thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--'Terrible And Unfair': Trump Already Bashes Next Debate Moderator, Kristen Welker

President Donald Trump is already attacking NBC ’ s upcoming debate moderator , Kristen Welker , as “ terrible and unfair ” in what appears to be preemptive damage control .
It ’ s a change of tone from January , when Trump congratulated Welker after she was given a slot as a weekend anchor , saying NBC “ made a very wise decision.
” Trump senior campaign adviser Jason Miller said on Fox News just last week that Welker — whom he characterized as “ very fair ” — would do an “ excellent job ” moderating the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nashville , Tennessee .
“ I have a very high opinion of Kristen Welker , ” he said .
But on Saturday , Trump ripped her in a tweet .
“ She ’ s aways been terrible & unfair , just like most of the Fake News , ” he wrote , adding : “ But I ’ ll still play the game.
” The presidents oldest son , Donald Trump Jr. , piped up in a retweet : “ Yikes !
Here we go again !
” He linked to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties.
” She ’ s always been terrible & unfair , just like most of the Fake News reporters , but I ’ ll still play the game .
The people know !
How ’ s Steve Scully doing ?
https : //t.co/uS3EWzfFPy — Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) October 17 , 2020 Trump also referred to Steve Scully in his tweet .
Scully was supposed to moderate the second debate , which Trump refused to participate in after organizers said it would be virtual .
C-SPAN later suspended Scully after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former Trump pal for advice on how to respond to criticism from the president .
He also attacked NBC ’ s Savannah Guthrie — who held his feet to the fire during his town hall on Thursday — and Fox News ’ “ tough ” Chris Wallace , who challenged Trump ’ s lies in an interview this summer .
Trump insisted to the crowd that he “ did very well ” with Guthrie and got “ A+ marks ” for his performance — something that might surprise his critics .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of sight .
“ But you know what ?
” he added .
“ We ’ re president , and they ’ re not.
” Both journalists and politicians — as well as Trump ’ s campaign adviser — hold Welker in high regard as fair and professional .
The Washington Women in Journalism Awards last month honored Welker as outstanding broadcast journalist of the year .
Just incredible — though not surprising , given who we are talking about — how the Trump campaign was literally praising @ kwelkernbc eight days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist and a great choice for debate moderator , and now they ’ re trying to portray her as a biased hack .
— Oliver Darcy ( @ oliverdarcy ) October 17 , 2020 Two points on the Trump/NY Post effort to undermine the next debate by going after Kristen Welker .
First , ask anyone in politics in DC , D or R and they 'll tell you what a real pro she is .
Second , and this one is for you @ realDonaldTrump you agreed to her as the moderator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) October 18 , 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump is already attacking NBC’s upcoming debate moderator, Kristen Welker, as “terrible and unfair” in what appears to be preemptive damage control.
It’s a change of tone from January, when Trump congratulated Welker after she was given a slot as a weekend anchor, saying NBC “made a very wise decision.”
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Trump senior campaign adviser Jason Miller said on Fox News just last week that Welker — whom he characterized as “very fair” — would do an “excellent job” moderating the third debate, which is set for Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee. “I have a very high opinion of Kristen Welker,” he said.
Trump previously agreed to Welker as a moderator.
But on Saturday, Trump ripped her in a tweet. “She’s aways been terrible & unfair, just like most of the Fake News,” he wrote, adding: “But I’ll still play the game.”
The presidents oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., piped up in a retweet: “Yikes! Here we go again!” He linked to an article claiming Welker has “deep Democratic ties.”
She’s always been terrible & unfair, just like most of the Fake News reporters, but I’ll still play the game. The people know! How’s Steve Scully doing? https://t.co/uS3EWzfFPy — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2020
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Trump also referred to Steve Scully in his tweet. Scully was supposed to moderate the second debate, which Trump refused to participate in after organizers said it would be virtual.
C-SPAN later suspended Scully after he allegedly lied about a tweet asking a former Trump pal for advice on how to respond to criticism from the president.
Trump also bashed Welker Saturday night at his rally in Janesville, Wisconsin, calling her “extraordinarily unfair.”
Trump insisted to the crowd that he “did very well” with Guthrie and got “A+ marks” for his performance — something that might surprise his critics.
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Trump also falsely insinuated that Guthrie had dropped out of sight. “But you know what?” he added. “We’re president, and they’re not.”
Both journalists and politicians — as well as Trump’s campaign adviser — hold Welker in high regard as fair and professional.
The Washington Women in Journalism Awards last month honored Welker as outstanding broadcast journalist of the year.
Welker hasn’t responded to Trump’s attacks.
“They made a very wise decision,” President Trump said after congratulating @kwelkernbc on her promotion to co-anchor of NBC’s Weekend Today pic.twitter.com/emmPn0SEGP — Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 17, 2020
Just incredible — though not surprising, given who we are talking about — how the Trump campaign was literally praising @kwelkernbc eight days ago, saying she is a fair journalist and a great choice for debate moderator, and now they’re trying to portray her as a biased hack. — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) October 17, 2020
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Two points on the Trump/NY Post effort to undermine the next debate by going after Kristen Welker. First, ask anyone in politics in DC, D or R and they'll tell you what a real pro she is. Second, and this one is for you @realDonaldTrump you agreed to her as the moderator. — Joe Lockhart (@joelockhart) October 18, 2020
Why are Trump and his sycophants attacking Kristen Welker?
They're laying the groundwork of excuses for when Trump completely flops and embarrasses himself. Again. — Justice is Coming (@firedup79) October 18, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Fauci Confirms White House Is Controlling When He Speaks To Media

In his bluntest interview yet , Dr. Anthony Fauci confirmed Sunday that the White House has been controlling when he can speak to the media during the pandemic , the latest example of rising tensions between President Donald Trump and the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert .
Fauci sat down to speak on “ 60 Minutes , ” in which he spoke more candidly than in the past about his growing frustration around President Donald Trump ’ s COVID-19 response and getting involuntarily caught up in politics .
“ You know , I think I ’ d have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” answered Fauci , a member of the White House coronavirus task force .
“ I certainly have not been allowed to go on many , many , many shows that have asked for me.
” LaPook then called Fauci “ one of the most trusted voices in America ” who , in a time of much-needed transparency of information , is barred from speaking to the public .
The comments come about a week after ABC ’ s “ This Week ” host Jon Karl said that the White House refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor being willing to appear .
At least two other networks ― CBS and NBC ― also tried and failed to book Fauci for their respective Sunday morning political talk shows that week .
White House communications director Alyssa Farah tweeted Sunday that Karl ’ s allegations were false and that Fauci appeared on several TV news shows earlier in the week .
She also said that Karl never requested another member of the coronavirus task force in Fauci ’ s place .
But Karl pushed back , tweeting that Farah was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an image of an email he allegedly sent her asking if Vice President Mike Pence , Dr. Deborah Birx or several other public health officials would appear on the show if Fauci were unavailable .
Fauci , who is notoriously apolitical , has been growing more visibly frustrated as the president continues to undermine him and other public health experts on safety protocols and potential treatments throughout the pandemic ― even after the president himself tested positive for the virus following multiple superspreader events .
The Trump campaign released a new ad last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praising Trump ’ s response to the pandemic .
The ad features a video clip of an interview the doctor gave on Fox News in March , when the pandemic was beginning to lead to lockdowns across the country .
“ I can ’ t imagine that … anybody could be doing more , ” Fauci is heard saying right after the video ’ s narrator praises the president ’ s response to the pandemic .
The doctor said his words were taken out of context ― which he reiterated in Sunday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taken down , but the Trump campaign continued to run it in key battleground states .
“ I do not and nor will I ever publicly endorse any political candidate .
And here I am , they ’ re sticking me right in the middle of a campaign ad , which I thought was outrageous , ” Fauci said .
“ I was referring to something entirely different .
I was referring to the grueling work of the task force that , ‘ God , we were knocking ourselves out seven days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we could have possibly have done any more than that .
’ ”

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In his bluntest interview yet, Dr. Anthony Fauci confirmed Sunday that the White House has been controlling when he can speak to the media during the pandemic, the latest example of rising tensions between President Donald Trump and the nation’s top infectious disease expert.
Fauci sat down to speak on “60 Minutes,” in which he spoke more candidly than in the past about his growing frustration around President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 response and getting involuntarily caught up in politics.
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“During this pandemic, has the White House been controlling when you can speak with the media?” Dr. Jon LaPook, CBS News chief medical correspondent, asked the doctor.
“You know, I think I’d have to be honest and say yes,” answered Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force. “I certainly have not been allowed to go on many, many, many shows that have asked for me.”
LaPook then called Fauci “one of the most trusted voices in America” who, in a time of much-needed transparency of information, is barred from speaking to the public.
“You know I think there has been a restriction, Jon, but … it isn’t consistent,” Fauci said.
Has the White House been controlling when Dr. Fauci can speak with the media?
“To be honest… yes,” says Dr. Fauci. “There has been a restriction… but, it isn’t consistent.” https://t.co/LXBve3PUWC pic.twitter.com/YOoNLnAHc9 — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 18, 2020
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The comments come about a week after ABC’s “This Week” host Jon Karl said that the White House refused to allow Fauci on the show despite the doctor being willing to appear. At least two other networks ― CBS and NBC ― also tried and failed to book Fauci for their respective Sunday morning political talk shows that week.
White House communications director Alyssa Farah tweeted Sunday that Karl’s allegations were false and that Fauci appeared on several TV news shows earlier in the week. She also said that Karl never requested another member of the coronavirus task force in Fauci’s place.
But Karl pushed back, tweeting that Farah was “not telling the truth” and attaching an image of an email he allegedly sent her asking if Vice President Mike Pence, Dr. Deborah Birx or several other public health officials would appear on the show if Fauci were unavailable.
“The truth matters,” the host wrote to Farah. “The requests for Dr. Fauci and the other members of the task force were made directly to you ― multiple times.”
Jon Karl opens This Week by saying the White House blocked Fauci and all federal government medical experts from appearing on the show pic.twitter.com/KOhsgPW2Qh — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 11, 2020
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Trump unleashed a slew of attacks on Fauci Monday, likely in response to the “60 Minutes” interview. The president said on a campaign call that Americans are “tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots” talk about the virus. He called the doctor “a disaster” and said there’s “always a bomb” when he appears on television.
Fauci “says we don’t allow him to do television, and yet I saw him last night on @60 Minutes, and he seems to get more airtime than anybody since the late, great, Bob Hope,” Trump tweeted on Monday. “All I ask Tony is that he make better decisions. He said ‘no masks & let China in’. Also, Bad arm!”
Fauci, who is notoriously apolitical, has been growing more visibly frustrated as the president continues to undermine him and other public health experts on safety protocols and potential treatments throughout the pandemic ― even after the president himself tested positive for the virus following multiple superspreader events.
The Trump campaign released a new ad last week featuring what appeared to be Fauci praising Trump’s response to the pandemic. The ad features a video clip of an interview the doctor gave on Fox News in March, when the pandemic was beginning to lead to lockdowns across the country.
“I can’t imagine that … anybody could be doing more,” Fauci is heard saying right after the video’s narrator praises the president’s response to the pandemic. The doctor said his words were taken out of context ― which he reiterated in Sunday’s interview ― and demanded the ad be taken down, but the Trump campaign continued to run it in key battleground states.
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“I do not and nor will I ever publicly endorse any political candidate. And here I am, they’re sticking me right in the middle of a campaign ad, which I thought was outrageous,” Fauci said. “I was referring to something entirely different. I was referring to the grueling work of the task force that, ‘God, we were knocking ourselves out seven days a week. I don’t think we could have possibly have done any more than that.’”
“Did the steam start to come out of your ears?” LaPook asked the doctor.
“It did, quite frankly,” Fauci answered. “I got really ticked off.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Fauci ‘Absolutely Not’ Surprised Trump Got Sick After Flouting Social Distancing Advice

Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , said he was “ absolutely ” not surprised when President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month after he spent months ignoring and even mocking social distancing guidelines meant to minimize the spread of the deadly virus .
“ I was worried that he was going to get sick when I saw him in a completely precarious situation of crowded , no separation between people , and almost nobody wearing a mask , ” Fauci said in a lengthy interview with “ 60 Minutes ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw that on TV , I said ‘ Oh my goodness , nothing good can come out of that , that ’ s got ta be a problem.
’ ” Fauci was speaking of the president ’ s ceremony to celebrate the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in the White House Rose Garden .
While the event was held outdoors , few precautions advised by the nation ’ s top doctors were followed and the president hosted a smaller event indoors shortly afterward .
At least three dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House have since tested positive for COVID-19 , including first lady Melania Trump , the president ’ s son , Barron Trump , and a coterie of aides , senators and journalists .
More than 219,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the U.S. and more than 8.1 million people have been infected .
Cases in America are surging to a third peak , and there were more than 70,000 new cases in one day for the first time since July this week .
Fauci also spoke about his shift on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , which has become a common line of attack from top Republicans and even Trump himself .
He said that advice was initially grounded in concern that there wouldn ’ t be enough masks for frontline workers , but when researchers determined that simple homemade cloth masks worked , his advice changed .
The doctor went on to note that he believed Trump trusted science even as the president largely rejected the use of masks himself .
“ I think it ’ s fortunate that the president of the United States benefited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You know , I think deep down he believes in science , if he didn ’ t he would not have entrusted his health to the very competent physicians at the Walter Reed military medical center.
” “ I think that ’ s less anti-science , than it ’ s more a statement , ” Fauci continued about Trump ’ s refusal to wear a mask .
“ A statement of strength , like we ’ re strong , we don ’ t need a mask .
That kind of thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with weakness .
”

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Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said he was “absolutely” not surprised when President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month after he spent months ignoring and even mocking social distancing guidelines meant to minimize the spread of the deadly virus.
“I was worried that he was going to get sick when I saw him in a completely precarious situation of crowded, no separation between people, and almost nobody wearing a mask,” Fauci said in a lengthy interview with “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday. “When I saw that on TV, I said ‘Oh my goodness, nothing good can come out of that, that’s gotta be a problem.’”
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“And then sure enough,” he continued, “it turned out to be a super-spreader event.”
Dr. Fauci says he was “absolutely not” surprised that President Trump got sick with coronavirus after seeing POTUS at what “turned out to be a super-spreader event” at the White House. https://t.co/Iq75GoCErk pic.twitter.com/iDWEaoX582 — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 18, 2020
Fauci was speaking of the president’s ceremony to celebrate the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in the White House Rose Garden. While the event was held outdoors, few precautions advised by the nation’s top doctors were followed and the president hosted a smaller event indoors shortly afterward. At least three dozen people at the event and in the White House have since tested positive for COVID-19, including first lady Melania Trump, the president’s son, Barron Trump, and a coterie of aides, senators and journalists.
More than 219,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the U.S. and more than 8.1 million people have been infected. Cases in America are surging to a third peak, and there were more than 70,000 new cases in one day for the first time since July this week.
Fauci also spoke about his shift on mask-wearing from the early days of the pandemic, which has become a common line of attack from top Republicans and even Trump himself. He said that advice was initially grounded in concern that there wouldn’t be enough masks for frontline workers, but when researchers determined that simple homemade cloth masks worked, his advice changed.
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“When you find out you’re wrong, it’s a manifestation of your honesty to say, ‘hey I was wrong,’” Fauci said.
“I think deep down, [the president] believes in science. If he didn’t, he would not have entrusted his health to the very competent physicians at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center,” says Dr. Fauci. https://t.co/JSDtvPknpO pic.twitter.com/pRBp8xrxvg — 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) October 18, 2020
The doctor went on to note that he believed Trump trusted science even as the president largely rejected the use of masks himself.
“I think it’s fortunate that the president of the United States benefited from science,” the doctor said. “You know, I think deep down he believes in science, if he didn’t he would not have entrusted his health to the very competent physicians at the Walter Reed military medical center.”
“I think that’s less anti-science, than it’s more a statement,” Fauci continued about Trump’s refusal to wear a mask. “A statement of strength, like we’re strong, we don’t need a mask. That kind of thing. He sometimes equates wearing a mask with weakness.”
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When asked if such a sentiment made sense, Fauci had a terse reply:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Nancy Pelosi: Pandemic Relief Needs A Deal By Tuesday To Pass By Election Day

Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said time is running out for any pandemic-related stimulus package to pass before Election Day .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) said Sunday that the U.S. House and the Trump administration would need to come to an agreement on the next phase of pandemic-related economic stimulus by Tuesday for a coronavirus relief package to have any chance of passing before Election Day .
“ We have to freeze the design on some of these things , ” Pelosi said on ABC ’ s ” This Week.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” The speaker has had a number of discussions with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin over the last few months , reportedly trying to agree on legislation that could pass in the Democrat-controlled House and earn Trump ’ s approval .
In that time , Trump himself has undermined the negotiations by publicly ordering his representatives to withdraw from talks until after the election and allowing his vindictiveness to seep into the debate over which Americans receive vital aid and how it is dispersed .
On Thursday , Trump admitted his “ pride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deal Pelosi proposed because it included funding for Democrat-led states and cities , which have been devastated by the pandemic .
Pelosi said one key sticking point holding up an agreement is the Trump administration ’ s insistence on watering down language that would allow the government to impose testing guidelines as part of a national strategic plan to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
“ With all due respect to some of the people in the president ’ s administration , they ’ re not legislators , ” Pelosi said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Pelosi the White House had only “ minor ” modifications to make to Democrats ’ spending proposal , which includes expanded unemployment benefits and funding for widespread testing and contact tracing .
But the administration ’ s modifications weren ’ t minor at all , according to the speaker .
“ They changed ‘ shall ’ to ‘ may , ’ ‘ requirements ’ to ‘ recommendations , ’ ‘ plan ’ to ‘ strategy , ’ ” Pelosi said .
She said she is “ optimistic ” a deal can still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include language that would obligate the administration to actually spend money allocated by Congress .
“ When you say ‘ may , ’ you ’ re giving the president a slush fund ― he may grant , he may withhold , ” Pelosi said .
She insisted Democrats ’ original language would bind the administration to the testing strategy and force it to act in accordance with health guidelines .
Even if Pelosi and Mnuchin reach an agreement , it is unclear whether the deal would stand any chance in the Republican-controlled Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on confirming another conservative justice to the Supreme Court before Election Day .
Senate Republicans support a much smaller coronavirus relief package , including decreasing the amount of the now-expired unemployment benefits some Americans received during the first round of coronavirus relief and not including additional relief checks like the $ 1,200 many Americans received in the first package .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) is refusing to allow a vote on the coronavirus relief bill the House passed earlier this month as well as a previous version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , McConnell said the Senate will instead vote again on the GOP ’ s smaller relief bill , which Democrats blocked in September .
The pandemic has ravaged state economies and shuttered thousands of American businesses , including disproportionately high rates of businesses with nonwhite owners .
With winter fast approaching , infection rates ticking up across the country , and health officials continuing to stress the importance of social distancing , pandemic relief over the next few months could set the trajectory of the U.S. economy for the next few years @ @ @ @

