cnbc--2020-02-27--Actor Steven Seagal settles SEC case over undisclosed payments for touting cryptocurrency

The Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday that it had settled previously undisclosed charges against faded action movie actor Steven Seagal for failing to disclose that he was being paid as he promoted a cryptocurrency investment .
An SEC order said Seagal , who agreed to pay $ 314,000 in disgorgement and penalties in a settlement , violated anti-touting provisions of federal securities laws during the very brief amount of time he spent as `` brand ambassador '' for the `` Bitcoiin . ''
The $ 157,000 that Seagal paid in disgorgement was approximately equivalent to the amount of money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The SEC said that Seagal , a 67-year-old martial arts expert who is currently residing in Moscow , Russia , `` failed to disclose he was promised $ 250,000 in cash and $ 750,000 worth of B2G tokens in exchange for his promotions '' for an initial coin offering conducted by Bitcoiin2Gen , a cryptocurrency system .
Those promotions included public social media account posts that urged people not to `` miss out '' on Bitcoiin2Gen 's initial coin offering and `` a press release titled 'Zen Master Steven Seagal Has Become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the SEC said .
That Feb. 13 , 2018 , press release said , `` The inspiration of Bitcoiin2Gen is to make a superior or more advanced version of Original Bitcoin . ''
Within days of the release , Seagal 's Twitter account , which had about 107,000 followers , began posting messages about the company and its imminent initial coin offering .
`` Do n't miss out , '' a Feb. 28 , 2018 , message on the Twitter account said , which was echoed the following day with `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account , according to the SEC .
The Facebook account had about 6.7 million followers .
The SEC said , `` These promotions came six months after the SEC 's 2017 DAO Report warning that coins sold in ICOs may be securities . ''
The agency also noted that under anti-touting provisions of federal securities laws , `` any celebrity or other individual who promotes a virtual token or coin that is a security must disclose the nature , scope , and amount of compensation received in exchange for the promotion . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said in an email that that the actor had been `` approached by certain individuals who said they were creating a digital currency and wanted him to be the 'brand ambassador . '
`` '' Mr. Seagal , after consultation with others ( including counsel ) , believed the product was a digital currency , '' Nassif said .
`` He then agreed to allow his likeness to be used to promote the product .
He allowed others to post certain items on his social media accounts regarding the product .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the bona fides of the product and terminated the relationship . ''
`` Mr. Seagal was not involved in the creation of this product , nor did he have any prior relationship with the individuals who approached him , '' the spokesman said .
`` To him , it was simply a case of someone paying a celebrity for the use of his image to promote a product . ''
Nassif noted that the SEC did not charge Seagal with fraudulent conduct .
He also said the actor `` cooperated fully '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now behind him . ''
`` He looks forward to continuing his life 's work as an actor , musician , martial artist and diplomat . ''
Seagal 's stint as a promoter for Bitcoiin2Gen was short-lived .
On March 7 , 2018 , the New Jersey Bureau of Securities issued a cease-and-desist order against BitCoiin2Gen , which said the firm is `` fraudulently offering unregistered securities in violation of the Securities Law . ''
That order noted that Bitcoiin2Gen 's press release about Seagal did not disclose the nature , scope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his promotion of the investment .
A press release issued by Bitcoiin2Gen just six weeks after Seagal 's involvement in the company was announced said he was no longer serving as brand ambassador .

The Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday that it had settled previously undisclosed charges against faded action movie actor Steven Seagal for failing to disclose that he was being paid as he promoted a cryptocurrency investment.
An SEC order said Seagal, who agreed to pay $314,000 in disgorgement and penalties in a settlement, violated anti-touting provisions of federal securities laws during the very brief amount of time he spent as "brand ambassador" for the "Bitcoiin."
The $157,000 that Seagal paid in disgorgement was approximately equivalent to the amount of money he was actually paid by the company.
The SEC said that Seagal, a 67-year-old martial arts expert who is currently residing in Moscow, Russia, "failed to disclose he was promised $250,000 in cash and $750,000 worth of B2G tokens in exchange for his promotions" for an initial coin offering conducted by Bitcoiin2Gen, a cryptocurrency system.
Those promotions included public social media account posts that urged people not to "miss out" on Bitcoiin2Gen's initial coin offering and "a press release titled 'Zen Master Steven Seagal Has Become the Brand Ambassador of Bitcoiin2Gen,'" the SEC said.
That Feb. 13, 2018, press release said, "The inspiration of Bitcoiin2Gen is to make a superior or more advanced version of Original Bitcoin."
Within days of the release, Seagal's Twitter account, which had about 107,000 followers, began posting messages about the company and its imminent initial coin offering.
"Don't miss out," a Feb. 28, 2018, message on the Twitter account said, which was echoed the following day with "the same tout" on Seagal's Facebook account, according to the SEC. The Facebook account had about 6.7 million followers.
The SEC said, "These promotions came six months after the SEC's 2017 DAO Report warning that coins sold in ICOs may be securities."
The agency also noted that under anti-touting provisions of federal securities laws, "any celebrity or other individual who promotes a virtual token or coin that is a security must disclose the nature, scope, and amount of compensation received in exchange for the promotion."
Chris Nassif, a spokesman for Seagal, said in an email that that the actor had been "approached by certain individuals who said they were creating a digital currency and wanted him to be the 'brand ambassador.' "
"Mr. Seagal, after consultation with others (including counsel), believed the product was a digital currency," Nassif said. "He then agreed to allow his likeness to be used to promote the product. He allowed others to post certain items on his social media accounts regarding the product. At some point, Mr. Seagal became concerned with the bona fides of the product and terminated the relationship."
"Mr. Seagal was not involved in the creation of this product, nor did he have any prior relationship with the individuals who approached him," the spokesman said. "To him, it was simply a case of someone paying a celebrity for the use of his image to promote a product."
Nassif noted that the SEC did not charge Seagal with fraudulent conduct. He also said the actor "cooperated fully" with the investigation "and this matter is now behind him."
"He looks forward to continuing his life's work as an actor, musician, martial artist and diplomat."
Seagal's stint as a promoter for Bitcoiin2Gen was short-lived.
On March 7, 2018, the New Jersey Bureau of Securities issued a cease-and-desist order against BitCoiin2Gen, which said the firm is "fraudulently offering unregistered securities in violation of the Securities Law."
That order noted that Bitcoiin2Gen's press release about Seagal did not disclose the nature, scope or amount of compensation paid to Seagal for his promotion of the investment.
A press release issued by Bitcoiin2Gen just six weeks after Seagal's involvement in the company was announced said he was no longer serving as brand ambassador.


cnbc--2020-02-27--Trump puts Mike Pence in charge of response to coronavirus, says US risk 'remains very low'

Vice President Mike Pence will be put in charge of the U.S. response to the deadly coronavirus outbreak , President Donald Trump announced Wednesday in an address from the White House .
Trump , speaking without prepared remarks in a rare appearance at the briefing room podium , maintained that the risk to the U.S. from the virus `` remains very low , '' amid global fears that a pandemic could be imminent .
The spread of the disease in the U.S. is n't `` inevitable , '' Trump said , though he noted that it 's possible that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' A day earlier , federal health officials said the spread of the virus was `` inevitable . ''
But the U.S. is ready for `` anything , '' Trump said , including an outbreak `` of larger proportions . ''
Trump said he would be putting Pence , who has `` a certain talent for this , '' in charge of the response .
The president claimed that his veep 's experience with health care policy as governor of Indiana made him a good fit for the role .
Pence will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other professionals working to keep the virus at bay in the U.S. , Trump said .
Trump announced the news conference in a tweet Wednesday morning , shortly after returning from a state visit to India where he downplayed the threat of the virus to the U.S. `` We 're really down to probably 10 '' cases , Trump told reporters there .

