cnbc--2020-08-04--Democrats report coronavirus relief progress as McConnell says he is prepared to support a deal

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) speaks to members of the press after a weekly Senate Republican Policy Luncheon at Hart Senate Office Building August 4 , 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington , DC .
Democratic leaders left a meeting with Trump administration officials Tuesday saying they are plodding toward a coronavirus relief deal .
As the sides grind through a bevy of differences to try to strike to a relief agreement , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — another major voice in the process — said he expects to back whatever aid agreement they reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , met with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows for about 90 minutes on Tuesday .
Speaking to reporters after the huddle , Schumer said , `` We 're making progress . ''
`` We really went down issue by issue by issue , slogging through them , '' he said .
`` They made some concessions , which we appreciated .
We made some concessions , which they appreciated .
We 're still far away on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're continuing to go at it . ''
Entering the meeting , the sides appeared to have resolved few of the thorny issues at stake in the talks .
More than a week has passed since Republicans unveiled a counteroffer to the legislation Democrats passed in May .
McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , said Tuesday that opposition to pieces of a deal Democrats and the Trump administration craft may not stop him from trying to pass it in the Senate .
`` Wherever this thing settles between the president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to sign it into law , and the Democrat not insignificant minority in the Senate and majority in the House , is something I 'm prepared to support even if I have some problems with certain parts of it , '' he told reporters after the weekly Senate Republican policy lunch .
Mnuchin and Meadows attended the meeting with the GOP caucus .
By Tuesday morning , the parties had come close to a consensus in only a few areas , such as extending funding for Paycheck Protection Program loans for small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday night .
Mnuchin has said Democrats and the GOP agreed on the need to send another direct payment of up to $ 1,200 to Americans .
But neither side had budged on plans for extending extra federal unemployment insurance or offering relief to budget-crunched state and local governments , among other topics .
Negotiators have failed to crack the impasse even after the $ 600-per-week jobless benefit and a moratorium on evictions from federally backed housing expired .
The end of both policies puts millions of Americans at risk of poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the stalemate drags on , it appears unlikely Congress can pass a rescue package before the end of next week .
Pelosi has told House Democrats she does not expect an agreement until next week , according to Politico .
`` In some cases we 're inching along and in others we 're making more progress , '' she told reporters after the meeting with Mnuchin and Meadows on Tuesday .

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to members of the press after a weekly Senate Republican Policy Luncheon at Hart Senate Office Building August 4, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Democratic leaders left a meeting with Trump administration officials Tuesday saying they are plodding toward a coronavirus relief deal.
As the sides grind through a bevy of differences to try to strike to a relief agreement, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — another major voice in the process — said he expects to back whatever aid agreement they reach.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., met with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows for about 90 minutes on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters after the huddle, Schumer said, "We're making progress."
"We really went down issue by issue by issue, slogging through them," he said. "They made some concessions, which we appreciated. We made some concessions, which they appreciated. We're still far away on a lot of the important issues, but we're continuing to go at it."
Entering the meeting, the sides appeared to have resolved few of the thorny issues at stake in the talks. More than a week has passed since Republicans unveiled a counteroffer to the legislation Democrats passed in May.
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said Tuesday that opposition to pieces of a deal Democrats and the Trump administration craft may not stop him from trying to pass it in the Senate.
"Wherever this thing settles between the president of the United States and his team, that have to sign it into law, and the Democrat not insignificant minority in the Senate and majority in the House, is something I'm prepared to support even if I have some problems with certain parts of it," he told reporters after the weekly Senate Republican policy lunch. Mnuchin and Meadows attended the meeting with the GOP caucus.
By Tuesday morning, the parties had come close to a consensus in only a few areas, such as extending funding for Paycheck Protection Program loans for small business, an administration official told CNBC on Monday night. Mnuchin has said Democrats and the GOP agreed on the need to send another direct payment of up to $1,200 to Americans.
But neither side had budged on plans for extending extra federal unemployment insurance or offering relief to budget-crunched state and local governments, among other topics. Negotiators have failed to crack the impasse even after the $600-per-week jobless benefit and a moratorium on evictions from federally backed housing expired. The end of both policies puts millions of Americans at risk of poverty or homelessness during an economic collapse.
As the stalemate drags on, it appears unlikely Congress can pass a rescue package before the end of next week. Pelosi has told House Democrats she does not expect an agreement until next week, according to Politico.
"In some cases we're inching along and in others we're making more progress," she told reporters after the meeting with Mnuchin and Meadows on Tuesday.


cnbc--2020-08-04--Trump says coronavirus death toll 'is what it is' as he insists pandemic is 'under control' in U.S.

President Donald Trump insisted that the coronavirus pandemic is `` under control '' in the United States even when confronted with the staggering death tolls from the virus .
During a contentious interview , Axios ' Jonathan Swan asked Trump how he could claim his administration has a handle on the virus as it kills 1,000 Americans a day .
`` They are dying .
That 's true , and — it is what it is , '' Trump said .
`` But that does n't mean we are n't doing everything we can .
It 's under control as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said in the interview , which took place July 28 and aired Monday night on HBO .
`` You really think this is as much as we can control it ? ''
Swan asked .
`` A thousand deaths a day ? ''
`` First of all , we have done a great job , '' Trump replied , focusing on how governors have handled the crisis in their own states rather than him taking personal responsibility .
`` I could tell you right now who the great ones are and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governors do it .
We gave them massive amounts of material . ''
Trump 's rosy view of the U.S. response to the pandemic comes as more than 4.71 million cases have been confirmed in the country , as well as at least 155,478 deaths , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Both are the highest recorded totals for any country .
Trump had downplayed the threat of the virus early in the year .
In the spring , as the economy plummeted , Trump pressured state leaders to quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen their economies .
Even now , as public health experts in his own administration , such as Dr. Anthony Fauci , urge Americans to take precautions to help prevent transmission of the virus , Trump has at times undercut that message by holding events with tightly packed audiences and giving mixed signals on whether to wear masks in public .
During the interview , Trump said his administration has done an `` incredible '' job combating the public health crisis .
But Swan challenged Trump on his interpretation of the trajectory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. `` Numerous categories , we 're lower than the world , '' Trump said while reading from a small stack of papers he was holding .
`` Lower than the world ?
What does that mean ?
In what ? ''
Swan said .
The president handed one paper to Swan , who after a brief examination responded : `` Oh , you 're doing death as a proportion of cases .
I 'm talking about death as a proportion of population .
That 's where the U.S. is really bad .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , etc . ''
Trump replied : `` You ca n't do that ... you have to go by the cases . ''
Swan maintained that it was relevant to look at the number of deaths in the U.S. from Covid-19 in proportion to the population of the country .
He compared the U.S. with South Korea , a nation of more than 50 million people that he counted about 300 total death from the coronavirus .
`` You do n't know that , '' Trump said .
`` You think they 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Uh , I wo n't get into that because I have a very good relationship with the country , but you do n't know that , '' Trump said .
The president later repeated his claim that `` because we do more tests , we have more cases . ''
Swan replied : `` If hospital rates were going down and deaths were going down , I 'd say terrific .
You deserve to be praised for testing .
But they 're all going up . ''

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in an executive order signing event on "hiring American" in the very dark Cabinet Room of the White House, with the lights low and curtains drawn, in Washington, U.S., August 3, 2020. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
President Donald Trump insisted that the coronavirus pandemic is "under control" in the United States even when confronted with the staggering death tolls from the virus. During a contentious interview, Axios' Jonathan Swan asked Trump how he could claim his administration has a handle on the virus as it kills 1,000 Americans a day. "They are dying. That's true, and — it is what it is," Trump said. "But that doesn't mean we aren't doing everything we can. It's under control as much as you can control it," Trump said in the interview, which took place July 28 and aired Monday night on HBO. "You really think this is as much as we can control it?" Swan asked. "A thousand deaths a day?"
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"First of all, we have done a great job," Trump replied, focusing on how governors have handled the crisis in their own states rather than him taking personal responsibility. "I could tell you right now who the great ones are and who the not-so-great ones are. But the governors do it. We gave them massive amounts of material." Trump's rosy view of the U.S. response to the pandemic comes as more than 4.71 million cases have been confirmed in the country, as well as at least 155,478 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Both are the highest recorded totals for any country.
"They are dying. That's true, and — it is what it is." President Donald Trump
Trump had downplayed the threat of the virus early in the year. In the spring, as the economy plummeted, Trump pressured state leaders to quickly lift their strict social distancing measures and reopen their economies. Even now, as public health experts in his own administration, such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, urge Americans to take precautions to help prevent transmission of the virus, Trump has at times undercut that message by holding events with tightly packed audiences and giving mixed signals on whether to wear masks in public. During the interview, Trump said his administration has done an "incredible" job combating the public health crisis. But Swan challenged Trump on his interpretation of the trajectory of cases and deaths from Covid-19 in the U.S. Axios TWEET "Numerous categories, we're lower than the world," Trump said while reading from a small stack of papers he was holding. "Lower than the world? What does that mean? In what?" Swan said. The president handed one paper to Swan, who after a brief examination responded: "Oh, you're doing death as a proportion of cases. I'm talking about death as a proportion of population. That's where the U.S. is really bad. Much worse than South Korea, Germany, etc."
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cnbc--2020-08-04--Herman Cain was on a ventilator before he died from Covid-19, top aide says

Herman Cain had been put on a ventilator and was at times unconscious during his final weeks hospitalized with the coronavirus , a top aide and friend of Cain 's told CNBC .
The new details come less than a week after the former Republican presidential candidate succumbed to his illness .
Cain , who was a vocal advocate for President Donald Trump , is among the most well-known people in the U.S. to have died from Covid-19 .
More than 156,000 people have died due to the disease , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Dan Calabrese , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death last Thursday morning , offered a glimpse at Cain 's final days .
He said in a phone interview Tuesday that doctors in the Atlanta-area hospital where Cain was being treated `` were trying to use the ventilator to strengthen his lungs . ''
The 74-year-old Cain `` was n't conscious the whole time because he was on a ventilator , which was something that we were n't telling you at the time because we did n't think there was any reason we needed to tell you , '' Calabrese said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss it in that much detail . ''
In addition to his wife , Gloria Etchison , Cain 's survivors include his two children , Melanie and Vincent .
Calabrese , who is speaking for Cain 's family , said he does not believe they plan to make any statements .
Calabrese had served as a main point of contact for journalists covering Cain after it was announced through his social media on July 2 that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and `` had developed symptoms serious enough that he required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a week after Cain had attended a rally for Trump in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
The announcement of the diagnosis said Cain `` did not require a respirator '' at the time he was first hospitalized .
But Cain 's condition worsened over time , despite some glimmers of hope , according to Calabrese .
`` As recently as , I want to say maybe the Friday or Saturday before he passed away , the report we had was that the doctors actually thought he would make a recovery , '' Calabrese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems were `` actually pretty strong , '' Calabrese said , considering Cain had survived a bout with stage 4 colon cancer years earlier .
`` There were hopeful things , '' Calabrese added .
But in Cain 's final days , he said , `` I was starting to have a real sense of concern , because it did n't seem like he was getting better as fast as he should have been . ''
Other associates of Cain , including his executive assistant Lisa Reichert and Robert Laurie , a contributor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to repeated interview requests .
Like much of his life , Cain 's illness and death were marked by politics , personality and press coverage .
Less than two weeks before his diagnosis , Cain had attended Trump 's late-June campaign rally in Oklahoma .
Cain , the former CEO of Godfather 's Pizza who became famous during the 2012 GOP presidential primary for his catchy `` 9-9-9 '' tax plan , had been briefly considered to become a Trump nominee for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors .
Cain remained a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination was withdrawn .
At the campaign rally – which was denounced by health officials , who warned it could become a `` superspreader '' for the virus – Cain posed for a photograph showing him sitting in the Tulsa arena surrounded by a group of other Trump supporters .
Neither Cain nor the others in the photo were wearing masks or abiding by federal recommendations for maintaining a safe social distance .
Critics were quick to point out the potential connection between Cain 's attendance at the Trump campaign 's large , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thereafter .
`` I realize people will speculate about the Tulsa rally , but Herman did a lot of traveling the past week , '' Calabrese wrote on Cain 's blog .
`` I do n't think there 's any way to trace this to the one specific contact that caused him to be infected .
We 'll never know . ''
Trump , who has defended his rally and subsequent campaign events , denied after Cain 's death that the former pizza executive had contracted the virus in Tulsa .
`` No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump said Friday when asked if he thought Cain caught Covid-19 at the rally .
Even after his hospitalization , Cain 's social media presence continued to dish out takes on the pandemic .
`` Our government , and our media , have incinerated their credibility .
So , is it any wonder that people are skeptical ? ''
read a tweet from Cain 's account last Wednesday , the day before he died .
Cain 's social media accounts occasionally provided vague updates on his condition throughout July .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when Cain 's social media revealed that he was `` being treated with oxygen for his lungs '' nearly a month after entering the hospital .
`` He really is getting better , which means it is working , '' the update said .
Calabrese had overseen and edited Cain 's website for years , and before then had syndicated Cain 's newspaper columns .
He said Tuesday that he had been in Detroit , not Atlanta , while Cain was hospitalized and got `` occasional updates '' that did not include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had inked a deal with conservative outlet Newsmax for a weekly show not long before his diagnosis .
`` He was 74 years old , and he would get excited about new things he was going to get a chance to do , '' Calabrese said , recalling their last conversation .
`` He was having the time of his life . ''

Herman Cain, former chairman and chief executive officer of Godfather's Pizza. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
Herman Cain had been put on a ventilator and was at times unconscious during his final weeks hospitalized with the coronavirus, a top aide and friend of Cain's told CNBC. The new details come less than a week after the former Republican presidential candidate succumbed to his illness. Cain, who was a vocal advocate for President Donald Trump, is among the most well-known people in the U.S. to have died from Covid-19. More than 156,000 people have died due to the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University. Dan Calabrese, who announced Cain's passing shortly after his death last Thursday morning, offered a glimpse at Cain's final days. He said in a phone interview Tuesday that doctors in the Atlanta-area hospital where Cain was being treated "were trying to use the ventilator to strengthen his lungs." The 74-year-old Cain "wasn't conscious the whole time because he was on a ventilator, which was something that we weren't telling you at the time because we didn't think there was any reason we needed to tell you," Calabrese said. "The family just didn't want to discuss it in that much detail." In addition to his wife, Gloria Etchison, Cain's survivors include his two children, Melanie and Vincent. Calabrese, who is speaking for Cain's family, said he does not believe they plan to make any statements.
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Calabrese had served as a main point of contact for journalists covering Cain after it was announced through his social media on July 2 that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and "had developed symptoms serious enough that he required hospitalization." The diagnosis came more than a week after Cain had attended a rally for Trump in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The announcement of the diagnosis said Cain "did not require a respirator" at the time he was first hospitalized. But Cain's condition worsened over time, despite some glimmers of hope, according to Calabrese. "As recently as, I want to say maybe the Friday or Saturday before he passed away, the report we had was that the doctors actually thought he would make a recovery," Calabrese said. The rest of Cain's systems were "actually pretty strong," Calabrese said, considering Cain had survived a bout with stage 4 colon cancer years earlier. "There were hopeful things," Calabrese added. But in Cain's final days, he said, "I was starting to have a real sense of concern, because it didn't seem like he was getting better as fast as he should have been." Other associates of Cain, including his executive assistant Lisa Reichert and Robert Laurie, a contributor to Cain's site, did not respond to repeated interview requests.
Trump rally controversy
Like much of his life, Cain's illness and death were marked by politics, personality and press coverage. Less than two weeks before his diagnosis, Cain had attended Trump's late-June campaign rally in Oklahoma. Cain, the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza who became famous during the 2012 GOP presidential primary for his catchy "9-9-9" tax plan, had been briefly considered to become a Trump nominee for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Cain remained a vocal supporter of the president after his nomination was withdrawn. At the campaign rally – which was denounced by health officials, who warned it could become a "superspreader" for the virus – Cain posed for a photograph showing him sitting in the Tulsa arena surrounded by a group of other Trump supporters. Neither Cain nor the others in the photo were wearing masks or abiding by federal recommendations for maintaining a safe social distance. Cain TWEET Critics were quick to point out the potential connection between Cain's attendance at the Trump campaign's large, in-person gathering and his critical illness shortly thereafter. "I realize people will speculate about the Tulsa rally, but Herman did a lot of traveling the past week," Calabrese wrote on Cain's blog. "I don't think there's any way to trace this to the one specific contact that caused him to be infected. We'll never know." Trump, who has defended his rally and subsequent campaign events, denied after Cain's death that the former pizza executive had contracted the virus in Tulsa. "No, I don't think he did," Trump said Friday when asked if he thought Cain caught Covid-19 at the rally.
A life cut short


cnbc--2020-08-04--Trump banned Jeffrey Epstein from Mar-a-Lago after sex criminal hit on member's daughter, book claim

Trump banned Jeffrey Epstein from Mar-a-Lago after sex criminal hit on member's daughter, book claims

