March 18, 2024 - Daily Digest

Donald Trump is broke!

Today is March 18, 2024, and here are the critical stories that you may have missed from today. If you enjoy this content and want access to more, exclusive content or to support my work, then consider becoming a monthly subscriber below:

1) Trump Says He Doesn’t Have Means to Post Bond in NY Fraud Case

Donald Trump's attorneys are now pleading with the New York Appellate Court to stay enforcement of the $355 million judgment (now over $450 million due to interest) issued by a New York trial court in Trump's civil fraud trial. In a new filing with the appellate court, Trump's team said that it has become a "practical impossibility" for Trump to post the bond needed to appeal the decision. In addition, Trump's team is asserting that there are no bond companies that are willing to take real estate as collateral for a judgment of this magnitude. 

Despite Trump claiming that he was extremely liquid and able to satisfy any outstanding judgment, actually doing so has become increasingly difficult for Trump. Read the full reply brief here. 

2) Trump Campaign Eyes Role For Paul Manafort: Report

A new Washington Post report suggests that Donald Trump is looking to bring back a familiar face to his campaign, disgraced former Campaign Manager, Paul Manafort. Manafort was previously convicted of several criminal offenses including tax fraud, failing to disclose the existence of foreign bank accounts, and bank fraud. Manafort was later pardoned by Donald Trump prior to him leaving office. 

If you recall, Manafort previously lobbied on behalf of foreign governments, including Ukraine and the Philippines. While on the Trump campaign in 2016, Manafort allegedly took part in much of the activities that led to the opening of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia-related probe. Specifically, a Senate Intelligence Committee report on the Trump campaign's contacts with the Russian government found that: 

“Manafort’s presence on the Campaign and proximity to Trump created opportunities for the Russian intelligence services to exert influence over, and acquire confidential information on, the Trump Campaign. The Committee assesses that Kilimnik likely served as a channel to Manafort for Russian intelligence services, and that those services likely sought to exploit Manafort’s access to gain insight [into] the Campaign”

While it is unclear what position Manafort would take if he joined the Trump campaign this time around, it is clear that Trump is attempting to bring back former associates into his trusted circle, even if it means bringing back someone like Manafort, who has significant skeletons in his closet. Even Steve Bannon, who Trump fired after 7 months in the White House and called him "Sloppy Steve" on his way out the door, is back in Trump's good graces.

3) First Approved Over The Counter Birth Control Pill Begins Online Sales

Online orders of the first ever approved over the counter birth control pill, Opill, has begun today, marking an inflection point in the fight for reproductive rights in America. 

Despite attempts from Republicans across the nation to limit access to contraception, following the approval of Opill by the Federal Drug Administration, Americans will be able to purchase birth control, without a prescription, online. According to reporting from CNN, individuals who purchase Opill online will have their orders fulfilled within two days, and they should expect to receive the pills shortly thereafter in a plain, unbranded box to protect the individual's privacy. 

While Opill has been around for several years, this is the first time the medication is available to customers over the counter, without needing a prescription. As Republicans continue their fight to limit access to contraception, this is a necessary step to ensuring that every American who wants contraception can receive it. 

According to reports, the medication will be available in big brand pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens later this spring as well. 

4) Kennedy Family Picture Snubs RFK Jr.

Much of the Kennedy family was at the White House yesterday for Saint Patrick's Day celebrations with the Biden Administration. One notable absence, however, was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is currently running for President as an independent candidate. While at the White House, the Kennedy family took a picture with President Biden reiterating their support for his Administration's policies and his reelection campaign. The family then posted this image, likely in a snub to RFK Jr. and his campaign. 

In a post highlighting the image, Kerry Kennedy wrote that she was honored to be invited to the White House by President Biden to celebrate their Irish roots. 

5) Nikki Haley Voters Flee Trump

Signs of cracking in Donald Trump's coalition continue to present themselves as more Nikki Haley voters are fleeing Trump and remain without a political home. In the past several weeks, several former Trump officials, including Trump's former Vice President, mentioned that they would not be supporting the former President's 2024 campaign bid. In a new interview with former Trump voters, who then went on to vote for Nikki Haley in the Republican primary, these voters highlight why they do not plan to support Trump heading into November:

These statements are unsurprising. During the Republican primary, Trump lost more than 30% of the Republican electorate to Nikki Haley. Since winning the Republican nomination, Trump has failed to bring these Haley voters back into the Republican Party, instead opting to act former primary opponents like Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis while on the campaign trail. In any event, videos like these demonstrate Trump's weaknesses heading into November.