theguardian--2020-08-27--Kamala Harris assails Donald Trump's 'reckless disregard' for American people

Kamala Harris launched a withering attack on Donald Trump ’ s leadership hours before he will accept his party ’ s re-nomination on Thursday , accusing the president of demonstrating a “ reckless disregard ” for the American people in his handling of the untamed coronavirus pandemic .
Speaking from an auditorium at George Washington University , Harris , a California senator who last week became the first woman of color to accept the vice-presidential nomination of a major party , unfurled a wide-ranging offensive against Trump to address what she said was “ a reality completely absent from this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Republican convention is designed for one purpose : to soothe Donald Trump ’ s ego , to make him feel good , ” Harris said .
“ But here ’ s the thing : he ’ s the president of the United States , and it ’ s not supposed to be about him .
It ’ s supposed to be about the health and the safety and the wellbeing of the American people.
” “ On that measure , ” she continued , “ Donald Trump has failed.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailed Trump ’ s response to the pandemic from his early praise of the Chinese government to his focus on the stock market .
“ Right at the moment we needed him to be tough on the Chinese government , he caved , ” she said .
“ Instead of rising to meet the most difficult moment of his presidency , Donald Trump froze .
He was scared , and he was petty and he was vindictive.
” She continued : “ He got it wrong from the beginning and then he got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences have been catastrophic.
” During their four-day convention , Republicans have made few references to the pandemic , even as the death toll rises to 180,000 .
Instead , they sought to portray the president as a superhero figure , whose strong leadership will “ make America great again , again ” as Vice-President Mike Pence vowed .
Harris , who marched alongside Black Lives Matter protesters earlier this year , also opened her remarks on Thursday by addressing the shooting of Jacob Blake , a 29-year-old Black man , by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an incident captured on camera .
Attorneys say Blake is paralyzed and fighting for his life .
“ The shots fired at Mr Blake pierced the soul of our nation , ” she said , paraphrasing Biden .
“ It ’ s sickening to watch .
It ’ s all too familiar .
And it must end.
” Harris invoked Blake ’ s name , repeating the circumstances of his shooting for emphasis – “ shot seven times , in the back ” .
She also spoke the names of other Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery .
While condemning violence that has transpired in Kenosha , Harris said Black Americans were “ rightfully angry ” and praised the Blake family , who she spoke with on Wednesday , for appealing for peace even as they seek justice .
“ It ’ s no wonder people are taking to the streets , and I support them , ” she said , adding : “ Make no mistake we will not let these vigilantes and extremists derail the path to justice.
” The Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of national guard troops in Kenosha after a white 17-year-old was charged on Wednesday with killing two protesters and injuring a third .
Identifying the mounting crises – from the raging wildfires in California and the hurricane ripping across Louisiana , to the spate of police killings of Black Americans and a rising death toll from the coronavirus – Harris closed her speech by asking Americans to judge Trump on his performance .
“ We all know , he ’ s not changing .
The president he has been is the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But we have a chance to right these wrongs , and put America on a better path .
”

Kamala Harris launched a withering attack on Donald Trump’s leadership hours before he will accept his party’s re-nomination on Thursday, accusing the president of demonstrating a “reckless disregard” for the American people in his handling of the untamed coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking from an auditorium at George Washington University, Harris, a California senator who last week became the first woman of color to accept the vice-presidential nomination of a major party, unfurled a wide-ranging offensive against Trump to address what she said was “a reality completely absent from this week’s Republican national convention”.
“The Republican convention is designed for one purpose: to soothe Donald Trump’s ego, to make him feel good,” Harris said. “But here’s the thing: he’s the president of the United States, and it’s not supposed to be about him. It’s supposed to be about the health and the safety and the wellbeing of the American people.”
“On that measure,” she continued, “Donald Trump has failed.”
Harris, a former prosecutor, methodically detailed Trump’s response to the pandemic from his early praise of the Chinese government to his focus on the stock market.
“Right at the moment we needed him to be tough on the Chinese government, he caved,” she said. “Instead of rising to meet the most difficult moment of his presidency, Donald Trump froze. He was scared, and he was petty and he was vindictive.”
She continued: “He got it wrong from the beginning and then he got it wrong again and again and the consequences have been catastrophic.”
During their four-day convention, Republicans have made few references to the pandemic, even as the death toll rises to 180,000. Instead, they sought to portray the president as a superhero figure, whose strong leadership will “make America great again, again” as Vice-President Mike Pence vowed.
Harris, who marched alongside Black Lives Matter protesters earlier this year, also opened her remarks on Thursday by addressing the shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, by a white officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in an incident captured on camera. Attorneys say Blake is paralyzed and fighting for his life.
“The shots fired at Mr Blake pierced the soul of our nation,” she said, paraphrasing Biden. “It’s sickening to watch. It’s all too familiar. And it must end.”
Harris invoked Blake’s name, repeating the circumstances of his shooting for emphasis – “shot seven times, in the back”. She also spoke the names of other Black Americans killed this summer, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
While condemning violence that has transpired in Kenosha, Harris said Black Americans were “rightfully angry” and praised the Blake family, who she spoke with on Wednesday, for appealing for peace even as they seek justice.
“It’s no wonder people are taking to the streets, and I support them,” she said, adding: “Make no mistake we will not let these vigilantes and extremists derail the path to justice.”
The Wisconsin governor, Tony Evers, increased the number of national guard troops in Kenosha after a white 17-year-old was charged on Wednesday with killing two protesters and injuring a third.
Identifying the mounting crises – from the raging wildfires in California and the hurricane ripping across Louisiana, to the spate of police killings of Black Americans and a rising death toll from the coronavirus – Harris closed her speech by asking Americans to judge Trump on his performance.
“We all know, he’s not changing. The president he has been is the president he will be,” she said. “But we have a chance to right these wrongs, and put America on a better path.”


theguardian--2020-08-27--Mike Pence vows to 'make America great again, again' in RNC speech – as it happened

That ’ s it from us tonight .
The Guardian team will be back tomorrow for the final night of the Republican convention .
Here are the key takeaways of the night : • Mike Pence delivered a dark message about his Democratic opponents to push Americans to support Donald Trump .
“ The hard truth is you won ’ t be safe in Joe Biden ’ s America , ” the vice-president said , echoing a Trump campaign ad .
“ President Trump set our nation on a path to freedom and opportunity from the very first day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America on a path of socialism and decline.
” That message seemed odd given the Democratic nominee is not a socialist and the country ’ s unemployment rate is currently 10.2 % , which would seem to contradict Pence ’ s praise of the opportunity available under Trump ’ s leadership .
• The night included few mentions of the police shooting of Jacob Blake and the resulting protests in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
In his speech , Pence reiterated Trump ’ s call for “ law and order ” , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Blake , an African American father of six who was repeatedly shot in the back by Kenosha police officers on Sunday .
“ The violence must stop , whether in Minneapolis , Portland or Kenosha , ” Pence said .
“ We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and color.
” • Republicans continued their trend of peddling falsehoods about the pandemic and Trump ’ s presidential record .
The White House press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , recounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her increased risk for breast cancer and said : “ I can tell you that this president stands by Americans with pre-existing conditions.
” In reality , the Trump administration has repeatedly tried to weaken the Affordable Care Act , which protects millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions .
• Some of the president ’ s female advisers tried to paint a picture of a compassionate , open-minded president in an apparent attempt to win over female voters .
McEnany recounted how the president called her after her mastectomy , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for putting the women in his administration “ on equal footing with the men ” .
However , the president ’ s advisers ignored the dozens of sexual misconduct allegations against Trump ( which he denies ) and his history of referring to women as “ dogs ” and “ fat pigs ” .
That record will almost certainly weigh more heavily on female voters ’ minds when they head to the polls in November .
• The unrest in Kenosha and Hurricane Laura somewhat overshadowed the third night of the convention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports leagues were announcing player strikes in response to the shooting of Blake .
News networks also interrupted convention coverage to provide updates on Hurricane Laura , a dangerous category 4 storm that is set to strike the Gulf Coast in the next several hours .
Between the intensifying protests and the potentially catastrophic hurricane , the country seemed to be paying less attention to the Republican convention .
Thanks for following along with our coverage , and remember to tune back in tomorrow for the last night of the convention , when @ @ @ @ @ @

