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Joe Sommerlad

News Feature Writer@JoeSommerlad

Joe Sommerlad is a News Feature Writer at The Independent, specialising in explainers on a wide range of subjects related to the international news cycle, particularly American politics and culture, and in obituaries. He wrote a 21-part history of the Donald Trump administration for Independent Premium.

<p>David Pecker is questioned by prosecutor Joshua Steinglass during former President Donald Trump’s first criminal trial </p>
LiveUS politics

Trump trial live: First week of hush money testimony concludes

<p>Mark Wahlberg attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s ‘Me Time’ in 2022 </p>
US politics

The celebrities dragged into Trump’s hush money trial

<p>US president Joe Biden speaks at the Milton J Rubenstein Museum in Syracuse, New York, on 25 April 2024</p>
US politics

Biden bungles date of Jan 6 Capitol riot in latest gaffe

<p>Former US president Donald Trump exits Trump Tower to attend his hush money criminal trial on 26 April 2024</p>
US politics

Trump seems to get cold feet about testifying in hush money trial

<p>Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr attend a speech by their father at the White House in August 2020 </p>
US politics

Don Jr and Eric ‘helping to pick next Trump officials and staffers’

<p>Donald Trump meets construction workers in midtown Manhattan</p>
US politics

Trump waits on possible fine as judge set for gag order ruling

<p>Ted Cruz speaks during a news conference about the US southern border at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on 6 February 2024 </p>
US politics

Ted Cruz reacts after father dragged into Trump hush money trial

<p>US president Joe Biden speaks about reproductive freedom in Tampa, Florida, on 23 April 2024</p>
US politics

Biden’s latest gaffe places him in the same camp as Trump

<p>‘I Voted’ stickers are set out at a polling station in Newtown, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday</p>
US politics

What is at stake in the Pennsylvania primary?

<p>Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump </p>
US politics

Will Trump’s hush money trial be televised?

<p>Donald Trump in court on 22 April 2024 before opening arguments got under way in his Manhattan criminal trial </p>
US politics

Trump risks gag order fines by lashing out before contempt hearing

<p>Earth Day draws attention to both the wonder and fragility of our natural world</p>
News

Everything you need to know about Earth Day 2024

<p>Jewish families recall how Moses led the Jews out of Egypt on Passover</p>
Americas

What is Passover? Everything to know about the Jewish holiday

Americas

What is Passover? Everything to know about the Jewish holiday

<p>Jewish families recall how Moses led the Jews out of Egypt on Passover</p>
<p>Melania Trump has launched a new customisable Mother’s Day necklace</p>
US politics

Melania Trump selling Mother’s Day necklace for $245

<p>Donald Trump is subject of four criminal indictments </p>
US politics

Can Trump still be president with four criminal indictments?

<p>Former president Donald Trump speaks with the media at his trial on Friday 19 April</p>
US politics

What jail time could Trump face if he is convicted at New York trial?

<p>Donald Trump in court on day three </p>
US politics

Dozen jurors picked and two excused on day three of Trump’s trial

<p>Donald Trump in court on day three </p>
US politics

Dozen jurors picked and two excused on day three of Trump’s trial

<p>Judge Juan Merchan is presiding over the trial </p>
US politics

What is a Sandoval hearing?

<p>Former president Donald Trump awaits the start of proceedings on the second day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court</p>
US politics

Key takeaways from day two of Trump’s hush money trial

<p>Mike Lindell talks to reporters at the Republican National Committee winter meeting</p>
US politics

Mike Lindell has FBI phone seizure case rejected by Supreme Court

<p>Donald Trump striking a pose on the golf course </p>
US politics

Donald Trump: Former president, criminal defendant – and style icon?

<p>Former US president Donald Trump sits beside his lawyer Todd Blanche on the second day of jury selection in his criminal trial in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City</p>
US politics

Why is Trump’s New York criminal trial not taking place on Wednesdays?

<p>A jar of red melatonin gummy supplements</p>
Americas

Melatonin industry told to improve child-proof packaging

<p>OJ Simpson passed away on Thursday 11 April </p>
US Crime News

OJ executor vows to ensure Goldman family get ‘nothing’ from estate

<p>Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appears in State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Monday morning </p>
US politics

Trump rants on Truth Social ahead of historic hush money trial

<p>A jar of red melatonin gummy supplements</p>
Americas

Melatonin industry told to improve child-proof packaging

<p>OJ Simpson passed away on Thursday 11 April </p>
US Crime News

OJ executor vows to ensure Goldman family get ‘nothing’ from estate

<p>Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appears in State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Monday morning </p>
US politics

Trump rants on Truth Social ahead of historic hush money trial

<p>Donald Trump and Allen Weisselberg</p>
US politics

Ex-Trump Organization CFO to be sentenced today for perjury

US politics

Ex-Trump Organization CFO to be sentenced today for perjury

<p>Donald Trump and Allen Weisselberg</p>
Indonesian Muslims read the Koran at a Mosque in Bandung, West Java during the month of Ramadan.
Lifestyle

Ramadan 2024: What is it and when does it end?

