Trump claims Santa’s vote in flurry of Christmas Truth Social posts: Live
Santa #Santa
Donald Trump marked Christmas by sharing a video compilation of his festive presidential speeches after spending more than half a day ranting about the 2024 presidential election and his various legal woes, including a festive wish that his opponents “rot in hell”.
The former president wrote: “Merry Christmas to all, including Crooked Joe Biden’s ONLY HOPE, Deranged Jack Smith, the out of control Lunatic who just hired outside attorneys, fresh from the SWAMP (unprecedented!), to help him with his poorly executed WITCH HUNT against ‘TRUMP’ and ‘MAGA’.”
The holiday greeting was also aimed at world leaders, “both good and bad”, and the “sick” thugs at home “looking to destroy our once great USA. MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
Looking ahead to the next year, Mr Trump will be juggling four criminal trials that carry a total of 91 felony counts as well as his presidential campaign.
Mr Trump’s legal team is making a concerted effort to try and delay or dismiss the cases. On Saturday, his team asked an appeals court to throw out the 2020 federal election interference case against him on presidential immunity grounds.
Key Points
Trump asks appeals court to dismiss 2020 election federal indictment
Supreme Court rejects Jack Smith’s request to fast-track decision on Trump presidential ‘immunity’
Trump team fires back at claims that ex-president ‘smells’
Trump ‘personally pressured two Republican officials to not certify Michigan 2020 results’
Trump hopes opponents ‘rot in hell’ in angry Christmas screed
‘What an alpha male’: Trump’s ‘toe pads’ spark social media firestorm
11:30 , Oliver O’Connell
First there were Ron DeSantis’ alleged heeled boots, now there are Donald Trump’s “toe pads.”
Social media has not taken kindly to the discovery of the two black rectangular pads spotted under the former president’s feet while he was speaking at Mar-a-Lago.
“What is Trump standing on here? How often does he use these?” one account asked in an X post, which included a photo of Mr Trump’s shiny black shoes leaning on the pads.
One user joked, “trump toe pads, desantis’ heels – does the Republican Party have a foot fetish?”
Read the full article
ICYMI: Trump personally pressured two GOP officials to not certify election, says report
11:00 , Graig Graziosi
Donald Trump personally pressured two Republican officials in Michigan to not certify the 2020 presidential election result in the state, according to a report.
In a 17 November 2020 phone call, the then-president told the officials Monica Palmer and William Hartmann – both members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers – that they would look “terrible” if they certified the results.
According to The Detroit News, which obtained audio of the call, Mr Trump went on to tell the officials: “We’ve got to fight for our country.”
Mr Trump also reportedly told Ms Palmer and Mr Hartmann that his team would “take care” of them, saying that “we can’t let these people take our country away from us”.
Read more here:
Trump personally pressured two GOP officials to not certify election, says report
How did Trump spend Christmas?
10:23 , Oliver O’Connell
So, amid all the angry posting on Truth Social, how did Donald Trump spend Christmas?
Well, footage captured by a dinner guest at Mar-a-Lago on Christmas Eve and posted to Instagram shows the former president greeting diners and joining one table for at least part of the meal.
The video clip has been circulating on X, formerly known as Twitter, with users once again pondering the whereabouts of former first lady Melania Trump — rarely seen with her husband, even during the holidays.
Where is Donald Trump facing 14th Amendment challenges?
10:00 , Graig Graziosi
Lawsuits challenging Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on the 2024 presidential primary ballots have sprung up in several states.
Individuals and left-wing organisations have claimed that Mr Trump violated Section Three of the 14th Amendment – known as the insurrection clause – citing his involvement in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
So far only one state, Colorado, has removed Mr Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment. The state’s Supreme Court ruled on 19 December that the former president is ineligible to appear on the state ballot and cannot be considered an option for the White House.
While Mr Trump says he plans to appeal the Colorado decision, likely taking the case up to the US Supreme Court, he is also preparing for challenges, appeals and decisions in other states.
Here’s a look at the other challenges to Mr Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 race:
Donald Trump: Where is former president facing 14th Amendment challenges?
Fox News host mocks viewers for sending him hate mail over his refusal to deny 2020 election
09:00 , Graig Graziosi
Fox News host Neil Cavuto took a few minutes on his show “Your World” to respond to hate mail from viewers on Thursday.
A few viewers were particularly disgruntled about Mr Cavuto’s refusal to reject the results of the 2020 election.
“Sad to watch an intelligent man proudly display his ignorance when Neil Cavuto insists with moral certitude that the 2020 election rigging absolutely did not occur,” a viewer named Kevin wrote to Mr Cavuto.
Former President Donald Trump and several of his associates are facing an array of legal headaches stemming from their false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, from felony charges to blockbuster payouts. In April, Fox News also reached a $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, avoiding a trial that would examine the network’s coverage of false claims that 2020 election was rigged.
“So, Neil Cavuto, the Omnipotent One, has concluded that the last election wasn’t stolen,” JJ, another viewer, wrote. “Says who, fat head?”
Mr Cavuto did not mince words in his response to JJ.
“Well, says every rational human being on the planet,” he said. “That includes 38 investigations, scores of recounts, then recounts of recounts, and dozens of more court cases often led by Trump-appointed judges. Outside of that, take your pick.”
ICYMI: Trump’s projection spins ‘insurrectionist’ accusations back at Biden
08:00 , Graig Graziosi
President Joe Biden said there is “no question” that Donald Trump was responsible for fuelling an insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6. “It’s self-evident. You saw it all,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“I’m not an insurrectionist,” the former president wrote on his Truth Social the next day. “Crooked Joe Biden is!!!”
He didn’t elaborate, but it’s the latest attempt from the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president in 2024 to spin, or project, accusations against him toward those doing the accusing.
It’s a claim spread across his marathon rallies and on his social media. It’s echoed by his allies and supporters. And it only comes after Mr Trump faces criminal charges for his own attempts to overturn the results of millions of Americans’ votes in the 2020 presidential election, and the growing list of lawsuits threatening to remove him from 2024 ballots because of it.
WATCH: Ramaswamy says he is ‘not a Plan B person’ when asked if he’ll join Trump’s administration
07:00 , Graig Graziosi
Foul ad escalates claims that Donald Trump ‘smells’
06:00 , Graig Graziosi
The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump PAC, released a foul ad doubling down on allegations that former president Donald Trump smells.
Claims around the former president’s alleged odour erupted earlier this week when former Illinois Republican representative Adam Kinzinger tweeted, “I’m genuinely surprised how people close to Trump haven’t talked about the odor. It’s truly something to behold. Wear a mask if you can.”
The Lincoln Project seized upon the resulting social media firestorm with a video advertisement on Saturday, with the caption: “Is that you Donald? #TrumpSmells.”
READ MORE:
Foul ad escalates claims that Donald Trump ‘smells’
WATCH: Donald Trump asks God for ‘help’ in his campaign next year in Christmas message
04:59 , Graig Graziosi
Trump’s ‘toe pads’ spark social media firestorm: ‘What an alpha male’
04:00 , Graig Graziosi
First there were Ron DeSantis’ alleged heeled boots, now there are Donald Trump’s “toe pads.”
Social media has not taken kindly to the discovery of the two black rectangular pads spotted under the former president’s feet while he was speaking at Mar-a-Lago.
“What is Trump standing on here? How often does he use these?” one account asked in an X post, which included a photo of Mr Trump’s shiny black shoes leaning on the pads.
One user joked, “trump toe pads, desantis’ heels – does the Republican Party have a foot fetish?”
READ MORE:
Trump’s ‘toe pads’ spark social media firestorm
Trump has spent months attacking ‘bird brain’ Nikki Haley. Now he’s mulling her for VP
03:00 , Graig Graziosi
After spending months lashing out at his closest Republican rival in the 2024 race, Donald Trump is now said to be considering her as his second in command if he retakes the White House.
Multiple insiders told Politico and CBS News that the former president has been asking allies what they think about him picking Nikki Haley as vice president if he secures the GOP nomination.
“What do you think of Nikki?” Mr Trump has reportedly asked.
The suggestion, however, has been widely panned by his inner circle, with the sources saying that Mr Trump’s allies and advisors are trying to warn him off the idea – arguing that Ms Haley does not fit with his Maga base.
