American businessman, political activist, and conspiracy theorist
Trump has disputed federal warnings that Iranian hackers targeted U.S. water systems, instead blaming Minnesota officials for a series of cyberattacks. Authorities have not publicly named a culprit, and investigators say threats to critical infrastructure remain a concern.
South Carolina has held a special Republican primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham and has produced a runoff. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman have advanced; Rep. Russell Fry finished a close third. The Aug. 25 runoff will almost certainly decide the GOP nominee who will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
Francesca Hong leads a four-candidate field in Wisconsin’s governor race, while David Crowley is backing a bid as the field tightens. In Minnesota, race dynamics center on electability ahead of the U.S. Senate contest as progressives threaten to reshape the party’s trajectory.
Muslim public officials face rising anti-Muslim rhetoric from some Republican figures after Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan primary win. CAIR warns that such rhetoric targets Muslim officials nationwide, while other Republicans condemn the tone amid a charged political climate.
Karoline Leavitt has announced she will leave her role as White House press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children. President Donald Trump has said she will remain a top outside adviser; the White House has not named a successor and senior officials are expected to brief reporters temporarily.
Trump has touted a high success rate for endorsements across 2018-2026, while opponents question the reliability and motives behind those wins as candidates in Alabama, Georgia and beyond move through primaries. The pieces highlight intra-party tensions and the evolving dynamics of Trump’s influence.
President Donald Trump has campaigned in Myrtle Beach to back Darline Graham in South Carolina’s special Republican primary, pressing his influence after the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham. Trump has publicly endorsed Darline, held a tele‑rally and framed her as a defender of his priorities as voters prepare to choose a nominee for November’s special election.
In a Republican runoff, Darline Graham has secured a narrow victory in South Carolina with about 52.5% of the vote to Ralph Norman’s 47.6%, aided by a late endorsement from Donald Trump. Graham had faced scrutiny after a debate misstep on national security issues, and Trump’s intervention follows a string of endorsements that have fluctuated in effectiveness.
President Donald Trump has said NBCMeet the Press host Kristen Welker will be reported to the Federal Communications Commission for what he called a "purposeful inaccuracy" after she said his endorsements have had "mixed results" this primary season. He named FCC chair Brendan Carr and urged the commission to act; broadcasters and rights groups are litigating alleged FCC pressure.
A New Mexico Supreme Court has fined Stephen Aarons $5,000 for submitting an AI-assisted brief that included fabricated witnesses and false testimony. Aarons says he used ChatGPT to summarize the trial but did not understand AI hallucinations, and the court warns of growing discipline for AI misuse in legal filings.