Election 2024 live updates: John Kelly says Trump meets definition of a ‘fascist’ as Bill Gates donates $50m to Harris
Donald Trump meets the definition of “a fascist” and would govern like a dictator should he return to the White House in November, his former chief of staff has said.
John Kelly, who served the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019, told The New York Times, that Trump’s recent comments about using the military against what he called the “enemy within” were so dangerous that he felt he had to speak out.
“Looking at the definition of fascism: It’s a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy,” he said, adding that the former president matched such a definition.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Harris dodged a question on whether she would pardon Trump during an interview NBC Nightly News. “I’m not going to get into those hypotheticals. I’m focused on the next 14 days,” she said.
The vice president has also received a $50 million donation from billionaire tech entrepeneur and philanthropist, Bill Gates. The Microsoft founder said in a statement, that despite his previously apolitical stance, that “this election is different.”
Elsewhere in Detroit, Michigan, Barack Obama and rapper Eminem joined forces to rally support for Harris.
Key Points
Harris dodges question on whether she would pardon Trump if elected
Trump to appear on Joe Rogan, report says
Bill Gates donate $50 million to Harris campaign
Trump campaign files complaint over ‘foreign interference’ by ‘far-left’ Labour Party in US election
06:00 , Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has accused Sir Keir Starmer’s “far-left” Labour Party of interfering in the US election.
The Trump-Vance campaign filed a complaint with the US Federal Election Commission (FEC) accusing Labour of illegal foreign campaign donations.
Read more:
Trump files complaint over ‘foreign interference’ by Labour Party in US election
Listen: John Kelly says Trump matches definition of a ‘fascist’
05:15 , Mike Bedigan
Ben Stiller channels ‘Zoolander’ character for Doug Emhoff skit
04:45 , Mike Bedigan
Trump campaign official calls Biden a ‘piece of s***'
04:15 , Mike Bedigan
Trump reportedly said he needs ‘the kind of generals that Hitler had’ as Kelly brands him a ‘fascist’
03:45 , Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump reportedly once said that he needed “the kind of generals that Hitler had” in private conversations during his time in the White House, as one of his former chief advisors said he met the criteria for a “fascist.”
The claims come as part of a report in The Atlantic, which states that the former president held a disdain and misunderstanding of the military.
Read more here:
Trump reportedly said he needs ‘the kind of generals that Hitler had’
In pictures: Obama and Eminem rally for Harris in Michigan
03:15 , Mike Bedigan
Watch: Eminem addresses Harris supporters in Detroit
02:59 , Mike Bedigan
Barack Obama blasts Trump’s ‘strong’ image
02:45 , Mike Bedigan
Barack Obama blasted those who said they would vote for Donald Trump because of his image of “strength.”
“I have friends who have voted Republican in the past. I do not think one party has the monopoly on all wisdom,” he said. “But when I hear folks saying, ‘Yeah, I’m thinking about voting for him just because...’ and I say, ‘what?’
“And they say, ‘Well... he seems strong, he seems tough. I saw him at the UFC fight.’ ... I am here to tell you that is not what real strength is. It never has been. Real strength is about working hard... That’s real strength.
“Real strength is taking responsibility for your actions and upholding your duty. Real strength is about telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves.”
Obama: ‘For Donald Trump, freedom means getting away with stuff'
02:31 , Mike Bedigan
During his speech in Detroit, Michigan, Barack Obama adressed the differences between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had an election with candidates whose conception whose understanding of freedom is so different,” he said. “Because for Donald Trump and his cronies, freedom basically just means getting away with stuff.”
Obama and Eminem embrace onstage in Detroit
02:20 , Mike Bedigan
Obama: ‘Yeah, the economy was good when Trump came in... it was my economy!’
02:10 , Mike Bedigan
Barack Obama laughed as he recalled speaking to voters about the economy – a major issue for voters – under Donald Trump.
