Tag: republicans elections

Lawmakers call to remove Charlie Kirk assassination videos
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When conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, videos of the attack spread almost instantly across social media. Within minutes, graphic clips appeared on TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Lawmakers quickly demanded that the platforms take action. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) publicly called on Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and TikTok to remove the footage. Luna wrote on X, “He has a family, young children, and no one should be forced to relive this tragedy online.” Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) echoed the plea, saying, “I agree completely! I NEVER want to see that again!! I hate that I saw it at all.”

That outrage quickly shifted the spotlight to the platforms themselves, with TikTok, Meta and YouTube outlining their responses while X remained largely silent.

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CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION ROCKS CAPITOL HILL, HEIGHTENS LAWMAKERS’ SECURITY FEARS

Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk speaks during a campaign rally for then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

TikTok responds with removals and safeguards

TikTok confirmed it is removing videos of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and outlined the steps it is taking to prevent harmful clips from spreading further. The company also issued a statement to CyberGuy expressing condolences to Kirk’s family. A TikTok spokesperson said, “We are saddened by the assassination of Charlie Kirk and send our deepest condolences to his wife Erika, their two young children and their family and friends. These horrific, violent acts have no place in our society. We remain committed to proactively enforcing our Community Guidelines and have implemented additional safeguards to prevent people from unexpectedly viewing footage that violates our rules.”

Beyond the statement, TikTok pointed to its broader Community Guidelines. The platform explained that all content is first reviewed by automated moderation tools before it appears in feeds. This system helps catch large volumes of content that may violate rules or require age restrictions.

TikTok prohibits gory, gruesome or extremely violent clips. The company also restricts content showing human or animal blood, extreme fighting or graphic footage. When footage may be in the public interest, TikTok applies safeguards like age restrictions, warning screens, or “opt-in” labels. These measures are designed to reduce exposure, especially for younger users.

TikTok said that teen accounts cannot access graphic or potentially distressing content, even when the videos are tied to major news events. Clips flagged under this rule are blocked from the “For You” feed and cannot be recommended to underage users.

TikTok also emphasized that it removes posts that harass victims or degrade people involved in tragedies. Statements that belittle or deny an experience, such as claiming a victim “deserved it,” are banned. The platform also prohibits violent threats, incitement to violence or promotion of criminal activity.

WATCH: BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS EXPRESS SHOCK, GRIEF AFTER CHARLIE KIRK’S KILLING

Charlie Kirk hands out hats before speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP)

Meta removes glorifying content and restricts Charlie Kirk shooting videos to 18+

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, confirmed that its Violent and Graphic Content policies apply to the footage of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. In a statement to CyberGuy, a Meta spokesperson said,

“We are removing content that glorifies or supports this tragic incident or the perpetrator, while applying warning screens over videos of the incident and restricting their view to people 18 and over.”

All clips of the shooting are now flagged with a “Mark as Sensitive” warning label. These videos are age-gated to 18 and older and cannot appear in the feeds of underage accounts.

Meta’s approach includes warning screens, sensitivity filters and age restrictions. When users encounter sensitive videos, they must opt in before they can view the footage. This system is designed to protect people from unexpectedly seeing graphic imagery.

In this case, the videos are permitted under a public interest exception, but only with restrictions.

ANTI-TRUMP VOICES PRAISE CHARLIE KIRK’S LEGACY AFTER ASSASSINATION, SAY HE WAS DOING POLITICS ‘THE RIGHT WAY’

Charlie Kirk speaks at Culture War Turning Point USA event at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio on October 29, 2019. (Megan Jelinger/AFP/Getty Images)

YouTube restricts Charlie Kirk shooting videos and elevates news sources

YouTube confirmed it is removing graphic videos of Charlie Kirk’s assassination while also boosting authoritative news coverage of the tragedy. The company said in a statement, “Our hearts are with Charlie Kirk’s family following his tragic death. We are closely monitoring our platform and prominently elevating news content on the homepage, in search and in recommendations to help people stay informed.”

YouTube explained that it is removing highly graphic videos of the attack, especially those that lack sufficient context for viewers. Clips that remain online may be age-restricted, meaning they are not viewable to anyone signed out or under 18. Some of these videos also include an interstitial warning screen, which requires users to click “Continue” before the footage plays.

The company added that it will continue to monitor the platform and may remove additional content that violates its Community Guidelines. YouTube’s policies specifically prohibit content that revels in or mocks the death or serious injury of an identifiable individual.

