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    Biden vs. Trump: Latest Poll Reveals Surprising Lead Ahead Of Republican Convention

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    1
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    A+ Rated Poll Shows Biden Edging Out Trump – What Does This Mean for 2024?

    Just days before the Republican National Convention kicks off, a newly released NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reveals that President Joe Biden is leading former President Donald Trump in a tight race among registered voters. The poll, conducted from July 9 to July 10, shows Biden ahead with 50% of the vote compared to Trump’s 48%, leaving 2% of voters undecided. This marks a slight shift from last month’s pre-debate poll, where both candidates were tied at 49%.

    Key Findings:

    • Voter Concerns: By a margin of more than two to one, voters are more concerned with candidates who lie than with those who are too old to serve.
    • Mental Fitness: Despite Biden’s lead, nearly two-thirds of Americans question his mental fitness for the presidency. Respondents were evenly split regarding Trump’s mental acuity, suggesting concerns about both candidates.
    • Character Assessment: The poll highlights a stark contrast in public perception of character. A majority believe Biden is a man of integrity, while Trump is perceived as lacking the character required for the presidency.

    Why Marist Polls Matter

    Marist, known for its accuracy and methodological rigor, continues to be a trusted source in political polling. Their partnership with major media outlets and commitment to transparency and innovation ensure that their findings are both reliable and insightful.

    NPR has additional information on the findings:

    Those numbers, though, do not represent statistically significant differences, as the margin of error in the survey is +/- 3.1 percentage points, meaning results could be 3 points higher or lower.

    The poll also found that, at this point, no other mainstream Democrat who has been mentioned as a replacement for the president on the ticket does better than Biden.

    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    The results reflect the hyperpolarized political environment in the country and the reality that both of the major parties’ presumptive nominees bring with them significant disadvantages. Majorities of those surveyed continue to say they have a negative opinion of both men, and neither, they say, should be on the ballot at all.

    “This is an unpleasant rematch with two unpopular people,” said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, “but Biden gets points for honesty and character. As a result, there’s a lot of canceling out.”

    Final Thoughts

    Ultimately, poll numbers provide a snapshot of the current political climate. The only numbers that really matter will come in November.

    That being said, who do you think will come out on top in the 2024 election? And does the latest poll change your opinion on the trajectory of the race for the White House?

    READ NEXT: NY Times ‘Icon’ Reveals Shocking Truth Behind Trump Panic

    𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗣: 𝗜’𝗩𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗗, 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗔 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟! 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗧 𝗠𝗘, 𝗜 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥! 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗜 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬? 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗕𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗘 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬!

    Musician Withdraws Endorsement Over Viral Puerto Rico Joke

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    6
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Reggaeton star Nicky Jam walked back his previous endorsement of former President Trump Wednesday in the wake of fallout over a poorly received joke at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday.

    In an Instagram post in Spanish, the singer born Nick Rivera Caminero explained he had endorsed Trump for his economic proposals, with “[Trump] being a businessman, I thought it was the best move.”

    “Never in my life did I think that a month later a comedian would come to criticize my country, to speak poorly of my country, and therefore I renounce any support to Donald Trump and move aside from any political situation. Puerto Rico se respeta, Nicky Jam,” he said.

    At a Tuesday rally in Allentown, Pa., the northern end of the Latino Corridor, Trump did not directly address the offending joke, but he said “nobody loves our Latino community and our Puerto Rican community more than I do.”

    According to Toledo, the dissatisfaction with the handling of the joke has spread well beyond the Puerto Rican community.

    “This is not just a Puerto Rican issue. All Latinos across the board have taken offense to this,” he said.

    Speaking on a call with Voto Latino, Biden appeared to call Trump supporters “garbage” in response to Hinchcliffe’s joke.

    Jim Jordan here: Pelosi and Harris are pouring MILLIONS into taking back the House! Patriots must act NOW to protect our America First Majority!

