Elise Stefanik with Donald Trump via Wikimedia Commons
New York’s own Elise Stefanik, one of the most influential Republicans in Congress and a close ally of President Donald Trump, has officially entered the race for governor — and she’s ready to fight for hardworking families fed up with Democratic mismanagement.
Appearing on Fox & Friends Friday morning, Stefanik declared:
“I’m running for governor to make New York affordable and safe. We have seen decades of single-party rule led by Democrats. And Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America.”
Fighting for Affordability and Safety
For years, New Yorkers have endured crushing taxes, skyrocketing costs, and unsafe streets — the direct result, Stefanik says, of failed Democratic leadership.
“New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation, with the highest taxes, the highest energy bills, the highest utility bills,” Stefanik said. “We also have a crime crisis because Kathy Hochul has brought us failed bail reform and has embraced the defund-the-police Democrats.”
She continued:
“After this week… when we saw a raging anti-Semite pro-Hamas communist who wants to raise taxes. And frankly, he barely won the majority of New York City voters, Kathy Hochul endorsed him and bent the knee.”
Stefanik made it clear that this campaign will be a coalition of common-sense New Yorkers — Republicans, Independents, and Democrats — united to take back their state.
“This is a broad coalition of Republicans, independents, and Democrats who know that enough is enough. We need commonsense leadership to make New York affordable and safe again.”
Kathy Hochul is the Worst Governor in America. Under her failed leadership, New York is the most unaffordable state in the nation with the highest taxes, highest energy, utilities, rent, and grocery bills. When New Yorkers were looking for leadership from our Governor, she bent… pic.twitter.com/HXyQlNIjEj
Stefanik is already assembling a seasoned team, including respected Republican strategist Tony Fabrizio, who served as pollster for President Trump’s 2024 campaign.
In her official statement, she promised:
“I am running for Governor to bring a new generation of leadership to Albany to make New York affordable and safe for families all across our great state.”
“Our campaign will unify Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to Fire Kathy Hochul once and for all to Save New York.”
Stefanik didn’t mince words about her opponent’s record:
“I’ve always put New York families first. Kathy Hochul has put New York families last again and again and again. She’s an accidental governor. She’s only in this position because she was Cuomo’s lieutenant governor.”
Taking the Fight to Albany
For many voters, Stefanik represents the kind of energy and clarity the Republican Party needs in New York. Her campaign centers on restoring economic freedom, supporting law enforcement, and defending traditional American values that Albany elites have ignored for too long.
“People are very concerned about affordability and I have a strong record of delivering for families,” she emphasized. “Kathy Hochul has made New York the most unaffordable state in the nation. We have the highest taxes, the highest energy prices, the highest utility prices, the highest grocery prices, and rent that continues to skyrocket.”
Her focus aligns with what many Republicans see as the winning issue for 2025 — the economy. As families struggle under high costs, Stefanik is promising to restore fiscal sanity and keep the American Dream alive in the Empire State.
Democrats Already on Defense
Predictably, Democrats responded with the same tired attacks. A spokesperson for the New York State Democratic Party claimed Stefanik “is a rubber stamp for Trump’s deeply unpopular agenda,” while the Democratic Governors Association tried to paint her as “Trump’s cheerleader.”
But these criticisms only highlight Stefanik’s strength — her loyalty to a movement that prioritizes working Americans, law and order, and energy independence.
Governor Hochul’s campaign immediately launched a website called “SelloutStefanik” — a move that many conservatives see as a sign of fear rather than confidence.
The Road Ahead
While Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman may also explore a run, Republican insiders widely view Stefanik as the frontrunner for the nomination. With strong fundraising ability, national connections, and a powerful message on affordability and safety, Stefanik has the potential to unite the GOP like no one else has in years.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is reportedly considering a run for president in 2028 — a move that, if realized, could reshape the Republican Party’s post-Trump era and test the staying power of the “America First” movement.
According to a new report from Notus, Greene has privately expressed interest in following in Donald Trump’s footsteps to the White House. The outlet cites four sources familiar with her thinking, saying Greene believes she represents the “real MAGA” faction — the core conservative movement that has reshaped the GOP since 2016 — and that many Republican leaders have drifted away from those grassroots values.
One source told Notus that Greene feels confident she has built the national donor network and grassroots support needed to mount a serious primary campaign, especially as the GOP’s base remains loyal to Trump’s populist agenda.
