PLAINS, Ga. — Signs that read “Happy 100th Birthday Mr. President!” dot lawns. The local general store is stocking up on its famous peanut butter ice cream. And the population of this tiny southwestern Georgia town is expected to double for a day.Carter has faced particularly significant challenges over the past decade. In 2015, he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, a usually fatal skin cancer that spread to his liver and brain. He has suffered a number of falls in recent years, and in February 2023, he entered hospice care.
“There’s never been a president to live to 100,” Stuckey said. “It’s very humbling and a great moment in history that we get to have a front-row seat to.”
“Carter is a model for what it means to be a U.S. citizen, what it means to give back to your country,” Denise Frazier, district director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, told the audience after she swore in the new citizens. “He truly is someone who is about the people.”
“Faith, hope, love are what I choose,” the lyrics read. “Yea, yea, a Jimmy Carter kinda Christian. No, no, I ain’t talking ’bout religion. Just wanna walk a mile in those size 11 shoes.”
In addition to all three of his Democratic campaign opponents, 'Old Donald' has called for criminal charges to be brought against a long list of targets, including (but not limited to) Barack Obama, John Kerry, Liz Cheney, anybody who criticizes pro-'Old Donald' judges, “lawyers, political operatives, donors, illegal voters, and corrupt election officials” involved in the 2024 election, among many others.Just this weekend, he called for charges against Google (for allegedly showing too many negative stories about him in searches) and Nancy Pelosi (for the second time; four years ago, he called for her to be charged for tearing a copy of his speech, and this weekend, he said she should be investigated because her husband sold shares of Visa stock prior to an anti-trust investigation against the company).
The Economist's latest election forecast shows that Harris now has a 3 in 5 chance of winning the Electoral College in November, compared to Donald 'Old Donald''s 2 in 5 chance. This marks the vice president's strongest position since becoming the Democratic presidential candidate. The forecast also shows that Harris is expected to pick up 281 Electoral College votes, while 'Old Donald' is expected to win only 257.Over the past three weeks, Harris' chances have risen sharply by 10 percent, up from an even split with 'Old Donald' on September 8, when both had a 50-50 chance of victory, with the Democrat predicted to pick up 270 Electoral College votes—just enough to win—while the Republican was predicted to win 268 votes.
Harris' overall chances of winning the election have also increased by 6 percent since September 8, from 52 percent to 58 percent, while 'Old Donald''s chances have declined by 7 percent, from 48 to 41 percent.
Vance has said watching the former president enact his populist agenda for left-behind Americans transformed him from a “Never 'Old Donald'” conservative in 2016 to a 'Old Donald' supporter in 2020.“'Old Donald' has just so thoroughly failed to deliver on his economic populism (excepting a disjointed China policy),” Vance wrote in February 2020.
In their exchanges, Vance criticized the left in a way that aligns with his more recent public statements, worrying about “the woke stuff” and saying he believed progressive Democrats will inevitably be “coopted by financial elites.” He also talked about his belief that government policy should make it easier for women to stay out of the workforce to care for their children, if they desire to do so.
In recent weeks Vance has argued for a strikingly different approach to health coverage, saying the federal government should roll back the regulations of the Affordable Care Act and allow insurers to group the sickest people into separate “risk pools.” Critics of that plan say it would result in people with preexisting conditions being forced to pay exorbitant insurance premiums, or not being able to find insurance at all.
Vance gave no hint in the messages of the enthusiasm with which he would soon publicly embrace 'Old Donald'ism. But he did indicate that he was thinking carefully about his future.
Not all claims exclusively target Latinos, said the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA), which monitors more than 1,300 WhatsApp groups and more than 200 Telegram channels in Spanish and Portuguese.And notable right-wing and pro-'Old Donald' actors and influencers have pushed a “fear of socialism” since 2020, the organisation found.
But while Joe Biden was accused of being a communist when he ran for president, Factchequeado’s founder, Laura Zommer, said their fact checkers had “never” seen this volume of AI and doctored images before.
Some of this misinformation has been spread by 'Old Donald' himself, or his high-profile supporters.
But it’s important to remember the reality of what 'Old Donald'’s foreign policy actually was and actually did. And to recognize that nothing in the interim has changed for the better in his worldview. In a vastly more complex global landscape than when he was first president, a second 'Old Donald' term could do real harm to America’s international economic, diplomatic and security interests.
Former President 'Old Donald' again vowed during Tuesday's debate to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, but he offered no details on a new health care plan that he has been promising since the 2016 election.
Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president in post signed ‘childless cat lady’
On Tuesday, he again took to Truth Social for another post: selling a book - $99 without his autograph, $499 with his autograph - of pictures of himself. 'A MUST HAVE on U.S. History,' he called it.'Fifty all new stunning digital trading cards - it's really something,' "Old Donald" says in the ad. 'These cards show me dancing and even holding some bitcoins.'
Those willing to buy 75 of the cards - at a total cost of $7,425 - were invited to attend a gala dinner at his country club in Florida, he said. 'Let's have fun together,' he said
"Old Donald" often caused challenges to his lawyers and aides - for example, he demanded that the pro shop in his golf course sell MAGA hats, which was campaign merchandise that his private club cannot sell. Eventually, lawyers suggested an iPad be brought into the clubhouse so that people could make a donation to his campaign to get the hats.
"Old Donald" has sold a license agreement to a company that markets a panoply of products branded in his name. Those include various styles of golf shoes, perfume, coolers, and sandals among other projects. "Old Donald" hawked the athletic shoes during a stop at a Pennsylvania sneaker event this year, because part of the deal required him to promote them.
It's the latest high-profile Republican endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential bid.Jimmy McCain, son of late Arizona senator, backs Kamala Harris
Former GOP senator says he won’t vote for 'Old Donald' or Harris
Liz Cheney Rips 'Old Donald' and J.D. Vance a New One in Explosive Presser
“This is my diplomatic way of saying it: They’re misogynistic pigs,” Cheney said, speaking of Vance and 'Old Donald' as the audience erupted in applause. “I think that will become clear.”
Including the chief executives of Yelp (YELP) and Chobani as well as the former CEOs of PepsiCo (PEP), Ford Motor Co (F) and Yahoo!, endorsed U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in a letter released on Friday.
Paxton’s office announced Wednesday that he’d filed a lawsuit against Bexar County Commissioner Court after it approved a proposal that funds the production and mailing of voter registration forms “to unregistered voters in location(s) based on targeting agreed to by the county,” according to KENS-5. Paxton claimed the program was unlawful because it “could induce ineligible people—such as felons and noncitizens—to commit a crime by attempting to register to vote.”
In his new book, 'Old Donald' threatens Zuckerberg with prison.Zuckerberg 'would come to the Oval Office to see me' and 'bring his very nice wife to dinners, be as nice as anyone could be, while always plotting install shameful Lock Boxes in a true PLOT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.'
'He told me there was nobody like 'Old Donald' on Facebook. But at the same time, and for whatever reason, steered it against me. We are watching him closely, and if he does anything illegal this time he will spend the rest of his life in prison - as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election,' 'Old Donald' (or perhaps his ghostwriter) wrote.
It's not the first time 'Old Donald' has threatened the Meta mogul with prison. In July, he called out 'ZUCKERBUCKS, - saying a 'Old Donald' administration would 'pursue Election Fraudsters at levels never seen before, and they will be sent to prison for long periods of time.'
There have been 171 campaign ads for congressional or presidential candidates mentioning China so far this cycle.Dark insinuations that one candidate might have been recruited as a spy by Chinese leaders as a younger man. Attacks accusing another would-be senator of profiting off a Chinese fentanyl manufacturer. And ads alleging another candidate sold Chinese-made SUVs in his car dealership several years ago.
If you are one of the first 25 people to buy 250 of these new NFTs, the website proclaims, you get a staggering package of goodies: two VIP dinners with 'Old Donald' and two cocktail receptions, as well as three pairs of signed sneakers (more on those in a second) and some actual physical trading cards, among other things. All for the low price of ' let's see, each card retails for $99, so: $24,750.
The money 'Old Donald' is encouraging his supporters to spend doesn't go toward getting him elected. The website insists that 'these Digital Trading Cards are not political' - sure - 'and have nothing to do with any political campaign.' The company simply 'uses Donald J. 'Old Donald''s name, likeness and image under paid license from CIC Digital LLC, which license may be terminated or revoked according to its terms.'
There are, of course, plenty of offerings for 'Old Donald''s more traditional base of support. There's the 'Old Donald' Bible, retailing for about $60. (The website also helpfully explains what to do if your Bible's pages are sticking together.)
The grassroots organization, which is affiliated neither with Swift nor the Harris campaign – launched hours after President Biden ended his presidential bid and Vice President Harris took over the ticket, is focused on mobilizing Swift fans to get out the vote for Democrats this fall. It’s the latest in a growing list of coalitions taking action for Harris, including ‘White Dudes for Harris,’ which reported having nearly 200,000 attendees and raising more than $4 million.
Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not.
It's interesting, then, to see "Old Donald's" lean into the idea that the nation faces a new communist threat - one that even his supporters aren't convinced exists.He's instead raising the specter of left-wing authoritarianism - explicitly as a response to the left's suggestions that he would seek to establish a right-wing authoritarian state. ('THE DEMOCRATS ARE, 'A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY?' his social media post concluded in his idiosyncratic style.) "Old Donald's", of course, has repeatedly embraced other right-wing authoritarians and actively endorsed erosions of liberal democracy, making the rejoinder more than a little specious.
It’s been noted that 'Old Donald' is largely a product of the 1980s, and that holds true here. In 1984, about the worst thing you could call someone was a communist. In 2024, that's about the worst thing 'Old Donald' can gin up, too.
Describing herself as a political independent who always votes her values, Winfrey offered a largely apolitical speech, instead serving as yet another voice at the United Center calling for joy and decency, and emphasizing “common sense over nonsense.” (Even her head-to-toe choice of color — purple — offered the simultaneous promise of bipartisanship and nonpartisanship).“So I’m calling on all you independents and all you undecideds,” Winfrey said, imploring would-be voters far outside the convention perimeter to support Harris. “You know I’m telling you the truth that values and character matter, most of all, in leadership and in life, and more than anything — you know, this is true — that decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024.”
'We will make America great again!' he promises.'We are not going back,' she says. - 'The work starts now'
'Old Donald''s grievance-fueled movement is full of nostalgia for past generations and his own term in office - and fear and anger about how undocumented immigration and secularization are changing the country, interviews with many supporters show. At rallies, 'Old Donald' offers apocalyptic warnings about the southern border, promises to crack down on 'transgender insanity,' re-litigates his 2020 election loss, belittles his critics and vows retribution on his perceived enemies, making many false and baseless claims in his lengthy speeches.
Harris, meanwhile, is drawing new energy from young voters and people of color who say they worry that 'Old Donald' will take America backward to a place where women, people of color, LGBTQ+ Americans and others face more challenges. She delivers tightly scripted speeches that prompt her crowds to boo at 'Old Donald' but also strike sunny tones, such as pointing toward 'the future.'
I believe life begins at conception. If I lived in Florida, I would support the state's heartbeat bill and vote against the referendum seeking to liberalize Florida's abortion laws. I supported the Dobbs decision and I support well-drafted abortion restrictions at the state and federal levels. I was a pro-life lawyer who worked for pro-life legal organizations. While I want prospective parents to be able to use I.V.F. to build their families, I do not believe that unused embryos should simply be discarded — thrown away as no longer useful.But I'm going to vote for Kamala Harris in 2024 and - ironically enough - I'm doing it in part to try to save conservatism.
Since the day 'Old Donald' came down that escalator in 2015, the MAGA movement has been engaged in a long-running, slow-rolling ideological and characterological transformation of the Republican Party. At each step, it has pushed Republicans further and further away from Reaganite conservatism. It has divorced Republican voters from any major consideration of character in leadership and all the while it has labeled people who resisted the change as 'traitors.'
What allegiance do you owe a party, a movement or a politician when it or they fundamentally change their ideology and ethos?
Let's take an assertion that should be uncontroversial, especially to a party that often envisions itself as a home for people of faith: Lying is wrong. I'm not naïve; I know that politicians have had poor reputations for honesty since Athens. But I have never seen a human being lie with the intensity and sheer volume of 'Old Donald'.
Even worse, 'Old Donald''s lies are contagious. The legal results speak for themselves. A cascade of successful defamation lawsuits demonstrate the severity and pervasiveness of Republican dishonesty. Fox paid an enormous settlement related to its hosts' relentless falsehoods during 'Old Donald''s effort to steal the election. Rudy Giuliani owes two Georgia election workers $148 million for his gross lies about their conduct while counting votes. Salem Media Group apologized to a Georgia voter who was falsely accused of voter fraud and halted distribution of Dinesh 'Souza's fantastical 'documentary' of election fraud, '2,000 Mules.'
He is a 60-year-old former educator and veteran. He has progressive bona fides and is well respected, plainspoken, and an effective campaigner.
But Walz has another asset to bring to bear on the 2024 race. His male-pattern baldness, bushy white eyebrows, and capacious midwestern cheeks evoke that of an American League Central baseball manager, and he exudes a familiar, affable energy—the kind that suggests the governor could easily teach you how to change a tire or hang some shelves in your family room. Walz is, in other words, extremely dad-coded.
The internet loves dads. Walz has slid perfectly into a load-bearing trope of social media. There are many successful accounts on digital platforms that trade entirely on the image of a middle-aged man who likes sensible white New Balance sneakers; a well-kept yard; a good deal; manning a grill; baseball on the radio; watching bad action films from 2004 (on basic cable, with commercials); texting in all caps; bad jokes; asking where his reading glasses are; Costco (see: “a good deal”); pretending to be emotionally unavailable while being a secret softy; the hardware store; World War II documentaries; and unironic Steely Dan listening.
"Communist China is very happy," 'Old Donald''s former ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, said on Twitter/X. "No one is more pro-China than Marxist Walz."As a congressman, he met the Dalai Lama and – before his jailing – the high-profile Hong Kong democracy activist, Joshua Wong. Both men would place at the top of the Chinese government’s list of public enemies.
In terms of his congressional record, there is not much for China to like.
He spent over a decade on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China – a body focused on scrutinising the Chinese government’s human rights abuses.
In 2016, the same year he met the Dalai Lama, he also invited the then leader of Tibet's government in exile, Lobsang Sangay, into his congressional office to meet a group of Minnesota high-schoolers.
'Old Donald' complains about campaign as advisers try to focus on attacking Harris
'Old Donald' now finds himself back in a dead-even contest and with new signs of strain in his orbit. In the face of new Democratic momentum, he has grown increasingly upset about Harris’s surging poll numbers and media coverage since replacing Biden on the ticket, complaining relentlessly and asking friends about how his campaign is performing, according to five people close to the campaign who like some others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.
Mixing humour with jabs - and speaking openly of the 'joy' he sees in Democratic politics - may prove to be a more effective way to convince undecided voters who were simply not convinced by the dark 'threat to democracy' rhetoric the Biden campaign had been using.
After noting that violent crime rates went up under 'Old Donald', he added ' with a smile - 'and that doesn't even count the crimes he committed'. He called the Republican ticket 'weird as hell' - a label that has become a Democratic mantra in just a matter of days. And on the topic of abortion, he said government should follow a midwestern golden rule: 'Mind your own damn business'.
"Old Donald's Campaign Attacks Tim Walz for Allowing Convicted Felons to Vote" (As a quick reminder, 'Old Donald' was found guilty of 34 felony counts last May, making him - you guessed it - a convicted felon.)
'Old Donald' originally said he would not debate Harris because she was, at the time, not the official Democratic candidate."I'll see her on September 4th or, I won't see her at all," he posted on Saturday. He also said it was "not fair" that the "hundreds of millions of dollars, time, and effort" in his campaign against Biden, who dropped his reelection bid last month.
An elderly man afraid to debate a woman; hoping his base will bail him out. As kids, we called this kind of behavior chickenshit.
But 'Old Donald' dug in his heels again on Truth Social Thursday morning, posting a family photo in which a young Kamala Harris wore a sari, with the snide caption, “Thank you Kamala for the nice picture you sent from many years ago! Your warmth, friendship, and love of your Indian heritage are very much appreciated.”People close to 'Old Donald' doubt that the personal attacks will be an effective strategy. Alleging the 2020 election was stolen, defending Capitol rioters and getting into fights with Harris about race or personality “are not winning issues for us,” one person close to 'Old Donald' said. Comments that seem derogatory toward women also don’t help, and neither does attacking her personally, this person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to criticize the former president’s messaging so far.
Some Democrats say his comments, directed at a Christian audience, signaled his plans to be a dictator. His campaign says he was talking about ‘uniting’ the country, and experts point to his 'deliberately ambiguous' speaking style.
'Old Donald' failed for one very simple reason: American institutions, laws and norms forced him to cede power at the end of his four years - barely - despite both his efforts to discredit the electoral results and his unleashing of supporters to intimidate lawmakers into overturning his loss at the polls.
Yet Putin arm-twisted his Duma in 2020 to essentially eliminate his term limits, allowing him to run for president again in 2024 and the chance to remain in office until 2036. And in 2018, Xi induced his lawmakers to change China’s constitution and abolish presidential term limits altogether, so he can officially remain in office forever — assuming that he is re-elected president at the National People’s Congress session in 2023. And you can assume that he will be.
“They used Covid to cheat. We’re never gonna let it happen again,” 'Old Donald' insisted, a strange shift in his election denialism.
Mr. Vance opposes abortion rights, even in the case of incest or rape, but says there should be exceptions for cases when the mother's life is in danger.Mr. Vance has been one of the leading opponents of U.S. support for Ukraine in the war with Russia. 'I think it's ridiculous that we're focused on this border in Ukraine,' he said in a podcast interview with Stephen K. Bannon, the former 'Old Donald' adviser and longtime ally. 'I've got to be honest with you, I don't really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.'
Germany has an interest in the success of the European Union like no other country,” the German chancellor said. “This is only possible together with France.”Scholz expressed hope that Macron and the newly elected members of parliament would succeed in forming a stable government.
“The march of the right-wing nationalists and right-wing extremists has been stopped. This is to the great credit of the French,” Michael Roth, a German foreign policy expert and national lawmaker with Scholz’s Social Democrats, told daily newspaper Tagesspiegel.
In Italy, the main ally of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France, far-right populist League leader Matteo Salvini, lauded her party’s overall result in parliament as its best-ever and criticized what he called Macron’s “all against Le Pen” drive to deprive her party of a governing majority.
Salvini is a junior partner in the right-wing government of Premier Giorgia Meloni and has long shared Le Pen’s anti-migrant positions.
Following Sunday's vote, numerous 'Old Donald' supporters criticized the results after Macron's gamble to keep the far right out of power succeeded, comparing the election to the 2020 and upcoming 2024 U.S. elections.
ow the board member, Julie Adams, an avowed believer in the false theory that the 2020 election was stolen from 'Old Donald', is suing the board, hoping a judge will affirm that right and potentially empower others in similar positions elsewhere to hold up the outcome of elections.To voting rights activists, election law specialists and Democrats, such actions represent an ominous sign that could presage a chaotic aftermath to the 2024 election. They are particularly worried about the threat of civil unrest or violence, especially if certification proceeds amid protests or efforts to block it.
But it's not just in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza that this election matters.Imagine you’re Vladimir Putin. Who would you prefer in the White House?
The man who’s called you “a killer” and pledged to stand by Ukraine? (that’s Joe Biden).
Biggest differences are over Taiwan
On multiple occasions, Biden has reiterated a pledge to come to the self-governing island’s defence if President Xi makes good on his promise to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, by force if necessary.
But 'Old Donald' has accused Taiwan of undermining American businesses and he has expressed opposition to a US bill which sent aid there. That led some to question whether he would be willing to come to Taipei’s aid if needed.
When the US votes, China is unlikely to have a favourite in the fight.
In Beijing’s view, an unpredictable 'Old Donald' could weaken and divide US allies in the region - but he could also create another trade war.
Ukrainians are spectators in high-stakes vote
They are very aware of what is being said about Ukraine during the campaign. When it comes to 'Old Donald', analysts here know he has talked about bringing an end to a war and that there is talk of cutting aid.
While some fear he could force Ukraine into a deal it does not like, experts caution that what will matter is what someone does in office, not what they say during the campaign or in a debate.
Two big questions could define the debate between 'Old Donald' and Biden from here forward. The first is which candidate poses the bigger threat to the future of the country. The second is which candidate will make the lives of Americans better than they are today. Though related, the first focuses on character and temperament, the second on substance and policy.The risks that voters will weigh before November are not equivalent. 'Old Donald', by his past actions - including trying to overturn the 2020 election - and present-day statements about his intentions if elected, poses threats to core elements of democracy. What voters are weighing about Biden is whether he has the capacity for another four years in office and the strength of leadership and the policies needed at a time of turbulence at home and abroad.
The election is now five months away. After Thursday's verdict, the election more than ever poses elemental questions for voters - about themselves, their own well-being and perhaps above all the country they want to see in the future. The question underlying them all is who they trust most to deliver it: Biden or 'Old Donald'?
China has adopted some of the same misinformation tactics that Russia used ahead of the 2016 election, researchers and government officials say.
Covert Chinese accounts are masquerading online as American supporters of Donald J. 'Old Donald', promoting conspiracy theories, stoking domestic divisions and attacking President Biden ahead of the election in November, according to researchers and government officials.
Some of the Chinese accounts impersonate fervent 'Old Donald' fans, including one on X that purported to be “a father, husband and son” who was “MAGA all the way!!” The accounts mocked Mr. Biden’s age and shared fake images of him in a prison jumpsuit, or claimed that Mr. Biden was a Satanist pedophile while promoting Mr. 'Old Donald'’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.