theguardian--2020-10-02--Prayers and criticism as public figures react to Trump Covid news

Politicians and other public figures in the US and around the world have reacted to Donald Trump ’ s Covid diagnosis by offering well-wishes , while some also pointed out that the president had repeatedly downplayed the pandemic and undermined public health guidelines on slowing its spread .
Acknowledging the gravity of the moment , words of support came from across the US political divide .
Rev Jessie Jackson , the civil rights activist , wrote : “ We must all pray for the full recovery of the president [ and ] his wife .
For whatever religious or political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all pray as millions of people are affected by this disease.
” When the pandemic struck , Jackson had written to Trump urging testing for the 2.2 million people incarcerated in the US – many of whom have died or fallen ill as serious outbreaks spread through the prison system .
Rachel Maddow – a host on MSBNC who has been highly critical of the president – wrote : “ God bless the president and the first lady .
If you pray , please pray for their speedy and complete recovery – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gabbard , the congresswoman for Hawaii who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination , sent “ best wishes … during this difficult time ” .
Ashish Jha , the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health , said Trump ’ s diagnosis “ is a total failure ” by the White House team to protect the president .
World leaders , including the Israeli prime minister , Benjamin Netanyahu , and the British prime minister , Boris Johnson , who himself contracted coronavirus , also offered support .
The Russian president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telegram to wish Trump a swift recovery .
“ I am certain that your inherent vitality , good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus , ” the message read .
However , many pointed out that Trump , who has repeatedly downplayed the threat of coronavirus and flouted public health recommendations , refusing to wear a mask to protect himself and others from the spread of disease , should have expected this outcome .
The writer Tracy Clayton recalled the moment when the president had suggested people might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
George Conway , an outspoken critic of Trump and a lawyer who is married to the Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway , wrote : “ He failed to protect the country .
He couldn ’ t even protect himself .
”

Politicians and other public figures in the US and around the world have reacted to Donald Trump’s Covid diagnosis by offering well-wishes, while some pointed out that the president had repeatedly downplayed the dangers of the pandemic and undermined public health guidelines.
A government spokesperson in France wished the US leader a swift recovery but questioned Trump’s repeated dismissals of the risks of the disease. “This demonstrates that the virus spares no one, including those who have shown scepticism,” Gabriel Attal said.
State-controlled media in China, a country Trump has sought to blame for the pandemic, was more cutting: “President Trump and the first lady have paid the price for his gamble to play down the Covid-19,” tweeted Hu Xijin, editor in chief of China’s Global Times newspaper.
In the US, words of support came from across the political divide. Trump’s election rival, Joe Biden, said he was praying “for the health and safety of the president and his family.”
Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2020
Rev Jessie Jackson, the civil rights activist, wrote: “We must all pray for the full recovery of the president [and] his wife. For whatever religious or political persuasion you may be, we must all pray as millions of people are affected by this disease.”
We sincerely pray the President& the First Lady do not have the worst of this disease.We must all pray for the full recovery of the President& his wife.For whatever religious or political persuasion you may be, we must all pray as millions of people are affected by this disease. — Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) October 2, 2020
When the pandemic struck, Jackson had written to Trump urging testing for the 2.2 million people incarcerated in the US – many of whom have died or fallen ill as serious outbreaks spread through the prison system.
Rachel Maddow – a host on MSBNC who has been highly critical of the president – wrote: “God bless the president and the first lady. If you pray, please pray for their speedy and complete recovery – and for everyone infected, everywhere.”
Tulsi Gabbard, the congresswoman for Hawaii who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, sent “best wishes … during this difficult time”.
My husband Abraham and I offer our best wishes and aloha to President @realDonaldTrump and the First Lady @FLOTUS and praying for their speedy recovery. We also send our best wishes to Ivanka, Tiffany, Donald Trump Jr., Eric, and Barron during this difficult time. #TrumpHasCovid — Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) October 2, 2020
Ashish Jha, the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, said Trump’s diagnosis “is a total failure” by the White House team to protect the president.
This is a nightmare.
COVID19 is a serious infection, especially for someone who is older like Mr. Trump.
I can't believe he was infected. This is a total failure by WH team to protect the President
Wishing both the President and The First Lady and speedy recovery. https://t.co/YVA2WpeNCu — Ashish K. Jha (@ashishkjha) October 2, 2020
World leaders, including the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, who himself contracted coronavirus, also offered support.
Like millions of Israelis, Sara and I are thinking of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and wish our friends a full and speedy recovery. https://t.co/UcxQpsxBLE — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) October 2, 2020
My best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady. Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 2, 2020
00:20 Boris Johnson sends best wishes to Donald and Melania Trump after Covid-19 diagnosis – video
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, opted for a telegram to wish Trump a swift recovery. “I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus,” the message read.
Many others pointed out that Trump, who has flouted public health recommendations, refusing to wear a mask to protect himself and others from the spread of disease, should have expected this outcome.
“BET YOU WANNA” wear a mask now 😩😩😩 https://t.co/jp6NTiGztO — iamcardib (@iamcardib) October 2, 2020
The writer Tracy Clayton recalled the moment when the president had suggested people might inject bleach as a treatment for the disease.
has he tried injecting disinfectants yet? — tracy clayton aka CHUBBA BEEF (@brokeymcpoverty) October 2, 2020
George Conway, an outspoken critic of Trump and a lawyer who is married to former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, wrote: “He failed to protect the country. He couldn’t even protect himself.”


theguardian--2020-10-02--An Amy Coney Barrett court will push the US to new levels of pro-business cronyism | David Sirota

If you get your news from the political press and television ads , you might think the US supreme court is a forum that only adjudicates disputes over the most hot-button religious and civil rights issues .
What you would not know is that while the court does periodically rule on those important matters , it spends as much or more of its time using business-related cases to help billionaires and corporations rig the economy against ordinary Americans .
In light of that , Amy Coney Barrett ’ s US supreme court nomination must be understood as the culmination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last two decades .
The strategy is straightforward : they nominate plutocrat-compliant judges knowing that the corporate-owned media and political system will make sure confirmation battles focus on partisan wrangling and high-profile social issues – but not also on the economic issues that justices often decide .
In other words : Republican politicians rely on conflagrations over political process and social issues to mobilize their religious base in service of Republican donors ’ real objective – smuggling corporate cronies on to the highest court in the land .
And if Barrett is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just get another business friendly judge – in advance of the 2020 election , they will also get a third justice who worked directly on the legal team that convinced the US supreme court to hand Republicans the presidency in 2000 .
To be sure , Barrett ’ s record on social issues is extreme and worthy of scrutiny , criticism and organized opposition , especially at a time when crucial precedents may be on the line .
She signed an ad criticizing Roe v Wade and she has suggested that a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinics .
As a judge , she has also written dissenting opinions against limits on gun rights and in favor of a Trump administration rule to try to make it harder for low-income immigrants to enter the United States .
Those issues , however , are almost certainly not what is motivating big donors to funnel millions of dollars into groups like the Judicial Crisis Network , oil magnate Charles Koch ’ s network and the US Chamber of Commerce in support of Barrett ’ s nomination .
Those groups ’ ads and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public debate on religion and court precedent , but such enormous sums of cash flood into judicial campaigns with one underlying goal : enriching the corporations and plutocrats that are making the donations .
These organizations know the supreme court is the place to do exactly that – and they have been wildly successful in stacking the court since 2005 .
That was the year that business interests engineered John Roberts ’ ascension to supreme court chief justice .
Back then , corporate groups launched what was their first sophisticated public campaign to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and Roberts was the perfect pick .
He had advised the Bush 2000 legal team , he represented corporate clients in private practice and he was considered “ the go-to lawyer for the business community.
” Roberts ’ business fealty was not the focus of his court confirmation hearings – and that omission is now standard practice .
Indeed , other than the brief controversy over Neil Gorsuch ’ s ruling in a workers ’ rights case , recent confirmation battles have rarely ever homed in on nominees ’ views on corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court has been defined by its allegiance to big business .
According to the Constitutional Accountability Center , 70 % of the Roberts court ’ s rulings in business cases have sided with the US Chamber – the pre-eminent business lobby group in Washington .
That is the highest rate of corporate loyalty of any supreme court in 40 years , and it is a bipartisan affair : Republican-appointed judges are almost always siding with business interests , and in roughly half the cases , Democratic-appointed justices have been with them , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a few cases have led liberals to see him as a sensible moderate , he has presided over a radical court that has helped transform the economy .
The court has limited unions ’ political power , reduced workers ’ bargaining rights , blocked class action lawsuits against corporate wrongdoers , strengthened fossil fuel companies ’ power and emboldened big money interests to buy elections .
Even rulings that don ’ t seem to revolve around corporate power have ended up setting precedents that help strengthen commercial interests power over American society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose confirmation battle appears to be following the same playbook .
So far , the fight is focusing on religion and social issues – but not also on how she could lock in an anti-worker corporate-friendly majority .
Barrett is no moderate on economics .
An analysis from the watchdog group Accountable Us found that as a circuit court judge , she “ faced at least 55 cases in which citizens took on corporate entities in front of her court and 76 % of the time she sided with the corporations ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the high court by Donald Trump , she delivered a ruling that could help corporations avoid paying overtime to gig workers .
That ruling followed her other rulings limiting the enforcement of age-discrimination laws , restricting the government ’ s power to punish companies that mislead consumers and curtailing consumers ’ rights against predatory debt collectors .
The UCLA law professor Adam Winkler said that if Barrett is confirmed , the consequences could reverberate for decades .
“ This would really push the court over the top , ” said Winkler , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corporations : How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights .
“ You would have a very strong 6-3 conservative majority .
And unlike previous times where conservatives had most of the seats on the court , none of the conservatives on [ this ] court really swing liberal on business or corporate power issues .
John Roberts has swung liberal on a few cases in recent years to the celebration of many but his track record is pretty unambiguous and pretty consistently pro-business and anti-consumer.
” Trump and Republican lawmakers are clearly trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only on social and cultural issues , because they think that is their most favorable political terrain .
They do not want the upcoming Senate hearings to spotlight the corporate power issues that might make rank-and-file conservative voters see Barrett ’ s nomination as an economic betrayal of the working class .
The question now is whether or not the Senate minority leader , Chuck Schumer , and the House speaker , Nancy Pelosi , will use all of the procedural power at their disposal to slow the nomination and expose Barrett ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the powerful against the people .
If Democratic leaders do pursue such a strategy , they could stall the confirmation by turning the process into a referendum on economic inequality at precisely a moment when Americans have become acutely aware of the downsides of oligarchy .
If they reject that strategy , then the court could become a corporate star chamber for the rest of our lives – which is exactly what business interests want .
• None David Sirota is a Guardian US columnist and an award-winning investigative journalist .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the publisher of the newsletter Too Much Information .
He served as Bernie Sanders ’ presidential campaign speechwriter

