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Senior Republicans Distance Themselves from Trump's Controversial Comments on Kamala Harris
Several prominent Republicans sought to distance themselves from controversial remarks made by Donald Trump over the weekend, where he attacked Vice President Kamala Harris by suggesting she was born "mentally disabled." During a campaign stop in Wisconsin, Trump made the remarks while criticizing Harris’s actions as vice president, particularly concerning immigration and border security. "Kamala is mentally impaired," Trump said. "If a Republican did what she did, that Republican would be impeached and removed from office, and rightfully so, for high crimes and misdemeanors." Maryland Governor Larry Hogan took a stronger stance, directly condemning Trump’s remarks. "Trump’s comments were insulting not only to the vice-president but to people that actually do have mental disabilities," Hogan told CBS News. "I’ve said for years that Trump’s divisive rhetoric is something we can do without." Despite the backlash, Trump’s campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, refrained from addressing the offensive nature of the remarks. Instead, he criticized Harris's policy record, saying it made her "wholly unfit to serve as president." Trump’s comments have sparked widespread criticism across political lines. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, dismissed the remarks as simple "name-calling." Speaking to CNN, Pritzker said, "Whenever he says things like that, he’s talking about himself but trying to project it onto others." Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder echoed the concerns, suggesting that Trump’s comments pointed to a decline in his own cognitive abilities. "Trump made a great deal of the cognitive abilities of Joe Biden," Holder said on MSNBC. "If this is where he is now, where is he going to be three and four years from now?" Maria Town, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, also condemned Trump’s statements, calling them reflective of his personal biases. In a statement to the Washington Post, she said, "Trump’s comments say far more about him and his inaccurate, hateful biases against disabled people than it does about Vice President Harris, or any person with a disability." As Trump continues to make personal attacks a cornerstone of his campaign rhetoric, the backlash from both Republicans and Democrats highlights a growing discomfort with his divisive language, even within his own party. Based on a report from: The Guardian 2024-10-01 -
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Marine Le Pen Faces Trial Over Alleged Misuse of EU Funds
Marine Le Pen, the long-time leader of France's far-right National Rally and a recurring presidential candidate, has begun a trial in Paris, facing accusations of misusing European parliamentary funds. Along with over 20 senior members of her party, Le Pen is accused of employing parliamentary assistants who were working on party matters rather than for the European Parliament, which paid their salaries. If found guilty, Le Pen could face significant legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and a potential disqualification from holding office for up to 10 years. Such a verdict would be a serious blow to her ambitions for the French presidency. However, Le Pen has firmly denied any wrongdoing. Laurent Jacobelli, a spokesperson for the National Rally, expressed confidence in Le Pen's defense, stating, "We are going to prove that there is no system to embezzle money from the EU." He further argued that it is entirely possible for someone to serve as a European parliamentary assistant while also engaging in National Rally affairs. The accusations stem from an investigation that began in 2015, targeting alleged fake jobs linked to contracts for parliamentary assistants from 2004 to 2016. Prosecutors allege that some individuals hired under these contracts were not fulfilling parliamentary duties, with one of the assistants allegedly acting as a bodyguard for Le Pen and her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party’s founder. Jean-Marie Le Pen, now 96 years old, faces similar charges but is not attending the trial due to his poor health. Prosecutors are seeking to recover over €3 million (£2.5 million), although the National Rally has already repaid €1 million (£834,000), a move the party claims is not an admission of guilt. The trial is expected to last nearly two months, and its outcome could significantly impact Le Pen’s political future. Marine Le Pen stepped down from leading the National Rally, formerly known as the National Front, in 2017, though she remains a prominent figure in French politics. She has run for the presidency three times—in 2012, 2017, and 2022—and is positioning herself for a possible 2027 presidential bid. Her party has long promoted policies that prioritize restricting immigration, reinforcing law and order, and cutting taxes, with a particular emphasis on limiting social welfare benefits to French citizens. In the June parliamentary elections, Le Pen was re-elected in the first round, and her party achieved a surprising third-place finish, despite a prior victory in the European Parliament elections. In contrast, the left-wing parties secured the most legislative seats. Following these elections, President Emmanuel Macron appointed a right-wing government, reflecting the shifting political dynamics in France. As Le Pen’s trial unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will affect her political career and the future of the National Rally. While the charges pose a serious threat, her denial of any wrongdoing and her party’s continued support suggest that she may yet overcome this latest challenge to her presidential ambitions. Based on a report from: BBC 2024-10-01 -
