Trump calls Chris Christie ‘maniac’ and body-shames Biden in Tucker Carlson interview – live updates
Tucker #Tucker
Donald Trump spent the first few minutes of his interview with Tucker Carlson bashing other GOP candidates and President Joe Biden.
Mr Trump took a hit at former New Jersey governor Chris Christie calling him a “savage manaic” and a “lunatic.”
Turning his attention to President Joe Biden, Mr Trump claimed he was too weak to be president.
The ex-president refused to participate in the Republican Party’s first primary debate of the 2024 election season and opted to air a 46-minute interview with Mr Carlson.
Meanwhile, the first mugshots of Mr Trump’s codefendants in the Georgia election interference case have been released.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, two more codefendants Cathy Latham and David Shafer were also booked into the jail. In the afternoon former Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell also surrendered.
Mr Trump has announced that he plans to surrender on Thursday – hours after skipping the first Republican presidential debate on Wednesday night.
Key pointsGOP debate: Questioning turns to crime and guns
02:55 , Oliver O’Connell
Questioning turns to crime and then to gun crime.
Christie says the problem is not going to be solved by more money — the problem is these prosecutors in the localities and states are refusing to do their jobs and prosecute violent crime.
Christie also goes after Hunter Biden’s lie on gun permit application and DOJ for soft handling of his case. “In a Christie administration, he would go to jail for 10 years.”
Ramaswamy says: “I think faith-based approaches can play a role here too”. He then argues that is “how we address that mental health epidemic in the next generation that is directly leading to violent crime”. He argues that the US is in need of a new national identity.
Pence replies that the country is not looking for a new national identity. The American people are the most faith-filled, freedom-loving, idealistic, hard-working people the world has ever known.
“We just need government as good as our people,” he adds.
Ramaswamy snaps back by telling Pence he’s the only candidate who was around for Reagan’s “Morning in America” speech but says “It is not Morning in America … we’re in an eternal sort of cold cultural civil war.”
DeSantis chimes in that he is the only person on stage who has done anything about crime by going after “Soros-funded” district attorneys in Florida.
GOP debate: Christie booed by audience at first Republican debate following Trump criticism
02:48 , Oliver O’Connell
Chris Christie was targeted with a smattering of boos as he was introduced Wednesday evening during the first Republican debate.
The ex-governor of New Jersey appeared to have a few critics in the audience as his name was announced by co-moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
Chris Christie booed by audience at first Republican debate following Trump criticism
GOP debate: DeSantis so far avoids attacks
02:45 , Oliver O’Connell
Trump: Ex-president describes his number one priority if elected again
02:43 , Ariana Baio
Donald Trump said his “number one priority” if elected president, again, would be to focus on the US’s southern border, again.
When asked by Mr Carlson what he would focus on the president kept it short and simple: “Border.”
He added: “And taking hundreds of thousands of criminals and getting them and bringing them back to their country, Guatemala.”
GOP debate: Things turn nasty as Pence and Christie taunt Ramaswamy over lack of experience
02:40 , Oliver O’Connell
The first Republican primary debate turned nasty as former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie both went after entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Mr Pence called the 38-year-old a “rookie” and said the US doesn’t have time for on-the-job training.
Republican debate turns nasty as Pence and Christie taunt Ramaswamy
Trump: Donald Trump body shams Joe Biden
02:39 , Ariana Baio
Trump: How does Trump stay positive after four criminal indictments?
02:38 , Ariana Baio
“Because I’m so high in the polls.” – Donald Trump
GOP debate: Haley asked about abortion rights
02:37 , Oliver O’Connell
Haley is asked about abortion rights and how it has been an electorally problematic issue for Republicans since the Dodd decision in the Supreme Court.
She says she is pro-life and not because the Republican Party says she should be. She wants to humanise and personalise these decisions and form consensus over the issue of abortion and work on what can be agreed on.
DeSantis declines to say if he’d sign a 6-week abortion ban as president. “I’m going to stand on the side of life,” he says, adding: “I will support the cause of life as governor and as president.”
Pence then brings up his evangelical faith on the issue and quotes from the Bible. He says he supports a 15 week ban on abortion — when a baby can “feel pain” — and this should be a federal rule.
Haley hits back that there are not enough votes in the Senate.
Burgum says “we should not have a federal abortion ban” as he pulls out a pocket Constitution and cites the 10th Amendment.
Trump: Ex-president reiterates his opinion on Pence overturning 2020 election
02:34 , Ariana Baio
Donald Trump reiterated his opinion that his vice president could overturn election results in 2020.
“In my opinion, Mike Pence had the absolute right to send the votes right back to the legislatures,” Mr Trump told Tucker Carlson.
Multiple constitutional experts, government officials and Mr Pence have confirmed that the vice president has no right to overturn election results.
GOP debate: Biden chimes in on climate change
02:33 , Oliver O’Connell
GOP debate: Apparently Marjorie Taylor Greene has dueling priorities
02:32 , Oliver O’Connell
Trump: Trump brands Chris Christie a ‘savage maniac’ and ‘lunatic’ in brutal Tucker attack
02:31 , Ariana Baio
Donald Trump branded his Republican rival and former associate Chris Christie a “savage maniac” and a “lunatic” in a brutal attack in his Tucker Carlson interview.
The former president immediately went on the front foot to diminish his 2024 GOP competitors singling out the former governor of New Jersey for fierce criticism.
