Trump names Kash Patel as new director of FBI, as Kushner’s fathers gets key diplomatic job: Live

Donald Trump has announced that MAGA loyalist Kash Patel will be his new FBI director.

The president-elect announced Patel to the job on Saturday evening.

“I am proud to announce that Kashyap “Kash” Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and “America First” fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Earlier Trump said that Charles Kusher, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, will be the new U.S. ambassador to France.

He described Kushner, a former convicted felon, as “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests…. Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children, & 14 grandchildren.”

In 2005, Kushner – an attorney – was convicted of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. As a convicted felon, he was also disbarred in three states.

He was pardoned by Trump in December 2020.

Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, previously worked as a senior advisor to the President-elect during his first term.

Key Points

• Trump picks MAGA loyalist Kash Patel as his new FBI director

• Putin warns that Trump is ‘not safe’ after election victory

• Photos: Justin Trudeau arrives for Mar-a-Lago meeting

• Elon Musk joins Donald Trump and family for Thanksgiving dinner at Mar-a-Lago

• Trump roasts Biden, Harris in ‘Christmas Vacation’ parody video on Thanksgiving

Trump picks Florida sheriff to run DEA

01:01 , Graeme Massie

Donald Trump has picked Florida sheriff, Chad Chronister, to run the Drug Enforcement Agency. Chronister is the sheriff of Hillsborough County, which covers the Tampa Bay area.

“I am pleased to nominate Sheriff Chad Chronister for Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA),” Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday evening.

“For over 32 years, Sheriff Chad Chronister has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and received countless commendations and awards for keeping his community SAFE. A proud graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 260th Session, Chad is Co-Chairman of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force for Region IV Tampa Bay, Council Member of the Florida Attorney General’s Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, Chairman of the Criminal Justice Sub-Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Safety Coordinating Council, and Vice-Chairman of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Citizen Oversight Committee.

“As DEA Administrator, Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES. Congratulations to Chad, his wife Nikki, and two wonderful sons!”

Trump picks MAGA loyalist Kash Patel as his new FBI director

00:23 , Graeme Massie

Patel previously served during Trump’s first term as chief of staff at the Department of Defense.

Trump picks MAGA loyalist Kash Patel as his new FBI director

MAGA loyalist Kash Patel picked as FBI director by Trump

00:09 , Graeme Massie

The president-elect announced Patel to the job on Saturday evening.

“I am proud to announce that Kashyap “Kash” Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and “America First” fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials.

“This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.”

Trump official says ‘do not underestimate’ AOC as some insiders push for her to lead Democrats

00:00 , Mike Bedigan

A former member of Donald Trump’s administration has warned fellow Republicans not to “underestimate” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the liberal congresswoman is touted as a possible contender to lead the Democratic party.

Speaking on Fox News on Friday, Monica Crowley, a former public affairs official in the Treasury Department during the first Trump administration, said AOC had “real grassroots support” through her early adoption of social media.

Trump official says ‘do not underestimate’ AOC as some push for her to lead Democrats

Trump hails ‘very productive’ meeting with Justin Trudeau

Saturday 30 November 2024 22:40 , Mike Bedigan

Watch: Fox News host gets ‘realistic’ about impact of Trump’s tariffs

Saturday 30 November 2024 21:40 , Mike Bedigan

Trump announces his son-in-law’s father, who he pardoned in 2020, as ambassador to France

Saturday 30 November 2024 20:40 , Mike Bedigan

Donald Trump has announced that Charles Kusher, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, will be the new US ambassador to France.

“He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday.

“Charlie is the Founder & Chairman of Kushner Companies, one of the largest & most successful privately held Real Estate firms in the Nation.

“Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children, & 14 grandchildren. His son, Jared, worked closely with me in the White House, in particular on Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, & the Abraham Accords. Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!”

In 2005, Kushner – an attorney – was convicted of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. As a convicted felon, he was also disbarred in three states.

He was later pardoned by Trump during his first term, in December 2020.

