INTERNACIONAL
Affordability: The issue that boosted Trump and Republicans in 2024 deflated them in 2025
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The economy, the issue that hurt Democrats in the 2024 elections, gave them a major boost in this year’s ballot box showdowns.
«Look, we know what’s important right now,» Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin said in his speech at the DNC’s winter meeting earlier this month. «S‑‑‑ is too expensive.»
One year after deep concerns over inflation helped President Donald Trump and Republicans win back the White House and Senate and keep their House majority, Democrats say their decisive victories in last month’s 2025 elections, and their overperformances in special elections and other ballot box showdowns this year were fueled by their laser focus on affordability amid persistent inflation.
Democratic Governors Association Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper said Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, who overperformed the public opinion polls as they cruised to double-digit Election Night victories in the blue-leaning states, «stayed laser focused on the economy,» and «talked about it all day, every day.»
DOUBLING DOWN: TOP HOUSE DEMOCRAT SAYS FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY ‘ABSOLUTELY GOING TO CONTINUE’
Then-Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in New Jersey, celebrates her victory during an election night event in East Brunswick, N.J. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The issue also fueled one-time longshot far-left candidate Zohran Mamdani to a mayoral victory in New York City as he made cost of living the centerpiece of his campaign.
Democrats say they’ll double down on the issue of affordability heading into next year’s midterm elections, as they try to win back congressional majorities from the Republicans.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) chair says Democrats will keep their focus squarely on affordability as they aim to «take back those gavels» by capturing the House majority in next year’s midterm elections.
ELECTION REFLECTION: DEMOCRATS ‘FLIPPED THE SCRIPT’ ON AFFORDABILITY
House Democrats need to flip just three GOP-held seats in 2026 to win back control of the chamber for the first time in four years.
«We’re going to hold Republicans accountable for their policies that are hurting American families,» Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington state, who for a second straight election cycle is chairing the DCCC, told Fox News Digital.
DelBene said she’ll keep her focus squarely on affordability as she aims to «take back those gavels.»
Pointing to last year’s elections, she said, «That was their [Republicans] big message. They were going to lower costs. It has been a big broken promise, and people are feeling that, and that’s had a big impact and will continue. People want folks who are going to stand up to them for them, not just be blindly loyal to the president.»
But GOP Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, chair of the rival National Republican Congressional Committee, highlighted the Republican narrative, as he took aim at former President Joe Biden, telling Fox News Digital, «There are challenges out there with the economy, because Biden broke it, and House Republicans, working with President Trump, are going to fix it, and we’re working very hard to do that. «
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It’s an argument that Trump has repeatedly voiced in recent weeks, as he’s pointed fingers at his predecessor for the persistent high costs.
«When I took office last January, I inherited a mess, and very simply, I’m fixing it,» Trump said this month.
But a recent Fox News national poll was full of apparent warning signs for Trump and the GOP.
Three-quarters of voters questioned in the survey viewed the economy negatively, and large numbers of respondents, including Republicans, said their costs for groceries, utilities, healthcare and housing have gone up this year.
The poll indicated that voters blame the president, with nearly twice as many pointing fingers at Trump than former President Joe Biden, when asked who is responsible for the current economy.
And Trump’s approval rating when it comes to the economy has dropped to record lows in surveys by Fox News and other organizations.
While Trump has repeatedly described the Democrats’ focus on affordability as a «hoax,» he has also become more engaged in combating high prices in recent weeks, as the president has scaled back some of his tariffs and pledged to lower high food prices. And Trump this month made stops in two key battlegrounds — Pennsylvania and North Carolina — to tout his efforts to combat high prices.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks on inflation at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
Trump was buoyed this past week by better than expected government reports on inflation and economic growth, and Republicans see better days ahead when it comes to the issue of affordability.
Former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley, the Trump-backed Republican Senate candidate in next year’s race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, told Fox News Digital «we’re seeing signs already that the economy is starting to tick up and is starting to take hold as the President’s policies are getting in place.»
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told Fox News Digital, «2026 is a year of affordability, and the great news is President Trump has been producing time and time again.»
Pointing to the tax cut provisions in the GOP’s sweeping domestic policy measure signed into law this past summer by Trump, Scott said «2026 is shaping up to be the year where Donald Trump’s activities, his actions, the legislation we’ve passed, shows up for the American voter. And consumers all across the country will see a more affordable economy because of President Trump and the Senate majority and the House majority in the hands of the Republican Party.»
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But Martin and the Democrats see it differently.
The DNC chair accuses Republicans of not inheriting a «mess — they manufactured it. They took the economy and drove it straight into a ditch. They took certainty and swapped it for chaos.»
And Martin predicts Trump and Republicans headed for a ballot box disaster.
«Donald Trump has lost the economy, is losing his mind, and is going to lose the midterms,» Martin charged.
elections,2025 2026 elections coverage,donald trump,zohran mamdani,midterm elections,economy,inflation
INTERNACIONAL
Dem fundraising giant ActBlue rocked by allegations it misled Congress about foreign donations
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ActBlue, a central piece of the Democratic Party’s fundraising infrastructure, potentially misled Congress when it said it was adequately vetting incoming donations, according to a new report released this week.
The head of ActBlue, a major nonprofit fundraising platform that helps steer donations to left-wing candidates and causes, wrote in 2023 to Congress — in response to concerns about the platform’s ability to vet foreign donors — that it was taking all the necessary steps to ensure it was following the rules to ensure money from foreign sources were not making it through, according to a Thursday report from The New York Times.
However, behind the scenes, ActBlue’s attorneys at Covington & Burling were expressing grave concerns that ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones’ claims in her letter to Congress were misleading and could open up the platform to significant legal risk, the report said.
ActBlue was already facing scrutiny from Trump, with him calling on the Justice Department last year to investigate the group over concerns the platform was allowing straw and foreign donations, which are barred by federal election laws. The fundraising platform has also been targeted by several congressional probes led by Republican House Committees.
SENATE HOPEFUL WITH DEEP DEM TIES SLAPPED WITH SCATHING COMPLAINT TARGETING ALLEGED FAMILY PAYOUT ‘SCHEME’
Employees work at ActBlue in Somerville, Mass. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The concern from ActBlue’s legal counsel was found by the Times after reviewing memos between ActBlue and its legal counsel, resignation letters, and other communications. The Times also held interviews with ActBlue employees on the basis of anonymity.
The memos reportedly communicated that claims to Congress by Wallace-Jones, indicating that ActBlue had a multi-layered vetting framework and processed contributions with foreign mailing addresses only if the donor supplied a U.S. passport number, were not fully accurate. Wallace-Jones also reportedly wrote in her letter that ActBlue’s framework would contact donors to request their U.S. passport information in order to process donations and would return any money when they could not reach the donor. However, this was also reportedly not happening on a consistent basis, according to The Times’ reporting.
«It can be alleged that ActBlue accepted and/or facilitated the acceptance of foreign-national contributions into American elections,» one memo reportedly stated. «In addition, because ActBlue’s staff was aware that its system was not as robust as necessary, it could be alleged that these violations were ‘knowing and willful,’ a standard that both increases the penalties the F.E.C. might seek and gives the Justice Department jurisdiction for a potential criminal investigation.»
FOREIGN BILLIONAIRES FUNNEL $2.6B TO US ADVOCACY GROUPS TO INFLUENCE POLICY, WATCHDOG REPORT CLAIMS
«An aggressive prosecutor may view the November 2023 letter not just as a false statement but as an effort to conceal the foreign contributions,» ActBlue’s legal counsel wrote, The Times reported.
Supporters hold up signs at a campaign rally for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in Madison, Wis., on July 1, 2015. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The concerns about Wallace-Jones’ statements to Congress and what to do subsequently resulted in behind-the-scenes chaos at the political fundraising nonprofit, including a slew of departures at ActBlue that were reported publicly by The Times. Additionally, the relationship between ActBlue and its legal firm, Covington & Burling, which is known for representing some of the most high-profile political clients in the United States, was ultimately severed amid disagreements over whether Wallace-Jones’ claims in 2023 were the fault of the legal counsel,or ActBlue, according to the Times’ reporting on Thursday.
«We have complete confidence in the legal advice our lawyers provided to ActBlue,» a Covington spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
ActBlue did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment in time for publication.
In May, ActBlue put out a press release informing people about «what’s really happening and what you need to know,» pertaining to the investigation into ActBlue’s vetting mechanisms. The press release called it a «myth» that the platform allows foreign nationals to illegally contribute donations.
An Election Countdown Calendar hangs at ActBlue in Somerville, Massachusetts. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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«While ActBlue has always had strong measures in place that have successfully prevented illegal foreign donations, beginning in 2025 we have gone even further,» the press release states. «We now require that Americans living abroad be physically present in the United States to make a contribution on our platform, despite campaign finance laws allowing citizens to contribute to campaigns while living abroad.»
Trump called on the DOJ early in his term to return a report within 180 days to him about the status of its findings into ActBlue. However, according to The Times, that report has never been made public. The outlet added that three investigations by GOP-led House committees remain ongoing.
fund raising, democratic party, banking finance, elections, democrats elections, politics
INTERNACIONAL
El régimen iraní aumentó sus ataques contra Israel y bombardeó zonas residenciales del centro del país
Una persona resultó herida en el centro de Israel tras el impacto de un misil balístico iraní equipado con munición de racimo, según informaron medios locales en la madrugada de este sábado.
El servicio de emergencia Magen David Adom (MDA) reportó que un hombre de 79 años sufrió heridas al ser alcanzado por fragmentos impulsados por la onda expansiva del misil en Kiryat Ata, cerca de Haifa.
Las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel (IDF) identificaron el ataque y emitieron una alerta instando a la población a ingresar a espacios protegidos, mientras los sistemas de defensa trabajaban para interceptar la amenaza.
El Canal 12 de Israel informó que se recibieron llamadas de emergencia desde 17 puntos afectados por los impactos. Entre las ciudades con reportes de daños figuran Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Givatayim, Givat Shmuel, Petah Tikva y Rosh HaAyin.
Según el portal Ynet, el misil fragmentado impactó en seis ciudades diferentes y provocó un incendio en un edificio y un apagón en algunas zonas de la ciudad en Rosh HaAyin, daños en un edificio de Petah Tikva y destrozos en Tel Aviv.
Durante el viernes, las FDI llevaron a cabo más de 70 ataques en el oeste y centro de Irán contra emplazamientos de lanzamiento de misiles balísticos y vehículos aéreos no tripulados.
El Ejército israelí lanzó este sábado una serie de bombardeos contra posiciones de Hezbollah en Beirut, la capital de Líbano, en respuesta al lanzamiento de cohetes contra el norte de Israel desde territorio libanés.
“Las Fuerzas Armadas comenzaron a atacar infraestructura de Hezbollah en Beirut”, informó el Ejército israelí en redes sociales durante la madrugada, después de registrar varios ataques en el norte de Israel atribuidos al grupo terrorista.
Este último ataque del régimen iraní se desarrolla en medio de la búsqueda de un soldado estadounidense tras recientes intercepciones de Irán a dos aeronaves militares norteamericanas. Dos aeronaves militares de Estados Unidos fueron derribadas en incidentes separados el viernes durante operaciones de combate contra el régimen iraní, lo que desencadenó una operación de búsqueda y rescate que continúa para localizar a un miembro de la tripulación desaparecido.
Un caza F-15E fue alcanzado por fuego enemigo y se estrelló en territorio iraní; uno de sus dos tripulantes fue rescatado, aunque su estado de salud no detalló. El A-10, también impactado, logró llegar hasta el espacio aéreo de Kuwait antes de que el piloto se eyectara; posteriormente fue rescatado.
Durante la operación de búsqueda y rescate, dos helicópteros estadounidenses también fueron alcanzados por fuego iraní, resultando heridos algunos tripulantes, aunque ambas aeronaves lograron regresar a su base.
Por su parte, el primer ministro israelí, Benjamín Netanyahu, afirmó que la Fuerza Aérea de Israel destruyó el 70% de la capacidad de producción de acero de Irán. En un mensaje, Netanyahu explicó que esta ofensiva priva a la Guardia Revolucionaria iraní de recursos financieros y limita su capacidad para fabricar armamento, en el marco de una operación conjunta con Estados Unidos.
El mandatario indicó que las acciones recientes incluyeron bombardeos contra puentes y otras infraestructuras estratégicas en Irán, y subrayó que todas las operaciones se realizaron “en plena coordinación” con el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump. Netanyahu aseguró que las ofensivas continuarán hasta debilitar aún más al régimen iraní.
“Este régimen está más débil que nunca; Israel está más fuerte que nunca”, declaró tras una reunión de evaluación militar en la base principal de la unidad de Inteligencia del Ejército en Tel Aviv.
El acero es considerado un material estratégico para la industria y el sector militar, esencial en la producción de misiles, drones y embarcaciones. Tras los ataques, las dos mayores plantas siderúrgicas iraníes —Khuzestán y Mobarakeh— quedaron fuera de servicio. Las empresas advirtieron que su reconstrucción podría requerir meses.
La destrucción del 70% de la capacidad siderúrgica iraní representa un golpe relevante para la industria militar y la economía del país. El Gobierno israelí sostiene que la campaña conjunta busca frenar el flujo de recursos hacia la producción de armas por parte de la Guardia Revolucionaria. En respuesta, la Guardia Revolucionaria lanzó misiles y drones contra zonas industriales de la región e Israel, y adviritó sobre nuevas represalias si continúan los ataques.
(Con información de EFE)
War,Middle East,Military Conflicts
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FIRST ON FOX: A bipartisan pair of top-ranking senators want to know why sanctioned Russian officials were in Washington, D.C., and given access to the Capitol and meetings with administration officials as wars in Iran and Ukraine rage on.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, raised counterintelligence concerns over the recent visit of a delegation of Russian Duma members, all of whom are sanctioned for «conduct deemed to be harmful to U.S. national security.»
«The delegation came onto U.S. soil for one purpose: to advance the Kremlin’s strategic aims — including gathering additional useful intelligence,» the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
TRUMP EYES NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL AS KEY GOP SENATOR SIGNALS POTENTIAL ROADBLOCK
Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Jeanne Shahenn, D-N.H., raised counterintelligence concerns with the recent visit of a delegation of Russian officials to Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images; Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
«They did not come to engage in dialogue or pursue democratic aims,» they continued.
The lawmakers argued that Duma members «include Kremlin subordinates who have committed numerous cyber and ransomware attacks on Americans and have facilitated war crimes against Ukrainian civilians.»
«Remarkably, they are now helping Iran target U.S. military and diplomatic personnel across the Middle East,» Wicker and Shaheen wrote.
SENATE TO QUESTION TRUMP INTEL LEADERS ON IRAN WAR AFTER TOP OFFICIAL QUITS IN PROTEST
Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Moscow-appointed head of Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, Yevgeny Balitsky, during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Nov. 18, 2024. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin via AP)
Several members of the Russian Duma visited Washington, D.C., late last month on a trip organized by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. She was joined by Reps. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., and Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, for a meeting with the delegation.
Luna later gave them a tour of the Capitol after posing for photos outside the United States Institute of Peace.
«As representatives of the world’s two greatest nuclear superpowers, we owe our citizens open dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and open lines of communication,» Luna said on X following the meeting. «We will continue to foster this dialogue and push for peace in support of this [administration’s] efforts, as well as economic opportunity.»
GRAHAM SAYS RUSSIA SANCTIONS BILL ‘NEVER GOING BACK ON THE SHELF’ AFTER TRUMP BACKS PUSH
Wicker and Shaheen noted that the Duma members were «far from innocent participants in a cultural exchange.»
«It included Vyacheslav Nikonov, who in 2023 referred to the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as the ‘Fourth Reich’ on Russian television. Mikhail Delyagin has advocated for destroying Ukraine’s energy sector. Boris Chernyshov once claimed that Russian retaliatory strikes were ‘an expression of our hatred [of Ukraine],’» they wrote.
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Wicker and Shaheen demanded that Rubio and Bessent explain why sanctions were waived for the Russian officials’ visit, what meetings the delegation had with Trump administration officials, what counterintelligence assessments were conducted on the visiting Russians, and provide a complete manifest of who traveled from the Russian Federation.
The lawmakers wrote that the delegation’s visit came «at a time when Russia’s intentions are unambiguously clear.»
«Numerous public reports have cited Russian support for Iran’s military targeting of American service members in the Middle East,» they wrote. «European intelligence agencies have reported that Russia intends to attack NATO member states in the coming years. And [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has made it clear that peace in Ukraine is a mirage. His singular ambition for Ukraine is to erase its existence.»
politics, senate, russia, war with iran
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