READ MORE:
Trump has spent months attacking Nikki Haley. Now he’s mulling her for VP
‘MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!’
02:00 , Graig Graziosi
Donald Trump’s Christmas messages included a call for his political opponents and criminal accusers to “rot in hell.”
He made the post on Truth Social on Christmas Day.
“Merry Christmas to all, including Crooked Joe Biden’s ONLY HOPE, Deranged Jack Smith, the out of control Lunatic who just hired outside attorneys, fresh from the SWAMP (unprecedented!), to help him with his poorly executed WITCH HUNT against “TRUMP” and “MAGA.” Included also are World Leaders, both good and bad, but none of which are as evil and “sick” as the THUGS we have inside our Country who, with their Open Borders, INFLATION, Afghanistan Surrender, Green New Scam, High Taxes, No Energy Independence, Woke Military, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Iran, All Electric Car Lunacy, and so much more, are looking to destroy our once great USA. MAY THEY ROT IN HELL. AGAIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
Lindsey Graham declares ‘war’ on New York over Chick-fil-A bill
01:00 , Graig Graziosi
Donald Trump ally Lindsey Graham is vowing to protect Chick-fil-A’s right to remain closed on Sundays – even going as far as to declare “war” on a proposed New York bill that would force restaurants located on the thruway to remain open every day of the week.
For decades, Chick-fil-A, a fast-food restaurant known for its chicken, has operated under the policy of remaining closed on Sundays due to the founder’s Christian beliefs.
But now, a bill proposed by the New York Assembly to expand food options for motorists on the thruway threatens the future of that.
READ MORE:
Lindsey Graham declares ‘war’ on New York over Chick-fil-A bill
Joe Rogan left red-faced as he incorrectly blames Trump gaffe on Biden
00:00 , Graig Graziosi
The controversial podcast host went on a rant on his show this week, mocking the Democratic president for making “no sense at all” and questioning his mental competence – a favourite pasttime of conservative figures.
In the segment, during an interview with MMA fighter Bo Nickal, Rogan claimed that Mr Biden had recently incorrectly claimed that the US lost the Revolutionary War because “they didn’t have enough airports”.
But, it turned out that the comments weren’t made by Mr Biden at all – but were actually said by former Republican president Mr Trump.
READ MORE:
Joe Rogan left red-faced as he incorrectly blames Trump gaffe on Biden
Trump’s 2023 wrapped: 91 felony counts, four trials and one mugshot later
Monday 25 December 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi
Former president Donald Trump has spent much of 2023 dealing with a mountain of legal battles across the country. Let’s unwrap the details of those legal challenges.
How do the numbers stack up? He is facing or has faced nine separate cases, four trials, one mugshot, and one brutal ruling in Colorado, disqualifying him from the presidency in the state.
How many counts does Donald Trump face? The former president has been charged to the tune of 91 felony counts across numerous criminal cases.
READ MORE:
Trump’s 2023 wrapped: 91 felony counts, four trials and one mugshot later
Kevin Spacey shares bizarre Christmas message as House of Cards character Frank Underwood
Monday 25 December 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi
In what has apparently become a Christmas tradition, Kevin Spacey has once again issued an ominous Christmas message in the character of House of Cards protagonist Frank Underwood, only this time former Fox News host and Donald Trump booster Tucker Carlson was along for the ride.
The actor posted a seven-minute video to his YouTube channel on Sunday (24 December) in conversation with former Fox News political commentator Tucker Carlson.
READ MORE:
Kevin Spacey shares bizarre Christmas message as House of Cards character
Marjorie Taylor Greene claims she was ‘swatted’ for an eighth time on Christmas
Monday 25 December 2023 21:20 , Graig Graziosi
Donald Trump ally Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene says she was “swatted” again.
The congreswoman said that local police officers arrived at her house on Christmas Day once again, following another apparent “swatting” incident.
The Republican firebrand has previously claimed left-wing activists have staged multiple similar attacks against her by placing calls with local law enforcement that have prompted officers to visit her residence in Rome, Georgia.
On Monday, Ms Greene posted on X: “I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here.