Graeme Massie reports:
Trump brands Chris Christie a ‘savage maniac’ and ‘lunatic’ in brutal Tucker attack
GOP debate: Things get heated over climate change
02:30 , Oliver O’Connell
A show of hands question is hijacked by DeSantis: “We’re not schoolchildren.”
He demands a debate.
Ramaswamy calls climate change “a hoax”.
Christie lashes out at him: “I’ve had enough already tonight” he says, comparing him to “amateur” Barack Obama and then for sounding like Chat GPT.
Ramaswamy also says he is the only one not bought and paid for which get groans from the crowd and people on stage.
Haley then jumps in: “This is exactly why Margaret Thatcher said if you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.”
She adds that climate change is real, but if we want to address it China and India need to curtail emissions.
Trump: Watch Donald Trump calls Chris Christie a ‘maniac’ in Tucker Carlson interview
02:24 , Ariana Baio
GOP debate: Burgum jokes about injuring Achilles tendon
02:23 , Oliver O’Connell
Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, who injured his Achilles tendon quips: “I think I took it too literally when they said go to Milwaukee and break a leg.”
GOP debate: Haley cheered for attacks on Trump while Pence jeered for job at Ramaswamy
02:22 , Oliver O’Connell
Trump: Kamala Harris ‘speaks in rhyme’
02:20 , Ariana Baio
Donald Trump took a hit at Vice President Kamala Harris saying she “speaks in rhyme.”
“She speaks in rhyme, its weird… it’s weird,” the ex-president said.
GOP debate: Pence asked about increased spending in Trump administration
02:19 , Oliver O’Connell
First question to former Vice President Mike Pence is about increased spending during the Trump administration.
Pence answers by running through a resume of the “Trump-Pence” record and gives a nod to Supreme Court nominations and Roe v Wade.
Pence hits Ramaswamy: “A president of the United States has to confront every” challenge “facing America” … Pence engages the rising star on stage with an experience and age attack.
“Joe Biden has weakened this country at home and abroad. Now is not the time for on-the-job training. We don’t need to bring in a rookie.”
“Let me explain it to you, Vivek. … I’ll go slowly this time.”
Trump: Tucker Carlson asks Trump about Jeffery Epstein
02:18 , Ariana Baio
Ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson asked Donald Trump if he believed disgraced financier Jeffery Epstein died by suicide.
At first, Mr Trump responded “I don’t know” then later added “I think he probably committed suicide. He had a life with beautiful homes and beautiful everything and all of a sudden he’s incarcerated…”
Trump: Watch ex-president bash Asa Hutchinson
02:16 , Ariana Baio
GOP debate: Haley is first to attack Trump
02:16 , Oliver O’Connell
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is the first to attack Donald Trump’s record in office and what he did to the national debt. She says it is not just Democrats but Republicans who are to blame and it is time for an accountant in the White House.
She says that while Ramaswamy is ahead in the polls: “I don’t care about polls.”
GOP debate: Ramaswamy asked about inexperience
02:14 , Oliver O’Connell
Ramaswamy begins by addressing the “question that is on everybody’s mind,” which is “Who the heck is this skinny guy with a funny last name, and what the heck is he doing in the middle of the stage?”
He touts his entrepreneurial skills as opposed to his political experience. He says he worries about the future of the American dream and that it needs an outsider to take this on.
GOP debate: Candidates asked about Bidenomics
02:11 , Oliver O’Connell
The first question is about Bidenomics and references the “Rich Men North of Richmond” song currently a favourite among conservatives.
DeSantis says: “This country is in decline … we must reverse Bidenomics”.
“If you are working hard and you can’t afford groceries, a car, or a new home” … while Hunter Biden makes … “hundreds of thousands of dollars on lousy paintings”.
Christie says “we need to sell these ideas” and references his time as governor of New Jersey.
Scott begins by talking about inflation in response to a question about “sacred cow” welfare programs. He talks about sending decisions back to the states and away from Washington, DC.
Trump criticises Biden for going to the beach as president
02:10 , Ariana Baio
“The beach doesn’t represent what the president is supposed to be doing, he’s supposed to be working,” Donald Trump said during his interview with Tucker Carlson on Wednesday night.
Mr Trump criticised President Joe Biden for visiting Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, saying his vacations were a bad look.
While President, Mr Trump spent approximately 290 days of his presidency golfing.
GOP debate: Boos for Christie and Hutchinson
02:06 , Oliver O’Connell
GOP debate gets underway.
02:05 , Oliver O’Connell
Moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum begin by introducing the candidates and running through some house rules.
Baier notes that the eventual nominee will accept the nomination at the same venue as tonight’s debate.
(Getty Images)
Trump bashes candidates on the GOP debate stage
02:04 , Ariana Baio
Just because Donald Trump isn’t on the debate stage tonight doesn’t mean he won’t be lashing out at his political opponents.
During his pre-recorded interview with Tucker Carlson, Mr Trump said several candidates should not be on the stage including Asa Hutchinson and Chris Christie.
Mr Trump called Mr Hutchinson “Aida” and said he is “weak” and pathetic” and questioned how he was elected Arkansas.
Turning his attention toward Chris Christie, Mr Trump called him a “lunatic” and said his polling numbers are too low to be a candidate.
Trump says joining debate was the wrong move
02:01 , Ariana Baio
Right off the bat, Donald Trump told Tucker Carlson he believes joining the debate was wrong because he is polling so far ahead
”I don’t think it’s right to do it if you’re leading 50, 60, 70 points,” Mr Trump said.
