Donald Trump Personal 'Body Man' Tests Positive for COVID
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One of the closest people to President Trump has tested positive for COVID ... his "body man."
Nick Luna serves as Trump's personal attendant and he too has the virus. Luna has been by Trump's side both at The White House and when the President travels. He's always close to the President -- think personal valet only a lot more involved in the day-to-day.
It gets complicated ... Luna married Cassidy Dumbauld this year. She's an assistant to Jared Kushner. Get the picture?
Luna now joins a growing list of the 27 White House-related coronavirus cases, which now includes Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Hope Hicks, Kellyanne Conway, Chris Christie, Sen Mike Lee, Sen Thom Tillis, Sen Ron Johnson, Ronna McDaniel, John Jenkins, Bill Stepien, and now Nick Luna.
As for Trump, his condition remains a mystery. The White House physician, Sean Conley, painted an inaccurate picture of Trump's condition, suggesting all was well, when in fact Trump was having trouble breathing Friday, had supplemental oxygen, had a fever and was rapidly going downhill when he was taken to Walter Reed.
Dr. Conley said Saturday night ... "President Trump continues to do well, having made substantial progress since diagnosis," adding, "This evening he completed his second dose of Remdesivir without complication. He remains fever-free and off supplemental oxygen with a saturation level between 96 and 98% all day. He spent most of the afternoon conducting business, and has been up and moving about the medical suite without difficulty. While not yet out of the woods, the team remains cautiously optimistic. The plan for tomorrow is to continue observation in between doses of Remdesivir, closely monitoring his clinical status while fully supporting his conduct of Presidential duties."
Nothing can stop him from working for the American people. RELENTLESS! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2ZSat782qe
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 4, 2020 @IvankaTrump
The White House then released photos of Trump working in Walter Reed's Presidential Suite.
𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙆 𝙔𝙊𝙐 to all of the Great American Patriots who have come out tonight, in support of @realDonaldTrump at Walter Reed Medical Center. We’ll all get through this, TOGETHER! #MAGA🇺🇸🦅 pic.twitter.com/MkM1XWSpdQ
— Dan Scavino🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) October 4, 2020 @DanScavino
Outside of Walter Reed hospital, Trump supporters held a rally showing their support. Trump tweeted a thank you to his supporters.
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President Trump I'm Feeling Much Better Now ... Next 48 Hours Critical
President Trump just delivered his own update on his health ... he says he's feeling much better now after being diagnosed with COVID-19, but his Chief of Staff says the President's not out of the woods by a long shot.
Trump sat down on camera for a four-minute update from the "Presidential Suite" at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, explaining he wasn't feeling so well when he was first hospitalized but is doing a lot better.
It's now clear Trump was going downhill Friday before going to the hospital. We now know he was having breathing issues and he received supplemental oxygen. Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said bluntly, Trump's health Friday was "very concerning."
The Prez is optimistic he'll be out of the hospital soon and he's vowing to return to the campaign trail to finish what he started ... but he also admits the next few days will be key in determining the course of the virus. Meadows called the next 48 hours "critical."
Trump sounded pretty much like his normal self while delivering his remarks, and he says he's gonna beat this thing. POTUS says the therapeutics he's receiving are working. He did not say anything about being on oxygen.
Melania's doing well too, Trump says, and he's thankful for all the medical professionals at Walter Reed.
It's interesting ... Trump says he was given the option of isolating at the White House, but claims he was told he would have to shy away from others and the Oval Office. Trump says he just didn't want to be cooped up in a room, so he went to Walter Reed.
That makes no sense. He's now confined to a hospital suite and when he's released he'll go right back to being confined to the White House residence quarters until he tests negative.
Trump says he's thankful for all the support pouring in from both sides of the aisle and across the country and the globe.
Stay tuned.
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'Mean Girls' Reunion It's October 3rd!!! One Month Left To Vote
October 3rd is "Mean Girls" Day and the stars of the movie are getting back together for a surprise virtual reunion ... and helping rock the vote.
Tina Fey, Rachel McAdams, Lindsay Lohan, Tim Meadows and Amanda Seyfried are among the cast members sitting down for the reunion, and they're reminding folks there's one month left to vote ... and the clock's ticking.
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Katie Couric joined the fun, moderating the reunion and filling in for Amy Poehler by dressing in character as Regina George's mom. Ya gotta see Katie nail a few of Mrs. George's famous lines.
