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Mark Zuckerberg had a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at his resort in Mar-a-Lago, further evidence of the apparent thawing in their once frosty relations.
Donald Trump already has a close, high-profile relationship with another of the leading figures in tech, X owner Elon Musk.
Historically, though, there has been no such closeness between Donald Trump and the Meta boss- with Trump barred from Facebook and Instagram after the Capitol riots, and Trump threatening the Meta boss with jail if he interfered in the 2024 presidential election.
Image source Wikimedia
However, there has recently been evidence those strained relations are improving, culminating in Mark Zuckerberg dining with the president-elect at his Florida mansion.
In August, Donald Trump wrote in a book Mark Zuckerberg would “spend the rest of his life in prison” if he attempted to interfere in the 2024 US election.
However, the president-elect subsequently softened his position, telling a podcast in October it was “nice” Mark Zuckerberg was “staying out of the election”, and thanking him for a personal phone call after he faced an assassination attempt.
There have have also been indications Zuckerberg is attempting to be more accommodating towards America’s incoming president.
Donald Trump was thrown off Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram in 2021 for what the company called his “praise for people engaged in violence at the Capitol on January 6.”
President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in New York alongside Elon Musk and some of his cabinet picks.
He entered the arena to loud music and cheers from the UFC 309 crowd at Maddison Square Garden.
Donald Trump spent most of the night sat between UFC President Dana White and Tesla CEO Musk.
Two of Trump’s key cabinet picks, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, plus Vivek Ramaswamy, who will lead Trump’s cost-cutting “Department of Government Efficiency” with Elon Musk, were also in the crowd.
Donald Trump enthusiastically greeted podcaster and UFC announcer Joe Rogan, who endorsed the president-elect after he appeared on his show before the election.
Trump waved to fans, who chanted “USA” as he walked to the octagon, before soaking in applause and dancing as the UFC played footage celebrating his election victory over Kamala Harris.
Jon Jones, who retained his heavyweight UFC title, then celebrated by heading over to greet Trump, handing the president-elect his title.
“I want to say a big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight,” said Jon Jones, receiving a huge roar of approval from the crowd.
Donad Trump has been a long-time supporter of the UFC, attending many of its live events over the years.
He usually receives a warm welcome from fans, though he received some boos at a UFC event in 2019, towards the end of his first term as president.
Dana White has been one of Trump’s most high-profile backers.
The UFC president gave a speech at the Republican National Convention in July, saying: “I’m in the tough guy business and this man is the toughest, most resilient human being I have ever met in my entire life.”
Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House and the presidency on November 5.
Kamala Harris has called Donald Trump to concede the election, CBS says, after Trump’s historic US presidential victory.
Harris will address the nation for the first time since her defeat when she speaks to supporters at Howard University at 16:00 EST.
Donald Trump told jubilant crowds in Florida earlier: “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
Of the seven crucial swing states, Trump won North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, while he’s ahead in Nevada and Arizona.
Republicans have also taken the Senate back from Democrats after flipping a string of seats.
In a statement sent out by his campaign, Donald Trump reflects on his historic win, calling it “a political victory that our country has never seen before”.
He then promises that he will “fight” for America, a repeated phrase we often heard on the campaign trail.
“I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve,” he says.
“Together, we’re going to unlock America’s glorious destiny.”
“Thank you once again for electing me in a landslide victory.”
At the end of the email, a link prompted Donald Trump’s supporters to continue to donate to his campaign.
Former Republican President George W. Bush has congratulated Donald Trump and JD Vance on their win.
In a post on X, George Bush writes: “The strong turnout in this election is a sign of the health of our republic and the strength of our democratic institutions.
“We join our fellow citizens in praying for the success of our new leaders at all levels of government.”
He also thanks Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for “their service to our country”.
George Bush never publicly backed a candidate during this election, but his daughter Barbara endorsed Kamala Harris in October – as did Dick Cheney, who served as his vice-president.
Donald Trump, now 78, will be the oldest US president at time of election, in history.
In contrast, his right-hand man, JD Vance, at 40, will be the third youngest vice-president.
In recent years, the junior senator from Ohio has been one of Trump’s most vehement defenders on Capitol Hill and in the media.
However, the two didn’t always agree.
JD Vance was once a self-proclaimed “never-Trumper”.
“My god, what an idiot” and “I find him reprehensible” are two Vance quotes from 2016 that resurfaced in July when Trump was narrowing his search for a running mate.
JD Vance always identified with Donald Trump’s disdain for elites and, ultimately, became one of his most steadfast allies when he ran for the US Senate in Ohio a few years later.
Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.
“America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” he says to cheering crowds.
The Republican has picked up the battleground states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, leaving Kamala Harris with only a narrow path to victory.
Just before Donald Trump began speaking, Fox News projected that he had won the election; other US TV networks are yet to do so.
A return to the White House would be an extraordinary comeback for Trump after he lost to Joe Biden in 2020.
Kamala Harris’s campaign says she won’t speak today, as dejected supporters left her watch party earlier.
Meanwhile, Republicans are projected to take back the Senate.
Most probably Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States. He will be only the second man in history to serve two non-consecutive terms as president.
At 78 years old, Donald Trump is facing multiple scandals over his career, multiple court cases – criminal and civil, a conviction, a sentencing in three weeks’ time, and escaping death but a fraction from an assassin’s bullet.
However, it looks like a majority of the American people to send him back to Washington into the White House.
Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp of winning back the White House in the US presidential race.
The main stock indexes across Asia were mostly higher on November 6, while the US dollar was also up.
The result of the election is expected to have a major impact on the global economy.
According to a projection from CBS, the Republican Party is set to take control of the Senate but there are still votes left to count.
In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index ended the session up by 2.6%, while Australia’s ASX 200 closed 0.8% higher.
In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite Index was flat, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down by around 2.5%.
The major US stock indexes also appeared to be set to open sharply higher. That came after the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all closed more than 1% higher on November 5.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, also jumped to a record high of more than $75,000.
