Donald Trump Campaigns For President In Raleigh, North Carolina

Donald Trump Wins Presidential Race—Again

Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Holds Election Night Event In West Palm Beach

Election 2024 Live Updates: Trump Declares Victory—He Wins Pennsylvania And Is On Brink

US Election Results Watch Party in China

Election 2024 Live Updates: Trump Wins North Carolina—Leads In 5 Other Swing States


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



<p>Vice President Kamala Harris inched ahead of former President Donald Trump by the narrowest of margins in both polling guru Nate Silver and FiveThirtyEight’s final presidential forecasts shortly after midnight on Tuesday, although both projections showed the race for the White House remained a statistical tie on Election Day as both candidates’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/11/04/election-2024-swing-state-polls-trump-harris-race-deadlocked-on-election-eve-as-pennsylvania-still-tied-updated/">poll numbers</a>&nbsp;in key swing states remained deadlocked.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Facts</h2>



<p>Silver released his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.natesilver.net/p/nate-silver-2024-president-election-polls-model" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">final forecast</a>&nbsp;after running 80,000 simulations of the race based on polling data and found that Harris had a 50.015% chance of winning compared to Trump’s 49.985%—effectively a tie—after a minor comeback of sorts by the Democrat who was down 44% to 55% at the start of November.</p>



<p>FiveThirtyEight also&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2024-election-forecast/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;its final forecast for the presidential race winner, giving Harris the slimmest of edges at a roughly 50% chance of winning, compared to Trump’s 49%.</p>



<p>Silver and FiveThirtyEight’s forecasts estimate the probability of either candidate winning, and are separate from polls, which estimate how much of the vote each candidate will get—but many national and swing state polls remain essentially tied, too.</p>



<p>Harris leads Trump 49%-48% with likely voters in the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/11/04/new-forbesharrisx-survey-harris-and-trump-in-near-dead-heat-1-day-before-election/">HarrisX/Forbes poll</a>, which was taken between Wednesday and Friday and has a margin of error of one point, and she’s up 50%-48% in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/harris-and-trump-are-locked-tight-race-1-day-election" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Ipsos poll</a>&nbsp;also out Monday.</p>



<p>The vice president has a larger four-point lead (51%-47%) in both a new PBS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/harris-has-4-point-lead-over-trump-in-final-pbs-news-npr-marist-election-poll" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">News/NPR/Marist</a>&nbsp;survey and a 50,000-person poll by the&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.tufts.edu/cooperativeelectionstudy/2024/10/28/ces-estimates-on-the-2024-presidential-election/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Cooperative Election Study</a>&nbsp;taken throughout the first 25 days of October.</p>



<p>Some other recent polls show a tighter race: The vice president had a 49%-47% lead in a&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.morningconsult.com/trackers/2024-presidential-election-polling" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Morning Consult survey</a>, a 49%-46% advantage in an&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/election-stays-close-final-weekend-dispirited-electorate-poll/story?id=115278707" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">ABC/Ipsos</a>&nbsp;poll, a 49%-47% edge in an&nbsp;<a href="https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/econTabReport_NgtZTja.pdf#page=10" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Economist/YouGov survey</a>&nbsp;and a 50%-49% advantage in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-harris-poll-gender-gap/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CBS/YouGov</a>&nbsp;poll last week.</p>



<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/final-nbc-news-poll-harris-trump-race-neck-neck-significant-gender-gap-rcna178361" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">NBC News</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/november-2024-national-poll-trump-and-harris-remain-locked-in-tight-race/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Emerson College</a>&nbsp;polls out Sunday show the two candidates tied at 49%, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/final-yahoo-newsyougov-election-poll-trump-pulls-even-with-harris-at-47--but-will-enthusiasm-favor-democrats-144135193.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Yahoo News/YouGov</a>&nbsp;survey also produces a 47%-47% deadlock, matching up with other recent tied polls by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/25/us/politics/poll-harris-trump-times-siena.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>/Siena College,&nbsp;<a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/october-2024-national-poll-trump-49-harris-49/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Emerson College</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/25/politics/cnn-poll-harris-trump/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CNN/SSRS</a>.</p>



<p>The widely followed Times/Siena poll released late last month represented a decline in support for Harris since the newspaper’s previous poll in early October showed her with a 49%-46% lead over Trump—and the paper called the results “not encouraging” for Harris as Democrats have won the popular vote in recent elections even when they’ve lost the White House.</p>



<p>Trump is ahead 48% to 46% in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/24/presidential-election-is-a-dead-heat-though-trump-leads-harris-big-on-economy-says-cnbc-survey.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CNBC survey</a>&nbsp;of registered voters released Oct. 24 (margin of error 3.1), and he leads 47% to 45% in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/trump-leads-harris-wsj-poll-779f8516?mod=googlenewsfeed" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;registered voter poll out Oct. 23 (margin of error 2.5)—a shift in Trump’s favor since August, when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/trump-harris-poll-august-election-2024-e6fa024e" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Harris led</a>&nbsp;47% to 45% in a Journal survey.</p>



<p>Harris erased Trump’s lead over Biden since announcing her candidacy on July 21, though her edge has decreased over the past two months, peaking at 3.7 points in late August, according to FiveThirtyEight’s&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-general/2024/national/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">weighted polling average.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Important Reminder: Presidential Polls Have Frequently Been Wrong</h2>



<p>And there is a lot of speculation on how they’re wrong this year—and who that may benefit. Read all about it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenpastis/2024/10/25/heres-how-the-presidential-polls-might-be-wrong/">in this story</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Number</h2>



<p>1.2 points. That’s Harris’ average lead over Trump in FiveThirtyEight’s&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-general/2024/national/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">polling average</a>. Meanwhile, RealClearPolitics’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/general/2024/trump-vs-harris" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">polling average</a>&nbsp;shows Harris up by 0.1, and Nate Silver has Harris up one point in his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.natesilver.net/p/nate-silver-2024-president-election-polls-model" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Silver Bulletin forecast</a>.</p>


Americans Go To The Polls In The 2024 Elections

Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Nate Silver’s Final Forecast Ends In A Virtual Tie As Harris Closes Gap


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



<p>Vice President Kamala Harris vaulted past President Donald Trump to become the bookmaker’s favorite to win the November election on Tuesday night, after a strong showing in the first presidential debate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



<p>According to the Election Betting Odds&nbsp;<a href="https://electionbettingodds.com/President2024.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">tracker</a>, which consolidates betting numbers from four separate markets, bookmakers now believe Harris has a 51.8% chance of winning compared to Trump’s 46.9%.</p>



<p>This is a major shift in favor of Harris, whose chances have risen by more than four and half points in the past 24 hours, while Trump’s have plummeted by four.</p>



<p>Bettors on crypto-based betting platform&nbsp;<a href="https://polymarket.com/elections" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Polymarket</a>—who heavily favored a Trump win in the past two weeks—now believe both Harris and Trump have a 49% chance of winning.</p>



<p>On the British betting site Smarkets, bookmakers predict that Harris now has a 51.55% chance of winning—up from 47.5%&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/09/05/election-betting-markets-swing-towards-trump-again/">last week</a>—while Trump’s odds have dropped to 46.3%.</p>



<p>On&nbsp;<a href="https://www.predictit.org/markets/detail/7456/Who-will-win-the-2024-US-presidential-election" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">PredictIt</a>, the only platform where bettors gave Harris better odds than Trump before the debate, the vice president expanded her lead and now has odds of 56 cents per share (roughly equating to a 56% chance) compared to Trump’s 47 cents per share.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-fact">Surprising Fact</h2>



<p>While the betting markets believe the election remains fairly close, this is a strong consensus among bettors that Harris won the debate.&nbsp;<a href="https://polymarket.com/event/who-will-win-the-debate-according-to-polls?tid=1726035558946" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Polymarket</a>&nbsp;bookmakers believe Harris has a 98% chance of being judged the winner of Tuesday night’s debate in consolidated post-debate snap polls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">Big Number</h2>



<p>2.7%. That is the size of Harris’ lead over Trump in national polls, according to FiveThirtyEight’s&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-general/2024/national/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">weighted average</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">Tangent</h2>



<p>Unlike the other betting markets, PredictIt&nbsp;<a href="https://www.predictit.org/terms-and-conditions" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">only allows</a>&nbsp;participation by U.S. residents who are 18 or older. Earlier this year, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/10/cftc-election-betting-ban-00157304" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">proposed a ban</a>&nbsp;on all election-related betting in the U.S. derivatives market. The agency’s proposal came after being sued by PredictIt for trying to shut down the platform from taking bets on the presidential race—after previously&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/7047-14" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">allowing it</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">Further Reading</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/09/05/election-betting-markets-swing-towards-trump-again/">Election Betting Markets Swing Towards Trump Again</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/09/10/trump-vs-harris-2024-polls-harris-leads-by-2-points-in-latest-survey/">Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Up By 1 Point—As Her Lead Plateaus Before Debate</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>


ABC News Hosts Second Presidential Debate

Harris Surges Past Trump In Election Betting Markets After First Presidential Debate


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">Topline</h2>



<p>Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to serve as her running mate in the 2024 presidential race—as Harris tries to gain ground on former President Donald Trump with just over three months until the November election.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Facts</h2>



<p>Harris announced she asked Walz to be her running mate in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-VNhQYO01b/?hl=en" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Instagram post</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, shortly after multiple news outlets reported on the decision, praising Walz’ “convictions on fighting for middle class families” and saying what impressed her most was his “deep commitment to his family.”</p>



<p>Walz&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Tim_Walz/status/1820830898494791955" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">accepted the offer</a>&nbsp;Tuesday morning, calling it the “honor of a lifetime,” and adding: “Vice President Harris is showing us the politics of what’s possible. It reminds me a bit of the first day of school.”</p>



<p>Walz, the 60-year-old father of two and Nebraska-born governor of Minnesota had emerged as a vice presidential frontrunner, along with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and several others in the weeks leading up to the decision.</p>



<p>Harris’ campaign reportedly vetted about a dozen contenders, and her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/08/05/kamala-harris-vp-shortlist-announcement-expected-tuesday-reports-say/">rumored list</a>&nbsp;was whittled to Walz and Shapiro in the hours leading up to the announcement, which was widely expected to happen Tuesday after Democratic delegates concluded voting for the party’s nominee Monday, with 99% selecting Harris.</p>



<p>While not at the forefront of national politics, Walz established himself as a moderate Democrat in Congress—where he served as a representative for Minnesota from 2007 to 2019—and as the governor of Minnesota, a role he’s held since 2019, where he also&nbsp;<a href="https://democraticgovernors.org/about/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">serves as chair</a>&nbsp;of the national Democratic Governors Association.</p>



<p>Walz is seen as an appealing option for independents and moderate Democrats as a working-class politician with a rural background, who exudes the appearance of “someone with a lived experience that is so comparable to so many of the people in rural America,” former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/29/us/tim-walz-minnesota-kamala-harris.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>&nbsp;last week.</p>



<p>Before running for office, Walz, a graduate of Chadron State College in Nebraska, served in the Army National Guard, and then worked as a teacher, first on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where he met his wife Gwen, a fellow teacher, and then in China and later as a high school teacher in Mankato, Minnesota, south of Minneapolis.</p>



<p>Walz initially entered politics as a member of former Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign, a spot he took after he said some of his high school students were questioned for having a Kerry sticker when he took them to a campaign rally for then-president George W. Bush,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.minnpost.com/national/2024/07/who-is-minnesota-governor-tim-walz-one-of-the-top-contenders-for-vice-president/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">MinnPost</a>&nbsp;reported.</p>



<p>As governor, some of Walz’ political accomplishments include ensuring&nbsp;<a href="https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-570080" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">tuition-free meals</a>&nbsp;at participating state universities, enshrining&nbsp;<a href="https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-575115#:~:text=Governor%20Tim%20Walz%20today%20signed,affirming%20health%20care%20in%20Minnesota." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">abortion rights</a>&nbsp;into state law, banning conversion therapy and providing protections for gender-affirming healthcare—Walz recently defended those measures against right-wing criticism in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&amp;v=Y0v3LumeXpI" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CNN</a>&nbsp;interview earlier this month, joking: “What a monster! Kids are eating and having full bellies so they can go learn and women are making their own healthcare decisions.”</p>



<p>Walz also signed a bill last May <a href="https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-567631" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expanding voting rights</a> in Minnesota for an estimated 55,000 formerly incarcerated residents, and in 2020, oversaw the state’s response to both the COVID-19 pandemic and police brutality protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of police, though he <a href="https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-senate-gop-report-blames-gov-tim-walz-mayor-jacob-frey-for-slow-riot-response/572729221/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">faced criticism</a> from state Republicans over his delayed response to protests following Floyd’s killing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What To Watch For</h2>



<p>Walz and Harris will make their first joint appearance at 5:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday in Philadelphia.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chief Critics</h2>



<p>Walz has faced backlash from Minnesota Republicans largely over his actions to protect gender-affirming care—a topic that has become central on GOP tickets. John Helmberger, the CEO of Christian conservative group Minnesota Family Council, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/gov-walz-signs-executive-order-providing-legal-protections-for-gender-affirming-care/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">argued</a> Walz’s executive order to protect gender-affirming care “victimizes vulnerable young people.” In the weeks leading up to the nomination announcement, Walz also <a href="https://www.startribune.com/tim-walz-weird-trump-vance-vivek-ramaswamy/600387271/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sparked Republican outrage</a> after he referred to “weird people on the other side,” and criticized Trump’s laugh and apparent obsession of Hannibal Lecter as “weird.” In response, former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy <a href="https://x.com/VivekGRamaswamy/status/1817722684089713119" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">called</a> the “weird” argument “dumb &amp; juvenile,” while Donald Trump. Jr. <a href="https://x.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1817674885885313490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1817674885885313490%7Ctwgr%5E03a05bc6dc99543bf44846801ec9e56fd5819abe%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.startribune.com%2Ftim-walz-weird-trump-vance-vivek-ramaswamy%2F600387271%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">responded</a> to claims that Trump running mate JD Vance is “weird” with a video posted of Harris with a drag queen.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Has Trump Said About Walz?</h2>



<p>The Trump campaign attacked Walz in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TeamTrump/status/1820825907839586651" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">video</a>&nbsp;after Harris announced him as her running mate, labeling him as a “left-wing extremist.” Trump’s campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt also slammed Walz, saying it’s “no surprise that San Francisco Liberal Kamala Harris wants West Coast wannabe Tim Walz as her running mate,” claiming Walz has tried to “reshape Minnesota in the image of the Golden State.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who Has Supported Walz As Harris’ Running Mate?</h2>