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Sunday that the U.S. House and the Trump administration would need to come to an agreement on the next phase of pandemic-related economic stimulus by Tuesday for a coronavirus relief package to have any chance of passing before Election Day.
“We have to freeze the design on some of these things,” Pelosi said on ABC’s ”This Week.” “Are we going with it or not?”
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The speaker has had a number of discussions with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin over the last few months, reportedly trying to agree on legislation that could pass in the Democrat-controlled House and earn Trump’s approval. In that time, Trump himself has undermined the negotiations by publicly ordering his representatives to withdraw from talks until after the election and allowing his vindictiveness to seep into the debate over which Americans receive vital aid and how it is dispersed. On Thursday, Trump admitted his “pride” wouldn’t let him support the deal Pelosi proposed because it included funding for Democrat-led states and cities, which have been devastated by the pandemic.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said time is running out for any pandemic-related stimulus package to pass before Election Day. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
Pelosi said one key sticking point holding up an agreement is the Trump administration’s insistence on watering down language that would allow the government to impose testing guidelines as part of a national strategic plan to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
“With all due respect to some of the people in the president’s administration, they’re not legislators,” Pelosi said Sunday. On Thursday, Mnuchin reportedly told Pelosi the White House had only “minor” modifications to make to Democrats’ spending proposal, which includes expanded unemployment benefits and funding for widespread testing and contact tracing. But the administration’s modifications weren’t minor at all, according to the speaker.
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“They changed ‘shall’ to ‘may,’ ‘ requirements’ to ‘recommendations,’ ‘plan’ to ‘strategy,’” Pelosi said. She said she is “optimistic” a deal can still be reached but confirmed Democrats want to include language that would obligate the administration to actually spend money allocated by Congress.
“When you say ‘may,’ you’re giving the president a slush fund ― he may grant, he may withhold,” Pelosi said. She insisted Democrats’ original language would bind the administration to the testing strategy and force it to act in accordance with health guidelines.
Even if Pelosi and Mnuchin reach an agreement, it is unclear whether the deal would stand any chance in the Republican-controlled Senate, particularly as GOP senators are intently focused on confirming another conservative justice to the Supreme Court before Election Day.
Senate Republicans support a much smaller coronavirus relief package, including decreasing the amount of the now-expired unemployment benefits some Americans received during the first round of coronavirus relief and not including additional relief checks like the $1,200 many Americans received in the first package. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is refusing to allow a vote on the coronavirus relief bill the House passed earlier this month as well as a previous version of the bill introduced in May. On Saturday, McConnell said the Senate will instead vote again on the GOP’s smaller relief bill, which Democrats blocked in September.
The pandemic has ravaged state economies and shuttered thousands of American businesses, including disproportionately high rates of businesses with nonwhite owners. With winter fast approaching, infection rates ticking up across the country, and health officials continuing to stress the importance of social distancing, pandemic relief over the next few months could set the trajectory of the U.S. economy for the next few years, at least.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Trump Is Like The Husband Wives Can't Change, Admits GOP Sen. John Cornyn

Donald Trump is like the husband that wives hope they can change — but can ’ t , grumbled GOP Texas Sen. John Cornyn , indicating Republican senators are like the president ’ s dissatisfied spouses .
“ I think what we found is that we ’ re not going to change President Trump , ” the senator told The Fort Worth Star-Telegram .
“ He is who he is .
You either love him or hate him , and there ’ s not much in between.
” The Trump situation is “ like a lot of women who get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change their spouse , and that doesn ’ t usually work out very well , ” Conyn conceded .
Cornyn , currently in a tight race for reelection against his Democratic rival , Air Force vet MJ Hegar , says he has disagreed with Trump on some major policy issues — including the administration ’ s record deficit , Trump ’ s tariffs on Chinese exports , and using Pentagon money for the southern border wall .
“ This idea that China is paying the price ” for Trump ’ s trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not paying the price here at home is just not true , ” Cornyn told the newspaper .
But the senator said he has expressed his concerns quietly with the president ’ s staff in private discussions .
“ What I tried to do is not get into public confrontations and fights with him because , as I ’ ve observed , those usually don ’ t end too well , ” he told the newspaper .
Hegar has another theory about why no one ’ s heard about Cornyn ’ s opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacked Cornyn as a hypocrite on at least one of the issues he singled out .
The senator “ publicly supported and voted for Donald Trump ’ s plan to steal money from our troops to pay for his useless border wall .
Now today he says he privately opposed it , ” she tweeted .
“ Either John Cornyn ’ s a coward — or he ’ s a liar.
” .
@ JohnCornyn publicly supported and voted for Donald Trump 's plan to steal money from our troops to pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says he privately opposed it .
Either John Cornyn 's a coward — or he 's a liar .
https : //t.co/nQruUsqI11 — MJ Hegar ( @ mjhegar ) October 18 , 2020

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Donald Trump is like the husband that wives hope they can change — but can’t, grumbled GOP Texas Sen. John Cornyn, indicating Republican senators are like the president’s dissatisfied spouses.
“I think what we found is that we’re not going to change President Trump,” the senator told The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “He is who he is. You either love him or hate him, and there’s not much in between.”
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The Trump situation is “like a lot of women who get married and think they’re going to change their spouse, and that doesn’t usually work out very well,” Conyn conceded.
Cornyn, currently in a tight race for reelection against his Democratic rival, Air Force vet MJ Hegar, says he has disagreed with Trump on some major policy issues — including the administration’s record deficit, Trump’s tariffs on Chinese exports, and using Pentagon money for the southern border wall.
“This idea that China is paying the price” for Trump’s trade war, and “we’re not paying the price here at home is just not true,” Cornyn told the newspaper.
But the senator said he has expressed his concerns quietly with the president’s staff in private discussions.
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“What I tried to do is not get into public confrontations and fights with him because, as I’ve observed, those usually don’t end too well,” he told the newspaper.
Hegar has another theory about why no one’s heard about Cornyn’s opposition to Trump’s policies.
She attacked Cornyn as a hypocrite on at least one of the issues he singled out. The senator “publicly supported and voted for Donald Trump’s plan to steal money from our troops to pay for his useless border wall. Now today he says he privately opposed it,” she tweeted. “Either John Cornyn’s a coward — or he’s a liar.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Ron Reagan Blasts 'Grifter' Trumps, Says His Dad Would Be 'Horrified' By The GOP

Former President Ronald Reagan ’ s youngest son believes Donald Trump ’ s family is using his presidency as a “ grift ” and that his late father would be “ horrified ” by the state of the Republican party today .
In an interview with CNN ’ s Ana Cabrera on “ Newsroom ” Sunday , Ron Reagan was asked about the way Trump ’ s children have been involved in his administration and reelection campaign .
“ They ’ re certainly entitled to campaign for their dad , ” Reagan said , saying that his siblings did the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross the line is ― I hate to say it here , I don ’ t mean to be blunt , but we ’ ve got a bunch of grifters in the White House .
They ’ re treating this as a grift , ” he added .
“ They ’ re using the hotels and the golf clubs to profit off the presidency , ” he said .
He slammed Trump ’ s daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner , both of whom he said were awarded high-level White House positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those roles .
Trump and his inner circle have been accused of using his presidency for profit throughout his time in office .
He has used his platform to promote his businesses , awarded government and campaign positions to friends and family , and pushed for government business to be conducted at his own venues .
Reagan , a liberal commentator , has been an outspoken critic of Trump in the past .
In an interview published by The Daily Beast earlier this year , he said his father would have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ incompetent and traitorous ” as Trump in the Oval Office .
Despite his views being at odds with those of his conservative father , Reagan said his dad led with dignity and class .
“ When I think of my father , I think of words like integrity , decency , dignity , honor , and patriotism — not nationalism but patriotism — all of those qualities are in very short supply in this White House , ” he said .
He said his father would be horrified by the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of this pathological entity in the White House .
”

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Former President Ronald Reagan’s youngest son believes Donald Trump’s family is using his presidency as a “grift” and that his late father would be “horrified” by the state of the Republican party today.
In an interview with CNN’s Ana Cabrera on “Newsroom” Sunday, Ron Reagan was asked about the way Trump’s children have been involved in his administration and reelection campaign.
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“They’re certainly entitled to campaign for their dad,” Reagan said, saying that his siblings did the same for theirs.
“When you cross the line is ― I hate to say it here, I don’t mean to be blunt, but we’ve got a bunch of grifters in the White House. They’re treating this as a grift,” he added.
He said the Trumps were mixing business with pleasure and with statecraft.
“They’re using the hotels and the golf clubs to profit off the presidency,” he said.
He slammed Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom he said were awarded high-level White House positions despite having “no qualifications whatsoever” for those roles.
“They’re using it to make money, basically,” he said.
Trump and his inner circle have been accused of using his presidency for profit throughout his time in office. He has used his platform to promote his businesses, awarded government and campaign positions to friends and family, and pushed for government business to be conducted at his own venues.
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Reagan, a liberal commentator, has been an outspoken critic of Trump in the past. In an interview published by The Daily Beast earlier this year, he said his father would have been embarrassed and ashamed to see a man as “incompetent and traitorous” as Trump in the Oval Office. Despite his views being at odds with those of his conservative father, Reagan said his dad led with dignity and class.
Reagan said Sunday that Trump had done tremendous damage to the GOP.
“When I think of my father, I think of words like integrity, decency, dignity, honor, and patriotism — not nationalism but patriotism — all of those qualities are in very short supply in this White House,” he said.
“And, frankly, the Republican party has been complicit in degrading those values.”
He said his father would be horrified by the Republican party’s “spinelessness in the face of this pathological entity in the White House.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Jake Tapper Abruptly Ends Lara Trump Interview After Shocking Biden Remarks

