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US president Donald Trump and Democratic opponent Joe Biden will face off in their second and final debate tonight in Nashville, Tennessee, with just 12 days to go until election day.
Following the first rancorous debate that saw Trump repeatedly interrupt his opponent, and Biden telling the president to “shut up” at one point, the commission on presidential debates is allowing the moderator to mute the microphones, at least during the candidates’ initial responses to each question.
Trump, whose objection to a virtual debate led to the cancellation of last week's scheduled debate in Miami, complained last night that moderator Kirsten Welker of MSNBC was "biased" – his latest attack on the independent body that runs the debate.
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All indications are that the president is ready to go on the attack about Biden’s son Hunter, following a New York Post report last week alleging incriminating emails on a laptop that the younger Biden left in a repair shop in Delaware but never collected.
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A group of more than 50 former intelligence officials say the story, which was leaked to the Murdoch-owned tabloid by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, has all the hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign, but right-wing media have seized on the story.
The former New York mayor, and now Trump's personal attorney, is himself in hot water following a risqué cameo appearance in the latest Borat movie (See Guardian article below)
Given Mr Trump’s own blurring of familial and presidential boundaries – his daughter and adviser Ivanka was granted Chinese trademarks for her products after dining with the Chinese president at Mar-a-Lago to cite one example - it may be a risky move by the president to focus on Biden’s son. But all indications are that Biden will not be drawn into a mud-slinging match with the president over family.
Meanwhile, Barack Obama delivered a fiery speech at a drive-in rally last night in Philadelphia. He denounced Donald Trump's behaviour and dismissed Republicans' healthcare policy as "shameful."
But he also warned against complacency among Democrat voters. “I don’t care about the polls. There were a bunch of polls last time, and it didn’t work out . . . not this time. Not this election.”
The Biden campaign announced the former president would campaign in Miami on Saturday with further appearances expected from Obama in the countdown to the election.
Shortly after Obama's speech concluded the FBI called an unscheduled press conference, where the bureau announced Iran and Russia had tried to interfere in the election. It follows reports in recent days that right-wing group Proud Boys had sent threatening emails to Democratic voters in Alabama and Florida. Instead, officials announced Iran was behind the emails.
However, it was unclear what level of interference had taken place given some voter registration data is available publicly.
Campaigning in North Carolina last night, Trump warned Biden will "pack the Supreme Court with radical left judges who will eliminate your second amendment", prompting boos from the crowd. It was the latest outdoor rally held by the president this week, despite strict coronavirus restrictions in place across the country. Complaining about tv coverage of the pandemic, he told the crowd: "All you hear is Covid, Covid, Covid . . . " – repeating the word 11 times in total.
On the campaign trail today
Donald Trump and Joe Biden will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, to take part in the presidential debate. Their family members are expected to attend the event in Belmont University, with Ivanka Trump due to hold a fundraising event with her father earlier in the day.
Biden's running-mate, Kamala Harris, will hold a virtual "women for Biden" event, while vice president Mike Pence will campaign in Michigan.
Back in Washington, the 22-member senate judiciary committee is due to vote on Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court, though Democrats have warned they may boycott the vote.
Quote of the day
“I am asking you to remember what this country can be. What it is like when we treat each other with respect and dignity. What it is like when our elected officials actually behave responsibly. I am asking you to believe in Joe’s ability and Kamala’s ability to lead this country out of these dark times and help us build it back better” - former president Barack Obama at a Biden campaign event in Philadelphia last night.
Recommended reads
I report from the key swing state of North Carolina where polls show the two candidates are in a dead heat.
A video from the two candidates in the gubernatorial race in Utah has gone viral. Its message of civility provides a rare moment of unity in this election year.
Boston's public schools have suspended in-person teaching amid rise in coronavirus cases in the city.
The Washington Post reports that Donald Trump is considering firing FBI director Christopher Wray after the election.
The Guardian reports on the questions facing Rudy Giuliani over his appearance in a compromising scene in the new Borat film, which shows the former New York mayor in a hotel room with director Sacha Baron Cohen's teenage daughter who is posing as a TV journalist.
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