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    Congressional Candidate Sparks Outrage With Unhinged Anti-Trump Video

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    President Donald J. Trump is presented with a 10th Combat Aviation Brigade challenge coin following an air assault and gun rain demonstration at Fort Drum, New York, on August 13. The demonstration was part of President Trump's visit to the 10th Mountain Division (LI) to sign the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, which increases the Army's authorized active-duty end strength by 4,000 enabling us to field critical capabilities in support of the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thomas Scaggs) 180813-A-TZ475-010

    A Republican congressional candidate and former U.S. Marine has triggered a firestorm after posting a bizarre video branding President Donald Trump “the Antichrist” and declaring that he “must be killed.”

    William Upham, a write-in candidate for Florida’s 5th Congressional District, delivered the nearly seven-minute religious and political rant while wearing a Marine Corps uniform—even though the service says he was medically discharged more than a year ago.

    Upham initially presented his campaign as an effort to restore bipartisanship, return power to working Americans and “fix our broken political system.”

    Then the video took a dark turn.

    “We are led by a president who is the enemy of God,” Upham said, according to Fox News.

    After quoting Bible passages and invoking the oath he took as a Marine officer to defend the Constitution “against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” Upham leveled an extraordinary accusation against the commander in chief.

    “There is no doubt in my mind that the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is the Antichrist,” Upham said. “He is a false messiah. And he is your enemy. And he must be killed.”

    Upham claimed Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV and a previously posted AI-generated image depicting the president in Christ-like imagery helped shape his conclusion, according to the New York Post.

    “He is nothing like Jesus Christ,” Upham said.

    Later in the video, he urged Americans to consider whether they were “worshiping a false idol” before declaring: “President Trump is the Antichrist. And he will be killed and sent to hell. God will prevail against evil.”

    Upham also said violence should never be used for “evil purposes such as vengeance or plunder,” an assertion sharply at odds with his earlier declaration about the president.

    The Marine Corps swiftly disavowed the former officer.

    “The Marine Corps is aware of the disturbing statements made by William Upham, who was medically discharged on May 30, 2025,” the service said in a statement posted to X. “The comments made by Upham are a direct violation of the oath he swore to uphold and are not in keeping with the service’s values.”

    Upham served in the Marines from 2021 until 2025 and reached the rank of first lieutenant, according to Task & Purpose.

    Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao also condemned the candidate’s remarks.

    “Unacceptable,” Cao wrote on X. “William Upham is no longer a Marine and does not represent our values or ethos.”

    The Secret Service confirmed that it was aware of the video.

    “The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the comments made by a congressional candidate in Florida, and we investigate anything that can be perceived as a threat toward one of our protectees,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Out of concern for operational security, we do not discuss matters of protective intelligence.”

    The violent rhetoric is especially alarming after multiple assassination attempts against Trump and the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025.

    Despite the national attention generated by his video, Upham appears to be a fringe contender in the August 18 Republican primary. He is running as a write-in candidate against five-term incumbent Rep. John Rutherford, conservative radio personality Mark Kaye and Donald Muirheid, according to Ballotpedia.

    No reputable public opinion poll located as of Thursday showed measurable support for Upham. One prediction-market tracker gave Rutherford a roughly 93% chance of winning the nomination, however it’s important to note that prediction-market odds are not the same as voter polling.

    Rutherford also begins the race from a commanding position. The former Jacksonville sheriff won reelection in 2024 with more than 63% of the vote, carrying the heavily Republican district by approximately 26 percentage points.

    Upham’s own campaign website describes him as a Marine, prosecutor and Republican running “for God and country.” It also promises voters: “No more insiders. No more extremism. No more excuses.”

    After his explosive video, that anti-extremism pitch is now facing intense scrutiny.

    Have you abandoned MAGA too? Or can Trump still count on you? He needs an answer NOW.

    Trump Endorses Mike Lindell In Minnesota Governor’s Race

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

    President Donald Trump is throwing his political weight behind one of his longest-standing allies, giving MyPillow founder Mike Lindell his “complete and total endorsement” in Minnesota’s closely watched race for governor — a move that underscores the president’s loyalty to one of his fiercest defenders even as Republicans debate the party’s best path to winning a traditionally blue state.

