Trump's Iran strike timing And White House disputes

Oct 8

Baier and Jacqui Heinrich report Trump's afternoon statement that he will not attack Iran before the November midterms and that talks are productive, after The Atlantic reportedly described Pentagon strike options. Heinrich recaps his Texas turnout and economic appeal and airs his claim of record oil movement through Hormuz. She contrasts the city-missile comparison he repeated in Texas with his October 8 explanation that it compared higher gasoline costs with cities being bombed. The report also covers alleged anger over James Blair and Chris LaCivita's paid Balkan consulting and Trump's conditional conflict-of-interest response. On separate Guilfoyle allegations, Vance says he dislikes selling government access but lacks the full details; Heinrich reports an inspector-general inquiry into her ambassadorial tenure, complaints about requests and lifestyle, State's refusal to comment and no White House response.

In ABC's October 8 interview, Eric Deters accuses Kimberly Guilfoyle of seeking a $100,000 credit-card payment in exchange for access within Trump world. ABC attributes related purported messages to The Wall Street Journal; Deters says he understood a bargain and did not pay because he lacked the money. ABC says its requests to Guilfoyle, her lawyer, the State Department and the embassy had gone unanswered. Rubio declines to address the allegations while visiting Greece and offers praise of the ambassador and embassy. These remain allegations; the broadcast establishes no finding of wrongdoing. Fox's October 8 White House report describes the same pre-confirmation American Express/access allegation and airs Vance saying he dislikes selling government access while emphasizing that he does not know whom the question refers to or the full details. His qualified reaction neither establishes wrongdoing nor confirms the allegation. Fox's separately reported inquiry into ambassadorial lifestyle/requests is not established as investigating this alleged bargain.