Jan 20, 2017:
At an inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.
Read a transcript of his inauguration speech here.
Donald Trump Sworn In as 45th President of the United States | ABC News
Trump becomes 45th President of the United States | CNN
Violence flares in Washington during Trump inauguration | Reuters
In Trump We Trust: Inauguration prompts celebration in Russia | Reuters
These Democrats aren't attending Trump's inauguration | CNN
Jan 19, 2017:
In New York City, thousands of people attended an anti-Trump protest/rally. Among those in attendance, and who spoke at the rally were New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Michael Moore, Alec Baldwin, Robert DeNiro, Cher, and Mark Ruffalo.
Inauguration Protests Held at a Trump Tower and Elsewhere | The New York Times
'This Is Our Right': Inauguration Protests Erupt With a Mission to Disrupt | The New York Times
Protests, anti-Trump events offer inauguration alternative | The Hill
Trump's inauguration will be protested in all 50 states and 32 countries | USA Today
A rundown of celebrity inauguration protests — plus what artists are doing in Miami | Miami Herald
Jan 6, 2017:
Dems try to voice objections as Congress certifies Trump's win | The Hill
Dec 20, 2016:
FBI argued it had probable cause for pre-election Clinton email warrant | The Hill
FBI warrant released in Clinton case, revealing extent of classified info on laptop | Fox News
Dec 19, 2016:
In today's Electoral College vote, Donald Trump received 304 votes, and Hilary Clinton received 227 votes.
There were seven "faithless" electors - two of whom voted for Clinton and four for Trump.
On January 6, a joint session of Congress will convene to officially declare Trump the winner.
Electors remain faithful to Trump and select him as official winner | CNN
Electoral College Settles Donald Trump’s Victory, but Little Else | The New York Times
Trump secures victory in Electoral College, as bid to flip electors flops | Fox News
Protesters Urge Electoral College To Stop Donald Trump | The Huffington Post
Arizona's Electoral College ignores protests, chooses Trump | CBS News
Raw video: Arizona Electoral College interviews | CBS News
Protesters urge Arizona Electoral College voters not to back Trump | CBS News
Dec 18, 2016:
Michael Moore weighed in on the Electoral College vote tomorrow. Read his Facebook post here.
Electors under siege | Politico
Dec 12, 2016:
The Unite for America website has a short video with various celebrities urging state electors to not vote for Donald Trump on December 19 because he is unfit to be president of the United States.
Progressive groups plan to protest Electoral College vote | Politico
The 'Real' Presidential Vote: Electoral College Votes on Monday | NBC News
The Electoral College and the Popular Vote | Snopes
What Happens If the Electoral College Is Tied? | The Wall Street Journal
Could Electoral College Elect Clinton? | factcheck.org
Dec 12, 2016:
The latest vote count shows Trump with 306 electoral votes and Clinton with 232 electoral votes. With an estimated 96% of the vote in, Trump is projected to win Michigan (Trump has 47.6%, Clinton 47.3%, with Trump leading by 11,612 votes). Clinton has the edge in the popular vote with 65,431,654 (48.2%) and Trump with 62,792,756 (46.3%).
Nov 22, 2016:
The latest vote count shows Trump with 290 electoral votes and Clinton with 232 electoral votes, with Michigan still undecided. Clinton has the edge in the popular vote with 63,515,588 (47.9%) and Trump with 61,917,320 (46.7%).
Nov 10, 2016:
Kelly Ayotte (R) conceded her New Hampshire Senate race to Maggie Hassan (D). Hassan received 354,268 votes (48.0%) and Ayotte 353,525 votes (47.9%) - a difference of just 743 votes. This is one more pickup in the Senate for Democrats, bringing their total to 48.
Maggie Hassan wins New Hampshire Senate race | Fox News
An article written by John Pavlovitz in The Huffington Post entitled "Here’s Why We Grieve Today" does a great job of describing the real reasons why non-Trump supporters are so distraught by the results of the election.
Here are a few quotes from the article:
This is not about losing an election. This isn't about not winning a contest. This is about two very different ways of seeing the world.
It isn't a political defeat that we're lamenting, it's a defeat for Humanity.
It's about overt racism and hostility toward minorities. It's about religion being weaponized.
It's about crassness and vulgarity and disregard for women. It's about a barricaded, militarized, bully nation. It's about an unapologetic, open-faced ugliness.
And it is not only that these things have been ratified by our nation that grieve us; all this hatred, fear, racism, bigotry, and intolerance—it's knowing that these things have been amen-ed by our neighbors, our families, our friends, those we work with and worship alongside. That is the most horrific thing of all. We now know how close this is.
This is not about a difference of political opinion, as that's far too small to mourn over. It's about a fundamental difference in how we view the worth of all people—not just those who look or talk or think or vote the way we do.
Pavlovitiz is a pastor at the North Raleigh Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.
North Carolina Christian pastor writes piercing open letter to Hillary Clinton | Daily Kos
Nov 9, 2016:
View the results of the 2016 presidential election on the CNN website here.
As of 11am today, Trump has 289 electoral votes and Clinton has 212 electoral votes, with three states still undecided (Minnesota, Michigan, and New Hampshire). Clinton has the edge in the popular vote with 59,600,327 (47.7%) and Trump with 59,389,589 (47.5%).
Trump won in the key states of Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
In the U.S. Senate races, Tammy Duckworth (D) won in Illinois bringing the total number of Democratic seats in the Senate to 47. In New Hampshire, the race is still too close to call with Maggie Hassan (D) at 48.0% (353,978 votes) and Kelly Ayotte (R) at 47.9% (353,262 votes) with 98% of the vote counted.
Democrats netted +7 seats in the House of Representatives bringing the total to 193 Democrats and 239 Republicans.
Absorbing the Impossible | The New York Times
Absorbing the Impossible | The New York Times
Donald Trump Is Elected President in Stunning Repudiation of the Establishment | The New York Times
Trump Outsmarts Experts All the Way to White House | Real Clear Politics
Column: Can America survive President Donald Trump? | The Chicago Tribune
An American Tragedy | The New Yorker
Doggedness and Defiance: How Trump won | Fox News
Trump campaign: 'Undercover' supporters helped deliver upset victory | Fox News
How did pollsters get Trump, Clinton election so wrong? | USA Today
Clinton gives emotional concession speech: This is 'painful and will be for a long time' | USA Today
President-elect Trump vows to bring nation 'together as never before' | USA Today
Obama: Americans must support President-elect Trump | USA Today
Transcript: President Obama’s remarks on Donald Trump’s election | The Washington Post
Electoral College Lesson: More Voters Chose Hillary Clinton, But Trump Will Be President | NBC News
How the Terrible, Skewed, Anachronistic Electoral College Gave Us Trump | New Republic
Why 2016 election polls missed their mark | Pew Research Center
Behind Trump’s victory: Divisions by race, gender, education | Pew Research Center
Donald Trump and the new American revolution | The Washington Times
Michael Moore's Morning After To-Do List | Health and Wellness Resource
In Arizona, Paul Penzone defeated incumbent Sherriff Joe Arpaio, getting 55.2% of the vote to Arpaio's 44.8%.
Maricopa County voters oust Sheriff Joe Arpaio, elect Paul Penzone | The Arizona Republic
During a commencement address at Rutgers University in Brunswick, New Jersey on May 16, 2016, President Obama said the following:
Facts, evidence, reason, logic, an understanding of science -- these are good things. (Applause.) These are qualities you want in people making policy. These are qualities you want to continue to cultivate in yourselves as citizens.
But if you were listening to today's political debate, you might wonder where this strain of anti-intellectualism came from. In politics and in life, ignorance is not a virtue. (Applause.) It's not cool to not know what you're talking about. (Applause.) That's not keeping it real, or telling it like it is. (Laughter.) That's not challenging political correctness. That's just not knowing what you're talking about.
But when our leaders express a disdain for facts, when they're not held accountable for repeating falsehoods and just making stuff up, while actual experts are dismissed as elitists, then we've got a problem.
The rejection of facts, the rejection of reason and science -- that is the path to decline.
Source:
Obama, Barack. (May 16, 2016). "Remarks by the President at Commencement Address at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
Nov 8, 2016:
How Does the Electoral College Work? | The New York Times
Nov 7, 2016:
According to the Real Clear Politics (RCP) website, Hillary Clinton has about a two-percent edge over Donald Trump.
If every state voted based on the RCP averages, Clinton would get 297 electoral votes and Trump would get 241, giving Clinton the needed 270 votes to win the election.
A few weeks ago, Clinton had about a 7-point edge, so Trump has closed that gap significantly. But, Clinton has led in the RCP average for the past 98 days.
Two weeks ago, Clinton had about 45% of the total vote and Trump had about 39.9%. Clinton has remained at 45% but Trump is now at 42.7%.
The states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan are very close and are considered to be the "battleground states".
Source:
Byler, David. (November 7, 2016). "Poll Position: Where Clinton, Trump Stand on Election Eve". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
Here are the final presidential election polling numbers, retrieved from the Real Clear Politics website, on the eve of the 2016 election (retrieved 5pm Arizona time):
RCP Poll Average - Clinton +2.9% (Clinton 47.2%, Trump 44.3%)
4-way RCP Average - Clinton +3.2% (Clinton 45.5%, Trump 42.3%)
| State | Clinton | Trump | Spread | Trend |
| Florida | 46.4% | 46.6% | Trump +0.2% | Up |
| Ohio | 42.3% | 45.8% | Trump +3.5% | Up |
| Pennsylvania | 46.2% | 44.3% | Clinton +1.9% | Down |
| New Hampshire | 43.3% | 42.7% | Clinton +0.6% | Up |
| North Carolina | 45.5% | 46.5% | Trump +1.0% | Down |
| Colorado | 43.3% | 40.4% | Clinton +2.9% | |
| Nevada | 45.0% | 46.5% | Trump +1.5% | Down |
| Michigan | 44.7% | 40.0% | Clinton +4.7% | |
| Wisconsin | 46.8% | 40.3% | Clinton +6.5% | Up |
| Iowa | 41.3% | 44.3% | Trump +3.0% | |
| Virginia | 47.3% | 42.3% | Clinton +5.0% | Down |
| Maine | 44.0% | 39.5% | Clinton +4.5% | |
| New Mexico | 45.3% | 40.3% | Clinton +5.0% | |
| Arizona | 42.3% | 46.3% | Trump +4.0 |
Here are the final key U.S. Senate race polling numbers, retrieved from the Real Clear Politics website, on the eve of the 2016 election (retrieved 5pm Arizona time). Note that in Nevada, incumbent Senator Harry Reid (D) is retiring, and in Indiana incumbent Dan Coats (R) is retiring. Below, an asterisk (*) indicates incumbent:
| State | Candidate/Percent | Candidate/Percent | Spread |
| Nevada | Catherine Cortez Masto (D) / 47.3% | Joe Heck (R) / 45.5% | Cortez Masto +1.8% |
| Missouri | Jason Kander (D) / 45.5% | Roy Blunt (R)* / 46.8% | Blunt +1.3% |
| Wisconsin | Russ Feingold (D) / 47.0% | Ron Johnson (R)* / 44.3% | Feingold +2.7% |
| Indiana | Evan Bayh (D) / 42.0% | Todd Young (R) / 42.7% | Young +0.7% |
| Pennsylvania | Katie McGinty (D) / 45.0% | Pat Toomey (R)* / 43.0% | McGinty +2.0% |
| New Hampshire | Maggie Hassan (D) / 45.6% | Kelly Ayotte (R)* / 47.1% | Ayotte +1.5% |
| North Carolina | Deborah Ross (D) / 45.0% | Richard Burr (R)* / 47.0% | Burr +2.0% |
| Florida | Patrick Murphy (D) / 44.8% | Marco Rubio (R)* / 48.5% | Rubio +3.7% |
| Colorado | Michael Bennet (D)* / 48.2% | Darryl Glenn (R) / 40.8% | Bennet +7.4% |
| Illinois | Tammy Duckworth (D) / 48.0% | Mark Kirk (R)* / 34.7% | Duckworth +13.3% |
Source:
(November 7, 2016). "Real Clear Politics". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
Exclusive Clinton op-ed: I'll look for common ground | USA Today
Exclusive Trump op-ed: We must clean up this corruption | USA Today
Nov 6, 2016:
FBI Director James Comey notified key members of Congress that after reviewing e-mails on Anthony Weiner's computer, the FBI stands by its July ruling and does nor recommend charges against Hillary Clinton.
FBI director says agency once again won’t recommend charges over Clinton email | The Washington Post
Of the top 100 newspapers in the United States, only two of them have endorsed Donald Trump (the Las Vegas Review-Journal and The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville), while 57 of them have endorsed Hillary Clinton.
Of the 57 endorsements received by Clinton, three of those are from newspapers that have been long-term supporters of Republicans (The Dallas Morning News, The Arizona Republic and The San Diego Union-Tribune).
Source:
Wilson, Reid. (November 6, 2016). "Final newspaper endorsement count: Clinton 57, Trump 2". The Hill. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
Nov 1, 2016:
An economic election model from Moody's Analytics forecasts that Clinton will win 332 electoral votes to Donald Trump's 206.
Obama's high approval rating combined with low gasoline prices are two factors affecting the forecast. Moody's model has accurately predicted the presidential election since its origin in 1980.
Election model predicts big win for Clinton | The Hill
In a letter released today, 370 economists, including eight Nobel Prize winners, discussed 15 points of concern about a Donald Trump presidency, strongly recommending that you do not vote for Donald Trump.
Here are a few quotes from the letter:
He promotes magical thinking and conspiracy theories over sober assessments of feasible economic policy options.
Donald Trump is a dangerous, destructive choice for the country. He misinforms the electorate, degrades trust in public institutions with conspiracy theories, and promotes willful delusion over engagement with reality.
Source:
(November 1, 2016). "370 Economists: ‘Do Not Vote For Donald Trump’". Time. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
Hundreds of economists call Trump 'unique danger' to democracy | The Hill
Economists Warn: Trump 'Promotes Magical Thinking And Conspiracy Theories' | NPR
On September 26, 306 other economists issued a statement saying that "Hillary Clinton's economic agenda is wrong for America".
The statement also said the following about Clinton's agenda:
...promises to repeat almost all of [President] Obama's policy mistakes.
...outdated policy prescriptions won't return our economy to the faster growth rates it once enjoyed.
Source:
(September 26, 2016). "Economists have a message: Clinton's policies are wrong for America". The Hill. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
During a speech in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Republican vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence introduced the Trump campaign's plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Mike Pence Introduces Obamacare Replacement Plan | Real Clear Politics
Oct 31, 2016:
James Comey's notification has generated speculation that he may have violated The Hatch Act of 1939 which restricts the ability of most federal authorities to interfere with or affect elections.
What is the Hatch Act -- and did James Comey break it? | CNN
In a The Washington Post op-ed former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called the decision to notify Congress "incorrect". Holder also said:
The department has a practice of not commenting on ongoing investigations. Indeed, except in exceptional circumstances, the department will not even acknowledge the existence of an investigation. The department also has a policy of not taking unnecessary action close in time to Election Day that might influence an election's outcome.
Instead of making a private recommendation to the attorney general — consistent with Justice Department policy — he chose to publicly share his professional recommendation, as well as his personal opinions, about the case. That was a stunning breach of protocol. It may set a dangerous precedent for future investigations. It was wrong.
Source:
Holder, Eric. (October 31, 2016). "Eric Holder: James Comey is a good man, but he made a serious mistake". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
Two other former U.S. attorney generals, both of whom served under George W. Bush, also criticized Comey for his notification. Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Comey's announcement was an "error in judgement". Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey said "This wasn't Comey's call. It is not his function as director of the FBI to decide who gets charges and doesn't. It's his function to gather evidence. And he didn't fulfill that function very well.".
Source:
Wright, David; Bradner, Eric. (October 31, 2016). "Ex-AGs Alberto Gonzales, Eric Holder, Michael Mukasey rip FBI director". CNN. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
The Democratic Party filed suit against the Republican Party, Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., Roger J. Stone, Jr. (a longtime Trump advisor), and Stop the Steal, Inc. in four battleground states (Arizona, Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania), claiming the Trump campaign's effort to monitor polling places amounts to harassment and intimidation.