Building a National Brand
While Greene has long been a lightning rod for criticism from the left, she’s also gained national recognition for her unapologetic defense of conservative causes — from border security to religious freedom, from cutting wasteful spending to standing up against what she calls the “weaponization” of government against political opponents.
In recent months, Greene has sought to expand her reach beyond the hardcore MAGA base. She’s made high-profile appearances on Bill Maher’s “Real Time” on HBO, The View, and CNN, signaling an effort to engage audiences outside of conservative media. Her willingness to enter unfriendly territory underscores her confidence and desire to make the case for conservative principles in front of skeptics.
As one GOP strategist told Notus, “She’s trying to take the MAGA message to a national stage — not just to Republicans, but to all Americans who feel Washington is broken.”
Criticizing the GOP’s Lack of Direction
Greene has also been unafraid to criticize her own party when she believes it has lost focus. On Real Time, she expressed frustration with Republicans who, after years of campaigning to repeal and replace Obamacare, “still don’t have a plan.”
“I’m angry about that,” Greene said on the show, adding that conservatives need to deliver tangible results, not just rhetoric.
In recent weeks, she has also called out male Republican members of Congress as “weak” for caving to establishment pressure, blasted the GOP for having “no plan” to avoid government shutdown chaos, and criticized the party’s leadership for not pushing harder to release Jeffrey Epstein files, saying Americans deserve transparency and truth.
A Populist in the Trump Mold
Those close to Greene describe her as both fiercely loyal to Donald Trump and equally committed to ensuring his populist movement survives beyond him. She was one of Trump’s earliest and most vocal defenders during both impeachments and remains one of his strongest allies in Congress.
At the same time, Greene has worked to develop her own national voice, one that emphasizes restoring American sovereignty, rebuilding manufacturing, reducing foreign entanglements, and protecting traditional values that she argues have been under assault from both the left and establishment Republicans.
The 2028 Question
When asked directly about a presidential run during an appearance on comedian Tim Dillon’s podcast last October, Greene laughed off the speculation — but didn’t shut it down entirely.
“Oh my goodness. I hate politics so much, Tim,” she said. “People are saying that, and I’ve seen a few people saying ‘she’s running’… What I’m doing right now is I very much want to fix problems. That’s honestly all I care about.”
Still, those familiar with her thinking say Greene’s ambitions go beyond her congressional seat. With her growing national platform, fundraising power, and ability to command headlines, she could emerge as one of the most influential Republican figures in the post-Trump era — whether she runs in 2028 or not.
In August, President Donald Trump made his clearest endorsement yet for a future Republican presidential candidate, declaring that Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” to carry the MAGA torch after his second term ends.
Trump described Vance as “probably the favorite” to lead the Republican Party into the next election cycle.
“He’s most likely the heir,” Trump said, referring to Vance. “He understands the movement, he understands the people, and he’s doing a phenomenal job as Vice President.”
Trump also praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling him “somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form,” suggesting Rubio could play a key role in a future Vance-led administration or campaign.
Rubio, for his part, echoed Trump’s praise of Vance during a recent interview with Lara Trump on Fox News.
“I think he’s doing a great job as Vice President. He’s a close friend, and I hope he intends to do it,” Rubio said of Vance.
Although recent polling has shown Rubio with some early support among Republican voters for a potential 2028 run, conventional political wisdom indicates he wouldn’t start publicly signaling interest in running for president until much closer to the election.
“You never know what the future holds,” Rubio said. “But if I’m able to finish this term strong and we accomplish what we’ve set out to do, I’ll be satisfied with that as the apex of my public service career.”
The Dhillon Law Group has filed a major lawsuit on behalf of the California Republican Party, state Rep. David Tangipa, and 18 California voters, arguing that Proposition 50 violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit, led by attorneys from the prominent conservative firm, comes amid growing concerns that Democrats are manipulating redistricting nationwide to entrench their political power.
Dhillon Law Group Takes Aim at Racially Driven Redistricting
The legal challenge was filed shortly after voters approved Proposition 50 with 64% support on Tuesday. The measure, crafted and championed by California Democrats, was designed to redraw congressional districts under the claim of improving representation for Latino voters. But Republicans argue that the move is a blatant racial gerrymander that violates the 14th and 15th Amendments.