Watch Donald Trump speak with Tucker Carlson
01:57 , Ariana Baio
Who do likely GOP voters think will do best tonight?
01:55 , Oliver O’Connell
Who do likely Republican primary voters think will do best tonight? The pressure is on for Ramaswamy, DeSantis, Scott and Haley according tot a FiveThirtyEight poll conducted with The Washington Post and IPSOS.
Why Trump is a no-show at the first GOP 2024 debate
01:50 , Oliver O’Connell
Expecting a coronation and so far looking likely to get one, the former president has chosen not to attend the first Republican primary debate, Gustaf Kilander writes.
Why Donald Trump isn’t showing up to the first Republican primary debate
Five things to watch for tonight
01:45 , Oliver O’Connell
The Independent consulted with top Republican campaign veterans about what they are watching during tonight’s debate. Here are five things to keep an eye on:
Five things to watch during the first Republican primary debate
Bookies taking bets on Trump’s weight at Georgia surrender
01:43 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump, who has sold steaks, buildings, ties, digital trading cards, and many other things with his name on them, is never someone who has missed an opportunity to make a little money, and it seems bookies are taking a similar approach to the former president’s indictment in Georgia for alleged election meddling.
Josh Marcus reports.
Bookies taking bets on Trump’s weight during Georgia surrender
Trump throws tantrum on Truth Social trying to make himself stand out
01:39 , Ariana Baio
Brit Hume went on Fox News this afternoon to offer his opinion on the Democratic Party choosing a candidate to run against the next Republican nominee.
“I don’t think there is any doubt that if we get a candidate get a clear breakout moment either here or some time in the near future, and it appears on its way to overtaking Donald Trump for the nomination or even coming close enough, the Democrats will be frantically looking for somebody else to nominate,” Mr Hume said.
“Because I think that they think that Joe Biden can beat Donald Trump because he did before. I’m not sure they believe that he could beat almost anybody else,” Mr Hume said.
Mr Trump, who is not participating in the first GOP debate tonight, took to his social media platform to lash out at Mr Hume.
“I AM LEADING BIDEN IN ALMOST ALL POLLS! LEADING REPUBLICANS BY 50 POINTS. FOX NEWS REFUSES TO POST OR DISCUSS. BRIT HUME, WORKING WITH RINO BRET BAIER, IS DELUSIONAL!!!” Mr Trump wrote.
He continued, “NO, I’M THE ONE THAT THE DEMOCRATS DON’T WANT TO RUN AGAINST. They said the same thing in 2016. How did that work out? We did MUCH better in the Rigged Election of 2020. The RINOS and DEMS are all about DISINFORMATION! @brithume @bretbaier”
In pictures: Outside the debate hall
01:39 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump Jr and his partner Kimberly Guilfoyle mingle with attendees (REUTERS)
Nigel Farage, former leader of the party formerly known as the Brexit Party (REUTERS)
Supporters of former US President and 2024 Presidential hopeful Donald Trump (AFP via Getty Images)
Demonstrators dressed as Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump and former NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci (REUTERS)
Haley rips Ramaswamy and Scott on China ahead of debate
01:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley took a shot at two of her rivals for the Republican Party nomination ahead of tonight’s first debate.
Nikki Haley (Getty Images)
Referring to a statement made by entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy about only helping Taiwan until 2028, Ms Haley said his comments point to a “complete lack of awareness” of the island’s conflict with mainland China.
Per Fox News:
“It shows a complete lack of awareness of the breadth of the Chinese threat,” Haley initially told the Washington Post’s Josh Rogin. Her campaign later confirmed her comments to Fox News Digital. “That’s the problem with people who don’t understand national security, and he proved that. We can’t have a novice going into the White House.”
Ms Haley also went after South Carolina Senator Tim Scott for his hesitancy to ban TikTok, the phone app that shares data with the Chinese government.
“We can’t have someone who is unsure about where they stand on China policy,” she said. “Banning TikTok is only the tip of the spear when it comes to defending against China.”
Watch: Marjorie Taylor Greene accuses Fox of censorship over Trump surrogates rules
01:27 , Oliver O’Connell
Doug Burgum says he’ll attend GOP debate despite basketball injury
01:22 , Oliver O’Connell
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has said he will attend the first Republican debate after suffering an injury playing basketball with staff members.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Doug Burgum says he’ll attend GOP debate despite basketball injury
Megan Rapinoe fires back at Trump’s ‘fake’ attack on USWNT’s World Cup loss
01:20 , Oliver O’Connell
Megan Rapinoe has fired back at Donald Trump and his “fake” criticism of the US Women’s National Soccer Team’s World Cup loss.
The squad was bounced out of the tournament in the round of 16, its earliest ever exit despite winning the last two competitions.
After the team crashed out with a 5-4 loss to Sweden on penalties, the former president took to Truth Social to blame “wokeness” and Joe Biden for the loss.
Graeme Massie reports.
Megan Rapinoe fires back at Trump’s ‘fake’ attack on USWNT’s World Cup loss
Watters: ‘One of these candidates may wind up as VP’
01:12 , Oliver O’Connell
(EPA)
Debate drinking game tradition resurfaces for Republican primary showdown
01:10 , Oliver O’Connell
The first debate of an election season can be a foreboding proposition given that you may suddenly realise during it that we’re all on this runaway train now until 20 January 2025 when someone will be sworn in as president.
