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Speaker Johnson Confronted On CNN For Evading Trump's Latest Vulgarity

During Sunday morning's episode of CNN State of the Union, host Jake Tapper discussed Donald Trump's latest "off the cuff" remark with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and whether or not it will impact the GOP nominee's campaign with two weeks until Election Day.

Tapper cited that the Associated Press reported, "Donald trump's campaign suggested he would begin previewing his closing arguments Saturday night with Election Day barely two weeks away, but the former president kicked off his rally with a detailed story about Arnold Palmer, at one point, even praising the late legendary golfer's genitalia."

The former president told MAGA fans attending the Saturday, October 19 Pennsylvania rally that when the late golfer, Arnold Palmer, "took the showers with other pros, they came out of there. They said, 'Oh my God. That’s unbelievable.'"

According to The Daily Beast, when he was alive, Palmer was "appalled" by the former president.

Johnson, on the other hand, is not.

"Mr. Speaker, you're crossing all over the country. You're working hard to get Republicans over the line in this election. You're talking about substantive issues. Is this really the closing message you want voters to hear from Donald Trump? Stories about Arnold Palmer's penis?" the CNN host asked the Louisiana lawmaker.

"The headline that I read about the rally in Pennsylvania yesterday was the big question, and it's the one that Kamala Harris has not been able or willing to answer," Johnson replied. "And that is, 'Are you better off now than you were under the Trump administration four years ago?' And no one can answer that question with a yes."

Johnson then proceeded to claim that "everywhere" he travels across the country, people are "fed up and they're fired up about the cost of living that's unaffordable now, rising crime rates everywhere, and the weakness on the world stage, and the wide open border."

Tapper replied, "I'm sure that you think that a policy debate would be better than a personality debate, but if President Biden had gone on stage and spoke about the size of a pro-golfer's penis, I think you would be on this show right now saying you were shocked and appalled and you would suggest it was evidenced of his cognitive decline."

The CNN host added, "I wonder how Trump's remarks — not just the one about Arnold Palmer on his 'manhood' — but everything we've heard from Trump this week, how it fits in with the analysis that The New York Times offered a few days ago. They looked at his speeches from 2015 and 2016, and looked at his speeches today, and said, 'With the passage of time, the 78-year-old former president's speeches have grown darker, harsher, longer, angrier, less focused, more profane, and increasingly fixated on the past.'"

"I know you want to talk about policy and I respect that," Tapper continued, "but the reason that Donald Trump is not up ten points is because of comments like that one, where people do have concerns about his fitness, his acuity, and his stability. Why is he talking about Arnold Palmer's penis in front of Pennsylvania voters?"

The GOP leader replied, "Jake, you seem to like that line a lot."

Tapper interrupted, saying, "Let me just say something. I don't want to be talking about this. Donald Trump is out there saying it."

Johnson shot back, "You continue to talk about it."

"Because you won't address it," Tapper replied.

The speaker then said, "I'll address it. Don't say it again. We don't have to say it. I get it. When President Trump is at a rally, sometimes he'll speak for two straight hours. You're questioning his stamina, his mental acuity. Joe Biden couldn't do that for five minutes. He couldn't fill the room. Donald Trump does. You know why? Because they see him as a change agent, and they understand he has a record of performance."

Watch the video below or at this link.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Trump Donors Fret Over Campaign's 'Small GOTV Presence' In Battlegrounds

With 19 days until Election Day, Donald Trump allies are concerned that X owner Elon Musk's efforts to "boost turnout" for the ex-president are "failing in critical battleground states," according to an exclusive Wednesday Rolling Stone report.

Three sources tell the publication that some of the former president's allies have told Trump directly that some Republicans "partly blame the group’s lead strategists, who are linked to the failed 2024 primary run of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis."

One Republican operative told Rolling Stone, "We were upfront about our concerns," and showed the outlet "a screenshot of written communications further corroborating that these sentiments were conveyed to Trump himself."

Furthermore, "This source adds that they relayed to Trump that they have been in touch 'constantly' with conservative activists and other top Republicans based in key swing states, and few of them have had any positive comments lately about the Musk-supportedAmerica PAC’s impact in their respective states. Some say they are seeing a relatively small GOTV presence on the ground, despite the Super PAC’s massive spending to boost Trump — $75 million since Joe Biden withdrew from the Democratic ticket in July."

Rolling Stone notes that "some of the private airing of grievances in Trumpworld revolve around the fact that the Super PAC still appears to be building its field operation," as some GOP consultants and donors tell the publication "that America PAC still had open postings for canvassers on its website."

One MAGA donor asked, "Why isn’t the army already in place?”

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Hidden Harris Voters Fear MAGA Gangs' Retribution

Conservative George Conway told The Daily Beast this week that he believes Republicans are moving towards Kamala Harris.

"I actually think there’s kind of a hidden Harris vote for Republicans who are just exhausted by Donald Trump," Conway told the Beast at a Harris campaign rally in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania.

"I don't think the turnout’s going to be great for him," the anti-Trump lawyer said.

The Beast noted that in pro-Trump Bucks County, where the rally was held, there were some "signs the region may be sheltering Republicans who quietly doubt the former president. Signs for the local congressman, swing-district Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), boasted that he is the country’s number one independent, a congressman 'for us all.'"

Additionally, the news outlet notes, "Supporters decked out in denim and camo Harris-Walz baseball caps to shield their eyes from the autumn sun gave Harris' Republicans a standing ovation when they simply walked onstage."

One Harris volunteer — Cherise Udell of Utah, who's canvassing in Bucks County ahead of the election — told the news outlet that many Republicans in the area support Harris but are scared to admit it."

She said, "Obviously when you drive around, it looks 100 percent like Trump country. But there are a lot of Harris supporters out here, a lot of people that are registered independents and Republicans that are voting Harris. The reason why you don’t see a lot of Harris signs is, honestly, I’ve heard over and over again: People are afraid to put up signs, because they’re afraid of what, potentially, their neighbors, unfortunately, might do to them for having a Harris sign up, depending on the outcome of this election."

The Daily Beast's full report is available here.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

'Trump Looks Bad' As He Pretends Ignorance Of Mark Robinson Scandal

When a reporter asked Donald Trump Thursday whether or not he plans to take back his endorsement for North Carolina GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, the ex-president replied: "Uhh I don’t know the situation."

Robinson came under fire last week after CNN reported that the MAGA candidate posted racially and sexually offensive comments on a pornography website's message board, and referred to himself as a "Black Nazi."

Several political experts and journalists were quick to put Trump — who endorsed Robinson earlier this year — on blast for his response.

Democratic strategist Keith Edwards replied: "How did he know there was a situation to not know about"

Politcal analyst and Vanity Fair special correspondent Molly Jong Fast said: "He doesn’t know the situation with Mark Robinson? NOT POSSIBLE"

MSNBC's Katie Phang replied: "In this video, Trump is either: (1) Lying about the Mark Robinson scandal. OR (2) Oblivious about the Mark Robinson scandal. Either way, Trump looks bad."

Mississippi Free Press news editor Ashton Pittman wrote: "It's funny seeing Mark Robinson put Trump in the same position he's been putting congressional Republicans in for 9 years now: 'I don't know, I haven't seen anything about it.'"

CNN senior reporter Edward Isaac-Dovere added: "Trump, who spends quite a bit of time paying attention to what’s popping online and on TV, has apparently managed to avoid hearing about the Mark Robinson 'situation'"

Watch the video below or at this link.

— (@)

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

With Leap In Favorable Rating, Harris Posts Big Lead In New NBC Poll

A new NBC poll published Sunday shows that 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris just received "the largest favorability increase for any politician" the news outlet "has measured since George W. Bush after the September 11, 2001 attacks," according to The Daily Beast.

Per the report, "The New York Times’ Chief Political Analyst Nate Cohn called the new NBC survey arguably Harris’ 'best poll result since the debate,' and 'not just because she’s up 5 points,' but 'because it’s the kind of poll (the kind of poll once called the ‘gold standard’ a decade ago) that hadn’t produced a good national result for her in a while.'"

NBC News' poll comes after an ABC News/Ipsos poll published earlier this week proved that Harris is leading over Donald Trump "among likely voters."

MSNBC's Chris Jansing noted that it "was the second major poll to put" the vice president "in the lead outside of the margin of error."

The Beast reports, "Compared to July, when Harris had a 32% approval and 50% disapproval rating (nearly identical to Biden), the new poll finds 48% of respondents view her positively and 45% negatively."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Vance Tried To Erase His 'Scathing Rebuke' Of GOP From 2012 -- And Failed

An article 2024 GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance asked his undergraduate professor to delete in 2016, four years after having it published, remains available on the internet today despite its removal, according to CNN.

Per the report, the Ohio congressman — a Yale law student at the time — issued "a scathing rebuke of the Republican Party's stance on migrant and minorities.

Vance wrote, "Republicans lose minority voters for simple and obvious reasons: their policy proposals are tired, unoriginal, or openly hostile to non-whites."

The Donald Trump running mate also slammed the party for isolating "Blacks, Latinos, [and] the youth."

According to CNN, Nelson told the news outlet "that during the 2016 Republican primary he agreed to delete the article at Vance’s request, so that Vance might have an easier time getting a job in Republican politics. However, the article, titled 'A Blueprint for the GOP,' remains viewable on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine."

CNN reports:

'A significant part of Republican immigration policy centers on the possibility of deporting 12 million people (or ‘self-deporting’ them),' Vance wrote. 'Think about it: we conservatives (rightly) mistrust the government to efficiently administer business loans and regulate our food supply, yet we allegedly believe that it can deport millions of unregistered aliens. The notion fails to pass the laugh test. The same can be said for too much of the party’s platform.'

Twelve years later, as former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Vance espouses many of the same anti-immigrant postures that he criticized back in 2012 as a 28-year-old law school student. In recent days, Vance has amplified baseless claims against Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio.

The news outlet also notes that aside from the article he asked Nelson to cut, "Two other blog posts Vance wrote for the website are still active, but CNN noticed the 'Blueprint' article had been removed from the website. The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, where the post was saved, shows it was deleted sometime between March 2014and February 2016."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Vance Defends Racist Remark About Indian-Americans (Like His Wife)

2024 GOP vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance (R-OH) just doubled down on comments made by Donald Trump ally and far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer last week.

The extremist activist, who could be hired for a position in Trump's administration if he wins the White House, wrote via X last week via X that if Kamala Harris is elected, the White House "will smell like curry & White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center."

Despite condemnation from several conservative lawmakers — like US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) — Vance reiterated Loomer's comments Monday.

Journalist John Harwood reported via X: "NBC asked JD Vance about Laura Loomer's racist statement that the WH would 'smell like curry' if Harris wins. Calling it unimportant, Vance replied: 'whether you're eating curry at your dinner table or fried chicken, things have gotten more expensive thanks to her policies.'"

Former FBI agent Asha Rangapappa said: "Curry or…fried chicken? Good lord he’s like the KKK whisperer"

Political analyst Bakari Sellers wrote: "The Dog whistles are bullhorns. Just say n—ger, or 'inmin—ger' like others"

Britni Danielle replied: "JD Vance is a coward. He won't even stand up for his wife and kids"

University of Texas law professor Lee Kovarsky added: "he thinks his voters are the stupidest people alive"

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Disgraced Vance Admits 'Creating Stories' About Migrants And Cats

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance (R-OH) is facing significant backlash after he admitted his claim that Haitian immigrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio is a lie.

The Bulwark's Sam Stein reported via X: "JD Vance acknowledges the cat and dog stories are urban legends and then rationalizes it (via CNN): 'If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that's what I'm going to do.'"

After Donald Trump parroted the debunked claim during his debate against Kamala Harris on Tuesday, a Springfield, Ohio spokesperson told ABC News earlier this week that "these claims are false, and that there have been 'no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals in the immigrant community.'"

The spokesperson added that "there have been no verified instances of immigrants engaging in illegal activities such as squatting or littering in front of residents’ homes. Furthermore, no reports have been made regarding members of the immigrant community deliberately disrupting traffic."

A slew of political experts and journalists immediately rebuffed the VP hopeful's Sunday CNN interview admission.

The anti-Trump Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson replied: "'If I have to create stories' will be on his political tombstone."

Marie Claire former contributing editor Karen Schwartz added: "The GOP VP candidate is proud to have made up stories that have lead to closed schools and bomb threats in hospitals."

Zack Beauchamp, Vox senior politics correspondent, said: "Vance isn’t as good at lying as Trump because he feels a deep need to be respected intellectually. So you get humiliating admissions like this"

Bloomberg columnist Matthew Yglesias wrote: "If they told you the truth about their plans for abortion rights, health care, and Social Security you wouldn't vote for them so they're making stuff up instead."

National Journal columnist Natalie Jackson added: "I usually refrain from using the f-word on social media, but truly there is no other way to describe this than completely fucked up."

Austin Chronicle culture editor Richard Whittaker commented: "Where I come from, you call people like this liars. It's now perfectly fine to call him a liar - because he acknowledged that he lied."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Alito's Disclosure Report Reveals $900 Gift From Far-Right German 'Princess'

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's annual financial disclosure report, "filed late after requesting an extension" last week, listed $900 concert tickets gifted to him by German Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis,The Guardian reports.

Per the report, Alito and colleague Justice Brett Kavanaugh met with von Thurn und Taxis — who's "known for her unabashed conservative views and ties to rightwing activists," as well as her connection to Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon — during her visit to the Supreme Court in 2019.

Alito's filing comes a year after ProPublica published a bombshell report revealing that Justice Clarence Thomas has received "luxury vacations" from billionaire Harlan Crow "for over 20 years."

The Guardian notes that Alito, too, allegedly "accepted a private jet free travel gift for a luxury salmon fishing trip from a conservative billionaire who had cases pending before the" high court.

Following these reports, President Joe Biden vowed to make changes to the court's ethics code before leaving office next year.

In July, the president announced that he's "calling for a binding code of conduct for the Supreme Court," as "the Court's current voluntary ethics code is weak and self-enforced."

The reform would require the justices to promptly disclose gifts.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Sixteen Debate Questions To 'Hold Trump Accountable'

The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board published a weekend op-ed that includes a list of debate questions the editors say is the only possible way for the ABC debate moderators "to hold [Donald] Trump accountable."

"Given his appalling record, Trump has no business being on a presidential debate stage, let alone one in the shadows of Independence Hall," but since the debate against 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is two days away, and "roughly two months to go in what is expected to be a close election, voters need the media and debate moderators to treat Trump as the serious threat he is to the future of the country and the free world," the board writes.

It's not Trump or Harris who face "the biggest challenge on Tuesday" the editors submit, but it's ABC News' Linsey Davis and David Muir face, as the pair have a responsibility to "press Trump to give substantive responses to their questions."

The board asserts that "asking tough questions and holding Trump accountable is the proper role of the media to help inform voters," and to prevent the "convicted criminal, financial fraudster, and sexual predator" from holding office again.

The list of questions "debate moderators and political reporters should ask Trump to help voters make their decision," according to the Inquirer board, are below:

Federal investigators received classified intelligence that suggested the president of Egypt gave you a $10 million 'cash bribe,' but your attorney general blocked the probe, accordingto the Washington Post. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee last week asked you to provide the funding source of a $10 million donation you gave your campaign around the same time and how it was repaid. Will you make that documentation public?
You have flip-flopped your position on abortion over the years, including saying you were 'very pro-choice' and later claiming women who get abortions should be punished. Last month, you gave two different answers within 24 hours regarding Florida’s six-week abortion ban. Can you clarify your position and whether you support a national abortion ban?
You called for prosecuting President Joe Biden, executing your former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, and jailingformer Rep. Liz Cheney. If elected, will you follow through on any of these threats or go after other political enemies?

You use faulty claims to criticize Biden and Harris for not doing more about the border. But you worked to kill a bipartisan bill Biden and Harris supported that included the toughest immigration reforms ever. So, is your stance on immigration aimed at scoring political points or finding real solutions?
You have criticized Biden’s efforts to negotiate a cease-fire regarding Israel’s war in Gaza. But the Wall Street Journal said you don’t have a plan. What would you do differently than Biden? And did you urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay a cease-fire dealuntil after the election?
You claim to 'know nothing' about Project 2025, yet you support initiatives in the plan to fire thousands of federal civil service workers, curtail the U.S. Justice Department’s independence, and abolish the U.S. Education Department. So, how does your position differ from these same plans spelled out in Project 2025?
If Harris is as radical as you claim, why would more than 200 Republicans who previously worked for former President George W. Bush, the late Sen. John McCain, or Sen. Mitt Romney endorse her?
Why are so many of your own cabinet members not endorsing you, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and former national security adviser John Bolton?
Your campaign centers on criticizing your opponent and blaming others. Can you give some specific details — and not just slogans — as to how you will improve the country?
You boasted that you “did nothing” about guns while you were president. Indeed, gun violence spiked during your tenure. Have the frequent school shootings, mass killings, or the assassination attempt on your life caused you to rethink your position on gun safety?

You constantly criticize Biden’s economic policies. Yet, he added more jobs during his term than you did — even after excluding the losses during the pandemic. The stock market has reached record levels under Biden, and economists predict your tariffs and other policies will lead to higher prices, increased inflation, and possibly a recession. Even Goldman Sachs expects better economic growth if Harris wins. How will your economic plans help people?
You watched the insurrection unfold on TV for hours and did nothing. Do you wish you had done more to quell the violent attack at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021?
Why do you continue to bow down to Russia even as it commits war crimes in Ukraine? Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said you told him you plan to cut off aid to Ukraine if elected. Is that true?
If elected, will you withdraw the United States from NATO and againabandon the Paris Agreement?
During your first term, you left the country the most divided since the Civil War. Do you have any specific plans to unite the nation?
You never take responsibility. Any time you get investigated, indicted, impeached, convicted, accused of sexual harassment, or faced a civil judgment, you claim it is fake news, a hoax, or blame someone else. Have you ever owned up to a mistake or apologized for a failure?

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Harris Campaign Suggests Mic Muting Dispute Isn't Settled

When Donald Trump agreed to a ABC News debate against Kamala Harris Tuesday, the former president appeared to suggest that the fight over whether the pair's microphones will be muted or not had been squashed.

However, Business Insider's Bryan Metzger reported via X: "Harris campaign indicates debate over mics at Sept 10 debate remains ongoing as Trump says the same rules as CNN debate have been agreed to."

Metzger also shared a screenshot of a statement from a Harris spokesperson, which reads: "Both candidates have publicly made clear their willingness to debate with unmuted mics for the duration of the debate to fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates - but it appearsDonald Trump is letting his handlers overrule him. Sad!"

In the Truth Social post Trump wrote, agreeing to the September 10 debate, he said that "the rules will be the same as the last CNN debate, which seemed to work out well for everyone."

That debate against then-Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden, involved muted microphones.

CNN reports that "the Harris campaign maintains that discussions are ongoing with ABC over whether microphones will remain on during September’s presidential debate, according to a source familiar with the matter."

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Enraged Pelosi Rips Trump In New January 6 Video Footage

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi railed against Donald Trump in January 6 video footage obtained by Politico Tuesday.

Per Politico, HBO handed over the footage "this week to the Republican-led House Committee on Administration," which is "conducting an investigation aimed at undermining the findings of the Jan. 6 select committee."

Per the report, "In the footage, Alexandra Pelosi captured the chaotic moments after the then-speaker was whisked off the House floor by Capitol Police officials and rushed through the tunnels of the Capitol to her waiting SUV."

The former speaker can be heard saying: "I just feel sick about what he did to the Capitol and the country today. He’s got to pay a price for that."

Politico reports:

In the footage, Alexandra Pelosi captured the chaotic moments after the then-speaker was whisked off the House floor by Capitol Police officials and rushed through the tunnels of the Capitol to her waiting SUV. HBO acknowledged that the 10-minute clip of Nancy Pelosi’s evacuation was redacted to remove stray comments from her minor grandson, who was at her side during the evacuation.

As she moved, Pelosi immediately inquired as to whether then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had approved a request for the National Guard. Her chief of staff, Terri McCullough, responded that he had. Moments later, a security official at Pelosi’s side informed her the pro-Trump mob had 'already breached the Capitol.'

The news outlet notes that Pelosi "scolded security officials for forcing her evacuation," before raging against "Capitol security officials for failing to anticipate the attack."

Donald Trump has mentioned several times that if he wins the White House in November, he plans to pardon January 6 rioters.

Politico's full report is here.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

DNC Roll-Call Playlist 'Blows RNC Out Of The Water'

The second night of the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday opened with a spirited ceremonial roll call, featuring a wide range of music played by DJ Cassidy.

