Massie fundraises off Trump’s threat to primary him for budget vote
Rep. Thomas Massie is fundraising off President Trump’s threat to “lead the charge” against him in the 2026 Republican primary. Trump is angry with Massie for opposing the government funding bill that Republicans are trying to pass before Friday.
The House member said he’s had three primary challengers, and none of them have ever received more than 25% support.
Massie opposes the government funding package because it adds hundreds of billions to the national debt over the next two years.
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Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is fundraising off of President Donald Trump’s threat to “lead the charge” against him in the 2026 Republican primary. President Trump publicly stated his intentions after Massie said he would vote against the federal funding package Congress needs to approve by Friday, March 14, to avoid a government shutdown.
“Why don’t more Representatives stand on principle?” Massie wrote on X with a link to his campaign fundraising website. “Because telling the truth can get you in hot water. I’m going to need your help. I will run again because we need at least one person in Congress who won’t cave.”
Late on Monday, March 10, Trump called Massie a “GRANDSTANDER, who’s too much trouble and not worth the fight.” He asked, “DO I HAVE ANY TAKERS???”
What does Massie think?
Massie does not appear worried. He responded by saying he’s had three primary challengers, and none of them have ever received more than 25% support.
“Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my re-election. Guess what? Doesn’t work on me,” Massie wrote.
He won his last primary in July 2024 with 76% of the vote, later running uncontested in the general election.
Massie also has the backing of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who bucked Trump.
“Look, I’m in the incumbent protection program here. That’s what I do as Speaker of the House,” Johnson said. “Thomas and I have had disagreements, but I consider Thomas Massie a friend.”
House Republicans are trying to pass the bill without Democratic support. With their four-seat majority, that means they can only lose one vote or the measure will fail. The current balance of power is 218-214 in favor of Republicans. Plus a 216-216 tie on the bill would fail.
Democrats want a 30-day extension, which they contend gives Congress time to come up with a bipartisan solution.
Former NFL punter handcuffed, hauled out by police after MAGA protest
Authorities arrested former NFL punter Chris Kluwe during a Huntington Beach City Council meeting where he protested a library plaque displaying the acronym “MAGA.” Kluwe contended that the display is a form of political propaganda in a taxpayer-funded space.
The plaque commemorating the library’s 50th anniversary features words that spell out “MAGA” and alludes to a “golden era of Making America Great Again.” It ignited controversy over its perceived endorsement of the Trump movement.
Police charged Kluwe with disrupting an assembly and released him after four hours. The city and authorities have not indicated any further action.
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Huntington Beach police arrested former NFL punter Chris Kluwe on Tuesday, Feb. 19, during a Huntington Beach City Council meeting after he protested a library plaque that features the acronym “MAGA.” Video from the meeting shows officers restraining and carrying him out of the chamber after he criticized the plaque, calling it political propaganda.
Authorities charged Kluwe with disrupting an assembly and released him after about four hours in custody. He later told reporters that his protest was not aimed at changing the minds of city officials but rather at drawing public attention to what he sees as a political message in a taxpayer-funded space.
What is the controversy surrounding the library plaque?
The plaque, displayed at the Huntington Beach Public Library to mark its 50th anniversary, features the words “Magical,” “Alluring,” “Galvanizing” and “Adventurous.” However, it aligns to spell “MAGA.”
Below the acronym, a quote references a “golden era of Making America Great Again.”
Supporters viewed the display as a celebration of the library and its impact on the community. Critics argued that it serves as a political endorsement of the “Make America Great Again” movement associated with President Donald Trump.
How did the city council respond?
Huntington Beach’s City Council has not publicly commented on Kluwe’s arrest or the controversy surrounding the plaque.
During the meeting’s public comment session, Kluwe spoke out against the display. He argued that “MAGA” has come to represent exclusionary and anti-democratic ideals. He described the movement as a “Nazi movement” before announcing that he would engage in civil disobedience.
Shortly after stepping toward the council table, officers moved in, bringing him to the ground, handcuffing him and carrying him out. Some members of the audience cheered as Kluwe was removed from the chamber.
What is Kluwe’s background in activism?
Kluwe, 43, played eight seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. He has long been outspoken on social issues, particularly LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality. He has previously claimed that his activism contributed to the premature end of his football career.
Following his arrest, Kluwe reiterated that his demonstration was not about the council itself but about the broader issue of political messaging in public spaces. He maintained that the plaque should be removed, arguing that public institutions should remain politically neutral.
What happens next?
