Who’s in charge: The muddy history of the 50-50 Senate
There’s an old saw in baseball which says that the “tie goes to the runner.” If only it were that simple in the United States Senate. There is a very real chance that the Senate could be tied at 50-50 in the 119th Congress which begins in January. The Senate map in play next week definitely favors Republicans. Democrats currently hold a 51-49 edge. There are four independent senators who “caucus” with the Democrats, giving them operational control. USER’S MANUAL ON WHAT HOUSE RACES TO WATCH ON ELECTION NIGHT It’s widely believed that the party which controls the vice presidency automatically secures control of the Senate. But that’s far from automatic. It makes sense that the vice president – who Constitutionally serves as the President of the Senate and may break ties – should effectively grant Senate control to his or her party. There have been two Senate ties in recent history. One Senate tie was in 2001. The other one was in 2021-2023. But what unfolded in those instances is important to understand why awarding Senate control to the party of the vice presidency is not etched on a stone tablet. Moreover, those circumstances could help explain why it might be problematic to settle which party might control the Senate in 2025. Let’s first rewind. There was a tie in the Senate in 1881. There’s actually some interesting infighting and resignations of senators which explains the political machinations of that circumstance. There was also a tie in 1954 – and multiple switches in the majority/minority of senators between 1953-1955. That’s partially due to the death of nine senators over a short period of time. There have been two ties in the early 21st Century. But while one party or the other often had more members than the other side, there was no such thing as a “Majority Leader” or “Minority Leader” until the early 20th Century. Senators regarded the institution as a body of equals. So there was no reason to designate someone as “in charge.” But that changed a little more than 100 years ago, launching the contemporary Senate. In late 2000, the Senate arrived at its first tie in decades at 50-50. The final race called was a win by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., over late Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash., in December. Keep in mind that 2000 was also the year of the Florida election dispute involving the presidency. President George W. Bush topped Vice President Al Gore. Then-Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and then-Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., brokered a power-sharing arrangement. The 50-50 split, coupled with Vice President Dick Cheney, propelled Republicans into the majority. Lott was in charge. But the deal afforded Daschle some floor powers not typically granted to the Minority Leader. Republicans would chair Senate committees. But membership by Democrats on each committee was level with the GOP. The pact also included a key rider: If one side or the other actually garnered a formal majority at any time during the 107th Congress, then the deal was off and that party truly wielded a majority of the Senate. The level of comity between Lott and Daschle was instrumental to this agreement. And, all 100 senators agreed to the power sharing arrangement. One might ask why everyone was on board? Lott and Daschle earned the confidence of their members. Plus, Republicans knew that Democrats would outright block ANYTHING if they weren’t granted a sufficient voice. Meantime, Democrats agreed to the pact because the alternative meant they were relegated to the minority. Under these circumstances they were in the minority – but with an asterisk. Lott’s reed-thin majority was short-lived. By springtime, late Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-Vt., dropped his membership with the GOP. Jeffords became an independent and elected to caucus with the Democrats. Jeffords’ maneuver instantly propelled Daschle to Majority Leader. Control of the Senate for the 117th Congress wasn’t settled until early 2021. That’s when Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., defeated then-Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., to make it a 50-50 tie. President Biden captured the Presidency. Republicans were leery of being shut out like the Democrats worried in 2001. No fool he, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., insisted on the same power-sharing arrangement hammered out between Lott and Daschle two decades earlier. Democrats would serve as the majority party because of Vice President Harris. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., would be at the helm. But the GOP would enjoy some fruits of power in the minority, thanks to the 2001 deal. So what happens if there’s a tie in 2025? The Senate is steeped in custom and tradition. So if there’s a 50-50 deadlock, there’s a good chance a “Vice President Tim Walz” means Democrats are in charge. The same for the GOP if there’s a “Vice President JD Vance.” But we’re operating in a different political atmosphere these days. Granted, the power-sharing arrangements of 2001 and 2021 both emerged after disputed presidential elections. There was an interest in both instances to calm the waters in both of those episodes. But this time around? Who knows. What else could muddy the waters? Democrats are pouring money into Nebraska to boost independent Dan Osborn in his quest to defeat Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb. Osborn has made the race much closer than expected. But Osborn also says he won’t caucus with either party. That could negate the chances of the tie. It also raises the question about where the Senate might position Osborn’s desk in the chamber and whether he would serve on any committees. Independent senators have historically caucused with one side or the other. REPUBLICAN INCUMBENTS CRUZ, FISCHER HOLD NARROW LEADS IN TEXAS, NEBRASKA SENATE RACES: POLLS Then there’s the question about just how restive senators may be after the election. McConnell is relinquishing his leadership role. The declared candidates to succeed him are Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., former Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Tex., and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. It’s possible other senators could be
SEAL Team commander blasts ‘misguided and wrong’ claims contradicting Senate candidate’s bullet wound
EXCLUSIVE: A group of Navy SEALs who served alongside Montana Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy are defending him against questions surrounding the origins of a bullet wound he claims he got while fighting in Afghanistan. Sheehy, who is running to unseat Democrat Sen. Jon Tester, went to the emergency room after a reported fall in Montana’s Glacier National Park in 2015. During the visit, Sheehy reportedly was asked about a bullet wound in his arm, telling a National Park ranger that he had accidentally shot himself with a Colt .45 revolver while in the park — but Sheehy later revealed during his campaign that he actually suffered the injury while serving in Afghanistan in 2012. The story recently resurfaced after Dave Madden, a longtime Democratic donor who served with Sheehy, told the New York Times the Republican candidate was lying about his bullet wound during his time in the Navy. However, Sheehy’s own commanding officer, as well as a group of 19 Navy SEALs and EOD Techs who served with Sheehy and/or Madden, tell Fox News Digital exclusively that the claims attempting to contradict Sheehy’s bullet wound are “disgraceful.” MONTANA SENATE RACE SHATTERS SPENDING RECORDS AT $309 PER REGISTERED VOTER “Tim Sheehy’s reputation as a SEAL is one of excellence and bravery. He was a great teammate, a strong leader and, most importantly, a good friend to so many of our brethren,” the 19 SEALs and EOD Techs said in a joint-statement shared exclusively with Fox News Digital. The SEALS added that their statement was not a political endorsement, but rather an “endorsement of the truth and of the need for good men willing to stand up and lead America.” “Dave Madden’s attacks on Tim are slanderous, unbecoming of our community, disgraceful, and wrong. Dave has defined his post-military life by choosing to criticize the SEAL community and those who are respected within it for his own personal gain. Dave’s statements regarding Tim’s integrity and service on the battlefield are obviously politically motivated and flatly untrue. Dave was not even in Tim’s platoon during the events in question, let alone close with Tim, and his self-serving lies are pathetic.” The commanding officer of both Sheehy and Madden also defended Sheehy against critics. “Tim Sheehy’s reputation as a SEAL is one of total dedication, personal sacrifice, and bravery. Dave Madden’s statements about Tim are disgraceful, misguided, and wrong,” Mike Hayes, retired CDR and Commanding Officer of SEAL Team 2, told Fox News Digital. Sheehy told the Washington Post in April that he never reported it to his superiors to avoid an investigation, telling the outlet that he was unsure where the bullet came from and did not report the incident in an effort to protect his former platoonmates. MONTANA SENATE RACE, WHICH COULD DETERMINE MAJORITY, SEEING ‘INTENSE GROUND GAME OPERATION’: NRSC CHAIRMAN Madden, a Democratic donor according to election finance records, told the New York Times in an interview that he and Sheehy were previously close, and that the Senate candidate never mentioned having a bullet in his forearm — which prompted his skepticism about him receiving the wound overseas. Madden’s criticism caught wind and has since made headlines in the final weeks leading up to the key Senate race, as several polls show Sheehy leading by several percentage points. However, the interview is just one of Madden’s frequent criticisms against the Senate candidate via social media. “Tim was a better SEAL than I was, but that doesn’t mean he’s *moral*. I’ve rarely met someone with a more intense will-to-power. He has the kind of self-confidence that can only come from being raised with extreme wealth (PE family money), and he will tell Montana voters WHATEVER THEY WANT TO HEAR in order to arrive at his “rightful” position of power.” Madden wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in September. “I know Tim very, very well, and I’m glad you’re not voting for him,” another post made in January read. Fox News Digital reached out to Madden for comment. NSSF — the Firearm Industry Trade Association, released a statement defending Sheehy in that the firearm he was carrying in the park would not have discharged a round if it had been accidentally dropped. “The proper way to carry a single action Colt .45 revolver is with the hammer down on an empty chamber to prevent an unintended discharge should the firearm be accidentally dropped or fall. Based on the facts as we understand them, the park ranger found the revolver with the hammer down on an empty chamber. Therefore, it would appear Mr. Sheehy was following proper gun safety protocol. In which case, the revolver could not have discharged a round unintentionally even if it was accidentally dropped or fell,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for NSSF. The NSSF added that the gun Sheehy was carrying would have caused much more severe damage had he been shot in the park. “A point-blank discharge of a Colt .45 round would have caused extensive – and obvious – damage to Mr. Sheehy’s arm and would have required immediate medical attention, possibly including surgery, of the gunshot wound. If Mr. Sheehy were actually shot at Glacier as is alleged, it is unimaginable he would walk out of the hospital just a few hours later. For these reasons, we believe the allegation, as reported by the media, that Tim Sheehy’s single action Colt .45 revolver discharged when it fell or was dropped striking him in his arm is false and inaccurate.” “In smearing Tim Sheehy’s military record, Democrats and the media are dusting off a well-worn political playbook they developed during the Trump-era,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Communications Director Mike Berg, said in a statement. “They are ignoring the facts and trotting out left-wing partisans with wild last-minute claims to smear Sheehy before he has a chance to respond. The tactics being used against Tim Sheehy echo those employed against Donald Trump and Brett Kavanaugh. Montanans should reject these disgusting left-wing
Celebs, high-profile politicos and surprise attendees joined Trump at historic MSG rally
Former President Trump was joined by a bevy of high-profile politicians and celebrities at his historic Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday evening, including surprise attendees and speakers. “The anti-war/anti-inflation candidate,” “Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino posted to Instagram stories, alongside a video of Trump taking the stage at MSG. “I don’t vote for anyone I don’t vote for anyone Dick Cheney votes for!” Guadagnino was spotted in the front row of the sold-out rally on Sunday, sharing videos of top speakers and showering them with praise online, such as posting on Instagram that former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was “spittin facts” when she said a vote for Harris was a “vote for war.” A reporter with Semafor snagged a photo of Guadagnino in the front row, sharing it on X. Trump took the stage for the massive rally just after 7 p.m. on Sunday, where roughly 20,000 supporters managed to get a spot in the packed arena, with an estimated 20,000 more supporters gathered outside the Midtown Manhattan venue. NYC MAYOR WEIGHS IN ON TRUMP’S HISTORIC MSG RALLY AFTER 45’S GRACIOUS SHOUTOUT High-profile supporters touted Trump in prepared remarks ahead of the 45th president’s address, including a few surprise appearances. Former first lady Melania Trump, for example, introduced her husband at the rally in a surprise appearance where she lamented crime trends and a declining quality of life over the last few years, before looking toward the future under a potential second Trump administration. “Envision a wonderful America where the seeds of security, prosperity and health are sown once again for the benefit of our families. Let us start together with a shared vision that builds on American greatness. Let’s seize this moment and create a country for tomorrow, the future that we deserve,” she said. TRUMP, POWERHOUSE GUESTS ROCK PACKED MSG WITH HISTORIC RALLY Melania Trump took the stage while Guns n’ Roses’ “Paradise City” blared in the arena. She and Trump shared a hug and kiss when she introduced the 45th president to the stage during her rare campaign appearance. ELON MUSK, DANA WHITE TO APPEAR AT ‘HISTORIC’ TRUMP MSG RALLY For hours ahead of Trump’s remarks, high-profile supporters addressed the crowds, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, Dr. Phil McGraw, former Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, UFC CEO Dana White, Hulk Hogan, Sen. JD Vance and others. Elon Musk’s mom, model Maye Musk, was also spotted in the crowd, alongside Musk’s young son. TRUMP AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: ICONIC VENUE HAS PLAYED HOST TO MANY CAMPAIGN GATHERINGS NEAR ELECTION DAY McGraw, of “Dr. Phil” talk show fame, endorsed Trump during the rally, focusing his address on bullying, and how conservatives are frequently silenced by their political opponents. TRUMP PREPS FOR MASSIVE CAMPAIGN RALLY SUNDAY AT NEW YORK CITY’S MADISON SQUARE GARDEN “I’m not here just to stand up for Donald J. Trump. Lord knows, he doesn’t need me to stand up for him. He’s tough as an old army boot. He’s got lots of enemies, different groups that are scared, and between them, they have impeached him, indicted him, raided him, railroaded him, shot him and sued him. And where is he? He is still standing,” McGraw said at the rally. ELON MUSK COMES OUT IN SUPPORT OF TRUMP IN ‘DARK GOTHIC MAGA’ AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN “When you attack a citizen, and you use the power of the Internet, you use mob mentality, you incite people to gang up and cause boycotts, then it is beyond ugly,” he said. “And that is what is happening in this country right now, and that is not OK.” Kennedy, who is the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, dropped out of the presidential election in August after initially running as a Democrat, before he switched to an independent run. Kennedy endorsed Trump shortly after suspending his campaign, and has since hit the campaign trail while touting his plans to “Make America Healthy Again” under a potential Trump presidency. TRUMP TO HOLD RALLY AT NEW YORK’S MADISON SQUARE GARDEN AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY Kennedy unleashed on his former Democratic Party during his remarks Sunday, saying it has devolved into the party “of war.” “The Democratic Party is the party of war. It’s the party of the CIA. You had Kamala Harris giving a speech at the Democratic convention that was written by neocons. It was belligerent, pugnacious. It talked about domination of the world by the United States through our weapons of war. It’s the party today that wants to divide Americans. It’s a party that is dismantling women’s sports by letting men play women’s sports,” he said. WALZ REPEATS CLINTON ATTACK THAT TRUMP MADISON SQUARE GARDEN EVENT MIRRORED 1930S NAZI RALLY “It’s the party of Wall Street. It’s the party of Bill Gates, who just gave $50 million to Harris. It’s the party, and the Harris campaign is very proud that it received the endorsement of 50 former CIA agents and officers and of John Bolton and of Dick Cheney.” Musk sported his hallmark all-black “dark MAGA” hat, which he called his “dark gothic MAGA” look on Sunday. “Your money is being wasted. And the Department of Government Efficiency is going to fix that. We’re going to get the government off your back and out of your pocketbook,” Musk said, referring to his plans to serve as Trump’s “Secretary of Cost-Cutting” for the federal government if the 45th president is victorious next week. LAURA INGRAHAM REFLECTS ON TRUMP’S MADISON SQUARE GARDEN RALLY: WILL ‘FIGHT TO THE FINISH’ High-profile politicians were also in attendance on Sunday, including New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, and others. Stefanik, Johnson and Donalds also addressed the crowd in prepared speeches. Hulk Hogan, the retired professional wrestler and longtime friend of Trump’s, also took the stage during the rally, which
