First GOP candidate drops out of race – latest 2024 election news

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After not qualifying for the first RNC debate in August, the large pool of GOP candidates have their first drop-out: Miami mayor Francis Suarez.

On 29 August, Mr Suarez tweeted that he “decided to suspend” his campaign for president – nearly a week after he failed to qualify for the first RNC debate.

“It was a privilege to come so close to appearing on stage with the other candidates at last week’s first debate,” Mr Suarez wrote.

Now, nearly five months ahead of the Iowa caucuses, 15 candidates remain on the campaign trail, hoping to convince voters, and their respective parties, why they are the best option.

With just three Democrats running, and President Joe Biden assumed the party’s nominee, a large group of Republican hopefuls have made their bid to run against the incumbent.

This includes ex-president Donald Trump, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, ex-vice president Mike Pence, ex-South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, ex-Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, South Carolina senator Tim Scott, ex-New Jersey governor Chris Christie, conservative personality Larry Elder, former representative Will Hurd and businessman Perry Johnson

Key Points

  • Can Donald Trump still run for president after charges over 2020 election?

  • Francis Suarez announces he is suspending his campaign

Francis Suarez announces he is suspending his campaign

18:26 , Ariana Baio

Watch: Francis Suarez hints he would drop out of 2024 race if he doesn't meet the minimum threshold

01:00 , Ariana Baio

Has Francis Suarez silently quit the Republican presidential race?

Monday 28 August 2023 22:20 , Ariana Baio

NBC News first reported on Monday that the campaign of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has gone dark, both in terms of messaging and money spent, since last week’s GOP primary debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The second-youngest candidate in the race at 45, Mr Suarez had sought to build a brand as a representative of a new generation of Republican leadership.

John Bowden reports:

Has Francis Suarez silently quit the Republican presidential race?

Tim Scott defends Trump in latest indictment

Thursday 17 August 2023 04:00 , Ariana Baio

While attending the Iowa State Fair on Monday, South Carolina senator and 2024 presidential candidate Tim Scott defended Donald Trump’s latest indictment after being confronted about it by a reporter.

“I’m just going to continue to say it as I see it, which is that we’ve seen the legal system being weaponised against political opponents,” Mr Scott said.

“That is un-American and unacceptable.

Who has qualified for the first GOP debate?

Thursday 17 August 2023 02:45 , Ariana Baio

Eight Republican presidential candidates have met the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) new criteria to participate in the first GOP debate on 23 August.

Former president Donald Trump, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina senator Tim Scott and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum and former vice president Mike Pence have all qualified.

All eight candidates have had at least 40,000 unique donors from 20+ states and/or territories contribute to their campaigns and maintained at least one per cent in two national polls and two early state polls.

Marianne Williamson says she feels ‘invisibilized'

Thursday 17 August 2023 00:30 , Ariana Baio

Marianne Williamson, the longshot Democratic candidate seeking a bid for the White House, says she feels ignored by several political celebrities including Elon Musk and Joe Rogan.

While discussing her campaign with Bill Maher on his podcast Club Random, Ms Williamson said neither Mr Musk nor Mr Rogan have invited her on their respective media platforms despite allowing her opponent Robert F Kennedy Jr.

“Well, Joe Rogan, ask Joe Rogan to have me on because he hasn’t. He’s had Bobby but he won’t have me,” Ms Williamson said, reported first by Mediaite.

“I don’t understand it. He won’t have me on. And also Elon Musk who gave the Twitter spaces to Bobby and others. He said, ‘Any presidential candidate, I will give the Twitter spaces.’ And I twice raised my hand on Twitter and said I would love to do it and he won’t have me. I feel very invisibilized, Bill. Very erased,” Ms Williamson said.

Joe Scarborough suggests Donald Trump is ‘scared’ of Chris Christie

Wednesday 16 August 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio

Many of the 2024 presidential candidates are preparing to square up against one another at the first GOP debate set for 23 August.

But on candidate, former president Donald Trump, has not made it clear whether or not he will attend – and Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough has an inclining why.

“I do think he’s scared of Chris Christie. He saw what Chris Christie did to Marco Rubio when Chris Christie went into a debate with one thing in mind, he knows Chris Christie put Jared Kushner’s father in jail for a very long time. He knows he’s a prosecutor who’s ruthless and knows how to push his case,” Mr Scarborough suggested on Wednesday morning’s show.

