Donald Trump

NBC News reports: Building support for Jill Stein was one of a “roster of themes” the Moscow-sanctioned internet trolls “turned to repeatedly” in their effort to disrupt the election, according to a research team led by the New Knowledge cybersecurity firm. The researchers also found that the campaign to bolster Stein gained in intensity in the final days of the …

The Associated Press reports: Iraqi lawmakers Thursday demanded U.S. forces leave the country in the wake of a surprise visit by President Donald Trump that politicians denounced as arrogant and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. Politicians from both blocs of Iraq’s divided Parliament called for a vote to expel U.S. troops and promised to schedule an extraordinary session to debate …

Talking Points Memo reports: The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals froze a lawsuit accusing Trump of violating the constitution’s emoluments clause, after DOJ attorneys asked for a halt to their appeal, saying that the ongoing government shutdown will prevent them from doing their work. “The Department does not know when funding will be restored by Congress,” DOJ attorneys representing Trump …

The Hill reports: President Trump early Thursday resumed his feud with Democrats on Capitol Hill over funding for a border wall, claiming that most of the hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or forced to work without pay due to a partial government shutdown are Democrats. The president did not provide an explanation for his claim. Have the Democrats …

“You protect us. We are always going to protect you. And you just saw that, ’cause you just got one of the biggest pay raises you’ve ever received. You haven’t gotten one in more than 10 years. More than 10 years. And we got you a big one. I got you a big one. I got you a big one. …

Newsweek reports: President Donald Trump and the White House communications team revealed that a U.S. Navy SEAL team was deployed to Iraq after the president secretly traveled to the region to meet with American forces serving in a combat zone for the first time since being elected to office. The president’s video posted Wednesday did not shield the faces of …

Reuters reports: President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria during an unannounced visit to Iraq, saying that many people will start seeing things on Syria the same way he does. Trump made the decision on Syria abruptly last week, against the advice of top aides and commanders, including Defense Secretary James Mattis, who …

Politico reports: The President of the United States is the “worst” perpetrator of misinformation on the internet, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion David Kaye said in an interview published today. “Governments are real offenders when it comes to disinformation,” said Kaye. “In my own country, the United States, the worst perpetrator of false information is …

CNN reports: House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows, one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies, on Wednesday described Trump’s resolve to hold out for $5 billion in border wall funding as “very firm” as the partial government shutdown entered its fifth day. Having spoken to the President since Saturday, the North Carolina Republican described Democrats as “misreading” Trump if they …

The New York Post reports: President Trump used the cover of the partial government shutdown to slip off to visit US troops in Iraq. Trump and first lady Melania Trump met with military personnel on Wednesday at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, according to photos from Reuters. His whereabouts sparked speculation about what Trump was up to because he …

The Wall Street Journal reports: Matthew Whitaker, the acting U.S. Attorney General, has incorrectly claimed on his résumé and in government documents to have been named an Academic All-American while playing football at the University of Iowa, according to the documents and the organization that awards that honor. Mr. Whitaker, who was a tight end on the Iowa team from …

Talking Points Memo reports: President Barack Obama visited troops on a base in Hawaii every year of his presidency.  Trump skipped the tradition this year, adding yet another strike to his 2018 record. He garnered backlash earlier this year when he cancelled appearances at a burial site in Paris and Arlington National Cemetery in quick succession. He has also yet …

The New York Times reports: In the fall of 1968, Donald J. Trump received a timely diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels that led to his medical exemption from the military during Vietnam. Now a possible explanation has emerged about the documentation. It involves a foot doctor in Queens who rented his office from Mr. Trump’s father, Fred C. …

Mediaite reports: President Donald Trump capped off Christmas Day with by hoping everyone was having a great Christmas, even the “fake news media.” It followed Christmas Day remarks, when Trump said this from the White House: “It’s a disgrace what’s happening in our country. But other than that, I wish everybody a very Merry Christmas. Thank you very much.” Trump’s …

Reuters reports: President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the partial shutdown of the federal government was going to last until his demand for funds to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall is met. Speaking after a video conference with U.S. troops posted abroad, Trump also reiterated his contention that the Federal Reserve was raising U.S. interest rates too fast. At Christmas …

The Hill reports: Russian state-backed news outlet RT on Monday released a satirical video depicting President Trump opening Christmas gifts.   Trump begins by opening a gift from Kim Jong Un, who gave him small gold busts of the two leaders. Trump tosses the bust of Kim aside before opening his next gift: A “Make America Great Again” hat boasting a …

The Associated Press reports: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump on Christmas Eve took calls from children anxious to find out where Santa was on his gift-giving journey. In one conversation, Trump asked a 7-year-old named Coleman, “Are you still a believer in Santa?” He listened for a moment before adding, “Because at 7, it’s marginal, right?” Trump …

The Wrap reports: President Trump, instead of channeling his inner Kevin McAllister and enjoying being “all alone” in the White House on Christmas Eve, is blasting Democrats for refusing to give him the one gift he really wants: a $5-billion border wall. The president also skewered the Federal Reserve, saying it “doesn’t understand” his policies — leading to the recent …

CNN reports: Markets took a wild ride on Monday after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s attempts to calm investors backfired. Stocks had recovered late morning, but then fell to their lowest level for the day after President Donald Trump tweeted mid-morning, “The only problem our economy has is the Fed.” Investors are concerned that Trump may fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome …

Mediaite reports: White House spokeswomen Mercedes Schlapp appeared for an interview on Fox & Friends Monday, where she was challenged by host Brian Kilmeade to name a single adviser that told President Donald Trump to withdraw troops from Syria. “Can you name an adviser the president has that recommended he pull out 2,000 troops?” Kilmeade asked. Schlapp dodged: “I’m not …