cnbc--2020-08-26--Here are the highlights from Night 2 of the Republican National Convention

The second night of the Republican National Convention featured a varied lineup of speakers who focused on the economy , foreign policy and social issues in their push for President Donald Trump 's reelection .
The Republican largely virtual convention broke with a number of norms .
First lady Melania Trump spoke from the White House , which has not been used in modern conventions by either party .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speech from Jerusalem has come under investigation from Democrats who question whether the top U.S. diplomat can lawfully participate in the convention .
Trump 's big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the president has already spoken on numerous occasions throughout the convention proceedings .
He appeared on Tuesday in two videos that were released ahead of the evening 's scheduled speakers .
Here are the top moments : The first lady , speaking in the newly renovated White House Rose Garden , offered condolences for those who have died or are struggling from the coronavirus pandemic .
`` My deepest sympathy that goes out to everyone that has lost a loved one and my prayers with those that are ill or suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which marked some of her longest public remarks since Trump took office .
The U.S. has more confirmed cases and deaths from Covid-19 than any other country : More than 5.75 million cases and at least 177,773 deaths from the virus have been reported , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Melania Trump 's remarks addressed the deadly impact of the pandemic more directly than most of the other speakers during the convention 's first two nights .
Her expression of empathy for Covid victims also stood in contrast to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rarely addressed the human toll from the pandemic .
The first lady also issued a call for reflection amid the wave of racial unrest that continues to polarize Americans .
`` Take a moment , pause , and look at things from all perspectives .
I urge people to come together in a civil manner so we can work and live up to our standard American ideals , '' she said .
The secretary of State took time from an official U.S. diplomatic trip to the Middle East to virtually address the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Israel , Pompeo outlined several foreign policy initiatives under the Trump administration .
He discussed the relaxation of tensions on the Korean peninsula , the U.S. handling of the coronavirus pandemic , the ongoing fight to eliminate the ISIS caliphate , the NATO alliance and the U.S. departure from the landmark Iranian nuclear deal .
`` President Trump has put his 'America First ' vision into action .
It may not have made him popular in every foreign capital , but it has worked , '' Pompeo said .
`` As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people desperate to flee to freedom .
The way each of us can best ensure our freedoms is by electing leaders who do n't just talk , but deliver . ''
Pompeo 's speech , which was recorded in Jerusalem while on official State Department travel , raised concerns from lawmakers , former diplomats and foreign policy experts of American diplomacy and its entanglement in partisan battles at home .
The decision to address the convention upends decades of precedent and ethics guidelines and is currently under investigation by the House Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The subcommittee 's chairman , Rep. Joaquin Castro , D-Texas , called the speech `` highly unusual and likely unprecedented '' and suggested , `` it may also be illegal . ''
The State Department said before Pompeo 's remarks aired that he would address the convention in `` his personal capacity . ''
It also said that no resources from the agency would be used , including staff , who would not have a role in preparing Pompeo 's remarks .
`` The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department representative added .
Larry Kudlow says the U.S. is 'coming back ' from the pandemic Kudlow , a top White House economic advisor , acknowledged in his speech that the pandemic continues to loom large over the U.S. but expressed confidence that brighter days are ahead .
`` Hardship and heartbreak were everywhere , '' Kudlow said , but `` right now , our economic health is coming back . ''
Kudlow also claimed that Trump had inherited `` a stagnant economy on the front end of recession . ''
But a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Barack Obama 's second term and Trump 's first years in office — including GDP growth and unemployment rates — undermine Kudlow 's claim .
Kudlow talked up the president 's response to the pandemic and said Biden 's proposals would raise taxes just as the U.S. was emerging from the Covid-19 crisis .
`` Our economic choice is very clear : Do you want economic health , prosperity , opportunity and optimism ?
Or do you want to turn back to the dark days of stagnation , recession and pessimism ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be speaking on the six-month anniversary of some of his most widely criticized remarks about the coronavirus .
On Feb. 25 , Kudlow claimed to CNBC that the U.S. had contained the virus `` pretty close to airtight . ''
Mary Ann Mendoza , an `` angel mom '' who has previously appeared alongside Trump , was set to deliver a speech at the RNC on Tuesday — but her video was cut from the lineup after she promoted anti-Semitic and QAnon conspiracy theories on Twitter .
The appearance of Mendoza , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an undocumented immigrant who was driving drunk , was axed hours after she shared a long thread of conspiracy theories .
She had urged her 40,000-plus Twitter followers in a tweet to `` do yourself a favor and read this thread . ''
Her tweet appears to have been removed .
`` We have removed the scheduled video from the convention lineup and it will no longer run this week , '' Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement .
The thread said the `` Protocols of the Elders of Zion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed Jews were conspiring to enslave the world , was not a fabrication .
One of the tweets in the thread also includes the hashtag # QAnon – a reference to the baseless pro-Trump internet conspiracy that imagines the president as being locked in clandestine battle against `` deep state '' factions of powerful satanic pedophiles who are plotting against him and his supporters .
Before the RNC speeches began Tuesday evening , Mendoza tweeted , `` I retweeted a very long thread earlier without reading every post within the thread .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent of the whole message .
That does not reflect my feelings or personal thoughts whatsoever . ''
About two hours before the second night of speeches was set to begin , the White House released two videos , both featuring Trump .
In the first , Trump pardoned Jon Ponder , an ex-convict and founder of Hope for Prisoners , a nonprofit group that works to help transition prisoners back into society upon their release .
Touting the pardon during the Republican convention raised questions about the politicization of the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ponder at the White House , and earlier this year hinted that the president was considering clemency .
`` We are giving him absolute consideration , and I have a feeling he 's going to get that full pardon , '' Trump said of Ponder in February .
Ponder had reportedly been arrested as a teenager for armed robbery and had later been incarcerated for other crimes including assault .
`` I will continue to give all Americans including former inmates , the best chance to build a new life and achieve their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the video released Tuesday evening .
Nicholas Sandmann says Trump is the greatest 'victim of unfair media coverage' Nicholas Sandmann , the teenager who won settlements in lawsuits against multiple news outlets in the wake of their coverage of his viral confrontation with protesters in Washington , decried `` cancel culture '' and praised Trump for calling out the media .
`` I look forward to the day that the media returns to providing balanced , responsible and accountable news coverage .
I know President Trump hopes for that , too , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 'll agree with me when I say no one in this county has been a victim of unfair media coverage more than President Donald Trump , '' he said .
Sandmann had been the target of significant criticism after a video went viral featuring him standing in front of an Omaha tribe leader at the 2019 March for Life rally in Washington .
But later videos and additional reporting showed Sandmann and other students from Covington Catholic High School being taunted and jeered at by other people at the protest .
Sandmann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign slogan , `` Make America Great Again '' and donning one of the signature red baseball caps bearing the same phrase .
Sandmann had worn the same hat in the video that swept through social media last year .