Trudeau and Trump dine with other GOP bigwigs

Saturday 30 November 2024 19:40 , Mike Bedigan

Trump tariffs and NATO with Trudeau as Canadian Prime Minister visits Mar-a-Lago: reports

Saturday 30 November 2024 19:10 , Mike Bedigan

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed a wide variety of subjects with Donald Trump as the pair sat down for a three-hour dinner at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, days after the President-elect threatened Canada and other international trading partners with sweeping tariffs.

Neither Trump nor Trudeau publicly announced the meeting, but the Canadian official was seen exiting a hotel in the area and told reporters that he and Trump had enjoyed an “excellent conversation.”

Read more here:

Trump talks tariffs with Trudeau as Canadian PM visits Mar-a-Lago: reports

How small businesses are already preparing for Trump’s second presidency

Saturday 30 November 2024 17:40 , Mike Bedigan

Small businesses are already taking steps to mitigate potential fallout from Donald Trump’s second presidency, less than two months out from his inauguration.

Owners of such businesses are already making moves to avoid expected cost increases, caused by the President-elect’s threatened tariffs — or weighing whether to take a financial hit or pass it on to customers.

Beatrice Barba runs Tabor Place, a San Francisco Bay Area maker of nontoxic cups and lunch boxes for children. She told NBC News that she intended to spend 2025 innovating new styles of her signature cups, but has dropped those plans and stockpiling as much of her basic inventory as she can.

Her entire product line is made in China, one of the countries that Trump has vowed to hit with heavy import tariffs.

Barba did not expect Trump to win, and doubted his commitment to imposing the tariffs if he did. Over the next couple of months, she’s hoping her Chinese suppliers can churn out a single $200,000 order for the whole year — and get it through U.S. ports — before the President-elect takes office.

“That at least buys me a little bit of time to weather the storm,” she told NBC. “There’s a sense of urgency, and I’m very nervous.”

Trump must not dodge FBI checks on cabinet picks, say two former Senate counsels

Saturday 30 November 2024 17:10 , Mike Bedigan

Two former US Senate counsels are urging President-elect Donald Trump and officials not to avoid FBI checks for incoming cabinet picks.

The former officials made the suggestion in a New York Times op-ed published on Friday.

Michelle Del Rey has more:

Trump must not dodge FBI checks on cabinet picks, say two former Senate counsels

Democratic Senator suggests New York state becomes part of Canada

Saturday 30 November 2024 16:40 , Mike Bedigan

Following the outcome of the presidential election, New York State Senator Liz Krueger has floated an interesting idea for her state… join Canada.

Krueger, whose district includes Manhattan, has suggested New York secede from the United States and become a province of Canada to protest Donald Trump’s policies on things like mass deportation.

“It’s not unreasonable to think outside of the box,” Krueger said to Politico this month.

The Senator first proposed a secession in September.

“I thought I would suggest to Canada that instead of us all trying to illegally cross the border at night without them noticing, which is pretty hard because there’s a lot of us, that they should instead agree to let us be the southeast province, a new province of Canada,” Krueger said in an interview at the time.

Watch: Canada PM In Florida To Meet Trump

Saturday 30 November 2024 16:10 , Mike Bedigan

Trump signed the law to require presidential ethics pledges. Now he is exempting himself from it

Saturday 30 November 2024 15:40 , Mike Bedigan

A bipartisan bill to boost transparency and make sure incoming presidents stick to an ethics plan was so uncontroversial that it passed the Senate by a voice vote in 2020. Donald Trump then signed it into law.

But now, after blowing past deadlines to adhere to the law after winning the White House a second time, Trump appears to have excluded himself from those same ethical guidelines.

Alex Woodward has the details.

Trump exempts himself from ethics pledge as watchdogs sound alarms

Trump wants to seal Israel-Gaza ceasefire before he takes office, key Senate ally says

Saturday 30 November 2024 15:10 , Mike Bedigan

President-elect Donald Trump is said to be hoping to secure an Israel-Gaza ceasefire before he takes office.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina confirmed the incoming president’s position in an Axios interview.

