Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman denies Trump claim about Bidens

Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman (L) and President Trump (R). Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump adviser and Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman is disputing President Trump's claim, made during a private fundraiser, that they spoke about the Biden family, reports Bloomberg.

Why it matters: Trump's claims "could attract interest in light of the impeachment inquiry underway by House Democrats" — especially since it focuses on a conversation between Trump and Ukraine about investigating the Biden family, writes the Washington Post. Schwarzman has remained quiet about his conversations with Trump over the years.

What they're saying:

  • Trump and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani have been saying for months now that Hunter Biden allegedly received $1.5 billion for an investment fund from China, per the Post.
  • Schwarzman's spokesperson Jennifer Friedman says Schwarzman denies claims the conversation ever happened, and that he's never spoken about the Biden family with Trump.
  • Hunter Biden's lawyer, George Mesires, says his client didn't acquire any stake in a Chinese company until Oct. 2017, and it's valued at $430,000, per the Post.

Go deeper..."Locked and loaded": Washington braces for impeachment battle

Go deeper

Axios
Updated 58 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Health: Large coronavirus outbreaks leading to high death rates — Coronavirus cases are at an all-time high ahead of Election Day — Fauci says U.S. may not return to normal until 2022
  2. Politics: Space Force's No. 2 general tests positive for coronavirus
  3. World: Taiwan reaches a record 200 days with no local coronavirus cases
  4. Europe faces "stronger and deadlier" wave — France imposes lockdown — Germany to close bars and restaurants for a month.
  5. Sports: Boston Marathon delayed — MLB to investigate Dodgers player who joined celebration after positive COVID test.
Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Caitlin Owens, author of Vitals
1 hour ago - Health

Large coronavirus outbreaks leading to high death rates

Data: The COVID Tracking Project; Chart: Sara Wise/Axios

Many of the states where coronavirus cases have recently skyrocketed are also seeing the highest death rates in the nation, a painful reminder that wherever the virus goes, death eventually follows.

Between the lines: Deaths usually lag behind cases by a few weeks. Given America's record-high case counts, it's reasonable to expect that death rates across the country will continue to rise in tandem.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Amy Harder, author of Generate
1 hour ago - Science

Pandemic scrambles Americans' acceptance of science

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The pandemic is throwing a wrench into Americans' understanding of science, which has big implications for climate change.

Driving the news: Recent focus groups in battleground states suggest some voters are more skeptical of scientists in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, while surveys reveal the persistence of a deep partisan divide.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow