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July 28, 2025
Number of Democratic voters who are 'extremely motivated' to vote in next election skyrockets
(The Independent) Nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters say they are extremely motivated to cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, a dramatic uptick from four years ago, polling shows. Just six months after Republicans took control of the White House and Congress, 72 percent of Democrats and Democratic-aligned voters say they are extremely motivated to vote in the next election, a CNN poll conducted by SSRS this month found. By contrast, only 50 percent of Republicans say the same.
Go to discussionSenate GOP quietly urges House to shift approach on shutdown talk
(The Hill) Senate Republicans say President Trump has made it clear that he doesnt want a government shutdown, and theyre urging House GOP lawmakers to tone down their approach to the Sept. 30 funding deadline. House Republicans jammed Senate Democrats in March with a partisan funding bill, which Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) reluctantly voted for to avoid a shutdown. But the political dynamics are different now. Schumer is under heavy pressure to fight harder against Trump and his MAGA-allies, heightening the chance of a shutdown if Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) tries to use the same playbook.
Go to discussionHegseth Secretly Splurges Nuclear Cash on Trump's 'Free' Jet
(Daily Beast) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has found a new money pot to fund President Trumps Qatari-backed Air Force One project. The Pentagon has transferred $934 million from the Sentinel, a $77.7 billion project dedicated to modernizing the U.S. ground-based nuclear missiles, to fund a classified project, according to The New York Times, and Air Force officials said at least some of the funds will go toward renovating a Qatari-funded Boeing 747-8 to Trumps liking.
Go to discussion'Embarrassment': Trump biographer goes off on president's 'disturbing' press conference
(Raw Story) Sitting in with host Ali Velshi on Sunday after Donald Trump completed a press conference in Scotland with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, one of the president's biographers called the Trump's answers, "profound ignorance" and demeanor "disturbing on a number of levels."
Go to discussionColorado lawmaker says Gabbard has become 'weapon' for Trump
(Politico) Rep. Jason Crow on Sunday said Tulsi Gabbard has turned herself into a weapon of mass distraction in an effort to regain President Donald Trumps favor after he appeared to dismiss the director of national intelligence. In an interview with Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday, the Colorado Democrat said Gabbards recent accusation that former President Barack Obama manipulated information and knowingly lied about Russian efforts to sway the 2016 election would be sad if they werent so dangerous.
Go to discussion'Get over it': some middle America Trump supporters remain unfazed over Epstein files tumult
(The Guardian) It has united luminaries of the far right, from media personality Tucker Carlson to activist Laura Loomer, from tech billionaire Elon Musk to congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Typically unwavering in support of Donald Trump, all have criticised his administrations handling of files about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But in towns and cities across the US, a more complicated and nuanced picture emerges, serving as a reminder that like any other political constituency Trump voters are not a monolith.
Go to discussionUS-EU trade deal wards off further escalation but will raise costs for companies, consumers
(AP) President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have announced a sweeping trade deal that imposes 15% tariffs on most European goods, warding off Trumps threat of a 30% rate if no deal had been reached by Aug. 1. The tariffs, or import taxes, paid when Americans buy European products could raise prices for U.S. consumers and dent profits for European companies and their partners who bring goods into the country.
Go to discussion'You Gotta Be Kidding!' Trump Loses It After EU Reporter Asks About Epstein
(Crooks & Liars) President Donald Trump grew frustrated with a reporter who asked about Jeffrey Epstein during an announcement about a trade deal with the European Union. "Mr. President, was part of the rush to get this deal done to knock the Jeffrey Epstein story [out of the headlines]?" the reporter asked during a press conference in Scotland on Sunday. "Oh, you gotta be kidding with that!" Trump exclaimed. "No, had nothing to do with it. Only you would think that."
Go to discussionFormer Interior Secretary to be honored with Chief Standing Bear Prize
(Nebraska Examiner) Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Chief Standing Bear Prize for Courage. Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a former U.S. congresswoman, served as Interior Secretary during the Biden Administration. She will be presented with the award during a ceremony Oct. 13 Indigenous Peoples Day at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln.
Go to discussionTrump's plan to bully Greenland for 'game-changing' minerals backfired: report
(Raw Story) The Washington Post reported on Sunday that Trump's previous statements about controlling Greenland for national security seem to have been part of a larger plot to get favored access to the country's rare earth minerals. Greenland has two-thirds of the minerals most crucial to the United States, which are used by technology companies to build their products, according to the report. However, that plan appears to have backfired as Greenland officials say the country's mining industry doesn't need to grow that quickly.
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