US First Lady Melania Trump addresses the Republican Convention during its second day from the Rose Garden of the White House August 25, 2020, in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images
The second night of the Republican National Convention featured a varied lineup of speakers who focused on the economy, foreign policy and social issues in their push for President Donald Trump's reelection. The Republican largely virtual convention broke with a number of norms. First lady Melania Trump spoke from the White House, which has not been used in modern conventions by either party. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speech from Jerusalem has come under investigation from Democrats who question whether the top U.S. diplomat can lawfully participate in the convention. Trump's big convention speech is scheduled for Thursday night. But the president has already spoken on numerous occasions throughout the convention proceedings. He appeared on Tuesday in two videos that were released ahead of the evening's scheduled speakers. Here are the top moments:
Melania Trump expresses sympathy for coronavirus victims
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The first lady, speaking in the newly renovated White House Rose Garden, offered condolences for those who have died or are struggling from the coronavirus pandemic. "My deepest sympathy that goes out to everyone that has lost a loved one and my prayers with those that are ill or suffering," she said in the speech, which marked some of her longest public remarks since Trump took office. The U.S. has more confirmed cases and deaths from Covid-19 than any other country: More than 5.75 million cases and at least 177,773 deaths from the virus have been reported, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Melania Trump's remarks addressed the deadly impact of the pandemic more directly than most of the other speakers during the convention's first two nights. Her expression of empathy for Covid victims also stood in contrast to statements from her husband, who has rarely addressed the human toll from the pandemic. The first lady also issued a call for reflection amid the wave of racial unrest that continues to polarize Americans. "Take a moment, pause, and look at things from all perspectives. I urge people to come together in a civil manner so we can work and live up to our standard American ideals," she said.
Pompeo credits Trump for China, North Korea policies
watch now
The secretary of State took time from an official U.S. diplomatic trip to the Middle East to virtually address the Republican National Convention. Speaking in recorded comments from Israel, Pompeo outlined several foreign policy initiatives under the Trump administration. He discussed the relaxation of tensions on the Korean peninsula, the U.S. handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the ongoing fight to eliminate the ISIS caliphate, the NATO alliance and the U.S. departure from the landmark Iranian nuclear deal. "President Trump has put his 'America First' vision into action. It may not have made him popular in every foreign capital, but it has worked," Pompeo said. "As a soldier, I saw, first hand, people desperate to flee to freedom. The way each of us can best ensure our freedoms is by electing leaders who don't just talk, but deliver." Pompeo's speech, which was recorded in Jerusalem while on official State Department travel, raised concerns from lawmakers, former diplomats and foreign policy experts of American diplomacy and its entanglement in partisan battles at home. The decision to address the convention upends decades of precedent and ethics guidelines and is currently under investigation by the House Foreign Affairs Committees' subpanel on oversight. The subcommittee's chairman, Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, called the speech "highly unusual and likely unprecedented" and suggested, "it may also be illegal." The State Department said before Pompeo's remarks aired that he would address the convention in "his personal capacity." It also said that no resources from the agency would be used, including staff, who would not have a role in preparing Pompeo's remarks. "The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance," a State Department representative added.
Larry Kudlow says the U.S. is 'coming back' from the pandemic
watch now
Kudlow, a top White House economic advisor, acknowledged in his speech that the pandemic continues to loom large over the U.S. but expressed confidence that brighter days are ahead. "Hardship and heartbreak were everywhere," Kudlow said, but "right now, our economic health is coming back." Kudlow also claimed that Trump had inherited "a stagnant economy on the front end of recession." But a wide array of key economic metrics under President Barack Obama's second term and Trump's first years in office — including GDP growth and unemployment rates — undermine Kudlow's claim. Kudlow talked up the president's response to the pandemic and said Biden's proposals would raise taxes just as the U.S. was emerging from the Covid-19 crisis. "Our economic choice is very clear: Do you want economic health, prosperity, opportunity and optimism? Or do you want to turn back to the dark days of stagnation, recession and pessimism?" Kudlow said. Kudlow happened to be speaking on the six-month anniversary of some of his most widely criticized remarks about the coronavirus. On Feb. 25, Kudlow claimed to CNBC that the U.S. had contained the virus "pretty close to airtight." TWEET
Mary Ann Mendoza's speech cut after she retweets anti-Semitic, QAnon conspiracies
Immigration Reform Advocate Mary Ann Mendoza speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a veto signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, March 15, 2019. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Mary Ann Mendoza, an "angel mom" who has previously appeared alongside Trump, was set to deliver a speech at the RNC on Tuesday — but her video was cut from the lineup after she promoted anti-Semitic and QAnon conspiracy theories on Twitter. The appearance of Mendoza, the mother of a police officer killed by an undocumented immigrant who was driving drunk, was axed hours after she shared a long thread of conspiracy theories. She had urged her 40,000-plus Twitter followers in a tweet to "do yourself a favor and read this thread." Her tweet appears to have been removed. "We have removed the scheduled video from the convention lineup and it will no longer run this week," Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement. The thread said the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion," a notoriously fraudulent document that claimed Jews were conspiring to enslave the world, was not a fabrication. One of the tweets in the thread also includes the hashtag #QAnon – a reference to the baseless pro-Trump internet conspiracy that imagines the president as being locked in clandestine battle against "deep state" factions of powerful satanic pedophiles who are plotting against him and his supporters. Before the RNC speeches began Tuesday evening, Mendoza tweeted, "I retweeted a very long thread earlier without reading every post within the thread. My apologies for not paying attention to the intent of the whole message. That does not reflect my feelings or personal thoughts whatsoever."
Trump gives a pardon
U.S. President Donald Trump, next to Jon Ponder and his wife, and former FBI agent Richard Beasley, shows a signed document after he announced that he is pardoning Ponder, during the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention broadcast from Washington, U.S. August 25, 2020. Republican National Convention | via Reuters
About two hours before the second night of speeches was set to begin, the White House released two videos, both featuring Trump. In the first, Trump pardoned Jon Ponder, an ex-convict and founder of Hope for Prisoners, a nonprofit group that works to help transition prisoners back into society upon their release. Touting the pardon during the Republican convention raised questions about the politicization of the president's clemency powers. Trump has previously hosted Ponder at the White House, and earlier this year hinted that the president was considering clemency. "We are giving him absolute consideration, and I have a feeling he's going to get that full pardon," Trump said of Ponder in February. Ponder had reportedly been arrested as a teenager for armed robbery and had later been incarcerated for other crimes including assault. "I will continue to give all Americans including former inmates, the best chance to build a new life and achieve their own American dream," Trump said in the video released Tuesday evening.
watch now
Ponder and Rich Beasley, who as an FBI arrested Ponder before becoming a close friend, both spoke Tuesday night at the RNC. The second video showed the president participating in a naturalization ceremony at the White House for five new U.S. citizens. Featured in the video is acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, whom Trump earlier in the day announced would be nominated to become the permanent secretary of DHS. Trump has made anti-immigration policy a hallmark of his presidency.
Nicholas Sandmann says Trump is the greatest 'victim of unfair media coverage'
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cnbc--2020-08-26--Red meat for Trump's base dominates Night 2 of the Republican National Convention

WASHINGTON — The second night of the virtual Republican National Convention was focused squarely on energizing President Donald Trump 's most loyal voters around the issues they care about .
Restricting access to abortion , protecting Confederate monuments , nominating conservative judges , loosening environmental regulations , attacking the media and protecting the rights of Christian business owners to refuse service to LGBTQ people all received attention from speakers during the 2½-hour program .
The evening was loaded with emotional appeals to the conservative , White Christians who make up Trump 's most dedicated voting bloc , or as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my people . ''
Polls show that many of these voters see Trump as a crusader for them , someone who shares their fear that America is becoming too progressive and too diverse .
If the first night of the convention felt like a paean to Trump , Night 2 felt more like a Trump rally .
The audience this time was n't Trump — it was Trump 's base .
And there was something for everyone : unfounded claims about Democratic nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris , questionable economic predictions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Biden has pledged to Defund the Police and take away our Cherished Second Amendment , '' Eric Trump , the president 's son , falsely claimed in his speech .
In reality , Biden has repeatedly said he would not do either of those things .
`` The Biden-Harris vision for America leaves no room for people of faith , '' Cissie Graham , granddaughter of televangelist Billy Graham , claimed during her speech .
In reality , Biden and Harris are Christians : Biden is Catholic and Harris identifies as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham .
`` Whether you 're a baker , a florist , or a football coach , they will force the choice between being obedient to God , or to Caesar .
Because the radical left 's God is government power , '' she said .
For conservative Christians listening to Graham , her reference to the `` baker '' and the `` florist '' would have been a crystal clear : Two landmark court cases regarding so-called religious liberty centered on whether a Christian baker and a Christian florist could deny service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media , a favorite pastime of the president 's .
Trump 's daughter Tiffany told viewers to `` recognize that our thoughts , opinions , and even the choice of who we vote for are being manipulated and invisibly coerced by the media and tech giants . ''
Even more extreme was Nick Sandmann , whose interaction with a Native American protester at a rally went viral in 2018 .
The teen-ager claimed he was the victim of `` the full war machine of the mainstream media revved up into attack mode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing an `` anti-Christian , anti-Conservative , anti-Donald Trump narrative '' at the expense of the truth .
He sued several outlets over coverage of the incident and settled out of court with two of them , The Washington Post and CNN , which both stand by their reporting .
But there was one element of the night that made it very different from a Trump rally : the iconic backdrop of the White House .
Trump appeared three times during the night , always at the White House , and in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office itself to reinforce the perception of his political power as a candidate .
Using the White House as a prop for a political convention represents a dramatic departure from previous administrations and from ethical norms , both of which sought to keep reelection campaigning separate from the taxpayer-funded day-to-day life of the president .
In one video , recorded earlier but shown as part of the convention broadcast , Trump pardoned a former bank robber turned nonprofit leader , Jon Ponder , in a scene that felt like deliberate counterprogramming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime '' message .
In another video , Trump performed a naturalization ceremony inside the White House for several immigrants who were becoming U.S. citizens .
Assisted by the setting of Trump 's official residence and his presidential powers , this event , too , felt like it was orchestrated to push back against critics of Trump 's draconian immigration policies .
Trump was n't the only one Tuesday who used the trappings of their official taxpayer funded office to campaign : Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did , too , with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Jerusalem , where he was on official diplomatic travel .
Few locales are more meaningful to conservative Christians than the Holy Land , a fact that surely was not lost on Pompeo .
While most of the speakers leaned into the anger that has long animated Trump 's base , a few standouts rewrote history in order to portray Trump 's presidency as a great success story , including Pompeo , White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow and first lady Melania Trump , who delivered what was likely her longest public speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , saying his own family was `` more safe , their freedoms more secure , because President Trump has put his 'America First ' vision into action . ''
In a nod to the damage Trump has inflicted on ties with traditional U.S. allies , Pompeo said , `` It may not have made him popular in every foreign capital , but it has worked . ''
He went on to claim several questionable foreign policy victories for Trump , including that the Islamic State is now `` wiped out , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi .
Kudlow , too , offered a rosier picture of where the country is today than many Americans are actually experiencing .
`` There 's a big change in attitude happening .
The American spirit is picking up , '' Kudlow said after listing several coronavirus economic aid programs that Congress passed and Trump signed this spring .
`` Car sales are booming .
Retail spending is booming .
And workers are going to have to produce new inventory to restock those shelves .
That means get ready for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folks , '' said Kudlow .
`` The jobs numbers just keep coming out better than anyone expected . ''
But that 's not entirely true .
While some companies are bringing workers back , a virus resurgence this summer effectively ended the recovery the began late this spring .
Last week alone , 1.1 million Americans filed first-time unemployment claims , a number that was worse than analysts had been expecting .
And while equities markets have recovered much of the value they lost this spring , this does n't help the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some kind of unemployment benefits .
Exactly six months ago to the day from Tuesday , Kudlow claimed in an interview that `` We have contained [ coronavirus ] .
I wo n't say airtight but pretty close to airtight . ''
In the six months since he said that , more than 175,000 Americans died from Covid-19 .
The most moving speech of the night was delivered by Melania Trump , all the more memorable for the stark departure it offered from the rest of the convention speakers this week .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have died from Covid-19 .
`` Deepest sympathy , '' she said , `` to everyone who has lost a loved one . ''
`` My prayers are with those who are ill or suffering , '' she said .
`` I know many people are anxious and some feel helpless , and I want you to know you are not alone . ''
On a night when hardly any of the speakers focused on the pandemic , the first lady 's words had an almost calming quality .
They also stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , who has rarely addressed the human toll from the pandemic .
She went on to tell her personal story of being an immigrant to the United States , but drew a contrast between her legal process of immigration and the undocumented immigrants her husband has vilified since the first day of his presidential campaign in 2015 .
She also waded into the racial justice protests that have gripped U.S. cities this summer , and called on Americans to pause and reflect .
`` We are not proud of parts of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I urge people to come together , stop the violence and looting , though done in the name of justice .
Never judge anyone based on the color of their skin . ''
`` Take a moment , pause , and look at things from all perspectives , '' she added , and `` come together in civil manner so we can work and live up to our standard American ideals . ''
The first lady delivered her speech from the Rose Garden , offering yet another example of an official White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a political convention .

