Alert – Biden’s campaign responds to Trump’s request to take a drug test one day before debate – News Alerts

Welcome to DailyMail.com’s U.S. politics live blog for the latest news from Washington D.C.

It is one day until Donald Trump and Joe Biden meet for their first 2024 debate, which could have a massive impact on the election.

Biden’s campaign has refused a request from Donald Trump that they both take a drug test beforehand.

Follow live updates from our reporters in Washington D.C. and around the country.

12:00

Biden campaign dismisses Trump drug test request as 'silly'

Donald Trump has suggested Biden be drug-tested ahead of Thursday night’s debate, and has offered to take one himself.

Biden campaign spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod was asked on CNN to respond. She said:

I mean, I don‘t even really know what to say about that. I worked on Hillary Clinton‘s campaign. She had also debated him very effectively. He accused her of being on drugs. President Biden defeated Donald Trump twice in previous debates.

This is what he does because he doesn‘t have anything else to run on. And so he has to resort to these types of tactics which are frankly just silly and turn off a lot of voters, especially voters who want to see their president fight for them.

Pictured: Adrienne Elrod Biden's campaign speaks out on Trump's challenge to take a drug test - as the Speaker is dragged into furious cocaine debate - Donald Trump has suggested Biden be drug-tested ahead of Thursday night's debate, and has offered to take one himself.Biden campaign spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod was asked on CNN to respond.

FILE - This combo image shows Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, March 9, 2024 and President Joe Biden, right, Jan. 27, 2024. (AP Photo, File)

15:09

Most U.S. adults plan to watch some of the Trump-Biden debate

Six in 10 U.S. adults plan to watch some element of Thursday’s presidential debate, according to an Associated Press-NORC poll.

That proportion said they are ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ likely to watch the debate live or in clips, or read about it, or listen to commentary about the performance of the candidates in the news or social media.

The poll suggests tens of millions of Americans are likely to be impacted by the debate.

Going into the debate most Americans, 56 percent, say they are ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ dissatisfied with Biden being the Democratic Party’s likely nominee.

A similar majority are dissatisfied with Trump as the likely GOP nominee.

14:37

Paris Hilton glams up on Capitol Hill as she exposes devastating child abuse stories including her own

Paris Hilton testified on Capitol Hill about the devastating experience she suffered through in a youth rehabilitation facility as she advocated for sweeping reforms to the foster and youth rehab system.

‘When I was 16 years old. I was ripped from my bed in the middle of night and transported across state lines to the first four residential facilities,’ Hilton told the House Ways and Means Committee.

‘For two years I was force-fed medications and sexually abused by the staff. I was violently restrained … stripped naked, thrown in solitary confinement,’ the Hilton hotels heiress went on.

Paris Hilton glams up Capitol Hill as she tells of her childhood abuse

Paris Hilton testified on Capitol Hill about the devastating experience she suffered through in a youth rehabilitation facility as she advocated for sweeping reform.

Mail Online

14:32

Speaker Johnson says GOP will file lawsuit against DOJ to get Biden audio tapes

Speaker Mike Johnson disclosed that the House of Representatives will file a lawsuit next week in federal court to try and force the Justice Department to hand over Biden’s special counsel audio tapes.

Johnson accused DOJ of ‘editing’ Biden’s transcript in some ways, so ‘it’s really appropriate and important’ to get their hands on the audio tapes.

‘We will fight vigorously to get it,’ he added.

The speaker noted that Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's proposal to file an ‘inherent contempt’ resolution that would lead to Garland’s arrest if he doesn’t hand over the tapes has ‘not been settled on yet.’

Earlier this month, House Republicans voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress after he refused to hand over audio of President Biden’s special counsel interview with Robert Hur.

During the interview, Hur said that Biden appeared ‘elderly’ with a ‘poor memory’ as he mixed up his son Beau's death date and had a series of other stumbles.

The contempt charge is a formal recommendation that Garland be prosecuted. He’s likely to be shielded from legal repercussions since Biden has asserted executive privilege over the audio.

And DOJ said it won’t pursue a prosecution against Garland for defying the subpoena.

AG Merrick Garland held in contempt of Congress over Biden audio

House Republicans voted to hold AG Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress after he refused to hand over audio of President Biden's special counsel interview with Robert Hur.

Mail Online

14:03

Breaking: Supreme Court rules on social media censorship

The Supreme Court rules for Biden administration in a social media…

The Supreme Court sided with Biden after GOP-led states claimed Democrats in federal government were unconstitutionally censoring conservative social media posts.

Mail Online

In its first opinion of the day, the court reversed a decision by the 5th Circuit Court of appeals on social media censorship.

They ruled 6-3 that that the plaintiffs – the conservative states in this case – do not have standing, handing a win to the Biden administration.

The Republican-led states had argued that the Biden administration illegally and unconstitutionally worked with social media companies to squash conservative views on their platforms during the COVID pandemic.

13:49

Supreme Court set to issue decisions at 10 a.m.

An anti-Trump protester holds up a sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court on the day where decisions ares expected to be handed down, in Washington, U.S., June 26, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

All eyes are on the Supreme Court this morning as the justices still have 14 cases to decide.

The most closely watched cases include: Whether ex-President Trump has immunity, the January 6 defendants’ obstruction charges (which will impact Trump’s case too), social media and abortion.

13:13

Republicans swear in one more member, giving a buffer to their razor-thin majority

*** BESTPIX *** WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 25: U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) (R) and Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH) (L) participate in a ceremonial swearing-in as Rulli's father Frank (2nd L) looks on at the U.S. Capitol on June 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. Speaker Johnson held a mock swearing-in for the newest member from Ohio. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

On Tuesday night Republicans swore in Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, bringing the total number of members to 432 – 219 Republicans, 213 Democrats.

Rulli replaced retiring Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio.

There are three vacancies: late Rep. Donald Payne Jr., D-N.J., died. Former Reps. Ken Buck, R-Colo., and Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., resigned.

Republicans can lose two of their own votes and still pass party-line legislation.

Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, left, watches during his ceremonial swearing-in on Capitol Hill Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

13:05

FEC grants 45-day extension for Trump to file financial disclosures

Donald Trump was granted a 45-day extension to file personal financial disclosure with the Federal Election Commission.

Trump’s legal team requested the extra time due to the complex financials of the former president and presumed 2024 Republican nominee.

“A hard copy of the report bearing Mr. Trump’s original signature is now due and should be received by the Federal Election Commission by August 15, 2024.”

Trump’s financial closures are closely watched because it gives insight into his personal wealth, which is often a topic of debate.

The extension comes after Trump was levied a $300 million civil fraud fine and $80 million E. Jean Carroll judgment.

12:35

Democrats welcome 'convicted felon' Trump to Atlanta with mugshot billboard ahead of debate

Democrats are welcoming Donald Trump to Atlanta for the debate with a billboard calling out his new felon status.

With an image of his mugshot from his election interference case in Georgia, the DNC’s five billboard reads: ‘Donald. Welcome to Atlanta for the first time since becoming a convicted felon. Congrats – or whatever…’

Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in the Manhattan hush money trial, but is still facing three other criminal trials – including in Fulton County, Georgia.

‘The DNC understands the importance of Southern hospitality, so it is our pleasure to welcome Donald Trump back to the Peach State for the first time since becoming a convicted felon,’ DNC Spokesperson Jackie Bush said in a statement on the ads.

‘The man Georgia voters rejected in 2020 has only gotten more unhinged and vengeful in the past four years.’

12:32

Mike Johnson: 'No one expects Biden will be on cocaine' at the debate

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., participates in a ceremonial swearing-in for Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, on Capitol Hill Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Speaker Mike Johnson commented on speculation from Donald Trump’s camp that Joe Biden will be on drugs or using a performance-enhancing substance at Thursday’s debate.

Trump has suggested his rival will be ‘so pumped up’ and hinted that he could even take cocaine before their primetime CNN showdown.

Johnson appeared on the network on Tuesday night and was asked about the former president’s comments.

‘Look, there’s a lot of things that are said in jest. Of course, no one expects that Joe Biden will be on cocaine.’

Johnson did say that questions about Joe’s ability to lead are warranted and his energy levels are a concern.

12:21

Trump campaign trolls VP speculation… and keeps people guessing about announcement

Speculation about who will be Donald Trump’s running mate and when he will announce his pick is changing every day.

Some reports have said the major reveal could come as soon as this week, while others have said it won’t be until the Republican convention later this month.

But the Trump campaign is lapping up every development, and keeping everyone guessing.

‘ahh this is such an amazing scoop! yes ..it could come as soon as today …or …sometime in mid july !!’, senior Trump campaign advisor Chris LaCivita wrote in response to an NBC News report that the pick could be revealed in the coming days.

12:13

Biden 'can't hit a golf ball 10 yards' says Trump

Donald Trump is attacking his debate opponent on Truth Social. He writes:

Crooked Joe Biden’s “Handlers” are loudly and profusely complaining that there will be no Fact Checkers during the Debate on Thursday. Actually, that is just DISINFORMATION – They could not be happier, because there is nobody that’s as loose with the TRUTH as Crooked Joe.

He accuses Biden of being a ‘walking LYING MACHINE, and a Fact Checker’s DREAM.’

The Republican candidate adds:

From the 51 Fake Intelligence Agents, to Russia, Russia, Russia, to the Fake “Suckers and Losers Story” he created about our beloved Military, to cheating in College and saying he was first in his Law School Class when he was actually LAST, to claiming he marched for Civil Rights, drove trucks, and has a 6.2 Handicap (He can’t hit the Golf Ball 10 yards, but that’s a minor detail!)…Maybe we should call him “Lyin’ Joe” in addition to Crooked?

FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, June 22, 2024, at Temple University in Philadelphia. A judge has modified Donald Trump's gag order, freeing the former president to comment about witnesses and jurors in his New York hush money criminal trial but keeping court and prosecution staff off limits. Judge Juan M. Merchan issued his decision on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

12:11

Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger endorses Biden and Harris

U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) looks on during a public hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee to investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, U.S., July 21, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger has endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris the day before the debate.

The Trump critic and ex-January 6 committee member announced in a video that he was backing the Democrats in 2024. despite being a ‘proud conservative’.

‘I’ve always put democracy and our Constitution above of all us. It’s because of my unwavering support for democracy that today, as a proud conservative, I’m endorsing Joe Biden for reelection.

The Illinois lawmaker, a frequent guest on CNN, admitted he never thought he would be voting for the Democrats.

Biden replied: ‘This is what putting your country before your party looks like’.

12:05