| THE BIG STORY
Trump has killed negotiations over coronavirus checks and unemployment insurance
Quick reminder that while the pandemic rages inside the US, infecting thousands of people a day, the last major coronavirus aid bill expired two months ago. That expiry brought to an end the federal unemployment benefits that millions of Americans had relied on. Talks about a new aid bill between the White House and House Democrats have been stalled for weeks, but seemed to pick up momentum in recent days. On Tuesday, Trump torpedoed that momentum by saying he is directing his staff to cease negotiations.
The president said he is ending the negotiations until after he wins the election. He said the Senate will instead focus on confirming Amy Coney Barrett, his nominee to the Supreme Court.
Here’s why it’s a big deal: Just yesterday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned of the “tragic” consequences if the White House and Congress do not pass a robust stimulus package to ward off a spike in bankruptcies and business closures.
The election big picture: By killing the negotiations, Trump dealt a blow to Republicans in tight races. Republicans had been attempting to blame Democrats for not agreeing to a new stimulus package — a message Trump dramatically undercut on Tuesday.
Saul Loeb / Getty Images STAYING ON TOP OF THIS Facebook has banned QAnon
QAnon, a set of outlandish beliefs that BuzzFeed News labels as a “mass delusion," has seeped into the highest levels of American politics. Now, Facebook says that it is banning all pages, groups, and accounts associated with QAnon.
The action is a significant step. QAnon pages and accounts have run wild on the platform for years, prompting criticism from outside and within Facebook about lack of action. That criticism has been ramping up as we get closer to the election.
The QAnon ban came the same day Facebook was under fire in a report by a House subcommittee.
SNAPSHOTS Top Trump adviser Stephen Miller has tested positive for the coronavirus. Miller told us he had been working remotely and self-isolating for several days before testing positive. Miller helped Trump prepare for the Sept. 29 presidential debate, along with other advisers who have since tested positive.
You won’t hear Kamala Harris saying “shut up, man” in the VP debate. The debate is tonight, and Harris’s team is reading up on gender studies and preparing the VP candidate for a debate that now feels more important.
Joe Biden’s quiet moment inside a frightening hurricane of news. Biden delivered a somber speech — an appeal for “the spirit of bipartisanship” and the tradition of “soul and honor” in the face of division — set at a hotel overlooking the storied fields of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Rock icon Eddie Van Halen has died of cancer. The legendary guitarist was 65. Van Halen’s mastery of the electric guitar made him a legend, and he was considered among the best guitarists of all time.
Johnny Nash, singer of “I Can See Clearly Now,” has died. Nash was known for hits like “You Got Soul" and “Hold Me Tight,” and is credited with helping launch the career of Bob Marley. In a statement, Nash’s son said the singer died of natural causes.
TRANSFERS AND OUTBREAKS Federal officials now say transferring detainees between jails holding immigrants contributed to coronavirus outbreaks
According to a draft report we obtained, Department of Homeland Security officials acknowledged that transfers of detainees between facilities holding immigrants for ICE had “contributed to outbreaks” of COVID-19.
The report notes that poor information sharing made tracking and preventing the spread of the virus more difficult. In addition, officials acknowledge that the tight quarters of the jails meant inadequate social distancing, which further contributed to the spread of the disease.
The transfer of detainees between facilities has been regular practice — both before the pandemic and during. For months, medical experts, advocates, and politicians have been warning about the consequences of shuttling people across the country.
A LOT TO TAKE IN Amy Schumer’s reaction to her son saying “dad” for the first time made him cry and it’s so adorable
The comedian has been regularly sharing her son Gene’s biggest milestones on social media. Schumer posted a video of the first time her son said “dad.”
In the video, Schumer reacts with joy after Gene says the word — but it was perhaps too much excitement for the li’l guy, who got overwhelmed by all the praise and excitement and started to cry. The whole thing is so, so adorable.
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