Democrats sue Trump for alleged voter intimidation in four states | Reuters
Oct 28, 2016:
FBI Director James Comey notified members of Congress that the FBI was reopening its Hillary Clinton e-mail investigation based on e-mails discovered in a separate investigation into Anthony Weiner.
The FBI wants to examine the e-mails to determine if they are connected to Clinton and if they contain classified information. Comey said he doesn't know if any of the e-mails are significant, and he said he doesn't know how long it will take to complete the investigation.
FBI Led Back To Clinton Email Server Case By Anthony Weiner Investigation | NPR
FBI Head Under Fire For Clinton Email Scrutiny Days Before Election | NPR
Top Justice Department officials objected to FBI director's decision to notify Congress | CNN
Anger, disbelief in Clinton camp | The Hill
Oct 27, 2016:
A memo released by Wikileaks suggests a possible connection between the nonprofit Clinton Foundation and speaking fees paid to former president Bill Clinton.
The memo does not directly reference Hillary Clinton (Secretary of State when the memo was written).
'Bill Clinton, Inc.': WikiLeaks Shows Foundation Donors, Personal Cash Overlap | NPR
Oct 25, 2016:
An article on the NBC News website talks about how Donald Trump often claims to have the support of police and military figures. Specifically, the article points out the following:
- Trump has claimed an endorsement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), yet by law federal agencies are barred by law from endorsing candidates in political elections.
- The U.S. Department of Defense has a set of guidelines that "tightly restricts any active duty military or civilian personnel from publicly choosing political sides".
- While Trump did receive an endorsement from more than 88 retired military figures, that number is considerably lower than the 500 retired generals and admirals who supported Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.
- Trump has overstated his support and endorsement from local police departments.
Source:
Sakuma, Amanda. (October 25, 2016). "Trump Cites Police, Military, ICE Endorsements That Didn't Happen". NBC News. Retrieved 2016-10-25.
Oct 24, 2016:
Via Twitter, Donald Trump claimed that Democrats are making up poll numbers to help keep him from winning the presidency.
Major story that the Dems are making up phony polls in order to suppress the the Trump. We are going to WIN!
Source:
Hellmann, Jessie. (October 24, 2016). "Trump claims Democrats are making up polls". The Hill. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
So far, 11 different women have come forward to claim some sort of inappropriate touch by Donald Trump. In addition, NBC News ran a story three days ago describing the story of a 12th woman, Karena Virginia, who claims inappropriate touch by Donald Trump.
These women have accused Trump of sexual harassment | CNN
Karena Virginia Becomes 10th Woman to Accuse Trump of Sexual Misconduct | NBC News
Oct 22, 2016:
In an editorial entitled "EDITORIAL: Donald Trump for president.", Donald Trump received his first major newspaper endorsement from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Trump lands first major newspaper endorsement | The Hill
At a press conference, adult film star Jessica Drake accused Donald Trump of unwanted sexual advances.
Adult film star latest to accuse Trump | The Hill
Oct 20, 2016:
At a campaign rally in Delaware, Ohio Donald Trump said the following:
I would like to promise and pledge to all of my voters and supporters and to all of the people of the United States that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election — if I win.
Source:
Stracqualursi, Veronica. (October 20, 2016). "Donald Trump Will 'Totally' Accept Election Results 'if I Win'". ABC News. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
Trump: I'll accept the election results — 'if I win' | USA Today
Oct 19, 2016:
The third presidential debate was held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and moderated by Chris Wallace of Fox News.
Wallace asked Trump the following:
Do you make the same commitment that you will absolutely, sir, that you will absolutely accept the result of this election?
Trump responded:
I will look at it at the time. I will keep you in suspense.
Source:
Healy, Patrick; Martin, Jonathan. (October 19, 2016). "Donald Trump Won’t Say if He’ll Accept Result of Election". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
Read a transcript of the debate here.
Read factcheck.org's analysis of the debate here.
Top 6 takeaways from the final presidential debate | PBS
The final debate: CNN's Reality Check Team vets the claims | CNN
Trump always takes the bait and other debate takeaways | CNN
Oct 17, 2016:
In an op-ed in The New York Times entitled "Donald Trump, the Worst of America" columnist Charles M. Blow said the following about Donald Trump:
His response to these charges
has been surprisingly — and perhaps, revealingly — callow. He has mocked, whined, chided, bemoaned and belittled. It's as if the man is on a mission to demonstrate to voters the staggering magnitude of his social vulgarity and emotional ineptitude. He has dispensed with all semblances of wanting to appear presidential and embraced what seems to be most natural to him: acting like a pig.
And he seems constitutionally incapable of processing the idea that wealth is not completely immunizing, that some rules are universally applicable, that common decency is required of more than just "common" folks. He seems genuinely offended that he should be held to the same standards of truth, decorum and even law as those less well off.
Trump is in fact the logical extension of toxic masculinity and ambient misogyny. He is the logical extension of rampant racism. He is the logical extension of wealth worship. He is the logical extension of pervasive anti-intellectualism. Trump is the logical extension of the worst of America.
The FBI released records showing that a U.S. Department of State official had asked the FBI to make one particular e-mail regarding Benghazi disappear in exchange for allowing the FBI to deploy more agents in foreign countries. Republicans said this shows wrongdoing by the State Department.
State aide sought to change classification of Clinton email | Fox News
FBI officials allege 'quid pro quo' in Clinton emails | The Hill
At a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Donald Trump said the following:
They even want to try to rig the election at the polling place...So many cities are corrupt and voter fraud is very, very common.
Trump also cited studies that he said showed rampant voter fraud.
Source:
Stephenson, Emily; Wise, Alana. (October 17, 2016). "Trump sharpens 'rigged' election allegations disputed by Republican lawyers". Reuters. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
Trump lashes out at Republicans for not buying election rigging line | Politico
Trump Wrongly Insists Voter Fraud Is 'Very, Very Common' | ABC News
Oct 16, 2016:
Donald Trump continued with his claims of a "rigged election".
On Twitter he said the following:
The election is absolutely being rigged by the dishonest and distorted media pushing Crooked Hillary — but also at many polling places — SAD.
Source:
Martin, Jonathan; Burns, Alexander. (October 16, 2016). "Officials Fight Donald Trump’s Claims of a Rigged Vote". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
Oct 15, 2016:
At a campaign rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Donald Trump said the following:
Instead of being held accountable, Hillary is running for president in what looks like a rigged election. Okay, it looks to me like a rigged election.
The election is being rigged by corrupt media pushing completely false allegations and outright lies in an effort to elect her president.
...but these allegations, many of them have already been proven so false...and remember this, it's a rigged election because you have phony people coming up with phony allegations, with no witnesses whatsoever...it's a rigged election because they're taking these unsubstantiated, no witnesses, putting them on the front pages of newspapers, so it's a rigged election...
Source:
DelReal, Jose A.; Sullivan, Sean. (October 15, 2016). "Trump claims election is 'rigged' and seems to suggest Clinton was on drugs at debate". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
Oct 14, 2016:
Two more women made statements claiming Donald Trump made unwanted sexual advances and touched them inappropriately.
Summer Zervos, a former competitor on Donald Trump's show The Apprentice, said Trump made unwanted sexual advances on her in 2007 during a meeting about a possible job.
Kristin Anderson said that Trump touched her inappropriately at a Manhattan nightspot in the early 1990's.
Trump campaign reels over new groping allegations | Reuters
Woman says Trump reached under her skirt and groped her in early 1990s | The Washington Post
Oct 13, 2016:
According to articles in The New York Times and the Palm Beach Post, Donald Trump has inappropriately touched three different women (Jessica Leeds, Rachel Crooks, and Mindy McGillivray).
Two Women Say Donald Trump Touched Them Inappropriately | The New York Times
Palm Beach Post exclusive: Local woman says Trump groped her | Palm Beach Post
Trump Threatens to Sue The Times Over Article on Unwanted Advances | The New York Times
Donald Trump says there's a global conspiracy against him | The Washington Post
Michelle Obama becomes Clinton's most powerful weapon | The Hill
Oct 12, 2016:
According to a USA Today poll, 26% of Republican state governors and members of Congress are refusing to endorse Donald Trump.
Oct 11, 2016:
In a series of tweets on Twitter, Donald Trump expressed his discontent with House Speaker Paul Ryan and the "disloyal" Republicans who are refusing to support him.
It is so nice that the shackles have been taken off me and I can now fight for America the way I want to.
Our very weak and ineffective leader, Paul Ryan, had a bad conference call where his members went wild at his disloyalty.
Despite winning the second debate in a landslide (every poll), it is hard to do well when Paul Ryan and others give zero support!
The very foul mouthed Sen. John McCain begged for my support during his primary (I gave, he won), then dropped me over locker room remarks!
Disloyal R's are far more difficult than Crooked Hillary. They come at you from all sides. They don’t know how to win - I will teach them!
Source:
Collinson, Stephen; Scott Eugene; Bradner, Eric. (October 11, 2016). "Donald Trump: 'The shackles have been taken off me'". CNN. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
Trump declares war on establishment Republicans | USA Today
Trump assails House speaker Ryan, McCain as 'disloyal' | Reuters
With his poll numbers slipping, the Trump campaign is in full poll-denial mode | CNN
Oct 10, 2016:
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan told members of the House Republican Conference that he won't defend Donald Trump anymore, he won't campaign with him, and he will focus on "down-ballot" races and keeping the House majority.
Paul Ryan tells Republicans he won't defend Donald Trump, will focus on keeping majority | CBS News
Oct 9, 2016:
The second presidential debate was held at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. The debate was moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper and ABC's Martha Raddatz.
Read a transcript and watch the entire debate here.
Read factcheck.org's analysis of the debate here.
7 takeaways from the second presidential debate | CNN
Trump Campaign Tried to Seat Bill Clinton's Accusers in V.I.P. Box | The New York Times
Donald Trump Schooled By Moderators Martha Raddatz And Anderson Cooper At Second Debate | Forbes
Oct 7, 2016:
A 2005 video (and audio) surfaced where Donald Trump makes some highly controversial and disparaging remarks about women. As a result, a number of Republican lawmakers are refusing to support him.
Trump released a video apologizing for his remarks calling the attention he's getting for making those remarks a "distraction". Trump also described his remarks as "locker room talk".
Watch the 2005 video and Trump's apology video here.
Here is the list of Republicans who are not supporting Trump | USA Today
Donald Trump's Apology That Wasn't | The New York Times
Why the Trump Sex Tapes Matter | Real Clear Politics
The U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) issued a joint statement entitled "Joint Statement from the Department Of Homeland Security and Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Election Security" which stated the following:
The U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organizations. The recent disclosures of alleged hacked e-mails on sites like DCLeaks.com and WikiLeaks and by the Guccifer 2.0 online persona are consistent with the methods and motivations of Russian-directed efforts. These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the US election process. Such activity is not new to Moscow—the Russians have used similar tactics and techniques across Europe and Eurasia, for example, to influence public opinion there. We believe, based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts, that only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities.
Some states have also recently seen scanning and probing of their election-related systems, which in most cases originated from servers operated by a Russian company. However, we are not now in a position to attribute this activity to the Russian Government. The USIC and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assess that it would be extremely difficult for someone, including a nation-state actor, to alter actual ballot counts or election results by cyber attack or intrusion. This assessment is based on the decentralized nature of our election system in this country and the number of protections state and local election officials have in place. States ensure that voting machines are not connected to the Internet, and there are numerous checks and balances as well as extensive oversight at multiple levels built into our election process.
Nevertheless, DHS continues to urge state and local election officials to be vigilant and seek cybersecurity assistance from DHS. A number of states have already done so. DHS is providing several services to state and local election officials to assist in their cybersecurity. These services include cyber "hygiene" scans of Internet-facing systems, risk and vulnerability assessments, information sharing about cyber incidents, and best practices for securing voter registration databases and addressing potential cyber threats. DHS has convened an Election Infrastructure Cybersecurity Working Group with experts across all levels of government to raise awareness of cybersecurity risks potentially affecting election infrastructure and the elections process. Secretary Johnson and DHS officials are working directly with the National Association of Secretaries of State to offer assistance, share information, and provide additional resources to state and local officials.
U.S. Says Russia Directed Hacks to Influence Elections | The New York Times
Sep 28, 2016:
This week, PBS aired a Frontline documentary entitled "The Choice". The documentary takes an in-depth look at the lives of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and what has shaped their political beliefs.
The documentary also talks about Trump and his apparent support for the concept of eugenics.
This May Be The Most Horrible Thing That Donald Trump Believes | The Huffington Post
Sep 27, 2016:
For the first time ever since it began publication in 1890,The Arizona Republic is not endorsing a Republican for president.
Since The Arizona Republic began publication in 1890, we have never endorsed a Democrat over a Republican for president. Never. This reflects a deep philosophical appreciation for conservative ideals and Republican principles. This year is different. The 2016 Republican candidate is not conservative and he is not qualified. That's why, for the first time in our history, The Arizona Republic will support a Democrat for president.
The challenges the United States faces domestically and internationally demand a steady hand, a cool head and the ability to think carefully before acting. Hillary Clinton understands this. Donald Trump does not. Clinton has the temperament and experience to be president. Donald Trump does not.
The challenges the United States faces domestically and internationally demand a steady hand, a cool head and the ability to think carefully before acting. Hillary Clinton understands this. Donald Trump does not. Clinton has the temperament and experience to be president. Donald Trump does not.
Clinton knows how to compromise and to lead with intelligence, decorum and perspective. She has a record of public service as First Lady, senator and secretary of state.She has withstood decades of scrutiny so intense it would wither most politicians. The vehemence of some of the anti-Clinton attacks strains credulity. Trump hasn’t even let the American people scrutinize his tax returns, which could help the nation judge his claims of business acumen.
Yet despite her flaws, Clinton is the superior choice. She does not casually say things that embolden our adversaries and frighten our allies. Her approach to governance is mature, confident and rational. That cannot be said of her opponent. Clinton retains her composure under pressure. She's tough. She doesn’t back down. Trump responds to criticism with the petulance of verbal spit wads. That's beneath our national dignity. When the president of the United States speaks, the world expects substance. Not a blistering tweet.
Clinton has argued America's case before friendly and unfriendly foreign leaders with tenacity, diplomacy and skill. She earned respect by knowing the issues, the history and the facts. She is intimately familiar with the challenges we face in our relations with Russia, China, the Middle East, North Korea and elsewhere. She'll stand by our friends and she's not afraid to confront our enemies. Contrast Clinton's tenacity and professionalism with Trump, who began his campaign with gross generalities about Mexico and Mexicans as criminals and rapists. These were careless slaps at a valued trading partner and Arizona's neighbor. They were thoughtless insults about people whose labor and energy enrich our country. Trump demonstrated his clumsiness on the world stage by making nice with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto only a few hours before appearing in Phoenix to deliver yet another rant about Mexican immigrants and border walls.
Clinton calls for comprehensive immigration reform, a goal that business, faith and law enforcement leaders have sought for years. Her support for a pathway to citizenship and her call for compassion for families torn apart by deportation are consistent with her longtime support for human rights.
As secretary of state, Clinton made gender equality a priority for U.S. foreign policy. This is an extension of Clinton's bold "women’s rights are human rights" speech in 1995. It reflects an understanding that America’s commitment to human rights is a critically needed beacon in today’s troubled world. Trump's long history of objectifying women and his demeaning comments about women during the campaign are not just good-old-boy gaffes. They are evidence of deep character flaws. They are part of a pattern. Trump mocked a reporter's physical handicap. Picked a fight with a Gold Star family. Insulted POWs. Suggested a Latino judge can't be fair because of his heritage. Proposed banning Muslim immigration. Each of those comments show a stunning lack of human decency, empathy and respect. Taken together they reveal a candidate who doesn’t grasp our national ideals.
Trump's inability to control himself or be controlled by others represents a real threat to our national security. His recent efforts to stay on script are not reassuring. They are phony. The president commands our nuclear arsenal. Trump can't command his own rhetoric. Were he to become president, his casual remarks — such as saying he wouldn't defend NATO partners from invasion — could have devastating consequences. Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, a thug who has made it clear he wants to expand Russia's international footprint. Trump suggested Russia engage in espionage against Hillary Clinton — an outrageous statement that he later insisted was meant in jest. Trump said President Obama and Hillary Clinton were "co-founders" of ISIS, then walked that back by saying it was sarcasm. It was reckless. Being the leader of the free world requires a sense of propriety that Trump lacks.