Fox News Politics: The Final Stretch
Welcome to the Fox News’ Politics newsletter, with the latest political news from Washington, D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. Here’s what’s happening… -Battleground state voting data reveals over 200K votes cast in red counties impacted by hurricane -Trump’s message moments before assassination attempt spurred me to action: Butler-area mayor -Trump supporters outside Madison Square Garden say ‘exhilarating’ rally shows NY is in play During the final week leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5, former President Trump is making two brief detours from campaigning in the crucial seven battleground states that will likely determine if the Republican nominee or Vice President Kamala Harris wins the 2024 election. On Thursday, which is Halloween, the former president will make a campaign stop in New Mexico, and Saturday he’ll visit Virginia. Both states were once key general election battlegrounds that have leaned blue the past two decades. In fact, you’ve got to look back 20 years – to President George W. Bush’s re-election – to find the last GOP presidential nominee to carry both states…Read more BIDEN’S BALLOT: Biden casts vote in Delaware, calls Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally ‘simply embarrassing’…Read more TWISTED SISTER: Catholic vote calls out Harris for photo with controversial Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence drag nuns…Read more ELECTION DAY PLOT: Top Republicans probe Biden admin on Afghan nationals’ alleged Election Day terrorist plot…Read more SENATE RACES NARROW: Republican incumbents Cruz, Fischer hold narrow leads in Texas, Nebraska Senate races: poll…Read more SEEING RED: Internal House GOP memo reveals confidence amid dead-heat presidential race…Read more ‘DOES NOT REFLECT’: Trump camp responds to backlash over comedian’s Puerto Rico joke at rally…Read more ‘LESS EFFECTIVE’: Pro-Harris super PAC warns against negative messaging that focuses too much on ‘Trump fascist’ label…Read more MIDWEST BATTLEGROUND: Michigan campaign stops from presidential candidates already double that of 2020, 2016…Read more VIRAL MOMENT: Apparent Harris supporter yelling at baby in stroller goes viral…Read more BAD BUNNY BACKLASH: Bad Bunny endorses Harris after Trump rally comedian jokes Puerto Rico is ‘floating island of garbage’…Read more ‘COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE’: NYC mayor weighs in on Trump’s historic MSG rally after 45’s gracious shout-out…Read more ‘HORRIBLY OFFENSIVE’: Walz repeats Clinton attack that Trump Madison Square Garden event mirrored 1930s Nazi rally…Read more BADGER STATE BATTLE: Trump, Harris nearly tied in battleground Wisconsin 8 days from Election Day, poll finds…Read more ‘POOR TASTE’: Pro-Trump comedian who told Puerto Rico joke at Madison Square Garden draws criticism from AOC, others…Read more PUMPING UP THE PRICE: Minnesota lawmaker says Walz gas tax increase will hurt lower-income residents the most…Read more ‘SHUT IT DOWN’: Texas makes major land buy to build additional border wall, tackle migrant surge: ‘Shut it down’…Read more ‘I DON’T GIVE A S—‘: Leaked video exposes Dem staffer admitting ‘quiet part out loud’ in fiery tirade: ‘Open the f—ing border’…Read more ‘SCARED’: ‘Scared’ and ‘traumatized’: Walz’s support for trans women in Minnesota’s only women’s prison ‘endangering’ inmates…Read more ‘DEPORTED TOGETHER’: Tom Homan says mass deportations possible without family separation: ‘Families can be deported together’…Read more HIGH COURT APPEAL: Virginia appeals to SCOTUS to reverse judge’s ruling putting potential noncitizens back on voter rolls…Read more WW3?: Former National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien: Ukraine’s NATO bid risks ‘World War III’…Read more ATOMIC INFLUX: China will double its nuclear arsenal to over 1,000 warheads by 2030, according to US intelligence…Read more Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Swing-state’s Supreme Court issues pivotal ruling on mail-in ballots sent without postmark
The Nevada Supreme Court ruled Monday that mail-in ballots without a postmark can be received and counted until four days after the election, the latest in a series of legal setbacks the court has handed to the Republican Party. The ruling upholds a lower court’s rejection of a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee seeking to challenge the legality of the post-election deadline for mail-in ballots received without a postmark. Plaintiffs had challenged the state’s decision to allow non-postmarked ballots to be counted four days after the election, the standard it allows for postmarked ballots, which they argued was “unconstitutional.” Their injunction to reject the ballots was struck down by a lower court earlier this year. LIVE UPDATES: TRUMP RIDES HIGH AFTER MSG RALLY AS HE AND HARRIS NEAR ONE WEEK TO ELECTION DAY The Nevada high court affirmed the lower court decision in its majority decision Monday, noting that the RNC had failed to demonstrate evidence to support its claims that the non-postmarked ballots were