Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), one of Congress&#8217;s most outspoken supporters of Israel, easily defeated a Left-wing primary challenger Tuesday night, surviving an effort by leftist activists to unseat him and drawing an angry response from anti-Israel communist commentator Hasan Piker.
Torres cruised to victory in New York&#8217;s 15th congressional district, defeating former state Assemblyman Michael Blake by a wide margin. With nearly all votes counted, Torres captured roughly 72% of the vote compared to Blake&#8217;s 22%.
The result represents a significant victory for one of the Democratic Party&#8217;s most prominent pro-Israel voices at a time when leftist activists have increasingly targeted lawmakers who support the Jewish state. Among those reacting furiously to the outcome was Left-wing streamer Piker, who has frequently clashed with Torres over Israel, antisemitism, and foreign policy.
&#8220;Ritchie Torres I know you won tonight … I was coming for you but you got lucky this time … I&#8217;ll see you in two, motherf*ck*r … Ritchie! I&#8217;m coming for you, Richie,&#8221; Piker said after the results became clear. &#8220;Sit on that f*ckin seat for the next two years … I hope you remember that.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Hasan Piker calls out Ritchie Torres after nine of his endorsed candidates win in New York primaries
&#8220;Ritchie Torres I know you won tonight. I&#8217;ll see you in two years, motherfucker. I&#8217;m coming for you, Richie.
Sit on that fuckin seat for the next two years. I hope you remember… <a href="https://t.co/rjRcMzcgtA">pic.twitter.com/rjRcMzcgtA</a>
— Popstonox (@Popstonox) <a href="https://x.com/Popstonox/status/2069618565280366915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
Piker continued by warning Torres that he would continue scrutinizing the congressman&#8217;s pro-Israel positions. &#8220;Every day, every time there&#8217;s a decision that you can make where you are pro-Israel, I hope you remember. … You better act right, Ritchie.&#8221;
The remarks highlight a years-long feud between the congressman and one of the internet&#8217;s most influential leftist commentators.
Torres has repeatedly accused Piker of spreading antisemitic rhetoric and promoting anti-American extremism. In 2024, Torres sent a <a href="https://ritchietorres.house.gov/congressman-ritchie-torres-writes-to-executives-at-twitch-and-amazon-hasan-piker-is-dangerous">letter</a> to Twitch and Amazon executives condemning Piker, whom he described as a major source of antisemitic content online.
The congressman&#8217;s letter cited a series of controversial statements from Piker, including comments minimizing the significance of sexual violence committed during Hamas&#8217;s October 7 attack on Israel, remarks sympathetic to Hezbollah, and his infamous claim that &#8220;America deserved 9/11.&#8221;
Torres also accused Piker of platforming extremists and helping fuel the rise of antisemitism on social media.
Despite becoming a frequent target of attacks from his left flank, Torres has continued to carve out a unique position within the Democratic Party. The Bronx congressman formally broke with the Congressional Progressive Caucus in 2024 and has become one of the most forceful Democratic critics of anti-Israel activism.
Blake attempted to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction with Israel among Democratic voters and had previously aligned himself politically with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during last year&#8217;s mayoral race.
However, Mamdani notably stayed out of the congressional contest, depriving Blake of the endorsement many on the Left of Torres hoped would help unite the anti-Torres vote.
Torres also enjoyed a massive fundraising advantage throughout the campaign. Federal filings showed the congressman raising nearly $6.7 million compared to roughly $412,000 for Blake.
The decisive victory suggests that while socialist and leftist candidates scored several victories elsewhere in New York on Tuesday, efforts to oust Torres failed to gain meaningful traction among Democratic voters in the Bronx.
Instead, voters handed Torres another overwhelming primary victory and rejected one of the highest-profile attempts by the Democratic Party&#8217;s activists to punish a lawmaker for his support of Israel.
For Piker and other anti-Israel activists who have spent years attacking Torres online, Tuesday night&#8217;s results amounted to a clear setback. For Torres, they served as another demonstration that his brand of unapologetic support for Israel remains politically viable even as much of his party continues moving Left on the issue.

