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Trump steps off campaign trail to promote DC hotel – election live
Trump steps off campaign trail to promote DC hotel – election live
(35 minutes later)
5.22pm BST
17:22
5.18pm BST
17:18
A star dedicated to Donald Trump on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame has been badly vandalised after it was reportedly attacked with a sledgehammer, according to a Press Association report:
According to Deadline, a man dressed as a city construction worker and wielding a sledgehammer and pick-axe targeted the star on Wednesday morning.
The man told the Hollywood trade magazine he originally intended to remove Trump’s star to auction it off to raise funds for women who have accused the Republican candidate of sexually assaulting them.
Trump has vehemently denied the allegations.
The billionaire tycoon received the 2,327th star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2007 for his work on the American version of The Apprentice.
5.12pm BST
17:12
Here’s Hillary Clinton speaking in Lake Worth, Florida – that’s Palm Beach county, north of Miami.
The crowd sings happy birthday to @HillaryClinton as she takes the stage at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, Florida
Updated
at 5.14pm BST
5.05pm BST
17:05
Most humiliating? More than just tweeting to their faces that they’re bought-and-sold losers who are going to lose? More than refusing to endorse Paul Ryan after calling the House speaker to heel? More than Scotland-Mexico-the convention-the debates-no ground game-no campaign –– well it’s a competitive prize:
This is probably the most humiliating thing the Trumps have done to the Republican Party. Down eight points and they do a hotel infomercial.
4.58pm BST
16:58
Trump says “make America great again” and steps away. There’s applause.
4.55pm BST
16:55
Trump: “Today is a metaphor for what we can accomplish for this country.”
Either that or it’s an opportunistic play by Trump to enrich himself personally. Which may be... a metaphor for what he hopes to accomplish for this country.
4.54pm BST
16:54
Trump stops speech to praise Gingrich for fight with Kelly
Trump was talking about crumbling infrastructure. “Right, Newt?” he says. Then:
By the way, congratulations Newt on last night. That was an amazing interview. We don’t play games, right? We don’t play games.
This is the interview in which Newt Gingrich told Megyn Kelly she is "fascinated with sex." https://t.co/KNyCeEFuGo
Trump is happy Newt was rude to a female journalist who wanted to talk about Trump’s alleged sexual assaults. https://t.co/MssubNMYx1
Updated
at 4.59pm BST
4.52pm BST
16:52
Trump is riffing on “bad results” in the educational system, crumbling infrastructure and Obamacare “in freefall”. “The American people know what this election is about and they see it every time they get their health care bills... or arrive in an airport.”
Trump opening new hotel: “Our military is so depleted”
Updated
at 4.57pm BST
4.50pm BST
16:50
Trump says – generously, is it supposed to be? – that the hotel project is insignificant compared to the year’s other project:
“As soon as we’re finished cutting the ribbon, I’m off to North Carolina and Florida, where I hear we’re doing very well.”
“My theme today is five words: under budget and ahead of schedule.”
That’s six words, everybody surely is now pointing out.
4.48pm BST
4.48pm BST
16:48
16:48
Ivanka’s done. Trump to speak.
Ivanka’s done. Trump to speak.
As he trucks the media along to another corporate event for his campaign— Trump has held 32 events @ his properties over campaign: pic.twitter.com/L44isDp5U8
As he trucks the media along to another corporate event for his campaign— Trump has held 32 events @ his properties over campaign: pic.twitter.com/L44isDp5U8
At Trump hotel, Ivanka Trump shouts out Florida Rep. John Mica. Yesterday in Mica's Florida district, Donald Trump didn't mention Mica.
At Trump hotel, Ivanka Trump shouts out Florida Rep. John Mica. Yesterday in Mica's Florida district, Donald Trump didn't mention Mica.
4.39pm BST
4.39pm BST
16:39
16:39
Nothing reportable out of the Trump event so far, except to say it’s a purely commercial event. Here’s that live stream if you like. Ivanka Trump about to talk:
Nothing reportable out of the Trump event so far, except to say it’s a purely commercial event. Here’s that live stream if you like. Ivanka Trump about to talk:
4.35pm BST
4.35pm BST
16:35
16:35
The Trump family has joined the event. They were applauded. The head of the Trump hotel group is now talking. He says the company mantra is “never, ever settle.”
The Trump family has joined the event. They were applauded. The head of the Trump hotel group is now talking. He says the company mantra is “never, ever settle.”
“If you allow me a moment of commercial, I hope you will experience our other hotels as well.”
“If you allow me a moment of commercial, I hope you will experience our other hotels as well.”
just looked and you can get a room at Trump International tonight for $404. lots of availability.
just looked and you can get a room at Trump International tonight for $404. lots of availability.
We’ve got to stop using Trip Advisor. They’re only giving us $429!
We’ve got to stop using Trip Advisor. They’re only giving us $429!
4.25pm BST
4.25pm BST
16:25
16:25
The Trump pool report advises that in addition to the Gingriches, senator Jeff Sessions and former Apprentice contestant Omarosa are in attendance.
The Trump pool report advises that in addition to the Gingriches, senator Jeff Sessions and former Apprentice contestant Omarosa are in attendance.
Empty seats in the front next to the Gingriches are reserved for Trump family members. Campaign staff tell your pooler that Melania, Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka will all be here.
Empty seats in the front next to the Gingriches are reserved for Trump family members. Campaign staff tell your pooler that Melania, Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka will all be here.
4.22pm BST
4.22pm BST
16:22
16:22
No fun waiting for Trump to pop up to brag about his Washington DC hotel. Let’s tune into Bill Clinton speaking now in Wilmington, North Carolina:
No fun waiting for Trump to pop up to brag about his Washington DC hotel. Let’s tune into Bill Clinton speaking now in Wilmington, North Carolina:
4.20pm BST
4.20pm BST
16:20
16:20
Hmmm... trying to think of a race Mitt Romney left off of this get-out-the-vote tweet...
Hmmm... trying to think of a race Mitt Romney left off of this get-out-the-vote tweet...
Be sure to head to the polls for GOP Senate, House and statehouses; they are essential to defend and advance constitutional conservatism.
Be sure to head to the polls for GOP Senate, House and statehouses; they are essential to defend and advance constitutional conservatism.
4.18pm BST
4.18pm BST
16:18
16:18
Celebrity chef who pulled out of Trump hotel to campaign today for Clinton
Celebrity chef who pulled out of Trump hotel to campaign today for Clinton
After Trump launched his presidential candidacy on a platform of Mexicans-are-rapists, two restaurateurs pulled out of contracts to establish restaurants in the very hotel Trump is about to open.
After Trump launched his presidential candidacy on a platform of Mexicans-are-rapists, two restaurateurs pulled out of contracts to establish restaurants in the very hotel Trump is about to open.
Lawsuits in both directions ensued. One of the chefs involved was celebrity chef José Andrés – who this morning announced he is hopping a plane today to campaign with Clinton in Florida:
Lawsuits in both directions ensued. One of the chefs involved was celebrity chef José Andrés – who this morning announced he is hopping a plane today to campaign with Clinton in Florida:
You know it is going to be an amazing day when you are boarding a plane to #Tampa to join @HillaryClinton early voting rally!! #ImWithHer
You know it is going to be an amazing day when you are boarding a plane to #Tampa to join @HillaryClinton early voting rally!! #ImWithHer
4.12pm BST
16:12
The only part of Trump’s hotel that’s solidly occupied:
Trump aides says this event at Old Post Office hotel not a campaign event, not a press conference; it's just a hotel ribbon cutting. pic.twitter.com/7DRxGHxeVs
4.10pm BST
16:10
More Gingrich on himself:
Here's what Newt told reporters about that Megyn Kelly intv in a gaggle just before going into the event ballroom here: pic.twitter.com/Rrii5N6kfp
4.03pm BST
16:03
Yesterday Clinton told a Florida crowd not to get complacent and to ignore the polls showing her far ahead – people still have to get out and vote.