"Now, I'll be honest with you, I've been talking to people around the country, and sometimes I hear people say, ‘Well, you know, yeah, I know Trump's kind of goofy, but I do remember the economy when he first came in it was pretty good,’” he said.
“And I say, ‘yeah, it was good... because it was my economy! I know y'all remember it!"
Obama jabs at Trump’s McDonald's publicity stunt
02:00 , Mike Bedigan
In his remarks, Obama made reference to Donald Trump’s recent publicity stunt working at McDonald’s.
“Kamala Harris is ready for the job,” he said. This is a leader who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice need a champion.
“Somebody who was raised in the middle class, she worked at McDonald's when she was in college to pay her expenses. She did not pretend to work at McDonald's when it was closed...”
Obama takes a swipe at ‘grandpa’ Trump
01:51 , Mike Bedigan
Barack Obama took swipes at Donald Trump’s advancing age and strange remarks as he addressed crowds in Michigan.
“He said January 6 was a day of love. Made it sound like Woodstock, made it sound like Coachella,” he said. “Here’s the point Detroit, if your grandpa was at you like this, you’d be worried. You’d call up you call up your sister, your brother, your cousin. You be all like, ‘let me holla at you. Have you noticed grandpa? He acting a little funny.’”
He continued: “But this is somebody who wants unchecked power. We do not need to see what an older, loonier Donald Trump with no guard rails.”
Obama raps lyrics to Lose Yourself as he headlines in Detroit
01:40 , Mike Bedigan
Barack Obama joked about his nerves as he began remarks in Michigan, referencing lyrics by rapper Eminem, who introduced him to the stage.
“You know, I have done a lot of rallies, so I don’t usually get nervous, but I was feeling some kind of way following Eminem,” he said. “Now I know this. My palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy... There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti.
“I’m nervous, but on the surface, he looks calm and ready.
Eminem introduces Barack Obama at Harris rally in Detroit
01:27 , Mike Bedigan
Eminem was given a hero’s welcome as he took to the stage ahead of Barack Obama at a rally for Kamala Harris in Detroit.
The rapper, real name Marshall Mathers, urged people to get out and vote and delivered short remarks. “I think vice president Harris supports a future for this country where there’s freedoms, and many others that will be protected and upheld,” he said.
Eminem then introduced Obama, who walked out to Lose Yourself.
Former Trump chief of staff says he ‘meets definition of fascist'
01:25 , Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, has said that the former president meets the definition of a fascist and, if re-elected, would govern like a dictator if allowed.
“Looking at the definition of fascism: It’s a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy,” he said, speaking in a new interview with The New York Times,
Kelly said that definition accurately described Trump, adding: “In my experience, those are the kinds of things that he thinks would work better in terms of running America.”
He added that the former president’s recent comments about using the military against what he called the “enemy within” were so dangerous that he felt he had to speak out.
Early voting numbers are in. Here’s why Democrats shouldn’t panic
01:15 , Mike Bedigan
Political pundits need to come up with a new word to describe Democrats being worried about polls. “Bed-wetting” is officially overplayed.
With two weeks to go until the election, early voting is in full swing in many states. That’s led to a new outbreak of fretting and nervousness among Democrats.
John Bowden takes a closer look at what’s going on:
Early voting numbers are in. Here’s why Democrats shouldn’t panic
Trump cancels again ... this time skipping out on health rally with RFK Jr
01:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump reportedly canceled a planned Tuesday appearance with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former congressmember Tulsi Gabbard for a health-focused virtual town hall, according to his team, citing “changes in Trump’s schedule.”
The switch-up is the latest in a series of canceled or rescheduled appearances in recent days.
Josh Marcus reports.
Trump cancels again ... this time skipping out on health rally with RFK Jr
Kim Jong Un ‘thought Obama was a jerk,’ says Trump
Wednesday 23 October 2024 00:53 , Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump took aim at Barack Obama as he rallied in North Carolina, describing him as “a real jerk.”