Joan E Greve in Washington and Maanvi Singh

27 Aug 2020 06.29 BST Key takeaways from the third night of the Republican convention That’s it from us tonight. The Guardian team will be back tomorrow for the final night of the Republican convention. Here are the key takeaways of the night: Mike Pence delivered a dark message about his Democratic opponents to push Americans to support Donald Trump. “The hard truth is you won’t be safe in Joe Biden ’s America,” the vice-president said, echoing a Trump campaign ad. “President Trump set our nation on a path to freedom and opportunity from the very first day of this administration. Joe Biden would set America on a path of socialism and decline.” That message seemed odd given the Democratic nominee is not a socialist and the country’s unemployment rate is currently 10.2%, which would seem to contradict Pence’s praise of the opportunity available under Trump’s leadership.
“The hard truth is you won’t be safe in ’s America,” the vice-president said, echoing a Trump campaign ad. “President Trump set our nation on a path to freedom and opportunity from the very first day of this administration. Joe Biden would set America on a path of socialism and decline.” That message seemed odd given the Democratic nominee is not a socialist and the country’s unemployment rate is currently 10.2%, which would seem to contradict Pence’s praise of the opportunity available under Trump’s leadership. The night included few mentions of the police shooting of Jacob Blake and the resulting protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In his speech, Pence reiterated Trump’s call for “law and order”, but the vice president did not mention the name of Blake, an African American father of six who was repeatedly shot in the back by Kenosha police officers on Sunday. “The violence must stop, whether in Minneapolis, Portland or Kenosha,” Pence said. “We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and color.”
In his speech, Pence reiterated Trump’s call for “law and order”, but the vice president did not mention the name of Blake, an African American father of six who was repeatedly shot in the back by Kenosha police officers on Sunday. “The violence must stop, whether in Minneapolis, Portland or Kenosha,” Pence said. “We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and color.” Republicans continued their trend of peddling falsehoods about the pandemic and Trump’s presidential record. The White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany , recounted her experience getting a preventive mastectomy because of her increased risk for breast cancer and said: “I can tell you that this president stands by Americans with pre-existing conditions.” In reality, the Trump administration has repeatedly tried to weaken the Affordable Care Act, which protects millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions.
The White House press secretary, , recounted her experience getting a preventive mastectomy because of her increased risk for breast cancer and said: “I can tell you that this president stands by Americans with pre-existing conditions.” In reality, the Trump administration has repeatedly tried to weaken the Affordable Care Act, which protects millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions. Some of the president’s female advisers tried to paint a picture of a compassionate, open-minded president in an apparent attempt to win over female voters. McEnany recounted how the president called her after her mastectomy, and the White House adviser Kellyanne Conway applauded Trump for putting the women in his administration “on equal footing with the men”. However, the president’s advisers ignored the dozens of sexual misconduct allegations against Trump (which he denies) and his history of referring to women as “dogs” and “fat pigs”. That record will almost certainly weigh more heavily on female voters’ minds when they head to the polls in November.
McEnany recounted how the president called her after her mastectomy, and the White House adviser applauded Trump for putting the women in his administration “on equal footing with the men”. However, the president’s advisers ignored the dozens of sexual misconduct allegations against Trump (which he denies) and his history of referring to women as “dogs” and “fat pigs”. That record will almost certainly weigh more heavily on female voters’ minds when they head to the polls in November. The unrest in Kenosha and Hurricane Laura somewhat overshadowed the third night of the convention. Minutes before the convention started, more sports leagues were announcing player strikes in response to the shooting of Blake. News networks also interrupted convention coverage to provide updates on Hurricane Laura, a dangerous category 4 storm that is set to strike the Gulf Coast in the next several hours. Between the intensifying protests and the potentially catastrophic hurricane, the country seemed to be paying less attention to the Republican convention. Thanks for following along with our coverage, and remember to tune back in tomorrow for the last night of the convention, when Trump accepts the Republican nomination.
Updated at 06.31 BST
27 Aug 2020 06.20 BST Madison Cawthown, the 25-year-old congressional candidate who spoke tonight, has offered a mea culpa for falsely saying that James Madison signed the Declaration of Independence. About the Madison mistake: I ad libbed that line and meant to say James Madison was 25 when the Declaration was signed.
Arguably my favorite founder. — Madison Cawthorn (@CawthornforNC) August 27, 2020 “I was afraid the fact-checkers were going to get bored. I wanted to give them something to do,” said Cawthorn, after a night when RNC speakers unleashed such a cascade of lies and misleading claims that fact-checkers (including me) could not even fathom keeping up.
– Maanvi Singh
Updated at 06.54 BST
27 Aug 2020 06.13 BST Earlier tonight, Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, was asked why former President George W Bush and former presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who is also McDaniel’s uncle, were not included in the convention. "It's a virtual convention...the president made a decision: 'I want this to be about the American people,'" RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel says when asked why George W. Bush and Mitt Romney aren't taking part. "Right now, this convention is about nominating Donald Trump for president." pic.twitter.com/E0RkckCiV2 — PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) August 26, 2020 “It’s a virtual convention, so it’s not the same as crowds in Charlotte like we were hoping to have,” McDaniel said. “And the president made a decision: I want this to be about the American people.” When PBS NewsHour host Judy Woodruff noted the two men also aren’t appearing in videos for the convention, McDaniel said, “Right now, this convention is about nominating Donald Trump for president, and with the restrictions that Covid has placed on our convention, I think most Americans recognize that the limited programming we have is going to be focused on why we need to reelect President Trump.”
27 Aug 2020 05.52 BST More than 30 former staffers of Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign are signing on to an effort to help elect Joe Biden in November. Politico reports: The latest initiative launched by Republicans eager to unseat their party’s presidential nominee comes as Romney is increasingly viewed with scorn by President Donald Trump’s fervent base.
In an open letter obtained by POLITICO, the group, which dubs itself ‘Romney Alumni for Biden,’ says Trump’s rhetoric and actions are antithetical to the Republican Party they believe in. ‘What unites us now is a deep conviction that four more years of a Trump presidency will morally bankrupt this country, irreparably damage our democracy, and permanently transform the Republican Party into a toxic personality cult,’ the group writes in the letter, published on Romney4Biden.com and released on the day Trump is due to deliver his keynote convention address. ‘We can’t sit by and allow that to happen.’ A number of anti-Trump Republicans have announced their support for Biden, but the effort by Romney campaign alumni is particularly noteworthy given they worked to defeat Biden and Barack Obama in 2012.
27 Aug 2020 05.36 BST The Biden campaign has found a consistent line of attack against the Trump and the RNC this week, once again pointing out that the Republicans have largely avoided discussing the harsh realities of the coronavirus pandemic. “Instead of a roadmap to defeat this virus and rebuild our economy so that it works for the middle class, Vice-President Pence only offered up debunked scare tactics and gaslighting in an attempt to further divide us,” said Kate Bedingfield, the Biden campaign’s communications director, in a statement. Yesterday, Bedingfield wrote: “President Trump’s RNC is an alternate reality. In this delusion, thousands of Americans didn’t die in the last week from COVID-19.” And on Monday: “If you tuned into the Republican convention tonight looking for some indication from President Trump that he has a strategy to contain the coronavirus, you’re still waiting.” – Maanvi Singh
Updated at 05.43 BST
27 Aug 2020 05.27 BST Lara Trump, keeping with RNC speakers’ theme of denying the coronavirus pandemic, touted the unemployment rate for women before the pandemic hit. “Under President Trump’s leadership, women’s unemployment hit the lowest level since World War II,” she said. That’s more or less true. But the job gains were lost to the pandemic – unemployment rates for women are now down to 2015 levels. – Maanvi Singh
Updated at 05.30 BST
27 Aug 2020 05.16 BST Tomorrow, on the last night of the RNC, the crowd may be even bigger. Per CNN’s Jim Acosta, the president may deliver his speech tomorrow in front of 1,500 people. Trump campaign official tells us there could be more than 1500 people at WH for Trump speech Thursday night — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 27, 2020 – Maanvi Singh
Updated at 05.52 BST
27 Aug 2020 05.13 BST After Mike Pence concluded his speech, he was joined by his wife, Karen Pence, as well as Donald and Melania Trump, who greeted a crowd of audience members. Per the White House pool, Pence fist-bumped a couple of people, but otherwise avoided physical contact – and both couples stayed behind a barrier. Guests were reportedly given temperature checks but weren’t tested for coronavirus. The crowd was not socially distanced. – Maanvi Singh
Updated at 05.24 BST
27 Aug 2020 05.02 BST Lou Holtz, the former Notre Dame head coach, earlier accused Joe Biden of being a “Catholic in name only”. Biden, who was the first Catholic vice-president, has often cited his faith as a motivator. He wrote about his Catholic upbringing in his 2007 memoir and has spoken about how his religion helped him heal from loss. – MS
Updated at 05.25 BST


theguardian--2020-08-27--Mike Pence claims Americans would be unsafe under Biden in dark RNC speech

