Politics news summaries — Page 4
Essential facts and source links for recent politics stories.
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Trump’s gloves and overcoat at Xi meeting draw mockery in 64-degree weather
President Donald Trump wore thick leather gloves and a long overcoat to greet Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews, where it was about 64°F. Trump removed one glove for the handshake; a photo showed beige makeup on his hand, drawing online mockery and questions. -
Hyde-Smith seeks security help after reporter asks about Nolan Wells
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith asked Capitol security to remove a reporter who questioned her about the district attorney’s decision not to issue an indictment in Nolan Wells’ death investigation. She refused to answer, saying she does not do hallway interviews. -
Netanyahu expected to criticize Mamdani and Western allies at UN address
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to criticize New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Britain and France in his UN address Thursday amid a difficult reelection campaign. Iran and criticism of the UN are also expected; Israelis vote October 27. -
Republicans and allies book $888 million in ads for midterms
Republicans and allies booked about $888 million in ads for the final six weeks before the Nov. 3 US midterms, versus Democrats’ roughly $666 million, AdImpact says. The gap comes as Trump’s approval rating is in the low 30s and the GOP trails in congressional polls. -
Gruters forecasts GOP retaining majorities with 220 House, 53 Senate seats
RNC Chair Joe Gruters predicts Republicans will retain their majorities in November’s midterms, with 220 seats in the House and 53 in the Senate. He says the party has stronger candidates, more money and plans rallies nationwide with President Donald Trump. -
Americans rate socialism more positively than big business, Gallup finds
More than 40% of Americans view socialism positively, its first Gallup reading above 39% since tracking began in 2010; it now ranks ahead of big business. Gallup said the latest rise came entirely from independents, whose rating climbed to 45% from 37% last year. -
DOJ pardon list missing in Sept. 21 archive, back on site Sept. 22
The DOJ's list of presidential pardons and commutations, including Trump's, was on its site Sept. 20, absent in a Sept. 21 archive snapshot and back by Sept. 22, 2026. The snapshots cannot establish exactly when it went missing or returned. -
Tuberville gives no source for claim about furry aviation workers
Sen. Tommy Tuberville claimed in a Senate-floor speech that many airline pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers belong to the furry community, but gave no source. He called the possibility of a pilot dressing as an animal “terrifying.” -
EPA settlement would secure about $19 million for 24 UC research grants
An EPA settlement awaiting court approval would keep 24 UC grants worth about $19 million funded through their remaining terms and eligible extensions if recipients meet grant requirements. The awards include wildfire-smoke and water-management studies. -
El-Sayed backs Iran’s freedom movements, rejects U.S. regime change
At a University of Michigan town hall, Persian student Iman Dashti pressed Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed over leaked remarks on Khamenei and his stance on the IRGC. El-Sayed said he supports Iran’s freedom and democracy movements but opposes U.S.-led regime change. -
Rand Paul weighs 2028 presidential bid, will watch midterm results
Sen. Rand Paul told Newsmax he is considering a 2028 presidential run but has not decided and will closely watch this year’s midterm results. He says the GOP needs a free-market conservative to challenge its populist economic policies. -
Republicans defend Susan Collins after report of alleged contractor-linked bribery
Republicans defended Susan Collins after ProPublica reported the FBI had enough evidence by late 2024 to pursue a bribery probe involving her and others. Collins denies wrongdoing; the outlet says Trump-era DOJ and FBI purges halted it. -
Trump touts White House ballroom progress during Xi’s state visit
During Xi Jinping’s state visit, Trump touted White House ballroom construction, saying it was ahead of schedule: the north section was structurally built, with glass next. He said he wished the ballroom were ready for Thursday’s state dinner. -
Navarro urges Trump team to weigh ending officials’ Fox News appearances
Peter Navarro said the Trump administration should seriously consider no longer sending officials to Fox News, accusing the network of undermining President Donald Trump. The administration has continued providing Fox guests, including Melania Trump on Wednesday. -
Kari Lake says noncitizen voter-roll entries should not be dismissed as mistakes
Kari Lake said Wednesday on Newsmax that noncitizen voter-roll registrations should not be dismissed as mere mistakes. Reuters reported more than 30,000 self-declared noncitizens may have been added to voter rolls since 2000, but could not determine how many voted. -
PETA urges NYC kitten rescue to end disputed adoption policy after anti-MAGA post
NYC rescue Itty Bitty City Kitties defended a post saying MAGA supporters, conservatives and apolitical applicants need not apply. Its director says screening weighs conduct and values, not party affiliation, but did not say whether MAGA or conservative applicants could adopt. -
Pentagon probes F-35 shipment diverted to Hong Kong; Bloomberg reports China has parts
The Pentagon is investigating how F-35 components reached Hong Kong; Bloomberg reports China has them. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles denied they were sensitive equipment, and the F-35 program office says it is working to retrieve them. -
Joe Gruters says Trump needs more time to tackle economic concerns
Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters defended Donald Trump’s “golden age” claim despite high living costs, urging Americans to give the president more time to address economic concerns. He said the Iran war “will come and go.” -
Senate GOP shifts funds to seven races, away from Georgia and North Carolina
Four attendees told Politico that Sen. Tim Scott set Senate GOP spending priorities Wednesday: defend GOP-held seats in Maine, Alaska, Ohio, Iowa and Texas and target Democratic-held seats in Michigan and New Hampshire, without mentioning Georgia or North Carolina. -
After inquiry into Dale Caldwell began, Sherrill's 18 out-of-state days made him acting governor
After an internal probe of Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell began, POLITICO counted 18 days when New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill was out of state and Caldwell held full powers as acting governor. The probe reportedly concerns his behavior toward women, which he denies. -
Melania Trump praises Donald’s work ethic as critics question his energy
On Fox & Friends on Sept. 23, Melania Trump said Donald Trump was “very focused,” worked “nonstop” and had more energy than anyone, describing his workday as lasting from morning to evening. Critics challenged her account online, citing footage they interpreted as him dozing. -
H.R. 10269 would make staged crashes with false insurance claims a federal crime
Rep. Laura Gillen introduced H.R. 10269 on Sept. 3; it is before House Judiciary and has not passed. The bill would make knowingly staging a crash and submitting a false insurance claim a federal crime; it would apply to any motor vehicle. -
Melania Trump recalls a happy childhood in communist-led Yugoslavia
Melania Trump said Wednesday she had a “very beautiful childhood” in communist-led Slovenia, then part of Yugoslavia. She said she lacked for nothing, though people had to watch what they did, and life was less free than in the United States today. -
Luke Harding alleges Trump appeases Putin fearing Kremlin may hold damaging material
Author Luke Harding alleged on The Daily Beast Podcast that Trump appeases Putin for fear the Kremlin may have compromising material on him. A 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report said the FSB had cameras in guest bedrooms at the hotel where Trump stayed. -
Xi arrives for Trump talks as China’s economic and tech clout grows
Xi Jinping arrived in Washington for an expected three-day visit and talks with Donald Trump, with more leverage than in 2017. China’s $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year and grip on rare-earth supply chains bolster Beijing’s push against new US tech curbs. -
17 transgender troops’ suit over revoked retirements stays in court
Judge Elaine D. Kaplan rejected the Trump administration’s bid to send 17 transgender Air Force and Space Force members’ case over revoked retirement orders to an Air Force records board, keeping it in court. The ruling does not restore their retirements or decide the merits. -
With over $15 billion in Taiwan security aid stalled, four GOP senators seek release
Republican senators Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis urged the Trump administration on Wednesday to release more than $15 billion in stalled security assistance for Taiwan, ahead of Xi Jinping’s three-day visit to Washington. -
Rodriguez says Venezuela will hold elections but gives no date
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that the country would hold elections as part of a transition to “full democracy,” but gave no date. She said the government had opened dialogue with the opposition.