<p>Maria Bartiromo and guests attempt to find the downside of Biden’s latest booming job numbers</p>
US politics

Fox host vexed by Biden’s good job numbers finds ingenious solution

<p>Donald and Melania Trump on a rare joint outing in Florida last month </p>
US politics

Melania will finally join Trump’s campaign trail – from Mar-a-Lago

<p>President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union on 7 March 2024 </p>
US politics

Trump suggests Biden was ‘higher than a kite’ at State of the Union

<p>President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union on 7 March 2024 </p>
US politics

Trump suggests Biden was ‘higher than a kite’ at State of the Union

<p>Donald Trump getting his filthy groove on at a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, in January </p>
US politics

Trump’s Spotify playlist – and what his favourite songs say about him

<p>New York Attorney General Letitia James</p>
US politics

Trump fraud bond thrown into doubt as Letitia James questions insurer

<p>Donald Trump posted bond in his fraud case this week </p>
US politics

Why were Trump’s civil fraud case bond documents rejected?

<p>Rudy Giuliani </p>
US politics

What is Rudy Giuliani’s net worth?

<p>Rudy Giuliani’s wackest moments, from his dripping hair dye to his press conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping </p>
US politics

From hair dye to the airport shave: Rudy Giuliani’s wackiest moments

<p>Don Hankey is the man behind Donald Trump’s fraud bond </p>
US politics

Who is Don Hankey? The billionaire behind Trump’s $175m fraud bond

<p>Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman shaking hands at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, in 2019</p>
US politics

Trump has mystery chat with Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman

<p>Donald Trump’s social media platform was taken public last Thursday after TMTG merged with Digital World Acquisition Corporation </p>
US politics

Trump’s Truth Social ‘propped up by businessman under investigation’

<p>Peter Navarro arrives to begin his prison sentence in Miami, Florida, on 19 March</p>
US politics

Peter Navarro asks SCOTUS to get him out of jail after just 15 days

<p>Former US president and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the Hyatt Regency in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on 2 April 2024</p>
US politics

Trump declares Election Day ‘Christian Visibility Day’

<p>Former president Donald Trump is demanding Truth Social co-founders lose shares </p>
US politics

Trump sues Truth Social co-founders demanding they lose shares

US politics

Trump sues Truth Social co-founders demanding they lose shares

<p>Former president Donald Trump is demanding Truth Social co-founders lose shares </p>
<p>Hope Hicks was a former aide to Donald Trump during his presidential administration </p>
US politics

Ex-Trump aide Hope Hicks set to testify at hush money trial

<p>Could Letitia James seize Trump Tower? </p>
US politics

Trump clings onto property empire with $175m bond post. What’s next?

<p>Donald Trump secured $175m bond on 1 April </p>
US politics

How did Trump pay his $175m fraud bond – and who helped him?

<p>Stephen Colbert</p>
US politics

Stephen Colbert reveals why Trump has so many Bibles

<p>Stephen Colbert</p>
US politics

Stephen Colbert reveals why Trump has so many Bibles

<p>Mike Roman pictured in his mug shot following his arrest in Georgia </p>
US politics

Trump’s Georgia co-defendant subpoenaed in Arizona election probe

<p>Ronna McDaniel </p>
US politics

NBC News drops Ronna McDaniel after on-air revolt from channel’s stars

<p>Robert F Kennedy Jr announced his VP pick on 26 March </p>
US politics

Trump claims RFK Jr will help his campaign by taking votes from Biden

<p>Judge Juan Merchan </p>
US politics

Trump unleashes rant aimed at daughter of judge in his hush money case

LiveUS politics

Biden derides ‘feeble’ Trump for comparing himself to Jesus

<p>Donald Trump and Charles Manson</p>
US politics

Trump unwisely compared to Charles Manson by Fox pundit

US politics

How much is Trump’s property empire worth?

<p>Donald Trump rides the building’s lurid golden elevator </p>
US politics

From The Apprentice to the presidency, Trump Tower has seen it all

<p>Trump Tower in New York City </p>
US politics

Will Letitia James seize Trump Tower?

