A former Republican congressman and outspoken critic of Donald Trump is running for office…but this time as a Democrat.
David Jolly on Thursday officially launched his longshot campaign for governor as a Democrat.
“Let’s end the politics of division and return Florida to voters who simply want an economy that works, the best education system in the world, safe communities, and a government that stays out of their doctors’ offices and family decisions,” Jolly said in a press release.
“This is a different type of issues-driven, results-focused campaign, and it will be driven not by anger and division but by optimism and solutions,” he continued. “We are building a new coalition of Floridians who deeply care about their state and are desperate for real answers to real problems that are putting our quality of life at risk.”
Jolly previously represented Florida’s 13th congressional district, which includes parts of the greater Tampa area, from 2014 to 2017. He lost his seat to former Gov. Charlie Crist (D), who like Jolly, left the GOP. Jolly officially left the Republican Party in 2018.
The former Republican turned Democrat will face a fierce race in the Sunshine State that has become one of the most prominent red states in the country. Trump, who is now a Florida resident, won the state by 13 points in November. Republicans have also flipped a number of traditionally Democrat strongholds, including Miami-Dade County, and hold a voter registration advantage.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), who is term-limited, defeated Crist in his 2022 reelection bid by nearly 20 points.
Jolly is the first Democrat to throw his name in the ring for governor. Former state Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Fla.) is said to be mulling an independent run after leaving the Democratic Party last month.
On the Republican side, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) officially launched his bid for governor earlier this year. Florida first lady Casey DeSantis is also rumored to be considering a bid.
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith claimed in closed-door congressional testimony on Wednesday that investigators had proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” that President Donald Trump “criminally” conspired to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Smith made the remarks in his opening statement to lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
“I made my decisions in the investigation without regard to President Trump’s political association, activities, beliefs, or candidacy in the 2024 election,” Smith said in his opening statement, which was obtained in advance by the Associated Press. “We took actions based on what the facts and the law required — the very lesson I learned early in my career as a prosecutor.
Smith added that his probe had “developed powerful evidence that showed President Trump willfully retained highly classified documents after he left office in January 2021, storing them at his social club, including in a bathroom and a ballroom where events and gatherings took place.”
Smith’s investigation, which began in 2022, focused on Trump’s alleged effort to overturn his 2020 election loss, as well as the classified documents that were stored at Mar-a-Lago.
Charges were filed in both investigations, but later dropped due to the longstanding DOJ policy against the indictment of a sitting president.
President Trump has yet to comment on Smith’s bold accusation.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
President-elect Donald Trump’s former adviser Steve Bannon is not afraid to publicly go to battle against billionaire businessman Elon Musk, calling him “truly evil” during a recent interview.
In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, as highlighted by Mediaite, Bannon sharply criticized Musk, who was tapped by Trump to co-lead the “Department of Government Efficiency.”
“I will have Elon Musk run out of here by Inauguration Day,” Bannon said. “He is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy. I made it my personal thing to take this guy down.”
Trump is set to take office for the second time next Monday. Musk’s influence in the next administration remains unclear but he has been tapped to help lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which is tasked with cutting wasteful government spending.
Bannon criticized Musk over the continued debate over H-1B visas. Musk is supportive of the work program that allows the U.S. to attract international talent. Trump’s base, however, is not supportive of the program, fueling a fight over the topic.
Musk himself was once an H-1B visa holder, as he is from South Africa.
“This thing of the H-1B visas, it’s about the entire immigration system is gamed by the tech overlords, they use it to their advantage, the people are furious,” Bannon said.
He slammed Musk’s heritage, calling South Africans the most racist people on Earth.
“He should go back to South Africa,” Bannon said. “Why do we have South Africans, the most racist people on Earth, white South Africans, we have them making any comments at all on what goes on in the United States?”
Bannon continued to pile on the criticism, saying Musk has a maturity of a “little boy” and only has an interest in increasing his wealth.
According to Axios, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon is “laying the groundwork” for a possible campaign by discussing staffing with allies and setting up a political action committee.
Bannon has also been making appearances at GOP events in key early-primary organizing circles. Axios pointed to his attendance at Colorado and Georgia Republican Party events as a sign he may be building relationships with local activists who play a major role in primary politics.
Still, Axios framed the effort as something bigger than one candidate’s ambitions.
“The MAGA godfather isn’t serious about becoming president — that’s not the point,” Axios reported.
Instead, the outlet said Bannon has told allies he wants to pressure Republicans to embrace a clearer “America First” vision — including non-interventionist foreign policy, economic populism, and opposition to Big Tech.
Matt Gaetz weighs in
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) described Bannon’s political brand in blunt terms, telling Axios:
“The Bannon campaign will merge the foreign policy of Rand Paul with the tax policy of Elizabeth Warren.”
A “nontraditional” campaign model
Axios also reported that Bannon’s associates “envision a nontraditional campaign” that could be run largely from his Capitol Hill podcast studio, avoiding the typical early-state grind of rallies in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Bannon denies it — and says his focus is Trump
Bannon isn’t publicly embracing the idea. He reportedly told Axios the entire notion was:
“bullsh*t,”
and said he’s focused on supporting a third term for Trump — “despite the Constitution’s two-term limit on presidents.”
Meanwhile, Trump is already signaling 2028 succession plans
While Bannon talks about “America First” leverage in 2028, President Donald Trump has also been dropping hints about what he wants the post-Trump Republican bench to look like.
In recent comments reported by multiple outlets, Trump has pointed to Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the next generation of Republican leadership — and suggested they could be a dominant force heading into 2028.
The Wisconsin Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and expensive races in the 2024 election cycle. Let’s take a deeper dive into this contentious race.
Tammy Baldwin: Meet The Incumbent
Senate Democrats, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Senator Tammy Baldwin has represented Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate since 2012, making history as the first openly gay member of the chamber. She has built a reputation as a progressive champion, focusing on key issues like health care, LGBTQ+ rights and so-called economic fairness—advocating for reducing income inequality, expanding access to social safety nets and promoting the redistribution of wealth and resources. Over the course of her two terms, she has built a strong base of support in urban areas like Milwaukee and Madison but has alienated voters elsewhere over her support of far-left policies.
Baldwin faces a tough reelection battle in 2024 as Wisconsin’s political landscape has become increasingly competitive. However, with her incumbent status and a robust war chest, Baldwin remains a formidable candidate with deep connections to Wisconsin voters.
The Republican Challenger: Eric Hovde
Eric Hovde 2012 Senate campaign. WisPolitics.com, via Wikimedia Commons
Eric Hovde, a prominent businessman, philanthropist and Madison native, is making his second bid for the U.S. Senate in Wisconsin. As a successful entrepreneur, Hovde built a career in real estate investment and banking, having served as CEO of Hovde Properties and Hovde Capital Advisors. His business acumen has fueled his platform of fiscal conservatism, emphasizing reduced government spending and tax reform. Hovde is also known for his philanthropic work, particularly through his foundation, which focuses on supporting veterans, health care initiatives and combating homelessness. His campaign has receive significant support from conservative PACs, including the Fix Washington Political Action Committee, which received $1 million from Hovde’s brother days after its creation.
Key Policy Issues:
Fiscal Conservatism: Hovde emphasizes reducing government spending, cutting taxes and addressing the national debt through economic policies aimed at shrinking government intervention.
Health care Reform: He advocates for market-based solutions in health care, promoting competition and reducing the influence of government in the U.S. health care system.
Economic Growth: Hovde supports deregulation to help businesses thrive, focusing on reducing what he sees as overregulation that hinders job creation and economic expansion.
Critical Issues in the Race
The 2024 Senate race in Wisconsin will likely hinge on a few key issues that have shaped recent elections in the state. These include the economy, health care and the rural-urban divide that has become increasingly pronounced in Wisconsin politics.
The Economy: Wisconsin’s economy, like much of the Midwest, is heavily reliant on manufacturing and agriculture. Job creation, wage growth and trade policies will be at the forefront of voter concerns. Baldwin has championed policies aimed at revitalizing Wisconsin’s industrial base, such as her efforts to protect manufacturing jobs from outsourcing. However, Republicans argue that her policies have not gone far enough to stimulate economic growth, particularly in rural, GOP-leaning areas.
