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Rudy Giuliani reportedly favorite to be Trump's secretary of state – politics live Rudy Giuliani reportedly favorite to be Trump's secretary of state – politics live
(about 1 hour later)
6.30pm GMT
18:30
Adam Gabbatt
Donald Trump’s name will be permanently removed from a series of New York City buildings on Wednesday, in an apparent repudiation of his divisive presidential campaign.
The name “Trump” has been displayed prominently on 140, 160 and 180 Trump Place, in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, for more than a decade. Trump developed the apartment buildings in the 1990s.
But Equity Residential, which owns the building, told the Guardian that the Trump signage would be removed – and the actual street names changed – because it would make the apartments more appealing to renters.
“We are in the process of rebranding the buildings using their street addresses as the property names,” said Marty McKenna, a spokesman for Equity Residential.
“The goal is to assume a more neutral building identity that will appeal to all current and future renters.”
An employee at the leasing office at 140 Trump Place said the work would begin on Wednesday – just eight days after Trump won the presidential election.
The move comes after hundreds of residents signed a “Dump the Trump name” petition calling for “Trump” to be removed from the buildings.
6.19pm GMT
18:19
Accuser: Trump has pulled 'the biggest con possible' with election win
Lucia Graves
Donald Trump has pulled off “the biggest con possible”, and may leave many in the United States like “roadkill”, one of the first women to accuse him of sexual assault has told the Guardian.
Jill Harth, a former business partner of Trump’s, claims the incoming president cornered her in 1993 during a purported “tour” of his Mar-a-Lago estate, pushing her up against the wall in one of the children’s rooms and groping her. Her lawsuit against him alleging “attempted rape” has been on the books since she filed it in 1997, and though she later dropped the charges, she has always stood by her story.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that the man who used to get annoyed at me for being so respectful and friendly to ‘the help’ and who introduced me to people by how many millions they were worth is now the president of the United States,” Harth told the Guardian. “I watched him judge women solely on their youthful looks and attractiveness to him whether they were in a beauty contest or not. He was elected by hard-working, blue-collar workers and women: the same people he showed utter disdain for when I worked with him and spent time with him on a personal level.
“Trump will always be a cartoon character to me,” she continued, “all show and no go. He pulled off the biggest con possible. Now time will tell what happens next. I’m hoping for the best, I really am, but afraid he will leave many of us as roadkill.”
She added that she was “saddened” that voters had fallen for “his superficial tough guy act”, explaining that the biggest laugh to her was how “loyal” Trump is supposed to be, misinformation she said the media had helped spread. “I personally witnessed and experienced the opposite from him. He promised big things and never delivered. He turned on and hurt me and other friends and colleagues who were good to him, helped him, did what they promised they would do and were loyal and supportive to him. He used me [and] my colleagues for his own purpose and is now using the American people to get the power and adulation he always craved.”
5.33pm GMT5.33pm GMT
17:3317:33
Last night: President Barack Obama said that Donald Trump will continue America’s commitment to the Nato alliance.Last night: President Barack Obama said that Donald Trump will continue America’s commitment to the Nato alliance.
Speaking in the White House on Monday, after his conversation with president-elect Trump, Obama says he will aim to reassure Nato partners during his trip to Europe.Speaking in the White House on Monday, after his conversation with president-elect Trump, Obama says he will aim to reassure Nato partners during his trip to Europe.
5.13pm GMT5.13pm GMT
17:1317:13
Bernie Sanders swept into New York City last night and urged his supporters to continue mobilising against Donald Trump, at a book signing just 10 blocks south of the president-elect’s home, Adam Gabbatt reports.Bernie Sanders swept into New York City last night and urged his supporters to continue mobilising against Donald Trump, at a book signing just 10 blocks south of the president-elect’s home, Adam Gabbatt reports.
Sanders’ appearance, after days of protests against Trump in several cities, came as the Vermont senator’s supporters outlined plans for a “Tea Party of the left”, aimed at combating Trump’s presidency and sweeping progressive Democrats to power in the 2018 midterm elections.Sanders’ appearance, after days of protests against Trump in several cities, came as the Vermont senator’s supporters outlined plans for a “Tea Party of the left”, aimed at combating Trump’s presidency and sweeping progressive Democrats to power in the 2018 midterm elections.