If you get your news from the political press and television ads, you might think the US supreme court is a forum that only adjudicates disputes over the most hot-button religious and civil rights issues. What you would not know is that while the court does periodically rule on those important matters, it spends as much or more of its time using business-related cases to help billionaires and corporations rig the economy against ordinary Americans.
In light of that, Amy Coney Barrett’s US supreme court nomination must be understood as the culmination of cynical tactics that Republicans have perfected over the last two decades. The strategy is straightforward: they nominate plutocrat-compliant judges knowing that the corporate-owned media and political system will make sure confirmation battles focus on partisan wrangling and high-profile social issues – but not also on the economic issues that justices often decide.
In other words: Republican politicians rely on conflagrations over political process and social issues to mobilize their religious base in service of Republican donors’ real objective – smuggling corporate cronies on to the highest court in the land. And if Barrett is confirmed, those Republican donors will not just get another business-friendly judge – in advance of the 2020 election, they will also get a third justice who worked directly on the legal team that convinced the US supreme court to hand Republicans the presidency in 2000.
To be sure, Barrett’s record on social issues is extreme and worthy of scrutiny, criticism and organized opposition, especially at a time when crucial precedents may be on the line. She signed an ad criticizing Roe v Wade and she has suggested that a more conservative court could accept state restrictions on abortion clinics. As a judge, she has also written dissenting opinions against limits on gun rights and in favor of a Trump administration rule to try to make it harder for low-income immigrants to enter the United States.
Those issues, however, are almost certainly not what is motivating big donors to funnel millions of dollars into groups like the Judicial Crisis Network, the oil magnate Charles Koch’s network and the US Chamber of Commerce in support of Barrett’s nomination. Those groups’ ads and lobbying campaigns may try to focus the public debate on religion and court precedent, but such enormous sums of cash flood into judicial campaigns with one underlying goal: enriching the corporations and plutocrats that are making the donations.
These organizations know the supreme court is the place to do exactly that – and they have been wildly successful in stacking the court since 2005.
That was the year that business interests engineered John Roberts’ ascension to supreme court chief justice. Back then, corporate groups launched what was their first sophisticated public campaign to install a new jurist on the court – and Roberts was the perfect pick. He had advised the Bush 2000 legal team, he represented corporate clients in private practice and he was considered “the go-to lawyer for the business community”.
Roberts’ business fealty was not the focus of his court confirmation hearings – and that omission is now standard practice. Indeed, other than the brief controversy over Neil Gorsuch’s ruling in a workers’ rights case, recent confirmation battles have rarely ever homed in on nominees’ views on corporate power.
And yet, the Roberts court has been defined by its allegiance to big business. According to the Constitutional Accountability Center, 70% of the Roberts court’s rulings in business cases have sided with the US Chamber – the pre-eminent business lobby group in Washington. That is the highest rate of corporate loyalty of any supreme court in 40 years, and it is a bipartisan affair: Republican-appointed judges are almost always siding with business interests, and in roughly half the cases, Democratic-appointed justices have been with them, too.
‘The John Roberts court has been defined by its allegiance to big business.’ Photograph: Leah Millis/AP
While Roberts’ break with conservatives on a few cases have led liberals to see him as a sensible moderate, he has presided over a radical court that has helped transform the economy. The court has limited unions’ political power, reduced workers’ bargaining rights, blocked class-action lawsuits against corporate wrongdoers, strengthened fossil fuel companies’ power and emboldened big money interests to buy elections. Even rulings that don’t seem to revolve around corporate power have ended up setting precedents that help strengthen commercial interests power over American society.
Now comes Barrett – a nominee whose confirmation battle appears to be following the same playbook. So far, the fight is focusing on religion and social issues – but not also on how she could lock in an anti-worker corporate-friendly majority.
Barrett is no moderate on economics. An analysis from the watchdog group Accountable Us found that as a circuit court judge, she “faced at least 55 cases in which citizens took on corporate entities in front of her court and 76% of the time she sided with the corporations”.
Only a month before Barrett was nominated to the high court by Donald Trump, she delivered a ruling that could help corporations avoid paying overtime to gig workers. That ruling followed her other rulings limiting the enforcement of age-discrimination laws, restricting the government’s power to punish companies that mislead consumers and curtailing consumers’ rights against predatory debt collectors.
The UCLA law professor Adam Winkler said that if Barrett is confirmed, the consequences could reverberate for decades. “This would really push the court over the top,” said Winkler, the author of the book We the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights. “You would have a very strong 6-3 conservative majority. And unlike previous times where conservatives had most of the seats on the court, none of the conservatives on [this] court really swing liberal on business or corporate power issues. John Roberts has swung liberal on a few cases in recent years to the celebration of many but his track record is pretty unambiguous and pretty consistently pro-business and anti-consumer.”
Trump and Republican lawmakers are clearly trying to steer the confirmation battle into focusing only on social and cultural issues, because they think that is their most favorable political terrain. They do not want the upcoming Senate hearings to spotlight the corporate power issues that might make rank-and-file conservative voters see Barrett’s nomination as an economic betrayal of the working class.
The question now is whether or not the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, and the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, will use all of the procedural power at their disposal to slow the nomination and expose Barrett’s long record of taking the side of the powerful against the people.
If Democratic leaders do pursue such a strategy, they could stall the confirmation by turning the process into a referendum on economic inequality at precisely a moment when Americans have become acutely aware of the downsides of oligarchy.
If they reject that strategy, then the court could become a corporate star chamber for the rest of our lives – which is exactly what business interests want.


theguardian--2020-10-02--'We are living the issues': record number of women of color run for Congress