Image source: Max Pixel
The US dollar was up by more than 1.5% against a basket of other major currencies, including the euro, pound and the Japanese yen.
Tesla’s Frankfurt-listed shares rallied over 14% at the open on November 6. Elon Musk, Tesla’s top shareholder, has supported Trump throughout his electoral campaign.
Donald Trump has said he would dramatically increase trade tariffs, especially on China, if he became the next president.
The former president’s more isolationist stance on foreign policy has also raised questions about his willingness to defend Taiwan against potential aggression from China.
Taiwan is a major producer of computer chips, which are crucial to the technology that drives the global economy.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s tax-cutting agenda has also been broadly welcomed by big American companies.
If Kamala Harris wins investors expect her trade and foreign policies to be a continuation of Joe Biden’s more predicable approach.
A potential Harris administration is also seen as more likely to tighten regulations on industries like banking and healthcare.
The Democratic party’s renewable energy policies could also boost electric vehicle companies and solar firms.
Investors also have other key issues to focus on this week.
On November 7, the US Federal Reserve is due to announce its latest decision on interest rates.
Comments from the head of the central bank, Jerome Powell, will be watched closely around the world.
On November 8, top Chinese officials are expected to unveil more details about Beijing’s plans to tackle the slowdown of the world’s second largest economy.
Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala Harris in most of the other four battleground states that will decide the winner of the US presidential election, CBS projects.
According to CBS, Wisconsin is leaning towards Donald Trump and he is ahead in the other so-called Rust Belt state of Michigan. The results are not final.
Incomplete returns also suggest Donald Trump has a lead in Nevada, while the race remains tight in the other sun belt battleground of Arizona.
In more good news for Trump’s fellow Republicans, the party is projected to win majority control of the Senate.
As expected, Donald Trump has swept conservative strongholds from Florida to Idaho, while Kamala Harris won liberal states from New York to California, CBS projects.
Kamala Harris was expected to spend election night at Howard University in Washington DC, where she was an undergraduate, but it emerged after midnight that she would not attend.
Following the announcement by campaign co-chairman Cedric Richmond, the crowd all but disappeared from Harris HQ at the historically black college.
The party-like atmosphere of a few hours earlier at Howard had already turned sour as two swing states were called for Donald Trump.
Donald Trump was expected to appear shortly at his campaign watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the mood was celebratory.
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and Trump mega-donor, is spending election night with the Republican nominee. The billionaire posted a photo showing him locked in discussions with Trump overnight.
The result appears to be moving towards a seismic political comeback for Donald Trump.
The Republican may also have a friendly Congress with which to push his agenda though, Congress, with both chambers also up for grabs in Tuesday’s vote.
CBS projects Republicans will win control of the Senateafter wresting two seats in West Virginia and Ohio from the Democrats and beating off a stiff challenge in Texas.
Neither party seemed to have an overall edge in the House, which Republicans narrowly control.
Around 86 million voters cast their ballots early amid one of the most turbulent campaigns in recent American history.
Kamala Harris, 60, only became the Democratic Party candidate in July, after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race under pressure from within the party.
Donald Trump, 78, was the target of two assassination plots – narrowly avoiding a sniper’s bullet in Pennsylvania.
Donald Trump would become the first president to win non-consecutive terms in more than 130 years. He is also the only president to be impeached twice and the first former president to be criminally convicted.
Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and many others, has died at the age of 91.
Quincy Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, said he “passed away peacefully” on November 3 at his home in Bel Air.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” the family said in a statement.
Quincy Jones was best known as the producer of Michael Jackson’s Thriller album.
Over a career spanning more than 75 years, he won 28 Grammy Awards and was named as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.
Quincy Jones worked closely with Frank Sinatra and reworked the crooner’s classic Fly Me To The Moon, taking it from a waltz to a swing.
For the film The Wiz, Quincy Jones found himself working alongside a 19-year-old Michael Jackson. He went on to produce Michael Jackson’s album Off the Wall and the pop star’s follow-ups Thriller – which sold 34 million copies int he US alone – and Bad.
In 1985, Quincy Jones gathered 46 of America’s most popular singers of the time, including Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and Cyndi Lauper, to record We Are the World.
Quincy Jones co-wrote the song to raise money for those suffering from a devastating famine in Ethiopia. The record was the US equivalent to Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas.
Quincy Jones also composed the soundtrack to more than 50 films and TV programs including the 1969 British film, The Italian Job.
Misleading allegations, rumours and outright lies about voting and fraud are flooding online spaces in unprecedented numbers in advance of the US election.
Hundreds of incidents involving purported voting irregularities are being collected and spread by individuals, as well as both independent and Republican-affiliated groups. A small number of posts are also coming from Democrats.
The whirlwind of claims spreading online poses a challenge to election officials who are having to debunk rumours and reassure voters, while preparing to administer election day on November 5.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
In nearly every case, the posts support the Trump campaign’s false claim that the former president won the 2020 election and suggestions that he will potentially be cheated out of victory again on November 5.
When asked whether he will accept the 2024 election result, Donald Trump said during the presidential debate in September that he would if it was a “fair and legal and good election”.
A majority of Americans – 70% – expect him to reject the result if he loses, according to a CNN/SSRS poll released Monday.
Just this week, Donald Trump himself claimed widespread fraud in a key swing state.
“Pennsylvania is cheating, and getting caught, at large scale levels rarely seen before,” Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social network. “REPORT CHEATING TO AUTHORITIES. Law Enforcement must act, NOW!”
The allegation followed officials in three Pennsylvania counties saying they were working with local law enforcement to investigate some voter registration applications for potential fraud.
While Donald Trump and allies seized on the announcements, the state’s top election official, Republican Al Schmidt, has urged caution and warned voters to be aware of “half-truths” and disinformation circulating on social media.
Hundreds of allegations of election fraud online, on social networks and on message boards and in chat groups. Some of these posts have been viewed millions of times each.
The posts have implied it’s easy for non-citizens to vote, made false claims about voting machines and sowed distrust in the ballot-counting process.
One video claimed to show recently-arrived Haitians voting in Georgia.