<p>Former Obama strategist David Axelrod argued Walz is “running the most aggressive campaign” for vice president, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/davidaxelrod/status/1818097503394517456" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">post</a>&nbsp;on X. Sources close to Harris have also lauded Walz in the run-up to the decision: One person close to Harris’ campaign told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/29/tim-walz-kamala-harris-vp-pick-00171746" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Politico</a>&nbsp;Walz is “doing an exceptional job,” saying he has “the Midwest grit” and an appeal that “goes beyond the Midwest,” and adding he’s more aggressive than vice presidential hopeful Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona. Other supporters include Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/AngieCraigMN/status/1816205979660255410" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Angie Craig</a>, D-Minn., a group of&nbsp;<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4800359-kamala-harris-josh-shapiro-andy-beshear-tim-walz/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">50 progressive lawmakers</a>&nbsp;and the Gen Z focused left-wing Won’t PAC Down political action group, whose director Travis Helwig told Politico Walz “helps quell some of the fears of the ‘San Francisco liberal’ that Republicans have.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Will Walz’ Minnesota Connection Help Harris In November?</h2>



<p>Presidential candidates have a long history of strategically choosing running mates in swing states or candidates who appeal to certain voters in hopes of gaining ground in the presidential election. This November, Minnesota will be a critical swing state for Harris, one of seven key states Biden won in 2020 that polls have shown to be close matches in 2024, along with Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. A <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/official-polls/fox-news-poll-harris-bests-trump-6-points-minnesota" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fox News poll</a> conducted late last month found Harris leading Trump in Minnesota by six points (52%-46%) in a head-to-head match—Harris leads Trump 47%-41% in the poll when including third-party candidates such as independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (7%). That lead marks a turnaround for the Democratic ticket in Minnesota: <a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/june-2024-state-polls-trump-maintains-edge-over-biden/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">An Emerson College poll</a> released one week before Biden’s disastrous debate performance found the incumbent tied 45%-45% with Trump (10% undecided). Harris trails behind Trump in the four other swing states (Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin), according to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/07/29/trump-harris-swing-state-polls-michigan-pennsylvania-tied-in-latest-survey/">recent polls</a>, and the two are tied in Michigan and Pennsylvania, according to Fox News’ poll.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tangent</h2>



<p>Since launching her campaign, Harris has landed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/allisonbeck/2024/07/23/key-leaders-schumer-and-jeffries-endorse-kamala-harris-for-president-joining-these-major-democrats-full-list/">major endorsements</a>&nbsp;from Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. One of her biggest endorsements came last week from former President Barack Obama. Sources close to Obama had said the former president wanted to wait until after Biden’s Oval Office address last week to make the announcement, and wanted his public endorsement to stand on its own,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/obama-plans-endorse-harris-president-soon-rcna163279" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">NBC News</a>&nbsp;reported. Another source told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/21/us/politics/why-obama-hasnt-endorsed-harris.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>&nbsp;Obama wanted to wait until Harris was officially named the party nominee, a process that could unfold as early as Aug. 1, following a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/24/politics/democrats-rules-kamala-harris-nomination/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">rules change</a>&nbsp;approved by the Democratic National Convention’s rules panel last week (party nominees are typically chosen by delegates at the Democratic National Convention after the conclusion of the primary cycle).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Background</h2>



<p>Even before his disastrous performance in a June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump, Biden—the oldest president in U.S. history—had faced questions over his age, perhaps most prominently after the release of a Department of Justice special counsel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2024/02/08/heres-how-bidens-memory-has-faded-according-to-classified-documents-report/?sh=798eac961394">report</a>&nbsp;in February that found multiple cases of Biden’s memory failing. Those concerns ramped up substantially after CNN’s presidential debate, a 90-minute affair that resparked mounting concerns over Biden’s advanced age and potential cognitive decline. Facing calls from donors, lawmakers and pundits to step down, Biden ultimately&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/07/21/biden-drops-out-as-democratic-presidential-candidate/">announced</a>&nbsp;on Sunday he would end his reelection bid, and quickly endorsed Harris for president. Harris became the presumptive nominee the next day after swiftly amassing the support of enough delegates to clinch the nomination.</p>


Minnesota Governor Walz Highlights New Gun New Legislation

Kamala Harris Picks Tim Walz As Running Mate: Here’s What To Know About Him


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Foreign betting markets believe Vice President Kamala Harris is in pole position to become the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election, while former President Donald Trump’s odds of winning the presidency in November took a slight hit Monday—though he remains bookmakers’ favorite with a sizable lead.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Bettors on the crypto-based betting platform&nbsp;<a href="https://polymarket.com/event/democratic-nominee-2024?tid=1721631724852" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Polymarket</a>&nbsp;and New Zealand-based&nbsp;<a href="https://www.predictit.org/markets/detail/7057/Who-will-win-the-2024-Democratic-presidential-nomination" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">PredictIt</a>&nbsp;are predicting Harris has an 84% chance of becoming the Democratic nominee for president after she was endorsed by President Joe Biden—who dropped out of the race on Sunday—and other top Democrats.</p>



<p>On&nbsp;<a href="https://polymarket.com/event/presidential-election-popular-vote-winner-2024?tid=1721633893487" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Polymarket</a>, Harris is now locked in an almost dead heat with Trump—44% and 45%, respectively—on who the market believes will win the popular vote in November, although bookmakers still&nbsp;<a href="https://polymarket.com/event/presidential-election-winner-2024/will-donald-trump-win-the-2024-us-presidential-election?tid=1721631660405" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">give</a>&nbsp;him a 64% chance (a 35-point lead) of winning the election.</p>



<p>Despite his lead, bets favoring a Trump win on Polymarket have shrunk in the past week, dropping seven points while Harris’s odds have&nbsp;<a href="https://polymarket.com/event/presidential-election-winner-2024/will-donald-trump-win-the-2024-us-presidential-election?tid=1721631660405" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">surged</a>&nbsp;from single digits to 29%—as the Democratic winning bet has consolidated around her.</p>



<p>Bettors on PredictIt are giving Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.predictit.org/markets/detail/7456/Who-will-win-the-2024-US-presidential-election" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">comparatively better</a>&nbsp;odds of winning the election at 39%, and while Trump remains well ahead at 60%—he is down nine points over the past seven days.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-news-peg">NEWS PEG</h2>



<p>While bettors believe Harris is the firm favorite to be the Democrats’ presidential nominee, the odds are more spread out on the question of her potential running mate. Bookmakers on&nbsp;<a href="https://polymarket.com/event/democratic-vp-nominee?tid=1721634626374" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Polymarket</a>&nbsp;predict North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has the best odds with 33%—followed by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at 26%. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., are further back in third and fourth place with odds of 17% and 15%.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.predictit.org/markets/detail/8089/Who-will-win-the-2024-Democratic-vice-presidential-nomination" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">PredictIt</a>&nbsp;bettors, however, believe Shapiro has better odds (27%) compared to Cooper (22%) followed by Kelly (20%).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/billsperos/status/1812854940794077482" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Fanduel</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oddstrader.com/news/betmgm-fanduel-suspend-us-presidential-election-wagering-canada/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">BetMGM</a>&nbsp;halted their U.S. election betting markets—which were being operated from Canada—after the assassination attempt against Trump. In May, the CFTC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/10/cftc-election-betting-ban-00157304" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">proposed</a>&nbsp;a law to ban all election-related betting in the U.S. derivatives market. The federal agency’s proposal came after it was sued by PredictIt while trying to shut the platform down.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/07/18/betting-markets-swing-towards-harris-being-democratic-nominee-again-as-pushback-against-biden-grows/">Betting Markets Swing Towards Harris Being Democratic Nominee—As Pushback Against Biden Grows</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>


Vice President Harris Holds Campaign Event In Kalamazoo, Michigan

Harris Rises In Election Betting Markets—But Bookmakers Still Favor Trump


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>President Joe Biden announced Sunday he will end his 2024 presidential campaign, saying he believes “it is in the best interest of my party and the country to stand down.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Biden stepped down after more than three dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/07/19/every-big-name-urging-biden-to-drop-out-third-senator-joins-30-other-congressional-democrats/">Democrats in Congress</a>&nbsp;urged him to do so, and after a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/07/18/biden-pressure-grows-top-dems-think-hell-drop-out-within-days-report-says/">flurry of reports</a>&nbsp;that Democratic leaders in Congress were working behind the scenes to push Biden to end his bid.</p>



<p>Biden has faced questions for months about whether he is too old to serve another term, but the party largely stood behind him until his disastrous June 27 debate performance, when Biden often appeared bewildered, gave disjointed answers and spoke in a soft, raspy voice—leading to an onslaught of backlash from pundits, major newspapers, celebrities, donors and elected Democrats.</p>



<p>Biden’s decision to leave the race at this stage in the election cycle is unprecedented in modern politics and sets up a mad dash to choose his replacement, just weeks before the party is set to formally choose its nominee in a virtual roll call the first week of August.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-will-a-new-nominee-be-chosen">WHEN WILL A NEW NOMINEE BE CHOSEN?</h2>



<p>Democrats plan to hold a virtual roll call to formally select their nominee as soon as Aug. 1 and before Aug. 7, ahead of the party’s Aug. 19 convention. The party initially planned the early roll call to ensure Biden would be on the ballot in Ohio, which previously required nominees to be confirmed 90 days before the election. Ohio has since revised its law, but it doesn’t take effect until Sept. 1, so Democrats have said they will move forward with the early nomination anyway.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-will-democrats-replace-biden">HOW WILL DEMOCRATS REPLACE BIDEN?</h2>



<p>The approximately 4,700 Democratic delegates will choose a new candidate by majority vote. About 4,000 delegates are “pledged” to Biden, but by stepping down, he effectively releases them from their obligation to vote for him. The 700 “unpledged” delegates—also known as superdelegates and can vote for whoever they please—are allowed to vote in a second round if a candidate does not secure the majority votes needed to win in the first round.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-an-open-convention">WHAT IS AN OPEN CONVENTION?</h2>



<p>An open convention would occur if multiple candidates are presented to delegates at the convention, and Biden hasn’t endorsed a replacement, leaving his delegates free to vote for anyone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-mini-primary">WHAT IS A ‘MINI-PRIMARY’?</h2>



<p>The process of choosing a new nominee isn’t exactly clear, but some have floated a “mini primary” involving a series of campaign events—such as debates, high-profile interviews or town halls—between potential Biden replacements prior to delegates casting their votes. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., has said he would support Harris as the nominee if Biden dropped out and the party coalesced around her, but he has also suggested Democrats could conduct a “mini primary” to survey other candidates, an idea New York Times columnist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/07/opinion/biden-jim-clyburn-democrats.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Ezra Klein</a>&nbsp;and longtime Democratic political consultant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/08/opinion/biden-democratic-nominee.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">James Carville</a>&nbsp;also endorsed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-are-the-top-contenders-to-replace-biden">WHO ARE THE TOP CONTENDERS TO REPLACE BIDEN?</h2>



<p>Harris is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/07/18/these-are-the-likely-democratic-presidential-candidates-if-biden-drops-out/">top contender</a>, but other names commonly floated include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. J.B.&nbsp;<a href="https://abc7chicago.com/president-joe-biden-documents-doj-report-governor-jb-pritzker/14405259/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Pritzker</a>, Michigan Gov. Gretchen&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/democracy-2022/whitmer-says-she-wont-run-for-president-in-2024-if-biden-chooses-not-to-run" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Whitmer</a>, Colorado Gov. Jared&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/11/politics/biden-democratic-primary-challenge-2024/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Polis</a>, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/pennsylvania-gov-josh-shapiro-biden-trump-brain-fog-2024-rcna125771" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Shapiro</a>. Previous Democratic presidential candidates Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., are also among the potential contenders. No Democrats who have been seriously floated as potential replacements have said they’re interested in the 2024 nomination.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-is-kamala-harris-polling">HOW IS KAMALA HARRIS POLLING?</h2>



<p>Similar to Biden and slightly better than all other potential replacements surveyed, but still worse than Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/07/18/heres-how-kamala-harris-performs-in-polls-against-trump-as-she-emerges-as-most-likely-biden-replacement/">according to most surveys</a>. A mid-July&nbsp;<a href="https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/econTabReport_sPu9WiO.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">YouGov poll</a>&nbsp;(margin of error 3.1) found Biden would lose to Trump by two points and Harris would lose by three, while a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/race-presidency-remains-unchanged-wake-assassination-attempt-trump" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Reuters/Ipsos poll</a>&nbsp;found both Biden and Harris are virtually statistically tied with Trump. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/politics/cnn-poll-post-debate/index.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CNN/SSRS poll</a>&nbsp;(margin of error 3.5) conducted days after the debate, Harris outperformed Biden, and three other potential candidates commonly floated to replace him, in a hypothetical matchup against Trump—but she would still lose to the former president by two points (while Biden would lose to Trump by six points).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-supporters-and-critics-say-about-harris">WHAT DO SUPPORTERS—AND CRITICS—SAY ABOUT HARRIS?</h2>



<p>Several prominent Democrats explicitly mentioned Harris as the most viable option to replace Biden prior to him announcing his resignation from the race. Clyburn has said he believes Harris would do “very well” at the top of the ticket and the party should do everything it can to “bolster” her would-be candidacy. Harris has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2024/07/18/kamala-harris-as-biden-replacement-grows-more-likely-as-he-reportedly-weighs-dropping-out-heres-what-to-know-about-her-record/">downsides</a>, however, including a relatively low approval rating (though it’s likely a direct reflection of Biden’s own low approval rating) and a series of negative stories about her job performance as vice president, including that she’s been largely absent from the public eye. Her record as a state and local prosecutor has also drawn ire from some progressives who have accused her of not doing enough to investigate police misconduct and have pointed out her history of prosecuting marijuana-related offenses. Harris’ views on criminal justice seem to have evolved however, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-vp-harris-talk-marijuana-reform-white-house-friday-2024-03-15/#:~:text=United%20States-,No%20one%20should%20go%20to%20jail%20for%20'smoking%20weed%2C',Harris%20says%20at%20White%20House&amp;text=WASHINGTON%2C%20March%2015%20(Reuters),others%20pardoned%20for%20marijuana%20convictions." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">she’s endorsed</a>&nbsp;Biden’s pardoning of federal marijuana-related convictions and she has spoken out against the notion that putting more police in the streets increases public safety. Former Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, slammed Harris’ detractors in endorsing her to replace Biden in a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-should-democratic-nominee-president-2024-opinion-1919894" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Newsweek op-ed</a>, calling her “a joy to hang out with . . . brilliant, compassionate, engaging, funny and totally down to earth.” Harris, he said, “can energize the electorate and govern effectively.”</p>



<p><em>This is a developing story. Check back for updates.</em></p>


President Biden Addresses NAACP Convention In Las Vegas

Biden Drops Out Of 2024 Race—Here’s What Happens Next


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong> U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday hit out at China, accusing it of using  “coercion” and “intimidation” to  back unlawful claims in the South China Sea and affirmed U.S. support for allies in the region as the Biden administration shifts its attention and resources to the Indo-Pacific region to counter Beijing’s advances.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Speaking in Singapore in the middle of an important seven-day tour to Southeast Asia, Harris said that Beijing&#8217;s activities in the region continue to undermine “the rules-based order” and threaten the sovereignty of nations.</p>



<p>Harris, who is scheduled to visit Hanoi on Tuesday, added that the U.S. “stands with our allies and our partners” in the face of threats from China.</p>



<p>Harris’ trip to the region comes at an important time for the Biden administration as it begins to pivot its attention towards the Indo-Pacific and away from the Middle East.</p>



<p>She noted that the Indo-Pacific was “critically important” to America’s national security and prosperity.</p>



<p>While the vice president’s remarks were her sharpest rebuke against China so far, she appeared to acknowledge Singapore’s neutrality in the U.S.-China rivalry by noting that Washington isn’t trying to “make anyone choose between countries.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Washington’s pivot towards the Indo-Pacific comes at a time when the Biden administration is winding down America’s decades-long presence in the Middle East with a messy exit from Afghanistan. The botched withdrawal from Afghanistan has raised several concerns among U.S. allies about its commitment to support them. Acknowledging the situation, Harris said the U.S. is evacuating as many people as possible but added that it was also imperative to “continue to advance our interests in other regions, including this region.” In her speech on Tuesday, Harris emphasized the significance of the Southeast Asia region to the U.S. both in terms of security and trade. Harris will begin the second leg of her tour in Hanoi where she is scheduled to meet top officials from the Vietnamese government.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chief-critic">CHIEF CRITIC</h2>



<p>On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused the U.S. of doing “unscrupulous and dishonest things” in Afghanistan and called on Washington to help rebuild the country. “The United States is the root cause and the biggest external factor in the Afghan issue. It cannot just run away like this.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-business-969fe25162023468754e57746d6da80d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harris rebukes China in major speech on Indo-Pacific</a>&nbsp;(Associated Press)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kamala-harris-says-beijing-continues-coerce-south-china-sea-2021-08-24/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. VP Harris says China intimidates to back South China Sea claims</a> (Reuters)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Africa</em></strong></p>


President Biden Delivers Remarks On Status Of Afghanistan Evacuation

Kamala Harris Accuses China Of ‘Coercion’ And ‘Intimidation’, Vows U.S. Support For Allies In Indo-Pacific


<p id="h-topline"><strong>TOPLINE</strong> After President Joe Biden was sworn into office, his administration immediately began undoing his Trump’s policies and beefing up the federal government’s response to the coronavirus through a slew of executive actions and orders.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Biden issued a mask and social distancing mandate on all federal lands for federal employees and contractors.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The Biden administration extended eviction and foreclosure moratoriums until March 31 and will continue to suspend student loan repayments until September.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Biden rejoined the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accord, both of which Donald Trump exited during his presidency.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Through an executive action, Biden revoked permits for the Keystone XL Pipeline and put a temporary moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, moves hailed by environmental and indigenous activists.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Biden revoked Trump’s attempt to exclude non-citizens from being counted in the U.S. Census, which affects representation in Congress and the allocation of federal grant money.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Biden reversed Trump’s travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries, including Syria, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen, and told the State Department to start allowing visa applications from these countries again.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Biden ended the National Emergency Declaration that allowed the Trump administration to divert money from the Pentagon to construct the border wall.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Biden sent a sweeping immigration reform bill to Congress that includes an eight-year path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and immediate green cards for DREAMers.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/01/20/biden-executive-order-overturns-trump-diversity-training-ban/4236891001/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reversed&nbsp;</a>Trump’s ban on diversity training at federal agencies and federal contractors.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The 1776 Commission, the Trump’s administration’s rebuttal of the New York Times 1619 Project, was dismantled and the website was immediately taken down.</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/loganmcdonald/status/1351941117672124420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1351941117672124420%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1&#038;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fembedly.forbes.com%2Fwidgets%2Fmedia.html%3Ftype%3Dtext2Fhtmlkey%3D3ce26dc7e3454db5820ba084d28b4935schema%3Dtwitterurl%3Dhttps3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2F_loganmcdonald%2Fstatus%2F13519411176721244203Fs3D20image%3D
</div></figure>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Michael Pack, who oversaw Voice Of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/biden-administration-asks-agency-for-global-media-ceo-michael-pack-to-resign" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resigned&nbsp;</a>Wednesday at the request of the incoming Biden administration.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The Biden administration asked National Labor Relations Board general counsel Peter Robb, a Trump-appointee, to resign, Bloomberg Law&nbsp;<a href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/biden-moves-to-oust-top-labor-board-attorney-robb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">CHIEF CRITICS</h3>



<p>Right-wing pundits&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/dominicholden/status/1351983032673173504?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">questioned&nbsp;</a>Biden’s vow to unify the country amid the flurry of executive orders. Biden’s actions don’t “add much oomph to his ‘unity’ message,” GOP Strategist Karl Rove&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/dominicholden/status/1351983032673173504?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said&nbsp;</a>in a&nbsp;<em>Fox News&nbsp;</em>interview.</p>



<p>Republican lawmakers took aim at Biden’s priorities. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), an outspoken supporter of the Keystone XL Pipeline, said Biden was costing 10,000 blue-collar jobs and making the U.S. “less energy secure.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FIRST DAY: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Biden?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Biden</a> fires opening shot on Texas energy workers.<br><br>ExecOrder revokes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeystoneXL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KeystoneXL</a> pipeline permit.<br>Kills 10,000 blue-collar jobs, many in Texas. <br>Makes U.S. less energy secure.<br><br>Russia &amp; Middle East cheering. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BidenKillsJobs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BidenKillsJobs</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BidenTargetsTX?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BidenTargetsTX</a></p>&mdash; Kevin Brady (@RepKevinBrady) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepKevinBrady/status/1351983718131503109?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>GOP Biden&#8217;s immigration plan sparked immediate criticism from GOP members of Congress. “A mass amnesty with no safeguards and no strings attached is a nonstarter,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">TANGENT</h3>



<p>The official White House website, WhiteHouse.gov, also got some new accessibility changes. The new site has dark mode and a toggle to make the font larger.</p>



<p><em>-by Rachel Sandler, Forbes Staff</em></p>


Joe Biden Sworn In As 46th President Of The United States At U.S. Capitol Inauguration Ceremony

Here Are All The Actions Biden Took On His First Day In Office


<p class="has-drop-cap">After Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol last week, Bank of America sent a memo to employees who had donated to the company’s political action committee. The note made it clear there would be financial consequences for legislators who had voted against certifying the 2020 election results. “For upcoming elections,” the message said, “We will take into account the appalling events of January 6 before making any PAC decisions regarding those members.”  </p>



