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Republican convention live: Trump rejects speech writer's resignation Republican convention live: Trump rejects speech writer's resignation
(35 minutes later)
10.32pm BST
22:32
Trump disagrees with aide who wants Clinton executed
Donald Trump’s chief adviser on veteran’s issues on Wednesday declared that Hillary Clinton “should be put in the firing line and shot for treason.” (Earlier post here.)
But that’s not how the candidate feels, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks has reassured the Washington Post:
Trump spox Hope Hicks: "Mr. Trump and the campaign do not agree," that Clinton should be executed by firing squad. https://t.co/IWprpg2X1c
10.28pm BST
22:28
Gingrich: Melania Trump 'stunningly attractive'
Former house speaker Newt Gingrich, who’s scheduled to speak tonight, has told CNN that Melania Trump’s plagiarism dabbling is not really a problem because, in part, “she is stunningly attractive.”
As Newt well knows, beauty gets you everywhere.
The Cut blog at New York Magazine captures the Gingrich statement:
“Who cares? The fact is Melania gave a good speech, she is stunningly attractive, she’s stunningly articulate, [and] most of the people who are criticizing her can’t speak five languages. She’s a bright person, she introduced herself in a way that’s attractive, [and] she’s obviously very passionate about America.”
This is going well. https://t.co/GCosI4WF2t
10.22pm BST
22:22
Guardian Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts has been elected president and started work in the Oval Office. Looks like the first 100 days in the Roberts presidency are going to be historic.
Actually, this is Dan on an Oval Office novelty set here at the Quicken Loans arena. No word on whether Trump has stopped by yet.
A photo posted by Dan Roberts (@danroberts73) on Jul 20, 2016 at 1:49pm PDT
10.17pm BST
22:17
Police have detained protesters in Public Square, and they report that two officers were “assaulted”:
Two officers assaulted. Minor injuries.
The Guardian’s Paul Owen sends video of the detained protesters:
9.51pm BST9.51pm BST
21:5121:51
Trump is batting back today’s New York Times magazine report that he made a strong play for John Kasich to be his running mate. Trump is batting back at today’s New York Times magazine report that he made a strong play for John Kasich to be his running mate.
The Times’ Robert Draper described an initial approach to the Kasich camp by Donald Trump Jr promising that Kasich could be in charge of foreign and domestic policy while Trump’s task would be to “make America great again.” The report described a phone conversation between Kasich and Trump in which they explored the idea.The Times’ Robert Draper described an initial approach to the Kasich camp by Donald Trump Jr promising that Kasich could be in charge of foreign and domestic policy while Trump’s task would be to “make America great again.” The report described a phone conversation between Kasich and Trump in which they explored the idea.
Trump does not deny there were overtures but he does deny there was an outright offer made by him specifically to Kasich specifically. Which the Times report did not claim in the first place.Trump does not deny there were overtures but he does deny there was an outright offer made by him specifically to Kasich specifically. Which the Times report did not claim in the first place.
John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. Just arrived in Cleveland - will be a great two days!John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. Just arrived in Cleveland - will be a great two days!
Updated
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Protest 'activity' 'heats up'Protest 'activity' 'heats up'
The Guardian’s Oliver Laughland is on Public Square, where a Bob Marley cover band is facing off with apocalypse Christians, horse turds are fermenting and all signs point to circus:The Guardian’s Oliver Laughland is on Public Square, where a Bob Marley cover band is facing off with apocalypse Christians, horse turds are fermenting and all signs point to circus:
Bob Marley cover band vs born again Christians #RNCinCLE https://t.co/eyvXjAHC7JBob Marley cover band vs born again Christians #RNCinCLE https://t.co/eyvXjAHC7J
I think they call this a circus (corner of east 4 and prospect) #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/uTvHxk6K6yI think they call this a circus (corner of east 4 and prospect) #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/uTvHxk6K6y
There is so much horse shit on floor and it's roasting in the heat 💩💩💩#RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/X0zMOiMkj8There is so much horse shit on floor and it's roasting in the heat 💩💩💩#RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/X0zMOiMkj8
9.33pm BST9.33pm BST
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Gaby WoodGaby Wood
Meredith McIver, the Trump staffer who today has described her writer’s role in l’affaire Melania, turns out to have been a presence in a 2007 profile of Trump by Gaby Wood.Meredith McIver, the Trump staffer who today has described her writer’s role in l’affaire Melania, turns out to have been a presence in a 2007 profile of Trump by Gaby Wood.