CNN ’ s Jake Tapper on Sunday called out Lara Trump , daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump and adviser to his reelection campaign , for her past remarks about Democratic nominee Joe Biden , prompting a heated exchange that led the host to terminate the interview .
Lara Trump was asked to explain why she mocked the Democratic presidential candidate earlier this year for his stutter .
Tapper played a clip of 13-year-old boy Brayden Harrington , who spoke at the Democratic National Convention about how Biden ’ s vice presidency made him feel more confident about his own stutter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes little kids with stutters feel when they see you make a comment like that ?
” Tapper asked .
His guest said she didn ’ t know Biden had a stutter ― the same defense she offered at the time ― and then went on to link Biden ’ s speech issues to cognitive decline .
“ First and foremost , I had no idea that Joe Biden ever suffered from a stutter , ” she said .
“ I think what we see on stage with Joe Biden , Jake , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked to explain why she publicly shamed Joe Biden for stuttering , Lara Trump says , `` what we see on stage with Joe Biden , Jake , is very clearly a cognitive decline .
That 's what I 'm referring to .
It makes me uncomfortable ...
I had no idea Joe Biden [ struggled with stuttering ] . ''
pic.twitter.com/XdaPt48pqC — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) October 18 , 2020 Lara Trump ’ s comments at a “ Women for Trump ” event in Iowa in January were : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they turn to him , I ’ m like , ‘ Joe , can you get it out ?
Let ’ s get the words out , Joe.
’ You kinda feel bad for him.
” “ I would think that somebody in the Trump family would be more sensitive to people who do not have medical licenses diagnosing politicians from afar .
Plenty of people have diagnosed your father ( in-law ) from afar .
And I ’ m sure it offends you.
” “ It ’ s very concerning to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leader of the free world .
That is all I ’ m saying .
I genuinely feel sorry for Joe Biden , ” she said .
“ Thank you , Lara , I appreciate it , ” Tapper said , bringing the interview to an early finish .
“ I ’ m sure it was from a place of concern .
We all believe that.
” Others in the Trump camp have gone after Biden ’ s speech issues in the past .
In December , former White House press secretary Sarah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mocked Biden ’ s stutter .
She apologized after severe backlash , saying she didn ’ t know he had one .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday called out Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump and adviser to his reelection campaign, for her past remarks about Democratic nominee Joe Biden, prompting a heated exchange that led the host to terminate the interview.
Lara Trump was asked to explain why she mocked the Democratic presidential candidate earlier this year for his stutter. Tapper played a clip of 13-year-old boy Brayden Harrington, who spoke at the Democratic National Convention about how Biden’s vice presidency made him feel more confident about his own stutter.
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“How do you think it makes little kids with stutters feel when they see you make a comment like that?” Tapper asked.
His guest said she didn’t know Biden had a stutter ― the same defense she offered at the time ― and then went on to link Biden’s speech issues to cognitive decline.
“First and foremost, I had no idea that Joe Biden ever suffered from a stutter,” she said. “I think what we see on stage with Joe Biden, Jake, is very clearly a cognitive decline.”
Asked to explain why she publicly shamed Joe Biden for stuttering, Lara Trump says, "what we see on stage with Joe Biden, Jake, is very clearly a cognitive decline. That's what I'm referring to. It makes me uncomfortable ... I had no idea Joe Biden [struggled with stuttering]." pic.twitter.com/XdaPt48pqC — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 18, 2020
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Interrupting her response, Tapper told her, “I think you were mocking his stutter.”
Lara Trump’s comments at a “Women for Trump” event in Iowa in January were: “Every time he comes on stage or they turn to him, I’m like, ‘Joe, can you get it out? Let’s get the words out, Joe.’ You kinda feel bad for him.”
Tapper told Trump she had “absolutely no standing to diagnose someone’s cognitive decline.”
“I would think that somebody in the Trump family would be more sensitive to people who do not have medical licenses diagnosing politicians from afar. Plenty of people have diagnosed your father (in-law) from afar. And I’m sure it offends you.”
But Trump continued attacking Biden’s mental acuity.
“It’s very concerning to a lot of people that this could be the leader of the free world. That is all I’m saying. I genuinely feel sorry for Joe Biden,” she said.
“Thank you, Lara, I appreciate it,” Tapper said, bringing the interview to an early finish. “I’m sure it was from a place of concern. We all believe that.”
Others in the Trump camp have gone after Biden’s speech issues in the past. In December, former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders made headlines after she openly mocked Biden’s stutter. She apologized after severe backlash, saying she didn’t know he had one.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Instagram Was Affecting My Mental Health, So I Quit. Here's What I Didn't See Coming.

Instagram mothers were cooking gourmet plant-based meals for their kids , while I was popping open boxed macaroni and cheese .
Instagram entrepreneurs were making millions in business at the age of 25 , while I was trying to figure out the next chapter in my career at 40 .
On Instagram , my contemporaries embodied # BlackGirlMagic , while I was feeling completely unremarkable .
“ Instagram is sooo fake , ” I would hear friends say while scrolling their feeds incessantly .
But the thing was , even if the performative joy on Instagram was all a farce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy to produce artificial happiness .
I , on the other hand , rarely do .
I ’ ve suffered from chronic , low-grade depression for as long as I can remember .
It ’ s a reality akin to experiencing the world in light shades of gray .
To even pretend to feel good about myself , I have to exercise , see a therapist , try to eat right , read self-help books , meditate , burn sage , clear my chakras and sometimes take medication that has never quite worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these things don ’ t consistently happen , so I find it best to focus on what ’ s easier to control : knowing my triggers and dodging them like a bullet .
And these days the main trigger is Instagram , the seemingly constant companion of everyone I know .
Depression aside , I have a pretty good life .
I have an amazing husband , great friends and two beautiful children , and I live in a beachfront community that I love .
However , depression makes it a challenge to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding mine up next to the seemingly perfect lives shown online made it almost impossible .
Balancing a distorted view of my existence against a land where everyone appears to be happy and # unbothered was starting to make my depression even harder to manage than usual .
During the coronavirus pandemic , I ’ ve found some much-needed human connection by logging onto a weekly Zoom happy hour with my girlfriends .
But even during our screen-to-screen gabfest , Instagram references rule the conversation .
It typically starts with , “ Did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post about XYZ ?
” or a gossipy “ He unfollowed her weeks ago ” or the investigative “ They have to be staying at the same hotel — look at the floor pattern in their photos !
” I listen to them with the anxiety of a student who didn ’ t do the reading the night before , hunting for context clues and asking questions everybody else already knows the answers to , thanks to their constantly flowing social media feeds .
I long for the days when we can engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require Instagram as a prerequisite , but in my social circles , when the real world shut down , Instagram stepped in to take its place and became inescapable .
I thought there might be a way to rejuvenate my relationship with the social media platform .
Maybe I was sending the wrong messages to the almighty algorithm .
So one day I stopped following any obnoxious oversharers and followed only people I knew personally , along with wellness brands , motivational speakers , comedians and self-ordained Instagram preachers .
After a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right signals with likes , follows and comments , my online engagement left me feeling maxed out , bogged down and no less than crappy .
It was then that I simply decided to honor my intuition and give Instagram an indefinite break .
I started ignoring it for weeks , then months , at a time .
I found peace in the things that I loved : my husband and kids , my writing , experiencing nature and enjoying the clarity of having a still mind that wasn ’ t constantly interrupted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was up to .
While the introvert in me was delighted in my self-imposed hiatus , the longer I stayed away , the more I started to realize the unintended consequences of being an offline recluse .
My feelings of social media anxiety were replaced with real-life isolation , and at times I didn ’ t know which one I should choose .
How could I expect a friend to personally text me pictures they ’ d already shared with the world ?
Or how could I blame them for not inviting me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m the one who didn ’ t see the direct message ?
I slowly lost touch with people I thought were friends .
Even when I met someone new who casually asked me for my IG handle , I froze up before awkwardly offering my phone number instead .
With the ubiquity of social media in our culture , my lack of a constantly accumulating digital permanent record was making me look like the ridiculous old auntie , afraid of the internet .
I haven ’ t told a lot of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my extended sabbatical from social media has forced me to “ come out ” in a way .
The idea of confessing that I suffer from a mental illness is more than enough to incite a depressive episode .
It feels embarrassing to me , a disconnect from my self-image as a strong Black woman .
And yet , fortunately or unfortunately , I ’ ve struggled with depression long enough to know that it isn ’ t about being strong .
It ’ s about doing everything you need to do to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even trying to thrive , when your brain is fighting against you .
I need my friends and family to understand that me not liking a post or being in their comments with hearts and crying/laughing emojis or joining their Instagram Live isn ’ t an affront to them .
It ’ s something I need to do for myself , at least for right now .
Keeping my head in safe spaces has to be my true north .
There are times when I can ’ t emotionally afford to go anywhere @ @

The author at a conference in Palm Springs, California. Photo Courtesy Of Ralinda Harvey Smith
Whenever I’ve used Instagram with any frequency, I have found it to be the most expedient way for me to feel simultaneously inadequate, overwhelmed and depressed.
Instagram mothers were cooking gourmet plant-based meals for their kids, while I was popping open boxed macaroni and cheese. Instagram entrepreneurs were making millions in business at the age of 25, while I was trying to figure out the next chapter in my career at 40. On Instagram, my contemporaries embodied #BlackGirlMagic, while I was feeling completely unremarkable.
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“Instagram is sooo fake,” I would hear friends say while scrolling their feeds incessantly. But the thing was, even if the performative joy on Instagram was all a farce, at least those people had the energy to produce artificial happiness. I, on the other hand, rarely do.
I’ve suffered from chronic, low-grade depression for as long as I can remember. It’s a reality akin to experiencing the world in light shades of gray. To even pretend to feel good about myself, I have to exercise, see a therapist, try to eat right, read self-help books, meditate, burn sage, clear my chakras and sometimes take medication that has never quite worked for me.
Unfortunately, half of these things don’t consistently happen, so I find it best to focus on what’s easier to control: knowing my triggers and dodging them like a bullet. And these days the main trigger is Instagram, the seemingly constant companion of everyone I know.
Depression aside, I have a pretty good life. I have an amazing husband, great friends and two beautiful children, and I live in a beachfront community that I love. However, depression makes it a challenge to see the good in life, and holding mine up next to the seemingly perfect lives shown online made it almost impossible. Balancing a distorted view of my existence against a land where everyone appears to be happy and #unbothered was starting to make my depression even harder to manage than usual.
Advertisement
So I decided to walk away from the app in June earlier this year, not realizing what else I’d be giving up in the process.
During the coronavirus pandemic, I’ve found some much-needed human connection by logging onto a weekly Zoom happy hour with my girlfriends. But even during our screen-to-screen gabfest, Instagram references rule the conversation. It typically starts with, “Did you see such and such’s post about XYZ?” or a gossipy “He unfollowed her weeks ago” or the investigative “They have to be staying at the same hotel — look at the floor pattern in their photos!”
I listen to them with the anxiety of a student who didn’t do the reading the night before, hunting for context clues and asking questions everybody else already knows the answers to, thanks to their constantly flowing social media feeds. I long for the days when we can engage in a discussion that doesn’t require Instagram as a prerequisite, but in my social circles, when the real world shut down, Instagram stepped in to take its place and became inescapable.
I thought there might be a way to rejuvenate my relationship with the social media platform. Maybe I was sending the wrong messages to the almighty algorithm. So one day I stopped following any obnoxious oversharers and followed only people I knew personally, along with wellness brands, motivational speakers, comedians and self-ordained Instagram preachers. After a few days of attempting to send all the right signals with likes, follows and comments, my online engagement left me feeling maxed out, bogged down and no less than crappy. It was then that I simply decided to honor my intuition and give Instagram an indefinite break.
I started ignoring it for weeks, then months, at a time. I found peace in the things that I loved: my husband and kids, my writing, experiencing nature and enjoying the clarity of having a still mind that wasn’t constantly interrupted by what the rest of the world was up to.
Advertisement
While the introvert in me was delighted in my self-imposed hiatus, the longer I stayed away, the more I started to realize the unintended consequences of being an offline recluse. My feelings of social media anxiety were replaced with real-life isolation, and at times I didn’t know which one I should choose.
How could I expect a friend to personally text me pictures they’d already shared with the world? Or how could I blame them for not inviting me to a socially distanced picnic if I’m the one who didn’t see the direct message?
I slowly lost touch with people I thought were friends. Even when I met someone new who casually asked me for my IG handle, I froze up before awkwardly offering my phone number instead. With the ubiquity of social media in our culture, my lack of a constantly accumulating digital permanent record was making me look like the ridiculous old auntie, afraid of the internet.
I haven’t told a lot of people that I struggle with depression. But my extended sabbatical from social media has forced me to “come out” in a way. The idea of confessing that I suffer from a mental illness is more than enough to incite a depressive episode. It feels embarrassing to me, a disconnect from my self-image as a strong Black woman. And yet, fortunately or unfortunately, I’ve struggled with depression long enough to know that it isn’t about being strong. It’s about doing everything you need to do to take care of yourself — surviving, even trying to thrive, when your brain is fighting against you.
I need my friends and family to understand that me not liking a post or being in their comments with hearts and crying/laughing emojis or joining their Instagram Live isn’t an affront to them. It’s something I need to do for myself, at least for right now. Keeping my head in safe spaces has to be my true north. There are times when I can’t emotionally afford to go anywhere else.
Advertisement
“Social media just doesn’t make me feel good” were the words I used recently to explain to a close friend why I hadn’t commented on her posts.
To my relief, she just replied, “Yeah, it’s so toxic.”
Then, just like I’d been longing for, we had a conversation like two friends in real life who lived in a world where Instagram didn’t exist.
Ralinda Harvey Smith is a freelance writer and author who lives in Santa Monica, CA. You can follow her on Twitter @ralinda.
Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch!


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump Rule To Cut Food Benefits Amid Pandemic

( Reuters ) — A U.S. federal judge has struck down a Trump administration rule that would have cut food stamp benefits to almost 700,000 unemployed Americans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic , court documents showed .
The judge , in a court filing , said the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) has been “ icily silent ” about how many people would have been denied the benefits with the changes .
The pandemic has left millions of U.S. residents without jobs , sending thousands into lines at food banks .
In 2019 , the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving free food to about 36 million Americans .
“ The Final Rule at issue in this litigation radically and abruptly alters decades of regulatory practice , leaving States scrambling and exponentially increasing food insecurity for tens of thousands of Americans , ” chief judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington , D.C. said in the ruling .
The USDA announced the rule in December and President Donald Trump said at the time many Americans receiving food stamps do not need them given the strong economy and low unemployment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , the city of New York and the District of Columbia challenged the USDA rule in January .
In March , the judge had granted a preliminary injunction and a stay on part of the rule , which was scheduled to take effect on April 1 , noting food needs during the pandemic .
Its rule would have limited each state ’ s ability to waive work mandates , effectively requiring more food stamp recipients to work .
The judge added that the rosters of the SNAP program have grown by over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake , with over 6 million new enrollees as of May .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
(Reuters) — A U.S. federal judge has struck down a Trump administration rule that would have cut food stamp benefits to almost 700,000 unemployed Americans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, court documents showed.
The judge, in a court filing, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been “icily silent” about how many people would have been denied the benefits with the changes.
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The pandemic has left millions of U.S. residents without jobs, sending thousands into lines at food banks.
In 2019, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, provided stamps giving free food to about 36 million Americans.
“The Final Rule at issue in this litigation radically and abruptly alters decades of regulatory practice, leaving States scrambling and exponentially increasing food insecurity for tens of thousands of Americans,” chief judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. said in the ruling.
The USDA announced the rule in December and President Donald Trump said at the time many Americans receiving food stamps do not need them given the strong economy and low unemployment.
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A coalition of attorneys general from several states, the city of New York and the District of Columbia challenged the USDA rule in January.
In March, the judge had granted a preliminary injunction and a stay on part of the rule, which was scheduled to take effect on April 1, noting food needs during the pandemic.
USDA filed a notice in May appealing the order.
Its rule would have limited each state’s ability to waive work mandates, effectively requiring more food stamp recipients to work.
The judge added that the rosters of the SNAP program have grown by over 17% in the pandemic’s wake, with over 6 million new enrollees as of May.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Global Coronavirus Cases Surpass 40 Million Milestone

The United States , India , and Brazil remain the worst affected countries in the world .
COVID-19 cases in North , Central , and South America represent about 47.27 % or nearly half of global cases .
Around 247 cases are seen per 10,000 people in the United States .
For India and Brazil , those numbers stand at 55 cases and 248 cases per 10,000 people respectively .
New cases are growing at over 150,000 a day in Europe , as many countries including Italy , Netherlands , Germany , Austria , Poland , Ukraine , Cyprus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily increases in the number of coronavirus infections .
Europe currently accounts for over 17 % of the global cases and nearly 22 % of the deaths related to the virus worldwide .
Parts of the UK were put into lockdown as Prime Minister Boris Johnson bid to contain a second wave of infections through local measures .
France imposed curfews while other European nations are closing schools , canceling surgeries , and enlisting student medics .
President Donald Trump called for a big economic stimulus as U.S. infections surpassed eight million , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States across the Midwest are seeing a rise in coronavirus cases , with new infections and hospitalizations rising to record levels .
India ’ s cumulative tally of coronavirus infections stood at 7.43 million on Saturday , with the number of active infections slipping below 800,000 for the first time in 1.5 months .
Iran , the Middle Eastern country hardest-hit by the coronavirus , extended restrictions and closures in the capital Tehran into a third week on Saturday as its death toll rose above 30,000 .
Since the pandemic started , over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , with the global fatality rate hovering around 2.8 % of the total cases .
An official at the World Health Organization has said the global death toll from COVID-19 could double to 2 million before a successful vaccine is widely used and could be even higher without concerted action to curb the pandemic .

