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Monday, February 23, 2026

Tag: 2028 Election
February 9, 2026
News
Politics

Cruz Brags Newsmax CEO Ruddy, Seeking to Cripple Local News, Will Endorse Him in 2028.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) reportedly told donors that Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy would support his potential 2028 presidential bid.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senator Ted Cruz, Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, local news companies Ruddy is trying to cripple, and Vice President J.D. Vance as a likely 2028 presidential candidate.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Cruz’s comments were reportedly made at a fundraiser late last year; Ruddy is set to testify before Cruz’s Senate committee on Tuesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Neither [Chris Ruddy] nor Newsmax have made any pledge of support for any candidate in 2028,” said a Newsmax spokesman.

🎯IMPACT: Ruddy’s endorsement, if it materializes, could provide Cruz with a significant media platform, with Cruz possibly helping Ruddy’s efforts to prevent local news from competing with corporate national broadcasters.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) privately told donors that Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy would support a potential Cruz presidential campaign in 2028, according to a donor’s account. The comments were reportedly made as Ruddy was preparing to testify before Cruz’s Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation at a hearing titled “We Interrupt This Program: Media Ownership and the Digital Age.” Notably, Ruddy is currently seeking to sabotage a merger between Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA, crippling the ability of local news to compete with corporate national broadcasters.

The Newsmax CEO has emerged as a leading opponent of the proposed merger between Nexstar and Tegna, arguing the deal would exceed federal broadcast ownership limits and consolidate power among left-leaning media companies. However, Ruddy has denied making any commitment to Cruz, with a Newsmax spokesman saying, “Neither he nor Newsmax have made any pledge of support for any candidate in 2028.”

President Donald J. Trump has taken the opposite position to Ruddy on the merger, urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval of the deal on Truth Social. “We need more competition against THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks,” he wrote.

Trump’s endorsement of the merger places Ruddy, in opposition, alongside far-left Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Maxwell Frost and Summer Lee.

Cruz, who chairs the Senate committee overseeing communications policy, has not publicly staked out a position on the proposed merger. However, he has often criticized the FCC under President Trump’s appointees, criticizing FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr for questioning ABC’s broadcast license over comments by Jimmy Kimmel blaming conservatives for the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk.

Cruz is weighing a possible 2028 presidential run that would likely place him in a Republican primary against Vice President J.D. Vance as the de facto neoconservative throwback candidate. Cruz has privately criticized Vance, with leaked audio capturing him calling the Vice President a “pawn” of Tucker Carlson.

Vance, for his part, has said he plans to discuss a potential 2028 campaign with Trump after the midterm elections, while emphasizing that his current focus is governing.

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January 22, 2026
News

Trump Teases ‘Fourth Term’ in Post-Davos Victory Lap.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump hinted at a “fourth term” after his appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzerland.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald J. Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and European leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 22, 2026, on Trump’s Truth Social platform.

💬KEY QUOTE: “RECORD NUMBERS ALL OVER THE PLACE! SHOULD I TRY FOR A FOURTH TERM?” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump’s comments will spark discussions about potential constitutional amendments to continue his presidency.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has teased the possibility of a “fourth term” following his appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzerland. During the summit, he underscored his determination to acquire Greenland from Denmark, and called out Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for threatening “boots on the ice” in support of the territory. He also advised European leaders opposing the U.S. on Greenland, including Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron, to focus on their energy and mass migration crises rather than on U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere. Ultimately, NATO chief Mark Rutte announced that the “framework” of an agreement with the President on Greenland had been reached at the summit.

Writing on his Truth Social platform following Davos, Trump wrote, “RECORD NUMBERS ALL OVER THE PLACE! SHOULD I TRY FOR A FOURTH TERM?” This remark has generated significant attention and debate about his intentions.

As only the second American president in history to serve two non-consecutive terms, Trump often alluded to a third term. His mention of a fourth term likely references his belief that he was the rightful President during Joe Biden’s tenure, due to the 2020 election being rigged.

