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Trump admits he pushed Ukraine for dirt on Biden and calls on China to investigate – live Trump admits he pushed Ukraine for dirt on Biden and calls on China to investigate – live
(32 minutes later)
Trump says Republicans will never allow health insurance companies to turn away those with pre-existing conditions.
(It was Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act that stopped health insurance companies being able to refuse treatment to those with pre-existing conditions. Most Republicans voted against it.)
Trump is discussing some of his legislative achievements. Of his agenda, and vision for the country, Trump invokes botany:
“It’s like a plant. It’s like a tree. Those roots have to grab hold [...] That thing has to grow and it has to get in there and then nobody’s gong to be able to take it down later on.”
Trump touts waiting times compared to the UK and Canada.
Just as an aside: the US spends “about twice what other high-income nations do on health care”, with significantly worse results. Check out this report from Reuters last year.
Trump is running through some of his talking points about Democrats and healthcare. The majority of Democrats running for president – according to Trump – will “slash Medicare” to “pay for socialism”.
Oh, and Democrats would also drain Medicare to pay for “open borders”, Trump says.
Trump is now mis-characterizing the idea of universal healthcare. He goes on to call Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas”, which is a racist slur, and riffs briefly about “Sleepy Joe”.
“Democrat lawmakers only want to wreck and destroy all the things we’ve built up over the last three years,” Trump says.
If a Democrat gets in, “the country is gonna go to hell”, Trump says.
Then he brings up Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing.
Trump is speaking in Florida at a healthcare rally.Trump is speaking in Florida at a healthcare rally.
The president is expected to sign an executive order this afternoon that, Trump says, will protect medicare. Trump claims his administration is aiming to deliver the best quality healthcare system in the world.The president is expected to sign an executive order this afternoon that, Trump says, will protect medicare. Trump claims his administration is aiming to deliver the best quality healthcare system in the world.
We’ll have to wait and see if Trump wades back into the Ukraine scandal. He roped China into the whole saga earlier.We’ll have to wait and see if Trump wades back into the Ukraine scandal. He roped China into the whole saga earlier.
House intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff is less than impressed with Trump’s request that China also investigate Joe Biden... from Politico reporter Andrew Desiderio:House intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff is less than impressed with Trump’s request that China also investigate Joe Biden... from Politico reporter Andrew Desiderio:
Schiff emerges from Volker deposition, won’t comment since it hasn’t concluded yet, but says Trump’s Ukraine/China comments this morning were “repugnant” and “a fundamental breach of his oath of office.”Schiff emerges from Volker deposition, won’t comment since it hasn’t concluded yet, but says Trump’s Ukraine/China comments this morning were “repugnant” and “a fundamental breach of his oath of office.”
I’m sure we’ll hear more from Schiff before the day is out.I’m sure we’ll hear more from Schiff before the day is out.
Here’s the Guardian’s main story on Trump’s remarkable calls for China – as well as Ukraine – to investigate his political rival Joe Biden.Here’s the Guardian’s main story on Trump’s remarkable calls for China – as well as Ukraine – to investigate his political rival Joe Biden.
Trump calls on China to investigate Biden in extraordinary demandTrump calls on China to investigate Biden in extraordinary demand
Washington Post political reporter Sean Sullivan reports that Bernie Sanders will appear at the next Democratic presidential debate:Washington Post political reporter Sean Sullivan reports that Bernie Sanders will appear at the next Democratic presidential debate:
NEW: @BernieSanders will be at the next debate, according to a Sanders aide. The debate is on 10/15.NEW: @BernieSanders will be at the next debate, according to a Sanders aide. The debate is on 10/15.
Sanders’ campaign had been silent as to when, or whether, he would return to the campaign trail.Sanders’ campaign had been silent as to when, or whether, he would return to the campaign trail.
He canceled events this week after undergoing heart surgery on Tuesday. The Vermont senator had a blockage in an artery, and required two stents to be inserted.He canceled events this week after undergoing heart surgery on Tuesday. The Vermont senator had a blockage in an artery, and required two stents to be inserted.
Some reaction from House intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff to Trump’s Ukraine-China debacle this morning:Some reaction from House intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff to Trump’s Ukraine-China debacle this morning:
The President cannot use the power of his office to pressure foreign leaders to investigate his political opponents.His rant this morning reinforces the urgency of our work. America is a Republic, if we can keep it. https://t.co/9KDCx1hVjsThe President cannot use the power of his office to pressure foreign leaders to investigate his political opponents.His rant this morning reinforces the urgency of our work. America is a Republic, if we can keep it. https://t.co/9KDCx1hVjs
George Conway, husband of Trump’s adviser Kellyanne Conway and a persistent thorn in the president’s side, has resumed his criticism of the president in an article for the Atlantic.George Conway, husband of Trump’s adviser Kellyanne Conway and a persistent thorn in the president’s side, has resumed his criticism of the president in an article for the Atlantic.
Conway, an attorney, has been asking questions about Trump’s mental state throughout Trump’s presidency.Conway, an attorney, has been asking questions about Trump’s mental state throughout Trump’s presidency.
Now, Conway reckons, there has been “a recent escalation in Trump’s bizarre behavior, as the pressures of his upcoming reelection campaign, a possibly deteriorating economy, and now a full-blown impeachment inquiry have mounted”.Now, Conway reckons, there has been “a recent escalation in Trump’s bizarre behavior, as the pressures of his upcoming reelection campaign, a possibly deteriorating economy, and now a full-blown impeachment inquiry have mounted”.
You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, and you don’t need to be a mental-health professional to see that something’s very seriously off with Trump—particularly after nearly three years of watching his erratic and abnormal behavior in the White House.You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, and you don’t need to be a mental-health professional to see that something’s very seriously off with Trump—particularly after nearly three years of watching his erratic and abnormal behavior in the White House.
A former US special envoy for Ukraine is testifying before three House committees today – the first official to testify over the Trump-Ukraine scandal.A former US special envoy for Ukraine is testifying before three House committees today – the first official to testify over the Trump-Ukraine scandal.
Kurt Volker is giving testimony to the Intelligence, Oversight and Reform and Foreign Affairs committees. The hearings are behind closed doors.Kurt Volker is giving testimony to the Intelligence, Oversight and Reform and Foreign Affairs committees. The hearings are behind closed doors.
My colleague Julian Borger profiled Volker this week:My colleague Julian Borger profiled Volker this week:
When Kurt Volker agreed to work for the Trump administration in 2017, he told colleagues he hoped to navigate the president’s mercurial nature and his evident attachment to Vladimir Putin, and still pursue a traditional US policy of upholding Ukrainian independence and pushing back against Moscow.When Kurt Volker agreed to work for the Trump administration in 2017, he told colleagues he hoped to navigate the president’s mercurial nature and his evident attachment to Vladimir Putin, and still pursue a traditional US policy of upholding Ukrainian independence and pushing back against Moscow.
We’ll bring more if news leaks out from the hearing.We’ll bring more if news leaks out from the hearing.
'He tried to have his cake and eat it': how Trump's Ukraine envoy lost his big gamble'He tried to have his cake and eat it': how Trump's Ukraine envoy lost his big gamble
Andrew Yang, the tech entrepreneur running an outsider bid for president, raised $10m in the third quarter of 2019, according to his campaign.
Campaign merchandise accounted for about $2.4m of the total, Yang’s campaign said, including the sale of more than 20,000 ‘MATH’ hats.
“This grassroots fund-raising total, with more than $6 million in the bank, ensures this campaign will have the funding to compete and outperform expectations through Super Tuesday and beyond,” Yang’s campaign said.
Yang is only averaging 3.5% in national polls, but has met the requirements for the fourth Democratic presidential debate, which will be held on October 15.
CNN has refused to air a Trump campaign advert which pushes false claims about the Bidens actions in Ukraine, according to the Daily Beast:
The 30-second ad, titled “Biden Corruption,” peddles misleading accusations about Joe Biden and his son Hunter in an attempt by President Trump to deflect from controversy over his pressuring of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to dig up dirt on the former vice president.
“Joe Biden promised Ukraine $1 billion if they fired the prosecutor investigating his son’s company,” the cinematic trailer-like narrator blares. “But when President Trump asks Ukraine to investigate corruption, the Democrats want to impeach him,” the ad continues over footage of House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
In fact, multiple countries wanted the prosecutor Trump mentions to be fired. And the investigation into the company where Hunter Biden worked was dormant when the prosecutor was fired.
Donald Trump has called for Ukraine and China to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, even as Trump is the subject of an impeachment inquiry for... pushing Ukraine to investigate the Bidens.
In an extraordinary press conference outside the White House – aired on cable news and attended by multiple journalists – Trump said China should investigate the Bidens, and suggested he may ask the country to do so.
Trump also said the Ukraine government should start a “major investigation” into the Bidens, “if they were honest about it”.
As a reminder: there is no evidence that Joe or Hunter Biden did anything wrong in Ukraine. Or in China.
Trump was asked what he thought Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy – who Trump was recorded pressuring to investigate the Bidens – should do.
“If they were honest about it, they would start a major investigation into the Bidens,” Trump said when asked what he wanted Ukrainepresident Volodymyr Zelensky to do.
“I would say President Zelenskiy, if it was me, I would start an investigation into the Bidens.”
Trump then discussed his trade war with China, before adding:
“China should start an investigation into the Bidens because what happened in China is just about as bad as what happened in Ukraine.”
Trump did not explain what he meant by “what happened in China”. Again: there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the Bidens.
Trump was then asked if he had requested President Xi of China to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden.
“I haven’t but it’s certainly something we can start thinking about,” Trump said.
Donald Trump’s remarks just now were extraordinary.
Trump, currently under investigation for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, again encouraged Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. On live tv.
Not only that, the president then urged China to investigate Biden.
Some context:
Trump admits he asked Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden, and asks China to do the same. Like Nixon telling America "I ordered the break in." pic.twitter.com/Zw3aZby4uc
Just to be clear, Trump is currently, this morning, calling on foreign leaders to investigate Biden in the midst of an impeachment proceeding about whether he has encouraged foreign leaders to investigate Biden
This. Is. The. Thing. Republicans. Spent. Days. Denying. He Asked. https://t.co/KmLwINOp2N
Trump continues talking about Ukraine, making false statements about how the country got rid of its prosecutor.
Of the whistleblower complaint, Trump says: “It’s totally inaccurate because the conversation that I had was absolutely perfect.”
Trump says he is meeting with China next week and will discuss trade. “I have a lot of options on China but if they don’t do what we want we have tremendous power,” Trump says.
Then he pivots to the Bidens, making unfounded and context-free claims about wrongdoing in China:
“China should start an investigation into the Bidens because what happened in China is just about as bad as what happened in Ukraine.”
Donald Trump, speaking outside the White House, said Ukraine should investigate his rival Joe Biden – exactly the thing Trump is under threat of impeachment for – and added that China should also start a probe.
“If they were honest about it, they would start a major investigation into the Bidens,” Trump said when asked what he wanted Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky to do.
“I would say President Zelenskiy, if it was me, I would start an investigation into the Bidens.”
Trump said China should also start an investigation into the Bidens, and suggested he might ask the country to do so.
Asked if he had requested President Xi of China to help investigate the Bidens, POTUS replied: “I haven’t but it’s certainly something we can start thinking about.”
Asked what he wanted President Zelensky to do about the Bidens, “If they were honest about it, they would start a major investigation into the Bidens.” pic.twitter.com/CZ0ikrtEdp
Q: What did you want president of Ukraine to do about Joe & Hunter Biden?Trump: If they were honest, they would start a “major investigation.” He adds that China should also start an investigation into Bidens but says he hasn’t asked the president of China to do that yet.
On Tuesday we learned about Donald Trump’s plans to construct a
Moot
moat along the US-Mexico border and fill it with snakes and alligators.
That was according to a report from the New York Times, which has now been confirmed by the Washington Post.
According to the Post, Trump also suggested arming US forces “with bayonets to block people from crossing into the United States across the Mexico border”.
The Times had reported that Trump additionally proposed shooting would-be migrants in the legs, so as to prevent them crossing into the US, and wanted his as-yet unbuilt border wall to be electrified, with spikes on top.
Trump has denied the reporting.
Some bad news for Kamala Harris this morning: the California senator is drooping in the polls in her home state.
Harris is the choice of just 8% of Californians, according to a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California. That puts her in fourth place, way behind Elizabeth Warren (23%), Joe Biden (22%) and Bernie Sanders (21%).
It’s not looking good for Harris nationally, either. Real Clear Politics’ polling average shows her on just 4.8%.
So what’s Donald Trump up to this morning?
WELL, he’s been attacking Adam Schiff – a “lowlife” and a “lying disaster – and also having a go at 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg. Lovely.
Schiff is a lowlife who should resign (at least!). https://t.co/nGp9aFP3rX
Schiff is a lying disaster for our Country. He should resign! https://t.co/ytwEy5NasJ
Keep up the great work Kellie! https://t.co/PcAnK009EW
Trump is heading to Florida at 10am. He is expected to speak about his health-care agenda, such as it is, and could address the Ukraine scandal on his way to the airport.
Storm clouds are continuing to gather around Donald Trump over the Ukraine scandal, but that hasn’t stopped his faithful confidante, Lindsay Graham, from reportedly urging foreign governments to work with William Barr in investigating the origins of the Mueller inquiry.
Graham is said to have written to the prime ministers of Australia, Italy and the UK to request their “continued cooperation with attorney general Barr as the Department of Justice continues to investigate the origins and extent of foreign influence in the 2016 election”.
The investigation is an attempt to discredit Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.
A GOP tactic as 2020 looms is to claim the entire investigation was flawed.
According to numerous reports, in the letter Graham wrote that US intelligence agencies used a “deeply flawed dossier filled with hearsay and written by a biased, former United Kingdom intelligence officer” as part of the Mueller inquiry.
Elsewhere this morning:
•Donald Trump has been tweeting since 6am. It’s the usual stuff: the US is being ripped off, Adam Schiff=bad, the Bidens are corrupt, etc etc.
•Joe Biden is ramping up his investment in key Super Tuesday states, Politico reports – trying to develop a firewall if the former-vice president doesn’t do so well in Iowa and New Hampshire.
•A number of foreign companies are reconsidering plans to invest in the US because of Trump’s trade war with China, according to Axios.