Senate Homeland Security Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) has subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, escalating a yearslong battle over the federal government&#8217;s handling of the COVID pandemic and the origins of the virus.
Paul announced Monday that he issued the subpoena after Fauci allegedly backed out of an agreement to voluntarily appear before the committee.
&#8220;Last week, Anthony Fauci notified us he will NOT voluntarily testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, even though he had previously agreed to do so,&#8221; Paul <a href="https://x.com/RandPaul/status/2069168695398588521">wrote on X</a>. &#8220;Therefore, today I have issued a subpoena requiring him to testify before the Committee, in public, next month.&#8221;
The subpoena is the first issued by Paul since taking over as chairman of the committee, which granted its chairman unilateral subpoena authority last year.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/06/23/2026/why-rand-paul-subpoenaed-fauci">Semafor</a>, Paul said months of negotiations with Fauci ultimately broke down after the former public health official agreed to appear and then reversed course.
&#8220;He&#8217;s been slow-walking information to us for six months or more,&#8221; Paul said. &#8220;We&#8217;ve been negotiating over the date for several months. He agreed, then he said he wouldn&#8217;t. So, I think it&#8217;s time that we bring him in.&#8221;
Paul indicated that lawmakers intend to question Fauci about several issues, including his presidential pardon, allegations regarding federally funded gain-of-function research, and accusations that records related to the government&#8217;s pandemic response were destroyed.
&#8220;I think there&#8217;s a lot to discuss,&#8221; Paul said.
The subpoena marks the latest chapter in one of Washington&#8217;s most contentious post-pandemic rivalries.
Throughout the post-COVID era, Paul <a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/reps/senator-rand-paul-re-refers-dr-anthony-fauci-to-the-department-of-justice/">repeatedly</a> sparred with Fauci during Senate hearings, accusing him of misleading Congress about U.S.-funded research connected to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. Fauci consistently denied claims that the National Institutes of Health funded gain-of-function research that could have created the virus responsible for the pandemic.
As evidence supporting the lab leak theory gained credibility in recent years, Paul intensified his criticism, arguing that Fauci and other public health officials worked to dismiss legitimate questions about the virus&#8217; origins.
The Kentucky senator has previously called for Fauci to face criminal charges, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5936032-rand-paul-subpoena-anthony-fauci-covid-19/">alleging</a> that he lied to Congress under oath regarding gain-of-function research funding. &#8220;We&#8217;ve been negotiating with him for material and for testimony. This has gone on for some time,&#8221; Paul said during a Tuesday interview. &#8220;He slow walked us and slow walked us. Finally agreed to come in voluntarily &#8230; then last week he says he&#8217;s not coming in.&#8221;
&#8220;With this subpoena power, we will bring him in, unless he fights this in court,&#8221; Paul added.
The move comes as congressional Republicans continue investigating the origins of COVID-19 and the federal government&#8217;s pandemic response, issues that remain politically potent years after lockdowns, vaccine mandates, school closures, and other emergency measures reshaped American life.
Fauci has not yet publicly responded to the subpoena. If he declines to comply, the dispute could trigger a legal battle testing the scope of Congress&#8217; oversight authority and Paul&#8217;s new subpoena powers as committee chairman.