Meanwhile in Northhampton County, Pennsylvania, a video was posted on X showing a man dropping off a container of ballots at a courthouse, alleging suspicious activity. It turned out he was a postal worker delivering mail-in ballots, but the video was seen more than five million times.
At least 158 people have died in Spain’s worst flooding disaster in generations.
On October 31, more than 1,200 workers, aided by drones, were deployed to the rescue mission as rains continued to threaten parts of the country.
“Right now the most important thing is to save as many lives as possible,” PM Pedro Sánchez told victims in a visit to affected communities.
In some of the towns worst- hit in October 29 floods, people were left to the task of recovering bodies from the mud and wreckage.
A least 155 deaths were recorded in Valencia, while another two have been recorded in Castilla-La Mancha to the province’s west, and another, a British man, in Andalusia.
In the town of Paiporta, Valencia where a river burst its banks, at least 40 deaths have been recorded so far.
Officials haven’t disclosed the number of people still missing but said there are “many”, as the toll rose by about another 60 deaths on October 31.
More than 90 deaths were recorded on October 30 alone in the immediate aftermath of the torrential rains and flash floods, which largely affected Valencia, as well as Castilla-La Mancha in Andalusia, and as far south as Malaga.
The town of Chiva near Valencia received the equivalent of one year’s rainfall in just eight hours according to the Spanish meteorological agency Aemet.
Image source: AP
As further rain warnings were issued for the south and east of the country on October 31, King Felipe VI warned the emergency was “still not over” and PM Sánchez warned citizens to take shelter where necessary.
Meanwhile in flood-affected areas, hundreds are sheltering in temporary accommodation and beginning the slow, arduous task of clearing streets and recovering homes and businesses.
Many roads and the rail network connecting Valencia to the rest of Spain remain cut off.
Spain began an official three-day national mourning period on October 31 with flags at half-mast on government buildings and minutes of silence held.
Public anger is growing over how a developed European country appeared to fail to warn many communities of the flood danger in time.
Questions have been asked over whether disaster management services issued warnings too late.
The civil protection agency, deployed during national disasters, did not issue an alert until 20:15 local time on October 29, by which time several places in Valencia had been flooded for hours.
Authorities have called the downpours and flooding “unprecedented”.
Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.
Google has been fined two undecillion (a two followed by 36 zeroes) roubles by a Russian court for restricting Russian state media channels on YouTube.
In dollar terms that means Google has been told to pay $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
Despite being one of the world’s wealthiest companies, that is considerably more than the $2 trillion the tech giant is worth.
In fact, it is far greater than the world’s total GDP, which is estimated by the International Monetary Fund to be $110 trillion.
The fine has reached such a gargantuan level because – as state news agency Tass has highlighted – it is rapidly increasing all the time.
According to Tass, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted he “cannot even pronounce this number” but urged “Google management to pay attention.”
Image source: Google
Russia media outlet RBC reports the fine on Google relates to the restriction of content of 17 Russian media channels on YouTube.
While this started in 2020, it escalated after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years later.
That saw most Western companies pull out of Russia, with doing business there also tightly restricted by sanctions.
Russian media outlets were also banned in Europe – prompting retaliatory measures from Moscow.
In 2022, Google’s local subsidiary was declared bankrupt and the company has stopped offering its commercial services in Russia, such as advertising.
However, its products are not completely banned in the country.
This development is the latest escalation between Russia and the US tech giant.
In May, 2021, Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor accused Google of restricting YouTube access to Russian media outlets, including RT and Sputnik, and supporting “illegal protest activity”.
Then, in July, 2022, Russia fined Google 21.1 billion rouble for failing to restrict access to what it called “prohibited” material about the war in Ukraine and other content.
There is virtually no press freedom in Russia, with independent news outlets and freedom of expression severely curtailed.
Embarking on a home remodel is an exciting journey, promising enhanced comfort, increased property value, and an updated aesthetic. However, financing this endeavor can pose a significant challenge, especially when navigating the myriad of available options. Understanding the intricacies of financing is crucial to ensure a smooth remodeling process and to prevent financial strain.
Set a Realistic Budget
Setting a realistic budget is the cornerstone of any successful home remodel. It’s essential to account for all potential expenses, such as materials and labor, while also leaving room for unforeseen costs. For instance, tile is commonly used in four places: the kitchen, bathroom, shower, or floor, and understanding the costs associated with these can help avoid budget overruns.
Once your budget is outlined, it provides a framework that guides your decision-making process throughout the remodel. Regularly revisiting your budget helps ensure you remain on target financially. Being flexible and prepared to adjust your budget as necessary is key to handling unexpected expenses without derailing your project.
Tech can play a beneficial role in budgeting by using apps and software to track and organize expenses. This not only improves accuracy but also offers real-time insights into your spending habits. By leveraging technology, homeowners can maintain clearer control over their budgets, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Explore Loan Options
Securing the right loan option is a critical step in financing your home remodel effectively. There are various types of loans available, including personal loans, home improvement loans, and specific renovation loans, each with distinct terms and interest rates. It is essential to compare these options thoroughly to find the most suitable arrangement for your particular financial situation.
Understanding the terms of your loan and how they relate to your financial capability is essential for managing long-term financial health. It’s wise to consult with financial advisors who can provide insights into how different loans could impact your future finances. Choosing the right loan can prevent financial headaches down the road and ensure your remodeling project reaches completion smoothly.
Furthermore, with the help of tech advancements, you can easily research and apply for loans online. Many lenders offer online calculators and application systems, streamlining the process. This approach saves time and often provides more competitive offers due to the ease of comparing various loan options.
Consider a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can be an attractive option for financing a remodel, offering flexibility in how funds are accessed and used. This option allows homeowners to borrow against the equity of their home, often with lower interest rates than traditional loans. 86% report that remodeling one area of their home made them want to remodel other areas of their home, which makes flexibility in financing particularly beneficial.
