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News (1) to (4) / Reporter : Cheng Wen / Editor : Ren Zijun / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/23/n14256475.htm
News (1)
The hush money case is about to be decided. What impact will it have on Trump's election?
Image : On 17 May 2024, former U.S. President Trump waved at his son Barron's graduation ceremony in Florida. (Giorgio Viera/AFP)
The Manhattan Criminal Court jury's trial of the "hush money" case against former US President Trump ended on 20 May 2024, and the jury may make a ruling as early as next week. So, what will the jury decide? Will these rulings have any impact on the 2024 presidential election?
Under the impetus of Alvin Bragg, a Democratic prosecutor in Manhattan, New York, the Manhattan Criminal Court formally charged Trump with 34 felonies of "first-degree falsification of business records" on 4 April 2024. These charges involve Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen paying porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 in "hush money" shortly before the 2016 presidential election.
Daniels threatened in 2016 to make public her experience of "having sex" with Trump in 2006. Trump has always denied that he had such a relationship with Daniels and has always pleaded not guilty to the 34 charges.
The jury selected by the Manhattan Criminal Court officially began the trial of the "hush money" case on 22 April 2024. The prosecution summoned 20 witnesses in 15 days within the next four weeks. The prosecution and defense ended the debate in front of the jury on 20 May 2024. Next, the jury will discuss behind closed doors and may make a verdict as early as next week.
The hush money case is widely considered the least influential of the four criminal charges Trump faces (a total of 91 felony charges), and the only case to go to trial before the November 5 presidential election between Trump and current President Biden.
Jury verdicts generally have three outcomes: acquittal, guilty verdict (which is divided into two situations: jail and no jail), and unresolved or mistrial. These different results may also have different impacts on Trump's election. Let's take a look at it.
News (2)
If Trump is acquitted, it will be a huge victory for him
A legal expert told ABC that although prosecutors presented strong factual evidence in the "hush money" case, they still did not have the technical elements to prove that Trump's alleged crimes could be established.
"They left out some elements in the prosecutors' case that they had to establish in order to convict," attorney and Syracuse University law professor Gregory Germain told ABC News.
In order to convict Trump, prosecutors would need to prove to a jury that Trump knew he was falsifying records and that he did so to facilitate another crime.
In the indictment, prosecutor Alvin Bragg argued that Trump's motive for "falsifying business records" was "with intent to commit" the following crimes: violating federal campaign finance rules; violating New York state election laws by illegally influencing the 2016 election; and violating New York state tax laws regarding reimbursement matters.
However, the three "crimes" Alvin Bragg proposed were not established and were never filed.
Germain said: "If the judge makes it clear that the legal elements must be proven in this case, then I think he (Trump) will be acquitted."
Chris Timmons, a former prosecutor and legal writer for ABC, considered from another perspective that even if the prosecution made a strong argument, the jury might still find Trump not guilty.
He said: "Even if the state or the people prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury can still decide - they just don't like the case for some reason - and decide (Trump) not guilty."
Timmons said that the technical nature of the "hush money" case may also make it difficult for the jury to convict Trump, because the prosecution's evidence relies heavily on the testimony of Trump's former lawyer Cohen, who has been proven to have lied many times, which may also cause problems for the jury.
Timmons said: "One of the issues they (the jury) may emphasize is that a lot of people's evidence in the case relies on Michael Cohen, and he is a person who is willing to lie, and he has done so in the past."
Observers from different political factions agree that an acquittal will be a huge victory for Trump, especially because Trump has always claimed that the trial is a false political persecution aimed at undermining his presidential campaign.
Republican campaign consultant Tricia McLaughlin said that during Trump's campaign, he can use the not guilty verdict in Manhattan, New York to promote his appeal that he has no standing in other cases.
In addition to the "hush money" case, Trump also faces a federal indictment and a state indictment in Washington DC and Georgia, respectively, both accusing Trump of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump also faces a federal indictment in Florida, accusing him of mishandling confidential documents after leaving the White House in 2021. In all three cases, Trump has pleaded not guilty. All three cases are currently in varying degrees of stagnation.
News (3)
If Trump is convicted, there are different views on its impact
Whether Trump is ultimately convicted is likely to depend largely on what kind of guidance the judge provides to the jury on how to make a verdict.
Germain said: "If the judge avoids the difficult legal issues in the case and oversimplifies what kind of evidence they have to find, then I think the jury may find him (Trump) guilty."
"I am worried that the judge will cover up the legal issues and just say to the jury: 'Do you think Trump falsified business records in order to conceal information from the public during the election? He may be guilty of this crime.' But I don't think it constitutes a crime." Germain also said.
However, Timmons believes that the prosecution has made a strong argument in proving the facts.
He said: "In terms of conviction, at least in terms of their evidence, they seem to have proved what they need to prove. I don't think the defense has scored a lot of points in cross-examination so far."
If Trump is found guilty, Republican and Democratic observers have different views on its impact.
Most Democrats believe that a guilty verdict could bring significant political dangers to Trump, so the election is actually likely to be decided by only tens of thousands of votes in a few swing states.
Republican pollster Whit Ayres also acknowledged that if only a few moderate Republicans and independents do not vote for Trump because of the guilty verdict, it could potentially favor Biden in a close election.
However, Ayres said that the nature of the "hush money" case, filed by Democratic prosecutors and relying on untested legal strategies, will help Trump and Republicans identify the guilty verdict as a political blow by the Democrats to hinder Trump's 2024 campaign.
"If I tried to design a court case that would make it easy for Republicans to see it as a partisan political persecution, I would design the exact same case filed in New York," Ayres said.
On the other hand, Bill Galston, an analyst and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, said he does not expect the guilty verdict to have a significant impact on the presidential race.
Galston once participated in the Democratic presidential campaign and served in the administration of President Bill Clinton. Clinton's tenure in the White House in the 1990s was full of sex scandals.
If Trump is found guilty, Germain believes that Trump is likely to appeal, and the appeal process could take years.
"Unless the court expedites it, the issue will not be resolved before the (this year) election. And I don't think they will expedite it if this is just a conviction that didn't put him (Trump) in jail," Germain said.
Germain believes that if Trump appeals a jail sentence, the court is likely to set a fast timeline to see if Trump should be spared.
"For a non-violent first-time offender, like Trump's case, you almost never get jailed. So even if he is convicted of these charges, sentencing Trump to jail is unusual and violates the guidelines," Germain also said.
In addition, German also believes that during the appeal process, the appellate court is also likely to find that the prosecution's evidence lacks important legal elements.
Timmons disagrees with German's view, saying, "It's actually very difficult to win an appeal in criminal court."
The jury verdict is hung - what are the chances of a mistrial?
Before the case is presented in the hush money case, the defense will have another chance to file a motion for a directed verdict from the judge — when the judge agrees with the defense that prosecutors haven’t presented enough evidence to convict and says a jury verdict isn’t needed.
The defense could again ask the judge to dismiss the case, arguing that the elements of a crime haven’t been proven.
However, German and Timmons agreed that the judge is unlikely to grant such a directed verdict.
German said the judge has already denied previous motions to dismiss the case and is unlikely to allow a directed verdict now.
“In this particular case, I think there’s enough evidence to send the case to a jury for a verdict,” Timmons said.
However, Timmons believes that if the jury can’t reach a verdict, the judge could declare a mistrial if he determines the case is inconclusive and dismisses it.
"I'm worried about a hung jury in this case," Timmons said. "One juror who entered the jury said he got news from two different sources, one of which was Trump's truth social platform. So I think he's more likely to believe anything the president says."
However, judges do not like to grant mistrials, especially in a case that has dragged on for a long time. Timmons said that in the "hush money" case, the proceedings took a lot of time, including jury selection.
He said: "I don't think any party or lawyer did anything that would cause the case to be ruled invalid."
News (4)
Republican observers: Democrats and the media have made Trump "invulnerable"
Derek Hunter, a Republican who worked as a staff member in the U.S. Senate and is now the host of the Derek Hunter Podcast, believes that no matter what the verdict of the "hush money" case is, it will not affect voters' decision on who to vote for in this year's election.
In a column published in The Hill on May 22, Hunter said: "Come hell or high, some people will always vote for Trump. And some people will always refuse to do so, even if (Trump's coming to power) will save their own lives."
Hunter mentioned that since Trump came down the escalator of his Trump Tower in 2015 to announce his presidential campaign, the media and television, movies and music programs in the United States have been full of anti-Trump hatred.
