Bullet pierced Trump’s ear at political rally in Pennsylvania

Former President Trump was injured when shots rang out at his rally in Pennsylvania. A political rally turned into a chaotic crime scene when Trump was shot just a few minutes into his speech. Blood could be seen on the former president’s face as he was rushed away by Secret Service officers. The gunman was shot and killed by authorities. In a statement on social media, Trump wrote that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced” the upper part of his right ear.” Trump extended condolences to the family of the deceased spectator and the other attendee who was injured. He closed his statement by saying “God bless America.”

Biden denounces violence that injured Trump at rally

Biden no longer a “bridge” to next generation of leaders

President Biden explains why he’s no longer willing to be a “bridge” to the next generation of leaders. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden called himself a bridge to the next generation of leaders. As he runs for reelection here in 2024, the president was asked what changed. He said “the gravity of the situation” he inherited. He told a press conference that his support among voters was strong and he would stay in the race and would win.

Biden: I don’t need to undergo cognitive testing

President Biden says he doesn’t need to undergo cognitive testing. Responding to questions about his mental sharpness, the president said he took three “significant and intense neurological exams” conducted by a neurologist, most recently in February. And he’s open to more testing if it’s recommended by his doctors. Mr. Biden also said that he’s “tested every single day” as he tackles the challenges of the presidency.

Biden believes he’s best qualified Democrat to beat Trump

President Biden isn’t budging even though more and more lawmakers are calling for him to end his reelection campaign. At this week’s press conference, the president said he will stay in the race until his staff says there’s no way he can win. He also fielded a question about whether Democratic delegates can vote their conscience at the August convention, saying that’s the democratic process but “it’s not going to happen.” The president said there’s no indication that he can’t get the job done.

Biden resists Democrat pressure to withdraw from 2024 race

President Biden is resisting Democratic pressure to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. During a highly-anticipated press conference, the president forcefully defended his policies and dismissed Democratic concerns about his campaign’s viability.  He insisted his support among voters was strong and he would stay in the race and would win.

Under scrutiny, Biden makes untimely flubs at NATO summit

President Biden made some untimely verbal flubs with his political future in doubt. Facing intense scrutiny over his advanced age and mental acuity, the president made a gaffe at the NATO summit when he introduced Ukrainian President Zelensky, calling him “President Putin.” Later, at a high-stake press conference, Mr. Biden mistakenly identified his own vice president, Kamala Harris. He referred to her as “Vice President Trump.” The president insisted he’s up to the job and is the best qualified candidate in the race.

Radio station edited Biden interview at campaign’s request

There’s more fallout from a Biden radio interview that took place after the presidential debate. We learned last weekend that the Biden campaign sent approved questions to two Black radio hosts who interviewed the president. Now, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that a Wisconsin-based talk-radio network also agreed to the Biden campaign’s request to make two edits to its interview with the president before airing it. Civic Media said its decision to make the tweaks fell short of “journalistic interview standards.”

Trump urges NY criminal conviction thrown out

Donald Trump is urging the judge in his New York criminal trial to overturn his conviction and dismiss the case. In a new court filing, Trump’s lawyers ask for the dismissal citing the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity. They argue that evidence used during the trial included “official acts” that Trump took as president. Specifically, the legal team cites some of Trump’s conversations with then-White House Communications Director Hope Hicks and some tweets that he sent while president. Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election.

U.S. announces new $225 million aid package for Ukraine

The United States has announced a new 225-million dollar aid package for Ukraine. President Biden made the announcement during a meeting with Ukraine’s president on the sidelines of the NATO Summit. The aid package includes a Patriot missile system to bolster its air defenses against a deadly onslaught of Russian airstrikes. And Mr. Biden later reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine.

Biden hopes to quiet Democrat doubts at news conference

President Biden will try to quiet doubts about his abilities at a late-day news conference in Washington.
The president will face questions from the White House press corps at the conclusion of the NATO summit. Mr. Biden and his campaign hope to use the event to fend off continued calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, given concerns about his age and mental fitness. He has argued he had a “bad night” at the debate two weeks ago and believes a strong performance this afternoon will convince members of his party that he still has the ability both to win in November and to serve a second term.

Biden faces growing pressure to withdraw from 2024 race

President Biden’s reelection bid is facing new obstacles. Even though the president told lawmakers he’s committed to staying in the race, that hasn’t stopped the drama inside the Democratic party. Many members are still unconvinced that Joe Biden can beat Donald Trump, and they’re unsure he’s fit to serve another four years. The first Democratic senator has called for the president to withdraw and more House Democrats are saying the same. Actor George Clooney, who’s a major Democratic donor, wrote in The New York Times that it’s time for a new nominee.