Vice President Mike Pence will be put in charge of the U.S. response to the deadly coronavirus outbreak, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday in an address from the White House.
Trump, speaking without prepared remarks in a rare appearance at the briefing room podium, maintained that the risk to the U.S. from the virus "remains very low," amid global fears that a pandemic could be imminent.
The spread of the disease in the U.S. isn't "inevitable," Trump said, though he noted that it's possible that "it could get fairly substantially worse." A day earlier, federal health officials said the spread of the virus was "inevitable."
But the U.S. is ready for "anything," Trump said, including an outbreak "of larger proportions."
Trump said he would be putting Pence, who has "a certain talent for this," in charge of the response.
The president claimed that his veep's experience with health care policy as governor of Indiana made him a good fit for the role.
Pence will be in charge of coordinating the medical and other professionals working to keep the virus at bay in the U.S., Trump said.
Trump announced the news conference in a tweet Wednesday morning, shortly after returning from a state visit to India where he downplayed the threat of the virus to the U.S. "We're really down to probably 10" cases, Trump told reporters there.


cnbc--2020-02-26--Democratic megadonor urges Pelosi and Schumer to pick a candidate in a bid to stop Bernie Sanders

Democratic megadonor Bernard Schwartz has started reaching out to party leaders , particularly House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , to encourage them to back a candidate for president in order to stop the surge of Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Schwartz , the CEO of BLS Investments , told CNBC that in recent days he 's been trying to speak with Pelosi and Schumer about making a pick , in the hope that voters will follow their lead and end up denying Sanders the party 's presidential nomination .
`` We should know who is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with all due respect , Bernie Sanders can not beat Trump , '' he explained , describing the message he has relayed to the two Democratic leaders .
Schwartz noted he has yet to hear back from them but insisted that , with Super Tuesday under a week away , party leaders have to take a stand now before Sanders captures the nomination — and , in his view , takes down the party .
`` They have good political reasons not to endorse until the primary is over , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we give up on this position , '' he added .
Although he is n't insisting on a particular candidate for Pelosi and Schumer to get behind , he said that he thinks the two best options , for now , are either former Vice President Joe Biden or former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , a billionaire funding his own candidacy for president .
Schwartz is currently backing Biden 's campaign for president .
Schwartz 's concerns to leaders are being echoed by many Democratic leaders , including Bloomberg , whose campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are also concerns among establishment Democrats that Sanders could hurt congressional candidates down the ballot if he were to be at the top of the party 's ticket in November .
Representatives for Pelosi and Schumer did not respond to a request for comment .
Both publicly signaled on Wednesday that they would be comfortable with Sanders leading the Democratic ticket in November .
Schwartz 's links to Democratic leaders could move them in the direction he hopes they will go .
He has been a key financier for congressional Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has donated over $ 885,000 to the House Majority PAC , a super PAC dedicated to helping Democrats get elected to the House of Representatives , while giving more than $ 620,000 to the Senate Majority PAC , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
During the 2018 congressional midterms , Schwartz gave more than $ 3 million to Democratic causes .
The New York Times reported in April that Schwartz was organizing dinners on how to handle Sanders ' run for president with Pelosi , Schumer , former Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Neera Tanden , the president of the Center for American Progress .
Sanders is currently leading in two of the biggest states that are scheduled next week on delegate-rich Super Tuesday .
In both California and Texas , Real Clear Politics polling averages show Sanders leading the field .
Sanders has also been picking up delegates in the buildup to the South Carolina primary .
He dominated during the Nevada caucuses and squeaked out a victory in the New Hampshire primary after narrowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa .

Democratic megadonor Bernard Schwartz has started reaching out to party leaders, particularly House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to encourage them to back a candidate for president in order to stop the surge of Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Schwartz, the CEO of BLS Investments, told CNBC that in recent days he's been trying to speak with Pelosi and Schumer about making a pick, in the hope that voters will follow their lead and end up denying Sanders the party's presidential nomination.
"We should know who is the best person to beat Donald Trump, and with all due respect, Bernie Sanders cannot beat Trump," he explained, describing the message he has relayed to the two Democratic leaders.
Schwartz noted he has yet to hear back from them but insisted that, with Super Tuesday under a week away, party leaders have to take a stand now before Sanders captures the nomination — and, in his view, takes down the party.
"They have good political reasons not to endorse until the primary is over, but I think we are losing too much if we give up on this position," he added.
Although he isn't insisting on a particular candidate for Pelosi and Schumer to get behind, he said that he thinks the two best options, for now, are either former Vice President Joe Biden or former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a billionaire funding his own candidacy for president. Schwartz is currently backing Biden's campaign for president.
Schwartz's concerns to leaders are being echoed by many Democratic leaders, including Bloomberg, whose campaign has ramped up its attacks on Sanders. There are also concerns among establishment Democrats that Sanders could hurt congressional candidates down the ballot if he were to be at the top of the party's ticket in November.
Representatives for Pelosi and Schumer did not respond to a request for comment. Both publicly signaled on Wednesday that they would be comfortable with Sanders leading the Democratic ticket in November.
Schwartz's links to Democratic leaders could move them in the direction he hopes they will go. He has been a key financier for congressional Democrats in the 2020 election cycle. He has donated over $885,000 to the House Majority PAC, a super PAC dedicated to helping Democrats get elected to the House of Representatives, while giving more than $620,000 to the Senate Majority PAC, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
During the 2018 congressional midterms, Schwartz gave more than $3 million to Democratic causes. The New York Times reported in April that Schwartz was organizing dinners on how to handle Sanders' run for president with Pelosi, Schumer, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia; presidential candidate former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Neera Tanden, the president of the Center for American Progress.
Sanders is currently leading in two of the biggest states that are scheduled next week on delegate-rich Super Tuesday. In both California and Texas, Real Clear Politics polling averages show Sanders leading the field.
Sanders has also been picking up delegates in the buildup to the South Carolina primary. He dominated during the Nevada caucuses and squeaked out a victory in the New Hampshire primary after narrowly losing the delegate edge to Buttigieg in Iowa.


cnbc--2020-02-26--Mike Bloomberg's campaign is holding talks with unions, is open to employees becoming members

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg poses for a photo before the the CBS Democratic Presidential Primary Debate at the Charleston Gaillard Center .
Mike Bloomberg 's campaign is holding talks with two unions and is signalling to its employees that it is open to them joining the groups .
`` The campaign fully supports its employees ' rights to organize collectively and join the union of their choice .
The Campaign Workers Guild and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 have recently contacted our campaign about potentially representing some of the campaign 's employees , and we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to facilitate discussions with employees about union membership , '' Julie Wood , a spokeswoman for the Bloomberg campaign , told CNBC .
`` The campaign will do the same with any other unions that express interest in representing our staff . ''
The development comes as a member of the Campaign Workers Guild said on Twitter that he was calling on members of Bloomberg 's presidential campaign to discuss the idea of unionization .
Campaign workers for Bloomberg rivals Sens .
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders and Biden in the Democratic primary race for president , according to a Real Clear Politics polling average .
The move by Bloomberg 's campaign to start holding talks with some unions comes after the former mayor had his run ins with a few organizations when he ran New York .
Bloomberg , who has a net worth of just under $ 59 billion , has been looking for a boost since his first debate appearance in Nevada .
His performance improved in his second debate in South Carolina and he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump for his inadequate response to the deadly and fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak .
Bloomberg has spent over $ 500 million on TV and digital ads , according to Advertising Analytics .

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg poses for a photo before the the CBS Democratic Presidential Primary Debate at the Charleston Gaillard Center.
Mike Bloomberg's campaign is holding talks with two unions and is signalling to its employees that it is open to them joining the groups.
"The campaign fully supports its employees' rights to organize collectively and join the union of their choice. The Campaign Workers Guild and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 have recently contacted our campaign about potentially representing some of the campaign's employees, and we are working with both unions on how best to facilitate discussions with employees about union membership," Julie Wood, a spokeswoman for the Bloomberg campaign, told CNBC. "The campaign will do the same with any other unions that express interest in representing our staff."
The development comes as a member of the Campaign Workers Guild said on Twitter that he was calling on members of Bloomberg's presidential campaign to discuss the idea of unionization.
Campaign workers for Bloomberg rivals Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden have unionized.
Bloomberg is currently behind Sanders and Biden in the Democratic primary race for president, according to a Real Clear Politics polling average.
The move by Bloomberg's campaign to start holding talks with some unions comes after the former mayor had his run ins with a few organizations when he ran New York.
Bloomberg, who has a net worth of just under $59 billion, has been looking for a boost since his first debate appearance in Nevada. His performance improved in his second debate in South Carolina and he is launching a TV ad on Thursday ripping President Donald Trump for his inadequate response to the deadly and fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak.
Bloomberg has spent over $500 million on TV and digital ads, according to Advertising Analytics.


cnbc--2020-02-27--Op-Ed: Social Security is at stake in this election

At a time of unprecedented income inequality and economic instability , Social Security has become a major flashpoint in the presidential election -- and for good reason .
After all , despite promises to the contrary during his 2016 campaign , President Donald Trump recently floated the idea of cuts to the program .
This is a major threat to all 64 million Social Security recipients -- and particularly to communities of color .
Almost three quarters of African American and Latino beneficiaries rely on Social Security for the majority of their income , and without Social Security , roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans would be living in poverty .
Trump , however , is not the only reason we should be concerned about the future of Social Security : Bloomberg News ' congressional correspondent recently reported that Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell `` told me he hopes to work with the next Democratic president to trim Social Security , Medicare , Medicaid . ''
All of this underscores an important reality : to both defeat Trump in this election and strengthen Social Security , we must choose Bernie Sanders as our Democratic nominee , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Social Security cuts -- and fighting for an expansion of the program .
Unfortunately , not every candidate in this race has such a track record .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has pushed to cut benefits in the past .
He delivered a Senate floor speech in 1995 boasting that he had tried four separate times to freeze funding for Social Security , Medicare , Medicaid and veterans benefits .
And as recently as 2007 , he said Social Security cuts should be on the table .
Former New York Mayor Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He co-chaired a business group that pushed to cut Social Security .
In that role , he appeared on national television to declare that President Obama should seek a deal with McConnell that featured `` intelligent cuts . ''
`` There is a way to slowly decrease the benefits or raise the eligibility age for Medicare and for Social Security , '' Bloomberg said .
`` There 's a way to have more co-pay on Medicaid which will do two things : one , the users of the service will pay a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll think twice before they use services . ''
That is exactly the kind of record Trump would seize on in a general election -- and it is the kind of deal McConnell wants from the next president .
Senator Sanders has a much different record -- one that would not be susceptible to those Trump 's attacks , and one that would tell McConnell he will never get the cuts he so desperately wants .
Throughout his career , he has always fought to protect Social Security .
During his first successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freezes or cuts to cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients .
Within weeks of being sworn in as a member of the U.S. House , he was one of just 27 House lawmakers to co-sponsor a bill to increase Social Security benefits for caregivers .
He also co-sponsored legislation to block a cut in Social Security benefits for survivors -- and he repeatedly opposed balanced budget amendments from Republicans and conservative Democrats that also would have cut Social Security .
As a U.S .
Senator , he continued this advocacy .
He worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration to oppose efforts to cut Social Security -- and to instead support an expansion of Social Security .
Senator Sanders is the author of legislation to do just that .
Today , billionaires pay the same amount of money into Social Security as someone who makes $ 132,900 a year .
Sanders ' legislation lifts that cap , and applies the payroll tax to all income over $ 250,000 .
The new revenue generated by that change would not only make Social Security solvent for the next 50 years , it also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board , and increase cost-of-living adjustments to keep pace with inflation .
When President Franklin Roosevelt signed the original bill creating Social Security in 1935 , he called it `` a law that will take care of human needs and at the same time provide the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness . ''
Eighty-five years later , we must now fortify that economic structure : we must defeat Trump and elect Bernie Sanders -- whose record makes clear he will build on Roosevelt 's historic achievement .
Nina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio , and a co-chair of the Bernie Sanders campaign .

At a time of unprecedented income inequality and economic instability, Social Security has become a major flashpoint in the presidential election -- and for good reason. After all, despite promises to the contrary during his 2016 campaign, President Donald Trump recently floated the idea of cuts to the program.
This is a major threat to all 64 million Social Security recipients -- and particularly to communities of color. Almost three quarters of African American and Latino beneficiaries rely on Social Security for the majority of their income, and without Social Security, roughly half or more elderly Latinos and African Americans would be living in poverty.
Trump, however, is not the only reason we should be concerned about the future of Social Security: Bloomberg News' congressional correspondent recently reported that Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell "told me he hopes to work with the next Democratic president to trim Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid."
All of this underscores an important reality: to both defeat Trump in this election and strengthen Social Security, we must choose Bernie Sanders as our Democratic nominee, because he has an unwavering record fighting against Social Security cuts -- and fighting for an expansion of the program.
Unfortunately, not every candidate in this race has such a track record.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has pushed to cut benefits in the past. He delivered a Senate floor speech in 1995 boasting that he had tried four separate times to freeze funding for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans benefits. And as recently as 2007, he said Social Security cuts should be on the table.
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has an even more troubling record. He co-chaired a business group that pushed to cut Social Security. In that role, he appeared on national television to declare that President Obama should seek a deal with McConnell that featured "intelligent cuts."
"There is a way to slowly decrease the benefits or raise the eligibility age for Medicare and for Social Security," Bloomberg said. "There's a way to have more co-pay on Medicaid which will do two things: one, the users of the service will pay a little more. But two, they'll think twice before they use services."
That is exactly the kind of record Trump would seize on in a general election -- and it is the kind of deal McConnell wants from the next president.
Senator Sanders has a much different record -- one that would not be susceptible to those Trump's attacks, and one that would tell McConnell he will never get the cuts he so desperately wants.
Throughout his career, he has always fought to protect Social Security. During his first successful run for Congress, he campaigned against freezes or cuts to cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients. Within weeks of being sworn in as a member of the U.S. House, he was one of just 27 House lawmakers to co-sponsor a bill to increase Social Security benefits for caregivers. He also co-sponsored legislation to block a cut in Social Security benefits for survivors -- and he repeatedly opposed balanced budget amendments from Republicans and conservative Democrats that also would have cut Social Security.
As a U.S. Senator, he continued this advocacy. He worked with Democratic lawmakers to convince the Obama administration to oppose efforts to cut Social Security -- and to instead support an expansion of Social Security.
Senator Sanders is the author of legislation to do just that.
Today, billionaires pay the same amount of money into Social Security as someone who makes $132,900 a year. Sanders' legislation lifts that cap, and applies the payroll tax to all income over $250,000. The new revenue generated by that change would not only make Social Security solvent for the next 50 years, it also would allow us to expand benefits across the board, and increase cost-of-living adjustments to keep pace with inflation.
When President Franklin Roosevelt signed the original bill creating Social Security in 1935, he called it "a law that will take care of human needs and at the same time provide the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness."
Eighty-five years later, we must now fortify that economic structure: we must defeat Trump and elect Bernie Sanders -- whose record makes clear he will build on Roosevelt's historic achievement.
Nina Turner is a former state senator from Ohio, and a co-chair of the Bernie Sanders campaign.


cnbc--2020-02-27--Trump campaign sues The New York Times for libel over Russia opinion article

Donald Trump views a photo of himself on the cover of The New York Times during an RNC goodbye reception at the Westin Hotel in Cleveland , on Friday , July 22 , 2016 .
The campaign said that the Times falsely reported `` as fact a conspiracy with Russia '' in the op-ed written by Max Frankel , which was published on March 27 , 2019 , under the headline `` The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo . ''
President Donald Trump 's campaign sued The New York Times on Wednesday for libel over an opinion article , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year with the `` intentional purpose '' of damaging Trump 's chances for reelection this year .
The lawsuit , which was filed in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan , claims `` millions '' of dollars in damages , but does not give a specific monetary amount .
Among other things , the suit alleges that the newspaper `` has engaged in a systematic pattern of bias '' against Trump 's campaign , which is designed to damage the campaign 's reputation and cause it to fail .
A Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable . ''
`` Fortunately , the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgments and conclusions , especially about events of public importance .
We look forward to vindicating that right in this case , '' the spokesman said .
`` No , I 'm going to leave that to The Times , '' he told CNBC .
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , an independent who is seeking the Democratic presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking a page from his dictator friends around the world '' by `` trying to dismantle the right to a free press in the First Amendment by suing The New York Times for publishing an opinion column about his dangerous relationship with Russia . ''
The so-called subhead , or secondary headline on Frankel 's article said , `` The campaign and the Kremlin had an overarching deal : help beat Hillary Clinton for a new pro-Russian foreign policy . ''
Frankel wrote , in the article 's first paragraph , that during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no need for detailed electoral collusion between the Trump campaign and Vladimir Putin 's oligarchy because they had an overarching deal : the quid of help in the campaign against Hillary Clinton for the quo of a new pro-Russian foreign policy , starting with relief from the Obama administration 's burdensome economic sanctions . ''
`` The Trumpites knew about the quid and held out the prospect of the quo , '' Frankel wrote .
The lawsuit , in its opening sentence , noted the article 's subhead and Frankel 's lead paragraph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it published these statements that they were not true , '' the suit said .
`` The Times ' own previous reporting had confirmed the falsity of these statements , '' the suit said .
`` There was no 'deal ' and no 'quid pro quo ' between the Campaign or anyone affiliated with it , and Vladimir Putin or the Russian government , '' the suit stated .
And the suit also said that `` the falsity of the story has been confirmed '' by the report issued in April 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election .
`` But The Times published these statements anyway , knowing them to be false , and knowing it would misinform and mislead its own readers , because of The Times ' extreme bias against and animosity toward the Campaign , and The Times ' exuberance to improperly influence the presidential election in November 2020 '' Jenna Ellis , a legal advisor for Trump 's campaign , said the statements in Frankel 's article `` were and are 100 percent false and defamatory . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the falsity at the time it published them , but did so for the intentional purpose of hurting the campaign , while misleading its own readers in the process , '' Ellis said .

Donald Trump views a photo of himself on the cover of The New York Times during an RNC goodbye reception at the Westin Hotel in Cleveland, on Friday, July 22, 2016.
The campaign said that the Times falsely reported "as fact a conspiracy with Russia" in the op-ed written by Max Frankel, which was published on March 27, 2019, under the headline "The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo."
President Donald Trump 's campaign sued The New York Times on Wednesday for libel over an opinion article, saying the newspaper published its allegedly false claims last year with the "intentional purpose" of damaging Trump's chances for reelection this year.
The lawsuit, which was filed in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, claims "millions" of dollars in damages, but does not give a specific monetary amount.
Among other things, the suit alleges that the newspaper "has engaged in a systematic pattern of bias" against Trump's campaign, which is designed to damage the campaign's reputation and cause it to fail.
A Times spokesman said, "The Trump Campaign has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable."
"Fortunately, the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgments and conclusions, especially about events of public importance. We look forward to vindicating that right in this case," the spokesman said.
Frankel declined to comment.
"No, I'm going to leave that to The Times," he told CNBC.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, said that Trump was "taking a page from his dictator friends around the world" by "trying to dismantle the right to a free press in the First Amendment by suing The New York Times for publishing an opinion column about his dangerous relationship with Russia."
The so-called subhead, or secondary headline on Frankel's article said, "The campaign and the Kremlin had an overarching deal: help beat Hillary Clinton for a new pro-Russian foreign policy."
Frankel wrote, in the article's first paragraph, that during the 2016 election, "There was no need for detailed electoral collusion between the Trump campaign and Vladimir Putin's oligarchy because they had an overarching deal: the quid of help in the campaign against Hillary Clinton for the quo of a new pro-Russian foreign policy, starting with relief from the Obama administration's burdensome economic sanctions."
"The Trumpites knew about the quid and held out the prospect of the quo," Frankel wrote.
The lawsuit, in its opening sentence, noted the article's subhead and Frankel's lead paragraph.
"The Times was well aware when it published these statements that they were not true," the suit said.
"The Times' own previous reporting had confirmed the falsity of these statements," the suit said.
"There was no 'deal' and no 'quid pro quo' between the Campaign or anyone affiliated with it, and Vladimir Putin or the Russian government," the suit stated.
And the suit also said that "the falsity of the story has been confirmed" by the report issued in April 2019 by then-special counsel Robert Mueller, who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election.
"But The Times published these statements anyway, knowing them to be false, and knowing it would misinform and mislead its own readers, because of The Times' extreme bias against and animosity toward the Campaign, and The Times' exuberance to improperly influence the presidential election in November 2020"
Jenna Ellis, a legal advisor for Trump's campaign, said the statements in Frankel's article "were and are 100 percent false and defamatory."
"The complaint alleges The Times was aware of the falsity at the time it published them, but did so for the intentional purpose of hurting the campaign, while misleading its own readers in the process," Ellis said.


cnbc--2020-02-26--Elizabeth Warren pushes Larry Fink on BlackRock's pledge to fight climate change

Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants Blackrock 's Larry Fink to put more strength behind his pledge to have the world 's largest money manager tackle climate change , and to detail how he expects to do it .
In a letter made public Wednesday , Warren , D-Mass.
, asks Fink to support her Climate Risk Disclosure Act , which requires companies to reveal their climate-related risk .
Warren is one of a number of advocates who believe creating clear , public measuring sticks is one of the only ways to hold companies accountable to their pledges of sustainability .
Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will back up his promises of making sustainability `` the new standard for investing . ''
She asked him to describe the `` concrete steps '' BlackRock will take to meet its commitments and any changes in management or policies it plans to implement to support it .
She asked that Fink describe BlackRock 's definition of exchange-traded funds with a focus on environmental , social and governance , or ESG , issues .
He pledged to double BlackRock 's offerings of ESG-themed products .
These funds have drawn scrutiny for including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like fossil fuel companies .
The letter , dated Tuesday , comes days ahead of Super Tuesday , in which Warren will fight for delegates in her run to be the Democratic nominee in the presidential election .
Among the 14 states voting on Tuesday is California , which has been plagued by environmental disasters such as wildfires that experts have blamed on climate change .
Fink announced in January that BlackRock will exit investments with a high sustainability-related risk , such as coal .
He attributed the decision to `` a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that climate change is a `` defining factor in companies ' long-term prospects . ''
He also said BlackRock will join the Climate Action 100+ investor coalition , which focuses on tackling greenhouse gas .
The move followed criticism of the money manager from activists who argued that its investments in coal were at odds with the societal focus Fink puts forward in his highly publicized annual investor letter .
BlackRock has voted against every single resolution backed by the Climate Action 100+ investor coalition to tackle greenhouse gas .
`` Your letters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand the extent of the effects that climate change will have on the economy , and that BlackRock , as a fiduciary to your clients needs to understand climate risks across the investments it makes , '' wrote Warren , along with Sens .
Sheldon Whitehouse , D-R.I , Cory Booker , D-N.J. , and Chris Van Hollen , D-Md .
`` If BlackRock plans to live up to the commitments you made , we hope that you will go further by endorsing the reforms laid out in the Climate Risk Disclosure Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invest to issue public disclosures consistent with its requirements , '' she added .
A spokesperson for BlackRock told CNBC that the firm is reviewing the letter .
Warren 's Climate Risk Disclosure Act , originally announced in 2018 and reintroduced in July , would require every public company to disclose to the Securities and Exchange Commission information about climate risks to business , such as greenhouse gas emissions .
The measure requires fossil fuel companies to release even more detailed reports and pushes firms to switch more quickly to cleaner and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed for other SEC disclosure measures .
A Dodd-Frank rule requiring the SEC to adopt rules that force disclosure of the CEO-to-worker pay ratio brought the issue to the forefront in boardrooms , corporate advisors have told CNBC .

Larry Fink David Orrell | CNBC
Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants Blackrock 's Larry Fink to put more strength behind his pledge to have the world's largest money manager tackle climate change, and to detail how he expects to do it. In a letter made public Wednesday, Warren, D-Mass., asks Fink to support her Climate Risk Disclosure Act, which requires companies to reveal their climate-related risk. Warren is one of a number of advocates who believe creating clear, public measuring sticks is one of the only ways to hold companies accountable to their pledges of sustainability. Warren also pushed Fink to better explain how he will back up his promises of making sustainability "the new standard for investing." She asked him to describe the "concrete steps" BlackRock will take to meet its commitments and any changes in management or policies it plans to implement to support it. She asked that Fink describe BlackRock's definition of exchange-traded funds with a focus on environmental, social and governance, or ESG, issues. He pledged to double BlackRock's offerings of ESG-themed products. These funds have drawn scrutiny for including companies seemingly at odds with their objective, like fossil fuel companies.
watch now
The letter, dated Tuesday, comes days ahead of Super Tuesday, in which Warren will fight for delegates in her run to be the Democratic nominee in the presidential election. Among the 14 states voting on Tuesday is California, which has been plagued by environmental disasters such as wildfires that experts have blamed on climate change. Fink announced in January that BlackRock will exit investments with a high sustainability-related risk, such as coal. He attributed the decision to "a fundamental reshaping of finance" and warned that climate change is a "defining factor in companies' long-term prospects." He also said BlackRock will join the Climate Action 100+ investor coalition, which focuses on tackling greenhouse gas. The move followed criticism of the money manager from activists who argued that its investments in coal were at odds with the societal focus Fink puts forward in his highly publicized annual investor letter. BlackRock has voted against every single resolution backed by the Climate Action 100+ investor coalition to tackle greenhouse gas. "Your letters to CEOs and investors suggest that you understand the extent of the effects that climate change will have on the economy, and that BlackRock, as a fiduciary to your clients needs to understand climate risks across the investments it makes," wrote Warren, along with Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I, Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. "If BlackRock plans to live up to the commitments you made, we hope that you will go further by endorsing the reforms laid out in the Climate Risk Disclosure Act, and require companies in which you invest to issue public disclosures consistent with its requirements," she added.


