“Jeffrey Epstein has been dead for seven years, but he’s all over campaign ads this election season, invoked overwhelmingly by Democrats — and occasionally by Republicans — to attack opponents or promote themselves,” CNN reports.

“A CNN analysis found that candidates and outside groups have aired more than 160 unique Epstein-related ads in the 2026 midterms, backed by more than $35 million in airtime. That marks a striking jump from the 2024 presidential election, when only three such ads aired — all in local Florida races, where the Epstein scandal first erupted.”

“Republicans have made more than $700 million worth of new advertising bookings in congressional races since the start of September… By comparison, Democrats booked more than $430 million in new ad reservations across those races last month,” NBC News reports.

“The unprecedented flood of late ad spending in House and Senate races will test whether hundreds of millions of dollars can buy the GOP some reprieve as it combats eroding standing among voters.”

Paul Krugman: “Democrats — and everyone who believes in rule of law — are, rightly, outraged by the fact that the U.S. government just effectively reran a Trump campaign ad from 2024.”

“My guess is that they probably also hope that Trump runs more such ads, and not just as a basis for future prosecutions.”

“I mean, the ad reminds voters that Trump is effectively on the ballot, which is all to the good given his approval rating.”

CNN: Trump stirs new storm by posing as strongman in taxpayer-funded video.

“President Donald Trump may be omnipresent in American politics, but one place you won’t find him during the midterm elections: starring in Republican TV ads,” CNN reports.

“A new CNN analysis shows that Trump is a bit player – often seldom mentioned at all – in a blitz of Republican messaging increasingly filling the airwaves in some of the biggest races of the year. Since the start of September, Democrats have been much more likely to invoke Trump’s name than Republicans.”

“The fallout over the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his crimes has emerged as a major issue in the midterm elections,” the New York Times reports.

“Candidates have hammered their opponents over whether they pushed to release the investigative files related to Mr. Epstein, and over their connections to donors and supporters associated with him. Over and over, they have issued a common refrain: They are running against the ‘Epstein class.'”

Aaron Blake: “President Donald Trump’s extremely well-heeled political operation has begun an advertising campaign ahead of the 2026 midterm elections that Republicans have been eagerly awaiting.”

“But the first offerings focus on something decidedly unpopular: Trump himself.”