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| Donald Trump backs Brexit and says UK 'better off without' EU – campaign live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.25am BST | |
| 00:25 | |
| David Smith | |
| More than eight in 10 Republicans who support Donald Trump regard refugees from Iraq and Syria as a major threat to the US, according to a survey that lays bare the deep political polarisation in America. | |
| Trump’s creed of “America first” set out in a recent foreign policy speech in Washington appears to be resonating with Republicans who believe the US should put its own interests ahead of playing the role of global policeman. | |
| “America’s Place in the World” is a survey of foreign policy attitudes conducted periodically by the Pew Research Center. The latest poll was carried out among 2,008 US adults from 12 to 19 April, before Ted Cruz and John Kasich pulled out of the race for the Republican nomination. | |
| For those who back the New York billionaire in the primary campaign, the large number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Iraq and Syria is especially worrisome, according to Pew. Some 85% of Republican voters who support Trump say the refugees are a major threat to the US, compared with 74% of those who prefer Cruz and 59% who prefer Kasich. Trump has promised a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country. | |
| Among Democratic voters, by contrast, just 40% of Clinton supporters and 34% of Bernie Sanders backers view the refugee migration as a major threat. For Trump supporters, only the threat from Islamic State (93%) ranks higher than refugees, among the eight issues included. | |
| Related: More than 80% of Trump supporters see refugees as threat to US, survey shows | |
| 12.09am BST | |
| 00:09 | |
| Mona Chalabi | |
| Trump may claim “I love Hispanics!” but 81% of Hispanics have an unfavorable opinion of Trump according, to a Washington Post-ABC News poll of 1,010 adults conducted last month. | |
| A separate poll conducted last month by America’s Voice/Latino Decisions National Survey put the number a little higher - 87% said they had an unfavorable opinion of the New York billionaire (among Republican Latinos, that number slid a little lower to 73% unfavorable). | |
| 11.58pm BST | |
| 23:58 | |
| Donald Trump: UK is 'better off without' the European Union | |
| Scott Bixby | |
| The presumptive Republican presidential nominee told Fox News this evening that he thinks that the UK would be better off not being associated with the European Union. | |
| “I think the migration has been a horrible thing for Europe,” Trump told Bret Baier. “A lot of that was pushed by the EU. I would say that they’re better off without it, personally, but I’m not making that as a recommendation. Just my feeling.” | |
| “I know Great Britain very well,” Trump continued. “I know, you know, the country very well. I have a lot of investments there. I would say that they’re better off without it. But I want them to make their own decision.” | |
| Trump has expressed skepticism of the UK’s membership in the EU before. In March, he said he understood support for the so-called “Brexit” because the UK’s allies were “doing nothing”. | |
| “I think they [Britain] may leave the EU, yes, they’re having a lot of problems,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “I don’t want to make a comment about the UK leaving but I think they may leave based on – I’m there a lot, I have a lot of investments in the UK and I will tell you that I think they may leave based on everything I’m hearing.” | |
| Just yesterday, Trump criticized Barack Obama for coming out against the Brexit, telling the Daily Mail: “I didn’t think it was a good thing for him to do it. | |
| “I would say that I’m not going to give Britain any advice, but I know there are a lot of people that are very, very much against being in the EU.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.15am BST | |
| 11.42pm BST | 11.42pm BST |
| 23:42 | 23:42 |
| Sens. John McCain, Dan Sullivan, Tom Cotton say they'll 'support the nominee' | Sens. John McCain, Dan Sullivan, Tom Cotton say they'll 'support the nominee' |
| There ain’t no party like the Republican party, because the Republican party is mandatory. | There ain’t no party like the Republican party, because the Republican party is mandatory. |
| Arizona senator John McCain, Alaska senator Dan Sullivan and Arkansas senator Tom Cotton have all gone on the record to say that, despite vast differences in policy and ideology, they will “support the nominee” of the Republican party. | Arizona senator John McCain, Alaska senator Dan Sullivan and Arkansas senator Tom Cotton have all gone on the record to say that, despite vast differences in policy and ideology, they will “support the nominee” of the Republican party. |