Hundreds of Sanders’ supporters – some of whom had spent the night out on the streets – had lined up along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to meet the Vermont senator. Trump Tower, where Trump has been holed up selecting his cabinet, was almost visible in the distance. When Sanders arrived, he urged his supporters to continue to oppose the incoming president’s plans.Hundreds of Sanders’ supporters – some of whom had spent the night out on the streets – had lined up along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to meet the Vermont senator. Trump Tower, where Trump has been holed up selecting his cabinet, was almost visible in the distance. When Sanders arrived, he urged his supporters to continue to oppose the incoming president’s plans.
“I think what they have to understand is that more than ever it is imperative for the American people to be involved in the political process. Many of the positions that Trump advocated during the campaign are positions not shared by the majority of American people,” Sanders said.“I think what they have to understand is that more than ever it is imperative for the American people to be involved in the political process. Many of the positions that Trump advocated during the campaign are positions not shared by the majority of American people,” Sanders said.
“So our job is to mobilise our people and make sure that Trump listens on issue after issue to what the American people want.”“So our job is to mobilise our people and make sure that Trump listens on issue after issue to what the American people want.”
The Vermont senator was in New York to promote his book Our Revolution, which tells the story of his unlikely presidential bid and sets out his vision for the future of the progressive movement. Our Revolution, which was published on Tuesday, is already the top-selling book on Amazon – an indication of Sanders’ enduring popularity.The Vermont senator was in New York to promote his book Our Revolution, which tells the story of his unlikely presidential bid and sets out his vision for the future of the progressive movement. Our Revolution, which was published on Tuesday, is already the top-selling book on Amazon – an indication of Sanders’ enduring popularity.
Gregory Fritz Jr, 39, had been waiting outside Barnes and Noble, in Midtown Manhattan, since 6.30pm on Sunday night. He had driven from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and slept under “a couple of blankets” in order to be the first in line to meet Sanders.Gregory Fritz Jr, 39, had been waiting outside Barnes and Noble, in Midtown Manhattan, since 6.30pm on Sunday night. He had driven from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and slept under “a couple of blankets” in order to be the first in line to meet Sanders.
“He changed my life,” Fritz Jr said. “He made me a better person. He opened my eyes.”“He changed my life,” Fritz Jr said. “He made me a better person. He opened my eyes.”
4.52pm GMT4.52pm GMT
16:5216:52
President-elect Donald Trump may not be speaking to reporters, but he is tipping his hand when discussing potential Cabinet nominees with Carl Icahn:President-elect Donald Trump may not be speaking to reporters, but he is tipping his hand when discussing potential Cabinet nominees with Carl Icahn:
1/2 Spoke to @realDonaldTrump. Steve Mnuchin and Wilbur Ross are being considered for Treasury and Commerce. Both would be great choices.1/2 Spoke to @realDonaldTrump. Steve Mnuchin and Wilbur Ross are being considered for Treasury and Commerce. Both would be great choices.
2/2 Both are good friends of mine but, more importantly, they are two of the smartest people I know.2/2 Both are good friends of mine but, more importantly, they are two of the smartest people I know.
Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker and onetime Hillary Clinton backer who oversaw Trump’s finance efforts, has directly given more than $95,000 to political campaigns in the past 20 years: $8,200 directly to Clinton over the course of her campaigns for the Senate, and for the presidency in 2008. Separately, during Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign, Mnuchin contributed $22,500 to Romney Victory, Inc and more than $23,000 to various other ways to support Romney including the Republican National Committee.Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker and onetime Hillary Clinton backer who oversaw Trump’s finance efforts, has directly given more than $95,000 to political campaigns in the past 20 years: $8,200 directly to Clinton over the course of her campaigns for the Senate, and for the presidency in 2008. Separately, during Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign, Mnuchin contributed $22,500 to Romney Victory, Inc and more than $23,000 to various other ways to support Romney including the Republican National Committee.
Wilbur Ross is an investor whose main claim to fame is building a billion-dollar financial empire on restructuring failing companies.Wilbur Ross is an investor whose main claim to fame is building a billion-dollar financial empire on restructuring failing companies.
4.38pm GMT4.38pm GMT
16:3816:38
From the long-suffering transition pool:From the long-suffering transition pool:
Mike Pence and his wife just arrived through the Trump Bar in the lobby of Trump Tower. He walked past reporters without saying anything or answering any of the questions shouted at him, despite an aide having said he would make a statement. One reporter shouted out a question about Ben Carson, another asked about reports of disarray in the transition team. Pence got into an elevator with aides and vanished from view.Mike Pence and his wife just arrived through the Trump Bar in the lobby of Trump Tower. He walked past reporters without saying anything or answering any of the questions shouted at him, despite an aide having said he would make a statement. One reporter shouted out a question about Ben Carson, another asked about reports of disarray in the transition team. Pence got into an elevator with aides and vanished from view.
