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    Far-right Billionaire Peter Thiel Revealed as FBI Informant

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
      -
      4

      Far-right billionaire investor Peter Thiel was revealed as an FBI informant as recently as 2021, according to a new report from Insider.

      Insider reports:

      In order to be added to this database, multiple layers of approval are typically required, and only those able to provide “valuable information … on a recurring basis” are given CHS status. Once admitted to the CHS database, informants are then given a code name and a serial number to categorize reports.

      The source added that Thiel’s status as an FBI informant is meant to be a way for the billionaire to distance himself from the MAGA movement, which has repeatedly assailed both the FBI and the US Department of Justice in response to investigations focused on former President Donald Trump. Johnson told Insider that he believes Thiel is primarily informing on foreign governments’ attempts to cement themselves within Silicon Valley. Johnson added that Thiel was explicitly told to not inform on former President Donald Trump or other US political figures.

      Peter Thiel, who was the first outside investor in Facebook, became influential within the Republican Party in 2016, when he pledged $1.25 million to elect Trump and endorsed him at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Thiel then served on then-President-elect Trump’s transition team. And in the 2022 midterm elections, Thiel backed MAGA US Senate candidate and ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ author JD Vance with a $10 million super PAC donation. Vance went on to attack the FBI, falsely accusing agents of wiretapping his phone. Thiel also put $15 million toward a super PAC backing Arizona Republican US Senate candidate Blake Masters, who went on to lose the general election to incumbent Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona).

      Trump Hesitant Over Scalise’s Leadership Abilities Due To Health Concerns

        By
        Madeleine Jackson
        -
        2

        During a recent interview, former President Trump was hesitant to outwardly support Rep. Steve Scalise for House Speaker after the Louisiana Congressman won the GOP nomination on Wednesday.

        Scalise, who is recovering from blood cancer, faces an uphill battle to officially secure the gavel as he can only afford to lose four votes.

        Trump, who publicly endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to serve as Speaker, told Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on his radio show that he likes both Jordan and Scalise, but that Scalise “is in serious trouble from the standpoint of his cancer. 

        “I mean, he’s got to get better for himself. I’m not talking about even country now. I’m saying got to get better. And this is tremendous stress. All of the things that you hear about and things that you don’t want to get involved in from the standpoint of getting well,” Trump said in the interview.

        The former president said Scalise is going through “very, very serious cancer therapy,” and he also cited the “aftereffect” of the congressman getting shot and seriously wounded in 2017 during a congressional baseball game practice.

        “These treatments, they drain you of strength, supposedly,” Trump said. “It’s like a draining of strength. And we need tremendous strength both inside and out, because we have radical left, lunatics like Nancy Pelosi and Schiff and all these crazy people that are so bad for our country.”

        Asked if Scalise’s health was the only reason Trump endorsed Jordan for the role, Trump demurred, praising both men. But he also acknowledged the dynamics within the party may make it difficult for either representative to secure enough votes to become Speaker.

        “I think it’s going to be very hard, maybe in either case, for somebody to get you know, if you lose four votes, you can’t get it,” Trump said. “I think Steve will lose far more than four, and I think probably Jim will, too. And then you end up in one of these crazy stalemates. It’s a very interesting situation.”

        ‘Young Turks’ Founder Announces Presidential Campaign

          By
          Madeleine Jackson
          -
          5
          Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

          “Young Turks” founder Cenk Uygur is challenging Joe Biden.

          On Wednesday, the progressive commentator announced on this talk show that he is running for president simply saying “Biden is not going to win.”

          “[Biden] is not going to win,” Uygur said during the announcement. “It should not have been me, it should have been somebody else, but unfortunately it was not anyone else. There’s only four months left. We must change course. He has at best a 10 percent chance of winning. I’m running as a proxy. I am running to win. But I am also running as a proxy for any other candidate.” 

          The progressive media host has called for Biden to drop out of the race, stating repeatedly that democracy is on the line, referring to former President Trump’s 2024 run. 

          “We have got to get Biden out of the race,” Uygur said. “Thank you for winning in 2020. But if he loses this time around, it’s not just his problem, it’s all of our problems. I actually think democracy is on the line, and so if it takes me running, that’s what I’m gonna do.

          However, Uygur has a big obstacle to overcome in his run for the White House. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Uygur immigrated to the U.S. at 8 years old. He believes that the Constitution’s “Natural Born Citizen” clause will not prevent him in his effort, believing that he can win the battle in the Supreme Court.

