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Biden attacks Trump's 'rushed and unprecedented' confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett – US politics live Biden attacks Trump's 'rushed and unprecedented' confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett – US politics live
(32 minutes later)
President hosted Barrett for swearing-in ceremony outside White House administered by Clarence ThomasPresident hosted Barrett for swearing-in ceremony outside White House administered by Clarence Thomas
A lawyer representing E Jean Carroll applauded a federal judge’s ruling denying the justice department’s bid to take over Trump’s defense in the defamation lawsuit.
“We are very pleased that the federal court interpreted the plain text of Federal Tort Claims Act as not covering President Trump’s false statements about our client, E. Jean Carroll,” lawyer Roberta Kaplan said in a statement.
“The simple truth is that President Trump defamed our client because she was brave enough to reveal that he had sexually assaulted her, and that brutal, personal attack cannot be attributed to the Office of the President.”
Kaplan added, “We look forward to moving forward with E. Jean Carroll’s defamation case against Donald Trump in his personal capacity in federal court.”
The Trump team is delivering its own closing message, tweeting an edited video of the president throwing hats to his supporters that makes it look like he is hitting Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden with them.
The video includes multiple clips of Clinton tripping, and it is edited to make it appear as though she falls after being hit by a “Make America Great Again” hat.
Biden appears in the video only once, seeming to get hit in the head with a MAGA hat.
As a reminder, it is seven days until Election Day; Hillary Clinton is not the Democratic nominee; Trump is 9 points down against Biden in national polls; more than 225,000 Americans have died of coronavirus.
A federal judge has ruled the justice department cannot intervene on Trump’s behalf in a defamation lawsuit brought by E Jean Carroll.A federal judge has ruled the justice department cannot intervene on Trump’s behalf in a defamation lawsuit brought by E Jean Carroll.
“The President of the United States is not an ‘employee of the Government within the meaning of the relevant statutes,” wrote Judge Lewis A Kaplan in his ruling.“The President of the United States is not an ‘employee of the Government within the meaning of the relevant statutes,” wrote Judge Lewis A Kaplan in his ruling.
“Even if he were such an ‘employee,’ President Trump’s allegedly defamatory statements concerning Ms. Carroll would not have been within the scope of his employment.”“Even if he were such an ‘employee,’ President Trump’s allegedly defamatory statements concerning Ms. Carroll would not have been within the scope of his employment.”
Carroll has accused Trump of rape, an allegation that the president denied, prompting her defamation lawsuit.Carroll has accused Trump of rape, an allegation that the president denied, prompting her defamation lawsuit.
The justice department, under the leadership of attorney general William Barr, moved last month to take over Trump’s defense in the lawsuit.The justice department, under the leadership of attorney general William Barr, moved last month to take over Trump’s defense in the lawsuit.
Biden has released his closing message ads, which will air nationwide in the final week before the presidential election.Biden has released his closing message ads, which will air nationwide in the final week before the presidential election.
The two ads feature the nominee and his wife, Jill Biden, speaking directly to the camera about the stakes of this election.The two ads feature the nominee and his wife, Jill Biden, speaking directly to the camera about the stakes of this election.
In Biden’s ad, he delivers much the same message that he used to launch his campaign, arguing the US is “in a battle for the soul of the nation.”In Biden’s ad, he delivers much the same message that he used to launch his campaign, arguing the US is “in a battle for the soul of the nation.”
“I believe that even more deeply today,” Biden says in the ad. “Who we are, what we stand for, and maybe most importantly who we’re going to be, it’s all at stake.”“I believe that even more deeply today,” Biden says in the ad. “Who we are, what we stand for, and maybe most importantly who we’re going to be, it’s all at stake.”
Biden adds, “Character is on the ballot, the character of the country, and this is our opportunity to leave the dark, angry politics of the past four years behind us.”Biden adds, “Character is on the ballot, the character of the country, and this is our opportunity to leave the dark, angry politics of the past four years behind us.”
We’ll find out in seven days how much Biden’s message has resonated with American voters.We’ll find out in seven days how much Biden’s message has resonated with American voters.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
Today on the campaign trail: Trump will hold three rallies today in Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska, while Biden is delivering a speech in Georgia.Today on the campaign trail: Trump will hold three rallies today in Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska, while Biden is delivering a speech in Georgia.
It is rather remarkable that a Democratic presidential nominee is in Georgia a week before Election Day, considering the traditionally conservative state has not voted for a Democrat in a presidential race since 1992.It is rather remarkable that a Democratic presidential nominee is in Georgia a week before Election Day, considering the traditionally conservative state has not voted for a Democrat in a presidential race since 1992.
But polls show Biden and Trump running neck and neck in Georgia, which the president won by 5 points in 2016. A poll released yesterday by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution showed the two nominees virtually tied in the state. If Trump loses Georgia, his hopes of winning a second term will dwindle to almost nothing.But polls show Biden and Trump running neck and neck in Georgia, which the president won by 5 points in 2016. A poll released yesterday by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution showed the two nominees virtually tied in the state. If Trump loses Georgia, his hopes of winning a second term will dwindle to almost nothing.
And the president’s trip to Omaha, Nebraska, is also noteworthy. The state’s 2nd congressional district awards one electoral vote, and Barack Obama was the last Democrat to win it in 2008. According to FiveThirtyEight, Biden is favored to win Nebraska-2 this year.And the president’s trip to Omaha, Nebraska, is also noteworthy. The state’s 2nd congressional district awards one electoral vote, and Barack Obama was the last Democrat to win it in 2008. According to FiveThirtyEight, Biden is favored to win Nebraska-2 this year.
Donald Trump Jr has just retweeted Derek Hunter saying that “Leftists really seem to want dead police officers” in connection to the shooting of Walter Wallace Jr in Philadelphia.Donald Trump Jr has just retweeted Derek Hunter saying that “Leftists really seem to want dead police officers” in connection to the shooting of Walter Wallace Jr in Philadelphia.
Authorities in Philadelphia have said they will investigate the circumstances of the shooting.Authorities in Philadelphia have said they will investigate the circumstances of the shooting.
Witnesses say that Wallace’s mother was there attempting to shield her son from the officers, while the dead man’s father has subsequently told reporters “Why didn’t they use a taser? His mother was trying to defuse the situation. He has mental issues. Why you have to gun him down?”Witnesses say that Wallace’s mother was there attempting to shield her son from the officers, while the dead man’s father has subsequently told reporters “Why didn’t they use a taser? His mother was trying to defuse the situation. He has mental issues. Why you have to gun him down?”
Read more here: Philadelphia protesters take to streets after police killing of black manRead more here: Philadelphia protesters take to streets after police killing of black man
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany once praised Joe Biden as “a man of the people” capable of “coming off as human” and “resonating with middle class voters”.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany once praised Joe Biden as “a man of the people” capable of “coming off as human” and “resonating with middle class voters”.
In an interview with a New York radio station in 2015, she also said that though she thought Donald Trump would be more likely to beat Biden, then considering a run for president, than Hillary Clinton, “I think the juxtaposition of kind of the man of the people and kind of this tycoon, is a problem.”In an interview with a New York radio station in 2015, she also said that though she thought Donald Trump would be more likely to beat Biden, then considering a run for president, than Hillary Clinton, “I think the juxtaposition of kind of the man of the people and kind of this tycoon, is a problem.”
A week before Trump faces Biden for re-election, the comments from five years ago were reported by Andrew Kaczynski of CNN, a reporter who specialises in burrowing through the strata of internet time, looking for forgotten comments by public figures which now seem unfortunate or embarrassment.A week before Trump faces Biden for re-election, the comments from five years ago were reported by Andrew Kaczynski of CNN, a reporter who specialises in burrowing through the strata of internet time, looking for forgotten comments by public figures which now seem unfortunate or embarrassment.
“I think the Republicans run into a problem if it is Joe Biden and if it is maybe a Trump on the other side,” McEnany told AM970 in 2015. “Because Joe Biden, one of the things he is remarkable at is really kind of being a man of the people and resonating with middle class voters. Feeling like – coming off as human. His gaffes – as much as we make fun of them – to a certain extent they make him look human. So not, since he’s likable.”“I think the Republicans run into a problem if it is Joe Biden and if it is maybe a Trump on the other side,” McEnany told AM970 in 2015. “Because Joe Biden, one of the things he is remarkable at is really kind of being a man of the people and resonating with middle class voters. Feeling like – coming off as human. His gaffes – as much as we make fun of them – to a certain extent they make him look human. So not, since he’s likable.”
McEnany also said, presciently, that though “the juxtaposition of kind of the man of the people and kind of this tycoon, is a problem” in any Biden-Trump match-up, “Donald Trump’s remarkably coming off as a man of the people despite being this wealthy business tycoon.”McEnany also said, presciently, that though “the juxtaposition of kind of the man of the people and kind of this tycoon, is a problem” in any Biden-Trump match-up, “Donald Trump’s remarkably coming off as a man of the people despite being this wealthy business tycoon.”
The same week, McEnany spoke to Fox Business Network.The same week, McEnany spoke to Fox Business Network.
“When you have Joe Biden here who’s funny and likeable and can resonate with the middle class,’ she said, “he really can speak to the average, everyday American, versus Hillary Clinton who’s cold and somber. Remember when she had to – that calculated move of drinking a drink at a bar to seem like a human being. Joe Biden is a human and people will resonate with that. I predict he will be the nominee.”“When you have Joe Biden here who’s funny and likeable and can resonate with the middle class,’ she said, “he really can speak to the average, everyday American, versus Hillary Clinton who’s cold and somber. Remember when she had to – that calculated move of drinking a drink at a bar to seem like a human being. Joe Biden is a human and people will resonate with that. I predict he will be the nominee.”
Biden wasn’t, of course, but he is now and a week out from election day he leads the incumbent president in most national polls and in most battleground states, though some leads are narrowing as Trump campaigns hard.Biden wasn’t, of course, but he is now and a week out from election day he leads the incumbent president in most national polls and in most battleground states, though some leads are narrowing as Trump campaigns hard.
In a statement to CNN, McEnany parroted Trump administration attack lines when she had now learned of Biden’s “profound personal corruption” and called him “an empty vessel for the liberal elites and far left”.In a statement to CNN, McEnany parroted Trump administration attack lines when she had now learned of Biden’s “profound personal corruption” and called him “an empty vessel for the liberal elites and far left”.
Well, this is awkward, part 1,057…Well, this is awkward, part 1,057…
The New York Times has reported, citing a senior Bloomberg aide, that Mike Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who lost to Biden in a crowded field for the Democratic nomination, has vowed to spend up to $100 million of his personal fortune to support Biden’s campaign for the White House.The New York Times has reported, citing a senior Bloomberg aide, that Mike Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who lost to Biden in a crowded field for the Democratic nomination, has vowed to spend up to $100 million of his personal fortune to support Biden’s campaign for the White House.
Bloomberg has been targeting Florida as a state he could push into the Biden column and on Monday he agreed to add Texas and Ohio for a late television advertising blitz, after his team presented polling data showing them as competitive, the Times said.Bloomberg has been targeting Florida as a state he could push into the Biden column and on Monday he agreed to add Texas and Ohio for a late television advertising blitz, after his team presented polling data showing them as competitive, the Times said.
He will also increase pro-Biden advertising in Florida, the report said: “We believe that Florida will go down to the wire, and we were looking for additional opportunities to expand the map,” Bloomberg aide Howard Wolfson told the Times. “Texas and Ohio present the best opportunities to do that, in our view.”He will also increase pro-Biden advertising in Florida, the report said: “We believe that Florida will go down to the wire, and we were looking for additional opportunities to expand the map,” Bloomberg aide Howard Wolfson told the Times. “Texas and Ohio present the best opportunities to do that, in our view.”
