In November 2018, after a vote that did not matter enough to him to push conspiracy theories about the outcome, President Donald Trump stood in the Rose Garden and delivered the hard truth.

“This was a fair election,” he said to a bird named Carrots, sidelined at the annual White House turkey pardon after being snubbed in an online contest over which privileged poultry (Peas or Carrots) would star in the ritual. “Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount, and we’re still fighting with Carrots.”

The crowd laughed, and Trump smirked a little. Such hammy pageantry in stately settings, aides say, has long been a part of the job he especially enjoys. He gripped his lectern for the punchline, thumbs behind the presidential seal.

“We’ve come to a conclusion,” Trump said grandly. “Carrots, I’m sorry to tell you, the result did not change. It’s too bad for Carrots.”

Two years later, after an election result that was too bad for Trump, he has been less willing to accept the cold math of whom the people want to see at the White House.

In the weeks since Election Day, the president and his allies have set off on a groundless and dangerous effort to overturn the will of an electorate that rejected him, moving to undercut basic tenets of American democracy to cling to an office he did not expect to win four years ago and has not particularly treasured since, by most accounts.

On Monday, after the administrator of the General Services Administration formally designated President-elect Joe Biden as the apparent winner of the election, Trump blessed the move on Twitter while still vowing to move ahead with legal challenges.

Yet the president’s desperate gambit until this point has been so all-consuming, his aversion to losing so well known, that little attention has been paid to a knotty question underpinning it all: What, exactly, was he holding onto? Why fight so hard, and put the country through so much, to keep a position he has often not appeared to want?

In some ways, Trump had seemed to imagine his Washington life more closely resembling a rolling turkey pardon — the pomp and splendor, yes, but also a world largely amenable to his boss-man bearing and binary whims: This bird is spared. Those birds are not. He’d have his people call the turkey people and hammer out the fine print later. But through it all, his word would be final.

This instinct has likewise fueled Trump’s affection for people-pardoning: He has used his pardon and clemency powers with abandon to reward allies and others whose causes are backed by celebrities. He is still considering a wave of such pardons for the final weeks of his tenure.

But for Trump, the more consistent reality of the presidency, laced with briefings and congressional obstacles and impeachment and criticism, has never quite measured up.

He has generally relished the aspects of the job that allow him to preside over something, fowl-based or otherwise — forums well-suited to a leader for whom attention can seem less a wish than a psychic need.

The trappings and the title have plainly pleased him the most, placing him at the center of major celebrations for the mere fact of being president. He has marveled at the Bastille Day parade in Paris, taken to the “beautiful phones” at the White House and delighted in serving fast food to college football champions. In July, Trump, who has for years pressed the federal government to stage an elaborate fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, finally got his way.

He has also amused himself showing off Air Force One and the Lincoln Bedroom. Then there is the study off the Oval Office, which he converted into a small dining room — the space, he has informed guests with a twinkle, where Monica Lewinsky would visit President Bill Clinton.

Jeff Flake, a Republican former senator from Arizona who spoke forcefully against Trump before leaving office, recalled Trump’s manifest glee at posing for pictures in his workspace.

“He loves having people go into the Oval Office — him sitting with a thumbs-up and for them to stand,” he said. “He seemed to never tire of that, of showing people the Oval Office and getting that picture.”

The president’s furious bid to keep power, Flake suggested, reflected Trump’s realization that his future celebrity might never match the present. “No matter how much fame he had before, it didn’t compare,” he said. “Once he had it, it’s tough to give up.”

Certainly Trump’s predecessors have appreciated many perks of the post, holding court with favored entertainers or athletes at the White House and growing fond of their privileged temporary address. But this president has taken a more conspicuous shine to such advantages than most.

It is little secret that the mechanics of government never much animated Trump. He has been on most sides of most major political issues throughout his adult life, depending on the day. His reelection campaign barely bothered with a detailed vision for a prospective second term, focusing far more often on cultural grievance and race-baiting rally fare.

While he has effectively abdicated any leadership role in steering the nation’s coronavirus response — generally processing its devastation this year through the lens of how the pandemic would affect him politically — the president plans to see to it that the turkey pardon proceeds as scheduled Tuesday.

It stands to be one of his few public appearances in recent weeks amid runaway virus case numbers and his continued assault on the integrity of the election. Trump has maintained a light public schedule since Nov. 3 and has often seemed downcast at his handful of engagements, including an announcement about the push to develop coronavirus vaccines, which he had promoted aggressively during the campaign.

Besides his regular golf outings on the weekends, the man who has historically seemed to need human interaction for sustenance — the audience for his perpetual show — is demonstrating little interest in being around others when he cannot point to something he can credibly call a win.

But then, the image of Trump merrily addressing turkeys in this context might register as a fitting turn for an executive end-stage that has constantly commingled calamity and absurdity.

It is also something of a culmination after three years of turkey pardons that have at times doubled as surprisingly telling snapshots of Trump’s frame of mind at various points in his presidency, with cutting asides and easy smiles in equal measure.

“From what I’ve seen,” said Beth Breeding, a spokesperson for the National Turkey Federation, “the president seems to have really enjoyed them.”

At the event in 2017, as Trump was working to reverse as much of the Obama legacy as he could, he joked that the White House Counsel’s Office had reminded him that the former president’s turkey pardons could not be revoked.

In 2018, with congressional investigations looming as Democrats prepared to take control of the House, the president said he had warned Peas and Carrots that “House Democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas” despite his clemency.

And in 2019, as an impeachment inquiry and the upcoming election weighed on him, Trump opened with a bit of self-congratulation (“it’s always nice to begin by saying the stock market is up again”), allowed his mind to wander to the emotional comforts of his victory in 2016 (“very great day”) and complained bitterly about Rep. Adam B. Schiff, chair of the House Intelligence Committee.

By the end, though, the president was fulfilling the part of the job that always made the most sense to him: master of ceremonies. He placed his hand over a turkey named Butter, used the word “hereby” to infuse the proceedings with requisite gravitas (“I hereby grant you a full and complete pardon”) and started clapping on his way back inside.

“That was great,” Trump said, watching the crowd watch him. “Lot of fun.”

In November 2018, after a vote that did not matter enough to him to push conspiracy theories about the outcome, President Donald Trump stood in the Rose Garden and delivered the hard truth.

In November 2018, after a vote that did not matter enough to him to push conspiracy theories about the outcome, President Donald Trump stood in the Rose Garden and delivered the hard truth. “This was a fair election,” he said to a bird named Carrots, sidelined at the annual White House turkey pardon after being snubbed in an online contest over which privileged poultry (Peas or Carrots) would star in the ritual. “Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount, and we’re still fighting with Carrots.” The crowd laughed, and Trump smirked a little. Such hammy pageantry in stately settings, aides say, has long been a part of the job he especially enjoys. He gripped his lectern for the punchline, thumbs behind the presidential seal. “We’ve come to a conclusion,” Trump said grandly. “Carrots, I’m sorry to tell you, the result did not change. It’s too bad for Carrots.” Two years later, after an election result that was too bad for Trump, he has been less willing to accept the cold math of whom the people want to see at the White House. In the weeks since Election Day, the president and his allies have set off on a groundless and dangerous effort to overturn the will of an electorate that rejected him, moving to undercut basic tenets of American democracy to cling to an office he did not expect to win four years ago and has not particularly treasured since, by most accounts. On Monday, after the administrator of the General Services Administration formally designated President-elect Joe Biden as the apparent winner of the election, Trump blessed the move on Twitter while still vowing to move ahead with legal challenges. Yet the president’s desperate gambit until this point has been so all-consuming, his aversion to losing so well known, that little attention has been paid to a knotty question underpinning it all: What, exactly, was he holding onto? Why fight so hard, and put the country through so much, to keep a position he has often not appeared to want? In some ways, Trump had seemed to imagine his Washington life more closely resembling a rolling turkey pardon — the pomp and splendor, yes, but also a world largely amenable to his boss-man bearing and binary whims: This bird is spared. Those birds are not. He’d have his people call the turkey people and hammer out the fine print later. But through it all, his word would be final. This instinct has likewise fueled Trump’s affection for people-pardoning: He has used his pardon and clemency powers with abandon to reward allies and others whose causes are backed by celebrities. He is still considering a wave of such pardons for the final weeks of his tenure. But for Trump, the more consistent reality of the presidency, laced with briefings and congressional obstacles and impeachment and criticism, has never quite measured up. He has generally relished the aspects of the job that allow him to preside over something, fowl-based or otherwise — forums well-suited to a leader for whom attention can seem less a wish than a psychic need. The trappings and the title have plainly pleased him the most, placing him at the center of major celebrations for the mere fact of being president. He has marveled at the Bastille Day parade in Paris, taken to the “beautiful phones” at the White House and delighted in serving fast food to college football champions. In July, Trump, who has for years pressed the federal government to stage an elaborate fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, finally got his way. He has also amused himself showing off Air Force One and the Lincoln Bedroom. Then there is the study off the Oval Office, which he converted into a small dining room — the space, he has informed guests with a twinkle, where Monica Lewinsky would visit President Bill Clinton. Jeff Flake, a Republican former senator from Arizona who spoke forcefully against Trump before leaving office, recalled Trump’s manifest glee at posing for pictures in his workspace. “He loves having people go into the Oval Office — him sitting with a thumbs-up and for them to stand,” he said. “He seemed to never tire of that, of showing people the Oval Office and getting that picture.” The president’s furious bid to keep power, Flake suggested, reflected Trump’s realization that his future celebrity might never match the present. “No matter how much fame he had before, it didn’t compare,” he said. “Once he had it, it’s tough to give up.” Certainly Trump’s predecessors have appreciated many perks of the post, holding court with favored entertainers or athletes at the White House and growing fond of their privileged temporary address. But this president has taken a more conspicuous shine to such advantages than most. It is little secret that the mechanics of government never much animated Trump. He has been on most sides of most major political issues throughout his adult life, depending on the day. His reelection campaign barely bothered with a detailed vision for a prospective second term, focusing far more often on cultural grievance and race-baiting rally fare. While he has effectively abdicated any leadership role in steering the nation’s coronavirus response — generally processing its devastation this year through the lens of how the pandemic would affect him politically — the president plans to see to it that the turkey pardon proceeds as scheduled Tuesday. It stands to be one of his few public appearances in recent weeks amid runaway virus case numbers and his continued assault on the integrity of the election. Trump has maintained a light public schedule since Nov. 3 and has often seemed downcast at his handful of engagements, including an announcement about the push to develop coronavirus vaccines, which he had promoted aggressively during the campaign. Besides his regular golf outings on the weekends, the man who has historically seemed to need human interaction for sustenance — the audience for his perpetual show — is demonstrating little interest in being around others when he cannot point to something he can credibly call a win. But then, the image of Trump merrily addressing turkeys in this context might register as a fitting turn for an executive end-stage that has constantly commingled calamity and absurdity. It is also something of a culmination after three years of turkey pardons that have at times doubled as surprisingly telling snapshots of Trump’s frame of mind at various points in his presidency, with cutting asides and easy smiles in equal measure. “From what I’ve seen,” said Beth Breeding, a spokesperson for the National Turkey Federation, “the president seems to have really enjoyed them.” At the event in 2017, as Trump was working to reverse as much of the Obama legacy as he could, he joked that the White House Counsel’s Office had reminded him that the former president’s turkey pardons could not be revoked. In 2018, with congressional investigations looming as Democrats prepared to take control of the House, the president said he had warned Peas and Carrots that “House Democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas” despite his clemency. And in 2019, as an impeachment inquiry and the upcoming election weighed on him, Trump opened with a bit of self-congratulation (“it’s always nice to begin by saying the stock market is up again”), allowed his mind to wander to the emotional comforts of his victory in 2016 (“very great day”) and complained bitterly about Rep. Adam B. Schiff, chair of the House Intelligence Committee. By the end, though, the president was fulfilling the part of the job that always made the most sense to him: master of ceremonies. He placed his hand over a turkey named Butter, used the word “hereby” to infuse the proceedings with requisite gravitas (“I hereby grant you a full and complete pardon”) and started clapping on his way back inside. “That was great,” Trump said, watching the crowd watch him. “Lot of fun.”

What Donald Trump liked about being president

President Donald Trump has made cultivating closer ties with Taiwan a critical part of his efforts to counter China’s rising influence. He has significantly increased weapons sales to Taiwan’s military, vowed to step up economic cooperation, and generally bolstered relations with the self-ruled democratic island — even in his waning days.

His successor, President-elect Joe Biden, will most likely continue on a similar path, albeit without Trump’s characteristic pugnacity.

As concerns grow about China’s increasingly aggressive behavior on the global stage, Biden will face pressure from Democrats and Republicans to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

While Biden said little about Taiwan on the campaign trail, he has said the United States should get “tough with China” and described its top leader, Xi Jinping, as a “thug.” His transition team has already reached out to Taiwanese officials.

“If China continues to put military and economic pressure on Taiwan, Biden will have to demonstrate he will not sit by while China bullies Taiwan,” said Bonnie S. Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

His approach, though, is expected to be less confrontational than his predecessor’s. “I don’t think Biden is looking to use Taiwan to poke Xi Jinping in the eye and make him look weak,” Glaser added. “There won’t be a deliberate effort to make Taiwan a point of friction.”

With less than two months left in his term, Trump is working to leave a legacy of severed ties between the United States and China, including a series of last-minute actions focused on Taiwan.

The U.S. government last week held economic talks in Washington with officials from Taiwan, drawing a rebuke from Beijing. Next month, the White House is planning to send the leader of the Environmental Protection Agency to Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, the latest in a series of high-profile visits by U.S. officials that have rankled the Chinese government.

Trump has attracted a loyal following in Taiwan because of his administration’s criticism of the Chinese Communist Party on issues such as trade, the coronavirus and the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong. He has garnered praise in Taiwan for moving swiftly to approve weapons sales, including more than $4 billion worth last month. He is also widely lauded for his decision, as president-elect in 2016, to take a telephone call from President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, breaking with decades of diplomatic practice.

“Trump’s actions have been very solid,” said Tsai Yi-yu, a lawmaker from southern Taiwan. Tsai has fervently supported Trump, going so far as to wear a “Keep America Great” face mask to meetings with Taiwan’s leaders.

“Maintaining Trump’s Taiwan policies will be best for Taiwan,” he said, citing Trump’s support for weapons sales.

In Taiwan, Biden’s ascent has been greeted with some anxiety, especially in the ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party, which is critical of China.

Many politicians and activists in Taiwan have grown increasingly concerned in recent years by Xi’s creeping authoritarianism. They have called on world leaders to more forcefully push back against efforts by Beijing to bring the island under its control, and to treat Taiwan as an equal.

Biden is seen in Taiwan as more risk averse. He is best known for his time as vice president under President Barack Obama, who has been criticized in Taiwan for not doing enough to stand up to Xi. As a senator, Biden helped bring China into international groups like the World Trade Organization, which gave the country an edge as it sought to expand its economy and exert influence in the global system.

Biden has resisted the idea that he would give in to pressure from Beijing. As evidence of Biden’s commitment to Taiwan, his advisers have cited his support as a senator for the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which obligates Washington to provide weapons to Taiwan. More recently, he has signaled his support for Taiwan in other ways, having his choice for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, for example, speak this month with Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States.

“He will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan,” an official with Biden’s transition team said in a statement. “He has long said that American support for Taiwan must remain strong, principled and bipartisan.”

Some politicians in Taiwan, including members of the opposition party, the Kuomintang, believe Biden’s more restrained approach could help ease tensions and prevent a military conflict between the United States and China.

“He is neither a reckless politician nor a person who wants to achieve something remarkable in a short period of time,” said Cheng Li-wun, a Kuomintang lawmaker.

Despite Biden’s calls for greater cooperation, China’s leaders are wary about his leadership. They worry that he will try to unite U.S. allies in Europe and Asia to thwart Beijing’s global agenda, according to analysts in the mainland, and that he will continue to seek closer ties with Taiwan.

“The basic Taiwan policies, even during Biden’s term, won’t see any upending changes,” said Xin Qiang, a scholar who studies U.S.-China relations and Taiwan at Fudan University in Shanghai. “With regard to both strategy and tactics, the mainland has concerns about both Biden and Trump.”

Chinese officials often accuse the United States of encouraging Taiwan to seek full independence, a move that Xi has repeatedly warned could be met by armed force. A rising sense of nationalism in China has fueled concerns that the mainland could react harshly if tensions escalated.

“I fear that one day the mainland will be forced to take actions because of the Taiwan issue that would cause a crisis or even a military conflict between China and the United States,” Xin said.

During his final weeks in office, Trump and his advisers appear to be intent on testing China’s limits on Taiwan.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has escalated his taunting of Beijing, saying during a recent interview that Taiwan was not a part of China. His remarks drew a furious response from Chinese officials, who said Taiwan was an inalienable part of China, denounced Pompeo and vowed to retaliate.

Trump’s national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, is leading a visit to the region as part of an effort to reassure U.S. allies, after Beijing this month signed a trade agreement with 14 countries in the region, a move seen as a check to American power in the region. O’Brien said in Manila on Monday that the United States would continue to support Taiwan and would not cede its status as a Pacific power to China.

“We’re going to fight for a free and open Indo-Pacific region with all of our partners,” O’Brien said in a conference call with reporters.

When he takes office in January, Biden will face growing frictions and also tough policy choices, including questions about arms sales and economic investment. Taiwan has long pressed U.S. officials to sign a bilateral trade treaty, an idea that Beijing opposes. Tsai Ing-wen lifted a long-standing ban on U.S. pork and beef imports in August, a decision seen as an attempt to open the door to formal trade talks.

President Donald Trump has made cultivating closer ties with Taiwan a critical part of his efforts to counter China’s rising influence. He has significantly increased weapons sales to Taiwan’s military, vowed to step up economic cooperation, and generally bolstered relations with the self-ruled democratic island — even in his waning days.