Here’s a section of the profile, which warrants reading in full:Here’s a section of the profile, which warrants reading in full:
Time being money, Trump springs up to hand me some propaganda: glossy brochures featuring Trump Towers, Trump Palaces, Trump Plazas, Trump Hotels and Trump Golf Clubs all over North America - correction, the World.Time being money, Trump springs up to hand me some propaganda: glossy brochures featuring Trump Towers, Trump Palaces, Trump Plazas, Trump Hotels and Trump Golf Clubs all over North America - correction, the World.
‘I’ll get you a biography, too.’‘I’ll get you a biography, too.’
Well, I mutter, I’ve read several of your autobiographies and ...Well, I mutter, I’ve read several of your autobiographies and ...
‘This’ll be a little easier for you. MEREDITH!’‘This’ll be a little easier for you. MEREDITH!’
Trump has what some of his employees refer to as an open-door policy; its main function seems to be that he can shout at them through it.Trump has what some of his employees refer to as an open-door policy; its main function seems to be that he can shout at them through it.
‘Would you get me a biography please!’‘Would you get me a biography please!’
Meredith McIver, one of the assistants who doubles as his ghost writer, scuttles in with a few sheets of paper, on which a company bio is printed in bold and written in similar fashion: ‘A schoolboy’s dream ... a competitor’s challenge. Donald J Trump is the very definition of the American success story. In August 2006, Mr Trump was voted by the staff and writers of Business Week as one of the Top 10 most competitive business people on the planet.’Meredith McIver, one of the assistants who doubles as his ghost writer, scuttles in with a few sheets of paper, on which a company bio is printed in bold and written in similar fashion: ‘A schoolboy’s dream ... a competitor’s challenge. Donald J Trump is the very definition of the American success story. In August 2006, Mr Trump was voted by the staff and writers of Business Week as one of the Top 10 most competitive business people on the planet.’
‘Today, I’m in all the papers,’ he says, confirming this spirit of competition. ‘You saw the amount of press? It was beyond belief - every major show, every everything. You check me on the internet I guess, do you? What - does your machine explode?’‘Today, I’m in all the papers,’ he says, confirming this spirit of competition. ‘You saw the amount of press? It was beyond belief - every major show, every everything. You check me on the internet I guess, do you? What - does your machine explode?’
Read the full piece here:Read the full piece here:
Related: Donald Trump: the interviewRelated: Donald Trump: the interview
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Trump adviser says Hillary Clinton should be shotTrump adviser says Hillary Clinton should be shot
Donald Trump’s chief adviser on veteran’s issues on Wednesday declared that Hillary Clinton “should be put in the firing line and shot for treason,” the most extreme statement yet during a Republican national convention that has made the Democratic nominee the party’s top target.Donald Trump’s chief adviser on veteran’s issues on Wednesday declared that Hillary Clinton “should be put in the firing line and shot for treason,” the most extreme statement yet during a Republican national convention that has made the Democratic nominee the party’s top target.
Al Baldasaro, a New Hampshire state representative and a New Hampshire delegate at the convention, made the comments on The Kuhner Report, a Boston-area radio show hosted by Jeffrey T Kuhner, a radio personality who styles himself as “Liberalism’s Worst Nightmare”.Al Baldasaro, a New Hampshire state representative and a New Hampshire delegate at the convention, made the comments on The Kuhner Report, a Boston-area radio show hosted by Jeffrey T Kuhner, a radio personality who styles himself as “Liberalism’s Worst Nightmare”.
“I’m a veteran that went to Desert Shield, Desert Storm,” Baldasoro said on Tuesday. “I’m also a father who sent a son to war, to Iraq, as a Marine Corps helicopter avionics technician. Hillary Clinton, to me, is the Jane Fonda of the Vietnam.”“I’m a veteran that went to Desert Shield, Desert Storm,” Baldasoro said on Tuesday. “I’m also a father who sent a son to war, to Iraq, as a Marine Corps helicopter avionics technician. Hillary Clinton, to me, is the Jane Fonda of the Vietnam.”
Baldasaro went on to call Clinton “a disgrace for the lies that she told those mothers about their children that got killed over there in Benghazi. She dropped the ball on over 400 emails requesting back up security. Something’s wrong there.Baldasaro went on to call Clinton “a disgrace for the lies that she told those mothers about their children that got killed over there in Benghazi. She dropped the ball on over 400 emails requesting back up security. Something’s wrong there.
“This whole thing disgusts me,” he concluded. “Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason.”“This whole thing disgusts me,” he concluded. “Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason.”
Reached by the Boston Globe, Baldasaro stood by his comments “without a doubt”.Reached by the Boston Globe, Baldasaro stood by his comments “without a doubt”.
“When you take classified information on a server that deals with where our State Department, special forces, CIA, whatever in other countries, that’s a death sentence for those people if that information gets in the hands of other countries or the terrorists,” Baldasaro said. “As far as I’m concerned, that’s information for the enemy. In the military, shot, firing squad. So I stand by what I said.”“When you take classified information on a server that deals with where our State Department, special forces, CIA, whatever in other countries, that’s a death sentence for those people if that information gets in the hands of other countries or the terrorists,” Baldasaro said. “As far as I’m concerned, that’s information for the enemy. In the military, shot, firing squad. So I stand by what I said.”
The comments, coming from a chief advisor for a signature issue of Trump’s campaign, are far from the only incendiary remarks directed at the former secretary of state during the Republican National Convention, where Clinton has loomed large. On Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland, men hawking T-shirts reading “Trump This Bitch!” and “Hillary Sucks, But Not Like Monica” have done brisk business.The comments, coming from a chief advisor for a signature issue of Trump’s campaign, are far from the only incendiary remarks directed at the former secretary of state during the Republican National Convention, where Clinton has loomed large. On Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland, men hawking T-shirts reading “Trump This Bitch!” and “Hillary Sucks, But Not Like Monica” have done brisk business.
The anti-Clinton fervor has often dominated the primetime stage of the convention itself. During a highly charged speech on Tuesday night, New Jersey governor Chris Christie presided over arena-wide chants of “Guilty!” and “Lock her up!” as the former federal prosecutor argued in a mock trial “the case now, on the facts, against Hillary Clinton”.The anti-Clinton fervor has often dominated the primetime stage of the convention itself. During a highly charged speech on Tuesday night, New Jersey governor Chris Christie presided over arena-wide chants of “Guilty!” and “Lock her up!” as the former federal prosecutor argued in a mock trial “the case now, on the facts, against Hillary Clinton”.
Later that evening, former presidential candidate Ben Carson departed from his prepared remarks to imply that Clinton worshipped Satan.Later that evening, former presidential candidate Ben Carson departed from his prepared remarks to imply that Clinton worshipped Satan.
“One of her heroes, one of her mentors was Saul Alinsky,” Carson said, referring to the father of grassroots organizing whose book, Rules for Radicals, Clinton once cited in a college thesis. In that book, Alinsky calls Lucifer “the very first radical”.“One of her heroes, one of her mentors was Saul Alinsky,” Carson said, referring to the father of grassroots organizing whose book, Rules for Radicals, Clinton once cited in a college thesis. In that book, Alinsky calls Lucifer “the very first radical”.