In the shadow of deepening unrest in Wisconsin , Mike Pence warned darkly of the violence and mayhem that would ensue under a Democratic administration during a keynote address on the third night of the Republican national convention on Wednesday .
The vice-president , speaking from Fort McHenry in Baltimore , where the raising of the American flag during the war of 1812 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would later become The Star-Spangled Banner , echoed several conservative speakers in painting a dystopian portrait of America ’ s major cities and accusing the Democratic presidential nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vandalism .
“ The hard truth is you won ’ t be safe in Joe Biden ’ s America , ” Pence said , after formally accepting his re-nomination to be vice president on a stage bedecked with American flags .
Pence , who leads the White House coronavirus taskforce , was one of the few speakers during the convention to acknowledge the devastating impact of the pandemic , calling it a “ time of testing ” for the nation .
Recasting Trump ’ s 2016 campaign slogan , he vowed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great again , again ” .
Pence spoke hours after a curfew was instituted in the Wisconsin suburb of Kenosha , where protests continued for a fourth night in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a Black man , by a white police officer .
But the vice-president made no mention of Blake , whose lawyers have said he is paralyzed , nor did he address the arrest of a white 17-year-old , who was charged with homicide after two people were shot dead and another seriously wounded apparently in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The teenager ’ s social media accounts suggest he was a supporter of law enforcement groups and Trump .
Instead , he forcefully condemned acts of arson and violence that have unfolded alongside peaceful demonstrations this summer .
“ Let me be clear , the violence must stop , whether in Minneapolis , Portland or Kenosha , ” he said .
“ We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and color.
” He continued with a full-throated endorsement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we will stand with those who stand on the thin blue line , and we ’ re not going to defund the police – not now , not ever.
” Yet as Pence spoke , solidarity with protesters and calls for police reform were once again sweeping the nation , spreading from the streets of Kenosha to the NBA bubble in Orlando , where the league postponed three playoff games after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the floor on Wednesday evening .
Their refusal to play prompted teams and athletes across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dramatic stand against racial injustice .
Trump and his political allies have used the occasion of this week ’ s convention to reinforce the image of Trump as a “ law and order ” president , who will protect Americans from rising crime ( it is not rising ) and violent demonstrations ( protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful ) that supposedly threaten to spread from urban centers to every corner of the country .
Those appeals , potent in the 1960s , are increasingly out of step with modern public opinion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaos during the convention , as opposed to the coronavirus pandemic , indicates that Republicans believe a “ law-and-order ” message is their best hope of capturing moderate , suburban voters who are uncomfortable with the president ’ s style .
How voters in Wisconsin respond to the unrest could determine whether the president is re-elected : the state is one of the most fiercely contested in this election and in 2016 Trump was the first Republican to carry Kenosha county in decades .
Earlier on Wednesday , Biden said he had spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ justice must and will be done ” while also condemning “ needless violence ” .
“ The contrast tonight couldn ’ t be clearer : we can choose four more years of fear , division , and hate , ” Biden said after Pence ’ s address .
“ Or we can choose a different path – one of hope , unity and light .
Let ’ s overcome this era of darkness , together.
” As it did during the first two nights of the convention , the Republican convention ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dire portraits of an America threatened by mob rule and those who sought to cast the Trump presidency as one that ushered in a new era of inclusion , racial equality and gender parity .
“ It took 244 years to build this great nation , flaws and all , but we stand to lose it in a tiny fraction of that time if we continue down the path taken by Democrats and their radical supporters , ” said the South Dakota governor , Kristi Noem , whose remarks were taped before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Portland to Washington and New York , Democrat-run cities across this country are being overrun by violent mobs .
The violence is rampant .
There ’ s looting , chaos , destruction and murder.
” At the same time , testimonials from women close to the president – the senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway ; the White House press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany ; the first lady , Karen Pence ; and the president ’ s daughter-in-law , Lara Trump – appeared aimed at appealing to suburban and religious women , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slip .
National polling this summer found the gender gap among voters nearing historic levels .
“ I want my daughter to grow up in President Donald Trump ’ s America , ” McEnany said , after describing a thoughtful call she received from the president following a preventive mastectomy in 2018 .
His concern , she asserted , was a testament to Trump ’ s commitment to protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions , even though he has actively worked to repeal the Affordable Care Act , which protects millions of people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appeal to racial minorities , casting Trump as a champion of criminal justice reform and racial reconciliation .
Jack Brewer , a former football player and a member of Black Voices for Trump , sought to soften one of the most controversial episodes of his presidency : Trump ’ s response to the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville .
“ Are you going to allow the media to lie to you , by falsely claiming that he said there were ‘ very fine ’ white supremacists in Charlottesville ?
” Brewer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that !
It ’ s a lie !
” But the reality is more complicated .
In statements after the white nationalist violence , Trump equivocated and claimed “ both sides ” were at fault even as he condemned their racism .
It is uncertain if the character references are enough to overcome opinions shaped after nearly four years of incendiary policies that include separating thousands of migrant children from their parents .
Pence extolled the president ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , which he cast as a success even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the US a “ nation of miracles ” and suggested a vaccine could be available within months .
When he finished his remarks , he was joined by Trump and the first lady , Melania Trump , who descended from the stage to shake hands along a rope line with supporters .
Neither couple – nor members of the audience – wore a mask .

In the shadow of deepening unrest in Wisconsin, Mike Pence warned darkly of the violence and mayhem that would ensue under a Democratic administration during a keynote address on the third night of the Republican national convention on Wednesday.
The vice-president, speaking from Fort McHenry in Baltimore, where the raising of the American flag during the war of 1812 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would later become The Star-Spangled Banner, echoed several conservative speakers in painting a dystopian portrait of America’s major cities and accusing the Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, of tolerating violence and vandalism.
“The hard truth is you won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America,” Pence said, after formally accepting his re-nomination to be vice president on a stage bedecked with American flags.
Pence, who leads the White House coronavirus taskforce, was one of the few speakers during the convention to acknowledge the devastating impact of the pandemic, calling it a “time of testing” for the nation. Recasting Trump’s 2016 campaign slogan, he vowed that a second term would “make America great again, again”.
Pence spoke hours after a curfew was instituted in the Wisconsin suburb of Kenosha, where protests continued for a fourth night in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by a white police officer.
But the vice-president made no mention of Blake, whose lawyers have said he is paralyzed, nor did he address the arrest of a white 17-year-old, who was charged with homicide after two people were shot dead and another seriously wounded apparently in connection with the protests on Tuesday night. The teenager’s social media accounts suggest he was a supporter of law enforcement groups and Trump.
Instead, he forcefully condemned acts of arson and violence that have unfolded alongside peaceful demonstrations this summer.
“Let me be clear, the violence must stop, whether in Minneapolis, Portland or Kenosha,” he said. “We will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and color.”
He continued with a full-throated endorsement of law enforcement: “Under President Trump, we will stand with those who stand on the thin blue line, and we’re not going to defund the police – not now, not ever.”
Yet as Pence spoke, solidarity with protesters and calls for police reform were once again sweeping the nation, spreading from the streets of Kenosha to the NBA bubble in Orlando, where the league postponed three playoff games after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the floor on Wednesday evening. Their refusal to play prompted teams and athletes across the country to join the boycott in a dramatic stand against racial injustice.
Trump and his political allies have used the occasion of this week’s convention to reinforce the image of Trump as a “law and order” president, who will protect Americans from rising crime (it is not rising) and violent demonstrations (protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful) that supposedly threaten to spread from urban centers to every corner of the country. Those appeals, potent in the 1960s, are increasingly out of step with modern public opinion.
Yet the intense focus on rioting and chaos during the convention, as opposed to the coronavirus pandemic, indicates that Republicans believe a “law-and-order” message is their best hope of capturing moderate, suburban voters who are uncomfortable with the president’s style.
How voters in Wisconsin respond to the unrest could determine whether the president is re-elected: the state is one of the most fiercely contested in this election and in 2016 Trump was the first Republican to carry Kenosha county in decades.
Earlier on Wednesday, Biden said he had spoken to the Blake family and promised that “justice must and will be done” while also condemning “needless violence”.
“The contrast tonight couldn’t be clearer: we can choose four more years of fear, division, and hate,” Biden said after Pence’s address. “Or we can choose a different path – one of hope, unity and light. Let’s overcome this era of darkness, together.”
As it did during the first two nights of the convention, the Republican convention’s program swerved between speakers who painted dire portraits of an America threatened by mob rule and those who sought to cast the Trump presidency as one that ushered in a new era of inclusion, racial equality and gender parity.
“It took 244 years to build this great nation, flaws and all, but we stand to lose it in a tiny fraction of that time if we continue down the path taken by Democrats and their radical supporters,” said the South Dakota governor, Kristi Noem, whose remarks were taped before the unrest in Kenosha. “From Seattle and Portland to Washington and New York, Democrat-run cities across this country are being overrun by violent mobs. The violence is rampant. There’s looting, chaos, destruction and murder.”
At the same time, testimonials from women close to the president – the senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway; the White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany; the second lady, Karen Pence; and the president’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump – appeared aimed at appealing to suburban and religious women, as polling suggests their support continues to slip. National polling this summer found the gender gap among voters nearing historic levels.
“I want my daughter to grow up in President Donald Trump’s America,” McEnany said, after describing a thoughtful call she received from the president following a preventive mastectomy in 2018. His concern, she asserted, was a testament to Trump’s commitment to protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions, even though he has actively worked to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which protects millions of people with such conditions.
Several speakers also sought to appeal to racial minorities, casting Trump as a champion of criminal justice reform and racial reconciliation.
Jack Brewer, a former football player and a member of Black Voices for Trump, sought to soften one of the most controversial episodes of his presidency: Trump’s response to the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville.
“Are you going to allow the media to lie to you, by falsely claiming that he said there were ‘very fine’ white supremacists in Charlottesville?” Brewer said. “He didn’t say that! It’s a lie!”
But the reality is more complicated. In statements after the white nationalist violence, Trump equivocated and claimed “both sides” were at fault even as he condemned their racism.
It is uncertain if the character references are enough to overcome opinions shaped after nearly four years of incendiary policies that include separating thousands of migrant children from their parents.
Pence extolled the president’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which he cast as a success even as the death toll neared 180,000. He called the US a “nation of miracles” and suggested a vaccine could be available within months.
When he finished his remarks, he was joined by Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, who descended from the stage to shake hands along a rope line with supporters. Neither couple – nor members of the audience – wore a mask.


