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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) | |
| 11.45pm GMT | |
| 23:45 | |
| The Australian prime minister’s office has confirmed that Malcolm Turnbull became one of the first world leaders to ring Donald Trump – thanks to golfer Greg Norman. | |
| Norman is a friend of Trump and handed over his contact details to Joe Hockey, Australia’s ambassador to the US, allowing Turnbull to make an early call to the president-elect. | |
| 11.35pm GMT | |
| 23:35 | |
| Coming up: Clinton and Sanders speak | |
| Bernie Sanders will be in Washington DC at 7pm ET to talk about his new book, Our Revolution: A Future to Believe in. | |
| Then at 8.30pm, Hillary Clinton makes her first public appearance since she conceded to Trump (that hike in the woods doesn’t count) with a speech at a Children’s Defense Fund event at the Newseum. That’s around 8.30pm ET. | |
| We’ll have news of both here in the live blog. | |
| 11.15pm GMT | 11.15pm GMT |
| 23:15 | 23:15 |
| On Thursday, Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, will be the first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump. Probably. | On Thursday, Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, will be the first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump. Probably. |
| Reuters reports that planning for the meeting might not be going … smoothly: | Reuters reports that planning for the meeting might not be going … smoothly: |
| One day before Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader, Japanese officials said they had not finalized when or where in New York it would take place, who would be invited, or in some cases whom to call for answers. | One day before Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader, Japanese officials said they had not finalized when or where in New York it would take place, who would be invited, or in some cases whom to call for answers. |
| Japanese and US officials said on Wednesday the state department had not been involved in planning the meeting, leaving the logistical and protocol details that normally would be settled far in advance still to be determined. | Japanese and US officials said on Wednesday the state department had not been involved in planning the meeting, leaving the logistical and protocol details that normally would be settled far in advance still to be determined. |
| “There has been a lot of confusion,” said one Japanese official. | “There has been a lot of confusion,” said one Japanese official. |
| The meeting was only agreed to last week, and Trump and his advisers have been busy in meetings at his headquarters in Manhattan’s Trump Tower in recent days to work out who gets which job in the new administration. | The meeting was only agreed to last week, and Trump and his advisers have been busy in meetings at his headquarters in Manhattan’s Trump Tower in recent days to work out who gets which job in the new administration. |
| While world leaders sometimes hold loosely planned bilateral meetings at regional summits, it is unusual for foreign leaders to hold high-level diplomatic talks in the United States without detailed planning. Abe is on his way to an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru. | While world leaders sometimes hold loosely planned bilateral meetings at regional summits, it is unusual for foreign leaders to hold high-level diplomatic talks in the United States without detailed planning. Abe is on his way to an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru. |
| State department spokesman John Kirby said that to his knowledge, Trump’s transition team had not been in contact with the department either to discuss the transition of government or to seek information ahead of his meetings with foreign leaders. | State department spokesman John Kirby said that to his knowledge, Trump’s transition team had not been in contact with the department either to discuss the transition of government or to seek information ahead of his meetings with foreign leaders. |
| Trump is expected to use the Abe meeting to reassure Japan and other Asian allies rattled by his campaign rhetoric, advisers to Trump said. | Trump is expected to use the Abe meeting to reassure Japan and other Asian allies rattled by his campaign rhetoric, advisers to Trump said. |
| But Trump, a brash outsider with no diplomatic or government experience, and Abe, a veteran lawmaker, have differences on policy issues such as free trade. | But Trump, a brash outsider with no diplomatic or government experience, and Abe, a veteran lawmaker, have differences on policy issues such as free trade. |
| Several Trump aides did not immediately answer requests on Wednesday for comment about the Abe visit or contact between the transition team and the state department. | Several Trump aides did not immediately answer requests on Wednesday for comment about the Abe visit or contact between the transition team and the state department. |
| This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog from Scott Bixby. | This is Claire Phipps picking up the live blog from Scott Bixby. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.23pm GMT | at 11.23pm GMT |
| 10.39pm GMT | 10.39pm GMT |
| 22:39 | 22:39 |
| In one of his final acts in office, Barack Obama selected key figures in sports, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, activism, academia and entertainment among the 21 people who will be awarded the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest civilian honor in the US. | In one of his final acts in office, Barack Obama selected key figures in sports, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, activism, academia and entertainment among the 21 people who will be awarded the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest civilian honor in the US. |
| Obama will present recipients including rocker Bruce Springsteen, Motown soul singer Diana Ross, former basketball champions Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and actors Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Robert Redford with the medal at a White House ceremony on 22 November, the White House said on Wednesday. | Obama will present recipients including rocker Bruce Springsteen, Motown soul singer Diana Ross, former basketball champions Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and actors Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Robert Redford with the medal at a White House ceremony on 22 November, the White House said on Wednesday. |
| “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation’s highest civilian honor – it’s a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better,” Obama said in a statement. | “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation’s highest civilian honor – it’s a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better,” Obama said in a statement. |
| The medal is given annually to people who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interests of the US, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. | The medal is given annually to people who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interests of the US, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. |
| This year’s roster also includes Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda for their philanthropic foundation, TV talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres, veteran actor Cicely Tyson, architect Frank Gehry and baseball broadcaster Vin Scully. | This year’s roster also includes Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda for their philanthropic foundation, TV talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres, veteran actor Cicely Tyson, architect Frank Gehry and baseball broadcaster Vin Scully. |
