In an unexpected move, President Trump has endorsed Sen. Mike Rounds for re-election despite vowing to “never endorse” him again years ago.
Trump previously endorsed Rounds in 2020, but later eviscerated the senator in 2022 after Rounds appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and described the 2020 election as “fair.”
Senator Mike Rounds (@RoundsforSenate) continues to deliver for South Dakota! Mike is working hard for our incredible Farmers and he is strong on Trade, Military, our Vets, and the Second Amendment. Mike has my Complete and Total Endorsement! #SDSenhttps://t.co/qM8LsXR9tN
“‘Senator’ Mike Rounds of the Great State of South Dakota just went woke on the Fraudulent Presidential Election of 2020,” Trump declared at the beginning of a lengthy statement in January 2022.
NEW!
President Donald J. Trump:
““Senator” Mike Rounds of the Great State of South Dakota just went woke on the Fraudulent Presidential Election of 2020. He made a statement this weekend on ABC Fake News, that despite massive evidence to the contrary, including much of it… pic.twitter.com/VXFglmh4gX
“Even though his election will not be coming up for 5 years, I will never endorse this jerk again,” Trump later said in the statement.
“The Radical Left Democrats and RINOS, like ‘Senator’ Mike Rounds, do not make it easy for our Country to succeed. He is a weak and ineffective leader, and I hereby firmly pledge that he will never receive my endorsement again!” Trump asserted in that statement several years ago.
But in a surprising turnaround, President Trump is now endorsing Rounds.
In a Monday Truth Social post, the President called the South Dakota Senator “An America First Patriot,” declaring, “Mike Rounds has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Sen. Rounds responded to Trump, thanking him for the endorsement.
President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly tapped immigration adviser Stephen Miller to take on the role of White House Deputy Chief of Staff for policy.
Two sources with knowledge of the plans told CNN that Miller — a prominent figure during Trump’s first term and in his campaign team, and an advocate for hardline immigration policies — is now expected to hold an expanded role as the administration returns to power.
In Trump’s second term, the sources say Miller will push for a significant increase in deportations, with a reported target of over one million deportations per year—a tenfold increase from the current figures. He has been instrumental in shaping policies that align with this objective, reinforcing Trump’s broader vision of a heavily enforced immigration system.
“President-elect Trump will begin making decisions on who will serve in his second administration soon. Those decisions will be announced when they are made,” Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told CNN.
Meanwhile, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) is no longer in the running to become the next attorney general in President-elect Trump’s incoming administration.
The former Missouri attorney general will instead refocus his attention on the judiciary by helping Trump shepherd judges through the upper chamber and work to enact his agenda.
“I ran for the U.S. Senate to represent the people of the Show Me State and I’m just getting started,” Schmitt wrote on X. “The American people have given President @realDonaldTrump a mandate. A mandate to secure our border, make America energy dominant and fight for the forgotten men and women of this country.”
“We need America First fighters who don’t just say they support the agenda but who are willing to stand in the breach and actually fight for it and for the hopes and dreams of the American people,” Schmitt continued. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and be a champion for President Trump in the Senate.”
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will reportedly travel to multiple states this month to campaign for key Trump-endorsed candidates.
DeSantis is planning to travel to New Mexico, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Ohio this month to participate in rallies being organized by Turning Point USA. The popular governor will stump for key candidates including Ohio Republican candidate for Senate JD Vance, Pennsylvania’s GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, Arizona Republican candidate for Senate Blake Masters and GOP nominee for governor Kari Lake.
“Gov. DeSantis is America’s governor and one of the most popular leaders in America,” Charlie Kirk, founder and president of Turning Point Action, told Fox News. “He has become the model for a new conservative movement that is willing to stand on principle and to actually fight on behalf of the values of his voters.”
Kirk added: “That he is willing to throw the full weight of his support behind Kari, Blake, and JD tells you everything you need to know about these incredible candidates who I endorse and support 100%.”
Kirk said he believes Lake “will be the Ron DeSantis of the West, and Blake and JD will help break apart the uni-party consensus in Washington D.C., to stop the endless wars, the runaway spending and put an end to the cocktail party Republicans who seem to be good at one thing only – betraying their voters.”