| “Well, first of all, I’ve always said I would support the nominee of the party, the party of Ronald Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt,” McCain said to local radio KTAR, first reported by Buzzfeed News. “I have strong disagreements with Mr. Trump on a number of issues. I believe four years of Hillary Clinton will be an absolute disaster for this nation, as far as national security is concerned.” | “Well, first of all, I’ve always said I would support the nominee of the party, the party of Ronald Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt,” McCain said to local radio KTAR, first reported by Buzzfeed News. “I have strong disagreements with Mr. Trump on a number of issues. I believe four years of Hillary Clinton will be an absolute disaster for this nation, as far as national security is concerned.” |
| “I’m not comfortable with a lot of the things that he has done,” McCain added. | “I’m not comfortable with a lot of the things that he has done,” McCain added. |
| “There’s all this focus on Trump and the White House as there should be but what a lot of us are focused on is making sure regardless of whether Hillary wins or Trump wins,” Sullivan reiterated. “One of the most important things we have to do is keep the US Senate in Republican hands.” | “There’s all this focus on Trump and the White House as there should be but what a lot of us are focused on is making sure regardless of whether Hillary wins or Trump wins,” Sullivan reiterated. “One of the most important things we have to do is keep the US Senate in Republican hands.” |
| “I’ve long said that I will support the Republican nominee because we can’t afford a third Obama-Clinton term,” said Cotton. | “I’ve long said that I will support the Republican nominee because we can’t afford a third Obama-Clinton term,” said Cotton. |
| “I’m supporting the nominee of the party,” said McCain, when asked again if he was supporting Trump. “The answer is I am supporting the nominee.” | “I’m supporting the nominee of the party,” said McCain, when asked again if he was supporting Trump. “The answer is I am supporting the nominee.” |
| 11.28pm BST | 11.28pm BST |
| 23:28 | 23:28 |
| Trevor Timm | Trevor Timm |
| There’s a lot of people right now (rightly) freaking out about the fact that Donald Trump, as the presumptive Republican nominee, will soon be entitled to receive classified briefings from US intelligence agencies about national security issues. It’s just one more terrifying sign that he is that much closer to the presidency. | There’s a lot of people right now (rightly) freaking out about the fact that Donald Trump, as the presumptive Republican nominee, will soon be entitled to receive classified briefings from US intelligence agencies about national security issues. It’s just one more terrifying sign that he is that much closer to the presidency. |
| As Buzzfeed is reporting, some Democrats are now making the argument Trump shouldn’t receive these briefings at all. Sen. Chris Murphy said today, Trump “has no moral or ethical grounding,” warning that “he wouldn’t think twice of taking classified information and putting it out in the public realm if he thought it served his political purposes.” | As Buzzfeed is reporting, some Democrats are now making the argument Trump shouldn’t receive these briefings at all. Sen. Chris Murphy said today, Trump “has no moral or ethical grounding,” warning that “he wouldn’t think twice of taking classified information and putting it out in the public realm if he thought it served his political purposes.” |
| But is this the argument Democrats really want to make right now? Currently, there is only one candidate in the race accused of mishandling classified information, and that’s Hillary Clinton. No matter your position on whether she is guilty or not, this doesn’t seem like something they would want to draw additional attention to. | But is this the argument Democrats really want to make right now? Currently, there is only one candidate in the race accused of mishandling classified information, and that’s Hillary Clinton. No matter your position on whether she is guilty or not, this doesn’t seem like something they would want to draw additional attention to. |
| On another more humorous/conspiratorial note: It’s well known that many people in the military and intelligence community are just as scared of a Trump presidency as much of the general public. So here’s an admittedly crazy hypothetical to think about: Intelligence agency officials purposefully feed Trump juicy information in the classified briefings, knowing that he’ll immediately tell the public, then refer him for prosecution. | On another more humorous/conspiratorial note: It’s well known that many people in the military and intelligence community are just as scared of a Trump presidency as much of the general public. So here’s an admittedly crazy hypothetical to think about: Intelligence agency officials purposefully feed Trump juicy information in the classified briefings, knowing that he’ll immediately tell the public, then refer him for prosecution. |