| The group also includes several not so well known Americans, such as late Native American community leader Elouise Cobell and Nasa moon landing computer scientist Margaret H Hamilton. | The group also includes several not so well known Americans, such as late Native American community leader Elouise Cobell and Nasa moon landing computer scientist Margaret H Hamilton. |
| 10.32pm GMT | 10.32pm GMT |
| 22:32 | 22:32 |
| Cc: @APStyleBook. | Cc: @APStyleBook. |
| The transition site can't figure out whether Trump is "President-elect," "President Elect" or "President-Elect." https://t.co/4Gs7vYwiV8 | The transition site can't figure out whether Trump is "President-elect," "President Elect" or "President-Elect." https://t.co/4Gs7vYwiV8 |
| 10.11pm GMT | 10.11pm GMT |
| 22:11 | 22:11 |
| Lois Beckett | Lois Beckett |
| Nicole Hockley, who lost her son in the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting in 2012, faced a row of television cameras on Tuesday. She and other Sandy Hook families were filing an appeal in their battle against the gun companies who had made the military-style rifle used to kill their children. | Nicole Hockley, who lost her son in the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting in 2012, faced a row of television cameras on Tuesday. She and other Sandy Hook families were filing an appeal in their battle against the gun companies who had made the military-style rifle used to kill their children. |
| What was her reaction to Donald Trump’s victory, reporters asked her. Was she scared? | What was her reaction to Donald Trump’s victory, reporters asked her. Was she scared? |
| Hockley, composed and forceful, offered a reality check: even if Hillary Clinton had been elected president, Congress would not have passed gun control legislation. | Hockley, composed and forceful, offered a reality check: even if Hillary Clinton had been elected president, Congress would not have passed gun control legislation. |
| “We’ve had a very committed gun violence prevention president in place for the last eight years, and we’re not seeing significant federal change,” she said. | “We’ve had a very committed gun violence prevention president in place for the last eight years, and we’re not seeing significant federal change,” she said. |
| “This is about bottom-up change, not top-down,” she told the cameras. “This is more about a community groundswell that’s needed.” | “This is about bottom-up change, not top-down,” she told the cameras. “This is more about a community groundswell that’s needed.” |
| Hockley’s fight for gun violence prevention has been focused on state and local action – and having Trump in the White House did not change that strategy. | Hockley’s fight for gun violence prevention has been focused on state and local action – and having Trump in the White House did not change that strategy. |
| Obama, a passionate advocate for gun violence prevention, has “tried everything. He can’t get it passed,” she said in an in-depth interview with Guardian US. | Obama, a passionate advocate for gun violence prevention, has “tried everything. He can’t get it passed,” she said in an in-depth interview with Guardian US. |
| When it comes to guns, “I still don’t think our country is ready yet for federal change,” she said. “I think there are still too many people that are uninformed or misinformed on this issue, that believe it’s never going to happen to them, that believe it has nothing to do with access to weapons.” | When it comes to guns, “I still don’t think our country is ready yet for federal change,” she said. “I think there are still too many people that are uninformed or misinformed on this issue, that believe it’s never going to happen to them, that believe it has nothing to do with access to weapons.” |
| “This is not the time to bow out,” she said. “This is where we have to double down our efforts. Regardless of who’s in office, people are still dying every day, and there’s an opportunity to save lives.” | “This is not the time to bow out,” she said. “This is where we have to double down our efforts. Regardless of who’s in office, people are still dying every day, and there’s an opportunity to save lives.” |
| 10.06pm GMT | 10.06pm GMT |
| 22:06 | 22:06 |
| From the long-suffering transition pool: | From the long-suffering transition pool: |
| Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani came to Trump Tower shortly after 5:00pm. As he waited for the elevator reporters shouted questions at him including whether he will be Secretary of State and if he thinks Gov. Christie did a good job with the transition. | Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani came to Trump Tower shortly after 5:00pm. As he waited for the elevator reporters shouted questions at him including whether he will be Secretary of State and if he thinks Gov. Christie did a good job with the transition. |
| Your pooler asked him for one word to sum up his approach to foreign policy and he laughed. Will send along video of this shortly. Mayor Giuliani said he might speak to the press when he comes back downstairs. | Your pooler asked him for one word to sum up his approach to foreign policy and he laughed. Will send along video of this shortly. Mayor Giuliani said he might speak to the press when he comes back downstairs. |
| 10.00pm GMT | 10.00pm GMT |
| 22:00 | 22:00 |
| China to Donald Trump: No, climate change is not a hoax we invented | China to Donald Trump: No, climate change is not a hoax we invented |
| An official in the Chinese foreign ministry has responded to president-elect Donald Trump’s old allegation that the Chinese government created the concept of climate change as a hoax to trick the West into ruining its manufacturing industry. | An official in the Chinese foreign ministry has responded to president-elect Donald Trump’s old allegation that the Chinese government created the concept of climate change as a hoax to trick the West into ruining its manufacturing industry. |
| The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive. | The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive. |
| “If you look at the history of climate change negotiations, actually it was initiated by the [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] with the support of the Republicans during the Reagan and senior Bush administration during the late 1980s,” vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters today at United Nations talks in Morocco. | “If you look at the history of climate change negotiations, actually it was initiated by the [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] with the support of the Republicans during the Reagan and senior Bush administration during the late 1980s,” vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters today at United Nations talks in Morocco. |
| Liu stated that American commitment to decreasing carbon emissions could actually increase its economic competitiveness: “That’s why I hope the Republican’s administration will continue to support this process.” | Liu stated that American commitment to decreasing carbon emissions could actually increase its economic competitiveness: “That’s why I hope the Republican’s administration will continue to support this process.” |
| 9.43pm GMT | 9.43pm GMT |
| 21:43 | 21:43 |
| Donald Trump renews war with media as transition chaos continues | Donald Trump renews war with media as transition chaos continues |
| David Smith | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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!” | “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!” | 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.” | 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 | 9.14pm GMT |
| 21:14 | 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: | 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. | 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 | 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 |