Jill Colvin

Laura Loomer, a prominent ally of Donald Trump, says a visit to Ukraine convinced her that she had been misled by Russian propaganda and false claims about the country. After meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials during missile attacks, she began urging conservatives to scrutinize online influencers and take Russian information operations more seriously. Ukrainian leaders welcomed her potential influence over Trump’s movement, and Trump publicly praised her interview with Zelenskyy as Washington considers further sanctions against Russia. The shift has drawn attention because Loomer has long promoted conspiracy theories and inflammatory claims, and she continues to make controversial statements despite her changed position on Ukraine.

Trump ally Laura Loomer visited Ukraine, experienced an air raid and met President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking a reversal from her earlier dismissal of Russia’s invasion and criticism of U.S. support for Kyiv. Zelensky’s office welcomed the visit while clarifying that Ukrainian authorities had not organized it. Loomer also visited the damaged Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and criticized Vladimir Putin’s claims of defending Christianity. Russia denied responsibility for the damage and offered an unsupported explanation involving a U.S.-made Patriot missile.

Lindsey Graham’s reported death from an aortic dissection and Mitch McConnell’s recent hospitalization have renewed debate over how much information elected officials should disclose about their health. Limited details about McConnell’s condition fueled online speculation, while lawmakers including John Cornyn called for greater transparency and Rand Paul emphasized privacy concerns. The discussion also revisits health-related scrutiny of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, as well as other lawmakers whose absences or visible health problems raised questions about their ability to serve.

Zohran Mamdani is set to become New York City’s mayor on January 1, entering office with an affordability agenda that includes free childcare and city-run grocery stores. His election is historic because he would be the city’s first Muslim mayor, first mayor of South Asian heritage, first born in Africa, and youngest in more than a century. Early priorities will include staffing his administration, securing funding, navigating opposition from Governor Kathy Hochul to tax increases on wealthy residents, and deciding on leadership at the New York Police Department. His administration will also face scrutiny from national Republicans, including President Donald Trump.

Zohran Mamdani is set to become New York City mayor on January 1 after defeating Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa in a high-turnout election. The 34-year-old democratic socialist will be the city’s first Muslim, South Asian and Africa-born mayor, as well as its youngest in more than a century. He plans to prioritize an affordability agenda that includes free child care, free bus service, city-run grocery stores and a new community safety department, but faces questions over funding, opposition from Governor Kathy Hochul to tax increases on wealthy residents, and the challenge of staffing City Hall. His approach to the NYPD will also draw scrutiny, while Donald Trump has threatened federal action against the city.

Turning Point USA held its first Utah campus event since founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University on September 10. The event at Utah State University featured tributes, heightened security and conservative speakers who vowed to continue Kirk's organizing work. A panel blamed the political left for rhetoric surrounding the killing, while Gov. Spencer Cox warned that violent rhetoric exists on the far right and rejected equating offensive speech with violence. Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, said she would lead Turning Point and continue his podcast and political mission.

Donald Trump’s public claims linking prenatal Tylenol use and vaccines to autism energized the Make America Healthy Again movement and its anti-vaccine supporters, who saw the remarks as long-awaited validation. Medical experts and several Republicans warned that the claims lack sufficient scientific support and that advising pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen or parents to delay vaccinations could create serious health risks. The episode highlights the movement’s growing political influence, particularly among parents concerned about children’s health, while raising concerns about declining vaccination rates and the administration’s treatment of scientific expertise.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is responding cautiously to President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops, federal agents and a takeover of the city's police department. Although she has called the intervention unsettling and potentially authoritarian, she is cooperating with federal demands, including clearing homeless encampments, because the District's limited home-rule status leaves it vulnerable to congressional and presidential control. Republicans in Congress have already frozen more than $1 billion in local spending, while Trump has threatened broader control. Bowser and local officials say the additional law-enforcement presence could improve public safety, but critics argue she should challenge the administration more forcefully despite the city's limited legal options.

Donald Trump said he authorized the Commerce Department and the U.S. Trade Representative to pursue a 100% tariff on films produced outside the United States, arguing that foreign incentives are drawing production away and pose a national-security and propaganda concern. The mechanism for applying such a tariff is unclear because many productions span multiple countries, while U.S.-made films already dominate American theaters. Industry data shows declining U.S. production, particularly in California, as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and other regions offer tax incentives. The proposal comes amid Trump's broader tariff campaign and efforts to revive Hollywood, including expanded state-level production incentives.

The Trump administration and General Services Administration have identified 443 federally owned properties, including FBI and Department of Justice headquarters, for potential sale or closure because they are considered non-core, vacant or underused. The properties span nearly every state and cover almost 80 million rentable square feet. The GSA says disposal could eliminate maintenance costs and save more than $430 million annually, while the move forms part of a broader effort led by Donald Trump and Elon Musk to reduce the federal workforce, cancel office leases and shrink government spending. The plan could significantly affect agency operations, public services and historically significant federal buildings.

The Trump administration has begun dismissing large numbers of federal probationary employees as part of a workforce-reduction campaign led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Workers across agencies, including Veterans Affairs, the CDC, Education and Agriculture, report abrupt terminations, with some fired despite accepting a deferred-resignation buyout. Unions are suing to challenge the dismissals, while officials defend them as necessary to reduce an oversized government. Analysts say the cuts are unlikely to materially reduce the deficit and could weaken public services, depress hiring and eventually affect broader economic data.

Sean Duffy became transportation secretary just hours before an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines CRJ-700 during landing at Reagan National Airport, sending the plane into the Potomac River and leaving everyone aboard feared dead. The former Wisconsin congressman, prosecutor, reality-TV personality and Fox News contributor is now the federal government's public face during the crisis. His responsibilities include overseeing transportation infrastructure, aviation regulation and the Federal Aviation Administration, which faces an air-traffic-controller shortage. Duffy has pledged to address Boeing's safety problems, hire more controllers, establish national self-driving-car rules and eliminate agency DEI programs. He was confirmed by the Senate 77-22 and immediately moved to roll back Biden-era fuel-mileage standards.

Donald Trump announced that Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone would serve as special ambassadors to help revive what he called a troubled Hollywood. U.S. film and television production has declined because of the pandemic, the 2023 guild strikes and recent Los Angeles wildfires, while competing cities have attracted productions through tax incentives. California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed increasing the state’s annual film and television tax credit, but the actors’ specific responsibilities and the feasibility of Trump’s plan remain unclear. The appointments also highlight Trump’s ties to older Hollywood figures and his willingness to work with controversial supporters.

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to announce alongside SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son that SoftBank plans to invest $100 billion in U.S. projects over four years. The announcement would reinforce Trump’s efforts to promote investment and economic policy before taking office, including a pledge to expedite permits for investments of at least $1 billion. SoftBank previously pledged $50 billion and 50,000 jobs after Trump’s 2016 election, though some past high-profile investment promises have not fully materialized.

President-elect Donald Trump demanded that Hamas release the Israeli hostages held in Gaza before his January 20, 2025 inauguration, warning that those responsible would face “all hell to pay.” The scope of any threatened U.S. action was unclear. Israel’s President Isaac Herzog welcomed the statement, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declined comment. The warning followed confirmation of the death of dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Omer Neutra and the release of a hostage video featuring Edan Alexander. The Biden administration was attempting to revive Israel-Hamas negotiations amid a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, while Israel’s offensive had killed at least 44,429 Palestinians and displaced most of Gaza’s population.

Donald Trump said he would vote early after Fox News host Brian Kilmeade urged him to set an example for supporters, but he instead plans to vote on Election Day near his Palm Beach estate. Trump and his campaign have promoted early voting while simultaneously criticizing the process and repeating unsupported claims about ballot fraud. Republican voters have nevertheless turned out in record numbers for early in-person voting in swing states, while Trump schedules multiple final campaign rallies before Election Day.

The America First Policy Institute, which is developing policy proposals for a possible future Donald Trump administration, said its computer systems were breached the previous week but did not disclose what information was compromised. The group attributed the incident to tactics resembling nation-state-sponsored activity and said it had responded quickly. The breach follows reported Iranian cyberattacks targeting Trump’s campaign and supporters; three Iranian operatives have been charged, while the FBI declined to comment on the latest incident.

An armed man was spotted pointing an AK-style rifle through the perimeter fence of Donald Trump's golf club in West Palm Beach, prompting Secret Service agents to open fire; Trump was unharmed and the suspect was arrested. The incident, coming roughly two months after Trump was wounded at a Pennsylvania rally, has renewed scrutiny of how he is protected away from campaign events, particularly at his privately owned Florida properties. Officials credited the Secret Service agent who detected the rifle, while lawmakers from both parties and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis demanded briefings and investigations into the security lapse. President Joe Biden pledged that the Secret Service would receive the resources needed to protect Trump, and the FBI, Secret Service and local authorities are investigating.

The FBI confirmed that Donald Trump was struck in the ear by a bullet or bullet fragments fired during the July 13 assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally. The clarification followed FBI Director Christopher Wray's ambiguous congressional testimony, which angered Trump and his allies and intensified conspiracy theories. Trump campaign officials and former White House physician Ronny Jackson defended the bullet-wound account, while the campaign continued to withhold hospital records and direct access to treating doctors. The episode has further strained relations between Trump and the FBI, an agency he has repeatedly accused of being politically weaponized.

Donald Trump's campaign released a letter from former White House physician Ronny Jackson detailing the gunshot wound Trump sustained to his right ear during the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. The wound caused significant bleeding and swelling but required no sutures; Trump received a CT scan at Butler Memorial Hospital and is expected to undergo further evaluations, including a hearing exam. Jackson said Trump was recovering as expected and that he had been treating him daily. The update came one week after the shooting, as Trump prepared to return to the campaign trail in Michigan with running mate JD Vance.