Tina teased the reunion Friday in a special video encouraging folks to make sure they are registered to vote and to request a mail-in ballot. She also challenged fans to volunteer as poll workers.
It's October 3rd. #MeanGirlsDay https://t.co/dfIq6YqhgK pic.twitter.com/gEhYxKMAfX
— Mean Girls (@MeanGirls) October 3, 2020 @MeanGirls
Aside from voting, the 'Mean Girls' cast takes turns sharing their favorite memories from being on set, examining the teen comedy's pop culture impact and of course, dropping their character's famous movie quotes.
Check it out ... we gotta say it's pretty grool ... and fetch!!!
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Kanye West On the Ballot for Veep
Kanye West is on the California ballot ... as a VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate.
The mail-in ballots are being mailed out, and Ye's on the American Independent Party. The A.I.P.'s presidential candidate is Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente Guerra.
So how, you ask, can Kanye be both the presidential candidate for the Birthday Party and the vice presidential candidate for the American Independent Party? Well, from what we can see, it's entirely possible/likely Kanye didn't consent to the nom, but then again ...
As we reported, Ye's pick for Veep on the Birthday ticket is Michelle Tidball. She has not publicly said if she's down with the nom.
Oh, and if you're wondering who Roque is ... he's the owner of De La Fuente car dealerships. He has lots of cash and some political ambition. He ran for Prez as a Democrat years ago, and then switched parties to Independent in 2016. He's challenged Senator Dianne Feinstein ... in fact, he's run for U.S. Senate in 9 different states at the same time.
2020 folks ... 3 months and counting.
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President Trump Moving to Walter Reed Hospital ... For COVID-19 Treatment
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5:00 PM PT -- The President's experienced shortness of breath and a mild fever on Friday ... according to sources with direct knowledge. We're also told he insisted on wearing a suit for that video he tweeted and for his brief trip to Walter Reed.
One source who's had interactions with him in the last week told TMZ ... President Trump had not been feeling well for a couple of days prior to Thursday. That's important because it would increase the possibility others around POTUS were exposed to the virus.
3:36 PM PT -- Trump posted a video thanking everyone for their support and saying, "I think I'm doing very well, but we are going to make sure that things work out."
3:22 PM PT -- Trump just boarded Marine One, wearing a mask, and is currently in the air on his way to Walter Reed.
President Trump will be flown to Walter Reed Military Hospital for continued treatment for COVID-19.
The White House just announced the President will be flown to the renowned Bethesda, MD facility on Friday afternoon. It's a dramatic turn, considering the administration previously said he was "fatigued" and experiencing "mild symptoms."
The Marine One helicopter has already landed on the South Lawn at the White House ... ready to transport Trump.
The White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany says, "Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.”
Sources connected to the White House tell us the move is primarily because they want an added level of safety for the President, considering he's high risk due to his age and weight.
We're told his illness was obvious Friday during conference calls, and he was unusually quiet. There were early signs Thursday night when he called in to Sean Hannity's show on Fox News around 9:30 PM Eastern time -- he sounded like he had low energy and a case of the sniffles.
We're told, at that point, Trump already suspected he had COVID-19 ... although, he didn't announce his test results on Twitter until almost 1 AM Eastern time.
Story developing ...
Originally Published -- 2:34 PM PT
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President Trump & First Lady Both Test Positive for COVID-19 ... Getting Antibodies Treatment
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1:48 PM PT -- Trump's doctor just revealed the President is being treated with an experimental drug that uses antibodies to try to attack COVID-19. The treatment was administered through an IV.
9:28 AM PT -- Biden, who shared the debate stage with Trump this week, has tested NEGATIVE for the virus ... according to his campaign.
7:08 AM PT -- 10/2 -- According to reports, Ivanka Trump, Barron Trump and Jared Kushner have all tested negative.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have both contracted the coronavirus.
The President broke the news with a tweet -- at nearly 1 AM Friday in D.C. -- saying ... "Tonight @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER."
The alarming news comes hours after we learned one of the President's aides, Hope Hicks, had tested positive. Hope had been traveling on Air Force One all week with POTUS ... going to and from the presidential debate in Cleveland ... and also to his rally in Minnesota.
The impact is far-reaching. Trump came into contact with numerous people over the last 5 days, including Joe Biden on the debate stage, and his Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett. And, then there's his treasury secretary -- someone who frequently meets with the president -- who had a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Vice President Pence has tested negative, but there's still a window of risk since he's been in contact with Trump over the last week.
