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Trump supports campaign manager amid alleged assault charge – live Trump supports campaign manager amid alleged assault charge – live
(35 minutes later)
8.58pm BST
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Stay tuned for The O’Reilly Factor this evening.
Lewandowski will be on O’Reilly Factor tonight.
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Ben Schapiro, the former editor-at-large of Breitbart, who resigned in protest at the publication’s lack of support of former reporter Michelle Fields, spoke MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts about the charges laid today.
“Her story has been absolutely consistent from the beginning. Corey Lewandowski grabbed her by the arm, he yanked her hard enough to bruise her. She lost her balance for a second, she regained it,” he said.
He added: “it’s amazing how the campaign tone has shifted on this. It went from she was never even touched by Corey Lewandowski, she’s essentially an attention seeker, to, well, he didn’t grab her that hard and if she was really that bad why doesn’t she file a police report. So, she files a police report. And now it’s, well, they’re out to get him.”
8.32pm BST8.32pm BST
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Trump’s campaign is getting the whole team out in support of campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.Trump’s campaign is getting the whole team out in support of campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
One of Trump’s Secret Service guards told The Daily Mail that reporter Michelle Fields had been warned by SS agents to stop touching Donald Trump.One of Trump’s Secret Service guards told The Daily Mail that reporter Michelle Fields had been warned by SS agents to stop touching Donald Trump.
But speaking on condition of anonymity, a member of Trump’s Secret Service detail told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that Fields touched Trump twice – and was warned by agents to stop – before Lewandowski pulled her away.But speaking on condition of anonymity, a member of Trump’s Secret Service detail told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that Fields touched Trump twice – and was warned by agents to stop – before Lewandowski pulled her away.
‘She crossed in between agents and our protectee after being told not to,’ said the agent, who was present that night in Jupiter.‘She crossed in between agents and our protectee after being told not to,’ said the agent, who was present that night in Jupiter.
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New poll finds growing support for Muslim banNew poll finds growing support for Muslim ban
Mona ChalabiMona Chalabi
A poll from YouGov released yesterday has found growing support for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States” after the terrorist attacks in Brussels. The question wording deliberately echoed comments made by Republican candidate Donald Trump in December last year. When YouGov first asked a panel of 995 Americans about the ban on Muslims (immediately after Trump made the comments), the survey company found that 45% of respondents were in agreement. When YouGov asked again in March, they found that the percentage who support the ban had risen to 51%.A poll from YouGov released yesterday has found growing support for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States” after the terrorist attacks in Brussels. The question wording deliberately echoed comments made by Republican candidate Donald Trump in December last year. When YouGov first asked a panel of 995 Americans about the ban on Muslims (immediately after Trump made the comments), the survey company found that 45% of respondents were in agreement. When YouGov asked again in March, they found that the percentage who support the ban had risen to 51%.
The most recent survey was conducted on March 24 and 25, days after the attacks in Belgium’s capital and following calls by Ted Cruz and Donald Trump to “patrol” Muslim neighborhoods. The poll also asked about surveillance of Muslims and found strong party differences in attitudes.The most recent survey was conducted on March 24 and 25, days after the attacks in Belgium’s capital and following calls by Ted Cruz and Donald Trump to “patrol” Muslim neighborhoods. The poll also asked about surveillance of Muslims and found strong party differences in attitudes.
Overall, 74% of Republicans agreed with the statement made by Cruz “we need to empower law enforcement to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized”. When presented with the same quote, only 43% of independents and 29% of Democrats agreed. Respondents who identified as Democrats were also more likely to say that it was a better strategy to “work with” Muslim communities rather than “intense surveillance”.Overall, 74% of Republicans agreed with the statement made by Cruz “we need to empower law enforcement to patrol and secure Muslim neighborhoods before they become radicalized”. When presented with the same quote, only 43% of independents and 29% of Democrats agreed. Respondents who identified as Democrats were also more likely to say that it was a better strategy to “work with” Muslim communities rather than “intense surveillance”.
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Now Donald Trump is questioning if he is allowed to press charges against the reporter who pressed charges against his campaign manager for assault at a rally.Now Donald Trump is questioning if he is allowed to press charges against the reporter who pressed charges against his campaign manager for assault at a rally.
Victory press conference was over. Why is she allowed to grab me and shout questions? Can I press charges? pic.twitter.com/qbW2RjkINXVictory press conference was over. Why is she allowed to grab me and shout questions? Can I press charges? pic.twitter.com/qbW2RjkINX
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Just in case you thought this entire presidential campaign couldn’t get any more ridiculous, now we have a possible stripper-biting lawyer.Just in case you thought this entire presidential campaign couldn’t get any more ridiculous, now we have a possible stripper-biting lawyer.
As USA Today reports:As USA Today reports:
It seems Kendall Coffey, one of Corey Lewandowski’s attorneys, is a former federal prosecutor who resigned the post in 1996 after he allegedly bit a stripper in an altercation at a topless nightclub.It seems Kendall Coffey, one of Corey Lewandowski’s attorneys, is a former federal prosecutor who resigned the post in 1996 after he allegedly bit a stripper in an altercation at a topless nightclub.
Coffey is currently the Chair of the Southern District Conference, Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, according to his website. He also was involved with the 2000 presidential recount case and the high-profile custody battle over Elian Gonzalez.Coffey is currently the Chair of the Southern District Conference, Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, according to his website. He also was involved with the 2000 presidential recount case and the high-profile custody battle over Elian Gonzalez.
But before all that, while working as a US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida in 1996, he resigned after rumors emerged that he’d bitten a stripper.But before all that, while working as a US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida in 1996, he resigned after rumors emerged that he’d bitten a stripper.
As the Sun Sentinel reported at the time of his resignation:As the Sun Sentinel reported at the time of his resignation:
The husband of the dancer said he was ‘”shocked” that Coffey resigned. “I want to see him reinstated,” said the husband, who asked that he and his wife not be identified by name.The husband of the dancer said he was ‘”shocked” that Coffey resigned. “I want to see him reinstated,” said the husband, who asked that he and his wife not be identified by name.
“It wasn’t necessary,’’ the dancer said. “It is not what we wanted.’’“It wasn’t necessary,’’ the dancer said. “It is not what we wanted.’’
The husband and wife declined to discuss the alleged incident other than to say that Coffey paid $900 for a bottle of champagne and bit the dancer on the arm during a dispute in the club.The husband and wife declined to discuss the alleged incident other than to say that Coffey paid $900 for a bottle of champagne and bit the dancer on the arm during a dispute in the club.
“He bit her, but not like a crazy man,’’ the husband said. “But he did break the skin.’’“He bit her, but not like a crazy man,’’ the husband said. “But he did break the skin.’’
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Ted Cruz spoke to reporters about Donald Trump’s campaign manager getting charged for simple assault today.Ted Cruz spoke to reporters about Donald Trump’s campaign manager getting charged for simple assault today.
.@tedcruz calls Lewandowski charges "the consequence of the culture of the Trump campaign." https://t.co/QJrVg65DNFhttps://t.co/WxS44W7mbr.@tedcruz calls Lewandowski charges "the consequence of the culture of the Trump campaign." https://t.co/QJrVg65DNFhttps://t.co/WxS44W7mbr
“This is the consequence of the culture of the Trump campaign, the abusive culture,” said Cruz. “When you have a campaign that is built on personal insults, on attacks and now physical violence - that has no place in a political campaign and it has no place in our democracy.”“This is the consequence of the culture of the Trump campaign, the abusive culture,” said Cruz. “When you have a campaign that is built on personal insults, on attacks and now physical violence - that has no place in a political campaign and it has no place in our democracy.”
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Cult film director David Lynch - of Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive fame - just endorsed the Senator from Vermont.Cult film director David Lynch - of Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive fame - just endorsed the Senator from Vermont.
Dear Twtter Friends, YAY! BERNIE SANDERS FOR PRESIDENT!!!Dear Twtter Friends, YAY! BERNIE SANDERS FOR PRESIDENT!!!
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British TV host import Piers Morgan offered up his take on the Corey Lewandowski battery charges.British TV host import Piers Morgan offered up his take on the Corey Lewandowski battery charges.
If a male reporter tried to claim this was 'battery', he'd be rightly mocked. Toughen up, @MichelleFields. https://t.co/JuysRTwRTJIf a male reporter tried to claim this was 'battery', he'd be rightly mocked. Toughen up, @MichelleFields. https://t.co/JuysRTwRTJ
Last week Marlow Stern at The Daily Beast chronicled the close relationship between the billionaire wannabe politician and the former tabloid editor, in light of an interview Morgan did with Trump for British TV recently:Last week Marlow Stern at The Daily Beast chronicled the close relationship between the billionaire wannabe politician and the former tabloid editor, in light of an interview Morgan did with Trump for British TV recently:
Morgan won the first iteration of The Celebrity Apprentice back in 2008, and since then, has regularly corresponded with Trump, whom he calls “an extraordinary man” and “incredibly loyal friend.” He even claims to have kept a diary of all their exchanges, and gushed over the sycophantic notes the real estate tycoon regularly sends him in a September column for The Daily Mail. And it’s here, as editor-at-large for The Daily Mail, that Morgan has become an unofficial publicist for candidate Trump, publishing column after column praising his pal.Morgan won the first iteration of The Celebrity Apprentice back in 2008, and since then, has regularly corresponded with Trump, whom he calls “an extraordinary man” and “incredibly loyal friend.” He even claims to have kept a diary of all their exchanges, and gushed over the sycophantic notes the real estate tycoon regularly sends him in a September column for The Daily Mail. And it’s here, as editor-at-large for The Daily Mail, that Morgan has become an unofficial publicist for candidate Trump, publishing column after column praising his pal.