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Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA founder, speaks during the first day of the Republican National Convention. (Jasper Colt/USA TODAY)

X faces criticism over Charlie Kirk shooting video policies

On X, formerly Twitter, videos of the shooting remain available as long as they follow the platform’s graphic media policy. X requires that such clips be labeled appropriately, not prominently displayed and not “excessively gory.”

However, users reported seeing the footage in their feeds without consent. Some said the autoplay feature exposed them to the videos before they could turn it off. Researchers also noted that clips were quickly reposted and continued to spread across the platform.

X allows users to share graphic media if it is properly tagged. The platform bans content that glorifies violence, incites harm or celebrates attacks. Still, videos may remain online if they are considered newsworthy or tied to current events.

The platform warns users that content labeled “sensitive” should not be displayed automatically. But in practice, researchers observed the Kirk video surfacing through algorithmic feeds, even when people had not searched for it.

X did not respond to our request for comment before publication.

Social media gatekeeping fails with Charlie Kirk shooting video

For decades, news organizations made editorial decisions about whether to publish violent imagery, often avoiding explicit content to protect audiences. Today, that gatekeeping power has diminished.

Smartphones and instant uploads mean graphic events can spread before any newsroom responds. Social media algorithms often amplify the most shocking clips, making it nearly impossible to shield viewers from disturbing footage.

Lawmakers increase pressure on social media moderation

Luna and Boebert’s statements underscore growing political pressure on tech companies to better enforce content rules. Researchers also warn that unchecked circulation of graphic violence can desensitize viewers and, in some cases, encourage extremist responses.

At the same time, major platforms have scaled back human moderation teams, relying more on AI detection systems. Experts say those systems often miss context, leaving dangerous gaps in enforcement.

Parent safety tips to protect kids from graphic videos

Parents worried about their children encountering violent clips can take proactive steps:
- Enable parental controls: Both iOS and Android offer built-in screen time and content filters that limit what apps and media kids can access. You can also take advantage of new protections rolled out by major platforms.
- Use app-specific settings: TikTok, YouTube and Instagram all provide parental restriction tools, including content filters, restricted mode and family pairing. Meta’s teen safety features on Instagram and Facebook are designed to give parents and teens more tools to stay safe online. Through TikTok’s Family Pairing, parents can see or adjust more than 20 settings for their teens. X does not currently offer the same parental controls, which makes it harder for parents to limit what their children see on that platform.
- Turn off autoplay: Prevent videos from automatically playing, reducing the chance of graphic clips starting without warning.
- Talk openly: Explain why some content is harmful and encourage kids to come to you if they see something disturbing.
- Stay involved: Regularly review app activity and check which accounts your child follows.
These steps won’t block everything, but they give families more control in a world where disturbing videos can spread fast.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The calls to remove videos of Charlie Kirk’s death highlight the challenges of moderating violence online. Platforms promise safeguards, but in practice, graphic clips often spread faster than moderation systems can react. As social media continues to replace traditional gatekeepers, both companies and users share responsibility for what circulates online. Adjusting your settings and being cautious about sharing content can make a difference.

Should platforms be required to take down all graphic videos of real-world violence or should users decide what they see? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
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September 13, 2025
Trump endorses Hinson in 2026 race to keep key Senate seat red

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President Donald Trump on Friday endorsed Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson as she runs to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Joni Ernst in Iowa.

Hinson — a former TV news anchor who is in her third term representing Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, which covers the northeastern portion of the state — showcased her support for Trump as she launched her Senate campaign on Tuesday.

“I’m running to be President Trump’s top ally in the United States Senate,” she said. And in a Fox News Digital interview this week, Hinson highlighted that she’s “proud to stand” with Trump.

Trump, in a social media post, said, “I know Ashley well, and she is a WINNER!”

HINSON LAUNCHES SENATE BID IN RACE TO SUCCEED IOWA’S ERNST

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, who is running in the 2026 race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Joni Ernst, sits for a Fox News Digital interview on Sept. 4, 2025 in Washington D.C. (Paul Steinhauser – Fox News )

“I know Ashley well, and she is a WINNER! A Loving Wife and Proud Mother of two sons, Ashley is a wonderful person, has ALWAYS delivered for Iowa, and will continue doing so in the United States Senate,” the president said.

“Ashley Hinson will be an outstanding Senator, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement – SHE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”

Trump’s support followed earlier endorsements from Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which is the Senate GOP’s campaign arm.

“We need conservative fighters in the Senate — and that’s exactly what we’ll get with Ashley Hinson,” Thune wrote early Friday as he endorsed Hinson.

And NRSC chair Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said, “Having traveled Iowa with Ashley, I know she is the fighter the Hawkeye State needs to deliver President Trump’s agenda in 2026 and beyond.”

Hinson doesn’t have the GOP primary field to herself. Former state Sen. Jim Carlin and veteran Joshua Smith had already entered the primary ahead of Ernst’s announcement.

But the support from Trump, Thune, and the NRSC will further boost Hinson, who was already considered the frontrunner for the nomination, and will likely dissuade any others from entering the primary. The president’s clout over the GOP is immense, and his endorsement in a Republican primary is extremely influential.

Hinson’s campaign launch came a few hours after Ernst, in a social media video, officially announced that she wouldn’t seek re-election in next year’s midterms.

“After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking re-election in 2026,” the 55-year-old Ernst, who was first elected to the Senate in 2014, said in a video posted to social media.

TRUMP NOT ON BALLOT BUT FRONT-AND-CENTER IN 2025 ELECTIONS

Ernst, a retired Army Reserve and Iowa National Guard officer who served in the Iraq War, had been wrestling for months over whether to run for re-election in 2026. And in her video, she said, “This was no easy decision.”

Ernst first grabbed national attention 11 years ago with her “make ’em squeal” ads as she won the high-profile Senate election in Iowa in the race to succeed retiring longtime Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.

And Ernst highlighted in her video that “11 years ago, Iowans elected me as the first female combat veteran to the U.S. Senate, and they did so with a mission in mind – to make Washington squeal. And I’m proud to say we have delivered. We’ve cut waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government.”

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa announced on Tuesday that she wouldn’t seek re-election in the 2026 midterms. (Reuters)

Hinson, in a social media post, thanked Ernst for her “incredible service to our state and nation” as well as for her friendship. “Iowa is better off thanks to your selfless service,” she said.

In an Iowa radio interview on Tuesday, she said that among her priorities as she runs for the Senate are “secure borders, keeping men out of girls’ sports, cutting taxes for our working families, standing up for Iowa agriculture and helping our young Iowans who are trying to buy a house and start a family.”

Hinson also pledged to campaign across all 99 of Iowa’s counties, starting with a kick-off event on Friday.

And as she entered the race, Hinson was endorsed by Republican Sens. Jim Banks of Indiana, Katie Britt of Alabama, and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma.

House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, House Republican Leadership Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik and Iowa House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann also backed Hinson.

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) communications director Maeve Coyle, following Hinson’s announcement, argued that “Republicans failed to convince Joni Ernst to run for reelection, and now they may be stuck with Ashley Hinson, who has repeatedly voted to raise costs and make life harder for Iowans by voting to slash Medicaid, cheering on the chaotic tariffs that threaten Iowa’s economy, voting against measures to lower the cost of insulin, and threatening Social Security.”

Responding, Hinson told Fox News Digital, “I think they’re misinformed at best.”

And she charged that “when I hear the lies and the fearmongering coming out of the left, it’s to only cover up for the fact that they have no message and no real leader other than Bernie and AOC and now Mamdani in New York,” as she referred to Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.

“If that’s the direction they want to take our country, I think Iowans are going to reject that wholeheartedly,” she predicted.

FOUR KEY SENATE SEATS THE GOP AIMS TO FLIP IN NEXT YEAR’S MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Iowa was once a top battleground state that former President Barack Obama carried in his 2008 and 2012 White House victories. But the state has shifted to the right in recent election cycles, with President Donald Trump carrying the state by nine points in 2016, eight points in 2020, and by 13 points last November.

Republicans currently hold both of the state’s U.S. Senate seats – Ernst and longtime Sen. Chuck Grassley – and all four of Iowa’s congressional districts, as well as all statewide offices except for state auditor, which is held by Democrat Rob Sand, who’s running for governor next year.

But Democrats in Iowa are energized after flipping two GOP-held state Senate seats in special elections so far this year.

