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Biden and Trump news: Biden to speak with Trudeau in first foreign leader ‘meeting’ as he declares major disaster in Texas

Follow for all the latest news from the White House and beyond in US politics

Tom Embury-Dennis,Graeme Massie
Saturday 20 February 2021 22:10 GMT
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Trump failed to mobilise vaccine distribution, says Biden

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President Joe Biden has announced he will meet virtually with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, making it his first bilateral meeting with a foreign leader since taking office.

Earlier the White House announced Joe Biden has declared a major disaster in Texas and has asked federal agencies to identify extra resources to help millions hit by a deep freeze in the state.

Millions of Texans lost heat and power this week as the cold snap caused extended outages and many even lost access to drinking water.

At least 69 deaths across the US have been blamed on the blast of unseasonable weather.

It comes as pro-Trump news network Newsmax, which rose to prominence on the back of its false claims about presidential election fraud, attracted scorn after it turned its ire on Mr Biden’s German Shepherd dog Champ.

“Did you see the dog? I wanted to show you something I noticed. Doesn’t he look a little rough?” host Greg Kelly said, to which a guest responded that Champ was “dirty” and “very unlike a presidential dog”.

Key stories:

Fox News host mocked after claiming ‘Bible characters’ will face cancel culture

Fox News host has warned that Bible characters could soon become the next targets of cancel culture – a statement people have since mocked online.

“I tell you, if they start canceling these American presidents, they’re going to come after Bible characters next,” Bill Hemmer said during a Fox News segment about “cancel culture”

“Mark my words, right?” he added.

Read more here:

Fox News host mocked after claiming ‘Bible characters’ will face cancel culture

‘I tell you, if they start canceling these American presidents, they’re going to come after Bible characters next,’ Bill Hemmer claims in segment

Danielle Zoellner20 February 2021 16:58

AOC raises $3.2 million for Texas storm relief

New York congresswoman flew to Houston to volunteer at food bank after stunning fundraising effort for storm hit state.

Graeme Massie20 February 2021 17:54

Trump not being considered as Rush Limbaugh radio replacement

Donald Trump is not being considered as Rush Limbaugh’s radio replacement, his syndicator tells the New York Times

The ex-president was a regular guest on the right-wing radio host’s show before his death from lung cancer earlier this week.

Graeme Massie20 February 2021 18:30

AOC volunteers at Houston food bank after raising more than $3 million for Texas storm victims

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez volunteered at a Houston food bank after raising more than $3 million for Texas storm relief.

The New York congresswoman flew to the Lone Star state after a stunning fundraising effort following the devastating winter storm.

“That’s the New York spirit, that’s the Texas spirit that’s the American spirit,” she said.

Graeme Massie20 February 2021 19:01

US investigating Alex Jones and Roger Stone for links to Capitol rioters

The Justice Department and FBI have launched an investigation into Alex Jones, Roger Stone and other high-profile figures’ potential link to the deadly riots that occurred at the US Capitol, The Washington Post reports.

The investigation would look into if people who promoted former President Donald Trump’s false election fraud claims helped encourage rioters to storm the US Capitol on 6 January.

Danielle Zoellner has more.

US investigating Alex Jones and Roger Stone for links to Capitol rioters

Officials are seeking to better understand the insurrectionists from 6 January, The Washington Post reports

Graeme Massie20 February 2021 19:42

Biden to speak virtually with Justin Trudeau on Tuesday in first ‘meeting’ with foreign leader

President Joe Biden has announced he will meet virtually with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau n Tuesday, making it his first bilateral meeting with a foreign leader since taking office.

“In this virtual event, the President will highlight the strong and deep partnership between the United States and Canada as neighbors, friends and NATO Allies,” saidJen Psaki, the White House press secretary, in a statement on Saturday.

Biden to speak virtually with Justin Trudeau on Tuesday in first ‘meeting’ with foreign leader

‘The meeting will be an opportunity for the two leaders to review joint efforts in areas of mutual interest such as the Covid-19 response,’ says Jen Psaki

Danielle Zoellner has the story.

Graeme Massie20 February 2021 20:06

Trump to begin vetting MAGA candidates for 2022, reports says

The ex-president will meet potential candidates at Mar-a-Lago “to ensure every open GOP seat in the 2022 midterms has a MAGA-approved contender vying for it,” according to Politico.

Graeme Massie20 February 2021 20:59

Canadian prime minister looks forward to Biden meeting

Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to preview his virtual meeting with the US president on Tuesday.

Graeme Massie20 February 2021 21:25

Graeme Massie20 February 2021 22:10

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