From famous tunes by artists like Eminem and Snoop Dogg, to Prince and Bruce Springsteen, the crowd even received a live performance from rapper Lil Jon as he proudly represented his home state of Georgia.

The crowd's contagious energy rubbed off on a slew of political analysts, legal experts and journalists, who praised the infectious celebration across social media.

POLITICO Magazine columnist Jeff Greenfield wrote: "The convention managers deserve a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for turning what is usually the most boring part of a convention into an eye- and ear-catching spectacle."

Political analyst and former Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) added: "Well so far we have Common, Lil Jon, Spike Lee, Mickey Guyton, Steve Kerr, Jason Isbell, Patty LaBelle…And this is just Night 2. They had Kid Rock. Oh and don’t forget Hulk Hogan."

MSNBC host Katie Phang commented: "So who’s gonna hook me up with this Roll Call playlist??"

Ex-FBI counsel Andrew Weissmann replied: "The DNC playlist is gonna go platinum."

Even conservative Meghan McCain commented on the music, writing: "I’m sorry but this #DNC2024 roll call with DJ Cassidy, themed state music and party/club atmosphere is blowing the RNC’s roll call out of the water.It looks like a giant party and celebration and everyone in that room looks like they’re having a blast."

The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump organization run by conservatives, took a shot at last month's Republican National Convention, adding: "Know who won't get a cease and desist after tonight? The DNC.They licensed EVERY song from these artists. Says a lot about Harris/Waltz support!"

The son of R&B performer Isaac Hayes earlier this month sued former President Donald Trump for copyright infringement over using the late songwriter's music during a rally, according to local Knoxville WATE 6 On Your Side News.

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

Likely Trump Treasury Appointee Would Wreak Havoc On World Economy

Many Democrats, political and legal experts have warned that a second Donald Trump presidency would likely mean the end of American democracy, based on his proposed policies like mass deportation through force of the National Guard, and using the Department of Justice to target his political enemies.

In a Sunday, August 4 report published by Politico, reporter Gavin Bade highlights another aspect of a second presidency that would also be a danger to democracy — former top Trump trade official, Robert Lighthizer.

Foreign Policy columnist Edward Alden, in May, wrote an article about Lighthizer, titled, "The Man Who Would Help Trump Upend the Global Economy, asserting: "As President Donald Trump’s trade representative, he turned the United States away from six decades of support for a rules-based, multilateral trading system and toward a robustly nationalist approach."

Alden added:

Even as most of Trump’s former officials have denounced him as unfit to be president again, Lighthizer has kept the faith—seeing in Trump, as many others do, a flawed vessel for some greater public good. He remains one of Trump’s top policy advisors in the 2024 campaign and would be set for a bigger job—likely Treasury secretary—if Trump wins in November. Lighthizer’s mission of transforming not just U.S. trade policy but broader U.S. international economic policy is just getting started.

Likewise, Bade warns in his article, "If Trump wins in November, Lighthizer is poised to pursue an even more disruptive set of policies next year, one that is already raising alarms in foreign capitals, on Wall Street and among many economists."

Additionally, Bade reports:

According to four former Trump officials, granted anonymity to speak about sensitive personnel issues, Lighthizer is a candidate for a number of senior roles in a second Trump administration, from Treasury or Commerce secretary to a second turn as USTR, or as an economic adviser or even White House chief of staff. His profile rose further last month with the selection of Ohio Sen. JD Vance as Trump’s running mate, a committed protectionist who aligns with Lighthizer ideologically.

The Politico reporter also notes that Lighthizer isn't only friends with Republicans.

"Even Democrats on Capitol Hill, who fought Trump doggedly on other policies, often found common ground with Lighthizer," Bade notes.

"But even some lawmakers who like Lighthizer personally, like [Rep. Richard] Neal (D-MA) and [Senate Finance Chair Ron] Wyden (D-OR), are wary of his more aggressive second-term agenda, which many economists warn could spike inflation and threaten the American economy’s leading role among world nations."

Neal told Politico, "Those plans, including higher tariffs across the board and moves to decrease the value of the U.S. dollar, entail 'an awful lot of risk without a proper assessment.'"

Reprinted with permission from Alternet.

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