The Indian Panorama

Tag: 2016 US Presidential Campaign & Election

  • Trump’s ‘filthy’ comment on India dismays strategists

    Trump’s ‘filthy’ comment on India dismays strategists

    ‘Look at India, it’s filthy,’ the US President said in the Oct 22 presidential debate

    NEW DELHI / NEW YORK (TIP): After not figuring in the first presidential debate between US President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, India did crop up in the second edition but not in the manner proponents of a much closer Indo-US strategic relations would have wished for.

    “Look at China. How filthy it is. Look at Russia. Look at India, it’s filthy. The air is filthy,’’ said Trump in a remark that cut several strategic analysts to the bone. On the other hand, the US has the “lowest number in carbon emissions”, he claimed.

    Several questioned on social media the need for Trump to make an unsavory reference to India when they were expecting Indo-US ties to turn the strategic corner during the forthcoming visit of two top American cabinet ministers to India. They also wondered if Trump had this view of India why did he pay a return stadium-visit to Ahmedabad barely six months after being hosted in a Houston stadium by PM Narendra Modi.

    Biden did not mention India.

    Trump was responding to debate moderator Kristen Welker’s question on how he would simultaneously combat climate change and support job growth.

    The debate was expected to feature India and the wider neighborhood. During the first debate, the two candidates did not speak much on the American foreign policy, especially in the Asia Pacific, which seems to be the focus of the current administration.

    One reason for the cursory references to foreign policy is also because one debate was cancelled after Trump refused to participate in an on-line format.

    Welker had chosen six topics for in-depth discussions. Three of them were domestic issues while the other three – climate change, leadership and national security – had foreign policy ramifications.

    Trump, however, was consistent in his observations in blaming the three countries. In the first debate on September 29, he had said, “China sends up real dirt into the air. Russia does, India does — they all do.’’

    (Source: The Tribune)

  • Inauguration of the 45th President of the US in pictures

    Inauguration of the 45th President of the US in pictures

    US President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania leave St. John’s Episcopal Church on January 20, 2017, before Trump’s inauguration

    On January 20, 2017, the peaceful transfer of American power took place in Washington, DC, as the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama passed the office to President-elect Donald J. Trump.

    Hundreds of thousands attended the ceremony, gathering in the National Mall to hear the swearing in and Trump’s inaugural address, while groups of protesters clashed with police in some of Washington’s streets.

    President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and their wives then bid farewell to former President Obama and his wife, as the Obamas headed to Air Force One for one last flight.

     

    Au Revoir. Former President Barack Obama waves as he departs the U.S. Capitol
    Au Revoir. Former President Barack Obama waves as he departs the U.S. Capitol

     

  • Trump’s picks for his cabinet: A different league from his predecessors

    Trump’s picks for his cabinet: A different league from his predecessors

    NEW YORK (TIP): President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks have created a buzz as he is building it with his allies, old friends, and even some past rivals. But interestingly, list of his nominees as of Dec. 15, 2016, includes two billionaires and at least nine millionaires, with a combined net worth of about $5.6 billion, according to a report by the Bloomberg. There were no billionaires in the first confirmed cabinet of his predecessors – George W Bush and Barack Obama.

    The report also says that fewer than half of Trump’s nominees have any prior government experience. Only 44% of appointees as of December 15, have government experience while it was 96% for Bush and 87% for Obama.

    Here’s a look at the billionaires and millionaires whom Trump has picked so far:

    Mike Pence, Vice President (Net Worth – $635K) – Pence, the 50th and current Governor of Indiana who served 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, will provide a channel to Congress for the new administration. The former radio talk-show host has championed limited government and social causes, such as opposition to abortion.

    Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State (Net Worth – $365M) – Rex Tillerson is the chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation, the world’s sixth largest company by revenue. An Exxon lifer, Tillerson would have to sell his 2.6 million shares of the company’s common stock, which had a value of about $240 million as of Dec. 14, He is stepping down as CEO and chairman at the end of the year.

    Sen. Jeff Sessions, Attorney General (Net Worth $7.4M) -The Alabama senator became one of the first members of Congress to endorse Trump this February. He became an adviser on almost every major decision and policy proposal Trump made during the campaign. As the chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Sessions helped Trump craft a hardline immigration plan that he touted would prevent people from entering the country illegally. Sessions has opposed nearly every immigration bill that has come before the Senate the past two decades that has included a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally.

    Rep. Tom Price, Secretary of Health and Human Services(Net Worth $18.7M) – Georgia Rep. Tom Price, the six-term Congressmanis the fierce opponent of the Affordable Care Act. A Republican with a plan to simultaneously repeal and replace Obamacare, Obama’s signature legislative accomplishment, Price, 62, an orthopedic surgeon from the Atlanta suburbs and the chair of the House Budget Committee, began focusing his energies on dismantling Obamacare almost as soon as President Obama signed the landmark health insurance law in 2010.

    Betsy DeVos, Secretary of the Department of Education(Net Worth $130M) – DeVos is aschool-choice activist, philanthropist and Republican mega-donor. The 58-year-oldbillionaire philanthropist, heads the American Federation for Children. Her group advocates for charter school education and she has been an advocate for school vouchers. Her foundation (American Federation for Children) has been mainly focused on trying to further the privatization of public education, not on strengthening it.

    Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation (Net Worth $25.6M) – Trump tapped Chao, a former labor secretary, to head the Department of Transportation. Chao is the first American woman of Asian descent to be appointed to a President’s Cabinet in nation’s history. Having served from 2001-2009, she is the longest tenured Secretary of Labor since World War II, and the only member of President George W. Bush’s original cabinet to have served the entire eight years of his Administration.

    Steve Mnuchin, named Secretary of Treasury, has a net worth of $655 million

    Steve Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury (Net Worth $655M) – Mnuchin, a banker, film producer, and political fundraiser served as the Trump campaign’s national finance chair and was largely considered the frontrunner for the job. He began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he spent 17 years and rose to become a partner. He left to start his own hedge fund and went on to become a financier of Hollywood films like “Avatar” and “American Sniper.” Throughout his career, Mnuchin showed only a limited interest in politics and remained mostly behind the scenes during Trump’s run.

    Ben Carson, HUD Secretary (Net Worth $23M) – Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who has never held elected office, unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, rose to national prominence for the successful 1987 separation of twins conjoined at the head at the John Hopkins Hospital.

    Andrew Puzder, Labor Secretary (Net Worth $110M) – Fast-food magnate Andrew Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, which owns the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. chains, was an economic adviser to Trump during the campaign.

    Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce(Net Worth $2.9B) – The 79-year-old billionaire former banker, is known for restructuring failed companies in industries such as steel, coal, telecommunications, foreign investment and textiles. He also has been an outspoken critic of free trade agreements, which was a hallmark of Trump’s campaign. His relationship with Trump goes back decades. Ross helped Trump keep control of his failing Taj Mahal casino in the 1990s by persuading investors not to push out the real estate mogul.

    Linda McMahon, Small Business Administration (Net Worth $1.4B) – Linda McMahon co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment and shares a net worth of at least $1.35 billion with her husband, Vince. She spent $97 million on two failed bids to win a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut and gave an additional $7.5 million to the Trump campaign.

    (Source: Bloomberg)

  • Researchers Identify 200 Websites That ‘Reliably Echo Russian Propaganda’ to Millions of Americans

    Researchers Identify 200 Websites That ‘Reliably Echo Russian Propaganda’ to Millions of Americans

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Russia had a hand in spreading fake news to millions of Americans during the election cycle, according to two independent research groups, PropOrNot and Foreign Policy Research Institute.

    The Washington Post was the first media outlet to report PropOrNot’s findings that there are over 200 websites described as “routine peddlers of Russian propaganda during the election season, with combined audiences of at least 15 million Americans.” The most recognizable names on the list of “sites that reliably echo Russian propaganda” include Alex Jones’ Infowars, Julian Assange’s Wikileaks and Matt Drudge’s Drudge Report. Others include The Federalist Papers, Zero Hedge, the Free Thought Project and USA Politics Now.

    PropOrNot wrote, “Please note that our criteria are behavioral. That means the characteristics of the propaganda outlets we identify are motivation-agnostic. For purposes of this definition it does not matter whether the sites listed here are being knowingly directed and paid by Russian intelligence officers, or whether they even knew they were echoing Russian propaganda at any particular point: If they meet these criteria, they are at the very least acting as bona-fide ‘useful idiots’ of the Russian intelligence services, and are worthy of further scrutiny.”.

     

  • Donald Trump Will Build Greater Relations With India: US-India Political Action Committee

    Donald Trump Will Build Greater Relations With India: US-India Political Action Committee

    Donald Trump should begin work to kick-starting the economy, enforcing immigration laws and tackling terrorism in Asia, a US-India political action committee has said, as it expressed confidence that the US will have “greater relations” with India under his presidency.

    The US-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) congratulated Trump on winning the 2016 Presidential race and commended efforts of all Indian-American supporters who canvassed and fund raised for this successful campaign.

    USINPAC Indiana Chair and Chair for Asians for Trump- Pence Campaign Raju Chinthala described Trump’s election win as “historical” in American history, saying “he has changed major political system in USA. He will be a great president and will build greater relations with India.”

    Assuring the support of Indian-Americans to a Trump administration, USINPAC Chairman Sanjay Puri said Trump “must work on kick starting the economy, tackling ISIS and terrorism in Asia. The Indian-American community congratulates President Trump on such a decisive win and pledges to work with the new administration.”

    RNC National Committee woman from California Harmeet Kaur Dhillon said Trump’s “stunning” victory “heralds a new era of opportunity and promise” for all Americans, which will naturally benefit Indian-Americans.

    With Trump’s penchant for hiring the best talent, Ms Dhillon expressed confidence that many prominent Indian-Americans will be inducted into the new administration.

    “As a diverse community, Indian-Americans can expect the new President to focus on lowering regulatory burdens, reducing taxes on individuals and corporations, focusing on jobs and growth for America before other countries, enforce the laws of the United States, including its immigration laws, and keep our nation safe from harm,” Ms Dhillon said.

    Ms Dhillon added that the country’s leaders have failed to put the nation first, enabling foreign nations to perceive America as weak.

    The committee said foreign policy challenges for Trump will include eliminating ISIS, renegotiating the NATO treaty, reconfiguring US relations with Russia and the war in Syria and illegal immigration.

    “President Trump now has the mandate to navigate the party to the future with a mix of conservatism and populism,” it said.

    The political action committee focuses on the over 3.2 million Indian-Americans and works on issues that concern the community. It supports candidates for local, state and federal office and encourages political participation by the Indian- American community.

  • “Never Ever Give Up” says Hillary Clinton at a charity gala in Washington D.C. on November 16

    “Never Ever Give Up” says Hillary Clinton at a charity gala in Washington D.C. on November 16

    WASHINGTON DC (TIP): Hillary Clinton, in her first public speech since last week’s crushing presidential loss, admitted making the appearance “wasn’t the easiest”.

    Clinton was speaking at the Children’s Defense Fund’s “Beat The Odds” Gala on November 16 night. “I will admit, coming here tonight wasn’t the easiest thing for me,” Clinton said. “There have been a few times this past week where all I wanted to do was curl up with a good book and our dogs and never leave the house again.” Nevertheless, she attempted to inspire her audience and emphasized a line of Martin Luther King Jr. that is oft quoted by President Barack Obama throughout her speech: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

    Her speech was part reflection, part pledge to remain strong in the face of a Trump administration. “We have work to do, and for the sake of our children and our families and our country, I ask you to stay engaged, stay engaged on every level,” Clinton said. “We need you. America needs you, your energy, your ambition, your talent. That is how we get through this.”

     

     

  • Democrats win seven; Republicans five Congressional seats in New Jersey: Indian American Jacob defeated

    Democrats win seven; Republicans five Congressional seats in New Jersey: Indian American Jacob defeated

    TRENTON, NJ (TIP): The Democratic Party won seven seats while Republicans got five in U.S. House of Representatives elections in New Jerseythat took place on November 8, 2016. Before the election the Democratic Party and the Republican Party each held six of the 12 congressional seats from New Jersey.

    Peter Jacob, Indian origin Democrat candidate from Seventh District, who was endorsed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, lost the race to Republican candidate Leonard Lance. Another Democrat candidate David Cole, who was endorsed by President Barack Obama, was also defeated.

    Voters elected 12 candidates to serve in the U.S. House, one from each of the state’s 12 congressional districts. With no U.S. Senate seat up for election (Robert Menendez next runs in 2018 and Cory Booker in 2020), most attentionwas focused on the North Jersey congressional race where Democratic challenger Josh Gottheimer ousted seven-term incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Garrett, the only federal lawmaker in the state to lose a bid for re-election.

    Here are the results:

    First District: Rep. Donald Norcross (D) defeated Bob Patterson (R) in his bid for a second term.

    Second District: Rep. Frank

     

    LoBiondo (R) beat David Cole.

    Third District: First-term Rep. Tom MacArthur (R) won over Frederick John LaVergne (D).

    Fourth District: Rep. Chris Smith (R), the longest serving member of the New Jersey delegation, beat Lorna Phillipson (D).

    Fifth District: Democratic challenger Josh Gottheimer ousted seven-term incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Garrett

    Sixth District: Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D) defeated Brent Sonnek-Schmelz (R).

    Seventh District: Rep. Leonard Lance (R) outpolled Peter Jacob

    Eighth District: Rep. Albio Sires (D) beat Agha Khan (R).

    Ninth District: Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D) won his race against Hector Castillo (R).

    Tenth District: Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D) was the winner over David Pinckney (R), who didn’t report any fundraising.

    Seventh District: Rep. Leonard Lance (R) outpolled Peter Jacob

    Eleventh District: Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R) beat Joseph Wenzel (D).

    Twelfth District: Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) defeated Steven Uccio (R).

  • Guesses galore about Donald Trump’s Cabinet-in-waiting

    Guesses galore about Donald Trump’s Cabinet-in-waiting

    BUT ONLY TRUMP KNOWS WHO WILL BE IN

    NEW YORK (TIP): As President-Elect Donald Trump vets his prospects, a mix of loyalists and others has emerged.

    Names being floated for top Cabinet positions include: Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton for Defense secretary; Texas Rep. Mike McCaul for Homeland Security secretary; and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, and Governor Nikki Haley for secretary of state. Here is a list of likely contenders, as on November 17. The list has been prepared on the basis of information gathered from various sources in media and the Trump transition team. The Indian Panorama does not lay claim to the list being exhaustive or perfect.

    Secretary of State: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani; Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton; Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker; Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.

    South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is also being considered for the post.

    Treasury secretary: Steven Mnuchin, a 17-year-veteran of Goldman Sachs; House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling; JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon.

    Secretary of Defense: Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions; Former George W. Bush National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley; Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.);Former Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.); Clinton CIA director Jim Woolsey and Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.)

    Attorney general: Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach; Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.); Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

    Interior secretary: Robert Grady, a George H. W. Bush White House official with ties to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; Forrest Lucas; Sarah Palin; Mead Treadwell, the former lieutenant governor of Alaska; Former Republican Rep. Richard Pombo; Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer; Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin; Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis; and Oklahoma oilman Harold Hamm.

    Agriculture secretary: Sid Miller, the current secretary of agriculture in Texas; Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas; former governors: Dave Heineman (Nebraska), Sonny Perdue (Georgia) and Rick Perry (Texas); Charles Herbster, a Republican donor; Mike McCloskey, a dairy executive in Indiana; Bruce Rastetter, a major Republican donor in Iowa, and Kip Tom, a farmer.

    Commerce secretary: Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross, a Trump economic adviser is Trump’s leading contender for the job.Dan DiMicco, the former CEO of steelmaker Nucor Corp and a Trump trade adviser, is another possibility, though he is expected to be tapped as U.S. Trade Representative.

    Labor secretary: Victoria Lipnic — the Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission since 2010 who also served as an assistant secretary of Labor for employment standards from 2002 until 2009 — is the most likely candidate for Labor Secretary. A possible private sector pick is Andrew Puzder, chief executive of CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Green Burrito and Red Burrito.

    Health and Human Services secretary: Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), the chairman of the House Budget Committee and an early Trump backer, is being considered for Secretary of Health and Human Services.Former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is another possible candidate for the job.

    Housing and Urban Development secretary: Names being circulated include Pam Patenaude, the president of the J. Ronald Terwilliger Foundation for Housing America’s Families, former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown and former New York Rep. Rick Lazio (R).

    Transportation secretary: Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.); James Simpson, the former commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Transportation and the former head of the Federal Transit Administration during the George W. Bush administration; and Mark Rosenker, the former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

    Energy secretary: Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm, an Oklahoma billionaire who has been a friend of Trump’s for years; Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), a Trump energy adviser; venture capitalist Robert Grady; James Connaughton, a former utility executive; and Kristine Svinicki, the sole Republican on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

    Education Secretary: Indiana Rep. Luke Messer; William Evers, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution; Tony Zeiss, a former president of Central Piedmont Community College; Michelle Rhee, an education reform activist who formerly served as the chancellor of Washington D.C.’s public schools; Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, now the president of the Purdue University System; Gerard Robinson a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute focused on education policy; Tony Bennett, the former Florida Commissioner of Education and the former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction; Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker; Hanna Skandera, the New Mexico Secretary of Education; and  education activists Betsy DeVos and  Kevin Chavous.

    Veterans Affairs secretary: House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller

    Homeland Security secretary: House Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul; Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee’s transportation security panel; David Clarke, the conservative Sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wis.

    Environmental Protection Agency administrator: Mike Catanzaro, a George W. Bush-era EPA official; Jeff Holmstead, another former Bush EPA official; Venture capitalist Robert Grady, who was an environmental adviser for George H.W. Bush; Myron Ebell, a climate skeptic who is running the EPA working group on Trump’s transition team; Joe Aiello, director of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Environmental Safety and Quality Assurance; Carol Comer, the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, who was appointed by Mike Pence; and Leslie Rutledge, the attorney general of Arkansas and a lead challenger of EPA regulations in the state.

    Director of the Office of Management and Budget: Eric Ueland, a veteran Republican Capitol Hill aide and top staffer on the Senate Budget Committee who is working on Trump’s transition team, is a possible candidate to lead the OMB. Former Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn is also seen as a potential OMB chief.

  • Obama vows Smooth Transition of Power to Trump

    Obama vows Smooth Transition of Power to Trump

    WASHINGTON (TIP): President Barack Obama hosted, November 10, his successor Donald Trump at the White House to discuss smooth transition of power.

    Trump, 70, flew from New York on his private jet and landed at Reagan National Airport, just outside the nation’s capital.

    He broke from protocol and barred journalists from travelling with him to cover his first meeting with Obama.

    The president-elect was accompanied by his wife, Melania, who had a separate meeting with First Lady Michelle Obama. Melania was given a tour of the White House.

    The meeting between the President and the President-elect, originally to last 30 minutes, took 90 minutes during which the two discussed a variety of issues. Obama said his main task now would be a smooth transition of power. Trump was appreciative of Obama about whom he twice said, “He is a very good man”.

    However, nobody missed to notice the lack of warmth between the two who have been fiercely critical of each other. Donald Trump had questioned Obama’s birth in the US and has vowed to show the door to Obamacare, a legacy which Obama desired to leave. And Obama has repeatedly alleged that Trump is unfit to be the Commander in chief of the country.

    No love lost there.

  • Meet the President-elect of the United States of America

    Meet the President-elect of the United States of America

    Donald J. Trump is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance. An accomplished author, Mr. Trump has authored over fifteen bestsellers, and his first book, The Art of the Deal, is considered a business classic and one of the most successful business books of all times.

    During the 2014 political cycle, Mr. Trump was a top contributor and fundraiser for Republican efforts. Mr. Trump also campaigned across the country, with each candidate winning by a record margin.

    Mr. Trump has over 25 million followers on social media. He frequently uses this platform to advocate for Conservative causes, Republican candidates and to educate the public on the failures of the Obama administration. Mr. Trump appears on Fox and Friends on Monday mornings and devotes much of his time to media interviews to promote a Free Market, the importance of a strong family, a culture of Life, a strong military and our country’s sacred obligation to take care of our veterans and their families.

    Mr. Trump has long been a devoted supporter of veteran causes. In 1995, the fiftieth anniversary of World War II, only 100 spectators watched New York City’s Veteran Day Parade. It was an insult to all veterans. Approached by Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the chief of New York City’s FBI office, Mr. Trump agreed to lead as Grand Marshall a second parade later that year. Mr. Trump made a $1 million matching donation to finance the Nation’s Day Parade. On Saturday, November 11th, over 1.4 million watched as Mr. Trump marched down Fifth Avenue with more than 25,000 veterans, some dressed in their vintage uniforms. A month later, Mr. Trump was honored in the Pentagon during a lunch with the Secretary of Defense and the entire Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    In New York City, the Trump signature is synonymous with the most prestigious of addresses, among them the world-renowned Fifth Avenue skyscraper, Trump Tower, the Trump International Hotel & Tower, Trump World Tower at the United Nations Plaza, 40 Wall Street, and Trump Park Avenue. His portfolio includes the historic Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida and his ever-expanding collection of award-winning golf courses (seventeen thus far), which span the U.S from Los Angeles to New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Florida, and internationally from Scotland and Ireland to Dubai. He recently added the iconic golf resorts of Turnberry, Scotland, and Doonbeg, Ireland, to his portfolio and Trump National Golf Club Washington, DC, has been highly acclaimed. The Trump Hotel Collection has grown to include properties in Chicago, Las Vegas, Waikiki, Panama and Toronto in addition to Trump SoHo/New York and the acclaimed Trump International Hotel & Tower on Central Park West, which once again won the coveted Mobil Five-Star Award as well as the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. The Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago was awarded the #1 Hotel in the US and Canada by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Recent acquisitions include the iconic Doral Hotel & Country Club (800 acres) in Miami, and the historic Old Post Office Building in Washington, D.C. which is being developed into a world class luxury hotel. Seen as a generational asset by the Trump family, the redevelopment plan will infuse the building with new life. Groundbreaking was in July of 2014.

    Mr. Trump is the Emmy-nominated star and co-producer of the reality television series, “The Apprentice” which quickly became the number one show on television, making ratings history and receiving rave reviews and world wide attention. “The Celebrity Apprentice” has met with great success as well, being one of the highest rated shows on television. The Apprentice’s record fourteenth season premiered in January, 2015. “You’re fired!” is listed as the third greatest television catchphrase of all time. In 2007, Mr. Trump received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he is among the highest paid public speakers in the world. The Apprentice has raised over $15 million for charity.

    Mr. Trump was born in Queens, New York. He is married to Melania Trump and father to Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany and Barron. He is a proud grandfather of seven.

  • Trump’s “Hidden Votes” Surface to make him the 45th President of USA; Hillary Gracefully Concedes

    Trump’s “Hidden Votes” Surface to make him the 45th President of USA; Hillary Gracefully Concedes

    NEW YORK (TIP): Upsetting all polls predicting victory of Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, in early hours of Wednesday, November 9, won the Presidential elections with a wide lead over his Democratic opponent. Trump reached the winning 270 mark (276) with Hillary sitting at 218. “Unbelievable” is what a pollster exclaimed when Trump pocketed State after States, including battleground Ohio which has 18 electoral votes, Florida which has 29 electoral votes and the Blue Pennsylvania which has 20 electoral votes. Not only that this election saw Trump adding to the number of Red States, it has also witnessed the Red becoming redder.

    At a point when Trump had already got 254 electoral votes in his kitty and Hillary was trailing at 214 with the results of Pennsylvania, then a close one but pointing to a Trump victory, yet to come in, it became clear that Trump will be the 45th President of the US. At that point, Trump was leading in quite a few States where counting was in progress.  It was at this point of time that Hillary Clinton called Trump to concede the election.  Shortly afterwards, Trump made his victory speech to a jubilant gathering at the Hilton in Manhattan, with the Vice President elect Mike Pence on his right and his youngest son Barron Trump on his left.

    Trump was conciliatory in his 15-minute speech. “To all Republicans, Democrats and Independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people. It’s time”, he said.

    Trump pledged to “every citizen of our land, that I will be president for all Americans. This is so important to me. Working together, we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation.”

    Referring to economy and relations with nations in the world, he said: “We have a great economic plan. We will double our growth and have the strongest economy anywhere in the world. At the same time, we will get along with any other nations willing to get along with us. We expect to have great relationships.”

    Getting on to making America great again, Trump said: “Nothing we want for our future is beyond our reach. America will no longer settle for anything less than the best. We must reclaim our country’s destiny.”

    Read also: Meet the President -elect of the United States of America

  • FBI clears Clinton in the 2nd inquiry of private email server

    FBI clears Clinton in the 2nd inquiry of private email server

    Less than 48 hours before election day, in an election season which was marred by controversies, Nine days after throwing the presidential race into turmoil, FBI Director James Comey once more cleared Hillary Clinton of criminal wrongdoing on Sunday, Nov 6, for using a private email server as secretary of State.

    The verdict left Democrats still fuming over what party leaders saw as improper political meddling, which caused polls to tighten across the country.

    “During that process, we have reviewed all of the communications that were to or from Hillary Clinton while she was secretary of State,” Comey wrote. “Based on our review, we have not changed our conclusions that we expressed in July with respect to Secretary Clinton.”

    This follows a similar letter sent to the Congress on July 28 in which he said that the FBI has reopened the investigation following discovery of some pertinent emails related to the Clinton investigation on the laptop of Huma

    Abedin, a close aide of the former Secretary of State, which was shared by Abedin’s estranged husband Anthony Weiner.

    “Since my letter (of October 28), the FBI investigation team has been working around the clock to process and review a large volume of emails from a device obtained in connection with an unrelated criminal investigation,” Comey said. It was reported that there were 650,000 emails on that laptop.

    “During that process, we reviewed all the communications that were to or from Hillary Clinton while she was the Secretary of State,” Comey said.

    The FBI’s letter was welcomed by the Clinton campaign, which saw its popularity graph sharply dropping down in the aftermath of the October 28 letter.

    “We were always confident nothing would cause the July decision to be revisited. Now Director Comey has confirmed it,” tweeted Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon.

    “We are glad to see that he has found, as we were confident that he would, that he had confirmed the conclusions he reached in July and we are glad that this matter is resolved,” Jennifer Palmieri, Clinton’s communications director, told reporters.

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  • Salman Khan, Rishi Kapoor Support Hillary Clinton.. How will you Vote?

    Salman Khan, Rishi Kapoor Support Hillary Clinton.. How will you Vote?

    Results of the much-awaited Presidential polls of the United States will be announced on November 8 and celebrities, including actors Salman Khan and Rishi Kapoor, have voiced their support for Democratic Presidential Candidate #HillaryClinton.

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    Hillary Clinton has been fighting her sole scandal, the private email use for official purposes during her tenure as Secretary for State for the Obama government, but the sheer size of it keeps it from fading from public eye. As recent as 10 days back, FBI reopened examination into the emails.

    WHILE FBI HAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD, WILL THE PUBLIC FEEL THE SAME?

    Donald Trump on the other hand has been hit by a steady wave of scandals, majority of which are based on his brazen comments.

  • Barack Obama’s hits Trump Hard On The 2016 Campaign

    Barack Obama’s hits Trump Hard On The 2016 Campaign

    US President Barack Obama delivered a fine speech while endorsing Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for the US polls this year.

    Obama’s oratorical skills have always been par-excellence but this year has seen some strong words from him. below are some of the best quotes:

    “America is already great. America is already strong. And I promise you, our strength, our greatness, does not depend on Donald Trump.”
    – Barack Obama

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    “Fair to say, this is not your typical election. It’s not just a choice between parties or policies; the usual debates between left and right. This is a more fundamental choice – about who we are as a people, and whether we stay true to this great American experiment in self-government.”
    – Barack Obama

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    “This year, in this election, I’m asking you to join me – to reject cynicism, reject fear, to summon what’s best in us; to elect Hillary Clinton as the next President of the United States, and show the world we still believe in the promise of this great nation.”
    – Barack Obama

    ————

    “America has never been about what one person says he’ll do for us. It’s always been about what can be achieved by us, together, through the hard, slow, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately enduring work of self-government.”
    – Barack Obama

    ————

    “We are not a fragile or frightful people. Our power doesn’t come from some self-declared savior promising that he alone can restore order. We don’t look to be ruled.”
    – Barack Obama

    ————

    On November 4, Obama addressed a rally in North Carolina as he urged American voters to choose hope over fear in the presidential polls.

    “I need you to vote. Don’t choose fear, choose hope. Don’t choose fear, choose hope. Don’t choose fear, choose hope. Go out there and vote. And if you do, we’ll remind the entire world why America is the greatest nation on Earth.”
    – Barack Obama

    ————

    “If you believe we’re stronger together, then we can’t elect a President who vilifies minorities, mocks Americans with disabilities, calls immigrants criminals and rapists. Our Constitution does not allow that. There are places around the world that’s acceptable, but that’s not the United States of America.”
    – Barack Obama

    ————

    “If you believe that America is stronger when everybody does their part, if you believe that America is stronger when everyone pays their fair share, then we can’t elect the first candidate in decades who refuses to release any tax returns; admits he has not paid federal income tax in years; somebody who stiffs small business people who do work for him or workers who’ve done work for him and he owes them.”
    – Barack Obama

    ————

    On November 3, Obama addressed an election rally in Raleigh, North Carolina and said that Clinton is the only candidate in the race to the White House, who has devoted her entire life to the people of America.

    “There’s only one candidate in this race who has devoted her entire life to lifting up that better America – and that is next President of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton. She’s the right person. She’s the right person at the right time.”
    – Barack Obama

    ————

    “This choice actually is pretty clear, because the person that the Republicans nominated – even though a bunch of them knew they shouldn’t nominate him – the person they nominated who many of the Republicans he is running against said was a con-artist and a know-nothing and wasn’t qualified to hold this office.”
    – Barack Obama

    ————

  • DonaldTrump’s Scandals, Sexual Misconduct & More

    DonaldTrump’s Scandals, Sexual Misconduct & More

    Hillary Clinton has been fighting her sole scandal, the private email use for official purposes during her tenure as Secretary for State for the Obama government, but the sheer size of it keeps it from fading from public eye. As recent as 10 days back, FBI reopened examination into the emails.

    While FBI has given the go-ahead, will the public feel the same?

    Donald Trump on the other hand has been hit by a steady wave of scandals, majority of which are based on his brazen comments.

    Donald Trump’s sexual misconduct allegations

    A recent video leak of Trump boasting of sexually assaulting women put him in a tough spot as multiples allegations of sexual harassment came forward.

    American businessman Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s nominee for president in the 2016 election, has been accused of sexual assault and sexual harassment by at least fifteen women since the 1980s. Trump has denied the allegations, saying they are an example of media bias, conspiracy, and a political smear campaign.