In a nation with an increasingly diverse population, Trump offers a recipe for permanent civil discord. In a global economy, he offers protectionism and a false promise to bring back jobs that no longer exist. America needs to look ahead and build a new era of prosperity for the working class. This is Hillary Clinton’s opportunity. She can reach out to those who feel left behind. She can make it clear that America sees them and will address their concerns. She can move us beyond rancor and incivility. The Arizona Republic endorses Hillary Clinton for president.
Source:
Editorial board. (September 27, 2016). "Endorsement: Hillary Clinton is the only choice to move America ahead". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
Trump? How Could We? | The New York Times
Sep 26, 2016:
Speaking at the Commercial Finance Association's 40 Under 40 dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, Rudy Giuliani made unexpected comments about Mexican immigrants working in the Waldorf kitchen.
Bob Trojan, the association's CEO sent an e-mail to attendees after the speech saying that Giuliani "presented unscripted personal opinions which were independent of CFA’s political position or core values".
Report: Finance group apologizes for Giuliani speech | Politico
Financial group apologizes for Giuliani's 'unscripted' event speech: report | The Hill
The first presidential debate was held at Hofstra Univeristy in Hempstead, New York. The debate was moderated by NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt.
Read a transcript of the debate here.
Here's a summary of the "less-than-accurate" claims from the debate:
- Clinton wrongly said that the only tax returns that anyone has seen from Trump "showed he didn't pay any federal income tax." Trump paid federal taxes in three out of five years in the 1970s.
- Trump was right in saying that Ford is moving its small-car division overseas, but wrong in claiming that as a result, thousands of jobs are leaving Michigan and Ohio. Ford's CEO insists not a single job will be lost in the U.S.
- Trump left the false impression that the Obama administration failed to disclose the full amount paid to Iran in January to settle a long outstanding claim.
- Clinton said Trump thinks "climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese." Trump denied it. In 2012, he tweeted that the Chinese had created global warming but later said he was joking.
- Trump claimed without evidence that the Clinton campaign in 2008 was pushing "very hard" the false story that President Obama was born in Kenya, not in Hawaii.
- Trump claimed "the record shows" he was opposed to the Iraq War before it started, but there is no record of that.
- Trump said "murders are up" in New York City since ending stop-and-frisk policies, while Clinton said "crime, including murders" is down. Both are correct.
- Clinton claimed she had said she "hoped" the Trans-Pacific Partnership would be a "good deal," when she originally supported it. But at the time, Clinton said it "sets the gold standard."
- Clinton said "independent experts" concluded that Trump's plans would cause a loss of 3.5 million jobs while hers would create 10 million jobs. But Trump has released a new tax plan since that report, and the projected job creation under Clinton is 3.2 million more than what would be added under current law.
- Clinton said Trump's businesses had filed for bankruptcy six times; he said it was four. Clinton is right.
Source:
Keily, Eugene; Jackson, Brooks; Farley, Robert; Gore, D'Angelo; Schipani, Vanessa; Robertson, Lori; Wallace, Caroline; Nathans, Ilana. (September 27, 2016). "FactChecking the First Debate". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
Trump and Clinton debate, by the numbers | Politico
Clinton assails Trump in blistering U.S. presidential debate | Reuters
Hillary Clinton the Clear Winner? Not for Everyone | U.S. News & World Report
Sep 23, 2016:
Ted Cruz endorsed Donald Trump for President.
Ted Cruz endorses Donald Trump | CNN
Sep 22, 2016:
Donald Trump clarified statements he made yesterday regarding "stop and frisk", saying he meant only in the city of Chicago.
Trump clarifies stop-and-frisk: I only meant Chicago | Politico
Sep 21, 2016:
At a Fox News "town hall" in Cleveland, Ohio, Donald Trump made statements indicating he supports the "stop and frisk" policy.
Trump praises 'stop-and-frisk' police tactic | Reuters
Trump calls for nationwide 'stop-and-frisk' policy | Politico
Donald Trump Embraces Wider Use of Stop-and-Frisk by Police | The New York Times
Sep 16, 2016:
Speaking at his new hotel in downtown Washington, Donald Trump said the following:
President Barack Obama was born in the United States, period.
Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 started the birther controversy. I finished it.
According to factcheck.org:
As we have written before, there's no evidence that Clinton or her campaign had anything to do with bogus claims that Obama wasn't born in the United States and thus was ineligible to be president.
Trump is also wrong to say he "finished" what he called the "birther controversy." The issue was long settled, as we wrote repeatedly, even before Trump prominently injected himself into the birther movement in April 2011, as he was mulling a presidential run.
Source:
Farley, Robert. (September 16, 2016). "Trump on Birtherism: Wrong, and Wrong". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
Donald Trump Clung to 'Birther' Lie for Years, and Still Isn't Apologetic | The New York Times
Trump Makes His Birther Lie Worse | The New York Times
Sep 9, 2016:
At a fundraiser, Hillary Clinton said the following:
To just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump's supporters into what I call the 'basket of deplorables'.
The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic, you name it. And unfortunately, there are people like that, and he has lifted them up.
Source:
Phillip, Abby; DelReal, Jose A. (September 10, 2016). "Clinton says she regrets labeling 'half' of Trump supporters 'deplorable'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
Sep 7, 2016:
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump answered questions at a presidential forum held in New York and hosted by NBC Today show anchor Matt Lauer.
Read a transcript of the forum here.
Here's a summary of distorted facts from the forum:
- Clinton wrongly claimed Trump supported the war in Iraq after it started, while Trump was wrong, once again, in saying he was against the war before it started.
- Trump said that President Obama set a "certain date" for withdrawing troops from Iraq, when that date was set before Obama was sworn in.
- Trump said that Obama's visits to China, Saudi Arabia and Cuba were "the first time in the history, the storied history of Air Force One" when "high officials" of a host country did not appear to greet the president. Not true.
- Clinton said that Trump supports privatizing the Veterans Health Administration. That's false. Trump said he supports allowing veterans to seek care at either public or private hospitals.
- Trump said Clinton made "a terrible mistake on Libya" when she was secretary of state. But, at the time, Trump also supported U.S. action that led to the removal of Moammar Gadhafi from power.
- Trump cherry-picked Clinton's words when he claimed Clinton said "vets are being treated, essentially, just fine." Clinton had said the problems in the Department of Veterans Affairs were not as "widespread" as some Republicans claimed, but she went on to acknowledge problems, including the issue of wait times for doctors.
Source:
Keily, Eugene; Jackson, Brooks; Robertson, Lori; Farley, Robert; Gore, D'Angelo; Schipani, Vanessa. (September 7, 2016). "FactChecking the NBC Forum". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
5 takeaways from Trump and Clinton's military forum | The Hill
Aug 30, 2016:
Donald Trump met with Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto in Mexico City. After the meeting, Trump and Nieto held a joint press conference.
Read a transcript of the press conference here.
Enrique Peña Nieto Calls Conversation With Donald Trump 'Open and Constructive' | Time
Trump delivered a speech on immigration in Phoenix, Arizona, outlining his ten-point plan:
- Build a wall on the U.S. southern border that Mexico will pay for
- End the "catch-and-release" policy
- Zero tolerance for criminal aliens
- Block funding for sanctuary cities
- Cancel unconstitutional executive orders and enforce all immigration laws
- Suspend the issuance of visas to any place where adequate screening cannot occur
- Ensure that other countries take their people back when we order them deported
- Complete the biometric entry-exit visa tracking system
- Turn off the jobs and benefits magnet
- Reform legal immigration to serve the best interests of America and its workers
Here are a few key quotes from his speech:
The fundamental problem with the immigration system in our country is it serves the needs of wealthy donors, political activists and powerful, powerful politicians.
We're also going to hire 5,000 more Border Patrol agents, who gave me their endorsement, 16,500 gave me their endorsement, and put more of them on the border, instead of behind desks, which is good. We will expand the number of Border Patrol stations significantly.
For the price of resettling one refugee in the United States, 12 could be resettled in a safe zone in their home region, which I agree with 100 percent. We have to build safe zones, and we'll get the money from the gulf states.
Another reform involves new screening tests for all applicants that include — and this is so important, especially if you get the right people, and we will get the right people — an ideological certification to make sure that those we are admitting to our country share our values and love our people.
Last year alone, nearly a half a million individuals overstayed their temporary visas. Removing visa overstays will be a top priority of my administration.
We will ensure that E-Verify is used to the fullest extent possible under existing law, and will work with Congress to strengthen and expand its use across the country.
We will enforce all of our immigration laws.
We've been living under outdated immigration rules from decades ago. They're decades and decades old. To avoid this happening in the future, I believe we should sunset our visa laws so that Congress is forced to periodically revise and revisit them.
For those here illegally today who are seeking legal status, they will have one route and only one route: to return home and apply for re-entry like everybody else under the rules of the new legal immigration system that I have outlined above.
Importantly, in several years, when we have accomplished all of our enforcement goals – and truly ended illegal immigration for good, including the construction of a great wall, which we will have built in record time and at a reasonable cost, which you never hear from the government and the establishment of our new lawful immigration system — then and only then will we be in a position to consider the appropriate disposition of those who remain. That discussion can only take place in an atmosphere in which illegal immigration is a memory of the past, no longer with us, allowing us to weigh the different options available based on the new circumstances at the time.
Source:
Montenaro, Domenico; Kurtzleben, Danielle; Horsley, Scott; McCammon, Sarah; Gonzales, Richard. (August 31, 2016). "Fact Check: Donald Trump's Speech On Immigration". NPR. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
Highlights of Donald Trump's Immigration Speech and Mexico Trip | The New York Times
Trump doubles down on 'impenetrable, physical' wall during immigration speech | Fox News
Aug 19, 2016:
Speaking at a campaign rally in Dimondale, Michigan, Donald Trump made an appeal for the black vote.
'What do you have to lose?' Donald Trump appeals for black vote | The Guardian
Aug 18, 2016:
Speaking at a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, Donald Trump expressed regret for things he's said that might have caused "personal pain".
Aug 17, 2016:
Donald Trump announced that his new campaign chief will be Steve Bannon, chairman of the Breitbart News website. Kellyanne Conway, who has been advising Trump, will become Trumps new campaign manager. Paul Manafort will remain as campaign chairman.
Donald Trump Appoints Media Firebrand to Run Campaign | The New York Times
Aug 15, 2016:
Speaking at a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio, Donald Trump introduced "extreme vetting".
Donald Trump Proposes 'Extreme Vetting' for Immigrants, With Ideological Screening Test | ABC News
Trump Proposes 'Extreme Vetting' For Immigrants, But How Would It Work? | NPR
Trump Calls for 'Extreme, Extreme Vetting' of Immigrants | Fox News
Trump misstated a number of middle-east facts.
FACT CHECK: Trump gets his Mideast history wrong | Associated Press
Aug 12, 2016:
Regarding what Trump said two days ago about Obama and Clinton being the founders of ISIS, today he tweeted the following:
Ratings challenged @CNN reports so seriously that I call President Obama (and Clinton) "the founder" of ISIS, & MVP. THEY DON'T GET SARCASM?
Donald Trump tries to walk back claim Obama founded ISIS: 'Sarcasm' | CNN
Trump: My Calling Obama 'Founder of ISIS' Was 'Sarcasm' | Fox News
In the afternoon at a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, Trump backpedaled a bit from his tweet saying "Obviously I'm being sarcastic. Then — but not that sarcastic, to be honest with you.".
Trump backs off his backpedal on Obama terror claim | Politico
After verbal missteps, Trump blames others | The Washington Post
Hillary Clinton released her joint tax return for 2015. The return shows that Hillary and Bill had an adjusted gross income of $10.6 million and paid $3.6 million in taxes (about 34%).
Tim Kaine also released his joint tax return for 2015, showing about $313,000 in gross income.
Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine Show New Tax Returns, Pressuring Donald Trump | The New York Times
Aug 11, 2016:
Speaking in Detroit, Michigan, Hillary Clinton delivered a speech on the economy, jobs, and the middle class.
Read a transcript of Clinton's speech (as released by her campaign) here.
In Speech on Economy, Clinton Says She, Not Trump, Best for Workers | Newsweek
Here's a summary of distorted facts from Clinton's speech:
- Clinton said an independent economic analysis found that Trump's proposals would lead to a loss of 3.1 million jobs while hers would "create more than 10 million new jobs." The report forecast the economy would create most of those jobs under current law, and another 3.2 million if all of Clinton's plans were enacted, which the report called unlikely. Most likely, it said, the economy under Clinton would be "similar to that experienced under current law."
- Clinton misrepresented Trump's plan for a child care tax deduction, saying it benefits "rich people like him" while "hard-working families" would get "little to nothing." But Trump aides say wealthy people wouldn't be eligible for the deduction, and low-income taxpayers who pay no federal income tax would be able to take the deduction against payroll taxes.
- Clinton said that "millions" of "undocumented" workers in the U.S. are paying $12 billion a year into the Social Security program. Only half of that is paid by those workers. The other half comes from their employers.
- Clinton said the U.S. has the "most … productive workforce in the world, bar none." U.S. workers are productive, but the U.S. ranks third behind Luxembourg and Norway by the standard measure for worker productivity.
Source:
Farley, Robert; Keily, Eugene; Gore, D'Angelo. (August 11, 2016). "Clinton's Economic Speech". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
On the Hugh Hewitt radio program, Donald Trump "doubled-down" on his statements yesterday about Obama and Clinton regarding ISIS, even when given several chances by Hewitt during the interview for Trump to soften his stance.
Here's a transcript of what was said:
HH: I've got two more questions. Last night, you said the President was the founder of ISIS. I know what you meant. You meant that he created the vacuum, he lost the peace.
DT: No, I meant he's the founder of ISIS. I do. He was the most valuable player. I give him the most valuable player award. I give her, too, by the way, Hillary Clinton.
HH: But he's not sympathetic to them. He hates them. He's trying to kill them.
DT: I don't care. He was the founder. His, the way he got out of Iraq was that that was the founding of ISIS, okay?
HH: Well, that, you know, I have a saying, Donald Trump, the mnemonic device I use is Every Liberal Really Seems So, So Sad. E is for Egypt, L is for Libya, S is for Syria, R is for Russia reset. They screwed everything up. You don't get any argument from me. But by using the term founder, they're hitting with you on this again. Mistake?
DT: No, it's no mistake. Everyone's liking it. I think they're liking it. I give him the most valuable player award. And I give it to him, and I give it to, I gave the co-founder to Hillary. I don't know if you heard that.
HH: I did. I did. I played it.
DT: I gave her the co-founder.
HH: I know what you're arguing…
DT: You're not, and let me ask you, do you not like that?
HH: I don't. I think I would say they created, they lost the peace. They created the Libyan vacuum, they created the vacuum into which ISIS came, but they didn't create ISIS. That's what I would say.
DT: Well, I disagree.
HH: All right, that's okay.
DT: I mean, with his bad policies, that's why ISIS came about.
HH: That's…
DT: If he would have done things properly, you wouldn't have had ISIS.
HH: That's true.
DT: Therefore, he was the founder of ISIS.
Source:
Patterson, Duane. (August 11, 2016). "Donald Trump Makes A Return Visit". Hugh Hewitt. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
Aug 10, 2016:
Speaking at a campaign rally in Florida, Donald Trump said the following regarding ISIS:
In many respects, you know, they honor President Obama...He's the founder of ISIS. He's the founder of ISIS. He's the founder. He founded ISIS.
I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton.
Trump Calls Obama the 'Founder of ISIS' Over Anti-Terror Strategy | NBC News
Trump's Latest Accusation: Obama 'Founded ISIS' | The Atlantic
Trump charges Obama with being 'founder of ISIS' | Fox News
Aug 8, 2016:
Speaking at a campaign rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, Donald Trump said the following about Hillary Clinton:
Hillary wants to abolish - essentially abolish the Second Amendment. By the way, if she gets to pick, if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don't know.
Trump: 'Second Amendment people' could deal with Clinton | CNN
Donald Trump Discusses Second Amendment Rights On Hannity | donaldjtrump.com
According to Factcheck.org, Trump has distorted Clinton's stance on guns before:
Donald Trump distorts the facts when he says "Hillary Clinton wants to take your guns away" and "abolish the Second Amendment." Clinton's gun violence prevention proposal would impose restrictions, including a ban on semi-automatic "assault weapons," but it does not call for banning all guns.
Clinton has a gun violence prevention proposal on her website, which would deny gun owners from buying certain guns and block or delay the ability of some to purchase guns. But it does not call for taking any guns away.
Clinton has said her gun proposals are "consistent with constitutional rights," acknowledging that gun owners have a constitutional right to own guns. Now, Clinton's critics point to past comments that she has made as evidence that she wants to take away all guns. But these interpretations distort her position.
Speaking at at a town hall in Keene, New Hampshire on October 16, 2015, Clinton said that some U.S. communities have held gun buyback programs and it "would be worth considering" on a national level.
The National Rifle Association said her comments in Keene proved that the "real goal of gun control supporters is gun confiscation." But Clinton's non-committal answer to a hypothetical question at a single campaign stop hardly amounts to proof that she "wants to take your guns away," as Trump said. She said only that the Australia buyback program is "worth looking at" and "worth considering." It is not part of her gun violence prevention plan.
Source:
Keily, Eugene. (May 10, 2016). "Trump Distorts Clinton's Gun Stance". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
Aug 8, 2016:
Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, Michigan, Donald Trump delivered a speech about his plan for the U.S. economy.
In summary, his plan includes changes to the American tax system, proposes a moratorium on all new federal regulations, calls for a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and does not support the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.
Read a transcript of Trump's speech, as prepared for delivery, here.
Here's a summary of distorted facts from Trump's speech:
- He distorted two quotes from Hillary Clinton in wrongly claiming she "wanted to raise taxes on the middle class." The bottom 95 percent of taxpayers "would see little or no change" in taxes under Clinton's plan, says the Tax Policy Center.
- Trump misleadingly claimed that Clinton would "tax many small businesses by almost 50 percent." The only tax policy change he's referencing is a 4 percent tax on household income above $5 million, which Clinton has proposed.
- Trump said he'd repeal the estate tax, saying Americans "should not be taxed again at death." Fewer than 5,000 people had to pay any estate tax in 2014, and investments wouldn't be "taxed again," if they hadn't been sold prior to the owner's death.
- He claimed he would save "2 million American jobs" by repealing the Affordable Care Act. That's an old distortion of the Congressional Budget Office's analyses, which found some workers would choose to work fewer hours or retire earlier mainly due to the insurance-expansion provisions of the law.
- Trump uses outdated Census data to falsely claim that household income is "$4,000 less today" than it was 16 years ago.
- Trump touted an increase in those who are "outside of the labor force" of nearly 14 million people under President Obama. That figure includes retirees — such as the baby boom generation — teenagers and stay-at-home parents.
- Trump also said that "58 percent of African-American youth are either outside of the labor force or not employed." That factors in those age 16 to 24 who are not looking for work, which would include many in school.
Source:
Farley, Robert; Robertson, Lori; Keily, Eugene; Gore, D'Angelo. (August 8, 2016). "Trump's Economic Speech". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-08-09.
Trump seeks a campaign reset with Detroit economic speech | Reuters
A group of 50 former U.S. national security officials that worked for Republican administrations from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush all signed an open letter stating the following:
None of us will vote for Donald Trump.
From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be Commander-in-Chief. Indeed, we are convinced he would be a dangerous President and would put at risk our country's national security and well-being.
Most fundamentally, Mr. Trump lacks the character, values, and experience to be President..
In addition, Mr. Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he has little understanding of America's vital national interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances, and the democratic values upon which U.S. foreign policy must be based...He continues to display an alarming ignorance of basic facts of contemporary international politics.
Mr. Trump lacks the temperament to be President...A President must be disciplined, control emotions, and act only after careful reflection and careful deliberation.
We also know that many have doubts about Hillary Clinton, as many of us do. But Donald Trump is not the answer to America's daunting challenges and this crucial election. We are convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless President in American history.
Source:
(August 8, 2016). "A Letter From G.O.P. National Security Officials Opposing Donald Trump". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
50 G.O.P. Officials Warn Donald Trump Would Put Nation’s Security 'at Risk' | The New York Times
Aug 7, 2016:
According to an Associated Press article in the Chicago Tribune, Hillary Clinton will be focusing her campaign on 11 key states (Florida, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin) to help secure the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election.
Charting a road to 270, Clinton sets out most efficient battleground path | Chicago Tribune
Aug 5, 2016:
At a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Donald Trump endorsed Paul Ryan and John McCain.
Trump endorses Ryan, senators in effort to right campaign ship | Reuters
At a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump characterized Hillary Clinton as "close to unhinged", an "unbalanced person", "dangerous", and a "pathological" liar. Trump also said that Clinton "lacks the judgment, temperament and moral character to lead this country."
Trump also quoted former Secret Service officer Gary Byrne, author of the new book Crisis of Character, as saying that Clinton "lacks the integrity and temperament to serve in the office".
Trump escalates attacks on Clinton's character | CNN
The New York Times ran an op-ed by Michael Morell, former deputy director and acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency, entitled "I Ran the C.I.A. Now I'm Endorsing Hillary Clinton."
In the op-ed, Morell states that he is neither a registered Democrat nor a registered Republican, and that he has previously voted for candidates from both political parties. Morell says he is endorsing Hillary Clinton. Morell goes on to say the following:
...Donald J. Trump is not only unqualified for the job, but he may well pose a threat to our national security.
In sharp contrast to Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Trump has no experience on national security. Even more important, the character traits he has exhibited during the primary season suggest he would be a poor, even dangerous, commander in chief.
These traits include his obvious need for self-aggrandizement, his overreaction to perceived slights, his tendency to make decisions based on intuition, his refusal to change his views based on new information, his routine carelessness with the facts, his unwillingness to listen to others and his lack of respect for the rule of law.
The dangers that flow from Mr. Trump's character are not just risks that would emerge if he became president. It is already damaging our national security.
Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal ran an op-ed by Peggy Noonan entitled "The Week They Decided He Was Crazy" (referring to Donald Trump).
Peggy mentions all of the "self-inflicted" damage Trump has done to himself this past week. Peggy goes on to say:
Mr. Trump spent all his time doing these things instead of doing his job: making the case for his policies, expanding on his stands, and taking the battle to Hillary Clinton.
Here is a truth of life. When you act as if you’re insane, people are liable to think you’re insane. That’s what happened this week. People started to become convinced he was nuts, a total flake.
This is what became obvious, probably fatally so: Mr. Trump is not going to get serious about running for president. He does not have a second act, there are no hidden depths, there will be no "pivot." It is not that he is willful or stubborn, though he may be, it"s that he doesn"t have the skill set needed now—discretion, carefulness, generosity, judgment. There"s a clueless quality about him. It"s not that he doesn’t get advice; it"s that he can"t hear advice, can"t process it or turn it into action.
Source:
Noonan, Peggy. (August 4, 2016). "The Week They Decided He Was Crazy". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
GOP reaches 'new level of panic' over Trump's candidacy | The Chicago Tribune
Gingrich blasts Trump's 'very self-destructive' behavior | Politico
Donald Trump has still not released his tax returns. An article on Politico entitled "The evolving tale of Trump's tax returns" documents the details of this ongoing "saga" starting with Mitt Romney's January 24 call for all candidates to release their tax returns.
Trump's pushback on tax return release reveal true ambitions | The Hill
Aug 2, 2016:
Speaking from the White House, President Obama declared Donald Trump as "unfit" and "woefully unprepared" to be President of the United States.
Obama mentioned Trump's recent attacks on the family of Khizr Khan and Trump's lack of knowledge about "critical issues" in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia as evidence for his declaration.
Obama also questioned why leading Republicans continue to endorse Trump when they have said that some of the things Trump has said are unacceptable.
Obama Says Republicans Should Withdraw Support for Trump | The New York Times
Regarding backing House Speaker Paul Ryan's in his reelection, Donald Trump said "I'm not quite there yet". Regarding backing Arizona Senator John McCain in his reelection, Trump said he has "never been there with John McCain".
Trump isn't backing Paul Ryan, John McCain | CNN
Speaking at a campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio, Trump said he fears the general election is "rigged" (against him).
Trump fears election could be 'rigged' | The Hill
Aug 1, 2016:
Over the past few days, a speech given at the Democratic National Convention by Khizr Khan, an American Muslim whose son was killed while serving in the U.S. military in the Iraq War in 2004, has been in the presidential campaign headlines.
Republicans denounce Trump as confrontation with Muslim parents escalates | The Washington Post
Donald Trump Criticizes Muslim Family of Slain U.S. Soldier, Drawing Ire | The New York Times
In Tribute to Son, Khizr Khan Offered Citizenship Lesson at Convention | The New York Times
The Washington Post ran an op-ed by Robert Kagan entitled "There is something very wrong with Donald Trump".
Regarding some of the recent criticisms and remarks Trump has made, Kagan writes:
...the man cannot control himself. He cannot hold back even when it is manifestly in his interest to do so. What's more, his psychological pathologies are ultimately self-destructive.
Kagan goes on to say:
Many of Trump's supporters admire him for his bold challenge to political correctness. But his political incorrectness may be only an unintended side effect of his malady...The most important fact is that he is unable to control his responses to criticism. He must double down every time, even if it means digging himself deeper and deeper into the hole.
His personality defect would be the dominating factor in his presidency, just as it has been the dominating factor in his campaign. His ultimately self-destructive tendencies would play out on the biggest stage in the world, with consequences at home and abroad that one can barely begin to imagine. It would make him the closest thing the United States has ever had to a dictator, but a dictator with a dangerously unstable temperament that neither he nor anyone else can control.
Source:
Kagan, Robert. (August 1, 2016). "There is something very wrong with Donald Trump". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
Jul 31, 2016:
Mark Holden, general counsel and senior vice president of Koch Industries, said that Koch Industries will be using it's $750 billion budget to help Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate in five states (Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Wisconsin).
Although not mentioning Donald Trump by name, Charles Koch, one of the co-owners of Koch Industries, said there are no "good options" in terms of presidential candidates this election. His statement effectively means Koch Industries will not give financial support to the Trump campaign.
Koch network refusing to help Trump | PBS
Jul 28, 2016:
On the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.
Read a transcript of Clinton's entire speech here.
Watch Clinton's entire speech here.
Democratic Convention Night 4: What You Missed | The New York Times
Hillary Clinton Warns of 'Moment of Reckoning' in Speech Accepting Nomination | The New York Times
Hillary Clinton Begins Building Her Coalition | The Atlantic
Trump says he would like to 'hit' DNC speakers who disparaged him | CNN
Here's a summary of distorted facts from the speakers at the convention on day 4:
- Clinton misrepresented Donald Trump’s "I alone can fix it" line, suggesting he said he could fix everything by himself. Trump was referring to a "rigged" system, and went on to talk about working with others.
- Clinton said that "we’re going to pay for every single one" of the initiatives she has proposed. We can’t predict the future, but a nonpartisan analysis found her proposals would add to the national debt.
- Clinton said "90 percent" of income gains "have gone to the top 1 percent." But that is an outdated figure. It's now 52 percent.
- Clinton said 15 million private-sector jobs have been created since President Obama took office. The actual number is 10.5 million, and it's less — 10.1 million — when accounting for the loss of 460,000 public jobs.
- Clinton rejected Trump's border security proposal, saying, "We will not build a wall." As a senator, however, Clinton voted for and supported legislation to add more fencing along the southern border.
- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi cited the "91 Americans who are killed by gun violence each day," urging Congress to "keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists." However, nearly 58 of those daily gun deaths are suicides — not criminal homicides.
- Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney twisted Pay Pal co-founder Peter Thiel's words, claiming Thiel at the GOP convention had called "equality" a "distraction." Thiel was talking about the debate over bathroom access, not equality in general.
- Rep. Joaquin Castro said Trump "defended" World War II internment camps. Trump cited the camps as a legal precedent for his proposal to ban all Muslim travel to the U.S. But he stopped short of defending internment camps.
Source:
Factcheck.org staff. (July 29, 2016). "FactChecking Clinton’s Big Speech". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-07-31.
Jul 27, 2016:
On the third day of the Democratic National Convention, Tim Kaine formally accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president of the United States.
President Obama was the "prime time" speaker. Read a transcript of his entire speech here.
Here's a summary of distorted facts from the speakers at the convention on day 3:
- President Barack Obama claimed that under his administration, "we finally began to wean ourselves off foreign oil," but dependency on imported oil had begun to drop years before he took office.
- The president repeated a frequent boast that the U.S. "doubled our production of clean energy" during his tenure. Monthly renewable energy production has gone up 40 percent.
- Obama said deficits have "come down" under his administration. That's true, but they are expected to rise again soon under his proposed budget.
- Vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine falsely referred to economist Mark Zandi as "John McCain's chief economic adviser during the '08 race," in touting an estimate of job loss under Donald Trump's proposals. In fact, Zandi is a Democrat.
- Rev. Jesse Jackson wrongly said "we have not lost a single job, a single month" since Obama became president, and he was also off in saying the U.S. trades "more with Mexico than we do with China."
- Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta falsely claimed that Trump "says he gets his foreign policy experience from … running the Miss Universe pageant." Trump didn't say that was his foreign policy experience.
- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid claimed that the GOP ticket wanted to "gamble" Social Security "in the stock market." But Trump's campaign has called for making no changes to Social Security.
- Kaine claimed that Trump said he "wants to abandon" our NATO allies. Trump has said that he doesn"t want the U.S. to leave NATO, but has suggested he would not automatically defend NATO allies that do not pay their share of defense costs.
Source:
Factcheck.org staff. (July 27, 2016). "Day 3 at the Democratic Convention". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-07-29.
At a press conference, Donald Trump said he hoped that Russia did in fact have the 30,000+ private Clinton e-mails and that he wished they would release them.
Donald Trump Calls on Russia to Find Hillary Clinton’s Missing Emails | The New York Times
Trump steals the spotlight at Democratic convention | The Hill
Jul 26, 2016:
On the second day of the Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton was officially selected as the Democratic presidential nominee, becoming the first woman ever to become the nominee of a major political party in the history of the United States.
Clinton nomination puts 'biggest crack' in glass ceiling | CNN
Former President Bill Clinton was the "prime time" speaker at the DNC today.
Here's a summary of distorted facts from the speakers at the convention on day 2:
- Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean claimed that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's "whole" health care plan was to replace the Affordable Care Act with "quote, 'Something so much better.'" In fact, Trump has released a seven-point health care plan.
- Bill Clinton said that the United States' approval rating soared 20 percentage points during the time that Hillary Clinton was secretary of state. But analyses of the U.S.'s global ratings don’t support such a claim.
- Former Attorney General Eric Holder said "1 in 3 black men will be incarcerated in their lifetimes," an outdated projection based on the incarceration rate for black males as of 2001. That rate has declined since then.
- Bill Clinton said that Arkansas schools went from "worst" when he started as governor to one of two "most improved," and he gave Hillary Clinton much of the credit. The record is mixed: An expert did say in 1992 that the state had made progress, but the New York Times reported then that the state was "still near the bottom in most national ratings."
- Sen. Barbara Boxer repeated a convention talking point, claiming that Trump said that "wages are too high." He was talking about a $15 minimum wage being too high.
- Dean said that GOP vice presidential candidate Mike Pence "voted to end Medicare as we know it." Pence did vote for a budget plan that called for a major change to Medicare, but it would have retained a health insurance system for seniors.
Source:
Factcheck.org staff. (July 27, 2016). "FactChecking Day 2 of the DNC". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
Sources: US officials warned DNC of hack months before the party acted | CNN
Jul 25, 2016:
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Debbie Wasserman Schultz decided not to "gavel in" the opening day of the Democratic National Convention. She will not speak at the convention at all.
Dems open convention without Wasserman Schultz | CNN
Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders were the "prime time" speakers at the DNC today.
Here's a summary of distorted facts from the speakers at the convention on day 1:
- Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey said Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump "would cut taxes for the richest Americans at the expense of the middle class." But all income levels would get some tax relief under Trump's plan.
- Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy wrongly claimed that Mike Pence, the GOP vice presidential nominee, "signed a law that would have forced women to hold funerals for fetuses." The law said aborted or miscarried fetuses "must be cremated or interred" by the hospital or abortion facility.
- Sen. Bernie Sanders said Hillary Clinton "will guarantee" free tuition at public colleges or universities for families with annual incomes of $125,000 or less. But free tuition is not guaranteed. States must put up matching funds for the students to receive free tuition.
- Sens. Casey and Kirsten Gillibrand both claimed that Trump had said that wages are "too high." Trump was specifically talking about a $15 minimum wage when he made that comment, not wages overall.
- Sanders said the "top one-tenth of 1 percent now owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent," a statistic that has been questioned by economists at the Federal Reserve Board.
- Sanders also said the "top 1 percent in recent years has earned 85 percent of all new income," but economists whose work Sanders has cited put the figure at 52 percent for 1993 to 2015.
- Rep. Joe Kennedy III said Americans' wages "have not budged in 40 years," and Sen. Elizabeth Warren said wages were "flat." Wages plunged in the 1970s and 1980s, and more recently have showed strong growth.
Source:
Factcheck.org staff. (July 26, 2016). "Democratic Convention Day 1". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
Jul 24, 2016:
Today, Bernie Sanders called on Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to resign.
Yesterday, the DNC Rules Committee ruled that Marcia Fudge, a House Representative from Ohio, will be the Democratic National Convention Chairwoman presiding over the convention in Philadelphia, replacing current Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Schultz is under pressure to resign her DNC Chairwoman position because of e-mails released July 22 by WikiLeaks which suggest the DNC may have been trying to undermine the Bernie Sanders campaign.
Limited convention role for Wasserman Schultz as pressure mounts for resignation | The Hill
Sanders calls on Dem party boss to step down following email leaks | The Hill
Leaked DNC emails reveal secret plans to take on Sanders | The Hill
This evening, Schultz announced she would resign after the convention. She also said she would open and close the convention and address delegates.
Dem Committee chairwoman will resign after convention | The Hill
Jul 23, 2016:
In a letter posted on his website (and sent to subscribers), Michael Moore predicts that Donald Trump will be the next U.S. President.
Here's a summary of his reasons:
- Midwest Math, or Welcome to Our Rust Belt Brexit. Moore reasons that because of Clinton's support of NAFTA and the TPP, Deomocratic ties to Wall Street, and Trump's talk about bringing jobs back to the U.S., the "rust belt" states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin (which are usually blue and account for 64 electoral votes) might turn red and be all Trump needs to secure a win in the general election.
- The Last Stand of the Angry White Man. Essentially, Moore makes the point about the demographic shift in the U.S. (less whites, more minorities) and how a good percentage of whites in America are not happy with that shift.
- The Hillary Problem. Moore states how many Americans see Clinton as untrustworthy and dishonest, and how her brand of politics represents the status quo. He says that most young women do not like Clinton and will not vote for her. He also mentions how the excitement that was generated in 2008 during the Obama campaign just isn't there with Hillary - instead it's with the Trump campaign - which will inspire more Trump supporters to get out and vote.
- The Depressed Sanders Vote. Moore says that while he thinks a good percentage of Sanders' supporters will in fact vote for Clinton, because there is less excitement about Clinton, voters will not be "talking her up" to friends and family and dragging them out to vote, or be enthusiastic about volunteering. Moore also thinks that Clinton's choice of Kaine as a running mate is not nearly "edgy" enough, and will not sit well with younger voters.
- The Jesse Ventura Effect. Moore talks about what he calls "closet anarchists" - people who are mad and fed up, and who will vote for Trump "just because they can".
Source:
Moore, Michael. (July 23, 2016). "5 Reasons Why Trump Will Win". http://michaelmoore.com. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
Jul 22, 2016:
Hillary Clinton announced her vice presidential running mate - Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia.
Jul 21, 2016:
On the fourth and final day of the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump formally accepted the GOP nomination for president. He also gave a long one hour and sixteen minute speech.
Watch highlights of Trump's speech on the NBC News website here.
Watch and read highlights of Trump's speech (or the entire speech) on the Fox News website here.
Here's a summary of distorted facts from Trump's speech:
- Trump said after Clinton's four years as secretary of state, "Iran is on the path to nuclear weapons." But Iran was already on a path to acquiring nuclear weapons. At issue is whether the nuclear deal will prevent Iran, as intended, from becoming a nuclear power.
- He also blamed Clinton for the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. But Clinton and former Defense Secretary Robert Gates both urged President Obama not to be quick to abandon support for Mubarak.
- Trump claimed Clinton "plans a massive … tax increase," but tax experts say 95 percent of taxpayers would see "little or no change" in their taxes under Clinton’s plan.
- He correctly noted a 17 percent increase in homicides in the 50 largest cities from 2014 to 2015, but called it a reversal after a decades-long decline in crime. Experts say that's not enough data to draw conclusions about a trend.
- Trump claimed Clinton "illegally" stored emails on her private server while secretary of state, and deleted 33,000 to cover-up "her crime." But the FBI cleared Clinton of criminal wrongdoing, and found no evidence of a cover-up.
- Trump said that "there's no way to screen" Syrian refugees to determine "who they are or where they come from." But all refugees admitted to the U.S. go through an extensive vetting process that takes 18 to 24 months to complete.
- He said the "trade deficit in goods … is $800 billion last year alone." It was nearly that, but it discounts the services the U.S. exports. The total trade deficit for goods and services is just over $500 billion.
- Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, also spoke, and he erroneously claimed that the Iran nuclear deal "lined the pockets of the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism with your money." The assets that were unfrozen by the deal weren’t held by the U.S. government.
- Trump made other factual errors and omissions on NAFTA, Libya, household income, government regulation and the Affordable Care Act.
Source:
Robertson, Lori. (July 21, 2016). "FactChecking Trump's Big Speech". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
Donald Trump accepts presidential nomination | CNN
World reacts to Donald Trump's acceptance speech | CNN
Trump warns he could end NATO guarantee, scrap NAFTA | Reuters
Shock, condemnation after Trump questions NATO commitments | The Chicago Tribune
Jul 20, 2016:
On the third day of the Republican National Convention, Mike Pence formally accepted the GOP nomination for vice president.
Speaker Ted Cruz did not endorse Donald Trump. Cruz said the following:
I want to congratulate Donald Trump on winning the nomination last night.
Vote your conscience. Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.
7 takeaways from wild night at GOP convention | CNN
Here's a summary of distorted facts from the speakers at the convention on day 3:
- Vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said that Hillary Clinton's "only answer" to the debt "is to keep borrowing and spending." But the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget found that Trump's tax and spending plan would cause a "massive increase" in the debt, while Clinton's plan would result in a "relatively small" increase.
- Pence said "we cannot have four more years of apologizing to our enemies," an old claim from 2012 that Obama apologized to other countries. But we read through all the speeches in question and found none rose to the level of an apology.
- Pence said that "nearly 150,000 new jobs" were created in Indiana during his governorship. True, but 20 states and the District of Columbia had higher rates of job growth during the same time period.
- Eric Trump claimed that the U.S. is "one of the highest-taxed nations in the world," but U.S. personal taxes aren't even in the top ten among industrialized nations. The U.S. has one of the highest business tax rates.
- Florida Gov. Rick Scott claimed the U.S. has "world-record high debt" — it actually ranks 39th out of 178 nations in terms of debt as a percentage of GDP. And he said the U.S. economy is "not growing," when it is.
- Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm wrongly said that "America now has more oil than Saudi Arabia or Russia." The U.S. is now producing more petroleum, but the other two countries have much larger proved crude oil reserves.
- Texas Sen. Ted Cruz claimed Iran had "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" holidays. It doesn't have such named holidays, but demonstrators are known to chant those messages on certain occasions.
- Both Cruz and Pence took a Hillary Clinton quote on the Benghazi terrorist attacks out of context, leaving the false impression that she didn't care about the deaths of four Americans.
- Pastor Darrell Scott falsely claimed that there was "higher minority unemployment" under President Obama, when, in fact, the unemployment rates for African Americans, Hispanics and Asians were all down.
Source:
Robertson, Lori. (July 21, 2016). "FactChecking Day 3 of the GOP Convention". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
Jul 19, 2016:
On the second day of the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump was officially selected as the Republican presidential nominee. The theme was "Make America Work Again".
Top takeaways from Day 2 of the GOP convention | USA Today
Here's a summary of distorted facts from the speakers at the convention on day 2:
- Donald Trump Jr. distorted Clinton's gun control proposal, claiming, as his father did, that she wants to "take away Americans' guns." Clinton's gun control proposal doesn't call for taking away guns.
- Two speakers claimed that Clinton paid women less than men in her Senate office. That's true if one includes only workers who worked for Clinton full-time for a full year, but it's not accurate if including workers who worked part of the year or took unpaid leaves of absences.
- Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and former U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey both mentioned Clinton's "what difference does it make" quote on Benghazi, but left out the context of that remark. Clinton didn't say that the loss of life in Benghazi didn’t make a difference.
- Sens. Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia took Clinton's words on coal-mining jobs out of context. Capito said Clinton "promised to devastate communities and families across coal country." But Clinton said she wants to bring renewable energy jobs to coal country to replace lost coal jobs.
- Capito used a one-sided report and back-of-the-envelope calculation to claim that "the burden of government regulations in this country amounts to $15,000 a household." And she exaggerated the number of coal mining jobs that have been lost since 2011, putting the figure at 60,000, when it’s 36,700.
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wrongly said that Clinton was for the Keystone XL pipeline before she was against it. She did not take a position until she opposed the pipeline in 2015.
- Capito also said the Obama "economic agenda" has led to "the lowest workforce participation in decades," but the rate began its decline in the late 1990s and is due mainly to baby boomers retiring and other demographic factors. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, is below the historical norm.
- Sen. Jeff Sessions claimed that "respect for America has fallen," but the U.S. is viewed more favorably in many countries now than it was before President Obama took office.
- Donald Trump Jr. also wrongly said that his father "funded his entire primary run out of his own pocket." Trump provided about 73 percent of the funding, but not all of it.
Source:
Robertson, Lori. (July 20, 2016). "GOP Convention, Day 2". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
Jul 18, 2016:
Today was the first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The theme was "Make America Safe Again".
Speakers included Melania Trump, retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Other speakers included Marine Corps veterans Mark Geist and John Tiegen, co-authors of the book 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi, Darryl Glenn, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Colorado, U.S. House of Representatives member Michael McCaul (chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security), and Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions.
Republican Convention: Floor Fighting on Day 1 | The New York Times
Here's a summary of distorted facts from the speakers at the convention on day 1:
- Two security contractors at the CIA annex in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012, repeated their claim that they were told to "stand down" and not help Americans under attack. But multiple official reports say such an order was never issued.
- The sister of a slain Border Patrol agent said President Obama has left "border patrol agents thinly equipped," and undermanned. In fact, both funding and staffing have increased under Obama.
- A Senate candidate claimed "neighborhoods have become more violent" under President Obama. In fact, the violent crime rate has gone down 20 percent under Obama, as of the most recent FBI statistics for 2014.
- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Michael McCaul both wrongly claimed that Hillary Clinton supports "open borders." She supported a bill that would have created a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally, but it also would have increased border security.
- Giuliani said that Clinton "advocated for the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi in Libya" and should be "accountable" for the country's chaos. But he failed to mention that Trump, at the time, also supported the ouster of Gadhafi.
- Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions claimed that wages "have fallen," when they're up under Obama. He blamed immigration for a low labor force participation rate, when it's mainly the result of demographics, including the aging of baby boomers.
Source:
Robertson, Lori. (July 19, 2016). "GOP Convention Opens in Cleveland". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
Jul 16, 2016:
Donald Trump formally announced his vice-presidential running mate, Mike Pence. Pence is the current (first-term) governor of Indiana. Pence served in the U.S. House of Representatives for two different Indiana congressional districts from 2001 to 2013.
Donald Trump selects Mike Pence as VP | CNN
Jul 15, 2016:
Today, The Washington Post ran an op-ed article written by former 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush entitled "Jeb Bush: Trump does not represent the future of the country — or the GOP".
While he [Trump] has no doubt tapped into the anxiety so prevalent in the United States today, I do not believe Donald Trump reflects the principles or inclusive legacy of the Republican Party. And I sincerely hope he doesn’t represent its future.
Instead, they have given rise to the success of a candidate who continues to grotesquely manipulate the deeply felt anger of many Americans. Trump’s abrasive, Know Nothing-like nativist rhetoric has blocked out sober discourse about how to tackle America’s big challenges.
Jul 12, 2016:
In Portsmouth, Hew Hampshire, Bernie Sanders appeared at a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton and announced his full support for her presidential bid.
Sanders throws his support behind Clinton | The Washington Post
Jul 5, 2016:
In a statement to the press, FBI Director James B. Comey announced that no criminal charges are being recommended in the Hillary Clinton personal e-mail server investigation.
Jul 1, 2016:
According to the Real Clear Politics (RCP) average, Hillary Clinton has a 4.8% lead over Donald Trump in the general election. The average is based on 10 polls taken from 6/16 to 6/29.
Source:
(July 1, 2016). "General Election: Trump vs. Clinton". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
According to a model assembled by Moody's Analytics, Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, will win the November general over Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, by a margin of 332 electoral votes to 206.
Moody's model is based primarily on economics. Moody's model has predicted the correct presidential election outcome since Ronald Reagan was elected in 1980.
Source:
Needham, Vicki. (July 1, 2016). "Election model: Clinton will win easily". The Hill. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
Long, Heather. (May 26, 2016). "Clinton predicted to beat Trump...due to economics". CNN. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
Jun 29, 2016:
Former Secret Service Officer Gary Byrne appeared on the Fox News program "The Kelly File" with host Megyn Kelly to defend allegations he makes about the Clinton's in his new book "Crisis of Character".
Watch the interview here.
Byrne also appeared on the Fox News program "Hannity" two days ago on June 27.
Watch the interview here.
According to a June 21 article on Politco, the Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service (AFAUSSS) was set to release a statement which refutes Byrne's allegations.
The article states that according to the statement, Byrne "could never have seen any of what he claims" because he was "too low-ranking". The article goes on to quote the statement as follows:
One must question the veracity and content of any book which implies that its author played such an integral part of so many [claimed] incidents. Any critique of management by one who has never managed personnel or programs resounds hollow. Additionally, why would an employee wait in excess of ten years after terminating his employment with the Service to make his allegations public?
Source:
Dovere, Edward-Isaac. (June 21, 2016). "Secret Service veterans denounce anti-Clinton tell-all book". Politico. Retrieved 2016-08-07.
Jun 24, 2016:
An article on the Factcheck.org website talks about asking political candidates to support their claims with evidence. Specifically, the article mentions that fact that Donald Trump does not typically provide evidence when asked by fact-checkers.
It's a simple question, one that we ask candidates, campaigns and political committees all the time: "What evidence do you have?" We almost always get an answer. But that has not been the case with Donald Trump's campaign, which typically does not respond to fact-checkers or provides scant information when it does.
Source:
Eugene, Kiely. (June 24, 2016). "'What Evidence Do You Have?'". factcheck.org. Retrieved 2016-06-25.
Jun 22, 2016:
In a speech in New York, Donald Trump said that Hillary Clinton is a "a world class liar". Trump also said "Hillary Clinton may be the most corrupt person ever to seek the presidency of the United States".
Trump Attacks Clinton as 'World-Class Liar' | NBC News
Donald Trump: Clinton May Be 'Most Corrupt Person Ever To Run For President' | NPR
Trump attacks Clinton: CNN's Reality Check Team inspects the claims | CNN
Read a transcript of Trump's entire speech along with fact-checking of key statements on the NPR website here.
Jun 20, 2016:
Donald Trump fired campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
Donald Trump Fires Corey Lewandowski, His Campaign Manager | The New York Times
Jun 18, 2016:
Donald Trump spoke at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona.
Regarding the recent Orlando shooting Trump said:
...we cannot let this happen again. And remember this...this was not about guns, this was about terrorism.
Regarding immigration Trump said:
We're strong on the border. We're going to be strong on the border and we have to. And if we're not strong on the border we're gonna lose our country - we're not gonna have a country any more. And by the way we want people to come into our country, but we want people to come into our country legally.
Regarding jobs Trump said:
African-American youth - 59% unemployment. We're gonna bring jobs back, folks. We're gonna bring jobs back. President Obama has done nothing, has done nothing, for African-American youth and everybody knows it. For Hispanics, we're bringing jobs back.
Regarding Hillary Clinton Trump said:
If Hillary Clinton gets in, folks, we've got Venezuela. Take a look at what's happening in Venezuela. We've got high taxes, and we've got a country that's going to be a disaster. And we're heading in that direction now.
Regarding Obamacare Trump said:
We're gonna repeal and replace Obamacare with something much less expensive and something much, much better. You see what's happening to your premiums...Your deductibles are going through the roof...The deductibles of Obamacare are so high that you'll never be able to use it...Your premiums - Bluecross Blueshield - through Obamacare just were raised to 60%.
In the crowd, a man wearing a shirt which had the words "Fuck Islam" on the front was escorted out of the event by law enforcement.
Source:
The Republic | azcentral.com. (June 18, 2016). "Donald Trump visits Arizona: Our live blog". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
Jun 15, 2016:
With 99% of the vote in from yesterday's Washington, D.C. primary, Hillary Clinton received 78.7% and Bernie Sanders 21.1%.
Jun 13, 2016:
In response to the recent mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, Donald Trump delivered a speech at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire addressing terrorism, immigration, and national security.
Here are some quotes from his speech:
A radical Islamic terrorist targeted the nightclub not only because he wanted to kill Americans, but in order to execute gay and lesbian citizens because of their sexual orientation.
The killer, whose name I will not use, or ever say, was born to Afghan parents who immigrated to the United States. His father published support for the Afghan Taliban, a regime which murders those who don’t share its radical views. The father even said he was running for President of that country...The bottom line is that the only reason the killer was in America in the first place was because we allowed his family to come here.
The immigration laws of the United States give the President the power to suspend entry into the country of any class of persons that the President deems detrimental to the interests or security of the United States, as he deems appropriate. I will use this power to protect the American people.
When I am elected, I will suspend immigration from areas of the world when there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or our allies, until we understand how to end these threats...We cannot continue to allow thousands upon thousands of people to pour into our country, many of whom have the same thought process as this savage killer.
Many of the principles of Radical Islam are incompatible with Western values and institutions.
We are importing Radical Islamic Terrorism into the West through a failed immigration system -- and through an intelligence community held back by our president. Even our own FBI Director has admitted that we cannot effectively check the backgrounds of the people we are letting into America.
If we want to remain a free and open society, then we have to control our borders. Yet, Hillary Clinton – for months and despite so many attacks – repeatedly refused to even say the words "radical Islam," until I challenged her yesterday to say the words or leave the race. However, Hillary Clinton – who has been forced to say the words today after policies she supports have caused us so much damage – still has no clue what Radical Islam is, and won’t speak honestly about what it is. She is in total denial, and her continuing reluctance to ever name the enemy broadcasts weakness across the world.
In fact, just a few weeks before the San Bernardino slaughter, Hillary Clinton explained her refusal to say the words Radical Islam. Here is what she said: "Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people, and have nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism." Hillary Clinton says the solution is to ban guns. They tried that in France, which has among the toughest gun laws in the world, and 130 were brutally murdered by Islamic terrorists in cold blood. Her plan is to disarm law-abiding Americans, abolishing the 2nd amendment, and leaving only the bad guys and terrorists with guns. She wants to take away Americans’ guns, then admit the very people who want to slaughter us.
The Obama Administration, with the support of Hillary Clinton and others, has also damaged our security by restraining our intelligence-gathering and failing to support law enforcement. They have put political correctness above common sense, above your safety, and above all else.
The Senate Subcommittee on Immigration has already identified hundreds of immigrants charged with terrorist activities inside the United States since September 11th. Nearly a year ago, the Senate Subcommittee asked President Obama's Departments of Justice, State and Homeland Security to provide the immigration history of all terrorists inside the United States. These Departments refused to comply.
Truly, our President doesn't know what he is doing. He has failed us, and failed us badly, and under his leadership, this situation will not get any better -- it will only get worse.
Each year, the United States permanently admits more than 100,000 immigrants from the Middle East, and many more from Muslim countries outside the Middle East. Our government has been admitting ever-growing numbers, year after year, without any effective plan for our security.
In fact, Clinton's State Department was in charge of the admissions process for people applying to enter from overseas. Having learned nothing from these attacks, she now plans to massively increase admissions without a screening plan, including a 500% increase in Syrian refugees...Altogether, under the Clinton plan, you'd be admitting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Middle East with no system to vet them, or to prevent the radicalization of their children.
What I want is common sense. I want a mainstream immigration policy that promotes American values. That is the choice I put before the American people: a mainstream immigration policy designed to benefit America, or Hillary Clinton's radical immigration policy designed to benefit politically-correct special interests.
The decision to overthrow the regime in Libya, then pushing for the overthrow of the regime in Syria, among other things, without plans for the day after, have created space for ISIS to expand and grow. These actions, along with our disastrous Iran deal, have also reduced our ability to work in partnership with our Muslim allies in the region.
America has already admitted four times more immigrants than any country on earth, and we continue to admit millions more with no real checks or scrutiny.
Hillary Clinton can never claim to be a friend of the gay community as long as she continues to support immigration policies that bring Islamic extremists to our country who suppress women, gays and anyone who doesn't share their views.
Source:
Trump, Donald J. (June 13, 2016). "Donald J. Trump Addresses Terrorism, Immigration, and National Security". donaldjtrump.com. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
Speaking in Cleveland, Ohio, Hillary Clinton said the following:
Inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric and threatening to ban the families and friends of Muslim-Americans, as well as millions of Muslim business people and tourists from entering our country hurts the vast majority of Muslims who love freedom and hate terror.
Our open, diverse society is an asset in the struggle against terrorism, not a liability.
It's essential that we stop terrorists from getting the tools they need to carry out the attacks. And that is especially true when it comes to assault weapons like those used in Orlando and San Bernardino.
If the F.B.I. is watching you for suspected terrorist links, you shouldn't be able to just go buy a gun with no questions asked.
Source:
Martin, Jonathan; Burns, Alexander. (June 13, 2016). "Blaming Muslims After Attack, Donald Trump Tosses Pluralism Aside". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
After Florida shooting, Trump hardens stance on Muslims | Reuters
Trump continues to question Obama's commitment to fighting terror | CBS News
Donald Trump stretches facts in fiery post-Orlando speech | CNN
Donald Trump seems to connect President Obama to Orlando shooting | The Washington Post
Hillary Clinton: I'll say the words 'radical Islamism' | CNN
Clinton: Trump crossed the line with 'shameful' remarks about Obama | The Hill
Obama Blasts Donald Trump's Call to Dub Orlando Shooting 'Radical Islamic Terrorism' | ABC News
Obama rips Trump over proposed Mulsim ban, 'radical Islam' rhetoric | USA Today
PunditFact: Why Obama won't label ISIS 'Islamic extremists' | Politifact
Jun 12, 2016:
Hillary Clinton will soon be airing her first general election campaign ad entitled "Who We Are", an ad which uses some of Donald Trump's own words and behaviors against him.
Hillary Clinton’s New Ad Attacks Donald Trump Using Strong Words (His) | The New York Times
Jun 10, 2016:
At a campaign rally in Richmond, Virginia, Donald Trump referred to Senator Elizabeth Warren as "Pocahontas".
And Pochahontas is not happy. She's not happy. She's the worst. You know, Pochahontas - I'm doing such a disservice to Pochahontas, it's so unfair to Pochahontas. But this Elizabeth Warren, I call her goofy, Elizabeth Warren, she's one of the worst senators in the entire United States Senate. She's got practically nothing done, practically nothing passed. If it was up to her you'd have taxes at 95%. And I hope she's gonna be chosen by Hillary, oh would that be great, I would love it.
Source:
Gold, Matea; Demirjians, Karoun; DeBonis, Mike. (June 10, 2016). "Trump's 'Pocahontas' attack leaves fellow Republicans squirming (again)". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
Jun 9, 2016:
President Obama formally announced his support for Hillary Clinton for president.
Obama Endorses Hillary Clinton, and Urges Democrats to Unite | The New York Times
During a speech at the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy 2016 National Convention in Washington, D.C., Vice President Joe Biden announced his support for Hillary Clinton for president.
Biden: 'God willing,' Clinton will be president | The Hill
Biden backs Clinton; VP and Warren call Trump comments 'racist' | CNN
On The Rachel Maddow Show, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. In a speech at the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy 2016 National Convention in Washington, D.C., Warren excoriated Donald Trump.
Read Warren's entire speech here.
Elizabeth Warren Has Endorsed Hillary Clinton for President | Time
Jun 8, 2016:
With 73% of the vote in from yesterday's California primary, Hillary Clinton received 55.8% and Bernie Sanders 43.2%. Clinton also won primaries in New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota. Bernie Sanders won primaries in Montana and North Dakota.
Jun 7, 2016:
In a conference call with campaign supporters, Donald Trump told his supporters to ignore a directive put out by his own campaign to stop talking about the Trump University lawsuit, and instead to question the judge's credibility.
Trump Orders Surrogates to Intensify Criticism of Judge and Journalists | Bloomberg News
Trump orders surrogates to keep criticizing judge, sources say | CNN
Ryan: Trump's comments about judge are 'textbook' racism | The Hill
In a statement posted on Donald Trump's website entitled "Donald J. Trump Statement Regarding Trump University" Donald Trump said his comments about Judge Gonzalo Curiel have been "misconstrued".
Ryan: Trump's comments about judge are 'textbook' racism | The Hill
Jun 6, 2016:
As a result of a decisive win in Puerto Rico over the weekend and additional support from superdelegates, Hillary Clinton has accumulated the required 2,383 delegates to win the Democratic nomination.
AP count: Clinton has delegates to win Democratic nomination | Associated Press
Clinton projected as first woman to win major party presidential nod | The Hill
Jun 2, 2016:
In an article published in The Janesville Gazette entitled "Paul Ryan: Donald Trump can help make reality of bold House policy agend", speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives endorsed Donald Trump for president.
Paul Ryan endorses Donald Trump | GazetteXtra
Republican House Speaker Ryan backs Trump after long courtship | Reuters
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump said that because of Judge Gonzalo Curiel's "Mexican heritage", he cannot fairly preside over the Trump University trial.
Why Is Donald Trump So Angry at Judge Gonzalo Curiel? | The Atlantic
May 27, 2016:
At a campaign rally in San Diego, California, Donald Trump made comments about U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel (the judge presiding over the Trump University trial). Trump said Curiel is a "hater" of Donald Trump, and that he believes Curiel is a Mexican.
Trump attacks 'Mexican' judge in Trump U lawsuit | Politico
That Judge Attacked by Donald Trump? He’s Faced a Lot Worse | The New York Times
In response to a request by The Washington Post, Judge Gonzalo Curiel ordered the release of Trump University "playbooks".
Judge bashed by Trump orders release of company records | The Washington Post
May 26, 2016:
According to the Associated Press, Donald Trump now has the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination.
Trump clinches GOP nomination | The Hill
Over the top: Trump sews up delegates to seal GOP nomination | The Hill
The U.S. State Department Office of Inspector General issued a report on Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. The report contradicts several of Clinton's long-standing talking points.
State Department report slams Clinton email use | CNN
IG Report on Clinton’s Emails | factcheck.org
Clinton email headache is about to get worse | The Hill
May 20, 2016:
The National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsed presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.
National Rifle Association endorses Donald Trump | CBS News
May 18, 2016:
With 93% of the vote in from yesterday's Oregon primary, Bernie Sanders received 56% and Hillary Clinton 44%.
With 99% of the vote in from yesterday's Kentucky primary, Hillary Clinton won by a narrow margin with 46.8% of the vote over Bernie Sanders with 46.3%.
May 11, 2016:
With 99% of the vote in from yesterday's West Virginia primary, Bernie Sanders won by a margin of 51.4% over Hillary Clinton with 35.8%. Donald Trump won by huge margins in both Nebraska and West Virginia.
May 6, 2016:
In San Diego, California, U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel set a trial date of November 28 for a class-action lawsuit against Trump University.
Trial date set in Trump University lawsuit | CBS News
May 5, 2016:
U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan said he's not ready to back Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Trump responded by saying he isn't ready to support Ryan's agenda.
House Speaker Paul Ryan Refuses to Back Donald Trump | ABC News
May 4, 2016:
With 99% of the vote in from yesterday's Indiana primary, Bernie Sanders won by a margin of 52.5% over Hillary Clinton with 47.5%. Donald Trump won getting 53.3%, Ted Cruz 36.6%, and John Kasich 7.6%.
Ted Cruz ended his presidential campaign.
Ted Cruz drops presidential bid | CNN
John Kasich suspended his presidential campaign.
John Kasich exits the presidential race, leaving Trump as presumptive nominee | The Washington Post
Apr 29, 2016:
In Burlingame, California (south of San Francisco), several hundred people staged a protest outside a Hyatt Regency hotel where Donald Trump was about to deliver a campaign speech.
Demonstrators storm California GOP convention to protest Trump | CNN
Anti-Trump protests break out for second day in California | Reuters
Apr 28, 2016:
In Orange County, California, several hundred people staged a protest outside an amphitheater where Donald Trump held a campaign rally.
Apr 27, 2016:
In yesterday's primaries, Hillary Clinton won in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Bernie Sanders won in Rhode Island by a margin of 55% to 44.3% for Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump won all five contests by large margins.
Apr 20, 2016:
In yesterday's New York primary with 94% of the votes in, Hillary Clinton has 59% versus Bernie Sanders with 42%, and Donald Trump has 60.4%, John Kasich has 25.1%, and Ted Cruz has 14.5%.
In his victory speech last night, Donald Trump was much more subdued and "presidential" than he has been to date, perhaps due to his new team of experienced political strategists.
Donald Trump displays his best behavior at New York victory party | The Washington Post
Apr 12, 2016:
After losing 34 of 37 delegates to Ted Cruz over the weekend in the Colorado convention, yesterday on Fox News Donald Trump said the delegate system was "rigged", "crooked", and that Colorado voters were being denied the right to vote.
Trump blasts 'rigged' rules on picking Republican delegates | Reuters
Apr 9, 2016:
In today's Wyoming Democratic caucus Bernie Sanders received 55.7% of the vote and Hillary Clinton received 44.3%.
In Colorado, over the past two days Ted Cruz received pledges from 34 of the 37 total delegates (3 delegates remain unpledged), with Donald Trump and John Kasich receiving no pledges.
Ted Cruz dominates Colorado GOP convention winning all 34 delegates | The Denver Post
Cruz dominates Colorado, claims majority of delegates on eve of convention | The Denver Post
Apr 6, 2016:
In yesterday's Wisconsin election with 99% of the votes in, Bernie Sanders has 56.6% versus Hillary Clinton with 43.1%, and Ted Cruz has 48.2% versus Donald Trump with 35.1%.
Apr 5, 2016:
In a memo from Donald Trump to The Washington Post with a subject line that reads Compelling Mexico to pay for the Wall Trump outlines how he would force Mexico to pay for a wall on the southern U.S. border. In a nutshell, here's what the memo says:
- Change the wording of Section 236 of the Patriot Act so that remittances (money sent from Mexican workers in the U.S. to residents in Mexico, usually family members) would require proof (in the form of a legal document) that the person is in the U.S legally.
- The U.S. would threaten Mexico with the Section 236 changes, saying that the changes will not be implemented if Mexico makes a one-time payment of $5-10 billion to pay for the wall.
- The U.S. would use it's trade "leverage" (Mexico needs our goods more than we need theirs) regarding tariffs.
- The U.S. could threaten to cancel visas and consider increasing visa fees to help subsidize the cost of the wall.
Trump reveals how he would force Mexico to pay for border wall | The Washington Post
Obama hits Trump on wall plan | The Hill
Mar 29, 2016:
Last September, all of the GOP presidential candidates signed a pledge to support whoever won the GOP primary. Today, Donald Trump reversed his pledge, and Ted Cruz and John Kasich are hedging on the pledge as well. Trump's reasoning is that he hasn't been treated "fairly" because of the possibility of a brokered convention and the way delegates are allocated.
Trump Abandons Pledge To Support Republican Nominee | NPR
Why Donald Trump Reversed His Pledge To Support The GOP Nominee | NPR
GOP candidates back off pledge to support nominee | CNN
Mar 27, 2016:
In yesterday's elections, Bernie Sanders won in all three states that held Democratic elections - Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington.
Mar 24, 2016:
In yesterday's elections, Hillary Clinton won in Arizona and Bernie Sanders won in Idaho and Utah.
Donald Trump won Arizona and Ted Cruz won in Utah.
