Welcome back to 10 Things in Politics. Sign up here to receive this newsletter. Send tips to [email protected] or tweet me at @BrentGriffiths.
Here's what we're talking about:
- 5 things Trump could be spending his stash of political money on – but isn't
- Biden mocked Gov. Ron DeSantis as their feud grows
- Ultrawealthy Americans are leaving America behind
With Phil Rosen.
AP Photo/LM Otero
1. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY: Donald Trump once again has amassed money at a historic level. While in office, his decision to run for reelection from his inauguration blew previous presidential fundraising out of the water. As a former president, he and his network of political groups now sit on more than $100 million. His spending provides key insights into his future aspirations – especially when you consider who's not receiving anything.
Here's who's left out in the cold:
Refund the police: Trump's campaign owed more than $1.82 million as of last year to local officials and police departments for security at his rallies. His campaign previously said it's up to the already cash-strapped Secret Service to pay. But the Secret Service said it needs money from Congress to do so.
- More details: In case you weren't aware, this is a frequent problem in politics. And many police departments are just stuck waiting. Lawyer and consultant fees, plane rentals, and all kinds of other things often go unpaid too.
Poor Rudy: Trump's reputation for stiffing people now extends to the lawyer who was the center of his efforts to overturn the election. Rudy Giuliani has told friends he is close to broke, per The New York Times' Maggie Haberman. But as federal prosecutors bear down on him, Giuliani isn't receiving any financial help.
Check out our complete list of those not sharing in Trump's latest windfall.
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
2. White House considers hardball COVID strategy: The Biden administration is contemplating using federal powers and the threat of withholding funding to boost vaccinations, The Washington Post reports. Requiring long-term care facilities and nursing home employees to get vaccinated is also under discussion. The details on a potentially very big change in tone for the administration.
- Meanwhile, Biden mocked DeSantis: "Governor who?" the president responded to reporters when asked about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' view that Biden should keep his mouth shut about Florida's escalating COVID-19 problem given the rise in illegal border crossings. More on their feud.
3. Unemployment aid will vanish for 7.5 million workers in September: Come September, 7.5 million Americans are projected to lose all of their unemployment benefits - not just the $300 a week boost from federal pandemic relief, according to a report from the Century Foundation. For now, there's no plan to extend the benefits. But in the weeks ahead, Democrats may recognize the dire situation facing many jobless Americans.
4. Countries plan to proceed with booster shots: France, Germany, and the UK are among nations moving to offer COVID-19 booster shots to the elderly and vulnerable, despite the World Health Organization's plea not to. The WHO asked countries to abstain until at least the end of September to give other countries a chance to access first and second doses. More on why nations are defying the WHO.
5. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is ready for another voting-rights fight: Abbott has called another special legislative session, to begin this Saturday, where top priorities once again include passing voting restrictions, the Texas Tribune reports. Almost all Texas House Democrats remain in D.C. after fleeing the state to block GOP efforts to pass a voting bill. Abbott has vowed to keep calling special sessions for long as it takes, which is he allowed to do by law. It's unclear which side will blink first, but top Republicans believe they can arrest lawmakers if they do return to Texas.
6. Top agency says bipartisan infrastructure bill is not totally paid for: The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan scorekeeper, said the current roughly $1 trillion plan would add $256 billion to the federal budget deficit over the next decade, Reuters reports. Lawmakers expected a more pessimistic view from the CBO. The review is not likely to kill the Senate's momentum on passing the bill, which could come as soon as tomorrow.
7. Apple to scan iPhones for child sexual abuse: Apple plans to scan images before they are uploaded to iCloud, and look at users' encrypted messages for sexually explicit content as a child-safety measure. Child-protection groups praised the move, but security researchers are worried that the technology behind it could be misused, especially by repressive governments. Here's why the announcement is a major move for the company.
Thomson Reuters
8. Remembering Richard Trumka: "Trumka, the president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., the nation's pre-eminent labor federation, for the last 12 years and an influential voice in Democratic politics, died on Thursday. He was 72," The Times reports. Trumka worked his way up to become a major voice in liberal politics, including vouching for Biden's climate-change efforts. The president said he considered him "a very close personal friend." More on his legacy.
9. Ultrawealthy Americans are leaving America behind: More and more of the super-rich are renouncing US citizenship, hoping to leave the pandemic and social unrest behind them. Biden's plans to heavily tax the wealthy also may be pushing elites abroad. In 2020, nearly 7,000 Americans gave up their citizenship, which is a 237% increase from the year before - read what else is behind the exodus.
10. All the moments you missed at the Olympics: April Ross and Alix Klineman ushered in a return to American dominance of beach volleyball by winning gold. They lost only one set the entire tournament.
Two Belarusian coaches were booted from the Olympic village: The International Olympic Committee said it had removed the coaches' credentials after they were connected to an effort to send sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya back home following her criticism of the team's coach. Belarus' authoritarian ruler has previously clashed with the IOC.
- Google translate helped save the day: Tsimanouskaya, who is taking shelter in Poland, used the service to translate a plea for help to Japanese police after she arrived at the airport.
If it rains, they may be out: Japan would win the gold should Tropical Storm Mirinae force the cancellation of the gold-medal baseball game between the host country and Team USA, per The Post. If the game is only postponed, the teams could try to play Sunday.
Today's trivia question: Our final Olympics-related question, what president was so concerned about the infighting in American amateur sports that he formed a commission whose findings helped lead to the modern US Olympic and Paralympic Committee? Email your guess and a suggested question to me at [email protected].
- Yesterday's answer: Team USA reached 1,000 gold medals in the Summer Olympics during the 2016 Rio games. The women's 4x100 medley relay swimming team won the 1,000th gold.
That's all! Have a great weekend and enjoy the final few days of the games.