“This violates the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection under the law, and the right under the 15th Amendment to not have one’s vote abridged on account of race,” said Dhillon Law Group partner Mike Columbo at a press conference. “When drawing the Proposition 50 map, the chief consultant who drew the map has stated that the first thing that he did was to increase the power of Latino voters.”
“Additionally, the state legislature has announced that the maps increase the power of Latino voters,” Columbo added.
Expanding Democratic Power Through the Ballot Box
The measure’s approval followed the Democratic-led legislature’s redistricting initiative that added five new congressional seats likely to favor Democrats — mirroring similar partisan efforts in states like New York, Illinois, and Maryland, where Democratic majorities have aggressively redrawn lines to lock in electoral advantages.
California Democrats justified the move by pointing to redistricting in Texas, where Republicans are expected to gain five seats under their new map. But GOP leaders argue that Proposition 50 goes far beyond a political counterpunch — instead crossing into unconstitutional racial engineering.
President Donald Trump weighed in on Tuesday, calling Prop 50 a “giant scam.” He added, “All ‘Mail-In’ Ballots, where the Republicans in that State are ‘Shut Out,’ is under very serious legal and criminal review.” While it’s unclear whether Trump’s remarks referred directly to the lawsuit filed the next day, they reflect widespread frustration among conservatives about what they view as systemic manipulation of elections by Democrats.
Legal Challenge: Prop 50 Fails the Supreme Court’s “Gingles Test”
According to the complaint, Proposition 50 expands the number of districts where Hispanic voters are likely to play a decisive role — from 14 to 16 out of California’s 52 congressional districts. The lawsuit points to the 1986 Supreme Court decision in Thornburg v. Gingles, which established a three-part test allowing states to draw minority opportunity districts under limited conditions.
Dhillon Law Group attorney Mark Meuser, who ran as the GOP Senate candidate in 2022, said California’s new map fails that test.
“We believe that the Supreme Court Gingles Test cannot be satisfied by the state, as such under the 14th and 15th Amendments, the maps drawn by Prop 50 will be considered unconstitutional,” Meuser said.
The lawsuit argues that Hispanics, now the largest ethnic group in California, cannot be considered a racial minority in the sense contemplated by the Gingles ruling — making Proposition 50’s race-based districting unjustifiable under federal law.
Rep. Tangipa: “Voices Are Being Diminished to Benefit Others”
Republican state Rep. David Tangipa, one of the plaintiffs, blasted the measure as a cynical ploy by Democrats to reshape the electorate in their favor.
“As the first Polynesian elected ever to the state legislature, I understand the diversity and the beauty that this state has,” Tangipa said. “And what we have seen with Prop 50, these maps, they are completely diminishing the voices of [some] groups to benefit other groups.”
A National Pattern of Democratic Redistricting Power Plays
The fight over California’s Proposition 50 is part of a broader national battle over redistricting, where Democrats have used state legislatures and ballot initiatives to secure long-term electoral advantages. In New York, Democrats are redrawing congressional lines to overturn a previous court-ordered map that favored Republicans. In Illinois, gerrymandering has been used to eliminate multiple GOP-leaning districts. And in Maryland, courts have repeatedly intervened to stop maps that heavily favored Democrats.
Republicans argue that Proposition 50 is the latest example of Democrats weaponizing race and redistricting to tilt elections.
Marjorie Taylor Greene -Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, via Wikimedia Commons
The claws are coming out…
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) lashed out at some of her critics who have taken issue with her upcoming appearances on The View and Real Time with Bill Maher.
On Thursday, View co-host Whoopi Goldberg stunned her audience when she announced that Greene would be a guest on the show on Tuesday.
“I don’t know how many things we agree on,” Goldberg said amid the ongoing government shutdown. “But I know the one thing that she and I and all of us at this table agree on is this should not be affecting the American people.”
“I look forward to joining the ladies on The View on Tuesday!” Greene tweeted.
On Thursday evening, the lawmaker responded to some of her critics on X, who objected to the TV hits, given that the programs’ hosts are liberals:
There are pathetic Republican men (mostly paid social media influencers) attacking me for going on Bill Maher’s show and The View.
Here is my voting card and nothing has changed about me, I’m 1,000,000% America ONLY.
Sorry I’m not sorry I don’t obey Republican men’s demands that I, as a woman, don’t remain seen but not heard.
The text was accompanied by a screenshot of her “A” voting grade by the Conservative Review.
Greene has been a vocal critic of her party’s lack of a plan to control rising healthcare costs. The current government shutdown began on Oct. 1, when the Senate failed to muster the 60 votes needed to overcome a procedural hurdle to advance a government funding bill. Democrats, who have 47 seats, are withholding the necessary seven votes until Republicans agree to extend healthcare premium subsidies for Obamacare recipients. However, the GOP has yet to budge.
On Wednesday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called on people to ignore Republican firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and suggested her politics are becoming increasingly liberal.
Committee Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz asks questions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Executive Assistant Commissioner for Operations Support William Ferrara during testimony in a hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Space, Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, to discuss the role of the the air transportation industry in mitigating the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Washington, D.C., March 4, 2020. CBP Photo by Glenn Fawcett
Greene’s criticism of her Republican colleagues has escalated in recent days amid the government shutdown. Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Cruz urged people not to “spend much time worrying about what Marjorie is saying.”
“What I’ve found is that whenever an elected official decides that they are going to turn on Israel and hate Israel, you will very quickly see every other policy out of their mouth become very, very liberal,” Cruz continued. “And so suddenly Marjorie is for massive government spending and taxes and open borders and amnesty.”
“OK, fine,” he said. “That is not where the American people are. Where the American people are is real simple. We’re on Day 29 of the stupidest shutdown.”
Cruz followed Sen. Bernie Moreno’s (R-Ohio) plea for Greene to stop openly attacking House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
“If this is something she‘s passionate about, put pen to paper, write a bill, present an option,” Moreno said during an appearance on CNN’s “The Source.” “Don‘t just criticize what other people are doing.”
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.”
Trump has occasionally suggested he may run for a third term and even has “Trump 2028” hats in the Oval Office, much to the chagrin of his Democrat rivals.
On Monday, Trump declined to rule out running again when asked by a reporter which has prompted a fresh wave of meltdowns from liberal lawmakers and pundits.
The President made the admission while aboard Air Force One as it headed to South Korea on Tuesday night, or late Wednesday morning, local time.
“I would say that, if you read it, it’s pretty clear,” Trump said, referring to the Constitution during an in-flight gaggle with reporters. “I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad. I mean, it’s too bad. But we have a lot of great people.”
On Monday, Trump also said Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marc Rubio would be great Republican presidential nominees, setting up a potential rivalry between the two ahead of 2028.
A number of Republicans have claimed that Trump could in theory serve another term in the White House, potentially even as Vice President.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) suggested that the president “might be able to go around the Constitution” to serve a third term.
“If you read the Constitution, it says it’s not [possible],” Tuberville stated. “But if he says he has some different circumstances that might be able to go around the Constitution. But that’s up to him. We got a long way to go before that happens.”
Serving a third term is not “up to” the president.
A reporter then said, “But you’re open to it?”
“Well, I think that there’s going to be– have to have to be an evaluation from President Trump’s viewpoint to the Constitution,” the senator replied. “There will be a lot of legal aspects to it. Will it happen? It’s very unlikely. But, don’t ever close the book on President Trump.”
His former adviser, Steve Bannon, has ralso epeatedly claimed Trump can serve another term and that “there’s a plan” in place, and that the president will win in 2028.
However, despite some calls for Trump to potentially amend the Constitution, House Speaker Mike Johnson soundly rejected the proposal earlier this week.
“I think the president knows, and he and I have talked about the constrictions of the Constitution,” the speaker said. “I don’t see a way to amend the Constitution, because it takes 10 years to do that.”
Despite the glaring Constitutional issues associated with President Donald Trump serving a third term- which Trump has openly admitted to- Democrats still can’t pass on an opportunity to stage a meltdown over the matter.
California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is “deeply concerned” about remarks from President Donald Trump and his close allies about possibly seeking a third term in 2028.
Newsom, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender himself, was asked by ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl if he takes such talk seriously.
U.S. Rep Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, and Cori Bush speak at the Mississippi River in Minneapolis asking for President Biden to stop Line 3 pipeline construction.
“You will respect our president!”
In a moment few expected, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) allegedly came to the defense of President Donald Trump during a diplomatic trip to Europe earlier this year, according to Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL).
Luna recounted the incident on the PBD Podcast last week, describing a tense exchange between a Belgian official and a U.S. congressional delegation. Luna claimed the official mocked Trump, calling him disrespectful and treating the U.S. delegation as a joke.
