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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 |
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| The Pentagon is making plans for what to do if President Donald Trump suddenly orders an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, NBC News reported. | |
| On Monday, Trump told reporters: “I got elected on bringing our soldiers back home.” | |
| Two Americans who ran for president and lost are making jokes (??) in French. | |
| Touché, Sénateur @MittRomney. J'approuve! https://t.co/wkHeXfwbL4 | |
| This is Lois Beckett taking over our live politics coverage from our California office. | This is Lois Beckett taking over our live politics coverage from our California office. |
| A major scandal within the world of high-end skincare has reignited questions over whether the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is failing to protect American consumers. | A major scandal within the world of high-end skincare has reignited questions over whether the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is failing to protect American consumers. |
| The FTC announced a settlement today with cult skincare brand Sunday Riley, over allegations that the company’s founder ordered employees to write fake product reviews in order to boost sales. | The FTC announced a settlement today with cult skincare brand Sunday Riley, over allegations that the company’s founder ordered employees to write fake product reviews in order to boost sales. |
| Sunday Riley, known for its $105 “Good Genes” lactic acid treatment and its $105 “Luna” retinol night oil, had become a popular new high-end skincare brand, one touted by beauty influencers and regularly recommended among friends. | Sunday Riley, known for its $105 “Good Genes” lactic acid treatment and its $105 “Luna” retinol night oil, had become a popular new high-end skincare brand, one touted by beauty influencers and regularly recommended among friends. |
| But last year, an anonymous Sunday Riley whistleblower went to Reddit with a troubling claim: that the company was asking employees, via official company e-mails, to create fake accounts on Sephora.com, a major beauty retailer, and post fake product reviews. | But last year, an anonymous Sunday Riley whistleblower went to Reddit with a troubling claim: that the company was asking employees, via official company e-mails, to create fake accounts on Sephora.com, a major beauty retailer, and post fake product reviews. |
| Today’s allegations from the FTC back up that Reddit whistleblower’s account, and specify that brand founder Sunday Riley herself posted fake Sephora reviews to boost her products. | Today’s allegations from the FTC back up that Reddit whistleblower’s account, and specify that brand founder Sunday Riley herself posted fake Sephora reviews to boost her products. |
| Wow. According to the @FTC, Sunday Riley *herself* posted fake reviews on @Sephora, and gave employees *detailed instructions* on how to post their own fake product reviews, including using a VPN. Why a VPN? Because @Sephora had tried to block their fake reviews! pic.twitter.com/qWGGH0bP0S | Wow. According to the @FTC, Sunday Riley *herself* posted fake reviews on @Sephora, and gave employees *detailed instructions* on how to post their own fake product reviews, including using a VPN. Why a VPN? Because @Sephora had tried to block their fake reviews! pic.twitter.com/qWGGH0bP0S |
| So what consequences are Sunday Riley and her brand facing for, in the FTC’s words, “making false or misleading claims” about beauty products that cost about $100 an ounce? | So what consequences are Sunday Riley and her brand facing for, in the FTC’s words, “making false or misleading claims” about beauty products that cost about $100 an ounce? |
| Well, basically none, other than promising not to do it again. The proposed settlement, in the words of two dissenting Federal Trade Commissioners, includes “no redress, no disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, no notice to consumers, and no admission of wrongdoing.” | Well, basically none, other than promising not to do it again. The proposed settlement, in the words of two dissenting Federal Trade Commissioners, includes “no redress, no disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, no notice to consumers, and no admission of wrongdoing.” |
| In short, the dissenters argue: “the proposed settlement is unlikely to deter other would-be wrongdoers.” | In short, the dissenters argue: “the proposed settlement is unlikely to deter other would-be wrongdoers.” |
| @chopraftc dissented & @RKSlaughterFTC joined because the settlement doesn't require sunday riley to admit fault, provide redress or notice to consumers, or anything else that would fall in the "actual consequences for law-breaking" category https://t.co/5c9bx4R0kl pic.twitter.com/kQnoTUv12H | @chopraftc dissented & @RKSlaughterFTC joined because the settlement doesn't require sunday riley to admit fault, provide redress or notice to consumers, or anything else that would fall in the "actual consequences for law-breaking" category https://t.co/5c9bx4R0kl pic.twitter.com/kQnoTUv12H |
| As well as raising questions over whether the FTC’s current level of enforcement will have any effect on the proliferation of fake reviews online, the settlement announcement has divided beauty consumers, with some saying they are frustrated and turned off by the brand’s alleged fraud, and others saying that they’ll still be buying Good Genes regardless. | As well as raising questions over whether the FTC’s current level of enforcement will have any effect on the proliferation of fake reviews online, the settlement announcement has divided beauty consumers, with some saying they are frustrated and turned off by the brand’s alleged fraud, and others saying that they’ll still be buying Good Genes regardless. |
