Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has claimed that US President Donald Trump has promised him control of several US public health agencies if he wins a second term as president. The agencies Kennedy mentioned include the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and a few others, as well as the Department of Agriculture. During a recent rally, Trump said that Kennedy would be allowed to “go wild on the food” and “go wild on the medicines”.
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Footage of former US President Donald Trump climbing clumsily into a rubbish truck wearing a fluorescent safety vest has raised concern among social media users about his health. Trump wore the high-visibility item, traditionally linked with garbage-men, during a campaign stop in Wisconsin, reportedly in response to President Joe Biden calling his supporters “garbage”. Matt McDermott, senior vice president of Whitman Insight Strategies, shared footage on social media of Trump missing the truck’s handle and appearing to be unstable, with the caption: “Trump seems to be really struggling physically”. Commenting on the video, attorney Jeffrey Evan Gold said: “[He] just gave right out there”. Defender of Trump’s move, Alana Mastrangelo, a journalist at Breitbart News, countered with: “Joe Biden calls millions of Americans ‘garbage.’ The next day Trump gets picked up… by a garbage truck. He’s playing chess. They’re playing checkers”.
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Women are dominating early voting for the 2024 elections in the US, contributing 54% of the more than 58 million mail-in and in-person votes that have been cast, causing concern among Donald Trump’s supporters. In battleground states Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina, the gap is at least 10 points and in Pennsylvania, the largest swing state, women have cast 56% of the votes. It is not known how these women voted, but supporters of Trump fear this trend may sway the election in favor of Vice-President Kamala Harris. Harris has championed abortion rights in her campaign, aiming to appeal to all women, including Republican women dissatisfied with Trump. However, it is uncertain if the rise in female voters will be beneficial exclusively for Harris as Trump has recently encouraged all Republicans to vote early.
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The US in brief’s team from The Economist will be providing rapid analysis of the US election results on Tuesday, November 5th. The fastest analysis will be available on their app and home page on election day. Detailed live results will be published on their page soon after the first polls close at 6pm EST/11 pm GMT.
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Photograph: Getty Images Oct 31st 2024 (published 5h ago) The US in brief’s team of editors will be giving The Economist ’s fastest analysis of the results, as they come in, on Tuesday November 5th. You can find that on our app and home page on election day.
Allan Lichtman, the historian who has made a name for himself as a presidential predictor, has firmly stated his belief that Vice President Kamala Harris will win the 2024 election. This assertion, bold and unapologetic, comes amidst an electoral landscape that has been muddied by numerous unpredictable factors—political gambling, speculation-driven polling, and the persistent specter of extremism brought forth by figures like Donald Trump. As an enthusiastic observer of these developments, I find myself both hopeful and concerned about how this prediction will unfold.
Lichtman’s track record has been remarkable; he’s been able to call the winners of nearly every election since the 1980s.… Continue reading
Seeing a close ally of Donald Trump wave a crucifix while calling Kamala Harris the “antichrist” at a rally in New York City makes my stomach turn. It’s a disturbing tableau that not only highlights the absurdity of their rhetoric but also serves as a grim reminder of the way politics has devolved into a theatrical spectacle of hate and division. This isn’t merely a matter of differing political opinions; it’s emblematic of a broader cultural crisis that has seeped into our very social fabric.
This rally felt less like a political gathering and more like a performance meant to incite fear and rally a base that thrives on conspiracy and division.… Continue reading
It has fallen to me, the humor columnist, to endorse Kamala Harris for president, and honestly, that’s a little surreal. When I think about the role of a columnist, the first image that springs to mind is not that of a political pundit, but rather a person whose job is to use humor to hold a mirror up to society’s absurdities. Yet here I am, in what feels like a moment that demands serious reflection, navigating the chaotic terrain of the 2024 election. It’s ironic that my endorsement matters so much now that traditional media outlets, like the Washington Post, have opted for silence.… Continue reading
“Are you going to present it ever?” echoes in my mind, a haunting refrain that encapsulates the stunning moment when Joe Rogan asked Donald Trump to substantiate his long-standing allegations of voter fraud. It’s surreal to witness someone who has spent years making unverified claims suddenly falter when faced with a direct question. The second-hand embarrassment I felt was crushing. Here was Trump, the king of conspiracy, caught off guard, momentarily speechless because the reality of his fabrications was too palpable to ignore.
Trump’s refusal to provide evidence—a simple task after years of bold declarations—reveals something deeply unsettling about his relationship with truth.… Continue reading
The claim by Robert Kagan that there’s a clear quid pro quo between Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump resonates with the disillusionment many of us feel about the intersection of wealth, power, and political influence in America today. It reflects a broader narrative about how the ultra-rich play the game of politics not just to maintain their wealth but to secure even more, often at the expense of democracy and the populace they ostensibly serve.
The first thing that puzzles me about Bezos’ motivations is the relentless pursuit of more. What exactly does he gain from consolidating power or legitimizing Trump’s administration?… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood