thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Judge Dismisses Derek Chauvin's 3rd-Degree Murder Charge

A Minnesota judge dismissed a third-degree murder charge against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd , but left in place a more serious charge of second-degree murder .
Hennepin County Judge Peter A. Cahill on Thursday denied a defense motion to drop all charges against Chauvin and three other former officers involved in Floyd ’ s death , according to multiple reports .
The judge agreed to dismiss Chauvin ’ s third-degree murder charge , leaving the former cop still facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter .
Seen from left : Former Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao .
Chauvin ’ s former colleagues , Tou Thao , J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane , remain charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter .
Minnesota Gov .
Tim Walz ( D ) on Twitter hailed the judge ’ s decision as an “ important step towards justice for George Floyd.
” Floyd ’ s May 25 death sparked nationwide outrage and led to widespread protests against police brutality and racism .
Chauvin , who is white , pressed his knee into Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bystanders screamed and took videos .
Floyd , a Black man , was handcuffed at the time and repeatedly pleaded that he couldn ’ t breathe .
He later died .
The other officers , all no longer on the police force , did nothing to intervene .
The judge didn ’ t rule on a defense request to move the trial to another venue .
Chauvin ’ s attorney declined to comment to HuffPost on the judge ’ s decision .
Video taken from an officer 's body camera video shows George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who 's next to Kueng .

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A Minnesota judge dismissed a third-degree murder charge against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, but left in place a more serious charge of second-degree murder.
Hennepin County Judge Peter A. Cahill on Thursday denied a defense motion to drop all charges against Chauvin and three other former officers involved in Floyd’s death, according to multiple reports. The judge agreed to dismiss Chauvin’s third-degree murder charge, leaving the former cop still facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter.
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Seen from left: Former Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chauvin’s former colleagues, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, remain charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Twitter hailed the judge’s decision as an “important step towards justice for George Floyd.”
Floyd’s May 25 death sparked nationwide outrage and led to widespread protests against police brutality and racism. Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes as bystanders screamed and took videos. Floyd, a Black man, was handcuffed at the time and repeatedly pleaded that he couldn’t breathe. He later died.
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The other officers, all no longer on the police force, did nothing to intervene.
The judge didn’t rule on a defense request to move the trial to another venue.
Chauvin’s attorney declined to comment to HuffPost on the judge’s decision.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Ghislaine Maxwell's Deposition Unsealed After Monthslong Court Battle

Transcripts of interviews conducted with British socialite and alleged sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in which she described her relationship with accused pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and provided intimate details about her sex life were made public on Thursday ― the culmination of a monthslong court battle over their release .
The transcripts , which ran to more than 400 pages , come from depositions in 2016 for a now-settled defamation lawsuit filed against Maxwell by Virginia Roberts Giuffre , who accused Maxwell of acting as Epstein ’ s madame and helping him traffick her ― when she was a teenager ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain ’ s Prince Andrew and former New Mexico Gov .
Bill Richardson .
In the first of about a dozen unsealed documents , Giuffre ’ s lawyers accuse Maxwell of refusing to answer questions about her own sexual relationship with Epstein , as well as alleged instructions she gave to his victims .
“ [ Maxwell ’ s ] role in those massages ― and knowledge of the purposes of those massages ― is a critical piece of evidence showing her state of mind when she attacked Ms. Giuffre ’ s assertions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the document states .
“ Ms .
Giuffre intends to prove at trial that Defendant knew full well the sexual purpose for which she was recruiting females ― including underage females like Ms. Giuffre.
” When asked whether she ever observed a girl under the age of 18 at Epstein ’ s home who was not one of her friends ’ children , Maxwell said : “ I have no idea what you are talking about.
” At several points in the transcript , names of prominent men linked to Epstein are redacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom they are referring .
For example , there are lengthy sections that are clearly about Prince Andrew .
“ I ask she take a deep breath , and calm down , ” McCawley said , according to the transcript .
“ I know this is a difficult position but physical assault or threats is not appropriate , so no pounding , no stomping , no , that ’ s not appropriate.
” Giuffre ’ s lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount in 2017 , but many court documents from the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s lawyers , who argued they were “ extremely personal , confidential and subject to considerable abuse by the media.
” After Maxwell was charged with several federal crimes earlier this year , including sex trafficking and the enticement of minors , her lawyers said the unsealing of the documents from the case , including her deposition , would make it impossible for the woman to get a fair trial .
Maxwell ’ s lawyers had continued their efforts to block their client ’ s deposition from seeing the light of day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit , based in Manhattan , ruled that Preska had been correct in her earlier decision to make the deposition public .
“ We have reviewed all of the arguments raised by Defendant-Appellant Maxwell on appeal and find them to be without merit , ” the court wrote , according to the Miami Herald , which sued for the unsealing of the documents in the Giuffre v. Maxwell case .

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Transcripts of interviews conducted with British socialite and alleged sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in which she described her relationship with accused pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and provided intimate details about her sex life were made public on Thursday ― the culmination of a monthslong court battle over their release.
The transcripts, which ran to more than 400 pages, come from depositions in 2016 for a now-settled defamation lawsuit filed against Maxwell by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused Maxwell of acting as Epstein’s madame and helping him traffick her ― when she was a teenager ― to his famous friends, including allegedly Britain’s Prince Andrew and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.
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Giuffre also accused Maxwell of sexually abusing underage girls. In the transcripts, Maxwell and her attorney denied any “inappropriate underage activity.”
“So you don’t know in your own mind that Jeffrey Epstein had a sexual preference for underage minors?” prosecutor Sigrid McCawley asked, according to the transcript.
“I cannot tell you what Jeffrey’s story is,” Maxwell said.
In the first of about a dozen unsealed documents, Giuffre’s lawyers accuse Maxwell of refusing to answer questions about her own sexual relationship with Epstein, as well as alleged instructions she gave to his victims.
“[Maxwell’s] role in those massages ― and knowledge of the purposes of those massages ― is a critical piece of evidence showing her state of mind when she attacked Ms. Giuffre’s assertions as ‘entirely untrue,’” the document states. “Ms. Giuffre intends to prove at trial that Defendant knew full well the sexual purpose for which she was recruiting females ― including underage females like Ms. Giuffre.”
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Throughout much of the transcript, Maxwell and her attorney are seen dodging questions.
When asked when she first began recruiting girls for Epstein to sexually abuse, Maxwell’s attorney objected to the question.
“The subject matter of this question is confidential and I am designating it as confidential,” he said, according to the transcript.
When asked whether she ever observed a girl under the age of 18 at Epstein’s home who was not one of her friends’ children, Maxwell said: “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Transcripts of interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell, a close friend of late financier Jeffrey Epstein, were unsealed Thursday. JOHANNES EISELE via Getty Images
Maxwell also declined to answer whether she knew if a girl under the age of 18 gave Epstein a massage while Maxwell was present at his home in Palm Beach, Florida.
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“I cannot answer yes or no, it’s not bounded by time,” she said, claiming there was “no way” for her to know.
At several points in the transcript, names of prominent men linked to Epstein are redacted, though it is often clear to whom they are referring. For example, there are lengthy sections that are clearly about Prince Andrew.
According to the transcript, Maxwell also confirmed that she witnessed former President Bill Clinton flying with Epstein on Epstein’s private plane, but said she “wouldn’t categorize” them as “friends” or “acquaintances.”
In multiple instances, Maxwell is seen being evasive, asking prosecutors to repeat questions and quibbling over definitions of words. When asked if Epstein “interviewed” young women who gave him massages, she feigned ignorance.
“You just said that Jeffrey Epstein interviewed, it was your word, interviewed masseuses before they gave massages, is that correct?” McCawley asked.
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“The word ‘interview’ is making me — I’m English, so you could have some difficulty understanding the way I communicate,” Maxwell responded.
After Maxwell became frustrated with the questions about Epstein, McCawley noted that “Maxwell very inappropriately and very harshly pounded our law firm table in an inappropriate manner.”
“I ask she take a deep breath, and calm down,” McCawley said, according to the transcript. “I know this is a difficult position but physical assault or threats is not appropriate, so no pounding, no stomping, no, that’s not appropriate.”
Giuffre’s lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount in 2017, but many court documents from the case were blocked from public release by Maxwell’s lawyers, who argued they were “extremely personal, confidential and subject to considerable abuse by the media.”
After Maxwell was charged with several federal crimes earlier this year, including sex trafficking and the enticement of minors, her lawyers said the unsealing of the documents from the case, including her deposition, would make it impossible for the woman to get a fair trial.
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U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska disagreed, however, and ordered hundreds of pages of court documents to be made public ― many of which have already been unsealed.
Among them was a large cache of documents made public last August ― mere hours before Epstein was found dead of an apparent suicide in his New York City jail cell, where he’d been awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Maxwell’s lawyers had continued their efforts to block their client’s deposition from seeing the light of day. But on Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, based in Manhattan, ruled that Preska had been correct in her earlier decision to make the deposition public.
“We have reviewed all of the arguments raised by Defendant-Appellant Maxwell on appeal and find them to be without merit,” the court wrote, according to the Miami Herald, which sued for the unsealing of the documents in the Giuffre v. Maxwell case.
Preska had given Maxwell’s lawyers until 9 a.m. Thursday to release the deposition.
Maxwell is being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Her trial is scheduled to take place next summer.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-23--Parts Of Idaho Repeal Mask Mandates Even Though Hospitals Full Of COVID-19 Patients

BOISE , Idaho ( AP ) — Moments after hearing an Idaho hospital was overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients and looking at sending people as far away as Seattle for care , members of a regional health department board voted Thursday to repeal a local mask mandate .
The hospital in Coeur d ’ Alene reached 99 % capacity a day earlier , even after doubling up patients in rooms and buying more hospital beds .
Idaho is one of several states where a surge of COVID-19 infections is overwhelming hospitals , likely in part because cooler weather is sending people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the board voted 4-3 to end the mask mandate .
Board members overseeing the operations of Idaho ’ s public health districts are appointed by county commissioners and not required to have any medical experience .
“ I personally do not care whether anybody wears a mask or not .
If they want to be dumb enough to walk around and expose themselves and others , that ’ s fine with me , ” Kirby said .
“ Nobody ’ s wearing the damned mask anyway .
...
I ’ m sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die .
Hopefully I ’ ll live through it.
” “ Something ’ s making these people sick , and I ’ m pretty sure that it ’ s not coronavirus , so the question that you should be asking is , ‘ What ’ s making them sick ?
’ ” he told the medical professionals who testified .
Similar scenes — with doctors and nurses asking officials for help , only to be met with reluctance or even open skepticism — have played out across the conservative state .
Idaho is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases per capita , with the average number of confirmed cases increasing by more than 55 % every day over the past two weeks .
Still , Republican Gov .
Brad Little has declined to issue a statewide mask mandate or limit crowd sizes beyond requiring social distancing at large events and in businesses , which is seldom enforced .
Instead , Little has left it up to local health departments and school districts to make the tough decisions that sometimes come with blowback from the public .
In the southern city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board members this week that they too were in danger of being overwhelmed , with one out of every four hospitalized patients sick with COVID-19 .
The region ’ s hospitals , operated by St. Luke ’ s Health System , have been forced to postpone non-emergency surgeries and ship patients elsewhere .
“ I want to be very clear : Punting those decisions is saying we ’ re willing to put that burden on the shoulders of our frontline staff , ” Mike Fenello , St. Luke ’ s vice president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking for a mask mandate Wednesday .
“ Will you please help those on the front lines ?
They need you to help.
” Instead , board members decided to write a letter to the governor asking him for a statewide mask requirement .
The board did restrict indoor gatherings to 50 people , except for grocery stores , schools , religious institutions , polling places and nonprofits .
Health leaders in the Boise region and in eastern Idaho have been more willing to take sometimes unpopular steps .
Residents in Ada County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Valley County , a resort destination with many visitors , are required to wear masks in public , and health officials have issued safety recommendations to schools .
Idaho reported 987 new COVID-19 cases Thursday , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University , bringing the total to more than 56,600 since the pandemic began .
Infections are thought to be higher because a lack of testing and other factors .
At least 553 people have died of the virus , including seven reported Thursday .

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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Moments after hearing an Idaho hospital was overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients and looking at sending people as far away as Seattle for care, members of a regional health department board voted Thursday to repeal a local mask mandate.
“Most of our medical surgical beds at Kootenai Health are full,” Panhandle Health District epidemiologist Jeff Lee told board members in the state’s third most populated county.
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The hospital in Coeur d’Alene reached 99% capacity a day earlier, even after doubling up patients in rooms and buying more hospital beds. Idaho is one of several states where a surge of COVID-19 infections is overwhelming hospitals, likely in part because cooler weather is sending people indoors, U.S. health officials said.
“We’re facing staff shortages, and we have a lot of physician fatigue. This has been going on for seven months — we’re tired,” Lee said.
He introduced several doctors who testified about the struggle COVID-19 patients face, the burden on hospitals and how masks reduce the spread of the virus.
But the board voted 4-3 to end the mask mandate. Board members overseeing the operations of Idaho’s public health districts are appointed by county commissioners and not required to have any medical experience.
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Board member Walt Kirby said he was giving up on the idea of controlling the spread of coronavirus.
“I personally do not care whether anybody wears a mask or not. If they want to be dumb enough to walk around and expose themselves and others, that’s fine with me,” Kirby said. “Nobody’s wearing the damned mask anyway. ... I’m sitting back and watching them catch it and die. Hopefully I’ll live through it.”
Another member, Allen Banks, denied COVID-19 exists.
“Something’s making these people sick, and I’m pretty sure that it’s not coronavirus, so the question that you should be asking is, ‘What’s making them sick?’” he told the medical professionals who testified.
Similar scenes — with doctors and nurses asking officials for help, only to be met with reluctance or even open skepticism — have played out across the conservative state. Idaho is sixth in the nation for new coronavirus cases per capita, with the average number of confirmed cases increasing by more than 55% every day over the past two weeks.
Still, Republican Gov. Brad Little has declined to issue a statewide mask mandate or limit crowd sizes beyond requiring social distancing at large events and in businesses, which is seldom enforced. Instead, Little has left it up to local health departments and school districts to make the tough decisions that sometimes come with blowback from the public.
In the southern city of Twin Falls, hospital officials told health board members this week that they too were in danger of being overwhelmed, with one out of every four hospitalized patients sick with COVID-19. The region’s hospitals, operated by St. Luke’s Health System, have been forced to postpone non-emergency surgeries and ship patients elsewhere.
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“I want to be very clear: Punting those decisions is saying we’re willing to put that burden on the shoulders of our frontline staff,” Mike Fenello, St. Luke’s vice president of population health, told board members in asking for a mask mandate Wednesday. “Will you please help those on the front lines? They need you to help.”
Instead, board members decided to write a letter to the governor asking him for a statewide mask requirement. The board did restrict indoor gatherings to 50 people, except for grocery stores, schools, religious institutions, polling places and nonprofits.
In central Idaho, Adams County commissioners have approved a resolution rescinding all orders, recommendations and restrictions related to COVID-19.
“And we resolve that Adams County is open for business and back to normal,” the commissioners wrote.
Adams County is very sparsely populated, with about 4,250 residents. So far, it’s been relatively untouched by the virus, with just 32 documented cases.
Health leaders in the Boise region and in eastern Idaho have been more willing to take sometimes unpopular steps. Residents in Ada County, Idaho’s most populated, and Valley County, a resort destination with many visitors, are required to wear masks in public, and health officials have issued safety recommendations to schools.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Trump’s Debate Hail Mary: Lie After Brazen, Incoherent Lie

Looking to turn around a trailing campaign , President Donald Trump dug deep , chilled out and threw a bunch of garbage at the wall , hoping at least some of it would stick .
Trump opened Thursday night ’ s debate by falsely claiming a vaccine for COVID-19 was imminent , followed up by continuing to lie about his refusal to release his tax returns , then raised a series of nonsensical allegations about Democratic nominee Joe Biden ’ s son , and ended with a pack of mistruths about both his and Biden ’ s policy accomplishments and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interruptions and abrasive style he deployed in the first debate , but continued with the falsehoods and exaggerations .
His performance is likely to reassure some Republican political strategists who are fretting about a potential Democratic landslide .
Still , the incumbent badly needed a dramatic moment to have any hope of improving his flailing chances ahead of Nov. 3 .
Roughly 50 million Americans have already cast their ballots , and Biden has led for months in nearly every available public poll both nationally and in the critical swing states that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s defining moment came during an exchange over Trump ’ s allegations of corruption surrounding Biden ’ s son , Hunter .
Biden , after pointing to Trump ’ s own moneymaking entanglements with foreign governments , said the issue was a distraction compared to the coronavirus pandemic and the accompanying economic downturn .
“ It ’ s not about my family or his family , it ’ s about your family , ” Biden said .
“ We should be talking about your family .
But that ’ s the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The exchange highlighted a fundamental problem for Trump : Many of the issues he has focused on are obscure to all but the most dedicated watchers of Fox News , while Biden has remained narrowly focused on the pandemic , the economic downturn and health care .
Those are typically the highest-priority issues for the electorate in public polling .
“ 220,000 deaths , ” Biden said , noting the number of deaths from coronavirus so far .
“ If you hear nothing else I say tonight , hear this : Anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not remain president of the United States.
” Trump , meanwhile , continued to cast about for others to blame .
“ I take full responsibility , ” he said at one point , appearing to engage in some rare self-reflection .
He quickly added : “ It ’ s not my fault that it came here , it ’ s China ’ s fault.
” Trump ’ s best moments came when he deployed tried-and-true political attacks , mostly slamming Biden as a do-nothing career politician .
During debates over criminal justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and President Barack Obama did not pass significant legislation on those issues during their administration .
But if they were designed to win over the relatively small percentage of Black and Latino men whose votes the Trump campaign hopes to win , the incumbent undercut that outreach in other moments .
At one point , while looking directly at Welker , who is Black , Trump claimed to be “ the least racist person in the room.
” At another , when Biden attacked him over his administration ’ s unpopular policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the U.S.-Mexico border , Trump said the children “ are so well taken care of .
...
They ’ re in facilities that were so clean.
” Biden , as the frontrunner in the race , primarily sought to avoid mistakes .
Freed from Trump ’ s badgering , he delivered more coherent answers , while still occasionally fumbling on policy details .
But in the latter stages of the debate , he displayed more fire and populist language than he typically does .
At other times , Trump walked into Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he criticized Biden for wanting to raise the minimum wage , arguing it would lead to job loss .
The problem ?
Increasing the minimum wage is broadly popular , supported by roughly two-thirds of Americans .

