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The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
CNN's resident MAGA defender hints he'll run for McConnell's Senate seat if Trump gives him the thumbs up
CNN senior political commentator Scott Jennings suggested this week that he would consider tossing his hat into the ring of the 2026 Kentucky Senate race, but only if Donald Trump urged him to fill the seat that's soon to be vacated by the retiring Mitch McConnell. A former McConnell campaign adviser and special assistant to former President George W. Bush, Jennings has carved out a niche for himself in recent years as CNN's resident Trump defender. Since the president's return to the White House, Jennings' stock has risen within both MAGA circles and the mainstream media, as he's launched his own daily radio show and been named to the Los Angeles Times' editorial board. Promoting his new pro-Trump book A Revolution for Common Sense, Jennings dropped by right-wing network Real America's Voice, where he sat down with former Fox News star Eric Bolling on Wednesday. At one point in the conversation, Bolling noted that a number of Republican candidates have already lined up to take over McConnell's seat, which includes former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and Trump megadonor Nate Morris. 'You thinking about it?' Bolling asked the CNN pundit. 'Yeah, I haven't made any announcements about that,' Jennings replied. 'There's three people in the race, I know them all, like them all, have been in and out of their lives in varying degrees over the years. I've supported them all in various endeavors, so I'm confident the seat will remain Republican.' Adding that he believes that 'politics is a team sport' and 'Trump's the head coach,' Jennings stated that the president will eventually 'weigh in on this' and that Republicans will have to heed his command. 'You know, if he calls a play, we're gonna have to run it,' he said. 'I wouldn't want to run against the president in Kentucky. So, I don't really have any announcement about it at the moment.' Bolling, meanwhile, straight up asked Jennings 'if Trump taps you, you're gonna run,' prompting the conservative commentator – who recently joined Trump on a rally stage – to ambiguously respond: 'I pay very close attention to everything the president says.' 'That's a good position to be,' Bolling chuckled before moving on to Jennings' book. While stepping aside as the GOP's Senate leader and announcing that he wouldn't seek another term, the 83-year-old McConnell – who has dealt with increasing concerns over his health amid falls and freezing up during public speeches – has become a rare (if mild) public critic of Trump's among Republicans on Capitol Hill in recent months. With the former Senate Majority Leader voting against the president's Cabinet nominees and warning against embracing 'right-wing isolationism,' Trump has repeatedly blasted the Kentucky lawmaker and has even suggested that McConnell faked having polio as a child. 'I have no idea if he had polio. All I can tell you about him is that he shouldn't have been leader,' Trump said in February after McConnell declared he would not support Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS secretary due to his anti-vaccine stance.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Trump gives his take on Musk's proposed new third party
President Donald Trump changed his tune on Elon Musk 's move to start a third political party, arguing it will 'help' him. 'I think it'll help us. Probably. Third parties have always been good for me. I don't know about Republicans, but for me,' the president told reporters Tuesday in a Cabinet meeting. The gathering, the six of Trump's administration, was the first Cabinet meeting since Musk left his job as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. It comes after Musk carried out his threat to start an America Party, which he vowed to use to challenge Republicans in the 2026 election . Trump, only two days ago, slammed Musk's move as 'ridiculous,' calling it a 'train wreck' that won't work. But on Tuesday the president sounded more optimistic about the matter. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how serious Musk is about starting a new political movement, which could prove to be an expensive and logistically challenging matter. The world's richest man is speaking to consultants about the matter, but more in general terms and seeking feedback, according to reports. Establishing a third-party movement is akin to moving a mountain: each state has its own requirements to get on the ballot; it's unclear what the new America Party stands for it - other than Musk being angry at Trump; and it is often easier for candidates to prevail under the current political system. Musk's best chances in next year's midterm election is to back candidates in a few congressional contests where he could make a difference. It's also unclear just how much of his fortune Musk is willing to sink into the effort. Trump's initial response to Musk's endeavor was one of anger. 'I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks. He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States,' he railed on Sunday. Musk spent millions helping Trump win a second term in the White House and served in his administration for a few months but the two men fell out over the president's 'big, beautiful bill.' The Tesla founder was the leading critic of the legislation and, in retaliation for its passage, started his new party. 'I think it's ridiculous to start a third party,' Trump told reporters in New Jersey on his way back to the White House after a weekend at his Bedminster golf club. 