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| Trump: transition is going 'so smoothly' despite reports of disorder – politics live | Trump: transition is going 'so smoothly' despite reports of disorder – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.43pm GMT | |
| 21:43 | |
| Donald Trump renews war with media as transition chaos continues | |
| David Smith | |
| Donald Trump has renewed his fight with the American media, criticizing the New York Times, ducking reporters to visit a restaurant and turning to Twitter as a means of direct communication. | |
| The US president-elect even appeared to allude to his reality TV show The Apprentice as he denied reports that his transition process is in turmoil and plagued by infighting. | |
| Trump waged an unprecedented one-man war against the media during his election campaign, banning some organisations from his rallies and regularly inciting his supporters to boo and jeer reporters. He used Twitter, on which he has more than 15 million followers, to berate his critics and throw out often incendiary statements. | |
| Not even his elevated status as the next leader of the free world appears to have changed his habits. Whereas Barack Obama gave his first press conference three days after his election in 2008, Trump is yet to do so, instead giving a primetime TV interview and unleashing a barrage of tweets, yet again taking the US presidency into uncharted waters. | |
| “Very organized process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other positions,” he posted on Twitter late on Tuesday. “I am the only one who knows who the finalists are!” | |
| His reference to “the finalists” seemed to deliberately evoke The Apprentice, in which contestants battled each other for a chance to work at his business and he told those who fell short: “You’re fired!” | |
| The Twitter storm resumed early on Wednesday morning when he denied media reports that his three adult children – Don Jr, Eric and Ivanka – would be receiving security clearances, raising potential conflicts of interest. “I am not trying to get ‘top level security clearance’ for my children. This was a typically false news story.” | |
| 9.14pm GMT | |
| 21:14 | |
| Delaware senator Chris Coons, a graduate of Yale Divinity School who occasionally still gives sermons on Sunday, has framed his criticism of president-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Steve Bannon as his chief strategist and senior counsel as welcoming “the toxic blend of hate and bigotry that Mr. Bannon has made a living propagating” into the White House: | |
| In his election night victory speech, president-elect Trump pledged to be a president of all Americans. His choice of Steve Bannon as his chief strategist is deeply disturbing and fundamentally inconsistent with that pledge. Mr. Bannon personally has made despicable comments about women, the LGBT community, people of faith, and those with mental illness. At Breitbart, Mr. Bannon created an outlet built upon stoking racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism. These are not the values that have made America great. Inclusion and diversity are at the foundation of our nation’s success and our leadership in the world, and I will continue to defend those values. The president-elect must make it clear that the toxic blend of hate and bigotry that Mr. Bannon has made a living propagating has no place in a Trump administration. | |
| Pres-elect must make it clear that toxic blend of hate & bigotry Steve Bannon has made a living on has no place in a Trump administration. pic.twitter.com/VHbQKi3ZFV | |
| 8.55pm GMT | 8.55pm GMT |
| 20:55 | 20:55 |
| Former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway has denied reports that president-elect Donald Trump’s transition to the White House was in turmoil and plagued by infighting, saying that new appointments were expected “soon.” | Former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway has denied reports that president-elect Donald Trump’s transition to the White House was in turmoil and plagued by infighting, saying that new appointments were expected “soon.” |
| Speaking to reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City, Kellyanne Conway said: “You don’t form a federal government overnight and these are very serious issues, very serious appointments, very serious considerations.” | Speaking to reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City, Kellyanne Conway said: “You don’t form a federal government overnight and these are very serious issues, very serious appointments, very serious considerations.” |
| 8.54pm GMT | 8.54pm GMT |
| 20:54 | 20:54 |
| BREAKING TRUMP MEATLOAF NEWS: | BREAKING TRUMP MEATLOAF NEWS: |
| Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks told your pooler she is traveling today and cannot confirm whether President-elect Trump had his mother’s meatloaf today. However, she did note that ‘it is a favorite of his.’ | Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks told your pooler she is traveling today and cannot confirm whether President-elect Trump had his mother’s meatloaf today. However, she did note that ‘it is a favorite of his.’ |
| 8.43pm GMT | 8.43pm GMT |
| 20:43 | 20:43 |
| Bernie Sanders: Steve Bannon's appointment 'totally unacceptable' | Bernie Sanders: Steve Bannon's appointment 'totally unacceptable' |
| Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, a newly minted member of the Democratic leadership in the upper chamber, has released a statement calling the appointment of Breitbart chair Steve Bannon as president-elect Donald Trump’s chief strategist and senior counsel “totally unacceptable.” | Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, a newly minted member of the Democratic leadership in the upper chamber, has released a statement calling the appointment of Breitbart chair Steve Bannon as president-elect Donald Trump’s chief strategist and senior counsel “totally unacceptable.” |
| “This country, since its inception, has struggled to overcome discrimination of all forms: racism, sexism, xenophobia and homophobia,” Sanders declared in a statement. “Over the years we have made progress in becoming a less discriminatory and more tolerant society – and we are not going backward.” | “This country, since its inception, has struggled to overcome discrimination of all forms: racism, sexism, xenophobia and homophobia,” Sanders declared in a statement. “Over the years we have made progress in becoming a less discriminatory and more tolerant society – and we are not going backward.” |
| “The appointment by president-elect Trump of a racist individual like Mr. Bannon to a position of authority is totally unacceptable,” Sanders continued. “In a democratic society we can disagree all we want over issues, but racism and bigotry cannot be part of any public policy. The appointment of Mr. Bannon by Mr. Trump must be rescinded.” | “The appointment by president-elect Trump of a racist individual like Mr. Bannon to a position of authority is totally unacceptable,” Sanders continued. “In a democratic society we can disagree all we want over issues, but racism and bigotry cannot be part of any public policy. The appointment of Mr. Bannon by Mr. Trump must be rescinded.” |
| Republicans have thus far largely declined to criticize Trump’s decision to appoint Bannon, despite the latter’s record of promoting white supremacy. | Republicans have thus far largely declined to criticize Trump’s decision to appoint Bannon, despite the latter’s record of promoting white supremacy. |
| 8.37pm GMT | 8.37pm GMT |
| 20:37 | 20:37 |
| President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has released a full list of the foreign heads of state with whom Trump and vice president-elect Mike Pence have spoken: | President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has released a full list of the foreign heads of state with whom Trump and vice president-elect Mike Pence have spoken: |
| 8.30pm GMT | 8.30pm GMT |
| 20:30 | 20:30 |
| Frank Gaffney, the founder and president of the reputationally challenged Center for Security Policy and a hardline conspiracy theorist who has floated the notion that President Barack Obama is a crypto-Muslim, has denied numerous media reports that he has been brought on to advise president-elect Donald Trump’s transition team. | Frank Gaffney, the founder and president of the reputationally challenged Center for Security Policy and a hardline conspiracy theorist who has floated the notion that President Barack Obama is a crypto-Muslim, has denied numerous media reports that he has been brought on to advise president-elect Donald Trump’s transition team. |
| “An unattributed quote appeared in the press yesterday indicating that I had been appointed to the Trump transition team,” Gaffney told Politico in a statement today. “In fact, I had not been contacted by anyone from the team and appreciate the campaign’s clarification today that the previous day’s reports were inaccurate. I look forward to helping the president-elect and the national security-minded team he is assembling in whatever way I can.” | “An unattributed quote appeared in the press yesterday indicating that I had been appointed to the Trump transition team,” Gaffney told Politico in a statement today. “In fact, I had not been contacted by anyone from the team and appreciate the campaign’s clarification today that the previous day’s reports were inaccurate. I look forward to helping the president-elect and the national security-minded team he is assembling in whatever way I can.” |
| Gaffney, who once served as Texas senator Ted Cruz’s campaign advisor on national security issues, has repeatedly expressed concerns about a “worrying pattern of official US submission to Islam and the theo-political-legal program the latter’s authorities call Shariah.” Gaffney has also accused numerous members and allies of the Obama administration were acting as Islamic fifth columnists, including Hillary Clinton advisor Huma Abedin. | Gaffney, who once served as Texas senator Ted Cruz’s campaign advisor on national security issues, has repeatedly expressed concerns about a “worrying pattern of official US submission to Islam and the theo-political-legal program the latter’s authorities call Shariah.” Gaffney has also accused numerous members and allies of the Obama administration were acting as Islamic fifth columnists, including Hillary Clinton advisor Huma Abedin. |
| Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported last night that Gaffney was serving an informal role in the Trump transition, citing unidentified sources. | Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported last night that Gaffney was serving an informal role in the Trump transition, citing unidentified sources. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.31pm GMT | at 8.31pm GMT |
| 8.12pm GMT | 8.12pm GMT |
| 20:12 | 20:12 |
| Mr Trump’s Mother’s Meatloaf, anyone? | Mr Trump’s Mother’s Meatloaf, anyone? |
| They are serving "Mr. Trump's Mother's Meatloaf" today in the cafe at Trump Tower pic.twitter.com/lCOUmPfIQo | They are serving "Mr. Trump's Mother's Meatloaf" today in the cafe at Trump Tower pic.twitter.com/lCOUmPfIQo |
| 8.11pm GMT | 8.11pm GMT |
| 20:11 | 20:11 |
| The Bidens have lunched with the Pences at the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory. | The Bidens have lunched with the Pences at the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory. |
| Now they’ve finished, the press pool reports. They took some questions and we’ll have the details shortly. | Now they’ve finished, the press pool reports. They took some questions and we’ll have the details shortly. |
| According to the vice president’s office, the Bidens gave the Pences a tour of the grounds before lunch, then a tour of the house. | According to the vice president’s office, the Bidens gave the Pences a tour of the grounds before lunch, then a tour of the house. |
| 7.57pm GMT | 7.57pm GMT |
| 19:57 | 19:57 |
| Kellyanne Conway, who has said she’s been offered a job in the Trump administration, was asked about Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner possibly having top security clearance. Conway suggested Kushner may get the presidential daily briefing. | Kellyanne Conway, who has said she’s been offered a job in the Trump administration, was asked about Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner possibly having top security clearance. Conway suggested Kushner may get the presidential daily briefing. |
| Why? What’s his role? | Why? What’s his role? |
| Conway on Kushner clearance: “It’s appropriate for whoever’s going to get the presidential daily briefing to have a security clearance.” | Conway on Kushner clearance: “It’s appropriate for whoever’s going to get the presidential daily briefing to have a security clearance.” |
| The question is why is it appropriate for Kushner to get the daily briefing. https://t.co/3aTWvXOFpK | The question is why is it appropriate for Kushner to get the daily briefing. https://t.co/3aTWvXOFpK |
| 7.38pm GMT | 7.38pm GMT |
| 19:38 | 19:38 |
| Reid: bring back earmarks now | Reid: bring back earmarks now |
| Reid is asked how he feels about bringing back earmarks, ie specified spending for pet projects in legislators’ home districts, which are currently outlawed but which used to grease every old budget deal. | Reid is asked how he feels about bringing back earmarks, ie specified spending for pet projects in legislators’ home districts, which are currently outlawed but which used to grease every old budget deal. |
| Reid: | Reid: |
| Me? What a question to ask me? I’m one of the kings of earmarks. I think it was a terrible disservice to America to come up with this stupid stupid idea to stop.... it’s the way we get things done around here. | Me? What a question to ask me? I’m one of the kings of earmarks. I think it was a terrible disservice to America to come up with this stupid stupid idea to stop.... it’s the way we get things done around here. |
| I’ve never apologized to anybody. I go home and I boast about earmarks. And that’s what everyone should do. | I’ve never apologized to anybody. I go home and I boast about earmarks. And that’s what everyone should do. |
| 7.37pm GMT | 7.37pm GMT |
| 19:37 | 19:37 |
| Reid calls for hearings on electoral college | Reid calls for hearings on electoral college |
| Here come the Democrats now on Capitol Hill. Outgoing senate minority leader Harry Reid apologizes for being late. | Here come the Democrats now on Capitol Hill. Outgoing senate minority leader Harry Reid apologizes for being late. |