    Trump announced his endorsement Wednesday morning in a lengthy Truth Social post, praising Lindell as a tireless supporter who has stood by him through years of political and legal battles.

    “Mike Lindell, the ‘Pillow Man,’ and one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots, is running to be GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA, replacing one of the worst and most incompetent governors in the history of the U.S.A.,” Trump wrote.

    The president argued Lindell could reverse what he described as the state’s decline under outgoing Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.

    “He can do it! Nobody has sacrificed more than Mike Lindell in fighting for our country, especially when it comes to Election Integrity,” Trump continued. “He truly deserves everything he gets – He will MAKE MINNESOTA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

    Trump concluded with an unequivocal endorsement.

    “MIKE LINDELL HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT – HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. Good Luck Mike!!!”

    The endorsement formalizes a relationship that has stretched back years. Lindell emerged as one of Trump’s most visible allies after the 2020 election, frequently appearing alongside the president, using his platform to defend Trump’s claims about election integrity, and becoming a regular presence at rallies and conservative events. His loyalty came at a steep personal and financial cost, with retailers dropping MyPillow products and voting technology companies filing high-profile defamation lawsuits against him over statements about the 2020 election.

    Trump has repeatedly praised Lindell for remaining loyal despite those setbacks. Even before issuing his formal endorsement, the president had publicly said last year that Lindell “deserves to be governor of Minnesota.”

    Lindell launched his gubernatorial campaign last December, joining a crowded Republican field seeking to replace Walz, who opted against seeking another term. Walz’s administration has faced sustained criticism from Republicans over massive fraud schemes involving state-administered federal nutrition programs, allegations Trump referenced again in his endorsement.

    The endorsement also comes as Minnesota Republicans remain divided over their preferred nominee.

    While businessman Kendall Qualls secured the Minnesota GOP’s endorsement at the state convention, Lindell has continued campaigning aggressively and has remained competitive in public polling. A recent SurveyUSA/KSTP poll showed Lindell leading the Republican primary field with 27% support, ahead of Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth at 22% and Qualls at 17%, though roughly one-quarter of Republican voters remained undecided.

    If Lindell captures the Aug. 11 Republican primary, he would likely face Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who entered the governor’s race after Walz stepped aside and has built a substantial fundraising advantage. Multiple early surveys have shown Klobuchar beginning the general election campaign as the favorite.

    Trump nevertheless argued Republicans can prevail, while again alleging election problems have hurt the GOP in Minnesota.

    In a separate Truth Social post Wednesday, the president blasted Klobuchar as “lightly respected” and accused her of knowing about the fraud allegations surrounding Minnesota’s child nutrition reimbursement programs.

    “I have gotten to know Klobuchar over the years, and find her to be equally as incompetent as Walz, and probably equally as corrupt in that, as a high Government Official from Minnesota, she knew everything that was going on,” Trump wrote.

    He also claimed, “If the Elections in Minnesota weren’t RIGGED, any Republican could win, but they were, and that is why nobody has won there since Richard Nixon many years ago. I thought I won it all three times, only to be disappointed in the end.”

    Minnesota’s Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 11, with the general election set for November.

    Have you abandoned MAGA too? Or can Trump still count on you? He needs an answer NOW.

    Trump Speaks Out On Potential Lindsey Graham Replacement

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    1
    [Photo Credit: The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

    The race to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham is already turning into one of the Republican Party’s biggest political fights of the year—and President Donald Trump may have just tipped his hand.

    During an interview with Newsmax on Monday night, Trump lavished praise on Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.), suggesting the South Carolina congressman is someone Republicans should be watching closely as the party prepares to choose a long-term successor to Graham, who died unexpectedly last week at age 71 after suffering an aortic dissection.

    “I think Russell Fry, a young congressman, is outstanding, and that could happen. I could see that happening,” Trump said. “I think he’s a very, very talented person.”