Health care: Health care continues to be a top issue for Wisconsin voters, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Baldwin has been an advocate for expanding health care access, including supporting Obamacare.
The Rural-Urban Divide: Like many other swing states, Wisconsin has a stark political divide between its urban and rural areas. Baldwin’s challenge will be to maintain her strong support in liberal strongholds like Madison and Milwaukee, while making inroads in rural areas that have increasingly turned to Republicans in recent elections. Hovde is working to bridge the gap between the party’s base in rural Wisconsin and more moderate, suburban voters. Waukesha, a historically suburban Republican stronghold west of Milwaukee that has shifted leftward in recent cycles, may play a decisive role depending on the margin of victory for Trump and Hovde there.
Campaign Spending and Fundraising
With control of the Senate at stake, both parties view Wisconsin as a true toss-up, guaranteeing that fundraising and spending will continue at unprecedented levels.
When all said and done, the 2024 Senate race is expected to be one of the most expensive in Wisconsin’s history, with both candidates benefiting from significant outside spending by national political action committees (PACs). According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data, Baldwin has raised over $30 million, positioning her campaign to compete on a national level. Her campaign has benefitted from support from Democrat-leaning groups such as the Senate Majority PAC and organizations focused on health care and LGBTQ+ rights, according to Open Secrets.
On the Republican side, Hovde has brought considerable personal wealth to his campaign, as he did during his 2012 run according to FEC data. Prominent conservative PACs, Americans for Prosperity and Club For Growth have also been strong supporters of the Hovde campaign. Fix Washington PAC endorsed Hovde for his pro-business policies.
Yesterday was our biggest online fundraising day EVER. In fact, we doubled our previous high. Help us keep the momentum going. We need all the help we can get to fight back against Tammy Baldwin’s lies. Let’s win this thing! https://t.co/fvoHEJTLry
Senator Baldwin’s approval ratings remain relatively strong, but Republicans see an opportunity to exploit national dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden’s administration, particularly on issues like inflation and immigration and uncertainty surrounding a potential Harris presidency.
Recent polling data highlights the competitiveness of the 2024 Wisconsin Senate race between the incumbent Senator and Republican businessman. Several sources point to a tightening contest:
RealClearPolitics polling average shows Baldwin with a slim lead of around 3 percentage points over Hovde, with Baldwin polling at 49% and Hovde at 46%.
Wisconsin Watchreported Baldwin leading Hovde by 52% to 44%, but this lead appears to be outside the poll’s margin of error. Other polls, such as those from Emerson College and Marist College, also reflect a smaller gap, with Baldwin holding leads within 3-5 points.
A Cook Political Report poll marked the race as a “toss-up,” with a significant swing among independent voters toward Hovde, further tightening the race to a 49% to 47% split.
A Quinnipiac University poll released October 9th, reported incumbent Democrat Senator Tammy Baldwin has a slight lead over Republican challenger Eric Hovde 50% to 46%.
The Wisconsin Senate race is crucial for both parties as they fight for control of the upper chamber. With Democrats holding a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate, every competitive seat counts, and Wisconsin’s swing-state status means the race could play a decisive role in determining which party controls the Senate after 2024.
For Republicans, flipping Baldwin’s seat would not only bolster their chances of retaking the Senate but also signal a continued shift in the Midwest toward the GOP.
Whenever I turn on the TV, I have to laugh at the latest attacks on me.
But, what else should you expect from a career politician like Tammy Baldwin?
The 2024 Wisconsin Senate race will be one of the most closely watched contests in the nation, with both parties pouring significant resources into the state. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s bid for a third term will test her ability to maintain support in a politically divided state, while Republicans look to capitalize on national trends and local concerns to flip the seat.
Some members of Congress believed the implosion of President Trump’s relationship with tech billionaire Elon Musk was so inevitable that they were wagering on how long it would last, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) suggested Thursday.
“We had wagers going on the floor: Is this relationship going to last three months? Is it going to last six months?” Gonzalez told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in an interview. “I don’t think anyone thought it was going to last a year.”
“I don’t think you needed to be a genius, though, to foresee that this eruptive and public display of divorce was going to happen at some point,” he added.
Trump and Musk publicly traded barbs on Thursday in an explosive end to their previously tight alliance, with cracks beginning to show in recent days as Musk blasted the House GOP’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” as a “disgusting abomination.”
On Thursday afternoon, Elon Musk publicly endorsed a call for President Donald Trump’s impeachment. Responding to a post on his social media platform X by conservative commentator Ian Miles Cheong — who suggested Trump should be impeached and replaced by Vice President JD Vance — Musk replied with a succinct “yes,” signaling his agreement with the sentiment.
The world’s richest man and SpaceX CEO said his space exploration company will ground the spacecraft used to shuttle astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station.
On Friday morning, Fox News reported that Musk may speak with some of the President’s aides in an apparent effort to calm the growing feud between the two powerhouses.
A senior White House official told Fox News that Trump does not expect to speak to Musk today. However, White House aides told Doocy that Trump administration staffers might try to talk to Musk.
“No call scheduled or had. Musk wants a call. POTUS hasn’t made a decision,” a source familiar with the matter also told Fox News regarding a possible conversation between Trump and Musk.
Doocy also reported that a red Tesla vehicle that Trump bought during a Tesla demonstration on the South Lawn of the White House grounds earlier this year is now expected to be given away or sold off.
The vehicle with Florida tags, as of Friday, remains parked near the White House on West Executive Drive.
Donald Trump Jr. has once again found himself in the spotlight, this time for his fiery response to a Mediaite reporter’s question about his potential 2028 presidential run. In a tense exchange, Trump Jr. asked the reporter, “Are you f**king retarded?” after being asked whether he was considering a run for the White House in the upcoming election.
The controversy stemmed from a Mediaite article titled “Donald Trump Jr. Considering a Run for President in 2028,” which cited three anonymous “high-level sources” who claimed that Trump Jr. was seriously weighing a presidential bid. Despite Trump Jr.’s strong denial of the claim, Mediaite proceeded with the headline and included his rebuttal much later in the article.
“I accurately predicted that my buddy JD would be an instant power player in national GOP politics, so your theory is that I worked my ass off to help get him the VP nomination because I want to run for president in 2028? Are you f**king retarded?” Trump Jr. responded, according to Mediaite. “I’m actually glad you’re printing this though because at least now the rest of the press corps will see how sh**ty your ‘sources’ are and how easily you’re played by them. Congrats, moron,” he added, emphasizing his frustration with the claims.
His reaction gained traction political circles, with many mocking Mediaite for running the story despite Trump Jr.’s strong dismissal. Republican strategist Andrew Surabian quickly weighed in on Twitter, claiming that many reporters in Washington, D.C., were sending him the story to mock Mediaite’s handling of the situation. “Every reporter in DC I know is sending me the story mocking Mediaite for running it. Total clowns,” Surabian tweeted on Friday.
Trump Jr. remains the only named source in the Mediaite story, with the outlet running his direct denial much later in the article after his sharp rebuke. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between politicians and the media, especially when it comes to high-profile figures like Trump Jr. who are often the subject of speculation.
The incident also highlights a broader trend in modern journalism, particularly with regard to Donald Trump and his family. Starting with his initial presidential run, many media outlets have been accused of loosening or outright abandoning traditional journalistic standards in their coverage of Trump and his associates. This has often included sensationalized headlines, reliance on anonymous sources, and the prioritization of clickbait over factual reporting.
In the case of Donald Trump Jr., Mediaite’s story—despite his firm denial—was a prime example of how some outlets have increasingly blurred the lines between speculation and reporting. Critics argue that the aggressive nature of the media’s coverage of the Trump family has led to a growing mistrust of the press, with outlets prioritizing controversy, intrigue and partisan agendas over responsible, balanced journalism. As the Trump dynasty continues to dominate American politics, the way the media handles their coverage remains a contentious issue, with many wondering if the standards that once governed political reporting will ever fully be restored.
Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News
Duncan Lock, Dflock, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Democrat strategist James Carville—known as much for his fiery rhetoric as his mixed record of election predictions—says he’s ready to “bet a lot of money” that Democrats will take the White House in 2028 and then move to pack the Supreme Court.
