North Carolina is in play in 2026. But look at what the GOP is up to.
Yet the Tar Heel State is a perennial disappointment for the national party. No Democratic presidential candidate has won there since 2008, when Barack Obama carried it by less than a third of a percentage point. That was also the last time North Carolina elected a Democrat, Kay Hagan, to the U.S. Senate.
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Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide and there's no ‘client list,' Justice Department says
After months of touting the impending release of new, blockbuster information on accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, the Justice Department announced in a memo Monday that there is no evidence he kept a 'client list' or was murdered. The Justice Department also does not plan to release any new documents in the matter, it said Monday. The admission reneges on promises from President Donald Trump, who previously spoke about releasing more governmental files on the disgraced financier, as well as go against years of conspiracy theories pushed by the right wing. 'This systematic review revealed no incriminating 'client list,'' the unsigned memo states. 'There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.' Axios was first to report details of the DOJ and FBI's decision. The department has also released 10 hours of jailhouse security footage that shows no one entered Epstein's jail cell on the day he died by suicide. Right-wing media figures have, for years, suggested that the government is hiding secrets relating to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Some of those individuals breathlessly pushed the theory that Epstein kept a 'client list' as blackmail against powerful figures who he helped commit similar crimes. After being confirmed as attorney general earlier this year, Pam Bondi quickly embraced those theories, saying in a February interview on Fox News that a client list was 'sitting on my desk right now to review.' She continued, 'that's been a directive by President Trump. I'm reviewing that.' Soon after, in conjunction with the White House, the Justice Department released a series of documents related to the Epstein investigation – almost all of which were already available in the public domain. The administration even invited influencers to get a 'scoop' on the documents at the White House, and photos from the day show those influencers walking out of the White House with white binders labeled 'The Epstein Files: Phase 1.' Bondi promised more information would be coming, and FBI agents – many of whom were assigned to work on national security matters – were ordered to work around the clock in a frantic effort to review documents and other evidence for public release. But soon the department stopped mentioning the release, much to the chagrin of supporters who inundated the DOJ and FBI's social media with demands for new information. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, both of whom publicly questioned the investigation before being tapped for their roles, even started mentioning in interviews that there was no evidence Epstein was murdered. Bongino in May said the jailhouse video, now posted online, is 'clear as day.' 'Consistent with prior disclosures, this review confirmed that Epstein harmed over one thousand victims,' Monday's memo states. 'Each suffered unique trauma. Sensitive information relating to these victims is intertwined throughout the materials. This includes specific details such as victim names and likenesses, physical descriptions, places of birth, associates, and employment history.' 'One of our highest priorities is combatting child exploitation and bringing justice to victims. Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends,' it adds. 'To that end, while we have labored to provide the public with maximum information regarding Epstein and ensured examination of any evidence in the government's possession, it is the determination of the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.' Reports of the announcement were immediately met with outrage online, most notably from Trump's erstwhile ally Elon Musk, who posted an image of a zeroed-out scoreboard titled 'The Official Jeffrey Epstein Pedophile Arrest Counter.' 'What's the time? Oh look, it's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again,' Musk wrote in the post on X. Six weeks ago, Musk claimed on X that '@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files,' later posting a video of Trump at a party with Epstein with a raised eyebrow emoji. The since-deleted posts were a part of one of Trump and Musk's feuds regarding Trump's recent tax and domestic policy bill. Other right-wing figures blasted the announcement too. One such activist, Jack Posobiec, wrote on X, referring to Epstein's associate convicted of charges related to Epstein's sex-trafficking, 'If there were no clients, why is Ghislaine Maxwell still in jail?' Another, Robby Starbuck, said of Bondi's previous comments on a client list: 'Was she lying then or is she lying now? We deserve answers.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday stood by the Justice Department's 'exhaustive investigation' of 'all the files related to Epstein's crimes and death.' Pressed on the client list referred to in February's Fox News interview, Leavitt said during a White House press briefing that Bondi was referring to the 'entirety of all of the paperwork' related to Epstein. 'All of the paper in relation to Jeffrey Epstein crimes. That's what the attorney general was referring to. And I'll let her speak for that. But again, when it comes to the FBI and the Department of Justice, they are more than committed to ensuring that bad people are put behind bars,' Leavitt said. DOJ spokesperson Chad Gilmartin also told CNN on Monday that in the Fox News interview, Bondi was referring to all of the paperwork related to the Epstein investigation, such as flight logs, and not to a specific client list. Leavitt said some material was not released because it was 'incredibly graphic and it contained child pornography.' 'This administration wants anyone who has ever committed a crime to be held accountable … and the Trump administration is committed to truth and to transparency,' Leavitt said. 'They committed to an exhaustive investigation,' Leavitt continued, referring to the Justice Department. 'That's what they did, and they provided the results of that. That's transparency.' CNN's Kit Maher and Emma Canan contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional developments.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
