Trump news – live: Trump back on Instagram for first time since Jan 6 as he’s mocked over new NFT cards
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Donald Trump has returned to Instagram for the first time since the January 6 Capitol riot – to plug his latest release of NFT trading cards.
The former president was banned from the social media platform back in January 2021 after a mob of his supporters stormed the US Capitol in a riot that resulted in several deaths.
The social media platform allowed his account back earlier this year but Mr Trump was yet to post on it – instead continuing to post on his Truth Social platform instead.
On Tuesday, he finally made his return to Instagram with several posts pushing his new digital trading cards.
The former president instantly became a source of mockery over the digital images – showing him grilling on a BBQ, as Elvis and as the Liberty Bell.
The release comes as a judge ruled that Mr Trump’s rape case against E Jean Carroll will go ahead as planned next week – knocking back the former president’s request for a delay.
Key Points
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Trump’s presidential campaign has raised $34m so far this year
Fetterman puts hands over heart as he returns to Senate after six-week hospitalization for depression
09:45 , John Bowden
SenatorJohn Fetterman returned to the United States Senate on Monday after treatment for depression kept him away for six weeks.
Mr Fetterman exited his car in his trademark black hooded sweatshirt, gym shorts and sneakers and placed his hand over his heart as he returned to the chamber ahead of votes on Monday afternoon.
Mr Fetterman posted a photo of his return to the Senate.
“It’s good to be back,” he tweeted.
Eric Garcia reports from Capitol Hill.
John Fetterman returns to Senate after six-week hospitalization for depression
Trump whines about not getting enough credit for not overcharging people for NFTs
08:45 , John Bowden
Another one of Donald Trump’s Tuesday gripes on Truth Social centred around the issue of his “trading cards” — a set of digital NFTs marketed towards his supporters for his personal gain.
In a post, he made the bizarre complaint that media organisations were not patting him on the back for keeping the prices for the wholly purposeless “items” steady, despite, as he claimed, rising demand for the artistic offerings.
07:45 , John Bowden
Donald Trump revealed his thoughts about Twitter CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday as the former president sees his own platform for conservatives, Truth Social, face financial struggles.
The ex-president Donald Trump appears quite unhappy with SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s declaration that he voted for President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Mr Musk admitted to having voted for the 46th president over the 45th during a recent interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
“I don’t believe Elon Musk voted for Biden, not for a minute! He told me that he voted for me, but who knows about that, and who cares? Elon is just trying to make friends with the absolutely horrible Biden Administration because of all the government subsidies he gets, and all the permits he needs. His space company, car company, battery company, tunnel company, and even Twitter, which was illegally controlled by the FBI, need government HELP & SUBSIDIES. HE IS JUST “MENDING FENCES!”
Read more from Andrew Feinberg:
Trump lashes out at Elon Musk after tech mogul says he voted for Biden
McConnell dodges questions about Trump’s criminal indictment
06:45 , John Bowden
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joked with reporters about responding to Donald Trump’s criminal indictment on Tuesday as he returned for his first regular press conference following his hospitalisation for a fall.
Question: Are you comfortable with the fact that your party’s leading candidate for president is facing criminal charges..
McConnell: I may have hit my head but I didn’t hit it that hard. Good try pic.twitter.com/M5kmISh9xc— Acyn (@Acyn) April 18, 2023
Dominion wins $787m from Fox as election lies lawsuit settled: ‘Lies have consequences’
05:45 , John Bowden
Moments before opening arguments in one of the biggest defamation trials in US history were set to begin, Fox News agreed to settle a lawsuit from a voting machine company that accused the network of spreading false statements about its business in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.
Fox settled for $787.5m, about half of Dominion’s original demand of $1.6bn.
Alex Woodward has the story:
Dominion wins $787m from Fox as election lies lawsuit settled
Elvis, BBQ chef, gold chess piece: Trump mocked over ‘nightmare fuel’ NFT trading cards – all priced at $99
04:45 , John Bowden
Donald Trump released a second iteration of his NFT trading cards, leading to mockery online.
The former president announced on Tuesday 18 April that he was selling another series of the NFT trading cards he released this past December.
“I am pleased to inform you that, due to the great success of my previously launched DIGITAL TRADING CARDS, we are doing it again, SERIES 2, AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW,” Mr Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The second series of cards consists of eight different NFTS, all priced at $99. But on Twitter, people mocked the new illustrations.
Read more:
Trump mocked over ‘nightmare fuel’ NFT trading cards – all priced at $99
George Santos puts forward bill named after Nicki Minaj as he announces re-election bid
03:45 , John Bowden
George Santos is officially running for re-election in 2024, even as he faces multiple investigations headed up by the House Ethics Committee, the FBI and local authorities.
And he’s marking his bid for a second term with a bill named in honour of Nicki Minaj, the New York-born rapper whose comments expressing skepticism about vaccines clearly resonated with the congressman as he seeks to prevent the federal government from mandating administration of any vaccine that hasn’t been on the market for a decade.
It would, however, carve out an exception for cases of a public health emergency – like the Covid-19 crisis.
Read more about New York’s scandal-plagued pro-Trump congressman:
George Santos introduces bill named for Nicki Minaj as he announces re-election bid
Nonprofits seek to disqualify Trump from 2024 ballot over January 6 riot
02:45 , John Bowden
Two nonprofit groups — including the group that challenged several GOP House members’ eligibility to serve because of their support for the January 6 attack on the Capitol — are looking to use the same provision of the US Constitution to keep Donald Trump off the ballot next year.
Mr Trump’s support for the attack, the groups say, would fall under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibits any “officer of the United States” who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against” the country — after previously taking an oath to support the Constitution — from serving in any federal office.
It’s a longshot bid by the groups, but spells out the kind of resistance Mr Trump is going to face from even centrist-aligned organisations heading in to 2024, thanks to the chaos that was 2020 and early 2021.
Read more from Andrew Feinberg:
Trump could be banned from ever entering White House again using Civil War-era clause
Disney holds first ever Pride Night as DeSantis threatens company
01:45 , John Bowden
Disney announced it will hold its first ever "Pride Nite" event, a move that will no doubt drive a further wedge between the entertainment titan and Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis.
Hours before the announcement, Mr DeSantis held a press conference where he laid out a menu of potential retaliatory schemes he could undertake to get back at Disney for using an obscure property law to retain its self-governance.
Those plots included raising the park's taxes, building a prison next door, or selling the land surrounding Disney to another theme park. The governor also highlighted proposed legislation that would impose new inspection regulations on Disney.
Graig Graziosi has the story:
Disney holds first ever Pride Night as DeSantis threatens company
McCarthy hits Biden for not negotiating with GOP on debt limit
Wednesday 19 April 2023 00:45 , John Bowden
The White House may be on track for a political victory over the debt limit as the GOP Speaker of the House looks at least somewhat unwilling to threaten America’s credit by blocking an increase to the debt limit.
But that didn’t stop Kevin McCarthy from hammering President Joe Biden on the issue of not negotiating with Republicans over spending decreases at all, as the White House has maintained that the president wants to see the GOP’s budget proposal in full before any such talks begin.
John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.
Kevin McCarthy hits Biden for not negotiating with GOP on debt limit
George Santos campaign operating at a loss this year, according to election filings
Tuesday 18 April 2023 23:45 , John Bowden
As he officially announces his bid for reelection, George Santos has already run into his first snag.
The campaign finances of the Republican, who’s come under scrutiny for exagerrating or inventing numerous details of his backstory, are in rough shape. He’s operating at a loss of $3,000 this year, Axios reports.
Josh Marcus has more:
George Santos campaign operating at net loss of $3000 this year, according to filings
If news taints rape-trial jurors, Trump shares blame, says judge
Tuesday 18 April 2023 23:15 , John Bowden
Donald Trump’s rape trial will begin next week as scheduled after a federal judge on Monday rejected his lawyer’s request for a one-month delay, saying the former president cannot make public statements to promote pretrial publicity and then claim it’s prejudicial to him and reason to delay a trial.
Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan said the civil trial on claims against Trump by a longtime columnist, E Jean Carroll, will begin as scheduled on 25 April. Trump denies the rape happened or that he ever knew Carroll.
Read more...
Judge rejects Trump’s last-minute bid to delay rape and defamation trial
ICYMI: Protesters shout at Jim Jordan outside of House hearing in New York City
Tuesday 18 April 2023 22:45 , John Bowden
As Republican Representative Jim Jordan attempted to hold a House Judiciary Committee hearing in New York attacking Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, protesters could be heard shouting and chanting outside.
“Let the public in,” a group of protesters shouted from the hallway located directly outside of the room where Mr Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee held their meeting on Monday,
Outside of the Jacob Javits Federal Building in downtown Manhattan, another group of protesters chanted, “Hey hey, ho, ho, Jim Jordan’s got to go.”
Ariana Baio reports from New York City.
Protesters shout at Jim Jordan outside of House hearing in NYC on Alvin Bragg
Donald Trump suggests Disney could ditch Florida as he mocks DeSantis over Reedy Creek humiliation
Tuesday 18 April 2023 22:15 , John Bowden
Donald Trump mocked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday for the recent debate over changes to the Reedy Creek Improvement District by suggesting Walt Disney World could retaliate against the Florida Governor.
Mr DeSantis held a press conference this past week threatening Disney should they not cooperate. The ideas he raised in retaliation included potentially raising the park’s taxes, building a prison next door, or selling the land around Disney to a different theme park.
Read more:
Trump suggests Disney could ditch Florida as he mocks DeSantis over Reedy Creek
Dominion wins $787m from Fox as election lies lawsuit settled: ‘Lies have consequences’
Tuesday 18 April 2023 21:46 , John Bowden
Moments before opening arguments in one of the biggest defamation trials in US history were set to begin, Fox News agreed to settle a lawsuit from a voting machine company that accused the network of spreading false statements about its business in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.
Fox settled for $787.5m, about half of Dominion’s original demand of $1.6bn.
Alex Woodward has the story:
Dominion wins $787m from Fox as election lies lawsuit settled
George Santos puts forward bill named after Nicki Minaj as he announces re-election bid
Tuesday 18 April 2023 21:20 , John Bowden
George Santos is officially running for re-election in 2024, even as he faces multiple investigations headed up by the House Ethics Committee, the FBI and local authorities.
And he’s marking his bid for a second term with a bill named in honour of Nicki Minaj, the New York-born rapper whose comments expressing skepticism about vaccines clearly resonated with the congressman as he seeks to prevent the federal government from mandating administration of any vaccine that hasn’t been on the market for a decade.
It would, however, carve out an exception for cases of a public health emergency – like the Covid-19 crisis.
Read more about New York’s scandal-plagued pro-Trump congressman:
George Santos introduces bill named for Nicki Minaj as he announces re-election bid
McConnell dodges questions about Trump’s criminal indictment
Tuesday 18 April 2023 20:46 , John Bowden
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell joked with reporters on Tuesday as he returned for his first regular press conference following his hospitalisation for a fall.
Question: Are you comfortable with the fact that your party’s leading candidate for president is facing criminal charges..
McConnell: I may have hit my head but I didn’t hit it that hard. Good try pic.twitter.com/M5kmISh9xc— Acyn (@Acyn) April 18, 2023
Elvis, BBQ chef, gold chess piece: Trump mocked over ‘nightmare fuel’ NFT trading cards – all priced at $99
Tuesday 18 April 2023 20:15 , John Bowden
Donald Trump released a second iteration of his NFT trading cards, leading to mockery online.
The former president announced on Tuesday 18 April that he was selling another series of the NFT trading cards he released this past December.
“I am pleased to inform you that, due to the great success of my previously launched DIGITAL TRADING CARDS, we are doing it again, SERIES 2, AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW,” Mr Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The second series of cards consists of eight different NFTS, all priced at $99. But on Twitter, people mocked the new illustrations.
Read more:
Trump mocked over ‘nightmare fuel’ NFT trading cards – all priced at $99
Stephen Colbert trolls Trump and Melania
Tuesday 18 April 2023 19:25 , John Bowden
Stephen Colbert trolled Donald and Melania Trump on his late-night show on Monday.
OnThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Melania – played by Laura Benanti – made an appearance, seeking to put to bed the rumours about why she has fallen quiet after her husband’s indictment.
The spoof Melania boasted she had been enjoying her life “spending time with my family, enjoying roped-off brunches at my live-in golf prison, and disposing of top secret documents”.
She was also spending time eating classified documents. “You can really taste the national security,” she said.
Will Melania show up to support her husband’s 2024 campaign? Join Stephen as he talks to her live from Mar-a-Lago.
Special thanks to our good friend Laura Benanti! pic.twitter.com/jodE2Yd7tQ— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) April 18, 2023
Trump whines about not getting enough credit for not overcharging people for NFTs
Tuesday 18 April 2023 18:55 , John Bowden
Another one of Donald Trump’s Tuesday gripes on Truth Social centred around the issue of his “trading cards” — a set of digital NFTs marketed towards his supporters for his personal gain.
In a post, he made the bizarre complaint that media organisations were not patting him on the back for keeping the prices for the wholly purposeless “items” steady, despite, as he claimed, rising demand for the artistic offerings.
Tuesday 18 April 2023 18:02 , John Bowden
Just yesterday, former President Donald Trump was hitting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over another favourite GOP issue — the Second Amendment.
The former president disputed Mr DeSantis’s claim in an ad that he was aligned with Democrats over the issue of gun rights.
”Wow, that’s like Democrat Disinformation!” he wrote, also claiming that “Ron DeSanctus” didn’t attend the NRA Convention over the weekend in person because he was concerned about being booed.
Here’s the full post:
And here’s what got him wound up:
Wow. New pro-Desantis Super PAC ad against Trump called, ‘Trump the Gun Grabber.’ Played at the NRA Convention. Probably the best ad against Trump for the Republican primary I’ve seen. pic.twitter.com/Z7Vqw7WVpb
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) April 16, 2023
Trump claims Elon Musk trying to ‘make friends’ with Joe Biden
Tuesday 18 April 2023 17:20 , John Bowden
Donald Trump revealed his thoughts about Twitter CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday as the former president sees his own platform for conservatives, Truth Social, face financial struggles.
“I don’t believe Elon Musk voted for Biden, not for a minute! He told me that he voted for me, but who knows about that, and who cares? Elon is just trying to make friends with the absolutely horrible Biden Administration because of all the government subsidies he gets, and all the permits he needs. His space company, car company, battery company, tunnel company, and even Twitter, which was illegally controlled by the FBI, need government HELP & SUBSIDIES. HE IS JUST “MENDING FENCES!”
Nonprofits seek to disqualify Trump from 2024 ballot over January 6 riot
Tuesday 18 April 2023 16:13 , John Bowden
Two nonprofit groups — including the group that challenged several GOP House members’ eligibility to serve because of their support for the January 6 attack on the Capitol — are looking to use the same provision of the US Constitution to keep Donald Trump off the ballot next year.
Mr Trump’s support for the attack, the groups say, would fall under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibits any “officer of the United States” who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against” the country — after previously taking an oath to support the Constitution — from serving in any federal office.
It’s a longshot bid by the groups, but spells out the kind of resistance Mr Trump is going to face from even centrist-aligned organisations heading in to 2024, thanks to the chaos that was 2020 and early 2021.
Read more from Andrew Feinberg:
Trump could be banned from ever entering White House again using Civil War-era clause
Trump: DeSantis is being ‘destroyed by Disney'
Tuesday 18 April 2023 15:14 , John Bowden
Donald Trump speculated that Ron DeSantis would lose his political war against the Disney corporation on Tuesday.
The president issued his latest attempt in his now months-long campaign to bait the Florida governor, who has not yet announced whether he will run for president despite heavy speculation around the matter, into a fight with a post on Truth Social that went live Tuesday morning after the governor made what his aides later clarified was a joking threat to place a new state prison near the massive Disney World resort.
“DeSanctus is being absolutely destroyed by Disney,” Mr Trump claimed in the post. “His original P.R. plan fizzled, so now he’s going back with a new one in order to save face. Disney’s next move will be the announcement that no more money will be invested in Florida because of the Governor - In fact, they could even announce a slow withdrawal or sale of certain properties, or the whole thing. Watch! That would be a killer. In the meantime, this is all so unnecessary, a political STUNT! Ron should work on the squatter MESS!”
FEC filings show Trump made less than $200 from Truth Social
Tuesday 18 April 2023 14:37 , John Bowden
Donald Trump’s personal financial disclosure reports with the Federal Election Commission offer the first public glimpse into his earnings and financial state since leaving the White House in 2021.
Alex Woodward took a look at the details.
Donald Trump made less than $200 from Truth Social, filings show
ICYMI: Protesters shout at Jim Jordan outside of House hearing in New York City
Tuesday 18 April 2023 13:45 , Oliver O'Connell
As Republican Representative Jim Jordan attempted to hold a House Judiciary Committee hearing in New York attacking Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, protesters could be heard shouting and chanting outside.
“Let the public in,” a group of protesters shouted from the hallway located directly outside of the room where Mr Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee held their meeting on Monday,
Outside of the Jacob Javits Federal Building in downtown Manhattan, another group of protesters chanted, “Hey hey, ho, ho, Jim Jordan’s got to go.”
Ariana Baio reports from New York City.
Protesters shout at Jim Jordan outside of House hearing in NYC on Alvin Bragg
McCarthy hits Biden for not negotiating with GOP on debt ceiling
Tuesday 18 April 2023 13:15 , Oliver O'Connell
The White House may be on track for a political victory over the debt limit as the GOP Speaker of the House looks at least somewhat unwilling to threaten America’s credit by blocking an increase to the debt limit.
