Axios

Former President Trump's lawyers' request to delay their response to special counsel Jack Smith's immunity motion in his 2020 election subversion case was granted by a federal judge on Monday.

The big picture: The Republican presidential nominee's team cited Hurricane Milton "displacing and severely disrupting" several of his Florida lawyers earlier this month as a reason they requested deadline extensions.

The Biden administration is "deeply concerned" that two bills passed by the Israeli Knesset on Monday will exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and harm Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, a State Department spokesman told reporters.

Why it matters: The U.S. and other Western countries pressed Israel not to move forward with the bills against the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Their passage will likely increase pressure on the Biden administration to suspend military assistance to Israel.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) announced that internal leadership elections will take place Nov. 13, a day after members return to Washington for their lame duck session.

Why it matters: The selections — which could hinge on the outcome of the Nov. 5 vote — will determine whether Johnson will stay on as the chamber's top Republican and who will serve as his lieutenants in 2025.

Former President Trump bragged about a "little secret" between him and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) during a rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, saying it will be revealed after Election Day.

Why it matters: Both Republicans have deflected when asked to address their secret after attracting headlines and raising eyebrows over the vague statement.

Hillary Clinton and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are among those comparing Sunday's rally for Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden to an infamous 1939 pro-Nazi gathering in the same venue — drawing outrage from Trump supporters.

The big picture: Trump critics were quick to note that some of the rhetoric at Trump's event chimed with speakers at the 1939 rally — for example, Trump aide Stephen Miller's remark that "America is for Americans and Americans only."

Voters casting ballots by mail should have them at the post office by Tuesday to ensure they are delivered by Election Day in states with a Nov. 5 deadline, the United States Postal Service said.

Why it matters: The modern "Election Day" is more like election month, thanks to the popularity of early and mail-in voting — but officials have repeatedly warned that the that USPS has struggled with delivery failures and delays, prompting concerns about voting by mail.

Five former House Republicans who served with ex-Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry (R-Pa.) are endorsing his Democratic opponent Janelle Stelson, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: It's part of a growing trend of anti-Trump Republicans trying to thwart right-wing hardliners in key congressional races.

Elon Musk's alleged conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin have raised national security questions highlighting the U.S. government's reliance on SpaceX, the tech billionaire's astronautics company.

Why it matters: The situation puts the government in the difficult position of choosing to continue its relationship with Musk despite the liability he could pose, or sever ties and lose access to services it relies on.

Philadelphia's top prosecutor is suing tech billionaire Elon Musk to stop his $1 million daily giveaways to Pennsylvania voters.

Why it matters: Musk's pro-Trump super PAC, which has already given out more than $9 million, is under increasing pressure to stop the lottery after the Justice Department warned last week that it could violate federal law.

Virginia wants the Supreme Court to let them continue automatically purging the state's voter rolls after lower courts temporarily blocked the program.

Why it matters: It's a fast-moving case that could rope in the highest court in the land to weigh in on voting issues eight days before Election Day.

Donald Trump has said he wants to "terminate" spending on what he calls the Green New Deal, presumably referencing the Biden administration's signature Inflation Reduction Act, a major climate law.

Why it matters: Pulling back that money would require congressional action — not a given, as the IRA's popularity has grown — and it could result in lost jobs, unfinished factories, and a costly mess for many businesses and states that are counting on those funds.

The mainstream media's dominance in narrative- and reality-shaping in presidential elections shattered in 2024.

• The future of news and information is upon us. Welcome to the shards of glass election — and news era.

Why it matters: How and where Americans get informed has broken into scores of pieces — from young men on Joe Rogan's podcasts, to suburban women following Instagram influencers.

The 2024 election cycle may be remembered for redefining anxiety and drawing attention to the unique way politics stresses Americans out.

Why it matters: Pitched partisanship, razor-thin margins, political violence and a barrage of ads have measurable health effects, including high levels of stress-related hormone in the body that can lead to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and more.

Top Democrats are confident that a trio of economic reports this week will give them one final shot to convince voters that the economy is much better than they think it is.

Why it matters: Hope has replaced dread inside the Biden-Harris administration when it comes to official data drops.

NEW YORK — Donald Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday opened with speakers who made racist, sexist and crass remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris and Puerto Ricans.

• It concluded with speeches from Trump, his wife, Melania, and billionaire Elon Musk arguing that Trump's the hopeful, optimistic choice.

A comedian's likening of Puerto Rico to a "floating island of garbage" during former President Trump's Madison Square Garden event is forcing Republicans to do something rare: Condemn the contents of a Trump rally.

Why it matters: Even the Trump campaign is distancing itself from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's joke, creating a high-profile messaging snafu for the GOP just one week out from the Nov. 5 election.

Stacey Williams, who alleged in interviews this past week that former President Trump groped her while Jeffrey Epstein watched in 1993, is one of roughly 27 women who have accused the Republican presidential candidate of sexual misconduct.

The big picture: As with all previous accusations, the Trump campaign strongly denies the former model's claims. The ex-president has never been criminally charged for any sexual misconduct — though a jury in a civil case last year found him liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll.

A speaker at former President Trump's Madison Square Garden rally compared Puerto Rico to "a floating island of garbage," drawing backlash from the Harris campaign, Puerto Rican celebrities and some Republicans.

Why it matters: Puerto Ricans are an important part of the growing Latino electorate, especially in the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania.

A federal appeals court in Virginia on Sunday refused to reinstate the state's program that would automatically cancel voter registrations of suspected noncitizens.

Why it matters: With just over a week to go until Election Day, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) said on X he will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court "immediately" the ruling that would force officials to reinstate over 1,600 people purged from the state's rolls.