TRUMP vs BLACK JOURNALISTS

GREETINGS!

😲😲Holy Smokes! I think it’s safe to say that July was probably one of the most politically charged months of an election year in a long time. Give the writers of this season of America an Emmy! 🏆

Also, yes. We’ve been MIA. But we’re back! There was just too much happening this election year to stay benched. 😉

🔔In today’s email:

🎤Trump vs Black Journalists
🎽More Olympics Controversy!
🥊Elon Musk Set To Fight Venezuela

-Mike

KEY STORY

Trump & Harris Campaigns Clash After Black Journalists Conference

🔥Trump vs. Harris on X: The Trump and Harris campaigns clashed after Trump's heated National Associations of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference appearance in Chicago July 31. Trump’s visit was hardly welcomed as top ABC reporter Rachel Scott lobbed loaded questions (that mainstream media outlets have failed to accurately ‘fact check,’ but more on that later) at the former president upon the start of the event.

🗣️Harris Campaign Response: "Trump lobbed personal attacks and insults at Black journalists the same way he did throughout his presidency-while he failed Black families and left the entire country digging out of the ditch he left us in," said Harris spokesperson Michael Tyler. "Today's tirade is simply a taste of the chaos and division that has been a hallmark of Trump's MAGA rallies this entire campaign," Tyler continued. "It's also exactly what the American people will see from across the debate stage as Vice President Harris offers a vision of opportunity and freedom for all Americans. All Donald Trump needs to do is stop playing games and actually show up to the debate on September 10."

🎤Trump's Retaliation: Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance, said Trump "walked right into the NABJ conference and showed he had the courage to take tough questions, while Kamala Harris continues to hide from any scrutiny or unfriendly media like the coward she is."

📢Trump's Clash with Press: During the NABJ event, Trump accused ABC News senior correspondent Rachel Scott of asking a "nasty question" and swiped at the Disney-owned network as "fake news."

❓Scott's Full Question: Scott asked Trump, "You have pushed false claims about some of your rivals, from Nikki Haley to former President Barack Obama, saying that they were not born in the United States, which is not true. You have told four congresswomen of color who were American citizens to go back to where they came from. You have used words like animal and rabid to describe Black district attorneys. You attack Black journalists, calling them a loser, saying the questions that they ask are, quote, stupid and racist. You've had dinner with a White supremacist at your Mar-a-Lago resort. So, my question, sir, now that you are asking black supporters to vote for you, why should Black voters trust you after you have used language like that?"

🏆Trump's Full Response: Trump shot back, "I think it's a very nasty question. I have answered the question. I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln. I love the Black population of this country. I've done so much for the Black population of this country, including employment, including opportunity zones, with Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, which is one of the greatest programs ever for Black workers and Black entrepreneurs. I've done so much, you know, and I say this, historically Black colleges and universities were out of money and they were storm cold broke and I saved them, and I gave them long term financing, and nobody else was doing it. I think it’s a very rude introduction, I don’t know why you would do something like that. And let me go a step further. I was invited here, and I was told my opponent, whether it was Biden or Kamala. I was told my opponent was going to be here. It turned out my opponent isn't here. You invited me on under false pretense ... And then you were half an hour late, just so we understand. I have too much respect for you to be late. They couldn't get their equipment working or something."

💡Trump's Post-Event Take: On his social media website, Truth Social, Trump said after the event, "The questions were Rude and Nasty, often in the form of a statement, but we CRUSHED IT!™”

KEY STORY

Punches & Politics: The 2024 Olympic Games' Controversial First Week

🤯💥 Dramatic Withdrawal: Italian boxer Angela Carini made headlines when she withdrew from her match against Algerian Olympian Imane Khelif just 46 seconds in on Wednesday. The decision came amid intense scrutiny over Khelif's gender eligibility, setting off a whirlwind of controversy. 

🥊⚖️ Khelif's Disqualification: Prior to the Olympic games, Imane Khelif, reportedly listed as female on their passport, was hit with a disqualification at the 2023 World Boxing Championships after elevated testosterone levels were detected. Some reports claim the athlete is intersex or suffers from a hormonal disorder, although the information is a bit murky and difficult to confirm. The International Boxing Association's decision has ignited a fierce debate about gender and fairness in sports. 

👊Algerian Olympic Committee Stands Behind Athlete: The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) is not backing down. They've slammed the criticism of Khelif as "unethical targeting" and "baseless propaganda." The COA’s statement reads: "COA strongly condemns the unethical targeting and maligning of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda from certain foreign media outlets. Such attacks on her personality and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympics. The COA has taken all necessary measures to protect our champion." 

🔍 Italian Officials Throw Jabs: Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi is questioning the global sports community's criteria for gender eligibility, saying, "It is surprising that there are no certain, strict, uniform criteria at the international level." Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni chimed in, telling the UK Telegraph: "I think that athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women’s competitions. And not because you want to discriminate against someone, but to protect the right of female athletes to be able to compete on equal terms." 

🎭🙈 Olympics Drama: The 2024 Olympics organizers are already in hot water over the controversial opening ceremonies earlier this week. A skit featuring drag queens and a halo-crowned woman received backlash from Christians and others, who claimed it mocks Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic Last Supper painting. The controversy is adding fuel to an already fiery start to the 2024 Games.

KEY STORY

We Got Elon Musk Vs Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Before GTA6 🤯🤯

• On Wednesday, Elon Musk tweeted, "I accept" and said that Maduro would "chicken out." Musk also tweeted, "If I win, he resigns as dictator of Venezuela," and added, "If he wins, I give him a free ride to Mars."

• As of 3:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Maduro had not responded. It's still unclear how or when they would fight.

• Maduro called Musk a threat to Venezuela, saying he represents "fascist ideology" and warned, "Whoever gets involved with me dries out.”

How Did We Get Here

Musk, the world's richest man, criticized Maduro on social media for "major election fraud" in the country and called him a "dictator" on X.

• On Sunday, Maduro and his opponents both claimed they won the national election. The official vote results were delayed, but Maduro was declared the winner with 51% of the vote.

• Many people, including Elon Musk, have questioned these results and called it fraud.

• Musk shared a tweet from Argentine President Javier Milei, asking Maduro to admit defeat after many years of socialism and hardships.

DEVELOPING STORY

Israel, Hamas & Iran

The U.S. has officially designated Lebanon as a level 4 "Do Not Travel" zone. This warning was issued after the recent strike from Iran.

• Lebanon was not on the "Do Not Travel" list even after Israel's initial strike, but the situation changed following Iran's actions.

• There is widespread expectation of a potential retaliatory strike from Iran to Israel. Recently, a funeral was held for the individual taken out by Iran.

• If you are in Lebanon or considering travel there, be prepared to stay in place if conflict escalates. Previous situations in Haiti and some African nations showed that embassy staff will evacuate, leaving travelers to fend for themselves.

• The U.S. takes these travel advisories very seriously, affecting not only tourists but everyone considering travel to the designated countries.

Some Context

Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, was assassinated in an airstrike by Israel. The airstrike targeted his house in Tehran, which is why Iran is angry. Hamas confirmed the assassination in a statement released on Wednesday morning local time.

• The Israeli Mossad assassinated Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh by detonating an explosive device planted in his bedroom.

• This incident took place at the Iranian government official residence in Tehran.

HEADLINES
Here’s Some Small Talk Ammunition

🌎The Department of Defense says that three men accused of planning the 9/11 attacks have made a deal before going to trial.

❎On Thursday, the Democratic Party started the official voting process to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris for president. This virtual roll call will confirm her as the party's nominee for the upcoming November election.

🍿After a massive and record-breaking opening weekend, Marvel/Disney's "Deadpool & Wolverine" is rapidly approaching the $500 million mark at the global box office.

⚠️On Thursday, the biggest prisoner swap since the Cold War took place. Former US Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich were among the two dozen detainees released.

FROM THE EDITOR

What’s on your August news cycle bingo list? I could only imagine nothing worse than an assassination attempt, the sitting President stepping down from re-election, or the Olympics experiencing cancel culture…😐

-Mike