Category: Politics

Haley became the first Indian-American to hold a cabinet post when Trump appointed her as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a high-level position in the US….reports Asian Lite News

US President-elect Donald Trump has shut the door on Nikki Haley declaring that he won’t be inviting her to join his administration, but another Indian American, Vivek Ramaswamy, may get a senior role.

Out of the blue, in his post on Truth Social, Trump also said that Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state and Central Intelligence head, won’t get a job with him either.

“I will not be inviting former Ambassador Nikki Haley, or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to join the Trump Administration, which is currently in formation”, he said on Truth Social, a social media site for short posts that was started when X (formerly Twitter) banned him.

However, he added, “I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them previously, and would like to thank them for their service to our Country”.

During a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Trump praised Ramaswamy as “very smart” and said that “he’s going to be a part of something that’s going to be really big”.

“I don’t want to tell him yet exactly (his position). We’re gonna pick the right (one)”, he said.

Trump added, “We can put him in charge of one of these big monsters (in government) and he’ll do a better job than anybody you can think of.”

Haley became the first Indian-American to hold a cabinet post when Trump appointed her as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a high-level position in the US.

She quit the job after only two years and quietly began building her base beyond South Carolina state, where she had been governor.

Haley made an unsuccessful run for the Republican party’s presidential nomination and was the last to drop out of the race and endorse him, angering Trump.

Her appeal was to the moderate Republicans, some of whom defected to Vice President Kamala Harris because of what they saw as character problems of Trump.

Although Haley said that she was on standby to campaign for Trump, she was not invited to speak at his rallies or any event.

After criticising his campaign as “overly masculine”, she made a last-minute pitch for Trump in an op-ed article in The Wall Street Journal, but it was laced with criticism of him and not a total acclamation.

“I don’t agree with Mr Trump 100 per cent of the time. But I do agree with him most of the time, and I disagree with Ms Harris nearly all the time. That makes this an easy call” to vote for him, she wrote.

However, she added the criticism that while the moderates “like much of what he did as President and agree with most of his policies” they “dislike his tone and can’t condone his excesses, such as his conduct on January 6, 2021” when his supporters rioted and invaded the Capitol when Congress was in the process of certifying President Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 election.

The multi-millionaire pharmaceutical entrepreneur Ramaswamy also ran against him but folded his campaign early and became his unquestioning supporter, and at one rally compared Trump to George Washington, the Father of the Nation.

Recalling the fight for the party nomination, Trump said, “I had to compete with this guy, and I thought it was going to be easy, but it wasn’t. He was nasty. He was quick. He’s smart as hell.”

“He did amazingly well, because he started really as a rookie, right? And he got up and he wiped a lot of very smart politicians off the stage”, Trump said.

During a debate of the candidates for the Republican nomination that Trump boycotted, Ramaswamy made the strongest attacks on Haley over her support for aid to Ukraine.

There is also media speculation that Ramaswamy may not take an administration job and instead seek the governorship of Ohio in the 2026 election.

Pompeo had figured in media speculation for a cabinet position, possibly Defence, in Trump’s administration. But apparently the former Army captain failed the loyalty test, even though he endorsed Trump, because he had criticised him for holding on to classified documents after leaving the White House for which Trump was being prosecuted.

He and Haley are staunch supporters of Ukraine, while Trump has been ambivalent claiming he would end the invasion by Russia.

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Trump’s lawyers wrote to the Federal Election Commission last month requesting a probe into foreign interference and alleging illegal foreign contributions by Labour to the Harris campaign…reports Asian Lite News

The government is scrambling to smooth over tensions in the UK-US special relationship after 100 Labour party staff flew to the US to campaign for Kamala Harris in the presidential election and old scathing comments surfaced from Labour frontbenchers heavily criticising the US president-elect.
Donald Trump’s lawyers wrote to the Federal Election Commission last month requesting an investigation into foreign interference and alleging illegal foreign contributions by Labour to the Harris campaign.
Starmer wrote on ‘X’ in 2019: “An endorsement from Donald Trump tells you everything you need to know about Boris Johnson’s politics and why he isn’t fit to be prime minister.”
In a 2018 Time article UK foreign secretary David Lammy described Trump as a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath”, a “tyrant” and a “profound threat to the international order”.
In a 2019 tweet Lammy wrote: “Deluded, dishonest, xenophobic, narcissistic, Donald Trump is no friend of Britain. He is not fit to hold public office” and “Donald Trump lies more times a day than the average person goes to the bathroom.”
Starmer tweeted to congratulate Trump on the day he won the election, as did Lammy, and Starmer rushed to phone Trump on Wednesday too. Insiders told Bloomberg that Trump has repeatedly told associates he thinks the new PM is “very left-wing” and Starmer’s policies have been heavily criticised on ‘X’ by Elon Musk in recent months.
Sean Spicer, former White House press secretary, told ITV that Trump does not forget Lammy’s type of comments, but that he had seen the Labour govt try and “walk back those remarks” and with Trump there is “always negotiation”.
Four years ago deputy PM Angela Rayner had described Trump as a “buffoon” who had “no place in the White House”. On Thursday she was quick to call up vice president-elect J D Vance, who during the election campaign had said: “Under Labour the UK could be the first truly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon.”
Rayner tweeted after the call it was good to speak to Vance. “We spoke about our plans for the future and how, working together, we will build on the special relationship between our great countries.” Questioned about his tirade of abuse at Trump on BBC Newscast, Lammy dismissed the tweets as “old news”.
“In that period lots of things were said about Trump on Twitter. It was a daily occurrence. Now I am foreign secretary, I have had a meal with Donald Trump.” He said it never came up in their conversation, “not even vaguely”, and that he found him to be a “very gracious, generous host”.
“What you say as a backbencher and what you do wearing the real duty of public office are two different things…” Lammy said.
Meanwhile, Trump is considering offering the UK a special deal that would exempt British exports from billions of pounds of new tariffs.
The US president has pledged to impose huge levies on all foreign imports after he takes office next year, under an “America First” trade policy that has caused panic in European capitals.
But sources close to Trump said the UK could be exempt from the tariffs, under the terms of a deal that Britain hopes to negotiate in the coming months.
The president-elect’s proposed tariffs include a levy of between ten and 20 per cent on all foreign imports, and a 60 per cent duty on goods and services from China.
After Trump’s victory in Tuesday’s election, foreign governments including the UK, are preparing for the return of protectionist trade policy by the world’s largest economy.
British ministers and diplomats are planning to play up the UK’s “special relationship” with America to Trump in a bid to remove Britain from the plans.
Trump, a supporter of Brexit, was fiercely critical of Theresa May’s proposed deal to leave the EU but often lavished praise on Boris Johnson as he forged a different Brexit path when he became prime minister.
A UK government source said that Britain will prioritise exports to the US from its service industry, valued at £130 billion last year, in any talks.
Experts estimate the tariffs would raise between $2 trillion and $3.3 trillion for the US Treasury, but would have a major impact on growth in both America and around the world. The UK economy could shrink by up to 0.7 per cent if the tariffs were imposed in full.
Any deal on tariff exemptions would likely involve concessions by the UK on other policy issues, which could include Lammy’s plan to align Britain more closely with the EU.
Trump is also likely to reject requests to remove tariffs on goods that are critical to US domestic manufacturing, including cars, a UK government source said.

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India’s Narendra Modi, Australia’s Anthony Albanese, UK’s Keir Starmer, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy were among the first to congratulate Donald Trump as he makes a historic return to the White House….reports Asian Lite News

A host of world leaders offered their congratulations to Donald Trump as he swept through the Battleground states to be projected as the next President.

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia reaffirmed the friendship between the two countries as he congratulated Trump.
“Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his election victory. Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies. Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future,” he said in a post on X.
Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Keir Starmer said that as the countries are “closest of allies,” he looks forward to working with him in the coming years.
“Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead,” read the X post by the UK PM.
Emmanuel Macron also congratulated the Republic candidate, and said, “Congratulations President Donald Trump. Ready to work together as we have done for four years. With your convictions and with mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel congratulated Trump on his “historic return to the White House,” adding, “Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Trump on his victory.
In a post on social media platform, X, PM Modi wrote, “Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory”.
PM Modi expressed confidence in taking the Indo-US ties forward to greater heights as Trump would take over for his second term.
PM Modi also said, “As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity”.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Trump as he recalled their meeting in September earlier where they both discussed the Ukraine-US strategic partnership to end Russian aggression.
“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together. We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States,” the Ukraine President wrote in a post on X.
Zelenskyy further said that Ukraine was interested in “developing mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation” that would benefit both the US and Ukraine.

“Ukraine, as one of Europe’s strongest military powers, is committed to ensuring long-term peace and security in Europe and the Transatlantic community with the support of our allies. I am looking forward to personally congratulating President Trump and discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine’s strategic partnership with the United States,” he further said.
Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store also congratulated Trump on his projected victory. “Congratulations to Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election. The US is Norway’s most important partner and ally. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with the new Trump administration,” he wrote on post on X.
While congratulating Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that European Union (EU) and the US are more than just allies. “We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens.So let’s work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them,” she wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Hungary Prime Minister Orban Viktor said that Trump’s comeback was the biggest in US political history.
“The biggest comeback in US political history! Congratulations to President@realDonaldTrumpon his enormous win. A much needed victory for the World!” he wrote on X.
Notably, this is going to be only the second instance of a president serving two non-consecutive terms in the White House.
Addressing supporters in Florida, accompanied by his running mate, JD Vance, and family members, Trump called his projected win the “greatest political movement of all time,” which will help in making “America great again.”
Republicans will win at least 50 seats in the Senate of the US Congress by the end of the elections, as estimated by Fox News. As per CNN projections, candidates from the Democratic Party are winning the elections for the governors in only three of the ten states where the counting is already underway. (ANI)

Harris not to address supporters

Kamala Harris’ campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond announced on Wednesday morning that the Vice President would not address supporters as the campaign awaited additional election results.

The campaign had been awaiting critical election results, with Harris’ path to the presidency becoming increasingly unclear.

Richmond’s announcement came as former President Donald Trump secured victories in North Carolina and appeared poised to win in several key battleground states, tightening the race.

The mood at the Howard University watch party quickly shifted from hopeful anticipation to a more sombre, uncertain tone.

“We still have votes to count. We still have states that have not been called yet. We will continue overnight to fight to make sure that every vote is counted,” Richmond told the crowd.

“That every voice has spoken. So you won’t hear from the vice president tonight. But you will hear from her tomorrow.”

Shortly after Richmond’s remarks, the Vice President’s office declared a “lid” on further public appearances for the night, signalling no official events would occur.

Attendees, many still optimistic, were instructed to begin dispersing, though a sense of cautious hope lingered despite the growing evidence of a shifting electoral map.

In the latest projections, Trump had secured 248 Electoral College votes to Harris’ 213, with several battleground states still too close to call.

The former president was projected to win Georgia and North Carolina and was narrowly leading in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona.

However, each of these states remained in flux, with votes still being counted.

The race’s narrowing margins harkened back to the 2016 Election when Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton chose not to address her supporters at the Javits Centre in New York as it became clear that Trump was on the verge of a stunning victory.

Harris’s absence was similarly marked by tension and the growing realisation that the race was slipping away.

Harris’s campaign now faces a pivotal moment as the remaining votes in several swing states — Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Michigan — continue to be counted, with some states potentially taking days to tally all ballots.

If Trump maintains his lead, he would need only one of the so-called “blue wall” states of Michigan, Wisconsin, or Pennsylvania, plus Arizona, to surpass the 270 electoral votes needed for victory.

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Trump’s victory makes him the oldest president at the time of inauguration. His return to the White House would also make him the second president ever to serve non-consecutive terms…reports Asian Lite News


Donald Trump is projected to become the first Republican in two decades to secure the popular vote in the presidential elections. Trump’s path to the presidency became clearer as he clinched crucial swing states, including North Carolina and Georgia, narrowing Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris’s chances to the White House.

The former president is on track to reclaim the White House, potentially becoming the first Republican to secure the popular vote since George W Bush in 2004. In the 2004 Presidential elections, Bush won 62,040,610 votes and 286 electoral votes compared to Democratic nominee John Kerry who secured 59,028,444 votes and 251 electoral votes.

According to election voter data of the past 20 years, Barack Obama achieved the largest popular vote victory with 69.5 million votes (52.9 per cent) and a substantial 365 electoral votes in 2008. His second term in 2012, while still a decisive victory, saw a slight decline in popular vote percentage to 51.1 per cent and in electoral votes to 332.

Contrastingly, the 2016 election saw an unusual outcome with Donald Trump winning the presidency with 304 electoral votes but only 46.1 per cent of the popular vote, while Hillary Clinton won 48.2 per cent of the popular vote – a 2.1 per cent margin higher than Trump’s and yet insufficient for victory.

In 2020, Joe Biden secured both a clear popular and electoral majority, winning 51.3 per cent of the popular vote and 306 electoral votes. In comparison, Trump won 74,223,975 votes and his electoral votes stood at 232.

Trump gained early leads in crucial swing states, including North Carolina and Georgia. But the biggest prize of all was winning the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania.

With 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania victory puts Trump closer to the White House. These wins, combined with his strong showing in traditionally Republican strongholds like Texas and Florida, gave Trump a critical advantage in the electoral vote count.

As results streamed in, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign found itself scrambling to regain momentum. Despite strong performances in Democratic strongholds, her path to victory seemed to narrow significantly.
Harris’s campaign headquarters in Washington, DC advised supporters that the clearest path to victory would now hinge on the so-called “Blue Wall” states: Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. With Pennsylvania now gone to Trump, all eyes are on the other two states.

Election night saw dramatically different scenes in Washington DC and at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. At Howard University, a historically Black college in the nation’s capital, excitement quickly waned as results began showing Trump’s mounting lead.

Harris supporters, many of whom expected her to deliver a landmark victory as the first Black and South Asian woman in the White House, expressed concern and anxiety. Trump supporters at a Palm Beach viewing party on the other hand celebrated early victories.

If confirmed, Trump’s victory would make him the oldest president at the time of inauguration. His return to the White House would also make him the second president ever to serve non-consecutive terms, a feat only previously accomplished by Grover Cleveland in the 19th century.

Harris, who entered the poll fray in July this year was clutching on to a narrow hope even after US news outlets projected victory for her Republican rival in North Carolina and Georgia after elections closed on Tuesday night. Her campaign said she was not out of the race yet.
She has projected wins in Democratic strongholds like California. Trump managed to flip Georgia back to the Republican side, held North Carolina and shattered the so called “blue wall” of the Democrats.

The Republican candidate has won Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wyoming, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, West Virginia, Montana, Idaho and Utah.

Elon Musk could soon reap the rewards of the tens of millions he spent to buoy Trump through sizable government contracts for his various businesses.
In his speech early Wednesday morning, Trump called Musk “one of the most important people in I would say the country actually.”
Effusively praising the eccentric billionaire, Trump recalled calling on Musk after the destruction of Hurricane Helene to provide communications services, something that Musk provided through his satellite internet company Starlink.

“It saved a lot of lives. He saved a lot of lives,” Trump said. “We have to protect our geniuses. We don’t have that many of them.”
Meanwhile, JD Vance — on the cusp of becoming the vice president-elect as Donald Trump won or leads in all seven battleground states — just called tonight’s results “the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America.”

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re never going to stop fighting for you, for your dreams, for the future of your children,” Vance said after he joined the former president on stage in the early hours of Wednesday morning at a watch party in West Palm Beach, Florida. He went on to promise an “economic comeback” as well. Usha, Vance’s wife, also joined them on stage.

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