For any Brits who keenly remember the Partygate saga, the story coming out of America will bring out a wave of nauseating déjà vu: a centre-left leader making great political capital out of a lapse of standards by his blonde populist opponent, only to get hoisted on his own petard. President Biden now faces his own Beer Korma headache, as it emerges from Washington that he himself possessed two batches of classified government records in private offices. While Trump is facing an investigation for allegedly mishandling similarly classified files…
While the second document discovery proves embarrassing for the White House, it’s proving equally awkward for Aunty Beeb, who are clearly struggling to keep up with the rapidly developing nature of the story.
On January 10th – before the second batch of files were uncovered – the BBC wrote an explainer attempting to downplay the story, “Why the Biden-Trump classified documents cases are different”.
A day later, the 11th, that had been changed to “How the Biden-Trump classified documents cases are different”. No other adjustments were made to that copy.
Yesterday however, that all changed. The article was amended for a third time, this time with the headline “How the Biden and Trump classified documents cases compare”. The article also revised its analysis that the discovery of documents “had the potential to be a political headache”.
Following the discovery, this was updated to:
“The revelation that aides to Joe Biden discovered classified documents as they were moving boxes out of the president’s Washington-based think tank offices already had the potential to be a political headache.
Now a second batch has been found in a garage at his Delaware home, the embarrassment will deepen further.”
All news outlets struggle to nail down details during breaking news, though the BBC might’ve spared itself some embarrassment had they been less keen to spin for the Democrats in the first place. Readers are also offered no indication that the article has ever been updated. Tut tut…
Despite a very poor Republican mid-term performance, not least among Trump-endorsed candidates, the Donald has confirmed he’s filed to run for President in 2024. Appearing after a bizarre introductory music choice from Les Miserables, Trump told an audience of uber loyalists “In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for President of the United States”. His FEC paperwork was confirmed at the same time:
The question now is whether he has enough support from Republicans to clinch the nomination…
Donald Trump is mulling yet another stab at the presidency. The 45th President was speaking at a midterm rally in Iowa, where he boasted of the results of his 2020 presidential run, claiming he “won twice”. He then addressed his future, leaving all options on the table by claiming he would “very, very, very probably” run in 2024. This should be fun…
Sam Tarry (“I am crestfallen”) is taking his deselection so well his camp are now donning their tinfoil hats and accusing the Labour Party of “dirty tricks” and vote rigging. That’s surely the only explanation for his losing the seat by 138 votes last night.
According to the Telegraph, Team Tarry are claiming around 20 of his supporters were turned away at the door yesterday as they hadn’t received ballot papers. Meanwhile Tarry himself is sulking around calling his loss a “manufactured political circus” and demanding assurances of “the integrity of the result.” Labour assure they have full confidence in the vote, and Jas Athwal won fair and square. You lost, Sam. What next? A Stop the Steal march on Southside? Make Ilford Great Again?
Liz Truss has gained herself an unexpected endorsement, Donald Trump has spoken in her support. Speaking to GB News last night, Trump said he liked Liz’s programme of tax cuts, pointing out that cutting taxes can lead to increased revenue. He then expressed his surprise at criticism of her, adding “I think very highly of her”. That endorsement won’t necessarily be the one that helps Liz with unhappy Tory wets…
The Donald is blunt…
“Piers opened STRONG with me, then “died.” He now only draws flies.”