A video still from the NBC archive showing Donald Trump talking with Jeffrey Epstein at a party in Mar-A-Lago from 1992 .
President Donald Trump banned his former friend , the wealthy investor Jeffrey Epstein , from his exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club for hitting on the teenage daughter of another member , a new book says .
The late Epstein 's banishment by Trump from the Palm Beach , Florida , club appears to have occurred months before Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state criminal charges in Florida , which included paying for sexual services from a 14-year-old girl .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two years after a state grand jury charged Epstein with soliciting prostitution .
The new book `` The Grifter 's Club : Trump , Mar-a-Lago , and the Selling of the Presidency , '' also says that despite claims to the contrary by Trump 's company , Epstein had been himself a member of Mar-a-Lago before he was banned .
A Trump Organization official last year denied that Epstein , who had a luxurious residence in Palm Beach , had been a dues-paying club member after the investor was arrested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Epstein died a month later in a Manhattan federal jail from what authorities have ruled was a suicide by hanging .
At the time , Trump did not reveal publicly what led to his falling out with Epstein , whom he said he had not spoken to for up to 15 years .
`` I 'm not a fan of his , '' Trump said then .
But Trump , a real estate developer and reality TV star , for years had been friends with Epstein before booting him from his club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Bill Clinton , Britain 's Prince Andrew , and other wealthy and powerful people .
In 2002 , Trump told New York magazine , `` I 've known Jeff for 15 years .
Terrific guy . ''
`` He 's a lot of fun to be with .
It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do , and many of them are on the younger side . ''

A video still from the NBC archive showing Donald Trump talking with Jeffrey Epstein at a party in Mar-A-Lago from 1992.
President Donald Trump banned his former friend, the wealthy investor Jeffrey Epstein, from his exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club for hitting on the teenage daughter of another member, a new book says.
The late Epstein's banishment by Trump from the Palm Beach, Florida, club appears to have occurred months before Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to state criminal charges in Florida, which included paying for sexual services from a 14-year-old girl.
But it also seems to have happened more than two years after a state grand jury charged Epstein with soliciting prostitution.
The new book "The Grifter's Club: Trump, Mar-a-Lago, and the Selling of the Presidency," also says that despite claims to the contrary by Trump's company, Epstein had been himself a member of Mar-a-Lago before he was banned.
A Trump Organization official last year denied that Epstein, who had a luxurious residence in Palm Beach, had been a dues-paying club member after the investor was arrested in July 2019 on child sex trafficking charges.
Epstein died a month later in a Manhattan federal jail from what authorities have ruled was a suicide by hanging.
At the time, Trump did not reveal publicly what led to his falling out with Epstein, whom he said he had not spoken to for up to 15 years.
"I'm not a fan of his," Trump said then.
But Trump, a real estate developer and reality TV star, for years had been friends with Epstein before booting him from his club. Epstein also previously was friends with President Bill Clinton, Britain's Prince Andrew, and other wealthy and powerful people.
In 2002, Trump told New York magazine, "I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy."
"He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."


cnbc--2020-08-04--Trump suggests Jeffrey Epstein might have been killed, defends well wishes for Ghislaine Maxwell

From left , Donald Trump and his girlfriend ( and future wife ) , former model Melania Knauss , financier ( and future convicted sex offender ) Jeffrey Epstein , and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach , Florida on Feb. 12 , 2000 .
President Donald Trump in a new interview suggested that accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein might have been killed in jail instead of having committed suicide , and defended his well wishes to Epstein 's alleged accomplice , Ghislaine Maxwell .
Trump also said , `` First of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' when he was reminded that Maxwell now faces charges related to alleged sexual abuse of children by the wealthy investor Epstein .
`` But I do know that her friend or boyfriend [ Epstein ] was either killed or committed suicide in jail , '' Trump said of the British socialite Maxwell .
`` She 's now in jail . ''
`` Yeah , I wish her well .
I 'd wish you well , I 'd wish a lot of people well , '' he told Jonathan Swan of Axios @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , let them prove somebody was guilty , '' Trump said .
Years ago , Trump had socialized with Epstein and Maxwell , whose other high-profile friends had included former President Bill Clinton and Britain 's Prince Andrew .
Epstein , 66 , died last August in a jail in Manhattan by what federal officials and the New York City Medical Examiner 's Office have said was a suicide by hanging .
At the time , Epstein was awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges related to the alleged abuse of dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General William Barr has said that Epstein 's death , which occurred weeks after another apparent suicide bid by him in the same high-security federal jail , was the result of a `` perfect storm of screw-ups , '' but also said he is sure Epstein killed himself .
Barr said he personally reviewed security footage that shows no one entered the area where Epstein was being kept at the time he died .
Two guards at the jail who were supposed to be keeping an eye on Epstein and other inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been criminally charged with trying to cover up their failure to do so .
Maxwell , 58 , was arrested last month on charges related to her allegedly recruiting and grooming several underage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein in the mid-1990s She also is accused of perjuring herself by lying under oath during a deposition for a civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre , who has claimed that she was recruited by Maxwell to be abused by Epstein while working as a teenager in the spa at Trump 's Mar-a-Lago resort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail in a federal jail in Brooklyn , New York .
Swan noted that at a White House news conference on July 21 Trump was asked by a reporter if in Maxwell 's case `` you feel that she 's going to turn in powerful men . ''
`` I just wish her well , frankly , '' Trump had answered at the time , going on to say , `` I 've met her numerous times over the years , especially since I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guess they lived in Palm Beach . ''

From left, Donald Trump and his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida on Feb. 12, 2000.
President Donald Trump in a new interview suggested that accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein might have been killed in jail instead of having committed suicide, and defended his well wishes to Epstein's alleged accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Trump also said, "First of all, I don't know that," when he was reminded that Maxwell now faces charges related to alleged sexual abuse of children by the wealthy investor Epstein.
"But I do know that her friend or boyfriend [Epstein] was either killed or committed suicide in jail," Trump said of the British socialite Maxwell. "She's now in jail."
"Yeah, I wish her well. I'd wish you well, I'd wish a lot of people well," he told Jonathan Swan of Axios in the interview.
"Good luck, let them prove somebody was guilty," Trump said.
Tweet
Years ago, Trump had socialized with Epstein and Maxwell, whose other high-profile friends had included former President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew.
Epstein, 66, died last August in a jail in Manhattan by what federal officials and the New York City Medical Examiner's Office have said was a suicide by hanging.
At the time, Epstein was awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges related to the alleged abuse of dozens of underage girls from 2002 through 2005.
Attorney General William Barr has said that Epstein's death, which occurred weeks after another apparent suicide bid by him in the same high-security federal jail, was the result of a "perfect storm of screw-ups," but also said he is sure Epstein killed himself.
Barr said he personally reviewed security footage that shows no one entered the area where Epstein was being kept at the time he died.
Two guards at the jail who were supposed to be keeping an eye on Epstein and other inmates on the night of his death have been criminally charged with trying to cover up their failure to do so.
Maxwell, 58, was arrested last month on charges related to her allegedly recruiting and grooming several underage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein in the mid-1990s
She also is accused of perjuring herself by lying under oath during a deposition for a civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who has claimed that she was recruited by Maxwell to be abused by Epstein while working as a teenager in the spa at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
Maxwell has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail in a federal jail in Brooklyn, New York.
Swan noted that at a White House news conference on July 21 Trump was asked by a reporter if in Maxwell's case "you feel that she's going to turn in powerful men."
"I just wish her well, frankly," Trump had answered at the time, going on to say, "I've met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach."


cnbc--2020-08-04--The $600 unemployment boost is gone. That leaves some with just $5 a week

Millions of Americans are getting a big cut in their unemployment checks after the expiration of a policy that offered an extra $ 600 a week in aid .
A subset of workers — such as part-timers , low-wage workers , and some freelancers and contractors — will feel that cut more acutely than others .
The weekly $ 600 federal supplement to unemployment benefits , part of a federal coronavirus relief law enacted in March , came on top of the typical aid that states pay .
However , state aid can vary significantly from person to person .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum and maximum value .
Most states pay minimums below $ 100 a week .
Hawaii , for example , pays $ 5 a week on the low end .
It 's not much higher in other states like Louisiana ( $ 10 ) , Connecticut ( $ 15 ) , North Carolina ( $ 15 ) , Nevada ( $ 16 ) , Oklahoma ( $ 16 ) and Delaware ( $ 20 ) , according to Labor Department data .
Arizona and Washington state have the highest minimums , just shy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. average is $ 61 .
The federal unemployment supplement boosted these minimum payments by $ 600 a week .
A low minimum does n't necessarily mean a state is less generous relative to others .
They may make it easier than other states for workers to qualify for benefits .
For example .
Hawaii , which has the lowest minimum , paid out the second-highest average benefit in May — $ 466 a week .
In May , states paid an average $ 321 a week , according to the Labor Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state 's minimum weekly payment , Stettner said .
Some , like part-time and low-wage workers , are more likely than others to get the minimum .
States set eligibility requirements ( like having earned a certain amount of wages over the past year ) to be able to collect unemployment benefits .
Those who just creep over the eligibility bar often get near-minimum weekly payments .
However , the technical workings of state unemployment systems means `` mixed earners '' — who make a living through a combination of traditional W-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example ) — are also likely to earn a minimum benefit .
The CARES Act , the law that created the $ 600-a-week subsidy , also extended unemployment benefits to previously ineligible workers , such as the self-employed , freelancers , independent contractors and gig workers .

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Millions of Americans are getting a big cut in their unemployment checks after the expiration of a policy that offered an extra $600 a week in aid. A subset of workers — such as part-timers, low-wage workers, and some freelancers and contractors — will feel that cut more acutely than others. The weekly $600 federal supplement to unemployment benefits, part of a federal coronavirus relief law enacted in March, came on top of the typical aid that states pay.
'Meager' unemployment benefits
However, state aid can vary significantly from person to person. It falls in a range between a minimum and maximum value. Most states pay minimums below $100 a week. Hawaii, for example, pays $5 a week on the low end. It's not much higher in other states like Louisiana ($10), Connecticut ($15), North Carolina ($15), Nevada ($16), Oklahoma ($16) and Delaware ($20), according to Labor Department data. Arizona and Washington state have the highest minimums, just shy of $190 a week. The U.S. average is $61. The federal unemployment supplement boosted these minimum payments by $600 a week.
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Low earners and part-timers
A low minimum doesn't necessarily mean a state is less generous relative to others. They may make it easier than other states for workers to qualify for benefits. For example. Hawaii, which has the lowest minimum, paid out the second-highest average benefit in May — $466 a week. In May, states paid an average $321 a week, according to the Labor Department.
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A small share of workers receive a state's minimum weekly payment, Stettner said. Some, like part-time and low-wage workers, are more likely than others to get the minimum. States set eligibility requirements (like having earned a certain amount of wages over the past year) to be able to collect unemployment benefits. Those who just creep over the eligibility bar often get near-minimum weekly payments.
Mixed earners
However, the technical workings of state unemployment systems means "mixed earners" — who make a living through a combination of traditional W-2 and self-employment income (1099 income, for example) — are also likely to earn a minimum benefit. The CARES Act, the law that created the $600-a-week subsidy, also extended unemployment benefits to previously ineligible workers, such as the self-employed, freelancers, independent contractors and gig workers.


cnbc--2020-08-04--How Trump could force a payroll tax holiday without waiting for Congress

President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on July 31 .
President Donald Trump might not have to wait for Congress to pass his payroll tax cut .
He may be able to do it on his own .
Rather than waiting for lawmakers to come around to a payroll tax holiday , the president could order the Treasury Department to stop collecting the tax , according to an Aug. 2 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal .
The opinion piece was authored by Stephen Moore , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force , and Phil Kerpen , president of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity .
At a White House press briefing Monday evening , the president said he does indeed have the power to unilaterally suspend the collection of payroll taxes .
`` I can do that also through an executive order , '' Trump said at the briefing , `` so we 'll be talking about that . ''
The president added that his administration is `` having a very good discussion '' with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about another coronavirus relief package .
But Trump said it was n't `` fair '' that the Democratic leaders `` want to bail out cities and states that have been in trouble for years of bad management . ''
Payroll taxes are the slice of employees ' pay that 's withheld to fund Social Security and Medicare .
More from Personal Finance : Small businesses rehire staff but cut pay and hours Treasury canceling stimulus checks to dead recipients Coronavirus unemployment claims are worst in history The burden is shared by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible for a 6.2 % levy that funds Social Security , plus a 1.45 % tax that goes toward Medicare .
While Social Security taxes are subject to a wage base limit of $ 137,700 in 2020 , Medicare taxes continue to apply beyond that threshold .
To get the payroll tax break — a deferral , according to Moore and Kerpen — the Trump administration would employ a section of the tax code that allows the Treasury Secretary to postpone certain tax-related deadlines in a federally declared disaster .
Earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to delay the due date for 2019 federal income taxes .
`` Mr. Trump should instruct the Treasury to stop withholding payroll taxes , '' Moore and Kerpen wrote .

President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on July 31.
President Donald Trump might not have to wait for Congress to pass his payroll tax cut. He may be able to do it on his own.
Rather than waiting for lawmakers to come around to a payroll tax holiday, the president could order the Treasury Department to stop collecting the tax, according to an Aug. 2 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal.
The opinion piece was authored by Stephen Moore, a member of the president's economic recovery task force, and Phil Kerpen, president of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity.
At a White House press briefing Monday evening, the president said he does indeed have the power to unilaterally suspend the collection of payroll taxes.
"I can do that also through an executive order," Trump said at the briefing, "so we'll be talking about that."
The president added that his administration is "having a very good discussion" with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., about another coronavirus relief package. But Trump said it wasn't "fair" that the Democratic leaders "want to bail out cities and states that have been in trouble for years of bad management."
Payroll taxes are the slice of employees' pay that's withheld to fund Social Security and Medicare.
More from Personal Finance:
Small businesses rehire staff but cut pay and hours
Treasury canceling stimulus checks to dead recipients
Coronavirus unemployment claims are worst in history
The burden is shared by the worker and the employer: Each is responsible for a 6.2% levy that funds Social Security, plus a 1.45% tax that goes toward Medicare. While Social Security taxes are subject to a wage base limit of $137,700 in 2020, Medicare taxes continue to apply beyond that threshold.
To get the payroll tax break — a deferral, according to Moore and Kerpen — the Trump administration would employ a section of the tax code that allows the Treasury Secretary to postpone certain tax-related deadlines in a federally declared disaster.
Earlier this year, the administration used this same authority to delay the due date for 2019 federal income taxes.
"Mr. Trump should instruct the Treasury to stop withholding payroll taxes," Moore and Kerpen wrote.


cnbc--2020-08-04--Democrats and Trump officials had 'productive' meeting, but still don't have a coronavirus relief de

Democrats and Trump officials had 'productive' meeting, but still don't have a coronavirus relief deal

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. , left , speaks as she stands next to Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y. , right , on Capitol Hill in Washington , Monday , Aug. 3 , 2020 .
Democrats and Trump administration officials left a Monday afternoon meeting touting progress toward an elusive fifth coronavirus bill , but said they still had issues to resolve .
Negotiators House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows met for more than two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed Sunday 's staff-level talks on a package to help rein in a raging pandemic and jolt a flailing U.S. economy .
Following the meeting , Pelosi told reporters the discussions were `` productive . ''
She said `` we are moving down the track , '' but `` still have our differences . ''
Addressing reporters alongside the speaker , Schumer added that `` we 're making some progress on certain issues , moving closer together . ''
The senator said `` there are a lot of issues that are still outstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire to get something done as soon as we can . ''
Mnuchin and Meadows went to brief Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , about the talks after the meeting concluded .
Mnuchin told reporters that discussions with Democrats were done for the day .
The negotiators are expected to meet more this week .
As the White House pressures Democrats to accept a short-term fix , Trump also said he is exploring executive action to extend a moratorium on evictions from federally-backed housing .
It is unclear what power he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expired late last month when Congress failed to pass a bill to sustain it .
`` A lot of people are going to be evicted , but I 'm going to stop it because I 'll do it myself when I have to , '' he said during an event at the White House On Monday .
`` I have a lot of powers with respect to executive orders , and we 're looking at that very seriously right now . ''
The effort to pass a relief package has gained urgency after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit expired at the end of July .
The extra aid has helped tens of millions of jobless people afford food and housing as the economy reels during the outbreak .
Disagreements over how to structure unemployment insurance have stood in the way of a deal .
Democrats have insisted on continuing the $ 600 weekly sum .
They passed a House bill in May to extend the aid into next year .
Republicans , who questioned the need for more pandemic relief before they released a proposal last week , want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per week through September .
They would then set the aid at 70 % wage replacement .
Asked Monday if negotiators made any progress on unemployment insurance , Schumer responded that Republicans are `` sticking to their position , '' according to reporters at the Capitol .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, speaks as she stands next to Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., right, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020.
Democrats and Trump administration officials left a Monday afternoon meeting touting progress toward an elusive fifth coronavirus bill, but said they still had issues to resolve.
Negotiators House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows met for more than two hours at the Capitol. The discussions followed Sunday's staff-level talks on a package to help rein in a raging pandemic and jolt a flailing U.S. economy.
Following the meeting, Pelosi told reporters the discussions were "productive." She said "we are moving down the track," but "still have our differences."
Addressing reporters alongside the speaker, Schumer added that "we're making some progress on certain issues, moving closer together." The senator said "there are a lot of issues that are still outstanding, but I think there is a desire to get something done as soon as we can."
Mnuchin and Meadows went to brief Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., about the talks after the meeting concluded. Mnuchin told reporters that discussions with Democrats were done for the day.
The negotiators are expected to meet more this week.
As the White House pressures Democrats to accept a short-term fix, Trump also said he is exploring executive action to extend a moratorium on evictions from federally-backed housing. It is unclear what power he has to continue the policy, which expired late last month when Congress failed to pass a bill to sustain it.
"A lot of people are going to be evicted, but I'm going to stop it because I'll do it myself when I have to," he said during an event at the White House On Monday. "I have a lot of powers with respect to executive orders, and we're looking at that very seriously right now."
The effort to pass a relief package has gained urgency after a $600 per week federal unemployment benefit expired at the end of July. The extra aid has helped tens of millions of jobless people afford food and housing as the economy reels during the outbreak.
Disagreements over how to structure unemployment insurance have stood in the way of a deal. Democrats have insisted on continuing the $600 weekly sum. They passed a House bill in May to extend the aid into next year.
Republicans, who questioned the need for more pandemic relief before they released a proposal last week, want to slash the extra benefit to $200 per week through September. They would then set the aid at 70% wage replacement.
Asked Monday if negotiators made any progress on unemployment insurance, Schumer responded that Republicans are "sticking to their position," according to reporters at the Capitol.


