Trump Thrusts McDonald’s Into the Political Arena in Final Days of 2024 Campaign
In the final push of his 2024 White House campaign, Donald Trump has pulled one of America’s most iconic companies, McDonald’s, into the political spotlight. On a visit to a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, Trump swapped his usual suit jacket for an apron and briefly took on the role of fry cook. The visit, where he joked about making food for customers himself, adds a new twist to his campaign as it reaches its final days.
The former president’s love for McDonald’s is well-known, but this particular stop also reignited a jab at Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris has previously shared her experience working at McDonald’s during her youth, a fact Trump has repeatedly questioned. His visit to the fast-food chain seemed aimed at sowing further doubt about Harris’s claims, stating, “I’ve always wanted to work at McDonald’s, but I never did. I’m running against somebody who said she did, but it turned out to be a totally phony story.”
Harris has largely avoided engaging with Trump’s comments, but her work at McDonald’s has been mentioned as part of her middle-class background during her 2024 campaign. Trump’s remarks come as part of his broader strategy of questioning the personal histories of his political rivals, a tactic he has employed before, including during the infamous "birther" movement targeting former President Barack Obama.
The McDonald’s visit isn’t the first time Trump has used his fast food preferences as a political statement. Earlier in his campaign, he visited another McDonald’s in East Palestine, Ohio, where he claimed to know the menu better than anyone. His connection with fast food has been a recurring theme throughout his public life, reflecting his broader appeal to working-class voters.
As Election Day approaches, Trump continues to mix politics with his personal branding, using stops like the McDonald’s visit to reinforce his relatable image while attacking his rivals. Whether this strategy will sway undecided voters remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Trump is doubling down on familiar tactics to energize his base in these final campaign days.
Trump Amplifies Baseless Claim About Immigrants 'Eating Pets' in Ohio
Former President Donald Trump repeated an unfounded rumor during Tuesday’s presidential debate, claiming that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are abducting and eating pets.
"They're eating the dogs and the cats," Trump said when asked about immigration. "They're eating the pets of the people that live there. This is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame."
The statement, one of the most startling moments in the debate’s opening 30 minutes, spread a baseless social media rumor to a national audience. Critics have labeled the claim as both inaccurate and racially charged. The incident highlights the role of misinformation in modern media and politics.
ABC News anchor David Muir, co-moderating the debate, quickly countered Trump’s claim, noting that the city manager in Springfield, Ohio, had reported no credible evidence of pets being harmed by immigrants in the area.
Unsubstantiated rumors about Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, had circulated online for several days. Police in Springfield issued a statement earlier in the week debunking the claims, saying, "There have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community."
Despite the lack of evidence, some Republicans, including Ohio Senator and vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, have used these claims to argue that immigrants are causing disorder. While Vance acknowledged the rumors in a statement on social media, he admitted, “It’s possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false.”
The rumors stem from vague and unverified social media posts, including a fourth-hand story in a Facebook group focused on local crime. Some statements made at public meetings referenced violence against animals but lacked credible evidence.
Springfield Mayor Rob Rue reiterated Tuesday that the city had not documented any cases of immigrants eating pets. "These rumors distract from real issues like housing, schools, and healthcare needs," Rue said at a city commission meeting.
One alleged incident of animal cruelty, falsely attributed to a Haitian immigrant in Springfield, was found to have occurred 160 miles away in Canton, Ohio. The person charged in that case had no known connection to Haiti.
Immigration was a central topic at the city commission meeting, where Nathan Clark, a Springfield resident whose son was killed last year by a Haitian immigrant in a car accident, spoke out against politicians using his son’s death to stoke anti-immigrant sentiment.
Immigration remains a polarizing issue in the 2024 presidential race. According to an NBC News poll from April, 22% of voters rank immigration and border issues as their top concern, second only to inflation at 23%.
John Kirby, a national security spokesperson for the White House, condemned the claims about Haitian immigrants as a dangerous conspiracy theory that could provoke violence against immigrants.
“There are people who will believe this, no matter how ridiculous it is, and they could act on it in ways that hurt someone,” Kirby warned during a press briefing.
Trump’s claim about pets was just one of several statements in the debate that drew from misinformation. He also referenced debunked stories about Venezuelan gangs in Colorado and foreign influence on the Biden administration, none of which are supported by credible evidence.
