Trump news – live: Trump urges GOP to vote McCarthy for House speaker as he hits out at party ‘turmoil’

Donald Trump has urged Republicans to vote for Kevin McCarthy as House speaker as he hit out at the “unnecessary turmoil” within his own party.

In a Truth Social post on Wednesday morning, the former president endorsed the GOP House leader saying that he “will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB”.

“REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT. Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB - JUST WATCH!” he wrote.

In another post, the former president slammed the “unnecessary turmoil in the Republican Party” – unsurprisingly pointing the blame onto his usual targets of Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao.

His show of support for Mr McCarthy comes after three roll call votes were held on Tuesday – all ending with the GOP leader failing to secure enough votes to be elected to the House speaker role.

His comments come after a tumultuous couple of weeks for the former president with the release of his tax returns and the publication of the final report from the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot.

Key Points

• Donald Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election worker

• Hope Hicks: Trump made us ‘all look like domestic terrorists'

• Ginni Thomas unaware of any voter fraud evidence when lobbying to overturn election

• What we know so far about Trump’s tax returns

• Trump wanted to trademark ‘rigged election’ days after his loss

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

13:00 , Rachel Sharp

Former President Donald Trump used his social media platform, Truth Social, to fuel conspiracy theories aimed at a Georgia election worker.

Around midnight on 2 January, Mr Trump fired off a message on Truth Social claiming there were “contradictions” in Georgia election worker Ruby Freeman’s testimony to the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

Trump only fears on person according to Kellyanne Conway

12:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump is apparently only afraid of one person on the planet, and that is his wife Melania — at least according to the person notable for coining the phrase “alternative facts.”

Former senior White House counselor Kellyanne Conway made the statements during testimony she gave the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot. The committee released the transcript of Ms Conway’s interview on 2 January.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Kellyanne Conway told Jan 6 committee that Trump only fears one person

Report links Trump NFTs and erotic art

11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The online profile behind Donald Trump’s ridiculed NFT trading cards collection has also been trading in erotic art, according to a report.

The one-term president’s widely mocked non-fungible token collection featured him depicted as a superhero, cowboy, astronaut and fighter pilot.

They were sold by the “TrumpDeployer” account on NFT trading platform OpenSea, which has reportedly also been used to trade other digital collectables.

Graeme Massie reports.

Account behind Trump’s NFT trading cards also trades in erotic art

Did Trump cause a 2016 baby boom?

10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican-leaning areas of the United States saw a “sharp rise’ in births after Donald Trump’s presidential win in 2016, dubbed the “Trump baby bump”.

However, Democratic counties experienced a baby slump, a new study has revealed.

Researchers suggest Trump’s presidency increased Republicans’ economic optimism, motivating them to have more children.

Alice Clifford has the details.

Revealed: The surprising ‘boom’ after Trump’s 2016 presidential win

Trump wanted ex-military critics tried at court-martial

08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump pushed to forcibly recall retired military officers who spoke out against him to active duty so they could be tried at court-martial and jailed, according to General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Gen Milley, the highest-ranking officer in the US military whose position makes him the chief military adviser to the President of the United States, made the startling admission during an interview with the House January 6 select committee.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump wanted ex-military critics tried at court-martial, top general said

Farewell to the Jan 6 committee as House changes hands

06:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House January 6 committee is shutting down, having completed a whirlwind 18-month investigation of the 2021 Capitol insurrection and sent its work to the Justice Department along with a recommendation for prosecuting former President Donald Trump.

Jan. 6 panel shutting down after referring Trump for crimes

Trump claims ‘abortion issue’ sunk GOP in midterms, not him

04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Nearly two months after the Republican Party’s disappointing showing in the 2022 midterm elections, former president Donald Trump has claimed that he played no role in high-profile defeats for the GOP in numerous statewide races, despite having endorsed each of the losing candidates.

Mr Trump spent much of the last day of 2022 and first days of 2023 blasting out repeated defences of his political record in a series of statements issued through his presidential campaign, including a bizarre press release listing Republican senators and House members who chose to retire or were defeated in GOP primaries after crossing the ex-president in one way or another.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump deflects blame and claims ‘abortion issue’ sunk GOP in midterms

Kinzinger raises fears for future of America if Trump isn’t charged

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Rep Adam Kinzinger has raised fears about the future of America if Donald Trump isn’t criminally charged for his role in the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

Mr Kinzinger, whose term in Congress will come to an end on Tuesday when the new House is sworn in, issued a grave warning on Sunday about what could happen if the Justice Department (DOJ) does not hold the former president to account.

“If this is not a crime, I don’t know what is. If a president can incite an insurrection and not be held accountable, then really there’s no limit to what a president can do or can’t do,” he told CNN on Sunday.

Rachel Sharp has the story.

Adam Kinzinger raises fears for future of America if Trump isn’t charged over Jan 6

Hurdles for both parties as 2024 comes into view

02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Both political parties are opening the new year confronting critical questions about the people and policies they want to embrace as the next election speeds into view.

The challenges are particularly urgent for Republicans, who hoped to enter 2023 with a secure grip on one, if not both, chambers of Congress. Instead, an underwhelming midterm election yielded only a thin House majority that will expose fierce intraparty divisions this week as California Rep. Kevin McCarthy fights for the speakership. And before the end of the month, the Republican National Committee must resolve a divisive leadership battle of its own.

Read on:

2024 contest comes into view with hurdles for both parties

Kinzinger blames McCarthy for Trump’s political staying power

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on a House select committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol, blamed GOP leader Kevin McCarthy for giving Donald Trump a political lifeline after the insurrection, opening the door for “crazy elements” in the soon-to-be Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

“He is the reason Donald Trump is still a factor,” Mr Kinzinger told CNN on 1 January. “He is the reason that some of the crazy elements of the House still exist.”

Alex Woodward reports.

Kinzinger blames Kevin McCarthy for Trump’s staying power and ‘crazy elements’ in GOP

GOP pull down Capitol metal detectors

00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The new Republican majority in Congress has decided to remove the metal detectors that outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi installed outside the House chamber after the Capitol riot on January 6, according to Rep Lauren Boebert.

Abe Asher reports.

GOP pull down Capitol metal detectors after members were fined for dodging them

House GOP dysfunction leaves Sen Patty Murray second in line for presidency

Tuesday 3 January 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House of Representatives’ failure to elect a speaker after three ballots on Tuesday means two women will, for a time, remain first and second in line for the presidency should disaster befall President Joe Biden.

Andrew Feinberg explains.

House GOP dysfunction leaves Sen Patty Murray second in line for presidency

Trump declines to say if he still backs McCarthy

Tuesday 3 January 2023 23:13 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump’s support for Rep Kevin McCarthy’s House speaker bid appears to be softening, after the California Republican failed to clinch enough votes to take the gavel after several rounds of voting.

Mr Trump had previously lobbied for Mr McCarthy to become speaker after Republicans eked out a majority in the House of Representatives in the November midterm elections.

But after Mr McCarthy’s bid was stymied by far-right House Republicans, Mr Trump appeared to leave his options open.

John Bowden reports.

Trump tiptoes away from McCarthy amid House speaker flop: ‘We’ll see what happens’

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

Tuesday 3 January 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump used his social media platform, Truth Social, to fuel conspiracy theories aimed at a Georgia election worker.

Around midnight on 2 January, Mr Trump fired off a message on Truth Social claiming there were “contradictions” in Georgia election worker Ruby Freeman’s testimony to the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Trump peddles conspiracy about Georgia election workers

US justice system ‘responsible for what comes next’ for Trump

Tuesday 3 January 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The leaders of the House of Representatives’ probe into the January 6 attack on the Capitol say the panel’s work was a “first step” towards accountability that will have to be followed up by the American criminal justice system.

Andrew Feinberg reports on what they hope comes next.

US justice system ‘responsible for what comes next’ after Jan 6 final report

Kinzinger fears for future of America if Trump isn’t charged over Jan 6

Tuesday 3 January 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Rep Adam Kinzinger has raised fears about the future of America if Donald Trump isn’t criminally charged for his role in the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

Mr Kinzinger, whose term in Congress will come to an end on Tuesday when the new House is sworn in, issued a grave warning on Sunday about what could happen if the Justice Department (DOJ) does not hold the former president to account.

Rachel Sharp reports on his comments.

Adam Kinzinger raises fears for future of America if Trump isn’t charged over Jan 6

Trump reportedly doesn’t trust ‘ultra MAGA’ Elise Stefanik

Tuesday 3 January 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has reportedly enjoyed watching New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik defend him, but allegedly does not trust the third-ranking House Republican who replaced US Rep Liz Cheney as chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021.

A profile on the rising Republican in The New York Times reports that Ms Stefanik has earned a reputation for her diligence “in advancing the party’s message” and her “unabashedly transactional” relationships to gain support as she advances in the lower chamber of Congress.

But sources close to the former president told The Times that any stories casting her as a “potential running mate [to Trump] are regarded as clumsy plants by her own team, and inspire bemusement and mockery.”

Alex Woodward has the story.

Trump reportedly doesn’t trust ‘ultra MAGA’ Elise Stefanik

Kinzinger blames McCarthy for Trump’s political staying power

Tuesday 3 January 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on a House select committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol, blamed GOP leader Kevin McCarthy for giving Donald Trump a political lifeline after the insurrection, opening the door for “crazy elements” in the soon-to-be Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

“He is the reason Donald Trump is still a factor,” Mr Kinzinger told CNN on 1 January. “He is the reason that some of the crazy elements of the House still exist.”

Alex Woodward reports.

Kinzinger blames Kevin McCarthy for Trump’s staying power and ‘crazy elements’ in GOP

Don Jr mocked for selling Bibles on social media

Tuesday 3 January 2023 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Outgoing Rep Adam Kinzinger of Illinois took aim at Donald Trump Jr on Monday after the son of former President Donald Trump posted a video of himself on social media last week hawking Bibles.

Abe Asher has the story.

Don Jr mocked by Adam Kinzinger for selling Bibles on social media

Donald Trump Jr voices support for McCarthy

Tuesday 3 January 2023 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

In an Instagram post Donald Trump Jr voiced his support for Kevin McCarthy ahead of this today’s vote.

“Hearing we could end up with a never-Trump or Dem as Speaker,” he wrote.

“McCarthy committed to a Select Committee on the politicization of Federal Law Enforcement & real investigations into the Biden Admin & the border.

“But we won’t get any of that with a Never-Trump as Speaker!”

McConnell celebrates milestone as Senate Dems retain power

Tuesday 3 January 2023 19:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Democrats will claim the Senate majority again on Tuesday, but much of the chamber’s focus is on the top Republican as Mitch McConnell becomes the longest serving Senate leader in history.

McConnell, 80, will surpass Montana Sen. Mike Mansfield’s record of 16 years as party leader when the Senate convenes midday for the new Congress. While the Kentucky Republican has acknowledged he would prefer his own party to be taking charge — “the majority is better,” McConnell frequently says — he’s celebrating his own personal milestone with a speech looking back at Senate leaders and their different styles over the decades.

And Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., cements a legacy of his own after winning a second term as leader. Democrats will go into the new Congress with a 51-49 majority, with newly Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema receiving her committee assignments from Democrats.

McConnell celebrates milestone as Senate Dems retain power

Tuesday 3 January 2023 18:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Controversial Congressman-elect George Santos, accused of lying extensively on his biography while running for office, casts his vote for McCarthy reportedly leading to jeers from the Democrat side of the chamber.

Ron DeSantis sworn in for second term as Florida governor

Tuesday 3 January 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, was sworn in to a second term Tuesday, saying freedom lives in Florida.

He took his oath in front of the state’s historic Capitol, where the main street through the city was renamed Ron DeSantis Way for the day.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sworn in for second term

Trump only fears one person, Conway told Jan 6 committee

Tuesday 3 January 2023 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump is apparently only afraid of one person on the planet, and that is his wife Melania — at least according to the person notable for coining the phrase “alternative facts.”

Former senior White House counselor Kellyanne Conway made the statements during testimony she gave the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot. The committee released the transcript of Ms Conway’s interview on 2 January.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Kellyanne Conway told Jan 6 committee that Trump only fears one person

Trump claims ‘abortion issue’ sunk GOP in midterms, not him

Tuesday 3 January 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Nearly two months after the Republican Party’s disappointing showing in the 2022 midterm elections, former president Donald Trump has claimed that he played no role in high-profile defeats for the GOP in numerous statewide races, despite having endorsed each of the losing candidates.

Mr Trump spent much of the last day of 2022 and first days of 2023 blasting out repeated defences of his political record in a series of statements issued through his presidential campaign, including a bizarre press release listing Republican senators and House members who chose to retire or were defeated in GOP primaries after crossing the ex-president in one way or another.

Trump deflects blame and claims ‘abortion issue’ sunk GOP in midterms

Trump wanted ex-military critics tried at court-martial

Tuesday 3 January 2023 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump pushed to forcibly recall retired military officers who spoke out against him to active duty so they could be tried at court-martial and jailed, according to General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump wanted ex-military critics tried at court-martial, top general said

Reports says Trump trading cards also connected to erotic art

Tuesday 3 January 2023 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The online profile behind Donald Trump’s ridiculed NFT trading cards collection has also been trading in erotic art, according to a report.

Graeme Massie has the details.

Account behind Trump’s NFT trading cards also trades in erotic art

Trump used Diet Cokes as stalling tactic as he filmed video confirming he’d leave office

Tuesday 3 January 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former White House photographer Shealah Craighead told the January 6 panel that Donald Trump kept using stalling tactics during filming of a video announcing that he would be leaving the White House after losing the 2020 US presidential elections.

Ms Craighead told the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riots that on 7 January 2021 Mr Trump delayed the release of the video by repeatedly ordering Diet Cokes and asking for towels to wipe his sweat.

Maroosha Muzaffar reports.

Trump kept asking for Diet Cokes as he filmed video confirming he’d leave office

Trump claims ‘China owns Biden’

Tuesday 3 January 2023 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

“Why is the Biden Administration so SOFT on China?” former president Donald Trump asks on Truth Social, before praising a take from Newsweek on perceived failings of the current US administration.

Why is the Biden Administration so SOFT on China? “The problem the Democrats have with China is that they are soft on China from a domestic policy, jobs, economy, trade, point of view…something that President Trump really understood.” Batya Ungar-Sargon, Newsweek Deputy Opinion Editor, on Maria B (Hey, what’s up with Newsweek? They are getting MUCH better. I guess they found out, like all of the others, that Fake News isn’t working - they’re all going “BUST”). CHINA OWNS BIDEN, and now, the USA!

In another post he adds:

I took in hundreds of billions of Dollars from China. Now we are giving it all back! Why? I know!!!

Trump rants about 'Democrat Bureau of Investigation;

Tuesday 3 January 2023 14:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump is ranting about his favourite subject on Truth Social, alleged bias against him by the “Radical Left DOJ” and the “Election Changing DBI (Democrat Bureau of Investigation”.

He posted this morning:

“Lawyer claims that the Department of Justice is hiding hundreds of records on Hunter and Jim Biden.” Maria Bartiromo. These records lead to, and implicate, Joe Biden and the many millions of dollars that have been stolen over the years. Why isn’t the Radical Left DOJ, and the Corrupt, Election Changing DBI (Democrat Bureau of Investigation), coming “CLEAN?” After 7 years of investigations on me, and even Spying on my Campaign, they found NOTHING! How about spending some time and effort on Joe?

Republican areas saw ‘baby boom’ after Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential win

Tuesday 3 January 2023 14:05 , Rachel Sharp

Republican-leaning areas of the United States saw a “sharp rise’ in births after Donald Trump’s presidential win in 2016, dubbed the “Trump baby bump”.

However, Democratic counties experienced a baby slump, a new study has revealed.

Researchers suggest Trump’s presidency increased Republicans’ economic optimism, motivating them to have more children.

Read more here:

Kinzinger mocks Donald Trump Jr for selling Bibles on social media

Tuesday 3 January 2023 13:45 , Rachel Sharp

Outgoing Republican Rep Adam Kinzinger has mocked Donald Trump Jr for appearing to try to sell Bibles on social media.

In a video posted online, the former president’s son was seen plugging the “We The People” Bible and claiming that it defends “Judeo-Christian” values.

Mr Kinzinger was one of several social media users to poke fun at Mr Trump Jr over the video.

“Oh the irony. The fact that some Christians dont see the problem here is more affirmation that it’s not the GOP that has failed Christians, it’s the church. Good Pastors and Priests rise up and call this out,” he tweeted.