Sounds like it could be time for a drinking game…
Drinking game tradition resurfaces for GOP primary debate
Nine down and 13 to go as Trump and codefendants start surrendering for arrest in Georgia
01:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Nearly half of the Republican operatives charged in Fulton County’s investigation into their attempts to alter the 2020 election results in Georgia have now surrendered to state authorities, been booked in jail and released on bond.
Donald Trump has yet to join them.
John Bowden reports.
9 down, 13 to go: Trump and his codefendants start surrendering for arrest in Georgia
Play along at home: Trump releases his own GOP debate bingo
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:50 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump has released his own debate bingo card ahead of the first faceoff of the 2024 GOP primary. You may find it a little focused on one candidate…
Trump mocks GOP as he announces Tucker Carlson interview will clash with debate
Five things to watch during the first Republican primary debate
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Here’s what Republicans have told The Independent’s Eric Garcia that they expect from tonight’s debate.
Five things to watch during the first Republican primary debate
Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum: The Fox News anchors wrangling first GOP debate
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:20 , Oliver O’Connell
Overseeing the sparring on stage will be two season Fox News anchors, Special Report host Bret Baier and The Story host Martha MacCallum.
Who are Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, Fox News hosts wrangling first GOP debate?
Trump says his indictments should be viewed as campaign contribution to Biden
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:18 , Oliver O’Connell
With just a short time to go before the GOP debate, former President Trump is back on Truth Social, posting: “THE INDICTMENTS AGAINST ME SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION TO CROOKED JOE BIDEN AND HIS RADICAL LEFT THUGS. THIS WILL BE THEIR UPDATED FORM OF CHEATING & ELECTION INTERFERENCE. REMEMBER, THESE ARE BIDEN INDICTMENTS, PURE & SIMPLE!”
The Biden administration has gone out of its way to separate itself from and not comment on the actions of the Department of Justice, nor prosecutors in New York or Georgia.
Tucker Carlson interview: Trump addresses possible assassination and ‘open conflict’ in US
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump chose to skip the first Republican presidential debate and instead speak with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, in an interview packed with conspiratorial themes about a civil war in the US, Jeffrey Epstein, a plot by Senate Republicans against Mr Trump, and even a potential assassination attempt, according to a preview of the conversation shared online.
Josh Marcus reports.
Trump speaks of assassination and US civil war in Tucker Carlson debate interview
Christie campaign promises governor will ‘tell truth about Trump and our party’
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:08 , Oliver O’Connell
In a pre-debate memo to set expectations ahead of tonight’s Republican debate, Chris Christie’s campaign has promised that the former New Jersey governor will “tell the truth about Trump and our party” while also suggesting the other candidates are over-managed.
Spokesperson Karl Ricketts says they do not have a “war room” nor surrogates to flood the post-debate spin room, but rather: “Our full on-site surrogates list: Former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie.”
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting (AFP via Getty Images)
Watch: Fauci and Trump skip merrily around outside debate venue
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:02 , Oliver O’Connell
Ramaswamy claims he was misquoted about 9/11 conspiracies disproven by audio
Thursday 24 August 2023 00:00 , Oliver O’Connell
With the first Republican primate debate taking place this week, the campaign of Vivek Ramaswamy, who has seen a bump in the polls in recent months, is embroiled in a scandal over what the GOP candidate believes about 9/11 and the January 6 insurrection.
Josh Marcus has the story.
Audio disproves Vivek Ramaswamy claims he was misquoted about 9/11 conspiracies
Giuliani poses for mugshot in Georgia ahead of Trump surrender in 2020 election case
Wednesday 23 August 2023 23:50 , Oliver O’Connell
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani was photographed for a mugshot in Atlanta on Wednesday, after he, Donald Trump, and 17 other associates were indicted this month in Georgia for allegedly conspiring to subvert the 2020 election results in the state.
“If they can do this to me, they can do this to you,” Mr Giuliani said outside of the Fulton County Jail on Wednesday, calling the case a “fight for our way of life” and a “travesty.”
Read on…
Rudy Giuliani poses for mugshot in Georgia ahead of Trump surrender in 2020 case
NYT under fire for publishing Ann Coulter column on the GOP debate
Wednesday 23 August 2023 23:40 , Oliver O’Connell
The New York Times has come under fire for publishing an opinion piece based on a conversation with conservative commentator Ann Coulter, just over two decades after she shared her wish that the paper’s offices be blown up.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
New York Times under fire for publishing Ann Coulter column on the GOP debate
Watch: Tucker Carlson releases preview of Trump interview
Wednesday 23 August 2023 23:34 , Oliver O’Connell
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has released a preview of tonight’s interview with former president Donald Trump which airs in competition to tonight’s Republican Party debate.
Watch below:
ICYMI: Kayleigh McEnany rips Trump’s decision to skip debate
Wednesday 23 August 2023 23:20 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump‘s former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany thinks her former boss is making a “miscalculation” by choosing to skip the first GOP primary debate.
The comments came after Mr Trump made it clear in a post on Truth Social that he plans to sit out the first debate in the GOP presidential primary race, citing his position as front runner and arguing that participating would only provide his opponents the chance to sell themselves by attacking him.
Graig Graziosi reports.