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Looking to turn around a trailing campaign, President Donald Trump dug deep, chilled out and threw a bunch of garbage at the wall, hoping at least some of it would stick.
Trump opened Thursday night’s debate by falsely claiming a vaccine for COVID-19 was imminent, followed up by continuing to lie about his refusal to release his tax returns, then raised a series of nonsensical allegations about Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s son, and ended with a pack of mistruths about both his and Biden’s policy accomplishments and proposals.
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Trump mostly abandoned the constant interruptions and abrasive style he deployed in the first debate, but continued with the falsehoods and exaggerations. His performance is likely to reassure some Republican political strategists who are fretting about a potential Democratic landslide.
Still, the incumbent badly needed a dramatic moment to have any hope of improving his flailing chances ahead of Nov. 3. Roughly 50 million Americans have already cast their ballots, and Biden has led for months in nearly every available public poll both nationally and in the critical swing states that will decide the electoral college.
He didn’t get it.
President Donald Trump reacts during the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 22. JIM WATSON via Getty Images
The debate’s defining moment came during an exchange over Trump’s allegations of corruption surrounding Biden’s son, Hunter. Biden, after pointing to Trump’s own moneymaking entanglements with foreign governments, said the issue was a distraction compared to the coronavirus pandemic and the accompanying economic downturn.
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“It’s not about my family or his family, it’s about your family,” Biden said. “We should be talking about your family. But that’s the last thing he wants to talk about.”
“That’s a typical politician statement,” Trump responded. “I’m not a typical politician.”
The exchange highlighted a fundamental problem for Trump: Many of the issues he has focused on are obscure to all but the most dedicated watchers of Fox News, while Biden has remained narrowly focused on the pandemic, the economic downturn and health care. Those are typically the highest-priority issues for the electorate in public polling.
Trump displayed his atypical tendencies during the debate’s opening, promising the imminent delivery of a coronavirus vaccine, before quickly backing down after fact-checking from moderator Kristen Welker. Biden quickly attacked Trump for failing to develop a plan to control the pandemic.
“220,000 deaths,” Biden said, noting the number of deaths from coronavirus so far. “If you hear nothing else I say tonight, hear this: Anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain president of the United States.”
Trump, meanwhile, continued to cast about for others to blame. “I take full responsibility,” he said at one point, appearing to engage in some rare self-reflection. He quickly added: “It’s not my fault that it came here, it’s China’s fault.”
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Trump’s assertions on policy didn’t hold water. A brief sampling:
On immigration, Trump baselessly claimed that “less than 1%” of asylum-seekers apprehended crossing the border actually come back to immigration courts for their hearings. His own administration puts the number closer to 50%.
On health care, Trump asserted that Biden’s plan to include a public option in the Affordable Care Act would get rid of private health insurance for 180 million Americans. Biden has never supported a single-payer health care program that would move all Americans to government-sponsored insurance.
On criminal justice reform, Trump said Biden used the phrase “super predators” in the 1990s — that was Hillary Clinton.
On taxes, Trump again claimed Biden wanted to raise “everybody’s taxes.” Biden has said he wouldn’t hike taxes on anyone making less than $400,000.
Trump’s best moments came when he deployed tried-and-true political attacks, mostly slamming Biden as a do-nothing career politician. During debates over criminal justice and immigration, he repeatedly questioned why Biden and President Barack Obama did not pass significant legislation on those issues during their administration.
“Why didn’t you fix all of these thing when you were there?,” Trump asked rhetorically.
Biden’s answer was accurate ― they were dealing with a recalcitrant GOP-controlled Congress ― but the attacks could still land with undecided voters.
But if they were designed to win over the relatively small percentage of Black and Latino men whose votes the Trump campaign hopes to win, the incumbent undercut that outreach in other moments.
At one point, while looking directly at Welker, who is Black, Trump claimed to be “the least racist person in the room.” At another, when Biden attacked him over his administration’s unpopular policy of separating migrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump said the children “are so well taken care of. ... They’re in facilities that were so clean.”
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Biden, as the frontrunner in the race, primarily sought to avoid mistakes. Freed from Trump’s badgering, he delivered more coherent answers, while still occasionally fumbling on policy details. But in the latter stages of the debate, he displayed more fire and populist language than he typically does.
At one point, Biden noted the wealth of American billionaires had increased by more than $700 billion over the course of the pandemic.
“What happens to the ordinary people out there?” Biden asked, jamming his finger on the lectern for emphasis. “What happens to them?”
At other times, Trump walked into Biden’s attacks. At one point, he criticized Biden for wanting to raise the minimum wage, arguing it would lead to job loss. The problem? Increasing the minimum wage is broadly popular, supported by roughly two-thirds of Americans.
Tara Golshan contributed reporting.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-23--Ocasio-Cortez Lets Loose On 'Unhinged' Trump Name-Dropping Her At The Debate

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) delivered a signature Twitter takedown after she was name-checked by President Donald Trump over her climate policy during Thursday ’ s nationally televised presidential debate .
Ocasio-Cortez and her progressive House colleagues Ayanna Pressley ( D-Mass . )
, Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) and Rashida Tlaib ( D-Mich. ) were called out by the president in his debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden in Nashville .
“ You know who developed it ?
AOC plus three , ” the president said of Biden ’ s climate plan .
“ They know nothing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s got a good line of stuff , but she knows nothing about the climate , and they ’ re all hopping through hoops for AOC plus three .
Not a real plan .
It costs $ 100 trillion.
” Trump has repeatedly conflated Biden ’ s plans to mitigate climate change with the set of policy proposals known as the Green New Deal , introduced by Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey ( D-Mass . )
in 2019 .
Biden has offered praise for it , but his own policy is different .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate policy task force earlier this year , which released a number of proposals in July that make no mention of the Green New Deal .
His proposals include moving all electric power off fossil fuels by 2035 , increasing energy efficiency by upgrading 4 million buildings and 2 million homes over four years , installing 500 million solar panels in the next five years and shifting major cities toward zero-emission public transportation options .
Ocasio-Cortez took Trump ’ s shoutout as an opportunity to point out far more than four lawmakers offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am so deeply proud of & grateful for each + every one of my House and Senate colleagues who stand for our future & champion the # GreenNewDeal , the boldest climate plan in US history .
Here they are below .
If you can , tweet them a thank you tonight : https : //t.co/1pYcjeCzDt — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) October 23 , 2020 She also looked back to her former job prior to her election in 2018 .
If someone had told her then that an “ unhinged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly saying my name at the 2020 debate , I would ’ ve brought them some water and told them to sober up , ” she tweeted .
If someone told me 3 years ago , while I was waitressing to help my family stay afloat , that in a few short years an unhinged President of the United States would be repeatedly saying my name at the 2020 debate , I would ’ ve brought them some water and told them to sober up .
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that Trump ’ s use of her nickname was intended to convey disrespect : I wonder if Republicans understand how much they advertise their disrespect of women in debates when they consistently call women members of Congress by nicknames or first names while using titles & last names when referring to men of = stature .
Women notice .
It conveys a lot .
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) October 23 , 2020 AOC is a name given to me by community & the people .
Y ’ all can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to each other in a public or professional context ( aka who don ’ t know me like that ) should refer to their peers as “ Congresswoman , ” “ Representative , ” etc .
Basic respect 101 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) October 23 , 2020 Omar had her own view on the shoutout ― and Trump ’ s bizarre imaginings of climate policy .
But her colleagues pointed out there ’ s something much better than living in Trump ’ s head rent free :