U.S. first lady Melania Trump delivers her live address to the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., August 25, 2020. Kevin Lemarque | Reuters
WASHINGTON — The second night of the virtual Republican National Convention was focused squarely on energizing President Donald Trump's most loyal voters around the issues they care about. Restricting access to abortion, protecting Confederate monuments, nominating conservative judges, loosening environmental regulations, attacking the media and protecting the rights of Christian business owners to refuse service to LGBTQ people all received attention from speakers during the 2½-hour program. The evening was loaded with emotional appeals to the conservative, White Christians who make up Trump's most dedicated voting bloc, or as the president likes to call them, "my people." Polls show that many of these voters see Trump as a crusader for them, someone who shares their fear that America is becoming too progressive and too diverse. If the first night of the convention felt like a paean to Trump, Night 2 felt more like a Trump rally. The audience this time wasn't Trump — it was Trump's base. And there was something for everyone: unfounded claims about Democratic nominees Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, questionable economic predictions and personal anecdotes packaged to look like trends.
Fear and loathing
"Biden has pledged to Defund the Police and take away our Cherished Second Amendment," Eric Trump, the president's son, falsely claimed in his speech. In reality, Biden has repeatedly said he would not do either of those things. "The Biden-Harris vision for America leaves no room for people of faith," Cissie Graham, granddaughter of televangelist Billy Graham, claimed during her speech. In reality, Biden and Harris are Christians: Biden is Catholic and Harris identifies as Baptist. But that didn't deter Graham. "Whether you're a baker, a florist, or a football coach, they will force the choice between being obedient to God, or to Caesar. Because the radical left's God is government power," she said. For conservative Christians listening to Graham, her reference to the "baker" and the "florist" would have been a crystal clear: Two landmark court cases regarding so-called religious liberty centered on whether a Christian baker and a Christian florist could deny service to gay people. Other speakers attacked the media, a favorite pastime of the president's. Trump's daughter Tiffany told viewers to "recognize that our thoughts, opinions, and even the choice of who we vote for are being manipulated and invisibly coerced by the media and tech giants."
watch now
Even more extreme was Nick Sandmann, whose interaction with a Native American protester at a rally went viral in 2018. The teen-ager claimed he was the victim of "the full war machine of the mainstream media revved up into attack mode," and accused news outlets of pushing an "anti-Christian, anti-Conservative, anti-Donald Trump narrative" at the expense of the truth. He sued several outlets over coverage of the incident and settled out of court with two of them, The Washington Post and CNN, which both stand by their reporting. But there was one element of the night that made it very different from a Trump rally: the iconic backdrop of the White House.
Blurring ethical lines
Trump appeared three times during the night, always at the White House, and in each appearance, Trump used the power of the office itself to reinforce the perception of his political power as a candidate. Using the White House as a prop for a political convention represents a dramatic departure from previous administrations and from ethical norms, both of which sought to keep reelection campaigning separate from the taxpayer-funded day-to-day life of the president. In one video, recorded earlier but shown as part of the convention broadcast, Trump pardoned a former bank robber turned nonprofit leader, Jon Ponder, in a scene that felt like deliberate counterprogramming to Trump's election year "tough on crime" message.
watch now
In another video, Trump performed a naturalization ceremony inside the White House for several immigrants who were becoming U.S. citizens. Assisted by the setting of Trump's official residence and his presidential powers, this event, too, felt like it was orchestrated to push back against critics of Trump's draconian immigration policies. Trump wasn't the only one Tuesday who used the trappings of their official taxpayer funded office to campaign: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did, too, with his choice to deliver his taped convention speech from Jerusalem, where he was on official diplomatic travel. Few locales are more meaningful to conservative Christians than the Holy Land, a fact that surely was not lost on Pompeo.
A rosy picture
While most of the speakers leaned into the anger that has long animated Trump's base, a few standouts rewrote history in order to portray Trump's presidency as a great success story, including Pompeo, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow and first lady Melania Trump, who delivered what was likely her longest public speech ever. Pompeo praised Trump's foreign policy, saying his own family was "more safe, their freedoms more secure, because President Trump has put his 'America First' vision into action." In a nod to the damage Trump has inflicted on ties with traditional U.S. allies, Pompeo said, "It may not have made him popular in every foreign capital, but it has worked." He went on to claim several questionable foreign policy victories for Trump, including that the Islamic State is now "wiped out," because Trump authorized the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks by video feed from Jerusalem during the largely virtual 2020 Republican National Convention broadcast from Washington, U.S. August 25, 2020. Republican National Convention | via Reuters
Kudlow, too, offered a rosier picture of where the country is today than many Americans are actually experiencing. "There's a big change in attitude happening. The American spirit is picking up," Kudlow said after listing several coronavirus economic aid programs that Congress passed and Trump signed this spring. "Car sales are booming. Retail spending is booming. And workers are going to have to produce new inventory to restock those shelves. That means get ready for a big third and fourth quarter, folks," said Kudlow. "The jobs numbers just keep coming out better than anyone expected." But that's not entirely true. While some companies are bringing workers back, a virus resurgence this summer effectively ended the recovery the began late this spring. Last week alone, 1.1 million Americans filed first-time unemployment claims, a number that was worse than analysts had been expecting. And while equities markets have recovered much of the value they lost this spring, this doesn't help the 31 million Americans who are currently receiving some kind of unemployment benefits. Exactly six months ago to the day from Tuesday, Kudlow claimed in an interview that "We have contained [coronavirus]. I won't say airtight but pretty close to airtight." In the six months since he said that, more than 175,000 Americans died from Covid-19.
The most moving speech of the night was delivered by Melania Trump, all the more memorable for the stark departure it offered from the rest of the convention speakers this week. She began by addressing the families of people who have died from Covid-19. "Deepest sympathy," she said, "to everyone who has lost a loved one." "My prayers are with those who are ill or suffering," she said. "I know many people are anxious and some feel helpless, and I want you to know you are not alone."
watch now


cnbc--2020-08-26--RNC speaker pulled from schedule hours after she tweeted anti-Semitic conspiracy thread referring to

RNC speaker pulled from schedule hours after she tweeted anti-Semitic conspiracy thread referring to QAnon

Immigration Reform Advocate Mary Ann Mendoza speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a veto signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Friday , March 15 , 2019 .
One of President Donald Trump 's supporters set to speak at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday was cut from the lineup after she promoted anti-Semitic and QAnon conspiracy theories on Twitter .
The conspiracies , contained in a Twitter thread dozens of tweets long , were shared earlier Tuesday by Mary Ann Mendoza , an `` angel mom '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has previously appeared alongside Trump .
Mendoza was set to appear in a video to praise Trump 's efforts on immigration policy and criticize the record of Democratic nominee Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama .
But Mendoza 's RNC appearance was axed hours after she shared the long thread of conspiracy theories , urging her 40,000-plus Twitter followers in a tweet to `` do yourself a favor and read this thread . ''
Her tweet appears to have been removed .
`` We have removed the scheduled video from the convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , '' Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement to CNBC when asked why Mendoza had been removed from the schedule .
He did not cite a reason for removing the video .
The thread , which began in May from the unverified account @ WarNuse , claimed `` 'The Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion ' Is Not A Fabrication .
And , It Certainly Is Not Anti-Semetic [ sic ] To Point Out This Fact . ''
One of the tweets in the thread also includes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the baseless pro-Trump internet conspiracy that imagines the president as being locked in clandestine battle against `` deep state '' factions of powerful Satanic pedophiles who are plotting against him and his supporters .
Trump , asked about QAnon at the White House last week , said he does n't know much about the theory or its followers , but added , `` I understand they like me very much , which I appreciate . ''
The thread also claimed there are `` Unanswered Questions In Regards To The Sinking Of The Titanic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hindenburg airship .
Before the RNC speeches began Tuesday evening , Mendoza tweeted , `` I retweeted a very long thread earlier without reading every post within the thread .
My apologies for not paying attention to the intent of the whole message .
That does not reflect my feelings or personal thoughts whatsoever . ''

