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| Bernie Sanders speaks in Washington: 'We are going to hold Trump to account' – politics live | Bernie Sanders speaks in Washington: 'We are going to hold Trump to account' – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.23am GMT | |
| 02:23 | |
| Who is Jared Kushner? Trump's son-in-law at center of transition team drama | |
| One of the key men behind Donald Trump’s transition to power is a 35-year-old real estate mogul, businessman and publisher called Jared Kushner. He is also married to Trump’s influential daughter Ivanka, and is in line to be arguably the most powerful son-in-law to ever set foot in the White House. | |
| During the latter stages of the campaign it was Kushner who effectively functioned as Trump’s campaign manger. He advised him on strategy, drafted his speeches and ran the candidate’s digital media campaign. | |
| But eight days after Trump’s unexpected victory, Kushner is now at the centre of a messy and Shakespearean body-strewn transition process, variously described as infighting, a “Stalinist purge”, and a “knife fight”. On Friday, New Jersey governor Chris Christie was abruptly sacked as head of the transition team and replaced with Trump’s vice-president-elect, Mike Pence. | |
| Christie’s ousting is thought to be the result of a feud with Kushner. As a federal prosecutor, Christie prosecuted Kushner’s father, Charles, who was convicted and jailed on charges of tax evasion, witness tampering and illegal campaign contributions. He got two years in jail, and was released after one. While he was in jail, Kushner took over the running of his father’s property business. | |
| Earlier this week, two more senior members of Trump’s team were sacked. They were Mike Rogers, who had been handling national security, and Matthew Freedman, a lobbyist and liaison with business and foreign governments. Both were allies of Christie. | |
| Good-looking, tall and patrician, Kushner studied at Harvard and New York universities. (According to Daniel Golden, author of The Price of Admissions: How America’s Ruling Class Buys Its Way into Elite Colleges, he was admitted to Harvard after his father donated $2.5m to the university.) At age 26, he was conducting his own mega-deals. In 2007, he bought an office building on Fifth Avenue for a record $1.8bn. Most of the cash involved in the acquisition was borrowed. | |
| Kushner has one characteristic which sets him apart from Trump’s alt-right entourage: he’s Jewish. (Ivanka Trump converted to Judaism when they married in 2009; the couple have three children who they’re raising as Orthodox Jews.) Kushner has defended his father-in-law against persistent accusations of antisemitism, including in a notable piece published by the New York Observer, which he owns. | |
| Trump has described his son-in-law as a “great guy”. The president-elect has also reportedly taken the unprecedented step of requesting security clearance for Kushner to attend top-secret presidential briefings, the first one of which was on Tuesday. It’s unclear if the request will be approved. It marks an astonishing departure and invites the accusation of nepotism. | |
| 1.58am GMT | |
| 01:58 | |
| Megyn Kelly, speaking with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, declared tonight while promoting her new book that president-elect Donald Trump’s lawyer had to be told that if she were to be killed after the lawyer retweeted a demand that she be “gutted,” “it would not help your candidate.” | |
| After Trump verbally attacked her, "we had security guards the whole year," @MegynKelly says on @AC360 https://t.co/02L47iqC7l | |
| 1.49am GMT | 1.49am GMT |
| 01:49 | 01:49 |
| Hillary Clinton, on facing adversity: | Hillary Clinton, on facing adversity: |
| America is worth it. Our children are worth it. Believe in our country, fight for our values, and never give up. Because over the past two years, I’ve met so many people who’ve reaffirmed my belief in this country. | America is worth it. Our children are worth it. Believe in our country, fight for our values, and never give up. Because over the past two years, I’ve met so many people who’ve reaffirmed my belief in this country. |
| 1.47am GMT | 1.47am GMT |
| 01:47 | 01:47 |
| Speaking in New York City, former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton declared at a gala for the Children’s Defense Fund that “no child” should live in fear of their parents being deported, or of violence at their schools because of their race or religion. | Speaking in New York City, former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton declared at a gala for the Children’s Defense Fund that “no child” should live in fear of their parents being deported, or of violence at their schools because of their race or religion. |
| “No child should have to live with fear like that,” Clinton said, in an apparent reference to president-elect Donald Trump’s proposals regarding undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States. “No child should be afraid to go to school because they are Latino, or African American, or Muslim, or have a disability.” | “No child should have to live with fear like that,” Clinton said, in an apparent reference to president-elect Donald Trump’s proposals regarding undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States. “No child should be afraid to go to school because they are Latino, or African American, or Muslim, or have a disability.” |
| “There is work to do,” Clinton continued. “Girls as well as boys, in every country, in every continent, deserve that chance to fulfill their potential.” | “There is work to do,” Clinton continued. “Girls as well as boys, in every country, in every continent, deserve that chance to fulfill their potential.” |
| “If they can persevere, so can all of us.” | “If they can persevere, so can all of us.” |
| 1.44am GMT | 1.44am GMT |
| 01:44 | 01:44 |
| Ben Jacobs | Ben Jacobs |
| On a conference call with reporters tonight, Republican National Committee strategist Sean Spicer and president-elect Donald Trump’s senior communications advisor, Jason Miller, announced that landing teams will be deployed in the coming days to start the transition process and noted that all of those joining landing teams will sign a pledge that they will not serve as a lobbyist at the federal and state level for the next five years. | On a conference call with reporters tonight, Republican National Committee strategist Sean Spicer and president-elect Donald Trump’s senior communications advisor, Jason Miller, announced that landing teams will be deployed in the coming days to start the transition process and noted that all of those joining landing teams will sign a pledge that they will not serve as a lobbyist at the federal and state level for the next five years. |
| They also noted several of the meetings that the president-elect had held with potential cabinet members today, including Alabama senator Jeff Sessions, General Mike Flynn, Georgia congressman Tom Price, Kansas congressman Mike Pompeo and charter school activist Eva Moskowitz. | They also noted several of the meetings that the president-elect had held with potential cabinet members today, including Alabama senator Jeff Sessions, General Mike Flynn, Georgia congressman Tom Price, Kansas congressman Mike Pompeo and charter school activist Eva Moskowitz. |
| They added that Trump is expected to meet tomorrow with South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, Florida governor Rick Scott and former secretary of state Henry Kissinger, among others. | They added that Trump is expected to meet tomorrow with South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, Florida governor Rick Scott and former secretary of state Henry Kissinger, among others. |
| 1.42am GMT | 1.42am GMT |
| 01:42 | 01:42 |
| Speaking at a gala celebrating the Children’s Defense Fund, former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton told the audience of philanthropists and children’s rights activists that although after the loss of the presidential race one week ago, she wanted to “curl up with a book, maybe my dogs, and never leave the house again,” but that she was inspired in part by the stories of the children that the organization helps. | Speaking at a gala celebrating the Children’s Defense Fund, former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton told the audience of philanthropists and children’s rights activists that although after the loss of the presidential race one week ago, she wanted to “curl up with a book, maybe my dogs, and never leave the house again,” but that she was inspired in part by the stories of the children that the organization helps. |
| “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. Now, sometimes it can feel awfully long - believe me, I know,” Clinton said, to muted laughter. “But it does bend towards justice.” | “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. Now, sometimes it can feel awfully long - believe me, I know,” Clinton said, to muted laughter. “But it does bend towards justice.” |
| “You don’t get to stop paying rent just because things don’t go your way,” Clinton continued. “I know that many of you are disappointed in the results of last week’s election - so am I, more than I can ever express, but as I said last week, our campaign was never about one person or even one election,” Clinton said, but about “building an America that is hopeful, inclusive and bighearted.” | “You don’t get to stop paying rent just because things don’t go your way,” Clinton continued. “I know that many of you are disappointed in the results of last week’s election - so am I, more than I can ever express, but as I said last week, our campaign was never about one person or even one election,” Clinton said, but about “building an America that is hopeful, inclusive and bighearted.” |