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) delivered a signature Twitter takedown after she was name-checked by President Donald Trump over her climate policy during Thursday’s nationally televised presidential debate.
Ocasio-Cortez and her progressive House colleagues Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) were called out by the president in his debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden in Nashville.
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“You know who developed it? AOC plus three,” the president said of Biden’s climate plan.
“They know nothing about the climate. I mean she’s got a good line of stuff, but she knows nothing about the climate, and they’re all hopping through hoops for AOC plus three. Not a real plan. It costs $100 trillion.”
Trump has repeatedly conflated Biden’s plans to mitigate climate change with the set of policy proposals known as the Green New Deal, introduced by Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) in 2019. Biden has offered praise for it, but his own policy is different.
Biden appointed Ocasio-Cortez as co-chair of his climate policy task force earlier this year, which released a number of proposals in July that make no mention of the Green New Deal. His proposals include moving all electric power off fossil fuels by 2035, increasing energy efficiency by upgrading 4 million buildings and 2 million homes over four years, installing 500 million solar panels in the next five years and shifting major cities toward zero-emission public transportation options.
Ocasio-Cortez took Trump’s shoutout as an opportunity to point out far more than four lawmakers offered support for the Green New Deal:
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It’s actually AOC plus 115 because that’s how many House and Senate members have cosponsored the most ambitious climate legislation in American history. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 23, 2020
I am so deeply proud of & grateful for each + every one of my House and Senate colleagues who stand for our future & champion the #GreenNewDeal, the boldest climate plan in US history.
Here they are below. If you can, tweet them a thank you tonight:https://t.co/1pYcjeCzDt — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 23, 2020
She also looked back to her former job prior to her election in 2018.
If someone had told her then that an “unhinged President of the United States would be repeatedly saying my name at the 2020 debate, I would’ve brought them some water and told them to sober up,” she tweeted.
If someone told me 3 years ago, while I was waitressing to help my family stay afloat, that in a few short years an unhinged President of the United States would be repeatedly saying my name at the 2020 debate, I would’ve brought them some water and told them to sober up. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 23, 2020
And she pointed out that Trump’s use of her nickname was intended to convey disrespect:
I wonder if Republicans understand how much they advertise their disrespect of women in debates when they consistently call women members of Congress by nicknames or first names while using titles & last names when referring to men of = stature.
Women notice. It conveys a lot. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 23, 2020
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AOC is a name given to me by community & the people. Y’all can call me AOC.
Government colleagues referring to each other in a public or professional context (aka who don’t know me like that) should refer to their peers as “Congresswoman,” “Representative,”etc. Basic respect 101 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 23, 2020
Omar had her own view on the shoutout ― and Trump’s bizarre imaginings of climate policy.
Calling an emergency meeting with the Squad. #smallwindows pic.twitter.com/pps2cPRLem — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 23, 2020
Pressley also chimed in, tweeting a picture of the four women Trump called out:
Living in his head rent free is something.https://t.co/8wZi9JrRsE pic.twitter.com/Mimw04BOel — Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) October 23, 2020
But her colleagues pointed out there’s something much better than living in Trump’s head rent free:
This is real sisterhood, and we are just getting stronger. #MashAllah https://t.co/sI2RHMl8NE — Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) October 23, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-23--4 Takeaways From The Final Presidential Debate

Over the course of more than 90 minutes on stage with Biden , Trump repeatedly lied about and distorted both his and Biden ’ s records , but he did so in a relatively modulated voice .
The debate moderator , NBC News ’ Kristen Welker , largely succeeded in preventing Trump from speaking out of turn , thanks in part to rules that allowed the microphones to be muted .
Trump even managed to make some legitimate criticisms of Biden ’ s record on immigration reform and criminal justice policy .
But Trump , who is down in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day , needed a home run ― and he didn ’ t get it .
Biden held his own .
And Trump still lacks answers about his administration ’ s handling of the coronavirus , how he would achieve universal coverage in the absence of the Affordable Care Act and how he could ensure that gains in the stock market benefit ordinary people .
Going into the debate , conservative news outlets reported on emails allegedly belonging to Biden ’ s son Hunter that show the young man discussing business proposals for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden ’ s critics have seized on some of the language in those communications to argue that Hunter cut his father in on the money he was making from his work for companies that had a stake in Obama administration policies while Biden was serving as vice president .
Biden then pivoted to attacking Trump for having a bank account in China , where tax records obtained by The New York Times show he has paid more in taxes than in the United States .
The move shifted the conversation to uncomfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prove that he has no compromising financial ties in foreign nations by releasing his tax returns .
“ I ’ m going to release them as soon as we can , ” Trump said , once again claiming , as he did in the 2016 campaign , that an audit of the returns prevented him from disclosing the records .
Trump Still Has No Answers On Health Care Despite Trump ’ s best efforts , more fundamental components of the law persist , including new rules requiring insurance companies to cover people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same rates as everyone else ; a vastly expanded Medicaid program for Americans living at or near the federal poverty level ; and the creation of an insurance marketplace where low- and moderate-income individuals can buy insurance at subsidized rates .
Trump Had A Point About Biden ’ s Record On Immigration And Criminal Justice Reform Biden has promised that passing a comprehensive immigration reform bill providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants would be a priority during his first 100 days in office .
He is also planning to reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly in the Black and Latino communities for whom it is disproportionately onerous .

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President Donald Trump tried to attack Democratic rival Joe Biden over and over again for controversial policy positions that Biden does not hold during the second and final presidential debate on Thursday night. He claimed, inaccurately, that Biden wants to impose a national lockdown to control COVID-19, ban fracking and eliminate private health insurance.
It’s a series of talking points that Trump and his surrogates have tried to use against Biden before to little effect.
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In the debate in Nashville, though, Biden was particularly pithy as he dispensed with Trump’s efforts to turn him into a left-wing icon.
“This guy ― he thinks he’s running against somebody else,” said former Vice President Biden, who has spent decades burnishing a reputation as a political moderate. “He’s running against Joe Biden.”
“I beat all those other people because I disagreed with them,” Biden added, referring to his Democratic primary victory over more progressive rivals.
Trump fared far better in his final appearance with Biden than in the two candidates’ first debate, which was a disaster marked by Trump’s constant interruptions.
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Over the course of more than 90 minutes on stage with Biden, Trump repeatedly lied about and distorted both his and Biden’s records, but he did so in a relatively modulated voice. The debate moderator, NBC News’ Kristen Welker, largely succeeded in preventing Trump from speaking out of turn, thanks in part to rules that allowed the microphones to be muted. Trump even managed to make some legitimate criticisms of Biden’s record on immigration reform and criminal justice policy.
But Trump, who is down in the polls with less than two weeks until Election Day, needed a home run ― and he didn’t get it. Biden held his own. And Trump still lacks answers about his administration’s handling of the coronavirus, how he would achieve universal coverage in the absence of the Affordable Care Act and how he could ensure that gains in the stock market benefit ordinary people.
Here are three more takeaways from Thursday’s debate:
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden rejected President Donald Trump's assertions that he has adopted the most far-reaching proposals of his party's left wing. JIM WATSON/Getty Images
Trump’s Attempt To Capitalize On Hunter Biden’s Baggage Backfired
Going into the debate, conservative news outlets reported on emails allegedly belonging to Biden’s son Hunter that show the young man discussing business proposals for shady companies in Ukraine and China. Joe Biden’s critics have seized on some of the language in those communications to argue that Hunter cut his father in on the money he was making from his work for companies that had a stake in Obama administration policies while Biden was serving as vice president.
But Trump, perhaps recognizing that there is no evidence that Biden profited from his son’s business ventures, stepped carefully when broaching the matter.
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“They even have a statement that ‘we have to give 10% to the big man,’” Trump said, referring to words in unverified emails that conservatives claim refer to Biden. “You’re the ‘big man,’ I think. I don’t know ― maybe not ― but you’re the ‘big man.’”
Biden delivered an impassioned denial of any suggestion that he had profited from ties to foreign companies or governments. “I have not taken a penny from any foreign source ever in my life,” he said.
Biden then pivoted to attacking Trump for having a bank account in China, where tax records obtained by The New York Times show he has paid more in taxes than in the United States. The move shifted the conversation to uncomfortable terrain for Trump as Biden pressed him to prove that he has no compromising financial ties in foreign nations by releasing his tax returns.
“I’m going to release them as soon as we can,” Trump said, once again claiming, as he did in the 2016 campaign, that an audit of the returns prevented him from disclosing the records.
“He’s been saying this for four years,” Biden responded. “Show us. Just show us. Stop playing around.”
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President Donald Trump adopted a less aggressive posture in his second and final 2020 presidential debate. But he did not produce any game-changing moments. Morry Gash/Getty Images
Trump Still Has No Answers On Health Care
When Welker asked Trump to explain his contingency plan for insuring Americans who could lose their health care coverage if the Supreme Court sides with the Trump administration in its effort to overturn the Affordable Care Act, Trump had no real answers.
Instead, Trump once again played up his success in undoing one of the law’s less popular features: the individual mandate requiring all Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.
“It no longer is Obamacare because, without the individual mandate, it’s much different,” Trump said.
The rules protecting people with “preexisting conditions will always stay,” he added.
In fact, the individual mandate was not that central a feature of the law.
Despite Trump’s best efforts, more fundamental components of the law persist, including new rules requiring insurance companies to cover people with preexisting medical conditions and charge them the same rates as everyone else; a vastly expanded Medicaid program for Americans living at or near the federal poverty level; and the creation of an insurance marketplace where low- and moderate-income individuals can buy insurance at subsidized rates.
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In 2017, Trump tried to repeal the ACA legislatively and replace it with a bill that deregulated insurance rules and eliminated federal funding for the ACA’s expanded coverage. Those provisions are likewise endangered by the Trump administration’s lawsuit before the Supreme Court.
To replace these broadly popular elements of Obamacare, Trump again promised something vague that he has had four years to elaborate on but has never done: “a brand new, beautiful health care.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) congratulates Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), left, and Mike Lee (Utah) on passage of the First Step Act. Tom Williams via Getty Images
Trump Had A Point About Biden’s Record On Immigration And Criminal Justice Reform
Biden has promised that passing a comprehensive immigration reform bill providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants would be a priority during his first 100 days in office. He is also planning to reform the criminal justice system to lessen incarceration, particularly in the Black and Latino communities for whom it is disproportionately onerous.
Both Welker and Trump pressed Biden on why, if immigration reform is so important to him, he and then-President Barack Obama had not succeeded in passing it.
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“It took too long to get it right,” Biden conceded. “I’ll be president of the United States ― not vice president of the United States.”
Later, Trump boasted about his passage of the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill that expands job training in prisons and gives judges greater discretion in sentencing. He attacked Biden for his passage of the 1994 crime bill, which progressive critics blame for an explosion in prison and jail populations.
“He’s been in government 47 years,” Trump said. “He never did a thing ― except in 1994, when he did such harm to the Black community.”
Biden noted that Obama signed a law reducing the disparity in punishments for possession of powder cocaine and crack, which had resulted in Black Americans facing harsher penalties for possession and trafficking of a similar drug in a different form.
He also reminded viewers of how Trump has used his platform to foment racist bloodlust against people of color, including the wrongfully accused Central Park Five.
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But when Trump pressed Biden on why he and Obama had not passed some of the additional reforms he was now seeking to implement as president, Biden had a sheepish response.
“We had a Republican Congress,” he said. (In fact, in Obama’s first two years, when criminal justice reform was not a national priority on the level that it is now, Democrats controlled Congress.)
“You’ve got to talk them into it, Joe,” Trump said. “Like I did with criminal justice reform ― I had to talk Democrats into it.”
We want to know what you’re hearing on the ground from the candidates. If you get any interesting ― or suspicious! ― campaign mailers, robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about, email us at scoops@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Trump Says He's 'The Least Racist Person In This Room' At Final Presidential Debate

President Donald Trump declared , yet again , that he ’ s the “ least racist person ” while responding to a question on race in America during the final presidential debate on Thursday opposite Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
In making his statement to Kristen Welker , the first Black woman to moderate a presidential debate since 1992 , Trump attempted to backpedal on his hateful rhetoric toward Black Americans .
Welker challenged Trump for calling the Black Lives Matter movement a “ symbol of hate , ” for tweeting a video of a Florida supporter chanting “ white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for exercising their First Amendment rights , asking him what he has to say to people who argue that his comments are contributing to a climate of racial violence .
Trump claimed that his “ first glimpse ” of Black Lives Matter “ was a terrible thing , ” citing a 2015 protest march in which some involved shouted “ Pigs in a blanket , fry ’ em like bacon ” about police officers .
That protest , held by a Black Lives Matter group in St. Paul , Minnesota , was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national Black Lives Matter organization , ” as reported by CNN , and there ’ s “ no evidence the chant has been used by the national organization , by any Black Lives Matter groups in the New York City area , or by Black Lives Matter activists anywhere outside Minnesota.
” Continuing his response to Welker ’ s question , Trump offered the jaw-dropping comment : “ As far as my relationships with all people , I think I have great relationships with all people .
I am the least racist person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press Trump , asking again what he says to Americans who are concerned by his words and actions .
He avoided the question , instead saying he didn ’ t “ know what to say ” and that people “ can say anything ” about him .
“ It makes me sad because I am the least racist person .
I can ’ t even see the audience because it is so dark , but I don ’ t care who ’ s in the audience .
I am the least racist person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump has declared he ’ s the “ least racist person ” before , most recently in 2019 when he said he was the “ least racist person in the world.
” But this boast was particularly egregious for many viewers , who couldn ’ t help but note the significance of him saying that directly to Welker : Trump had been bashing Welker to the media before the debate , and he called her “ extraordinarily unfair ” during a rally last week in Wisconsin .
Just days later , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , or whatever she is ” and even claimed that she ’ d been “ screaming questions at me for a long time .
She ’ s no good.
” We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

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President Donald Trump declared, yet again, that he’s the “least racist person” while responding to a question on race in America during the final presidential debate on Thursday opposite Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
In making his statement to Kristen Welker, the first Black woman to moderate a presidential debate since 1992, Trump attempted to backpedal on his hateful rhetoric toward Black Americans.
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Welker challenged Trump for calling the Black Lives Matter movement a “symbol of hate,” for tweeting a video of a Florida supporter chanting “white power” and for slamming Black athletes for exercising their First Amendment rights, asking him what he has to say to people who argue that his comments are contributing to a climate of racial violence.
Trump claimed that his “first glimpse” of Black Lives Matter “was a terrible thing,” citing a 2015 protest march in which some involved shouted “Pigs in a blanket, fry ’em like bacon” about police officers.
That protest, held by a Black Lives Matter group in St. Paul, Minnesota, was “an independent entity not affiliated with the national Black Lives Matter organization,” as reported by CNN, and there’s “no evidence the chant has been used by the national organization, by any Black Lives Matter groups in the New York City area, or by Black Lives Matter activists anywhere outside Minnesota.”
Continuing his response to Welker’s question, Trump offered the jaw-dropping comment: “As far as my relationships with all people, I think I have great relationships with all people. I am the least racist person in this room.”
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Donald Trump tells a Black woman he’s the least racist person in the room. #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/HRiwIG5ToD — Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 23, 2020
Welker continued to press Trump, asking again what he says to Americans who are concerned by his words and actions. He avoided the question, instead saying he didn’t “know what to say” and that people “can say anything” about him.
“It makes me sad because I am the least racist person. I can’t even see the audience because it is so dark, but I don’t care who’s in the audience. I am the least racist person in this room,” he reiterated.
Trump has declared he’s the “least racist person” before, most recently in 2019 when he said he was the “least racist person in the world.” But this boast was particularly egregious for many viewers, who couldn’t help but note the significance of him saying that directly to Welker:
The most memorable part of the debate for me: President Trump said "I'm the least racist person in this room."
Kristen Welker, a black woman, was in the room.#PresidentialDebate2020 #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/xf8Qo4QEpO — Eric Cox (@EricCoxTV) October 23, 2020
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Also, can we take a second to acknowledge that Trump said to Kristen Welker... A BLACK WOMAN ... that he's the least racist person in the room #Debates2020 — Yara shahidi (@YaraShahidi) October 23, 2020
My favorite part is when Trump told a woman of color, Kristen Welker, that HE was the least racist person in the whole room 🤯 — Adrienne (@adriennegraf) October 23, 2020
"I'm the least racist person in the room!"
Kristin Welker: pic.twitter.com/fjiQ51mT3b — Daniel 'danbanbam' Spencer (@danbanbam) October 23, 2020
Trump had been bashing Welker to the media before the debate, and he called her “extraordinarily unfair” during a rally last week in Wisconsin. Just days later, he described her as “a radical left Democrat, or whatever she is” and even claimed that she’d been “screaming questions at me for a long time. She’s no good.”
We want to know what you’re hearing on the ground from the candidates. If you get any interesting ― or suspicious! ― campaign mailers, robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about, email us at scoops@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-23--CNN Fact-Checker Rips Apart Donald Trump's 'Bombardment Of Dishonesty' In Final Debate

Trump was “ better behaved tonight , but he lied more , ” Dale told CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer in a post-debate analysis .
Dale noted that Trump had trotted out many of the same lies at his recent campaign rallies .
They covered subjects “ big and small , ” the journalist noted .
“ Important stuff like the coronavirus pandemic , about Biden ’ s policies , about his own record , about Democrats ’ record.
” “ It was just on and on , ” said Dale .
“ Biden was imperfect , ” he continued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ false , misleading or lacking-in-context claims from him .
But for a fact-checker , you ’ re kind of sitting there with Biden occasionally you ’ re like , ‘ Oh that ’ s wrong.
’ ” “ With Trump you ’ re like that ‘ I Love Lucy ’ episode in the chocolate factory , you don ’ t know which one to pick up because there ’ s so much , ” he said .
“ And so again with this president we just see a constant barrage , incessantly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump was better behaved tonight .
But he lied more . ''
CNN 's Daniel Dale fact-checks key moments from the final presidential debate between President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
# Debates2020 https : //t.co/eqZVVGqxQq pic.twitter.com/EPgkueYYcU — Anderson Cooper 360° ( @ AC360 ) October 23 , 2020 Mehdi Hasan , meanwhile , the host of “ The Mehdi Hasan Show ” on NBC ’ s Peacock streaming service , listed “ the top 10 whoppers ” that Trump told :

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Trump was “better behaved tonight, but he lied more,” Dale told CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer in a post-debate analysis.
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Dale noted that Trump had trotted out many of the same lies at his recent campaign rallies. They covered subjects “big and small,” the journalist noted. “Important stuff like the coronavirus pandemic, about Biden’s policies, about his own record, about Democrats’ record.”
“It was just on and on,” said Dale.
“Biden was imperfect,” he continued. “There were at least a few false, misleading or lacking-in-context claims from him. But for a fact-checker, you’re kind of sitting there with Biden occasionally you’re like, ‘Oh that’s wrong.’”
“With Trump you’re like that ‘I Love Lucy’ episode in the chocolate factory, you don’t know which one to pick up because there’s so much,” he said. “And so again with this president we just see a constant barrage, incessantly, of false or misleading stuff.”
Check out Dale’s full analysis here:
"President Trump was better behaved tonight. But he lied more."
CNN's Daniel Dale fact-checks key moments from the final presidential debate between President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. #Debates2020 https://t.co/eqZVVGqxQq pic.twitter.com/EPgkueYYcU — Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) October 23, 2020
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Mehdi Hasan, meanwhile, the host of “The Mehdi Hasan Show” on NBC’s Peacock streaming service, listed “the top 10 whoppers” that Trump told:


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-23--Biden Accidentally Refers To Proud Boys As 'Poor Boys.' People Rave Over The Rebrand.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden made a minor flub during the final presidential debate on Thursday night , referring to the white supremacist group Proud Boys as “ poor boys ” ― and social media went wild over the comment .
While weighing in on President Donald Trump ’ s response to a question on race relations in America , Biden listed the president ’ s racist behavior and remarks before adding : “ He has made everything worse across the board .
He said about the poor boys , the last time we were on stage here , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand down and stand ready.
’ Come on .
This guy is a dog whistle about as big as a foghorn.
” By “ poor boys , ” Biden meant the far-right group Proud Boys , whom Trump avoided denouncing at the last presidential debate .
Instead , Trump declared : “ Proud Boys , stand back and stand by.
” The request was later met with support from the group .
The unintentional rebranding of Proud Boys sent Twitter into a tizzy as many shared their joy at the hate group being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name is , in fact , “ Poor Boys.
” Biden just accidentally called the white supremacist group “ proud boys ” the “ poor boys ” and I ’ ve never been so happy about a verbal typo — Crystal Leigh🤍 ( @ crystalleigh ) October 23 , 2020 Whether he called the “ Proud Boys ” the “ Poor Boys ” accidentally or on purpose , he was right .
# Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/7qDnr6FpW9 — amber ruffin ( @ ambermruffin ) October 23 , 2020 While the name also quickly became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at what the Proud Boys ’ reaction would be to their renaming :

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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden made a minor flub during the final presidential debate on Thursday night, referring to the white supremacist group Proud Boys as “poor boys” ― and social media went wild over the comment.
While weighing in on President Donald Trump’s response to a question on race relations in America, Biden listed the president’s racist behavior and remarks before adding: “He has made everything worse across the board. He said about the poor boys, the last time we were on stage here, he said, ‘I tell them to stand down and stand ready.’ Come on. This guy is a dog whistle about as big as a foghorn.”
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By “poor boys,” Biden meant the far-right group Proud Boys, whom Trump avoided denouncing at the last presidential debate. Instead, Trump declared: “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by.” The request was later met with support from the group.
The unintentional rebranding of Proud Boys sent Twitter into a tizzy as many shared their joy at the hate group being inadvertently dissed and insisted that their new name is, in fact, “Poor Boys.”
They’re called the Poor Boys now, no going back everyone. — Craig Silverman (@CraigSilverman) October 23, 2020
Biden just accidentally called the white supremacist group “proud boys” the “poor boys” and I’ve never been so happy about a verbal typo — Crystal Leigh🤍 (@crystalleigh) October 23, 2020
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Poor Boys is a rebrand we can all get behind — Bradford Pearson (@BradfordPearson) October 23, 2020
I am absolutely 100% calling them the Poor Boys from now on. — Addisu Voted Early (@ASDem) October 23, 2020
Whether he called the “Proud Boys” the “Poor Boys” accidentally or on purpose, he was right.
#Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/7qDnr6FpW9 — amber ruffin (@ambermruffin) October 23, 2020
Poor boys is much better lol. Love it. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) October 23, 2020
While the name also quickly became a hashtag, some Twitter users even guessed at what the Proud Boys’ reaction would be to their renaming:
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Pete Buttigieg Smacks Down Hunter Biden Smear On Fox News

Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg turned his appearance on Fox News on Thursday into an opportunity to bash President Donald Trump and his dealings in China .
“ If Republicans want to talk about the business dealings of a government official , let ’ s talk about this : Why does Donald Trump have a secret bank account in China ?
” the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , challenged hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum .
Buttigieg was referring to a New York Times report earlier this week that revealed that Trump has a bank account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , and has paid taxes to the Chinese government .
The report followed Trump ’ s repeated attacks on his Democratic rival Joe Biden as being “ too soft ” on China , and blasting his son Hunter Biden for allegedly pursuing business deals in the country .
The Trump campaign , meanwhile , has been spreading rumors about Hunter Biden based on leaked , unverified emails found on an abandoned laptop in Delaware .
The FBI is investigating possible Russian interference on Trump ’ s behalf related to the leak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has engaged in wrongdoing .
Trump ’ s Chinese bank account is “ a matter of documented fact .
And they won ’ t even tell us what bank it is , ” Buttigieg said .
“ Does that bother Americans ?
I ’ m pretty sure it bothers Americans a lot more than what [ Trump supporters are ] trying to whip up for the last 12 days of this election season.
” Buttigieg has proven himself to be a particularly effective warrior on Joe Biden ’ s behalf in the Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was asked on Fox about policy differences between Biden and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) .
“ Well , there ’ s a classic parlor game of trying to find a little bit of daylight between running mates , ” Buttigieg replied .
“ If people want to play that game , we could look into why an evangelical Christian like Mike Pence wants to be on a ticket with a president caught with a porn star .
”

Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg turned his appearance on Fox News on Thursday into an opportunity to bash President Donald Trump and his dealings in China.
“If Republicans want to talk about the business dealings of a government official, let’s talk about this: Why does Donald Trump have a secret bank account in China?” the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, challenged hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
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Buttigieg was referring to a New York Times report earlier this week that revealed that Trump has a bank account in China, has pursued business deals there, and has paid taxes to the Chinese government. The report followed Trump’s repeated attacks on his Democratic rival Joe Biden as being “too soft” on China, and blasting his son Hunter Biden for allegedly pursuing business deals in the country.
The Trump campaign, meanwhile, has been spreading rumors about Hunter Biden based on leaked, unverified emails found on an abandoned laptop in Delaware. The FBI is investigating possible Russian interference on Trump’s behalf related to the leak.
There is no evidence that either Biden has engaged in wrongdoing.
Trump’s Chinese bank account is “a matter of documented fact. And they won’t even tell us what bank it is,” Buttigieg said. “Does that bother Americans? I’m pretty sure it bothers Americans a lot more than what [Trump supporters are] trying to whip up for the last 12 days of this election season.”
Buttigieg has proven himself to be a particularly effective warrior on Joe Biden’s behalf in the Fox News wars. Earlier this month, he was asked on Fox about policy differences between Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
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“Well, there’s a classic parlor game of trying to find a little bit of daylight between running mates,” Buttigieg replied. “If people want to play that game, we could look into why an evangelical Christian like Mike Pence wants to be on a ticket with a president caught with a porn star.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-23--Moderator Kristen Welker Won The Presidential Debate

