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’s pull inside the Republican Party is still absolute.
His endorsement? Political gold.
“The Trump endorsement is king in any primary,” longtime GOP strategist Jesse Hunt told Fox News Digital. Fellow Republican consultant Matt Gorman didn’t mince words either, calling it “an undeniable force.”
And that reality is driving a new, high-stakes strategy among vulnerable Republicans: if you can’t win Trump’s backing… try to look like you have it anyway.
PLAYING DEFENSE AGAINST TRUMP-BACKED CHALLENGERS
Across the country, embattled GOP incumbents are facing serious primary threats from candidates backed by Trump himself. And instead of confronting that head-on, some are leaning into carefully crafted messaging that suggests they’re still aligned with the president.
Take Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy.
Cassidy — one of just seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump after the January 6 impeachment — is now locked in a tough primary against Trump-endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow.
But you wouldn’t know that from his ads.
In one spot, Cassidy highlights a fentanyl bill he authored, adding: “President Trump said it was the most important legislation he would sign this year,”
Images of Trump appear prominently.
Another ad goes further, flashing “Trump & Cassidy” on screen while touting tax cuts the two “worked” on together.
Notably missing? Any mention that Trump is backing his opponent.
MASSIE’S PHOTO-OP FLASHBACK
In Kentucky, Rep. Thomas Massie — a longtime Trump critic — is facing a Trump-backed challenger, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein.
Massie has repeatedly clashed with Trump, including over the Epstein files and foreign policy. But in a recent campaign ad, he spotlighted an old photo of himself smiling alongside the former president.
A subtle signal — but a deliberate one.
Meanwhile, Trump allies are pouring money into boosting Gallrein and attacking Massie.
CORNERNED IN TEXAS
In Texas, Sen. John Cornyn is fighting for survival in a runoff against MAGA favorite and state Attorney General John Paxton.
Trump hasn’t endorsed either candidate — but Cornyn is making sure voters remember their past relationship.
In one ad, the narrator says Cornyn “had his back,” as footage shows Trump and the senator giving a thumbs-up together.
“We’re especially grateful to your wonderful senators,” Trump says in an old clip featured in the ad, referring to Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz.
Unlike Cassidy and Massie, Cornyn isn’t contradicting an endorsement — but he’s still leaning hard into Trump’s image.
HIGH-RISK STRATEGY?
The tactic may be clever — but it’s also dangerous.
Hunt warns that implying support from Trump when you don’t actually have it could blow up fast.
“If you haven’t earned it but portray as though you have, it could be the end of your campaign,” he said. “That’s if the President decides to take issue with it.”
In today’s GOP, one thing is clear: crossing Trump is risky — but pretending he’s on your side when he isn’t could be even worse.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) may not be the only Republican planning to leave Washington soon, according to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. During an appearance Monday night on Jesse Watters Primetime on Fox News, McCarthy said Greene’s resignation could signal broader unrest within the House GOP conference.
“She’s almost like a canary in a coal mine,” McCarthy told Watters. “And this is something inside Congress — they better wake up, because they’re going to get a lot of people retiring, and they’ve got to focus.”
McCarthy did not name any specific lawmakers he believes are considering departures, nor did he detail what is motivating them. But he warned Republicans to recognize the significance of Greene’s decision and to make better use of their time holding the House majority.
“I think keeping members out of Congress, you only get two years to be in the majority,” he said. “And if the Democrats get you not to work every day for two months, that’s losing two months of the majority.”
McCarthy also remarked on Greene’s national profile, saying she fits his belief that “if you’re known by three initials, you must be effective at what you do.” He added that he does not view her departure as “the end” of her political visibility and expects she will remain active after leaving office in January 2026.
Context on Greene’s Resignation
Greene announced her planned resignation on Nov. 21, a move that stunned many in the Republican Party. She attributed her decision to her increasingly public split with former President Donald Trump, whom she had long supported as a prominent “day one” MAGA loyalist.
“I have too much self-respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms,” she said. “And in turn, be expected to defend the President against impeachment after he hatefully dumped tens of millions of dollars against me and tried to destroy me.”
