Donald Trump: critics who allege antisemitism are 'sick people' – as it happened

Today in Campaign 2016

Donald Trump may have wanted to devote today to Hillary Clinton, but affirming his hatred of mosquitos, fondness for Saddam Hussein’s willingness to execute terrorists without due process and tweeting a late-night screengrab of a book of Frozen stickers to counter accusations of antisemitism has pretty much laid those plans to rest.

• Donald Trump defended a controversial tweet that many considered antisemitic and reiterated his praise for Saddam Hussein on Wednesday in a rambling, unscripted campaign rally that will compound the fears of Republicans who question if their candidate has the discipline to reach the White House.
• The billionaire’s rekindling of two controversies distracted from the difficult week being endured by his Democratic adversary, Hillary Clinton, who was excoriated by the FBI over her “extremely careless” use of emails.

• Bonus points: The photograph apparently originated with an alt-right Twitter celebrity.
• Attorney general Loretta Lynch closed the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email practices with no charges on Wednesday, formally ending a protracted saga that has clouded her campaign with questions of trustworthiness. “Late this afternoon, I met with FBI director James Comey and career prosecutors and agents who conducted the investigation of Secretary Hillary Clinton’s use of a personal email system during her time as secretary of state,” Lynch said in a statement. “I received and accepted their unanimous recommendation that the thorough, yearlong investigation be closed and that no charges be brought against any individuals within the scope of the investigation.”