“Kim Jong-un… thought Obama was a jerk. A real jerk,” he told supporters in Greensboro. “And I think he’s a real jerk because I watched him campaign over the last couple of days. What a… divider he is.”
Obama is due to make an appearance in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday night where he will be introduced by rapper Eminem.
Watch: Trump campaign files complaint over ‘foreign interference’ by ‘far-left’ Labour Party in US election
Wednesday 23 October 2024 00:40 , Mike Bedigan
Democratic insiders worry that Harris’s hold on the ‘blue wall’ is slipping
Wednesday 23 October 2024 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Democratic insiders are worrying that Vice President Kamala Harris’s grip on the so-called “blue wall” may be slipping, and with it, the election.
Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden got to the White House by winning Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, but three people with knowledge of the Harris campaign’s strategy have told NBC News that recent discussions have focused on the possibility that Michigan or Wisconsin may end up in former President Donald Trump’s win column.
If Harris doesn’t win both Wisconsin and Michigan, she has to pick up one or two other swing states to claim the presidency even if she wins Pennsylvania.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Democratic insiders worry that Harris’s hold on the ‘blue wall’ is slipping
Tim Walz attacks Elon Musk as Trump’s ‘running mate’ for ‘skipping around like a dips***’
Wednesday 23 October 2024 00:20 , Mike Bedigan
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz used an unexpected insult to attack Tesla and SpaceX executive Elon Musk for his support for former president Donald Trump, using some rather colorful language.
The Minnesota governor rallied with former president Barack Obama in Madison, Wisconsin on the first day of early voting as Democrats seek to boost votes in the college town in hopes of holding Wisconsin in their column.
Eric Garcia has more:
Walz attacks Elon Musk as Trump’s ‘running mate’ for ‘skipping around like a dips***’
Bill Gates donate $50 million to Harris campaign
Wednesday 23 October 2024 00:10 , Mike Bedigan
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has reportedly donated $50 million to the Harris campaign, saying that despite his previously apolitical stance in public, that “this election is different.”
The donation was supposed to be private, but was later confirmed to the New York Times by Gates, who said in a statement: “I support candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving health care, reducing poverty and fighting climate change in the US and around the world.
“I have a long history of working with leaders across the political spectrum, but this election is different, with unprecedented significance for Americans and the most vulnerable people around the world.”
Harris says ‘concessions’ on women’s rights ‘cannot be negotiable'
Wednesday 23 October 2024 00:02 , Mike Bedigan
Asked about the possibilty of “concessions” to help earn Republican votes, Kamala Harris said that issues of women’s rights “cannot be negotiable.”
“I don't think we should be making concessions when we are talking about a fundamental freedom to make decisions about your own body,” Harris told NBC’s Nightly News.
“A basic freedom has been taken from the women of America, the freedom to make decisions about their own body. And that cannot be negotiable.”
Harris dodges question on whether she would pardon Trump if elected
Tuesday 22 October 2024 23:47 , Mike Bedigan
Kamala Harris refused to say if she would or would not pardon Donald Trump, should she be elected president.
In an interview with NBC, the vice president was asked what would happen should Trump declare victory before the official results of the election were returned.
“We will deal with election night and the days after as they come, and we have the resources and the expertise and the focus on that as well,” Harris said, adding that she had teams “ready”.
NBC anchor Hallie Jackson asked: “Would you consider, if you win and he's convicted, a pardon for former President Trump?”
Harris replied: “I'm not going to get into those hypotheticals. I'm focused on the next 14 days.”
US is ‘absolutely’ ready for a woman of color as president, says Harris
Tuesday 22 October 2024 23:37 , Mike Bedigan
Kamala Harris said that the US is “absolutely” ready to have a woman of color as the president.
Asked the question directly during an interview with NBC News, she replied: “Absolutely. And I am saying that in terms of every walk of life of our country, you know, I think part of what is important in this election is really not only turning the page, but closing the page and the chapter on an era that suggests that Americans are divided.”
Asked if she saw sexism as a factor in the presidential race, Harris replied: “I don’t think of it that way. My challenge is the challenge of making sure I can talk with and listen to as many voters as possible and earn their vote.”
Harris made the remarks during an appearance on NBC Nightly News in an interview recorded in Washington, DC, earlier on Tuesday.
MAGA influencer who repeatedly attacked Taylor Swift spotted at her concert
Tuesday 22 October 2024 23:25 , Oliver O'Connell
A right-wing influencer who has criticized Taylor Swift on social media was captured attending the singer’s “Eras Tour” concert in Miami, Florida over the weekend with an advisor to a Trump-endorsed candidate.
Ariana Baio has the story.
MAGA influencer who repeatedly attacked Taylor Swift spotted at ‘Eras Tour’
Trump insists Border Patrol union told him they like him more than Abe Lincoln
Tuesday 22 October 2024 23:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Former president Donald Trump claimed that members of a Border Patrol union told him that they liked him more than Abraham Lincoln because he did a better job protecting US borders.
Trump made the bizarre comment about the 16th president during a rally in Greenville, North Carolina, on Monday. The statement comes after Trump criticized Lincoln for not settling the Civil War.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Trump insists Border Patrol union told him they like him more than Abe Lincoln
Donald Trump loses edge over Kamala Harris on economy two weeks out from Election Day, new poll finds
Tuesday 22 October 2024 23:00 , Joe Sommerlad
Trump has lost his advantage over Harris on the economy, with a majority of voters now saying they believe the Democrat is best placed to steward the country and favor her tax and housing policies, according to a new poll.
The survey from Associated Press/NORC gives the Vice President a lead over the Republican on the issue, which the electorate consistently places as the most important of the race, putting her ahead by 46 percent to 35 percent.
However, voters are about evenly divided on whether Trump or Harris is better on prices for everyday essentials like groceries and gas and neither candidate has an edge on jobs and unemployment.
They are also slightly more likely to prefer Trump on the issue of tariffs, which were defined in the poll as taxes on imported goods.
“Do I trust Trump on the economy? No. I trust that he’ll give tax cuts to his buddies like Elon Musk,” said poll respondent Janice Tosto, a 59-year-old Philadelphia woman and self-described independent.
By contrast, poll respondent Amber Moody, 36, from Halifax, Virginia, said she trusts Trump – and Republicans in general – much more on economic matters.
“It seems to me that in my lifetime, every time a Democrat holds office, the economy suffers,” she said.
“Prices go up, taxes go up and the national debt goes up. While I don’t approve of everything Donald Trump says and does, I do believe he is the better choice.”
Early voting numbers are in. Here’s why Democrats shouldn’t panic
Tuesday 22 October 2024 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden writes:
Political pundits need to come up with a new word to describe Democrats being worried about polls. “Bed-wetting” is officially overplayed.
With two weeks to go until the election, early voting is in full swing in many states. That’s led to a new outbreak of fretting and nervousness among Democrats.
Continue reading...
Early voting numbers are in. Here’s why Democrats shouldn’t panic
Watch: Harris says America ‘absolutely’ ready for women of color to be president
Tuesday 22 October 2024 22:44 , Oliver O'Connell
Harris preparing for possibility of Trump declaring victory before all votes counted
Tuesday 22 October 2024 22:35 , Oliver O'Connell
Kamala Harris said she's preparing for the possibility that Donald Trump could declare victory before the votes are counted in the election.
Speaking to Hallie Jackson of NBC News in an interview to be broadcast this evening, the vice president said she and her team are prepared for the possibility that the Republican former president tries to subvert the election results but first and foremost she is focused on trying to beat him, with two weeks to go.
Per NBC News:
"We will deal with election night and the days after as they come, and we have the resources and the expertise and the focus on that," Harris said.
When pressed on the possibility that Trump tries to declare victory before the votes are counted and a winner is projected by the news networks and other media outlets, Harris said she is concerned.
"This is a person, Donald Trump, who tried to undo the free and fair election, who still denies the will of the people who incited a violent mob to attack the United States Capitol, and 140 law enforcement officers were attacked, some who were killed. This is a serious matter," Harris said, referring to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
Usha Vance carries an 800-page book with her on the campaign trail
Tuesday 22 October 2024 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell
It is neither The Art of the Deal nor Hillbilly Elegy.
Katie Hawkinson reports.
Vance’s wife carries this 800-page book around with her on the campaign trail
Harris planning to spend election night at alma mater, report says
Tuesday 22 October 2024 22:16 , Oliver O'Connell
NBC News reports that Kamala Harris is planning on spending election night in Washington, DC, possibly using her alma mater, Howard University as a venue from which to speak.
The network cites seven people familiar with the planning.
While it’s possible the election results could be known within hours and not days, the Democratic campaign is preparing for a much longer stretch — perhaps even an election “week” — without an outcome, these people said.
That plan could include several different speeches and venues for delivering them. Precisely what Harris says publicly and the backdrop for her remarks would depend on how Election Day and the rest of the week unfolds, the people familiar with the planning said.
“Bottom line: we have to be ready for anything,” one of the people said.
The Harris campaign did not return a request for comment.
Ohio man charged with bringing massive ‘Trump’ sign to Capitol which was then used as weapon
Tuesday 22 October 2024 22:10 , Oliver O'Connell
An Ohio man was arrested Tuesday on charges that he brought a massive “Trump” sign to the U.S. Capitol and joined other rioters in using it as a weapon against police officers during a mob attack.
Jeffrey Newcomb, 41, of Polk, Ohio, apparently posted on social media that he brought the custom-made, metal-framed sign to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, “because bullets are expensive,” according to an FBI agent’s affidavit. The sign was approximately 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, with wheels the size of a person’s head, the affidavit says.
Read on...
Ohio man charged with bringing massive 'Trump' sign to Capitol for rioters to use as a weapon
Watch: Trump ‘shameful’ for spreading hurricane lies, says Obama
Tuesday 22 October 2024 22:02 , Oliver O'Connell
Kari Lake’s office on lockdown after staffer opened envelope with ‘suspicious’ substance inside
Tuesday 22 October 2024 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell
The office of Kari Lake, the Republican Senate candidate for Arizona, is on lockdown after a campaign staffer opened a package containing a suspicious substance, Fox News Digital reports.
An intern at the campaign's Phoenix office opened an envelope with a suspicious substance and a note that read “caution anthrax”.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and a hazmat team responded and the substance is now being tested.
“The radical left, with help from the mainstream media, has escalated its attacks against me from baseless smears and legal harassment to physical threats. Today, my office received a suspicious envelope, potentially containing anthrax — an attempt to intimidate and silence me,” Lake said in a statement.
“This isn't just about me; it’s an attack on our movement. I won’t be intimidated, and those responsible must be brought to justice. The time to unite against these dangerous, un-American tactics is now.”
In pictures: Obama joins Walz at Wisconsin rally for Kamala Harris
Tuesday 22 October 2024 21:55 , Oliver O'Connell
Deceptive political fundraising tactics are tricking the elderly out of their life savings
Tuesday 22 October 2024 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Relentless and aggressive text messages and emails from political campaigns demanding donations are preying upon vulnerable elderly people who have unintentionally given away hundreds of thousands of dollars, an investigation has found.
Ariana Baio has the story.
Fundraising tactics tricking elderly into blowing life savings on political donations
Watch: Obama rips Trump’s McDonald’s photo op stunt
Tuesday 22 October 2024 21:43 , Oliver O'Connell