| You just know he wouldn’t be able to help himself. | You just know he wouldn’t be able to help himself. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.29pm BST | at 11.29pm BST |
| 11.14pm BST | 11.14pm BST |
| 23:14 | 23:14 |
| The Obama administration has commuted the prison sentences of 58 federal convicts, part of a broader push to revamp the criminal justice system and ease punishments for non-violent drug offenders. | The Obama administration has commuted the prison sentences of 58 federal convicts, part of a broader push to revamp the criminal justice system and ease punishments for non-violent drug offenders. |
| The people whose prison terms were cut short include 18 who were given life sentences. Most who received clemency are now due for release on 2 September, though others will be released over the next two years. | The people whose prison terms were cut short include 18 who were given life sentences. Most who received clemency are now due for release on 2 September, though others will be released over the next two years. |
| The latest wave – which includes defendants convicted of dealing cocaine, crack and methamphetamine – brings to 306 the total number of inmates whose sentences Obama has commuted, the vast majority for drug crimes. The pace of commutations – along with pardons, which are less common – is expected to increase as the end of Obama’s presidency nears. | The latest wave – which includes defendants convicted of dealing cocaine, crack and methamphetamine – brings to 306 the total number of inmates whose sentences Obama has commuted, the vast majority for drug crimes. The pace of commutations – along with pardons, which are less common – is expected to increase as the end of Obama’s presidency nears. |
| The prisoners given commutations have been “granted a second chance to lead productive and law-abiding lives,” said the deputy attorney general, Sally Quillian Yates. | The prisoners given commutations have been “granted a second chance to lead productive and law-abiding lives,” said the deputy attorney general, Sally Quillian Yates. |
| “Our clemency work is continuing as part of our broader efforts to effectuate criminal justice reform and ensure fairness and proportionality in sentencing,” Yates said. | “Our clemency work is continuing as part of our broader efforts to effectuate criminal justice reform and ensure fairness and proportionality in sentencing,” Yates said. |
| Related: Obama commutes sentences of 58 convicts, including 18 life sentences | Related: Obama commutes sentences of 58 convicts, including 18 life sentences |
| 10.55pm BST | 10.55pm BST |
| 22:55 | 22:55 |
| Donald Trump has responded to Paul Ryan in a (relatively tame!) statement this evening: | Donald Trump has responded to Paul Ryan in a (relatively tame!) statement this evening: |
| I am not ready to support Speaker Ryan’s agenda. Perhaps in the future we can work together and come to an agreement about what is best for the American people. They have been treated so badly for so long that it is about time for politicians to put them first! | I am not ready to support Speaker Ryan’s agenda. Perhaps in the future we can work together and come to an agreement about what is best for the American people. They have been treated so badly for so long that it is about time for politicians to put them first! |
| 10.40pm BST | 10.40pm BST |
| 22:40 | 22:40 |
| New Jersey governor and Donald Trump campaign surrogate Chris Christie is reportedly hoping to sway Speaker Paul Ryan’s opinion on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, according to WNYC. | New Jersey governor and Donald Trump campaign surrogate Chris Christie is reportedly hoping to sway Speaker Paul Ryan’s opinion on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, according to WNYC. |
| new: @ChrisChristie says he's going to reach out to @SpeakerRyan to find out "what his concerns are" about endorsing @realDonaldTrump | new: @ChrisChristie says he's going to reach out to @SpeakerRyan to find out "what his concerns are" about endorsing @realDonaldTrump |
| 10.33pm BST | 10.33pm BST |
| 22:33 | 22:33 |
| Ben Jacobs | Ben Jacobs |
| Donald Trump’s first rally after becoming the presumptive Republican nominee will be held in the Charleston Civil Center in the downtown of West Virginia’s capital city. The brutalist hunk of concrete filled up hours before and as an orderly line dissolved into a horde of people desperate to make it in the event. | Donald Trump’s first rally after becoming the presumptive Republican nominee will be held in the Charleston Civil Center in the downtown of West Virginia’s capital city. The brutalist hunk of concrete filled up hours before and as an orderly line dissolved into a horde of people desperate to make it in the event. |
