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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
Trump: Mics to be muted during Sept 10 presidential debate
Donald Trump says he and Kamala Harris have agreed to mute microphones at their upcoming debate.
It appears the September 10 presidential debate is on again. After raising doubts about it over the weekend, Trump said an agreement has been reached. He wrote on social media that a candidate’s microphone will be muted when it’s not their turn to speak, and no notes or “cheat sheets,” as he put it, will be allowed. Trump continued to skewer debate host ABC, describing the network as “fake news” and “the nastiest and most unfair newscaster in the business.”
Early election voting is just a few weeks away
Election Day is in November, but voting begins much earlier. At the end of next week, the first mail ballots get sent to voters. And early in-person voting will start as soon as Sept. 20 in some states. The first batch of ballots typically sent out are ones to military and overseas voters. Under federal law, that must happen at least 45 days before an election — which this year is September 21. But some states start earlier. North Carolina will begin sending mail ballots to all voters who request them on September 6.
Listen DownloadFormer Democrat Gabbard endorses Donald Trump
Donald Trump has picked up an endorsement from former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
Gabbard sought the Democratic party’s presidential nomination in 2020, but left the party two years ago. She appeared with Trump in Detroit on Monday, saying the GOP nominee “understands the grave responsibility that a president and commander in chief bears for every single one of our lives.” Gabbard also criticized the Biden White House for the U.S. now “facing multiple wars on multiple fronts.” On Thursday, Gabbard will moderate a town hall with Trump in Wisconsin.
Appeals court asked to reinstate Trump classified docs case
The special counsel in the dismissed Trump classified documents case is asking an appeals court to reinstate the case. A federal judge threw out the case last month after concluding that Jacks Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional. The appeal is the latest development in a prosecution that has been derailed by delays and, ultimately, the dismissal. It’s unclear how long it will take for the appeals court to decide the matter, but even if it overturns the case and revives the prosecution, there’s no chance of a trial before the November presidential election.
Listen DownloadGaza ceasefire talks continue to iron out details
The White House says Gaza ceasefire negotiations are continuing in Cairo. High-level talks in Egypt ended without an agreement, but discussions continue on the working-group level for the next few days. White House national security spokesman John Kirby says they’re working out specific issues. Kirby pushed back on suggestions that the talks have broken down, and said, on the contrary, that they were “constructive.”
Listen DownloadTrump raises doubts about Sept 10 debate with Harris
Next month’s presidential debate could be in jeopardy. There are fresh doubts about the September 10 debate after Donald Trump criticized ABC News in a social media post, asking “why would I do the debate against Kamala Harris on that network?” The Trump campaign said in a statement that both sides continue to disagree on the debate’s ground rules. According to Politico, the two campaigns “have hit an impasse over whether the candidates’ microphones will be muted when it is not their turn to speak.”
Listen DownloadVance: Trump would not issue a national abortion ban
The Trump campaign is pushing back on Democrats’ warnings that a GOP victory would result in more abortion restrictions. At their convention last week, Democrats hammered Donald Trump on abortion. Some of them warned that the former president would issue a nationwide ban in a second term. Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance said Trump would not support a national abortion ban and told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he would veto such legislation if passed by Congress. But that statement is not sitting well with pro-life groups. The Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins said “God have mercy on this nation if this is now the position of what was the pro-life party.”
Listen DownloadTrump pollsters expect temporary Harris bounce
Donald Trump’s pollsters expect Kamala Harris to get a post-convention bounce of support. In a memo to Team Trump, pollsters Tony Fabrizio and Travis Tunis predict a temporary bounce in public polling for Vice President Harris after last week’s Democratic National Convention. They say such bounces are expected, but they “do not last.” The pollsters remind the Trump campaign to ignore the media’s focus on national polls and, instead, “keep our eye on the ball” — namely the target battleground states likely to determine the election.
Listen DownloadAbortion rights was a central feature at Democrats’ convention
Abortion rights was a key focus during the just-concluded Democratic National Convention. Freedom is a central theme of Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign and it was featured prominently by Democrats at their convention. Most notably, they firmly tied the concept of freedom to the fight over abortion access. They view it as a winning political issue after the overturning of Roe v Wade two years ago. Democrats also used the freedom argument to slam Republicans on other social issues, from LGBTQ rights to the spread of book bans in schools.
Listen DownloadDems warned that election win will be “uphill battle”
Amid the hoopla of the Democrats’ convention in Chicago, there were reminders that the road to victory is not easy. For all of the energy and excitement at last week’s Democratic National Convention, the presidential contest remains close. Something that Barack and Michelle Obama reminded their party. They delivered an urgent call to action. It was an acknowledgement that even with a change at the top of the Democratic ticket, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are essentially tied in their race for the White House.
Listen DownloadTrump ally says media ignores Harris “policy deficits”
A top Trump surrogate says the news media are giving Kamala Harris a pass on her policy plans. Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says the vice president has offered few details about her agenda and he blames the media for not giving enough coverage to, what he calls, Harris’s “policy deficits.” He said the Democratic National Convention featured Hollywood stars and popular singers, but didn’t tell the country what Harris “stands for.” Ramaswamy spoke at a Trump campaign news conference not far from the DNC venue.
Listen DownloadTrump unhappy with DNC linking him to Project 2025
Donald Trump is unhappy with the DNC’s focus on Project 2025. In her acceptance speech, Kamala Harris joined other convention speakers in denouncing the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 document. Even though it was written by former Trump staffers and allies, the former president said it was “disgraceful” for Democrats to link him to Project 2025. He told Fox and Friends he has “nothing to do with it.”
Listen DownloadHarris accepts nomination, wants to “chart a new way forward”
With those words, Vice President Kamala Harris became the first Black woman to be a presidential nominee. After sharing her personal and professional background, she said this election offers the country a “precious opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past and chart a new way forward.” Harris described Donald Trump as an “unserious man,” but warned the consequences of returning him to office are serious.
In acceptance speech, Harris talks Mideast, abortion, border
Vice President Harris tackled some consequential topics during her speech accepting the Democratic party’s presidential nomination. On Middle East policy, she delivered a staunch defense of Israel, called for an end to the suffering in Gaza, and the return of hostages. She forcefully defended the right to an abortion, saying Donald Trump and his allies are out of touch. And on immigration, Harris pledged to revive a bipartisan border bill and sign it into law.
Listen DownloadRepublican Kinziger had prime speaking slot at DNC
A Republican had a high-profile speaking slot on the final night of the Democratic National Convention.
Speaking just minutes before Kamala Harris took the stage, former Congressman Adam Kinziger called on other Republicans to join him and support the Democratic nominee. He explained why he refuses to vote for Donald Trump, saying that he was “putting our country first.” Kinziger, who declared that “democracy knows no party,” was one of several Republicans who spoke here this week.
DNC to close convention with Harris acceptance speech
In Chicago, Kamala Harris accepts her party’s presidential nomination. Just a few weeks after moving to the top of the Democratic ticket and just 74 days before Election Day, Vice President Harris will take center stage. She returns to the United Center convention hall this evening after making a brief appearance here on Monday. Harris, who has faced criticism for revealing few policy details and not sitting for a news interview or press conference, will address the nation and tell Americans why they should elect her as the nation’s next president.
Listen DownloadRFK Jr could end presidential campaign and back Trump
Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s third party presidential bid could be over by the end of the week. RFK Jr.’s campaign says Kennedy will speak Friday about “his path forward” amid growing speculation that he would drop out. Earlier this week, Kennedy’s running mate openly discussed the possibility, saying the campaign was considering a move to “join forces” with Donald Trump to limit Kamala Harris’s election chances. Here at the Democratic National Convention, Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon told Politico she doesn’t “think it’s really going to interfere with the race too much.”
Listen DownloadWalz accepts Democratic vice presidential nomination
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has formally accepted the Democratic party’s vice presidential nomination. On the second-to-last night of the Democratic National Convention, the former high school teacher and football coach made it official. Walz used his acceptance speech to talk about his small town upbringing, his family, and his pride in being Kamala Harris’s running mate. He said Democrats have “something better to offer” than Donald Trump and JD Vance — promising middle class tax cuts, lower prescription drug prices, and access to abortion.
Listen DownloadFormer President Bill Clinton returned to the DNC stage
Former President Bill Clinton returned to the stage on Night Three of the Democratic National Convention. As an elder statesman in the party, Clinton said that having just turned 78 he’s “still younger than Donald Trump.” He said Kamala Harris is for the people and lamented that Trump is self-centered. And Clinton offered his endorsement, saying Harris is the only candidate in the 2024 race “who has the vision, the experience, the temperament, the will, and, yes, the sheer joy.”
Listen DownloadDNC shines spotlight on hostages held in Gaza
The Democratic National Convention heard from the parents of an American being held hostage by Hamas. Rachel Goldberg told convention-goers that their 23-year-old son Hersh is one of 8 Americans captured at a music festival in Israel and taken into Gaza. Jon Polin said pushing for the return of the hostages is not a political issue, “it’s a humanitarian issue.” The ongoing Gaza War has caused division inside the Democratic party and is the subject of protests here in Illinois.
Listen DownloadBill Clinton, Tim Walz to highlight third night of DNC
Another former president will take the stage on Night Three of the Democratic National Convention. One night after Barack Obama addressed delegates here at the DNC, Bill Clinton is set to deliver a prime time speech. The former president’s appearance comes on the same evening that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will formally accept the party’s vice presidential nomination. Today’s convention theme is “A Fight for Our Freedoms,” which will amplify the Harris campaign’s freedom agenda, including abortion and LGBT rights.
Listen DownloadVP candidate Walz’s IVF comments face fresh scrutiny
Ahead of his acceptance speech, Vice Presidential hopeful Tim Walz is coming under fresh scrutiny. Describing his family’s struggle with infertility, the Minnesota governor has implied that he and his wife used IVF to conceive. However, they actually used artificial insemination. The campaign and its allies defended Walz, while Republicans accused him of falsely using his personal story for political gain. Kamala Harris’s running mate also has been criticized for misstating his military rank at retirement and saying he carried weapons of war “in war.”
Listen DownloadObamas deliver one-two punch with DNC speeches
At the Democratic National Convention, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama took aim at Donald Trump and boosted Kamala Harris. The Obamas delivered an energetic one-two punch here in Chicago. The former first lady said there’s something special, and familiar, about the appeal of the Harris campaign. The former president said Donald Trump is the opposite of hope and that America is ready for a new chapter.
Listen DownloadHarris, Walz nominated in ceremonial DNC roll call
Vice President Harris rallied thousands of people in Milwaukee during the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. During a ceremonial roll call of the states, Democratic delegates nominated Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as their party’s presidential and vice presidential nominees. Harris spoke from the same Milwaukee arena where Republicans held their convention last month — and a live feed was shown here inside the United Center.
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