We begin on Saturday, September 26th, at the White House Rose Garden, President Trump finally announces his long-awaited and highly anticipated pick to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the 7th Circuit. The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled their first hearing for Judge Barrett on October 12th.
Many Trump critics were launching their attacks on Barrett over her Catholic faith and that she and her husband adopted two children from Haiti, attacks that didn’t really hold weight. In lieu of that, Trump critics highlighted how disrespectful it is to Justice Ginsburg’s dying wish to not fill her seat until the next president is selected. Seeing as how Republicans remember the Brett Kavanaugh saga well, the likelihood of the GOP caving to this is around 0 percent.
Sunday, September 27th, the New York Times obtains President Trump’s tax information, showing that in 2016 and 2017, the president paid $750 in taxes to the IRS and nothing in 10 of the last 15 years because of all the money he lost.
Interestingly enough, when MSNBC host Rachel Maddow dropped a supposed bombshell of Trump’s federal tax returns from 2005, it showed that he actually paid $38 million on $150 million he made that year.
Skipping ahead to Tuesday, September 29th, President Trump and Vice President Biden square off in Cleveland, Ohio for the first presidential debate, moderated by Chris Wallace of Fox News. It was a spicy affair filled with interruptions, insults, and outbursts.
Wednesday, September 30th, President Trump struggles to fend off questions to denounce white supremacy, namely the far-right nationalist group the Proud Boys, based on his response to debate moderator Chris Wallace’s challenge to condemn white supremacy and the group.
Meanwhile, Trump signs a short-term spending bill to avert a shutdown and keep the government open until December 11th. The bill came together after a deal was struck between Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Thursday, October 1st, late into the night, President Trump tweets out that he and the First Lady tested positive for the coronavirus, elevating what many have called the now-infamous phrase “October surprise” to new heights. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tells reporters on Friday that both the President and First Lady are in quarantine and experiencing “mild” symptoms.