    Indicted Congressman Eyes Party Switch After Potential Presidential Pardon

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    2

    Speculation on Capitol Hill is building that Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who is currently facing federal corruption charges, might consider switching parties if granted a presidential pardon. The potential shift has set political tongues wagging, fueled by Cuellar’s complicated legal battle and reactions from both sides of the aisle.

    The rumor is as follows:

    It’s alleged someone is going to receive a pardon and flip from blue to red in the House of Representatives.

    Now I fully believe that this person has only gotten indicted because of his wide open criticism of the current admin and his opposition to… https://t.co/WjCOGNNbca— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) December 26, 2024

    Cuellar, a conservative Democrat, was indicted in May following a two-year investigation by the Department of Justice. The probe, linked to an ongoing corruption case, began after FBI agents raided his South Texas home and campaign office. While initial details were sparse, reports alleged that Cuellar cultivated relationships with Azerbaijani and Mexican business leaders, leveraging his congressional position to advance their interests in U.S. policy.

    The indictment, if accurate, presents a damning picture. Between 2014 and 2021, Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, allegedly accepted $600,000 in bribes from two foreign entities: an Azerbaijani state-owned oil and gas company and a Mexico City-based bank. Federal prosecutors claim these payments were funneled through bogus consulting contracts to shell companies under Imelda Cuellar’s name, with little to no actual work performed.

    In exchange, Cuellar allegedly influenced U.S. foreign policy to benefit Azerbaijan and supported legislative activities favorable to the Mexican bank. The charges against the Cuellars are sweeping, with potential penalties stacking up as follows:

    Two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and acting as an unregistered foreign agent (up to 5 years each).

    Two counts of bribery of a federal official (up to 15 years each).

    Two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (up to 20 years each).

    Two counts of violating laws against unregistered foreign agents (up to two years each).

    One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (up to 20 years).

    Five counts of money laundering (up to 20 years each).

    Both Henry and Imelda Cuellar have pleaded not guilty, with the congressman insisting his actions were focused on serving South Texans. Despite the charges, Cuellar secured an 11th term in November, showcasing his political resilience among his constituents.

    President-elect Donald Trump has eagerly weighed in on the case. Writing on Truth Social shortly after the indictment, Trump accused the Biden administration of targeting Cuellar and his wife for his conservative stance on border policy.

    “Biden just indicted Henry Cuellar because the respected Democrat Congressman wouldn’t play Crooked Joe’s open border game. He was for Border Control, so they said, ‘Let’s use the FBI and DOJ to take him out!’” Trump wrote, calling the administration “D.C. Thugs” and labeling President Biden a “threat to democracy.”

    The drama surrounding Cuellar’s case, coupled with rumors of a potential party switch, has heightened tensions in Washington. Inside the Beltway, all eyes are on the congressman to see whether he will stay the course or make a stunning shift in a historically narrowly divided Congress.

    Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News

    Trump Issues Dire Midterm Warning To GOP: Win Or I’m Impeached

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2

    President Trump warned House Republicans on Tuesday that losing the midterms would all but guarantee another impeachment push from Democrats, underscoring the high stakes of November’s elections.

    “You gotta win the midterms. Because if we don’t win the midterms…they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump told the Republican conference during its retreat at the Kennedy Center.

    “I’ll get impeached,” he continued. “We don’t impeach them because you know why? They’re meaner than we are. We should have impeached Joe Biden for a hundred different things.”

    “They are mean and smart, but fortunately for you, they have horrible policy,” Trump added.

    Trump’s remarks reflect growing concern among Republicans that Democrats are prepared to weaponize impeachment once again should they regain control of the House. That warning has been echoed by GOP leadership.

    Watch:

    Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) issued a similar message late last month at Turning Point USA’s America Fest in Arizona.

    “If we lose the House majority, the radical left as you’ve already heard is going to impeach President Trump,” Johnson said. “They’re going to create absolute chaos. We cannot let that happen.”

    The concern is not hypothetical. Trump was impeached twice during his first term—first in 2019 after Democrats regained control of the House, and again in early 2021, just days before his administration ended. Both impeachments failed to result in a conviction in the Senate, reinforcing Republican claims that the proceedings were politically motivated rather than constitutionally grounded.

    Since then, impeachment has increasingly been used as a political threat rather than a last-resort constitutional remedy. Over the past year alone, Democrats have repeatedly floated impeachment articles against Trump and other Republican officials, often without clear legal grounding or broad party consensus.

    Most recently, some Democrats have suggested impeachment following the U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last week—an operation praised by many Republicans as a decisive national security action. Critics on the left, however, have argued the move exceeds executive authority.

    “These individual actions are impeachable offenses in their own right, but their ever mounting cumulative impact on our country’s stability and health puts everything in a new light. I now believe that our Democratic Caucus must imminently consider impeachment proceedings,” said Rep. April McClain-Delaney (D-Md.), who is facing a primary challenge from former Rep. David Trone (D-Md.).

    The renewed calls echo earlier efforts that failed to gain traction. Progressive lawmakers previously introduced impeachment resolutions over Trump’s border policies, energy decisions, and foreign policy actions—none of which advanced beyond committee stages or garnered broad Democratic support.

    This race is a coin flip and Vivek NEEDS your help. Vivek Ramaswamy is defending the fundamental truths of America but he can’t do it alone. Join the fight and donate today!

    Trump And Vince Vaughn Recreate Iconic Movie Moment In Oval Office Spoof Photo

    By
    Patrick Houck
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    0

    In a lighthearted nod to the raunchy 2005 comedy “Wedding Crashers,” President Donald Trump and actor Vince Vaughn recently posed together in the Oval Office. The White House shared the moment on social media as a mock movie poster titled “White House Crashers,” featuring Vaughn standing beside a seated Trump — both smiling in front of the American flag and presidential seal.

    Vaughn, well-known for his libertarian views, has long emphasized his commitment to individual freedoms. He has maintained cordial interactions with politicians across the spectrum — including a handshake with Trump at a college football game in 2020 amid the president’s first impeachment proceedings.

    People Magazine has more details on the creative photo op:

    “White House Crashers,” the poster reads in a font similar to one used on the artwork for the 2005 buddy comedy flick, with Trump taking the place of Vaughn’s costar Owen Wilson.

    “President Donald J. Trump & Vince Vaughn in the Oval Office 🇺🇸,” the White House wrote in the post’s caption.

    Wedding Crashers follows Wilson, 55, and Vaughn as divorce mediators who spend their free time crashing wedding receptions in order to meet women. It also stars Isla Fisher, Rachel McAdams, Christopher Walken and Bradley Cooper.

    Aside from the post, the White House and the president both did not release any further information about Vaughn’s visit to Washington, D.C., nor did the actor.

    Representatives for Vaughn did not immediately respond to People’s request for comment.

    READ NEXT: Is Your Name In This Biden Citizen Spying Database?

    Amanda Head: Unabomber Treated Better Than Today’s Conservatives By FBI

    By
    Amanda Head
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    0

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has become increasingly politicized and instead of targeting dangerous criminals and terrorists, it seems conservatives are their prime suspects.

    Listen to what Amanda has to say below.

    VP Vance Predicts ‘Dumbest’ Democrat Candidate Will Secure Nomination In 2028

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0

    Vice President JD Vance took aim at the Democratic Party’s likely 2028 presidential contenders during a lighthearted but pointed exchange on Fox News, joking that the party’s “dumbest” candidate is most likely to emerge from the primary.

    In an exclusive interview released Wednesday on Jesse Watters Primetime, Watters raised speculation about California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s national ambitions, noting the governor’s frequent media appearances and rumored White House aspirations.

    “Gavin Newsom, obviously, is running for president. Have you seen this guy cross his legs? Have you ever seen anyone cross their legs like that?” Watters asked jokingly.

    “My legs don’t cross like that, Jesse,” Vance replied with a laugh. “You can interpret that however you want to.”

    Watters went on to frame the looming Democratic contest as a showdown between Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris.

    “Gavin and Kamala are on a collision course,” Watters said. “Who’s gonna win?”

    “The dumbest candidate will probably win,” Vance quipped. “That’s my guess with the Democratic Party.”

    Vance argued that the current Democratic bench reflects deeper structural problems within the party, particularly its fixation on identity politics over competence.

    “I mean, look, the Democrats have a couple of big issues, and one is that they lean so far into wokeism that they can’t see the obviousness of the fact, which is that Kamala Harris is not qualified to be president of the United States,” Vance said.

    “That’s why she got the vice presidential nomination. That’s why she got the presidential nomination. This is who Kamala Harris is.”

    Vance contrasted Harris with Newsom, describing the California governor as emblematic of failed progressive governance.

    “Now, the flip side is, I think you have an unbelievably corrupt and incompetent governor in Gavin Newsom,” he said. “The fact that those are the two frontrunners just suggests how deeply deranged the Democrat Party is. Let them fight it out. We’ll figure it out.”

    A Weak Democratic Bench for 2028

    While Newsom and Harris dominate early speculation, Democrats face a thin and fractured 2028 field. Other frequently mentioned names include Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—each of whom carries significant liabilities with general-election voters. Many Democrats privately acknowledge that the party lacks a unifying figure with broad national appeal, particularly as voters continue to recoil from progressive economic and cultural policies.

    Republicans, by contrast, are positioning themselves as the party of stability, affordability, and public safety heading into the next election cycle.

    Cost of Living and Accountability

    Watters noted that Democrats are expected to campaign heavily on cost-of-living issues in upcoming elections, a strategy Vance dismissed as deeply hypocritical.

    “That’s a pot-meet-kettle situation,” Vance argued, pointing to Democratic-led policies that fueled inflation, higher energy costs, and housing shortages.

    He credited the Trump administration with reversing those trends.

    “We haven’t even been in office for a year, and you’ve already seen prices start to come down. You’ve seen rents start to come down. You’ve seen groceries leveling off,” Vance said.

    “Is there more work to do? Absolutely. But the people who are going to do that work is the Trump administration, is the president of the United States, who is solving the Democrats’ affordability crisis.”

    “You don’t give power back to the very people who set the house on fire,” he added. “You give more power to the person who put the fire out.”

    Impeachment Politics

    When asked whether Democrats would attempt to impeach President Trump again if they regain control of Congress, Vance said such a move would be predictable—and revealing.

    “I’m sure he’ll get impeached,” Vance said. “Look, they have nothing to actually run on or govern on.”

    “Their entire obsessive focus of that party is they hate Donald Trump,” he continued. “So, if they ever get power, are they going to lower Americans’ taxes? No. Are they going to make your life more affordable? No. Are they going to solve the crime crisis? No.”

    “What they’re going to do is they’re going to spend all their time and all of your money trying to get Donald Trump.”

    Vance urged voters to focus on results rather than partisan theatrics.

    “I think the American people should vote for the people who want to make their life more affordable, who want to make their neighborhoods safer,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to deliver every single day.”

    Newsom Responds With a Meme

    Newsom’s office responded to the interview with a digitally altered image of Vance crossing his legs in an exaggerated pose, captioned: “We all know JD copies Daddy.”

    House GOP just rolled out the OFFICIAL America 250 Membership & you’ve been selected for a coveted spot on the roster. This celebration will be remembered for DECADES — and we want you to have a front-row seat to it all. We’re asking a select group of TOP PATRIOTS to answer the following questions and join the House GOP’s official America 250 Membership. [Respond HERE]

    Police Arrest Would-Be Assassin Targeting Trump Cabinet Officials

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    11
    Arrest image via Pixabay

    Capitol police have arrested a Massachusetts man who allegedly traveled to Washington, D.C. armed with Molotov cocktails and a knife to kill newly-confirmed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

    Ryan Michael “Reily” English, who turned himself in to U.S. Capitol Police at 3:12 p.m. ET Monday, said he traveled to Washington, D.C., initially planning to kill Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., a police affidavit revealed.

    By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America – Pete Hegseth, CC BY-SA 2.0

    But English shifted his target to Bessent after stopping at a library in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and reading that the Senate was voting Monday on his nomination as President Donald Trump’s Treasury chief, the document said.

    CNBC reported English contemplated throwing the Molotov cocktails at Bessent’s feet, according to the affidavit, which was filed in Washington, D.C., federal court. And if he were able to get close enough, English said, he would have stabbed Bessent with a knife.

    Bessent’s nomination was confirmed about three hours after English’s arrest. President Trump’s Cabinet nominee received bipartisan backing and was confirmed Tuesday with a 77-22 vote.

    English has been charged with unlawful receipt, possession or transfer of a firearm, as well as carrying a firearm, explosive or incendiary device on Capitol grounds.

    The affidavit said English approached an officer at the south door of the Capitol and said, “I’d like to turn myself in.” English told the officer that he was carrying weapons, including two Molotov cocktails.

    Two officers detained and searched English, finding two devices constructed of 50-milliliter vodka bottles with gray cloth affixed to their tops. They also found a folding knife and a lighter, according to the court documents.

    He said he was at the Capitol to “kill Scott Bessent,” the affidavit said.

    Police said they searched the vehicle and found a 750-milliliter bottle of 100-proof vodka and a gray sweatshirt with cloth cut off the sleeves.

    Ted Eytan from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    Before transporting English into custody, police said they found a receipt in his pocket with a note written on the back of a receipt:

    “Judith dear god I am so sorry. You must understand I can feel myself dying slowly b/c of my heart. This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters,” the note read, according to the affidavit.

    “I love you. This is awful. Im so sorry. I love u. Please stay alive and heal. you can. you are strong enough. [F—] them for pushing us so far. you dont deserve this. Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying. Please survive [7 hearts],” it read.

    In addition to his initial intention of killing Hegseth or Johnson, English told police he considered burning down the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

    English said that he surveilled the Capitol grounds and figured he would have to kill at least three police officers in order to get to Bessent. English “expressed acceptance and content with the possibility of suicide by cop,” the affidavit said.

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

    CNN Facing Widespread Ridicule After Cartel Interview Goes Off The Rails

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    The lamestream media is at it again…

    CNN is in hot water after an interview with a Mexican drug cartel member took an unexpected turn.

    The interview, aired Saturday, featured CNN correspondent Isobel Yeung questioning a heavily disguised cartel member in an undisclosed hideout in Mexico, according to the New York Post.

    Trump designated the Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in a January 20 executive order, with the State Department writing that the cartel is “one of the largest producers and traffickers of fentanyl and other illicit drugs to the United States.”

    “According to the Trump administration, you are a terrorist. … What do you make of that?” Yeung asked.

    The masked gangster, wearing sunglasses and latex gloves to conceal his identity, initially responded, “Well, the situation is ugly, but we have to eat.”

    When asked what he would say directly to Trump, the cartel member didn’t take the bait.

    “My respect. According to him, he’s looking out for his people,” the gangster stated, adding, “But the problem is the consumers are in the United States. If there weren’t any consumers, we would stop.”

    Social media immediately mocked CNN’s apparent attempt to elicit anti-Trump commentary from a member of a violent drug trafficking organization.

    “CNN tried to create a scandal and accidentally gave Trump a campaign ad. You can’t script this kind of desperation,” one user remarked.

    “Unbelievably, CNN gives Sinaloa cartel member a chance to throw a pity party about being labeled a terrorist, but the cartel member tells them President Trump is just rightly ‘looking after his people,’” another social media user pointed out.

    Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) suggested, “Let them [CNN] live under the rule of foreign terrorist drug traffickers for a few months. And then tell us how they feel.”

    On Monday night’s edition of Fox News Channel’s Hannity, Leavitt firmly joined the backlash camp when host Sean Hannity asked for her response to the interview, calling it “despicable”:

    HANNITY: Karoline, what did you and the administration make of the Sinaloa cartel gang member interviewed on CNN? Why would they care what he thinks?

    LEAVITT: Well, it was fascinating to me, Sean. I was actually scrolling on Instagram when I came across this interview and it stopped me in my tracks, not just because they sat down with a member of a Mexican cartel that is now designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States government, but because of the nature of the questions of this notorious foreign terrorist. It — it was a softball interview, giving a platform to a notorious drug cartel that has killed American citizens. I thought it was quite despicable. But, again, this is just another reason why the — the trust in the legacy media is at an all-time low amongst the American public.

    Over the weekend, President Trump hit back at Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum after she rejected his offer to send U.S. troops to Mexico to help fight against cartels.

    While addressing reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he proposed the idea of sending American troops to deal with the Mexican cartels facilitating drug trafficking, and criticized Sheinbaum for refusing his offer.

    “She’s so afraid of the cartels she can’t walk … And I think she’s a lovely woman. The president of Mexico is a lovely woman, but she is so afraid of the cartels that she can’t even think straight,” Trump said.

    Sheinbaum said she told Trump at the time that Mexico would “never accept” a U.S. military presence.

    “No, President Trump, our territory is inalienable, sovereignty is inalienable,” Sheinbaum claimed to have said. “We can collaborate. We can work together, but with you in your territory and us in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army on our territory.”

    Byron Donalds Launches Campaign For Florida Governor

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    Byron Donalds via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    The race is on!

    On Tuesday evening, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds signaled he plans to campaign to become the next Florida governor days after President Trump suggested that he run.

    The next Florida gubernatorial election is slated for Nov. 3, 2026.

    Speaking to host Sean Hannity, Donalds said he came to the decision to run “after a lot of prayer [and] a lot of thoughts with my family and my friends.”

    “Sean, we have a wonderful state,” Donalds said. “I got to Florida when I was 17 years old, off of a Greyhound bus with just a trunk full of clothes. And over the rest of my time in Florida, I built a family, I built a career. … I was able to serve four years in a state legislature, four years in Congress.

    “And I think now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future.”

    The Florida Republican said he is the only candidate in the race so far and commended Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his service to the state.

    “We have a great governor. Ron DeSantis has done a tremendous job for our state,” Donalds said. “But now the job is to keep the best state in the country as the best state in the country. And so that’s going to be the mission at hand. And I’m excited to announce my candidacy with you tonight.”

    Donalds was endorsed by President Donald Trump, who recently wrote that his fellow Sunshine State resident “would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida.”

    “I am hearing that Highly Respected Congressman Byron Donalds is considering running for Governor of Florida, a State that I love, and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024,” a Trump social media post said. 

    “[S]hould he decide to run, [Donalds] will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!”

    Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    DeSantis, however, has not signaled support for Donalds. On Monday, DeSantis told reporters he wants Florida congressmen to be “focused on enacting [Trump’s] agenda.”

    DeSantis’ comments came amid rumors that his wife, Casey, might run for governor. The Florida governor dodged a reporter’s question about his wife’s plans at a press conference Monday.

    “People ask me all the time about our wonderful first lady, who has done a fantastic job as first lady of Florida,” DeSantis responded. “I will tell you this. You’re talking about somebody like her. I won by the biggest margin that any Republican has ever won a governor’s race here in Florida. She would do better than me.” 

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