Mar 17, 2016:
In yesterday's "Super Tuesday" elections, Hillary Clinton won in all five states (Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio), beating Bernie Sanders in Missouri by the narrow margin of 49.6% to 49.4%.
Donald Trump won in three states (Florida, Illinois, and North Carolina) and is leading in Missouri over Ted Cruz (40.9% to 40.7%) with 99% of the votes counted. John Kasich won in Ohio beating Donald Trump 46.8% to 35.6%.
Mar 16, 2016:
Marco Rubio suspended his campaign after losing to Donald Trump in his home state of Florida in today's elections.
Marco Rubio drops out of presidential campaign after Florida loss | CNN
Mar 13, 2016:
In yesterday's elections, Marco Rubio won in the District of Columbia narrowly edging out John Kasich, and Ted Cruz won in Wyoming.
Mar 11, 2016:
Former GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson officially endorsed Donald Trump.
Ben Carson endorses Donald Trump | CNN
Mar 9, 2016:
In yesterday's elections, Hillary Clinton won in Mississippi, and Bernie Sanders won in Michigan (a surprise because all of the recent polls had Clinton beating Sanders in Michigan by double-digits).
Donald Trump won in Mississippi, Michigan, and Hawaii, and Ted Cruz won in Idaho.
An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll conducted March 3-6 showed how both Clinton and Sanders would fare against Trump in the general election this November. The poll also showed how Clinton would fare against Cruz and Rubio.
- Clinton 51% over Trump at 38%
- Sanders 55% over Trump at 37%
- Clinton 47% over Cruz at 45%
- Clinton and Rubio tied at 46%
How Trump, Rubio and Cruz Would Fare Against Clinton in November | NBC News
According to Real Clear Politics General Election: Trump vs. Clinton polling data that matches Clinton against Trump in the general election, the RCP Average shows Clinton with 47.3% and Trump with 41%. The RCP Average includes six polls over a date range of February 11 - March 6.
Mar 6, 2016:
In yesterday's elections, Hillary Clinton won in Louisiana, and Bernie Sanders won in Kansas and Nebraska.
Donald Trump won in Kentucky and Louisiana, and Ted Cruz won in Kansas and Maine.
5 takeaways from Super Saturday | CNN
Mar 5, 2016:
Today is "Super Saturday" where 5 states (Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Louisiana, and Nebraska) hold their primary elections or caucuses (three Democratic and four Republican).
Mar 4, 2016:
At the last minute, Donald Trump decided not to attend (and will not be speaking at) the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) being held March 2-5 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, John Kasich, and Ben Carson, among a host of other conservatives, are scheduled to speak at the conference.
Donald Trump backs out of CPAC | CNN
Trump also reversed his policy on the torture of terrorists.
Donald Trump reverses position on torture, killing terrorists' families | CNN
Mar 3, 2016:
In Salt Lake City, Utah, Mitt Romney (the GOP nominee who ran against Barack Obama in the 2012 election) gave a speech blasting Donald Trump. Here are a few quotes:
Let me put it plainly, if we Republicans choose Donald Trump as our nominee, the prospects for a safe and prosperous future are greatly diminished.
First, the economy: If Donald Trump's plans were ever implemented, the country would sink into a prolonged recession. A few examples: His proposed 35% tariff-like penalties would instigate a trade war that would raise prices for consumers, kill export jobs, and lead entrepreneurs and businesses to flee America. His tax plan, in combination with his refusal to reform entitlements and to honestly address spending would balloon the deficit and the national debt. So even as Donald Trump has offered very few specific economic plans, what little he has said is enough to know that he would be very bad for American workers and for American families.
But wait, you say, isn't he a huge business success that knows what he's talking about? No he isn't. His bankruptcies have crushed small businesses and the men and women who worked for them. He inherited his business, he didn't create it. And what ever happened to Trump Airlines? How about Trump University? And then there’s Trump Magazine and Trump Vodka and Trump Steaks, and Trump Mortgage? A business genius he is not.
Now not every policy Donald Trump has floated is bad. He wants to repeal and replace Obamacare. He wants to bring jobs home from China and Japan. But his prescriptions to do these things are flimsy at best...Frankly, the only serious policy proposals that deal with the broad range of national challenges we confront, come today from Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and John Kasich. One of these men should be our nominee.
Let me turn to national security and the safety of our homes and loved ones. Trump's bombast is already alarming our allies and fueling the enmity of our enemies. Insulting all Muslims will keep many of them from fully engaging with us in the urgent fight against ISIS.
What he said on "60 Minutes" about Syria and ISIS has to go down as the most ridiculous and dangerous idea of the campaign season: Let ISIS take out Assad, he said, and then we can pick up the remnants. Think about that: Let the most dangerous terror organization the world has ever known take over a country? This is recklessness in the extreme. Donald Trump tells us that he is very, very smart. I'm afraid that when it comes to foreign policy he is very, very not smart.
Dishonesty is Trump's hallmark: He claimed that he had spoken clearly and boldly against going into Iraq. Wrong, he spoke in favor of invading Iraq. He said he saw thousands of Muslims in New Jersey celebrating 9/11. Wrong, he saw no such thing. He imagined it. His is not the temperament of a stable, thoughtful leader. His imagination must not be married to real power.
Think of Donald Trump's personal qualities, the bullying, the greed, the showing off, the misogyny, the absurd third grade theatrics.
Watch how he responds to my speech today. Will he talk about our policy differences or will he attack me with every imaginable low road insult? This may tell you what you need to know about his temperament, his stability, and his suitability to be president.
A person so untrustworthy and dishonest as Hillary Clinton must not become president. But a Trump nomination enables her victory.
Mr. Trump is directing our anger for less than noble purposes.
Here's what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud. His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He’s playing the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House and all we get is a lousy hat.
His domestic policies would lead to recession. His foreign policies would make America and the world less safe. He has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president. And his personal qualities would mean that America would cease to be a shining city on a hill.
Watch Romney's entire speech here.
Source:
Teague Beckwith, Ryan. (March 3, 2016). "Read Mitt Romney’s Speech About Donald Trump". Time. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
Watch Trump respond to Romney's speech at a campaign rally in Portland, Maine here.
Prior to the speech, Donald Trump attacked Romney via Twitter saying the following:
Failed candidate Mitt Romney,who ran one of the worst races in presidential history,is working with the establishment to bury a big "R" win!
I have brought millions of people into the Republican Party, while the Dems are going down. Establishment wants to kill this movement!
Why would the great people of Florida vote for a guy who, as a Senator, never even shows up to vote - worst record. Marco Rubio is a joke!
I am the only one who can beat Hillary Clinton. I am not a Mitt Romney, who doesn't know how to win. Hillary wants no part of "Trump".
Why did Mitt Romney BEG me for my endorsement four years ago?
Prior to Romney's speech, Trump also posted a video on Facebook questioning Romney's conservative leadership abilities. The video has audio and video clips of Romney stating his positions on immigration amnesty, Obamacare, abortion, government bailouts, and global warming.
Source:
Byrnes, Jessie. (March 3, 2016). "Trump unloads on Romney ahead of speech". The Hill. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
Arizona Senator and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee John McCain released the following statement in response to Romney's speech:
I share the concerns about Donald Trump that my friend and former Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, described in his speech today. I would also echo the many concerns about Mr. Trump's uninformed and indeed dangerous statements on national security issues that have been raised by 65 Republican defense and foreign policy leaders.
At a time when our world has never been more complex or more in danger, as we watch the threatening actions of a neo-imperial Russia, an assertive China, an expansionist Iran, an insane North Korean ruler, and terrorist movements that are metastasizing across the Middle East and Africa, I want Republican voters to pay close attention to what our party's most respected and knowledgeable leaders and national security experts are saying about Mr. Trump, and to think long and hard about who they want to be our next Commander-in-Chief and leader of the free world.
Source:
McCain, John. (March 3, 2016). "STATEMENT BY SASC CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN ON CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY DEBATE". mccain.senate.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
Mar 2, 2016:
View state-by-state "Super Tuesday" election results on the CNN website here.
In yesterday's "Super Tuesday" election, Hillary Clinton won 8 of the 11 states holding a Democratic primary or caucus and Bernie Sanders won the states of Colorado, Oklahoma, and Vermont.
Donald Trump won 7 of the 11 states holding a Republican primary or caucus, Ted Cruz won 3 states (Alaska, Oklahoma, and Texas), and Marco Rubio won the state of Minnesota.
Super Tuesday winners, losers | The Hill
Super Tuesday: County-by-county results | The Hill
A statement was posted on GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson's website saying "I do not see a political path forward in light of last evening's Super Tuesday primary results".
Ben Carson for President 2016 | bencarson.com
Ben Carson says 'no path forward' in 2016 race | PBS
Mar 1, 2016:
Today is "Super Tuesday" where 12 states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia) hold their primary elections or caucuses.
What You Need To Know About Super Tuesday | The Huffington Post
Feb 29, 2016:
Yesterday, on CNN's State of the Union, host Jake Tapper asked Donald Trump about campaign support from David Duke (former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan and Republican Louisiana State Representative) and other white supremacist groups.
Tapper:
Will you unequivocally condemn Duke's vote or that of other white supremacists in this election?
Trump:
Well, just so you understand, I don't know David Duke, OK? I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. So I don't know. I don't know. Did he endorse me, or what's going on? Because I know nothing about David Duke. I know nothing about white supremacists.
Source:
Bradner, Eric. (February 29, 2016). "Donald Trump stumbles on David Duke, KKK". CNN. Retrieved 2016-02-29.
Watch the entire nine-minute interview here.
Feb 26, 2016:
Former 2016 GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie (who ended his campaign on February 10) officially endorsed Donald Trump.
Chris Cillizza, a reporter for The Washington Post suggests the following four reasons:
- Christie is a political realist
- Christie wants to be in the vice presidential mix
- Christie hates Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz
- Christie has a personal relationship with Trump
Source:
Cillizza, Chris. (February 26, 2016). "4 reasons Chris Christie endorsed Donald Trump". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-02-26.
Chris Christie endorses Donald Trump | CNN
Feb 23, 2016:
In the Nevada Republican Caucus Donald Trump received 45.9% of the vote (14 delegates), Marco Rubio 23.9% (7 delegates), and Ted Cruz 21.4% (6 delegates).
Nevada Republican Caucus Results | CNN
Feb 20, 2016:
In the Nevada Democratic Caucus Hillary Clinton received 52.7% of the vote (20 delegates) and Bernie Sanders 47.2% of the vote (15 delegates).
In the South Carolina Republican Primary Donald Trump received 32.5% of the vote (50 delegates), Marco Rubio 22.5% (0 delegates), and Ted Cruz 22.3% (0 delegates). Jeb Bush, John Kasich, and Ben Carson each received less than 10%.
Nevada Democratic Caucus Results | CNN
South Carolina Republican Primary Results | CNN
Jeb Bush suspended his campaign.
Jeb Bush suspends his campaign | CNN
Feb 19, 2016:
At a campaign rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, Donald Trump told a story (which may or may not be historically true) of how U.S. General Pershing executed 49 Muslim terrorists using bullets dipped in pigs blood (the 50th terrorist was spared and sent back to recount the story of the execution to his peers). His point of telling the story is that according to him, for 25 years after this execution there were no problems with terrorism.
Watch a video of Trump telling the story here.
Trump cites story of general who dipped bullets in pigs' blood to deter Muslims | CNN
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) responded to Trump's remarks saying:
Donald Trump’s latest anti-Muslim remarks endanger ordinary American Muslims who are already facing a rising wave of hate prompted by the billionaire businessman's previous Islamophobic statements
Nihad Awad, the National Executive Director for CAIR, issued a statement saying:
Donald Trump's inflammatory rhetoric has crossed the line from spreading hatred to inciting violence. By directly stating that the only way to stop terrorism is to murder Muslims in graphic and religiously-offensive ways, he places the millions of innocent, law-abiding citizens in the American Muslim community at risk from rogue vigilantes. He further implies that our nation should adopt a strategy of systematized violence in its engagement with the global Muslim community, a chilling message from a potential leader. We pray that no one who hears this message follows his gospel of hate.
Source:
(February 20, 2016). "CAIR Says Trump's 'Pig's Blood' Remarks Endanger U.S. Muslims". CAIR. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
Muslim Advocates, a Muslim advocacy and civil rights organization, responded to Trump's remarks saying:
Donald Trump's comments made on Friday night, in which he seemingly endorses shooting Muslim prisoners of war with bullets dipped in pig's blood, are abhorrent and simply have no place in the American public forum. We urge all Americans of good conscience to rise above hate and extremist rhetoric that only serves to divide us at a time when we must stand together.
Source:
Kahn, Fatima. (February 20, 2016). "Muslim Advocates Statement on Donald Trump Comments Made at South Carolina Rally". Muslim Advocates. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
At a town hall campaign event in Pawley's Island, South Carolina, Donald Trump called for a boycott of Apple until the company helps the FBI break into the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters.
Trump calls for Apple boycott | CNN
Feb 18, 2016:
Talking to journalists about Trump's views on illegal immigration, Pope Francis made the following statement:
A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel.
Source:
Burke, Daniel. (February 18, 2016). "Pope suggests Trump 'is not Christian' ". CNN. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
Donald Trump's response to the Pope (quoted directly from a page on his website entitled "Donald J. Trump Response to the Pope") reads as follows:
If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS’s ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been President because this would not have happened. ISIS would have been eradicated unlike what is happening now with our all talk, no action politicians.
The Mexican government and its leadership has made many disparaging remarks about me to the Pope, because they want to continue to rip off the United States, both on trade and at the border, and they understand I am totally wise to them. The Pope only heard one side of the story - he didn’t see the crime, the drug trafficking and the negative economic impact the current policies have on the United States. He doesn’t see how Mexican leadership is outsmarting President Obama and our leadership in every aspect of negotiation.
For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful. I am proud to be a Christian and as President I will not allow Christianity to be consistently attacked and weakened, unlike what is happening now, with our current President. No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man’s religion or faith. They are using the Pope as a pawn and they should be ashamed of themselves for doing so, especially when so many lives are involved and when illegal immigration is so rampant.
Donald Trump's history of suggesting Obama is a Muslim | CNN
Feb 13, 2016:
The GOP presidential debate in Greenville, South Carolina, was a raucous affair with candidates firing off personal attacks and talking over one another.
In one exchange between Donald Trump and Jeb Bush, Trump said the following about the Iraq War:
Obviously the war in Iraq was a big, fat mistake.
George Bush made a mistake. We can make mistakes. But that one was a beauty. We should have never been in Iraq. We have destabilized the Middle East.
You call it whatever you want. I want to tell you, they lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction and there were none. And they knew there were none. There were no weapons of mass destruction.
The World Trade Center came down during the reign of George W. Bush...That's not keeping us safe.
Source:
Bradner, Eric. (February 14, 2016). "5 takeaways from the Republican debate". CNN. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
(February 13, 2016). "Trump vs. Bush: They Said There Were Weapons of Mass Destruction And They Knew There Were None. They Lied.". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
Speaking about a replacement for Scalia, Marco Rubio said:
It has been over 80 years since a lame-duck president appointed a Supreme Court justice.
The fact is, current Justice Anthony Kennedy was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in November 1987, and Kennedy was confirmed in February 1988 (an election year, in which President Ronald Reagan would have been considered a "lame-duck"), which was about 28 years ago, not 80. And, to say that a president appoints a Supreme Court justice is misleading because a president only nominates a justice, who must then be confirmed by the Senate.
Feb 10, 2016:
In the New Hampshire Democratic Primary Bernie Sanders received 60.4% of the vote (15 delegates), and Hillary Clinton 38% (9 delegates).
In the New Hampshire Republican Primary Donald Trump received 35.3% of the vote (11 delegates), John Kasich 15.8% (4 delegates), Ted Cruz 11.7% (3 delegates), Jeb Bush 11% (3 delegates), and Marco Rubio 10.6% (2 delegates).
New Hampshire Democratic Primary Results | CNN
New Hampshire Republican Primary Results | CNN
Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina are both dropping out of the race.
Republicans Christie, Fiorina dropping White House bids | Reuters
Feb 9, 2016:
Donald Trump said he estimates the cost of a border wall at $8 billion. He still insists that Mexico will pay for the wall.
