Xavier Becerra, a Democrat who served as Health and Human Services Secretary during the Biden administration, has advanced to the runoff in the California gubernatorial race in November&#8217;s general election, several media outlets projected on Friday.
His opponent is still unknown, but Republican Steve Hilton narrowly trails Becerra, according to the latest tally. Becerra overtook Hilton in the vote count over the past 24 hours.
With 66% of the votes in on Friday evening, Becerra leads with 26.7% support, ahead of Hilton at 26.4%. Both were ahead of billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, who was at 21%. Under California&#8217;s top-two primary system, candidates from the same party can advance to the general election if they finish in the top two.
On Thursday evening, with 58% of the vote reported, Hilton led Becerra by more than a point, at 27.2%. Becerra was at 25.9%, while Steyer was third with 20.1%.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
JUST IN: 
Democrat Xavier Becerra officially advances to November&#8217;s election for California Governor.
Still waiting on more results to determine who his opponent will be officially. <a href="https://t.co/gl7k08SGJp">pic.twitter.com/gl7k08SGJp</a>
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) <a href="https://x.com/ZavalaA/status/2063047654813364466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;More than ever, California needs our voices and our values,&#8221; Becerrra posted on social media Friday evening. &#8220;To all the people and the voters of California, this is your state.&#8221;
&#8220;We will not be bought. We will not be bullied. And we are never backing down,&#8221; he added.
President Donald Trump has commented on California&#8217;s lengthy ballot tallying process and accused Democrats of election fraud.
&#8220;Look what&#8217;s happening in California, the Dumocrats, right before our very eyes, are stealing the vote,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116693025089379568">posted</a> on Truth Social on Thursday.
In another post, Trump said, &#8220;There&#8217;s BIG cheating by the Dumocrats in California. Votes are all tied up. May not be in for weeks. Under investigation by the U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office in Los Angeles. Why the vote counting DELAY???&#8221;
Becerra responded to Trump&#8217;s accusations, claiming the president is &#8220;trying to undermine confidence in our elections because he&#8217;s a repeat loser here.&#8221;
&#8220;Sorry Donald, the voters decide who leads California. Not you,&#8221; he added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. He lost California by millions of votes in the 2024 election, and now he&#8217;s trying to undermine confidence in our elections because he’s a repeat loser here.
Sorry Donald, the voters decide who leads California. Not you. <a href="https://t.co/juhpYvJ0LP">pic.twitter.com/juhpYvJ0LP</a>
— Xavier Becerra (@XavierBecerra) <a href="https://x.com/XavierBecerra/status/2062615628268417265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Becerra served 12 terms in Congress and is a former California attorney general. He is considered more of an establishment, moderate Democrat than Steyer. He quickly rose in the polls after former Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out of the gubernatorial race amid sexual assault accusations.
Delayed results are routine in California because of the state’s extensive vote-by-mail system, signature verification, and procedures for resolving ballot errors.
The final tally of California’s races could take as long as three weeks. Unlike many states that require mail ballots to arrive by Election Day, California accepts ballots that arrive up to 7 days later if postmarked on time. Then, those ballots have up to 7 days to reach a processing center. Counties must verify signatures, count provisional ballots, and allow voters to cure certain ballot defects before results are certified.
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California Residents Vote In Primary Election

Becerra Overtakes Hilton, Advances To Runoff

California

Elections

steve hilton

Xavier Becerra

Nearly 48 hours after the polls closed in California, the results of the gubernatorial primary and the Los Angeles mayor’s race remain unresolved as President Donald Trump has accused Democrats in the state of attempting to &#8220;steal&#8221; the elections.
With just 58% of the vote reported Thursday evening, Republican Steve Hilton still leads the gubernatorial primary with 27.2% support, ahead of Democrat Xavier Becerra at 25.9%. Both were ahead of billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, who was at 20.1%. On Wednesday evening, 55% of the vote had been counted.
Despite Hilton’s lead, millions of ballots are still uncounted, making it too early to determine the final order of finish. Under California’s top-two primary system, candidates from the same party can advance to a runoff in November’s general election if they finish in the top two.
In the Los Angeles mayoral race, just 66% of the vote had been counted by Thursday evening, up from 62% from Wednesday evening. Incumbent Democrat Mayor Karen Bass still leads with 35.1% support, followed by Republican Spencer Pratt at 29.4%. Far-left Councilmember Nithya Raman was third with 23.4%.
The top two votegetters in the mayoral primary, regardless of party, secure a place in the November runoff if neither receives more than 50% of the vote. Bass has already secured a spot in the runoff, according to projections.
Trump took to Truth Social late Wednesday night and again on Thursday to accuse Democrats of election fraud, asking, &#8220;Why the vote counting DELAY???&#8221;
&#8220;Look what&#8217;s happening in California, the Dumocrats, right before our very eyes, are stealing the vote,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116693025089379568">posted</a> on Thursday.
Mayor Bass responded on X Thursday evening.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Trump only says this when MAGA candidates, like Spencer Pratt, start losing.
LA will count every vote. <a href="https://t.co/gNi5m13uq7">pic.twitter.com/gNi5m13uq7</a>
— Karen Bass (@KarenBassLA) <a href="https://x.com/KarenBassLA/status/2062644938710581401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Trump only says this when MAGA candidates, like Spencer Pratt, start losing,&#8221; she posted. &#8220;LA will count every vote.&#8221;
Delayed results are routine in California because of the state’s extensive vote-by-mail system, signature verification, and procedures for resolving ballot errors.
The final tally of California’s races could take as long as three weeks. Unlike many states that require mail ballots to arrive by Election Day, California accepts ballots that arrive up to 7 days later if postmarked on time. Then, those ballots have up to 7 days to reach a processing center. Counties must verify signatures, count provisional ballots, and allow voters to cure certain ballot defects before results are certified.

Primary Election Ballot Counting

California Still Counting Votes As Trump Says Democrats Are ‘Stealing’ Elections

Donald Trump

Karen Bass

Los Angeles

Politics

Spencer Pratt

Almost 24 hours after the polls closed in California, the results of the gubernatorial primary and the Los Angeles mayor&#8217;s race remain unresolved.
With just 55% of the vote reported on Wednesday evening, Republican Steve Hilton still leads the field of more than 60 candidates with 27.6% support, ahead of Democrat Xavier Becerra, who had 25.5%. Both were solidly ahead of billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, who was at 19.7%.
Despite Hilton&#8217;s lead, millions of ballots remain uncounted, making it too early to determine the final order of finish. Under California&#8217;s top-two primary system, candidates from the same party can advance to a runoff in November&#8217;s general election if they finish in the top two.
In the Los Angeles mayoral race, 62% of the vote has been counted. Incumbent Democrat Mayor Karen Bass leads with 35% support, while Republican Spencer Pratt has received 29.9%. Far-left Councilmember Nithya Raman trailed with 22.8%. The top two votegetters in the mayoral primary, regardless of party, secure a place in the November 3 runoff if neither receives more than 50% of the vote. Bass has already secured a spot in the runoff, according to projections.
Bass would normally have a major advantage over other candidates, but discontent with her handling of the Palisades fire and the homeless crisis led Pratt to join the race, and he then resonated with many of the same sentiments felt by other Angelenos.
Delayed results are routine in California because of the state&#8217;s extensive vote-by-mail system, signature verification, and procedures for resolving ballot errors.
The final tally of California&#8217;s races could take as long as three weeks. Unlike many states that require mail ballots to arrive by Election Day, California accepts ballots that arrive up to 7 days later if postmarked on time. Then, those ballots have up to 7 days to reach a processing center. Counties must verify signatures, count provisional ballots, and allow voters to cure certain ballot defects before results are certified.
On Wednesday evening, CNN broadcast live shots from the Los Angeles County Registrar&#8217;s office, which handles 25% of the state&#8217;s votes. The large room appeared sparsely staffed at the time of the broadcast. A CNN reporter on the scene said they were on break.
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1108755" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/LACounty-576x576.jpeg" alt="" width="576" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/LACounty-576x576.jpeg 576w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/LACounty-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/LACounty-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/LACounty-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/LACounty-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/06/LACounty.jpeg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" /></div>

Nearly 24 Hours After The Polls Closed, California Is Still Counting Votes

Tom Steyer

vote

California&#8217;s notoriously slow vote count left several races unresolved late Tuesday night, but with nearly half of the votes counted in both the gubernatorial primary and the Los Angeles mayor’s race, both appear headed for runoffs that include Republicans.
Republican Steve Hilton led the field of more than 60 candidates with 26.9% support, narrowly ahead of Democrat Xavier Becerra, who had 25.8% of the vote. Both were solidly ahead of billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, who was at 19.7%. The top two finishers will advance to a runoff in November&#8217;s general election.
The race to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom was unusually wide open from the start. Some of California&#8217;s biggest Democratic names — including former Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Alex Padilla, and Attorney General Rob Bonta — all passed on the race, leaving a crowded field of many lesser-known candidates to battle for position.
Polls showed an unsettled electorate, a large number of undecided voters, and a cluster of candidates tightly packed near the top of the field. Political strategists described the race as one of the most volatile California gubernatorial primaries in recent memory.
With 47% of the vote counted in the L.A. mayoral race, incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass led with 36.6% support, while Republican Spencer Pratt had received 29.5%. Far-left Councilmember Nithya Raman trailed with 20.8%.
The candidates appeared on the ballot without any party affiliation. The top two votegetters in the mayoral primary, regardless of party, secure a place in the November 3 runoff if neither receives more than 50% of the vote. If Bass fails to secure a majority, she will be the first incumbent L.A. mayor to advance to a runoff since 2005.
Bass would normally have a major advantage over other candidates — but discontent over her handling of the Palisades fire and the homelessness crisis led first to Pratt joining the race and then to him resonating with many of the same sentiments felt by other Angelenos.
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TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-CALIFORNIA-VOTE

California Races Come Into Focus As First Votes Pour In

The Department of War shared a Memorial Day message from musician Kid Rock on Monday, reminding Americans about the cost of freedom.
The rock star, known for his patriotism and unapologetic support for President Donald Trump, delivered his remarks from the Pentagon behind a lectern bearing a DOW seal, with an American flag displayed in the background.
&#8220;Hey everyone, this is Kid Rock,&#8221; the video begins. &#8220;And this Memorial Day, we are remembering the sacrifice and service of so many who are not with us today. It&#8217;s a special day, and we are thinking of them. Once again, I wanted to say thank you, God bless all of you, for your sacrifice, for your service, keep on Kid Rockin&#8217; in the free world. God bless you all.&#8221;
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Kid Rock delivers Memorial Day reminder about the cost of freedom" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QgHdwpOLilw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Kid Rock, whose legal name is Robert Richie, has become one of the most recognizable celebrity allies of the president, appearing at campaign rallies and conservative events, and performing at high-profile GOP gatherings such as the 2024 Republican National Convention.
The Michigan-born rocker has cultivated an image of blue-collar America, support for the troops, and defiant nationalism that has made him especially popular with conservatives and Republicans.
Kid Rock&#8217;s Pentagon video is the latest of entertainers taking part in Memorial Day tributes honoring fallen service members. Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, and Lee Greenwood have also linked to patriotic themes and support for the military, while actor Gary Sinise has become closely associated with advocacy for military veterans.
Memorial Day, observed annually on the last Monday in May, is dedicated to commemorating U.S. military personnel who died while serving the country.
&nbsp;

2024 Republican National Convention: Day 4

Kid Rock Delivers Memorial Day Reminder About The Cost Of Freedom

Celebrities

Freedom

Kid Rock

Memorial Day

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is refusing to apologize after resurfaced online posts appeared to show him mocking a Purple Heart recipient who was almost killed in a firefight with the Taliban.
Platner was confronted near his home in Sullivan, Maine, and asked whether he regretted a since-deleted Reddit post in which he said wounded Army veteran Ted Daniels “didn’t deserve to live,” <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/watch-platner-doesnt-apologize-purple-heart-recipient-voters-when-confronted-post-mocking-soldier" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according</a> to Fox News. Platner initially refused to answer directly before attempting to defend his own military record, referring to the accusations as &#8220;slanderous and offensive.&#8221;
“I did four tours in the infantry, any attempt to say that I disrespect veterans is slanderous and offensive,” Platner responded.
The outlet asked Platner if he owed Daniels an apology. The Democratic candidate remained defiant, saying, &#8220;Do you know how many of my friends have Purple Hearts? Do you know how many of my friends got wounded? Yeah, a lot of them, thank you.&#8221;
The <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/platners-deleted-reddit-sparks-outrage-appears-mock-wounded-soldier-didnt-deserve-live" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">post</a>, written in 2019, was a brutal takedown of a viral video from the helmet-cam of Pfc. Ted Daniels, during a 2012 firefight with the Taliban, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/didnt-deserve-to-live-leftist-candidate-appears-to-mock-wounded-soldier-in-resurfaced-post" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a>. Daniels received a Purple Heart after being shot four times during that firefight — but Platner argued in a post attributed to his old account, “P-hustle,” that Daniels did not “deserve to live” because he’d made “sh*t” decisions in combat.
“This video never gets old,” the commentary began. “Dumb motherf*cker didn’t deserve to live. At least his stupidity and fat-*ss wheezing are available for all future infantrymen to witness and hold in contempt. Poor marksmanship on the Taliban’s part is the only reason this mouth breather made it home, he managed to make every possible sh*t decision possible when it comes to small unit combat.”
The Platner’s comments have received significant backlash. He is currently backed by progressive Democrats, including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Veterans groups, Republican officials, and former military servicemembers have condemned his comments, Fox News reported.

Maine Senatorial Candidate Graham Platner Speaks To Voters During Town Hall

Platner Refuses To Apologize After Mocking Purple Heart Recipient

graham platner

Maine

nazi tattoo

purple heart

President Donald Trump confirmed Friday that he will not attend his eldest son&#8217;s wedding, opting instead to remain at the White House to focus on official duties.
Donald Trump Jr. is set to wed Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson in a small ceremony on a private island in the Bahamas this weekend.
&#8220;While I very much wanted to be with my son, Don Jr., and the newest member of the Trump Family, his soon to be wife, Bettina, circumstances pertaining to Government, and my love for the United States of America, do not allow me to do so,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116619340468924220">posted</a> on Truth Social.
&#8220;I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important time. Congratulations to Don and Bettina!&#8221;
The couple is already legally married, Reuters reported, citing a marriage license filed Thursday in Palm Beach County, Florida. Trump Jr., 48, and Anderson, 39, became engaged in December and had reportedly considered holding the ceremony at the White House before choosing a more low-key venue.
President Trump told reporters on Thursday that he would &#8220;try and make it,&#8221; but acknowledged, &#8220;this is not good timing for me.&#8221;
&#8220;I have a thing called Iran and other things,&#8221; Trump said, referring to ongoing tensions and diplomatic discussions involving the Middle East.
&#8220;That&#8217;s one I can&#8217;t win on. If I do attend, I get killed. If I don&#8217;t attend, I get killed,&#8221; he added, suggesting the media would criticize him regardless of his decision.
&#8220;Hopefully they&#8217;re going to have a great marriage,&#8221; the president continued.
Trump Jr. was previously married to former model and actress Vanessa Trump for 12 years before they divorced in 2018. They share five children together. Vanessa recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/vanessa-trump-reveals-breast-cancer-diagnosis">revealed</a> she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
He later became engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle, who was previously married to California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom from 2001 to 2006. Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle broke up in 2024.
Virginia Kruta contributed to this report.
&nbsp;

President Trump Returns To White House From Florida

Trump Makes Tough Call On Don Jr.’s Bahamas Wedding

Bahamas

Donald Trump Jr.

