Trump picks targeted in bomb threats, ‘swatting’ incidents
Several of Donald Trump’s new team members have been hit with death threats and “swatting” attempts, the FBI has confirmed.
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Several of Donald Trump’s picks for his incoming White House team have been targeted by bomb threats, the FBI has confirmed.
The Trump appointees have also been subjected to “swatting incidents”, in which hoax calls are made to attract a police response to the target’s home.
The calls are intended to draw SWAT teams to a location and can lead to deadly outcomes.
New York Republican Elise Stefanik, who Mr Trump has named as US ambassador to the United Nations, was the first to say her home had been the target of a bomb threat, the BBC reports.
The congresswoman was told of the bomb threat while she was driving with her husband and three-year-old son from Washington to New York for Thanksgiving.
In a statement, the FBI said it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees” and working with other law enforcement agencies to respond.
“We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement,” the statement said.
Karoline Leavitt, Mr Trump’s new press secretary, said the Trump appointees “were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them”.
She said several people had been targeted and “law enforcement acted quickly to ensure” their safety.
“With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us,” she said.
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ZUCKERBERG MEETS DONALD TRUMP FOR DINNER
Mark Zuckerberg met Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thursday, with an advisor to the president-elect saying the tech billionaire “wants to support the national renewal of America.”
The 40-year-old chief executive of Meta - which owns Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp - has been carefully trying to mend ties with Trump.
Both have had a strained relationship over the years, with Facebook being among social media networks that banned Trump after the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
But on Thursday, a Meta spokesperson said: “Mark was grateful for the invitation to join President Trump for dinner and the opportunity to meet with members of his team about the incoming Administration.”
TRUMP WANTS CIVIL FRAUD RULING QUASHED
Donald Trump has sought to have a civil judgment against him for fraud and a $US464 million penalty set aside “for the greater good of the country” as he prepares to return to power.
Mr Trump’s lawyers filed a letter Tuesday US time with New York attorney general Letitia James, who brought the proceeding against the president-elect for manipulating his assets when applying for loans and insurances.
Judge Arthur Engoron ruled against Trump in February, going on to order the mogul-turned-politician pay the penalty, including interest, while his sons Eric and Don Jr. were told to hand over more than $US4 million each.
Mr Trump subsequently sought to challenge the civil ruling as well as the scale and terms of the penalty, which has continued to accrue interest while he appeals.
“We write to request that you completely dismiss the above-referenced case against President Donald J. Trump, his family, and his businesses, and stipulate to vacate the Judgement and dismiss all claims with prejudice,” said the letter from attorney John Sauer, Trump’s nominee for solicitor general.
“In the aftermath of his historic election victory, President Trump has called for our Nation’s partisan strife to end, and for the contending factions to join forces for the greater good of the country.
“This call for unity extends to the legal onslaught against him.”
‘PROUD’ HARRIS THANKS SUPPORTERS, REPUBLICANS MOCK VIDEO
Democrat Kamala Harris came in for a deluge of mockery by Republicans and right-wing US media after the release of a short video clip from her first public comments since losing to Donald Trump.
The Democratic Party posted a 28-second clip from longer remarks made by Ms Harris in a video conference call to thank supporters from her failed November 5 bid.
In the 13-minute call, which also featured remarks by Ms Harris’s running mate Tim Walz, she said her supporters would not “get knocked down” after running the “unprecedented” emergency campaign against Mr Trump in the wake of President Joe Biden’s shock decision to abandon his re-election attempt.
“The outcome of this election, obviously, is not what we wanted. It is not what we worked so hard for, but I am proud of the race we ran,” she
said.
But the clip posted on the Democratic Party’s X account was cast by Republicans, amplified across Fox News-affiliated websites, as a PR disaster.
“The dial-up modem sound played on an infinite loop is more bearable than 28 seconds of whatever this is,” said Republican Representative Virginia Fox.
“I’d read a 5,000 word article on how this got approved for release,” said Ben Williamson, a conservative who works as a staffer in the
House of Representatives.
Some went further, making memes and in one case a doctored video to claim Ms Harris was drinking.
In the clip chosen by the Democratic Party from the extended conference call, Harris sought to buoy supporters, saying, “Don’t you ever let anybody take your power from you. You have the same power that you did before November 5th.”
“You have the same ability to engage and inspire. So don’t ever let anybody or any circumstance take your power from you,” she said.
Andrew Yang, an entrepreneur who became famous for an outsider’s 2020 presidential run, said the published clip was taken out of context, but shouldn’t have been published.
“The Kamala Harris video is pulled from a grassroots event she did, I’m not sure amplifying it is the right move.
TRUMP NAMES ART COLLECTOR AS NAVY BOSS
US president-elect Donald Trump has named one of his top donors, a private investor who has never served his country, in the role of Secretary of the navy.
Unlike most who serve in the role, John Phelan, 60, has no military background.
Mr Phelan co-founded MSD Capital – the private equity firm established to manage the wealth of technology baron, Michael Dell of Dell computers.
The Florida native, who also owns a second private investment firm Rugger Management LLC, now calls Colorado home where he and his wife Amy share a A$59 million mansion.
Their daughter Mackenzie Moon Phelan is socialite with a glamorous Instagram presence.
The Phelans has an impressive fine art collection which includes not only Picassos but also works by Andy Warhol.
According to US Federal Election Commission records, Mr Phelan donated just under A$1.3 million to the Trump campaign.
In contrast, the current Secretary of the navy, Carlos Del Toro, who retired with the rank of Commander, had a 22 year naval career with highlights including serving as the First Commanding Officer of the guided missile destroyer USS Bulkeley.
Mr Trump however wants to lean into Mr Phelan’s business and technology acumen for the role.
“John will be a tremendous force for our Naval Servicemembers, and a steadfast leader in advancing my America First vision. He will put the business of the US navy above all else,” Mr Trump said in a statement.
“John’s intelligence and leadership are unmatched.
“John holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School, and is a truly brilliant guy!
“His incredible knowledge and experience will elevate the lives of the brave Americans who serve our Nation.”
‘I HAVE TO REACT’: MEXICO LAYS DOWN TARIFF ULTIMATUM
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has threatened to reciprocate President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariffs on importing goods from the US.
She pointed to carmakers such as General Motors and Ford operating in Mexico to the benefit of both countries.
“One tariff would be followed by another in response, and so on until we put at risk common businesses,” Ms Sheinbaum said.
“Why put a tax on them that puts them at risk? It is not acceptable and would cause inflation and job losses in the United States and Mexico,” the president said.
Ms Sheinbaum said “co-operation and mutual understanding” are required to address the flow of illicit drugs and migrants over the border, Mr Trump’s stated goals in announcing the levies.
Mexico’s Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard made similar remarks on Radio Fórmula on November 11.
“If you apply a 25 per cent tariff to me, I have to react with tariffs, and I am your main importer, along with Canada,” Mr Ebrard said.
‘DICTATOR’: TRUMP’S ALLEGED ASSASSIN SPEAKS FORM JAIL
The man accused of the second thwarted assassination attempt on US President-elect Donald Trump during his election campaign has bemoaned the two party system and contemplates “civil war” during a rambling letter to media written from his jailhouse.
Hawaii’s Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was charged with attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, firearms offences and assaulting a Secret Service officer over the September 15 incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Routh sent a copy of the letter to Politico with a similar missive also posted to the Palm Beach Post.
In the letter, where Routh refers to himself as the “Trump Alleged Shooter”, the accused referred to Mr Trump as a “dictator” and urged the current administration “to remove the power of our military by the President and place it with Congress before January.”
“We must limit all Presidential power before Trump seizes our country,” Routh wrote.
The alleged gunman also called on the American public to “to encircle the capitol” if Mr Trump lost and contemplated the possibility of another “civil war”.
Routh also details how he holds equal contempt for both major American political parties.
“I am unclear how we allowed ourselves to fall into just a two-party system but it infuriates me,” Routh wrote.
“My entire life has been plagued by D’s and R’s. It seems not long ago there was a push for the libertarian party and now a green party and maybe Truth party.
“But for some reason our leaders have not allowed any other party (to) be recognised in any race.”
Routh named peace in the Middle East as one of the causes close to his heart.
“We must demand that Israel stop their attacks and demand that all parties come to the table and find common ground,” Routh wrote.
He encouraged President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to meet with “the new president of Iran and Hamas, Hezbollah and [the Houthis for] as long as it takes.”
“My fellowmen, please demand peace,” Routh ended his letter.
‘THIS IS INSANE’
California Governor Gavin Newsom has enraged Tesla boss Elon Musk by signalling he will implement a state tax rebate on purchasing electric cars if Mr Trump moves to eliminate a federal tax rebate.
However, Gov Newsom said this rebate will exclude Tesla due to their overwhelming market share in order to promote competition and encourage smaller manufacturers.
“Even though Tesla is the only company who manufactures their EVs in California! This is insane,” Mr Musk tweeted on his social media platform X.
Even though Tesla is the only company who manufactures their EVs in California!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 25, 2024
This is insane. https://t.co/EhVeG2TYqT
The Democrat governor has been fiercely critical of Mr Trump throughout the election campaign while Mr Musk has become one of Mr Trump’s staunchest allies.
Gov Newsom was previously married to former Fox News presenter Kimberly Guilfoyle from 2001 to 2006. Ms Guilfoyle is now engaged to Mr Trump’s son Don Jr.
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Originally published as Trump picks targeted in bomb threats, ‘swatting’ incidents