Trump secretly sent Putin Covid tests in 2020; Harris takes narrow lead over Trump in new poll: Live

Kamala Harris continues media blitz as Donald Trump’s campaign pushes back on new book’s allegations about relationship with Putin

Kamala Harris calls out Donald Trump’s ‘lack of empathy’

Donald Trump sent Vladimir Putin Covid-19 testing machines at the height of the pandemic, according to a new book by veteran Watergate journalist Bob Woodward. The former president also spoke with the Russian leader as many as seven times after leaving the White House, it alleges.

The Trump campaign has called the stories “made up” and Woodward “demented and deranged” and a “sleazebag”.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris sat down with the co-hosts of ABC’s The View on Tuesday morning to discuss the campaign and her proposal for Medicare to cover at-home care for seniors.

The Democrat nominee is undertaking a media blitz, having appeared on CBS’s 60 Minutes on Monday on which she was pressed on her economic plan, US support for Ukraine and Israel, and her experiences as a gun owner.

“I believe that the people of America want a leader who is not trying to divide us and demean,” she said of rival Trump.

Harris is currently on Howard Stern’s radio show and later is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Her running mate Tim Walz was also grilled on 60 Minutes and made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show.

Key Points

• Trump sent Putin Covid-19 testing machines early in pandemic, new books says
• Harris ahead of Trump by three points in latest NYT poll
• Kamala Harris pressed on Ukraine, economy and guns in 60 Minutes interview
• Trump falsely claims to have been to Gaza and says migrants have ‘bad genes’
• Harris calls Trump ‘extraordinarily irresponsible’ over hurricane relief lie

[8 October 2024 18:40 · Oliver O'Connell]

Trump stuns social media as he dances along to YMCA at October 7 commemoration

The Trump campaign has been slammed for inappropriately blasting the YMCA at the end of an October 7 memorial event while the former president made his signature dance move.

Donald Trump joined members of the Jewish community on Monday night at his Doral Golf Club in Florida, for what his campaign billed as a “remembrance event” to honor those who were murdered and taken hostage by Hamas militants in the horror attack on Israel one year ago.

Rhian Lubin reports.

[8 October 2024 18:33 · Oliver O'Connell]

Howard Stern: What went through Harris’s head during infamous ‘eating pets’ moment of debate

Stern asks Harris what went through her head during the presidential debate against Donald Trump when he was talking about people eating pets: “Did you say to yourself, ‘I just won this thing’?”

Harris replied: “There were a couple of moments in the debate that were surreal.”

She went on to say that there were 60 million people tuned in, and they “want to know where do [the candidates] stand on the issues, how will they lead and how will that make a difference in my life”.

“One of those people … talked about people eating pets” and “personal grievances,” she said.

“There were moments on the debate stage where I was — I knew what he did at his rallies, but this was a very serious moment. He was talking about things that were factually untrue and quite ridiculous but not talking about bringing down the costs of groceries, not talking about building back America’s businesses.”

[8 October 2024 18:30 · Oliver O'Connell]

Watch: Harris reacts to Maya Rudolph’s SNL impression

[8 October 2024 18:28 · Oliver O'Connell]

Howard Stern Show: Harris says election is about ‘strength versus weakness'

In her interview with radio presenter Howard Stern, Kamala Harris told him that the election was about “strength versus weakness”.

“This election is about strength vs. weakness. The weakness of someone who puts himself before the American people. Who does not have the strength to stand for their needs and make sure we’re a secure nation.”

Regarding reporting by Bob Woodward that Donald Trump sent Covid-19 tests to Vladimir Putin at the height of the pandemic for his personal use, Harris said: “People in America were struggling to get tests, and this guy is sending them to Russia, to a murderous dictator for his personal use? That is just the most recent stark example of who Trump is.”

[8 October 2024 18:20 · Oliver O'Connell]

Elon Musk’s ‘dark MAGA’ claim at Trump rally has John Stewart in stitches

Jon Stewart is the latest talk show host to mock Elon Musk’s recent appearance at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally.

The Tesla and X billionaire sent the internet into hysterics over the weekend after pictures of him excitedly leaping around the stage of Trump’s campaign event went viral.

“He’s acting like a guy who won a radio contest. ‘Oh, I can’t believe I get to bid on the washer-dryer!’” Stewart said, laughing on the Monday (October 7) episode of The Daily Show.

Inga Parkel has the story.

[8 October 2024 18:13 · Oliver O'Connell]

Trump sent Putin Covid-19 testing machines early in pandemic, new books says

Donald Trump secretly sent Vladimir Putin several Covid-19 test machines for his personal use at the height of the pandemic, according to a soon-to-be-released book by Watergate journalist Bob Woodward.

Russia and the US did exchange medical equipment at the time in early 2020, but Putin reportedly told Trump to keep the deployment of testing machines quiet.

“Please don’t tell anybody you sent these to me,” the journalist writes the Russian leader told Trump.

“I don’t care,” Trump replied, “Fine.”

“No, no,” Putin reportedly said. “I don’t want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you, not me. They don’t care about me.”

Woodward’s latest book War is scheduled for publication on October 15.

Read more about the interactions between the former president and the Russian leader below:

[8 October 2024 18:05 · Oliver O'Connell]

Trump promises to ‘remove the Jew haters’ if re- elected

Donald Trump pledged to “remove the Jew haters” as he spoke at an October 7 memorial event at his Trump National Doral Golf Club in Florida – on the first anniversary of the horror attacks on Israel.

Approximately 1,145 people were killed and 251 taken hostage in the Hamas assault on a music festival in southern Israel 12 months ago, which sparked an ongoing conflict in Gaza at the cost of more than 40,000 Palestinian lives.

On Monday, the Republican presidential nominee told his audience at the Doral that he “will defend our American Jewish population.”

Joe Sommerlad reports.

[8 October 2024 17:50 · Oliver O'Connell]

Trump campaign leaps on Harris response to question about Biden presidency

The Trump-Vance campaign has leapt on a response Kamala Harris gave during her appearance on The View this morning. Asked what she would have done differently than President Joe Biden over the past four years, the vice president responded: “There is not a thing that comes to mind.”

Here’s that moment:

And here’s what the Trump camp had to say:

If you're a voter who wants to turn the page from Joe Biden's failed economy, open border, and global chaos then Kamala Harris is NOT the candidate for you.

On her Tuesday appearance on The View, Kamala Harris was asked, "If anything, would you have done something differently than President Biden during the past four years?"

Kamala responded, "There is not a thing that comes to mind...I've been a part of most of the decisions that have had impact."

Over 60 percent of voters say the nation is on the wrong track due to the decisions Kamala has been a part of.

Kamala Harris has no regrets for supporting inflationary spending, open borders, and weakness abroad.

Later in her interview with the full panel of co-hosts, Harris returned to the question, seeming to realize she needed to take another run at it, adding: “I plan on having a Republican in my cabinet...You asked me what's the difference between Joe Biden and me, that will be one of the differences — I am going to have a Republican in my cabinet. I don't feel burdened by letting pride get in the way of a good idea.”

Watch below:

[8 October 2024 17:48 · Oliver O'Connell]

Trump says he is ‘very proud of Melania’ as memoir released nationally

Donald Trump says he is “very proud of Melania” as her memoir is released nationwide today.

The former president wrote on Truth Social:

Very proud of Melania! Her book is out Nationally, and for sale EVERYWHERE. It is really great! She was a fantastic First Lady, and shares that experience, and much more. She’s also a really good writer, as she showed at the Republican National Convention with her letter, that turned out to be a sensational highlight. Perfect for Christmas. Get it NOW, and ENJOY!

[8 October 2024 17:40 · Oliver O'Connell]

Trump appears to falsely claim he’s been to Gaza

...and says it could be “better than Monaco”.

Katie Hawkinson has the story.