cnbc--2020-08-05--Vulnerable GOP senators offer more generous unemployment plan than their party proposed

Three Republican senators , two of whom face tough elections this fall , released a bill Wednesday that offers more generous unemployment insurance than their party 's existing coronavirus aid plan would .
The proposal from Sens .
Mitt Romney of Utah , Susan Collins of Maine and Martha McSally of Arizona would give states the choice of paying recipients either $ 400 or $ 500 per week in August , on top of what they would normally receive from the state .
In September , the benefit would drop to $ 400 a week in every state .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change to 80 % wage replacement .
States could seek a waiver to instead pay out $ 300 a week if their unemployment systems can not handle replacing a percentage of previous pay .
The bill would pay more to people struggling to find work in a ravaged economy than the proposal Senate Republicans put forward last week .
That legislation would extend the benefit at $ 200 per week through September , then continue it at 70 % wage replacement .
The plan from the three Republicans comes as Democrats and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment insurance extension as part of their fifth pandemic relief package .
A $ 600 per week extra federal payment — approved in March to combat a wave of unemployment — expired at the end of July .
It looks increasingly likely Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , will have to rely on the votes of Democrats and his least conservative members to get an aid bill through the chamber .
The plan from Romney , Collins and McSally signals their willingness to move in the direction of Democrats as negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly offered to extend the federal benefit at $ 400 per week into December , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , signaled Wednesday that he would only accept a deal that continues the $ 600 payments .
On Tuesday , McConnell said he is `` prepared to support '' a deal if Democrats and the White House can reach one .
Collins and McSally are running in two of the most important 2020 Senate races .
Their outcomes will help to determine whether Democrats can flip the four net seats needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Romney has shown a willingness to break with his party since he took office last year .
Most notably , he was the only Republican to vote to convict President Donald Trump and remove him from office in February after his impeachment trial .
Romney will not face reelection until 2024 .
In statements unveiling the bill , the senators said the benefits would help people who still can not find work as the economy flounders .
They also said the phased-out approach would not discourage people from seeking jobs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ disincentivize a return to work , though it is unclear how much of an effect it has had as industries from hospitality to entertainment and travel suffer with public health restrictions in place .
The powerful U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed the legislation after its release .
Collins , a fourth-term senator , will face Democratic Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon in November .
An average of recent polls shows a small lead for Gideon , according to RealClearPolitics .
McSally will run against Democratic former astronaut Mark Kelly in her bid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John McCain 's term through 2022 .
Recent surveys have found Kelly leading McSally , according to RealClearPolitics .
A CNBC/Change Research poll released last month found 61 % of likely voters in Arizona supported extending the $ 600 per week federal unemployment benefit .
Only 37 % of respondents opposed the policy .
Kelly held a 47 % to 45 % edge over McSally in the same survey .
A majority of respondents in both Michigan and North Carolina — two other swing states where senators face reelection this year — also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per week benefit , according to the CNBC/Change Research poll .
Democrat Gary Peters and Republican Thom Tillis are hoping to keep their seats in Michigan and North Carolina , respectively .

U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) Michael Brochstein | SOPA Images | LightRocket | Getty Images
Three Republican senators, two of whom face tough elections this fall, released a bill Wednesday that offers more generous unemployment insurance than their party's existing coronavirus aid plan would. The proposal from Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine and Martha McSally of Arizona would give states the choice of paying recipients either $400 or $500 per week in August, on top of what they would normally receive from the state. In September, the benefit would drop to $400 a week in every state. From October through December, the plan would change to 80% wage replacement. States could seek a waiver to instead pay out $300 a week if their unemployment systems cannot handle replacing a percentage of previous pay. The bill would pay more to people struggling to find work in a ravaged economy than the proposal Senate Republicans put forward last week. That legislation would extend the benefit at $200 per week through September, then continue it at 70% wage replacement. The plan from the three Republicans comes as Democrats and the Trump administration struggle to agree on an unemployment insurance extension as part of their fifth pandemic relief package. A $600 per week extra federal payment — approved in March to combat a wave of unemployment — expired at the end of July.
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It looks increasingly likely Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will have to rely on the votes of Democrats and his least conservative members to get an aid bill through the chamber. The plan from Romney, Collins and McSally signals their willingness to move in the direction of Democrats as negotiations continue Wednesday. Though the White House reportedly offered to extend the federal benefit at $400 per week into December, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., signaled Wednesday that he would only accept a deal that continues the $600 payments. On Tuesday, McConnell said he is "prepared to support" a deal if Democrats and the White House can reach one. Collins and McSally are running in two of the most important 2020 Senate races. Their outcomes will help to determine whether Democrats can flip the four net seats needed to win control of the chamber next year.
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) asks a question to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in Washington, DC, July 30, 2020. Greg Nash | Pool | Reuters


cnbc--2020-08-05--White House threatens executive action if it fails to reach coronavirus relief deal with Democrats

President Donald Trump holds an article as he speaks during a news conference at the White House , Thursday , July 30 , 2020 , in Washington .
The White House threatened to act on its own to provide coronavirus relief Wednesday after another day of talks with Democrats yielded no agreement .
Though the Trump administration apparently yielded ground in bargaining over extended unemployment insurance , a range of issues remained unresolved Wednesday after officials ' latest meeting with Democratic leaders .
Leaving a roughly two-hour huddle with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters the sides had `` no agreement . ''
Congress and the Trump administration have struggled to strike an aid agreement after the enhanced unemployment benefits and a moratorium on evictions from federally-backed housing expired in late July .
Millions of Americans still unable to find work will now see a staggering drop in income until lawmakers can pass legislation .
In a CNN interview after Wednesday 's meeting , Meadows said President Donald Trump would take executive action to extend both extra jobless benefits and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House fail to strike a deal .
The threat may be a negotiating tactic because it is unclear if Trump has the power to take those steps .
Congress controls federal funding .
`` If Congress ca n't get it done , the president of the United States will , '' Meadows told CNN .
After the talks , Schumer told reporters that Democrats `` are not walking away '' from discussions .
The New York Democrat said the sides have `` wide differences '' as they struggle toward an agreement .
Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long it would take negotiators to strike a deal .
`` I feel optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel .
But how long the tunnel is remains to be seen , '' the California Democrat told reporters .
On Tuesday , the Trump administration team offered to extend extra federal unemployment insurance into December at $ 400 per week , NBC News and Politico reported .
The White House had floated keeping the previous $ 600 a week benefit for a week while negotiators hashed out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plan that would set the insurance at $ 200 per week through September , then change the benefit to 70 % wage replacement .
Mnuchin and Meadows also offered to extend the eviction moratorium into December , the news outlets said .
Democrats cut their request for U.S .
Postal Service funding to $ 10 billion from $ 25 billion , according to the reports .
The four negotiators also met with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Wednesday .
Schumer said they had a `` heated discussion '' about ensuring efficient mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots by mail in November during the coronavirus pandemic .