Her break with Trump escalated after she pushed for releasing additional documents related to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — an effort Trump reportedly opposed. Tensions rose in the weeks before her announcement, culminating in Trump calling her “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Greene” and describing her as a “ranting lunatic” on Truth Social while withdrawing his endorsement.
Greene’s exit removes one of the GOP’s most recognizable firebrands from Congress and highlights the deepening internal divisions within the Republican Party heading into the 2026 midterm cycle
A new poll from the Manhattan Institute has delivered a political shockwave through Albany and beyond — showing Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a rising conservative star and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, narrowly leading incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in a hypothetical 2026 matchup.
According to the survey, Stefanik holds a one-point advantage over Hochul among registered voters, 43% to 42%. The poll, which included an electorate heavily weighted toward registered Democrats, marks the first time in decades that a Republican candidate has outpolled a sitting Democratic governor in New York.
Stefanik’s Strength Among Independents and Suburban Voters
The findings suggest that Stefanik’s appeal extends beyond the GOP base, particularly among independents and suburban voters who have grown increasingly frustrated with the state’s high taxes, rising cost of living, and public safety concerns. The congresswoman also leads Hochul’s primary challenger, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, by six points (43%-37%) in a separate matchup included in the survey.
A recent internal poll from a Stefanik-connected political action committee (PAC) painted a similar picture of growing competitiveness in deep-blue New York. That poll showed Hochul ahead by five points (48%-43%) before respondents were presented with additional context — including Hochul’s controversial endorsement of Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a far-left “Democratic Socialist” who is considered a frontrunner in this year’s New York City mayoral contest. When voters were informed of that endorsement, Stefanik’s support edged ahead, 46.4% to 45.9%.
Conservative Momentum in a Traditionally Blue State
Political observers note that Stefanik’s early lead, even before a formal campaign launch, reflects a shifting political environment in New York. Years of Democratic dominance in Albany have coincided with record outmigration, skyrocketing taxes, and a steady decline in public confidence in state leadership.
The congresswoman, who represents New York’s 21st Congressional District and serves as House Republican Conference Chair, has been among the GOP’s most prominent figures in recent years. A vocal critic of the Biden administration, Stefanik has also been instrumental in recruiting female Republican candidates and raising the party’s national profile.
Her campaign released a statement on the Manhattan Institute poll, emphasizing the significance of the results:
“In a heavily Democrat-leaning state, an independent poll that is heavily weighted towards registered Democrat voters shows Republican Elise Stefanik leading Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul in a head-to-head match-up,” the statement read.
“This marks the first time in decades that any potential Republican gubernatorial candidate—and in this case, the likely nominee—is polling ahead of a Democrat incumbent governor, even before any official announcement.”
Hochul’s Controversial Alliances and Policy Struggles
Governor Hochul, who ascended to office following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation in 2021 and narrowly won a full term in 2022, has faced mounting criticism from both moderates and progressives. Her handling of public safety issues, including the state’s controversial bail reform laws, has sparked voter backlash.
Hochul’s endorsement of Mamdani — who has backed “Defund the Police” initiatives and higher taxes on businesses and homeowners — has only deepened the perception among many New Yorkers that the governor is out of touch with working families.
Stefanik’s campaign didn’t hesitate to highlight those divisions:
“In a decision that she will come to regret, Kathy Hochul lives up to her title as the Worst Governor in America when she chose to bend the knee and put New Yorkers LAST by desperately endorsing the Defund the Police, tax-hiking, raging Antisemite Socialist Zohran Mamdani who will destroy New York,” the statement continued.
New York at a Political Crossroads
Once a Republican stronghold, New York has not elected a GOP governor since George Pataki’s reelection in 2002. However, growing dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership — coupled with rising crime, energy costs, and the mass exodus of middle-class families to more affordable states — has given Republicans renewed optimism.
Recent statewide results show signs of shifting momentum. In 2022, Republican candidate Lee Zeldin came within six points of defeating Hochul, the closest gubernatorial race in two decades. Analysts believe Stefanik, with her higher national profile and disciplined messaging, could expand on that performance, particularly if economic and public safety concerns remain front of mind for voters.
The Road Ahead
Stefanik has not officially declared her candidacy, though speculation has intensified in recent months. Her allies say she is actively exploring the race, laying the groundwork for what could become one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the nation.