          “I have lawyered up,” Uygur said. “I have the same lawyer [Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)] used in both of his presidential runs. And my guess is I’m going to have some strong allies in this. Arnold Schwarzenegger. I’m going to the Supreme Court. Either I’m going to win or I’m going to lose. Now this case is on our side. The precedent is definitely on our side. So, what are you going to do, brother?“ 

          “Marianne Williamson has been in there but unfortunately, she hasn’t broken through,” Uygur said. “I have nothing but respect for her courage and her policies, but at this point, we’re not at progressives versus establishment. We’re at four months left, and things must change. Otherwise, we’re almost definitely going to lose to Trump.”

          Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. switched his affiliation from Democrat to Independent after seeing little support.

          Nikki Haley Passes DeSantis in Latest New Hampshire Poll

          By
          Madeleine Jackson
          -
          5

          The Republican primary field is shifting…

          A new poll of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire showed former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley— not Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — running second in the first primary state.

          Haley beat DeSantis 19 percent to 10 percent in a Suffolk University/Boston Globe/USA TODAY survey released on Wednesday morning.

          But they both remain far behind the frontrunner, Donald Trump. The former president leads his Republican rivals with 49 percent support in the poll of 500 likely GOP primary voters that was conducted after the second debate and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

          But Trump remains immovable atop the field. And no other candidate cracked double digits in the Suffolk/Globe/USA TODAY survey. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie notched 6 percent support, while entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott got roughly 4 percent apiece. Former Vice President Mike Pence and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum trailed even further behind, with just 1 percent each.

          The poll comes days before GOP candidates will descend on New Hampshire next week, starting with the former president on Monday and most of the rest of the field at a weekend cattle call hosted by the state GOP.

          House Holds Consequential Vote on McCarthy Speakership

            By
            Madeleine Jackson
            -
            2

            On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted 208-218 on a motion to table Gaetz’s resolution to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), setting the stage for a vote on whether he should remain in the top spot.

            Ahead of Tuesday’s vote, McCarthy indicated he would not make any deals with Democrats in exchange for their support to help save his Speakership and Democrats would not offer any lifelines.

            “They haven’t asked for anything. I’m not going to provide anything,” McCarthy said in an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

            “Hakeem Jeffries and I have a good relationship,” McCarthy said. “That doesn’t mean they’re going to vote for me. I understand where the Democrats are. I’m not asking for any special deal or anything else.” 

            According to The Hill the only time the House has voted on whether to oust a Speaker was in 1910, in an unsuccessful move against Speaker Joseph Cannon (R-Ill.).

            Over the weekend, the Florida Congressman told CNN’s Jake Tapper that he planned to make good on his threats to oust McCarthy this week.

            “I do intend to file a motion to vacate against Speaker McCarthy this week,” Gaetz (R-Fla) said. “I think we need to rip off the band aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that can be trustworthy.”

            “Speaker Mccarthy made an agreement with House conservatives in January, and since then he has been in brazen, repeated material breach of that agreement,” Gaetz said Sunday. “This agreement that he made with Democrats, to really blow past a lot of the spending guardrails we had set up, is a last straw.”

            As part of the list of concessions made during his battle for the Speaker’s gavel in January only five Republicans need to side with Democrats to oust McCarthy.

            Five GOP lawmakers – Reps. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Bob Good (R-Va.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), and Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) – have said they are voting against keeping McCarthy as speaker. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) has strongly suggested he would do so as well. 

            Trump Calls On New York Judge to Reverse Initial Ruling

              By
              Madeleine Jackson
              -
              1
              Gavel via Wikimedia Commons Image

              A day after his New York civil trial kicked off, former President Donald Trump called on New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron to reverse his previous ruling finding Trump liable for fraud.

              In a Tuesday morning Truth Social post, Trump shifted blamed New York Attorney General Letitia James — a “Trump Deranged Lunatic” — for having provided Engoron with “false and ridiculous information.”

              “Now that it has been agreed in Court that Mar-a-Lago is WORTH 50 to 100 times the Value the Racist & Incompetent Attorney General of New York State, Letitia ‘Peekaboo’ James, ascribed to it (18 Million Dollars), & likewise other assets that were valued crazily low by this ‘Monster’ that has allowed Violent Crime in New York to reach EPIDEMIC levels, and dangerous illegal migrants to roam free all over our State, we hope the Judge will TERMINATE his first ruling of fraud in that he was given false and ridiculous information by the Trump Deranged Lunatic, A.G. James,” wrote Trump.

              “In actuality, I am WORTH FAR MORE than the numbers put down on the Financial Statements, not less. In addition, there is a far reaching and professionally drawn Disclaimer Clause boldly stated on the FIRST PAGE OF THE DOCUMENT,” he continued. “This entire case should be thrown out and dismissed. The A.G. should be reprimanded and sanctioned for bringing this case with its FAKE LOW VALUES, in order to make me look bad. Election Interference!”