The United States, India, and Brazil remain the worst affected countries in the world. COVID-19 cases in North, Central, and South America represent about 47.27% or nearly half of global cases.
Around 247 cases are seen per 10,000 people in the United States. For India and Brazil, those numbers stand at 55 cases and 248 cases per 10,000 people respectively.
New cases are growing at over 150,000 a day in Europe, as many countries including Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Cyprus, and the Czech Republic have reported record daily increases in the number of coronavirus infections.
Europe currently accounts for over 17% of the global cases and nearly 22% of the deaths related to the virus worldwide.
Parts of the UK were put into lockdown as Prime Minister Boris Johnson bid to contain a second wave of infections through local measures.
France imposed curfews while other European nations are closing schools, canceling surgeries, and enlisting student medics.
President Donald Trump called for a big economic stimulus as U.S. infections surpassed eight million, with record spikes in several states.
States across the Midwest are seeing a rise in coronavirus cases, with new infections and hospitalizations rising to record levels.
India’s cumulative tally of coronavirus infections stood at 7.43 million on Saturday, with the number of active infections slipping below 800,000 for the first time in 1.5 months.
Iran, the Middle Eastern country hardest-hit by the coronavirus, extended restrictions and closures in the capital Tehran into a third week on Saturday as its death toll rose above 30,000.
Since the pandemic started, over 1.1 million people have died due to COVID-19, with the global fatality rate hovering around 2.8% of the total cases.
An official at the World Health Organization has said the global death toll from COVID-19 could double to 2 million before a successful vaccine is widely used and could be even higher without concerted action to curb the pandemic.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Trump Mocks Joe Biden: If Elected, 'He'll Listen To The Scientists'

President Donald Trump sought to insult former Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday by saying that his Democratic opponent would listen to scientists if elected president .
Amid a global pandemic that ’ s claimed more than 219,000 lives in the U.S. , Trump mocked Biden during a campaign rally in Carson City , Nevada , which around 5,000 mostly unmasked supporters attended .
“ If you vote for Biden , he will surrender your jobs to China .
He will surrender your future to the virus .
He ’ s going to lock down , he ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump said .
“ He ’ ll listen to the scientists , ” Trump continued .
“ If I listened totally to the scientists , we would right now have a country that would be in a massive depression , instead of , we ’ re like a rocket ship .
Take a look at the numbers.
” Trump mocks Biden for pledging to listen to scientists .
Watch this clip and ask yourself if Trump was trying to kill Americans by infecting them with coronavirus , how would it sound different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atrupar ) October 18 , 2020 Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic , Trump has dismissed and disputed science , sent mixed messaging to the public , ignored his own government ’ s guidance , feuded with public health experts and mocked others for following the rules ― even after he and dozens of people in his circle tested positive .
To date , the U.S. has the highest COVID-19 case count and death toll of any country in the world , and the rates of new infections and deaths continue to climb .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inherited from the Obama-Biden administration by continually discounting and attacking warnings from the scientific and medical experts working around the clock to save lives , ” Bates said .
“ Now new coronavirus cases are surging and layoffs are rising.
” While the unemployment rate rebounded over the summer as local economies reopened , economists said the pace of recovery has slowed .
As the number of coronavirus cases began to climb in the fall , major companies announced tens of thousands of layoffs .
The unemployment rate is currently higher than it @ @ @ @ @ @

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump sought to insult former Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday by saying that his Democratic opponent would listen to scientists if elected president.
Amid a global pandemic that’s claimed more than 219,000 lives in the U.S., Trump mocked Biden during a campaign rally in Carson City, Nevada, which around 5,000 mostly unmasked supporters attended.
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“If you vote for Biden, he will surrender your jobs to China. He will surrender your future to the virus. He’s going to lock down, he’s going to want us to lock down,” Trump said.
“He’ll listen to the scientists,” Trump continued. “If I listened totally to the scientists, we would right now have a country that would be in a massive depression, instead of, we’re like a rocket ship. Take a look at the numbers.”
Trump mocks Biden for pledging to listen to scientists. Watch this clip and ask yourself if Trump was trying to kill Americans by infecting them with coronavirus, how would it sound different? pic.twitter.com/aZSugwvoML — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 18, 2020
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump has dismissed and disputed science, sent mixed messaging to the public, ignored his own government’s guidance, feuded with public health experts and mocked others for following the rules ― even after he and dozens of people in his circle tested positive.
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To date, the U.S. has the highest COVID-19 case count and death toll of any country in the world, and the rates of new infections and deaths continue to climb.
Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates responded to Trump’s comments in a statement to Axios.
“Donald Trump tanked the strong economy he inherited from the Obama-Biden administration by continually discounting and attacking warnings from the scientific and medical experts working around the clock to save lives,” Bates said. “Now new coronavirus cases are surging and layoffs are rising.”
While the unemployment rate rebounded over the summer as local economies reopened, economists said the pace of recovery has slowed. As the number of coronavirus cases began to climb in the fall, major companies announced tens of thousands of layoffs. The unemployment rate is currently higher than it was when Trump took office.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Biden Trolls Trump By Reminding Him Of The 1 Campaign Promise He Should Keep

Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s campaign released a new ad over the weekend that suggests there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Trump should keep .
Lately , Trump has been telling the crowds in each state @ @ @ @ @ never return if they don ’ t vote for him , and even suggested he @ @ @ @ @ if he loses the election .

Former Vice President Joe Biden ’s campaign released a new ad over the weekend that suggests there’s one campaign promise President Donald Trump should keep.
Lately, Trump has been telling the crowds in each state he visits that he may never return if they don’t vote for him, and even suggested he could leave the country altogether if he loses the election.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Trump Makes His Weirdest War On Christmas Attack Yet

Halloween is nearly two weeks away , but President Donald Trump just fired a salvo in the “ war on Christmas ” with a strange new line of attack on former Vice President Joe Biden .
While speaking in Carson City , Nevada , on Sunday , Trump seemed to blame the coronavirus lockdowns earlier this year on Biden .
“ Under the Biden lockdown , the lights of Reno and Las Vegas were extinguished , ” he said .
Yet Trump was president during the lockdowns this year .
Biden was a private citizen with no government role at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Carson City will become a ghost town and the Christmas season will be canceled , ” Trump said .
Biden would not take office until Jan. 20 ― well after the Christmas season ― should he win the election .
The former vice president is also a practicing Catholic who celebrates the holiday .
There is , however , one person who might not mind canceling Christmas : first lady Melania Trump , who was caught on audio trashing the holiday .
“ I ’ m working my ass off on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who gives a fuck about the Christmas stuff and decoration ?
” Melania Trump said in recording released by former friend and aide Stephanie Winston Wolkoff .
“ But I need to do it , right ?
” In the past , Trump has made random shout-outs to Christmas in just about every season , including summer , often claiming he brought the holiday back along with the phrase “ Merry Christmas.
” Neither the holiday nor the phrase had ever fallen out of favor .
Fun fact : -I staffed @ joebiden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he threw a Christmas party for staff .
Bonus fact : -He alternated the site between his home in Wilmington & his DC office .
To show that staff based in the Capital were no more highly-valued than those in Delaware .
https : //t.co/UZLkjF41Ez — Jonah Blank ( @ JonahBlank ) October 19 , 2020 Trump says Biden is going to cancel Christmas which at least should get Biden a vote from Melania , since we all know how much she hates that `` fucking Christmas stuff '' — Abraham Lincoln @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Halloween is nearly two weeks away, but President Donald Trump just fired a salvo in the “war on Christmas” with a strange new line of attack on former Vice President Joe Biden.
While speaking in Carson City, Nevada, on Sunday, Trump seemed to blame the coronavirus lockdowns earlier this year on Biden.
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“Under the Biden lockdown, the lights of Reno and Las Vegas were extinguished,” he said.
Yet Trump was president during the lockdowns this year. Biden was a private citizen with no government role at all.
Trump then claimed Biden would cancel the upcoming Christmas season if elected.
"The Christmas season will be canceled" -- Trump says Biden will cancel Christmas pic.twitter.com/RexB4CCc3L — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 19, 2020
“If he comes in, Carson City will become a ghost town and the Christmas season will be canceled,” Trump said.
Biden would not take office until Jan. 20 ― well after the Christmas season ― should he win the election. The former vice president is also a practicing Catholic who celebrates the holiday.
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There is, however, one person who might not mind canceling Christmas: first lady Melania Trump, who was caught on audio trashing the holiday.
“I’m working my ass off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a fuck about the Christmas stuff and decoration?” Melania Trump said in recording released by former friend and aide Stephanie Winston Wolkoff. “But I need to do it, right?”
In the past, Trump has made random shout-outs to Christmas in just about every season, including summer, often claiming he brought the holiday back along with the phrase “Merry Christmas.” Neither the holiday nor the phrase had ever fallen out of favor.
Trump’s latest out-of-season Christmas reference drew quite the reaction on Twitter:
The people cheering Trump taking credit for people saying Merry Christmas will believe anything. https://t.co/E8dxwZs7Lj — Schooley (@Rschooley) October 19, 2020
Fun fact:
-I staffed @joebiden for nearly a decade. Every year, he threw a Christmas party for staff.
Bonus fact:
-He alternated the site between his home in Wilmington & his DC office. To show that staff based in the Capital were no more highly-valued than those in Delaware. https://t.co/UZLkjF41Ez — Jonah Blank (@JonahBlank) October 19, 2020
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As a reminder, we recently learned that Melania Trump also wanted to cancel the Christmas season. — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) October 19, 2020
Christmas is basically canceled due to your awful covid response. https://t.co/1QlCXE9T4m — Aaron (@TheSarcasmShow) October 19, 2020
“Who gives a fuck about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?”
—Melania Trump https://t.co/xExiyfJd4h — Seth Cotlar (@SethCotlar) October 19, 2020
Trump says Biden is going to cancel Christmas which at least should get Biden a vote from Melania, since we all know how much she hates that "fucking Christmas stuff" — Abraham Lincoln (@SurrealALincoln) October 19, 2020
At least Melania won’t have to put up those fucking Christmas decorations https://t.co/j0jW1IS0Za — Ed Solomon (@ed_solomon) October 19, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Can't Unsee This: 'Seinfeld's' Jason Alexander Mocks Trump For Dancing Worse Than Elaine

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Donald Trump Drops Money Into Church Collection Bucket And Twitter Makes Him Pay

President Donald Trump plunked what appeared to be a few $ 20 bills into the collection bucket at the International @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
And he did it with a bit of ceremony .
He dug the @ @ @ @ @ pocket , fingered the bills and fanned through them repeatedly before dropping them into the @ @ @

President Donald Trump plunked what appeared to be a few $20 bills into the collection bucket at the International Church of Las Vegas on Sunday.
And he did it with a bit of ceremony. He dug the cash out of his right pocket, fingered the bills and fanned through them repeatedly before dropping them into the collection container.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-18--Kanye West 'Praying' For Issa Rae After He Slams Her 'SNL' Sketch Mocking His Candidacy