Former ally Kayleigh McEnany rips Trump’s decision to skip debate
Kari Lake greets Trump supporters outside debate venue
Wednesday 23 August 2023 23:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Former television news anchor and failed Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake shakes hands with Trump supporters outside the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (AFP via Getty Images)
Trump presence will be felt at debate even in his absence
Wednesday 23 August 2023 23:00 , AP
The eight contenders who are scheduled to attend the Milwaukee debate hosted by Fox News will likely face pressure to articulate how they would differ in style and substance from Trump, who holds a commanding early lead in the race. That could be a delicate task, forcing candidates to decide how closely to align themselves with the former president’s most outlandish positions, including his lies about widespread fraud during the 2020 election.
Read on…
Trump won’t be at the GOP’s first presidential debate. But his presence will be felt
In his new book ‘The Fall,’ author Michael Wolff foresees the demise of Fox News
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:45 , Oliver O’Connell
The next book from “Fire and Fury” author Michael Wolff is both a recounting of the recent past and a prediction for the near future.
Wolff’s “The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty” will come out Sept. 26, publisher Henry Holt announced Tuesday. A spokesperson told The Associated Press that Wolff, whose previous books include “Rupert Murdoch, The Man Who Owns the News,” interviewed “people throughout the Murdoch organization, including many with direct knowledge of Murdoch and his family.”
Wolff will offer behinds-the-scenes accounts of everything from Tucker Carlson’s ousting, to Rupert Murdoch’s clashes with former President Donald Trump to tensions within the Murdoch family that mirror HBO’s “Succession.” Fox’s decline is inevitable, Wolff contends.
“I have been telling the story of the great power of Rupert Murdoch and Fox News for many years,” he said in a statement. “This power is now reaching a natural end and ‘The Fall’ brings the story to its closing act.”
Wolff is best known for “Fire and Fury,” his tell-all about the Trump administration that sold millions of copies despite allegations from some mentioned in the book that he had misquoted or misrepresented them.
Read more:
In his new book ‘The Fall,’ author Michael Wolff foresees the demise of Fox News
Federal court denies Meadows bid to stave off arrest
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:38 , Oliver O’Connell
A federal court judge has denied former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’s bid to stave off arrest or immediately remove his criminal case in Fulton County to federal court.
A similar decision was made earlier in the case of Trump administration lawyer Jeff Clark.
They will both be arrested by the end of the week.
From praying after the Access Hollywood tape to condemning January 6: Everything Mike Pence has said about Trump
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:30 , Kelly Rissman
Former Vice President Mike Pence has become much more emboldened in his criticism of his former boss, Donald Trump, in recent months, but has refused to stoop to Mr Trump’s online admonishments and name-calling tactics.
Mr Pence is trying to pave a pathway back to the White House – without his name on a ballot next to Mr Trump. But it’s no secret that the former vice president isn’t polling particularly well, with just over five per cent in the polls, putting him in fourth place in a crowded GOP field.
The man who was once described as “cartoonishly loyal as Trump’s vice president” (and who once praised Trump every 12 seconds for three minutes straight during a 2017 Cabinet meeting) is now taking harsher stances and carefully distancing himself, at times, from the former president.
Mr Pence has a signature style, one that has been well curated from decades ago after losing a House race; in 1991, he vowed to avoid negative campaign attacks. This promise seemed to inform a lot of Mr Pence’s responses to significant events in which his former boss found himself in hot water. Rather than pointing fingers, the former Indiana governor tends to turn the conversation to the American public and tread diplomatically.
Read more:
Everything Mike Pence has said about Donald Trump
Former Trump and Pence staffer shares her predictions for debate
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:28 , Oliver O’Connell
Alyssa Farah Griffin, the former Trump and Pence White House staffer who has since forged a broadcast career on The View and as a commentator for CNN, has reshared her predictions for tonight’s debate. She made the original post on Sunday.
-Nikki Haley wins the night-DeSantis takes the most blows-Vivek chips away at RDS’ populist support-Tim Scott sees a boost-Christie has the most viral moments & makes progress on margins w/Trump skeptical R’s-Pence gets most applause on life/ social issues
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum will debate after injury
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:22 , Oliver O’Connell
“Doug feels very strongly that his voice is necessary on the stage this evening, and has said he will fight through the pain and challenge standing in order to make that happen,” NBC reports his campaign as saying.
Five things to watch during the first Republican primary debate
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:20 , Oliver O’Connell
Here’s what Republicans have told The Independent’s Eric Garcia that they expect from tonight’s debate.
Five things to watch during the first Republican primary debate
Trump responds to Giuliani surrender
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Former president Donald Trump broke a prolonged silence on social media today to briefly comment on the arrest of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and rail against the charges against him and his allies.
He posted on Truth Social:
The greatest Mayor in the history of New York City was just ARRESTED in Atlanta, Georgia, because he fought for Election Integrity. THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED & STOLLEN. HOW SAD FOR OUR COUNTRY. MAGA!
[Yes, he misspelled stolen, again…]
What is stollen? The German cake that Donald Trump accidentally promoted
Jeff Clark to be arrested as judge denies effort to stay Fulton County proceedings
Wednesday 23 August 2023 22:02 , Oliver O’Connell
Trump administration lawyer Jeff Clark will be arrested this week regarding charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
A federal judge has denied his effort to stay the Fulton County proceedings and stave off his arrest while he tried to send the case to federal court.
Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell’s booking mugshots
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:53 , Oliver O’Connell
Jenna Ellis is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (via REUTERS)
Sidney Powell is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (via REUTERS)
Rudy Giuliani’s booking mugshot
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:49 , Oliver O’Connell
Rudy Giuliani, who served as former U.S. Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, is shown in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, (via REUTERS)
Watch: Giuliani seen leaving bail bonds office after arrest
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:44 , Oliver O’Connell
Full story: Giuliani gives awkward laugh over whether he regrets Trump relationship during Georgia surrender
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Rudy Giuliani called his arrest an “attack on the American people” outside a Georgia jail, where he surrendered to law enforcement for his part in the alleged 2020 election interference plot.