Back in August, after Trump questioned Vietnam POW John McCain’s “war hero” status—and was taken to task by debate moderator Megyn Kelly for his past sexist comments—Morgan defended Trump with a column headlined, “Yes, Donald Trump can be vicious, arrogant, obnoxious and even a little bit evil—which is exactly why a lot of people think he will make a bloody good President.” Trump’s SNL performance in November even had Morgan “howling in fits of laughter.” But the pièce de résistance came yesterday, when Morgan published a column in the wake of the Brussels terrorist attacks titled, “When it comes to terror, isn’t it time we started listening seriously to Trump?”Back in August, after Trump questioned Vietnam POW John McCain’s “war hero” status—and was taken to task by debate moderator Megyn Kelly for his past sexist comments—Morgan defended Trump with a column headlined, “Yes, Donald Trump can be vicious, arrogant, obnoxious and even a little bit evil—which is exactly why a lot of people think he will make a bloody good President.” Trump’s SNL performance in November even had Morgan “howling in fits of laughter.” But the pièce de résistance came yesterday, when Morgan published a column in the wake of the Brussels terrorist attacks titled, “When it comes to terror, isn’t it time we started listening seriously to Trump?”
So perhaps it’s no surprise that Morgan is coming out in support of his buddy’s campaign manager.So perhaps it’s no surprise that Morgan is coming out in support of his buddy’s campaign manager.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.18pm BSTat 7.18pm BST
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Last week Corey Lewandowski spoke with Independent Journal Review about the alleged assault against reporter Michelle Fields, where he denied ever touching Fields.Last week Corey Lewandowski spoke with Independent Journal Review about the alleged assault against reporter Michelle Fields, where he denied ever touching Fields.
In light of Lewandowski being charged today, they just published the full interview:In light of Lewandowski being charged today, they just published the full interview:
Do you still stand by your statement that you never touched Michelle Fields?Do you still stand by your statement that you never touched Michelle Fields?
I stand by all my statements.I stand by all my statements.
What you tweeted. That you never met her, never touched her?What you tweeted. That you never met her, never touched her?
Yes. I stand by all my statements.Yes. I stand by all my statements.
You can listen to the audio of the interview here.You can listen to the audio of the interview here.
6.28pm BST6.28pm BST
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Michelle Fields, the journalist who filed a police report alleging that Corey Lewandowski assaulted her, tweeted her anger at Trump backing his campaign manager.Michelle Fields, the journalist who filed a police report alleging that Corey Lewandowski assaulted her, tweeted her anger at Trump backing his campaign manager.
Because my story never changed. Seriously, just stop lying. https://t.co/1fz9cBHOuTBecause my story never changed. Seriously, just stop lying. https://t.co/1fz9cBHOuT
6.19pm BST6.19pm BST
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Trump campaign backs LewandowskiTrump campaign backs Lewandowski
Donald Trump spokeswoman, Katrina Pierson, just spoke to Wolf Blitzer on CNN about Corey Lewandowski being charged by police for battery.Donald Trump spokeswoman, Katrina Pierson, just spoke to Wolf Blitzer on CNN about Corey Lewandowski being charged by police for battery.
“We actually have total confidence in our campaign manager, we feel he is going to be exonerated,” she said, saying he would not be losing his job on the campaign.“We actually have total confidence in our campaign manager, we feel he is going to be exonerated,” she said, saying he would not be losing his job on the campaign.
Pierson played down the incident - where a female reporter alleges Lewandowski grabbed her arm violently - as just standard behavior in the media scrum.Pierson played down the incident - where a female reporter alleges Lewandowski grabbed her arm violently - as just standard behavior in the media scrum.
“This is not different to when I’m in the middle of the scrum and get smacked by the television networks,” said Pierson, noting saying she wouldn’t sue the TV networks if a cameraman gave her a small cut.“This is not different to when I’m in the middle of the scrum and get smacked by the television networks,” said Pierson, noting saying she wouldn’t sue the TV networks if a cameraman gave her a small cut.
