Lindsey Graham warns Donald Trump could lose the election if he doesn't change his strategy
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Donald Trump has caused controversy by falsely claiming that Taylor Swift, the hugely popular singer-songwriter and Democrat, is endorsing his presidential bid, and using artificial intelligence to launch a fake “Swifties for Trump” campaign.
Meanwhile, George Santos, a former New York Republican congressman and close ally of President Trump who has been brought to power by a series of scandals, is reportedly planning to accept a plea deal in his federal criminal case on Monday to avoid a trial.
On Sunday, President Trump was warned by MAGA ally Lindsey Graham that he could lose November's presidential election to Kamala Harris if he continues to indulge his “provocateur” instincts by making personal attacks on his Democratic rival without offering any substantive policy criticism.
Trump has so far shown little appetite for change, saying at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night that he was “better looking” than Harris and again stressing that Harris “laughs like crazy.”
Meanwhile, his running mate, J.D. Vance, made a bizarre comparison between Harris and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a smear sure to backfire given that Trump once praised Epstein as a “fine guy” and was once photographed with him.
Key Points
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Trump posts AI-generated image of Harris holding Communist flag while speaking at Democratic National Convention
James Liddell's further expose on Trump's ploys is further evidence that Trump has lost his talent for posters.
Joe Summerrad August 19, 2024 13:15
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Kamala Harris and Tim Walz take a bus tour of Pennsylvania on their way to the Democratic Convention
By the way, this is what a non-weird presidential campaign looks like.
The Democratic candidate traveled by bus through western Pennsylvania on Sunday, meeting with voters, giving speeches, answering policy questions from reporters, manning a phone bank and stopping at a gas station to buy Doritos.
So basically, like a normal politician who is actually interested in governing.
Joe Summerrad August 19, 2024 12:45
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George Santos expected to accept plea deal in election fraud case
The disgraced former New York Republican congressman and ally of President Trump, whose legacy has been brought down by a series of scandals, is reportedly planning to accept a plea deal in his federal criminal case today to avoid a trial.
Ariana Bio reports.
Joe Summerrad August 19, 2024 12:15
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Desperate Trump turns to AI to power fake “Swifties for Trump” campaign
President Trump appears to be trying to use artificial intelligence to suggest Taylor Swift fans are his supporters, as he desperately tries to regain the spotlight with Kamala Harris' Democratic National Convention kicking off in Chicago today.
On Sunday, the former president used his Truth Social platform to post a series of screenshots of what appeared to be Swift fans wearing T-shirts that read “Swifties for Trump.”
He wrote above the image: “I accept!”
This is becoming tragic.
That being said, at least one of the people mentioned above is real.
Jenna Piwowarczyk sent The Independent the following photo of a photo she took with Trump at a rally he held in Racine, Wisconsin on June 18. So, there are genuine “Trump supporters” out there.
Jenna Piwowarczyk, a self-described “Trump Swiftie,” poses with Donald Trump in Racine, Wisconsin, on June 18, 2024. (Jenna Piwowarczyk)
More from Becca Monahan.
Donald Trump and Taylor Swift fans fooled by AI image of him cheering
Donald Trump appears to have used artificial intelligence to suggest that Taylor Swift fans are his supporters, ahead of Kamala Harris' Democratic National Convention. On Sunday, the former president posted a series of screenshots on his platform, Truth Social, showing Taylor Swift fans dressed up in costumes.
Joe Summerrad August 19, 2024 11:45
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JD Vance makes bizarre comparison of Harris to Jeffrey Epstein
Meanwhile, Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, over the weekend made a bizarre comparison between the Democratic nominee and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — a smear that is sure to backfire given that Trump once praised Epstein as a “fine guy” and was photographed with him.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has already blithely brushed off Vance's reckless comparison, having delivered a scathing critique of him in “Hillbilly Elegy.”
John Bowden reports.
Joe Summerrad August 19, 2024 11:15
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Trump claims he's “more handsome” than Kamala Harris
Despite strenuous efforts from Graham, Nikki Haley, Kevin McCarthy, Kellyanne Conway, Megyn Kelly and many other influential conservatives, Trump has so far shown little willingness to change his strategy or implement it, and at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on Saturday night, he declared that he was “handsome” than Kamala Harris, again claiming that Harris has “the laugh of a madman.”
Rather than responding respectfully to these petty attacks, Harris has so far largely ignored them — a wise move.
At the event, Trump also rambled on about TiVo, revealed a fundamental misunderstanding about tariffs, and forgot what state he was in – none of which are good looks for someone who has suddenly become the oldest presidential candidate in US history.
Ariana Bio reports.
Joe Summerrad August 19, 2024 10:45
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Lindsey Graham warns that Trump, the provocateur and showman, may lose the election
Donald Trump has been warned by MAGA ally Lindsey Graham that he could lose November's presidential election to Kamala Harris if he continues to indulge his “provocateur” instincts by making personal attacks on his Democratic rival without offering any substantive policy criticism.
“Donald Trump, President Trump can win this election. His policies are good for America, and if there's a policy debate in the presidential election, he's going to win,” the South Carolina senator told Kristen Welker on NBC's “Meet the Press” on Sunday, becoming the latest Republican to call for Trump to change strategy.
“But Donald Trump, the private citizen, the provocateur, the showman, may not win this election.”
John Bowden reports.
Joe Summerrad August 19, 2024 10:25
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Hello and welcome!
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the 2024 US Presidential election, where Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are facing off against Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for the White House.
Joe Summerrad August 19, 2024 10:15