Iowa’s all-Republican congressional delegation teams up at Sen. Joni Ernst’s annual Roast and Ride fundraiser in Des Moines, Iowa on June 3, 2023. From left to right are Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Sen. Chuck Grassley, Ernst, Gov. Kim Reynolds, Rep. Ashley Hinson, Rep. Zach Nunn, and Rep. Randy Feenstra. (Rachel Mummey/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Five Democrats are already running for Senate in Iowa. The field includes state Rep. Josh Turek, a Paralympian wheelchair basketball player, state Sen. Zach Wahls, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce executive director Nathan Sage and Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris.

“An open seat in Iowa is just the latest example of Democrats expanding the senatorial map,” Lauren French, spokesperson for the Democrat-aligned Senate Majority PAC, said in a statement.

But Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), said in a statement, “The NRSC is confident Iowans will elect a Republican to continue fighting for them and championing President Trump’s agenda in 2026.”

SENATE DEMOCRATS RECRUITING TOP CANDIDATES IN PUSH TO WIN BACK MAJORITY

Republicans are aiming to not only defend, but expand, the current 53-47 Senate majority in next year’s elections.

Senate Republicans enjoyed a favorable map in the 2024 cycle as they flipped four seats from blue to red to win back the majority.

But the party in power – the Republicans – traditionally faces political headwinds in the midterm elections. Nevertheless, a current read of the 2026 map indicates the GOP may be able to go on offense in some key states.

In battleground Georgia, which Trump narrowly carried in last year’s White House race, Republicans view first-term Sen. Jon Ossoff as the most vulnerable Democrat incumbent up for re-election next year.

They’re also targeting battleground Michigan, where Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is retiring at the end of next year, and swing state New Hampshire, where longtime Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen decided against seeking a fourth six-year term in the Senate.

Also on the NRSC’s target list is blue-leaning Minnesota, where Democratic Sen. Tina Smith isn’t running for re-election.

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But the GOP is defending an open seat in battleground North Carolina, where Republican Sen. Thom Tills decided against seeking re-election. And Republicans will likely be forced to spend resources to defend Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio – who was appointed to succeed former senator and now-Vice President JD Vance – as he faces off next year against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Meanwhile, Democrats are also targeting moderate Sen. Susan Collins – who has yet to announce her expected 2026 re-election — in blue-leaning Maine.

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the campaign trail from coast to coast.”

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September 5, 2025
Trump battles John Bolton, Chris Christie and threatens to pull funds from Wes Moore’s Maryland

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I asked Donald Trump the question. Everyone asked Donald Trump the question.

Would he engage in retribution in a second term?

And we all got the same answer: He’d be too busy for that. His only retribution would be success.

Well, if Trump is not engaged in turning government against his political enemies, he’s doing a pretty good imitation of it.

Now, hardball politics is as old as the republic. The founders engaged in it. Abe Lincoln engaged in it. And you think LBJ never got his way by threatening to pull a grant or two for a congressman’s pet projects?

Look, one thing I’ve learned covering Trump for decades is that he loves to fight. In New York, back in the day, he would do battle with the likes of Ed Koch and Leona Helmsley, the “Queen of Mean.”

BROADCAST BIAS: NETWORKS OOZE WITH SYMPATHY TO ANYONE WHO OPPOSES TRUMP

President Donald Trump has dismissed suggestions that he would target political enemies, but Trump’s combative approach reflects a pattern that has defined both his career and American politics more broadly. (Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

When his divorce from Ivana became a tabloid sensation, Trump got on the phone with me to discuss why his proposed settlement was really generous.

We see that fighting instinct today when the president goes after not just Democrats but fellow Republicans who defy him, or won’t back his proposals – a number of whom have announced their retirements rather than lose a primary to a Trump-backed challenger.

We see that Trump-against-the-world approach with his crackdown on D.C. crime which, despite the home-rule issues, is being welcomed by some liberals (publicly and privately) because folks are scared in a city that can’t even stop teenage carjackings.

The next target is Chicago, which also has a Black mayor, with the Washington Post reporting that there has been weeks of secret planning to send thousands of National Guard troops there. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has denounced this as an effort to spread fear, and sometimes it seems like the president is at war with urban America.

The underlying motivation is crucial: Trump believes that the Democrats waged “lawfare” against him for four years. There is no evidence that President Biden ordered such efforts, but Trump is convinced that the multiple investigations against him–as in the Stormy Daniels case–were part of a grand scheme to knock him out of the race.

And he has a point. Look at the outrageously illegal fine that Judge Arthur Engoron hit him with in the civil fraud case brought by New York AG Letitia James: $354 million, since grown to $515 million.

This was so blatantly unfair that an appellate court just threw it out as a violation of the Eighth Amendment, barring cruel and unusual punishment. James is appealing, and the court didn’t toss the whole case–the “fake” case, says Trump–but a half-billion-fine over real estate valuations seems pathetically unfair.

But when Trump cried foul, the media reaction was there he goes again, attacking every judge who disagrees with him. But Trump was right about Engoron.

The Trump DOJ, by the way, is now investigating Tish James for allegations of mortgage fraud.

So what the press sees as Trump going after his opponents is, in his eyes, just basic payback, an attempt at getting even.

Having said that…

“I just watched Sloppy Chris Christie be interviewed on a ratings challenged ‘News’ Show…on ABC Fake News,” “This Week” hosted by George Stephanopoulos.
“Can anyone believe anything that Sloppy Chris says? Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother, who spent years trying to fight off the vicious charges against her. Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again?”

Christie, a onetime ally, was Trump’s harshest Republican critic during the campaign. As for the 2013 scandal known as Bridgegate, it was thoroughly investigated and two top Christie aides were convicted, but the Supreme Court, while blasting the conduct, overturned those convictions.

It’s worth pointing out that the decision to close some lanes on the George Washington Bridge, which created traffic chaos, was the governor’s attempt to strike back at a Democratic mayor who refused to endorse him.

“Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” wrote one of the convicted aides in a remarkably succinct message.

“I always thought he got away with murder,” Trump told reporters yesterday.

Having watched the Sunday shows, the president unloaded on two networks:

“Despite a very high popularity and, according to many, among the greatest 8 months in Presidential History, ABC & NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the worst and most biased networks in history, give me 97% BAD STORIES. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC. I would be totally in favor of that because they are so biased and untruthful, an actual threat to our Democracy!!!”

CHRIS MATTHEWS SAYS DEMOCRATS ‘FALLING INTO A TRAP OF DEFENDING WHAT’S INDEFENSIBLE’ ON CRIME

President Donald Trump and former national security adviser John Bolton have feuded since Trump fired him in 2019. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

He added that ABC and NBC should be paying “Millions of Dollars a year in LICENSE FEES…Crooked ‘journalism’ should not be rewarded, it should be terminated!!!”

Now networks shouldn’t lose their licenses just because the president doesn’t like their coverage. Maybe they should be paying more for use of the airwaves, but that should apply to all networks; so far they’ve played by the rules.

Trump and John Bolton have been at each other’s throats since the president fired the national security adviser. There was a criminal investigation over Bolton’s 2020 book that Trump tried to stop, but it was cleared for publication.

I take Trump at his word that he didn’t know in advance about the FBI raid on Bolton’s Bethesda home. But twice in the days leading up to the raid, Trump was slamming him online for criticizing his efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war..

“Very unfair media is at work on my meeting with Putin. Constantly quoting fired losers and really dumb people like John Bolton, who just said that, even though the meeting is on American soil, ‘Putin has already won.’ What’s that all about?”

After the raid, Trump called Bolton a “low-life” and a “sleazebag” who suffers from “major Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

But two things can be true at once. Trump prosecutors had to show convincing evidence to a special court to get the search warrant approved. So it’s possible that Bolton did hang on to some classified documents.

After the raid, Trump posted that Bolton was among the “stupid people” who were making it “much harder” for him to end the war by ripping his approach to Putin.

I’ve known John Bolton for years–he used to be a Fox contributor–and I’m surprised he’s made no comment. There was just a little wave at the press pack when he returned home.

Next up: Wes Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor.

They’ve been jabbing each other back and forth, which is fine. But then the president posted this:

“Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I ‘walk the streets of Maryland’ with him. I assume he is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore? As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a ‘walk.’ Wes Moore’s record on Crime is a very bad one.”.

DEMOCRATS’ NEW BOOGEYMAN IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF DONALD TRUMP

Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has been rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge with funds approved by Congress as part of a package during the Biden Administration. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

There’s more:

Trump “offered” to deploy troops to Baltimore – which has a serious crime problem – after which he would accept Moore’s invitation to meet him on the streets.

Then came the threat: “I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge. I will now have to rethink that decision???”

Moore has been rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge since a reckless and out-of-control tanker destroyed it early last year. And for the record, Congress approved the funds as part of a package during the final stretch of the Biden administration.

But put that aside. Who would be hurt if Trump carried out this threat?

Millions of people in Maryland who rely on the bridge, or whose jobs are tied to commerce in that region.

So Trump is openly suggesting to use the official power of government to withhold funds that would hurt ordinary citizens. That is more troubling than the punching and counterpunching with Bolton and Christie.

For what it’s worth, I don’t think Trump would actually do it. It’s a brushback pitch.

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While Trump may view himself as evening the score, one day Democrats will occupy the White House again. They would feel fully justified in going after their opponents as payback for the way they were targeted for investigation. And the endless cycle continues.

Howard Kurtz is the host of FOX News Channel’s MediaBuzz (Sundays 11 AM-12PM/ET). Based in Washington, D.C., he joined the network in 2013 and regularly appears on Special Report with Bret Baier and The Story with Martha MacCallum among other programs.

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August 26, 2025
Trump hails Texas redistricting approval that could add five GOP congressional seats nationwide

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President Donald Trump is calling Texas lawmakers’ approval of a sweeping redistricting plan to add up to five new GOP-leaning congressional seats a “Big WIN” for Republicans.

Trump fired off a post via Truth Social hailing the state for “never letting us down,” saying the victory was more than a state win but a national turning point. He went on to urge other Republican-led states to follow the Lone Star State’s lead.

“Big WIN for the Great State of Texas!!! Everything Passed, on our way to FIVE more Congressional seats and saving your Rights, your Freedoms, and your Country, itself. Texas never lets us down. Florida, Indiana, and others are looking to do the same thing. More seats equals less Crime, a great Economy, and a STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT. It means Happiness and Peace,” he said.

TEXAS GOP LAWMAKERS POISED TO FINALIZE TRUMP-BACKED MAP AFTER DEM REDISTRICTING WALKOUT ENDS

Following Texas Democratic lawmakers’ return on Monday, President Donald Trump urged the state legislature to move quickly to pass a highly controversial redistricting bill, saying, “Please pass this Map, ASAP.” (Sergio Flores/Getty; Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Trump also suggested that a move in that direction could secure as many as 100 additional seats for the GOP nationwide if they followed suit.

“But Republicans, there is one thing even better – STOP MAIL-IN VOTING, a total fraud that has no bounds. Also, go to PAPER BALLOTS before it is too late – At one tenth the cost, faster, and more reliable. If we do these TWO things, we will pick up 100 more seats, and the CROOKED game of politics is over. God Bless America!!!,” the post went on.

Texas Republicans pushed the new congressional map through the state House Wednesday in an 88–52 party-line vote, brushing aside Democratic objections in a bid to strengthen the GOP’s hold on Congress heading into 2026.

WITH TEXAS DEMS BACK, TRUMP URGES LEGISLATURE: ‘PASS THIS MAP, ASAP’

A major battle over congressional redistricting took place at the Texas State Capitol. (Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

While Trump celebrated the redistricting as a major Republican win, Democrats framed it as only the beginning of a much larger legal battle.

“This part of the fight is over, but it is merely the first chapter… Our best shot is in the courts. This is not over. We will continue fighting,” said Rep. Gene Wu of Houston.

Texas House Democrats also accused the GOP of trying to dilute minority voting power, saying the map was illegal and racially discriminatory.

Democrats have signaled retaliation in response to Republican redistricting efforts across the country, particularly in Texas. (Getty Images)

“Members, it breaks my heart to see how this illegal and rigged, mid-decade redistricting scheme is dividing our state and our country,” Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat, said. “This is Texas, it’s not Washington D.C. The impulses of outside politicians and their billionaire backers shouldn’t dictate what we do in this chamber, in this House.”

“This process was a total sham from the very beginning… This is a racist power grab that especially goes after our African American and Latino representatives,” said Rep. Jon Rosenthal

Republicans defended the map as necessary to reflect population growth and safeguard voter representation.

“Different from everyone else, I’m telling you, I’m not beating around the bush,” Rep. Todd Hunter, said about the map’s goal. “We have five new districts, and these five new districts are based on political performance.”

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Democrats unveiled their new map last week in an effort to nullify the map Texas Republicans were creating. If that bill is passed, it would create five new Democratic-leaning congressional districts that would counteract Texas.

The dueling maps highlight the high-stakes fight for control of the House, with both parties using redistricting to try to lock in their advantage before 2026.

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August 21, 2025