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| Facebook reports Russia's 'well-resourced operation' to meddle in 2020 US election – live | Facebook reports Russia's 'well-resourced operation' to meddle in 2020 US election – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg talked to NBC News about the company’s finding that multiple countries, including Russia and Iran, have already tried to meddle in the 2020 election. | |
| Zuckerberg told NBC’s Lester Holt in an interview airing tonight: “Today, what we’re basically announcing is that we found a set of campaigns. They are highly sophisticated. They signal that these nation-states intend to be active in the upcoming elections.” | |
| However, the Facebook CEO said he was “confident” in the company’s ability to fight those efforts: “We do see today Russia and Iran and China increasingly with more sophisticated tactics are trying to interfere in election. | |
| “But part of why I’m confident going into 2020 is that we’ve played a role in defending against interference in every major election around the world since 2016, in France, in Germany, in the E.U. overall, in India, in Mexico, in Brazil.” | |
| Zuckerberg will almost certainly be asked about those interference efforts on Wednesday, when he testifies before the House financial services committee. | |
| Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren responded to a report that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has quietly recommended potential hires to Pete Buttigieg’s campaign. | Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren responded to a report that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has quietly recommended potential hires to Pete Buttigieg’s campaign. |
| Warren said that she believed Facebook has “too much political power” and echoed her proposal to break up major tech companies but avoided criticizing Buttigieg by name. | Warren said that she believed Facebook has “too much political power” and echoed her proposal to break up major tech companies but avoided criticizing Buttigieg by name. |
| Warren was asked in gaggle about the news that Zuckerberg recommended hires to Buttigieg, and while she declined to criticize Buttigieg, she did say FB already has "way too much influence in Washington" pic.twitter.com/eO41EKL9EH | Warren was asked in gaggle about the news that Zuckerberg recommended hires to Buttigieg, and while she declined to criticize Buttigieg, she did say FB already has "way too much influence in Washington" pic.twitter.com/eO41EKL9EH |
| Here’s more of Bloomberg News’ report on Zuckerberg’s recommendations: | Here’s more of Bloomberg News’ report on Zuckerberg’s recommendations: |
| Earlier this year, Zuckerberg sent multiple emails to Mike Schmuhl, Buttigieg’s campaign manager, with names of individuals that he might consider hiring, campaign spokesman Chris Meagher confirmed. Priscilla Chan, Zuckerberg’s wife, also sent multiple emails to Schmuhl with staff recommendations. Ultimately, two of the people recommended were hired. | Earlier this year, Zuckerberg sent multiple emails to Mike Schmuhl, Buttigieg’s campaign manager, with names of individuals that he might consider hiring, campaign spokesman Chris Meagher confirmed. Priscilla Chan, Zuckerberg’s wife, also sent multiple emails to Schmuhl with staff recommendations. Ultimately, two of the people recommended were hired. |
| The emails between Zuckerberg and Buttigieg have come to light as Zuckerberg faces unrelenting attacks from politicians from both parties over such issues as misinformation, privacy, election meddling and bias. Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify Wednesday before the House Financial Services Committee on Facebook’s impact on the financial services and housing sectors. | The emails between Zuckerberg and Buttigieg have come to light as Zuckerberg faces unrelenting attacks from politicians from both parties over such issues as misinformation, privacy, election meddling and bias. Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify Wednesday before the House Financial Services Committee on Facebook’s impact on the financial services and housing sectors. |
| Facebook on Monday disclosed that it had taken down a new foreign interference operation targeting the US 2020 presidential elections that appears to be linked to the Russian troll agency, the Internet Research Agency (IRA). | Facebook on Monday disclosed that it had taken down a new foreign interference operation targeting the US 2020 presidential elections that appears to be linked to the Russian troll agency, the Internet Research Agency (IRA). |
| The 50 Instagram accounts and one Facebook account “had the hallmarks of a well-resourced operation”, the company said in a blog post. The accounts had about 246,000 followers, and published nearly 75,000 posts, according to Graphika, a social network analysis company that reviewed the campaign for Facebook. | The 50 Instagram accounts and one Facebook account “had the hallmarks of a well-resourced operation”, the company said in a blog post. The accounts had about 246,000 followers, and published nearly 75,000 posts, according to Graphika, a social network analysis company that reviewed the campaign for Facebook. |
