Remember when Trump…

told his supporters to vote twice?

On September 2, 2020, Trump told supporters in North Carolina that they should vote by mail, and then vote in person to ensure it counts. Because double voting in such a manner is felony fraud, the North Carolina Board of Elections issued a statement urging people not to follow Trump’s advice. Trump has alleged widespread fraud since the 2016 election, though an investigative commission found none.

…send it in early and then go and vote and if it’s not tabulated, you vote and the vote is going to count. You can’t let them take your vote away. These people are playing dirty politics, dirty politics.

So if you have an absentee ballot, or as I call it a solicited ballot, you send it in, but I would check it in any event. I would go and follow it and go vote.

When Trump repeated his suggestion via Twitter, the company flagged the tweet with a special notice:

In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Trump’s Attorney General William Barr evaded questions on the issue by claiming that he didn’t know state voting laws well enough to comment.

Trump also once registered to vote in Florida despite claiming DC as his legal address.

The New York Times – Trump Encourages People in North Carolina to Vote Twice, Which Is Illegal
NPR – Trump Urges Supporters To Go To Polls Even After Voting By Mail
North Carolina Board of Elections – A Message from Karen Brinson Bell to NC Voters
CNN – Ignoring warnings from election officials, Trump again suggests supporters should try to vote twice

refused to join global efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine?

On September 1, 2020, the Trump administration announced that it would not join international efforts to develop a vaccine. Managed by the World Health Organization, contribution nations would have access to a portfolio of potential vaccines to ensure access to whichever ones are deemed most effective. In a worst case scenario, if US efforts to develop a vaccine were to fail, they would be left without an alternative.

The administration announced its withdrawal from the WHO the previous July, due to their belief that the organization is too “China-centric.”

On the day the decision was announced, the United States totaled 6,247,527 cases and 188,874 deaths.

The Washington Post – U.S. says it won’t join WHO-linked effort to develop, distribute coronavirus vaccine
Associated Press – US says it won’t join global effort to find COVID-19 vaccine
NPR – U.S. Won’t Join WHO-Led Coronavirus Vaccine Effort, White House Says
Worldometer – Coronavirus, United States

allegedly said “only blacks could live this way” about Chicago?

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer, alleged that Trump made a variety of racist remarks. While driving through a struggling Chicago neighborhood, Trump commented that “only the blacks could live this way.” Trump went on to say that they wouldn’t vote for him to be President because of their stupidity.

Cohen faced criminal charges for campaign finance violations regarding his assistance in the Stormy Daniel scandal. He also named Trump as a co-conspirator.

Associated Press – The Latest: Cohen says Trump disparaged black people
Chicago Tribune – To back his claim that Trump is racist, Michael Cohen recounts a story from Chicago
The Independent – Trump said ‘only blacks could live this way’ about Chicago and hates Obama because he’s Black, Michael Cohen claims

called fallen US service members “suckers” and “losers”?

An Atlantic report from September, 2020 revealed that, while in France, Trump refused to visit a cemetery of American soldiers from World War I. It was raining, and Trump reportedly didn’t want to get his hair, wet, something he has voiced concern about elsewhere. During the trip, Trump remarked, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” In a separate conversation he referred to them as “suckers.” Publicly, Trump claimed that he couldn’t visit the cemetery because of extremely poor weather, though other major political figures like the President of France were able to attend.

The Atlantic report also noted that Trump refused to lend any support to late US Senator John McCain’s funeral, and was angered that flags were flown at half-staff, saying, “What the f-ck are we doing that for? Guy was a f-cking loser.” Trump famously said he didn’t consider McCain a war hero because he was captured, and attacked him repeatedly for his vote against repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Senior Defense officials also confirmed the accuracy of the Atlantic article to the Associated Press. They also noted that during a 2017 visit to the Arlington Cemetery Trump asked his then-Chief of Staff, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?”

Fox News national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin also confirmed some details of the Atlantic story, but could not confirm the specific point on “suckers” and “losers.” Still, Trump called for her to be fired for her reporting on claims made.

Trump has denied all reports about his remarks.

During his tenure, Trump also attacked a Gold Star family, brought a war widow to tears, and called dodging STDs his personal Vietnam. He also refused to take action on reports on Russian bounties being placed on US soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Atlantic – Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’
Newsweek – Trump Calls for Firing of Fox Reporter Who Confirmed Atlantic Article on Veterans
Associated Press – Report: Trump disparaged US war dead as ‘losers,’ ‘suckers’ 
Talking Points Memo – Two Senior Officials Confirm Trump’s Remarks About Fallen Soldiers To AP

was endorsed by Osama bin Laden’s niece?

Osama bin Laden’s niece, Noor bin Laden, voiced support for Trump, claiming that only he could prevent another terrorist attack like 9/11. On the day of 9/11, Trump bragged about the height of his Manhattan tower.

Noor, born in Switzerland, is a vocal fan of American conservative news and talk show hosts, naming Fox News’ Tucker Carlson to be her favorite television personality. She has also voiced support for the QAnon conspiracy theory. Trump has voiced support for other politicians who have espoused the conspiracy.

Business Insider – Osama bin Laden’s niece is a Trump supporter who has also backed the QAnon conspiracy theory movement
The New York Post – Osama bin Laden’s niece says only Trump can prevent another 9/11
Pop Culture – Osama Bin Laden’s Niece Wears MAGA Hat to Endorse Donald Trump: ‘He Must Be Reelected’

was an anti-vaxxer?

Trump first voiced the unsound claim that vaccines cause autism during a 2007 interview with the Orlando Sun-Sentinal. Trump said his then-infant son Barron was being given vaccinations over a prolonged period of time, explaining, “When I was growing up, autism wasn’t really a factor. And now all of a sudden, it’s an epidemic. Everybody has their theory. My theory, and I study it because I have young children, my theory is the shots.”

In a 2009 Fox News segment, Trump called to say, “I think the vaccines can be very dangerous. And, obviously, you know, a lot of people are talking about vaccines with children with respect to autism.” He reiterated the claim again in a 2012 interview with Fox News on Autism Awareness Day.

Trump has also voiced this belief via Twitter.

During the 2015 Republican Presidential Primaries, Trump said he was supportive of vaccines, but again stated his belief that the dosages should be smaller and administered over a longer period of time.

Orlando Sun-Sentinal – Trump: Autism Linked to Child Vaccinations
Insider – The powerful media mogul at the core of Trump’s debunked views on vaccines and autism
The New York Times – President Trump on Vaccines: From Skeptic to Cheerleader

violated the Hatch Act?

The Hatch Act, passed in 1939, prohibits executive branch public servants from using their position to engage in political activity like campaigning, or the use of public locations to do so. While the President and Vice President are except, Trump’s administration has violated the Hatch Act several times over his tenure.

The Office of the Special Council, an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency, recommended Kellyanne Conway’s removal in June 2019 due to her violations of the Hatch Act. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a lawsuit in December of 2019 that alleged over 60 violations by Kellyanne Conway alone. She dismissed accusations of violating the Hatch Act as trying to silence her, saying, “Blah, blah, blah…Let me know when the jail sentence starts.”

Further accusations of violations have been levied against Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, trade adviser Peter Navarro, economic adviser Larry Kudlow, Vice Presidential chief of staff Marc Short, and former UN Ambassaor Nikki Haley.

Trump’s daughter Ivanka also violated the law by promoting Goya on Twitter.

Among the most open and breach of the Hatch Act was the use of the White House, also referred to as “the people’s house,” as the centerpiece location for the 2020 Republican National Convention. The fourth and final day of the RNC featured several speakers, including the President himself, on the White House lawn.

A screen displays the campaign banner for U.S. President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence following Trump’s acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House August 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Day 4 of RNC 2020. Alex Wong/Getty Images

The day after, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows dismissed concerns, saying “Nobody outside of the Beltway really cares”

The Washington Post – Federal watchdog agency recommends removal of Kellyanne Conway from federal office for violating the Hatch Act
Newsweek – Kellyanne Conway Violated the Hatch Act 60 Times, Ethics Watchdog Claims in New Lawsuit
U.S. Office of Special Counsel – OSC Finds Kellyanne Conway Repeatedly Violated the Hatch Act, Recommends Removal from Federal Service
Forbes – Ethics Watchdog Accuses Trump Officials Of 15 Hatch Act Violations During Conventions
The New York Times – White House chief of staff: ‘Nobody outside of the Beltway really cares’ about possible Hatch Act violations

said Biden was controlled by “people that are in the dark shadows”?

