https://www.newsweek.com/trump-taxpayers-pay-political-events-nearby-golf-course-1100506

During a stop in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump reportedly bragged that he was traveling to political events for free. He also referenced his nearby golf course.

“It's like a political event and you don't even have to pay for it,” Trump said, according to multiple reporters in attendance and a live stream of the event.

Trump hosted a rally the night before in Evansville, Indiana.

While it may be free for Trump, taxpayers do foot the bill for the campaign-style rallies that he often hosts across the country. The same is true for when he travels to political events for other candidates or to one of his golf courses.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After more than a week of buildup, President Trump is set to make two stops in Charlotte Friday.

First, Trump is slated to visit the CPCC Harris Conference Center, where he is expected to sign an executive order regarding retirement security. He'll also speak to an invited group of guests on the topic. The second stop for the president will be Carmel Country Club for a private fundraiser to benefit Republicans Mark Harris and Rep. Ted Budd, both of whom are facing tough challenges in November's general election.

For both candidates, Trump's visit is not only important because they have backing from the White House, but they're hoping it will help raise campaign funds to close the gap on their opponents. Harris, who defeated incumbent Robert Pittenger in May's primary for the nomination in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District, spoke exclusively to NBC Charlotte about having the president's support.

Tickets for the private luncheon start at $1,000 per head to get in the door. Donors can also pay up to $25,000 to mingle with Trump and have their picture taken with him during the event. Harris said he expects at least 300 people to attend the fundraiser.

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/everything-you-need-to-know-about-president-trumps-visit-to-charlotte/275-589424378

U.S. President Donald Trump, his three adult children and his namesake foundation are seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit by the New York state attorney general accusing the nonprofit of “self-dealing” for Trump’s benefit, including for his 2016 presidential campaign.

In a Thursday night court filing, the defendants said the lawsuit by Attorney General Barbara Underwood targeting the Donald J. Trump Foundation contained “fundamental legal and factual deficiencies,” and was politically motivated, reflecting her office’s “antipathy” toward the president.

“Relief is sought based on the NYAG’s appearance of partiality; its overwhelming conflict of interest; and its resulting unwillingness to resolve this matter without litigation,” Alan Futerfas, a lawyer for the defendants, wrote.

Amy Spitalnick, a spokeswoman for Underwood, said on Twitter: “As our lawsuit detailed, the Trump Foundation functioned as a personal piggy bank to serve Trump’s business and political interests. We won’t back down from holding President Trump and his associates accountable for their flagrant violations of New York law.”

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/08/trump-foundation-seek-dismissal-new-york-self-dealing-lawsuit/

Seung Min Kim
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@seungminkim

.@KellyannePolls is here



https://twitter.com/seungminkim/status/1035537331950903297

Poll: 60 percent disapprove of Trump, while clear majorities back Mueller and Sessions

Trouble for Trump: Disapproval at a high, 63% back Mueller, half favor impeachment

Trump supporter and protester arrested in clash outside Evansville rally

WASHINGTON—High-stakes trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. were dramatically upended on Friday morning by inflammatory secret remarks from President Donald Trump, after the remarks were obtained by the Toronto Star.

In remarks Trump wanted to be “off the record,” Trump told Bloomberg News reporters on Thursday, according to a source, that he is not making any compromises at all in the talks with Canada — but that he cannot say this publicly because “it’s going to be so insulting they’re not going to be able to make a deal.”

“Here’s the problem. If I say no — the answer’s no. If I say no, then you’re going to put that, and it’s going to be so insulting they’re not going to be able to make a deal ... I can’t kill these people,” he said of the Canadian government.

***

“Off the record, Canada’s working their ass off. And every time we have a problem with a point, I just put up a picture of a Chevrolet Impala,” Trump said, according to the source. The Impala is produced at the General Motors plant in Oshawa, Ontario.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2018/08/31/bombshell-leak-to-toronto-star-upends-nafta-talks-in-secret-so-insulting-remarks-trump-says-he-isnt-compromising-at-all-with-canada.html

With a massive field of vulnerable House incumbents to defend and limited resources to go around, Republicans are readying for a painful round of political triage — deciding which lawmakers are worth trying to rescue, and which ones need to be cut loose to fend for themselves in November.

GOP officials say as many as 45 Republican-held seats are at serious risk, making it impossible to salvage each one in the costly scramble to protect the party’s 23-seat majority— especially those members who have waged sluggish campaigns and posted lackluster fundraising totals.

“This is the time of year when tough decisions have to be made,” said Ken Spain, a longtime former top National Republican Congressional Committee staffer. “There are likely going to be a number of unhappy Republican members of Congress in the coming weeks.”

Behind the scenes, senior party strategists have begun polling to determine which incumbents may be beyond saving. Among those most in jeopardy of getting cut off, they say, are Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock, Pennsylvania Rep. Keith Rothfus, and Iowa Rep. Rod Blum, all of whom are precariously positioned in their districts.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/31/republicans-midterms-congress-vulnerable-lawmakers-gop-805496

Donald J. Trump
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@realDonaldTrump

Throwback Thursday! #MAGA

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1035255721951035392

Kyle Griffin
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@kylegriffin1

Quite a striking image from AP's @evanvucci from tonight's Trump rally of what he says is a Trump advance staffer blocking a photographer from photographing a protester.

https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1035351499201806337