“Doug Mastriano has become a true champion of the grassroots in Pennsylvania and Rep. Yvette Herrell is poised to hold her critical seat in New Mexico’s 2nd congressional district,” Kirk continued, adding that DeSantis has “the unique ability to unite conservatives around these candidates.”
Lake told Fox News she believes DeSantis has set the “gold standard” for conservative governance and looks forward to working with him.
DeSantis’ tour to help “unite” the Republican Party will surely send a shiver down Democrats’ spines, as it provides a further example of his rising power within the party.
Some Democrats have already read the writing on the wall and have begun to label the Florida governor as a “scarier” opponent than Trump in regard to the next presidential election. One political strategist predicted DeSantis could be the real candidate Biden faces off against, which could ultimately pose a serious threat to Democrats.
“To me, DeSantis is the scarier prospect,” one Democratic strategist said. “He’s a smarter version of Trump, he’s way more strategic, and he doesn’t have a hundred lawsuits at his feet.“
“If Trump goes bust, and he very well may, he’s the main guy I’d be watching,” the strategist said of the Florida governor.
However, while it seems many conservatives are trending toward supporting DeSantis’ eventual bid for the White House, some Republican lawmakers are still holding out. Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who voted to impeach former President Trump, says she’s concerned about DeSantis, especially his relationship with the former president.
Cheney, who is currently facing a fierce reelection battle, told New York Times reporter Jonathan Martin that while she may support a Republican in 2024 it definitely won’t be Trump and she’s not convinced by DeSantis either.
“I think that Ron DeSantis has lined himself up almost entirely with Donald Trump, and I think that’s very dangerous,” Rep. Cheney said.
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.
Former CNN commentator Angela Rye revealed that she believed President Donald Trump and the Republicans cheated to win the 2024 election and are planning to do the same in the 2026 midterms.
“I think me and [Tiffany Cross] really might feel a way about telling y’all how many days are left till the midterms because I don’t really know this thing’s going to damn happen,” Rye said on her “Native Land Pod” podcast recently.
She added, “Even if they are going to happen, are they going to cheat like they did, I still feel like they did, in the 2024 election? I don’t have data. I got a gut feeling, but I’m going to tell you about the Black woman and the Holy Ghost. We be spot on.”
Her podcast co-star and former MSNBC host Tiffany Cross stopped short of outright accusing the 2024 election of being stolen, though she felt that the election may “require some investigation” based on arguments she has heard. (RELATED: MSNBC Rising Star Blames Joe Scarborough For Her Departure)
She agreed with Rye, however, that she didn’t see a point in looking forward to the midterm elections.
“Even if they did, okay it’s here now,” Cross said. “Like what, they’re not going to say ‘okay takesies backsies we stole it.’ Like they have already instituted this authoritarian regime, and I don’t know any post-industrialized country that has come this far into authoritarianism and turned around.”
She continued, “So why we think all of a sudden we’re going to have free and fair elections in this country for midterms, which we’ve never really had, as Black folks know all too well and, as women know all too well. We’ve never really had that, but we think somehow in 480 days that we’re going to have a better chance at democracy. I just don’t think so.”
Rye’s baseless claims come amid a time when the threat of political violence appears to be reaching a fever pitch.
Democrat lawmakers say their voters are enraged at the lack of ability to counter President Donald Trump‘s agenda, with some sounding the alarm that they could potentially resort to “violence,” Axios reported last week.
The outlet says it spoke to over two dozen House Democrats to measure the temperature of the Democrat base and what it uncovered was red-hot anger and a desire to circumvent the rule of law.
“We’ve got people who are desperately wanting us to do something… no matter what we say, they want [more],” Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) told the outlet.
Another said their constituents are convinced that “civility isn’t working” and that they should prepare for “violence… to fight to protect our democracy.”
On Sunday, a former Biden official made it clear he can’t defend the President anymore.
