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Year: 2025

Veteran who served in Middle Eastern wars launches campaign against Sen. Susan Collins

Veteran who served in Middle Eastern wars launches campaign against Sen. Susan Collins

More than a year before voters take to the polls, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has a new challenger. Early Tuesday morning, Graham Platner entered the race as a Democrat. The combat veteran served in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, according to his online biography, and is now the owner-operator of Waukeag Neck Oyster Co.  His campaign Facebook page says he is a “friend of the working Mainer, foe of the oligarchy.” He already has more than a dozen town halls scheduled across the New England state.  “[E]very where I’ve gone, it seems like the fabric of what holds us together is being ripped apart by billionaires and corrupt politicians,” Platner, 40, said in a campaign launch video. SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE FEVERISHLY RECRUITING TOP CANDIDATES TO WIN BACK MAJORITY IN 2026 MIDTERMS “Profiting off of destroying our environment, driving our families into poverty and crushing the middle class,” he said.  Platner went on to say he supports universal healthcare, aiding veterans and stopping funding for foreign wars. The video was produced by Morris Katz, a top advisor to the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, according to the New York Times.  “Being a Bernie Bro and Kamala Harris donor is a profile to appeal to Portland progressives, not centrist and conservative voters in rural Maine,” Jason Savage, the executive director of the Maine Republican Party said, according to the Times. TRUMP ALLY MIKE COLLINS LAUNCH KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE BID TO FLIP DEMOCRAT-HELD SENATE SEAT Platner, a political newcomer, told Politico that he also brought on Joe Cavello, a former senior aide to Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., to help with his campaign.   “To call me a liberal, I think is fairly amusing. I mean, I’m a competitive pistol shooter. That’s what I do on the weekends,” he told the media outlet. “I’m a firearms instructor. I spent multiple years, obviously, in the service utilizing firearms. I also grew up in rural Maine, where guns are a part of our existence.” The Democratic challenger list against Collins is growing, and reports say those already in office are trying to tap Janet Mills, the state’s 77-year-old Democratic governor, for the seat. Republicans currently control the majority of the Senate by a 53-47 margin. Democrats would need to flip four seats in the 2026 midterm elections to take the majority.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A spokesperson for Collins told Fox News Digital that Platner is “just another progressive entering the race.”

Rubio hails Trump as ‘only leader in the world’ who can broker Ukraine peace deal after talks

Rubio hails Trump as ‘only leader in the world’ who can broker Ukraine peace deal after talks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio applauded President Donald Trump for the progress he has made towards peace when it comes to the war in Ukraine, while he accused the former Biden administration of doing nothing to change the circumstances of the war. Rubio appeared on Fox News’ “Jesse Waters Prime Time” Monday evening after the day-long talks between U.S. and European officials that included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During the appearance, he praised Trump as “the only leader in the world” who has proven he can broker a peace deal between Zelenskyy’s Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s Russia, adding that the Monday talks were “unprecedented.”    “After three years of deadlock, and no talks, and no change in circumstances, this is the first time where there seems to be some movement,” the secretary said. “This has been going on for three-and-a-half years. A lot of people have died, a lot of territories exchanged back-and-forth, so it’s not an easy thing to unwind, but nothing was happening on this war. Literally, the only option we were given under the previous administration was continue to fund Ukraine for however much they need, for however long it takes.” TRUMP: ZELENSKYY MEETING NOT ‘END OF THE ROAD’ FOR US SUPPORT IN SECURING A PEACE DEAL Rubio pointed out that finally, under a new administration, people are “actually talking about pathways toward ending [the war in Ukraine].”  “It’s going to take a little bit more work, and a little bit more time, but we are making progress,” Rubio argued. “It’s not me saying it, that is virtually every leader there [on Monday] said that.” Rubio said that prior to Trump, the fighting in Ukraine was nothing more than a “stalemated war of death and destruction.” He also complained that under Biden there was no plan other than to continue giving weapons to Ukraine.  “That’s the other dynamic that’s changed – we’re no longer giving Ukraine weapons, we’re no longer giving Ukraine money, we are now selling them weapons and European countries are paying for it through NATO. They are using NATO to buy the weapons and transferring them to Ukraine,” Rubio pointed out. “That’s another big change from the way this war was approached under the Biden administration.” RUBIO SHOOTS DOWN REPORT THAT TRUMP BACKS PUTIN’S PLAN FOR RUSSIA TO CONTROL UKRAINE’S DONBAS REGION Following the Monday peace talks in D.C., reports surfaced that Putin had agreed to a future meeting with Zelenskyy, followed by a trilateral meeting involving the United States. For Rubio, just the fact that the two countries are open to talking to each other is a win and a big change from the previous administration.    “I’m not saying they are going to leave that room with a peace deal, but I think the fact that people are now talking to each other – this wasn’t happening for three-and-a-half years,” Rubio told host Waters, adding that Trump has “made it a priority” to bring about peace in Ukraine. The secretary also cited six previous peace agreements that he said Trump has brokered, which Rubio said proves Trump’s commitment to peace and fewer wars. “President Trump is the only leader in the world – acknowledged by all the Europeans – the only leader in the world that can talk to both [Putin and Zelenskyy] and bring them both to a meeting,” Rubio said Monday evening. “We should be proud that we have a president who has made peace a priority in his administration.”

