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HC Wake-Up Call: Trump Reacts to Kavanaugh Hearing, Confirmation Vote Speculation, & SEC Sues Elon Musk

Allison Crist

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

President Trump Reacts to Kavanaugh Hearing

On Thursday, both Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in regards to Ford’s allegation that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were in high school. Ford was forced to recount what happened in detail, as well as answer numerous questions from a prosecutor brought in by GOP senators who didn’t want to question her themselves. Kavanaugh’s angry demeanor contrasted thoroughly from Ford’s. Read an entire recap here:

Thousands of people followed the hearing throughout the day, many taking to social media to share their reactions. President Trump was among them, seemingly implying that he will not revoke Kavanaugh’s nomination. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, Trump was “glued to the television” and “heartened” by Kavanaugh’s testimony. Aides described the president as proud of Kavanaugh, even “happier” that the judge was defending himself. However, he also called the hearing “brutal” and “hard to watch” during an evening GOP fundraiser. 

A senior administration official reportedly called Kavanaugh’s performance as “powerful…strong…game changing” in a text message. Donald Trump Jr. was more public about his support for Kavanaugh, tweeting throughout the day about both him and Ford. 

Speculation Looms Over Confirmation Vote for Kavanaugh

Thursday night was filled with back-and-forth reports regarding when the Senate would vote on the confirmation of Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. According to the Associated Press, Republican senators said the Judiciary Committee still plans to vote Friday morning. If they do, the next step would be a procedural vote on the Senate floor Saturday at noon. A final vote could take place as soon as Tuesday. 

Throughout Thursday evening, numerous senators voiced their plans for Friday’s vote. GOP Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee said that he’ll be voting to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. “I know it took courage for Dr. Ford to appear before the committee today,” Corker said in an email statement. “I also very strongly believe that Judge Kavanaugh, like all Americans, deserves the presumption of innocence and that it was equally as important for him to have the opportunity to address the charges and defend himself.”

Alabama Senator Doug Jones, a moderate Democrat, announced that he’s voting no on Kavanaugh’s confirmation. He said the process “has been flawed from the beginning,” and that Ford was credible and courageous. 

Others are apparently still undecided, like Democratic senator Heidi Heikamp of North Dakota. She said she needs to “fully digest” the committee hearing; although, she did stress that a nonpartisan FBI investigation over Ford’s claims should be conducted. Arizona Republican Jeff Flake called the decision a “tough call,” adding that Ford’s account “was compelling,” but “lacking corroboration from those who were there.” 

Meanwhile, the American Bar Association — which initially gave Kavanaugh a “well-qualified ranking — called on the Senate Judiciary Committee to actually halt his consideration “because of the ABA’s respect for the rule of law and due process under law.” The organization issued a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein, which CNN obtained: “The basic principles that underscore the Senate’s constitutional duty of advice and consent on federal judicial nominees require nothing less than a careful examination of the accusations and facts by the FBI,” said Robert Carlson, president of the ABA. 

He continued, “Each appointment to our nation’s Highest Court (as with all others) is simply too important to rush to a vote. Deciding to proceed without conducting additional investigation would not only have a lasting impact on the Senate’s reputation, but it will also negatively affect the great trust necessary for the American people to have in the Supreme Court.”

Kavanaugh has previously cited the ABA’s rating of him as a positive. On Thursday, he said, “For 12 years, everyone who has appeared before me on the D.C. Circuit has praised my judicial temperament. That’s why I have the unanimous, well qualified rating from the American Bar Association.”

SEC Suing Elon Musk

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced on Thursday that its suing SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk for alleged securities fraud. “Musk’s false and misleading public statements and omissions caused significant confusion and disruption in the market for Tesla’s stock and resulting harm to investors,” the lawsuit — which was filed in federal court in New York City — says, according to NPR. 

The “statements” and “omissions” are in reference to Musk’s tweets about having “funding secured” to take Tesla private. Despite making this announcement on social media, the SEC’s complaint says Musk “had not even discussed, much less confirmed, key deal terms, including price, with any potential funding source.” 

NPR reported that the SEC ultimately wants Musk to be banned from acting as an officer or director of any publicly traded company. However, he denies the allegations. “This unjustified action by the SEC leaves me deeply saddened and disappointed. I have always taken action in the best interests of truth, transparency and investors,” Musk told NPR in an emailed statement. “Integrity is the most important value in my life and the facts will show I never compromised this in any way.” 

Tesla separately voiced its support for Musk, stating the company and its board of directors “are fully confident in Elon, his integrity, and his leadership of the company, which has resulted in the most successful US auto company in over a century.” 

What to look for…

Beer. It’s National Drink Beer Day. You deserve it. 

Follow Allison on Twitter @AllisonMCrist.