theguardian--2020-08-27--The Republican convention is proof that traditional Republicans have given up | Cas Mudde

The Republican national convention is the Trump show , and all the Trumps are being rolled out , even the black sheep , Tiffany .
Most of the family members are there in merely supporting roles for the pater familias , although Don Jr might fancy a political career in the wake of daddy ’ s second – or third – term .
After all , he is the most closely connected to the Trump base , having peddled racist conspiracy theories since at least 2016 – remember the Skittles tweet ?
Speaking of sideshows , there were also , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ cancel culture ” panic , such as the Covington Catholic kid and the St Louis Bonnie and Clyde .
The evil cartoon characters from St Louis warned suburban America that “ no matter where you live , your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats ’ America ” , while the Covington kid is here to personify the attack on “ free speech ” by the identity politics of the radical left .
In many ways , this convention is a call-back to the old Republican party of dog-whistle politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be safe from – Black people – and knows that no one is so powerless as a white man .
But they don ’ t explicitly mention race , as their audience still feels a bit awkward when the racism is too overt .
Similarly , the non-white sideshow is there to tell this dog-whistle audience that , to quote Nikki Haley , “ America is not a racist country.
” Even liberals got swayed by the South Carolina Republican Tim Scott ’ s “ body blows ” to Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ product of “ the promise of the American journey ” , older moderate Republicans could probably hear the tunes of Reagan ’ s “ Morning in America ” in their minds .
But these were just intermezzos in an onslaught of aggressive , relentless and unapologetic attacks on the so-called radical left provided by the Trump family and the host of people making their highly profitable careers through them – including the hope for the Trumpian future , Charlie Kirk .
Many people have noted the absence of establishment Republicans .
Sure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the House minority leader , Kevin McCarthy , will both speak , but they are exceptions , and sideshows to the Trump show .
In fact , in a whole new twist to “ No Platform ” , the Republican national committee proudly announced it would have no new platform for the 2020 elections .
The Washington Post claimed that this means that “ the Republican party stands for nothing ” .
But this is obviously wrong .
Trump is the platform !
And by now , even the Post should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , corruption , egocentrism , nativism and populism .
As I ’ ve argued before , US democracy is not dying in darkness .
It is dying in plain sight … if it is dying at all , but that is up to the American people and its vote .
Another popular take is that the Republican convention shows that Trump now fully controls the party .
After all , he is the platform and most of the speakers are either his family or personal cronies who show “ near spiritual devotion ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him as “ a builder – a visionary ” , while the master of rightwing grift , Charlie Kirk , called him “ the bodyguard of western civilization ” and “ the guardian of America ” .
The assumption of a lot of media coverage of the convention is that Trump has wrestled the party away from the former Republican establishment , and that the Republican party is now the Donald Trump or even Trump family party .
As someone put it on Twitter : “ the RNC has become the TNC ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more complex than that .
Maybe the Republican establishment has decided to sit this one out .
Many Republican primaries have shown that Trump is nearly untouchable within the highly mobilized party base .
Just as with the rise of the Tea Party in the wake of the Great Recession , the most bizarre and extreme people are being elected in primaries , at times getting rid of solid Republicans .
And just like then , the Republican establishment has decided that it can not control them .
What it can do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
Hand him the convention , make him the platform and see where it goes .
If he wins in November , they were always with him .
If he loses , it was Trump who lost , not the Republican establishment .
They will argue that they only stood with “ the president ” out of loyalty to their country and party , but that this was Trump ’ s loss .
While the Trump camp is getting stronger , and has an enthusiastic and mobilized youth base , it needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump to truly challenge the Republican establishment , within both the party and the broader conservative movement .
In this way , the November election is not just about “ the soul of America ” , but the soul , if there is one , of the Republican party .
• None Cas Mudde is the Stanley Wade Shelton UGAF professor of international affairs at the University of Georgia , the author of The Far Right Today ( 2019 ) , and host of the new podcast Radikaal

The Republican national convention is the Trump show, and all the Trumps are being rolled out, even the black sheep, Tiffany. Most of the family members are there in merely supporting roles for the pater familias, although Don Jr might fancy a political career in the wake of daddy’s second – or third – term. After all, he is the most closely connected to the Trump base, having peddled racist conspiracy theories since at least 2016 – remember the Skittles tweet?
Speaking of sideshows, there were also, of course, the heroes of rightwing “cancel culture” panic, such as the Covington Catholic kid and the St Louis Bonnie and Clyde. The evil cartoon characters from St Louis warned suburban America that “no matter where you live, your family will not be safe in the radical Democrats’ America”, while the Covington kid is here to personify the attack on “free speech” by the identity politics of the radical left.
In many ways, this convention is a call-back to the old Republican party of dog-whistle politics. The intended audience knows who they won’t be safe from – Black people – and knows that no one is so powerless as a white man. But they don’t explicitly mention race, as their audience still feels a bit awkward when the racism is too overt.
Similarly, the non-white sideshow is there to tell this dog-whistle audience that, to quote Nikki Haley, “America is not a racist country.” Even liberals got swayed by the South Carolina Republican Tim Scott’s “body blows” to Biden. As he portrayed himself as the product of “the promise of the American journey”, older moderate Republicans could probably hear the tunes of Reagan’s “Morning in America” in their minds.
But these were just intermezzos in an onslaught of aggressive, relentless and unapologetic attacks on the so-called radical left provided by the Trump family and the host of people making their highly profitable careers through them – including the hope for the Trumpian future, Charlie Kirk.
Many people have noted the absence of establishment Republicans. Sure, the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, and the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, will both speak, but they are exceptions, and sideshows to the Trump show. In fact, in a whole new twist to “No Platform”, the Republican national committee proudly announced it would have no new platform for the 2020 elections.
The Washington Post claimed that this means that “the Republican party stands for nothing”. But this is obviously wrong. Trump is the platform! And by now, even the Post should know what Trump stands for: authoritarianism, corruption, egocentrism, nativism and populism. As I’ve argued before, US democracy is not dying in darkness. It is dying in plain sight … if it is dying at all, but that is up to the American people and its vote.
Melania Trump speaks to the 2020 Republican national convention. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP
Another popular take is that the Republican convention shows that Trump now fully controls the party. After all, he is the platform and most of the speakers are either his family or personal cronies who show “near spiritual devotion”. The Florida representative Matt Gaetz praised him as “a builder – a visionary”, while the master of rightwing grift, Charlie Kirk, called him “the bodyguard of western civilization” and “the guardian of America”.
The assumption of a lot of media coverage of the convention is that Trump has wrestled the party away from the former Republican establishment, and that the Republican party is now the Donald Trump or even Trump family party. As someone put it on Twitter: “the RNC has become the TNC”. But maybe things are a bit more complex than that. Maybe the Republican establishment has decided to sit this one out.
Many Republican primaries have shown that Trump is nearly untouchable within the highly mobilized party base. Just as with the rise of the Tea Party in the wake of the Great Recession, the most bizarre and extreme people are being elected in primaries, at times getting rid of solid Republicans. And just like then, the Republican establishment has decided that it cannot control them.
The November election is not just about 'the soul of America', but the soul, if there is one, of the Republican party
What it can do, however, is create some distance from Trump. Hand him the convention, make him the platform and see where it goes. If he wins in November, they were always with him. If he loses, it was Trump who lost, not the Republican establishment. They will argue that they only stood with “the president” out of loyalty to their country and party, but that this was Trump’s loss.
While the Trump camp is getting stronger, and has an enthusiastic and mobilized youth base, it needs at least one more term for Donald Trump to truly challenge the Republican establishment, within both the party and the broader conservative movement. In this way, the November election is not just about “the soul of America”, but the soul, if there is one, of the Republican party.


theguardian--2020-08-26--The Guardian view on Wisconsin and the Republicans: America's divisions | Editorial

On Tuesday , America heard two calls for peace and unity .
The first came from the mother of Jacob Blake , a Black man shot in the back by police multiple times in front of his children , and reportedly left paralysed .
After episodes of arson and looting followed peaceful protests in Kenosha , Wisconsin , Julia Jackson urged : “ We need healing.
” The second was the gaslighting speech from Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention .
The woman who offered what was described as “ a plea for racial unity ” is the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Barack Obama ’ s birth certificate ; wore a jacket reading “ I really don ’ t care .
Do U ?
” on her way to visit detained children on the Texas border ; and was appearing on behalf of a man who has triumphed through bigotry .
She spoke at a convention seeking to press those same buttons with what one Republican political operative described as “ fear porn ” .
Speakers have included the St Louis lawyers who brandished their guns at Black Lives Matter protestors marching past their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address was – like much of the programme on Tuesday – a cynical attempt to sanitise the brand , allowing her husband and the Republicans to exploit racism while insisting it is nothing of the kind , and for voters to back them without too much discomfort .
Donald Trump ’ s attempts to capitalise on the Black Lives Matter movement by positioning himself as the “ president of law and order ” who would defend white suburbs , lifting from Richard Nixon ’ s playbook , have so far been notably unsuccessful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sympathetic towards the protests than expected .
Whether that will change before November ’ s election is unclear .
What is certain is that the spectre of American carnage that he conjures up has real and dangerous impact .
Mr Trump has not invented racial divisions , police impunity , paranoia about “ anti-American ” forces , or a culture of people taking the law into their own hands .
But he has exploited and fostered them .
Hours after the convention speech , two people were shot dead and another injured at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of heavily armed white men had reportedly clashed with demonstrators earlier , and the county sheriff said a “ militia ” had been patrolling the streets .
Footage posted on social media showed what appeared to be a white man with a semiautomatic rifle firing at what are believed to be Black Lives Matter protestors .
Despite the tumult , the alleged gunman is finally seen walking away with his arms raised , a weapon still dangling from his shoulder , as police tactical vehicles drive past him – a stark contrast with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have consequences .
Mr Blake ’ s family were calling not simply for calm , but for the transformation that the US desperately needs .
“ We have been watching police kill Black people for years , ” his sister Letetra Widman reminded listeners .
“ I don ’ t want your pity .
I want change.
” The first lady ’ s call was for the perpetuation of the status quo .
Her husband rose to power by stoking bigotry and plans to remain in power the same way .
His departure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep-rooted problems .
But another victory in November would only multiply them .

On Tuesday, America heard two calls for peace and unity. The first came from the mother of Jacob Blake, a Black man shot in the back by police multiple times in front of his children, and reportedly left paralysed. After episodes of arson and looting followed peaceful protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Julia Jackson urged: “We need healing.”
The second was the gaslighting speech from Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention. The woman who offered what was described as “a plea for racial unity” is the same woman who said American people wanted to see Barack Obama’s birth certificate; wore a jacket reading “I really don’t care. Do U?” on her way to visit detained children on the Texas border; and was appearing on behalf of a man who has triumphed through bigotry. She spoke at a convention seeking to press those same buttons with what one Republican political operative described as “fear porn”. Speakers have included the St Louis lawyers who brandished their guns at Black Lives Matter protestors marching past their home.
The first lady’s address was – like much of the programme on Tuesday – a cynical attempt to sanitise the brand, allowing her husband and the Republicans to exploit racism while insisting it is nothing of the kind, and for voters to back them without too much discomfort. Donald Trump’s attempts to capitalise on the Black Lives Matter movement by positioning himself as the “president of law and order” who would defend white suburbs, lifting from Richard Nixon’s playbook, have so far been notably unsuccessful. The public has proved much more sympathetic towards the protests than expected.
Whether that will change before November’s election is unclear. What is certain is that the spectre of American carnage that he conjures up has real and dangerous impact. Mr Trump has not invented racial divisions, police impunity, paranoia about “anti-American” forces, or a culture of people taking the law into their own hands. But he has exploited and fostered them.
Hours after the convention speech, two people were shot dead and another injured at the protests in Kenosha. A group of heavily armed white men had reportedly clashed with demonstrators earlier, and the county sheriff said a “militia” had been patrolling the streets. Footage posted on social media showed what appeared to be a white man with a semiautomatic rifle firing at what are believed to be Black Lives Matter protestors. Despite the tumult, the alleged gunman is finally seen walking away with his arms raised, a weapon still dangling from his shoulder, as police tactical vehicles drive past him – a stark contrast with the treatment of Mr Blake.
Words have consequences. Mr Blake’s family were calling not simply for calm, but for the transformation that the US desperately needs. “We have been watching police kill Black people for years,” his sister Letetra Widman reminded listeners. “I don’t want your pity. I want change.”
The first lady’s call was for the perpetuation of the status quo. Her husband rose to power by stoking bigotry and plans to remain in power the same way. His departure alone cannot fix America’s deep-rooted problems. But another victory in November would only multiply them.


theguardian--2020-08-26--Keeping it in the family: a guide to the many Trumps speaking at the RNC

You may have noticed that the Trump relatives who have been invited to speak this week at the Republican national convention are getting increasingly obscure .
Perhaps the president is simply running out of family members who have not turned against him yet – because these days , it seems Trump family members don ’ t even require the Trump surname to justify them speaking at the event , let alone a formal title within the Republican administration .
The list includes Kimberly Guilfoyle ( who was appointed as Trump adviser after she started dating Donald Trump Jr ) ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the administration outside of being his father ’ s son ) and even Tiffany Trump ( who most of us had forgotten about until this week ) .
If you are finding it hard to keep up , here ’ s a guide on who ’ s who in the Trump dynasty , and their most memorable RNC moments .
It has been reported that Melania and Ivanka Trump have been warring for some time over the top spot in the Trump dynasty .
But Melania Trump has so far come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech has been commended on all sides for managing to acknowledge the US ’ s racist history while encouraging unity – and she didn ’ t even need to plagiarize this time .
And people have also rallied around Melania Trump following a xenophobic low blow from Bette Middler , who laughed at Melania Trump ’ s accent on Twitter and called her an illegal alien .
Kimberly Guilfoyle has managed to become one of the most easily recognizable speakers in the Trump clan .
She represents the family on chatshows ; has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser while Trump ’ s own son Eric has yet to be given a job in the administration – and now has bagged herself a slot at the RNC .
Guilfoyle – a former Fox News host and millionaire who has twice dated political royalty ( she was previously married to California ’ s governor , Gavin Newsom , hence becoming San Francisco ’ s first lady ) , devoted her speech to routing out the “ cosmopolitan elite ” from telling you what to think .
She did make a few missteps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother being an immigrant from Puerto Rico , when Puerto Rico is , in fact , part of the United States – but she still gets top marks for effort .
Why ?
Because if shouting “ The best !
Is yet !
To come !
” full blast during a speech that was pre-recorded in front of a crowd of exactly zero people does not count as good showmanship , then I don ’ t know what does .
Eric Trump has been accused of having more lies in his speech than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden wants to defund the police , claimed Biden wants to take away the right to bear arms when he has never said such a thing , and that his father delivered the biggest tax cuts in US history – he didn ’ t ) .
Nonetheless , we believe he should get a special mention for managing to break away from being under investigation in New York for fraud to speak at Daddy ’ s convention .
You ’ ve got to feel good for Tiffany Trump .
The much-forgotten Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role at her father ’ s third wedding to Melania ( Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump were best men ; Ivanka Trump did a Bible reading ; Trump ’ s show producer ’ s son was a page boy , but Tiffany Trump got to hand out wedding programs ) , has finally taken her moment to shine .
Her RNC gambit to be recognized as the most relatable Trump ( that prize previously went to Donald Trump Jr , who once flew coach ) has to be commended .
Tiffany Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s daughter who has a net worth of $ 10m at 26 , can relate to the ordinary American student , having graduated during a pandemic .
Tiffany Trump can , at least , call herself one of the more self-made Trumps : instead of inheriting Donald Trump ’ s businesses as a young adult , Tiffany Trump wanted to make a name for herself , as , errr … a pop singer .
And sure , the line in her speech where she celebrates the US being “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated with it ” sounds naive at best – but at least she has shown improvement in her writing .
Her 2011 song included the lyrics “ Diamonds are so shiny / Special things I got on me ” .