5 key moments inside Trump’s ‘big day’ with Zelenskyy, European leaders

5 key moments inside Trump’s ‘big day’ with Zelenskyy, European leaders

After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week, President Donald Trump touted that he had a “very good meeting” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders at the White House on Monday. Trump, who has voiced he would like to put an end to mass bloodshed in Eastern Europe, called the multilateral meetings on Monday “a very good, early step for a War that has been going on for almost four years.” In a Truth Social post after the discussions, Trump wrote, “I had a very good meeting with distinguished guests,” and that “everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine.” Here are the top five takeaways from the president’s “big day” with European leaders. Monday’s summit marked a dramatic and noticeable shift from Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s now-infamous Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy in February. TRUMP SPARS WITH EUROPEAN LEADER DURING UKRAINE TALKS OVER KEY STEP TO PEACE During that meeting, the leaders were caught on camera getting into a heated argument over several topics, including Zelenskyy allegedly not being sufficiently grateful for U.S. support. On Monday, all the tension seemed to have disappeared. Both Trump and Zelenskyy were all smiles throughout the day, and the Ukrainian leader received a warm welcome from Trump’s Cabinet, including Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Both Zelenskyy and European leaders appeared more at ease with Trump throughout the day and took an optimistic tone. After the meetings, European Union President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X, “We are here, as allies and friends, for peace in Ukraine and in Europe. This is an important moment, as we continue to work on strong security guarantees for Ukraine and a lasting and durable peace.” Another marked shift from February was Zelenskyy breaking from his trademark jumpsuit attire to wear a suit, something he even joked with the press about while sitting in the Oval Office with Trump. Zelenskyy, who has been criticized for wearing casual attire to meetings with world leaders, wore all-black attire, including a button-down shirt and jacket.  TRUMP: ZELENSKYY MEETING NOT ‘END OF THE ROAD’ FOR US SUPPORT IN SECURING A PEACE DEAL “First of all… President Zelenskyy, you look fabulous in that suit,” a reporter told Zelenskyy after he sat down with Trump in the Oval Office.  “You look good,” the reporter said before Trump added, “I said the same thing.”  At another point during the Zelenskyy-Trump bilateral press meeting, the Ukrainian president ribbed a reporter for wearing the same suit he had in February. “You’re in the same suit. You see, I changed, you’re not,” Zelenskyy quipped as both he and Trump burst into laughter. On a more substantive note, Trump doubled down on his position that a ceasefire is “not needed” to broker a permanent peace between Ukraine and Russia. He cited his recent successes in negotiating peace agreements between other countries across the globe. “I don’t think you need ceasefire. You know, if you look at the six deals that I settled this year, they were all at war,” Trump said during his press conference with Zelenskyy. SENATE SIGNALS READINESS TO HIT RUSSIA WITH HARD SANCTIONS IF PEACE DEAL FAILS “I didn’t do any ceasefires,” he went on, adding, “And I know that it might be good to have, but I can also understand strategically why, you know, one country or the other wouldn’t want it.”  In a rare tense moment during the day, Trump clashed with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the need for a ceasefire. Speaking with Trump and other leaders gathered around a large conference table in the White House, Merz said, “To be honest, we all would like to see a ceasefire at the latest from the next meeting on,” adding, “I can’t imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire. So, let’s work on that.” He urged the leaders, “Let’s try to put pressure on Russia, because the credibility of this effort, these efforts we are undertaking today are depending on, at least, a ceasefire from the beginning of the serious negotiations from the next step on. So, I would like to emphasize this aspect and would like to see a ceasefire from the next meeting, which should be a trilateral meeting wherever it takes place.” In response, Trump shot back that he is determined “to go directly to a peace agreement” without a ceasefire, saying, “Well, we’re going to let the president [Zelenskyy] go over and talk to the president [Putin], and we’ll see how that works out.” NATO SECRETARY GENERAL TOUTS TRUMP TALKS WITH ZELENSKYY, EU LEADERS: ‘VERY SUCCESSFUL DAY’ In addition to Zelenskyy, seven major European leaders were present at the White House on Monday, a rare occurrence signaling a united European front and something Trump called an “honor” for the U.S. This follows Zelenskyy doubling down on Sunday that Ukraine will not agree to cede Crimea or any of its territory to Russia as part of a peace deal.   “Since the territorial issue is so important, it should be discussed only by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia at the trilateral [talks with] Ukraine, United States, Russia,” Zelenskyy said. Trump said that though the U.S. would be involved with providing Ukraine with security guarantees after the war’s end, he said going forward, Europe must take much of that “burden.” “I think that the European nations are going to take a lot of the burden,” Trump said. “We’re going to help them, and we’re going to make it very secure. We also need to discuss the possible exchanges of territory, taking into consideration the current line of contact. That means the war zone, the war line center. Pretty obvious. Very sad, actually, to look at them and negotiating positions.” Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe is aware that it will shoulder much of the weight of responsibility tied to various security guarantees — and acknowledged it is necessary

Transgender Democrat accuses Trump of ‘all-out assault’ against ‘American democracy’

Transgender Democrat accuses Trump of ‘all-out assault’ against ‘American democracy’

Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware, who identifies as a transgender woman, accused President Donald Trump of waging an attack against “American democracy.” “This president is taking notes from his favorite dictator. Let’s be clear: a president with popular policies wouldn’t need to illegally gerrymander districts, ban voting machines, or abolish vote-by-mail,” a Monday night post on the lawmaker’s @Rep_McBride X account declared. “This is an all-out assault not just on free and fair elections—but on American democracy itself.”  Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment early on Tuesday morning. TRANS DEM REP. MCBRIDE SUGGESTS PARTY WENT TOO FAR WITH TRANSGENDER AGENDA BEFORE PUBLIC WAS READY Trump, who has been aiming to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and multiple other European figures in Washington, D.C., on Monday after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. During an interview with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity on Friday after meeting with Putin, Trump said of the foreign leader, “Vladimir Putin, smart guy, said you can’t have an honest… election with mail-in voting.” TRUMP ANNOUNCES HE’LL HELM MOVEMENT TO ELIMINATE MAIL-IN VOTING AND VOTING MACHINES: ‘FIGHT LIKE HELL’ Trump declared in a Truth Social post on Monday that he will “lead a movement to” eliminate voting machines and mail-in balloting from U.S. elections. “WE WILL BEGIN THIS EFFORT … by signing an EXECUTIVE ORDER to help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections,” he declared in part of the lengthy post. TRUMP MOVES TO BROKER PUTIN-ZELENSKYY MEETING FOLLOWING DC PEACE TALKS “ELECTIONS CAN NEVER BE HONEST WITH MAIL IN BALLOTS/VOTING, and everybody, IN PARTICULAR THE DEMOCRATS, KNOWS THIS. I, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL TO BRING HONESTY AND INTEGRITY BACK TO OUR ELECTIONS. THE MAIL-IN BALLOT HOAX, USING VOTING MACHINES THAT ARE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER, MUST END, NOW!!!” the president exclaimed in another portion of the post.

Zohran Mamdani supporters unfazed by Trump’s ‘communist’ label, defend the candidate’s affordability fight

Zohran Mamdani supporters unfazed by Trump’s ‘communist’ label, defend the candidate’s affordability fight

Since Zohran Mamdani’s primary upset earlier this summer, the New York City Democratic mayoral nominee has been branded a “communist” by President Donald Trump.  Mamdani supporters, who spoke to Fox News Digital at a canvass launch in Prospect Park on Sunday, dismissed the term, arguing that his primary win represented more than arbitrary labels.  “It’s not necessarily communism that won the New York City primary, but the vision that he’s delivering for a more affordable New York,” Nina, a door-knocker wearing an “Educators for Zohran” T-shirt, said. “That’s what people voted for, and that’s what he won on, and that’s what he’s going to win on.” Mamdani is a self-described democratic socialist who has been endorsed by progressive leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. Trump was quick to label him a “100% Communist Lunatic” after Mamdani declared victory in June.  ZOHRAN MAMDANI LAUNCHES ANTI-TRUMP TOUR ACROSS FIVE BOROUGHS IN NEW YORK CITY Perry, another Brooklyn canvasser, flipped the script on Trump’s nickname for Mamdani, telling Fox News Digital to “look at the people who are saying he can’t do it or who are calling him a socialist or communist.” NY DEMS WHO HAVE YET TO ENDORSE MAMDANI UNITE IN HIS DEFENSE AGAINST TRUMP Bridget, a New York City teacher, and Perry both shook their heads in disagreement when asked if those labels worry them.  “It’s not about ideology,” Nicholas, a Mamdani supporter who volunteered in Prospect Park on Sunday for the campaign’s canvass launch, said. “It’s not trying to demonize these terms, communism and socialism, which, quite frankly, I think the American public does not have a very good idea of what those terms exactly mean.” Nicholas said Mamdani’s campaign is “much bigger than that.” Among the few dozen supporters who attended the canvass launch, many were teachers.  “I want a mayor who’s going to stand up for students,” Bridget said, telling Fox News Digital that it’s critical New York City has a mayor who is “going to fight against the Trump administration for the rights and safety of our students.” Mamdani concluded his “Five Boroughs Against Trump” tour across New York City last week, visiting a borough a day to spotlight how the Trump administration’s sweeping second-term agenda, on key issues including immigration and the economy, is impacting everyday New Yorkers.  “I have a lot of students coming from immigrant backgrounds who are worried about their safety, about their parents’ safety,” Nicholas said. “I have kids who are worried that ICE agents will come into the school and take them out of the classroom.” Nicholas explained that’s why having a candidate like Mamdani, who is committed to protecting immigrant communities from “what Trump and his cronies are trying to do, in disappearing people,” is so important to him.  “Having a mayor who stands up against that firmly and boldly, that’s why I’m out here,” he added. “That’s why I want Zohran to be mayor.” Perry said she supports Mamdani because he “has a large vision for the city,” particularly on housing.  “Let’s be big again,” Perry added, telling Fox News Digital that she loves his “upbeatness” and “openness,” the likes of which she said, “We haven’t seen in a while.” Mamdani has vowed to freeze rents if elected this November. He has accused Adams of appointing Rent Guidelines Board members to raise rents on stabilized apartments.  Former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s board voted to freeze the rent three times during his tenure.  Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who lost the primary to Mamadani, called the socialist’s plan to freeze rent “politically convenient posture,” and said such a move would hurt landlords, who would be “unable to maintain their buildings.” Nina said Mamdani’s campaign promises, including fast and free buses and universal child care, “address the affordability crisis in New York City” that creates a trickle-down impact on New Yorkers, like her high school students.  “I’m out here as an educator,” Nina said. “I’m here as a New Yorker who was raised here, who wants to stay here.” Under Mamdani’s leadership, Nina said she believes it’s possible.