West slammed the comedy show for using “ Black people to hold other Black people back.
” He has appeared on “ Saturday Night Live ” six times .
In one of the sketches , “ Insecure ” star Issa Rae , who hosted “ SNL , ” played an NAACP lawyer who explained that her voting strategy was to back “ everybody Black ” — no matter what .
But when it came to voting for West to be president , she snapped : “ F him.
” ( Check out the video above . )
The sketch was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the 2017 Emmy Awards that she was “ rooting for everybody Black.
” Kenan Thompson and Ego Nwodim were also part of the sketch that featured faux talk show “ Your Voice Chicago.
” In another bit on “ Weekend Update , ” co-anchor Michael Che characterized West as a possible election spoiler — but only because the other options are so weak .
West said that he would be “ praying ” for Rae and her family in his tweet attacking her sketch , and , oddly , tweeted her Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He didn ’ t mention Che .
He also complimented himself and his “ 20 years of service ... in the entertainment field ” for furthering “ our ability to be more successful.
” Ive always said SNL uses black people to hold other black people back My heart goes out to Issa Rae I ’ m praying for her and her family I know that the twenty years of service that I ’ ve paid in the entertainment field has furthered our ability to be more successful pic.twitter.com/kExwUVVsqv — ye ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has been an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump , announced in July that he was running for president as an independent or on his “ Birthday Party ” ticket .
His action is seen by many as a spoiler strategy to lure just enough votes from Democrats to give Trump a boost .
At least two people with deep ties to West ’ s campaign were delegates at the Republican National Convention , New York Magazine has reported .
GOP lawyers and activists have also battled in court to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
West is currently on the ballot in at least 11 states as a presidential or vice-presidential candidate .
Last week , West promoted fake poll results from Kentucky claiming that he was leading the race in the state .
Twitter marked it “ manipulated media.
” “ Get the West Wing ready !
” he crowed on the video he tweeted .
It ’ s still on his page .
When West was last on “ SNL ” two years ago , he infuriated some cast members when he went on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credits were rolling and continued after the program went off the air .
Several responses to his tweet about Rae were critical , particularly about his apparent claim that he is somehow responsible for the actress ’ s success because of all his years of “ service ” in the entertainment industry .
Issa Rae is in touch with modern , young , educated Black taste makers .
She is not held back .
You mad she made a joke on your behalf ?
I didn ’ t hear her speak a lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking for your prayers either .
— cd ( @ clarissadeng ) October 18 , 2020

West slammed the comedy show for using “Black people to hold other Black people back.” He has appeared on “Saturday Night Live” six times.
In one of the sketches, “Insecure” star Issa Rae, who hosted “SNL,” played an NAACP lawyer who explained that her voting strategy was to back “everybody Black” — no matter what. But when it came to voting for West to be president, she snapped: “F him.” (Check out the video above.)
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The sketch was a send-up of Rae’s comments at the 2017 Emmy Awards that she was “rooting for everybody Black.” Kenan Thompson and Ego Nwodim were also part of the sketch that featured faux talk show “Your Voice Chicago.”
In another bit on “Weekend Update,” co-anchor Michael Che characterized West as a possible election spoiler — but only because the other options are so weak.
West said that he would be “praying” for Rae and her family in his tweet attacking her sketch, and, oddly, tweeted her Google profile, which is in Spanish. He didn’t mention Che.
He also complimented himself and his “20 years of service ... in the entertainment field” for furthering “our ability to be more successful.”
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Ive always said SNL uses black people to hold other black people back My heart goes out to Issa Rae I’m praying for her and her family I know that the twenty years of service that I’ve paid in the entertainment field has furthered our ability to be more successful pic.twitter.com/kExwUVVsqv — ye (@kanyewest) October 18, 2020
Neither Rae nor “Saturday Night Live” has responded to West.
West, who has been an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, announced in July that he was running for president as an independent or on his “Birthday Party” ticket.
His action is seen by many as a spoiler strategy to lure just enough votes from Democrats to give Trump a boost. At least two people with deep ties to West’s campaign were delegates at the Republican National Convention, New York Magazine has reported.
GOP lawyers and activists have also battled in court to get the artist on ballots, according to Vice.
West is currently on the ballot in at least 11 states as a presidential or vice-presidential candidate.
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Last week, West promoted fake poll results from Kentucky claiming that he was leading the race in the state. Twitter marked it “manipulated media.” “Get the West Wing ready!” he crowed on the video he tweeted. It’s still on his page.
When West was last on “SNL” two years ago, he infuriated some cast members when he went on a conspiracy-riddled political rant supporting Trump as the credits were rolling and continued after the program went off the air.
Looks like we missed a lot after the credits 🤔
Kanye is back to talking about running for president in 2020.
🎥: @chrisrock pic.twitter.com/yObaal85CA — Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) September 30, 2018
Several responses to his tweet about Rae were critical, particularly about his apparent claim that he is somehow responsible for the actress’s success because of all his years of “service” in the entertainment industry.
Bruh. Issa would have risen to the top without your service in entertainment. She’s that talented. She earned her success on her own. pic.twitter.com/kSXAf1nlnY — John Lewis’ Backpack Darryl Wharton-Rigby (@whartonrigby) October 18, 2020
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I don’t understand. Haven’t you appeared before on SNL? Can’t have it both ways. — myfriendscallmet (@tlovesorchids) October 18, 2020
Issa Rae is in touch with modern, young, educated Black taste makers. She is not held back. You mad she made a joke on your behalf? I didn’t hear her speak a lie. Don’t think she was looking for your prayers either. — cd (@clarissadeng) October 18, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Trump Won't Go Quietly And It May Take Weak GOP To Boot Him, John Bolton Says

President Donald Trump won ’ t leave the White House quietly if he loses in November — and it will depend on the faint-of-heart Republicans to force him out , warned former national security adviser John Bolton in a CNN interview that aired Sunday .
“ I think it ’ s very troubling [ Trump ] has said , ‘ I can ’ t lose unless there ’ s fraud , ’ ” Bolton told Jake Tapper .
“ Of course he can lose in an honest election.
” Bolton warned : “ Let ’ s be clear : Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He will not leave graciously .
Whether he carries it to the extreme , I don ’ t think we know.
” Trump has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power , despite repeated requests to do so .
Ultimately , Bolton said , what happens will be “ on the leadership of the party , elected officials , private citizens .
If it is clear what the outcome [ of the election ] is , it is up to Republicans , not Democrats , to say , ‘ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to go.
’ ” Tapper pressed : “ Do you have faith in Republican officials that they will step forward and do that ?
There ’ s not a lot of evidence ” they will ... “ there ’ s not a lot of profiles in courage , ” he added .
Bolton said he believes Republicans are “ ready ” to deal with Trump based on conversations he has had with many of them .
“ I don ’ t think they will stand ” for Trump refusing to step down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton said that he won ’ t be voting for Trump or the Democratic candidate , former Vice President Joe Biden , in the election .
In June , he released Trump tell-all book “ The Room Where It Happened.
” Bolton said he also has faith in Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley .
“ I have no concerns — as long as they ’ re still in office , ” he said .
Trump hasn ’ t yet done “ irreparable damage ” to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so in a second term , Bolton said .
If Trump wins again , he will be “ utterly unrestricted , ” he said .
“ The central problem with the Trump administration [ is ] in the Oval Office .
It ’ s the president himself .
Trump is not fit to be president , ” Bolton said .
The danger is that Trump has the “ attention span of a fruit fly ” — except when it comes to getting reelected , he warned .
Check out Bolton ’ s interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tapper discuss Trump ’ s possible refusal to leave the White House if he loses beginning at 3:51 .

President Donald Trump won’t leave the White House quietly if he loses in November — and it will depend on the faint-of-heart Republicans to force him out, warned former national security adviser John Bolton in a CNN interview that aired Sunday.
“I think it’s very troubling [Trump] has said, ‘I can’t lose unless there’s fraud,’” Bolton told Jake Tapper. “Of course he can lose in an honest election.”
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Bolton warned: “Let’s be clear: Trump will not leave graciously if he loses. He will not leave graciously. Whether he carries it to the extreme, I don’t think we know.”
Trump has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, despite repeated requests to do so.
Ultimately, Bolton said, what happens will be “on the leadership of the party, elected officials, private citizens. If it is clear what the outcome [of the election] is, it is up to Republicans, not Democrats, to say, ‘This is on us. He’s got to go.’”
Tapper pressed: “Do you have faith in Republican officials that they will step forward and do that? There’s not a lot of evidence” they will ... “there’s not a lot of profiles in courage,” he added.
Bolton said he believes Republicans are “ready” to deal with Trump based on conversations he has had with many of them. “I don’t think they will stand” for Trump refusing to step down if he loses, he added.
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Bolton said that he won’t be voting for Trump or the Democratic candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden, in the election. In June, he released Trump tell-all book “The Room Where It Happened.”
Bolton said he also has faith in Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley. “I have no concerns — as long as they’re still in office,” he said.
Trump hasn’t yet done “irreparable damage” to the U.S. but he is likely to do so in a second term, Bolton said. If Trump wins again, he will be “utterly unrestricted,” he said.
“The central problem with the Trump administration [is] in the Oval Office. It’s the president himself. Trump is not fit to be president,” Bolton said.
The danger is that Trump has the “attention span of a fruit fly” — except when it comes to getting reelected, he warned.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Stands Up For New York's Working Families Party