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UK Priest Urges Americans to Protect Traditional Values Amid Liberal Trends
British Anglican Catholic priest and conservative commentator Calvin Robinson has delivered a stark warning to Americans about the potential decline of traditional values in the United States. In an interview with *The Christian Post*, Robinson cautioned Americans not to follow the same path that he believes has led to the deterioration of British and Christian values in his home country. "Please don’t do what we did," he implored. "Please don’t just sit back and let the liberals deteriorate the rest of everything that you know and love." Robinson, who recently relocated to Michigan to lead a full-time parish ministry, expressed his concerns that both spiritual and political forces have undermined the core values of British society. He believes the same destructive forces are now infiltrating the United States. "Be careful. American culture is a fantastic culture. Hold on to it, promote it, encourage it. If you want to become multicultural and let other cultures in, that’s something you have to consider. But do not give it up to the detriment of your own," he warned. Robinson’s comments come amid social unrest in the UK, including riots over the summer following the murder of three children by a 17-year-old of Rwandan descent. The priest criticized the British government for threatening to imprison citizens for sharing inflammatory social media posts about the riots, while simultaneously releasing criminals due to overcrowding in prisons. "The UK seems to have imploded and entirely lost its common sense," he lamented. In previous interviews, Robinson has voiced concerns that his homeland is on the brink of "civil war" due to the country’s commitment to diversity and multiculturalism. He sees the Church of England’s increasing liberalism as a contributing factor to the erosion of Christian values. "The Church of England has become very liberal in terms of divorce, sex outside marriage, same-sex relationships, transgenderism," he explained. "Every time the Church tries to be more inclusive, it actually becomes more exclusive to Christianity and to Christian values, and more inclusive to worldly values, and just further plummets that downward trajectory." Robinson believes that similar forces are at work in the U.S. but maintains that he trusts in God's plan, regardless of the outcome. "I don’t despair at all. Despair is a sin. There’s no sense in despairing. As I say, empires rise and fall. So as this empire — the British Empire, or Western civilization — as it falls, it’s our duty to think big picture and remember that God has a plan, and He only permits things for a reason." In a previous interview with *Fox News Digital*, Robinson identified liberalism as "the greatest threat to [Christianity] currently," even more so than other ideologies. He argued that modern liberalism distorts compassion and empathy to advance theories such as trans and queer theory, gender theory, and critical race theory. "These radical liberal ideas come from one place," he stated, describing them as part of "neo-Marxism," which he equates with communism. "We shouldn’t let our guard down for communism. We certainly shouldn’t let it for neo-Marxism, and therefore we should not let our guard down for liberalism." Robinson's passionate warnings reflect his belief that the preservation of traditional values is essential, not only for the survival of Western civilization but for the protection of Christian faith itself. Based on a report from: NYP 2024-10-01 -
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Cameron’s Threats and Political Maneuvering in Brexit Battle: Johnson Reveals All
In his memoir *Unleashed*, Boris Johnson has revealed startling details about the intense political battles leading up to the 2016 EU referendum, including an explosive threat from David Cameron. According to Johnson, Cameron, the then-Prime Minister, threatened to “f---” him up "forever" if he supported the Leave campaign. This bold allegation adds a new layer to the political drama that engulfed the Conservative Party during the Brexit crisis. Johnson claims that Cameron, desperate to keep the UK in the European Union, attempted to sway him with promises of a top position in the Cabinet if he backed the Remain campaign. During a tennis match, Cameron reportedly urged Johnson, “Come on – go with the campaign to stay in and I’ll make sure you get a top-five job in the Cabinet.” However, Cameron's approach wasn’t purely conciliatory. Johnson recounts a phone conversation where Cameron's tone turned threatening, warning him of the dire consequences of backing Brexit. “The PM had rung me one evening at City Hall, urging me to make up my mind,” Johnson wrote. “I was torn, I said. I wanted to back him, but over the years I had written hundreds if not thousands of articles attacking the undemocratic features of the EU. I felt I had to be consistent.” According to Johnson, Cameron was furious at his indecision, emphasizing the national stakes of the referendum. “'This isn’t about articles!' he spluttered. 'It’s about… the future of the country!'” But when Johnson admitted he was leaning toward voting Leave, Cameron’s response was severe. “‘If you do that,’ he said – and these were his exact words – ‘I will f--- you up for ever.’” Johnson admitted that Cameron’s threat left an impression. He pondered the implications of being targeted by a Prime Minister with the power and resources of the government at his disposal. “Did I want to be f---ed up? For ever? By a prime minister equipped with all the f---ing-up tools available to a modern government, and thousands of f---er-uppers just waiting to do his bidding?” Johnson mused in his memoir. At the time, with polls indicating that the Leave campaign was likely to lose, Johnson recalled feeling the pressure as a potential defeat could brand Brexit supporters as political pariahs. “Once we lost the failed and defeated Leavers would of course be crushed like bugs: dismissed as Powellite cranks and misfits who had been rejected by the people.” But the revelations don’t stop at Cameron. Johnson also alleges that Philip Hammond, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, suggested overthrowing Theresa May following her disastrous performance in the 2017 general election, which saw the Conservative Party lose its parliamentary majority. Johnson wrote that Hammond, despite his typically reserved demeanor, approached him with a radical proposal in the early hours of the morning. “He thought it was all very unfortunate but Theresa’s goose was cooked. She would have to go sooner or later, and it might as well be now,” Johnson wrote of his conversation with Hammond. The Chancellor reportedly proposed a Hammond-Johnson partnership, where Johnson would become Prime Minister and Hammond would continue as his "economic co-pilot." Johnson admits he briefly considered the offer but ultimately rejected it. “I thought about it briefly, as dawn started to break, and then said no,” he wrote. These allegations shed light on the extraordinary levels of political maneuvering and personal ambition that characterized the Brexit era. Johnson’s memoir paints a vivid picture of a divided Conservative Party, with key figures like Cameron and Hammond plotting behind the scenes to maintain power or shape the future direction of the country. A spokesman for David Cameron declined to comment on the claims, while Philip Hammond has yet to respond publicly. Regardless of the response, Johnson’s revelations are bound to reignite debate over the internal power struggles that shaped one of the most tumultuous periods in modern British political history. Based on a report from: Daily Telegraph 2024-10-01 -
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Harris Gains Momentum in Economic Debate, Closing in on Trump
Vice President Kamala Harris is making notable strides with voters on the economy as the nation's economic outlook continues to improve. For months, the economy has consistently topped the list of concerns for voters, a sentiment confirmed by numerous polls. Ipsos polling described it as “the single most important issue to Americans since April 2024.” While Donald Trump has maintained a lead over both President Joe Biden and Harris on this issue, the gap is steadily narrowing. In a recent poll conducted by Marist College, Harris was only trailing Trump by 3 percentage points among American adults when asked who would handle the economy better. In comparison, Biden trailed by 9 points in a similar poll from June. A Fox News poll revealed a 5-point deficit for Harris, while Biden was 15 points behind Trump in a March survey. The reasons for the narrowing gap aren’t entirely clear, but one likely factor is the transition from Biden to Harris as the Democratic candidate. While both are tied to the administration’s economic record, Harris has emerged as a more effective communicator. She has invigorated Democrats and independent voters in a way that Biden, especially in recent months, had not. Biden’s underwhelming performance in his debate against Trump contributed to his exit from the race, whereas Harris was widely seen as having bested Trump in their own debate earlier this year. Beyond political messaging, real economic factors may be working in Harris's favor. Inflation, which peaked in June 2022, has dropped dramatically, propelling the stock market to reach new highs. Additionally, the Federal Reserve's recent decision to slash interest rates signals confidence that inflation is under control. This reduction in borrowing costs is boosting businesses, households, and consumer confidence, all of which may improve Harris’s