vulnerable to election fraud or favored one political party over another. Judges also agreed with the lower court’s contention that the RNC lacked proper standing to sue, and that the case was “inherently speculative.” BATTLEGROUND STATE’S HIGH COURT REJECTS GOP CHALLENGE TO PROVISIONAL BALLOT RULES “If a voter properly and timely casts their vote by mailing their ballot before or on the day of the election, and through a post office omission the ballot is not postmarked, it would go against public policy to discount that properly cast vote,” the majority of justices wrote in their opinion. It is unclear how many residents will be impacted by the decision. But it comes as Democrats have sought to position themselves as the party that supports free and fair elections, seizing on Republican lawsuits as a means of disenfranchising voters. Fox News Digital has reached out to the RNC for comment. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Media, Dems compare historic Trump MSG rally to ‘Nazi’ event, ignore Democrat events held there
Some liberal media outlets and Democrats have dubbed former President Trump’s massive Madison Square Garden rally a “Nazi” event – overlooking the venue’s storied history in the Democratic Party – including Bill Clinton’s acceptance of the Democrat presidential nomination in 1992 and the Democratic National Convention held there in 1924. MSNBC edited clips of a Ku Klux Klan rally held at Madison Square Garden in 1939 on Sunday as the Trump rally was taking place, likening the Republican frontrunner to a “fascist” leader and the rally something out of Adolf Hitler’s playbook. “But that jamboree happening right now, you see it there on your screen in that place, is particularly chilling because in 1939, more than 20,000 supporters of a different fascist leader, Adolf Hitler, packed the Garden for a so-called pro-America rally,” MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart said on air. TRUMP, POWERHOUSE GUESTS ROCK PACKED MSG WITH HISTORIC RALLY Hillary Clinton, the failed 2016 presidential candidate and former secretary of state, also made the comparison prior to Trump’s rally on Friday when speaking with MSNBC host Kaitlin Collins. Clinton called Trump a “fascist.” “Sadly, here in America, the term fits,” Clinton told the CNN host. “And you know, one other thing that you’ll see next week, Kaitlin, is Trump actually reenacting the Madison Square Garden rally in 1939.” The Washington Post also chimed in Monday, on a column entitled “Another night at the Garden: How Trump’s rally echoed one in 1939.” But there are other Democratic politicians who have courted votes at the Garden prior to Trump’s battle cry just a week before the election. In 1924, the Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden was a pivotal moment in U.S. political history, marked by intense factionalism and the upfront influence of the KKK. Several Democratic candidates that year had ties to or sympathies with the KKK. TRUMP AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: ICONIC VENUE HAS PLAYED HOST TO MANY CAMPAIGN GATHERINGS NEAR ELECTION DAY William McAdoo, a former secretary of the treasury and one of the major candidates for the DNC nomination, received the endorsement of the KKK. McAdoo was a prominent leader of the progressive movement at the time and played a key role in the administration of his father-in-law, Woodrow Wilson. Democratic politician Carter Glass, another candidate in the 1924 race, garnered support from Klan-aligned delegates. Al Smith, the first Catholic governor of New York, faced fierce opposition from these factions, who feared his nomination would alienate Protestant voters. After a chaotic 103 ballots, the convention ultimately nominated John W. Davis as a compromise candidate. Davis denounced the KKK during the 1924 general election campaign, which he lost to incumbent Republican President Calvin Coolidge. Davis later unsuccessfully argued in favor of the “separate but equal” doctrine in one of the companion cases to Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court case that outlawed segregated schools. ELON MUSK COMES OUT IN SUPPORT OF TRUMP IN ‘DARK GOTHIC MAGA’ AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN In 1932, another rally at Madison Square Garden was held in support of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Democratic candidacy for the presidency. The event took place during the Democratic National Convention, which was officially held in Chicago. Then, in 1992, Democratic candidate Bill Clinton was officially nominated as the party’s presidential candidate at the Garden. In 1980, the DNC nominated President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale for re-election at the historic venue. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Vice President Kamala Harris said Trump “fans fueld of hatred” in response to questions from a reporter before boarding Air Force Two on Monday regarding comparisons made to the 1929 Nazi rally held at Madison Square Garden, as well as a joke made about Puerto Rico by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during the event. “This is not new about him, by the way. What he did last night is not a discovery. It is just more of the same, and it may be more vivid than usual,” Harris said. “Donald Trump spends full-time trying to make Americans point their finger at each other.” “He fans the fuel of hatred and division, and that’s why people are exhausted with him. That’s why people who formerly have supported Donald Trump and have voted for him are supporting me, voting for me. People are literally ready to turn the page,” she added. While the current Madison Square Garden facility opened in 1968, the historic venue dates back to 1879, finding its home in different buildings at various points in its 145-year history. Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagerstrom contributed to this report.
CatholicVote calls out Harris for photo with controversial Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence drag nuns
FIRST ON FOX – A leading conservative Catholic advocacy organization is calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to denounce a controversial drag group whose members dress like nuns and mock Christian symbols. CatholicVote has released a $100,000 targeted ad on Monday that features photos and videos of Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, attending San Francisco Pride in 2019, where she appeared on stage with members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The Sisters, a 501(c)3 “Order of queer and trans nuns,” is made up of performers in drag who wear traditional religious habits and advocate for LGBTQ issues. Critics have called them an “anti-Catholic hate group.” The 30-second ad shows clips of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence performing while soundbites accuse the group of dressing “in lewd imitation of Roman Catholic nuns that intentionally mock and degrade Christians.” It concludes by stating, “Kamala Harris stands with they/them, not with you,” echoing a line from one of former President Trump’s attack ads, which hits Harris over her support for transgender athletes playing in women’s sports. CatholicVote says the ad will be texted directly to one million Catholic voters in swing states and sent to 750,000 activist subscribers of its email newsletter, “The Loop.” PRO-LIFE GROUPS SLAM HARRIS FOR UNCOMPROMISING ABORTION POSITION: ‘CHRISTIANS ARE NOT WELCOME’ It’s the latest example of conservatives accusing Harris of a history of anti-Catholic political rhetoric and actions that Republicans hope will sway the critical voting bloc to their cause on Election Day. Harris came under fire from Catholic groups last week after she snubbed the Al Smith dinner, a bipartisan fundraiser for Catholic charities typically attended by both major party candidates. She has also been hammered by pro-life groups for her uncompromising position on abortion rights, telling NBC’s Hallie Jackson in an interview she does not support religious exemptions for faith-based health care providers who do not want to be forced to perform abortions. “Kamala Harris has finally lost the Catholic vote,” Trump asserted Friday on his Truth Social platform. “Her and the Democrat’s persecution of the Catholic Church is unprecedented! Her poll numbers have dropped like a rock, both with Catholics, and otherwise.” The Harris campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. HARRIS’ CATHOLIC DINNER SNUB IS JUST THE LATEST IN CAREER FULL OF SWIPES AT THE FAITHFUL, CRITICS CHARGE The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was the focus of national controversy last year when the Los Angeles Dodgers chose to honor the LGBTQ charity with an award on the field of Dodger Stadium during Pride Month. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) called the decision “blasphemy” at the time. CatholicVote started a $1 million advertising campaign that urged the faithful to boycott the baseball team over its support for the Sisters. Video from SF Pride Main Stage shows Harris, then California’s junior senator, being introduced on stage at San Francisco Pride 2019 by LGBTQ activist Sister Roma, a gay pornography director who, according to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence website, has served as Master of Ceremonies on the main stages of SF Pride, Folsom Street Fair, Castro Street Fair and Easter in the Park, “where she hosts the infamous Hunky Jesus Contest.” Dressed in a rainbow outfit, Harris delivered brief remarks at the Pride event, celebrating San Francisco’s prominent role in the movement for LGBTQ rights and her own record supporting same-sex marriage. She reminded the crowd that she officiated the marriage of Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, a lesbian couple, at San Francisco City Hall. Perry and Stier were the original plaintiffs in a lawsuit that successfully overturned California’s Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that said, “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” “We will fight to pass the Equality Act in America,” Harris said, referring to legislation that would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. “We will fight to end HIV/AIDS in America. We will fight for our transgender brothers, sisters in America. And we will always stand for equality.” CATHOLICVOTE LAUNCHES $1M CAMPAIGN CALLING FOR LA DODGERS TO BOYCOTT OVER ANTI-CATHOLIC DRAG QUEENS A picture of Harris posing with Sister Roma at the event is featured prominently in the CatholicVote ad. CatholicVote President Brian Burch called the Sisters “one of the most vile, bigoted and offensive anti-Catholic organizations in America,” though the group denies that it mocks religious women or is a threat to people of faith. “They’ve used the crucifix as a sex prop, mocked the Virgin Mary and used Christian symbols as sex toys,” Burch told Fox News Digital in an interview. “And yet, Kamala Harris proudly stood with them and their founder. We are calling on Kamala Harris to disavow this highly offensive anti-Catholic hate group.” Roma told Fox News Digital the Sisters are a “peace-loving, inclusive, compassionate, and charitable organization with members who devote their lives to community service, fundraising, and activism.” “While many of our members adopt the iconography of a Nun, we do not mock religious women or advocate or practice hatred, hostility, or violence toward members of any religion,” Roma said. “We are a reflection of the communities we serve, working tirelessly to minister to the sick, feed the hungry, fight for civil rights, raise money for important causes and charities, promulgate universal joy, and expiate stigmatic guilt. “The Sisters’ existence is not a threat to Catholics or any person of faith. The problem arises when people choose to interpret scripture in order to weaponize their religious beliefs and threaten the rights and even the existence of queer and trans people. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have always shone a light on the hypocrisy of many people who claim to be Christian but whose actions are anything but ‘Christ-like.” Burch insisted that most Catholics feel differently and demanded that Harris apologize for appearing on stage with Roma. “The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are this terrible, vile, hateful, anti-Catholic group. And she stood with them. She needs
Why Trump is making last-minute stops ahead of Election Day in two blue-leaning states
During the final week leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5, former President Trump is making two brief detours from campaigning in the crucial seven battleground states that will likely determine if the Republican nominee or Vice President Kamala Harris wins the 2024 election. On Thursday, which is Halloween, the former president will make a campaign stop in New Mexico, and Saturday he’ll visit Virginia. Both states were once key general election battlegrounds that have leaned blue the past two decades. In fact, you’ve got to look back 20 years – to President George W. Bush’s re-election – to find the last GOP presidential nominee to carry both states. So why, with time such a precious commodity for presidential campaigns and the clock quickly ticking toward Election Day, is Trump spending time in New Mexico and Virginia? CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE 2024 ELECTION Unlike his large rallies on Sunday in New York City and two weeks ago in southern California – deep blue states the Trump campaign has no illusions of flipping – the former president and his team see opportunities in Virginia and New Mexico. “As President Trump has said, he will be a president for all Americans, including those in traditionally blue states that Kamala Harris and the Democrats have left behind. Kamala Harris’ dangerously liberal policies have failed Americans across the country – from the Bronx, to Virginia, and New Mexico – which is why President Trump is bringing his America First message and vision for hardworking families right to their front door,” Republican National Committee spokesperson Anna Kelley argued in a statement to Fox News. WHAT THE MOST RECENT FOX NEWS POLLS SHOW IN THE HARRIS-TRUMP SHOWDOWN There hasn’t been an abundance of polling in New Mexico, but most recent surveys indicate Harris with an upper single digit lead over Trump, although one survey suggests a tighter contest for the state’s five electoral votes. “Trump is wasting his time coming to our state as polling shows New Mexicans are set to reject his MAGA extremism and divisive rhetoric yet again,” Democratic Party of New Mexico spokesperson Daniel Garcia claimed in a statement. And referring to the Oct. 31 stop in Albuquerque by the former president, Garcia took a verbal shot at Trump, saying “a rotund orange mass will be in Albuquerque on Halloween, and we’re not talking about a pumpkin.” Trump hasn’t set foot in New Mexico in five years. It’s a different story in Virginia, where the former president held a large rally in the southeastern corner of the state in June. Trump on Saturday holds a rally in Salem, Virginia, in the conservative southwestern corner of the commonwealth. DEADHEAT BETWEEN HARRIS AND TRUMP WITH ELECTION DAY CLOSING IN Polls in the state indicate the Democratic presidential nominee holding anywhere from a lower double-digit lead to a slight lower single digit edge over the former president. “We have a really good chance to win Virginia – hasn’t been won in decades by a [GOP] presidential candidate,” Trump told Virginia Republicans in a September tele-rally. It’s an argument that Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia is also making. But there may be another contributing factor to Trump’s stop in Virginia. Trump on Friday pilloried a federal judge’s ruling that Virginia must restore more than 1,500 people to the state’s voter rolls, with the former president falsely claiming Harris was behind the decision and charging that it amounted to “election interference.” The state of Virginia on Sunday filed an emergency stay application to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the lower court ruling, which halted the state’s efforts to remove suspected noncitizens from the voter rolls. Veteran Virginia-based political scientist David Richards of the University of Lynchburg told Fox News that “based on all the polling I am seeing, it is not clear that this rally will help Trump win Virginia.” “But I think he has bigger ambitions by coming to central Virginia. I think he wants to capitalize on the judicial decision to reinstate voters who have not met the citizenship requirements or had not checked the correct box, and were picked up by a general sweep of registered voters in Virginia,” Richards said. “This plays into his general story about illegal immigrants trying to vote in the election. I think he is seeking a national audience, not necessarily just a Virginia audience, by coming and doing a rally here.” Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
‘Shut it down’: Red state makes massive land buy to ramp up border wall efforts amid migrant surge
FIRST ON FOX: The state of Texas has taken another major step in its efforts to build a wall at its border with Mexico, acquiring a 1,400 acre ranch along the Rio Grande in a key area that officials say has seen human trafficking, as well as weapons and drug smuggling. The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has acquired the ranch in Starr County, in Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Sector, which saw some of the highest levels of migrant traffic. The state will now use that land to build additional border wall. Gov. Greg Abbott announced in 2021 funding for a state project to continue construction of a wall after the Biden administration abruptly ended the Trump-era project. Abbott has also built a floating buoy barrier in the Rio Grande. His administration has linked the barriers, and a broader effort by the state, to a drop in apprehensions. BATTLEGROUND STATE RANCHER ‘OUTRAGED’ BY BIDEN STOPPING WALL CONSTRUCTION AS MIGRANTS POUR INTO US Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham told Fox News Digital that the Texas Facilities Commission, responsible for building the wall, requested the property. It now means that the GLO owns two pieces of land on the border in Starr Country encompassing more than 4,000 acres. “They said, ‘Look, it’s in the main area of where we’re seeing the traffic across the border. We have terrible things happening on this piece of property. The current owner is not only blocking the border wall, but she is blocking law enforcement’s access to that property,’” she said. “‘And to really get complete operational control of the border, we really need to control this piece of ground.’ So we made her an offer. We found a way to purchase her ranch from her.” Buckingham said the state has already been out with bulldozers on the property, and she believes construction will begin quickly. While it is one piece of a broader border security effort, Buckingham said there has been “a massive amount of human traffic” on the property. Her office said the acquisition includes trees that have served as “rape trees,” where migrants would display women’s clothing as trophies after abuse. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS “It’s at an area of great impact, it’s in an area where we see lots of people coming across all of the time, not only seeing the people coming across, but seeing those women and children who are abused and victimized. We’re seeing drugs. We’re seeing weapons. We’re seeing all kinds of things coming across this particular part of the border,” she said. “In fact, when we were touring it [Thursday], lots of trash everywhere. You can tell there have been a lot of people through there. So we think that this barrier, this wall that the Texas Facilities Commission will build, will help to control that traffic and hopefully shut it down.” Buckingham noted that it’s in addition to other moves made by Texas, including a recent declaration of Fronton Island to be state property, so that the area can be secured from illegal crossings. “But we’re excited to see the progress made on this ranch. We’re excited that it will have a positive impact on the mass migration that’s happening across our border, and that’s what we want,” she said. The move comes at a time when immigration and illegal immigration are top topics for the presidential election. Former President Trump has promised to restart border wall construction if re-elected. Vice President Kamala Harris has put her support behind a Senate border bill introduced this year that would include funding for border agencies, including some limited border wall construction. Fox News’ Emma Woodhead contributed to this report.
