Trump news – latest: E Jean Caroll targets Trump again after his derogatory CNN town hall smears

Author E Jean Carroll is amending her remaining defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump to include the derogatory emarks made by the former president at a CNN town hall.

Roberta Kaplan filed a proposed update to the $10m Manhattan civil court complaint on Monday to include comments made by Mr Trump after he was found liable for the sexual assault and defamation of Ms Carroll by jury trial in New York.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump’s media company has filed a $3.78bn lawsuit against The Washington Post over alleged defamation regarding his social media platform Truth Social. The suit claims the paper had been on a “years-long crusade” to undermine Trump Media, which was founded in February 2021.

Following the release of the Durham report last week, the former president has used his social media platform to make the claim that the FBI wanted to pay up to $1m to “frame” him in regard to collusion with Russia.

Meanwhile, a top attorney to Mr Trump is leaving his legal defence effort, and blaming the former president’s top aide Boris Epshteyn for supposedly being dishonest and unforthcoming in his work to assist lawyers with his defence against an investigation into whether he retained classified documents illegally.

His exit comes as the National Archives announced it found a trove of records proving that Donald Trump and his advisors knew they were breaking rules by taking those classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

These records will be turned over to Special Counsel Jack Smith as part of the criminal investigation into Mr Trump’s handling of classified documents.

Key points

• ‘Ron’s magic is GONE!’: Trump floods Truth Social with negative DeSantis posts

• E Jean Carroll moves to amend defamation case against Trump to include CNN town hall insults

• Trump lawyer exits legal team as Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe heats up

• Trump takes ‘credit’ for overturning of Roe v Wade and questions DeSantis’s six-week ban

• Trump’s media company sues Washington Post for $3.78bn

From Trump to Tyson: The powerful men finally being held to account by sexual assault accusers

01:15 , Oliver O'Connell

An ex-president, a disgraced comedian, a world heavyweight boxing champion, a deceased music mogul and a former New York City mayor.

In the six months since New York passed the Adult Survivors Act, which removed the statute of limitations for certain sexual misconduct, powerful men from the worlds of politics, business, entertainment and sport have had to answer their accusers in civil court.

Bevan Hurley reports.

The powerful men finally being forced to face their sexual assault accusers

Tuesday 23 May 2023 00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump supporter gets former president’s signature tattooed on arm

Trump bashes DeSantis as he shares surprisingly positive response to Tim Scott

Monday 22 May 2023 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump took yet another swing at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as he welcomed South Carolina Senator Tim Scott to the Republican presidential race.

Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, DC.

Trump slams DeSantis as he welcomes Tim Scott to presidential race

E Jean Carroll moves to amend defamation case against Trump

Monday 22 May 2023 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell

E Jean Carroll has moved to amend her remaining defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump to include his statement during his CNN town hall, the day after the verdict in the first defamation case.

Bevan Hurley has the full story.

E Jean Carroll applies to expand lawsuit against Trump to include CNN town hall

From South Carolina allies to 2024 rivals: Haley v Scott

Monday 22 May 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

As the GOP field begins to take shape, the Haley-Scott faceoff is putting some of their mutual supporters in the critical early voting state of South Carolina in a conundrum as they weigh which candidate to support.

Read on...

Haley vs. Scott: From South Carolina allies to 2024 rivals

Monday 22 May 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over latest development in Disney feud

Monday 22 May 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign wasted no time in knocking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the news that Disney is cancelling a $1bn plan to expand its business in Florida.

The campaign for the former president to return to the White House sent out a fundraising email on 18 May after the news broke about the shelving of the planned relocation of some thousands of staff to the Orlando area.

Read more:

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over Disney’s cancelled Florida expansion plan

Damning new Mar-a-Lago papers evidence spells trouble for Trump

Monday 22 May 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be hotting up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he shouldn’t have taken classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing that it had found 16 presidential records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was in the White House.

Rachel Sharp has the details.

Damning evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Pro-Trump Super PAC uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

Monday 22 May 2023 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A super PAC supporting former president Donald Trump’s campaign used the entrance of Sen Tim Scott (R - South Carolina) into the 2024 Republican presidential race to hit his main rival, Florida governor Ron DeSantis.

Make America Great Again Inc, a super PAC that supports Mr Trump, used Mr Scott’s planned announcement to repeat Mr Trump’s attacks on Mr DeSantis.

Eric Garcia reports.

Pro-Trump Super PAC uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

ICYMI: Trump whines that he is a ‘victim’ of ‘weaponisation of justice’

Monday 22 May 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has again complained that he is the “victim” of what Republicans baselessly claim is the “weaponisation” of the federal government.

The one-term president made the remark in response to the Jim Jordan-led House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing on Thursday.

Graeme Massie has the story.

Trump whines that he is a ‘victim’ of ‘weaponisation of justice’

As Mar-a-Lago probes heats up, Trump’s White House lawyer predicts ex-president will end up in jail

Monday 22 May 2023 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump’s former attorney has boldly predicted that the former president is going to jail as the criminal investigation into the trove of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago continues to heat up.

Ty Cobb, who worked as a White House attorney for the Trump administration from July 2017 to May 2018, told CNN that he believes the evidence against Mr Trump will lead to a conviction and prison time.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Trump’s White House lawyer predicts he’ll end up in jail as Mar-a-Lago probe heats up

In-fighting among former president’s legal team revealed

Monday 22 May 2023 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

An attorney working Donald Trump’s legal team has quit, citing in-fighting among the former president’s inner circle.

Timothy Parlatore left his role this week, according to The New York Times, after working for Mr Trump for at least a year.

In an interview with CNN on Saturday, Mr Parlatore explained that the reason for his departure was ongoing friction with Boris Epshteyn, another legal adviser to Mr Trump.

John Bowden reports.

Ex-Trump lawyer reveals in-fighting among former president’s legal team

From Trump to Tyson: The powerful men finally being held to account by sexual assault accusers

Monday 22 May 2023 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

An ex-president, a disgraced comedian, a world heavyweight boxing champion, a deceased music mogul and a former New York City mayor.

In the six months since New York passed the Adult Survivors Act, which removed the statute of limitations for certain sexual misconduct, powerful men from the worlds of politics, business, entertainment and sport have had to answer their accusers in civil court.

Bevan Hurley reports.

The powerful men finally being forced to face their sexual assault accusers

Trump v DeSantis: A timeline of their rivalry

Monday 22 May 2023 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

No one will be watching more keenly than Donald Trump this week as Florida governor Ron DeSantis finally makes the long-awaited announcement that he will seek the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2024.

During his own tenure in the White House in 2018, Mr Trump loudly cheered Mr DeSantis’s bid for the governor’s mansion, throwing his weight behind the former congressman and appearing at rallies to stump for him, playing an important role in the candidate’s narrow defeat of Democratic rival and Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum.

Since then, however, a great deal of water has passed beneath the bridge and the two men are now increasingly antagonistic towards each other.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

A timeline of Donald Trump’s rivalry with Ron DeSantis

Monday 22 May 2023 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump supporter gets former president’s signature tattooed on arm

Full story: Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

Monday 22 May 2023 17:20 , Oliver O'Connell

The company behind Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform has filed a $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against the Washington Post.

The lawsuit, filed by Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (TMTG) in Florida’s Sarasota County, claims that a 13 May article that alleged the company may have committed securities fraud was false and defamatory, and posed an “existential threat”.

Bevan Hurley has the latest.

Trump Media files $3.78bn defamation lawsuit against Washington Post

Voices: Tim Scott, the newest 2024 Republican candidate, is the most interesting -and most frustrating -Senator

Monday 22 May 2023 17:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Why Tim Scott is the most interesting - and most frustrating - Senator

Tim Scott launches 2024 presidential run

Monday 22 May 2023 16:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Sen Tim Scott, the sole Black Republican in the United States Senate, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president, joining a crowded field.

Mr Scott made the announcement in his home of North Charleston, where he referenced his humble upbringing, noting how his grandfather worked in cotton fields in South Carolina.

“My family went from cotton to Congress in his lifetime. And it was possible because my grandfather had stubborn faith.”

Tim Scott, the Senate’s sole Black Republican, announces 2024 presidential candidacy

Watch: Tim Scott to announce 2024 run

Monday 22 May 2023 16:22 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump wishes good luck to Senator Tim Scott as he enters GOP primary race

Monday 22 May 2023 16:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump has wished Senator Tim Scott good luck as he enters the Republican primary race saying he is “a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable”.

Here’s the full post from Truth Social:

Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race. It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!

Trump claims FBI offered $1m to frame him

Monday 22 May 2023 15:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump claimed on Sunday night that the FBI offered former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele $1m to frame him.

The jaw-dropping allegation comes after the publication of the Durham report which found that the FBI improperly rushed into its investigation of allegations of collusion between Russia and Mr Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Here’s what the former president wrote on Truth Social:

The FBI offered Christopher Steele One Million Dollars in order to FRAME me. Why aren’t all of the so called Special “Prosecutors,” together with their bosses at the DOJ, doing something about this. Why aren’t people under arrest. They spied on my campaign, and bribed people all over the place, and then go after ME. The people of our once great Country won’t stand for it. How much more can they take, as the USA goes to HELL? MAGA!!!

The FBI offered Mr Steele “up to $1m” to prove the allegations in his infamous dossier on Mr Trump according to testimony from FBI supervisory analyst Brian Auten at the trial of Igor Danchenko, the primary source of the allegations.

He testified that Mr Steele never got the money because he could not “prove the allegations”, CNN reported.

Mr Danchenko was acquitted on all counts of lying to the FBI.

Trump’s media company sues Washington Post for $3.78bn

Monday 22 May 2023 14:59 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump’s social media company has sued The Washington Post for defamation.

Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), which owns the Truth Social platform, is seeking $3.78bn in damages.

The suit, filed on Saturday night in Florida state court in Sarasota County, accuses the news outlet of publishing a story that poses an “existential threat” to the social media company.

According to the lawsuit, the Post “published an egregious hit piece that falsely accused TMTG of securities fraud and other wrongdoing” and “has been on a years-long crusade against TMTG characterized by the concealment of relevant information in its possession”.

Further, it says: “WaPo’s false criminal charges exposed TMTG to public ridicule, contempt and distrust, and injured TMTG’s business and reputation.”

Trump rages at ‘liddle lightweights’ like DeSantis in Monday morning Truth Social post

Monday 22 May 2023 14:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump began his week ranting on Truth Social that he has to listen to “these liddle’ lightweights like “Ron” [DeSantis] say I can’t win. Like the Dems, it’s just DISINFORMATION. The TRUTH is, they can’t win!!!”

Here’s the full post:

I’ve won two Elections, the second far bigger than the first (it was Rigged!), my Endorsement is considered, far and away, the most powerful in political history, I’m blowing away DeSanctimonious in the Polls, and am leading Biden & Harris BIG, whereas DeSanctus is losing to BOTH. I have gotten more people Elected than any other human being. Yet I have to listen to these liddle’ lightweights like “Ron” say I can’t win. Like the Dems, it’s just DISINFORMATION. The TRUTH is, they can’t win!!!

Damning new evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Monday 22 May 2023 14:00 , John Bowden

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be heating up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he shouldn’t have taken classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing that it had found 16 presidential records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was in the White House.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Damning evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Prosecutor suggests any indictments in Trump election investigation would likely come in August

Monday 22 May 2023 13:30 , John Bowden

The Georgia prosecutor investigating whether former president Donald Trump and his allies broke the law while trying to overturn his 2020 election in Georgia is seemingly hinting that any grand jury indictments in the case would likely come in August.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sent a letter on Thursday to other Fulton County judges indicating that she plans to have much of her staff work remotely during the first three weeks of August.

In the letter, Ms Willis asked that judges not schedule trials and in-person hearings during part of that time.

“Thank you for your consideration and assistance in keeping the Fulton County Judicial Complex safe during this time,” Willis wrote in the letter, first reported by The New York Times.

The Georgia investigation is one of several that threatens his campaign for 2024 president.

FBI veterans admit to taking money from ex-Trump aide Kash Patel

Monday 22 May 2023 13:00 , John Bowden

A pair of federal law enforcement veterans who accused the FBI of drumming them out of service because of their conservative political beliefs have admitted to receiving money from a prominent ex-aide to former president Donald Trump, Kash Patel.

The shocking admission came during a Thursday hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponisation of the Federal Government.

The GOP-led panel has largely devoted its time to investigating conspiracy theories about social media companies’ cooperation with law enforcement, as well as advancing allegations that the Department of Justice probes into prominent Republicans who may have committed crimes are politically motivated.

Eric Garica and Andrew Feinberg report:

Anti-FBI witnesses at GOP hearing say they took money from ex-Trump aide

DeSantis super PAC tackles tricky task of organizing support for him in Iowa without the candidate

Monday 22 May 2023 12:30 , John Bowden

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis has yet to officially enter the 2024 presidential race. But that doesn’t mean that his team has ceased laying the groundwork for his (likely) inevitable entry.

Read more:

DeSantis super PAC tackles tricky task of organizing support for him in Iowa without the candidate

Biden and McCarthy to resume talks Monday as debt ceiling deadline looms

Monday 22 May 2023 12:00 , John Bowden

President Joe Biden spoke with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Sunday and agreed they would meet on Monday afternoon to try to break the stalemate over legislation to raise the national debt limit.

A call took place, according to a White House readout, which gave no indication to the tone of the discussion. Mr McCarthy characterised the call as “productive” in a comment to reporters.

The US remains on track to default on its debt obligations on or around 1 June if Congress does not pass legislation to extend the country’s borrowing limit.

John Bowden has more:

Biden and McCarthy to resume talks Monday as debt ceiling deadline looms

ICYMI: Trump urged Republicans to ‘do a default’ as debt ceiling deadline neared

Monday 22 May 2023 11:30 , John Bowden

As Republicans and Democrats battle over blame for responsibility over the nation’s nosedive towards debt default, it’s worth remembering that the de facto leader of the GOP has been the only prominent US politician openly arguing in favour of tanking the federal government’s credit rating.

Former President Donald Trump outlined his beliefs around the idea of encouraging the federal government ignoring its fiscal obligations during a CNN town hall earlier in May.

“I say to the Republicans out there — congressmen, senators — if they don’t give you massive cuts, you’re going to have to do a default,” said Mr Trump.

Tim Robbins forced to clarify he wasn’t hanging out with ‘Trump’s favourite author'

Monday 22 May 2023 11:00 , John Bowden

Actor Tim Robbins clarified on Twitter that he was not ‘hanging out’ with self-proclaimed “Alpha Male” and ‘Donald Trump’s favourite author’ Nick Adams.

Nick Adams, an Australian man and Trump enthusiast who frequently posts absurd claims about his status as an “alpha male,” posted a photo of himself with the actor, claiming the two were “hanging out.”

Mr Robbins quote-tweeted the photo and added some necessary context.

“Not ‘hanging out’. Dude asked for a picture. I obliged. He left,” the actor wrote.

Jim Jordan blocks Democrats from seeing evidence in chaotic ‘weaponization of government’ hearing

Monday 22 May 2023 10:09 , John Bowden

A hearing of the House Judiciary Committee descended into chaos on Thursday morning when Ohio representative and chair Jim Jordan asserted that the Republicans on the committee do not have to turn over key evidence to their Democratic colleagues because it came from a “whistleblower.”

Mr Jordan convened the committee on Thursday for a hearing on the “weaponisation of government,” calling witnesses to testify to alleged biases in federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI.

Shortly after the hearing began, however, Democrats began raising an issue: Mr Jordan’s refusal to turn over evidence, including witness testimony, to the Democrat members of the committee.

Trump encourages Republicans not to seek common ground in debt ceiling talks

Monday 22 May 2023 09:00 , John Bowden

Donald Trump dished out some advice for Republicans in Congress on Friday (19 May) when it comes to negotiating for the debt ceiling with President Joe Biden.

“REPUBLICANS SHOULD NOT MAKE A DEAL ON THE DEBT CEILING UNLESS THEY GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT (Including the “kitchen sink”). THAT’S THE WAY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ALWAYS DEALT WITH US. DO NOT FOLD!!!” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The advice comes as Republicans are trying to find middle ground with the President and other Democrats when discussing budgets.

The US is expected to default by June should lawmakers fail to reach a deal.

Ex-Trump lawyer reveals in-fighting among former president’s legal team

Monday 22 May 2023 08:00 , John Bowden

An attorney working Donald Trump’s legal team has quit, citing in-fighting among the former president’s inner circle.

In an interview with CNN on Saturday, Timothy Parlatore explained that the reason for his departure was ongoing friction with Boris Epshteyn, another legal adviser to Mr Trump.

Mr Epshteyn, according to Mr Parlatore, has been stonewalling the legal team in their attempts to ascertain whether all presidential records that Mr Trump took with him when he left the White House had been turned over to the National Archives.

John Bowden has the story:

Ex-Trump lawyer reveals in-fighting among former president’s legal team

Trump attorney quits legal team

Monday 22 May 2023 08:00 , John Bowden

One of Donald Trump’s attorneys, Timothy Parlatore, has departed the former president’s legal team and in a statement Saturday accused a top adviser to Mr Trump of being dishonest.

In an interview with CNN, he said that Mr Trump’s aide Boris Epshteyn was stonewalling members of the legal team and preventing them from adequately defending the former president against an investigation into whether he illegally retained classified documents.

“The real reason is because there are certain individuals that made defending the president much harder than it needed to be,” said Mr Parlatore on Saturday. “There is one individual who works for him, Boris Epshteyn, who had really done everything he could to try to block us, to prevent us from doing what we could to defend the president.”

Ex-Trump lawyer reveals in-fighting among former president’s legal team

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour criticises network over Trump town hall

Monday 22 May 2023 07:00 , John Bowden

CNN’s town hall with Donald Trump proved so divisive that even its own staff have taken issue with the event - with Christiane Amanpour the latest of the network’s high-profile names to voice their dissatisfaction.

The New Hampshire event drew 3.3 million viewers, who watched as the former president sparred with CNN moderator Kaitlan Collins, whom Mr Trump referred to as a “nasty person”.

Speaking in an address to Columbia Journalism School on Wednesday, Amanpour said if she were Collins, she would have “dropped the mic” as soon as Mr Trump called her nasty, adding that she had spoken with the network’s CEO Chris Licht and told him the ex-president should not have been able “to appear in that particular format”.

‘I would have dropped the mic’: CNN’s Christiane Amanpour hits out at Trump town hall

Village People slap Trump with cease-and-desist after his ‘Macho Man’ dance

Monday 22 May 2023 06:00 , John Bowden

70’s disco band the Village People has asked Donald Trump to stop using impersonators while playing their music without consent.

The wife of one of the band members on Monday sent a cease-and-desist letter to the former president, according to reports.

Mr Trump has been using the band’s songs such as “YMCA” and “Macho Man” at his events and rallies for years now.

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over Disney’s cancelled Florida expansion

Monday 22 May 2023 05:00 , John Bowden

Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign is going after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the news that Disney is cancelling a $1bn plan to expand its business in Florida.

The campaign for the former president to return to the White House sent out a fundraising email on 18 May after the news broke about the shelving of the planned relocation of some thousands of staff to the Orlando area.

Headlined: “President Trump is always right”, the email included a Truth Social post from Mr Trump dated 18 April.

Oliver O’Connell and Alex Woodward report:

Trump campaign knocks DeSantis over Disney’s cancelled Florida expansion plan

The most disturbing allegations from the Giuliani lawsuit

Sunday 21 May 2023 20:15 , John Bowden

Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and personal attorney to Donald Trump, has been hit by a $10m sexual assault and harassment lawsuit from a former aide who worked for him between 2019 and 2021.

In a civil complaint filed with the Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday, Mr Giuliani’s ex-employee Noelle Dunphy, 43, alleges that he began sexually abusing her almost immediately after hiring her as an off-the-books business development director and public relations consultant in January 2019, thereafter routinely pestering her for sex, drinking to excess, withholding her salary, bragging about being able to sell presidential pardons for $2 million apiece and engaging in alcohol-fuelled racist rants.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

The most disturbing allegations from the Rudy Giuliani lawsuit

Damning new evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Sunday 21 May 2023 19:30 , John Bowden

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be heating up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he shouldn’t have taken classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing that it had found 16 presidential records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was in the White House.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Damning evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Chris Christie could enter 2024 race for president in a matter of days

Sunday 21 May 2023 18:49 , John Bowden

Chris Christie will reportedly be entering the 2024 presidential race soon.

The Republican former New Jersey governor will make an announcement in a matter of days, and focus on the key primary state of New Hampshire, according to New Hampshire Today, citing multiple anonymous sources with knowledge of the campaign.

Josh Marcus has more in The Independent:

Chris Christie could enter 2024 race for president in a matter of days

Trump uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

Sunday 21 May 2023 18:04 , John Bowden

Former president Donald Trump’s campaign used the entrance of Sen Tim Scott (R - South Carolina) into the 2024 Republican presidential race to hit his main rival, Florida governor Ron DeSantis.

Mr Scott, the Senate’s sole Black Republican, filed paperwork to run for president. He is largely expected to announce his candidacy on Monday.

But Mr Trump’s campaign spokesman Taylor Budowich used Mr Scott’s planned announcement to continue the campaign’s attacks on Mr DeSantis.

Eric Garcia reports:

Pro-Trump Super PAC uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

Trump-supporting congressman dodges on six-week abortion ban

Sunday 21 May 2023 17:10 , John Bowden

Rep Byron Donalds, a freshman Florida Republican who became a standout member of his caucus during the negotiations over the speaker’s gavel in January, wouldn’t commit on Sunday to supporting a six-week abortion ban at the national level. Such a ban has been introduced as legislation by Republicans in numerous states, including Florida where it recently became law.

Watch the moment, via Meet the Press:

FBI veterans admit to taking money from ex-Trump aide Kash Patel

Sunday 21 May 2023 16:25 , John Bowden

A pair of federal law enforcement veterans who accused the FBI of drumming them out of service because of their conservative political beliefs have admitted to receiving money from a prominent ex-aide to former president Donald Trump, Kash Patel.

The shocking admission came during a Thursday hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponisation of the Federal Government.

The GOP-led panel has largely devoted its time to investigating conspiracy theories about social media companies’ cooperation with law enforcement, as well as advancing allegations that the Department of Justice probes into prominent Republicans who may have committed crimes are politically motivated.

Eric Garica and Andrew Feinberg report:

Anti-FBI witnesses at GOP hearing say they took money from ex-Trump aide

Republican Senator Tim Scott launches 2024 presidential bid

Sunday 21 May 2023 15:41 , John Bowden

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has officially declared himself a candidate for president in next year’s Republican primary election.

According to a statement of candidacy filed on Friday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Mr Scott has designated his official campaign committee as “Tim Scott for America,” with a campaign address in the state’s capital, Charleston.

Mr Scott, who has served as South Carolina’s junior senator since 2013, was first appointed to his Senate seat by one of his presidential primary opponents, then-South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. He filled a vacancy left by the resignation of Jim DeMint, who left the Senate to lead the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Mr Scott, whose campaign website has teased a “special announcement” on 22 May, joins a GOP primary field that includes Ms Haley, former president Donald Trump, ex-Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are also expected to officially enter the GOP presidential field in the coming days.

Damning new evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Sunday 21 May 2023 14:00 , Graig Graziosi

Donald Trump’s legal troubles could be hotting up after the National Archives found a trove of records proving the former president knew he shouldn’t have taken classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, according to a report.

The National Archives sent a letter, obtained by CNN, to Mr Trump this week revealing that it had found 16 presidential records showing he and his top advisers were aware of the correct declassification process when he was in the White House.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Damning evidence spells trouble for Trump in Mar-a-Lago classified documents probe

Sunday 21 May 2023 13:00 , Graig Graziosi

The most disturbing allegations from the Giuliani lawsuit

Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and personal attorney to Donald Trump, has been hit by a $10m sexual assault and harassment lawsuit from a former aide who worked for him between 2019 and 2021.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

The most disturbing allegations from the Rudy Giuliani lawsuit

ICYMI: New Hampshire college condemns Trump after ‘deeply troubling’ CNN town hall on its campus

Sunday 21 May 2023 12:00 , Graig Graziosi

The New Hampshire college that hosted Donald Trump’s CNN town hall has condemned the former president for the “deeply troubling” event.

Saint Anselm College criticised both the comments of the ex-president and the reactions to his statements by the Trump-friendly audience in the auditorium.

Gustaf Kilander reports:

New Hampshire college condemns Trump after ‘troubling’ CNN town hall on its campus

Bill Barr indicates classified documents investigation could be bad for Trump

Sunday 21 May 2023 11:00 , Graig Graziosi

Bill Barr, the former Attorney General under the Trump administration and Bush administration, indicated that the classified documents investigation into Donald Trump could be bad news for the former president.

While speaking with CBS on Thursday, Mr Barr said the situation could ‘expose’ Mr Trump if he ‘played games’ after the government requested the classified documents.

“He was given a long time to send them back. And they were subpoenaed. And I’ve said all along that he wouldn’t get in trouble, probably, just for taking them, just as Biden I don’t think is going to get in trouble or Pence is not going to get in trouble.”

“The problem is what did he do after the government asked for them back and subpoenaed them? And if there’s any games being played there, he’s going to be very exposed,” Mr Barr said.

ICYMI: More Trump indictments would give Biden and Democrats huge 2024 boost, poll finds

Sunday 21 May 2023 10:00 , Graig Graziosi

President Joe Biden would be vaulted to a massive lead over Donald Trump if the former president faces further criminal charges from the federal and state criminal investigations into his conduct, according to a new poll obtained by The Independent.

The poll of 1,571 registered voters was conducted by WPA Research, a Republican polling firm. The CEO of WPA is an adviser to Never Back Down, the Super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, but the survey was conducted independently without his input and was not sponsored by the Super PAC.

It found that voters currently prefer Mr Biden over Mr Trump by a margin of 47 per cent to 40 per cent, including a 14-point lead for the sitting president among registered independents.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

More Trump indictments would give Biden and Democrats huge 2024 boost, poll finds

Court finds FBI improperly used surveillance tool on Jan. 6 suspects, racial justice protests

Sunday 21 May 2023 09:00 , Graig Graziosi

FBI officials repeatedly violated their own standards when they searched a vast repository of foreign intelligence for information related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol and racial justice protests in 2020, according to a heavily blacked-out court order released Friday.

FBI officials said the violations predated a series of corrective measures that started in the summer of 2021 and continued last year.

But the problems could nonetheless complicate FBI and Justice Department efforts to receive congressional reauthorization of a warrantless surveillance program that law enforcement officials say is needed to counterterrorism, espionage and international cybercrime.

Prosecutor suggests any indictments in Trump election investigation would likely come in August

Sunday 21 May 2023 08:00 , Graig Graziosi

The Georgia prosecutor investigating whether former president Donald Trump and his allies broke the law while trying to overturn his 2020 election in Georgia is seemingly hinting that any grand jury indictments in the case would likely come in August.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sent a letter on Thursday to other Fulton County judges indicating that she plans to have much of her staff work remotely during the first three weeks of August.

In the letter, Ms Willis asked that judges not schedule trials and in-person hearings during part of that time.

“Thank you for your consideration and assistance in keeping the Fulton County Judicial Complex safe during this time,” Willis wrote in the letter, first reported by The New York Times.

The Georgia investigation is one of several that threatens his campaign for 2024 president.

DeSantis privately shares Trump cannot win election, report says

Sunday 21 May 2023 07:00 , Graig Graziosi

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is confident in his abilities to win the 2024 presidential election, according to statements he made on a call as heard by The New York Times.

On Thursday, Mr DeSantis reportedly called donors and supporters to unofficially declare his campaign.

On the call, Mr DeSantis allegedly said, “You have basically three people at this point that are credible in this whole thing,- Biden, Trump and me.”

“And I think of those three, two have a chance to get elected president — Biden and me, based on all the data in the swing states, which is not great for the former president and probably insurmountable because people aren’t going to change their view of him,” Mr DeSantis added.

Trump whines that he is a ‘victim’ of ‘weaponisation of justice’

Sunday 21 May 2023 06:00 , Graig Graziosi

Donald Trump has again complained that he is the “victim” of what Republicans baselessly claim is the “weaponisation” of the federal government.

The one-term president made the remark in response to the Jim Jordan-led House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing on Thursday.

The committee descended into chaos with lawmakers shouting at each other as two suspended FBI agents and one fired agent spoke about how the agency had retaliated against them for claims they had made about it.

Graeme Massie reports:

Trump whines that he is a ‘victim’ of ‘weaponisation of justice’

Trump could be handed Georgia indictment this summer

Sunday 21 May 2023 04:59 , Graig Graziosi

The Georgia prosecutor investigating former president Donald Trump and his allies’ possible interference in the 2020 election has indicated there could be an indictment by August.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sent a letter to Fulton County judges asking to not schedule trials during the first three weeks of August and announced remote working days for most of her staff.

Already, Ms Willis has requested additional security around the courthouse.

Ms Willis and her office have spent more than two years investigating the case.

Chris Christie rumoured to be planning presidential run

Sunday 21 May 2023 04:00 , Graig Graziosi

Chris Christie, the former Governor of New Jersey and former presidential candidate, is apparently gearing up to announce another bid for 2024 president.

Mr Christie, who has been outspoken about his disdain for Donald Trump, told supporters last month during an event in New Hampshire that, “Tonight is the beginning of the case against Donald Trump.”

“You’re not going to beat someone by closing your eyes, clicking your heels together three times and saying, ‘There’s no place like home.’ That’s not going to work. In American politics, you want to beat somebody? You have to go get them,” he added.

Though Mr Christie has not formally announced a campaign, rumours are swirling that he may announce next week as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also expected to.

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour criticises network over Trump town hall

Sunday 21 May 2023 03:00 , Graig Graziosi

CNN’s town hall with Donald Trump proved so divisive that even its own staff have taken issue with the event - with Christiane Amanpour the latest of the network’s high-profile names to voice their dissatisfaction.

The New Hampshire event drew 3.3 million viewers, who watched as the former president sparred with CNN moderator Kaitlan Collins, whom Mr Trump referred to as a “nasty person”.

Speaking in an address to Columbia Journalism School on Wednesday, Amanpour said if she were Collins, she would have “dropped the mic” as soon as Mr Trump called her nasty, adding that she had spoken with the network’s CEO Chris Licht and told him the ex-president should not have been able “to appear in that particular format”.

‘I would have dropped the mic’: CNN’s Christiane Amanpour hits out at Trump town hall

Trump uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

Sunday 21 May 2023 02:00 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trump’s campaign used the entrance of Sen Tim Scott (R - South Carolina) into the 2024 Republican presidential race to hit his main rival, Florida governor Ron DeSantis.

Mr Scott, the Senate’s sole Black Republican, filed paperwork to run for president. He is largely expected to announce his candidacy on Monday.

But Mr Trump’s campaign spokesman Taylor Budowich used Mr Scott’s planned announcement to continue the campaign’s attacks on Mr DeSantis.

Eric Garcia reports:

Pro-Trump Super PAC uses Tim Scott’s announcement to mock Ron DeSantis

FBI veterans admit to taking money from ex-Trump aide Kash Patel

Sunday 21 May 2023 01:00 , Graig Graziosi

A pair of federal law enforcement veterans who accused the FBI of drumming them out of service because of their conservative political beliefs have admitted to receiving money from a prominent ex-aide to former president Donald Trump, Kash Patel.

The shocking admission came during a Thursday hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponisation of the Federal Government.

The GOP-led panel has largely devoted its time to investigating conspiracy theories about social media companies’ cooperation with law enforcement, as well as advancing allegations that the Department of Justice probes into prominent Republicans who may have committed crimes are politically motivated.

Eric Garica and Andrew Feinberg report:

Anti-FBI witnesses at GOP hearing say they took money from ex-Trump aide

Village People slap Trump with cease-and-desist after his ‘Macho Man’ dance

Sunday 21 May 2023 00:00 , Graig Graziosi

Seventies disco band Village People has asked Donald Trump to stop using impersonators while playing their music without consent.

The wife of one of the band members on Monday sent a cease-and-desist letter to the former president, according to reports.

Mr Trump has been using the band’s songs such as “YMCA” and “Macho Man” at his events and rallies for years now.

WATCH: Former White House lawyer predict Trump will go to jail

Saturday 20 May 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

Jim Jordan blocks Democrats from seeing evidence in chaotic ‘weaponization of government’ hearing

Saturday 20 May 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

A hearing of the House Judiciary Committee descended into chaos on Thursday morning when Ohio representative and chair Jim Jordan asserted that the Republicans on the committee do not have to turn over key evidence to their Democratic colleagues because it came from a “whistleblower.”

Mr Jordan convened the committee on Thursday for a hearing on the “weaponisation of government,” calling witnesses to testify to alleged biases in federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI.

Shortly after the hearing began, however, Democrats began raising an issue: Mr Jordan’s refusal to turn over evidence, including witness testimony, to the Democrat members of the committee.

Trump encourages Republicans not to seek common ground in debt ceiling talks

Saturday 20 May 2023 21:00 , Graig Graziosi

Donald Trump dished out some advice for Republicans in Congress on Friday (19 May) when it comes to negotiating for the debt ceiling with President Joe Biden.

“REPUBLICANS SHOULD NOT MAKE A DEAL ON THE DEBT CEILING UNLESS THEY GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT (Including the “kitchen sink”). THAT’S THE WAY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ALWAYS DEALT WITH US. DO NOT FOLD!!!” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The advice comes as Republicans are trying to find middle ground with the President and other Democrats when discussing budgets.

The US is expected to default by June should lawmakers fail to reach a deal.

Republican Senator Tim Scott launches 2024 presidential bid

Saturday 20 May 2023 20:00 , Graig Graziosi

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has officially declared himself a candidate for president in next year’s Republican primary election.

According to a statement of candidacy filed on Friday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Mr Scott has designated his official campaign committee as “Tim Scott for America,” with a campaign address in the state’s capital, Charleston.

Mr Scott, who has served as South Carolina’s junior senator since 2013, was first appointed to his Senate seat by one of his presidential primary opponents, then-South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. He filled a vacancy left by the resignation of Jim DeMint, who left the Senate to lead the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Mr Scott, whose campaign website has teased a “special announcement” on 22 May, joins a GOP primary field that includes Ms Haley, former president Donald Trump, ex-Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie are also expected to officially enter the GOP presidential field in the coming days.

Tim Robbins forced to clarify he wasn’t hanging out with ‘Trump’s favourite author'

Saturday 20 May 2023 19:10 , Graig Graziosi

Actor Tim Robbins clarified on Twitter that he was not ‘hanging out’ with self-proclaimed “Alpha Male” and ‘Donald Trump’s favourite author’ Nick Adams.

Nick Adams, an Australian man and Trump enthusiast who frequently posts absurd claims about his status as an “alpha male,” posted a photo of himself with the actor, claiming the two were “hanging out.”

Mr Robbins quote-tweeted the photo and added some necessary context.

“Not ‘hanging out’. Dude asked for a picture. I obliged. He left,” the actor wrote.