rand paul fauci

Rand Paul Issues First Subpoena Of Long Senate Career — For Tony Fauci

Anthony Fauci

COVID

Rand Paul

U.S. Senate

Embattled Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico has openly credited a controversial activist theologian with helping shape his political and religious worldview.
During a March 2021 podcast appearance, Talarico enthusiastically praised theologian Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, describing himself as a &#8220;fan boy&#8221; and crediting Henderson-Espinoza&#8217;s work with influencing his thinking.
&#8220;When you started following me on Twitter, I couldn&#8217;t contain my inner fan boy, because I read your book last year and it continues to inspire me and y&#8217;all&#8217;s work continues to inspire me,&#8221; Talarico said. He went on to argue that aspects of his own identity limited his imagination, saying, &#8220;my whiteness, my masculinity, all those things limit my imagination about what&#8217;s possible. And that&#8217;s where your book helps me do that.&#8221;
Talarico has spent much of the last several months attempting to explain away a series of past remarks that Republicans have characterized as excessively leftist, including statements that &#8220;God is non-binary,&#8221; suggestions that there are six biological sexes, and arguments that the Bible does not prohibit abortion.
While Talarico has recently described some of his older remarks as &#8220;cringey,&#8221; his praise for Henderson-Espinoza provides insight into some of the intellectual influences behind those statements.
Talarico specifically referenced Henderson-Espinoza&#8217;s 2019 book &#8220;Activist Theology,&#8221; which argues for a form of Christianity centered on political activism and opposition to what the author describes as &#8220;interlocking supremacies.&#8221; Henderson-Espinoza later expanded those themes in the 2022 book &#8220;Body Becoming: A Path to Our Liberation,&#8221; which advances a vision of faith rooted in social justice and liberation politics.
Henderson-Espinoza, who goes by “<a href="https://juicyecumenism.com/2023/06/12/roberto-che-espinoza/">Roberto Che Espinoza</a>,” is an activist theologian, author, professor, and ordained minister who identifies as transgender, &#8220;non-binary,&#8221; and &#8220;TransQueer Latinx.&#8221; A longtime figure in Left-wing academic and activist circles, Henderson-Espinoza has served as a visiting professor at Duke Divinity School and founded the Activist Theology Project, an organization that describes itself as bringing together theologians, activists, social-change advocates, and political organizers.
The project&#8217;s stated mission extends far beyond traditional ministry, positioning itself at the intersection of religion, activism, and political organizing.
Her work pushes well beyond even what many would consider “progressive Christianity.” In a 2018 academic paper, Henderson-Espinoza called for &#8220;transing religion&#8221; as a way to dismantle traditional understandings of sex, gender, and theology. The paper argued for breaking down what Henderson-Espinoza described as religious &#8220;binarisms&#8221; and challenged longstanding Christian teachings on complementarity and human nature.
Henderson-Espinoza has also described the Bible as &#8220;trans-positive,&#8221; referred to transgender individuals as &#8220;Easter icons,&#8221; and argued that traditional theological categories should be reimagined through the lens of queer theory and liberationist activism.
In interviews, Henderson-Espinoza has argued that even “progressive Christianity” does not go far enough. Speaking with The Nation, Henderson-Espinoza rejected the label of &#8220;progressive Christian,&#8221; arguing that the movement remains too influenced by liberalism and individualism and fails to sufficiently challenge what she calls systems of oppression and &#8220;whiteness.&#8221;
Instead, Henderson-Espinoza identifies as a &#8220;liberationist,&#8221; both politically and theologically, viewing Christianity primarily through the lens of social activism and liberation movements rather than doctrine or institutional tradition. That worldview has led Henderson-Espinoza to openly dismiss many traditional priorities of organized religion. In the same interview, Henderson-Espinoza argued that relationships should take priority over doctrine and dogma and stated, &#8220;I&#8217;m not an institutionalist &#8230; and I&#8217;m not here to preserve the institutional church.&#8221;
Rather than preserving churches or defending theological orthodoxy, Henderson-Espinoza has argued that Christians should focus on activism, social change, and challenging existing institutions. Her political activism has mirrored those views. Henderson-Espinoza has opposed legislation preventing trans-identifying boys from competing in girls&#8217; sports, criticized parental notification policies involving students who identify as transgender, and frequently incorporates progressive political causes into sermons, public appearances, and academic work.
Those positions have made Henderson-Espinoza a celebrated figure among activists and Left-wing religious circles while drawing criticism from more traditional Christians.
For Talarico, however, Henderson-Espinoza was not merely a public figure he admired from afar. By his own admission, the theologian&#8217;s writings, activism, and worldview helped expand his political imagination and served as a source of inspiration during his rise within Texas Democratic politics.
As Republicans continue highlighting Talarico&#8217;s past comments on faith, gender, and sexuality, that relationship is likely to face increased scrutiny as voters evaluate the influences that helped shape the Democratic nominee&#8217;s worldview.

Texas State Representative Talarico Campaigns Ahead Of Primary Election

James Talarico Fanboys For Trans Activist Theologian Who Pushes Bizarre Views On Christianity

2026 Midterms

James Talarico

Texas

Transgender

Maine Senate Democratic hopeful Graham Platner is taking fresh heat after a buried online post revealed he once branded all police officers &#8220;opportunistic cowards&#8221; — the latest in a parade of scandals that have plagued his bid to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
The since-deleted Reddit screed, unearthed by <a href="https://themainemonitor.org/platner-reddit-comments/">The Maine Monitor</a>, dates to June 2020, when Platner — then 35 and posting under the handle &#8220;P-Hustle&#8221; — fired off a rant mocking the Hancock County Sheriff&#8217;s Department for requesting riot equipment during the height of Black Lives Matter unrest. Rather than engage seriously with the request, Platner ridiculed the deputies as &#8220;overweight pansies&#8221; too soft to handle &#8220;George Stevens Academy sophomores and aging hippies&#8221; without taxpayer-funded gear. Then came the kicker: &#8220;Cops are opportunistic cowards.&#8221;
Retired federal special agent and Maine state Rep. Donald Ardell expressed his anger. &#8220;It just shows a complete lack of understanding of the way law enforcement operates,&#8221; the Maine Republican told <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-senate-hopeful-under-fire-resurfaced-comments-calling-cops-opportunistic-cowards">Fox News</a>. &#8220;They have to be prepared for eventualities.&#8221;
That same month, Platner blasted a Maine police chief as &#8220;thin blue line trash&#8221; for refusing to take a knee alongside Floyd protesters. He also endorsed the slogan &#8220;all cops are bastards&#8221; — later reported by <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/16/politics/kfile-graham-platner-maine-senate-candidate-deleted-reddit-posts">CNN</a> — and questioned in 2021 whether corruption runs through the entire law enforcement profession.
Ardell, who says current and former colleagues are &#8220;disgusted&#8221; by Platner&#8217;s remarks, summed it up bluntly: &#8220;It&#8217;s a series of consistent bad decisions, and it seems to be continuing.&#8221;
The cop commentary is just one item on a lengthening rap sheet of controversy for the self-described &#8220;oyster farmer&#8221; and far-Left populist. Platner&#8217;s Reddit history — spanning nearly a decade before he scrubbed it upon launching his campaign — also includes him calling himself a &#8220;communist&#8221; and &#8220;socialist,&#8221; mocking rural white voters as &#8220;racist&#8221; and &#8220;stupid,&#8221; and making cruel remarks about a teenage girl&#8217;s suicide attempt.
His personal life hasn&#8217;t fared much better under scrutiny. His campaign admitted he sent sexually explicit texts to at least half a dozen women while married. He <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/see-it-graham-platner-has-active-profile-on-predators-paradise-messaging-app">maintained a profile</a> on Kik — a messaging app critics call a &#8220;predator&#8217;s paradise&#8221; — and has struggled to explain why ex-girlfriends knew about his Nazi-linked tattoo years before he claims he learned of its significance himself.
Platner has insisted his online posts were jokes, dismissing them as &#8220;sh*tposting.&#8221; He&#8217;s attributed some remarks to PTSD from military deployments.
Ardell isn&#8217;t buying the rehabilitation narrative.
&#8220;This is not a guy that has a skeleton in the closet,&#8221; the lawmaker said. &#8220;This is a guy that has a whole graveyard.&#8221;

Maine Democratic Candidate For Senate Graham Platner Campaigns Across The State

‘Opportunistic Cowards’: Graham Platner’s Cop-Hating Past Resurfaces

graham platner

Maine

Police

Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner raised roughly $200,000 in the days following a New York Times report highlighting abuse allegations from three of his former girlfriends, even as critics challenge key elements of the working-class biography that fueled his political rise. 
The fundraising haul came as Platner sought to reassure supporters that his campaign remains strong despite a series of damaging reports about his past.
Speaking at a recent campaign rally, Platner argued that his personal history was being “weaponized,” to the applause of his supporters.
“When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out into the public, as I shared my personal journey through PTSD and darkness, of recovery and accountability and growth, Maine had my back,” Platner said. “Now, as every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated, and weaponized, you have my back.”
Democrat politicians, such as Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), have attempted to strike a careful balance between supporting Platner and acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations against him.
“No one should make excuses for his past relationships, some of which were toxic and volatile, and no one on our side should attack the women who came forward,” Khanna said. “You know why? Because Democrats believe in respecting the equality and the dignity of women, and we always will.”
The comments stood in contrast to Platner&#8217;s own response to the claims.
“These are the statements of someone who is politically motivated,” Platner said during an appearance on MSNOW. “I do expect the Republican party to fight as dirty as possible.”
At the rally, Platner again denied the allegations. 
“When politically motivated, serious, and false accusations are made against me, Maine, you have my back,” Platner said.
The New York Times reported that three former girlfriends alleged physical abuse during their relationships with Platner, and said the Maine Democrat knew the meaning behind his controversial Totenkopf tattoo. 
Platner has denied the accusations, saying any claims about physical abuse or knowing the tattoo&#8217;s meaning are false.
While Platner attempted damage control about his past, critics have continued to scrutinize his biography, which helped fuel his rise in Democratic politics.  
At the same rally, Platner described how healthcare gave him the freedom to &#8220;start a business&#8221; and &#8220;make a living on the sea.&#8221;
“My healthcare gave me freedom,” Platner said. “It gave me the freedom to take a risk, to start a business, and to sink my intellect and my physicality into mastering the skills necessary to make a living on the sea.”
The Washington Free Beacon has challenged that portrayal, reporting that Platner borrowed $200,000 from his father to purchase his home and relies heavily on veterans disability benefits. The outlet also reported that the primary purchaser of oysters from Platner&#8217;s oyster farm is a restaurant owned by his mother.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Graham Platner today falsely claimed to “make a living on the sea.” That’s not true. He lives almost entirely off his VA disability payments and he bought his house with $200,000 from his dad, as we’ve reported <a href="https://x.com/FreeBeacon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FreeBeacon</a> <a href="https://t.co/zD7DfJE2Vl">https://t.co/zD7DfJE2Vl</a> <a href="https://t.co/v76JLON2hz">pic.twitter.com/v76JLON2hz</a>
— Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) <a href="https://x.com/peterjhasson/status/2063050311711760595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Platner has also frequently highlighted his experience serving as his town&#8217;s harbormaster. The Free Beacon reported that he held the position for approximately 18 months.
In addition to these current allegations, other revelations show that Platner sent sexually explicit messages to multiple women while married and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/see-it-graham-platner-has-active-profile-on-predators-paradise-messaging-app" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has an account</a> on Kik, a messaging platform flagged by child safety advocates for being associated with sexual predators.

New Questions Emerge About Platner’s Biography As Scrutiny Intensifies

Elections

Politics

Four Senate Republicans <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/four-senate-republicans-unite-dems-block-trumps-save-america-act">joined</a> every single Democrat to kill President Donald Trump&#8217;s chosen election integrity legislation for the second time — but Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) fired back with a procedural masterstroke that showed exactly what&#8217;s standing between the SAVE America Act and the president&#8217;s desk: the filibuster.
Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) once again crossed the aisle to block the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and a photo ID to cast a ballot. The amendment, offered by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) as an attachment to the nearly $70 billion reconciliation package funding ICE and Border Patrol, needed 60 votes to clear the filibuster threshold. It never came close.
Graham didn&#8217;t pull punches after the vote. &#8220;There&#8217;s no other reason to say you don&#8217;t have to have an ID,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It just makes cheating easier.&#8221;
Lee then dropped the hammer and took aim at the &#8220;Zombie Filibuster,&#8221; the modern version of the filibuster that allows senators to obstruct legislation without maintaining a talking filibuster.
&#8220;51 votes for the SAVE America Act during tonight&#8217;s budget reconciliation vote-a-rama,&#8221; Lee posted on X. &#8220;That means that but for the Zombie Filibuster, the House-passed SAVE America Act would now be on its way to the White House for President Trump&#8217;s signature.&#8221;
&#8220;If they want to filibuster the SAVE America Act, make them speak,&#8221; he added. &#8220;And if we&#8217;re not willing to make them speak and do the hard work, then it is time to nuke the filibuster.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
51 votes for the SAVE America Act during tonight’s budget reconciliation vote-a-rama
That means that but for the Zombie Filibuster, the House-passed SAVE America Act would now be on its way to the White House for President Trump’s signature <a href="https://t.co/3eVv6RpO3C">https://t.co/3eVv6RpO3C</a>
&mdash; Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) <a href="https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/2062749611349991652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) had warned before the vote that &#8220;it&#8217;s about the math,&#8221; trying to manage expectations. What the math now shows is that even if the four Republicans voted for the bill, which has overwhelming public support, they still cannot get the bill through.
Democrats, predictably, cried foul. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) insisted &#8220;current safeguards are working&#8221; and dismissed the effort as an attempt to &#8220;ban vote by mail.&#8221; He also complained about transgender-related provisions being added to the amendment during Pride Month, claiming it was &#8220;offensive.&#8221;
The American people want voter ID. A majority of the Senate wants voter ID. The only thing in the way is the filibuster.
The argument against killing the filibuster is that if Democrats gain power, they will ram every conceivable change through the Senate, such as increasing the number of justices on the Supreme Court and adding more states to the union that would pad their electoral numbers.

Sen. Mike Lee

Four Republicans Help Democrats Hide Behind The Filibuster — Then Mike Lee Drops The Hammer

Filibuster

Mike Lee

SAVE America Act

The most partisan Democrats celebrated Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for reaching a major milestone as her likely 2026 Democratic opponent Graham Platner’s campaign faltered from the fallout of a fresh controversy.
On Thursday, the Maine senator cast her 10,000th consecutive vote during a marathon vote-a-rama on President Donald Trump&#8217;s budget reconciliation package, which provides $69.5 billion in funding for ICE through 2029. The measure passed 52-47. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was the lone Republican who voted against it.
The Senate chamber erupted in applause as Collins hit the milestone, drawing rare bipartisan praise. 
“No matter what has been going on in the world or in her life, Senator Collins has never, never missed a vote in her entire Senate career. This is truly a remarkable milestone,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. “Many of us try hard to make every vote. Senator Collins has actually done it.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME, <a href="https://x.com/SenatorCollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenatorCollins</a>) 10,000 consecutive roll call votes. <a href="https://t.co/GVMKpiQDf6">pic.twitter.com/GVMKpiQDf6</a>
— CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://x.com/cspan/status/2062701833249059218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) backed up Schumer, calling the accomplishment an “impressive demonstration of endurance and determination.&#8221;
“I salute you for it,” he said. 
Collins, a moderate Republican who represents an increasingly blue state, is the first senator in history to reach the threshold. 
“Mainers are known for their work ethic, and they deserve a senator who works just as hard for them. Growing up in Aroostook County, I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and honoring your commitments. I am proud to bring those values with me to the Senate every day,” Collins said of her 10,000 votes.  
“Representing the state of Maine is the honor of a lifetime, and I will continue to serve with the diligence and responsibility that Mainers deserve,” she added. 
Maine is considered a must-win state for Democrats seeking to flip the Senate and block President Trump&#8217;s second-term agenda. Collins has consistently defied conventional wisdom and political headwinds, winning four reelection campaigns with cross-over support in an increasingly polarized era.
Schumer’s praise of Collins is especially notable as Democrats bend over backwards to defend Platner as he remains entrenched in controversy. 
The Democratic Senate candidate engaged in a pattern of “intimidating and disturbing” behavior toward multiple women and lied about not knowing the meaning of his Nazi tattoo, according to a new <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/04/us/politics/platner-maine-senate-girlfriends-relationships.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share">report</a> from The New York Times citing former girlfriends.
Three of Platner’s ex-girlfriends described volatile and “toxic” relationships with the Senate hopeful, claiming he demeaned women, became physically threatening, and was repeatedly unfaithful. On one occasion, an ex-girlfriend accused Platner of twisting her arm, shoving her into a bedroom, and holding the door shut until she became “calm.” 
“It didn’t cause an injury, it didn’t break my arm,” she told the Times. 
In damage control, Platner strongly disputed claims of physical intimidation or violence. 
“There are some allegations in this piece that I just want to be kind of unequivocal about, are simply not true,” Platner said on MS NOW. “Anything alleging physicality, anything alleging that I knew what my tattoo was, these are the statements of someone who’s politically motivated.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
WATCH: Hayes asks Platner where there are any other damning texts or pictures out there that could potentially get dropped late in the race. Platner&#8217;s response: &#8220;I&#8217;m not worried about it.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/lL70UrAaAA">pic.twitter.com/lL70UrAaAA</a>
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) <a href="https://x.com/BonillaJL/status/2062696625668075943?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
Earlier this week, Platner <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-am-still-on-the-ballot-janet-mills-reappears-as-platner-stumbles?author=Drew+Berkemeyer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=9&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=%E2%80%98I+Am+Still+On+The+Ballot%E2%80%99%3A+Janet+Mills+Reappears+As+Platner+Stumbles">met privately</a> with Senate Democrats in Washington as party leaders grew increasingly concerned about whether additional scandals could surface before the general election. 
Yet even as Democratic leaders coalesce around Platner, fissures within the party continue to surface.
“Graham Platner is a chronic liar who is mentally disturbed, sympathetic to Nazis, and dangerous to women,” Ally Sammarco, a Democratic political consultant, said. “I’m disgusted to see members of my party make excuses for his behavior because it’s politically beneficial. He should be nowhere near our party and the U.S. Senate.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Graham Platner is a chronic liar who is mentally disturbed, sympathetic to Nazis, and dangerous to women. I’m disgusted to see members of my party make excuses for his behavior because it’s politically beneficial. He should be nowhere near our party and the U.S. Senate.
— Ally Sammarco (@Ally_Sammarco) <a href="https://x.com/Ally_Sammarco/status/2062711389131551018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2026</a></blockquote>

Susan Collins

Susan Collins Just Became Democrats’ Favorite Republican

Chuck Schumer

Democrats

News

The wife of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner discovered that her husband had exchanged sexually explicit text messages with multiple women and flagged the texts for Platner&#8217;s campaign last year, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
Platner&#8217;s wife Amy Gertner flagged the messages for some of Platner&#8217;s aides in August 2025, but the campaign ultimately decided to keep the scandal under wraps and label it a personal matter between the couple and their marriage counselor, the Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/graham-platners-wife-flagged-sexually-explicit-texts-to-his-senate-campaign-628ec832">reported</a>.
The messages came to light within the Platner campaign just before he appeared on stage with democratic-socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for a Labor Day weekend rally where Sanders officially endorsed the leftist&#8217;s Senate bid. Exactly how many women Platner exchanged sexually charged messages with was not specified in the Journal&#8217;s reporting.
Platner tied the knot with Gertner in fall 2024, and she first discovered the sexually explicit messages just months later in spring 2025. Gertner told the Journal that she and her husband worked through the infidelity, and their &#8220;marriage today is stronger than ever before.&#8221;
“We did the hard work that marriage requires. We went to counseling. We were honest with each other in ways that weren’t easy,” she said. “And we came through it, not in spite of how much we’ve been through, but because of how much we love each other and the life we’ve built.&#8221;
&#8220;I know who Graham is. I know the man I married and the husband he has been to me on the best and the worst days of my life. That hasn’t changed, and it won’t,&#8221; she added.
National Democrats have rallied behind Platner, pushing him as a political outsider and lowly &#8220;oyster farmer&#8221; who&#8217;s prepared to be a thorn in the side to Republicans.
The text revelations, however, add yet another scandal to a campaign defined by Platner&#8217;s long list of disturbing comments and actions that include defending his Nazi tattoo, mocking a wounded American soldier, and making derogatory comments about women. Earlier this month, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dem-candidate-complained-about-thai-prostitute-loophole-closing?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Dem+Candidate+Complained+About+Thai+Prostitute+%E2%80%98Loophole%E2%80%99+Closing">reported</a> that Platner once lamented the closing of a loophole that allowed military contractors to save money on taxes by spending their time off “banging hookers in Thailand.”
“Spend your leave banging hookers in Thailand instead of getting b*tched at by the wife back home, and you could sell it as avoiding federal income tax,” Platner wrote on Reddit in June 2019. “Once the Afghans started using our paychecks as a personal piggy bank, that whole loophole disappeared.”
Platner is expected to cruise to victory in the Democratic primary in Maine on June 9 after his top Democratic opponent, Governor Janet Mills, suspended her campaign last month. Platner also holds a polling lead over Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.

Graham Platner

Graham Platner Caught By Wife Exchanging Raunchy Texts With Women

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s mystery girlfriend is a vegan and political activist.
Brianna Menard, 30, is also a lobbyist for the Texas Medical Association, an organization that has supported puberty blockers and hormone treatment and criticized Republicans for so-called “criminalization of evidence-based, gender-affirming care for transgender youth and adolescents,” The New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/05/29/us-news/senate-candidate-james-talaricos-vegan-girlfriend-revealed/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nypost&amp;utm_source=twitter">reported</a>.
She also enjoys yoga and dancing at &#8220;Cheer Up Charlies,&#8221; a local vegan gay bar in Austin, Texas, according to the Post.
Menard met Talarico while working as his chief of staff in 2022, but the two did not start dating until 2023, according to the Post. She also worked as chief of staff for Democratic Texas state Rep. Salman Bhojani.
The identity of Talarico’s girlfriend comes to light as Talarico has been denying rumors that he is vegan himself — even though he once suggested eating meat is morally wrong. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Talarico&#8217;s Republican opponent in the Senate race, has dubbed him “Tofu Talarico.”
A spokesman for Talarico’s campaign said Talarico is not vegan.
“James is not and never has been a vegan, much to his girlfriend’s chagrin,” spokesman JT Ennis said. “As the saying goes, true love conquers all.”
During his re-election campaign to the Texas House of Representatives in 2022, however, Talarico announced his entire campaign would be “non-meat” to counter climate change, The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/james-talarico-keeps-denying-the-vegan-label-video-suggests-otherwise">reported</a>.
“Not just because it’s the right thing to do, and the moral thing to do, but also, as all of you know, it’s necessary to fight climate change,” Talarico said at the time. “It is now existential that we try to reduce our meat consumption and that we try to respect animals in all aspects of society.”
To push back against the vegan claims, Democrats posted a picture of Talarico eating barbecue as the Democrat nominee hopes to flip the Republican Senate seat.
“I’ve been eating barbecue since before Ken Paxton’s first indictment,” Talarico said earlier this week.
In addition to his vegan nickname, Paxton has called Talarico “Six-Gender Jimmy” and “James Tala-FREAKO” for his comments on transgender ideology — including Talarico’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/this-book-is-gay-read-the-sexually-explicit-volumes-james-talaricos-church-gives-kids">remark</a> that what he loved most in the world was &#8220;trans children.&#8221;