Trump supporters outside Madison Square Garden say ‘exhilarating’ rally shows NY is in play
Ardent supporters of former President Trump say Sunday’s campaign rally at Madison Square Garden was a bold statement that their movement is penetrating deep blue areas like New York City. “Donald Trump is in play in every state,” Pennsylvania resident John Nolan told Fox News Digital outside the famed arena ahead of the rally. “The guy pulls numbers no matter where he is. I mean, people drove from all over to get here and his supporters are here.” “Absolutely,” Westchester, New York, native Alexa Brink told Fox Digital when asked if other New Yorkers she knows will vote for Trump. “All day long. Let’s go Trump!” She added that she wasn’t sure if Trump could win New York, but said, “We’ll try!” While New York is home to multiple competitive U.S. House races, Republicans are not widely expected to win the state in the presidential race. It has gone Democratic each presidential election since Ronald Reagan won it for the GOP in 1984. TRUMP, POWERHOUSE GUESTS ROCK PACKED MSG WITH HISTORIC RALLY The mood outside the famed arena was at fever pitch as droves of supporters descended on the Big Apple’s streets and waited anxiously to see if they would gain entry to the 19,500-seat venue. Police say many were turned away, with Donald Trump Jr. claiming that nearly 200,000 people tried to gain access to the rally, which featured a handful of high-profile speakers ahead of Trump’s remarks, including former first lady Melania Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White. Melissa Elsner and Luke Ordino traveled from New Jersey and said they weren’t surprised at the size of the huge crowds that descended on “The Worlds’ Most Famous Arena.” “No, absolutely not, because we are the majority, even though the news often tries to tell us we are not,” Elsner said, adding that the economy, illegal immigration and education are her top three issues going into this election. “Come on, Donald Trump can pull off anything in New York,” Elsner added. One woman, Barabara Walsh, said she even traveled from Ireland to attend the much-anticipated event. A group of young Jewish supporters were in boisterous form in front of the stadium’s main entrance as they waited in line. “USA, USA, USA,” they chanted, jumping up and down and waving an Israeli flag. “We’re here because we got to Make America Great Again, we need Trump back in the house to bring the hostages back… we need a good economy, no more wars… Kamala Harris keeps on flip-flopping,” 17-year-old Tzvi Schoch said. ELON MUSK, DANA WHITE TO APPEAR AT ‘HISTORIC’ TRUMP MSG RALLY “Everybody was better… under Donald J. Trump than they are now, inflation is sky high, under Trump it was 1.9%. We need Trump back in office, we need the wall built, we need the illegal aliens that are taking our taxpayer money out of the country. We need a president that’s strong… and not be like Biden, like Harris. Sometimes peace comes through strength.” “Trump protects the Jews,” yelled fellow 17-year-old Mendel Steigman, who said he and his friends have been victims of antisemitic attacks and insists Trump is a friend of Israel. Another animated rally-goer named Anas Shuaib, a Palestinian Muslim-American who has been living in America for 25 years, said that on Nov. 5 voters will tell Harris, “You’re fired, you’re fired, you’re fired.” “The Arabs are voting for Trump!” Shuaib said. “When Trump becomes president, there’s going to be peace, there’s going to be prosperity and America first! He’s going to end the war in the Middle East and he’s going to throw you out of the White House.” Latin American New Yorker Belio Martinez was holding a poster with Trump’s now infamous mugshot with “Never Surrender” written on it. He said the various court cases against the 45th president “solidified” his support for Trump. The rally ended just after 8:30 p.m. with the crowd treated to a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” Outside, New York City residents Maria Coletta and Rhonda Gottlieb said the rally was their first and it did not disappoint. TRUMP PREPS FOR MASSIVE CAMPAIGN RALLY SUNDAY AT NEW YORK CITY’S MADISON SQUARE GARDEN “The energy of the crowd, the speakers, the issues that were addressed, it was absolutely exhilarating,” Gottlieb said, proudly holding a “Trump-Vance” poster. “I think the symbolism of it is just fantastic because New York City is a blue city and him coming in and having such a turnout, I mean it was packed, it was filled and there were thousands outside. I think a lot of the blue cities are becoming more and more red because at a certain point the extremism of the Democrats – the defund the police, the transgender[ism] – all of the issues just push normal common sensical people to the right.” Gottlieb said she was once a “left-wing person,” but many years of studying issues like racial and sexual politics moved her to the right. Edward X. Young said he has been to 102 Trump rallies and Sunday’s was very important because Trump was loved by nearly everyone in the city before he got into politics, but the deep blue city turned against him. Young, who lived in the Big Apple from 1983 to 1990 and now resides in New Jersey, said the rally showed that New Yorkers are back in the former president’s corner. “Trump was New York City’s favorite son, he was beloved. In the last election cycle, there was not even a rally in the city… but he came back big time,” said Young, who said he met his fiancé at a Trump rally. “Four or five years ago if I wore MAGA gear around the Bronx I‘d get my butt kicked, but no, the local people love him and it’s obvious why… it’s because the Democrats, they went too far,” Young said, noting that it has become harder for working-class people in the city to survive. J Mellz,