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Trump accused of 'breaking Cuba embargo' law in 1998 – live Trump accused of 'breaking Cuba embargo' law in 1998 – live
(35 minutes later)
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None of these people have ever served as a head of state:
Here are a few of my favorite leaders: @ElizabethMay, João Stédile of @MST_Oficial and @jeremycorbyn. #AleppoMoment
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Barack Obama and his wife Michelle saluted the US Olympic and Paralympic teams at the White House this afternoon, with the president joking about performing a routine with Simone Biles and later referenced the infamous “Phelps face.”Barack Obama and his wife Michelle saluted the US Olympic and Paralympic teams at the White House this afternoon, with the president joking about performing a routine with Simone Biles and later referenced the infamous “Phelps face.”
At the end of the event, Biles presented the Obamas with a surf board in recognition of the sport being introduced to Olympic line-up.At the end of the event, Biles presented the Obamas with a surf board in recognition of the sport being introduced to Olympic line-up.
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Campaign advisors, wary of Donald Trump potentially repeating his lackluster debate performance at the second of three planned presidential debates against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, are reportedly hoping that New Jersey governor Chris Christie is being approached about taking charge of Trump’s debate prep.Campaign advisors, wary of Donald Trump potentially repeating his lackluster debate performance at the second of three planned presidential debates against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, are reportedly hoping that New Jersey governor Chris Christie is being approached about taking charge of Trump’s debate prep.
According to CNN, Christie is one of the few people close to Trump who has been honest with the candidate about the his performance on Monday night, but there’s no consensus yet that Christie is the person to take charge of the preparation.According to CNN, Christie is one of the few people close to Trump who has been honest with the candidate about the his performance on Monday night, but there’s no consensus yet that Christie is the person to take charge of the preparation.
“I have not been asked to do anything new, and as far as I know, there is no new debate prep scheduled,” Christie told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer this evening. “Nothing’s been asked of me to do more. If there is, I’d certainly have that conversation with Donald Trump at the time, but I’m not going to presuppose anything at this point.”“I have not been asked to do anything new, and as far as I know, there is no new debate prep scheduled,” Christie told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer this evening. “Nothing’s been asked of me to do more. If there is, I’d certainly have that conversation with Donald Trump at the time, but I’m not going to presuppose anything at this point.”
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The Trump campaign is still clinging to the candidate’s self-described victory in Monday night’s presidential debate against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, despite all evidence pointing to Clinton edging out Donald Trump among viewers.The Trump campaign is still clinging to the candidate’s self-described victory in Monday night’s presidential debate against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, despite all evidence pointing to Clinton edging out Donald Trump among viewers.
Speaking with CNN’s Chuck Todd, Trump campaign communications advisor Jason Miller defended scientifically invalid online polls as the more accurate measure of Trump’s success in the debate.Speaking with CNN’s Chuck Todd, Trump campaign communications advisor Jason Miller defended scientifically invalid online polls as the more accurate measure of Trump’s success in the debate.
WATCH: @chucktodd presses Trump campaign spokesman on assertion that “bogus” online polls showed Trump won debate. https://t.co/BdgQrzsecXWATCH: @chucktodd presses Trump campaign spokesman on assertion that “bogus” online polls showed Trump won debate. https://t.co/BdgQrzsecX
“The polls that happened that night, the night of the debate, the snap polls that happened online, those all showed Mr. Trump winning in a huge way,” Miller said, in reference to easily gamed online polls that are laughably inaccurate, statistically speaking.“The polls that happened that night, the night of the debate, the snap polls that happened online, those all showed Mr. Trump winning in a huge way,” Miller said, in reference to easily gamed online polls that are laughably inaccurate, statistically speaking.
“Those are fan polls, man!” Todd shot back.“Those are fan polls, man!” Todd shot back.
“Those are a snapshot of what people are thinking that are actually watching the debate,” Miller said.“Those are a snapshot of what people are thinking that are actually watching the debate,” Miller said.