Speaking on his Politics War Room podcast Thursday with co-host Al Hunt, Carville responded to a listener question about what Democrats could have done differently to prepare for President Donald Trump’s second term. Instead of looking back, he offered a bold forecast for the next presidential cycle.
Carville eventually dropped a whopper of a prediction that he insisted he has plenty of confidence in.
“I’m going to tell you what’s going to happen. A Democrat is going to be elected in 2028. You know that. I know that. The Democratic president is going to announce a special transition advisory committee on the reform of the Supreme Court,” the longtime Democratic strategist declared.
Carville—once a top adviser to Bill Clinton—has not always had a stellar record when it comes to predictions. Before the 2024 election, he confidently declared that Kamala Harris would “sail her way to victory,” repeating that claim several times, including in an op-ed for The New York Times.
In January, Carville admitted he had gotten it “all wrong.” He’s since been openly critical of Harris’s failed campaign, recently warning her allies to “pipe down” because “no Democrat wants to hear” from them.
On his 2028 prediction, Carville laid out how he believes a Democrat will expand the Supreme Court from nine seats to 13.
He argued:
“They’re going to recommend that the number of Supreme Court justices go from nine to 13. That’s going to happen, people,” Carville said. “They’re going to win. They’re going to do some blue ribbon panel of distinguished jurists, and they are going to recommend 13, and a Democratic Senate and House is going to pass it, and the Democratic president is going to sign it, because they have to do an intervention so we can have a Supreme Court that the American people trust again.”
Carville wrapped up his remarks by doubling down on his bet.
“Just keep that in the back of your mind,” he said. “And I would bet a lot of money that that’s what’s going to happen. A lot.”
If Carville is right this time, Democrats are preparing to reshape the nation’s highest court—and, with it, the balance of power in Washington—for generations to come.
Per reports from The Hill, Powell appeared before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee on Thursday to enter her plea, just days before her trial was scheduled to begin next week.
“How do you plead to the six counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties?” asked Daysha Young, a Fulton County prosecutor.
“Guilty,” Powell said.
McAfee accepted Powell’s plea and said that she could not withdraw it. Powell was sentenced to six years’ probation, a $6,000 fine and $2,700 restitution. She will also be required to “testify truthfully” in future proceedings and must turn over any documents requested by the district attorney’s office.
CNN’s Marshall Cohen reports that as part of her guilty plea, Powell will be required to testify at future trials and write an apology letter to the citizens of Georgia, prosecutors said at a hearing Thursday.”
Powell is the second of 19 co-defendants in the case to plead guilty.
Powell was indicted on seven charges in August, accusing her and the others of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act statute by entering a months-long conspiracy to try to keep Donald Trump in the White House following the 2020 election.
This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested that billionaire CEO Elon Musk push for balanced budget and congressional term limit amendments to the U.S. Constitution, rather than build a new political party.
Musk, who has been outspoken about the need to rein in government spending, announced that he is launching a new political party called the America Party.
“Backing a candidate for president is not out of the question, but the focus for the next 12 months is on the House and the Senate,” he noted in a post on X.
Backing a candidate for president is not out of the question, but the focus for the next 12 months is on the House and the Senate
The governor suggested that if Musk funds candidates in competitive Senate and House contests, Democrats will likely win.
But DeSantis acknowledged that the GOP has an issue with people running on spending less, but then failing to do so. “There’s a gap between the campaign rhetoric, and then the performance,” he said.
He explained that he does not believe “electing a few better people” will alter the “trajectory” on the debt issue.
DeSantis said that the “incentives” in D.C. will “lead to these outcomes, really, regardless of the outcome of elections at this point,” asserting that a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution is needed.
Musk “would have a monumental impact” if he got involved, DeSantis said.
Billionaire Elon Musk announced the launch of his new political party on Saturday, but has yet to share any further details on how he plans to navigate the red tape to establish a viable alternative.
Musk on Saturday appeared to confirm his intention to launch his “America Party,” after posting a poll to his X account the prior day asking followers whether or not he should create the new party.
“By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it! When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy,” he wrote. “Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”
By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!
When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.
