Political Wire

Elon Musk Ordered Ukraine Starlink Slowdown

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“Elon Musk ordered the slowdown of a military-grade version of Starlink relied on by Ukraine, a decision that sparked panic in Kyiv and confusion inside the Trump administration,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Both Musk and President Trump have expressed anger at Ukraine for attacking Russian diesel refineries in recent weeks, which the president blames for high energy prices. Last week, Musk capped the speeds at which Ukrainian hardware could stay connected to the satellite-based network, rendering some offensive drones and interceptor drones virtually useless.”

“Musk and Trump discussed the Starlink decision in a call soon after the slowdown became public, while the president was campaigning last week.”

Polls Show a Blue Wave Down-Ballot, Too

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Ed Kilgore: “Even in an era of increasing partisan polarization and straight-ticket voting, state elections have their own logic and rhythm, in part because salient issues at the state level can be different from those prevailing nationally and also because some state pols — notably governors — are news-commanding celebrities in their own right.”

“But the national political environment still affects downballot elections if only by affecting turnout patterns. So Democrats anticipate at least modest gains in the 36 gubernatorial elections being held this year and in the 88 state legislative chambers with some or all of their members facing voters in November.”

Don Jr. Privately Breaks with His Father

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The Atlantic: “Trump Jr. has repeatedly voiced his opposition to the ongoing Iran war in private conversations… The president’s son opposed the war from its outset and made his opposition known to his father. He has long been skeptical of foreign intervention and believed the U.S. should not enter another Middle East war.”

Said a person close to the president’s son: “Don has kept his views on the subject private, as he would never publicly break with his dad on an issue like this, but I can’t imagine anyone who knows Don would be surprised by his personal views on the subject.”

House Democrats’ Dues Blues

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Punchbowl News: “House Democrats still have 40 lawmakers who have paid 50% or less of their dues to the DCCC, even as party leaders threaten repercussions against those who don’t support the party committee.”

“Excluding Frontliners, who are not required to pay dues, 11 lawmakers who are returning to the House next Congress have paid no dues to the DCCC. We will note that this is a draft dues report and some of these numbers may change slightly.”

“The non-dues-paying lawmakers: Reps. Jim Costa (CA), Jimmy Gomez (CA), Jonathan Jackson (IL), Lois Frankel (FL), Summer Lee (PA), Analilia Mejia (NJ), Ilhan Omar (MN), Ayanna Pressley (MA), Rashida Tlaib (MI), Everton Blair (GA) and Aisha Wahab (CA).”

Could the GOP Refuse to Seat Democrats?

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“President Trump’s unfounded claims of large-scale voter fraud have Democrats bracing for what they worry could be substantial interference by the federal government in the midterm elections,” the New York Times reports.

“But with polls showing that Democrats are likely to win control of the House, some lawmakers and commentators have turned their attention to a different scenario that could unfold after the voting: Republicans in Congress, egged on by Mr. Trump, could try to block them from assuming the majority by refusing to seat elected Democrats.”

“The possibility sounds far-fetched and is regarded by many legal scholars as a vanishingly remote one.”

Another Bonus Quote of the Day

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“It’s not surprising that Vivek Ramaswamy has stooped to such a despicable low as to attempt to turn the sexual abuse Amy endured at twelve years old from our birth mother’s husband into a political talking point. After he was arrested and Amy and I were removed from their custody, our birth mother stayed married to Amy’s rapist until he died.”

“This desperate, disgusting attack reveals exactly who Vivek Ramaswamy is at his core — a pathetic excuse for a man who is willing to hurt anyone as long as it gets him what he wants.”

— Philip Stearns, brother of Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton (D), quoted by MS NOW.

The College Sports Dispute Fracturing Conservatives

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Politico: “Republicans found years of political success uniting against transgender athletes, a push that helped them energize voters in a range of elections and divide Democrats.”

“But the movement is now fraying after two influential conservative organizations, including The Heritage Foundation, started openly attacking bedrock anti-sex discrimination policy that’s fueled women’s sports for decades.”

Georgia Early Voting Tops 1 Million

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“Georgia voters have already cast more than 1 million ballots, offering a revealing glimpse of an electorate that will decide some of the nation’s most closely watched midterm races,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

“The early numbers offer more encouraging signs for Democrats than Republicans, particularly in metro Atlanta and other left-leaning parts of the state.”

Man Who Heckled El-Sayed Is Son of Republican Adviser

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“The man who attempted to ambush the Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed with a question about his supposed allegiance to the Muslim Brotherhood – which El-Sayed parlayed into a viral clip for his campaign – is the son of a political operator who recently received $250,000 for ‘canvassing and influencer marketing’ against El-Sayed,” The Guardian reports.

How Jill Biden Hid the President’s Decline

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Coming soon: The East Wing: Power, Intrigue, and the Untold Story of America's First Ladies by Azadeh Moaveni.

Vanity Fair runs an excerpt: “Biden’s performance during the debate with Trump on June 27, 2024, at CNN’s Atlanta studio, was a historic disaster. Later that evening, at a debate watch party, Jill took the mike. ‘Joe, you did such a great job! You answered every question, you knew all the facts,’ she said. ‘And what did Trump do?’ She led the crowd with a shout of, ‘Lieee!'”

“Jill swiftly became a key focal point for the blame. Surely she had known how diminished he was, and if she knew, why had she not persuaded him to step down? That question could have been leveled against any number of people in the Biden orbit: top campaign aides, Kamala Harris, cabinet members. But as First Lady, she was the most intimate, public face of the campaign persuading Americans that he was fit to serve another term.”

Pre-order · Out November 17, 2026The East Wing
Power, Intrigue, and the Untold Story of America's First Ladies
by Azadeh Moaveni · St. Martin's Press
Pre-order on Amazon
HardcoverKindle

Trump Pledges $400 Million to Help GOP Win Midterms

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“President Donald Trump said that he has spent or plans to spend more than $400 million to help Republicans win the midterm elections, including on political advertising, as both parties pour billions into television and digital campaigns ahead of Nov. 3,” The Wrap reports.

Mark Carney’s Focus Turns Back to Global Stage

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“Prime Minister Mark Carney hailed the results of the Alberta referendum as a ‘great day for Canada,’ declaring that the province has now chosen unity over the prospect of separation,” Bloomberg reports.

“The decisive result — which saw the ‘remain’ side win roughly 75% of support — allows Carney to put a pressing domestic issue to rest and refocus on the international stage, where major events loom in the coming weeks.”

Why Alaska Republicans Are So Worried

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“Alaska Republicans have railed for years against ranked-choice voting. Now some worry it could cost them in a critical Senate race,” Politico reports.

“GOP Sen. Dan S. Sullivan is facing not only well-known former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola in the four-way general-election field, but a same-name challenger who Republicans think could siphon votes from him in the close contest.”

“Some GOP operatives fear the senator will lose first-choice votes to retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan Jr. — and that supporters of his longshot rival might not rank the incumbent at all in the state’s unusual election system where voters can pick backup options that get counted if no candidate clears 50% of the initial vote. Two recent polls that simulated ranked-choice tabulations showed Peltola as the victor.”

A Revolt Against Corporate Money Deep in Trump Country

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“More than 15 years after the U.S. Supreme Court reshaped American politics with its Citizens United campaign finance ruling, Montana voters will decide this November whether to make their state the first in the ​nation to bar corporations from spending money on elections through a ballot initiative,” Reuters reports.

“It’s a test case for a novel legal strategy that sidesteps the 2010 ruling rather than challenging it head-on — and taps into growing, bipartisan anger over the pervasiveness ‌of so-called dark money in elections.”

Sex, DUIs and Dirty Tricks

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New York Post: “California Republican legislator Leticia Castillo has made a name for herself crusading to protect children and defend traditional family values — but decades-old XXX websites she operated, featuring graphic sexual language and photos of herself, reveal a very different chapter in her past.”

“Meanwhile, her Democratic challenger Clarissa Cervantes is defending her own past after two DUI arrests and allegations of drug use by her daughter’s father — claims her campaign now says he fabricated.”

Three Tight Races in Alaska

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A new Data for Progress (D) poll in Alaska finds Mary Peltola (D) leading Dan Sullivan (R) in the U.S. Senate race, 51% to 49%.

Alaska Senate Race
Mary Peltola (D) 51%
 
Dan Sullivan (R) 49%
 
Data for Progress poll · likely voters · ±4%
Alaska House Race
Nick Begich (R) 51%
 
Bill Hill (I) 49%
 
Data for Progress poll · likely voters · ±4%
Alaska Governor’s Race
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D) 53%
 
Bernadette Wilson (R) 47%
 
Data for Progress poll · likely voters · ±4%

Senate Democrats Start Spending in Mississippi

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“Democrats’ money machine is on its way to Mississippi,” Politico reports.

“Senate Majority PAC is putting an initial $1.2 million on television statewide through Election Day to boost Scott Colom, the group announced Tuesday — another plunge into deep-red territory for Democrats as they take advantage of a dismal environment for Republicans.”

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.

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