposed to predictive polling.
Democrats have outperformed expectations in 24 of 30 special elections for open state legislative seats this year, which is why some political analysts are predicting that Democrats have a real chance at taking control come 2024.
Donald Trump’s backers set stage for ‘January 6 on steroids’ ahead of 2024 election battle
Donald Trump has secured his position as the lead candidate for the Republican nomination, leaving opponents in the dust in most polls so far this year.
His backers have widely remained steadfast in their support despite the multiple criminal charges leveled at the former president over the past six months.
And they are likely to launch a “January, 6, 2025 on steroids” pushback against the establishment should he fail to win the presidential election in 2024, according to expert Prof. Inderjeet Parmar.
The City, University of London academic told Daily Express US that MAGA voters could opt for a much wider insurrection in the event of Joe Biden beating their candidate once more.
While he noted veteran Republicans are concerned about Trump costing them the election if picked as a nominee, he said voters have remained staunchly in the Trump camp.
Ron DeSantis told to step up his game as polls show him losing ground in battle for nomination
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be at center stage despite recent struggles to emerge as the field’s top Trump alternative.
His campaign announced that he also saw a jump in fundraising after the first debate, but a strong performance on Wednesday will likely be necessary to replicate that.
“It’s too late for just a fine performance,” said Christine Matthews, a national Republican pollster. “DeSantis has gone from leading alternative to Trump to just one of the pack of challengers and he will be under pressure to perform.”
Five things to expect at the second Republican primary debate tonight
Seven Republican candidates will be gathering Wednesday night at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, for the 2024 cycle’s second debate in the GOP primary.
Donald Trump will be skipping the debate once again, citing his considerable primary polling leads.
That leaves seven candidates on stage – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson did not make the polling and donor thresholds to be present at the debate.
Here are five things to expect at the second Republican primary debate.
Donald Trump may lose iconic skyscraper forever after bombshell fraud ruling
Former President Donald Trump is facing a potentially devastating legal setback after a landmark fraud ruling by New York Judge Arthur Engoron.
The decision, which was handed down on Tuesday, came in response to a civil lawsuit filed by New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, accusing Trump and the Trump Organization of fraudulent practices that spanned years.
In the lawsuit, which was initiated by the Democratic Attorney General a year ago, Trump and his organization were alleged to have artificially inflated the valuation of their real estate assets, including prominent properties like skyscrapers, golf courses, and the renowned Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The ruling has far-reaching implications, putting at risk Trump’s control over some of his most iconic properties, including the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan and the internationally famous Trump Tower.
Republicans face growing urgency to stop Trump as they enter the second presidential debate
Republicans are meeting for their second presidential debate on Wednesday as Donald Trump’s top rivals seek to blunt the momentum of the former president, who is so confident of cruising through the party’s primary that he again won’t share a stage with them.
Seven GOP candidates will be at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for an event hosted by Fox Business Network.
“This is not a nomination that’s going to fall in your lap. You have to go and beat the other candidates and one of those happens to be Donald Trump,” said Kevin Madden, a Republican strategist and veteran of Mitt Romney’s 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns.
He added: “This debate, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not folks realize that the sand is going through the hourglass pretty quickly right now.”
Eric Trump defends dad Donald as he insists Mar-a-Lago resort ‘worth well over a billion’
The youngest son of Donald Trump took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to defend him from accusations of financial fraud.
A New York judge on Tuesday ruled the former president had consistently exaggerated the value of his Mar-a-Lago resort in financial statement.
Eric Trump however hit back at the claim, insisting the Florida property is “arguably the most valuable residential property in the country.”
He wrote: “In an attempt to destroy my father and kick him out of New York, a Judge just ruled that Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach Florida, is only worth approximate “$18 Million dollars”…
“Mar-a-Lago is speculated to be worth well over a billion dollars making it arguably the most valuable residential property in the country. It is all so corrupt and coordinated.”
New York AG breaks silence on Donald Trump fraud ruling
Attorney General Letitia James released a statement less than 24 hours after a judge ruled in her favor in a lawsuit accusing Donald Trump and his advisors of committing fraud.
James insisted she is committed to taking her case to trial and wants to present the evidence she collected.
She said: “Today, a judge ruled in our favor and found that Donald Trump and the Trump Organization engaged in years of financial fraud. We look forward to presenting the rest of our case at trial.”
But the former president’s lawyer Christopher Kise slammed the ruling as a “miscarriage of justice” and said the Trump family will appeal.
He said: “While the full impact of the decision remains unclear, what is clear is that President Trump and his family will seek all available appellate remedies to rectify this miscarriage of justice.”
Paul Ryan warns Republicans will lose 2024 election if Donald Trump is nominee
Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan issued a stark warning to the GOP as he claimed Donald Trump will cost the party the election next year.
Speaking at an event at the University of Wisconsin’s Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs insisted Republicans need to put “the first fresh forward” to reclaim the White House.
Asked what would happen if Trump were to face off against Joe Biden, he said: “I think Biden wins.”
He added: “I think leaders should endeavor to be honest, ethical, moral people who try to set standards for themselves and lead by example across the country.
“Donald Trump doesn’t try to do any of that. He does the opposite, frankly. So I just don’t think he’s fit for the job here.”
Stephen King sparks MAGA supporters’ fury with vitriolic swipe at Donald Trump
Horror writer Stephen King was met with a deluge of criticism after branding Donald Trump the “Worst. President. Ever.”
The short yet effective insult was viewed over four million time and was immediately met with fury from supporters of the former president.
X user Genius Chad wrote: “Man, he’s been gone for over 2 years and you’re still going on about him?”
Another user, going by the username Mr Reagan, wrote: “Why is Stephen King fishing for attention on Twitter?Dude, go spend time with your family or something.”
Why Donald Trump is not attending the Republican debate – and what he’s doing instead
Donald Trump will not debate other GOP presidential candidates in the second Fox News-hosted nominees debate this week.
Instead, the former president this week will be focusing his efforts on a speech to both shore up support in early-voting states as well as woo new backers in swing states.
As seven of his fellow presidential hopefuls meet at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, Trump will be traveling to Michigan to deliver a speech to sticking auto workers.
The Republican skipped the first debate last month and already hinted he might skip them all as he already proved his credentials to be president in 2016.
He said: “Basically, it’s a job interview. You look at the debates, it’s a job interview, and so far, I’m not too interested.”
Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows ‘got hammered on White Claws’ in Monday meeting
Donald Trump’s chief of staff Mark Meadows accidentally got hammered on White Claws in a Monday morning meeting, an insider has sensationally claimed.
Meadows, who served as the 29th White House chief of staff from 2020 to 2021, and his embarrassing mishap happened when he opted to grab a drink from the office fridge.
Believing the alcoholic drink to be “sparkling water”, the political aide drank heartily from the cans until he got drunk, ex-White House insider Cassidy Hutchinson said.
According to Hutchinson’s new book, Enough, then-White House budget director Russ Vought was in the meeting where Meadows downed the hard seltzer drinks.
Donald Trump skips Republican debate as ‘junior varsity debate’ is beneath him: ex-aide
Donald Trump is skipping the second Republican debate on Wednesday night as he has better things to do than partake in a “junior Varsity debate”, one former aide claims.
An evening of mudslinging is on the cards as Republicans go head to head for the presidential nomination in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
Conspicuously absent from the stage will be Trump, who is heading out to battleground Michigan on Wednesday night working to win over blue-collar voters in the midst of an autoworkers’ strike.
The ex-president’s spectre will loom large over the event, however, as the seven Republican hopefuls try to step out of his shadow.
Trump’s reason for not attending the second GOP debate is clear: he doesn’t need to, says Andrew Giuliani, former special assistant to Trump and former NY gubernatorial candidate.
Fox News desperately slashes ad prices before ‘snoozer’ Republican debate without Trump
Fox News was forced to slash ad prices for the second GOP nominees debate following a lackluster performance from Republicans vying for the top spot against Donald Trump.
Advertisers paid a premium to have their product shown during the August 23 debate but can now expect to pay half the cash because of the significant drop in drama – a consequence of Trump’s absence from the stage.
A 30-second spot aired halfway through the first debate went for $495,000 last month but the price dropped to an estimated $200,000 for the same 30-second slot on Wednesday.
One buyer confirmed Fox News was now charging $225,000 to air a spot right after the debate and $125,000 for a slot in the broadcast just before.
Advertisers were incentivized to pay top money in August’s debate as Trump remained undecided on whether to take part until only a few days before it took place.
Donald Trump has ‘nothing to gain’ from GOP debate as he sails ahead in the polls
Donald Trump has “nothing to gain” by appearing on stage in a showdown with his Republican rivals in the crunch GOP showdown, an expert has claimed, as he sails ahead of the other candidates in the polls.
The former president is skipping the next debate at Ronald Reagan’s presidential library in California this evening, and will reportedly instead visit Detroit to deliver a speech in front of union workers amid a widespread auto strike, according to a senior adviser.
Republican front-runner Trump also skipped the first debate last month. He sat down with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for an interview, which aired at the same time as the debate.
Trump’s absence will leave the seven qualifying White House hopefuls from the party to go head-to-head in the televised verbal showdown as they look to inject momentum into their presidential election campaign.