The US presidential election may be dominated by two older white men , but away from the battle for the White House a record number of women of color are running for Congress in 2020 – as US politics continues to be dragged , slowly , towards being representative of the country ’ s population .
In November , 117 women of color are running for Congress as Democrats or Republicans .
And a record 298 women in total are running for the House of Representatives on a major party ticket , according to the Center for American Women and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 ’ s midterm elections , when a historic number of women won seats in the House .
Among that number are 61 Black women , 32 Latina women , and six Native American women – record numbers for each group .
In the Senate , 20 women are running as Democrats or Republicans , a decrease from 2018 , but overall , the US is seeing a rising trend .
“ This year ’ s numbers are a positive sign that 2018 wasn ’ t necessarily an anomaly , ” said Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center for American Women and Politics .
“ What this year also points to positively is a continued diversification of the women who are running for office and who are getting nominations.
” Women are almost 50 % of Democratic nominees this year , Dittmar said .
They make up a much smaller proportion of Republican nominees – although the GOP has seen a spike in female candidates compared with previous years .
Here are just a few of the women to watch in November : If Candace Valenzuela can win in Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would become the first Black Latina in Congress .
The district has been represented by a Republican since 2005 , but Democrats have a real chance of flipping it in November .
“ We ’ re seeing trailblazing women of color step up and run for office all across the country , ” Valenzuela told the Guardian .
“ But women like me aren ’ t running to be the ‘ first ’ , we ’ re running to serve our communities , by lowering healthcare costs , stopping the spread of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work safely.
” A former school board representative , Valenzuela has been endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus , the Congressional Hispanic Caucus , and progressive and centrist Democrats alike .
She faces the Republican candidate Beth Van Duyne , whom Trump has endorsed .
“ I ran for my local school board to ensure every north Texan has access to the opportunities that enabled me to overcome childhood homelessness and become the first in my family to go to college , ” Valenzuela said .
“ As I fought for my community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me up were , and continue to be , under attack by Donald Trump and the corporate special interests that dominate his administration.
” In a campaign ad , Valenzuela recalls sleeping in a children ’ s swimming pool outside a gas station after the family fled domestic abuse .
She believes she can better represent people who might be struggling .
“ It ’ s time that the folks in power reflect the communities they serve .
As we see more women and women of color running for and winning seats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus of our elected officials shift towards working families and the challenges they face.
” Marquita Bradshaw ’ s victory in Tennessee ’ s Senate Democratic primary was scarcely believable , given the relative pittance she spent during her campaign .
Bradshaw spent less than $ 10,000 – James Mackler , an attorney endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , spent $ 1.5m .
She became the first Black woman to be a major party nominee for statewide office in Tennessee , and the only Black woman running as a Democrat or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been the heart of the Democratic party for years , ” Bradshaw told the Guardian .
“ We vote our values but with the increasing social tensions and awareness , Black women knew it was time to step into our power .
For too long , we have been kept out of the conversation .
“ But we are living the issues – racism , classism , sexism .
I am living the issues .
Black women are the cornerstones of their communities , active in churches , schools , healthcare .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ collectively , we are taking the leap.
” Bradshaw is an environmental activist who supports the progressive Green New Deal , and she said the toxic damage from a military depot in her hometown of Memphis birthed her activism .
For all the progress in making Congress more diverse , women still only make up about 25 % of the body – something Bradshaw said must change .
“ It is necessary for the demographics of the Senate to represent the demographics of the country .
It ’ s the only way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Women experience the world in different ways than men .
We are the caretakers and nurturers .
We will introduce bills that support the environmental , educational , and economic wellbeing of our country .
It ’ s all connected .
We can ’ t address one without the other and we can ’ t fix one without fixing them all.
” Bradshaw faces another uphill battle in November .
Her Republican opponent , Bill Hagerty has tied his fortunes to Donald Trump in the election – the president won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The last Democrat elected to the US Senate in Tennessee was Al Gore in 1990 .
Bush , a nurse and ordained pastor , broke a decades-long legacy when she defeated Lacy Clay in the Democratic primary for Missouri ’ s 1st congressional district .
Clay has represented the district since 2001 , having taken over the seat from his father , Bill Clay , who had been in office since 1969 .
Bush rose to prominence in Missouri as an activist against police brutality in Ferguson , after Michael Brown was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In an interview with the Guardian in August , Bush said she feared for the safety of her children following the history of police killings of black people .
“ With the climate of our country and our world I worry about my children .
My son is 20 years old , he is taller than me .
He ’ s a black boy .
I worry about [ him ] , every single day .
Every minute of the day .
I ’ m not exaggerating , ” Bush said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Bernie Sanders , Bush is an advocate for universal healthcare , and for defunding the police .
“ Medicare for All – I know that is really not one of Joe Biden ’ s priorities … but I am going to continue to fight for it because I believe that is right : you breathe , you deserve healthcare , ” Bush told the Guardian in August .
Bush has shunned corporate political action committee ( Pac ) money in favor of individual donations and is expected to sweep to victory in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has voted Democratic for seven decades .
Christina Hale , a Cuban American , finds herself in a rare race in Indiana : she is a woman running against a woman to replace a woman – Susan Brooks , a Republican who is not seeking re-election .
Brooks won by 13 points in 2018 , in the historically Republican fifth district , but the Cook Political Report rates the seat – with its large number of the sort of college-educated white people who have been turned off by Trump – as a toss-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the Indiana house of representatives who struggled to make ends meet after becoming a single mother at 19 years old .
She has attributed some of her success to her being able to enroll her son in a childcare program in Indiana , and expanding childcare and early childhood education is one of her priorities .
Hale faced criticism from challengers in the primary for not being progressive enough but she has said her willingness to work across party lines is a strength .
“ If elected , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other side of the aisle , ” she told a group of business leaders in September .
“ No one party has all the good ideas.
” Hale ’ s race has attracted attention , and money , from Democrats nationally , and she has been endorsed by the Latino Victory Project , Barack Obama and Senator Elizabeth Warren , among others .
With New Mexico ’ s first and second congressional districts being all-female races , the state will have an all-female delegation to the House if Leger Fernandez can win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all three Democratic candidates win their House contests , then the entire delegation would be women of color .
Leger Fernandez , a progressive endorsed by Warren and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez among others , is a lawyer who has represented tribes , minority-owned businesses , and community organizations .
She supports Medicare for All and the Green New Deal – litmus tests for progressives – and is seeking to represent a district that is 40 % Latino and 20 % Native American .
“ In New Mexico , we recognize there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Leger Fernandez told the New York Times this year .
“ It ’ s clear that voters liked that I am a Latina , based in the land and respectful of the land , and have complete acknowledgment of how we are different and that can be celebrated , ” she said .

