January 6 hearings: Trump became 'detached from reality' after losing 2020 election


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President Donald Trump shared "crazy" voter fraud conspiracy theories with his aides after losing the 2020 US election, his senior law-enforcement official said in testimony aired on Monday.

Former attorney general William Barr, appearing in a recorded deposition at a congressional hearing into the 2021 assault on the US Capitol, said Mr Trump had no interest in "actual facts".

"I was demoralised because I thought, boy ... he's become detached from reality if he really believes this stuff," said Mr Barr in evidence to the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection by supporters of Mr Trump.

Mr Barr compared the job of addressing Mr Trump's allegations with playing the game "whack-a-mole".

"When I went into this and would tell him how crazy some of these allegations were, there was never an indication of interest in the actual facts," he said.

The panel is holding six hearings in June to outline its case that the riot at the seat of US democracy in Washington was the culmination of a seven-step conspiracy by Mr Trump and his circle to overturn his defeat by Democrat Joe Biden.

Former Attorney General William Barr speaks during a video deposition to the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. House Select Committee/AP
Former Attorney General William Barr speaks during a video deposition to the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. House Select Committee/AP

Mr Trump repeatedly ignored advice from aides against claiming the November 2020 election was stolen, according to testimony given to the panel.

"We will tell the story of how Donald Trump lost the election — and knew he lost the election — and as a result of his loss, decided to wage an attack on our democracy," the committee's Democratic chairman Bennie Thompson said in his opening remarks.

Mr Trump released his first extended reaction to the investigation on Monday evening, with a 12-page statement in which he called the panel a "mockery of justice" and a "Kangaroo Court hoping to distract the American people from the great pain they are experiencing".

The second of six hearings was shown recorded accounts from the former president's advisers, including Mr Barr and campaign manager Bill Stepien, saying they repeatedly advised him not to declare victory on election night because he had not won — but that Mr Trump did so anyway.

"He thought I was wrong, he told me so, and that they were going to go in a different direction," Mr Stepien said.

Trump's year out of office - in pictures

  • Donald Trump after his speech at a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by Congress, in Washington, January 6, 2021. Reuters
    Donald Trump after his speech at a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by Congress, in Washington, January 6, 2021. Reuters
  • A pro-Trump mob breaks into the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. AFP
    A pro-Trump mob breaks into the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. AFP
  • Donald Trump and his wife Melania prepare to leave the White House on Marine One on January 20, 2021. AFP
    Donald Trump and his wife Melania prepare to leave the White House on Marine One on January 20, 2021. AFP
  • Donald Trump and Melania at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One for the last time as president on January 20, 2021. AFP
    Donald Trump and Melania at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One for the last time as president on January 20, 2021. AFP
  • Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Lorain County Fairgrounds on June 26, 2021 in Wellington, Ohio. AFP
    Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Lorain County Fairgrounds on June 26, 2021 in Wellington, Ohio. AFP
  • Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the border wall near Pharr, Texas on June 30, 2021. AFP
    Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the border wall near Pharr, Texas on June 30, 2021. AFP
  • Donald Trump at a press conference announcing a class action lawsuit against big tech companies at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, New Jersey on July 7, 2021. AFP
    Donald Trump at a press conference announcing a class action lawsuit against big tech companies at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, New Jersey on July 7, 2021. AFP
  • The former president addresses a rally on September 25, 2021 in Perry, Georgia. AFP
    The former president addresses a rally on September 25, 2021 in Perry, Georgia. AFP
  • At a rally at the Canyon Moon Ranch festival grounds on January 15, 2022 in Florence, Arizona. AFP
    At a rally at the Canyon Moon Ranch festival grounds on January 15, 2022 in Florence, Arizona. AFP
  • Trump supporters listen to speakers prior to an appearance by the former president at a rally on January 15, 2022, in Florence, Arizona. AP
    Trump supporters listen to speakers prior to an appearance by the former president at a rally on January 15, 2022, in Florence, Arizona. AP

Mr Thompson's deputy on the panel, Republican Representative Liz Cheney, said Mr Trump chose to listen to the advice of "apparently inebriated" former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani "to just claim he won, and insist that the vote counting stop — to falsely claim everything was fraudulent".

Mr Trump started pushing what came to be known as his "Big Lie" around 2.30am on November 4, 2020, declaring victory on the night of an election he lost to Mr Biden by seven million votes.

Mr Barr said in his testimony that Mr Trump claimed major fraud "right out of the box on election night ... before there was actually any potential of looking at evidence."

A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber

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Violence%20
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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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How to come clean about financial infidelity
  • Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
  • Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help. 
  • Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
  • Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
  • Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported. 

Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

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Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

Updated: June 14, 2022, 6:32 AM