cnbc--2020-02-26--Mike Bloomberg slams Trump coronavirus response in new ad highlighting 9/11 aftermath

Democratic presidential candidates former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg arrives on stage for the Democratic presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gaillard Center on February 25 , 2020 in Charleston , South Carolina .
`` The president fired the pandemic specialist in this country two years ago , '' Bloomberg said .
`` There 's nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing . ''
The ad comes after he was the first candidate during the Tuesday debate in South Carolina to bring up the deadly coronavirus potentially spreading in the United States .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed the possible hurdles ahead .
The 30-second TV spot highlights how Bloomberg managed emergencies while mayor of New York , including his handling of the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks .
Bloomberg was elected mayor nearly two months after the attacks , and oversaw the city 's rebuilding efforts after he took office in January 2002 .
Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has released an ad that rips President Donald Trump 's response to the spread of the coronavirus .
The ad , which will air nationally on broadcast and cable on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brute force of Bloomberg 's approximately $ 60 billion fortune .
He has an essentially unlimited war chest that allow his campaign to produce rapid-response ads at will .
Bloomberg 's campaign has spent more than $ 500 million on TV and digital ads , according to Advertising Analytics .
Bloomberg is ranked third in the Real Clear Politics national polling average .
He is behind Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden .
The virus has come from regions of China and spread into other countries , including into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 cases confirmed in the U.S. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned for people to prepare for a potential pandemic .
More than 81,000 people have been infected globally , while more than 2,700 have died worldwide .
Trump has been accused by Democrats running for president and health experts of making key cuts to organizations that may need the help in defending the U.S. from the virus .
Crystal Watson , an assistant professor at John Hopkins University , tweeted out recently that Trump had proposed cuts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program , along with the Hospital Preparedness Program of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response .
Watson also noted Trump 's budget proposes an increase of $ 50 million for Global Health Security at the CDC .
Trump has defended his administration 's response to the coronavirus outbreak .
`` CDC and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling Coronavirus , '' the president said in a tweet Tuesday night during the Democratic debate .

Democratic presidential candidates former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg arrives on stage for the Democratic presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gaillard Center on February 25, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina.
"The president fired the pandemic specialist in this country two years ago," Bloomberg said. "There's nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing."
The ad comes after he was the first candidate during the Tuesday debate in South Carolina to bring up the deadly coronavirus potentially spreading in the United States. He took direct aim at Trump when he discussed the possible hurdles ahead.
The 30-second TV spot highlights how Bloomberg managed emergencies while mayor of New York, including his handling of the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Bloomberg was elected mayor nearly two months after the attacks, and oversaw the city's rebuilding efforts after he took office in January 2002.
Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has released an ad that rips President Donald Trump's response to the spread of the coronavirus.
The ad, which will air nationally on broadcast and cable on Thursday, also is a demonstration of the brute force of Bloomberg's approximately $60 billion fortune. He has an essentially unlimited war chest that allow his campaign to produce rapid-response ads at will. Bloomberg's campaign has spent more than $500 million on TV and digital ads, according to Advertising Analytics.
Bloomberg is ranked third in the Real Clear Politics national polling average. He is behind Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden.
The virus has come from regions of China and spread into other countries, including into the United States. There are nearly 60 cases confirmed in the U.S. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned for people to prepare for a potential pandemic.
More than 81,000 people have been infected globally, while more than 2,700 have died worldwide.
Trump has been accused by Democrats running for president and health experts of making key cuts to organizations that may need the help in defending the U.S. from the virus.
Crystal Watson, an assistant professor at John Hopkins University, tweeted out recently that Trump had proposed cuts to CDC's Public Health Preparedness and Response program, along with the Hospital Preparedness Program of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
Watson also noted Trump's budget proposes an increase of $50 million for Global Health Security at the CDC.
Tweet:
Trump has defended his administration's response to the coronavirus outbreak. "CDC and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling Coronavirus," the president said in a tweet Tuesday night during the Democratic debate.


cnbc--2020-02-26--Trump to make rare briefing room appearance for coronavirus press conference at 6:30 pm ET

President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House on October 2 , 2019 in Washington , DC .
President Donald Trump will make a rare appearance in the White House briefing room Wednesday for a news conference on the deadly coronavirus outbreak at 6:30 p.m .
ET , alongside members of his coronavirus task force .
Trump had announced the event on Twitter on Wednesday morning , saying officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others would appear for the press event .
The event was originally scheduled for 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet .
The White House revealed the updated schedule Wednesday afternoon .
As the administration works to respond to the fast-spreading disease — the first case of which was just confirmed in Latin America — Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar testified before House lawmakers that Trump asked him to make the evening briefing public in order to be transparent .
Trump has rarely appeared in the James S. Brady Briefing Room , where White House press secretaries have traditionally fielded questions from the press .
The last official press briefing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the tenure of former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders .
The current press secretary , Stephanie Grisham , has never held an official press briefing .
Hours before the presser was scheduled to begin , Politico reported that the White House was considering appointing a coronavirus czar .
Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb was among a handful of officials being discussed for the role , according to Politico 's report , which cited two people familiar with the matter .
But Azar pushed back on the report .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being appointed , Azar said during testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday .
`` This is working extremely well . ''
Trump revealed the Wednesday evening news conference on Twitter after attacking media for `` panicking markets '' through their coverage of the virus .
The rapid spread of the virus , which has killed more than 2,700 people and infected tens of thousands more , has rattled governments and markets around the world .
Stocks plunged Monday and Tuesday plunged in one of the worst two-day trading sessions in years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mocking reference to MSNBC , which on Wednesday morning played a clip of CNBC 's interview with White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow from a day earlier .
Kudlow said in that clip that the U.S. has `` contained '' the coronavirus .
`` I wo n't say [ it 's ] airtight , but it 's pretty close to airtight , '' he said .
Those comments , which came just hours after the CDC warned Americans to start preparing for the possibility of a pandemic , quickly garnered criticism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in his tweets also lashed out at Democrats , who have criticized the administration 's response to the coronavirus so far , for being `` all talk , no action '' on the outbreak .
On Monday , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , slammed the Trump administration 's $ 2.5 billion coronavirus budget request as `` too little too late . ''
Schumer took the Senate floor Tuesday to lambast Trump .
`` The harsh fact of the matter is , the Trump administration has shown towering and dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Schumer said .

President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House on October 2, 2019 in Washington, DC.
President Donald Trump will make a rare appearance in the White House briefing room Wednesday for a news conference on the deadly coronavirus outbreak at 6:30 p.m. ET, alongside members of his coronavirus task force.
Trump had announced the event on Twitter on Wednesday morning, saying officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others would appear for the press event.
The event was originally scheduled for 6 p.m., according to the president's tweet. The White House revealed the updated schedule Wednesday afternoon.
As the administration works to respond to the fast-spreading disease — the first case of which was just confirmed in Latin America — Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar testified before House lawmakers that Trump asked him to make the evening briefing public in order to be transparent.
Trump has rarely appeared in the James S. Brady Briefing Room, where White House press secretaries have traditionally fielded questions from the press. The last official press briefing, however, was nearly a year ago during the tenure of former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The current press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, has never held an official press briefing.
Hours before the presser was scheduled to begin, Politico reported that the White House was considering appointing a coronavirus czar. Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb was among a handful of officials being discussed for the role, according to Politico's report, which cited two people familiar with the matter.
But Azar pushed back on the report. "I don't anticipate" a czar being appointed, Azar said during testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. "This is working extremely well."
The White House also denied Politico's report.
Judd Deere TWEET
Trump revealed the Wednesday evening news conference on Twitter after attacking media for "panicking markets" through their coverage of the virus.
Trump TWEETS
The rapid spread of the virus, which has killed more than 2,700 people and infected tens of thousands more, has rattled governments and markets around the world. Stocks plunged Monday and Tuesday plunged in one of the worst two-day trading sessions in years.
The president's tweet also included a mocking reference to MSNBC, which on Wednesday morning played a clip of CNBC's interview with White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow from a day earlier.
Kudlow said in that clip that the U.S. has "contained" the coronavirus. "I won't say [it's] airtight, but it's pretty close to airtight," he said.
Those comments, which came just hours after the CDC warned Americans to start preparing for the possibility of a pandemic, quickly garnered criticism and failed to contain the hemorrhaging markets.
Trump in his tweets also lashed out at Democrats, who have criticized the administration's response to the coronavirus so far, for being "all talk, no action" on the outbreak.
On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., slammed the Trump administration's $2.5 billion coronavirus budget request as "too little too late."
Schumer took the Senate floor Tuesday to lambast Trump. "The harsh fact of the matter is, the Trump administration has shown towering and dangerous incompetence when it comes to the coronavirus," Schumer said.


