SUMMER MADNESS 47: DARK BRANDON VS. TEFLON DON (June 27, 2024)

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It's all going down in Atlanta at the CNN Studios

#AppGang #YouCantCopyRespect

 

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All the Details on Trump & Biden’s Weirdly Early 2024 Debate

When is it? Which candidates have qualified? Why is this happening so early? Here’s everything you need to know about this very odd showdown.

nymag.com

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When is the first debate between Biden and Trump?​

The first presidential debate of 2024 will be on June 27, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET. The debate will be hosted by CNN, and will be filmed at the network’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia.

Where can I watch the debate?​

The debate will air on various CNN properties, and be simulcast on other networks that have yet to be announced. Per the CNN press release:

The CNN Presidential Debate will air live on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN Max and stream without a cable login on CNN.com. CNN will make the debate available to simulcast on additional broadcast and cable news networks in the United States.

Why is the debate so early this year?​

All previous televised presidential debatestook place in late September or October. But the Biden team wanted to remind tuned-out Americans that there’s a presidential election this year, and that it could put Trump back in the White House. Per the New York Times:

The move was meant to jolt Americans to attention sooner than later about their consequential choice in 2024. Mr. Biden’s advisers have long believed that the dawning realization of a Trump-Biden rematch will be a balm for the president’s droopy approval ratings.

The earlier date also gives the two elderly, gaffe-prone candidates more time to recover from any debate missteps.

Who is moderating the first debate?​

CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

What are the debate rules?​

We don’t know yet. CNN has yet to reveal details about the format or what kind of antics might lead to a candidate’s mic getting cut.

Which candidates have qualified for the debate?​

Only Biden and Trump are definitely in — which may be part of the reason both campaigns agreed to go around the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has hosted presidential debates since 1988. Biden’s public challenge was somewhat for show; the Times reported that the Democratic and Republican campaigns had hammered out debate terms beforehand, as they wanted to “face off directly, without Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or other independent or third-party candidates.”

Could Robert F. Kennedy Jr. still be in the debate?​

Yes, there’s still a chance that he could qualify. CNN’s rules state that participants must qualify for the presidency under the Constitution and have filed a formal statement of candidacy to the Federal Election Commission. Five candidates have done so: Biden, Trump, Kennedy, Cornel West, and Jill Stein.

 

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Here is a look into where they currently stand on some key issues according to USA TODAY’s Voter Guide:

Climate change​

Trump opposes most climate change legislation. During his presidency, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, a global climate initiative. He also rolled back numerous environmental regulations. Trump has also previously vowed to increase domestic oil and gas production and has said he opposes existing government subsidies for wind power development.

Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement once he took office. He also announced the nation’s first American Climate Corps, to train young people who want to tackle the climate crisis. He also set a national goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 and has pledged to make the American power sector 100% carbon-pollution-free by 2035. Biden has also offered multiple incentives for using green energy, such as $7 billion in solar power grants for low-income people. His administration set new restrictions on drilling and mining in Alaska’s wilderness and issued new rules to require coal-fired power plants to reduce emissions by 90% by 2032.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Crime and policing​

Trump supports increased powers for policeand says, “Democratic policies are leading to crime sprees in big cities.” A Gallup poll found 78% of Americans agree with him that crime is on the rise, despite FBI evidence to the contrary. During his term in office, Trump signed the First Step Act into law, which expanded some early-release programs for people convicted of crimes and reduced certain mandatory minimum sentences, among other changes. He also issued several high-profile pardons and commutations while in office, working alongside Kim Kardashian on some efforts.

Biden has said he “believes in safer American communities, but with accountability for policing across the country.” The president has still sought to distance himself from calls to “defund the police.” To address mass shootings and gun violence, he has often called on Congress to reinstate a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as require universal background checks. Additionally, his budget proposal to lawmakers in 2023included more money for law enforcement officials to fight gun violence.

Education​

Trump supports the dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education. He wants to turn education over to the states, even though states already control funding and school curriculum, and give parents more say in running schools. While education has not been a major focus of his campaign, he has taken firm stances on other related cultural issues, such as a ban on transgender students’ participation in school sports. He has praised the Supreme Court’s rulings targeting affirmative action programs in higher education. Additionally, he criticized Biden’s efforts to cancel student loan debt for millions of borrowers, praising the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to strike down part of Biden’s plan.

One of Biden’s signature priorities during his term has been addressing student loan debt. Although his effort has been challenged or blocked in court, the president said alternative actions by his Education Department have resulted in $160 billion in debt relief for nearly 4.6 million borrowers as of May 2024. Regarding controversies in K-12 education, Biden denounced book bans in school libraries and shamed Florida legislation for the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which bars educational instruction on gender identity or sexuality.

 

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Economy​

Trump received some of the highest marks from voters for his handling of the economy.In 2017, Trump and his fellow Republicans passed a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul, which would expire during the next president’s term in 2025. He criticized the growing federal debt, though his critics point out that the nation’s budget and debt increased under Trump’s watch. The former president has also been more skeptical of free trade initiatives and agreements than some of his Republican counterparts, going so far as to start a trade war with China during his term in office.

Biden says he believes the best way to boost the U.S. economy is from the middle out and the bottom up. His economic plan included the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. The plan is a post-pandemic stimulus package with funding for major infrastructure projects and climate initiatives. Biden called for an increase in the minimum corporate tax to 21% from 15%. He has also touted his plan to restore a previous version of the Child Tax Credit, make the healthcare tax credit permanent, and give new home buyers a $ 400-a-month tax credit for two years to reduce mortgage costs. Republicans argue that Biden’s policies are to blame for soaring inflation that has squeezed household budgets. They also argue that his regulatory policies are slowing the economy.

Foreign policy​

Similarly to his 2016 campaign, Trump is promoting an “America First” agenda that is suspicious of free trade and alliances with other countries, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Trump has previously stated he wants to pull back on U.S. defense commitments but contrarily blasted Biden’s plan to deny Israel key weapons if its military fully invades the southern Gaza city of Rafah, showing support for Israel in its ongoing war against Hamas,

More:Thousands flee Rafah assault as aid groups warn suffering will be 'unbearable': Live updates

The Israel-Hamas war has challenged Biden’s foreign policy and his domestic standing as young voters continue to protest on campuses across the country against the war in Gaza. He has reiterated support for Israel, while also working for a temporary cease-fire and seeking more humanitarian aid for Palestinians. Biden was able to get Congress to provide additional support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia and for Israel, which came with critique from many voters across the U.S. He has reiterated U.S. support for NATO. The president’s critics have often focused on America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, a decision Biden’s administration has acknowledged it could have approached differently.

Health care​

During his term, Trump tried and ultimately failed to repeal the health care law signed by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama. Now, Trump says he does not want to repeal it but to improve it and make it cheaper, although he has not yet released a specific plan. As president, Trump signed legislation to increase funding for substance use disorder treatment in the wake of the opioid epidemic. In 2017, he declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. However, on the campaign trail, Trump has been more focused on addressing the spread of fentanyl in the U.S., aiming at drug cartels in Mexico.

Biden’s signature campaign promises include expanding health care coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act and lowering prescription drug costs. He called health care “a right, not a privilege, for all.” He succeeded in winning the right for Medicare to negotiate prices for a slate of drugs for seniors and to cap their annual costs at $2,000, including medication Americans use for heart diseases, autoimmune conditions, and more. Biden also proposed changes to private Medicare plans to help seniors access health care and $12 billion to boost underfunded research in women’s health.

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Immigration​

Trump has promised the biggest deportation and border arrest programs in American history— his signature issue since he entered politics. The former president said he would expand upon his past policies with plans to direct law enforcement and the National Guard to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. During his White House term, Trump famously vowed to build a wall on the U.S. southern border, though he did not complete that goal while in office. His administration’s policy of separating immigrant families prompted international condemnation. He also made efforts to ban travelers from a group of Muslim-majority countries.

Biden currently faces pressure from state leaders across the country to address populations of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. The president backed a bipartisan border security bill negotiated in the Senate that would have set limits on daily crossings at the southern border, but it could not pass in Congress once former President Donald Trump declared it insufficient. The president has tried to boost border security while still providing a “safe, orderly, and humane immigration system,” according to the White House. Though Biden pledged during the 2020 presidential election that he wouldn’t continue building Trump’s signature border wall, additional portions have been constructed with Trump-era funds. He has also broadened legal pathways for immigrants from some countries, including Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua.

Reproductive rights​

Trump recently said individual states should set their own laws on abortion, not the federal government. His stance disappointed abortion opponents, as did his warning to Republicans against supporting bans across the country that are too restrictive. He has criticized six-week bans that are law in several states but has not specified what he would support. He has also not specified whether he supports access to mifepristone, the abortion pill, a question before the Supreme Court. Trump says abortion laws should include exceptions for rape, incest and several medical emergencies. During his term, Trump appointed three of the six pivotal Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.

More:Trump warns Republicans on abortion and other takeaways from Wisconsin, Michigan rallies

Biden supports access to abortion, and said he intends to restore the rights provided by Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision establishing the right to an abortion that the Supreme Court which was overturned in 2022. The president has prioritized protecting access to mifepristone, known as the abortion pill, which is being challenged in the Supreme Court. Biden also celebrated Ohio voters’ 2023 approval of a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights and access to other reproductive health services. His administration also tried to protect access to reproductive care for service members.

 

[RickyDiBiase]

Before the usual parties come in here crying about them being old, maybe young people need to be unglued to their fukking phones and vote on a consistent basis

 

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OPINION: Your summer reading list: The Trump indictments, convictions, jury forms and judicial orders

Edwin Eisendrath writes, "A quick look at the court record, and a longer dive into the facts and the evidence prove two things: we still have a hard-working justice system and Donald Trump is not only a felon, but he is also as big a loser as he is a liar."

heartlandsignal.com

OPINION: Your summer reading list: The Trump indictments, convictions, jury forms and judicial orders​

BY EDWIN EISENDRATH – 6/10/24

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Former President Donald Trump walks to make comments to members of the media after being found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree at Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, May 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool)

This article was originally posted on Edwin’s Substack newsletter on June 10.

Today, Donald Trump meets with his probation officer. That’s reality. He will — and his allies claim — everything is rigged against him. That’s fantasy. A quick look at the court record, and a longer dive into the facts and the evidence prove two things: we still have a hard-working justice system and Donald Trump is not only a felon, but he is also as big a loser as he is a liar.

Among the many cases Mr. Trump has lost, here are a few worth keeping top of mind.

1. IN COLORADO, A TRIAL COURT FOUND DONALD J. TRUMP GUILTY OF INSURRECTION.​

Case No.: 2023CV32577

Norma Anderson et al v. Jena Griswold

Intervenors: Colorado Republican State Central Committee and Donald J. Trump

Finding: Consequently, the Court finds that Petitioners have established that Trump engaged in an insurrection on January 6, 2021 through incitement, and that the First Amendment does not protect Trump’s speech.

This isn’t a political charge. It is the finding of a jurist who weighed evidence presented under oath and by witnesses who were cross examined and reviewed the applicable laws and legal standards.

2. IN NEW YORK, A JURY FOUND DONALD TRUMP LIABLE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND TWICE FOR DEFAMATION.​

Case 1:22-cv-10016-LAK

E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump

Jury’s decision: In accordance with the Court’s instructions, which the jury is presumed to have followed, the jury made the following explicit findings based on its answers to the verdict form. On the sexual battery claim, the jury found that:

• Mr. Trump sexually abused Ms. Carroll.
  
• Mr. Trump injured her in doing so.
  
• “Mr. Trump’s conduct was willfully or wantonly negligent, reckless, or done with a conscious disregard of the rights of Ms. Carroll, or was so reckless as to amount to such disregard.”
  
  

On the defamation claim, it found that:

• Mr. Trump’s October 12, 2022 statement was defamatory and false (i.e., “not substantially true”).
  
• Mr. Trump made that statement “with actual malice” – that is, that when he made the statement, Mr. Trump “knew that it was false”, “had serious doubts as to its truth”, or “had a high degree of awareness that the statement probably was false.”
  
  

Mr. Trump countersued and lost.

3. IN NEW YORK, THE STATE PROVED MR. TRUMP FALSIFIED BUSINESS RECORDS IN ORDER TO COVER UP A CRIME RELATED TO THE 2016 ELECTION.​

Indictment No. 71543-23

The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump

The state proved that: the defendant, in the County of New York and elsewhere, on or about February 14, 2017, with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof, made and caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise.

Note: The falsification of records in 2017 retroactively covered payments made before the 2016 election.

4. IN NEW YORK, THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION AND ITS LEADERS WERE PROVEN TO HAVE VIOLATED NEW YORK EXECUTIVE LAW BY SUBMITTING FALSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO BANKS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES TO OBTAIN BETTER RATES ON LOANS AND INSURANCE COVERAGE.​

Index No. 452564/2022

People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump et al

In his order, the judge said, “this Court finds that defendants are likely to continue their fraudulent ways unless the Court grants significant injunctive relief.”

When shown evidence presented under oath, juries of ordinary Americans selected from a random pool and approved by Mr. Trump’s lawyers as fair and impartial have ruled against him in every recent case:

• December 2022: Trump organization guilty of 17 felonies related to tax evasion
  
• May 2023: Donald Trump held liable for sexual assault and defamation
  
• January 2024: Donald Trump (again) found liable for defamation
  
• May 2024: Donald Trump found guilty of 34 felonies in an attempt to cheat in the 2016 election
  
  

The bottom line: Mr. Trump has been found of insurrection, sexually assault and defamation. He has violated gag orders put in place to protect jurors and the integrity of his trials. He has been found guilty of business fraud. He has been found guilty of crimes meant to cover up attempts to manipulate the 2016 election.

In four cases that went to juries, he lost four unanimous verdicts. Two were criminal, with 12 jurors. Two were civil with nine. That’s 42 jurors who all reviewed the evidence against Mr. Trump determined he was wrong. Not one believed him. Every one of those jurors was chosen from a random pool and approved to sit on the jury by Mr. Trump’s lawyers.

After he lost the 2020 election, Mr. Trump went to court more than 60 times alleging a variety of election frauds. He lost every time.

Now Mr. Trump is using every tactic to delay other trials — one for stealing national security documents and two more for insurrection and election subversion.

Each of these cases required an enormous amount of work from prosecutors, judges, juries and all the people who help make our judicial system work. Read the findings linked above. See for yourself how carefully the evidence was vetted. On top of everything else, it is simply contempt for everyone else that allows Mr. Trump to dismiss all of this as just politics.

Oh, and he has been found to have no remorse for any of it.

Candidate Trump wants America to believe that all of these decisions are corrupt, that the evidence in each case does not exist, that all the judges and every American who sat on a jury is dishonest, that every single prosecutor was a liar and that all his defense attorneys were incompetent.

Or, looking at the evidence, we could just believe Mr. Trump is a crook.