Politics
Putin Crony Accuses Kamala Harris of ‘Unfriendly’ Comments Replete With Rhetoric
Kremlin spokesperson and staunch Vladimir Putin ally Dmitry Peskov has accused Vice President Kamala Harris of repeatedly making “unfriendly” comments about Russia and propagating hateful rhetoric against the nation. Knewz.com has learned that Peskov ‘s statement came amidst the rising ...
Kremlin spokesperson and staunch Vladimir Putin ally Dmitry Peskov has accused Vice President Kamala Harris of repeatedly making “unfriendly” comments about Russia and propagating hateful rhetoric against the nation.
Knewz.com has learned that Peskov‘s statement came amidst the rising chances of Harris becoming the Democratic Party’s Presidential nominee.
Kremlin spokesperson Peskov has indicated in his recent statements that the Russian administration is closely watching the current frontrunner for the Democratic Presidential ticket.
When asked by reporters earlier this week if Russia had expected this change in the Presidential nominee of the Democratic Party, Peskov said that recent years have taught Moscow politicians to “not be surprised” by any political developments in the United States.
“In recent years, what has been happening in the United States has taught us not to be surprised by anything… We were not very surprised,” the Kremlin spokesperson told reporters.
He added that Russia is currently more focused on the Ukraine war and achieving the goals of the “Special Military Operation.”
However, commenting on Harris as a potential presidential candidate, he pointed out that the Vice President has done nothing so far for the bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington and that her rhetoric towards Russia has always been rather “unfriendly.”
“At the moment, we cannot assess the potential candidacy of Ms. Harris from the point of view of our bilateral relations because so far her contribution to our bilateral relations has not been noticed,” Peskov said in his recent statement to reporters.
“There were statements that were replete with rhetoric quite unfriendly towards our country, but her actions in relation to bilateral relations come under neither a plus nor a minus sign.”
The statements Peskov is referring to might be the series of scathing criticisms of Putin and Russia by Vice President Harris on X, formerly known as Twitter, since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
The day after the Ukraine war commenced, Harris wrote on X: “All eyes around our country and the world are on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I want to be clear that this is a war of choice. It is unprovoked, it is unwarranted, and it is unjustified.”
In February 2023, she described Russia as “horrendous,” “gruesome,” and “cruel,” and announced that the U.S. deemed Putin’s actions vi-a-vis Ukraine as war crimes.
“In the case of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, we have examined the evidence, we know the legal standards, and there is no doubt: These are crimes against humanity,” Harris was quoted as saying at the time.
“First, from the starting days of this unprovoked war, we have witnessed Russian forces engage in horrendous atrocities and war crimes.”
In June 2024, he once commented on the Ukraine war on X, this time calling the Russian aggression on the embattled nation “brutal.”
“As Russia continues its brutal aggression against the people of Ukraine, we are committed to help Ukraine rebuild. Today in Switzerland, I announced $1.5 billion to help Ukraine’s energy system, humanitarian needs, and civilian security,” she wrote.
The Joe Biden administration has been a thorn in Russia’s side, due to the aid it has provided and arranged for Ukraine over the course of the Russian invasion.
With the incumbent President bowing out of the Presidential race of 2024, Democrat supporters – and Biden himself – have shown significant interest in seeing Vice President Harris on the Presidential ballot.
Knewz.com previously wrote that reports from U.S. Intelligence officials suggested that Putin had secretly hoped for a second Donald Trump presidency this year. Considering this, the nationwide loss of confidence in Biden due to his advancing age might have worked in Russia’s favor had he stayed in the race.
However, with Harris having thrown her hat in the ring, Democrats have shown reinvigorated efforts to bolster her campaign.
It was reported that the Harris presidential campaign has been able to raise $81 million in just 24 hours. In addition, around 28,000 volunteers have registered to help with her campaign.
Revealed: Joe Biden Will Soon Get a Substantial Pay Raise in Retirement
President Joe Biden is set to receive a substantial pay raise upon his retirement from the White House , due to his service in the Senate for 36 years and his eight-year tenure as Vice President. Knewz.com has learned that President Biden is in ...
President Joe Biden is set to receive a substantial pay raise upon his retirement from the White House, due to his service in the Senate for 36 years and his eight-year tenure as Vice President.
Knewz.com has learned that President Biden is in line to receive nearly $413,000 in taxpayer-funded retirement benefits once he leaves the Oval Office.
Upon leaving Office, former Presidents are usually entitled to an annual pension equivalent to the salary of a Cabinet Secretary—an amount that is often annually adjusted.
Currently, the Presidential pension Biden is eligible for is $246,400, as part of the Former Presidents Act of 1958.
Every former President of the United States is eligible for this pension, in addition to other allowances, regardless of their financial status when they leave Office.
Additionally, Biden is eligible for a separate pension as part of the Civil Service Retirement System, due to his 36 years of service in the Senate and an additional eight years as the Vice President during the two consecutive Presidential terms of Barack Obama.
The Civil Service Retirement System applies to Congressional members who were elected before 1984—Biden’s career in the Senate began in 1973.
It is worth noting that the Civil Service Retirement System offers a 2.5% accrual rate, and the starting pension amount is calculated by multiplying the number of years in office by the average of the three highest years of salary, multiplied by 2.5%.
A report from the National Taxpayers Union Foundation pointed out that as part of the system, Biden’s estimated starting Congressional pension would be around $166,374, “including an $18,186 set aside in the program for the spousal portion of benefit.”
However, Biden does have the option to switch to the Federal Employees’ Retirement System enacted in 1987, which has an accrual rate of 1.7%.
“The formula is generally the same as above, except that the accrual rate is 1.7% for the first 20 years of service and remaining years accrue at 1.0%, and there is no 80% cap based on salary,” the National Taxpayers Union Foundation explained.
Notably, if Congressional members elected before 1984 opted for the Federal Employees’ Retirement System, their starting benefit would be counted using the Civil Service Retirement System formula for the number of years they served in the Senate through 1986.
As part of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System, Biden’s starting Congressional pension would be an estimated $164,401, in addition to $17,967 for the “spousal annuity reduction portion.”
Combining the Presidential and Congressional pensions, Biden is expected to leave Office with an approximately estimated annual retirement benefit of $413,000.
The amount is notably higher than the current salary of a U.S. President, and a significant hike over the existing Presidential pension for which former Commanders-in-Chief are eligible.
Furthermore, no law dictates that Biden would have to choose between the two pensions or that he cannot opt for both simultaneously.
The report from the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, drawn up by the Union’s Vice President of Research Demian Brady, has pointed this out as a cause for concern since Biden’s significantly higher-than-usual pension would be paid for with taxpayer dollars.
“Joe Biden represents a unique situation. With his long tenure in Congress and subsequent years as Vice President and President, Joe Biden stands to benefit significantly from both systems, potentially receiving a combined payout starting at around $413,000,” Brady wrote in the report.
“There are no limits within each pension program that would curtail the taxpayer-funded benefit afforded to the elite few who have accrued substantial pension benefits in both the legislative and executive branches. Additionally, there is nothing to prevent double-dipping in these two programs.”
“Lawmakers should re-examine this loophole that allows for double-dipping in two different yet generous pension programs,” he added.
It is worth noting that the presidential pension system was established to financially aid President Harry Truman – who allegedly “exaggerated” his financial woes – upon his retirement.
However, U.S. Presidents nowadays have usually been well-off, with Brady pointing out that Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are currently worth millions. Notably, Donald Trump‘s current worth is around $2.3 billion, per Forbes.
President Biden himself is currently worth $9 million.
South Korea Launches ‘Tension-Escalating Acts’ After North Korea Sends More Trash Balloons Full of ‘Parasites and Old Clothes’
South Korea has upped the ante in the ongoing tit-for-tat hybrid war with its northern neighbor. Knewz.com has learned that in response to the parasite, trash, and soil-bearing balloons, the southern peninsula state is blasting music and news at its northern neighbor ...
South Korea has upped the ante in the ongoing tit-for-tat hybrid war with its northern neighbor.
Knewz.com has learned that in response to the parasite, trash, and soil-bearing balloons, the southern peninsula state is blasting music and news at its northern neighbor using loudspeakers.
The sounds emanating from the said giant sound systems comprise K-pop (a local contemporary genre of music) along with South Korean news bulletins—both of which have been banned by the Kim Jong Un regime.
Announcing the decision in the press, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said: “As we have warned numerous times, we will conduct loudspeaker broadcasts in full-scale at all fronts starting from 1 PM.”
True to its word, the Asian democracy played the speakers for four days in a row from July 17 to 21.
During one of the broadcasts, the JCS indicated that the speakers had been on since 6 AM and were scheduled to be turned off at 10 PM.
“The North Korean military’s tension-escalating acts in front-line areas may lead it to pay a fatal price and we sternly warn that all responsibility for this situation lies with the North Korean regime,” the JCS warned.
This move follows North Korea’s distribution of nearly 2,000 garbage-carrying balloons over South Korea in nine separate instances—1,500 of which were sent since June 2024.
One ensuing examination revealed that they carried soil with “roundworms, whipworms and threadworms,” and damaged “Western clothing”.
In another instance reported on May 29, 2024, the bombardment was preceded by a warning from a Kim military spokesperson.
Knewz.com reported that Kim Kang Il, a deputy minister from the North Korean military cabinet said:
“Mounds of wastepaper and filth will soon be scattered over the border areas and the interior of the ROK [South Korea] and it will directly experience how much effort is required to remove them.”
Notably, defectors from the reclusive northern state and anti-Kim advocates have been blamed for provoking the trashy assaults after they sent balloons with democratic propaganda northwards.
This drew fury from various Kim blowhards including the dictator’s sister, Kim Yo-jong.
“We give the scum a stern warning again. They should be ready for paying a gruesome and dear price,” she said, referring to South Korea.
It is not the first time the latter has resorted to loudspeakers to get their message across.
Reports indicate that the southern country, which has a total of 11 loudspeaker systems along its border, employed this tactic as early as 2005.
It refrained from it for eleven years thereafter until relations between the two countries deteriorated and resumed the practice again in 2016.
According to the Yonhap News Agency, the most recent continuation of this tactic followed a forty-day hiatus, which was ended by a new wave of trash balloons.
Was Trump Really Injured by a Bullet? Keith Olbermann Doesn't Think So.
Former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann fired off a critical post about Donald Trump and his former doctor after the assassination attempt at Trump’s campaign rally. Olbermann, the outspoken one-time MSNBC star, questioned the authenticity of Trump’s claim of being hit by a bullet. In a social media post, he remarked, ...
Former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann fired off a critical post about Donald Trump and his former doctor after the assassination attempt at Trump’s campaign rally.
Olbermann, the outspoken one-time MSNBC star, questioned the authenticity of Trump’s claim of being hit by a bullet. In a social media post, he remarked, “In brief: Ronny Jackson isn’t a doctor. Which is perfect, because Trump wasn’t hit by a bullet.”
Congressman Jackson, former physician to the president, provided details on the evaluation he conducted last week in Bedminster, New Jersey.
According to Jackson, Trump sustained a gunshot wound to his right ear during the incident. The physician described the injury, stating: “The bullet track produced a two cm-wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear.”
“The swelling has since resolved, and the wound is beginning to granulate and heal properly,” he continued. “Based on the highly vascular nature of the ear, there is still intermittent bleeding, requiring a dressing to be in place. Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required.”
Trump, who had a bandage over his right ear at the Republican National Convention earlier this week, recalled being wounded by the would-be assassin at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He said last week, he was “struck by a bullet”.
“If I had not moved my head at that very last instant, the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit its mark,” Trump continued. “And I would not be here tonight. We would not be together.”
Olbermann is the latest in the growing list of names questioning Trump’s injuries.
MSNBC host Joy Reid did the same, while legendary tennis star Martina Navratilova called the bandage around his ear a “PR” stunt.
Reid wrote: “I have many questions! Like where are the medical reports? What caused Trump’s injury, and what was the injury? Shrapnel? [sic] Glass? A bullet? Where were the three attendees who were shot seated or standing relative to Trump? Why was Trump allowed to stand and pose for photos, fist-pumping for nearly ten seconds while asking about his shoe when there could easily have been additional shooters?”
Dr. Anthony Fauci has also weighed in, calling the former president’s ear injury a “superficial wound.”
Fauci said: “I don’t think there is much more to it… from what we’ve seen and what we’ve heard, it was a bullet shot that grazed his ear and injured his ear, according to the physicians who examined him. There was no other further damage.”
Biden Delayed Dropping out Because He Doubted Kamala’s Chances Against Trump, Ex-Aides Claim
Is Joe Biden two-faced? The cognitively-challenged 81-year-old president was hesitant to end his re-election bid because he was worried his vice-president Kamala Harris couldn’t take on former president Donald Trump in November, three Biden aides have confirmed. Biden’s “private anxieties” were recounted in the aftermath of his decision to fall ...
Is Joe Biden two-faced?
The cognitively-challenged 81-year-old president was hesitant to end his re-election bid because he was worried his vice-president Kamala Harris couldn’t take on former president Donald Trump in November, three Biden aides have confirmed.
Biden’s “private anxieties” were recounted in the aftermath of his decision to fall on his sword and drop himself from the Democrats’ 2024 ticket.
His opinion about Harris’ weaknesses in a head-to-head showdown with 78-year-old Trump “reflect broader questions among some Democratic leaders about Harris as their nominee this November,” according to Axios, the website that first reported the news.
But those private concerns are also in stark contrast to what Biden said publicly on Sunday when he endorsed Harris, 59.
Biden said: “While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.”
In throwing his weight behind Harris as his replacement — publicly, at least — Biden described making her his vice president as “the best decision I’ve made”.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
But one aide to the current president said Biden’s real concerns about Harris’ candidacy were raised after he watched her treatment of staff.
One incident included when his veep interrogated her then-chief of staff, Karine Jean-Pierre, to the point that it made “others uncomfortable”.
While she might not have won Biden’s full support, Harris won a slew of support from the majority of House Democrats, 153 in total, with most Senate Democrats and twelve of the nation’s 23 Democratic governors also giving her the green light.
As Knewz.com previously reported, Harris launched what one top party official called an “impressive shock and awe campaign” to shore up her position as the would-be Democratic nominee.
One source told us: “Kamala moved swiftly to crush any potential opposition to her candidacy undertaking what is very unglamorous but necessary work.”
Harris learned of Biden’s shock decision in a series of phone calls on Sunday as she worked at the Vice President’s Residence and Office at Number One Observatory Circle in northwestern Washington, D.C.
Harris later said in a statement: “With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.”
She added: “I am honored to have the president’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.
“Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead.”
Pizza With Anchovies and Pounding the Phones in a Howard University Hoodie: How Kamala Harris Spent Her First Night as the Dems’ Likely ‘24 Candidate
The Kamala Harris express has left the station. The vice-president gorged on pizza with anchovies while wearing her alma mater Howard University hoodie and sweats in the hours after Joe Biden told her he was quitting the ticket in a political earthquake that effectively paves the way for a Harris-Donald ...
The Kamala Harris express has left the station.
The vice-president gorged on pizza with anchovies while wearing her alma mater Howard University hoodie and sweats in the hours after Joe Biden told her he was quitting the ticket in a political earthquake that effectively paves the way for a Harris-Donald Trump showdown at the ballot box, Knewz.com can reveal.
Harris, 59, had multiple phone conversations with Biden before he announced at 1:46 p.m. on Sunday that he was stepping aside, sources confirmed.
She then turned her ear to more than 100 Democratic leaders — speaking to each of them via phone — over a span of 10 hours in a makeshift campaign war room inside the Vice President’s Residence and Office at Number One Observatory Circle in northwestern Washington, D.C.
A Beltway insider told Knewz.com: “Kamala moved swiftly to crush any potential opposition to her candidacy undertaking what is very unglamorous but necessary work.”
David Axelrod, who was the chief strategist for Barack Obama, said the would-be Democratic nominee’s “impressive shock and awe campaign” had shored up her position.
“A lot of big dominos have fallen, including almost all of the major, potential contenders who might have challenged her,” he posted to X.
“Hard to see any other outcome here than her nomination.”
On Monday morning, the only potential contender to Harris was Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who was said to be considering rejoining the Democratic Party to vie for the presidential nomination.
Front-runner Harris had won the support of a majority of House Democrats — 153 — to start her week, with most Senate Democrats —32 — and twelve of the nation’s 23 Democratic governors following suit.
Polls also showed some positive signs for Harris, whose political pedigree includes becoming the first female, Black and South Asian attorney general in California history in 2010.
In NBC News’ latest national poll, conducted more than a week after Biden’s dismal debate performance but before the assassination attempt on Trump, Harris trailed Trump by 2-point margins among registered voters.
Similarly, a post-debate national Fox News poll found Trump ahead by 1 point against Harris (Trump 49%, Harris 48%) among registered voters.
A national CBS News/YouGov poll of likely voters conducted after the assassination attempt found Trump leading Harris by 3 points, 51% to 48%.
In New York Times/Siena College battleground polls of Pennsylvania and Virginia, Harris also performed 2 points better than Biden did among likely voters in these two states.
As we previously reported, Biden stepped aside from the Democrats ticket after a brutal 25-day revolt from top Democrats.
While he endorsed Harris and declared it was time for the Democrats “to come together” in a bid to beat Trump, the scandal of Biden’s cognitive decline and the White House cover-up of such hasn’t abated.
Top republicans joined Trump and running mate JD Vance in demanding Biden must leave the Oval Office immediately and called on Harris to invoke the 25th amendment.
The amendment allows the vice-president to become acting president when a president is unable to continue his duties, if for example, he or she becomes incapacitated due to a physical or mental illness.
But speaking exclusively to Knewz.com, a top campaign source warned Republicans to be “careful” about “jumping all over the 25th amendment” for fear it could backfire.
“Invoking the 25th amendment would allow Kamala Harris to effectively audition as president,” the insider said.
“Donald Trump’s hopes of regaining the White House best rest with keeping Biden in it, and his incompetence will eventually stain Kamala Harris too.
“Having Biden in the White House until election day also serves as a constant reminder about how she helped cover-up his obvious health issues!”
‘Who is Running Our Country?’: Trump Leads Push for Kamala Harris to use 25th Amendment to Boot Biden — but Some Republicans Fear It Could Backfire
Donald Trump led a chorus of questions around whether an “infirm” Joe Biden is fit enough to serve out the final five months of his besieged presidency. In a series of posts to Truth Social , the former president tried to turn the attention from his ...
Donald Trump led a chorus of questions around whether an “infirm” Joe Biden is fit enough to serve out the final five months of his besieged presidency.
In a series of posts to Truth Social, the former president tried to turn the attention from his likely 2024 presidential contender Kamala Harris to 81-year-old Biden’s ability to run the country, writing: “Who is running our Country right now? It’s not Crooked Joe, he has no idea where he is. If he can’t run for office, he can’t run our Country!!!”
Trump even questioned whether Biden — who stepped aside from the Democrats ticket after a brutal 25-day revolt from top Democrats — was a “threat to Democracy.”
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President,” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson added in a post on X.
“He must resign the office immediately.”
The Trump campaign in a statement added: “Biden is a national security threat in great cognitive decline and a clear and present danger to every man, woman, and child in our country.
“The question then to Kamala Harris is simple: knowing that Joe Biden withdrew from the campaign because of his rapidly deteriorating condition, does Harris believe the people of America are safe and secure with Joe Biden in the White House for six more months.”
Trump’s vice-presidential running mate, Senator JD Vance, echoed the message.
He insisted the Democrats should not get to remove Biden in the most “politically beneficial” method without also booting him from office.
“If Joe Biden cannot run for president, he cannot serve as president, and if they want to take him down because he is mentally incapable of serving, invoke the 25th amendment,” he told Jesse Waters on Fox News.
The 25th Amendment allows the vice-president to become acting president when a president is unable to continue his duties, if for example, he or she becomes incapacitated due to a physical or mental illness.
It is a dramatic twist of fate for Trump who faced the same call with just days left in his term.
The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives in 2021 passed a measure calling on then-Vice President Mike Pence and Trump’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment. Pence refused to do so.
A top campaign source warned: “The Republicans should be careful jumping all over the 25th amendment. It is the wrong move.”
“Invoking the 25th amendment would allow Kamala Harris to effectively audition as president,” the insider told Knewz.com.
“Donald Trump’s hopes of regaining the White House best rest with keeping Biden in it, and his incompetence will eventually stain Kamala Harris too.
“Having Biden in the White House until election day also serves as a constant reminder about how she helped cover-up his obvious health issues!”
For its part, the White House has insisted Biden, whose horrible debate performance in June ignited the political crisis, is still fit to serve.
The president’s physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor said in February that the president “is a healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male, who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.”
The president made the decision to withdraw from the race while isolating in Delaware after testing positive for Covid-19 — a condition Trump insisted was bogus and yet another cover-up.
Kamala Harris Advisors Tell Joe Biden ‘IT’S TIME TO PASS THE BUCK’, Ex-Navy Intelligence Officer Claims
Kamala Harris wants her day in the sun. The veep is reportedly making her move as more and more top Dems lose their faith in doddery old Joe Biden. Ex-U.S. Navy intelligence officer and right-wing politico Jack Posobiec claimed on X: “Massive drama right now in WH, Kamala ...
Kamala Harris wants her day in the sun.
The veep is reportedly making her move as more and more top Dems lose their faith in doddery old Joe Biden.
Ex-U.S. Navy intelligence officer and right-wing politico Jack Posobiec claimed on X: “Massive drama right now in WH, Kamala advisors straight up telling Biden advisors it’s time to pass the buck, exact words used, per WH official. This is the first direct, open confrontation at the senior level.”
Although Biden has steadfastly refused all calls to drop out of the race in the wake of his recent debate debacle, he is said to be growing “more receptive” to the idea of withdrawing.
One senior advisor told CNN: “He’s being receptive. Not as defiant as he is publicly. He’s gone from saying, ‘Kamala can’t win,’ to ‘Do you think Kamala can win? It’s still unclear where he’s going to land but seems to be listening.”
The shift comes after shocking votes of no confidence from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, two of the most high-profile and influential Democrats in the party.
Although other names like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer have also been floated as potential last-minute replacements for Biden, many have pinned their hopes on the vice president.
According to a new Economist/YouGov survey released Thursday, per the Hill, 79% of Democrats would support Harris as the party’s nominee in November if Biden chose to step aside.
In a recent op-ed for Newsweek, former Ohio congressman Tim Ryan wrote: “After deep reflection over these past few days, I strongly believe that our best path forward is Kamala Harris.”
Other polls, however, haven’t been quite so favorable for Harris.
Research carried out by the analytics company BlueLabs on Tuesday found that other potential candidates like Whitmer, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro all outperformed Harris in the battleground states Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.
The study said in its findings: “Voters are looking for a fresh face. Those more closely tied to the current administration perform relatively worse than other tested candidates.”
MSNBC Primetime Anchors Wanted to Attend Republican National Convention — but Peacock Brass Vetoed Trip Over Security Concerns
Anchors away? The brouhaha continues to brew over at MSNBC, as anchors say the Peacock network would not allow them to cover the Republican National Convention in person, Knewz.com can reveal. A source told us: “The Peacock network is under siege. The top anchors all wanted ...
Anchors away?
The brouhaha continues to brew over at MSNBC, as anchors say the Peacock network would not allow them to cover the Republican National Convention in person, Knewz.com can reveal.
A source told us: “The Peacock network is under siege. The top anchors all wanted to go to Milwaukee, but the network’s decision-makers didn’t think it was the right decision.”
The tipster added that behind the scenes they complained to their boss, Cesar Conde.
The insider claimed: “They think the network should have insisted they attend the convention and not be deterred by a perceived security threat or crowd unrest. Instead, they feel they’re integrity has been compromised.”
The bombshell revelation comes after several contentious issues surrounding MSNBC about perceived “security threats.”
Joe Scarborough’s Morning Joe show was taken off the air on Monday following Saturday’s assassination attempt against Donald Trump.
CNN reported it was pulled because the network was fearful there might be a backlash if Scarborough had a guest on who made “inappropriate” comments about Trump in the wake of the shooting.
However, NBC denied the allegation. In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for NBCUniversal News Group said: “Given the gravity and complexity of this unfolding story, NBC News, NBC News NOW and MSNBC have remained in rolling breaking news coverage since Saturday evening.”
Scarborough has since challenged the statement. When his show returned on Tuesday, he addressed viewers directly and said: “We were told, in no uncertain terms on Sunday evening that there was going to be one news feed across all NBC news channels yesterday, and today’s show would be Lester Holt.”
“That did not happen. We don’t know why that didn’t happen. Our team was not given a good answer as to why that didn’t happen.”
While Scarborough was off the air Monday, fellow MSNBC host Joy Reid was not. During live studio coverage of the convention, Reid implied that Trump may have incited the assassination attempt against him.
She referenced the 2022 midterm elections where people were told to remain 250 feet away from some polling locations in Arizona, because there were men with masks and long guns intimidating voters.
Speaking with co-host Rachel Maddow, Reid declared: “The idea of political violence that we’ve been nursing really since then, is so dangerous. It’s so dangerous that you cannot avoid the consequences of it, even if you’re one of the people promoting it.”
Adding to MSNBC’s woes, one of its reporters, Jacob Soboroff, got into a heated debate with Donald Trump Jr. on the convention floor. Don Jr. was with his siblings Eric and Tiffany when Soboroff asked him about his father’s immigration policies, and whether he would enact another family separation policy.
During his presidency, Trump enacted a “zero tolerance” policy for immigrants crossing the Southern border, and separated thousands of children from their parents.
Don Jr. snapped back: “It’s MSDNC [sic], so I expect nothing less from you clowns.”
Then, referring to Saturday’s assassination attempt he said: “Even today, even 48 hours later. You couldn’t wait. You couldn’t wait with your lies and with your nonsense, so just get out of here.”
Would-Be Trump Assassin Visited Shooting Range Days Before the Pennsylvania Shooting
Former President Donald Trump’s would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, allegedly went to a shooting range to hone his firearm skills days before the infamous shooting in Pennsylvania, Knewz.com can reveal. A shooting practice classmate says he fears Crooks might have been “pushed over the edge” listening to the ...
Former President Donald Trump’s would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, allegedly went to a shooting range to hone his firearm skills days before the infamous shooting in Pennsylvania, Knewz.com can reveal.
A shooting practice classmate says he fears Crooks might have been “pushed over the edge” listening to the right-wing instructor ranting about how Trump was the best man for the White House.
Bill Jenkins, who has spoken to the FBI, told outlets: “I was sitting next to evil. I haven’t been able to sleep thinking about it.”
Crooks allegedly showed off his skills during a training course where he blew a large hole in a shooting target with a volley of precision rounds using his weapon.
The shooter raised concerns among a number of those who encountered him leading up to the Pennsylvania Trump rally.
Jenkins mentioned that during a political conversation with others at the range, Crooks remained reticent, possibly indicating his internal dissatisfaction with the conversation’s content.
The incident took place as Trump addressed a crowd, and Crooks, armed with an AR rifle, fired multiple shots from a nearby building.
While the former president narrowly escaped death, one rally attendee lost their life, and two others were critically injured. Following the attack, Secret Service snipers took down Crooks with a single shot from another nearby building, prompting a comprehensive security review.
Despite continued investigations by the FBI, Crooks’ motives remain largely unknown. His membership in a local gun club, possession of numerous firearms at home, and online searches for political figures raise questions about his motivations.
While Crooks’ acquaintances describe him as introverted and a victim of bullying in the past, no definitive clues have emerged to fully comprehend his decision to target Trump.
Computer programmer Bill, who lives in Pennsylvania, said he has struggled sleeping since discovering he had met the shooter.
He said: “This guy killed a man with a wife and kids and almost plunged the country into chaos by killing Donald Trump.”
Bill and Crooks had signed up for the “intermediate handgun-pistol 2” class at Keystone Shooting Centre in Cranberry, Pennsylvania, on June 22.
The range is a 50-minute drive from Crooks’ home in Bethel Park. Crooks’ motive remains a mystery as the investigation into the shooting remains active and ongoing.