talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--Biden Camp Rips Trump For Vowing COVID-19 Vaccine Before Election As ‘Political Tool’

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) released a joint statement on Tuesday that outlines three questions that they demand the Trump administration answer as the President repeatedly vows to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine by Election Day .
In late August , Robert Redfield , the director of the Centers for Disease Control , sent a letter to state governors asking that they prepare to have vaccine distribution facilities be “ fully operational ” by Nov. 1 .
However , TPM reported that officials from at least three states would likely refuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe it has not received adequate vetting by the federal government , or that it had been approved for political reasons .
In their joint statement , Biden and Harris criticized Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine as “ a political tool.
” Biden and Harris stated that they view a COVID-19 vaccine as a product of science and research .
“ Its timing , approval , and distribution should be without regard to political calculation , ” Biden and Harris wrote .
Biden and Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s testing and personal protective equipment ( PPE ) fiascos when it comes to a COVID-19 vaccine ” because “ the stakes are too high for working families across the country , ” before going on to list three questions they demand that the Trump administration answer prior to the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine : • 1 .
What criteria will be used to ensure a COVID-19 vaccine meets the scientific standard of safety and efficacy ?
• 2. Who will validate that the Administration ’ s decision to green light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not political motivation ?
• 3 .
What is the plan to allocate and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to Americans cost-free , safely , equitably , and without politics ?
The Biden campaign ’ s joint statement comes shortly after HHS Secretary Alex Azar told Fox News earlier Tuesday that he , the President and officials at the Food and Drug Administration “ will require that any vaccine meet the very high safety and efficacy standards that the FDA has set.
” “ The FDA has actually published transparent guidance to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine , ” Azar told Fox News .
“ We will be transparent with the data .
We ’ ll have a public advisory committee process for that .
We will not compromise on the safety and efficacy of a vaccine , even as we move under President Trump ’ s leadership to get one as quickly as possible.
” Biden and Harris have recently casted doubt over the Trump administration ’ s approval process for a COVID-19 vaccine .
On Monday , Biden told CBS that if the Trump administration developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he “ would want to see what the scientists said ” and that he wants “ full transparency on the vaccine.
” Biden also told CBS that one of the problems with the President is the way he is “ playing with politics ” given how “ he ’ s said so many things that aren ’ t true.
” “ I ’ m worried if we did have a really good vaccine people would be reluctant to take it .
So , he is undermining public confidence , ” Biden told CBS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
If I could get a vaccine tomorrow , I ’ d do it .
If it cost me the election I would do it .
We need a vaccine and we need it now .
We have to listen to the scientists.
” Harris shared a similar sentiment during an interview that aired on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” on Sunday .
Harris said that she “ would not trust Donald Trump ” if a COVID-19 vaccine is approved before the November presidential election .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever he ’ s talking about , ” Harris said .
“ I would not take his word for it .
He wants us to inject bleach — no , I will not take his word .
”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) released a joint statement on Tuesday that outlines three questions that they demand the Trump administration answer as the President repeatedly vows to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine by Election Day.
In late August, Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control, sent a letter to state governors asking that they prepare to have vaccine distribution facilities be “fully operational” by Nov. 1.
However, TPM reported that officials from at least three states would likely refuse to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine if they believe it has not received adequate vetting by the federal government, or that it had been approved for political reasons.
In their joint statement, Biden and Harris criticized Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine as “a political tool.”
Biden and Harris stated that they view a COVID-19 vaccine as a product of science and research.
“Its timing, approval, and distribution should be without regard to political calculation,” Biden and Harris wrote.
Biden and Harris urged against “a repeat of Trump’s testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) fiascos when it comes to a COVID-19 vaccine” because “the stakes are too high for working families across the country,” before going on to list three questions they demand that the Trump administration answer prior to the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine:
1. What criteria will be used to ensure a COVID-19 vaccine meets the scientific standard of safety and efficacy?
2. Who will validate that the Administration’s decision to green light a COVID-19 vaccine is driven by science and not political motivation?
3. What is the plan to allocate and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to Americans cost-free, safely, equitably, and without politics?
New Biden and Harris statement on a COVID-19 vaccine lays out three questions this Administration must answer to assure the American people that politics will play no role in the approval and distribution of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. pic.twitter.com/iMgJ91zrs5 — Stef Feldman (@StefFeldman) September 8, 2020
The Biden campaign’s joint statement comes shortly after HHS Secretary Alex Azar told Fox News earlier Tuesday that he, the President and officials at the Food and Drug Administration “will require that any vaccine meet the very high safety and efficacy standards that the FDA has set.”
“The FDA has actually published transparent guidance to say what they will require for approval of a vaccine,” Azar told Fox News. “We will be transparent with the data. We’ll have a public advisory committee process for that. We will not compromise on the safety and efficacy of a vaccine, even as we move under President Trump’s leadership to get one as quickly as possible.”
Biden and Harris have recently casted doubt over the Trump administration’s approval process for a COVID-19 vaccine.
On Monday, Biden told CBS that if the Trump administration developed a COVID-19 vaccine before the election, he “would want to see what the scientists said” and that he wants “full transparency on the vaccine.”
Biden also told CBS that one of the problems with the President is the way he is “playing with politics” given how “he’s said so many things that aren’t true.”
“I’m worried if we did have a really good vaccine people would be reluctant to take it. So, he is undermining public confidence,” Biden told CBS. “But pray God we have it. If I could get a vaccine tomorrow, I’d do it. If it cost me the election I would do it. We need a vaccine and we need it now. We have to listen to the scientists.”
Harris shared a similar sentiment during an interview that aired on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. Harris said that she “would not trust Donald Trump” if a COVID-19 vaccine is approved before the November presidential election.
“I would not trust Donald Trump, and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever he’s talking about,” Harris said. “I would not take his word for it. He wants us to inject bleach — no, I will not take his word.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--‘Hang Up The Phone, Jerry!’: Falwell Offers Denials After Cohen Shares Juicy Details

Jerry Falwell Jr. called Reuters Tuesday to defend himself after the outlet quoted excerpts of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen ’ s book , where Cohen links Falwell ’ s Trump endorsement to his own efforts to bury risqué photos of Falwell and his wife .
“ Someone stole some pictures I took of my wife in the back yard .
Topless , ” he told Reuters .
“ Big deal .
Okay ?
” He denied what Cohen ’ s book appeared to suggest : that Falwell endorsed Trump to return a “ favor ” after Cohen made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scion insisted that his endorsement — which came very early in the primary and was to the detriment of candidates like Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) , who launched his bid from Falwell ’ s Liberty University — had nothing to do with Cohen “ killing ” the photos .
“ It was no quid pro quo , ” Falwell told Reuters , using a new-infamous phrase from Trump ’ s impeachment .
“ There was no me supporting Trump because of whatever Michael was doing.
” He added that he endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businessman needed to run this country.
” At that point in the conversation , Falwell ’ s wife , Becki , apparently caught wind of whom her beleaguered husband was talking to on the phone .
“ Hang up the goddamn phone , ” she could be heard telling her husband , according to Reuters .
“ Hang up the phone , Jerry !
” It ’ s been a turbulent month for the Falwells .
In early August , Jerry Falwell was put on indefinite leave from his role of president at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Instagram of himself and a woman with their pants unzipped .
A few weeks later , the Falwells ’ former business partner Giancarlo Granda described to Reuters salacious details of what he said was a triangular relationship , which involved Jerry Falwell in a voyeuristic role .
Jerry Falwell confirmed the part of the story that exposed Becki Falwell ’ s years-long affair with Granda , and claimed that Granda was using “ false claims ” about the relationship to blackmail the couple .
Falwell ultimately resigned from Liberty late last month @

Jerry Falwell Jr. called Reuters Tuesday to defend himself after the outlet quoted excerpts of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen’s book, where Cohen links Falwell’s Trump endorsement to his own efforts to bury risqué photos of Falwell and his wife.
“Someone stole some pictures I took of my wife in the back yard. Topless,” he told Reuters. “Big deal. Okay?”
He denied what Cohen’s book appeared to suggest: that Falwell endorsed Trump to return a “favor” after Cohen made a would-be scandal go away. The evangelical scion insisted that his endorsement — which came very early in the primary and was to the detriment of candidates like Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who launched his bid from Falwell’s Liberty University — had nothing to do with Cohen “killing” the photos.
“It was no quid pro quo,” Falwell told Reuters, using a new-infamous phrase from Trump’s impeachment. “There was no me supporting Trump because of whatever Michael was doing.”
He added that he endorsed Trump because he “believed that a businessman needed to run this country.”
At that point in the conversation, Falwell’s wife, Becki, apparently caught wind of whom her beleaguered husband was talking to on the phone.
“Hang up the goddamn phone,” she could be heard telling her husband, according to Reuters. “Hang up the phone, Jerry!”
It’s been a turbulent month for the Falwells. In early August, Jerry Falwell was put on indefinite leave from his role of president at Liberty University after he posted a picture on Instagram of himself and a woman with their pants unzipped.
A few weeks later, the Falwells’ former business partner Giancarlo Granda described to Reuters salacious details of what he said was a triangular relationship, which involved Jerry Falwell in a voyeuristic role. Jerry Falwell confirmed the part of the story that exposed Becki Falwell’s years-long affair with Granda, and claimed that Granda was using “false claims” about the relationship to blackmail the couple. Falwell ultimately resigned from Liberty late last month.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--The Trump Campaign Is Suing Over Mail-In Voting — And Promoting It To Supporters