standing with voters. Political analyst Nate Silver highlighted the improving economic data as a key factor benefiting Harris. He pointed out that positive economic reviews led to a boost in his economic index, which in turn has made Harris a slight favorite in the upcoming presidential race. “That helps Harris, too,” Silver noted. Messaging from both candidates also plays a role. According to veteran pollster Frank Luntz, Trump’s approach to the economy has been faltering. Luntz criticized Trump’s inability to focus on affordability, a central issue for many American households. “Every time they gave him a question on inflation, he moved it to some other issue. Every time they gave him a chance to statistically and factually differentiate himself from the vice president, he chose to make ad hominem attacks. He couldn’t stay on message,” Luntz said on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal.” As a result, Harris gained a 2-to-1 advantage in almost every survey following the debate. Still, Trump remains focused on economic issues, particularly in the manufacturing and fossil fuel sectors. In a recent interview with Sharyl Attkisson, he addressed the decline in U.S. auto production, stating, “We’ve lost 50 percent of our business over the period of 25 years. A lot of it went to Mexico, a lot of it went to China... We’re going to get it back. We will be at a level that nobody thought possible with automaking.” The economy, particularly in the wake of the pandemic and years of inflation, remains a central concern for American households. Many believe it will be the decisive issue in the 2024 election. Whether families in key swing states feel better off than they were four years ago remains an open question, but recent economic metrics show significant progress. The U.S. economy grew by an impressive 3 percent in the second quarter of 2024, with the Commerce Department confirming the numbers last Thursday. In response, Lael Brainard, Director of the White House National Economic Council, issued a statement praising the Biden-Harris administration’s economic performance. “We learned this morning that the economy has grown by 3.2 percent per year during the Biden-Harris Administration — even stronger than previously estimated — and better than the first three years of the previous administration,” Brainard said, while acknowledging that more work remains to lower costs for families. Meanwhile, inflation has dropped to its lowest level in years, with the personal consumption expenditures price index showing just a 2.2 percent annual increase. Employment remains strong, with 142,000 jobs added in August and the unemployment rate at 4.2 percent. Median household income has also risen for the first time since 2019, reaching $80,610 in 2023, a 4-percent increase from 2022. As Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said in a recent interview, “Inflation has come way down [and] it did so without there being a recession, which has never happened before in the U.S. and virtually anywhere in the world. And now the unemployment rate has inched its way up to a level 4.2 [percent] that a lot of people thought ahead of time — that’s basically stable full employment. That’s where you’d want to stop.” Despite these positive signs, Goolsbee cautioned that some warning signs remain. The Federal Reserve has begun cutting interest rates, and while previous rate cuts in 2020, 2008, and 2001 coincided with economic slowdowns, the massive stimulus provided during the pandemic could alter the usual economic patterns. Based on a report from: The Hill 2024-10-01 -
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Official Documents Reveal Navalny Was Poisoned in Prison, Contrary to Russian Claims
Newly obtained documents from The Insider confirm that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned during his imprisonment at the Polar Wolf penal colony in Russia's Far North, contradicting the official explanation of his death. On February 16, 2024, Navalny, who had long been a vocal critic of the Russian government, died under mysterious circumstances, with authorities attributing his death to natural causes. However, the documents reveal a disturbing cover-up, with key medical symptoms being systematically removed from official records. These symptoms, medical experts now confirm, strongly indicate poisoning. According to early documents signed by Russian investigator Alexander Varapaev, Navalny experienced a sudden and severe decline in his health while in an exercise yard. "On 16.02.2024, convict A.A. Navalny felt a sharp deterioration of his health condition while in exercise yard No. 2... He began to complain of sharp pain in the abdominal area; he started reflexive ejection of his stomach contents, had convulsions, and lost consciousness, which was immediately reported to the medical staff of the correctional facility." These symptoms, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and convulsions, are consistent with poisoning. However, in the final version of the official report, all mention of these critical symptoms had been removed. Further evidence of a poisoning attempt is found in an inventory of "seized objects" taken from the scene of Navalny's death, which included "samples of vomit." Despite being submitted for examination, neither the existence of the samples nor the examination's findings were ever officially reported. These omissions lend credibility to the suspicions raised by Navalny’s wife, Yulia, who had previously stated that her husband had complained of intense stomach pain just before his death. Medical experts agree that the official explanation given by the Russian Investigative Committee — that Navalny died of natural causes, specifically a heart rhythm disorder — does not align with the documented symptoms. ER doctor Alexander Polupan, who treated Navalny following his 2020 Novichok poisoning, noted that "the official cause of death — a heart rhythm disorder — would in no way explain the symptoms described: sharp abdominal pain, vomiting, or seizures. These symptoms can hardly be explained by anything other than poisoning." Polupan suggested that the symptoms were indicative of exposure to an organophosphorus agent, the same class of chemicals as Novichok, but possibly administered internally in this case. Navalny had previously survived a poisoning attempt in August 2020, when Russian FSB agents used a Novichok nerve agent on him during a flight from Tomsk to Moscow. That poisoning nearly claimed his life, but quick intervention by medical staff in Omsk saved him. Even then, Russian authorities tried to dismiss the incident, attributing his collapse to "low blood sugar" rather than the poisoning. In the wake of Navalny's death in 2024, Russian authorities delayed the release of his body for several days and refused to allow independent examination of biological samples. This reluctance to permit transparent investigation fueled immediate suspicions of foul play. Now, with the release of these documents, it is clear that Navalny was indeed poisoned, and that Russian officials actively worked to suppress the truth. The case of Navalny’s poisoning in prison is not just a tragic end for one of the most prominent critics of the Russian government, but also a stark reminder of the lengths to which the state will go to silence opposition. Despite the official narrative, evidence points overwhelmingly to deliberate poisoning, making Navalny a victim of the very regime he spent his life opposing. Based on a report from: The Insider 2024-10-01 -
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Melania Trump's Quiet Campaign Presence and Memoir Release Draw Attention
Fox News host Howard Kurtz remarked on Sunday that former First Lady Melania Trump has remained "barely visible" in her husband Donald Trump's ongoing presidential campaign. During a Fox News segment, Kurtz questioned the timing of Melania's upcoming memoir, suggesting that its release seemed unusual given her minimal public role in the campaign. He specifically asked Fox News analyst Kat Timpf whether the release was "odd" in light of her low profile. Since leaving the White House, Melania Trump has stayed largely out of the public eye. Unlike other political spouses, such as Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, or Usha Vance, wife of Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, Melania has not been active on the campaign trail. She has made only a few appearances, most notably at the Republican National Convention in July, where her husband was officially named the GOP nominee. However, she did not deliver any public remarks during the event, despite its significance. Donald Trump has previously addressed his wife’s limited public appearances, describing her as "a private person, a great person, a very confident person" in a 2023 interview. He expressed confidence that she would join the campaign when “it’s appropriate,” emphasizing her love for the country. As of Sunday, Melania's memoir is already a bestseller on Amazon, with many readers eager to pre-order it ahead of its October release. The book’s publication date comes just weeks before the November 5 Election Day, a critical moment in Donald Trump’s political comeback effort. Despite her husband's busy schedule, he admitted during a recent campaign rally that he had not yet read his wife’s book, though he encouraged supporters to buy it, jokingly adding, “I hope she said good things about [me].” In her interview with Earhardt, Melania painted a positive image of Donald Trump, describing him as a “family man” who exudes “kindness and positivity.” She also reflected on the assassination attempts against her husband, which she learned about through television reports. “I think something was watching over him,” she said. “It’s almost like the country really needs him.” As the presidential race between Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris tightens, Melania’s role remains largely behind the scenes, though her memoir may offer a more intimate view of her time in the White House and her perspective on her husband's campaign. The race is currently a dead heat, with most polls showing Harris leading in the popular vote, though the outcome of the Electoral College remains uncertain. Based on a report from: Newsweek 2024-10-01 -
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The Decline of the United Nations: A Toothless Global Forum