| The campaign included accounts that promoted both “conservative” and “progressive” content, resharing memes and tweets on potentially divisive topics in a manner similar to the IRA’s 2016 social media influence campaign. | The campaign included accounts that promoted both “conservative” and “progressive” content, resharing memes and tweets on potentially divisive topics in a manner similar to the IRA’s 2016 social media influence campaign. |
| While most of the posts were focused on polarizing political issues, some specifically addressed the 2020 election, according to Graphika. These included posts supporting Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, and attacking Joe Biden. Some also attacked Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren. | While most of the posts were focused on polarizing political issues, some specifically addressed the 2020 election, according to Graphika. These included posts supporting Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, and attacking Joe Biden. Some also attacked Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren. |
| Zooming out to the world stage for a moment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he failed to form a governing coalition, a development that could potentially force another election in the country. | Zooming out to the world stage for a moment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he failed to form a governing coalition, a development that could potentially force another election in the country. |
| The AP reports: | The AP reports: |
| Netanyahu fell short of securing a 61-seat parliamentary majority in last month’s national election. But President Reuven Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first opportunity to form a government because he had more support, 55 seats, than any other candidate. | Netanyahu fell short of securing a 61-seat parliamentary majority in last month’s national election. But President Reuven Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first opportunity to form a government because he had more support, 55 seats, than any other candidate. |
| Netanyahu had hoped to form a broad ‘unity’ government with his chief rival, former military chief Benny Gantz. But late Monday, Netanyahu announced he came up short. | Netanyahu had hoped to form a broad ‘unity’ government with his chief rival, former military chief Benny Gantz. But late Monday, Netanyahu announced he came up short. |
| Rivlin says he will now give Gantz a chance to form a government, though Gantz does not appear to have enough support either. | Rivlin says he will now give Gantz a chance to form a government, though Gantz does not appear to have enough support either. |
| If Gantz fails, Israel could hold its third election in less than one year. | If Gantz fails, Israel could hold its third election in less than one year. |
| Meanwhile, energy secretary Rick Perry, who informed Trump last week of his intention to resign by the end of the year, has confirmed that his last day on the job will be 1 December. | Meanwhile, energy secretary Rick Perry, who informed Trump last week of his intention to resign by the end of the year, has confirmed that his last day on the job will be 1 December. |
| NEW: @SecretaryPerry gives an end date, speaking in Europe. "I will be gone after the first of December. That will be my last day as secretary of energy." (via @bjlefebvre and @AncaGurzu)https://t.co/GTcjyo1MQs | NEW: @SecretaryPerry gives an end date, speaking in Europe. "I will be gone after the first of December. That will be my last day as secretary of energy." (via @bjlefebvre and @AncaGurzu)https://t.co/GTcjyo1MQs |
| Trump has already announced Perry’s successor – Dan Brouillette, who currently serves as deputy energy secretary and has been named as a potential replacement for months. | Trump has already announced Perry’s successor – Dan Brouillette, who currently serves as deputy energy secretary and has been named as a potential replacement for months. |
| Trump bounced from one falsehood to another while speaking to reporters during his cabinet meeting at the White House. | Trump bounced from one falsehood to another while speaking to reporters during his cabinet meeting at the White House. |
| Here are just a few fact-checks from reporters about the president’s 70-minute meeting: | Here are just a few fact-checks from reporters about the president’s 70-minute meeting: |
| Trump's remarks in the Cabinet room are a stream of exaggerations, boasts and falsehoods....For example, in his remarks about Doral: "Miami International, one of the biggest airports in the world. Some people say it's the biggest."(MIA is not even in the top 20) | Trump's remarks in the Cabinet room are a stream of exaggerations, boasts and falsehoods....For example, in his remarks about Doral: "Miami International, one of the biggest airports in the world. Some people say it's the biggest."(MIA is not even in the top 20) |
