❓WHAT HAPPENED: Rep. Nancy Mace announced her campaign to become South Carolina’s next governor, promising to bring a “Trump in heels” approach to the state.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Nancy Mace, fellow Republican candidates including Rep. Ralph Norman, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, and state senator Josh Kimbrell.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Mace launched her campaign on Monday, with the primary election scheduled for June 9, 2026, and a possible runoff on June 23, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’m the outsider, the fighter, Trump in high heels, and I’m running to hold the line, restore law and order, and put South Carolina First.” – Rep. Nancy Mace

🎯IMPACT: The race is expected to draw national attention, with Mace’s policy agenda focusing on law and order, eliminating state income tax, and advancing a Trump-like “America First” approach.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) officially launched her campaign to become South Carolina’s next governor on Monday, describing her candidacy as “Trump in heels” and promising to bring a bold, America First agenda to the state. The announcement sets up what is expected to be a high-profile Republican primary race.

Speaking to Breitbart News ahead of her campaign launch, Mace highlighted her legislative achievements in Congress, including passing the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act and securing a $195 million federal grant for South Carolina. “We’ve delivered real wins for South Carolina, and now I’m ready to bring the same fight home,” she said.

“I’m not the establishment’s pick. I don’t listen to political consultants, I never have,” she told Breitbart’s Bradley Jaye. “I’m the outsider, the fighter, Trump in high heels, and I’m running to hold the line, restore law and order, and put South Carolina First.”

Mace detailed her campaign priorities, which include eliminating the state income tax, expanding school choice, protecting women and children, and restoring law and order. “This isn’t a campaign, it’s a calling,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to ending what she called a “culture of coddling criminals and punishing victims.”

The Republican primary field already includes several prominent candidates, such as Rep. Ralph Norman, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, and state senator Josh Kimbrell.

Mace also addressed her complex history with President Donald J. Trump, who endorsed her primary opponent in 2022 but has since praised her as a “fighter.” She vowed to bring Trump’s America First policies to South Carolina, stating, “I’m the only candidate ready to bring President Trump’s America First agenda home to South Carolina. And like President Trump, I won’t flinch, I won’t fold, and I’ll never apologize for putting South Carolina First.”

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: MSNBC’s Morning Joe has seen its co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski absent for a significant portion of the summer, raising questions about the show’s future and leadership.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, MSNBC executives, and guest hosts like Willie Geist and Jonathan Lemire.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Since Memorial Day 2024, on MSNBC’s flagship program, Morning Joe.

🎯IMPACT: The extended absences of the show’s co-hosts have led to declining viewership and raised questions about MSNBC’s direction and priorities.

Since Memorial Day, MSNBC’s Morning Joe has seen its co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski absent from nearly two-thirds of its episodes. The show, which purports to thrive on the dynamic between its co-hosts, has aired on 49 business days during this period, but both Scarborough and Brzezinski have appeared together on only 18 shows — roughly 38% of the summer so far.

On 19 occasions, only one of the two hosts was present, and on 12 days, neither appeared at all. Brzezinski has missed 53% of the summer, while Scarborough has been absent for 37%. This pattern has led to speculation about their commitment to the show and its future, especially as MSNBC undergoes significant changes, including the launch of Versant, a new cable network.

Sources familiar with MSNBC’s internal dynamics suggest the absences may be a “power play,” with Scarborough and Brzezinski reminding the network of their influence. “Morning Joe doesn’t work without them,” one insider noted, highlighting the show’s declining ratings and lack of its signature dynamic in their absence. On Tuesday, the show averaged just 579,000 viewers, with only 53,000 in the key demographic.

While some network sources insist the time off is standard vacation, others point to larger issues. The show’s influence has waned across the political spectrum, with critics on the right dismissing it as partisan theater and some on the left questioning its relevance. The timing of these absences, amid a pivotal political season and MSNBC’s realignment, has fueled further speculation.

Morning Joe has long been a destination for political insiders, but its co-hosts’ extended time off raises questions about its future. As MSNBC shifts toward a streaming-first model, the absence of its flagship morning program’s stars could signal deeper challenges for the network.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Musk donated $15 million to Donald Trump’s Super PAC MAGA Inc. and other Republican congressional PACs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, MAGA Inc., Congressional Leadership Fund, Senate Leadership Fund.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Donations were disclosed in Federal Election Commission filings published on Thursday, covering activity through June 2023.

🎯IMPACT: Musk’s donations make him the largest individual contributor to the congressional PACs and raise questions about his political intentions.

Tesla billionaire Elon Musk donated $15 million to Donald Trump’s Super PAC MAGA Inc., as well as to the Congressional Leadership Fund and the Senate Leadership Fund, according to Federal Election Commission filings published on Thursday. Both funds are aimed at supporting House and Senate Republicans.

Musk spent nearly $300 million to support Trump and Republicans in their election bids in 2024. He also publicly displayed support for Trump by wearing a “dark MAGA” black hat ahead of the president’s re-election bid. In November, Musk was appointed to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

However, tensions between Musk and Trump emerged after Musk’s appointment. In June, the two exchanged insults on social media. Musk accused Trump of being in the Epstein files, while Trump responded by calling Musk a “big-time drug addict.” Although Musk later walked back some of his remarks, the relationship between the two remains strained.

Despite this, Musk has continued to make significant political contributions. On July 7, he announced the formation of his own political party, the America Party. Musk is the largest individual contributor to congressional PACs and has also contributed $45 million to America PAC, a super PAC he oversees.

The FEC filings released last week only cover Musk’s financial activity through the end of June, leaving open the possibility of additional contributions. Musk’s donations and political moves continue to draw attention and speculation about his broader political goals.

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