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☆ Trump returns to campaign trail for first time since hush money trial began
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Alayna Treene | Kristen Holmes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Former President Donald Trump will make his foray back onto the campaign trail Wednesday for the first time since his New York criminal hush money trial began in earnest last month. Trump advisers see openings with critical working class voters unhappy with inflation, and with Arab American voters who disprove of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. But they are still in the early stages of building out the teams, according two senior Trump campaign advisers, which they say will be a mix of paid staffers and volunteers. “That’s a colossal disaster for him,” one of the senior Trump advisers said, and it is something they plan to message on aggressively in the months ahead. Recent campaign filings with the Federal Election Commission show Biden’s principal campaign committee entered April with $85.5 million, while Trump’s main campaign account had $45.1 million in its war chest.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Melania, politicking, hasn’t, Juan Merchan, I’m, ” Trump, Biden, Trump’s, Biden’s, “, ”, Nikki Haley, Haley, Freeland Organizations: CNN, Trump, Republican, Arab, CBS, Biden, Republican National Committee, MAGA Inc, Israel, Democratic, Former South Carolina Gov, Michigan’s, GOP, White, Michigan, Republican National, Federal Locations: York, Wisconsin, Michigan, Wilmington , North Carolina, Bedminster , New Jersey, New York City, Georgia, Florida, Midwest, Israel, Pennsylvania, Gaza, “, Waukesha , Wisconsin, Freeland , Michigan, Saginaw County, Grand Rapids, Green

☆ Trump meets with foreign leaders looking to boost their relationships with GOP leader ahead of election
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Alayna Treene | Steve Contorno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In recent weeks, Trump, seizing the role of both an erstwhile diplomat and ascending opposition party leader, has extended welcomes to a series of foreign leaders at his homes in Florida and New York. It’s not unusual for foreign leaders to meet with the leader of the party that doesn’t control the White House – especially one with a serious chance of becoming commander in chief. Biden and his top envoys have also met and spoken with opposition leaders, something that has been a longstanding practice for US officials. Last week, Trump met with Poland’s Duda at Trump Tower, where the two discussed NATO spending over dinner. Trump, both while president and during his 2024 campaign, has called on NATO countries to spend more on defense.

Persons: Donald Trump, hasn’t, Trump, Andrzej Duda, David Cameron, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Taro Aso, It’s, Sen, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Biden, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Antony Blinken, Keir Starmer, Joe Biden, “ They’re, he’s, “, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, ” Biden, ”, Kim Jong Un, ” Trump, Brian Hughes, Viktor Orban, Putin, Javier Milei, Orban, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Aso, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Lindsey Graham, Salman, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Poland’s Duda, Duda, meanwhile, Cameron, Karen Pierce, Cameron’s, Pierce didn’t, Queen Elizabeth II Organizations: CNN, Air Force, British, Saudi Crown, Middle East, Republican, UK Labour Party, US State Department, Biden, Trump, NATO, Conservative Political, Japanese, White, Liberal Democratic Party, Saudi, New York Times, South Carolina Republican, Hamas, The New York Times, Trump Tower, Republicans, Democrats, UK Locations: House, huddling, Florida, New York, Lago, Manhattan, Japan, China, North Korea, Berlin, United Kingdom, Israel, Poland, Belarus, Munich, Europe, America, Ukraine, Korean, United States, Palm, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, American, Russia, British, Washington

Sitting together last month, Graham and MBS spoke with Trump for roughly five minutes, two people familiar with the call told CNN. The call encapsulates how Trump looms over an agreement that US, Israeli and Saudi officials all see as vital to achieving lasting stability in the Middle East. Graham informed Biden officials of the call between MBS and Trump and says they understand why he wants to keep Trump in the loop. With the election looming and the region engulfed by turmoil over Israel’s war in Gaza, the window of opportunity is rapidly shrinking, people involved in the negotiations told CNN. “I think President Trump understands this is building on what he did,” Graham told CNN.