| 1.36am GMT | 1.36am GMT |
| 01:36 | 01:36 |
| Hillary Clinton honored by Children's Defense Fund | Hillary Clinton honored by Children's Defense Fund |
| Watch it live here. | Watch it live here. |
| 1.23am GMT | 1.23am GMT |
| 01:23 | 01:23 |
| Video: Donald Trump’s name has been stripped from three New York City apartment buildings that he once developed and later sold, after protests from the building’s residents that the name was negatively affecting their ability to attract renters and buyers. | Video: Donald Trump’s name has been stripped from three New York City apartment buildings that he once developed and later sold, after protests from the building’s residents that the name was negatively affecting their ability to attract renters and buyers. |
| 1.08am GMT | 1.08am GMT |
| 01:08 | 01:08 |
| Kellyanne Conway, adviser for president-elect Donald Trump’s transition team, dismissed reports of problems in forming his cabinet in an on-camera interview with pool reporters this evening, and said that new appointments should be announced soon. | Kellyanne Conway, adviser for president-elect Donald Trump’s transition team, dismissed reports of problems in forming his cabinet in an on-camera interview with pool reporters this evening, and said that new appointments should be announced soon. |
| “We feel really good about the transition,” Conway said. “I actually would just say it’s false to say it’s not going well.” | “We feel really good about the transition,” Conway said. “I actually would just say it’s false to say it’s not going well.” |
| 12.56am GMT | 12.56am GMT |
| 00:56 | 00:56 |
| From the long-suffering transition pool: | From the long-suffering transition pool: |
| At about 7:35 pm the elevator came down to the lobby and the doors opened. Sen. Jeff Sessions was inside, but he did not get off the elevator. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani came into the lobby at about 7:39 pm. | At about 7:35 pm the elevator came down to the lobby and the doors opened. Sen. Jeff Sessions was inside, but he did not get off the elevator. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani came into the lobby at about 7:39 pm. |
| “We discussed the transition,” Giuliani said, adding, “It went really well.” | “We discussed the transition,” Giuliani said, adding, “It went really well.” |
| Reporters asked if he could reveal any names under consideration and Giuliani said he had to keep it to himself. Your pooler tried to ask Giuliani for one word to describe his foreign policy doctrine and once again he responded with a laugh as he headed into the Trump Tower bar. An order of five pizza pies and other food from Angelo’s was brought upstairs shortly before Giuliani arrived and the mayor confirmed it was food for the meetings. He said he didn’t get to have any pizza but “got to smell it” before taking a jab at the infamous incident where current Mayor Bill de Blasio ate pizza with a fork. | Reporters asked if he could reveal any names under consideration and Giuliani said he had to keep it to himself. Your pooler tried to ask Giuliani for one word to describe his foreign policy doctrine and once again he responded with a laugh as he headed into the Trump Tower bar. An order of five pizza pies and other food from Angelo’s was brought upstairs shortly before Giuliani arrived and the mayor confirmed it was food for the meetings. He said he didn’t get to have any pizza but “got to smell it” before taking a jab at the infamous incident where current Mayor Bill de Blasio ate pizza with a fork. |
| “I’d also like to make clear that I eat pizza this way, not with a knife and fork,” Giuliani said as he demonstrated his slice folding technique with his hands. | “I’d also like to make clear that I eat pizza this way, not with a knife and fork,” Giuliani said as he demonstrated his slice folding technique with his hands. |
| Soon afterwards, professional skateboarder Billy Rohan walked through the lobby and called out to the press. “Trump loves Muslims too!” he shouted. “A salaam aleikum! Peace be upon you!” | Soon afterwards, professional skateboarder Billy Rohan walked through the lobby and called out to the press. “Trump loves Muslims too!” he shouted. “A salaam aleikum! Peace be upon you!” |
| Rohan said he met with Trump earlier today and came away impressed. | Rohan said he met with Trump earlier today and came away impressed. |
| “It was the opposite of what I expected. You know how you hear about Freemasons and then you meet one and it is the opposite of what you expected? It was like that,” Rohan said. | “It was the opposite of what I expected. You know how you hear about Freemasons and then you meet one and it is the opposite of what you expected? It was like that,” Rohan said. |
