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Shock Poll: GOP Candidate Leads California Gov Race as Dem Party Throws Itself Off a Cliff
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Shock Poll: GOP Candidate Leads California Gov Race as Dem Party Throws Itself Off a Cliff

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Republican policy analyst and commentator Steve Hilton is leading the latest poll in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, a development that suggests widespread voter dissatisfaction with the state’s Democratic leadership.

The Emerson College poll shows Hilton narrowly ahead of all major Democratic contenders, including former Representative Katie Porter.

His lead falls within the survey’s 3% margin of error, but the result marks a rare moment in which a Republican candidate tops a statewide poll in California.

Hilton, known for his work as a conservative commentator and his criticism of the state’s high taxes, cost of living, and public safety issues, has emerged as the early front-runner in a crowded field.

The poll comes amid deep divisions within California’s Democratic Party and declining enthusiasm among voters after years of one-party rule.

The survey found that 57% of California voters support Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to alter congressional district maps, a move critics say would dismantle the state’s constitutionally mandated independent redistricting commission.

The governor’s plan would give the state legislature more power over how congressional lines are drawn — a change opponents argue could entrench Democratic control for decades.

While the poll reflects the state’s continued liberal tilt on many policy issues, it also reveals growing frustration with Democratic leadership.

Newsom’s approval rating stands at 48%, his highest mark in the past year, yet still below 50% amid concerns about homelessness, crime, and the state’s declining population.

Hilton’s lead comes as Democratic support fractures among several lesser-known candidates.

Porter, who represented Orange County in Congress until early 2025, is the only Democrat polling in double digits.

Her campaign, however, has struggled to recover from a recent controversy involving a heated exchange with a CBS interviewer, which drew widespread backlash.

Other Democrats included in the Emerson poll failed to gain significant traction.

Political analysts note that the weak early showing from the Democratic field could prompt additional candidates to enter the race.

Among those mentioned as potential contenders is Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), who has maintained a low national profile since being appointed to fill Kamala Harris’s former Senate seat in 2021.

Padilla’s potential candidacy is seen by some party strategists as an effort to consolidate Democratic voters behind a single, higher-profile figure capable of challenging Hilton’s momentum.

The poll’s findings also indicate that overall Democratic support still outweighs Republican support when all candidates are grouped by party affiliation, reflecting the state’s longstanding political demographics.

However, Hilton’s early lead highlights shifting attitudes among independents and moderate Democrats, particularly in regions outside the coastal metropolitan areas.

Emerson College surveyed a cross-section of registered voters across the state, with results showing that economic concerns remain a dominant factor in voter priorities.

Respondents cited housing affordability, taxes, and public safety as the most important issues ahead of the 2026 election.

Hilton, originally from the United Kingdom, previously served as an adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron before moving to the United States, where he became an American citizen.

He has since worked as a political analyst and commentator, focusing on state-level policy reforms and government accountability.

If Hilton maintains his position in the months ahead, it would mark one of the strongest showings by a Republican gubernatorial candidate in California in more than a decade.

The last Republican to serve as governor was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who left office in 2011.

The California governor’s race is scheduled for November 2026.

Warren Launches “Investigation” Into Privately Funded Trump Ballroom, Gets Roasted Online
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Warren Launches “Investigation” Into Privately Funded Trump Ballroom, Gets Roasted Online

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) faced widespread criticism and mockery on social media after announcing an investigation into the funding behind President Donald Trump’s new White House ballroom project.

Warren revealed her plans Thursday on X, saying she would examine how the project’s contracts were approved and whether the companies funding the construction had ties to the Trump administration.

Her post came as demolition began on the East Wing to make way for the addition.

“I’ve launched an investigation into the contracting and approval process for the demolition of the White House — and whether the corporate donors funding Trump’s ballroom are seeking favors with the Administration,” Warren wrote.

“The American public deserves answers.”

The ballroom, which will span approximately 9,000 square feet, is projected to cost $300 million.

President Trump has said the project is being funded through private and corporate donations, not taxpayer money.

Warren’s comments echoed broader concerns raised by Senate Democrats, who claim that the donations may present potential ethical conflicts.

“Billionaires and corporations with business in front of the Trump administration are coughing up millions to build Trump’s BALLROOM,” she wrote in a follow-up post.

“What are these companies getting in return?”

A White House spokesperson dismissed Warren’s announcement, arguing that the senator’s priorities were misplaced amid the ongoing government shutdown.

“Democrats are more concerned with President Trump’s historic beautification of the White House than they are for American citizens [who] are hurting because of their reckless government shutdown,” spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement to MSNBC.

The ballroom project has been in planning stages for months, with initial approval obtained earlier in the year.

The addition is expected to serve as a permanent venue for official ceremonies, receptions, and state events, replacing temporary structures often used for large gatherings.

Following Warren’s post, critics flooded social media with ridicule and skepticism about the senator’s announcement.

Many users questioned the need for an investigation into a privately funded project and accused her of attempting to score political points.

“So let me get this straight, you are going to use taxpayer money to investigate a privately funded renovation project?” one user wrote in response to Warren’s post.

Others suggested the move was politically motivated, citing the timing of the announcement during the ongoing shutdown.

“If this was such a concern, why now? Why not back in July when it was all made public?” another commenter asked.

“Could it be because back then, you weren’t getting HAMMERED over your shutdown, and you’re now desperately clinging to ANYTHING that might serve as a distraction?”

Some responses mocked Warren directly, referencing her previous controversies.

“Liz wants White House events held in inflatable tents instead of a ballroom because tents remind her of the teepee she grew up in,” one user joked.

Another wrote, “How she launching an investigation? By opening a Google tab?”

“I expect this to go about as well as your ancestry DNA investigation,” another reply read, referencing the senator’s past claims of Native American ancestry.

While Warren’s office has not provided further details on the scope of her inquiry, the announcement has drawn both scrutiny and laughter online.

The White House confirmed that all funding for the ballroom project would come from private donations and emphasized that no taxpayer funds would be used.

Construction on the White House ballroom is expected to continue through early next year, with completion anticipated in mid-2026.

Karine Jean-Pierre Cornered on CNN Over Biden’s Cognitive Decline
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Karine Jean-Pierre Cornered on CNN Over Biden’s Cognitive Decline

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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre appeared on CNN Thursday to promote her new book but faced tough questioning from anchor Brianna Keilar, who pressed her about Joe Biden’s mental and physical fitness during his time in office.

The interview quickly shifted from the topic of Jean-Pierre’s memoir to Biden’s cognitive abilities after Keilar cited Original Sin, a recently released book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson.

The book reported that multiple former cabinet secretaries believed Biden was not capable of handling late-night crises and included claims that actor George Clooney said Biden did not recognize him at a fundraiser he hosted.

Keilar directly challenged Jean-Pierre: “Why, why didn’t you see… Why didn’t you have concerns? Why didn’t you raise them?”

Jean-Pierre responded by defending Biden’s performance and denying that she had ever seen signs of mental decline.

“So, I did not have any concerns. I saw him on a daily basis, Brianna. You know that. I saw him every day. I engaged with him every day,” Jean-Pierre said.

She acknowledged that Biden “showed age” but insisted, “This is a president that was sharp. This is a president that pushed his staff. This is a president that was on top of what the policies that he cared about that were important to the American people.”

Jean-Pierre continued by emphasizing what she described as Biden’s leadership record.

“This is a president that led a coalition… when it came to the war in Ukraine,” she said, adding that the administration achieved “historic successes” in its first years.

Keilar pressed further, asking bluntly, “Do you think he should be president right now?”

Jean-Pierre repeated that she had no concerns about Biden’s capacity to serve.

“No. I did not see anything that concerned me when he decided to run for president. I did not,” she said.

“I saw him every single day. He was sharp, and he was on top of the policies.”

Keilar then asked whether Jean-Pierre had read Original Sin, which draws on interviews with more than 200 sources, including officials close to the former president.

Jean-Pierre admitted she had not read the book and had no plans to.

Keilar challenged that response.

“A lot of people, if the leadership of their workplace imploded… and someone wrote a book with 200 sources… they would want to read it. They’d want to reflect on that. Why not?” she asked.

Jean-Pierre replied, “No, because… I saw it personally and I experienced it personally. On an average day-to-day. And right now… look where we are today.”

The discussion then took an unexpected turn when Jean-Pierre shifted topics to what she described as domestic threats to minority communities.

“There are people who are going missing in the street because there’s military being told to round people up who are brown, who are black. And some of them are US citizens,” she said.

“We are in a place where the rule of law has been thrown out the window.”

The interview drew attention across media and social platforms, with observers noting Keilar’s persistent questioning and Jean-Pierre’s repeated refusal to engage directly with the claims raised in Original Sin.

Jean-Pierre’s remarks come amid continued debate over Biden’s condition during his presidency and the accounts of senior officials who have described internal concerns about his ability to fulfill the demands of the office.

The segment marked one of the most direct confrontations Jean-Pierre has faced from a mainstream network since leaving the White House, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of Biden’s tenure and the accounts documented by former administration insiders.

Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Deployed to the Caribbean to Help Fight Venezuela Cartels
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Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Deployed to the Caribbean to Help Fight Venezuela Cartels

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday directed a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group to deploy to the Caribbean as tensions with Venezuela escalated over alleged narcotics trafficking operations.

The U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, accompanied by several guided-missile destroyers and a submarine, was ordered to the region under the command of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).

The deployment follows a series of operations led by the Trump administration targeting drug smuggling routes allegedly connected to Venezuelan networks.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the deployment in a statement posted on X, saying the move was designed to strengthen the U.S. military’s presence and operational capabilities in the region.

“The enhanced U.S. force presence in the USSOUTHCOM [Area of Responsibility] will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere,” Parnell said.

“These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.”

The deployment marks one of the largest U.S. naval movements in the Caribbean in recent years and underscores the administration’s renewed focus on countering organized criminal operations linked to Venezuela and other regional actors.

Hegseth’s order came the same day the Pentagon confirmed a separate military engagement in the Caribbean.

According to Hegseth, U.S. forces struck a boat operated by members of the Tren de Aragua organization, a Venezuelan-based criminal network known for its involvement in drug trafficking and violent crimes across South America and the Caribbean.

The operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of six individuals described by the Pentagon as “narco-terrorists.”

No U.S. personnel were injured during the incident.

The strike on the Tren de Aragua vessel followed weeks of heightened intelligence activity in the region as U.S. agencies tracked increased trafficking movements tied to the group.

Defense officials said the operation was part of a broader campaign to intercept smuggling networks and prevent the transfer of narcotics into the United States.

USSOUTHCOM, headquartered in Doral, Florida, oversees U.S. military operations across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Its mission includes countering drug trafficking, supporting humanitarian efforts, and strengthening regional security partnerships.

Officials have not specified how long the Gerald R. Ford strike group will remain deployed, but defense analysts said the movement signals a clear deterrent message to Venezuela and other governments accused of facilitating or tolerating criminal enterprises in their territorial waters.

The deployment also comes amid renewed diplomatic tension between Washington and Caracas following reports of Venezuelan cooperation with foreign actors under U.S. sanctions.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused the Venezuelan government of turning a blind eye to drug smuggling operations and harboring criminal groups that pose threats to regional stability.

Defense Department sources said the strike group’s presence will support ongoing joint operations with regional allies, including Colombia and the Dominican Republic, aimed at intercepting narcotics shipments before they reach U.S. shores.

The U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, commissioned in 2017, is the Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier.

Its deployment to the Caribbean reflects an intensified U.S. focus on maritime security and counter-narcotics enforcement in the Western Hemisphere.

Trump Admin Discovers a Ton of Money Going to Illegal Aliens for Healthcare
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Trump Admin Discovers a Ton of Money Going to Illegal Aliens for Healthcare

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The Trump administration has identified more than $1 billion in taxpayer money that was improperly used to fund healthcare for illegal immigrants, according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Director Dr. Mehmet Oz.

The revelation comes as the government shutdown enters its fourth week amid an ongoing standoff over federal spending priorities.

In an interview with Fox & Friends this week, Dr. Oz said investigators have reviewed records from only about half a dozen states so far and already discovered more than $1 billion in misspent Medicaid funds.

“The receipts don’t lie,” Dr. Oz said, adding that the administration is in the process of “clawing back” the funds that were misused.

The discovery adds to growing concerns about waste and fraud in federally funded healthcare programs.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been auditing spending under the direction of the Trump administration, has found extensive evidence of improper payments linked to illegal immigrants’ use of Medicaid services.

Dr. Oz said the administration’s investigation is ongoing and that additional states are expected to come under review in the coming months.

Officials emphasized that only a small portion of the nationwide Medicaid system has been examined so far, suggesting that the total amount of misspent funds could ultimately be much higher.

The latest findings come as the federal government remains partially shut down following disagreements in Congress over budget priorities.

The Trump administration has accused Democrats of refusing to fund essential programs for American citizens while fighting to preserve healthcare benefits and social services that benefit individuals living in the country illegally.

Earlier this month, House Speaker Mike Johnson discussed the issue during an interview with ABC News host George Stephanopoulos.

Johnson said Democrats had made federal funding for illegal immigrants’ healthcare a key demand in ongoing budget negotiations.

“They’ve made it clear they want to keep the gravy train going,” Johnson said, describing the dispute as one of the main causes of the shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democratic leaders have criticized Republican spending proposals, calling them “uncompassionate.”

They have defended continued healthcare access for illegal immigrants under Medicaid expansion, arguing that the policy is consistent with federal healthcare law and humanitarian obligations.

However, the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have pointed to reports of widespread fraud and abuse within Medicaid as evidence that reforms are necessary.

A 2024 report by RedState cited Oregon as an example, where the state is expected to distribute approximately $1.5 billion in healthcare benefits from 2025 through 2027, with 25 percent of that cost funded by federal taxpayers.

The CMS audit findings have intensified scrutiny of those programs, especially in states that have expanded eligibility requirements.

Officials said federal guidelines prohibit Medicaid funding for individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States, except in emergency situations.

Dr. Oz said the administration is committed to recovering misused funds and strengthening oversight to prevent future waste.

“We’re focused on accountability,” he said, noting that the administration is coordinating with state governments to ensure compliance with federal rules.

Despite the shutdown, White House officials said the Trump administration continues to prioritize efforts to lower drug costs and improve healthcare affordability for American families.

The administration recently announced a second agreement with a major pharmaceutical company to reduce prescription prices nationwide, part of its broader initiative to make medication more accessible to the public.

The CMS investigation remains ongoing, and additional findings are expected to be released in the coming weeks as more state audits are completed.

MSNBC Guest Suggests Trump Will Use the Military to Kill Americans
WASHINGTON D.C., USA - FEBRUARY 4, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a press conference in the East Room of the White House.
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MSNBC Guest Suggests Trump Will Use the Military to Kill Americans

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MSNBC host Alicia Menendez and Atlantic writer Tom Nichols on Friday suggested that President Donald Trump could use the United States military as a “private army” to target Americans, during a segment discussing the Pentagon’s latest deployment to the Caribbean and South America.

The Pentagon this week approved the movement of the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the U.S. Southern Command.

The deployment is intended to increase pressure on Venezuela and strengthen operations against transnational cartel activity across South America.

However, on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House, Menendez and Nichols portrayed the mission as an alleged abuse of power and potential violation of international law.

“Even the fact that there are officers who are having that conversation tells you about the five-alarm fire that we are in, because the Trump administration claims they can lawfully kill people simply because they are suspected of drug trafficking like enemy troops, instead of arresting them for prosecution. Does that match your understanding of the law?” Menendez asked Nichols.

“No, not American law and not international treaties to which we are a signatory,” Nichols responded.

“The American president has said, ‘I can point the US military any place I want and kill anyone I want.’ That eventually is going to become a principle in the domestic use of the military.”

Nichols continued by suggesting that President Trump’s actions were part of a broader attempt to “acclimate” the public to the idea that the military could be used for personal or political objectives.

“He is acclimating people to the notion that the military is his private army unconstrained by law, unconstrained by norms, unconstrained by American traditions. I don’t really think this has anything to do with drugs,” Nichols said.

“Sometimes I wonder how far he’s going to go to stop the release of the Epstein files and how many distractions he’s going to throw at us.”

“This is about getting out from under his already dismal record, his record low approval ratings, his struggling with a scandal, and he is now saying, ‘I am going to acclimate the American public to the use of military force anywhere I deem it appropriate under any circumstances,’” Nichols added.

“The president may be thinking, ‘I may well have us in a war by the time the elections roll around, which will enable me to say any opposition to me and my party is basically treason and unpatriotic.’”

Menendez concluded the segment by agreeing with Nichols’ characterization.

“Tom Nichols, your brain and my brain have gone to the exact same place,” she said.

While MSNBC panelists framed the Pentagon’s move as politically motivated, polling indicates that most Americans view President Trump as keeping his promises.

According to CNN’s Harry Enten, 52% of voters said as of October 7 that Trump is delivering on his 2024 campaign pledges.

The military deployment follows a series of steps by the administration aimed at combating international narcotics networks and hostile regimes in the region.

In August, President Trump ordered additional naval forces to the southern Caribbean after designating several Latin American cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

U.S. Air Force bombers have since conducted flight patrols near Venezuelan airspace as part of a larger deterrence campaign.

Drug traffickers operating in the Caribbean and South America have increasingly shifted to commercial shipping lanes, low-flying aircraft, and smaller maritime vessels to evade U.S. detection.

Administration officials have said that the expanded naval presence is necessary to disrupt those networks and prevent them from funneling narcotics and weapons into the United States.

The administration has also increased diplomatic and financial pressure on Venezuela and its regional allies.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, days after he publicly called for President Trump’s removal from office.

As operations intensify under U.S. Southern Command, analysts note that the effort represents the largest anti-cartel military deployment in the region in more than a decade.

Despite criticism from commentators, the Pentagon has maintained that the mission’s objective remains narrowly focused on countering organized crime and ensuring regional stability.

While Congress Fumbled, This Billionaire Patriot Paid the Troops Out of Pocket
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While Congress Fumbled, This Billionaire Patriot Paid the Troops Out of Pocket

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Billionaire businessman Timothy Mellon, heir to one of America’s most prominent banking families, has been identified as the individual who donated $130 million to ensure U.S. troops were paid during the federal government shutdown.

The New York Times reported Saturday that Mellon, 83, was the anonymous benefactor referenced earlier in the week by President Donald Trump.

The President had described the contributor as “a friend” who “loves the military and loves the country” but had requested not to be named.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Asia on Friday night, President Trump called the donor’s wish for anonymity “pretty unusual in the world I come from,” adding that the individual was “a great gentleman” and “a great patriot.”

The White House did not comment on the report and directed inquiries to the Department of War and the Treasury Department. Both agencies declined immediate comment.

Mellon is the grandson of Andrew Mellon, who served as U.S. Treasury Secretary from 1921 to 1932 and was a key figure in shaping American economic policy during the early 20th century.

The Mellon family, which built its wealth through banking, oil, and steel, is estimated to be worth about $14 billion, according to Forbes.

A reclusive figure, Timothy Mellon resides in Wyoming and rarely speaks publicly. His political contributions have drawn attention in recent years.

One day after President Trump’s 2024 conviction in a New York fraud case, Mellon donated $50 million to the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again.

While the Pentagon formally accepted Mellon’s $130 million contribution, questions remain about whether the funds can legally be distributed.

The Antideficiency Act prohibits federal agencies from spending money that has not been appropriated by Congress during a government shutdown.

“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of service members’ salaries and benefits,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.

The Senate on Thursday voted down a proposal that would have ensured pay for active-duty military personnel during the shutdown, rejecting the measure 54-45.

President Trump has been vocal about ensuring troops are paid despite the budget stalemate.

“I am using my authority, as Commander in Chief, to direct our Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to use all available funds to get our Troops PAID on October 15th,” the President posted on his Truth Social account earlier this month.

The Pentagon subsequently said it identified available resources, including unused research and development funds, to cover immediate payroll needs.

Legal experts, however, have questioned whether reallocating those funds without congressional approval could violate the Constitution’s spending clause, which reserves the power of appropriations to Congress.

Mellon’s involvement adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate over executive authority and fiscal control during a government shutdown.

His unprecedented donation underscores growing private sector efforts to fill gaps left by congressional gridlock, even as legal and procedural barriers continue to complicate their implementation.

Andrew Mellon’s legacy continues to influence the family’s public image.

Known both for his business empire and his philanthropy, the elder Mellon’s donations helped establish major cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Art and Carnegie Mellon University.

His grandson’s recent gift, though unconventional in form, reflects a similar impulse toward civic contribution — albeit one entangled in the political and legal complexities of a modern government shutdown.

JD Vance Torches Zohran Mamdani’s 9/11 Remarks: ‘Real Victim Was His Auntie?’
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JD Vance Torches Zohran Mamdani’s 9/11 Remarks: ‘Real Victim Was His Auntie?’

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Vice President J.D. Vance criticized New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Saturday, responding to comments Mamdani made during a campaign event about the impact of the September 11th attacks on his family.

Vance posted on X that, according to the Democrat, “the real victim of 9/11” was his aunt.