President Donald Trump and the Republican Party want their supporters to vote by mail , but they have an odd way of showing it .
In several states across the country , Trump and his campaign are spending to promote mail-in voting at the same time they ’ re filing lawsuits to make it harder to do so and putting out statements baselessly smearing vote by mail as prone to widespread fraud .
In Pennsylvania , the Trump campaign has challenged steps by election officials to make mail-in voting easier , such as using drop boxes .
But a website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skips over the legal scuffle and gets to the point .
“ Democrats will use the new mail-in ballot to greatly increase their turn out , ” it reads .
“ Republicans would be smart to do the same so that we have the advantage.
” I In Texas , Republicans sued over Harris County ’ s plan to send every eligible voter an application to request a mail-in ballot — even though the state ’ s Republican Party is sending those same applications to all of its voters , just with Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Texas Tribune noted .
And in Iowa , where Facebook records show the Trump campaign has encouraged its supporters to request mail-in ballots , the Trump campaign has successfully sued to cancel thousands of those very requests — objecting to county election officials who pre-filled voters ’ personal information to make the process easier .
“ Republicans are in a tough spot , ” observed Rick Hasen , a professor of law and political science at UC Irvine .
“ Vote by mail has been a good strategy for getting out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it seems especially important during the pandemic — and especially for older voters who may be more susceptible to getting COVID , ” Hasen said .
“ On the other hand , the President continues to rail against mail-in balloting , and his messaging is that the use of it will lead to a rigged election .
There ’ s not evidence that ’ s true.
” The pattern has played out nationwide .
The Trump campaign spent $ 200,000 on Facebook ads attacking voting by mail since May , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while at the same time spending $ 650,000 on Facebook ads to encourage supporters to request absentee ballots .
Meanwhile , Trump ’ s attacks have been relentless .
Last week , he seemed to encourage his supporters to break election law to make a point , suggesting that they vote both via mail and in-person in order to test whether the state ’ s system was “ as good as they say it is.
” And yet last month , Trump ’ s campaign sent an absentee ballot request to North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the text , “ URGENT NOTICE.
” The mailer included a tweet from Trump calling absentee ballots “ fine ” — but it blurred the next part of Trump ’ s tweet that distinguished mail-in-ballots as largely “ fraudulent ” and “ a formula for RIGGING an Election.
” The Trump campaign , which did not respond to TPM ’ s request for comment , has at times tried to distinguish between its promotion of mail-in voting to supporters and its opposition to states and counties that proactively send applications or actual ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we strongly disagree with the ill-intended Democrat push for more mail-in ballots , we have an obligation to our voters to inform them of what the law is in their state and what their options are , ” campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh told the Associated Press in May .
But the contradictory messaging could point to a simple numbers problem : No matter what Trump ’ s interests are in seeding doubt about election results , he needs mail-in voters to win in November .
In Florida , the crucial battleground where many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a way of avoiding coronavirus risk , Democrats have so far shown a steep advantage in the vote-by-mail game .
Trump himself votes by mail in the state and , it so happens , Florida marked the first exception he made to his histrionic attacks against the practice .
“ Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting , in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure , Tried and True , ” he tweeted last month .
Election officials in Florida received Trump ’ s ballot two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following day , the Trump campaign filed a lawsuit in New Jersey over the governor ’ s plan to send all active registered voters a ballot .
The complaint cited the threat of fraud that the campaign said was posed by “ ballot harvesting — that is , coordinated efforts to have third parties collect absentee ballots from voters and drop them off at polling places or election centers.
” Notably , Trump hadn ’ t received his ballot in the mail from Florida , the Palm Beach Post reported .
Rather , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact in the Republican Party , Alejandro Garcia — a legally designated third party .

President Donald Trump and the Republican Party want their supporters to vote by mail, but they have an odd way of showing it.
In several states across the country, Trump and his campaign are spending to promote mail-in voting at the same time they’re filing lawsuits to make it harder to do so and putting out statements baselessly smearing vote by mail as prone to widespread fraud.
In Pennsylvania, the Trump campaign has challenged steps by election officials to make mail-in voting easier, such as using drop boxes. But a website for the state’s Republican Party skips over the legal scuffle and gets to the point.
“Democrats will use the new mail-in ballot to greatly increase their turn out,” it reads. “Republicans would be smart to do the same so that we have the advantage.” I
In Texas, Republicans sued over Harris County’s plan to send every eligible voter an application to request a mail-in ballot — even though the state’s Republican Party is sending those same applications to all of its voters, just with Donald Trump’s face on the mailer, the Texas Tribune noted.
And in Iowa, where Facebook records show the Trump campaign has encouraged its supporters to request mail-in ballots, the Trump campaign has successfully sued to cancel thousands of those very requests — objecting to county election officials who pre-filled voters’ personal information to make the process easier.
“Republicans are in a tough spot,” observed Rick Hasen, a professor of law and political science at UC Irvine.
“Vote by mail has been a good strategy for getting out the vote for Republicans in the past, and it seems especially important during the pandemic — and especially for older voters who may be more susceptible to getting COVID,” Hasen said. “On the other hand, the President continues to rail against mail-in balloting, and his messaging is that the use of it will lead to a rigged election. There’s not evidence that’s true.”
The pattern has played out nationwide. The Trump campaign spent $200,000 on Facebook ads attacking voting by mail since May, the New York Times reported this month — while at the same time spending $650,000 on Facebook ads to encourage supporters to request absentee ballots.
Meanwhile, Trump’s attacks have been relentless. Last week, he seemed to encourage his supporters to break election law to make a point, suggesting that they vote both via mail and in-person in order to test whether the state’s system was “as good as they say it is.”
And yet last month, Trump’s campaign sent an absentee ballot request to North Carolina voters with his face on it and the text, “URGENT NOTICE.” The mailer included a tweet from Trump calling absentee ballots “fine” — but it blurred the next part of Trump’s tweet that distinguished mail-in-ballots as largely “fraudulent” and “a formula for RIGGING an Election.”
While Trump is railing against vote by mail, his campaign sends out absentee ballot request forms here in NC. (Something he complained about that governments in some states were doing) pic.twitter.com/48TIBRgVog — tay (@Taylor_Leanne2) August 12, 2020
The Trump campaign, which did not respond to TPM’s request for comment, has at times tried to distinguish between its promotion of mail-in voting to supporters and its opposition to states and counties that proactively send applications or actual ballots to all registered voters.
“While we strongly disagree with the ill-intended Democrat push for more mail-in ballots, we have an obligation to our voters to inform them of what the law is in their state and what their options are,” campaign spokesperson Tim Murtaugh told the Associated Press in May.
But the contradictory messaging could point to a simple numbers problem: No matter what Trump’s interests are in seeding doubt about election results, he needs mail-in voters to win in November.
In Florida, the crucial battleground where many elderly voters have turned to mail-in ballots as a way of avoiding coronavirus risk, Democrats have so far shown a steep advantage in the vote-by-mail game.
Trump himself votes by mail in the state and, it so happens, Florida marked the first exception he made to his histrionic attacks against the practice.
“Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True,” he tweeted last month.
Election officials in Florida received Trump’s ballot two weeks later, on Aug. 17.
The following day, the Trump campaign filed a lawsuit in New Jersey over the governor’s plan to send all active registered voters a ballot. The complaint cited the threat of fraud that the campaign said was posed by “ballot harvesting — that is, coordinated efforts to have third parties collect absentee ballots from voters and drop them off at polling places or election centers.”
Notably, Trump hadn’t received his ballot in the mail from Florida, the Palm Beach Post reported. Rather, it was delivered to him by a contact in the Republican Party, Alejandro Garcia — a legally designated third party.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--Following Court Order, Trump Admin Puts Census Count On More Solid Footing — For Now

The Census Bureau sent out new guidance to its regional directors after a federal judge temporarily stopped the Trump administration from “ winding down or altering any census field operations , ” according to a Tuesday court filing .
The lawsuit , led by the National Urban League , aims to stop the administration from chopping the timeline for census data collection from eight months to four .
The guidance targets a lot of the on-the-ground work census workers do , including having workers resume making six contact attempts to make sure that a housing unit is vacant and reintroducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order puts the largest , most complex census operation — which is the door-knocking phase — back on more solid footing , in my opinion , ” said Terri Ann Lowenthal , a consultant who is a well-regarded expert on the census .
“ It takes the pressure off of census workers to rush through data collection at a time when that work should take more time , not less , because of the disruption and displacement of people and even entire households caused by the pandemic.
” Earlier this month , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to collect and review data , a decision in contradiction to the advice of the Bureau ’ s own experts .
That announcement came on the heels of President Donald Trump ’ s directive to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment data which determines , among other things , how many House seats each state gets .
The temporary halt is better than nothing , said Lowenthal .
“ I don ’ t think the court order has created any more chaos than the administration ’ s unexplained , sudden decision in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended timeframe for the census and for reporting data and for reporting the results , ” she said .
But the relief is , by nature , temporary .
In a Tuesday filing , attorneys for the administration essentially asked the judge to hurry up and decide if the temporary restraining order will last beyond September 17 so they can appeal .
“ If the Court intends to extend the TRO or otherwise believes that the effect of the TRO lasts beyond September 17 , Defendants respectfully request that the Court convert the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to afford adequate time for any appellate review , ” DOJ lawyers stated in the filing .
Two former U.S. chief statisticians slammed the administration ’ s actions in a Tuesday opinion piece in the Washington Post .
“ The Trump administration ’ s current actions do not meet OMB requirements or the Census Bureau ’ s own quality guidelines , ” they wrote .
“ Existing safeguards have not been sufficient to deter efforts to derail one of our country ’ s most fundamental civic activities .
Congress must act to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Read the newest filing in the National Urban League case here :

The Census Bureau sent out new guidance to its regional directors after a federal judge temporarily stopped the Trump administration from “winding down or altering any census field operations,” according to a Tuesday court filing.
The lawsuit, led by the National Urban League, aims to stop the administration from chopping the timeline for census data collection from eight months to four.
The guidance targets a lot of the on-the-ground work census workers do, including having workers resume making six contact attempts to make sure that a housing unit is vacant and reintroducing random cases to reinterview.
“The order puts the largest, most complex census operation — which is the door-knocking phase — back on more solid footing, in my opinion,” said Terri Ann Lowenthal, a consultant who is a well-regarded expert on the census. “It takes the pressure off of census workers to rush through data collection at a time when that work should take more time, not less, because of the disruption and displacement of people and even entire households caused by the pandemic.”
Earlier this month, the administration severely curtailed the time census workers had to collect and review data, a decision in contradiction to the advice of the Bureau’s own experts. That announcement came on the heels of President Donald Trump’s directive to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment data which determines, among other things, how many House seats each state gets.
The temporary halt is better than nothing, said Lowenthal. “I don’t think the court order has created any more chaos than the administration’s unexplained, sudden decision in early August to abandon its request for an extended timeframe for the census and for reporting data and for reporting the results,” she said.
But the relief is, by nature, temporary. In a Tuesday filing, attorneys for the administration essentially asked the judge to hurry up and decide if the temporary restraining order will last beyond September 17 so they can appeal.
“If the Court intends to extend the TRO or otherwise believes that the effect of the TRO lasts beyond September 17, Defendants respectfully request that the Court convert the TRO to a preliminary injunction now in order to afford adequate time for any appellate review,” DOJ lawyers stated in the filing.
Two former U.S. chief statisticians slammed the administration’s actions in a Tuesday opinion piece in the Washington Post.
“The Trump administration’s current actions do not meet OMB requirements or the Census Bureau’s own quality guidelines,” they wrote. “Existing safeguards have not been sufficient to deter efforts to derail one of our country’s most fundamental civic activities. Congress must act to keep federal statistics independent from partisan interference.”
Read the newest filing in the National Urban League case here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--Trump Praises Federal Troops In Portland In Informercial-Like Tweet: ‘Matter Of Minutes’

President Trump on Tuesday continued expressing his unwavering support for federal law enforcement days after agents fatally shot a man who was suspected of killing a pro-Trump supporter during protests in Portland .
In a Tuesday tweet , the President appeared to hail federal officers in Portland , bragging that his administration would get the officers sent out “ in a matter of minutes.
” The President ’ s latest infomercial-like advertisement for federal troops isn ’ t his first .
On Saturday , Trump offered congratulations to U.S .
Marshals for supposedly bolstering his vision of being the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s worth noting that Trump ’ s ongoing praise for the federal agents who fatally shot the alleged Portland shooter suspected of killing one of his supporters comes amid the White House ’ s refusal to distance itself from Kyle Rittenhouse — the 17-year-old pro-police Trump supporter who has been criminally charged with homicide in the shooting deaths of two protesters in Kenosha , Wisconsin , during unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police .
During a press conference at the White House last week , Trump suggested that Rittenhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double down on his retweet of a video showing his supporters driving into Portland with the comment “ GREAT PATRIOTS.
” “ You saw the same tape as I saw and he was trying to get away from them I guess , it looks like , ” Trump said .
“ And he fell and then they very violently attacked him and it was something that we are looking at right now and it ’ s under investigation.
” The President then guessed that Rittenhouse was “ in very big trouble ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been killed.
” Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley also refused to condemn Rittenhouse during an interview on CNN last week .
“ It does make sense just logically , if you don ’ t allow police to do their job , then the American people have to defend themselves some way , ” Gidley told CNN .

President Trump on Tuesday continued expressing his unwavering support for federal law enforcement days after agents fatally shot a man who was suspected of killing a pro-Trump supporter during protests in Portland.
In a Tuesday tweet, the President appeared to hail federal officers in Portland, bragging that his administration would get the officers sent out “in a matter of minutes.”
They are not “peaceful protesters”, as Sleepy Joe and the Democrats call them, they are THUGS – And it is all taking place in Democrat run cities. Call me and request Federal HELP. We will solve your problems in a matter of minutes – And thanks to the U.S. Marshalls in Portland! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 8, 2020
The President’s latest infomercial-like advertisement for federal troops isn’t his first. On Saturday, Trump offered congratulations to U.S. Marshals for supposedly bolstering his vision of being the President of “law and order.”
Congratulations to the U.S. Marshals on a job well done in Portland. LAW & ORDER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2020
It’s worth noting that Trump’s ongoing praise for the federal agents who fatally shot the alleged Portland shooter suspected of killing one of his supporters comes amid the White House’s refusal to distance itself from Kyle Rittenhouse — the 17-year-old pro-police Trump supporter who has been criminally charged with homicide in the shooting deaths of two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police.
During a press conference at the White House last week, Trump suggested that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense as he appeared to double down on his retweet of a video showing his supporters driving into Portland with the comment “GREAT PATRIOTS.”
“You saw the same tape as I saw and he was trying to get away from them I guess, it looks like,” Trump said. “And he fell and then they very violently attacked him and it was something that we are looking at right now and it’s under investigation.”
The President then guessed that Rittenhouse was “in very big trouble” and that “he probably would’ve been killed.”
Trump campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley also refused to condemn Rittenhouse during an interview on CNN last week.
“It does make sense just logically, if you don’t allow police to do their job, then the American people have to defend themselves some way,” Gidley told CNN.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--When You Can’t Trust The CDC: Red And Blue States Alike Flee Trump COVID Response

States , cities , and pharmaceutical companies are contradicting or ignoring the Trump administration in responding to COVID-19 as the White House continues to push for responses that could help the President politically while undermining the country ’ s ability to fight the pandemic .
The Trump administration has issued directives and statements in recent weeks that appear aimed at boosting the President ’ s chances of re-election , be it predictions of a vaccine in time for Nov. 3 , or a change in CDC guidance that , if followed , would reduce the volume tests , resulting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration ’ s ongoing battle against the political impact of COVID-19 —rather than the disease itself — has lowered confidence in the country ’ s public health agencies .
The loss of influence has meant that states and local governments are far warier of federal public health advice .
Recent events had “ really shaken the confidence of health experts and the public alike , ” Dr. Howard Koh , a former assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services , told TPM .
“ If people don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine and the FDA approval process , and in guidance from the CDC , ” Koh added , “ this pandemic will go on indefinitely.
” The result is a situation in which the Trump administration issues politically motivated pronouncements that damage the federal government ’ s ability to fight COVID-19 , but which are sometimes so absurd on their face that institutions outside of the President ’ s chain-of-command won ’ t participate .
“ The political leadership has not been strong and it has tarnished the reputations of both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Schaffner , professor of preventative medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center , told TPM .
“ The two agencies established to protect the health of the United States population have had their reputations injured , and they have been frequently sidelined by the national political mechanism , ” he continued .
“ That ’ s painfully sad , and it will take many years for both of these agencies to restore their credibility.
” TPM could identify virtually no body that took the CDC ’ s recommendation to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displayed no symptoms .
Rather , an array of states and localities across the political landscape said publicly that they would continue to test .
At the same time , President Trump ’ s attempt to release a COVID-19 vaccine caused even the pharmaceutical firms developing the inoculation to issue an unprecedented statement affirming that they were committed to making sure that a vaccine was safe and effective before asking the government for approval .
The CDC ’ s recommendation on asymptomatic testing last month came as a shock to many , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community that caused the administration to waffle on what exactly the recommendation meant .
Experts voiced their concern that the recommendation would confuse local officials , leading them to reduce testing .
But instead , states and localities decided to ignore the CDC .
Texas and Florida declined to change their guidance , and continue to recommend that those exposed to COVID-19 but who show no symptoms get tested .
North Dakota ’ s Division of Disease Control Chief Kirby Kruger said that the state hasn ’ t “ changed any of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re unlikely to because we believe our recommendations make sound public health sense.
” And in Mississippi , State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs described the guidance as outdated and poorly communicated before saying that the state would not change its recommendations .
HHS spokesman Michael Caputo did not reply to a request for comment from TPM regarding examples of states or localities that had taken the CDC ’ s recommendation .
President Trump has repeatedly promised a vaccine by Election Day , and publicly pressured the FDA to approve a vaccine by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of timelines needed for the current vaccine trials to determine safety and efficacy .
One government official told CNN that he did not “ know any scientist involved in this effort who thinks we will be getting shots into arms any time before Election Day.
” Officials from multiple states have told TPM that they would refuse to distribute a vaccine that received federal approval without completing the necessary trials , or without receiving approval from an independent board of scientists .
“ There ’ s a process for vaccine approval thats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perceiving that there were shortcuts this time is going to be disastrous , ” Koh said .
“ It just can not happen.
” The seven pharmaceutical firms involved in developing COVID-19 vaccines issued a joint pledge on Tuesday morning , saying that the firms would only ask for FDA approval following convincing data showing that a vaccine candidate is safe and effective .
Dr. Schaffner , who also serves as a member of the CDC ’ s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , told TPM that the statement is “ impressive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it falls short of specifying what the firms would do to ensure safety .
“ They ’ re not saying they are committed to running the trial until its completion , ” Schaffner said .
“ They are not saying that they insist on the FDA taking whatever decision they make and bringing it to the advisory committee that the FDA already has .
”

States, cities, and pharmaceutical companies are contradicting or ignoring the Trump administration in responding to COVID-19 as the White House continues to push for responses that could help the President politically while undermining the country’s ability to fight the pandemic.
The Trump administration has issued directives and statements in recent weeks that appear aimed at boosting the President’s chances of re-election, be it predictions of a vaccine in time for Nov. 3, or a change in CDC guidance that, if followed, would reduce the volume tests, resulting in the appearance of fewer cases.
But the administration’s ongoing battle against the political impact of COVID-19 —rather than the disease itself — has lowered confidence in the country’s public health agencies. The loss of influence has meant that states and local governments are far warier of federal public health advice.
Recent events had “really shaken the confidence of health experts and the public alike,” Dr. Howard Koh, a former assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, told TPM.
“If people don’t have trust and confidence in the vaccine and the FDA approval process, and in guidance from the CDC,” Koh added, “this pandemic will go on indefinitely.”
The result is a situation in which the Trump administration issues politically motivated pronouncements that damage the federal government’s ability to fight COVID-19, but which are sometimes so absurd on their face that institutions outside of the President’s chain-of-command won’t participate.
“The political leadership has not been strong and it has tarnished the reputations of both the FDA and the CDC,” Dr. Bill Schaffner, professor of preventative medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told TPM.
“The two agencies established to protect the health of the United States population have had their reputations injured, and they have been frequently sidelined by the national political mechanism,” he continued. “That’s painfully sad, and it will take many years for both of these agencies to restore their credibility.”
TPM could identify virtually no body that took the CDC’s recommendation to stop testing those exposed to COVID-19 but who displayed no symptoms. Rather, an array of states and localities across the political landscape said publicly that they would continue to test.
At the same time, President Trump’s attempt to release a COVID-19 vaccine caused even the pharmaceutical firms developing the inoculation to issue an unprecedented statement affirming that they were committed to making sure that a vaccine was safe and effective before asking the government for approval.
Bipartisan rejection
The CDC’s recommendation on asymptomatic testing last month came as a shock to many, and provoked an outcry from the public health community that caused the administration to waffle on what exactly the recommendation meant.
Experts voiced their concern that the recommendation would confuse local officials, leading them to reduce testing. But instead, states and localities decided to ignore the CDC.
Texas and Florida declined to change their guidance, and continue to recommend that those exposed to COVID-19 but who show no symptoms get tested.
North Dakota’s Division of Disease Control Chief Kirby Kruger said that the state hasn’t “changed any of our recommendations here in North Dakota and we’re unlikely to because we believe our recommendations make sound public health sense.”
And in Mississippi, State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs described the guidance as outdated and poorly communicated before saying that the state would not change its recommendations.
HHS spokesman Michael Caputo did not reply to a request for comment from TPM regarding examples of states or localities that had taken the CDC’s recommendation.
One shot away
President Trump has repeatedly promised a vaccine by Election Day, and publicly pressured the FDA to approve a vaccine by that time.
That flies in the face of timelines needed for the current vaccine trials to determine safety and efficacy. One government official told CNN that he did not “know any scientist involved in this effort who thinks we will be getting shots into arms any time before Election Day.”
Officials from multiple states have told TPM that they would refuse to distribute a vaccine that received federal approval without completing the necessary trials, or without receiving approval from an independent board of scientists.
“There’s a process for vaccine approval thats been followed for years, and people perceiving that there were shortcuts this time is going to be disastrous,” Koh said. “It just cannot happen.”
The seven pharmaceutical firms involved in developing COVID-19 vaccines issued a joint pledge on Tuesday morning, saying that the firms would only ask for FDA approval following convincing data showing that a vaccine candidate is safe and effective.
Dr. Schaffner, who also serves as a member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, told TPM that the statement is “impressive and unprecedented.”
But, Schaffner added, it falls short of specifying what the firms would do to ensure safety.
“They’re not saying they are committed to running the trial until its completion,” Schaffner said. “They are not saying that they insist on the FDA taking whatever decision they make and bringing it to the advisory committee that the FDA already has.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--Melania Trump’s Remodeled Rose Garden Is Already Crumbling

Less than three weeks after it was debuted , First Lady Melania Trump ’ s Rose Garden renovation at the @ @ @ @ @ apart .
According to CNN , there are “ issues with water drainage ” and @ @ @ @ @ updated construction ” at the iconic garden , requiring new repairs .
During Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ RNC ) speech in the garden , the lack of drainage caused the ground to @ @ @ @ @ the 75 guests at the event without putting down artificial grass , CNN reported .
@ @ @ @ @ new garden on August 22 with a private celebration .
The revamp was reportedly funded @ @ @ @ @ taxpayer dollars .

Less than three weeks after it was debuted, First Lady Melania Trump’s Rose Garden renovation at the White House is reportedly falling apart.
According to CNN, there are “issues with water drainage” and “some minor complications with updated construction” at the iconic garden, requiring new repairs.
During Trump’s Republican National Convention (RNC) speech in the garden, the lack of drainage caused the ground to become too muddy to hold the 75 guests at the event without putting down artificial grass, CNN reported.
The first lady unveiled the new garden on August 22 with a private celebration. The revamp was reportedly funded through private donations rather than taxpayer dollars.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--Army Chief Hits Back At Trump’s Attack On Pentagon Leaders: War Is ‘Last Resort’

Army chief of staff Gen. James McConville on Tuesday refuted President Trump ’ s assertion that top leaders at the Pentagon want to keep waging wars in order to keep defense contractors “ happy.
” McConville ’ s remarks are the first public response from the Pentagon after Trump ’ s attack on the department ’ s leaders .
During a press conference at the White House Monday , Trump told reporters that he ’ s “ not saying the military ’ s in love with me — the soldiers are , ” before going on to suggest that Pentagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards him because they are beholden to defense contractors .
“ The top people in the Pentagon probably aren ’ t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy , ” Trump said on Monday .
Although McConville declined to directly address Trump ’ s remarks during a virtual event hosted by Defense One on Tuesday , the Army ’ s top general defended Pentagon officials against the President ’ s assertion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken with top military leaders — who he said includes those who have sons and daughters previously and currently in combat — McConville expressed that sending troops to combat is not a decision that is taken lightly .
“ So I can assure the American people that senior leaders would only recommend sending troops to combat when it ’ s required in national security , or as a last resort , ” McConville said .
“ I feel very strong about it.
” McConville argued that despite the “ political environment ” nowadays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ apolitical organization , ” especially in light of the November presidential election .
McConville ’ s remarks came shortly after White House chief of staff Mark Meadows denied that the President ’ s remarks were directed toward an individual general , but that the comment was “ more directed about the military industrial complex.
” Meadows ’ defense of Trump ’ s comments regarding Pentagon leaders added to Trump administration officials ’ defense of the President over the weekend following backlash that has ensued over The Atlantic report about his denigrating remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late Sen. John McCain ( R-AZ ) a “ fucking loser ” in 2018 .