Michelle Del Rey has more:

Trump wants Israel-Gaza ceasefire before he takes office, ally says

For one night only. Trudeau leaves Florida hotel

Saturday 30 November 2024 14:39 , Mike Bedigan

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen leaving a hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, following a meeting with Donald Trump on Friday.

Bill Maher and Stephen A Smith explain why Trump won over Black voters

Saturday 30 November 2024 14:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Bill Maher and Stephen A. Smith have revealed why Donald Trump increased his support with Black voters this presidential election cycle.

In a wide-ranging conversation for Maher’s podcast, Club Random Podcast, the two media personalities dissected how the president-elect’s language impacts voters of color.

Ariana Baio reports.

Bill Maher and Stephen A Smith explain why Trump won over Black voters

These local sheriffs are already preparing to help Trump carry out his mass deportation plans

Saturday 30 November 2024 13:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump’s plan to immediately carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history upon taking office is banking on a key ally: conservative sheriffs.

There are some 6,000 federal immigration agents in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), but the incoming administration is counting on sympathetic local law enforcement to be its eyes and ears in communities and jails across the country.

While police chiefs are appointed, sheriffs are often elected and exercise broad powers, including running county jail systems. Many right-leaning sheriffs, whose own partisan politics align with the new administration’s, are eager to join forces.

Josh Marcus reports.

Local sheriffs are preparing to help Trump carry out his mass deportation plans

Putin full of praise for ‘intelligent and experienced’ Trump

Saturday 30 November 2024 13:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Russian President Vladimir Putin has heaped praised on Donald Trump and suggested the incoming administration will “find a solution” to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“As far as I can imagine, the newly elected president is an intelligent and already quite experienced person. I think he will find a solution,” Putin said on Thursday.

Putin also commended the president-elect as a “real man” after an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in July.

Alex Woodward reports on Thursday’s remarks.

Putin full of praise for ‘intelligent and experienced’ Trump after election victory

Trump unveils new strategy to stop Americans taking fentanyl

Saturday 30 November 2024 12:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump has unveiled a new strategy for dealing with the fentanyl crisis.

“I will be working on a large-scale United States Advertising Campaign explaining how bad fentanyl is for people to use —Millions of lives being so needlessly destroyed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. “By the time the campaign is over, everyone will know how really bad the horror of this drug is.”

Trump did not provide further details about what the campaign would look like.

Michelle Del Rey reports.

Trump unveils new strategy to stop Americans taking fentanyl – an ad campaign

ICYMI: Laura Loomer goes on hours-long tirade against Mark Zuckerberg

Saturday 30 November 2024 11:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Far-right personality and Donald Trump enthusiast Laura Loomer spent hours on X ranting about Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg‘s visit to Mar-a-Lago.

Loomer posted at least 16 times on the social media platform in which she directly mentioned Zuckerberg, complaining that the Facebook founder allegedly “censored” the assassination attempt on Trump, according to the Daily Beast.

Graig Graziosi has the story.

Laura Loomer goes on hours-long tirade against Mark Zuckerberg’s Mar-a-Lago visit

Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy. This time things could be very different

Saturday 30 November 2024 10:40 , AP

Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries.

The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared.

This time, though, his tariff threats might be different.

Trump’s tariffs in his first term didn’t alter the economy. Thing could be different

Silicon Valley Democrat urges liberals to stay on X

Saturday 30 November 2024 09:40 , Oliver O’Connell

After Donald Trump won the 2024 election, roughly one million users signed up for social media site Bluesky, many of them in protest of X’s increasing right-wing tone and owner Elon Musk’s alliance with the Republican candidate.

However, according to one prominent progressive, liberals shouldn’t jump ship from X just yet.

Josh Marcus reports from San Francisco.

Silicon Valley Democrat urges liberals to stay on X as they abandon it for Bluesky

Kamala Harris’ slammed for ‘self-congratulatory’ review of election defeat

Saturday 30 November 2024 08:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Democratic officials and voters have accused Kamala Harris and her top team of failing to realistically assess why her campaign collapsed.