During one segment, Trump revisited the false claim that Hunter Biden received $3.5 million from the wife of Moscow’s former mayor, an allegation that has been repeatedly disproven. Despite these statements, Trump continued to push narratives not backed by facts, underscoring the role of conspiracy theories in shaping public discourse.
US Army Criticizes Trump Campaign Over Incident at Arlington Cemetery
The US Army issued a strong statement condemning former President Donald Trump’s campaign following an incident on Monday at Arlington National Cemetery. According to a statement released on Thursday, participants in a ceremony at the cemetery were informed about federal laws prohibiting political activities on the grounds, yet an employee was “abruptly pushed aside” while attempting to enforce these rules.
“Those involved in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent visit to Section 60 were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations, and Department of Defense policies, which clearly prohibit political activities at cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who tried to enforce these rules was abruptly pushed aside,” an Army spokesperson stated on Thursday. Section 60 is a part of the cemetery where many Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are buried.
The statement emphasized the seriousness of the incident and expressed disappointment over attacks on the professionalism of the ANC employee involved. The Army stressed that Arlington National Cemetery is a sacred place dedicated to honoring the military's fallen and that staff members are committed to ensuring that public ceremonies are conducted with the utmost respect and dignity.
Although the incident was reported to the police at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, the employee chose not to press charges, leading the Army to consider the matter closed.
This statement marks a rare instance of the military publicly addressing a political issue. It also adds to the list of controversies involving Trump and the military, as his campaign seeks to highlight the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan under the Biden administration as a critical election issue.
Trump was at the cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony honoring 13 US service members killed at Kabul airport’s Abbey Gate in Afghanistan three years ago. A video posted by the Trump campaign on TikTok showed Trump walking through Arlington and visiting gravesites, with audio criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Accounts of the Monday incident vary. The Trump campaign maintains that no laws were violated, while cemetery officials assert that participants were clearly informed to avoid political activities. NPR first reported a “verbal and physical altercation” during the cemetery visit, with a source indicating that a cemetery official tried to prevent Trump’s team from taking photos and filming in areas with recent US casualties. In response, Trump campaign staff allegedly “verbally abused and pushed the official aside,” according to NPR.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung denied any physical altercation, claiming that an unnamed individual attempted to “physically block members of President Trump’s team during a solemn ceremony.” Cheung suggested there is video evidence to support this claim, though no footage has been released.
Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita echoed this sentiment, stating that “President Trump was there at the invitation of the Abbey Gate Gold Star Families to honor their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”
LaCivita criticized the conduct of the cemetery official, calling it a disgrace and accusing them of disrespecting the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. He claimed that any allegations against Trump’s team dishonor the armed forces and those who sacrificed their lives.
However, a statement from Arlington National Cemetery, obtained by CNN, reiterated that federal law prohibits political campaign activities within Army National Military Cemeteries. The cemetery emphasized that this rule had been clearly communicated to all participants, including photographers and content creators.
Trump appeared to suggest that the controversy was related to his campaign’s use of photography, sharing a statement from the families of the fallen soldiers approving the presence of Trump’s official videographer and photographer to capture these moments of remembrance.
Despite this, it was not just the graves of the Abbey Gate victims that were featured in the media from Trump’s visit. At least one photo showed the grave of an Army Special Forces soldier who died by suicide, and whose family did not give permission for the campaign to use it. The family of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano, a Silver Star recipient, whose grave is next to that of Marine Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover expressed that the Trump campaign did not adhere to the rules set for the visit.
Michele Marckesano, speaking on behalf of her family, stated that while they supported the Abbey Gate families seeking accountability for the Afghanistan withdrawal, the Trump campaign did not follow the rules of Section 60. She stressed the importance of respecting the gravesites of those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Veterans groups have also criticized the Trump campaign for conducting political activities at Arlington. Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, emphasized that Arlington is not an appropriate place for politics, stating that any aspiring leader, especially one seeking to become commander-in-chief, should understand this.
VoteVets, a progressive organization advocating for US troops and veterans, condemned Trump’s actions at the cemetery, describing them as “an affront to all those hundreds of thousands of families who never agreed to allow their deceased loved ones to be dragged into politics.”
Vance Discusses Campaign Strategy with Trump: 'We're Speaking to Different People in Different Ways'
Just a week ago, the friction between former President Donald Trump and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp seemed insurmountable. Trump's constant criticism of a key Republican from a battleground state appeared to threaten his own campaign's prospects.
Enter Trump's running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance. After a phone conversation with Kemp, who had endured harsh attacks from Trump, Kemp soon appeared on Fox News to publicly support the GOP ticket. Not long after, Trump expressed his gratitude for Kemp's supportive remarks.
In an interview with NBC News aboard his campaign plane on Tuesday night, Vance played down his role in easing tensions, suggesting he was one of many influential voices Kemp was hearing. However, Vance outlined a strategy, endorsed by Trump, leveraging the fact that he can connect with people in ways that Trump might not.
“There are a lot of similarities, but there are also a lot of differences,” Vance said, describing his partnership with Trump. Reflecting on their campaign approach, Vance recalled Trump saying, “‘I trust you. We should both be in different places unless it’s a really big event ... divide and conquer.’”
“We’re each trying to communicate with different people in different ways, and we’re each trying to run the race as effectively as we can,” Vance added. “Trump obviously sets the tone and the policies, and I just try to support him.”
The conflict between Trump and Kemp dates back to Kemp's refusal to challenge the 2020 election results in Georgia, where Trump narrowly lost to President Joe Biden. Democrats are hopeful about their chances in Georgia this year; Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are starting a bus tour there on Wednesday.
Vance mentioned that his conversation with Kemp emphasized the common goals shared by Kemp and Trump.
“My approach was, ‘I’m not going to change your mind about Trump, just like I’m not going to change Trump’s mind about you. But you both agree on 90% of the issues. You can set personal differences aside,’” Vance said. “I think many people were conveying this message to both Trump and Kemp, and I’m glad Kemp reached a positive decision, but I don’t take any credit for it.”
Cody Hall, a senior adviser to Kemp, stated that “the governor conveyed to Senator Vance the same message he’s been delivering for over a year, and repeated last week: he fully supports the Republican ticket, is committed to winning Georgia for Trump, and strongly believes that the country can’t afford a Kamala Harris presidency.”
During the interview, Vance also discussed reconciling some of his policy views with Trump’s, particularly on abortion. Vance had campaigned against a constitutional amendment that passed in Ohio, securing abortion rights. He had also previously supported federal abortion restrictions. Now, on the GOP ticket, Vance defers to Trump, who favors leaving the issue to individual states.
“I don’t think it’s about abandoning your values,” Vance said. “I am pro-life and care deeply about the issue. I want to save as many babies as possible. But I also understand that voters make these decisions. We campaigned hard against the amendment in Ohio, and we lost. So those of us who are pro-life need to reconsider how we communicate our message to the American people.”
Vance stated he didn’t see any “major misalignment” with Trump on any issues. “But even if there were, the voters chose him, and he chose me,” he said. “My role is to advocate for the campaign and help make Trump the next president.”
The interview took place on Vance’s return to Washington after a fundraiser in Nashville and a visit to Big Rapids, Michigan. Vance has upcoming events in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which, along with Michigan, are key “blue wall” states that Trump won in 2016 but which flipped to Biden in 2020. Vance, who often speaks about his working-class background and how it informs his populist economic views, has made 20 stops in these states since joining the ticket.
In Big Rapids, where plans for an electric vehicle battery plant linked to China have sparked controversy, Vance’s event was described as a small-scale discussion on the economy. However, it resembled a rally, with hundreds of people gathering under the hot sun on a horse farm.
There, Vance launched a new attack on Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee. Referring to a report accusing Harris of changing her stance on a border wall, Vance claimed she was “copying all of Donald Trump’s policies.”
“In fact,” Vance joked, “I’ve heard she plans to wear a navy suit, a long red tie, and adopt the slogan ‘Make America Great Again’ for her upcoming debate.”
Afterward, Vance visited a nearby A&W restaurant, serving root beer floats and taking selfies with attendees, contrasting with his earlier visit to a bakery in Valdosta, Georgia. During that visit, with the media present, Vance had awkward interactions while buying doughnuts, and an employee asked not to be filmed. A video of the uncomfortable encounter went viral.
“I felt so bad for that woman,” Vance said on the plane, referring to the bakery worker. “We walked in with Secret Service and cameras everywhere, and she wasn’t prepared. She was clearly terrified. I felt awful for her.”
Vance said he enjoys engaging with people and has instructed his team to better plan such visits in the future. “We don’t script these events. I don’t want to do multiple takes of buying snacks at a gas station,” Vance said, referencing a recent Harris visit to a Pennsylvania gas station. “I want to interact with people genuinely, but we need to make sure people are comfortable with being on camera, so we don’t cause anyone anxiety.”
Vance’s mother, Beverly Aikins, accompanied him on the trip. Vance has written about her battle with drug addiction in his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” and celebrated her nearing 10 years of sobriety during his speech at the Republican convention. He shared her story with the Big Rapids crowd, linking his family’s challenges to what he described as the failures of past leaders.
“I want people to see him as I do,” Aikins said to NBC News as her son met with supporters at the A&W. “He’s a wonderful person, and he genuinely believes he can make a difference.”
Back on the plane, with Aikins sitting beside him, Vance mentioned he hasn’t decided who will play Walz in their upcoming debate prep.
“I aim to understand the details, whether at a rally, press conference, or policy speech,” Vance said. “If you know the details, you can form your views. This stuff needs to be natural. Over-scripting or over-preparing would be a mistake.”
On Sunday, former President Trump hinted that he might not participate in next month's debate with Vice President Harris, which is set to be hosted by ABC News.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the network's panel and criticized an interview conducted by Jonathan Karl with Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on the show "This Week." Trump questioned why he should agree to a debate hosted by ABC.
"I watched ABC FAKE NEWS this morning, both lightweight reporter Jonathan Karl’s (K?) ridiculous and biased interview of Tom Cotton (who was fantastic!), and their so-called Panel of Trump Haters, and I ask, why would I do the Debate against Kamala Harris on that network?" Trump wrote.
Trump referenced past actions by “This Week” panelist Donna Brazile, who provided the Clinton campaign with advance notice of town hall questions during the 2016 primary, suggesting that something similar could happen with Harris. He also raised concerns about ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, with whom he has ongoing litigation, potentially being involved in the debate, although there has been no indication that he would be.
“They’ve got a lot of questions to answer!!!” Trump added. “Why did Harris turn down Fox, NBC, CBS, and even CNN? Stay tuned!!!”
Trump had previously agreed to a debate with President Biden on September 10, to be hosted by ABC News. After Harris replaced Biden as the top candidate on the Democratic ticket, Trump expressed uncertainty about his participation.
Despite his reservations, both parties eventually agreed to proceed with the ABC News-hosted debate on September 10. While Trump had advocated for additional debates on Fox News and NBC News in September, the Harris campaign maintained that it would only agree to the ABC News event before considering a second debate.
The September 10 debate is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia and will be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, according to ABC News.
Central Park Five Criticize Trump at Democratic Convention: "He Wanted Us Dead"
Members of the Central Park Five, who were wrongfully convicted of rape and assault, spoke at the Democratic convention on Thursday, criticizing former President Trump for his past calls for their execution. They didn't hold back, expressing their outrage over his actions and statements.
Google Reports Iranian Hack Attempts on Trump and Biden-Harris Campaigns
Google revealed in a report on Wednesday that it identified efforts by Iranian hackers to target both the Trump and Biden-Harris campaigns in May and June, as part of a broader ongoing phishing operation.
This announcement by Google supports the Trump campaign’s recent claim that it was targeted by an Iranian hacking campaign aiming to interfere with the U.S. election.
According to Google’s Threat Analysis Group, which monitors government-backed cyberattacks, it disrupted a “small but persistent” phishing operation carried out by a hacking unit linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
During May and June, “targets included the personal email accounts of approximately a dozen individuals associated with President Biden and former President Trump, including current and former U.S. government officials and individuals connected to both campaigns,” the report stated. Google blocked numerous attempts to access the targets’ personal email accounts.
The report also noted that in July, Iranian hackers managed to breach the Gmail account of a prominent political consultant. Google secured the account and referred the case to law enforcement but did not disclose the consultant’s identity or whether they were involved with either campaign.
The hacking group tied to the Revolutionary Guard is known for its relentless persistence. Google reported that it continues to observe unsuccessful attempts to compromise accounts linked to Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Trump.
These attempted hacks are part of a larger campaign targeting U.S. and Israeli entities, using Google products like Sites, Drive, and Gmail.
Last week, concerns about credible hacking threats to U.S. presidential campaigns escalated when Microsoft reported that Revolutionary Guard-affiliated hackers had breached the email account of a former senior adviser to a presidential campaign. However, Microsoft did not provide further details on who was targeted.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Mission to the United Nations did not respond to requests for comment. Previously, Iranian state news reported that a representative for the mission denied any involvement in hacking Trump’s campaign.
Over the weekend, three U.S. news outlets — Politico, The Washington Post, and The New York Times — reported receiving emails that appeared to contain Trump campaign files, suggesting a possible “hack-and-leak” operation intended to embarrass Trump. On Monday, the FBI announced it was investigating efforts to hack both the Trump and Biden-Harris campaigns but did not provide additional information.
So far, only the Trump campaign has claimed to have been hacked. The phishing attempts occurred before Biden exited the race and Harris became the Democratic nominee. A Harris campaign official told NBC News they were unaware of any security breach.
To date, no major cybersecurity firm or government agency has confirmed that Iran successfully hacked the Trump campaign. Microsoft has declined to elaborate on its report, with a spokesperson stating that the company’s policy is not to disclose details about hacking victims unless requested by the victim.
These developments follow a warning from a U.S. intelligence official from the Foreign Malign Influence Center, indicating that Iran was likely to continue efforts to undermine Trump.
Will Kamala Harris’ Polling Lead Hold? A Polling Expert Weighs In
Kamala Harris is enjoying the momentum of a new candidacy, which has quickly pushed her into the lead.
Just three weeks into her campaign, the vice president has seen a surge in support, closing a gap that Joe Biden struggled to overcome during his run. However, the question remains: how stable is this lead?
It’s been an extraordinary month in American politics, where any single major event would typically create a temporary shift in the polls. Events like the July 13 assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the Republican convention, Trump’s selection of a running mate, Biden’s exit from the presidential race, and Harris’ choice of vice-presidential candidate have all played a role. But untangling the impact of each event to determine the true state of the race is challenging, and with the Democratic convention on the horizon, more changes could be imminent.
How has the race evolved at a deeper level? And if Trump regains the lead, what indicators will signal that shift before it’s reflected in the top-line polling?
A flood of surveys in the coming days will start to shed light on these questions, followed by two intense months of polling. Several key metrics have supported Harris’ early success: her rising favorability ratings and Trump’s shrinking lead on the economy, a core issue for the former president.
“Presidential campaigns are marathons, but this one has turned into a sprint,” said Neil Newhouse, Mitt Romney’s lead pollster during his 2012 presidential bid. “That tends to benefit the candidate who’s new on the scene.”
Here are five critical metrics to watch, beyond the top-line polling, to gauge the true state of the race:
Kamala Harris’ Favorability Rating
June 27: 39% (RealClearPolitics average)
Now: 45%
Voters are beginning to see Harris in a different light since she became the Democratic presidential candidate.
Over the past three years, Harris has faced a significant gap between those who view her favorably and those with an unfavorable opinion. That gap is now closing. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll showed that, in key battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, 50% of likely voters viewed her favorably, compared to 48% unfavorably.
However, this favorable perception might not last. Trump’s campaign has launched a wave of advertisements in battleground states, portraying Harris as “dangerously liberal,” which could negatively affect her favorability, especially as her record comes under closer scrutiny in the weeks following her campaign launch.
“Image is a precursor to ballot change,” Newhouse noted. “You’ll see her image shift before the polling numbers do, with her unfavorability ratings, particularly the strong ones, potentially rising.”
Trump, too, is enjoying a high-water mark in favorability — the best since the 2020 election — following the assassination attempt and Republican convention. This suggests that his numbers could also decline to more typical, less favorable levels.
“With Kamala Harris, it’s like ‘A Star is Born,’” said Mark Mellman, lead pollster for then-Senator John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race. “It’s real, it’s natural, but it’s not necessarily permanent. It’s possible that both candidates’ favorability ratings could dip a bit over time.”
Since Harris replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee, the percentage of voters indicating support for one of the three independent or third-party candidates — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, or Jill Stein — has nearly halved.
While this is technically part of the broader polling picture, it also highlights a unique aspect of this election: more voters, fueled by Harris’ rise in popularity and Trump’s post-assassination and post-conviction boost in favorability, are inclined to support the main candidates. This is a shift from earlier in the race when up to a quarter of voters expressed dissatisfaction with both Biden and Trump.
Trump's Chaotic Musk Interview: A Public Relations Nightmare
For a billionaire with a fascination for flirting with far-right ideologies, Elon Musk has an uncanny talent for making conservative figures look foolish.
Former President Donald Trump eagerly promoted his upcoming Monday night interview with Musk, which was set to stream on X (formerly Twitter). However, much like the rocky launch of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign on the same platform, the Trump-Musk interview turned into a social media debacle, inviting widespread mockery over the glaring technical glitches and lack of preparedness.
Since Kamala Harris secured the top spot on the Democratic ticket last month, Trump’s campaign has been struggling. His immature attacks on Harris have fallen flat, and his racist remarks about her mixed-race background have alienated all but his staunchest supporters. His choice of JD Vance as his running mate has also backfired, with Vance becoming increasingly unappealing with each public appearance.
In an odd and likely misguided attempt to regain his footing, Trump decided to sit down with Musk for a chat with an audience that skews heavily online and does not reflect the broader electorate. Even if the interview had gone smoothly, it would have been a strange and ineffective move in Trump’s efforts to counter Harris’ growing momentum.
But the interview did not go smoothly. It went off the rails almost immediately. As the scheduled start time came and went, X users were left in the dark, either laughing or fuming as the broadcast failed to begin. It took over 40 minutes before the interview finally started, adding another layer of embarrassment to a campaign already struggling to maintain a veneer of competence.
Trump, who had previously ridiculed DeSantis for his Twitter interview disaster in May 2023, writing, “Wow! The DeSanctus TWITTER launch is a DISASTER! His whole campaign will be a disaster. WATCH!”, found himself in a similar, if not worse, predicament.
Once the interview finally got underway, things didn’t improve for Trump. His speech was disjointed, jumping from topics like crowd sizes and immigration to President Joe Biden and other random thoughts. Worse still, his slurred speech raised further concerns about his health and did nothing to dispel growing worries about his age and fitness for office.
Musk, who lacks the ability to steer a conversation or challenge his guest, merely echoed Trump’s bizarre statements, occasionally veering off on his own right-wing tangents, much like a man too wealthy to be told he’s wrong.
Quoting anything from the interview would be pointless, as Trump’s remarks were either too incoherent to transcribe or recycled from his usual rally rhetoric.
Trump's message has become tiresomely predictable: build a wall, drill for oil, bash Marxists and socialists, and make racially insensitive remarks about Harris. His latest attempt to revitalize his campaign by teaming up with a tech mogul known for social media missteps resulted in what Trump himself might call a "DISASTER!"
Musk, with his clumsy handling of social media and inflated sense of self-importance, first made DeSantis look inept. Now, he’s done the same to Trump.
At this rate, Musk’s continued blunders might even win him some unlikely fans.
Trump Campaign Confirms Hack After Anonymous Emails Surface
The campaign for former President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that some of its internal communications had been compromised by a hacker. This announcement followed the receipt of emails by POLITICO from an anonymous sender who shared documents purportedly from within Trump’s campaign.
The Trump campaign attributed the breach to “foreign sources hostile to the United States,” referencing a Microsoft report released on Friday. The report highlighted a spear phishing attempt in June by Iranian hackers targeting a senior official in a U.S. presidential campaign, though Microsoft did not specify which campaign was targeted. When asked for details, a Trump campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, declined to provide further information supporting the claim that Iran was responsible for the breach.
“These documents were obtained illegally from foreign sources hostile to the United States, intended to interfere with the 2024 election and sow chaos throughout our Democratic process,” Cheung stated. He also mentioned Microsoft’s report, noting that the timing of the cyberattack coincided with Trump’s selection of a vice-presidential nominee.
Cheung did not disclose whether the campaign had engaged with Microsoft or law enforcement regarding the breach, citing the sensitivity of such discussions.
The anonymous emails began arriving at POLITICO on July 22, sent from an AOL account by someone identifying themselves only as “Robert.” Over the past few weeks, “Robert” shared what appeared to be internal communications from a senior Trump campaign official, including a research dossier on Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, dated Feb. 23. According to two individuals familiar with the documents, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the documents are authentic. One source described the dossier as an early draft of Vance’s vetting file.
The 271-page dossier compiled publicly available information about Vance’s record and statements, highlighting some, like his past criticisms of Trump, as “POTENTIAL VULNERABILITIES.” Another document provided by “Robert” included a portion of a research file on Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who was also considered for the vice-presidential nomination.
When asked how they obtained the documents, “Robert” cryptically replied, “I suggest you don’t be curious about where I got them from. Any answer to this question will compromise me and legally restrict you from publishing them.”
The full extent of the breach remains unclear, but it represents a significant security lapse for the Trump campaign.
In recent weeks, reports have surfaced indicating that the U.S. intelligence community is increasingly concerned that Iran is plotting retaliation against Trump for ordering the 2020 assassination of Iranian military officer Qassem Soleimani. Although no evidence links the hacker to these plots, the situation has raised alarms.
Cheung alluded to these reports in his statement on Saturday, asserting, “The Iranians know that President Trump will stop their reign of terror just like he did in his first four years in the White House.”
Iranian officials were not immediately available for comment.
This breach recalls the 2016 hacking of top Democratic Party officials ahead of the presidential election. That cyberattack, later attributed to Russia, resulted in the leak of damaging emails that exposed the inner workings of Hillary Clinton’s campaign. The Justice Department’s subsequent investigation into Russian interference in the election did not find sufficient evidence to charge Trump or his campaign with collusion, though Special Counsel Robert Mueller did document the campaign’s enthusiasm for exploiting the hacked materials.
Was having a bit of fun with AI Art today and, well...😏☕
In a world not unlike our own, the political arena was abuzz with an unprecedented event. The nation was gearing up for a debate of epic proportions—an event that promised more zest and flavor than any spectacle before it. For the first time in history, a citrus fruit was taking center stage.
Donald Trump, a large, vibrant orange, had boldly agreed to debate Kamala Harris, who, unlike her opponent, was an actual human being. The stage was set, the lights were bright, and the audience was packed with a mix of curious onlookers and die-hard fans, all eager to witness this juicy showdown.
As the cameras rolled, the moderator, an impeccably dressed apple, welcomed the candidates. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Great Debate! Tonight, we have the honor of witnessing a clash between the seasoned politician, Kamala Harris, and the one and only, the incomparable... Donald Trump!"
The crowd erupted in applause as Trump, the Orange Fruit, rolled up to the podium. With his signature hue glowing under the stage lights, he exuded an air of confidence that only a citrus could muster. Kamala Harris, standing tall and poised, smiled graciously at her fruity opponent.
"Mr. Trump," the moderator began, "the first question is for you. How do you plan to address the economic challenges facing our nation?"
Trump, his rind gleaming, responded with his characteristic flair. "Look, folks, it's simple. We're going to make America juicy again. We're going to squeeze every last drop of potential out of this country. Believe me, no one knows more about being squeezed than I do."
The audience chuckled, and Kamala Harris couldn't help but grin. When it was her turn, she spoke with eloquence and clarity, outlining detailed plans and policies. But Trump, ever the showman, interjected frequently, rolling his way into every conversation.
"Wrong, wrong, wrong!" he exclaimed at one point, wobbling on his podium. "Kamala doesn't understand the first thing about running a country. She's not even round!"
Kamala laughed, her composure intact. "Mr. Trump," she said, her voice dripping with mock seriousness, "I may not be round, but I do know how to get things done. And unlike you, I won't leave the public with a sour taste."
The debate continued, each side landing their points, the orange and the politician exchanging verbal jabs. As the evening wore on, the audience could feel the tension ripening.
In the final moments, the moderator turned to Kamala. "Ms. Harris, your closing statement, please."
Kamala Harris looked straight into the camera, her eyes twinkling with resolve. "Tonight, we've heard a lot of talk from my opponent. But what we need is action, not just pulp. The American people deserve a leader who can peel back the layers of our problems and get to the heart of the issues."
She paused, letting her words sink in. "So remember, when it comes to choosing our next leader, this Orange is about to get peeled!"
The audience roared with laughter and applause, the punny punchline echoing through the auditorium. Trump, the orange, wobbled slightly but remained composed, his rind a little less vibrant.
And so, the Great Debate came to an end, leaving behind a trail of citrusy humor and a clear message: in the world of politics, sometimes the sharpest tool isn't a knife, but a good, well-placed peel.
Trump falsely claims Harris chose to 'turn Black' during a heated panel with Black journalists
Donald Trump made a contentious appearance at a conference of Black journalists on Wednesday, where his comments during a heated Q&A session frequently centered on the race of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump claimed that he had only recently learned that Harris, who is both Indian American and Black, was Black. He then baselessly suggested that she had only recently “turned Black” for political reasons.
“I’ve known her a long time, indirectly,” Trump said. “She always promoted her Indian heritage. I did not know she was Black until a few years ago when she suddenly decided to ‘turn Black.’”
He added, “I respect either one, but she obviously doesn’t, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden, she made a turn and … she became Black. Somebody should look into that.”
ABC News’ Rachel Scott, one of the three moderators on the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) panel, noted that Harris attended Howard University, a historically Black college. Trump did not directly respond.
The exchange followed Scott’s question about Republicans referring to Harris as a “DEI hire,” a term used to discredit people of color in the context of workplace diversity policies.
Trump eventually said he was “not sure” whether he thought Harris was a DEI hire.
Harris’ campaign called Trump’s appearance at the NABJ event an “absolute disaster.”
“This is who he is,” a campaign spokesperson said.
Harris addressed the controversy at an event for the historically Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho in Houston.
"It was the same old show — the divisiveness and the disrespect," Harris said. "The American people deserve better."
Though Harris could not attend NABJ’s annual convention, efforts are being made to arrange a future meeting.
When NBC News sought a response from Trump’s campaign about the backlash to his comments on Harris’ race, communications director Steven Cheung replied, “Backlash from the truth? These people must be deranged.”
A source familiar with the NABJ’s conversations with Trump’s campaign suggested that initial tension arose from Trump feeling blindsided by NABJ’s partnership with PolitiFact to fact-check the exchange in real-time.
A member of NABJ’s leadership team reportedly denied knowledge of the live fact-check when confronted by Trump’s team. Trump’s campaign was assured that the NABJ would accommodate their requests regarding the format.
An NABJ spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
During a White House press briefing, NBC News read Trump’s comments to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who found them “repulsive” and “insulting.”
A source close to Harris also called Trump’s comments “painful” and pointed out that Harris attended Howard University and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a historically Black organization.
Trump was also questioned about his previous statement that immigrants were taking “Black jobs.” He responded that “a Black job is anybody that has a job” and claimed immigrants were taking employment opportunities away from Black people.
Despite efforts to court more Black voters, recent NBC News polls showed that Trump had 12% support among Black voters, the same percentage he had won in 2020.
The NABJ event had sparked internal controversy about whether Trump should have been invited, given his past inflammatory remarks about Black individuals. NABJ co-chair Karen Attiah resigned in reaction to Trump’s invitation, while Tia Mitchell, the event’s co-chair, defended the decision to invite Trump.
Several attendees, including Malik Mitchell and Amya Henry, expressed skepticism and concern about Trump’s presence at the event.
Trump’s comments and behavior, including his dismissal of Scott’s questions as “nasty,” continued to stoke controversy. He defended his record with Black voters and downplayed the significance of his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Vance, in turn, praised Trump for engaging with a hostile audience and criticized Harris as a “chameleon” who changes her stance based on her audience.
Trump was also asked about his comments supporting immunity for police officers. He clarified that he did not support blanket immunity and referred to a specific case in Illinois where a Black woman was shot by police, stating that the situation “did not look good.”
Trump’s appearance at the NABJ event highlighted ongoing tensions and debates about race and politics in the lead-up to the November election.
Trump Holds First Rally in Pennsylvania Since Assassination Attempt
Former President Donald Trump held a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday.
This was his first event in the Keystone State since the assassination attempt on July 13.
"As you know, this is my first return to Pa. since our rally in Butler. We're going back to Butler too," Trump said at the Farm Show Complex. Trump criticized the Biden-Harris policies, particularly focusing on the border and public safety.
"They're letting horrible people into our country. They are poisoning our country by contrast. If I'm elected, on day 1 we will begin the largest deportation in American history," the former president stated.
Trump also addressed the assassination attempt, observing a moment of silence for Corey Comperatore, the man who was shot and killed at the Butler rally. Trump and two others were also injured in the shooting. Many attendees on Wednesday had also been at the Butler rally, while others were motivated to come due to the tragic incident.
"It's one of the reasons I'm here -- to support him and let everyone know they're not going to scare us off. Even a bullet won't stop us," said Valerie Mansberger of Newville.
"After what happened there with the assassination attempt, I knew I had to come," added Ryan Morris of New Haven, Connecticut. Trump's visit comes as most polls show a tight race between him and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, Harris and her future running mate will crisscross the country together next week, a source familiar with the plans confirmed to ABC News.
Harris' campaign confirmed she will first stop in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Sources say other stops will include western Wisconsin, Detroit, Michigan, Raleigh, North Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada. According to ABC News, six officials are on the vice president shortlist, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
