GOP Senator Blackburn enters 2026 race for Tennessee governor

GOP Senator Marsha Blackburn is entering the race for Tennessee governor. Blackburn is a Trump ally who has spent more than two decades in the House and Senate. Her entry into the 2026 Tennessee governor’s race sets up a primary showdown with another Trump supporter — GOP Congressman John Rose. Both Republicans are vying to succeed Governor Bill Lee, who faces a term limit after eight years in office. In an opening campaign ad, Blackburn ties herself closely to Donald Trump’s agenda

Trump, GOP lawmakers disagree on redistricting

President Trump supports the re-drawing of congressional maps in Texas, but not all Republicans are on board. The president says Democrats do redistricting, so the Republicans should, too. But several House Republicans are voicing their opposition. Axios reports that GOP lawmakers Kevin Kiley of California and Mike Lawler of New York want to ban mid-decade redistricting in all states. Representative Nicole Malliotakis of New Yo said it’s “wrong” for either party to do it.

Trump says military takeover of Gaza is “up to Israel”

President Trump is not commenting on a potential Israeli military takeover of Gaza. Asked whether he supports or opposes a potential Israeli takeover of Gaza, the president said his administration’s focus was on food access for the Palestinian people. As for reports of Israel’s military taking total control of Gaza, the president said that’s not his call and that it’s “pretty much up to Israel.”

Trump says VP Vance is the 2028 GOP frontrunner

President Trump considers JD Vance the frontrunner for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination.
The president was asked if he believes that Vice President Vance is the heir apparent to the MAGA movement. He also said Secretary of State Rubio would be a strong consideration for 2028.

Trump reviewing 4 candidates as possible Fed chair successor

President Trump says he’s reviewing four candidates as a possible successor to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. The president said he has narrowed the field of potential Fed chair candidates to four and that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is not on the list. He told CNBC that Bessent has taken himself out of contention. Jerome Powell, whose Fed term ends next May, has been brutally ridiculed by Donald Trump for not lowering interest rates. The president nominated Powell for the Fed job during his first administration in 2017.

Trump admin wants to end abortion coverage through VA

The Trump administration wants to end abortion coverage through Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing the removal of abortion coverage from the list of medical benefits for veterans and their families. The VA says it would still provide abortion in life-threatening circumstances, but that the benefit is not needed. Critics of the change note that abortion would not be provided when pregnancies are the result of rape or incest. Veterans Affairs did not include abortion in its coverage until the Biden administration added it in 2022.

Pope viewed more favorably than Trump in Gallup poll

The first American pope is popular in the U-S, but Trump administration officials don’t fare as well. Topping the list in Gallup’s annual polling on top newsmakers is the Chicago-born Pope Leo the 14th. He has the most positive image among more than a dozen national and global figures. Ukrainian President Zelensky also has a favorable rating among Americans. Meanwhile, the Gallup survey shows Trump administration officials are viewed negatively. Both President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have a net favorable rating of negative 16 percent.

Trump slams monthly jobs numbers as “rigged” and “concocted”

President Trump is doubling down on his criticism of last week’s monthly jobs report. In social media posts, the president slammed the July employment numbers as “rigged” and “concocted” in order to hurt the Trump administration. He complained about “massive” revisions to the previous two month’s numbers, calling them “fake.” And has alleged, without evidence, that partisan federal workers are trying to sabotage him. Last week, he fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and he promises to “pick an exceptional replacement” in the coming days.

Rep. Mace runs for SC governor, calls herself “Trump in high heels”

GOP Congresswoman Nancy Mace is running for governor of South Carolina — and hitching her campaign to Donald Trump. Mace has entered a GOP primary in which competition for President Trump’s endorsement is expected to be fierce. She joins at least three other Republicans in the race for South Carolina governor. Mace calls herself “Trump in high heels” and has largely supported the president since 2016. Although she criticized him following the January 6th riots and violence at the U-S Capitol.

Trump to name new jobs statistician in the coming week

President Trump plans to announce a new head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics this week. Unhappy with the recent jobs numbers, the president fired the BLS commissioner last week. And he told reporters he’ll name a replacement soon — “in the next 3 or 4 days.” The president accused the former jobs statistician28 of faking jobs numbers, calling it a “scam” without providing any evidence.

Trump considering a tariff rebate for some Americans

President Trump says some Americans could get some kind of a rebate from his global tariffs.
The president is considering a possible distribution or dividend from tariff revenue for middle-income and low-income people. However, he also said he wants to use tariff money to pay down the U-S debt.

Trump aide accuses India of financing Russia’s war in Ukraine

A top Trump aide accuses India of effectively financing Russia’s war in Ukraine. Stephen Miller, the deputy chief of staff at the White House, said it’s “not acceptable” for India to purchase oil from Russia, which he argued is supporting Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Last week, a 25 percent tariff on Indian products went into effect as a result of its purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia. President Trump has also threatened 100 percent tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil.

Trump to meet with British PM in Scotland later this week

President Trump is headed to Scotland later this week. The president plans to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his upcoming trip. His family business has a golf course near Aberdeen in northeast Scotland, while a second course is set to open in the area soon. There is also a Trump course near Turnberry in the country’s southwest.

Trump eyes 5 new GOP congressional districts in Texas

Trump threatens the Federal Reserve’s independence

President Trump says he’s not interested in Federal Reserve Board independence. As an independent agency, the nation’s central bank is allowed to make monetary decisions free from political pressure. But President Trump, who is extremely unhappy with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, said he only wants a chair who would cut interest rates. Last week, financial markets were rattled by reports that Powell might be fired. But they recovered after the president said removing the chairman was “highly unlikely.”

In NYC mayor race, Trump boosts Cuomo, blasts Mamdani

President Trump has some thoughts about the race for mayor of New York City. It’s not exactly an endorsement, but Donald Trump thinks Democrat Andrew Cuomo can win the New York City mayor’s race. The former governor has relaunched his campaign as an independent. One of his opponents is Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist state lawmaker. Trump describes Mamdani as a “communist.” Curtis Sliwa is the Republican nominee in the race for mayor of New York.

Trump says MAGA supporters were “duped” in Esptein case

President Trump is criticizing his own supporters as he tries to move past nagging questions about the Jeffrey Epstein case. Loyal members of the MAGA movement are unhappy with the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files and want more transparency. In a bid to change the subject, the president calls the Esptein conspiracy a hoax and bashes some of his supporters as “stupid” and “duped.” However, those “duped” Republicans referred to by the president include Vice President Vance, top FBI brass, and his son, Don Jr.

Trump to hold ceremonial swearing-in for IRS boss

President Trump holds a ceremonial swearing-in for his IRS commissioner. Former Congressman Billy Long was confirmed to lead the IRS last month and now leads an agency he once sought to abolish. In a message to employees, Long said he wants “to develop a more taxpayer-friendly agency by transforming the culture.” Since the start of the Trump administration, the IRS has undergone massive change, including widespread layoffs and voluntary retirements of tens of thousands of workers.

Trump calls Netanyahu after Israel hits Gaza church

President Trump spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu after Israel’s military struck a church in Gaza.
Three people were killed and 10 were wounded, including the parish priest, when an Israeli shell slammed into the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about President Trump’s response. She said Netanyahu told the president it was a “mistake” to hit the church. The prime minister later released a statement saying Israel “regrets” the church strike.

Trump diagnosed with common health condition in older adults

President Trump has been evaluated for swelling in his legs and bruising on one of his hands. A “comprehensive” medical exam revealed that Donald Trump has chronic venous insufficiency. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who shared details from the president’s physician, said there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot. She said the president’s hand bruising is the result of “frequent handshaking” and the use of aspirin. Leavitt described the 79-year-old president as being in “excellent health.”

White House: Trump does not support an Epstein special prosecutor

The White House does not support a special prosecutor in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the possible appointment of a special prosecutor for a full investigation into Epstein’s federal sex trafficking case. She said he does not support such an appointment. Some Republicans are calling for a special counsel, while loyal MAGA supporters, who are unhappy with the Trump administration, are demanding the release of more information.

Embattled over Epstein, Trump criticizes MAGA supporters

President Trump continues to face an uproar over his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Hoping to move on from the issue, the president is now criticizing his supporters over the Epstein conspiracy theories, calling it a “hoax” and saying Republicans were “duped.” He clearly views the case as a distraction, but his vice president, FBI director, deputy FBI director, and son Don, Jr have all publicly pushed for the release of the Epstein files, including the sex trafficker’s so-called “client list.”

Trump signs bill aimed at stopping flow of fentanyl

President Trump has signed a bipartisan bill aimed at stopping the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Joined by parents who lost children to fentanyl overdoses, the president signed the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act. Under the new law, the opioid will be classified as a Schedule One drug, which promises tougher prison sentences for those convicted with trafficking fentanyl.

Trump slams Fed Chair Powell, but no plans to fire him

President Trump says he’s not planning to fire Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. The president responded to media reports that he’s ready to remove Powell from his job. But he continued to attack Powell for not lowering interest rates. It was Donald Trump who appointed Powell to be Fed chair in 2017. He was reappointed by Joe Biden.