Politico reports that Trump “continued his battle with America’s firefighters” at a rally in Ohio, “where he accused the local fire marshal and city officials of being part of a political conspiracy to prevent his supporters from attending the event.”

“The problem with Trump’s charges? His own senior campaign staff officials were fully aware and had agreed in writing that the Trump event in Columbus was to be restricted to a maximum of 1,000 people, according to documents signed on Friday, July 29, between the Trump campaign and Columbus Convention Center for the Monday event.”

Newsweek: “In that 2007 deposition, Trump said he based estimates of his net worth at times on ‘psychology’ and ‘my own feelings.’ But those feelings are often wrong—in 2004, he presented unaudited financials to Deutsche Bank while seeking a loan, claiming he was worth $3.5 billion. The bank concluded Trump was, to say the least, puffing; it put his net worth at $788 million, records show.”

The kicker: “Trump personally guaranteed $40 million of the loan to his company, so Deutsche coughed up the money. He later defaulted on that commitment.”

“Donald Trump made the mother of a crying child the butt of an unfortunate joke at his rally in Ashburn, Virginia on Tuesday. At first, the Republican nominee drew attention to the baby by saying he didn’t mind the sound of crying,” Rolling Stone reports.

“Then, reversing course, he told the mother to leave.”

First Read: “Donald Trump’s confounding war with a Gold Star family — earning condemnation from veterans groups and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle – has started to have a distinct air over the last 36 hours of a situation that’s unraveling. It’s the latest in a long list of fights that have so far failed to sink Trump’s candidacy, but something about this particular controversy feels different. It’s pushing some neutral groups off the sidelines (see the nonpartisan VFW’s strongly-worded response), it’s undermining the GOP’s mantle as the party of reverence to the military and national security, and it’s putting Republicans like House Speaker Paul Ryan in a particularly torturous bind as they try to defend the Khan family without so much as naming their own nominee.”

“Mike Pence, Trump’s own VP, faced a question about Trump’s treatment of the Khans last night from a military mom who was booed by the crowd as Pence offered words of solace but no apology. But so far, Republicans aren’t going so far as to un-endorse their nominee as a result of the Khan controversy. (Not even John McCain, who offered the most biting statement targeting Trump yet!) This moment could provide a last exit ramp for Republicans to withdraw their support for Trump before the heat of the general election, which now seems sure to draw even more outlandish reactions from a candidate who’s shown little deference to the party. And the pressure isn’t letting up.”

“I’m afraid the election’s gonna be rigged, I have to be honest.”

— Donald Trump, quoted by the New York Times.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars blasted Donald Trump for his comments about Ghazala Khan, the mother of a fallen Muslim Army captain, calling the Republican nominee “out-of-bounds,” Politico reports.

Said VFW leader Brian Duffy: “Election year or not, the VFW will not tolerate anyone berating a Gold Star family member for exercising his or her right of speech or expression. There are certain sacrosanct subjects that no amount of wordsmithing can repair once crossed. Giving one’s life to nation is the greatest sacrifice, followed closely by all Gold Star families, who have a right to make their voices heard.”

Donald Trump was trapped in an elevator for 30 minutes ahead of a Friday rally before being rescued by the Colorado Springs Fire Department, the Denver Post reports.

“I’m taking the gloves off. Take the gloves off. Right? Taking the gloves off! Just remember this: Trump is gonna be no more Mr. Nice Guy.”

— Donald Trump, quoted by Politico.

Donald Trump said that Republicans wary of his campaign have little choice but to vote for him anyway, The Hill reports.

Said Trump: “If you really like Donald Trump, that’s great, but if you don’t, you have to vote for me anyway. You know why? Supreme Court judges, Supreme Court judges.”

He added: “Have no choice, sorry, sorry, sorry. You have no choice.”