As of now, there is no indication that the city plans to take down or alter the plaque. Kluwe has not stated whether he will take further action, but the debate over the display added to ongoing discussions about the role of political messaging in public spaces.
Authorities have not announced additional charges or legal actions related to the incident. Meanwhile, Kluwe said he stands by his protest and remains committed to highlighting what he sees as an inappropriate use of public resources for political symbolism.
Argentina’s Milei becomes first world leader to meet Trump since election
The two spoke briefly at the America First Policy Institute gala at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The conversation happened shortly before both leaders took the stage.
“Thank you for allowing me to be part of this major event and for giving me the opportunity to speak here among all of you,” Milei said through a translator. “You are true giants. First, I would like to begin by congratulating President-elect Donald Trump on his resounding victory. This has been the greatest political comeback in history, defying the entire political establishment, even at the risk of his own life.”
And it was mutual admiration at Thursday’s gala.
“Javier, I’d like to congratulate you and the job you’ve done for Argentina,” Trump said. “Your speech was beautiful, but the job you’ve done is incredible. Make Argentina great again, you know, MAGA, he’s a MAGA person.”
Trump and Milei publicly lauded each other over the last year. Trump congratulated Milei after he won his election by the highest percentage of votes in 40 years last November. At the time, he said he was “very proud” of Milei and claimed he would turn Argentina around.
🇺🇸🇦🇷 Donald Trump e Javier Milei se reúnem pela primeira vez durante evento de conservadores nos Estados Unidos. pic.twitter.com/atrvZaV8nQ
Thursday’s meeting wasn’t the first time the two have come into contact with each other. They met in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington D.C.
The evaluation of Argentina’s position on the Paris accords comes days after the country withdrew its negotiators from the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
NFL waits weeks to levy fine against Bosa for wearing MAGA hat postgame
In late October, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa crashed a live postgame interview with his teammate Brock Purdy after a win against the Dallas Cowboys, showing off his “Make America Great Again” hat in support of now President-elect Donald Trump.
“I’m not going to talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time,” Bosa said to reporters after the game when asked why he wore the hat.
The game was played on Oct. 27, and the NFL levied a fine of $11,255 against Bosa on Nov. 9, nearly two weeks after the incident took place.
Rule 5, Section 4, Article 8 of the NFL rulebook states that players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or conveying personal messages while they’re visible to the stadium and televised audience. This includes political activities or causes.
Before receiving the fine, Bosa acknowledged he had broken an NFL rule, telling reporters it was “well worth it” to wear the hat.
Why did the NFL delay the fine?
The NFL did not want to interfere with the election, according to new reporting from The Wall Street Journal. The report suggests that issuing a fine against Bosa before the election could have been perceived as the NFL making a statement against Trump just days before Americans cast their ballots.
Trump has been an outspoken critic of the NFL, including in 2017 when he condemned former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality.
The NFL has not yet commented on the new reporting from The Wall Street Journal.
Most Trump voters want another run in 2028 if he loses to Harris: Poll
A majority of Donald Trump’s supporters would back him for another run in 2028 if he loses the 2024 presidential election, according to a new poll. The survey, commissioned by Newsweek, shows Trump’s base remaining strong, though overall public opinion is more skeptical of a third campaign.
An Oct. 21 poll by Redfield & Wilton Strategies found that 51% of Trump voters — those who say they have already voted for him or plan to — believe he should pursue the presidency again in 2028 if he loses to Kamala Harris.
Around 38% of Trump supporters, however, disagree with the idea of another run.
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In the general population, only 31% support a 2028 Trump campaign if he is defeated in 2024, while 55% are against it. Among Harris voters, the opposition is even more pronounced, with just 13% supporting another Trump run and 82% opposing it.
The poll highlights several demographic divides on the question of Trump’s potential future candidacy.
Among women, 34% believe he should run again, compared to 31% of men. In contrast, 53% of women and 55% of men believe he should not pursue another campaign.
Age also plays a role in attitudes toward a Trump 2028 bid:
Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation: Only 26% support another run, with 62% opposed.
Gen Z voters: 33% believe Trump should run again, while 55% disagree.
Millennials: 36% support a 2028 campaign, and 51% do not.
Lastly, the poll shows voter confidence is high heading into the election, with 90% of voters who say they’ll cast a ballot certain about their choice.
Trump himself has suggested that a third campaign is unlikely.
Fight over MAGA hat delays British Airways flight at Heathrow Airport
Two American women caused a scene at London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday, Oct. 28, over a red “Make America Great Again” hat. The dispute resulted in a delayed flight and police involvement.
The altercation began in Heathrow’s Terminal 5 as the women prepared to board a British Airways flight to Austin, Texas.
According to reports, one woman took offense at the other’s MAGA hat, a cap popular with supporters of former President Donald Trump. She asked the woman to remove it, but when the hat-wearer refused, tensions escalated quickly and the women allegedly attempted to throw punches at each other in the terminal.
Although airline staff allowed the women to board, the conflict continued in the premium economy section, where they reportedly clashed again.
The flight’s captain called for police, who escorted both passengers off the plane as they continued exchanging insults, according to The Sun.
Police reported that the women, one in her 40s and the other in her 60s, each filed complaints of public disturbance against the other. Authorities did not make any arrests, but The Sun reported that the altercation delayed Flight BA191 by two hours.
An airport source noted the situation as “extraordinary,” adding that such a delay over a baseball cap was unprecedented.
British Airways later issued an apology to passengers for the delay and proceeded with the flight to Austin as soon as possible.
With six days until the election, former President Donald Trump stumped in Allentown, Pennsylvania as Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her “closing argument.” We have what each said about what’s at stake next Tuesday. Also, details on what happened after a gunman opened fire from a hotel in Atlanta. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.
Harris gives closing argument as Trump addresses Biden’s comments
Some twists on the campaign trail with under a week to go now to Election Day and already more than 50 million ballots cast. Both presidential candidates gave dueling speeches Tuesday night, Oct. 29.
The Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris delivered what she described as her “closing argument” to the American people near the White House as the Republican nominee former President Donald Trump looked to court Latino voters in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.
During her address at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., the vice president emphasized its significance as the same site where former President Trump spoke to his supporters right before the riots on the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
“So tonight, I will speak to everyone about the choice and stakes in this election,” she said. “Look, we know who Donald Trump is. He is the person who stood at this very spot nearly four years ago and sent an armed mob to the United States Capitol to overturn the will of the people in a free and fair election.”
The vice president also told voters she will seek common ground, saying she will give those who disagree with her a “seat at the table.”
“As Americans, we rise and fall together,” she said. “America, for too long, we have been consumed with too much division, chaos and mutual distrust. And it can be easy then to forget a simple truth: it doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to be this way. We have to stop pointing fingers and start locking arms.”
In Pennsylvania, former President Trump reached out to voters during a rally in the majority Hispanic town of Allentown.
“I’m here today with a message of hope for all Americans,” he said. “With your vote this election — oh, do I look forward to this election. We — I’m going to say ‘we’ because we are going to do it as a group. We will end inflation. Wwe will stop the invasion of criminals into our country. And we will bring back the American dream. We’re doing it together, Pennsylvania.”
During his rally, the former president asked his supporters to vote and send in their mail-in ballots early, saying “they’ve already cheated” in the state — a reference to law enforcement in Lancaster County announcing they were investigating around 2,500 voter registration forms for alleged fraud.
Trump turned his attention to President Joe Biden after Florida Sen. Marco Rubio joined him on stage.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but I have breaking news for you Mr. President,” Rubio told Trump. “You may not have heard this: just moments ago, Joe Biden stated that our supporters are garbage, are garbage. He’s talking about the border patrol, he’s talking about nurses, he’s talking about teachers, he’s talking about everyday Americans who love their country and want to dream big again and support you Mr. President.”
“Remember Hillary [Clinton], she said ‘deplorable’ and then she said ‘irredeemable,’ right?” Trump responded. “But she said ‘deplorable.’ That didn’t work out. Garbage, I think, is worse right?”
What they were referring to were comments made by President Biden during a Voto Latino campaign call Tuesday night. Biden spoke about the comedian who made controversial jokes about Puerto Rico during Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally over the weekend.
“Just the other day, a speaker at his rally called Puerto Rico a ‘floating island of garbage,’” the president said. “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.”
The White House issued a statement saying, “The president referred to the hateful rhetoric at the Madison Square Garden rally as ‘garbage.’” President Biden himself followed up on his comments with a post on X saying, “Earlier today I referred to the hateful rhetoric about Puerto Rico spewed by Trump’s supporter at his Madison Square Garden rally as garbage…the comments at that rally don’t reflect who we are as a nation.”
During an appearance on Fox News Tuesday night, Trump told host Sean Hannity nobody from his campaign vetted the comedian before the MSG rally.
As it pertains to the alleged voter fraud in Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro told CNN there will be safe elections in the state and when asked about Biden’s “garbage” comment, Shapiro said, “It’s certainly not the words I would choose.”
Supreme Court rules RFK Jr. will remain on ballot in 2 swing states
It was unlikely the Supreme Court would have ruled in his favor, because voting is already underway in both states. Kennedy’s name also remains on the ballot in some other states, but he did not ask the Supreme Court to take it off anywhere but Wisconsin and Michigan in an apparent move to secure more voters for his ally Trump.
Steve Bannon spends first day out of prison stumping for Trump
Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon wasted no time showing his support for the former president after being released from prison early Tuesday morning. Bannon just finished serving a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena from Congress during its investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
Bannon’s first order of business was to resume his podcast “WarRoom.” He then held a news conference urging Republicans to turn out in droves to vote for Trump on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
“I’ve been empowered by my four months at Danbury Federal Prison,” Bannon said during the news conference.
He added, “Obviously with seven days or six days left, you have to have a convergence of the get out the vote effort. I am not a huge believer in our ability to actually participate in rallies or do rallies because right now I think President Trump does great and he has people long there are going to do rallies in the different states. Our focus is one thing to make sure that we get as many American citizens, either early voting when they can or to the polls next Tuesday.”
He has pleaded not guilty to money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges. His trial in that case is scheduled to begin in December.
Paul Pelosi attacker sentenced to life term on state charges
A judge sentenced the man who broke into former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s northern California home and attacked her husband, Paul, with a hammer to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
David DePape, 44, was already serving 30 years in federal prison for the attack when a San Francisco jury found him guilty of multiple state charges in June.
Both the prosecution and defense said the life without parole sentence will be served concurrently with DePape’s federal sentence. It has not yet been determined where he will serve his punishment.
Suspect in custody after shots fired at Atlanta Four Seasons
A police officer and a suspected shooter are recovering after gunfire broke out at a building that houses a Four Seasons Hotel and residences in Atlanta Tuesday. The Atlanta police chief said the officer was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
UPDATE: Barricaded Gunman turned Active Shooter Situation Zone 5 at 75 14th Street Sound from Mayor Andre Dickens & Chief Darin Schierbaumhttps://t.co/TjSDcj3YTj
Authorities say the man fired at least once from the balcony of a residence on the 33rd floor of the 53-story high-rise building. They say he also shot through walls and doors, but no other injuries were reported.
Police said the suspect lives in the residential portion of the building and was not a guest at the Four Seasons hotel portion.
Yankees deny Dodgers a World Series sweep with Game 4 win
Despite another Freddie Freeman home run — becoming the first player to homer in games 1, 2, 3, and 4 — the Yankees crushed the Dodgers 11-4 in Game 4 Tuesday night in the Bronx, highlighted by three home runs including a grand slam by shortstop Anthony Volpe.
The game also featured an odd moment when Yankees fans tried to pry a foul ball out of the glove of Dodgers’ Mookie Betts. The fans were escorted from their seats by stadium security after that play.
The 11 runs were the most by the Yankees in a World Series game since Game 5 of the 1978 series when they scored 12 against the Dodgers.
Now the Yankees are hoping to do what no other team has done in Major League Baseball history: come back from being down 3-0 in the Fall Classic to win it all.
The Dodgers still just need one more win to claim the championship.
This video received mixed reactions. While Trump is facing backlash on both sides of the aisle for taking the position he did, polls show that most Americans want abortion to be legal in some capacity.
“The states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land — in this case the law of the state,” Trump said. “At the end of the day, this is all about the will of the people. You must follow your heart or, in many cases, your religion or your faith.”
Trump said he is proud the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which once protected abortion at the federal level. President Joe Biden is campaigning to have nationwide abortion protections restored.
“Donald Trump just endorsed every single state ban on reproductive rights nationwide,” Biden said in a response video. “If MAGA Republicans put a federal ban on his desk, he’d sign it. Donald Trump is the reason Roe was ended. If you reelect me, I’ll be the reason it’s restored.”
Many pro-life conservatives and Republicans have called for a federal abortion ban, so as the presumptive Republican nominee for president, some members of Trump’s party are criticizing his decision to back state-by-state restrictions and not a wholesale nationwide ban.
“Unborn children and their mothers deserve national protections and national advocacy from the brutality of the abortion industry,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America president, said.
“President Trump’s retreat on the right to life is a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans who voted for him in 2016 and 2020,” former Vice President Mike Pence said on X.
While it’s not the top issue for voters, in the recent past, Democrats credit abortion issues on ballots for several election victories. This year, Florida will vote on an amendment to its constitution to protect abortion rights just months after a six-week ban went into effect.
Texas Supreme Court blocks woman’s abortion, mother’s life ‘not at risk’
The Texas Supreme Court is now temporarily blocking a 31-year-old woman from having an abortion. This development follows a lower court granting an emergency order that allowed her to have the abortion.
Kate Cox said her baby has been diagnosed with Trisomy 18, also called Edwards’ syndrome. This genetic condition often ends in miscarriage or still birth.
The state’s Supreme Court contends that is not a reason for an abortion, arguing Cox’s doctors have failed to show how the birth of the baby would threaten the mother’s life.
Abortion law in Texas allows for an exemption if the mother’s life is in jeopardy. Cox’s doctors say going through with the birth could jeopardize her health.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) argues that is different from her life being at risk, saying her doctors failed to show Cox is at risk of death by following through with the pregnancy.
Paxton also added that “it appears there was no second opinion from another doctor at the hospital.”
Cox is currently 20 weeks pregnant and already a mother to two children. She said she wants to continue growing her family, but — according to Cox’s lawsuit — her doctors told her having this baby could jeopardize her future fertility and, under the best circumstances, the baby would live for a week at most.
I do not want to continue until my baby dies in my belly or I have to deliver a stillborn baby or one where life will be measured in hours of days, full of medical tubes and machinery.
Kate Cox
“I do not want to continue until my baby dies in my belly or I have to deliver a stillborn baby or one where life will be measured in hours of days, full of medical tubes and machinery,” Cox said. “I desperately want the chance to try for another baby and want to access the medical care now that gives me the best chance at another baby.”
According to a Minnesota Department of Health report tracking Edwards’ syndrome, “There is no known cause of Trisomy 18. Studies have shown that only 50% of babies who are carried to term will be born alive. The median of survival among live births has varied between 2.5 and 14.5 days. About 90% – 95% of babies do not survive beyond the first year.”
Political leaders are reacting to news of the Texas Supreme Court blocking the abortion until further review, blaming “MAGA” and former President Donald Trump.
“MAGA Republicans in Texas and throughout the country are risking the lives of mothers,” House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, posted on X.
MAGA Republicans in Texas and throughout the country are risking the lives of mothers and threatening to jail doctors.
The extremists are determined to criminalize abortion care.
“This story is shocking, it’s horrifying, and it’s heartbreaking,” Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, said. “It’s also becoming all too commonplace in America because of Donald Trump.”
The Texas Supreme Court’s decision did not give any timetable on when the court may offer its final ruling. As things stand, if an abortion is performed, the State of Texas will prosecute.
State of the GOP nomination race: Pence drops out; field could narrow again soon
A lot has changed in the Republican presidential primary. The field is narrowing and may continue to do so further in the next week or two.
Here are three things to know:
1. Former Vice President Mike Pence dropped out
Mike Pence announced he is suspending his campaign. Polls show he was losing support; the Real Clear Politics average had him polling at 9% in July and just 3.5% as of Oct. 24.
“Traveling across the country over the past six months, I came here to say it’s become clear to me, this is not my time,” Pence told the crowd at the Republican Jewish Coalition.
“Now I’m leaving this campaign but let me promise you, I will never leave the fight for conservative values, and I will never stop fighting to elect principled Republican leaders to every office in the land. So help me God.”
2. Nikki Haley surges in Iowa
Donald Trump maintains a 27-point lead in Iowa, however former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley shot up 10 points and is now tied for second with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to an NBC News/Des Moines register poll.
The Democratic Party took notice of Haley’s rise.
As she officially filed for the South Carolina Republican presidential primary, the DNC war room sent out a memo that described her governorship as a “model for the MAGA Agenda.”
The memo criticized previous action she’s taken on abortion, Medicaid and her economic agenda.
3. Sen. Tim Scott qualifies for third debate
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., became the fifth candidate to qualify for the third primary debate on Nov. 8 in Miami. Earning a spot on that stage is important to donors, and a strong performance can help with polls.
Pence had not qualified and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum hasn’t either, so some expect the field will narrow even further over the next week or two.
“I think the field will consolidate, but it’s not my place to tell people when to get out,” N.J. Gov. Chris Christie said on CNN’s State of the Union.
Christie, Scott, Haley, DeSantis and pharmaceutical executive Vivek Ramaswamy all met the threshold to participate.
Candidates need at least 70,000 unique donors and 4% support in two polls to earn a spot on the stage. Former President Donald Trump is not expected to be there.