    Trump added that Fry has already proven himself after defeating former Rep. Tom Rice in 2022—a victory backed by the president after Rice voted to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

    “He took the place of somebody that was—I mean, he’s doing much better than the person that preceded him,” Trump said. “He’s been very popular in the state, so I think a name like Russell Fry is somebody you can watch out for and there are probably some others.”

    According to Fox News Digital, Fry has been discussing a possible Senate campaign with White House officials, fueling speculation that he could ultimately receive Trump’s endorsement. A source familiar with Fry’s thinking cautioned that “until the President makes an announcement, any speculation is just speculation.”

    The president’s endorsement is expected to be the most coveted prize in what is shaping up to be a crowded Republican primary.

    South Carolina Republicans will hold a special GOP primary on Aug. 11 to determine who will replace Graham on the November ballot. Candidate filing opens later this month, and several prominent Republicans are already maneuvering for position.

    Among those considering bids are Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman. Norman has reportedly gone directly to Trump seeking his endorsement, while both lawmakers are looking for a political reset after falling short in South Carolina’s recent gubernatorial primary.

    Before that contest plays out, however, Graham’s Senate seat has already been filled on an interim basis.

    At Trump’s urging, Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, to serve through the remainder of his brother’s term. She was sworn into office Tuesday, becoming South Carolina’s first female U.S. senator. Trump described the appointment as a fitting tribute but indicated he expects her role to be temporary.

    “I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina,” Trump wrote earlier this week, calling the move “a fabulous tribute to Lindsey.”

    Graham’s death marked the end of more than two decades in the Senate, where he became one of the Republican Party’s most recognizable voices on national security, judicial confirmations and foreign policy. Although he frequently sparred with Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, the two eventually forged one of the GOP’s closest political alliances. Graham became one of Trump’s most reliable allies in the Senate, defending the president through two impeachment trials, championing his judicial nominees and serving as a key adviser on major foreign policy issues.

    Now, Republicans are preparing for a high-stakes battle over who will inherit one of the party’s most influential Senate seats.

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    Nancy Mace Says Rift With Trump May Have Ended Her Political Career

    By
    admin
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    4
    Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) says her public break with President Donald Trump may have permanently damaged her political future, acknowledging that the fallout could have brought her elected career to an end.

    Mace made the remarks Monday during an appearance on NewsNation with host Chris Cuomo, where she was asked about her next move following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and the race to fill his vacant Senate seat.

    The comments come just weeks after Mace suffered a disappointing finish in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, where she placed fifth after Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette instead of her campaign.

    Epstein files became a flashpoint

    Mace’s latest split with Trump centered on the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

    Last year, Mace joined a small group of House Republicans in signing a discharge petition that forced a vote on legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release its Epstein files. The law directed the DOJ to make the records public with only victims’ identities redacted.

    Congress ultimately approved the measure, and Trump signed it into law. The president had the authority to release the files administratively but instead signed the legislation after it passed both chambers.

    The issue became the latest chapter in Mace’s often complicated relationship with Trump, which has shifted between alliance and public disagreement over the years.

    Trump backed a rival

    The political fallout became evident during South Carolina’s gubernatorial race.

    In May, Trump declined to endorse Mace and instead threw his support behind Evette in the crowded Republican primary. One month later, Mace finished fifth in the race.

    She has already announced she will not seek another term in the House when her current term expires in January.

    Senate race questions remain

    During Monday’s interview, Cuomo pressed Mace on whether she plans to run in the special election created by Graham’s death.

    Earlier in the day, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the remainder of his Senate term until January. Voters will choose the Republican nominee in a special election on Aug. 11, with the winner advancing to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the general election.

    When Cuomo asked directly whether she intended to enter the race, Mace declined to give a clear answer.

    “My focus right now is focusing on South Carolina,” she said.

    Cuomo then suggested that Mace’s disagreement with Trump over the Epstein files could complicate any Senate campaign.

    “But could that be enough to ruin your chances?” he asked.

    Mace did not dismiss the possibility.

    “It may have ended my political career, Chris,” she replied.

    “You said it,” Cuomo responded.

    ‘I got my butt beat’

    Mace said she has built her political identity by criticizing members of both parties when she believes they deserve it.

    “I enjoy calling out Democrats and Republicans alike,” she said.