It’s that time of the year again in New York City when the streets are clogged, not by regular traffic but by the arrival of world leaders for the United Nations General Assembly. Some African dictators are holed up in their luxury suites, while Arab leaders indulge in their five-star hotel minibars. All the while, the global stage is set for diplomatic speeches that achieve little more than headline fodder. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took the podium recently and made a dramatic comparison, likening Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must also be stopped by the alliance of humanity," Erdogan proclaimed. This dramatic and inflammatory rhetoric highlights a common theme at the United Nations—leaders with questionable records on human rights using the stage to point fingers and level accusations at democratic nations. Erdogan went on to criticize the United Nations as a "dysfunctional structure," a sentiment shared by many. Yet, the irony of his words is lost on him, as he embodies much of what makes the U.N. ineffective. Erdogan’s government has been known for its authoritarian practices, including the jailing of journalists and political opponents. After the supposed coup attempt in 2016, he jailed approximately 50,000 people, continuing a campaign of repression, especially against the Kurdish population. The U.N., originally founded to foster peace and cooperation, now provides a platform for leaders like Erdogan, Vladimir Putin, and the rulers of Iran and Qatar—figures who flout human rights and democratic principles. It’s a stage where the world’s democracies should shine, but instead, even Western leaders fall into the same traps of self-indulgence and ineffectiveness. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy recently delivered a speech that had the potential to focus on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Instead, Lammy diverted attention to himself, emphasizing his identity as a Black man whose ancestors were enslaved. While his personal history is undoubtedly significant, it offered little relevance to addressing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lammy’s focus on his own background mirrored a broader trend in the West, where politicians seem to believe their personal stories provide them with unique insights into global affairs. However, speeches like his do little to confront the real issues at hand—Russia’s imperialism and aggression. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden used his time on the podium to call for a ceasefire in the Middle East, as if Hamas and Hezbollah were eagerly awaiting diplomatic advice. “Now is the time for the parties to finalize its terms, bring the hostages home,” Biden said, as if this simple directive would suddenly lead to a resolution. On the escalating war between Israel and Hezbollah, Biden stated, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” despite the fact that such a conflict could arguably be in the interest of the minorities in Lebanon or Israelis living under constant rocket fire. His call for diplomacy seemed especially hollow given the U.N.’s failure to enforce Resolution 1701, which was supposed to limit Hezbollah’s arms buildup but has been ignored for nearly two decades. The U.N. today, filled with global bad actors, is toothless in the face of real challenges. While leaders from democratic nations should be using this platform to address genuine threats and present clear actions, they often fall short, offering little more than hollow rhetoric. The world needs more than speeches—it needs action. Based on a report from: NYP 2024-10-01 -
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Trump's Pre-Election Strategy: Preparing to Challenge the 2024 Results
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Donald Trump is building a comprehensive narrative to contest the outcome if he loses. Through a combination of public speeches, posts on Truth Social, and over 100 preemptive lawsuits, Trump appears poised to reject the results, echoing his efforts from 2020. In 2020, Trump's attempts to overturn the election results, whether through legal means or more extreme actions, took much of the country by surprise. But this time, Trump has made it clear that he's laying the groundwork ahead of time, leaving little room for shock should he lose and contest the results again. Recently, Trump's attacks on voting procedures in the U.S. have intensified. He has cast doubt on various aspects of the electoral process, especially in the lead-up to a critical election that could potentially result in his return to the White House or, if he loses, criminal consequences including jail time. On the subject of overseas voting, Trump made a baseless claim that Democrats were exploiting voting programs meant for expats and military members. According to Trump, this was a way to circumvent "any citizenship check or verification of identity." Meanwhile, during a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump criticized early voting, calling it a "stupid" concept and linking it to conspiracy theories about his loss in the state four