Political strategists note that a Stefanik-Hochul matchup would offer New Yorkers a stark choice between two sharply contrasting visions: Hochul’s continuation of progressive, high-tax governance, and Stefanik’s promise of “commonsense conservative leadership” focused on affordability, safety, and economic revival.
As the congresswoman’s statement concluded:
“New Yorkers of all political parties are hungry for new commonsense leadership after decades of Hochul’s failed single-party Democrat rule. Elise Stefanik and the people of New York can and will win this righteous fight to Save New York.”
By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., CC BY-SA 2.0,
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki is pushing back on growing calls within her own party to invoke the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump, as some Democrats continue raising concerns about his mental fitness.
Psaki, now an MSNBC host, argued that focusing on removing Trump through the constitutional provision is both unrealistic and politically counterproductive.
Speaking on Stephen A. Smith’s show Straight Shooter, Psaki acknowledged frustration on the left but questioned the value of repeatedly invoking the 25th Amendment.
“I think there are times — and I can’t speak for everybody on the left, I don’t agree with everything everybody says on the left either — you know, sometimes it’s just not constructive,” Psaki said. “I mean, you’ve talked about the 25th Amendment. I have no issue with people saying they’re for invoking the 25th Amendment, but it’s not going to happen. So it’s like, why are we spending so much time, you know?”
Her comments come as some Democratic lawmakers continue to escalate concerns about Trump’s behavior, including Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), who directly confronted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a House hearing on Friday.
During the House Education and Workforce Committee session on the HHS budget, Takano displayed large posters of Trump’s Truth Social posts, including statements threatening to destroy the “whole civilization” of Iran, attacks on Pope Leo XIV, and an AI-generated image depicting Trump as Jesus Christ.
“Millions of Americans are questioning this president’s mental fitness, his emotional stability, and whether he can carry out the duties of his office. Do you share their concerns about his mental health?” Takano asked Kennedy.
After Kennedy did not immediately respond, Takano pressed further.
“We need a commander in chief that we know has full command of his mental faculties and is emotionally stable,” he said. “Mr. Secretary, given everything that I’ve shown you today, will you insist that President Trump undergo an assessment of his mental fitness and his emotional stability?”
“Absolutely not,” Kennedy replied.
Takano then asked whether Kennedy would support invoking the 25th Amendment if Trump were deemed unfit. Kennedy again rejected the premise, adding that “there hasn’t been a president who is more sane.”
Takano accused him of placing loyalty to Trump above the Constitution, prompting Kennedy to fire back, “Well, you need the fundraising video.”
Committee Chair Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) also weighed in, noting the partisan nature of such calls.
“I would hesitate to say something about the 25th Amendment with the last president. There was no concern there from the other side, but I won’t say that,” Walberg said.
Calls to remove Trump through the 25th Amendment have come from more than 50 Democratic lawmakers, along with other critics, some citing his rhetoric on Iran as evidence he is unfit for office.
But Psaki warned that the party risks undermining itself by leaning too heavily on such arguments and by narrowing its political appeal.
“What is also true is that in order to win, you have to invite more people to the party,” she said. “So if you want to win, you have to accept sometimes that there may be people who are part of your party, or you’re going to welcome into the conversation, who you don’t agree with on 100% of issues. And I think sometimes there can be a little litmus-testy feeling about who’s allowed to be a Democrat or who can consider themselves progressive.”
She also cautioned against a reflexive outrage-driven response to Trump.
“And part of that goes hand in hand with feeling like you have to scream at the top of your lungs about everything that comes out of the Trump administration,” Psaki said. “And I’m outraged by a lot of it. But I don’t think screaming about every single thing is the most constructive thing.”
Donald Trump had a surprising reaction to Biden’s shocking “garbage” comments on Tuesday.
The Republican nominee called on his supporters to forgive him during a packed rally at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
“Please forgive him for not knowing what he said,” Trump said. “These people are terrible, terrible, terrible to say a thing like that. But he really doesn’t know. He really honestly, he doesn’t. And I’m convinced that he likes me more than he likes Kamala. But that’s a terrible thing.”
Watch:
Trump responds to Biden’s comment calling his supporters “garbage”:
Trump’s call for unity – and forgiveness – came after the president called Trump supporters’ garbage during a get-out-the-vote call for Voto Latino.