Donald Trump is set to accept the Republican presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, days after surviving an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally. His bandaged ear, rallying cry of “Fight, fight, fight!” and claims of divine intervention have shaped the convention, alongside tributes to Corey Comperatore, who was killed while shielding his family. Speakers including vice-presidential nominee JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr. praised Trump's resilience, while former rivals such as Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis offered their support. The convention is presenting Trump both as a symbol of conservative grievance and as a unifying figure for the broader electorate.

After a gunman opened fire at Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, a bullet grazed Trump's right ear and Secret Service agents shielded him onstage. Despite the danger, Trump repeatedly raised and pumped his fist while mouthing “Fight!” before being escorted to safety, reassuring supporters and producing powerful campaign imagery. The episode is presented as an example of Trump's instinctive control of visual symbolism, comparable to his mug shot, his staged post-COVID return to the White House, and other carefully managed public appearances.

Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with a scheme to conceal payments to a porn actor during the 2016 election. The verdict was delivered in a packed Manhattan courtroom after jurors unexpectedly completed deliberations on 30 May. Trump remained largely expressionless, while his lawyer Todd Blanche reacted visibly and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg attended with members of his office. Trump declared himself innocent, called the case a disgrace and vowed to continue fighting. Sentencing was scheduled for 11 July.

Donald Trump has largely remained silent and often appeared to close his eyes or possibly sleep during his Manhattan hush-money criminal trial, a sharp contrast with his combative behavior in earlier court proceedings. His lawyers reportedly advised him to avoid outbursts that could alienate jurors, while his campaign and allies have attacked the case outside the courtroom because a gag order limits his own comments. Legal experts warn that appearing disengaged or asleep could also damage the jury’s impression of him, though he has shown moments of alertness and reacted visibly during testimony. Closing arguments are scheduled before the jury decides whether to convict him on felony charges.

Michael Cohen testified that Donald Trump directed efforts to suppress stories about alleged affairs with Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels in order to protect his 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen described Trump as a highly involved boss who demanded constant updates, recounted the $150,000 National Enquirer payment to control McDougal's story, and explained a secretly recorded 2016 conversation about the deal. Prosecutors used the testimony and recording to argue that Trump knew about and directed the payments, while Trump's attorneys portrayed Cohen as an unreliable liar seeking revenge. Trump denies wrongdoing and denies the alleged sexual encounters.

Donald Trump plans to rally in New Hampshire alongside South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Lieutenant Governor, and other senior state and congressional officials in an effort to showcase support from Nikki Haley’s home state before the Republican primary. The move follows Senator Tim Scott’s endorsement of Trump and adds pressure on Haley, whose campaign is relying on independent voters to challenge Trump’s dominance. Haley mocked the endorsements and criticized Trump after he incorrectly suggested she was responsible for Capitol security on January 6, 2021, raising concerns about his mental fitness. Despite the backing Trump has received from South Carolina’s Republican establishment, some voters there remain open to Ron DeSantis, who finished second in Iowa and is campaigning in South Carolina ahead of its pivotal primary.

Donald Trump's campaign is relying on a large, locally organized volunteer operation and unusually enthusiastic supporters to win Iowa's Republican caucuses despite forecasts of dangerously cold weather. Trump holds a substantial polling lead over Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, and his advisers hope a decisive victory will weaken his rivals and help him move toward the nomination. The campaign has trained 2,300 caucus captains, made extensive voter contacts and targeted first-time caucusgoers, seeking to avoid the organizational failures that contributed to Trump's 2016 Iowa loss. DeSantis and Haley's organizations have also mounted significant turnout efforts, but older voters and others may stay home because of the conditions, potentially reducing overall participation.

Jeff Roe, the leading strategist for the pro-Ron DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, resigned after a Washington Post report alleged internal disputes, mismanagement and unauthorized leaks. His departure follows the exits of several other senior staffers and comes as DeSantis struggles in Iowa and allies launch a new super PAC, Fight Right. The developments have also raised concerns about legally prohibited coordination between DeSantis’s campaign and outside groups, though the campaign denies wrongdoing. Donald Trump celebrated Roe’s resignation as a major blow to DeSantis.

Donald Trump is increasingly using UFC events, college football games and other sports appearances to reach voters beyond traditional political audiences and generate inexpensive viral videos. His campaign hopes the strategy will appeal especially to young, Latino and Black men who may avoid mainstream political media. Trump’s longstanding interest in combat sports, friendship with UFC president Dana White and support from fighters such as Colby Covington reinforce the approach. Scholars say sports help politicians project strength, share in fans’ emotions and appear more accessible, while the campaign contrasts Trump’s informal celebrity presence with Ron DeSantis’s stiffness and Joe Biden’s limited rally schedule.