Trump: Border wall will cost $8 billion | CNN
Mexican ex-president: No, we won't pay for Trump's 'stupid wall' | Politico
Feb 8, 2016:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) notified the U.S. State Department that it is conducting an investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.
FBI confirms Clinton probe | The Hill
Feb 6, 2016:
At the GOP presidential debate in Goffstown, New Hampshire Donald Trump said '"I would bring back waterboarding, and I’d bring it back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding."'
Rubio endures an assault in a rollicking Republican debate | The Washington Post
In an exchange between Marco Rubio and Chris Christie, Christie called Rubio out on a "memorized 25-second speech". Here's an account of the exchange:
Rubio, saying that under Christie's governorship the state of New Jersey had its credit rating downgraded, then immediately launched into what sounded like a rehearsed stump speech completely unrelated to his attack on Christie:
But I would add this - let's dispel with this fiction that Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing. He knows exactly what he's doing. He is trying to change this country. He wants America to become more like the rest of the world. We don't want to be like the rest of the world. We want to be the United States of America, and when I'm elected President this will become, once again, the single greatest nation in the history of the world, not the disaster that Barack Obama has imposed upon us.
To which Christie responded:
You see everybody, I want you the people at home to think about this. That's what Washington D.C. does - the drive-by shot at the beginning [where Rubio brings up New Jersey's credit downgrading] with the incorrect and incomplete information, and then the memorized 25-second speech that is exactly what advisers gave him.
Source:
Keneally, Meghan. (February 6, 2016). "GOP Debate: Christie and Rubio Square Off in Fiery Exchange ". ABC News. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
Once Impervious, Marco Rubio Is Diminished by a Caustic Chris Christie| The New York Times
How a Debate Misstep Sent Marco Rubio Tumbling in New Hampshire | The New York Times
Feb 3, 2016:
GOP presidential candidate Rand Paul announced he is withdrawing from the presidential race.
Rand Paul ends presidential bid | USA Today
Donald Trump accused Ted Cruz of fraud during the Iowa Caucus. Apparently, while the caucuses were in progress Cruz's campaign staff misinterpreted a CNN article and thought that Ben Carson was suspending his campaign. As a result, caucus-goers were informed by Cruz's campaign staff of Carson's decision to suspend, which was false, which may have impacted voting.
Carson to Florida to get 'a fresh set of clothes,' accuses Cruz campaign of 'dirty trick' | CNN
Runner-up drama: Trump says Cruz 'stole' Iowa election; Sanders mulls challenge | Fox News
Feb 2, 2016:
In the Iowa Democratic Caucus Hillary Clinton received 49.9% of the vote (23 delegates) and Bernie Sanders 49.6% of the vote (21 delegates).
In the Iowa Republican Caucus Ted Cruz received 27.6% of the vote (8 delegates), Donald Trump 24.3% of the vote (7 delegates), and Marco Rubio 23.1% (7 delegates). All other GOP candidates received less than 10%.
Iowa Democratic Caucus Results | CNN
Iowa Republican Primary Results | CNN
Sometimes, Iowa Democrats award caucus delegates with a coin flip | The Des Moines Register
Was the Iowa Caucus Decided by Coin Flips? | The Atlantic
Martin O'Malley announced he is dropping out of the presidential race.
Martin O'Malley to drop out of Democratic race | The Des Moines Register
Jan 30, 2016:
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate reprimanded Ted Cruz for mailing "report card voting violations" to potential caucus-goers to encourage attendance at the caucuses. The mailers have the appearance of an official document and the words "VOTING VIOLATION" at the top of the page along with a "report card" showing "grades" for both the addressee and the addressee's neighbors. At the bottom of the mailer is an "IMPORTANT NOTICE" which reads:
Voting registration and voter history records are public records distributed by the Iowa Secretary of State and/or county election clerks. This data is not available for use for commercial purposes — use is limited by law. Scores reflect participation in recent elections.
Pate said there is no such thing as a "voting violation" related to how a person has voted in past elections and that the mailer is a false representation. Pate said the state of Iowa does not "grade" voters. Pate also said the Secretary of State does not maintain records related to Iowa Caucus participation, nor does it distribute voter records.
Iowa secretary of State scolds Cruz over controversial mailers | The Hill
Dec 29, 2015:
GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz has proposed a flat income tax and abolishing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as it exists today.
Essentially, his plan would replace the existing tiered income tax with a 10 percent flat tax on individuals and 16 percent on businesses.
According to the "The Simple Flat Tax" page on the Ted Cruz website, implementation of his Simple Flat Tax would accomplish the following in the first decade:
- Boost Gross Domestic Product by 13.9 percent above what is currently projected.
- Increase wages by 12.2 percent.
- Create 4,861,000 additional jobs.
The Simple Flat Tax | tedcruz.org
Ted Cruz's Simple, Radical Tax Plan | The New York Times
A Simple Flat Tax for Economic Growth | The Wall Street Journal
Dec 19, 2015:
The third Democratic presidential debate, hosted by ABC News, was held at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. The debate was moderated by ABC chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz and ABC's World News Tonight anchor David Muir. The debate focused on national security and foreign policy.
ABC News Third Democratic Debate: New Hampshire Edition | ABC News
Winners and losers in the third Democratic presidential debate | The Washington Post
Democratic debate exposes sharp differences on Syria, guns and taxes | The Washington Post
FactChecking the Third Democratic Debate | factcheck.org
Dec 15, 2015:
CNN hosted the fifth Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cruz, Rubio battle while Trump pledges GOP loyalty at debate | CNN
GOP debate winners and losers | The Hill
Six takeaways from the fifth Republican debate | USA Today
FactChecking the Fifth GOP Debate | factcheck.org
Dec 1, 2015:
The Washington Post researched Ted Cruz's statement that "The overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats." and reported the following:
- The study which Cruz bases his statement on is a study of party registration of ex-felons and whether voter registration and turnout are increased when ex-felons are notified that they can regain the right to vote, not a study of people or "violent criminals" in jail, so the statement made by Cruz is misleading
- The study did not give a breakdown of the types of crimes committed and not all felonies are considered "violent", so to use the word "violent" is misleading and not based on fact
- The study included only three states, New York, New Mexico, and North Carolina, not a larger, more representative sample of the entire U.S.
- It's entirely possible that race was the reason party registration of the ex-felons in the study was heavily Democratic
View the original study by University of Pennsylvania professor Marc Meredith and assistant professor Michael Morse here.
View the follow-up study by University of Pennsylvania professor Marc Meredith and assistant professor Michael Morse here.
Source:
Kessler, Glenn. (December 1, 2015). "Ted Cruz's Four-Pinocchio claim that 'the overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
Meredith, Marc; Morse, Michael. (December 2, 2015). "Ted Cruz cited this research when he said most violent criminals are Democrats. Now the researchers say he's wrong.". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
Nov 30, 2015:
On the Hugh Hewitt radio program, Ted Cruz talked about criminals and Democrats.
Hewitt:
And before I switch to the 2016 race, I have been doing prolife events for 25 years. I’ve probably done more than 100 of them. I have never met, not once, a single prolife activist who is in favor of violence of any sort. Have you, Senator Cruz?
Cruz:
I have not, and I would note that this whole episode has really displayed the ugly underbelly of the media. You know, every time you have some sort of violent crime or mass killing, you can almost see the media salivating, hoping, hoping desperately that the murderer happens to be a Republican so they can use it to try to paint their political enemies. Now listen, here’s the simple and undeniable fact. The overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats. The media doesn’t report that. What they report, and there’s a reason why the Democrats for years have been viewed as soft on crime, because they go in and they appoint to the bench judges who release violent criminals. They go in, and they do what Barack Obama tried to do, which is appoint a lawyer voluntarily represented for free, a cop killer, to a senior Justice Department position. They go in and fight to give the right to vote to convicted felons. Why? Because the Democrats know convicted felons tend to vote Democrat. And so the media never reports on any of that, doesn’t want to admit any of that, but you can see in every one of these, every time there’s a terrible crime, they’re so excited, come on, please, one of these be a Republican so we can try to pain the other side. It is one of the more egregious examples of media bias, and it’s something we see over and over and over again.
Source:
Hewitt, Hugh. (November 30, 2015). "Senator Ted Cruz On The Planned Parenthood Attacks, The Freedom Act, 2016, Illegal Immigration And More". Hugh Hewitt. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
Cruz: Most violent criminals are Democrats | The Hill
Nov 24, 2015:
In an interview with David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network, Marco Rubio talked about how "God's rules" supercede laws established by the government.
2016 United States Presidential Candidate Marco Rubio | Health and Wellness Resource
At a campaign speech in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Donald Trump defended his claim that he had witnessed "thousands and thousands" of Muslims cheering in New Jersey on September 11, 2001, as the World Trade Center towers collapsed. He also made mocking gestures about The Washington Post reporter Serge Kovaleski, who wrote an article back in September of 2001 right after the 9/11 attacks.
2016 United States Presidential Candidate Donald Trump | Health and Wellness Resource
Oct 23, 2015:
Democratic presidential candidate Lincoln Chafee announced he is dropping out of the democratic presidential race.
Democrat Chafee quits 2016 presidential race | Reuters
Oct 21, 2015:
After months of speculation, Vice President Joe Biden announced he would not enter the democratic presidential race.
Joe Biden won't run for president | CNN
Oct 20, 2015:
Democratic presidential candidate Jim Webb announced he is dropping out of the democratic presidential race. Webb said he will consider running as an independent.
Jim Webb drops out of Democratic presidential primary | CNN
Oct 19, 2015:
Democrats are "jumping on the band-wagon" with Donald Trump after his response to Jeb Bush in the last GOP presidential debate where Jeb said "He kept us safe.", referring to his brother George W. Bush while he was president. Trump has noted that the 9/11 attacks took place while George W. Bush was president.
Dems join Trump’s 9/11 bashing of Jeb Bush | The Hill
Donald Trump: I would have prevented 9/11 | CNN
Trump Is Right About 9/11 | The Atlantic
Oct 13, 2015:
CNN hosted the first Democratic presidential debate at the Wynn hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Anderson Cooper moderated the debate and asked questions of the candidates, with questions asked by Dana Bash, Juan Carlos Lopez, and Don Lemon as well.
Here's a list of the Democratic debate participants:
- Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State under President Obama and former U.S. Senator from New York
- Bernie Sanders, incumbent U.S. Senator from Vermont
- Martin O'Malley, former governor of Maryland
- Jim Webb, former U.S. Senator for Virginia
- Lincoln Chafee, former U.S. Senator and Governor of Rhode Island
Read CNN's analysis of the debate winners and losers here.
Read analysis of the debate by FactCheck.org here.
Democratic debate: 6 takeaways from Las Vegas | CNN
The candidate breaking through in the Democratic debate? Bernie Sanders. | The Washington Post
Sep 26, 2015:
Speaking at a Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. yesterday, GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz made the following statement about the Supreme Leader of Iran, the Ayatollah Khamenei:
And if you vote for me, under no circumstances will a nation led by a theocratic ayatollah who chants "death to America", under no circumstances will Iran be allow to acquire nuclear weapons. And if the ayatollah doesn't understand that, we may have to help introduce him to the 72 virgins.
Cruz on ayatollah: 'We may have to help introduce him to the 72 virgins' | CNN
Sep 16, 2015:
CNN hosted the second Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. CNN debate moderator Tal Kopan asked questions of eleven participants including:
- Carly Fiorina, politician and former CEO of Hewlett-Packard
- Marco Rubio, incumbent U.S. Senator from Florida
- Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida
- Chris Christie, incumbent governor of New Jersey and former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey
- Donald Trump, real estate developer, multi-billionaire, and host of the NBC reality TV show The Apprentice
- John Kasich, incumbent governor of Ohio
- Rand Paul, incumbent U.S. Senator from Kentucky
- Scott Walker, incumbent governor of Wisconsin
- Ben Carson, retired Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon
- Mike Huckabee, incumbent governor of Arkansas
- Ted Cruz, incumbent U.S. Senator from Texas
Read CNN's analysis of the debate winners and losers here.
Read analysis of the debate by FactCheck.org here.
GOP debate winners and losers | The Hill
What You Missed While Not Watching the CNN Republican Debate | Time
Commentary:
Jeb Bush made two comments at the second Republican presidential debate on September 16 which I think are worth pointing out.
First, in response to Trump's comment about George Bush's presidency being a "disaster", Jeb said "As it relates to my brother, there's one thing I know for sure: He kept us safe." I'm not a fan of George Bush, but I do give him credit for pursuing Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. But to say "He kept us safe", is misleading and not telling the whole story. George Bush was president on September 11, 2001, and despite all of the "early warning" signs of a possible attack, little was done - surely not an example of "keeping us safe".
Second, referring to President Obama, Jeb said "His problem isn’t the fact that he was born here, or what his faith is, his problem is he’s a progressive liberal that tears down anybody that disagrees with him.". Considering the Republican "stonewall" Obama has been up against his entire presidency, and how much Republicans tear down most everything Obama says or suggests, for Jeb to make a comment like this is quite hypocritical.
More:
- 2016 United States Presidential Race | President-Elect Donald Trump | Health and Wellness Resource
- Exclusive: Trump's 3,500 lawsuits unprecedented for a presidential nominee | USA Today
- The Governing Cancer of Our Time | The New York Times
- Fareed Zakaria: Trump is a cancer on American democracy | CNN
- The first 100 horrific days of a Trump presidency | The Washington Post
- Convention drama: Trump campaign stops rules rebellion | CNN
- Donald Trump: U.S. must "start thinking about" racial profiling | CBS News
- Yes, A Trump Presidency Would Bring Fascism To America | Forbes
- Fascism Isn’t Our Problem | Time
- Rise of Donald Trump Tracks Growing Debate Over Global Fascism | The New York Times
- Trump's campaign hits a wall | The Hill
- Trump: Eisenhower deported 1.5 million immigrants | Politifact
- It Came Up In The Debate: Here Are 3 Things To Know About 'Operation Wetback' | NPR
- Why Trump's Muslim ban isn't like Jimmy Carter's actions on Iranians | Politifact
- Carter Banned Iranians from Coming to US During Hostage Crisis | Frontpage Mag
- Donald Trump warns Obama about campaigning for Hillary Clinton | CBS News
- 5 things to know about Trump U | The Hill
- Trump University Lawsuit Will Go to Trial, NY Judge Rules | NBC News
- Documents reveal what Trump actually said about his university | CBS News
- How Bad Are the Charges Against Trump University? Really Bad | Fortune
- Poor polls, scandal, a cussed rival … how it’s all going wrong for Hillary Clinton | The Guardian
- Editorial: Donald Trump is not qualified for the job | Chicago Tribune
- Not Qualified to Be President | U.S. News & World Report
- Trump bizarrely links Cruz’s father to JFK assassin; Cruz goes ballistic | USA Today
- Ted Cruz and John Kasich: 2016 frenemies | CNN
- Trump's nuclear views are terrifying: Column | USA Today
- Donald Trump thinks more countries should have nuclear weapons. Here's what the research says. | The Washington Post
- Survey Says Half of U.S. Women Dislike Trump | Fortune
- Agents Rush Stage to Protect Donald Trump at Dayton Rally | Bloomberg News
- What the world thinks: Foreign leaders react to Trump | CBS News
- 'Get 'em out!’ Racial tensions explode at Donald Trump's rallies. | The Washington Post
- Foreign diplomats voicing alarm to U.S. officials about Trump | Reuters
- Rank and File Republicans Tell Party Elites: We're Sticking With Donald Trump | The New York Times
- 5 myths about Trump supporters | Politico
- Wall Street's big short: President Donald J. Trump | Reuters
- Inside the Republican Party’s Desperate Mission to Stop Donald Trump | The New York Times
- The Debate Gaffe Isn’t Rubio’s Biggest Problem | National Review
- Hillary Clinton Gets Set for a Long Slog Against Bernie Sanders | The New York Times
- Donald Trump is running as a third-party candidate within the Republican Party itself | The Week
- Marco Rubio - Hillary Clinton's worst nightmare? | BBC
- 2016 United States Presidential Polls | Health and Wellness Resource
- Trump sues Maher for $5 million for orangutan sex joke | CNN
Commentary:
It seems that Cruz did not take the time to fully understand the study he based his statement on, or if he did he chose to "spin" the facts and use the phrase "violent criminals" to smear Democrats. With all of the serious issues facing the United States and its citizens, is this really what they want to hear about from a presidential candidate?