Axios

Elon Musk endorsed former President Trump minutes after Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents at a rally in Pennsylvania after he came under fire.

Why it matters: Musk is one of the richest men on the planet and controls of one of the world's biggest social media platforms. Trump has reportedly considered offering an advisory role to Musk, who has moved sharply to the right of the political spectrum in recent years.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) traveled to Delaware on Saturday to meet with President Biden in person, calling it a "good meeting" but offering no tangible sign of support for the embattled president.

Why it matters: It was the first known face-to-face meeting between Biden and Schumer since the president's disastrous debate more than two weeks ago.

Former President Trump's campaign announced a list of speakers for next week's Republican National Convention on Saturday, from rapper and model Amber Rose to TV host Tucker Carlson to investor and podcaster David Sacks.

Why it matters: Trump has been unusually restrained over the past two weeks, letting concerns around President Biden's age dominate the election discourse. But next week, controversial Republicans will take the spotlight.

The U.S. is on pace to see a drop in mass shootings compared to last year, but the number of incidents so far this year has already far surpassed the mid-year totals from a decade ago, per the Gun Violence Archive (GVA).

The big picture: The country is still averaging over one mass shooting per day this year and could break over 500 mass shootings for the fifth year in a row.

A retired theatre and Africana studies professor who spent nearly a decade trying to get her first science fiction book published has released her latest Afrofuturist novel, which she says is a realistic cautionary tale.

The big picture: A new generation of Afrofuturist writers, musicians and filmmakers in recent years has produced work questioning how Black people will be viewed in the future as states have passed restrictions on how schools can teach about Black people in the past.

A trend toward a less generous executive has emerged in U.S. clemency history. So far, President Biden has been no exception.

Why it matters: Biden has utilized the unilateral clemency authority of the executive branch in mass pardons that could potentially affect thousands.

Text chains in Bidenworld lit up Friday with good news for a change: President Biden's campaign speech in Detroit was described as "fiery," "rousing" and "defiant."

Why it matters: On the heels of a disappointing debate, calls for Biden to end his reelection bid have intensified as the president feverishly tries to squelch concerns.

In topics, tone and turnout targets, this is the boys vs. girls election.

• Top Trump advisers tell us that when the Republican National Convention opens in Milwaukee on Monday, the contrast they want pervading social media is ultimately "weak vs. strong." Onstage, it'll be the testosterone party.

Why it matters: Rarely has a presidential election been so defined by the gender gap — and masculine vs. feminine framing.

GOP senators who have held off on endorsing Donald Trump as the party's presidential nominee are planning to skip the upcoming Republican National Convention, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: President Biden is the one in hot water with his party right now. But there are still Trump holdouts in the GOP — and not just Nikki Haley, his rival in the primaries who wasn't invited to the convention.

First Lady Jill Biden's role as defender-in-chief of President Biden following his shaky debate has shone a spotlight on the influence that first ladies can have during major political moments.

Why it matters: Jill Biden has always been a loyal advocate for her husband, a role that first ladies have taken throughout history, former Laura Bush Chief of Staff Anita McBride told Axios.

The Democratic Party's anxiety over President Biden's candidacy is beginning to make its way into congressional Democrats' fundraising appeals, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Concerns about the 81-year-old president's ability to win have prompted some Democrats running for Congress to turn to the argument that they are needed as a check on former President Trump.