All articles tagged with #rnc convention
Late-night hosts mocked the Republican National Committee’s underattended midterm convention in Dallas and the controversy surrounding New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s 9/11 remembrance. Simultaneously, Jimmy Kimmel is negotiating a new one-year contract with ABC amid declining ad revenue and political pressure from the FCC.
President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he would consider granting a pardon to former attorney Michael Cohen, provided his application checks out. The comments were made as Trump departed for the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas, where Cohen was also present to broadcast live. This potential clemency follows a recent public reconciliation between the two, including a joint radio interview last month. Cohen, who previously testified against Trump in the 2024 hush-money trial, has submitted a pardon application to the White House after being denied one by the Biden administration. While Trump acknowledged the reconciliation, he noted that Cohen has not fully recanted his prior testimony, despite claims to the contrary. A pardon could mitigate federal consequences of Cohen’s 2018 convictions, though it would not restore his law license.
The coming week in American politics is marked by a convergence of high-profile events, including the first anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and the Republican National Committee’s first midterms convention in Texas. These events are expected to amplify existing political divisions, with the RNC convention featuring speeches by President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, while the 9/11 anniversary is overshadowed by debates over the attendance of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The week also includes a Turning Points USA tour of college campuses, which has drawn criticism for its xenophobic messaging. Meanwhile, the Iran conflict continues to impact U.S. foreign policy, with recent apologies from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over inaccurate death tolls and ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice's 60-pound English bulldog, Babydog, stole the spotlight at the Republican National Convention, drawing cheers and chants from the audience. Babydog, already a local celebrity, has been a prominent figure in Justice's political activities, including his Senate campaign and a vaccination sweepstakes. Justice, heavily favored to win a U.S. Senate seat, has embraced Babydog's popularity, using her image in campaign materials and merchandise.
Republican officials are frustrated with the Secret Service's refusal to move a designated protest zone farther from the site of the upcoming RNC convention in Milwaukee, citing safety concerns. Despite GOP efforts to expand the security perimeter, the Secret Service maintains that the current plans are based on a threat assessment and leaves the decision to local authorities. Milwaukee officials and some protest groups are also at odds over the protest zone's location, leading to a contentious debate ahead of the convention.