    Trump has publicly stated that he intends to sue all of the women who have come forward and made allegations he either sexually assaulted or sexually harassed them.

    Several of these allegations preceded Trump’s candidacy for president; many more arose during that campaign, especially after his second debate with Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton on October 9, 2016.

    That debate was held two days after a 2005 recording was leaked in which Trump bragged about kissing and groping women, including grabbing them “by the pussy“; he said that because he was a celebrity, “they let you do it” and “I don’t even wait”.

    During the debate, Trump denied that his recorded comments described sexual assault and denied ever having inappropriately touched a woman. His denials prompted many of his accusers to go public with their allegations.

    Three women have filed lawsuits alleging that they were sexually assaulted by Trump. In addition to the three lawsuits, Trump has also been publicly accused of non-consensual kissing, or non-consensual groping of breasts, buttocks and genitalia, by at least twelve more women.

    Multiple accusations, primarily beginning in October 2016, claim that Trump entered dressing rooms of beauty pageant contestants in 1997, 2000, 2001, and 2006, while they were in various stages of undress, a practice that Trump admitted to during a 2005 interview on The Howard Stern Show. This practice allegedly extended to Miss Teen USA; several former participants in that pageant allege that Trump walked into the dressing rooms of girls as young as 15.donald-trump-rap-sheet

    The Non-sexual misconduct / scandals

    Using TRUMP FOUNDATION to settle

    Donald Trump was embroiled in legal trouble—a common situation for a developer and entertainer who loves to sue and is often sued himself. In this particular case, the city of Palm Beach, Florida, was demanding $120,000 from him for violating local ordinances by erecting an enormous flagpole.

    Trump, ever the master of the deal, cut one here, agreeing to donate $100,000 to a veteran’s charity in lieu of paying the fine. While Trump has on some occasions not followed through on promises to give to charity, this was not one of those cases. Instead, he had the Donald J. Trump Foundation make the gift. It was a neat trick, since the foundation was stocked almost entirely with other people’s money.

    That incident is one of several uncovered by Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold in a long line of scoops about the Trump Foundation. In total, Fahrenthold found Trump had used $258,000 of foundation money—again, most of it from other people—to settle legal disputes. In another case, the foundation gave $158,000 to resolve a case involving a golf course.

    Separately, Fahrenthold found Trump had used money from the foundation to buy a portrait of himself and to buy advertisements for his hotel chain.

    Source : https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-used-258000-from-his-charity-to-settle-legal-problems/2016/09/20/adc88f9c-7d11-11e6-ac8e-cf8e0dd91dc7_story.html

    Fahrenthold adds, “More broadly, these cases also provide new evidence that Trump ran his charity in a way that may have violated U.S. tax law and gone against the moral conventions of philanthropy.”

    The attorney general of New York, Eric Schneiderman, announced last week he is also investigating the Trump Foundation. Schneiderman is a Democrat who has already been investigating the so-called Trump University, the real-estate seminars that former students have called a scam, and he has acquired a reputation for pursuing splashy investigations. Trump, for his part, has called Schneiderman a “total lowlife” and “a sleazebag.”

    The 2016 presidential election could be the most scandal-plagued match-up, on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton is the nominee, bringing with her a train-car’s worth of baggage. But the Republican candidate is at least as saddled with controversy as Clinton is—and while many of the Clinton cases involve suspicion and shadowy links, many of Trump’s are fully documented in court cases and legal proceedings.

    The breadth of Trump’s controversies is truly huge, ranging from allegations of mafia ties to unscrupulous business dealings, and from racial discrimination to alleged marital rape. They stretch over more than four decades, from the mid-1970s to the present day.

    Below is a snapshot of some of the most interesting and largest of those scandals.

    The Beauty Pageant Scandals
    Where and when: Various, 1992-present

    Scandal 1 of many: After years of attending beauty pageants—Trump seems to have always enjoyed the company of beautiful, scantily clad women—he decided he wanted to get in on the business himself, meeting with George Houraney and Jill Harth, a couple that ran the American Dream pageant. It was an ill-fated effort. Harth and Houraney alleged that Trump started making passes at her almost immediately. On one occasion, Trump allegedly asked them to bring some models to a party. Harth alleges Trump groped her at the party. In a limo afterward, another model said she heard him say that “all women are bimbos” and most “gold diggers.” Trump reportedly joined another model in bed, uninvited, late at night. On other occasions, he forced Harth into bedrooms and made passes at her, she said. But after the contest, Trump broke off dealings. Harth sued Trump, alleging sexual misbehavior, while the couple together sued him for breach of contract. In the suit, they also alleged that Trump had kept black women out of the pageant.

    The escape: The couple settled with Trump for an unannounced sum, and Harth dropped her suit. Trump has denied all the allegations. But it wasn’t Trump’s last turn in the pageant business.

    A few years later, he bought the Miss Universe pageant, which also includes Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. “Honestly, when I bought [Miss Universe], the bathing suits got smaller and the heels got higher and the ratings went up,” he boasted to Vanity Fair later. In 2012, he won a $5 million suit against a former contestant who claimed the contest was rigged. By 2015, he operated Miss Universe as a joint venture with NBC, but after he slurred Mexican immigrants at his campaign launch, Univision and NBC both announced they would not air the pageant. Trump bought out NBC’s share, then promptly sold the company. He sued Univision but settled in February. The terms were undisclosed.

    Read full story on : The Boston Globe, Vanity Fair

    Racial Housing Discrimination
    Where and when: New York City, 1973-1975

    Scandal 2 of many: The Department of Justice sued Trump and his father Fred in 1973 for housing discrimination at 39 sites around New York. “The government contended that Trump Management had refused to rent or negotiate rentals ‘because of race and color,’” The New York Times reported. “It also charged that the company had required different rental terms and conditions because of race and that it had misrepresented to blacks that apartments were not available.” Trump called the accusations “absolutely ridiculous.”

    The Escape: The Trumps hired attorney Roy Cohn, who had worked for Joe McCarthy and whom Michael Kinsley once indelibly labeled “innocent of a variety of federal crimes.” They sued the Justice Department for $100 million. In the end, however, the Trumps settled with the government, promising not to discriminate and submitting to regular review by the New York Urban League—though crucially not admitting guilt. The Times has much more on the long history of allegations at Trump-owned properties

    Read more: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New York Times

    Mafia Ties
    Where and when: New York and Atlantic City, 1970s- ?

    Scandal 3 of many: Trump has been linked to the mafia many times over the years, with varying degrees of closeness. Many of the connections seem to be the sorts of interactions with mobsters that were inevitable for a guy in the construction and casino businesses at the time.

    For example, organized crime controlled the 1980s New York City concrete business, so that anyone building in the city likely brushed up against it. While Trump has portrayed himself as an unwitting participant, not everyone agrees. There have been a string of other allegations, too, many reported by investigative journalist Wayne Barrett. Cohn, Trump’s lawyer, also represented the Genovese crime family boss Tony Salerno. Barrett also reported a series of transactions involving organized crime, and alleged that Trump paid twice market rate to a mob figure for the land under Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. Michael Isikoff has also reported that Trump was close to Robert LiButti, an associate of John Gotti, inviting him on his yacht and helicopter. In one case, Trump’s company bought LiButti nine luxury cars.

    The Escape: Though Trump has been questioned in court or under oath about the ties, he’s never been convicted of anything. A New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement report after Barrett’s 1992 book on Trump generally found no mafia-related wrong-doing on Trump’s part. Trump Plaza was fined $200,000 for keeping black employees away from LiButti’s table, at his behest, and for the gift of the cars, though Trump personally was not penalized.

    Read more: Wayne Barrett, Michael Isikoff, Time, Yahoo, David Cay Johnston

    Trump University
    Where and when: 2005-2010, online

    Scandal 4 of many: In 2005, the Trump announced an eponymous “university” to teach his real-estate development secrets. Students ponied up as much as $35,000—some after being suckered in by slick free “seminars”—to learn how to get rich. One ad promised they would “learn from Donald Trump’s handpicked instructors, and that participants would have access to Trump’s real estate ‘secrets.’” In fact, Trump had little to do with the curriculum or the instructors. Many of the “students” have since complained that Trump U. was a scam. At one time, it had some prestigious instructors, but over time the “faculty” became a motley bunch of misfits. (It was also never really a “university” by any definition, and it changed its name to the “Trump Entrepreneur Initiative,” because as it happened, the school was violating New York law by operating without an educational license.)

    The Escape: The school shut down in 2010, but the litigation continues. New York is suing Trump, alleging the Trump U. bilked students out of $40 million. He’s also the subject of two class-action suits in California. Meanwhile, Trump appears to have been trying to intimidate plaintiffs, including countersuing one for $1 million (a favorite Trump litigation tactic) and refusing to let her withdraw from the suit. (The countersuit was thrown out.) His lawyers have cited positive reviews, but former students say they were pressured to give those. A set of damning internal documents were released by court order in May. Trump decided to attack the judge, claiming his ethnicity made him biased. Trump has been widely repudiated across the board, with fellow Republicans openly calling him racist.

    Read more: Tom McNichol, Steven Brill, National Review, Matt Ford

    Tenant Intimidation
    Where and when: New York City, 1982-1986

    Scandal 5 of many: In 1981, Trump scooped up a building on Central Park South, reasoning that the existing structure was a dump, but the land it was on would be a great place for luxury condos. Trump’s problem was that the existing tenants were—understandably and predictably—unwilling to let go of their rent-controlled apartments on Central Park. Trump used every trick in the book to get them out. He tried to reverse exceptions the previous landlord had given to knock down walls, threatening eviction. Tenants said he cut off heat and hot water. Building management refused to make repairs; two tenants swore in court that mushrooms grew on their carpet from a leak. Perhaps Trump’s most outlandish move was to place newspaper ads offering to house homeless New Yorkers in empty units—since, as Trump wrote in The Art of the Deal, he didn’t intend to fill units with permanent residents anyway. City officials turned him down, saying the idea did not seem appropriate. Typically, Trump also sued tenants for $150 million when they complained.

    The Escape: Trump gave in. He settled with tenants and agreed to monitoring. The building still stands today, and his son Eric owns a unit on the top floor.

    Read more: Trump himself, CNN Money, The Washington Post

    The Four Bankruptcies
    Where and when: 1991, 1992, 2004, 2009

    Scandal 6 of many:: Four times in his career, Trump’s companies have entered bankruptcy.