“And he also knows that his secret sauce in 2016 was being the disrupter. Right? Shaking Hillary Clinton up on the debate stage, shaking the Marcos and everybody else up on the debate stage. That gig that’s like eight years old, right? That’s Elvis in ’77 now. And I think Chris Christie’s got his number and he knows Donald Trump is get the gut instinct. Obviously, his political gut instinct is second to none like he sees it coming. And so I think he’s scared to death of Chris Christie and will not have the guts to go or the nerve to go on stage with Chris Christie anywhere.”

Asa Hutchinson is confident he’ll make it to the debate stage

Wednesday 16 August 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio

Asa Hutchinson has not qualified for the first Republican National Committee (RNC) debate which will take place next Wednesday in Milwaukee.

But the former Arkansas governor isn’t letting his lack of $40,000 contributions get him down.

“We are growing significantly every day,” Mr Hutchinson told the Des Moines Register. “So the response has obviously been positive to my message — people want me on the debate stage. It’s a big lift to get to 40,000 coming from a small state … but I’m optimistic we will” get there, he said.

Chris Christie shrugs off Trump insults and challenges him to the debate

Wednesday 16 August 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio

Chris Christie shrugged off Donald Trump’s latest insult instead challenging the former president to confront him head-on at the first GOP debate on 23 August.

On Truth Social, Mr Trump called Mr Christie a “pathetic slob” who “begged” for a job and became bitter after Mr Trump refused.

“Chris Christie is so bad for America, while being the best thing that ever happened to the Democrats. He left New Jersey with an 8% approval rating, a record low, and was tied up for years with the worst scandal in NJ history – Bridgegate.” Mr Trump wrote.

The former New Jersey governor issued a one-word response: “whatever” on Twitter.

Mr Christie added: “See you at the debate in Milwaukee or not, coward,”

Mike Pence does George W Bush impression during speech

Wednesday 16 August 2023 17:15 , Ariana Baio

You ask, Mike Pence delivers.

When asked to do an impression of George W Bush during a speech in Indianapolis on Wednesday, the former vice president and 2024 candidate gave it his best shot.

Honing in on his best Texas accent, Mr Pence described a conversation between himself and Mr Bush when the former president was in office.

Mr Pence’s impression was met with agreeable laughter by the crowd.

Voices: Trump indictment is the biggest yet. And the most serious

Wednesday 16 August 2023 15:30 , Ariana Baio

“The pressure campaign targeting former Vice President Mike Pence and Trump’s pressure on the DOJ is explicitly cited as well, including his infamous quote: “Just say that the election was corrupt, and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen.” The harassment and intimidation of election worker Ruby Freeman are also included in this indictment. The conduct outlined in Freeman’s riveting testimony during the January 6 hearings felt criminal, and now it’s being prosecuted as such.

One of the most stunning allegations in this indictment is the alleged conspiracy to breach voting machines.”

Ahmed Baba writes:

Trump, Giuliani, Meadows - this indictment is the biggest yet. And the most serious

Marianne Williamson urges people to ‘turn the page and move on’ from Trump

Wednesday 16 August 2023 13:00 , Ariana Baio

Marianne Williamson, the self-help author and 2024 candidate responded to the Georgia indictment handed down to Donald Trump on Tuesday.

“The Georgia indictments against Donald Trump give us ten new reasons to turn the page and move on. The former president will have to deal with his troubles but the country should not be further weighed down by them,” Ms Williamson tweeted.

“Trump may or may not be found guilty of his crimes but his damage to our body politic is indisputable. It is time to disconnect from events of the past and create a future untainted by political scandals.”

Robert F Kennedy Jr complains about Ukraine and secret service to Tucker Carlson

Wednesday 16 August 2023 11:45 , Ariana Baio

In an hour-and-a-half long interview, Robert F Kennedy Jr shared some of his controversial views on Ukraine and complained about his lack of Secret Service detail with Tucker Carlson.

Mr Kennedy Jr claimed that other presidential candidates receive Secret Service protection one year before the election and complained that Department of Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas denied his request.

He said he believes it’s because the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is “playing hardball” in an attempt to get him out of the race.

On the topic of Ukraine, Mr Kennedy Jr played devil’s advocate for Russia, saying that there was more to the situation than good versus evil.