| I still stan Good Genes tho, a true miracle product https://t.co/kbW1ob00Bk | I still stan Good Genes tho, a true miracle product https://t.co/kbW1ob00Bk |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Lois Beckett, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Lois Beckett, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Facebook announced that it had already disrupted four efforts by Iran and Russia to meddle in the 2020 presidential election. (Here is my colleague Julia Carrie Wong’s full report on Facebook’s disclosure.) | Facebook announced that it had already disrupted four efforts by Iran and Russia to meddle in the 2020 presidential election. (Here is my colleague Julia Carrie Wong’s full report on Facebook’s disclosure.) |
| Trump mocked allegations of self-dealing in connection to his canceled plans to host the June G7 summit at his Florida resort, falsely referring to the constitutional clause forbidding gifts from foreign states to federal officeholders as the “phony Emoluments Clause.” | Trump mocked allegations of self-dealing in connection to his canceled plans to host the June G7 summit at his Florida resort, falsely referring to the constitutional clause forbidding gifts from foreign states to federal officeholders as the “phony Emoluments Clause.” |
| Trump insisted that congressional Republicans need to “get tougher” in combating the impeachment inquiry, even as some GOP lawmakers appear to be growing weary of constantly defending the president’s most controversial actions. | Trump insisted that congressional Republicans need to “get tougher” in combating the impeachment inquiry, even as some GOP lawmakers appear to be growing weary of constantly defending the president’s most controversial actions. |
| Nancy Pelosi released a “fact sheet” to her Democratic caucus members outlining what the House speaker considers to be the most pertinent allegations against Trump in the impeachment inquiry. | Nancy Pelosi released a “fact sheet” to her Democratic caucus members outlining what the House speaker considers to be the most pertinent allegations against Trump in the impeachment inquiry. |
| House Democrats have postponed some of this week’s scheduled depositions in the impeachment investigation to allow members to attend funeral services for their late colleague, Elijah Cummings. | House Democrats have postponed some of this week’s scheduled depositions in the impeachment investigation to allow members to attend funeral services for their late colleague, Elijah Cummings. |
| Lois will have more on the events of the day, so stay tuned. | Lois will have more on the events of the day, so stay tuned. |
| Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg slammed Trump for falsely referring to the constitutional clause banning gifts from foreign states to federal officeholders as “phony.” | Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg slammed Trump for falsely referring to the constitutional clause banning gifts from foreign states to federal officeholders as “phony.” |
| You can’t uphold your oath to protect and defend the Constitution if you think it’s phony. https://t.co/gkoJ9uCkGd | You can’t uphold your oath to protect and defend the Constitution if you think it’s phony. https://t.co/gkoJ9uCkGd |
| While speaking to reporters during his cabinet meeting earlier today, Trump defended his (later canceled) plan to hold the June G7 summit at his Florida resort, claiming that he only reversed the decision due to manufactured outrage from congressional Democrats. | While speaking to reporters during his cabinet meeting earlier today, Trump defended his (later canceled) plan to hold the June G7 summit at his Florida resort, claiming that he only reversed the decision due to manufactured outrage from congressional Democrats. |
| However, multiple reports have surfaced that Trump changed his mind after a number of Republican lawmakers voiced criticism of the decision and suggested they were tired of having to defend some of the president’s most controversial actions. | However, multiple reports have surfaced that Trump changed his mind after a number of Republican lawmakers voiced criticism of the decision and suggested they were tired of having to defend some of the president’s most controversial actions. |
| The funeral for representative Elijah Cummings is not taking place until Thursday, but the power struggle within the House Democratic caucus to take over the oversight committee has already started. | The funeral for representative Elijah Cummings is not taking place until Thursday, but the power struggle within the House Democratic caucus to take over the oversight committee has already started. |
| The Washington Post reports: | The Washington Post reports: |
| The candidates range from the most senior to more junior Democrats on the panel, represent a mix of genders and races, and have focused on different areas of the committee’s work, from citizenship and census matters to its current investigations into Trump’s administration and business dealings. | The candidates range from the most senior to more junior Democrats on the panel, represent a mix of genders and races, and have focused on different areas of the committee’s work, from citizenship and census matters to its current investigations into Trump’s administration and business dealings. |
| Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) is serving as active chair of the committee, as its most senior Democratic member, and she said in a brief interview Friday that she intends to seek the gavel on a permanent basis. | Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) is serving as active chair of the committee, as its most senior Democratic member, and she said in a brief interview Friday that she intends to seek the gavel on a permanent basis. |
| Like others, she declined to speak in great detail about the contours of her bid out of respect for Cummings’s passing last week. ... | Like others, she declined to speak in great detail about the contours of her bid out of respect for Cummings’s passing last week. ... |
| According to people familiar with their plans, speaking on the condition of anonymity to talk frankly, Reps. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.) and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) both plan to launch bids to succeed Cummings as Oversight chair. | According to people familiar with their plans, speaking on the condition of anonymity to talk frankly, Reps. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.) and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) both plan to launch bids to succeed Cummings as Oversight chair. |
| Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed Bloomberg News’ reporting that he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, recommended potential hires to Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s campaign earlier this year. | Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed Bloomberg News’ reporting that he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, recommended potential hires to Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s campaign earlier this year. |
| Zuckerberg told CBS News: “This shouldn’t be taken as an endorsement. We have several mutual friends in college who introduced me” several years ago to Buttigieg. The pair attended Harvard University together. | Zuckerberg told CBS News: “This shouldn’t be taken as an endorsement. We have several mutual friends in college who introduced me” several years ago to Buttigieg. The pair attended Harvard University together. |
| The CEO added: “When a number of colleagues who I’d worked with at Facebook or my philanthropic foundation were interested in working there, they asked me or my wife Priscilla to send over their resume. So I did that. I think that this probably should not be misconstrued as if I’m deeply involved in trying to support their campaign or anything like that.” | The CEO added: “When a number of colleagues who I’d worked with at Facebook or my philanthropic foundation were interested in working there, they asked me or my wife Priscilla to send over their resume. So I did that. I think that this probably should not be misconstrued as if I’m deeply involved in trying to support their campaign or anything like that.” |
| When asked about Zuckerberg’s recommendations earlier today, Elizabeth Warren said that Facebook had too much “political influence” and reiterated her call to break up major tech companies. However, she did not criticize Buttigieg by name. | When asked about Zuckerberg’s recommendations earlier today, Elizabeth Warren said that Facebook had too much “political influence” and reiterated her call to break up major tech companies. However, she did not criticize Buttigieg by name. |
| House Democrats have decided to postpone the depositions that were scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday for their impeachment inquiry against Trump. | House Democrats have decided to postpone the depositions that were scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday for their impeachment inquiry against Trump. |
| Senior Democratic lawmakers have delayed the interviews out of respect for ceremonies to be held for their late colleague Elijah Cummings, who will lie in state at the Capitol on Thursday. | Senior Democratic lawmakers have delayed the interviews out of respect for ceremonies to be held for their late colleague Elijah Cummings, who will lie in state at the Capitol on Thursday. |
| With memorial and funeral events for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings on Thursday and Friday - and a refusal to testify from an OMB witness - we're down to just 2 depositions this week: Amb. William Taylor on Tuesday and Deputy Ass't Defense Sec Laura Cooper on Wednesday. | With memorial and funeral events for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings on Thursday and Friday - and a refusal to testify from an OMB witness - we're down to just 2 depositions this week: Amb. William Taylor on Tuesday and Deputy Ass't Defense Sec Laura Cooper on Wednesday. |
| However, the House committees leading the inquiry still intend to interview Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, and Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of state. | However, the House committees leading the inquiry still intend to interview Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, and Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of state. |
| 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. | 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.” | 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. | 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.” | “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. | 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 |