“These types of things are not uncommon, to be jostled or moved or hit, from a campaign or a media person.... this is absurd, this is ridiculous, and it will be beat,” she said.“These types of things are not uncommon, to be jostled or moved or hit, from a campaign or a media person.... this is absurd, this is ridiculous, and it will be beat,” she said.
She also warned that journalists couldn’t get too close to candidates because of their Secret Service protection and perhaps there needed to be tighter restrictions on journalist access.She also warned that journalists couldn’t get too close to candidates because of their Secret Service protection and perhaps there needed to be tighter restrictions on journalist access.
“There is some jostling around and pushing and the second you cross that Secret Service threshold, you will be moved away from the candidate,” she said.“There is some jostling around and pushing and the second you cross that Secret Service threshold, you will be moved away from the candidate,” she said.
Pierson denied that Lewandowski knew who the reporter was. “How’s he supposed to know who every single writer is? It’s ridiculous to assume... of course these things kind of happen in the scrum,” she said.Pierson denied that Lewandowski knew who the reporter was. “How’s he supposed to know who every single writer is? It’s ridiculous to assume... of course these things kind of happen in the scrum,” she said.
Pierson also questioned reporter Michelle Fields statements about the incident, saying that initially the reporter said she was nearly thrown to the ground, and Pierson said the video does not reflect that. The Trump spokeswoman also questioned the motives of the alleged victim.Pierson also questioned reporter Michelle Fields statements about the incident, saying that initially the reporter said she was nearly thrown to the ground, and Pierson said the video does not reflect that. The Trump spokeswoman also questioned the motives of the alleged victim.
“She didn’t contact the campaign. She didn’t contact the authorities. She didn’t contact anyone rather than Twitter when the alleged incident occurred,” said Pierson.“She didn’t contact the campaign. She didn’t contact the authorities. She didn’t contact anyone rather than Twitter when the alleged incident occurred,” said Pierson.
“Mr Lewandowski is an integral part of this campaign and the whole team supports him,” she said.“Mr Lewandowski is an integral part of this campaign and the whole team supports him,” she said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.15pm BSTat 8.15pm BST
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Another tweet from Trump about the charges against Corey Lewandowski, his campaign manager.Another tweet from Trump about the charges against Corey Lewandowski, his campaign manager.
Why aren't people looking at this reporters earliest statement as to what happened, that is before she found out the episode was on tape?Why aren't people looking at this reporters earliest statement as to what happened, that is before she found out the episode was on tape?
So what were those earliest statements? Field’s boyfriend, fellow reporter Jamie Weinstein, was the first to speak publicly about the alleged assault.So what were those earliest statements? Field’s boyfriend, fellow reporter Jamie Weinstein, was the first to speak publicly about the alleged assault.
Trump always surrounds himself w thugs. Tonight thug Corey Lewandowski tried to pull my gf @MichelleFields to ground when she asked tough qTrump always surrounds himself w thugs. Tonight thug Corey Lewandowski tried to pull my gf @MichelleFields to ground when she asked tough q
Two days after the incident, Michelle Fields wrote her account of it in a post on Brietbart (she later resigned from the conservative publication for failing to support her over it):Two days after the incident, Michelle Fields wrote her account of it in a post on Brietbart (she later resigned from the conservative publication for failing to support her over it):
Trump acknowledged the question, but before he could answer I was jolted backwards. Someone had grabbed me tightly by the arm and yanked me down. I almost fell to the ground, but was able to maintain my balance. Nonetheless, I was shaken.Trump acknowledged the question, but before he could answer I was jolted backwards. Someone had grabbed me tightly by the arm and yanked me down. I almost fell to the ground, but was able to maintain my balance. Nonetheless, I was shaken.
Washington Post reporter Ben Terris, who said he witnessed the incident, wrote about it shortly afterwards as well:Washington Post reporter Ben Terris, who said he witnessed the incident, wrote about it shortly afterwards as well:
I watched as a man with short-cropped hair and a suit grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the way. He was Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s 41-year-old campaign manager.I watched as a man with short-cropped hair and a suit grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the way. He was Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s 41-year-old campaign manager.
Fields stumbled. Finger-shaped bruises formed on her arm.Fields stumbled. Finger-shaped bruises formed on her arm.
“I’m just a little spooked,” she said, a tear streaming down her face. “No one has grabbed me like that before.”“I’m just a little spooked,” she said, a tear streaming down her face. “No one has grabbed me like that before.”
She took my arm and squeezed it hard. “I don’t even want to do it as hard as he did,” she said, “because it would hurt.”She took my arm and squeezed it hard. “I don’t even want to do it as hard as he did,” she said, “because it would hurt.”