Army chief of staff Gen. James McConville on Tuesday refuted President Trump’s assertion that top leaders at the Pentagon want to keep waging wars in order to keep defense contractors “happy.” McConville’s remarks are the first public response from the Pentagon after Trump’s attack on the department’s leaders.
During a press conference at the White House Monday, Trump told reporters that he’s “not saying the military’s in love with me — the soldiers are,” before going on to suggest that Pentagon leaders don’t feel the same towards him because they are beholden to defense contractors.
“The top people in the Pentagon probably aren’t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy,” Trump said on Monday.
Although McConville declined to directly address Trump’s remarks during a virtual event hosted by Defense One on Tuesday, the Army’s top general defended Pentagon officials against the President’s assertion.
After noting that he’s spoken with top military leaders — who he said includes those who have sons and daughters previously and currently in combat — McConville expressed that sending troops to combat is not a decision that is taken lightly.
“So I can assure the American people that senior leaders would only recommend sending troops to combat when it’s required in national security, or as a last resort,” McConville said. “I feel very strong about it.”
McConville argued that despite the “political environment” nowadays, the military needs to remain an “apolitical organization,” especially in light of the November presidential election.
McConville’s remarks came shortly after White House chief of staff Mark Meadows denied that the President’s remarks were directed toward an individual general, but that the comment was “more directed about the military industrial complex.”
Meadows’ defense of Trump’s comments regarding Pentagon leaders added to Trump administration officials’ defense of the President over the weekend following backlash that has ensued over The Atlantic report about his denigrating remarks toward fallen soldiers, which included calling the late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) a “fucking loser” in 2018.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--Cohen Links Falwell’s Trump Endorsement To Falwell’s Risqué Pictures

In his new book , former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen linked Jerry Falwell Jr. ’ s early Trump endorsement in 2016 to Cohen ’ s suppression of “ personal ” pictures of Falwell and his wife , Becki .
According to Reuters , which obtained a copy of “ Disloyal : The Memoir , ” Cohen said that he “ killed ” the photos .
“ In good time , I would call in this favor , not for me , but for the Boss , at a crucial moment on his journey to the presidency , ” Cohen wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the favor was .
“ Like the Bieber favor a few years earlier , this would have a huge impact on the 2016 election , evangelicals , the Supreme Court and the fate of the nation , ” Cohen added , per Reuters , referring to a time when he secured Justin Bieber tickets for the Falwells ’ daughter .
“ If Becki Falwell was seen half-naked by the students of Liberty University , let alone evangelicals all over the country , it would be an unmitigated disaster.
” Falwell endorsed Trump before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before many prominent Republicans were on board .
The vote of confidence from such a prominent evangelical was a surprise to many and a huge boost to Trump ’ s legitimacy .
Cohen has said before that he was a main driver behind that endorsement .
Cohen has previously denied any link between the photos and Falwell ’ s endorsement : “ There is absolutely no connection between the photos and my personal request to the Falwells to assist the Trump campaign , ” he told CNN .
But the timing has long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former spokesperson for Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) — a primary competitor who announced his run at Falwell ’ s Liberty University and was particularly hard hit by the shift of evangelicals to Trump — said that Falwell had previously promised him he wouldn ’ t endorse in the primary .
Falwell fell from his perch as president of Liberty late last month after salacious details of his triangular sex life surfaced .
Giancarlo Granda , a former business partner of the Falwells , told Reuters that he had a years-long affair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falwell watched the two have sex .
Falwell confirmed that Granda and his wife had had the affair , and said that Granda was using “ false claims ” about it to blackmail the couple .
Falwell ’ s prospects were already in decline by that point though .
He ’ d been on “ indefinite leave ” since August 7 , after posting pictures on his Instagram account of himself and a woman with their pants unzipped .
Cohen , meanwhile , has been serving out the rest of a three-year prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign finance violations and tax fraud , from his home .

In his new book, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen linked Jerry Falwell Jr.’s early Trump endorsement in 2016 to Cohen’s suppression of “personal” pictures of Falwell and his wife, Becki.
According to Reuters, which obtained a copy of “Disloyal: The Memoir,” Cohen said that he “killed” the photos.
“In good time, I would call in this favor, not for me, but for the Boss, at a crucial moment on his journey to the presidency,” Cohen wrote. He did not say explicitly what the favor was.
“Like the Bieber favor a few years earlier, this would have a huge impact on the 2016 election, evangelicals, the Supreme Court and the fate of the nation,” Cohen added, per Reuters, referring to a time when he secured Justin Bieber tickets for the Falwells’ daughter. “If Becki Falwell was seen half-naked by the students of Liberty University, let alone evangelicals all over the country, it would be an unmitigated disaster.”
Falwell endorsed Trump before the Iowa caucus in 2016, well before many prominent Republicans were on board. The vote of confidence from such a prominent evangelical was a surprise to many and a huge boost to Trump’s legitimacy. Cohen has said before that he was a main driver behind that endorsement.
Cohen has previously denied any link between the photos and Falwell’s endorsement: “There is absolutely no connection between the photos and my personal request to the Falwells to assist the Trump campaign,” he told CNN. But the timing has long seemed suspicious, not least because a former spokesperson for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) — a primary competitor who announced his run at Falwell’s Liberty University and was particularly hard hit by the shift of evangelicals to Trump — said that Falwell had previously promised him he wouldn’t endorse in the primary.
Falwell fell from his perch as president of Liberty late last month after salacious details of his triangular sex life surfaced. Giancarlo Granda, a former business partner of the Falwells, told Reuters that he had a years-long affair with Becki Falwell including liaisons where Jerry Falwell watched the two have sex. Falwell confirmed that Granda and his wife had had the affair, and said that Granda was using “false claims” about it to blackmail the couple.
Falwell’s prospects were already in decline by that point though. He’d been on “indefinite leave” since August 7, after posting pictures on his Instagram account of himself and a woman with their pants unzipped.
Cohen, meanwhile, has been serving out the rest of a three-year prison sentence for, among other things, campaign finance violations and tax fraud, from his home.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-08--WH Denies Auctioneer’s Claim That He Has A Photo-Op Bible Signed By Trump

The White House on Tuesday pushed back against an auctioneer ’ s claim to possess the Bible President Donald Trump used as a prop several months ago in his infamous St. John ’ s Episcopal Church photo-op , a Bible that the auctioneer also claims Trump autographed prior to giving it away .
“ It ’ s not true , ” White House spokesperson Judd Deere told TPM via email , later clarifying that he meant the auctioneer does not possess the Bible and that the tome is not up for auction .
Deere did not address TPM ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bible .
In a phone call with TPM , Gary Zimet , an autograph curator at “ Moments In Time ” in Los Angeles , confirmed his remarks to Page Six in which he claimed that he had asked a “ contact ” at the White House to get Trump to sign the Bible shortly after the scandal erupted in early June .
Zimet said he successfully received the exact Bible that Trump waved in front of the church after he got law enforcement to teargas nearby peaceful protesters to clear his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put up the Bible for auction on Tuesday with a starting bid of $ 37,500 .
However , Zimet would not disclose who his White House contact was , telling TPM that the information was “ confidential.
” “ I ’ ve been in business for 40 years , my dear , and I know autographs , ” the auctioneer said when asked how he could prove to customers that the item was legitimate .
He also declined to say how many offers he ’ s received , only that he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the Bible .
Zimet claimed he was no fan of Trump , however , telling TPM several times that he considers the President to be a “ psychotic insect .
”

The White House on Tuesday pushed back against an auctioneer’s claim to possess the Bible President Donald Trump used as a prop several months ago in his infamous St. John’s Episcopal Church photo-op, a Bible that the auctioneer also claims Trump autographed prior to giving it away.
“It’s not true,” White House spokesperson Judd Deere told TPM via email, later clarifying that he meant the auctioneer does not possess the Bible and that the tome is not up for auction. Deere did not address TPM’s query on whether Trump had indeed signed the Bible.
In a phone call with TPM, Gary Zimet, an autograph curator at “Moments In Time” in Los Angeles, confirmed his remarks to Page Six in which he claimed that he had asked a “contact” at the White House to get Trump to sign the Bible shortly after the scandal erupted in early June.
Zimet said he successfully received the exact Bible that Trump waved in front of the church after he got law enforcement to teargas nearby peaceful protesters to clear his path for the photo-op. The curator put up the Bible for auction on Tuesday with a starting bid of $37,500.
However, Zimet would not disclose who his White House contact was, telling TPM that the information was “confidential.”
“I’ve been in business for 40 years, my dear, and I know autographs,” the auctioneer said when asked how he could prove to customers that the item was legitimate.
He also declined to say how many offers he’s received, only that he’s had “a great deal of interest” in the Bible.
Zimet claimed he was no fan of Trump, however, telling TPM several times that he considers the President to be a “psychotic insect.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-09--Trump-Endorsed Candidate Will Face Shaheen After New Hampshire GOP Primary Win

Corky Messner declared victory over three other Republicans in the New Hampshire Senate GOP primary on Tuesday , including fellow retired military veteran Gen. Don Bolduc .
Messner an attorney and self-described “ political outsider ” will now face Sen. Jeanne Shaheen ( D ) in the November general election .
“ We ’ re not going to celebrate , we ’ re going to unify , ” Messner told supporters at a gathering on Tuesday night organized by the Trump campaign as primary results reeled in .
“ I ’ m not celebrating anything , I ’ m going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big mission ahead of us , ” he added .
Messner ’ s opponent , Shaheen , was the first woman to serve as both governor and senator in the United States .
Shaheen staved off challenges in her primary race , from former state Rep. Tom Alciere and retired dentist Paul Krautmann .
President Donald Trump backed Messner in June , saying in a tweet that the attorney would be a “ fantastic ” senator for the state .
“ A West Point graduate , he served our Country in the Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crime , Vets , Military and the Second Amendment … .
He has my Complete and Total Endorsement !
” Trump wrote in June .
Messner suggested in a statement issued following his primary win that voters in his state were “ tired of career politicians and Washington bureaucrats.
” “ This November ’ s election is critical to this state and this nation and I look forward to working with Pres .
Trump to keep America great , ” Messner wrote .
Republicans face a tough battle in their challenge against Shaheen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the primary indicated that Shaheen maintained a wide lead on both Messner and Bolduc .

Corky Messner declared victory over three other Republicans in the New Hampshire Senate GOP primary on Tuesday, including fellow retired military veteran Gen. Don Bolduc.
Messner an attorney and self-described “political outsider” will now face Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) in the November general election.
“We’re not going to celebrate, we’re going to unify,” Messner told supporters at a gathering on Tuesday night organized by the Trump campaign as primary results reeled in. “I’m not celebrating anything, I’m going to work, because we have a big mission ahead of us,” he added.
Messner’s opponent, Shaheen, was the first woman to serve as both governor and senator in the United States. Shaheen staved off challenges in her primary race, from former state Rep. Tom Alciere and retired dentist Paul Krautmann.
President Donald Trump backed Messner in June, saying in a tweet that the attorney would be a “fantastic” senator for the state.
“A West Point graduate, he served our Country in the Army with distinction. Strong on Jobs, Crime, Vets, Military and the Second Amendment …. He has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” Trump wrote in June.
Messner suggested in a statement issued following his primary win that voters in his state were “tired of career politicians and Washington bureaucrats.”
“This November’s election is critical to this state and this nation and I look forward to working with President Trump to keep America great,” Messner wrote.
Republicans face a tough battle in their challenge against Shaheen, a second-term incumbent.
Polls leading up to the primary indicated that Shaheen maintained a wide lead on both Messner and Bolduc.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-09--DOJ Moves To Become Trump’s Defense Team In Personal Lawsuit Alleging Rape In 90s

The Department of Justice formally requested on Tuesday night to take over as President Donald Trump ’ s defense in journalist E. Jean Carroll ’ s defamation lawsuit that stems from her allegation that Trump once raped her in the mid-90s .
Even though Carroll had sued Trump “ in his personal capacity ” in the New York Supreme Court , DOJ deputy James Touhey argued in the new filing that Trump was “ acting within the scope of his office or employment at the time of the incident out of which the claim arose ” due to the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her in June of last year .
In November 2019 , Carroll sued Trump over his denial of knowing who she was , his accusation that she had made it all up , and his comments disparaging her looks in June that year .
Carroll had alleged in her book that sometime between the fall of 1995 and the spring of 1996 , Trump had raped her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman .
Besides saying last year that Carroll was “ not my type , ” Trump also claimed he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the photo of the two of them chatting together .

The Department of Justice formally requested on Tuesday night to take over as President Donald Trump’s defense in journalist E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit that stems from her allegation that Trump once raped her in the mid-90s.
Even though Carroll had sued Trump “in his personal capacity” in the New York Supreme Court, DOJ deputy James Touhey argued in the new filing that Trump was “acting within the scope of his office or employment at the time of the incident out of which the claim arose” due to the fact that Carroll claims the President had defamed her in June of last year.
Carroll responded to the DOJ’s move with outrage.
“TRUMP HURLS BILL BARR AT ME,” she tweeted, adding that she and her attorney, Robbie Kaplan, “are happy to TAKE THEM ALL ON!”
Kaplan slammed the Justice Department and Trump in a statement of her own.
“Trump’s effort to wield the power of the U.S. government to evade responsibility for his private misconduct is without precedent, and shows even more starkly how far he is willing to go to prevent the truth from coming out,” she said.
In November 2019, Carroll sued Trump over his denial of knowing who she was, his accusation that she had made it all up, and his comments disparaging her looks in June that year.
Carroll had alleged in her book that sometime between the fall of 1995 and the spring of 1996, Trump had raped her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman.
Besides saying last year that Carroll was “not my type,” Trump also claimed he had “no idea who she is” despite the photo of the two of them chatting together.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-09--Woodward Explains Why He Didn’t Reveal Trump’s Private COVID Concerns Sooner

Famed investigative journalist Bob Woodward responded to criticism he is facing for taking months into the COVID-19 pandemic to reveal how President Trump privately acknowledged that it was “ deadly stuff ” early this year — which starkly contrasted his public downplaying of the novel coronavirus — during an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday .
According to multiple reports on Wednesday , Woodward wrote in his forthcoming book titled “ Rage ” that Trump privately expressed fear over COVID-19 after being warned by national security officials in late January that COVID-19 would be the worst pandemic in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go on to spend the following weeks downplaying the threat of COVID-19 as cases began to spread throughout the country , which included telling reporters during a White House briefing in mid-March that the novel coronavirus is “ going to disappear.
” Hours after reports on Woodward ’ s book were released , Trump admitted that he purposefully downplayed the COVID-19 pandemic in its early stages , despite privately acknowledging it was “ deadly stuff , ” because he is “ a cheerleader for this country.
” Woodward , who spoke with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his book , faced backlash on social media for not reporting on the President ’ s private COVID-19 concerns sooner as the country records more than 190,000 fatalities from the infectious disease .
In a phone interview with the AP on Wednesday , Woodward said that he needed time to ensure the accuracy of the President ’ s private comments from February .
“ He tells me this , and I ’ m thinking , ‘ Wow , that ’ s interesting , but is it true ?
’ Trump says things that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Woodward told the AP .
Woodward referenced a famous phrase from the Watergate era — which Woodward ’ s reporting for the Washington Post eventually led to then-President Richard Nixon ’ s decision to resign — in describing his mission for his forthcoming book .
“ What did he know and when did he know it ?
” Woodward told the AP .
According to the AP , Woodward claimed that Trump would call him “ out of the blue ” in early February to “ unburden himself ” about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in the U.S. Woodward told the AP that only in May that he felt assured in reporting Trump ’ s comments as the country experienced surges of COVID-19 cases nationwide .
“ If I had done the story at that time about what he knew in February , that ’ s not telling us anything we didn ’ t know , ” Woodward told the AP .
Woodward then viewed reporting on the contradiction between Trump ’ s private and public comments on COVID-19 as a political matter , which prompted his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November presidential election .
“ That was the demarcation line for me , ” Woodward told the AP .
“ Had I decided that my book was coming out on Christmas , the end of this year , that would have been unthinkable.
” Woodward also told the AP that he decided against sharing Trump ’ s private remarks in February with a fellow Post reporter to report on due to having developed “ some pretty important sources ” on his own .
“ Could I have brought others in ?
Could they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do ?
” Woodward told the AP .
“ I was on the trail , and I was ( still ) on the trail when it ( the virus ) exploded .
”