“Are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer?” Carson said. “Think about that.”“Are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer?” Carson said. “Think about that.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.04pm BSTat 9.04pm BST
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Nigel M SmithNigel M Smith
The rock band Third Eye Blind antagonized a crowd of Republican National Convention attendees during a charity concert at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.The rock band Third Eye Blind antagonized a crowd of Republican National Convention attendees during a charity concert at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.
During the Musicians on Call fundraiser, held to aid in bringing live and recorded music to patients in healthcare facilities, the singer Stephan Jenkins continually blasted the GOP by condemning Republican ideology (according to Billboard, he said he “repudiates” what the party now stands for) – and making remarks such as: “Raise your hand if you believe in science.” Clips uploaded on to social media show Jenkins exclaiming to booing audience members: “You can boo all you want, but I’m the motherfucking artist up here.”During the Musicians on Call fundraiser, held to aid in bringing live and recorded music to patients in healthcare facilities, the singer Stephan Jenkins continually blasted the GOP by condemning Republican ideology (according to Billboard, he said he “repudiates” what the party now stands for) – and making remarks such as: “Raise your hand if you believe in science.” Clips uploaded on to social media show Jenkins exclaiming to booing audience members: “You can boo all you want, but I’m the motherfucking artist up here.”
The Musicians on Call event wasn’t officially affiliated with the RNC, but its sponsor, the Recording Industry Association of America, had emphasized in a press release that the gala was explicitly tied to the convention.The Musicians on Call event wasn’t officially affiliated with the RNC, but its sponsor, the Recording Industry Association of America, had emphasized in a press release that the gala was explicitly tied to the convention.
The actions of the group, best known for their 1990s alt-rock hit Semi-Charmed Life, don’t come as a huge surprise: four years ago, Jenkins penned a commentary piece for Huffington Post titled Why We Aren’t Playing at the RNC, in which he explained why his band didn’t accept an invitation to perform at a private party during the 2012 Republican convention because “they are, in fact, a party dedicated to exclusion”.The actions of the group, best known for their 1990s alt-rock hit Semi-Charmed Life, don’t come as a huge surprise: four years ago, Jenkins penned a commentary piece for Huffington Post titled Why We Aren’t Playing at the RNC, in which he explained why his band didn’t accept an invitation to perform at a private party during the 2012 Republican convention because “they are, in fact, a party dedicated to exclusion”.
“The Republican party is on the wrong side of Lilly Ledbetter, fiscal responsibility, unions, civil rights, climate change, evolution, the Big Bang theory, stem cells, Medicare, and me, and that’s why we will let them be, in their government-funded event center, to sell their song and dance without me,” he wrote.“The Republican party is on the wrong side of Lilly Ledbetter, fiscal responsibility, unions, civil rights, climate change, evolution, the Big Bang theory, stem cells, Medicare, and me, and that’s why we will let them be, in their government-funded event center, to sell their song and dance without me,” he wrote.
UpdatedUpdated
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Jill Harth, woman who sued Trump over alleged sexual assault, breaks silenceJill Harth, woman who sued Trump over alleged sexual assault, breaks silence
Lucia GravesLucia Graves
A woman at the centre of sexual assault allegations against Donald Trump has spoken for the first time in detail about her personal experience with the billionaire tycoon who this week became the Republican nominee for president.A woman at the centre of sexual assault allegations against Donald Trump has spoken for the first time in detail about her personal experience with the billionaire tycoon who this week became the Republican nominee for president.
Jill Harth, a makeup artist, has stayed quiet for almost 20 years about the way Trump pursued her, and – according to a lawsuit she instigated – cornered her and groped her in his daughter’s bedroom.Jill Harth, a makeup artist, has stayed quiet for almost 20 years about the way Trump pursued her, and – according to a lawsuit she instigated – cornered her and groped her in his daughter’s bedroom.
