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US politics: Trump rages after supreme court verdict over tax records – live updates US politics: Trump rages after supreme court verdict over tax records – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Further reaction expected after supreme court rules that New York prosecutors can see president’s financial recordsFurther reaction expected after supreme court rules that New York prosecutors can see president’s financial records
Shortly before landing in Florida this afternoon, Trump sent a pair of tweets threatening the funding and tax-exempt status of universities and schools.
“Too many Universities and School Systems are about Radical Left Indoctrination, not Education,” Trump said in the tweet thread.
“Therefore, I am telling the Treasury Department to re-examine their Tax-Exempt Status ... and/or Funding, which will be taken away if this Propaganda or Act Against Public Policy continues. Our children must be Educated, not Indoctrinated!”
Trump’s warning comes two days after he threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that do not reopen in the fall.
The president has repeatedly insisted that schools must reopen, even as his administration sends mixed signals about guidelines on how to reopen safely.
Many school officials have also expressed concern about the spread of coronavirus in classrooms once in-person instruction resumes.
Several White House reporters noted the president has previously held rallies despite bad weather conditions, raising questions about his rationale for postponing the event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
A spokesman for Joe Biden mocked Trump after the president’s campaign announced his Portsmouth, New Hampshire, rally would be postponed due to a tropical storm that is not expected to make landfall in Portsmouth.
“The storm is coming, and his name is @JoeBiden,” said TJ Ducklo, the national press secretary for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Trump said Tropical Storm Fay had “forced” his campaign to postpone his planned rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which was supposed to take place tomorrow night.
But as the blog has noted, the tropical storm is not expected to make landfall in Portsmouth, and the announcement comes as some campaign officials have reportedly expressed concerns about turnout at the event.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Trump postponed his planned rally in New Hampshire tomorrow night due to weather. The Trump campaign blamed the delay on an incoming tropical storm, but the storm is not expected to make landfall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The announcement comes as campaign officials have reportedly expressed concerns about the turnout for the event because of coronavirus.
Approval of the president’s handling of the pandemic hit a new low in one poll. According to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll, disapproval of Trump’s response to the pandemic now stands at 67%, up from 43% in March.
Trump said he is “looking at” a pardon for his former associate Roger Stone. The president said Stone, who is expected to report to prison on Tuesday, “was very unfairly treated.”
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Trump campaign officials were reportedly concerned about how much of a crowd would show up for his rally tomorrow in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which has now been postponed.Trump campaign officials were reportedly concerned about how much of a crowd would show up for his rally tomorrow in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which has now been postponed.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
Some New Hampshire officials had called on Republican governor Chris Sununu to issue a statewide mask requirement in the days leading up to the rally, but Sununu refused to do so.Some New Hampshire officials had called on Republican governor Chris Sununu to issue a statewide mask requirement in the days leading up to the rally, but Sununu refused to do so.
The announcement that Trump’s rally in New Hampshire tomorrow will be postponed comes weeks after the president’s Tulsa rally saw disappointing turnout.The announcement that Trump’s rally in New Hampshire tomorrow will be postponed comes weeks after the president’s Tulsa rally saw disappointing turnout.
Campaign officials told NBC News that they were determined to avoid “a repeat of Tulsa,” when thousands of seats in the indoor arena chosen for the rally went unfilled.Campaign officials told NBC News that they were determined to avoid “a repeat of Tulsa,” when thousands of seats in the indoor arena chosen for the rally went unfilled.
Instead, the campaign planned to hold tomorrow’s rally in Potsmouth at an open-air airport tarmac hangar to mitigate concerns about the spread of coronavirus at the event.Instead, the campaign planned to hold tomorrow’s rally in Potsmouth at an open-air airport tarmac hangar to mitigate concerns about the spread of coronavirus at the event.
However, the large event still raised alarms with local officials, and Republican governor Chris Sununu said he would not attend the event out of an abundance of caution.However, the large event still raised alarms with local officials, and Republican governor Chris Sununu said he would not attend the event out of an abundance of caution.
The announcement that the Trump campaign rally in New Hampshire was being delayed due to weather struck one local meteorologist as odd, considering the forecast for tomorrow night is currently party cloudy and 78 degrees.The announcement that the Trump campaign rally in New Hampshire was being delayed due to weather struck one local meteorologist as odd, considering the forecast for tomorrow night is currently party cloudy and 78 degrees.
The Trump campaign has confirmed that tomorrow’s planned rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has been delayed because of a tropical storm headed for the region.The Trump campaign has confirmed that tomorrow’s planned rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has been delayed because of a tropical storm headed for the region.
“The rally scheduled for Saturday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire has been postponed for safety reasons because of Tropical Storm Fay. It will be rescheduled and a new date will be announced soon,” communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement.“The rally scheduled for Saturday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire has been postponed for safety reasons because of Tropical Storm Fay. It will be rescheduled and a new date will be announced soon,” communications director Tim Murtaugh said in a statement.
Some local New Hampshire officials had criticized Trump for the planned rally because of the pandemic, but the campaign and the White House press secretary both said the cancellation was due to weather, not coronavirus.Some local New Hampshire officials had criticized Trump for the planned rally because of the pandemic, but the campaign and the White House press secretary both said the cancellation was due to weather, not coronavirus.
The president’s planned rally tomorrow in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has been delayed due to weather.The president’s planned rally tomorrow in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has been delayed due to weather.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters aboard Air Force One that the event would be delayed “a week or two” because of a “big storm” headed for the region.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters aboard Air Force One that the event would be delayed “a week or two” because of a “big storm” headed for the region.
The rally was supposed to take place partly outdoors -- reportedly because the president’s advisers were trying to avoid a repeat of his Tulsa rally, when thousands of seats in the indoor arena went unfilled.The rally was supposed to take place partly outdoors -- reportedly because the president’s advisers were trying to avoid a repeat of his Tulsa rally, when thousands of seats in the indoor arena went unfilled.
Coronavirus testing sites in the most populous Texas county will close early today due to a heat advisory.Coronavirus testing sites in the most populous Texas county will close early today due to a heat advisory.
Officials in Harris county said testing sites would close at noon because of the high temperatures today. The announcement comes as Texas, and Harris county specifically, grapple with a surge in new cases.Officials in Harris county said testing sites would close at noon because of the high temperatures today. The announcement comes as Texas, and Harris county specifically, grapple with a surge in new cases.
The early closure raises questions about how southern states in particular will ensure testing continues amid the hot summer months and hurricane season later in the year.The early closure raises questions about how southern states in particular will ensure testing continues amid the hot summer months and hurricane season later in the year.
Texas reported a record number of new cases in a single day on Tuesday, recording more than 10,000 new cases. Harris county and Dallas county, home to Houston and Dallas, have reported the highest number of cases across the state.Texas reported a record number of new cases in a single day on Tuesday, recording more than 10,000 new cases. Harris county and Dallas county, home to Houston and Dallas, have reported the highest number of cases across the state.
The Guardian’s Maanvi Singh reports from California:The Guardian’s Maanvi Singh reports from California:
A dozen California firefighting camps that house incarcerated firefighters have been quarantined and taken out of commission after a coronavirus outbreak at a state prison, highlighting the precarious situation for these crews.A dozen California firefighting camps that house incarcerated firefighters have been quarantined and taken out of commission after a coronavirus outbreak at a state prison, highlighting the precarious situation for these crews.
Since the second world war, California has trained and deployed thousands of prisoners to fight fires each year, recruiting those who are willing to fight wildfires at great personal risk in exchange for low wages and reduced sentences.Since the second world war, California has trained and deployed thousands of prisoners to fight fires each year, recruiting those who are willing to fight wildfires at great personal risk in exchange for low wages and reduced sentences.
This year, after a historically dry winter followed by a hot spring, thousands of inmates have been among those battling blazes in the state, doing the backbreaking work of clearing the dead wood and vegetation that fuel the most destructive fires.This year, after a historically dry winter followed by a hot spring, thousands of inmates have been among those battling blazes in the state, doing the backbreaking work of clearing the dead wood and vegetation that fuel the most destructive fires.
“Every fire season it’s the same,” said Romarilyn Ralston, who leads Project Rebound, a California State University program that supports formerly incarcerated students. “The pay is so little, the work is so dangerous. Now we add Covid-19 to the story, and it gets even worse.”“Every fire season it’s the same,” said Romarilyn Ralston, who leads Project Rebound, a California State University program that supports formerly incarcerated students. “The pay is so little, the work is so dangerous. Now we add Covid-19 to the story, and it gets even worse.”