Immigration Reform Advocate Mary Ann Mendoza speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a veto signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, March 15, 2019.
One of President Donald Trump's supporters set to speak at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday was cut from the lineup after she promoted anti-Semitic and QAnon conspiracy theories on Twitter.
The conspiracies, contained in a Twitter thread dozens of tweets long, were shared earlier Tuesday by Mary Ann Mendoza, an "angel mom" and advocate for stricter immigration policies who has previously appeared alongside Trump.
Mendoza was set to appear in a video to praise Trump's efforts on immigration policy and criticize the record of Democratic nominee Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama.
But Mendoza's RNC appearance was axed hours after she shared the long thread of conspiracy theories, urging her 40,000-plus Twitter followers in a tweet to "do yourself a favor and read this thread." Her tweet appears to have been removed.
"We have removed the scheduled video from the convention lineup and it will no longer run this week," Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said in a statement to CNBC when asked why Mendoza had been removed from the schedule. He did not cite a reason for removing the video.
The thread, which began in May from the unverified account @WarNuse, claimed "'The Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion' Is Not A Fabrication. And, It Certainly Is Not Anti-Semetic [sic] To Point Out This Fact."
One of the tweets in the thread also includes the hashtag #QAnon – a reference to the baseless pro-Trump internet conspiracy that imagines the president as being locked in clandestine battle against "deep state" factions of powerful Satanic pedophiles who are plotting against him and his supporters.
Trump, asked about QAnon at the White House last week, said he doesn't know much about the theory or its followers, but added, "I understand they like me very much, which I appreciate."
The thread also claimed there are "Unanswered Questions In Regards To The Sinking Of The Titanic" and the 1937 crash of the Hindenburg airship.
Before the RNC speeches began Tuesday evening, Mendoza tweeted, "I retweeted a very long thread earlier without reading every post within the thread. My apologies for not paying attention to the intent of the whole message. That does not reflect my feelings or personal thoughts whatsoever."
Mendoza TWEET


cnbc--2020-08-26--Pompeo under fire for making speech at the RNC while on a diplomatic trip

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is slated to address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday , a move that upends decades of precedent and ethics guidelines aimed at separating America 's national security and foreign policy decision-makers from the whims of partisan politics .
The speech , which was recorded in Israel and is slated to air Tuesday night , is now under investigation by the House Foreign Affairs Committee 's subpanel on oversight .
The subcommittee 's chairman , Rep. Joaquin Castro , D-Texas , called the speech `` highly unusual and likely unprecedented '' and suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It has also made waves among former diplomats and foreign policy experts , who say his address , recorded while on official travel , smashes through the last remaining guardrails intended to protect the nation 's top diplomat from the dirty business of political campaigns .
`` The optics are awful , '' said Daniel Drezner , professor of international politics at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University .
`` Foreign policy is supposed to stop at the water 's edge , and in theory , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not supposed to take a partisan position on anything , '' added Drezner , a critic of President Donald Trump .
`` I want to be very clear , there is zero diplomatic value added to this speech , '' he said .
`` Any speech by America 's chief diplomat that sows greater division in the United States is not going to add any value . ''
`` This is a deeply damaging decision for American diplomacy , '' said Brett Bruen , who served as a diplomat for 12 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` After months of questionable decisions by the secretary , diplomats are already pretty darn dispirited . ''
`` This just further exacerbates their sense that Pompeo does n't seem to think the rules apply to him , '' added Bruen , the former director of global engagement at the White House and president of international consulting firm Global Situation Room .
Pompeo 's decision to address the convention from Jerusalem , the first stop on a four-day State Department trip to the Middle East , has sparked concerns that U.S. taxpayers may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill .
The State Department said that America 's top diplomat will address the convention in `` his personal capacity . ''
It also said that no resources from the Department of State will be used , including staff , who will not have a role in preparing Pompeo 's remarks .
`` The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance , '' a State Department representative added .
`` Secretary Pompeo ca n't just flip a switch and go back and forth between serving as America 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while he 's in the Middle East on the government dime , '' said Donald Sherman , deputy director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington .
`` I think Secretary Pompeo 's conduct here is emblematic of the Trump administration 's approach to the Hatch Act and ethical norms relating to mixing official government conduct and political activity , the standards that apply to regular government employees just do n't apply to the president 's cronies , '' Sherman added .
Signed into law in 1939 , the Hatch Act bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their official positions to actively support or oppose any candidate for federal office .
The Trump campaign has previously shrugged off complaints about the use of federal resources as partisan props , saying it is in compliance with the law .
`` It 's shocking to have a secretary of State use the instruments of American foreign policy for such brazen domestic political purpose , '' Kori Schake , director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute , told CNBC .
`` It 's completely inappropriate , '' added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bipartisan background and stints at the Departments of Defense , State and National Security Council at the White House .
`` It drags foreign countries into American domestic politics in a way that 's not good for those countries sustaining bipartisan support in the American Congress , '' she said .
`` It also suggests that American foreign policy is driven solely by electoral concerns as the precedent , rather than by enduring American interests that have bipartisan support , '' Schake added .
Heather Hurlburt , who was a speechwriter for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Pompeo 's decision to address the convention will ultimately make `` U.S. diplomacy less effective . ''
`` Every stop on Pompeo 's trip , not just the one to Israel , raises the question of , how are you using us as pawns in your domestic politics , '' Hurlburt , director of the New Models of Policy Change project at New America 's Political Reform program , told CNBC .
`` And that , again , is a waste of taxpayers ' money ; you could stay home and play @ @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is slated to address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, a move that upends decades of precedent and ethics guidelines aimed at separating America's national security and foreign policy decision-makers from the whims of partisan politics.
The speech, which was recorded in Israel and is slated to air Tuesday night, is now under investigation by the House Foreign Affairs Committee's subpanel on oversight. The subcommittee's chairman, Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, called the speech "highly unusual and likely unprecedented" and suggested, "it may also be illegal."
It has also made waves among former diplomats and foreign policy experts, who say his address, recorded while on official travel, smashes through the last remaining guardrails intended to protect the nation's top diplomat from the dirty business of political campaigns.
"The optics are awful," said Daniel Drezner, professor of international politics at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. "Foreign policy is supposed to stop at the water's edge, and in theory, the Secretary of State representing the national interest is not supposed to take a partisan position on anything," added Drezner, a critic of President Donald Trump.
"I want to be very clear, there is zero diplomatic value added to this speech," he said. "Any speech by America's chief diplomat that sows greater division in the United States is not going to add any value."
"This is a deeply damaging decision for American diplomacy," said Brett Bruen, who served as a diplomat for 12 years in the Bush and Obama administrations. "After months of questionable decisions by the secretary, diplomats are already pretty darn dispirited."
"This just further exacerbates their sense that Pompeo doesn't seem to think the rules apply to him," added Bruen, the former director of global engagement at the White House and president of international consulting firm Global Situation Room.
Pompeo's decision to address the convention from Jerusalem, the first stop on a four-day State Department trip to the Middle East, has sparked concerns that U.S. taxpayers may be footing a portion of the travel bill.
The State Department said that America's top diplomat will address the convention in "his personal capacity." It also said that no resources from the Department of State will be used, including staff, who will not have a role in preparing Pompeo's remarks.
"The State Department will not bear any costs in conjunction with this appearance," a State Department representative added.
That distinction struck ethics watchdogs as dubious.
"Secretary Pompeo can't just flip a switch and go back and forth between serving as America's chief diplomat and a Republican political operative while he's in the Middle East on the government dime," said Donald Sherman, deputy director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
"I think Secretary Pompeo's conduct here is emblematic of the Trump administration's approach to the Hatch Act and ethical norms relating to mixing official government conduct and political activity, the standards that apply to regular government employees just don't apply to the president's cronies," Sherman added.
Signed into law in 1939, the Hatch Act bars employees of the executive branch from using their official positions to actively support or oppose any candidate for federal office. The Trump campaign has previously shrugged off complaints about the use of federal resources as partisan props, saying it is in compliance with the law.
"It's shocking to have a secretary of State use the instruments of American foreign policy for such brazen domestic political purpose," Kori Schake, director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, told CNBC.
"It's completely inappropriate," added Schake, a career civil servant with a bipartisan background and stints at the Departments of Defense, State and National Security Council at the White House. "It drags foreign countries into American domestic politics in a way that's not good for those countries sustaining bipartisan support in the American Congress," she said.
"It also suggests that American foreign policy is driven solely by electoral concerns as the precedent, rather than by enduring American interests that have bipartisan support," Schake added.
Heather Hurlburt, who was a speechwriter for former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, said Pompeo's decision to address the convention will ultimately make "U.S. diplomacy less effective."
"Every stop on Pompeo's trip, not just the one to Israel, raises the question of, how are you using us as pawns in your domestic politics," Hurlburt, director of the New Models of Policy Change project at New America's Political Reform program, told CNBC. "And that, again, is a waste of taxpayers' money; you could stay home and play domestic politics from home."