That’s when, Luna said, Omar cut in and forcefully told the diplomat, “You might not like what our president is doing, and you might not agree with our foreign policy. But when we’re here, you will respect our president!”
I didn’t have this on my bingo card…
Ilhan Omar savagely Defended President Trump while in the EU against an A-Hole who was attacking him — she’s also working with Rep Luna to Repeal the Patriot Act 👀
The exchange reportedly occurred during an April meeting with European Union representatives. Luna described Omar’s comments as “surprising,” but said it was important for Americans to present a unified front when traveling abroad — especially, she added, against “jerks.”
The episode stands out, given Omar’s long track record of harsh criticism toward Trump. Just weeks ago, she referred to him as a “racist, corrupt liar.”
New day, same fake story. 👋🏽
Donald Trump is an embarrassing, racist, and corrupt liar.
President Donald Trump shot down speculation that he would run as a vice presidential candidate in 2028, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that Republicans already have “great” prospective candidates.
Trump made the statement during a gaggle with reporters on Sunday, brushing off questions about whether he would fully pursue such an option.
The president answered a slew of questions aboard Air Force One on his way to Tokyo, where he will meet with new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the second leg of his Asia tour.
Trump also confirmed on Sunday that he would be open to meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un during his visit to South Korea.
As part of an answer to a question about a potential third presidential term, Trump told reporters that the administration had “some very good people.”
When asked to clarify the people he was referring to, the president named Vance and Rubio, who stood directly behind Trump, as he speculated about a 2028 ticket with both their names.
“Well, we have great people. Well, I don’t have to get into that, but we have one of them standing right here. We have JD [Vance] obviously. The vice president is great,” said Trump. “Marco [Rubio] is great. I’m not sure if anybody would run against us. I think if they have a form to group it would be unstoppable, I do. I really believe that.”
“They have Jasmine Crockett, a low IQ person. They have AOC’s low IQ. If you give her an IQ test, have her pass, like, the exams that I decided to take when I was at Walter Reed. I took those very hard, they’re really aptitude tests, I guess, in a certain way, but they’re cognitive tests. Let AOC go against Trump. Let Jasmine go against him,” he continued.
Asked about whether he would run as vice president in 2028, Trump noted that he would be “allowed to do that,” but he called the plan “too cute.”
“Is it the White House, or the White House counsel’s, or your legal position, I guess, that you could do that?” a reporter pressed.
“You’d be allowed to do that, but I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute,” Trump responded.
Watch:
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump says he’d be allowed to serve a 3RD TERM in 2028 via running for vice president, then the president stepping down
But, “I wouldn't do that. I think it's too cute.” 😂
In a move equal parts showmanship and provocation, Donald Trump has quipped that he might be “considering” a third term — a wink-and-nod jab aimed squarely at his opponents suffering from what he often dubs “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” He used the occasion of a White House meeting with Congressional Minority Leaders to hand out “Trump 2028” hats, an unmistakable tease of Democrats who have spent years assailing his every move. What was framed as a light-hearted joke nonetheless sended a two-fold message: one, that Trump’s critics are so consumed by him they’ll obsess over even the most outlandish scenario; and two, that he remains in the driver’s seat of the narrative
The trolling continues… 🤣
President Trump posts photos confirming he placed multiple TRUMP 2028 hats on display during his meeting with Schumer and Jeffries. pic.twitter.com/zA6Im2QmGe
A 29-year-old man has been arrested for what federal authorities describe as a brazen “murder-for-hire” online plot targeting the U.S. Attorney General.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Minnesota resident Tyler Maxon Avalos was taken into custody on October 16 after a tipster notified them of his alleged TikTok post offering a $45,000 bounty on the life of Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General.
The post reportedly featured Ms. Bondi’s photo with a red target icon over her forehead and the caption: “WANTED: Pam Bondi / REWARD: 45,000 DEAD OR ALIVE (PREFERABLY DEAD). Beneath the image: ‘Cough cough. When they don’t serve us, then what?’”
Court filings reveal Avalos used the handle “Wacko” on TikTok and had references to an “An Anarchist FAQ book” in his profile. Authorities further noted his criminal history of violence: a July 2022 felony stalking conviction in Dakota County (Minnesota), an August 2016 felony third-degree domestic battery charge in Polk County, Florida, and an April 2016 misdemeanor domestic assault in Dakota County (originally a felony domestic assault by strangulation). The affidavit describes media concerns that Avalos has “anarchist ties,” though the FBI has not publicly confirmed a full motive.
Federal prosecutors say Avalos now faces a charge of interstate transmission of a threat to injure another person — a federal crime carrying potentially years in prison. His attorney, Daniel Gerdts, stated only that his client “is not guilty of any crime.”
Recent incidents of violence targeting Republican or conservative figures
While the Bondi case is extraordinary, it aligns with a growing body of incidents in which political actors — particularly those associated with the Republican side — have been targeted:
In September 2024, at least one apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump (the Republican former-President and leading 2024 nominee) was reported.
More broadly, an analysis by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) found that between 2016 and 2025 there were 25 attacks and plots targeting elected officials, candidates, judges and other government figures motivated by extremist partisan beliefs — more than triple the number in the previous 25 years combined.
While some of the high-profile cases involve Democratic officials (for example, the June 2025 shootings of Minnesota legislators), the broader trend applies across the ideological spectrum: violence is trending upward, not just against one side but throughout government—and conservatives are explicitly among the targets.
Polls & studies confirm the spike in political violence
The Bondi bounty scheme emerges against a backdrop of disturbing data indicating rising public concern and creeping acceptance of politically motivated violence:
Other surveys show that while majorities condemn political violence, many believe it will increase. For example, a CBS News poll found that people of all parties overwhelmingly find political violence unacceptable — yet they are concerned it will escalate.
A recent study found that 86 % of Americans believe political violence is either a major or minor problem — the highest in two years. When asked whether political violence has increased over the past few years, 78 % said yes.
A Pew Research Center-sponsored survey found that Americans believe politically-motivated violence is increasing, and that polarization is seen as a key cause.
A PBS/NPR/Marist poll found that nearly one-third of Americans now believe political violence may be necessary to set the country back on track — up from 19 % about a year and a half earlier.
Other surveys show that while majorities condemn political violence, many believe it will increase. For example, a CBS News poll found that people of all parties overwhelmingly find political violence unacceptable — yet they are concerned it will escalate.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris suggested this weekend that she may not be finished with presidential politics — leaving open the possibility of a third White House bid in 2028, despite two failed attempts and sinking poll numbers.
“I am not done,” Harris said in an interview with the BBC, hinting that she could “possibly” still become president someday. “I have lived my entire career as a life of service and it’s in my bones,” she added while speaking with British journalist Laura Kuenssberg.
The comments mark Harris’s strongest signal yet that she’s considering another run after losing to President Trump nearly a year ago. While she hasn’t confirmed her intentions, the former Democratic nominee’s remarks come amid renewed media appearances and ongoing speculation about her political future.
Just last month, Harris told MSNBC that she wasn’t thinking about 2028 — insisting her focus was elsewhere. “That’s not my focus right now. That’s not my focus at all, it really isn’t,” she said, claiming she instead wanted to help Democrats defend vulnerable seats during the midterms.
Harris also floated the idea of running for California governor, though she later announced in July she would not seek to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, another Democrat rumored to have presidential ambitions.
Her recent memoir, 107 Days, has only fueled speculation about her next moves — and stirred frustration within her own party. The book recounts her brief 2024 campaign after President Biden dropped out of the race, including her decision to pick Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate and her unsuccessful fight against Trump.
In the book, Harris criticizes Biden’s decision to run for reelection, calling it “recklessness” and saying he “got tired.” The memoir’s release, followed by a high-profile media tour, has drawn mixed reviews from prominent Democrats such as Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who warn the book could divide the party further.
Despite sliding approval ratings, Harris dismissed concerns about her viability. “If I listened to polls I would have not run for my first office, or my second office — and I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here,” she told Kuenssberg.
During her book tour, Harris has returned to attacking the Trump administration, accusing the president of “weaponizing” federal agencies and lacking “guardrails.”
“He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice — and he has done exactly that,” Harris told the BBC, citing Trump’s actions against several high-profile figures, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, former national security adviser John Bolton, and former FBI Director James Comey.
Harris also criticized what she described as political interference in the media — referring to the temporary suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following controversial comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. “You look at what has happened in terms of how he has weaponized, for example, federal agencies going around after political satirists,” she said. “His skin is so thin he couldn’t endure criticism from a joke and attempted to shut down an entire media organization in the process.”
