Donald Trump press conference live today: stimulus check updates
Donald Trump press conference: 07/09/2020
Second stimulus check: What has Donald Trump said about a second payment?
At the White House last Friday, President Donald Trump suggested an idea that could see a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks sent out immediately. Read more...
The press conference has now ended and there were few who escaped the opprobrium of the US president, who was in belligerent form as he addressed the Covid-19 pandemic, Joe Biden, the Obama administration and China.
Biden leads in polls
The Democratic candidate has held a consistent lead over the president in most polls and that trend showed little sign of slowing this week despite many observers predicting the race would narrow.
Trump has also been touting the US' ability to produce a vaccine before the elections in November. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked state public health officials to prepare to distribute a potential coronavirus vaccine to high-risk groups as soon as late October, according to documents published by the agency.
FDA may approve vaccine earlier than expected
FDA chief Stephen Hahn says there will be no bowing to political pressure but the Emergency Use Authorization program could produce a vaccine by November.
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The president has faced plenty of criticism on several fronts as he prepares to square off against Joe Biden in the November presidential elections. A recent spate of acts of police violence against African-Americans, leading to nationwide protests, and his administration's handling of the Covid-19 crisis have overshadowed Trump's efforts to get the US economy back on track and the president is likely to address some of these issues this afternoon.
Second stimulus package: when could new relief bill be passed?
The Senate and the House are due to return to work in the coming days to attempt to hammer out a fresh coronavirus stimulus package but remain divided on several issues. We take a look at where things stand and what could transpire over the course of the next few days.
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Hello and welcome
US president Donald Trump is due to a press conference this afternoon at 1pm (7pm CEST) during which is is expected the White House incumbent will discuss the coronavirus pandemic, attempts by Republicans and Democrats to push a new stimulus package through Congress, job numbers and the economy.