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We can't afford to let Democrats lead health care 'reform'
Obama's Affordable Care Act created incentives for insurers to grow larger, consolidate and control more of the health care system. The GOP can fix it
Trump’s Redistricting Push Could Cost Republicans More Than It Gains
Republicans chasing extra House seats risk energizing Democrats and alienating key new voters.
Redistricting wars: Can our politics get any more polarized? (Yes)
Don't look to history because we've never done this before. But President Trump's push to redistrict and the Democrats' response will reverberate.
Ballot measure to scrap party primaries sparks Democrat infighting
A ballot question that would eliminate political party primaries for state elections in favor of a single, all-party primary is creating fractures among Massachusetts Democrats, pitting members of the state committee against a handful of prominent figures.
Marc Theissen warns Democrats embracing ‘politics of envy’ amid AOC’s criticism of billionaires
The ‘Fox News Sunday’ panel debates Democratic messaging on billionaires and the party’s shift toward socialism.
After Virginia Redistricting Map Is Tossed, Democrats Search Desperately for a Response
A conversation involving House members from Virginia and the top House Democrat reflected the fury and desperation that has gripped the party after Friday’s ruling in the state.
Chicago Teachers Union wants $8.5 million dues hike to fund politics
“Has your brand become toxic?” This was a pointed question from WGN Political Editor Tahman Bradley, posed to Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates in a recent interview. Her immediate response: “I don’t understand the question.” When pressed, Gates added, “The Chicago Teachers Union is not a political party, it is a labor union.” But internal union documents show CTU leadership is trying to skim $8.5 million more from teacher paychecks explicitly for politics, while trying to silence union members critical of Gates’ leadership. Under the proposed dues hike, Chicago teachers would see up to $800 more per year flow from their paychecks to union coffers. The union already takes in more than $40 million a year, mostly from dues. And it spends less than 18 cents of every dollar on teacher representation. The No. 1 reason for the proposed dues hike? Politics. “We must win a majority of the first 21 person fully elected school board in November,” reads the first point in CTU’s member FAQ document.1 This directly contradicts CTU’s promise to members about how leadership uses dues money. The official CTU handbook tells members that the union does not use dues money for politics, so if they are interested in funding political activity, they should consider voluntary donations to CTU’s political action committee. “Our dues are not used for political purposes,” according to the handbook. “So our PAC relies on extra contributions from our members to support progressive candidates and to impact elected officials at the city, county and state levels.” This kind of double-speak is one reason members are concerned about another constitutional change slipped into the dues hike vote, which will take place on May 20-21: an attempt to stop members from holding the union accountable. A proposed amendment to the union constitution tries to place limits on when members may bring a lawsuit against the union for violating members’ rights.2 This provision is clearly a response to members’ lawsuit against union leadership regarding Gates’ years-long refusal to publish audited financial statements. The judge in that case has repeatedly denied the union’s attempts to dismiss it. Teachers opposed to these changes have been circulating this flier, urging members to vote no. What will CTU members get in return for millions of dollars in additional dues? If the 2024 school board elections are any indication—not much. CTU leadership’s record on school board races may not inspire confidence among members. A Chicago Policy Center analysis of a dozen affiliated PACs found CTU spent nearly $2.9 million on school board races in 2024. Of that spending, more than $2.1 million (75%) went to losing candidates. And while CTU-backed candidates lost six of the nine competitive seats overall, they fared worse in their biggest-spending races, losing five of six contests in which the union and its affiliates put up more than $250,000 for their candidate. The Chicago school board elections take place Nov. 3.3 Is another $8.5 million enough to clean up a toxic reputation? Not likely. Update on federal tax credit scholarship: Last week, Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she plans to opt into the federal tax credit scholarship program. If Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker follows suit, Illinois could unlock $1 billion in donor money statewide for both public- and private-school students. If Illinois does not opt in, that money will flow to other states. The Last Ward reported in February on how Illinois Democrats could unlock at least $100 million in new resources for Chicago public-school students by