You may have noticed that the Trump relatives who have been invited to speak this week at the Republican national convention are getting increasingly obscure.
Perhaps the president is simply running out of family members who have not turned against him yet – because these days, it seems Trump family members don’t even require the Trump surname to justify them speaking at the event, let alone a formal title within the Republican administration.
This was a speech against nepotism. pic.twitter.com/Kgdqwv2mTF — Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) August 26, 2020
The list includes Kimberly Guilfoyle (who was appointed as Trump adviser after she started dating Donald Trump Jr); Eric Trump (who has no role in the administration outside of being his father’s son) and even Tiffany Trump (who most of us had forgotten about until this week). If you are finding it hard to keep up, here’s a guide on who’s who in the Trump dynasty, and their most memorable RNC moments.
Melania Trump
02:27 Melania Trump addresses Covid death toll, calls for unity amid racial tensions in RNC speech – video
It has been reported that Melania and Ivanka Trump have been warring for some time over the top spot in the Trump dynasty.
But Melania Trump has so far come out on top at the RNC. Her speech has been commended on all sides for managing to acknowledge the US’s racist history while encouraging unity – and she didn’t even need to plagiarize this time.
And people have also rallied around Melania Trump following a xenophobic low blow from Bette Middler, who laughed at Melania Trump’s accent on Twitter and called her an illegal alien.
Kimberly Guilfoyle
Kimberly Guilfoyle has managed to become one of the most easily recognizable speakers in the Trump clan. She represents the family on chatshows; has bagged herself a job as a Trump adviser while Trump’s own son Eric has yet to be given a job in the administration – and now has bagged herself a slot at the RNC.
Guilfoyle – a former Fox News host and millionaire who has twice dated political royalty (she was previously married to California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, hence becoming San Francisco’s first lady), devoted her speech to routing out the “cosmopolitan elite” from telling you what to think.
She did make a few missteps – like when she spoke about her mother being an immigrant from Puerto Rico, when Puerto Rico is, in fact, part of the United States – but she still gets top marks for effort. Why? Because if shouting “The best! Is yet! To come!” full blast during a speech that was pre-recorded in front of a crowd of exactly zero people does not count as good showmanship, then I don’t know what does.
Eric Trump
Eric Trump has been accused of having more lies in his speech than verbs (he repeated false claims that Joe Biden wants to defund the police, claimed Biden wants to take away the right to bear arms when he has never said such a thing, and that his father delivered the biggest tax cuts in US history – he didn’t).
Nonetheless, we believe he should get a special mention for managing to break away from being under investigation in New York for fraud to speak at Daddy’s convention.
Tiffany Trump
You’ve got to feel good for Tiffany Trump. The much-forgotten Trump sibling, who was overlooked for a role at her father’s third wedding to Melania (Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump were best men; Ivanka Trump did a Bible reading; Trump’s show producer’s son was a page boy, but Tiffany Trump got to hand out wedding programs), has finally taken her moment to shine.
Tiffany Trump: “As a recent graduate, I can relate to so many of you who might be looking for a job. My father has built a thriving economy once and believe me, he will do it again.” https://t.co/QOOhCdjT98 #RNC2020 pic.twitter.com/lWUFe1f2Xf — ABC News (@ABC) August 26, 2020
Her RNC gambit to be recognized as the most relatable Trump (that prize previously went to Donald Trump Jr, who once flew coach) has to be commended. Tiffany Trump wants you to know that she, the president’s daughter who has a net worth of $10m at 26, can relate to the ordinary American student, having graduated during a pandemic.
Tiffany Trump can, at least, call herself one of the more self-made Trumps: instead of inheriting Donald Trump’s businesses as a young adult, Tiffany Trump wanted to make a name for herself, as, errr … a pop singer.
And sure, the line in her speech where she celebrates the US being “the only country to have the word dream associated with it” sounds naive at best – but at least she has shown improvement in her writing. Her 2011 song included the lyrics “Diamonds are so shiny / Special things I got on me”.


theguardian--2020-08-26--‘Coming here is a necessity’: demand for food aid soars in US amid job losses

Neisha Davis cradles brown paper lunch bags in the crook of one arm , while holding on to Demitri , her wriggling baby son , in the other and keeping a careful eye on Naya , her four-year-old daughter , as she runs around the church car park with another little girl .
It ’ s hectic but the free packed lunches have become a crucial part of their daily nutrition .
So everyday at noon the family make the two-mile journey from Homewood , a low income predominantly African American Pittsburgh neighbourhood with no grocery stores , to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunch stall in East Liberty .
“ The lunches help a lot , the food is healthy and it fills them up , the food stamps are never enough , ” said Davis , 36 , who has enough freshly cooked hot dogs , fruit pots , carrots , and milk and juice cartons for her eldest two children who stayed home .
Once a week or so Davis also picks up groceries from the food pantry , which provides fresh produce rarely available at her local convenience stores .
“ I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now I ’ ve no work so I need help .
The alternative would be my kids going hungry.
” Davis is not alone .
The number of people relying on the pantry is up 150 % compared to pre-pandemic times .
And it ’ s not just here : nationwide the demand for aid at food banks and pantries has soared amid unprecedented job losses and the worst unemployment rate in modern times .
A recent census bureau survey found 12 % of American households did not have enough food sometimes or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 9 % before the pandemic .
For families the situation is even worse , with 15 % of households with children now experiencing food insecurity .
An estimated one in four children , the equivalent of 18 million minors , could need food aid this year – a 63 % increase compared to 2018 , according to analysis by Feeding America , the national food bank network .
This pandemic has also exposed – and exacerbated – structural inequalities including access to affordable , nutritious food .
Overall , almost half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a neighbourhood with high rates of poverty and no supermarket within half a mile – but black residents are disproportionately affected .
“ There ’ s enough food , it ’ s about who gets access to quality food , ” said Carlos Thomas , 29 , one of the Pittsburgh ’ s few black cordon bleu chefs and the cofounder of Feed the Hood , a project training young chefs and serving up nutritious meals to underserved communities in food deserts such as Homewood .
According to the census bureau , half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported feeling down , depressed or hopeless on at least several days during the third week of July .
Then , one in nine Americans were reliant on unemployment benefits to cover living expenses .
Davis use to worked 25 hours a week as a home healthcare assistant , helping the sick and elderly with shopping and meal prep while juggling school runs and daycare for her children aged one to 14 .
The lockdown made working impossible , however the family was better off as the federal stimulus cheque and unemployment benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and buy some much needed furniture and shoes for the children – items she usually struggles to afford .
At the end of July , the weekly $ 600 enhanced unemployment benefit ended for millions of Americans due to a partisan stalemate over the next federal stimulus bill .
Senators went home for recess , but for ordinary people the money worries continued .
“ The money stopped but the bills won ’ t , and winter is coming so the gas bill will get really high , it ’ s very frustrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic ends or the unemployment is sorted ... until then I ’ ll have to juggle things , make the food last longer , ” said Davis .
“ We don ’ t talk enough about the mental health implications of food insecurity , and the courage it takes asking for help , ” said Lisa Scales , the president of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank .
In Pennsylvania , where more than 2.03 million people have applied for unemployment since mid-March , the number of households receiving food aid has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate rose to 13.7 % in July , while nationwide it fell to 10.2 % , according to the Bureau of Labor statistics .
Unemployment figures suggest that the job market is recovering more slowly in Pittsburgh and surrounding counties than the rest of the state and country .
But it is not just the unemployed who are going hungry .
Before the pandemic , the working poor made up a large proportion of food bank users .
Now , competition for work is higher , with about 14 million more Americans unemployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more low wage workers are struggling .
Shafon Willis , 35 , also a healthcare assistant , went back to work in June but her hours have been cut by 50 % .
This is her second time at the food pantry , and she ’ s taking home eggs , fish sticks and lots of bread .
The coronavirus infection rate has recently stabilized in Pennsylvania , with 600 to 800 new cases each day , but experts fear a winter surge and Willis fears its consequences .
“ I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I need food … this is stuff the kids will eat , we ’ re now eating to survive , ” said Willis .
“ My biggest concern is that we shutdown again and now there ’ s no unemployment.
” Beaver county , situated 40 miles north-west of Pittsburgh bordering Ohio and West Virginia , was once home to some of the world ’ s largest steel mills , but the industry ’ s demise has contributed to a 20 % decline in the population since 1980 .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county hit hard by the opioid epidemic – a former Democrat stronghold where almost three fifths of voters chose Trump in 2016 .
At least 73 people have died from Covid and the 14.5 % unemployment rate is one of the highest in the region .
The Faith Restorations pantry in Monaca currently provides food to a thousand or so people each week – compared to 300 before the pandemic .
At the peak of the lockdown , as many as 3,000 people relied on the pantry for weekly groceries .
On one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 102 shopping carts of food with bagels , meat , coleslaw , milk , bananas and a party sized frosted cake .
Everything was gone within an hour .
The elderly , mostly maskless , volunteers scrambled to prepare more boxes , as dozens of cars waited in line .
Among them was first-timer Marissa Campbell , 39 , a school bus driver with two children , aged five and 12 , who ’ s desperately worried about making ends meet without the federal unemployment cheques .
“ Honestly , I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m here because I can ’ t let my pride stop me from doing what I need to do .
Without this , I don ’ t know what I ’ d have done at the end of the week.
” Campbell blames the Democrats for the impasse on the stimulus bill .
“ The Republicans were trying to help us , but the Democrats wanted to add unrelated things , ” she said .
Campbell ’ s youngest child , Lilly , has underlying health issues , but for financial reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
“ Half the county was shutdown but I don ’ t know anyone with the virus .
It ’ s very stressful but we have to open back up , people have to live.
” It ’ s been a tough few months for Mike Wooley , who ’ s survived off odd jobs and food aid since losing his cash-in-hand restaurant job in March .
He didn ’ t qualify for unemployment .
“ Coming here is a necessity , without this I ’ d be really struggling… Look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it doesn ’ t feel like we ’ re the richest country in the world.
” At times Wooley , 55 , says he feels depressed and panicky about paying bills and getting a new job at his age , but would rather be poor than sick .
He doesn ’ t have health insurance .
“ I believe the pandemic is true , a lot of people don ’ t , and I want my elderly parents to be able to live out their lives … I ’ ve seen enough scary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screwed .
”

