Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Trump news: President attacks journalist in rambling press conference as impeachment inquiry escalates

Follow the latest updates from Washington

Chris Riotta
New York
,Joe Sommerlad,Lily Puckett
Wednesday 02 October 2019 20:07 BST
Comments
Trump accuses Adam Schiff of lying to Congress over Ukraine call

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Donald Trump has been labelled “dangerous” and accused of “unhinged depravity” after he tweeted that the impeachment inquiry into his phone call with Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky amounted to a “coup” days after quoting a far-right Texas pastor’s warning that Congress risks creating a “Civil War like fracture” by pursuing him.

As his job approval rating slides to an all-time low, the president has been forced to deny reports emanating from a new book that he suggested shooting migrants in the legs, building a snake and alligator-filled moat at the US-Mexico border (no, really) and electrifying his much-touted wall before being told by aides his ideas were both illegal and impractical.

In a furious press conference with the Finnish president, Mr Trump snapped at reporters multiple times and appeared to be somewhat admonished by the visiting leader.

In other developments, 2020 candidate Bernie Sanders has been hospitalised following a chest complaint, House Democrats have threatened to subpoena the White House and secretary of state Mike Pompeo had admitted for the first time he was in on the Zelensky call. However, his aides are still denying that he took part in the attempts to get Ukraine to interfere with the 2020 election.

Follow live updates

The president also seemingly addressed a typo in one of his earlier tweets today -

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 17:47

Donald Trump attacked Joe Biden, saying he doesn't believe the former vice president "is a smart guy" and that he would rather compete in the 2020 elections against him than "probably any other candidate".

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 17:51

"I call the fake news the corrupt news now," the president said, "and it truly is the enemy of the people". 

Mr Trump said he was planning on largely referring to the mainstream media as the "corrupt" media at this point, after denying reports he wanted to build a moat along the US-Mexico border.

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 17:54

While Donald Trump seemingly has no problem writing out "bullsh*t" in all caps on Twitter, he refused to say the word "jockstrap" during his Oval Office meeting today - 

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 18:10

While Mike Pompeo did not previously outright deny he was on the phone call, critics noted on Thursday how he was previously unable to answer any questions about the issue before it was reported he had listened in to the conversation. His position seemingly changed a day after numerous outlets reported he was on the call, citing anonymous officials within the Trump administration.

Speaking to reporters about the call in Rome, Mr Pompeo said the conversation between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky “was on taking down the threat that Russia poses there in the Ukraine.”

“It was about helping Ukrainians to get graft out and corruption outside of their government and to help now this new government in the Ukraine build a successful thriving economy,” he added.

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 18:30

Here's Barack Obama in 2011 either predicting the future or knowing his Republican counterparts all too well, especially now that new reports indicate the president demanded a moat full of snakes and alligators at the US-Mexico border: 

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 18:50

More on Donald Trump's spelling errors and demands for a moat at the US-Mexico border -

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 19:10

Donald Trump is holding a press conference with the president of Finland at the White House, opening with a statement celebrating the 100th anniversary of America's recognition of Finland's independence in 1919.

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 19:28

The president of Finland is now delivering his statement, telling Mr Trump "you have a great democracy ... keep it going." 

He also said "the US needs Europe" and urged Mr Trump to continue pursuing diplomatic relations with American allies. 

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 19:36

The president is now defending his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and claiming Adam Schiff "had some kind of mental breakdown" when he shared details of a whistleblower complaint about the scandal that has provoked an impeachment inquiry against him.

Chris Riotta2 October 2019 19:44

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in