The US presidential election may be dominated by two older white men, but away from the battle for the White House a record number of women of color are running for Congress in 2020 – as US politics continues to be dragged, slowly, towards being representative of the country’s population.
In November, 117 women of color are running for Congress as Democrats or Republicans. And a record 298 women in total are running for the House of Representatives on a major party ticket, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.
The new high builds on 2018’s midterm elections, when a historic number of women won seats in the House. Among that number are 61 Black women, 32 Latina women, and six Native American women – record numbers for each group.
In the Senate, 20 women are running as Democrats or Republicans, a decrease from 2018, but overall, the US is seeing a rising trend.
“This year’s numbers are a positive sign that 2018 wasn’t necessarily an anomaly,” said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the Center for American Women and Politics.
“What this year also points to positively is a continued diversification of the women who are running for office and who are getting nominations.”
Women are almost 50% of Democratic nominees this year, Dittmar said. They make up a much smaller proportion of Republican nominees – although the GOP has seen a spike in female candidates compared with previous years.
Here are just a few of the women to watch in November:
Candace Valenzuela
If Candace Valenzuela can win in Texas’s 24th congressional district, she would become the first Black Latina in Congress. The district has been represented by a Republican since 2005, but Democrats have a real chance of flipping it in November.
“We’re seeing trailblazing women of color step up and run for office all across the country,” Valenzuela told the Guardian.
“But women like me aren’t running to be the ‘first’, we’re running to serve our communities, by lowering healthcare costs, stopping the spread of this virus, and getting folks back to work safely.”
A former school board representative, Valenzuela has been endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and progressive and centrist Democrats alike. She faces the Republican candidate Beth Van Duyne, whom Trump has endorsed.
“I ran for my local school board to ensure every north Texan has access to the opportunities that enabled me to overcome childhood homelessness and become the first in my family to go to college,” Valenzuela said.
As we see more women and women of color running for and winning seats in office, we’re seeing the focus of our elected officials shift Candace Valenzuela
“As I fought for my community, I saw the opportunities that lifted me up were, and continue to be, under attack by Donald Trump and the corporate special interests that dominate his administration.”
In a campaign ad, Valenzuela recalls sleeping in a children’s swimming pool outside a gas station after the family fled domestic abuse. She believes she can better represent people who might be struggling.
“It’s time that the folks in power reflect the communities they serve. As we see more women and women of color running for and winning seats in office, we’re seeing the focus of our elected officials shift towards working families and the challenges they face.”
My congressman has been a politician since before I was homeless, sleeping in a kiddie pool outside a gas station.
Now I’m running to unseat him. #TX24
Join us: https://t.co/XxjdILwpnE pic.twitter.com/04wqgNuKnP — Candace Valenzuela (@candacefor24) June 25, 2019
Marquita Bradshaw
Marquita Bradshaw’s victory in Tennessee’s Senate Democratic primary was scarcely believable, given the relative pittance she spent during her campaign. Bradshaw spent less than $10,000 – James Mackler, an attorney endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, spent $1.5m.
She became the first Black woman to be a major party nominee for statewide office in Tennessee, and the only Black woman running as a Democrat or Republican for Senate.
“Black women have been the heart of the Democratic party for years,” Bradshaw told the Guardian.
“We vote our values but with the increasing social tensions and awareness, Black women knew it was time to step into our power. For too long, we have been kept out of the conversation.
“But we are living the issues – racism, classism, sexism. I am living the issues. Black women are the cornerstones of their communities, active in churches, schools, healthcare. Our voices need to be heard and collectively, we are taking the leap.”
Bradshaw is an environmental activist who supports the progressive Green New Deal, and she said the toxic damage from a military depot in her hometown of Memphis birthed her activism.
For all the progress in making Congress more diverse, women still only make up about 25% of the body – something Bradshaw said must change.
“It is necessary for the demographics of the Senate to represent the demographics of the country. It’s the only way to level the playing field,” she said.
It is necessary for the demographics of the Senate to represent the demographics of the country Marquita Bradshaw
“Women experience the world in different ways than men. We are the caretakers and nurturers. We will introduce bills that support the environmental, educational and economic wellbeing of our country. It’s all connected. We can’t address one without the other and we can’t fix one without fixing them all.”
Bradshaw faces another uphill battle in November. Her Republican opponent, Bill Hagerty, has tied his fortunes to Donald Trump in the election – the president won Tennessee by 26 points in 2016. The last Democrat elected to the US Senate in Tennessee was Al Gore in 1990.
Cori Bush
Cori Bush in St Louis, Missouri. Photograph: Joe Martinez/The Guardian
Bush, a nurse and ordained pastor, broke a decades-long legacy when she defeated Lacy Clay in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st congressional district. Clay has represented the district since 2001, having taken over the seat from his father, Bill Clay, who had been in office since 1969.
Bush rose to prominence in Missouri as an activist against police brutality in Ferguson, after Michael Brown was shot dead by a police officer in 2014. In an interview with the Guardian in August, Bush said she feared for the safety of her children following the history of police killings of Black people.
“With the climate of our country and our world I worry about my children. My son is 20 years old, he is taller than me. He’s a black boy. I worry about [him], every single day. Every minute of the day. I’m not exaggerating,” Bush said.
Described as a “true progressive” by Bernie Sanders, Bush is an advocate for universal healthcare, and for defunding the police.
“Medicare for All – I know that is really not one of Joe Biden’s priorities … but I am going to continue to fight for it because I believe that is right: you breathe, you deserve healthcare,” Bush told the Guardian in August.
Bush has shunned corporate political action committee (Pac) money in favor of individual donations and is expected to sweep to victory in Missouri’s 1st district, which has voted Democratic for seven decades.
Christina Hale
Christina Hale, a Cuban American, finds herself in a rare race in Indiana: she is a woman running against a woman to replace a woman – Susan Brooks, a Republican who is not seeking re-election.
Brooks won by 13 points in 2018, in the historically Republican fifth district, but the Cook Political Report rates the seat – with its large number of the sort of college-educated white people who have been turned off by Trump – as a toss-up this year.
Hale is a former member of the Indiana house of representatives who struggled to make ends meet after becoming a single mother at 19 years old. She has attributed some of her success to her being able to enroll her son in a childcare program in Indiana, and expanding childcare and early childhood education is one of her priorities.
Hale faced criticism from challengers in the primary for not being progressive enough but she has said her willingness to work across party lines is a strength.
“If elected, I’m determined to look for people on the other side of the aisle,” she told a group of business leaders in September. “No one party has all the good ideas.”
Hale’s race has attracted attention, and money, from Democrats nationally, and she has been endorsed by the Latino Victory Project, Barack Obama and Senator Elizabeth Warren, among others.
Teresa Leger Fernandez
With New Mexico’s first and second congressional districts being all-female races, the state will have an all-female delegation to the House if Leger Fernandez can win the third congressional district in November. If all three Democratic candidates win their House contests, then the entire delegation would be women of color.
Leger Fernandez, a progressive endorsed by Warren and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez among others, is a lawyer who has represented tribes, minority-owned businesses, and community organizations. She supports Medicare for All and the Green New Deal – litmus tests for progressives – and is seeking to represent a district that is 40% Latino and 20% Native American.
“In New Mexico, we recognize there’s nothing to gain in demonizing an other,” Leger Fernandez told the New York Times this year.
“It’s clear that voters liked that I am a Latina, based in the land and respectful of the land, and have complete acknowledgment of how we are different and that can be celebrated,” she said.


theguardian--2020-10-01--Fight to Vote: Trump undermines the election again – quelle surprise

Hello , and welcome back to the Fight to Vote .
During Tuesday ’ s chaotic debate , which included Donald Trump refusing to condemn white supremacists , one section really leaped out at me .
As a Fight to Vote reader , this will probably come as no surprise to you , but it was about the fairness and integrity of the upcoming US election .
If you missed it , moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump and Joe Biden : “ How confident should we be that this will be a fair election , and what are you prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” What did Trump say ?
After weeks of undermining the election , the president answered as expected .
Here are some choice quotes : “ As far as the ballots are concerned , it ’ s a disaster.
” “ They ’ re sending millions of ballots all over the country .
There ’ s fraud .
They found them in creeks .
They found some , just happened to have the name Trump just the other day in a wastepaper basket.
” “ I think I ’ m counting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the ballots , definitely.
” The president cited ballot snafus occurring in various states .
Yet none of these instances are proven examples of voter fraud , and hinge almost entirely on human error .
For example : • None Thousands of New York City residents were sent ballots in the wrong envelope due to a vendor error .
• None Ballots in New Jersey had mismatched signatures , a process already rife with problems and inconsistencies .
• None North Carolina accidentally sent voters two absentee ballots each .
Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Show up and vote .
You will determine the outcome of this election.
” You can watch his full appeal to voters here .
Meanwhile , over at the census On Wednesday , a judge demanded that the Trump administration respond to accusations from census workers that they have been told to end operations early .
The census is a huge undertaking that happens every 10 years .
With the help of thousands of outreach workers , the US Census Bureau attempts to count every living person in the US .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts and where to allocate money .
This year , the census has been derailed by the pandemic , many states are lagging far behind in counting – and the Trump administration hasn ’ t made it easier .
While a federal judge ruled that the census should continue until the end of October , government officials are calling to end the census count early on 5 October .
Critics say this could be disastrous .
Why the 2020 census could be a disaster : • None Hard-to-reach communities , such as undocumented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • None Congressional seats would be allocated based on misleading information .
• None Communities might not receive vital money for schools , roads and other infrastructure .
If it sounds like things are a bit messy , you ’ re right .
But one way to avert your own democratic disaster in the election is to know as much as possible about your ballot .
Voting by mail ?
Here are three key things to do Track it .
In many states , you can track your mail-in ballot to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted .
Business Insider has a good breakdown of how to do this in the states that offer tracking .
Sign it .
Several states require that you sign your ballot and/or the envelope your ballot comes in .
This is very easy to mess up , so make sure you read the instructions to figure out how to sign your ballot .
If you make a mistake , here ’ s a list of states that lets you fix it .
Time it .
It ’ s best to turn in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ’ re running closer to the deadline make sure that your ballot is at least postmarked by the correct date .
Some states require that it ’ s sent in 14 days before election day !
Here ’ s a guide .
Last but not least , this meme that came out of the debate should provide some humor/doom ( you pick ) : Fight to Vote is delivered to thousands of inboxes every Thursday .
If you ’ re not already signed up , subscribe now .

Hello, and welcome back to the Fight to Vote.
During Tuesday’s chaotic debate, which included Donald Trump refusing to condemn white supremacists, one section really leaped out at me. As a Fight to Vote reader, this will probably come as no surprise to you, but it was about the fairness and integrity of the upcoming US election.
If you missed it, moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump and Joe Biden: “How confident should we be that this will be a fair election, and what are you prepared to do over the next five-plus weeks?”
What did Trump say?
After weeks of undermining the election, the president answered as expected. Here are some choice quotes:
“As far as the ballots are concerned, it’s a disaster.”
“They’re sending millions of ballots all over the country. There’s fraud. They found them in creeks. They found some, just happened to have the name Trump just the other day in a wastepaper basket.”
“I think I’m counting on [the supreme court] to look at the ballots, definitely.”
What’s the truth?
The president cited ballot snafus occurring in various states. Yet none of these instances are proven examples of voter fraud, and hinge almost entirely on human error. For example:
Thousands of New York City residents were sent ballots in the wrong envelope due to a vendor error.
Ballots in New Jersey had mismatched signatures, a process already rife with problems and inconsistencies.
North Carolina accidentally sent voters two absentee ballots each.
How about Biden?
Biden’s message was a little simpler: “Show up and vote. You will determine the outcome of this election.” You can watch his full appeal to voters here.
Meanwhile, over at the census
On Wednesday, a judge demanded that the Trump administration respond to accusations from census workers that they have been told to end operations early.
The census is a huge undertaking that happens every 10 years. With the help of thousands of outreach workers, the US Census Bureau attempts to count every living person in the US. These numbers then inform how to apportion electoral districts and where to allocate money.
This year, the census has been derailed by the pandemic, many states are lagging far behind in counting – and the Trump administration hasn’t made it easier. While a federal judge ruled that the census should continue until the end of October, government officials are calling to end the census count early on 5 October.
Critics say this could be disastrous.
Why the 2020 census could be a disaster:
Hard-to-reach communities, such as undocumented residents, could be left uncounted.
Congressional seats would be allocated based on misleading information.
Communities might not receive vital money for schools, roads and other infrastructure.
If it sounds like things are a bit messy, you’re right. But one way to avert your own democratic disaster in the election is to know as much as possible about your ballot.
Voting by mail? Here are three key things to do
Track it. In many states, you can track your mail-in ballot to make sure it reached the election office and was counted. Business Insider has a good breakdown of how to do this in the states that offer tracking.
Sign it. Several states require that you sign your ballot and/or the envelope your ballot comes in. This is very easy to mess up, so make sure you read the instructions to figure out how to sign your ballot. If you make a mistake, here’s a list of states that lets you fix it.
Time it. It’s best to turn in your ballot as early as possible, but if you’re running closer to the deadline make sure that your ballot is at least postmarked by the correct date. Some states require that it’s sent in 14 days before election day! Here’s a guide.
Last but not least, this meme that came out of the debate should provide some humor/doom (you pick):
Sign up to Fight to Vote weekly newsletter
Fight to Vote is delivered to thousands of inboxes every Thursday. If you’re not already signed up, subscribe now.


