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GOP strategists called to DC as Trump team confronts rising midterm headwinds
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With the six-month mark until Election Day 2026 closing fast, President Donald Trump’s top political advisers are meeting behind closed doors Monday with dozens of leading Republican political consultants from across the country for a strategy session as the party defends its razor-thin House and slim Senate majorities in the midterms.
The meeting, organized by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who was co-chair of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, and Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, comes as the party in power in the nation’s capital faces traditional political headwinds and is expected to lose congressional seats. Republicans are also battling a challenging political climate fueled by persistent inflation, rising gas prices tied to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran, and the president’s underwater approval ratings.
The gathering, which was first reported by Politico, is aimed at establishing better coordination and sharing of data and strategy between the White House political team and consultants advising candidates in midterm showdowns.
STRATEGY SESSION: TRUMP’S TEAM HUDDLES ON MIDTERM MESSAGING
President Donald Trump hosts a lunch with the Kennedy Center Board members as chief of staff Susie Wiles looks on at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2026. (Annabelle Gordon/AFP)
The meeting also comes two weeks after Trump announced that Blair would temporarily step down from his White House role to steer midterm strategy from the outside. The president said in a social media post that Blair would take «a short leave of absence to lead the charge from the outside» against Democrats, and after the midterms would «return again to the White House, so we can finish the job.»
This is the second major gathering ahead of the midterms. Wiles, Blair and other top Trump political advisers met in February at the party’s Capitol Hill Club with Cabinet officials and their top aides to discuss promoting the Trump agenda and other midterm messaging.
Trump made a two-day swing last week to Nevada and Arizona, two crucial swing states in this year’s elections, to highlight the tax cuts that congressional Republicans passed, and which he signed into law last summer.
BACK ON THE TRAIL: TRUMP HITS BATTLEGROUND STATES TO TOUT TAX CUTS
President Donald Trump gestures at a roundtable event about no tax on tips, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Las Vegas (Lucas Peltier/AP Photo)
The president’s stops were part of a full-court press last week by Republicans, around last Wednesday’s tax filing deadline, to spotlight the tax cuts, which they insist will give them a political boost with voters in the midterms.
The tax cuts were a key component of Republicans’ massive domestic policy measure, which passed almost entirely along party lines in the GOP-controlled House and Senate.
The law, originally titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act but rebranded as the Working Families Tax Cuts, is stuffed full of Trump’s 2024 campaign trail promises and second-term priorities, including extending the president’s signature 2017 tax cuts and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay.
FIRST ON FOX: GOP TAKES AIM AT DEMOCRATS FOR OPPOSING TRUMP TAX CUTS
President Donald Trump signs sweeping spending and tax legislation, known as the «One Big Beautiful Bill Act,» during a picnic with military families to mark Independence Day, at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2025. (Reuters/Ken Cedeno)
But much of the GOP messaging last week was overshadowed by coverage of the war with Iran and Trump’s very public spat with the pope.
Republicans in Congress are increasingly concerned about the political climate ahead of the midterms.
«If we lose the midterms, it’ll be because we didn’t talk about what moms and dads are worried about when they lie down to sleep at night…and that’s primarily the cost of living, GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said Saturday in an appearance on Fox News’ «The Big Weekend Show.»
And pointing to the tax cuts, Kennedy said the «One Big Beautiful Bill is going to help a lot of people in terms of their taxes and a lot of small businesses. And that’s what I wish the president would talk more about. If we talk about it, we’ll win the midterms.»
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Despite the Democratic Party’s poll numbers hitting all-time lows over the past year, Democrats are energized heading into the midterms thanks to a slew of off-year-election and special election victories and over performances, thanks in part to their laser focus on affordability since Trump returned to the White House.
The Democratic National Committee, in an email release Monday to supporters, claimed that «Republicans are in trouble ahead of the midterms — and they know it.»
midterm elections, donald trump, white house, republicans elections, house of representatives, democrats elections, senate
INTERNACIONAL
Terrifying ‘human safaris’ on display in shocking video that reveals depths of Russia’s deadly campaign
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of going «mad» following the release of a video showing a Ukrainian vegetable vendor being stalked by a Russian military drone before the drone exploded near him.
The incident occurred on Aug. 4 at a Kherson market located in Southern Ukraine. Footage released by the Kherson Regional Military Administration shows a drone hovering near a man standing beside a minibus before following him as he moves behind the bus. Moments later the drone dives toward the minibus and explodes near its front, detonating close to where the man is standing.
«A Russian drone deliberately hunted down a man selling vegetables and detonated right next to him,» Zelenskyy wrote on X in a post including the video. «The Russians even admitted to the crime, showing zero regret and openly boasting about tormenting people. The man was wounded in the blast. Every single day, ordinary people in Kherson face these Russian «safaris.»
MOSCOW BOMBING EXPOSES POTENTIAL SECURITY GAPS AROUND PUTIN’S MILITARY ELITE, EXPERT SAYS
Zelenskyy sat down with Fox News for a wide-ranging interview, outlining how Ukraine’s war-time innovations are now shaping global defense partnerships. (Fox News)
The street vendor, identified as 52-year-old Yuriy, survived the near-fatal encounter, which Ukrainian authorities describe as part of a pattern of Russian drone attacks that track and target civilians — a practice they have dubbed «human safaris.»
Speaking from a hospital bed, Yuriy told BBC that he and his wife were setting up their stall when he heard the drone buzzing nearby. His wife had run away, and the drone zeroed in on Yuriy, who pulled out vegetables to show that he did not have a weapon.
«It could see that I had tomatoes out, some cucumbers and eggplants laid out on the floor,» Yuriy told BBC. «It even ducked under the umbrella when I was running away round the other side.»
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the attack a «barbaric war crime,» demanding international intervention.
WHY TRUMP IS DOWNPLAYING REPORTS RUSSIA AND CHINA ARE HELPING IRAN
Zelenskyy argued that everyone should see the video to make clear what Russia is capable of, arguing that President Vladimir Putin won’t stop with Ukraine.
«This is not just about Ukraine,» Zelenskyy wrote. «Russia’s campaign against human life must be stopped here in Ukraine before it spreads further. Finland and Kazakhstan, the Baltic states and Poland, the countries of the South Caucasus, Romania, and Moldova — all should work together to ensure real security guarantees and bring Russia’s war to an end.»
Russian drone strike killed at least 12 Ukrainian coal miners and injured seven others when it hit a civilian bus in Dnipropetrovsk region. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Dnipropetrovsk region)
«Peace is needed, which requires cooperation among everyone in the world who truly values peace,» Zelenskyy wrote.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office says authorities have opened 5,303 criminal cases into drone attacks on civilian targets in the Kherson region. The office says the attacks have killed 287 civilians and wounded 2,549 others, including 41 children.
UKRAINE SEEKS MORE U.S. PATRIOT INTERCEPTORS AS BOMB SHELTER PROBE DEEPENS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at a podium split with an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin crossing himself at Orthodox Easter service. (Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via Reuters; AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)
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Prosecutors said the attacks appeared to be part of a systematic campaign, with FPV drones repeatedly striking civilians in public places, homes, transport hubs and civilian vehicles, and in some cases launching follow-up attacks after emergency crews arrived.
The release of the chilling video comes a year after a one-year-old boy was killed by a Russian drone in the Kherson region while playing in his playpen in his grandmother’s backyard.
ukraine, volodymyr zelenskyy, russia, world, viral videos, drones
INTERNACIONAL
Honduras cuestiona audiencia de la CIDH sobre denuncias relacionadas con el juicio político
La representante del Estado de Honduras, Marlen Talbott reiteró durante la audiencia que el país mantiene su compromiso con la promoción y protección de los derechos humanos y aseguró que continuará cooperando con la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) dentro de las competencias establecidas por el Sistema Interamericano.
Sin embargo, explicó que, tras analizar la solicitud presentada, el Estado concluyó que esta excede la finalidad prevista en los artículos 66 al 70 del Reglamento de la CIDH. Informó que Honduras presentó formalmente su inconformidad ante la Comisión y que los argumentos oficiales serán remitidos a la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores para su respuesta por los canales diplomáticos correspondientes.
Talbott sostuvo que las modalidades de audiencia contempladas en el artículo 62 del Reglamento de la CIDH tienen objetivos específicos, entre ellos el seguimiento de recomendaciones y la recepción de información general sobre la situación de los derechos humanos en un Estado. Desde esa perspectiva, señaló que este mecanismo no debería utilizarse para debatir controversias individuales o procesos judiciales concretos.
La representación del Estado argumentó además que utilizar una audiencia pública para analizar sentencias de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, emitir valoraciones sobre actuaciones estatales o referirse a procesos de supervisión en curso no corresponde a la naturaleza de este mecanismo. Según la postura oficial, ello resulta incompatible con el artículo 66 del reglamento de la Comisión y podría interferir con los procedimientos institucionales del Sistema Interamericano.
Honduras expresó que el uso de una audiencia de monitoreo para abordar controversias individuales, contraviene el principio de subsidiariedad, que establece que los mecanismos internacionales actúan de forma complementaria a las instituciones nacionales. El Gobierno también sostuvo que la CIDH debió examinar previamente la compatibilidad de la solicitud con su reglamento antes de admitir la audiencia.
En esa línea, el procurador general de la República, Dagoberto Aspra, declaró a Infobae que Honduras mantiene una posición de respeto hacia la CIDH, aunque manifestó que el Estado no comparte el enfoque adoptado para la convocatoria y considera que la actuación del organismo debe ajustarse a las disposiciones de su reglamento y a la jurisprudencia del Sistema Interamericano.
En contraste, el abogado y analista en derechos humanos Joaquín Mejía cuestionó la postura del Gobierno y defendió las atribuciones de la Comisión Interamericana. A su juicio, el Estado hondureño debería actuar con mayor cuidado al designar a sus representantes en este tipo de audiencias internacionales.
Mejía calificó como “un ridículo” la estrategia del Estado de intentar, según su criterio, deslegitimar la audiencia y poner en duda las facultades de la CIDH. El analista sostuvo que la Comisión tiene la potestad de convocar este tipo de espacios para conocer información sobre posibles afectaciones a los derechos humanos y afirmó que el debate debería centrarse en responder al contenido de las denuncias presentadas y no en cuestionar la competencia del organismo.
El procurador Aspra, reiteró a Infobae , que “Honduras no contempla desligarse de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos y reiteró que el Estado mantiene una posición de respeto hacia el organismo”. A su vez señala que, la postura presentada responde a una diferencia sobre el enfoque de la audiencia y no a un desconocimiento de las funciones de la CIDH,
Corresponsal:Desde Tegucigalpa, Honduras
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SEE IT: Michigan Dem predicts far-left El-Sayed will win Senate race after backing his primary rival
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Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., is confident that far-left Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed will defeat Republican nominee Mike Rogers in the race to replace him in the Senate, despite having endorsed El-Sayed’s primary rival, Rep. Haley Stevens.
El-Sayed, known as a progressive insurgent, will go head-to-head with Michigan’s Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers in the upcoming midterm elections. El-Sayed’s victory marks yet another win for the left-wing Democrats in this year’s primaries that have been battling to defeat the current Democratic establishment.
«I think if you look at the issues broadly, the differences between Abdul El-Sayed and Rogers when it comes to fighting for families in Michigan, it’s pretty broad,» Peters said to Fox News Digital when asked if his far-left positions could give Republicans a boost in Michigan.
2026 MIDTERMS STATE OF PLAY: KEY RACES UNFOLD AS STEVENS, EL-SAYED BATTLE IN MICHIGAN
Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan, films a social media video at a pool party for content creators supporting his campaign, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
He continued, «And in the end, that’s why he will prevail.»
Peters’ endorsement of Stevens over El-Sayed was part of a broader effort by mainstream Democrats to beat out another progressive candidate, as Republicans largely viewed El-Sayed winning as a boost for their party’s chances to flip Michigan’s Senate seat. Rogers told Fox News Digital in an interview prior to the primary results that he would «beat either one of those candidates,» but that El-Sayed has «his own special sauce of crazy.»
The race between Stevens and El-Sayed was strenuous as it became a determining factor of whether Democrats could win the majority back in the Senate. More than $80 million was poured into this primary, qualifying it as the most expensive Democratic Senate nomination race in history.
DEMS’ LEFTWARD LURCH GETS LEGS AS EL-SAYED’S MICHIGAN SENATE VICTORY SPARKS PARTY DEBATE
Rep. Haley Stevens and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed are vying for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Michigan. (Scott Olson/Getty Images; Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
Republicans have speculated that the turn to nominating Democratic socialist candidates indicates that the current Democratic establishment is losing its grip in these congressional races.
Peters pushed back on this claim, arguing that the results aren’t reflective of the entire party as this is «nothing new» for the state.
«Michigan is a very diverse state, and if you recall, Bernie Sanders beat Hillary Clinton many years ago in a primary in Michigan, so this is nothing new,» Peters said.
Peters argued the result was consistent with Michigan’s political history, pointing to Bernie Sanders’ upset over Hillary Clinton in the state’s 2016 Democratic presidential primary. Sanders endorsed El-Sayed in his Senate primary to defeat Stevens.
HASAN PIKER UNLOADS ON ‘ISLAMOPHOBIC PIECES OF S—‘ DEMOCRATS AS EL-SAYED FACES PARTY UNITY TEST
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate primary candidate Abdul El-Sayed and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, greet the crowd after El-Sayed spoke at The People V. The Powerful rally at the Detroit Opera House on July 18, 2026 in Detroit, Mich. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images)
El-Sayed, a former Wayne County Health Department Director, would be the first Muslim senator. He has has previously called for defunding the police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He is also a strong critic of Israel, labeling the country’s actions as genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Peters declined to weigh in on where he falls on El-Sayed’s policy positions — like defunding the police — despite expressing confidence the Democratic nominee will defeat Rogers.
«I’m not on the ballot, so I don’t have to make those kinds of statements,» Peters said.
El-Sayed and Rogers, who ran uncontested in his primary, will compete for the swing state’s Senate seat on Nov. 3 in midterm elections.
Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
midterm elections, democrats senate, bernie sanders, michigan, democrats elections
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