| President Trump on Syria: “We’re having very good news coming out. The ceasefire’s holding.“Note: U.S. officials have told NBC & CNN that the ceasefire is not holding in Syria.Story: https://t.co/Xx4frnl00I | President Trump on Syria: “We’re having very good news coming out. The ceasefire’s holding.“Note: U.S. officials have told NBC & CNN that the ceasefire is not holding in Syria.Story: https://t.co/Xx4frnl00I |
| Repeating it over and over doesn’t make it true. Contrary to what Trump says, the whistleblower complaint was factually quite accurate, according to the White House’s own rough transcript. Reupping this smart @YLindaQiu fact-check. https://t.co/tCqDlqyqY7 | Repeating it over and over doesn’t make it true. Contrary to what Trump says, the whistleblower complaint was factually quite accurate, according to the White House’s own rough transcript. Reupping this smart @YLindaQiu fact-check. https://t.co/tCqDlqyqY7 |
| While imploring Republicans to get “tougher” in combating the impeachment inquiry, Trump also took a swipe at senator Mitt Romney. | While imploring Republicans to get “tougher” in combating the impeachment inquiry, Trump also took a swipe at senator Mitt Romney. |
| The president said of House Democrats: “They’re vicious and they stick together. They don’t have Mitt Romney in their midst.” | The president said of House Democrats: “They’re vicious and they stick together. They don’t have Mitt Romney in their midst.” |
| The Utah Republican recently gave an interview in which he offered several criticisms of the president. Asked what was the “dumbest” thing Trump has done in office, Romney said: “I think the places where I would be most critical of the president would be in matters that were divisive, that appeared to be appealing to racism or misogyny. | The Utah Republican recently gave an interview in which he offered several criticisms of the president. Asked what was the “dumbest” thing Trump has done in office, Romney said: “I think the places where I would be most critical of the president would be in matters that were divisive, that appeared to be appealing to racism or misogyny. |
| “Those are the kinds of things that have been the most harmful long-term to the foundation of America’s virtuous character.” | “Those are the kinds of things that have been the most harmful long-term to the foundation of America’s virtuous character.” |
| While speaking to reporters during his cabinet meeting, Trump said that congressional Republicans have to get “tougher” in combating House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. | While speaking to reporters during his cabinet meeting, Trump said that congressional Republicans have to get “tougher” in combating House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. |
| Defending his phone call with the Ukrainian president as a “perfectly fine conversation”, Trump slammed the Democrats’ probe as a “phony investigation”. | Defending his phone call with the Ukrainian president as a “perfectly fine conversation”, Trump slammed the Democrats’ probe as a “phony investigation”. |
| The president then said: “Republicans have to get tougher and fight. We have some that are great fighters, but they have to get tougher and fight.” | The president then said: “Republicans have to get tougher and fight. We have some that are great fighters, but they have to get tougher and fight.” |
| He went on to claim that House Democrats were trying to harm the Republican Party in the run-up to the 2020 election. | He went on to claim that House Democrats were trying to harm the Republican Party in the run-up to the 2020 election. |
| The timing of Trump’s comments is interesting, given that a number of Republicans have recently criticized the president’s thinking on everything from Syria to his canceled plan to host the June G7 summit at his Florida resort. | The timing of Trump’s comments is interesting, given that a number of Republicans have recently criticized the president’s thinking on everything from Syria to his canceled plan to host the June G7 summit at his Florida resort. |
| Trump needs a united Republican front to push back against the impeachment inquiry, but there are signs that GOP lawmakers are getting tired of defending him. | Trump needs a united Republican front to push back against the impeachment inquiry, but there are signs that GOP lawmakers are getting tired of defending him. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Trump dismissed allegations of self-dealing in connection to his canceled plans to host the June G7 summit at his Florida resort. Referring to the constitutional clause barring gifts from foreign states to federal officeholders, Trump said: “You people with this phony Emoluments Clause.” | Trump dismissed allegations of self-dealing in connection to his canceled plans to host the June G7 summit at his Florida resort. Referring to the constitutional clause barring gifts from foreign states to federal officeholders, Trump said: “You people with this phony Emoluments Clause.” |