| Campaign handing out signs that say "Trump digs coal" in Charleston WV pic.twitter.com/fmtnS4tZ12 | Campaign handing out signs that say "Trump digs coal" in Charleston WV pic.twitter.com/fmtnS4tZ12 |
| Trump was already pivoting to a general election message giving prime seats to coal miners, still in uniform from work, with signs planted saying “Trump Digs Coal.” The crowd seemed to be wearing even more Trump merchandise than usual for the rally as the cavernous space, which held over 13,000, filled up. | Trump was already pivoting to a general election message giving prime seats to coal miners, still in uniform from work, with signs planted saying “Trump Digs Coal.” The crowd seemed to be wearing even more Trump merchandise than usual for the rally as the cavernous space, which held over 13,000, filled up. |
| 10.18pm BST | 10.18pm BST |
| 22:18 | 22:18 |
| FBI interviews Hillary Clinton's closest aides in email probe | FBI interviews Hillary Clinton's closest aides in email probe |
| As the FBI probe into former secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure at the state department comes close to conclusion, the law enforcement agency interviewed some of Clinton’s closest aides in connection with the investigation, according to CNN. | As the FBI probe into former secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure at the state department comes close to conclusion, the law enforcement agency interviewed some of Clinton’s closest aides in connection with the investigation, according to CNN. |
| Multiple aides, including longtime confidante Huma Abedin, have been interviewed by federal investigators, some of them multiple times, according to the report. Investigators have reportedly found no evidence that Clinton willingly violated federal law. The interviews were described to CNN by law enforcement sources as “routine.” | Multiple aides, including longtime confidante Huma Abedin, have been interviewed by federal investigators, some of them multiple times, according to the report. Investigators have reportedly found no evidence that Clinton willingly violated federal law. The interviews were described to CNN by law enforcement sources as “routine.” |
| Clinton herself, meanwhile, has not yet been interviewed, and a scheduled sitdown with the FBI has not yet been finalized, but is expected to take place within the next few weeks. | Clinton herself, meanwhile, has not yet been interviewed, and a scheduled sitdown with the FBI has not yet been finalized, but is expected to take place within the next few weeks. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.19pm BST | at 10.19pm BST |
| 10.07pm BST | 10.07pm BST |
| 22:07 | 22:07 |
| In an interview with the Associated Press, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump suggested that he plans to reveal his vice presidential nominee at the party’s convention in Cleveland this July. | In an interview with the Associated Press, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump suggested that he plans to reveal his vice presidential nominee at the party’s convention in Cleveland this July. |
| “It is early - we just won yesterday,” Trump said. “I will announce it at the convention. A lot of people are interested.” | “It is early - we just won yesterday,” Trump said. “I will announce it at the convention. A lot of people are interested.” |
| 9.57pm BST | 9.57pm BST |
| 21:57 | 21:57 |
| What’s that? The Republican speaker of the house declined to endorse his party’s presumptive nominee because of intense philosophical differences that he views as anathema to the conservative movement? | What’s that? The Republican speaker of the house declined to endorse his party’s presumptive nominee because of intense philosophical differences that he views as anathema to the conservative movement? |
| We couldn’t hear you - we were too busy reading this email from the Committee for Arrangements for the Republican National Committee, sent out at the same time as Paul Ryan’s interview on CNN, which announces the official florists of the convention. | We couldn’t hear you - we were too busy reading this email from the Committee for Arrangements for the Republican National Committee, sent out at the same time as Paul Ryan’s interview on CNN, which announces the official florists of the convention. |
| If flowers can’t distract people from the impending Republican civil war, nothing can. | If flowers can’t distract people from the impending Republican civil war, nothing can. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.57pm BST | at 9.57pm BST |