    She also acknowledged the reality of her recent electoral defeat.

    “I got my butt beat in the governor’s race, OK?” Mace said. “So, you know, those are all things that you sort of weigh.”

    Future remains uncertain

    Although Mace stopped short of announcing whether she will enter South Carolina’s Senate special election, her remarks highlighted the uncertainty surrounding her political future.

    Once viewed as one of the state’s rising Republican stars, Mace now faces difficult questions after her gubernatorial defeat and high-profile split with Trump. Whether she seeks another office or steps away from electoral politics altogether remains an open question.

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    Trump Prime-Time Speech: Direct Address On Iran & Election Security

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    0
    President Donald J. Trump hosts a Rose Garden Club dinner in honor of Police Week in the White House Rose Garden, Monday, May 11, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    President Donald Trump will deliver a prime-time “Speech to the Nation” from the White House on Thursday evening, with senior administration officials saying the address is expected to cover a variety of topics — including election integrity and the ongoing confrontation with Iran.

    Trump announced the address Monday on Truth Social, saying it will begin at 9 p.m. ET. While he did not outline the full agenda, a senior adviser described the speech as a “potpourri” of issues the president considers most important.

    Iran expected to be a major focus

    According to a senior White House adviser, Trump is expected to provide an update on the administration’s response to Iran following weeks of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

    The address comes after the United States launched additional military strikes against Iranian targets in response to renewed threats against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has repeatedly vowed to keep the strategic waterway open and has warned Tehran of further consequences if it interferes with international maritime traffic.

    Election integrity also on agenda

    The adviser said election integrity is also expected to feature prominently in the speech.

    Online speculation suggested Trump might revisit the 2020 Georgia Senate runoff elections, but the White House adviser rejected those reports, saying the president does not plan to focus specifically on those contests.

    Instead, the president is expected to discuss election security more broadly as he continues pushing for stricter voter identification requirements and other election reforms ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

    Trump wants more prime-time addresses

    Although Trump frequently speaks with reporters and holds campaign-style events, he has delivered relatively few formal, direct-to-camera prime-time addresses from the White House during his second term.

    According to the senior adviser, the president wants to make such speeches a more regular part of his communications strategy, allowing him to address Americans directly on issues he considers significant.

    The White House has not released additional details about the speech’s format or confirmed where on the White House grounds Trump will deliver the remarks.

    With Iran, election security and other major issues expected to be discussed, Thursday’s address is shaping up to be one of the administration’s highest-profile televised events in recent months.

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    Trump-Backed President-Elect Levels Stunning Coup Accusation At Colombia’s Leader

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    1
    Abelardo de la Espriella, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella suspended the presidential transition Tuesday and accused outgoing President Gustavo Petro of planning a coup to remain in power after Petro refused to recognize the results of the country’s election.

    Petro claims progressive Sen. Iván Cepeda actually won the popular vote in Colombia’s June 21 presidential runoff, despite official results showing de la Espriella prevailing by less than 1 percentage point.

    The certified tally gave de la Espriella 49.66% of the vote to Cepeda’s 48.70%.

    Petro alleges the result was manipulated through algorithms operated from California by Israeli private intelligence companies. He has not released evidence establishing that those companies altered the vote count or that the officially reported results were fraudulent.

    International election observers have likewise reported no evidence of irregularities that would have changed the outcome.

    De la Espriella alleges plan to ‘cling to power’

    De la Espriella, a conservative lawyer and businessman endorsed by President Donald Trump, responded in a video posted to social media.

    He accused Petro and Cepeda of attempting to “cling to power at all costs” through what he called a “coup d’état.”

    The president-elect called on Colombia’s armed forces to uphold the Constitution and disobey any unlawful orders from Petro. He also urged the international community to monitor the transfer of power and called on his supporters to “resist” until his scheduled inauguration Aug. 7.

    Transition process breaks down

    De la Espriella announced that he was suspending the formal transition process, known in Colombia as the “empalme,” during which the outgoing government provides information needed by the incoming administration.

    Petro’s government then halted its side of the handover.

    Finance Minister Germán Ávila, who is overseeing the transition for Petro’s administration, ordered his team to suspend its work in response. Ávila said the outgoing government had “nothing to hide” and criticized statements made by members of de la Espriella’s transition team.

    The breakdown followed days of increasingly hostile accusations between the outgoing president and his successor.

    Election observers defend vote count

    International observers have not supported Petro’s claims that the runoff was fraudulent.

    A European Union observer mission praised the transparency and efficiency of Colombia’s vote-counting process. The Carter Center described the system used to manage the results as reliable, transparent, and fully traceable.

    De la Espriella was formally declared the winner after defeating Cepeda, who had campaigned on continuing many of Petro’s policies.

    The result represented a major political setback for Petro, whose government has struggled with security concerns and a largely unsuccessful effort to negotiate peace agreements with several armed groups.

    Incoming government moves ahead

    Despite suspending cooperation with Petro’s administration, de la Espriella continued preparing to take office.

    He announced six additional Cabinet appointments Tuesday, adding to previously named choices for the defense, interior, finance, and environment ministries.

    The dispute has raised concerns about whether Colombia’s traditionally peaceful transfer of presidential power will proceed normally.

    For now, Petro remains scheduled to leave office and de la Espriella is set to be inaugurated Aug. 7.

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    Scott Bessent Emerges As Top Contender For Lindsey Graham’s Senate Seat

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    2
    [Photo Credit: The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is being encouraged to enter the suddenly open race for South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat, a move that could place one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent Cabinet officials at the center of what is shaping up to be a closely watched Republican primary.

    According to Politico, supporters reached out to Bessent on Sunday, urging him to run following the unexpected death of longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham.

    The outreach immediately adds another high-profile name to the growing list of Republicans being discussed as potential successors to Graham, who represented South Carolina in the Senate for more than two decades.

    Graham died Saturday at the age of 71. A preliminary autopsy determined that he died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, commonly known as hardening of the arteries.

    No indication Bessent plans to run

    Despite the speculation, Bessent has given no public indication that he intends to launch a Senate campaign.

    People close to the Treasury secretary told Politico that he remains focused on leading the Treasury Department, a position he had long hoped to hold. A Treasury Department spokesperson declined to comment on the reports.

    Still, even the possibility of a Bessent candidacy could reshape the race.

    A South Carolina native, Bessent maintains homes in Charleston and Washington. Before joining the Trump administration, he built a successful career as a financier and hedge fund manager. Since taking office, he has become one of the administration’s most visible public advocates for Trump’s economic agenda, defending the president’s tax, trade, energy, and tariff policies in frequent television appearances and public events.

    A different kind of Senate candidate

    If Bessent entered the race, he would bring a combination of political and financial advantages uncommon for a first-time Senate candidate.

    His statewide roots, personal wealth, experience in financial markets, and close relationship with Trump would make him an immediate contender in a Republican primary expected to place a premium on loyalty to the president and the ability to quickly organize a statewide campaign.

    Bessent has also developed a higher political profile than many Treasury secretaries.

    Initially viewed primarily as a market-focused economic expert, he has increasingly become one of the administration’s most outspoken defenders, regularly making the case for Trump’s broader policy agenda in addition to his economic initiatives.

    A difficult decision

    Running for the Senate would require Bessent to give up one of the most influential positions in the federal government.

    As Treasury secretary, he serves as the administration’s chief economic spokesman and plays a central role in shaping tax policy, tariffs, sanctions, financial regulation, and international economic negotiations.

    Those responsibilities could prove more appealing than leaving for a rapidly unfolding Senate campaign.

    At the same time, opportunities to seek a Republican Senate seat in a state as reliably conservative as South Carolina are rare. The GOP nominee would begin the general election as the clear favorite.

    Race expected to move quickly

    South Carolina officials are expected to move quickly to fill the vacancy.

    Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to appoint a temporary replacement while the state prepares for a special nominating process ahead of the November election.

    Several prominent Republicans are already being mentioned as possible candidates, including Rep. Nancy Mace, who is reportedly giving serious consideration to entering the race.