President Donald Trump holds an article as he speaks during a news conference at the White House, Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Washington. Evan Vucci | AP
The White House threatened to act on its own to provide coronavirus relief Wednesday after another day of talks with Democrats yielded no agreement. Though the Trump administration apparently yielded ground in bargaining over extended unemployment insurance, a range of issues remained unresolved Wednesday after officials' latest meeting with Democratic leaders. Leaving a roughly two-hour huddle with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters the sides had "no agreement." Congress and the Trump administration have struggled to strike an aid agreement after the enhanced unemployment benefits and a moratorium on evictions from federally-backed housing expired in late July. Millions of Americans still unable to find work will now see a staggering drop in income until lawmakers can pass legislation.
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In a CNN interview after Wednesday's meeting, Meadows said President Donald Trump would take executive action to extend both extra jobless benefits and the eviction moratorium if Democrats and the White House fail to strike a deal. The threat may be a negotiating tactic because it is unclear if Trump has the power to take those steps. Congress controls federal funding. "If Congress can't get it done, the president of the United States will," Meadows told CNN. After the talks, Schumer told reporters that Democrats "are not walking away" from discussions. The New York Democrat said the sides have "wide differences" as they struggle toward an agreement. Pelosi would not give any assurances about how long it would take negotiators to strike a deal. "I feel optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But how long the tunnel is remains to be seen," the California Democrat told reporters. On Tuesday, the Trump administration team offered to extend extra federal unemployment insurance into December at $400 per week, NBC News and Politico reported. The White House had floated keeping the previous $600 a week benefit for a week while negotiators hashed out a broader deal. Senate Republicans have proposed a plan that would set the insurance at $200 per week through September, then change the benefit to 70% wage replacement. Mnuchin and Meadows also offered to extend the eviction moratorium into December, the news outlets said. Democrats cut their request for U.S. Postal Service funding to $10 billion from $25 billion, according to the reports.
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The four negotiators also met with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Wednesday. Schumer said they had a "heated discussion" about ensuring efficient mail delivery when millions of Americans cast their ballots by mail in November during the coronavirus pandemic. Spokespeople for the Democratic leaders and Trump administration officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reported proposals. The concessions would mark some of the first progress on seemingly intractable issues since the GOP last week released its counteroffer to a House Democratic plan. Despite the signs of movement toward a deal, Democrats and Republicans remain far apart on aid for state and local governments, funding for schools, and assistance for food, rent and mortgage payments, among other topics. Schumer also suggested Wednesday that he would not accept an agreement without an extension of the $600 per week jobless benefit. "At the moment, however, the White House is not [supporting $600 a week], and we are not going to strike a deal unless we extend the unemployment benefits which have kept nearly 12 million Americans out of poverty," he said on the Senate floor. It appears likely Congress will have to approve a bill with largely Democratic votes in both the GOP-controlled Senate and Democratic-held House. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., acknowledged Tuesday that his caucus has "divisions about what to do" to extend unemployment insurance. The top Senate Republican also said he is "prepared to support" the deal Democrats and the White House strike, even if he has "problems with certain parts of it."
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cnbc--2020-08-05--Former clients of acting Homeland Security chief Chad Wolf received millions in department contracts

Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf speaks during a press conference on the actions taken by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security agents in Portland during continued protests at the US Customs and Border Patrol headquarters on July 21 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
Several former lobbying clients of Chad Wolf , now the acting secretary of Homeland Security , have received millions of dollars ' worth of government contracts while he has held senior positions within the department .
Wolf , who became the acting chief of the department late last year , was a lobbyist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker before he took leadership roles with DHS under President Donald Trump .
Wolf served as the acting chief of staff at the Transportation Security Administration in 2017 and later became the chief of staff for former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen .
Since then , several of Wolf 's former clients reaped a total of at least $ 160 million in contracts from DHS , according to a CNBC analysis of the public filings .
A DHS spokesman told CNBC that Wolf has no involvement with any government contracts .
`` Acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DHS contract awards , including contracts won by his former clients .
He leaves those matters to the career professionals in the DHS Chief Procurement Office , '' the agency spokesman said .
After joining TSA , Wolf recused himself from DHS matters that involved his former clients .
He has maintained that recusal throughout his tenure at the department .
Still , Democrats pounced on the revelation , arguing that it marks the latest example of how the Trump administration acts against the president 's own promise of `` draining the swamp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolf 's flagrant conflicts of interest screw taxpayers over while rewarding their crony friends and special interests .
When voters sent Trump to Washington , they thought he would 'drain the swamp , ' '' Kyle Morse , a spokesman at Democratic super PAC American Bridge , told CNBC .
Trump signed an executive order in 2017 that banned former lobbyists and lawyers from taking part in government matters linked to their previous clients for the first two years of their tenure in the administration .
Some Trump officials , however , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolf 's name is not on the public waiver list that was issued in April of this year .
A list created by ProPublica showing Trump aides who signed the ethics waiver also does not include Wolf .
The executive order also called on former Trump officials not to take part in lobbying for the five years following their appointments .
The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics shows that even after being a member of the Trump White House , many do go on to work for lobbying firms .
The developments also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under scrutiny by Democrats for how they treated protesters in Portland , Oregon .
They protests stemmed from the unrest following the Minneapolis police killing of unarmed black man George Floyd on Memorial Day .
Among the former Wolf clients to receive multimillion-dollar contracts are American Science and Engineering , an X-ray equipment manufacturer ; ABB , an automation company based in Switzerland ; and Analogic Corporation , a technology business owned by private equity firm Altaris .
These companies did have other contracts with DHS before Wolf arrived there .
One American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect on July 1 , 2018 , is worth just over $ 80 million , a filing says .
The company , in this case , is dedicated to supplying U.S. Customs and Border Protection , which is under DHS , with maintenance and support services .
AS & E , which , according to its website , is now owned by Rapiscan Systems , saw at least $ 93 million in DHS contract obligations in 2018 .
Analogic received over $ 9 million in DHS contracts between 2017 and 2018 .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million base contract with TSA , another agency under Homeland Security .
The contract allowed Analogic `` a 12-month development phase and 24 months of prototype warranty , with options for additional ConneCT prototypes and warranty for a period of 24 months at the TSA 's discretion , '' the release , dated November 2 , 2017 , says .
From 2008 until 2010 , Wolf lobbied TSA for Analogic on issues related to security equipment , lobbying disclosure reports say .
The New York Times reported that Wolf tried to help Analogic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was still working at Wexler & Walker .
Wolf , who also worked at TSA during the Bush administration , later became the agency 's acting chief of staff under the Trump presidency .
ABB , which had tapped Wolf to lobby Congress on their behalf , has also seen a major contract go its way while Wolf held top positions at DHS .
ABB received a DHS government contract worth $ 5.6 million for services dedicated to the U.S. Coast Guard .
Wolf lobbied for ABB up until 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work for the company , he focused , in part , on issues related to the `` United States Coast Guard Icebreaker , '' a fleet of ships that have the ability to go through thick sheets of ice in places like the Arctic .
An ABB spokesman gave details about the focus of the contract and noted that the company has had no contact with Wolf since he finished his tenure as a lobbyist .
`` The contract referenced in your email is a service and maintenance contract for a vessel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in 2006 , '' the spokesman , Chris Shigas , explained .
`` To our knowledge , ABB representatives did not meet or discuss any agreements with Mr. Wolf since he left Wexler Walker . ''
Representatives for Analogic and AS & E did not return requests for comment .

Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf speaks during a press conference on the actions taken by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security agents in Portland during continued protests at the US Customs and Border Patrol headquarters on July 21, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Several former lobbying clients of Chad Wolf, now the acting secretary of Homeland Security, have received millions of dollars' worth of government contracts while he has held senior positions within the department.
Wolf, who became the acting chief of the department late last year, was a lobbyist for over a decade at Wexler & Walker before he took leadership roles with DHS under President Donald Trump. Wolf served as the acting chief of staff at the Transportation Security Administration in 2017 and later became the chief of staff for former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.
Since then, several of Wolf's former clients reaped a total of at least $160 million in contracts from DHS, according to a CNBC analysis of the public filings.
A DHS spokesman told CNBC that Wolf has no involvement with any government contracts.
"Acting Secretary Wolf has had zero involvement in DHS contract awards, including contracts won by his former clients. He leaves those matters to the career professionals in the DHS Chief Procurement Office," the agency spokesman said.
After joining TSA, Wolf recused himself from DHS matters that involved his former clients. He has maintained that recusal throughout his tenure at the department.
Still, Democrats pounced on the revelation, arguing that it marks the latest example of how the Trump administration acts against the president's own promise of "draining the swamp."
"Donald Trump and Chad Wolf's flagrant conflicts of interest screw taxpayers over while rewarding their crony friends and special interests. When voters sent Trump to Washington, they thought he would 'drain the swamp,'" Kyle Morse, a spokesman at Democratic super PAC American Bridge, told CNBC.
Trump signed an executive order in 2017 that banned former lobbyists and lawyers from taking part in government matters linked to their previous clients for the first two years of their tenure in the administration. Some Trump officials, however, have been given waivers to that rule. Wolf's name is not on the public waiver list that was issued in April of this year. A list created by ProPublica showing Trump aides who signed the ethics waiver also does not include Wolf.
The executive order also called on former Trump officials not to take part in lobbying for the five years following their appointments. The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics shows that even after being a member of the Trump White House, many do go on to work for lobbying firms.
The developments also come as Wolf and the department are under scrutiny by Democrats for how they treated protesters in Portland, Oregon. The protests stemmed from the unrest following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, on Memorial Day.
Among the former Wolf clients to receive multimillion-dollar contracts are American Science and Engineering, an X-ray equipment manufacturer; ABB, an automation company based in Switzerland, and Analogic Corporation, a technology business owned by private equity firm Altaris. These companies did have other contracts with DHS before Wolf arrived there.
One American Science and Engineering contract, which took effect on July 1, 2018, is worth just over $80 million, a filing says. The company, in this case, is dedicated to supplying U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is under DHS, with maintenance and support services. AS&E, which, according to its website, is now owned by Rapiscan Systems, saw at least $93 million in DHS contract obligations in 2018.
Analogic received over $9 million in DHS contracts between 2017 and 2018. In 2017, Analogic announced a $4 million base contract with TSA, another agency under Homeland Security.
The contract allowed Analogic "a 12-month development phase and 24 months of prototype warranty, with options for additional ConneCT prototypes and warranty for a period of 24 months at the TSA's discretion," the release, dated Nov. 2, 2017, says.
From 2008 until 2010, Wolf lobbied TSA for Analogic on issues related to security equipment, lobbying disclosure reports say. The New York Times reported that Wolf tried to help Analogic sell its carry-on baggage equipment to TSA when he was still working at Wexler & Walker. Wolf, who also worked at TSA during the Bush administration, later became the agency's acting chief of staff under the Trump presidency.
ABB, which had tapped Wolf to lobby Congress on its behalf, also saw a major contract go its way while Wolf held top positions at DHS. ABB received a DHS government contract worth $5.6 million for services dedicated to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Wolf lobbied for ABB until 2016. Filings show that during his last year of work for the company, he focused, in part, on issues related to the "United States Coast Guard Icebreaker," a fleet of ships that have the ability to go through thick sheets of ice in places such as the Arctic.
An ABB spokesman gave details about the focus of the contract and noted that the company has had no contact with Wolf since he finished his tenure as a lobbyist.
"The contract referenced in your email is a service and maintenance contract for a vessel commissioned with an ABB Azipod propulsion system back in 2006," the spokesman, Chris Shigas, explained. "To our knowledge, ABB representatives did not meet or discuss any agreements with Mr. Wolf since he left Wexler Walker."
Representatives for Analogic and AS&E did not respond to requests for comment.


