16:23 Team speaker: Biden takes Democratic concerns seriously
US-President Joe Biden, according to his team, will return to campaigning in the next week after completing his isolation period due to mild Corona-symptoms. Jen O'Malley Dillon, his campaign chief, made the announcement in an interview with MSNBC. "He's absolutely in it," she said. The 81-year-old is taking the concerns of some Democrats seriously but is determined to fight for a second term. In recent days, pressure on Biden has increased. Many representatives of his Democratic Party have publicly questioned Biden's physical and mental fitness for a candidacy and his chances of winning. Biden has withdrawn to his home in Delaware due to a Corona infection.
15:38 Kamala Harris counters Trump's Unity Promise
In his speech at the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee, Presidential candidate Donald Trump aims to unite the deeply divided American population. In response, Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on X with clear words in social media: "If you claim to stand for unity, you must do more than just use the word." Harris wrote that he couldn't just claim to stand for the unity of the USA when he pursued an agenda that deprived entire groups of Americans of their fundamental freedoms, opportunities, and dignity.
14:33 Media Report: Biden considers dropping out of the race
According to reports in the media, the ailing US President Joe Biden is now considering withdrawing from the race for the White House. The "New York Times" cites several sources from Biden's entourage, who say the 81-year-old is beginning to accept that he may not be able to win the election against his rival Donald Trump in November. "Reality is setting in," the "New York Times" quotes from Biden's entourage. The source added that they would not be surprised if Biden soon supported Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. Another person close to the President noted, however, that Biden had not yet made a decision.
13:50 Attempted assassin informed himself about other school shootings
The Trump assassin informed himself about another school shooting on the internet before the attack, CNN reports, citing FBI and Secret Service agents.
13:17 Hulk Hogan pays tribute to "Gladiator" Trump in bizarre speech
As a professional wrestler, Hulk Hogan became a folk hero in the USA in the 80s and 90s. Advertising and film appearances followed. Now, he enters the presidential campaign in a spectacular way. At the Republican Party convention, Hulk Hogan pays tribute to Donald Trump in wrestling style: [Video: Hulk Hogan pays tribute to Trump at the Republican National Convention]
12:36 Spahn praises Trump's foreign policy positions
Union Vice-Fraktion leader Jens Spahn expresses approving words for Trump's foreign policy positions. Spahn mentioned approximately Trump's stance on China containment and Israel's existence. The former Health Minister also spoke about Trump's announced peace initiative for Ukraine. He said Europeans should "be part of these talks" and should not be content with the role of spectators. Spahn emphasized, as an observer at the Republican Party convention, that Trump "is often right in foreign policy." "Our Iran policy was wrong in retrospect, his was right. Our policy on Nord Stream 2 was wrong, he had warned us." Trump has been urging "for many years" that Europe should do more for its security, said Spahn. "We had kept our eyes closed for too long."
11:52 Communication expert: Trump strikes "unusual tones"
Trump's nomination speech lasts over 90 minutes. This speech is not just "typical campaigning with a lot of fake news," according to communication expert Christian Galvez, but also contains "unusual tones" for the Republicans:
11:26 Trump performance reminds security experts of "Life of Brian"
In the opinion of security expert Christian Mölling, the content of the speeches at the US Republican Party convention is not the most important thing. "If you see that people are really clinging to that band. [...] That's like in Life of Brian," he says in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation." "There's a scene at the end where everyone is chasing after someone's sandal, so to speak, and it becomes an object of veneration, almost worshiped. It doesn't matter if it's a sandal or a band: Trump is being stylized as a savior and he styles himself that way as well, and that's why the content, I believe, is totally banal."
10:55 Politologist on Trump's calculation: "Arithmetic carries enormous risk"
How surprising or expected was Trump's speech at the Republican Party convention? Thomas Jäger takes a look at the potential consequences of his announcements for Ukraine and other US allies. He also assesses whether Biden will still be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate next week:
10:19 Trump accuses Biden of causing more damage than "ten worst presidents" combined
Trump actually did not intend to mention Biden in his speech, but he deviated from his script again. "The damage he has caused to this country is unimaginable," Trump said about the incumbent president. When the "damage" caused by the ten worst presidents in US history is considered together, it is not as great as the damage caused by Biden.
09:51 When Trump deviates from the script, chaos ensues
In Milwaukee, Trump spoke about the assassination attempt against him; he looked tired, let himself be cheered on by the delegates, and did not always stick to the script - then "old tunes come through." NTV reporter Hanna Klouth shares her impressions of Trump's official presidential nomination speech at the Republican Party convention:
09:15 Trump makes over 20 false claims in speechCNN counts over 20 false claims in Trump's campaign speech. Many of them were previously made by the presidential candidate, some for years. The topics include Economy, Immigration, Crime, Foreign Policy, and Elections. The statement that he left the world at peace for the Biden administration is deemed "absurd" by the network. Trump also repeated the allegation of election fraud against the Democrats - even though, according to the report, it was not in the speech manuscript.
08:45 Trump obfuscates Taiwan issue in speechChina was mentioned only once in Trump's speech in a national security context. He said, "The country surrounds Taiwan" - without stating whether his administration would come to Taiwan's aid if China attacks it, should he be re-elected. Trump has not yet pinned down his stance on this issue.
08:22 Trump falsely accuses Biden of record inflationAfter the US inflation rate reached 9.1% in June 2022, the highest since 1981, it has since dropped to 3%, according to CNN. Trump's accusation of record inflation under US President Biden is therefore not accurate. The record was actually 23.7% in 1920.
08:01 Trump's first action: close the borderIn his return to the White House, Trump plans to close the border as one of his first official acts to prevent migrants from entering the US, according to his own statements. "I will end the illegal immigration crisis by closing our border and completing the wall," the 78-year-old confirmed in his speech at the Republican Party convention. "We must stop the invasion of our country."
07:20 Trump exaggerates defeat of IS in SyriaTrump also exaggerated his statement about defeating IS in Syria. According to the "New York Times," Trump claimed that under his leadership, the US had completely defeated the terrorist organization within two months. However, the US-led coalition against the so-called Islamic State had begun operations in 2014, long before Trump's first term. The last territories held by IS were lost in March 2019, two years after Trump took office, not two months.
06:51 Trump lies about abandoned military equipment in AfghanistanTrump also repeated his false claim in his speech that the US left $85 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan. According to US media, this refers to the total amount that Congress provided for a fund to support Afghan security forces during the war. The abandoned equipment was estimated by the Defense Department to be worth around $7.1 billion, according to CNN.
06:31 Trump disparages migrants indirectly as "garbage"Trump used his speech to incite against migrants and employed dehumanizing language. "They come from everywhere," Trump said. "We have become a dumping ground for the rest of the world - and they laugh at us. They think we're stupid." Trump spoke extensively about immigration. He repeated statements from campaign rallies. He claims, for example, that almost exclusively criminals come over the southern border and that people come from "mental institutions".
06:18 Trump speaks for 95 minutes
Donald Trump's nomination speech ends after a total of 95 minutes. The 78-year-old presents himself on stage with his family. Melania Trump is also present at the Republican Party's nomination event in Milwaukee, after having been absent from important campaign events such as her husband's TV debate with President Biden.
05:49 Trump: I save democracy
Donald Trump urges people not to "demonize" political differences. The USA should not "criminalize dissent", he says in his nomination speech at the Republican Party. The 78-year-old does not see himself as a threat to democracy, but rather as a "saver of democracy for the people of our country". Trump is involved in various legal disputes. He frequently portrays himself as a victim of a politically motivated "witch hunt". He still refuses to acknowledge his loss in the 2020 presidential election against Joe Biden.
