Trump’s debate lies weren’t only ridiculous – they’re putting people in danger

Also inside: Kamala Harris’s plans to help small businesses and why a retired Lieutenant General (and former Republican) is backing the VP

If you pay attention to politics and have a pulse, you knew Trump would lie during last night’s presidential debate – and you probably knew it’d be an unrestrained firehose of nonsense catered towards 4chan and the ugliest corners of his base.

But the substance of those lies was nastier than it’s perhaps ever been. Trump not only spread his usual crazy lies about the 2020 election being stolen, migrant invasions, and executing babies after birth but used a primetime slot to effectively spread the vile lie that Haitian immigrants in a small Ohio town are eating cats and dogs. 

“In Springfield, [Ohio], they're eating the dogs, the people that came in. They're eating the cats. … They're eating the pets of the people that live there,” Trump said. 

To be clear, this is total and utter racist bullsh*t that has been debunked by town officials and reporters. But Trump, JD Vance, Ted Cruz, and countless other Republicans are still spreading this lie – one that some journalists and media figures have compared to the “blood libel” spread by the Nazis during the Holocaust that paved the path for their dehumanization and extermination of millions of Jews.

The only throughline of Trump’s performance was a visceral hatred for immigrants – whether they’re legal or not – because one of the only real policies he’s proposed in the 18 months he’s been running for president is to deport tens of millions of immigrants. In fact, Trump did not offer a semblance of a plan on any issue on Tuesday, comically even saying he had  “concepts of a plan” when it came to healthcare. 

It’s just hatred and racism all the way down. That’s all Trump has to offer. That’s all he’s ever had to offer.

One quick announcement: be sure to say howdy to COURIER TEXAS! 🤠 We are excited to share that last week marked the launch of our 11th state newsroom, this time in the Lone Star State. We will be including Texas stories in this newsletter – and make sure you give them a follow for more! 

More from COURIER’s other newsrooms:

PENNSYLVANIA

Why this retired Army Lieutenant General and former Republican is voting for Kamala Harris

From The Keystone: Ben Hodges spent nearly 40 years in the US Army and served as the Commanding General of the US Army in Europe. Now, he’s speaking out about the threats of a second Trump presidency. 

FLORIDA

Kamala Harris proposes plan to make it easier for Floridians to start small businesses

From Floricua: Harris has proposed expanding a tax deduction for costs that are incurred while starting a business, creating a new fund that would allow the country’s smallest banks to cover the interest accrued on loans to new businesses, and more. 

ARIZONA

JD Vance chose a homophobic, misogynist pastor’s church for Arizona visit

From Copper Courier: Both Vance and Pastor Visconti’s record on domestic violence is that of detrimental advice for victims. The pair both believe physical abuse is not a good reason to end a marriage.

MICHIGAN

Gwen Walz rallies Michigan teachers for Kamala Harris at local brewery

From The ‘Gander: Several dozen educators from across West Michigan turned out to a Grand Rapids brewery to show support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz—and sip a few craft beers with the First Lady of Minnesota. 

WISCONSIN

Tammy Baldwin: We celebrated lots of progress on Labor Day, but there’s more to be done

From Up North News: The Wisconsin senator makes the case for labor victories won during her second term—and for what Eric Hovde and Donald Trump would do to hurt workers if given the chance.

VIRGINIA

Project 2025 threatens thousands of Virginia workers

From Dogwood: Project 2025, the unpopular conservative playbook for a Republican presidency, calls for the elimination of large parts of the government, threatening tens of thousands of Virginia-based federal workers.

NORTH CAROLINA

Mark Robinson was a porn shop regular in the 90s, former store employees say

From Cardinal & Pine: Former workers at a series of porn shops in the Greensboro area say Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson visited their stores up to five times a week in the 1990s and early 2000s. 

NEVADA

Moms for Liberty-backed candidates for an NV school board break with the far-right group

From The Nevadan: Conservative candidates for school board in Nevada’s largest county are breaking ties with Moms for Liberty, a group that has turned public schools into culture war battlegrounds, called for book bans, and harassed teachers and students.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Craig and Goodlander set to lead New Hampshire Democrats into high-stakes November races

From Granite Post: Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and former White House advisor and lawyer Maggie Goodlander won their respective Democratic primary contests for New Hampshire’s top races going into November 2024.

IOWA

Birth control access in Iowa has fallen severely

From Iowa Starting Line:  Iowans aren't taking birth control—not because they don't want to, but because they don't have the ability to due to a lack of access to clinical care and/or being unable to afford the medication.

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