Political Wire

Not the Economy Kevin Warsh Wanted to Inherit

May 18, 2026 at 6:04 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Kevin Warsh won the Fed chair nomination with a double-barreled policy agenda for the central bank: lower interest rates and a smaller Fed balance sheet. As he takes the reins, economic conditions will make it tough for him to achieve either of those goals,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“A troubling rise in inflation over the past two months has left Fed policymakers in no mood to deliver the rate cuts that President Trump has demanded. The job market has shown signs of stabilizing, further undercutting the case for easing.”

Now Trump Wants a Helipad

May 18, 2026 at 6:02 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Trump is discussing plans to install a helipad at the White House to prevent powerful new Marine One helicopters from damaging the South Lawn,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The helipad would be the latest renovation to the historic White House grounds since Trump began his second term.”

Worldwide Demand Keeps Energy Prices High in U.S.

May 18, 2026 at 6:00 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Wall Street Journal: “For now, the U.S. has been able to meet needs at home and replace some of the missing Gulf barrels. No nation in the world’s history has ever exported as much energy: It shipped 14.2 million barrels of crude and products a day late last month—the rough equivalent of one out of seven barrels consumed globally in ordinary times.”

“But trouble is brewing. U.S. oil producers are barely stepping up their output, refineries are running at full-throttle, and domestic stocks are getting depleted fast. The upshot: American consumers are set to keep paying more for fuel to stay inside the U.S.’s borders.”

Lindsey Graham Calls on Trump to Bomb Iran Again

May 17, 2026 at 8:14 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Sen. Lindsey Graham expressed doubt Sunday that U.S. negotiations with Iran would prove fruitful and called on President Trump to follow through with his threats to strike Iranian energy infrastructure, NOTUS reports.

Said Graham: “I think we’ve hit a wall when it comes to negotiations.”

Trump-Backed Prayer Festival Draws Thousands

May 17, 2026 at 4:42 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“A crowd of thousands, many in red, white and blue, transformed a block of the National Mall into an evangelical-style worship service Sunday morning at a White House-led, day-long prayer festival for the country’s 250th anniversary,” the Washington Post reports.

“The event, supported with millions of dollars in public funding, featured Christian clergy, music and appearances by multiple senior government officials, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson.”

The Trump-Jeffries Social-Media War Is Heating Up

May 17, 2026 at 3:27 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Wall Street Journal: “The House Democratic leader from New York has become a steady recipient of Trump’s social-media trolling in recent weeks, complete with derogatory nicknames such as ‘High Tax Hakeem’ and ‘Low IQ,’ a tried and tested approach by a president known for labeling his political foils.”

“The focus on Jeffries is part of Trump’s battle plan for November’s midterm elections in less than six months. Republicans will be defending their narrow majority in the House, attempting to insulate Trump from investigations and impeachment battles during the president’s final two years in office.”

“The social-media push aims to make Jeffries the face of House Democrats and a symbol of what Republicans view as advocates for higher spending, unchecked borders and liberal policies out-of-step with Americans, White House officials have said.”

Suspicious Betting in Washington Is on the Rise

May 17, 2026 at 3:25 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“For decades, the information that fueled insider trading was found on Wall Street or inside the glass offices of public companies across the country,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The rise of prediction markets has created a new temptation in Washington, where the Trump administration’s fast-moving agenda is giving those privy to government information a chance to cash in on the volatility.”

“Regulators and prosecutors are now playing catch-up to combat a batch of suspicious betting that touches various corners of the federal bureaucracy. It is a new challenge for authorities because insider-trading laws weren’t designed for people who bet on the outcome of legislation, political races and even U.S. military operations.”

Larry Hogan Has Given Up on Republicans

May 17, 2026 at 3:23 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Washington Post: “At the height of his political influence, Maryland‘s former Republican governor Larry Hogan was courted as a presidential candidate to offer an antidote to Donald Trump’s takeover of the GOP. But the brand that made him a popular blue state governor never made a splash outside the ‘Never Trump’ world…”

“Instead, in what he calls his ‘Zen’ era, Hogan is announcing Sunday the launch of the nonpartisan Hogan Institute at a small liberal arts college. Vowing to never run for office again, Hogan is instead focused on teaching leadership skills to Washington College undergraduates.”

Trump Targets Lauren Boebert Next

May 17, 2026 at 3:18 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Playbook: “Trump has already set his sights on the next member on his must-go list: Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO). She responded defiantly to Trump’s calls to primary her after she appeared alongside Massie, declaring herself a true MAGA warrior who can win in November.”

Will Ferrell Shows Up As Jeffrey Epstein

May 17, 2026 at 6:05 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Saturday Night Live’s 51st season finale began with a blistering cold open that had host Will Ferrell as the ghost of pedophile Epstein amidst a mosaic of Trump’s administration’s worst hits and biggest fools,” Deadline reports.

Said Ferrell: “Donnie, just remember, no matter how many wars you start or how bad you tank the economy as a distraction, people will always associate you with me, and that, my dear close friend, that is a beautiful thing.”

Trump’s Ballroom Funding Hits Snag in the Senate

May 17, 2026 at 6:01 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Senate’s parliamentarian has found that $1 billion in federal funding related to President Trump’s White House ballroom is subject to a 60-vote threshold in the Senate rather than a simple majority, throwing into question whether Republicans will be able to fast-track a vote for the project,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Republican leaders on Capitol Hill had included the Trump administration’s $1 billion request for security-related upgrades tied to the ballroom in a $70 billion package to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol for three years. Senate Republicans have been waiting for the parliamentarian to clear the entire bill before holding a vote this coming week.”

Bill Cassidy Could Now Make Things Harder for Trump

May 17, 2026 at 5:59 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

CNN: “Cassidy became the first GOP senator to lose renomination in close to a decade, a remarkable downfall that shows again how Trump dominates the party.”

“Cassidy signaled in his concession speech, without mentioning Trump, that he could spend the final months of his term being more of a thorn in Trump’s side – or at least more openly critical of his party.”

Trump Flexes Hold on GOP Even as It Braces for Midterm

May 17, 2026 at 5:53 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Trump’s push to oust Republican lawmakers who have crossed him claimed its most prominent name yet in Louisiana this weekend, reinforcing Mr. Trump’s dominance in the party, even as the G.O.P. braces for a potential backlash to his presidency in the midterm elections,” the New York Times reports.

“For the second time this month, Republican primary voters sent a message about the price of defying the president, this time by retiring Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Mr. Trump in his impeachment trial after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The outcome in Louisiana on Saturday followed losses by a group of Indiana state lawmakers whom the president targeted for political payback. And it arrived just ahead of another big test on Mr. Trump’s retribution tour: a House primary in Kentucky on Tuesday.”

Soaring Prices Test Voters’ Finances and Patience

May 17, 2026 at 5:51 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

New York Times: “For Mr. Trump, the nation’s political and economic strains are laid bare in a series of dour reports released over the past two weeks. Consumer prices last month rose at their fastest clip in about three years, outpacing workers’ wages, while businesses saw their costs increase at a rate not seen since 2022.”

“Americans are racking up more debt. Families are saving less. And a key measure of consumer confidence dipped to an all-time low this month. The anxiety has bled into recent political polls, which have registered broad public disapproval of Mr. Trump’s handling of the economy.”

Trump Remarks Reveal a Billionaire Out of Touch

May 17, 2026 at 5:49 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

New York Times: “With his generational wealth, his 20-acre Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., and his lucrative family businesses around the world, President Trump has never purported to be an ordinary American.”

“Instead, he has argued that he could use his business savvy to help lift up the country’s forgotten men and women.”

“But in recent weeks, as Americans feel deep economic strain from the war he launched in Iran, Mr. Trump’s actions and words have opened him up to accusations that he is either out of touch with — or indifferent to — the lives of everyday Americans.”

Massie’s Lonely and Expensive Fight Against Trump

May 17, 2026 at 5:49 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“When President Trump decides to oust a Republican from office by backing a primary challenger, the most powerful man in the world draws on unusual powers to hit his mark,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“In Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie’s case, Trump flew to his district to call him a ‘complete and total disaster.’ Then came billionaires launching attack ads and allies going silent for fear of presidential retribution.”

“The seven-term Kentucky congressman will find out Tuesday whether his career as the House GOP’s most outspoken presidential antagonist can survive this challenge. The outcome will signal whether Republicans are willing to adopt a form of MAGA politics that embraces leaders who break with Trump.”

Bill Cassidy Is Projected to Lose Republican Primary

May 16, 2026 at 10:58 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is projected to lose his primary, finishing in third place, Bloomberg reports.

Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) is projected to finish with the most votes but didn’t clear 50%, so Letlow will face off against former Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) in a runoff.

Massie Primary Tests Trump’s Power Over Republicans

May 16, 2026 at 12:10 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Trump’s quest to unseat Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) will come to a head Tuesday, as primary voters weigh whether there is room in the Republican Party for a lawmaker willing to openly defy the president,” The Hill reports.

“The race has become the most expensive House primary battle in U.S. history, according to AdImpact, drawing $25.6 million in television, radio and digital advertising, as outside groups and national Republicans flood Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District with bitter attack ads.”

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