Executive

Kimberly Guilfoyle

Wedding

Ross Barkan, the reporter who wrote a hit piece on The Daily Wire and then came under investigation for plagiarism, hired Zohran Mamdani to manage his failed state Senate campaign in 2018.
The left-wing writer appears torn between journalism and political activism, drawing ideological inspiration from democratic socialist Mayor Mamdani.
“I met him at the end of 2017 when I was <a href="https://medium.com/@RossBarkan/why-im-running-for-office-f7593c2a1615">running for state Senate</a> in New York City, in Brooklyn, where I grew up. I was strongly contemplating pivoting from journalism to running for office,” <a href="https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/ross-barkan-on-zohran-mamdani-arresting-netanyahu-and-where-dsa-goes-from-here">Barkan told Current Events,</a> a magazine about politics and culture. 
Barkan, who unsuccessfully ran for a New York state office in 2018, highlighted the influence Mamdani had as his campaign manager.
“It was a progressive campaign. It was one that was proudly pro-Palestine, certainly — and I was willing to campaign in mosques and court the neighborhood’s Arab community, which few politicians were willing to do. And so for all those reasons, he hopped on board, and the rest, in its own way, was history,” Barkan said. 
“We got to know each other quite well that summer,” he said.   
Despite receiving the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Barkan <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Ross_Barkan">lost the September 13th Democratic primary</a> by double digits. 
New York Magazine is investigating writer Barkan for plagiarism after he seemingly copied his lede paragraph from another publication, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ross-barkan-new-york-magazine-npr-plagiarism-investigation?author=The+Daily+Wire&amp;category=undefined&amp;elementPosition=161&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=Reporter+Behind+Anti-Daily+Wire+Hit+Piece+Now+Facing+Plagiarism+Investigation">The Daily Wire previously reported.</a> 
Following publication of the story, Drew Harwell took to social media to complain that Barkan’s lede was strikingly similar to one he had written days earlier.
Following the backlash, New York Magazine updated Barkan’s story to credit Drew Harwell, a move that appeared to concede the overlap. NPR later reported at least two other cases in which Barkan allegedly stole paragraphs from The Intercept and Compact Magazine.
New York Magazine spokesperson Lauren Starke <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/05/17/nx-s1-5824503/new-york-magazine-review-ross-barkan">told NPR</a> that the magazine is “conducting a review of the writer’s prior work.”
Instead of disputing the plagiarism accusations, Barkan argued online that attribution justified his use of others’ material.
“I am allowed, as a columnist building on *his* reporting, to cite facts. Especially when he’s credited,” Barkan said of the Compact Magazine incident.
“I have written hundreds upon hundreds of columns, essays, and pieces of journalism in my career. I stand by my record,” he said in a statement to NPR, adding that this is “all quite ridiculous.”

“Trump – Year One” Presidential Panel

Scandal-Plagued Journo Who Wrote Hit Piece On Daily Wire Has Old Ties To Mamdani

News

Ross Barkan

The Daily Wire

New York Magazine is investigating writer Ross Barkan for plagiarism after he seemingly ripped off his lede paragraph in a recent hit piece against The Daily Wire.
Barkan recently joined the new liberal media trend of writing rumor-laden attacks on The Daily Wire. After his story was published, Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell took to X to complain that Barkan&#8217;s lede was almost identical to the one he had published days earlier.
After Barkan was called out, New York Magazine updated his story to credit Harwell, seemingly acknowledging that it was a direct rip-off. NPR then identified at least two other instances where Barkan ripped off entire paragraphs, this time from The Intercept and Compact Magazine.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The lede of our Shapiro story on Saturday and the lede of the <a href="https://twitter.com/NYMag?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYMag</a> story today<a href="https://t.co/P20BkpGhqW">https://t.co/P20BkpGhqW</a><a href="https://t.co/Ha03RLE3qs">https://t.co/Ha03RLE3qs</a> <a href="https://t.co/64OzrvFcRS">pic.twitter.com/64OzrvFcRS</a>
— Drew Harwell (@drewharwell) <a href="https://twitter.com/drewharwell/status/2054927246788304931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
New York Magazine spokesperson Lauren Starke <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/05/17/nx-s1-5824503/new-york-magazine-review-ross-barkan">told NPR</a> that the magazine is &#8220;conducting a review of the writer&#8217;s prior work.&#8221;
Rather than deny that he is a plagiarist, Barkan argued online that it&#8217;s okay because he credited the people he was stealing from.
&#8220;I am allowed, as a columnist building on *his* reporting, to cite facts. Especially when he&#8217;s credited,&#8221; Barkan said of the Compact Magazine incident.
He further attempted to brush the issue under the rug in a statement to NPR: &#8220;I have written hundreds upon hundreds of columns, essays, and pieces of journalism in my career. I stand by my record.&#8221;
He added that this is &#8220;all quite ridiculous.&#8221;
Barkan has been a prolific writer, and liberal, in the New York scene. In addition to New York Magazine, he has also written for The New York Times, and in 2018 ran for state senate (but lost) as a Democrat.

Reporter Behind Anti-Daily Wire Hit Piece Now Facing Plagiarism Investigation

Media

New York Magazine

An American intelligence assessment leaked to Axios Sunday claims the communist regime in Cuba is plotting an attack against Guantanamo Bay, American ships, and maybe even Key West, Florida.
The Cuban government has amassed more than 300 drones and has since started discussing using them to attack those sites, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/us-military-drones-cuba">Axios reported</a>, citing the intelligence. Axios did not provide any further specifics on the nature of the intelligence or where it came from.
Momentum toward a U.S. military action in Cuba appears to be surging, with the Axios report serving as the latest piece of the puzzle. Thursday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Cuba to warn them against attacking the United States, and told government officials that they must abandon their authoritarian system to receive sanctions relief.
The day before, it was reported the Department of Justice plans to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/doj-plans-to-drop-the-hammer-on-former-cuban-president-as-trump-pressures-communist-nation?author=Brecca+Stoll&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=DOJ+Plans+To+Drop+The+Hammer+On+Former+Cuban+President+As+Trump+Pressures+Communist+Nation">unseal an indictment</a> against Cuban leader Raúl Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 shootdown of two humanitarian planes from Miami. The legal tactic mirrors that which was used against deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, who the U.S. captured in January after indicting him for his role in narcotics trafficking.
U.S. officials say Cuba has been amassing drones for several years from Russia and Iran, with an increased number coming from Russia in the last month. An estimated 5,000 Cuban soldiers have fought for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, with the Russian government paying Cuba a reported $25,000 per soldier. An official told Axios that the U.S. had intercepted communications that indicate the Cubans are trying to learn from Iran&#8217;s tactics in their ongoing war with the United States.
&#8220;When we think about those types of technologies being that close, and a range of bad actors from terror groups to drug cartels to Iranians to the Russians, it&#8217;s concerning,&#8221; a U.S. official told Axios.