Persons: South Carolina Republican Sen, Lindsey Graham, Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, — Donald Trump, Graham, Joe Biden, Salman, Biden’s, Trump, Abraham, Biden, Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Evan Vucci, ”, ” Trump, “ They’re, That’s, “, ” Graham, Jamal Khashoggi, Sen, X.com Graham, Bibi Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Jake Sullivan, Amos Hochstein, Antony Blinken, Jake, ” CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, South Carolina Republican, Biden Administration, Trump, Saudi, Abraham Accords, Saudi Crown, White, MBS, New York Times, Biden, Republican, Graham, Saudi Press Agency, Israel, President’s National, US Locations: Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Saudi, Palestine, Bahrain, UAE, Washington, Gaza, Riyadh, NATO, Palestinian

Trump’s team is working around the limitations to keep him interacting with voters and donors. As he did during his earlier fraud trial, Trump will seek to ensure he remains front and center. The location was chosen out of convenience, as Trump is expected to stay at Trump Tower during the trial. Some of Trump’s advisers say that his presence in court throughout the trial will continue to benefit him — despite keeping him off the campaign trail. In addition to utilizing his courtroom appearances, Trump will be “driving his message with both in-person and virtual events on court days,” the campaign official said.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, Trump’s, ”, galvanize, “ There’s, we’ll, he’s, Joe Biden, Biden, they’ve, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, you’re Trump, you’d, ” Agnifilo, “ Organizations: CNN, Trump, Republican, Fox News, Garden, Democratic, State, Manhattan Locations: New York, New York City, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Bronx, Madison, York, Manhattan

☆ Kari Lake lobbies Arizona lawmakers to overturn abortion ban she once supported
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Steve Contorno | Alayna Treene | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake is actively lobbying state lawmakers to overturn a 160-year-old law she once supported that bans abortion in almost all cases, a source with knowledge of her efforts told CNN. Lake is pushing for GOP lawmakers in her home state to repeal the law while leaving in place legislation signed in 2022 by Republican Gov. The move continues a remarkable 180-degree flip by Lake on the state abortion law and illustrates Republican concerns over how the issue is reverberating through a key battleground state. Everybody wants that to happen.”Hours later, Arizona Republican lawmakers thwarted an attempt to vote on repealing the state’s law. “I cannot mathematically figure out how they will get the votes.”The Arizona Supreme Court ruling has become a flashpoint in the state’s ongoing battle over the future of abortion access with potentially massive political implications.

Persons: Kari Lake, Doug Ducey, Lake, “, ” Lake, ”, Donald Trump, Trump, Arizona’s, Matt Gress, David Livingston, Gress, Marcus Dell’Artino, “ I’m, Roe, Wade –, CNN’s Melissa Alonso Organizations: CNN, Arizona Republican, GOP, Republican Gov, Arizona Supreme, Democratic, US, The Arizona, Republicans, White House, Democrats, Trump Locations: Arizona, United States, “ Arizona, The Arizona Republic

CNN —Former President Donald Trump said Monday that abortion rights should be left to the states, offering his clearest stance yet on one of the most delicate and contentious issues in American politics. In this case, the law of the state,” Trump said in a video posted to his Truth Social account. Trump told reporters last week that he would be making a “statement” on abortion when pressed about Florida’s six-week abortion ban, which is set to become law after a recent state Supreme Court ruling. That includes Trump’s home state of Florida, where a six-week abortion ban will take effect in a matter of weeks. Trump in his statement Monday acknowledged that voters will ultimately decide the fate of abortion access in some states.

Persons: Donald Trump, ” Trump, Trump, “, Roe, Wade, Court’s Dobbs, Susan B, Anthony Pro, Trump’s, Dobbs, Marjorie Dannenfelser, Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, ”, –, Mike Pence, “ Lindsey, Marjorie, “ Donald Trump, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Alayna Treene, Nikki Carvajal, Alison Main Organizations: CNN, GOP, Press, Supreme, Republican Locations: Carolina, America, Texas, Florida

CNN —Donald Trump made an unexpected declaration Tuesday when probed about a six-week abortion ban that will soon take effect in his home state of Florida. “We’ll be making a statement next week on abortion,” the former president told reporters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Other close advisers, however, have expressed concern that Trump will give further ammunition to Democrats by supporting any new restrictions on abortion. “It was bound to happen at some point where he needed to clarify his position,” a Trump adviser told CNN. Ron DeSantis was courting the state’s evangelical community by running to Trump’s right on the issue.