cnbc--2020-08-05--Biden will not travel to Milwaukee for the Democratic National Convention amid coronavirus pandemic

Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center , July 27 , 2016 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania .
WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden and the rest of the speakers scheduled to take the stage at the Democratic National Convention later this month will not travel to Milwaukee in person for their speeches , convention organizers announced Wednesday .
Citing the coronavirus pandemic , organizers said the speakers will avoid Milwaukee `` in order to prevent risking the health of our host community as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , community partners , media and others . ''
The announcement came as both Democratic and Republican convention committees scramble this week to make final arrangements for conventions that have been upended by the pandemic , which has surged in the past month .
Democratic speakers are expected to include former President Barack Obama , presumptive nominee Joe Biden and his yet-to-be-announced vice presidential running mate .
`` From the very beginning of this pandemic , we put the health and safety of the American people first .
We followed the science , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives , '' said DNC Chair Tom Perez in a statement accompanying the announcement .
Instead of traveling to Milwaukee , Biden will deliver his program-topping acceptance speech from his home state of Delaware on Aug. 20 , organizers said .
The Democratic National Convention will air on television and online each night from 9:00-11:00 p.m .
ET Aug. 17-20 .
Biden is not the only major candidate this year whose convention plans are up in the air .
Incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce where he plans to deliver his acceptance speech , which is slated to take place a week after Biden 's speech .
One idea that 's reportedly being considered is for Trump to deliver his acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House .
Such a move , however , would likely draw scrutiny from government ethics experts .
While the president is exempted from the Hatch Act , it is still frowned upon to commandeer federal property maintained by taxpayers in order to hold purely political events .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's acceptance speech might be held on White House grounds , at least one Senate Republican was already skeptical of the idea .
`` Is that even legal ? ''
said South Dakota Sen. John Thune , when NBC asked him about a possible convention speech at the White House .
`` Anything on federal property would seem to me to be problematic , '' added Thune , who is the second highest-ranking Republican in the Senate .
The Republican National Convention was originally scheduled to take place in Charlotte , North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention speeches from the host city in early June , after the state 's governor refused to guarantee that the attendees would be allowed to ignore face mask and social distancing requirements .
Republican convention speeches were then moved to Jacksonville , Florida , after the Trump-allied GOP governor there , Ron DeSantis , assured the president that the event could have a pre-coronavirus look and feel .
But within days of Trump 's announcement that Jacksonville would be the site of a GOP convention `` celebration , '' coronavirus cases in Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of July , it became clear that Jacksonville could no longer be the site of a major gathering either .
`` The timing for this event is not right .
It 's just not right with what 's been happening , '' Trump said on July 23 , announcing the cancellation of the Florida arm of the convention .
In its place , he said , `` We 'll have a very nice something . ''

Vice President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 27, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden and the rest of the speakers scheduled to take the stage at the Democratic National Convention later this month will not travel to Milwaukee in person for their speeches, convention organizers announced Wednesday.
Citing the coronavirus pandemic, organizers said the speakers will avoid Milwaukee "in order to prevent risking the health of our host community as well as the convention's production teams, security officials, community partners, media and others."
The announcement came as both Democratic and Republican convention committees scramble this week to make final arrangements for conventions that have been upended by the pandemic, which has surged in the past month.
Democratic speakers are expected to include former President Barack Obama, presumptive nominee Joe Biden and his yet-to-be-announced vice presidential running mate.
"From the very beginning of this pandemic, we put the health and safety of the American people first. We followed the science, listened to doctors and public health experts, and we continued making adjustments to our plans in order to protect lives," said DNC Chair Tom Perez in a statement accompanying the announcement.
Instead of traveling to Milwaukee, Biden will deliver his program-topping acceptance speech from his home state of Delaware on Aug. 20, organizers said. The Democratic National Convention will air on television and online each night from 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET Aug. 17-20.
Biden is not the only major candidate this year whose convention plans are up in the air. Incumbent President Donald Trump also has yet to announce where he plans to deliver his acceptance speech, which is slated to take place a week after Biden's speech.
One idea that's reportedly being considered is for Trump to deliver his acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House. Such a move, however, would likely draw scrutiny from government ethics experts. While the president is exempted from the Hatch Act, it is still frowned upon to commandeer federal property maintained by taxpayers in order to hold purely political events.
As word spread through Washington on Wednesday that Trump's acceptance speech might be held on White House grounds, at least one Senate Republican was already skeptical of the idea.
"Is that even legal?" said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, when NBC asked him about a possible convention speech at the White House. "Anything on federal property would seem to me to be problematic," added Thune, who is the second highest-ranking Republican in the Senate.
The Republican National Convention was originally scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, but Trump abruptly yanked the convention speeches from the host city in early June, after the state's governor refused to guarantee that the attendees would be allowed to ignore face mask and social distancing requirements.
Republican convention speeches were then moved to Jacksonville, Florida, after the Trump-allied GOP governor there, Ron DeSantis, assured the president that the event could have a pre-coronavirus look and feel.
But within days of Trump's announcement that Jacksonville would be the site of a GOP convention "celebration," coronavirus cases in Florida began to soar. By the last week of July, it became clear that Jacksonville could no longer be the site of a major gathering either.
"The timing for this event is not right. It's just not right with what's been happening," Trump said on July 23, announcing the cancellation of the Florida arm of the convention. In its place, he said, "We'll have a very nice something."


cnbc--2020-08-05--Three big Senate races are set and two House members lose their seats in packed day of primaries

The U.S. Capitol stands in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Saturday , Aug. 1 , 2020 .
Voters picked their nominees in several key Senate races and two more House members lost to challengers as five states held their primary elections .
Arizona , Kansas , Michigan , Missouri and Washington state all voted Tuesday in an election year upended by the coronavirus pandemic .
Three — Arizona , Kansas and Michigan — set the stage for Senate elections this fall that will help to determine whether Democrats can gain a majority in the chamber .
Missouri became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicaid , the federal-state health insurance program for low-income Americans .
The move will allow as many as 250,000 people to opt into government health care during the pandemic , according to The Associated Press .
Here are Tuesday 's key results , based on race calls from the AP : • Democratic former astronaut Mark Kelly won his Arizona Senate primary and will try to unseat Republican Sen. Martha McSally in a race to fill the remainder of late Sen. John McCain 's term through 2022 .
McSally is among the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has raised more money than his Republican opponent and has consistently led her in polls .
• Republican Army veteran John James advanced to face Democratic Sen. Gary Peters in Michigan 's Senate race .
The fact that President Donald Trump won the state in 2016 makes it one of the GOP 's best pickup opportunities in a challenging year .
But recent polls have found a comfortable lead for Peters as Trump loses traction in the state .
• The GOP avoided a potential electoral mess in Kansas , where Rep. Roger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kris Kobach in the Republican Senate primary .
Republicans see Marshall as a better choice than Kobach , an anti-immigrant candidate who lost the state 's gubernatorial race to Democratic Gov .
Laura Kelly in 2018 .
State Sen. Barbara Bollier won the Democratic Senate nomination on Tuesday .
• Nurse Cori Bush , who became active in the Black Lives Matter movement following the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri , defeated 10-term Rep. Lacy Clay in the Democratic primary for state 's 1st Congressional District .
Bush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Medicare for All '' and a Green New Deal , effectively won the blue St. Louis-based seat by prevailing in the primary .
• Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner unseated Rep. Steve Watkins in the GOP primary for the state 's 2nd Congressional District .
The first-term congressman was charged in July with voting illegally in 2019 , but has denied wrongdoing .
LaTurner will face Democratic Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla in the general election .
• Missouri , a Republican-leaning state where leaders previously declined to expand Medicaid under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enrollment in the program .
It becomes the second conservative state to vote to expand Medicaid during the coronavirus pandemic , after Oklahoma did so earlier this year .