One Democratic National Committee adviser who participated in a recent call with top donors said she was “stunned that there was no sort of postmortem or analysis of the disastrous campaign.”

Alex Woodward reports.

Democrats slam Kamala Harris’ ‘self-congratulatory’ review of election defeat

Unelected bureaucrat rages about unelected bureaucrats

Saturday 30 November 2024 07:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Failed Republican primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stepped on a rake when he told Americans they should be afraid of unelected bureaucrats, after which a smattering of responders pointed out that he is, in fact, an unelected bureaucrat.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Vivek Ramaswamy rages against ‘unelected’ bureaucrats despite being one himself

Joe Rogan claims Democrats drove him away

Saturday 30 November 2024 03:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Joe Rogan claimed that Democrats are scrambling to create a liberal version of his hit podcast show following Donald Trump’s 2024 election win.

Kamala Harris was invited to appear on The Joe Rogan Experience, but her campaign was unable to agree on certain terms, such as location and length, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Harris campaign aides recently told podcast Pod Save America that she couldn’t take the time away from battleground states. Rogan did sit down for lengthy conversations with vice president-elect JD Vance, Elon Musk as well as Trump , and also endorsed the Republican on election day.

Despite this, Rogan claimed that we was on the Democrats side at one point, according to Huffington Post.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Joe Rogan claims he was ‘on Democrats side’ before they drove him away

‘Nauseating’ last-ditch attempt by Trump to toss fraud case mentions Washington and Lincoln

Saturday 30 November 2024 02:40 , Oliver O’Connell

After successfully delaying Donald Trump’s chances of facing criminal consequences before he returns to the White House, his legal team is making another last-ditch effort to block a massive civil fraud judgment against him.

Trump has appealed that judgment, but his attorney D. John Sauer — the man Trump has nominated for the next solicitor general of the United States — is urging the state of New York to drop the case entirely as “necessary for the health of our Republic.”

Alex Woodward has the story.

Trump makes ‘nauseating’ last-ditch attempt to toss his New York fraud case

Trudeau’s Friday night Trump tie-up

Saturday 30 November 2024 01:46 , Josh Marcus

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Palm Beach, Florida on Friday evening, part of reported plans to dine with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, after the president-elect threatened Canada with sweeping tariffs earlier this week.

Neither Trump nor Trudeau publicly announced the meeting, but the Canadian official was seen exiting a hotel in the area. He reportedly traveled to Florida alongside Canadian public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc.

Earlier this week, Trump threatened Canada and Mexico with 25 percent tariffs, in what the Republican said was an attempt to crack down on illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

The proposal, which would likely cause massive economic disruption, alarmed officials in Canada.

More details in our full story.

Trudeau makes Friday visit to Mar-a-Lago to meet Trump after threat to tariff Canada

ICYMI: Despite Trump’s claims, Mexican president denies country is closing border

Saturday 30 November 2024 01:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is pushing back on Donald Trump’s claim she promised to effectively close her country’s northern border with the United States after the incoming American leader alleged that she’d pledged to stop all migration through the country.

On Wednesday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to claim that Sheinbaum had made such a promise during a phone call earlier in the day. He wrote that she had “agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border.”

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Mexican president denies country is closing border despite Trump claims

Why might Trump ditch Musk? Maggie Haberman has an idea…

Saturday 30 November 2024 00:40 , Oliver O’Connell

New York Times journalist and author Maggie Haberman has revealed the one reason she believes Donald Trump could end up ditching Elon Musk.

Haberman discussed the relationship between the billionaire, who has been at Trump’s side almost constantly since his election victory more than three weeks ago, and the president-elect during an appearance on CNN on Wednesday.

Rhian Lubin reports.

Maggie Haberman reveals the one reason Trump could end up ditching Musk

Biden’s holiday reading list: President seen leaving book store with Palestinian history book

Saturday 30 November 2024 00:20 , Josh Marcus

Joe Biden’s been relatively quiet since the end of the 2024 election, but the president did manage to make healdines for a quiet gesture over the holiday weekend.

Biden was spotted walking out of the Nantucket Bookworks book store carrying The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine, a book by Columbia professor Rashid Khalidi, according to pool reports.

The work, which analyzes Palestinian history and accuses Israel of carrying out “settler colonial conquest,” is a bit of a surprise addition to Biden’s book shelf.

Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, Biden has faced persistent criticism from the left that his administration has continued to aid Israel as its effort in Gaza has morphed into an alleged genocide.

Photos: Justin Trudeau arrives for Mar-a-Lago meeting

Saturday 30 November 2024 00:01 , Josh Marcus

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday evening ahead of an expected meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump.

Trump threatened this week to impose major tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China to reduce immigration and drug-smuggling.

Here’s what you need to know.

Retailers warn customers about price hikes from Trump tariffs

Friday 29 November 2024 23:51 , Josh Marcus

Retailers have taken to warning customers to buy products now before the expected price hikes that could come when Donald Trump takes office and puts the sweeping tariffs he has promised into place.

Companies ranging from Julie Skin, a beauty brand, to outdoor goods retailer Tarptent to Finally Home Furnishings have all sounded the alarm, according to an analysis from The Wall Street Journal.

The beauty brand warned customers might face 25 percent higher prices on signature products like a filtered showerhead, while the furnishing company launched a “Pre-Tariff Sale” on Facebook.

“There is a misconception that the countries exporting goods will bear the cost of the tariffs, but that is simply not true,” owner Sydney Arnold told the paper.

More details in our full story.

ICYMI: Biden lays into ‘counterproductive’ Trump tariff threats

Friday 29 November 2024 23:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Joe Biden has panned Donald Trump’s plan to hit Americans with massive import taxes on goods from Mexico and Canada, hoping his successor will walk back the proposal.

The president was asked about Trump’s plan to hike the cost of Mexican and Canadian products by 25 percent via executive order if both countries did not take steps to curb what he described as unacceptable flows of drugs and migrants into the U.S. across their respective borders.

Biden, who is in Nantucket for his family’s annual Thanksgiving vacation, told reporters: “I hope he rethinks it. I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do.”

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Biden lays into ‘counterproductive’ Trump tariff threats: ‘I hope he rethinks it’

Trump’s former FDA head sounds alarm on RFK Jr’s potential plans for agency

Friday 29 November 2024 23:25 , Oliver O’Connell

A former Trump administration Food and Drug Administration commissioner is worried that the incoming administration’s pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead a key health agency will prove dangerous.

“I think if RFK follows through on his intentions, and I believe he will, and I believe he can, it will cost lives in this country,” Scott Gottlieb said during a Friday appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box.

“You’re going to see measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates go down, and like I said, if we lose another 5 percent [of vaccinations], which could happen in the next year or two, we will see large measles outbreaks,” he added.

Josh Marcus reports from San Francisco.

Trump’s FDA leader sounds alarm on RFK Jr’s potential plans: ‘It will cost lives’

ICYMI: Trump’s cabinet is filling up with Project 2025 authors after he claimed he had ‘no idea’ what it was

Friday 29 November 2024 23:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump said he has “no idea” who’s behind it. His presidential transition chair and the man he picked to be the secretary of commerce said he wouldn’t touch it. “They made themselves nuclear,” he said.

But the authors of Project 2025 — a 900-page playbook from a right-wing think tank for the next Republican president’s agenda — are all over Trump’s incoming administration.

Here’s Alex Woodward’s report, first published earlier this month.

Trump’s cabinet is filling up with Project 2025 authors

Musk accuses Trump impeachment witness of ‘treason’ and calls for ‘appropriate penalty’

Friday 29 November 2024 23:02 , Oliver O’Connell

Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest man and President-elect Donald Trump’s “first buddy,” took to his social media platform X to ominously accuse the key witness in Trump’s first impeachment of treason while calling for him to “pay the appropriate penalty.”

Justin Barangoa reports.