President Donald Trump has made cultivating closer ties with Taiwan a critical part of his efforts to counter China’s rising influence. He has significantly increased weapons sales to Taiwan’s military, vowed to step up economic cooperation, and generally bolstered relations with the self-ruled democratic island — even in his waning days. His successor, President-elect Joe Biden, will most likely continue on a similar path, albeit without Trump’s characteristic pugnacity. As concerns grow about China’s increasingly aggressive behavior on the global stage, Biden will face pressure from Democrats and Republicans to strengthen ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. While Biden said little about Taiwan on the campaign trail, he has said the United States should get “tough with China” and described its top leader, Xi Jinping, as a “thug.” His transition team has already reached out to Taiwanese officials. “If China continues to put military and economic pressure on Taiwan, Biden will have to demonstrate he will not sit by while China bullies Taiwan,” said Bonnie S. Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. His approach, though, is expected to be less confrontational than his predecessor’s. “I don’t think Biden is looking to use Taiwan to poke Xi Jinping in the eye and make him look weak,” Glaser added. “There won’t be a deliberate effort to make Taiwan a point of friction.” With less than two months left in his term, Trump is working to leave a legacy of severed ties between the United States and China, including a series of last-minute actions focused on Taiwan. The U.S. government last week held economic talks in Washington with officials from Taiwan, drawing a rebuke from Beijing. Next month, the White House is planning to send the leader of the Environmental Protection Agency to Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, the latest in a series of high-profile visits by U.S. officials that have rankled the Chinese government. Trump has attracted a loyal following in Taiwan because of his administration’s criticism of the Chinese Communist Party on issues such as trade, the coronavirus and the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong. He has garnered praise in Taiwan for moving swiftly to approve weapons sales, including more than $4 billion worth last month. He is also widely lauded for his decision, as president-elect in 2016, to take a telephone call from President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, breaking with decades of diplomatic practice. “Trump’s actions have been very solid,” said Tsai Yi-yu, a lawmaker from southern Taiwan. Tsai has fervently supported Trump, going so far as to wear a “Keep America Great” face mask to meetings with Taiwan’s leaders. “Maintaining Trump’s Taiwan policies will be best for Taiwan,” he said, citing Trump’s support for weapons sales. In Taiwan, Biden’s ascent has been greeted with some anxiety, especially in the ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party, which is critical of China. Many politicians and activists in Taiwan have grown increasingly concerned in recent years by Xi’s creeping authoritarianism. They have called on world leaders to more forcefully push back against efforts by Beijing to bring the island under its control, and to treat Taiwan as an equal. Biden is seen in Taiwan as more risk averse. He is best known for his time as vice president under President Barack Obama, who has been criticized in Taiwan for not doing enough to stand up to Xi. As a senator, Biden helped bring China into international groups like the World Trade Organization, which gave the country an edge as it sought to expand its economy and exert influence in the global system. Biden has resisted the idea that he would give in to pressure from Beijing. As evidence of Biden’s commitment to Taiwan, his advisers have cited his support as a senator for the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which obligates Washington to provide weapons to Taiwan. More recently, he has signaled his support for Taiwan in other ways, having his choice for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, for example, speak this month with Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States. “He will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan,” an official with Biden’s transition team said in a statement. “He has long said that American support for Taiwan must remain strong, principled and bipartisan.” Some politicians in Taiwan, including members of the opposition party, the Kuomintang, believe Biden’s more restrained approach could help ease tensions and prevent a military conflict between the United States and China. “He is neither a reckless politician nor a person who wants to achieve something remarkable in a short period of time,” said Cheng Li-wun, a Kuomintang lawmaker. Despite Biden’s calls for greater cooperation, China’s leaders are wary about his leadership. They worry that he will try to unite U.S. allies in Europe and Asia to thwart Beijing’s global agenda, according to analysts in the mainland, and that he will continue to seek closer ties with Taiwan. “The basic Taiwan policies, even during Biden’s term, won’t see any upending changes,” said Xin Qiang, a scholar who studies U.S.-China relations and Taiwan at Fudan University in Shanghai. “With regard to both strategy and tactics, the mainland has concerns about both Biden and Trump.” Chinese officials often accuse the United States of encouraging Taiwan to seek full independence, a move that Xi has repeatedly warned could be met by armed force. A rising sense of nationalism in China has fueled concerns that the mainland could react harshly if tensions escalated. “I fear that one day the mainland will be forced to take actions because of the Taiwan issue that would cause a crisis or even a military conflict between China and the United States,” Xin said. During his final weeks in office, Trump and his advisers appear to be intent on testing China’s limits on Taiwan. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has escalated his taunting of Beijing, saying during a recent interview that Taiwan was not a part of China. His remarks drew a furious response from Chinese officials, who said Taiwan was an inalienable part of China, denounced Pompeo and vowed to retaliate. Trump’s national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, is leading a visit to the region as part of an effort to reassure U.S. allies, after Beijing this month signed a trade agreement with 14 countries in the region, a move seen as a check to American power in the region. O’Brien said in Manila on Monday that the United States would continue to support Taiwan and would not cede its status as a Pacific power to China. “We’re going to fight for a free and open Indo-Pacific region with all of our partners,” O’Brien said in a conference call with reporters. When he takes office in January, Biden will face growing frictions and also tough policy choices, including questions about arms sales and economic investment. Taiwan has long pressed U.S. officials to sign a bilateral trade treaty, an idea that Beijing opposes. Tsai Ing-wen lifted a long-standing ban on U.S. pork and beef imports in August, a decision seen as an attempt to open the door to formal trade talks.

After Trump, Biden faces pressure to stand up to China by embracing Taiwan

One of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian has said that China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/us-china-trade-war-in-10-dates-241155">In pictures: US-China trade war in 10 dates</a> 
 
Zheng, a Chinese government advisor has said that Beijing should be prepared for a tough stance from Washington.

He recently said that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact would make it “challenging” for the US to form a new united trade front against China.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-is-mulling-joining-trade-pact-dumped-by-trump-344669">Also read: China is mulling joining trade pact dumped by Trump</a>

"Chinese government should utilise every opportunity to mend ties with the US," said Yongnian.

Zheng is the Dean of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies, a Shenzhen-based think tank.

"The good old days are over... the Cold War hawks in the US have been in a highly mobilised state for several years, and they will not disappear overnight," Zheng said in an interview on the sidelines of the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou recently.

Zheng, who attended a symposium hosted by President Xi Jinping in August to offer advice on China's long-term strategy, said there was now a bipartisan consensus in the US on containing China.

Zheng said President-elect Joe Biden might take advantage of the public resentment towards China after he entered the White House. "American society is torn apart. I don't think Biden can do anything about it," Zheng said.

"He is certainly a very weak President, if he can't sort out domestic issues, then he will do something on the diplomatic front, do something against China. If we say Trump is not interested in promoting democracy and freedom, Biden is. (President Donald) Trump is not interested in war... but a Democratic President could start wars."

The relationship between China and the United States has deteriorated under President Trump over a variety of reasons, including COVID-19 handling, trade and human rights.

Over 300 separate Bills targeting China have been drawn up by both Democrats and Republicans in the Congress, and the important ones addressing the catastrophes in Hong Kong and Xinjiang enjoyed full bipartisan support. The most potentially effective law, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which Trump only reluctantly signed, was co-sponsored by Republican Marco Rubio and Kamala Harris, the Democrats' Vice-President-elect.

Chinese foreign policy specialists have said they expect tensions between the US and China to continue under the Biden presidency.

At times during the election campaign, Biden took a tough line on China, calling Xi a "thug".

(With inputs from agencies)

One of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian has said that China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration.

One of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian has said that China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration. In pictures: US-China trade war in 10 dates Zheng, a Chinese government advisor has said that Beijing should be prepared for a tough stance from Washington. He recently said that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact would make it “challenging” for the US to form a new united trade front against China. Also read: China is mulling joining trade pact dumped by Trump "Chinese government should utilise every opportunity to mend ties with the US," said Yongnian. Zheng is the Dean of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies, a Shenzhen-based think tank. "The good old days are over... the Cold War hawks in the US have been in a highly mobilised state for several years, and they will not disappear overnight," Zheng said in an interview on the sidelines of the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou recently. Zheng, who attended a symposium hosted by President Xi Jinping in August to offer advice on China's long-term strategy, said there was now a bipartisan consensus in the US on containing China. Zheng said President-elect Joe Biden might take advantage of the public resentment towards China after he entered the White House. "American society is torn apart. I don't think Biden can do anything about it," Zheng said. "He is certainly a very weak President, if he can't sort out domestic issues, then he will do something on the diplomatic front, do something against China. If we say Trump is not interested in promoting democracy and freedom, Biden is. (President Donald) Trump is not interested in war... but a Democratic President could start wars." The relationship between China and the United States has deteriorated under President Trump over a variety of reasons, including COVID-19 handling, trade and human rights. Over 300 separate Bills targeting China have been drawn up by both Democrats and Republicans in the Congress, and the important ones addressing the catastrophes in Hong Kong and Xinjiang enjoyed full bipartisan support. The most potentially effective law, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which Trump only reluctantly signed, was co-sponsored by Republican Marco Rubio and Kamala Harris, the Democrats' Vice-President-elect. Chinese foreign policy specialists have said they expect tensions between the US and China to continue under the Biden presidency. At times during the election campaign, Biden took a tough line on China, calling Xi a "thug". (With inputs from agencies)

Joe Biden is a very weak President, could start wars: China’s top political scientist

For the next three weeks, the integrity of American democracy is in the hands of people like Norman Shinkle, a proud Michigander who has, until recently, served in relative obscurity on the state board that certifies vote results.

But now Shinkle faces a choice born from the national election turmoil created by President Donald Trump, his preferred candidate, for whom he sang the national anthem at a campaign rally in Lansing, Michigan, last month.

Shinkle’s duty, as one of two Republicans on the four-member board, is to validate the will of Michigan voters and certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory before the Electoral College vote Dec. 14. Yet Shinkle is weighing whether to block certification at a board meeting scheduled for Monday, because of minor glitches that Trump and his allies have baselessly cast as evidence of widespread, election-invalidating fraud.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-dismisses-trump-election-lawsuit-in-pennsylvania-344586" hreflang="en">US judge dismisses Trump election lawsuit in Pennsylvania</a>

He said he had received hundreds of phone calls, emails and text messages from people for or against certifying. “You can’t make up your mind before you get all the facts,” he said.

That Shinkle is equivocating over a once-routine step in the process — despite all 83 state counties submitting certified results and Biden leading by 154,000 votes — shows the damage inflicted by Trump on the American voting process and the faith that people in both parties have historically shared in the outcome of elections.

But this is also a moment of truth for the Republican Party: The country is on a knife’s edge, with GOP officials from state capitols to Congress choosing between the will of voters and the will of one man. In pushing his false claims to the limits, cowing Republicans into acquiescence or silence, and driving officials like Shinkle to nervous indecision, Trump has revealed the fragility of the electoral system — and shaken it.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-results-2020-joe-biden-wins-georgia-after-recount-says-state-election-official-344393" hreflang="en">US elections: Joe Biden wins Georgia after recount, says election official</a>

At this point, the president’s impact is not so much about overturning the election — both parties agree he has no real chance of doing that — but infusing the democratic process with so much mistrust and confusion that it ceases to function as it should.

Under an unending barrage of fraud charges, voters might begin to question the legitimacy of elected officials from the rival party as a matter of course. And the GOP risks being seen as standing for disenfranchisement and the undemocratic position that a high level of voting is somehow detrimental.

“What Trump is doing is creating a road map to destabilization and chaos in future years,” said Trevor Potter, a Republican who served as chair of the Federal Election Commission in the 1990s. “What he’s saying, explicitly, is if a party doesn’t like the election result they have the right to change it by gaming the system.”

Indeed, on Saturday night, Trump made his most explicit call yet for state legislatures to intervene with the aim of reversing the result, once again relying on false claims of fraud. “Hopefully the Courts and/or Legislatures will have the COURAGE to do what has to be done to maintain the integrity of our Elections, and the United States of America itself,” he wrote on Twitter.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/multiple-blows-narrow-donald-trumps-options-to-retain-presidency-344474" hreflang="en">Multiple blows narrow Donald Trump's options to retain presidency</a>

Trump’s gambit, never realistic to begin with, appears to be growing more futile by the day: Georgia became the first contested state Friday to certify its vote for Biden, and the president continues to draw losing rulings from judges who bluntly note his failure to present any evidence of significant fraud or irregularities. On Saturday, in perhaps the most stinging blow, a federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump campaign seeking to invalidate ballots, ending Trump’s last major effort to delay certification of the state’s results.

Some fellow Republicans have started breaking with him, including Sen. Mitt Romney, a Trump critic, who said the president was seeking to “subvert the will of the people,” and Sen. Marco Rubio, who has acknowledged Biden is the president-elect.

On Friday, Republican lawmakers in Michigan also made clear, after meeting with Trump at the White House, that they would allow the normal certification process to play out without interfering, a potentially important signal ahead of the certification decision by the state elections board Monday.

But Saturday, the national and Michigan state party chairs issued a statement calling on the canvassing board to delay certification beyond its Monday deadline, to conduct an audit.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-be-embarrassing-czech-president-asks-donald-trump-to-step-down-344233" hreflang="en">'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down</a>

If Shinkle and his fellow Republican on the state board, Aaron Van Langevelde, were to oppose certifying the results, the board would deadlock.

Democrats and election lawyers say the courts would almost certainly force the board to complete the certification process, well in time for the Electoral College deadline next month. And Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could replace the board members if they defy a court order. But they also agree a deadlocked vote would give Trump a new opportunity to cast doubt upon the legitimacy of the election system and Biden’s win, while also prolonging his own legally dubious and, so far, failing attempt to persuade Republicans who control the Statehouse to send pro-Trump delegates to the Electoral College.

Biden’s advisers say they are confident he will be awarded Michigan’s 16 Electoral College votes. But they acknowledge that the resulting national spectacle of court fights and new charges of fraud could prove “very harmful to the democratic process,” as Biden’s senior adviser, Bob Bauer, put it Friday.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/youre-fired-twitter-to-hand-over-potus-account-to-biden-whether-trump-concedes-or-not-344466" hreflang="en">Twitter to hand over POTUS account to Biden, whether Trump concedes or not</a>

For the next three weeks, the integrity of American democracy is in the hands of people like Norman Shinkle, a proud Michigander who has, until recently, served in relative obscurity on the state board that certifies vote results.

But now Shinkle faces a choice born from the national election turmoil created by President Donald Trump, his preferred candidate, for whom he sang the national anthem at a campaign rally in Lansing, Michigan, last month.

Shinkle’s duty, as one of two Republicans on the four-member board, is to validate the will of Michigan voters and certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory before the Electoral College vote Dec. 14. Yet Shinkle is weighing whether to block certification at a board meeting scheduled for Monday, because of minor glitches that Trump and his allies have baselessly cast as evidence of widespread, election-invalidating fraud.

He said he had received hundreds of phone calls, emails and text messages from people for or against certifying. “You can’t make up your mind before you get all the facts,” he said.

That Shinkle is equivocating over a once-routine step in the process — despite all 83 state counties submitting certified results and Biden leading by 154,000 votes — shows the damage inflicted by Trump on the American voting process and the faith that people in both parties have historically shared in the outcome of elections.

But this is also a moment of truth for the Republican Party: The country is on a knife’s edge, with GOP officials from state capitols to Congress choosing between the will of voters and the will of one man. In pushing his false claims to the limits, cowing Republicans into acquiescence or silence, and driving officials like Shinkle to nervous indecision, Trump has revealed the fragility of the electoral system — and shaken it.

At this point, the president’s impact is not so much about overturning the election — both parties agree he has no real chance of doing that — but infusing the democratic process with so much mistrust and confusion that it ceases to function as it should.

Under an unending barrage of fraud charges, voters might begin to question the legitimacy of elected officials from the rival party as a matter of course. And the GOP risks being seen as standing for disenfranchisement and the undemocratic position that a high level of voting is somehow detrimental.

“What Trump is doing is creating a road map to destabilization and chaos in future years,” said Trevor Potter, a Republican who served as chair of the Federal Election Commission in the 1990s. “What he’s saying, explicitly, is if a party doesn’t like the election result they have the right to change it by gaming the system.”

Indeed, on Saturday night, Trump made his most explicit call yet for state legislatures to intervene with the aim of reversing the result, once again relying on false claims of fraud. “Hopefully the Courts and/or Legislatures will have the COURAGE to do what has to be done to maintain the integrity of our Elections, and the United States of America itself,” he wrote on Twitter.

Trump’s gambit, never realistic to begin with, appears to be growing more futile by the day: Georgia became the first contested state Friday to certify its vote for Biden, and the president continues to draw losing rulings from judges who bluntly note his failure to present any evidence of significant fraud or irregularities. On Saturday, in perhaps the most stinging blow, a federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump campaign seeking to invalidate ballots, ending Trump’s last major effort to delay certification of the state’s results.

Some fellow Republicans have started breaking with him, including Sen. Mitt Romney, a Trump critic, who said the president was seeking to “subvert the will of the people,” and Sen. Marco Rubio, who has acknowledged Biden is the president-elect.

On Friday, Republican lawmakers in Michigan also made clear, after meeting with Trump at the White House, that they would allow the normal certification process to play out without interfering, a potentially important signal ahead of the certification decision by the state elections board Monday.

But Saturday, the national and Michigan state party chairs issued a statement calling on the canvassing board to delay certification beyond its Monday deadline, to conduct an audit.

If Shinkle and his fellow Republican on the state board, Aaron Van Langevelde, were to oppose certifying the results, the board would deadlock.

Democrats and election lawyers say the courts would almost certainly force the board to complete the certification process, well in time for the Electoral College deadline next month. And Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could replace the board members if they defy a court order. But they also agree a deadlocked vote would give Trump a new opportunity to cast doubt upon the legitimacy of the election system and Biden’s win, while also prolonging his own legally dubious and, so far, failing attempt to persuade Republicans who control the Statehouse to send pro-Trump delegates to the Electoral College.

Biden’s advisers say they are confident he will be awarded Michigan’s 16 Electoral College votes. But they acknowledge that the resulting national spectacle of court fights and new charges of fraud could prove “very harmful to the democratic process,” as Biden’s senior adviser, Bob Bauer, put it Friday.

Civil rights leaders are especially alarmed at Trump’s efforts, given that most of them have falsely portrayed cities with large Black populations, like Detroit and Philadelphia, as so corrupt that their votes shouldn’t count. The argument that Trump’s attempt is all for show and will not succeed has done little to allay their concern.

“How is it ‘show’ when you’re basically systematically delegitimizing Black voters by your rhetoric,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which filed suit against Trump in Michigan on Friday for trying to disenfranchise Black voters (it did so on behalf of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and three residents). “How can that be anything but incredibly dangerous,” she added.

Ifill marveled at the position of the Republican Party, which was the nation’s first true civil rights party from the time of slavery through the late 1950s, but now, under Trump’s unchallenged leadership, is effectively taking a stance against voting in entire cities and states.

“Civil rights haven’t moved — one party has moved, and that move has not been toward an embrace of democracy, it’s been away from it," she said.

If Trump has shown nothing else, it is that he has made the Republican Party — which initially sought to resist him — his own. Although a handful of prominent Republicans have rebuked his refusal to cede power, far more, across all levels of government, have either tacitly or explicitly embraced a new standard in presidential elections: No winner can be declared until the full Electoral College certification process is complete, no matter how clear the results after Election Day.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas has acknowledged that he hadn’t “seen anything that would change the outcome” but told reporters Thursday that Biden “is not president-elect until the votes are certified.” Cornyn congratulated Trump as president-elect on the day the major news organizations projected him as the winner in 2016.

The president’s clout with his party is reinforced by the widespread support he has from millions of Americans; almost 74 million voted for him this year.

Former Sen. Jeff Flake, a staunch opponent of Trump, has urged Republicans to recognize Biden as president-elect. But he noted that Republicans worry about alienating Trump when they need his help for the upcoming Georgia runoffs, which will decide control of the Senate.

“If the Republicans abandon him, he may just abandon them," he said.

Trump’s baseless argument that this is still an election up for grabs was prevalent in interviews with Republicans across the country Friday.

Ginger Howard, a Republican national committeewoman from Georgia, said she still believed there were other avenues for Trump to pursue, despite the state’s certification of Biden as the winner there.

“There’s still recourse for sure, we’ve got some other options,” she said Friday without elaborating.

Jason Thompson, who represents Georgia to the Republican National Committee, also echoed Trump’s unfounded skepticism.

“It’s not like I’m saying there’s no way he won,” he said. “All I’m saying is we’ll never know for sure.”

In Pennsylvania, Trump has less opportunity to try to block certification than he does in Michigan and Wisconsin, where he has requested recounts in two counties. After the state’s 67 counties certify their votes — the deadline is Monday — they go to Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar, a Democrat, who has sole power to certify state results.

In Michigan, the president’s opportunity is limited if not nonexistent. On Friday, the state Bureau of Elections submitted its formal report recommending that the canvassing board affirm Biden’s win. Errors in some vote tabulations, which Trump has seized upon, were “attributable to human error,’' and “did not affect the actual tabulation of votes,” the elections bureau said.

That, said Christopher Thomas, an election adviser to the city of Detroit, means the canvassing board is obligated to affirm the vote. “The law doesn’t say you can decide or not — the law says if you get certified returns you go ahead and do what you’re supposed to do,” he said.

For the next three weeks, the integrity of American democracy is in the hands of people like Norman Shinkle, a proud Michigander who has, until recently, served in relative obscurity on the state board that certifies vote results.

For the next three weeks, the integrity of American democracy is in the hands of people like Norman Shinkle, a proud Michigander who has, until recently, served in relative obscurity on the state board that certifies vote results. But now Shinkle faces a choice born from the national election turmoil created by President Donald Trump, his preferred candidate, for whom he sang the national anthem at a campaign rally in Lansing, Michigan, last month. Shinkle’s duty, as one of two Republicans on the four-member board, is to validate the will of Michigan voters and certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory before the Electoral College vote Dec. 14. Yet Shinkle is weighing whether to block certification at a board meeting scheduled for Monday, because of minor glitches that Trump and his allies have baselessly cast as evidence of widespread, election-invalidating fraud. Also read| US judge dismisses Trump election lawsuit in Pennsylvania He said he had received hundreds of phone calls, emails and text messages from people for or against certifying. “You can’t make up your mind before you get all the facts,” he said. That Shinkle is equivocating over a once-routine step in the process — despite all 83 state counties submitting certified results and Biden leading by 154,000 votes — shows the damage inflicted by Trump on the American voting process and the faith that people in both parties have historically shared in the outcome of elections. But this is also a moment of truth for the Republican Party: The country is on a knife’s edge, with GOP officials from state capitols to Congress choosing between the will of voters and the will of one man. In pushing his false claims to the limits, cowing Republicans into acquiescence or silence, and driving officials like Shinkle to nervous indecision, Trump has revealed the fragility of the electoral system — and shaken it. Also read| US elections: Joe Biden wins Georgia after recount, says election official At this point, the president’s impact is not so much about overturning the election — both parties agree he has no real chance of doing that — but infusing the democratic process with so much mistrust and confusion that it ceases to function as it should. Under an unending barrage of fraud charges, voters might begin to question the legitimacy of elected officials from the rival party as a matter of course. And the GOP risks being seen as standing for disenfranchisement and the undemocratic position that a high level of voting is somehow detrimental. “What Trump is doing is creating a road map to destabilization and chaos in future years,” said Trevor Potter, a Republican who served as chair of the Federal Election Commission in the 1990s. “What he’s saying, explicitly, is if a party doesn’t like the election result they have the right to change it by gaming the system.” Indeed, on Saturday night, Trump made his most explicit call yet for state legislatures to intervene with the aim of reversing the result, once again relying on false claims of fraud. “Hopefully the Courts and/or Legislatures will have the COURAGE to do what has to be done to maintain the integrity of our Elections, and the United States of America itself,” he wrote on Twitter. Also read| Multiple blows narrow Donald Trump's options to retain presidency Trump’s gambit, never realistic to begin with, appears to be growing more futile by the day: Georgia became the first contested state Friday to certify its vote for Biden, and the president continues to draw losing rulings from judges who bluntly note his failure to present any evidence of significant fraud or irregularities. On Saturday, in perhaps the most stinging blow, a federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump campaign seeking to invalidate ballots, ending Trump’s last major effort to delay certification of the state’s results. Some fellow Republicans have started breaking with him, including Sen. Mitt Romney, a Trump critic, who said the president was seeking to “subvert the will of the people,” and Sen. Marco Rubio, who has acknowledged Biden is the president-elect. On Friday, Republican lawmakers in Michigan also made clear, after meeting with Trump at the White House, that they would allow the normal certification process to play out without interfering, a potentially important signal ahead of the certification decision by the state elections board Monday. But Saturday, the national and Michigan state party chairs issued a statement calling on the canvassing board to delay certification beyond its Monday deadline, to conduct an audit. Also read| 'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down If Shinkle and his fellow Republican on the state board, Aaron Van Langevelde, were to oppose certifying the results, the board would deadlock. Democrats and election lawyers say the courts would almost certainly force the board to complete the certification process, well in time for the Electoral College deadline next month. And Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could replace the board members if they defy a court order. But they also agree a deadlocked vote would give Trump a new opportunity to cast doubt upon the legitimacy of the election system and Biden’s win, while also prolonging his own legally dubious and, so far, failing attempt to persuade Republicans who control the Statehouse to send pro-Trump delegates to the Electoral College. Biden’s advisers say they are confident he will be awarded Michigan’s 16 Electoral College votes. But they acknowledge that the resulting national spectacle of court fights and new charges of fraud could prove “very harmful to the democratic process,” as Biden’s senior adviser, Bob Bauer, put it Friday. Also read| Twitter to hand over POTUS account to Biden, whether Trump concedes or not For the next three weeks, the integrity of American democracy is in the hands of people like Norman Shinkle, a proud Michigander who has, until recently, served in relative obscurity on the state board that certifies vote results. But now Shinkle faces a choice born from the national election turmoil created by President Donald Trump, his preferred candidate, for whom he sang the national anthem at a campaign rally in Lansing, Michigan, last month. Shinkle’s duty, as one of two Republicans on the four-member board, is to validate the will of Michigan voters and certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory before the Electoral College vote Dec. 14. Yet Shinkle is weighing whether to block certification at a board meeting scheduled for Monday, because of minor glitches that Trump and his allies have baselessly cast as evidence of widespread, election-invalidating fraud. He said he had received hundreds of phone calls, emails and text messages from people for or against certifying. “You can’t make up your mind before you get all the facts,” he said. That Shinkle is equivocating over a once-routine step in the process — despite all 83 state counties submitting certified results and Biden leading by 154,000 votes — shows the damage inflicted by Trump on the American voting process and the faith that people in both parties have historically shared in the outcome of elections. But this is also a moment of truth for the Republican Party: The country is on a knife’s edge, with GOP officials from state capitols to Congress choosing between the will of voters and the will of one man. In pushing his false claims to the limits, cowing Republicans into acquiescence or silence, and driving officials like Shinkle to nervous indecision, Trump has revealed the fragility of the electoral system — and shaken it. At this point, the president’s impact is not so much about overturning the election — both parties agree he has no real chance of doing that — but infusing the democratic process with so much mistrust and confusion that it ceases to function as it should. Under an unending barrage of fraud charges, voters might begin to question the legitimacy of elected officials from the rival party as a matter of course. And the GOP risks being seen as standing for disenfranchisement and the undemocratic position that a high level of voting is somehow detrimental. “What Trump is doing is creating a road map to destabilization and chaos in future years,” said Trevor Potter, a Republican who served as chair of the Federal Election Commission in the 1990s. “What he’s saying, explicitly, is if a party doesn’t like the election result they have the right to change it by gaming the system.” Indeed, on Saturday night, Trump made his most explicit call yet for state legislatures to intervene with the aim of reversing the result, once again relying on false claims of fraud. “Hopefully the Courts and/or Legislatures will have the COURAGE to do what has to be done to maintain the integrity of our Elections, and the United States of America itself,” he wrote on Twitter. Trump’s gambit, never realistic to begin with, appears to be growing more futile by the day: Georgia became the first contested state Friday to certify its vote for Biden, and the president continues to draw losing rulings from judges who bluntly note his failure to present any evidence of significant fraud or irregularities. On Saturday, in perhaps the most stinging blow, a federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump campaign seeking to invalidate ballots, ending Trump’s last major effort to delay certification of the state’s results. Some fellow Republicans have started breaking with him, including Sen. Mitt Romney, a Trump critic, who said the president was seeking to “subvert the will of the people,” and Sen. Marco Rubio, who has acknowledged Biden is the president-elect. On Friday, Republican lawmakers in Michigan also made clear, after meeting with Trump at the White House, that they would allow the normal certification process to play out without interfering, a potentially important signal ahead of the certification decision by the state elections board Monday. But Saturday, the national and Michigan state party chairs issued a statement calling on the canvassing board to delay certification beyond its Monday deadline, to conduct an audit. If Shinkle and his fellow Republican on the state board, Aaron Van Langevelde, were to oppose certifying the results, the board would deadlock. Democrats and election lawyers say the courts would almost certainly force the board to complete the certification process, well in time for the Electoral College deadline next month. And Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could replace the board members if they defy a court order. But they also agree a deadlocked vote would give Trump a new opportunity to cast doubt upon the legitimacy of the election system and Biden’s win, while also prolonging his own legally dubious and, so far, failing attempt to persuade Republicans who control the Statehouse to send pro-Trump delegates to the Electoral College. Biden’s advisers say they are confident he will be awarded Michigan’s 16 Electoral College votes. But they acknowledge that the resulting national spectacle of court fights and new charges of fraud could prove “very harmful to the democratic process,” as Biden’s senior adviser, Bob Bauer, put it Friday. Civil rights leaders are especially alarmed at Trump’s efforts, given that most of them have falsely portrayed cities with large Black populations, like Detroit and Philadelphia, as so corrupt that their votes shouldn’t count. The argument that Trump’s attempt is all for show and will not succeed has done little to allay their concern. “How is it ‘show’ when you’re basically systematically delegitimizing Black voters by your rhetoric,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which filed suit against Trump in Michigan on Friday for trying to disenfranchise Black voters (it did so on behalf of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and three residents). “How can that be anything but incredibly dangerous,” she added. Ifill marveled at the position of the Republican Party, which was the nation’s first true civil rights party from the time of slavery through the late 1950s, but now, under Trump’s unchallenged leadership, is effectively taking a stance against voting in entire cities and states. “Civil rights haven’t moved — one party has moved, and that move has not been toward an embrace of democracy, it’s been away from it," she said. If Trump has shown nothing else, it is that he has made the Republican Party — which initially sought to resist him — his own. Although a handful of prominent Republicans have rebuked his refusal to cede power, far more, across all levels of government, have either tacitly or explicitly embraced a new standard in presidential elections: No winner can be declared until the full Electoral College certification process is complete, no matter how clear the results after Election Day. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas has acknowledged that he hadn’t “seen anything that would change the outcome” but told reporters Thursday that Biden “is not president-elect until the votes are certified.” Cornyn congratulated Trump as president-elect on the day the major news organizations projected him as the winner in 2016. The president’s clout with his party is reinforced by the widespread support he has from millions of Americans; almost 74 million voted for him this year. Former Sen. Jeff Flake, a staunch opponent of Trump, has urged Republicans to recognize Biden as president-elect. But he noted that Republicans worry about alienating Trump when they need his help for the upcoming Georgia runoffs, which will decide control of the Senate. “If the Republicans abandon him, he may just abandon them," he said. Trump’s baseless argument that this is still an election up for grabs was prevalent in interviews with Republicans across the country Friday. Ginger Howard, a Republican national committeewoman from Georgia, said she still believed there were other avenues for Trump to pursue, despite the state’s certification of Biden as the winner there. “There’s still recourse for sure, we’ve got some other options,” she said Friday without elaborating. Jason Thompson, who represents Georgia to the Republican National Committee, also echoed Trump’s unfounded skepticism. “It’s not like I’m saying there’s no way he won,” he said. “All I’m saying is we’ll never know for sure.” In Pennsylvania, Trump has less opportunity to try to block certification than he does in Michigan and Wisconsin, where he has requested recounts in two counties. After the state’s 67 counties certify their votes — the deadline is Monday — they go to Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar, a Democrat, who has sole power to certify state results. In Michigan, the president’s opportunity is limited if not nonexistent. On Friday, the state Bureau of Elections submitted its formal report recommending that the canvassing board affirm Biden’s win. Errors in some vote tabulations, which Trump has seized upon, were “attributable to human error,’' and “did not affect the actual tabulation of votes,” the elections bureau said. That, said Christopher Thomas, an election adviser to the city of Detroit, means the canvassing board is obligated to affirm the vote. “The law doesn’t say you can decide or not — the law says if you get certified returns you go ahead and do what you’re supposed to do,” he said.

Duty or party? For Republicans, a choice on whether to enable Trump

US President Donald Trump suffered another major setback on Saturday in his desperate crusade to overturn the recently conducted presidential election and win it -- as a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by his campaign that sought to throw out millions of mail-in votes in Pennsylvania.

Trump and his allies have now won two election-related cases and lost 34, according to Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias.

District Court Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Trump's campaign had failed to demonstrate there had been widespread voting fraud in the November 3 vote.

Brann said that he "has no authority to take away the right to vote of even a single person, let alone millions of citizens."

The lawsuit, spearheaded by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, sought to stop officials from certifying Biden's victory in the state, arguing that some counties wrongly allowed voters to fix errors on their mail ballots.

Giuliani and other Trump lawyers floated a variety of conspiracy theories at a news conference on Thursday as they alleged that the election was marred by widespread voter fraud. But they have had little success in court.

Democrats said Saturday's scathing verdict was further proof that those charges are false.

Giuliani has signalled in legal filings that he will pursue an appeal, but he has little time to do so before the state formalizes Biden's victory on Monday.

Trump is seeking to invalidate or change the election results through recounts and direct pressure on lawmakers in several states. He would need to prevail in at least three states to prevent Biden from being sworn in as president on January 20 -- an unprecedented action.

In Michigan, Republicans wrote to state authorities on Saturday asking them to wait 14 days to certify Biden's victory to allow for an audit of ballots in Wayne County, which includes the majority-Black city of Detroit. The letter cited allegations of "irregularities" that have not been substantiated. Biden won 154,000 more votes than Trump in Michigan.

Meanwhile, a manual recount and audit in Georgia confirmed Biden on Friday as the winner in the southern state, the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia in nearly three decades.

The Trump campaign has two business days to request a recount in Georgia. Trump's legal team has also said it plans a lawsuit in the state, but has not provided specifics.

Trump's accusations have continued to inflame his hard-core Republican base.

Hundreds of supporters gathered at the statehouse in Atlanta on Saturday, with video posted online showing speakers denouncing the media for calling Biden the election winner, as well as state Republican leaders for certifying the results.

Police in riot gear were deployed to separate them from counterprotesters who gathered nearby.

Critics say the delay and Trump's refusal to concede have serious implications for national security and the fight against the coronavirus, which has killed nearly 255,000 Americans.

Biden, who has denounced Trump's attempt to reverse the election results as "totally irresponsible", spent Saturday meeting with transition advisors and attending church.

Trump took part in a virtual summit of the 20 biggest world economies and then went to play golf at his club in Sterling, Virginia.

US President Donald Trump suffered another major setback on Saturday in his desperate crusade to overturn the recently conducted presidential election and win it -- as a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by his campaign that sought to throw out millions of mail-in votes in Pennsylvania.

US President Donald Trump suffered another major setback on Saturday in his desperate crusade to overturn the recently conducted presidential election and win it -- as a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by his campaign that sought to throw out millions of mail-in votes in Pennsylvania. Trump and his allies have now won two election-related cases and lost 34, according to Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias. District Court Judge Matthew Brann ruled that Trump's campaign had failed to demonstrate there had been widespread voting fraud in the November 3 vote. Brann said that he "has no authority to take away the right to vote of even a single person, let alone millions of citizens." The lawsuit, spearheaded by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, sought to stop officials from certifying Biden's victory in the state, arguing that some counties wrongly allowed voters to fix errors on their mail ballots. Giuliani and other Trump lawyers floated a variety of conspiracy theories at a news conference on Thursday as they alleged that the election was marred by widespread voter fraud. But they have had little success in court. Democrats said Saturday's scathing verdict was further proof that those charges are false. Giuliani has signalled in legal filings that he will pursue an appeal, but he has little time to do so before the state formalizes Biden's victory on Monday. Trump is seeking to invalidate or change the election results through recounts and direct pressure on lawmakers in several states. He would need to prevail in at least three states to prevent Biden from being sworn in as president on January 20 -- an unprecedented action. In Michigan, Republicans wrote to state authorities on Saturday asking them to wait 14 days to certify Biden's victory to allow for an audit of ballots in Wayne County, which includes the majority-Black city of Detroit. The letter cited allegations of "irregularities" that have not been substantiated. Biden won 154,000 more votes than Trump in Michigan. Meanwhile, a manual recount and audit in Georgia confirmed Biden on Friday as the winner in the southern state, the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia in nearly three decades. The Trump campaign has two business days to request a recount in Georgia. Trump's legal team has also said it plans a lawsuit in the state, but has not provided specifics. Trump's accusations have continued to inflame his hard-core Republican base. Hundreds of supporters gathered at the statehouse in Atlanta on Saturday, with video posted online showing speakers denouncing the media for calling Biden the election winner, as well as state Republican leaders for certifying the results. Police in riot gear were deployed to separate them from counterprotesters who gathered nearby. Critics say the delay and Trump's refusal to concede have serious implications for national security and the fight against the coronavirus, which has killed nearly 255,000 Americans. Biden, who has denounced Trump's attempt to reverse the election results as "totally irresponsible", spent Saturday meeting with transition advisors and attending church. Trump took part in a virtual summit of the 20 biggest world economies and then went to play golf at his club in Sterling, Virginia.

US judge dismisses Trump election lawsuit in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON — I’ve been riveted all week by the spectacle of the most famous blond phenom on the planet, a child isolated and miserable living inside a national landmark, lashing out and spiraling into self-destructive acts.

But eventually I had to turn off the new season of “The Crown,” focusing on Princess Diana, and drag my attention back to Donald Trump, who is trashing this place before checking out like he’s Axl Rose at a Four Seasons.

Diana and Donald shared a few things in common: their toxic tango with the press, their psychic connection with their fan base, their willingness to blow up norms. They were both “unpredictable meteors,” as Tony Blair once described Di. They both savored sitting in their rooms glued to their own coverage on TV, dialing up their chosen reporters to control the narrative. They were both unhappy at the top, fretting about being undercut. Diana almost upended the monarchy, and Trump is doing his worst to upend democracy.

That’s where the similarities end. In terms of empathy, hugging the afflicted, the radiant Diana and the radioactive Trump are opposites. And while watching her fractured fairy tale breaks your heart, watching his fractious exit makes your head hurt. The young princess feared she was going mad amid barking corgis; the 74-year-old president wallows in his barking madness.

On Friday afternoon, Trump continued embarrassing himself and the nation when he finally emerged, after sulking in his tent for days, and asserted that he had won the election. He blamed Big Pharma, Big Tech and the media for his woes.

He sent out a fundraising message praising the news conference with his lawyers, a dripping Rudy Giuliani and a rabid Sidney Powell laying out the absurd phantom global conspiracy that is thwarting Trump’s reelection.

Then Trump met with Michigan GOP officials, brazenly trying to subvert democracy and claw back a swing state, or even just feed his ego by delegitimizing the election in the eyes of his base. But the Michigan lawmakers came out of the White House and said they would “follow the normal process” that has Joe Biden ahead even as the governor of Georgia certified the results there for Biden.

It would be merely pathetic to watch Trump toss nails on the road behind him if it weren’t so dangerous.

Biden needs all the air in his tires and a full tank of gas when he pulls that Corvette into the White House driveway in two months, because this country is shot to hell and running on empty.

Trump is sabotaging the transition as the pandemic rages, engaging in midnight maneuvers like ending several emergency lending programs that could buoy the economy and attempting to ravage Alaska’s wildlife refuge.

Republicans remain as mute and frightened of Trump as ever. Mitch McConnell could stop this nonsense with one sentence: “We’re moving on and recognizing Joe Biden as president-elect.” But he refuses to, letting the damage to the country unspool to protect his own standing with the base and to hold onto those two Senate seats in Georgia that make him majority leader.

It’s outrageous that Congress left town for the holidays this weekend without passing COVID relief. But Republicans, who are already all about setting themselves up for the next election, prefer to put Biden in a bind and later trash him for big spending. Never mind that they’re leaving millions of Americans in the lurch.

After watching unfeeling Republicans, it’s not really an escape to turn on “The Crown” and watch that unfeeling bunch — Margaret Thatcher and the royals.

Peter Morgan, the writer of “The Queen” and creator of “The Crown,” spent a large chunk of his career refurbishing the queen’s reputation after the disastrous period following Diana’s death, when Blair had to beg Queen Elizabeth to show more emotion.

But in this fourth season of “The Crown,” Morgan presents a more brittle queen as the bulimic Diana is crying out for help and the Boss blows her off, feeling Charles and Diana are spoiled, immature and letting the side down.

Diana, perfectly played by Emma Corrin, describes the palace as “a cold, frozen tundra; an icy, dark, loveless cave with no light, no hope anywhere — not even the faintest crack.”

Morgan’s portrayal of Charles is rough as well. The Prince of Wales is too in love with Camilla, too jealous of Diana and too wounded from his upbringing to give his marriage a real chance.

When I covered the visit of Charles and Diana to Washington in 1985, the couple seemed happy. But problems were brewing. An insecure future king was sure to be jealous of a wife who sluiced all the attention away simply by tucking down her chin and flashing a look from under her eyelashes. And it was clear that Diana, who was called “Duch” as a girl because she always acted like a duchess, was learning how to channel her electric star power.

The gala at the Reagan White House — Duch meets Dutch — was a showcase for Diana, shimmering in blue velvet and a pearl choker, not Charles. Nancy Reagan had gathered a pantheon of leading men for the princess: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Clint Eastwood, Tom Selleck and, as a dancing partner when the Marine Band played “Night Fever,” John Travolta.

In “The Art of the Comeback” in 1997, Trump said that his only regret “in the women department” was that he didn’t date Diana after her divorce. He said “she lit up the room with her charm, her presence,” and was “a dream lady.”

Dream on, Donald. Of his wooing, Diana told a friend, “He gives me the creeps.”

Di, we know how you feel.

WASHINGTON — I’ve been riveted all week by the spectacle of the most famous blond phenom on the planet, a child isolated and miserable living inside a national landmark, lashing out and spiraling into self-destructive acts.

WASHINGTON — I’ve been riveted all week by the spectacle of the most famous blond phenom on the planet, a child isolated and miserable living inside a national landmark, lashing out and spiraling into self-destructive acts. But eventually I had to turn off the new season of “The Crown,” focusing on Princess Diana, and drag my attention back to Donald Trump, who is trashing this place before checking out like he’s Axl Rose at a Four Seasons. Diana and Donald shared a few things in common: their toxic tango with the press, their psychic connection with their fan base, their willingness to blow up norms. They were both “unpredictable meteors,” as Tony Blair once described Di. They both savored sitting in their rooms glued to their own coverage on TV, dialing up their chosen reporters to control the narrative. They were both unhappy at the top, fretting about being undercut. Diana almost upended the monarchy, and Trump is doing his worst to upend democracy. That’s where the similarities end. In terms of empathy, hugging the afflicted, the radiant Diana and the radioactive Trump are opposites. And while watching her fractured fairy tale breaks your heart, watching his fractious exit makes your head hurt. The young princess feared she was going mad amid barking corgis; the 74-year-old president wallows in his barking madness. On Friday afternoon, Trump continued embarrassing himself and the nation when he finally emerged, after sulking in his tent for days, and asserted that he had won the election. He blamed Big Pharma, Big Tech and the media for his woes. He sent out a fundraising message praising the news conference with his lawyers, a dripping Rudy Giuliani and a rabid Sidney Powell laying out the absurd phantom global conspiracy that is thwarting Trump’s reelection. Then Trump met with Michigan GOP officials, brazenly trying to subvert democracy and claw back a swing state, or even just feed his ego by delegitimizing the election in the eyes of his base. But the Michigan lawmakers came out of the White House and said they would “follow the normal process” that has Joe Biden ahead even as the governor of Georgia certified the results there for Biden. It would be merely pathetic to watch Trump toss nails on the road behind him if it weren’t so dangerous. Biden needs all the air in his tires and a full tank of gas when he pulls that Corvette into the White House driveway in two months, because this country is shot to hell and running on empty. Trump is sabotaging the transition as the pandemic rages, engaging in midnight maneuvers like ending several emergency lending programs that could buoy the economy and attempting to ravage Alaska’s wildlife refuge. Republicans remain as mute and frightened of Trump as ever. Mitch McConnell could stop this nonsense with one sentence: “We’re moving on and recognizing Joe Biden as president-elect.” But he refuses to, letting the damage to the country unspool to protect his own standing with the base and to hold onto those two Senate seats in Georgia that make him majority leader. It’s outrageous that Congress left town for the holidays this weekend without passing COVID relief. But Republicans, who are already all about setting themselves up for the next election, prefer to put Biden in a bind and later trash him for big spending. Never mind that they’re leaving millions of Americans in the lurch. After watching unfeeling Republicans, it’s not really an escape to turn on “The Crown” and watch that unfeeling bunch — Margaret Thatcher and the royals. Peter Morgan, the writer of “The Queen” and creator of “The Crown,” spent a large chunk of his career refurbishing the queen’s reputation after the disastrous period following Diana’s death, when Blair had to beg Queen Elizabeth to show more emotion. But in this fourth season of “The Crown,” Morgan presents a more brittle queen as the bulimic Diana is crying out for help and the Boss blows her off, feeling Charles and Diana are spoiled, immature and letting the side down. Diana, perfectly played by Emma Corrin, describes the palace as “a cold, frozen tundra; an icy, dark, loveless cave with no light, no hope anywhere — not even the faintest crack.” Morgan’s portrayal of Charles is rough as well. The Prince of Wales is too in love with Camilla, too jealous of Diana and too wounded from his upbringing to give his marriage a real chance. When I covered the visit of Charles and Diana to Washington in 1985, the couple seemed happy. But problems were brewing. An insecure future king was sure to be jealous of a wife who sluiced all the attention away simply by tucking down her chin and flashing a look from under her eyelashes. And it was clear that Diana, who was called “Duch” as a girl because she always acted like a duchess, was learning how to channel her electric star power. The gala at the Reagan White House — Duch meets Dutch — was a showcase for Diana, shimmering in blue velvet and a pearl choker, not Charles. Nancy Reagan had gathered a pantheon of leading men for the princess: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Clint Eastwood, Tom Selleck and, as a dancing partner when the Marine Band played “Night Fever,” John Travolta. In “The Art of the Comeback” in 1997, Trump said that his only regret “in the women department” was that he didn’t date Diana after her divorce. He said “she lit up the room with her charm, her presence,” and was “a dream lady.” Dream on, Donald. Of his wooing, Diana told a friend, “He gives me the creeps.” Di, we know how you feel.

The lady and the Trump

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;options to claim presidency despite losing the election to President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;seems to end as in the latest Republican lawmakers from Republicans have ruled out any attempt to change the verdict of the state.&nbsp;

The Trump's campaign is trying to change the results of key battleground states and in one such move, Trump met Republican lawmakers from Michigan on Friday.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/youre-fired-twitter-to-hand-over-potus-account-to-biden-whether-trump-concedes-or-not-344466">You're fired: Twitter to hand over POTUS account to Biden, whether Trump concedes or not</a>

Trump met Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and the house speaker Lee Chatfield at the White House, who said that they don't have any "information" that would change "change the outcome of the election in Michigan".

"We have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan and as legislative leaders, we will follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan’s electors," the joint statement of the Republicans said. &nbsp;

"Michigan's certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation."

Trump received another blow on Friday after Georgia became the first of those states to formally certify its results, claiming that Biden won it by 12,670 votes.&nbsp;

Trump's claims on the verdict of Michigan also invited criticism from several Republicans, including Senator Mitt Romney who said: "It is difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action by a sitting American president".

Other Senate Republicans Ben Sasse and Joni Ernst also slammed Trump's strategy to overturn the outcome.&nbsp;

Donald Trump's options to claim presidency despite losing the election to President-elect Joe Biden seems to end as in the latest Republican lawmakers from Republicans have ruled out any attempt to change the verdict of the state.

Donald Trump's options to claim presidency despite losing the election to President-elect Joe Biden seems to end as in the latest Republican lawmakers from Republicans have ruled out any attempt to change the verdict of the state. The Trump's campaign is trying to change the results of key battleground states and in one such move, Trump met Republican lawmakers from Michigan on Friday. Also read | You're fired: Twitter to hand over POTUS account to Biden, whether Trump concedes or not Trump met Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and the house speaker Lee Chatfield at the White House, who said that they don't have any "information" that would change "change the outcome of the election in Michigan". "We have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan and as legislative leaders, we will follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan’s electors," the joint statement of the Republicans said. "Michigan's certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation." Trump received another blow on Friday after Georgia became the first of those states to formally certify its results, claiming that Biden won it by 12,670 votes. Trump's claims on the verdict of Michigan also invited criticism from several Republicans, including Senator Mitt Romney who said: "It is difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action by a sitting American president". Other Senate Republicans Ben Sasse and Joni Ernst also slammed Trump's strategy to overturn the outcome.

Multiple blows narrow Donald Trump's options to retain presidency

For more than a week, a plain-spoken former federal prosecutor named Sidney Powell made the rounds on right-wing talk radio and cable news, facing little pushback as she laid out a conspiracy theory that Venezuela, Cuba and other “communist” interests had used a secret algorithm to hack into voting machines and steal millions of votes from President &nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.

She spoke mostly uninterrupted for nearly 20 minutes Monday on the “Rush Limbaugh Show,” the No. 1 program on talk radio. Hosts like Mark Levin, who has the fourth-largest talk radio audience, and Lou Dobbs of Fox Business praised her patriotism and courage.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/multiple-blows-narrow-donald-trumps-options-to-retain-presidency-344474" hreflang="en">Multiple blows narrow Donald Trump's options to retain presidency</a>

So it came as most unwelcome news to the president’s defenders when Tucker Carlson, host of an 8 p.m. Fox News show and a confidant of Trump, dissected Powell’s claims as unreliable and unproven.

“What Powell was describing would amount to the single greatest crime in American history,” Carlson said Thursday night, his voice ringing with incredulity in a 10-minute monologue at the top of his show. “Millions of votes stolen in a day. Democracy destroyed. The end of our centuries-old system of government.” But, he said, when he invited Powell on his show to share her evidence, she became “angry and told us to stop contacting her.”

The response was immediate, and hostile. The president’s allies in conservative media and their legions of devoted Trump fans quickly closed ranks behind Powell and her case on behalf of the president, accusing the Fox host of betrayal.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/youre-fired-twitter-to-hand-over-potus-account-to-biden-whether-trump-concedes-or-not-344466" hreflang="en">Twitter to hand over POTUS account to Biden, whether Trump concedes or not</a>

“How quickly we turn on our own,” said Bo Snerdley, Limbaugh’s producer, in a Twitter post that was indicative of the backlash against Carlson. “Where is the ‘evidence’ the election was fair?”

The backlash against Carlson and Fox for daring to exert even a moment of independence underscores how little willingness exists among Republicans to challenge the president and his false narrative about the election he insists was stolen. Among conservative media voices and outlets, there’s generally not just a lack of willingness — they have proved this month to be Trump’s most reflexive defenders.

For months before the election, as Trump spread disinformation about the reliability of mail-in ballots, Republicans largely avoided contradicting him and insisted that his concerns about fraud were not entirely unreasonable. And in the weeks since election night, when Trump falsely declared himself the winner and then refused to accept President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, the acknowledgments that the race is settled have come mostly from former officials like President George W. Bush or from a few current officeholders, like Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, who have not been afraid to air their differences with Trump.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-be-embarrassing-czech-president-asks-donald-trump-to-step-down-344233" hreflang="en">'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down</a>

The same fear that grips elected Republicans — getting on the wrong side of voters who adore Trump but have little affection for the Republican Party — has kept conservative media largely in line. And that has created a right-wing media bubble that has grown increasingly disconnected from the most basic facts about U.S. government in recent weeks, including who will be inaugurated as president Jan. 20.

In the hours after Carlson’s monologue, word of which spread quickly across social media, Trump’s supporters went after not only Carlson but also Fox News. The network has become a source of particular frustration with many on the right after taking a more skeptical view of Trump’s claims about voter fraud and refusing to reconsider its call on election night that Biden would win Arizona.

That decision, which proved correct, deeply angered the president and led him to start promoting some of Fox’s smaller competitors on cable like Newsmax and One America News Network as more suitable alternatives for his large and loyal following.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-results-2020-joe-biden-wins-georgia-after-recount-says-state-election-official-344393" hreflang="en">US elections results 2020: Joe Biden wins Georgia after recount, says state election official</a>

Roosh Valizadeh, a writer and podcast host who supports the president, summed up the anger aimed at Fox by many on the right, saying, “As long as Tucker Carlson works for Fox News, he can’t be fully trusted.”

All week on networks like Newsmax and OANN and talk radio programs, the president’s supporters have been given a steady diet of interviews with Trump allies, campaign officials and news stories that promote allegations of fraud with little or no context.

One lawyer who is assisting the Trump campaign in its efforts, Lin Wood, went unquestioned this week on Levin’s show when he made the fantastical claim that Trump had won the election with 70% of the vote. A story that OANN broadcast Friday afternoon falsely declared, “The state of Michigan is back in play,” giving credence to Trump’s extraordinary but almost certainly unsuccessful efforts to delay certification of the vote in Detroit.

Republican officials have remained mostly measured and muted in their response, even after the conspiratorial and unsubstantiated claims floated by Powell, Rudy Giuliani and other members of Trump’s legal team at a news conference Thursday. Republicans like Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who said that Powell’s accusations were “absolutely outrageous,” were the exception.

Rich Lowry, the editor of National Review and sometimes critic of the president who called his refusal to concede “absurd and sophomoric,” said that whether it was a Republican politician or a talk-show host, breaking the will that many Trump supporters have to believe he is the rightful winner was extremely difficult.

“They want it to be true,” Lowry said. “On top of that, there’s an enormous credibility gap and radical distrust of other sources of information. And that’s compounded by the fact that the president has no standards and is surrounded by these clownish people who will say anything. It’s a toxic stew.”

Carlson, no doubt aware that many in his audience, including possibly the president himself, would not like what they were hearing, walked a fine line Thursday night. He insisted that he and his producers “took Sidney Powell seriously.”

He also tried to reassure members of his audience that he was on their side after all, explaining how he always kept an open mind about alleged cover-ups like the one Powell has promoted. “We don’t dismiss anything,” he said. “We literally do UFO segments.”

For more than a week, a plain-spoken former federal prosecutor named Sidney Powell made the rounds on right-wing talk radio and cable news, facing little pushback as she laid out a conspiracy theory that Venezuela, Cuba and other “communist” interests had used a secret algorithm to hack into voting machines and steal millions of votes from President Donald Trump.

For more than a week, a plain-spoken former federal prosecutor named Sidney Powell made the rounds on right-wing talk radio and cable news, facing little pushback as she laid out a conspiracy theory that Venezuela, Cuba and other “communist” interests had used a secret algorithm to hack into voting machines and steal millions of votes from President Donald Trump. She spoke mostly uninterrupted for nearly 20 minutes Monday on the “Rush Limbaugh Show,” the No. 1 program on talk radio. Hosts like Mark Levin, who has the fourth-largest talk radio audience, and Lou Dobbs of Fox Business praised her patriotism and courage. Also read| Multiple blows narrow Donald Trump's options to retain presidency So it came as most unwelcome news to the president’s defenders when Tucker Carlson, host of an 8 p.m. Fox News show and a confidant of Trump, dissected Powell’s claims as unreliable and unproven. “What Powell was describing would amount to the single greatest crime in American history,” Carlson said Thursday night, his voice ringing with incredulity in a 10-minute monologue at the top of his show. “Millions of votes stolen in a day. Democracy destroyed. The end of our centuries-old system of government.” But, he said, when he invited Powell on his show to share her evidence, she became “angry and told us to stop contacting her.” The response was immediate, and hostile. The president’s allies in conservative media and their legions of devoted Trump fans quickly closed ranks behind Powell and her case on behalf of the president, accusing the Fox host of betrayal. Also read| Twitter to hand over POTUS account to Biden, whether Trump concedes or not “How quickly we turn on our own,” said Bo Snerdley, Limbaugh’s producer, in a Twitter post that was indicative of the backlash against Carlson. “Where is the ‘evidence’ the election was fair?” The backlash against Carlson and Fox for daring to exert even a moment of independence underscores how little willingness exists among Republicans to challenge the president and his false narrative about the election he insists was stolen. Among conservative media voices and outlets, there’s generally not just a lack of willingness — they have proved this month to be Trump’s most reflexive defenders. For months before the election, as Trump spread disinformation about the reliability of mail-in ballots, Republicans largely avoided contradicting him and insisted that his concerns about fraud were not entirely unreasonable. And in the weeks since election night, when Trump falsely declared himself the winner and then refused to accept President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, the acknowledgments that the race is settled have come mostly from former officials like President George W. Bush or from a few current officeholders, like Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, who have not been afraid to air their differences with Trump. Also read| 'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down The same fear that grips elected Republicans — getting on the wrong side of voters who adore Trump but have little affection for the Republican Party — has kept conservative media largely in line. And that has created a right-wing media bubble that has grown increasingly disconnected from the most basic facts about U.S. government in recent weeks, including who will be inaugurated as president Jan. 20. In the hours after Carlson’s monologue, word of which spread quickly across social media, Trump’s supporters went after not only Carlson but also Fox News. The network has become a source of particular frustration with many on the right after taking a more skeptical view of Trump’s claims about voter fraud and refusing to reconsider its call on election night that Biden would win Arizona. That decision, which proved correct, deeply angered the president and led him to start promoting some of Fox’s smaller competitors on cable like Newsmax and One America News Network as more suitable alternatives for his large and loyal following. Also read| US elections results 2020: Joe Biden wins Georgia after recount, says state election official Roosh Valizadeh, a writer and podcast host who supports the president, summed up the anger aimed at Fox by many on the right, saying, “As long as Tucker Carlson works for Fox News, he can’t be fully trusted.” All week on networks like Newsmax and OANN and talk radio programs, the president’s supporters have been given a steady diet of interviews with Trump allies, campaign officials and news stories that promote allegations of fraud with little or no context. One lawyer who is assisting the Trump campaign in its efforts, Lin Wood, went unquestioned this week on Levin’s show when he made the fantastical claim that Trump had won the election with 70% of the vote. A story that OANN broadcast Friday afternoon falsely declared, “The state of Michigan is back in play,” giving credence to Trump’s extraordinary but almost certainly unsuccessful efforts to delay certification of the vote in Detroit. Republican officials have remained mostly measured and muted in their response, even after the conspiratorial and unsubstantiated claims floated by Powell, Rudy Giuliani and other members of Trump’s legal team at a news conference Thursday. Republicans like Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who said that Powell’s accusations were “absolutely outrageous,” were the exception. Rich Lowry, the editor of National Review and sometimes critic of the president who called his refusal to concede “absurd and sophomoric,” said that whether it was a Republican politician or a talk-show host, breaking the will that many Trump supporters have to believe he is the rightful winner was extremely difficult. “They want it to be true,” Lowry said. “On top of that, there’s an enormous credibility gap and radical distrust of other sources of information. And that’s compounded by the fact that the president has no standards and is surrounded by these clownish people who will say anything. It’s a toxic stew.” Carlson, no doubt aware that many in his audience, including possibly the president himself, would not like what they were hearing, walked a fine line Thursday night. He insisted that he and his producers “took Sidney Powell seriously.” He also tried to reassure members of his audience that he was on their side after all, explaining how he always kept an open mind about alleged cover-ups like the one Powell has promoted. “We don’t dismiss anything,” he said. “We literally do UFO segments.”

Tucker Carlson dared question a Trump lawyer. The backlash was quick.

US President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, may be considering to run for Senate in North Carolina in 2022, as per reports by US media.

The reports have come a few weeks after Donald Trump lost to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a>&nbsp;and alleged voter fraud and manipulation in mail-in voting.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-be-embarrassing-czech-president-asks-donald-trump-to-step-down-344233">'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down</a>

Lara Trump is married to Donald's second eldest son, Eric. As per local media reports, Lara has been "telling associates she is considering a run for Senate in 2022," the New York Times said, on the basis on inputs provided by three unnamed allies.

She will be contesting the Senate run from her home state, North Carolina. The reports have gained momentum especially after the Republican senator from North Carolina Richard Burr claimed he will not be seeking reelection in 2022 from the state.
<img alt="Trump family" data-caption="Donald Trump's family" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0b0258c1-89e6-4009-89a3-144993068e0f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Trump%20family.jpg" />
Meanwhile, some reports have also suggested that&nbsp;Donald Trump's current chief of staff Mark Meadows may also be a potential candidate, in addition to former governor&nbsp; Pat McCrory and outgoing Lt. Governor Dan Forest.

North Carolina has been a Republic supporter state for the past few years now. Even in US election 2020, the state residents voted for Donald Trump&nbsp;but by a smaller margin than in 2016.

The reports of Laura Trump running for Senate have not been confirmed by the Trump clan, yet.

US President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, may be considering to run for Senate in North Carolina in 2022, as per reports by US media. The reports have come a few weeks after Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden in the US elections and alleged voter fraud and manipulation in mail-in voting.

US President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, may be considering to run for Senate in North Carolina in 2022, as per reports by US media. The reports have come a few weeks after Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden in the US elections and alleged voter fraud and manipulation in mail-in voting. Also read| 'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down Lara Trump is married to Donald's second eldest son, Eric. As per local media reports, Lara has been "telling associates she is considering a run for Senate in 2022," the New York Times said, on the basis on inputs provided by three unnamed allies. She will be contesting the Senate run from her home state, North Carolina. The reports have gained momentum especially after the Republican senator from North Carolina Richard Burr claimed he will not be seeking reelection in 2022 from the state. Meanwhile, some reports have also suggested that Donald Trump's current chief of staff Mark Meadows may also be a potential candidate, in addition to former governor Pat McCrory and outgoing Lt. Governor Dan Forest. North Carolina has been a Republic supporter state for the past few years now. Even in US election 2020, the state residents voted for Donald Trump but by a smaller margin than in 2016. The reports of Laura Trump running for Senate have not been confirmed by the Trump clan, yet.

Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara, may run for Senate in North Carolina

It has been a couple of weeks since&nbsp;the outgoing US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;lost the race to White against&nbsp;his Democratic opponent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a>. However, Trump has refused to concede his defeat.

While several world leaders have congratulated the President-elect Joe Biden, the&nbsp;Czech President Milos Zeman has passed on a word of advice to Trump, and that is to not to be embarrassing and let Biden take the lead now, post-January.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-confident-he-knows-he-hasnt-won-joe-biden-on-trump-344203">‘I am confident he knows he hasn't won’: Joe Biden on Trump</a>

Talking about how Trump has still not acknowledged his defeat and is still trying to fight the system by filing lawsuits in various states, alleging the Democratic Party of voter fraud, Zeman said, "I personally believe that it would be much more reasonable to give up, not to be embarrassing, and allow the new president to take office."

The 76-year-old leader has served two terms in his country as the President, and one as the Prime Minister. He plays a major role in the country's post-communist politics. The statement was unexpected from Zeman as he has been a supporter of the Republican President in the past.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-2020-trump-campaign-drops-michigan-vote-count-lawsuit-344169">Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit</a>

Biden achieved a historic victory against Trump in the Presidential elections that took place on November 03. However, Trump has refused to acknowledge the defeat and has consistently alleged voter fraud in the mail-in ballots. Joe Biden, recently, opened up about Trump's failing lawsuits and blamed him for sending out "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions."

It has been a couple of weeks since the outgoing US President Donald Trump lost the race to White against his Democratic opponent Joe Biden in the US elections. However, Trump has refused to concede his defeat.

It has been a couple of weeks since the outgoing US President Donald Trump lost the race to White against his Democratic opponent Joe Biden in the US elections. However, Trump has refused to concede his defeat. While several world leaders have congratulated the President-elect Joe Biden, the Czech President Milos Zeman has passed on a word of advice to Trump, and that is to not to be embarrassing and let Biden take the lead now, post-January. Also read| ‘I am confident he knows he hasn't won’: Joe Biden on Trump Talking about how Trump has still not acknowledged his defeat and is still trying to fight the system by filing lawsuits in various states, alleging the Democratic Party of voter fraud, Zeman said, "I personally believe that it would be much more reasonable to give up, not to be embarrassing, and allow the new president to take office." The 76-year-old leader has served two terms in his country as the President, and one as the Prime Minister. He plays a major role in the country's post-communist politics. The statement was unexpected from Zeman as he has been a supporter of the Republican President in the past. Also read| Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit Biden achieved a historic victory against Trump in the Presidential elections that took place on November 03. However, Trump has refused to acknowledge the defeat and has consistently alleged voter fraud in the mail-in ballots. Joe Biden, recently, opened up about Trump's failing lawsuits and blamed him for sending out "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions."

'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down

Sidney Powell, a former federal prosecutor who is now an election attorney for President Donald Trump, on Thursday (November 19) said again without providing evidence that millions of votes were shifted from Trump to Democratic rival Joe Biden by software designed to rig the election.

Giuliani links latest election fraud claims to 'communist money' from Venezuela

Despite widespread irregularities or lack of evidence of fraud, President Donald Trump's legal team used Thursday's press conference to go through the laundry list of far-fetched, well-dismissed claims on the 2020 election.

Delay in Trump-to Biden transition, Trump pushes legal challenges | WION-VoA Co-Production

Who did the minority groups vote for? | US Election 2020 | WION-VoA Co-Production

A day after these Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the&nbsp;Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering, the US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;will now be taking over the stage.

Trump, who recently lost the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a>&nbsp;to his Democratic opponent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, will be addressing the virtual gathering on Friday evening, as per reports.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-touts-chinas-huge-economy-as-base-of-free-trade-in-apec-speech-344021">Xi touts China's huge economy as base of free trade in APEC speech</a>

APEC is a group that brings together&nbsp;21 Pacific Rim countries, accounting for about 60 per cent of global GDP, to discuss key issues from around the world. This year, the focus of the gathering will be the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The outgoing President is expected to deliver a speech for his fellow world leaders at the event, which is mostly out of bounds for the media, as per officials. Trump will be, assumably, talking about how the novel coronavirus spread across the world — for which he has been blaming and accusing China for the past few months.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/subtly-china-pressures-gulf-states-to-reduce-regional-tensions-343832">Subtly, China pressures Gulf states to reduce regional tensions</a>

Before this, Trump has only once participated in the APEC gathering, which was back in 2017. This year, he will also be fighting to show his authority as the President of the US, as he has refused to concede his defeat against Biden, and has been accusing the Democrats of manipulating election results and of voter fraud — an accusation that has not been proved right.

A day ago, Xi Jinping had addressed the world leaders' gathering and had used the platform to boast about the recently signed deal of&nbsp;world's biggest trade pact between China and 14 other Asia-Pacific countries signed the called Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He also took pride in claiming China as a&nbsp;pivot point for global commerce and vowed to keep its "super-sized" economy open.

A day after these Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering, the US President Donald Trump will now be taking over the stage.

A day after these Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering, the US President Donald Trump will now be taking over the stage. Trump, who recently lost the US elections to his Democratic opponent Joe Biden, will be addressing the virtual gathering on Friday evening, as per reports. Also read| Xi touts China's huge economy as base of free trade in APEC speech APEC is a group that brings together 21 Pacific Rim countries, accounting for about 60 per cent of global GDP, to discuss key issues from around the world. This year, the focus of the gathering will be the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The outgoing President is expected to deliver a speech for his fellow world leaders at the event, which is mostly out of bounds for the media, as per officials. Trump will be, assumably, talking about how the novel coronavirus spread across the world — for which he has been blaming and accusing China for the past few months. Also read| Subtly, China pressures Gulf states to reduce regional tensions Before this, Trump has only once participated in the APEC gathering, which was back in 2017. This year, he will also be fighting to show his authority as the President of the US, as he has refused to concede his defeat against Biden, and has been accusing the Democrats of manipulating election results and of voter fraud — an accusation that has not been proved right. A day ago, Xi Jinping had addressed the world leaders' gathering and had used the platform to boast about the recently signed deal of world's biggest trade pact between China and 14 other Asia-Pacific countries signed the called Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He also took pride in claiming China as a pivot point for global commerce and vowed to keep its "super-sized" economy open.

Donald Trump to address APEC summit a day after China's Xi Jinping

Georgia confirmed Democratic President-elect Joe Biden as the winner of the Nov. 3 election in the state as it completed a hand audit of ballots on Thursday, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said.

Georgia confirms Biden's victory in state as it completes hand audit of ballots

US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-2020-trump-campaign-drops-michigan-vote-count-lawsuit-344169">Also read: US elections 2020 — Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit</a>

Trump is behind "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions," Biden told reporters in his home state of Delaware.

Asked about Trump's calls with officials in Michigan, which Biden won on November 3 election by 155,000 votes, Biden said it was "another incident where he will go down in history as being one of the most irresponsible presidents in American history."

"It's hard to fathom how this man thinks," Biden said. "I'm confident he knows he hasn't won, is not going to be able to win and we're going to be sworn on January 20th."

Trump has refused to accept his loss on November 3, despite his opponent getting over six million more votes.

Biden also won the Electoral College votes that ultimately decide who takes the White House by 306 to 232, flipping five states that went to Trump four years ago.

After initially making baseless claims of widespread fraud, Trump has appeared to shift his strategy to asking states to overrule the will of voters.

In Michigan, Trump placed a telephone call to a Republican on a once-obscure board who wants to withdraw her certification of the election result in the heavily Democratic county that includes majority-Black Detroit.

"He was checking to make sure I was safe after seeing/hearing about the threats and doxxing," Wayne County Board of Canvassers chairwoman Monica Palmer told the Detroit Free Press, referring to personal information posted about her on social media.

Trump also reportedly invited Michigan Republican lawmakers to the White House, even as his campaign withdrew a federal lawsuit that asked the courts to block final certification of the state's results.

Biden's margin of victory in Michigan is more than 10 times higher than Trump's when he won the state in 2016.

More accusations by Trump camp

Georgia is preparing to release results of a hand recount of its five million ballots that is expected to show that Biden is the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the southern state in almost three decades.

Trump dispatched his lawyer Rudy Giuliani to give a news conference Thursday where he read affidavits claiming fraudulent voter activity in multiple states and said the campaign would file a new lawsuit in Georgia.

Giuliani, a former mayor of New York, also brazenly accused Democrats of being "crooks" who committed massive fraud in several battleground states "to steal an election from the American people."

"It changes the results of the election in Michigan if you take out Wayne County," said Giuliani, who repeatedly wiped the sweat from his brow and at one point had a dark liquid which may or may not has been hair dye snaking down the side of his face.

As Giuliani and other Trump lawyers outlined claims that included charges of communist involvement, the president -- apparently watching on television -- took to Twitter to applaud them for laying out "an open-and-shut case of voter fraud."

Chris Krebs, the top US election security official who was fired by Trump after calling the election the most secure ever, wrote on Twitter that the news conference was "the most dangerous 1hr 45 minutes of television in American history" and "possibly the craziest."

Recount 'did its job'

In Georgia, Biden's original winning margin was just over 14,000 votes.

The hand recount that began last week and concluded late Wednesday narrowed that gap slightly to more than 12,700 as of early Thursday.

Some discrepancies were found in Republican-leaning counties, according to Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting system manager who helped monitor the so-called risk-level audit.

"The good part was, the audit did its job. It found those tranches of votes," he told Fox News.

The issues, which were chalked up to the human error and not fraud, included memory cards that were not scanned in Douglas and Walton counties, more than 2,700 missing votes in Fayette County, and 2,600 ballots from Floyd County that were not scanned.

Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who like Sterling is a Republican, said there was no widespread voter fraud.

"I don't believe at the end of the day it'll change the total results," Raffensperger told CNN.

The laser-like focus on Georgia is not just because of the recount. The state's two US Senate races are going to runoffs on January 5 that will determine control of the chamber and Biden's ability to push through his agenda.

US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities.

US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities. Also read: US elections 2020 — Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit Trump is behind "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions," Biden told reporters in his home state of Delaware. Asked about Trump's calls with officials in Michigan, which Biden won on November 3 election by 155,000 votes, Biden said it was "another incident where he will go down in history as being one of the most irresponsible presidents in American history." "It's hard to fathom how this man thinks," Biden said. "I'm confident he knows he hasn't won, is not going to be able to win and we're going to be sworn on January 20th." Trump has refused to accept his loss on November 3, despite his opponent getting over six million more votes. Biden also won the Electoral College votes that ultimately decide who takes the White House by 306 to 232, flipping five states that went to Trump four years ago. After initially making baseless claims of widespread fraud, Trump has appeared to shift his strategy to asking states to overrule the will of voters. In Michigan, Trump placed a telephone call to a Republican on a once-obscure board who wants to withdraw her certification of the election result in the heavily Democratic county that includes majority-Black Detroit. "He was checking to make sure I was safe after seeing/hearing about the threats and doxxing," Wayne County Board of Canvassers chairwoman Monica Palmer told the Detroit Free Press, referring to personal information posted about her on social media. Trump also reportedly invited Michigan Republican lawmakers to the White House, even as his campaign withdrew a federal lawsuit that asked the courts to block final certification of the state's results. Biden's margin of victory in Michigan is more than 10 times higher than Trump's when he won the state in 2016. More accusations by Trump camp Georgia is preparing to release results of a hand recount of its five million ballots that is expected to show that Biden is the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the southern state in almost three decades. Trump dispatched his lawyer Rudy Giuliani to give a news conference Thursday where he read affidavits claiming fraudulent voter activity in multiple states and said the campaign would file a new lawsuit in Georgia. Giuliani, a former mayor of New York, also brazenly accused Democrats of being "crooks" who committed massive fraud in several battleground states "to steal an election from the American people." "It changes the results of the election in Michigan if you take out Wayne County," said Giuliani, who repeatedly wiped the sweat from his brow and at one point had a dark liquid which may or may not has been hair dye snaking down the side of his face. As Giuliani and other Trump lawyers outlined claims that included charges of communist involvement, the president -- apparently watching on television -- took to Twitter to applaud them for laying out "an open-and-shut case of voter fraud." Chris Krebs, the top US election security official who was fired by Trump after calling the election the most secure ever, wrote on Twitter that the news conference was "the most dangerous 1hr 45 minutes of television in American history" and "possibly the craziest." Recount 'did its job' In Georgia, Biden's original winning margin was just over 14,000 votes. The hand recount that began last week and concluded late Wednesday narrowed that gap slightly to more than 12,700 as of early Thursday. Some discrepancies were found in Republican-leaning counties, according to Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting system manager who helped monitor the so-called risk-level audit. "The good part was, the audit did its job. It found those tranches of votes," he told Fox News. The issues, which were chalked up to the human error and not fraud, included memory cards that were not scanned in Douglas and Walton counties, more than 2,700 missing votes in Fayette County, and 2,600 ballots from Floyd County that were not scanned. Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who like Sterling is a Republican, said there was no widespread voter fraud. "I don't believe at the end of the day it'll change the total results," Raffensperger told CNN. The laser-like focus on Georgia is not just because of the recount. The state's two US Senate races are going to runoffs on January 5 that will determine control of the chamber and Biden's ability to push through his agenda.

