Wired: “Elon Musk has assembled a presidential-level field operation this midterm cycle, underscoring the extent to which he has taken over the get-out-the-vote effort for the Republican party.”
Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 191
Blue Wave Update
Trial Balloon · Ep. 191: Blue Wave Update
U.S. Budget Deficit Nears $2 Trillion
“The United States budget deficit approached $2 trillion in the 2026 fiscal year, its highest level since the pandemic, as spending on the military, safety net programs and interest on the debt dwarfed the Trump administration’s cost cuts, Treasury Department figures showed on Friday,” the New York Times reports.
“The widening gap between what the government spends and what it collects in taxes and other revenue comes at a critical moment. Investors are nervous about America’s surging debt load, along with stubborn inflation, and have driven up borrowing costs.”
Trump’s Team Is in Chaos as Midterms Enter Final Stretch
Los Angeles Times: “In the final stretch of the 2026 midterms, nearly two weeks out from election day, a White House that has enjoyed relative stability over the past two years has returned to the state of disarray that characterized much of Trump’s early political career, anticipating sweeping losses to Democrats in the House and Senate.”
“Staff upheaval is expected as officials brace for a blame game over Republican performance, with some distancing themselves from what they see as a fading political movement.”
Jim Pillen Barely Leads in Nebraska Governor’s Race
A new Public Policy Polling poll in Nebraska finds Jim Pillen (R) leading Lynne Walz (D) in the governor’s race, 44% to 43%.
Nebraska Governor’s Race
Jim Pillen (R) 44%
Lynne Walz (D) 43%
Where Are All the Polls?
FiftyPlusOne: “We do not have nearly as many polls this year as we’ve been accustomed to in past midterm cycles. In many Senate races, we’re practically flying blind, which may mean some surprises in what looks to be a particularly turbulent environment.”
Musk Approached Trump to Slow Down Starlink in Ukraine
“Elon Musk approached Donald Trump with the idea of slowing down Starlink in Ukraine,” The Telegraph reports.
“The billionaire tech entrepreneur approached the U.S. president with the proposal to introduce speed limits on the system, which hampered Ukraine’s drone defenses.”
“One of the sources said Mr Trump ‘agreed’ with Mr Musk’s suggestion, paving the way for the Pentagon to execute the slowdown on Starshield, the military-grade version of the satellite communications system.”
Two Republican Senate Hopefuls Are Running Out of Cash
“In North Carolina and Georgia, Democratic Senate candidates are lapping their Republican rivals in fundraising, according to new campaign finance reports,” the Washington Sun reports.
“It’s the latest ominous sign for Michael Whatley and Mike Collins, the Republican candidates who have seen national party attention shift to other races amid attempts to win enough seats to retain a Senate majority.”
El-Sayed Responds After Vance Calls Him a ‘Weasel’
“After being called a ‘weasel’ who should ‘shut his mouth’ by Vice President JD Vance, Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed said he was something else instead,” CBS News reports.
Said El-Sayed, a Michigan alumnus: “No, no, no. What you’re talking about is a fucking Wolverine. You could take your Buckeye and go shove it somewhere else.”
Alberta Separation Referendum Draws Huge Early Vote
“More than 1 million people have already cast their ballots in Alberta’s referendum on separation from Canada, signaling strong voter turnout that pollsters say may favor the ‘remain’ side,” Bloomberg reports.
Trump Talks About Dinner with Bill Maher
“Donald Trump is once again praising Bill Maher following a dinner he had at the White House with the HBO host along with Stephen A. Smith and Kid Rock,” Deadline reports.
Said Trump: “It was a great dinner, it was a very informative dinner. Smart people. Stephen A. is great. Bill Maher — I will tell you what. He likes me a lot more than people understand, and I actually like him. It was a good dinner.”
Trump Says He Didn’t Restrict Ukraine’s Starshield
“President Donald Trump said he didn’t order limitations on Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starshield satellite technology and didn’t think Elon Musk did so either,” Bloomberg reports.
Said Trump: “It wasn’t me and I don’t think it was Elon. I don’t know if it was anybody.”
Trump Says ‘Zero Chance’ He’s Replacing Susie Wiles
“President Donald Trump said Friday there is ‘zero chance’ he’s considering replacing White House chief of staff Susie Wiles after reports that suggested as much,” CNN reports.
Said Trump: “The Susie Wiles story was a fake story She’s been incredible. She’s smart and tough; she just went through a lot with the cancer surgery… Susie is here and she’s gonna be here for a long time.”
Grab a Surfboard
Playbook: “With fewer than three weeks to go, the national environment keeps deteriorating for Republicans, and some Democrats are starting to dream of a big blue wave — even as warning signs remain that some GOP backlash may not translate to Democratic conversion.”
“The deluge of campaign spending is now hitting its peak, as candidates scramble to deliver a closing message to late-deciding voters only just tuning in.”
It’s no surprise everyone is getting their Blue Wave T-Shirts before Election Day.
Another Bonus Quote of the Day
“Records are made to be broken. But I take no pleasure in other people’s pain.”
— Anthony Scaramucci, on X, on Katie Zacharia lasting less than half the 11 days he did in Donald Trump’s White House.
Katie Zacharia Out as White House Press Secretary
“The new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, is out of her role just five days into the job, after President Donald Trump said publicly that she should think about leaving,” the Washington Post reports.
“Her departure marked a rare and speedy retreat from a presidential appointment that acknowledged a rough start to one of the highest-profile roles in the White House.”
New York Times: Katie Zacharia, Trump’s new press secretary, is fired after 5 days.
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