| 9.37pm BST | 9.37pm BST |
| 21:37 | 21:37 |
| Scott Bixby | Scott Bixby |
| Continuing the seismic interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper in which he declined to endorse presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan told Tapper that while “it’s possible” that Trump could bridge the ideological gap between his campaign and the Republican establishment, the speaker’s focus will be on maintaining the party’s majority in the House of Representatives this fall. | Continuing the seismic interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper in which he declined to endorse presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan told Tapper that while “it’s possible” that Trump could bridge the ideological gap between his campaign and the Republican establishment, the speaker’s focus will be on maintaining the party’s majority in the House of Representatives this fall. |
| “I desperately want to see us unify on principles and ideas and policies and agenda,” Ryan said, “and I’m hoping where that’s gonna go.” | “I desperately want to see us unify on principles and ideas and policies and agenda,” Ryan said, “and I’m hoping where that’s gonna go.” |
| “I’m not saying he’s got to support my policies - he won fair and square on his policies, and yes, he comes from a different wing of the party than I do, but I gotta tell you, if we don’t unify all wings of this party, we’re gonna lose this election,” Ryan said. | “I’m not saying he’s got to support my policies - he won fair and square on his policies, and yes, he comes from a different wing of the party than I do, but I gotta tell you, if we don’t unify all wings of this party, we’re gonna lose this election,” Ryan said. |
| That said, “we’ve got a ways to go from here to there.” | That said, “we’ve got a ways to go from here to there.” |
| Ryan said that, as speaker of the house, he will gavel the Republican National Convention into order, “but we’ll see” if Trump has made any substantive moves toward unifying the party by that point. | Ryan said that, as speaker of the house, he will gavel the Republican National Convention into order, “but we’ll see” if Trump has made any substantive moves toward unifying the party by that point. |
| Tapper pressed Ryan on the substantive ideological differences on religious liberty, free trade and immigration between Trump and the Republican orthodoxy, and asked if it was reasonable to expect Trump to abandon his principles for the sake of party unity. | Tapper pressed Ryan on the substantive ideological differences on religious liberty, free trade and immigration between Trump and the Republican orthodoxy, and asked if it was reasonable to expect Trump to abandon his principles for the sake of party unity. |
| “We’ve got work to do,” Ryan responded, tightlipped. | “We’ve got work to do,” Ryan responded, tightlipped. |
| That said, Ryan declared that he was more focused on maintaining the Republican majority in Congress than in the future of the Republican party. “I don’t think it’s right to think about 2017 and beyond - I’m focused on 2016,” he said. “My focus this fall is, has been and will be the House majority.” | That said, Ryan declared that he was more focused on maintaining the Republican majority in Congress than in the future of the Republican party. “I don’t think it’s right to think about 2017 and beyond - I’m focused on 2016,” he said. “My focus this fall is, has been and will be the House majority.” |
| After once again declining to entertain the notion that he might become a “consensus candidate” in the event of chaos at the convention, Ryan closed out the interview by laughing dismissing Trump’s assertion in March that “he will have to pay a big price” if he doesn’t get along with the billionaire. | After once again declining to entertain the notion that he might become a “consensus candidate” in the event of chaos at the convention, Ryan closed out the interview by laughing dismissing Trump’s assertion in March that “he will have to pay a big price” if he doesn’t get along with the billionaire. |
| “No, I’m not worried about that,” Ryan said with a chuckle. | “No, I’m not worried about that,” Ryan said with a chuckle. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.39pm BST | at 9.39pm BST |
| 9.11pm BST | 9.11pm BST |
| 21:11 | 21:11 |
| Speaker Paul Ryan declines to endorse Donald Trump: 'I'm just not ready to do that at this point' | Speaker Paul Ryan declines to endorse Donald Trump: 'I'm just not ready to do that at this point' |
| In a move that raises the civil war brewing in the Republican party to a new level, House speaker Paul Ryan has declined to endorse presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump at this time, telling CNN that “I’m not there right now.” | In a move that raises the civil war brewing in the Republican party to a new level, House speaker Paul Ryan has declined to endorse presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump at this time, telling CNN that “I’m not there right now.” |
