Donald Trump said Democrats want no guns, gas or God as he formally secured the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention.
Saying the country was more divided under Barack Obama, the president said the Democrats boosted his poll numbers due to their convention last week they attempted to use ballot harvesting to make elections the greatest scam in the history of politics.
Trump's appearance at the RNC came after Twitter placed a disclaimer on his tweet criticising the promotion of drop boxes by Democrats as an option for voters, saying the tweet violated the company's "civic and election integrity" rules.
The row came amid the announcement that Kellyanne Conway, the US president's chief advisor, would be abruptly leaving the White House at the end of August, and just two months before election day.
*Trump*... 'Now if you want to really drive them crazy, you say 12 more years'
*Them*...
*Them*...
Schedule, speakers, and how to watch the Republican National Convention
The Independent's Graig Graziosi has the who, what, when, where and why of this week's convention programming, which officially kicks off at 8:30pm EST tonight before ending on Thursday.
Where can you watch?
Broadcast networks ABC, CBS and NBC will each run an hour of primetime coverage of the event beginning at 10pm. Each of the networks' personal streaming services will feature extended coverage.
CNN's coverage will begin at 8pm and run until 2am.
Fox Business and Fox News will both carry coverage of the convention. Coverage begins at 9pm on Fox Business and will run throughout the day and evening on Fox News.
MSNBC will have seven hours of coverage every night, which will likely include pre and post-convention analysis sessions.
PBS and CSPAN will both carry the convention. PBS's coverage will run from 8 until 11pm, while CSPAN will cover both the nightly sessions beginning at 8pm and the morning sessions.
Viewers can also find the RNC available via video streaming sites Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, NBC News Now, Roku and Xumo TV. Hulu is streaming the convention via ABC News regardless of one's subscription level.
Who will be speaking?
Monday's session will include messages from Senator Tim Scott, Congressmen Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan, former US ambassador Nikki Haley, right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, the St Louis gun couple Mark and Patricia McCloskey and Donald Trump Jr, among others.
Tuesday's session will include messages from First Lady Melania Trump and Donald Trump's children Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump, as well as from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Senator Rand Paul, among others.
On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen will speak, as well as Senators Marsha Blackburn and Joni Ernst, South Dakota's governor Kristi Noem, Representative Dan Crenshaw, Kellyanne Conway and Lara Trump, among others.
Thursday's speakers will include Secretary of US Housing and Development Ben Carson, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Tom Cotton, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, Ivanka Trump, Rudy Giuliani, Franklin Graham and Ultimate Fighting League president Dana White, among others.
The Independent's Graig Graziosi has the who, what, when, where and why of this week's convention programming, which officially kicks off at 8:30pm EST tonight before ending on Thursday.
Where can you watch?
Broadcast networks ABC, CBS and NBC will each run an hour of primetime coverage of the event beginning at 10pm. Each of the networks' personal streaming services will feature extended coverage.
CNN's coverage will begin at 8pm and run until 2am.
Fox Business and Fox News will both carry coverage of the convention. Coverage begins at 9pm on Fox Business and will run throughout the day and evening on Fox News.
MSNBC will have seven hours of coverage every night, which will likely include pre and post-convention analysis sessions.
PBS and CSPAN will both carry the convention. PBS's coverage will run from 8 until 11pm, while CSPAN will cover both the nightly sessions beginning at 8pm and the morning sessions.
Viewers can also find the RNC available via video streaming sites Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, NBC News Now, Roku and Xumo TV. Hulu is streaming the convention via ABC News regardless of one's subscription level.
Who will be speaking?
Monday's session will include messages from Senator Tim Scott, Congressmen Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan, former US ambassador Nikki Haley, right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, the St Louis gun couple Mark and Patricia McCloskey and Donald Trump Jr, among others.
Tuesday's session will include messages from First Lady Melania Trump and Donald Trump's children Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump, as well as from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Senator Rand Paul, among others.
On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen will speak, as well as Senators Marsha Blackburn and Joni Ernst, South Dakota's governor Kristi Noem, Representative Dan Crenshaw, Kellyanne Conway and Lara Trump, among others.
Thursday's speakers will include Secretary of US Housing and Development Ben Carson, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Tom Cotton, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, Ivanka Trump, Rudy Giuliani, Franklin Graham and Ultimate Fighting League president Dana White, among others.
