The major conservative party shaping U.S. politics since the 1850s
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.
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.
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.
The White House is facing renewed scrutiny over Natalie Harp, Trump’s close aide known as the “human printer,” as reports of her role and gifts surface during the Irish visit. Independent reporting shows Harp’s proximity to the president has sparked internal tensions and renewed questions about media access and internal communications.
Trump has pledged a $5,000 dividend for every American if Republicans retain control of Congress; the plan faces legal, fiscal and political hurdles and is criticized by experts and opponents as economically risky.
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.
Republicans have held a two-day midterm convention in Dallas dominated by President Donald Trump and Vice‑President JD Vance. Vance has delivered a high-profile 40-minute speech that elevated his status as a potential 2028 standard-bearer while Trump has repeated ambitious claims — including a $5,000 payment pledge — and rhetoric that multiple outlets say includes misleading assertions about investment and the economy.
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.
Trump Jr. has addressed staff and diplomats in Dublin, praising his son’s marriage while jokes about Melania and past conflicts surface. The remarks come amid talk of his broader family influence and political theater as doors open for 2028 coverage.
Vice President Kamala Harris has campaigned in Detroit with Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed, joining a roundtable on Black maternal health and a voter‑turnout event as Democrats try to hold a pivotal Michigan Senate seat. The visit is aimed at uniting Democrats after a divisive primary and mobilising Black voters in Wayne County ahead of November.
The FAA has paused some incoming flights to Los Angeles International Airport due to staffing shortages at SCT, the Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control. The delay affects arriving and departing schedules as authorities work to manage air traffic in a major regional airspace.
President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House grounds, saying they publish "fake news." The outlets and press groups have condemned the move as unconstitutional; CNN, MS NOW and Politico have said they will sue and ask a federal judge to restore their press credentials.
Oil markets face renewed volatility as Iran-aligned attacks tighten supply routes. China has leveraged a large strategic reserve to weather disruption, while Saudi Arabia faces pipeline outages, prompting regional and global safeguards.
Trump will meet New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at Gracie Mansion before the UN General Assembly to discuss issues facing New York City and its residents. The White House has confirmed the meeting, and Mamdani's office notes the engagement follows a cordial history, with the mayor criticising Republicans at times.
Alaska’s Senate race has intensified as candidates respond to recent disclosures about campaign conduct and staff turmoil. Voters are watching how these revelations influence the balance of power on Capitol Hill in a race that remains tight amid ranked-choice voting.
The White House has used a pocket rescission to cancel funding across 11 programs and agencies, arguing some spending is no longer necessary. The Government Accountability Office says the tactic is illegal if Congress has not approved the action, raising constitutional questions and prompting Democratic and Republican lawmakers to weigh next steps.
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.
The president has traveled to Ohio to bolster Republican candidates ahead of the midterms, highlighting data-center policy and energy costs while facing questions about the economy and Iran-related tensions. The trip underscores concerns about inflation and turnout in key battleground districts.
The United States has expanded military deployments in the Middle East, adding carrier strike groups, amphibious units and thousands of personnel as tensions with Iran rise ahead of the November midterm elections. Washington says the posture keeps options open for potential action while diplomacy continues.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has told Semafor that Democrats remain united and expect to win control of the Senate despite a widening fundraising gap with Republicans. He warns that large GOP war chests could threaten the party's chances, even as he asserts confidence in Democratic candidates and the current political climate.
Multiple articles report US envoy comments pressuring Tehran to meaningfully reduce enrichment as a condition to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz; Tehran questions US intentions amid ongoing talks.
The Justice Department has opened an antitrust inquiry into whether the five-network White House TV pool violated the Sherman Act after the pool paused coverage in protest of the administrations temporary ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico. A federal judge has restored the outlets White House credentials, but CNN says the White House is still excluding it from Air Force One and pool duties and has warned it will return to court. (As of Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:39:50 +0000)
A U.S. judge has halted taxpayer-funded political advertisements after a challenge argued they violated limits on government publicity. The two-week order directs the administration to pause all commercials and related activities, as questions rise over the use of public funds to promote a candidate amid the midterms.
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.
Voters across the United States show a clear priority for lowering living costs and ending war in Iran, with support for investigations into the Trump administration waning among moderates. AP-NORC polling highlights varying Democratic and Republican standpoints as the next Congress faces a crowded agenda.
The articles report that President Trump has paused sanctions on Russia to pursue a peace deal in Ukraine, arguing it may bring negotiations back to the bargaining table. He cites hostage talks progress and suggests Europe’s support and US fuel concerns are factors, while Kyiv and allies react with shock and concern over fuel prices and broader war dynamics.
Voters head to the polls as midterm campaigns intensify. Polls show Democrats leading on economy and inflation concerns, while Trump-aligned candidates seek to close gaps. Early voting indicates high turnout in several key states.
The midterm elections are shaping the final years of Donald Trump’s term. Republicans defend majorities in Congress while Democrats seek gains. Early voting and record spending highlight the intensity of the race as voters head to the polls on November 3.
Independent groups and super PACs have spent near-record sums in the 2026 US midterms, with OpenSecrets projecting about $11.9bn in total independent spending and dark‑money likely topping $1.5bn. Billionaires including Elon Musk have pumped hundreds of millions into Republican-aligned outside groups while Democrats continue to out-raise Republicans in candidate-level grassroots donations.
Christa Pike has survived an attempted execution in Tennessee after authorities used lethal injections; she remains on death row as an independent review is ordered. She has described ongoing pain and emotional trauma, while prosecutors and Trump? (ignore) Governor Bill Lee says the sentence will stand unless courts change it.
Democrats have consolidated leads in final polls and forecasters ahead of Tuesday's midterms, making House control likely and giving them a real chance at the Senate. Early network calls on Wednesday have declared Abdul El‑Sayed the winner in Michigan's Senate race, making him the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate and a symbolic pickup for Democrats.
Senator Murphy has experienced a stroke while at a family event. He is awake and undergoing treatment at Johns Hopkins and is responding to care. He is not up for reelection this cycle and has been campaigning for fellow Democrats ahead of the midterms.
The Alaska Senate race has intensified as investigations and court rulings unfold after reports that a second Dan Sullivan was recruited to siphon votes from incumbent Republican Dan J. Sullivan to aid Democrat Mary Peltola. The Biden-era procedural battle around ranked-choice voting adds complexity, with new questions about ballot integrity and campaign involvement.
The president has announced and opened major Washington renovations, arguing they unite Americans while critics say they distract from cost-of-living concerns ahead of the midterms.
The United States and China have extended a fragile trade truce as midterm dynamics shape leverage. Washington has kept a cautious stance while Beijing signals readiness to offer concessions, with talks focused on timing and scope ahead of two scheduled meetings in Shenzhen and Miami.
The midterm elections have kept Congress in suspense as forecasts have oriented toward Democratic gains in the House and a tighter Senate race. Early results show key contests in Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina shaping control, with recounts possible in Alaska and slow returns expected in several close races.
The midterm results are streaming in as President Donald Trump has blasted Fox News on Truth Social and during coverage, blaming the network for losses while continuing to participate in its election-night broadcast. Axios reports he has criticized hosts and polls, and Fox anchors have pushed back, stressing the results align with Fox polling in places. The Mirror and New Arab note Trump’s online outbursts and private doubts about party prospects.
Israel has seen its long-standing security partnership with the United States come under renewed scrutiny as the US midterm results shift political dynamics. Netanyahu’s government is facing pressure to realign policy following a wave of criticism over military aid and regional policy.
The Iran war has become a central factor in U.S. midterm politics, with Vice-President Vance and President Trump publicly diverging over strategy. Vance has said the war is a key reason for Republican losses, while Trump defends the campaign and asserts the conflict may have been necessary. The debate shapes 2028 political calculations.
House Republicans have elected Rep. Jim Jordan (R‑Ohio) as their minority leader in a secret ballot, defeating Rep. Steve Scalise 106–73. Jordan has won backing from the party's conservative wing and will lead Republican messaging and oversight as the party moves into the House minority after heavy midterm losses.
With certification deadlines approaching, Mississippi's Senate contest has remained unresolved: Democrat Scott Colom has held a narrow lead over Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde‑Smith as thousands of absentee and provisional ballots are still to be examined and campaign lawyers are preparing for possible legal challenges.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy has experienced a minor hemorrhagic stroke and is now in Johns Hopkins with doctors describing progress as encouraging. He will spend several weeks in rehabilitation, staying remotely connected with his team as his office continues its work.
Senators Wyden and Alsobrooks have opened an inquiry into Kennedy, requesting documents from CHD related to Samoa trip, vaccine remarks, and 2024 campaign, signaling heightened scrutiny of Kennedy’s health tenure.