Nina Lakhani in Pittsburgh and Beaver county

Neisha Davis cradles brown paper lunch bags in the crook of one arm, while holding on to Demitri, her wriggling baby son, in the other and keeping a careful eye on Naya, her four-year-old daughter, as she runs around the church car park with another little girl.
It’s hectic but the free packed lunches have become a crucial part of their daily nutrition. So everyday at noon the family make the two-mile journey from Homewood, a low income predominantly African American Pittsburgh neighbourhood with no grocery stores, to the East End Cooperative Ministries pop-up lunch stall in East Liberty.
“The lunches help a lot, the food is healthy and it fills them up, the food stamps are never enough,” said Davis, 36, who has enough freshly cooked hot dogs, fruit pots, carrots, and milk and juice cartons for her eldest two children who stayed home.
Once a week or so Davis also picks up groceries from the food pantry, which provides fresh produce rarely available at her local convenience stores. “I was raised to be humble, and right now I’ve no work so I need help. The alternative would be my kids going hungry.”
Davis is not alone. The number of people relying on the pantry is up 150% compared to pre-pandemic times.
A visitor (a social worker who wished to remain unnamed) loads bags to deliver to clients who can’t visit the food pantry at East End Cooperative Ministry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photograph: Ross Mantle/The Guardian
And it’s not just here: nationwide the demand for aid at food banks and pantries has soared amid unprecedented job losses and the worst unemployment rate in modern times.
A recent census bureau survey found 12% of American households did not have enough food sometimes or often during the previous week – compared to 9% before the pandemic. For families the situation is even worse, with 15% of households with children now experiencing food insecurity.
Hunger always impacts children hardest.
An estimated one in four children, the equivalent of 18 million minors, could need food aid this year – a 63% increase compared to 2018, according to analysis by Feeding America, the national food bank network.
This pandemic has also exposed – and exacerbated – structural inequalities including access to affordable, nutritious food. Overall, almost half of Pittsburgh lives in a food desert – a neighbourhood with high rates of poverty and no supermarket within half a mile – but black residents are disproportionately affected.
Hunger always impacts children hardest
“There’s enough food, it’s about who gets access to quality food,” said Carlos Thomas, 29, one of the Pittsburgh’s few black cordon bleu chefs and the cofounder of Feed the Hood, a project training young chefs and serving up nutritious meals to underserved communities in food deserts such as Homewood.
Mental health matters
According to the census bureau, half of all adults – 105 million – reported feeling down, depressed or hopeless on at least several days during the third week of July. Then, one in nine Americans were reliant on unemployment benefits to cover living expenses.
Davis use to worked 25 hours a week as a home healthcare assistant, helping the sick and elderly with shopping and meal prep while juggling school runs and daycare for her children aged one to 14.
The lockdown made working impossible, however the family was better off as the federal stimulus cheque and unemployment benefit helped Davis catch up on bills, and buy some much needed furniture and shoes for the children – items she usually struggles to afford.
At the end of July, the weekly $600 enhanced unemployment benefit ended for millions of Americans due to a partisan stalemate over the next federal stimulus bill. Senators went home for recess, but for ordinary people the money worries continued.
Volunteers distribute food at Faith Restorations in Monaca, Pennsylvania, on 18 August. Photograph: Ross Mantle/The Guardian
“The money stopped but the bills won’t, and winter is coming so the gas bill will get really high, it’s very frustrating and worrying. I’m hoping the pandemic ends or the unemployment is sorted... until then I’ll have to juggle things, make the food last longer,” said Davis.
“We don’t talk enough about the mental health implications of food insecurity, and the courage it takes asking for help,” said Lisa Scales, the president of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
In Pennsylvania, where more than 2.03 million people have applied for unemployment since mid-March, the number of households receiving food aid has more than doubled. The statewide unemployment rate rose to 13.7% in July, while nationwide it fell to 10.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics.
Unemployment figures suggest that the job market is recovering more slowly in Pittsburgh and surrounding counties than the rest of the state and country.
But it is not just the unemployed who are going hungry. Before the pandemic, the working poor made up a large proportion of food bank users. Now, competition for work is higher, with about 14 million more Americans unemployed than there are job openings, and more low wage workers are struggling.
Left: Celeste Powell stands for a portrait after visiting the food pantry at East End Cooperative Ministry in Pittsburgh, PA on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Right: James Brown (in green shirt) selects produce from the food pantry at East End Cooperative Ministry in Pittsburgh, PA on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Photograph by Ross Mantle/The Guardian Left: Celeste Powell after visiting the food pantry at East End Cooperative Ministry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 18 August. Right: James Brown (in green shirt) selects produce from the food pantry. Photograph by Ross Mantle/The Guardian
Shafon Willis, 35, also a healthcare assistant, went back to work in June but her hours have been cut by 50%. This is her second time at the food pantry, and she’s taking home eggs, fish sticks and lots of bread.
The coronavirus infection rate has recently stabilized in Pennsylvania, with 600 to 800 new cases each day, but experts fear a winter surge and Willis fears its consequences.
“I’ve spent my money keeping up with bills, I need food … this is stuff the kids will eat, we’re now eating to survive,” said Willis. “My biggest concern is that we shutdown again and now there’s no unemployment.”
Rural hunger
Beaver county, situated 40 miles north-west of Pittsburgh bordering Ohio and West Virginia, was once home to some of the world’s largest steel mills, but the industry’s demise has contributed to a 20% decline in the population since 1980.
It’s a blue collar, predominantly white, county hit hard by the opioid epidemic – a former Democrat stronghold where almost three fifths of voters chose Trump in 2016.
At least 73 people have died from Covid and the 14.5% unemployment rate is one of the highest in the region.
The Faith Restorations pantry in Monaca currently provides food to a thousand or so people each week – compared to 300 before the pandemic. At the peak of the lockdown, as many as 3,000 people relied on the pantry for weekly groceries.
Honestly, I’ve broken down thinking about food. I’m here because I can’t let my pride stop me from doing what I need to do Marissa Campbell
On one night last week, volunteers had pre-packed 102 shopping carts of food with bagels, meat, coleslaw, milk, bananas and a party sized frosted cake. Everything was gone within an hour. The elderly, mostly maskless, volunteers scrambled to prepare more boxes, as dozens of cars waited in line.
Among them was first-timer Marissa Campbell, 39, a school bus driver with two children, aged five and 12, who’s desperately worried about making ends meet without the federal unemployment cheques.
“Honestly, I’ve broken down thinking about food. I’m here because I can’t let my pride stop me from doing what I need to do. Without this, I don’t know what I’d have done at the end of the week.”
Campbell blames the Democrats for the impasse on the stimulus bill. “The Republicans were trying to help us, but the Democrats wanted to add unrelated things,” she said.
Marissa Campbell after picking up groceries at Faith Restorations in Monaca, Pennsylvania, on 18 August. Photograph: Ross Mantle/The Guardian
Campbell’s youngest child, Lilly, has underlying health issues, but for financial reasons she is desperate to get back to work. “Half the county was shutdown but I don’t know anyone with the virus. It’s very stressful but we have to open back up, people have to live.”
Not everyone agrees.
It’s been a tough few months for Mike Wooley, who’s survived off odd jobs and food aid since losing his cash-in-hand restaurant job in March. He didn’t qualify for unemployment. “Coming here is a necessity, without this I’d be really struggling… Look at the queue [of cars], it doesn’t feel like we’re the richest country in the world.”
At times Wooley, 55, says he feels depressed and panicky about paying bills and getting a new job at his age, but would rather be poor than sick. He doesn’t have health insurance.
“I believe the pandemic is true, a lot of people don’t, and I want my elderly parents to be able to live out their lives … I’ve seen enough scary movies to know that we’re screwed.”


theguardian--2020-08-27--Trump puts women 'on equal footing' with men, say female advisers at RNC – video

A strong female contingent was out in force during the third day of the Republican national convention , with Trump @ @ @ @ @ paint a picture of a compassionate , open-minded president in an apparent attempt to win @ @ @ @ @ McEnany recounted how the president called her after her mastectomy , the White House adviser @ @ @ @ @ putting women 'on equal footing with the men ' and his daughter-in law , Lara @ @ @ @ @ family as 'warm and caring ' .
The president ’ s advisers ignored the dozens @ @ @ @ @ Trump ( which he denies ) and his history of referring to women as 'dogs @ @ @ @ @ .
• False claims and a grim message : key takeaways from night three of @ @