In an August 31, 2020 Fox News interview, Trump alleged a conspiracy about opponent Joe Biden, who had been a centrist Democrat for 47 years of public service.

INGRAHAM: Who do you think is pulling Biden’s strings. Is it former Obama people?

TRUMP: People that you’ve never heard of. People that are in the dark shadows. People that are-

INGRAHAM: What does that mean? That sounds like conspiracy theory. Dark shadows, what is that?

TRUMP: People that you haven’t heard of. There are people that are on the streets. There are people that are controlling the streets. We had somebody get on a plane from a certain city this weekend and in the plane, it was almost completely loaded with thugs wearing these dark uniforms, black uniforms with gear and this and that. They’re on a plane.

INGRAHAM: Where is-

TRUMP: I’ll tell you sometime, but it’s under investigation right now. But they came from a certain city, and this person was coming to the Republican National Convention. And there were like seven people on the plane like this person. And then a lot of people were on the plane to do big damage. They were coming-

INGRAHAM: Planning for Washington.

TRUMP: Yeah, this is all happening.

INGRAHAM: But the money is coming from somewhere. How can it be tracked?

TRUMP: Money is coming from some very stupid rich people, that have no idea that if their thing ever succeeded, which it won’t, they will be thrown to the wolves like you’ve never seen before.

Trump seemed to be vaguely referencing protesters, who he also alleged had kept the city of Portland burning for “decades.” In the same interview, Trump compared killings by police to choking at golf.

NBC News – Trump claims without evidence that Biden controlled by people in ‘the dark shadows’
Politico – Trump alleges Biden controlled by people in ‘dark shadows’
CNN – The 35 most reckless lines from Donald Trump’s interview with Laura Ingraham

denied having mini-strokes?

Trump’s tweet was in response to a new book’s depiction of an unplanned visit to Walter Reed Medical Center in November of 2019. His denial drew attention because the book never made mention of mini-strokes.

Donald Trump v. The United States, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Michael Schmidt, also said that Pence was told to be on standby to assume presidential powers in case Trump had to be anesthetized.

The White House physician issued a statement saying, “I can confirm that President Trump has not experienced nor been evaluated for a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), transient ischemic attack (mini stroke), or any acute cardiovascular emergencies, as have been incorrectly reported in the media.”

Trump’s tweets came amid his attempts to paint Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden as mentally unsuitable for the position. In July, he bragged about completing a basic cognitive test.

The Hill – Trump denies ‘mini-strokes’ sent him to Walter Reed
Politico – Trump goes after Drudge over rumors of ‘mini-strokes’

likened deaths at the hands of police to choking at golf?

Trump made the remarks in an August 31, 2020 Fox News interview:

The police are under siege because of things – they can do 10,000 great acts, which is what they do, and one bad apple, or a choker – you know a choker, they choke, shooting the guy in the back many times. Couldn’t you have done something different? Couldn’t you have wrestled him? In the meantime, he might’ve been going for a weapon. And there’s a whole big thing there. But they choke. Just like in a golf tournament, they miss a three-foot putt.

The interview came after months of protests and riots after George Floyd was killed by police on video. Trump had threatened the use of “vicious dogs” and “ominous weapons,” and warned that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”

USA Today – Trump tells Ingraham some officers ‘choke’ during shootings, saying ‘They miss a 3-foot putt’
The Hill – Trump compares police who use force to golfers who ‘choke’
Business Insider – Trump denies fringe theory that a series of ‘mini-strokes’ prompted his unannounced trip to Walter Reed hospital last November
Forbes – Trump Denies ‘Series Of Mini-Strokes’ Prompted Surprise Walter Reed Visit

More assuredly to come soon

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