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Democrats on the attack after Trump tax return revelations – US politics live Democrats on the attack after Trump tax return revelations – US politics live
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Biden campaign ad compares tax paid by Trump to that paid by nurses, teachers and firefightersBiden campaign ad compares tax paid by Trump to that paid by nurses, teachers and firefighters
Trump attacked the “Fake News Media” for reporting on his tax returns days before the first presidential debate and weeks before election day.
“The Fake News Media, just like Election time 2016, is bringing up my Taxes & all sorts of other nonsense with illegally obtained information & only bad intent. I paid many millions of dollars in taxes but was entitled, like everyone else, to depreciation & tax credits,” Trump said in a tweet thread.
The president also claimed that he has “little debt compared to the value of assets.” But here is what the Times reported about Trump’s financial status:
Joe Biden has called a lid, meaning the Democratic nominee does not plan to make any public appearances for the rest of the day.
The early lid means Americans won’t hear Biden address the New York Times’ story on Trump’s tax returns until tomorrow’s debate.
In recent weeks, Biden has sought to cast the presidential election as a race between Scranton, where he was born, and Park Avenue.
Biden will likely use the revelations about Trump paying almost no federal income taxes in recent years to again make the argument that the president is out of touch with average Americans.
The main super PAC supporting Democratic Senate candidates has placed a seven-figure ad buy in South Carolina, as polls indicate Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is locked in a close race with Jaime Harrison.The main super PAC supporting Democratic Senate candidates has placed a seven-figure ad buy in South Carolina, as polls indicate Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is locked in a close race with Jaime Harrison.
Senate Majority PAC will spend $6.5 million in South Carolina, marking the first time the group has bought airtime in the state this election cycle.Senate Majority PAC will spend $6.5 million in South Carolina, marking the first time the group has bought airtime in the state this election cycle.
The first ad released by SMP attacks Graham for taking money from special interest groups and blocking efforts to lower drug prices.The first ad released by SMP attacks Graham for taking money from special interest groups and blocking efforts to lower drug prices.
The substantial investment indicates Democrats believe Harrison has a legitimate path to victory in the traditionally Republican state.The substantial investment indicates Democrats believe Harrison has a legitimate path to victory in the traditionally Republican state.
According to a YouGov poll released yesterday, Graham’s advantage in the race has narrowed to just 1 point, 45%-44%, representing a virtual tie.According to a YouGov poll released yesterday, Graham’s advantage in the race has narrowed to just 1 point, 45%-44%, representing a virtual tie.
The White House press secretary dismissed the New York Times story on Trump’s tax returns as a “hit piece” that was meant to hurt the president’s credibility before the first debate tomorrow.The White House press secretary dismissed the New York Times story on Trump’s tax returns as a “hit piece” that was meant to hurt the president’s credibility before the first debate tomorrow.
“We’ve seen this play out before, where there was a hit piece about the president’s taxes just before a debate,” Kayleigh McEnany said.“We’ve seen this play out before, where there was a hit piece about the president’s taxes just before a debate,” Kayleigh McEnany said.
“This is the same playbook they tried in 2016, the same playbook that the American people rejected.”“This is the same playbook they tried in 2016, the same playbook that the American people rejected.”
The president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, justified his father paying almost nothing in federal income taxes in recent years by saying he merely took advantage of existing tax law.The president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, justified his father paying almost nothing in federal income taxes in recent years by saying he merely took advantage of existing tax law.
“It’s ridiculous. My father’s paid tens of millions of taxes,” Trump told Fox News. “That’s the reality. People don’t understand what goes into a business.”“It’s ridiculous. My father’s paid tens of millions of taxes,” Trump told Fox News. “That’s the reality. People don’t understand what goes into a business.”
What looks like a coronavirus vaccine setback here, for at least one company, anyway. Reuters report that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put a hold on Inovio’s plans to start final trials of its coronavirus vaccine. The agency seeks more information, including details on a delivery device used to inject genetic material into cells.What looks like a coronavirus vaccine setback here, for at least one company, anyway. Reuters report that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put a hold on Inovio’s plans to start final trials of its coronavirus vaccine. The agency seeks more information, including details on a delivery device used to inject genetic material into cells.
Inovio’s shares fell 33% before the opening bell this morning. The company was expecting to start the trial this month. The company said on the FDA’s “partial clinical hold” was not due to any side effects in its early-stage study of the vaccine.Inovio’s shares fell 33% before the opening bell this morning. The company was expecting to start the trial this month. The company said on the FDA’s “partial clinical hold” was not due to any side effects in its early-stage study of the vaccine.
Inovio said it would answer the FDA’s questions this month, after which the agency would have 30 days to decide whether the trial should proceed.Inovio said it would answer the FDA’s questions this month, after which the agency would have 30 days to decide whether the trial should proceed.
The company planned to administer the vaccine to study participants through a battery-operated device called Cellectra. It has received $71 million in funding from the US Department of Defense to scale up manufacturing of Cellectra.The company planned to administer the vaccine to study participants through a battery-operated device called Cellectra. It has received $71 million in funding from the US Department of Defense to scale up manufacturing of Cellectra.
Inovio’s development timeline is already lagging behind those of rivals such as Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca, all of which have begun late-stage studies of their coronavirus vaccine candidates.Inovio’s development timeline is already lagging behind those of rivals such as Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca, all of which have begun late-stage studies of their coronavirus vaccine candidates.
The editorial board at Washington Post have this morning published their endorsement of Joe Biden for president. The piece opens “In order to expel the worst president of modern times, many voters might be willing to vote for almost anybody. Fortunately, to oust president Trump in 2020, voters do not have to lower their standards.”The editorial board at Washington Post have this morning published their endorsement of Joe Biden for president. The piece opens “In order to expel the worst president of modern times, many voters might be willing to vote for almost anybody. Fortunately, to oust president Trump in 2020, voters do not have to lower their standards.”
They go on to write:They go on to write:
They describe Trump’s description of Biden as a socialist as a “preposterous slander”, and state that the president has “few accomplishments in his first term and no agenda for his second”. In contrast, they posit that Biden’s “competence and honor are more important in this cycle than any particular stand on any particular issue.”They describe Trump’s description of Biden as a socialist as a “preposterous slander”, and state that the president has “few accomplishments in his first term and no agenda for his second”. In contrast, they posit that Biden’s “competence and honor are more important in this cycle than any particular stand on any particular issue.”
Read it here: Washington Post – Joe Biden for presidentRead it here: Washington Post – Joe Biden for president
And that’s it from me this morning, Joan Greve will be here presently…And that’s it from me this morning, Joan Greve will be here presently…
Speaking of Amy Coney Barrett, we also have this piece today from Jill Filipovic. It did not go without notice that on Sunday the press pool following the president reported that he went golfing, while the press pool following Joe Biden reported that he attended mass. Filipovic argues that Democrats aren’t anti-Catholic bigots for questioning her:Speaking of Amy Coney Barrett, we also have this piece today from Jill Filipovic. It did not go without notice that on Sunday the press pool following the president reported that he went golfing, while the press pool following Joe Biden reported that he attended mass. Filipovic argues that Democrats aren’t anti-Catholic bigots for questioning her:
Read it here: Jill Filipovic – Democrats aren’t anti-Catholic bigots for questioning Amy Coney BarrettRead it here: Jill Filipovic – Democrats aren’t anti-Catholic bigots for questioning Amy Coney Barrett
We are repeatedly being told that there is a lot at stake in this election, and with Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court, reproductive rights have been moved to the forefront of the campaign. Will Samson, a former Republican operative whose research on changes to American Evangelicalism is published in the New Evangelical Social Engagement, writes for us today about anti-abortion Republicans who cannot face voting for Trump this time around:We are repeatedly being told that there is a lot at stake in this election, and with Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court, reproductive rights have been moved to the forefront of the campaign. Will Samson, a former Republican operative whose research on changes to American Evangelicalism is published in the New Evangelical Social Engagement, writes for us today about anti-abortion Republicans who cannot face voting for Trump this time around:
Read it here: Will Samson – Meet the anti-abortion Republicans defecting from Trump and voting Biden this yearRead it here: Will Samson – Meet the anti-abortion Republicans defecting from Trump and voting Biden this year
Martin Pengelly has a little more on that story that a forthcoming book by Donald Trump’s former campaign deputy Rick Gates claims that the president wanted Ivanka Trump as his running mate in 2016.Martin Pengelly has a little more on that story that a forthcoming book by Donald Trump’s former campaign deputy Rick Gates claims that the president wanted Ivanka Trump as his running mate in 2016.
Read it here: Donald Trump wanted daughter Ivanka to be running mate in 2016, book saysRead it here: Donald Trump wanted daughter Ivanka to be running mate in 2016, book says
Kentucky state Rep. Lisa Willner, a Louisville Democrat, has said she will propose changing Kentucky’s legal definition of rioting after Democratic state Rep. Attica Scott was charged with the felony while participating in Louisville protests for racial justice.Kentucky state Rep. Lisa Willner, a Louisville Democrat, has said she will propose changing Kentucky’s legal definition of rioting after Democratic state Rep. Attica Scott was charged with the felony while participating in Louisville protests for racial justice.
Associated Press report that Willner she plans to file a new bill request today that would redefine the criminal charge.Associated Press report that Willner she plans to file a new bill request today that would redefine the criminal charge.
Scott, the state’s only Black woman representative, was arrested and charged Thursday night with first-degree rioting, unlawful assembly and failure to disperse. Scott has called the charges “ludicrous” and said she was arrested by officers who surrounded her as she walked with her daughter to the sanctuary of a church.Scott, the state’s only Black woman representative, was arrested and charged Thursday night with first-degree rioting, unlawful assembly and failure to disperse. Scott has called the charges “ludicrous” and said she was arrested by officers who surrounded her as she walked with her daughter to the sanctuary of a church.
Kentucky law defines a riot as a public disturbance involving five or more people “which by tumultuous and violent conduct creates grave danger of damage or injury to property or persons or substantially obstructs law enforcement or other government function.”Kentucky law defines a riot as a public disturbance involving five or more people “which by tumultuous and violent conduct creates grave danger of damage or injury to property or persons or substantially obstructs law enforcement or other government function.”
The law defines first-degree rioting as knowingly participating in a riot that causes injury to a person who is not rioting, or causes substantial property damage.The law defines first-degree rioting as knowingly participating in a riot that causes injury to a person who is not rioting, or causes substantial property damage.
Willner said what happened to Scott while she was seeking sanctuary “cannot happen again.”Willner said what happened to Scott while she was seeking sanctuary “cannot happen again.”
Meanwhile, a man who authorities accuse of requesting $30,000 to shoot police officers in Louisville in a live Facebook social media video while he was brandishing a gun has been arrested.Meanwhile, a man who authorities accuse of requesting $30,000 to shoot police officers in Louisville in a live Facebook social media video while he was brandishing a gun has been arrested.
Federal and local authorities executed a search warrant on Cortez Lamont Edwards’s home on Sunday. An investigation revealed that Edwards was a convicted felon, and he has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Edwards could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.Federal and local authorities executed a search warrant on Cortez Lamont Edwards’s home on Sunday. An investigation revealed that Edwards was a convicted felon, and he has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Edwards could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
As so often is the case, the 2020 US presidential election outcome will hinge on who can capture a handful of battleground states that will swing the Electoral College votes one way or another.As so often is the case, the 2020 US presidential election outcome will hinge on who can capture a handful of battleground states that will swing the Electoral College votes one way or another.
We’ve got a little interactive that has launched this morning that allows you to plot a path to victory for either Donald Trump or Joe Biden. Or, if you are feeling less optimistic, you can worry yourself by working out how the guy you don’t want to win can still end up in the White House if they manage to nab somewhere like New Hampshire or Michigan.We’ve got a little interactive that has launched this morning that allows you to plot a path to victory for either Donald Trump or Joe Biden. Or, if you are feeling less optimistic, you can worry yourself by working out how the guy you don’t want to win can still end up in the White House if they manage to nab somewhere like New Hampshire or Michigan.
Try it here: Build your own US election: plot a path to victory for Biden or TrumpTry it here: Build your own US election: plot a path to victory for Biden or Trump
David Remnick at New Yorker magazine won’t be the only writer today asking the question – will anybody actually care about Trump’s taxes? He writes:David Remnick at New Yorker magazine won’t be the only writer today asking the question – will anybody actually care about Trump’s taxes? He writes:
Remnick ponders whether the danger for Trump is that the revelations are too easily made personal for voters in a way that, say, revelations in a Bob Woodward or John Bolton book about shenanigans in DC just aren’t.Remnick ponders whether the danger for Trump is that the revelations are too easily made personal for voters in a way that, say, revelations in a Bob Woodward or John Bolton book about shenanigans in DC just aren’t.
Read it here: New Yorker – Donald Trump barely pays any taxes: will anyone care?Read it here: New Yorker – Donald Trump barely pays any taxes: will anyone care?
Donald Trump’s estranged former lawyer Michael Cohen had his say on Trump’s taxes last night in a phone interview with MSNBC. Cohen said:Donald Trump’s estranged former lawyer Michael Cohen had his say on Trump’s taxes last night in a phone interview with MSNBC. Cohen said:
Cohen recently published Disloyal, his memoir of his time as Donald Trump’s fixer. It was greeted by a White House statement calling him a “disgraced felon and disbarred lawyer”.Cohen recently published Disloyal, his memoir of his time as Donald Trump’s fixer. It was greeted by a White House statement calling him a “disgraced felon and disbarred lawyer”.
Cohen was convicted of lying to Congress in order to protect Trump over his links to Russia and payments to women which may have violated campaign finance law. He was also convicted of lying to a financial institution and tax fraud and is currently serving his three-year sentence – at home in New York because of the coronavirus.Cohen was convicted of lying to Congress in order to protect Trump over his links to Russia and payments to women which may have violated campaign finance law. He was also convicted of lying to a financial institution and tax fraud and is currently serving his three-year sentence – at home in New York because of the coronavirus.