In June, as California prisons saw a dramatic surge in Covid-19 cases and more than two hundred prisoners at the California Correction Center (CCC) in the north of the state tested positive for coronavirus, officials stopped all movement in and out of the prison and placed 12 camps that house more than a thousand prisoners training to fight fires under lockdown. There were no confirmed cases of Covid-19 at those dozen camps – though one member initially tested positive, a second test came back negative.In June, as California prisons saw a dramatic surge in Covid-19 cases and more than two hundred prisoners at the California Correction Center (CCC) in the north of the state tested positive for coronavirus, officials stopped all movement in and out of the prison and placed 12 camps that house more than a thousand prisoners training to fight fires under lockdown. There were no confirmed cases of Covid-19 at those dozen camps – though one member initially tested positive, a second test came back negative.
Across the state, devastating outbreaks at prisons have left more than 5,700 people who are incarcerated sick with the infection. Of the 192 crews of incarcerated firefighters, only 94 are currently available, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday.Across the state, devastating outbreaks at prisons have left more than 5,700 people who are incarcerated sick with the infection. Of the 192 crews of incarcerated firefighters, only 94 are currently available, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday.
South Carolina is setting a curfew for alcohol sales at bars and restaurants as the state grapples with a surge in new cases of coronavirus.South Carolina is setting a curfew for alcohol sales at bars and restaurants as the state grapples with a surge in new cases of coronavirus.
Republican governor Henry McMaster announced restaurants and bars would no longer be able to sell alcohol after 11 pm starting tomorrow night.Republican governor Henry McMaster announced restaurants and bars would no longer be able to sell alcohol after 11 pm starting tomorrow night.
The announcement marks South Carolina’s first step to roll back its reopening process, and it comes after states like Texas and Florida decided to reimpose limits on bars in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.The announcement marks South Carolina’s first step to roll back its reopening process, and it comes after states like Texas and Florida decided to reimpose limits on bars in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
South Carolina’s number of coronavirus cases has jumped in recent days, with 21,560 cases recorded in the past two weeks. The state has confirmed more than 50,000 cases total since the start of the pandemic.South Carolina’s number of coronavirus cases has jumped in recent days, with 21,560 cases recorded in the past two weeks. The state has confirmed more than 50,000 cases total since the start of the pandemic.
Trump’s planned rally tomorrow in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is causing unease for some of the town’s residents.
The Boston Globe reports:
Sununu has declined to issue a statewide mask requirement in recent weeks, but the governor said he would not attend the president’s rally out an abundance of caution.
The campaign event comes days after a top health official in Tulsa, Oklahoma, said Trump’s rally there last month “likely contributed” to the city’s recent rise in new cases.
Trump has adopted a “woe is me” attitude as the country suffers the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and experiences a reckoning over racism, according to those who have spoken to the president in recent weeks.
The Washington Post reports:
Joe Biden criticized Trump’s self-pitying attitude about the pandemic in a speech late last month in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
“He’s like a child who can’t believe this has happened to him -- all his whining and self pity,” the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said.
“This pandemic didn’t happen to him. It happened to all of us. And his job isn’t to whine about it, his job is to do something about it -- to lead.”
Speaking to reporters before leaving for Florida, Trump also accused Joe Biden of copying his campaign platform with the Democrat’s “buy American” proposal.
“He plagiarized from me but he can never pull it off. He likes plagiarizing,” Trump said, apparently referring to a 1987 scandal focusing on plagiarism allegations against Biden that doomed his first presidential campaign.
“It’s a plan that is very radical left but he says the right things because he’s copying what I’ve done. But the difference is he can’t do it, and he knows he’s not doing that.”
Biden unveiled a $700 billion plan to invest in American industry yesterday. Speaking at a metalworks in Pennsylvania shortly after releasing the proposal, Biden said, “Time and time again, working families are paying the price for Donald Trump’s incompetence.”
According to the Washington Post, some of the president’s allies were frustrated that Biden released his proposal before Trump unveiled his similar “buy American” plan, which has been held up for months due to internal White House objections.
So Trump is essentially accusing Biden of plagiarizing a plan that has not yet been released.
Trump said he is “looking at” a pardon for his former associate Roger Stone, who is expected to report to prison on Tuesday.
“I think Roger Stone was very unfairly treated, as were many people,” Trump said before leaving for his trip to Florida.
The president claimed Stone was the victim of a double standard, suggesting some of his political enemies -- including Barack Obama, Joe Biden and former FBI director James Comey -- should have been prosecuted for the investigation into Russian election interference.
“And in the meantime Comey and all these guys are walking around, including Biden and Obama, because we caught them spying on my campaign. Who would have believed that one?” Trump said.
The president has similarly mused about pardons for some of his other former associates, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, despite concerns from his allies about how such pardons would be seen by voters.
Stone had requested a delay in the start of his prison sentence because of coronavirus, but the justice department said yesterday that Stone should report to prison on Tuesday as planned.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, has corrected the president’s claim that 99% of coronavirus cases are “totally harmless.”
“I’m trying to figure out where the president got that number,” Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the Financial Times.
“What I think happened is that someone told him that the general mortality is about 1%. And he interpreted, therefore, that 99% is not a problem, when that’s obviously not the case.”
Trump won the attention of many fact-checkers last week when he said in a July 4 speech, “We have tested over 40 million people. By so doing, we show cases, 99% of which are totally harmless. Results that no other country will show, because no other country has testing that we have — not in terms of the numbers or in terms of the quality.”
There is no evidence to support the 99% claim, and the Washington Post Fact Checker gave it four Pinocchios. Public health experts have also noted the country’s recent surge in new cases is outpacing the increase in testing, indicating the virus is spreading more than it was before.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
Donald Trump plans to hold a campaign rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, tomorrow, and his campaign is eager to avoid the terrible optics of his recent rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where thousands of seats went unfilled.
A campaign official told NBC News, “We can’t have a repeat of Tulsa.”
NBC News reports:
But the campaign is clearly still moving ahead with the rally, despite concerns about how his Tulsa event may have contributed to a recent surge in new cases of coronavirus there.
A top health official in Tulsa said Trump’s rally “likely contributed” to the recent rise in new cases, but White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany downplayed those concerns yesterday.
Goya Foods President and CEO Bob Unanue had some warm words yesterday for president Donald Trump when he spoke alongside him at the White House.
That has not gone down terribly well with parts of the Latino Goya Foods customer base, who are now, it appears from social media, organising to boycott. #Goyaway and #BoycottGoya trended on Twitter, and leading Latino Democratic party figures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Julián Castro joined in.
Unanue has been on Fox & Friends this morning, where he addressed the criticism, saying that it exhibited a double-standard and was a “suppression of speech”
There’s a new official Twitter account in town. White House Rapid Response is up and running and promising to “try to drive messages and make announcements”. It will be manned, it says, by the White House communications shop, under the direction of Kayleigh McEnany and Alyssa Farah.
Their opening tweet says the account will “cut through the bias and provide real-time updates on the historic accomplishments of President Donald Trump’s administration”. A statement which, if I’m honest, maybe doesn’t sound entirely bias-free itself.
The account is yet to be verified by Twitter.
We know the Donald Trump cares deeply about his rating numbers - whether that is political polls or on the television. He maybe shouldn’t look at the app store at the moment.
Bloomberg are reporting that thousands of TikTok fans are review-bombing the official Donald Trump campaign app in the Apple store in retaliation for noises coming from Trump’s administration that they are considering a ban on the app for security reasons.
It isn’t the first time that Trump and the TikTok audience have crossed swords - many suggested that a social media driven campaign by TikTok users and K-Pop fans to take up tickets for Trump’s divisive rally in Tulsa drove up the campaign’s expectations of the size of crowd they would see at the event, leading to the humiliation of them having to cancel the overspill area they had arranged.
Questions about how Joe Biden and Donald Trump perform cognitively are likely to be a recurring theme in the next few months of the campaign. Both men go into the election in their mid-70s.
Last night in a phone interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump called on Biden to take a test, and unexpectedly boasted about his own score on a recent test:
As many have observed on social media, saying that your doctors were “surprised” that you did well in a mental acuity test is quite the odd boast