Donald Trump said he would again pursue alternatives to the Affordable Care Act if elected to a second term, reviving the repeal fight that failed during his presidency. Joe Biden’s campaign quickly portrayed the proposal as a threat to millions of Americans, launched advertising in battleground states and planned events with Democratic leaders. The issue could become central in a Biden-Trump rematch, as health care polling generally favors Democrats and the law has grown more popular, despite mixed public approval of Biden’s handling of health care.

Donald Trump faced repeated reprimands from Judge Arthur Engoron during testimony in New York’s civil fraud trial, with the judge telling his attorney Christopher Kise to control him and warning that irrelevant answers could lead to negative inferences. Trump used the courtroom to attack Attorney General Letitia James and portray the case as political persecution. He denied responsibility for allegedly inflated financial statements, downplayed their importance to banks and insurers, and attributed the overstated size of his Trump Tower penthouse to possible accounting mistakes or roof calculations. The trial concerns claims that Trump and his company inflated property values and misled lenders and insurers, while his legal proceedings remain closely intertwined with his 2024 presidential campaign.

Donald Trump was fined $10,000 by New York Judge Arthur Engoron for violating a gag order after making comments interpreted as targeting a court clerk; he had previously been fined $5,000 for a related violation. The incident highlights the difficulty judges face in restraining a wealthy former president and leading Republican candidate whose courtroom attacks also fuel fundraising and political support. Legal experts warn that continued defiance could influence prosecutors in Trump's four criminal cases, where restrictions and penalties may be more severe. Trump's rhetoric has also contributed to threats against judges and court personnel, prompting heightened security and renewed efforts to reinstate a gag order in his federal election-interference case.

Former Vice President Mike Pence said he was deeply disappointed that a group of hard-right Republicans joined House Democrats in removing Kevin McCarthy as speaker, calling the development a distraction and warning that political chaos harms American families. Pence predicted that McCarthy could eventually be reelected but said the episode demonstrated the need for new leadership in Washington. Donald Trump separately criticized Republicans for fighting among themselves rather than opposing Democrats.

Mike Pence is scheduled to discuss national security and foreign policy at an Associated Press–Georgetown University forum for Republican presidential candidates. He is positioning himself as a foreign-policy hawk, supporting continued and increased military aid to Ukraine, criticizing Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy for opposing or limiting that support, and advocating a stronger U.S. role abroad. Pence also identifies China as the United States’ leading strategic and economic threat, supports strengthening Taiwan’s defenses, restricting Chinese investment in U.S. farmland and technology, increasing military spending, and ending what he calls “woke” military programs. His positions contrast with growing Republican skepticism toward Ukraine aid, while his campaign continues to struggle in the polls behind Trump and other primary contenders.

Donald Trump used his appearance at the opening of New York’s civil fraud trial as a campaign event, addressing reporters repeatedly and portraying the case as a politically motivated effort to harm his presidential campaign. The trial accuses Trump and his company of inflating asset values by as much as $3.6 billion; Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled that Trump committed fraud, while New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million and restrictions on Trump’s business activities. Trump’s legal schedule will continue to overlap with campaigning, including multiple criminal trials and a later appearance to testify in the civil case.

Kari Lake, a prominent Donald Trump ally who continues to falsely dispute her 2022 loss to Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, is set to launch a Republican campaign for Arizona's U.S. Senate seat with an October 10 rally. She is expected to lead the GOP primary, but party officials worry that her election-denial claims and attacks on establishment Republicans could hinder her in the general election. Independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema is considering reelection, while Democrat Ruben Gallego and Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb are already in the race. Lake's candidacy is expected to shape one of the most competitive Senate contests of 2024 as Republicans seek to regain the chamber.

Donald Trump is scheduled to campaign in Michigan while Republican rivals hold their second primary debate, using the United Auto Workers strike and concerns about electric-vehicle production to appeal to blue-collar voters. His appearance follows Joe Biden’s visit to a picket line, as both seek support in a key battleground state. Trump argues that Biden’s clean-energy and electric-vehicle policies threaten auto jobs, while Biden promotes them as investments in the industry’s future. The UAW is seeking substantial wage increases, a shorter workweek, cost-of-living adjustments and union representation at electric-vehicle battery plants, but its president, Shawn Fain, sharply criticizes Trump’s record and motives. Rank-and-file workers remain divided, with concerns about both economic conditions and the employment effects of the transition to electric vehicles.

Donald Trump campaigned in South Carolina while announcing endorsements and maintaining his dominant position in the Republican primary despite four indictments and 91 criminal charges. He plans to skip the second Republican debate and instead visit Michigan to criticize President Joe Biden’s automotive policies during an auto workers strike. Over the weekend, Trump threatened NBC News and MSNBC, accused retired Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley of treason, urged Republicans to force a government shutdown, attacked Mitch McConnell and other Democrats, criticized the F-35 and Boeing’s 737 MAX, and insulted Nikki Haley and Howard Stern.