‘I am confident he knows he hasn't won’: Joe Biden on Trump

The recount of votes in the state of Georgia has finished. Recount confirmed the victory of Joe Biden after statewide audit.

US Election 2020: Georgia finishes recount of votes, confirms Biden victory

Donald Trump might not have conceded yet, but the writers and creative people from Tonight at Jimmy Fallon, have decided to write him a concession speech.&nbsp;

Fallon’s editing team devised a clever way to force Trump to deliver a concession speech after losing the election to former Vice President Joe Biden earlier this month. The video is a&nbsp;montage, strategically excerpting nuggets of truth and other out-of-context remarks from previous Trump speeches.

“My fellow Americans, a short time ago, Joe Biden beat me in the election,” three different Trumps begin the video, relay-style. “And not only did he win — he won by a lot actually. Therefore, it is time for me to step aside, because let’s face it, I wasn’t probably on my game, and I wasn’t doing so well.

“I’m the only president in history to lose the popular vote twice and to get impeached. It’s time for a change. Greatest dream in the world is that Joe Biden wins because the winner of this vote was decided by a fair and open election. Therefore, I humbly concede to Joe Biden. The American people have responded, and they said to me, ‘You’re fired. Bing! Get out.’” 
 
&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

At press time, President-elect Biden has amassed 290 electoral votes after winning the key battleground states of Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Trump has secured 232 electoral votes.

On Sunday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-almost-admits-he-lost-us-election-says-time-will-tell-343056">the president appeared to acknowledge Biden’s victory by tweeting</a>, “He won because the Election was Rigged.”

“That might be as close to a concession speech as we’re gonna get, folks,” Fallon joked on “The Tonight Show.” “But it was short-lived because he went on to say, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-won-because-donald-trump-acknowledges-democrats-victory-for-first-time-343333#google_vignette">‘I concede NOTHING,’ and ‘I WON THE ELECTION.</a>’” 
 
&nbsp;

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He won because the Election was Rigged. NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed, vote tabulated by a Radical Left privately owned company, Dominion, with a bad reputation &amp; bum equipment that couldn’t even qualify for Texas (which I won by a lot!), the Fake &amp; Silent Media, &amp; more! <a href="https://t.co/Exb3C1mAPg">https://t.co/Exb3C1mAPg</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1327956491056279552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA. I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go. This was a RIGGED ELECTION!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1327979630477922304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The comedian also slammed the Trump administration for resisting cooperation with Biden’s incoming team, which will be tasked with handling the COVID-19 pandemic when Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris head to the White House in January.

“I’m really shocked by this because, up until now, Trump’s handling of the pandemic has been flawless. Seriously, why is it so hard for Trump? He’s been passing off COVID responsibilities for eight months. Why stop now?” said Fallon.

&nbsp;

Donald Trump might not have conceded yet, but the writers and creative people from Tonight at Jimmy Fallon, have decided to write him a concession speech. Fallon’s editing team devised a clever way to force Trump to deliver a concession speech after losing the election to former Vice President Joe Biden earlier this month.

Donald Trump might not have conceded yet, but the writers and creative people from Tonight at Jimmy Fallon, have decided to write him a concession speech. Fallon’s editing team devised a clever way to force Trump to deliver a concession speech after losing the election to former Vice President Joe Biden earlier this month. The video is a montage, strategically excerpting nuggets of truth and other out-of-context remarks from previous Trump speeches. “My fellow Americans, a short time ago, Joe Biden beat me in the election,” three different Trumps begin the video, relay-style. “And not only did he win — he won by a lot actually. Therefore, it is time for me to step aside, because let’s face it, I wasn’t probably on my game, and I wasn’t doing so well. “I’m the only president in history to lose the popular vote twice and to get impeached. It’s time for a change. Greatest dream in the world is that Joe Biden wins because the winner of this vote was decided by a fair and open election. Therefore, I humbly concede to Joe Biden. The American people have responded, and they said to me, ‘You’re fired. Bing! Get out.’” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Tonight Show (@fallontonight) × At press time, President-elect Biden has amassed 290 electoral votes after winning the key battleground states of Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Trump has secured 232 electoral votes. On Sunday, the president appeared to acknowledge Biden’s victory by tweeting, “He won because the Election was Rigged.” “That might be as close to a concession speech as we’re gonna get, folks,” Fallon joked on “The Tonight Show.” “But it was short-lived because he went on to say, ‘I concede NOTHING,’ and ‘I WON THE ELECTION.’” He won because the Election was Rigged. NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed, vote tabulated by a Radical Left privately owned company, Dominion, with a bad reputation & bum equipment that couldn’t even qualify for Texas (which I won by a lot!), the Fake & Silent Media, & more! https://t.co/Exb3C1mAPg — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020 × He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA. I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go. This was a RIGGED ELECTION! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020 × The comedian also slammed the Trump administration for resisting cooperation with Biden’s incoming team, which will be tasked with handling the COVID-19 pandemic when Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris head to the White House in January. “I’m really shocked by this because, up until now, Trump’s handling of the pandemic has been flawless. Seriously, why is it so hard for Trump? He’s been passing off COVID responsibilities for eight months. Why stop now?” said Fallon.

Donald Trump's 'concession speech' on Jimmy Fallon's show goes viral

In first-ever talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Joe Biden as the President-elect of the United States, the focus was on cooperation on how to deal with the COVID pandemic, its economic impact, and Indo Pacific.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said, "Spoke to US President-elect @JoeBiden on phone to congratulate him. We reiterated our firm commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed our shared priorities and concerns - Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spent-childhood-listening-to-ramayana-and-mahabharata-barack-obama-in-memoir-343642">Also read|&nbsp;Spent childhood listening to Ramayana and Mahabharata: Barack Obama in memoir&nbsp;</a>

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Spoke to US President-elect <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a> on phone to congratulate him. We reiterated our firm commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed our shared priorities and concerns - Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1328761821302464517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He also conveyed congratulations for VP-elect Kamala Harris to Biden saying her, "success is a matter of great pride and inspiration for members of the vibrant Indian-American community, who are a tremendous source of strength for Indo-US relations."

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I also conveyed warm congratulations for VP-elect <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a>. Her success is a matter of great pride and inspiration for members of the vibrant Indian-American community, who are a tremendous source of strength for Indo-US relations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1328761973140439041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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As vice president under Obama's administration,&nbsp;he had engaged with the Indian PM. In fact, he has chaired a Joint Session of the Congress in June 2016 which was addressed by PM Modi.

A readout from Biden-Harris transition team said, president-elect "expressed his desire to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership" alongside the "first vice president of South Asian descent."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-narendra-modi-to-attend-virtual-summit-of-brics-on-tuesday-343512" hreflang="en">Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend virtual summit of BRICS on Tuesday</a>

The readout highlighted key areas in which the Biden administration "looks forward to working closely" with Prime Minister Modi which include "containing COVID-19 and defending against future health crises, tackling the threat of climate change, launching the global economic recovery, strengthening democracy at home and abroad" and "maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region."

On area which both readout mention is Indo-Pacific, a concept that was the key focus of Trump Admin and New Delhi and shows continuity on the issue. The concept, backed by India, the US, and like-minded partners is seen suspiciously by China.

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Biden has been a supporter of close New Delhi-Washington ties, in his capacity as a senator and the vice president. In August 2001, Joe Biden had written a letter to then-President George W. Bush calling on the new administration to drop U.S. sanctions against India and during his tenure as the Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he worked towards the U.S. Senate’s approval of US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement in 2008.

In first-ever talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Joe Biden as the President-elect of the United States, the focus was on cooperation on how to deal with the COVID pandemic, its economic impact, and Indo Pacific.

In first-ever talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Joe Biden as the President-elect of the United States, the focus was on cooperation on how to deal with the COVID pandemic, its economic impact, and Indo Pacific. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said, "Spoke to US President-elect @JoeBiden on phone to congratulate him. We reiterated our firm commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed our shared priorities and concerns - Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region." Also read| Spent childhood listening to Ramayana and Mahabharata: Barack Obama in memoir Spoke to US President-elect @JoeBiden on phone to congratulate him. We reiterated our firm commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed our shared priorities and concerns - Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2020 × He also conveyed congratulations for VP-elect Kamala Harris to Biden saying her, "success is a matter of great pride and inspiration for members of the vibrant Indian-American community, who are a tremendous source of strength for Indo-US relations." I also conveyed warm congratulations for VP-elect @KamalaHarris. Her success is a matter of great pride and inspiration for members of the vibrant Indian-American community, who are a tremendous source of strength for Indo-US relations. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2020 × As vice president under Obama's administration, he had engaged with the Indian PM. In fact, he has chaired a Joint Session of the Congress in June 2016 which was addressed by PM Modi. A readout from Biden-Harris transition team said, president-elect "expressed his desire to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership" alongside the "first vice president of South Asian descent." Also read| Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend virtual summit of BRICS on Tuesday The readout highlighted key areas in which the Biden administration "looks forward to working closely" with Prime Minister Modi which include "containing COVID-19 and defending against future health crises, tackling the threat of climate change, launching the global economic recovery, strengthening democracy at home and abroad" and "maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region." On area which both readout mention is Indo-Pacific, a concept that was the key focus of Trump Admin and New Delhi and shows continuity on the issue. The concept, backed by India, the US, and like-minded partners is seen suspiciously by China. × Biden has been a supporter of close New Delhi-Washington ties, in his capacity as a senator and the vice president. In August 2001, Joe Biden had written a letter to then-President George W. Bush calling on the new administration to drop U.S. sanctions against India and during his tenure as the Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he worked towards the U.S. Senate’s approval of US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement in 2008.

Modi-Biden speak; discuss cooperation on COVID, Indo-pacific

America has for some time been viewed as a guide for the free world, its quest for opportunity and freedom a focusing light for all to follow. In any case, that signal is projecting an alternate light, an admonition to the universe of the delicate idea of vote based system.&nbsp;

With the aftereffects of the US election&nbsp;2020&nbsp;clear to any unprejudiced spectator, the path to a peaceful transition of power seems anything but certain.

The way that President Donald Trump won't recognize the desire of American electors isn't unexpected, yet the quantity of other Republican political pioneers supporting his unmerited paranoid fears and edgy endeavors to stick to control put the eventual fate of the American examination in question.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hasty-pullout-of-us-allied-troops-from-afghanistan-could-exact-very-high-price-nato-chief-stoltenberg-343712" hreflang="en">Hasty pullout of US &amp; allied troops from Afghanistan could exact 'very high' price: NATO chief Stoltenberg</a>

After firing Defence Secretary Mark Esper, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has now fired America's top cybersecurity official, Christopher Krebs.

"The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud," Trump wrote in a tweet.

He has also announced the pulling out of more troops from Afghanistan.&nbsp;The US plan is to reportedly bring back 2,500 troops from Afghanistan and 2,500 in Iraq by January 15. There are currently around 4,500 US troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 troops in Iraq.

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The Taliban on Wednesday welcomed the Pentagon's announcement it would soon pull about 2,000 US troops from Afghanistan as a "good step" that will help end the country's long-running conflict.

However, in the deal between the US&nbsp;And the Taliban, Washington agreed to withdraw all US&nbsp;forces from Afghanistan by May 2021, given the Taliban fulfils Washington's conditions.&nbsp;As of today, the Taliban has not fulfilled those conditions.

Trump's lawyer Rudy Guliani was lambasted in a Pennsylvania court.&nbsp;The president himself was slammed by the former first lady- Michelle Obama&nbsp;for his refusal of moving forward with a transition of power.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/michelle-obama-slams-donald-trump-says-democracy-bigger-than-anybodys-ego-343717" hreflang="en">Michelle Obama slams Donald Trump; says democracy bigger than anybody's ego</a>

Taking a jibe at Trump for his unsubstantiated claims of victory in the US election 2020 and his refusal for vacating his seat, she said "Our democracy is so much bigger than anybody’s ego.”

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The official progress measure has not formally begun in light of the fact that Trump has unjustifiably would not acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden's triumph. The proper progress is probably going to stay on hold until the political decision is ensured by a Trump nominee inside the General Services Administration in a cycle known as ascertainment.&nbsp;

In an Instagram post, Obama said that it took "quality and development to set my outrage aside." In doing such, she continued to welcome Melania Trump to the White House.&nbsp;

Obama said she addressed Trump's inquiries concerning "the elevated investigation that accompanies being a first woman to what exactly it resembles to bring kids up in the White House."

As per reports, Melania Trump has yet to invite first lady-elect, Jill Biden,&nbsp;to the White House to proceed with the convention.

America has for some time been viewed as a guide for the free world, its quest for opportunity and freedom a focusing light for all to follow. In any case, that signal is projecting an alternate light, an admonition to the universe of the delicate idea of vote based system.

America has for some time been viewed as a guide for the free world, its quest for opportunity and freedom a focusing light for all to follow. In any case, that signal is projecting an alternate light, an admonition to the universe of the delicate idea of vote based system. With the aftereffects of the US election 2020 clear to any unprejudiced spectator, the path to a peaceful transition of power seems anything but certain. The way that President Donald Trump won't recognize the desire of American electors isn't unexpected, yet the quantity of other Republican political pioneers supporting his unmerited paranoid fears and edgy endeavors to stick to control put the eventual fate of the American examination in question. Also read| Hasty pullout of US & allied troops from Afghanistan could exact 'very high' price: NATO chief Stoltenberg After firing Defence Secretary Mark Esper, US President Donald Trump has now fired America's top cybersecurity official, Christopher Krebs. "The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud," Trump wrote in a tweet. He has also announced the pulling out of more troops from Afghanistan. The US plan is to reportedly bring back 2,500 troops from Afghanistan and 2,500 in Iraq by January 15. There are currently around 4,500 US troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 troops in Iraq. × The Taliban on Wednesday welcomed the Pentagon's announcement it would soon pull about 2,000 US troops from Afghanistan as a "good step" that will help end the country's long-running conflict. However, in the deal between the US And the Taliban, Washington agreed to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan by May 2021, given the Taliban fulfils Washington's conditions. As of today, the Taliban has not fulfilled those conditions. Trump's lawyer Rudy Guliani was lambasted in a Pennsylvania court. The president himself was slammed by the former first lady- Michelle Obama for his refusal of moving forward with a transition of power. Also read: Michelle Obama slams Donald Trump; says democracy bigger than anybody's ego Taking a jibe at Trump for his unsubstantiated claims of victory in the US election 2020 and his refusal for vacating his seat, she said "Our democracy is so much bigger than anybody’s ego.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) The official progress measure has not formally begun in light of the fact that Trump has unjustifiably would not acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden's triumph. The proper progress is probably going to stay on hold until the political decision is ensured by a Trump nominee inside the General Services Administration in a cycle known as ascertainment. In an Instagram post, Obama said that it took "quality and development to set my outrage aside." In doing such, she continued to welcome Melania Trump to the White House. Obama said she addressed Trump's inquiries concerning "the elevated investigation that accompanies being a first woman to what exactly it resembles to bring kids up in the White House." As per reports, Melania Trump has yet to invite first lady-elect, Jill Biden, to the White House to proceed with the convention.

Post election political chaos in US endangering its democracy

SInce the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US election</a> results have been announced, the election officer of the state of Arizona has been receiving death threats against her family and staff.

Secretary of State Katie Hobbs claimed to have been receiving death threats for her family and her staff since the day&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;was declared in the recently concluded elections, breaking the record victory of the Republicans in western US state.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/theatrics-not-really-lawsuits-trump-electors-want-courts-to-stop-bidens-nevada-win-343793">&nbsp;'Theatrics, not really lawsuits': Trump electors want courts to stop Biden's Nevada win</a>

Hobbs said the threats and "continued intimidation tactics will not prevent me from performing the duties I swore an oath to do". Her home in Phoenix was also attacked by protestors.

The protests are being brought her way as Hobbs has the final say of certifying the election results by November 30. Since Hobbs has some forward and revealed the threats she is receiving, other election officers from across the country — in states such as Georgia, Nevada, Michigan and Pennsylvani — have also reported having received death threats since the elections.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-biden-speak-discuss-cooperation-on-covid-indo-pacific-343790">Modi-Biden speak; discuss cooperation on COVID, Indo-pacific</a>

"Our democracy is tested constantly, it continues to prevail, and it will not falter under my watch," Hobbs said.

Neighbours of the officer have also supported her claim and said some protestors were taking pictures of Hobss' house and were chanting slogans such as "Katie come out and play, we are watching you." and "we want an audit".

The threats have been online and offline, with Hobbs' social media accounts filled with hatred messages for taking a dig at the outgoing&nbsp;President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, claiming his administration was "perpetuating misinformation and are encouraging others to distrust the election results."

SInce the US election results have been announced, the election officer of the state of Arizona has been receiving death threats against her family and staff. Secretary of State Katie Hobbs claimed to have been receiving death threats for her family and her staff since the day Joe Biden was declared in the recently concluded elections, breaking the record victory of the Republicans in western US state.

SInce the US election results have been announced, the election officer of the state of Arizona has been receiving death threats against her family and staff. Secretary of State Katie Hobbs claimed to have been receiving death threats for her family and her staff since the day Joe Biden was declared in the recently concluded elections, breaking the record victory of the Republicans in western US state. Also read| 'Theatrics, not really lawsuits': Trump electors want courts to stop Biden's Nevada win Hobbs said the threats and "continued intimidation tactics will not prevent me from performing the duties I swore an oath to do". Her home in Phoenix was also attacked by protestors. The protests are being brought her way as Hobbs has the final say of certifying the election results by November 30. Since Hobbs has some forward and revealed the threats she is receiving, other election officers from across the country — in states such as Georgia, Nevada, Michigan and Pennsylvani — have also reported having received death threats since the elections. Also read| Modi-Biden speak; discuss cooperation on COVID, Indo-pacific "Our democracy is tested constantly, it continues to prevail, and it will not falter under my watch," Hobbs said. Neighbours of the officer have also supported her claim and said some protestors were taking pictures of Hobss' house and were chanting slogans such as "Katie come out and play, we are watching you." and "we want an audit". The threats have been online and offline, with Hobbs' social media accounts filled with hatred messages for taking a dig at the outgoing President Donald Trump, claiming his administration was "perpetuating misinformation and are encouraging others to distrust the election results."

'We are watching you': Arizona election officer receives death threats after US election results

Donald Trump has just 2 months left in office. But he has fired America's Top Cybersecurity official, announced further drawdown of troops in Afghanistan, and put a Biden transition in a limbo. Why is Trump being a sore loser?

Gravitas: The transition tussle in U.S.

In the United States, Donald Trump is still blocking the transfer of power. Meanwhile, Joe Biden and his team have sprung into action. On Monday, the President-elect addressed two of America's biggest issues: The economy, and the COVID-19 outbreak.

Moderna's jab is showing great promise, offering 94.5 per cent protection from the virus, which means it is time for the administration to think about distribution. This process is likely to take months, and Donald Trump has less than 70 days left in office.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-election-2020-16-days-after-biden-was-declared-president-elect-what-is-trump-up-to-343566" hreflang="en">US election 2020: 16 days after Biden was declared President-elect, what is Trump up to?</a>

In all likelihood, the Biden administration will have to carry out most of the distribution. But, Donald Trump is not sharing his distribution plan which means the US is headed for a logistical nightmare, which Joe Biden feels could lead to more people losing their lives.

“More people may die if we don't coordinate. Look, as my chief of staff, Ron Klain, would say, who handled ebola. A vaccine is important. It's of little use until you're vaccinated. So how do we get the vaccine? How do we get over 300, million Americans vaccinated? What's the game plan? It's a huge, huge, huge undertaking to get it done”, President-elect Joe Biden said.

Biden also talked tough on the economy, and convened a meeting with America's top CEOs, with Microsoft's Satya Nadella and General Motor's Mary Barra in attendance.

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The president-elect's plan focuses on two aspects - Supporting small businesses, and overhauling the tax structure. He wants the wealthiest Americans to pitch in with more, something that he spoke about on the campaign trail.

“You know, it's based on a simple premise. It's time to reward work, not just wealth in America. We're going to have a fair taxes structure that makes sure the wealthiest among us and corporations pay their fair share”, Joe Biden had said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/facebook-part-of-the-problem-nancy-pelosi-over-misinformation-spread-during-us-elections-343363" hreflang="en">Facebook part of the problem: Nancy Pelosi over misinformation spread during US elections&nbsp;</a>

“When we build back better, we'll do so with higher wages, including a $15 minimum wage nationwide, better benefits, stronger collective bargaining rights that you can raise a family on”, Biden added.

Joe Biden’s message is equitable and fair growth. He claims that corporate America is onboard for this plan. This is a bit tough to believe, since these companies have been evading taxes for years. Getting some of these reforms past a republican senate does not look easy. And Biden needs Trump to concede. Donald Trump's position has not changed in the last 24 hours. He still believes the election was rigged and that he won.

But what about his subordinates?

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has made his stance clear. He says he is preparing for a second Trump term. Pompeo is currently on a 7-nation tour after starting off in France, and is now in Turkey. He is also slated to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Israel. Most of these countries have already congratulated Joe Biden, and have recognised him as the next president.

But national security adviser Robert O’Brien is a bit more circumspect. He admitted that Biden and Harris are likely to occupy the White House come next year.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-elections-2020-why-poll-watcher-complaints-dont-amount-to-fraud-343250" hreflang="en">US elections 2020: Why poll watcher complaints don't amount to fraud</a>

“Well, we're still in office so I'll probably hold off on the op-eds for a while. And i want to get --- if there is a new administration, look they deserve some time to come in and implement their policies. We may have policy disagreements, but look, if the Biden-Harris ticket is determined to be the winner and it's obviously things look that way now, we'll have a very professional transition from the national security council. There's no question about it”, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien said.

Before election night, American political pundits had one major concern. If Trump were to lose how would he govern until the January 20.

Early indications say that these worries were legitimate. Trump is accelerating troop withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. He wants troops back home by January 15 - five days before the inauguration.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/china-finally-congratulates-joe-biden-for-us-election-win-342890" hreflang="en">China finally congratulates Joe Biden for US election win</a>

Even Trump's ally Mitch McConnel does not approve, who feels America is ceding space to terrorist elements in the region. Another report claims Trump was considering attacking Iran last week. He asked his military experts for options. The target was Iran's main nuclear site.

His advisers ultimately managed to dissuade Trump from starting a war. Presidential transitions have always been a prickly affair. In recent years, there has been a tradition of the outgoing president leaving letters for the incoming leader. But it seems unlikely this time.

In the United States, Donald Trump is still blocking the transfer of power. Meanwhile, Joe Biden and his team have sprung into action. On Monday, the President-elect addressed two of America's biggest issues: The economy, and the COVID-19 outbreak.

In the United States, Donald Trump is still blocking the transfer of power. Meanwhile, Joe Biden and his team have sprung into action. On Monday, the President-elect addressed two of America's biggest issues: The economy, and the COVID-19 outbreak. Moderna's jab is showing great promise, offering 94.5 per cent protection from the virus, which means it is time for the administration to think about distribution. This process is likely to take months, and Donald Trump has less than 70 days left in office. Also read: US election 2020: 16 days after Biden was declared President-elect, what is Trump up to? In all likelihood, the Biden administration will have to carry out most of the distribution. But, Donald Trump is not sharing his distribution plan which means the US is headed for a logistical nightmare, which Joe Biden feels could lead to more people losing their lives. “More people may die if we don't coordinate. Look, as my chief of staff, Ron Klain, would say, who handled ebola. A vaccine is important. It's of little use until you're vaccinated. So how do we get the vaccine? How do we get over 300, million Americans vaccinated? What's the game plan? It's a huge, huge, huge undertaking to get it done”, President-elect Joe Biden said. Biden also talked tough on the economy, and convened a meeting with America's top CEOs, with Microsoft's Satya Nadella and General Motor's Mary Barra in attendance. × The president-elect's plan focuses on two aspects - Supporting small businesses, and overhauling the tax structure. He wants the wealthiest Americans to pitch in with more, something that he spoke about on the campaign trail. “You know, it's based on a simple premise. It's time to reward work, not just wealth in America. We're going to have a fair taxes structure that makes sure the wealthiest among us and corporations pay their fair share”, Joe Biden had said. Also read: Facebook part of the problem: Nancy Pelosi over misinformation spread during US elections “When we build back better, we'll do so with higher wages, including a $15 minimum wage nationwide, better benefits, stronger collective bargaining rights that you can raise a family on”, Biden added. Joe Biden’s message is equitable and fair growth. He claims that corporate America is onboard for this plan. This is a bit tough to believe, since these companies have been evading taxes for years. Getting some of these reforms past a republican senate does not look easy. And Biden needs Trump to concede. Donald Trump's position has not changed in the last 24 hours. He still believes the election was rigged and that he won. But what about his subordinates? Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has made his stance clear. He says he is preparing for a second Trump term. Pompeo is currently on a 7-nation tour after starting off in France, and is now in Turkey. He is also slated to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Israel. Most of these countries have already congratulated Joe Biden, and have recognised him as the next president. But national security adviser Robert O’Brien is a bit more circumspect. He admitted that Biden and Harris are likely to occupy the White House come next year. Also read: US elections 2020: Why poll watcher complaints don't amount to fraud “Well, we're still in office so I'll probably hold off on the op-eds for a while. And i want to get --- if there is a new administration, look they deserve some time to come in and implement their policies. We may have policy disagreements, but look, if the Biden-Harris ticket is determined to be the winner and it's obviously things look that way now, we'll have a very professional transition from the national security council. There's no question about it”, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien said. Before election night, American political pundits had one major concern. If Trump were to lose how would he govern until the January 20. Early indications say that these worries were legitimate. Trump is accelerating troop withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. He wants troops back home by January 15 - five days before the inauguration. Also read: China finally congratulates Joe Biden for US election win Even Trump's ally Mitch McConnel does not approve, who feels America is ceding space to terrorist elements in the region. Another report claims Trump was considering attacking Iran last week. He asked his military experts for options. The target was Iran's main nuclear site. His advisers ultimately managed to dissuade Trump from starting a war. Presidential transitions have always been a prickly affair. In recent years, there has been a tradition of the outgoing president leaving letters for the incoming leader. But it seems unlikely this time.

US election 2020: Trump refuses to concede, Biden's camp gets to work

Various supporters and aides of the outgoing US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;have asked the courts to intervene and 'halt' President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a>&nbsp;win in the state&nbsp;of Nevada in the recently-held <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US election 2020</a>.

The supporters, who call themselves "electors" have filed a lawsuit urging the local court to order that their leader, Donald Trump,&nbsp;"be declared the winner of the Election in Nevada". The alternate provided by the 'electors' is that if Trump cannot be declared as a winner, then there should not be a winner from the state of Nevada.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-biden-speak-discuss-cooperation-on-covid-indo-pacific-343790">Modi-Biden speak; discuss cooperation on COVID, Indo-pacific</a>

This lawsuit has come after&nbsp;the Nevada Secretary of State's office, Joe Biden won the state of Nevada by a 33,596 vote margin. These 'electors' had vowed to pledge to Trump in the US electoral college system if he would have won Nevada. As per the lawsuit, there has been "fraud and abuse renders the purported results of the Nevada election illegitimate." However, no proof and claims have been provided by the 'electors' for this allegation.

The lawsuit has been dismissed by the Biden campaign. It appears to be "parroting erroneous allegations made by partisans without first-hand knowledge of the facts," said Dan Kulin, a spokesman for the Clark County Election Department.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-fires-us-election-security-official-who-rejected-fraud-claims-343789" hreflang="en">President Trump fires US election security official who rejected fraud claims&nbsp;</a>

"We have not seen their complaint yet; however, it sounds like they are repeating allegations the courts have already rejected," Kulin said.

The lawsuit came after Donald Trump, repeatedly, alleged voter fraud and manipulation of the US election results by his opposition, Democratic Party. For this particular campaign, the 'electors' have used the basis of Trump's allegation that a signature verification machine was flawed. They have also alleged that the observers had denied meaningful access to the ballot counting process.

Various supporters and aides of the outgoing US President Donald Trump have asked the courts to intervene and 'halt' President-elect Joe Biden's win in the state of Nevada in the recently-held US election 2020.

Various supporters and aides of the outgoing US President Donald Trump have asked the courts to intervene and 'halt' President-elect Joe Biden's win in the state of Nevada in the recently-held US election 2020. The supporters, who call themselves "electors" have filed a lawsuit urging the local court to order that their leader, Donald Trump, "be declared the winner of the Election in Nevada". The alternate provided by the 'electors' is that if Trump cannot be declared as a winner, then there should not be a winner from the state of Nevada. Also read| Modi-Biden speak; discuss cooperation on COVID, Indo-pacific This lawsuit has come after the Nevada Secretary of State's office, Joe Biden won the state of Nevada by a 33,596 vote margin. These 'electors' had vowed to pledge to Trump in the US electoral college system if he would have won Nevada. As per the lawsuit, there has been "fraud and abuse renders the purported results of the Nevada election illegitimate." However, no proof and claims have been provided by the 'electors' for this allegation. The lawsuit has been dismissed by the Biden campaign. It appears to be "parroting erroneous allegations made by partisans without first-hand knowledge of the facts," said Dan Kulin, a spokesman for the Clark County Election Department. Also read| President Trump fires US election security official who rejected fraud claims "We have not seen their complaint yet; however, it sounds like they are repeating allegations the courts have already rejected," Kulin said. The lawsuit came after Donald Trump, repeatedly, alleged voter fraud and manipulation of the US election results by his opposition, Democratic Party. For this particular campaign, the 'electors' have used the basis of Trump's allegation that a signature verification machine was flawed. They have also alleged that the observers had denied meaningful access to the ballot counting process.

'Theatrics, not really lawsuits': Trump electors want courts to stop Biden's Nevada win

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday exuded confidence that ties between India and the US will expand further under Joe Biden's administration, noting that he was part of the period when bilateral relations underwent a radical transformation.

"As vice president, we dealt with him. I happened to be the ambassador during the last phase of the Obama administration.

"We'd known him earlier when he was in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the ranking Democratic member and then as the chairman," Jaishankar said.

The external affairs minister was speaking at an online discussion organised by leading think-tank Gateway House.

"He (Biden) is very much part of this period when Indo-American relations underwent a radical transformation, which I reasonably date back to (Bill) Clinton's visit," Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar said President-elect Biden is "not a stranger" to India or to the relationship between the two countries.

"I am very confident that we will pick up where we left off, we have done that over the last four administrations.

"I think that will be the case as well here and I also say that because within the American politics, it's not just that we deal with the administration of the day, we also tend to deal with the Congress," Jaishankar said.

"American politics by its nature has very strong elements of bipartisanship," he said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday exuded confidence that ties between India and the US will expand further under Joe Biden's administration, noting that he was part of the period when bilateral relations underwent a radical transformation.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday exuded confidence that ties between India and the US will expand further under Joe Biden's administration, noting that he was part of the period when bilateral relations underwent a radical transformation. "As vice president, we dealt with him. I happened to be the ambassador during the last phase of the Obama administration. "We'd known him earlier when he was in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the ranking Democratic member and then as the chairman," Jaishankar said. The external affairs minister was speaking at an online discussion organised by leading think-tank Gateway House. "He (Biden) is very much part of this period when Indo-American relations underwent a radical transformation, which I reasonably date back to (Bill) Clinton's visit," Jaishankar said. Jaishankar said President-elect Biden is "not a stranger" to India or to the relationship between the two countries. "I am very confident that we will pick up where we left off, we have done that over the last four administrations. "I think that will be the case as well here and I also say that because within the American politics, it's not just that we deal with the administration of the day, we also tend to deal with the Congress," Jaishankar said. "American politics by its nature has very strong elements of bipartisanship," he said.

We will pick up where we left off: EAM Jaishankar on Indo-US ties under Joe Biden's administration

The US Department of Homeland Security director Christopher Krebs, who had spearheaded a campaign to counter rumours about voter fraud in 2020 elections, has been fired by President Trump on Tuesday.

"The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud," Trump wrote in a tweet.

"Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency."

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...votes from Trump to Biden, late voting, and many more. Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1328852354049957888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The tweets, from Trump's verified Twitter account, were flagged by the social media platform for promoting misinformation.

Joe Biden has been elected the next president of the United States, with a wide lead in both the Electoral College and in the popular vote. President Trump has refused to concede, uttering allegations of election fraud.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Department of Homeland Security director Christopher Krebs, who had spearheaded a campaign to counter rumours about voter fraud in 2020 elections, has been fired by President Trump on Tuesday.

The US Department of Homeland Security director Christopher Krebs, who had spearheaded a campaign to counter rumours about voter fraud in 2020 elections, has been fired by President Trump on Tuesday. "The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud," Trump wrote in a tweet. "Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency." ...votes from Trump to Biden, late voting, and many more. Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2020 × The tweets, from Trump's verified Twitter account, were flagged by the social media platform for promoting misinformation. Joe Biden has been elected the next president of the United States, with a wide lead in both the Electoral College and in the popular vote. President Trump has refused to concede, uttering allegations of election fraud. (With inputs from agencies)

President Trump fires US election security official who rejected fraud claims 

Judy Shelton’s nomination to fill one of two remaining open seats on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors failed to advance to a final vote Tuesday, a significant setback but one that does not kill her chances at ultimately winning confirmation.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, took steps that will allow him to bring up the nomination again, which could give Shelton another shot at joining the Fed. Still, her failure to clear a closely watched procedural vote signaled the tough road ahead for President Donald Trump’s nominee, whose bid has been contentious from the start.

Trump announced that he would nominate Shelton 16 months ago, but her confirmation has been delayed time and again by lawmakers’ skepticism over her views — she is a loyal fan of the president and a longtime proponent of some sort of gold standard, which most economists oppose.

While she had appeared to be on the brink of confirmation this week, the coronavirus complicated Republicans’ last-minute attempt to place Shelton in a role at the nerve center of the U.S. economy.

On Tuesday morning, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, announced that he had been exposed to the coronavirus and by late afternoon he disclosed that he had tested positive. With Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also in quarantine, Democrats who opposed her nomination had a chance to hold back confirmation with some Republican support.

Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine, both Republicans, voted against advancing her nomination, and a third Republican, Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, also opposed Shelton but was not present for the vote because of what a spokesman said were family matters.

In a sign of how narrow the margin was, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, the vice president-elect, returned to Capitol Hill for the first time since the presidential election in part to vote against Shelton’s advancement.

“Sen. Harris knows this is an important vote, and she’s here for it,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the minority leader, said at his weekly news conference. “She didn’t need contacting.”

The procedural vote ultimately failed 47-50, with McConnell changing his vote from agreeing to advance the nomination to opposing it so he could revive it before the end of the lame-duck session.

If confirmed, Shelton, 66, would take one of seven seats on the central bank’s Washington-based board. With her addition, five of the six filled seats would contain Trump’s appointees. The president has nominated Christopher Waller, a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis official, to fill the remaining seat. It is unclear when his less contested nomination could come to a vote.

But Shelton’s prospects might prove dim. Mark Kelly, a Democratic senator-elect who flipped a Senate seat in Arizona, can be sworn in once his election is certified at the end of the month. Shelton has such a narrow margin of support that losing that one vote could cost her any chance of confirmation.

Still, if Grassley or Scott returns before Kelly is seated, Shelton might be approved.

Judy Shelton’s nomination to fill one of two remaining open seats on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors failed to advance to a final vote Tuesday, a significant setback but one that does not kill her chances at ultimately winning confirmation.

Judy Shelton’s nomination to fill one of two remaining open seats on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors failed to advance to a final vote Tuesday, a significant setback but one that does not kill her chances at ultimately winning confirmation. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, took steps that will allow him to bring up the nomination again, which could give Shelton another shot at joining the Fed. Still, her failure to clear a closely watched procedural vote signaled the tough road ahead for President Donald Trump’s nominee, whose bid has been contentious from the start. Trump announced that he would nominate Shelton 16 months ago, but her confirmation has been delayed time and again by lawmakers’ skepticism over her views — she is a loyal fan of the president and a longtime proponent of some sort of gold standard, which most economists oppose. While she had appeared to be on the brink of confirmation this week, the coronavirus complicated Republicans’ last-minute attempt to place Shelton in a role at the nerve center of the U.S. economy. On Tuesday morning, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, announced that he had been exposed to the coronavirus and by late afternoon he disclosed that he had tested positive. With Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also in quarantine, Democrats who opposed her nomination had a chance to hold back confirmation with some Republican support. Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine, both Republicans, voted against advancing her nomination, and a third Republican, Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, also opposed Shelton but was not present for the vote because of what a spokesman said were family matters. In a sign of how narrow the margin was, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, the vice president-elect, returned to Capitol Hill for the first time since the presidential election in part to vote against Shelton’s advancement. “Sen. Harris knows this is an important vote, and she’s here for it,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the minority leader, said at his weekly news conference. “She didn’t need contacting.” The procedural vote ultimately failed 47-50, with McConnell changing his vote from agreeing to advance the nomination to opposing it so he could revive it before the end of the lame-duck session. If confirmed, Shelton, 66, would take one of seven seats on the central bank’s Washington-based board. With her addition, five of the six filled seats would contain Trump’s appointees. The president has nominated Christopher Waller, a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis official, to fill the remaining seat. It is unclear when his less contested nomination could come to a vote. But Shelton’s prospects might prove dim. Mark Kelly, a Democratic senator-elect who flipped a Senate seat in Arizona, can be sworn in once his election is certified at the end of the month. Shelton has such a narrow margin of support that losing that one vote could cost her any chance of confirmation. Still, if Grassley or Scott returns before Kelly is seated, Shelton might be approved.