In remarks from the White House, Biden had said earlier to Latino voters:
And just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” Well, let me tell you something. I don’t– I– I don’t know the Puerto Rican that– that I know– or a Puerto Rico, where I’m from– in my home state of Delaware, they’re good, decent, honorable people.
The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters– his– his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American. It’s totally contrary to everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been.
Biden’s comments came after Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates told Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich that President Biden “referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as ‘garbage.’”
“The president was referencing a joke by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe in which he likened Puerto Rico to an island of floating “garbage” in the middle of the ocean,” Bates said.
Kamala Harris was deeply outraged by a comedian’s joke.
If she has any decency or integrity, she will condemn her partner Joe Biden’s despicable statement calling half the country garbage.
Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity Tuesday that Hinchcliffe was not vetted by the campaign but that he saw the outcry as no “big deal.”
Hannity asked, “Do you wish [Hinchcliffe] wasn’t there?”
Trump responded, “Yeah, I don’t know if it’s a big deal or not, but I don’t want anybody making nasty jokes or stupid jokes, and probably he shouldn’t have been there.”
President Trump and Senate Republicans are making a bold, behind-the-scenes play: trying to lure Sen. John Fetterman out of the Democratic Party — and into the GOP’s column.
According to Politico’s Jonathan Martin, some Republicans believe they could cling to Senate control even if they lose multiple seats this fall — if they can convince the Pennsylvania Democrat to switch sides.
“Trump has made the sell, offering his patented total and complete endorsement plus a financial windfall to the Pennsylvanian,” Martin reported. Behind the scenes, GOP senators have also been “gently feeling out Fetterman” about the idea of defecting, according to multiple high-level Republican officials.
So far, Fetterman is holding the line — publicly, at least.
“I’m not changing,” he said. “I’m a Democrat and I’m staying one.”
But the intrigue hasn’t died down.
When one Republican floated the idea of Fetterman becoming an independent, the senator didn’t shut it down outright — he “absorbed the suggestion and didn’t embrace or reject the overture,” according to a GOP official familiar with the exchange.
And in Washington, actions often speak louder than words.
Fetterman has increasingly drifted from his Democratic colleagues, skipping party luncheons and spending hours with Republicans during Senate votes. He’s developed a friendly rapport with Senate Majority Leader John Thune — the two reportedly text regularly — and has been spotted hanging out in the GOP cloakroom, once considered off-limits territory for Democrats.
His growing ties to Republicans extend beyond politics. According to Martin, Fetterman has formed close relationships with Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) and Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), along with their spouses — relationships some insiders believe could ultimately influence his political future.
At the same time, Fetterman has been openly at odds with his own party on key issues — especially immigration.
“The Democratic Party… we became an open border party, without a doubt. And now that’s wrong,” Fetterman said in a recent interview. “I support to make our border more secure, and deport all of the criminals right now.”
Still, he insists a full switch isn’t in the cards.
“So I can’t be a Republican because in many other areas, I disagree… but I’m staying in my party,” he said.
Even so, his standing among Democrats appears shaky. When asked about his relationships within the caucus, Fetterman laughed before answering: “Well, I mean, cordial… but I’m not necessarily the popular guy.”
Threats Add a Dark Backdrop
The political maneuvering comes amid a disturbing real-world threat targeting both Fetterman and Trump.
Federal authorities recently arrested a Pennsylvania man — who had just launched a Senate campaign against Fetterman — after he allegedly left a series of violent voicemails threatening the senator, his family, and the president.
According to court filings, Raymond Eugene Chandler III is accused of making graphic threats over the course of a year. In one message, he allegedly warned that Fetterman and his daughter would be dragged from their home and have their “throat… slit.”
A Pennsylvania Democrat senate candidate Raymond Chandler has been arrested after leaving multiple voicemails threatening to kill Senator John Fetterman’s 13 year old daughter and President Trump.
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) May 3, 2026
Days later, prosecutors say, he escalated further — urging Fetterman to assassinate Trump.
“Walk into the Oval Office with a gun in your hand… put it to the President’s head… and… pull the trigger,” the caller said, according to investigators.
Authorities say the threats prompted increased security for lawmakers and their families, part of a broader surge in political violence and intimidation nationwide.
