President Donald Trump signaled this week that he will soon issue an endorsement in the high-stakes Texas Republican Senate primary runoff, a move that could dramatically reshape the race between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he plans to announce his endorsement soon and urged the candidate who does not receive it to step aside to unify the party ahead of the general election. 
“I will be making my Endorsement soon,” Trump wrote. He added that the candidate he does not back should “DROP OUT OF THE RACE” so Republicans can “TOTALLY FOCUS” on defeating the Democratic nominee.
<iframe class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116172264831357045/embed" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>
The statement comes as the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-elections/texas-senate-results">Texas primary</a> heads toward what is expected to be a bruising runoff. Cornyn finished the initial round of voting ahead of Paxton, leading by roughly 25,000 votes with more than 95 percent of ballots counted. However, neither candidate secured the majority required to avoid a second round, setting up a competitive 12-week showdown.
Behind the scenes, several Senate Republicans and major donors are urging Trump to move quickly, and many are lobbying for Cornyn.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/03/05/congress/gop-trump-texas-endorsement-cornyn-paxton-00813727">told</a> reporters he hopes the endorsement comes soon, saying he personally made the case to the president. Other Republicans have echoed that message, warning that a drawn-out primary battle could weaken the eventual nominee and provide Democrats with an opening in November.
Some party operatives fear the fight could burn through more than $100 million in Republican donor money. Democrats have already consolidated behind their nominee, state Rep. James Talarico, who secured his party&#8217;s nomination outright.  
Several GOP senators have argued that Cornyn would be the stronger general election candidate.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) told POLITICO that Cornyn is “without a doubt the candidate to win in November,” while also acknowledging the political weight of a Trump endorsement in Republican primaries.
Similarly, Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) argued the party should rally behind Cornyn to protect the seat. “We need to hold that seat which means we need to nominate someone who is going to win in November,” Barrasso said.
Despite the mounting pressure, Paxton has signaled he has no intention of leaving the race regardless of Trump&#8217;s decision.
In an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RealAmericasVoice/videos/paxton-im-staying-in-this-raceno-im-staying-in-this-race-i-owe-it-to-the-people-/913491044731688/">interview</a> on Wednesday, Paxton argued that Cornyn has failed to represent the state’s conservative base. “I owe it to the people of Texas,” Paxton said. “I’ve spent a year campaigning against John Cornyn because John has not represented the people of Texas well.”
Paxton doubled down on that stance in a post on <a href="https://x.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/2029607496395239546?s=20">X</a> Thursday, tying his candidacy to Trump’s legislative agenda and the proposed SAVE America Act. He said he would consider stepping aside only if Senate leadership agreed to eliminate the filibuster and pass the legislation, while accusing Cornyn of refusing to support abolishing the filibuster to advance it. 
Paxton further defended his loyalty to the president, citing his support for Trump’s efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 United States presidential election and his presence at Mar-a-Lago during Trump’s 2024 campaign launch.
While Trump has not yet publicly revealed whom he will support, many Republicans in Washington believe momentum is shifting toward Cornyn following his stronger-than-expected showing in the first round of voting.
Still, the final decision could determine whether the Texas GOP faces a prolonged and expensive intra-party battle or quickly coalesces around a nominee ahead of the general election.

Untitled design (13)

Trump Signals Imminent Endorsement In Texas GOP Senate Runoff

Donald Trump

Elections

John Cornyn

Ken Paxton

Politics

Texas

U.S. Senate

Four-term Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) was beaten decisively in the Republican primary for Texas’s 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday.
Crenshaw comes behind state Rep. Steve Toth by a wide margin, a stunning reversal for a lawmaker who entered Congress in 2019 as one of the GOP’s most prominent rising stars. With 94% of the votes counted on Wednesday morning, Toth won 56% to Crenshaw&#8217;s 40.5%, according to the Associated Press.
Crenshaw was first elected in 2018, succeeding retiring Republican Rep. Ted Poe in the suburban Houston-based district. A former Navy SEAL who lost an eye in Afghanistan, Crenshaw quickly became a fixture on cable news and conservative media, gaining national attention during his first campaign and building a reputation as a sharp, combative communicator.
In Congress, he positioned himself as a national security-focused conservative, serving on key committees and often emphasizing border security, energy production, and military readiness. He cultivated an image as a policy-oriented Republican willing to engage across factions of the party, though that positioning increasingly placed him at odds with its populist wing.
Crenshaw survived prior primary challenges, but not without turbulence. While he maintained comfortable general election victories in the solidly Republican district, he faced criticism from grassroots activists who viewed him as <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/14/dan-crenshaw-2022-reelection/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20grifters%20in%20our,at%20all%2C%E2%80%9D%20Rogers%20said.">insufficiently aligned</a> with the party. His votes on certain spending measures and <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4603977-gop-lawmaker-slams-republican-colleagues-over-ukraine-support-they-would-like-to-see-the-russians-win/">foreign aid packages</a> drew scrutiny from the right, and he occasionally <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/09/dan-crenshaw-texas-grifters-backlash/">clashed publicly</a> with conservative commentators and fellow Republicans.
Over time, those fissures widened. As the Republican Party shifted further toward a more combative, populist posture under President Donald Trump, Crenshaw’s brand of hawkish, institutional conservatism lost ground among segments of the primary electorate. His criticism of some Trump-aligned figures and his support for certain bipartisan legislative efforts fueled the perception among critics that he was out of step with the party’s grassroots base.
That discontent has coalesced around Toth, a longtime Texas state legislator with strong ties to the state’s conservative activist network. Toth ran a campaign positioning himself as a more reliable ally of the Trump-aligned wing of the GOP, emphasizing border security, opposition to federal spending, and what he described as the need to send a fighter to Washington.
Crenshaw’s defeat marks one of the most high-profile primary losses of the cycle, especially in a safe Republican seat where the decisive battle is likely the primary. Toth will face Democrat Shaun Finnie, an investment banker, in November. Finnie ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. However, Texas’s 2nd District has remained firmly Republican in recent cycles, and the GOP nominee will be heavily favored in the general election barring a dramatic shift in turnout or national conditions.
Crenshaw’s trajectory mirrors a broader pattern within the GOP: lawmakers who rose during the pre-2020 era and sought to balance establishment conservatism with populist energy have increasingly found themselves squeezed by challengers promising clearer alignment with the party’s current center of gravity.
For Crenshaw, the loss closes a six-year chapter that began with national momentum and ends amid a changing party landscape. Whether he seeks another path in public life remains to be seen. But, Texas’s 2nd District will likely send a new Republican to Washington — and one whose ascent underscores just how much the party’s internal politics have shifted since 2018.
&nbsp;

Freshman Class Photo

Dan Crenshaw Defeated: Four-Term Texas Incumbent Goes Down In Primary

Dan Crenshaw

State Sen. James Talarico won the Democratic Senate primary in Texas over  Rep. Jasmine Crockett. With 83% of the vote in, Talarico won 53% to Crockett&#8217;s 46%.
Talarico will face off against either Attorney General Ken Paxton or Sen. John Cornyn, who are themselves scheduled for a May 26 runoff election after neither GOP candidate could crack the 50% barrier on Tuesday.
&#8220;We&#8217;re about to take back Texas,&#8221; Talarico posted on X on Wednesday morning.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We’re about to take back Texas.
Join us: <a href="https://t.co/Cam7Y73uqe">https://t.co/Cam7Y73uqe</a> <a href="https://t.co/2aEX4RMC5K">pic.twitter.com/2aEX4RMC5K</a>
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamestalarico/status/2029165491839811719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Cook Political Report ranks the race as “Likely Republican” as of Tuesday, with the Kalshi prediction market showing that Republicans have the upper hand in the race.
Although the Republican primary has been messy, the Democrats have had a brutal fight among themselves.
The campaign trail was marked by several heated moments, including when Talarico claimed that the Trump administration was responsible for nixing his interview with Stephen Colbert from airing over Equal Time Rule concerns, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dem-cries-trump-censorship-over-colbert-interview-cbs-has-a-different-take?author=Hank+Berrien&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Dem+Cries+%E2%80%98Trump+Censorship%E2%80%99+Over+Colbert+Interview+%E2%80%94+CBS+Has+A+Different+Take" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
“This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see,” Talarico claimed. “His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert. Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas.” The interview was ultimately posted online and gave a major publicity boost to his campaign.
&#8220;You had a Democrat candidate who understood the way that the news media works, and he took advantage of all of your sort of prior conceptions to run a hoax, apparently for the purpose of raising money and getting clicks,” Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr fired back at a press conference last month after Talarico’s claims.
Former Rep. Colin Allred also played a role in the race, as he dropped out and instead pursued another bid for Congress, but he waded in over rumors that Talarico said privately that he “signed up to run against a mediocre Black man, not a formidable, intelligent Black woman,” according to <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/02/a-mediocre-comment-has-put-talaricos-texas-senate-campaign-in-the-hot-seat-00761260" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a>.
Allred posted a video slamming Talarico’s reported comments, saying, “Thank you for telling us who you really are and what you really think, and goodbye.”
“Don’t come for me unless I send for you, okay James? And keep my name out of your mouth while you’re at it,” he added, while also telling people to vote for Crockett instead. Allred lost to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in the 2024 Senate race.
“In my praise of Congresswoman Crockett, I described Congressman Allred’s method of campaigning as mediocre – but his life and service are not. I would never attack him on the basis of race,” the state senator said in a statement to Politico at the time.
Crockett also had the endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost Texas to Trump in 2024, and lawmakers like Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).
&nbsp;

James Talarico & Jasmine Crockett

Talarico Declares Victory Over Crockett In Texas Dem Senate Primary

2026 election

Congress

James Talarico

Jasmine Crockett

Senate

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn will advance to the May 26 runoff election in the Texas Senate Republican primary, results indicated as of Tuesday night.
DecisionDesk projected the runoff at around 10:25 p.m. ET, with Cornyn at about 43.2% to Paxton&#8217;s 40.3%.
Rep. Wesley Hunt, who was also campaigning for the seat, was in a distant third place as of Tuesday night. In the Lone Star State, a candidate needs to crack 50% of the vote in order to avoid a runoff election.
None of the candidates was able to snag an endorsement from President Donald Trump that was unique to them, but the president did note that he backed “all three.”
“I just haven’t made a decision on that race yet. It’s got a ways to go, and I haven’t. [Cornyn’s] a good man. John is a good — I like all three of them, actually,” the president said in mid-February. “They’ve all supported me. They’re all good and you’re supposed to pick one. So, we’ll see what happens. But I support all three.”
It’s unclear if the president will endorse a candidate for the runoff election.
All three candidates were in attendance at an energy-focused event led by the president in Corpus Christi, Texas, last Friday. However, the election was overshadowed this weekend by a shooting at an Austin bar where two people were killed and over a dozen were injured – as the alleged shooter wore a &#8220;Property of Allah&#8221; hoodie and apparel with the Iranian flag on it.
The candidates engaged in a brutal and, at many times, personal fight for the nomination. Accusations flew about Cornyn’s political record, Paxton’s personal history, and Hunt’s attendance in Congress – all while trying to make the case that they would be the best individuals to carry out Trump’s agenda for the remainder of his second term.
Whoever advances to the general election will face off against either Rep. Jasmine Crockett or state Sen. James Talarico in November, depending on the final outcome of the Democratic primary.
Sen. Ted Cruz has remained neutral in the primary race, but his own electoral history could provide a window in the 2026 contest. Cruz defeated former Rep. Colin Allred in 2024 with 53% of the vote, and the Republican also beat former Rep. Beto O’Rourke in 2018.
The Cook Political Report ranks the general election race as “Likely Republican” as of Tuesday night, as the Kalshi prediction market has the odds of Republicans winning the general election at 60%.

Texas GOP Battle Between Cornyn And Paxton Will Head To Runoff

Wesley Hunt

California Democrats are warning their own candidates that a crowded gubernatorial primary could create an unexpected risk in the state&#8217;s top-two election system.
In a <a href="https://cadem.org/open-letter-to-the-democratic-candidates-for-governor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> to the wide pool of Democrats seeking to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks, a former union boss, urged candidates to assess whether they have a shot at advancing to the general election.
Under California&#8217;s &#8220;jungle primary&#8221; system in June, all candidates appear on the same ballot, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election in November regardless of party. Some Democrats fear vote-splitting among their candidates could allow two Republicans to advance to the general election. There are more than a dozen Democrats in the race, including Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer. Newsom has not publicly endorsed anyone.
Meanwhile, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton are considered the leading Republicans in the race. Some polls have shown Bianco and Hilton within striking distance of the top two, while others suggest both could advance if Democratic support fragments.
“Despite the ongoing chatter, the likelihood of two Republicans effectively ‘locking out’ California Democrats from the contest for Governor in the General Election is relatively low,” Hicks wrote. “However, while it is implausible, it is not impossible.”
Hicks called on the Democratic candidates to &#8220;honestly assess the viability of their candidacy,” suggesting those without a viable path of finishing in the top two consider dropping out &#8220;on or before April 15th.&#8221;
Hicks further added that if Republicans successfully lock out the Democrats, it could lead to “depressed Democratic turnout” and damage the party’s chances in other critical down-ballot races.
“The result would present a real risk to winning the congressional seats required and imperil Democrats’ chances to retake the House, cut Donald Trump’s term in half, and spare our Nation from the pain many have endured since January 2025. We simply can’t let that happen,” he wrote.
The primary is scheduled for June 2.
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrats-keep-jumping-into-california-gov-race-it-might-accidentally-boost-republicans">Democrats Keep Jumping Into California Gov Race. It Might Accidentally Boost Republicans.</a>

Rusty Hicks

California Dem Chair Warns Party Could Be Shut Out Of Governor’s Race

California

Eric Swalwell

Gavin Newsom

Kamala Harris

A controversial Maine Democrat already dogged by questions over a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol is again under fire after promoting an openly antisemitic conspiracy theorist — the latest episode in a pattern critics say underscores how radical and politically toxic he is.
Graham Platner, a 41-year-old Senate candidate seeking the Democratic nomination to take on incumbent Susan Collins (R-ME), faced backlash this week after amplifying a social media post about a looming war with Iran from Stew Peters, a neo-Nazi influencer known for Holocaust denial and antisemitic rhetoric. Platner <a href="https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/02/26/politics/elections/graham-platner-stew-peters-post/">later deleted</a> the post, with his campaign claiming it was shared “in error” and removed immediately after discovering it elevated a “despicable account.”
But the incident was not isolated.
In late January, Platner <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/platner-sat-lengthy-interview-antisemitic-075439570.html">appeared</a> for an hour-long interview on Valhalla VFT, a YouTube show hosted by Nate Cornacchia, a retired Green Beret who has promoted conspiracy theories alleging Israeli involvement in high-profile assassinations and suggesting the global war on terror was conducted at the “behest of Israel.” During the interview, Platner described himself as “a longtime fan” of the show and said it was “an absolute pleasure” to appear.
Cornacchia has pushed claims tying Israel to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and agreed with assertions that President John F. Kennedy was “probably” killed in a covert joint operation between the CIA and Mossad. Platner’s campaign did not respond to Jewish Insider&#8217;s questions about Cornacchia’s remarks.
The controversy compounds scrutiny Platner has faced since last year over a tattoo on his chest that closely resembled a Totenkopf, the skull-and-crossbones emblem adopted by an infamous Nazi SS unit. Platner <a href="https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2025-10-22/democratic-senate-hopeful-graham-platner-gets-tattoo-of-nazi-symbol-covered-up">said</a> he received the tattoo while serving in the Marine Corps during a drunken night in Croatia and claimed he was unaware of its historical meaning at the time. The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/maine-platner-senate-trump-mills-tattoo-collins-fa8328a3c8aa5d5e0f34adb379e977b8">Associated Press</a> later confirmed that he had the tattoo covered once the comparison became public, saying he did not want a symbol associated with hate on his body.
“For what it’s worth,” Maine Governor Janet Mills, who’s running against Platner in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat, quipped on <a href="https://x.com/JanetMillsforME/status/2027421147956969915">X</a> amid the controversy, “I don’t have any tattoos.”
In past posts, Platner has described U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East as being overly shaped by “foreign influence,” and has argued that Washington’s alliance structure requires “fundamental rethinking.” Critics say such rhetoric mirrors themes common in online spaces where antisemitic conspiracy theories flourish.
National Republicans have begun to take notice. A spokesperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee blasted Platner this week, saying Democrats are “flirting with extremism” in a race they view as central to their hopes of regaining Senate control. Allies of Collins have also circulated screenshots of Platner’s deleted posts, arguing they raise serious questions about his judgment.
The Democratic primary race in Maine is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate contests of the cycle. Democrats view the seat held by moderate Republican Collins as a key pickup opportunity. But Platner’s growing list of controversies, from boosting a neo-Nazi influencer to praising a YouTube host who traffics in antisemitic conspiracies, to the lingering fallout over his tattoo, threatens to complicate that strategy.

Graham Platner Maine

Dem Senate Darling Stumbles Into Third Nazi-Related Scandal Of Primary Campaign

Anti-Semitism

Democratic Party

graham platner

Maine

Susan Collins

A growing rift inside the Republican Party burst into public view this week as President Donald Trump and several House Republicans openly blasted Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) over the stalled SAVE America Act, accusing the longtime Kentucky lawmaker of standing in the way of legislation they argue is critical to securing federal elections.
What might once have played out behind closed doors is now unfolding in plain sight — with Trump mocking McConnell online and GOP lawmakers questioning both his motives and his leadership as the bill sits idle in the Senate.
One of the most pointed comments came from Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC), who on SiriusXM blasted McConnell directly, saying “he hates Donald Trump” and argued the Kentucky senator “should be in a nursing home” rather than blocking the bill. Norman said McConnell is “beholden to the special interests” and insisted the GOP needs new leadership and term limits.
Norman’s remarks were shared on <a href="https://x.com/WilkowMajority/status/2027161540432969925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2027161540432969925%7Ctwgr%5E3383e92a7556d2a8fb97a3079c218e9523329448%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Famericanwirenews.com%2Fhouse-republican-blasts-mcconnell-over-save-act-he-should-be-in-a-nursing-home%2F">X</a>, calling out McConnell by name and questioning his effectiveness in the Senate, a rare and unusually blunt rebuke from a Republican colleague.
That sentiment reflects wider frustration among Trump-aligned Republicans over the SAVE Act’s slow progress in the chamber. While President Donald Trump used his 2026 State of the Union to call for Senate passage of the bill — urging lawmakers to “approve the SAVE America Act” as part of his agenda to require voter ID and proof of citizenship — the Senate has yet to bring it up for a vote.
Trump escalated the pressure on social media, <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2028109709824139442">posting</a> a clip from &#8220;Weekend at Bernie’s&#8221; and captioning it: “Mitch McConnell arriving to block the SAVE Act in a last-ditch attempt to save his name.” The jab underscored growing frustration among conservatives who see the bill as a must-pass election integrity measure with overwhelming grassroots support.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) suggested McConnell’s opposition may be personal, saying on <a href="https://x.com/timburchett/status/2024875245966958916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2024875245966958916%7Ctwgr%5E77f261b58e40fcfc14a750af0055b2b809e4fae9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewrepublic.com%2Fpost%2F206864%2Fmcconnell-trump-election-overhaul-bill-save-america-act">X</a> he believes it is “partially just out of meanness,” adding that “he doesn’t like Trump.” Burchett went further, questioning who is truly making decisions in McConnell’s office: “Is it him or a staff member? Because, as you know, he’s a lot like Joe Biden in his last days in office.”
Other Republicans have pressed Senate leadership to move the bill forward, arguing that requiring proof of citizenship is common sense and widely supported by voters. Trump has repeatedly urged the Senate to act, framing the measure as essential to election security.
Representative Andy Barr (R-KY), who will be running for McConnell’s seat after he retires, sent the senator a <a href="https://barr.house.gov/2026/2/barr-backs-voter-id-mandate-calls-on-mcconnell-to-advance-save-america-act">letter</a> last month. The letter strongly urged McConnell, “as Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, to expeditiously move the America Act through the Senate and to the President’s Desk.” He added, “This marks the second time that the U.S. House of Representatives has acted to advance common sense voter identification and proof of citizenship requirements to strengthen the integrity of our federal elections.”
For his part, McConnell and his team have not claimed responsibility for the stall. A spokesperson for the Kentucky senator <a href="https://www.kentucky.com/news/article314828972.html">wrote</a> in a statement, “Senator McConnell has not, at any point in time, prevented a floor vote on any version of the SAVE Act. The most recent version of the bill that passed the House was not referred to any committees and is currently awaiting Senate floor consideration. Senator McConnell has no role in or power to control floor consideration of this bill.”
McConnell has not publicly embraced the legislation and has resisted procedural efforts to fast-track it, fueling criticism from within his own party as tensions between Trump-aligned Republicans and the Senate’s Republican leadership once again spill into public view.
Senate Republican leadership has tried to take the scrutiny from McConnell. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), in a statement to the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/4473765/senate-gop-warns-house-save-act-agitators-do-not-tell-us-what-to-do/">Washington Examiner</a>, said, “House members are going to say what they’re going to say. They aren’t going to tell us how we’re going to run the Senate.” Another Senate leader said the Senate was “going to do what we’re going to do,” regardless of outside commentary.
Thune also <a href="https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/2/thune-joins-america-s-newsroom-on-fox-news">addressed</a> the SAVE America Act directly in an interview with Fox, saying the chamber plans to put Democrats “on the record,” but is focused first on broader issues like reopening the government, and that a floor vote will come “in due time.”
With McConnell nearing retirement and allies jockeying to replace him, the fight carries added political weight, especially in Kentucky. As House Republicans and Trump continue to escalate public pressure, Senate leadership insists the chamber will move on its own timetable. But for many in the GOP base, the optics are clear: a bill framed as “common sense” election security is stalled, and McConnell’s critics are making sure voters know exactly who they believe is responsible.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R)

Trump, Fellow Republicans Take Shots At Mitch McConnell Over SAVE Act Stall

John Thune

Mitch McConnell

California is indeed a crazy place.
Which brings us to Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, who is constantly trying to swim in every pond simultaneously. Gavin Newsom has taken every position it is possible to take. Gavin Newsom may have more political positions than the Kama Sutra.
When I did a podcast with Gavin Newsom, he tried to play moderate on a wild variety of issues, but when he is in left-wing circles, all of a sudden, he is Left of Karl Marx.
On Thursday, Newsom said that California was born of genocide. This is so tiring. It&#8217;s so tiring, guys.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
California Governor Gavin Newsom smears California and the United States as being &#8220;born of genocide.&#8221;
NEWSOM: &#8220;I begin the book talking about&#8230;how we were born of genocide in California. I try to paint the picture that&#8230;it&#8217;s about America.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/vlYGSkVjBD">pic.twitter.com/vlYGSkVjBD</a>
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/2027054785879253246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Source: @RNCResearch/X.com
Just be normal. On the Left, on the Right, can we all just be normal? Just a little bit? I know it&#8217;s a lot to ask in our crazy social media era, when the nuttiest people control the narratives.
“I begin the book, talking about looking out over the American River, where ‘Eureka! Eureka!’ was yelled,” Newsom said. “Yellow gold, and how you know, we were born of genocide in California. I try to paint a picture that is about California. It&#8217;s about America. It&#8217;s my family. It&#8217;s the journey. And so I do think there&#8217;s aspects of this that people can connect to in a very meaningful way, I hope.”
There was no genocide. Disease is not a genocide. What killed an enormous part of the population of Native Americans in the United States was not violent war. It was actual disease. And not disease purposefully spread like in a concentration camp. Again, it was not a genocide.
Two months ago, Newsom told me he didn’t know the definition of the word genocide when we discussed the ridiculous idea that Israel had committed genocide.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Has Trump FINALLY LOST His Base? With The Daily Wire&#039;s Ben Shapiro" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hrDpBwpSqSc?start=5009&#038;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>
Source: This Is Gavin Newsom/YouTube.com
I asked, “What is your opinion of this?”
“My opinion is I understand the tendency for people to make that, to assert that on the basis of the images and the proportionality,” he answered.
“Ugly doesn’t mean genocide,” I said. “Proportionality doesn&#8217;t mean that if you kill my child and I then kill seven criminals, that I&#8217;ve been disproportionate.”
“I&#8217;m not disagreeing with you, but I understand that tendency on the basis of trying to reconcile the proportionate nature of how the war was ultimately conducted and the devastation,” Newsom argued.
“Why do you feel the need to create a permission structure for that sort of stuff?” I asked. “Meaning, it&#8217;s not true. Why not just say it&#8217;s not true?”
“I don&#8217;t know the definition or I don&#8217;t know the legal threshold,” Newsom admitted. “That&#8217;s not my opinion. So I don&#8217;t share what his opinion as relates to genocide. I do not agree with that notion.”
So he doesn&#8217;t know what a genocide is — but also, California is built on genocide or some such nonsense.
Why can&#8217;t people just be normal? Just be normal. Just tell the truth and be normal.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-2377-yes-we-re-making-a-movie-with-jonathan-majors?elementPosition=4&amp;row=6&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+Episodes&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-974957" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1024x171.webp" alt="DailyWire+" width="1024" height="171" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1024x171.webp 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-300x50.webp 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-768x128.webp 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1536x256.webp 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-2048x341.webp 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Holds Events in South Carolina with state Democratic Party

Newsom: More Positions Than The Kama Sutra? 

Newsom: More Political Positions Than The Kamasutra? 

Ben Shapiro

Democrats

genocide

U.S. Politics

The SAVE America Act continues to face hurdles toward passage in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune cautioned against a “talking filibuster” strategy to get the legislation to the president’s desk, according to <a href="https://punchbowl.news/article/senate/thune-talking-filibuster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Punchbowl News</a>.
The legislation would require documentary proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration, as well as a valid ID shown at the ballot box. Legislation in the Senate typically needs 60 votes to overcome a filibuster and advance to final passage. There is even some Republican pushback on the proposal, including from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
On Fox News&#8217; “America’s Newsroom” on Wednesday, Thune said that the Republicans will get &#8220;the Democrats on the record&#8221; for the proposal, calling it a &#8220;losing proposition&#8221; for Democrats to go against it, but noted that he would like to see an end to the Department of Homeland Security&#8217;s funding lapse first.
In reference to the talking filibuster, he told reporters on Thursday that &#8220;you&#8217;ve got to have pretty much unanimous support for tabling all amendments. And we&#8217;ve looked at, gamed it out what the first week would look like under a scenario like that, and you&#8217;d be voting on 30 amendments, and I think you&#8217;d probably only have two of the 94 speeches.&#8221;
A source familiar with the process argued that lowering the threshold to 51 votes risks giving Democrats more power, including on issues where a small number of Republicans might cross over, like a three-year extension of expired Affordable Care Act subsidies.
“So the question is, is it a good use of time, and what is the probability of success? And I&#8217;m all for doing things if there&#8217;s a pathway to winning in the end, but I think everybody needs to answer the question, you know, show me, what&#8217;s your picture of victory at the end?” the majority leader added.
The SAVE America Act, sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), passed the House earlier this month, and Trump explicitly asked that the bill be passed during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.
“And perhaps most importantly, I’m asking you to approve the SAVE America Act, to stop illegal aliens and others who are unpermitted persons from voting in our sacred American elections,” the president said.
“All voters must show voter ID. All voters must show proof of citizenship in order to vote,” he later added.
Many conservatives in the chamber are strongly pushing for the Senate to pass the bill with the talking filibuster.
“We know there will ‘be a vote.’ But this is guaranteed failure theater at a 60 vote threshold without forcing a real (talking) filibuster…,” Roy posted to X.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who is also a major proponent of the bill, wants to see it brought up for a vote even though Congress and the White House are still hammering out a Department of Homeland Security funding deal.
“If the Senate isn’t going to remain focused on Homeland Security funding—something I struggle to understand because DHS is nearly two weeks into a shutdown—we should proceed to the SAVE America Act,” Lee posted. “There will be time later to consider other bills. Those who elected us want us to pass the SAVE America Act now!”
Meanwhile, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) suggested that they should try to get some Democrats on board with the legislation in order to hit the 60-vote threshold.
“We should be locked in on trying to get eight or nine Democrats to vote yes on the SAVE Act,” the Republican said, according to <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/02/26/2026/republican-floats-working-with-democrats-on-voter-id-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Semafor</a>. “That’s the most plausible route to success.”
Most Democrats have been extremely opposed to the proposals outlined in the legislation, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer equating it to “Jim Crow 2.0.”
During a Senate floor speech earlier this month, Schumer said that “millions of American citizens—millions—don’t have access to the paperwork that SAVE would require and would be in danger of getting shut out of our democracy.”
“For example, if you’re one of the 50% of Americans who doesn’t have a passport, or if you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans who can’t quickly access your birth certificate, the SAVE Act could, in effect, take away your right to vote,” the New York senator added.

President Trump Presents The Mexican Border Defense Medal At The White House

Trump Demanded Proof Of Citizenship At The Booth — Now The GOP-Led Senate Faces A Choice

SAVE America Act Faces Uphill Battle In The Senate

Voting

A Republican campaign memo obtained by The Daily Wire argues that President Donald Trump’s State of the Union reinforced what the party sees as the top two midterm issues: the economy and immigration.
The memo, circulated on Wednesday by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, urges GOP Senate campaigns to emphasize that Republicans are “delivering on the Trump economic agenda.”
“Following President Trump’s State of the Union (SOTU), the political environment is defined by two simple realities: the economy remains the top issue for voters and Republicans hold a measurable advantage on it, as well as on immigration, border security, and national security,” the memo states.
It adds that the data shows Trump is “aligned with public priorities&#8221; and that &#8220;voters increasingly trust Republicans to handle the issues they care about most.”
The memo cites January polling data from <a href="https://law.marquette.edu/assets/community/poll/MLSPSC30/MLSPSC30Toplines_NationalIssues.html#trump-immigration-4-cat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marquette Law School</a> showing that voters rank the economy, immigration, and healthcare as their top three issues. In the January 21-28 survey, Republicans held a three-point advantage over Democrats on the economy and led on tax policy, crime, and immigration.
A Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-early-look-2026-midterms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poll</a> conducted January 23-26 found Republicans with a 15-point lead on border security, a 12-point advantage on national security, and a five-point edge on immigration. The same survey showed Democrats leading on taxes, healthcare, and transgender issues. By contrast, the Marquette poll found Republicans holding a nine-point advantage on taxes.
The NRSC focuses on defending Republican incumbents and flipping competitive seats as the party seeks to maintain and possibly expand its 53-47 Senate majority. The Cook Political Report currently ranks Senate races in Georgia, North Carolina, Maine, and Michigan as toss-ups, with additional closely watched contests underway in New Hampshire, Alaska, and Ohio.
Trump’s address focused heavily on affordability and immigration, themes Republicans argue resonate as Americans file their taxes and as immigration enforcement remains a flashpoint in Congress.
“Last year, I urged this Congress to begin the mission by passing the largest tax cuts in American history and our Republican majorities delivered so beautifully,” the president said.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, slammed the president’s address in a statement on Tuesday night.
“Donald Trump and Senate Republicans have enacted a toxic and historically unpopular agenda that has made life harder and more expensive for families nationwide,” Gillibrand said.
She added that Republicans “gutted Americans’ health care, raised costs, and handed out a massive tax giveaway to billionaires,&#8221; arguing that voters would vote for Democrats &#8220;to bring down costs, protect health care, and win back the Senate majority.”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivered the official Democratic response to Trump&#8217;s SOTU address, emphasizing affordability and criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Spanberger also pointed to her recent electoral victory, even as Republicans in Virginia have slammed a wave of new tax proposals advanced by the Democrats in the General Assembly.

Republican Lawmakers Work To Pass Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” On Capitol Hill

Republicans Say Trump’s SOTU Just Changed The Midterm Math

2026 Midterms

polling

Republicans

President Donald Trump riled up California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday night, suggesting the Democrat decided to take his name out of consideration for the 2028 presidential election.
&#8220;Wow! Gavin Newscum just dropped out of the Presidential Race!!!&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116123225544591694">wrote</a> on Truth Social.
Newsom has not announced a decision on a 2028 presidential bid, but Trump&#8217;s post came as the governor faced criticism for comments he made about his SAT scores and dyslexia to a crowd in Atlanta during his book tour. The president&#8217;s Truth Social post caught Newsom&#8217;s attention, and the governor quickly responded through his personal and official social media accounts.
&#8220;WOW. THE PRESIDENT IS SUNDOWNING HARDER THAN USUAL TONIGHT!!! — GOVERNOR GCN,&#8221; <a href="https://x.com/GovPressOffice/status/2026129785420742660">wrote</a> on the official account for Newsom&#8217;s press office, which regularly mocks Trump&#8217;s social media activity. &#8220;Sundowning&#8221; refers to symptoms that affect many Alzheimer&#8217;s patients, such as increased confusion and agitation that usually occur later in the day.
Newsom also joked about the president&#8217;s Truth Social post on his personal X account, <a href="https://x.com/GavinNewsom/status/2026130066019651698">writing</a>, &#8220;It’s on page 69 of my new book. Buy it here.&#8221;
Newsom was slammed on Monday after a clip of his book tour event in Atlanta went viral, showing the governor discussing his low SAT score with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens in front of a crowd of Democratic supporters.
“I’m like you. I’m not better than you,” Newsom said. “I’m a 960 SAT guy.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/friendly-fire?utm_campaign=dwplus&amp;utm_content=20260224_sotu_aa_desktop&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=banner">Watch the State of the Union with The Daily Wire! Live coverage from the nation&#8217;s capital begins at 7:45 ET.</a>
Conservatives accused Newsom of making the comment in an attempt to pander to black Americans in a city made up of a large black population. In 2024, the average SAT score for black students was 907, while white students scored an average of 1083, according to College Board data.
After making the comment, Newsom added, &#8220;I&#8217;m not trying to offend anyone and act all there if you got 940. But [I&#8217;m] literally a 960 SAT guy.&#8221;
Newsom raged against Fox News host Sean Hannity after Hannity said Newsom &#8220;thinks a 960 SAT score makes him &#8216;like&#8217; black Americans. Let that sink in.&#8221;
&#8220;You didn’t give a sh*t about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations sh*tholes — but you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia?&#8221; Newsom shot back. &#8220;Spare me your fake f*cking outrage, Sean.&#8221;
Mayor Dickens defended Newsom after videos of his remark went viral on social media.
&#8220;Take it from someone who was actually in the chair asking the questions: context matters more than a headline,&#8221; he <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVHpugCFGFT/?img_index=1">said</a>. &#8220;The conversation around his new book included him speaking about his own academic struggles, including not doing well on the SAT. That wasn’t an attack on anyone. It was a moment of vulnerability about his own journey.&#8221;
Dickens added that people in Atlanta were not offended by the governor&#8217;s comment.
&#8220;Let me be clear though. This is Atlanta. We don’t need anyone to tell us when to be offended. And history has shown&#8230; when we are, you’ll know,&#8221; he said. &#8220;If you want the full context, watch the full clip, read the book, and engage the complete conversation.&#8221;
Newsom is among the favorites to win the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. While he has not officially announced a presidential run, the governor appears to be testing the waters. Newsom launched a nationwide book tour last Saturday to discuss his new memoir with Americans, making his <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/in-tennessee-gavin-newsom-sprints-to-the-far-left">first stop in Nashville</a>.
While in Nashville, Newsom echoed some rhetoric from the far-Left wing of the Democratic Party, praising Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders and saying that America’s economic system “fundamentally has to be reformed.” He also said the next Democratic president should be more aggressive with executive actions, adding, &#8220;We are capable of doing much more.&#8221;

Donald Trump/Gavin Newsom

Trump Taunts Newsom With 2028 Suggestion After Viral SAT Comment

Atlanta

Executive

<div>A new digital ad in the Nebraska Senate race is bringing revelations from the Epstein files to the campaign trail.</div>
Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released an ad pointing out Independent Dan Osborn’s canceled fundraiser with high-level Democratic strategist Dana Chasin, whose name was referenced in an email in the files for allegedly moving children on a plane for Jeffrey Epstein. Chasin has strongly denied any allegations, according to Politico.
&#8220;Even after that information was public, Osborn continued to raise money with Chasin until he got caught,” the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UFJFn0Te1Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ad</a> states.
Although the fundraiser was scrapped, the ActBlue link to donate with Chasin’s name on it as part of the host committee was still up until Monday morning. After The Daily Wire reached out to the Osborn campaign about the active <a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/021026dc?refcode=invite" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ActBlue link</a> with Chasin’s name mentioned, it was taken down.
<div id="attachment_1048505" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1048505" class="size-medium wp-image-1048505" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-300x298.jpg" alt="A screenshot of the ActBlue link for Dan Osborn's cancelled fundraiser with Dana Chasin as of Monday morning." width="300" height="298" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-300x298.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-579x576.jpg 579w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928-768x764.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/IMG_1928.jpg 1393w" sizes=" (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />A screenshot of the ActBlue link for Dan Osborn&#8217;s canceled fundraiser with Dana Chasin as of Monday morning.</div>
Chasin, who’s part of the Rockefeller family, told <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/10/congress/dan-osborn-dana-chasin-fundraiser-00775138" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Politico</a> that he’s “never owned or rented a prop plane, or any plane for that matter.”
“I stand with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and their pursuit of justice and accountability,” he added.
The Osborn campaign said on background that the claims made against the candidate in the ad are “categorically false,” and underscored that the fundraiser was canceled after they were made aware of Chasin’s alleged Epstein ties.
In terms of donations, the campaign said that Chasin did not donate to Osborn&#8217;s 2026 race and that the campaign gave $3,300 to an anti-human trafficking charity to serve as an equal counteraction to Chasin’s 2024 donation.
“Pete Ricketts is a member of the Epstein Class, and has spent his time in the Senate doing everything he can to protect them, including voting against the release of the Epstein files,” an Osborn spokesperson said in a statement. The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed the Senate with unanimous consent in November, but many Senate Republicans received pushback in September for scrapping a Democrat-backed amendment to a defense bill that would have triggered the release of the files, according to <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/schumer-epstein-senate-vote-rcna230389" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a>.
“Dan Osborn was notified that an attendee of an event was cited in the files and immediately upon knowing, canceled the event,” the spokesperson continued. “Pete Ricketts is lying because he’s scared of Dan Osborn, and the working people’s movement to take down the Epstein class.”
The Cook Political Report currently ranks the Senate race as “Solid Republican.” Osborn ran against Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) in the 2024 election, garnering 46.5% of the vote compared with just over 53% for the Republican.
“Dan Osborn built his brand on moral outrage over Epstein. But when a wealthy Democrat donor named in the Epstein files offered to host a fundraiser, that outrage disappeared fast. Fake Dan Osborn chose campaign cash over the values he pretends to stand for,&#8221; Will Coup, Ricketts for Senate communications director, said in a statement to The Daily Wire.
The ad serves as another example of how the release of the Epstein files has created a global political shakeup, including the arrests of former Prince Andrew and former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson in the United Kingdom.

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