Donald Trump will headline a South Dakota Republican Party fundraiser in Rapid City, where Governor Kristi Noem is expected to endorse him and use the event to strengthen her prospects as a potential 2024 running mate. Trump’s dominance of the Republican primary has allowed him to rely on party events while directing campaign resources toward legal expenses. Noem, who is term-limited and previously declined to run for president, has said she would consider joining a Trump ticket. Other potential running mates include Elise Stefanik, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kari Lake, Marsha Blackburn, Byron Donalds and Tim Scott. The event is expected to attract about 7,000 attendees as well as protesters criticizing both Trump and Noem.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is expected to endorse Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign when he appears at a Republican fundraiser in Rapid City. Noem, once viewed as a potential presidential contender, withdrew from consideration after acknowledging Trump’s dominance in the Republican field. Trump praised her record, particularly her opposition to strict pandemic restrictions, while South Dakota senators John Thune and Mike Rounds have backed rival candidate Tim Scott.

Mike Pence used a major speech in New Hampshire to frame the 2024 Republican primary as a choice between traditional Reagan-style conservatism and Donald Trump’s populist movement. He accused Trump and his followers of prioritizing personal grievances, isolationism and political power over limited government, constitutional norms, strong alliances and fiscal responsibility. Pence also criticized Ron DeSantis over his conflict with Disney and invoked Ronald Reagan as the model Republicans should follow. The speech reflects Pence’s more aggressive break with Trump, but comes as his campaign struggles for momentum while Trump remains the clear frontrunner ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden are conducting far fewer campaign events than their primary rivals as the 2024 election season approaches, reflecting their commanding leads and differing strategic priorities. Trump’s schedule has been constrained and overshadowed by criminal cases in four jurisdictions, though court appearances and media coverage have helped his fundraising and visibility. His campaign says activity will increase after Labor Day, while aides also emphasize fundraisers, endorsements and party outreach. Biden has held only one campaign rally since launching his reelection bid and has not campaigned in South Carolina, instead promoting his administration’s achievements, attending fundraisers and strengthening Democratic campaign infrastructure. Both campaigns are emphasizing early strategic advantages, while Democrats remain focused on protecting the Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin “blue wall.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was forced to shift from presidential campaigning to crisis management after a racist Jacksonville shooting and Hurricane Idalia struck the state within days of each other. His measured briefings, coordination with President Joe Biden, and emphasis on restored power and cleared roads offered him an opportunity to demonstrate executive competence and improve his standing with voters and donors. The response followed criticism of his anti-woke agenda and his reception at the Jacksonville shooting vigil, while his campaign continues to trail Donald Trump and face organizational problems. Analysts cautioned that DeSantis’ performance will be judged in the weeks after the storm, not immediately after landfall.

Donald Trump's campaign says it raised $7.1 million after his booking at Georgia's Fulton County Jail, including a record $4.18 million on Friday. The campaign leveraged his mug shot across Truth Social, X and a new merchandise line, pushing fundraising over the preceding three weeks close to $20 million. The surge comes as Trump remains dominant in Republican primary polling, despite facing criminal charges in four jurisdictions and political committees having spent at least $59.2 million on lawyers since January 2021.

Mike Pence defended his combative performance in the first Republican presidential debate, saying voters need clear choices and portraying himself as the most experienced and tested conservative in the field. He attacked rivals including Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley over experience, Ukraine policy and abortion, while urging Donald Trump to participate in future debates. Pence has become more critical of Trump following the former president’s indictments over efforts to overturn the 2020 election, although he indicated he would support Trump as the nominee even if Trump were convicted. Pence also defended his decision to certify Joe Biden’s 2020 victory and rejected committing to a possible pardon for Trump.

Donald Trump will skip the first Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee, instead appearing in a pre-recorded Tucker Carlson interview, but his dominance of the GOP race will shape the event. Ron DeSantis faces the greatest pressure as the leading candidate onstage, while the other contenders must decide how directly to challenge Trump over his criminal indictments and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump's continued primary strength contrasts with polling showing that most Americans would not support him in a general election. Chris Christie, Mike Pence and Asa Hutchinson have been among the more vocal critics, while many others remain cautious because of Trump's support among Republican voters.

Donald Trump canceled a planned press conference to present alleged evidence of fraud in Georgia's 2020 election, following advice from his lawyers to submit the material in legal filings seeking dismissal of his indictment. Election officials, Republican leaders, courts, and multiple recounts have found no credible evidence that the election was stolen. The cancellation follows Trump's indictment over alleged efforts to overturn the election, warnings from a federal judge about inflammatory public statements, and criticism from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Donald Trump’s support among Republican voters has strengthened despite his criminal indictments, with 63% favoring another presidential run and 74% saying they would support him in a general election. However, 53% of Americans say they would definitely oppose him, compared with 43% who say the same about Joe Biden, highlighting Trump’s vulnerability among independents and swing voters. His claims that the 2020 election was stolen remain popular with much of the GOP base but are rejected by election officials, courts and recounts, and critics argue they contributed to Republican losses in 2022. Republican voters remain divided: some view the indictments as politically motivated and beneficial to Trump, while others believe the party should move on to a new generation of candidates.

Donald Trump’s third criminal indictment, concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election, has fused his legal defense with his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. His allies portray the prosecutions as political attacks and use them to rally supporters and raise money, while critics argue that the prospect of imprisonment should push Republicans toward an alternative candidate. Trump must campaign while preparing for potential federal and state trials in Washington, Florida, New York and Georgia. A return to the presidency could allow him to influence or potentially halt the federal cases, though it would not eliminate state charges. Despite the legal risks and logistical burden, the indictments have so far strengthened rather than weakened his standing among Republican voters.

Carlos De Oliveira, the longtime Mar-a-Lago property manager, appeared in court after being charged with allegedly participating in an effort directed by Donald Trump to erase or conceal security-camera footage subpoenaed by a grand jury, as well as lying to investigators. The case makes him the second relatively obscure Trump employee charged in the classified-documents investigation, following Walt Nauta. The report describes how Trump’s staff and associates have become exposed to legal and financial risks through investigations involving the documents, efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol attack. Prosecutors allege that Trump contacted De Oliveira, Nauta inspected the club’s surveillance system, and De Oliveira asked an IT employee about deleting the server. It remains unclear whether any footage was destroyed. Trump and Nauta have pleaded not guilty, Trump denies wrongdoing and accuses the Biden administration of political persecution, while his political operation has established or funded legal assistance for associates facing charges.

Donald Trump’s Save America political action committee is expected to report spending more than $40 million on legal fees during the first half of the year to defend Trump, his aides and allies. As Trump faces criminal charges in New York and Florida and potentially further indictments, his allies are establishing the Patriot Legal Defense Fund, led by Susie Wiles and Michael Glassner, to help cover legal costs. Save America has also sought the return of money reportedly transferred by the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. The committee previously raised about $170 million while soliciting donations for an election-defense effort after Trump lost the 2020 election, but records indicate the money was instead used for campaign debt, Republican National Committee funding and future political activity. Its fundraising practices have drawn Justice Department scrutiny, while campaign finance attorney Paul S. Ryan questioned whether donors should be financing Trump’s legal defense.

Donald Trump urged Republican presidential rivals to leave the 2024 race and threatened primary challenges against lawmakers who do not pursue investigations into Joe Biden and his family. He also called for Congress to halt further military aid to Ukraine until federal agencies provide evidence sought by House Republicans. The demands came as Trump faced new charges in the classified-documents case and possible additional indictments over efforts to overturn the 2020 election, alongside existing New York charges. Despite mounting legal exposure and more than $40 million in legal fees paid by his political action committee, Trump remains the Republican frontrunner, while most rivals have avoided directly confronting him.

Donald Trump initially condemned the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol but later adopted a strongly supportive stance toward the rioters and their families. He has minimized the violence, promoted false claims blaming antifa and Black Lives Matter, praised Ashli Babbitt, raised money for defendants, promised pardons and promoted the song “Justice for All.” The shift coincided with growing Republican skepticism about prosecuting the attackers. Public records and an Associated Press review found that the mob was overwhelmingly composed of longtime Trump supporters, including Republican officials, donors and far-right militants, despite Trump's continuing efforts to recast the attack.

Donald Trump continued campaigning in Iowa after revealing that he had received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith in the Justice Department’s investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump mocked the legal process, called the investigations election interference, and incorporated his grievances into his campaign message. Supporters including Iowa Republican officials said the cases had strengthened their commitment to him, while some Republicans warned that the mounting indictments could hinder his ability to govern. Despite the legal pressure, Trump remained well ahead of Ron DeSantis in early Republican polling.

Turning Point Action’s student activists have shifted decisively from considering Ron DeSantis to backing Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination. At the group’s Florida summit, Trump received overwhelming support, with nearly 86% of attendees naming him their first choice, while DeSantis fell from 19% the previous year to just over 4%. Attendees criticized DeSantis for a weak campaign launch, insufficient energy, establishment ties, and challenging Trump, while Trump’s indictments appeared to strengthen his standing among them. DeSantis’s decision to skip the event drew criticism from organizers and activists, although his campaign defended his campaigning elsewhere. Other Republican candidates, including Asa Hutchinson and Francis Suarez, received hostile receptions, underscoring Trump’s dominance among this influential segment of the conservative base.

Donald Trump remains the dominant Republican presidential candidate six months before the Iowa caucuses, routinely leading his closest rival by 20 to 30 points or more. Republican critics fear that renominating him would damage the party, but they have not united behind a single alternative, while Ron DeSantis has struggled and Tim Scott has gained attention. Anti-Trump groups are spending heavily to question Trump's electability, although strategist Frank Luntz warns that attacks could reinforce his victim narrative. Trump faces legal vulnerabilities and campaign missteps, but indictments have so far strengthened rather than weakened his standing among many Republican primary voters.

Mike Pence has called for a federal abortion ban beginning at six weeks and now says abortions should also be prohibited when doctors determine that a pregnancy is nonviable. Medical experts warn that such a policy would force women to continue pregnancies involving ectopic pregnancies, lethal fetal abnormalities or severe complications, potentially causing physical danger and psychological trauma. Republican rivals Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley have declined to clarify whether they support Pence’s position, while describing narrower exceptions for rape, incest and the mother’s life. The debate has intensified since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, with patients in restrictive states reporting delayed care, travel costs and life-threatening complications.

Mike Pence has embraced a position more restrictive than those of his Republican presidential rivals, saying abortion should be banned even when a pregnancy is determined to be nonviable and urging a nationwide 15-week ban. Doctors warn that such rules would force patients to continue pregnancies involving fatal abnormalities, ectopic pregnancies or severe complications, increasing psychological trauma and risks such as infection, sepsis and infertility. Trump, DeSantis, Tim Scott and Nikki Haley have declined to clarify whether they support Pence’s position, while existing state bans have already forced some patients to travel for care or wait until their health deteriorates. The debate highlights tensions within the Republican field and the political difficulties of abortion restrictions that conflict with broader public support for early-pregnancy access.

The Republican National Committee’s first 2024 presidential primary debate is facing uncertainty as lower-polling candidates struggle to meet requirements of 40,000 donors, qualifying poll results and a pledge to support the eventual nominee. Asa Hutchinson and other candidates object to the pledge, while Will Hurd has said he will not sign it. Donald Trump, the frontrunner, is considering boycotting the 23 August debate and holding an alternative event, a move that could reduce the debate’s importance and frustrate rivals seeking to challenge him. Ron DeSantis plans to participate, and Chris Christie’s supporters are urging donors to help him qualify so he can confront Trump directly.

Donald Trump’s campaign said it raised more than $35 million from April through June 2023, nearly twice the $18.8 million raised during the first quarter. The campaign cited an average donation of $34 as evidence of grassroots support, while the fundraising surge followed Trump’s indictments in New York and Florida. Trump remains the dominant Republican primary contender, although rivals including Ron DeSantis had not yet reported their second-quarter totals. Formal filings were due to the Federal Election Commission by July 15.

A video circulated by Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign attacks Donald Trump by contrasting Trump’s past expressions of support for LGBTQ+ people with DeSantis’s anti-transgender policies. The video then shifts to provocative imagery and promotes claims about DeSantis signing extreme anti-trans laws, prompting Log Cabin Republicans and Caitlyn Jenner to call the campaign’s tactics divisive and homophobic. The episode reflects the growing prominence of anti-LGBTQ+ politics in the Republican presidential contest, while highlighting the risk that such rhetoric could alienate moderate and swing voters.

Former Vice President Mike Pence made a surprise 12-hour visit to Ukraine, meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and touring Moshchun, Bucha, Irpin and Kyiv. He received briefings on the security situation and alleged Russian abuses, honored Ukrainians killed in the war and emphasized that continued U.S. military support serves American national interests. The visit highlighted Pence's more interventionist position in the 2024 Republican presidential field, contrasting with Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and broader Republican skepticism about U.S. involvement. Polling cited in the report found that only 26% of Americans, including 17% of Republicans, supported the United States playing a major role in the conflict.

An AP-NORC poll found that Donald Trump's favorable rating among Republicans fell modestly to 60% after his federal indictment over classified documents, while 38% viewed him unfavorably. Overall, 53% of U.S. adults said he broke the law, driven largely by Democrats; only about one-quarter of Republicans agreed, with many viewing the case as politically motivated or believing he did nothing wrong. The findings underscore Trump's continued strength among GOP voters but also the challenge his legal troubles pose for rivals such as Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley and Mike Pence. The poll also measured public views of Trump's alleged election interference in Georgia, January 6 conduct and New York hush-money case.

Donald Trump’s federal indictment over classified documents has forced his Republican presidential rivals to balance criticism of his conduct with attacks on the Justice Department, wary of alienating his strong base. Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley have acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, while Vivek Ramaswamy has made a pledge to pardon Trump a campaign issue. The Koch network’s Americans for Prosperity is instead focusing on Trump’s electability and weaknesses in a general election. Trump’s legal troubles have energized supporters and crowded out his competitors, though some Republicans argue that their long-term impact could eventually damage his campaign.

Walt Nauta, Donald Trump’s former White House valet and Mar-a-Lago aide, faces six federal charges related to allegedly moving classified-document boxes at Trump’s direction and lying to investigators. The indictment accuses Trump of unlawfully retaining classified documents and obstructing efforts to recover them. Nauta’s case follows prison sentences and legal consequences faced by other Trump associates, including Michael Cohen and Allen Weisselberg. Trump publicly defended Nauta and attacked the FBI and Justice Department, while former Trump attorney Ty Cobb and Watergate figure John Dean argued that Nauta should cooperate with prosecutors. The case highlights the legal risks faced by Trump loyalists who carry out or conceal actions on his behalf.

Donald Trump and his allies intensified attacks on Special Counsel Jack Smith and the Justice Department before Trump's federal arraignment in Miami on 37 felony counts related to retaining classified national-defense documents and allegedly obstructing efforts to recover them. Trump urged supporters to protest peacefully and vowed to remain in the 2024 presidential race, prompting local officials to prepare for possible unrest. The indictment alleges that sensitive materials were stored at Mar-a-Lago and that Trump directed efforts to conceal documents. Republicans have compared the case with Hillary Clinton's handling of classified information, but investigators found no evidence that Clinton willfully broke the law or obstructed the inquiry. Former Attorney General William Barr said the allegations, if substantially true, were highly damaging to Trump.

The timeline traces the handling of presidential records from Donald Trump's departure from the White House through his indictment in June 2023. Prosecutors allege that classified documents were stored insecurely at Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster, that Trump showed sensitive material to people without authorization, and that he and aides took steps to conceal records and obstruct investigators. The National Archives repeatedly sought the documents before referring the matter to the Justice Department; subsequent FBI searches recovered additional classified materials. Trump was charged with 37 felony counts, while aide Walt Nauta faced six counts, and Trump denied wrongdoing.

Donald Trump's federal indictment over his handling of classified documents has not immediately weakened his position among Republican primary voters and may even produce another rally-around-Trump effect. Republican allies and several presidential rivals accused the Justice Department of political weaponization, while only Asa Hutchinson directly called on Trump to end his campaign. Strategists said the charges could give rivals an opening to argue that Trump is too burdened by legal baggage to win a general election, but they have so far struggled to challenge his dominance. The indictment is expected to keep Trump at the center of the news, while additional possible cases in Georgia and Washington, DC could further complicate his campaign and make him less acceptable to independents and moderates in a potential contest with Joe Biden.

Chris Christie is set to announce his second campaign for the Republican presidential nomination at a New Hampshire town hall. Having broken with Donald Trump over his refusal to accept the 2020 election results, Christie is positioning himself as the only candidate willing to challenge Trump directly, while still supporting many of Trump’s policies. He faces a difficult path in a Republican field led by Trump and including Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and soon Mike Pence. His campaign will test whether Republican voters support an outspoken anti-Trump challenger and whether he can meet the Republican National Committee’s debate participation requirements.

Ron DeSantis has begun his presidential campaign by attacking Donald Trump from the right on criminal justice, immigration, COVID-19, abortion, and cultural issues, while Trump is increasingly framing himself as the candidate best positioned for a general-election contest with Joe Biden. DeSantis's attempt to outflank Trump has drawn criticism from strategist Sarah Longwell, who argues that he should target Republicans seeking an alternative to Trump rather than compete for the former president's most loyal supporters. DeSantis allies say voters respond to his image as a fighter and disciplined executive, while Trump allies portray him as a copycat and highlight vulnerabilities including Florida's six-week abortion ban, entitlement-cut proposals, book bans, and the Disney dispute. Republican voters expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming alternatives to Trump and others fearing the feud could benefit Democrats.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is expected to announce his second campaign for the Republican presidential nomination at a town hall in New Hampshire. The planned launch follows the creation of a super PAC by longtime advisers and comes as Christie positions himself as the leading potential candidate willing to directly challenge former President Donald Trump. Christie, once a Trump ally, broke with him over his refusal to accept the 2020 election results and is currently polling near the bottom of the Republican field.

Allies of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie launched the Tell It Like It Is super PAC ahead of his expected campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Christie is positioning himself as a direct challenger to Donald Trump, who leads the GOP field, but currently polls near the bottom and faces limited Republican appetite for an anti-Trump candidate. The group will be led by longtime Christie advisers Brian Jones, Bill Palatucci and Russ Schriefer. Christie’s advisers envision a national, media-focused campaign centered on confronting Trump, while Christie has said he will run only if he sees a viable path to victory. He is expected to focus heavily on New Hampshire, where he previously finished sixth in 2016.

Donald Trump has welcomed Tim Scott's entry into the 2024 Republican presidential race while sharply attacking Ron DeSantis, whom he views as his strongest rival. Trump's campaign believes a crowded field will divide the anti-Trump vote and prevent any single challenger from consolidating support. Several additional candidates are preparing to enter, although strategists note that the eventual number of viable candidates matters more than the initial field size. Trump's legal investigations and indictments could still alter the race, while attacks among his rivals and DeSantis' weak polling and strained relationships may complicate efforts to unite Republicans behind an alternative.