5 June 2024Trump, Biden campaigns weaponise verdictThe explosive guilty verdict in Donald Trump’s hush money trial has turbocharged the race for the presidency, with both the Trump and Biden campaigns working to weaponise the verdict to their electoral advantage. While the Trump
campaign boasted a fundraising bonanza in the wake of the trial – reportedly raising US$53 million in the 24 hours that followed – President Joe Biden’s campaign seized upon the criminal conviction, releasing a memo describing Trump as a “convicted felon” and a threat to democracy. Meanwhile, legal commentators have raised questions about the case, with CNN’s senior legal analyst Elie Honig, a former federal and state prosecutor, calling it "an ill-conceived, unjustified mess." "Prosecutors got their man, for now at least — but they also contorted the law,” wrote Honig in an article for New York Magazine that has since gone viral. It remains to be seen how the trial will impact the election. While a snap poll showed that while over 50 per cent of registered voters either “strongly” or “somewhat” supported the guilty verdict, more than a third either “strongly” or “somewhat” disproved.
NEWS WRAPHunter's turn Hunter Biden goes on trial | The son of President Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, faces three felony charges tied to the possession of a firearm while using narcotics. Prosecutors are arguing that Biden allegedly lied about his drug use when he filled out a firearms purchase form, breaking federal law. READ MORE HERE
Biden gets tough on border | President Joe Biden issued executive action to crack down on illegal crossings at the southern border. Border crossings, which have surged to an average of 2 million per year since Biden took office – the highest in American history – have become a politically thorny issue for Biden heading into the election. READ MORE
HERE
Fauci under fire | Former top scientist Dr Anthony Fauci fought off allegations from Republicans that he suppressed the COVID lab-leak theory at a congressional hearing investigating the origins of COVID-19. He said that the idea that he “was parachuted into the CIA like Jason Bourne and told the CIA that they should really not be talking about a lab leak,” was a “conspiracy” and repeated that he believed that COVID most likely came from animal-to-human transmission. READ MORE HERE
Elon on speed dial | Donald Trump and Elon Musk not only speak regularly on the phone but have discussed the prospect of Elon serving in an advisory role in a second Trump administration, the Wall Street Journal reports. READ MORE HERE
Tickets selling out: Economic security in a turbulent worldThis first-of-its-kind conference in Australia will bring together experts and senior officials working on an ever-expanding economic security agenda that encompasses industrial policy in strategic industries, supply chain resilience measures, energy security, critical technologies policy, economic sanctions, export controls, investment screening and anti-economic coercion measures. Economic security in a turbulent world will highlight the policy choices and trade-offs facing governments and businesses as they seek to manage risk and
build resilience in the face of increasing geopolitical instability and economic volatility. It promises to be one of Australia’s premier business-relevant conferences of 2024. WHEN
19-20 June 2024
WHERE
Fullerton Hotel, No. 1 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000 COST
Tickets: $1,320 Tickets include access to the 1.5-day conference, conference dinner and networking breakfast.
Did you USSC?REPORT | Red Book | Blue Book: A guide to the next US administration
USSC experts do a deep dive into what Australia and regional allies can expect from a second Trump or Biden term, cutting through the noise of the election to deliver clear-eyed analysis on topics like intensifying US-China strategic competition, the future of AUKUS and US climate change policy, and the rise of industrial policy. READ HERE COMMENTARY | US allies in Indo-Pacific can breathe
easier
USSC CEO Dr Michael Green writes in the Australian Financial Review that US allies in the region should not be alarmed by the prospect of a second Trump presidency.” “Trump is one of the most demagogic political figures in American history,” he says, “but there is a robust consensus in the US Congress and among the American public that China is a big challenge and that US allies such as Australia and Japan are more valuable than ever.” READ MORE HERE COMMENTARY | The importance of the US-Australian alliance will remain
USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein writes in The Australian that no matter who wins in November, Australia will remain a priority to the US: “As a long-time US treaty ally now making unprecedented investments in its defence capabilities – including paying billions of dollars to the US for nuclear-powered submarine technology – Australia has earned more influence than ever in Washington.” READ MORE HERE COMMENTARY | Trump’s guilty but Biden needs ‘get out of jail’ card
USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe writes that despite Donald Trump’s criminal conviction, the Biden campaign is still struggling. “Seventy per cent of American believe the country is on the wrong track,” writes Wolpe in the Sydney Morning Herald. “All of this translates into an approval rating for Biden that is, at best, in the high-30s – 10 points below where he needs to be to win the election.” READ MORE HERE VIDEO | Red Book | Blue
Book report
Tune in to hear USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein discuss the new Red Book | Blue Book report, highlighting what will change under a second Biden or Trump term, what will stay the same — and what Australia should do about it. LISTEN HERE NEW PODCAST | USSC Briefing Room
What would a second Trump or Biden administration mean for America's allies in Asia? What will stay the same regardless of who wins? Join our host Mari Koeck and USSC CEO Dr Michael Green for an in-depth discussion on what the 2024 election means for the region. LISTEN HERE
Deep dive: US spending in the Indo-PacificOn the USSC's Briefing Room's latest podcast, our CEO Dr Michael Green discusses how Congress has gone above and beyond to support US commitments in the Indo-Pacific. While the Biden administration requested US$9.1 billion from Congress in FY2024, Congress ended up approving US$14.7 billion. To hear more: USSC Briefing Room
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