Trump news: President claims Dr Fauci is ‘wrong’ over why US has more coronavirus cases as TikTok fights back against White House
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Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has challenged Dr Anthony Fauci, a member of the White House's coronavirus task force, over why the United States has more coronavirus cases than other countries. Dr Facui said in front of a House subcommittee it was because the US only shut down 50 per cent of its economy, but Mr Trump says it's due to the country testing more.
Although the president has blamed testing, that doesn't explain the surge in death toll and hospitalisations. In the month of July, 10 days posted more than 1,000 people dying from the coronavirus in a one day. The month prior only had three days within the month hitting that number.
This comes as the president has said he would ban popular video app TikTok over security concerns.
Mr Trump said a ban could be implemented on Saturday. On Friday he said he could use emergency economic powers or an executive order to enforce the action, insisting, “I have that authority” before adding: “It’s going to be signed tomorrow.”
TikTok's US general manager came back with a video on Saturday to users, saying the app was not going anywhere.
Key impeachment witness Alexander Vindman penned a Washington Post op-ed against the president following his resignation. The lieutenant colonel accused Mr Trump of using "bullying and retaliation" against him after he spoke during the House impeachment trials against the president.
Meanwhile, Joe Biden is nearing the announcement of his vice presidential choice. The top contenders and their advocates are making final appeals. The leading contenders include California Senator Kamala Harris, California Representative Karen Bass and Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice.
Representative Karen Bass responded to scrutiny on Saturday after a Scientology event she attended 10 years ago resurfaced. Ms Bass defended her attendance by stating she was trying to be accepting of all organisations in her community while acknowledging the recent allegations against Scientology.
Pelosi says she is hoping 'we can make progress on long-term deal' with White House over coronavirus relief package
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are meeting with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Saturday to discuss the latest coronavirus relief package.
When speaking to reporters about the upcoming meeting, Ms Pelosi said she was hoping "that we make progress on a long-term deal."
Ms Pelosi reiterated that Democrats were not looking for a short term deal for Americans. The White House and Republicans pushed this week for some temporary options, specifically extending the unemployment benefits. But Democrats rejected the idea because it decoupled the benefit from broader talks of the relief package.
"We're just hopeful that they're willing really to negotiate today, if they are, we're prepared to make a deal on behalf of the American people," Mr Meadows told reporters on Saturday.
Trump seemed down all week. So his staff planned a pick-me-up in his home state
John T Bennett with his latest analysis:
Trump heads to the golf course
Donald Trump will reportedly spend his Saturday on the golf course.
A pool reporter spotted the president leaving the White House in a white polo shirt and white baseball cap, which is attire Mr Trump often adorns on the golf course.
It was not revealed yet where the president was going.
This comes as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows were currently meeting with top Democrats on Capitol Hill in hopes to reach an agreement about the upcoming coronavirus relief package.
Key Trump impeachment witness Alexander Vindman says coming forward 'ended my career' in scathing op-ed
Our report on Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman' op-ed
If Trump loses, the battle for the Republican Party's soul matters – they could find someone smarter and more dangerous
James Moore with his analysis:
Trump arrives to his Virginia golf club
The president will be spending his day golfing at his own club in Virginia, a popular spot for Mr Trump that is near the White House.
This will be Mr Trump's 283rd day golfing since becoming president in January 2017.
New model predicts 230,000 US deaths from coronavirus by November
The new Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IMHE) model was released as a part of the Centers for Disease Control's routine coronavirus death toll update.
This model is often used by the White House to indicate where the country is trending with the novel virus.
It has now indicated 230,000 Americans could die by November from the coronavirus, which is up 11,000 deaths from earlier predictions.
The US hit the grim milestone of 150,000 deaths from the virus this week. But that number doesn't not appear to be slowing down as states continue to record record case numbers.
'Deadly heatwave' forecast for southwestern US, forecasters warn
An "excessive heat warning" has been issued by the US National Weather Service for parts of Arizona, Nevada and California, including Las Vegas and Phoenix.
Temperatures are expected to climb to 50C (122F), which the weather service said amounts to "dangerously hot conditions".
The warning will remain in place until 9pm on Saturday.
Harry Cockburn reports:
Congresswoman Karen Bass responds to criticisms of attending Scientology event
Congresswoman Karen Bass of California, who has found herself at the top of former Vice President Joe Biden's list for a running mate, responded to criticisms on Saturday after an old video surfaced.
The video showed Ms Bass speaking at the opening of a Church of Scientology.
In a statement, Ms Bass said the video was from an event she attended 10 years ago and she had "respect for one another's views".
Read her full statement here:
Arizona congressman tests positive for the coronavirus
Representative Raul Grijalva, a Democrat of Arizona, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement from him released by his office.
"I currently have no symptoms, feel fine, and hope to make a quick and speedy recovery," Mr Grijalva said. "While I cannot blame anyone directly for this, this week has shown that there are some members of Congress who fail to take this crisis seriously. Numerous Republican members routinely strut around the Capitol without a mask to selfishly make a political statement at the expense of their colleagues, staff, and their families."
Mr Grijalva decided to quarantine himself and get tested after his colleague Congressman Louie Gohmert, a Republican of Texas, tested positive.
Mr Gohmert is a ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee and was criticised by Mr Grijalva, who serves as chair of the committee, earlier this week after he refused to wear a mask during a hearing. Now both men have the novel virus.
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