Biden campaign provided Black radio hosts with interview questions

The Biden campaign sent approved questions to two radio hosts who interviewed the president after his awful debate performance. Last week, Joe Biden was interviewed on two Black radio shows in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. It was part of the campaign’s effort to show that the president could answer questions and discuss his record. Over the weekend, Wisconsin host Earl Ingram said the Biden team gave him four questions in advance. Philadelphia radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders received a list of eight predetermined questions from the campaign and used four of them. She has since lost her job.

Democrats still divided over Biden’s path forward

More than a week after the presidential debate, Democrats remain divided over Joe Biden’s ability to campaign and win reelection. As lawmakers return to Capitol Hill following the Fourth of July recess, some Democrats in Congress are calling for President Biden to step aside while others argue he should remain the party’s choice. Over the past few days, Mr. Biden made personal calls to some lawmakers and joined a call with campaign surrogates. He says he has no plans to leave the race and believes he’s the best qualified candidate to beat Donald Trump.

With GOP convention a week away, Trump to announce his VP pick soon

Former President Donald Trump is expected to announce his running mate soon. With the Republican National Convention a week away, Trump is getting close to naming his choice for vice president. For weeks now, several names have been mentioned as potential finalists, including Senators J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is also a possibility. All the contenders have been making public appearances on behalf of the former president

Biden’s climate agenda dealt a legal setback

President Biden’s climate agenda was dealt a setback this week. Back in January, the Biden administration paused the approval of new liquefied natural gas exports. It said it wanted to study the effects of LNG on the climate. Sixteen Republican-led states challenged the administration in court and a federal judge has blocked the president’s decision to delay natural gas permits, which is a blow to the Biden White House. Officials in the red states raised constitutional questions about the administration’s action and argued it would have a negative economic impact.

Michigan governor disputes saying Biden can’t win her state

Michigan’s governor disputes that she told the Biden campaign that her state is unwinnable. Politico Magazine reported this week that Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the chairperson of the Biden campaign to say that, after the presidential debate, Michigan “was no longer winnable for [Joe] Biden.” But Whitmer’s office said the reported comment was false, and the governor insisted that the president can still win Michigan, which is a key battleground state. Democrats remain in disarray after Mr. Biden’s troubling debate performance.

New presidential polls show Trump expanding lead over Biden

The latest poll numbers are not kind to President Biden. The latest New York Times/Siena College poll shows a widening lead for Donald Trump and majorities of every demographic group saying Joe Biden is too old to be effective. According to the Times poll, the president is losing support from young voters and Hispanic voters. Meanwhile, a new Wall Street Journal poll shows Trump with a 6-point lead nationally and 80 percent of respondents saying that the president is too old to run for a second term.

White House, Biden campaign in damage control mode

It’s been all-hands-on-deck for the White House and the Biden campaign to reassure worried Democrats. A week after his dismal debate performance, President Biden is resisting calls from some fellow Democrats to drop out of the 2024 race. The White House said “absolutely not” when asked if the president is considering an exit. And that’s the message being shared with campaign staffers, Democrats in Congress, Democratic governors, and worried donors. The White House also has announced a ramped up schedule for Joe Biden that includes media interviews, campaign travel, and a news conference at next week’s NATO summit.

Two Civil War soldiers awarded posthumously with Medal of Honor

White House: Biden is “not dropping out of the race”

The White House says President Biden is “not dropping out” of the 2024 race. In response to swirling questions about Joe Biden’s candidacy following his dismal debate appearance, the White House made clear the president is not stepping aside. A spokeswoman said the president told his team that he’s in the 2024 race to the end. She said that a report that he’s considering an exit from the contest is false. As for why the president performed so poorly at last week’s debate, the White House says it was a combination of a head cold and jet lag.

More Democrats question Biden’s age, capacity after debate

A troubling debate performance by President Biden has forced lawmakers to grapple with a crisis that could upend the election. At this point, the White House and campaign have said Joe Biden has no intention of dropping out of the race against Donald Trump. But Democrats are asking urgent questions about his age and capacity to be president. With each passing day, more and more Biden allies in the Democratic party are openly questioning whether he should be on the ticket and, if not, then who.

Biden to meet with worried Dem governors, lawmakers

President Biden will meet with Democratic governors today [WED] in the wake of his dismal debate showing. The president will speak directly with worried governors as he attempts to solidify support among his party’s top leaders after last week’s troubling debate performance. A spokesperson says he will also hold calls with party leaders in Congress. The calls are part of the president’s attempt to calm fears among some Democrats who worry he may not be up to continuing a campaign — much less defeat Donald Trump.

Biden will give first post-debate interview to ABC News

President Biden will give his first post-debate interview to ABC News later this week. Following his much-criticized performance during last week’s debate, the president has agreed to sit for an extended interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. He is sure to be asked directly about the debate, his health, his age, and his fitness for another four-year-term in office. Word of the interview comes as many Americans, including Democrats, are questioning whether the 81-year-old president should continue his campaign.