theguardian--2020-10-02--Boris Johnson sends best wishes to the Trumps after Covid-19 diagnosis – video

Boris Johnson has wished Donald and Melania Trump a 'strong recovery ' , hours after the US president revealed he @ @ @ @ @ positive for coronavirus • Trump and first lady Melania test positive for coronavirus • Prayers @ @ @ @ @ react to Trump Covid news

Boris Johnson has wished Donald and Melania Trump a 'strong recovery', hours after the US president revealed he and his wife had tested positive for coronavirus


theguardian--2020-10-02--Trump throws baseball caps into crowd days before announcing positive Covid test – video

Two days before announcing he had contracted Covid-19 , Donald Trump tossed two campaign baseball caps into the crowd with @ @ @ @ @ a rally in Duluth , Minnesota .
The venue was crowded with hundreds of supporters @ @ @ @ @ who did not wear a face mask , entered the stage smiling and waving to @ @ @ @ @ rally .
The president frequently minimised the seriousness of the pandemic in its early stages @ @ @ @ @ would go away .
Trump announced he and his wife , Melania , tested positive @ @ @ @ @ on Friday • From miracle cures to slowing testing : how Trump has defied science @ @ @ @ @

Two days before announcing he had contracted Covid-19, Donald Trump tossed two campaign baseball caps into the crowd with his bare hands while at a rally in Duluth, Minnesota.
The venue was crowded with hundreds of supporters on Wednesday and Trump, who did not wear a face mask, entered the stage smiling and waving to the crowd before addressing the rally. The president frequently minimised the seriousness of the pandemic in its early stages and has repeatedly predicted it would go away.
Trump announced he and his wife, Melania, tested positive for Covid-19 in a tweet on Friday


theguardian--2020-10-03--Tweets wishing for Trump's death violate Twitter policy, company says

Twitter has said that tweets wishing for Donald Trump ’ s death in the wake of the president ’ s diagnosis with Covid-19 violate its policies and could result in suspension .
As Trump made his way to Walter Reed medical center for treatment on Friday , many people on Twitter , including his opponent Joe Biden , wished him a speedy recovery .
However many others did the opposite , saying they hope he dies from the virus , which has killed more than 200,000 people in the United States under his leadership while he repeatedly downplayed the severity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform confirmed in a tweet Friday that doing so violates Twitter ’ s “ Abusive Behavior policy ” , which prohibits tweets “ wishing or hoping serious harm on a person or group of people ” .
“ Tweets that wish or hope for death , serious bodily harm or fatal disease against anyone are not allowed and will need to be removed , ” the company said in a tweet .
A spokesman told the Guardian this policy has been in place since April and applies to all users , not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise to many Twitter users , especially people in marginalized communities who say they frequently experience abuse on the platform .
Evan Greer said that as a trans woman and the primary spokesperson for the digital rights organization Fight For the Future , she receives death threats on a “ weekly , sometimes daily basis ” .
“ The decision to suddenly enforce this policy underscores that centralizing content moderation decisions with Big Tech monopolies will always protect the powerful and silence the marginalized , ” she said .
A spokesperson from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users but will not act on every tweet .
“ We ’ re prioritizing the removal of content when it has a clear call to action that could potentially cause real-world harm , ” the spokesperson told the publication .
In light of the rule refresher , some people are finding creative ways around it , tweeting censored versions of the sentiment .
Many people on Twitter described the policy as hypocritical , and pointed out that some users regularly receive death threats with little response from Twitter .
Facebook ’ s rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wish death upon someone as long as that person is a public figure and they are not tagged in the post .
In other words , it ’ s OK to post that you want Trump to die as long as you do not expose Trump himself to “ calls for death , serious disease , epidemic disease , or disability ” .

Twitter has said that tweets wishing for Donald Trump’s death in the wake of the president’s diagnosis with Covid-19 violate its policies and could result in suspension.
As Trump made his way to Walter Reed medical center for treatment on Friday, many people on Twitter, including his opponent Joe Biden, wished him a speedy recovery. However many others did the opposite, saying they hope he dies from the virus, which has killed more than 200,000 people in the United States under his leadership while he repeatedly downplayed the severity of the disease.
The social media platform confirmed in a tweet Friday that doing so violates Twitter’s “Abusive Behavior policy”, which prohibits tweets “wishing or hoping serious harm on a person or group of people”.
“Tweets that wish or hope for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against anyone are not allowed and will need to be removed,” the company said in a tweet. A spokesman told the Guardian this policy has been in place since April and applies to all users, not just Trump.
The announcement came as a surprise to many Twitter users, especially people in marginalized communities who say they frequently experience abuse on the platform. Evan Greer said that as a trans woman and the primary spokesperson for the digital rights organization Fight For the Future, she receives death threats on a “weekly, sometimes daily basis”.
“The decision to suddenly enforce this policy underscores that centralizing content moderation decisions with Big Tech monopolies will always protect the powerful and silence the marginalized,” she said.
A spokesperson from the company told Motherboard it is suspending some users but will not act on every tweet.
“We’re prioritizing the removal of content when it has a clear call to action that could potentially cause real-world harm,” the spokesperson told the publication. In light of the rule refresher, some people are finding creative ways around it, tweeting censored versions of the sentiment.
Many people on Twitter described the policy as hypocritical, and pointed out that some users regularly receive death threats with little response from Twitter.
Facebook’s rules differ slightly: users can express that they wish death upon someone as long as that person is a public figure and they are not tagged in the post. In other words, it’s OK to post that you want Trump to die as long as you do not expose Trump himself to “calls for death, serious disease, epidemic disease, or disability”.


theguardian--2020-10-03--Donald Trump hospitalized following Covid-19 diagnosis – live

What we know and don ’ t know about Trump ’ s coronavirus There are many unanswered questions surrounding Donald Trump ’ s Covid-19 diagnosis and treatment .
The Associated Press has a great breakdown of what we know about Trump ’ s case of coronavirus , and what we still don ’ t know .
What symptoms does he have ?
The White House officially has given few details , except that he had a fever and was fatigued .
How is he being treated ?
Trump ’ s physician , Dr Sean Conley , said Friday doctors were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; vitamin D ; famotidine , which is typically used to treat heartburn and acid reflux ; the sleep aid melatonin ; and an aspirin .
And while he said initially that Trump planned to stay at the White House , the White House announced late Friday afternoon Trump instead would be working from “ presidential offices ” at Walter Reed .
When did Trump know he had been exposed ?
That question is important to answering whether the president continued his campaign events and other activities despite knowing he might be infecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House was adequately transparent about Trump ’ s illness .
White House officials say they learned of adviser Hope Hicks ’ positive test results for the coronavirus Thursday , after Trump boarded the Marine One helicopter for a private fundraiser in New Jersey .
But Trump went ahead with the trip and the fundraiser .
He told Fox News that evening he was being tested .
Just before 1am Friday , he tweeted that he and the first lady , Melania Trump , had tested positive .
We don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of possible suspects .
Trump , who typically shuns masks , was around hundreds if not thousands of people this week , traveling to a campaign rally , his golf club , the presidential debate , fundraisers and meetings with people involved in his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court .
Hicks , one of Trump ’ s closest advisers , fell ill with the coronavirus Wednesday while accompanying Trump to a fundraiser in Minnesota , officials say .
It ’ s not clear if her case is related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Lee , a Utah Republican who was at the White House last weekend , announced Friday he had tested positive .
The White House medical unit is slated to trace the president ’ s contacts .

Lois Beckett (now), and Joan E Greve and Martin Belam (earlier)

3 Oct 2020 05.14 BST Evening summary: coronavirus in the Rose Garden It has been an extraordinary 24 hours in American politics, and the next few days are unlikely to be much calmer. You can continue to follow US political updates on our global coronavirus blog, helmed by my colleague Christopher Knaus in Australia. Here’s the highlights of today’s developments. Less than a day after announcing he had tested positive for Covid-19, T rump was hospitalized at Walter Reed medical center , where officials said he would spend the next few days.
, where officials said he would spend the next few days. Trump walked himself to the helicopter that transported him to the hospital, and White House officials said he was doing well and would be staying at the hospital out of “an abundance of caution”.
The White House said late Friday night that Trump was being treated with remdesivir. Trump tweeted that it was “going well”.
Trump tweeted that it was “going well”. It’s still not clear how and when Trump was infected with coronavirus, but a White House Rose Garden event last Saturday announcing Amy Coney Barrett as Trump’s supreme court nominee emerged as a key moment, with at least seven people at the event later announcing they had tested positive for coronavirus.
event last Saturday announcing emerged as a key moment, with at least at the event later announcing they had tested positive for coronavirus. Republican senators Thom Tillis and Mike Lee, both members of the Senate judiciary committee, said they had tested positive for coronavirus, raising questions about the scheduled confirmation hearing process for Barrett, which is scheduled to begin in 10 days. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, said early Friday that he intended to move along with the confirmation process.
and both members of the Senate judiciary committee, said they had tested positive for coronavirus, raising questions about the scheduled confirmation hearing process for Barrett, which is scheduled to begin in 10 days. The Senate majority leader, said early Friday that he intended to move along with the confirmation process. Melania Trump, Kellyanne Conway, the Notre Dame president, John Jenkins, and a White House reporter also tested positive after the Rose Garden event.
the Notre Dame president, and a also tested positive after the Rose Garden event. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said the country needed to unite in the face of Trump’s illness. Biden’s campaign said it would be suspending negative ads about Trump, but that Biden would continue campaigning for the time being. Trump’s campaign said it would still run negative ads about Biden.
said the country needed to unite in the face of Trump’s illness. Biden’s campaign said it would be suspending negative ads about Trump, but that Biden would continue campaigning for the time being. Trump’s campaign said it would still run negative ads about Biden. There are still many questions about how many other workers and employees may have been exposed to coronavirus by the president or his inner circle, including secret service members, White House reporters, and staffers at the president’s campaign fundraiser in New Jersey on Thursday night.
Updated at 05.20 BST
3 Oct 2020 04.42 BST Trump tweets that his hospitalization is ‘going well’ It is nearly midnight in Washington, DC, but the president, who ihospitalized with coronavirus, appears to be awake. Going welI, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2020
3 Oct 2020 04.23 BST Scrutinizing the timeline of Trump’s coronavirus contacts As we learn more about the people exposed to Trump over the past few days, his choice to fly to a fundraiser in New Jersey on Thursday night is likely to attract more scrutiny. Trump had gone ahead to the Bedminster fundraiser, saying nothing to the crowd though knowing he had been exposed to an aide with the disease that has infected millions in America and killed more than a million people worldwide. https://t.co/7f76kHl6hN — Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) October 2, 2020
3 Oct 2020 04.17 BST More video of Trump allies who now have coronavirus mingling at Rose Garden event Few masks, no social distancing. Here's Kellyanne Conway (covid-19+) with Attorney General Bill Barr at the tail end of the White House "super spreader" event (attended by several others who've also tested positive, including 2 U.S. senators) pic.twitter.com/cnrmbzZoLg — Dell Cameron (@dellcam) October 3, 2020
3 Oct 2020 04.12 BST Secret Service agents reportedly furious at Trump's behavior during pandemic Secret Service agents almost never complain about the president. It’s “unheard of,” the Washington Post reports. But now, current agents’ frustration at Trump’s behavior during the coronavirus pandemic is seeping out into public view. “Some currently in the ranks had become convinced during the pandemic that Trump was willing to put his protectors in harm’s way,” the Post reports, noting that some agents feel like he has put the people sworn to protect him in harm’s way. “He’s never cared about us,” one agent told a friend, the Post reports. Another said in an internal message group: “This administration doesn’t care about the Secret Service.” “Secret Service agents expressed their anger and frustration to colleagues and friends Friday, saying that the president’s actions have repeatedly put them at risk. “He’s never cared about us,” one agent told a confidant.” https://t.co/zP6RQpxdF2 — Travis Akers (@travisakers) October 3, 2020 The husband of former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, who just announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus after attending a Rose Garden event, used the news story to suggest his own feelings about his wife’s announcement. I can relate https://t.co/OUy6ILCuNo — George Conway (@gtconway3d) October 3, 2020
Updated at 04.14 BST
3 Oct 2020 03.58 BST Was the announcement of Trump’s supreme court nominee a super-spreader event? Confirmed cases linked to Saturday’s Rose Garden event are rising. The event was Trump’s formal announcement that he was nominating Amy Coney Barrett to fill progressive champion Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s seat on the supreme court. Ginsberg, who died on 18 September, had made clear that she believed her replacement should not be confirmed until after the 2020 election. Amy Coney Barratt’s Rose Garden speech as super-spreader event is just hauntingly on-the-nose on about 15 different levels. — Rebecca Traister (@rtraister) October 3, 2020
Updated at 04.13 BST
3 Oct 2020 03.41 BST Rose Garden ceremony linked to at least seven confirmed coronavirus cases Politico has made a visual guide to the growing number of Trump officials and allies who have tested positive for coronavirus since attending a crowded Rose Garden ceremony last Saturday announcing Amy Coney Barrett as Trump’s supreme court nominee. Many of those who have since announced they tested positive for the virus were seated close together. Melania, Sen. Mike Lee and the Rev. John Jenkins, all of who have tested positive for Covid-19, were in close proximity to senators and White House officials at last Saturday's ACB announcement. https://t.co/FuaOoez2e2 pic.twitter.com/IAoWDXNMtI — Taylor Spooky Thomas 👻 (@tmthomasdc) October 2, 2020 As Huffington Post’s Igor Bobic notes, the chairs for the ceremony were not even spaced out. All they had to do is distance the chairs. They couldn’t even do the bare minimum. People should be fired over this. People would be fired over this in a normal admin. https://t.co/u73aoYQqa4 — Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) October 3, 2020
Updated at 04.07 BST
3 Oct 2020 03.30 BST Little transparency, many questions as coronavirus cases mount in Washington Within 24 hours, Trump announced he had tested positive for coronavirus, then announced he was going to be hospitalized for several days. Key players in the government received no warning about the president’s condition. Top leaders of Congress have had no briefing about Trump’s health. Gang of Eight hasn’t been notified about his health or informed about his transfer to Walter Reed, per multiple sources. Trump had called some of his Hill allies early today, like McConnell and Graham — Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 2, 2020 NEWS: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was NOT informed of President Trump’s planned movement to Walter Reed, a Democratic aide tells @kasie.
She has not had any further conversations about continuity of government planning with the White House in the intervening hours, the aide said. — Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) October 2, 2020 Chris Christie, just now on ABC, says he has "not been contacted by the White House" re covid/contact tracing. Says he found out about Hicks's diagnosis through media reports last night... went this a.m. in NJ to get a test. Will receive results first thing Sat a.m.... — Al Weaver (@alweaver22) October 2, 2020 And, at a moment of deep uncertainty for the country and for the 2020 election, the Trump administration has a consistent record of making statements that are not true. “A crisis of confidence that has been building for four years,” as journalist Abby Phillip put it. A crisis of confidence that has been building for 4 years. https://t.co/gOBfqiFDSt — Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) October 2, 2020
3 Oct 2020 03.24 BST Kellyanne Conway has tested positive for Covid-19, says symptoms are ‘mild’ She is the seventh person at the Rose Garden event announcing Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the supreme court to confirm she has tested positive for coronavirus. Tonight I tested positive for COVID-19. My symptoms are mild (light cough) and I’m feeling fine. I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians.
As always, my heart is with everyone affected by this global pandemic. ❤ — Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) October 3, 2020 Kellyanne was seated almost at the exact center of the triangle formed by Sen. Mike Lee, Melania Trump and Rev. Jenkins — all of whom tested positive earlier today. https://t.co/m3u88qDyPQ https://t.co/wm2SesZ4if pic.twitter.com/RLOfrIhGj0 — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) October 3, 2020
Updated at 03.30 BST
3 Oct 2020 02.50 BST ‘I’m just not’ worried about getting coronavirus, Trump told Woodward in April New audio recording from Trump’s 13 April interview with journalist Bob Woodward includes Trump explaining why, despite the risks he was taking, he was “just not” worried about getting coronavirus. “I don’t know why I’m not. I’m not,” Trump said. "You're risking getting it..." said Woodward. "The way you move around and have those briefings and deal with people. Are you worried about that?"
"No, I'm not. I don't know why I'm not. I'm not," Trump said
"Why?" Woodward asked.
"I don't know," Trump said. "I'm just not.” https://t.co/XQqAdTRAAc — Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 2, 2020
Updated at 03.14 BST
3 Oct 2020 02.44 BST Vice-presidential candidates will debate while 12ft apart NEWS: in light of today’s events, commission on presidential debates has moved the chairs at the VP debate from 7 feet apart to 12 feet apart. Pence and Harris will be sitting down, per person familiar — Alex Isenstadt (@politicoalex) October 3, 2020
Updated at 03.15 BST
3 Oct 2020 02.40 BST 11 coronavirus cases linked to presidential debate in Cleveland Everyone agreed: the first 2020 presidential debate was a mess. And that was before it became clear that a growing number of debate attendees had been diagnosed with coronavirus. Cleveland city officials announced earlier today that they had confirmed at least 11 cases of coronavirus connected with the presidential debate held there on Tuesday. “In total, at this time, we are aware of 11 cases stemming from pre-debate planning and set-up, with the majority of cases occurring among out of state residents,” a press release said. “At this time, though that could change, no City residents appear to have contracted the virus as a result of this event.” At least 11 positive coronavirus tests can be traced to organizers of this week's presidential debate in Cleveland. https://t.co/A65t6y0ZBN — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 3, 2020 Ohio’s Democratic state house minority leader tweeted earlier today about her frustration with the debate attendees, including members of Trump’s family, who refused to wear masks. Tuesday evening, I attended the presidential debate. All attendees were required to get tested for COVID as a condition of attendance. Before the event started a Cleveland clinic doctor offered masks to attendees who were not wearing them. They refused. pic.twitter.com/a4z0Bs87iE — Emilia Sykes (@EmiliaSykesOH) October 2, 2020
3 Oct 2020 02.19 BST Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle say they tested negative for COVID-19 Per Fox News reporter Bill Hemmer: NEW: Donald Trump Jr and Kimberly Guilfoyle - who attended Tuesday nights debate with President Trump in Cleveland - say testing results tonight came back negative. — BILL HEMMER (@BillHemmer) October 3, 2020
3 Oct 2020 02.06 BST Will Covid-19 diagnoses delay confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett? Ten days before a contentious and divisive supreme court Senate hearing, two GOP senators have tested positive for Covid-19 The confirmation hearings for Trump’s supreme court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, are slated to begin on 12 October. Two Republican members of the Senate judiciary committee have just been diagnosed with Covid-19. (They are among six people at a crowded White House Rose Garden ceremony for Barrett that have already tested positive for the virus.) Ahead of SCOTUS headings, the second Republican senator on the Judiciary Committee to test positive https://t.co/4Ciqj8ue3D — Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) October 3, 2020 The Democratic Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, is now calling to delay the confirmation hearings for Barrett.
“It is irresponsible and dangerous to move forward with a hearing, and there is absolutely no good reason to do so,” Schumer wrote on Twitter.
We now have two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who have tested positive for COVID, and there may be more. I wish my colleagues well.
It is irresponsible and dangerous to move forward with a hearing, and there is absolutely no good reason to do so. — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 3, 2020 Huffington Post reports that the two GOP senators are instead planning to quarantine for 10 days, rather than 14, which would mean they would be out of quarantine by the beginning of the scheduled hearing. Tillis, like Lee, says he’s going to quarantine for only 10 days and not 14. Barrett’s confirmation hearing is supposed to start in 10 days. — Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) October 3, 2020 The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, wrote earlier today that the hearings should proceed despite Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis. Just finished a great phone call with @POTUS. He’s in good spirits and we talked business — especially how impressed Senators are with the qualifications of Judge Barrett. Full steam ahead with the fair, thorough, timely process that the nominee, the Court, & the country deserve. — Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) October 2, 2020
Updated at 09.14 BST
3 Oct 2020 01.49 BST Twitter says it will remove tweets expressing hope that Trump dies of coronavirus The social media company said that “this does not automatically mean suspension” for users that tweet about hoping that Trump dies. tweets that wish or hope for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against *anyone* are not allowed and will need to be removed. this does not automatically mean suspension. https://t.co/lQ8wWGL2y0 https://t.co/P2vGfUeUQf — Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) October 2, 2020
3 Oct 2020 01.38 BST Another GOP senator at Rose Garden even for Supreme Court nominee tests positive This brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases among attendees at the event to six, CNN reporter Betsy Klein notes. Thom Tillis, another Republican Senator in attendance at the Rose Garden tests positive — pic.twitter.com/JxxgV5VfoN — Emily Cochrane (@ESCochrane) October 3, 2020 At least six people who were in attendance at the Saturday Rose Garden event nominating Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court have tested positive: POTUS, FLOTUS, Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Mike Lee, Notre Dame president Rev. John Jenkins, and one of the members of the press corps. — Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) October 3, 2020
3 Oct 2020 01.32 BST What we know and don’t know about Trump’s coronavirus There are many unanswered questions surrounding Donald Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis and treatment. The Associated Press has a great breakdown of what we know about Trump’s case of coronavirus, and what we still don’t know. What symptoms does he have? The White House officially has given few details, except that he had a fever and was fatigued. How is he being treated? Trump’s physician, Dr Sean Conley, said Friday doctors were providing Trump with an experimental antibody cocktail; vitamin D; famotidine, which is typically used to treat heartburn and acid reflux; the sleep aid melatonin; and an aspirin. And while he said initially that Trump planned to stay at the White House, the White House announced late Friday afternoon Trump instead would be working from “presidential offices” at Walter Reed. When did Trump know he had been exposed? That question is important to answering whether the president continued his campaign events and other activities despite knowing he might be infecting others, and to knowing whether the White House was adequately transparent about Trump’s illness. White House officials say they learned of adviser Hope Hicks’ positive test results for the coronavirus Thursday, after Trump boarded the Marine One helicopter for a private fundraiser in New Jersey. But Trump went ahead with the trip and the fundraiser. He told Fox News that evening he was being tested. Just before 1am Friday, he tweeted that he and the first lady, Melania Trump, had tested positive. Who infected Trump? We don’t know, although there’s no shortage of possible suspects. Trump, who typically shuns masks, was around hundreds if not thousands of people this week, traveling to a campaign rally, his golf club, the presidential debate, fundraisers and meetings with people involved in his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the supreme court. Hicks, one of Trump’s closest advisers, fell ill with the coronavirus Wednesday while accompanying Trump to a fundraiser in Minnesota, officials say. It’s not clear if her case is related to the president’s. And Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican who was at the White House last weekend, announced Friday he had tested positive. The White House medical unit is slated to trace the president’s contacts.
Updated at 01.48 BST


theguardian--2020-10-02--Trump taken to hospital by helicopter after Covid diagnosis

Donald Trump will spend a “ few days ” at a military hospital after contracting Covid-19 , the White House said on Friday , a move set to fuel concerns that his condition is more serious than previously thought .
At 6.20pm on a day of turbulence even by the standards of the Trump White House , the US president departed by helicopter for Walter Reed national military medical center .
Wearing a face mask and suit and walking normally , Trump gave reporters a thumbs-up and a short wave but did not stop to talk .
He saluted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his right hand on the walkway up to Marine One .
He was followed by his chief of staff , Mark Meadows , and other staff – sharing the confined space of the helicopter despite Trump ’ s infection .
Ten minutes later , the president disembarked at the grounds of Walter Reed , saluted and climbed into a vehicle .
Even as Trump was travelling , a video was posted to his Twitter account in which the president made his first public remarks since testing positive .
Standing before a fireplace in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tie , the president addressed the camera directly , saying : “ I want to thank everybody for the tremendous support .
I ’ m going to Walter Reed hospital .
I think I ’ m doing very well but we ’ re going to make sure that things work out .
“ The first lady is doing very well .
So thank you very much , I appreciate it , I will never forget , thank you.
” It was the most dramatic hospitalisation of a US president since Ronald Reagan survived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Washington hotel in 1981 .
Officials insisted it was a precautionary step and that Trump would work from the hospital ’ s presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties .
Alyssa Farah , the administration ’ s communications director , sought to calm fears over Trump ’ s condition , tweeted that he “ is in good spirts , has mild symptoms , and has been working throughout the day ” .
But she added : “ Out of an abundance of caution , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical experts , he will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.
” Sean Conley , his physician , said in a letter that Trump has been given the experimental antibody drug Regeneron , and he has been taking zinc , vitamin D , an antacid , melatonin and a daily aspirin .
Conley said Trump is “ fatigued but remains in good spirits ” , and is being “ evaluated by a team of experts ” .
Media reports suggested that Trump has a low-grade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lady , Melania Trump , who also tested positive , “ remains well ” with “ only a mild cough and headache ” .
The rest of the Trump family has tested negative .
But critics demanded greater transparency and suggested that the administration ’ s record offers cause for scepticism .
In 2018 , doctor Ronny Jackson claimed that Trump has “ great genes ” and , with a healthier diet , “ might live to be 200 years old ” .
Last November , Trump paid an unannounced visit to Walter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grisham , told reporters that the president was “ taking advantage of a free weekend ” to “ begin portions of his routine annual physical exam ” .
But he did not return for the second part and no report was released .
And on Thursday this week , the White House did not disclose that senior aide Hope Hicks had tested positive until its hand was forced by a journalist .
As a 74-year-old male who is overweight , Trump is regarded as belonging to a high-risk category .
There was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mike Pence , the vice-president , who has tested negative .
But Trump has been forced to suspend rallies and other events in his campaign for re-election , just a month away .
His effort to shift attention from the virus to the economy or a supreme court vacancy has suffered a massive body blow .
His opponent , Democrat Joe Biden , who has tested negative , campaigned in Grand Rapids , Michigan , on Friday and sent well wishes for Trump and Melania .
“ Jill and I pray that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery , ” he said .
“ This is not a matter of politics .
It is a bracing reminder for all of us that we must take this virus seriously .
It is not going away.
” Former president Barack Obama tweeted his hopes that the Trumps make “ a speedy recovery ” , adding : “ Obviously , we ’ re in the midst of a big political battle right now , and while there ’ s a lot at stake , let ’ s remember that we ’ re all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beings .
And we want everyone to be healthy , no matter our party.
” Trump has spent much of the year downplaying the virus , which has infected more than 7m Americans and killed in excess of 200,000 .
He long refused to wear a face mask and told a rally even at this week ’ s debate , mocked Biden for doing so .
On Thursday he attended a campaign fundraiser at his Bedminster , New Jersey , golf club after he learned that his senior aide Hope Hicks had tested @ @