After Trump mounted his campaign for the White House, details emerged of the 1997 complaint, in which Harth accused him of “attempted ‘rape’”.After Trump mounted his campaign for the White House, details emerged of the 1997 complaint, in which Harth accused him of “attempted ‘rape’”.
She said she was quickly inundated with interview requests from major US television networks, but resolved not to speak about the events – until Trump publicly said in May that her claims were “meritless” and his daughter Ivanka gave an interview in which she said her father was “not a groper”.She said she was quickly inundated with interview requests from major US television networks, but resolved not to speak about the events – until Trump publicly said in May that her claims were “meritless” and his daughter Ivanka gave an interview in which she said her father was “not a groper”.
Harth, who feels she has been publicly branded a liar and believes her business has suffered because of her association with the allegations, decided to speak out about her experience with Trump because she wants an apology.Harth, who feels she has been publicly branded a liar and believes her business has suffered because of her association with the allegations, decided to speak out about her experience with Trump because she wants an apology.
In an hour-long interview at the Guardian’s New York office on Tuesday, Harth said she stands by her charges against Trump, which run from low-grade sexual harassment to an episode her lawyers described in the lawsuit as “attempted ‘rape.’”In an hour-long interview at the Guardian’s New York office on Tuesday, Harth said she stands by her charges against Trump, which run from low-grade sexual harassment to an episode her lawyers described in the lawsuit as “attempted ‘rape.’”
She first met Trump in December 1992 at his offices in Trump Tower, where she and her then romantic partner, George Houraney, were making a business presentation. The couple wanted to recruit Trump to back their American Dream festival, in which Harth oversaw a pin-up competition known as American Dream Calendar Girls. Harth described that meeting as “the highlight of our career”.She first met Trump in December 1992 at his offices in Trump Tower, where she and her then romantic partner, George Houraney, were making a business presentation. The couple wanted to recruit Trump to back their American Dream festival, in which Harth oversaw a pin-up competition known as American Dream Calendar Girls. Harth described that meeting as “the highlight of our career”.
But in other ways, it was something of a lowlight: Trump took an interest in Harth immediately and began subjecting her to a steady string of unwanted sexual advances, detailed by Harth in her complaint.But in other ways, it was something of a lowlight: Trump took an interest in Harth immediately and began subjecting her to a steady string of unwanted sexual advances, detailed by Harth in her complaint.
There was the initial leering in that first December meeting in Trump Tower, and the inappropriate questions after her relationship status. It continued the next night over dinner at the Plaza Hotel’s Oak Room, where at a dinner with beauty pageant contestants she alleges he groped her under the table.There was the initial leering in that first December meeting in Trump Tower, and the inappropriate questions after her relationship status. It continued the next night over dinner at the Plaza Hotel’s Oak Room, where at a dinner with beauty pageant contestants she alleges he groped her under the table.
It culminated in January 1993, when Harth and Houraney were visiting his Florida mansion, Mar-a-Lago, to finalize and then celebrate the beauty pageant deal with a party.It culminated in January 1993, when Harth and Houraney were visiting his Florida mansion, Mar-a-Lago, to finalize and then celebrate the beauty pageant deal with a party.
After business concluded, Harth and Houraney were on tour of Mar-a-Lago along with a group of young pageant contestants – Trump wanted to “see the quality of the girls he was sponsoring”, Harth recalled – when he pulled her aside into one of the children’s bedrooms.After business concluded, Harth and Houraney were on tour of Mar-a-Lago along with a group of young pageant contestants – Trump wanted to “see the quality of the girls he was sponsoring”, Harth recalled – when he pulled her aside into one of the children’s bedrooms.
“He pushed me up against the wall, and had his hands all over me and tried to get up my dress again,” Harth recalled, “and I had to physically say: ‘What are you doing? Stop it.’ It was a shocking thing to have him do this because he knew I was with George, he knew they were in the next room. And how could he be doing this when I’m there for business?”“He pushed me up against the wall, and had his hands all over me and tried to get up my dress again,” Harth recalled, “and I had to physically say: ‘What are you doing? Stop it.’ It was a shocking thing to have him do this because he knew I was with George, he knew they were in the next room. And how could he be doing this when I’m there for business?”