Trump was not feeling well on Wednesday, according to Bloomberg News, so it's also unclear how long Trump has been COVID positive.
Furthermore, what's unclear -- who gave the virus to whom? Did Trump contract the virus from Hope Hicks or vice versa, or did they contract it from someone else?
There's no good time to contract the virus, but it comes at a particularly critical time for the President ... less than 5 weeks before Election Day. We don't yet know if he and Melania are experiencing symptoms, but the First Lady tweeted that they are "feeling good."
As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 2, 2020 @FLOTUS
Trump has made no secret of how much he hates wearing face masks, and has done it in public very rarely since the pandemic began.
The last time we saw him wearing one in public was a week ago at the public viewing for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg outside the Supreme Court.
During the debate on Tuesday night, he did pull one out of his pocket as he claimed to have no issue with wearing face coverings. It's worth noting, at 74 years old he is in a high-risk category for COVID-19. Melania is only 50.
As you know, Trump has logged a lot of miles this week -- traveling with his inner circle of aides and attending large scale events. Once contact tracing is done ... it's possible a large number of people will need to be tested immediately and quarantined.
So far, the administration is saying the Prez and Melania will remain in their White House residence while they quarantine. It's unclear how long that will last, but typically doctors recommend 14 days.
And, if you're wondering ... the next presidential debate is exactly 14 days away.
Originally Published -- 10/1 10:17 PM PT
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President Trump 'Let Me Be Clear ...' Finally Condemns White Supremacists
President Trump is finally saying the words he failed to say at the first presidential debate -- "I condemn all white supremacists."
Trump called in to his friend Sean Hannity's Fox News show Thursday night to talk about his performance at the first debate vs. Joe Biden ... and try to put the Proud Boys controversy to rest.
He said, "Let me be clear again -- I condemn the KKK. I condemn all white supremacists. I condemn the Proud Boys." Trump re-insisted he doesn't know much about the Proud Boys hate group ... but he's against what they do.
This, of course, is in stark contrast to his response 48 hours earlier when debate moderator Chris Wallace asked him to denounce white supremacy. Instead, he told the Proud Boys to "Stand back, and stand by."
On Wednesday, while talking to the press at The White House about the outrage he caused, he denied knowledge of the Proud Boys and again danced around a flat-out denouncement of white supremacy.
Interestingly, when Trump spoke to Hannity it was about 6:30 PM PT -- 90 minutes after we'd learned his aide, Hope Hicks, tested positive for COVID-19, but before his test results were back. He did discuss having to go into quarantine, but only after addressing the debate and white supremacy.
The President also went to his regular playbook and called out Biden, saying Joe needs to condemn Antifa and apologize for his history on race issues.
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Melania Trump Secret Audio, Separating Border Moms and Kids ... 'Give me a f***ing Break!'
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Melania Trump fumed during a secretly-recorded conversation, railing on the criticism President Trump received over separating mothers from their children at the border and expressing extreme frustration about the way the "liberal media" treats her and her husband.
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Melania's former aide and former best friend, Linda Tripped her, recording their conversation without the First Lady's knowledge. Melania was venting about the attacks she fielded over separating mothers and kids at the border, saying, "Give me a f***ing break!" She went on, "Where they were saying anything when Obama did that?"
The First Lady talked about her trip to the border and how she was thwarted in reuniting a child with the mother ... "I was trying to get the kid reunited with the mom. I didn't have a chance -- needs to go through the process and through the law." She says the press would not cover her efforts, saying, "They would not do the story because they, they, they are against us, because they're the liberal media." And, then she said ... "Yeah, if I [go] to Fox, they will do the story. I don't want to go to Fox."
And, then there's Saint Nick. In the recording, first played on CNN, Melania says, "Where I am, I put, I'm working like my ass off at Christmas stuff that you know, who gives a f*** about Christmas stuff and decoration. But, I need to do it, right?"
Does everybody secretly tape everybody in the world of Trump?
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President Trump I'm Quarantining After Aide Hope Hicks Gets COVID-19
7:57 PM PT -- The President says he and the First Lady -- who was also traveling with Hope this week -- are waiting for their COVID-19 test results. He adds, "In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!"
Talk about bad timing ... less than 5 weeks to go before Election Day. Fair to say a lot is riding on these test results.
President Trump's close aide, Hope Hicks, has reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus after flying on Air Force One this week with the Prez.
Hope's positive COVID-19 test comes on the heels of her traveling to and from Tuesday's debate in Cleveland -- as well as a roundtrip flight to Trump's Wednesday rally in Minnesota ... according to a Bloomberg News report.
The report says she is experiencing symptoms now ... however, there's no indication POTUS has contracted the virus.
Hope is working for Trump again as a "counselor to the President" after previously serving as his communications director, and working on his 2016 campaign.
We reached out to the White House, and deputy press secretary Judd Deere would not comment about Hope or the President's health. He did tell us, "The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously."
He continued, "White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the President is traveling."
Originally Published -- 5:50 PM PT
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Van Jones New Probation Law is 'Transformative' ... Great Things Happening!!!
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Van Jones can't stop smiling about the REFORM Alliance's big win -- the new law he says will improve the lives of tens of thousands of Californians ... and it's just the start, he hopes.
The REFORM CEO and esteemed news commentator joined "TMZ Live" Thursday, still riding high after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the AB 1950 bill into law ... which Jones calls a "transformative" piece of legislation.
Van says it's all about giving people a fair shot and setting them up for success, and gives props to Newsom for working with REFORM to make a much-needed change to the state's probation system.
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As we reported ... the new law limits adult probation sentences to a maximum of 1 year for a misdemeanor, and 2 years for felony offenses. Van says ideally, this will lower petty probation violations and keep people from going back to prison when they're not even committing crimes.
More importantly, Jones says the law is set up to give people in the criminal justice system a "springboard to success, and not a trap door into failure" ... in order to lead productive lives after they've done their time.
Jones also believes this progress is a result of all the protesting for change, and even though the alliance was founded by big names like Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Michael Rubin and Robert Kraft ... everyone involved in the movement helped.
Van tells us this is real change happening right before our eyes, so don't sleep on it ... the tens of thousands of people it will positively affect sure won't.
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Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Michael Rubin REFORM Alliance Scores Big Win ... Improving State's Probation System
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REFORM Alliance -- the criminal justice reform org launched by Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Michael Rubin and others -- is celebrating its first major victory with CA Gov. Gavin Newsom signing a new bill into law.
Newsom just put pen to paper on AB 1950 ... legislation which will drastically reshape Cali's probation system and give hundreds of thousands of Californians a better shot at exiting the criminal justice system for good.
Specifically, the new law limits adult probation sentences to a maximum of 1 year for misdemeanor, and 2 years for felony offenses. The theory is that will greatly reduce probation violations. REFORM campaigned hard for the bill, generating more than 3,000 emails to Newsom's desk.
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As you know, Meek knows personally how probation violations can unjustly derail someone's life, and his experience is part of the origin story of REFORM.
Meek's pal, and 76ers partner, Rubin says ... "This is exactly why we created REFORM -- to change laws and create a smarter criminal justice system focused on rehabilitation and redemption all while keeping communities safe."
He adds ... "We’re grateful for Governor Newsom and Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove’s commitment to making such meaningful change in California and we hope it sets a necessary precedent for state leaders across the country."
REFORM was created in early 2019 and co-founded by Robert Kraft, Clara Wu Tsai, Michael Novogratz, Dan Loeb, Robert Smith, and Laura Arnold ... and its CEO is Van Jones.
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Rep. Dwight Evans Trump's Just Mad at Philly ... Knows He's Gonna Lose!!!
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Congressman Dwight Evans says President Trump was out of line with his jab at Philadelphia, and thinks that lashing out is gonna backfire on him come Election Day.
The U.S. Representative went to bat for his home district -- which includes West Philly -- when we got him in D.C. Wednesday. Evans blasted Trump for disrespecting the City of Brotherly Love during the debate by saying, "Bad things happen in Philadelphia."
Trump was specifically talking about an alleged poll watchers controversy when he made the comment, but Rep. Evans believes the dig goes deeper than that ... and shows POTUS doesn't value Ben Franklin's home turf.
The Congressman also claims Trump has zero support in Philadelphia as it is, and suggests the Prez might have sealed his fate in the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the diss.
As for Philadelphians ... it seems they're embracing Trump's hate, even as his campaign threatens to sue the city over allegations poll watchers were banned.
Meanwhile, Evans himself is firing back with a Trump jab of his own.
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President Trump Proud Boys, Who??? I Don't Know Them, But 'Stand Down'
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President Trump is walking back his ominous message to the far-right group, Proud Boys ... and now says he doesn't even know who they are.