              Trump’s ask comes just one day after he attacked Engoron as a “Trump hater” and “rogue judge” with “contempt for his own court system.”

              “He [Engoron] should resign from the ‘Bench. and be sanctioned by the Courts for his abuse of power, and his intentional and criminal interference with the Presidential Election of 2024, of which I am leading all candidates, both Republican & Democrat, by significant margins,” argued Trump on Truth Social Monday Morning. “Likewise, Letitia James should resign for purposeful and criminal Election Interference. She is fully aware that Mar-a-Lago, and other assets, are worth much more than what she is claiming. Both of these Democrat Operatives are a disgrace to New York, and to the United States of America!”

              Last week, Engoron sided with James and found Trump committed fraud by overestimating the worth of the Trump Organization.

              Trump Responds to Justice Department’s Gag Order Request

                By
                Madeleine Jackson
                -
                5
                Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

                Former President Donald Trump issued a fiery response to the Justice Department’s request for a gag order

                On Monday, Trump’s legal team filed a 25-page response to the DOJ’s request.

                “The prosecution would silence President Trump, amid a political campaign where his right to criticize the government is at its zenith, all to avoid a public rebuke of this prosecution. However, ‘above all else, the First Amendment means that government has no power to restrict expression because of its message, its ideas, its subject matter, or its content,’” the brief states.

                The document adds, “The prosecution may not like President Trump’s entirely valid criticisms, but neither it nor this Court are the filter for what the public may hear.”

                The brief disputes claims by prosecutors that Trump’s history of fiery comments about political opponents threatens legal proceedings. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team is aiming to restrict the former president’s ability to comment on the case, claiming his famously fiery and antagonistic rhetoric could affect jurors’ perceptions.

                Read Trump’s full response below:

                DC-Trump-Trump-gag-order-responseDownload

                “The defendant knows that when he publicly attacks individuals and institutions, he inspires others to perpetrate threats and harassment against his targets,” prosecutors previously claimed.

                Trump To Investigate Media Company for ‘Threatening Treason’

                  By
                  Madeleine Jackson
                  -
                  3
                  Comcast image via Wikimedia Commons

                  Former President Trump pledged over the weekend to launch a full-scale investigation into Comcast, the parent company of NBC and MSNBC, if elected.

                  In a series of Truth Social posts the former President attacked the networks’ knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events.”

                  “They are almost all dishonest and corrupt, but Comcast, with its one-side and vicious coverage by NBC NEWS, and in particular MSNBC, often and correctly referred to as MSDNC (Democrat National Committee!), should be investigated for its ‘Country Threatening Treason,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Sunday.

                  “I say up front, openly, and proudly, that when I WIN the Presidency of the United States, they and others of the LameStream Media will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events,” the former President wrote.

                  “The Fake News Media should pay a big price for what they have done to our once great Country!” Trump added.

                  Report: Georgia DA Reveals Lin Wood is Witness in Case

                    By
                    Madeleine Jackson
                    -
                    5
                    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

                    On Wednesday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis revealed that pro-Trump attorney Lin Wood is a “witness for the state” in the Georgia election case.

                    According to CNN, the reference to Wood was buried in a new court filing by the DA’s office that raised potential conflicts of interest for six defense attorneys because they previously represented witnesses or other defendants in related proceedings.

                    CNN continues:

                    Wood was previously subpoenaed by prosecutors in the Georgia probe but his status as a witness for the state was not previously known.

                    “Lin Wood is a witness for the State in the present case,” the court filing says.

                    As a witness, Wood could be subject to cross-examination by his former attorney and co-counsel who is now representing former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark in the Georgia RICO probe – creating a potential conflict of interest.

                    Willis, a prominent MAGA supporter, filed a series of lawsuits after then-President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election which ultimately lost in court.

                    This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

                    Chris Christie Says His Presidential Campaign Rests on This State

                      By
                      Madeleine Jackson
                      -
                      7
                      Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

                      Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie says he will bow out of the race if he does not perform well in the first primary state of New Hampshire.

                      The former New Jersey governor told The New York Times in an interview that he does not see “any circumstances” where he would leave the race before the primary, but that the state is key to his path to the nomination. 

                      “If I don’t do well in New Hampshire, then I’ll leave,” he said. 

                      A Times analysis of Christie’s campaign stops found more than 90 percent of his events have been held in New Hampshire since February. 

                      Christie said the way to stop Trump from winning the nomination is to deny him a victory in New Hampshire. 

                      “I think once Donald Trump loses in one place, that entire rotted building will crumble,” he said. 

                      But he said Trump will be the GOP nominee if he wins the state, which means New Hampshire will determine the “future” of the party and the country. 

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