Wed. Nov 6th, 2024
alert-–-the-pope-looks-surprised-as-catholic-joe-biden-gets-very-close-to-pontiff-–-after-he-met-a-who’s-who-of-us-comedy-before-the-g7:-follow-all-the-biggest-politics-stories-of-the-dayAlert – The Pope looks surprised as Catholic Joe Biden gets VERY close to pontiff – after he met a Who’s Who of US comedy before the G7: Follow all the biggest politics stories of the day

Welcome to DailyMail.com’s daily US politics blog, with live coverage of Joe Biden’s visit to Italy for the G7 summit.

Biden and Pope Francis touched heads in an intimate embrace after the pontiff met comedians Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Chris Rock. 

Donald Trump is turning 78 today and is expected to celebrate at Mar-a-Lago. His daughters Ivanka and Tiffany posted sweet tributes to their father on his birthday. 

Follow ‘s live coverage below from reporters in Italy and Washington:

13:16

Catholic President Biden nuzzles into Pope Francis in a tender moment seemingly taking the pontiff by surprise

U.S. President Joe Biden and Pope Francis talk ahead of a session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa and Mediterranean on the second day of the G7 summit in Borgo Egnazia, Italy, June 14, 2024. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

US President Joe Biden (right) welcomes Pope Francis ahead of a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean, during the G7 leaders' summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort, in Puglia, Apulia, Italy. Picture date: Friday June 14, 2024. PA Photo. The event brings together the leaders of the seven member states, as well as the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission representing the European Union. See PA story POLITICS G7. Photo credit should read: Christopher Furlong/PA Wire

Pope Francis, left, greets U.S. President Joe Biden during a working session on AI, Energy, Africa and Mideast at the G7 summit, in Borgo Egnazia, near Bari in southern Italy, Friday, June 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

12:46

That's a laugh: Pope Francis meets with comedians Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Rock and more in warm-up act to his sitdown with Biden

Pope Francis hosted more than 100 comedians at Vatican City on Friday morning in a warm-up act to his meeting with President Joe Biden at the G7 later in the day.

The conclave of comedians included Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O’Brien.

‘You unite people, because laughter is contagious,’ the pontiff told the assembled group, adding that he has prayed for 40 years for a good sense of humor.

‘While communication today often generates conflict, you know how to bring together diverse and sometimes contrary realities. How much we need to learn from you!’ the Pope, 87, said.

17:53

Hunter Biden drops laptop lawsuit against 'America's Mayor' Rudy Giuliani

Late Thursday, Hunter Biden’s attorney moved to dismiss the lawsuit the first son had filed against Giuliani.

It had accused Giuliani of manipulating information obtained on Hunter’s infamous ‘laptop from Hell.’

A spokesperson for Giuliani said the former mayor has again ‘proven himself to be telling the truth, while those going after him and President Donald Trump have been proven to be liars.’

Ted Goodman went on:

All of the false charges that Hunter Biden made against Mayor Rudy Giuliani, his lawyer Bob Costello and others, have been withdrawn and proven to be entirely false.

This should serve as a reminder to people that—despite the unrelenting attacks by partisan Democrats and their allies in the permanent Washington political class—Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s integrity and commitment to the truth is unwavering.

17:39

Biden takes 'family photo' with G7 leaders and Pope Francis

Pope Francis, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak European Council President Charles Michel U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, India?s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Argentina?s President Javier Milei, Kenya?s President William Ruto, Chair of the African Union and President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Ghazouani and President of the African Development Bank Akinwumi Adesina pose for a family photo, on the second day of the G7 summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort, in Savelletri, Italy, June 14, 2024. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

U.S. President Joe Biden participates in a family photo with G7 leaders and Pope Francis on the second day of the G7 summit at the Borgo Egnazia resort, in Savelletri, Puglia, Italy, June 14, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Pope Francis, right, stand by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders watch, as they prepare for a family photo, at the G7 summit, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Borgo Egnazia, near Bari, southern Italy. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

15:45

President Biden responds to Supreme Court striking down ban on bump stocks

President Biden released a statement on the Supreme Court decision striking down a ban on bump stocks. He said the decision struck down an important gun safety regulation and called on Congress to ban bump stocks and assault weapons.

In October 2017, a gunman opened fire at a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada. Because he used a weapon that was modified with a bump stock, he fired more than 1000 bullets in just ten minutes, killing 60, wounding hundreds, and traumatizing countless Americans. Today’s decision strikes down an important gun safety regulation. Americans should not have to live in fear of this mass devastation.

While extreme Congressional Republicans want to defund the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), I have used every tool in my Administration to stamp out gun violence. I nominated the first Senate-confirmed Director of the ATF since 2015. My Administration ensured that the ATF has the funding it needs to address emerging firearm technologies like machinegun conversion devices and ghost guns that pose a unique and acute threat to public safety.

Notwithstanding this decision, my Administration will continue to take action. I took on the NRA and signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the most significant gun violence reduction legislation to pass Congress in nearly 30 years. My Administration established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, made historic investments in mental health to support people in times of crisis, and expanded background checks to keep firearms out of the wrong hands.

We know thoughts and prayers are not enough. I call on Congress to ban bump stocks, pass an assault weapon ban, and take additional action to save lives – send me a bill and I will sign it immediately.

15:41

Democrats putting up billboards on Trump calling Milwaukee a 'horrible city'

The Democratic National Committee is throwing up billboards in Wisconsin as Donald Trump heads to the state next week, highlighing reports the ex-president called the state’s biggest city ‘horrible.’

Trump reportedly made the comment about Milwaukee during his meeting with House Republicans on Thursday in Washington.

Milwaukee will host the Republican National Convention next month.

The DNC announced the ten new billboards.

‘The dislike is mutual – in 2020, Wisconsin handed Trump a one way ticket back to exile in Mar-a-Lago and sent President Biden to the Oval Office. In November, they’ll do it again,’ said DNC spokesperson Addy Toevs in a statement.

Trump’s campaign denied he made the remark and was talking about crime.

15:39

Ivanka and Tiffany Trump celebrate father's 78th birthday by sharing never-before-seen pics in tender tributes

Ivanka Trump and her half-sister sister Tiffany celebrated her father’s 78th birthday by sharing a series of photos in sweet tributes on Instagram.

‘Happy Birthday dad! I love you today and everyday!’ Ivanka, 42, wrote along with one of her wedding day portraits with the former president.

She also posted a photo walking alongside Trump in the White House’s signature portico and several tender snaps of herself and her father at young ages.

Former President Donald Trump is celebrating turning 78 on Friday with a birthday bash in West Palm Beach, Florida.

14:19

Breaking: Conservative Supreme Court justices strike down ban on bump stocks

The Supreme Court struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks on Friday in a victory for gun rights advocates.

The ban was passed following the use of bump stocks in the deadly 2017 shooting in Las Vegas. Fifty-eight people were killed making it the deadliest mass shooting by one gunman in American history.

But the Supreme Court struck down the ban in a six-three decision. The conservative majority on the Supreme Court struck down the ban ruling that bump stocks are not machine guns.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the opinion for the court. Justice Sonia Sotomayor authored the dissent.

14:18

Trump proudly boasts about 'big boy' son Barron and jokes about his towering height

Donald Trump praised his 18-year-old son Barron as a ‘beautiful boy’ during an interview with YouTuber Logan Paul.

‘He’s a big boy – six foot nine,’ Trump claimed of his youngest son during the wide-ranging sit down posted online.

‘And I couldn’t get him to play basketball. He plays soccer,’ Trump said.  ‘He’s a good athlete too. Good student, good athlete.’

13:30

Pope Francis warns of ‘ethical challenges’ of AI in speech to G7 – then tells gathered leaders ‘We need politics’

Pope Francis takes part in a working session on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy, Africa-Mediterranean at the Borgo Egnazia resort during the G7 Summit in Savelletri near Bari, Italy, on June 14, 2024. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (Photo by TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Francis delivered a 20-minute speech on AI before the gathered leaders of the G7 and other nations.

The pontiff joked that he brought along two versions of his speech, then opted for the shorter one, which the Argentine delivered in Italian.

He thanked the ‘presidents, kings, all those who are with us here today,’ and was positioned across from President Joe Biden at a large circular table. He mentioned the ‘profound ethical challenges’ of AI, and expressed fear of ‘a culture of discarding others.’

‘No machine should ever decide to take the life of a human being away,’ he said, according to a simultaneous translation, amid breakthroughs of military applications of the technology. ‘No innovation is neutral,’ he said. Biden and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni took notes as he spoke.

The pope concluded by telling the gathered politicians that there was ‘corruption’ and ‘inefficiency’ among some politicians, but he defended the avocation generally.

‘We need politics,’ he said.

13:23

Donald Trump turns 78: Former president prepares to celebrate in Florida with a MAGA bash… four months before he battles with Biden to be the oldest president in history

Former President Donald Trump is celebrating turning 78 on Friday with a birthday bash in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The former president will headline a ‘Club 47’ event near Mar-a-Lago at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, where some of his most boisterous supporters plan to don red, white and blue attire to fete the presumptive Republican nominee.

The invitation showed the ex-president hugging an American flag – an homage to his Flag Day birth.

Club 47’s President Larry Snowden confirmed to DailyMail.com that there would be cake and a playing of the birthday song. ‘All of the above. Huge birthday celebration,’ he wrote in an email.

Trump joins other celebrities like Dolly Parton, Steve Martin, Cher and Steve Martin in the 78-club.

12:58

Funny day at the Vatican

The Pope meets with comedians including Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert at the Vatican.

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - JUNE 14: (EDITOR NOTE: STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY - NO MERCHANDISING). Pope Francis meets with artists from the world of humour at the Apostolic Palace on June 14, 2024 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis met with more than 100 comedians from around the world, encouraging them to cheer people up and help people see reality with all its contradictions. (Photo by Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

12:35

Deals negotiated at the G7 in Italy will loan Ukraine $50 billion – but how much will the Europeans pay?

The White House is touting agreements out of the G7 in Italy, including a deal to loan Ukraine $50 billion, with loans secured by interest on seized Russian assets.

Another deal President Biden pitched at his press conference would commit the U.S. to backing Ukraine over a ten-year period. But that plan wouldn’t have the force of U.S. law if Biden is out of office, and the details are still emerging on how much U.S. allies are willing to put up for the loan.

The U.S. is expected to carry the lion’s share of the $50 billion backing.

12:11

White House readout of Biden-Meloni meeting

The White House noted in its readout of the meeting that the meeting helped ‘deepen the U.S.-Italy partnership across a range of vital security, economic, and regional issues.’

President Biden commended Prime Minister Meloni for Italy’s steadfast support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russia’s brutal war of aggression, including Italy’s critical security assistance.

President Biden and Prime Minister Meloni welcomed the unanimous commitment by G7 leaders to provide $50 billion in additional financial support to Ukraine using the proceeds of immobilized Russian sovereign assets.

They also agreed to continue to pursue all available options to impose further costs on Russia and those who support Russia’s war machine. They also discussed their respective efforts to enhance mutual economic security and respond to economic coercion.

The two leaders discussed the importance of two-way trade and investment to enhance economic prosperity. President Biden and Prime Minister Meloni also highlighted the urgent need to secure a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Gaza, and emphasized the importance of Hamas taking a constructive approach to that process

12:10

Biden grandkids to pay their portion of Italian trip with president

From Emily Goodin, senior U.S. political reporter in Bari, Italy

President Biden’s grandkids will pay their portion of the trip to Italy for the G7.

Naomi Biden, her husband Peter Neal, Maisy Biden and Finnegan Biden all joined the president on his trip. They hitched a ride on Air Force One and staying with him at the faux medieval resort town Borgo Egnazia where rooms can cost $1,000 a night.

‘Historically, family members of Presidents have frequently joined them during travel. Current practices are consistent with those used by prior Administrations. They cover all additional personal expenses,’ a White House official told DailyMail.com.

Taxpayers pay for the president to travel and stay where ever security requires him to be.

For those not covered by the government, typically, the military charges the cost of a first class ticket to travel on Air Force One. The grandkids would be paying that flight charge and for their rooms at the resort.

Peter Neal, Finnegan and Maisy were at President Biden’s press conference on Thursday night.

Naomi Biden stayed behind closed doors amid speculation she is pregnant.

12:09

Donald Trump meets Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin as running mate battle reaches fever pitch

Former President Trump and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin met at Trump National Golf Club in Loudon County, Virginia, on Wednesday.

It was the first time the two leaders have met and comes as speculation continues to swirl around who Trump will select as his running mate.

It was the first time the two leaders have met and comes as speculation continues to swirl around who Trump will select as his running mate.

11:58

Joe Biden demands to know if the press are 'just taking pictures' during another stage-managed photo-op

President Joe Biden met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 on Friday.

The president had to ask the prime minister about the rules of the event.

‘They’re just taking pictures?’ Biden asked Meloni. She nodded.

11:58

Donald Trump reveals thoughts about Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, Barron Trump's actual height, aliens, AI, and Elon Musk in interview with Logan Paul

Donald Trump’s four-hour-ling interview with Logan Paul dropped Thursday evening.

He spoke about his upcoming debate with President Joe Biden, the showdown between Logan’s brother Jake and Mike Tyson and other topics.

Trump was asked who he favored in the upcoming fight between Mike Tyson vs. Logan’s brother Jake Paul.

‘Mike was fantastic but Mike’s a little older now and you guys can fight!’ Trump said.

He noted that he was a big fan of Tyson, 57, but that, ‘the clock is still the clock.’

Trump also talked about his son Barron’s enormous height.

‘He’s a big boy. Six foot 9. I couldn’t get him to play basketball. I play soccer, he’s a good athlete. … I say Barron. I don’t want to take a picture next to you.’

Trump presented Paul and his co-host with MAGA hats and a T-shirt featuring his mug shot.

‘Elvis had one, Frank Sinatra had one, but we’ve eclipsed them a long time ago,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure I love it or not but it is what it is.’

11:56

Biden watched his dog Commander bite Secret Service agents multiple times

11:55

Shark Tank star KEVIN O'LEARY reveals his choice for Trump's VP

11:54

On Thursday Joe Biden wandered off from the group of leaders and had to be guided back by Italy's Georgia Meloni

11:52

Welcome to DailyMail.com's live blog

will today be providing live updates from Italy where Joe Biden is meeting world leaders at the G7 summit.

He is also expected to meet with the Pope.

Donald Trump is turning 78 today and is expected to celebrate in Florida amid growing speculation about his VP pick.

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