Donald Trump began his first full day in hospital on Saturday as he battles the coronavirus, while a host of other White House and congressional figures announced they had tested positive, and the presidential election was thrown into chaos.
The president was flown to a military hospital on Friday evening after contracting Covid-19, a move set to fuel concerns that his condition is more serious than previously thought.
The White House said Friday that the president will spend “a few days” at the Walter Reed Medical Center.
At 6.20pm on a day of turbulence even by the standards of the Trump White House, the US president departed by helicopter for the hospital. Wearing a face mask and suit and walking normally, Trump gave reporters a thumbs-up and a short wave but did not stop to talk. He saluted a marine officer and patted a rail with his right hand on the walkway up to Marine One.
He was followed by his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and other staff – sharing the confined space of the helicopter despite Trump’s infection.
Ten minutes later, the president disembarked at the grounds of Walter Reed, saluted and climbed into a vehicle.
Even as Trump was travelling, a video was posted to his Twitter account in which the president made his first public remarks since testing positive.
Standing before a fireplace in a suit, white shirt and blue tie, the president addressed the camera directly, saying: “I want to thank everybody for the tremendous support. I’m going to Walter Reed hospital. I think I’m doing very well but we’re going to make sure that things work out.
“The first lady is doing very well. So thank you very much, I appreciate it, I will never forget, thank you.”
It was the most dramatic hospitalisation of a US president since Ronald Reagan survived a would-be assassin’s bullet outside a Washington hotel in 1981.
Officials insisted it was a precautionary step and that Trump would work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties.
Alyssa Farah, the administration’s communications director, sought to calm fears over Trump’s condition, tweeted that he “is in good spirits, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day”.
But she added: “Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, he will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.”
Sean Conley, his physician, said in a letter that Trump has been given the experimental antibody drug Regeneron, and he has been taking zinc, vitamin D, antacid, melatonin and a daily aspirin.
Later Conley said the president “did not require any supplemental oxygen” and had begun taking Remdesivir, an antiviral drug that has shown promise in treating coronavirus.
Secret Service agents wearing protective face masks standby as Donald Trump departs from the South Lawn. Photograph: Sarah Silbiger/EPA
Conley said Trump is “fatigued but remains in good spirits”, and is being “evaluated by a team of experts”. Media reports suggested that Trump has a low-grade fever.
Conley added that the first lady, Melania Trump, who also tested positive, “remains well” with “only a mild cough and headache”. The rest of the Trump family has tested negative.
But critics demanded greater transparency and suggested that the administration’s record offers cause for scepticism. In 2018, doctor Ronny Jackson claimed that Trump has “great genes” and, with a healthier diet, “might live to be 200 years old”.
Last November, Trump paid an unannounced visit to Walter Reed. His press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, told reporters that the president was “taking advantage of a free weekend” to “begin portions of his routine annual physical exam”. But he did not return for the second part and no report was released.
And on Thursday this week, the White House did not disclose that senior aide Hope Hicks had tested positive until its hand was forced by a journalist.
Meanwhile, a scramble is now underway to discover how far the virus may have spread among those in Trump’s orbit.
Attention is focusing on a ceremony held at the Rose Garden on Saturday, at which Trump announced his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the vacant supreme court seat. Two Republican senators, Thom Tillis and Mike Lee, announced Friday they had tested positive for the virus, as did the president of Notre Dame University, John Jenkins. Kellyanne Conway, a former counsellor to the president, also announced she had tested positive – the seventh person who attended the event to do so.
As a 74-year-old male who is overweight, Trump is regarded as belonging to a high-risk category. There was no indication that he has considered transferring power to Mike Pence, the vice-president, who has tested negative.
02:54 Biden: Trump's diagnosis is a 'bracing reminder' of the seriousness of Covid – video
But Trump has been forced to suspend rallies and other events in his campaign for re-election, just a month away. His effort to shift attention from the virus to the economy or a supreme court vacancy has suffered a massive body blow.
His opponent, Democrat Joe Biden, who has tested negative, campaigned in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Friday and sent well wishes for Trump and Melania. “Jill and I pray that they will make a quick and full recovery,” he said.
“This is not a matter of politics. It is a bracing reminder for all of us that we must take this virus seriously. It is not going away.”
Former president Barack Obama tweeted his hopes that the Trumps make “a speedy recovery”, adding: “Obviously, we’re in the midst of a big political battle right now, and while there’s a lot at stake, let’s remember that we’re all Americans. We’re all human beings. And we want everyone to be healthy, no matter our party.”
Trump has spent much of the year downplaying the virus, which has infected more than 7 million Americans and killed in excess of 200,000.
He long refused to wear a face mask and, even at this week’s debate, mocked Biden for doing so. On Thursday he attended a campaign fundraiser at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club after he learned that Hicks had tested positive.
Lois Beckett contributed reporting


theguardian--2020-10-02--Donald Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star vandalized again

Donald Trump ’ s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been severely vandalized again , the Los Angeles police department has confirmed .
At 5.55am PST on Friday morning , officers responded to a call regarding the vandalism and took a report on the scene , a spokesman confirmed .
He said the police department could not say how much estimated damage was caused .
The celebrity news outlet TMZ reported that a man dressed as the Incredible Hulk took a pickaxe to the star , “ destroying it beyond recognition ” .
Images show the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the sidewalk , which is made of terrazzo clay and brass .
The LAPD could not confirm whether the star was destroyed by the Incredible Hulk .
The destruction comes hours after Trump announced on Twitter that he and the first lady had contracted Covid-19 .
It is unclear whether the star ’ s destruction was related to the new diagnosis .
This is not the first time anti-Trump sentiment has been taken out on the president ’ s Hollywood star .
It has been defaced many times since he entered office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it off and scrub the defacements .
There was a separate pickaxe incident in 2018 , a sledgehammer destroyed it in 2016 , and it was covered in Black Lives Matter-related slogans in June 2020 .
An artist once placed a miniature wall around it to protest against Trump ’ s immigration policies .
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce , which administers the Walk of Stars , said any star that is vandalized is replaced by the Hollywood Historic Trust , the non-profit , non-partisan group that manages it .
“ When people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize a California state landmark , ” said Rana Ghadban , the Chamber of Commerce ’ s chief executive officer .
“ Our democracy is based on respect for the law .
People can make a real difference by voting and not destroying public property .
”

Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has been severely vandalized again, the Los Angeles police department has confirmed.
At 5.55am PST on Friday morning, officers responded to a call regarding the vandalism and took a report on the scene, a spokesman confirmed. He said the police department could not say how much estimated damage was caused.
The celebrity news outlet TMZ reported that a man dressed as the Incredible Hulk took a pickaxe to the star, “destroying it beyond recognition”. Images show the president’s name has been nearly completely removed from the sidewalk, which is made of terrazzo clay and brass. The LAPD could not confirm whether the star was destroyed by the Incredible Hulk.
The destruction comes hours after Trump announced on Twitter that he and the first lady had contracted Covid-19. It is unclear whether the star’s destruction was related to the new diagnosis.
This is not the first time anti-Trump sentiment has been taken out on the president’s Hollywood star. It has been defaced many times since he entered office, while supporters frequently attempt to clean it off and scrub the defacements. There was a separate pickaxe incident in 2018, a sledgehammer destroyed it in 2016, and it was covered in Black Lives Matter-related slogans in June 2020. An artist once placed a miniature wall around it to protest against Trump’s immigration policies.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which administers the Walk of Stars, said any star that is vandalized is replaced by the Hollywood Historic Trust, the non-profit, non-partisan group that manages it.
“When people are angry with one of our honorees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize a California state landmark,” said Rana Ghadban, the Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive officer. “Our democracy is based on respect for the law. People can make a real difference by voting and not destroying public property.”