Cuba Celebrates 65th Anniversary Of Fidel Castro’s Attack On The Moncada Barracks

US Intel Claims Cuba Is Plotting Attack Against American Homeland

Cuba

Military

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk marked her fifth wedding anniversary Friday with a touching tribute to her late husband, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated during a speaking event in September.
In a social media post, the widow reflected on their relationship and how she hopes to share their legacy with their daughter and son.
&#8220;Even though our kids won&#8217;t see our love &#8216;grow old together&#8217; from an earthly stand point; they&#8217;ll see it from a Heavenly one,&#8221; she posted on X. &#8220;Happy Anniversary to the love of my life.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Even though our kids won’t see our love “grow old together” from an earthly stand point; they’ll see it from a Heavenly one. And I’ll tell them of our love story any moment I can.
Happy Anniversary to the love of my life. <a href="https://t.co/PAXTyxm7ly">pic.twitter.com/PAXTyxm7ly</a>
— Erika Kirk (@MrsErikaKirk) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrsErikaKirk/status/2052823537329770691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
An emotional video accompanying the post features a montage of the couple in romantic settings and family photos, set to voiceovers from Charlie, Erika, and their daughter, Gigi, who was born in 2022.
The video begins with Erika saying, &#8220;I want to show you some pictures of mommy and daddy, and I want to tell you a story.&#8221;
A child&#8217;s voice later says, &#8220;I love you so much, daddy. I miss you, Dada.&#8221;
The montage ends with Charlie and Erika expressing their love for one another.
After Charlie was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, Erika, as her husband wished, took over Turning Point USA. She has since urged Americans to live according to the values her husband promoted, including a focus on faith.
Tyler Robinson, 23, has been charged in connection with the killing. During a memorial service in September, Erika publicly forgave him.
&#8220;That young man, that young man,&#8221; she said. &#8220;On the cross, our savior said, &#8216;Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.&#8217; That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do.&#8221;
Since taking over Turning Point USA, Erika has become a more visible public figure, continuing to promote her husband&#8217;s political and religious values on the world stage despite aggressive smear campaigns from online commentators.
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Turning Point Inaugural-Eve Ball Held In Washington, D.C.

Erika Kirk Reflects On Love And Loss In Anniversary Tribute To Charlie

Charlie Kirk

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A suicide note possibly written by the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was unsealed by a federal judge on Wednesday.
The handwritten note, which is unsigned, undated, and unverified, was found by Epstein’s former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione. It had been sealed as part of Tartaglione’s case. The former police officer faces charges related to multiple murders.
Parts of the message are indecipherable.
“They investigated me for month – found NOTHING!!!” the note reads in part.
“It is a treat to be able to choose ones time to say goodbye.”
“Watcha want me to do – bust out cryin!!”
“NO FUN – NOT WORTH IT!!”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A federal judge has released a suicide note purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein that was sealed for years as part of the criminal case of his cellmate
“They investigated me for months — FOUND NOTHING!!!” the note begins, adding that the result was charges going back many… <a href="https://t.co/rNOOzErXDw">pic.twitter.com/rNOOzErXDw</a>
— Ian Miles Cheong (@ianmiles) <a href="https://twitter.com/ianmiles/status/2052165868176748812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas of the Southern District of New York ordered the document unsealed, siding with a request from The New York Times.
The Department of Justice said in court filings that it did not know whether the note is authentic.
“There appears to be a strong public interest in the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death as described in the unsealing motion,” the DOJ said, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/06/politics/jeffrey-epstein-purported-suicide-note">according</a> to CNN.
The unsealing comes after the release of batches of the &#8220;Epstein files&#8221; connected to Epstein&#8217;s sex trafficking case. Large batches of records have been released in stages over the past year due to legal and congressional pressure, but many remain redacted and disputed.
The rollout has been controversial, and no verified &#8220;client list&#8221; has been revealed. The disclosures have drawn attention to Epstein&#8217;s past associations with prominent figures. President Donald Trump, who was photographed with Epstein years before his arrest, has said the two had a falling out and that Epstein was later barred from Mar-a-Lago.

Possible Epstein Suicide Note Emerges After Years Under Seal

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