The exchange came as early voting began in New York City, where Mamdani, a Democratic frontrunner, faces competition from former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.

“I want to speak to the memory of my aunt. Who stopped taking the subway after September 11th because she did not feel safe in her hijab,” Mamdani said during a Friday campaign event.

Vance shared a clip of those remarks on X, adding, “According to Zohran, the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks.”

Mamdani, who represents Astoria in the New York State Assembly, used the campaign stop to address what he described as discrimination faced by Muslim New Yorkers since the 2001 attacks.

“I want to speak to the Muslim who works for our city, whether they teach in our schools or walk the beat for the NYPD, New Yorkers who all make daily sacrifices for the city they call home, only to see their leaders spit in their face,” Mamdani said.

He continued, “I want to speak to every child who grows up here marked as the other, who is randomly selected in a way that never quite feels random, who feels that they carry a stain that can never be cleaned. Growing up in the shadow of 9/11, I have known what it means to live with an undercurrent of suspicion in this city.”

Mamdani’s comments followed a separate controversy earlier in the week involving Andrew Cuomo.

The former governor appeared on WABC’s “Sid & Friends in the Morning” on Thursday, where he questioned Mamdani’s capacity to lead New York City during an emergency.

“Any given moment, there’s a crisis, and people’s lives are at stake. God forbid, there’s another 9/11. Can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?” Cuomo said.

Host Sid Rosenberg responded, “He’d be cheering.”

Cuomo replied, “That’s another problem,” before reiterating, “But could you imagine that?”

The exchange prompted Mamdani to accuse Cuomo of engaging in “Islamophobic rhetoric.”

During a campaign event later that day in Manhattan, Mamdani addressed reporters who asked about the remarks.

“Yes, I believe that they were,” he said.

“We’re speaking about a former governor who, in his final moments in public life, is engaging in rhetoric that is not only Islamophobic, not only racist, it’s also disgusting.”

Mamdani, a progressive Democrat and self-described democratic socialist, has faced scrutiny from both his opponents and national political figures for his past comments about policing, Israel, and 9/11.

Vance’s post drew attention to how national leaders are increasingly weighing in on the city’s race, signaling the broader political implications of Mamdani’s candidacy.

The election is set for November, with early voting underway across New York City’s five boroughs.

Former Dem Senator Says Biden Allies Threatened His Family Over Build Back Better Vote
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Former Dem Senator Says Biden Allies Threatened His Family Over Build Back Better Vote

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Former Senator Joe Manchin said he was the target of an organized, months-long pressure campaign led by well-funded groups aligned with then-President Joe Biden to force his support for the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better bill in 2021.

Manchin made the disclosure during an appearance Thursday on the All-In Podcast, where he described receiving repeated death threats, harassment, and protests near his home and family during negotiations over the massive spending package.

“I told him, I said, ‘Mr. President, I’m sorry, man, I can’t get there.’ And they tried for eight months to beat up on me. I mean, I had to have security,” Manchin said.

The former West Virginia senator, who left the Democratic Party and became an independent before retiring, said the campaign escalated to the point that Capitol Police escorted him to and from work for his protection.

“It’s pretty intense, but I can tell you one thing: when every day the Capitol Police call you and say your death threats are serious right now — ‘We’ll meet you down where you live, and we’ll bring you to work, and we’ll take you back home’ — you know things are pretty serious. I never wanted to know the extent, but I knew they were serious,” Manchin said.

He added that the threats extended to his family.

“Then one time they said, ‘This is really getting serious now, because now we got things — they know where your children go to school, they know where your grandchildren are, where your kids live.’ And I’m thinking, ‘Oh my God, this is crazy.’”

Co-host Chamath Palihapitiya asked what the pressure campaign looked like in practice.

“Because it’s not just the President exactly as you write in the book — it’s people showing up at your house. It’s people with little kayaks with protest signs around your boat. It’s pretty intense,” Palihapitiya said.

Manchin confirmed that the protests outside his Washington, D.C. houseboat were coordinated and sustained.

“It was not random. It was well planned,” he said.

He described how paid activists in kayaks circled his residence on the Potomac River for hours at a time while others demonstrated near his office.

The senator’s resistance to the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better proposal eventually forced the White House and congressional Democrats to scale down the bill dramatically.

The final version, renamed the Inflation Reduction Act, passed at roughly $740 billion — one-fifth of the original size.

The legislation was signed into law in August 2022, but its passage followed intense intraparty conflict.

Manchin’s refusal to endorse the original proposal made him the focal point of public criticism from progressive activists and organizations that supported the administration’s agenda.

Manchin told the podcast that the hostility he faced was not organic but orchestrated by major Democratic-affiliated groups.

“None of these acts were spontaneous,” he said.

“It was all part of a well-crafted plan to pressure me into going along with the President’s agenda.”

Reports from that period support Manchin’s account of sustained protests. In November 2021, climate activists from the group Third Act Movement surrounded his vehicle in a parking garage.

The group, founded earlier that year, focuses on environmental activism and opposition to fossil fuel funding.

Capitol Police data shows the rise in political threats nationwide.

In September 2025, the agency reported handling approximately 14,000 threat assessment cases annually, reflecting the growing prevalence of harassment and intimidation directed at public officials.

Manchin’s account adds new details to the behind-the-scenes tensions that defined the Democratic Party’s legislative battles during Biden’s term.

His description of the pressure campaign — and its impact on his security and family — has renewed discussion about political coercion and the methods advocacy organizations use to influence elected officials.

Chuck Schumer Told a Whopper So Big Even CNN Fact Checked Him On It
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Chuck Schumer Told a Whopper So Big Even CNN Fact Checked Him On It

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Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and several Democratic lawmakers came under fire this week after circulating a misleading clip of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s remarks about a renovation project at the White House.

The edited video falsely suggested that President Donald Trump’s “main priority” was a ballroom construction project, despite clear context showing the statement referred only to ongoing renovation efforts, not national priorities.

The controversy began Thursday during a White House press briefing, when a reporter asked Leavitt, “In addition to the ballroom and the Rose Garden patio, is the president looking at any other renovations or significant kind of projects here at the White House?”

Leavitt responded, “Not to my knowledge, no. But he’s a builder at heart, clearly. And so his heart and his mind is always churning about how to improve things here on the White House grounds. But at this moment in time, of course, the ballroom is really the president’s main priority.”

Leavitt’s remarks clearly indicated that President Trump’s focus within the scope of White House renovations was on the new East Wing ballroom.

However, a shortened version of her comments, posted by multiple Democrats including Schumer, omitted the first half of her response and made it appear as though she had said the ballroom itself was the president’s main overall priority.

Schumer commented on the edited clip in a social media post, mocking the administration’s renovation project.

The post quickly spread among left-leaning accounts and Democratic members of Congress.

President Trump, however, had already departed for his multi-nation Asia tour Thursday night, where he is scheduled to meet with regional leaders and discuss trade, defense, and economic cooperation.

The misleading post drew criticism from fact-checkers and even CNN, which clarified that the viral video circulating online had been selectively edited to remove key context.

CNN reported that the original exchange showed Leavitt was responding specifically to a question about White House renovation projects and not broader presidential priorities.

“Karoline Leavitt was clearly referring to the planned new ballroom as Trump’s main priority for White House renovations,” CNN’s fact-check segment stated.

“But on social media, various Democratic members of Congress have cut out the first part of the exchange to make it sound like she was saying the ballroom was Trump’s overall main priority.”

The clarification from CNN followed a series of posts from Leavitt and other administration officials pushing back on the narrative.

The White House noted that the new ballroom project is privately funded and intended to serve as a space for state functions, press events, and formal gatherings without additional taxpayer expense.

The ballroom addition, part of a series of updates to the East Wing, has been in planning stages since early 2025.

The project is aimed at expanding the capacity of the White House complex for large official events and was approved following consultations with the National Park Service and historical preservation agencies.

Despite the correction, several Democratic lawmakers left their posts online, and Schumer has not issued a statement acknowledging the misleading nature of the clip.

Administration officials say the incident is another example of partisan misinformation surrounding the White House’s activities.

The episode also unfolded as Congress continues to face gridlock over spending negotiations and the ongoing government shutdown.

Analysts note that the mischaracterization of Leavitt’s remarks likely distracted from Democrats’ broader efforts to shape public opinion during the budget standoff.

By Friday evening, even mainstream outlets acknowledged the clip had been edited in a way that distorted the press secretary’s comments.

The acknowledgment underscored a rare moment of agreement among fact-checkers, with CNN’s coverage confirming that the viral claims circulating on social media were inaccurate.


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