15:53 'Project 2025': Critics caution against Trump's 'alarmingly swift' Agenda
At their convention in Milwaukee, the US Republicans passed a relatively moderate program for their standards. However, critics of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump are concerned that upon his return to the White House, it will not be the party program, but rather a much more radical and well-known document called "Project 2025," which will serve as the basis for his government dealings. This 887-page work comes from the ultraconservative think tank Heritage Foundation. It contains detailed plans for a complete overhaul of the government apparatus and a drastic conservative shift. The president of the Heritage Foundation, Kevin Roberts, spoke at the beginning of July about a revolution already initiated. Critics see "Project 2025" as a blueprint for dismantling democracy and authoritarian rule. Constitutional scholar Erwin Chemerinsky of the University of California, Berkeley, described the project to Newsweek as "deeply alarming." The plans point to a "significant movement towards an authoritarian government."
15:18 Harris questions Vance's loyalty to the country
US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her views on J.D. Vance's nomination as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate in a video she posted on her X account. She questions his loyalty: "He will only be loyal to Trump, not to our country," she writes. If he comes to power, he will implement the ultraconservative manifesto "Project 2025." "We won't allow that," Harris continues.
14:59 US Homeland Security Ministry investigates Trump rally
The Inspector General of the United States Department of Homeland Security has launched an investigation into the planning of the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The US Homeland Security Ministry announced this on its website. The investigation is listed there as an "ongoing project." It aims to evaluate the behavior of the US intelligence services in securing the event. The investigation by the US Homeland Security Ministry differs from the one announced by President Biden on Sunday.
14:27 Tech Giants from the Valley support Trump
More and more tech giants from the Silicon Valley are throwing their weight behind the right-wing populist Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump - led by Elon Musk. The billionaire plans to support the Republican campaign with monthly 45 million dollars (approximately 41 million Euros) according to a newspaper report. Besides Musk, less well-known tech giants also support Trump: for various reasons. The Trump supporters from the Silicon Valley are predominantly male and white.
13:53 Kremlin has low expectations for a possible Trump presidency
According to statements by Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Russia has low expectations for a possible second presidency of Donald Trump in the USA. "As for the relationship between [Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump], under Trump, nothing good was done for Russia," he said to journalists. "On the contrary, there were more restrictions imposed. However, there was a dialogue. This can be considered a positive element."
13:18 Spahn expects Trump victory, Chancellor must have an offer
Jens Spahn is following the Republican convention in Milwaukee in person. The CDU politician expects a Trump victory. In an interview with ntv, he argues why the nomination of hardliner J. D. Vance could be a chance and how Germany should prepare.
12:34 Shot Trump Supporter in Stable ConditionDonald Trump was shot at the ear by the Milwaukee assassin. However, three people in the audience were hit by bullets much closer. One father died on the spot, and it was reported that the other two victims were in critical condition. Now, the "Bild" newspaper reports that both men are doing better, their health condition is stable.
11:57 Big Dog Captures Hearts at Republican Party ConventionWest Virginia Governor Jim Justice owes some of his popularity to his dog, "Babydog," according to analysts. For such enthusiasm, "Babydog" stole the show at the Republican Party Convention.
11:05 Iconic Trump-Fist Shirt is a Hit Among RepublicansWith blood on his face and a defiant fist raised before the US flag: The historic image of Donald Trump after the attack in Butler has been immortalized on fan shirts within fewer than 72 hours. T-shirts with the image and the inscription "MAGA Movement Can't Be Stopped" (in German: "The MAGA Movement Cannot Be Stopped") have been sold at the Republican Party Convention in Milwaukee since yesterday.
10:58 Republicans Criticize Kamala Harris at ConventionThe Republican Party Convention already shows how the party would work against Vice President Kamala Harris if Joe Biden renounces his candidacy. Harris was responsible for cooperation with Central America to limit illegal migration. Senators accused Harris on stage of opening the borders for "terrorists and criminals" and welcoming an "invasion from the Third World." Harris was repeatedly referred to as the "Border Queen." Politico magazine sees this as a sign of the election campaign strategy against Harris if she becomes Biden's presidential candidate.
10:18 Security Increased for Trump due to Iran Plot AllegationsAccording to US media reports, there have been heightened security measures for Donald Trump for weeks due to alleged Iranian assassination plans. The CNN and other media reported, however, that there is no connection to the attack on Trump on Saturday. The Iranian government strongly denies the reports.
09:49 Navidi: Democrat Victory is "Our Only Hope"BeyondGlobal expert Sandra Navidi warns urgently against another Trump presidency and the plans of think tanks close to him. According to the financial expert, the hollowing out of the rule of law and an international alliance of autocratic leaders is at stake.