Famed investigative journalist Bob Woodward responded to criticism he is facing for taking months into the COVID-19 pandemic to reveal how President Trump privately acknowledged that it was “deadly stuff” early this year — which starkly contrasted his public downplaying of the novel coronavirus — during an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday.
According to multiple reports on Wednesday, Woodward wrote in his forthcoming book titled “Rage” that Trump privately expressed fear over COVID-19 after being warned by national security officials in late January that COVID-19 would be the worst pandemic in a century.
However, the President would go on to spend the following weeks downplaying the threat of COVID-19 as cases began to spread throughout the country, which included telling reporters during a White House briefing in mid-March that the novel coronavirus is “going to disappear.”
Hours after reports on Woodward’s book were released, Trump admitted that he purposefully downplayed the COVID-19 pandemic in its early stages, despite privately acknowledging it was “deadly stuff,” because he is “a cheerleader for this country.”
Woodward, who spoke with Trump 18 times from December to July for his book, faced backlash on social media for not reporting on the President’s private COVID-19 concerns sooner as the country records more than 190,000 fatalities from the infectious disease.
In a phone interview with the AP on Wednesday, Woodward said that he needed time to ensure the accuracy of the President’s private comments from February.
“He tells me this, and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, that’s interesting, but is it true?’ Trump says things that don’t check out, right?” Woodward told the AP.
Woodward referenced a famous phrase from the Watergate era — which Woodward’s reporting for the Washington Post eventually led to then-President Richard Nixon’s decision to resign — in describing his mission for his forthcoming book.
“What did he know and when did he know it?” Woodward told the AP.
According to the AP, Woodward claimed that Trump would call him “out of the blue” in early February to “unburden himself” about the novel coronavirus, which then had few cases in the U.S.
Woodward told the AP that only in May that he felt assured in reporting Trump’s comments as the country experienced surges of COVID-19 cases nationwide.
“If I had done the story at that time about what he knew in February, that’s not telling us anything we didn’t know,” Woodward told the AP.
Woodward then viewed reporting on the contradiction between Trump’s private and public comments on COVID-19 as a political matter, which prompted his decision to publish his book before the November presidential election.
“That was the demarcation line for me,” Woodward told the AP. “Had I decided that my book was coming out on Christmas, the end of this year, that would have been unthinkable.”
Woodward also told the AP that he decided against sharing Trump’s private remarks in February with a fellow Post reporter to report on due to having developed “some pretty important sources” on his own.
“Could I have brought others in? Could they have done things I couldn’t do?” Woodward told the AP. “I was on the trail, and I was (still) on the trail when it (the virus) exploded.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-09--Cotton, Cruz Crow Over Their Inclusion On Trump’s SCOTUS Shortlist

Sens .
Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) , Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) and Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) all won the distinction of inclusion on President Donald Trump ’ s Supreme Court shortlist — and two of the three seemed enthralled by the notion .
“ It ’ s humbling and an immense honor to be considered for the Supreme Court , ” Cruz said in a statement .
“ The High Court plays a unique role in defending our Constitution , and there is no greater responsibility in public service than to support and defend the Constitution of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always heed the call of service to our nation , ” Cotton added .
“ The Supreme Court could use some more justices who understand the difference between applying the law and making the law , which the Court does when it invents a right to an abortion , infringes on religious freedom and erodes the Second Amendment.
” Hawley , though , rejected the offer in “ per my last email ” style .
Trump announced his picks Wednesday from the Diplomatic Reception room of the White House , taking time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing the same .
“ Radical justices will erase the Second Amendment , silence political speech , and require taxpayers to fund extreme late-term abortion , ” he said .
“ They will give unelected bureaucrats that power to destroy millions of American jobs .
They will remove the words “ under God ” from the Pledge of Allegiance .
They will unilaterally declare the death penalty unconstitutional , even for the most depraved mass murderers.
” Trump released his list of picks , carefully curated by the likes of the The Federalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gambit aimed at swaying reluctant conservatives to his side .
It may be less effective this time around , though .
According to a Pew poll released in mid-August , 66 percent of Democrats ranked Supreme court appointments as “ very important ” to their 2020 vote compared to 61 percent of Republicans .
That ’ s a sea change from the summer before the 2016 election when Trump supporters were eight points more likely than Hillary Clinton supporters to prioritize SCOTUS picks .
A similar result was found in an early August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats rating the Supreme Court as “ very important ” to just 53 percent of Republicans .

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) all won the distinction of inclusion on President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court shortlist — and two of the three seemed enthralled by the notion.
“It’s humbling and an immense honor to be considered for the Supreme Court,” Cruz said in a statement. “The High Court plays a unique role in defending our Constitution, and there is no greater responsibility in public service than to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
“I will always heed the call of service to our nation,” Cotton added. “The Supreme Court could use some more justices who understand the difference between applying the law and making the law, which the Court does when it invents a right to an abortion, infringes on religious freedom and erodes the Second Amendment.”
Hawley, though, rejected the offer in “per my last email” style.
I appreciate the President’s confidence in listing me as a potential Supreme Court nominee. But as I told the President, Missourians elected me to fight for them in the Senate, and I have no interest in the high court. I look forward to confirming constitutional conservatives — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) September 9, 2020
Trump announced his picks Wednesday from the Diplomatic Reception room of the White House, taking time to criticize Democratic nominee Joe Biden for not doing the same.
“Radical justices will erase the Second Amendment, silence political speech, and require taxpayers to fund extreme late-term abortion,” he said. “They will give unelected bureaucrats that power to destroy millions of American jobs. They will remove the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. They will unilaterally declare the death penalty unconstitutional, even for the most depraved mass murderers.”
Trump released his list of picks, carefully curated by the likes of the The Federalist Society, in 2016 too, a gambit aimed at swaying reluctant conservatives to his side.
It may be less effective this time around, though. According to a Pew poll released in mid-August, 66 percent of Democrats ranked Supreme court appointments as “very important” to their 2020 vote compared to 61 percent of Republicans. That’s a sea change from the summer before the 2016 election when Trump supporters were eight points more likely than Hillary Clinton supporters to prioritize SCOTUS picks. A similar result was found in an early August Morning Consult poll with 57 percent of Democrats rating the Supreme Court as “very important” to just 53 percent of Republicans.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-09--PHOTOS: Apocalyptic Wildfires Engulf West Coast

The West Coast is embroiled in its own climate crisis as large swaths of the region have been overtaken by @ @ @ @ @ According to the National Weather Service , millions of acres in California , Oregon , @ @ @ @ @ Arizona are under “ critical ” and “ elevated ” fire weather risk .
As @ @ @ @ @ West Coast , thousands have had to evacuate as air pollution levels amid smoke and @ @ @ @ @ hazardous ” in some areas .
Below are photos documenting the unrelenting blaze :

The West Coast is embroiled in its own climate crisis as large swaths of the region have been overtaken by an unprecedented wildfire season.
According to the National Weather Service, millions of acres in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Arizona are under “critical” and “elevated” fire weather risk.
As the fires rage across the West Coast, thousands have had to evacuate as air pollution levels amid smoke and orange skies have become “hazardous” in some areas.
Below are photos documenting the unrelenting blaze:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-09--Trump Admits He Artificially Downplayed COVID To Be A ‘Cheerleader’ For The US

President Donald Trump conceded on Wednesday that he did purposefully downplay the COVID-19 in its early stages despite privately acknowledging it was “ deadly stuff ” — but he did it for you , America !
“ I ’ m a cheerleader for this country , ” Trump said during a press conference at the White House Wednesday , when asked about claims in journalist Bob Woodward ’ s new book , which reportedly quotes Trump admitting to soft-peddling the virus .
“ I love our country and I don ’ t want people to be frightened … and certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country or the world into a frenzy.
” “ We want to show confidence .
We want to show strength .
We want to show strength as a nation .
And that ’ s what I ’ ve done , ” he added .
“ And we ’ ve done very well.
” Trump argued his falsely rosy portrayal of the pandemic early in the year , during which he claimed COVID-19 was no more serious than the flu , was all about showing “ leadership.
” “ And leadership is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our country , ” he said .
The Woodward book and audio clips from which Trump ’ s private remarks about the pandemic emerged are “ just another political hit job , ” according to the President .
Yet Trump also indicated that he didn ’ t know much about the book , telling reporters he had “ no idea ” what Woodward had written and “ frankly , we ’ ll see how the book turned out.
” The President refused to take responsibility for the devastating effects of COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far .
“ I think if we didn ’ t do what we did , we would have had millions of people die , ” Trump told reporters before once again shifting the blame onto China , claiming the country “ could have stopped ” the virus .

President Donald Trump conceded on Wednesday that he did purposefully downplay the COVID-19 in its early stages despite privately acknowledging it was “deadly stuff” — but he did it for you, America!
“I’m a cheerleader for this country,” Trump said during a press conference at the White House Wednesday, when asked about claims in journalist Bob Woodward’s new book, which reportedly quotes Trump admitting to soft-peddling the virus. “I love our country and I don’t want people to be frightened … and certainly I’m not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy.”
“We want to show confidence. We want to show strength. We want to show strength as a nation. And that’s what I’ve done,” he added. “And we’ve done very well.”
Trump argued his falsely rosy portrayal of the pandemic early in the year, during which he claimed COVID-19 was no more serious than the flu, was all about showing “leadership.”
“And leadership is all about confidence. And confidence is confidence in our country,” he said.
The Woodward book and audio clips from which Trump’s private remarks about the pandemic emerged are “just another political hit job,” according to the President.
Yet Trump also indicated that he didn’t know much about the book, telling reporters he had “no idea” what Woodward had written and “frankly, we’ll see how the book turned out.”
The President refused to take responsibility for the devastating effects of COVID-19, which has killed nearly 190,000 Americans so far.
“I think if we didn’t do what we did, we would have had millions of people die,” Trump told reporters before once again shifting the blame onto China, claiming the country “could have stopped” the virus.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-09--DHS Official Alleges Politicized Process Around Russia, ‘Antifa’ Intel Reports