Ron DeSantis says he will ‘rip out’ all of Biden’s executive orders

Wednesday 16 August 2023 10:30 , Ariana Baio

While speaking with CNBC on Tuesday, Florida governor and 2024 candidate Ron DeSantis said if he were elected to office he would reverse much of President Joe Biden’s actions.

“So we’re going to take all of the executive orders, and the regulations that Biden has done and we’re going to rip them out,” Mr DeSantis said.

The Florida governor claimed Biden’s “administrative rules” were putting “a lot of weight on the economy.”

Can Donald Trump still run for president after charges over 2020 election?

Wednesday 16 August 2023 09:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump is now the subject of four criminal cases – at a time when he is hot on the trail of another stint in the White House.

The former president was indicted, again, by a grand jury in Georgia on 14 August – less than a month after Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith unveiled charges against him for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

This time, Mr Trump was charged with 13 counts related to his alleged actions and conspiracy to change election results in Georgia in the days following the election that he lost.

Can Donald Trump still run for president after charges over 2020 election?

In Photos: Candidates at the Iowa State Fair

Wednesday 16 August 2023 06:30 , Ariana Baio

U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott (R-SC) hands out grilled pork chops at the Iowa State Fair (REUTERS)
U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott (R-SC) hands out grilled pork chops at the Iowa State Fair (REUTERS)
Republican presidential candidate former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson greets fairgoers during a visit to the Iowa State Fair (AP)
Republican presidential candidate former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson greets fairgoers during a visit to the Iowa State Fair (AP)
Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida and presidential hopeful, and his daughter Madison DeSantis attend the Iowa State Fair (EPA)
Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida and presidential hopeful, and his daughter Madison DeSantis attend the Iowa State Fair (EPA)
Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivers his political soapbox speech at the Iowa State Fair (REUTERS)
Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivers his political soapbox speech at the Iowa State Fair (REUTERS)
Republican U.S. presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nation Nikki Haley signs an autograph on a cowboy hat for a fairgoer after she spoke at the Des Moines Register SoapBox during the Iowa State Fair (Getty Images)
Republican U.S. presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nation Nikki Haley signs an autograph on a cowboy hat for a fairgoer after she spoke at the Des Moines Register SoapBox during the Iowa State Fair (Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump is directed to his vehicle after speaking at the Steer N' Stein bar at the Iowa State Fair (Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump is directed to his vehicle after speaking at the Steer N' Stein bar at the Iowa State Fair (Getty Images)
Marianne Williamson, 2024 Presidential hopeful, speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair (AFP via Getty Images)
Marianne Williamson, 2024 Presidential hopeful, speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair (AFP via Getty Images)

Asa Hutchinson releases statement on Trump indictment

Wednesday 16 August 2023 04:00 , Ariana Baio

Asa Hutchinson released a statement via his campaign regarding Donald Trump’s latest indictment.

“This is another day of challenge for our democracy with the indictment handed down by the grand jury in Georgia,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“Regardless of the specifics of the Georgia indictment, I expect the voters will make the ultimate decision on the future of our democracy. One year ago, I said that Donald Trump’s actions disqualified him from ever serving as President again. Those words are more true today than ever before.”

Vivek Ramaswamy totes pro-life views with ‘sexual responsibility for men’

Wednesday 16 August 2023 01:30 , Ariana Baio

Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate, hosted his first town hall on Monday evening where he spoke about the issues of abortion and how he thinks the US should approach supporting those values.

“I am unapologetically pro-life,” Mr Ramaswamy said.

“I, for my part, am willing to walk the walk when it comes to being pro-life and here’s where I’m different from many Republicans. I think we should be open to policies to help support contraception, adoption, pats to child care, sexual responsibility for men.”

“In an era of genetic paternity tests that are 100 per cent reliable – add that to law in terms of liabilities and responsibilities.”

Mr Ramaswamy said men should be equally responsible to children as women and that the issue of abortion was not a men versus issue but a human rights issue.

Republican candidates lash out at Biden on anniversary of Afghanistan withdrawl

Tuesday 15 August 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio

Several Republican candidates released statements condemning President Joe Biden for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.

“Two years ago, President Biden’s deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan empowered the Taliban, erased hard-fought freedoms, and cost American lives. The American people deserve answers and accountability for this failure of leadership,” South Carolina Senator Tim Scott wrote on Twitter.

Former governor Nikki Haley’s campaign said in a statement: “Two years after the fall of Kabul and Joe Biden’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, the world is less safe, our enemies are emboldened, and our allies are questioning America’s commitments.”