Related: Jill Harth, woman who sued Trump over alleged sexual assault, breaks silenceRelated: Jill Harth, woman who sued Trump over alleged sexual assault, breaks silence
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Donald Trump lands in ClevelandDonald Trump lands in Cleveland
Ben JacobsBen Jacobs
With the strains of the score to Air Force One playing in the background, as is his tradition, Donald Trump kept it short upon landing in Cleveland to be greeted by vice presidential nominee Mike Pence and his family.With the strains of the score to Air Force One playing in the background, as is his tradition, Donald Trump kept it short upon landing in Cleveland to be greeted by vice presidential nominee Mike Pence and his family.
Trump arrived yet again in Cleveland with a great fanfare, landing in his trip in his Trump helicopter on a grassy field adjacent to the Cleveland Browns stadium. With a swarm of hundreds of journalists from across the world cataloguing the turn of every helicopter blade, Trump emerged from his chopper accompanied by press secretary Hope Hicks and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, whom sources tell the Guardian has been acting as a de facto campaign manager in recent weeks.Trump arrived yet again in Cleveland with a great fanfare, landing in his trip in his Trump helicopter on a grassy field adjacent to the Cleveland Browns stadium. With a swarm of hundreds of journalists from across the world cataloguing the turn of every helicopter blade, Trump emerged from his chopper accompanied by press secretary Hope Hicks and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, whom sources tell the Guardian has been acting as a de facto campaign manager in recent weeks.
The Republican nominee was greeted by his running mate Mike Pence as well as four of Trump’s five children. His wife Melania, who has been subsumed in a plagiarism scandal over her speech to the convention on Monday, was absent.The Republican nominee was greeted by his running mate Mike Pence as well as four of Trump’s five children. His wife Melania, who has been subsumed in a plagiarism scandal over her speech to the convention on Monday, was absent.
“We’re gonna win Ohio, we’re gonna make America great again,” Trump said. “I just want to introduce a man who has become a great friend of mine, a man who is going to make an unbelievable vice president of the United States, Mike Pence.”“We’re gonna win Ohio, we’re gonna make America great again,” Trump said. “I just want to introduce a man who has become a great friend of mine, a man who is going to make an unbelievable vice president of the United States, Mike Pence.”
Pence, taking the microphone, told Trump that “it is such an honor to join your family to welcome you to Cleveland.”Pence, taking the microphone, told Trump that “it is such an honor to join your family to welcome you to Cleveland.”
“I am convinced what begins in Cleveland will end in the White House! Thank you, God bless you, and welcome to Cleveland!”“I am convinced what begins in Cleveland will end in the White House! Thank you, God bless you, and welcome to Cleveland!”
Afterward, Rep. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, who has yet to endorse Trump, was there to watch and observe.Afterward, Rep. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, who has yet to endorse Trump, was there to watch and observe.
“I’ve never been to one of these rallies before,” said Sanford. “Arriving by helicopter with Air Force One blaring in the background is so at odds with my personal style in politics which is rather low key and anything I’ve ever known and observed about politics in the state that I’m from which is a bit less ostentatious in form. So I’m watching and learning.”“I’ve never been to one of these rallies before,” said Sanford. “Arriving by helicopter with Air Force One blaring in the background is so at odds with my personal style in politics which is rather low key and anything I’ve ever known and observed about politics in the state that I’m from which is a bit less ostentatious in form. So I’m watching and learning.”