<p>But what about consequences for the president? Bank of America, after all, has significant financial ties to Trump, serving as the biggest tenant inside 555 California Street, a San Francisco skyscraper in which the president holds a 30% stake worth an estimated $442 million. The bank’s annual rent amounts to an estimated $22 million, and Trump’s 30% share of that is roughly $6.5 million. When asked whether the bank planned to continue providing that money to the president, a spokesman didn’t have an answer. “Regarding 555 California, I would have to get back to you,” he said. “We don’t generally disclose rent payments.”</p>



<p>Bank of America isn’t the only company caught in an awkward position—pledging financial consequences for Trump’s acolytes while continuing to pay the president rent. Many of Trump’s tenants are locked into longstanding lease agreements, which makes severing those ties more challenging than simply pledging to withhold future political donations. Further complicating things: the president’s blue-chip tenants are largely inside 555 California Street and New York City’s 1290 Avenue of the Americas, two buildings in which he holds minority interests alongside publicly traded Vornado Realty Trust, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2019/03/07/trumps-secret-windfall-the-crown-jewels-of-his-fortune-are-2-skyscrapers-he-didnt-wantand-doesnt-control/?sh=6febfbb822e5">manages the buildings</a>&nbsp;on a day-to-day basis.</p>



<p>The amount of money flowing through those leases, however, is far greater than the standard political donation. Plus, the funds ultimately go to Trump personally, rather than to a campaign for his political allies. Cutting off the rental payments, in other words, would send a more significant, personal message to Trump.</p>



<p>But that’s not where companies are focused right now. Take Goldman Sachs. “We put a pause on all PAC activity last Thursday and are reviewing our political contributions going forward, in light of the efforts to block the results of the election,” a representative for the financial giant said in a statement. Goldman remains one of the president’s tenants at 555 California Street, paying an estimated $5.8 million of annual rent. Trump’s 30% share amounts to $1.7 million. Questioned about plans for the lease agreement, a spokesman did not have an answer. “I’ll ask,” he said.</p>



<p>It’s a similar story at Microsoft, which decided on Friday that it would freeze political giving through its PAC. “The PAC regularly pauses its donations in the first quarter of a new Congress, but it will take additional steps this year to consider these recent events and consult with employees,” a spokesperson said in a statement. The technology firm also did not answer whether it will be seeking to change its lease inside 555 California, where it pays an estimated $3.2 million a year—$900,000 of which is attributable to the president.</p>



<p>Ditto for JPMorgan Chase, which has space on the ground floor of 1290 Avenue of the Americas. “The terrible events from the last week have prompted us to pause all contributions from our political action committee and to reevaluate our PAC giving strategies,” a bank representative said in a statement. No word, however, on the rent flowing into the president’s property: “Checking on the lease,” the spokesperson said.</p>



<p>Morgan Stanley, which is also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/11/business/banks-citigroup-goldman-sachs-politicians.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly halting</a>&nbsp;its donations to lawmakers who did not vote to certify the election tally, rents space inside 555 California Street and pays an estimated $10 million annually ($3.1 million of which counts toward Trump’s rent roll). But the firm did not respond to requests for comment about its lease.</p>



<p>Blue Cross Blue Shield’s national organization said it would suspend its donations to legislators who “voted to undermine our democracy,” explaining in a statement, “While a contrast of ideas, ideological differences and partisanship are all part of our politics, weakening our political system and eroding public confidence in it must never be.” The group did not say whether the foundation of one of its companies, Blue Shield of California, would try to change its lease agreement in San Francisco. That space, inside the 555 California Street complex, comes with an estimated $2.1 million price tag per year. Trump’s share of the rent: roughly $600,000.</p>



<p><em>With additional reporting by Jemima McEvoy and Andrew Solender.</em></p>



<p><em>By Dan Alexander, Forbes Staff</em></p>


President Trump Returns After Border Visit

Big Companies Try To Distance Themselves From Trump—While Still Paying Him Millions In Rent


<p id="h-topline"><strong>TOPLINE</strong> Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ February&nbsp;<em>Vogue</em>&nbsp;cover reveal has been overshadowed by reports that the magazine used a different image than the one that was agreed upon by its editorial staff and Harris’ team, along with social media criticism that the cover is unflattering and poorly done.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Vogue revealed two covers featuring the Vice President-elect Sunday, one described as the cover for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ3moA_A-fZ/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">print issue</a>&nbsp;and another as a special&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ3mrTGAbDt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital cover</a>.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>However, journalists&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1348145020843347970?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yashar Ali</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>Politico</em>’s&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ccadelago/status/1348292702232866816?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christopher Cadelago</a>&nbsp;reported the digital cover, featuring Harris in a powder blue suit, was mutually agreed upon to be the primary print cover but was later switched without the knowledge of Harris’ team, an unusual occurrence in the world of fashion magazines.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Instead,&nbsp;<em>Vogue</em>&nbsp;went with a cover photograph showing Harris wearing the trademark&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2020/08/12/everything-you-didnt-know-about-kamala-harris/?sh=294d60fe7658">Converse Chuck Taylor</a>&nbsp;sneakers she donned on the campaign trail, standing in front of a pink and green fabric backdrop, likely a nod to the colors of her college sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Despite the personal touches, the print cover was met with harsh criticism from social media users, who said the image washed out Harris’ skin tone and looked cheap and unfitting for a future vice president, and they slammed the magazine for disrespecting Harris by reportedly not using the agreed-upon image for print.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>It comes in the wake of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2020/12/15/anna-wintour-promoted-to-cond-nast-chief-content-officer-despite-diversity-criticism/?sh=7d2b558e7b41">backlash</a>&nbsp;against longtime&nbsp;<em>Vogue</em>&nbsp;editor Anna Wintour for failing to feature Black creators and foster an inclusive environment.</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vice President-elect <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a> is our February cover star! <br><br>Making history was the first step. Now Harris has an even more monumental task: to help heal a fractured America—and lead it out of crisis. Read the full profile: <a href="https://t.co/W5BQPTH7AU">https://t.co/W5BQPTH7AU</a> <a href="https://t.co/OCFvVqTlOk">pic.twitter.com/OCFvVqTlOk</a></p>&mdash; Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/voguemagazine/status/1348284503081574403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">KEY BACKGROUND</h4>



<p>Wintour&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2020/12/15/anna-wintour-promoted-to-cond-nast-chief-content-officer-despite-diversity-criticism/?sh=7d2b558e7b41">apologized to&nbsp;<em>Vogue&nbsp;</em>employees</a>&nbsp;in a staff-wide email over the summer in the midst of anti-racism protests for not finding ways to “elevate and give space to Black editors, writers, photographers, designers and other creators.” Shortly after,&nbsp;<em>Vogue</em>’s August 2020 cover was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vox.com/21330898/vogue-simone-biles-vanity-fair-viola-davis-cover" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">slammed online</a>, with users saying the cover photo of champion gymnast Simone Biles, shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, washed out Bile’s deep skin tone.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">FURTHER READING</h4>



<p><a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/kamala-harris-cover-february-2021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris on the Road Ahead</a>&nbsp;(<em>Vogue</em>)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2020/12/15/anna-wintour-promoted-to-cond-nast-chief-content-officer-despite-diversity-criticism/?sh=7d2b558e7b41">Anna Wintour Promoted To Condé Nast Chief Content Officer Despite Diversity Criticism</a>&nbsp;(<em>Forbes</em>)</p>



<p><em>-By Carlie Porterfield, Forbes Staff</em></p>


Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris Campaigns For GA Democratic Senate Candidates

Kamala Harris’ ‘Vogue’ Cover Spurs Outrage On Social Media


<p><strong>Although Donald Trump-led arguably the most Africa-adverse American administration in history, analysts warn not to expect too much from his successor, Democrat Joe Biden. A look at the likely impact of his win on the US-Africa economic dynamics.</strong></p>



<p class="has-drop-cap"><span class="has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color">H</span>ISTORICALLY, IT HAS NOT MATTERED MUCH for Africa whether Democrats or Republicans sit in the White House. This is largely because the United States (US) has never really had a coherent and constructive Africa policy. So, although outgoing Republican president Donald Trump led arguably the most Africa-adverse American administration in history, analysts warn not to expect too much from his successor, Democrat Joe Biden.</p>



<p>Biden was vice-president in the Obama administration that preceded Trump. But whereas Trump once called African countries “shitholes”, Biden at least is promising to “reengage with the world”.</p>



<p>“He will be more engaging with countries, including Africa,” believes Jannie Rossouw, interim head of Wits Business School in Johannesburg. “Trump really isolated the US from many regions, from very many continents, it was bad relationship all over the place.”</p>



<p>Judd Devermont, director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, agrees.</p>



<p>“I think Biden is going to focus on rebuilding partnerships and that includes at the multilateral level to the state level, to the subnational level,” he says.</p>



<p>“So I think you will first see a refocus on climate change and strengthening international adoptions, which will be of benefit to Africans. It’s clear that Biden is very supportive of the Continental Free Trade Agreement. That is incredibly important. But he has also talked about the importance of subnational governance and particularly urbanization. And so I think we have the potential to see the next administration work with African countries at these multiple levels to unlock their economies.”</p>



<p>Devermont expects the biggest African economies – Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya in particular – to receive significant attention, while the prospects for Ethiopia also look promising.</p>



<p>But Biden has his work cut out for him. Domestic challenges like tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, an economic recession and reckoning with racism are likely to keep him busy during his first few months in office. When his attention finally shifts to international affairs, climate change and trade wars with China can expect to dominate the agenda.</p>



<p>But instead of disparaging Beijing at every turn, like Trump did, Devermont expects there will be a focus on “transparency around norms, around standards, ensuring that African economies are open to US investors. And the more negative elements of a Chinese engagement will be blunted or curbed through shared partnerships with Africans around how foreign countries should invest in their countries, how to form partnerships in their countries.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Another expectation is that American legislation allowing sub-Saharan African countries preferential entry into the US market will be extended.</p>



<p>Rossouw believes that “Biden will try to find a call partner in countries in Africa, and that might be beneficial, especially for the bigger economies in Africa, such as South Africa. If Johannesburg was an independent country, it would be the ninth largest economy in Africa. So naturally, the interest will first be in the big economies and then there will be spillover effects to the smaller economies.”</p>



<p>Biden has in the past committed Washington to helping the continent manage the challenges of a burgeoning population. The United Nations’ projection that Africa will be home to a quarter of the world’s population by 2050 led him to suggest an urbanization initiative. This would include partnerships between African and American cities planning for growth in critical sectors like energy access, climate change, transportation and water management.</p>



<p>“Urbanization is the key transformation that the continent will undergo in this century and ensuring that African cities, most of whom sit on the coasts, are open for business will be a huge opportunity for US companies,&#8221; says Devermont. &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t underestimate how important that initiative, depending on what it develops into, can be for the US-Africa economic relationship.&#8221;</p>



<p>Equally important is that the Biden administration reach out to companies that remain skeptical or ignorant about opportunities in Africa and address some of the risks and myths they have about investing on the continent.</p>



<p>Trump’s mission was to make America great but his administration largely disengaged with one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. Time will tell whether his successor fares any better. </p>



<p><em>-By PAULA SLIER AND ALLISON GOSNEY</em></p>


US dollar on the Africa map background

Will The United States Re-Engage With Africa?


<p>Some of the world’s richest people publicly congratulated Joe Biden’s historic presidential victory over the weekend, even though billionaire Donald Trump hasn’t yet admitted defeat.</p>



<p>One billionaire—hedge fund cowboy Bill Ackman, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/william-ackman/?sh=3e214709298d">net worth</a>&nbsp;<em>Forbes</em>&nbsp;estimates at $2 billion—directly advised Trump to concede in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/billackman/status/1325225698248839168?s=21" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweet</a>. “There comes a time in the battle when one should fold the tent. Instead focus on your accomplishments over the last four years,” Ackman wrote Saturday. “Concede graciously and call for unity from all who have supported you.”</p>



<p>Other billionaires congratulated Biden on his win, including Microsoft cofounder and philanthropist Bill Gates. “I look forward to working with the new administration and leaders on both sides in Congress on getting the surging pandemic under control,” Gates&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BillGates/status/1325138315964682246?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweeted</a>&nbsp;shortly after Biden was projected as the winner by the Associated Press on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It’s a notable reaction from the third richest person in the world. As the coronavirus pandemic took hold, Gates, who’s currently worth $118 billion,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2020/04/Gates-Foundation-Expands-Commitment-to-COVID-19-Response-Calls-for-International-Collaboration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pledged</a>&nbsp;$300 million from his charitable foundation for vaccine development and other efforts. He’s also criticized the U.S. response to date,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2020/09/20/bill-gates-us-needs-to-own-up-to-the-fact-that-we-didnt-do-a-good-job/?sh=12a76b653fb8">telling</a>&nbsp;Fox News in September that “we did a very poor job” and need to &#8220;own up to the fact.”</p>



<p>The world’s richest person, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, also chimed in on Instagram. “Unity, empathy, and decency are not characteristics of a bygone era,” the ecommerce executive, who we estimate is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/jeff-bezos/?sh=451ac1ea1b23">worth</a>&nbsp;$190 billion,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHTZ-TyHqjN/?igshid=11uu42usw74ba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wrote</a>&nbsp;as the caption to a photo of Biden and Harris high-fiving.</p>



<p>A few of Biden’s billionaire donors also cheered his win. Philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, whose net worth <em>Forbes</em> estimates at nearly $20 billion, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2020/10/19/at-least-67-billionaires-made-six-figure-donations-to-committees-supporting-joe-biden-in-last-3-months/?sh=5e3944951bd2">donated</a> $100,000 to his campaign. She celebrated Harris’ historic ascendency as the first woman and first Black American and Asian American person to become vice president in a Saturday tweet, describing the achievement as a “glass ceiling shattered once and for all.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We celebrate our democracy, our common humanity, and a glass ceiling shattered once and for all. <a href="https://t.co/IhvGLBcALd">pic.twitter.com/IhvGLBcALd</a></p>&mdash; Laurene Powell Jobs (@laurenepowell) <a href="https://twitter.com/laurenepowell/status/1325124457262850052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2020</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Former venture capitalist-turned-media personality&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/chris-sacca/?sh=37a2ca44220a">Chris Sacca</a>, who with his wife Crystal Sacca donated $420,000 of their estimated $1.1 billion fortune to Biden, also applauded the election’s outcome. “Joe and Kamala bring science, innovation and an understanding of the climate opportunity back to the White House,”&nbsp; Sacca&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/sacca/status/1325226113119891456?s=21" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweeted</a>&nbsp;Saturday, saying he gave that statement to a news organization owned by conservative media tycoon (and longtime Trump friend) Rupert Murdoch, but the news organization told Sacca they weren’t going to publish it. “I couldn’t be more bullish” about what Biden’s administration means for investors, he added.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“I want to congratulate @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris on a historic win,” Illinois governor and billionaire J.B. Pritzker&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GovPritzker/status/1325113433487003657?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweeted</a>, adding that he’s looking forward to working with their administration.&nbsp;<em>Forbes</em>&nbsp;previously reported that Pritzker and his wife&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2020/10/19/at-least-67-billionaires-made-six-figure-donations-to-committees-supporting-joe-biden-in-last-3-months/?sh=5e3944951bd2">donated</a>&nbsp;$1.4 million to Biden’s campaign, and that his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/jb-pritzker/?sh=b22443b38146">net worth</a>&nbsp;is estimated around $3.5 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Entertainment billionaires Oprah Winfrey and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2020/09/01/from-poor-as-hell-to-billionaire-how-tyler-perry-changed-show-business-forever/?sh=6a25b7e234b5">Tyler Perry</a>&nbsp;also weighed in. Winfrey, who we&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/oprah-winfrey/?sh=8e46c155745f">estimate</a>&nbsp;is worth $2.6 billion, hailed Biden’s win as a “reset” for the “soul of America.” Perry, who&nbsp;<em>Forbes</em>&nbsp;estimates to be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/tyler-perry/?sh=5707ea8e13dd">worth</a>&nbsp;$1 billion,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/tylerperry/status/1325165060008783880?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tweeted</a>&nbsp;Saturday that “change is here,” adding, “I’m sitting here in tears!”</p>



<p>Trump wasn’t the only billionaire running in 2020. Climate change activist Tom Steyer and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg also ran against Biden for the Democratic nomination. After dropping out, Steyer and his wife&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2020/10/19/at-least-67-billionaires-made-six-figure-donations-to-committees-supporting-joe-biden-in-last-3-months/?sh=5e3944951bd2">donated</a>&nbsp;$640,000 to Biden from their $1.4 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/thomas-steyer/?sh=396bdad073f5">fortune</a>, while Bloomberg—who spent $1 billion on his own campaign—gave&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/denizcam/2020/10/31/the-top-5-richest-backers-of-joe-biden/?sh=126cecfa6413">$15 million</a>&nbsp;of his nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/michael-bloomberg/?sh=15ef5ad61417">$55 billion</a>&nbsp;fortune to various progressive organizations. Both men&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/TomSteyer/status/1325114359832473600?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">congratulated</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBloomberg/status/1325118275441881088?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biden</a>&nbsp;on his win.</p>



<p>Virgin founder Richard Branson, who is British (and who we estimate is <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/richard-branson/?sh=1a93afbd6ff5">worth</a> $4.6 billion) offered international best wishes to Biden as president-elect. “Now is the time to bring America together as a United States and start the healing,” Branson <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://twitter.com/richardbranson/status/1325163037607694338?s=20" target="_blank">tweeted</a>. “The world will be rooting for that.”</p>



<p><em>By Lisette Voytko, Forbes Staff</em></p>


US-ECONOMICS-GATES

Here’s How Bill Gates And Other Billionaires Are Reacting To Biden’s Election Victory


<p>Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) broke his <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/politics/biden-victory-congressional-republican-reaction/index.html" target="_blank">silence</a> about the election on Monday, declining to acknowledge President Donald Trump’s loss to Joe Biden and defending Trump’s court challenges, though McConnell did not endorse outright Trump’s voter fraud conspiracy theories.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">KEY FACTS</h4>



<p>On the Senate floor, McConnell&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4922052/senator-mcconnell-president-trump-within-rights-challenge-election-results-court" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said Trump</a>&nbsp;is “100% within his rights” to open legal challenges into allegations of voter fraud, arguing the courts should weigh these accusations and Trump should not be shamed into conceding to Biden in the meantime.</p>



<p>McConnell said states should count all legal ballots and reject illegal ballots, echoing Trump’s baseless claim that last week’s election was riddled with illegal voting, and he said the process should be observable by all sides, possible alluding to a false claim circulating among Trump and his allies that pollwatchers were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/11/06/trump-and-allies-keep-claiming-republican-poll-watchers-were-banned-thats-a-lie/?sh=2fb971f244da">banned in some states</a>.</p>



<p>Unlike Trump and some of his allies like Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1325658048585752581" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matt Gaetz</a>&nbsp;(R-Fla.), McConnell did not repeat any specific fraud allegations or falsely imply Trump was the rightful winner, possibly leaving an exit for himself if the president’s legal challenges are unsuccessful.</p>



<p>He scolded media outlets for projecting a Biden victory and said no state has officially certified its results yet, though in most recent presidential races, news outlets have traditionally called a winner and both candidates have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/4024228/what-time-do-the-losing-candidates-usually-concede-the-long-and-short-of-election-night" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">accepted the outcome</a>&nbsp;well before the weeks-long election certification process wraps up.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h4>



<p>“President Trump is 100% within his rights to look into allegations of irregularities and weigh his legal options,” McConnell said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4922052/senator-mcconnell-president-trump-within-rights-challenge-election-results-court" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monday</a>. “If any major irregularities occurred this time of a magnitude that would affect the outcome, then every single American should want them to be brought to light.”</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">TANGENT</h4>



<p>McConnell accused Democrats of hypocrisy for demanding a concession from Trump. He pointed to the fact that Al Gore did not concede to George W. Bush until Dec. 13, 2000 — though&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/13/gore-concedes-presidential-election-to-bush-dec-13-2000-287285" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">that concession was stalled</a>&nbsp;due to a recount process that sparked a Supreme Court challenge — and he suggested Democrats never accepted the results of the 2016 election. In reality, 2016 challenger Hillary Clinton&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/09/politics/hillary-clinton-concession-speech/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">delivered a concession speech</a>&nbsp;the morning after Election Day, though she still maintained later on that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/06/nyregion/hillary-clinton-russia-hacking-election-trump.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russian interference</a>&nbsp;was partly to blame for her loss.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">KEY BACKGROUND</h4>



<p>Trump has not conceded to Biden yet, instead lodging baseless allegations of voter fraud and inaccurately suggesting he would have won if not for a unified Democratic effort to rig the race. His campaign has launched legal challenges in multiple states alleging voter fraud and violations of poll-watchers’ right to observe the counting process, but several of these lawsuits were swiftly rejected last week due to a lack of evidence, and most experts believe these legal efforts are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/election-2020-what-are-the-trump-legal-claims-11604876612" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unlikely to alter</a>&nbsp;the results of the election. Some close Trump allies like his wife Melania and son-in-law Jared Kushner have privately encouraged the president to concede,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/politics/jared-kushner-donald-trump-concession/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNN reported</a>, though the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/08/us/election-results/a-white-house-official-disputed-reports-that-kushner-had-advised-trump-to-concede" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">denied this claim</a>.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">BIG NUMBER</h4>



<p>That’s the number of Republican Senators who have congratulated Biden. Moderate Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Ben Sasse (R-Nev.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have all acknowledged Biden’s win, though more doctrinaire congressional Republicans have sided with Trump and refused to accept the election’s results.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">FURTHER READING</h4>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/11/09/these-are-the-republicans-who-have-acknowledged-bidens-victory/?sh=63cbf5bacedc">These Are The Republicans Who Have Acknowledged Biden’s Victory (Forbes)</a></p>



<p><em>-By Joe Walsh, Forbes Staff</em></p>


Tag: Kamala Harris

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