Ex-vice president Mike Pence tweeted his an opinion piece that he wrote for The Wall Street Journal when Mr Biden first pulled troops out and wrote: “America needs new leadership that will never embarrass our country on the world stage, show the world American STRENGTH and honor the memory of all the heroic Americans who defended our freedom in Afghanistan over the past twenty years.”

Biden delivers ‘Bidenomics’ speech in battleground state Wisconsin

Tuesday 15 August 2023 21:48 , Ariana Baio

Joe Biden delivered a speech highlighting his “Bidenomics” economic policies in the battleground state of Milwaukee on Tuesday, 15 August.

The US president’s visit comes a week after Republicans will descend upon the state for the first GOP presidential debate.

“Bidenomics,” named by the White House, is the Biden administration’s plan to “grow the economy from the middle out and the bottom up” centred around three pillars: making smart public investments, empowering and educating workers to grow the middle class, and promoting competition to lower costs and help entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive.

On Tuesday, Mr Biden also toured clean energy manufacturer Ingeteam, a company that the White House says has plans to hire 100 workers using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law money to start producing EV charging stations domestically.

Republicans will hold their first presidential primary debate in Milwaukee on 23 August.

Francis Suarez qualifies for first RNC debate

Tuesday 15 August 2023 19:35 , Ariana Baio

Mayor of Miami and 2024 presidential candidate Francis Suarez says he has qualified for the first GOP debate set to take place later this month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The super PAC backing Mr Suarez, SOS America PAC, made the announcement on Monday 13 August.

“Another day, another poll confirms that conservative Miami Mayor Francis Suarez will be on the RNC debate stage,” spokesman Chapin Fay said, according to The Washington Examiner.

“Having a successful Republican with a strong record of accomplishment, who is also a prominent Hispanic voice in a campaign with no other Hispanic candidates is a critical step in winning over one of the fastest growing demographics in America.”

Trump and 18 allies indicted on RICO charges in Georgia election case

Tuesday 15 August 2023 18:00 , Ariana Baio

A Georgia grand jury has returned indictments against former president Donald Trump and a wide swath of his confidantes and allies who prosecutors allege to have participated in a criminal enterprise with the goal of overturning the disgraced ex-president’s 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.

Grand jurors returned indictments against Mr Trump and 18 other defendants late Monday after hearing from a number of key witnesses in the long-running Georgia election probe, including Gabe Sterling, who served as a top manager in the Georgia Secretary of State’s office in late 2020, and Geoff Duncan, the state’s former Republican lieutenant governor.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

Trump and 18 allies indicted on RICO charges in Georgia election case

Joe Biden slammed for his response to Hawaii wildfires

Tuesday 15 August 2023 17:30 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden is out and about this week visiting several states to week but not on the list is Hawaii where wildfires ravaged through several areas in Maui.

As Mr Biden is seeking re-election next year, some have criticised the president for his lacking response to the fires.

The New York Post ran a front-page story today calling Mr Biden “heartless”.

DeSantis says he’s ‘moved on’ from Disney fight as he tells company to drop lawsuit against Florida

Tuesday 15 August 2023 16:25 , Ariana Baio

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis declared that he has “moved on” from his feud with Disney.

Mr DeSantis told CNBC Last Call anchor Brian Sullivan that he’s not anti-Disney, despite long-running animosity towards the entertainment company: “Look, my wife and I, we got married at Walt Disney World. And so it’s not like we’re opposed. I mean, we’ve appreciated working with them over the years, but I would just say, go back to what you did well. I think it’s going to be the right business decision, and all that.”

Then, the Florida governor asked the company to drop its lawsuit altogether, which the company filed in late April. “But where we are today, you know, we basically moved on. They’re suing the state of Florida, they’re going to lose that lawsuit. So what I would say is drop the lawsuit.”

He then cited Florida’s top rank in terms of economy. Disney is reportedly Florida’s largest taxpayer.

Chris Christie has some advice for Trump ahead of yet another likely indictment

Tuesday 15 August 2023 09:00 , Ariana Baio

Chris Christie was on ABC this weekend bashing Donald Trump as the former New Jersey governor charts a path to the GOP nomination which he believes necessitates a direct showdown with the ex-president.

Mr Christie, who previously served as a federal prosecutor, told ABC’s Jonathan Karl on Sunday that his opponent needs to choose his words carefully going forward to escape further criminal liability.

