Trump says vaccine skeptic RFK Jr will have 'big role' in health care if he wins

The FBI said on Saturday that a video claiming it had apprehended three linked groups committing ballot fraud and another related to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris' husband are not authentic.

The FBI added that election integrity remains among its highest priorities ahead of Tuesday's election.

"The FBI is working closely with state and local law enforcement partners to respond to election threats and protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote," it said.

Officials in the U.S. battleground state of Michigan said they worry that the Democratic-leaning city of Warren could lag behind the rest of the state in reporting the results of Tuesday's presidential election, raising early doubts about the state's vote count.

Warren, unlike Detroit and most other cities in Michigan, opted not to take advantage of changes enacted in a 2022 state law allowing for up to eight days of preprocessing of absentee ballots. Instead, the city of 135,000 people will wait until Election Day to verify and tabulate more than 20,000 mail-in ballots.

Donald Trump announced Friday that Kennedy family scion and notorious vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would play a "big role" in his administration if the Republican former president were to win next week's election.

Speaking to reporters outside an upscale halal restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan, Trump exuded confidence in Kennedy, who has spent two decades fueling vaccine disinformation, claiming he had the perfect credentials for a high-level job.

"He's going to have a big role in health care," Trump declared, adding with a trademark flourish: "He knows about it better than anybody."

Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump head to North Carolina on Saturday to try to clinch support in the southeastern battleground state just three days before Tuesday's U.S. presidential election.

It will be the fourth day in a row that Vice President Harris and former President Trump visit the same state on the same day, underlining the critical importance of the seven states likely to decide the race, which opinion polls show to be on a knife's edge.

The Harris campaign's messaging connects the January 6 insurrection to broader concerns about Trump's leadership style and its implications for business investment. They maintain that a stable political environment fosters better economic conditions, while Trump's past behavior has raised alarms among some business leaders​

Meanwhile, Trump's team touts the economic successes of his previous administration, claiming that lower prices and a stronger economy would result from his return to power. Trump advocates for lower corporate taxes and tariffs to incentivise domestic production, arguing that these measures would foster economic growth​

The Kamala Harris campaign is highlighlighting the potential economic risks of a Donald Trump presidency, particularly regarding his perceived disregard for democratic norms and the rule of law. They argue that such disregard could undermine U.S. economic growth and investment confidence. Gene Sperling, an advisor to Harris, warned that a president who targets various sectors—including corporations and the media—could damage long-term investment stability​.

Beyond his political support, Musk is facing legal and regulatory scrutiny. He recently skipped a hearing related to a lawsuit accusing him of attempting to distribute funds to registered voters in a manner that some experts view as "vote buying." Musk is also under investigation by the SEC, following recent allegations about his business practices and potential regulatory breaches. Moreover, Musk’s reported contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised national security concerns, given his companies’ ties to US defense contracts through SpaceX.

Elon Musk's extensive support for the Republican nominee, combined with his influence over major tech and aerospace companies, has drawn attention and criticism. Reports indicate that Musk has spent significant amounts - reportedly over $119 million - mobilising support for Trump, and his platform X has been used to broadcast pro-Trump content. Musk’s involvement extends to high-profile rallies in swing states, where he plays a central role, emphasising his alignment with Trump’s campaign strategy.

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced on Friday that he is activating some members of the National Guard to be on standby amid concerns about potential violence linked to the 2024 election. This precaution follows incidents earlier in the week where ballot boxes were set on fire, particularly in Vancouver, resulting in the damage and destruction of hundreds of ballots's letter indicated that the decision to prepare the National Guard was based on both general and specific intelligence regarding threats to public safety during the election period.

With early voting underway in Washington, where over 2 million ballots have already been cast, the governor aims to ensure a secure electoral process .

US Vice Presidential hopeful Tim Walz attended a Diwali celebration at the Bharatiya Temple in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, as part of his outreach to the Indian-American community in this crucial battleground state ahead of the presidential election. During his remarks at the event on Thursday, Walz highlighted the growing political influence of Indian-Americans in the U.S. and encouraged attendees to remain energised for the upcoming election, specifically to celebrate the anticipated victory of Kamala Harris.

Kennedy's rise as a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement has drawn criticism from within his own family, with five of his siblings denouncing his support for Trump. His controversial views, which include claims about COVID-19 vaccines and their implications, have contributed to his notoriety in political and health discussions

At a recent rally, Trump suggested that Kennedy's responsibilities would extend beyond general health issues to include women's health, stirring further controversy amidst ongoing debates over abortion rights. Kennedy has criticised current health trends in the US, declaring the country as "the sickest in the world," and warned that voting for Kamala Harris would perpetuate existing issues.

Trump has announced that if he wins the upcoming election, vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will have a significant role in his administration, particularly in healthcare. Speaking in Michigan, Trump expressed confidence in Kennedy's qualifications, stating he "knows about it better than anybody." Kennedy, who has a history of promoting vaccine misinformation, has shifted his political support from an independent run to endorsing Trump.

Harris accused Trump of promoting an atmosphere of conflict and revenge against his political adversaries, claiming that his rhetoric encourages people to blame each other rather than seek collaborative solutions.

"Donald Trump's closing argument is very different. He pits Americans against one another. He spends full time having Americans point their fingers at one another. And he spends a considerable amount of time plotting his revenge on his political opponents," she noted.

Harris underscored the importance of democratic principles and noted that her experience as Vice President has shown her the significance of the United States as a global model for democracy and the rule of law. She expressed concern over Trump's increasingly extreme rhetoric and his tendency to view dissenters as enemies. In contrast, she affirmed her commitment to inclusive leadership, indicating that she would even consider appointing Republicans to her Cabinet to ensure diverse perspectives.

Meanwhile, Harris, at a campaign event in Wisconsin, slammed Trump's approach to leadership, claiming he divides Americans instead of uniting them. She argued that the country deserves a president who prioritises common-sense solutions and listens to diverse opinions, contrasting her vision with Trump's, which she described as focused on revenge against political opponents.

At the Detroit rally, Trump also outlined broader campaign goals, including strengthening the military, stopping illegal immigration, and restoring respect for the American flag and national history. He highlighted his commitment to the Second Amendment and asserted that he would take strong measures to protect US borders and citizens. His vision focused on re-establishing the American Dream, promising opportunities for all families.