Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Trump news – live: Vance slated for ‘kissing Trump’s ass’ as new details of McCarthy’s Jan 6 call emerge

Former president’s chosen Ohio Senate candidate was once among his most aggressive critics

Tim Ryan calls JD Vance an ‘ass-kisser’ after Trump remarks

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Trump-backed Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance was ridiculed by his opponent last night for “kissing ass” to get the former president’s endorsement.

In a televised debate, Mr Vance’s Democratic opponent Tim Ryan quoted Mr Trump himself describing how Mr Vance had gone about securing his support.

Accusing Mr Vance of a “lack of courage,” Mr Ryan declared: “I’m from Ohio I don’t kiss anyone’s ass like him. Ohio needs an ass-kicker, not an ass-kisser.”

Meanwhile, an extract from an upcoming book on the GOP’s support for Mr Trump has revealed new details of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s infamous call with Mr Trump during the January 6 Capitol attack.

According to Politico, when Mr Trump told Mr McCarthy that the people storming the building were “more upset” than his party about the supposed theft of the election, Mr McCarthy responded: “More upset? They’re trying to f***ing kill me!”

Trump sons wanted Truth social stake as ‘handout'

Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump wanted a stake in the former president’s media company despite little to no involvement, a co-founder of Trump Media & Technology Group has said.

Speaking to The Washington Post, Will Wilkerson outlined infighting and possibly illegal actions at the company.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Trump’s sons Donald Jr and Eric wanted stake in Trump Social as a ‘handout’

‘They had no bearing in this company … and they were taking equity away from hard-working individuals’

Oliver O'Connell17 October 2022 21:45

Republican hopefuls turn to Pence to broaden appeal before election

The final weeks of this year’s intensely competitive midterm elections suggest that the former vice president’s fortunes have shifted as he lays the groundwork for his own potential 2024 White House campaign.

Read more:

GOP hopefuls turn to Pence to broaden appeal before election

In Donald Trump’s assessment, his Vice President Mike Pence “committed political suicide” on Jan. 6, 2021

Oliver O'Connell17 October 2022 21:15

Cheney hints Jan 6 committee may hold further public hearings

Liz Cheney has hinted that there may be more January 6 committee public hearings to come in the wake of a subpoena being issued for Donald Trump.

The Republican lawmaker made the remarks at Notre Dame on Friday, the day after the committee dramatically voted to subpoena the one-term president.

Graeme Massie reports.

Liz Cheney hints Jan 6 committee may hold more public hearings

‘I think we have felt it is very important that the investigation be conducted in a way that is rigorous and disciplined and responsible’

Oliver O'Connell17 October 2022 20:45

Trump pushed Truth Social executives to give their shares to Melania

Donald Trump pressured Truth Social executives to hand over their shares in his right-wing social media platform to former first lady Melania Trump, according to a whistleblower.

Graeme Massie reports.

Trump pressured Truth Social executives to hand over their shares to Melania

Former president set up social media platform after being banned by Facebook and Twitter after January 6

Oliver O'Connell17 October 2022 20:15

Antisemitic: White House condemns Trump comments on American Jews

The White House has slammed former president Donald Trump’s claim that American Jews should be more like evangelical Christians and appreciate him more because of his policies towards Israel.

The ex-president made the widely-condemned comments on his Truth Social website over the weekend.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

White House condemns Trump remarks on American Jews as ‘anti-semitic’ and ‘insulting’

‘With respect to Israel, our relationship is ironclad and it’s rooted in shared values and interests. Donald Trump clearly doesn’t understand that either’

Oliver O'Connell17 October 2022 19:45

Racy texts between Oath Keepers’ leader and lawyer revealed during sedition hearing

And Graig Graziosi reports on the latest unexpectedly racy developments from the trial:

Oath Keepers’ leader and lawyer sent racy texts, prosecutor reveals

The group’s attorney is facing obstruction of justice charges

Oliver O'Connell17 October 2022 19:20

ICYMI: The Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial so far

With court proceedings against the Oath Keepers continuing in Washington, DC, Alex Woodward looks at everything we’ve learned about the trial to date.

What we learned from the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial so far

Stewart Rhodes and four others face seditious conspiracy charges for their roles in the Capitol attack

Oliver O'Connell17 October 2022 19:00

Mike Lee mocked for opinion column celebrating himself

Utah Senator Mike Lee is being roasted for writing an opinion piece in the Salt Lake Tribune in which he praises himself in the third person.

“Since taking office, Senator Mike Lee has earned a reputation as a principled conservative. He believes elected officials are responsible for keeping the federal government within its constitutionally limited role,’ writes Sen Mike Lee,” a plug for the article on social media states.

The awkward phrasing brought cackles of derision on social media.

Bevan Hurley has the story.

Mike Lee roasted for opinion column celebrating himself

“‘I just want to know what Mike Lee thinks of Mike Lee,’ said no one, ever.”

Oliver O'Connell17 October 2022 18:40

Trump charged ‘exorbitant’ rates when putting Secret Service in his own hotels

Former President Donald Trump’s frequent trips to his properties ended up being the windfall that ethics experts long expected them to be, according to new documents obtained by Congress.

The records were obtained as part of an investigation by the Democrat-controlled House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is investigating how the Trump family profited from Donald Trump’s four years in power. The documents were released publicly on the committee’s website.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

Trump earned $1,185 per night by putting Secret Service in his own hotel rooms

Trump visted his properties for a total of 428 days as president, bringing Secret Service every time

Oliver O'Connell17 October 2022 18:23

Marjorie Taylor Greene on the Jan 6 riot

Extremist Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene yesterday described herself as a “victim” of the 6 January attack on the US Capitol. But as Joe Sommerlad writes, she in fact has a long record not just of defending the people who carried it out, but of propagating exactly the false claims and calls to action that have helped drive threats to public officials and institutions.

What Marjorie Taylor Greene has previously said about the Capitol riot

Outspoken pro-Trump Georgia congresswoman insists she is a ‘victim’ of the attempted insurrection, in which five people died

Andrew Naughtie17 October 2022 18:00

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in