August 23, 2024, presidential campaign news | CNN Politics (2024)

Former President Donald Trump on Friday argued the Republican Party was leading on vitro fertilization programs, as Democrats warn a Trump victory in November would threaten reproductive rights, including IVF.

Trump has said he supports IVF treatments and earlier this year urged the Alabama state legislature to protect access to IVF after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos are children and that those who destroy them can be held liable for wrongful death. The GOP-controlled state legislature later passed a law aimed at protecting IVF patients and providers from legal liability and it was signed by the state’s Republican governor.

But Republicans who expressed support for IVF in the wake of the controversial Alabama Supreme Court ruling came under scrutiny for also backing legislation that declared human life as beginning at conception, which did not include an exception for IVF.

Trump earlier in the daysaid if reelected, his administration would be “great for women and their reproductive rights,” despite regularly touting his role in eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion that had been upheld for nearly half a century.

Trump regularly takes credit for appointing conservative Supreme Court justices who overturned the landmark abortion ruling Roe v. Wade and rolled back abortion rights and protections across the country.

Vice President Kamala Harris, during her speech at the Democratic convention Thursday night, advocated for protecting access to reproductive health care and attacked Trump and his Republican allies over abortion. Harris specifically pointed to the IVF treatments that were halted in Alabama after the controversial state Supreme Court ruling before the legislation was passed protecting access to the treatment.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, speaks at a campaign rally on Friday, August 23, in Glendale, Arizona.

Former President Donald Trump on Friday criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech at the Democratic National Convention and her repeated mentions and attacks on him.

He said Harris “mentioned my name 21 times” and he went on to criticize her mention of him during the speech and accused her of not mentioning issues like border security and inflation.

But Harris did mention the border during her speech, and the vice president criticized Trump’s role in tanking a bipartisan border bill earlier this year.Trump lobbied Republicans to oppose the border compromise in part because he wanted to campaign on the issue and didn’t want President Joe Biden, who has since ended his 2024 campaign, to secure a victory in that area.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump, on Friday, August 23, in Glendale, Arizona.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Donald Trump as he joined the former president on stage at an Arizona rally Friday hours after suspending his own campaign.

Kennedy said Trump shares his views on foreign policy, government censorship and “ending the chronic disease epidemic.”

In his remarks, Kennedy detailed how he met with Trump last month following the assassination attempt, and then again in Florida weeks later, to speak about their common values.

Before calling on Kennedy to the lectern, Trump said he will ask Kennedy to work on a panel that would investigate “the decades-long increase in chronic health problems, including autoimmune disorders, autism, obesity, infertility and many more.”

Kennedy said in his remarks that Trump told him he wants to “end the grip of neo-cons on American foreign policy” and reduce the scale US military presence abroad.

He added that the two are aligned in opposition to censorship, an issue that was at the core of Kennedy’s campaign. Kennedy has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration for working with social media companies to combat misinformation online.

Kennedy ended his remarks without explicitly stating he is endorsing Trump. As he finished graphics and banners were displayed around the arena stating “RFK Jr. endorses Trump.”

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally on Friday, August 23, in Glendale, Arizona.

Former President Donald Trump said Friday that, if elected, he will create an independent commission to investigate assassination attempts.

At a rally in Arizona, where he was joined by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump said the commission would be “tasked with releasing all of the remaining documents pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.”

“And they will also conduct a rigorous review of the attack last month,” Trump added, referring to the attempt to assassinate him at a July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Trump called the move a “tribute in honor of Bobby,” as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stood onstage next to him hours after suspending his campaign and throwing support behind the former president. Kennedy is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy.

Trump has previously said he would release the full tranche of recordsrelating to the assassination of John F. Kennedy if he wins a second term. His pledge comes after agreeing, while in office, to only release some records and keep others secret at the request of national security agencies.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. waves to the crowd as Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally on Friday, August 23, in Glendale, Arizona.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now speaking at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Glendale, Arizona.

Kennedy suspended his independent presidential campaign today and endorsed Trump.

Former President Donald Trump said he was “very honored” to have the endorsement of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He called Kennedy a “great asset” while floating the possibility of appointing Kennedy to a role in his administration.

The interview comes after Kennedy announcedat a news conference Friday that he’s suspending his campaign and endorsing Trump.

Trump said that he hasn’t discussed with Kennedy about a role in his administration, should he win, but noted “I think he adds a lot.”

“I think he adds a lot to the election, and I think he adds a lot to if we win,” Trump said. “I mean he’s got some very interesting ideas and good ideas.”

Kennedy is currently on stage with Trump at a rally in Arizona.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump walks on stage to speak at a campaign rally on Friday, August 23 , in Glendale, Arizona.

Former President Donald Trump is now speaking at a rally in Glendale, Arizona.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to join Trump tonight as a special guest onstage, according to a Trump adviser. Kennedy suspended his campaign earlier Friday and gave his support to Trump.

A source familiar with the matter told CNN that Kennedywould be campaigning with and for Trump in the coming weeks.

More than 100 attendees at Donald Trump's rally in Glendale, Arizona, were treated for heat-related illness on Friday, August 23.

More than 100 people have been treated for heat-related illnesses while waiting in Glendale, Arizona, for former President Donald Trump’s rally, The Arizona Republicreported.

Assistant Chief Tim Pirtle with the Glendale Fire Department said the “sheer volume of patients delayed Glendale firefighters’ ability to treat and transport people to the hospital,” according to the daily newspaper.

At least 20 of those treated “resulted in transport for additional medical assistance,” Brent Stoddard, Glendale deputy city manager, told CNN in an email Friday evening.

CNN has reached out to the Glendale Fire Department and the mayor’s office for more information.

The current temperature in Glendale is 106 degrees, according to the CNN Weather Team.

In June, 11 people were transported to hospitals after reports of heat exhaustion at a Trump event in Phoenix.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to join former President Donald Trump tonight as a special guest onstage at his Glendale, Arizona, rally, a Trump adviser tells CNN.

This comes after Kennedy suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump earlier today.A source familiar with the matter told CNN that Kennedywould be campaigning with and for Trump in the coming weeks.

Republican Presidential candidate, former President, Donald Trump speaks at II Toro E La Capra on Friday, August 23, in Las Vegas, Nevada. T

Former President Donald Trump on Friday claimed Vice President Kamala Harris was copying his campaign proposal and accused her of not being genuine in her positions while speaking at an event promoting his policy of eliminating taxes on tips.

Trump first proposed eliminating taxes on tips for hospitality and service workers at a rally in Nevada in early June. Harris endorsed the same policy at a rally in Las Vegas this month, as both candidates seek to win support from the sizable population of service industry workers in the battleground state.

Trump said he doesn’t think “anybody’s buying it” when it comes to Harris’s support for no tax on tips and accused the vice president of being a liar on her policies.

He mocked Harris’ primetime speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, mimicking her saying “thank you” several times to cheering supporters after she came on stage.

“What the hell is wrong with her?” Trump said. “But then she recovered. She did much better, but she didn’t tell anything. She didn’t say anything. She talked about her family, how beautiful San Francisco was,” he added, before accusing Harris of destroying her home state.

Vice President Kamala Harris has repeatedly said the defining goal of a Harris administration would be to uplift the middle class.

She is leaning into this message of economic prosperity for all Americans in a new ad following the Democratic National Convention this week, aiming to portray herself as the candidate most committed to ensuring every person gets ahead.

Harris goes on to call for “an opportunity economy” where everyone has a chance to get a car loan, buy a home and start a business.

According to a statement from the campaign, “Opportunity” is part of an eight-figure ad buy targeting voters in battleground states and will air in media markets in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Balloons fall at the end of the final night of the DNC on Thursday, August 22, in Chicago.

The final evening of the Democratic National Convention drew in 26.2 million viewers across 15 television networks, according to Nielsen, cementing the DNC’s ratings dominance over the Republican convention.

Viewership on Thursday night peaked as Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage in Chicago to deliver her address from 10:31 p.m. to 11:11 p.m. ET, drawing an average of 28.9 million viewers. MSNBC attracted the most viewers with 6.5 million, followed by CNN with 3.9 million. MSNBC said it was the network’s most watched DNC night in its history.

The final evening of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which took place less than a week after an assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, drew 25.38 million viewers, with the audience for Trump’s speech jumping to 28.4 million viewers.

Ratings for streaming platforms such as YouTube or Twitch are not counted by Nielsen.

The DNC’s television ratings were likely boosted by rampant speculation Thursday that Beyoncé would appear or perform at the DNC.

In the run up to Harris’ address, social media buzzed with rumors that Beyoncé might perform at the final night of the convention.Then, shortly before 8 p.m. ET, celebrity news site TMZ reported that Beyonce’s appearance was a certainty. But two hours later, at 10:01p.m. ET, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed with Beyonce’s publicist that he superstar would not be in attendance.

A person familiar with the matter told CNN that the Harris campaign and convention officials never confirmed to reporters that Beyoncé would appear and had “waved off” reporters trying to confirm it. TMZ, the person added, did not reach out to the campaign or convention officials for comment before posting its story.

TMZ did not respond to CNN requests for comment regarding its story.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at ll Toro E La Capra, on Friday, August 23, in Las Vegas.

Former President Donald Trump on Friday dodged when asked by CNN how he plans to pay for his economic plan that includes tax cuts that would add to the federal deficit.

Sixteen Nobel Prize-winning economists sent a stark warning in a letter in June that Trump’s agenda — specifically the raising of tariffs on China and international trading partners, extending his 2017 tax cuts and cutting the corporate tax rate even further — would not only “reignite inflation” but would have “a negative impact on the US’ economic standing in the world and a destabilizing effect on the US’ domestic economy.”

Trump has also opposed any changes to entitlement programs like Medicare or Social Security to help offset some of the costs of his cuts.

He said under his administration the country took in “more income with a lower rate,” saying companies “like Apple and others” were “bringing money in from Europe and other places,” and added that “they were bringing in billions of dollars that they would have never brought in except for what I did.”

Campaign signs and empty water bottles are seen on the ground of a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Former President Donald Trump said Friday that he has “great confidence” in the Secret Service, even after multiple employees of the agency involved in the Pennsylvania rally where he survived an assassination attempt were reassigned to administrative duties.

“I’ve been dealing with them a long time,” Trump said of the agency, saying he didn’t know anything about the specific reassigned agents. Trump said “a lot has been learned” from the shooting and that those lessons will “make it better, and it’ll make it safer.”

But Trump also blamed President Joe Biden’s administration for not giving a sufficient number of agents to mitigate risks at his “massive rallies.”

CNN has reported that Trump’s security detail had complained they were not being given enough resources and personnel by the Secret Service over the past two years, and the agency acknowledged last month it denied some requests.

The Harris campaign tried to appeal to RFK Jr. voters in a statement Thursday following his announcement that he’s suspending his campaign, saying: “For any American out there who is tired of Donald Trump and looking for a new way forward, ours is a campaign for you.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife and actorCherylHineswave to the crowd after Kennedy announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 19, 2023.

ActressCherylHinessaid her husband Robert F.Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign has been an “eye-opening, transformative and endearing journey,” in a statement shared on social media after Kennedyannounced he was suspending his campaign and endorsing former President Donald Trump.

Hinesdid not mention her husband’s endorsement of the Republican presidential nomineein her statement.

In January 2024,Hinesand Kennedy joked about the impact of politics on their marriage.

On the red carpet for the final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” the couple spoke toVariety, and Kennedy was asked hypothetically if he wanted to be Trump’s running mate.

Hines’ representative had no further comment when reached by CNN.

Former president Donald Trump, left, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Former President Donald Trump wouldn’t say what potential future administration roles he might be considering for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. after the independent presidential candidate suspended his campaign on Friday and endorsed Trump.

In response to a question about cabinet or adviser roles for Kennedy, Trump told reporters after an event in Nevada that he’s headed to Arizona, where Kennedy just announced his endorsement, and that Kennedy is “really a terrific guy.”

Kennedy said during his speech on Friday that the former president had asked to “enlist him in his administration.” He did not specify what potential role Trump had offered him, but said it would deal with the “chronic disease epidemic.”

He also said he will stay on the ballot in most states, but will withdraw his name from appearing on ballots in swing states.

Trump told reporters “not everybody agrees with everything” Kennedy says, but added, “that’s true with everybody.” He went on to describe Kennedy as a “very respected” and “very beloved person.”

Kennedy has voiced controversial opinions, including casting doubt on the effectiveness of vaccines and claiming the coronavirus was “ethnically targeted” to spare Jews and Chinese people.

Trump wouldn’t directly answer when asked for his response to Kennedy’s previous assertion that the coronavirus vaccine was “the deadliest vaccine ever made,” telling the reporter, “Well, I’m gonna have to see because I haven’t seen him yet. I’m gonna see him in a little while.”

Trump also slammed Democrats for treating Kennedy “very badly” and said he thought that if Kennedy had run in the Democratic primary — as he originally planned to do before deciding to run as an independent instead — he would have defeated Biden. He further accused Democrats of coming up with “obstacles that were impossible” to prevent Kennedy from running in the party’s presidential primary.

Former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Donald Trumpand Kamala Harris are set to face off on the debate stage in a few weeks — a test for both candidates as Election Day looms.

The debate is scheduled for September 10 and will be hosted by ABC.

Now that the Democratic National Convention is over, Harris’ campaign has said the vice president is turning her focus to preparing for the event. Harris already held her first formal debate training session earlier this month at Howard University, the historicallyBlackcollege in Washington,DC,she attended nearly four decades ago.

She’s working closely with PhilippeReines, a longtime aide to Hillary Clinton, who is reprising his role playing Trump at the request of the Harris campaign, several people familiar with the planningtold CNN.

Trump, meanwhile, has revived the approach deployed ahead of his June debate with Biden, engaging in less formal policy sessions with close aides, advisers and allies in between campaign appearances and rounds of golf.

He also has enlisted one of the vice president’s ex-rivals to help with the preparations:Tulsi Gabbard,the former representative from Hawaii who ran for presidentas a Democratin 2020 in a crowded field that also included Harris.

During a Friday speechannouncing the suspension of his independent presidential campaign, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a wildly inaccurate claim about the extent to which President Joe Biden was mentioned at theRepublican National Conventionin July.

Facts First:Kennedy’s claim about Biden mentions at the Republican National Convention is not even close to true.A New York Times analysisof all the speeches at the RNC found that the word “Biden” was spoken a total of 393 times. The Republican vice presidential nominee, Sen. JD Vance, said the word “Biden”12 timesin his own convention speech.

Trumphimself said “Biden” twicein his convention speech (during a single reference), but Kennedy’s claim was about the Republicans’ four-day gathering as a whole.

Read more here.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate Nicole Shanahan speaks during a rally on May 13, in Austin, Texas.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate Nicole Shanahan praised the Independent presidential candidate following his decision to suspend his campaign, saying it was an honor to be on the ticket.

Shanahan, who was not in attendance at the Phoenix news conference where Kennedy announced the end of his campaign, thanked him for running.

Her statement comes after Kennedy said on Friday former President Donald Trump offered Kennedy a role in his administration and suggested the role would oversee a health care portfolio.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on August 22.

An online Democratic fundraising platform announced it raised $7.2 million during Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.

The platform, ActBlue, said money came in between 11 p.m. and midnight ET.

It also said it raised more than $100 million for Democratic-aligned campaigns in the past week throughout the convention.

Harrismade her case to voters during the speech and accepted the party’s presidential nomination. She contrasted her agenda on the economy, immigration and reproductive rights with that of her rival, former President Donald Trump.

The vice president isthe first Black woman and first Asian Americanto lead a major-party ticket.

Amara Ajagu watches as Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, speaks on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, on August 22.

Vice President Kamala Harris, her Thursday night speech accepting the Democratic nomination marked one of the most high-profile moments of a rapid rise to become the first Black and Asian woman to lead a major party’s presidential ticket.

One image, however, has captured what the moment could mean for young girls.

Shot by New York Times staff photographer Todd Heisler, the photo features Amara Ajagu, one of the vice president’s young grandnieces, staring on as Harris delivered her address to the convention. More so than most little girls, Ajagu can say that Harris could be the first president who looks like her.

Harris’ potential to be the first has been an undercurrent of her presidential runs since her first campaign in 2020. Though she opted for a dark suit Thursday, instead of the suffragette white worn by an overwhelming number of Democratic women in the convention center, the historic nature of the moment was top of mind for many throughout the week.

Several speakers talked about those who ran before her, from former New York Rep. Shirley Chisholm — who in 1972 became the first Black woman to run for a major party nomination — to 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The photo is also a reminder of the role Harris’ family played in the convention. Prior to the vice president’s speech, Amara and her younger sister Leela led the crowd in a lesson on how to pronounce their great-aunt’s first name: “Comma,” like the punctuation mark, then “La,” like the sing-song la, la, la.

Former President Donald Trump spoke about tips during a campaign stop at a Las Vegas restaurant on Friday, promising workers would “keep 100% ofyour tip income” and saying Vice President Kamala Harris “copied us” on the proposal.

Both Trump and Harris are making the play for service and hospitality workers’ votes by promising to eliminate taxes on tips.

But the move likely wouldn’t help many tipped workers, largely because a sizable share don’t earn enough to pay federal income taxes, experts say.

Neither Trump, whoannounced the ideaat a Las Vegas rally in June, nor Harris, whovoiced her support for the policyin Las Vegas earlier this month, have released detailed proposals, which would have to go through Congress. Among the questions are how much tipped income would be free of taxes, whether any guardrails would be put in place to prevent fraud and abuse and whether both federal income and payroll taxes would be eliminated.

About 4 million people worked in tipped occupations in 2023, or about 2.5% of all employment, according to the Budget Lab at Yale University, a policy research center.

Nearly two-thirds of tipped restaurant workers would not benefit from the proposals since they don’t earn enough to pay federal income taxes, according to an analysis by One Fair Wage, an advocacy group.

The proposals wouldn’t do much for low- and moderate-income workers in general. Even among workers at the bottom of the income ladder making less than $17.66 an hour, only 5% are in tipped jobs, the Budget Lab found.

Read more about how eliminating taxes on tips could affect workers.

Independent presidential candidateRobertF.KennedyJr. makes an announcement on the future of his campaign in Phoenix, Arizona, on August 23.

For the better part of the pastyear, asRobert F. Kennedy Jr.built and maintained a small but significant base of support for his quixotic White House bid, the two major parties wrestled with an increasingly pressing question: Whose presidential aspirations might be most damaged by an independent aligned with the conspiratorial right but bearing a famous Democratic name?

Now, with Kennedy havingsuspended his campaign, both parties will be closely watching who his followers gravitate toward in the closing months before Election Day.

He also said Friday that he would “throw (his) support to President Trump.”

Though his odds of victorywere quickly diminishing –a recent CBS News pollmeasured his support at just 2% – Kennedy’s decision to bow out 74 days before the election nevertheless presents another twist to a race already unlike any other. And amid a momentum shift that has catapulted the newly installed Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, into close contention with Trump, there is hope within the former president’s operation that Kennedy’s exit could prove decisive if certain battlegrounds are decided by thousands of ballots, just as they were in 2020.

It’s hardly certain what Kennedy’sbackers will do. Whether many of them ever intended to vote for him or at all is difficult to gauge, and some may choose to sit theelection out without an alternative on the ballot.

Still, the Trump campaign has long worried that Kennedy’s campaign,built on conspiracies and anti-vaccine rhetoric,pulled directly from their side, especially in a handful of key states. Trump’s advisers now see an opening to court some of Kennedy’s voters, particularly those Americans who sit at the overlap between supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ past presidential campaigns and the GOP’s anti-establishment right wing.

There is a presumption among Trump’s team and his allies that conservative-leaningmothers — a demographic the Republican nominee has struggled to win over— could also be swayed. Women were more likely to support Kennedy than men, according to a recentPew Research Center survey, though other polls haven’t shown a meaningful difference.

Some of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s siblings condemned his decision to support former President Donald Trump, calling it a “betrayal of the values that our father and family hold most dear,” in a statement on Friday.

It was issued in the names of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Chris Kennedy, Rory Kennedy and reiterated their support for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz.

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Asheboro, North Carolina, on August 21.

Former President Donald Trump thanked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his “very nice endorsement” and previewed that he will be traveling to Arizona, where Kennedy is expected to be.

Trump’s remarks at a Las Vegas restaurant came shortly after Kennedy suspended his campaign. The Independent candidate announced that he will withdraw his name from ballots in battleground states and threw his support behind the former president.

Following his endorsement of the former president today, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will campaign with and for Donald Trump, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN.

Allies of both RFK Jr. and Trump have encouraged Kennedy to promote the former president on various platforms, including Tucker Carlson’s show and Joe Rogan’s podcast, with the hope that Kennedy can convince some of his staunchest supporters to back Trump in the election.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said former President Donald Trump asked to “enlist him in his administration” during his news conference in Phoenix on Friday.

Kennedy said the offer came in two meetings with Trump, first in the days after the assassination attempt on Trump in July, and a second meeting weeks later.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced he is throwing his support to former President Donald Trump in a news conference in Arizona.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at a press conference in Phoenix, on August 23.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that he is suspending his campaign — “not ending it.”

“I am not terminating mycampaign I am simply suspendingit and not ending it. My namewill remain on the ballot inmost states,” he said, speaking at an event on Friday in Arizona.

Kennedy said that while he would leave his name on some ballots, he is removing it from 10 battleground states. Still, he said, “I encourageyou to vote for me.”

“Icould conceivably still end upin the White House in acontingent election” if former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris receive the needed 270 electoral votes, he claimed.

He started his remarks by talking about why he left the Democratic Party and why he decided to run as an independent.

He also talked about the challenges his campaign faced to get on the ballot in states.

Trump, who is scheduled to be in Arizona tonight, teased a “special guest” at his rally later today. The former president has also showered Kennedy in overtures, telling CNN he might find a place for his onetimerival in a futureCabinet.

Kennedy’s odds of victorywere quickly diminishing –a recent CBS News pollmeasured his support at just 2%.

Watch more:

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This post has been updated with more of Kennedy’s remarks.

An attorney who made a court filing saying Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was endorsing former President Donald Trump now says that he “misstated” Kennedy’s plans.

The lawyer, Paul Rossi, told CNN he is working to correct the mistake in a new court filing.

“We’re filing an amended notice in Pennsylvania,” Rossi said.

What the original filing said: The Pennsylvania court filing had stated that the independent presidential candidate was withdrawing from a ballot access challenge in the state “as a result of today’s endorsement” of Trump.

But Kennedy’s team disputed the filing: In a statement, Kennedy campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said the candidate has not endorsed Trump.

“The filing was made by an attorney and not reviewed by the campaign,” Spear said.

The filing was in response to a case recently brought by Clear Choice, the super PAC formed by Democratic operatives to press third-party candidates on ballot access and other issues.

In a statement to CNN on Friday, a person directly familiar with the thinking within Clear Choice said that Kennedy’s decision to drop out won’t stop the group from pursuing other legal action.

More context: The filing came shortly before an event in Phoenix on Friday, where Kennedy announced he is suspending his campaign.

Trump is also holding a rally in Arizona on Friday, where the campaign had teased the appearance of a “special guest.”

This post has been updated to reflect that the attorney says he made the court filing in error and to add a statement from Kennedy’s campaign.

Independent Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seen at a campaign stop in Brooklyn, New York on May 1.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is also an environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist, is expected to hold a news conference soon amid reports that he may drop out of the race.

Both parties will be closely watching this possible news —and who his followers gravitate toward in the closing months before Election Day.

The Kennedy family scion first entered the race in April 2023, challenging President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary. But that October, seeing his path to overtake Biden blocked, he switched to an independent run.

Kennedy, along with running mate Nicole Shanahan, has sought to appeal to voters dissatisfied with both the Democratic and Republican parties. He frequently accuses Biden and former President Donald Trump of increasing government spending, prolonging US involvement in foreign conflicts and enacting policies beneficial to large corporations.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Kennedy drew national attention for spreading false information about the coronavirus, vaccines and public health measures.

He has promised to withdraw US support for Ukraine and has pledged to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. He’s vowed to end the “chronic disease epidemic.” He’s also said he would enact a five-year lobbying ban on former government officials. And Kennedy has pledged to sign on his first day in office an executive order stating that “any government official who lies” would lose their job.

He is the son of former New York senator, US attorney general and assassinated 1968 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of the late PresidentJohn F. Kennedy.

Kennedy worked as an attorney for the environmental nonprofit Riverkeeper. He also was an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and president of the Waterkeeper Alliance. He served as chairman of Children’s Health Defense, which is known for promoting anti-vaccination rhetoric.

Alaska’s Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom has announced that she is ending her congressional campaign Friday after finishing third in Alaska’s top-four, all-party primary.

Dahlstrom was endorsed by former President Donald Trump and had the support of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the group responsible for maintaining the Republican House majority.

“We know that Mary Peltola certainly isn’t up to the challenge. She has shown this,” Dahlstrom said in astatement, referring to the seat’s incumbent Democrat, who finished first in the primary. “At this time, the best thing I can do to see that goal realized is to withdraw my name from the general election ballot and end my campaign.”

Key context: Peltola, who won the special election to replace the late GOP Rep. Don Young and then won a full two-year term in 2022, is one of five Democrats who represent a seat Trump won in 2020. She is a top target for congressional Republicans as they look to defend and expand their majority.

Two years ago, Peltola defeated former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Nick Begich, a Republican who comes from a prominent family of Alaska Democrats.

Begich, who’s running against Peltola again in November, is currently in second place in the top-four primary. Peltola, whose campaign motto is “Fish, Family, Freedom,” won a majority of the vote in the primary: 50.4%.

How this election works: In Alaska, the top four vote-getters advance to the general election. In the general election, voters rank their preferences in order. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the first-place votes, then the ranked-choice system is used to determine who wins.

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance said he believes Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will drop out and endorse former president Donald Trump, though he is unsure about how exactly an endorsement would land.

Vance said he grew up in a family of “Blue Dogs,” socially conservative Democrats who voted for John F. Kennedy, who have become Trump Republicans because they feel “like the party has left them behind.”

AsCNN reported, Kennedy is expected to formally announce Friday that he is suspending his presidential campaign, as speculation swirls about a potential endorsement for Trump. Vance said Kennedy Jr. voters could make an important difference in this tight election.

“I’ve been making my pitch to RFK personally and to his voters, butin public,” Vance said. “I’ve never actually spoken to RFK about dropping out of the race or about getting behind the president.”

Vice President Kamala Harris waits to speak at a campaign rally at United Auto Workers Local 900 on August 8, in Wayne, Michigan.

Campaign officials and advisers celebrated what they believed to be a home-run address by Vice President Kamala Harris Thursday night to close out the Democratic National Convention.

But while they plan to allow that to carry the day for now, they’re also keenly aware that their focus needs to turn to the September presidential debate, according to a source close to the campaign.

Harris will keep up a cadence of travel over the next few weeks, but not at the same pace as the last couple weeks when she hit multiple battleground states, the source said, instead spending time in debate prep.

CNN previously reported that Harris remains “clear-eyed” about what could come next, aware that the momentum and enthusiasm of the past few weeks could wane.

The September 10 debate, which had been the subject of much back and forth, will provide the Democratic nominee another opportunity to speak to a large audience and draw a stark contrast with former President Donald Trump. ABC, the host network, said it would be held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Harris already held her first formal debate training session earlier this month at Howard University, the historicallyBlackcollege in Washington,DC,she attended nearly four decades ago. She’s working closely with PhilippeReines, a longtime aide to Hillary Clinton, who is reprising his role playing Trump at the request of the Harris campaign, several people familiar with the planningtold CNN.

Sen. Brian Schatz speaks with a reporter after a vote in the Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 20.

See Also

RFK Jr.'s exit shakes up 2024 race. But how much does his endorsement actually help Trump?

Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii said his party is flying high after this week’s Democratic National Convention and the launch of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

He said the debate “match-up is so odd” he doesn’t know what to expect and therefore doesn’t want to handicap it.

Schatz said there is an appetite among Democrats on Capitol Hill to pass the bipartisan border bill that was negotiated earlier this year, something Harris said Thursday she would sign into law if she were president.

Rep. MichaelWaltzgestures on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 17.

GOP Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida criticized Democrats at the party’s convention for not speaking about the chaotic and bloody withdrawal of Afghanistan in 2021, in which 13 US service members were killed.

Waltz — a retired National Guard colonel who served overseas — also knocked Minnesota Gov. TimWalz’s military record as the vice presidential nominee has faced criticism and questions from those whoclaim he misrepresented his 24 years in the National Guard.

Walz reached the rank of command sergeant major before retiring in 2005, but heofficially retired as a master sergeant — one rank below command sergeant major —because “he did not complete additional coursework at the US Army Sergeants Major Academy,” according to the Guard.

Halfway through the final night ofthe Democratic National Convention, actress and celebrity host Kerry Washington noted there are some who struggle – “or pretend to struggle” – with how to say Vice President Kamala Harris’ first name.

“Confusion is understandable,” Washington said. “Disrespect is not.”

In keeping with theconvention themesof joy and an introduction to the Democratic nominee, Washington was joined onstage by Harris’ great-nieces Amara and Leela Ajagu, who led the crowd in a chant: “Comma,” like the punctuation mark, then “La,” like a sing-song la-la-la.

It was a lighthearted approach to a darker theme running through this election: the ways that race and gender have colored the attacks leveled at Harris since she launched her presidential campaign. For many women of color, particularly those who have run for office and been in the political spotlight, it’s a familiar challenge.

The end of the Democratic convention marks a new phase of the campaign, a 74-day sprint to Election Day and increased pressure on Harris to lay out her policies, including at next month’s debate. In interviews and convention speeches, Black women leaders said the Harris campaign should continue to avoid engaging directly with personal attacks.

Read more here about the personal attacks on Harris.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gives a speech in Nashville on July 26, 2024.

For the better part of the pastyear, asRobert F. Kennedy Jr.built a small but significant support base for his quixotic White House bid, the two major parties wrestled with a pressing question: Whose presidential aspirations might be most damaged by an independent aligned with the conspiratorial right, but bearing a famous Democratic name?

Now, with Kennedy on the cusp of exiting the race, both parties will closely watch who his followers gravitate toward.

Kennedy is expected to formally announce today that he is suspending his presidential campaign. Some are wondering whether he might endorse formerPresidentDonald Trump, an outcome that appears likely though not guaranteed. Both candidates are scheduled to appear in Arizona today,and Trump teased a “special guest” at his event.

Though his odds of victorywere quickly diminishing, Kennedy’s decision to bow out 74 days before the election presents another twist to a race already unlike any other.

As Vice President Kamala Harris is catapulted into close contention with Trump, there is hope within the former president’s operation that Kennedy’s exit could prove decisive if certain battlegrounds are decided by thousands of ballots, just as they were in 2020.

It’s hardly certain what Kennedy’sbackers will do. Whether many of them ever intended to vote for him, or at all, is difficult to gauge, and some may choose to sit theelection out without an alternative on the ballot.

As it became clear that Kennedy’s days in the race were numbered, several of Trump’s top allies, including his son, Donald TrumpJr., have maneuvered behind the scenes to arrange for an endorsement. Meanwhile, the former president has showered Kennedy in overtures, telling CNN he might find a place for his onetimerival in a futureCabinet.

Read more about how Kennedy’s exit can impact the presidential race.

Former President Donald Trump on Friday said if reelected, his administration would be “great for women and their reproductive rights,” despite regularly touting his role in eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion that had been upheld for nearly half a century.

“My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump regularly takes credit for appointing conservative Supreme Court justices who overturned the landmark abortion ruling Roe v. Wade and rolled back abortion rights and protections across the country. Trump has said if reelected, he wants legislating abortion to be left to the states — many of which have implemented strict abortion bans and curtailed reproductive rights since the overturning of Roe.

Vice President Kamala Harris, during her speech at the Democratic convention Thursday night, advocated for protecting access to reproductive health care and attacked Trump and his Republican allies over the issue.

“Simply put, they are out of their minds,” Harris said.

“One must ask, why exactly is it that they don’t trust women? Well, we trust women,” Harris said.

President Joe Biden speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19.

The Democratic National Convention, where Kamala Harris accepted the party’s presidential nomination, has wrapped.

Here’s what happened across four days:

Day 1: Passing the torch

President Joe Biden told America: “I gave my best to you,” summing up his decadeslong career.

Notable speakers:Hillary Clintoncast Harrisin the lineage of female political firstsas she praised the vice president’s leadership.

Abortion rights:Democrats lambasted Trump for appointing conservative Supreme Court justices who helped undo Roe v. Wade’s protections for abortion rights.

Spotlight on Project 2025:Democrats are eager to tie Trump to what Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow called “a Republican blueprint for a second Trump term.” Though the former president has disavowed Project 2025, Democrats have framed it as his agenda.

Former President Barack Obama walks off stage after speaking on August 20.

Day 2: Emhoff and the Obamas make their case

Former President Barack Obamamade a forceful casefor Harris as president. He followed former first lady Michelle Obama, who declared that“hope is making a comeback”and delivered perhaps her most frank and public comments about the racism her family faced during their time in the White House — often perpetuated by Trump.

Second gentleman:Doug Emhofftalked about his relationship with Harrisas he praised her role as a stepmom to his children. Harris was not at the convention but symbolicallyaccepted her historic presidential nominationin a video appearance from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she was campaigning. This cameafter a rollicking roll callin Chicago, in which DJ Cassidy played tracks for each state.

GOP speakers show up:Multiple former Republicans made the case for Independents and Trump critics to vote for Harris.

Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is joined by his wife Gwen and their children Hope and Gus after his speech on August 21.

Day 3: Walz in the spotlight

With plenty offootball analogies, Walzhighlighted hisupbringingandhis work in his address. He also talked about his wife’sfertility struggles. Walz outlinedwhat a Harris presidencywould look like, including cutting taxes for the middle class and making housing more affordable, and worked to tie the Republican ticket toProject 2025.

Notable speakers:Former President Bill Clintonvouched for Harrisand levied pointedattacks at Trump, saying “hemostly talks about himself. Oprah Winfrey called on fellow Independent and undecided voters to “choosecommon senseover nonsense.”

Israel’s war in Gaza:The parents of an Israeli-American hostage spoke about their “anguish and misery.” Hours after their speech, the Uncommitted National Movement was told that theirrequest for a speaking spot had been denied. In response, members staged a sit-in outside the United Center.

Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention on August 22.

Day 4: Harris’ historic moment

Harris accepted her party’s nomination and promised to “be a president forall Americans.” She presented herself as theunderdog in the raceand attacked Trump while outlining her policy proposals and telling voters about herbackground.

On immigration: Harris said she would “bring backthebipartisan border securitybill” tanked by Trumpand “sign it into law.” She said: “We can create an earned pathwayto citizenship and secure ourborder.”

On foreign policy: She stood firm on Israel’s right to defend itself — but added the bloodshed in Gaza is “devastating.” She said“now is the time”for a ceasefire deal. She also reiterated her commitment to Ukraine.

On reproductive rights: Harrislooked to pin Trump to unpopularreproductive rights issues, saying that Republicans are “out of their minds” to push for things like enacting a nationwide abortion ban or limited access to birth control.

Read up on more key lines from her speech here.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention on August 22.

In her keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention, Vice PresidentKamala Harrissaid that, if elected, she would maintain the US alliance with Israel and support the Jewish state’s ability to defend itself. She also acknowledged the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza as Israel’s war destroys the enclave.

Why this stands out: Harris’ remarks are largely in line with the Biden administration’s position, though this was the most she has publicly said on the issue and her most fulsome comments in support of Palestinian self-determination since ascending to the top of the Democratic ticket. BothPresident Joe Bidenand Harris have expressed support for a two-state solution.

A banner calling for an arms embargo against Israel is laid outside the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 22.

What the Uncommitted National Movement was doing: The group hadled a sit-in outside the conventionafter the Harris campaign denied their request to address the gathering. On Thursday, the uncommitted delegates entered the venue for Harris’ speech, effectively ending the sit-in. The delegates issued another demand to the Harris campaign, though: Come to Michigan and other swing states and talk to Palestinian American families by September 15.

The group’s leaders criticized the DNC and the Harris campaign for rejecting what they perceived as a modest or symbolic request in denying a speaking slot for a Palestinian American at the convention. Still,Elabed said the delegates had no plans to disrupt the proceedings ahead of or during Harris’s acceptance speech.

The race to Election Day in November is on.

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have picked their running mates and held nominating conventions to rally their parties. They have limited time to convince the few undecided voters and make sure everyone in key battleground states gets to the polls.

While we don’t knowspecificallywhat will happen between now andElection Day — or what could come after, when the country’s unique Electoral College process gets going — but we do have some idea of what to expect:

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention on August 22.

On the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her party’s nomination for president in a much-anticipated speech.

She presented herself as the underdog in the race and attacked former President Donald Trump while outlining her key policy proposals and telling voters about her background.

While accepting the nomination, she promised to “be a president for all Americans.”

Here are some of her key quotes:

Star-studded appearances: The Chicks performed the National Anthem and pop star Pink performed her hit “What About Us” with her daughter, Willow.Kerry Washington hosted part of the night and brought out her “Scandal” co-star Tony Goldwyn.

Democrats currently have more than twice as much ad time reserved as Republicans have for the final months of the presidential race, a potentially big advantage as each party fights to define the transformed campaign.

Future ad reservations are subject to change and both parties are likely to continue adding to their bookings, so Republicans can cut into the gap. But currently, including campaigns and outside groups, Democrats have about $289.4 million worth of ad time booked from tomorrow through Election Day, while Republicans have about $127.8 million in future reservations.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and its top allied super PAC are the main drivers of that advantage. The Harris campaign — riding a surge of enthusiasm and fundraising since she rose to the top of the ticket — has nearly $107.9 million in ad time booked, about twice as much as Donald Trump’s campaign, $53.7 million.

In addition, FF PAC, the leading pro-Harris super PAC, has about $158.2 million in future ad reservations, nearly twice as much as the two leading pro-Trump super PACs, MAGA Inc. — with about $61.4 million booked — and Preserve America, with about $9.8 million in reservations.

Battle for the battleground states: Seven states — Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Nevada — account for nearly all of the future ad time. Pennsylvania looms largest, drawing $144.1 million in total future bookings, more than twice as much as any other state.

Republicans have placed an especially heavy emphasis on Pennsylvania in their future bookings, buying $72.9 million worth of future ad time there.

Democrats, meanwhile, have spread money around every battleground state, though the party has also emphasized Pennsylvania, where the Harris campaign and its allies have $71.2 million in future reservations.

Coming off primetime speeches at the Democratic National Convention, former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former first lady Michelle Obama will be on the campaign trail helping to make the case for Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy, according to Deputy Principal Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks.

When asked on MSNBC if these prominent Democrats would be stumping for Harris, Fulks said “absolutely,” calling them “some of the best surrogates in our party.” Fulks did not provide details about any specific upcoming events or where the Obamas or Clintons would be campaigning.

Fulks echoed Michelle Obama’s warning that Democrats cannot grow complacent after the convention saying, “we have to make sure we are doing everything we can together.”

With Donald Trump set to hold an event later today in Nevada, Kamala Harris’campaign is out with a new ad airing in the Battle Born state that contrasts the vice president’s experience as a former prosecutor with Trump’s record on crime – and jabs at the former president for his efforts to undermine the bipartisan border deal.

The Trump campaign, meanwhile, has a new spot that promotes his proposals to end taxes on Social Security benefits and tipped wages for service industry workers. The former president’s event in Las Vegas today is set to focus on his “no tax on tips” proposal.

Secret Service agents and counter assault team react after shots were fired toward former president Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.

Several Secret Service personnel from the Pittsburgh Field Office and one member of former President Donald Trump’s security detail involved in the advance planning for Trump’s July 13 rally have been reassigned to administrative duties and ordered to work from home, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN.

The move comes asthe Secret Service continues to face criticism for the security failures that allowed a gunman to fire eight rounds at the former president, piercing Trump’sear and leaving one rallygoer dead in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The Secret Service has been under immense pressure from lawmakers to discipline or fire those involved in the preparation for the rally. Acting Deputy Director Ronald Rowe had told lawmakers he intended to wait until after the investigation was complete before issuing any disciplinary action.

Read more about the reassignments and new details from a CNN investigation about communication failures before the rally.

CNN’s Zachary Cohen contributed reporting.

The liberal advocacy group MoveOn is circulating a mobile billboard in downtown Phoenix highlighting previous negative comments independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made about former president Donald Trump ahead of Kennedy’s expected departure from the presidential race, a spokesperson for the group told CNN.

The billboard, which is circulating the area around the hotel where Kennedy’s announcement event will take place on Friday, features a series of slides with quotes from Kennedy about Trump in which he called the Republican nominee “barely human,” “a terrible human being,” and a “sociopath.”

The billboard comes as the campaigns for Kennedy and Trump have engaged in high-level talks about the possibility of Kennedy endorsing Trump, who is holding a campaign rally of his own in Arizona today.

MoveOn is one of several Democratic-aligned groups who have worked to combat Kennedy’s campaign. The group is partnering in launching the billboard with Progress Now Arizona, a progressive group focused on Arizona politics.

Beyoncé performs onstage at SoFi Stadium on September 1, 2023 in Inglewood, California.

You may want to avoid the Beyhivetoday,asit isbuzzing and ready to sting.

There was heightened excitement among many heading into the final night of the Democratic National Convention, not just because Vice President Kamala Harris was set to accept the party’s nomination, but because of hope the woman behind her campaign anthem would “rain on the thunder” and “wave through the waters” of Chicago’s United Center.

Like most pop culture fantasies, speculation that Beyoncé would make an appearance at the DNC started – and ended – on social media.

From the momentCNN reported in Julythat Beyoncé had granted the vice president permission to use her 2016 song “Freedom” for her presidential campaign, there were questions.

Would Queen Bey make a formal endorsement? Might a concert in support of Harris happen? And even more mind blowing, could Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, two of the biggest artists on the planet, join together in support of Harris in Chi-town?

Some people swore they saw signs pointing to an inevitable Beyoncé arrival at the convention – her private plane was rumored to have landed at O’Hare, the house band was practicing Beyoncé songs, there were “Cowboy Kamala” sashes in the Washington delegation. Surely, she would come.

Then the fever dream ended and the pop culture balloon popped.

The Hollywood Reporterwas the first to have the news that the Grammy-winning singer would not be appearing at the DNC.

“She was never scheduled to be in Chicago,” Beyoncé’s representative Yvette Noel-Schure told CNN in a statement.

DJ Cassidy performs at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 20, 2024.

The Democratic National Convention’s decidedly unconventional roll call was a standout of the week — with a playlist including Chappell Roan for Missouri, the Chicago Bulls theme song for Illinois, and a performance from Lil Jon for Georgia — all emceed by DJ Cassidy on Tuesday night.

Cassidy told CNN’s Kate Bolduan how it all came together.

He first got a call from the convention producers about a month ago, right after President Joe Biden “passed the mic” to Vice President Kamala Harris, and he realized it would be an opportunity to create something different that could shape conventions to come.

Cassidy said he came up with a “master list” of songs for every state himself, but he collaborated with representatives of each state who would attend the event.

He said he was focused “not only that the songs had a connection to the state, but that the songs represented the night’s emotion and that the songs represented the diversity of the country.”

“Hours and hours of preparation” went into the song list, he said, adding that the 75 minutes of the roll call “went by so fast, in the blink of an eye.”

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., left, and Donald Trump.

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday said it was possible he would be meeting with independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today — the same day Kennedy is expected to suspend his presidential bid.

Trump isgoing to be joined by a “special guest”at his rally in Arizona, according to his campaign. Kennedy is expected to end his presidential bid earlier in the day at an event in Phoenix.

CNN previously reportedthere were talks between Trump’s team andKennedy’s orbit for the independent candidate to endorse the former president and appear at Trump’s Phoenix area rally that same night.

The dramatic changeat the top of the Democratic presidential ticketunleashed a flood of donations to the campaign accountKamala Harrisinherited fromJoe Biden, swamping evenDonald Trump’s strongest fundraising days, a CNN analysis of newly filed campaign reports shows.

Over the three-day period in July that covered Biden’s withdrawal from the White House race and the rapid consolidation of Democratic support for his vice president, Harris’ principal campaign committee took in more than double what Trump’s campaign accountreported collecting in the three dayssurrounding hisfelony convictionin New York, according to the review of contributions that total more than $200 this cycle.

The donor enthusiasm for Harris’ surprise candidacyhas quickly eroded the cash advantageTrump once held.

The Harris campaign hadpreviously announcedcollecting a whopping $310 million in July through its joint fundraising efforts with aligned Democratic Party committees – far exceeding thenearly $139 millionthat the Trump political operation said it had brought in last month. A Harris campaign official said Tuesday the team expected to cross the $500 million mark in fundraising in the coming days.

Read more on the newly filed campaign reportshere.

Rep. DebbieWassermanSchultzspeaks during Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, on August 21.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida said she was “so proud” of the way Vice President Kamala Harris talked about Israel, Palestinians and the suffering going on in the war during her acceptance speech Thursday night.

Wasserman Schultz said when she was walking out the convention hall last night, several pro-Israel attendees stopped her and said “she was strong on Israel.”

In her speech, Harris called for the Palestinian people to be able to “realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination” while reiterating her support for a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

Harris said that as president, she would maintain the US alliance with Israel and “ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.” She condemned the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas but also acknowledged the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza amid Israel’s military operation in the enclave.

Some background: Wasserman Schultz set off an uproar in the House Democratic Caucus last year when she bluntly described her view of members who wouldn’t back a resolution affirming support for Israel in its war against Hamas.

“Someone who votes against this, I would think, doesn’t have a soul,” Wasserman Schultz, a prominent Jewish member, told CNN ahead of the vote.

Florida Rep.Maxwell Frost on Fridaypraised Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech at the Democratic National Convention last night, saying she spoke directly to the struggles Americans are facing.

“For the last over a year and a half as Donald Trump has been running for president, he’s been focused on ad hominems. He’s been focused on speaking on things that don’t speak to the everyday struggles of people,” Frost said on CNN News Central.

He went on to lay out the struggles that should be the focus, including housing, public safety and ensuring people have the resources they need to get ahead.

Frost praised Harris’ speech and highlighted the difference in presidential nominees, saying, “And last night during her speech, she spoke directly to the American people and directly to the struggles that people are facing.”

When discussing Harris addressing the Israel-Hamas war and pro-Palestinian protests, Frost said, “As it relates to what she said on stage, I think that the vice president has the position most Americans have that there should be self-determination, safety, freedom for Palestinians, that we need a ceasefire to see all the hostages return home.”

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, on August 22.

Kamala Harrispromised Americans a future that neitherDonald TrumpnorJoe Bidencould deliver, showing how profoundly she has changed the 2024 election.

The first Black woman to claim a major party nomination on Thursday styled her “unlikely journey” to the Democratic nod as the springboard to lift the country to a new place after years of being torn apart by its bitter divides.

The vice president offered voters a clear choice in a steady and patrioticDemocratic National Convention address.

Americans can take the road of “chaos and calamity” in a new term under Trump, whom she called “an unserious man” who nevertheless poses a “serious threat” to democracy and basic American freedoms.

Or, Harris said, the country can recommit to values she evoked in detailing her upbringing as a daughter of immigrants nurtured by a loving California community of unofficial aunts, epitomized by “Freedom. Opportunity. Compassion. Dignity. Fairness. And endless possibilities.”

Instead of Trump’s American carnage and threats of retribution, Harris is presenting herself as the catalyst for America’s quintessential capacity to renew itself. She leveraged her past as a prosecutor,pledging to always be “for the people” while accusing the Republican nominee of serving “the only client he has ever had: Himself.”

Read the full analysis.

Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump speaks at the US-Mexico border on August 22.

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday appeared to publicly acknowledge he lost the 2020 election and said he came up “just a little bit short,” despite regularly lying about the last presidential election he lost and falsely claiming it was rigged.

He still called the election “horrible” and said the US needed to “clean up” its elections. Trump regularly falsely claims there was widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election and spreads election conspiracy theories.

Remember:The2020 election was highly secure; Trump lost fair and square to Joe Biden by an Electoral College margin of 306 to 232; and there is no evidence of voter fraud even close to widespread enough to have changed the outcome in any state.

Vice President Kamala Harris made history Thursday night asshe formally accepted the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

Harris announced her candidacy last month after President Joe Bidenwithdrew his reelection bidand endorsed her to succeed him. The party has moved quickly to coalesce behind Harris following Biden’sunprecedented exit.

Harris’ speech closed out the fourth and final day of the convention, which was held at the United Center in Chicago.

“I knowthere are people of variouspolitical views watchingtonight,”she said in her speech. “And I want you to know: I promise to be a presidentfor all Americans. You canalways trust me to put country above party and self.”

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention on August 22.

Balloons fall from the ceiling of Chicago's United Center at the end of the convention on Thursday.

Actor Kerry Washington, center, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris’s grandnieces Leila, left, and Amara, right, lead the audience in a call-and-response chant.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, second from right, speaks to media inside the United Center on Thursday. Shapiro was on the short list to be Harris' running mate.

Convention attendees cast shadows on the upper level of the United Center on Thursday.

Attendee Mevlüt Hilmi Cinar prays inside the arena on Thursday.

Photographers work during Harris' speech on Thursday.

People inside the United Center watch US Sen. Elizabeth Warren speak on Thursday.

Harris kisses her husband, Doug Emhoff, after her speech. Thursday was also their 10th wedding anniversary.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are joined by their spouses, Doug Emhoff and Gwen Walz, after Harris' speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.

See more pictures from the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 22.

The past four days have been a jubilant celebration for Democrats in Chicago, culminating in Kamala Harris’ acceptance tonight of her party’s nomination for president.

But even as confetti and balloons showered down inside the United Center, the vice president remains “clear-eyed” about what could come next, a top Democrat who spoke with Harris in recent days told CNN.

This person said they’ve not heard the vice president or senior Harris campaign officials use the word “honeymoon” to describe the period between President Joe Biden dropping out of the race and now.

But, they said, the vice president herself and others on down have made clear that they anticipate the momentum and enthusiasm of the past few weeks could wane — for reasons that may or may not be under Harris’ control.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event on August 20, in Howell, Michigan.

Donald Trump said Kamala Harris is “not having success, I’m having success” in an interview Thursday night following Harris’ speech at the Democratic convention.

“She’s got four and a half orfive months left.She can go there right now anddo all of the things, many ofthe things that she’s talkingabout and complaining about,” Trump said.

Fox News host Martha McCallum said: “There’s been a huge appealand momentum for women voters.She’s trying to pull that, theyouth vote, the Hispanic vote,the Black vote back in herdirection.Polls show that she’s having somesuccess in that at this point, sowhat are you going to do?What’s your strategy to rebuildthe momentum that you had withthose voters?”

“No she’s not having success, I’m having success,” Trump said.

Trump later added, “No, it’s only in your eyes that they have that, Martha.”

Eight undecided voters from Allentown, Pennsylvania speak with CNN following the end of the Democratic National Convention.

Eight residents of Allentown, Pennsylvania, all previously undecided voters, told CNN’s Gary Tuchman how they felt Kamala Harris performed at the Democratic National Convention.

Six of the eight said they were now ready to vote for Harris. One resident will vote for Donald Trump, and one is not planning to vote.

Harris’ speech, during which she accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, received three As, three B+’s, one B and one C, from the group.

Multiple group members said they wanted Harris to go more “in depth” during her speech.

Scott, who gave her a B+, said she looked “very confident” and liked her message of unity. He didn’t give her an A because “she needed to go into a little more detail” about her plans.

Brian, who gave her the C, said “she wasn’t clear enough on the policies” and said that while he liked that she shared more of her background, “I still don’t feel like she’s ready.”

Senate candidate Bernie Moreno speaks at a campaign rally in March in Vandalia, Ohio, as Former President Donald Trump looks on.

Late last year, former President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of car dealership owner Bernie Moreno for Ohio’s Senate seat – elevating an untested candidate who’d never held public office over several other more prominent Republicans.

Two days later, Moreno’s campaign spent about $17,000 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, and then followed up by spending an additional $79,000 the next month – making him one of the Florida club’s top political spenders.

He wasn’t alone. With glitzy Mar-a-Lago fundraisers, stays at Trump’s hotels, and flights on the former president’s private jet, Republican candidates and political groups are on track to spend more on Trump’s businesses this year than any year since 2016, according to a CNN analysis of federal campaign finance data.

Trump himself has been the biggest spender, both this year and over the last decade. Between his three presidential campaigns, Trump and associated political groups have funneled more than $28 million in campaign donations to his businesses – helping convert the enthusiasm of his political supporters into personal profit.

Other Republicans have followed suit, spending millions at Trump’s properties in an apparent attempt to curry favor with the former president and signal their allegiance to him to GOP voters.

Some of the candidates who’ve spent the most money on Trump businesses in recent years have been new politicians who won the former president’s endorsement despite a lack of past electoral experience or success, including Moreno, former Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker and Arizona Senate hopeful Kari Lake.

Read the full story.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention on August 22.

Vice PresidentKamala Harriscapped one of the most extraordinary months in modern political historyThursday nightwith a speech that rallied Democrats and cast Donald Trump as the enemy of classic American principles.

Harris went directly at her Republican rival, offering a clean break from the uncertainty and upheaval during his years in the White House. She laid out the former president’s legal troubles. She blamed him for the horrors some women have faced amid the implementation of strict state-level abortion laws.

Here are the takeaways from the fourth night of the DNC:

Fight for “freedom” and a question of government interference: Harris has talked at great length about “freedom,” seeking to reframe issues such as reproductive rights as a question of government interference.

Harris gets personal: The vice president didn’t explicitly compare her upbringing with the former president’s, but other speakers this week have made a more direct contrast between her childhood and Trump’s life as the son of a real estate mogul.

Allies back up Harris’ resume: Each night, speakers have highlighted her work fighting transnational gangs, sexual abusers and corporate bad actors.

Meet the Harris clan: Trump and many other Republicans for years have made a show out of mispronouncing Harris’ first name. On Thursday night, Harris’ two young grandnieces appeared onstage with actress Kerry Washington to send a message: It’s so easy that children can do it. Harris’ niece, Meena Harris, appeared with Harris’ stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff and her goddaughter, Helena Hudlin. Later, Maya Harris, the vice president’s sister, talked about their mother, who died in 2009.

Gun violence testimonies: The convention highlighted the personal stories of people affected by gun violence. Speakers shared their experiences of loss, including Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath whose son was murdered in 2012; mothers who lost their children in the mass shootings at the Sandy Hook and Uvalde school shootings; Melody McFadden, who lost her mother to domestic violence; and Edgar Vilchez, who lost a classmate. Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived a shooting at a campaign event in 2011, closed out the segment.

‘Central Park Five’ member: Trump has a long history of weaponizing racial resentments for political gain, but the first instance of Trump utilizing that brand of politics was when the “Central Park Five” — five Black and Latino teenage boys — were wrongfully arrested in 1989 and eventually convicted of raping and assaulting a woman jogging in New York City.Trump, then a New York real estate developer, took out and signed full-page newspaper ads calling for the boys to be executed. Those boys were later exonerated. On Thursday night, four of the five appeared on stage at the DNC.

Gaza war opponents denied speaking spot: The DNC denied speaking time to “Uncommitted” delegates elected by primary protest votes against the Biden administration’s Israel policy. Harrispledged to support and defend Israel and condemned the atrocities of Hamas’ October 7 attacks. She then said “what has happened in Gaza over the last 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again.”

Celebrities make their mark: The DNC has seen several stars this week, from Lil Jon’s surprise appearance during the star-studded roll call to Oprah Winfrey’s speech Wednesday. Mindy Kaling, Tony Goldwyn, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Sheila E. Pink, Mickey Guyton, Maren Morris and Jason Isbell also got stage time.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks in Nashville, Tennessee on July 26.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to suspend his campaign today at an event in Arizona, two sources familiar with the plans told CNN.

There are current talks between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s team and Kennedy’s orbit for the independent candidate to endorse the former president and appear at Trump’s Phoenix-area rally that same night, the source said.

Kennedy’s campaign announced earlier this week that he would make a speech in Phoenix, saying he would “address the nation” Friday morning, but it did not share details of what he will be speaking about.

Kennedy’s speech will come days after his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, said in a podcast interview on Tuesday that the campaign is considering whether to “join forces” with Trump to prevent the “risk” of Vice President Kamala Harris winning the election.

The Republican nominee on Tuesday expressed openness to Kennedy playing a role in a future administration should he drop out and offer his endorsement.

Discussions between Trump allies and advisers and Kennedy’s team began in the lead-up to the Republican National Convention in July, beforea leaked phone callbetween the former president and Kennedy that same month, a source familiar with the conversations told CNN.