The former New York City mayor and former attorney to Donald Trump spoke to reporters outside the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
He gave an awkward laugh when asked if he regretted his long working relationship with Mr Trump.
Here’s the full story from outside the jail:
Rudy Giuliani gives awkward laugh over whether he regrets Trump relationship
Republicans for Ukraine group to air ad during debate
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:30 , Gustaf Kilander
Who is taking part in the Republican debate tonight?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:25 , Oliver O’Connell
Eight Republican presidential candidates have met the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) new criteria to participate in the first GOP debate on 23 August.
Here’s who will be lining up on stage in Milwaukee:
Watch: Combative Giuliani lashes out at Fulton County DA Fani Willis in chaotic scenes outside jail
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:18 , Oliver O’Connell
Trump releases his own GOP debate bingo card
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:11 , Oliver O’Connell
Donald Trump has released his own debate bingo card ahead of the first faceoff of the 2024 GOP primary.
Mr Trump also announced that his interview with Tucker Carlson will be shown at 9pm ET, serving as counterprogramming to the GOP debate.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Trump mocks GOP as he announces Tucker Carlson interview will clash with debate
Watch: Giuliani says ‘very honoured to be involved in this case’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:04 , Oliver O’Connell
Biden campaign put up Dark Brandon billboards around Milwaukee ahead of debate
Wednesday 23 August 2023 21:00 , Gustaf Kilander
Media scrum surrounds Giuliani as he leaves Fulton County Jail
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:52 , Oliver O’Connell
Jen Psaki says Trump has given major clue that he’s scared of legal peril
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:50 , Oliver O’Connell
Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki believes that Donald Trump has given a major clue that he’s scared of his escalating legal troubles.
Ms Psaki, who went from the White House briefing room to taking a spot as a talking head at MSNBC, said that Mr Trump is showing “unusual” signs of fear in the face of his various indictments.
The former president is currently facing a total of 91 charges after being indicted in New York, Georgia, and twice by the federal government – at a time when he is pursuing the 2024 presidential election.
Read more:
Psaki says Trump has given major clue that he’s scared of legal peril
Booking photo for Kenneth Chesebro revealed
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:46 , Oliver O’Connell
Full story: Rudy Giuliani says he feels ‘very, very good’ as he surrenders in Georgia on RICO charges
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Rudy Giuliani has claimed that he feels “very, very good” ahead of his arrival at a Georgia jail, where he surrendered to law enforcement for his part in the 2020 election interference plot.
The former New York City mayor and former attorney to Donald Trump spoke to reporters as he left his apartment in New York City on Wednesday morning to travel to Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.
The former Trump attorney surrendered at the Fulton County Jail on Wednesday afternoon, where his bail was set at $150,000.
Read on…
Rudy Giuliani says he feels ‘very, very good’ as he surrenders in Georgia
Watch: Giuliani surrenders to authorities at Fulton County Jail
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:35 , Oliver O’Connell
Biden asked about GOP debate
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:34 , Oliver O’Connell
Having emerged from pelodog, a pilates and spin studio in Lake Tahoe, President Joe Biden — in addition to making brief remarks on the plane crash in Russia — was asked about tonight’s upcoming Republican primary debate.
Asked if he was going to watch the Republican debate, he replied: “I’m going to try to see — get as much as I can, yes.”Asked what his expectations were, he smiled broadly and laughed: “I have none.”“Thank you all,” he added and then walked to the waiting car.He was wearing a blue ballcap, aviators, and a teal sweater. He had what looked to be an iced coffee in his hand.
President Joe Biden speaks to reporters after taking a pilates class followed by a spin class with First Lady Jill Biden and members of their family in South Lake Tahoe, California on 23 August 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)
Giuliani and Powell surrender to Fulton County Jail
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:24 , Oliver O’Connell
Former Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell have surrendered to authorities at Fulton County Jail to face charges relating to the 2020 Georgia election interference case.
Mr Giuliani’s bond was confirmed set at $150,000 around lunchtime and Ms Powell’s was set at $100,000 on Wednesday morning.
The former mayor of New York faces 13 counts relating to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, whereas Ms Powell faces 16 counts, including two counts of conspiracy to commit election fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit computer theft.
She is accused of conspiring to allegedly encourage and help people tamper with ballot markers and machines inside an elections office in Coffee County.
Biden comments on plane crash in Russia
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:15 , Oliver O’Connell
Monday will be a busy court day for Trump and his allies
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Scott MacFarlane of CBS News notes that Trump-related courtroom drama does not abate after the weekend.
Former Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro’s contempt of Congress case has a hearing scheduled for Monday at 9.30am in Washington, DC.
In the very next courtroom, there is a trial date hearing for Donald Trump’s federal election interference trial at 10am (unlikely he will attend).
Meanwhile, down in Fulton County, Georgia, there is a 10am hearing as to whether Mark Meadows can have his case shifted to federal court.
Busy times…
Meanwhile, President Biden is on vacation in Lake Tahoe
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:05 , Oliver O’Connell
President Joe Biden and his family are currently on vacation in Lake Tahoe.
Mr Biden has been briefed about the plane crash in Russia that was said to be carrying Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin who led a failed coup attempt against Vladimir Putin two months ago today.