“Trump needs to be smart and careful about this, if that’s at all possible. Which is [to say] that he is a criminal defendant,” he said.

John Bowden reports:

Chris Christie has some advice for Trump ahead of yet another likely indictment

Ron DeSantis faces ‘pudding fingers’ chant and other protests during Iowa campaign stop

Tuesday 15 August 2023 01:00 , Ariana Baio

A group of women tailed Ron DeSantis to several campaign events this past week, causing disruptions and distractions as the second-place Republican candidate seeks to pick up traction in the early caucus state.

John Bowden reports:

DeSantis faces ‘pudding fingers’ chant and other protests during Iowa campaign stop

RFK Jr claims he ‘misunderstood’ question after supporting abortion ban

Monday 14 August 2023 22:10 , Ariana Baio

Robert F Kennedy Jr’s campaign is once again in damage control mode after the Democratic primary contender appeared to come out in support of a national abortion ban after three months into a pregnancy.

The latest controversy began on Sunday, when NBC Capitol Hill correspondent Ali Vitali tracked down Mr Kennedy at the Iowa State Fair.

Mr Kennedy’s campaign teeters somewhere on the edge of seriousness, buoyed by his famous last name and financial support from right-wing operatives eager to weaken President Joe Biden’s reelection bid.

He has clashed numerous times with the media and members of the party he is ostensibly a member of over issues including the Covid vaccine, the independence of medical experts, and even antisemitism.

On Sunday, he offered the latest sign that his views more closely align with Donald Trump and the Republican Party: He told Vitali in an interview, with no signs of misunderstanding her question, that he thought abortion should be legal “during the first three months of life”.

Vitali then questioned whether this meant he’d support a federal abortion ban similar to the one currently being advanced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, which would ban the procedures after 15 weeks into the pregnancy. Mr Kennedy said he would, according to NBC.

But later on Sunday, his campaign claimed that the candidate had not meant what he had said.

“Today, Mr. Kennedy misunderstood a question posed to him by an NBC reporter in a crowded, noisy exhibit hall at the Iowa State Fair. Mr. Kennedy’s position on abortion is that it is always the woman’s right to choose. He does not support legislation banning abortion,” said a campaign spokesperson.

Vivek Ramaswamy raps at the Iowa State Fair

Monday 14 August 2023 20:15 , Ariana Baio

Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy chose to perform a bit of Eminiem’s Lose Yourself after his “Fair-Side” chat with Iowa governor Kim Reynolds on Saturday.

Mr Ramaswamy told Ms Reynolds that the song was his favourite walk-out choice at political events.

Trump falsely claims there was a “record number” of attendees at Iowa State Fair

Monday 14 August 2023 18:52 , Ariana Baio

Trump mocked for sarcastic response to 2020 election interference question: ‘You know the answer’

Monday 14 August 2023 15:15 , Ariana Baio

During a walkabout at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, Donald Trump was asked by a reporter if he had intended to overturn the 2020 election.

The former president is currently under criminal indictment at the federal level for his alleged efforts to interfere with the result of the November 2020 presidential election, and will potentially face a further indictment at the state level via a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia as soon as next week.

As he made his way through a throng of people at the fair, a voice called out: “President Trump, did you intend to overturn the 2020 election?”

Half-turning toward the person who asked, Mr Trump replied: “You know the answer to that.”

Oliver O’Connell reports:

Larry Elder slams Hunter Biden and Jared Kushner at Iowa State Fair

Monday 14 August 2023 13:15 , Ariana Baio

The truth behind the bizarre Ron DeSantis ‘pudding fingers’ claim

Monday 14 August 2023 10:30 , Ariana Baio

In March, Ron DeSantis chose not to outright deny that he ate chocolate pudding with three fingers on a private flight in 2019. The Daily Beast noted that Mr DeSantis sometimes struggles to “read the room”.

“I don’t remember ever doing that,” the governor told Piers Morgan in an interview on Fox Nation.

“Maybe when I was a kid, but it’s interesting there’s a lot of people who when they go at you, sometimes they have really good ammunition like, ‘You’re a crook, you did this, you did that,’” he added. “For me, they’re talking about pudding, and I’m like, ‘Is that really the best you’ve got? OK, bring it on!’”

Ariana Baio, Gustaf Kilander and Oliver O’Connell report:

The truth behind the bizarre Ron DeSantis ‘pudding fingers’ claim

Asa Hutchinson lashes out at RNC’s debate rules

Monday 14 August 2023 08:12 , Ariana Baio

”I’ve got to spend all of my time at the Iowa State Fair trying to get on the debate stage with $1 contributions...not good for our democratic process,” Mr Hutchinson complained.

Trump complains world has ‘never been nastier than it is now’ as cases against him proceed

Sunday 13 August 2023 16:00 , Ariana Baio

Former President Donald Trump said the world has “never been nastier than it is now” during an interview on Newsmax on Wednesday night as multiple criminal cases against him proceed.

Midway through an answer to a question in which he was speculating on Ron DeSantis’ odds of winning the 2028 Republican nomination for president, the former president veered into a broader philosophical take on the state of the political world.

“You don’t walk into anything,” Mr Trump said. “This is a tough world in politics. This is a nasty, nasty world, as we found out. Probably it’s never been nastier than it is right now. Because we have sick people. We have sick people in office and again, they are a bigger problem than the outside world.”

Abe Asher reports:

Trump says world has ‘never been nastier than it is now’ as cases against him proceed

ICYMI: Ron DeSantis replaces campaign manager as 2024 bid falters

Sunday 13 August 2023 13:00 , Ariana Baio

James Uthmeier, chief of staff in governor’s office, set to take on top role at presidential campaign

Gustaf Kilander reports:

Ron DeSantis replaces campaign manager as 2024 bid falters

Prosecutor in Hunter Biden case is given special counsel status by attorney general

Sunday 13 August 2023 08:00 , Ariana Baio

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that he granted the US attorney investigating Hunter Biden special counsel status.

Mr Garland announced that David Weiss, who has served as the US Attorney for Delaware since 2018, would serve as special counsel and he had informed relevant members of Congress about the nomination.

Eric Garcia reports:

Prosecutor in Hunter Biden case is given special counsel status by attorney general

Perry Johnson at the Iowa State Fair

Sunday 13 August 2023 06:00 , Ariana Baio

Judge shuts down Trump lawyer as he claims protective order would give Biden an ‘advantage’

Saturday 12 August 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio

The federal Washington, DC judge in the 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump rejected the notion put forward lead defence lawyer John Lauro that a protective order barring Mr Trump from speaking about the evidence in the case would be an “enormous advantage” to President Joe Biden.

Gustaf Kilander reports:

Trump lawyer claims protective order would give Biden an ‘advantage’

People chants ‘pudding fingers’ at Ron DeSantis in Iowa

Saturday 12 August 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio

Ron DeSantis was greeted by a mocking crowd on Friday while on the campaign trail in Iowa.

As Mr DeSantis made his way to a war veterans memorial, two people chanted “Ron DeFascist” and “pudding fingers” which cut the Florida governor’s stop first.

“People like that are what’s holding this country back,” Mr DeSantis said according to POLITICO.

Larry Elder says he will pardon Donald Trump ‘day one’

Saturday 12 August 2023 14:30 , Ariana Baio

Larry Elder told Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds that on “day one” of his presidency he will pardon former president Donald Trump.

“Day one, I’m going to pardon Donald Trump, so that’s off the table,” Mr Elder said on Friday.

Mr Trump is currently facing three criminal indictments, two of which are federal.

Mr Elder has been outspoken supporter of Mr Trump and accused the Biden administration of weaponising the Department of Justice against Mr Trump.

He added: “These prosecutions are just outrageous.”

Candidates’ schedule at Iowa State Fair today

Saturday 12 August 2023 12:00 , Ariana Baio

Several 2024 candidates are expected to make an appearance at the Iowa State Fair today, including former president Donald Trump.

Here’s who you can look forward to hearing or seeing:

9.30am ET – Vivek Ramawamy at the “Fair-side Chat” with Gov Kim Reynolds

10.30am ET – Nikki Haley at the“Fair-side Chat” with Gov Kim Reynolds

11.30am ET – Ron DeSantis at the“Fair-side Chat” with Gov Kim Reynolds

12.15am ET – Ryan Binkley at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox

1pm ET – Vivek Ramaswamy at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox

1.30pm ET – Marianne Williamson at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox

2pm ET – Donald Trump speaking

2.30pm ET – Marianne Williamson at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox

3.15pm ET – Robert F Kennedy Jr at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox

4pm ET – Nikki Haley  at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox