Arizona Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego partied late into the night at a Bogotá nightclub during an official trip to Colombia last year despite warnings that his life was in danger, according to a new report. 
Citing sources familiar with the August 2025 <a href="https://www.gallego.senate.gov/news/press-releases/icymi-senator-gallego-travels-to-colombia-on-congressional-delegation-trip/">trip</a>, Gallego, a close friend of disgraced ex-Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA), was informed of a credible threat to his life while attending a dinner with U.S. Embassy officials, NOTUS <a href="https://www.notus.org/senate/ruben-gallego-colombia-trip-embassy-threat">reported</a>. The outlet said the embassy employees advised him not to leave the embassy compound, but Gallego later went out to a club in Bogotá, where he remained until approximately 3:00 am.
The report also states that Gallego invited multiple U.S. Embassy personnel to join him at the nightclub. At least one female staffer was among those invited, according to NOTUS.
In a statement, a spokesman for Gallego disputed the report&#8217;s description of the evening, saying the senator “coordinated closely with embassy security throughout the trip, including on the evening in question, and followed all security guidance.” 
“While at dinner at the conclusion of a successful congressional delegation trip, the Senator and his Chief of Staff invited Embassy staff to join them, a common way to recognize the work of those who support these visits,” the spokesman said. “As one of the first Colombian-American Senators elected to Congress, Senator Gallego was proud of the work done in Colombia and looks forward to continuing efforts to strengthen U.S. ties in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Gallego’s trip focused on discussions with Colombian officials about “organized crime, the business climate, and China’s growing influence,” according to his office. 
The Arizona Democrat has come under increasing scrutiny due to his ties to Swalwell, who resigned from Congress after being accused of sexual assault and misconduct. Gallego, who once <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrat-lawmakers-pose-shirtless-while-riding-camels-on-qatar-trip-bought-by-special-interest-group-report">rode camels</a> shirtless in Qatar with Swalwell, initially defended his friendship before accusing him of living a double life. 
“I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting and I take it seriously,” he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/swalwells-dem-buddies-flee-like-rats-after-sexual-assault-allegation">said</a>. “What is described is indefensible. Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed.”

Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act

Swalwell’s Best Buddy In Congress Partied Hard In Colombia On Work Trip

Arizona

Colombia

Congress

Eric Swalwell

Politics

Senate

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is facing significant pushback after making a sweeping claim about how unions feel about President Donald Trump.
“You know who’s never caved to Trump’s tyranny? Unions,” the Democrat posted to X on Sunday, alongside a clip highlighting his backing from labor groups.
The post was quickly hit with a fact-check on the platform, noting: “Contrary to the claim, Teamsters President Sean O&#8217;Brien spoke at the 2024 RNC and endorsed Trump&#8217;s DHS nominee Markwayne Mullin,” along with links to NPR and WSBT reports.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
You know who’s never caved to Trump’s tyranny? Unions. <a href="https://t.co/4xS8Hi9NPZ">pic.twitter.com/4xS8Hi9NPZ</a>
— Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbdulElSayed/status/2045846799991124137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the largest labor unions in the United States, represents 1.3 million members, including truckers. The union’s Detroit branch alone has roughly 36,000 members, according to the <a href="https://unionfacts.com/union/teamsters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Center for Union Facts</a>.
While O’Brien was vocal about his support, the union itself did not formally endorse a presidential candidate in 2024. However, <a href="https://teamster.org/2024/09/teamsters-release-presidential-endorsement-polling-data/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">internal polling</a> showed “rank-and-file” members favored Trump by nearly 60%, compared to just 34% for then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
O’Brien also thanked Trump for nominating Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor.
“You put words into action. Now let’s grow wages and improve working conditions nationwide,” O’Brien wrote in a <a href="https://x.com/TeamsterSOB/status/1860118006820479289">post</a> at the time. “North America’s strongest union is ready to work with you every step of the way to expand good union jobs and rebuild our nation’s middle class. Let’s get to work!”
Left-leaning users on X quickly pointed out the Teamsters poll, while others criticized the sentiment of the candidate’s post overall.
Transportation writer <a href="https://x.com/sam_d_1995/status/2046073281430614394?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sam Deutsch</a> responded with an image of the Teamsters poll, simply commenting, “hmmm.”
“I don’t think this is factually accurate,” Bloomberg columnist <a href="https://x.com/mattyglesias/status/2046043144580440337?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matthew Yglesias</a> added.
“The head of the Teamsters spoke at the RNC and that union refused to endorse democrats in 2024 after the Biden Administration literally bailed out their pension fund but ooooook,” commentator <a href="https://x.com/hutchinson/status/2046043818253042088?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Hutch”</a> wrote.
Some users even posted pictures of O’Brien speaking at the Republican National Committee and meeting with Trump.
Other unions, including the National Border Patrol Council and the National Fraternal Order of Police, also backed Trump&#8217;s 2024 campaign.
The Daily Wire reached out to El-Sayed’s campaign for comment.
El-Sayed is in a hotly competitive Democratic primary against Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, as Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) is retiring at the end of his term.
He has secured endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Ro Khanna (D-CA).
The eventual Democratic nominee will take on former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) in the general election, currently rated as a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report.

Abdul El-Sayed

Dem Candidate Makes Anti-Trump Union Claim. Gets Called Out Almost Instantly

Democrats

Michigan

Sen. Mark Warner’s (D-VA) daughter died after a long battle with diabetes, the lawmaker and his wife, Lisa Collis, announced on Monday morning.
“We are heartbroken beyond words by the passing of our beloved daughter, Madison, 36, after a decades-long battle with juvenile diabetes and other health issues,” the couple said in a <a href="https://x.com/MarkWarner/status/2046231577030533228?s=20">statement</a>.
“She filled our lives with love and laughter, and her absence leaves an immeasurable void. We are grateful for the loving support of friends and family during this difficult time and ask for privacy as we navigate this profound loss,” they continued.
Hundreds of comments and tributes flooded social media offering condolences to the Warner family, including from voices from across the aisle.
“Our deepest condolences. We&#8217;re keeping your family in our prayers,” Rep. <a href="https://x.com/RepNancyMace/status/2046242530283405344?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nancy Mace</a> (R-SC) posted to X.
“I am so sorry to hear of Madison’s passing. Please join me in praying for Sen. Warner, Lisa, their family, and everyone who knew and loved Madison,” former Rep. <a href="https://x.com/ElaineLuria/status/2046240722777514337?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elaine Luria</a> (D-VA) wrote.
“Please join me in praying for Senator Warner, his wife Lisa, and all their family and friends mourning today,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) wrote.
State-level voices in Virginia also commented on Madison’s death.
“Azhar and I are simply heartbroken to learn of Madison Warner’s passing,” Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi (D-VA) posted.
“We are keeping Mark, Lisa, and all who love Madison in our prayers, and we hope that the love surrounding the Warner/Collis family and the memories of Madison bring comfort in these difficult days,” she added.
Little information is available publicly about his daughter. However, Warner has two other daughters and two grandchildren, according to his <a href="https://www.warner.senate.gov/about-mark/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official website</a>. He was previously the governor of the commonwealth in the early 2000s and has served in the Senate since 2009.
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, with over 94,000 deaths related to the condition in 2024, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/diabetes.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Centers for Disease Control</a>.

U.S. Senate Debates Omnibus Spending Bill

Democrat Senator Announces Tragic Personal News

Virginia

Bill Maher, hosting former Biden national security advisor Jake Sullivan, pointed out the virtually complete Democratic Senate opposition to the state of Israel, noting that only seven Democratic senators voted against a measure blocking the sale of military equipment to Israel.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted on Joint Resolutions of Disapproval introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to block specific military sales to Israel, including $295 million for military bulldozers and $152 million for 1,000-pound bombs.
A record 40 members of the Democratic caucus (85%) voted to block the sales, while seven Democratic senators voted with the Republican majority to oppose the measures. These seven senators were: Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), John Fetterman (PA) Richard Blumenthal (CT), Chris Coons (DE), Jacky Rosen (NV), and Catherine Cortez Masto (NV).
“The Senate rejected a measure to block the sale of military equipment to Israel,” Maher noted. “I wouldn&#8217;t know what that means unless I stopped and thought about it. What it means is this: it is a Democratic idea. This is Bernie Sanders. This is the Democrats wanting to stop — and this is not charity to Israel. This is the sale of military equipment. This is the Democrats saying, we&#8217;re not going to sell Israel any more military equipment. Seven Democrats joined the Republicans in shooting this down. So Israel has seven Democratic allies left in the Senate.”
“Well, first of all, it&#8217;s not just Bernie Sanders. As you know, it&#8217;s 40 Democrats who voted for this,” Sullivan replied.
“That&#8217;s right. Only seven allies,” Maher responded.
“It was pretty straightforward. I talked to a number of them before the vote. I think they did the right thing. Why? Because the president of the United States —&#8221;
“Who did the right thing?” Maher interjected.
“Those 40 Democrats,” Sullivan answered.
“The 40?” Maher said incredulously
“Yeah, because the president of the United States and the prime minister of Israel brought the United States into a war that basically was misbegotten from the beginning, which cost American credibility, cost American lives and cost American families at the gas pump.’ Sullivan claimed. “And basically, those Democrats shouldn&#8217;t vote for anything that supports that war, including more weapons to Israel. I think that&#8217;s just a basic proposition. If you are not wanting to support the U. S. and Israel continuing the war in Iran, you shouldn&#8217;t be voting to send more weapons to Israel. I think that that is the right approach for those 40 Democrats to take.”
“Well, I see why Biden lost,” Maher fired back.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
BILL MAHER: “Israel has 7 Democratic allies left in the Senate.”
“This is the Democrats saying, we’re not going to sell Israel any more military equipment.”
JAKE SULLIVAN: “40 Democrats who voted for this.”
MAHER: “That’s right. Only 7 allies.”
SULLIVAN: “I talked to a number… <a href="https://t.co/pTHCa94adn">pic.twitter.com/pTHCa94adn</a>
&mdash; The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) <a href="https://twitter.com/VigilantFox/status/2045552666059628918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bill Maher

Maher Clashes With Jake Sullivan After Most Senate Dems Turn On Israel

Israel

Jake Sullivan

Texas Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico said Wednesday that his campaign had hauled in $27 million during the first quarter of 2026 as he seeks to flip the seat blue.
Talarico said the total marks a record for money raised by a Senate candidate in the first quarter of an election year. The leftist Democrat is set to face the winner of the GOP primary runoff between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
&#8220;Grassroots contributors from almost every county in Texas are sending Washington, D.C. a clear message: they&#8217;re tired of this broken, corrupt political system and they&#8217;re ready to take back Texas for working people,&#8221; Talarico said. &#8220;We&#8217;re bringing Democrats, Republicans, and Independents together to end billionaire control over our politics and bring down costs for families across our state.&#8221;
Talarico&#8217;s campaign said that 97% of contributions were $100 or less, adding that many of the donations came from teachers.
&#8220;Winning in Texas will require unprecedented resources. The grassroots fundraising haul puts our movement in a strong position to spread our message in some of the most expensive media markets in the country,&#8221; said Talarico campaign manager Seth Krasne.
Large fundraising totals have not always translated into victories for Democrats in high-profile Senate races.
In 2018, Beto O&#8217;Rourke raised $38 million during the third quarter of his challenge to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) but ultimately lost by about 2.6 percentage points.
In 2020, Democrat Jaime Harrison raised $57 million in the third quarter for his bid against Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the highest quarterly total in Senate history, but lost by more than 10 percentage points.
Talarico, a state representative, has a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-james-talarico-says-he-loves-trans-children-in-unearthed-clip">reputation</a> for backing leftist policies on several social issues. During his time in the legislature, he has <a href="https://journals.house.texas.gov/HJRNL/88R/PDF/88RDAY63FINAL.PDF">opposed</a> legislation that restricted transgender medical procedures for minors, including a 2023 law addressing surgeries and cross-sex hormone procedures.
In April 2019, he also spoke out against a bill that would expand the definition of child abuse to include parents who do not affirm their child&#8217;s so-called gender identity.

Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico Holds Campaign Rally In Houston On Eve Of Primary Election

Dem Blasts ‘Billionaire Control’ While Raking In Record $27M To Flip Red State

2026 Midterms

John Cornyn

Ken Paxton

Texas

President Donald Trump reiterated his support on Friday afternoon for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in his race to win re-election, as one of Graham&#8217;s main primary opponents, Paul Dans, appears to have exited the race.
<a href="https://www.fitsnews.com/2026/04/10/exclusive-paul-dans-withdraws-from-u-s-senate-race/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FITSNews</a> wrote on Friday that Dans was dropping out of the race, and Trump appeared to confirm the report. The Daily Wire reached out to the Dans campaign, but did not immediately hear back.
“Paul Dans has just dropped out of the South Carolina Senatorial Race against the Great Lindsey Graham,” <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116382196783520781" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump</a> wrote.
“It all started to fall apart for Paul when a very Low IQ individual named Tucker Carlson ENDORSED him — THE KISS OF DEATH! Lindsey has a BIG lead, and is on his way to a spectacular VICTORY because he just, GETS THINGS DONE!” the president added.
In another post moments prior, Trump slammed Graham’s other primary opponent, Mark Lynch, in a Truth Social post, as the Republican senator has fended off critics who have said that he has been too hawkish on military action in the Middle East, particularly in Iran.
“Senator Lindsey Graham is doing a fantastic job. He is running against a LUNATIC named Mark Lynch, who supports perhaps the Worst Congressman in the History of our Country, Thomas Massie, of the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Trump said.
“I don’t have to go into great detail, but needless to say, Mark Lynch would be a DISASTER for the Republican Party, and Lindsey Graham just, GETS THE JOB DONE. VOTE FOR LINDSEY ALL THE WAY,” the <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116382183704204825" target="_blank" rel="noopener">president</a> added.
Lynch has not held back in his criticism of Graham on matters of foreign policy.
“Lindsey Graham represents a grave National Security threat to Americans, American soldiers, and to every man, woman, and child in the Middle East &#8212; whether Iranian or Israeli,” Lynch <a href="https://x.com/MarkLynchSC/status/2042678395482395085?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> Friday. “On June 9, we Dump Lindsey!”
Trump&#8217;s posts backing Graham were not a surprise, given the president and the senator have been close allies for some time.
However, the posts underscore how the president is firing back against those who have been critical of Operation Epic Fury in Iran, including with a post made on Thursday saying that a handful of podcasters slamming the war are “Low IQ.”
Graham chairs the Senate Budget Committee, which means he will play a critical role in securing congressional funding for the president’s military goals. Last week, the senator praised the Trump administration’s budget request for fiscal year 2027.
“President Trump’s budget is truly historic when it comes to defense spending. It is the most robust increase in defense spending in many years, and it is more than justified by the threats we face throughout the world,” Graham said in a <a href="https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/4/chairman-graham-statement-on-president-trump-s-fy27-budget-request" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. “When it comes to our national security, President Trump and his team are second to none.”
The Daily Wire reached out to the Lynch campaign for comment.

President Trump Returns To The  White House After Spending Holidays In Florida

Major Shakeup In Lindsey Graham Primary Race After Trump Blasts War Critics

2026 election

Elections

Lindsey Graham

South Carolina

U.S. Senate

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is increasingly confident that he will defeat Gov. Janet Mills in the June primary.
Platner has a 22% average lead in primary surveys, according to <a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/senate/democratic-primary/2026/maine---3-electoral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RealClearPolling,</a> despite the early days of his campaign being marred by scandal over a now-covered Nazi symbol tattoo and several resurfaced Reddit posts from the early 2010s in which he made demeaning comments about women and proclaimed that he “became a communist.”
Platner’s campaign manager Ben Chin told <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/maine-senate-primary-democrats-mills-platner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Axios</a> that the campaign is “shifting gears and going full steam ahead into the general,” but noted they “aren’t taking our foot [off] the gas in the primary.”
Mills is backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who sees her as a critical piece to winning back control of the chamber, whereas Platner has garnered the endorsements of Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
&#8220;We&#8217;re feeling emboldened,” Chin told the outlet.
Mills has gone on the attack against Platner in recent commercials, highlighting his scandals and running with the tagline, “Graham Platner: The closer you look, the worse it gets.”
One advertisement in particular features older, white women reacting to the populist Democrat’s comments on Reddit with disgust, but Platner’s campaign appears to have bounced back following his apology over the posts in the fall.
“These comments are shameful,” <a href="https://x.com/JanetMillsforME/status/2036401559936852198?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mills</a> continued to hammer the point home via X on March 24. “While my opponent was saying this not long ago, I was fighting as Attorney General and Governor to deliver progress for Maine people.”
A Republican strategist familiar with the race told The Daily Wire that the race remains a “target-rich environment” that could ultimately benefit Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who will face off against whoever wins the primary.
“It’s not really breaking through for her,” the strategist said regarding the Mills attack ads, adding that it’s “definitely not looking good&#8221; for the governor&#8217;s campaign.
In terms of the overall Republican approach, given Platner’s staying power, the strategist noted that it’s “equal opportunity until the day she drops out” and the Republicans will continue to “keep hammering on both.”
Collins defeated Democrat Sara Gideon in 2020 with just under 51% compared with Gideon’s roughly 42%. The <a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cook Political Report</a> rates the general election race as a “toss-up,” along with the contests in North Carolina, Georgia, and Michigan.
Republicans hold a narrow 53-47 majority in the chamber, and a flip could result in radically different policies headed to President Donald Trump&#8217;s desk in the second half of his term.
The Daily Wire reached out to the Mills, Platner, and Collins campaigns for comment.

Graham Platner

Nazi Tattoo Guy Has Chuck Schumer’s Handpicked Candidate On The Ropes

Chuck Schumer

graham platner

janet mills

Maine

Supporters of Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) were divided by the news of Attorney General Pam Bondi&#8217;s ouster over whether Paxton should be considered for the national job or should remain in the fight to replace John Cornyn.
Paxton is currently in a heated Republican runoff with incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, with President Donald Trump yet to issue an endorsement ahead of the May 26 contest. If Paxton were to be tapped for a national position and drop out of the race, it would effectively clear the field for Cornyn and set the general election matchup against Democrat James Talarico.
The Daily Wire could not confirm whether Paxton is actually being considered. Other names circulating in Republican circles include EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, DOJ Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO).
Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet also floated Paxton&#8217;s name, alongside others like Zeldin, Dhillon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought.
Kolvet said the next individual has &#8220;to be ruthless and smart and impossible to distract or slow down.&#8221; The spokesman for the conservative group said that he&#8217;s been told that former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who was Trump&#8217;s withdrawn pick for the role last year, is not &#8220;pursuing&#8221; the job.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
With Bondi departing, I have a few people in mind to be the next AG, who&#8217;s your pick?
• Harmeet Dhillon 
• Lee Zeldin 
• Ken Paxton 
• Jeanine Pirro 
• Ron DeSantis 
• Russ Vought (but he&#8217;s great at OMB)
Has to be ruthless and smart and impossible to distract or slow down.…
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewKolvet/status/2039774655524004294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
Online speculation intensified following posts from conservative commentators and political observers, many of whom <a href="https://x.com/RedEaglePatriot/status/2039776422366003312?s=20">argued</a> Paxton would have a greater impact as attorney general than as a U.S. senator.
“Bondi is OUT,” conservative influencer <a href="https://x.com/RedEaglePatriot/status/2039776422366003312?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Red Eagle Politics”</a> posted to X on Thursday. “Ken Paxton should be our next AG. He can make a massive impact in that role, whereas in the Senate he would just be one vote out of 100.&#8221;
The prediction market <a href="https://kalshi.com/markets/kxnextag/next-ag/kxnextag-29" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kalshi</a> gives Paxton roughly a 4% chance of becoming Trump’s nominee, compared to 57% for Zeldin and 31% for interim Attorney General Todd Blanche.
One X post from Daily Wire reporter Mary Margaret Olohan listed several names being discussed:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
People close to the White House are throwing around a lot of names for the next attorney general. Here’s a few of the names I’ve had mentioned to me today:
&#8211; Mike Lee 
&#8211; Harmeet Dhillon 
&#8211; Ashley Moody 
&#8211; Lee Zeldin 
&#8211; Eric Schmitt
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/2039786402221584593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
Others pointed out that the brutal nature of the primary, which has highlighted Paxton&#8217;s past personal and professional controversies, could complicate the potential confirmation process.
“I think there’s a non-zero chance Trump tries to replace Pam Bondi with Texas’s Ken Paxton and rams the vote through an otherwise hesitant Senate by promising that since Cornyn would then become the TX Senate nominee, odds to keep the chamber go up,” Michigan State University policy professor <a href="https://x.com/joshcowenMI/status/2039780397727309982?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Cowen</a> wrote on X.
Some conservatives pushed back on the Paxton buzz, <a href="https://x.com/ImFiredUp2/status/2039799088888053842?s=20">saying</a> he should remain in the Senate race to challenge Cornyn.
“Watch for the horse trading to put Ken Paxton up for AG thus making Cornyn the senator from Texas again,” conservative commentator <a href="https://x.com/ImFiredUp2/status/2039799088888053842?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chad Caton</a> wrote. “THIS CANT HAPPEN. We must rid ourselves of the power and influence that John Cornyn wields. Ken Paxton must be the next Senator from Texas.”
Democrats also suggested that Paxton could be the pick to take on the top law enforcement role in the Trump administration.
“Depending on how low he wants to go, I figure he goes with Ken Paxton to replace Bondi. Who is scummier than him? Plus he clears the field in Texas for Cornyn,” Democratic activist <a href="https://x.com/PaulJacobsMedia/status/2039751328604262871?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paul Jacobs</a> posted to X.
“My prediction: with Pam Bondi out, Ken Paxton is next up. Yes, Texas’ scandal-ridden AG who’s currently tripping his way through a primary runoff against John Cornyn,” former liberal political strategist <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sheajordansmith" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shea Jordan Smith</a> wrote on Facebook. “They’d much rather send Cornyn into a general election than take a chance on Paxton, who’s radioactive enough to turn a winnable race into a problem… especially with James Talarico on the other side.”
The Daily Wire reached out to the Paxton campaign for comment. The Cornyn campaign declined to comment.
When asked about Bondi&#8217;s status, the White House pointed to a Truth Social <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2039754354471686643?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> from Trump praising her for doing &#8220;a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our country.&#8221;

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Expedited Challenges Over Texas Abortion Ban

Paxton Supporters Push Trump To Make Him AG — Others Say No Way

Attorney General

Pam Bondi

Former reality TV star Mark Moran has launched his U.S. Senate bid in Virginia, positioning himself as an independent challenger to incumbent Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and ripping both major parties.
Moran, best known for appearing on the short-lived HBO Max dating series &#8220;FBoy Island,&#8221; announced his campaign in a video posted Friday, saying he is “breaking free from the Democratic establishment&#8221; to run as an independent and will put &#8220;Virginia &amp; America First.&#8221;
&#8220;I’m doing that because I’m putting our country first. I’m putting it above these divisive issues that the Left, that the Right, and our corporate media control,” he said in the announcement. 
Moran has framed his campaign around what he describes as “big, bold ideas” to &#8220;simplify&#8221; and &#8220;restructure&#8221; government, arguing that &#8220;everything is wrong, and that&#8217;s because money controls.&#8221;
He has taken aim at the incumbent Democrat, calling Warner an &#8220;oligarch&#8221; and urging voters to reject establishment politics ahead of Virginia&#8217;s August 4 primary.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today, I am putting Virginia &amp; America First, to announce that I am running as an Independent for U.S. Senate. <a href="https://t.co/NUPa5xTvd0">pic.twitter.com/NUPa5xTvd0</a>
— Mark Moran for U.S. Senate (@itsmarkmoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/itsmarkmoran/status/2039721552439066964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Moran previously worked in investment banking and built an online following centered on what he called &#8220;Wall Street culture.&#8221; He claims to have left the industry due to moral objections.
The political newcomer has also broken with Democratic orthodoxy on some issues, including gun rights.
“After facing a personal safety issue, I got a gun. It made me realize how extreme our party’s stance has become,” Moran <a href="https://x.com/itsmarkmoran/status/2036561327699726492?s=20">posted</a> on social media. “The founders wrote the 2A to protect us from tyranny…whether that tyranny comes from Donald Trump or a state legislature trying to disarm you.”
“The Second Amendment isn’t about hunting. It’s about power…the people’s power,” Moran’s campaign website says. “It’s the final check on a government that seeks to control its citizens. It’s exactly what Jefferson warned us about.”
Moran has drawn attention for his combative online presence as well. In response to a critic on his campaign launch video, he <a href="https://x.com/itsmarkmoran/status/2039899492133089454">wrote</a>, “Read the website retard, nobody has ever talked about my ideas bc no one has had my unique experience &#8211; enjoy !!”
This was in response to an X user writing, “Yeah, cool Mark. Go ahead and TURN IT ALL AROUND once you get elected. No clue why no one else has ever thought of all these buzzwords and catchphrases before, I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ll sort it all out.”
Moran <a href="https://dailycaller.com/2026/03/30/mark-moran-virginia-warner-spanberger-democrats-gerrymandering-second-amendment/">told</a> The Daily Caller that he has taken cues from President Donald Trump&#8217;s use of media and public persona. 
“It always makes me laugh when people think Donald Trump is dumb. Donald Trump understood the power of the medium of reality TV earlier than anyone else, and he saw that to have any sway over the American populace, you had to control the hearts and minds … of the American people,” he told the outlet. “This is a concept that goes back to Thomas Jefferson.”
He added that reality TV remains one of the most effective ways to reach a broad audience.
“I’ve always known that I would [run for office], and in looking at reality TV, I saw an opportunity to learn firsthand this … is the only medium right now, aside from social media, that can capture the attention of over 50% of Americans. Fox News can’t do that. CNN can’t do that, but reality TV can,” he said. “The Kardashians saw that. What you learned is you’re essentially a caricature of yourself.”
“You play an aggrandized version of yourself, which Trump does masterfully,” Moran went on. “And why people love him is he is so unapologetically American. And that is the thing that people come to love about certain reality TV individuals, whether it’s the Kardashians or it’s &#8216;The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,&#8217; all of this that they’re just themselves, and they don’t apologize for it.”

Mark Moran

Failed ‘F*ckboy Island’ Contestant Launches Senate Bid

Democratic Party

Mark Warner

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner referred to Jesus as a “zombie” and the Virgin Mary as a “skank” in a resurfaced Reddit post from 2012.
Platner has already faced scrutiny for past comments made on the social media platform over a decade ago, which he has apologized for, as it’s become the subject of campaign advertisements from his primary opposition, Gov. Janet Mills.
“I’ve spent 8 years in the infantry, Marine Corps, and Army, and I’ve been about as crudely atheist as one can be the entire time (zombie jesus jokes and Mary sucking at covering up being a skank, as examples),” Platner wrote at the time, according to a screenshot posted on X by conservative political strategist <a href="https://x.com/greg_price11/status/2039449980558041134?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greg Price</a> on Wednesday.
Republicans criticized Platner&#8217;s comments, which resurfaced just days before Easter Sunday.
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them, and just in time for Easter the guy with a Nazi tattoo is showing us his truly disgusting and repulsive takes on Christianity,” Samantha Cantrell, spokeswoman for the National Republican Campaign Committee, said in a statement.
“This SHOULD be disqualifying but Maine&#8217;s leftist base has given Platner a pass on literally everything,” the <a href="https://x.com/mainegop/status/2039455900251901991?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maine Republican Party</a> posted to X. “Now this. But the left will love him more.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/attack-ad-targets-democrat-over-vulgar-past-comments-about-women?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Attack+Ad+Targets+Democrat+Over+Vulgar+Past+Comments+About+Women" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported that Mills took aim at Platner’s past comments regarding rape in a March commercial, specifically when he wrote in 2013 that women should “act like an adult for f*** sake” and “not get so f***ed up they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say,” one woman said in the ad.
Platner responded to Mills&#8217; attack ad by acknowledging the inappropriate nature of his comments.
“Back in October, when my past internet comments resurfaced, I read through them. I was horrified and did not recognize the man on the other side of the posts,” <a href="https://x.com/grahamformaine/status/2033923085728981129?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Platner</a> wrote on X at the time. “I shared my thoughts and apologies here directly with Mainers. And I’ve been talking with Mainers every day since, at town halls across the state.”
Whoever wins the primary will take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in the competitive general election contest, which could ultimately play a role in determining which party controls the Senate.
Despite the controversies surrounding Platner, including over a now-covered Nazi symbol tattoo, Platner is still maintaining a strong standing in the race, racking up endorsements from Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
A recent <a href="https://emersoncollegepolling.com/maine-2026-poll-platner-leads-gov-mills-democrats-lead-sen-collins-in-maine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emerson College</a> poll of likely primary voters shows Platner leading Mills 55-28% in the primary. Mills is backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
The Daily Wire reached out to the Platner, Mills, and Collins campaigns for comment.

Democrat Darling Under Fire For Posts Calling Jesus A ‘Zombie,’ Virgin Mary A ‘Skank’

Most of the Department of Homeland Security could reopen pending a House vote, as Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced Wednesday that they will go ahead with the Senate-approved plan and fund ICE and Border Patrol through a separate reconciliation bill.
President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-blesses-gop-plan-to-end-shutdown-without-democrats">posted</a> to Truth Social that he wants to fund the two agencies through reconciliation, as that would not require Democratic votes.
“We appreciate and share the President’s determination to once and for all bring an end to the Democrat DHS shutdown,” Johnson and Thune <a href="https://x.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/2039413952220631443?s=20">said</a> in a joint statement.
“In the coming days, Republicans in the Senate and House will be following through on the President’s directive by fully funding the entire Department of Homeland Security on two parallel tracks: through the appropriations process and through the reconciliation process,” the leaders added.
The move could effectively limit the Democrats’ ability to successfully negotiate for any federal immigration policy reforms, which is why the shutdown began in the first place.
House and Senate Republicans were at odds last week over the best path forward: the Senate approved a funding plan that did not include ICE or Border Patrol, whereas the House approved a 60-day temporary funding plan, known as a continuing resolution, that would fully fund DHS until May 22.
House Democrats wanted the House to approve the Senate plan, so all but three voted against the continuing resolution.
However, not all Republicans are on board with the suggested plan on Wednesday.
“Funding for ICE and CBP must never be separated from DHS funding,” Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) posted to X. “If Republicans isolate it, they’re handing our border and ICE agents straight to the radicals who will defund and dismantle them every chance they get.”
“Fund DHS fully, or the open borders globalists win,” Self added.

President Trump Attends GOP House Caucus Meeting On Capitol Hill As Budget Bill Faces Resistance

Trump-Backed DHS Plan Takes Step Forward In Bid To Sidestep Democrats

homeland security

House of Representatives

President Donald Trump is urging Congress to use the budget reconciliation process in order to fund the Department of Homeland Security, a move that would allow Republicans to bypass the Senate filibuster.
Trump said in a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116330487356155648" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Truth Social</a> post on Wednesday that Republicans &#8220;are going forward&#8221; with a plan to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol that &#8220;doesn’t need Radical Left Democrat votes.&#8221;
&#8220;We are going to work as fast, and as focused, as possible to replenish funding for our Border and ICE Agents, and the Radical Left Democrats won’t be able to stop us,&#8221; Trump wrote. &#8220;We will not allow them to hurt the families of these Great Patriots by defunding them. I am asking that the Bill be on my desk NO LATER than June 1st.&#8221;
Budget reconciliation allows certain legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority, avoiding the 60-vote threshold typically required to overcome a filibuster. However, the process comes with strict rules that limit which provisions can be included.
Some Republicans have floated reconciliation as a path forward as negotiations over DHS funding remain stalled. Trump&#8217;s comments could bolster last week&#8217;s Senate-approved proposal, which did not include ICE and Border Patrol funding, as Trump noted how the reconciliation plan would be for those two agencies, <a href="https://x.com/AndrewDesiderio/status/2039390619022270576?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Punchbowl News</a> reported.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) told The Daily Wire that the approach could allow Congress to fund the agency without Democratic votes, though he also reiterated his support for eliminating the filibuster altogether. If the filibuster were scrapped for good, it would open the door for other legislation to go to Trump&#8217;s desk, such as the House-passed SAVE America Act.
&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t appear today we have the votes to get rid of the filibuster, but a year ago, we didn’t have the votes to change the rules on nominations,” Scott said, saying that he thinks Republicans are “gonna get there.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) floated the possibility of a “skinny reconciliation” proposal that could “move very quickly” in a Wednesday interview on <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2026/04/01/rep-tom-emmer-on-the-dhs-shutdown-tsa-staffing-shortages-and-iran-war-latest.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNBC,</a> while Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) indicated a three-year funding bill for DHS could be in the works as well, according to <a href="https://x.com/BillMelugin_/status/2038634941756359075?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a>.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and other Republicans have cautioned against eliminating the filibuster, warning it could open the door for Democrats to pass their agenda with a simple majority vote in the future.
“What&#8217;s happening on ICE and CBP is just showing you how radical the Left is, and these Democrat senators, they&#8217;re controlled by AOC and [New York City Mayor Zohran] Mamdani, and Chuck Schumer&#8217;s scared to death of them,” Sen. Scott said. “And so they&#8217;re playing to their far left base that hates this country. They don&#8217;t want Trump to have any success.”
The push comes as Congress remains divided over how to fund DHS. Last week, the Senate approved a measure that did not fully fund ICE and Border Patrol, while the House passed a 60-day funding bill extending DHS funding until May 22.
President Trump has also called for ending the filibuster, encouraging Thune to find the votes necessary to scrap the threshold, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/republican-senator-asks-president-trump-to-force-congresss-hand-on-dhs-shutdown?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Calls+Grow+To+Force+Congress+Back+As+DHS+Shutdown+Hinges+On+One+Move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported Monday.

President Trump Delivers The State Of The Union Address

Trump Blesses GOP Plan To End Shutdown — Without Democrats

John Thune

Rick Scott

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