| Nancy Pelosi issued a “fact sheet” for her Democratic caucus, which outlined what the House speaker considers to be the most serious allegations against Trump in the impeachment inquiry. | Nancy Pelosi issued a “fact sheet” for her Democratic caucus, which outlined what the House speaker considers to be the most serious allegations against Trump in the impeachment inquiry. |
| Trump reportedly reversed his decision to hold the G7 summit at his Florida resort amid pushback from congressional Republicans, which is only the latest sign that cracks are appearing in the president’s base of support among GOP lawmakers. | Trump reportedly reversed his decision to hold the G7 summit at his Florida resort amid pushback from congressional Republicans, which is only the latest sign that cracks are appearing in the president’s base of support among GOP lawmakers. |
| The blog will have plenty more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have plenty more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| The White House press pool has been escorted out of Trump’s cabinet meeting after the president and some senior administration officials spoke for more than an hour. | The White House press pool has been escorted out of Trump’s cabinet meeting after the president and some senior administration officials spoke for more than an hour. |
| Pool has finally been led out of the Cabinet Room after 1 hour and 11 minutes of Trump holding forth. | Pool has finally been led out of the Cabinet Room after 1 hour and 11 minutes of Trump holding forth. |
| Trump took reporters’ questions on everything from Syria to trade to the G7 summit, which is no longer being held at the president’s Florida resort. | Trump took reporters’ questions on everything from Syria to trade to the G7 summit, which is no longer being held at the president’s Florida resort. |
| Trump’s dismissal of the constitution’s emoluments clause as “phony” immediately sparked pushback from lawmakers and commentators. | Trump’s dismissal of the constitution’s emoluments clause as “phony” immediately sparked pushback from lawmakers and commentators. |
| From a House Democrat: | From a House Democrat: |
| The 45th @potus, who took an oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" just remarked, in the cabinet room, "You people with this phony Emoluments Clause." - @realDonaldTrump #ImpeachmentInquiry | The 45th @potus, who took an oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" just remarked, in the cabinet room, "You people with this phony Emoluments Clause." - @realDonaldTrump #ImpeachmentInquiry |
| From a former federal prosecutor: | From a former federal prosecutor: |
| The Emoluments Clause is in Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution. Trump would know that if he read the Constitution himself. https://t.co/lIARSiAn4U | The Emoluments Clause is in Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution. Trump would know that if he read the Constitution himself. https://t.co/lIARSiAn4U |
| From HuffPost’s White House correspondent: | From HuffPost’s White House correspondent: |
| Here are Chris's pool notes re: the Doral issue:"You people with this phony emoluments clause."[Ed. note: There are two emoluments clauses in the US Constitution. Neither is "phony."] pic.twitter.com/oPRml7Nt2w | Here are Chris's pool notes re: the Doral issue:"You people with this phony emoluments clause."[Ed. note: There are two emoluments clauses in the US Constitution. Neither is "phony."] pic.twitter.com/oPRml7Nt2w |
| Taking questions from reporters about his canceled plans to hold the June G7 summit at his Florida resort, Trump appeared dismissive of a constitutional clause forbidding federal officeholders from accepting gifts from foreign states. | Taking questions from reporters about his canceled plans to hold the June G7 summit at his Florida resort, Trump appeared dismissive of a constitutional clause forbidding federal officeholders from accepting gifts from foreign states. |
| The president said, according to the pool report: “You people with this phony Emoluments Clause.” | The president said, according to the pool report: “You people with this phony Emoluments Clause.” |
| Real Trump quotes just now on G7, via pool:“I own a property in Florida.”“I don’t need promotion. I don’t need promotion.”“It would have been the best G-7 ever.”“You people with this phony Emoluments Clause.” (!)“If you’re rich, it doesn’t matter.” | Real Trump quotes just now on G7, via pool:“I own a property in Florida.”“I don’t need promotion. I don’t need promotion.”“It would have been the best G-7 ever.”“You people with this phony Emoluments Clause.” (!)“If you’re rich, it doesn’t matter.” |
| Trump also denied that his businesses needed a financial boost and delivered this quote for the ages: “If you’re rich, it doesn’t matter.” | Trump also denied that his businesses needed a financial boost and delivered this quote for the ages: “If you’re rich, it doesn’t matter.” |
| Even after reversing his decision to hold the June G7 summit at his Florida resort, Trump is still insisting that the property would have been the best place for the multi-nation event. | Even after reversing his decision to hold the June G7 summit at his Florida resort, Trump is still insisting that the property would have been the best place for the multi-nation event. |