In a bizarre twist, Chandler posted a YouTube video announcing his Senate campaign just hours before his arrest, pitching a far-left platform that included wealth taxes, universal basic income, and abolishing ICE.
High Stakes, High Drama
For Republicans, flipping Fetterman would be a political earthquake — and a potential lifeline in a tight Senate map.
For now, the senator remains a Democrat — but with Trump making his pitch, GOP senators keeping the door open, and tensions rising both politically and personally, Washington is watching closely.
By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Thomas Massie, CC BY-SA 2.0,
Rep. Thomas Massie may have lost his congressional seat, but the Kentucky Republican is already signaling he has no plans to disappear from politics anytime soon.
Just days after suffering a bruising primary defeat to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein, Massie revealed he has already filed paperwork that could keep the door open for another run in 2028.
“I filed with FEC for the 2028 House race. This allows me to raise funds to continue my political operations supporting my position as a current office holder and as a potential candidate for federal office,” Massie wrote Monday in a post on X.
“I haven’t made a final decision about which office to seek, if I run,” he added.
I filed with FEC for the 2028 House race.
This allows me to raise funds to continue my political operations supporting my position as a current office holder and as a potential candidate for federal office.
— Thomas Massie for Congress (@MassieforKY) May 25, 2026
The filing comes after Massie lost Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District Republican primary in what became one of the most closely watched and expensive House races in the country.
President Donald Trump had aggressively targeted Massie during the campaign, repeatedly blasting the congressman and endorsing Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL officer.
The two men had increasingly clashed over a number of issues, including foreign policy and Massie’s push for the release of files related to deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Massie had sounded far less interested in a political future just weeks earlier.
Speaking at a University of Louisville College Republicans event in April, Massie declared: “If I lose on May 19, I am not doing any more government ever.”
Now, the tone appears to have shifted.
“I’m keeping every option open, and there’s still an undisclosed paid social media campaign to rewrite history and diminish the platform the Epstein class gave me when they spent tens of millions of dollars to buy the seat,” Massie said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“I won’t be going away silently.”
Massie also made clear that he is not ruling out a larger stage.
During an appearance on Meet the Press on Sunday, moderator Kristen Welker asked whether he was considering a 2028 presidential run.
“I will not rule out anything. And right now I’m not gonna rule in anything,” Massie said.
“I think I will stay engaged in some way or shape. Maybe it’s from the outside. I’ve been exposing what’s going on Washington D.C. for years,” he added.
The comments come after supporters unexpectedly began chanting “2028” and “President!” during Massie’s concession speech last week, fueling speculation that some backers see the congressman as more than just a defeated House member.
Whether that turns into a White House bid, another congressional run, or something else entirely remains unclear.
But one thing appears increasingly certain: Massie may have lost his seat — but he is making it clear he does not view himself as finished.
The 2024 Pennsylvania Senate race is emerging as one of the most closely watched and pivotal contests in the nation, with significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. Incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Casey Jr. is seeking reelection for a fourth term, while Republicans are coalescing around David McCormick, a former hedge fund executive.
Both candidates are gearing up for what is expected to be one of the most expensive and competitive Senate races in the country…
Bob Casey Jr.: The Incumbent
Bob Casey Jr., son of the late Governor Bob Casey Sr., has served Pennsylvania in the Senate since 2006. Casey has built a reputation as a pragmatic legislator who prioritizes health care, jobs and labor rights.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In the Senate, Casey has leveraged his seniority to secure key committee assignments, including on the influential Senate Finance Committee.
However, the political climate in Pennsylvania has become increasingly polarized in recent years, teeing up a more challenging electoral environment for the seasoned politician this year. With the Keystone State narrowly voting for Joe Biden in 2020 after flipping to Donald Trump in 2016, Republicans see this as an opportunity to unseat Casey.
David McCormick: The Challenger
David McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO and Army veteran, is a prominent figure in Pennsylvania politics and business. McCormick served as the CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s largest hedge funds, from 2020 to 2022, where he gained a reputation for strong leadership in the financial sector. A West Point graduate, McCormick also served as an Army officer during the Gulf War, earning a Bronze Star for his service.