opting in. Update on the investigation into how Chicagoans learned about a meeting to hike their property taxes: The Last Ward reported in January on an absurd, taxpayer-funded investigation into how local media learned of a planned Chicago school board meeting to hike the district’s property tax levy. That investigation is now complete. Lawyers interviewed two dozen witnesses, and found nothing. Update on Illinois’ muni debt crisis: My colleague Joe Tabor last week published a must-read piece in Crain’s Chicago Business about how Illinois recently rejected south suburban Harvey’s request to be designated a “distressed city.” The saga shows why the state must implement a better structure to assist insolvent local governments, including allowing for the option to pursue debt relief via Chapter 9 bankruptcy. The Last Ward reported in October on how Harvey is tipping the first domino in Illinois’ municipal debt crisis. Mincing Rascals: I joined the Mincing Rascals podcast to discuss the SAFE-T Act, the millionaires tax, and more. My “green light” recommendation: Force Majeure (2014). 1 Notably, the No. 2 reason cited is “resources to fund a state-wide millionaires tax campaign in order to fully fund the state’s school funding formula.” The constitutional amendment necessary to implement a progressive income tax in Illinois recently died in the Illinois House, meaning this question would not appear on the ballot until 2028 at the earliest. 2 There is seemingly no single-subject rule for CTU constitutional amendments. So members only get one vote on the full package. One cannot vote “yes” on the dues hike and “no” on the restriction of members’ rights, for example. 3 Illinois law grants far too much power over local government to unelected officials like Gates. State lawmakers should fix that.
Oregon Democrats found a way to improve roads. Now their gas tax goes before voters as prices soar
A referendum on Oregon’s primary ballot seeking to repeal a Democratic gas tax increase is complicating the affordability message central to the party’s midterm election strategy
Oregon Democrats found a way to improve roads. Now their gas tax goes before voters as prices soar
A referendum on Oregon's primary ballot seeking to repeal a Democratic gas tax increase is complicating the affordability message central to the party's midterm election strategy.
UK politics descends into chaos: Is there a lesson for Democrats?
Two years after the British Labour Party’s “landslide” win, a crushing defeat threatens its future
Big donors backed Harris in 2024. For 2028, they're not so sure
Though few in the party want to criticize Harris, few appear ready to endorse her. Conversations about her prospects often come down to one thing: Democrats' anxiety about winning.
In Bid to Flip Senate, Democrats Push Deep Into Trump Territory
In Ohio, former Sen. Sherrod Brown leans on an economic message in his comeback bid.
WA filing week closes as Democrats chase supermajority in Olympia
Washington state's candidate filing week sets up key legislative races as Democrats look to expand control and potentially secure a supermajority.
Colorado needs a sane, viable opposition party
If you are upset with the increasing regulatory burden in Colorado, the exodus of too many large employers, accelerating property taxes, the condition of the roads, and all of the funding for transit schemes with low demand, of course, you can lay the blame on Democrats who control all levers of state government. The same […]
For a Moment, It Looked as if Trump’s Efforts to Rig the Midterms Had Failed. Then Three Things Happened.
Just two weeks ago, the redistricting wars appeared to be resolving in Democrats’ favor.
Nebraska’s ‘blue dot’ becomes the center of a closely watched Democratic primary fight
Omaha may be a blue dot in a sea of Nebraska red, but that point of political pride has sparked a bitter divide among Democrats in one of the nation’s most closely watched congressional races.
Democrats shy away from questions on whether Harris should run for president in 2028
House Democrats are shying away from endorsing Kamala Harris for a 2028 presidential run as names like Newsom, Shapiro and Whitmer are also being discussed.
Are legal challenges to Memphis redistricting likely to win?
In the wake of Tennessee Republicans carving new U.S. House districts, Democrats ran to the courts for help. Are they likely to prevail?
How Democrats’ redistricting luck ran out: From the Politics Desk
Plus, this week showed why Trump’s grip on the GOP can be a double-edged sword for the party.
In California governor race, single-payer healthcare is a litmus test. There’s still no way to pay for it
Single-payer healthcare is a central talking point in the chaotic race for California governor. In a crowded field, top-polling Democrats are declaring their support for a government-run health system but providing few details about how they’d accomplish it.
Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ redistricting plan, dimming party’s midterm hopes
Voters narrowly approved the amendment April 21, but the court's ruling renders the results of that vote meaningless.
