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Tag: 2024

glenn youngkin
September 28, 2023
William Upton
News
Politics

GOP Mega-Donors Beg Glenn Youngkin to Be Last Ditch ‘Dump Trump’ Candidate.

Republican Party mega-donors are soon to meet at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach, with some reportedly seeking to lure Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin into being a last ditch anti-Trump candidate in the GOP primary.

Youngkin – another client of repeat failure DeSantis strategist Jeff Roe – will probably hinge his decision on whether or not he is successful in holding off a Democrat effort to flip the Commonwealth’s lower legislative house in November.

Billionaire Thomas Peterffy said of Youngkin’s 2024 presidential ambitions: “He appears to be leaving the door open. And if Republicans win in Virginia, maybe we can talk him into it. He obviously wants to see what emerges, what the state of play is.”

Asked outright if he would “rule it out” in an appearance on Fox News on Thursday, Youngkin refused, and attempted to change the subject.

Peterffy told CBS News’ Robert Costa that “[t]he money would be there” for Youngkin should he decide to enter the Republican presidential primary. The continued efforts push Youngkin to run for president signals bad news for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who – despite his campaign’s insistence on its relevance – has languished in the polls. As talk of Youngkin heats up, the DeSantis campaign is likely to continue to lose donor support.

Anti-Trump Republican donors have long sought Youngkin’s entry into the 2024 race. Earlier this summer, Youngkin dined with and major Republican donors in the Hamptons were some pushed the Virginia Governor to enter the Republican presidential contest.

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Republican Party mega-donors are soon to meet at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach, with some reportedly seeking to lure Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin into being a last ditch anti-Trump candidate in the GOP primary. show more
chris nelson
September 28, 2023
William Upton
News
Politics

Top DeSantis Influencer EJECTED From GOP Debate After Harassing Kari Lake.

Florida blogger and Ron DeSantis campaign influencer Chris Nelson was ejected from the Republican primary debate in Simi Valley, California after harassing Kari Lake and other debate guests. In the hours prior to the event, Nelson posted a series of videos to X (formerly Twitter) that show him shouting at Lake and others. In one video, he can be heard ranting about former President Donald Trump – suggesting his supporters intend to make him ‘Emperor of the United States.’

Nelson has become a fairly regular figure among the DeSantis campaign’s online trolls, routinely attacking Trump supporters. Sources close to Nelson have told The National Pulse he receives his marching orders to behave in such a manner directly from Christina Pushaw, DeSantis’s “Rapid Response Director” who is also a registered foreign agent and amnesty advocate.

Nelson was a key figure in an online mob of pro-DeSantis accounts that celebrated the indictment of former President Donald Trump – other pro-DeSantis accounts even insinuated that Trump supporters would be joining him in prison. The same troll army recently attempted to weaponize Hurricane Idalia, falsely claiming President Donald Trump instructed his supporters — including a new mother in Congress — to not appear with the Florida Governor or promote the state’s response to the storm.

In 2017, Nelson’s ex-wife filed a restraining order against Nelson, whom she then accused of domestic battery. It appears Nelson has been legally barred from owning a firearm under the Baker Act due to drug and alcohol abuse, as well as mental health issues.

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Florida blogger and Ron DeSantis campaign influencer Chris Nelson was ejected from the Republican primary debate in Simi Valley, California after harassing Kari Lake and other debate guests. In the hours prior to the event, Nelson posted a series of videos to X (formerly Twitter) that show him shouting at Lake and others. In one video, he can be heard ranting about former President Donald Trump – suggesting his supporters intend to make him 'Emperor of the United States.' show more

Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
Nelson is a weird and clearly mentally unstable (and might I add, clearly estrogen-riddled) human being
for exclusive members-only insights
Nelson is a weird and clearly mentally unstable (and might I add, clearly estrogen-riddled) human being show more
for exclusive members-only insights
zelensky
September 26, 2023
William Upton
News
Politics
World

Ukraine’s First Lady Unsure If Husband Zelensky Will Run For Re-Election.

Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, appeared unsure during an interview if her husband would run for re-election in 2024 as the country continues to fight a war with Russia. Zelenska also indicated that she hasn’t always been as supportive of her husbands political aspirations.

“Even when he ran for the first time, I didn’t fully endorse it,” Ukraine’s First Lady told Margaret Brennan on CBS’s ‘Face the Nation’. “But if he runs again, if he runs for the second time, if he decided it is necessary — well, we have some experience, we’ve been there.” Zelenska’s emphasis on ‘if’ seemed to suggest that her husband was still weighing weather to seek re-election as leader of the war-torn country. She added that if Ukrainians “…no longer wish him to be the president, he will probably not run.”

The First Lady of Ukraine also seemed to suggest the 2024 elections in the country might not occur at all.

Western leaders like Dutch head of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, Tiny Knox, have encouraged Ukraine to move forward with their 2024 elections despite the country being under martial law. U.S. lawmakers like Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have also pushed for Ukrainian elections next year.

Ukrainian officials have said they believe holding open elections in the midst of the ongoing war may be impossible. At least one security official said in an interview that they believed the push for elections by Western leaders was a Russian conspiracy, adding, “There is no situation in which it is possible to have a democratic election during the war.”

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Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, appeared unsure during an interview if her husband would run for re-election in 2024 as the country continues to fight a war with Russia. Zelenska also indicated that she hasn't always been as supportive of her husbands political aspirations. show more
desantis
September 23, 2023
William Upton
News
Politics

Oil & Gas Workers Endorsed Trump Over DeSantis On the Day of Ron’s Big Energy Speech.

Just hours after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a speech on his proposed presidential energy policy, the 47,000 member Oil and Gas Workers Association announced they would be endorsing former President Donald Trump. In an interview Oil and Gas Workers Association President Matt Coday said, “Governor DeSantis says a lot of the right things, right, but his track record isn’t there.”

Coday said the association is backing Trump because of the former President’s America First polices enacted during his first presidential administration, including the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords and work to save American oil and gas jobs. With energy prices becoming a major issue for voters in the 2024 election, Coday says Trump’s strong track record puts him in the best position to win, noting under Trump’s leadership, “…Our economy boomed and benefited every American. We don’t have that today with Joe Biden in the White House. His intent and and obviously actions to kill our oil and gas jobs. They hurt our economy and threaten our national security.”

The association’s formal endorsement states:

“President Trump has been the most pro-American Oil & Gas Workers president ever, with 11.3 million jobs supported by our vital industry in 2019. Under President Trump’s leadership, our country became energy dominant. The booming economy of the Trump years benefitted every American.”

The DeSantis campaign has failed to gain traction since his late May announcement for president. A poll from CNN released earlier this week shows DeSantis falling to fifth place in New Hampshire – a 13 point from from their previous poll in the state. In Iowa, a state critical to the DeSantis campaign’s primary strategy, Donald Trump has secured double the number of signed caucus pledge cards as DeSantis.

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Just hours after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a speech on his proposed presidential energy policy, the 47,000 member Oil and Gas Workers Association announced they would be endorsing former President Donald Trump. In an interview Oil and Gas Workers Association President Matt Coday said, "Governor DeSantis says a lot of the right things, right, but his track record isn't there." show more
braun
September 18, 2023
William Upton
News

Indiana Senator Mike Braun Endorses Trump for President.

United States Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) has endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. In an interview, Braun said, “Donald Trump is a businessman and outsider… Donald Trump is the candidate capable of returning us to the America First policies that delivered unmatched prosperity and security for the American people,” before adding, “I give Donald Trump my endorsement for President of the United States.”

First elected in 2018, Braun became a staunch ally of former President Trump in the U.S. Senate – supporting Trump’s America First agenda including replacing the NAFTA free trade agreement with the more U.S. friendly USMCA, funding the construction of the border wall, and standing with Trump in opposing the corrupt 2020 elections. Senator Braun also opposed both efforts by Democrats to impeach former President Trump. In December of 2022, Braun announced he would not seek re-election to the U.S. Senate and would instead run for Governor of Indiana.

Trump has expanded his lead over the 2024 Republican primary field in recent weeks and additional endorsements from national conservative leaders are expected. Currently Trump has double the Iowa caucuses pledges of support than Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Polling indicates that Trump is running ahead of his nearest competitors by well over 20 points in each of the early Republican primary states.

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United States Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) has endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. In an interview, Braun said, "Donald Trump is a businessman and outsider... Donald Trump is the candidate capable of returning us to the America First policies that delivered unmatched prosperity and security for the American people," before adding, "I give Donald Trump my endorsement for President of the United States." show more
Disqualify Trump
September 14, 2023
News
Politics

14th Amendment Won’t Disqualify Trump, Says NH Secy of State.

New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan addressed concerns about former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on state ballots during a news conference this week, explaining there would be chaos, confusion, anger, and frustration if different states had different rules regarding ballot eligibility. New Hampshire’s filing period for candidates will run from October 11th to October 27th.

Opponents of Trump argue Section 3 of the 14th Amendment disqualifies him from appearing on the 2024 ballot due to his efforts to overturn the rigged 2020 election. Scanlan assured that if a candidate submits their paperwork during the filing period and pays the required fee, their name will appear on the ballot in the state.

Chairman of the state Republican Party, Chris Ager, expressed satisfaction with Scanlan’s remarks and stated that the 14th Amendment issue could be put to rest in New Hampshire. Bruce Breton, campaign co-chair in New Hampshire, echoed Scanlan’s comments, confirming that anyone who meets the requirements and pays the filing fee will be placed on the ballot, including Trump.

Earlier this month, a group of Minnesota voters filed a lawsuit seeking to remove Trump from the ballot, citing the insurrection clause of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Similar lawsuits have also been filed by voters in Colorado. Scanlan clarified that he is not seeking to remove any names from the presidential primary ballot in New Hampshire.

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New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan addressed concerns about former President Donald Trump's eligibility to appear on state ballots during a news conference this week, explaining there would be chaos, confusion, anger, and frustration if different states had different rules regarding ballot eligibility. New Hampshire's filing period for candidates will run from October 11th to October 27th. show more
desantis cortes
September 13, 2023
William Upton
News
Politics

DeSantis Spox Admits Trump’s Nomination ‘Seems Inevitable’.

Steve Cortes, the ” national spokesman” for the pro-DeSantis SuperPAC Never Back Down, has admitted a presidential rematch between Donald Trump and Joe Biden “seems inevitable,” during an appearance on the Chicago’s Morning Answer. While laying out the case for Florida Governor DeSantis, Cortes claims voters do not want to see a rematch of 2020, though let slip that Trump’s primary victory appears all-but-certain.

“You mentioned earlier about dissatisfaction with a Trump-Biden rematch. On most polling, roughly two-thirds of Americans… do not want that rematch. It is a rematch that nobody wants yet it seems at this moment to be inevitable,” Cortes told the radio hosts before going on to pitch DeSantis an alternative. The show hosts were quick to point out that much of the Republican establishment appears to have moved on from DeSantis, with many even favoring the candidacy of former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

“DeSantis is now not a clear-and-away second place candidate. He’s fighting for second place. And then whoever’s there, if they can establish some separation, then they’ve got 20, 30, 40 points to go to get to Trump.”

Cortes conceded the situation is “a tough one for Ron DeSantis.”

LISTEN:

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Steve Cortes, the " national spokesman" for the pro-DeSantis SuperPAC Never Back Down, has admitted a presidential rematch between Donald Trump and Joe Biden "seems inevitable," during an appearance on the Chicago's Morning Answer. While laying out the case for Florida Governor DeSantis, Cortes claims voters do not want to see a rematch of 2020, though let slip that Trump's primary victory appears all-but-certain. show more
fauci desantis trump
September 7, 2023
William Upton
News

DeSantis Dings Trump Over Fauci, But His Own Team Called for the ‘Doc’ to Get A Presidential Medal!

A public employee in the office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is criticizing former President Donald Trump for awarding Dr. Anthony Fauci a Presidential Commendation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeremy Redfern, who serves as the press secretary for DeSantis, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Apparently, someone on Truth Social is talking about tweets from April 2020. But hey, at least I didn’t give Fauci a medal in January 2021.”

The National Pulse’s editor-in-chief Raheem Kassam was quick to point out that Redfern himself was one of the first people to publicly call for Dr. Fauci to receive an award for his work during the pandemic – asking Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Tx.) on April 8, 2020 if the Congressman could encourage then President Trump to give Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

DeSantis, once an ardent supporter of pandemic lockdowns and COVID-19 vaccines made available through Operation Warp Speed, has attempted to portray himself as one of Dr. Fauci’s biggest critics in an effort to boost is long-shot 2024 presidential campaign.

Republicans, however, appear unconvinced – with DeSantis’s primary opponents frequently reminding voters that the Florida Governor was an early booster of Fauci’s pandemic response. In March of 2020, DeSantis stated: “And from Dr. Birx to Dr. Fauci to the vice president who’s worked very hard, the surgeon general, they’re really doing a good job. It’s a tough, tough situation, but they’re working hard.”

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A public employee in the office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is criticizing former President Donald Trump for awarding Dr. Anthony Fauci a Presidential Commendation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeremy Redfern, who serves as the press secretary for DeSantis, posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Apparently, someone on Truth Social is talking about tweets from April 2020. But hey, at least I didn't give Fauci a medal in January 2021." show more
desantis text
September 7, 2023
William Upton
News
Politics

RonGPT: DeSantis’s New ‘Secret Strategy’ is Just an AI ChatBot.

Never Back Down, the pro-Ron DeSantis SuperPAC, is launching a massive, $25 million text message campaign over the next two months targeting Republican voters in a desperate effort to catch up with the presidential primary front-runner, former President Donald Trump. Instead of a volunteer or campaign worker, however, voters who receive a text from Never Back Down will be interacting with an AI chat bot.

The shift in Never Back Down’s political messaging strategy is driven in part by fiscal constraints – the SuperPAC has struggled to reach its $230 million fundraising goal – and by the failure of its television and radio ad campaign to sway voters towards Governor DeSantis. Chris Wilson, the SuperPAC’s data director, claims the AI-powered text campaign is more efficient in reaching voters – noting that the text messages alone can reach 70 percent of their voter targets in Iowa.

Large scale text operations can be costly for political campaigns, however. The Federal Communications Commission bars the use of auto-dialers, meaning that each text messages be individually sent by a human operator. Never Back Down has outsourced this task to third-party vendors who typically charge a few cents per message. The SuperPAC’s AI chatbot will handle subsequent text interactions with voters.

The National Pulse previously reported on South Carolina resident Alan Johnson’s encounter with Never Back Down’s AI chatbot – while it was apparently still in testing. When Johnson, a computer programmer, realized that he was conversing with an artificial intelligence and not an actual human, he used a series of prompts to make the chatbot write him a song about former President Barack Obama.

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Never Back Down, the pro-Ron DeSantis SuperPAC, is launching a massive, $25 million text message campaign over the next two months targeting Republican voters in a desperate effort to catch up with the presidential primary front-runner, former President Donald Trump. Instead of a volunteer or campaign worker, however, voters who receive a text from Never Back Down will be interacting with an AI chat bot. show more

Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
At this point they’re barely even hiding that they’re just skimming this donor money with get rich quick schemes for Jeff Roe and his buddies’ firms…
for exclusive members-only insights
At this point they’re barely even hiding that they’re just skimming this donor money with get rich quick schemes for Jeff Roe and his buddies’ firms… show more
for exclusive members-only insights
pence populism
September 7, 2023
William Upton
News
Politics

Pence Trashes Populism, Having Been Elected on It in 2016.

Former Vice President Mike Pence denounced populism in a speech at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College on Wednesday. Speaking to a modest crowd, Pence warned, “A populist movement is rising in the Republican Party. This growing faction would substitute our faith in limited government, and traditional values with an agenda stitched together by little else than personal grievances and performative outrage,” before adding, “Should the new populism of the right seize and guide our party, the Republican party we have long known will cease to exist.”

Pence argued populism and progressivism “…are fellow travelers on the same road to ruin” while accusing former President Trump of abandoning conservative principles in his 2024 bid to retake the White House. In another swipe at Trump, Pence said: “Truth is, the Republican Party did not begin on a golden escalator in 2015.”

The former Vice President, who served in Trump’s presidential administration, has emerged one of the Republican frontrunner’s harshest critics since declaring his own candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Pence has focused his campaign on an aggressive push to restore the Republican Party’s support for pro-globalist policies like free-trade, open-borders, and reckless foreign military interventions.

Newt Gingrich, a former Republican House speaker and Trump ally, questioned Pence’s decision to criticize the populist movement: “Why would you attack populism if you’re trying to be the Republican nominee?… I mean, it’s now the base of the party.” Pence has so far struggled to gain any momentum for his presidential campaign and is yet to consistently poll any higher than single digits.

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Former Vice President Mike Pence denounced populism in a speech at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College on Wednesday. Speaking to a modest crowd, Pence warned, "A populist movement is rising in the Republican Party. This growing faction would substitute our faith in limited government, and traditional values with an agenda stitched together by little else than personal grievances and performative outrage," before adding, "Should the new populism of the right seize and guide our party, the Republican party we have long known will cease to exist."
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