A senior official at the Department of Homeland Security has alleged in a whistleblower complaint that he was pressured to alter intelligence documents , including about the threats posed by Russian election interference and white supremacist violence , for political reasons .
The official , Brian Murphy , was until last month the principal deputy under secretary in the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis .
But then , his whistleblower complaint alleges , he was demoted to a position in the DHS Management Division .
The complaint , which was released by the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuses and retaliation from DHS higher-ups , including a current top deputy at the department , Ken Cuccinelli , and the current acting secretary , Chad Wolf .
Perhaps most explosive of the several allegations included in Murphy ’ s complaint are his claims that Wolf and Cuccinelli pressured him to change intelligence assessments to match President Donald Trump ’ s rhetoric about “ antifa ” ( a catch-all term for anti-fascist groups ) , the threat posed by white supremacists , and Russian election meddling .
Though the complaint notes that much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classified , some are detailed in the document .
In March , for example , Murphy allegedly learned that a Homeland Threat Assessment was held up because Wolf and Cuccinelli were concerned about “ how the HTA would reflect upon President Trump , ” according to complaint .
In meetings over the summer , Cuccinelli subsequently told Murphy that he needed to “ modify the section on White Supremacy in a manner that made the threat appear less severe , as well as include information on the prominence of violent ‘ left-wing ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Murphy declined to make the changes , his complaint said .
After a meeting with Wolf about the HTA — in which Wolf asked for a copy of the document so that he could add information regarding the unrest in Portland , Oregon — Murphy alleged that he was excluded from the HTA drafting process .
A subsequent draft , his complaint alleged , “ will more closely resemble a policy document with references to ANTIFA and ‘ anarchist ’ groups than an intelligence document.
” Separately , in May , Murphy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing intelligence assessments on Russia , and instead to start reporting on China and Iran , citing instructions from White House National Security Advisor Robert O ’ Brien .
The next month , Murphy alleged , Cuccinelli instructed him to hold an intelligence notification regarding Russian disinformation efforts because it “ made the President look bad.
” Murphy refused both instructions , he said , and Wolf subsequently took steps to exclude him from meetings on the subject , according to his complaint .
Two more sections in the complaint address the alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asylum policy .
Murphy alleged he faced pressure from then-Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen ’ s office to reinterpret data on border crossings to fit the administration ’ s belief that known or suspected terrorists ( KSTs ) were crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in large numbers — even though he knew that was not true .
Despite his efforts , Murphy alleged that Nielsen subsequently provided false testimony to Congress about the threat of KSTs crossing the border .
Murphy ’ s complaint alleged that he was nearly fired for refusing to provide intelligence about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His now-retired supervisor , then-I & A Under Secretary David Glawe , intervened to stop it , per the complaint .
In a separate instance referenced in the complaint , Cuccinelli ordered Murphy and Glawe to fire or reassign the “ deep state intelligence analysts ” who authored reports on conditions in Guatemala , Honduras , and El Salvador that Cuccinelli believed undermined Trump ’ s messaging around the United States ’ asylum policy .
But Murphy and Glawe later agreed that firing the authors would be an abuse of authority over political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s instructions were never implemented , ” the report stated .
According to the complaint , Murphy is represented by Mark S. Zaid and other attorneys from Zaid ’ s firm , which specializes in whistleblower cases .

A senior official at the Department of Homeland Security has alleged in a whistleblower complaint that he was pressured to alter intelligence documents, including about the threats posed by Russian election interference and white supremacist violence, for political reasons.
The official, Brian Murphy, was until last month the principal deputy under secretary in the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis. But then, his whistleblower complaint alleges, he was demoted to a position in the DHS Management Division.
The complaint, which was released by the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, details Murphy’s allegations of repeated abuses and retaliation from DHS higher-ups, including a current top deputy at the department, Ken Cuccinelli, and the current acting secretary, Chad Wolf.
Perhaps most explosive of the several allegations included in Murphy’s complaint are his claims that Wolf and Cuccinelli pressured him to change intelligence assessments to match President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about “antifa” (a catch-all term for anti-fascist groups), the threat posed by white supremacists, and Russian election meddling.
Though the complaint notes that much of the alleged abuses Murphy witnessed are classified, some are detailed in the document.
In March, for example, Murphy allegedly learned that a Homeland Threat Assessment was held up because Wolf and Cuccinelli were concerned about “how the HTA would reflect upon President Trump,” according to complaint.
In meetings over the summer, Cuccinelli subsequently told Murphy that he needed to “modify the section on White Supremacy in a manner that made the threat appear less severe, as well as include information on the prominence of violent ‘left-wing’ groups,” according to the complaint. Murphy declined to make the changes, his complaint said.
After a meeting with Wolf about the HTA — in which Wolf asked for a copy of the document so that he could add information regarding the unrest in Portland, Oregon — Murphy alleged that he was excluded from the HTA drafting process. A subsequent draft, his complaint alleged, “will more closely resemble a policy document with references to ANTIFA and ‘anarchist’ groups than an intelligence document.”
Separately, in May, Murphy recounted how Wolf instructed him to stop providing intelligence assessments on Russia, and instead to start reporting on China and Iran, citing instructions from White House National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. The next month, Murphy alleged, Wolf instructed him to hold an intelligence notification regarding Russian disinformation efforts because it “made the President look bad.”
Murphy refused both instructions, he said, and Wolf subsequently took steps to exclude him from meetings on the subject, according to his complaint.
Two more sections in the complaint address the alleged politicization of the Trump administration border and asylum policy. Murphy alleged he faced pressure from then-Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s office to reinterpret data on border crossings to fit the administration’s belief that known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) were crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in large numbers — even though he knew that was not true. Despite his efforts, Murphy alleged that Nielsen subsequently provided false testimony to Congress about the threat of KSTs crossing the border.
Murphy’s complaint alleged that he was nearly fired for refusing to provide intelligence about KSTs that he believed was inaccurate. His now-retired supervisor, then-I&A Under Secretary David Glawe, intervened to stop it, per the complaint.
In a separate instance referenced in the complaint, Cuccinelli ordered Murphy and Glawe to fire or reassign the “deep state intelligence analysts” who authored reports on conditions in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador that Cuccinelli believed undermined Trump’s messaging around the United States’ asylum policy. But Murphy and Glawe later agreed that firing the authors would be an abuse of authority over political differences. “Mr. Cuccinelli’s instructions were never implemented,” the report stated.
According to the complaint, Murphy is represented by Mark S. Zaid and other attorneys from Zaid’s firm, which specializes in whistleblower cases.
Read the whistleblower complaint below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-09-09--Trump Campaign’s Fundraising Efforts Drastically Fell Short Of Biden’s Last Month

President Trump ’ s campaign and its joint Republican committees set a new monthly fundraising record by raising $ 210 million last month , but it pales in comparison to the $ 364 million that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s campaign raised in the same period .
In a statement issued on Wednesday , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien acknowledged that both campaigns are “ raising massive amounts of money , but have very different priorities about how to spend it.
” Stepien pointed to the Trump campaign ’ s investments in advertising and “ a muscular field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ air war , ” before going on to insist that the Trump campaign “ will have all the resources we need to spread the message of President Trump ’ s incredible record of achievement , on the ground and on the air.
” The Trump campaign ’ s August fundraising numbers announcement comes after the President and his joint committees with the Republican Party have consistently outraised Biden every month , with the exception of June and August .
Stepien ’ s reassuring statement comes amid Trump ’ s low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly all swing state polls .
Last week , Biden set a new record for presidential fundraising with his campaign and joint fundraising committees by raking in $ 364.5 million last month alone .
Biden ’ s announcement of Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) as his running mate as well as his official acceptance of the party ’ s nomination during the all-virtual Democratic National Convention last month appeared to boost his campaign ’ s fundraising to a record-setting level .

President Trump’s campaign and its joint Republican committees set a new monthly fundraising record by raising $210 million last month, but it pales in comparison to the $364 million that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s campaign raised in the same period.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien acknowledged that both campaigns are “raising massive amounts of money, but have very different priorities about how to spend it.”
Stepien pointed to the Trump campaign’s investments in advertising and “a muscular field operation” compared to the Biden campaign’s “air war,” before going on to insist that the Trump campaign “will have all the resources we need to spread the message of President Trump’s incredible record of achievement, on the ground and on the air.”
The Trump campaign’s August fundraising numbers announcement comes after the President and his joint committees with the Republican Party have consistently outraised Biden every month, with the exception of June and August.
Stepien’s reassuring statement comes amid Trump’s low polling numbers as Biden leads Trump in nearly all swing state polls.
Last week, Biden set a new record for presidential fundraising with his campaign and joint fundraising committees by raking in $364.5 million last month alone.
Biden’s announcement of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) as his running mate as well as his official acceptance of the party’s nomination during the all-virtual Democratic National Convention last month appeared to boost his campaign’s fundraising to a record-setting level.