All right, team. Shall we play a game? Every time Trump’s name is mentioned at the debate (that he is not attending) we take a sip:
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Despite former President Trump’s decision to skip tomorrow’s first GOP presidential debate of the 2024 primary cycle, he will likely take center stage in spirit.
The dynamic for the other candidates: GOP rivals will benefit from Trump’s absence as they can make their case without being overshadowed by the former president, who remains the current frontrunner in the race.
Yes, but: They also don’t want to alienate the former president’s ardent supporters. More pros and cons for Trump’s absence, via The Hill’s Niall Stanage How the Trump team is planning to keep him relevant: Trump is expected to do a pre-taped interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson on the same night. And in Milwaukee, Trump’s team will send surrogates to the debate venue. More on Trump’s effort to dominate the debate while not actually attending, via The Hill’s Brett Samuels |
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➤ WHO HAS THE MOST TO GAIN?: |
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley
The Hill’s Julia Manchester explains how each could benefit. |
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➤ WHY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE ON EDGE: |
Republican lawmakers and party leaders are starting to worry that former President Trump has snagged the GOP nomination despite his mounting legal troubles, including four criminal trials and more than 90 felony counts.
Republicans’ specific concern: Trump may be a weak rival to President Biden, which could also harm their chances of taking back control of the Senate. More from The Hill’s Alexander Bolton. |
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Finally, we know who will have a podium: |
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The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced that eight GOP presidential candidates have qualified for the Milwaukee debate tomorrow.
Who has qualified? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Keep in mind: Former President Trump is not on that list.
He met the donor and polling requirements but never signed the loyalty pledge to support the party’s eventual nominee. That likely kept him from the list, though the former president had suggested that he would not participate regardless. |
It’s another hot, humid August day in D.C. I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-stage.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.
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Nothing to see here. Just the former president voluntarily surrendering for the fourth time:
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© GIPHY/Parks and Recreation |
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Former President Trump announced on Truth Social that he plans to voluntarily surrender to a Fulton County jail on Thursday amid charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the Georgia 2020 election results. Trump posted on Monday night: “Can you believe it? I’ll be going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be ARRESTED by a Radical Left District Attorney, Fani Willis, who is overseeing one of the greatest Murder and Violent Crime DISASTERS in American History.”
He continued: “In my case, the trip to Atlanta is not for ‘Murder,’ but for making a PERFECT PHONE CALL! She campaigned, and is continuing to campaign, and raise money on, this WITCH HUNT. This is in strict coordination with Crooked Joe Biden’s DOJ. It is all about ELECTION INTERFERENCE!” Timing: Trump and the 18 other co-defendants have until Friday at noon to voluntarily turn themselves in.
What is Trump’s bond?: $200,000 Read the three-page order
Who are the 18 co-defendants?: A few notable names include Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell. Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows also faces charges. More on the defendants and charges, via The Hill’s Rebecca Beitsch.
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➤ HOW WILL TRUMP’S SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE PLAY A ROLE?: |
A judge has limited former President Trump’s social media use related to the Georgia case. Trump is also banned from contacting any co-defendants or witnesses unless it is through their attorneys. What we know. |
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Every part of this story is gut-wrenching:
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President Biden traveled to Maui on Monday to survey the damage from the devastating wildfires and to mourn the loss of life.
From Biden’s remarks: “You’ve shown such absolute incredible courage, and that’s not hyperbole. And I want you to know that on behalf of the United States of America and all of the nation, the American people stand with you.”
The death toll so far: At least 114 people have died, and hundreds are still unaccounted for.
What a sad scene: Here’s a screenshot of the backdrop for Biden’s remarks, via C-SPAN’s Howard Mortman.
A notable highlight: Biden said at the end of a community event in Lahaina, “If anyone would like to speak with me, I’ll stay around.” The Washington Post’s Matt Viser then pointed out that “the president did appear to stay, preparing to go table by table.” Photo
I mean, how do you pass a good boy and not say hello: The Associated Press’s Seung Min Kim posted that Biden greeted a dog who has been helping in the aftermath of the fires. Photo Video footage of the Bidens surveying the damage |
By my calculation, the next plague to hit is hail or darkness: |
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➤ SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE STORM’S AFTERMATH: |
Wow, this highway is a mess: @RobMarciano posted footage of the mud and debris on I-10 in Thousand Palms. Watch
Check out this drone footage over Palm Springs, Calif.: Watch the drone footage from @WeatherNation.
Death Valley National Park even has flooding: Which the National Park Service describes as the “hottest” and “driest” national park. Video from @AccuWeather A bridge north of Banning, Calif. was destroyed: Video from AccuWeather’s Reed Timmer
Fox News jokingly blamed Biden for the storm: “They let it right into the country because it’s Joe Biden’s America,” a host said. But to be honest, I’m surprised they didn’t make a Hillary Clinton joke. Watch the clip |
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What a clever magazine cover: |
@BrianStelter posted a screenshot of the latest cover of Time Magazine. “Does this ride ever end,” it reads with a depiction of the GOP field. See the cover |
*Cue my vendor sales voice* — half smokes, get your half smokes!:
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@DCTourGuild posted that Ben’s Chili Bowl will be celebrating its 65th anniversary today with free half smokes in Washington, D.C., today. Where and when: 1:30 p.m. at the U street location. More info from WUSA9 |
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The House and Senate are out. President Biden is in Nevada, and Vice President Harris is in Washington, D.C. Neither have public events scheduled. All times Eastern. |
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Today is National Pecan Torte Day! I love an oddly specific holiday. |
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