Latest news with #Trump-backed
Axios
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Axios
Exclusive: Massie leans into Trump defiance in first TV ad
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie is using his first TV ad to highlight his call for the release of documents related to the investigation of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Why it matters: Massie is showing that he plans to lean into his defiance of President Trump, who is backing a primary challenge to the Republican congressman. What they're saying: "Look, it's simple: They're attacking me because I'm holding the Washington machine accountable," Massie says in the 30-second spot. In the ad, Massie points to his vote against the Trump-backed COVID relief package in 2020, and to his opposition to Trump's "big, beautiful bill." "Now, I'm leading the charge to force a vote on the complete Epstein files," he also says. Massie is one of 11 House Republicans to call for the release of Epstein-related files, though the Trump administration has said it opposes further disclosures related to the investigation. Zoom in: Trump has vowed to campaign against Massie, and his political operation has aired two ads targeting the congressman. The president's team is also recruiting a primary challenger to Massie, and has spoken with state Sen. Aaron Reed about running. It has also conducted polling indicating that Massie would be vulnerable to a Trump-backed challenge. Between the lines: Massie, who occupies a Trump-friendly central Kentucky district, does not say Trump's name in the spot.
New York Post
10 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Skydance tells FCC it will scrap DEI, appoint media bias official at CBS News
Skydance has made fresh promises to the Federal Communications Commission as it looks to fast-track its merger with Paramount – including a pledge to scrap DEI policies at CBS News and appoint an ombudsman to root out media bias at the network. The Hollywood studio behind blockbusters including 'Mission: Impossible' said in letters to the FCC that it will conduct a 'comprehensive review' of CBS after the merger goes through to ensure the network is operating in the public interest. It will then put in place an ombudsman for at least two years that will report directly to the president of CBS News with 'any complaints of bias or other concerns,' according to copies of the letters earlier reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Advertisement FCC Chairman Brendan Carr speaking at a congressional hearing. Michael Brochstein/ZUMA / Skydance – which, 'for its part, does not have DEI programs in place today and will not establish such initiatives' – also vowed to eliminate diversity programs at CBS News. The letters, which were sent Tuesday, came as President Trump said he expects to receive an additional $20 million from Skydance in advertising and public service announcements once it takes control of Paramount, confirming an exclusive report by The Post. Advertisement These public service ads will be tied to Trump-backed conservative causes, according to The Post's Charles Gasparino. That's on top of a $16 million settlement from CBS News over a lawsuit concerning a controversially-edited '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris. Skydance did not immediately respond to requests seeking confirmation of this figure. Advertisement 'The company is committed to ensuring that its storytelling reflects the many audiences and communities it serves in a manner that complies with non-discrimination requirements and other applicable laws,' Skydance's general counsel wrote in the letter. That change will affect CBS' hiring, promotion, compensation and public messaging practices, as well as its supplier and vendor diversity goals. It will also scrap the office of global inclusion. Skydance is currently seeking FCC approval for the transfer of CBS broadcast licenses, an integral part of the acquisition process, which has been in limbo for about a year. David Ellison, founder and CEO of Skydance Media. WireImage Advertisement FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and CBS News did not immediately respond to The Post's requests for comment. There had been concerns that Trump's lawsuit against CBS News over the '60 Minutes' scandal could stall the deal's review. In the letters, Skydance cited the Trump administration's recent executive orders on DEI and the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling overturning affirmative action as its basis for eliminating diversity policies. Earlier this year, after launching a probe into Comcast's DEI policies, Carr warned that all media companies regulated by the FCC should erase such programs. 'Every single business that's regulated by the FCC … I trust that they have now got the message that the time to end their invidious forms of DEI discrimination is now,' Carr told The Post at the time.
Axios
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Axios
Exclusive: Sen. Slotkin prepared to go "nuclear" over Texas redistricting
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) says she's not going to fight "with one arm tied behind" her back as Texas Republicans pursue a Trump-backed mid-decade redistricting. The big picture: The rumbles of redistricting are causing heartburn on the Hill, Axios' Andrew Solender reported, as Democrats weigh how to respond in political self-defense. As House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters Thursday, "It's all options on the table at this moment." Slotkin appeared Wednesday at an Axios News Shapers event in Washington, D.C. Driving the news: "If they're going to go nuclear in Texas, I'm going to go nuclear in other places," she told Axios' Stephen Neukam. "I'm not going to ... fight with one arm tied behind my back," she continued. "I don't want to do that, but if they're proposing to rig the game ... we're going to get in that game and fight." State of play: Trump earlier this month floated a "simple redrawing" to "pick up five seats" in Texas.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Thailand says nearing deal with US to lower 36% import tariff
Thailand is close to an agreement with the United States to lower a threatened 36% tariff on its exports ahead of the Aug 1 deadline, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who expects trade talks to conclude within days. The Southeast Asian nation will submit additional clarifications and final details of its proposal to US trade officials in the coming days, Mr Pichai said on Tuesday. A deal is expected to be announced before the new tariff rate takes effect, as Thailand has already provided the Washington with 'almost everything' requested. 'We've completed more than 90% of the negotiation. Today or tomorrow should be the very final stretch. There's just a little bit left,' said Mr Pichai, who leads Thailand's team of trade negotiators. 'Some requests for explanations and asks came from their side, and I need to review those to make sure everything is truly complete.' Mr Pichai expects Thailand to get a new tariff rate that's in line with its neighbours. President Donald Trump previously has announced deals for 20% tariffs on Vietnamese goods and 19% for Indonesia. Bangkok has sweetened its offers to Washington in a last-stretch bid to lower the punitive tariff and minimise the impact on its export-reliant economy, which has lagged behind regional peers over the last decade. The US was Thailand's largest export market in 2024, accounting for 18% of total shipments. Thailand has offered to significantly increase purchases of US goods for which there is domestic demand — including agricultural products, liquefied natural gas and Boeing Co. aircraft — to reduce a trade surplus which stood at $46 billion last year. It has also pledged to invest more in the US, including in the Trump-backed Alaska gas project. Thai government has widened a list of US products that will be subject to zero tariffs to 90% of all items, up from over 60% previously, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce, which advises Mr Pichai. The new offers could potentially help cut the trade surplus by 70% within three years and lead to balanced trade within five years, it said. When asked if the US had made new demands following last week's ministerial talks, Mr Pichai said: 'They're not exactly asking for more, but they do have a list of expectations — what the policies should look like and how certain issues are handled.' He added that the government is reviewing whether it can meet those expectations. Thailand's economic growth is already under strain due to the region's highest level of household debt and weak domestic consumption. A favourable trade deal would also help ease investor concerns amid political uncertainty. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was recently suspended by the court over alleged misconduct in managing a border dispute with Cambodia. Thailand's exports rose about 15% in the first five months of the year, driven largely by front-loading during the 90-day pause to allow tariff talks.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Rep. Mike Collins teases Senate run against Ossoff in Georgia
Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) released a video on Monday teasing a potential Senate run in Georgia against Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), making him the latest Republican to consider taking on the first-term senator. The 15-second video incorporates sound bites from news clips discussing the Georgia Senate race and Ossoff. At one point, text across the video reads, 'Who can beat Jon Ossoff?' More importantly, the video touts Collins' ties to the president. The video includes a clip of President Trump saying Collins' name at an event and a photo of Collins and his wife posing with the president in the Oval Office — positioning himself as being closely aligned with Trump. The video ends with text on the screen reading 'Stay tuned.' 'Tires kicked. Fueling up,' Collins wrote in a post accompanying the video. Collins — seen as a rising star with the GOP, particularly over his work on the Laken Riley Act — is very likely to make a bid for the GOP nod to take on Ossoff next year. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Insurance Commissioner John King have launched bids, while former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley could also enter the race. Republicans have not yet coalesced around a nominee after Gov. Brian Kemp (R) opted against running himself. Kemp's decision was a major blow to the GOP, in that many political observers saw the governor as being a favorite in the race if he entered. Still, Collins could be a formidable candidate given he defeated a Trump-backed candidate during his first run for Congress, a win that underscored his viability in a GOP primary. He also has some staff who worked on Trump's campaign, such as Collins chief of staff Brandon Phillips.