OPINION: Farewell, Kellyanne Conway -- but not for long
For Independent Voices, Clémence Michallon asks what's next for American politics' strangest family.
Every once in a while, the news cycle takes a turn that seems at once unpredictable and unavoidable. Kellyanne Conway's impending resignation falls into that category. If you've been interested in the Conway family's dealings for a while, then you might not be entirely surprised to hear she's on her way out of the White House.
Read the full column.
Several arrests precede Charlotte's pared-down share of RNC
Several protesters and a person who illegally entered a secure area were arrested in the hours before North Carolina's scaled-back share of the Republican National Convention on Monday, local police said, noting that the event itself was conducted without disruption.
The streets outside of the Charlotte Convention Center were marked Monday by heavy security and little foot traffic as about 300 delegates met inside for several hours to formally renominate President Donald Trump.
Before the renomination roll-call vote began, RNC security officials said a man was arrested Monday morning after entering the security perimeter outside the convention centre but that he didn't disrupt any events or encounter any delegates. Police later said the suspect had jumped a short fence along the city's light rail line but that they don't believe his motive was to interfere with the RNC. He was charged with trespassing and resisting or obstructing an officer.
The previous night, five protesters were arrested during demonstrations that drew at least 75 protesters to the business district and the area outside the hotel where delegates were staying, police said. Just before midnight, police said demonstrators began to move barricades, construction cones and trash cans to block roads.
While protesters were marching away from the area, they surrounded a pickup truck that was trying to pass through the crowd, authorities said. Police had also made several arrests each on Friday and Saturday night. No serious injuries were reported.
- Associated Press
Several protesters and a person who illegally entered a secure area were arrested in the hours before North Carolina's scaled-back share of the Republican National Convention on Monday, local police said, noting that the event itself was conducted without disruption.
The streets outside of the Charlotte Convention Center were marked Monday by heavy security and little foot traffic as about 300 delegates met inside for several hours to formally renominate President Donald Trump.
Before the renomination roll-call vote began, RNC security officials said a man was arrested Monday morning after entering the security perimeter outside the convention centre but that he didn't disrupt any events or encounter any delegates. Police later said the suspect had jumped a short fence along the city's light rail line but that they don't believe his motive was to interfere with the RNC. He was charged with trespassing and resisting or obstructing an officer.
The previous night, five protesters were arrested during demonstrations that drew at least 75 protesters to the business district and the area outside the hotel where delegates were staying, police said. Just before midnight, police said demonstrators began to move barricades, construction cones and trash cans to block roads.
While protesters were marching away from the area, they surrounded a pickup truck that was trying to pass through the crowd, authorities said. Police had also made several arrests each on Friday and Saturday night. No serious injuries were reported.
- Associated Press
BREAKING: Jerry Falwell Jr resigns from Liberty University following scandal, reports say
Jerry Falwell Jr, a prominent Evangelical Christian leader and beleaguered supporter of Donald Trump, has submitted his resignation from the university founded by his father, according to reports.
Mr Falwell has been on a leave of absence from the presidency of the university while embroiled in several controversies. His resignation reportedly followed the publication of allegations that Mr Falwell and his wife had engaged in a years-long sexual relationship with another man.
Mr Falwell has claimed in a lengthy statement that the man had tried to blackmail the family.
Follow the story as it unfolds.
Jerry Falwell Jr, a prominent Evangelical Christian leader and beleaguered supporter of Donald Trump, has submitted his resignation from the university founded by his father, according to reports.
Mr Falwell has been on a leave of absence from the presidency of the university while embroiled in several controversies. His resignation reportedly followed the publication of allegations that Mr Falwell and his wife had engaged in a years-long sexual relationship with another man.
Mr Falwell has claimed in a lengthy statement that the man had tried to blackmail the family.
Follow the story as it unfolds.
Melania Trump and Karen Pence among attendees of White House event
Melania Trump has been photographed not wearing a face mask at an event at the White House, where she reportedly hugged and shook hands with multiple children.
The first lady of the United States was at an event on Monday that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which allowed white American women the right to vote.
While not wearing a mask, Ms Trump shook hands and hugged multiple children who attended the event, according to CNN reporter Kate Bennett.
The event was also attended by the US second lady Karen Pence, White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, transportation secretary Elaine Chao and education secretary Betsy DeVos, who were all pictured without face masks.
Ms Conway announced on Sunday that she will be leaving the White House at the end of the month to spend more time with her family, and told a reporter at the event: "How am I doing? I'm good. I make my own choices."
Many of the parents and children wore face masks throughout the event, while others including White House officials held them in their hands.
Melania Trump has been photographed not wearing a face mask at an event at the White House, where she reportedly hugged and shook hands with multiple children.
The first lady of the United States was at an event on Monday that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which allowed white American women the right to vote.
While not wearing a mask, Ms Trump shook hands and hugged multiple children who attended the event, according to CNN reporter Kate Bennett.
The event was also attended by the US second lady Karen Pence, White House adviser Kellyanne Conway, transportation secretary Elaine Chao and education secretary Betsy DeVos, who were all pictured without face masks.
Ms Conway announced on Sunday that she will be leaving the White House at the end of the month to spend more time with her family, and told a reporter at the event: "How am I doing? I'm good. I make my own choices."
Many of the parents and children wore face masks throughout the event, while others including White House officials held them in their hands.
James Crump reports.
FRANK LUNTZ: 'The trend is definitely, over the past couple weeks, in Donald Trump's favor'
Renowned pollster Frank Luntz has a new take on Trump's chances in November, saying if Minnesota goes red the president could lose Pennsylvania, Michigan AND Wisconsin and still win in November if all else remains equal.
Renowned pollster Frank Luntz has a new take on Trump's chances in November, saying if Minnesota goes red the president could lose Pennsylvania, Michigan AND Wisconsin and still win in November if all else remains equal.
US Senator Marsha Blackburn to focus on 'honouring our heroes' in RNC speech
US Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee says her focus will be "honouring our heroes" in her address Wednesday at the Republican National Convention.
In a phone interview Monday, Blackburn said she'll soon learn more about whether her participation will be in-person or virtual.
She said she has examples of people helping after tornadoes earlier this year and during the COVID-19 pandemic, of law enforcement and emergency room nurses and of everyday people.
"We've got some good examples of groups and people who have just given extraordinary efforts," Blackburn said. "Tennessee is the Volunteer State and people show up to help."
She called last week's Democratic National Convention "a week of negativity," saying Democrats' focus on President Donald Trump was "puzzling."
"People know if they agree with him or not, if they like him or they don't, or if maybe they don't like his actions but they like the outcomes," Blackburn said.
She said it's a "very good thing" that a "little bit more interaction" is planned for the GOP convention, including official business conducted Monday in Charlotte.
- Associated Press
- Associated Press
WATCH IT HERE: Trump's agriculture secretary appears to flout campaigning rules at White House event
BREAKING: 'Four more years': Trump Agriculture Secretary appears to break rules prohibiting officials from making campaign statements
US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue appeared to flagrantly violate the ethics law prohibiting government officials from making political statements during officials events when he advocated for "four more years" for President Donald Trump at an official function in Mills River, N.C., on Monday.
"Mr President, as you saw those throngs of people lining both sides of the road from the airport all the way to Mills River here, those were those forgotten people that voted for you for 2016. And I've got better news for you: They and many others are gonna vote for you for four more years in 2020," Mr Perdue said at an event touting the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) "Farmers to Families Food Box Program" that is sending excess produce to families in need during the coronavirus.
Mr Perdue's remarks, which followed the president's, were broadcast live on the White House's official live streaming channel on YouTube, an apparent violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits government employees from engaging in partisan activities while on duty.
Follow the story as it unfolds.
US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue appeared to flagrantly violate the ethics law prohibiting government officials from making political statements during officials events when he advocated for "four more years" for President Donald Trump at an official function in Mills River, N.C., on Monday.
"Mr President, as you saw those throngs of people lining both sides of the road from the airport all the way to Mills River here, those were those forgotten people that voted for you for 2016. And I've got better news for you: They and many others are gonna vote for you for four more years in 2020," Mr Perdue said at an event touting the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) "Farmers to Families Food Box Program" that is sending excess produce to families in need during the coronavirus.
Mr Perdue's remarks, which followed the president's, were broadcast live on the White House's official live streaming channel on YouTube, an apparent violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits government employees from engaging in partisan activities while on duty.
Follow the story as it unfolds.
ICYMI: Wisconsin National Guard to be deployed to Kenosha after police shoot unarmed Black father Jacob Blake
The Wisconsin National Guard has been deployed to Kenosha one day after Jacob Blake was shot by police officers.
Governor Tony Evers authorised the deployment on Monday and about 125 members are expected to get to the Wisconsin city by the evening.