    • In the late 1980s, after insisting that his major qualification to build a new casino in Atlantic City was that he wouldn’t need to use junk bonds, Trump used junk bonds to build Trump Taj Mahal. He built the casino, but couldn’t keep up with interest payments, so his company declared bankruptcy in 1991. He had to sell his yacht, his airline, and half his ownership in the casino.
    • A year later, another of Trump’s Atlantic City casinos, the Trump Plaza, went bust after losing more than $550 million. Trump gave up his stake but otherwise insulated himself personally from losses, and managed to keep his CEO title, even though he surrendered any salary or role in day-to-day operations. By the time all was said and done, he had some $900 million in personal debt.
    • Trump bounced back over the following decade, but by 2004, Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts was $1.8 billion in debt. The company filed for bankruptcy and emerged as Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump himself was the chairman of the new company, but he no longer had a controlling stake in it.
    • Five years later, after the real-estate collapse, Trump Entertainment Resorts once again went bankrupt. Trump resigned from the board, but the company retained his name. In 2014, he successfully sued to take his name off the company and its casinos—one of which had already closed, and the other of which was near closing.

    The Escape: Trump is very touchy about any implication that he personally declared bankruptcy, arguing—just as he explains away his campaign contributions to Democrats—that he’s just playing the game: “We’ll have the company. We’ll throw it into a chapter. We’ll negotiate with the banks. We’ll make a fantastic deal. We’ll use those. But they were never personal. This is nothing personal. You know, it’s like on The Apprentice. It’s not personal. It’s just business. Okay? If you look at our greatest people, Carl Icahn with TWA and so many others. Leon Black, Linens-n-Things and others. Henry Kravis. A lot of ‘em, everybody. But with me it’s ‘Oh, you did—’ this is a business thing. I’ve used the laws of this country to pare debt.”

    Read more: The Washington Post, William Cohan

    The Undocumented Polish Workers
    Where and when: New York City, 1980

    Scandal 7 of many: In order to construct his signature Trump Tower, the builder first had to demolish the Bonwit Teller store, an architecturally beloved Art Deco edifice. The work had to be done fast, and so managers hired 200 undocumented Polish workers to tear it down, paying them substandard wages for backbreaking work—$5 per hour, when they were paid at all. The workers didn’t wear hard hats and often slept at the site. When the workers complained about their back pay, they were allegedly threatened with deportation. Trump said he was unaware that illegal immigrants were working at the site.

    The Escape: In 1991, a federal judge found Trump and other defendants guilty of conspiring to avoid paying union pension and welfare contributions for the workers. The decision was appealed, with partial victories for both sides, and ultimately settled privately in 1999. In a February GOP debate, Marco Rubio brought up the story to accuse Trump of hypocrisy in his stance on illegal immigration. Meanwhile, Massimo Calabresi shows that testimony under oath shows Trump was aware of illegal immigrants being employed there.

    Read more: Michael Daly, The New York Times, Time

    Alleged Marital Rape
    Where and when: New York City, 1989

    Scandal 8 of many: While married to Ivana Trump, Donald Trump became angry at her—according to a book by Harry Hurt, over a painful scalp-reduction surgery—and allegedly forcibly had sex with her. Ivana Trump said during a deposition in their divorce case that she “felt violated” and that her husband had raped her. Later, Ivana Trump released a statement saying: “During a deposition given by me in connection with my matrimonial case, I stated that my husband had raped me. [O]n one occasion during 1989, Mr. Trump and I had marital relations in which he behaved very differently toward me than he had during our marriage. As a woman, I felt violated, as the love and tenderness, which he normally exhibited towards me, was absent. I referred to this as a ‘rape,’ but I do not want my words to be interpreted in a literal or criminal sense.”

    The Escape: When The Daily Beast reported on the incident, Trump’s right-hand man Michael Cohen threatened reporters and claimed—incorrectly—that a man cannot legally rape his wife. The case is one of several cases where Trump has been accused of misogyny, including his comments about Megyn Kelly early in the primary campaign or his fury at a lawyer who, during a deposition, asked for a break to pump breast milk. “You’re disgusting,” Trump said, and walked out. (Wayne Barrett collects some lowlights here.)

    Read more: The Daily Beast

    Breaking Casino Rules
    Where and when: New York and New Jersey, various

    Scandal 9 of many: Trump has been repeatedly fined for breaking rules related to his operation of casinos. In 1990, with Trump Taj Mahal in trouble, Trump’s father Fred strolled in and bought 700 chips worth a total of $3.5 million. The purchase helped the casino pay debt that was due, but because Fred Trump had no plans to gamble, the New Jersey gaming commission ruled that it was a loan that violated operating rules. Trump paid a $30,000 fine; in the end, the loan didn’t prevent a bankruptcy the following year. As noted above, New Jersey also fined Trump $200,000 for arranging to keep black employees away from mafioso Robert LiButti’s gambling table. In 1991, the Casino Control Commission fined Trump’s company another $450,000 for buying LiButti nine luxury cars. And in 2000, Trump was fined $250,000 for breaking New York state law in lobbying to prevent an Indian casino from opening in the Catskills, for fear it would compete against his Atlantic City casinos.

    The Escape: Trump admitted no wrongdoing in the New York case. He’s now out of the casino business.

    Antitrust Violations
    Where and when: New Jersey, 1986

    Scandal 10 of many: In 1986, Trump decided he wanted to expand his casino empire in Atlantic City. His plan was to mount a hostile takeover of two casino companies, Holiday and Bally. Trump started buying up stock in the companies with an eye toward gaining control. But Bally realized what was going on and sued him for antitrust violations. “Trump hopes to wrest control of Bally from its public shareholders without paying them the control premium they otherwise could command had they been adequately informed of Trump’s intentions,” the company argued.

    The Escape: Trump gave up the attempt in 1987, but the Federal Trade Commission fined him $750,000 for failing to disclose his purchases of stock in the two companies, which exceeded minimum disclosure levels.

    Condo Hotel Shenanigans
    Where and when: New York, Florida, Mexico, mid-2000s

    Scandal 11 of many: Trump was heavily involved in condo hotels, a pre-real-estate crash fixation in which people would buy units that they’d only use for a portion of the year. The rest of the time, the units would be rented out as hotel rooms, with the developer and the owner sharing the profit. For a variety of reasons, condo hotels turned out to be a terrible idea. The result has been a slew of lawsuits by condo buyers who claim they were bilked. Central to many of these is the question of what Trump’s role in the projects was. In recent years, Trump has often essentially sold his name rights to developers—he gets a payoff, and they get the aura of luxury his name imparts. But in some of the condo-hotel suits, buyers complain that they bought the properties as investments because of his imprimatur, only to realize he was barely involved. (Similar complaints have been made about his involvement in a multilevel marketing scheme.)

    The Escape: In the case of Trump SoHo, in Manhattan, Trump’s partners turned out to have a lengthy criminal past. Trump said he didn’t know that, but—atypically—settled a lawsuit with buyers (while, typically, not admitting any wrongdoing). Another, Trump International Hotel & Tower Fort Lauderdale, went into foreclosure, and Trump has sued the complex’s developer. In 2013, he settled a suit with prospective buyers who lost millions when a development in Baja Mexico went under. Trump blamed the developers again, saying he had only licensed his name.

    Read more: Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, ibid., The Wall Street Journal

    Corey Lewandowski
    Where and when: Jupiter, Florida, 2016

    Scandal 12 of many: Trump picked Corey Lewandowski to manage his campaign, despite a relatively short resume. For a long time, that seemed to work well for both—Trump soared to the lead in GOP polls. But Lewandowski hit a rough patch in early March. As Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields tried to ask Trump a question after a press conference, Lewandowski reached out and wrenched her out of the way. Lewandowski and Trump insisted the incident had never happened and that Fields was “delusional,” even though witnesses attested to having seen it.

    The Escape: Surveillance footage acquired by Jupiter Police from Trump National, site of the press conference, clearly showed what had happened. Lewandowski was arrested for battery, but the prosecutor opted not to press charges. Trump has said he may have been the one in danger, since Fields’s pen could have been a bomb.

    Suing Journalist Tim O’Brien for Libel
    Where and when: New York City, 2006-2009

    Scandal 13 of many: In 2005, then-New York Times reporter Tim O’Brien published the book TrumpNation, in which he reported that Trump was actually only worth $150-250 million, not the billions he claimed. Trump, incensed, sued O’Brien for $5 billion. (That’s one way to become a billionaire.)

    The Escape: Trump’s suit against O’Brien was tossed. More recently, O’Brien has mocked Trump’s current claims about his net worth. Trump, meanwhile, has said on the campaign trail—and, mindblowingly, in an interview with the Washington Post editorial board—that he wants to make it easier to sue for libel. The Post combed through Trump’s deposition in the case and found 30 instances where Trump admitted to having lied.

    Read more: O’Brien’s original report, O’Brien in 2015, William Cohan, The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/2016-election/trump-lies/

    Refusing to Pay Workers and Contractors
    Where and when: various, 1980s-present

    Scandal 14 of many: Contractors, waiters, dishwashers, and plumbers who have worked at Trump projects say that his company stiffed them for work, refusing to pay for services rendered. USA Today did a lengthy review, finding that some of those contracts were for hundreds of thousands of dollars, many owed to small businesses that failed or struggled to continue because of unpaid bills. (Trump was also found to have improperly withheld compensation in the undocumented Polish worker controversy.)

    The Escape: Trump has offered various excuses, including shoddy workmanship, but the scale of the problem—hundreds of allegations—makes that hard to credit. In some cases, even the lawyers Trump has hired to defend him have sued him for failing to pony up their fees. In one lawsuit, a Trump employee admitted in court that a painter was stiffed because managers determined they had “already paid enough.” The cases are damaging because they show Trump not driving a hard bargain with other businesses, but harming ordinary, hard-working Americans.

    Read more: USA Today, The Wall Street Journal

    Trump Institute
    Where and when: Boca Raton and elsewhere, 2005-?

    Scandal 15 of many: Around the same time Donald Trump was operating Trump University, the allegedly fraudulent real-estate seminar for which he’s now being sued, he also franchised his name to Irene and Mike Milin, serial operators of get-rich-quick schemes. Unlike Trump U., Trump did not own the company. Instead, he licensed his name, appearing in an informercial and promising falsely that he would hand-pick instructors. (He made a similar promise with Trump U.) As Jonathan Martin reports, the course materials at Trump Institute consisted in part of textbooks that were plagiarized.

    The Escape: The Milins were forced to declare bankruptcy in 2008, in part because of the law-enforcement investigations and lawsuits against their company. Trump Institute continued on for a few years afterwards. A Trump aide says he was unaware of the plagiarism, but said he stood by the curriculum.

    Read more: The New York Times, Ars Technica, The Daily Beast

    Buying Up His Own Books
    Where and when: various, 2016

    Scandal 16 of many: The Daily Beast noticed in FEC filings that the Trump campaign spent more than $55,000 buying his own book Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again. (The book has since been retitled Great Again: How to Fix Our Crippled America for the paperback edition.) That means Trump used donor money to his campaign to buy a book, sending the cash back to himself. Copies were given to delegates at the Republican National Convention.

    The Escape: The maneuver could break FEC rules, campaign expert Paul S. Ryan told the Beast: “It’s fine for a candidate’s book to be purchased by his committee, but it’s impermissible to receive royalties from the publisher… There’s a well established precedent from the FEC that funds from the campaign account can’t end up in your own pocket.” The Huffington Post also noticed that Trump jacked up rent for campaign offices when he stopped funding his own campaign.

    Read more: The Daily Beast

    Undocumented Models
    Where and when: New York, 1999-?

    Scandal 17 of many: Former models who worked for Trump Model Management say that they and others worked for the agency in the United States despite not having proper permits. Some of them worked on tourist visas, either never getting the correct permits or else getting them only after working in the U.S. illegally for months.

    The Escape: The story is embarrassing for Trump, who has argued that U.S. immigration laws should be much more strictly enforced. Some models also received H-1B visas, a special type of permit for workers in specialized industries—a program that Trump has criticized on the campaign trail this year.

    Read more: Mother Jones

    The Trump Foundation
    Where and when: Various, 1988-present

    Scandal 18 of many: Though Donald Trump often promises to give to charity, his foundation has proven rather skimpy on the gifts over the years—and when it has given, the money has often come from other pockets than Trump’s, including outside donors and even NBC. In the mid-2000s, Trump reconfigured the charity as a pass-through, soliciting donations from other and then giving the money away as though from himself. In a few cases, the foundation also reported making donations it had not made. There’s special scrutiny on one $25,000 donation it did give, to a group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, which arrived just days before she quashed an investigation into Trump University and the Trump Institute. Trump also appears to have used $258,000 in foundation money, most of it given by other donors and not himself, to settle legal disputes, including donations to charity in lieu of paying fines.

    The Escape: The foundation may have broken IRS rules on “self-dealing” by paying to resolve the legal disputes as well as buying a portrait of Trump and a Tim Tebow helmet that went back to the Trump family. On the donation, Trump and Bondi both say there was no quid-pro-quo, but the donation was an illegal one for a charitable nonprofit, and the foundation had to pay a $2,500 fine. Liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington charges other laws may have been broken as well. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has reportedly launched an investigation into the foundation.

    Read more: David Fahrenthold (several times over), me, The New York Times, Fahrenthold, Fahrenthold, Fahrenthold

  • Donald Trump’s Son Visits Temple in Florida To Woo Indian-Americans Voters

    Donald Trump’s Son Visits Temple in Florida To Woo Indian-Americans Voters

    ORLANDO, Florida: Donald Trump’s son Eric participated in a traditional ‘aarti’ at a Hindu temple in Florida to woo Indian-Americans as the Republican presidential nominee’s family is leaving no stone unturned to ensure his victory in the November 8 election.

    Eric, 32, arrived at the temple in Orlando in a suit but changed his clothes and wore a cream-coloured Sherwani to attend the ‘aarti’.

    He took a tour of the temple where the priest explained him the significance of aarti and other rituals. He was also told the tales of God Rama and Krishna.

    The priest presented him a saffron stole.

    The crucial swing state of Florida has a wealthy and growing Hindu population which could play a significant role in the election.

    Earlier Donald Trump, in his efforts to woo the Indian community, borrowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s winning slogan of the 2014 general elections and was seen in a TV ad saying “Ab Ki Baar Trump Sarkaar”.

    This is the first time that a US presidential candidate has specifically targeting the Indian-American vote bank.

    Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump celebrated Diwali at a Hindu temple in the key swing state of Virginia as part of the Republican presidential nominee’s efforts to reach out to the Indian-American community.

    Lara had said Donald Trump has great love and affection for India and its people.

    As a mark of respect to the Indian culture, she removed her shoes before entering the Rajdhani temple in Virginia. “I really like Hindu culture and I respect It,” she had said.

    Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump was also scheduled to visit the temple but the Trump campaign asked her to go to a different place given the fast-changing dynamics of the polls.

  • Republican Hindu Coalition and Donald Trump perfect a Campaign of Misinformation and Hate

    Republican Hindu Coalition and Donald Trump perfect a Campaign of Misinformation and Hate

    As I watched the latest Republican Hindu Coalition TV advertisements on some Indian channels, usually viewed by Indian Americans for India news, I was shocked how the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being dragged in to the US Presidential election.

    The RHC TV ad on Aaj Tak and India Today showed repeatedly the photograph of Narendra Modi with a list of accusations against Hillary Clinton. It gave one the impression that Prime Minister Modi was listing the accusations and appealing to US voters to vote for Republican Donald Trump, with the catch line “Ab ki baar Trump Sarkar”, echoing the slogan in India during the 2012 general elections: “Ab ki baar Modi Sarkar”.

    It is hard to believe that Mr. Modi was not aware of the RHC TV campaign, with his vigilant diplomatic staff and intelligence agencies network which report every single event, incident and development to Delhi. His silence only indicates his approval. As they say in Sanskrit: Maunam sammati lakshanam – silence means assent/ approval.

    This suspicion grows when one looks at the credentials of RHC Chairman Shalabh Kumar, better known as Shally Kumar who has touted his proximity with Narendra Modi for a long time. He is believed to have been a member of RSS, a Hindu organization. Readers will recall he was keen to organize a reception for Modi in New York but at that time, Modi chose to entrust the job to another favorite of his from Chicago, and a rival of Shally Kumar- Bharat Barai. Though Shally Kumar had to lick the ground then he continued to look for an opportunity to create his impression on Modi that he was a good organizer. He visited India at regular intervals meeting RSS leaders and, reportedly, PM Modi. During the last one year, his visits multiplied. He is reported to have intensified during this period his activities, obviously, with a view to gaining RSS and Modi support for RHC proposal to back Donald Trump, a Republican.

    Again, one gets the impression that RSS and Hindu organizations in India are supportive of RHC ‘s open “HINDU” support to Trump when no RSS or Hindu leader objects to the use of the name “HINDU”. The fact, however, is Shally Kumar does not represent all Hindus. Nor do RSS and Hindu organizations in India. Is RHC not involving Hindus in an undesirable controversy? Is RHC not guilty of bringing a bad name to entire Hindu American community by indulging in misinformation and a hate campaign?

    Both PM Narendra Modi and RSS leaders in India owe an apology to Indian Americans and, to Hillary Clinton, for allowing RHC to spread misinformation and hate, using Modi’s pictures in the election campaign advertisements and, in the name of Hindus.  The RHC campaign is loaded with diplomatic ramifications and likely to impact adversely US India relations after Hillary takes over as President on January 20, 2017.

    Have a look at how Shally Kumar is maligning Hindus who have always stood for truth and propriety. Read the Hindu holy books and you would find Hindus have always been on the side of righteousness. Just recently Hindus the world over celebrated the victory of good over evil in the form of Dussehra and Diwali festivals.

    One, Hillary is anti-India. Two, Hillary is anti-Modi. Three, Hillary is a friend of Pakistan. She gave military aid to Pakistan against India. Clinton Foundation, (indirectly, Hillary), funded terrorists.

    The misinformation and the hate campaign of RHC includes a tirade against Hillary’s aide, Huma Abedin who is described as a possible “Saudi spy” and “a lesbian lover of Hillary Clinton”. RHC worked hard to spread the canard even as their master Trump continued with his lies. This election will be best known for the lies of RHC and Donald Trump, the Republican candidate who inspired many journalists to count the number of lies he came out with on a day. I remember reading an article which listed 28 lies of Trump on a single day.

    Poor Trump. He was taken in by Shally Kumar’s claims of a great Hindu support. He might have been impressed with the number of people who gathered at the RHC rally. He probably never knew that people were there not so much for him as for the entertainment that was promised them. He probably failed to realize that here was a crowd and not the voters. And he was surely taken in by Shally Kumar’s assurances that all Hindus will vote for him just as he was taken in, in his infamous lewd comments against women on tapes about which Melania had explained in defense of her husband that he was “egged on”. Trump may have been told that “Ab ki baar Trump Sarkar” is a Vedic Mantra, the recitation of which could make him President of America just as the slogan “ab ki baar Modi Sarkar” had brought Modi to power. Is the Republican Presidential candidate so gullible? If yes, how can Americans trust him with nuclear weapons?

    I pity Trump. All thorough the campaign, he has been promising the Sun, the Moon, the stars without ever laying bare before Americans how he was going to achieve them. On top, there was ample manifestation of hate, something, which is alien to American way of life. Americans are so welcoming, so loving. And here is a man so full of hate for all kinds of people- Latinos, Muslims, so on, so forth.

    A welcoming America never spoke of throwing millions out of the country. And here he is who says it would be one of his first tasks to throw millions out. America has been building bridges with the world. Here is a Trump who will build wall along Mexico border and claims the more the Democrats oppose his plan “the higher the wall goes”. No trade pacts. China is looting America. Outsourcing is hurting American labor. Immigrants have taken away jobs of “white” Americans. Muslims are a threat to USA. Jews, and this one is indirect, have fleeced and bled America when the latest Trump campaign TV advertisement displayed the pictures of three top Jewish personalities-Janet Yellen, who chairs the Federal Reserve, the progressive financier George Soros and the Goldman Sachs chief executive, Lloyd Blankfein.

    Trump claims he will go after the Wall Street bosses and yet opposes raise in taxes on the rich. And then he claims the minimum wage is high enough to warrant a wage increase.  How is Trump pro people?  How can Americans have a president who is so indifferent to their lot?

    I think there is no end to the subject. One can go on and on. But let me now return to RHC.

    Birds of the same feather flock together. No doubt then that Trump and RHC are partners in a misinformation and hate campaign.

    I sanguinely hope Indian Americans, and the Hindus Shalli Kumar is targeting, would see through the designs of RHC and consider truth and truth alone on the day of the election.

     

  • Race Matters in US

    Race Matters in US

    “Even with Trump’s supporters being 90 per cent white, he was trailing Hillary Clinton because of the demographic diversity in the US. Sadly, the damage he has done to the psyche of both the whites who believed in his delusory “movement” to restore America to its roots, and the minorities he relentlessly denigrated, will outlast him. Meanwhile, the terror of racism lives on, stronger and emboldened than before”, says the author.

    The history of the United States is founded on the backs of African slaves purchased and brought to its shores to work in the most abject conditions under white ownership to make colonies more habitable. Human beings were bought and sold like cattle and treated worse than the animals. George Washington, the first President of an independent America, promised to make liberty, equality and justice the bedrock of the nation, but had African slaves working for him. It has been a terrible legacy that America has tried to shake off.

    Slavery was subsequently abolished and affirmative action put in place with the rights of blacks and other minorities acknowledged and legitimatized through changes in political and social policy. With the awful past buried, America was ready to move on. With the whites in overwhelming majority, the post-war industrial boom and jobs aplenty, whites sat content at the top of the pyramid. For the middles class upwardly mobile majority, the blacks had been given their rights, and could shape their lives as they pleased as long as they did not encroach on the privileged status of the whites. Matters of race went largely underground. However, racism may have been submerged under a thriving economy but social divisions based on race solidified and were marked by frequent sordid incidents of white against black crime, usually in the Confederate Southern States, where white power still reigned supreme. Since there was no economic insecurity, there was no immediate threat from any minority and the country hummed along, creating millions of jobs in manufacturing, and helping Americans realize their dream that if you work hard, you will always have a job, and the future will be secure. The awareness of race was very much in place, but was not perceived as a political, economic or social threat.

    Several factors upended that dream scenario. Waves of immigration from Asia, Mexico and Africa began to change the demographic map. America entered its post-industrial era, where millions of jobs evaporated with the demise of heavy industry and the shift of manufacturing overseas. Previously thriving white dominated swathes became ghost towns, occupied by disaffected jobless poorly educated factory workers. While the new immigrants strived to succeed in their new home, the disillusioned native population became increasingly resentful at the government, at the entitlement policies towards the blacks, the Latinos and other minorities who all began to turn to alcohol and drugs to soothe their discontent.

    The Recession of 2008 further exacerbated a situation already teetering on the edge. Middle class whites now began to lose their jobs and fell behind, losing their homes, their security and watching their American Dream shatter with no hope of resuscitation. The recession affected everyone, particularly the minorities already living on the edge but the white majority, facing an unimaginable dire future, needed to assign blame. Consequently, all ignorant white fingers pointed to the immigrants who had stolen their jobs. Furthermore, anger and resentment began to simmer against blacks who they had always believed were intellectually and culturally inferior. Latinos were blamed for swooping the low-paying service jobs, accepting lower wages while the Asians who looked different and appeared to be a cultural and social anomaly, became a formidable threat.

    This stupendous rise in the non-white population was unstoppable and now poised to change the political landscape of the country. In came the first black President of the United States, Barack Obama with an overwhelming support from the non-white and educated white population. With his election in 2008, the white elite declared the death of racism, while the uneducated blue-collar whites deepened their resolve to blame the “other” for all their ills. The working class was historically a Democratic stronghold, but the election of a black President was intolerable and presaged the death of white supremacy. This seething racism was legitimized by the conservative media which thrived on projecting Obama as anti-American, a Muslim, a wolf in black clothing, someone to be despised, overturned at the earliest.

    The demographic constitution of America had now gone through a sea change. For the first time in the history of the country, children under five are a non-white majority, and it is rightly projected that by 2050 whites will be a minority. In fact, no race or ethnicity will be in majority; the country is moving towards a diverse plurality which is radically reshaping the entire political, socio economic and cultural landscape irreversibly and for the better. But it has also been a catastrophic blow to the demographic hegemony of the whites. To see themselves as an underclass of under educated, in the throes of drugs and alcohol, equalizes them with the blacks who have lived like that for generations. The picture is frightfully real and one that they would do anything to reverse. Contemporary America abounds with the violence of racism. The time, therefore, was ripe for a Presidential candidate like Donald Trump, a blustering bigot to successfully tap into this simmering racial hatred breeding in a bed of economic and social impoverishment, and turn it onto a campaign to restore American greatness to where and how it was when the whites were dominant and color of the skin determined status in life. He gave voice to racism that had been palpably felt but not overtly expressed. He brought differences of race, class and ethnicity to the forefront of the political narrative and underpinned his entire pitch on the divisions. It was the whites against the “other”; the anger was unleashed, and his populist, nativist, demagoguery struck a powerful chord with the disgruntled whites who began to dream of a country they once knew. Racism was once again legitimized and the country riven by serious divisions.

    Even with Trump’s supporters being 90 per cent white, he was trailing Hillary Clinton because of the demographic diversity in the US. Sadly, the damage he has done to the psyche of both the whites who believed in his delusory “movement” to restore America to its roots, and the minorities he relentlessly denigrated, will outlast him. Meanwhile, the terror of racism lives on, stronger and emboldened than before.

    (The author is a Professor in the Department of English & Cultural Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh)

     

  • It is your right and duty to vote

    It is your right and duty to vote

    Who wouldn’t like to be a part of the historic 2016 Presidential election?. Remember, each vote counts. And, moreover, we all have our right to vote and, more importantly, it is our duty to vote; more so, when the race is so tight. I don’t think there would be any who would sit back and see the ideology he subscribes to being trampled underfoot. So, friends, no matter who you wish to elect, stand by your candidate and share the joy of your candidate’s victory.

    With over 30 million ballots cast in the US presidential election early voting, Democrats were building a lead in North Carolina and Nevada states, while Republicans maintained an edge in Florida and Ohio, according to a CNN analysis.

    With five days to go till November 8, registered Republicans also led Democrats in early voting in Arizona, while Democrats were ahead in Colorado and Iowa, the analysis revealed on Thursday, November 3.

    So far, about 7.4 million registered Democrats and about 6.4 million Republicans have done just that.

    It is your turn, if you have not voted earlier, to vote. Get out and vote on November 8th and be a part of the Nation’s history.

  • Tough days ahead for Hillary Clinton: RAVI BATRA

    Tough days ahead for Hillary Clinton: RAVI BATRA

    NEW YORK (TIP): The FBI’s decision to re-open email scandal investigation has opened a new web of legal challenges for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton which could end up in her impeachment if she becomes the next US president, a top Indian-American attorney has claimed.Batra said Huma Abedin, who is at the center of the current storm that has engulfed Clinton, 10 days ahead of the elections, is at the risk of having lied to the FBI. (Source: Reuters)

    The FBI’s decision to re-open email scandal investigation has opened a new web of legal challenges for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton which could end up in her impeachment if she becomes the next US president, a top Indian-American attorney has claimed.

    “The effect of this Friday re-opening is earth shattering: the criminal investigation is re-opened, and it is not limited to Weiner’s laptop. Its open-ended,” Ravi Batra told PTI.

    “This may well peter out having narrowed Hillary’s win and lead her post-Oath as POTUS (president of the United States) to face opposition from House Republicans that will seem to kiss impeachment post-Day One,” warned Batra, a Democrat who has been closely following 69-year-old Clinton’s alleged email scandal.Batra said Huma Abedin, who is at the center of the current storm that has engulfed Clinton, 10 days ahead of the elections, is at the risk of having lied to the FBI.”Hillary’s “shadow” Huma, is at risk of having lied to federal FBI – which if she did, is a felony. Worse, is if she hires her own lawyer, not one paid for by Hillary. For if Huma seeks immunity, the House of Cards will unravel in ways unimaginable in American history,” he said yesterday.

    Batra, who now chairs National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs, said just when the 2016 presidential election was coming to a merciful close, it all blew up on Friday with FBI Director Jim Comey’s Letter to Congress. In the letter Comey informed the Congress that he was re-opening the email investigation of Clinton.

    “Comey is a man who will vindicate the law and the Constitution, and by so doing, redeem every ounce of his honor that was bled on the partisan political battlefield,” he said.

    Comey is under an unprecedented attack from the Clinton Campaign and the Democratic Party for taking such a decision.

    Batra said Comey took the decision after it was referred to him by Indian-American Preet Bharara, who was looking into the investigation of an alleged sexting case of former Congressman Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Abedin. During the investigation, the FBI agents seized a laptop of Weiner which he shared with Abedin.

    According to media reports, the laptop has more than 650,000 emails, many of which could be of Abedin’s work related and this form part of the email scandal investigation.”The bottom line of Comey’s unprecedented go-it-alone decision to re-open Hillary’s criminal investigation based upon Preet’s referral to him of Weiner’s laptop is nothing short of his rebuke of those who dared to fool him, and then, maybe, even gloat,” Batra said.

    “I and the world expected Hillary or Biden to become the Democratic Nominee and to win the presidency. Unfortunately, all of us who appreciate experienced people to lead nations, who are proportionate and calibrated in their actions and deliberated governance, have been let down,” he said.

    “One can only hope that the Early Voting will buffer the Friday Comey letter and Hillary wins, Trump loses, and then America can well self-correct to a better future,” he said.

    (Source: Facebook/ The Financial Express/PTI)

  • Indian American SC Governor Nikki Haley feels choked everytime Trump opens his mouth and yet supports him

    Indian American SC Governor Nikki Haley feels choked everytime Trump opens his mouth and yet supports him

    ORLANDO, FL (TIP): Indian-American South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has reaffirmed her support to her party candidate Donald Trump in the November 8 general elections saying she will vote for him out of concern over presidential appointments but “holds her breath” every day on what the controversial Republican will say next.

    “Every day I hold my breath wondering what he’s gonna say, I mean, I do,” Ms Haley told WIBC radio’s 93.1 FM, October 31, about the 70-year-old real estate tycoon known for his divisive rhetoric.

    During the primaries, Haley had endorsed Marco Rubio for presidency and had even clashed with Trump on some policy issues. She, however, said she would vote for Trump in the presidential elections next Tuesday.

    “I don’t expect everybody to agree with me. What I can tell you is, I have always said that I would support the Republican nominee, that was not a big secret. Everybody’s deciding to talk about this again. But I’ve always said that I was gonna support the Republican nominee,” Ms Haley said.

    “I have not always agreed with the way Donald Trump has communicated with the public in a time when the Republican Party is more diverse than it’s ever been, is continuing to grow its tent, is continuing to pull people together, and showing that, through all the Republican governors and all their successes, you know, to see someone that communicates anything that would divide us is not something that we want,” she added.

    Responding to a question, Ms Haley said she thinks that this entire election has been “disheartening for both parties”.

    At the same time, she said she was more concerned about the possibility of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton making appointments to the Supreme Court and to the cabinet.

    Haley said by picking Indian Governor Mike Pence as his running mate, Trump has shown that he could be surrounded by good people.

    “I will absolutely vote for Trump,” she said.Last week at a news conference, Haley had said that the election has turned her stomach upside down.

    “I think I’ve been really clear. This election has turned my stomach upside down. It has been embarrassing for both parties. It’s not something that the country deserves, but it’s what we’ve got.””Having said that, what I will tell you is that this is no longer a choice for me on personalities because I’m not a fan of either one,” she said, referring to Trump and Clinton. “What it is about is policy.”

  • Beyoncé to campaign for Hillary Clinton: source

    Beyoncé to campaign for Hillary Clinton: source

    COLUMBUS, OHIO (TIP): Beyoncé will join Jay Z on Friday in Ohio at a get-out-the-vote concert for Hillary Clinton, a source who overheard the news told CBS News.

    Clinton will be joined by the music superstars at a rally at Cleveland State University heading into the final weekend before Election Day. The Clinton campaign is making an aggressive push to urge Ohioans to vote early.

    Jay Z’s appearance had already been announced.

    But the addition of his wife Beyoncé, one of the biggest entertainers in the world, adds even more star power to the Cleveland event.

    The concert is aimed at millennials and African-American voters in the Democratic stronghold of Cuyahoga County, where Clinton needs big margins on election night to defeat Donald Trump, who is leading the polls in Ohio.

    The music megastars are among several acts — including Katy Perry, The National and John Legend — helping Clinton make a final appeal to young voters.

    The Clinton campaign declined to comment on the appearance.

  • Get Out and Vote for Hillary Clinton: Bipin Sangankar

    Get Out and Vote for Hillary Clinton: Bipin Sangankar

    Election propaganda of 2016 Presidential race is being closed and October surprise has almost disappeared. Flawless presidential candidate is myth. So, we have to make choice from the given stock. I urge that this November 8, Americans and Asian – Americans get out and vote for Mrs. Hillary Clinton.

    Poll predictions might show her as the winner but we must remember that every vote matters. I request everyone to vote for Democratic candidate Mrs. Clinton. By becoming first women President of USA she will not only make history but will also continue Obama Government ‘s good policies so that road to peace and prosperity will not be narrowed. To my part I have been active supporter of Mrs. Clinton since 2000 when the retiring NY senator Moynihan endorsed herto replace him. We, a group of active Indo-Americans in NY/NJ, formed a political action committee and raised funds for her and Al Gore. I was then secretary to Indo-American Democratic Committee affiliated to NY democratic party organization under Judith Hope’ watch. Mayor Bill de Blasio was Mrs. Clinton’s campaign manger and I worked with him as well. I have been very active in her campaign this time too in a unique way. I have approached allmy past students of NYU, Fordham and Jon Jay College in NYC and William Paterson and Kean Universities in NJ to vote for her. This is my last public appeal to vote for Mrs. Clinton. Thank you.

  • Days in to Poll, Democrat Clinton holds lead, albeit slender, over Trump

    Days in to Poll, Democrat Clinton holds lead, albeit slender, over Trump

    Though the presidential election is believed to be tight, the latest polls give Hillary a slender lead over Trump.

    NEW YORK(TIP): Democrat Hillary Clinton maintained her narrow lead over Republican rival Donald Trump in the US presidential race just days ahead of the November 8 election, according to two polls released on Thursday, October 3.

    A New York Times/CBS poll of 1,333 registered voters found Clinton ahead by 3 percentage points, at the cusp of the October 28-November 1 with margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

    A Washington Post/ABC poll showed Clinton 2 percentage points ahead among 1,767 likely voters surveyed October 29 – November 1. It also had a 3-percentage point margin of error.

     

  • “Get Out and vote for Hillary-a longtime friend of India and Indian Americans

    “Get Out and vote for Hillary-a longtime friend of India and Indian Americans

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Indian American supporters of Hillary Clinton strongly feel that the community should vote for her as only she can take the Indo-US relationship to a new level because she truly understands India and its culture.

    Hillary Clinton and Sant Chatwal- a firm handshake
    Hillary Clinton and Sant Chatwal- a firm handshake

    Indian Americans for Democrats and Friends of Hillary for President, an advocacy group supporting Hillary Clinton for President made a passionate plea to the Indian American community to vote for Hillary. Indian-American hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal, chairman of Indian-Americans for Democrats and Friends of Hillary for President, hosted a well-attended press conference on November 2 at the Chatwal hotel in midtown Manhattan, New York City. He was joined by former chief of medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital and community leader, Dr. Bhupi Patel, and Founder of Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and former commissioner in President Bill Clinton’s White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Mike Patel.

    The Chatwal family with Hillary
    The Chatwal family with Hillary

    Chatwal, who has been a longtime friend of the Clintons, described how he convinced Bill Clinton for his India trip that ‘opened the doors for improving India-US relations.’Bill Clinton undertook a visit in March, 2000, 22 yearsafter a US President had visited India. It was in 1978 when a Democratic President Jimmy Carter had last visited India. Sant took a jibe at the Republicans for touting their love of India now but where were they earlier. He also highlighted how Bill and Hillary Clinton relentlessly worked for betterment of ties between the two countries. “She (Hillary) visited India quite a few times since 95- in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012. She understands India, Indian culture. Indian-Americans should vote for her as she can boost India-US relations.”

    Hillary joins Daman Chatwal in a Punjabi jig
    Hillary joins Daman Chatwal in a Punjabi jig

    Getting nostalgic about his and wife, Daman’s 25 year old relationship with Clintons, Sant Chatwal described that he felt immediate positive vibes on his first ever meeting with Clintons.

    “I had good vibes when I first met the Clintons in 1991. They are good people; very fair and emotionally connected,” Chatwal recalled, adding, “Hillary’s experience as a politician; her love for India and Indian Americans and her conscious effort to do good for America, made her an ideal candidate to receive our vote.”

    Hillary poses with Sant and Daman Chatwal at a public gathering
    Hillary poses with Sant and Daman Chatwal at a public gathering

    Chatwal dwelt a length the long and distinguished career of Hillary. It began with Hillary as the First Lady of Arkansas where her husband Bill Clinton was Governor for more than a decade. It was then that she came in close contact with politics and politicians and started learning the nitty gritty of the statecraft. As First Lady of The US from 1993-2001, she got ample opportunity to meet with world leaders and leaders from the country and got to have an intimate knowledge of working of politics and diplomacy. In the White House, Hillary assumed a serious policy role and took the lead on Bill’s failed efforts to reform the American healthcare system.

    Chatwal recounted her services as Senator from New York and later as Secretary of State of the US. Over four years that she was Secretary of State she visited 112 countries and wracked up nearly 1 million miles in the air, as she carried Obama’s message of multilateralism and cautious use of American power around the world. In Washington, she became one of the President’s closest advisors working closely with the White House as the Arab Spring flared and the US moved to kill Osama bin Laden.

    If Chatwal spoke highly of Hillary Clinton, he did not hold his comments on Trump, too. He questioned Donald Trump’s ability “to run a country”.

    “Running a government is very different from running a business. One needs knowledge and experience. It’s not easy to run a country.”

    He feared that if Trump became Presidenthe will be disastrous for the country and wipe out trillions of dollars from US economy.

    “As a businessman I want to protect our economy. If Trump becomes President, the market will drop by 25 per cent, four-five trillion dollars will be lost.”

    Chatwal also slammed Trump for his remark that he is a “big fan of Hindus” and of India at an event in New Jersey last month. “India is not only for Hindus; India has Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and many more. Trump has to understand that. India has a large Muslim population. Muslim population is more in India than in Pakistan. Trump does not know that. Talk is cheap but it is difficult to deliver.”

    Dr Bhupi Patel highlighted how Hillary has stood with India and the Indian-American community on vital issues like immigration, education and health care. He said the community should vote for her as Clinton has strong policies in these areas that will benefit the community and future generations.

    “It’s time to reciprocate. We need somebody in White House who knows India. Trump does not know India.”

    Dr Patel said Clinton is an “inclusive” leader who has worked for the community for the last few decades while Trump is in “exclusive’ person who talks about isolating the US. “How can you have a leader who damages global relations? America cannot afford to get isolated. You cannot discriminate against minorities. It is very important for the minority communities to be involved in the political process. We have to make our presence felt.”

    Hillary addressing a convention of International Punjabi Society in New York. Sant Chatwal is seen to her right
    Hillary addressing a convention of International Punjabi Society in New York. Sant Chatwal is seen to her right

    Mike Patel recounted his experience as commissioner in President Bill Clinton’s White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. “President Clinton did what he did because he cared about new immigrants, who worked hard and paid taxes but never received full benefits. It shows the party cares for us. We have to decide what kind of America we want for our kids. Who will be inclusive of your children? That should give you the answer who should you vote for.”

    HR Shah, CEO of TV Asia and a long time supporter of Indian Americans for Democrats gave a hard-hitting note. “In 240 years America does not have a Woman president. Even India had a woman prime minister 30 years ago, who ruled for 10 years, but it’s unfortunate that America is so backward in realizing the strength of women power. We want to see the change. Make noise for the fundamental change,” he said.

    The speakers also reminded that Indian community’s voting numbers may be small but in close elections, small numbers matter more. The key states are those that are traditionally Republican and are called Red States, and the swing states where the two parties are almost evenly poised and could go either way.

    Chatwal pointed to the 2000 elections, which Democrat Al Gore lost by less than 400 votes in Florida and said, that in states like Florida votes of Indian Americans carry more weight as a deciding factor. Urging the Indian-American community to exercise their electoral right, he said each vote would count on November 8.

    Over three-million-strong Indian-American community has traditionally supported the Democratic Party and Trump has been trying to pursue the community to make a dent in its vote bank. According to a poll, over 70% of Indian Americans are Democratic supporters with only 13% backing Republicans and 14% Independents. About 67% of them support Clinton compared to only 7% for Trump.

    The panelists -Sant Chatwal, Bhupi Patel and Mike Patel-made a unanimous and passionate appeal to Indian Americans to “Get out and vote for Hillary”.