The first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden was a train wreck : Trump trampled over both Biden ( who at one point implored Trump to “ shut up ” ) and moderator Chris Wallace , who later said he had “ never been through anything like this.
” But Welker , the first Black woman since 1992 to moderate a presidential debate on her own , did an exceptional job that received wide praise .
She asked tough , substantive questions while ensuring that the debate moved at a productive pace .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not backing down from fact-checking both candidates on big issues .
“ As of tonight , more than 12 million people are out of work and as of tonight , 8 million more Americans are born into poverty and more families are getting hungry every day .
Those hit hardest are women and people of color , ” Welker said before asking Trump a question about the coronavirus .
“ They see Washington fighting over a relief bill .
Mr. President , why haven ’ t you been able to get them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s showing was in stark contrast to the first and only other presidential debate , which CNN ’ s Jake Tapper described as “ a hot mess inside a dumpster fire ” because the two candidates repeatedly yelled and spoke over one another .
It was so bad that the Commission on Presidential Debates implemented the ability to mute candidates ’ microphones when their speaking time ran out in subsequent debates .
“ You said you would support new shutdowns if scientists recommended it .
What do you say to Americans who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impact on the economy , the higher rates of hunger , depression , domestic and substance abuse , outweighs the risk of exposure to the virus ?
” Welker asked Biden .
Another highlight came when Welker broached the topic of immigration reform .
She asked Trump about his “ zero tolerance ” border policy , which separated thousands of migrant children from their families .
Although Trump has since reversed the policy , hundreds of migrant children are still separated from their parents .
Trump leaned on racist stereotypes ― claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by “ coyotes ” and “ cartels ” ― and attempted to pivot , but Welker was not having it .
“ But how will you reunite these kids with their families , Mr. President ?
” she repeated , only to ask the question one more time in response to Trump ’ s retort .
“ Kristen , I will say this .
They went down , with reporters and everything , and they are so well taken care of .
They are in facilities that were so clean , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in detention centers .
( Reports at the time stated that many children were living in “ appalling ” conditions ; some were denied medical care and were not given access to basic necessities like toothbrushes and soap . )
Welker also pushed both candidates on the topic of race in America , asking Trump and Biden if they understand the fear that people of color — especially parents of Black and brown children — feel regarding racism and police brutality .
She questioned both candidates ’ records on policing and ensured that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other ’ s accusations without too much crosstalk .
At one point , Welker asked Trump to explain some of the ways he has responded to the Black Lives Matter movement .
“ You ’ ve shared a video of a man chanting ‘ white power ’ to millions of your supporters , and you have said that Black professional athletes exercising their First Amendment rights should be fired , ” Welker said .
“ What do you say to Americans who say that kind of language from a president is contributing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Trump responded that he has “ great relationships with all people ” and told Welker , a Black and Native American woman , that he is “ the least racist person in this room.
” Instead of bristling at Trump ’ s statement , Welker continued to push the president on his divisive rhetoric .
We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting — or suspicious !
— campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at scoops @ huffpost.com .

NBC News correspondent Kristen Welker moderated the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday. JIM BOURG via Getty Images
The first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden was a train wreck: Trump trampled over both Biden (who at one point implored Trump to “shut up”) and moderator Chris Wallace, who later said he had “never been through anything like this.”
NBC News correspondent Kristen Welker was in charge of moderating Thursday’s second and final presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, and a calm debate this time around seemed unlikely, since Trump repeatedly trashed Welker this week as “extraordinarily unfair” and “a radical left Democrat, or whatever.”
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But Welker, the first Black woman since 1992 to moderate a presidential debate on her own, did an exceptional job that received wide praise. She asked tough, substantive questions while ensuring that the debate moved at a productive pace. Many colleagues applauded her for being respectful, but not backing down from fact-checking both candidates on big issues.
Wallace told The New York Times on Thursday, “I’m jealous.”
Welker touched on important topics including Trump’s handling of COVID-19, the ensuing economic crisis, immigration policies and the Black Lives Matter movement.
“As of tonight, more than 12 million people are out of work and as of tonight, 8 million more Americans are born into poverty and more families are getting hungry every day. Those hit hardest are women and people of color,” Welker said before asking Trump a question about the coronavirus. “They see Washington fighting over a relief bill. Mr. President, why haven’t you been able to get them help they need?”
When Trump blamed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for not approving it, Welker quickly responded: “But you’re the president.”
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Kristen Welker on people in need of funds from stalled COVID-19 relief bill: "Mr. President, why haven't you been able to get them the help they need?"
"Because Nancy Pelosi doesn't want to approve it," Pres. Trump replies. "I do."
"But you're the president." #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/WmxRTHdQQC — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) October 23, 2020
Welker’s showing was in stark contrast to the first and only other presidential debate, which CNN’s Jake Tapper described as “a hot mess inside a dumpster fire” because the two candidates repeatedly yelled and spoke over one another. It was so bad that the Commission on Presidential Debates implemented the ability to mute candidates’ microphones when their speaking time ran out in subsequent debates.
On Thursday, producers used the mute button to cut Trump’s mic twice throughout the 90-minute debate.
Welker did not let up on Biden either, asking him tough questions about how he plans to revive the economy after supporting shutdowns to fight the spread of COVID-19.
“You said you would support new shutdowns if scientists recommended it. What do you say to Americans who are fearful that the cost of shutdowns, the impact on the economy, the higher rates of hunger, depression, domestic and substance abuse, outweighs the risk of exposure to the virus?” Welker asked Biden.
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Another highlight came when Welker broached the topic of immigration reform. She asked Trump about his “zero tolerance” border policy, which separated thousands of migrant children from their families. Although Trump has since reversed the policy, hundreds of migrant children are still separated from their parents.
“So how will these families ever be reunited?” Welker asked the president.
Trump leaned on racist stereotypes ― claiming migrant children are brought to the U.S. by “coyotes” and “cartels” ― and attempted to pivot, but Welker was not having it. “But how will you reunite these kids with their families, Mr. President?” she repeated, only to ask the question one more time in response to Trump’s retort.
“Kristen, I will say this. They went down, with reporters and everything, and they are so well taken care of. They are in facilities that were so clean,” Trump said of the migrant children being held in detention centers. (Reports at the time stated that many children were living in “appalling” conditions; some were denied medical care and were not given access to basic necessities like toothbrushes and soap.)
Before questioning Biden’s decisions related to former President Barack Obama’s murky immigration policies, Welker reminded Trump yet again that some of the migrant children still “have not been reunited with their families.”
Welker also pushed both candidates on the topic of race in America, asking Trump and Biden if they understand the fear that people of color — especially parents of Black and brown children — feel regarding racism and police brutality. She questioned both candidates’ records on policing and ensured that each was able to respond to the other’s accusations without too much crosstalk.
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At one point, Welker asked Trump to explain some of the ways he has responded to the Black Lives Matter movement. “You’ve shared a video of a man chanting ‘white power’ to millions of your supporters, and you have said that Black professional athletes exercising their First Amendment rights should be fired,” Welker said. “What do you say to Americans who say that kind of language from a president is contributing to a climate of hate and racial strife?”
Trump responded that he has “great relationships with all people” and told Welker, a Black and Native American woman, that he is “the least racist person in this room.” Instead of bristling at Trump’s statement, Welker continued to push the president on his divisive rhetoric.
Many viewers applauded Welker for being level-headed, tough and fair.
“Kristen Welker is putting on a master class in how to moderate a presidential debate,” tweeted Philip Rucker, White House bureau chief for The Washington Post.
Activist Charlotte Clymer agreed, tweeting: “The clear winner of this debate is Kristen Welker.”
Biden commended Welker on her performance, telling reporters after the debate he “thought the moderator did a great job.” Even Trump complimented the NBC News correspondent, telling Welker at one point that he “very much” respected the way she was handling the debate.
We want to know what you’re hearing on the ground from the candidates. If you get any interesting — or suspicious! — campaign mailers, robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about, email us at scoops@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-22--Joe Biden Calls Out Trump On Tax Returns: 'What Are You Hiding?'