And now the situation is that "the prospect of Trump returning to the presidency is absolutely terrifying to those who directly benefited from his absence from the office. Therefore, the "Democratic Industrial Complex", which has become increasingly unhinged, is now beginning to do or say anything, no matter how undemocratic, to prevent this from happening (Trump's return to the White House). "Hunter said.
However, Hunter believes that these criminal prosecutions and felony charges have almost no impact on Trump voters. He said: "Although the public has heard all the disgusting accusations from the Democrats, nothing has happened. Maybe people just don't care. Maybe they don't think these accusations are serious. But Trump beat Joe Biden in most national polls and every important swing state poll, probably because these accusations have completely saturated the country's political consciousness."
Hunter believes that the Democratic Party and the left-wing media have made Trump "invulnerable."
According to the average of major national polls released by Real Clear Politics (RCP) for the November election between April 18 and May 20, Trump leads Biden by 1.0 percentage points.
In seven key swing states, Trump also continues to lead Biden by varying degrees: Arizona (4.6 percentage points), Georgia (4.1 points), Michigan (1.0 points), Nevada (4.6 points), North Carolina (4.7 points), Pennsylvania (2.1 points) and Wisconsin (0.1 points).
News (5)
Trump said the Biden administration should apologize to him for the hush money case
Reporter : Qiu Sheng / Editor : Lin Yan / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/18/n14253281.htm / Image : On 16 May 2024, in the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, former US President Trump, accompanied by lawyer Blanche (right), accepted media interviews on the hush money trial. (Steven Hirsch/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Former US President Trump said on Friday evening (17 May 2024) that the "inner halls" of the White House should apologize to him for the hush money case and the case should be dropped.
Trump said on his Truth Social website on Friday, "Almost everyone agrees on the fact that the witch hunt launched against me by Alvin Bragg (Chinese name Bai Airong) is a SHAM TRIAL, which was directly instigated by the inner circle of the White House and the Department of Justice." He said the case was aimed at hitting Biden's political opponents. "It should be dropped immediately and apologized to me and everyone who had to endure this Election Interfering Hoax," he wrote. Trump ended another week of trial in New York on Friday. Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up paying porn actress Stormy Daniels hush money to keep silent about their alleged extramarital affair before the 2016 election. Trump refused to plead guilty. Trump is currently under a gag order in the case, which means that his speech on the "sham trial" has been restricted. The gag order restricts Trump from speaking out against court proceedings and court personnel, including star witness Michael Cohen, who testified this week.
This week, the former president won the support of several Republican members of Congress, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, and many of them rushed to the New York court from Washington DC to criticize the case. They claimed that the case was an example of election interference, aimed at distracting Trump from the campaign and away from President Biden's sight.
News (6) to (10) / Reporters : Catherine Yang and Michael Washburn / Translated by Qiu Sheng / Editor : Ye Ziwei / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/23/n14255924.htm / Image : On 21 May 2024, in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, former President Trump spoke to the media accompanied by his lawyer Todd Blanche (right) before entering the court. (Justin Lane-Pool/Getty Images)
News (6)
Key points of the historic trial of Trump's hush money case
The trial against former President Donald Trump is the first criminal trial against a former president in history. It is currently entering the critical final stage, and the prosecution and defense are temporarily adjourned.
Testimony ended Tuesday morning, but arguably the most important part of the case took place in court a few hours later.
In the afternoon hearing, attorneys for the prosecution and defense debated the definitions, inclusions, or exclusions of terms like "intent," "criminal conspiracy," "willfulness," and "legitimate journalistic function."
Prosecutors argued that "illegal" does not mean "criminal," that President Trump does not have to commit a crime to be convicted of conspiracy, and that precedent does not require "proof" of intent to participate in a conspiracy. Defense attorneys argued that there were not even enough facts in the case to go to a jury.
New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan reserved his rulings on many of the questions raised.
Those rulings will determine whether the case can go to a jury and how jurors will interpret the case if it does.
News (7)
Parties debate how to apply novel legal theories
The charges in this case have an unusual structure, and most of the defense's disputes have to do with how to interpret the law, not factual issues in the testimony.
President Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records, which prosecutors allege was done to cover up a second crime, an act that elevates a misdemeanor to a felony.
The second count was not specified in the initial indictment but was referred to in opening statements as "for the purpose of influencing an election," a reference to a statute that prohibits conspiring to promote or prevent an individual's election. After arguments, the judge sided with prosecutors, saying the term did not need to be defined.
The defense then argued that the government must define "intent to defraud" as it relates to President Trump.
"We believe the burden on the government requires proof that President Trump attempted to conceal," said defense attorney Emil Bove.
Prosecutors said evidence was not necessary because it was not even legally necessary to prove the second count. Defense attorneys objected to telling the jury "at the outset" that they did not need to find evidence because the burden of proof was truly on prosecutors.
Defense attorney Todd Blanche argued that New York law recognizes that conspiracy charges require an element of "willfulness," but prosecutors believe it should be "willful."
Bove argued that there were no criminal violations in any of the alleged conduct, while prosecutors argued that was not necessary.
"Election law says that when two or more people conspire to cause someone to be elected to public office by illegal means, it's a 152 violation," Colangelo said. "Illegal means doesn't mean a crime, it means a violation of the law."
The jury will be instructed that prosecutors need to prove President Trump's intent to defraud, although defense attorneys asked for instructions to emphasize evidence of intent to commit or conceal a criminal conspiracy.
News (8)
Gag order remains in effect, no testimony
The arguments in and out of court were very different, and not just because President Trump ultimately did not testify.
Outside of court, President Trump has often argued that the timing of the case was an effort to interfere in the election, alleging conduct dating back to 2015. He cited a tell-all book written by Mark Pomerantz, claiming that he resigned from Alvin Bragg's office because they were hesitant to prosecute the former president. He claimed that federal prosecutors and agencies reviewed the allegations in the case but declined to prosecute, and even Bragg himself had said he did not want to do the case.
Image : Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media before appearing in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on 7 May 2024, for his alleged cover-up of hush money payments. (Curtis Means-Pool/Getty Images)
None of these were allowed into the courtroom. Prosecutors' efforts to prevent any arguments related to the case from being politically motivated meant that even if President Trump took the stand, he would have to follow a more limited script than when he testified freely in the civil case last fall.
Early in the case, Trump also criticized Cohen and Stephanie Clifford, who received $130,000 at the heart of the case, but a gag order prohibited Trump from continuing to criticize witnesses after the trial began.
On Tuesday, Trump suggested that he would risk violating the gag order by speaking out if the judge ruled against him in a pending motion.
Defense attorneys have appealed the gag order to the New York Court of Appeals.
News (9)
Prosecutors argue the record speaks for itself
While Cohen is often called the prosecution's star witness, much of his testimony was a defense of his credibility, and prosecutors argued that he was just one piece of the puzzle.
Instead, prosecutors argued that the record in this case speaks for itself and worked to enter reams of phone records, text messages, emails, contracts, checks, and even excerpts from Trump's books published in the 1990s. In fact, much of the testimony was about entering the record rather than providing personal knowledge of Trump's words or whereabouts.
They brought in witnesses from AT&T, First Republic Bank, and publishing companies to testify to the authenticity of some of these records and documents.
Image : Image : Michael Cohen, former personal attorney for former President Trump, leaves his apartment building on his way to a New York City court on 16 May 2024. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)Paralegals and analysts testified in order to enter specific social media posts, batches of phone recordings, and communications into evidence.
They subpoenaed several former Trump aides to talk about Trump's check-writing habits and signatures.
News (10)
Defense says case cannot go to jury
The defense filed appeals throughout the trial and even before it. They filed multiple motions with the New York Supreme Court, which is different from the New York Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York.
They also filed a motion to dismiss in the trial court, which Judge Melchan has not yet ruled on. The defense also filed a motion for a mistrial earlier, but it was rejected by the judge.
On Monday, after prosecutors recessed, defense attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the case and then argued that the judge should find Cohen untrustworthy.
Branch said, "There is no way the court can try this case with Cohen's testimony alone; without his testimony, there is no case to speak of, he has lied repeatedly and lied this morning; when he testified directly about a phone call, we presented irrefutable evidence."
Judge Melchan said, "So you ask me to find Cohen legally untrustworthy."
Mr. Branch said, "Yes, his continued lies should not sway the court."
On Tuesday afternoon, they argued again that the trial record lacked the facts needed for jury deliberation.
Boff said, "Michael Cohen testified that he knew nothing about this, and was asked why Allen Weisselberg wrote the total amount as $420,000, and he replied, 'I don't know, I just want to reimburse my money', the government is talking about Cohen's tax returns; the Trump Organization is transparent, this does not amount to some kind of agreement to make false returns for Cohen, and Cohen knew nothing about it."
Boff believes that there is no evidence that former President Trump or the Trump Organization took deductions on the relevant payments.
Bove said, "There is not enough evidence to bring the case to a jury."
Original article: Key Takeaways From Historic Trump Trial published in the English Epoch Times.
News (11)
Trump rarely attends New York campaign rally to show strength
Reporter : Li Xin / Editor : Li Yuan / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/23/n14256460.htm
Former U.S. President Trump attends a campaign rally in New York City at night of 23 May 2024. He went to the South Bronx on Thursday to hold a campaign rally in the central area of New York City where the Democratic Party has an absolute advantage.
The rally is scheduled for 6 pm Thursday at Crotona Park. Trump speaks on the economy, crime and immigration.
Meanwhile, several labuor and civil rights groups are planning a counter-rally at the park to show they do not welcome the Republican former president.
Strategists say Trump's rally in the Bronx is not intended to turn deep blue New York red in November, but to show his campaign strength by attracting a large number of supporters in an unexpected location.
Not long ago, the former president also held campaign events in New Jersey and Minnesota, which seemed to reflect his view that he could compete with Democratic President Biden in traditionally blue states.
In New York City, Trump performed significantly better in the 2020 election than he did in 2016. In 2020, he received tens of thousands of votes across the city, and the South Bronx was one of the areas where he received the most votes, according to the Wall Street Journal. While Biden still won the city by a wide margin, Trump made significant gains in three state House districts in the South Bronx, where he received the most votes of any New York City district.
Alex Conant, who has worked on several Republican campaigns, said he thought it was appropriate to hold campaign events in New Jersey and New York to gather a very large number of people, according to The Hill. He said there may be more Democrats than Republicans, but there will still be a large number of Republicans who can participate in a large event.
Trump's campaign said that at the rally Thursday night, the former president will focus on how the Biden-Harris administration has put economic pressure on New York families and crime.
The event is designed to attract a large number of popularity for the presumptive Republican 2024 presidential nominee. He will take the stage in a place that voted overwhelmingly for the Democratic Party, and any large crowds could bring him media coverage at a time when his campaign ability is somewhat limited by the criminal trial.
"He has become very creative. This also shows why Trump is a master at winning the media," said a Republican strategist.
News (12)
Trump: If I am elected, Putin will release the Wall Street Journal reporter
Reporter : Li Haoyue / Editor : Li Lin / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/23/n14256503.htm / Image : The picture shows Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist arrested for espionage, standing in the cage where the defendant was held on 18 April 2023, attending a hearing in the Moscow City Court on his appeal for the release of pre-trial detention. (Nanalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)
Former U.S. President Trump said that Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal who was imprisoned by Russia, will be released after his victory in the November presidential election.
On Thursday (23 May 2024), Trump wrote on his media platform Truth Social, "Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained by Russia, will be released almost immediately after the election, but certainly before I take office. He will return home safely and reunite with his family."
He confidently stated, "Russian President Vladimir Putin will do this for me, but not for others, and we will not pay any fees!" Trump did not disclose the specific methods of helping Gershkovich to be released.
According to Reuters, when asked about this on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin "had no contact with Donald Trump."
Since March 2023, Gershkovich, a 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter, has been detained by Russian authorities on charges of espionage. This is the first case since 1986 in which an American journalist has been detained on charges of espionage in Russia.
The U.S. government, his employer and Gershkovic himself have strongly denied the accusation and have repeatedly called on Russian authorities to release him immediately.
At the end of last month, Gershkovic appealed again to end pretrial detention, but was ultimately rejected by the Russian court, which means that the American citizen who has been awaiting trial for more than a year will be detained until at least June 30.
Trump also publicly told the media at the end of April that he would negotiate for Gershkovic's release.
In an exclusive interview with Time magazine on his outlook for his second term, Trump said, "The journalist should be released, and he will be released. I don't know if Biden will release him, (but) I will release him."
The Biden-Harris administration has repeatedly called for the release of Gershkovic and is working to bring another American, Paul Whelan, who is imprisoned on the same charge, home from Russia.
Whelan, 54, is a Michigan native, corporate security executive, and former U.S. Marine. He was arrested by Russian authorities in December 2018 on charges of espionage. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 and is still being held in Russia.
News (13)
More than two months after withdrawing from the campaign, Haley: Will vote for Trump
Reporter : Li Xin / Editor : Lin Yan / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/22/n14255844.htm / Image : Former 2024 Republican presidential candidate Haley said she will vote for Trump instead of Biden in the presidential election in November this year. The picture shows Nikki Haley, former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador, participating in the first Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 23 August 2023. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Wednesday (May 22) that she will vote for former President Trump instead of current President Biden in the presidential election in November this year.
On Wednesday, Haley, former South Carolina Governor and former Republican 2024 presidential candidate, gave a speech at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, DC. Later in the question-and-answer session, she was asked who she thought would handle national security issues better as president, Trump or Biden?
"As a voter, my priorities are a president who will stand up for our allies and hold our enemies accountable, who will secure the border without excuses. A president who supports capitalism and freedom, and who understands that we need less debt, not more debt," said the former Trump rival.
"Trump is not perfect on these policies. I've said that many times but Biden has been a disaster. Therefore, I will vote for Trump," she said.
Haley dropped out of the presidential race in March and was the last major candidate to drop out of the Republican primary.
"That being said, I stand by what I said in my pause speech. Trump would be wise to reach out to the millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me, rather than assuming they are preparing to support him," Haley added. "I really hope he can do that."
Unlike Trump's top Republican primary opponent, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Haley has not endorsed Trump since she stopped campaigning in March, making some Republican voters who supported her hesitant about whether to support Trump in the general election.
Recent primary results also show that Haley has gained considerable support among Republican primary voters. In the Maryland Republican primary held last week, she won 20% of the votes; in the Nebraska primary, she won 18% of the votes. A week earlier, Haley also won nearly 22% of the votes in the Indiana Republican primary. Earlier this year, she also won more than 100,000 primary votes in Arizona and Pennsylvania, two key battleground states.
News (14)
Trump promises to significantly cut taxes for all classes and individuals in the United States
Reporter : Cheng Wen / Editor : Gao Jing / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/13/n14248621.htm / Image : The picture shows that on 22 December 2017, then-President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Reform Act in the Oval Office of the White House. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
Former U.S. President Trump promised at a recent campaign rally that if he wins re-election, he will again significantly cut personal income taxes, and the beneficiaries of the tax cuts will include Americans of all classes, upper, middle and lower levels, which is in stark contrast to the current President Biden's call for tax increases on American companies and the rich.
On Saturday, 11 May 2024, Trump said at a large rally in the seaside town of Wildwood, New Jersey: "Instead of raising taxes like Biden, I'm going to give you a Trump-style tax cut, a big tax cut for the middle class, the upper class, the lower class, and the business class."
The personal income tax reduction policy in the tax cut bill signed by Trump at the end of 2017 during his previous term will expire at the end of 2025. Whether Trump or Biden wins the election in November this year and enters the White House, they will face a new round of negotiations on how to continue the policy.
This year's election is expected to be a rematch between Biden and Trump. Biden said he would cancel the tax cut policy for families with an annual income of more than $400,000 in the Trump tax cut bill, and would increase tax rates on wealthy Americans and large companies.
Also expiring at the end of 2025 are the estate tax exemptions and tax deductions for business owners in the Trump tax cut bill.
Trump's latest remarks on 11 May 2024 further illustrate his emphasis on comprehensive tax cuts for individuals from all walks of life in the United States, including tax cuts for high-income earners and companies. Currently, Trump, as the Republican presidential candidate, has not released his official tax cut plan.
Earlier this year, Trump planned to make the personal income tax cut policy in his 2017 tax cut bill permanent, while maintaining the 21% corporate tax rate unchanged, according to Bloomberg.
In 2017, then-President Trump initially asked for a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 15%, but had to compromise to 21% after negotiations with Congress. This 21% corporate tax was set as permanent in the 2017 tax cut bill.
People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Trump's 2024 campaign plan also involves strengthening tariffs and reducing regulations on energy industries such as oil and gas. His expected goal is to reduce the cost of living for Americans and protect American jobs.
At the New Jersey rally, Trump said he had promised to impose a 200% tariff on some imported cars while recalling his conversation with a senior auto industry executive who built a factory in Mexico. It is reported that the imported cars mentioned by Trump are mainly from China, including vehicles imported into the United States by China through Mexico. Trump's move is aimed at protecting America's own auto industry and American jobs in the auto industry.
The Biden-Harris administration is also preparing to significantly increase tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to 100% in the coming days.
"I said, 'I'm going to tax every car that comes in at 200%,'" Trump told the crowd at a New Jersey rally.
Trump also said he would stop New Jersey's offshore wind power project.
Trump's large campaign rally in New Jersey has attracted attention because New Jersey is a typical Democratic state. In the 2020 election, Biden's support rate in the state was 16 percentage points ahead of Trump.
However, some observers believe that this may be Trump's attempt to attract Jewish voters, because New Jersey has the largest Jewish community in the United States, and President Biden's unfavorable actions against Israel in dealing with the conflict with Israel by succumbing to pressure from pro-Hamas left-wing activists may anger many American Jews.
In addition, in many campaign speeches, Trump's economic policies have aroused people's nostalgia for the low inflation and low gasoline prices when he was in power. Americans also trust that Trump's policies are beneficial to the US economy and reduce inflation. According to the ABC News/Ipsos poll data on May 5, 46% of Americans trust Trump on these issues, while the proportion of trusting Biden is 32%.
According to a poll released by Gallup on April 30, Americans' confidence index in the economy was -29 in April, down 9 percentage points from -20 in March.
The Gallup Economic Confidence Index shows the public's views on the current economic situation. The index ranges from -100 to +100. If everyone thinks the current economic situation is good, the confidence index is positive; if everyone thinks the economic situation is bad, the index drops to the negative range.
The Gallup Economic Confidence Index in February 2020, when Trump was in power, was +41. With the outbreak of the covid virus pandemic, the index fell sharply to -32 in April of that year. From then until now, except for two brief returns to zero in April and June 2021, the confidence index has been negative all the time.
The index fell to -41 in October 2023, the lowest point in the past year.
News (15)
Trump 2.0 may have important cabinet candidates, all of whom are anti-communist hawks
Reporter : Cheng Wen / Editor : Li Lin / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/4/30/n14237916.htm / Image : Former US President Trump. (White House Flicker)
"He fits Trump's image, and Trump has maintained a good relationship with him since 2016." A source revealed if former US President Trump wins the election in November this year, he is likely to elect the candidates for important cabinet positions in his 2.0 government.
As various polls in the U.S. election show that Trump continues to lead the current President Biden to a certain extent, there are more and more speculations that Trump will win the 2024 election and return to the White House. This has also caused many countries to prepare for his re-election and the start of the "Trump 2.0" era, including trying to contact Trump or people in Trump's circle.
Subsequently, a list of possible candidates for some important positions in the Trump 2.0 government cabinet has also begun to circulate. It is worth noting that these candidates have one significant thing in common - they all want to take a tougher stance on communist China. This shows that the Trump 2.0 government will almost certainly elevate the confrontation with the CCP to the highest priority on the national security agenda.
Let's take a general look at who these people are and what their possible positions will be.
Former Ambassador to Japan Hagerty
Republican Senator Bill Hagerty from Tennessee is the most prominent Republican in Congress. He was a financier earlier, and later served as ambassador to Japan in the Trump 1.0 government, and then ran for a Senate seat in 2020 and won.
Image : Republican Senator Bill Hagerty (Bill Hagerty) file photo. (Sarah Silbiger/AFP via Getty Images)
Hagerty hired several Trump 1.0 administration officials when he entered the Senate in 2021, and he has maintained good relations with key figures in Trump's circle since then.
A source told Politico magazine: "He (Hagerty) fits Trump's image, and Trump has maintained a good relationship with him since 2016."
Currently a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Hagerty is familiar with mainstream Republican foreign policy talking points. He can appeal to both Trump's MAGA faction and the Republican establishment, and can move freely in different circles of the Republican Party.
"MAGA" is the English acronym for the slogan "Make America Great Again" that Trump began to use when he ran for president in 2016. Later, "MAGA" became synonymous with Trump's policies, and all those who support Trump were also called "MAGA" factions.
When Hagerty served as ambassador to Japan, he impressed Trump with his ability to balance relations with China while dealing with trade and security issues between the United States and Japan. "He's well respected in Asia," former Trump administration officials said of Hagerty. One said Hagerty "would definitely be someone on my radar" if Trump wins this year's election.
As tough policies toward China are formulated and implemented, Hagerty's deep knowledge of Japan and other regions is seen as an asset. In March, Hagerty told Japanese media that Trump is not an isolationist. "Trump has made it clear that he wants to see our partner countries as strong and as supportive as possible," he said.
It is reported that Hagerty may be a candidate for national security adviser or secretary of state in Trump's 2.0 cabinet.
Former Ambassador to Germany Grenell
Richard Grenell served as ambassador to Germany during Trump's first term and served as acting director of national intelligence. In the years since leaving office, he has traveled around the world as Trump's special envoy.
Image : On 26 August 2020, at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., Richard Grenell, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, appeared in a pre-recorded speech to address Republican National Convention participants. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)
He has a close relationship with Trump, who thinks highly of him because he constantly resists left-wing media and government bureaucracy. His combative style is attractive to Trump, who believes that he will not be a by-the-book career civil servant, but will firmly defend Trump's "America First" policy.
"Trump absolutely likes this about him," said a person familiar with the matter.
Grennell is expected to have a huge influence at the top of the national security chain and will be a strong contender for Trump 2.0's national security adviser. He may also be a leading candidate for secretary of state.
But because of Grenell's years of fighting with the Democrats, many around Trump are worried that he will lose the Senate confirmation battle. However, Grenell's supporters point out that he has been confirmed by the Senate as the US ambassador to Germany, and if the Republicans can control the Senate after the 2024 election, he is likely to be approved again.
Colby, a former senior Pentagon official
Young Elbridge Colby is also a strong contender for Trump 2.0's national security adviser. He served as a senior Pentagon official during Trump's first term - Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development. He also took the lead in drafting the Trump 1.0 administration's 2018 National Defense Strategy, which identified Communist China as the United States' top great power threat. Trump adjusted the United States' overseas deployment based on this strategy at the time.
Image : Elbridge Colby, who drafted the 2018 National Defense Strategy for the Trump administration. (U.S. Department of Defense website)
For many years, Colby has called for the United States to increase its investment in confronting the CCP. He almost advocated that the United States needs to focus entirely on the CCP's challenge to the world order and the CCP's large-scale military construction, while minimizing the United States' involvement in other regional crises - including the Russia-Ukraine war - without ignoring it.
This proposition has now taken root in Trump World and the MAGA movement. Many of Colby's talking points are often strongly promoted on social media by Republican hawkish Senators Josh Hawley or J.D. Vance.
Recently on 17 April 2024, Colby posted on the X platform: "Military forces exist in space and time and obey the laws of physics. If we are bound to Europe or increase our forces in Europe, they (the US military forces) will not be able to reach the first island chain, thus inviting attacks from China (CCP). This is reality."
Colby is currently the leader of the new hawks in the Republican Party against the CCP, and he himself has an enviable "elite pedigree" in the Washington diplomatic circle - his grandfather William Colby (William Colby, 1920-1996) was the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); he himself has degrees from Harvard University and Yale University, and began working in the State Department of the Bush administration after graduating from Harvard in 2002.
Former National Security Advisor O'Brien
Robert O'Brien, the last National Security Advisor during Trump 1.0, may become a candidate for Secretary of State for Trump 2.0. O'Brien calls himself a Reagan Republican, and he will bring more traditional Republican foreign policy thinking to the U.S. State Department.
Image : White House National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien meets with the Brazilian president on 20 October 2020.
(Andressa Anholete/Getty Images)
O’Brien’s name is also reportedly on the list of candidates for Secretary of Defense. He won Trump’s trust during his 16 months in the White House. Under O’Brien’s leadership, the United States formulated a plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, but the Biden administration later implemented the withdrawal without fully adopting the Trump administration’s plan, delaying the timing and causing a mess.
O’Brien also led the rapid signing of the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and some major Arab countries.
Occasionally, O’Brien has praised President Biden’s handling of foreign policy - such as rallying the West to support Ukraine - which may make Democrats less tough on O’Brien.