Court rejects Virginia redistricting in a blow to Democrats' counter to Trump, GOP
Virginia voters approved redistricting that could help Democrats pick up four House seats. Democrats said it was to counter the gains that Trump and the GOP have picked up in Republican-led states.
Virginia Supreme Court blocks Democratic-drawn congressional map voters approved in April
The court ruled that Democrats did not follow proper procedure when they put the constitutional amendment on the ballot in an effort to flip four House seats.
Virginia Supreme Court rules on new congressional map
The ruling is a significant victory for Republicans in the state, who argued the map was an "unconstitutional power grab," and would grant Democrats a 10-1 advantage.
Virginia Supreme Court blocks referendum that would have helped Democrats win up to four more US House seats
The Virginia Supreme Court voided Democrats’ attempt to redraw the state’s US House map in an April referendum.
In Huge Blow to Democrats, Virginia Court Strikes Down House Map
The decision by the state’s top court is a major victory for Republicans, wiping away a measure approved by voters to allow Democrats to gain as many as four House seats in the midterms.
Democrats Might Actually Win Iowa
Are the party’s hopes for the Hawkeye State real, or just another mirage?
‘People are not passive’: Newsom and top California Democrats move behind the scenes in governor’s race
California Democratic leaders have shifted their strategy to prevent their party from being locked out of the governor’s race: Instead of thinking about consolidating the field, they have turned to behind-the-scenes operations and political spending aimed at tamping down Republicans and building up Democratic turnout.
Dr. Chloe Carmichael on political breakups destroying American friendships
Clinical psychologist Dr. Chloe Carmichael discusses a study revealing politics destroys American friendships, with Democrats leading in ending relationships.
Anti-woke Vivek Ramaswamy confronts racism in his run for Ohio governor
Vivek Ramaswamy built a political brand casting racism as an obsession of Democrats. As a Republican running for Ohio governor, he’s facing racism on the right.
How a charity basketball game became a flashpoint in Louisiana’s tense redistricting fight
Democrats have few tools to halt Republican moves on redistricting, but they are making clear their displeasure at potentially losing majority-Black districts.
Deal or no deal? Gov. Hochul says pencils down, Albany Democrats say not so fast
Rep. Jeffries sent Rep. Morelle to meet with Hochul and legislative leaders.
California under pressure — again — as redistricting wars escalate
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling limiting the Voting Rights Act has some Democrats asking whether California could go further in redrawing maps to target GOP districts.
Democrats see Senate control within reach — but some big hurdles remain
The political terrain remains forbidding, but the president’s crumbling approval ratings and the Iran war’s weight on the economy offer the party an opening.
Republicans alone on filibuster-proof immigration enforcement bill
Democrats score no wins five months after insisting on use of body cameras, judicial warrants and a racial profiling ban
Dueling Calif. Democrats battle to unseat longtime GOP incumbent
Republican David Valadao has managed to win over voters year after year.
Michigan’s Combative Democratic Senate Primary Heats Up
Attacks are flying, prominent Democrats are taking sides and the fight is just getting started.
Michigan Democrats keep control of state Senate in election win that offers clues about midterms
Democrat Chedrick Greene won a special election in Michigan on Tuesday, securing his party’s control of the state Senate through the remainder of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s term.
Takeaways from Indiana, Ohio and Michigan: Trump's flex pays off and Democrats win special election
Elections in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan on Tuesday reinforced a picture that's becoming increasingly clear — while President Donald Trump still dominates the Republican Party, Democrats seem to have the momentum ahead of November's midterm elections.
Poll: Trump blamed for gas prices as Democrats gain midterm edge
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds strong support for Democrats this midterm season. It also shows increasing concern about the war in Iran and the economy, particularly the price of gas.
Iran war amplifies divisions within both parties over U.S.-Israel ties
On the campaign trail and elsewhere, the alliance has gone from a bipartisan consensus to a subject of fierce debate among Republicans and Democrats alike.
Trump Posts Meme of Top Democrats in Sombreros
The fake image of Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York was similar to a post from September that was widely denounced as racist.
Trump Posts Meme of Top Democrats in Sombreros
The fake image of Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York was similar to a post from September that was widely denounced as racist.
Live results: Michigan state senate special election
Democrats need to win this highly competitive State Senate district if they want to maintain their narrow margin in the chamber.
Divided in Politics, United in Science?