years ago. Mail-in voting, another frequent target of Trump's attacks, has also been in his crosshairs. He recently accused the U.S. Postal Service of being unreliable and untrustworthy, even as Republicans continue to encourage their base to use mail-in ballots. Fueling his rhetoric is the issue of undocumented migrants, which has been central to Trump's campaign. He has tied this to new voter fraud conspiracies, suggesting that millions of migrants crossing into the U.S. during the Biden administration could influence the election. Earlier this month, Trump urged House Republicans to use the threat of a government shutdown as leverage to pass a law requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. Though this effort failed, it gave Trump and his allies a fresh talking point, despite the fact that non-citizen voting is already illegal and rare. Even without concrete evidence of voter fraud, Trump is preparing a broader argument that the election will be inherently unfair. He has accused Democrats of "cheating" by hypothetically swapping out President Biden for Vice President Kamala Harris. Furthermore, Trump has claimed that criminal prosecutions against him amount to "lawfare," a tactic Democrats are using to undermine his candidacy. "If there was no cheating — if God came down from on high and said 'I'm going to be your vote tabulator for this election,' I would leave this podium right now," Trump declared at a rally in Pennsylvania. "We have to have a landslide because they cheat so damn much." Since his loss in 2020, the Republican Party has made significant changes to align itself with Trump's narrative of election fraud. His campaign and the Republican National Committee have established a network of around 175,000 volunteer poll watchers and workers, all in the name of ensuring "election integrity." In Georgia, where Trump lost by a narrow margin in 2020, a hard-right election board has implemented new rules that some Democrats worry could be used to undermine confidence in the state's results if Trump loses again. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a staunch Trump ally, recently sparked controversy when he pledged to certify the 2024 election results only if it is a "free, fair, and safe election," hinting at the potential for disputes over the legitimacy of the process. The 2020 election night strategy may also make a return. On November 1, 2020, Axios reported that Trump had privately told confidants he would declare victory on election night if early results showed him ahead, regardless of the actual outcome. True to form, Trump did just that. Given the likelihood that it will once again take days to determine the winner, it wouldn't be surprising if Trump follows the same playbook in 2024. Based on a report from: AXIOS 2024-10-01 -
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Former Florida Candidate Arrested for Death Threats Against Rival
A former Florida congressional candidate, William Robert Braddock III, has been charged for threatening to kill his Republican primary opponent, now-Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), by using what he described as his “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad.” Braddock’s threats, made during a 2021 phone call, have culminated in his arrest two years later, following his departure from the U.S. and subsequent capture in the Philippines. Luna, a vocal ally of Trump, has also alleged that she has been doxxed and received threatening packages at her home. She attributes these threats to heightened political tensions, which were exacerbated after her Democratic opponent labeled her a “threat to democracy.” As Luna continues her political career, she remains committed to resisting the threats and intimidation she has faced. Based on a report from: Daily Beast 2024-10-01 -
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Austria's Far Right Seizes Historic Victory Amidst Political Turmoil
Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has ushered in what its leader, Herbert Kickl, described as a "new era" following a landmark electoral win. The FPÖ secured 29.2% of the vote, surpassing the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), which garnered 26.5%, according to provisional results. Despite this triumph, the FPÖ remains well short of an outright majority, leaving the formation of a governing coalition uncertain. Kickl's victory marks another chapter in the rising tide of far-right successes across Europe. In his victory speech, Kickl praised the electorate for their "optimism, courage and trust," stating that they had contributed to a "piece of history." However, forming a government remains complicated. While the FPÖ has previously governed in coalition, the ÖVP, led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, has refused to cooperate with Kickl. Nehammer has openly stated that it is “impossible to form a government with someone who adores conspiracy theories.” A high voter turnout of 74.9% reflected the intense public interest in an election shaped by concerns over migration, asylum, a struggling economy, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. As results rolled in and parts of