Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, has expressed optimism about Donald Trump’s presidential victory, suggesting that it could benefit Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. Medvedev, who has been a vocal critic of the West and has threatened Kyiv’s allies with Moscow’s nuclear capabilities, believes Trump’s aversion to spending on international aid could limit support for Ukraine. However, Medvedev acknowledges potential difficulties, noting that Trump’s past actions and the political system could constrain his ability to fully support Russia’s interests. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Trump on his victory, emphasizing their shared commitment to a “peace through strength” approach and their previous discussions regarding ending the war.
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A 17-year-old boy, supposedly a supporter of former President Donald Trump, was arrested on Saturday at a rally in Florida in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, accused of punching a 70-year-old woman. The police arrested the teenager after he allegedly struck the woman, knocking her off her feet. The boy was arrested at the rally site at the north end of the Roosevelt Bridge and was charged with battery of a person older than 65. There were no other arrests or instances of violence reported at the rally, which was part of the nationwide Women’s March and vocalized support for amendments to abortion rights in the Florida state constitution.
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North Carolina has broken its early-voting record, with the State Board of Elections announcing that over 4.2 million votes have been cast in early in-person voting. Early voting ended Saturday, with more voters than the 3.63 million four years ago. Including absentee voting, over 4.4 million votes have been cast representing 57% of North Carolina’s registered voters, though there could be a slight discrepancy due to delays in uploading the data. Despite being hit by Hurricane Helene, the 25 western counties had a higher turnout of 58.9%, about 2% higher than the statewide figure. The large early vote was partly due to a push by Republicans for people to vote early.
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The Kenosha County Democratic Party has reported receiving calls about local residents receiving letters warning of “reprisal and biblical hell fire” for showing support for Vice President Kamala Harris, instead of former President Donald Trump. These letters have sparked fear and anxiety among citizens, and the local police department is investigating. The letters, which are unsigned, criticize the Democratic party, accusing it of supporting open borders for illegal immigrants, including “felons and evil people”, and of advocating for communism. Lori Hawkins, chair of the Kenosha County Democratic Party, has said people have reported damage to Democratic yard signs, a trend not observed with Republican signs. Despite these incidents, hundreds of people turned out for the recent canvassing days held by the Kenosha County Democratic Party.
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Allies of US President Donald Trump reportedly fear that his recent controversial rally may have hurt him politically, and that their internal polls are not accurately reflecting his precarious standing in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, new polling has shown surprising shifts among women and undecided voters toward Vice President Kamala Harris. Amid this, Trump expressed anger regarding a respected Des Moines Register poll, which showed him three points down in Iowa, and accused pollsters of conspiring against him. Despite this, experts suggest that the presidential race remains uncertain. Danielle Butterfield, executive director of Democratic PAC Priorities USA, discussed strategies for Harris to secure a win.
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On his HBO show, “Last Week Tonight,” John Oliver urged undecided and reluctant voters to vote for Kamala Harris in the US Election. Oliver reasoned that he supports Harris’ proposals including expanding Medicare for elder care, expanding reproductive freedoms, and improving the incomes of poorer Americans. Oliver addressed those voters unhappy about the Biden administration’s policy toward the war in Gaza, saying he understands their reluctance but voting for Harris was better than allowing Trump to win. He expressed concern over the potential long-lasting damage of a second Trump term, including the possibility of Trump replacing Supreme Court Justices. Oliver emphasised the importance of voting, despite the politics being uninspiring, as it is a constant fight towards justice.
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The Des Moines Register’s final poll shows Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris leading Republican Donald Trump by a narrow margin ahead of the election in Iowa, a state typically presumed to support Trump. Kamala had the backing of 47% of respondents, as opposed to Trump’s 44%. The poll, conducted by respected pollster J. Ann Selzer, is known as the “gold standard” for its accurate track record in predicting state-wide election results. However, Progressive advocates have urged that supporters should not place complete faith in a single poll, pushing for continued campaigning actions. The poll also reported that among women aged 65 and older there was a significant shift towards Harris, with 63% supporting her over Trump’s 28%, and independent-identifying women also favouring her, 57% to 29%.
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Incumbent Moldovan president Maia Sandu won re-election for a second term, according to preliminary results, with 54.35% of the vote counted, potentially giving the country a major boost towards European Union aspirations and marking a rejection of Moscow’s influence. Sandu’s opponent was Kremlin-friendly political newcomer Alexandr Stoianoglo from the Socialist party. The results indicated that the large Moldovan diaspora, accounting for about 20% of the electorate, had overwhelmingly voted for Sandu. However, both the presidential election rounds and the EU referendum vote were marred by accusations of Russian interference. Despite this, the campaign led by Sandu, a former World Bank adviser, signifies an accelerated push for Moldova to break away from Moscow’s influence amidst the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine.
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A federal judge has ruled that Iowa can continue to challenge the validity of hundreds of suspected non-citizen voters, despite opposition from recently naturalized citizens. The decision was made in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. Judge Stephen Locher argued that the state’s efforts didn’t remove individuals from the voting register, but instead required the use of provisional ballots. The decision follows a similar ruling in Virginia that allowed a purge of its voter registration rolls, despite the impact on some US citizens. Critics argue the recent focus on potential non-citizens voting in elections is largely politically motivated.
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A new poll conducted by Morning Call/Muhlenberg College shows Vice President Kamala Harris slightly ahead of former President Donald Trump in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania, two days before Election Day. Harris leads with a 49% to 47% margin, within the poll’s margin of error. Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, could decisively sway the election. Other polls depict an extremely tight race in the state, with some aggregators placing Trump slightly ahead. Both campaigns have stationed strong presences in the state.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
John Oliver Pleads with Reluctant Voters to Support Kamala Harris in Emotional Appeal
On his HBO show, “Last Week Tonight,” John Oliver urged undecided and reluctant voters to vote for Kamala Harris in the US Election. Oliver reasoned that he supports Harris’ proposals including expanding Medicare for elder care, expanding reproductive freedoms, and improving the incomes of poorer Americans. Oliver addressed those voters unhappy about the Biden administration’s policy toward the war in Gaza, saying he understands their reluctance but voting for Harris was better than allowing Trump to win. He expressed concern over the potential long-lasting damage of a second Trump term, including the possibility of Trump replacing Supreme Court Justices. Oliver emphasised the importance of voting, despite the politics being uninspiring, as it is a constant fight towards justice.
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