“People who were watching thought that Mr. Trump won that debate,” he continued.“People who were watching thought that Mr. Trump won that debate,” he continued.
“You know these are bogus! They’re beyond nonscientific! They’re not real, Jason!” Todd said, flabbergasted.“You know these are bogus! They’re beyond nonscientific! They’re not real, Jason!” Todd said, flabbergasted.
“The energy and the enthusiasm in this race is all with Mr. Trump,” Miller reiterated. “We’re gonna continue to show that over and over.”“The energy and the enthusiasm in this race is all with Mr. Trump,” Miller reiterated. “We’re gonna continue to show that over and over.”
UpdatedUpdated
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This cover:This cover:
An early look at next week's cover, “Miss Congeniality,” by Barry Blitt: https://t.co/wlrJpfxEXd pic.twitter.com/QCCCPlJFT6An early look at next week's cover, “Miss Congeniality,” by Barry Blitt: https://t.co/wlrJpfxEXd pic.twitter.com/QCCCPlJFT6
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Trump violated Cuba embargo in 1998 business venture, report claimsTrump violated Cuba embargo in 1998 business venture, report claims
Ben JacobsBen Jacobs
The Clinton campaign on Thursday attacked Donald Trump over reports of an historic violation of the Cuba embargo, hours after Newsweek alleged that the Republican nominee spent at least $68,000 in the island dictatorship in 1998, while investigating potential business opportunities.The Clinton campaign on Thursday attacked Donald Trump over reports of an historic violation of the Cuba embargo, hours after Newsweek alleged that the Republican nominee spent at least $68,000 in the island dictatorship in 1998, while investigating potential business opportunities.
Citing “interviews with former Trump executives, internal company records and court filings”, Newsweek reported that in 1998 a company controlled by Trump “secretly conducted business in communist Cuba during Fidel Castro’s presidency despite strict American trade bans that made such undertakings illegal”.Citing “interviews with former Trump executives, internal company records and court filings”, Newsweek reported that in 1998 a company controlled by Trump “secretly conducted business in communist Cuba during Fidel Castro’s presidency despite strict American trade bans that made such undertakings illegal”.
The expenditure, Newsweek said, was indirect, involving the payment of expenses incurred on a visit by consultants from a US firm.The expenditure, Newsweek said, was indirect, involving the payment of expenses incurred on a visit by consultants from a US firm.
On Thursday, Jake Sullivan, a senior policy adviser to the Clinton campaign, said in a statement: “Trump’s business with Cuba appears to have broken the law, flouted US foreign policy and is in complete contradiction to Trump’s own repeated, public statements that he had been offered opportunities to invest in Cuba but passed them up.On Thursday, Jake Sullivan, a senior policy adviser to the Clinton campaign, said in a statement: “Trump’s business with Cuba appears to have broken the law, flouted US foreign policy and is in complete contradiction to Trump’s own repeated, public statements that he had been offered opportunities to invest in Cuba but passed them up.
“This latest report shows once again that Trump will always put his own business interest ahead of the national interest – and has no trouble lying about it.”“This latest report shows once again that Trump will always put his own business interest ahead of the national interest – and has no trouble lying about it.”
At the time of the expenditure in question, the spending of any US corporate money in Cuba was illegal without the explicit approval of the federal government.At the time of the expenditure in question, the spending of any US corporate money in Cuba was illegal without the explicit approval of the federal government.
The Trump campaign did not immediately issue a statement, but in a television interview with The View, campaign manager Kellyanne Conway seemed to acknowledge that Trump had indeed spent money in Cuba.The Trump campaign did not immediately issue a statement, but in a television interview with The View, campaign manager Kellyanne Conway seemed to acknowledge that Trump had indeed spent money in Cuba.