National Archives at College Park – Still Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In public service, McCormick held senior economic positions in the George W. Bush administration, including Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs. His platform emphasizes economic growth, job creation and strengthening national security. McCormick is also focused on fiscal conservatism, advocating for reduced government spending and taxes.
McCormick previously ran for Senate in 2022, narrowly losing the Republican primary to Mehmet Oz, who ultimately lost to Democrat John Fetterman in the general election. Since then, McCormick has remained active in Pennsylvania politics, positioning himself as a fiscal conservative and critic of the Biden administration’s economic policies.
McCormick’s background in business and finance has appealed to Pennsylvania’s suburban voters, while his military service has resonated with the state’s sizable veteran population along with Donald Trump’s MAGA base.
Key Policy Issues
In his 2024 campaign, McCormick has focused on national security, economic freedom and his status as a business leader and political outsider, in stark contrast to Casey’s long tenure in Washington. This dynamic has brought the race to a near tie.
I retired from the Army as a captain after a combat tour in Iraq, but I've never stopped serving my country.
I'm a seventh-generation Pennsylvanian, political outsider, & PA job creator.
Bob Casey is a weak, liberal, 30-year career politician who has failed our commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/NnuK1F25Su
McCormick’s platform focuses on reducing government spending, boosting economic growth and opposing progressive policies that he argues have hurt the state’s energy sector, particularly coal and natural gas.
Fundraising and Campaign Spending
The Pennsylvania Senate race is expected to be one of the most expensive in the nation, with both candidates benefiting from substantial outside spending.
According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data, Bob Casey has raised more than $21 million, thanks to strong support from labor unions, healthcare groups, and Democrat super PACs such as the Senate Majority PAC. Casey’s deep connections with national Democrats and his long-standing relationships with Pennsylvania’s organized labor groups have made him a fundraising powerhouse.
On the Republican side, David McCormick has raised over $17 million with significant support from national conservative groups such as Club for Growth and Americans for Prosperity.
Endorsements and Support
Donald Trump: Former President Donald Trump officially endorsed McCormick’s Senate bid last April during a Pennsylvania rally.
“I am officially giving my endorsement to David McCormick tonight. He’s a good a man. He wants to run a good ship. He’s a smart guy, who was a very successful guy. He’s given up a lot to do this,” Trump told supporters at a rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.
“I’ll tell you what: He’s the nominee of the Republican Party, David McCormick. Go out and vote for him because Casey doesn’t do a damn thing,” Trump said.
Pat Toomey: Former Senator Pat Toomey praised McCormick’s economic expertise and commitment to conservative values, saying he’s the right leader to represent Pennsylvania.
Ari Fleischer: The former White House Press Secretary endorsed McCormick at a September fundraiser, highlighting his strong leadership and policy experience.
Organizational Endorsements:
Senate Leadership Fund: Backed McCormick as part of their efforts to secure Republican Senate seats.
Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC): Endorsed McCormick for his unwavering support for Israel and stance against antisemitism.
“RJC trusts Dave McCormick – a 7th generation Pennsylvanian, West Point graduate, combat veteran, Bronze star recipient, Pennsylvania job creator and business leader – to be a Senator the people of Pennsylvania can be proud of.”
“Bob Casey is no friend of Israel. Where Bob Casey has failed, Dave McCormick will lead.”
Voter Sentiment and Polling
Recent polling data suggests that the race between Casey and McCormick is likely to be close, reflecting Pennsylvania’s status as a swing state. Polls indicate that Casey holds a slight lead over McCormick, but the race is expected to tighten as November draws closer. Pennsylvania has a history of closely contested statewide elections, with margins often decided by just a few percentage points.
RealClearPolitics (October 14, 2024): Casey leads McCormick 47.8% to 44.6%
Emerson College Poll (October 2024): 48% support incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Casey while 46% support Republican Dave McCormick.
Trafalgar Polling (October 2024): Casey leads McCormick 47.4% to 45.6% with 7% undecided.
Quinnipiac Univesity (October 2024): Incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey leads Republican challenger David McCormick 51% to 43%. Democrats 96% to 3% back Casey, while Republicans 88 % to 10% back McCormick. Independents are evenly split, with 44% supporting McCormick and 44% supporting Casey.
