Trump pulls Barron into 2024 campaign and teases Rubio over VP contest at Florida rally: Live

The former president’s family turned out to sit in the front row last night (well, most of them) with Trump formally introducing his youngest son Barron to the MAGA crowd and posting about him on Truth Social, the latest indication that the 18-year-old is eyeing a future in American politics.

How pleased Trump himself is about that was rendered rather less than clear by his remarks about the lad on stage: “He might be more popular than Don and Eric… Welcome to the scene, Barron, I don’t know. He had such a nice, easy life. Now it’s a little bit changed. Special guy, right?”

It was another vintage night on the rally stage from Trump on which he largely played the hits while also throwing in a few new headscratchers to keep the pundits baffled.

Here are a selection of a few of his choicest moments, my own personal favourite being his claim that he “didn’t even know what the hell Nato was” before he took office – a real jaw-dropper, even by his standards.

Donald Trump challenged Joe Biden to another presidential debate “this week”, as well as a golf game that he claimed would be “bigger than the Ryder Cup or even the Masters”, during his latest campaign rally.

The former president took to the stage at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami, Florida – which he took the opportunity to promote as “one of the greatest golf courses on Earth” – in front of a large cheering crowd on Tuesday evening.

“Let’s do another debate this week – so that ‘Sleepy’ Joe Biden can prove to everyone all over the world that he has what it takes to be president,” the Republican said.

Biden’s campaign has already responded to the challenge, saying in a statement: “We’d challenge Donald Trump to create jobs, but he lost 3 million.

“We’d challenge Donald Trump to stand up to Putin, but he bent the knee to him.

“We’d challenge Donald Trump to follow the law, but he breaks it.

“We’d challenge Donald Trump to not destroy our country, but that’s all his Project 2025 aims to do.

“Joe Biden doesn’t have time for Donald Trump’s weird antics – he’s busy leading America and defending the free world.”

Here’s Mike Bedigan’s report.

Joshua Kindred, a federal judge in Alaska nominated to the bench by former President Donald Trump, has resigned after an investigation into misconduct allegations against him found that he had an inappropriate relationship with a female law clerk, lied to investigators, and created a hostile environment for staff by making graphic sexual remarks in the workplace.

On Monday, the president sent a letter to congressional Democrats saying he is “firmly committed” to staying in the presidential race against Donald Trump.

During votes on Monday evening, many House Democrats — specifically members of the Congressional Black Caucus — reiterated their support for Biden.

There was very little enthusiasm visible from members of President Joe Biden’s party as they continued to trickle back onto Capitol Hill this week for the return of business in the House and Senate.

Even those who have urged Biden to make the hard choice and withdraw from the race — like ranking Judiciary member Jerry Nadler — admitted to reporters on Tuesday that they were at an impasse.

John Bowden reports from Washington, DC.

During his rally Trump made a point to shout out his various members of family, including his sons, who he described as “my boys”.

A special introduction was made to 18-year-old Barron Trump, who made his political rally debut.

The youngester, echoing his father’s showmanship, rose to his feet, waved to the crowd and pumped his fist – prompting cheers from the crowd.

“That’s the first time he’s done it … He might be more popular than Don and Eric,” Trump said.

“Welcome to the scene, Barron, I don’t know. He had such a nice, easy life. Now it’s a little bit changed. Special guy, right?”

Donald Trump told the cheering crowds at his golf course in Florida that it was “a lot of fun” to get indicted.

The former president was convicted of 34 felony counts of concealing hush money payments in May, and faces several more legal battles.

“Every time the radical left Democrats, Marxist communists and fascists indict me, I consider it a great badge of honor, I do, because I’m indicted for you,” he said.

“Never forget our enemies want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom. It’s as simple as that.”

He added: “It’s a lot of fun. It’s a lot of fun being indicted.”