Trump hush money sentencing delayed after Supreme Court immunity ruling: Live updates

CNN’s Jake Tapper reports that Democratic governors held a call on Monday afternoon in which some expressed concerns over what is going on with President Joe Biden following Thursday’s debate.

The governors were reportedly surprised that none of them had heard from Biden and there was a strong sentiment that they wanted to hear from him directly either at the White House or remotely via Zoom.

Manhattan prosecutors will not oppose Donald Trump’s request to delay his sentencing in his hush money trial after the Supreme Court ruled that the former president has “absolute” immunity from criminal prosecution for “official” acts as president.

Prosecutors with the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told Justice Juan Merchan on Tuesday that they believe Trump’s arguments are “without merit” but do not oppose his request to push back the sentencing date as he files legal arguments.

Alex Woodward has the details.

A previous survey in May showed the two contenders tied, 37 per cent to 37 per cent.

The contest remains close and Trump’s lead is still within the margin of error of 3.1 per cent. The survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted between Friday and Sunday via landline and cell phone.

Independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has 8 per cent of the vote and three other candidates — independent Cornel West, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver independent Cornel West, Green Party candidate Jill Stein, Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver — have about one per cent each.

There are other red flags for the president though — 41 per cent of Democrats said they wanted Biden replaced at the top of the ticket.

In addition, there is a notable enthusiasm gap with 59 per cent of Trump voters saying they were very excited to vote for him versus only 29 per cent of Biden voters.

Trump is also leading Biden as a second choice among third-party candidate supporters who traditionally drift toward one of the two main parties as election day nears.

Carl Bernstein was speaking to Anderson Cooper on CNN last night and had some pretty alarming revelations to offer about White House insiders’ deep concerns about the president’s wellbeing.

Top contributors to Biden’s re-election bid are inquiring about having their campaign donations refunded in light of last week’s debate debacle.

Former Ohio Democratic Rep Tim Ryan has called for Vice President Kamala Harris to take over as the party’s 2024 nominee from President Joe Biden.

Ryan once had a short-lived 2020 presidential campaign, lost a race to become a senator in Ohio to JD Vance in 2022 and was in Congress for 20 years from 2003.

Writing in Newsweek, Ryan said: “I ran for President in 2020. I was the first Presidential candidate to endorse Joe Biden in 2020. I love America. I love our Party. I love Joe Biden.”

“The Democratic Nominee in 2024 should be Kamala Harris,” he continued.

“Joe Biden’s debate performance was deeply troubling. But it isn’t just about a 90-minute debate and a terrible performance. This election needs to be about generational change—something about which I have been shouting for more than a year now.”

Ryan lists all of Biden’s qualities and his record of connecting with voters but notes that he also promised to be the bridge to the next generation.

“Regrettably, that bridge collapsed last week. Witnessing Joe Biden struggle was heartbreaking. And we must forge a new path forward. After deep reflection over these past few days, I strongly believe that our best path forward is Kamala Harris.”

He argues that she would carry a more convincing Democratic message than Biden, especially on abortion, and would “energize the Black, brown, and Asian Pacific members of our coalition. (Read Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit, Charlotte, Miami and Milwaukee.)”

Ryan also argues she would bring dispirited young people back into the fold; both Democratic and Republican suburban women would be more comfortable with her than Trump or Biden; and her presence on the top of the ticket would help Democrats in swing districts.

In conclusion, he writes that the American people want a future of renewal and reform: “That future begins with Kamala Harris. I hope the powers that be in our party have the guts and vision to make that happen.”

California governor Gavin Newsom will headline a Democratic campaign event in New Hampshire next Monday, Fox News reports.

The July 8 event is called the “Blue Summer Campaign Kick-Off” and being organised by the New Hampshire House and Senate Democrats and will inevitably heighten speculation that Newsom is preparing to take over his party’s presidential nomination from the ailing Joe Biden.

“We look forward to welcoming Governor Newsom to New Hampshire to campaign on behalf of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as we work to once again defeat Donald Trump,” New Hampshire Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley said in a statement.

”Trump has grown increasingly unhinged in his campaign for power,” Buckley stressed, arguing that “it’s never been more important to mobilize Democrats across the state to defeat him and re-elect our President, Joe Biden, who has consistently fought for and delivered for New Hampshire.”

Newsom notably stood up for Biden after last week’s disaster in Atlanta, which the California man attended in person, and was rebuked for doing so by the likes of MSNBC pundit Joe Scarborough, who accused him of having his head in the sand.

Melania Trump is unlikely to take up the role of full-time first lady if her husband wins a second term as president, according to a report.

A Trumpworld insider told Page Six that the Slovenian former model has cut a deal with Donald Trump that if he takes back the White House in November she would not have to be on first lady duty 24/7.

Ultimately, Melania believes she can be “hands-on mother and first lady at the same time,” the insider told Page Six.

“She does not want a non-stop schedule of events in the White House, and makes the point she can be both a hands-on mother and First Lady at the same time.

“Donald is close to Barron, but isn’t going to tossing footballs with him when he’s the president and the head of the free world. Donald has already agreed to this, and feels that mothers and parents across the country will understand Melania’s devotion to their son,” they added.