The decision comes after the city experienced violence and rioting on Sunday evening as a reaction to Mr Blake getting shot by Kenosha police officers seven times in the back.
Mr Blake's identity was revealed by Mr Evers and other officials later on Sunday after the shooting. The 29-year-old was taken to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee where he remains. His cousin revealed on Twitter that Mr Blake was out of surgery and currently recovering in the ICU.
Video footage showing the altercation between police officers and Mr Blake sparked outrage from the public. In the video, taken by a bystander, it showed Mr Blake walking around to the driver's side of his vehicle while officers followed him. When he reached into the car, one officer then shot Mr Blake in the back seven times.
Two officers have since been placed on administrative leave following the incident, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice was currently investigating the altercation. The department said the officers were cooperating with the investigation.
The National Guard being called to Kenosha comes after protests turned violent on Sunday evening. Protesters set fire to cars and local businesses, smashed windows, and clashed with police in riot gear.
Danielle Zoellner reports.
The Wisconsin National Guard has been deployed to Kenosha one day after Jacob Blake was shot by police officers.
Governor Tony Evers authorised the deployment on Monday and about 125 members are expected to get to the Wisconsin city by the evening.
The decision comes after the city experienced violence and rioting on Sunday evening as a reaction to Mr Blake getting shot by Kenosha police officers seven times in the back.
Mr Blake's identity was revealed by Mr Evers and other officials later on Sunday after the shooting. The 29-year-old was taken to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee where he remains. His cousin revealed on Twitter that Mr Blake was out of surgery and currently recovering in the ICU.
Video footage showing the altercation between police officers and Mr Blake sparked outrage from the public. In the video, taken by a bystander, it showed Mr Blake walking around to the driver's side of his vehicle while officers followed him. When he reached into the car, one officer then shot Mr Blake in the back seven times.
Two officers have since been placed on administrative leave following the incident, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice was currently investigating the altercation. The department said the officers were cooperating with the investigation.
The National Guard being called to Kenosha comes after protests turned violent on Sunday evening. Protesters set fire to cars and local businesses, smashed windows, and clashed with police in riot gear.
Danielle Zoellner reports.
Trump campaign releases nationalistic second term agenda featuring permanent manned moon presence
Donald Trump's re-election campaign released a list of priorities for his next four years in office, if he wins them -- and it includes both a trip to Mars and a "permanent manned presence on the Moon".
The long bullet-pointed list, released on Sunday, comes after several interviews in which Mr Trump struggled to provide even the simplest details of what he would do with a second term.
Covering policy areas ranging from the standard education, healthcare and jobs to the distinctively Trumpian "Drain the Swamp", the agenda presents itself as a statement of the president's "core priorities".
Andrew Naughtie reports.
Donald Trump's re-election campaign released a list of priorities for his next four years in office, if he wins them -- and it includes both a trip to Mars and a "permanent manned presence on the Moon".
The long bullet-pointed list, released on Sunday, comes after several interviews in which Mr Trump struggled to provide even the simplest details of what he would do with a second term.
Covering policy areas ranging from the standard education, healthcare and jobs to the distinctively Trumpian "Drain the Swamp", the agenda presents itself as a statement of the president's "core priorities".
Andrew Naughtie reports.
Trump says coronavirus is fading as nation will put 'horrible incident from China' behind it
In the toss-up state of North Carolina, Trump spoke on a tarmac in Fletcher to several hundred cheering supporters -- the majority not wearing masks -- after he addressed delegates at the Republican National Convention in Charlotte.
Trump says the nation will "put this horrible incident coming from China behind us and we will have the vaccines very soon, but it's going to be fading, and it is starting to fade."
The U.S. coronavirus death toll and case count have been climbing for months. More than 176,000 Americans have now died of the coronavirus, by far more than any other country.
Trump predicted positive third quarter results for the US economy and said next year would be even better.
After brief remarks, Trump drove to Mills River, where he was to tour Flavor First Growers and Packers and speak at a Farmers to Families food box distribution program.
Along the motorcade route to Mills River, some people expressed their disapproval of Trump's presidency. One man, wearing a mask, held a cloth banner that said: "Mr Trump Spewing Lies. Spreading COVID."
- Associated Press
Biden condemns 'systemic racism' in Wisconsin shooting of unarmed black man as Trump stays silent
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has reacted to the shooting in Wisconsin of an unarmed black man by condemning the "systemic racism" seen across America in police departments.
