Consumers see twice as many brands as left-leaning as they do right-leaning, according to this year's Axios Harris Poll 100.

The big picture: Corporate America is increasingly viewed by consumers as catering to progressive ideals.

• 41 companies on this year's 100 list were viewed as left-leaning, while just 19 were seen as right-leaning.
• Procter & Gamble, Aldi, Lululemon and Geico were deemed the least polarizing, with zero partisan divide reported.

Why it matters: Trending left has brought upsides to many companies, as the U.S. population has become more diverse and younger, and college-educated consumers have embraced progressive causes.

• Companies perceived to be more liberal-leaning tend to have higher reputation scores than conservative-leaning companies.
• But appearing to lean left also has put some companies at risk of alienating consumers.
• Seven of the top 20 most Democratic-viewed companies — Google, Nike, Patagonia, Adidas, Honda, Microsoft and USAA — received a "very good" rating from survey respondents.
• Just two on the Republican side — Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-a — got top ratings.

On the other end, four of the more right-leaning companies — the Trump Organization, X, Fox News and Dollar Tree — drew "poor" or "very poor" scores, compared to three — ByteDance, Wells Fargo and Spirit Airlines — on the left.

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Editor's note: This story was corrected by removing a reference to Reddit as being in the "poor" or "very poor" category, when it is in the "fair" category.

The Democratic National Committee plans to conduct one of its convention's signature moments — when each state announces its nominee for president — weeks before its convention in Chicago in mid-August.

Why it matters: The DNC's unusual step to have a "virtual roll call" is a response to the political uncertainty created by an Ohio deadline (Aug. 7) for when a candidate's name needs to be submitted for that state's ballot.

• As a practical matter, the early roll call will make Biden his party's formal nominee weeks before Democrats gather in person for their convention on Aug. 19.
• As a political matter, it's unlikely to change Democrats' plan to nominate Biden for a rematch against former President Trump in November.
• But symbolically, it will turn one of the convention's most memorable traditions into an empty ritual.

Driving the news: Ohio Republicans couldn't guarantee they'd resolve the ballot issue before the state's GOP-controlled legislature leaves for the summer.

• Today, Democrats moved to avoid the uncertainty by nominating Biden before Aug. 7 — but didn't specify when.

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Donald Trump's lawyer called star witness Michael Cohen the "MVP of liars" during the Trump trial's closing arguments today, while a prosecutor accused the ex-president of "overt election fraud."

Why it matters: The first-ever criminal trial of a U.S. president is near conclusion after hours of closing arguments.

• The case — over whether Trump's alleged hush money payment to a porn star was an illegal campaign contribution in 2016 — is expected to be in the jury's hands tomorrow.

Today's defense highlights:

1. Michael Cohen: Trump trial lawyer Todd Blanche hammered at the credibility of Trump's former fixer, calling him the "GLOAT," or the "Greatest Liar of All Time," and the "MVP of liars."

• "You cannot convict President Trump on any crime, beyond a reasonable doubt, on the words of Michael Cohen," Blanche said.

2. "Access Hollywood": The infamous tape, which aired about a month before the 2016 election, "was not a doomsday event" that led to a conspiracy to cover up allegations Trump had a liaison with porn star Stormy Daniels, Blanche said.

3. Regarding Daniels: "They did it to try to embarrass President Trump," Blanche said of the prosecution having her testify.

Prosecution highlights:

1. Cohen: Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass told jurors Trump "chose Mr. Cohen for the same qualities his attorneys now urge you to reject."

• "We didn't choose Michael Cohen. We didn't pick him up at the witness store. ... This case is about Donald Trump and whether he should be held accountable."

2. "Access Hollywood": Steinglass said the tape in which Trump described grabbing women "was capable of costing [Trump] the whole election, and he knew it."

3. "Subversion of democracy": That's how Steinglass described the alleged scheme with the National Enquirer to quash negative stories about Trump ahead of the 2016 election.

• It "could very well be what got President Trump elected," he said.

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Actor Robert De Niro leaned into his New York tough-guy persona today outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump is on trial, casting the ex-president as a wanna-be gangster who makes his underlings do his "dirty work."

Why it matters: De Niro, whose star turns as iconic gangsters included portraying a young Vito Corleone in "The Godfather Part II," joined a Biden campaign press conference aimed at linking Trump to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

• The event was a departure for Biden's campaign, which largely has stayed away from Trump's criminal cases, Axios' Erin Doherty writes.

De Niro, who narrated a Biden ad out last week, appeared with Jan. 6 Capitol police officers Michael Fanone and Harry Dunn.

The other side: Trump's campaign said the event supported his claim the trial is a political witch hunt.

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MoveOn, a top progressive organization, is backing Maryland Democrat Angela Alsobrooks in a bid to protect a blue Senate seat, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The GOP candidate, former Gov. Larry Hogan, has made the race surprisingly competitive. What once seemed a safe seat is now drawing national Democratic groups to help defend it.

• Alsobrooks is just the second Senate candidate MoveOn has endorsed.
• The endorsement will give Alsobrooks access to funding from MoveOn's PAC, which has raised nearly $26.5 million so far this election cycle, according to federal filings.

The big picture: An Alsobrooks victory in November is critical for Democrats. The party has several vulnerable incumbents and a slim Senate majority.

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