“It starts out with a screaming headline, as it usually does, that he did business in Cuba,” she said. “And it turns out that he decided not to invest there. They paid money, as I understand, in 1998.“It starts out with a screaming headline, as it usually does, that he did business in Cuba,” she said. “And it turns out that he decided not to invest there. They paid money, as I understand, in 1998.
“I know we’re not supposed to talk about years ago when it comes to the Clintons, but with Trump there is no statute of limitations.”“I know we’re not supposed to talk about years ago when it comes to the Clintons, but with Trump there is no statute of limitations.”
Trump, who was due to stage a campaign rally in Bedford, New Hampshire, on Thursday, has taken contradictory positions on US policy towards Cuba.Trump, who was due to stage a campaign rally in Bedford, New Hampshire, on Thursday, has taken contradictory positions on US policy towards Cuba.
In 1999, when first exploring a presidential campaign as a third-party candidate, he took a hard line.In 1999, when first exploring a presidential campaign as a third-party candidate, he took a hard line.
In a Wall Street Journal editorial headlined America Needs a President Like Me, he wrote: “I would also immediately reverse the move to normalize relations with the most abnormal political figure in our hemisphere: Fidel Castro.In a Wall Street Journal editorial headlined America Needs a President Like Me, he wrote: “I would also immediately reverse the move to normalize relations with the most abnormal political figure in our hemisphere: Fidel Castro.
“We have pushed him to the precipice with our embargo, helped of course by the withdrawal of Soviet backing.“We have pushed him to the precipice with our embargo, helped of course by the withdrawal of Soviet backing.
“Now comes a movement, backed by state department bureaucrats, to rescue Mr Castro with US dollars. The striped-pants set won’t like hearing this, but normalization is pure lunacy.”“Now comes a movement, backed by state department bureaucrats, to rescue Mr Castro with US dollars. The striped-pants set won’t like hearing this, but normalization is pure lunacy.”
Moves towards normalisation of relations were eventually announced in December 2014, by the Obama administration. Nine months later, the US embassy in Havana was formally reopened by secretary of state John Kerry. Barack Obama visited the country in March this year.Moves towards normalisation of relations were eventually announced in December 2014, by the Obama administration. Nine months later, the US embassy in Havana was formally reopened by secretary of state John Kerry. Barack Obama visited the country in March this year.
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Newt Gingrich: Donald Trump 'a gentleman' for not mentioning Bill Clinton's infidelityNewt Gingrich: Donald Trump 'a gentleman' for not mentioning Bill Clinton's infidelity
Thrice-married former House speaker Newt Gingrich told Sean Hannity today that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is “a gentleman” for not attacking Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for her husband’s past infidelity.Thrice-married former House speaker Newt Gingrich told Sean Hannity today that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is “a gentleman” for not attacking Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for her husband’s past infidelity.
“I’m very proud that at the very end when she attacked and went off on this whole rant about women - and you could see his face - in the Republican primary he would have just smashed her,” Gingrich said on Hannity’s eponymous radio show, first reported by Buzzfeed News.“I’m very proud that at the very end when she attacked and went off on this whole rant about women - and you could see his face - in the Republican primary he would have just smashed her,” Gingrich said on Hannity’s eponymous radio show, first reported by Buzzfeed News.
“He thought about it, and I’m sure he said to himself, ‘a president of the United States shouldn’t attack somebody personally when their daughter is sitting in the audience,’ and he bit his tongue and he was a gentleman, and I thought in many ways that was the most important moment of the whole evening. He proved that he had the discipline to remain as a decent guy even when she was disgusting.”“He thought about it, and I’m sure he said to himself, ‘a president of the United States shouldn’t attack somebody personally when their daughter is sitting in the audience,’ and he bit his tongue and he was a gentleman, and I thought in many ways that was the most important moment of the whole evening. He proved that he had the discipline to remain as a decent guy even when she was disgusting.”
Gingrich said that Trump, who like himself is on his third marriage, frustrated the Clinton campaign team with his magnanimity.Gingrich said that Trump, who like himself is on his third marriage, frustrated the Clinton campaign team with his magnanimity.