READ MORE:
Marjorie Taylor Greene claims she was ‘swatted’ for an eighth time on Christmas
Santa voted for Trump, claims Donald Trump
Monday 25 December 2023 20:54 , Graig Graziosi
Jolly Old Saint Nick is apparently a MAGA Republican when he’s not zipping around the world delivering toys.
At least, that’s what Donald Trump thinks.
The former president shared a photo on Truth Social of a man in a Santa outfit holding a sign that reads “SANTA VOTED TRUMP”.
The Independent has reached out to Santa for comment.
Donald Trump shares his ‘Home Alone 2’ appearance
Monday 25 December 2023 20:23 , Graig Graziosi
After spending an evening and morning ranting about his various legal troubles and his political opponents, Donald Trump shared a clip from the movie “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” featuring his favorite celebrity; himself.
“Home Alone 2!” Mr Trump wrote, along with the clip.
He made a brief cameo in the movie in which Macauley Culkin’s Kevin McAllister, who has been accidentally left alone in New York City by his family, asks for directions to the lobby of the Plaza Hotel.
Mr Trump, playing himself, directs him to his destination.
Trump releases new campaign ad just in time for Christmas
Monday 25 December 2023 19:30 , Graig Graziosi
Donald Trump’s campaign released a new ad just in time for Christmas.
The ad will run in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
The one-minute spot features former Trump White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders gushing about her one-time boss.
Ms Sanders recounts Mr Trump’s apparently inspiring words during an impromptu visit to US servicemembers on Christmas, and touts his experience as US commander-in-chief.
Trump moans about Biden ruining Christmas with ‘madness and doom’
Monday 25 December 2023 18:39 , Graig Graziosi
Donald Trump, like Charlie Brown before him, simply cannot get into the Christmas spirit.
On Monday — Christmas Day — Mr Trump expressed he was having a difficult time enjoying the holiday. The reason? Joe Biden.
“It’s hard to have a truly great Christmas when you have a Crooked and Incompetent President who wants to put his Political Opponent in jail, and who has been working hard (for a change!), illegally using all of the levers of Law Enforcement, to do so,” he wrote on Truth Social. “We are in the fight of our lives to save our Country from MADNESS & DOOM. MAGA 2024!!!”
Mr Trump’s sour sentiment was not posted in isolation. The former president spent most of Christmas Eve posting through his frustration at the various criminal cases he’s facing, the 6 January committee, and a recent Colorado decision to kick him off the state’s ballot.
READ MORE:
Trump moans about Biden ruining Christmas with ‘madness and doom’
Trump says he’s having a tough time enjoying Christmas because he thinks Joe Biden will lead us to ‘MADNESS’ and ‘DOOM’
Monday 25 December 2023 16:41 , Graig Graziosi
Donald Trump just can’t get in the Christmas spirit, and it’s all because he can’t get Joe Biden off his mind.
Mr Trump called Mr Biden stupid and shady in a Christmas day post complaining about the various lawsuits he’s facing heading into 2024.
“It’s hard to have a truly great Christmas when you have a Crooked and Incompetent President who wants to put his Political Opponent in jail, and who has been working hard (for a change!), illegally using all of the levers of Law Enforcement, to do so. We are in the fight of our lives to save our Country from MADNESS & DOOM. MAGA 2024!!!” he wrote.
CBS reporter claims Jack Smith has ‘deep’ evidence in Trump probes
Monday 25 December 2023 15:49 , Graig Graziosi
Robert Costa of CBS News claims, citing unnamed sources, that Special Counsel Jack Smith has dug “deep” into Donald Trump’s affairs to search for evidence in his upcoming criminal trials.
“Based on our reporting at CBS News, the special counsel has phone records,” he explained. “He has memos and diary entries from key witnesses, like former Vice President Mike Pence, key eyewitness testimony from people who are inside the Oval Office with Trump.”
“But they had something in the special counsel’s office the January 6th Committee never had, which is subpoena power to really go deep with witnesses and not just get public testimony and some depositions,” he said. “They’ve gone deep. And I’ve talked to people who participated in this investigation as lawyers, sometimes even as witnesses.”
He concluded with the declaration that Mr Smith had “a sprawling case” against Mr Trump.
Donald Trump posts Christmas speech compilation video after a night of ranting
Monday 25 December 2023 14:50 , Graig Graziosi
Donald Trump started Christmas off with a video of his various presidential speeches during his presidency.
The former president used the video to cap off an evening of rants about his various legal troubles and the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
ICYMI: Trump asks appeals court to throw out 2020 election subversion case
Monday 25 December 2023 14:00 , Ariana Baio
Donald Trump’s lawyers filed a request to a federal appeals court late on Saturday night, asking to throw out the 2020 election interference case against the former president – citing his presidential immunity.
The 55-page filing was submitted just two days after the Supreme Court refused to rule on Mr Trump’s presidential immunity appeal in the case.
Mr Trump’s lawyers reiterated much of their previous argument in the filing to the DC circuit for the Court of Appeals, saying that the former president’s decisions were made under his official acts, which are protected according to the Constitution.
The filing also leaned on the fact that Mr Trump was acquitted by the Senate for “the same and closely related conduct” and hinted that the indictment could have a chilling effect on future presidents.
It is the latest in a back-and-forth between Special Counsel Jack Smith and Mr Trump’s legal team in the fight to keep the indictment moving forward. Mr Smith has asked the court of appeals to expedite the process of hearing the immunity appeal.
Watch: Kamala Harris condemns Trump saying immigrants are ‘poisoning blood’ of America
Monday 25 December 2023 13:30 , Ariana Baio
Tracking the 2024 race for the White House: Sign up to our free virtual expert panel event
Monday 25 December 2023 13:00 , Ariana Baio
The 2024 presidential election has begun and The Independent is here to help you unpick the twists and turns of the race as the starting gun goes off.
Despite the fact he faces four indictments and remains an incredibly polarising figure in American politics, Donald Trump remains immensely popular.
Join The Independent for a virtual roundtable event recapping the election results in Iowa and looking ahead to the rest of the year.
Deputy US editor David Taintor and senior Washington correspondent Eric Garcia will sit down with a panel of experts to analyse the results from the Iowa caucuses and look ahead to New Hampshire, using early signs to share predictions on how the upcoming race for the White House could unfold.
Our expert panel includes Doug Heye, a former Republican National Committee communications director and deputy chief of staff to former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. He also managed Republicans communications for the 2012 Iowa Caucus.
The event will be hosted on Zoom and will last one hour. It will take place on Thursday January 18 and will start at 4pm ET (9pm GMT).
Once signed up you will be able to ask questions to the panel.
For more information and to sign up for a free ticket click here.
You can also post questions in the comments of this article.
Trump has spent months attacking ‘bird brain’ Nikki Haley. Now he’s mulling her for VP
Monday 25 December 2023 12:00 , Rachel Sharp
After spending months lashing out at his closest Republican rival in the 2024 race, Donald Trump is now said to be considering her as his second in command if he retakes the White House.
Multiple insiders told Politico and CBS News that the former president has been asking allies what they think about him picking Nikki Haley as vice president if he secures the GOP nomination.
“What do you think of Nikki?” Mr Trump has reportedly asked.
The suggestion, however, has been widely panned by his inner circle, with the sources saying that Mr Trump’s allies and advisors are trying to warn him off the idea – arguing that Ms Haley does not fit with his Maga base.
Mr Trump’s eldest son Don Jr recently said in a Newsmax interview that he will “go to great lengths to make sure” a Trump-Haley ticket doesn’t emerge.
Meanwhile, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said this week on his podcast that he plans to “advocate against” the union “as strongly as I could”.
Where is Donald Trump facing 14th Amendment challenges?
Monday 25 December 2023 11:00 , Ariana Baio
Lawsuits challenging Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on the 2024 presidential primary ballots have sprung up in several states.
Individuals and left-wing organisations have claimed that Mr Trump violated Section Three of the 14th Amendment – known as the insurrection clause – citing his involvement in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
So far only one state, Colorado, has removed Mr Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment. The state’s Supreme Court ruled on 19 December that the former president is ineligible to appear on the state ballot and cannot be considered an option for the White House.
While Mr Trump says he plans to appeal the Colorado decision, likely taking the case up to the US Supreme Court, he is also preparing for challenges, appeals and decisions in other states.
Here’s a look at the other challenges to Mr Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 race:
Donald Trump: Where is former president facing 14th Amendment challenges?
Watch: Ramaswamy says he is ‘not a Plan B person’ when asked if he’ll join Trump’s administration
Monday 25 December 2023 10:00 , Ariana Baio
ICYMI: Trump personally pressured two GOP officials to not certify election, says report
Monday 25 December 2023 09:00 , Ariana Baio
Donald Trump personally pressured two Republican officials in Michigan to not certify the 2020 presidential election result in the state, according to a report.
In a 17 November 2020 phone call, the then-president told the officials Monica Palmer and William Hartmann – both members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers – that they would look “terrible” if they certified the results.
According to The Detroit News, which obtained audio of the call, Mr Trump went on to tell the officials: “We’ve got to fight for our country.”
Mr Trump also reportedly told Ms Palmer and Mr Hartmann that his team would “take care” of them, saying that “we can’t let these people take our country away from us”.
Read more here:
Trump personally pressured two GOP officials to not certify election, says report
Bill Barr issues warning about what could happen in a Trump second term
Monday 25 December 2023 08:00 , Ariana Baio
As the 2024 presidential primaries draw closer and Donald Trump remains the Republican frontrunner, it is becoming increasingly likely the former president could end up in the White House again.
But a former Trump administration cabinet member is raising concerns that another Trump presidency could be even more tumultuous than the first.
Former attorney general Bill Barr told Fox News’s Neil Cavuto on Friday that Mr Trump’s “chaotic” style of governance could lead to some problems and, unlike his first term, he may not have an administration to keep him in line.
Ariana Baio reports:
Bill Barr issues warning about what could happen in a Trump second term
Fox News host mocks viewers for sending him hate mail over his refusal to deny 2020 election
Monday 25 December 2023 06:00 , Katie Hawkinson
Fox News host Neil Cavuto took a few minutes on his show “Your World” to respond to hate mail from viewers on Thursday.
A few viewers were particularly disgruntled about Mr Cavuto’s refusal to reject the results of the 2020 election.
“Sad to watch an intelligent man proudly display his ignorance when Neil Cavuto insists with moral certitude that the 2020 election rigging absolutely did not occur,” a viewer named Kevin wrote to Mr Cavuto.
Former President Donald Trump and several of his associates are facing an array of legal headaches stemming from their false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, from felony charges to blockbuster payouts. In April, Fox News also reached a $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, avoiding a trial that would examine the network’s coverage of false claims that 2020 election was rigged.
“So, Neil Cavuto, the Omnipotent One, has concluded that the last election wasn’t stolen,” JJ, another viewer, wrote. “Says who, fat head?”
Mr Cavuto did not mince words in his response to JJ.
“Well, says every rational human being on the planet,” he said. “That includes 38 investigations, scores of recounts, then recounts of recounts, and dozens of more court cases often led by Trump-appointed judges. Outside of that, take your pick.”
What are the ‘toe pads’ under Donald Trump’s feet?
Monday 25 December 2023 04:00 , Ariana Baio
While speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump appeared to have two black rectangular pads underneath the front of his shoes.
Photos of the former president using what social media users have declared “toe pads” began circulating around X, formerly Twitter, sparking a firestorm of comments.
“What is Trump standing on here? How often does he use these?” one account asked in an X post, which included a photo of Mr Trump’s shiny black shoes leaning on the pads.
Some speculated the toe pads are being used to prevent Mr Trump from leaning too far forward – a commonly joked-about aspect of the former president.
Watch: Lincoln Project releases ad against Donald Trump
Monday 25 December 2023 02:00 , Ariana Baio
ICYMI: Trump’s projection spins ‘insurrectionist’ accusations back at Biden
Monday 25 December 2023 01:00 , Alex Woodward
President Joe Biden said there is “no question” that Donald Trump was responsible for fuelling an insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6. “It’s self-evident. You saw it all,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“I’m not an insurrectionist,” the former president wrote on his Truth Social the next day. “Crooked Joe Biden is!!!”
He didn’t elaborate, but it’s the latest attempt from the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president in 2024 to spin, or project, accusations against him toward those doing the accusing.
It’s a claim spread across his marathon rallies and on his social media. It’s echoed by his allies and supporters. And it only comes after Mr Trump faces criminal charges for his own attempts to overturn the results of millions of Americans’ votes in the 2020 presidential election, and the growing list of lawsuits threatening to remove him from 2024 ballots because of it.