In a statement released on Monday, Mr Biden implored for the Kenosha Police Department officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake to face accountability for their actions.
"And this morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another black American is a victim of excessive force," he said. "This calls for an immediate, full and transparent investigation and the officers must be held accountable."
He added: "These shots pierce the soul of our nation. Jill and I pray for Jacob's recover and his children."
Mr Biden then stated that America was at an "inflection point" with how it looks at racial justice in the country. "We must dismantle systemic racism," he said. "It is the urgent task before us."
The former vice president has joined a number of prominent politicians, celebrities, and athletes reacting to the shooting that happened early Sunday evening in Kenosha.
Danielle Zoellner reports.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has reacted to the shooting in Wisconsin of an unarmed black man by condemning the "systemic racism" seen across America in police departments.
In a statement released on Monday, Mr Biden implored for the Kenosha Police Department officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake to face accountability for their actions.
"And this morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another black American is a victim of excessive force," he said. "This calls for an immediate, full and transparent investigation and the officers must be held accountable."
He added: "These shots pierce the soul of our nation. Jill and I pray for Jacob's recover and his children."
Mr Biden then stated that America was at an "inflection point" with how it looks at racial justice in the country. "We must dismantle systemic racism," he said. "It is the urgent task before us."
The former vice president has joined a number of prominent politicians, celebrities, and athletes reacting to the shooting that happened early Sunday evening in Kenosha.
Danielle Zoellner reports.
Donald Trump Jr shares criminal history of Jacob Blake in attack on BLM protesters in Wisconsin
From The Independent's Graig Graziosi:
Donald Trump Jr conflated protesting and rioting on Twitter in response to the unrest sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.
The president's son posted a video that showed lines of burning vehicles in the lot of a flaming car dealership, and wrote "Peaceful Protests."
The video, posted by a right-wing YouTuber, includes the caption "Up close look at the car dealership fire set by BLM arsonists in Wisconsin."
As of Monday, there is no evidence that suggests the arsonists were connected to the Black Lives Matter movement at either an organisational or ideological level.
Protests and riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin broke out after police shot Mr Blake seven times in the back on Monday. Mr Blake was unarmed at the time of the shooting. A widely-spread video shows Mr Blake attempting to enter his SUV while a police officer is following him closely. As Mr Blake goes to enter the vehicle, the police officer grabs his shirt and fires seven times into his back. Mr Blake goes limp and falls onto his SUV's horn.
Read more.
National Guard called out after police shoot Black man
Wisconsin's governor summoned the National Guard to head off another round of violent protests Monday after the police shooting of a Black man under murky circumstances turned Kenosha into the nation's latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said 125 members of the National Guard would be in Kenosha on Monday night with responsibility for "guarding infrastructure and making sure our firefighters and others involved are protected."
The move came after protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear Sunday night over the wounding of 29-year-old Jacob Blake, who was hospitalized in serious condition. He was shot, apparently in the back, as he leaned into his SUV while his three children sat in the vehicle.
- Associated Press
Wisconsin's governor summoned the National Guard to head off another round of violent protests Monday after the police shooting of a Black man under murky circumstances turned Kenosha into the nation's latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said 125 members of the National Guard would be in Kenosha on Monday night with responsibility for "guarding infrastructure and making sure our firefighters and others involved are protected."
The move came after protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear Sunday night over the wounding of 29-year-old Jacob Blake, who was hospitalized in serious condition. He was shot, apparently in the back, as he leaned into his SUV while his three children sat in the vehicle.
- Associated Press
The Lincoln Project tweets and then deletes video claiming Trump joked about racist slur against Obama
The Lincoln Project earlier tweeted a since-deleted video clip from Trump's RNC address they said showed the president respond to the slur "Monkey" yelled out from an audience member, to which Trump responded "be nice" as the crowd laughed.
The clip began garnering reaction across twitter before it was subsequently deleted, with some observers saying the audience member had actually said "spygate".
The Lincoln Project earlier tweeted a since-deleted video clip from Trump's RNC address they said showed the president respond to the slur "Monkey" yelled out from an audience member, to which Trump responded "be nice" as the crowd laughed.
The clip began garnering reaction across twitter before it was subsequently deleted, with some observers saying the audience member had actually said "spygate".
