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Trump’s Ex-Wife Nominates Herself For VP

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A shocking turn of events…

Former President Donald Trump’s ex-wife, Marla Maples, recently said she was open to being his running mate during an interview

“I’m open. I’m open to whatever way that I can serve,” Maples said in an interview with the U.K. publication, The Evening Standard, released Monday.

“Right now everyone [in the Trump family] is just seeing how we can help,” she said when asked about potentially being the 45th president’s VP pick.

Maples, who has largely stayed out of politics during Trump’s first term, says she’s not longer afraid of the consequences and is ready to “step out more.”

“I’ve never been a fan of politics. I see how it can separate and divide us,” Maples told The Evening Standard.

“At the same time, I found myself in the throes of it,” the “Dancing With the Stars” alum said.

Maples and Trump were married from 1993 to 1999 and are parents to daughter Tiffany Trump. 

But now, Maples said, “I’m ready. I am available if needed and I’m not sitting back anymore.”

 “I want to step out more, share more and not be afraid of positive or negative outcomes that come from speaking out,” she said. 

Despite Maples’ throwing her hat into the ring, Trump is more likely to choose a running mate with more firsthand political experience.

According to a report from The New York Post, Donald Trump is now seriously considering two candidates to become his running mate: Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Florida Senator Marco Rubio is also reportedly being considered.

One source close to Trump gave a slight edge to Burgum being the 45th president’s running mate, saying the North Dakotan had a 50-50 chance of being selected and Vance had a 30% chance, with Rubio and the field each having a 10% percent chance.

A different source close to the Trump campaign said the choice was “gonna be JD, Marco or Burgum” and that they didn’t “see a scenario where one of those three doesn’t end up getting it.”

“I would give Burgum and JD a little more of an edge than Marco,” the source added, handicapping that “Marco still has a shot” and that “Burgum and JD have an equal shot.”

“JD because that’s who Don Jr. and Trump’s inner orbit seem to be pushing for,” this person said. “Donors [are] pushing Burgum for stability.”

It’s unclear exactly when Trump will officially announce his choice for vice president but speculation is building around his upcoming rally in Pennsylvania and the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Former Trump Primary Rival Makes Decision On No Labels Bid

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Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) is officially shutting the door on speculation he may mount a third-party challenge for the White House.

Christie has been considering a possible third-party run for the White House as some suggested he run on a unity ticket put forward by No Labels. However, on Wednesday the Republican said he would be staying out of the 2024 race,

“I appreciate the encouragement I’ve gotten to pursue a third-party candidacy,” Christie said in a statement, posted on X. “I believe we need a country that once again feels like everyone has a stake in what we’re doing and leadership that strives to bring people together, instead of using anger to divide us.”

“While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward,” he added.

Christie’s decision comes about a week after he said on “The Axe Files” podcast that he was not ruling out running on a potential No Labels ticket in November. He still expressed hesitancy toward the idea at the time saying that “there are a number of hurdles to get over before I would actually consider running as a third-party.”

Christie, in a separate statement, said he was sad to hear of former Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (I-Conn.) death, which was announced on Wednesday. According to The Hill, Lieberman, the co-founder of No Labels, had previously floated Christie to run on the top of the organization’s ticket.

“I last spoke to him on Monday and he was fully engaged in a conversation of how to overcome the toxic political environment in our country. His whole life was dedicated to putting country before party in all he did,” Christie said on X, formerly Twitter.

Liz Cheney Not Ruling Out Third Party White House Run

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Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney is not ruling out a run for the White House in the near future and plans to make a final decision in the coming months.

During a recent interview with The Washington Post, the anti-Trump Republican said she’s open to considering a third-party run for President, steering away from the already-crowded Republican primary field.

“Several years ago, I would not have contemplated a third-party run,” Cheney told The Washington Post. But “democracy is at risk” both at home and abroad, she said, citing former President Trump’s “continued grip on the Republican Party.” 

“We face threats that could be existential to the United States and we need a candidate who is going to be able to deal with and address and confront all of those challenges,” Cheney told the Post. “That will all be part of my calculation as we go into the early months of 2024.”

In October, Cheney refused to rule out a White House bid. She also said in her recent interview with the Post that she hasn’t ruled out voting for Democrat President Biden if he’s the 2024 nominee.

Cheney, who lost her 2022 midterm re-election bid, has repeatedly pushed against another Trump presidency. On Monday, Cheney issued a grim warning against supporting Trump.

“I hope that there are options and alternatives that reflect the important challenges that we’re facing, and that reflect leadership to meet those challenges, but that choice can never be Donald Trump because a vote for Donald Trump may mean the last election that you ever get to vote in,” she told NBC’s Savannah Guthrie on “Today.”

“And again, I don’t say that lightly, and I think it’s heartbreaking that that’s where we are, but people have to recognize that a vote for Donald Trump is a vote against the Constitution,” she continued.

She also said Monday that “there’s no question” that Trump would refuse to leave the White House at the end of his second four-year term if re-elected.

“He’s already attempted to seize power, and he was stopped, thankfully, and for the good of the nation and the republic,” she said. “But he said he will do it again. He’s expressed no remorse for what he did.”

