Donald Trump’s donation dance

Invested in Florida politics. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

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1. 'Honest mistake'

A $25,000 payment by the family foundation of Donald Trump to help re-elect the Florida attorney general, Pam Bondi, has come under scrutiny in part because Bondi was mulling an inquiry into Trump University at the time.

Lincoln Day Dinner, March 2016, Palm Beach. — Lincoln Day dinner, March 2016, Palm Beach. Photograph: Michele Sandberg/Corbis via Getty Images

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Three days after the check hit, Bondi’s office announced there would be no inquiry. Under pressure to explain, Trump on Monday said he “never spoke to [Bondi] about it at all”.

“She’s a fine person. Never spoke to her about it.” — ‘She’s a fine person. Never spoke to her about it.’ Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

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Summary

But Bondi told AP she had solicited a donation from him personally, and today the Trump campaign admitted the two had talked – but not about Trump University. The IRS fined the foundation; charities can’t make political donations.

Team player. On 3 August in Florida. Photograph: Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images

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2. When Bondi spoke at Trump’s RNC

Pam Bondi: "Lock her up, I love that.” Just extraordinarily reckless.
— Brian Beutler (@brianbeutler) July 21, 2016

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Summary

How can @realDonaldTrump boast on one hand about his years working system yet plead that $$ to FL AG in midst of TrumpU probe was benign?
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) September 6, 2016

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4. The polling flood

As the Labor Day weekend came to a close, the polling floodgates opened. The Washington Post polled all 50 states and found a Clinton edge, while CNN published the first national poll with Trump in the lead since the conventions.

The big 50-state poll

Possible next president Donald Trump. Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images

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Summary

Who’s ahead? Analysts agreed the race appeared to be tightening. Clinton’s lead in polling averages was between two and five points, depending on the average. Who’s ahead? Stay tuned …

Trump’s ‘rigged election’ rhetoric

It’s getting real. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP

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5. Clinton buckling in for debate

Clinton took unscripted questions from reporters aboard her plane today, for the second consecutive day. She said she expected a “difficult, challenging debate” against Trump.

The view from abroad