Elon Musk calls for ‘appropriate penalty’ against Alexander Vindman for ‘treason’

Biden’s book purchase today carries significance

Friday 29 November 2024 22:48 , Oliver O’Connell

C-Span’s Capitol Hill producer Craig Caplan noted the significance of President Joe Biden’s book purchase earlier this afternoon.

The president was seen by the White House pool holding a copy of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi as he exited a book store in Nantucket, Massachusetts with his family.

Today is the 77th anniversary of the UN vote on the partition plan for Palestine, which led to the establishment of Israel as well as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Watch: Trump spoofs Biden’s Thanksgiving in National Lampoon-style clip

Friday 29 November 2024 22:45 , Oliver O’Connell

Trump wants Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal before inauguration, report says

Friday 29 November 2024 22:35 , Oliver O’Connell

Senator Lindsey Graham has told Axios that Donald Trump wants a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza before he returns to the White House on January 20, 2025.

There are still 101 hostages including seven Americans held by Hamas. Israeli intelligence believes about half are still alive. More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in nearly 14 months since the war began after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

“Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants to see it happening now,” Graham told Axios.

“I want people in Israel and in the region to know that Trump is focused on the hostages issue. He wants the killing to stop and the fighting to end.”

The senator added: “I hope President Trump and the Biden administration will work together during the transition period to release the hostages and get a ceasefire.”

Graham has just returned from a visit to the Middle East. He contends that Trump wants a deal in Gaza so he can focus on other foreign policy objectives in the region — normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia and forming a regional alliance against Iran.

Trudeau says Trump will be “hurting American industry” with Canada tariffs

Friday 29 November 2024 22:25 , Oliver O’Connell

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on this threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, he would be raising prices for Americans and hurting American businesses.

Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders.

“It is important to understand that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. There’s no question about it,” Trudeau said to reporters in Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada.

Continue reading…

Trudeau says Trump will be “hurting American industry” if huge tariffs hit Canada

Biden family attend Nantucket Christmas tree lighting ceremony

Friday 29 November 2024 22:15 , Oliver O’Connell

After lunch and some shopping President Joe Biden and his family attended the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Nantucket.

The president was joined by the first lady, Jill Biden, their daughter Ashley, and son Hunter, with his wife Melissa Cohen Biden and their son Beau.

A representative of the local chamber of commerce thanked the Bidens for making Nantucket part of their holiday tradition for decades, drawing applause.

Bill Maher and Stephen A Smith explain why Trump won over Black voters

Friday 29 November 2024 22:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Bill Maher and Stephen A. Smith have revealed why Donald Trump increased his support with Black voters this presidential election cycle.

In a wide-ranging conversation for Maher’s podcast, Club Random Podcast, the two media personalities dissected how the president-elect’s language impacts voters of color.

Ariana Baio reports.

Bill Maher and Stephen A Smith explain why Trump won over Black voters

Rhode Island senator latest lawmaker to receive bomb threat

Friday 29 November 2024 21:43 , Oliver O’Connell

Axios reports that Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is the latest lawmaker to be targeted by a bomb threat.

His office said the senator “received a similar bomb threat to the ones made against other Democrats on Thanksgiving.”

Full story: These local sheriffs are already preparing to help Trump carry out his mass deportation plans

Friday 29 November 2024 21:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump’s plan to immediately carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history upon taking office is banking on a key ally: conservative sheriffs.

There are some 6,000 federal immigration agents in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), but the incoming administration is counting on sympathetic local law enforcement to be its eyes and ears in communities and jails across the country.

While police chiefs are appointed, sheriffs are often elected and exercise broad powers, including running county jail systems. Many right-leaning sheriffs, whose own partisan politics align with the new administration’s, are eager to join forces.

Josh Marcus reports.

Local sheriffs are preparing to help Trump carry out his mass deportation plans

Biden greeted warmly in Nantucket and comments on bomb threats to lawmakers

Friday 29 November 2024 21:30 , Oliver O’Connell

Joe Biden and his family exited Nantucket Bookworks at 3:33 p.m. The president was carrying the book, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi, according to a photo taken by a member of the pool.