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at 8.11pm BSTat 8.11pm BST
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And now the Trumpcopter is doing repeat flybys pic.twitter.com/OKDEYuYXjcAnd now the Trumpcopter is doing repeat flybys pic.twitter.com/OKDEYuYXjc
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Ted Cruz: I cried after losing Indiana to Donald Trump
In remarks to his supporters in Cleveland as Donald Trump’s plane touched down across town, Texas senator Ted Cruz confessed to his now-lost delegates that he cried after losing the Indiana primary.
“I wasn’t gonna let those SOBs turn ‘Lyin’ Ted’ into ‘Cryin’ Ted,’” Cruz said, of the nickname bestowed upon him by Trump during the divisive Republican presidential primary.
The anecdote is another nail in the coffin of the idea that Cruz, who has refused to endorse Trump after dropping out of the race on May 3, will throw his support behind the Republican nominee at tonight’s primetime speech at the Republican National Convention.
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Stand by...
The Trump has landed pic.twitter.com/ER6dvEmEj4
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A thought occurs!
Donald Trump fired Sinbad for mismanaging a Kodak store, won't fire a speechwriter who plagiarized the most public thing she's ever written.
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Meet the Republican women backing Donald Trump
According to an ABC News survey, 77% of female voters have an unfavourable view of Donald Trump. Women at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, explained to the Guardian why they support the party’s presidential candidate:
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Speaking to delegates who were originally loyal to his presidential campaign, Texas senator Ted Cruz thanks supporters in Cleveland for the “amazing journey” of his unsuccessful presidential campaign.
“This afternoon is really for one very simple purpose, and it is to say thank you to each and every one of you - thank you from the very, very bottom of our hearts,” Cruz said, as his wife Heidi stood nearby.
“More than anything else, Heidi and I are filled with extraordinary grattitude and thankfullness,” Cruz continued. “We have been part of an amazing journey and it has been the privilege of our lifetimes to stand with each and everyone of you fighting for our country.”
“The men and women gathered here today, you are patriots, you love this country, you love our constitution, you love our freedom, you love our children and you believe in tomorrow! This campaign, I believe, was about a lot more than one campaign or one candidate - this was a movement, all across this country.”
Cruz did not endorse Donald Trump, his party’s presidential nominee, in the remarks, and is not expected to do so in his remarks to the Republican National Convention tonight.
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An interesting, depressing note from the New York Times:
The employee, Meredith McIver, who has worked on some of Mr. Trump’s books, is the first person to publicly apologize for an error at any point during the Trump campaign.
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White House press secretary Josh Earnest, when asked about the Melania Trump plagiarism scandal, and parlayed questions about Michelle Obama’s feelings on her remarks being lifted by a first lady aspirant into hopes that Michelle Obama’s remarks will be favorably looked upon by all future first ladies.
“Obviously, in 2008 Mrs. Obama spoke movingly in her own words about her life story, about her values, and she was warmly received by the crowd,” Earnest said. “She got strong reviews from pundits and I’m confident in the future, aspiring first ladies and potential first husbands would draw on the same kinds of sentiments to advocate for their spouse.”
“Mrs. Obama is obviously quite proud of the speech she gave in 2008, and I’m confident that she’ll deliver another speech that’s equal to the test next week.”
“I have not spoken to the president and first lady since that letter became public, so I’m not sure if they’re aware of it right now.”
The election, and the women’s speeches, provides the American people, “an opportunity to compare the values and the messages in both,” parties, said Earnest.
“The focus we’ve had has been on the substance of the speech and the fact that Mrs. Trump received such warm applause, and such a strong review of her speech, based on reflection of the same kinds of values that were included in Mrs. Obama’s speech. I think that’s a reflection that the country has a lot of common ground.”
The warm reception to both speeches, Earnest said, “buttresses an argument [the president] has been making of late – that the country is not as divided as it might seem.”
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“All news is good news,” after all.
STATEMENT ON MELANIA SPEECHhttps://t.co/uzBOm21Pug
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Compare and contrast Melania Trump’s remarks with those of Michelle Obama:
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As Melania Trump once said...
It would not be a Trump contest without excitement and drama.