American politician, senior U.S. senator from South Dakota since 2005
Trump is increasing pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to scrap the filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act, as Republican divisions over voting legislation intensify ahead of the August recess. The White House and Trump allies are pushing for a party-line vote, while lawmakers warn of votes and timing concerns amid a tenuous midterm landscape.
Max Miller faces mounting calls to resign amid domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife and other sources. The House Ethics Committee has opened a probe as Republicans weigh potential action while Miller pledges to stay in the race. Political fallout intensifies as several senators and Trump allies weigh in.
The Independent reports that Donald Trump remains fixated on renovations, monuments and Iran, with insiders warning this focus undermines his party’s midterm prospects. Polls show broad discontent with his leadership, while GOP candidates seek to defend the party’s Senate chances as competition tightens.
The Senate has passed a bipartisan short-term funding bill 90-6 to keep the federal government funded through Dec. 11. The measure blocks the administration from transferring funds to the Border Patrol, delays a national ban on intoxicating hemp products by one month, and pauses a proposed White House grants rule while negotiations on full-year spending continue.
A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $567 million into an abatement fund and to change product features for young users, adding to a $375 million jury award from March and bringing Meta’s total liability in the case to $942 million. The bulk of the new fund — $420 million — is allocated for youth mental-health treatment; other measures include limits on notifications and enhanced age-assurance steps.
Republicans have planned a first‑ever midterm convention in Dallas for September 9–10 to rally support and raise money, but dozens of House candidates have told Politico they will skip it. Organisers have set high ticket and donor prices, including roundtables priced up to $250,000 and a photo with the president for $88,600, prompting criticism inside the party and from donors.
MAGA Inc. has opened a $10 million television and digital ad campaign to boost Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate bid against Democrat James Talarico in a race that has become unexpectedly competitive in Texas. The buy is the first major general-election spend from Trump’s super PAC this cycle and will run positive spots for Paxton and attack ads against Talarico.
Sen. John Fetterman has recorded a one-minute video praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and saying he will work with President Trump to defend Pennsylvania’s steel industry. The clip has intensified Democratic doubts about Fetterman’s party loyalty, prompted fresh talk of a possible party switch and handed Republicans a high‑profile talking point ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
Voters head to the polls as midterms approach with forecasts showing Democrats defending the Senate and House amid inflation, Iran tensions, and Trump-era dynamics shaping campaigns and fundraising. Campaigns stress costs and stability while major donors mobilize to influence outcomes.
The Independent reports a Dallas midterm convention that invites donors to a $250,000 roundtable, with cheaper options for photos and smaller groups. Despite questions about the event’s purpose and pricing, organizers say the purpose is to fund campaigns as Republicans push to energize voters ahead of November. Trump is backing the ticket while some candidates face tough races.
The midterm contests are intensifying as key Senate races move toward toss-ups amid headwinds from Trump-era unpopularity and internal party divisions. Republicans hold a fragile Senate edge while Democrats seek gains in Michigan, Maine, Texas, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio; fundraising and redistricting battles shape outcomes.
Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon has resigned and warned that Anthropic and OpenAI are "racing straight to self‑improving superintelligence" and "gambling with our lives," saying builders privately believe AI could kill humanity within the decade. Current and former employees, including Evan Hubinger, have publicly echoed similar existential concerns, prompting fresh calls in Washington for limits and oversight.
President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both chambers in the November midterms. The White House has released only a short fact sheet; Republicans, legal experts and budget analysts have questioned the plan’s legality, its roughly $1.2–1.4 trillion cost and how the payments would be funded or authorised without Congress.
Leaders from multiple publications report that President Trump has pledged to pay $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress. The pledge has sparked debate over funding, legality, and potential inflation, with critics labeling it a vote-buying gimmick and supporters praising the gesture as economic relief.
Politico and Independent report on Democrats courting southern states as potential paths to 2028 influence. Newsom’s posture toward a possible presidential bid is evolving, while allies highlight fundraising and coalition-building in South Carolina and neighboring states.
Former president Barack Obama has urged House Democrats to build a public framework for AI safety and economic impacts after researchers warned of existential risks. Top AI executives including Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman have pledged steps to slow frontier work, while lawmakers remain split over emergency action ahead of midterm campaigning.
A procedural vote on the Clarity Act has failed to reach the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, leaving the crypto-regulation bill in limbo as lawmakers head into the midterms. The measure, which would establish a federal framework for digital assets, faces divided support and ongoing opposition over ethics provisions and broader regulatory concerns.
Sen. Mitch McConnell has returned to the Capitol after a three-month absence following a June fall and pneumonia. He describes his recovery as long and often frustrating, with lingering effects from childhood polio. He is vowing to be present for tough votes as the Senate reconvenes ahead of the midterms.
Vice President Kamala Harris has appeared with Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El‑Sayed at a Detroit-area roundtable on Black maternal health as Democrats push to flip a pivotal Michigan Senate seat now less than six weeks from Election Day. El‑Sayed has faced criticism over his positions on Israel; Harris is aiming to boost turnout among Black voters in Wayne County.
Lindberg, the son-in-law of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has been named undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the USDA and will head the World Food Program in Rome. The move comes as WFP faces funding shortfalls that limit its ability to reach millions in hunger crises.
Developing contests across the U.S. see heavy spending from national committees and super PACs. Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas are among the states where ads and funding shifts aim to influence close races. The dynamic spending reflects a broader scramble to protect or seize Senate control as Election Day approaches.
The government has spent millions on TV ads featuring President Trump and other officials, labeled as public service announcements. Democratic senators have demanded answers, arguing the funding may be illegal and constituted a misuse of taxpayer dollars as midterms approach. The ads have drawn broad criticism and questions about independence of agencies.
Democrats are moving to block funding for Trump's planned memorial projects in memorial circles, using the appropriations process and new legislation to protect presidential memorials from demolition. Merkley and Murkowski will push bills next week, signaling a procedural fight that could constrain funding this year.
Elon Musk has given roughly $366m this cycle to Republican groups, including $158m to the Senate Leadership Fund and about $76m to his own America PAC, filings show. Much of the money is financing heavy advertising and turnout operations in Texas and other battlegrounds, reviving vulnerable campaigns and freeing national GOP resources for other contests.