Trump won Texas and Ohio in his 2016 election, and holding on to both states is crucial to his re-election prospects. As the second and seventh most populous states, both are prizes in the state-by-state contests that decide the presidential race.Trump won Texas and Ohio in his 2016 election, and holding on to both states is crucial to his re-election prospects. As the second and seventh most populous states, both are prizes in the state-by-state contests that decide the presidential race.
The teenager who recorded the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in May will be honored in December by PEN America, the literary and human rights organization, according to reports from the Associated Press.The teenager who recorded the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police in May will be honored in December by PEN America, the literary and human rights organization, according to reports from the Associated Press.
Darnella Frazier will be presented the PEN/Benenson Courage Award. “With nothing more than a cell phone and sheer guts, Darnella changed the course of history in this country, sparking a bold movement demanding an end to systemic anti-Black racism and violence at the hands of police,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement Tuesday.Darnella Frazier will be presented the PEN/Benenson Courage Award. “With nothing more than a cell phone and sheer guts, Darnella changed the course of history in this country, sparking a bold movement demanding an end to systemic anti-Black racism and violence at the hands of police,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement Tuesday.
The 17-year-old Frazier will share the Courage Award with Marie Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine who was pushed out by the Trump administration.The 17-year-old Frazier will share the Courage Award with Marie Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine who was pushed out by the Trump administration.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, PEN had postponed its annual gala from 19 May 19, six days before Floyd’s death, to 8 December, and will host the event online.Because of the coronavirus pandemic, PEN had postponed its annual gala from 19 May 19, six days before Floyd’s death, to 8 December, and will host the event online.
“Darnella Frazier took an enormous amount of flak in the wake of releasing the video,” Nossel told the Associated Press. “People were accusing her of being in it for the money, or for being famous, or were asking why she didn’t intervene. And it was just left this way. We wanted to go back and recognize and elevate this singular act.”“Darnella Frazier took an enormous amount of flak in the wake of releasing the video,” Nossel told the Associated Press. “People were accusing her of being in it for the money, or for being famous, or were asking why she didn’t intervene. And it was just left this way. We wanted to go back and recognize and elevate this singular act.”
Cecile Richards writes for us this morning that with the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court, it is not only abortion rights and Roe v Wade on the line. Parental leave, affordable childcare, equal pay, the Affordable Care Act - all are under threat. That should be a wake-up call to female voters, she says.Cecile Richards writes for us this morning that with the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court, it is not only abortion rights and Roe v Wade on the line. Parental leave, affordable childcare, equal pay, the Affordable Care Act - all are under threat. That should be a wake-up call to female voters, she says.
Read more here: Cecile Richards – Amy Coney Barrett’s appointment is a wake-up call for female votersRead more here: Cecile Richards – Amy Coney Barrett’s appointment is a wake-up call for female voters
Twitter will begin “pre-bunking” misinformation at the top of American users’ timelines in the final week before the US election, the company has announced. Facts about voting by mail and, once the count begins, election results, will be placed on the top of the timeline in an effort to get ahead of viral falsehoods before they are even posted.“Election experts confirm that voting by mail is safe and secure, even with an increase in mail-in ballots,” says one message the company will run. “Even so, you might encounter unconfirmed claims that voting by mail leads to election fraud ahead of the 2020 US elections.”Twitter says the practice is an important new tool in its fight against viral misinformation, because it does not require the company to wait for a specific falsehood to be shared and then debunked. Under the company’s current approach, the only people to ever see its fact-check labels, which are applied to topics including Covid and voting, are those who have already seen a tweet with misinformation, placing the company on a permanent back foot.“Pre-bunk” branding aside, the approach mirrors the strategy Facebook and Instagram have been using to fight Covid misinformation since the early days of the pandemic. Both sites have received prominent banners at the top of their respective feeds, which Facebook says has led to more than 600 million people clicking through to read information from health authorities including the NHS and WHO.Twitter will begin “pre-bunking” misinformation at the top of American users’ timelines in the final week before the US election, the company has announced. Facts about voting by mail and, once the count begins, election results, will be placed on the top of the timeline in an effort to get ahead of viral falsehoods before they are even posted.“Election experts confirm that voting by mail is safe and secure, even with an increase in mail-in ballots,” says one message the company will run. “Even so, you might encounter unconfirmed claims that voting by mail leads to election fraud ahead of the 2020 US elections.”Twitter says the practice is an important new tool in its fight against viral misinformation, because it does not require the company to wait for a specific falsehood to be shared and then debunked. Under the company’s current approach, the only people to ever see its fact-check labels, which are applied to topics including Covid and voting, are those who have already seen a tweet with misinformation, placing the company on a permanent back foot.“Pre-bunk” branding aside, the approach mirrors the strategy Facebook and Instagram have been using to fight Covid misinformation since the early days of the pandemic. Both sites have received prominent banners at the top of their respective feeds, which Facebook says has led to more than 600 million people clicking through to read information from health authorities including the NHS and WHO.