Austria turned dark blue, representing FPÖ's victory, party general secretary Michael Schnedlitz declared, "The men and women of Austria have made history today." He remained cautious, however, not disclosing the party’s strategy for forming a coalition. The demographic breakdown of voters showed that those between 35 and 59 years of age were most inclined to support the far-right, with a slight tilt toward women. The FPÖ has claimed 58 seats in Austria's 183-seat parliament, while the ÖVP secured 52 seats, and the Social Democrats won 41. Kickl, a fiery figure in Austrian politics, campaigned on promises to build "Fortress Austria," restoring what he described as the nation's lost security, prosperity, and peace. His vision aligns closely with that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, raising concerns about Austria's potential political trajectory. Andreas Babler, the leader of the Social Democrats, warned that Austria must avoid following the path of Hungary, where Orban's nationalist policies have raised alarms in Europe. Kickl has also expressed aspirations to become Austria’s "Volkskanzler" (people's chancellor), a term that some Austrians associate with Adolf Hitler from Nazi Germany. Founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, the FPÖ has a controversial history. Just days before the election, several of the party's candidates were filmed singing an SS song at a funeral, a reminder of the party’s historical roots. The electoral victory also prompted small protests outside Austria’s parliament, where demonstrators carried anti-Nazi banners. Forming a coalition government is expected to be a challenge for Kickl. While the Social Democrats, Greens, and Neos have ruled out any alliance with the far-right, the FPÖ's only viable coalition partner could be the conservatives. However, ÖVP’s leadership has made it clear that they do not support Kickl’s bid for chancellor. Political analyst Thomas Hofer suggested that it remains unclear whether Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen would even grant Kickl a mandate to form a government. There are rumors that Nehammer might face pressure from within his own party to drop his opposition to Kickl, especially after such a significant electoral defeat. A senior figure in the FPÖ even suggested that Nehammer should resign, though that notion was rejected by the general secretary of the ÖVP. President Van der Bellen has previously expressed reservations about the FPÖ due to its critical stance on the EU and its refusal to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many FPÖ MPs walked out of a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vienna last year, and the party opposes EU sanctions against Moscow, citing Austria's neutrality. Kickl’s victory is the latest in a series of successes for far-right parties across Europe. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni now leads a right-wing coalition, while Germany’s AfD recently topped polls in Thuringia, and France’s National Rally won the European elections last June. However, unlike Kickl, Meloni has backed the EU's defense of Ukraine. The European far-right movement continues to gain momentum, with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel congratulating Kickl, and Marine Le Pen of France’s National Rally hailing the results as a sign of the "people's triumphs everywhere." Geert Wilders, who leads the far-right Freedom Party in the Netherlands, echoed these sentiments, stating that "identity, sovereignty, freedom and no more illegal immigration/asylum" are now key issues for millions of Europeans. For Kickl, Sunday's win represents a comeback from 2019, when the FPÖ fell to third place following a video sting scandal involving its former leader. As he now seeks to lead Austria, the political landscape remains fractured, with coalition negotiations likely to dominate the coming weeks. Based on a report from: BBC 2024-10-01 -
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Bret Baier: Trump, not Harris, the ‘holdup’ on Fox News debate.
Aw, come on, everybody knows who Marx was and what he stood for. The quote in the pic could actually be Vance's guiding influence. "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." - Groucho Marx -
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I Voted Today
Electrician? Idiot job, flip the switch done.. Got a problem with your electric, Floozy the blue haired barista down at Starbucks with her degree in transgender studies can fix it for you give her a call, she's got a college education. It's not left and right it's brahmins versus untouchable. They look down on everyone who isn't them. And they hate apostates, look at the way they treat JD vance -
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Thai Actress’s Brother Refuses Settlement with Russian Attacker
I'm not an ordinary person, I'm a famous actress. Sickening. -
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Bret Baier: Trump, not Harris, the ‘holdup’ on Fox News debate.
Why not reveal your own home country, and then you can experience moronic comments about it from people all over the world.
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