Trump is off the 2024 ballot in Colorado – here’s how his fellow candidates feel
Monday 25 December 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio
Nearly all of the 2024 Republican presidential candidates were quick to defend their political rival, former president Donald Trump after the Colorado Supreme Court disqualified him from the state’s ballot on Tuesday evening.
The state’s supreme court ruled that Mr Trump was ineligible to appear on the ballot under Section Three of the 14th Amendment, otherwise known as the insurrection clause. The court said the provision applied to the office of the president and Mr Trump’s actions leading up to January 6 were part of his efforts to aid an insurrection.
Nikki Haley- Ms Haley told reporters in Iowa that while she does not believe Mr Trump should be president, it should be up to the voters to decide if he obtains the office, not judges.
“We don’t need to have judges making these decisions, we need voters to make these decisions so I want to see this in the hands of the voters. We’re going to win this the right way, we’re going to do what we need to do,” she added.
Ron DeSantis- The Florida governor insinuated the ruling was a politically motivated means to try and hurt the president in a tweet.
“The Left invokes ‘democracy’ to justify its use of power, even if it means abusing judicial power to remove a candidate from the ballot based on spurious legal grounds,” Mr DeSantis wrote.
Chris Christie- He told voters in New Hampshire that Mr Trump “should not be prevented from being President by any court.”
“He should be prevented from being President of the United States by the voters of this country,” Mr Christie said.
Vivek Ramaswamy- He pledged to withdraw from the Colorado Republican primary and called on his fellow candidates to do the same “or else they are tacitly endorsing this illegal maneuver”.
Asa Hutchinson- The former Arkansas governor was the only 2024 candidate to not defend the former president, saying “the factual finding that he supported insurrection will haunt his candidacy.”
One disgraced ex-president, four trials, six lawsuits: Inside Donald Trump’s legal troubles
Sunday 24 December 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio
Donald Trump has never been more vulnerable.
Without the privileges and prestige of the presidency to protect him, Mr Trump is facing serious lawsuits and criminal indictments across New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington.
Federal officials, local prosecutors and individuals are going after him for everything from his private conduct to his political maneuvering during the 2020 election.
If even one of these efforts proves successful, the US could see its first-ever former president behind bars.
Josh Marcus reports:
One disgraced ex-president, four trials, six lawsuits: Inside Trump’s legal troubles
Trump accelerates his anti-immigrant agenda
Sunday 24 December 2023 22:00 , Alex Woodward
As his campaign for the Republican nomination for president steers into the first primary votes of 2024, Donald Trump has spent the final weeks of the year, days before Christmas, dehumanising immigrants and scapegoating people arriving at the US-Mexico border to justify a brutal immigration agenda.
In his first appearance in New Hampshire in more than a month on Saturday, the former president echoed the pages of Mein Kampf and white supremacist manifestos by claiming that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country”.
The next day, at a rally in Reno, Nevada, he accused migrants of waging an “invasion” and falsely claimed people are “charging across the border by the hundreds of thousands”.
“This is an invasion. This is like a military invasion,” he said. “Drugs, criminals, gang members and terrorists are pouring into our country at record levels. We’ve never seen anything like it. They’re taking over our cities.”
At both rallies, he revealed his radical vision for overhauling the nation’s immigration laws, from implementing “the largest deportation operation in American history” to “ideological screenings” for people arriving at the southern border.
The frontrunner for the GOP’s 2024 nomination is plotting a draconian expansion of his previous anti-immigrant agenda as he campaigns for a potential second term in the White House, building on the policies that President Joe Biden’s administration has sought to reverse.
Trump asks God for ‘help’ in his campaign next year
Sunday 24 December 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio
Former president Donald Trump is hopeful that God will be on his side in helping him run a successful campaign next year.
In a Christmas video message shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, Mr Trump said he is asking God to watch over him as he manages his campaign and various criminal trials.
“We ask God to guide us, give us strength, and watch over us in this pivotal year ahead,” Mr Trump said in a roughly one-minute-long video.
“With his help, by this time next year, we will be well in our way to making America safer, stronger, great and more prosperous than ever before.”