cnbc--2020-08-26--What to watch for on Day 2 of the Republican National Convention

WASHINGTON — As the second night of the Republican National Convention begins , the party is rallying around President Donald Trump with a near-religious devotion .
But Trump notwithstanding , the four-day event lacks a unifying theme .
In place of adopting a party platform this year , the GOP resolved last week to keep the 2016 platform , despite its numerous awkward references to a failed economic recovery and the urgent need for someone new in the White House .
This year , the party said , it will just `` enthusiastically support the President 's America-first agenda .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a party lacking defined principles would put on a convention that feels disjointed .
Aside from their unanimous praise of Trump , Monday 's speakers addressed a hodgepodge of issues , from gun rights to medical experiments , from telehealth for Covid-19 to hostage return .
And judging by the speaker lineup , Tuesday night will offer more of the same .
The official slogan of Tuesday night is `` Land of Opportunity . ''
But many of the speakers during the first two hours of the program will try to soften some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , including his immigration policy , his tariff and trade wars and his relentless battle against the press .
Speakers on Tuesday include Jason Joyce , a Maine lobsterman who says that Trump helped his industry , and Mary Ann Mendoza , the mother of a police officer who was killed in a 2014 auto collision with an undocumented immigrant .
Anti-abortion rights activist Abby Johnson will also speak , as will Nick Sandmann , a teenager who gained national attention in 2019 after his interaction with a Native American demonstrator at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump 's adult children , Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump , are featured speakers , as is Sen. Rand Paul , a libertarian conservative from Kentucky who has not always sided with Trump .
Another speaker hailing from Kentucky is Daniel Cameron , the state 's Republican attorney general .
Former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi is also on Tuesday 's roster .
The two most noteworthy speeches on Tuesday will come from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and first lady Melania Trump , who will speak last from the newly renovated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say Trump will attend the first lady 's speech around 10:30 p.m. , but that 's almost certainly not going to be the only time the president appears on camera tonight .
The secretary of state 's speech has drawn scrutiny ever since it was announced , and for good reason .
Rather than deliver his endorsement of Trump from the official convention venue in Washington , or from his home , Pompeo has chosen to use the backdrop of a taxpayer-funded diplomatic trip to Israel for his overtly political speech .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not spend taxpayer resources to deliver the actual speech , ethics experts say that using an official trip to do partisan campaign work is , at the very least , a violation of ethics guidelines and could even be a violation of the law .
But for Pompeo , an ambitious former House member who has made no secret of his desire to run for president in 2024 , the criticism is worth it in order to address the nation from the roof of the historic King David Hotel in Jerusalem , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Muslim religious sites in the old city as a backdrop .
`` For Pompeo , I think this is much more about 2024 than it is about right now , '' said Dan Drezner , a professor of international politics at Tufts University 's Fletcher School .
`` If he wants to run for president in 2024 , he obviously wants to lock up the evangelical bloc , and giving a speech in the old city of Jerusalem is one way in which he can appeal to them . ''
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect the president to discourage such a use of taxpayer funds by his secretary of state .
But not in the Trump administration , said Heather Hurlburt , a former State Department speechwriter and a policy director at the left-leaning New America Foundation .
`` Trump is just not at all interested in differentiating between national power and personal power , '' Hurlburt told CNBC .
`` And he does n't draw the line between what 's good for the government and what 's good for Donald Trump . ''
Tuesday night offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rarely seeks : A big national spotlight to deliver a big speech .
As one of the most private first ladies in modern presidential history , Melania Trump is a relatively unknown quantity to most Americans , although she enjoys generally positive approval ratings .
One of the things that often gets overlooked about Melania Trump is that she 's a very effective advocate for her husband , able to humanize her often divisive and bombastic spouse in ways that no one else can .
This is what she is widely expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal , emotionally resonant side of the president .
Those who closely follow national politics also know that if Tuesday 's speech goes well , it could be a sort of redemption for the first lady , after her last convention speech in 2016 contained several lines that seemed to have been lifted straight from speeches by then-first lady Michelle Obama .

Eric Trump, the son of U.S. President Donald Trump, delivers a pre-recorded speech to the largely virtual Republican National Convention broadcast from the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, U.S., August 25, 2020. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
WASHINGTON — As the second night of the Republican National Convention begins, the party is rallying around President Donald Trump with a near-religious devotion. But Trump notwithstanding, the four-day event lacks a unifying theme. In place of adopting a party platform this year, the GOP resolved last week to keep the 2016 platform, despite its numerous awkward references to a failed economic recovery and the urgent need for someone new in the White House. This year, the party said, it will just "enthusiastically support the President's America-first agenda." Perhaps it's not surprising that a party lacking defined principles would put on a convention that feels disjointed. Aside from their unanimous praise of Trump, Monday's speakers addressed a hodgepodge of issues, from gun rights to medical experiments, from telehealth for Covid-19 to hostage return. And judging by the speaker lineup, Tuesday night will offer more of the same.
A buffet of issues
The official slogan of Tuesday night is "Land of Opportunity." But many of the speakers during the first two hours of the program will try to soften some of Trump's most controversial moments in office, including his immigration policy, his tariff and trade wars and his relentless battle against the press. Speakers on Tuesday include Jason Joyce, a Maine lobsterman who says that Trump helped his industry, and Mary Ann Mendoza, the mother of a police officer who was killed in a 2014 auto collision with an undocumented immigrant. Anti-abortion rights activist Abby Johnson will also speak, as will Nick Sandmann, a teenager who gained national attention in 2019 after his interaction with a Native American demonstrator at the Lincoln Memorial went viral. Two of Trump's adult children, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump, are featured speakers, as is Sen. Rand Paul, a libertarian conservative from Kentucky who has not always sided with Trump. Another speaker hailing from Kentucky is Daniel Cameron, the state's Republican attorney general. Former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi is also on Tuesday's roster. The two most noteworthy speeches on Tuesday will come from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and first lady Melania Trump, who will speak last from the newly renovated White House Rose Garden. Convention organizers say Trump will attend the first lady's speech around 10:30 p.m., but that's almost certainly not going to be the only time the president appears on camera tonight.
Pompeo auditions for 2024
The secretary of state's speech has drawn scrutiny ever since it was announced, and for good reason. Rather than deliver his endorsement of Trump from the official convention venue in Washington, or from his home, Pompeo has chosen to use the backdrop of a taxpayer-funded diplomatic trip to Israel for his overtly political speech.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looks on during a brief photo opportunity before a meeting with Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides at the U.S. Department of State on November 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer | Getty Images
And while Pompeo and his staff insist he did not spend taxpayer resources to deliver the actual speech, ethics experts say that using an official trip to do partisan campaign work is, at the very least, a violation of ethics guidelines and could even be a violation of the law. But for Pompeo, an ambitious former House member who has made no secret of his desire to run for president in 2024, the criticism is worth it in order to address the nation from the roof of the historic King David Hotel in Jerusalem, with the panorama of Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious sites in the old city as a backdrop. "For Pompeo, I think this is much more about 2024 than it is about right now," said Dan Drezner, a professor of international politics at Tufts University's Fletcher School. "If he wants to run for president in 2024, he obviously wants to lock up the evangelical bloc, and giving a speech in the old city of Jerusalem is one way in which he can appeal to them." In a different administration, perhaps, one might expect the president to discourage such a use of taxpayer funds by his secretary of state. But not in the Trump administration, said Heather Hurlburt, a former State Department speechwriter and a policy director at the left-leaning New America Foundation. "Trump is just not at all interested in differentiating between national power and personal power," Hurlburt told CNBC. "And he doesn't draw the line between what's good for the government and what's good for Donald Trump."
Melania Trump's big night
Tuesday night offers Melania Trump something she rarely gets and rarely seeks: A big national spotlight to deliver a big speech. As one of the most private first ladies in modern presidential history, Melania Trump is a relatively unknown quantity to most Americans, although she enjoys generally positive approval ratings. One of the things that often gets overlooked about Melania Trump is that she's a very effective advocate for her husband, able to humanize her often divisive and bombastic spouse in ways that no one else can. This is what she is widely expected to do on Tuesday — share a more personal, emotionally resonant side of the president. Those who closely follow national politics also know that if Tuesday's speech goes well, it could be a sort of redemption for the first lady, after her last convention speech in 2016 contained several lines that seemed to have been lifted straight from speeches by then-first lady Michelle Obama.
Melania Trump speaks during the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016 Mike Segar | Reuters


cnbc--2020-08-26--Here's the speaker lineup for the second night of the Republican National Convention

Melania Trump , wife of Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump , waves as she arrives to speak at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland , Ohio , U.S. July 18 , 2016 .
President Donald Trump 's family will take center stage as Republicans aim to boost the president 's reelection bid Tuesday at the 2020 Republican National Convention .
Events on the second of four convention days will take place in the original site of Charlotte , North Carolina , and around the world after the coronavirus forced the GOP to cancel a traditional convention .
On Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen speakers showed a feverish devotion to Trump and his policies as he tries to beat Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in November .
Republican National Convention kicks off with a near spiritual devotion to Trump Here are the highlights from Night 1 of the Republican National Convention The night 's main speakers will start at about 8:30 p.m .
ET .
CNBC.com will livestream the convention .
C-SPAN , CNN , MSNBC and PBS will show the full 2½ hours of the convention each night .
Fox News , CBS , ABC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 11 p.m. hour .
First lady Melania Trump will headline the speakers Tuesday .
Two of the president 's children , Eric and Tiffany , will also deliver remarks earlier in the night .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also speak , breaking with a tradition of the nation 's top diplomats not addressing political conventions .
He will speak from Jerusalem while on a diplomatic trip to Israel .
The Trump administration has insisted he is speaking as a private citizen and said taxpayer dollars are not funding the remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday : • Mary Ann Mendoza , whose son died after getting hit by a drunken driver who was an undocumented immigrant • Nicholas Sandmann , the Kentucky high school student who received settlements with CNN and The Washington Post stemming from coverage of a 2019 confrontation with a Native American activist at the Lincoln Memorial .

Melania Trump, wife of Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, waves as she arrives to speak at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 18, 2016.
President Donald Trump's family will take center stage as Republicans aim to boost the president's reelection bid Tuesday at the 2020 Republican National Convention.
Events on the second of four convention days will take place in the original site of Charlotte, North Carolina, and around the world after the coronavirus forced the GOP to cancel a traditional convention. On Monday night, many of the party's chosen speakers showed a feverish devotion to Trump and his policies as he tries to beat Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in November.
Read more:
Republican National Convention kicks off with a near spiritual devotion to Trump
Here are the highlights from Night 1 of the Republican National Convention
The night's main speakers will start at about 8:30 p.m. ET. CNBC.com will livestream the convention.
C-SPAN, CNN, MSNBC and PBS will show the full 2½ hours of the convention each night. Fox News, CBS, ABC and NBC will show the 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. hour.
First lady Melania Trump will headline the speakers Tuesday. Two of the president's children, Eric and Tiffany, will also deliver remarks earlier in the night.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also speak, breaking with a tradition of the nation's top diplomats not addressing political conventions. He will speak from Jerusalem while on a diplomatic trip to Israel.
The Trump administration has insisted he is speaking as a private citizen and said taxpayer dollars are not funding the remarks.
Here are the key speakers on Tuesday:
First lady Melania Trump
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
Anti-abortion advocate Abby Johnson
Maine lobsterman Jason Joyce
Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer
Mary Ann Mendoza, whose son died after getting hit by a drunken driver who was an undocumented immigrant
Nicholas Sandmann, the Kentucky high school student who received settlements with CNN and The Washington Post stemming from coverage of a 2019 confrontation with a Native American activist at the Lincoln Memorial.
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cnbc--2020-08-25--Accused Jeffrey Epstein sex crime enabler Ghislaine Maxwell loses bid to be put into jail's general

Accused Jeffrey Epstein sex crime enabler Ghislaine Maxwell loses bid to be put into jail's general population

Ghislaine Maxwell attends day 1 of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium at Center 548 on September 20 , 2013 in New York City .
British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell on Tuesday lost her bid to be transferred from solitary confinement into the general inmate population of the Brooklyn jail where she is being held on charges of abetting Jeffrey Epstein 's sexual abuse of underage girls .
Manhattan federal court Judge Alison Nathan also denied a request by Maxwell 's lawyers to order that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons monitor her in the same manner that the agency monitors other detainees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have argued that her ability to prepare for trial is being hampered by the fact that she is being held under strict restrictions , which include being closely watched by , among other people , BOP psychologists .
Nathan , in her denial Tuesday , wrote that Maxwell `` has provided the Court with no evidence , and no reason to believe , that the surveillance measures are motivated by improper purposes . ''
Nathan also rejected a request by defense lawyers that prosecutors be forced to disclose the identities of three women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Maxwell recruited them as underage girls form the basis of the pending criminal charges against her .
The judge said that that request for disclosure was `` premature '' in the case , which is scheduled to go to trial next year .
Maxwell , 58 , is being held without bail on charges related to her alleged recruitment and grooming of girls to be sexually abused by the wealthy money manager Epstein , sometimes with her participation , at multiple locations in the mid-1990s .
One of the alleged victims was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was recruited .
Maxwell also is charged with perjury for allegedly falsely denying while under oath for depositions in a civil lawsuit her alleged conduct as his procurer .
She was arrested in early July at a million-dollar hideaway in New Hampshire on the charges , which were filed by the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of New York .
Maxwell has pleaded not guilty in the case , which has drawn worldwide attention for , among other things , Maxwell 's and Epstein 's past friendships with Presidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as with Prince Andrew and other celebrities .

Ghislaine Maxwell attends day 1 of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium at Center 548 on September 20, 2013 in New York City.
British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell on Tuesday lost her bid to be transferred from solitary confinement into the general inmate population of the Brooklyn jail where she is being held on charges of abetting Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls.
Manhattan federal court Judge Alison Nathan also denied a request by Maxwell's lawyers to order that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons monitor her in the same manner that the agency monitors other detainees in that jail.
Maxwell's lawyers have argued that her ability to prepare for trial is being hampered by the fact that she is being held under strict restrictions, which include being closely watched by, among other people, BOP psychologists.
Nathan, in her denial Tuesday, wrote that Maxwell "has provided the Court with no evidence, and no reason to believe, that the surveillance measures are motivated by improper purposes."
Nathan also rejected a request by defense lawyers that prosecutors be forced to disclose the identities of three women whose claims of being abused by Epstein after Maxwell recruited them as underage girls form the basis of the pending criminal charges against her.
The judge said that that request for disclosure was "premature" in the case, which is scheduled to go to trial next year.
Maxwell, 58, is being held without bail on charges related to her alleged recruitment and grooming of girls to be sexually abused by the wealthy money manager Epstein, sometimes with her participation, at multiple locations in the mid-1990s.
One of the alleged victims was just 14 years old at the time she was recruited.
Maxwell also is charged with perjury for allegedly falsely denying while under oath for depositions in a civil lawsuit her alleged conduct as his procurer.
She was arrested in early July at a million-dollar hideaway in New Hampshire on the charges, which were filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
Maxwell has pleaded not guilty in the case, which has drawn worldwide attention for, among other things, Maxwell's and Epstein's past friendships with Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, as well as with Prince Andrew and other celebrities.


cnbc--2020-08-25--Hope Hicks landed lucrative gigs after her first stint at the Trump White House

White House counselor to the president Hope Hicks walk to board Air Force One with U.S. President Donald Trump as they depart on travel to Minnesota and Wisconsin at Joint Base Andrews , Maryland , U.S. , U.S. , August 17 , 2020 .
Hope Hicks , a longtime confidant of President Donald Trump 's , landed high-paying gigs , including a Wall Street speaking engagement , between White House stints , according to her latest financial disclosure report .
After serving as one of the leaders of Trump 's White House communications shop , she departed the administration in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she returned as an assistant and counselor to the president .
When she departed the administration , she listed a bank account valued up to $ 15,000 as her sole asset , the ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington notes .
Her latest disclosure lists a bank account that is valued at up to $ 1 million .
Hicks and the White House representatives did not return requests for comment .
Shortly after leaving the White House , Hicks created her own limited liability company called Cavender Consultants .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president and founder , holding those positions starting in May 2018 .
The LLC became inactive around the time she became a communications executive in October 2018 at Fox Corp. , the media company controlled by billionaire Rupert Murdoch .
While in use , the LLC was used as a way for Hicks to collect fees for what she described on her form as communications consulting at Glover Park Group , a public relations firm that includes her father , Paul Hicks , as managing director .
The filing shows her business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in income .
Also listed is her employment as executive vice president and chief communications officer at Fox , which seems to be her main source of income of over $ 1.8 million .
Glover Park Group does not publicly list whom it represents , although its lobbying business works for dozens of big businesses .
The year Hicks consulted for the firm , Glover Park Group lobbied for Fox , Apple , Discovery and Disney , among others , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
While Hicks is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was paid just over $ 6 million for lobbying that year alone .
These clients worked with the firm for the years prior to Hicks ' consulting work .
Press representatives at Glover Park Group did not return a request for comment .
Hicks also lists a speaking engagement she had at Veritas Capital , a New York-based private equity firm .
Prior to her first stop at the White House , Hicks was a communications leader for the 2016 Trump campaign , which repeatedly bashed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for her paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says on its website that it invests in `` companies that provide critical products and services to governments . ''
A list of investments provided by PitchBook , a data and research company , shows that Veritas has spent billions on deals with businesses that , at times , have had long-established contracts with various government entities .
Hicks , according to people familiar with the matter , was paid to be a moderator during Veritas ' private investor conference in October 2018 .
She moderated a discussion with former Trump economic advisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these people added .
They declined to be named as the conference was n't a public event .
Hicks ' disclosure does n't reveal how much she was paid for the speaking job , other than to say she made more than $ 5,000 .
The people familiar with the situation would not say how much she was paid , although companies often pay six-figure fees for former government officials to take part in conferences .
The Veritas conference has lured several luminaries , including former Presidents George H.W .
Bush and Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powell , these people added .
Often at similar corporate engagements , former government officials speak about their tenures within a particular administration and their life since .
Representatives for Veritas and Cohn declined to comment .

White House counselor to the president Hope Hicks walk to board Air Force One with U.S. President Donald Trump as they depart on travel to Minnesota and Wisconsin at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., U.S., August 17, 2020.
Hope Hicks, a longtime confidant of President Donald Trump's, landed high-paying gigs, including a Wall Street speaking engagement, between White House stints, according to her latest financial disclosure report.
After serving as one of the leaders of Trump's White House communications shop, she departed the administration in March 2018. Two years later, she returned as an assistant and counselor to the president.
When she departed the administration, she listed a bank account valued up to $15,000 as her sole asset, the ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington notes. Her latest disclosure lists a bank account that is valued at up to $1 million.
Hicks and the White House representatives did not return requests for comment.
Shortly after leaving the White House, Hicks created her own limited liability company called Cavender Consultants. She is labeled on her disclosure report as the president and founder, holding those positions starting in May 2018. The LLC became inactive around the time she became a communications executive in October 2018 at Fox Corp., the media company controlled by billionaire Rupert Murdoch.
While in use, the LLC was used as a way for Hicks to collect fees for what she described on her form as communications consulting at Glover Park Group, a public relations firm that includes her father, Paul Hicks, as managing director. The filing shows her business as a source of over $5,000 in income. Also listed is her employment as executive vice president and chief communications officer at Fox, which seems to be her main source of income of over $1.8 million.
Glover Park Group does not publicly list whom it represents, although its lobbying business works for dozens of big businesses. The year Hicks consulted for the firm, Glover Park Group lobbied for Fox, Apple, Discovery and Disney, among others, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. While Hicks is not listed as a lobbyist, the firm was paid just over $6 million for lobbying that year alone. These clients worked with the firm for the years prior to Hicks' consulting work.
Press representatives at Glover Park Group did not return a request for comment.
Hicks also lists a speaking engagement she had at Veritas Capital, a New York-based private equity firm.
Prior to her first stop at the White House, Hicks was a communications leader for the 2016 Trump campaign, which repeatedly bashed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for her paid speaking engagements on Wall Street.
Veritas says on its website that it invests in "companies that provide critical products and services to governments." A list of investments provided by PitchBook, a data and research company, shows that Veritas has spent billions on deals with businesses that, at times, have had long-established contracts with various government entities.
Hicks, according to people familiar with the matter, was paid to be a moderator during Veritas' private investor conference in October 2018. She moderated a discussion with former Trump economic advisor and Goldman Sachs president Gary Cohn, these people added. They declined to be named as the conference wasn't a public event.
Hicks' disclosure doesn't reveal how much she was paid for the speaking job, other than to say she made more than $5,000.
The people familiar with the situation would not say how much she was paid, although companies often pay six-figure fees for former government officials to take part in conferences.
The Veritas conference has lured several luminaries, including former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, these people added.
Often at similar corporate engagements, former government officials speak about their tenures within a particular administration and their life since.
Representatives for Veritas and Cohn declined to comment.


cnbc--2020-08-25--Billionaire investor Barry Sternlicht says he'd vote for Biden because the nation needs to heal

Billionaire global investor Barry Sternlicht told CNBC on Tuesday that at this point in the presidential race he plans to vote for Democrat Joe Biden for president .
Sternlicht , who earlier this year said he agreed with President Donald Trump 's push to get the economy reopened from coronavirus-related closures , said in a `` Squawk Box '' interview that `` I would probably vote for Biden right now . ''
`` I think that on the margin the nation needs to heal and I think we need to get back together , and I do n't think we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetoric from the right , '' said Sternlicht , whose $ 60 billion Starwood Capital Group has vast real estate interests , including luxury hotels and shopping malls , among its many other industries .
Sternlicht expressed serious concerns about the far-left wing of the Democratic party , but said he believes that the former vice president in the Barack Obama administration is the better candidate for the current moment in the U.S. '' I 'm in the middle .
I 'd be an independent .
I 'm fiscally conservative and socially liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we do n't have a party .
We kind of just wing it , '' added Sternlicht , who in the past also supported Trump 's business-friendly agenda including corporate tax cuts and rolling back business regulations of his predecessor .
`` The Biden tax plan , which I 'm happy to pay more taxes , but I do n't think this increase in the capital gains rate is a good idea for investment in our country , which we need to do , '' Sternlicht said .
If Biden were to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the limit on state and local tax deductions , or SALT , is also not repealed , `` you 're talking 60 % plus taxes on the wealthy in New York City , and they will leave , '' he added .
Sternlicht also said he was concerned with the Trump administration 's current foreign policy approach , contending the U.S. needs to take a more constructive approach toward allies and some adversaries , such as China .
`` We have to have a peaceful world order .
I think being friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our allies are .
I ca n't understand our tilt toward Russia , and we have to have a constructive dialogue , not a fist fight , with China , '' he said .

Billionaire global investor Barry Sternlicht told CNBC on Tuesday that at this point in the presidential race he plans to vote for Democrat Joe Biden for president.
Sternlicht, who earlier this year said he agreed with President Donald Trump's push to get the economy reopened from coronavirus-related closures, said in a "Squawk Box" interview that "I would probably vote for Biden right now."
"I think that on the margin the nation needs to heal and I think we need to get back together, and I don't think we're going to do that with the rhetoric from the right," said Sternlicht, whose $60 billion Starwood Capital Group has vast real estate interests, including luxury hotels and shopping malls, among its many other industries.
Sternlicht expressed serious concerns about the far-left wing of the Democratic party, but said he believes that the former vice president in the Barack Obama administration is the better candidate for the current moment in the U.S.
"I'm in the middle. I'd be an independent. I'm fiscally conservative and socially liberal, like most of my peers, and we don't have a party. We kind of just wing it," added Sternlicht, who in the past also supported Trump's business-friendly agenda including corporate tax cuts and rolling back business regulations of his predecessor.
"The Biden tax plan, which I'm happy to pay more taxes, but I don't think this increase in the capital gains rate is a good idea for investment in our country, which we need to do," Sternlicht said.
If Biden were to get his way on capital gains, and the limit on state and local tax deductions, or SALT, is also not repealed, "you're talking 60% plus taxes on the wealthy in New York City, and they will leave," he added.
Sternlicht also said he was concerned with the Trump administration's current foreign policy approach, contending the U.S. needs to take a more constructive approach toward allies and some adversaries, such as China.
"We have to have a peaceful world order. I think being friends with our allies, we know who our allies are. I can't understand our tilt toward Russia, and we have to have a constructive dialogue, not a fist fight, with China," he said.


cnbc--2020-08-28--Here are the key moments from President Trump's Republican National Convention speech