Cher amplifies that message in Cherspeak:
DONT POP🍾CORKS,BECAUSE UR SURE HILLARY WILL WIN IN A LANDSLIDE‼️DONT TAKE HER WIN 4GRANTED‼️DEAD🦂'S KILL,&🚽IS A WOUNDED🦂,HE CAN STILL KILL‼️
(ty @ambiej)
3.58pm BST
15:58
Gingrich says Trump hotel event is on-message
Daily Mail politics editor David Martosko, who has Trump pool duty today, has cornered Newt Gingrich at Trump’s hotel to ask him about his tangle on TV last night with Megyn Kelly.
Martosko is a partisan of all caps which we’re letting stand for effect.
Gingrich explains Trump’s appearance at his hotel like this: “Right now he’s got to make the case that he brings things in under budget and ahead of schedule. And a Trump government would be under budget and ahead of schedule.”
Here’s Martosko’s report:
ASKED IF HIS INTERVIEW WITH MEGYN KELLY GOT “A LITTLE ROUGH” LAST NIGHT:
“That’s just the business.”
ASKED IF TRUMP CAN “TURN IT AROUND” BY NOV. 8:
“I think Trump will win. I don’t think he has to turn it around. I think he’ll win.”
ASKED WHAT TRUMP SHOULD BE DOING FOR THE NEXT 13 DAYS:
“What he’s doing. Right now he’s got to make the case that he brings thing in under budget and ahead of schedule. And a Trump government would be under budget and ahead of schedule.”
TOLD THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE THIS HOTEL EVENT AS “A DISTRACTION FROM THE CAMPAIGN”:
“That’s because they don’t understand the message: It’s under budget and ahead of schedule. That’s a very important message because it means nothing in the current bureaucratic government tells you what a Trump administration would be like.”
ASKED IF TRUMP IS “WORRIED ABOUT UTAH” AND THE “THIRD-PARTY” THREAT:
“I’m sure he is.”
“REALLY?”
“Sure, he is! He should worry about all 50 states.”
Updated
at 3.59pm BST
3.51pm BST
15:51
Longtime Republican strategist and communications hand Matt Mackowiak, who it should be noted doesn’t like Trump, questions what in Hades Trump is doing in DC today:
1. Here's my electoral map as of today: HC 324 (FL, PA, NC, NV, NH) DT 207 (OH, IA, GA, AZ)https://t.co/kOnGkmeJQi
2. Today, with 13 days left, here’s what the GOP nominee’s campaign is doing:> Trump is opening a hotel in DC (3 EVs)> Pence is in Utah
3. Trump has only 1 path to 270. Hold Romney states (incl GA, AZ, NC) & pick up FL, OH, IA & NV. But that’s only 265. He needs NH(4) & ME(1)
4. Any campaigning or resource deployment anywhere outside FL, OH, NC, NV, IA and NH is deliberately wasteful at this point. Time and money.
5. The single most valuable commodity in any campaign is the candidate’s time, because it is a constantly diminishing resource.
6. Trump in DC today, instead of NH (which he must have) or the 5 battleground states he needs is ridiculous. @KellyannePolls knows this.
7. As @stuartpstevens says, “Trump isn’t running a campaign, it’s a concert tour.” All he cares about is earned media and his brand.
8. There are no more big moments left in the campaign. Debates are past. Early voting is going on everywhere. Clinton is banking votes.
9. I’ll admit this is a volatile election and Trump’s base is more enthusiastic, but as of today I see no way for Trump to win. None.
10. Set the polls/punditry aside. Hillary is -700 to win. That means you’d have to bet $700 on Hillary to win $100. She’s a 7-1 favorite.
12. At this point I expect Hillary to win more than 320 EVs w/ a national win of 5-7%. In that range, the GOP has a chance to hold Senate.
Happy birthday, Hillary. I hope this year is one for the history books. pic.twitter.com/UndDdFb1xh
Updated
at 3.46pm BST
3.42pm BST
15:42
Khizr Khan to campaign against Trump in Virginia
Democrats take their fight to the heart of the US military establishment on Wednesday by deploying the father of a Muslim war hero to campaign againstDonald Trump.