Amid growing U.S. polarization, there exists a small slice of research both Republicans and Democrats turn to for policy decisions.
Divided in Politics, United in Science?
Amid growing U.S. polarization, there exists a small slice of research both Republicans and Democrats turn to for policy decisions.
Are Democrats growing more accepting of political violence? Here's a closer look
We looked through recent polling to get a sense of how broad the support for political violence is among Democrats and other Americans.
Politics & Power: Supreme Court guts Voting Rights Act, reshaping redistricting battles ahead of midterms
A 60-year-old civil rights law, effectively gutted. Now, Republicans across the South are racing to redraw congressional maps — and Florida just became the first state to act, passing new lines that could flip four seats. Democrats are promising to fight back. Sean Freeder, a political scientist and analyst, joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton to discuss the pushback and the legal fights ahead.
In the six-way race to be California’s treasurer, it likely comes down to two Democrats
California's treasurer manages bonds, pensions, and billions in cash. These are the six people vying for the job in 2026.
Georgia Democrats want voters to remember 2020 when they vote in 2026
The state Democratic Party has paid for a TV ad referencing Donald Trump's attempt to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results.
Education Is a Fault Line In U.S. Politics. Democrats Are on the Wrong Side
Elorza & Austin: The party has been protecting schools rather than questioning whether they are working. 4 ways to get back on track for families.
A decades-long plan to abolish the Electoral College may finally pay off
Democrats could be one midterm wave away from instituting a national popular vote. Should they?
In Mamdani’s Rise, Muslim Organizers See Political Opportunity
The Muslim Democratic Club was founded to increase political power among the city’s Muslims. Now some of its founders are the mayor’s top aides.
What to know about the Ohio 1st District U.S. House election
Local Democrats and Republicans will vote today in Ohio's 1st District, a closely-watched seat currently held by Rep. Greg Landsman.
Trump Administration Demands Names of 2020 Election Workers in Georgia
The Justice Department again appears to be using the investigative power of the federal government to rehash debunked claims that Democrats stole the 2020 election.
Trump Administration Demands Names of 2020 Election Workers in Georgia
The Justice Department again appears to be using the investigative power of the federal government to rehash debunked claims that Democrats stole the 2020 election.
Democrats in disarray as Michigan AG calls for recount after convention vote declared 'a mess'
A failed Michigan Democratic AG candidate backs a full recount of convention votes, alleging broken rules and improperly calculated ballots were found.
Blame game erupts over Trump assassination attempt
The White House points its finger toward Democrats
House Democrats’ campaign arm takes sides in contentious primaries key to winning midterms
The House Democratic campaign arm on Monday inflamed ongoing tensions over the influence of party leadership by taking sides in several competitive primaries for battleground House seats.
Democrats look for a foothold in Iowa as Vance visits to boost Republicans
After years of coming up short, Democrats think they can make Iowa a political battleground again.
Democrats look for a foothold in Iowa as Vance visits to boost GOP candidate
Republican Donald Trump may have won the state by double digits in the last presidential election, but growing dissatisfaction with his leadership and rising costs from the Iran war could help set the stage for Democrats to make previously unattainable gains.
How Florida designed a US House map aiming to give Republicans four more seats
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law a map he designed to give Republicans an edge in as many as four seats now held by Democrats. DeSantis’ action in Florida comes several days after the US Supreme Court significantly weakened the use of the Voting Rights Act in redistricting cases. The decision has set off a fresh round of attempts to draw new lines in several southern states controlled by Republicans.
Baldacci picks up support from national Democratic group
Baldacci, 61, is one of four Democrats running in the primary to determine who will face former two-term Republican Gov. Paul LePage in November.
Supreme Court ruling on voting won’t change California districts, but could hurt Democrats
The U.S. Supreme Court has narrowed the Voting Rights Act over the past decade. The law in California was primarily used to help Latinos gain political representation. The U.S. Supreme Court has narrowed the Voting Rights Act over the past decade. The law in California was primarily used to help Latinos gain political representation.
A Figure From Democrats’ Recent Past May Hold the Key to Beating Donald Trump
The man who bested George W. Bush may have some lessons for Democrats on how to beat Donald Trump.
Will Texas turn blue this year?
With midterms around the corner and President Trump's approval rating low, Democrats expect to flip a lot of seats this election. Polls show a Democrat could win a statewide seat in Texas for the first time in the 21st century.
Democrats Eye 2028 as Battle for Identity Begins
Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in politics
California Republicans who flipped seats in 2024 are fighting to keep them
California Republicans made gains in the state Legislature two years. Now Democrats are trying to tie them to Trump's unpopularity in 2026
Democrats look for a foothold in Iowa as Vance visits to boost Republicans
Democrats believe they can make Iowa a political battleground again.
Democrats look for a foothold in Iowa as Vance visits to boost Republicans
Democrats believe they can make Iowa a political battleground again.
With Scandals and Court Ruling, Democrats Have Big Problems Too | WSJ Politics Newsletter for May 4
Plus, the Secret Service director is facing some heat, and the U.S. plans to guide commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz
Democrats Add 8 Candidates to House Battlefield Program for Midterms
The party’s congressional campaign arm is promoting more contenders to take down at-risk Republicans — and is taking sides in some competitive primaries.
Barney Frank, in hospice, says he remains hopeful but warns Democrats on ‘litmus test’ politics
Speaking from his home in Ogunquit, Maine, the 86-year-old former congressman told CNN that his own experience gives him reason to believe the political landscape can improve.
Colorado Democrats scramble to fund health care subsidies after loss of federal benefits
Colorado Democrats are struggling to devise a long-term plan to respond to higher health insurance costs after Republicans in Congress allowed federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year. Individuals and families who...
Colorado Democrats scramble to fund health care subsidies after loss of federal benefits
Colorado Democrats are struggling to devise a long-term plan to respond to higher health insurance costs after Republicans in Congress allowed federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year. Individuals and families who...
Democrats slammed for 'dehumanizing' rhetoric amid concerns about political-fueled violence
Political analyst Gianno Caldwell discusses dangerous political rhetoric and its consequences, including an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. He also examines how extreme language and socialist policies impact the country.
House control hinges on historically few number of seats
After aggressive redistricting, just 16 House seats are tossups, making it nearly impossible for Democrats to achieve their 2018 midterm gains of 41 seats.
ActBlue sues Texas AG Ken Paxton, alleging political retaliation over Democrats' fundraising
ActBlue sues Texas AG Ken Paxton, alleging he used his office to retaliate against the Democratic fundraising platform ahead of his Senate runoff.
Study: In Arizona, party politics play outsized role in passing bills
Arizona's Democrats have been nearly shut out of getting their legislation into law — much more so than the minority party in other states, a study says.
FEMA and the American people deserve better than Trump’s political lackeys
The Official Website of the House Committee on Homeland Security
Austin Democrats brace for more redistricting efforts next year
Recent rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court could spur a third effort to redraw Texas' congressional maps since the 2020 census.
Curing U.S. Health Care, Part II
On March 23, 2010 President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — usually referred to either as the Affordable Care Act or as Obamacare — into law. Joe Biden, then the vice president, could be overheard whispering “This is a big fucking deal.” And it was. The ACA, which went into full effect in 2014, created a system of subsidies and regulations designed to make health insurance available to many Americans who had previously been left out. It worked: In 2010 there were 47 million uninsured people in America, but by 2016 this number had dropped to 27 million. This still fell short of the universal health insurance that every other advanced nation has, but it was real progress. In 2017, during his first term, Donald Trump tried to destroy the ACA, replacing it with the American Health Care Act — legislation that would have eliminated most of the provisions that expanded health insurance under Obama. At the time the Congressional Budget Office projected that the G.O.P.’s replacement bill would nearly double the number of Americans without health insurance, increasing the total uninsured population by 23 million and undoing all of the progress achieved under the ACA. However, the attack on Obamacare failed by one vote in the Senate, and the ensuing public backlash against the G.O.P. delivered a large victory in the 2018 midterms to the Democrats. After these developments many observers assumed that the ACA had become a more or less permanent feature of American life. Such assessments, however, failed to take into account the deep hostility of the U.S. right toward policies that expand access to healthcare. As we’ll see, this hostility goes back generations. And the second Trump administration has taken actions that the CBO projects will add 16 million people to the rolls of the uninsured by 2034. How did we get here? And now what? Today’s primer will analyze the political economy of U.S. healthcare since the 1940s and the combination of danger and opportunity created by the current crisis. Beyond the paywall I will discuss the following: US health care on the eve of Trump II 80 years of US health politics The Obamacare story The new assault on healthcare
One Issue Uniting Democrats and Republicans? Worries About A.I.
The growing unease over artificial intelligence is something elements of the left and the right can agree on in a polarized age.
A California Dream? Some Democrats Fear Harris Picked the Wrong Race.
Some wish Kamala Harris had decided to run for governor in California, where Democrats are struggling to break through, rather than weigh another White House run.
A California Dream? Some Democrats Fear Harris Picked the Wrong Race.
Some wish Kamala Harris had decided to run for governor in California, where Democrats are struggling to break through, rather than weigh another White House run.
In Mississippi, a Democrat Challenges the Senator Who Blocked His Judgeship
Scott Colom, a state prosecutor, is running against Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Republican who denied him a seat on the federal bench. In a tough year for the G.O.P., Democrats see hope for his long-shot bid.
Trump disapproval reaches new high, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds
Democrats now hold a five-point advantage in support for Congress, up from two points in February.
Rep. Greg Casar pushes 'accountability and affordability message for Democrats in Austin
The Austin-area Democrat promised to hold Republicans accountable and tackle affordability, but danced around the thorny issue of state Rep. James Talarico's credibility with Black voters.
Political blame game begins and upset passengers stuck after Spirit ceases operations
Republicans blame Biden administration block on JetBlue deal; Democrats point to fuel price surge amid Iran war
The politics of Trump's ballroom
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — President Trump was about a half-hour into his second speech of the day, musing about the danger he faced last week at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. “Saturday night, it was good for one thing. People are loving my ballroom now,” Trump told a crowd last night. “That’s the only thing. They love my ballroom.” Ever since he was hustled off stage at the Washington Hilton last week, after an attempted shooter breached the dinner’s security perimeter and sent guests diving to the floor, the president has argued that the incident is proof for why his White House ballroom is needed. Only his planned $400 million, 90,000-square-foot project, Trump has reasoned, can keep a president truly safe at major events. It’s true that a bunch of GOP lawmakers have jumped on board with new legislation and words of support for Trump’s project. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. Rand Paul and other prominent Republicans went on TV to talk about the need for a ballroom. But as we reported at The Washington Post this week, “people” aren’t really changing their minds on Trump’s ballroom. A new Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that most Americans still oppose the ballroom project: 56 percent against it versus 28 percent in favor. The numbers are the same as a poll from last year, the Post’s polling whiz Scott Clement found. Other new polls have found similar margins, too. “I’m just not a giant fan, especially of extravagance,” one independent voter told me. “I mean, in the era we’re in right now, given how much people are struggling, it just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me to spend $400 million on a ballroom.” How we got here The Washington Post has followed Trump’s ballroom project very closely. (My colleague Jonathan Edwards may have written the most total words of any reporter about the project; I may be second.) The project exploded as a national issue after Trump tore down the White House’s East Wing after initially promising not to touch it.1 Historic preservationists sued, and about a month ago, a federal judge ordered a halt to ballroom construction.2 The only way the ballroom could proceed, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled, was if Congress explicitly authorized Trump’s plans. (An appeals court has stayed Leon’s order for now.) The judge’s ruling raised an obvious question: would Congress authorize the project? Keep in mind, “authorization” doesn’t mean that Congress needs to necessarily fund the planned $400 million project; they could just sign off on the private donations that Trump has solicited to pay for the ballroom.3 But GOP lawmakers really didn’t want to talk about the ballroom, we reported at The Post just a few weeks ago. One major reason was the ballroom’s bad polling — not a small detail with many of their own midterm elections looming. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner incident, and Trump’s advocacy, may have changed the political conversation around the ballroom. As this week’s polling shows, it doesn’t seem to have affected the fundamental questions surrounding the project. To put it another way, voters still say that cost-of-living concerns are top-of-mind heading into the midterms. Some Republican and independent voters have told me that they see the ballroom as a vanity project that will help Trump but do nothing for their own lives. It might not help Republicans that Trump has dismissed some of the cost-of-living concerns. He’s described “affordability” as a buzzword manufactured by Democrats whose policies helped cause inflation. “They’ve got one good line of bullshit,” Trump said in his first speech yesterday, delivered at a Florida retirement community known as The Villages. Thanks for reading Dan Diamond's newsletter! Subscribe for free to stay up-to-date on my work. Subscribe Speaking of Trump’s speeches… I’m down in Florida because it’s my “duty week” as a White House reporter — basically, I follow the president wherever he goes. (And then hand the baton off to one of my Washington Post colleagues next week.) As part of my duty week, I’ve spent a few days covering the White House’s reaction to Saturday’s attempted shooting, including officials’ review of the security protocols to protect the president. Trump was restrained in the wake of the incident, addressing the nation from the White House briefing room about the need for peaceful dialogue and trying to lower the temperature. But he’s clearly been itching to get back out of the White House, and I was curious to hear how his Florida speeches would go. And — to my ears — it was an unburdened Trump. Not the one we saw Saturday night in the White House briefing room, but the one we witnessed on the campaign trail in 2024. Loose, dropping profanities, mocking everyone, including members of his team. “We have a man here who knows more about Medicaid, Medicare, medical crap than any human being. Where’s Dr. Oz? Where the hell are you, stand up,” Trump said, referring to Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “It’s the most boring trip I’ve ever made. He’s telling me about Medicare, Medicaid. All I want to do is take care of you, I don’t care. I said, ‘You work out the details.’” I wrote up the speech, as Trump headed to West Palm Beach to deliver more remarks a few hours later. The White House didn’t like my story. Their rapid-response team called it the work of a “total loser”4 and “a miserable TDS-ridden moron.” You can be the judge of whether it’s a fair story or the product of someone afflicted with “TDS.” (The White House’s shorthand for “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”) I’ve pasted the story below with a gift link, meaning that you don’t need to be a Washington Post subscriber to read it. It might prompt you for an email address, though. Meanwhile, I’ll be down in Florida for the rest of the weekend, covering the president. It’s TBD whether those stories will be deemed TDS-afflicted, too. 1 Jonathan details the past six months of ballroom fallout, reactions and the implications for executive authority here. I also had a great time talking about Trump’s ballroom and other projects with Australia’s ABC News Daily on a podcast this week. 2 The judge allowed underground construction and national security-related work to continue. But that hasn’t been enough for Trump, who says the ballroom itself is essential for his protection. 3 The ballroom donors include companies like Palantir, Google and Amazon. For transparency, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, where I work. No one has ever interfered with our team’s coverage of the ballroom or our mentions of Amazon or Bezos, and if that changed, I’d speak out. 4 To be fair, I’ve spent the morning working on stories and writing this Substack post rather than enjoying the beautiful Florida weather. So they may be onto something about who’s winning and who’s losing.
Can the US Democrats beat Trump by becoming more like him?
Fighting fire with fire may deliver electoral wins, but risks hurting the party’s brand eventually, Chinese academic argues.
Ruby Red Iowa Backed Trump by 13 Points in 2024. Now It’s a Battleground.
Iowa has trended red for a decade, but Democrats are showing signs of life, and that could help their party reclaim Congress and maybe even a governorship.
Graham Platner Got Everything He Wanted. Is That Good for Democrats’ Hopes of Retaking the Senate?
Maine was supposed to be Democrats’ marquee Senate primary. It ended before a single vote was cast.
2026 Senate races to watch: From most likely to flip to Democratic long shots
Democrats could have a narrow path to winning the Senate, with these specific states on the table.
Capitol Recap: Proposal to tax high earners stirs debate over policy, and politics, in Montpelier
The House Committee on Ways and Means has spent the last three weeks crafting proposals that would raise income taxes on households that earn more than $586,000 a year. Though the legislation has no chance of becoming law this year, some Democrats hope the debate will resonate with voters heading into the midterm elections.
Restless Democrats challenge party establishment while trying to loosen Trump's grip on Washington
Restless Democratic voters are rejecting their party’s establishment
Democrat David Costello says he’s a viable alternative
David Costello and Graham Platner are competing to take on Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican seeking a sixth term. Democrats hope to take control of the Senate by flipping four seats, with Maine considered a top pick-up opportunity.