    The addition of Bessent’s name, however, would introduce a nationally recognized figure with deep financial resources and direct ties to the White House.

    It would also create a significant personnel decision for Trump.

    A successful Bessent Senate campaign would give the president another close ally on Capitol Hill for years to come. But it would also require Trump to replace a Treasury secretary who has become a central figure in advancing the administration’s economic agenda.

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    Trump Sends Powerful Message By Refusing To Sign Housing Bill

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    7
    President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on Friday, June 27, 2025. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    President Donald Trump is making a political statement without stopping one of Congress’ biggest bipartisan victories.

    Rather than signing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, Trump is allowing the sweeping housing package to become law automatically, using the moment to protest the Senate’s refusal to advance his preferred voter ID legislation.

    “I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” Trump wrote on social media.

    Housing bill takes effect anyway

    Trump’s decision doesn’t derail the legislation. Under the Constitution, a bill becomes law if a president neither signs nor vetoes it within 10 days, excluding Sundays, while Congress remains in session.

    The bipartisan package is considered one of the most significant housing reforms in decades. Among other provisions, it seeks to increase home construction, speed up environmental reviews, expand financing opportunities, encourage manufactured and modular housing, and curb certain institutional purchases of single-family homes.

    Lawmakers approved the measure by overwhelming margins — 85-5 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House — giving it more than enough support to survive a veto.

    Election integrity remains Trump’s priority

    Trump has made clear that his focus remains on the SAVE America Act, which would establish nationwide voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal elections.

    Although the House approved the bill, it has stalled in the Senate, where Republicans do not have enough votes to break a filibuster.

    The president previously canceled a White House signing ceremony for the housing legislation, calling it a “big yawn” compared with the push for election integrity.

    A message to Congress

    Behind the scenes, Trump’s move reportedly caught Republicans off guard. Many had hoped to showcase the housing bill as a marquee accomplishment before the 2026 midterm elections, only to see it overshadowed by the president’s renewed push for voter ID legislation.

    Instead, Trump chose a different strategy. By letting the bill become law without his signature, he avoided a veto fight while keeping public attention on his demand that Congress move forward with nationwide voter ID legislation.

    The episode underscores Trump’s determination to keep election reform at the forefront of the national debate as Republicans head into the final stretch of the 2026 midterm campaign.

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    Stephen A. Smith Defends Trump Supporters, Calling Attacks ‘Incredibly Unfair’

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    5
    President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

    Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith said this week that while he remains sharply critical of President Donald Trump’s behavior, he believes the tens of millions of Americans who voted for the president should not be condemned simply because of their political choice.

    Smith made the remarks during a conversation with Barrett Media CEO and founder Jason Barrett at the Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City, where he discussed his growing role in political commentary alongside his longtime career in sports media.

    Barrett noted that Smith’s political commentary has drawn attention from Trump himself. The president has publicly suggested Smith should consider running for office while also dismissing him at other times as a “low IQ individual.”

    Smith said he was unfazed by the insult.

    “I’m in good company,” Smith said. “He’s called quite a few people low IQ.”

    The ESPN personality added that criticism from within the African American community has been more difficult for him to deal with than Trump’s comments.

    Criticizes Trump while defending his voters

    Smith made clear that he strongly disapproves of Trump’s public conduct.

    “I’m utterly disgusted with how he behaves,” he said.

    At the same time, Smith argued that opposing Trump does not mean dismissing every person who voted for him. He noted that more than 77 million Americans cast ballots for Trump and said it is unfair to treat those voters with the same hostility directed toward the president.

    According to Smith, many people vote based on policy priorities rather than personal loyalty to a candidate.

    “I don’t have to like you to vote for you,” he said, explaining that elections often require voters to choose between imperfect options.

    Smith also stressed that he does not oppose every Trump policy, despite his criticism of the president’s rhetoric.

    Says voters consider a range of issues

    Smith pointed to the economy, immigration, abortion, and border security as examples of issues that can drive voting decisions.

    Someone may favor stricter immigration enforcement, support a pro-life position, or believe one candidate is better equipped to handle the economy without endorsing every statement or action that candidate makes, he said.

    Smith argued that reducing millions of voters to a single label ignores the complexity of political decision-making.

    He recalled an episode of his program, “The Straight Shooter,” when he abruptly ended a call after a caller claimed that everyone who voted for Trump was racist.

    Smith said he refused to entertain such a sweeping accusation because it ignored the many reasons Americans cast their ballots.

    Two-party system forces difficult choices

    Smith also argued that America’s two-party system often leaves voters choosing between candidates they do not fully support.

    Many Americans, he said, identify more closely with one party’s priorities than the other’s, even if they disagree with certain positions or aspects of the nominee’s personality.

    For that reason, Smith said it is “incredibly unfair” to attack or stereotype millions of people based solely on the candidate they supported.

    He maintained that political disagreements should not automatically become personal attacks and urged people to recognize that voters often weigh a variety of competing issues before making their decision at the ballot box.

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    Marine Le Pen Launches 2027 Presidential Bid After Court Clears Path Despite Conviction

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    0
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    PARIS — French nationalist leader Marine Le Pen announced Tuesday that she will run for president in 2027 after a Paris appeals court upheld her conviction for misusing European Union funds but reduced her sentence and shortened her ban from holding public office, allowing her to remain on the ballot.

    The ruling preserves one of Europe’s most consequential political candidacies at a time when Le Pen and her National Rally party are leading opinion polls ahead of next year’s election. With President Emmanuel Macron constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, the race is widely viewed as the strongest opportunity yet for France’s nationalist movement to capture the presidency.

    Court Upholds Conviction, Reduces Penalty

    The appeals court affirmed Le Pen’s conviction for diverting European Parliament funds to pay National Rally employees instead of parliamentary assistants.

    Judges sentenced her to three years in prison, with two years suspended and one year to be served under electronic monitoring, along with a €100,000 fine. The court also shortened her period of political ineligibility, clearing the way for her presidential campaign.

    Le Pen immediately vowed to challenge the decision before France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation.

    Under French law, that appeal suspends enforcement of her sentence — including the electronic monitoring requirement and political restrictions — while the case is reviewed, allowing her to campaign without immediate legal constraints.

    ‘Tonight, I Am a Candidate’

    Appearing on French television shortly after the ruling, Le Pen left little doubt about her intentions.

    “Tonight, I am a candidate in the presidential election,” she declared, while maintaining that she had committed no crime and describing the prosecution as politically motivated.

    WATCH:

    The legal battle is expected to continue for months, but the appeals ruling removes the most immediate obstacle to her fourth presidential campaign.

    Polls Show National Rally in Strong Position

    Le Pen enters the race from a position of unusual political strength.

    Recent polling by major French firms has consistently placed either Le Pen or her National Rally protégé, Jordan Bardella, between roughly 31% and 36% in first-round voting — historically high numbers this far ahead of a presidential election. Pollsters say National Rally has never polled this strongly so early in a campaign.

    Several surveys also indicate Le Pen would be highly competitive in a second-round runoff against leading centrist contenders, including former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe.

    Relationship With Trump Has Changed

    Although Le Pen praised Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory and was once viewed as one of his closest political allies in Europe, she has deliberately distanced herself from the president in recent years.

    As she works to broaden her appeal among mainstream conservative and center-right French voters, Le Pen has sought to present National Rally as a governing party rather than a protest movement.

    That strategy has included publicly criticizing Trump on several occasions. During a dispute last month between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Le Pen sided with Meloni and described Trump’s remarks as “very insulting.” She has also broken with the president on aspects of U.S. military intervention and European defense policy.

    Legal Battle Continues

    The case stems from allegations that National Rally improperly used millions of euros in European Parliament funds between 2004 and 2016 to pay party staff working in France rather than parliamentary assistants assigned to Brussels.

    Le Pen has consistently denied intentionally violating the rules and says the prosecution reflects an effort to sideline one of France’s leading opposition figures.

    Whether France’s highest court ultimately upholds or overturns the conviction remains uncertain. For now, however, the appeals ruling has ensured that the country’s leading nationalist candidate will remain in the race, setting up what is expected to be one of Europe’s most closely watched elections in a generation.

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