| Rohan claimed he told Trump to spread peace by building skate parks around the world like he once rebuilt the skating rink in New York. He said Trump was receptive to the idea. Your pooler has reached out to the campaign to confirm whether the meeting between Trump and Rohan actually occurred. As of this writing, we have not received a response. | Rohan claimed he told Trump to spread peace by building skate parks around the world like he once rebuilt the skating rink in New York. He said Trump was receptive to the idea. Your pooler has reached out to the campaign to confirm whether the meeting between Trump and Rohan actually occurred. As of this writing, we have not received a response. |
| 12.50am GMT | 12.50am GMT |
| 00:50 | 00:50 |
| For planning purposes: Texas senator and former #NeverTrump figurehead Ted Cruz will be interviewed on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends tomorrow morning during the 7am ET hour. This will be Cruz’s first interview since his meeting with president-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower on Tuesday, and his first interview on the cable news network since May 1, 2016. | For planning purposes: Texas senator and former #NeverTrump figurehead Ted Cruz will be interviewed on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends tomorrow morning during the 7am ET hour. This will be Cruz’s first interview since his meeting with president-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower on Tuesday, and his first interview on the cable news network since May 1, 2016. |
| 12.34am GMT | 12.34am GMT |
| 00:34 | 00:34 |
| Fortunately, where Bernie Sanders’ livestream has failed, the Guardian’s David Smith has succeeded: Here are highlights from the Vermont senator’s speech at George Washington University from the Guardian’s Washington correspondent. | Fortunately, where Bernie Sanders’ livestream has failed, the Guardian’s David Smith has succeeded: Here are highlights from the Vermont senator’s speech at George Washington University from the Guardian’s Washington correspondent. |
| At George Washington University. Bernie Sanders: "I know there a lot of people who are frightened." | At George Washington University. Bernie Sanders: "I know there a lot of people who are frightened." |
| Sanders: "When we stand together by the millions we can stop Mr Trump and anyone else from doing bad things." | Sanders: "When we stand together by the millions we can stop Mr Trump and anyone else from doing bad things." |
| Sanders: Trump said he would be the champion of the working class. Mr Trump, we have a list "and we are going to hold you to account". | Sanders: Trump said he would be the champion of the working class. Mr Trump, we have a list "and we are going to hold you to account". |
| Sanders: Trump said we should spend a trillion dollars on crumbling infrastructure. That's a good sum, that's what should be done. | Sanders: Trump said we should spend a trillion dollars on crumbling infrastructure. That's a good sum, that's what should be done. |
| Sanders: We will not be willing to work with Trump in expanding racism, sexism and bigotry. | Sanders: We will not be willing to work with Trump in expanding racism, sexism and bigotry. |
| Sanders: Rescind the Steve Bannon appointment. "A president of the United States should not have a racist at his side. Unacceptable." | Sanders: Rescind the Steve Bannon appointment. "A president of the United States should not have a racist at his side. Unacceptable." |
| 12.15am GMT | 12.15am GMT |
| 00:15 | 00:15 |
| Vermont senator and former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is currently speaking at George Washington University in Washington, DC - although you wouldn’t know it, because the livestream carried exclusively by his OurRevolution.com site has completely frozen for all its would-be viewers. Facebook comments posit that the new site is not built to handle this amount of traffic on streaming video. | Vermont senator and former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is currently speaking at George Washington University in Washington, DC - although you wouldn’t know it, because the livestream carried exclusively by his OurRevolution.com site has completely frozen for all its would-be viewers. Facebook comments posit that the new site is not built to handle this amount of traffic on streaming video. |
| Apparently, the Revolution will not be televised. | Apparently, the Revolution will not be televised. |
| 12.05am GMT | 12.05am GMT |
| 00:05 | 00:05 |
| Bernie Sanders speaks at George Washington University | Bernie Sanders speaks at George Washington University |
| Watch it live here: | Watch it live here: |
| 11.45pm GMT | 11.45pm GMT |
| 23:45 | 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. | 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. | 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 | 11.35pm GMT |
| 23:35 | 23:35 |
| Coming up: Clinton and Sanders speak | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 |