Former Vice President Joe Biden called out President Donald Trump for not releasing his tax returns in Thursday night ’ s presidential debate after Trump accused Biden of taking money from foreign countries and brought up his son Hunter and his business connections in China .
“ I have not taken a penny from any foreign source ever in my life .
I have released 22 years of tax returns .
You have not released a single year .
What are you hiding ?
” Biden said , bringing up recent reports that Trump maintained a secret bank account in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed by The New York Times this week , is controlled by Trump ’ s hotel company and didn ’ t appear on the president ’ s public financial disclosure paperwork .
The organization paid $ 188,561 in taxes to China from 2013 to 2015 , the Times said .
“ China is paying you a lot .
And your hotels and all your businesses all around the country , all around the world .
And China is building a new road to a golf course you have overseas .
So what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t you release your tax returns and stop talking about corruption ?
” Biden added .
Trump responded by vowing to release his tax returns “ as soon as we can , ” citing a longstanding audit by the government .
He also alleged that Biden was linked to his son Hunter Biden ’ s business contacts in China , accusing him of improper conduct as vice president .
Biden has insisted that his son ’ s business interests have never influenced his policies .
There is no evidence he was involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was vice president .
Corporate records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal also “ show no role for Joe Biden , ” the paper reported on Thursday .
Trump , despite promising to release his tax returns as a candidate in 2016 , has repeatedly fought against making his financial records public , breaking with a 40-year precedent of candidates doing so .
According to the Times , Trump ’ s tax returns showed he paid no federal income tax in 10 of 15 years and paid only $ 750 in federal income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and again in his first year in office .
We want to know what you ’ re hearing on the ground from the candidates .
If you get any interesting ― or suspicious !
― campaign mailers , robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about , email us at scoops @ huffpost.com .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Former Vice President Joe Biden called out President Donald Trump for not releasing his tax returns in Thursday night’s presidential debate after Trump accused Biden of taking money from foreign countries and brought up his son Hunter and his business connections in China.
“I have not taken a penny from any foreign source ever in my life. I have released 22 years of tax returns. You have not released a single year. What are you hiding?” Biden said, bringing up recent reports that Trump maintained a secret bank account in China.
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The account in China, revealed by The New York Times this week, is controlled by Trump’s hotel company and didn’t appear on the president’s public financial disclosure paperwork. The organization paid $188,561 in taxes to China from 2013 to 2015, the Times said.
“China is paying you a lot. And your hotels and all your businesses all around the country, all around the world. And China is building a new road to a golf course you have overseas. So what is going on here? Why don’t you release your tax returns and stop talking about corruption?” Biden added.
Trump responded by vowing to release his tax returns “as soon as we can,” citing a longstanding audit by the government. He also alleged that Biden was linked to his son Hunter Biden’s business contacts in China, accusing him of improper conduct as vice president.
“What’s that all about? It’s terrible!” Trump said.
Biden has insisted that his son’s business interests have never influenced his policies. There is no evidence he was involved in his son’s dealings while he was vice president. Corporate records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal also “show no role for Joe Biden,” the paper reported on Thursday.
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Trump, despite promising to release his tax returns as a candidate in 2016, has repeatedly fought against making his financial records public, breaking with a 40-year precedent of candidates doing so.
According to the Times, Trump’s tax returns showed he paid no federal income tax in 10 of 15 years and paid only $750 in federal income taxes in the year he was elected president and again in his first year in office.
Biden and his wife, Jill, paid $299,346 in federal income taxes according to their 2019 returns.
We want to know what you’re hearing on the ground from the candidates. If you get any interesting ― or suspicious! ― campaign mailers, robocalls or hear anything else you think we should know about, email us at scoops@huffpost.com.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-10-23--Trump Utters More Racist Remarks During Final Presidential Debate

President Donald Trump , who claimed during Thursday ’ s presidential debate that he was the “ least racist person ” in the room , made several racist remarks during the event — including referring to undocumented immigrants as “ murderers ” and “ rapists , ” and lambasting those who attend their immigration hearings as having the “ lowest IQ.
” Trump ― who also waded into racist territory during the first presidential debate last month ― claimed during the debate that he ’ d done more for people of color than any president since Abraham Lincoln .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , who accused Trump of having poured “ fuel on every single racist fire.
” “ This guy is a dog whistle as big as a foghorn , ” Biden said during the second and final presidential debate before Election Day .
The former vice president called out Trump ’ s previous refusal to condemn white supremacist groups like the Proud Boys , as well as his Islamophobic immigration policies .
Trump described undocumented migrants as murderers , rapists and “ very bad ” people .
“ Catch and release is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to the process through which certain immigrants ― mostly children and asylum-seekers ― are released into the U.S. pending their immigration hearings .
“ A murderer would come in , a rapist would come in , a very bad person would come in.
” He then suggested that only immigrants “ with the lowest IQ ” return for their immigration hearings .
Trump , who has been scrutinized for his inadequate response to the coronavirus , continued to blame China for the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S .
He also described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filthy.
” Trump side-stepped a question about the impact of polluted sites on people of color .
Asked by moderator Kristen Welker ― the first Black woman to moderate a presidential debate since 1992 — about the disproportionate health impacts that oil refineries and chemical plants have on people of color , Trump said only that “ the families we ’ re talking about are employed heavily ” and are “ making a lot of money .
”

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President Donald Trump, who claimed during Thursday’s presidential debate that he was the “least racist person” in the room, made several racist remarks during the event — including referring to undocumented immigrants as “murderers” and “rapists,” and lambasting those who attend their immigration hearings as having the “lowest IQ.”
Trump ― who also waded into racist territory during the first presidential debate last month ― claimed during the debate that he’d done more for people of color than any president since Abraham Lincoln. That suggestion was ridiculed by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, who accused Trump of having poured “fuel on every single racist fire.”
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“This guy is a dog whistle as big as a foghorn,” Biden said during the second and final presidential debate before Election Day. The former vice president called out Trump’s previous refusal to condemn white supremacist groups like the Proud Boys, as well as his Islamophobic immigration policies.
Trump described undocumented migrants as murderers, rapists and “very bad” people.
President @realDonaldTrump on immigration: "Catch and Release" under Obama and Biden was a total disaster#Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/wZBs1ZKffO — Team Trump (Text VOTE to 88022) (@TeamTrump) October 23, 2020
“Catch and release is a disaster,” Trump said, referring to the process through which certain immigrants ― mostly children and asylum-seekers ― are released into the U.S. pending their immigration hearings. “A murderer would come in, a rapist would come in, a very bad person would come in.”
Trump has used such inflammatory language before in describing immigrants from Mexico.
He then suggested that only immigrants “with the lowest IQ” return for their immigration hearings.
"Only the reaaaaaallllllly-- I hate to say this, but those with the lowest IQ. They might come back." -- Trump pic.twitter.com/RWfbAt68ff — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2020
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Trump said that “less than 1%” of immigrants who are released “come back” ― and that those who do have the “lowest IQ.”
But as The Washington Post noted, the vast majority of immigrants do show up for their court hearings.
Researchers at Syracuse University said last year that more than 80% of migrant families attended all their court hearings.
Trump, who has been scrutinized for his inadequate response to the coronavirus, continued to blame China for the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S.
President Trump on the COVID-19 response in the U.S.: "I take full responsibility. It's not my fault that it came here, it's China's fault. And you know what it's not Joe's fault that it came here either. It's China's fault."#Debates2020https://t.co/gEewrgcvuo pic.twitter.com/pKbM3QlBa5 — Good Morning America (@GMA) October 23, 2020
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“It’s China’s fault,” the president, who has previously referred to COVID-19 as the “China plague” and the “China virus,” said of the pandemic on U.S. soil.
He also described China, India and Russia as “filthy.”
Trump on climate change and pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord: “Look at China, how filthy it is! Look at Russia. Look at India -- It's filthy!” #Debates2020 pic.twitter.com/KHR06PapeS — Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) October 23, 2020
Responding to a question about climate change, Trump said he cared about getting “crystal clear” water and the “cleanest” air in the U.S.
“Look at China, how filthy it is! Look at Russia. Look at India ― it’s filthy! The air is filthy,” he said.
Trump side-stepped a question about the impact of polluted sites on people of color.
Asked by moderator Kristen Welker ― the first Black woman to moderate a presidential debate since 1992 — about the disproportionate health impacts that oil refineries and chemical plants have on people of color, Trump said only that “the families we’re talking about are employed heavily” and are “making a lot of money.”
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He also refused to apologize for earlier referring to the Black Lives Matter movement as a “symbol of hate” and insisted instead that he was “the least racist person in this room.”
Trump trashes Black Lives Matter, then claims, "I am the least racist person in this room." pic.twitter.com/kyP3D9rqsg — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2020
Trump said his “first glimpse” of Black Lives Matter “was a terrible thing,” citing an unaffiliated protest march from 2015.