Welcome to The Lid, your afternoon dose of the 2016 ethos… Donald Trump asked that a crying baby be removed from his rally today. To our surprise, Trump was actually referring to a real infant and not just belittling a reporter or protester.
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‘16 from 30,000
For a guy who can’t seem to remember if he’s ever met Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump on Tuesday showed he may have a pretty solid memory after all. The GOP presidential nominee mimicked House Speaker Paul Ryan’s words when he told the Washington Post he is “not quite there yet” in backing the Wisconsin Republican ahead of next week’s primary. The language was remarkably similar to what Ryan said when he initially hesitated to endorse Trump back in May, telling CNN “I'm not there right now.” And along with being a stunning troll of the party’s highest-ranking elected official, it’s also another major indicator that the GOP unity party elders have heralded is far, far away from a reality.
Trump also says he is not supporting John McCain and called Kelly Ayotte disloyal. It comes amidst the candidate’s ongoing controversy with Gold Star families, questions about his own military deferments, and an ill-timed quip about having always wanted a Purple Heart. Bottom line: Trump has been gaining plenty of detractors this week, and spitting fire at respected members of his own party seems like the last thing he would want to do.
POPPING ON NBC POLITICS
- Trump seemed to use Paul Ryan’s words against when he told the Washington Post he’s “not quite there yet” in endorsing the House Speaker ahead of next week’s Wisconsin primary. He also said he would not support John McCain and called Kelly Ayotte disloyal.
- President Barack Obama called Donald Trump "unfit" and "woefully unprepared" to be president in what was his most blistering critique yet of the GOP nominee.
- Chris Christie called Trump’s criticism of the Khans “inappropriate.”
- Hillary Clinton and her allies are poised for a TV ad blitz of nearly $100 million dollars, compared to less than $1 million currently reserved on the airwaves by backers of Donald Trump, according to ad-tracking date provided to NBC News.
- Trump said he’s “always wanted” a Purple Heart and receiving one from a supporter is “much easier” than earning the medal given to soldiers hurt or killed while serving.
- The latest NBC News|SurveyMonkey poll finds Clinton now leads Trump by eight points.
FOR THE RECORD…
“You can get the baby out of here.”
-- Donald Trump asking a woman with a crying baby to leave his event on Tuesday.
TOMORROW’S SKED
Both Hillary Clinton and Mike Pence campaign in Colorado.
Tim Kaine is in North Carolina.
Donald Trump is in Florida.