Persons: Donald Trump, “, ”, Trump, Roe, Wade, Kellyanne, Conway, Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Ralph Reed, ” Graham, Joe Biden’s, ” Roe, greenlit, Sunshine State –, they’re, it’s, it’ll, ” Trump, Sid, Trump’s, Vincent Haley, Ross Worthington, Haley, Worthington, she’s, Lindsey Graham’s, Susan B, Anthony Pro, Brian Hughes, — I’ve, — Trump, Graham, Reed, Marjorie Dannenfelser, Ron DeSantis Organizations: CNN, White, US, Republican, Democratic, Trump, Lago, and Freedom Coalition, Florida Supreme, Sunshine State, “, Fox News, New York, Friends, Trump . Leaders, GOP, Republicans, SBA, Mar, Florida Gov Locations: Florida, Grand Rapids , Michigan, Kellyanne Conway, Mar, ”, Carolina, Trump, Graham’s, Michigan, Nashville , Tennessee, Roe, vocalize, Iowa

Referendums protecting abortion access are on a winning streak nationwide, including in states far more red than Florida. Outside of Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 victories, Democrats have struggled to find success in Florida while Republicans are on a roll. The GOP now controls every statewide Cabinet office in Florida, its two US Senate seats and both state legislative chambers. In 2016, Trump won Florida despite a medical marijuana initiative on the ballot that Democrats hoped would aid their performance. “There is nothing more common than Democrats claiming they have some magical way to win Florida and they always come up short,” Power said.

Persons: can’t, Floridians, –, Biden, ” Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Alex Sink, Trump, ” Sink, ”, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama’s, Obama, Ron DeSantis, “ It’s, Matt Isbell, Michael Bloomberg, ” Chavez Rodriguez, Brian Hughes, “, it’ll, Roe, Wade, Chavez Rodriguez, Nikki Fried, Evan Power, ” Power Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Electoral, Florida, Sunshine State, ” Longtime Democratic, GOP, Trump, Biden, Florida Democratic, Democratic Party, Republican Party of Locations: Florida, Nashville, Grand Rapids , Michigan, Republican Party of Florida

The visits come amid a notable lull in Trump’s campaign activity in the weeks since he became the presumptive GOP presidential nominee. Along with Pennsylvania, Trump’s stunning 2016 victories in Michigan and Wisconsin produced a seismic crack in the so-called blue wall of states Democrats had relied on in every election going back to 1992. Early polls suggest Michigan and Wisconsin pose a challenge for Biden and an opportunity for Trump to mine for electoral votes in the upper Midwest. The former president attacked Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in 2022 for refusing to decertify the state’s presidential result, which he did not have the power to do. However, Trump’s campaign has yet to air a single ad in the state.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Trump’s, Biden, Robin Vos, Brianna Johnson, ” “ Trump, –, ”, Johnson, Wisconsin Democrats “, Republican Sen, Ron Johnson, Chris LaCivita, Biden’s, Ruby Garcia, “, ” Trump, Pete Hoekstra, MAGA, ” Alyssa Bradley, ” CNN’s Kate Sullivan Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Badger State, White, Democratic, Democrats, Biden, Michigan, Republican, Trump, Wisconsin State, Wisconsin Democrats, Southern Locations: Michigan, Wisconsin, Grand Rapids , Michigan, Mexico, Green Bay , Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, stoke, ” Though Michigan, West Michigan

☆ Supreme Court abortion case brings 19th century chastity law to the forefront
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Tierney Sneed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The Comstock Act, as the law is known, is not central to the current Supreme Court case. Their interest in the law’s relevance to Tuesday’s case speaks to how the Comstock Act has taken a more prominent role in the efforts to further limit abortion. Among other arguments, the case’s plaintiffs, anti-abortion doctors and medical associations, have invoked the Comstock Act to argue the FDA acted unlawfully by not considering the 19th century criminal prohibition on mailing abortion drugs. But much attention will be paid to any commentary about the statute, even if just in a dissent, when the Supreme Court issues its ruling in the case in the coming months. The political ramifications of the Supreme Court’s ultimate decision in the current FDA case is also at the forefront of how they approach the subject.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Comstock, Alito, Roe, Wade, Thomas, Wade –, ”, Skye Perryman, –, Elizabeth Prelogar, Biden, ” Prelogar, Julia Kaye, Joe Biden, Roger Severino, Severino, Trump, misoprostol, Donald Trump, Michelle Shen, Alayna Treene Organizations: CNN, Forward Foundation, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Department, DOJ, Republican, Heritage Foundation, Heritage Foundation’s, Department of Health, Human Services, House, Trump Locations: Roe

