Ruth Bader Ginsburg death - latest: Democrats smash donation records following death of liberal Supreme Court judge

Greta Thunberg pays tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, quoting the former Supreme Court justice’s iconic quote regarding the fight for gender equality.

This is the moment Donald Trump reportedly heard about the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the first time.

In the clip, he is told the news by a reporter.

“She just died? Wow, I didn’t know that, you’re telling me now for the first time,” Mr Trump said. 

Democratic senator Chris Murphy has warned Republicans they Senate will “never, ever be the same” if they push forward with plans to replace Ginsburg before the election.

He is not explicit about what will change, but many Democrats are calling for an end to the Senate filibuster and to pack the Supreme Court with a slew of liberal judges.

Laurence Tribe, a US law professor at Harvard and noted constitutional expert, has accused the Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell of “ghoulish” behaviour after he vowed to get the now-vacant Supreme Court seat filled before the election,

Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for president, has hailed Ginsberg an “American hero” who “stood for all of us”. 

The former vice-president also called for her successor to be selected only after November’s election.

Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, has praised Ginsberg as a “profound and fearless advocate for women, equality and justice”.

Here's who Trump wants as successor on Supreme Court

The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has set the scene for a fierce political battle to replace her just weeks away from a presidential election.

Earlier this month Donald Trump updated his roster of more than 20 potential Supreme Court nominees, from which he could appoint his third justice.

Those names included Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Senator Ted Cruz, who has denied any interest in taking the position.

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Biden and McConnell clash over Supreme Court vacancy

The death of US supreme court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg little more than six weeks before the election cast an immediate spotlight on the high court vacancy, with senate majority leader Mitch McConnell quickly vowing to bring a vote on whoever President Donald Trump nominates.

Democratic nominee Joe Biden vigorously disagreed, declaring “voters should pick the president and the president should pick the justice to consider”.

Mr McConnell, in a statement some 90 minutes after Ms Ginsburg's death was announced, declared unequivocally that Mr Trump's nominee would go to a vote, even though he had stalled then-president Barack Obama's choice for months ahead of the 2016 election, eventually preventing a ballot.

Mr Trump, in brief remarks to reporters after learning of her death, called Ms Ginsburg “an amazing woman” who “led an amazing life”.

He had continued with a campaign speech for more than an hour after her death was announced, saying later he had been unaware of her passing.

Associated Press

Preet Bharara, former US attorney at the Southern District of New York, who was infamously fired by Donald Trump, has tweeted about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death.

The “urge to fight” is likely in reference to the inevitable attempt by Republican senators to force through the nomination of a conservative replacement in the Supreme Court before the potential coronation of Joe Biden as president.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU commission, has tweeted mourning the loss of the “truly remarkable” Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

“She proved that women belong in all places of power where decisions are made,” Ms Von der Leyen said, echoing one of Ginsburg’s most iconic quotes.