But that didn’t stop Kevin McCarthy from hammering President Joe Biden on the issue of not negotiating with Republicans over spending decreases at all, as the White House has maintained that the president wants to see the GOP’s budget proposal in full before any such talks begin.
Mr McCarthy spoke Monday morning at the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange, before sitting down for a Q&A with the NYSE’s president.
John Bowden reports.
Kevin McCarthy hits Biden for not negotiating with GOP on debt limit
Stephen Colbert trolls Trump and Melania
Tuesday 18 April 2023 12:45 , Rachel Sharp
Stephen Colbert trolled Donald and Melania Trump on his late-night show on Monday.
OnThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Melania – played by Laura Benanti – made an appearance, seeking to put to bed the rumours about why she has fallen quiet after her husband’s indictment.
The spoof Melania boasted she had been enjoying her life “spending time with my family, enjoying roped-off brunches at my live-in golf prison, and disposing of top secret documents”.
She was also spending time eating classified documents. “You can really taste the national security,” she said.
Will Melania show up to support her husband’s 2024 campaign? Join Stephen as he talks to her live from Mar-a-Lago.
Special thanks to our good friend Laura Benanti! pic.twitter.com/jodE2Yd7tQ— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) April 18, 2023
George Santos puts forward bill named after Nicki Minaj as he announces re-election bid
Tuesday 18 April 2023 22:00 , John Bowden
George Santos is officially running for re-election in 2024, even as he faces multiple investigations headed up by the House Ethics Committee, the FBI and local authorities.
And he’s marking his bid for a second term with a bill named in honour of Nicki Minaj, the New York-born rapper whose comments expressing skepticism about vaccines clearly resonated with the congressman as he seeks to prevent the federal government from mandating administration of any vaccine that hasn’t been on the market for a decade.
It would, however, carve out an exception for cases of a public health emergency – like the Covid-19 crisis.
Read more about New York’s scandal-plagued pro-Trump congressman:
George Santos introduces bill named for Nicki Minaj as he announces re-election bid
Trump could be banned from office over Jan 6
Tuesday 18 April 2023 12:15 , John Bowden
Donald Trump could be banned from ever entering the White House again due to his role in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
Two nonprofit groups argue that a Civil War-era rule disqualifies any “officer of the United States” from entering office in future after they have “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against” the US.
They claim Mr Trump’s role before and during the riot proves he engaged in an insurrection and so, under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, cannot run for president in 2024.
The groups have sent letters to state election officials asking them to block Mr Trump from going on the ballot, reported The Washington Post.
Trump takes Truth Social shot at DeSantis over Second Amendment record
Tuesday 18 April 2023 11:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Monday lunchtime on Truth Social, and former President Donald Trump has hit out at his favourite foe, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
This time the topic was the Second Amendment, with the former president disputing Mr DeSantis’s claim in an ad that he was aligned with Democrats over the issue of gun rights.
”Wow, that’s like Democrat Disinformation!” he wrote, also claiming that “Ron DeSanctus” didn’t attend the NRA Convention over the weekend in person because he was concerned about being booed.
Here’s the full post:
And here’s what got him wound up:
Wow. New pro-Desantis Super PAC ad against Trump called, ‘Trump the Gun Grabber.’ Played at the NRA Convention. Probably the best ad against Trump for the Republican primary I’ve seen. pic.twitter.com/Z7Vqw7WVpb
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) April 16, 2023
George Santos announces re-election bid
Tuesday 18 April 2023 10:45 , Oliver O'Connell
It’s happening, GOP Rep George Santos is officially running for re-election in New York’s 3rd District.
The controversial congressman made the announcement on Twitter on Monday afternoon. He is the subject of ongoing investigations at the local, state, and federal levels, and there have been numerous calls for him to resign.
🚨ANNOUNCEMENT: I am proudly announcing my bid for re-election for #NY03. This is about TAKING BACK our country and restoring greatness back to New York.🇺🇸
To support donate here:👇🏽https://t.co/BH2nGK54vp pic.twitter.com/LGJdPcsyP6— George Santos (@Santos4Congress) April 17, 2023
If news taints rape-trial jurors, Trump shares blame, says judge
Tuesday 18 April 2023 09:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s rape trial will begin next week as scheduled after a federal judge on Monday rejected his lawyer’s request for a one-month delay, saying the former president cannot make public statements to promote pretrial publicity and then claim it’s prejudicial to him and reason to delay a trial.
Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan said the civil trial on claims against Trump by a longtime columnist, E Jean Carroll, will begin as scheduled on 25 April. Trump denies the rape happened or that he ever knew Carroll.
Read more...
