Latest news with #DemocraticNationalConvention
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Mike Lindell Suffers Major $2.3 Million Legal Blow
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. MyPillow founder Mike Lindell has been found guilty of defamation against a former executive at an electoral voting machine company and must now pay an eye-watering $2.3 million. Lindell was sued for defamation by former Dominion Voting Systems executive Eric Coomer, who accused him of spreading conspiracy theories by falsely claiming the firm had helped rig the 2020 presidential election, which Joe Biden won over Donald Trump. Lindell denied wrongdoing and argued his statements about the issue were protected by the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech. However, Coomer's lawyers successfully argued that Lindell's words constituted defamation, as he had accused their client of a crime by alleging that Coomer was a "traitor." Newsweek reached out to Lindell via email for comment. Why It Matters Conspiracy theories proliferated online following Trump's 2020 defeat, with some of his Make America Great Again (MAGA) followers falsely claiming the election was fixed. Trump himself had alleged that voter fraud and a "rigged election" were responsible for him losing the White House that year. What To Know Coomer used to work as the security and product strategy director at Dominion Voting Systems. He said that he had to flee his home "in fear for his safety" following Lindell's online attacks against his character. Lindell's lawyers suggested Coomer bore some responsibility after writing Facebook posts that disparaged Trump. Coomer agreed his "hyperbolic" posts were a mistake, but insisted it was Lindell's attacks falsely naming him as the architect of a treasonous plot that had destroyed his life. The former voting machine executive asked for $62.7 million in damages. However, the federal jury in Colorado, which found Lindell guilty of defamation on Monday, ordered the MyPillow boss and his online media platform, formerly known as Frankspeech, to pay the lesser amount of $2.3 million. MyPillow founder Mike Lindell pictured at a protest area near the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 20, 2024. MyPillow founder Mike Lindell pictured at a protest area near the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 20, maintained throughout the trial that the 2020 election had been stolen, but his legal team did not call any experts to support his claims or provide evidence for his allegations. The legal battle is not the first time the issue has been before the courts. Dominion sued Fox News for $1.6 billion for airing false claims that the company's voting machines were rigged. The broadcaster eventually reached a $787.5 million settlement and avoided a trial. Dominion also filed lawsuits against several Trump allies. In October 2023, the Associated Press reported that Lindell was unable to pay his lawyers the millions he owed them, and they were seeking a way to quit the case. Lindell claimed he was "in ruins" financially in April of this year due to various other debts,including owing voting software company Smartmatic $56,396 following a similar legal battle and a $9 million lawsuit for alleged unpaid delivery fees to FedEx. MyPillow is still selling pillows and bedsheets, with a page on the website before the trial dedicated to details of the defamation case and urging customers to "donate now" to the legal fund, with amounts ranging up to $1,000. He described the court case as "one of the most important trials in history." The page was still up on his company's website as of early Tuesday morning. What People Are Saying Charles Cain, one of the attorneys for former Dominion Voting Systems executive Eric Coomer, told jurors in closing arguments on Friday: "This is hurting democracy. This is misinformation. It's not been vetted, and it needs to stop. MyPillow founder Mike Lindell said in court, per the Associated Press: "I will not stop talking until we don't have voting machines in this country." What Happens Next Lindell appears set to face further legal wrangling after stating that he plans to launch an appeal.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words
At this point, we all know just how OBSESSED Donald Trump appears to be with crowd sizes at his rallies, inauguration, and events. Even former President Barack Obama commented on Trump's fixation during his 2024 Democratic National Convention speech, when Obama seemed to suggest crowd sizes are akin to a penis measuring contest in the 79-year-old's mind. CNN / Twitter: @yashar Well, this weekend was Trump's anticipated parade in honor of the US military's 250th anniversary (and perhaps his birthday.) And, well, the crowd sizes looked something like this... Related: "Let Them Eat Teslas": People At The "No Kings" Protests This Weekend Brought Signs That Were So Clever I'm Still Laughing About Them ...while protests against Trump's presidency on that same exact day looked like this across the US. It's a cheeky but honest comparison, and one that former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton couldn't help but poke fun at. Related: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public In a now-viral Instagram post featuring side-by-sides of Trump's parade and the protests, Clinton urged followers to "compare and contrast" the scenes — three simple words that now have people chuckling. "Compare and contrast scenes from yesterday in America," she wrote in the post's caption. "On the one hand, Trump's low-energy Dear Leader parade (that cost you $45 million). On the other, millions of people across the country gathering peacefully to say: Here, we have no kings." In response, people commented the nation-wide protest's name and chant: "No Kings." And plenty commended Clinton for the not-so-subtle shade. "I love you so much for doing this, Hillary!!!" one person wrote. "The shade of it all!" What are your thoughts on Clinton's response to the protests? Let us know in the comments. Also in In the News: "Honestly Speechless At How Evil This Is": 26 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Week Also in In the News: This Dem Lawmaker Is Going Viral For His Extremely Shady Question To Secretary Kristi Noem Also in In the News: This Conservative Said He Wears A Fake ICE Uniform For A Really, Really, Really Gross Reason
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
Hillary Clinton Compares Trump Parade Crowd To Protests
At this point, we all know just how OBSESSED Donald Trump appears to be with crowd sizes at his rallies, inauguration, and events. Even former President Barack Obama commented on Trump's fixation during his 2024 Democratic National Convention speech, when Obama seemed to suggest crowd sizes are akin to a penis measuring contest in the 79-year-old's mind. Well, this weekend was Trump's anticipated parade in honor of the US military's 250th anniversary (and perhaps his birthday.) And, well, the crowd sizes looked something like this... ...while protests against Trump's presidency on that same exact day looked like this across the US. It's a cheeky but honest comparison, and one that former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton couldn't help but poke fun at. In a now-viral Instagram post featuring side-by-sides of Trump's parade and the protests, Clinton urged followers to "compare and contrast" the scenes — three simple words that now have people chuckling. "Compare and contrast scenes from yesterday in America," she wrote in the post's caption. "On the one hand, Trump's low-energy Dear Leader parade (that cost you $45 million). On the other, millions of people across the country gathering peacefully to say: Here, we have no kings." In response, people commented the nation-wide protest's name and chant: "No Kings." And plenty commended Clinton for the not-so-subtle shade. "I love you so much for doing this, Hillary!!!" one person wrote. "The shade of it all!" What are your thoughts on Clinton's response to the protests? Let us know in the comments.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez vs. Trump—Which Policies Americans Prefer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new poll has examined whether Americans prefer the policies embraced by Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or President Donald Trump. Newsweek has reached out to the White House and Ocasio-Cortez's office for comment via email. Why It Matters Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive firebrand from New York, has been floated as a potential presidential White House candidate for 2028. There has also been speculation that should could attempt to primary Senator Chuck Schumer, the longtime party leader in the upper chamber. She would likely be a favorite among the party's more progressive voters in a White House bid, but some more moderate Democrats have raised concerns that the self-described "Democratic-Socialist" could be less electable in the general election against a Republican, such as Vice President JD Vance who could run to succeed Trump. The latest poll from the Napolitan Institute could be an early indicator about how voters are feeling about the 2028 race, and whether they are inclined to back Ocasio-Cortez, or a similarly progressive candidate, over a Republican. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19, 2024. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19, 2024. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images What To Know The poll of 2,000 registered voters, conducted from June 9 to June 12, asked Americans who they would support in a four-way race between a Republican supporting Trump's policies, a more traditional Republican, a Democrat supporting Ocasio-Cortez's policies or a more traditional Democrat. The poll asked respondents to assume "equal skill and temperament" among all candidates and to focus more on which policies they would cast a ballot for. The largest number of voters said they would be inclined to support a Trump-aligned Republican, with 35 percent making that choice. Just 17 percent said they would be likely to vote for a Democrat supporting Ocasio-Cortez's policies. Seventeen percent said they would also back a more traditional Republican, while 22 percent said they would support a more traditional Democrat. An additional 9 percent said they were unsure who they would vote for in the scenarios presented. The poll could be an indication which ideas Americans gravitate toward, but it doesn't account for factors like candidate quality—or how voters who prefer more traditional party candidates would sway in an election against a Trump-aligned candidate against Ocasio-Cortez. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points. The Napolitan poll comes as other recent polls have gauged how popular Ocasio-Cortez is compared to Trump. A YouGov poll, which surveyed 1,610 adults from May 30 to June 2 found that 44 percent of Americans said they view Trump favorably, compared to 51 percent who view him unfavorably. Only four percent did not have a clear opinion on the president. The same poll found that 34 percent view Ocasio-Cortez favorably, compared to 40 percent who view her unfavorably. However, more than a quarter—26 percent—of respondents said they did not know how they viewed the New York lawmaker. Meanwhile, at AtlasIntel poll last month showed Ocasio-Cortez with stronger numbers than Trump. Forty-six percent of respondents viewed her favorably, while 44 percent viewed her negatively. Trump was viewed positively by 44 percent and negatively by 55 percent of respondents. The poll included 3,469 respondents and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. It was carried out from May 21 through May 27. What People Are Saying Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Fox News in April when asked about her future plans: "This moment isn't about campaigns, or elections, or about politics. It's about making sure people are protected, and we've got people that are getting locked up for exercising their First Amendment rights. We're getting 2-year-olds that are getting deported into cells in Honduras. We're getting people that are about to get kicked off of Medicaid. That, to me, is most important." Monica Crowley, a former official in the Treasury Department during the first Trump administration, told Fox News last November: "Just a word of warning to the Republicans, to my party: Do not underestimate AOC. She's young, she's vibrant, she's attractive." What Happens Next Ocasio-Cortez has not made her future plans clear and most White House candidates are unlikely to announce their bids until after the 2026 midterms.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington Democratic leader gets second chance at key post with national party
Washington state Democratic Party chair Shasti Conrad (left) and Democratic U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington (right) at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Shasti Conrad/WA Dems) Washington state Democratic Party chair Shasti Conrad is getting another shot at a leadership post with the Democratic National Committee and a voice in retooling the political strategy for the national party. Conrad is one of three women vying for a vice chair position in a do-over of the Feb. 1 election won by Malcolm Kenyatta. In that bid, Conrad made the case to voting delegates that the formula that brought Democrats success in Washington last year — a sweep of nine statewide executive posts, gains in their majorities in the Legislature and defeat of three conservative-backed ballot measures — is one the party can use to win back control of Congress and the White House. Her message hasn't changed heading into balloting this weekend. 'We've won elections year after year. Today, through recruitment efforts and organizing, we're gaining ground in red communities,' she says in a one-minute video sent to the roughly 400 people who will vote. If elected, she vowed to 'focus on winning elections, constituency organizing, and changing lives for the better.' In February, Kenyatta and David Hogg were elected as vice chairs. But those contests were invalidated after a complaint that contended the party failed to follow its own rules on gender parity in officer elections. DNC members decided this week to rerun elections for those seats. Only candidates who made it to the final round of voting in February and are eligible for each seat under party rules, can compete. The new elections are being conducted separately, with ballots cast virtually. Hogg, a 25-year-old gun-control activist and the party's first Gen Z vice chair, isn't running to keep his seat. He's faced backlash from fellow Democrats for his plans to support challengers to incumbent Democrats with his group, Leaders We Deserve. His critics contend that party officers need to be neutral in primaries. Hogg's exit left Kenyatta as the only eligible candidate in the first election because the position must be filled by a male under the DNC rules. Voting began Thursday and ends Saturday for the spot held by Hogg. Conrad, Kalyn Free, a national committee member from Oklahoma, and Jeanna Repass, chair of the Kansas Democratic Party, are competing to be second vice chair. A candidate of any gender can hold this seat. For this position, voting begins at 7 a.m. Sunday and runs through 2 p.m. Tuesday. Free filed the complaint that set the new elections in motion. Conrad led the King County Democrats for four years before being elected chair of the state Democratic Party in 2023 and re-elected in January. She is the first South Asian woman to lead a state party. She enjoys strong ties to DNC Chair Ken Martin, who appointed her in March to be an associate chair for the national party. In this role, she said she's strived to spotlight issues of importance to Asian Americans and to work with influencers on ways to better engage younger voters.
