Trump as dictator: Donald Trump in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox last night said he would become a dictator on his first day in office and abuse presidential powers if he’s returned to the White House. Hannity had twice asked Trump leading questions designed to give him opportunities to deny that he’d exceed his authority and act as a dictator. Instead, Trump gave different answers, doubling down on his previous statements that he planned to abuse power, break the law and use the government to crack down on people he perceives to be his enemies. The interview was recorded in front of a pro-Trump audience in Iowa where Trump was campaigning.
Norman Lear dies: Television producer Norman Lear has died at age 101 at his home in Los Angeles. His family said that they were with him at the time, and he had joined them in singing songs and telling stories until the end. Lear created and produced more than 100 TV series and movies, many of which covered controversial subjects. Among his most influential series were “All in the Family,” “Maude,” “Good Times,” and “The Jeffersons.” Lear was a TV pioneer in the truest sense, having started his career in the early days of TV when he was a writer for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on “The Colgate Comedy Hour.”
Tuberville caves: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has blasted Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville for having caused pointless and grave damage to members of the U.S. military and their families by blocking for months the Senate confirmation of hundreds of military appointments and promotions. Tuberville finally relented and the Senate yesterday confirmed 440 military personnel changes. Tuberville was trying to force the military to change its policy of paying travel expenses for personnel who needed to travel to a different state from where they were stationed in order to receive medical care. The policy remains unchanged.
FBI monitoring: FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday that lawmakers need to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act so that the FBI can continue to monitor communications of suspicious foreigners outside of the U.S. Wray said that if the law is not renewed by the end of the year when it expires the FBI will be at least partially crippled in its intelligence activities. Some Republicans have opposed renewing the law, arguing that it allows the FBI to monitor Americans in the U.S. if they happen to be communicating with foreigners outside of the U.S.
Putin’s escort: Four Russian fighter jets escorted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plane for his trip to the United Arab Emirates this morning. Putin was scheduled to later travel to Saudi Arabia. According to the Kremlin, the talks were expected to focus on the current oil market as well as the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Putin has been trying to strengthen Russia’s ties with the Palestinians including Hamas as well as Arab countries including Iran, which has been supplying Russia with arms to use in its war against Ukraine.
Person of the Year: Taylor Swift has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year. Time said she was selected because of her influence on popular music, young people and the music business. Swift was praised by Time for having brought together art and commerce in a highly successful way. Last year, Time selected Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as its Person of the Year for his efforts to keep Ukrainian democracy alive in the face of the invasion by Russia.
Cover photo courtesy of AMC Theatres
