Morning Wire XX
[0] I'm Daily Wire Editor -in -Chief John Bickley with Georgia Hal.
[1] It's Thursday, August 22nd, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.
[2] An urgent manhunt is underway in Arizona for a man who has allegedly plotted another assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
[3] Trump is in Cochee's County, Arizona today delivering remarks at the southern border.
[4] According to authorities, 66 -year -old Ronald Lee Sirvid made threatening comments on social media, targeting the former president at this particular event.
[5] In light of the attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania just six weeks ago, Cochise County law enforcement has ramped up security and are taking a zero -tolerance approach to threats of violence.
[6] Meanwhile, information about the first would -be assassin of Donald Trump continues to emerge.
[7] Daily Wire reporter Amanda Press to Giacomo has the latest.
[8] Thomas Matthew Crooks had encrypted messaging accounts on platforms in three foreign countries.
[9] That's according to Republican.
[10] Congressman Mike Walz.
[11] Walsz, who is a retired Green Beret, is on the Congressional Task Force investigating the assassination attempt.
[12] He told the Daily Wire that the would -be assassin had encrypted messaging accounts on platforms in Belgium, Germany, and New Zealand.
[13] Walst said the information raises even more questions.
[14] Why does a 19 -year -old kid who is what a health care aid need encrypted platforms, not even based in the United States, but based abroad?
[15] where most terrorist organizations know it is harder for our law enforcement to get into.
[16] That's a question I've had since day one.
[17] Waltz also criticized the FBI and Secret Service for not releasing more information from the investigations into the attempted assassination.
[18] They need to be releasing information as they come across it because this wasn't an isolated incident.
[19] The threats are continuing.
[20] Iran's threats are continuing.
[21] Donald Trump praised RFK Thursday morning amid reports that the independent presidential candidate would be dropping out Friday and possibly endorsing Trump.
[22] The former president told Fox and friends that he'd be honored to receive Kennedy's endorsement.
[23] So I've known him for a long time.
[24] He's a, as you know, he's a little different kind of a guy, very smart guy, a very good person.
[25] If he endorsed me, I would be honored by it.
[26] I would be very honored by it.
[27] He really has his heart.
[28] in the right place.
[29] He is a respected person.
[30] Women love some of his policies, and I guess some people don't like some of his policies.
[31] Kennedy is expected to hold a press conference Friday in Phoenix to discuss the future of his candidacy.
[32] Trump will be holding a rally that evening in nearby Glendale, Arizona.
[33] Target's CEO blasted Kamala Harris's claim that retailers are price gouging.
[34] Harris announced last week that her plan to combat the inflation that is skyrocketed during the Biden -Harris administration, was to implement a form of price controls.
[35] Target CEO Brian Cornell was asked during an interview with CNBC if his company had tried to gouge customers.
[36] If you boosted any of your profits from gouging on prices yet, and how prevalent and pervasive do you think that was in terms of causing the recent 40 -year highs in inflation?
[37] You two talked to industry leaders in every different sector.
[38] Is there a more competitive space than retail?
[39] We're celebrating this morning.
[40] in the fact that we delivered margin rate of over 6%.
[41] You talk to other CEOs who are delivering income of 20, 30, 40, and 50%.
[42] So we're in a penny business, and it's a very competitive space, and we provide the value that consumers are looking for.
[43] He also discussed the value of lowering taxes on corporations, a key component of Trump's economic policies.
[44] We're a full -fair payer.
[45] When it was 35, we paid 35%.
[46] When it dropped at 22, we pay 22.
[47] They say no one does that.
[48] Well, we did.
[49] But more importantly, Joe, when the taxes were reduced, we put our capital to work.
[50] Since 2017, when the corporate taxes were reduced, we've spent close to $50 billion of capital, building new stores across the country, remodeling over 1 ,000 stores.
[51] Would that have been less if it was 28 %?
[52] Well, it certainly gave us a chance that accelerated investments.
[53] But we put the dollars back into our business.
[54] A federal judge ruled Thursday that Americans with well -treated HIV can no longer be barred.
[55] from enlisting in the U .S. military.
[56] The ruling strikes down the Pentagon's last remaining policy limiting the service of those with the virus.
[57] U .S. District Judge Leone Brinkema condemned the policy as, quote, irrational, arbitrary, and capricious, adding that it contributes to the stigma surrounding HIV and hampers military recruitment.
[58] Critics of the policy argue that the condition could lead to unforeseen medical complications or logistical challenges, particularly in combat.
[59] or deployment situations.
[60] All right, there's your drive home updates this afternoon, and be sure to tune in again tonight to Election Wire's live coverage of the DNC.
[61] Tonight, the show kicks off at 7 .45 p .m. Central with Ben Shapiro, offering all of his insight and analysis on the DNC.
[62] Election Wire host Cabot Phillips will be joined by Michael Knowles and Warrooms Natalie Winters.
[63] We'll have reactions to Kamala Harris' speech, as well as live reports from Chicago.
[64] Be sure to join us live on Dailywire .com.