Jill Biden and Baby Beau were both carrying what looked like bookstore-branded tote bags over their shoulders.

Shortly before leaving, Hunter hugged someone inside the store.

Outside the bookstore, a reporter asked the president from across the street for any reaction to the reported bomb threats against lawmakers and swatting against Trump cabinet nominees. He responded: “We’re working that hard, the FBI.”

The Bidens received a warm reception from pedestrians, with some cheering. They briefly stopped at the Samuel Owen Gallery and the home goods store Centre Pointe

He and his family then continued to walk down Broad Street as pedestrians cheered and called out to him. He stopped in front of Jared Coffin House to briefly interact with some of those people. The pool was too far away to hear anything.

Someone yelled to the president, “Joe! We love you!” He gave a thumbs up and said, “Thank you.”

He confirmed to a reporter that he expected to speak with Donald Trump again during the transition period. The family then stopped in at the leather goods shop Craftmasters of Nantucket.

MTG shares the definition of ‘Trumpsgiving’ — guess how the internet reacted?

Friday 29 November 2024 21:25 , Oliver O’Connell

Social media is roasting right-wing Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene for sharing a “Trumpsgiving” meme on X.

Greene, known for her staunch support of Donald Trump and for promoting right-wing conspiracy theories, shared the definition of “Trumpsgiving,” on Thursday.

Katie Hawkinson reports.

MTG shares the definition of ‘Trumpsgiving’ — and is immediately roasted for it

What happened to Trump’s border wall?

Friday 29 November 2024 21:10 , Oliver O’Connell

…and no, Mexico didn’t pay for it.

Josh Marcus writes:

Donald Trump doesn’t really talk about the border wall anymore.

After making the wall the central part of his 2016 campaign, shutting down the government for weeks in an unsuccessful bid to secure its funding, and spending billions to build it anyway, the president-elect’s immigration politics have shifted to an even more aggressive place this time around.

Instead of a wall, paid for by Mexico, Trump now wants a “bloody” mass deportation operation immediately removing millions of people, including by potentially reviving family separation.

But the federal border wall, spanning more than 450 miles across four states, remains. It continues to deeply impact the people, environment, and politics of the border and beyond.

And it’s an idea that’s spreading. During the eight years of Trump and Biden, Republican states began building their own separate border walls, too.

Continue reading…

What happened to Trump’s border wall? (Mexico didn’t pay for it)

Trump signed the law to require presidential ethics pledges. Now he is exempting himself from it

Friday 29 November 2024 20:54 , Oliver O’Connell

A bipartisan bill to boost transparency and make sure incoming presidents stick to an ethics plan was so uncontroversial that it passed the Senate by a voice vote in 2020. Donald Trump then signed it into law.

But now, after blowing past deadlines to adhere to the law after winning the White House a second time, Trump appears to have excluded himself from those same ethical guidelines.

Alex Woodward has the details.

Trump exempts himself from ethics pledge as watchdogs sound alarms

Just one Black person nominated to Trump cabinet

Friday 29 November 2024 20:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump owes his electoral victory to his campaign’s gains among Latino and Black voters. But the nominees for his historic second presidency largely reflect the overwhelmingly white makeup of Washington power.

Alex Woodward reports.

Trump has nominated only one Black American to his cabinet

Bidens enjoy lunch and shopping on vacation in Nantucket

Friday 29 November 2024 20:34 , Oliver O’Connell

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden had lunch with their family at the Brotherhood of Thieves restaurant in Nantucket on Friday.

Afterward, they walked to Nantucket Bookworks next door, waving but not answering shouted questions from the press.

Hunter Biden, Baby Beau, Ashley Biden, and Melissa Cohen Biden all entered the bookstore just before the president and Mrs Biden.

‘Who’s going to pay for that? We are!’: Fox News anchor suggests we need to be ‘realistic’ about Trump tariffs

Friday 29 November 2024 20:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Fox News anchor Julie Banderas was “realistic” on Thursday about the impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, telling her viewers that the American consumer would ultimately absorb the increased costs of goods.

Speaking to small business owner and columnist Gene Marks on Thanksgiving Day, Banderas first brought up a recent column by the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board warning that the American economy could be in for a “wild ride” as Trump aims to impose tariffs “early and often.”

Justin Barangoa reports.

Fox News anchor suggests we need to be ‘realistic’ about Trump tariffs

Watch: Former Democratic donor praises Barron Trump over Harris campaign

Friday 29 November 2024 20:00 , Oliver O’Connell

Elon Musk gets standing ovation at Mar-a-Lago

Friday 29 November 2024 19:40 , Oliver O’Connell

Elon Musk received an exuberant standing ovation at President-elect Donald Trump’s Thanksgiving celebration at Mar-a-Lago.

The billionaire spent the evening Thursday beside his mother, Maye Musk, and the president-elect for the holiday dinner at the club. Trump’s youngest son, Barron, and wife Melania Trump shared the same table.

Katie Hawkinson has the story.

Elon Musk gets standing O at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Thanksgiving dinner

Rhode Island Democratic lawmaker latest target of bomb threat

Friday 29 November 2024 19:32 , Oliver O’Connell

Democratic Rep. Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island says he was “recently notified of a bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home.”

This comes after bomb threats and swatting incidents against five Democratic lawmakers in neighboring Connecticut as well as the targeting of some of Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees and administration appointees.

“We are safe and there was no evidence of a bomb on the property,” says Magaziner.

Full story: Hoax bomb threats to Democrats were ‘signed with MAGA,’ says House leader spox

Friday 29 November 2024 19:27 , Oliver O’Connell

At least five Democratic members of Congress who were targeted with bomb threats and “swatting” attempts on Thanksgiving received messages signed with “MAGA,” according to a spokesperson for House Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

US Capitol Police and state and local police cleared the threats, which followed a series of similar incidents targeting several of Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees.

Bomb threats were reported on Thursday at the homes of Senator Chris Murphy as well as Reps. Jahana Hayes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Jim Himes, the top-ranking Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, according to their offices. All represent the state of Connecticut.

Alex Woodward reports.

Hoax bomb threats to Democrats were ‘signed with MAGA,’ says House leader

Tis the season…

Friday 29 November 2024 19:10 , Oliver O’Connell

Donald Trump has released his latest line of festive merchandise as he vows to “Make Christmas Merry Again.”

With the festive season now in full swing, the Trump Store has unveiled its holiday gift guide promising to “make the holidays that much greater,” complete with $150 sequin shirts, a $550 “bling” clutch and $95 baubles in the shape of Mar-a-Lago.

James Liddell has the details.

Tis the season: Trump hawks Christmas merch – including a $150 sequin sweatshirt

Musk names financial watchdog he wants to ‘delete’

Friday 29 November 2024 18:58 , Oliver O’Connell

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur turned political adviser, announced on X he intends to push Donald Trump’s administration to get rid of the Consumer of Financial Protection Bureau, a financial watchdog agency.

The noteworthy announcement, made in a nine-word response to a clip from The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, is part of Musk’s new role co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – the committee advising Trump on how to cut down on government spending.

Ariana Baio reports.

Elon Musk names financial watchdog government agency he wants to ‘delete’

House Dem leader wants ‘maximum protection’ for all members after bomb threats against Connecticut lawmakers

Friday 29 November 2024 18:46 , Oliver O’Connell

House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is calling for “maximum protection for all Members and their families” after a series of bomb threats over Thanksgiving against the party’s Connecticut delegation.

The threats against Connecticut Democrats ranged from detailed threats about pipe bombs placed in mailboxes to swatting — all signed with “MAGA”.

“House Democrats will not be deterred or intimidated from serving the people by violent threats,” he wrote in a statement.

‘Embarrassed’ Barron Trump looks on as his dad dances

Friday 29 November 2024 18:40 , Oliver O’Connell

If you were mortified by your family this Thanksgiving, spare a thought for Barron Trump, as James Liddell reports.

‘Embarrassed’ Barron looks on as Trump and Musk dance to YMCA at Thanksgiving