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Georgia Official Who Broke With Trump In 2020 Announces Gubernatorial Bid

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Georgia National Guard from United States, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) has officially entered the race for governor, setting the stage for a competitive Republican primary to succeed outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who is term-limited. In a two-minute campaign launch ad released Wednesday, Raffensperger portrayed himself as a principled conservative willing to take tough stands, vowing to uphold the Constitution and defend Georgia values.

“I’m a conservative Republican, and I’m prepared to make the tough decisions,” Raffensperger declared in the ad. “I follow the law and the Constitution, and I always do the right thing for Georgia, no matter what.”

Watch:

The announcement pits Raffensperger against prominent GOP contenders including Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has received former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, and Attorney General Chris Carr, both of whom have strong support among grassroots conservatives. The winner of the GOP primary will likely face a high-profile Democratic opponent next November.

Revisiting the 2020 Election Clash With Trump

Raffensperger became a household name during the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, when Georgia became a critical battleground. After President Trump narrowly lost the state to Joe Biden by just under 12,000 votes, Trump and his allies raised concerns about election irregularities and widespread allegations of voter fraud. Raffensperger, as the state’s chief elections officer, found himself at the center of the storm.

Despite mounting pressure from Trump and many Georgia Republicans to challenge or overturn the results, Raffensperger maintained that his office’s audits and recounts showed no evidence of widespread fraud that would change the outcome. In a now-famous phone call, Trump urged Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to change the result — a conversation that later became a flashpoint in national debates over election integrity and presidential power.

While Raffensperger’s stance drew praise from Democrats and corporate media, it also alienated many in the Republican base, who felt he failed to investigate potential irregularities aggressively enough. That divide has lingered within Georgia GOP politics and is certain to shadow his gubernatorial campaign. Many grassroots conservatives remain skeptical of Raffensperger, while others credit him for adhering to the letter of the law during an unprecedented political firestorm.


A Crowded Field on Both Sides

The Republican primary is shaping up to be one of the most watched in the nation. With Raffensperger, Jones, and Carr already in the race, GOP voters will have a clear choice between different brands of Republican leadership — from establishment-minded governance to more populist, Trump-aligned approaches.

On the Democratic side, the field is also taking shape. Declared candidates include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former GOP Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, and former pastor Olu Brown. There is also persistent speculation that Stacey Abrams could enter the race again, potentially setting up a dramatic rematch after her narrow 2018 and 2022 defeats.

Georgia has transformed into a true political battleground over the last decade, with Republicans still holding most statewide offices but Democrats making steady gains. The 2026 gubernatorial race will be pivotal in determining whether Georgia remains under GOP control or flips blue.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Kemp’s seat a “toss up.”

Can Raffensperger manage to make peace with Trump and secure his endorsement? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Georgia Supreme Court Tosses Fani Willis’s Last Bid To Prosecute Trump

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The Georgia Supreme Court on Tuesday ended Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s bid to remain on the election interference prosecution against former President Donald Trump and his allies, issuing a 4–3 decision that leaves the high-profile case in limbo.

The justices declined to review a lower court’s ruling that disqualified Willis over what it called a “significant appearance of impropriety” tied to her romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, a top prosecutor she had appointed to the case.

This decision effectively halts the sprawling racketeering prosecution brought by Willis against Trump and more than a dozen associates for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Trump and most defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Future of the Case Uncertain

While Georgia’s Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council could assign a new prosecutor to take over the case, that process could take months, leaving the matter stalled indefinitely.

Willis, in a statement to The Hill, said that although she disagrees with the court’s decision, she accepts it.

“I hope that whoever is assigned to handle the case will have the courage to do what the evidence and the law demand,” Willis said, adding that her office would turn over case materials to the council.

Trump Team Applauds Decision

Trump’s lead attorney in Georgia, Steve Sadow, called the decision correct and overdue.

“Willis’ misconduct during the investigation and prosecution of President Trump was egregious and she deserved nothing less than disqualification. This proper decision should bring an end to the wrongful political, lawfare persecutions of the President,” Sadow said.

How the Case Unraveled

The case began to unravel after revelations that Willis was romantically involved with Wade, whom she had hired to help lead the prosecution. A trial judge ruled that either Wade or Willis would have to leave the case; Wade resigned. But an appeals court later ruled that the “appearance of impropriety” meant neither could continue.

Court Says Broader Issue May Be Revisited

Justice Andrew Pinson, explaining the decision not to review Willis’s appeal, noted the public scrutiny surrounding the case and acknowledged the broader legal question at stake.

“If this question — whether conduct creating an appearance of impropriety alone is grounds for disqualifying a prosecutor — is presented by future cases, we may well need to take it up in one of them,” Pinson said.

However, Pinson added that this particular case did not meet the threshold for review because the appeals ruling was “case-specific.”

“But, in my view, that possibly cert-worthy question is not presented by this case, at least not as it appears before this Court,” he said.

Trump Announces $15 Billion Lawsuit Against The New York Times

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Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing the paper of being a virtual “mouthpiece” for the Democrat Party and making an illegal “campaign contribution” in 2024 to opponent Kamala Harris.

Trump announced the lawsuit late Monday on Truth Social and said it would be brought in Florida. This marks yet another legal action taken by the president against a major media organization after forcing settlements with ABC News and CBS News over the past year.

“Today, I have the Great Honor of bringing a $15 Billion Dollar Defamation and Libel Lawsuit against The New York Times, one of the worst and most degenerate newspapers in the History of our Country, becoming a virtual ‘mouthpiece’ for the Radical Left Democrat Party. I view it as the single largest illegal Campaign contribution, EVER,” he wrote. “Their Endorsement of Kamala Harris was actually put dead center on the front page of The New York Times, something heretofore UNHEARD OF!”

Trump accused the Times of engaging in a decadeslong campaign of “lying” about him, his business, family, and the MAGA movement.

“I am PROUD to hold this once respected ‘rag’ responsible, as we are doing with the Fake News Networks such as our successful litigation against George Slopadopoulos/ABC/Disney, and 60 Minutes/CBS/Paramount, who knew that they were falsely ‘smearing’ me through a highly sophisticated system of document and visual alteration, which was, in effect, a malicious form of defamation, and thus, settled for record amounts. They practiced this longterm INTENT and pattern of abuse, which is both unacceptable and illegal. The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW! The suit is being brought in the Great State of Florida. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

In the lawsuit, Trump said he had to overcome “persistent election interference from the legacy media,” that was led by the Times. 

“All across our country, Americans from a wide array of backgrounds saw the truth about him and voted accordingly—the same truth that the New York Times refused to recognize as it continued spreading false and defamatory content about President Trump,” the suit states.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for Florida’s Middle District. The named defendants are the New York Times Company, reporters Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker and Michael S. Schmidt, and Penguin Random House, which published “Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success,” which was authored by Craig and Buettner.

The New York Times endorsed Harris in 2024, no surprise in that its editorial board leans sharply to the left and has not endorsed a Republican for the White House since 1956. In its explanation, the board began by panning Trump as dangerously unfit rather than praising Harris.

“It is hard to imagine a candidate more unworthy to serve as president of the United States than Donald Trump. He has proved himself morally unfit for an office that asks its occupant to put the good of the nation above self-interest,” the board wrote.

The 85-page lawsuit called the endorsement “deranged” and also said “Lucky Loser” was a false and defamatory book. In 2023, a judge dismissed a lawsuit that he brought against the New York Times in 2021 for its prior reporting on his finances and claims he’d engaged in suspect tax maneuvers.

Trump has already secured eight-figure settlements over suits he filed against ABC News and CBS News over the past year. 

Trump Claims U.S. Military Killed Three More ‘Confirmed Narcoterrorists from Venezuela’

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President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered a second military strike on a Venezuelan boat on Monday, claiming that the vessel was carrying “confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela.”

Regarding this new strike, Trump described the strike as targeting “positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” the U.S. Southern Command responsible for the command and control of American military forces in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

According to Trump, the boat was traveling from Venezuela to the U.S., in international waters, was “transporting illegal narcotics,” and three male “terrorists” were killed in the strike. No U.S. service members were harmed.

The president added a warning to those who are “TRANSPORTING DRUGS THAT CAN KILL AMERICANS,” writing “WE ARE HUNTING YOU!”

Trump’s post read:

This morning, on my Orders, U.S. Military Forces conducted a SECOND Kinetic Strike against positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S. These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests. The Strike resulted in 3 male terrorists killed in action. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this Strike. BE WARNED — IF YOU ARE TRANSPORTING DRUGS THAT CAN KILL AMERICANS, WE ARE HUNTING YOU! The illicit activities by these cartels have wrought DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES ON AMERICAN COMMUNITIES FOR DECADES, killing millions of American Citizens. NO LONGER. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Trump Tells Fox & Friends Suspect in Charlie Kirk Shooting is In Custody

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President Donald Trump attends the National Prayer Breakfast, Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley.)

President Donald Trump revealed that a suspect in the political assassination of Charlie Kirk is in custody.

“I think with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody, in custody,” Trump announced on Fox & Friends, adding, “Everyone did a great job, worked with local police, governor, everybody did a great job. Getting somebody —  you start off with absolutely nothing — and we started off with a clip that made him look like an ant, almost useless, just saw someone up there. So much work has been done, it is amazing when you start with that, and all of a sudden, you get lucky or talent or whatever it is. I think we’re in great shape. He’s in custody.”

The FBI was under bipartisan criticism for its initial handling of the search for the alleged assassin, drawing criticism even from Fox & Friends’ co-host Brian Kilmeade earlier in the show.

Lawrence Jones followed up, noting, “Your suspicion was he was radical left, and now you have more information. What can you share about his ideology?”

Trump responded:

“I think that I don’t want to go too far, like to tell you stories how it happened, essentially somebody very close to him turned him in and that happens when you have good shots, somebody will say whether a parent or whatever, I would rather not say right now,” Trump deferred. “They will announce it later today, probably talk about that.”

“Somebody close to him said, ‘Whoa, it is interesting’ — we had very good pictures, but not great or perfect. When you look at it, what happened, somebody and this happens a lot, it happened with the crazy Boston bomber, and with others. Somebody that is close recognizes a little tilt of the head and somebody close to him said, that’s him. And essentially went to the father, went to U.S. Marshal who is fantastic and the person was involved with law enforcement but was a person of faith, a minister. And brought him to a U.S. Marshal, who is fantastic and the father convinced the son, this is it.”

“And I’m always subject to be corrected, just giving you based on what I’m hearing, they will give you,” Trump explained. “I just heard about it five minutes before I walked in. As I’m walking in, they said looking good, they have the person they wanted.”

Watch:

“So you have breaking news,” Trump boasted to his Fox & Friends hosts. “Don’t you, you always have breaking news, Ainsley? Sean will be disappointed we’re not doing it on his show,” he added, in reference to Ainsley Earhardt’s fiance, Sean Hannity.

Robinson was taken into custody on Thursday night in southern Utah after having allegedly confessed to his father, Matt Robinson. 

Robinson was a student at Utah State University on a scholarship, insiders confirmed to Daily Mail. 

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Report: Iraq Releases American Hostage After More Than 900 Days

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Gage Skidmore Flickr

A Princeton University doctoral student who was kidnapped by a militia group in Iraq in 2023 and was held for more than 900 days has been released. 

President Trump announced on Tuesday Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli and Russian citizen whose sister is an American citizen, is now safe at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq after she had been held captive by the Iran-backed, U.S.-designated terrorist group Kata’ib Hezbollah, Trump said in a Truth Social post. 

“I will always fight for JUSTICE, and never give up. HAMAS, RELEASE THE HOSTAGES, NOW!” the president wrote, referring to the terrorist organization Hamas that’s holding 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, who were taken during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. 

“My entire family is incredibly happy. We cannot wait to see Elizabeth and give her all the love we have been waiting to share for 903 days,” Tsurkov’s sister Emma said Tuesday in a statement, The Associated Press reported.

In a statement to CBS News on Tuesday, Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber said, “The release of Princeton graduate student Elizabeth Tsurkov brings relief and joy to the University community, and we celebrate that she will be reunited with her family.” 

“We thank President Trump for securing Elizabeth’s release. We are also grateful to those who worked tirelessly to bring an end to her terrible ordeal, including her family, friends and advocates,” Eisgruber said.

In addition to her studies at the Ivy League school, Tsurkov was a fellow at the Washington-based think tank New Lines Institute and wrote for New Lines Magazine before her kidnapping.

Notable American Hostage Releases Under Trump

1. Keith Siegel

  • An American-Israeli citizen held by Hamas in Gaza for nearly 500 days was released under a cease-fire deal that carried over into Trump’s administration.
  • His family and others credited President Trump for exerting pressure in securing his freedom

2. Edan Alexander

  • A 21-year-old dual U.S.–Israeli soldier, the last known living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, was released after 584 days in captivity.
  • His release was a goodwill gesture timed ahead of Trump’s Middle East visit, facilitated by mediators including Qatar and Egypt.
  • He was received warmly back in the U.S., including a White House meeting with President Trump and a celebratory return to his hometown in New Jersey.

3. George Glezmann

  • A U.S. citizen detained by the Taliban since December 2022 was eventually released following extensive negotiations led by Trump administration envoy Adam Boehler, with support from Qatar.
  • He was en route back to the United States at the time of reporting.

4. Marc Fogel

  • As highlighted in a White House press release, the American teacher wrongfully detained in a Russian prison was returned home in February 2025, fulfilling Trump’s promise to his elderly mother

Lachlan Murdoch Assumes Control Of Fox News

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David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Murdoch media empire — long a pillar of conservative news and opinion — is set for a new era of stability and clarity of vision. The New York Times reported that Rupert Murdoch’s three eldest children, Prue, Liz, and James, will each receive $1.1 billion in exchange for their stakes. With that, the family trust created in 1999 will be dissolved, allowing Lachlan Murdoch to consolidate leadership.

For Republicans and conservatives across the country, this is more than just a business deal. It’s a decisive move that ensures the future of Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, and the rest of the Murdoch portfolio remains firmly aligned with the values that have made these outlets the backbone of conservative media for decades.

A Conservative Legacy in Safe Hands

At 94, Rupert Murdoch has built something few could ever match: a media network that challenges the progressive narratives dominating most mainstream outlets. This agreement means that Rupert’s vision won’t be diluted by competing factions within his own family. Instead, his chosen successor — Lachlan — will steer the ship with a steady, unapologetically conservative hand.

The press release from News Corp underscored that point directly:

“Voting control with respect to the News Corp and Fox Corporation shares owned by LGC Holdco will rest solely with Lachlan Murdoch through his appointed managing director. Rupert Murdoch will continue in his role as Chairman Emeritus of the Company.”

In short, Lachlan Murdoch is not only inheriting the empire — he is inheriting the mission.

No More Family Divisions

This move also closes a chapter of internal dispute. For years, some family members — particularly James Murdoch — have signaled discomfort with the conservative direction of the empire. Their exits, now formalized through this $1.1 billion deal, remove any lingering doubts about the editorial future of Fox and News Corp.

Last year, Rupert and Lachlan attempted to restructure the family trust to consolidate power, but a Nevada judge blocked that effort in December. This new arrangement effectively achieves the same outcome, only cleaner and more decisive.

Why It Matters for Conservatives

For conservative audiences, this agreement should be seen as reassurance. In an era when progressive tech companies and liberal-leaning media conglomerates dominate the public square, the Murdoch media empire has stood as one of the few powerful counterweights. By securing Lachlan Murdoch’s sole authority, Rupert Murdoch has guaranteed that these outlets will continue to amplify conservative voices, defend free markets, and challenge political correctness.

The left may scoff, but for millions of Americans, Fox News and the broader Murdoch network have provided the only alternative to the coastal liberal consensus. The deal ensures that won’t change.

Looking Ahead

Rupert Murdoch remains involved as Chairman Emeritus, offering continuity and wisdom, but the future clearly belongs to Lachlan. His leadership will reassure Republicans who rely on Fox, the Journal, and other Murdoch outlets as trusted platforms for conservative news and commentary.

Happening Today: Jury Selection Begins In Trump Assassination Attempt Case

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Fort Pierce, Fla. — Jury selection begins Monday in the federal trial of Ryan Routh, who prosecutors say plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in September 2024. The process is expected to conclude by Wednesday.

Prospective jurors are being questioned under oath in Fort Pierce to determine whether they can serve impartially. Routh, who is representing himself, will directly question jurors alongside federal prosecutors — an unusual dynamic in the courtroom.

The case is being heard by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who denied a motion from Routh’s defense team seeking her recusal. A Trump appointee, Cannon was randomly assigned to the case.

Federal prosecutors allege Routh camped near Trump’s golf course for 12 hours with a rifle and aimed at a Secret Service agent before being forced to drop the weapon. Investigators later discovered a letter in which Routh expressed regret that he failed to kill Trump, as well as evidence he sought anti-aircraft weapons and surveillance of Trump’s flights weeks before his arrest.

Routh faces charges of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple gun violations — crimes carrying potential life sentences. He has pleaded not guilty to both federal and related state charges.

A 12-member jury, plus alternates, will ultimately decide the case. Federal law requires a unanimous verdict for conviction.

Report: Newsmax Sues Fox News

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Right-wing cable channel Newsmax is suing Fox News, alleging the network has illegally cornered the market on viewership among conservatives.

In a lawsuit filed in Florida on Wednesday, Newsmax attorneys argue Fox has “long engaged in an exclusionary scheme to increase and maintain its dominance in the market for U.S. right-leaning pay TV news, resulting in suppression of competition in that market that harms consumers, competition, and Newsmax.”

“Fox leverages this market power to coerce distributors into not carrying or into marginalizing other right-leaning news channels, including Newsmax,” the lawsuit reads.

In a statement to The Hill, a Fox News spokesperson pushed back on the suit, saying Newsmax “cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers.”

Fox has long ranked as the top-watched cable news channel, featuring a long list of hosts and pundits who espouse staunchly conservative and pro-Trump viewpoints.

As part of its suit, Newsmax is alleging Fox in the process has “deliberately blocked Newsmax’s growth in critical distribution platforms such as Hulu, Sling, Fubo, and other major platforms.”

“Fox may have profited from exclusionary contracts and intimidation tactics for years, but those days are over,” Christopher Ruddy, Newsmax CEO, said.

Fox Corp. recently inked a long-term agreement with YouTube TV to carry the company’s various channels, including Fox News, Fox Sports, the Big 10 Network and other offerings, a deal seen widely as a significant move into a postcable future for the Rupert Murdoch-owned broadcaster.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Federal Judge Rules Trump Violated Law By Activating National Guard In California

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Competitors in the 2024 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition run a 1-kilometer route as part of the competition’s biathlon event at Ethan Allen Firing Range, Vermont, Aug. 6, 2024. The Best Warrior Competition is a physically and mentally challenging five-day event that tests Soldiers on a variety of tactical and technical skills. Winners are named the Army Guard Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and move on to compete in the Department of the Army Best Squad Competition, with other Soldiers from the Best Warrior Competition filling out the ranks of their squad. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)

A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated federal law when they deployed thousands of federalized California National Guard members to bolster immigration enforcement in Los Angeles earlier this summer

Judge Charles Breyer, a Clinton appointee and brother to retired liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, said Trump violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a 150-year-old law that says the military cannot typically engage in domestic law enforcement.

“This was intentional—Defendants instigated a months-long deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles for the purpose of establishing a military presence there and enforcing federal law. Such conduct is a serious violation of the Posse Comitatus Act,” Breyer wrote. 

Trump federalized about 4,000 National Guard members in June to support federal authorities in California as they carried out immigration raids, despite Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s vehement objections.

Breyer’s decision comes as most of the National Guard members have since been demobilized. Attorneys for California said during the trial, though, that 300 of them remained, which they argued was a “significant” number. (RELATED: Judge Tells Trump To Hand Control Of California National Guard Back To Newsom)

“That’s certainly a large enough number of soldiers to constitute a Posse Comitatus Act violation,” a state attorney said.

While the judge’s decision may have minimal impact on the ground in California, the case could still have nationwide implications as Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth deploy National Guard members in Washington, D.C., and threaten to do so in other blue cities to address street crime. The Trump administration is likely to appeal Breyer’s decision, which could result in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and even the Supreme Court weighing in on the administration’s unconventional use of the National Guard.

Breyer paused his order until Friday, providing the administration with an avenue to appeal before it goes into effect. 

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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