'We have a tremendous success with the Republican Party . The Democrats have lost their way, but it's always been a two party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to confusion. It really seems to have been developed for two parties. Third parties have never worked, so he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous.' Musk vowed vengeance after Congress passed Trump's signature legislation to fund the government. The Tesla founder was angry it contained no federal subsidies for electronic vehicles. And Musk was furious the legislation added to the country's debt. During his time at the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk worked to cut the size and scope of the federal government. He quickly, indirectly, responded to Trump on social media, asking: 'What the heck was the point of @DOGE if he's just going to increase the debt by $5 trillion??' He then quoted Dune, writing of Trump: 'Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total. Obliteration.' But Trump said Musk knew all along he wouldn't get a subsidies. 'When Elon gave me his total and unquestioned Endorsement, I asked him whether or not he knew that I was going to terminate the EV Mandate - It was in every speech I made, and in every conversation I had. He said he had no problems with that - I was very surprised!,' he wrote in his Truth post. As lawmakers debated Trump's legislation, Musk - the bill's biggest critic - threatened them repeatedly with primaries and then vowed to start his own political movement. It passed last week and Trump signed it into law on the Fourth of July. And, this weekend, Musk carried out his threat. 'When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy,' he wrote Saturday on X. 'Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.' Musk spent almost $300 million supporting Trump and Republicans in the 2024 election. He and Trump started out close with the president even inviting Musk to stay in the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House. But duo got into a social media war during debate on the 'big, beautiful bill,' leading to Musk threatening to use his billions to start a third political party and Trump threatening to deport the naturalized American citizen. Musk could impact the 2026 midterm elections that determine control of Congress if he is willing to spend significant amounts of money. However, starting a third party has its difficulties. Every state has different requirements to put a candidate on the ballot and the heavily-gerrymandered congressional districts could prove hard for a third-party candidate to penetrate. Republicans currently hold slim majorities in both the House and Senate with just a handful of seats giving them the edge over Democrats. Out of 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, 53 are held by Republicans. In the U.S. House of Representatives, 220 seats are held by Republicans and 212 are held by Democrats with three seats presently vacant due to members passing away. The margins could easily shift with a few well-placed victories. The world's richest man spent Sunday morning on X taking feedback from users about the party. He indicated he was going to use it in next year's contests. He also vented his anger at Republicans.
Al Arabiya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Republican Chris Carr Raises $1.25M More for 2026 Georgia Governor Bid
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said Monday he raised another $1.25 million for his 2026 gubernatorial bid from February 1 to June 30. The Republican announced the fundraising totals to The Associated Press on Monday, although he hasn't yet filed an official report with the state Ethics Commission. Those reports are due Tuesday. Carr raised $2.2 million from November through mid-January but couldn't raise money while lawmakers were in session from mid-January until the end of March. He didn't immediately say how much he has spent of the nearly $3.5 million he has raised. Carr is the only major GOP candidate who has announced for the race in Georgia, which saw titanic battles for the governor's chair between Republican Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams in 2018 and 2022. Abrams lost both races, and no Democrat has won a governor's race in Georgia since Roy Barnes in 1998. Republicans argue Georgia needs the stability of continued Republican control. Democrats are meanwhile trying to prove their successes in other races weren't a fluke. Former President Joe Biden won Georgia in 2020, and US Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff were elected to the Senate in runoffs in January 2021. In 2022, Warnock beat Republican Herschel Walker in a runoff to claim a full six-year term. Carr took the unprecedented step of announcing his run for governor in November, in part because he said he needed to get an early jump on fundraising. He could face Republican rivals with enough personal wealth to fund their own campaigns. Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, whose family has made a fortune running and supplying gas stations, is expected to announce his bid for governor in the coming weeks. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who sold a substantial engineering company, could also make a bid in the Republican primary. Carr said in a statement that his numbers 'show that kind of energy can't be bought – it's earned, and we're ready to deliver.' Carr has aligned closely with Kemp but could face opposition from President Donald Trump and his supporters in a primary election. Jones has been close to Trump and would likely angle for his endorsement. Fueled by displeasure that Carr didn't back Trump's attempts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss in Georgia, Trump in 2022 endorsed a primary opponent who lost to Carr. Last week, the two leading Democrats said they had each collected about $1.1 million in early fundraising. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she loaned her campaign $200,000 and collected $900,000 from donors, while state Sen. Jason Esteves said he made a much smaller donation to his campaign, with the rest coming from donors.
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Alleged organiser of shooting of Colombian senator caught by police
The alleged mastermind behind the shooting of a conservative Colombian senator and presidential candidate has been taken into custody, almost a month after the attack, law enforcement authorities have said. Elder José Arteaga Hernández, alias 'Chipi' or 'Costeño', was arrested in the north-western part of the capital, Bogotá, on Saturday, national police director Maj Gen Carlos Fernando Triana told reporters. Authorities had previously accused him and other suspects of being near the Bogotá park where Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot on 7 June. Uribe was giving a political speech in the park when he was attacked from behind and wounded in the head, allegedly by a minor who was captured as he fled. Three other people have been arrested for participating in the logistics and execution of the crime. The motive is still being investigated. Uribe, who in October announced his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election, remains in intensive care and has undergone several surgeries. From his senate seat, he had become one of president Gustavo Petro's most vocal critics. The attack has been widely condemned in a country with a dark past in which drug cartels and insurgent groups murdered and kidnapped politicians. Charges against Arteaga include attempted aggravated homicide; manufacturing, trafficking and carrying firearms or ammunition; and using minors to commit crimes. Interpol issued a red notice against him on Friday. It was not immediately clear if Arteaga had an attorney who could comment on his behalf. Authorities said he would make his first court appearance over the weekend. Triana last month said Arteaga 'has been involved in a life of crime for more than 20 years, performing hit jobs in all types of crimes in Bogotá'.
The Guardian
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Alleged organiser of shooting of Colombian senator caught by police
The alleged mastermind behind the shooting of a conservative Colombian senator and presidential candidate has been taken into custody, almost a month after the attack, law enforcement authorities have said. Elder José Arteaga Hernández, alias 'Chipi' or 'Costeño', was arrested in the north-western part of the capital, Bogotá, on Saturday, national police director Maj Gen Carlos Fernando Triana told reporters. Authorities had previously accused him and other suspects of being near the Bogotá park where Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot on 7 June. Uribe was giving a political speech in the park when he was attacked from behind and wounded in the head, allegedly by a minor who was captured as he fled. Three other people have been arrested for participating in the logistics and execution of the crime. The motive is still being investigated. Uribe, who in October announced his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election, remains in intensive care and has undergone several surgeries. From his senate seat, he had become one of President Gustavo Petro's most vocal critics. The attack has been widely condemned in a country with a dark past in which drug cartels and insurgent groups murdered and kidnapped politicians. Charges against Arteaga include attempted aggravated homicide; manufacturing, trafficking and carrying firearms or ammunition; and using minors to commit crimes. Interpol issued a red notice against him on Friday. It was not immediately clear if Arteaga had an attorney who could comment on his behalf. Authorities said he would make his first court appearance over the weekend. Triana last month said Arteaga 'has been involved in a life of crime for more than 20 years, performing hit jobs in all types of crimes in Bogotá'.