09:12 DAX Suffers Already from Trump's "America First"In contrast to the US market, the DAX is still stuck in consolidation. According to market participants, it is suffering from the economic policy plans of Donald Trump. For his re-election, Trump plans to impose high tariffs on Chinese imports, but also on all other imports. "Companies should invest directly in the US and create jobs there," Trump's plan is clear "America first," said a market participant. Additionally, Trump demanded that the US Federal Reserve not lower interest rates before the election.
08:39 Trump: Taiwan should pay USA for defense
Donald Trump expressed a business-like attitude regarding US support for Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. "I think Taiwan should pay us for the defense. We're not doing it for free. We're not their insurance company", Trump told Bloomberg Businessweek when asked if he would defend Taiwan against China. China could attack Taiwan, but it won't because "they don't want to lose all those chip factories," the former US president added. "I wouldn't feel as secure in their place, but think about this: Taiwan took our chip industry away from us, aren't we stupid?"
08:02 Iran did not threaten Trump
The Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York denied reports of threats against former Republican President Donald Trump. "These are baseless and politically motivated allegations", a spokesperson for the Iranian UN mission stated. For the Iranians, Trump is a war criminal who ordered the killing of Iranian General Ghassem Soleimani in 2020. "Trump must be held accountable and punished for this, but Iran has chosen the legal route", the spokesperson added. The Secret Service reportedly strengthened security measures for Trump in recent weeks due to threats from Iran, according to media reports from US networks CNN and MSNBC.
07:38 Trump-Thinktank wants to dismantle Weather Service
For a potential Trump victory, the right-wing think tank "Heritage Foundation" has developed an ultraconservative program to be implemented during his tenure: The authors are against abortion, call for a ban on pornography, and advocate for measures that promote "marriage, work, motherhood, fatherhood, and the nuclear family." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which includes the Weather Service or the US Hurricane Center, should be dismantled, as it is considered "one of the main driving forces of the climate change alarm industry." They plan to replace most federal employees with political appointees. The power of the president should be expanded, while the Congress should be weakened.
07:12 Trump: Fed should not lower interest rates before election
Donald Trump spoke out against lowering interest rates by the US Federal Reserve before the election. "That's something they shouldn't do", the ex-president said in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek. The financial industry expects the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates twice before the end of the year, one of which - and this is crucial - before the elections. A rate cut in September is already largely priced in by the markets.
06:36 39% of Democrats want Biden to end his campaign
In a Tuesday-completed Reuters/Ipsos survey, 39% of Democrats agreed that President Joe Biden should end his campaign. Many Democrats fear that a poor showing by Biden at the elections on November 5 could cost the Democratic Party the White House and both houses of Congress. This could pave the way for a second Trump term, allowing him to implement his political goals almost without Democratic opposition. It is speculated that the Democratic Party might rally around Vice President Kamala Harris as a new candidate if Biden steps down.
05:17 Biden: "It's time to ban assault weapons"US President Joe Biden calls for assault weapon ban again. The shooter at the Trump attack used an AR-15, Biden says at a campaign event in Las Vegas, Nevada. With this weapon, so many people, including children, have been killed. "It's time to ban them." Efforts for stricter gun laws have been running in vain for years - mainly because the Republicans are against it and the gun lobby fiercely opposes any attempt to regulate gun ownership more strictly.
04:41 Investigation into Trump attack initiatedThe Inspector General of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched an investigation into the Trump attack. According to an official statement on the Inspector General's website, the evaluation of the Secret Service's handling of security at the event on July 13, 2024, is the focus of the investigation. The investigation is intended to provide insight into whether the security measures were adequate and if there were any possible oversights.
04:13 Former rival Haley strengthens Trump's backThe former internal rival Nikki Haley makes herself clear at the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee for Trump's presidency. "First, I want to make one thing clear: Donald Trump has my full support. Period," says the 52-year-old. Haley was greeted with a mix of cheers and boos. When she directly endorsed Trump at the beginning of her speech, the applause from the audience was intense. Trump listened to the speech in the convention hall personally - he arrived earlier than announced.
03:15 Shooter ordered "dangerous material"The young man who shot at Trump is reported to have received several packages in the months before the attack, some of which were marked "dangerous material." The New York Times reports that such a note was found by the police in the shooter's house, and in his car, parked near the event, they found two more. The FBI then checked his shipping history.
02:24 Trump: Taiwan should pay USA for defenseDonald Trump expresses reservations about US support for Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. "I think Taiwan should pay us for the defense. We're not just an insurance company. Taiwan doesn't give us anything," Trump tells Bloomberg Businessweek about the question of whether he would defend Taiwan against China. China could attack Taiwan. "They won't do that because they don't want to lose all those chip factories," so the Republican presidential candidate. The interview was conducted at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.