She added that it’s “a very, very real threat and concern” that Trump will make himself a dictator if he wins the White House.

“I don’t say any of that lightly,” she said. “And frankly, it’s painful for me as someone who you know, has spent their whole life in Republican politics who grew up as Republican to watch what’s happening to my party, and to watch the extent to which Donald Trump himself has, you know, basically determined that that the only thing that matters is him his power, his success.”

Report: RFK Jr. Withdraws From Arizona Ballot

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has filed paperwork to remove his name from Arizona’s 2024 presidential ballot.

“RFK Jr.’s campaign filed official paperwork with our office today withdrawing him from AZ’s 2024 election,” Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) said Thursday.

Kennedy announced Wednesday that he would address the nation Friday about his political future. His campaign said the speech, at 2 p.m. EDT in Phoenix, would center on “the present historical moment and his path forward.” (RELATED: RFK Jr. Announces Friday Press Conference Amid Withdrawal Whispers)

Trump’s campaign said the former president will be joined later Friday by a “special guest” at a rally in Arizona.

“President Trump will be joined by a special guest as he delivers remarks about his America First policies and his vision to lower inflation and the cost of living, secure the border, and make our cities safe again,” the Trump campaign said in a press release.

Trump said that he would be “honored” by a Kennedy endorsement. (RELATED: Trump Says He’s ‘Open’ To Having RFK Jr. Join His Administration)

“He’s a brilliant guy. He’s a very smart guy. I’ve known him for a very long time,” Trump said. “I didn’t know he was thinking about getting out, but if he is thinking about getting out, certainly I’d be open to it.”

Trump said that he would “love” an endorsement from Kennedy because he’s “always liked” him.

He indicated that he “probably would” appoint Kennedy to a role in the administration if Kennedy were to drop out and endorse him.

“I like him a lot. I respect him a lot,” Trump said. “I probably would, if something like that would happen. He’s a very different kind of a guy — a very smart guy. And, yeah, I would be honored by that endorsement, certainly.”

Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s son, said Wednesday that he is in favor of having Kennedy be a part of a government agency and allowing him to “blow it up.”

“I loved the idea, love the idea of giving him some sort of role in some sort of major three-letter entity or whatever it may be and let him blow it up,” Trump Jr. said on “The Glenn Beck Program.”

“I think that’s what we need. And so, I think that kind of unity, even where there may be certain disagreements on certain things, I think he could be a really great asset for that.”

DeSantis Lays Out Timeline for 2024 Decision

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Americans may not have to wait much longer on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis‘s White House decision…

The beloved Republican governor has been considered a potential White House contender for months but has remained silent over when Americans can expect a potential campaign announcement.

On Monday, Gov. DeSantis indicated that he will make a decision on a 2024 presidential run after the state’s legislative session wraps up in May.

During an appearance with “Fox & Friends” DeSantis charted out the next few months saying that he will embark on a tour to promote his new book, “The Courage to be Free,” and work through the Florida legislature’s regular session, which begins in early March.

“We’re going to sell some books, we’re going to spread the message of Florida. And then on March 8, I have our Legislative Session that’s kicking off,” DeSantis said.

“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” he added. “This is going to be the most productive Legislative Session we have had across the board and I think people are going to be really excited … So those are what we’re going to be doing over these next few months as we get beyond that, then we can decide from there.”

Republicans now hold supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature after November’s midterm elections, meaning DeSantis has a clear path to getting some of his biggest policy priorities approved.

His remarks on Monday were some of the most explicit from the Florida governor on when to expect an announcement. 

Tucker Carlson Says This Running Mate Would Make Him Abandon Trump

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Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

This is a step too far for Tucker…

Former Fox News star Tucker Carlson says that if Donald Trump taps Nikki Haley as his running mate not only will he not vote for the ticket but he will openly advocate against it.

“I would not only not vote for that ticket, I would advocate against it as strongly as I could,” Carlson said this week during an interview with conservative media personality Tim Pool.

“That’s just poison,” Carlson added, blasting Haley as “not left, but … neoliberal in the darkest, most … nihilistic way” and saying she “has no real popular support.”

Carlson called Haley a “creature of the oligarchs” and said her joining Trump’s campaign “would be reason to oppose the ticket.”

Carlson recently brushed aside suggestions that he could be a potential vice presidential pick for Trump after an Axios report indicated Melania Trump is advocating for Trump to tap Carlson for the role. (RELATED: Tucker Carlson Shoots Down Vice President Rumors)

“God would have to yell at me very loud,” Carlson said at the American Principles Project Foundation’s annual Christmas gala, where he gave a speech, according to Semafor.

Tim Scott Opens Presidential Exploratory Committee

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Michael Vadon, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., has taken the first step toward the race for the White House.

The prominent Republican senator announced the news accompanied by a slickly produced video on Twitter earlier this morning.

“On this day, April 12, 1861, in this harbor, the first shots of the Civil War were fired and our country faced the defining moment: Would we truly be one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. America’s soul was put to the test – and we prevailed,” Scott said at the top of the video.

Scott vowed that he’d “never back down in defense of the conservative values that make America exceptional.”