At the 2022 Council on Foreign Relations, O'Brien said: "After (Russian President) Putin entered Ukraine, the Biden administration has done a good job in rallying allies to support Ukraine. Of course, NATO expansion is a big part of that." However, O'Brien also urged Biden to persuade Europeans to increase defense spending for themselves and provide more weapons to Ukraine, and not let Ukraine rely mainly on U.S. military aid.
Trump's first national security adviser, General Flynn
The first national security adviser of the Trump 1.0 administration, retired General Michael Flynn, was forced to resign just three weeks after taking office in early 2017 because the then FBI accused General Flynn of "lying" during its investigation into whether Russia interfered in the 2016 US election. Trump issued a presidential order before leaving office in 2021 to pardon General Flynn.
Image : Retired General Michael Flynn in an interview with EpochTV. (The Epoch Times)
Last year, at a political rally hosted by General Flynn, Trump called Flynn and the crowd and said, "We're going to bring you back." This gave people a signal that Trump seemed to be hinting that he would appoint General Flynn to another senior position in his 2.0 administration.
Former Secretary of State Pompeo
Mike Pompeo, who served as CIA director and secretary of state during the Trump 1.0 administration, was reportedly on Trump 2.0's list of candidates for Secretary of Defense.
Image : On 25 February 2022, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference held at Rosen-Single Creek in Orlando, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
David Lammy, the foreign secretary nominated by the opposition Labour Party in the UK, has met with Pompeo and other American Republicans who may become important members of Trump 2.0's cabinet to prepare for Trump's re-election.
Senators Cotton and Rubio
If Trump wins a second term, it is reported that both prominent Senate Republicans Tom Cotton and Marco Rubio are likely to be recruited by Trump 2.0 Cabinet.
Image : On 26 February 2021, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and delivered a speech. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Cotton is an Iraq War veteran and is currently a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He is expected to be a candidate for Secretary of Defense. Rubio, who is currently the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, may be a candidate for CIA director.
Image : The picture shows U.S. Senator Marco Rubio speaking at a campaign rally on 7 November 2022. (Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
Trump's son-in-law Kushner
Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, oversaw many of the Trump 1.0 administration's key Middle East affairs, including the diplomatic process that led to the signing of the Abraham Accords, a peace agreement between Israel and major Arab countries. However, he has said he will not return to government work, but will focus on his business and family.
Image : On 23 December 2020, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner walked on the South Lawn of the White House, preparing to board the Marine One helicopter. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
However if Trump wins again and asks Kushner to serve again, the situation may change.
The core of Trump 2.0's foreign policy will be to confront the CCP
Other candidates expected to hold senior positions during Trump 2.0 are: John Ratcliffe, a former congressman who served as director of national intelligence during Trump 1.0; Keith Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general who served as the top national security adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence; and Fred Fleitz, a staff member of Trump 1.0's National Security Council. Kellogg and Fleitz are currently consultants to the think tank America First Policy Institute.
However, the Trump campaign said they have not discussed any candidates for future cabinet members. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump's 2024 campaign, said: "There is no discussion about who will serve in Trump's second administration. President Trump will choose the best candidates for his cabinet to undo all the damage that the cunning Joe Biden has done to our country."
It is well known that Trump often changes his mind about people. Now there is still half a year before the November election, and the candidates on these lists will undoubtedly change.
However, from Trump's personnel policy - all candidates are anti-communist hawks - the outside world can at least get a glimpse of which global issues Trump will prioritize after returning to the White House.
As for the foreign policy of the Trump 2.0 cabinet, its core will undoubtedly be to confront the CCP and make the actions of allies obey the will of the United States. Therefore, any candidate in Trump's cabinet must be able to turn these principles and other "America First" concepts into practical actions.
News (16)
Report: Chinese hackers hack into military and government entities around the South China Sea
Reporter : Li Haoyue / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/23/n14256630.htm / Image : The picture shows the United States and the Netherlands holding a joint military exercise in the South China Sea on May 22, 2024. The Dutch Navy frigate Zopf (F803) received supplies from the supply ship Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8). (Provided by the US Pacific Fleet)
A new report found that in recent years, at least eight government and military entities around the South China Sea have been hacked by a hacker group that is said to have "aligned interests" with the CCP.
According to an investigation report released by security software development company Bitdefender Labs on Wednesday (22 May 2024), hackers broke into systems used by high-level organizations in these countries for at least five years and regained access several times. The report did not specify which countries' systems were hacked or whether these countries knew about these incidents before Bitdefender's investigation.
Bitdefender named the previously unknown hacker group that launched cyber attacks against South China Sea countries "Unfading Sea Haze", while noting that "the goals and nature of these attacks indicate that they are consistent with China's (CCP) interests." The report said that the main goal of the cyber attack seemed to be espionage.
The South China Sea is a hotly disputed area. CCP China claims sovereignty over almost the entire waters of the South China Sea, rejects sovereignty claims by the Philippines and other countries, and ignores international rulings that CCP's sovereignty claims have no legal basis.
In addition to choosing targets related to the disputed area, the hackers also used various Gh0st RAT variants - a tool commonly used by Chinese hackers and widely used in espionage activities by Chinese government hackers.
BitVander said it was difficult to know how the hackers initially gained access to the systems, as many of the attacks began at least five years ago, but they identified at least one method: spear-phishing emails.
These emails come with malicious documents that install backdoors in the victim's system, allowing the hackers to return at any time. Once inside the system, the group uses a variety of tools to expand access to the network and often takes over administrator accounts to gain more access.
The hackers also deployed several other types of malware to evade detection and collect browser data such as passwords.
BitVander said the study is intended to raise awareness of the ongoing threat of the "undispersed sea fog" and the importance of strengthening cybersecurity practices. In addition, the research complements the CCP's years-long extensive hacking campaign against targets in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
News (17)
Keeping a close eye on the Chinese military exercise, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense released monitoring images of F-16 fighters
Reporter : Zhong Yuan / Editor : Ye Ziwei / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/24/n14256748.htm / Image : In response to the Chinese military exercise "Joint Sword-2024A" launched against Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China released photos of F-16 fighters performing air combat patrol missions on the 23rd. The picture shows the F-16V performing the mission in "air superiority mounting" mode. (Provided by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China)
In response to the Chinese military exercise around Taiwan, Taiwan's army, navy and air force are on full alert. The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China today (24th) released photos of F-16 taking off and air combat readiness photos of the Air Force P-3C anti-submarine aircraft performing the task of guarding against communist warships.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China said today that from 6 am on the 23rd to 6 am today, 49 communist aircraft were detected (including 35 crossing the median line of the strait and entering the southwest airspace), 19 communist warships, and 7 coast guard ships continued to operate around the Taiwan Strait.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China emphasized that the national army used mission aircraft, ships and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor and respond.
Image : In response to the Chinese Communist Party's "Joint Sword-2024A" military exercise against Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China released photos of F-16 fighter jets performing air combat patrol missions on the 23rd. The picture shows the F-16V performing a mission in "air superiority mounting" mode. (Provided by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China)
The Chinese Communist military claimed that the Eastern Theater Command organized the theater's land, sea, air force, rocket force and other forces to conduct the "Joint Sword-2024A" exercise in Taiwan and around Kinmen and Matsu from 7:45 am on the 23rd to the 24th.
On the second day of the Chinese Communist military exercise, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China today released photos of the F-16 taking off and photos of the Chinese warships, as well as photos of the national army and the Coast Guard ships performing missions, and released photos of the Air Force P-3C anti-submarine aircraft performing the mission of alerting the Chinese warships, and detecting the Chinese Jiangdao-class frigate, Luyang-3 missile destroyer, and Coast Guard ship.
Images : On 23 May 2024, the Chinese Communist Party launched a military exercise against Taiwan, and the Ministry of National Defense released photos of the Chinese Navy taken by the P-3C anti-submarine aircraft on the 24th. (Provided by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China)
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China issued a press release at 8 pm on the 23rd, stating that since 7:20 am, 49 sorties of various types of main and auxiliary fighters such as the Chinese Communist Party's Su-30, J-16 and KJ-500 have been detected going out to sea, of which 35 sorties crossed the median line and its extension line and entered the northern, central and southwestern airspace to cooperate with the Chinese warships to carry out the "Joint Sword-2024A" military exercise. The national army uses joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance means to closely control and dispatch mission aircraft, ships and shore-based missile systems to deal with them appropriately.