President Trump to visit Central Texas after floods
AUSTIN (KXAN) — President Donald Trump will visit Central Texas on Friday following the devastating flooding from the Independence Day weekend, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday to NBC Reporter Ryan Chandler. On Sunday, Trump approved a disaster declaration from Texas Governor Greg Abbott related to severe storms and flooding, according to a Sunday press release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). SUNDAY LIVE BLOG: Rescue efforts continue in Central Texas after 'catastrophic' flash flooding 'President Trump stands strong with Texas in our time of need, and I thank him for swiftly approving Texas' disaster declaration request,' said Abbott in a press release from his office. 'This federal support will ensure local officials, emergency management personnel, and first responders have the critical resources they need to help Texans rebuild and recover from these devastating floods.' The declaration provides federal disaster assistance and funds to Texas for recovery efforts in areas impacted by the ongoing 'severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding,' which began on July 2. Those funds will go to state and local governments, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations, for cost-sharing related to emergency work and recovery. Kerr County residents can access federal assistance for temporary housing, home repairs, and 'low-cost loans' for uninsured property losses. 'Our hearts continue to grieve for our fellow Texans who have endured unspeakable loss. We continue to work around the clock with our federal and local partners to search for those still missing and to help impacted Texans move forward,' said Abbott in his press release. Those who live in the county should file claims with their insurance providers before applying for assistance online or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Callers who use a relay service should provide the number for that service to FEMA. In June, Trump said that he wanted to 'phase out' FEMA after the 2025 hurricane season, according to reporting from the Associated Press. 'We want to wean off of FEMA and we want to bring it down to the state level,' said Trump in the Oval Office on June 10. KXAN Investigates: Federal forecast concerns surface in Texas' deadly flooding debate At a press gaggle outside Marine One on Sunday, a reporter asked Trump if he had any new thoughts on that plan following the Texas floods. 'We're working very closely with representatives from Texas and it's a horrible thing that took place. Absolutely horrible,' Trump said. 'FEMA is something we can talk about later.' In a joint email, Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, R-Texas, both praised Trump for his 'quick' and 'swift' approval of Abbott's disaster declaration. 'The flooding we are seeing in Central Texas is absolutely devastating,' Cruz said. 'We urge everyone to heed the warnings from local officials and stay out of harm's way. We are immensely grateful to the first responders—both in Texas and from across the country—who are risking their own safety to rescue those in need. As Texans, we must remain united in spirit and grit, and support our neighbors as we always do best.' Cornyn said that Texans in Kerrville and Kerr County 'endured unimaginable devastation.' 'Being a Texan doesn't just describe where you're from, it describes who your family is, and even in the darkest times, Texans come together to serve one another in a powerful way,' Cornyn said. 'As a lifelong Texan and a father of two, my heart breaks for the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, and I encourage all Texans and Americans to pray for our state and for the safe return of those who are still missing.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
35 minutes ago
- New York Post
Manhattan Democratic Party endorses nominee Zohran Mamdani for mayor
The leadership of the Manhattan Democratic Party overwhelmingly endorsed socialist Zohran Mamdani for mayor after he appeared before the executive members at a meeting Monday night. Party leader and Harlemite Keith Wright, who backed ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, voted 'aye.' The unofficial vote of the party executive committee was 49 in favor and 5 against. 4 The unofficial vote of the party executive committee was 49 in favor and 5 against. Derek French/Shutterstock 'Zohran won the Democratic primary. He ran the most impressive campaign I've seen in 40 years of politics,' Wright, a former Harlem state assemblyman, told The Post after the meeting. Mamdani is expanding his support as the Democratic nominee as two of his opponents, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Cuomo are running on independent ballot lines. Lawyer Jim Walden is also running as an independent while Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa is the Republican nominee for mayor. Many committee members said they were impressed how Mamdani turned out voters in the primary, particularly young Democrats. 'The Democratic party was adrift. Our party hasn't seen life like we saw on June 24 [the date of the Democratic Party primary] in a long time,' said Greenwich Village district leader Arthur Schwartz. 'Zohran is bringing life back into the party.' 4 A few members complained that Mamdani was changing the party and bringing socialism into it. Manhattan Democratic Party The vote was overwhelming for Mamdani, but not unanimous. A few members complained that Mamdani was changing the party and bringing socialism into it. 'I'm a Democrat. I'm not a socialist Democrat,' said former Harlem state Assemblywoman Inez Dickens, adding that Mamdani had not presented an 'agenda' for black residents. 4 Many committee members said they were impressed how Mamdani turned out voters in the primary, particularly young Democrats. Paul Martinka for NY Post 4 Party leader and Harlemite Keith Wright, who backed ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, voted 'aye.' AP Others were concerned about his anti-Israel stance amid a rise in antisemitism. Mamdani, who fielded questions before the vote, told Democrats that he would fight antisemitism. He also said he would not cut staffing at the NYPD.