| “I’m just not ready to do that at this point,” Ryan told CNN’s Jake Tapper, in his first interview since Trump appeared to clinch the party’s presidential nomination following the suspension of his last remaining rivals’ campaigns. “Conservatives want to know: Does he share our values? There are lots of questions that conservatives are going to want answers to.” | “I’m just not ready to do that at this point,” Ryan told CNN’s Jake Tapper, in his first interview since Trump appeared to clinch the party’s presidential nomination following the suspension of his last remaining rivals’ campaigns. “Conservatives want to know: Does he share our values? There are lots of questions that conservatives are going to want answers to.” |
| “At this point,” Ryan said, “I think he has to do more to unify this party.” | “At this point,” Ryan said, “I think he has to do more to unify this party.” |
| “I’m familiar with the points you’re making,” Ryan said in response to a laundry list of episodes from the primary campaign - ranging from trump’s comments about women to his flirtation with connecting primary opponent Ted Cruz’s father with the assassination of John F. Kennedy. | “I’m familiar with the points you’re making,” Ryan said in response to a laundry list of episodes from the primary campaign - ranging from trump’s comments about women to his flirtation with connecting primary opponent Ted Cruz’s father with the assassination of John F. Kennedy. |
| “I wanna see a verification that our conservative principles will be championed, will be run on, will be represented,” Ryan continued. But just as Trump needs to moderate his message, Ryan said, “there’s a bit of humility that each of us needs, particularly in Congress.” | “I wanna see a verification that our conservative principles will be championed, will be run on, will be represented,” Ryan continued. But just as Trump needs to moderate his message, Ryan said, “there’s a bit of humility that each of us needs, particularly in Congress.” |
| “He tapped into something in this country that is very powerful,” Ryan said of Trump, “but at the same time, now that we have the presumptive nominee who is going to be our standard-bearer,” who must espouse “the principles that not only built our party but built this country.” | “He tapped into something in this country that is very powerful,” Ryan said of Trump, “but at the same time, now that we have the presumptive nominee who is going to be our standard-bearer,” who must espouse “the principles that not only built our party but built this country.” |
| “Looking back on the primary campaign, there are instances and episodes that question that,” Ryan concluded, “but I hope we can get there.” | “Looking back on the primary campaign, there are instances and episodes that question that,” Ryan concluded, “but I hope we can get there.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.18pm BST | at 9.18pm BST |
| 8.58pm BST | 8.58pm BST |
| 20:58 | 20:58 |
| Ex-KKK leader: Donald Trump's victory will expose 'Jewish supremacists who control our country' | Ex-KKK leader: Donald Trump's victory will expose 'Jewish supremacists who control our country' |
| Scott Bixby | Scott Bixby |
| White nationalist and onetime candidate for US senate David Duke has hailed Donald Trump’s accession to the Republican presidential nomination as an “amazing victory,” calling Trump’s rise a chance for white supremacists to expose the “Jewish supremacists who control our country.” | White nationalist and onetime candidate for US senate David Duke has hailed Donald Trump’s accession to the Republican presidential nomination as an “amazing victory,” calling Trump’s rise a chance for white supremacists to expose the “Jewish supremacists who control our country.” |
| “The Trump campaign at a whole series of levels is a great opportunity for us to expose the people who really run the Republican Party, who run the Democratic Party, who run the political establishment and who are leading us all to disaster,” said Duke, a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, of the “Jewish extremists” who he accused of controlling American government on his radio show. | “The Trump campaign at a whole series of levels is a great opportunity for us to expose the people who really run the Republican Party, who run the Democratic Party, who run the political establishment and who are leading us all to disaster,” said Duke, a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, of the “Jewish extremists” who he accused of controlling American government on his radio show. |
| First reported by RightWingWatch, Duke exhorted listeners to “make sure that Trump understands that we expect him to follow through on these things and we expect him to be our white knight, our advocate and our person.” | First reported by RightWingWatch, Duke exhorted listeners to “make sure that Trump understands that we expect him to follow through on these things and we expect him to be our white knight, our advocate and our person.” |
| Duke’s endorsement of Trump in February - and his subsequent declaration that the billionaire’s candidacy might rehabilitate the public image of Adolf Hitler - has highlighted Trump’s appeal among the so-called “alt-right,” an amorphous political movement whose proponents frequently espouse radical racialist views. | Duke’s endorsement of Trump in February - and his subsequent declaration that the billionaire’s candidacy might rehabilitate the public image of Adolf Hitler - has highlighted Trump’s appeal among the so-called “alt-right,” an amorphous political movement whose proponents frequently espouse radical racialist views. |
| Trump initially declined to condemn Duke after his endorsement, telling CNN that “I don’t know anything about David Duke; certainly I would disavow it if I thought there was something wrong.” | Trump initially declined to condemn Duke after his endorsement, telling CNN that “I don’t know anything about David Duke; certainly I would disavow it if I thought there was something wrong.” |
| Trump subsequently reversed course, tweeting a video in which he told press: “As I stated at the press conference on Friday regarding David Duke – I disavow.” Trump also did not condemn the Ku Klux Klan, as he was asked to during the interview. | Trump subsequently reversed course, tweeting a video in which he told press: “As I stated at the press conference on Friday regarding David Duke – I disavow.” Trump also did not condemn the Ku Klux Klan, as he was asked to during the interview. |
| In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer yesterday, Trump also declined to send a message to supporters who had sent a torrent of antisemitic and threatening messages to journalist Julia Ioffe this week after her profile of Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, appeared in this month’s issue of GQ. | In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer yesterday, Trump also declined to send a message to supporters who had sent a torrent of antisemitic and threatening messages to journalist Julia Ioffe this week after her profile of Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, appeared in this month’s issue of GQ. |
| “I don’t have a message to the fans – I’m not gonna talk about that,” the presumptive nominee said. | “I don’t have a message to the fans – I’m not gonna talk about that,” the presumptive nominee said. |
| All of this has only emboldened Trump’s white supremacist acolytes, Duke said in his radio show, before pushing his listeners to normalize Trump’s more extreme positions on immigration and national security. | All of this has only emboldened Trump’s white supremacist acolytes, Duke said in his radio show, before pushing his listeners to normalize Trump’s more extreme positions on immigration and national security. |
| “This is a movement to take America back, and when we say ‘take America back,’ we know exactly what that means,” Duke said, “and I think everybody who says that knows what it means. And if we don’t keep putting that heat, if we don’t keep pushing the envelope over, we’ve got to be so far to the right ... for our people that Trump seems moderate so that he will have space to move to the right himself because we’ve got to start an evolutionary movement to the right.” | “This is a movement to take America back, and when we say ‘take America back,’ we know exactly what that means,” Duke said, “and I think everybody who says that knows what it means. And if we don’t keep putting that heat, if we don’t keep pushing the envelope over, we’ve got to be so far to the right ... for our people that Trump seems moderate so that he will have space to move to the right himself because we’ve got to start an evolutionary movement to the right.” |
| 8.02pm BST | 8.02pm BST |
| 20:02 | 20:02 |
| Trump: 'I love Hispanics' | Trump: 'I love Hispanics' |
| ...and taco bowls. Thumbs up. | ...and taco bowls. Thumbs up. |
| (What prevented this patronizing tweet from not deploying a “feliz”?) | (What prevented this patronizing tweet from not deploying a “feliz”?) |
| Happy #CincoDeMayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics! https://t.co/ufoTeQd8yA pic.twitter.com/k01Mc6CuDI | Happy #CincoDeMayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics! https://t.co/ufoTeQd8yA pic.twitter.com/k01Mc6CuDI |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.05pm BST | at 8.05pm BST |