01:18 Harris and Vance discuss TV debateAfter J.D. Vance was nominated as the Republican vice presidential candidate, he and Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly discussed a TV debate. The two top politicians are working on agreeing on the framework for the debate, sources report. Harris has agreed to a debate on CBS News, either on July 23 or August 13. The data had already been agreed upon by Trump and Biden two months ago. However, the Trump team is demanding a debate on Fox News, which Biden's team may not agree to.
00:39 Trump calls widow of slain firefighter
Donald Trump called the widow of slain spectator Corey Comperatore. "He was very nice and said he would continue to call me in the coming days and weeks," Helen Comperatore wrote on Social Media. She told Trump that her husband "left this world as a hero and was taken by God." According to the sister of the slain firefighter, President Biden also sought the conversation, but the family rejected it.
23:27 Democratic disagreement over planned early nomination of Biden
There is resistance among US Democrats in the House of Representatives to the party leadership's plans to formally nominate President Biden as a candidate for the November election before the scheduled nomination convention on August 17-20. A group of congressmen expressed "serious concerns" in a draft letter about the plan to nominate the incumbent through a virtual vote on July 21. It would be a "terrible idea" to suppress the debate over Biden's candidacy with an early vote, the letter stated, which the congressmen have not yet signed. "It could deeply undermine the morale and unity of the Democrats."
22:49 Democratic representative warns of massive losses – due to Biden
The Democratic representative Adam B. Schiff warned during a private meeting with donors on the previous Saturday that his party would suffer massive losses if Biden remained the candidate. The "New York Times" reported this. If Biden remained, he would not only lose to former President Donald Trump, but could also hinder other Democratic candidates so much that the party would likely lose the Senate and miss the chance to gain control of the House of Representatives, Schiff said at a benefit event in New York. "I think if he's our candidate, we'll lose," Schiff said during the meeting, according to a person with access to a recording of the event.
22:09 Ex-Minister Carson calls Democrats "useful idiots"
The former US Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Ben Carson, accused Democrats of not understanding the concept of unity. America's enemies are actually playing a long-term game by dividing Americans "on the basis of race, age, income, gender, religion, political affiliation," Carson said on CNN. "Somebody has to be the adult in the room. I don't expect the other side to come to that conclusion. They will give some lip service," he said. "There are many on the other side who are what Lenin called useful idiots. They don't realize they are hurting themselves."
21:39 Spahn: Scholz should talk to Trump
German Vice-Chancellor and Union Friction Jens Spahn urges Chancellor Olaf Scholz to establish contact with Donald Trump. "It would be in Germany's interest if Olaf Scholz reported to Trump after the attack," Spahn tells "Spiegel": "I hope he understands that." A personal relationship is essential in politics, according to Spahn, who advocates for an approach towards Trump. "I'm sure Donald Trump realizes who's reaching out to him in this situation." Spahn states that he doesn't like much about the Republican Party in general, including Trump's style and demeanor. "But does that mean we have to set up a dictatorship?" It's not in Germany's interest, "to present Donald Trump as a potential next president of our most important ally as an adversary."
19:52 Iranian assassination plot against Trump?
The US has received indications of an Iranian plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump, CNN reports, citing sources. The US intelligence and Trump's campaign team were informed about it before the rally on the previous Saturday, a CNN reporter reports, citing a US national security official. However, there is no evidence that the young man who shot at Trump during the rally and injured him was involved in the Iranian plot, according to CNN.
19:24 Trump spreads erroneous statements about vaccines
Donald Trump spread false theories about vaccines during a phone call with independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CNN reports, citing a video that Bobby Kennedy III, Robert F. Kennedy's son, briefly posted on social media. In the video, Trump talks about the number of vaccine doses given to babies and claims that babies change radically after receiving a large number of vaccines. "When you give a baby a vaccine with 38 active ingredients that looks like it's for a horse and not for a 10 or 20-pound baby," so Trump. "Then the baby suddenly starts changing radically. I've seen that happen too often."
18:59 Biden campaign: Resumes campaign advertising
Biden's campaign team plans to resume campaign advertising this week, according to information from Reuters. Two people familiar with the matter confirmed this. The Biden campaign declined to comment. Biden had suspended campaign ads after the attack on Trump.
18:29 Secret Service: Police were in the building from which the shooter shot
In the building from which the shooter shot at Donald Trump on Saturday, there were policemen from a local unit. This was explained by the Director of the Secret Service, Kimberly A. Cheatle, in an interview with ABC News. "There were local police officers in the building - there were local police officers in the vicinity, who were responsible for the external perimeter of the building," Cheatle says. A spokesperson for the Secret Service adds that the local police had a collection point in the building.
Earlier developments can be read here.**
- Critics are worried that if Donald Trump wins the United States Presidency Election 2024, he might implement the ultraconservative manifesto "Project 2025," which could lead to a drastic conservative shift in government.
- J.D. Vance, who is being considered as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, has been criticized by Kamala Harris for potentially implementing "Project 2025" if they come to power, which she sees as a threat to democracy.
