Trump must pay New York Times $400k in legal costs over failed lawsuit: Live

Donald Trump calls New York fraud trial ‘terrible witch hunt’

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Donald Trump[1] has been ordered to The New York Times almost £400,000 in legal costs over a failed lawsuit he brought against the paper, three of its journalists, and his niece, Mary Trump[2]. The former president alleged a breach of confidentiality regarding his tax records but the case was dismissed last year.

Meanwhile, E Jean Carroll[3]‘s lawyer has warned Judge Lewis Kaplan that Mr Trump wants to “sow chaos” and create a “circus” at next week’s defamation trial[4], which he plans to attend. Roberta Kaplan[5] cited the former president’s five-minute courtroom tirade on Thursday at his civil trial for fraud as evidence. Mr Trump’s attorneys presented closing arguments at the New York State Supreme Court calling the case against him and the Trump Organization a “manufactured claim” to pursue “a political agenda”.

Justice Arthur Engoron[6] then permitted the former president to speak briefly[7] at the close of the defence arguments, but not to make fuller remarks, having not agreed to rules about sticking to the facts of the case and not launching into a campaign speech. The former president later launched a fresh attack on the judge on Truth Social[8] about the “witch hunt” against him.

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‘Just like he said’: Biden pounces on Trump’s boast about overturning Roe v Wade

During a town hall event in Des Moines, [10]Iowa[11] on Wednesday night, Mr Trump boasted about removing the constitutional right to abortion, saying, “for 54 years, they were trying to get Roe v Wade terminated. And I did it and I’m proud to have done it”.

Here’s how President Biden’s campaign responded: Oliver O’Connell13 January 2024 08:00

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Which Trump properties featured at the heart of his civil fraud trial?

What more did we learn about Mr Trump’s real estate holdings during his civil fraud trial? There were a lot of numbers as the attorney general’s counsel laid out its case, and a lot of hyperbole from the Trump family as the defence laid out its argument — including Donald Trump Jr[13] taking the court through a timeline of the real estate business, praising his father for the “boundaries he pushed” and calling him an “artist with real estate” who has “incredible vision where other people don’t”.

Here’s a look at the key Trump properties that were discussed the most over the 11 weeks in court. Oliver O’Connell13 January 2024 06:00

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How do Trump’s trial dates and the Republican primaries intertwine or overlap?

In a typical presidential election year, candidates will spend the 11 months leading up to Election Day shaking hands and kissing babies at rallies as the primaries unfold. Instead, the ex-president will be forced to juggle his campaign for the White House[15] while also defending himself in federal and state courts in four different trials that are currently set to occur between January and May.

Kicking off with E Jean Carroll’s damages trial[16] on the same day as the Iowa Caucus to his federal classified documents trial one month before the GOP[17] convention, Mr Trump’s jam-packed schedule seemingly leaves little time for him to socialise outside of a courtroom. How Mr Trump will manage his campaign while convincing voters he’s innocent of it all – including alleged efforts to overturn previous elections in his favour – remains to be seen. Continue reading…

Ariana Baio13 January 2024 04:00

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Has Trump already chosen a running mate?

During the town hall, Mr Trump hinted that he has made his mind up about who to tap to be his running mate – but refused to spill the details to hosts Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier. Oliver O’Connell13 January 2024 02:45

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Trump accused of ‘massive, massive gaslighting’ on Covid-19 response by DeSantis

Speaking to MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Thursday, Mr DeSantis discussed the debate, his standing in the polls, as well as comments previously made by Mr Trump about his handling of the coronavirus crisis. Mike Bedigan reports:

Oliver O’Connell13 January 2024 01:45

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Biden knocks Trump by comparing him to Herbert Hoover

“When there’s a crash, I hope it’s in the next 12 months because I don’t want to be Herbert Hoover[21],” Mr Trump said, during a Lindell TV interview with Lou Dobbs[22] on Monday. The comment alluded to the 31st US president, who succeeded Calvin Coolidge at the tail-end of the Roaring Twenties before swiftly being hit by the Wall Street Crash in the autumn of 1929 and then voted out of office in 1932 as the Great Depression hit. In his own video, posted on Thursday, Mr Biden blasted Mr Trump’s own record in office.

Continue reading: Oliver O’Connell13 January 2024 00:45

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Don Jr named in court documents in bankruptcy case of Chinese billionaire

Donald Trump Jr[24] has been named a possible defendant in the bankruptcy[25] case against Miles Guo, a Chinese billionaire with ties to the right. Mr Guo — who is also known as Guo Wengui, Ho Wan Kwok, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok — filed for bankruptcy in February 2022, after a judge ordered him to pay £134m in fines[26] after violating a court order relating to his yacht.

In a court filing on Wednesday, which was obtained by the Daily Beast[27], Mr Trump was seen on a list of possible defendants in the case. Former Trump White House adviser Peter Navarro[28] also appeared on the list. It was not immediately clear why they were listed as possible defendants, and neither immediately responded to a request for comment.

Legal experts told the Daily Beast being included on this list does not necessarily mean they are accused of any crimes. Oliver O’Connell13 January 2024 00:15

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What to watch out for in the Iowa caucuses

It’s finally here: the first test of the Republican primary field at the hands of voters. Four prominent Republican candidates have charged into the Buckeye state hoping for different outcomes. Donald Trump[30], the frontrunner, wants a convincing victory to signal to voters (and donors) that the race is all but wrapped up. Nikki Haley[31] and Ron DeSantis[32] are hoping for shock successes that will give them the momentum needed to overtake Mr Trump in later states, such as New Hampshire[33].

And Vivek Ramaswamy[34] is hoping for a shot of adrenaline in the heart of his struggling campaign following an unceremonious exclusion from the debate stage lineup. Chris Christie[35], seeing himself wholly uncompetitive in the first contest of 2024 — and losing ground in New Hampshire — has thrown in the towel. Political analysts hoping for clues about the trajectory of the rest of the primary, and most crucially an answer to the question of whether anyone has a chance at beating Mr Trump, are also looking at Iowa[36] closely.

Monday’s results will likely determine the fate of several candidates, while also providing a window for speculation about the general election. Here’s what The Independent is keeping an eye on over the weekend: John Bowden12 January 2024 23:45

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Maryland elections official charged over Capitol riot

Carlos Ayala, who serves on the Maryland State Board of Elections, resigned from his post on Thursday after the FBI arrested him on Tuesday, according to The Hill[38].

Maryland State Elections Board Chair Michael Summers confirmed his resignation in a statement on Thursday, the Associated Press reported. “The board is committed to maintaining the security and integrity of our elections in Maryland in a non-partisan manner,” Mr Summers said. “The State Board will remain steadfast in our mission to oversee our elections process and serve as a trusted source of information for all Marylanders during the presidential election year.” Mr Ayala has been charged with felony civil disorder and other related misdemeanour offences for his alleged participation in the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021.

Graig Graziosi reports: Oliver O’Connell12 January 2024 23:15

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Head of European Central Bank says Trump is ‘clearly a threat’ to Europe

“If we should learn lessons from history, from the way he led the first four years of his mandate, it is clearly a threat,” Ms Lagarde said during the interview. “It’s sufficient to look at the trade tariffs, the commitment to Nato[40], the fight against climate change.

In just these three areas, in the past [under Trump], US interests were not aligned with European interests.”

Maroosha Muzaffar reports:

Oliver O’Connell12 January 2024 22:55

[39]

References

  1. ^ Donald Trump (www.independent.co.uk)
  2. ^ Mary Trump (www.independent.co.uk)
  3. ^ E Jean Carroll (www.independent.co.uk)
  4. ^ Mr Trump wants to “sow chaos” and create a “circus” at next week’s defamation trial (www.independent.co.uk)
  5. ^ Roberta Kaplan (www.independent.co.uk)
  6. ^ Arthur Engoron (www.independent.co.uk)
  7. ^ permitted the former president to speak briefly (www.independent.co.uk)
  8. ^ Truth Social (www.independent.co.uk)
  9. ^ 1705132800 (www.independent.co.uk)
  10. ^ During a town hall event in Des Moines, (www.independent.co.uk)
  11. ^ Iowa (www.independent.co.uk)
  12. ^ 1705125600 (www.independent.co.uk)
  13. ^ Donald Trump Jr (www.independent.co.uk)
  14. ^ 1705118437 (www.independent.co.uk)
  15. ^ juggle his campaign for the White House (www.the-independent.com)
  16. ^ E Jean Carroll’s damages trial (www.the-independent.com)
  17. ^ GOP (www.independent.co.uk)
  18. ^ 1705113937 (www.independent.co.uk)
  19. ^ 1705110337 (www.independent.co.uk)
  20. ^ 1705106737 (www.independent.co.uk)
  21. ^ Herbert Hoover (www.independent.co.uk)
  22. ^ Lou Dobbs (www.independent.co.uk)
  23. ^ 1705104937 (www.independent.co.uk)
  24. ^ Donald Trump Jr (www.independent.co.uk)
  25. ^ bankruptcy (www.independent.co.uk)
  26. ^ £134m in fines (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
  27. ^ Daily Beast (www.thedailybeast.com)
  28. ^ Peter Navarro (www.independent.co.uk)
  29. ^ 1705103137 (www.independent.co.uk)
  30. ^ Donald Trump (www.independent.co.uk)
  31. ^ Nikki Haley (www.independent.co.uk)
  32. ^ Ron DeSantis (www.independent.co.uk)
  33. ^ New Hampshire (www.independent.co.uk)
  34. ^ Vivek Ramaswamy (www.independent.co.uk)
  35. ^ Chris Christie (www.independent.co.uk)
  36. ^ Iowa (www.independent.co.uk)
  37. ^ 1705101337 (www.independent.co.uk)
  38. ^ The Hill (thehill.com)
  39. ^ 1705100137 (www.independent.co.uk)
  40. ^ commitment to Nato (www.independent.co.uk)