Trump news – live: Fauci issues stern warning to president's campaign on Covid as Amy Coney Barret grilled on guns, abortion

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Trump says he will 'kiss the guys and the beautiful women' at Florida rally

Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump’s third nomination to the Supreme Court, is on Capitol Hill for another day of senate confirmation hearings amid a backdrop of outcry from Democrats over Republican-led efforts to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during an election season in which 10 million Americans have already voted.

The federal judge faced tough questions from Democratic senators and declined to reveal whether she would support overturning key rulings on the Affordable Care Act and Roe v Wade, which, respectively, provides insurance protections for millions and ensures access to women’s reproductive health care options nationwide.

Former Vice President Joe Biden has also addressed questions from the president and his allies about so-called “court-packing” efforts, saying he was “not a fan” of adding seats to the nation’s top court in an interview on Monday. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading epidemiologist, has warned the Trump campaign against a blitz of in-person events its planning across the country, telling CNN about the rise of new Covid-19 cases: “The data speaks for itself.”

Check out The Independent’s live updates and coverage below:

Key Points

• Trump returns to campaign trail in Florida, insists he feels ‘powerful’
• Amy Coney Barrett refuses to be drawn on Roe v Wade
• First US case of Covid-19 reinfection recorded
• Dr Fauci issues stern warning to the Trump campaign

[13 October 2020 23:40 · Justin Vallejo]

Trump campaign used image of top military general in ad 'without his consent'

Donald Trump has become embroiled in another row over a political campaign ad - this time the president's team has been accused of using an image of a top military chief without his consent, in a potential beach of Department of Defense (DOD) guidelines, Matt Mathers writes. 

[13 October 2020 23:50 · Justin Vallejo]

Unofficial US unemployment rate may be over 25%, new data reveals

New labour data suggests the "real" unemployment rate in the US may actually be 26.1 per cent.  The data defines anyone who is looking for full-time work that pays a living wage, but who cannot find it, as unemployed.

Graig Graziosi looks closer at the staggering numbers.  

[14 October 2020 00:00 · Justin Vallejo]

WH adviser caught calling Trump’s debate performance ‘crappy’

White House economic adviser Stephen Moore is reportedly the latest person to criticize President Trump’s aggressive, interruption-filled display at the first presidential debate, telling a crowd earlier this month it was “a pretty crappy performance,” according to Documented, a government watchdog group which obtained the footage, the Huff Post reports.

“It was not a great performance by Trump; in fact, I thought it was a pretty crappy performance,” Mr Moore told a group at an October 2 “Election Protection Summit” hosted by FreedomWorks, a conservative grassroots organization.  

Josh Marcus has more.

[14 October 2020 00:07 · Justin Vallejo]

Kamala Harris has begun questioning Amy Coney Barrett

The V-Potus is up against the Trump-Scotus during Amy Coney Barrett’s Senate confirmation hearing today.

“The Affordable Care Act and all its protections, hinge on this seat and the outcome of this hearing,” Harris said, following the Democratic strategy of focusing on health care.

[14 October 2020 00:14 · Justin Vallejo]

Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania to begin shortly

While Kamala Harris questions Amy Coney Barret in the Senate, Donald Trump will soon begin his rally in Pennsylvania.

While the crowd waits, Elton John’s Tiny Dancer is playing which, incidentally, is the song that was playing when Trump learned of Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s death after rally a few weeks ago.

[14 October 2020 00:21 · Justin Vallejo]

BREAKING: Kamala Harris targets vulnerable GOP senators over Obamacare at Amy Coney Barrett hearing

Senator Kamala Harris delivered a blistering campaign-like speech at the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on Tuesday,  targeting vulnerable Republicans on the Judiciary Committee vetting Ms Barrett for their efforts to repeal the 2010 health care law more commonly known as Obamacare.

Appearing remotely via teleconference, Ms Harris, the running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, rattled off the projected numbers of people in five states who would lose their health insurance if Obamacare were repealed by Supreme Court fiat.

Griffin Connolly is following the story as it unfolds.

[14 October 2020 00:25 · Justin Vallejo]

‘Amy’s doing incredibly well’, said Trump of Scotus pick on way to campaign rally 

Via White House correspondent Mark Knoller.

[14 October 2020 00:28 · Justin Vallejo]

‘I’m looking forward to the end of the day I must admit,’ said ACB when asked if she was tired

The second day is approaching its nadir. Just in time to switch over to the Trump rally.

[14 October 2020 00:33 · Justin Vallejo]

Pelosi says CNN are apologists for GOP

In the latest from the Upside Down, Nancy Pelosi says CNN’s Wolf Blitzer is an “apologist” for the Republicans in Covid relief package negotiations.

In the heated exchange, Pelosi told Blitzer he doesn’t know what he’s talking about and that she’s representing the American people.

Veteran pollster Frank Luntz always has a relevant poll for commentary.

[14 October 2020 00:36 · Justin Vallejo]

Trump begins speaking in Pennsylvania, starts with Hunter Biden

And there are some new signs in the crowd, which are usually handed out by the campaign:

• Women for Trump
• Fill that Seat
• This is a Peaceful Protest
• Cops for Trump
• Pro-Life Voices for Trump