05:06 Trump remembers attack victim and kisses firefighter's helmet
At his nomination speech in Milwaukee, Donald Trump pays tribute to the man killed in the attack on him. He then kisses the helmet of the firefighter who was shot at the campaign event in the US state of Pennsylvania. The man's jacket was also visible on stage. "He was incredible," says Trump. The 50-year-old is reported to have shielded his wife and daughter from the bullets when the shooter opened fire. He was fatally wounded, and two other people were seriously injured.
04:53 Trump tells story of the attack
With a soft and slower voice than usual, Donald Trump recounts the story of the attack on him in Milwaukee - "for the first and only time", he explains. Because it's too painful to tell it again, he says. "I had God on my side. (...) I shouldn't be here tonight." The audience then starts chanting: "But you should be here!"
04:46 Trump begins nomination speech in conciliatory tone
Donald Trump begins his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in a conciliatory tone: "I am running to be President for all of America, not for half of America. There is no victory if you win for half of America."
04:08 Carlson: Aided Ukraine "middle finger" to Americans
Tucker Carlson, the Putin-friendly talk show host, criticized US aid to Ukraine at the Republican National Convention. "You don't see our President using our military to protect our country or the lives of our citizens - no, that's for Ukraine," Carlson said in Milwaukee. "That's a middle finger to every American." Carlson is known for spreading false information and conspiracy theories. He was fired from Fox News, the conservative US broadcaster, last year. In early February, he traveled to Moscow for an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the interview, Putin spoke uninterrupted for over two hours about Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine later sarcastically awarded Carlson the title of "Kremlin insider of the month".
03:35 Lara Trump: The attack changed TrumpThe co-chair of the Republican National Committee, Lara Trump, observed a change of heart in her father-in-law. The attack on Saturday reportedly caused the presidential candidate to rework his upcoming speech and emphasize unity, according to Eric Trump's wife: "I don't think you can go through what he went through on Saturday without it having an effect." Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris finds Trump's call for unity less credible. "We're too busy watching what you do to listen to what you say," Harris said at a campaign event.
02:27 Jason Miller: Biden's withdrawal would not significantly impact Trump's campaignAccording to a high-ranking advisor to Donald Trump, Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race would not fundamentally change Trump's campaign. "Whether it's Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, or any other radical liberal Democrat, they're all responsible for the destruction of our economy and the breakdown of our borders," Jason Miller, one of Trump's closest advisors, said on the sidelines of the Republican National Committee convention in Milwaukee. In Trump's speech in a few hours, it will not be "about Joe Biden," but "about President Trump and his vision for the country," Miller added.
01:36 Nancy Pelosi believes Biden is close to dropping outAccording to a report by the "Washington Post," Nancy Pelosi also believes that President Joe Biden could be convinced to withdraw from the US presidential race soon. The newspaper cites three unnamed Democratic officials close to Pelosi. The former Speaker of the House is a close confidant of Biden. After his disastrous TV debate performance against Trump, Pelosi reportedly acts as a go-between for the concerned party base and the White House.
00:43 Olaf Scholz sees US presidential election as openOlaf Scholz, the German Federal Chancellor from the SPD, still considers the outcome of the US presidential election open. "It's a little daring and risky to be sure now about how this election will turn out," Scholz said at a press conference to conclude the European Council summit in Britain. As an example, he mentioned the last German federal election, which he won as the SPD's chancellor candidate despite trailing in the polls against the Union. "As a good Democrat, I'd like to remind everyone that elections only take place when they actually do."
23:28 Insider: Biden weighing withdrawal from presidency race
US President Joe Biden is reportedly considering dropping out of the presidential race according to insiders. Biden is taking the calls for him to step down as the Democratic nominee seriously, say sources close to the matter. Multiple Democratic officials believe an exit is only a matter of time. "I know for a fact that he's really going back and forth in his mind," says one anonymous insider. "He's thinking very seriously about it." Another Democratic insider adds, Biden has recognized the signs of the times. "It feels like it's a matter of when, not if," says the insider. Quentin Fulks, Biden's deputy campaign manager, however, stated the president has made his decision: "Joe Biden has said that he's running for the office of President of the United States. Our campaign is moving forward."
23:08 White House announces meeting between Biden and Netanyahu next week
US President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Washington next week. "We anticipate that they will have an opportunity to meet while Prime Minister Netanyahu is in town," says John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council of the USA. Kirby, however, cannot yet say "at this point" how such a meeting would look. Netanyahu is flying to Washington on Monday to deliver a speech before the US Congress. Israeli media had reported of a planned meeting with Biden. However, the possibility of such a meeting hinges on the progress of Biden's Corona infection recovery, according to Kirby. "We need to ensure that the President's health and recovery are our priority," says the spokesperson.
22:14 Doctor: Biden suffering from mild Corona symptoms
US President Joe Biden is still experiencing mild respiratory symptoms due to his Coronavirus infection according to his doctor. Biden does not have a fever, Kevin O'Connor reports. The president is being treated with the medication Paxlovid. The White House announced on Wednesday that Biden had tested positive for Coronavirus during a trip to Las Vegas. Biden has canceled a scheduled appearance in Nevada. He is isolating at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
21:37 Biden campaign team rules out other candidacy scenarios
Biden's campaign team is not considering scenarios where Biden does not lead the Democratic ticket in the race for the White House. "Our campaign is not playing out any scenarios where President Biden is not at the top of the candidate list. He is and will be the candidate of the Democrats," says Quentin Fulks, Biden's deputy campaign manager, at a press conference in Milwaukee. Biden himself has repeatedly emphasized that he will stay in the race and will not withdraw his candidacy.
20:53 Weber: "A cascade could be set in motion"
The West is considering stationing US weapons in Germany, the Kremlin responds with atomic threats. The constant back-and-forth of reaction and counter-reaction could escalate, says security expert Joachim Weber. Additionally, Trump could become a political ally of Russia again - bad news for Europe.
20:07 Report: Trump insulted or attacked 38 percent of the US population
According to an unofficial list from the "Washington Post," former President Donald Trump has insulted or attacked people in speeches at rallies, on social media, and in interviews in cities and states that make up nearly 38 percent of the American population. Trump's statements could therefore affect more than 126 million people who are proud of their hometowns. Milwaukee, the host city of the Republican Convention, is reportedly referred to by Trump as "a terrible city."
19:33 Where is Melania Trump? Melania Trump missing from Milwaukee: Melania Trump is not on the speaker list for the final evening of the Republican Convention. This was reported by reliable sources. There had been much speculation about whether the former First Lady would make an appearance at the gathering of her husband's party in Milwaukee. The absence of the former First Lady on the speaker list does not necessarily mean that she will not appear on stage with Trump. In the past evenings, Trump has sat alone on the stage in the hall without his partner and watched, for example, the speech of his Vice Presidential candidate's wife, Usha Vance. Melania Trump's absence, while Usha Vance supported her husband on stage, could once again fuel rumors about the state of the Trump marriage.
You can read about all previous developments here.**
1. Despite mounting pressure from Democrats, President Joe Biden is determined to contest the U.S. Presidential Election 2024 in Wisconsin, a critical swing state.
2. The US Intelligence Service has reportedly assessed Donald Trump's attempts to interfere in the 2024 elections, especially focusing on his activities in key states like Pennsylvania.
3. Joe Biden's team has dismissed rumors of Biden dropping out of the race, with his campaign chief, Jen O'Malley Dillon, stating that Biden is "absolutely in it" for a second term.
4. Republicans have indicated their assessment on Donald Trump's activities since his departure from the White House, while maintaining a close eye on the U.S. Presidential Election 2024.
5. Despite his removal from Fox News, Tucker Carlson used the Republican National Convention to criticize Biden's foreign policies, particularly in regards to U.S. aid to Ukraine.
6. The Democrats have expressed concerns about the potential impact of Donald Trump's running for the office of U.S. President again, as the 2024 election approaches.