News (18)
Inspecting the Marine Corps Lai Ching-te: Showing the world the determination to protect Taiwan
Reporter : Zhong Yuan / Editor : Li Tianqi / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/23/n14256265.htm / Image : In the afternoon of 23 May 2024, President Lai Ching-te (centre) of the Republic of China, accompanied by Defense Minister Gu Lixiong (front left) and others, went to the "66th Marine Corps Brigade" in Xu Mian, Guishan District, Taoyuan City to inspect the equipment used by the national army. Weapons and equipment, etc. (Central News Agency)
President Lai Ching-te of the Republic of China visited the 66th Marine Corps Brigade to encourage the National Army troops this afternoon. In his first speech as commander-in-chief, he said that in the face of external threats, he will continue to promote national defense reform, defend the value of freedom and democracy, protect regional peace and stability, and show the world his determination to protect democratic Taiwan.
The Presidential Office of the Republic of China issued a press release today stating that President Lai Ching-te went to Taoyuan for the first time as commander-in-chief of the armed forces today (23rd) to train the "66th Marine Brigade" in Taoyuan, urging the troops to adhere to rigorous and diligent training and implement various tasks. Target. He said that in the future, he will continue to promote national defense reform, strengthen the overall combat capability of the national military, so that the national military can be better taken care of, and show the world its determination to protect democratic Taiwan.
Image : In the afternoon of 23 May 2024, President Lai Ching-te (front, center) of the Republic of China visited the "66th Marine Brigade" in Guishan District, Taoyuan, and recognized the hard work of the officers and soldiers for sticking to their posts and working hard to prepare for combat. (Central News Agency)
After President Lai Ching-te arrived, he first listened to the troops' mission briefing and inspected the actual combat equipment, and learned about the troops' combat readiness and service execution status. He continued to inspect the living facilities and community activities of the officers and soldiers on the spot; he also awarded additional food allowances to encourage the officers and soldiers for their hard work. He said in his speech, "Today is the first time that I, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of China, come to cheer for my brothers and sisters in the National Army. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, my responsibility is to protect our country and protect the lives and property of all people. We will stand on the same front as our brothers and sisters in the national army to jointly safeguard national security.”
Image : In the afternoon of 23 May 2024, President Lai Ching-te (front left) of the Republic of China went to Taoyuan to instruct the "66th Marine Corps Brigade" and issued bonuses after inspecting the military's actual combat equipment. (Central News Agency)
Lai Ching-te said, "At this moment, the international community is paying close attention to democratic Taiwan. In the face of external challenges and threats, we will continue to defend the value of freedom and democracy and protect regional peace and stability. I have confidence in the national military, and I also I want to thank every brother and sister in the Chinese army for sticking to their posts and protecting national security, and I also ask all compatriots to rest assured." He knew that the brothers and sisters of the 66th Marine Brigade had just returned from the joint military exercise. Just now, he saw everyone's high morale, and the officers and soldiers also demonstrated the results of training and their proficiency in operating various equipment. He will give high praise to everyone's performance.
Image : In the afternoon of 23 May 2024, President Lai Ching-te of the Republic of China (2nd from right in front) went to the 66th Marine Corps Brigade to encourage the National Army and inspected the actual combat equipment introduced by the military. (Central News Agency)
"The 66th Brigade shoulders the task of mobile deployment and protection of important targets in the capital area. It not only has offensive and defensive combat capabilities, but also has rapid response capabilities. It is an important part of safeguarding national security. Everyone on the scene is brave and fierce. Marines carry honor and responsibility on their shoulders. I would like to ask you to continue to train diligently and implement various mission goals," Lai said.
Image : On the afternoon of May 23, 2024, President Lai Ching-te (middle) of the Republic of China went to the 66th Marine Corps Brigade to encourage the National Army, inspected the actual combat equipment Javelin missiles, and also affirmed the high morale, training results and proficiency of the National Army in operating various equipment. . (Central News Agency)
Lai Ching-te said, "In the future, I will continue to promote national defense reform, strengthen the overall combat capability of the National Army, and provide better care for our brothers in the National Army. I firmly believe that taking good care of the National Army means taking good care of the country. Let's work together. , to show the world our determination to protect democratic Taiwan.”
Image : In the afternoon of 23 May 2024, President Lai Ching-te (3rd from right in the front) went to the 66th Marine Corps Brigade in Taoyuan. The military introduced the actual combat equipment, double-mounted stinger missiles; President Lai expressed the hope that everyone will continue to adhere to the principle of precision and diligence, training and implementation of various mission objectives. (Central News Agency)
In response to the Chinese Communist Party’s military announcement today that it will organize the army, navy, air force, rocket force and other forces in the eastern theater, it will carry out the "Joint Sword-2024A" exercise in Taiwan and around Jinma from 7:45 on the 23rd to the 24th. The National Defense of the Republic of China Minister Gu Lixiong said in a joint interview with the media that the Ministry of National Defense has set up a response center, so he went to the response center and then went to the Executive Yuan meeting to wait. He would be informed of the latest situation at any time and they would respond appropriately.
Image : In the afternoon of 23 May 2024, President Lai Ching-te of the Republic of China (front row, 2nd from left) went to the 66th Marine Corps Brigade to encourage the National Army. He also watched the military briefing on actual combat equipment and listened to relevant demonstrations. (Central News Agency)
Today, National Security Council Secretary-General Wu Zhaoxie, Defense Minister Gu Lixiong, Navy Commander Tang Hua, Third Combat Area Commander Li Tianlong, and Marine Corps Command Commander Ma Qunchao also attended the event.
News (19)
The United Kingdom and the United States issued a joint statement to support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly
Reporter : Chen Ting / Editor : Li Muen / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/24/n14256776.htm / Image : On 24 May 2024, the United States and seven other countries issued a joint statement calling on the WHO to invite Taiwan to participate in this month's World Health Assembly (WHA). The picture shows the logo on the gate of the WHO headquarters in Geneva. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
The United States and seven other allies issued a joint statement on Friday (24 May 2024) calling for Taiwan to be allowed to participate in the important meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) this month.
Due to the opposition of the CCP, Taiwan is excluded from most international organizations. China claims the democratic, self-governing island as part of its territory and has threatened to take control of Taiwan by force.
From 2009 to 2016, under then-President Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan was invited to attend the World Health Assembly (WHA) hosted by the WHO as an observer and signed trade and tourism agreements with Beijing.
However, after the election of former President Tsai Ing-wen, China began to vigorously obstruct Taiwan's international participation because Tsai Ing-wen refused to agree with China's position that the mainland and Taiwan belong to "one China".
On Friday, the American Institute in Taiwan (the de facto US embassy in Taiwan) issued a joint statement (link) with the Taiwan missions of Australia, Britain, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan and Lithuania. The statement said: "Support Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Organization and its participation in the World Health Assembly as an observer."
"The 77th World Health Assembly will be held in Geneva this year, but Taiwan is still largely excluded from the global international public health system," the statement said. "The World Health Organization has always been committed to promoting international health cooperation in the spirit of 'Health for All'. Inviting Taiwan to become an observer at this meeting is the best way for the WHO to embody this spirit of inclusiveness."
Countries emphasized: "Taiwan has excellent public health expertise, experience in democratic governance, and advanced technology. Its outstanding capabilities and methods can make very valuable contributions to the discussions of the World Health Assembly. It makes no sense to exclude Taiwan from the World Health Assembly, the world's most important health forum. It goes against the spirit of joint participation and mutual cooperation, and it also harms everyone's safety."
The United States and its important allies have repeatedly called on the WHO to allow Taiwan to participate in the meeting, which has angered Beijing.
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the Communist Party of China claimed this month that the "political basis" for Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly no longer exists, and said this was caused by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. The Taiwanese government opposes Beijing's claims and says the Communist Party has no right to speak on behalf of Taiwan on the international stage.
Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, was officially inaugurated on Monday. The Chinese Communist Party considers him a "separatist" and launched a two-day military exercise near Taiwan on Thursday to increase pressure on Taiwan.
The WHO said that whether Taiwan participates is decided by member states.
News (20)
U.S. lawmakers urge vigilance against CCP interference in U.S. election
Editor : Li Muen / https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/24/5/24/n14256737.htm / Image : A hacker uses a computer in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, on 4 August 2020. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te was sworn in on Monday (21 May 2024). The CCP has become the focus of international attention by intervening in Taiwan's presidential election through coercion and rumors. As the U.S. presidential election approaches, the U.S. government is raising its vigilance to prevent CCP interference in the election.
Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the House Special Committee on China, wrote to The Hill on Thursday (23rd), calling for vigilance and curbing the CCP's interference in democratic elections in the United States and around the world.