Tom Williams/Getty Images `` We have the opportunity to both vote out Trump AND , and the same time , send a message to the Democratic Party that we can do better , ” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) wrote .
“ In New York , we ’ re lucky .
We have the opportunity to both vote out Trump AND , and the same time , send a message to the Democratic Party that we can do better , ” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a Monday message to New Yorkers on her email list and the email list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that by voting [ Joe ] Biden/ [ Kamala ] Harris on the WFP line.
” “ We need to defend our movement , and to defend the Working Families Party , ” she wrote on her Facebook page on Oct. 3 .
“ Will you pledge to join me in voting on the WFP line for Biden and Harris ?
” In New York ’ s unusual “ fusion ” voting system , candidates have the option to seek the ballot line of multiple parties , enabling voters to demonstrate support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without jeopardizing the political power of one of the two main political parties ― Democrats and Republicans .
The WFP , which progressive labor unions and community groups founded in 1998 to provide a left-wing voice in New York politics , has long encouraged left-leaning voters to vote for Democratic candidates on its ballot line to show the strength of the party ’ s progressive wing .
But New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) , a corporate-friendly moderate whom the WFP unsuccessfully sought to unseat in 2018 , is trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a provision into the state ’ s budget this year raising the vote threshold for a political party to remain on the ballot from 50,000 votes every four years to either 130,000 votes or 2 % of the total vote ― whichever is higher ― every two years .
The WFP did not endorse Ocasio-Cortez ahead of the June 2018 primary that secured her a place in Congress .
The organization decided instead to expend political capital on actor Cynthia Nixon ’ s bid to unseat Cuomo and a successful campaign to oust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aligned with the GOP .
Ironically for Ocasio-Cortez ’ s constituents in New York ’ s 14th Congressional District , which includes parts of the Bronx and Queens , the task of voting for the Democratic ticket on the WFP ballot line is slightly more complicated .
In May , Ocasio-Cortez ’ s campaign failed to submit the required number of valid petition signatures ― 15 ― for her to appear on the WFP ballot line .
Residents of New York ’ s 14th who want to vote for Ocasio-Cortez , vote for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WFP retain its place on New York ’ s ballot must vote Biden-Harris on the WFP ballot line and Ocasio-Cortez on the Democratic Party line .
Thanks to the ruling of a group of state judges , WFP supporters in New York ’ s 24th District , which includes Syracuse , must also make a special effort to show support for the WFP .
The WFP had nominated Steve Williams as a placeholder candidate as its nominee for the House in New York ’ s 24th District so it could later endorse whichever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the district .
( The WFP had also endorsed Balter in the primary . )
After Dana Balter won the Democratic nomination in the district in June , the WFP sought to remove its placeholder candidate from the ballot on the grounds that it was nominating Williams for a judicial post instead .
But a local Republican Party challenged the nomination of Williams to the judicial post on a technicality , and last Tuesday , a panel of state appellate judges ruled in the GOP ’ s favor .
Williams will remain on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Balter , who is in a competitive race to unseat Republican Rep. John Katko , must vote for her on the Democratic Party ballot line .
They can vote for the rest of the ticket on the WFP ballot line .
Not all New York progressives believe that preserving the WFP ’ s ballot line is a cause worth fighting for .
In particular , some supporters of independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ presidential bid remain bitter that the WFP endorsed Sanders ’ rival , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass. )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the WFP as it seeks to remain on the ballot in New York .
Warren sent an email appeal to New Yorkers on her campaign email list to vote for Democrats on the WFP ballot line .

"We have the opportunity to both vote out Trump AND, and the same time, send a message to the Democratic Party that we can do better,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wrote. Tom Williams/Getty Images
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York City Democrat, encouraged her supporters in New York to vote the Working Families Party’s ballot line in an effort to save the independent progressive group’s place on the ballot.
“In New York, we’re lucky. We have the opportunity to both vote out Trump AND, and the same time, send a message to the Democratic Party that we can do better,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a Monday message to New Yorkers on her email list and the email list of the New York WFP. “We do that by voting [Joe] Biden/[Kamala] Harris on the WFP line.”
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Ocasio-Cortez has already encouraged the 1.6 million people who follow her on Facebook to vote for the Democratic presidential ticket on the WFP’s ballot line.
“We need to defend our movement, and to defend the Working Families Party,” she wrote on her Facebook page on Oct. 3. “Will you pledge to join me in voting on the WFP line for Biden and Harris?”
Ocasio-Cortez’s appeal lends an influential voice in an obscure internecine political fight that many Empire State progressives nonetheless believe has high stakes for the activist left’s future in the overwhelmingly Democratic state.
In New York’s unusual “fusion” voting system, candidates have the option to seek the ballot line of multiple parties, enabling voters to demonstrate support for an ideological movement within a party without jeopardizing the political power of one of the two main political parties ― Democrats and Republicans.
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The WFP, which progressive labor unions and community groups founded in 1998 to provide a left-wing voice in New York politics, has long encouraged left-leaning voters to vote for Democratic candidates on its ballot line to show the strength of the party’s progressive wing.
But New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), a corporate-friendly moderate whom the WFP unsuccessfully sought to unseat in 2018, is trying to disempower the group. He slipped a provision into the state’s budget this year raising the vote threshold for a political party to remain on the ballot from 50,000 votes every four years to either 130,000 votes or 2% of the total vote ― whichever is higher ― every two years.
Since 114,000 New Yorkers voted on the WFP ballot line in 2018, the progressive organization is pulling out all the stops to ensure it meets the new threshold.
The WFP did not endorse Ocasio-Cortez ahead of the June 2018 primary that secured her a place in Congress. The organization decided instead to expend political capital on actor Cynthia Nixon’s bid to unseat Cuomo and a successful campaign to oust a group of Democratic state senators who aligned with the GOP.
But the organization has since developed close ties with Ocasio-Cortez, who described the WFP in Monday’s email as a “powerful force for working people and progressive candidates.”
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Ironically for Ocasio-Cortez’s constituents in New York’s 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of the Bronx and Queens, the task of voting for the Democratic ticket on the WFP ballot line is slightly more complicated.
In May, Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign failed to submit the required number of valid petition signatures ― 15 ― for her to appear on the WFP ballot line. Residents of New York’s 14th who want to vote for Ocasio-Cortez, vote for the Biden-Harris presidential ticket and help the WFP retain its place on New York’s ballot must vote Biden-Harris on the WFP ballot line and Ocasio-Cortez on the Democratic Party line.
Thanks to the ruling of a group of state judges, WFP supporters in New York’s 24th District, which includes Syracuse, must also make a special effort to show support for the WFP. The WFP had nominated Steve Williams as a placeholder candidate as its nominee for the House in New York’s 24th District so it could later endorse whichever candidate won the Democratic congressional primary in the district. (The WFP had also endorsed Balter in the primary.)
After Dana Balter won the Democratic nomination in the district in June, the WFP sought to remove its placeholder candidate from the ballot on the grounds that it was nominating Williams for a judicial post instead.
But a local Republican Party challenged the nomination of Williams to the judicial post on a technicality, and last Tuesday, a panel of state appellate judges ruled in the GOP’s favor. Williams will remain on the WFP ballot line, so supporters of Balter, who is in a competitive race to unseat Republican Rep. John Katko, must vote for her on the Democratic Party ballot line. They can vote for the rest of the ticket on the WFP ballot line.
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Some supporters of independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid remain bitter that the WFP endorsed Sanders’ rival, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). But even prominent New York leftists who backed Sanders, such as state Sen. Julia Salazar, have pledged to vote for Democrats on the WFP’s ballot line.
Warren has also gone to bat for the WFP as it seeks to remain on the ballot in New York. Warren sent an email appeal to New Yorkers on her campaign email list to vote for Democrats on the WFP ballot line.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-19--John Oliver Gives Trump’s Smile Some New Descriptions You May Never Forget

John Oliver ripped into NBC for “ rewarding ” President Donald Trump with a full hour of TV to himself after he pulled out of a debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden .
On the other hand , Oliver noted the network ’ s long history with Trump ― it was the home of his reality TV show , “ The Apprentice ” ― and said the stunt was “ if nothing else , very much on-brand for them.
” The event sparked a few viral moments , including one in which a woman in the audience delivered an unexpected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to say you have a great smile , ” said Paulette Dale , who later told local media she was voting for Biden .
“ You ’ re so handsome when you smile.
” Her comment left the host of HBO ’ s “ Last Week Tonight ” perplexed .
“ Is he ?
Is he really ?
” Oliver asked , then added : “ I ’ m not quite so sure about that , unless by ‘ handsome ’ you mean ‘ looks like someone dropped their dentures into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ in which case you are absolutely right : The man ’ s got a smile that can light up a cross.
” However , as Oliver noted , the disarming introduction then transitioned into a tough question about immigration policy , leading Oliver to call it “ the perfect way ” to handle Trump : The rest of the show focused on Trump ’ s decision to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization :

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John Oliver ripped into NBC for “rewarding” President Donald Trump with a full hour of TV to himself after he pulled out of a debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden.
On the other hand, Oliver noted the network’s long history with Trump ― it was the home of his reality TV show, “The Apprentice” ― and said the stunt was “if nothing else, very much on-brand for them.”
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The event sparked a few viral moments, including one in which a woman in the audience delivered an unexpected compliment to the president.
“I have to say you have a great smile,” said Paulette Dale, who later told local media she was voting for Biden. “You’re so handsome when you smile.”
Her comment left the host of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” perplexed.
“Is he? Is he really?” Oliver asked, then added:
“I’m not quite so sure about that, unless by ‘handsome’ you mean ‘looks like someone dropped their dentures into a jack-o’-lantern on Nov. 14,’ in which case you are absolutely right: The man’s got a smile that can light up a cross.”
However, as Oliver noted, the disarming introduction then transitioned into a tough question about immigration policy, leading Oliver to call it “the perfect way” to handle Trump:
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The rest of the show focused on Trump’s decision to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization: