By CHRIS MEGERIAN, ZEKE MILLER and BERNARD CONDON Associated Press
Updated
For President Donald Trump, accepting a free Air Force One replacement from Qatar is a no-brainer. But Trump's plan threatens to turn a global symbol of American power into an airborne collection of ethical, legal, security and counterintelligence concerns. Trump tried to tamp down some of the opposition by saying he would donate the plane to a future presidential library after his term ends. Democrats are united in outrage over the plan. Even some of the Republican president's allies have expressed concerns. Trump will likely face persistent questions about the plane in the coming days as he travels to the Middle East.
By ZEKE MILLER, LISA MASCARO, MICHAEL BALSAMO and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
President Joe Biden is resisting pressure to drop out of the election and is appealing for party unity to take on former President Donald Trump's "dark vision." Sidelined with COVID-19, Biden said Friday he'll return to the campaign trail next week, aiming to hold off pressure from Democrats at the highest levels for him to bow out of the 2024 election. Biden's campaign chair on Friday acknowledged "slippage" in support but told MSNBC the campaign sees "multiple paths" to beating the Republican Trump. Meanwhile, more Democratic members of Congress are calling for Biden to drop out of the race, making at least 30 now.
By SEUNG MIN KIM and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
Updated
President Joe Biden is vowing to keep running for reelection as he rejects pressure from within his Democratic Party to withdraw after a disastrous debate performance raised questions about his readiness. But in an ominous sign, one of his top allies publicly suggested on Wednesday a way that the party might choose someone else. According to a campaign aides, Biden told his staff that "no one is pushing me out" of the race. But there are signs that support for Biden is rapidly eroding among Democrats on Capitol Hill. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a longtime Biden ally, says he'd support a "mini-primary" in the run-up to the Democratic National Convention next month if Biden were to leave the race.