The Jerusalem Post New York Conference 2024

Outspoken Zionist Dem Defeats Hasan Piker-Backed Primary Challenger

anti-Israel

Congress

Election

Hasan Piker

Israel

New York

Former anti-Trump Republican and Lincoln Project co-founder George Conway suffered a humiliating defeat Tuesday night in New York’s Democratic congressional primary, finishing a distant fifth place despite years spent positioning himself as one of Donald Trump’s most vocal critics.
Conway received just 6.1% of the vote in the crowded Democratic primary for New York’s 12th Congressional District, collecting 6,212 votes and finishing behind winner Micah Lasher, Alex Bores, Jack Kennedy Schlossberg, and Nina Schwalbe.
The result capped off a remarkable political downfall for the attorney who made opposing the president the centerpiece of his public identity.
President Donald Trump wasted little time celebrating Conway’s defeat. “Wow, Mr. Kellyanne Conway, a Trump Deranged Loser at the highest level, is getting absolutely CRUSHED in the Primaries tonight,” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116802818595314334">wrote</a> on Truth Social as results came in.
“He’ll end up at about 5% of the vote in a rather weak field of young and aggressive Communists. No wonder his ‘husband’ dumped him like a dog! This is a truly unattractive person, both inside and out. Have a nice life, George! President DJT.”
The lawyer failed to gain traction even in a Democratic primary electorate that has largely embraced opposition to Trump as a defining political issue.
Conway became a household name during Trump’s first term after publicly breaking with the Republican president despite his wife, Kellyanne Conway, serving as one of Trump’s closest advisers. Their increasingly public political feud turned Conway into a favorite guest on cable news networks and eventually helped launch The Lincoln Project, the anti-Trump organization created by former Republicans seeking to prevent Trump&#8217;s reelection.
His congressional campaign leaned heavily into that record. Conway pledged to fight Trump, support impeachment efforts, and hold the administration accountable. But Democratic voters in Manhattan appeared more interested in candidates focused on local issues, housing costs, and the party’s future direction than another referendum on Trump.
The race itself reflected the Democratic Party’s ongoing ideological battles. Assemblyman Micah Lasher ultimately prevailed with roughly 39 percent of the vote, defeating fellow Assemblyman Alex Bores and Kennedy family heir Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy.
Conway’s fifth-place-level performance was particularly striking given his national profile. While Schlossberg’s famous last name was enough to earn nearly 11 percent of the vote despite his limited political experience, Conway’s years of media appearances and anti-Trump activism translated into little electoral support.
His defeat also came amid a broader shift within New York Democratic politics. Several candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the party’s socialist wing scored victories elsewhere in the city, underscoring that Democratic voters remain focused on internal ideological fights rather than elevating anti-Trump celebrity figures.
For Conway, the result represents the latest chapter in a political journey that saw him transform from a respected conservative attorney into one of Trump’s most obsessive critics. After years spent attacking the president on television, social media, and through political organizations, Conway finally put his own name on a ballot — and voters responded with a resounding rejection.
The man once dubbed the “husband from hell” by Trump finished with just over 6% of the vote, bringing an abrupt end to his first campaign for public office.

Gcon

OG Never Trumper Finishes 5th In Democratic Primary

Democrat

Donald Trump

George Conway

Kellyanne Conway

Primary

The internet is melting down. Politics is broken. Culture is spiraling. And Mat Nuclear is going live.
The Daily Wire’s newest show, “The Nuclear Reaction,” drops viewers into a post-apocalyptic shortwave broadcast where the only mission is helping those who are still Left … get Right in the head.
Part reaction show, part debate arena, part emergency transmission from the wreckage of modern discourse, “The Nuclear Reaction” puts Nuclear into the middle of the day’s dumbest, darkest, and most combustible arguments. Guests, callers, clips, chats, and assorted survivors wander through the broadcast as Nuclear tries to separate what’s real from what’s fake — and figure out who’s having the biggest public meltdown.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
The Nuclear Reaction starts tonight ☢️🔥
Meet The Daily Wire’s newest talent, <a href="https://x.com/MatNuclear?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MatNuclear</a>!
Part reaction, part debate, part broadcast from the ruins of rationality — Mat&#8217;s getting into it all.
Watch tonight on YouTube at 6PM, plus his guest appearance on Friendly Fire🔥 <a href="https://t.co/AkGPcbHbWh">pic.twitter.com/AkGPcbHbWh</a>
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) <a href="https://x.com/realDailyWire/status/2067279309505524166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
“It’s politics, culture, internet drama, and apocalyptic nonsense all treated with the level of lols it deserves,” Nuclear said.
The show marks a new chapter for one of the Right’s fastest-rising young voices.
Nuclear built an audience as a teenage debater taking on opponents across social media. What started with arguments against vegans on Discord quickly evolved into viral clashes on TikTok, where he developed a reputation for relentlessly questioning progressive assumptions and refusing to let opponents escape uncomfortable questions.
His national breakout came through Jubilee’s viral “Surrounded” series, where he faced activist Amanda Seales in front of a live audience. Clips from the debate spread rapidly online and introduced millions of viewers to the then-18-year-old commentator.
Soon afterward, appearances with major conservative figures followed. Figures like Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk praised Nuclear’s debating ability and composure.
Now, Nuclear is bringing that same energy to a nightly live format built around audience interaction, real-time reactions, and unpredictable debates.
Each episode of “The Nuclear Reaction” will feature a mix of breaking news, political commentary, livestream debates, audience call-ins, social media clips, and internet chaos. No topic is off limits, and no sacred cow is guaranteed protection.
For Nuclear, the appeal of debate has always been rooted in a simple idea: most political arguments become much less convincing when someone asks a straightforward follow-up question. Rather than relying on talking points or outrage, Nuclear built his audience by challenging claims directly and forcing conversations back to basic questions of truth, logic, and consistency.
That approach has resonated particularly with younger audiences, many of whom encountered him through short-form social media clips before following him into longer discussions and debates.
While the show embraces the absurdity of modern politics and internet culture, it also reflects Nuclear’s belief that persuasion matters — especially for a generation increasingly surrounded by ideological noise.
“The Nuclear Reaction” streams regularly across The Daily Wire’s platforms, delivering reactions, arguments, laughs, and chaos from the front lines of the culture war.
The world may be falling apart, but Mat Nuclear will be there to talk about it.

MNUC-v3-resized_MNUK-keyart-16×9

WATCH: Mat Nuclear Gets Hot On His Daily Wire Livestream

Daily Wire

Debate

Gen Z

Poltiics

A Michigan school district currently facing a lawsuit over banning a parent who criticized Pride flags in classrooms is facing fresh scrutiny after a video surfaced showing drag performers dancing for children at a Pride event held at an elementary school.
The video, widely circulated on social media, appears to show drag performers dancing provocatively while children hand them cash tips during what organizers described as a &#8220;family-friendly&#8221; Pride celebration held at a Grosse Pointe Public Schools facility.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
OMG
Grosse Point Public Schools (<a href="https://x.com/GPSchools?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GPSchools</a>) in Michigan hosted a &#8220;family-friendly&#8221; Pride event at an elementary school where half-naked drag queens danced provocatively for CHILDREN while taking cash tips.
This is a taxpayer-funded public school grooming kids.
DEFUND <a href="https://t.co/D2ZXuKfFpl">pic.twitter.com/D2ZXuKfFpl</a>
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) <a href="https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/2069167081463898435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2026</a></blockquote>
The controversy comes as the district continues to defend itself against a lawsuit brought by a parent who says school officials violated his First Amendment rights after he criticized Pride displays at Parcells Middle School and shared video of the displays with other parents.
&#8220;When we first walked into this classroom, what do we see? Boom. What a bold statement,&#8221; the parent said in a video recorded inside the school while pointing to a Progress Pride Flag displayed in a classroom.
After distributing the footage to parent groups and criticizing what he described as teachers pushing an ideological agenda, district officials barred him from attending school activities, according to court filings.
Attorney David Kallman, who represents the parent, argues the district punished his client for expressing protected political views. &#8220;What this comes down to &#8230; is this school did not like what he had to say,&#8221; Kallman said to <a href="https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/grosse-pointe-schools-parent-sues-after-ban-classroom-pride-flag-video-post">Fox 2 Detroit</a>.
The newly surfaced footage has reignited criticism of the district, especially since school officials were willing to sanction a parent for objecting to Pride-related messaging while simultaneously allowing a Pride event featuring drag performers and children.
District officials have previously argued that the parents&#8217; conduct was intimidating and harassing and have rejected allegations that staff members were being accused of criminal conduct.
The lawsuit remains ongoing.

A girl holds the Transgender Pride flag during the pride

Drag Queen Show, Elementary School, Cash Tips — Seriously?

Drag Queens

Gender

gender ideology

Senate Homeland Security Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) has subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, escalating a yearslong battle over the federal government&#8217;s handling of the COVID pandemic and the origins of the virus.
Paul announced Monday that he issued the subpoena after Fauci allegedly backed out of an agreement to voluntarily appear before the committee.
&#8220;Last week, Anthony Fauci notified us he will NOT voluntarily testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, even though he had previously agreed to do so,&#8221; Paul <a href="https://x.com/RandPaul/status/2069168695398588521">wrote on X</a>. &#8220;Therefore, today I have issued a subpoena requiring him to testify before the Committee, in public, next month.&#8221;
The subpoena is the first issued by Paul since taking over as chairman of the committee, which granted its chairman unilateral subpoena authority last year.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.semafor.com/article/06/23/2026/why-rand-paul-subpoenaed-fauci">Semafor</a>, Paul said months of negotiations with Fauci ultimately broke down after the former public health official agreed to appear and then reversed course.
&#8220;He&#8217;s been slow-walking information to us for six months or more,&#8221; Paul said. &#8220;We&#8217;ve been negotiating over the date for several months. He agreed, then he said he wouldn&#8217;t. So, I think it&#8217;s time that we bring him in.&#8221;
Paul indicated that lawmakers intend to question Fauci about several issues, including his presidential pardon, allegations regarding federally funded gain-of-function research, and accusations that records related to the government&#8217;s pandemic response were destroyed.
&#8220;I think there&#8217;s a lot to discuss,&#8221; Paul said.
The subpoena marks the latest chapter in one of Washington&#8217;s most contentious post-pandemic rivalries.
Throughout the post-COVID era, Paul <a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/reps/senator-rand-paul-re-refers-dr-anthony-fauci-to-the-department-of-justice/">repeatedly</a> sparred with Fauci during Senate hearings, accusing him of misleading Congress about U.S.-funded research connected to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. Fauci consistently denied claims that the National Institutes of Health funded gain-of-function research that could have created the virus responsible for the pandemic.
As evidence supporting the lab leak theory gained credibility in recent years, Paul intensified his criticism, arguing that Fauci and other public health officials worked to dismiss legitimate questions about the virus&#8217; origins.
The Kentucky senator has previously called for Fauci to face criminal charges, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5936032-rand-paul-subpoena-anthony-fauci-covid-19/">alleging</a> that he lied to Congress under oath regarding gain-of-function research funding. &#8220;We&#8217;ve been negotiating with him for material and for testimony. This has gone on for some time,&#8221; Paul said during a Tuesday interview. &#8220;He slow walked us and slow walked us. Finally agreed to come in voluntarily &#8230; then last week he says he&#8217;s not coming in.&#8221;
&#8220;With this subpoena power, we will bring him in, unless he fights this in court,&#8221; Paul added.
The move comes as congressional Republicans continue investigating the origins of COVID-19 and the federal government&#8217;s pandemic response, issues that remain politically potent years after lockdowns, vaccine mandates, school closures, and other emergency measures reshaped American life.
Fauci has not yet publicly responded to the subpoena. If he declines to comply, the dispute could trigger a legal battle testing the scope of Congress&#8217; oversight authority and Paul&#8217;s new subpoena powers as committee chairman.

rand paul fauci

Rand Paul Issues First Subpoena Of Long Senate Career — For Tony Fauci

Anthony Fauci

COVID

Rand Paul

U.S. Senate

The Supreme Court handed the Trump administration a major immigration victory on Tuesday, ruling that federal border officials can treat green card holders facing certain criminal allegations as applicants for admission when they return from foreign travel, even before securing a conviction.
In a 6-3 decision split along ideological lines, the Court sided with the administration in a case involving a Chinese national and lawful permanent resident who left the United States while facing criminal charges and later attempted to reenter the country.
Writing for the majority, Justice Clarence Thomas rejected a lower court ruling that would have required border officials to possess &#8220;clear and convincing evidence&#8221; that a green card holder committed a qualifying crime before treating that individual as an applicant for admission.
&#8220;Nothing in the INA [Immigration and Nationality Act] required the border officer to have clear and convincing evidence&#8221; before making that determination, Thomas <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25-429_h3ci.pdf">wrote</a>.
The case centered on Muk Choi Lau, a Chinese citizen who became a lawful permanent resident in 2007. In 2012, New Jersey charged Lau with trademark counterfeiting. While awaiting trial, Lau traveled to China and later attempted to return to the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Because of the pending criminal charge, federal officials declined to automatically treat Lau as a returning permanent resident and instead classified him as an applicant seeking admission into the country. Lau was allowed to physically enter the United States on parole while his criminal case proceeded. After Lau later pleaded guilty, the government moved to remove him from the country.
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Lau, arguing that immigration officials lacked sufficient evidence at the time he arrived at the airport to treat him as an applicant for admission rather than as an already-admitted permanent resident. The Supreme Court reversed that ruling.
Thomas noted that Congress never imposed a requirement that border officers possess &#8220;clear and convincing evidence&#8221; before making quick decisions at ports of entry.
&#8220;We decline to read into the INA an additional clear-and-convincing-evidence burden on border officers entrusted with making quick judgments on the spot when that burden is nowhere in the statute,&#8221; Thomas wrote.
The ruling represents another legal victory for President Donald Trump&#8217;s administration as it seeks to strengthen immigration enforcement and expand the authority of federal officials to remove non-citizens who commit crimes.
The Court emphasized that green card holders are not automatically immune from scrutiny when returning from overseas travel, particularly when they have allegedly committed crimes that can trigger removal proceedings under federal immigration law.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote the dissent and was joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Jackson argued that lawful permanent residents enjoy special protections under federal law and warned that the majority&#8217;s ruling gives the government excessive authority to downgrade the status of green card holders before proving that an exception to those protections applies.
&#8220;I worry that the Court has now handed the Government a massive blank check,&#8221; Jackson wrote.
The majority rejected that argument, concluding that the Immigration and Nationality Act allows immigration authorities to treat a returning permanent resident as an applicant for admission if the individual has committed certain offenses, even if the conviction occurs later.
In its ruling, the Court did not decide whether Lau&#8217;s trademark-counterfeiting conviction qualifies as a crime involving moral turpitude under immigration law, leaving that question unresolved for lower courts to decide.

US-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY

Trump Notches Another Big Supreme Court Win — This Time On Green Cards

Clarence Thomas

Green Cards

Immigration

SCOTUS

Embattled Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico has openly credited a controversial activist theologian with helping shape his political and religious worldview.
During a March 2021 podcast appearance, Talarico enthusiastically praised theologian Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, describing himself as a &#8220;fan boy&#8221; and crediting Henderson-Espinoza&#8217;s work with influencing his thinking.
&#8220;When you started following me on Twitter, I couldn&#8217;t contain my inner fan boy, because I read your book last year and it continues to inspire me and y&#8217;all&#8217;s work continues to inspire me,&#8221; Talarico said. He went on to argue that aspects of his own identity limited his imagination, saying, &#8220;my whiteness, my masculinity, all those things limit my imagination about what&#8217;s possible. And that&#8217;s where your book helps me do that.&#8221;
Talarico has spent much of the last several months attempting to explain away a series of past remarks that Republicans have characterized as excessively leftist, including statements that &#8220;God is non-binary,&#8221; suggestions that there are six biological sexes, and arguments that the Bible does not prohibit abortion.
While Talarico has recently described some of his older remarks as &#8220;cringey,&#8221; his praise for Henderson-Espinoza provides insight into some of the intellectual influences behind those statements.
Talarico specifically referenced Henderson-Espinoza&#8217;s 2019 book &#8220;Activist Theology,&#8221; which argues for a form of Christianity centered on political activism and opposition to what the author describes as &#8220;interlocking supremacies.&#8221; Henderson-Espinoza later expanded those themes in the 2022 book &#8220;Body Becoming: A Path to Our Liberation,&#8221; which advances a vision of faith rooted in social justice and liberation politics.
Henderson-Espinoza, who goes by “<a href="https://juicyecumenism.com/2023/06/12/roberto-che-espinoza/">Roberto Che Espinoza</a>,” is an activist theologian, author, professor, and ordained minister who identifies as transgender, &#8220;non-binary,&#8221; and &#8220;TransQueer Latinx.&#8221; A longtime figure in Left-wing academic and activist circles, Henderson-Espinoza has served as a visiting professor at Duke Divinity School and founded the Activist Theology Project, an organization that describes itself as bringing together theologians, activists, social-change advocates, and political organizers.
The project&#8217;s stated mission extends far beyond traditional ministry, positioning itself at the intersection of religion, activism, and political organizing.
Her work pushes well beyond even what many would consider “progressive Christianity.” In a 2018 academic paper, Henderson-Espinoza called for &#8220;transing religion&#8221; as a way to dismantle traditional understandings of sex, gender, and theology. The paper argued for breaking down what Henderson-Espinoza described as religious &#8220;binarisms&#8221; and challenged longstanding Christian teachings on complementarity and human nature.
Henderson-Espinoza has also described the Bible as &#8220;trans-positive,&#8221; referred to transgender individuals as &#8220;Easter icons,&#8221; and argued that traditional theological categories should be reimagined through the lens of queer theory and liberationist activism.
In interviews, Henderson-Espinoza has argued that even “progressive Christianity” does not go far enough. Speaking with The Nation, Henderson-Espinoza rejected the label of &#8220;progressive Christian,&#8221; arguing that the movement remains too influenced by liberalism and individualism and fails to sufficiently challenge what she calls systems of oppression and &#8220;whiteness.&#8221;
Instead, Henderson-Espinoza identifies as a &#8220;liberationist,&#8221; both politically and theologically, viewing Christianity primarily through the lens of social activism and liberation movements rather than doctrine or institutional tradition. That worldview has led Henderson-Espinoza to openly dismiss many traditional priorities of organized religion. In the same interview, Henderson-Espinoza argued that relationships should take priority over doctrine and dogma and stated, &#8220;I&#8217;m not an institutionalist &#8230; and I&#8217;m not here to preserve the institutional church.&#8221;
Rather than preserving churches or defending theological orthodoxy, Henderson-Espinoza has argued that Christians should focus on activism, social change, and challenging existing institutions. Her political activism has mirrored those views. Henderson-Espinoza has opposed legislation preventing trans-identifying boys from competing in girls&#8217; sports, criticized parental notification policies involving students who identify as transgender, and frequently incorporates progressive political causes into sermons, public appearances, and academic work.
Those positions have made Henderson-Espinoza a celebrated figure among activists and Left-wing religious circles while drawing criticism from more traditional Christians.
For Talarico, however, Henderson-Espinoza was not merely a public figure he admired from afar. By his own admission, the theologian&#8217;s writings, activism, and worldview helped expand his political imagination and served as a source of inspiration during his rise within Texas Democratic politics.
As Republicans continue highlighting Talarico&#8217;s past comments on faith, gender, and sexuality, that relationship is likely to face increased scrutiny as voters evaluate the influences that helped shape the Democratic nominee&#8217;s worldview.