| Reid says he wants to pass a budget instead of relying on a patchwork of continuing resolutions to fund the government. He wants to move on presidential nominations. “We’re ready to work with Republicans during these next few weeks,” Reid says. We’ll hold our breaths. | Reid says he wants to pass a budget instead of relying on a patchwork of continuing resolutions to fund the government. He wants to move on presidential nominations. “We’re ready to work with Republicans during these next few weeks,” Reid says. We’ll hold our breaths. |
| Reid opens it to questions. | Reid opens it to questions. |
| Question: Have you accepted the election result? Do you love the electoral college? | Question: Have you accepted the election result? Do you love the electoral college? |
| “I think it would be educational for the country to have some hearings on the electoral college system,” Reid says, adding that Clinton would end with a 2m+ vote lead on Trump. Reid points out that the loser got more votes than the winner in 2000 too. | “I think it would be educational for the country to have some hearings on the electoral college system,” Reid says, adding that Clinton would end with a 2m+ vote lead on Trump. Reid points out that the loser got more votes than the winner in 2000 too. |
| “Of course I’ve accepted [the result], whether I’ve really put it behind me, the answer is no, this is something that will be with me for a long time, I’m terribly disappointed.” | “Of course I’ve accepted [the result], whether I’ve really put it behind me, the answer is no, this is something that will be with me for a long time, I’m terribly disappointed.” |
| 7.21pm GMT | 7.21pm GMT |
| 19:21 | 19:21 |
| McConnell says election was only typically nasty, like 1824 | McConnell says election was only typically nasty, like 1824 |
| Mitch McConnell, in a Republican news conference on Capitol Hill, is asked about Steve Bannon: | Mitch McConnell, in a Republican news conference on Capitol Hill, is asked about Steve Bannon: |
| “I’m not going to comment on White House personnel choices.” | “I’m not going to comment on White House personnel choices.” |
| McConnell is asked about the tone of the campaign: | McConnell is asked about the tone of the campaign: |
| American campaigns are pretty robust. I think a lot of Americans don’t realize we’ve had a lot of elections like this in the past. I’m thinking of 1824.... What’s different is with the Internet, and 24-hour TV everybody gets constantly confronted with all this. I think it’s time for the election to be over... to lower the tone. | American campaigns are pretty robust. I think a lot of Americans don’t realize we’ve had a lot of elections like this in the past. I’m thinking of 1824.... What’s different is with the Internet, and 24-hour TV everybody gets constantly confronted with all this. I think it’s time for the election to be over... to lower the tone. |
| 7.02pm GMT | 7.02pm GMT |
| 19:02 | 19:02 |
| What do Bruce Springsteen, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Diana Ross have in common? | What do Bruce Springsteen, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Diana Ross have in common? |
| They’re all about to get presidential medals of freedom: | They’re all about to get presidential medals of freedom: |
| WH announces 21 new Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients. WH Ceremony on Nov 22. Includes: pic.twitter.com/NSKYG2NgTC | WH announces 21 new Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients. WH Ceremony on Nov 22. Includes: pic.twitter.com/NSKYG2NgTC |
| 7.00pm GMT | 7.00pm GMT |
| 19:00 | 19:00 |
| Goodness. | Goodness. |
| @seanhannity just purchase my painting The Forgotten Man to give to President Trump to hang in the White House. pic.twitter.com/UmP6h1KPjI | @seanhannity just purchase my painting The Forgotten Man to give to President Trump to hang in the White House. pic.twitter.com/UmP6h1KPjI |
| This is literally the worst painting. https://t.co/Vl5PJ0d9fe | This is literally the worst painting. https://t.co/Vl5PJ0d9fe |
| 6.58pm GMT | 6.58pm GMT |
| 18:58 | 18:58 |
| “Donald Trump’s most prized possessions: the treasured items that matter to him most and the stories behind them.” | “Donald Trump’s most prized possessions: the treasured items that matter to him most and the stories behind them.” |
| Any plans for Friday night? | Any plans for Friday night? |
| Fox News airing special Friday in which Trump talks about his prized possessions https://t.co/7ODUhVQ80u | Fox News airing special Friday in which Trump talks about his prized possessions https://t.co/7ODUhVQ80u |
| 6.54pm GMT | 6.54pm GMT |
| 18:54 | 18:54 |
| Former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke defends Steve Bannon: | Former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke defends Steve Bannon: |
| THEY are trying to characterize Mr. Bannon as "evil". They hate White men who won't apologize for being - White men.#MAGA #BuildTheWall pic.twitter.com/cQxuEH43b2 | THEY are trying to characterize Mr. Bannon as "evil". They hate White men who won't apologize for being - White men.#MAGA #BuildTheWall pic.twitter.com/cQxuEH43b2 |