| .@realDonaldTrump says during White House cabinet meeting that the G7 at his Doral resort would have been the greatest G7 ever, Democrats went crazy about that plan even though he would have done it for free. (Trump announced Saturday he would no longer hold the G7 at Doral.) | .@realDonaldTrump says during White House cabinet meeting that the G7 at his Doral resort would have been the greatest G7 ever, Democrats went crazy about that plan even though he would have done it for free. (Trump announced Saturday he would no longer hold the G7 at Doral.) |
| The president is blaming Democrats for forcing his hand on the issue, but a number of reports have surfaced that Trump only changed his mind after hearing frustration from congressional Republicans about having to defend the decision. | The president is blaming Democrats for forcing his hand on the issue, but a number of reports have surfaced that Trump only changed his mind after hearing frustration from congressional Republicans about having to defend the decision. |
| Trump told the pool reporters gathered for his cabinet meeting at the White House that the ceasefire (which Turkish officials referred to as a “pause” in operations last week) was holding in Syria. | Trump told the pool reporters gathered for his cabinet meeting at the White House that the ceasefire (which Turkish officials referred to as a “pause” in operations last week) was holding in Syria. |
| President Trump, with Cabinet, says ceasefire in Syria is holding pic.twitter.com/cxxbEBVIVz | President Trump, with Cabinet, says ceasefire in Syria is holding pic.twitter.com/cxxbEBVIVz |
| The president also demanded credit for the weakening of the Islamic State, insisting that Barack Obama deserved no credit for the group’s losses in recent years. | The president also demanded credit for the weakening of the Islamic State, insisting that Barack Obama deserved no credit for the group’s losses in recent years. |
| Trump said: “I’m the one who did the capturing. I’m the one who knows more about it than you people or the fake pundits.” | Trump said: “I’m the one who did the capturing. I’m the one who knows more about it than you people or the fake pundits.” |
| In a comment that will certainly raise eyebrows among some Republicans who have criticized his Syria policy, Trump said of America’s Kurdish allies: “We never agreed to protect the Kurds for the rest of their lives.” | In a comment that will certainly raise eyebrows among some Republicans who have criticized his Syria policy, Trump said of America’s Kurdish allies: “We never agreed to protect the Kurds for the rest of their lives.” |
| Speaking during his cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump defended Tulsi Gabbrd, saying the Democratic presidential candidate is not a Russian agent. | Speaking during his cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump defended Tulsi Gabbrd, saying the Democratic presidential candidate is not a Russian agent. |
| Trump defends Gabbard in Cabinet meeting per @colvinj. Trump says of Gabbard, “she’s not a Russian agent.” He adds that Clinton and other Democrats claim everyone opposed to them is a Russian agent. | Trump defends Gabbard in Cabinet meeting per @colvinj. Trump says of Gabbard, “she’s not a Russian agent.” He adds that Clinton and other Democrats claim everyone opposed to them is a Russian agent. |
| The question of Gabbard’s ties to Russia arose last week, when Hillary Clinton suggested that the Kremlin was “grooming” the Hawaii congresswoman to launch a third-party presidential bid. (Clinton did not provide evidence to back up this claim.) | The question of Gabbard’s ties to Russia arose last week, when Hillary Clinton suggested that the Kremlin was “grooming” the Hawaii congresswoman to launch a third-party presidential bid. (Clinton did not provide evidence to back up this claim.) |
| Gabbard vigorously denied the claim, but news reports have pointed out that Russian state media frequently mention the candidate, even though she is one of the lower-polling contenders in the Democratic primary race. | Gabbard vigorously denied the claim, but news reports have pointed out that Russian state media frequently mention the candidate, even though she is one of the lower-polling contenders in the Democratic primary race. |
| The White House press pool was just escorted into Trump’s meeting with his cabinet, which have proven to be very newsworthy events in the past. | The White House press pool was just escorted into Trump’s meeting with his cabinet, which have proven to be very newsworthy events in the past. |
| President Trump is about to hold his first Cabinet meeting since mid-July. They tend to be free-wheeling, lengthy events where attendees lavish praise on their boss. Expected participants, from the White House: pic.twitter.com/aKAgFKgLph | President Trump is about to hold his first Cabinet meeting since mid-July. They tend to be free-wheeling, lengthy events where attendees lavish praise on their boss. Expected participants, from the White House: pic.twitter.com/aKAgFKgLph |