Axios have an exclusive this morning that post-election, the Lincoln Project is looking to turn itself into a media company.Axios have an exclusive this morning that post-election, the Lincoln Project is looking to turn itself into a media company.
Sara Fischer says that it is part of a new trend of activists developing massive audiences for political influence that they are then able to spin into commercial media success. She writes:Sara Fischer says that it is part of a new trend of activists developing massive audiences for political influence that they are then able to spin into commercial media success. She writes:
The group has been responsible for a series of slick viral videos for social media that back Joe Biden against Donald Trump.The group has been responsible for a series of slick viral videos for social media that back Joe Biden against Donald Trump.
Read more here: Axios – the Lincoln Project is becoming a media businessRead more here: Axios – the Lincoln Project is becoming a media business
For Slate this morning Lili Loofbourow has tried to sum up how this year’s election campaign manages to seem to both be frantically urgent, and also relentlessly dull at the same time, even though so much is at stake. In a piece titled “Nothing left to say” she writes:For Slate this morning Lili Loofbourow has tried to sum up how this year’s election campaign manages to seem to both be frantically urgent, and also relentlessly dull at the same time, even though so much is at stake. In a piece titled “Nothing left to say” she writes:
Read more here: Slate – Lili Loofbourow – Nothing left to sayRead more here: Slate – Lili Loofbourow – Nothing left to say
It’s been like this for quite a while now, but I’m still not entirely sure I’ll ever get used to the official press secretary of the president of the United States tweeting out things from her personal account about “The haters at CNN” and so forth. But here we are…It’s been like this for quite a while now, but I’m still not entirely sure I’ll ever get used to the official press secretary of the president of the United States tweeting out things from her personal account about “The haters at CNN” and so forth. But here we are…
Here’s Trisha Garcia in El Paso for us, with the latest on the coronavirus crisis that has engulfed the Texas border city:Here’s Trisha Garcia in El Paso for us, with the latest on the coronavirus crisis that has engulfed the Texas border city:
Read more here: ‘We’re in a crisis stage’: Texas border city reels from coronavirus surgeRead more here: ‘We’re in a crisis stage’: Texas border city reels from coronavirus surge
The president is again asserting that the media will stop talking about Coronavirus on 4 November, as it is only being reported in the context of the election.The president is again asserting that the media will stop talking about Coronavirus on 4 November, as it is only being reported in the context of the election.
Here’s a contrary view in the replies to Trump’s tweet this morning.Here’s a contrary view in the replies to Trump’s tweet this morning.
And here are the latest figures, which show that contrary to the president’s assertion, the numbers do not appear to be rounding the turn. Daily new cases are currently 40% higher than they were two weeks ago. Daily deaths are currently 14% higher than they were two weeks ago.And here are the latest figures, which show that contrary to the president’s assertion, the numbers do not appear to be rounding the turn. Daily new cases are currently 40% higher than they were two weeks ago. Daily deaths are currently 14% higher than they were two weeks ago.