Texas State Representative Talarico Campaigns Ahead Of Primary Election

James Talarico Fanboys For Trans Activist Theologian Who Pushes Bizarre Views On Christianity

2026 Midterms

James Talarico

Texas

Transgender

One of the Democrats&#8217; best chances to flip a U.S. Senate seat in 2026 has been complicated significantly by a decision to fast-track the launch of candidate Graham Platner before a full background review was completed.
Top Platner strategist Dan Moraff commissioned a rushed background check that was completed in just three days rather than the more extensive vetting process commonly used in competitive statewide races, according to a <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/the-mad-scientist-behind-graham-platners-scandal-plagued-rise-96f68810?st=AWDdoo&amp;reflink=article_copyURL_share">Wall Street Journal</a> report.
The expedited review, conducted by New York-based Northside Research, reportedly cost $6,250 and produced a brief risk assessment memo instead of the extensive research that can run hundreds of pages and often take weeks to complete.
A campaign official told the Journal that the campaign lacked the resources for a more extensive vetting operation and argued that a larger review would not have uncovered any additional meaningful information.
Despite that confidence, endless controversies emerged after Platner entered the race, including sexually explicit <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/popular-dem-senate-candidate-caught-by-wife-exchanging-raunchy-texts-with-women">communications</a> sent to women other than his wife while he was married, a previously undisclosed “predator’s paradise” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/see-it-graham-platner-has-active-profile-on-predators-paradise-messaging-app">Kik account</a>, a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ex-girlfriends-say-platner-lied-about-nazi-tattoo-detail-disturbing-behavior">tattoo linked to Nazi imagery</a> that became the first major source of public pressure against Platner, and allegations of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/graham-platner-abuse-accuser-says-new-york-times-twisted-her-story-in-gift-to-dems">abuse and misconduct</a> involving prior relationships.
The report also states that researchers did not uncover the full scope of Platner&#8217;s social media history, but did find a collection of Platner’s Reddit posts that later became a recurring target for Republican scrutiny.
Political professionals, however, often view candidate vetting as one of the most important investments a campaign can make, particularly in high-profile statewide contests where opposition researchers, reporters, and political opponents are certain to examine a candidate&#8217;s background.
The Journal noted that comprehensive background investigations frequently cost around $20,000 and can take several weeks to complete. Such reviews often include lengthy candidate questionnaires, interviews, social media audits, public records searches, and examinations of a candidate&#8217;s personal and professional history.
Additionally, Northside Research did not conduct a candidate interview or questionnaire before Platner launched his campaign.
The controversy has renewed scrutiny of Moraff, a progressive political operative who has built a reputation for recruiting political outsiders and moving quickly to launch campaigns. The Journal detailed several previous races in which candidate vetting became a point of contention or where previously undisclosed issues surfaced after campaigns were underway.
Despite the controversies, Platner won more than 70% of the vote in Maine&#8217;s Democratic Senate primary and remains Democrats&#8217; nominee against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Still, some Democrats have expressed concern that the continued drip of revelations about Platner&#8217;s past could jeopardize what many in the party view as their strongest opportunity to flip a Republican-held Senate seat in 2026 as the party faces an uphill battle to take back the upper chamber.

