Texas Weekly Online

Texas-trans-white
Menu
Menu

Author:

Biden says ‘bulls-eye’ remark about Trump a mistake, defends mental fitness

Biden says ‘bulls-eye’ remark about Trump a mistake, defends mental fitness

United States President Joe Biden has said it was wrong to say Donald Trump should be put “in a bull’s-eye” but defended his portrayal of his Republican rival as a threat to democracy. In his first television interview since Trump narrowly survived an attempted assassination, Biden said the comments he made in a private call with donors were intended to put the focus on his challenger’s policies and character. “It was a mistake to use the word. I didn’t say ‘crosshairs’. I meant bulls-eye, focus on him, focus on what he is doing,” Biden said in an interview with NBC News’s Lester Holt on Monday. “Focus on his policies, focus on the number of lies he told in the debate.” Asked if he had done any “soul searching” about his rhetoric since the attempt on Trump’s life, Biden said it was appropriate to highlight the dangers posed by Trump and denied using inflammatory language like his rival. “Look, how do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says? Do you just not say anything because it may incite somebody?” Biden said. “Look, I have not engaged in that rhetoric. Now, my opponent has engaged in that rhetoric. He talks about, there’ll be a bloodbath if he loses.” Biden’s comments came after several prominent Republicans, including Trump’s vice-presidential running mate DJ Vance, accused the president and his allies of creating the conditions for violence through their rhetoric casting Trump as an existential threat to democracy. Biden, who has made the preservation of US democracy a key message of his re-election campaign, temporarily suspended television advertisements and an appearance in Texas following the attack, but will pick up his campaign with several events this week in the swing state of Nevada. Trump came within centimetres of death on Saturday after a gunman opened fire on a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, striking the former president in his right ear. Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old former fire chief, was killed and several others were injured in the attack. Authorities have yet to identify a motive for the suspected shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who was shot dead shortly after he opened fire. The assassination attempt has prompted widespread calls for a reset of the US’s acrimonious politics, with both Biden and Trump calling on Americans to put political divisions aside and come together. Biden on Sunday called on Americans to “lower the temperature in our politics,” while Trump said in a newspaper interview that he would rewrite his speech for the Republican National Committee to stress the need for unity. Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley on Monday continued the theme of unity at the opening of the RNC, telling supporters: “We must unite as a party, and we must unite as a nation.” Trump made his first public appearance since the attack at the RNC later on Monday, receiving a rapturous reception from supporters as he entered the Fiserv Forum stadium to the tune of “God Bless the USA.” While the effect of the attack on Trump on the race is not yet clear, some analysts have suggested that it is likely to bolster his standing in the polls, which already show Biden behind, both nationwide and in key battleground states. In his NBC News interview, Biden, 81, reiterated his determination to stay in the race despite concerns about his age and fitness, which came to the fore after his poor debate performance against Trump last month. In response to a question about whether he believed he had weathered calls for him to step down from within his own party, Biden said that 14 million Democratic voters had chosen him as their candidate. “I listen to them,” Biden said. Asked who he would listen to about the decision to stay in the race, Biden said himself. “The idea I am the old guy – I am, I’m old. But I’m only three years older than Trump, number one,” he said. “And number two, my mental acuity has been pretty damn good. I have gotten more done than any president has in a long, long time in three and a half years.” Adblock test (Why?)

At least four killed as fighting in DRC continues despite truce: Report

At least four killed as fighting in DRC continues despite truce: Report

The US had announced a humanitarian truce between Kinshasa and the M23 rebel group on July 5. Two children and two teenagers have been killed in a bombardment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), local sources have told AFP news agency. The United States announced a humanitarian truce on July 5 between Kinshasa and the M23 rebel group operating in eastern DRC. It was supposed to last until July 19, but fighting erupted on Friday. A spokesman for one of the armed groups backing the DRC forces said the fighting occurred 70km (43 miles) northwest of the North Kivu provincial capital, Goma. By Monday, the fighting had reached the town of Bweremana, around 15km (9.3 miles) west of Goma, where the deadly bombardment struck. The dead included two children from the same family, according to Innocent Mwitehofu Mumbara, a local civil society leader. The four victims were aged two, three, 16 and 18, Mumbara added. A mother and her four-year-old child were among the wounded, said Bweremana Police Commissioner Paulin Ilunga, claiming that the shell had “come from the hills where the M23 is”. Confirming the deaths of four people in the attack, a hospital source told AFP that five more had been admitted with serious injuries. The DRC has been facing political instability and armed violence since 1996, with an estimated six million people killed since the conflict began. Since the end of 2021, the M23, supported by units of the Rwandan army, had seized vast swathes of territory in North Kivu, going so far as to almost completely encircle Goma. According to a Human Rights Watch report, M23 allegedly executed scores of villagers and militia members between November 2022 and April 2023, burying them in mass graves in the village of Kishishe, North Kivu. The report says that M23 has committed unlawful killings, rape, and other war crimes since late 2022, exacerbating the dire humanitarian crisis in the country. A total 171 civilians were executed in the last 10 days of November alone, according to the UN Human Rights Office. At the end of June, the M23 and the Rwandan army seized several towns in Lubero territory, in the north of North Kivu, following the collapse of the Congolese army and its auxiliary militias. Nearly 50 soldiers were sentenced to death in the following days for “fleeing the enemy”. Adblock test (Why?)

Trump makes emotional return after surviving assassination attempt

Trump makes emotional return after surviving assassination attempt

Former President Donald Trump made an emotional return in front of the public just two days after an attempt on his life at a rally in Pennsylvania. Trump made his first public appearance since surviving an assassination attempt over the weekend at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, first appearing on the big screen walking down the tunnel to take his seat at the event. Audience members let out loud cheers as Trump, who sported a bandage on the injured ear that was grazed by a bullet Saturday, made his way to his seat. VANCE’S PAST ANTI-TRUMP COMMENTS COULD SWAY ON-THE-FENCE AMERICANS TO VOTE RED: SEN JOHNSON The former president finally entered the arena to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, “God Bless the USA,” receiving a thunderous ovation from those in attendance. Trump then took his seat to listen to remarks made by various “everyday Americans,” at times appearing emotional as supporters of the former president outlined why Americans should send him back to the White House in 2025. Despite the near fatal shooting Saturday, Trump had insisted that the convention go on as scheduled, arriving in Milwaukee Sunday night and making his first public appearance just over two days after the attempt on his life. RNC 2024 KICKS OFF, TRUMP NAMES JD VANCE AS VP ON NIGHT 1 AS GOP SUPPORT ROLLS IN Trump officially secured the Republican nomination Monday during the event, with former president’s son and Florida Delegation Chair Eric Trump pledging the delegates that put the former president over the top. The former president also made his highly anticipated decision on a running mate, tapping Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his vice presidential pick. Trump is expected to cap off the convention by speaking Thursday evening, giving a speech that is expected to feature a new emphasis on unity in the wake of the deadly Pennsylvania shooting.

Biden insists Trump ‘dividing the country’ amid calls for unity and lowering ‘temperature’ in politics

Biden insists Trump ‘dividing the country’ amid calls for unity and lowering ‘temperature’ in politics

President Biden continued to argue that Donald Trump is a danger to democracy just one day after calling for Americans to “lower the temperature in our politics” following the assassination attempt on Trump.  “If you notice, what do I talk about with him?” Biden asked NBC’s Lester Holt during a sit-down interview at the White House. “A policy issue where he’s dividing the country, a policy issues that relate to democracy.”  Trump was hit as multiple shots were fired toward the stage from an elevated position near the outdoor venue where he was holding a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.  Biden speaking on Sunday night had called for Americans to “lower the temperature in our politics” and “remember, while we may disagree, we are not enemies: We’re neighbors, we’re friends, coworkers, citizens, and, most importantly, we are fellow Americans. We must stand together.”  BIDEN ADMITS ‘BULL’S-EYE’ COMMENT ABOUT TRUMP WAS A ‘MISTAKE’ AFTER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT But he continued to bring up what he considered some of Trump’s more inflammatory comments and remarked on Trump’s response to the attack on Paul Pelosi in 2022, which he continued to reference in his rallies throughout the past year.  Holt called out the president on his answers, noting that Biden didn’t sound like he wasn’t “turning down the heat,” but Biden insisted “I’m turning it down.”  Biden went on to clarify that what he meant was, “We have to stop the whole notion that there are certain things that are contrary to our democracy that we’re for.” TRUMP ANNOUNCES OHIO SEN JD VANCE AS HIS 2024 RUNNING MATE “The idea of saying that, you know, I didn’t win the election when every court in the land, every court in the land – I don’t know – 20 appeals, including this conservative Supreme Court said, we won,” Biden said, referring to the various challenges to his 2020 win over Trump.  “The idea of having a loyalty pledge from all the folks who are in a Republican MAGA – not all Republicans, the MAGA Republicans – saying that, no, we lost the election, inflaming the people” Biden added before trailing off.  Holt pressed Biden on what he could do to contribute to help the country find some unity, but Biden continued to talk about what he viewed as the broadly negative impact Trump has had on the country.  DID SECRET SERVICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT REACT FAST ENOUGH TO ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT? “I’ve never seen a circumstance where you ride through certain rural areas of the country and people have signs,” Biden said. “There’s big Trump signs with little signs saying “F— Biden,” and a little kid standing there putting up his middle finger.” “I mean, that’s the kind of stuff that is just inflammatory and that kind of viciousness – it’s a very different thing to say, look, I really disagree with Trump the way he takes care of taxes, the way he has – wants a $5 trillion tax cut for people who make him a lot of money the next time around,” Biden continued. “He doesn’t focus on working class people.”

Biden reveals what he said to Trump on phone call after assassination attempt

Biden reveals what he said to Trump on phone call after assassination attempt

President Biden revealed that his phone call with former President Donald Trump was “very cordial” after the assassination attempt on Saturday. “I told him how concerned I was and wanted to make sure I knew how he was actually doing,” Biden told NBC’s Lester Holt during an interview on Monday night. “He sounded good. He said he was fine, and he thanked me for calling.” “I told him he was literally in the prayers of Jill and me, and his whole family was weathering this,” Biden added.  Holt’s wide-ranging interview touched on a number of topics about Biden’s troubled run for president in November and the way that the assassination attempt on Trump at his Pennsylvania rally changed the election.  BIDEN DEFIANT ABOUT PUSH TO OUST HIM FROM TICKET, REVEALS THOUGHTS ON TRUMP’S VP PICK But Holt first focused on Biden’s own actions following the news of what had happened: Biden was in Delaware on a planned vacation when the attack happened, and he immediately canceled his plans and returned to the White House to address the nation. He announced within hours that he had spoken with Trump on the phone, which Trump praised his rival for reaching out to him.  “[My] first reaction was, oh my God, this is, oh, there’s so much violence now,” Biden told Holt. “I mean, the whole notion that there is this – there’s not place at all for violence in politics in America. None. Zero.”  STATE DEPT: WORLD HAS ‘QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR DEMOCRACY’ AFTER TRUMP SHOOTING, US MUST ‘RESPOND AS A NATION’ “We’ve reached the point where it’s become too commonplace, not assassinations, but to talk about, for example, you know, the Jan. 6 attack on the capitol,” Biden continued. “I got in this race early on in 2020 – for the 2020 race. I wasn’t going to run again because I had lost my son. I didn’t feel … and I watched what happened in Charlottesville, Virginia.”  “It was folks coming out of the woods with torches, carrying swastikas, singing the same Nazi bile, accompanied by the Klan,” he added. “A young woman was killed, and I was a bystander, and the president – then president – was asked, what do you think? He said, ‘there are very fine people on both sides.’” TRUMP NOW HAS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE 2024 RACE “No excuse,” Biden reiterated. “Zero.”  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Holt reminded Biden that during a call with Democrats he said that they needed to put Trump “in the bull’s-eye”. Biden immediately clarified that he meant that the party must focus on Trump’s issues and shortcomings, and he regretted using the term, saying “it was a mistake to use” that language. 

Tim Scott delivers rousing RNC speech after Trump assassination attempt: ‘Devil came to Pennsylvania’

Tim Scott delivers rousing RNC speech after Trump assassination attempt: ‘Devil came to Pennsylvania’

MILWAUKEE — South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott delivered a rousing speech on the opening night of the Republican National Convention, focusing his attention on how God saved former President Trump during the assassination attempt on Saturday.  “Our God still saves. He still delivers, and he still sets free. Because on Saturday, the devil came to Pennsylvania holding a rifle,” Scott said. “But an American lion got back up on his feet, and he roared.”  Trump came within inches of his life on Saturday during a rally where a shooter opened fire at the 45th president. While addressing the crowd in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening, before he was ushered out, Trump appeared to yell “Fight!” while giving a fist pump to the crowd to indicate he was OK. Trump was seen abruptly grabbing his right ear before ducking and hitting the floor onstage. Secret Service personnel quickly surrounded Trump before they escorted him off the stage, his right ear covered in blood. The assassination attempt claimed the life of one rallygoer, identified as 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a retired volunteer fire chief who died protecting his family.  VANCE’S PAST ANTI-TRUMP COMMENTS COULD SWAY ON-THE-FENCE AMERICANS TO VOTE RED: SEN JOHNSON The shooter, who was killed by the Secret Service, has been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man. No motive has yet been released.  RNC 2024 KICKS OFF, TRUMP NAMES JD VANCE AS VP ON NIGHT 1 AS GOP SUPPORT ROLLS IN “If you didn’t believe in miracles before Saturday, you better be believing right now,” he added.  TRUMP RUNNING MATE JD VANCE: INSIDE HIS HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION The senator also took issue with President Biden during his speech, saying he’s “asleep at the wheel.”  “You see, America, this is a difficult time for our nation. Inflation is crushing families, illegal immigration is crushing American workers, failing schools and victimhood culture are crushing our poorest kids. And the weakness of the commander in chief has invited world wars all around our world. Joe Biden is asleep at the wheel, and we’re heading over a cliff,” Scott said.  WHO IS TRUMP’S RUNNING MATE JD VANCE? Scott’s speech comes the same day Trump announced Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate for the 2024 ticket.  “After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump announced on his Truth Social platform Monday afternoon.