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       Donald Trump is supposedly writing a book on how presidency was stolen from him

       As the 6 January committee prepares for a summer of what promise to be shocking and disturbing hearings about the Capitol riot, Donald Trump has laid into committee member Liz Cheney, claiming that she has taken her opposition to him to insane extremes.

       “From what people tell me, from what I hear from other congressmen, she’s like a crazed lunatic, she’s worse than anyone else,” he told the Washington Post in an interview. “From what I’ve heard, she’s worse than any Democrat.”

       The committee’s first public hearing since last year is set for 9 June.

       Meanwhile, Mr Trump is taking stock after a complicated night of Republican primaries, as his endorsee Madison Cawthorn suffered defeat in North Carolina while Mehmet Oz, a controversial TV physician, is stuck clinging on to the narrowest of leads over challenger Dave McCormick – whose campaign says they still expect to win on the strength of mail-in ballots.

       Where Mr Cawthorn has become a paraiah in much of the GOP because of various recent scandals, Dr Oz is disliked and even despised by much of Mr Trump’s base because of his long record of liberal positions.

       Recommended Primary election results – live: Madison Cawthorn concedes in North Carolina as Fetterman wins in Pennsylvania Elon Musk says he plans to vote Republican for the first time Madison Cawthorn gives final ode to Trump as he loses North Carolina primary Trump-backed Ted Budd beats former governor McCrory in North Carolina Senate primary

       Key points Fauci wouldn’t serve Trump again Pelosi mourns judicial impact of “a creature like Donald Trump” Ex-president’s endorsee Dr Oz faces difficult Pennsylvania primary

       Show latest update 1652876153 Watch: Dr Oz thanks Hannity for help with campaign

       The days when Fox News worked hard to present itself as “fair and balanced” are long gone, but there is at least still some pretense among the network’s highest-profile stars that they remain outside politics looking in.

       The latest incident to dispel that image came last night with Dr Mehmet Oz’s speech after the Pennsylvania primary, in which he explicitly thanked Sean Hannity for making a difference “behind the scenes” of his Trump-endorsed campaign – “giving me advice on late night conversations, again, the kinds of things that true friends do for each other”.

       The Trump-endorsed Dr Oz appeared on Mr Hannity’s show multiple times during the campaign without these chats being mentioned.

       Andrew Naughtie 18 May 2022 13:15

       1652872382 Jan 6 panel talking to Trump admin witnesses again

       It seems the 6 January select committee is reaching back out to key witnesses from the Trump administration. Appearing today will be press secretary-turned-critic Stephanie Grisham, who has spoken to the panel before.

       The committee’s public hearings are set to begin on 9 June.

       Andrew Naughtie 18 May 2022 12:13

       1652869787 DOJ suing casino mogul who lobbied Trump admin for China

       The Chinese government was one of Donald Trump’s go-to targets even before he became president, with Beijing’s supposed gaming of the international system and malign influence in US politics providing ample fodder for his isolationist, grievance-laden speeches. But now, a key figure who lobbied Mr Trump’s administration is in hot water over his Chinese links.

       The Justice Department is suing Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn to compel him to register as a foreign agent because of lobbying work it says he performed on behalf of the Chinese government.

       The department said it had advised Wynn repeatedly over the last four years to register under the Foreign Agents Registration, and that it’s taken the decision to sue him now because he is still refusing to do so.

       Read more:

       US sues casino mogul Steve Wynn over relationship with China The Justice Department is suing longtime Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn to compel him to register as a foreign agent because of lobbying work he performed at the behest of the Chinese government during the Trump administration

       Andrew Naughtie 18 May 2022 11:29

       1652866270 How arch-Trumpist Madison Cawthorn lost his seat

       John Bowden has this report from North Carolina, where hardcore right-winger Madison Cawthorn has lost his seat despite Donald Trump’s endorsement. The freshman congressman has been engulfed by embarrassing and shocking stories since he was elected in 2020, and in recent months things reached the point that even the pro-Trump party establishment began to marshal resources against him.

       Despite a slew of scandals and a feud with House Republican leadership – which could easily have played into his hands among the party’s anti-establishment base – Mr Cawthorn maintained support from Mr Trump throughout his campaign right up to Tuesday’s primary.

       A day earlier, however, Mr Trump made his thoughts clear on his support, with a statement that confirmed his continued endorsement but also rebuking the congressman harshly for “foolish” mistakes.

       Those mistakes ended his bid for reelection unceremoniously. Mr Cawthorn made brief remarks to gathered supporters as the race concluded, then sped away with staffers minutes later and apparently called his top opponent to concede.

       “It is what it is,” a Cawthorn staffer who refused to give his name told The Independent.

       Read John’s full dispatch below.

       ‘It is what it is’: On the scene of Madison Cawthorn’s stunning loss House’s youngest member flames out after just one term representing rural western North Carolina

       Andrew Naughtie 18 May 2022 10:31

       1652860915 Report: DOJ asks Jan 6 committee for transcripts

       Federal prosecutors have asked the House of Representatives committee investigating the 6 January 2021 attack on the Capitol to provide transcripts of witness interviews and depositions taken by committee members and staff, according to a New York Times report.

       A “person with knowledge of the matter” told the Times committee chairman Bennie Thompson has not reached any agreement with Attorney General Merrick Garland or other Justice Department officials regarding what, if any, documents will be provided.

       But the department has been in communication with the panel since 20 April. The communications between the department and the select committee are an indication that the department is looking more closely at efforts byDonald Trump and his allies to install Mr Trump in the White House for a second term against the wishes of American voters.

       Andrew Feinberg has more.

       Justice Department has asked Jan 6 committee for witness transcripts, report says Committee chairman Bennie Thompson has not reached any agreement with the DoJ regarding what, if any, documents will be provided, according to the report

       Andrew Naughtie 18 May 2022 09:01

       1652856908 ‘Cancel culture’ reason PGA moved from Trump-owned course, says Jack Nicklaus

       ICYMI: Jack Nicklaus said that PGA Tour pulled its championship out of New Jersey in favour of Tulsa, Oklahoma because of Donald Trump.

       He said that the PGA Tour pulled out because Mr Trump owns the course in New Jersey.

       He said: “But this move is cancel culture. Donald Trump may be a lot of things, but he loves golf, and he loves this country. He’s a student of the game and a formidable figure in the game. What he does in the future in golf will depend on what the cancel culture will allow him to do.”

       Mr Nicklaus has won 18 majors — the most in history. He also endorsed Mr Trump ahead of the 2020 election.

       Graeme Massie 18 May 2022 07:55

       1652853710 Trump phones in to Oz event in Pennsylvania

       ICYMI: Donald Trump is selective with his in-person appearances on the campaign trail these days, restricting himself mainly to rallies in carefully chosen states with candidates he has heartily endorsed. He held such an event for Dr Mehmet Oz not long ago, but since it became clear the TV medic is in danger of losing his primary, Mr Trump has not appeared in Pennsylvania again.

       However, an Oz campaign event last night – billed as a “telerally” – saw the president dial in on speakerphone to address a roomful of supporters, reassuring them that the candidate was in fact pro-life and pro-gun. Dr Oz’s long record of relatively liberal positions on both issues is the main strike against him for many conservatives, who have been resistant to his entreaties despite Mr Trump’s backing.

       Graeme Massie 18 May 2022 07:01

       1652851130 Report: Trump official met with Jan 6 conspiracy-mongers

       ICYMI: The investigation into the events between the 2020 election and 6 January 2021 has focused in large part on meetings between Trump administration officials and outside figures who were specifically involved in “stop the steal” efforts of various kinds.

       Now, another such meeting has come to light. The Washington Post has confirmed that on 6 January itself, Robert A. Destro, a senior Trump appointee at the State Department, met with podcaster Joe Oltmann and Michigan lawyer Matthew DePerno, both of whom claimed that a “coup” against Mr Trump was being mounted by the Biden team.

       Read the report below.

       Graeme Massie 18 May 2022 06:18

       1652847645 Trump agrees to limit his Twitter engagement

       ICYMI: Many Trump fans are eager to see their leader back on Twitter, and Elon Musk has said that he thinks the former president’s account should never have been blocked. But according to financial filings from the company that will oversee the IPO of his own platform, Truth Social, the ex-president has agreed to limit what he can post on Twitter and when if he returns.

       Under the agreement, Mr Trump must post anything unrelated to politics first on Truth Social, and can only post on another social media site six hours later, the federal securities filing shows.

       But if Mr Trump wants to post on a personal social media account anything “related to political messaging, political fundraising or get-out-the-vote efforts” he can do so at any time.

       Graeme Massie has the story.

       Trump has agreed to limit himself from Twitter, according to financial filings Former president has claimed he will not go back to platform even if Elon Musk buys it

       Graeme Massie 18 May 2022 05:20

       1652843390 Court allows Jan 6 Oath Keeper to leave his house

       ICYMI: At a hearing today, one of several members of the Oath Keepers militia indicted for his behaviour on 6 January 2021 was granted a reprieve of sorts: permission to leave home confinement and instead abide by a curfew.

       Joshua A. James has pleaded guilty in the case, which also involves figures including the militia group’s founder, Stewart Rhodes. Prosecutors say that the Oath Keepers who attended the Capitol riot stashed weapons in hotels around the DC area and expected Donald Trump to call them to use force to halt the electoral certification.

       Graeme Massie 18 May 2022 04:09

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