Maine Democratic Candidate For Senate Graham Platner Campaigns Across The State

How Platner Slipped Through The Vetting Process

Rush To Launch Maine Democrat Left Major Red Flags Undiscovered

A zoo in eastern China is facing ridicule online after visitors discovered that one of its &#8220;zebras&#8221; was actually a donkey painted with black stripes.
Footage from Qingyun Mountain Folk Custom Amusement Park in Anqiu, located in China&#8217;s Shandong Province, shows the animal sporting crudely painted stripes intended to resemble a zebra. The disguise quickly fell apart, however, as visitors pointed to the animal&#8217;s long ears, distinctive coloring, and the presence of other donkeys in the same enclosure.
<a href="https://nypost.com/2026/06/19/world-news/zoo-paints-donkey-with-stripes-to-look-like-zebra-and-visitors-arent-wild-about-it/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nypost">Images and videos</a> of the striped donkey spread rapidly across Chinese social media, where users mocked the zoo&#8217;s attempt to transform the animal into something more exotic.
Zoo staff later defended the stunt, insisting they never actually claimed the animal was a zebra. &#8220;We&#8217;re doing cosplay. We never said it was a zebra,&#8221; one staff member reportedly wrote online. &#8220;We didn&#8217;t even put up a sign saying it was a zebra! It&#8217;s just a joke, an abstract kind of thing meant to entertain visitors.&#8221;
According to local reports, park employees said they have carried out similar animal &#8220;makeovers&#8221; in the past as a way to amuse guests. The incident is the latest in a string of viral controversies involving Chinese zoos disguising animals as different species.
In 2025, <a href="https://people.com/zoo-in-china-accused-of-painting-donkeys-black-and-white-to-look-like-zebras-11680561">another zoo</a> in Shandong Province admitted to painting donkeys with zebra stripes after social media users exposed the deception. At the time, zoo officials defended the move as a harmless marketing gimmick and said the paint used on the animals was non-toxic.
Chinese zoos have also gained international attention in recent years for dyeing dogs to resemble other animals. In 2024, several zoos <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/01/world/asia/china-zoo-painted-dogs-pandas.html">painted Chow Chow</a> dogs black and white to resemble giant pandas. The animals became a major attraction after videos circulated online showing visitors posing beside the so-called &#8220;panda dogs.&#8221; Zoo officials defended the practice, arguing that the dyed dogs were clearly identified and that the process was no different than people coloring their hair.
A year later, another Chinese zoo drew criticism after painting Chow Chows orange and black in an attempt to make them <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/01/30/lifestyle/zoogoers-appalled-as-dogs-painted-to-look-like-tigers-in-ridiculous-gimmick/">resemble tigers</a>. The zoo later acknowledged that the animals were dogs and described the display as a promotional stunt.
The practice is not limited to China. In 2018, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-44968509">a zoo in Egypt</a> faced international scrutiny after visitors alleged that donkeys had been painted to look like zebras. Similar incidents have occurred elsewhere, including <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/04/gaza-zoology">in Gaza</a>, where zoo operators painted donkeys with stripes after struggling to acquire exotic animals due to import restrictions.
Animal welfare groups have criticized the practice, arguing that painting animals for entertainment can cause unnecessary stress and potential health risks.
<a href="https://www.peta.org/news/zoo-paints-donkeys-as-zebras-no-respect-for-animals/">PETA</a> previously warned that &#8220;no reputable animal-care facility would subject skittish animals like donkeys to the stress of being restrained and sprayed with chemicals like paint.&#8221;
Despite the criticism, the latest striped donkey has already become an online sensation, with many social media users focusing less on animal welfare concerns and more on the quality of the disguise itself.
&#8220;The zebra costume isn&#8217;t even convincing,&#8221; one commenter wrote online, while another joked that the donkey appeared to be wearing &#8220;half-finished pajamas.&#8221;

HONDURAS-ENVIRONMENT-ANIMALS-ZOO-CRISIS

Zoo Can’t Get A Zebra, Tries Cosplay Instead

Animals

China

The United States Men&#8217;s National Team punched its ticket to the knockout stage of the World Cup Friday, defeating Australia 2-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle and securing advancement from Group D with a match to spare.
Playing in front of a packed Seattle crowd, the Americans overcame the absence of star midfielder Christian Pulisic and delivered one of their strongest performances of the tournament, moving one step closer to winning the group.
The United States took control early and never looked back.
Australia gifted the Americans the opening goal when a defensive miscue resulted in an own goal in the first half, giving the U.S. an early advantage and energizing the home crowd.
The Americans doubled their lead just before halftime when defender Alex Freeman found the back of the net, finishing off a well-worked attacking sequence to put the United States firmly in control heading into the break. Neither team scored in the second half.
The United States entered the match knowing a victory would secure a place in the knockout rounds after opening tournament play with a victory over Paraguay. Australia also entered the contest with three points after defeating Turkey on matchday one, making Friday&#8217;s showdown a pivotal battle atop Group D.
Despite being without Pulisic, who was ruled out with a calf injury suffered during the opening match, the Americans showed little sign of missing one of their most important players. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino turned to Ricardo Pepi in the starting lineup
The victory continues a strong run of form for the United States at Lumen Field. The Americans remain unbeaten in Seattle and improved upon a record that already ranked among the team&#8217;s best at any domestic venue. Friday&#8217;s result also marked another successful chapter in the growing rivalry between the United States and Australia. The Americans defeated the Socceroos 2-1 in their most recent meeting in October and now add another significant victory to the series.
With advancement secured, the United States will now turn its attention to its final group-stage match as it seeks to lock up first place in Group D and improve its positioning for the knockout round. The Americans entered the tournament facing questions about depth and consistency, but through two matches they have answered those concerns with back-to-back victories and a place in the tournament&#8217;s final bracket.