cnbc--2020-02-26--Mike Bloomberg's momentum stalls in presidential polls ahead of Super Tuesday vote

Democratic presidential candidate , former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg speaks to supporters at a rally on February 20 , 2020 in Salt Lake City , Utah .
2020 presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has stalled in national polls ahead of Super Tuesday .
The slowed momentum comes after a dismal performance Feb. 19 on the Nevada debate stage , the first time he faced his rivals and their attacks .
While Bloomberg has positioned himself as the `` cool '' candidate on social media , reaching out to so-called influencers to post endorsements of his candidacy , the effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg began to stagnate around two weeks ago , according to national polls .
He 's hovered around the 15 % mark since a week before the Nevada debate , according to a RealClearPolitics polling average .
He had been rising in national support thanks to massive spending on campaign ads .
He 's plowed more than $ 500 million of his own personal fortune into those messages since he entered the race in November .
He is worth around $ 62 billion .
The former New York mayor has also either stalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to an analysis from FiveThirtyEight .
Super Tuesday is March 3 .
In California , the state with the largest delegate pool at 415 , Bloomberg fell to 11 % in FiveThirtyEight 's polling average , down from the 12 % he garnered on Feb. 18 .
He trails Sen. Bernie Sanders , who has 34 % , and Sen. Elizabeth Warren , who has 13 % , according to the most recent poll conducted from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 .
Here are some other Super Tuesday states where support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Bloomberg 's support has decreased from 9 % to 3 % in the span of a few days after his first debate .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar is in the lead in Minnesota , her home state , with 29 % , according to the latest poll conducted between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20 .
• Texas : Bloomberg in the most recent poll is in third place with 17 % , down from the 18 % that he garnered in a poll conducted from Feb. 12 to Feb. 18 .
Former Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for first place , with 24 % each , according to the latest poll from Public Policy Polling conducted between Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 .
• North Carolina : Bloomberg remains in third place with 17 % , up slightly from 16 % in a poll conducted between Feb. 12 and Feb. 18 .
He trails Biden , who has 23 % , and Sanders , who has 20 % , according to the most recent poll conducted from Feb. 23 to Feb. 24 .
• Oklahoma : Bloomberg remained at 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to second behind Biden , who has 21 % , according to the most recent poll conducted between Feb. 17 and Feb. 21 .
Last week was his first time on the debate stage — and it showed .
Bloomberg appeared unprepared to respond to jabs from his Democratic rivals , who dug into his record as New York City mayor and his attitudes toward women — he has been accused by former employees of inappropriate comments in the workplace .
By Tuesday 's debate in Charleston , South Carolina , Bloomberg appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record on policing , alleged sexual harassment and donating to Republican political candidates with what seemed like better prepared remarks .
At the most recent debate , he unleashed attacks on the front-runner , Sanders of Vermont , criticizing him for his record on gun control policy and his democratic socialist agenda .
But Bloomberg 's presence in the race might have only aided Sanders by stealing support from Biden , a fellow moderate , one state poll shows .
The Texas poll from Public Policy Polling conducted earlier this week showed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ split between Biden and Sanders .
But in the same poll , when Bloomberg is excluded from the survey , Biden leads with 31 % , while Sanders trails at 25 % .

Democratic presidential candidate, former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg speaks to supporters at a rally on February 20, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2020 presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has stalled in national polls ahead of Super Tuesday.
The slowed momentum comes after a dismal performance Feb. 19 on the Nevada debate stage, the first time he faced his rivals and their attacks.
While Bloomberg has positioned himself as the "cool" candidate on social media, reaching out to so-called influencers to post endorsements of his candidacy, the effort may be falling flat.
Support for Bloomberg began to stagnate around two weeks ago, according to national polls. He's hovered around the 15% mark since a week before the Nevada debate, according to a RealClearPolitics polling average.
He had been rising in national support thanks to massive spending on campaign ads. He's plowed more than $500 million of his own personal fortune into those messages since he entered the race in November. He is worth around $62 billion.
The former New York mayor has also either stalled or lost support in Super Tuesday states, according to an analysis from FiveThirtyEight. Super Tuesday is March 3.
Tweet from Nate
In California, the state with the largest delegate pool at 415, Bloomberg fell to 11% in FiveThirtyEight's polling average, down from the 12% he garnered on Feb. 18. He trails Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has 34%, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has 13%, according to the most recent poll conducted from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25.
Here are some other Super Tuesday states where support for Bloomberg has plateaued:
Minnesota : Bloomberg's support has decreased from 9% to 3% in the span of a few days after his first debate. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is in the lead in Minnesota, her home state, with 29%, according to the latest poll conducted between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20.
: Bloomberg's support has decreased from 9% to 3% in the span of a few days after his first debate. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is in the lead in Minnesota, her home state, with 29%, according to the latest poll conducted between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20. Texas : Bloomberg in the most recent poll is in third place with 17%, down from the 18% that he garnered in a poll conducted from Feb. 12 to Feb. 18. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sanders are tied for first place, with 24% each, according to the latest poll from Public Policy Polling conducted between Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.
: Bloomberg in the most recent poll is in third place with 17%, down from the 18% that he garnered in a poll conducted from Feb. 12 to Feb. 18. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sanders are tied for first place, with 24% each, according to the latest poll from Public Policy Polling conducted between Feb. 24 and Feb. 25. North Carolina : Bloomberg remains in third place with 17%, up slightly from 16% in a poll conducted between Feb. 12 and Feb. 18. He trails Biden, who has 23%, and Sanders, who has 20%, according to the most recent poll conducted from Feb. 23 to Feb. 24.
: Bloomberg remains in third place with 17%, up slightly from 16% in a poll conducted between Feb. 12 and Feb. 18. He trails Biden, who has 23%, and Sanders, who has 20%, according to the most recent poll conducted from Feb. 23 to Feb. 24. Oklahoma: Bloomberg remained at 20%, but fell from first place to second behind Biden, who has 21%, according to the most recent poll conducted between Feb. 17 and Feb. 21.
Last week was his first time on the debate stage — and it showed.
Bloomberg appeared unprepared to respond to jabs from his Democratic rivals, who dug into his record as New York City mayor and his attitudes toward women — he has been accused by former employees of inappropriate comments in the workplace.
By Tuesday's debate in Charleston, South Carolina, Bloomberg appeared steadier, responding to criticism about his record on policing, alleged sexual harassment and donating to Republican political candidates with what seemed like better prepared remarks.
At the most recent debate, he unleashed attacks on the front-runner, Sanders of Vermont, criticizing him for his record on gun control policy and his democratic socialist agenda.
But Bloomberg's presence in the race might have only aided Sanders by stealing support from Biden, a fellow moderate, one state poll shows.
The Texas poll from Public Policy Polling conducted earlier this week showed that with Bloomberg in consideration, voters are split between Biden and Sanders.
But in the same poll, when Bloomberg is excluded from the survey, Biden leads with 31%, while Sanders trails at 25%.
Texas tweet


cnbc--2020-02-26--What Bloomberg's tax return might tell us — if we get to see it