4.34pm GMT4.34pm GMT
16:3416:34
Dr. Ben Carson turns down unspecified role in Trump administrationDr. Ben Carson turns down unspecified role in Trump administration
Retired neurosurgeon and political surrogate of questionable utility Dr. Ben Carson has officially turned down a chance to serve in president-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet, according to his business manager and close advisor.Retired neurosurgeon and political surrogate of questionable utility Dr. Ben Carson has officially turned down a chance to serve in president-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet, according to his business manager and close advisor.
“Dr. Carson was never offered a specific position, but everything was open to him,” Armstrong Williams told The Hill today. “Dr. Carson feels he has no government experience, he’s never run a federal agency. The last thing he would want to do was take a position that could cripple the presidency.”“Dr. Carson was never offered a specific position, but everything was open to him,” Armstrong Williams told The Hill today. “Dr. Carson feels he has no government experience, he’s never run a federal agency. The last thing he would want to do was take a position that could cripple the presidency.”
Carson was one of the first of Trump’s vanquished opponents in the Republican presidential primary to endorse the New York real estate tycoon’s candidacy, and had been a rumored candidate to serve as the head of the departments of education or health and human services.Carson was one of the first of Trump’s vanquished opponents in the Republican presidential primary to endorse the New York real estate tycoon’s candidacy, and had been a rumored candidate to serve as the head of the departments of education or health and human services.
4.17pm GMT4.17pm GMT
16:1716:17
Samantha Bee has criticized Donald Trump’s first confirmed cabinet choices and rumored candidates as a “parade of misfits, deplorables, zealots and extremists,” Benjamin Lee reports.Samantha Bee has criticized Donald Trump’s first confirmed cabinet choices and rumored candidates as a “parade of misfits, deplorables, zealots and extremists,” Benjamin Lee reports.
On the latest episode of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, the comedian joked that “Donald Trump is assembling a White House staff after Barack Obama has told him that’s a thing presidents have to do.”On the latest episode of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, the comedian joked that “Donald Trump is assembling a White House staff after Barack Obama has told him that’s a thing presidents have to do.”
She spoke about the reality TV star’s controversial choice to hire “white nationalist” Steve Bannon as his top adviser, referring to him as “the milkshake that brings all the deplorables to the yard”.She spoke about the reality TV star’s controversial choice to hire “white nationalist” Steve Bannon as his top adviser, referring to him as “the milkshake that brings all the deplorables to the yard”.
Bee went on to criticize Paul Ryan for refusing to denounce Bannon, after he claimed he couldn’t speak on his extreme views because he didn’t know him.Bee went on to criticize Paul Ryan for refusing to denounce Bannon, after he claimed he couldn’t speak on his extreme views because he didn’t know him.
“I guess Paul Ryan’s vigorous vetting process for determining whether someone is bad consists of two questions: have I met them and do they have a private email server?” she said.“I guess Paul Ryan’s vigorous vetting process for determining whether someone is bad consists of two questions: have I met them and do they have a private email server?” she said.
4.00pm GMT4.00pm GMT
16:0016:00
House speaker Paul Ryan, at his weekly press conference:House speaker Paul Ryan, at his weekly press conference:
Welcome to the dawn of a new unified Republican government.Welcome to the dawn of a new unified Republican government.
When asked about some of Steve Bannon’s most aggressive past statements and those of his website, including those targeting women, Jews and Catholics, Ryan was dismissive.When asked about some of Steve Bannon’s most aggressive past statements and those of his website, including those targeting women, Jews and Catholics, Ryan was dismissive.
“This is a person who helped him win an incredible victory on an incredible campaign,” Ryan said. “I’m not looking backwards; I’m looking forwards.”“This is a person who helped him win an incredible victory on an incredible campaign,” Ryan said. “I’m not looking backwards; I’m looking forwards.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.03pm GMTat 4.03pm GMT
3.48pm GMT3.48pm GMT
15:4815:48
From the long-suffering transition pool:From the long-suffering transition pool:
Trump spokeswoman Jessica Ditto tells reporters that Mike Pence should arrive in about 15 minutes or so. Also: We are told the campaign is working on getting some sort of briefing room set up in New York but unknown when that might happen.Trump spokeswoman Jessica Ditto tells reporters that Mike Pence should arrive in about 15 minutes or so. Also: We are told the campaign is working on getting some sort of briefing room set up in New York but unknown when that might happen.