“I think it was probably a great disappointment to her staff, that this taunt that they were sure was gonna set him off, so that they would end the debate with him doing something foolish,” Gingrich said. “Instead he came off looking like a gentleman and she came off looking pretty mean and miserable.”“I think it was probably a great disappointment to her staff, that this taunt that they were sure was gonna set him off, so that they would end the debate with him doing something foolish,” Gingrich said. “Instead he came off looking like a gentleman and she came off looking pretty mean and miserable.”
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David SmithDavid Smith
Gymnast Simone Biles stood tall at the White House on Thursday - though not quite as tall as First Lady Michelle Obama.Gymnast Simone Biles stood tall at the White House on Thursday - though not quite as tall as First Lady Michelle Obama.
The 19-year-old found herself being playfully used as an arm rest by 5ft 11ins Michelle at a ceremony honouring the 2016 US summer Olympic and Paralympic teams.The 19-year-old found herself being playfully used as an arm rest by 5ft 11ins Michelle at a ceremony honouring the 2016 US summer Olympic and Paralympic teams.
“Only one American woman has ever won gold on the vault,” Barack Obama said. “Only one American has won four golds in gymnastics in a single games. That would be this young lady, Simone Biles.”“Only one American woman has ever won gold on the vault,” Barack Obama said. “Only one American has won four golds in gymnastics in a single games. That would be this young lady, Simone Biles.”
The event was attended by relatives of Jesse Owens and America’s 17 other black athletes from the 1936 Olympics for the acknowledgement they, unlike their white counterparts, did not receive from Franklin Roosevelt 80 years ago.The event was attended by relatives of Jesse Owens and America’s 17 other black athletes from the 1936 Olympics for the acknowledgement they, unlike their white counterparts, did not receive from Franklin Roosevelt 80 years ago.
Sprinter Allyson Felix, the only female track-and-field athlete to win six golds, told reporters afterwards: “It’s been just so moving, so inspiring. We’re just honored to be able to share this moment with them.”Sprinter Allyson Felix, the only female track-and-field athlete to win six golds, told reporters afterwards: “It’s been just so moving, so inspiring. We’re just honored to be able to share this moment with them.”
Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised gloved fists on the podium at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968 in what they called “a human rights salute”, were also present. Felix reflected: “We’re inspired by what they did. It was a peaceful protest and it brought so much attention.Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised gloved fists on the podium at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968 in what they called “a human rights salute”, were also present. Felix reflected: “We’re inspired by what they did. It was a peaceful protest and it brought so much attention.
“Especially with everything that’s happening now, as athletes we do have a voice and we want to show that change should happen, so we want to use your voice for that in a peaceful way because we still are so proud to represent this country.”“Especially with everything that’s happening now, as athletes we do have a voice and we want to show that change should happen, so we want to use your voice for that in a peaceful way because we still are so proud to represent this country.”
Obama praised the diversity of the 2016 Olympic team, which ranked first in the medal table with 46 golds. Simone Manuel had become the only African American woman to win a swimming gold, he noted.Obama praised the diversity of the 2016 Olympic team, which ranked first in the medal table with 46 golds. Simone Manuel had become the only African American woman to win a swimming gold, he noted.
“Imagine what it means for a young girl or a young boy who sees somebody who looks like them doing something and being the best at what they do,” he said. “There’s no kid in American who can’t look at our Olympic team and see themselves somewhere.”“Imagine what it means for a young girl or a young boy who sees somebody who looks like them doing something and being the best at what they do,” he said. “There’s no kid in American who can’t look at our Olympic team and see themselves somewhere.”
The president also noted that the athletes are “all very good-looking, just exuding health. Like everybody’s teeth is really white and their eyes are really shiny.”The president also noted that the athletes are “all very good-looking, just exuding health. Like everybody’s teeth is really white and their eyes are really shiny.”
