Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the crowd during a rally in South Carolina
Donald Trump used the occasion of Volodymyr Zelensky’s virtual address to Congress to brag about his supposed rescue of the Nato alliance – this despite his history of derogatory remarks.
“People forget so quickly, with the help of the Fake News, that it was me that got the 20 out of 28 delinquent Nato countries to start paying the money that they owed in order to rebuild a floundering Nato,” Mr Trump claimed.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr has been mocked on social media after he suggested his father should join America’s Nato allies for high-stakes talks about the war in Ukraine.
He said sending President Joe Biden to talks would “embolden our enemies further” whereas his father would “get something done”.
Analysis: GOP pounces on Biden after Zelensky’s speech
Reporting from Washington, The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg has this rundown of the Republican response to Volodymyr Zelensky’s congressional address yesterday. As he explains, the party used the address not just to call for more assistance to Ukraine, but to repeat the same attack lines they’ve been using for months:
Read the full article below.
Andrew Naughtie17 March 2022 11:04
Greene puts up a fight – and makes yet another gaffe
Having not long ago warned of the fascistic excesses of the “gazpacho police”, Marjorie Taylor Greene has now added a new term to the American political lexicon: “commander and chief”.
The tweet wasn’t one of her best. Her diametrically opposed Republican colleague Adam Kinzinger had this to say…
Andrew Naughtie17 March 2022 10:13
Explainer: How the Ukraine “biolabs” conspiracy theory got a foothold on the right
The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe takes a look at how a fringe theory pushed by the Kremlin has become a top talking point in certain corners of the far-right commentariat, including for Fox News’s Tucker Carlson – this even as Russia and its assault on Ukraine prove extraordinarily unpopular among the American public.
Stuti Mishra17 March 2022 09:30
Chris Cuomo turns on ex-colleagues in bid to win CNN payout
Former CNN host Chris Cuomo is demanding a $125m (£954,430) payout from the cable channel for wrongly firing him over his efforts to help his politician brother through a sexual harassment scandal.
Mr Cuomo was dismissed last year after an investigation revealed the extent of his advice and aid to his brother Andrew Cuomo, who was governor of New York state until resigning last August amid numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.
But in a demand for arbitration filed with the dispute resolution firm Jams on Wednesday, Mr Cuomo’s lawyers launched a series of stinging attacks on his former colleagues and bosses, including his counterpart in “bromance” Don Lemon.
Stuti Mishra17 March 2022 09:00
As Ukraine war rages, diplomats near Iran nuclear agreement
As the war in Ukraine rages on, diplomats trying to salvage the languishing 2015 Iran nuclear deal have been forging ahead with negotiations despite distractions caused by the conflict.
They now appear to be near the cusp of a deal that would bring the US back into the accord and bring Iran back into compliance with limits on its nuclear program.
Stuti Mishra17 March 2022 08:15
Pundit under fire for criticising Zelensky’s outfit at Congress speech
A Republican financier has come under fire for crassly criticising the outfit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wore during his speech to US lawmakers.
Peter Schiff, a former congressional candidate in Connecticut and the chief economist at Wall Street giant Euro Pacific Capital, took aim at Mr Zelensky at the conclusion of his joint address to Congress on Wednesday morning.
Mr Zelensky made the remarks from his office in Kyiv, dressed in a green t-shirt that’s become a staple of his wartime wardrobe since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last month.
“I understand times are hard, but doesn’t the President of the #Ukraine own a suit?” Mr Schiff asked.
Stuti Mishra17 March 2022 07:32
Ex-Congressman Victor Fazio of California dies at 79
Victor Fazio, a Democratic congressman from California who served for 20 years and rose to become an influential party leader in the House, has died. He was 79.
Fazio’s death was announced Wednesday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, although her office didn’t provide details.
Fazio represented the Sacramento area from 1997 to 1999 and was a member of the House Appropriations and Armed Services committees.
Stuti Mishra17 March 2022 06:27
ICYMI: Trump rules out Pence as 2024 running mate – if he runs
Donald Trump says he wouldn’t have Mike Pence as his running mate in a potential 2024 campaign, deepening the rift between the two Republicans even further.
“I don’t think the people would accept it,” Mr Trump told the conservative Washington Examinerappearing to rule out the possibility.
The former president and vice president had a falling out after the 2020 election, which Mr Trump lost but falsely claimed was stolen.
Nathan Place has more on the story.
Stuti Mishra17 March 2022 05:57
Trump calls Mo Brooks ‘disappointing’ in Alabama Senate race
Former President Donald Trump told a news outlet that he is displeased with the performance of Rep. Mo Brooks, the candidate he endorsed for Alabama’s US Senate race, and suggested he is open to backing another candidate,
“Mo Brooks is disappointing,” Mr Trump told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday, according to a report published Wednesday.
Stuti Mishra17 March 2022 05:14
Putin may have been ‘playing’ Trump comment sets off row at Fox News
Fox News host Jeannine Pirro exploded at her co-host Geraldo Rivera after he suggested Russian president Vladimir Putin was “playing Trump”.
The Five panelists were discussing the invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday night when Pirro launched into a diatribe about United States president Joe Biden.
Stuti Mishra17 March 2022 04:25