Khizr Khan, whose speech at the party’s convention in June came at the high-water mark in Trump’s poll ratings, will speak to veterans in Norfolk, Virginia, home of the world’s largest naval base and some 150,000 military workers.
Trump shocked many Republicans earlier this year by initially attacking the sincerity of the parents of army captain Humayun Khan, who died saving his unit from an Iraqi suicide bomb, after they criticised his proposed ban on Muslims entering the US.
But Captain Khan’s father is returning to haunt the campaign, and launching anew television advert, in which he again challenges the celebrity property developer: “Would my son have a place in your America?” It could further drive a wedge into remaining Republican support among military families after a disastrous few weeks that has seen the party’s presidential campaign pull out of states like Virginia.
3.36pm BST
15:36
Guardian Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts catches a protest outside the hotel:
3.32pm BST
15:32
Donald Trump is expected to appear any moment at the grand opening of his empty hotel in Washington, DC. Here’s a live video stream:
Updated
at 3.32pm BST
1.05pm BST
13:05
Hello and welcome to our live-wire coverage of the 2016 race for the White House. The Clinton campaign has the candidate and surrogates arrayed across Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Ohio today while the Trump campaign is in ... Washington DC and Utah?
Donald Trump is attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at his eerily empty new hotel in the nation’s capital. He has two later events in North Carolina.
DC does have three electoral votes https://t.co/3DRKa6yJYM
Trump running mate Mike Pence, meanwhile, will be covering serious ground, with events in three western states: Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Pence’s stop in Utah is sure to have people talking, as the state usually is at the top of the rankings of states voting Republican. Mormon aversion to Trump and the independent candidacy of Evan McMullin have changed the calculus this time around.
Hillary Clinton has two rallies in Florida today, one in Palm Beach County in the south-east and one in Hillsborough County on the Gulf coast. Tim Kaine has two events in Pennsylvania, while Bill Clinton is diligently trying to put his wife over the top in North Carolina, with three stops there today after three stops there yesterday. Chelsea Clinton has three stops in Ohio, while senator Elizabeth Warren has an event in Pittsburgh.
Trump with narrow Florida edge – Selzer poll
A poll of likely voters in Florida by gold-star pollster J Ann Selzer for Bloomberg politics has Trump slightly ahead of Clinton in the state, 45-43, when third-party candidates are included. That’s within the margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. Trump had 46% to Clinton’s 45% in a head-to-head matchup. Clinton has a three-point lead in polling averages of the state.
Trump wants Biden behind barn
The campaign action overnight was typically nasty and nausea-inducing, with Trump saying that yes, he would like to go in back of the barn with Biden (Biden had said gym), and campaign surrogate Newt Gingrich accusing Fox News host Megyn Kelly of having a “fascination with sex” because she takes the women who say Donald Trump violated them seriously.
The row on Tuesday night between Kelly and one of Trump’s most stalwart supporters began when the host brought up the multiple sexual assault and misconduct allegations against the candidate.
During the ensuing debate, which bordered on personal attack, Gingrich said the host was “fascinated with sex” and Kelly urged him to “take your anger issues and spend some time working on them”.
Dan Scavino, Trump’s director of social media, later responded on Twitter, saying Kelly had “made a total fool out of herself” and warning: “Watch what happens to her after this election is over.”
.@MegynKelly made a total fool out of herself tonight- attacking @realDonaldTrump. Watch what happens to her after this election is over.
Revealed: Trump’s ties with pipeline company
Donald Trump’s close financial ties to Energy Transfer Partners, operators of the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline, have been laid bare, with the presidential candidate invested in the company and receiving more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from its chief executive.
Trump’s financial disclosure forms show the Republican nominee has between $500,000 and $1m invested in Energy Transfer Partners, with a further $500,000 to $1m holding in Phillips 66, which will have a 25% stake in the Dakota Access project once completed.
Thank you for reading and please join us in the comments.