'How can one person screw this up in just a few weeks': Postmaster General DeJoy faces grilling
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy faced hours of an intense grilling by Democratic lawmakers on Monday who want answers on why the US Postal Service underwent operational changes in recent weeks that have led to significant delays in delivery.
"After 240 years of patriotic service, how can one person screw this up in just a few weeks? I understand you bring private sector expertise. I guess we couldn't find a government worker who could screw it up this fast. It would take them a while," said House Oversight Committee Democrat Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts.
"The president is running this post office like a business," Mr Lynch said, alluding to Donald Trump's business history chequered with strings of success but also several failures.
"He's running it into the ground as he has declared bankruptcy a few times on his own businesses," Mr Lynch said.
"We can only reach two conclusions: One, either through gross incompetence you have ended the 240-year history of delivering the mail reliably on time, or the second conclusion that we could gather is you're doing this on purpose and that you're deliberately dismantling this once-proud tradition," he said.
Follow the story as it unfolds.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy faced hours of an intense grilling by Democratic lawmakers on Monday who want answers on why the US Postal Service underwent operational changes in recent weeks that have led to significant delays in delivery.
"After 240 years of patriotic service, how can one person screw this up in just a few weeks? I understand you bring private sector expertise. I guess we couldn't find a government worker who could screw it up this fast. It would take them a while," said House Oversight Committee Democrat Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts.
"The president is running this post office like a business," Mr Lynch said, alluding to Donald Trump's business history chequered with strings of success but also several failures.
"He's running it into the ground as he has declared bankruptcy a few times on his own businesses," Mr Lynch said.
"We can only reach two conclusions: One, either through gross incompetence you have ended the 240-year history of delivering the mail reliably on time, or the second conclusion that we could gather is you're doing this on purpose and that you're deliberately dismantling this once-proud tradition," he said.
Follow the story as it unfolds.
Trump-supporting evangelist claims his wife's ex-lover tried to blackmail their family
Jerry Falwell Jr, one of the country's highest-profile evangelical Christians, has claimed that a man who had an affair with his wife tried to blackmail his family.
Mr Falwell, who is currently on a leave of absence as the president of evangelical Liberty University, released a lengthy statement in The Washington Examiner saying he was recovering from the "trauma" of the experience.
The vocal Donald Trump supporter said he and his wife, Becki Falwell, met a man with whom she later had an affair with during a vacation over eight years ago, he said.
Mr Falwell said that he and his wife met the "ambitious young man who was working at [their] hotel" and tried to help him advance his career.
"Shortly thereafter, Ms Falwell had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved -- it was nonetheless very upsetting to learn about," Mr Falwell said.
He added: "Over the course of the last few months this person's behaviour has reached a level that we have decided the only way to stop this predatory behaviour is to go public."
Louise Hall reports.
Jerry Falwell Jr, one of the country's highest-profile evangelical Christians, has claimed that a man who had an affair with his wife tried to blackmail his family.
Mr Falwell, who is currently on a leave of absence as the president of evangelical Liberty University, released a lengthy statement in The Washington Examiner saying he was recovering from the "trauma" of the experience.
The vocal Donald Trump supporter said he and his wife, Becki Falwell, met a man with whom she later had an affair with during a vacation over eight years ago, he said.
Mr Falwell said that he and his wife met the "ambitious young man who was working at [their] hotel" and tried to help him advance his career.
"Shortly thereafter, Ms Falwell had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved -- it was nonetheless very upsetting to learn about," Mr Falwell said.
He added: "Over the course of the last few months this person's behaviour has reached a level that we have decided the only way to stop this predatory behaviour is to go public."
Louise Hall reports.
Person arrested for entering secure area at RNC in Charlotte
Several protesters and a person who illegally entered a secure area before the start of the Republican National Convention have been arrested, convention officials and police said Monday.
RNC security officials said in a tweet that the unidentified person was arrested after entering the security perimeter outside the Charlotte Convention Center, where the convention is being held. They said the person didn't enter an area where delegates were present or disrupt any events.
- Associated Press
Several protesters and a person who illegally entered a secure area before the start of the Republican National Convention have been arrested, convention officials and police said Monday.
RNC security officials said in a tweet that the unidentified person was arrested after entering the security perimeter outside the Charlotte Convention Center, where the convention is being held. They said the person didn't enter an area where delegates were present or disrupt any events.
- Associated Press
Please allow the blog a moment to load