Other notes:Other notes:
-- A member of Trump’s security team asked reporters not to rush at staff members as they arrive, saying that if we continue to do so, they will install barriers. We are still shouting out questions. At 10:30am, a velvet rope went up, presumably for Pence’s arrival.-- A member of Trump’s security team asked reporters not to rush at staff members as they arrive, saying that if we continue to do so, they will install barriers. We are still shouting out questions. At 10:30am, a velvet rope went up, presumably for Pence’s arrival.
-- Another arrival just before 10am: Don McGahn, Trump’s lawyer. And at 10:14am: Bryan Lanza, who oversees surrogates.-- Another arrival just before 10am: Don McGahn, Trump’s lawyer. And at 10:14am: Bryan Lanza, who oversees surrogates.
-- Charlie Kirk left at 9:40am, according to eagle-eyed Francesca Chambers.-- Charlie Kirk left at 9:40am, according to eagle-eyed Francesca Chambers.
3.36pm GMT3.36pm GMT
15:3615:36
Nomination watch: The New York Times reports that former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, a loyal backer of president-elect Donald Trump during even the darkest days of the campaign, is the frontrunner to head the state department under Trump’s administration.Nomination watch: The New York Times reports that former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, a loyal backer of president-elect Donald Trump during even the darkest days of the campaign, is the frontrunner to head the state department under Trump’s administration.
Giuliani, who has no foreign policy experience beyond strong advocacy for the War on Terror, has highlighted his role after the September 11, 2011 terrorist attacks as a foreign-policy qualification in the past.Giuliani, who has no foreign policy experience beyond strong advocacy for the War on Terror, has highlighted his role after the September 11, 2011 terrorist attacks as a foreign-policy qualification in the past.
“I am the only one here who actually has had to face an Islamic terrorist attack,” Giuliani said in a Republican presidential debate in 2008, when he briefly sought the party’s nomination. “With regard to foreign policy, I’ve negotiated with governments when I was in the Justice Department. I worked on a task force on terrorism in the 1970s.”“I am the only one here who actually has had to face an Islamic terrorist attack,” Giuliani said in a Republican presidential debate in 2008, when he briefly sought the party’s nomination. “With regard to foreign policy, I’ve negotiated with governments when I was in the Justice Department. I worked on a task force on terrorism in the 1970s.”
Although former UN ambassador John Bolton is also seen as a contender for the role, Giuliani has reportedly been lobbying aggressively for the position, and Trump is inclined to reward the only major backer who advocated on his behalf after the release of video fro 2005 showed the now-president-elect bragging about sexually assaulting women.Although former UN ambassador John Bolton is also seen as a contender for the role, Giuliani has reportedly been lobbying aggressively for the position, and Trump is inclined to reward the only major backer who advocated on his behalf after the release of video fro 2005 showed the now-president-elect bragging about sexually assaulting women.
3.26pm GMT3.26pm GMT
15:2615:26
President Obama reaffirms US commitment to Nato ahead of Trump administrationPresident Obama reaffirms US commitment to Nato ahead of Trump administration
Speaking at a press conference in Athens at the beginning of his final international tour as president of the United States, Barack Obama told reporters that the United States was committed to its Nato allies, an attempt to alleviate the concerns of Nato members who have taken seriously president-elect Donald Trump’s threats to abandon members of the treaty organization if they don’t “pay their fair share.”Speaking at a press conference in Athens at the beginning of his final international tour as president of the United States, Barack Obama told reporters that the United States was committed to its Nato allies, an attempt to alleviate the concerns of Nato members who have taken seriously president-elect Donald Trump’s threats to abandon members of the treaty organization if they don’t “pay their fair share.”
Standing with Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras, Obama commended Greece “for being one of the five Nato allies that spends 2% of GDP on defense, a goal that we have consistently set but not everybody has met.”Standing with Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras, Obama commended Greece “for being one of the five Nato allies that spends 2% of GDP on defense, a goal that we have consistently set but not everybody has met.”
“Greece has done this even during difficult economic times,” Obama continued. “If Greece can meet this Nato commitment, all our Nato allies should be able to do so.”“Greece has done this even during difficult economic times,” Obama continued. “If Greece can meet this Nato commitment, all our Nato allies should be able to do so.”
During his most recent discussions with Trump, the future president “expressed a great interest in maintaining our core strategic relationships,” Obama said at a press conference on Monday. “And so, one of the messages I will be able to deliver is his commitment to Nato and the transatlantic alliance.”During his most recent discussions with Trump, the future president “expressed a great interest in maintaining our core strategic relationships,” Obama said at a press conference on Monday. “And so, one of the messages I will be able to deliver is his commitment to Nato and the transatlantic alliance.”