“May 2024 be the best year of our lives,” Mr Trump said.
Donald Trump says he is asking God to help his campaign next year in a holiday message (Truth social / Donald Trump)
Foul ad escalates claims that Donald Trump ‘smells’
Sunday 24 December 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio
The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump PAC, released a foul ad doubling down on allegations that former president Donald Trump smells.
Claims around the former president’s alleged odor erupted earlier this week when former Illinois Republican representative Adam Kinzinger tweeted, “I’m genuinely surprised how people close to Trump haven’t talked about the odor. It’s truly something to behold. Wear a mask if you can.”
The Lincoln Project seized upon the resulting social media firestorm with a video advertisement on Saturday, with the caption: “Is that you Donald? #TrumpSmells.”
Kelly Rissman reports:
Foul ad escalates claims that Donald Trump ‘smells’
People remember Trump asking 7-year-old if she still believed in Santa
Sunday 24 December 2023 20:33 , Ariana Baio
Five years ago today, Donald Trump called a seven-year-old and asked if she was “still a believer in Santa.”
While making calls to children who were tracking Santa Clause using NORAD, Mr Trump and former first lady Melania Trump spoke to children about Santa and Christmas.
Mr Trump, who spoke with seven-year-old Collman Lloyd, asked, “ “Are you still a believer in Santa? Because at 7, it’s marginal, right?”
The moment led to hundreds of memes and jokes about the former president potentially running the magic of Santa to a young child.
Later, The Post and Courier of South Carolina, identified Collman and spoke to her. She told the newspaper she did not know the word “marginal”.
Trump shares holiday message emphasising phrase “Merry Christmas”
Sunday 24 December 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio
In a video message posted to Truth Social, former president Donald Trump wished people a merry Christmas and emphasised the need to continue saying “merry Christmas” in what appeared to be a subtle attack on the phrase “happy holidays.”
Invoking his Christian beliefs, Mr Trump spoke about the birth of Jesus and its importance on Christmas.
“It is such a great time of the year this is why we can never stop saying that beautiful phrase ‘merry Christmas,’” Mr Trump said emphatically.
Over the last few years, some have taken issue with the holiday becoming less religious and criticised more general sayings like “happy holidays” or “seasons greetings”.
Gavin Newsom doesn’t want to remove Trump from California ballot
Sunday 24 December 2023 19:30 , Kelly Rissman
California Governor Gavin Newson isn’t backing his own lieutenant’s call to remove Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot after the Colorado Supreme Court determined that he was ineligible for the presidency.
On 19 December, Colorado’s highest court ruled that the former president is disqualified from the presidency and should be removed from 2024 ballots, citing his role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
California Lt Gov Eleni Kounalakis responded to the move by suggesting that her state should do the same ahead of its 5 March primary. But her boss Mr Newsom isn’t on board.
“There is no doubt that Donald Trump is a threat to our liberties and even to our democracy,” Mr Newsom said on 22 December. “But in California, we defeat candidates at the polls. Everything else is a political distraction.”
Kelly Rissman reports:
Gavin Newsom doesn’t want to remove Trump from California ballot
Ramaswamy says he isn’t planning on joining Trump administration
Sunday 24 December 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio
Vivek Ramaswamy, the 38-year-old tech entrepreneur running for 2024 Republican president said being part of Donald Trump’s White House is not part of his plan.
Mr Ramaswamy was asking if he was “willing” to take a job in Trump’s administration should the former president be re-elected on Fox News on Sunday.
“I’m not a plan B person, Maria,” Mr Ramaswamy told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo.
“ I’m 38 years old I’ve founded multiple multi-billion dollar companies. We’re blessed with the American dream with the ability to self-finance and lift this presidential campaign up,” he added.
Mr Ramaswamy said he’s “confident” his campaign with “overdeliver massively” during the Iowa caucus in January.
“I respect Trump and his accomplishments for this country,” he added. “Unlike a lot of the other candidates, I’m not sitting here, Monday morning, quarterbacking some decision he made.”
Watch: Bill Barr says Trump’s ‘chaotic’ governing style would make him a ‘lame duck president’
Sunday 24 December 2023 18:30 , Ariana Baio