He has also been briefed on reports of an active shooter in Pittsburgh.
“The President, First Lady, and members of their family are taking a Pilates class followed by a spin class,” the White House informs the press.
Several family members were spotted by pool reporters, including granddaughters Maisy and Naomi, and her husband Peter Neal. At one point, Hunter Biden’s young son, Beau, ran along the sidewalk and into the fitness studio.
How to watch Trump’s Tucker Carlson interview airing during GOP debate
Wednesday 23 August 2023 20:00 , Kelly Rissman
After Donald Trump declared that he would not be participating in the first GOP primary debate on Wednesday, the former president has something else up his sleeve: an interview with disgraced Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Mr Trump confirmed his absence on Truth Social, explaining, “The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had…I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!”
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How to watch Trump’s Tucker Carlson interview airing during GOP debate
Watch: Gov Doug Burgum has arrived in debate spin room on crutches after basketball accident
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:55 , Oliver O’Connell
‘Ron DeSantis has never learned how to take a punch’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:50 , Oliver O’Connell
The Democratic operative Joshua Karp who advised Andrew Gillum and Charlie Crist, the gubernatorial nominees in Florida who lost to Mr DeSantis in 2018 and 2022 has shared his insights on how to debate the governor.
Mr Karp advised his candidates to keep eye contact with Mr DeSantis, especially when attacking him. Get him to start complaining and whining. Don’t be so sure that he’s all that well-prepared and be on the lookout for his prepared lines.
“Basically from the jump, it was clear he hadn’t prepared at all,” Mr Karp told The Daily Beast.
“A win for DeSantis is coming out of the debate looking like the frontrunner on a stage that doesn’t have Donald Trump,” he added. “Like, give the Republican Party a picture of a party that doesn’t have Donald Trump in it.”
“Ron DeSantis has never learned how to take a punch,” Mr Karp told the outlet. “He can’t counterpunch with more force. The big test of this debate is whether he is able to control those bad instincts that he’s got.”
Fulton County AG responds to Jeff Clark bid to move charges to federal court
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:47 , Oliver O’Connell
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has responded to former Trump administration lawyer Jeff Clark’s bid to transfer his charges to federal court, saying his reasoning is based on a “misread of the applicable statutes, a misapprehension of the binding case law, and a fundamental misunderstanding of criminal procedure.”
She sarcastically adds: “As inconvenient as modern air travel can admittedly be, whatever nuisance involved in the defendant securing a flight to Atlanta … is self-evidently insufficient justification.”
Watch: Marjorie Taylor Greene claims not to know who some GOP candidates are
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:43 , Oliver O’Connell
“These candidates, I don’t even know who some of them are. I was surprised that I didn’t know who the governor of North Dakota and some other people were. They really don’t have a chance.”
— Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor-Greene
Report: Giuliani bond set at $150,000 in Fulton County
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:36 , Oliver O’Connell
What the GOP candidates have said about transgender rights: Ron DeSantis
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:35 , Oliver O’Connell
As governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis has rapidly implemented some of the most aggressive anti-transgender legislation seen across the US.
In May, the Florida governor signed a bill banning children from undergoing gender-affirming medical care and criminalising medical providers who offer it to patients.
The bill also allows transgender children to be taken from their parents and placed into state custody should parents try to seek gender-affirming care.
Mr DeSantis has called gender-affirming care “mutilation” and “wrong” saying that “it has no place in our society”.
Last year, Mr DeSantis also notably spearheaded a bill, nicknamed the “Don’t Say Gay” law, that prohibits the discussion of sex or gender in schools – including a child’s preferred pronouns.
Despite his action and rhetoric, when Mr DeSantis was questioned about what he would do if his child was gay or transgender, he responded: “Well, my children are my children… We’ll leave that – we’ll leave that between my wife and I.”
Analysis: Chris Christie is on a mission against his old friend Trump
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Could a man who once helped mould Donald Trump’s rise to power be the one to finally break his hold on the Republican Party?
Chris Christie is betting so.
John Bowden reports.
Christie is on a mission to take down ‘scared’ Trump – starting with the debate
Kenneth Chesebro files demand for speedy trial
Wednesday 23 August 2023 19:25 , Ariana Baio
Kenneth Chesebro, former attorney for Donald Trump’s campaign who was recently indicted alongside the ex-president, has filed a demand for a speedy trial in Fulton County, Georgia.
Citing a law for his right to a speedy trial, Mr Chesebro demanded his trial date occur “within the terms of the court the indictment was filed (e.g. first Monday in January, March, May, July, September, and November)”.
Ron DeSantis isn’t over yet – here’s why
Wednesday 23 August 2023 18:20 , Eric Garcia
Ron DeSantis has faced a flurry of negative headlines in recent weeks as his poll numbers have declined and his campaign sheds staff.
But his supporters and other insiders say that it is too early to count out the Florida governor as he prepares to take the debate stage in Milwaukee on Wednesday. With former president Donald Trump electing to sit out of the first debate, Mr DeSantis will likely be the subject of most attacks given that he has consistently polled in second place behind the former president.
A recent NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll found that 42 per cent of Iowa caucus-goers prefer the former president as their first choice, with Mr DeSantis in a distant second at 19 per cent. At the same time, a combined 57 per cent of poll respondents said that the party needed new leadership, with 38 per cent of those caucus goers listing Mr DeSantis as their first choice.
With its heavy churchgoing population, Iowa offers Mr DeSantis his best position to beat Mr Trump, given his policies on attacking “wokeness” and restricting how sexual orientation, gender identity and race are taught in schools, as well as his signing of a six-week abortion ban.
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Ron DeSantis isn’t over yet – here’s why
Two candidates suing GOP for being left out of debate: ‘They’re cherrypicking’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 18:00 , Gustaf Kilander
Two Republican presidential candidates are suing the Republican National Committee for not allowing them to take part in the first primary debate in Milwaukee.
California conservative radio host Larry Elder and Michigan businessman Perry Johnson reportedly didn’t meet the qualifications set by the RNC, which the candidates dispute. The requirements included donations from 40,000 individuals with at least 200 in 20 or more states, reaching at least one per cent in two national polls and one poll from one of the states that vote early, and agreeing to the pledge of loyalty to support the eventual nominee.
Mr Elder, who has previously run for governor of California, claimed the RNC had “rigged” the process and that he had indeed qualified, but that the RNC didn’t accept some of the polls he cited.
Mr Johnson ran for governor of Michigan in 2022. He also claimed that he has met the requirements, saying that the RNC “knew who they wanted to ban” and that they made “a flawed decision”.
But he didn’t outline why the RNC rejected his argument that he had qualified for the debate stage in his statement.
Read more:
Two candidates suing GOP for being left out of debate: ‘They’re cherrypicking’
Chris Christie is on a mission to take down ‘scared’ Donald Trump – starting with first debate
Wednesday 23 August 2023 17:40 , John Bowden
Could a man who once helped mould Donald Trump’s rise to power be the one to finally break his hold on the Republican Party?
Chris Christie is betting so.
The former New Jersey governor is running a combative, anti-establishment campaign on behalf of the establishment — the old Republican establishment, the Reagan GOP, against what is now the actual leadership of the Republican Party: Donald Trump, and his inner circle of loyalists, attack dogs and sycophants.
His wager? That he understands the strengths and weaknesses of Mr Trump better than any candidate on the debate stage, an understanding which combined with a punchy, charismatic frontman can spell doom for the Trump campaign. It’s a risky bargain, but surely no riskier than the respective gambits being waged quietly by every single Republican presidential candidate apparently hoping that Mr Trump will drop out under a mountain of legal battles or otherwise spontaneously implode before it is too late.
As it stood ahead of the first Republican debate, Mr Christie is beginning to see at least the whisperings of success. He’s overtaken Ron DeSantis and others in polls of New Hampshire, the first primary state where he hopes to be competitive for the top slot. And, perhaps most importantly, he has been credited at least in the media as being the reason why Donald Trump is skipping the debates entirely.
Read more:
Christie is on a mission to take down ‘scared’ Trump – starting with the debate
Trump mocks GOP as he announces Tucker Carlson interview will directly clash with debate: ‘Sparks will fly’
Wednesday 23 August 2023 17:20 , Kelly Rissman
Former President Donald Trump announced that his interview with Tucker Carlson will be shown at 9pm ET, serving as counterprogramming to the first Republican primary debate.
Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday: “MY INTERVIEW WITH TUCKER CARLSON WILL BE AIRED TONIGHT AT 9:00 P.M. ‘SPARKS WILL FLY.’ ENJOY!”
It is still unclear where the interview with Carlson will be shown, but many assume it will be aired on X, seeing as the platform airs the former Fox News host’s new show, “Tucker on Twitter.”
Mr Trump’s post seemed to mock the Republican Party – and Fox News – as he seeks to lure viewers away from other candidates and the network, which he has recently bashed.
The 2024 GOP frontrunner has repeatedly declared that he would not be participating in the debate – which is scheduled to be broadcast on Wednesday on Fox News.
Read more:
Trump mocks GOP as he announces Tucker Carlson interview will clash with debate
What the GOP candidates have said about transgender rights: Nikki Haley
Wednesday 23 August 2023 17:00 , Ariana Baio
Nikki Haley has repeatedly denounced transgender female athletes competing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity, calling it “the women’s issue of our time”.
The former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador went as far as to accuse transgender athletes of contributing to “a third of our teenage girls seriously [contemplating] suicide last year.”
Ms Haley told ABC News 4 in May that she opposes gender-affirming healthcare for minors saying: “You shouldn’t allow a child to have gender-changing procedure until the age of 18 when they are an adult and they can make that decision.”
She added: “We shouldn’t have taxpayer dollars going to that.”
Sidney Powell strikes $100,000 bail agreement with Georgia prosecutors
Wednesday 23 August 2023 16:40 , Gustaf Kilander
Former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell has agreed to a $100,000 bail agreement with prosecutors in Georgia.
She’s set to be subject to the same release conditions as the other defendants in the case. While Ms Powell has yet to turn herself in, the conditions state that she must surrender by noon on Friday.
Ms Powell was one of the lawyers pushing baseless allegations of fraud following the 2020 election.
What the GOP candidates have said about transgender rights: Donald Trump
Wednesday 23 August 2023 16:20 , Ariana Baio
While in office, Donald Trump rolled back a slew of rights protecting transgender people.
This included axing policies that allowed trans people to serve in the military and that protected trans patients from discrimination by doctors, hospitals and health insurance companies.
But if he were re-elected, Mr Trump has promised to go even further by punishing doctors and hospitals for providing gender-affirming care to minors which includes revoking Medicaid and Medicare qualifications.
The former president has also repeatedly mocked transgender athletes during speeches.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent’s website