Political Wire

SubscribeSign in
  • Front Page
  • Trending
  • Polling
  • Trial Balloon
  • Books
  • Membership
    • Members FAQ
    • Exclusive Analysis
    • My Favorites
  • Sign In
Theme
Text size

Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 194

What Just Happened?

A new episode of Trial Balloon just dropped for Political Wire members. Log in or become a member

Trial Balloon · Ep. 194: What Just Happened?

Josh Shapiro Had the Heads Up on LeBron James

July 31, 2026 · 9:33 am ET · Leave a Comment

“Just three minutes and 46 seconds after NBA insider Shams Charania posted the sports-world-shaking news that LeBron James inked a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, Josh Shapiro’s X account lit up with an intricately crafted proclamation declaring LeBron James Day in the city,” Politico reports.

“How could the Pennsylvania governor and potential 2028 presidential candidate and sports superfan have gotten the document out so quickly unless he already knew it was happening?”

“He did, well before even the most wired of NBA insiders could get the news out… That’s because Shapiro was far more hands-on in the process than previously known.”

Celebrities, State House

← PreviousTrump Backtracks On Ukraine Patriot PledgeNext →A Blue Wave Is Coming

Keep reading

Front page →

Political Wire is reader-supported. Join for ad-free reading, member posts and new features →

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

More about Taegan Goddard →

?Political Trivia

  • The Way It Was
    Eight moments in political history. Put them on a timeline.
    Play →
  • Yea or Nay?
    Five senators. Three bills. Can you guess how they all voted?
    Play →
  • Split Decision
    Nine Justices. One case. How did they rule?
    Play →
  • Pollster
    Do you have your finger on the pulse of America?
    Play →
  • Daily Trivia
    Four questions a day.
    Play →

A new game every day.

Your Account

Members

For the full experience, sign in.

Become a Member

Read everything on Political Wire. No ads, Talking Points analysis, Trial Balloon podcast, new features and more.

  • Join Political Wire
  • Gift a Membership

Members Only

  • Trump Digs In
  • Republicans Had Nothing
  • Weekly News Quiz
  • A Pause in the Redistricting War?
  • A Remarkable Milestone in American Politics
  • Two Senate Races Remain

More members only posts →

Electoral Map Electoral Vote Map

222Democrat 97Toss-up 219Republican
270

Make your own map →

The starting map is built from how each state has voted compared with the country as a whole, not from how a state voted on its own. The last two presidential elections, with 2024 counting more than 2020. Then we…

Updated Nov. 4, 2026

?Political Trivia

  • The Way It Was →
  • Yea or Nay? →
  • Split Decision →
  • Pollster →
  • Daily Trivia →

Copyright © 2026 · Goddard Media LLC

Political Wire® is a registered trademark of Goddard Media LLC

Also from Goddard Media: Political Dictionary · Political Job Hunt · Electoral Vote Map

Privacy PolicyCorrections PolicyContact