With a HELOC, you’re given a credit limit determined by your home’s equity, which you can draw from as needed within the set period. This flexibility is ideal for ongoing projects where costs may fluctuate or if additional remodels are considered down the line. Homeowners must be diligent in understanding the terms and repayments required to avoid any future financial strain.
Tech can simplify managing a HELOC through online banking and mobile apps, allowing homeowners to track their borrowings and repayments with ease. Many financial institutions provide comprehensive digital services for HELOC management, enabling better financial planning. By integrating technology, homeowners can ensure they are making informed financial decisions throughout the course of their remodel.
Research Government Programs
Government programs can provide substantial aid in financing a home remodel, particularly for those improving energy efficiency. Programs like the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) 203(k) Rehab Loan could be exactly what you need. Researching these options thoroughly can uncover opportunities for grants or reduced-interest loans that significantly reduce the financial burden.
In addition to national programs, many state and local governments offer similar incentives to encourage specific kinds of home improvements. Some might focus on energy efficiency, while others could target historical preservation or support for low-income families. Researching these programs can take some time but can prove well worth the effort for the financial relief they provide.
Technology can aid in this research by utilizing government databases and online resources to efficiently identify applicable programs. Consider subscribing to relevant newsletters and alerts from government websites to stay updated on new initiatives. This proactive approach ensures you won’t miss beneficial opportunities as they become available.
Save for a Down Payment
If securing financing is a necessary part of your remodel, having a substantial down payment can significantly benefit the overall cost structure. Saving diligently over time allows you to potentially secure better loan terms and interest rates. Strategies such as setting up a dedicated savings account or automatic transfers can streamline this saving process.
It’s crucial to incorporate realistic saving goals and time frames into your financial plan. Understanding your current financial landscape and adjusting lifestyle choices can further aid in accumulating the necessary funds. The discipline involved in saving not only prepares you for your remodel but also strengthens your financial competency overall.
Technology aids saving efforts through financial planning apps that help set goals and track progress. Many apps provide dashboards that give a clear overview of your financial health, allowing you to make adjustments proactively. Leveraging these tools aids disciplined savings efforts, potentially accelerating your journey to a successful remodel.
Compare Contractor Bids
One of the most effective ways to manage remodel costs is by comparing bids from multiple contractors. Different contractors may charge varying amounts for similar jobs, so obtaining multiple quotes is crucial. Your builder will handle permits and inspections, making sure everything is up to code. In Connecticut, the average cost for permits is around $2,500, and knowing this helps avoid unexpected additional costs.
Beyond just costs, consider the reputation and experience of the contractor, as this can heavily impact the quality and timeliness of your remodel. Evaluating previous work and reviews can provide insight into what to expect in terms of quality and accountability. Making an informed decision largely reduces potential disruptions and ensures the desired outcome for your remodel.
Utilizing technology can streamline this process by enabling you to research, gather reviews and testimonials, and even communicate with contractors through digital platforms. Many websites offer resources to connect with trustworthy contractors and compare their offers efficiently. Integrating tech during the contractor comparison phase facilitates a smoother selection process and guarantees better results.
Monitor Expenses Closely
Keeping a close eye on expenses throughout the remodeling process is crucial for staying within budget. Regularly updating your financial plan to account for expenditures provides a clear picture of where your project is financially heading. This proactive oversight prevents overspending and allows for timely adjustments as needed.
Tracking expenses can be simplified by maintaining detailed records and using digital tools to categorize and visualize spending. Many apps are designed specifically to aid in tracking project costs, offering notifications and alerts for budget deviations. Such comprehensive monitoring ensures you remain financially aligned with your remodeling goals.
Additionally, tech solutions can offer predictive insights, helping homeowners anticipate potential financial hurdles before they arise. By keeping expenses at the forefront with the help of technology, homeowners can avoid financial missteps and achieve a successful remodeling outcome seamlessly. Integrating technology not only optimizes resource allocation but also enhances financial confidence throughout the project.
Financing a home remodel doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task if approached correctly. By adhering to a comprehensive financial strategy that includes setting budgets, exploring financial products, and leveraging technology, homeowners can navigate this process with ease. It’s essential to embrace thorough research and planning to ensure that your financial goals align with your home remodeling vision!
The US presidential candidates continued to campaign across key swing states on October 20.
Footage shows a Church congregation in Georgia sing Happy Birthday to Vice-President Kamala Harris as she turns 60, and Donald Trump working the fryer and drive-thru at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have been ramping up personal attacks on each other as the White House rivals blitzed battleground states 16 days before the election.
In Pennsylvania, Donald Trump served fries at a McDonald’s as he sought to cast doubt on Kamala Harris’s biographical detail about having worked decades ago at the fast-food chain.
Kamala Harris was in Georgia, where she tweeted that Donald Trump was “exhausted, unstable, and unfit to be President of the United States”.
Polls show the two locked in a razor-tight race across the US, including in the seven battleground states that could swing the election.
Donald Trump visited a McDonald’s in Feasterville-Trevose, a suburb of Philadelphia, where he learned to make fries, dunking the wire basket in sizzling oil, and serving meals at a drive-through window.
The restaurant itself was closed to sit-in diners during Donald Trump’s visit.
“I like this job,” said the Republican, who is himself fond of Big Macs and Filet-o-Fish sandwiches.
He again accused Kamala Harris of “lying” about having once worked at the fast-food chain.
“I’ve now worked [at McDonald’s] for 15 minutes more than Kamala,” said Trump.
The Harris campaign said that the vice-president had worked on the cash register, ice cream machine and fry machine at a McDonald’s on Central Avenue in Alameda, California, in the summer of 1983.
McDonald’s placed an ad in the 1983 edition of the yearbook at a local high school, with pictures featuring a couple of students who worked there at the time.
Elon Musk has said he will give away $1 million a day to a registered voter in key swing states until the presidential election on November 5.
The winner will be chosen at random from those who sign a pro-US Constitution petition by Elon Musk’s campaign group AmericaPAC, which he set up to support Republican nominee Donald Trump’s bid to return to the White House.
The first lottery-style cheque was given away to a surprised attendee at a town hall event in Pennsylvania on October 19. Another cheque was handed out on the next day.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who supports Kamala Harris, called Elon Musk’s strategy “deeply concerning.”
Josh Shapiro told NBC News’ Meet the Press that law enforcement should potentially look at the payments.
The contest is open to voters in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina, all key battleground states that will ultimately decide the White House election.
Federal law states that anyone who “pays or offers to pay or accepts payment either for registration to vote or for voting” faces a potential $10,000 fine or a five-year prison sentence.
Though the tech billionaire is technically asking voters to sign a form, the intent behind the strategy seems controversial to experts.
Those who sign the petition – which pledges to support free speech and gun rights – must submit their contact details, potentially allowing AmericaPAC to contact them about their vote.
Campaigns and political action committees rely on tactics like petition signing, survey requests, or merchandise purchases to build massive databases of voter information. That data can then be used more accurately to target voters, or raise funds from supporters who are already onboard.
In Pennsylvania, Elon Musk is giving voters $100 for signing the petition, plus another $100 for each person they refer who signs. Voters in other battleground states get $47 per referral.
However, the strategy may be covered by a loophole under US election law because no-one is being directly paid to vote – despite introducing money into a process that could identify likely Trump voters.
In the US, it is illegal to provide payments to get people to vote – not only for a certain candidate, but to simply cast a ballot.
The rule prompted icecream-maker Ben & Jerry’s to give its product free to everyone on election day in 2008, having initially planned to limit it just to those with an “I voted” sticker.
While campaigning on October 20, Donald Trump was asked about Elon Musk’s giveaway.
“I haven’t followed that,” the former president said, adding that he speaks to Elon Musk often and he is a “friend”.
Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly Twitter, has emerged as a key Trump supporter.
He launched AmericaPAC in July with the aim of supporting the former president’s campaign.
He has so far donated $75 million to the group, which has quickly become a central player in Trump’s election bid.
The Trump campaign is highly reliant on outside groups such as AmericaPAC to canvas voters.
Image source: theamericapac.org
A statement on the group’s website reads: “AmericaPAC was created to support these key values: Secure Borders, Safe Cities, Sensible spending, Fair Justice System, Free Speech, Right to Self-Protection.”
Elon Musk said he wants to get “over a million, maybe two million, voters in the battleground states to sign the petition in support of the First and Second Amendment”.
“I think [it] sends a crucial message to our elected politicians,” he added.
Elon Musk is currently the world’s richest man, with an estimated net worth of $248 billion, according to Forbes.
India and Canada have decided to expel their top envoys along with other diplomats as Justin Trudeau’s government accused Indian agents of involvement in “homicides, extortion and violent acts” on Canadian soil.
Canadian police said the criminal activity had particularly targeted supporters of the pro-Khalistan movement which seeks a separate homeland for Sikhs in India.
Officials said a dozen agents had been involved, but did not confirm if they were directly linked to the June 2023 murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
Delhi rejected the allegations as “preposterous”.
Relations between Delhi and Ottawa have been strained since Trudeau said Canada had credible evidence linking Indian agents to Nijjar’s murder.
India has accused Trudeau of pandering to Canada’s large Sikh community for political gain.
The row led to a deterioration in ties, with India asking Canada to withdraw dozens of its diplomatic staff and suspending visa services.
On October 14, a furious statement from India’s foreign ministry said Canada’s allegations were influenced by Sikh separatist campaigners and warned of action.
Later in the day, it announced six Canadian diplomats, including acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, had been asked to leave India by 19 October.
Ross Wheeler was also summoned by India’s external affairs ministry to explain Canada’s move.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ross Wheeler said Canada had given India the evidence it had demanded, it now needed to investigate the allegations.
Delhi has defended its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, referring to his “distinguished career spanning 36 years”.
The Indian foreign ministry also said it was “withdrawing” its top envoy and other diplomats.
“We have no faith in the current Canadian government’s commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials.”
On October 14, Canadian police said they had taken the unusual step of publicly disclosing information about ongoing investigation “due to significant threat to public safety in our country”.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed by two masked gunmen outside a Sikh temple he led in Surrey, British Columbia.
He had been a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement, which demands a separate Sikh homeland, and publicly campaigned for it.
India has in the past described him as a terrorist who led a militant separatist group – accusations his supporters called unfounded.
Canadian police called his killing a “targeted attack”.
In September 2023, PM Justin Trudeau had told Canada’s parliament that allegations of Indian involvement in the killing were based on Canadian intelligence.
He called the act a violation of Canada’s sovereignty.
India has vehemently denied all allegations and maintained that Canada has provided no evidence to support its claims.
Frosty ties between the two countries seemed to have thawed slightly after India resumed processing visas in October 2023.
Vice-presidential debate between Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz on October 1st felt like a civil and relatively restrained conversation about the issues at the top of American voters’ minds going into the November 5th election.
In that, it was unlike the two presidential debates earlier this year.
The two men spent much more time attacking the other’s running mate than each other during 90-plus minutes on the CBS News stage in New York.
Tim Walz had a shaky start but hit his stride when talking about abortion and the Capitol riot.
But the even-tempered, policy-focused debate, with few political body blows, probably served JD Vance – a polished public speaker – best in the end.
If JD Vance was picked because he puts ideological meat on the bones of Donald Trump’s conservative populism, on Tuesday night he put a polite, humble face on them, as well.
“Something these guys do is they make a lot of claims about if Donald Trump becomes president, all of these terrible consequences are going to ensue,” he said.
“But in reality, Donald Trump was president. Inflation was low. Take-home pay was higher.”
Image source: CBS News
There were moments when the Republican candidate bristled at what he thought was unfair fact-checking from the two CBS moderators, and at one point microphones of both candidates were temporarily muted.
But for the most part, the exchanges on stage were even-tempered.
And there were several moments when the two men agreed on issues – and said so.
The most vigorous disagreements came toward the end of the debate, on the topic of Donald JD Trump’s repeated and false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
Vance, when asked if Donald Trump lost the last presidential election, dodged the question and criticised what he said was Kamala Harris’s censorship.
Tim Walz quickly noted that it was a “damning non-answer”.
“To deny what happened on January 6, the first time an American president or anyone tried to overturn an election, this has got to stop,” he said.
“It’s tearing our country apart.”
Tim Walz went on to say that the only reason Mike Pence, Donald Trump’s previous vice-president, was not on stage was because he certified President Joe Biden’s victory.
JD Vance had no answer to that, highlighting that beyond his friendly demeanour and agreeability, he would not break from Trump’s position.
JD Vance and Tim Walz entered this debate with different skill sets. Vance has sparred with journalists on television in heated exchanges. Walz is at home on the campaign stump, using his folksy style in contrast to more polished politicians.
In the early part of this debate, with both candidates standing behind podiums in a New York City television studio, JD Vance seemed much more comfortable. His answers were smooth, and relentlessly on-message, constantly reminding the audience that for all of Vice-President Harris’s promises, Democrats have held the White House for the past three and a half years.
Tim Walz, for his part, seemed halting and unsure on the opening topic, dealing with October 1st Iranian missile attack on Israel and if the candidates would support an Israeli pre-emptive strike on Iran. The Minnesota governor rarely talks about foreign policy, and his discomfort on the subject was apparent.
Ryan Routh, who was accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course, has pleaded not guilty to the charges in a federal court.
According to prosecutors, Ryan Routh, 58, was spotted with a rifle as he hid in the bushes near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach earlier this month.
A Secret Service officer protecting Donald Trump allegedly spotted his rifle barrel poking through a fence and opened fire. Ryan Routh fled and was later arrested on Interstate 95, a main highway through the state.
In addition to the attempted assassination of Trump, Ryan Routh has been charged with firearms offences and assaulting an officer.
Image source Wikipedia
On September 30, Ryan Routh appeared in court handcuffed and wearing a brownish prison jumpsuit, according to CBS News.
After each count was read to him, he shook his head in acknowledgment of the charges.
His attorneys entered a plea of not guilty and requested a trial by jury. The hearing lasted around five minutes.
If convicted, Ryan Routh faces a maximum sentence of life in prison on the assassination charge.
An earlier court filing showed that Ryan Routh had written a note months ago saying he intended to kill the former president.
In a pre-written letter addressed to “The World” and sent to an unnamed witness months earlier, Routh appears to pre-empt a failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
“I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster,” the letter reads, with the offer of a cash reward to anyone “who can complete the job”.
Ryan Routh has been held in prison in Florida since his arrest on September 15.
He has a long criminal record, including a felony gun conviction for owning a fully automatic machine gun, and was barred from owning firearms as a result.
He was active in recruiting volunteers to fight in Ukraine’s war against Russia, and had a range of eclectic political views, although he was registered as a Democrat and made anti-Trump posts online.
Ryan Routh’s alleged plot was the second attempt on Trump’s life after Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old armed with an AR-style rifle, opened fire on the former president during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July.
Thomas Matthew Crooks was shot dead by counter-snipers.
The Secret Service, the government agency tasked with protecting the president and other politicians and their family members, came under heavy criticism for allowing a gunman to get so close to the former president.
The agency is also responsible for protecting foreign leaders during US visits.
NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo has died from brain cancer at the age of 58.
The eight-time NBA All-Star, who retired in 2009, spent 18 years playing in the league for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.
Dikembe Mutombo began treatment for a brain tumor in October 2022.
Standing 7ft 2in (2.18m) tall, DR Congo-born center Dikembe Mutombo was discovered while studying at Georgetown University and was selected by the Nuggets with the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.
He twice reached the NBA Finals, first for the 76ers in 2001 and then the Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) two years later.
Known for his defensive game, he led the NBA in blocked shots for five consecutive seasons and blocks per game for a record three consecutive seasons.
Following his retirement both the Hawks and Nuggets retired his number 55 shirt, and in 2015 he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
Dikembe Mutombo was a global ambassador for the NBA and carried out humanitarian work in his home country.
Among those to pay tribute were the Houston Rockets, where Dikembe Mutombo spent the last five years of his playing career.
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta added: “Dikembe was beloved by the entire NBA community and his tireless humanitarian efforts left an indelible mark on our league. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Rose, and their children.”
Donald Trump has announced that he does not expect to run for election again in 2028 if he is defeated in this November’s presidential poll.
The 78-year-old former president has been the Republican candidate for three national elections in a row and has reshaped the party greatly over the last eight years.
In an interview with Sinclair Media Group, Donald Trump was asked if he could foresee another run in the event that he loses to Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris.
“No, I don’t. I think… that will be it,” he said.
“I don’t see that at all.”
However, he added that “hopefully, we’re going to be very successful”.
US law bars presidents from serving more than two terms, and so Donald Trump is not expected to run in 2028 if he wins, either.
In the past, Donald Trumo has rarely acknowledged the possibility of losing the election, more often firing up supporters with speeches and social media posts pledging victory at the polls.
But this is the second time in four days he has mentioned a chance of defeat.
During an event held by the Israeli-American Council on September 19, he brought up losing, and suggested that any such loss would partly be the fault of Jewish voters.
“Do they know what the hell is happening if I don’t win this election?” he said, according to various media reports.
“And the Jewish people would have to do a lot with that if that happens because at 40% [support] that means 60% of the people are voting for the enemy.”
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
The comments were condemned by the Harris campaign and by the nonpartisan American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League.
Donald Trump’s acknowledgments of a possible loss may reflect how the Democratic Party’s prospects have changed since Kamala Harris became its nominee following President Joe Biden’s decision to quit the race.
The Harris campaign raised more than $190 million in August, compared to $130 million brought in by the Trump campaign and affiliated organizations.
In key battleground states which look set to prove decisive to the overall result, Kamala Harris has a narrower lead of 51% to 49%, which is a slight improvement from the even 50% in a similar poll conducted last month by CBS.
Another poll released on September 22 by NBC shows Kamala Harris with a five percentage point lead over Trump across the US.
It also found that 48% of registered voters see her positively compared to 32% in July – the largest jump since then-President George W. Bush’s favourability surged after the 9/11 attacks.
Four people have been killed and dozens injured in a mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, police say.
“Multiple shooters fired multiple shots on a group of people” late on September 21 in the Five Points South area of the city, Birmingham police officer Truman Fitzgerald said.
Police found the bodies of two men and one woman at the scene and a fourth victim died of bullet wounds in hospital, he said.
Detectives are investigating whether the gunmen walked up to the victims or drove by, Truman Fitzgerald added. No suspects have been arrested.
The Five Points South district is known for its nightlife.
Speaking about the injured, Truman Fitzgerald told reporters: “We have dozens of gunshot victims from this area. I’m told at least four of those gunshot victims are life-threatening.”
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been more than 400 mass shootings across the US so far this year.
They define a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are injured or killed.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensified overnight, with both sides carrying out large cross-border strikes.
Lebanon-based Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets into Israel, in what it said was retaliation for recent attacks targeting it.
There are reports of rockets landing much further into Israel than in previous launches, and of damage to homes and injuries.
Israel carried out air strikes on targets in southern Lebanon and said it had destroyed thousands of Hezbollah’s rocket launchers.
The UN has warned the region is “on the brink of imminent catastrophe” as fears of an all out war grow.
The attacks from Hezbollah come after major blows for the group, including an Israeli strike in Beirut that decimated the chain of command of its elite fighting unit.
Air raid sirens blared across northern Israel, as rockets flew deeper into the country’s territory.
Hezbollah said one of its targets was an Israeli military production facility in the city of Haifa, and that this was an initial retaliation for the explosions targeting the group’s communication devices.
In response, the Israeli army said it was striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, and that its attacks would continue and intensify.
This comes amid growing speculation that Israel is preparing a wider offensive against the Iranian-backed group.
A barrage of rockets were fired into northern Israel from Lebanon overnight, landing much deeper into Israel than in previous attacks.
Hezbollah says it targeted industrial and military sites, and dozens of homes were reportedly damaged.
The IDF says most of the rockets were intercepted by air defence systems.
Footage appeared to show a fire in a residential area near Haifa in northern Israel after it was hit by a rocket. There have not been any reports of fatalities.
Early on Sunday, Israel closed schools and restricted gatherings in many northern areas of the country and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Meanwhile, Israel said it struck scores of Hezbollah targets on September 21, including thousands of rocket launcher barrels.
Donald Trump is scheduled to be at Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, for a news conference soon.
He is holding the event one day after announcing that he will not participate in another presidential debate.
Moments after the former president’s comments, Kamala Harris’s campaign issued a statement saying “we owe it to the voters to have another debate”.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have been on the campaign trail for the first time since they faced-off on ABC News.
Polls suggest that most voters believe Harris won the debate, though Donald Trump claimed victory in his announcement that he would not debate her again.
There are just over 50 days until the US presidential election.
Donald Trump said on September 12 – two days after the pair’s first showdown in Philadelphia – that Kamala Harris only wanted a rematch because he “clearly” won.
Several instant polls taken after September 10 contest indicated voters felt Kamala Harris had performed better than her Republican opponent.
Donald Trump added that Kamala Harris should instead “focus” on her job as vice-president.
Shortly after, at a campaign rally in North Carolina, Kamala Harris responded by saying they “owe” voters another debate because “what is at stake could not be more important”.
Polls suggest the two candidates are in an extremely tight race with just two months to go before the election.
Both claimed victory after the 90-minute debate on ABC News, in which Kamala Harris rattled Donald Trump with a string of personal attacks that put him on the defensive. These included comments about the size of his rally crowds and his conduct during the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol.
Donald Trump and his supporters have since accused the two ABC journalists that moderated the debate of being unfair and biased in favour of Kamala Harris.
“When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are ‘I want a rematch’,” Donald Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post on September 12.
“Polls clearly show that I won the debate against comrade Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ radical left candidate… and she immediately called for a second debate,” he added.
Donald Trump held a rally in Arizona on September 12 and gave an interview with Telemundo Arizona backstage.
“We just don’t think it’s necessary,” he said of a second debate with Kamala Harris.
“We think we’ve discussed everything and I don’t think they want it either.”
The Harris campaign, however, called for a second debate immediately after Philadelphia.
“Vice-President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?” the campaign said.
Speaking after the debate, various Trump campaign surrogates – including Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz – said they believed Donald Trump would welcome another debate.
Both campaigns had reportedly been in discussions over a debate on NBC News on September 25.
Billionaire Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis, an engineer, have become the first non-professional crew to perform one of the riskiest manoeuvres in space – a spacewalk.
They stepped out of the SpaceX spacecraft around 15 minutes apart, starting at 11:52BST, on September 12, wearing specially-designed suits.
“Back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here Earth sure looks like a perfect world,” Jared Isaacman said as he exited.
It was commercially funded by Jared Isaacman. Before, only astronauts with government-funded space agencies had done a spacewalk.
Images broadcast live showed the two crew emerge from the white Dragon capsule to float 435 miles above the blue Earth below.
Jared Isaacman, 41, emerged first, wiggling his limbs, hands and feet to test his suit. He returned back inside the hatch, and Sarah Gillis, who works for SpaceX, then climbed out.
Both crew narrated their spacewalk, describing how their suits performed outside of the craft.
The walk, originally scheduled for 07:23BST, was postponed.
Anticipation and tension grew as the crew prepared to open the hatch on the craft that has no air lock, or doorway between the vacuum outside and the rest of the spacecraft.
The four crew members spent two days “pre-breathing” to prevent becoming seriously ill from decompression sickness, known as getting “the bends”, as the pressure changed. That involves replacing nitrogen in the blood with oxygen.
The craft was then depressurised to bring it closer to the conditions of the space vacuum outside.
In recent decades astronauts used an airlock that separates most of a craft from the space vacuum outside – but this SpaceX Dragon capsule was in effect entirely exposed to space outside.