US Senate Candidate Talarico Holds Rally As Paxton Trounces Cornyn In Runoff Election

James ‘Tofu Talarico’ Has A Vegan, Leftist Activist Girlfriend

Veganism

Louisiana Republicans voted to oust Sen. Bill Cassidy on Saturday, rejecting the incumbent who voted to convict President Donald Trump on impeachment charges.
With more than half the vote counted, Cassidy is trailing his conservative primary rivals, Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) and State Treasurer John Fleming. Trump-backed Letlow, buoyed by the president’s endorsement, currently leads the race with 45% of the vote. With no candidate clearing the 50% threshold, Letlow and Fleming will advance to a June 27 runoff. <a href="https://x.com/DecisionDeskHQ/status/2055829975475859625?s=20">Decision Desk HQ called the race 9:56 p.m. ET.</a>
Cassidy’s fall from grace is another sign of Trump’s enduring grip on the Republican base, as the president continues flexing his political clout to target GOP lawmakers he views as disloyal to his agenda.
Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-slams-disloyal-disaster-bill-cassidy-as-louisiana-voters-head-to-the-polls?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Tim+Rice&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Trump+Slams+%E2%80%98Disloyal+Disaster%E2%80%99+Bill+Cassidy+As+Louisiana+Voters+Head+To+The+Polls">took one last shot</a> at Cassidy as Louisiana headed to the polls on Saturday, urging voters to throw their support behind the incumbent Republican’s primary challenger.
“Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is a disloyal disaster,” the president wrote on <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116584450399753941">Truth Social</a>, noting that the two-term senator voted to impeach him after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. “Bill Cassidy is a sleazebag, a terrible guy, who is BAD FOR LOUISIANA. Now he’s going to get CLOBBERED, hopefully, in today’s BIG election, by two great people!!!”
 In January, Trump endorsed Letlow (R-LA) to replace Sen. Cassidy, who was one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump after the January 6 Capitol riot. 
In a <a href="https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/opinion/article_67fa0a74-6ee1-11eb-8bd4-6bda88cda171.html">February 2021 column that has since come back to haunt him politically</a>, Cassidy wrote that Trump was &#8220;guilty” of inciting the riot and “actively subverting the peaceful transfer of power.” 
Ryan Girdusky, a conservative political consultant, called that vote the &#8220;ultimate betrayal.&#8221; 
&#8220;The impeachment vote against Trump is really what did him in; had he not voted to impeach Trump, he wouldn&#8217;t be in this position,&#8221; Girdusky said. &#8220;If they successfully had a trial against him, he would have been ineligible to run for President. So maybe that&#8217;s what Cassidy was rooting for.&#8221;
That reality, Girdusky said, pushed Trump to get involved. 
&#8220;“Highly Respected America First Congresswoman, Julia Letlow, of the wonderful State of Louisiana, is a Great Star, has been from the very beginning, and only gets better!’ <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116578950880982545">Trump said in a Friday Truth Social post</a>. “Election Day is tomorrow, Saturday, May 16th. Vote for Julia Letlow — She has my Complete and Total Endorsement, and will never let you down!”
In her campaign launch, Letlow said that in “a state as conservative as ours, we shouldn’t have to wonder how our senator will vote when the pressure’s on. Louisiana deserves conservative champions, leaders who will not flinch,” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-slugfest-all-but-inevitable-as-trump-backed-lawmaker-enters-louisiana-race">The Daily Wire previously reported.</a> The congresswoman took office in April 2021, following a special election triggered by her husband’s death.
During the campaign, Cassidy and Fleming targeted Letlow over <a href="blank">past comments praising diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts</a>, questioning her conservative credentials.
&#8220;She&#8217;s as moderate as Bill Cassidy is,&#8221; Girdusky told The Daily Wire. &#8220;So it&#8217;s not like they&#8217;re trading a moderate for a conservative. They&#8217;re trading a moderate for a moderate, but one that Trump approved versus one that Trump didn&#8217;t approve.&#8221; 
Cassidy also faced heat for stalling some of Trump&#8217;s high-profile nominees, including Surgeon General pick Dr. Casey Means.  
A physician and chairman of the Senate health committee, Cassidy stopped short of supporting her, effectively sinking her nomination prospects — a move that infuriated MAHA supporters and the president himself.
“Bill Cassidy is a mindless avatar for his donors and a blind defender of the status quo system that is profiting from American sickness,” Calley Means, Casey Means&#8217; brother, <a href="https://x.com/calleymeans/status/2049893588985638974?s=20">said on social media.</a>
The president piled on, calling Cassidy a “very disloyal person” who “stood in the way” of RFK Jr.’s preferred nominee.
Trump, widely viewed as the GOP’s kingmaker, recently exacted revenge on a handful of Indiana Republicans who bucked his redistricting push. With Cassidy&#8217;s defeat, the White House is already shifting its attention to another bruising primary battle: backing Captain Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL, against Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/thomas-massie-is-a-political-survivor-but-this-time-might-be-different?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=5&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Thomas+Massie+Is+A+Political+Survivor+%E2%80%94+But+This+Time+Might+Be+Different">Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.</a>
&#8220;It shows that it&#8217;s really about Trump,&#8221; Girdusky said. &#8220;It shows that voters have this innate belief that he has their best interests at heart, and that he is feeling the anger that they&#8217;re feeling of betrayal from the elected officials.&#8221;

Senate Health Committee Hears Testimony From Fired CDC Director Susan Monarez

Voters Decide Fate Of Senator Who Voted To Convict Trump

2026 elections

bill Cassidy

Republicans

Trump

Senator Eric Schmitt, the Republican from Missouri, says it&#8217;s all out battle with Democrats right now, saying they&#8217;ve turned themselves into &#8220;legislative terrorists&#8221; and that the days when bipartisanship was possible are gone.
&#8220;This is a new world. This is a different era,” Schmitt said in a wide-ranging interview on the political landscape. “This isn&#8217;t Ted Kennedy working with somebody on some bill; they&#8217;re legislative terrorists at this point.”
Schmitt said he expects Democrat leadership to find a way to shut down the government again before the midterm elections in November, arguing that Chuck Schumer &#8220;hears the footsteps&#8221; of fellow New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and needs to prove to his base that he&#8217;s a fighter.
“They&#8217;re going to shut it down,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt said the new landscape is perfectly timed with the Supreme Court’s ruling curbing race-based redistricting has reshaped the midterm election landscape, urging Republicans to go on offense and challenge congressional maps in blue states as Democrats hope to ride voter frustration over affordability to the ballot box.
Schmitt said the high court’s decision “opens up a much larger front” for targeting Democratic-led states like California and Illinois.
The former Missouri Attorney General, has called on the Department of Justice to sue California, arguing the voter-approved maps illegally relied on race to likely gain five blue seats.
“I view it as all upside because the Democrats have been doing this forever,” Schmitt said to reporters, including The Daily Wire, noting that no Republicans represent the New England area in Congress. 
Schmitt argued that the nationwide push to redraw maps in red states, combined with the Trump administration’s deportation efforts, reflects a more aggressive Republican Party.
“They understand that their political power is a real risk,” Schmitt said. “Just listen to [House Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries. I mean, this guy sounds like totally unhinged about how they will approach this.” 
Last Friday, the Virginia Supreme Court invalidated a state referendum that would likely have allowed Democrats to pick up five blue seats, delivering a devastating setback to Democratic efforts to take back the House of Representatives.
In response, some Democrats, including Jeffries, have floated lowering the retirement age to replace the entire Virginia Supreme Court with new nominees aligned with their political goals, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/10/us/politics/democrats-virginia-plans-gerrymandering.html">according to the New York Times. </a>Governor Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) on Monday <a href="https://x.com/TylerEnglander/status/2053924629530501207?s=20">shot down the idea. </a>
“I don&#8217;t know Hakeem Jeffries, I’m not a member of the House, but just watching him right now, he seems like [a] very desperate man because he thought he was going to be speaker,” Schmitt said. “I don&#8217;t know how everything&#8217;s going to play out, but this structural bias that they had for a long time over the next four to five years could be completely wiped out, and that&#8217;s a good thing.”

Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri

‘It’s A New World’: GOP’s Eric Schmitt Says Democrats Are ‘Legislative Terrorists’

Congress

Eric Schmitt

Senate GOP

FBI Director Kash Patel clashed with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) on Tuesday over accusations that the federal law enforcement chief has a drinking problem. 
At a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Van Hollen bombarded Patel with questions about his alleged drinking habits and whether he abused government funds for personal travel. 
&#8220;Director Patel, these reports about your conduct, including reports of your being so drunk and hungover that your staff had to force entry into your home, are extremely alarming,&#8221; Van Hollen said.
The Democrat appeared to be referencing allegations published by The Atlantic, which Patel called a “malicious and defamatory hit piece.” Patel has also filed a $250 million lawsuit against the publication, as previously<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/we-now-know-how-much-kash-patel-is-suing-the-atlantic-for?author=Jacob+Wheeler&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=52&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=We+Now+Know+How+Much+Kash+Patel+Is+Suing+The+Atlantic+For"> reported by The Daily Wire.</a>
The story portrayed an absent FBI chief struggling with substance abuse, which is said to be affecting key investigations, including the murder of Charlie Kirk.
“So, there have been no occasions when your security detail had difficulty waking or locating you?” Van Hollen asked Patel.
&#8220;Nope, it&#8217;s a total farce. I don&#8217;t even know where you get this stuff, but it doesn&#8217;t make it credible, because you say so,&#8221; Patel fired back. 
 &#8220;I&#8217;m not saying it,&#8221; Van Hollen said, citing news reports. 
&#8220;You are literally saying it,&#8221; Patel responded.
&#8220;The only person that was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang-banging rapist was you&#8230; the only individual in this room that has been drinking on taxpayers&#8217; dime during the day is you,&#8221; Patel said, referencing Van Hollen&#8217;s infamous photo-op with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant and alleged MS-13 gang member. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBIDirectorKash</a> COOKS <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisVanHollen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChrisVanHollen</a>: &#8220;The only person that was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang-banging rapist was you&#8230; the only individual in this room that has been drinking on taxpayer dime during the day is YOU.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/UPtB9jL7pv">pic.twitter.com/UPtB9jL7pv</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2054272390532632955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
Van Hollen rejected Patel&#8217;s &#8220;blow up,&#8221; saying the FBI chief made<a href="https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/2054295283186487470?s=20"> &#8220;provably false statements.&#8221;</a>
The heated confrontation escalated further, with both men challenging each other to take sobriety tests.
“Are you willing to take the test … it’s called the audit test that members of our active duty military and others take to determine whether they have a drinking problem?” the Democratic senator asked.
“I’ll take any tests you’re willing to take,” Patel fired back.
“I will take it. Director Patel, I’ll take it,” Van Hollen said. “You’re ready to take it?”
&#8220;Let&#8217;s go, side-by-side,&#8221; Patel shot back.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
FBI Director Kash Patel blows up at Senator Van Hollen as Van Hollen asks him about allegations in reporting from The Atlantic:
The only person that was slinging margaritas in El Salvador and the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang banging rapist was you. <a href="https://t.co/vGxnqzP66M">pic.twitter.com/vGxnqzP66M</a>
— Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/2054271883823173801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2026</a></blockquote>

FBI Director Kash Patel

Kash Patel Lays Into Dem Senator For ‘Slinging Margaritas’ With ‘Gang-Banging Rapist’

Chris Van Hollen

kash patel

The National Republican Senatorial Committee is launching a new advertising blitz to boost Republican candidates with six months remaining until Election Day.
Running in North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Alaska, and New Hampshire, the ads focus on affordability and highlight the tax cuts enacted in President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ 
“Joe Biden and Democrats’ wasteful spending wrecked the economy,” the ad supporting Michigan&#8217;s Republican candidate states. “But Mike Rogers is fighting back – working to cut government spending and advocating for working-class Americans.” 
“Republicans are making life more affordable. That means lower costs on groceries, housing, and utilities. Huge tax cuts for hard-working families and more money for our seniors,” the advertisements say.<iframe style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; margin: 20px auto 5px; border: 0;" src="https://player.mux.com/L02oaFum7nGsnqFQmni2h13EoMCw01ZpoC?metadata-video-content-type=embed_video&amp;metadata-video-id=65c76139-c981-410e-9520-075474578f6e&amp;metadata-video-stream-type=on-demand&amp;metadata-video-title=EXCLUSIVE%3A%20Republicans%20Choose%20Their%20Midterm%20Battleground%20In%20&amp;poster=https%3A%2F%2Fdailywireplus-v2.imgix.net%2Fimages%2Fembedded-videos%2Fcdf9a7b3-4134-40ff-96d3-c35b0a5e9f0d.jpg&amp;autoplay=false&amp;accent-color=%23DB3D3B&amp;primary-color=%23ffffff&amp;secondary-color=%23000000" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
The other five ads — supporting Senator John Husted in Ohio, Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska, Michael Whatley in North Carolina, Ashley Hinson in Iowa, and John Sununu in New Hampshire — use the same script.
The messaging highlights how central affordability has become, as polls show growing voter dissatisfaction with prices and the state of the economy.
“Working families and seniors are still paying the price for Democrats’ reckless spending spree,” NRSC National Press Secretary Bernadette Breslin told The Daily Wire. “Senate Republicans are fighting to make life more affordable by cutting wasteful spending, reversing Democrats’ inflation, and delivering historic tax relief for hardworking Americans.”
With tax season underway, many Americans are seeing larger refunds. As of Feb. 6, 2026, average tax refunds stood at $2,290 — up nearly 11%, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/filing-season-statistics-for-week-ending-feb-6-2026">according to the IRS.</a>
Rising fuel prices, however, may be hitting consumers at the pump. On Wednesday, the national average gas price stood at $4.536, <a href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/">according to AAA.</a>  In battleground Michigan — where Republican Mike Rogers is hoping to flip the seat — gas prices are averaging even higher at $4.805.
<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/708905/affordability-dominates-americans-financial-worries.aspx">A Gallup poll</a> released on April 28 found that a record 55% of Americans say their financial situation is getting worse. One in three respondents cited inflation and high prices as their top financial concern.
Retaining control of the U.S. Senate is a critical priority for the White House and Congressional Republicans. The upper chamber is responsible for confirming Supreme Court nominees and deciding President Trump’s fate should a Democratic-led House of Representatives vote to impeach him a third time. <a href="https://kalshi.com/markets/controls/senate-winner/controls-2026">Prediction markets</a> currently give Republicans a narrow advantage in retaining control. 
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Republicans hold a 53–47 majority, meaning Democrats would need to flip four seats to take control. If the chamber were split 50–50, Vice President Vance could cast tie-breaking votes.
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Maine Senator Susan Collins — who is set to face off against Graham Platner — is not included in the NRSC’s advertisement blitz. 
Platner, who was exposed for having a Nazi tattoo, also faced backlash for past <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dem-senate-hopeful-called-himself-a-communist-made-racist-comments-in-reddit-posts">Reddit posts</a>, including ones where he called himself a “communist” and said, “cops are bastards.”
Chuck Schumer’s candidate of choice, Gov. Janet Mills, dropped out of the race after failing to gain traction with left-wing primary voters. 
Her exit from the race was welcome news to Republicans.
“Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats just coronated a phony who is too extreme for Maine. Susan Collins has always put in the work for her constituents and delivered. Washington Democrats always fall short in Maine and will again, because they just nominated a dishonest radical,” NRSC Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/maine-dem-who-sparred-with-trump-over-trans-athletes-ends-campaign">said in a statement.</a>

EXCLUSIVE: Republicans Home In On Affordability In Midterm Battleground Ad Push

Economy

Midterms

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