<p>Donald Trump is asking his supporters to foot his legal bills </p>
US politics

Trump begs fans to pay his $464m bond in frantic fundraising email

<p>Roger Stone </p>
US politics

Trump planning to bring back the ghosts of advisers past

US politics

Trump planning to bring back the ghosts of advisers past

<p>Roger Stone </p>
<p>Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis looks on during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case on 1 March 2024, in Atlanta</p>
US politics

Trump can appeal order to keep Fani Willis on election meddling case

<p>Peter Navarro surrendered to prison on 19 March </p>
US politics

All of Trump’s associates who have gone to prison

<p>Transportation Security Administration staff are required to go to work as usual in the event of a shutdown to keep travel open</p>
US politics

Does TSA still run if the government shuts down?

<p>The US Capitol </p>
US politics

What is a government shutdown and why do they happen?

<p>The US Capitol </p>
US politics

What is a government shutdown and why do they happen?

<p>Donald Trump is driven from the Alto Lee Adams Sr US Courthouse on 14 March 2024 in Fort Pierce, Florida</p>
US politics

Trump judge’s classified documents order leaves legal experts baffled

<p>House Speaker Mike Johnson </p>
US politics

Congress reaches tentative spending deal as it fights to stop shutdown

<p>Donald Trump speaking at a rally in Ohio on 16 March </p>
US politics

Trump lashes out at media over coverage of ‘bloodbath’ comments

<p>Mike Pence has refused to endorse Donald Trump </p>
US politics

All the ex-Trump officials who refuse to endorse him in 2024

<p>US district judge Aileen Cannon</p>
US politics

Aileen Cannon: Judge now holding Trump’s fate was appointed by him

<p>Joe Biden and Donald Trump</p>
US politics

When is the next US presidential election?

<p>Andrew Tate</p>
Europe

The rise and fall of Andrew Tate: A timeline

<p>Polar cloudscapes in the Norwegian Arctic</p>
News

What is sudden stratospheric warming? Weather event explained

US politics

Which guests have been invited to the State of the Union?

<p>Allen Weisselberg leaves the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on 4 March 2024</p>
US politics

Ex-Trump Organization CFO pleads guilty to perjury

<p>Joe Biden </p>
US politics

What time is the State of the Union?

<p>Election denier Kari Lake listens as US Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) speaks at a news conference on 29 February 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona</p>
US politics

Nikki Haley staffer’s perfect comeback to Kari Lake’s gloating

<p>Nikki Haley and Donald Trump </p>
US politics

A beginner’s guide to Super Tuesday 2024

<p>A Super Tuesday ballot box in California </p>
US politics

How to register to vote in California today

<p>Fifteen states and one territory get their chance to have their say on their preferred candidates for the presidency on Super Tuesday</p>
US politics

Super Tuesday 2024: Key races to watch

<p>Of the 2,429 Republican Party delegates available throughout primary season, Donald Trump currently has 273</p>
US politics

Can Trump clinch the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday?

<p>A Super Tuesday ballot box in California </p>
US politics

How to register to vote in California today

<p>Fifteen states and one territory get their chance to have their say on their preferred candidates for the presidency on Super Tuesday</p>
US politics

Super Tuesday 2024: Key races to watch

<p>Of the 2,429 Republican Party delegates available throughout primary season, Donald Trump currently has 273</p>
US politics

Can Trump clinch the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday?

<p>Mark Meadows </p>
US politics

Mark Meadows’ bid to move Georgia election case dealt another blow

<p>Donald Trump </p>
US politics

How much does Trump owe so far in each of his court cases?

<p>Ronna McDaniel has announced that she will step down on 8 March</p>
US politics

RNC chair Ronna McDaniel to step down after Super Tuesday

<p>Meghan McCain (left) and Kari Lake (right) have come to blows </p>
US politics

Meghan McCain eviscerates Kari Lake: ‘NO PEACE, B****!’

<p>Jimmy Kimmel constantly trolls Donald Trump on his show </p>
US politics

Trump lashes out at ‘loser’ Jimmy Kimmel over relentless jokes

<p>Donald Trump gave a weary speech to conservative Christians on 22 February </p>
US politics

Trump struggles to say ‘evangelical’ in wild, incoherent speech

<p>Mike Johnson </p>
US politics

Mike Johnson’s religion-heavy speech falls flat: ‘I’m not at church’

<p>Joe Biden in the Roosevelt Room at the White House</p>
US politics

Biden calls Putin a ‘crazy SOB’ and blasts Trump’s Navalny comments

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