USA v Australia: Group D – FIFA World Cup 2026

Team USA Takes Major Step Forward In Home-Field World Cup Run

Sports

World Cup

The 22-year-old son of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has raised $30 million for a financial trading startup that is already valued at $300 million, according to a report, drawing attention to the young entrepreneur&#8217;s rapid rise as his mother remains one of the cryptocurrency industry&#8217;s most influential allies in Washington.
Theodore Gillibrand, who graduated from Stanford University this week, secured the funding round for American Perpetuals Exchange Corporation (APEC), a startup that plans to offer perpetual futures contracts tied to U.S. equities and stock indexes. Venture capital firm Lux Capital reportedly led the investment round, which values the company at $300 million.
The fundraising effort comes as Sen. Gillibrand has spent years positioning herself as a leading Democratic advocate for cryptocurrency and digital asset legislation. She partnered with Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) on major crypto regulatory proposals and played a key role in advancing the GENIUS Act, which established a federal framework for regulating stablecoins.
&#8220;My son is a grown adult starting his own independent business,&#8221; Gillibrand said in a statement to the <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/06/19/business/kirsten-gillibrands-22-year-old-son-raises-30m-for-trading-startup-as-dem-champions-crypto-in-dc/">New York Post</a>. &#8220;I have no involvement in it whatsoever. That said, I&#8217;m enormously proud of him and wish him nothing but the best.&#8221;
According to <a href="https://fortune.com/2026/06/18/theodore-gillibrand-senator-kirstin-gillibrand-apec-american-perpetuals-exchange-corporation-lux-capital/">Fortune</a>, APEC intends to seek approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to offer perpetual futures contracts, a type of derivative that allows traders to speculate on asset prices without owning the underlying assets and without traditional expiration dates.
While perpetual futures have become popular in cryptocurrency markets, APEC said its platform will focus on U.S. equities and stock indexes rather than digital assets. &#8220;The American Perpetuals Exchange Corporation will be offering perpetual futures on U.S. equities,&#8221; a company spokesperson said. &#8220;There will be no cryptocurrencies on the platform and the platform is not built on blockchain technology.&#8221;
Theodore Gillibrand previously worked as a fellow at crypto-focused venture firm Paradigm and interned at Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley&#8217;s most prominent investors and a major player in the cryptocurrency sector.
The size of the fundraising round and the company&#8217;s reported valuation have attracted attention given Gillibrand&#8217;s age and the startup&#8217;s early stage. According to Fortune, the company has not yet launched its trading platform and must still obtain regulatory approval before offering its products to investors.
&#8220;It is clear that the future of these markets is not in offshore and unregulated foreign entities but rather in a regulated and institutional American company,&#8221; Theodore Gillibrand said in a statement.

Kirsten Gillibrand

Dem Senator’s 22-Year-Old Son Somehow Rakes In $30 Million For New Company

Business

Insider Trading

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) will return to Capitol Hill on June 30 after nearly four months away from Washington due to an undisclosed medical issue, ending an absence that became a national political story and created a vulnerability for Republicans defending what has become a competitive House seat.
Kean&#8217;s political adviser, Harrison Neely, <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/06/18/congress/tom-kean-return-00967295">confirmed</a> Thursday that the congressman plans to return to in-person work at the end of the month after missing more than 135 House votes since March 5.
&#8220;Congressman Kean is eager to return to in person work on June 30 and resume a full schedule,&#8221; Neely said. &#8220;He plans to be fully transparent regarding the nature of his health issue and you should expect to hear from him in person June 30th.&#8221;
The announcement marks the first time Kean&#8217;s team has provided a specific date for his return after months of public speculation about his condition. His office has repeatedly attributed the absence to a personal medical issue but has declined to provide details.
The two-term Republican represents New Jersey&#8217;s 7th Congressional District, a closely contested seat that has changed hands between the parties in recent election cycles. Kean defeated Democrat Tom Malinowski in 2022 and successfully defended the seat in 2024, but Democrats view the district as one of their best pickup opportunities in the 2026 midterms.
Kean is expected to face Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive who won her party&#8217;s nomination earlier this month.
His prolonged absence has become a central issue in the race.
While Kean has remained active through social media statements and campaign communications, he has not appeared publicly in Washington or throughout his district since early March. The lack of information surrounding his condition fueled media scrutiny and questions from political observers about how the absence might affect both his re-election prospects and the House Republican Conference&#8217;s narrow majority.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) <a href="https://www.c-span.org/clip/news-conference/speaker-johnson-says-he-expects-nj-rep-tom-kean-to-return-soon-from-extended-absence/5200527">previously defended</a> Kean, telling reporters that the congressman was dealing with a legitimate medical issue and would eventually provide details about his condition.
In May, Johnson said he had spoken with Kean and expected him to return. More recently, the speaker acknowledged he had encouraged the New Jersey Republican to be transparent about his health situation.
Despite the absence, Kean has continued to receive support from top Republicans, including President Donald Trump. Earlier in June, Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116677963449948858">endorsed</a> Kean&#8217;s re-election bid, writing on Truth Social that the congressman was &#8220;working tirelessly&#8221; and giving him his &#8220;Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election.&#8221;
The return announcement comes as both parties prepare for what is expected to be one of the most expensive and closely watched House races in the country.
Democrats have already begun highlighting Kean&#8217;s absence, while Republicans argue the congressman deserves privacy while recovering from a medical issue. Bennett has largely avoided directly criticizing Kean&#8217;s health situation but has argued voters deserve active representation in Washington.
Kean, whose father, former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean Sr., remains one of the state&#8217;s most popular political figures, previously told local media that his condition is not chronic and will not affect his cognitive abilities.
According to Neely, the congressman intends to provide a full explanation of his medical issue upon his return to Capitol Hill on June 30, ending months of speculation surrounding one of the House GOP&#8217;s most closely watched members.

Menu

Drew Berkemeyer