“That’s why I’m announcing my exploratory committee for President of the United States,” he added.

As The Washington Times reports:

The presidential exploratory committee allows Mr. Scott to raise funds for expenses such as polling or travel before making the leap into the race.

He would square off against Mr. Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the Republican who appointed him to his Senate in 2012 before he won a series of elections to remain a senator.

Other Republicans, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, are expected to enter the race.

Scott is on what he calls his “Faith in America” listening tour, which he said would help him decide whether to launch a presidential campaign. Word of the tour was first reported by Fox News earlier this year.

New York Times Handles Trump Assassination Attempt By Cropping Out American Flag

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

In an attack that shook America to its core on Saturday afternoon, a failed loner attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. The New York Times’ editorial choices in covering it over the past 24 hours have sparked widespread discussion and criticism.

NYT’s Editorial Decisions

One of the most controversial decisions was the alteration of their cover photo, which conspicuously cut out the American flag. This move did not go unnoticed and spurred intense reaction online. Additionally, The New York Times opted not to use the word “assassination” in its front-page story about the shooting.

Comparison with Other Media Outlets

The New York Times wasn’t alone in making editorial choices that drew scrutiny. CNN’s Jamie Gangel also faced criticism for her response. Gangel chose to chide Trump’s rhetoric mere seconds after the attack, a decision sorely lacking empathy and perspective.

However, these responses were somewhat subdued when compared to the reactions from two reporters from a far-left Seattle outlet. These ideologues appeared to cheer the near miss.

The Post Millennial reports:

Staff writer at The Stranger Ashley Nerbovig, who covers “policing, incarceration and courts” for the far-left outlet posted on X, “Make America aim again,” in reaction to the news that the former president had survived the shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday. Nervobig deleted the post, but screenshots went viral. She then deleted her account.

Fellow Stranger writer Hannah Krieg criticized Seattle’s Democratic mayor for praising the Secret Service and wishing the best for the former president.

Following the news of the failed assassination, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrel posted on X, “This act of political violence is disturbing and unacceptable in our country. Thank you to the Secret Service and all the first responders who quickly secured the scene. Our thoughts are with the former president and all the people who attended today’s rally.”

Krieg shared the post and wrote, “Mayor Bruce Harrel swiftly comes to the defense of Trump, a failed insurrectionist touted by mainstream Democrats as an existential threat to Democracy.” She deleted the post and then locked her account after the blowback.

For readers and viewers, these examples highlight the importance of critically evaluating news sources and being aware of potential biases. It also underscores the need for media literacy in this country.

READ NEXT: Horrifying Discovery Made In Trump Gunman’s Car

Biden Wins Debate Coin Toss, Trump To Deliver Closing Remarks

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CNN Headquarters via Wikimedia Commons

One more week…

The first presidential debate is nearly here and the details are being finalized.

On Thursday, CNN announced former President Trump will have the final word in next week’s first presidential debate after Joe Biden won the coin toss.

The Biden campaign won the coin toss, selecting tails, and choosing to pick the president’s standing position instead of reserving a speaking slot. Biden will stand on the right side of the stage from the viewer’s perspective, and Trump on the left.

Trump’s campaign decided to select to speak last, meaning Biden would be the first to give his closing argument.

Biden and Trump will be the only two candidates on the debate stage next Thursday night in Atlanta, CNN announced. Anchors Dana Bash and Jake Tapper have been selected as the moderators. Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did not qualify for the debate stage

It’s the first of two debates agreed to by the candidates and will feature a number of new rules.

CNN said there will be two commercial breaks during the debate, and candidates will not be allowed to consult with other members of their campaign during that time.

The network also noted that candidates’ podiums and positions will be determined by a coin flip, their mics will be muted outside of speaking time, and they will only be provided with a pen, a notepad and a bottle of water.

There will be no opening statements. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will each have two minutes to answer questions — followed by one-minute rebuttals and responses to the rebuttals. Red lights visible to the candidates will flash when they have five seconds left, and turn solid red when time has expired. And each man’s microphone will be muted when it is not his turn to speak.

Candidates will not be allowed to bring props or prepared notes.

Additionally, for the first time in recent history, the debate between presidential contenders won’t have a studio audience.

GOP Lt. Governor Suggests Removing Biden From Texas Ballot

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Joe Biden via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Republicans want revenge…

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick floated removing President Biden from the state’s primary ballot as a response to the Colorado Supreme Court’s shock ruling.

“Seeing what happened in Colorado tonight … makes me think — except we believe in democracy in Texas — maybe we should take Joe Biden off the ballot in Texas for allowing 8 million people to cross the border since he’s been president, disrupting our state far more than anything anyone else has done in recent history,” Patrick said in an interview with Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham.

On Tuesday, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled to remove Donald Trump from the 2024 state ballot, citing the 14th Amendment’s so-called insurrection clause. (RELATED: Colorado Supreme Court Bans Trump From Ballot)

The 4-3 ruling cited the 14th Amendment and argued Trump was involved in an insurrection by prompting false claims of election fraud and directing his supporters to go toward the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump’s campaign has vowed to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.