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Trump-Musk interview updates: Trump says he’ll flee to Venezuela if he loses election claiming it’s a ‘far safer place’

Elon Musk interview broadcast some 40 minutes late after being beset by technical difficulties, which host later blamed on server attack

Donald Trump recounts assassination attempt in interview with Elon Musk

Donald Trump joked about fleeing to Venezuela if he loses November’s election during his highly-anticipated interview with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk on X Spaces on Monday night, which suffered a 40-minute derailment thanks to technical glitches.

The Latin American Republic is a “far safer place” than the US, the GOP presidential nominee declared in a wide-ranging chat in which he was rarely fact-checked.

Trump also bizarrely likened his Democratic presidential rival Kamala Harris to his wife Melania Trump, saying she looked “beautiful” on the new cover of Time magazine and otherwise spent time praising Musk as well as strongman leaders Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un.

The Q&A was due to be broadcast on X’s live audio platform at 8pm ET last night but had to be delayed because many listeners reported that they were unable to gain access, which Musk later blamed on a server attack.

It comes as the Vice President pulls ahead in the polls, leading in FiveThirtyEight’s polling average by 2.4 points at the start of the week, her recent momentum further bolstered by the popular choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her new running mate last week.

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Ilhan Omar seeks to avoid same fate as fellow Squad members in primary race

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, a progressive member of the House and part of “The Squad”, will try to avoid a similar fate met by two close allies in her primary election on Tuesday.

Omar, who has represented Minnesota’s 5th congressional district since 2018, is facing off, again, against Don Samuels – a Minneapolis City Council member whom she narrowly defeated two years ago.

All eyes will be on Tuesday’s primary to see how Omar fares against Samuels given two other members of “The Squad” – the group of progressive left-wing young representatives in the House – have faced defeats in their districts.

Last week, Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush lost her primary to a local prosecutor in an expensive and contentious race.

New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman also lost his seat in the most expensive House primary in history thanks to an onslaught of funding to his challenger.

Both losses were, in part, attributed to Bush and Bowman’s support of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict – something Omar has also been an outspoken advocate of.

You can read Ariana Baio’s report right here.

Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar (Getty)

Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 16:30
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Can Harris beat Trump? What the polls say

Our data correspondent Alicja Hagopian is back with this latest look at the polling in the US presidential election, with the Kamala momentum showing no sign of slowing

You can read her report here.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris (Liam James/The Independent)
Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 16:10
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Team Trump gives blunt response to claims he had a lisp during Elon Musk interview

Trump’s campaign team has hit back in no uncertain terms at claims the former president could be heard speaking with a “lisp” during his interview with Elon Musk last night.

Harry Fletcher has more on their terse response to a reporter’s query on the subject.

Trump's team gives sweary response to claims he had a lisp during Elon Musk interview

Donald Trump’s campaign team has hit back in no uncertain terms at claims the former president could be heard speaking with a “lisp” during his interview with Elon Musk.The conversation between the pair was hit by technical problems and pushed back 40 minutes, before Trump was allowed to spread more...

Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 15:50
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Trump turns to teen son Barron and his influencer best friend to try to rival Harris’s ‘brat’ Gen Z appeal

“How do you do, fellow kids?”

You can read James Liddell’s report on the Republican’s desperate bid to enlist his youngest son’s help in finding a younger audience right here.

Donald Trump interviewed by right-wing streamer Adin Ross last week
Donald Trump interviewed by right-wing streamer Adin Ross last week (Adin Liv /YouTube)
Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 15:30
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Was a cyber attack really to blame for Musk-Trump interview tech issues?

A cybersecurity expert tells Rhian Lubin that Elon’s version of events last night are “unbelievable” and “theatrical”.

You can read her report right here.

Donald Trump talking to Elon Musk on X Spaces last night
Donald Trump talking to Elon Musk on X Spaces last night (Margo Martin/X/Reuters)
Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 15:10
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Trump’s bunching shoulder pads brutally dissected by menswear expert

This is the only thread you need on this subject from Derek Guy.

Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 14:50
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Seth Meyers jokes Tim Walz copied his ‘Republicans are weird’ line: ‘I’ve made a whole career out of it’

Here’s Myriam Page with the latest from late-night.

Seth Meyers jokes Tim Walz copied his ‘Republicans are weird’ line

Late-night show host joked: ‘I don’t want to brag or anything but we’ve been banging the Republicans are weird drum for like five years’

Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 14:30
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RFK Jr is struck from New York ballot over ‘sham’ claim he lives in the state

Independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has been struck from the ballot in New York over his “sham” claim about his home residence, a move that has now crushed this hopes of appearing on the ballot in all 50 states.

James Liddell has the story.

RFK Jr is struck from New York ballot over ‘sham’ claim he lives in state

Civil trial was largely overshadowed by RFK Jr’s revelation that he dumped a dead bear cub in Central Park in 2014

Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 14:10
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Watch: Trump recalls bizarre conversation with Putin

Trump recalls bizarre conversation with Putin
Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 13:50
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California Governor attacks Trump’s ‘complete failure to launch’

Very droll here from Gavin Newsom.

Joe Sommerlad13 August 2024 13:30

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