‘What the hell is a Blizzard?’: Trump reveals he’s never been to Dairy Queen
Justice Department investigators have interviewed Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson as part of their investigation into Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Ms. Benson’s meeting with prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith took place last month and lasted “several hours,” a source told CNN on Wednesday.
Michigan was one of the key battleground states targeted by the former president and his allies as he sought to overturn Joe Biden’s legitimate victory, which is now the subject of a Justice Department investigation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump lost Justice Department protection in his defamation suit brought by E magazine columnist Gene Carroll.
On Tuesday, the Justice Department said in a court filing that the former president does not have presidential immunity in the case, saying he was not “acting within the scope of his office and work as president” in 2019 when he denied raping Mr. Carol.
This paves the way for the defamation case to go through the courts. On Wednesday, the former president angrily condemned Truth Social’s decision.
The legal blow came the same day a grand jury was sworn in Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of an investigation into efforts by the former president and his allies to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.
Fulton County District Attorney Fannie Willis is investigating Mr. Trump after he called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in early 2021 and urged him to “find the 11,780 votes” to swing the state in his favor.
Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed back on the suggestion that he might consider being Trump’s running mate, saying on a podcast, “I’m not number two.”
GOP congressman accuses Biden of having ‘so much plastic surgery’
Rep. Greg Murphy of North Carolina talks about the president’s upcoming re-election bid on Fox News.
Graham MasseyJuly 13, 2023 3:39 am
Mike Lindell is auctioning off MyPillow gear
Republicans interested in the art of pillow-making may be in for a treat this week, as MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell had to turn to auctioning off his company’s equipment to raise money.
Mr. Lindell — who, in addition to running the pillow company, also unofficially serves as Donald Trump’s number one campaign denier and supporter — announced he will auction off more than 800 items, including personal possessions and equipment from his factories, according to Inside man.
Greig Graziosi there are details.
Oliver O’ConnellJuly 13, 2023 3:15 am
The White House warns a reporter who yells at colleagues about his behavior
Today News’ Simon Ateba said he was a victim of “discrimination and attacks”.
Graham MasseyJuly 13, 2023 02:43 am
GOP presidential candidates are jumping to defend the Iowa governor from Trump’s attacks
After Donald Trump launched a public attack on Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, other GOP presidential candidates have come to her defense — just six months before the Iowa caucuses.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump objected to Ms. Reynolds’ decision to remain “neutral,” believing he was owed an endorsement because he supported her when she ran for governor.
Ariana Baio there is the story.
Oliver O’ConnellJuly 13, 2023 02:15 am
A special prosecutor interviewed a top Michigan state official in the Trump investigation, the report said
Michigan was one of the key battleground states targeted by the former president and his allies.
Graham MasseyJuly 13, 2023 1:51 am
ICYMI: Jack White slams ‘disgusting’ celebs who spoke to Trump at UFC event
The former US president was in Las Vegas on Saturday (July 8th) evening following a campaign volunteer event in Nevada.
While there, the former president attended the mixed martial arts event at the T-Mobile Arena and met celebrities including Mark Wahlberg, American restaurateur Guy Fieri, controversial podcast host Joe Rogan and Mel Gibson.
Oliver O’ConnellJuly 13, 2023 1:15 am
Bob Woodward says Trump sees democracy as ‘enemy territory’
“The problem with Trump is, I think he views democracy as enemy territory, to be quite frank,” Mr. Woodward told the network’s Ari Melber on Tuesday.
Mr. Woodward knows a thing or two about scandal-plagued presidents. He and Carl Bernstein’s Watergate reporting in The Washington Post helped end Richard Nixon’s presidency more than five decades ago.
Oliver O’ConnellJuly 13, 2023 12:45 AM
Giuliani blames the “deep state” after a panel in Washington recommended that he be disbarred
Alex Woodward there is the story.
Oliver O’ConnellJuly 13, 2023 12:15 AM
January 6 Trials: Former ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ actor with Oath Keepers ties acquitted
A former “Jesus Christ Superstar” actor was acquitted Wednesday of conspiring with members of the far-right extremist group Oath Keepers to obstruct Congress in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
James Beeks — a Florida resident who was playing Judas in the musical’s touring production when he was arrested — was cleared of conspiracy to obstruct congressional certification of the 2020 election and civil disorder after a federal trial. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta convicted Beeks’ co-defendant, Ohio resident Donovan Crowl, of the same charges after hearing evidence without a jury.
Oliver O’ConnellJuly 12, 2023 11:45 p.m
Bannon has been ordered to pay nearly $500,000 in unpaid legal bills
Steve Bannon must pay nearly $500,000 in legal fees owed to his former lawyers, a New York judge has ruled.
Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump and a far-right strategist, was sued earlier this year for allegedly obstructing the Manhattan law firm that has defended him against a cascade of legal troubles in recent years.
In her six-page order released this week, Judge Arlene Bluth found that Bannon has paid only $375,000 of the more than $850,000 in legal fees he owes Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron LLP.
Oliver O’ConnellJuly 12, 2023 11:15 p.m