Aug 25, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Trump shifts tone on midterms: It'll be "tougher" to keep the House

Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

President Trump had a shift of tone on Friday in regards to the 2018 midterms, saying it's "probably tougher" to keep control of the House, the Washington Post reports.

Why it matters: Trump has projected nothing but confidence in the Republican party's ability to keep hold of the House and Senate — so much so that Axios' Jonathan Swan reported his "red wave" predictions could stop Republicans from heading to the polls. But at the Ohio Republican Party's annual dinner, Trump said the GOP will "win a lot of seats" in the Senate, but "the House is probably tougher."

Go deeper

Jacob Knutson
35 mins ago - Technology

Misinformation thrives on social media ahead of presidential debate

Joe Biden speaking in Wilmington, Delaware, on Sept. 27. Photo: Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

A baseless conspiracy theory that Joe Biden would wear an electronic device in his ear during the first presidential debate on Tuesday went viral on social media hours before the event.

Why it matters: The conspiracy originated on social media before appearing in a text message sent by President Trump’s re-election campaign to supporters. It was then regurgitated by media outlets like Fox News and New York Post, who cited the Trump campaign, throughout the day, according to NBC News.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
54 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Amy Coney Barrett says Trump offered her nomination 3 days after Ginsburg's death

Barrett speaks after being nominated to the US Supreme Court by President Trump in the Rose Garden of the White House. Photo:; Olivier Douliery/AFP

Amy Coney Barrett said in a questionnaire released by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday that President Trump offered her the Supreme Court nomination on Sept. 21, five days before he announced the pick to the public.

Why it matters: According to the questionnaire, Trump offered Barrett the nomination just three days after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, suggesting that the president knew early on that Barrett was his pick. Minutes after offering Barrett the nomination, however, Trump told reporters that he had not made up his mind and that five women were on the shortlist.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Appeals court upholds six-day extension for counting Wisconsin ballots

Photo: Derek R. Henkle/AFP via Getty Images

A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a lower court ruling that extended the deadline for counting mail-in ballots in Wisconsin until Nov. 9 as long as they are postmarked by the Nov. 3 election, AP reports.

Why it matters: It's a big win for Democrats that also means that the winner of Wisconsin, a key presidential swing state, may not be known for six days after the election. Republicans are likely to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, as the Pennsylvania GOP did after a similar ruling on Monday.

Go deeper: How the Supreme Court could decide the election