GOP's war for eyeballs  —  Republicans are starting to trounce Democrats in political spending across the Senate map, and that advantage is now showing up in one of the metrics campaigns care about most: impressions. … - Beginning in September, campaigns and super PACs start competing …

Trump inaudible during TV blackout: What the press pool does  —  President Trump was inaudible during a press conference Monday after the TV pool suspended coverage, with White House-provided video carrying no usable audio of his remarks. … - The pool serves hundreds of journalists …

Susan Collins is the abortion rights movement's biggest test of 2026  —  Nationally, abortion has faded as a campaign issue.  Four years after it helped Democrats stave off a red wave, candidates in battleground races are focusing their attention on cost-of-living issues, immigration, and policing.

Appeals court reinstates GOP House map in Missouri for November election  —  A federal appeals court reinstated Missouri Republicans' 7-1 House map to be used in time for the November elections, delivering a boost for several GOP candidates who wanted a more favorable map for the party to be used in the midterm elections.

George W. Bush and Cornyn Leave Out Paxton as They Raise Cash for Senate Candidates  —  The former president and Texas senator are headlining a fund-raiser in Dallas for top Republican Senate candidates.  Not included: Ken Paxton, the nominee in their own state.

‘Pain for Trump’: Iran is trying to escalate the war before the midterms  —  Trump's actions look increasingly indecisive as Tehran focuses on driving up oil prices.  —  President Donald Trump has hesitated in recent days to expand the war against Iran, even as Iranian-backed proxies in Yemen …

Ellison's Bonta Blowout … On Monday afternoon, Paramount boss David Ellison and California Attorney General Rob Bonta formally announced that they had struck a deal to resolve the major antitrust lawsuit threatening the company's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

With Time on His Side, Xi Seeks to Extend Truce With Trump  —  Facing an American president constrained by war and politics, China's leader may seek to lock in a tactical truce while he shores up a fragile economy at home.  —  When China's top leader, Xi Jinping, and President Trump meet …

SCOOP: Looksmaxxer Clavicular Charged With Criminal Rape, Drugging  —  The manosphere celeb faces three counts stemming from an alleged encounter with a minor.  —  FAMOUSLY HANDSOME RIGHT-WING LIVESTREAMER Clavicular has been on the rise.  His business connection to an Israeli mafia associate has ended …

The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way  —  Listen 40:17  —  Reporting Highlights  — Probe: In 2024, the FBI sought to launch a sweeping pay-to-play investigation examining interactions between Sen. Susan Collins and a top donor, records and emails show.

Man Shot by ICE Agent Says His Car Was Struck Twice Before He Was Shot  —  A Venezuelan immigrant, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, was shot in Austin, Texas, on Sunday after a traffic stop.  The shooting prompted calls from local officials for a transparent investigation.

He spent 11 months inside DOGE.  Now he wants to set the record straight.  —  In his first major interview about his tell-all memoir, Tyler Hassen describes the culture clash surrounding DOGE's mission and the backlash that followed.  —  Summary  —  Tyler Hassen's initiation …

Trump approval falls to career low of 32% as high costs bite, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds  —  President Donald Trump's approval rating fell to 32% - the lowest of his political career - as his fellow Republicans soured on his handling of the cost of living amid the unpopular Iran war, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

House Democrat Crosses Party Lines to Endorse Trump Defender  —  Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican seeking re-election in a swing district in New York, was backed by Representative Jared Golden, Democrat of Maine.  —  Representative Mike Lawler's battle to hold onto his seat …

Many Democrats Are Avoiding Kamala Harris.  Abdul El-Sayed Is Welcoming Her.  —  The former vice president wants to help her party in the midterms, but not many are taking her up on the offer.  Except for the Senate nominee in Michigan, who will appear with her on Tuesday.

How Trump Has Cracked Down on Dissent Since the Killing of Charlie Kirk  —  The White House has labeled critics terrorists, attributed violence to a left-wing conspiracy and investigated unions, nonprofits and other groups in a battle over free speech.  —  NEWS ANALYSIS

‘I Was Sold a Bill of Goods’: Americans and the Distrust Election  —  Americans have a pervasive sense they are being lied to.  That has created an unpredictability in politics unseen since Donald Trump said he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue without losing voters.  —  Call it the distrust election.

Will Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Run for President in 2028?  Here's What She Said.  —  In a wide-ranging interview, the New York congresswoman offered her most detailed insight yet into how she is thinking about a possible presidential run.  —  TIMES EXCLUSIVE

German Leaders Prepare to Deny Far Right Access to Secret War Plan  —  With the Alternative for Germany party close to power in a German state, federal officials are planning to limit the group's access to classified intelligence.  —  Spooked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine …

Former Fox News producer Jennifer Eckhart dies by suicide at 36, six years after she accused network's former anchor Ed Henry of raping her  —  A former Fox News producer has died by suicide at her Florida home, six years after suing one of the network's former anchors and accusing him of rape.

Immigrants with final deportation orders disappear from ICE detainee locator  —  The change will make it harder for many families and attorneys to determine where an immigrant is being held after being taken into ICE custody.  —  Summary  —  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement …