A book that contains incendiary claims about Jared Kushner’s financial dealings during Donald Trump’s first term has ignited a political and media storm. The book, by the author Matthew Cole, drew a furious response from Kushner, who called its claims “completely insane”. It contains numerous allegations about Kushner, who has served as one of Donald Trump’s top diplomatic envoys in the Middle East.
The most explosive are claims linking him to huge bank accounts allegedly funded by Gulf states. Kushner continues to steer US foreign policy despite having no official role. The Guardian contacted Kushner’s legal counsel and received no response.
A California county elections official has spoken out about the Department of Justice’s campaign against purported “voter fraud”, saying federal officials provided him a disorganized list of names filled with inaccuracies – and threatened to criminally prosecute him if he did not take action. Meanwhile, a federal judge has declined to order California officials to segregate and not count ballots from people the Trump administration claimed were non-citizens. Barack Obama offered a closing argument for Democrats in the final week of the campaign.
Both men will appear on the ballot in next week’s midterm elections, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. Peltola’s campaign has denied involvement with the other Dan Sullivan, who will be listed on the ballot as “Sullivan, Daniel J Jr”. Two rightwing influencers have been charged with felonies in Minneapolis over attempts in the state’s election primary to disguise themselves in what they called “Muslim garb” and claim they were local voters.
If you are having trouble keeping track of all the ways Trump and his administration have been attempting to disrupt the midterms, this four-minute video explainer has you covered. And the Guardian’s Washington bureau chief, David Smith, has this analysis piece looking at Trump’s midterm rally bigotry, with the president’s repeated attacks on Muslims and his strange obsession with people’s bodies. Emma Graham-Harrison is in Tel Aviv for the Guardian, and has this analysis piece on where Tuesday’s vote has left Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition has lost its mandate, and the opposition in total have a firm majority. However, most of Israel’s Jewish opposition have ruled out governing alongside Palestinian-led parties. The self-imposed ban on a broader opposition alliance, if it holds, offers Netanyahu the prospect of turning his defeat into another term in office – or at least a prolonged mandate as a caretaker prime minister and perhaps another round of elections.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