The shocking remarks come after Biden stunned Americans with his debate performance last week. Throughout the live event, Biden could be seen stumbling over his words and seemed to struggle with hearing responses from Donald Trump and moderators.
Michael LaRosa, who previously served as press secretary to First Lady Jill Biden, lashed out at the White House’s former communications director Kate Bedingfield over her appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” — and argued that she was gaslighting the American people.
Watch:
The data!? If there is data that counters the impact of what we all saw then WHERE THE HELL IS IT??? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? SHOW US! Jesus Christ with the gaslighting, the talking points, and the damn spinning. Enough already.
Bedingfield conceded that debate night had not been “great” for the president — but she then claimed, “The reality is that the race has not fundamentally changed.”
“What we see in all the data that has emerged since Thursday is the fundamental head-to-head hasn’t shifted,” she added.
But LaRosa wasn’t buying it, and said so in an X post.
“The data!? If there is data that counters the impact of what we all saw then WHERE THE HELL IS IT??? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? SHOW US!” he demanded. “Jesus Christ with the gaslighting, the talking points, and the damn spinning. Enough already.”
“Show your supporters or the media this data so we can help you help him! You’ve told us for A YEAR that data and polling can’t be trusted … no one is paying attention … and all of the polling and data are unreliable,” he continued. “Are we NOW supposed to believe it? You’ve been undermining all of the public data and polling and attacking news outlets and their independent data for a year! Is it now safe to trust the data? Should we believe your data instead of independent media data and polling??? Ok, cool. WHERE THE HELL IS IT?”
This isn’t the behavior you expect from a sitting Congressman…
Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) was kicked out of a pro-Donald Trump event this week.
In footage posted to social media, the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus can be seen talking with store owner Karen Angulo, a former local GOP chair, and being told to leave the event. Virginia state Sen. John McGuire (R) was in attendance at the event and can be seen talking to someone in the background of the Good video. He is challenging Good for his congressional seat.
“We invited our State Senator John McGuire as a special guest because John has been a supporter of President Trump and never wavered, unlike Bob Good,” Angulo wrote in a statement about the incident with Good.
In the video from the Trump store opening. Angulo repeatedly tells Good to leave, and he, at one point, reads from an email inviting all Republicans supporting Trump to the event.
BOB GOOD was kicked out of grand opening of a Pro-Trump store in VA-05.
In a statement about the incident, she called it “embarrassing.”
“I repeatedly asked Bob to leave. Once he finally relented and left our store, Bob and his paid campaign staff stood out front for over four hours trying to block people from entering our store,” she wrote. “The whole thing was very embarrassing behavior for anyone, let alone a sitting member of Congress.”
President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed media reports suggesting he planned to name the new White House ballroom — which will replace the outdated East Wing — after himself.
The report, published by ABC News, claimed the 90,000-square-foot facility would be called “The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom.” But Trump quickly set the record straight.
“I don’t have any plan to call it after myself, that was fake news,” Trump told reporters. “We’re probably going to call it the presidential ballroom or something like that. We haven’t really thought about a name yet.”
Trump’s comments come as construction continues on what is expected to be a major modernization of the White House complex — a project the administration says will better serve official state events and visiting dignitaries.
A Vision for Renewal and National Pride
According to ABC News, roughly $350 million has been raised for the ballroom’s construction, exceeding the projected $300 million cost. President Trump suggested that surplus funds could support another ambitious initiative: an iconic arch to be built at the entrance of Washington, D.C., near the Lincoln Memorial.
“You know, we’re going to be building the arc,” Trump said. “And we’ve raised a lot of money for the ballroom, so maybe we’ll put — the arc is going to be incredible for Washington, D.C. So maybe we use it for the arc.”
The administration expects the ballroom to be completed before the end of Trump’s term in 2029. Supporters say the project symbolizes renewal and the continuation of America’s tradition of strength and elegance at its seat of power.
Demolition Meets Predictable Backlash
Earlier this week, crews finished demolishing the East Wing — a move that drew predictable criticism from establishment voices and Democratic allies. A YouGov poll found about half of Americans disapprove of the demolition, while many others see it as a step forward for modernization and security.
Among the most vocal critics was USA Today, which published an opinion piece by Chelsea Clinton condemning the construction. She claimed it represented “a reflection of how easily history can be erased when power forgets purpose.”
Former White House aide Michael LaRosa, who worked for Jill Biden, echoed the sentiment, calling the demolition “sad” and “heartbreaking.” Still, even he admitted, “I don’t think that there’s any question a ballroom is probably needed.”
The East Wing: History Meets Modern Necessity
While some opponents point to the East Wing’s historical roots, Trump’s supporters argue that progress and preservation are not mutually exclusive. The East Wing dates back to the early 1800s, when Thomas Jefferson added colonnades that were criticized even then as “aristocratic.”
Over the years, the space evolved — from Teddy Roosevelt’s renovations to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s additions, including a movie theater and a bunker used during national emergencies. That bunker, known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, was used by George W. Bush’s cabinet on 9/11 and by President Trump during the 2020 unrest.
George Conway, a prominent conservative attorney and longtime critic of President Donald Trump, filed paperwork Monday with the Federal Election Commission to explore a bid for Congress as a Democrat.
Conway, a co-founder of The Lincoln Project — a group of self-described Republicans formed to oppose Trump’s presidency — is considering a run in New York’s 12th Congressional District. The Manhattan-based seat is currently held by Rep. Jerry Nadler, who is retiring at the end of this term. The district is one of the safest Democratic seats in the country, meaning the decisive contest is expected to take place in a crowded Democratic primary rather than the general election.
BREAKING: George Conway, former conservative lawyer and fierce Trump critic, has filed to run in New York’s 12th Congressional District. pic.twitter.com/oShKms9xCP
Conway was married for 22 years to Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s former campaign manager and later White House senior counselor. The couple, who share four children, divorced in 2023. Though George Conway was at one point considered for roles in the Trump administration, he ultimately declined to serve and instead became one of the president’s most outspoken detractors.
Kellyanne Conway speaking with attendees at the 2018 Young Women’s Leadership Summit hosted by Turning Point USA at the Hyatt Regency DFW Hotel in Dallas, Texas. {Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons}
Kellyanne Conway detailed the strain on their marriage in her 2022 memoir, Here’s the Deal, calling her husband once a “Trump-loving, MAGA-cap-wearing” supporter who, she wrote, “slowly turned his back” on her and their children during her time in the White House. She recounted a July 4 weekend argument in 2019 during which George told her, “You have ruined yourself and you have embarrassed this family.”
“I’ve embarrassed this family?” she wrote in response. “You abandoned me for Twitter and she’s not even hot.”
Months after that incident, George Conway helped launch The Lincoln Project, which aimed to block Trump’s reelection. In August 2020, he announced he would take a leave of absence from the organization to spend more time with his family; Kellyanne Conway announced the same day that she would leave her White House position.
In early 2021, Conway publicly called for The Lincoln Project to shut down following allegations of serial sexual harassment against co-founder John Weaver, a longtime adviser to the late Sen. John McCain.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Utah Senator Mitt Romney is not running for re-election.
The longtime Trump critic unveiled the surprising announcement in a statement taking jabs at President Joe Biden as well as Donald Trump.
“I have spent my last 25 years in public service of one kind or another. At the end of another term, I’d be in my mid-eighties. Frankly, it’s time for a new generation of leaders. They’re the ones that need to make the decisions that will shape the world they will be living in,” Romney said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
“We face critical challenges—mounting national debt, climate change, and the ambitious authoritarians of Russia and China. Neither President Biden nor former President Trump are leading their party to confront them.
“On the deficits and debt, both men refuse to address entitlements even though they represent two thirds of federal spending. Donald Trump calls global warming a hoax and President Biden offers feel-good solutions that will make no difference to the global climate.”
“While I’m not running for re-election, I’m not retiring from the fight. I’ll be your United States Senator until January 2025. I will keep working on these and other issues and I will advance our state’s numerous priorities. I look forward to working with you and with folks across our state and nation in that endeavor,” Romney said.