A strong female contingent was out in force during the third day of the Republican national convention, with Trump’s advisers attempting to paint a picture of a compassionate, open-minded president in an apparent attempt to win over female voters.
Kayleigh McEnany recounted how the president called her after her mastectomy, the White House adviser Kellyanne Conway applauded Trump for putting women 'on equal footing with the men' and his daughter-in law, Lara Trump, described the Trump family as 'warm and caring'.
The president’s advisers ignored the dozens of sexual misconduct allegations against Trump (which he denies) and his history of referring to women as 'dogs' and 'fat pigs'.


theguardian--2020-08-26--'Unite and heal': Democratic nominee Joe Biden speaks about Jacob Blake shooting – video

Democratic nominee Joe Biden says he has spoken to the family of Jacob Blake , the African American man who @ @ @ @ @ back by police officers in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
'What I saw in that video @ @ @ @ @ Biden said of the footage of Blake being shot while three of his children looked @ @ @ @ @ .
The Democratic nominee went on to urge protesters to remain peaceful and avoid 'needless @ @ @ @ @ the words of Blake ’ s mother , Julia Jackson , who said yesterday that @ @ @ @ @ to see violence and destruction carried out in his name .

Democratic nominee Joe Biden says he has spoken to the family of Jacob Blake, the African American man who was repeatedly shot in the back by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
'What I saw in that video makes me sick,' Biden said of the footage of Blake being shot while three of his children looked on in a nearby car.
The Democratic nominee went on to urge protesters to remain peaceful and avoid 'needless violence'. Biden repeated the words of Blake’s mother, Julia Jackson, who said yesterday that her son would not want to see violence and destruction carried out in his name.


theguardian--2020-08-26--Trump’s presidential powers on full display at day two of RNC – video report

Ethical questions were raised during day two of the Republican national convention , as Donald Trump was accused of misusing @ @ @ @ @ political purposes and using the White House as a prop .
Pardoning convicts , naturalisation @ @ @ @ @ White House were just a few of the items on the agenda that caused concern @ @ @ @ @ a pitch to women : key takeaways from night two of the RNC

Ethical questions were raised during day two of the Republican national convention, as Donald Trump was accused of misusing trappings of his office for political purposes and using the White House as a prop.
Pardoning convicts, naturalisation ceremonies and speeches from the White House were just a few of the items on the agenda that caused concern.


theguardian--2020-08-26--Melania Trump addresses Covid death toll, calls for unity amid racial tensions in RNC speech – video

US first lady Melania Trump bucked the attacking trend of the 2020 Republican national convention speeches , addressing the country @ @ @ @ @ and calling for unity amid growing racial tension .
The speech shifted the tone on @ @ @ @ @ policies of Democratic rivals including Joe Biden .
Melania Trump 's speech was the third @ @ @ @ @ president 's family , following addresses from daughter Tiffany and son Eric • Culture wars @ @ @ @ @ : key takeaways from night two of the RNC • Melania Trump offers condolences to @ @ @ @ @ RNC speech

US first lady Melania Trump bucked the attacking trend of the 2020 Republican national convention speeches, addressing the country's large coronavirus death toll and calling for unity amid growing racial tension. The speech shifted the tone on an evening spent criticising the policies of Democratic rivals including Joe Biden. Melania Trump's speech was the third of the evening from the president's family, following addresses from daughter Tiffany and son Eric


theguardian--2020-08-25--A dark agenda at the heart of the RNC's first day – video report

Unbridled fear-based rhetoric filled the first day of the 2020 Republican national convention , with participants focused on the alleged @ @ @ @ @ as president .
Other topics included concern for the future of the economy , stoking @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic • RNC 2020 : key takeaways from the @ @ @ @ @ dark convention

Unbridled fear-based rhetoric filled the first day of the 2020 Republican national convention, with participants focused on the alleged dangers of electing Joe Biden as president. Other topics included concern for the future of the economy, stoking racial divisions and praise for Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic


theguardian--2020-08-28--Was Ivanka Trump telling the truth in Lego White House anecdote?

Ivanka Trump has been accused of self-plagiarism at the Republican national convention after her heartwarming Lego anecdote sounded strikingly familiar – but there may be more to her story than she has been given credit for .
On Thursday she said : “ When Jared and I moved with our three children to Washington , we didn ’ t exactly know what we were in for .
But our kids loved it from the start .
My son Joseph promptly built grandpa a Lego replica of the White House .
The president still displays it on the mantel in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders , just so they know he has the greatest grandchildren on earth.
” People observed the similarity to a story that Ivanka Trump had told previously about herself .
Andrea Bernstein , a WNYC reporter who wrote the book American Oligarchs about the Trumps , noted that in 2007 Ivanka said she had once made a Lego model of Trump Tower for her father , only to have it criticised by him several days later because it wasn ’ t accurate enough .
Bernstein also cast doubt about the veracity of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , photographic evidence that , as recently as March 2019 at least , there was a Lego model of the White House in the White House .
And the president has even posed with it .
It doesn ’ t look to be the official Lego replica of the White House available as part of its Architecture series , aimed more at adults than children .
Although there is a previous smaller Lego version of the White House which it resembles .
The model is slightly out of date , as it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remodelled rose garden .
The first lady also had her social media moment in the spotlight on the final night of the convention , wearing a dress that easily allowed her to be “ green-screened ” .
The internet soon went to work and before long she appeared variously to be endorsing Joe Biden , the nation ’ s coronavirus death toll , and the weather .
If there were an award for awkward moment of the night , it would have to go to this exchange between Ivanka and Melania Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephanie Winston Wolkoff taped the first lady making “ harsh comments ” about her fellow Trumps .
Still , no social media mirth could distract from the fact Republicans had dished up four days filled with apocalyptic predictions for the US should the country not re-elect Donald Trump , in a series of speeches littered with falsehoods , many delivered by members of his family .

Ivanka Trump has been accused of self-plagiarism at the Republican national convention after her heartwarming Lego anecdote sounded strikingly familiar – but there may be more to her story than she has been given credit for.
On Thursday she said: “When Jared and I moved with our three children to Washington, we didn’t exactly know what we were in for. But our kids loved it from the start. My son Joseph promptly built grandpa a Lego replica of the White House. The president still displays it on the mantel in the Oval Office and shows it to world leaders, just so they know he has the greatest grandchildren on earth.”
People observed the similarity to a story that Ivanka Trump had told previously about herself. Andrea Bernstein, a WNYC reporter who wrote the book American Oligarchs about the Trumps, noted that in 2007 Ivanka said she had once made a Lego model of Trump Tower for her father, only to have it criticised by him several days later because it wasn’t accurate enough. Bernstein also cast doubt about the veracity of the earlier story.
OMG, Ivanka is telling a story about her son Joseph building a lego model of the White House. She told the same story about herself once, building a lego Trump Tower.
The story was made up.
AMERICAN OLIGARCHS, P 176 pic.twitter.com/hwGR2q43Q1 — Andrea Bernstein (@AndreaWNYC) August 28, 2020
There is, however, photographic evidence that, as recently as March 2019 at least, there was a Lego model of the White House in the White House.
A Lego model of the White House pictured on a desk in the Oval Office on 6 March 2019. Photograph: Tom Brenner/Getty Images
And the president has even posed with it.
I absolutely cannot believe that reporters are really trying to cast doubt on the validity of a 6 year old’s gift to his grandfather.
Be better. https://t.co/t3qIh9rWTo pic.twitter.com/uL42qJjpg1 — Carolina Hurley (@CLH45) August 28, 2020
It doesn’t look to be the official Lego replica of the White House available as part of its Architecture series, aimed more at adults than children. Although there is a previous smaller Lego version of the White House which it resembles. The model is slightly out of date, as it does not feature Melania Trump’s much-maligned remodelled rose garden.
The first lady also had her social media moment in the spotlight on the final night of the convention, wearing a dress that easily allowed her to be “green-screened”. The internet soon went to work and before long she appeared variously to be endorsing Joe Biden, the nation’s coronavirus death toll, and the weather.
Everyone will be talking about Melania's dress after this is all over. #RNC2020 pic.twitter.com/KosqGenMwc — Scott Brown (@ScottBrownDC) August 28, 2020
If there were an award for awkward moment of the night, it would have to go to this exchange between Ivanka and Melania Trump. There had been reports this week that Stephanie Winston Wolkoff taped the first lady making “harsh comments” about her fellow Trumps.
Makes you wonder what Ivanka whispered to Melania as she passed by. pic.twitter.com/v43wkZM0yH — Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@joncoopertweets) August 28, 2020
Still, no social media mirth could distract from the fact Republicans had dished up four days filled with apocalyptic predictions for the US should the country not re-elect Donald Trump, in a series of speeches littered with falsehoods, many delivered by members of his family.