The U.S. Capitol stands in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.
Voters picked their nominees in several key Senate races and two more House members lost to challengers as five states held their primary elections.
Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington state all voted Tuesday in an election year upended by the coronavirus pandemic. Three — Arizona, Kansas and Michigan — set the stage for Senate elections this fall that will help to determine whether Democrats can gain a majority in the chamber.
Missouri became the 38th state to approve expansion of Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for low-income Americans. The move will allow as many as 250,000 people to opt into government health care during the pandemic, according to The Associated Press.
Here are Tuesday's key results, based on race calls from the AP:
Democratic former astronaut Mark Kelly won his Arizona Senate primary and will try to unseat Republican Sen. Martha McSally in a race to fill the remainder of late Sen. John McCain's term through 2022. McSally is among the most vulnerable senators running this year. Kelly has raised more money than his Republican opponent and has consistently led her in polls.
Republican Army veteran John James advanced to face Democratic Sen. Gary Peters in Michigan's Senate race. The fact that President Donald Trump won the state in 2016 makes it one of the GOP's best pickup opportunities in a challenging year. But recent polls have found a comfortable lead for Peters as Trump loses traction in the state.
The GOP avoided a potential electoral mess in Kansas, where Rep. Roger Marshall defeated former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach in the Republican Senate primary. Republicans see Marshall as a better choice than Kobach, an anti-immigrant candidate who lost the state's gubernatorial race to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly in 2018. State Sen. Barbara Bollier won the Democratic Senate nomination on Tuesday.
Nurse Cori Bush, who became active in the Black Lives Matter movement following the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, defeated 10-term Rep. Lacy Clay in the Democratic primary for state's 1st Congressional District. Bush, who supports progressive policies such as "Medicare for All" and a Green New Deal, effectively won the blue St. Louis-based seat by prevailing in the primary.
Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner unseated Rep. Steve Watkins in the GOP primary for the state's 2nd Congressional District. The first-term congressman was charged in July with voting illegally in 2019, but has denied wrongdoing. LaTurner will face Democratic Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla in the general election.
Missouri, a Republican-leaning state where leaders previously declined to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, voted to boost enrollment in the program. It becomes the second conservative state to vote to expand Medicaid during the coronavirus pandemic, after Oklahoma did so earlier this year.
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cnbc--2020-08-05--Biden will beat Trump, says historian who predicted every presidential race since 1984

The historian who has correctly predicted every presidential election since 1984 – including President Donald Trump 's win in 2016 – has announced his pick for 2020 : Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Allan Lichtman , an author and history professor at American University , revealed his prediction in an op-ed video for The New York Times published Wednesday .
Lichtman 's predictive method – which puts him squarely in the minority of analysts who were right in calling Trump 's win – largely ignores the detailed cross-tab polling analyses and swing state bean counting that are often prioritized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollsters and the pundits cover elections as though they were horse races , '' Lichtman said in the Times ' video .
`` But history tells us voters are not fooled by the tricks of the campaign .
Voters vote pragmatically according to how well the party holding the White House has governed the country . ''
Polls are `` snapshots in time , '' Lichtman said .
`` None of this in the end has any impact whatsoever on the outcome of a presidential election . ''
Lichtman 's prediction model looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Keys to the White House , '' which have more to do with the record of the incumbent party occupying the White House than the nominees themselves .
The keys are presented as true-false statements , framed to favor a win for the incumbent party if true .
But if six or more of the statements are false , the challenger – in this case , Biden – is predicted to win the election .
Lichtman 's verdict ?
`` The keys predict that Trump will lose the White House . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on that prediction in a statement to CNBC .
`` This is an election like no other in history and the choice could n't be more clear – between President Trump 's established record of accomplishment for all Americans and Joe Biden 's 47 years of failure and acquiescence to the extreme left , '' Murtaugh said .
`` American voters will decide this election , not academics or professors . ''
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC 's requests for comment .
The model favors Biden on seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on issues such as which party has a mandate – Republicans lost House seats in the 2018 midterms – and the short-term and long-term economy under Trump .
`` The [ coronavirus ] pandemic has pushed the economy into recession , '' Lichtman said in the video .
Despite his impressive track record , Lichtman 's simple-seeming model has its skeptics .
Nate Silver , the writer and analyst at FiveThirtyEight who was famously correct in predicting every state outcome in the 2012 election , wrote in 2011 that Lichtman 's results `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salt . ''
Commentator David Frum , who was a speechwriter for George W. Bush and now writes for The Atlantic , referred to Licthman 's method Wednesday as a `` super-dodgy election-prediction 'model . '
'' Lichtman himself offers a note of caution in his video for the Times .
`` There are forces at play outside the keys , '' he said , such as voter suppression and potential Russian election meddling .
Here 's where Trump and Biden stand in Lichtman 's model , along with Lichtman 's responses from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : After the midterm elections , the incumbent party holds more seats in the House than it did after the previous midterm elections .
False .
`` Republicans lost the U.S. House midterms in 2018 . ''
2 .
Contest : There is no serious contest for the incumbent-party nomination .
True .
`` No Republicans challenged Trump . ''
3 .
Incumbency : The sitting president is running for re-election .
True .
`` Does n't look like he 's stepping down . ''
4 .
Third Party : There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite claims by Kanye West to be running , this is a two-party race . ''
5 .
Short-Term Economy : The economy during the election season is not in recession .
False .
`` The [ coronavirus ] pandemic has pushed the economy into recession . ''
6 .
Long-Term Economy : Real annual per-capita economic growth during the term equals or exceeds mean growth during the two previous terms .
False .
`` The pandemic has caused such negative GDP growth in 2020 that the key has turned false . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ causes major changes in national policy .
True .
`` Through his tax cut , but mostly through his executive orders , Trump has fundamentally changed the policies of the Obama era . ''
8 .
Social Unrest : There is no sustained social unrest during the campaign .
False .
`` There has been considerable social unrest on the streets , with enough violence to threaten the social order . ''
9 .
Scandal : The incumbent administration is untainted by major scandals .
False .
`` As I predicted , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plenty of other scandals . ''
10 .
Foreign or Military Failure : The incumbent administration suffers no major failure in foreign or military affairs .
True .
`` We 've had some very difficult moments with Donald Trump , but so far , true . ''
11 .
Foreign or Military Success : The incumbent administration achieves a major success in foreign or military affairs .
False .
`` While Trump has n't had any big , splashy failures , he has n't had any major successes either . ''
12 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is charismatic .
False .
`` Trump is a great showman , but he only appeals to a narrow slice of Americans . ''
13 .
Challenger Charisma : The challenging party candidate is not charismatic .
True .
`` Biden is a decent , empathetic person , but he 's not inspirational or charismatic . ''

The historian who has correctly predicted every presidential election since 1984 – including President Donald Trump's win in 2016 – has announced his pick for 2020: Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Allan Lichtman, an author and history professor at American University, revealed his prediction in an op-ed video for The New York Times published Wednesday.
Lichtman's predictive method – which puts him squarely in the minority of analysts who were right in calling Trump's win – largely ignores the detailed cross-tab polling analyses and swing state bean counting that are often prioritized in modern political punditry.
"The pollsters and the pundits cover elections as though they were horse races," Lichtman said in the Times' video. "But history tells us voters are not fooled by the tricks of the campaign. Voters vote pragmatically according to how well the party holding the White House has governed the country."
Polls are "snapshots in time," Lichtman said. "None of this in the end has any impact whatsoever on the outcome of a presidential election."
Lichtman's prediction model looks at 13 different categories, dubbed the "Keys to the White House," which have more to do with the record of the incumbent party occupying the White House than the nominees themselves.
The keys are presented as true-false statements, framed to favor a win for the incumbent party if true. But if six or more of the statements are false, the challenger – in this case, Biden – is predicted to win the election.
Lichtman's verdict? "The keys predict that Trump will lose the White House."