Trump fielded questions on the South Lawn about the "stand back and stand by" remark he made when debate moderator Chris Wallace asked if he would denounce white supremacy.
He told the White House press corps ... "I don't know who the Proud Boys are" and asked reporters for a definition of the group -- which has been widely labeled a neo-fascist, male-only, politically violent organization.
The President added, "Whoever they are, they have to stand down -- let law enforcement do their work."
Interestingly, though, he was again asked straight-up if he denounces white supremacy. Watch how he dances around the question before finally responding ... but without ever saying the words, "white supremacy." Trump finally mutters ... "I've always denounced any form, any form, any form of any of that, you have to denounce."
The Prez then pivoted to attack the liberal left and Antifa instead, much like he did during the first presidential debate.
As we reported ... the debate has been widely panned as a disgrace -- or much worse -- and the ratings were way down from 2016. That could be the result of voters turned off by the nastiness or voters who've already decided just not watching.
Either way, it could be too late for this kinda damage control
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Rev. Al Sharpton Trump's 'Proud Boys' Messaging ... Opens Door to Violence at Polls
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President Trump refusing to condemn white supremacists and continuing to undermine confidence in the election has Rev. Al Sharpton concerned about division and voter intimidation.
Sharpton was on "TMZ Live" Thursday to address the President's ominous words -- "Stand back and stand by" -- for alt-right group the Proud Boys ... and his apparent encouragement of supporters to take to the streets if he's dissatisfied with the election.
According to Rev. Al, the message is clear -- Trump stands by white supremacy, and gave a hate group his stamp of approval Wednesday night.
Sharpton believes this could have dire consequences and deliver a blow to our democracy if voters are intimidated to go to the polls ... something he suggests is Trump's motive.
Al's not mincing words either -- he tells us there have been some bad U.S. Presidents, think slavery days, but he still feels 45 is now reaching an all-time low.
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Presidential Debate Aftermath Long Line for Passports ... Ready to Leave the 'S**tshow'?!?!
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Americans are preparing in droves to get outta Dodge after the disaster that was the first presidential debate ... or so it seems based on the line to get a passport.
The passport office in Times Square drew a flock of customers, all lined up Wednesday morning less than 12 hours after the debate ... or as CNN put it, the "s**tshow."
The NYC crowd played like a response to the head-to-head war of words between President Trump and Joe Biden, because fleeing the country is one of those things ya hear people -- on both sides -- say when they're pissed about politics.
We're told the folks in line were waiting for appointments with the Dominican Republic Consulate.
After last night, virtually everyone's unhappy. As we reported ... some lowlights of the chaotic debate included Biden referring to the President as a "clown," and Trump refusing to denounce white supremacy.
There were plenty of other disturbing comments and verbal attacks, and it's all resonating with the public.
As many viewers and pundits have said ... to hell with the candidates, the American people lost last night.
Sooo ... bon voyage?
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Kylie Jenner Bikini Voter Drive Works ... Vote.org Gets Crazy 1500% Boost!!!
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Kylie Jenner is flexing her political influence in a very impressive way ... turning your standard IG thirst trap into nearly 50,000 potential new registered voters!
TMZ's learned Kylie's smoke show bikini pics -- posted Monday -- are drawing huge traffic for Vote.org. She used the caption of those sexy shots to direct her nearly 200 million Instagram followers to hit up the site, and so many obeyed ... we're told it saw a whopping 1500% boost from traffic driven via Instagram.
There are more astronomical stats -- Vote.org got over an 80% increase in total users of its voter registration and verification tool from the prior day. That all translates to more than 48,000 users going to the site through Kylie's IG post ... and ya gotta figure that number's still rising.
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By contrast ... only 2,900 users came to the registration verification tool via Instagram on Sunday out of 174k total users. So, there's clearly a very real Kylie effect working here.
Remember ... only around 138 million Americans -- out of 328 million -- voted in 2016. Now, more than 1 million have already cast ballots for this year's election ... the highest rate of early voting in U.S. history. For example, around this time 4 years ago, less than 10,000 people had voted.
Ya can't say Kylie hasn't done her part to get people to the polls. Aside from the pics this week ... she also implored fans back in June to NOT get distracted, and show up to the polls.
Unlike 2016, when Kylie revealed her support for Hillary Clinton ... she's yet to endorse a Presidential candidate. No offense to her brother-in-law, we're sure.