His wife piped up: “Fruits and vegetables!”His wife piped up: “Fruits and vegetables!”
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A would-be senator:A would-be senator:
I am hoping to be wrong. But given a train ran at high speed INTO the station, I am going to say terrorism. If I'm wrong cool.I am hoping to be wrong. But given a train ran at high speed INTO the station, I am going to say terrorism. If I'm wrong cool.
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Donald Trump campaigns in Bedford, New HampshireDonald Trump campaigns in Bedford, New Hampshire
Watch it live here:Watch it live here:
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Trump’s VP pick Mike Pence is in York, Pennsylvania, hosting a rally.Trump’s VP pick Mike Pence is in York, Pennsylvania, hosting a rally.
“Donald Trump is ready. He’s ready to leave this country after where we’ve seen America’s place in the world weakened,” saysPence.“Donald Trump is ready. He’s ready to leave this country after where we’ve seen America’s place in the world weakened,” saysPence.
“At a time when America’s crying out for something new and different the other party comes out with the most predictable of names and the most stale of agendas,” says Pence.“At a time when America’s crying out for something new and different the other party comes out with the most predictable of names and the most stale of agendas,” says Pence.
“Let’s decide it here and now... Hillary Clinton will never be elected president of the United States of America,” he says to applause.“Let’s decide it here and now... Hillary Clinton will never be elected president of the United States of America,” he says to applause.
Correction: this post previously said Pence was with Trump in New Hampshire, that was incorrect, a miscommunication thanks to a wrong YouTube livestream.Correction: this post previously said Pence was with Trump in New Hampshire, that was incorrect, a miscommunication thanks to a wrong YouTube livestream.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.22pm BSTat 8.22pm BST
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Here’s the talking points from the Trump campaign about the accusations he pursued illegal business opportunities in Cuba in the 1990s, leaked to Buzzfeed’s deputy politics editor.Here’s the talking points from the Trump campaign about the accusations he pursued illegal business opportunities in Cuba in the 1990s, leaked to Buzzfeed’s deputy politics editor.
Obtained from a source, here are the Trump surrogate talking points on report of Cuba business dealings... pic.twitter.com/tTz6gkpPAQObtained from a source, here are the Trump surrogate talking points on report of Cuba business dealings... pic.twitter.com/tTz6gkpPAQ
No denial of facts, it appears?No denial of facts, it appears?
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Clinton ends with a plea for Iowa voters to register and her “love trumps hate” line.Clinton ends with a plea for Iowa voters to register and her “love trumps hate” line.
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“I have no idea what he’s going to say the next time. But I will spend some time preparing for it,” says Clintons, to chuckles.“I have no idea what he’s going to say the next time. But I will spend some time preparing for it,” says Clintons, to chuckles.
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“He spends all of his time dumping on America... that everything about America is in bad shape. But it’s probably true he hasn’t paid a penny in federal taxes to actually support our military, or our vets, or our schools or our roads or our education system,” said Clinton, doing the stump speech she’s been refining this week after Trump called himself “smart” for not paying income taxes during their debate on Monday.“He spends all of his time dumping on America... that everything about America is in bad shape. But it’s probably true he hasn’t paid a penny in federal taxes to actually support our military, or our vets, or our schools or our roads or our education system,” said Clinton, doing the stump speech she’s been refining this week after Trump called himself “smart” for not paying income taxes during their debate on Monday.
“If not paying taxes makes you smart, then what are we?” she asks.“If not paying taxes makes you smart, then what are we?” she asks.
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Clinton now on stage in Des Moines (apologies, Reuters livestream isn’t working today).Clinton now on stage in Des Moines (apologies, Reuters livestream isn’t working today).
She’s talking about the college plan she announced with Bernie Sanders yesterday in New Hampshire.She’s talking about the college plan she announced with Bernie Sanders yesterday in New Hampshire.
“An education should give you a boost not hold you back. And we’re going to offer a relief for those of you who already owe debt,” says Clinton.“An education should give you a boost not hold you back. And we’re going to offer a relief for those of you who already owe debt,” says Clinton.
“It is outrageous that you can get a home mortgage at 3%, a car payment at 2%, and I met people paying 8, 10, 12% interest on their student loans. I am not going to allow the federal government to make a profit off young people trying to get their education,” she says.“It is outrageous that you can get a home mortgage at 3%, a car payment at 2%, and I met people paying 8, 10, 12% interest on their student loans. I am not going to allow the federal government to make a profit off young people trying to get their education,” she says.
“Four year college is not and should not be the only path to a good job that supports a real middle class job,” says Clinton.“Four year college is not and should not be the only path to a good job that supports a real middle class job,” says Clinton.
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Update from Gary Johnson’s “Aleppo moment” last night, where he was unable to name a current foreign leader he admired during a MSNBC town hall interview.Update from Gary Johnson’s “Aleppo moment” last night, where he was unable to name a current foreign leader he admired during a MSNBC town hall interview.
It's been almost 24 hours...and I still can't come up with a foreign leader I look up to.It's been almost 24 hours...and I still can't come up with a foreign leader I look up to.
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Clinton team accuses Trump of breaking Cuba embargoClinton team accuses Trump of breaking Cuba embargo
The Clinton campaign says Donald Trump “appears to have broken the law” following reports that he secretly paid $68,000 to pursue business in Castro-led Cuba despite US sanctions.The Clinton campaign says Donald Trump “appears to have broken the law” following reports that he secretly paid $68,000 to pursue business in Castro-led Cuba despite US sanctions.
“Trump’s business with Cuba appears to have broken the law, flouted U.S. foreign policy, and is in complete contradiction to Trump’s own repeated, public statements that he had been offered opportunities to invest in Cuba but passed them up,” said Clinton’s senior policy adviser Jake Sullivan.“Trump’s business with Cuba appears to have broken the law, flouted U.S. foreign policy, and is in complete contradiction to Trump’s own repeated, public statements that he had been offered opportunities to invest in Cuba but passed them up,” said Clinton’s senior policy adviser Jake Sullivan.
“This latest report shows once again that Trump will always put his own business interest ahead of the national interest - and has no trouble lying about it,” he added.“This latest report shows once again that Trump will always put his own business interest ahead of the national interest - and has no trouble lying about it,” he added.
This morning’s report in Newsweek revealed that back in 1998 Trump’s hotel and resort business paid $68,000 to a consulting firm to go to Cuba and meet with officials and business leaders in preparation for possible investment opportunities if sanctions lifted. Newsweek reports that the money was later declared as charity in order to hide it as only US government-approved and humanitarian money was allowed to be spent because of the embargo on Cuba.This morning’s report in Newsweek revealed that back in 1998 Trump’s hotel and resort business paid $68,000 to a consulting firm to go to Cuba and meet with officials and business leaders in preparation for possible investment opportunities if sanctions lifted. Newsweek reports that the money was later declared as charity in order to hide it as only US government-approved and humanitarian money was allowed to be spent because of the embargo on Cuba.
Trump himself has not addressed the allegations, but his surrogate Kelly Conway did not dispute the facts of the payment on The View today.Trump himself has not addressed the allegations, but his surrogate Kelly Conway did not dispute the facts of the payment on The View today.
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As we await Clinton’s Des Moines event to kick off - it was supposed to start 30 mins ago - here’s a pic from yesterday with Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton hanging out before their joint event yesterday.As we await Clinton’s Des Moines event to kick off - it was supposed to start 30 mins ago - here’s a pic from yesterday with Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton hanging out before their joint event yesterday.
The photo is by Barbara Kinney, who was the Clinton White House photographer in the 1990s and now works as a photographer for the Clinton campaign.The photo is by Barbara Kinney, who was the Clinton White House photographer in the 1990s and now works as a photographer for the Clinton campaign.