President Joe Biden prepares for his first TV interview following the June 27 debate. And history was made at Coney Island on July 4 with this year’s hot dog eating champions! These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, July 5, 2024.
Biden to sit down for first TV interview since debate amid calls to step aside
Amid pressure from members of his own party to step aside, President Joe Biden will sit down today for his first TV interview since last week’s debate. Biden will speak to ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos in an interview that will air as a primetime special on the network Friday, July 5.
The interview is part of the White House’s plans to reassure the Democratic Party that Biden should remain in the race despite a poor debate performance against the Republicans’ presumptive nominee, former President Donald Trump. The plans included a meeting with Democratic governors where, according to multiple reports, the president told the governors that he needs more sleep and will stop scheduling events after 8 p.m.
Biden said he is in good health and had a medical checkup following the debate, reportedly adding that he’s fine but “I don’t know about my brain, though.” A Biden campaign spokeswoman said Biden was clearly joking, adding the president said “all kidding aside” after making that comment.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, who was in the meeting, defended the president while speaking to reporters on Thursday, July 4, saying Biden was just acknowledging that he’s human.
Meanwhile, wealthy Democratic donors have joined the calls for Biden to drop out, including Disney heiress Abigail Disney, who told CNBC she plans to withhold donations to the party until “Biden is replaced at the top of the ticket.”
While reports say Biden has told key allies that the next several days are crucial to save his campaign, the White House is denying those reports. Biden, however, is making his intentions to remain in the race clear.
During a White House barbecue for military families on July 4, someone in the crowd shouted “Keep up the fight.” The president responded: “You got me, man. I’m not going anywhere.”
Along with his interview, Biden is headed to Wisconsin Friday, July 5, and Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 6, where he will be holding campaign events.
Labour Party wins UK election in landslide
After 14 years, the United Kingdom’s Parliament will see a new majority party in power. The Labour Party secured a landslide victory in the U.K.’s July 4 election. Labour leader Keir Starmer has officially become the country’s new prime minister.
Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, conceded defeat Friday, speaking to the nation before offering his resignation to King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
“To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry,” Sunak stated. “I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the U.K. must change, and yours is the only judgment that matters. I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”
Sunak also announced he would step down as leader of the Conservative Party.
With nearly all election results in, the Labour Party won 410 of the 650 available seats in the House of Commons, with the incumbent Conservative Party holding on to 131.
Analysts attribute the shift to voters seeking change following the Conservative Party’s handling of recent events including Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
1 dead, ranger injured in Yellowstone shootout
One person is dead after a shootout with park rangers at Yellowstone National Park on July 4. The incident occurred in the Canyon Village area, where the individual was reportedly making threats.
When park rangers approached the suspect, there was an “exchange of gunfire” between the individual and law enforcement, park officials stated. The suspect died during the incident. The identity of the person has not been released by authorities.
A ranger involved was injured and is in stable condition at a regional hospital. The area around Canyon Lodge has been sealed off as the FBI, in collaboration with National Park Service special agents, leads the investigation. Park officials confirm there are no ongoing threats to the public.
Hurricane Beryl intensifies to Category 3, approaches Yucatan Peninsula
Hurricane Beryl strengthened to a Category 3 storm as it approached Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula with damaging winds and a storm surge of up to six feet on Friday, July 5.
The storm has been blamed for nine deaths in Venezuela, Jamaica and the Windward Islands as it nears landfall. Forecasters warn of hurricane-force winds with up to 10 inches of rain expected, raising concerns of flash flooding.
Despite weakening to a Category 2 earlier on Thursday, July 4, Beryl regained strength, reaching Category 3 by 10 p.m. with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. Hurricane warnings are in effect from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancún, including Cozumel.
Beryl made landfall Friday morning, though damaging winds and powerful waves are expected to impact the peninsula beforehand. After making landfall, the hurricane is forecast to move into the Gulf of Mexico and potentially regain strength as it approaches northeastern Mexico or southern Texas.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador urged residents to prioritize safety over property as the hurricane approaches.
“Let’s not hesitate, material things can be recovered,” he stated on the night of Thursday, July 4. “The most important thing is life.”
The National Hurricane Center predicts Beryl will weaken after making landfall but may regain strength as it moves toward northeastern Mexico or southern Texas.
Meanwhile, tourists in Mexico are bracing for the storm, with some resorts halting alcohol sales as guests prepare for the worst.
Saks Fifth Avenue to acquire Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion
In a significant move in the retail sector, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue is set to acquire competitor Neiman Marcus in a deal valued at $2.65 billion.
The merger will form a new entity known as Saks Global. In addition to Neiman Marcus, the acquisition includes Bergdorf Goodman locations.
Amazon, holding a minority stake in the deal, will support the new company with technology and logistics.
Under the agreement, the stores will continue operating under their existing brand names.
New hot dog eating champion crowned in Joey Chestnut’s absence; women’s record broken
With Joey Chestnut out of the competition this year, a new champion emerged at Nathan’s annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. Patrick Bertoletti, a 39-year-old man from Chicago, devoured 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes to win the men’s title on July 4 in Coney Island.
On the women’s side, Miki Sudo, a 38-year-old dental hygienist student from Tampa, continued her dominance by winning her tenth contest and setting a women’s record with 51 hot dogs.
Meanwhile, Chestnut, who was banned from Nathan’s contest after signing a deal with Impossible Foods, competed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, eating 57 hot dogs in five minutes. Chestnut is set to face longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi in a separate hot dog eating contest streaming live on Netflix on Labor Day.