But Andrew Sanders, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at De Montfort University, believes Trump skipping the GOP is a “dismissive act”, adding he’s “so far ahead in the polls”.
What does it mean for Trump now a judge has ruled he defrauded banks and insurers?
Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House, a judge has ruled.
The fraud ruling, per New York judge Arthur Engoron, means that Attorney General Letitia James won a partial summary judgment against the ex-president, while claiming that he massively overvaluated his properties to banks, insurers, and other investors.
Despite six other civil counts remaining against Trump, Engoron has ordered that the Trump Organization is now subjected to serious penalties.
DeSantis’ chance of beating Trump rides ‘entirely’ on one state in ‘make or break’ debate
Ron DeSantis and his allies are increasingly focused on Iowa in their bid to beat Donald Trump in the presidential race, after the former President alienated prominent Republicans in the state.
Dr Thoma Gift, Associate Professor in Political Science and Director of the Centre on US Politics at University College London, said that DeSantis has to win in one state to have a chance of beating Trump.
He told Daily Express US: “DeSantis’s hopes of competing with Trump ride entirely on Iowa, and with time running out before the caucuses, every appearance seems like a make-or-break.
“From that perspective, a strong showing in this week’s debate feels virtually essential.
“If not now, it’s hard to see DeSantis building momentum and turning around his flagging campaign.”
Good afternoon
Good afternoon from London. I’m Aurora Bosotti, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on Donald Trump and the upcoming GOP nominees debate.
Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
EMAIL: [email protected]
‘Dark horse’ in Republican presidential candidate race could replace Trump
That’s according to Lew Lukens, former US ambassador and senior partner at Signum Global Advisors, who revealed that candidate he thinks could overtake Trump as his legal issues mount.
Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe”, the insider said: “I think we are just seeing the beginning Donald Trump’s legal issues starting to pile up on him and I think they are going to start to take its toll.”
He noted how there were numerous alternative for Republican backers and he backed a surprising candidate to take Trump’s place.
Lukens added: “I still think there is a possibility of a dark horse candidate, somebody like Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, who could jump into the race, attract donors, coalesce the non-Trump voters and come out as the candidate.”
Trump’s ‘odd’ obsessions laid bare in mocking montage
MSNBC’s Morning Joe show poked fun at Trump as his “odd” obsessions were laid bare.
Among the obsessions touted during the show included one by co-host Mika Brzezinski who said Trump had taken his “vendetta” against wind turbines to a “new level”.
Trump’s fury with the devices was aired during a campaign rally in which he said whales were being driven “crazy” by them.
Brzezinski said: “Did he just say, ‘I know a lot about wind?’”
Ron DeSantis’ blow ahead of Republican primary tonight
Ron DeSantis’ hopes of winning the 2024 Republican primary have hit their lowest level in three years as Donald Trump races ahead, according to supercomputer analysis.
Gambling firms have Gov. DeSantis’ odds of winning the GOP primary as low as 8/1, while Donald Trump has a 2/7 chance of being the party’s nominee.
Neil Roarty, spokesperson for betting market analysts sportslens.com, told Daily Express US: “Donald Trump can seemingly do no wrong with punters, as despite fighting series of indictments and opting to skip a second straight Republican Debate, it remains very much one-way traffic in the race to win the primary.”
Rosie Jempson looks at DeSantis’ hopes in more detail here, before tonight’s debate.
What has Trump’s lawyers said about the claims?
Alina Habba, who is Trump’s general counsel, has condemned Engoron’s judgment, claiming the former president’s business organization “an American success story”.
Habba, in a statement following the ruling, called the ruling “fundamentally flawed”.
The statement continued: “We intend to immediately appeal this decision because President Trump and his family, like every American business owner, are entitled to their day in court.”
It came after Trump’s legal team previously asked Engoron to dismiss the claims, with reasons including that many of the allegations were “beyond the statute of limitations”.
So what does the ruling actually mean?
The fraud ruling, per New York judge Arthur Engoron, means that Attorney General Letitia James won a partial summary judgment against the ex-president, while claiming that he massively overvaluated his properties to banks, insurers, and other investors.
Despite six other civil counts remaining against Trump, Engoron has ordered that the Trump Organization is now subjected to serious penalties.
Our reporter Bernadette Giacomazzo explains more here.
More on the Trump ruling
Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House, a judge has ruled.
Judge Arthur Engoron found that the former president and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.
Trump, his company and key executives repeatedly lied about them on his annual financial statements, reaping rewards such as favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums, Engoron found.
Senior reporter Aurora Bosotti has more here.
Hello and welcome
Good morning, and welcome to today’s live blog. We’ll be bringing you the latest updates on Donald Trump after he was ruled to have committed fraud in New York. If you’d like to get in touch drop Clive Hammond a message on [email protected].
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