Painting a picture of horrors he claims await Americans if Democrat Joe Biden defeats him in November , President Donald Trump capped the 2020 Republican National Convention on Thursday by accepting his party 's presidential nomination for the second time .
Trump vouched for his reelection in a more than 70-minute speech on the White House South Lawn , with the president 's official residence in the background .
Mixing official government and political business , he spoke to a crowd sitting shoulder to shoulder during a pandemic , flanked by `` Trump Pence '' campaign signs .
In his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considers the triumphs of his first term in office , including trade deals and an economy that was strong before coronavirus-fueled shutdowns .
Trump made lofty promises , assuring rapid job growth and a reined-in coronavirus outbreak .
He also took aim at Biden , claiming his election would lead to an economic collapse and violence in American cities .
Here are some of the highlights from Trump 's speech , as prepared for delivery by his campaign .
We are delivering lifesaving therapies , and will produce a vaccine before the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sooner .
We will defeat the virus , end the pandemic , and emerge stronger than ever before .
The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the United States .
The nation has recorded 5.8 million Covid-19 infections and at least 180,000 deaths , the most in the world , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
While new cases have showed signs of slowing , the country is still reporting tens of thousands per day on average .
The U.S. has moved to produce a vaccine in record time to combat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is `` optimistic '' a vaccine will be ready before Election Day .
But there is no concrete evidence now that a safe and effective vaccine will be ready before the end of the year , let alone sooner .
Clinical trials are taking place for vaccines , and public health officials have said they hope to know whether one of those could be effective by the end of the year .
The United States has among the lowest case fatality rates of any major country in the world .
The European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three times higher than ours .
Altogether , the nations of Europe have experienced a 30 % greater increase in excess mortality than the United States .
The United States has a case fatality rate of 3.1 % , according to Johns Hopkins data .
The American rate is better than European countries Italy , Belgium , France , the Netherlands , Spain and Germany .
However , Trump misleads about the American death toll by citing case fatality rates .
Because the virus has spread rapidly in the U.S. , it ranks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a share of population .
The U.S. has had 54.93 deaths per 100,000 people , the 11th highest in the world .
Biden is a Trojan horse for socialism .
If Joe Biden does n't have the strength to stand up to wild-eyed Marxists like Bernie Sanders and his fellow radicals , then how is he ever going to stand up for you ?
The most dangerous aspect of the Biden platform is the attack on public safety .
The Biden-Bernie manifesto calls for abolishing cash bail , immediately releasing 400,000 criminals onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When asked if he supports cutting police funding , Joe Biden replied , `` Yes , absolutely . ''
When Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called the Minneapolis police department a cancer that is `` rotten to the root , '' Biden would n't disavow her support and reject her endorsement – he proudly displayed it on his website .
Make no mistake , if you give power to Joe Biden , the radical left will defund police departments all across America .
They will pass federal legislation to reduce law enforcement nationwide .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland , Oregon .
No one will be safe in Biden 's America .
While Biden has made some policy concessions to supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders , the democratic socialist and runner-up in the 2020 Democratic primary , he has angered liberals by not backing their top priorities including `` Medicare for All '' and the Green New Deal .
On criminal justice , the Biden campaign has backed ending cash bail , saying it `` incarcerates people who are presumed innocent . ''
But it has not supported defunding police departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While Biden has pushed for reforms to hold police more accountable for killing Black Americans , he has actually called for $ 300 million more in federal funding for cops .
Biden has promised to abolish the production of American oil , coal , shale , and natural gas – laying waste to the economies of Pennsylvania , Ohio , Texas , North Dakota , Oklahoma , Colorado , and New Mexico .
Millions of jobs will be lost , and energy prices will soar .
These same policies led to crippling power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How can Joe Biden claim to be an `` ally of the light '' when his own party ca n't even keep the lights on ?
Biden has not gone as far as Sanders and other liberals in pushing to limit fossil-fuel production .
He has called to stop new oil and gas drilling permits on public land , but does not want to stop existing production .
He also has not pushed to ban the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing , as some Trump allies have claimed .
Biden 's record is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catastrophic betrayals and blunders in our lifetime .
He has spent his entire career on the wrong side of history .
Biden voted for the NAFTA disaster , the single worst trade deal ever enacted ; he supported China 's entry into the World Trade Organization , one of the greatest economic disasters of all time .
Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement as a senator and the Trans-Pacific Partnership as vice president .
NAFTA , the three-nation deal with Canada and Mexico , is generally accepted to have sapped American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. Trump used criticism of trade deals to appeal to blue-collar workers during his 2016 campaign .
They said that it would be impossible to terminate and replace NAFTA – but again , they were wrong .
Earlier this year , I ended the NAFTA nightmare and signed the brand new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement into law .
Now auto companies and others are building their plants and factories in America , not firing their employees and deserting us .
While Trump renegotiated NAFTA , the new pact known as the United States-Mexico-Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing deal .
It also included some components similar to those in the TPP , the deal , which the Obama administration joined and Trump withdrew from .
During their convention , Joe Biden and his supporters remained completely silent about the rioters and criminals spreading mayhem in Democrat-run cities .
In the face of left-wing anarchy and mayhem in Minneapolis , Chicago , and other cities , Joe Biden 's campaign did not condemn it – they donated to it .
At least 13 members of Joe Biden 's campaign staff donated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arsonists , looters , and rioters from jail .
Following a string of police shootings and killings of Black Americans this year , protests against racial injustice have taken place across the country .
Most recently , Americans have spoken out against the police shooting of 29-year-old Black man Jacob Blake seven times in the back in Kenosha , Wisc .
In several cities , people angered by the brutality have destroyed property in isolated incidents .
Trump has focused more on those events , framing them as a danger to public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of excessive force by law enforcement .
Contrary to Trump 's claims , Biden has repeatedly condemned riots as he supports protests .
This week , he said that `` burning down communities is not protest , it 's needless violence . ''

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his acceptance speech as the 2020 Republican presidential nominee during the final event of the Republican National Convention on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, August 27, 2020. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
Painting a picture of horrors he claims await Americans if Democrat Joe Biden defeats him in November, President Donald Trump capped the 2020 Republican National Convention on Thursday by accepting his party's presidential nomination for the second time. Trump vouched for his reelection in a more than 70-minute speech on the White House South Lawn, with the president's official residence in the background. Mixing official government and political business, he spoke to a crowd sitting shoulder to shoulder during a pandemic, flanked by "Trump Pence" campaign signs. In his remarks, the president outlined what he considers the triumphs of his first term in office, including trade deals and an economy that was strong before coronavirus-fueled shutdowns. Trump made lofty promises, assuring rapid job growth and a reined-in coronavirus outbreak. He also took aim at Biden, claiming his election would lead to an economic collapse and violence in American cities. Here are some of the highlights from Trump's speech, as prepared for delivery by his campaign.
Coronavirus promises
watch now
We are delivering lifesaving therapies, and will produce a vaccine before the end of the year, or maybe even sooner. We will defeat the virus, end the pandemic, and emerge stronger than ever before. — Trump The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the United States. The nation has recorded 5.8 million Covid-19 infections and at least 180,000 deaths, the most in the world, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. While new cases have showed signs of slowing, the country is still reporting tens of thousands per day on average. The U.S. has moved to produce a vaccine in record time to combat the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Trump has even said he is "optimistic" a vaccine will be ready before Election Day. But there is no concrete evidence now that a safe and effective vaccine will be ready before the end of the year, let alone sooner. Clinical trials are taking place for vaccines, and public health officials have said they hope to know whether one of those could be effective by the end of the year. The United States has among the lowest case fatality rates of any major country in the world. The European Union's case fatality rate is nearly three times higher than ours. Altogether, the nations of Europe have experienced a 30% greater increase in excess mortality than the United States. — Trump The United States has a case fatality rate of 3.1%, according to Johns Hopkins data. The American rate is better than European countries Italy, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany. However, Trump misleads about the American death toll by citing case fatality rates. Because the virus has spread rapidly in the U.S., it ranks among the worst countries in deaths as a share of population. The U.S. has had 54.93 deaths per 100,000 people, the 11th highest in the world.
Biden and Bernie
Biden is a Trojan horse for socialism. If Joe Biden doesn't have the strength to stand up to wild-eyed Marxists like Bernie Sanders and his fellow radicals, then how is he ever going to stand up for you? The most dangerous aspect of the Biden platform is the attack on public safety. The Biden-Bernie manifesto calls for abolishing cash bail, immediately releasing 400,000 criminals onto your streets and into your neighborhoods. When asked if he supports cutting police funding, Joe Biden replied, "Yes, absolutely." When Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called the Minneapolis police department a cancer that is "rotten to the root," Biden wouldn't disavow her support and reject her endorsement – he proudly displayed it on his website. Make no mistake, if you give power to Joe Biden, the radical left will defund police departments all across America. They will pass federal legislation to reduce law enforcement nationwide. They will make every city look like Democrat-run Portland, Oregon. No one will be safe in Biden's America. — Trump While Biden has made some policy concessions to supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist and runner-up in the 2020 Democratic primary, he has angered liberals by not backing their top priorities including "Medicare for All" and the Green New Deal. On criminal justice, the Biden campaign has backed ending cash bail, saying it "incarcerates people who are presumed innocent." But it has not supported defunding police departments, a goal for many liberals. While Biden has pushed for reforms to hold police more accountable for killing Black Americans, he has actually called for $300 million more in federal funding for cops.
watch now
Biden has promised to abolish the production of American oil, coal, shale, and natural gas – laying waste to the economies of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico. Millions of jobs will be lost, and energy prices will soar. These same policies led to crippling power outages in California just last week. How can Joe Biden claim to be an "ally of the light" when his own party can't even keep the lights on? — Trump Biden has not gone as far as Sanders and other liberals in pushing to limit fossil-fuel production. He has called to stop new oil and gas drilling permits on public land, but does not want to stop existing production. He also has not pushed to ban the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, as some Trump allies have claimed.
Trade deals
watch now
Biden's record is a shameful roll call of the most catastrophic betrayals and blunders in our lifetime. He has spent his entire career on the wrong side of history. Biden voted for the NAFTA disaster, the single worst trade deal ever enacted; he supported China's entry into the World Trade Organization, one of the greatest economic disasters of all time. — Trump Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement as a senator and the Trans-Pacific Partnership as vice president. NAFTA, the three-nation deal with Canada and Mexico, is generally accepted to have sapped American manufacturing jobs after companies moved operations outside of the U.S. Trump used criticism of trade deals to appeal to blue-collar workers during his 2016 campaign. They said that it would be impossible to terminate and replace NAFTA – but again, they were wrong. Earlier this year, I ended the NAFTA nightmare and signed the brand new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement into law. Now auto companies and others are building their plants and factories in America, not firing their employees and deserting us. — Trump While Trump renegotiated NAFTA, the new pact known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement made only moderate changes to the existing deal. It also included some components similar to those in the TPP, the deal, which the Obama administration joined and Trump withdrew from.
Protests and public safety