Unredacted returns , by contrast , offer a lot more insight into a person 's finances , if they 're combined with other documents such as a statement of net worth .
Here are a few areas to key in on if Bloomberg releases an unedited copy of his returns .
The first two pages of a Form 1040 sum up your taxable income .
However , all those data points flow in from the attached schedules that accompany your return .
Schedule E , which spells out income or losses from partnerships , S-corporations and rental real estate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's return .
That 's because income he receives via Bloomberg LP , the giant financial data and media company , would be reported there .
The billionaire owns 88 % of the business , according to Forbes .
Knowing Bloomberg 's share of income from the business could give some insight into income generated by the partnership , Nitti said .
`` If we get a Schedule E that shows income from Bloomberg LP , people will zero in on it , '' he said .
The tax returns for the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they were released .
`` Schedule E only refers to his deductions and flow-through income , '' said Ryan Losi , CPA and executive vice president of Piascik , an accounting firm in Glen Allen , Virginia .
When Bloomberg shared the redacted details of his 2012 finances , journalists found out he held money in accounts in Hong Kong , Paris , London and Bermuda , according to the Journal .
If the presidential candidate still holds funds overseas , he 'll need to file a report of Foreign Bank and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Treasury Department 's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network .
Americans are required to submit a FBAR if they have an interest in or signatory authority over at least one account outside the U.S. , and the aggregate value of all the foreign accounts exceeded $ 10,000 at any time in the year .
There 's a $ 12,921 penalty for non-willfully failing to file , while individuals who flout the law could face fines of up to $ 129,210 or 50 % of the account .
`` The FBAR will tell you where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of account and the maximum value of the year , '' said Losi .
`` Meanwhile , the income tax return will only show you the interest , dividends and capital gains derived from those accounts — not the actual values , '' he said .
Further , citizens who submit a FBAR may also need to turn in Form 8938 to the IRS .
This `` statement of specified foreign financial assets '' is attached to taxpayers ' income tax return .
Taxpayers have until April 15 to file a FBAR , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they miss the deadline .
Meanwhile , Form 8938 is due with your return .

Democratic presidential candidate, former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg speaks to supporters at a rally on February 20, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. George Frey | Getty Images
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Unredacted returns, by contrast, offer a lot more insight into a person's finances, if they're combined with other documents such as a statement of net worth. Here are a few areas to key in on if Bloomberg releases an unedited copy of his returns.
Partnership income
Democratic presidential candidate former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg delivers remarks during a campaign rally on February 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Brett Carlsen | Getty Images
The first two pages of a Form 1040 sum up your taxable income. However, all those data points flow in from the attached schedules that accompany your return. Schedule E, which spells out income or losses from partnerships, S-corporations and rental real estate, would be a highlight of the billionaire's return. That's because income he receives via Bloomberg LP, the giant financial data and media company, would be reported there. The billionaire owns 88% of the business, according to Forbes.
watch now
Knowing Bloomberg's share of income from the business could give some insight into income generated by the partnership, Nitti said. "If we get a Schedule E that shows income from Bloomberg LP, people will zero in on it," he said. The tax returns for the company itself would be even more telling — if they were released. "Schedule E only refers to his deductions and flow-through income," said Ryan Losi, CPA and executive vice president of Piascik, an accounting firm in Glen Allen, Virginia.
Foreign account reports
DuKai
When Bloomberg shared the redacted details of his 2012 finances, journalists found out he held money in accounts in Hong Kong, Paris, London and Bermuda, according to the Journal. If the presidential candidate still holds funds overseas, he'll need to file a report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, or FBAR, with the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Americans are required to submit a FBAR if they have an interest in or signatory authority over at least one account outside the U.S., and the aggregate value of all the foreign accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time in the year. There's a $12,921 penalty for non-willfully failing to file, while individuals who flout the law could face fines of up to $129,210 or 50% of the account.
watch now
"The FBAR will tell you where the cash is stashed, the type of account and the maximum value of the year," said Losi. "Meanwhile, the income tax return will only show you the interest, dividends and capital gains derived from those accounts — not the actual values," he said. Further, citizens who submit a FBAR may also need to turn in Form 8938 to the IRS. This "statement of specified foreign financial assets" is attached to taxpayers' income tax return. Taxpayers have until April 15 to file a FBAR, but they get an automatic six-month extension if they miss the deadline. Meanwhile, Form 8938 is due with your return.
Charitable giving
Tomoji Hirakata | Getty Images
Individuals who take itemized deductions, including tax breaks for charitable giving, spell out their write-offs on Schedule A. Gifts by cash or check are straightforward, but gifts of appreciated stock, real estate and other property require taxpayers to fill out Form 8283, which details noncash contributions. What we might see on Bloomberg's 1040 is the amount of money that goes to Bloomberg Philanthropies, his charitable giving initiative, said Nitti.


cnbc--2020-02-26--Op-Ed: Coronavirus sniping proves politics is the real problem

President Donald Trump talks with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) as he meets with the Senate and House Democratic leadership at the White House in Washington , December 11 , 2018 .
There is no longer any doubt that the global coronavirus outbreak is extremely serious and possibly the greatest health crisis the world has seen in many decades .
It 's also what might be our government 's last chance to prove it 's something other than the scene of a partisan mud wrestling match .
So far , it 's not looking so good .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aisle seem more interested in playing the blame game as this threat grows .
President Donald Trump continued that trend and kicked it up a notch Wednesday morning by blaming Democrats and the news media for sowing panic : Trump 's pushback came after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-NY , spent the last few days attacking Trump 's response as inadequate .
Schumer on Wednesday requested $ 8.5 billion to respond to the growing crisis .
Trump on Tuesday had asked Congress to approve up to $ 2.5 billion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of funds originally earmarked to fight Ebola .
Schumer 's alarmism stands in contrast to criticism Trump received from other bureaucrats and diplomats as recently as January 31 when he declared a `` public health emergency . ''
That declaration included not allowing foreign nationals who recently visited China to enter the U.S. , and subjecting American citizens returning from mainland China to 14-day quarantines .
At the time , a former head of the CDC 's Public Health Preparedness and Response team called the travel ban an extraordinary measure .
China blasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America 's empathy .
Schumer did n't defend Trump then .
It would have been nice if he had , but that was n't likely since Schumer 's Twitter feed and public appearances were dominated during that period by the Senate impeachment trial and his complaints about the lack of witnesses being called .
Trump predictably pushed back on Schumer earlier this week , and now he 's lumped the Democrats and the news media into his line of fire .
So here we are , back at nasty politics as usual even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the world .
Trump may still have an opportunity to set a more positive tone at the White House news conference scheduled for Wednesday evening .
He is clearly trying to reduce the likelihood that some kind of national panic arises , making dealing with the virus all the harder to achieve .
But chances seem slimmer now that he will take this opportunity to extend an olive branch to his opponents and ask them to help come up with new ideas to protect the country .
Trump must do more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rather than overly assuring comments , we need more details about what steps the administration is taking beyond the travel ban and the quarantines .
Now would be a good time to do at least some of what Schumer and others are calling for , and name someone to take a very public lead on dealing with the crisis .
It need n't be a new appointee , as Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar would be a fine choice .
The simple fact is someone other than Trump should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus every day .
That 's even though it 's understood that Trump ultimately bears responsibility for what the administration does .
Of course the more Schumer and Trump bait each other about it , the slimmer the chances are that the president will hand off that particular part of the job to Azar or anyone else .
As for Trump , this would be a good time for him to figure out that he does n't need to punch back at all of his critics all the time .
Speaking of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night 's Democratic presidential debate the candidates did n't offer many real solutions to the burning coronavirus threat .
It was more than an hour into the two-hour affair before the virus was even mentioned .
Only Senator Amy Klobuchar ( D-MN ) took the high road and did n't try to score partisan points on the issue .
For those of us who prefer less government activity , partisan gridlock has often been a blessing in disguise .
But this is the kind of public health threat that even most hardcore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments to handle .
What we 've seen so far is not just disappointing when it comes to addressing this coronavirus threat .
But there 's a chance that permanent damage to the country 's political institutions will be the result of this continued bickering in the face of a very serious pandemic .
If we ca n't trust the nation 's top leaders to stop sniping at each other now , do we have to wait until we see thousands of Americans die before they do ?
Jake Novak is a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and former CNBC TV producer .
You can follow him on Twitter @ jakejakeny .
CORRECTION : This story was updated to reflect the proper spelling of coronavirus .

President Donald Trump talks with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as he meets with the Senate and House Democratic leadership at the White House in Washington, December 11, 2018.
There is no longer any doubt that the global coronavirus outbreak is extremely serious and possibly the greatest health crisis the world has seen in many decades.
It's also what might be our government's last chance to prove it's something other than the scene of a partisan mud wrestling match.
So far, it's not looking so good.
Our leading politicians on both sides of the aisle seem more interested in playing the blame game as this threat grows. President Donald Trump continued that trend and kicked it up a notch Wednesday morning by blaming Democrats and the news media for sowing panic:
Trump tweet
Trump's pushback came after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, spent the last few days attacking Trump's response as inadequate.
Schumer on Wednesday requested $8.5 billion to respond to the growing crisis. Trump on Tuesday had asked Congress to approve up to $2.5 billion, with some of that money coming out of funds originally earmarked to fight Ebola.
Schumer tweet
Schumer's alarmism stands in contrast to criticism Trump received from other bureaucrats and diplomats as recently as January 31 when he declared a "public health emergency."
That declaration included not allowing foreign nationals who recently visited China to enter the U.S., and subjecting American citizens returning from mainland China to 14-day quarantines. At the time, a former head of the CDC's Public Health Preparedness and Response team called the travel ban an extraordinary measure. China blasted the travel ban as excessive and questioned America's empathy.
Schumer didn't defend Trump then. It would have been nice if he had, but that wasn't likely since Schumer's Twitter feed and public appearances were dominated during that period by the Senate impeachment trial and his complaints about the lack of witnesses being called.
Trump predictably pushed back on Schumer earlier this week, and now he's lumped the Democrats and the news media into his line of fire. So here we are, back at nasty politics as usual even as this deadly virus is still spreading across the world.
Trump may still have an opportunity to set a more positive tone at the White House news conference scheduled for Wednesday evening. He is clearly trying to reduce the likelihood that some kind of national panic arises, making dealing with the virus all the harder to achieve.
But chances seem slimmer now that he will take this opportunity to extend an olive branch to his opponents and ask them to help come up with new ideas to protect the country.
Trump must do more than try to make nice with the Democrats. Rather than overly assuring comments, we need more details about what steps the administration is taking beyond the travel ban and the quarantines.
Now would be a good time to do at least some of what Schumer and others are calling for, and name someone to take a very public lead on dealing with the crisis. It needn't be a new appointee, as Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar would be a fine choice.
The simple fact is someone other than Trump should be making the administration's official comments about the virus every day. That's even though it's understood that Trump ultimately bears responsibility for what the administration does.
Of course the more Schumer and Trump bait each other about it, the slimmer the chances are that the president will hand off that particular part of the job to Azar or anyone else.
As for Trump, this would be a good time for him to figure out that he doesn't need to punch back at all of his critics all the time.
Speaking of scoring points and punching back, at Tuesday night's Democratic presidential debate the candidates didn't offer many real solutions to the burning coronavirus threat. It was more than an hour into the two-hour affair before the virus was even mentioned. Only Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) took the high road and didn't try to score partisan points on the issue.
For those of us who prefer less government activity, partisan gridlock has often been a blessing in disguise. But this is the kind of public health threat that even most hardcore libertarians consider to be the responsibility of governments to handle.
What we've seen so far is not just disappointing when it comes to addressing this coronavirus threat. But there's a chance that permanent damage to the country's political institutions will be the result of this continued bickering in the face of a very serious pandemic.
If we can't trust the nation's top leaders to stop sniping at each other now, do we have to wait until we see thousands of Americans die before they do?
Jake Novak is a political and economic analyst at Jake Novak News and former CNBC TV producer. You can follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.
CORRECTION: This story was updated to reflect the proper spelling of coronavirus.


cnbc--2020-02-26--South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn endorses Joe Biden days before pivotal primary

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden , 2020 Democratic presidential candidate , right , greets House Majority Whip James Clyburn , a Democrat from South Carolina , during Jim Clyburn 's World Famous Fish Fry event in Columbia , South Carolina , June 21 , 2019 .
NORTH CHARLESTON , S.C. — Joe Biden just got a boost in the state that will shape the fate of his presidential bid .
Rep. James Clyburn , a South Carolina Democrat and the top ranking African American in the House , endorsed the former vice president on Wednesday .
White House hopefuls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority whip , who holds major sway in the Palmetto State , where blacks represent a powerful voting bloc .
`` I want the public to know that I 'm voting for Joe Biden .
South Carolinians should be voting for Joe Biden , '' he said in remarks from North Charleston .
`` I know Joe .
We know Joe .
But most importantly , Joe knows us , '' he added .
The endorsement gives Biden a bump just days before Saturday 's South Carolina primary .
Biden , following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three primary nominating contests , sees winning the state as pivotal to reviving his once-promising push for the Democratic nomination .
At Tuesday night 's debate , he predicted he would win Saturday 's primary .
The former vice president , who served under President Barack Obama , has enjoyed strong support among African American voters .
They make up a majority of South Carolina 's Democratic primary electorate .
His support in the state has waned , as he had only a narrow lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders in the latest NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsement came minutes after Clyburn and Biden shared a stage at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in South Carolina for the National Action Network Ministers Breakfast .
Biden said in a brief speech in front of a nearly entirely black audience that Clyburn was among the best people he knew in either private or public life .
He also played up his connections to Obama , at one point apologizing for calling him `` Barack . ''
He noted that Obama was a friend .
In later remarks following Clyburn 's endorsement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has called for a `` political revolution . ''
The former vice president has contended most Americans will not embrace the Vermont senator 's proposals such as a single-payer `` Medicare for All '' system .
`` Today , people are talking about a revolution , '' Biden said .
`` What the country 's looking for are results .
What they 're looking for is security . ''
Interviews with voters at the breakfast suggested many had not made up their minds Wednesday .
One woman , who asked not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not `` seeking celebrity , '' said she is definitely voting Saturday .
She added her choice would be based on `` only what I hear from the Spirit . ''
She said she was deciding between Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, and Biden .
She also likes former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , who will not appear on the ballot Saturday .
Another black woman , Evett Simmons , who supports Sen. Amy Klobuchar , brushed off the idea that moderates should rally around one candidate to take on Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a different opinion , '' she said .
— CNBC 's Tucker Higgins reported from North Charleston , S.C. , and Jacob Pramuk reported from Englewood Cliffs , N.J .

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, right, greets House Majority Whip James Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, during Jim Clyburn's World Famous Fish Fry event in Columbia, South Carolina, June 21, 2019.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Joe Biden just got a boost in the state that will shape the fate of his presidential bid.
Rep. James Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat and the top ranking African American in the House, endorsed the former vice president on Wednesday. White House hopefuls have sought the support of the House majority whip, who holds major sway in the Palmetto State, where blacks represent a powerful voting bloc.
"I want the public to know that I'm voting for Joe Biden. South Carolinians should be voting for Joe Biden," he said in remarks from North Charleston.
"I know Joe. We know Joe. But most importantly, Joe knows us," he added.
The endorsement gives Biden a bump just days before Saturday's South Carolina primary. Biden, following a string of disappointing finishes in the first three primary nominating contests, sees winning the state as pivotal to reviving his once-promising push for the Democratic nomination.
At Tuesday night's debate, he predicted he would win Saturday's primary.
The former vice president, who served under President Barack Obama, has enjoyed strong support among African American voters. They make up a majority of South Carolina's Democratic primary electorate. His support in the state has waned, as he had only a narrow lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders in the latest NBC News/Marist poll of South Carolina.
The endorsement came minutes after Clyburn and Biden shared a stage at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in South Carolina for the National Action Network Ministers Breakfast.
Biden said in a brief speech in front of a nearly entirely black audience that Clyburn was among the best people he knew in either private or public life. He also played up his connections to Obama, at one point apologizing for calling him "Barack." He noted that Obama was a friend.
In later remarks following Clyburn's endorsement, Biden took apparent shots at Sanders, who has called for a "political revolution." The former vice president has contended most Americans will not embrace the Vermont senator's proposals such as a single-payer "Medicare for All" system.
"Today, people are talking about a revolution," Biden said. "What the country's looking for are results. What they're looking for is security."
Interviews with voters at the breakfast suggested many had not made up their minds Wednesday.
One woman, who asked not to be named because she said she was not "seeking celebrity," said she is definitely voting Saturday. She added her choice would be based on "only what I hear from the Spirit."
She said she was deciding between Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Biden. She also likes former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who will not appear on the ballot Saturday.
Another black woman, Evett Simmons, who supports Sen. Amy Klobuchar, brushed off the idea that moderates should rally around one candidate to take on Sanders.
"In two weeks I may have a different opinion," she said.
— CNBC's Tucker Higgins reported from North Charleston, S.C., and Jacob Pramuk reported from Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
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