Both candidates will need to appeal to Pennsylvania’s diverse electorate, which includes rural, suburban, and urban voters. Rural parts of the state have trended Republican in recent elections, while urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh remain Democratic strongholds. The key battleground will likely be the suburbs, particularly in counties like Bucks and Montgomery, where moderate and independent voters could swing the outcome.
The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to Republicans Monday night: Lose Congress, then the White House, and the GOP could be locked out of the presidency for good.
Speaking at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, Trump argued that Democrats would use a return to power to reshape Congress, expand the Supreme Court and tilt the electoral map against Republicans.
“I will be the last Republican president because they will add about twelve more electoral votes,” Trump said, according to The Hill.
“They’ll add four more senators. They’ll add ten more congresspeople, approximately,” he continued. “They’re gonna rig the Supreme Court through just a lot of people.”
His warning stretched beyond November’s midterms. Trump was describing a scenario in which Democrats control both chambers of Congress and reclaim the White House in 2028, Mediaite reported.
Trump Takes Aim At Court Expansion
Trump claimed Democrats’ ambitions for the Supreme Court go much further than the 13-seat expansion proposal backed by some party lawmakers.
“The real number that they dream of is 23,” Trump said, according to The Hill. “They say 13. Who wants 13?”
A 23-member court would mean adding 14 seats to the existing nine-member bench.
Democratic lawmakers have previously introduced legislation to expand the court to 13 justices. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) unveiled the Judiciary Act of 2023, arguing that expansion would restore the court’s legitimacy.
That proposal called for four additional seats. Trump’s claim that Democrats ultimately want 23 justices goes beyond the legislation those lawmakers put forward.
A Warning To His Own Party
Trump previously linked the same warning to D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood in September, Fox News reported.
On Monday, he also renewed his demand that Republicans eliminate the Senate filibuster to advance the SAVE Act, according to Mediaite. The outlet reported that the House-passed measure would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote and photo identification when voting, but lacks the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate.
The president made his pitch while campaigning for Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy. Husted faces former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in a closely contested Senate race, Mediaite reported.
Both Husted and Ramaswamy have leaned on Trump to energize Republican voters, The Hill reported, even after his victories in Ohio in three consecutive presidential elections.
With November approaching, Trump is casting the stakes as bigger than congressional control: He says Republicans’ ability to win the White House again is on the line.
Months after a 20-year-old gunman attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, Butler County officials have released 911 calls from that day.
One redacted call came from the wife of a 74-year-old shooting victim from Moon Township, telling police her husband was shot at the rally, but she does not know what hospital he was transported to. James Copenhaver, a 74-year-old man from Moon Township, was shot and critically wounded at the rally.
“Paramedics serviced him. I called Butler Hospital. He’s not there. They told me to call 911,” the woman can be heard telling a dispatcher.
The dispatcher tells her to stay on the line and not hang up.
“I won’t,” she says.
Other 911 calls released by Butler County give more insight into the moment gunman Thomas Crooks fired approximately eight times, nicking Trump in the ear, killing Corey Comperatore, and injuring Copenhaver and another man named David Dutch.
“We’re at the Butler Farm Show. We need assistance now,” says another.
“We’re at the Trump assembly, and there’s a guy shooting,” another caller can be heard telling dispatchers.
Listen to the chilling audio below:
For the first time, the chilling 911 calls from the scene of the assassination attempt on former Pres. Trump in Butler, PA have been released. More than a dozen recordings detail the callers reporting gunshots and pleading for help. @AaronKatersky reports. https://t.co/2gTEMi4gKwpic.twitter.com/beBz65fjZj
The calls reveal a chaotic scene after shots rang out at the rally, with attendees unaware whether the shooter was an active threat to those attending the event.
Investigation revealed that Crooks had accessed the roof of a nearby building by climbing HVAC equipment and piping on the side of the building, which was outside the official perimeters of the rally but less than 200 yards from where Trump was speaking on stage.
A local officer with Butler County identified where the shots were coming from, located the shooter, and fired one round at Crooks with his rifle, “which caused the shooter to recoil and briefly fall out of sight,” Adams Township Police Department Sgt. Edward Lenz testified in September.
A Secret Service counter sniper then fired the fatal shot that neutralized Crooks on the roof of the AGR building, where he was perched with a direct line of sight to Trump.