Judy Shelton, Trump fed nominee, fails to advance to final vote

U.S. President Donald Trump says he won the 2020 elections. Twitter says no, he didn't. Some Twitter users believe Trump needs medication, others say he needs to learn basic math.

Gravitas: Trump inspires another meme fest

US President-elect Joe Biden has expressed frustration over Donald Trump's refusal to cooperate on the White House transition process, saying "more people may die" of coronavirus without immediate coordination on fighting the surging pandemic.

The Democratic president-elect Monday&nbsp;was taking questions from reporters in Wilmington, Delaware, after consulting jointly with the CEOs of top US companies and labor leaders on Monday. He welcomed further progress in COVID-19 vaccine development, and said curbing the spread of the virus was his first priority.

Biden was declared winner of the November 3 election but Trump has not conceded, and his administration has so far failed to formally acknowledge the veteran Democrat as the president-elect.

That leaves Biden and his team unable to coordinate with government officials on crucial continuity of issues like national security, but also on emergencies like a distribution plan for Covid-19 vaccines to tens of millions of Americans.&nbsp;

From Trump, Biden will inherit an economy that has suffered millions of job losses during a pandemic that has killed more than 246,000 people in the United States. US COVID-19 cases are surging as Biden prepares to take office on January 20.

To this end, Biden said business and labour leaders had signalled willingness to work together to bolster the pandemic-battered US economy but stressed COVID-19 first must be brought under control.

"We're going into a very dark winter. Things are going to get much tougher before they get easier," Biden said of the pandemic.

Biden again called upon the Trump administration to cooperate with his transition team on containing the surge in cases. "More people may die if we don't coordinate," he said.

"If we have to wait until (inauguration day) January 20 to start that planning, it puts us behind for a month, a month and a half," Biden told reporters.

"And so it's important that it be done, that there be coordination now."

Biden insisted, however, that Trump's refusal to concede was not inhibiting his transition efforts. "I find this more embarrassing for the country than debilitating for my ability to get started," he said.

The United States added one million new cases in less than a week, a dizzying rise to more than 11 million confirmed infections and 246,000 American deaths, a global high.

Trump health advisor Scott Atlas, who has no relevant experience or qualifications in public health or infectious disease, has urged people in Michigan to "rise up" against Covid-19 measures rather than engage in an all-hands-on-deck effort to defeat the pandemic.

Biden said Moderna Inc's announcement that its experimental COVID-19 vaccine was 94.5% effective based on interim data from a late-stage trial provided fresh hope for beating the coronavirus. Coupled with positive results last week on a rival Pfizer Inc shot, Moderna's news added to optimism that widespread vaccination in the coming months could help tame the pandemic.

Asked whether he personally would be willing to get vaccinated with one of the newly developed shots, Biden told reporters, "I wouldn't hesitate to get the vaccine."

"The only reason people question the vaccine now is because of Donald Trump," added Biden, who turns 78 on Friday.

He stressed that it appeared the vaccines are "on a clear path" towards safe usage. "They appear to be ready for prime time, ready to be used, and if that continues along that road, I would take the vaccine."

Biden urged Americans to limit the number of people at gatherings for next week's Thanksgiving holiday, with social distancing and masks encouraged.

Biden beat Trump by the same 306-232 margin in the state-by-state Electoral College that prompted Trump to proclaim a "landslide" victory in 2016. Biden also won the national popular vote by at least 5.5 million votes, or 3.6 percentage points, with some ballots still being counted.

On other economic matters, Biden said he plans to pursue "a fairer tax structure" with corporations paying their fair share and added that he wanted to see a $15 hourly minimum wage nationwide. Biden said no government contracts will be given to companies that do not make products in the United States.

(with inputs from agencies)

US President-elect Joe Biden has expressed frustration over Donald Trump's refusal to cooperate on the White House transition process, saying "more people may die" of coronavirus without immediate coordination on fighting the surging pandemic.

US President-elect Joe Biden has expressed frustration over Donald Trump's refusal to cooperate on the White House transition process, saying "more people may die" of coronavirus without immediate coordination on fighting the surging pandemic. The Democratic president-elect Monday was taking questions from reporters in Wilmington, Delaware, after consulting jointly with the CEOs of top US companies and labor leaders on Monday. He welcomed further progress in COVID-19 vaccine development, and said curbing the spread of the virus was his first priority. Biden was declared winner of the November 3 election but Trump has not conceded, and his administration has so far failed to formally acknowledge the veteran Democrat as the president-elect. That leaves Biden and his team unable to coordinate with government officials on crucial continuity of issues like national security, but also on emergencies like a distribution plan for Covid-19 vaccines to tens of millions of Americans. From Trump, Biden will inherit an economy that has suffered millions of job losses during a pandemic that has killed more than 246,000 people in the United States. US COVID-19 cases are surging as Biden prepares to take office on January 20. To this end, Biden said business and labour leaders had signalled willingness to work together to bolster the pandemic-battered US economy but stressed COVID-19 first must be brought under control. "We're going into a very dark winter. Things are going to get much tougher before they get easier," Biden said of the pandemic. Biden again called upon the Trump administration to cooperate with his transition team on containing the surge in cases. "More people may die if we don't coordinate," he said. "If we have to wait until (inauguration day) January 20 to start that planning, it puts us behind for a month, a month and a half," Biden told reporters. "And so it's important that it be done, that there be coordination now." Biden insisted, however, that Trump's refusal to concede was not inhibiting his transition efforts. "I find this more embarrassing for the country than debilitating for my ability to get started," he said. The United States added one million new cases in less than a week, a dizzying rise to more than 11 million confirmed infections and 246,000 American deaths, a global high. Trump health advisor Scott Atlas, who has no relevant experience or qualifications in public health or infectious disease, has urged people in Michigan to "rise up" against Covid-19 measures rather than engage in an all-hands-on-deck effort to defeat the pandemic. Biden said Moderna Inc's announcement that its experimental COVID-19 vaccine was 94.5% effective based on interim data from a late-stage trial provided fresh hope for beating the coronavirus. Coupled with positive results last week on a rival Pfizer Inc shot, Moderna's news added to optimism that widespread vaccination in the coming months could help tame the pandemic. Asked whether he personally would be willing to get vaccinated with one of the newly developed shots, Biden told reporters, "I wouldn't hesitate to get the vaccine." "The only reason people question the vaccine now is because of Donald Trump," added Biden, who turns 78 on Friday. He stressed that it appeared the vaccines are "on a clear path" towards safe usage. "They appear to be ready for prime time, ready to be used, and if that continues along that road, I would take the vaccine." Biden urged Americans to limit the number of people at gatherings for next week's Thanksgiving holiday, with social distancing and masks encouraged. Biden beat Trump by the same 306-232 margin in the state-by-state Electoral College that prompted Trump to proclaim a "landslide" victory in 2016. Biden also won the national popular vote by at least 5.5 million votes, or 3.6 percentage points, with some ballots still being counted. On other economic matters, Biden said he plans to pursue "a fairer tax structure" with corporations paying their fair share and added that he wanted to see a $15 hourly minimum wage nationwide. Biden said no government contracts will be given to companies that do not make products in the United States. (with inputs from agencies)

Biden warns 'more people may die' if Trump doesn't cooperate with transition

Incumbent US president Donald Trump asked for options on attacking Iran's main nuclear site last week but ultimately decided against taking the dramatic step, a source has said.

Trump made the request during a meeting on Thursday with his top national security aides, including Vice President Mike Pence, his new Acting Defence Secretary Christopher Miller, and General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Reuters reported the official as saying.

The report further said advisors persuaded Trump to not go ahead with a strike because of the risk of a broader conflict.

His request for options came a day after a UN atomic watchdog report showed that Iran had finished moving a first cascade of advanced centrifuges from an above-ground plant at its main uranium enrichment site to an underground one, in a fresh breach of its nuclear deal with big powers.

Trump has spent his tenure engaging in an aggressive policy against Iran, withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, and imposing economic sanctions against a wide variety of Iranian targets.

Trump, who has challenged the results of the November 3 presidential election in courts, is to hand over power to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden on January 20.

In January, Trump ordered a US drone strike that killed Iranian military General Qassem Soleimani at the Baghdad airport. A full-blown strike on Iran's main nuclear site at Natanz could flare into a regional conflict and pose a serious foreign policy challenge for Biden.

Iran's 2.4 tonne stock of low-enriched uranium is now far above the deal's 202.8 kg limit. It produced 337.5 kg in the quarter, less than the more than 500 kg recorded in the previous two quarters by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Incumbent US president Donald Trump asked for options on attacking Iran's main nuclear site last week but ultimately decided against taking the dramatic step, a source has said.

Incumbent US president Donald Trump asked for options on attacking Iran's main nuclear site last week but ultimately decided against taking the dramatic step, a source has said. Trump made the request during a meeting on Thursday with his top national security aides, including Vice President Mike Pence, his new Acting Defence Secretary Christopher Miller, and General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Reuters reported the official as saying. The report further said advisors persuaded Trump to not go ahead with a strike because of the risk of a broader conflict. His request for options came a day after a UN atomic watchdog report showed that Iran had finished moving a first cascade of advanced centrifuges from an above-ground plant at its main uranium enrichment site to an underground one, in a fresh breach of its nuclear deal with big powers. Trump has spent his tenure engaging in an aggressive policy against Iran, withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, and imposing economic sanctions against a wide variety of Iranian targets. Trump, who has challenged the results of the November 3 presidential election in courts, is to hand over power to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden on January 20. In January, Trump ordered a US drone strike that killed Iranian military General Qassem Soleimani at the Baghdad airport. A full-blown strike on Iran's main nuclear site at Natanz could flare into a regional conflict and pose a serious foreign policy challenge for Biden. Iran's 2.4 tonne stock of low-enriched uranium is now far above the deal's 202.8 kg limit. It produced 337.5 kg in the quarter, less than the more than 500 kg recorded in the previous two quarters by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Trump asked for options for attacking Iran last week but held off, report says

In 2004, I went to Ohio to cover John Kerry’s campaign to unseat George W. Bush. For liberals, the race felt existential. The Bush administration had lied America into war in Iraq, where an entirely predictable insurgency was raging. His military and CIA were torturing people; the Abu Ghraib scandal had broken open in April.

A worshipful cult of personality surrounded the president, whose administration was nakedly disdainful of truth. Yet four years earlier Bush had lost the popular vote, in a race in which progressives were divided and a decisive number voted third party. Surely, it seemed, with the right mobilization, Democrats should be able to defeat him this time.

Liberal groups launched what Matt Bai described in The New York Times Magazine as “the largest get-out-the-vote effort ever undertaken to win a single presidential campaign.” It wasn’t enough. Democrats &lt;em&gt;did&lt;/em&gt; increase their turnout, but Republicans increased theirs even more.

Reporting from Ohio megachurches and right-wing rallies, I could see that many conservatives were motivated by the specter of gay marriage, which had been recognized in Massachusetts a few months earlier. In the election, 11 states including Ohio — including &lt;em&gt;Oregon&lt;/em&gt; — passed ballot initiatives against same-sex marriage. Postelection surveys showed that “moral values” beat out issues like Iraq and the economy as voters’ chief concern.

As I look back from 2020, two things seem obvious to me. LGBTQ activists had justice on their side, even if the campaign for marriage equality caused a terrifying backlash before it triumphed. At the same time, it’s understandable why Democratic politicians like Barack Obama publicly opposed same-sex marriage in 2008, because to do otherwise risked producing permanent right-wing rule. Good policy and good politics are not the same thing.

The 2004 election illuminates some of the dilemmas faced by today’s Democrats, who are locked in an internecine battle between progressives and moderates. It’s a frustrating and destructive fight because both sides are partly right.

It’s the job of the activist left to push political limits, staking out positions that sound radical today but could, with enough work, seem like common sense in the future. But in the short term, an assertive left that garners national attention can threaten the political survival of Democrats who answer to a more conservative electorate.

In a postelection interview with The Times’ Astead Herndon, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed frustration with those who are blaming leftists for Democrats’ down-ballot losses. “Progressive policies do not hurt candidates,” she insisted, noting swing-district Democrats who had co-sponsored "Medicare for All" legislation and the Green New Deal and had kept their seats.

But most candidates who endorsed those initiatives were in safer districts than those who didn’t. When moderate Democrats like Conor Lamb and Abigail Spanberger say that left-wing slogans are poisonous in their communities, people who don’t live in those communities should take them seriously.

Left-wing populists often believe that there’s a silent majority who agree with them, if only they can be organized to go to the polls. If that were true, though, an election with record high turnout should have been much better for progressives. Instead, 2020 was a reminder of something most older liberals long ago had to come to terms with: The voters who live in the places that determine political control in this country tend to be more conservative than we are.

Yet that doesn’t mean that the Democratic Party doesn’t need the left. Leaders like Bernie Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez were loyal soldiers in this election. After the primaries, they put aside their disappointment to rally voters whom Joe Biden might not have reached. One analysis showed that voting by young people was up 8% in 2020, and after the coronavirus, the issues young Biden voters cared about most were racism and climate change. The Democratic Party can’t afford to alienate the people inspired by Sanders and the Squad.

The Democrats’ loss in 2004 was devastating, but recovering from it didn’t mean moving right. At the time, even civil unions for gay couples were controversial — the Ohio ballot initiative was one of several that banned them along with same-sex marriage. Agitation for marriage equality turned support for such unions into the moderate liberal position, then into the centrist position. Then marriage equality became the law of the land.

Similarly, the Green New Deal made a climate plan like Biden’s, the most ambitious ever proposed by a major party presidential nominee, look moderate. Calls to defund the police are unpopular, but the slogan has already made other reforms — like changing the law to make it easier to hold police officers liable for misconduct — seem centrist and practical.

Moderates need radicals to expand their scope for action. Radicals need moderates to wield power in a giant heterogenous country with sclerotic institutions and deep wells of reaction. Neither camp could have defeated Donald Trump on its own. It’s frustrating now, as it was heartbreaking in 2004, that revanchist Republicans retain such a hold on America. But that’s all the more reason for Democrats to stop their counterproductive sniping and work together to beat them.

In 2004, I went to Ohio to cover John Kerry’s campaign to unseat George W. Bush. For liberals, the race felt existential. The Bush administration had lied America into war in Iraq, where an entirely predictable insurgency was raging.

In 2004, I went to Ohio to cover John Kerry’s campaign to unseat George W. Bush. For liberals, the race felt existential. The Bush administration had lied America into war in Iraq, where an entirely predictable insurgency was raging. His military and CIA were torturing people; the Abu Ghraib scandal had broken open in April. A worshipful cult of personality surrounded the president, whose administration was nakedly disdainful of truth. Yet four years earlier Bush had lost the popular vote, in a race in which progressives were divided and a decisive number voted third party. Surely, it seemed, with the right mobilization, Democrats should be able to defeat him this time. Liberal groups launched what Matt Bai described in The New York Times Magazine as “the largest get-out-the-vote effort ever undertaken to win a single presidential campaign.” It wasn’t enough. Democrats did increase their turnout, but Republicans increased theirs even more. Reporting from Ohio megachurches and right-wing rallies, I could see that many conservatives were motivated by the specter of gay marriage, which had been recognized in Massachusetts a few months earlier. In the election, 11 states including Ohio — including Oregon — passed ballot initiatives against same-sex marriage. Postelection surveys showed that “moral values” beat out issues like Iraq and the economy as voters’ chief concern. As I look back from 2020, two things seem obvious to me. LGBTQ activists had justice on their side, even if the campaign for marriage equality caused a terrifying backlash before it triumphed. At the same time, it’s understandable why Democratic politicians like Barack Obama publicly opposed same-sex marriage in 2008, because to do otherwise risked producing permanent right-wing rule. Good policy and good politics are not the same thing. The 2004 election illuminates some of the dilemmas faced by today’s Democrats, who are locked in an internecine battle between progressives and moderates. It’s a frustrating and destructive fight because both sides are partly right. It’s the job of the activist left to push political limits, staking out positions that sound radical today but could, with enough work, seem like common sense in the future. But in the short term, an assertive left that garners national attention can threaten the political survival of Democrats who answer to a more conservative electorate. In a postelection interview with The Times’ Astead Herndon, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed frustration with those who are blaming leftists for Democrats’ down-ballot losses. “Progressive policies do not hurt candidates,” she insisted, noting swing-district Democrats who had co-sponsored "Medicare for All" legislation and the Green New Deal and had kept their seats. But most candidates who endorsed those initiatives were in safer districts than those who didn’t. When moderate Democrats like Conor Lamb and Abigail Spanberger say that left-wing slogans are poisonous in their communities, people who don’t live in those communities should take them seriously. Left-wing populists often believe that there’s a silent majority who agree with them, if only they can be organized to go to the polls. If that were true, though, an election with record high turnout should have been much better for progressives. Instead, 2020 was a reminder of something most older liberals long ago had to come to terms with: The voters who live in the places that determine political control in this country tend to be more conservative than we are. Yet that doesn’t mean that the Democratic Party doesn’t need the left. Leaders like Bernie Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez were loyal soldiers in this election. After the primaries, they put aside their disappointment to rally voters whom Joe Biden might not have reached. One analysis showed that voting by young people was up 8% in 2020, and after the coronavirus, the issues young Biden voters cared about most were racism and climate change. The Democratic Party can’t afford to alienate the people inspired by Sanders and the Squad. The Democrats’ loss in 2004 was devastating, but recovering from it didn’t mean moving right. At the time, even civil unions for gay couples were controversial — the Ohio ballot initiative was one of several that banned them along with same-sex marriage. Agitation for marriage equality turned support for such unions into the moderate liberal position, then into the centrist position. Then marriage equality became the law of the land. Similarly, the Green New Deal made a climate plan like Biden’s, the most ambitious ever proposed by a major party presidential nominee, look moderate. Calls to defund the police are unpopular, but the slogan has already made other reforms — like changing the law to make it easier to hold police officers liable for misconduct — seem centrist and practical. Moderates need radicals to expand their scope for action. Radicals need moderates to wield power in a giant heterogenous country with sclerotic institutions and deep wells of reaction. Neither camp could have defeated Donald Trump on its own. It’s frustrating now, as it was heartbreaking in 2004, that revanchist Republicans retain such a hold on America. But that’s all the more reason for Democrats to stop their counterproductive sniping and work together to beat them.

Leftists and moderates, stop fighting. You need one another

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