But it was not without major risks.
Jared Isaacman, who funded the Polaris Dawn mission, was the only member of the four-person crew on the Polaris mission to have previously been to space.
He is commander on the Resilience spacecraft with his close friend Scott ‘Kidd’ Poteet, who is a retired air force pilot, and two SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis.
The Dragon capsule the team have flown in launched to space 46 times before, taking 50 crew in total. However, the capsule and the spacesuits are not subject to regulation and were untested in this environment.
Spacewalks are one of the most difficult manouevres in space, so the fact that a private company has pulled it off is a milestone in the history of space travel.
This walk at 435 miles was higher than any previous walk, and used innovative technology in the new extravehicular activity (EVA) astronaut suits.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump met in a fiery debate – their first of the 2024 US presidential election.
They debated policy but personal attacks also dominated the 90 minute event in Philadelphia.
Kamala Harris frequently rattled the former president with personal attacks that threw him off message and raised the temperature of this highly-anticipated contest.
She said people leave Trump rallies early “out of exhaustion and boredom” – he said people don’t go to hers in the first place.
Donald Trump criticized Kamala Harris’s record on immigration and the border, and also her shifting policy positions – Harris blamed him for “Trump abortion bans” and the January 6 attacks on the Capitol.
The pattern for much of this debate was Harris goading her Republican rival into making extended defences of his past conduct and comments. He gladly obliged, raising his voice at times and shaking his head.
Americans should go to a Trump rally, Kamala Harris said during an early question about immigration, because they were illuminating.
“People start leaving the rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom,” she said.
That barb clearly rattled Donald Trump, as he then spent most of his answer – on a topic that should have been one of his main areas of strength – defending his rally sizes and belittling hers.
Donald Trump went from there to an extended riff on a debunked report that Haitian immigrants in the town of Springfield, Ohio, were abducting and eating their neighbour’s pets.
But Harris turned the topic to Trump’s proposed across-the-board tariffs, which she labelled a “Trump sales tax”, and then brought up Project 2025, the controversial independent conservative plan for a future Republican administration.
As he has in the past, Trump distanced himself from the project and defended his tariff plan, noting that the Biden administration had kept many of the tariffs in his first presidency. They were valid points, but it kept him from hammering the vice-president on inflation and consumer prices.
Snap polls suggest Kamala Harris won the debate, but Donald Trump says afterwards that she “lost very badly”.
With the election taking place on November 5, Kamala Harris is slightly ahead in national opinion polls – but key battleground states are very tight.
This is a snapshot that could be momentary but the Harris tactic of putting Trump on the defensive was clear early in the evening when the topics covered were the economy and abortion.
Public opinion surveys indicate many Americans are unhappy with how the Biden administration – of which Harris is a key member – has handled inflation and the economy.
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro declared the Christmas season would be moved up to October as he tries to turn people’s attention away from the contested presidential election that has roiled the country.
He declared that he would issue a decree to move Christmas to October 1.
In his weekly television show on September 2, President Maduro said „It’s September, and it already smells like Christmas.”
„That’s why this year, as a way of paying tribute to you all, and in gratitude to you all, I’m going to decree an early Christmas for October 1.”
Nicolas Maduro’s decision is seen as a move to distract people from the turmoil that has engulfed Venezuela following July’s contested presidential election.
Christmas is big in Catholic-majority Venezuela and people were not happy at the idea of celebrating a holiday season amid turmoil in the country.
Image source Wikipedia
This is not the first time Nicolas Maduro, 61, has moved up Christmas to an earlier date. He also did so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opposition parties continue to protest the electoral outcome of July’s election saying that Nicolas Maduro is illegally clinging on to power.
They accuse him of widespread cronyism and corruption which has brought Venezuela’s economy to its knees.
A widespread crackdown on opposition has fueled more concerns about the state of the country.
More than 2,400 have been imprisoned so far, according to news agency AFP, with journalists, politicians and aid workers among those jailed.
The US, EU and several Latin American countries say the results are fraudulent and that opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is the real winner.
VP Kamala Harris is criticizing Donald Trump over a recent controversy involving his campaign at Arlington National Cemetery, saying the military burial site is “not a place for politics”.
Kamala Harris took aim at the former president on August 31 in a post on social media, writing that he “disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt”.
The US Army said a Trump staffer “abruptly pushed aside” a cemetery employee who was trying to warn his team about rules against filming in the cemetery.
The Trump campaign has disputed the cemetery’s version of events and said it received permission from the families of the fallen soldiers to film.
The incident happened on August 26, when Trump was at an event honouring 13 US military service members who were killed during the country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago.
The VP’s post marks the first time Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, has commented on the controversy.
She wrote that she has visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia several times during her tenure as vice-president, and she would never use the site for political gain.
“If there is one thing on which we as Americans can all agree, it is that our veterans, military families, and service members should be honored, never disparaged, and treated with nothing less than our highest respect and gratitude,” Kamala Harris said.
“And it is my belief that someone who cannot meet this simple, sacred duty should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States of America.”
At a campaign rally in Michigan on August 29, Donald Trump hit back at those who had criticized him over the incident.
He said he had been asked to pose for a photo at the site after the memorial by family members of the soldiers who had died.
“I go there, they ask me to have a picture and they say I was campaigning,” Donald Trump said.
“The one thing I get plenty of is publicity. I don’t need that. I don’t need the publicity.”
On September 1, the Trump campaign released a statement from the Gold Star military families that invited him to the event, saying the former president was there to honour the sacrifice of their relatives who were killed.
They also took aim at Kamala Harris in the statement, saying she has “disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy”.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance used the controversy to attack the Biden administration over its handling of the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying that Kamala Harris “can go to hell”.
“Three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died, and they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job,” JD Vance said in response to questions from CBS News.
Federal law prevents use of the cemetery for political campaigning and the US Army said participants were warned of the rules in advance.
The Trump campaign has denied that a physical altercation took place at the cemetery, adding “we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made”.