In this opinion article titled "The CCP is trying to decide the election for us, we will never allow it", Raja said, "The CCP is bent on undermining our trust in the democratic process, undermining our image on the world stage, and making the election results favorable to it. In order to protect our and other democratic countries' hard-earned voting rights, we must never let this happen."
In the article, Raja used Taiwan as an example to illustrate the CCP's unscrupulous interference in elections. The CCP's means of interfering in elections include military pressure, economic coercion, and the spread of false information through news media, social media and other channels. False information plays an increasingly important role in the CCP's election interference activities.
In Taiwan's recent elections, the CCP manipulated pro-CCP media to influence public opinion and support pro-CCP candidates. The CCP also spent money to fabricate opinion polls and spread pro-CCP false information on social media targeting Taiwanese voters.
Threat of "Spamouflage"
The article mentioned the "Spamouflage" propaganda war launched by the Chinese Communist Party. The article said that the Spamouflage is similar to Russia's usual practice and directly targets the US election. The Chinese Communist Party's operation methods are becoming more and more sophisticated. In a recent report, a Spamouflage account gained nearly 12,000 followers by spreading a video about the US election. It turns out that the video was deep fake content generated by artificial intelligence.
"Spamouflage" is one of the Chinese Communist Party's false information networks. The Chinese Communist Party's network water army uses newly registered and hijacked accounts to disguise themselves as false identities such as Western think tanks and media, and accelerates the spread of rumors with the help of social networks and artificial intelligence tools.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) published a report in May last year, stating that the Chinese Communist Party's "cyber influence operations" against democratic countries in recent years have become increasingly frequent, sophisticated and effective. The report pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party has joined hands with Chinese companies to manipulate foreign public opinion through social media.
"Spamouflage" has spread rumors that the US military's secret weather weapons caused the Hawaii wildfires and false information about the discharge of nuclear waste water in Fukushima, Japan. In January this year, "the garbage fake army spread a large number of deep fake documents named "The Secret History of Tsai Ing-wen" on WeChat, TikTok, Reddit, Facebook and X, with a content of more than 300 pages.
The threat of TikTok
In his article, Raja emphasized the threat posed by TikTok. Because its parent company ByteDance is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, its algorithms can be manipulated to carry out targeted influence operations. He warned that "our data can also be used against us."
According to statistics, as of April this year, there were 170 million TikTok users in the United States. 43% of TikTok users said they get news from the app. Members of the U.S. Congress from both parties believe that TikTok may be used to influence the voting intentions of American voters during the U.S. election year.
On 24 April, U.S. President Biden signed a bill against TikTok, forcing TikTok to divest from its parent company ByteDance, otherwise it will be banned from operating in the United States.
As this legislation Raja, the main promoter of the CCP's control of TikTok's algorithm, said that "this vulnerability and others show that the CCP's technological authoritarianism and its global desire to undermine democracy and human rights pose a huge challenge to our democracy."
Election security maintenance measures
Raja proposed strategies and suggestions for protecting elections. He believes that first of all, digital media needs to improve its ability to respond to threats. When false information, conspiracy theories and hatred spread, social media companies should be held accountable. He also suggested learning from Taiwan's experience. In order to combat the CCP's interference, Taiwan has established a powerful non-profit fact-checking organization, the Taiwan Fact-Checking Center (TFC), which will mark misleading information that is harmful to its democracy.
Finally, he urged that "at least 64 countries around the world will hold elections this year, and we must keep a clear head and be vigilant against the CCP's attempt to shake the core of our democracy: our elections."
News (21)
Yuan Hongbing exposed Xi’s report on dismantling Taiwan from within. The source was the second generation of red
Image : Chinese exiled writer Yuan Hongbing caused a political turmoil in February when he revealed that CCP China wanted to use the Kuomintang's power in the Legislative Yuan to achieve united front purposes. Yuan Hongbing said in an interview with the Central News Agency today that the information was provided by the second generation of Reds who Xi Jinping has no courage to shake. The CCP wants to build the Kuomintang into the vanguard of the Communist army, so as to achieve the unified goal by cooperating internally and externally. (File photo)
[Central News Agency] Chinese exiled writer Yuan Hongbing revealed in February that CCP China wanted to use the Kuomintang's power in the Legislative Yuan to achieve the purpose of united front, causing a political turmoil. Yuan Hongbing said in an interview with the Central News Agency today that the information was provided by the second generation of Reds who Xi Jinping has no courage to shake. The CCP wants to build the Kuomintang into the vanguard of the Communist army, so as to achieve the unified goal by cooperating internally and externally.
Chinese exiled writer Yuan Hongbing was interviewed by a reporter from the independent media "Vision China" in early February, saying that the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Communist Party of China submitted a document to Xi Jinping and Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, on January 27, "the key points of the united front strategy of occupying the commanding heights of Taiwan's Legislative Yuan," saying that Xi Jinping wanted to use Kuomintang to achieve his goal of united front in the Legislative Yuan.
Yuan Hongbing said in an interview with China Central News Agency today, "The source of the news is the second generation of red people who Xi Jinping currently has no guts to shake."
Yuan Hongbing analyzed that in addition to intimidating Taiwan through external military operations, the CCP also uses three methods to try to disrupt Taiwan's internal affairs, including using public opinion to intimidate Taiwan, using famous words to exaggerate Taiwan's internal terror; setting up CCP agents in Taiwan to weaken the efficiency of Lai Ching-te's administrative team ; Use the power of the Kuomintang in the Legislative Yuan to expand legislative power to replace executive power.
He said that the Chinese Communist Party wants to build the Kuomintang into the vanguard of the Communist army so that Xi Jinping can completely occupy Taiwan. This military exercise is to support the Chinese Communist Party’s agents in Taiwan.
The Kuomintang questioned Yuan Hongbing's past book mentioning the CCP's acquisition of new trendsetters. Yuan Hongbing responded that although some people in the DPP are suspected of being bribed by the CCP, the DPP and the internal new trend system as a whole refuse to be bribed by the CCP. On the contrary, most important figures in the KMT are pro-China.
Taipei City Councilor Hou Hanting of the New Party questioned issues such as the president of the Legislative Yuan and the general convenor of the Kuomintang had not been decided when the article was written; China would not refer to "Taiwan Legislative Yuan" in the title of the document.
Yuan Hongbing said that the congressman knew one thing but not the other. The Chinese Communist Party's language system for Taiwan is different inside and outside, and there are differences in the external propaganda and internal wording of political and military documents on Taiwan. As for the legislative president and the KMT general convenor, the CCP is still undecided. Being able to respond quickly with documents reflects that the Chinese Communist Party’s intelligence system has a good understanding of the internal political operations of the Kuomintang.
Yuan Hongbing mentioned that the CCP’s policy towards Taiwan has gradually shifted from coercion and inducement to civil and military intimidation. Since Deng Xiaoping’s period, it has used slogans and appeals to “deceive Taiwan”. Jiang Zemin wanted to “buy Taiwan” with a large amount of money. Xi Jinping has changed the form wants to intimidate Taiwan and thereby break the will of the Taiwanese people.
Regarding the protests by some people in front of the Legislative Yuan, Yuan Hongbing said that the people are the soul of the country. This peaceful protest is a social force for Taiwan's self-defense, and this social force will hopefully resist the Chinese Communist Party's will to intimidate Taiwan.
Chinese exiled writer Yuan Hongbing once taught at the Department of Law of Peking University and served as the director of the Procedural Law Teaching and Research Office of the Department of Law. During the "June 4th Movement", he formed the "Peking University Teacher Support Group" to support students. In 1994, it was arrested by the Chinese Communist authorities for "attempting to subvert the socialist system." After being interrogated, he was exiled to Guizhou. In August 2004, he was granted political asylum in Australia and went to Australia.
News (22)
30,000 people gathered outside the Legislative Yuan, shouting "anti-black box, anti-power expansion" in the rain
Reporter : Lin Zheyuan / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4683469 / Image : The Legislative Yuan resumes its review of the Congressional Powers Expansion Bill on 24 May 2024, and more than 30,000 people continued to protest at the Legislative Yuan. (Photo by reporter Liu Xinde)
The Legislative Yuan resumes its review of the Congressional Power Expansion Bill on 24 May 2024. Protesters at the Legislative Yuan continue to pour in. Earlier, the organizer announced that more than 30,000 people have gathered at the scene. Currently, in addition to Qingdao East Road and Jinan Road In addition to the closed control, the slow lane on Zhongshan South Road has also begun to be controlled. Although the rain continued in the evening, the enthusiasm of the people remained undiminished, and they kept shouting in the Legislative Yuan: "Anti black boxes, anti expansion of powers."
More than 50 citizen groups, including the Taiwan Civilian Front, United for Economic Democracy, the Taiwan Referendum Alliance, and the Taiwan Democracy Laboratory, once again called on the masses to gather outside the Legislative Yuan to demand that the congressional expansion plan be retained for the second reading without committee review. The Bill of Rights should be returned to the committee for reconsideration.
In addition, today, in addition to the Legislative Yuan, there are related response activities across Taiwan from Taoyuan, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Huadong and other counties and cities. The whole Taiwan has organized the "I Contempt Congress" protest, roaring: " Blue and White Party, Taiwan owes you nothing.”
News (23)
Across Taiwan, "I despise Congress" people in Taichung roared in the rain: Huang Guochang is a hypocrite
Reporter : Huang Xulei / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4683371 / Image : People shouted "Huang Guochang is a hypocrite". (Photo by reporter Huang Xulei)
Dissatisfied with the Blue and White Legislative Yuan’s joint efforts to push the Congressional power expansion bill, more than 500 people gathered on Railway Street at the Taiwan Railways Taichung Station in the rain to support the "I Contempt Congress" Taiwan-wide series of activities. The people held high "Big Dislike of Guo Chang" (hating Guo Chang) slogans shouted "Huang Guo Chang is a hypocrite"; there was also a 70-year-old couple who brought their pet dog with a slogan that said "Dogs will not betray you, but Huang Guo Chang will", angrily yelling at People's Party legislator Huang Guo Chang.
Nearly 500 people gathered on Railway Street at Taichung Railway Station from 1 pm, with many college students leading the chants of "Oppose black boxes, defy Congress, come on Taiwan!"; after 3 p.m., the rain intensified, and Taichung City Councilors Li Tiansheng, Zhang Fenyu, and Jiang Zhaoguo Many people, including Zhang Jia'un and Zhang Jia'an, came to the scene to express support. The number of people increased, and the people shouted, "No discussion is a black box" and "Huang Guochang is a hypocrite."
Taichung City citizen surnamed Wang and his wife brought their pet dog to the event. Mr. Wang said that Huang Guochang is too smart. It is terrible for smart people to do bad things. His stance can change 180 degrees. From a sunflower with ideals and ambitions, the change is so big, especially with the Kuomintang. The President of the Yuan called Fu Kunqi to play with him. Even former President Ma Ying-jeou knew that Fu Kunqi was very bad. Unexpectedly, he was approached by the Kuomintang Chairman Zhu Lilun to find the Legislative Yuan. He promised to take over administrative power and a budget of 2 trillion to become the Supreme Emperor, and also expanded his powers to manage the judiciary.
Image : The couple surnamed Wang brought their pet dog and angrily choked legislator Huang Guochang. (Photo by reporter Huang Xulei)
News (24)
Shen Boyang: CCP China may regard anti-black box people as Taiwan independence elements and escalate conflicts
Reporter : Chen Zhengyu / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4683354 / Image : The Legislative Yuan is continuing its review of the Congressional power expansion bill today (24th), and citizen groups called on people to gather outside the Legislative Yuan to protest. (Photo by reporter Liu Xinde)
The People's Liberation Army of the Communist Party of China has launched military exercises in Jinma and around Taiwan. The Democratic Progressive Party of the Legislative Yuan on 24 May 2024 issued a statement "anti-military exercises, wanting peace, and protecting democracy", condemning China's military exercises around Taiwan. DPP Legislator Shen Boyang further reminded that CCP China has completely controlled and is aware of what happened in the Legislative Yuan. Knowing that there are mass gatherings today, it may use terms such as "mass gatherings, separatism, and Taiwan independence elements" to escalate the conflict, and the legislator will call these people up for questioning.
The Democratic Progressive Party Caucus stated in a statement that despite the international community's repeated and solemn appeals to China not to threaten Taiwan, China still launched military exercises against Taiwan, raising regional tensions. China unilaterally undermined the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the region. The Democratic Progressive Party Caucus said,"We solemnly condemn and protest China's unilateral destruction of the status quo, and demand that China immediately stop using force to intimidate and threaten our country and surrounding areas."
The statement emphasized that the people of Taiwan adhere to democratic values, love freedom and peace, have the right to enjoy a free and fearless lifestyle like all people around the world, and are also willing to make more meaningful contributions to the world. CCP has no right to unilaterally change this status quo through force and intimidation, and the Taiwanese people will not give up their freedom and democracy under pressure. The DPP Legislative Yuan Caucus demands that CCP China immediately stop intimidating and threatening Taiwan and surrounding areas with force.
In addition, Shen Boyang explained that there are two key points in this military exercise. One is that the closest location is Hualien. "Hualien King Fu Kunqi is very close to China, but the exercise is very close." The other is the timing. The Kuomintang is still holding a press conference, and China has just announced military exercises, the people they can most easily threaten are those closest to them.
Shen Boyang said that no matter how President Lai Ching-te talks on 20 May 2024, CCP China's behavior pattern is the same. In the end, CCP keeps saying that he wants to condemn separatism and Taiwan independence elements. This is their usual method. They even have complete control over and know what is happening in the Legislative Yuan. Knowing that there are mass gatherings today, they may use terms such as "mass gatherings, separatism, and Taiwan independence elements" to escalate the conflict and create a situation where citizens who take to the streets to express their anti-black box and anti-power expansion will attack and undermine cross-strait relations.
Shen Boyang also emphasized that once the crime of contempt of Congress is passed, legislators can cooperate with CCP China and call people on the street for questioning. If they do not respond properly, they will be fined. This is a practice that the CCP likes very much.
News (25)
Yan Zheya: 524 took to the streets to create a new consensus and defeat Wang Huning’s conspiracy
Editor : Cai Bailing / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4682868 / Image : Writer Yan Zeya said that it is necessary for 524 to take to the streets today. As long as a new consensus can be created faster, Wang Huning's conspiracy will be defeated. (Photo by reporter Liu Xinde)
The Kuomintang and the People's Party pushed the Congressional power expansion bill in the Legislative Yuan, triggering chaos in Congress. Chinese exiled writer Yuan Hongbing recently disclosed the inside story of China's united front against Taiwan. Xi Jinping instructed "to cause comprehensive chaos and infiltration of Taiwan, and the battlefield is in the Legislative Yuan." In this regard, writer Yan Zeya said that it is necessary for 524 to take to the streets today. As long as a new consensus can be created faster, Wang Huning's conspiracy will be defeated.
Yan Zeya said in a Facebook post that when he saw Wang Huning's "The United States Against the United States", he thought that now it is "Taiwan against Taiwan." In 1949, the CCP used "China against China" to quickly gain power and quickly drive the Kuomintang to Taiwan. Therefore, for Wang Huning, the patience of democracy was a breach for him, a window of time in which he could "seize the opportunity." This is why Taiwan is so anxious to amend the law this time, because he knows that legislators do not have to worry about the one year of recall passing quickly, and the blue and white may also turn against each other as the 2026 election approaches. The purpose of revising the law is not to discuss it point by point, but to minimize the power of public opinion, preferably to zero. After all, legislators are elected by the people, so the amendment of the law can be said to be backed by public opinion and is democratic.
Yan Zeya pointed out that this is the biggest difference between Taiwan and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Beijing restricts the qualifications for directly elected seats in the Legislative Council or deprives the elected candidates. This is all about suppressing democracy but there is no need for Beijing to suppress democracy in Taiwan. It can still take advantage of it. The question is, if there is really public opinion behind the law amendment, why did the Blue Committee organize a delegation to go to Beijing to meet with Wang Huning during the Legislative Yuan session? So many people went there during the meeting, which was unprecedented! It was the King of Hualien who took the lead, right after the Hualien earthquake! The point is that we did notsee any benefits that the Blue Committee got from Beijing, we only saw this rough revision of the law to get through.
Yan Zeya continued that Taiwanese people voted for the blue camp because they only wanted cross-strait exchanges but communicating and receiving instructions are two different things, right? She believes that it is necessary for 524 to take to the streets today. As long as a new consensus can be created faster, Wang Huning's conspiracy will be defeated. The significance of Sunflower is not to block trade in services, but to create a new consensus faster. Without that new consensus, how could the Kuomintang lose three consecutive presidential elections and still be unable to regain a majority of the seats in the Legislative Yuan?
Yan Zeya said bluntly, if you are a supporter of the blue camp and really do not want to go to the streets, you can at least call your elected legislators to express your protest.
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