CNN —Top officials at the Republican National Committee are denying reports that there is a “litmus test” for those seeking employment related to whether they believe the 2020 election was stolen. Election fraud has been a key focus for the Donald Trump campaign and the newly elected leadership at the RNC ahead of the 2024 election. Much of that focus stems from the former president’s dissatisfaction with how the RNC handled claims of election fraud around the 2020 election, multiple sources familiar with the matter have said. There is no evidence of widespread election fraud in the last presidential contest. CLARIFICATION: This headline and story have been updated to reflect that reports of a “litmus test” regarding the 2020 election apply to those who were reapplying for positions with the RNC.

Persons: Donald Trump, they’ve, Trump, Joe Biden, Ronna McDaniel, McDaniel, Drew McKissick, Trump’s, Michael Whatley, Lara Trump, –, Chris LaCivita, James Blair, LaCivita, Blair Organizations: CNN, Republican National Committee, RNC

☆ People seeking employment at RNC asked whether they believe the 2020 election was stolen
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Alayna Treene | Daniel Strauss | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —People seeking employment at the Republican National Committee have been asked in recent job interviews whether they believe the 2020 election was stolen, according to two sources familiar with the questioning. Use of the question comes after the Trump campaign has effectively merged its operations with the RNC. A key focus for the Trump campaign, and newly elected leadership at the RNC, ahead of the 2024 election is election fraud. Much of that focus stems from former President Donald Trump’s dissatisfaction with how the RNC handled claims of election fraud around the 2020 election, multiple sources familiar with the matter said. While chairwoman of the RNC, McDaniel refused to acknowledge that Biden won the 2020 election.

Persons: Trump, Donald Trump’s, “, Danielle Alvarez, Joe Biden, Ronna McDaniel, Nikki Haley, glided, Trump’s, Michael Whatley, Lara Trump –, Chris LaCivita, James Blair, LaCivita, Blair, NBC’s “, ” McDaniel, Lara Trump, Biden, McDaniel Organizations: CNN —, Republican National Committee, RNC, The Washington Post, CNN, Trump, South Carolina Gov, Republican, GOP, – North, – North Carolina GOP, Press, NBC News Locations: West Palm Beach , Florida, – North Carolina, Houston , Texas, United States, Michigan, Detroit

CNN —Former President Donald Trump warned Saturday that if he were to lose the 2024 election, it would be a “bloodbath” for the US auto industry and the country. That’ll be the least of it.”The comment came in the midst of an extended riff on the auto industry, unions, the transition to electric vehicles and auto plants in Mexico. The Trump campaign shot back Saturday night, saying the former president was speaking about autoworkers. “Biden’s policies will create an economic bloodbath for the auto industry and autoworkers,” Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said. “Crooked Joe Biden and his campaign are engaging in deceptively, out-of-context editing that puts Roman Polanski to shame,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung told CNN.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, “ We’re, you’re, ” Trump, don’t, autoworkers, isn’t, I’m, ”, Bernie Moreno, Trump’s, Joe Biden’s, “, ” Biden, James Singer, Karoline Leavitt, Crooked Joe Biden, Roman Polanski, Steven Cheung, Fani Willis, Biden, they’ve, it’s, Adolf Hitler Organizations: CNN, EV, Trump, CNBC, Republican, Fulton, Capitol, US Locations: Vandalia , Ohio, Mexico, Rust, Fulton County

☆ Trump’s takeover of Republican National Committee is official as McDaniel steps down
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Alayna Treene | Daniel Strauss | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A national committee is typically overhauled after the party has a de facto or official presidential nominee. The changes normally come in the form of a new chairperson or a top official from the presidential campaign moving over to the committee. These resources are critical to Trump’s campaign as it makes plans to build out teams in key battleground states such as Michigan, Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania in the coming weeks and months. “The Republican National Committee will be focused like a laser on getting out the vote and protecting the ballot,” Whatley said in his remarks Friday. Trump’s senior advisers, including LaCivita, insist they have no plans to use the RNC to help pay his legal expenses.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump’s, Michael Whatley, Lara Trump –, Ronna McDaniel, Drew McKissick, “, ” Lara Trump, Eric Trump, Chris LaCivita, James Blair, LaCivita, Blair, aren’t, Trump, “ It’s, it’s, ” David Bossie, it’ll, Joe Biden, ” Whatley, Gilbert Flores, McDaniel, ”, Whatley, Lara Trump, Jonathan Drake, Trump “, LaCivita — Organizations: Houston CNN, Republican Party, Republican National, – North, – North Carolina GOP, RNC, CNN, Trump, Republican National Convention, Republican National Committee, Republican, Reagan, Variety, Michigan GOP, Hilton, Whatley, North, North Carolina GOP, Republicans, North Carolina Republican, GOP, Democratic National Committee, White Locations: – North Carolina, Maryland, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Simi Valley , California, “, Carolina, North Carolina, Greenville , North Carolina

As he emerges victorious from the Republican primary race, Trump faces considerable challenges both inside and outside the political arena. Wednesday’s inauspicious start to Trump’s outreach efforts is reflective of the longstanding concerns about his temperament and style that inspired many Republicans to support Haley, Florida Gov. In cruising to his party’s nomination, Trump left little doubt that he remains the dominant figure in the GOP. From Iowa and New Hampshire through Super Tuesday, Haley especially exposed persistent divisions in the party and headwinds for Trump recapturing moderate support. Meanwhile, nearly three in 10 of all primary voters said Trump wouldn’t be fit for the presidency if he is convicted of a crime.

Persons: Donald Trump, Nikki Haley’s, “, Democrats ”, Haley, Trump, Joe Biden, Ron DeSantis, ” Haley, Mike Pence, Tim Scott, Chris Christie, Biden, Lara Trump, –, aren’t, Doug Moran, ”, he’s, ” Moran, Jack Wolber, ” “ Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Republicans can’t, Pope, Trumper, ” Pope, Roy Bailey, Elon Musk, you’ve, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Ebony Davis, Morgan Rimmer, Kevin Liptak Organizations: CNN, Republican Party, GOP, Democrats, Vermont, South, Republican, White, Republicans, Florida Gov, “, United Nations, Trump, RNC, don’t, Biden ”, Super, Democratic, Teamsters, MAGA, Inc, Black, Jewish American, North, North Carolina Republican, Variety, Mar, Elon, US, Biden, Democratic National Committee, Republican National Committee Locations: South Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Trump, Iowa, New Hampshire, Super, North Carolina, Virginia, Nashua , New Hampshire, Trump ., Michigan , Wisconsin, Detroit, Georgia , Pennsylvania, Gaza, , Texas

He has encouraged the team to make a concerted effort to host his events at smaller, less costly venues, according to conversations with multiple Trump advisers. Mismatched and functional is the decor of the Trump campaigns’ offices,” a senior Trump adviser told CNN. And those figures don’t even include his mounting legal bills as he faces 91 charges in four criminal indictments. This fund, which reported raising $1.5 million through the end of last year, will continue to be utilized, Trump’s advisers say. One RNC member recently authored a resolution that seeks to ban the RNC from paying Trump’s legal bills.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Susie Wiles, Uber, Susie, Wiles, Chris LaCivita, ” LaCivita, you’re, Trump, that’s, ”, “, Jean Carroll, CNN Trump, Trump’s, —, Michael Whatley, Lara Trump, Brian Snyder, Reuters LaCivita Organizations: CNN, Trump, Save America PAC, Make, Inc, White, Save America, Republican, GOP, Biden, Democratic National Committee, Republican National Committee, America, Patriot Legal Defense, RNC, North Carolina, Reuters Locations: New York, York, Manhattan, America, —, Durham , New Hampshire

☆ For Trump and Biden, attention on North Carolina will linger well past Super Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Steve Contorno | Jeff Zeleny | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

North Carolina, which Trump narrowly won in 2020, is emerging as a critical piece of Biden’s reelection strategy. It has been 16 years since Barack Obama delivered a North Carolina surprise in 2008. Former President Donald Trump gestures after speaking at the North Carolina Republican Party convention in Greensboro on June 10, 2023. She isn’t sure how much longer Republicans can hold the line in North Carolina. “Yes, we have had more growth in our urban communities, and it’s going to make North Carolina trend bluer in the future,” Anderson said.

Persons: North Carolina CNN — Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Joe Biden, ”, Paul Shumaker, “ It’s, Haley, Kamala Harris, ” Harris, Barack Obama, Biden, Donald Trump, Chuck Burton, Sarah Reidy, Jones, Charlotte ” –, “, Trump, ” Haley, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins of, Will Trump, Haley’s, Harris, Peter Zay, scoff, Billy Ward, ” Trump, Susie Wiles didn’t, battlegrounds “, ” Wiles, Michael Whatley, Ronna McDaniel, Whatley, MAGA, Thom Tillis, Mark Robinson, Robinson, Roy Cooper, Ben McKeown, Anderson Clayton, ” Clayton, we’ve, ” Anderson, CNN’s Alayna Treene Organizations: North Carolina CNN, Republican, Trump, Democratic, North Carolina Republican Party, GOP, South, Biden, White, College, Duke University, University of North, Getty, Wake County Republican Party, CNN, North, North Carolina GOP, Republican National Committee, Republicans, Gov, state’s Democratic Party, Conservative, “ Locations: Raleigh, North Carolina, Michigan, “ North Carolina, Durham, Wake County, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, Wake, Mecklenburg, –, Greensboro, Seattle, South Carolina, Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Carolina, University of North Carolina, Durham , North Carolina, Anadolu, GOP’s, Raleigh , North Carolina, Russia, Ukraine, Southern

The ex-president will be in Eagle Pass, scene of a border showdown between the Biden administration and Texas Republican Gov. “He spent three years not going to the border,” Trump told Real America’s Voice Tuesday. But White House and Biden campaign officials see a unique opportunity for Biden to point the finger at Republicans on border security. The American voters will see it,” Cedric Richmond, a Biden campaign co-chair, told CNN. And Biden’s decision to immediately undo multiple Trump immigration policies offered an opening to the GOP.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, They’re, Biden, Greg Abbott, Trump, who’s, Biden’s, Reagan, “, ” Trump, ” Biden, it’s, Abbott, Ron DeSantis, Republicans don’t, ” Cedric Richmond, ‘, ’, “ Trump, Alejandro Mayorkas, Mike Johnson, we’re, Laken Hope Riley, Sean Hannity, Alayna Treene Organizations: CNN, Texas Republican Gov, White, Trump, Democratic, Black, State of, Union, Real America’s, Republican, Florida Gov, Biden, Republicans, Democrats, GOP, Homeland, Conservative Political, Conference, Shelby Park, Augusta University, Fox News, Washington Locations: Texas, Eagle, Brownsville, Gaza, State, Mexico, Ukraine, Washington, DC, Asia, Africa, Rio Grande

☆ Police investigating after letter with white powder found at Donald Trump Jr.’s Florida home
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Alayna Treene | Kristen Holmes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Authorities are investigating after Donald Trump Jr. on Monday opened a letter with unidentified white powder at his Florida home. Trump Jr., a high-profile surrogate for his father’s presidential campaign, recently made headlines when he appeared as part of the New York attorney general’s civil fraud case. Trump, his brother Eric Trump, his father and two former Trump Organization officials have appealed the $464 million judgment entered against them. In 2018, Trump Jr.’s then-wife Vanessa Trump opened a letter addressed to Trump Jr. containing a suspicious substance, which the New York Police Department ultimately deemed nonhazardous. CNN’s Brynn Gingras, Sarah Jorgensen, Eli Watkins and Jack Forrest contributed to this report.

Persons: Donald Trump Jr, Andrew Surabian, ” Trump, Donald Trump, Kimberly Guilfoyle, USSS, Trump, Eric Trump, ’, Vanessa Trump, Brynn Gingras, Sarah Jorgensen, Eli Watkins, Jack Forrest Organizations: CNN — Authorities, Trump Jr, Sheriff’s Office, Daily, US, Service, New, Trump Organization, New York Police Department Locations: Florida, Jupiter , Florida, Beach, New York

☆ From doubter to devotee: How New York’s Elise Stefanik emerged as a top Trump ally
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Stefanik has often explained it herself: She saw Trump’s popularity in her upstate New York district and got on board. That first impeachment proceeding made her a “Republican star,” as Trump himself said at the time. When there was a nationwide baby formula shortage in 2022, Stefanik blamed the “White House, House Dems, & usual pedo grifters” on social media. One upset donor told CNN in 2023 that he gave to Santos “because of Elise Stefanik’s endorsement.” Stefanik frequently denied any previous knowledge of his Santos’ history. “The American people stand with President Trump,” Stefanik wrote, “against the unethical, unconstitutional, and unprecedented weaponization of the judicial system.”CNN’s Alayna Treene contributed to this story.

Persons: –, Donald Trump –, Elise Stefanik, Trump’s, ”, Stefanik, Trump’s staunchest, Joe Biden’s, Claudine Gay, she’d, Paul Ryan, Trump, she’s, MAGA, “, ” Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, Ohio Sen, J.D, Kari Lake, Kristi Noem, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Nikki Haley, Vance, Ben Carson, Jim Jordan of, Florida’s Matt Gaetz, Steve Bannon, Vivek Ramaswamy, ’, he’s, Nancy Pelosi, ” “, George Santos, Santos “, Elise Stefanik’s, Santos, Letitia James, Alayna Treene Organizations: CNN, Donald Trump – New York, Republican, GOP, Yorker, Harvard University, Time Magazine, Trump, California Rep, Ohio, South Dakota Gov, Arkansas Gov, White House, Conservative Political, Conference, Former South Carolina Gov, Trump Republicans, New, House Dems, ” “, New York Republican, New York Times, Washington and New York, Congress, New York, Trump’s Locations: “, America, alma mater, New York, Vance , Arizona, South, Washington, Lake, Jim Jordan of Ohio, detractor, Lago, vouching, Washington and New, Florida

The trial is expected to last for roughly six weeks, with court in session every weekday but Wednesdays, severely limiting Trump’s ability to campaign for president during that time. The New York criminal trial also presents another problem for Trump’s ability to create a media circus – cameras are not allowed in the courtroom. It’s a criminal trial, we expect it will be mandatory,” a senior Trump adviser told CNN. The judge responded saying Trump would not be required to sit for two criminal trials at the same time. Those findings underscore the importance of Trump’s strategy of delaying the criminal cases he is facing for as long as possible.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, –, Trump, ”, District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Fani Willis, Joe Biden –, Biden, Todd Blanche, “, Bragg, it’s, I’ll, ” Trump, ‘, It’s, Judge Juan Merchan, Blanche, he’d, ” Merchan, “ That’s, – he’d, Trump’s, “ He’s, Merchan, Willis, CNN’s Terence Burlij Organizations: York, York City CNN, Republican, District Attorney, Trump, GOP, Biden, Democrats, CNN, New, “, Democrat, Granite State Locations: York City, New York, New, York, Georgia, Fulton County, Manhattan, Arizona , Florida , Illinois , Kansas, Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire, Granite, South Carolina

☆ Trump heads to South Carolina looking to reinforce his dominance in Haley’s backyard
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Alayna Treene | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Trump’s advisers insist that doesn’t mean he’s taking South Carolina for granted. But we see this as a done deal,” a senior Trump adviser told CNN, referring specifically to South Carolina. Earlier this month, the Trump campaign held two press conferences featuring a series of his top South Carolina surrogates. “Nikki is persona non grata at this point,” Justin Evans, Trump’s director of special projects in South Carolina, told CNN. Those remarks reflect the broader view of Trump’s campaign, which wants him to become the presumptive GOP nominee as soon as possible.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Nikki Haley —, Joe Biden, Biden, Haley, ”, Susie Wiles, surrogates, Henry McMaster, US Sen, Tim Scott, –, “ Nikki, ” Justin Evans, George Bush, Karl Rove, Nikki Haley, ” Trump, “, Ron DeSantis, she’s Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, South, Trump’s, National Rifle Association, Trump, Palmetto State, New, “, Gov, US, South Carolina surrogates, Republican Party, Republican National Committee, Super Locations: South Carolina, Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Virgin, Trump’s, Iowa, New Hampshire, Conway, Myrtle Beach, Lago, Nevada’s nonbinding, California

The heightened concerns over the RNC’s latest financial problems are just the tipping point in a yearslong struggle between Trump and the committee. Trump has asked allies and aides in the past why the RNC must remain neutral in the GOP presidential primary. Trump had previously endorsed both Gruters and Whatley for officer positions at the RNC, but both lost their respective bids. Still, two people familiar with Reed’s departure stressed that his move to the private sector was unrelated to the tensions between Trump and McDaniel. Trump and the RNC need each otherDespite the broader tensions that are playing out both privately and publicly, the Trump campaign and the RNC have a lot to gain from each other.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Ronna McDaniel, McDaniel’s, McDaniel, Michael Whatley, Drew McKissick, Sen, Joe Gruters, Gruters, Whatley, — Susie Wiles, Chris LaCivita, What’s, Mike Reed, ”, —, “ They’ll, he’s, “ That’s, “ Organizations: CNN, Republican National Committee, Republican, RNC, South Carolina, Trump, North Carolina Republican, South Carolina Republican, GOP, Victory, White Locations: Lago, Florida

☆ Haley says showing in South Carolina needs to be better than New Hampshire
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Aileen Graef | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Sunday said that while she doesn’t need to beat former President Donald Trump in her home state’s Republican presidential primary next month, the results need to be better for her than they were in New Hampshire. Polls show Haley has a major gap to close in South Carolina, which holds its GOP primary February 24, if she intends to shave off some of Trump’s momentum following his 11-point victory in the far less conservative New Hampshire race last week. Haley said Trump can’t “bully his way to the nomination” as he ramps up pressure on supporters to abandon Haley. When asked Sunday whether she would be willing to be Trump’s running mate, Haley said she was running to win.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, “, ”, Haley, Trump, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott –, –, Joe Biden, Nancy Mace, CNN’s Veronica Stracqualursi, Fredreka Schouten, Eric Bradner, Arit John, Alayna Treene, Kylie Atwood, MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, Former South Carolina Gov, Sunday, Republican, NBC’s, Press, New Hampshire, South, Senate, Trump, ABC Locations: New Hampshire, Super, South Carolina, New

☆ Biden needles Trump in hopes of pushing him off message
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | Alayna Treene | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Biden is “not doing it just for the sake of making Donald Trump mad or for the satisfaction of punching him in the nose. “Loser” is at the top of the Biden campaign lists of attacks. “It is Donald Trump who continues to deny the truth about the 2020 election. He lost that one,” said senior Biden campaign adviser T.J. Ducklo. “The joke’s on Donald Trump.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Emanuel, Biden, Donald Trump –, ”, “ he’s, Herbert Hoover ”, Trump’s, “, I’m, ” Biden, Trump, Kate Bedingfield, She’s, It’s, Joe Biden, T.J, they’ve, Hoover, Nikki Haley, Nancy Pelosi –, that’s, Nancy Pelosi, Donald, you’ve, Ducklo, ” Ducklo, ” Trump, “ Joe Biden can’t, he’s, Steven Cheung, Michelle Obama’s, Gavin Newsom, didn’t, ” Bedingfield, “ It’s, ” George Conway, who’s, Donald ”, Omar Cornute, Louis, –, Herbert Hoover, ” Cornute, Robert Garcia, “ Donald Trump, Garcia Organizations: CNN, Emanuel AME, Republican, Trump, Biden, Democratic, White House, South Carolina Gov, Fox, gaslight, “, California Gov, Republicans, United Auto Workers, California Democrat Locations: Carolina, Trump’s Iowa, Iowa, Pennsylvania, America, Washington, California

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