Trump Lies Again Claiming He Won 2016 Popular Vote

Donald Trump

Citing a conservative group known for spreading false conspiracy theories, Donald Trump again claimed his 2016 electoral was "even bigger than thought" as he accused Google of "manipulating" votes in the last presidential election.

"Wow, Report Just Out! Google manipulated from 2.6 million to 16 million votes for Hillary Clinton in 2016 Election!" Trump tweeted. "This was put out by a Clinton supporter, not a Trump Supporter! Google should be sued. My victory was even bigger than thought!"

Trump tagged Judicial Watch, which has a long history of targeting Democrats via unsubstantiated lawsuits.

However, study after study, investigation after investigation, show that no tangible voter fraud has ever been found, let alone millions and millions of manipulated votes.

As has been well-documented, Hillary Clinton lost the electoral college to Trump 304 to 227. But, due to high population blue states like California and New York, he garnered nearly 3 million more votes than Trump.

My question is: if the election was rigged in Hillary's favor by such powerful interests like Google and Russia (as Trump claims), why isn't she president?

Wow, Report Just Out! Google manipulated from 2.6 million to 16 million votes for Hillary Clinton in 2016 Election! This was put out by a Clinton supporter, not a Trump Supporter! Google should be sued. My victory was even bigger than thought! @JudicialWatch

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 19, 2019

Even Hillary Clinton clapped back at the nonsense:

The debunked study you’re referring to was based on 21 undecided voters. For context that’s about half the number of people associated with your campaign who have been indicted. https://t.co/0zHnWvGjSv

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 19, 2019

When I was in my polling station I saw Google walking around pressing buttons on the voting machines. Wondered what he was doing there. 16M you say? So this Google dude manipulated over 1M votes an hour on election day. If he's that fast you should hire him to count your lies.

— "CRAZY" Facts Do Matter (@WilDonnelly) August 19, 2019

This comes in a long string of allegations of election fraud by Trump.

Last week, at a New Hampshire rally, the Donald told his followers that voter fraud was to blame for his losing the Granite State’s four electoral votes in 2016. He told the crowd in Manchester, "It was taken away from us."

And over the weekend, he insinuated to reporters in New Jersey that undocumented immigrants were to blame saying “many, many people voted that shouldn't have been voted,” coming back repeatedly to “some people voted many times.”

But Ellen Weintraub, the chairwoman of the Federal Election Commission, quickly dispatched a letter to Trump calling for him “to provide any evidence” that could back up those statements.

“To put it in terms a former casino operator should understand: There comes a time when you need to lay your cards on the table or fold,” wrote Weintraub.

"Facts matter. And people of America need to be able to believe what their leaders tell them,” Weintraub said Monday.

He'll never get over losing by 3 million votes, even with Russia's help.

— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) August 19, 2019

Log Cabin Republicans Endorse (No Surprise) Trump For Reelection

You can just hear him now..."Suckers..."

Despite the Trump administration's numerous attacks on the LGBTQ community, the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay conservative political group, has endorsed the Donald for reelection.

Apparently, seeing gay billionaire Peter Thiel onstage at the 2016 Republican National Convention was a wet dream come true for the gay conservatives.

The only other grounds for their support they can note to are promises to end the HIV epidemic and promote LGBTQ rights abroad as reasons to support the man who kicked HIV+ and transgender soldiers out of the U.S. military.

But the op-ed penned by the group for the Washington Post eventually gets to the real reason for endorsing - and yes, it has to do with money:

It is not merely policies specific to LGBTQ people that have been good for our community.

The president’s tax cuts have benefited LGBTQ families and helped put food on their tables. His opportunity zones have helped create new LGBTQ-founded small businesses. The administration’s aggressive negotiations on trade deals have preserved LGBTQ jobs. His hard-line on foreign policy has protected LGBTQ lives.

What benefits all Americans benefits the LGBTQ community, as we cross every racial, socioeconomic, religious and cultural divide.

The group did not endorse the Trumpster in 2016.

Trump, Of All People, Fat Shames A Supporter At Campaign Rally

Donald Trump

At his New Hampshire campaign rally Thursday night, Donald Trump fat-shamed what appeared to be a protester as they were being ejected from the event.

It turns out, however, the man was actually a supporter.

From The Hill:

The man, Frank Dawson, law enforcement and Navy veteran, was interviewed by Fox News Thursday night following the rally and revealed he was a Trump supporter, adding that he ripped signs out of the hands of nearby protesters at the rally.

“He didn’t see me rip the signs away from those three people that were sitting near us, and they were trying to cause a ruckus,” Dawson told Fox. “It wasn’t going to happen beside me because I’m trying to listen to my president.”

“I think he thought I was part of it, but I wasn’t. I was the good part of it,” Dawson added.

Trump singled out Dawson at Thursday's campaign-style rally when protesters were being escorted out of the arena, apparently mistaking him for one of the demonstrators.

"That guy’s got a serious weight problem. Go home, start exercising," Trump said at the rally in Manchester.

"Get him out of here, please. Got a bigger problem than I do,” Trump added. “Got a bigger problem than all of us. Now he goes home and his mom says, 'What the hell have you just done?'"

Said the fattest President since William Howard Taft . . . https://t.co/T3Cbnx5T4S

— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) August 16, 2019

Trump was reportedly informed of his mistake, asked for the supporter's contact info and called Dawson from Air Force One.

A White House official said Friday that Trump left a voicemail message thanking him for his support, but the call didn't include an apology.

Correction: Trump did not apologize, a White House official tells me. He phoned the supporter, left him a message thanking him for his support, but did not use the words "sorry" or "apologize." https://t.co/0G32RSHI1G

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 16, 2019

I can’t get past tonight’s Trump rally takeaway:

Trump. Called someone ELSE.

Fat.

— Rob Anderson for Louisiana (@RobAnderson2018) August 16, 2019

Dow Jones Tanks 800 Points As Bond Market Flips

Donald Trump

So. Much. Winning.

From NBC News:

Wall Street took a battering on Wednesday, suffering its worst day so far this year after movements in the bond market signaled the sharpest indication yet of an approaching recession.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which had already shed 400 points at the opening bell, spent the day in freefall before closing with a decline of 800 points, a drop of over 3 percent. The S&P 500 closed down 2.93 percent, and the Nasdaq posted a decline of just over 3 percent.

The market selloff was the result of an inverted yield curve in government bonds, when the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note falls below the 2-year rate — a phenomenon that has preceded every recession for the past 50 years.

President Donald Trump blamed the Federal Reserve for Wednesday's market plunge, calling Fed Chairman Jerome Powell “clueless” in an afternoon tweet. Trump has consistently lambasted Powell for not cutting rates at a faster pace, and has said "the stock market would be 10,000 points higher" if the Fed had followed a different strategy.

NBC News goes on to repeat "all of the past recessions have been preceded by inversions of the yield curve."

Of course, what Trump is REALLY upset about is how the timing of a possible recession would affect his reelection after boasting about "his" economy for so long.

By the way - want to guess WHO nominated Powell to the Fed Chair position?

"I hire all the best people..."

..Spread is way too much as other countries say THANK YOU to clueless Jay Powell and the Federal Reserve. Germany, and many others, are playing the game! CRAZY INVERTED YIELD CURVE! We should easily be reaping big Rewards & Gains, but the Fed is holding us back. We will Win!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 14, 2019

Dow Jones closes -800 Points on fears @realDonaldTrump's "great economy" is about to tank!

Who could have guessed this would happen?

Answer: Me & the rest of the 65,844,610 people who voted for @HillaryClinton in 2016. pic.twitter.com/hekC60FiQa

— Proud Navy Veteran 🎖️🌊⚓️ (@naretevduorp) August 14, 2019

Congrats @realDonaldTrump, you now own 8 of the Top 10 largest point losses in @DowJones history.
1,175.21 (2/5/18)
1,032.89 (2/08/18)
831.83 (10/10/18)
800.49 (8/14/19)
799.36 (12/04/18)
777.68 (9/29/08)
767.27 (8/05/19)
733.08 (10/15/08)
724.42 (3/22/18)
684.81 (9/17/01)

— Jesse Garcia (@TheRealSBHS1994) August 14, 2019

The Dow Jones: we’re crashing.

The economy: we’re heading into a recession.

Americans: do something!

Trump: fuck Chris Cuomo.

— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) August 14, 2019

Wall Street Pundits Worry About Impending Recession As Economy Slows

Donald Trump

Wall Street experts say increased stock market volatility may be signs of an impending recession as Donald Trump's trade war with China continues to heat up.

From Politico:

Over just the last few days, economists at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America all warned that Trump’s bitter trade war with China is taking a bigger bite out of economic growth than expected.

The warnings came as stocks suffered another big dip on Monday with the Dow closing off nearly 400 points, or 1.5 percent, putting the blue-chip index at 25,897, over 700 points lower than it was in January of 2018 before Trump’s trade fights began in earnest. Stocks bounced back Tuesday after the Trump administration’s announcement about postponing some tariffs that had been set to take effect next month, continuing a long track record of market volatility tied to trade policy.

The collective wisdom now spreading across Wall Street is that no trade deal will be struck with China before the 2020 election; business investment will continue to sag; and a series of interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve won’t be enough to juice more growth out of an economy now in its tenth year of expansion — the longest stretch in American history.

With economic growth slowing to 2.1 percent in the second quarter, Trump is predictably shifting from crowing about the stock market to blaming the Federal Reserve for not utilizing more interest rate cuts.

Bank of America’s head of U.S. economics Michelle Meyer said in a note to clients that she believes there is a 1-in-3 chance of a recession in the next 12 months.

Trump & Mooch Continue Twitter War

L-R Donald Trump, Anthony Scaramucci

Boom: "Scaramucci, who like so many others had nothing to do with my Election victory, is only upset that I didn’t want him back in the Administration (where he desperately wanted to be). Also, I seldom had time to return his many calls to me. He just wanted to be on TV!"

Scaramucci, who like so many others had nothing to do with my Election victory, is only upset that I didn’t want him back in the Administration (where he desperately wanted to be). Also, I seldom had time to return his many calls to me. He just wanted to be on TV!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2019

Bam: "You are losing your fastball— very weak troll. Bullying is the most anti-American thing in our culture and it is emanating from the Oval Office. Many have called and are willing to work on a necessary replacement. Time to call in a good relief pitcher."

Mooch is getting sassy...LOL

You are losing your fastball— very weak troll. Bullying is the most anti-American thing in our culture and it is emanating from the Oval Office. Many have called and are willing to work on a necessary replacement. Time to call in a good relief pitcher. @potus is lost. https://t.co/7fiFHbd7O6

— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) August 12, 2019

Trump Turns On The Mooch

L-R Donald Trump, Anthony Scaramucci

Donald Trump, who briefly hired Anthony Scaramucci as his White House communications director for 11 days in 2017, has turned on his former friend and employee after Scaramucci made less-than-praise worthy comments during news show appearances.

After a Twitter attack from the Donald, Mooch responded saying that Trump "eventually turns on everyone" and soon it will be "the entire country."

Anthony Scaramucci, who was quickly terminated (11 days) from a position that he was totally incapable of handling, now seems to do nothing but television as the all time expert on “President Trump.” Like many other so-called television experts, he knows very little about me.....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2019

.....other than the fact that this Administration has probably done more than any other Administration in its first 2 1/2 years of existence. Anthony, who would do anything to come back in, should remember the only reason he is on TV, and it’s not for being the Mooch!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2019

For the last 3 years I have fully supported this President. Recently he has said things that divide the country in a way that is unacceptable. So I didn’t pass the 100% litmus test. Eventually he turns on everyone and soon it will be you and then the entire country. https://t.co/BUvwujc6LW

— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) August 11, 2019

Trump Gives 'Thumbs Up' In Photo With Infant Orphaned In El Paso Shooting???

Donald and Melania Trump (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

When none of the eight hospitalized shooting victims in El Paso, Texas, agreed to meet with Donald Trump during his visit, the White House asked that a tiny infant who had already been sent home be brought to the hospital for photo opp with the president and First Lady.

Reporters were told they couldn't trail the president during his visit at the hospital because the White House didn't want the trip to be about photo opps.

And then Trump and Melania posed for this photo - what in the hell is there a thumbs up for??? - and the photo was posted to the White House Flickr account. The First Lady tweeted the images as well.

Baby Paul is the child of Jordan and Andre Anchondo who were among the 22 people killed in a mass shooting Saturday at a Walmart in El Paso.

Doctors told reporters he appeared to “lack empathy”, while he was filmed bragging to medical staff – who have spent the week dealing with the aftermath of the massacre – about the size of a rally he had previously held there.

I met many incredible people in Dayton, Ohio & El Paso, Texas yesterday. Their communities are strong and unbreakable. @potus and I stand with you! pic.twitter.com/SHzV6zcVKR

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 8, 2019

I interviewed the kid’s grandfather this afternoon and he confirmed that the White House sent two people to his home to ask him to be present during the visit. No one arranged for the photo beforehand but FLOTUS decided to hold the baby, who has a broken hand...

— David Alandete (@alandete) August 9, 2019

This is a photo of Trump grinning while Melania holds a baby orphaned by the shooting. A baby who was taken from home and forced to serve as a prop at a photo-op for the very monster whose hate killed her/his parents.

I would need 280,000 characters to say how furious I am. pic.twitter.com/4umSc9BQHu

— Greg Pinelo (@gregpinelo) August 9, 2019

AIDE: The baby’s parents were murdered in the El Paso shooting.

TRUMP: Got it.

AIDE: This has to be a solemn photo.

TRUMP: Of course.

AIDE: No smiling and NO THUM—

TRUMP: Would you relax? I get it.

TRUMP: pic.twitter.com/2XFoF50zTL

— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) August 9, 2019

Trump Considering Commuting Convicted Gov's Sentence Because "Many" Politicians Have Sold Senate Seats

Donald Trump

Donald Trump told reporters during a flight on Air Force One he is considering giving former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich either a pardon or commutation of a 14-year prison sentence.

Blagojevich, a former "Apprentice" contestant (he didn't win), was convicted of trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat when he became president.

From the New York Times:

In remarks aboard Air Force One, Mr. Trump described the incriminating phone call in which Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, was taped discussing selling the seat as mostly a minor offense and something “many” politicians have done.

The move is likely to face steep blowback, since Mr. Blagojevich’s crime has long been seen as the epitome of the kind of pay-to-play that Mr. Trump has claimed he wanted to stop when he took office.

“I thought he was treated unbelievably unfairly; he was given close to 18 years in prison,” Mr. Trump said. “And a lot of people thought it was unfair, like a lot of other things — and it was the same gang, the Comey gang and all these sleaze bags that did it. And his name is Rod Blagojevich. And I’m thinking about commuting his sentence.”

Speaking on the plane on Wednesday, the president noted: “He’s been in jail for seven years over a phone call where nothing happens — over a phone call which he shouldn’t have said what he said, but it was braggadocio you would say. I would think that there have been many politicians — I’m not one of them by the way — that have said a lot worse over the telephone.”

The FBI recorded Blagojevich during a telephone call discussing plans to sell the Senate seat. “I’ve got this thing, and it’s f*cking golden," Blagojevich said during the recorded conversation. “I’m not just giving it up for nothing."

The Times reports that Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is supportive of the commutation and apparently thinks it will be 'popular' with Democrats.

It's important to note that Blagojevich's case was handled by former FBI Director James Comey and Robert Mueller. With that in mind, it's easy to see this as a big f*ck you to the two men Trump despises.

Here's the transcript of Trump's remarks on a commutation for Blagojevich. He pointedly noted that "the Comey gang," "sleazebags," put Blagojevich behind bars. (Mueller was FBI director, Comey friend and legal-team member Patrick Fitzgerald was prosecutor, Comey was deputy AG.) pic.twitter.com/sGbvR0lwP3

— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 8, 2019

Joe Biden: "This President Has Fanned The Flames Of White Supremacy"

Former Vice President Joe Biden forcefully denounced Donald Trump's ducking of any responsibility regarding the spate of mass shootings in the U.S.

From Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post:

In a fiery and blunt speech slamming the tenor, tone and words of President Trump as the nation reels from white nationalist domestic terrorism, former vice president Joe Biden reminded all of us of what a presidential president sounds like.

His words were stirring. His delivery was passionate. And they were befitting a man who kicked off his campaign with a video decrying Trump’s shameful response to Charlottesville.

From Biden's speech:

How far is it from Trump’s saying this “is an invasion” to the shooter in El Paso declaring, quote, “this attack is in response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas”? How far apart are those comments?

How far is it from white supremacists and Neo-Nazis in Charlottesville -- Trump’s “very fine people” -- chanting “You will [not] replace us” – to the shooter at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh saying, “we're committing genocide" -- Jews are committing genocide -- on his people. I don't think it's that far at all.

It’s both clear language and in code, this president has fanned the flames of white supremacy in this nation.

Biden notes similarities between El Paso shooter's manifesto & Trump's rhetoric, says Trump "has fanned flames of white supremacy in this nation."

"His vacant-eyed mouthing of the words written for him condemning white supremacists this week I don't believe fooled anyone." pic.twitter.com/tt8nBcBzhY

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 7, 2019

BIDEN: "We have a problem with this rising tide of white supremacy in America. And we have a president who encourages and emboldens it ... He says that guns are not the problem in mass shootings. That the issue is mental health. It's a dodge. Hatred isn't a mental health issue." pic.twitter.com/JylC3D2uxE

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 7, 2019

Mass Shootings: Trump Condemns "Racism, Bigotry And White Supremacy"

Donald Trump (screen capture)

Donald Trump denounced white supremacy, racism and bigotry on Monday as he addressed the two mass shootings that occurred over the weekend.

From the New York Times:

“In one voice our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy,” Mr. Trump said.

But Mr. Trump stopped well short of endorsing the kind of broad gun control measures that activists and Democrats have sought for years, instead falling back on time-honored Republican remedies, calling for stronger action to address mental illness, violence in the media and in video games.

He warned of “the perils of the internet and social media” with no acknowledgment of his use of those platforms to promote his brand of divisive politics.

It remained unclear whether Mr. Trump’s 10-minute remarks after one of the most violent weekends in recent American history could place him in a position to unify the nation when many Americans believe he is personally responsible for inflaming racial division. He took no responsibility for the atmosphere of division, nor did he recognize his own reluctance to warn of the rise of white nationalism until now.

The First Lady and I join all Americans in praying and grieving for the victims, their families, and the survivors. We will stand by their side FOREVER! pic.twitter.com/zOQLvAuXoh

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019

TRUMP: "In one voice, our nation must condemn racism, bigotry, and white supremacy." pic.twitter.com/BaJp6bhWjG

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2019

Today, I am also directing the Department of Justice to propose legislation ensuring that those who commit hate crimes and mass murders face the DEATH PENALTY - and that this capital punishment be delivered quickly, decisively, and without years of needless delay. pic.twitter.com/BDXdpelK7F

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2019

Trump, struggling with a bad case of what appears to be dry mouth, falsely claimed the Ohio mass shooting took place in Toledo. (It happened in Dayton.) pic.twitter.com/dzOcsIV5ox

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2019

Trump said, "may God bless the memory of those who perished in Toledo," but the shooting happened in Dayton, Ohio.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 5, 2019

White House Acting Chief Of Staff: Trump Rhetoric 'Not To Blame' For White Nationalist Shootings

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney told ABC News reporter Jon Karl that Donald Trump's heated racial rhetoric is not to blame for the rash of recent mass shootings by white nationalist terrorists.

"This is a serious problem ... but they are sick, sick people and the president knows that ... I don't think it's fair to try and lay this at the feet of the president."

"This is a serious problem ... but they are sick, sick people and the president knows that ... I don't think it's fair to try and lay this at the feet of the president," Mick Mulvaney says when asked why Trump downplayed the threat of white nationalism. https://t.co/6OolEGh96x pic.twitter.com/wex0S7AV3F

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 4, 2019

Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney says President Trump is "sad" and "angry" about the mass shootings.

"The first call he made yesterday was to the attorney general to find out what we could do to prevent this type of thing from happening" https://t.co/6OolEGh96x pic.twitter.com/PtGxq5qs61

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 4, 2019

Mulvaney's title is 'Acting' Chief of Staff for a reason. He's merely an actor in Trump's reality show, saying the lines he's given.

WATCH: Eddie Glaude Jr. says White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney can't "acknowledge" that shootings in El Paso and Dayton are domestic terrorism because of the shooters' race. @esglaude: "I can give less than a damn what Mick Mulvaeny thinks about what I say." pic.twitter.com/YItQ4zPSnM

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 4, 2019

Trump Withdraws His Nomination Of GOP Rep For Intelligence Dir. Amid Conflicts In Resume

Rep. John Ratcliffe (L), Donald Trump (R)

Donald Trump is reversing course on his nomination of Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe (R) for Director of National Intelligence after reports of alleged resume padding and questions about his lack of intelligence experience.

From the New York Times:

President Trump on Friday abruptly dropped his plan to nominate Representative John Ratcliffe, Republican of Texas, as the nation’s top intelligence official, following bipartisan questions about his qualifications and pushback over whether he had exaggerated his résumé.

Mr. Ratcliffe, an outspoken supporter of Mr. Trump, has come under intense scrutiny since the president declared Sunday on Twitter that the lawmaker was his pick to succeed Dan Coats, who is stepping down as director of national intelligence on Aug. 15. The selection generated scant enthusiasm among senators of both parties who would have been decided whether to confirm him.

Mr. Trump’s announcement that Mr. Ratcliffe would not be his nominee after all, also made on Twitter, spoke bitterly of the attention Mr. Ratcliffe’s claims about his experience as a federal prosecutor quickly received from the news media.

Trump has demonstrated a pattern of 'picking' nominees for appointments without any vetting other than liking the person. He told Yamiche Alcindor of PBS News that he lets the press do his vetting for him because it's "much cheaper."

Our great Republican Congressman John Ratcliffe is being treated very unfairly by the LameStream Media. Rather than going through months of slander and libel, I explained to John how miserable it would be for him and his family to deal with these people....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019

....John has therefore decided to stay in Congress where he has done such an outstanding job representing the people of Texas, and our Country. I will be announcing my nomination for DNI shortly.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019

BREAKING: President Trump says Rep. Ratcliffe, who he said he would nominate for director of national intelligence, has withdrawn from consideration.

Ratcliffe was facing questions about experience and qualifications for the role. pic.twitter.com/upGNq4CroN

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) August 2, 2019

My Q to Pres Trump: What does this withdrawal by Ratcliffe say about the White House vetting process? This is at least the 2nd time someone you announced as a leader of an agency has to withdraw.
Trump’s answer: The press does the vetting for me and it’s much cheaper that way.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 2, 2019

Half Of House Democratic Caucus Now Supports Impeaching Donald Trump

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (L), Donald Trump (R)

From Buzzfeed News:

The gradual trickle of Democrats coming out in support of beginning impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump reached a milestone Thursday, with half of the Democratic caucus now publicly supporting it.

The inquiry would spur an investigation by the Judiciary Committee, which would determine if there is enough evidence to draft articles of impeachment.

Rep. Pete Aguilar of California was the most recent member to voice support of impeachment proceedings, which, according to a BuzzFeed News analysis, raises the count to 118, half of the Democratic caucus.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi continues her call for investigations to continue and maintains she will call for articles of impeachment when she feels House Democrats have their "strongest hand" to move forward.

Wait this impeachment number keeps going up and up so I think the idea that mueller’s testimony was a dud bc he didn’t use jazz hands when talking about the president’s crime spree can be put to bed.

Thanks for coming to my ted talk ✌🏾

— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) August 1, 2019

A majority of House Democrats now supports launching an impeachment inquiry for President Trump, according to a Fox News tally -- the latest sign that Robert Mueller’s shaky testimony did little to arrest the momentum inside the caucus for that politically explosive step.

— Scarlett Upton (@scarlettupton) August 2, 2019

Trump Promises To End AIDS Epidemic 'Shortly'

Donald Trump (screen capture)

President Trump made some surprising announcements at his Thursday night campaign rally in Ohio, promising to put astronauts on Mars, end the AIDS epidemic and cure childhood cancer “very shortly.”

“We will come up with the cures to many, many problems to many, many diseases including cancer, and others, and we’re getting closer all the time,” Trump told rally attendees. “We will eradicate AIDS in America, and we’re very close. We will lay the foundation for landing American astronauts on the surface of Mars.”

“The things we’re doing in our country today, there’s never been anything like it,” the Donald continued. “We will be ending the AIDS epidemic shortly in America, and curing childhood cancer very shortly.”

Trump promises to end the #AIDS epidemic ‘shortly’ and cure childhood #cancer. pic.twitter.com/urkeLIr9Ab

— The Randy Report (@randyslovacek) August 2, 2019

Now, these are certainly worthy goals. But for a president who seems to doubt science more than embrace it, the path to achieving these goals isn’t entirely clear.

After all, this is the man who declared the noise from wind turbines "causes cancer."

Let’s take a look at the issue of HIV/AIDS.

In his 2019 State of the Union address, Trump announced he would end all HIV transmission in the U.S. by 2030. The president didn’t elaborate on how he would achieve that goal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are over 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States, including 38,700 new infections in 2016.

While appreciating good intentions, it’s worth noting what Trump has actually done regarding the fight against HIV/AIDS since taking office.

• He proposed cutting funds to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

• His administration suggested moving $5.7 million from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program to address immigration at the U.S. southern border.

• The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) was dormant for over a yearafter former members quit or were fired in January 2018.

• Trump has also ordered HIV+ soldiers to be discharged under his “Deploy or Get Out” policy announced in 2018.

In light of the above, you’ll pardon me for being a teensy bit skeptical about his new ‘promises.’

Manhattan DA Revives Investigation Into Trump Payments To Stormy Daniels

The saga of Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels is not over.

From the New York Times:

State prosecutors in Manhattan subpoenaed President Trump’s family business on Thursday, reviving an investigation into the company’s role in hush-money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to people briefed on the matter.

The subpoena, issued by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, demanded the Trump Organization provide documents related to money that had been used to buy the silence of Stormy Daniels, a pornographic film actress who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump.

The inquiry from the district attorney’s office, which is in early stages, is examining whether any senior executives at the company filed false business records about the hush money, which would be a state crime, the people said.

The prosecutors say they are also looking at payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who said she had an affair with the Donald.

California Governor Will Sign Legislation Requiring Tax Returns For Presidential & Gubernatorial Candidates

Donald Trump

Journalist Yashar Ali reports that Gov. Gavin Newsom of California will sign a recently passed bill that will require presidential and gubernatorial candidates to submit five years of tax returns in order to be on a primary ballot.

The bill, known as SB-27, passed the California Assembly and Senate earlier this month. The law would require candidates for U.S. president and California governor to submit their five most recent years of tax returns, with sensitive information like Social Security numbers redacted. The state would then publish those returns for the public to review. If a candidate for either of those offices refused to submit their returns, they would not be listed on the primary ballot.

This is unquestionably a bill directed toward and inspired by President Donald Trump’s refusal to release copies of his tax returns. When Newsom signs the bill today, California will become the first state to require such a disclosure by law.

All of the major Democratic presidential candidates have released years’ worth of tax returns, and when Newsom ran for governor in 2018, he allowed reporters to review six years of his tax returns.

Poll: Slight Majority Of Americans Believe Trump Is Racist

According to a new poll by Quinnipiac University, a slight majority of Americans believe Donald Trump is racist (51 percent) versus 45 percent who say he is not racist.

Think how incredible it is that we are even having such a conversation - is the president of the United States racist?

Of those polled, 80 percent of black respondents say Trump is racist, 11 percent disagree.

Among Hispanic voters, 55 percent say Trump is racist, 44 percent disagree.

There's a gender divide on the issue as well. While 55 percent of men do not feel Trump is racist, 59 percent of women do believe the Commander in Chief is racist.

When it comes to impeachment proceedings, 60 percent say Congress should not begin impeachment proceedings, 32 percent support moving forward with articles of impeachment.

Regarding the recent Mueller investigation, 52 percent of respondents said they believe Trump attempted to "derail or obstruct" the investigation, 40 percent disagreed.

And 71 percent of those polled are "concerned" or "very concerned" a foreign government will try to interfere in the upcoming 2020 elections.

A huge majority - 87 percent - disagree with the president and believe political campaigns should be required to contact the FBI if contacted by a foreign government with dirt on their political opponent.

And 59 percent support additional laws to protect U.S. elections versus 31 percent who do not. Of those, 54 percent of Republicans (surprise) think current laws are enough.

More details at Quinnipiac University site here.

Trump (Again) Claims He Helped At 9/11 Attack Site

At a signing ceremony to permanently authorize the 9/11 victims compensation fund, Donald Trump once again claimed he somehow 'helped' at the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

"I was down there also. I don't consider myself a first responder, but I was down there. I spent a lot of time down there with you."

The Washington Post has already debunked this myth: "While Trump did visit the site a couple of days after the attack and did some interviews, there is no evidence that he got down to help clear rubble, which people would certainly have remembered."

Trump suggests that he was a 9/11 First Responder pic.twitter.com/cFnVkV3wru

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 29, 2019

Trump was not "down there" during 9/11 with first responders, and the only role he played was bragging on TV that he now had the biggest building in NY once the towers fell. Oh and lying about how American Muslims reacted to 9/11. https://t.co/5ZMyudJG4l

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) July 29, 2019

This has long been proven false. What's more, everything we know about Trump is that his cowardliness would prevent him going toward danger to help anyone. Trump DID, however, take money from the 9/11 business fund and claimed he saw Muslims celebrating the attacks.

— Victoria Brownworth 🏳️‍🌈 (@VABVOX) July 29, 2019

"I was down there also, but I'm not considering myself a first responder," Trump told 9/11 responders at WH today.

Fact check: Trump was near Ground Zero in days after 9/11, claiming he had "100s of men" working to clear rubble, a claim 9/11 responders called dubious

— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) July 29, 2019

I was in NYC on 9/11. He was calling in to TV shows, bragging that now he had the tallest building in downtown Manhattan. I’ll never forget it. https://t.co/AEwQyftRYW

— kristen johnston (@thekjohnston) July 29, 2019

Baltimore Mayor: Trump Is Disappointment To Our City & The World

Donald Trump

Baltimore Mayor Bernard "Jack" Young (D) responded to Donald Trump's ugly tweets about his city and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) on Saturday, calling the president a "disappointment to the people of Baltimore" and the world.

“It’s completely unacceptable for the political leader of our country to denigrate a vibrant American City like Baltimore, and to viciously attack U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings a patriot and a hero,” Young said in a statement shared via Twitter.

"Mr. Trump's rhetoric is hurtful and dangerous to the people he's sworn to represent," he continued. "As the Mayor of Baltimore, I won't stand for anyone, not even the alleged Leader of the Free World, attacking our great City or our representative to Congress."

“Mr. Trump, you are a disappointment to the people of Baltimore, our country, and to the world,” he concluded.

It’s completely unacceptable for the political leader of our country to denigrate a vibrant American City like Baltimore, and to viciously attack U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings a patriot and a hero. pic.twitter.com/TJdbST6Md9

— Mayor Bernard C. Jack Young (@mayorbcyoung) July 27, 2019

And, by the way, if Trump's concern is for the people of Baltimore, why doesn't HE do something?

As we all know, there's always a tweet:

President Obama, you have a big job to do. Go to Baltimore and bring both sides together. With proper leadership, it can be done! Do it.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 28, 2015