During a recent interview, portions of Donald Trump’s contentious exchange with Norah O’Donnell regarding a pardoned crypto billionaire were omitted from both the televised and extended online versions of the “60 Minutes” broadcast. While the initial segment about the pardon was included, the subsequent heated reaction from Trump, when questioned about potential corruption, was not. Furthermore, Trump’s remarks about a financial settlement he received from CBS, following a lawsuit regarding a Kamala Harris interview, were also excluded from both broadcast versions.
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In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump claimed ignorance regarding his pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who was convicted of money-laundering. Despite the pardon coming shortly after a multibillion-dollar deal between Binance and World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture founded by Trump’s sons, the former president stated he didn’t know Zhao and viewed the case as a “Biden witch hunt.” Trump’s response also included a comment that his sons were “into it” and he thought crypto was “a great industry.” The pardon has raised concerns about the appearance of corruption, especially given Binance’s reported efforts to secure the pardon following Trump’s election win, according to reports.
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According to Michael Wolff, a White House insider has referred to Donald Trump’s new ballroom project as the “Epstein Ballroom.” Wolff shared that the insider, whom he’s known for a long time, revealed that the name had come up multiple times within the White House, suggesting an awareness of Epstein’s continued presence in the Trump world. Wolff believes this indicates both a sense of irony and self-awareness among some White House staff, who recognize the preposterous nature of the situation. While the ballroom is set to be officially named after Trump, the nickname reflects a more cynical view of the project’s association.
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In a recent interview, President Trump stated that the U.S. is unlikely to go to war with Venezuela, but hinted at the eventual removal of President Nicolás Maduro. While addressing rising tensions, Trump cited Venezuela’s actions regarding drug trafficking and the influx of undesirable individuals into the U.S. The administration has increased military presence in the Caribbean, including the deployment of an aircraft carrier and strikes on alleged drug boats, while also denying reports of potential strikes on Venezuelan military facilities, despite increased presence of military aircraft in the region.
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As the government shutdown loomed, and funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was set to lapse, President Trump was hosting a lavish Great Gatsby-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago. This event was met with strong criticism, with prominent Democrats accusing the president of prioritizing his wealthy friends over the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits. While the SNAP benefits were expiring on November 1st, Trump was pictured enjoying himself at the party. Legal challenges have emerged, with judges ordering the release of emergency funding for SNAP and the potential for unlawful suspension of the program.
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President Trump attributed the ongoing government shutdown, poised to become the longest in history, to Democrats whom he labeled as “crazed lunatics.” Despite the shutdown’s impact on federal workers and crucial programs, Mr. Trump did not present a concrete plan for addressing healthcare costs, a key concern for Democrats. He maintained his stance of blaming Democrats and expressed confidence in their eventual capitulation, while also suggesting potential actions like ending the filibuster to achieve his policy goals. This occurred during an interview where he discussed a variety of topics.
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In response to Texas’s mid-decade gerrymandering, California voters are poised to approve Proposition 50, a redistricting measure aimed at aiding Democrats. This initiative, championed by Democrats and Governor Gavin Newsom, seeks to redraw congressional district lines to potentially secure five additional safe seats for the party. Early returns and polling data suggest the measure is on track for victory, with the campaign successfully framing it as a way to combat Trump’s influence. While facing some opposition, particularly from Republicans concerned about the “Gavinmander,” the focus on Trump has galvanized Democrats, and national groups have opted for neutrality or support. This measure would likely improve Democrats’ chances of winning the House majority, but the challenge remains the lack of similar actions in other Democrat-led states.
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In a recent Truth Social post, Donald Trump attacked Seth Meyers, calling him a “deranged lunatic” and questioning the legality of his commentary. The post was in response to Meyers’ mocking of Trump’s comments on steam-powered catapults during a visit to Japan. This attack on Meyers is part of a pattern of Trump targeting late-night hosts, including previous criticisms of Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel.
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In a surprise statement posted online, former President Donald Trump declared his intention to potentially invade Nigeria, a key U.S. ally in Africa. This announcement followed his declaration that Nigeria may be considered a “country of particular concern” due to alleged inaction regarding attacks on Christians by Islamic extremist groups. Trump’s threat, potentially motivated by claims of religious persecution, threatens to halt aid and potentially involve military action. The current Nigerian government has responded by stating that religious tolerance is a core tenet of the nation’s identity and that Trump’s characterization of the country does not reflect reality.
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In an interview excerpt from “60 Minutes,” President Trump stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him China would not take action regarding Taiwan during his presidency. Trump claims Xi and his officials have openly expressed this sentiment, recognizing the potential consequences. While the topic was not discussed during their recent talks in South Korea, Trump expressed confidence in China’s restraint. The U.S. maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan, and Trump declined to confirm if the U.S. would defend Taiwan if attacked.
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John Q. Hosedrinker