While Trump has dismissed the idea of running for vice presidency in 2028 as part of a novel attempt to bypass term limits, he has expressed enthusiasm for another term if it becomes permissible. MAGA stalwarts such as WarRoom host Stephen K. Bannon continue to advocate for Trump’s candidacy in 2028.

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January 19, 2026
Politics

Newsom’s Newest Move Against GOP House Majority Poses Serious Threat to Trump’s Agenda.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) scheduled a special election to fill the vacant seat of the late Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) on the latest possible date under state law.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov. Gavin Newsom, late GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa, and voters in Northern California.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The special election is set for August 4 in Northern California.

🎯IMPACT: The vacancy adds to the challenges faced by Republicans’ narrow House majority in passing President Donald J. Trump’s legislative agenda.

IN FULL

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA)—a leading contender for the 2028 Democrat presidential nomination—has scheduled a special election to fill the open seat of the late Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) on August 4, 2026. This is the last possible date permissible under state law for the vacancy to be filled.

Notably, the move by Newsom appears aimed at further complicating the legislative process for House Republicans on Capitol Hill, as the prolonged vacancy will deprive GOP leaders of a critical vote in their already slim majority. Republicans have faced an increasingly difficult time passing major legislation in the House, holding just 218 seats to the Democrats’ 213, with two Republican and two Democrat vacancies.

Further, Rep. Thomas Massie‘s penchant for defecting to the Democrats on critical votes means the House GOP effectively operates with an effective one- or two-vote majority on most floor action. The winner of the California special election will only serve the remaining months of the term, which expires in early January 2027. LaMalfa passed away on January 6 at the age of 65.

The delayed special election is just the latest maneuver by Newsom to position himself for a 2028 presidential primary run, by embracing hyperpartisan tactics to tilt the midterm election in the Democrats’ favor in an effort to appeal to the more radical elements of the party’s base. Last November, California voters backed Newsom’s Proposition 50, a ballot measure that temporarily suspends the state’s independent redistricting commission and allows the legislature to redraw congressional districts, potentially creating five additional Democratic seats ahead of the 2026 congressional midterm elections.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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December 16, 2025
News
Politics

Rubio Pledges to Support Vance If He Runs in 2028.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he would not run for President in 2028 if Vice President J.D. Vance seeks the Republican nomination.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Marco Rubio, J.D. Vance, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Rubio’s comments were published on Tuesday in an interview with Vanity Fair.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If J.D. Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him.” – Marco Rubio

🎯IMPACT: Rubio’s remarks signal strong GOP unity behind Vice President Vance as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

IN FULL

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would not seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2028 if Vice President J.D. Vance decides to run, signaling early deference to the VP in what is expected to be a competitive post-Trump field. “If J.D. Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him,” Rubio said in an interview published Tuesday.

Rubio, 54, and Vance, 41, are widely viewed as leading Republican contenders following President Donald J. Trump’s second term. Trump, now 79, has previously suggested that the two could form a powerful ticket, saying, “We have J.D., obviously—the Vice President is great. Marco’s great. I’m not sure if anybody would run against those two. I think if they formed a group, it would be unstoppable.”

Trump has also publicly mused about the idea of running for a third term, although this is likely prohibited by the 22nd Amendment. Some have suggested the America First leader could potentially circumvent this by running for the vice presidency and then having the lead candidate step aside post-inauguration, but he appears to have ruled this out as “too cute,” adding, “It wouldn’t be right.”

Vance has not formally announced plans for 2028, but has indicated he will discuss the possibility with Trump after the 2026 midterm elections.

On the Democratic side, several prominent figures are also being discussed as possible 2028 candidates. Democratic insiders say former Vice President and failed 2024 candidate Kamala Harris is preparing for a potential run. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has acknowledged she is considering a future presidential bid. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also viewed as possible contenders.

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November 17, 2025
News

Michelle Obama Blasts America Over Female POTUS Talk: ‘Don’t Waste My Time.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Michelle Obama reiterated her lack of interest in running for President, citing the belief that the U.S. is not ready for a female leader.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Michelle Obama, Tracee Ellis Ross, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 2025, Brooklyn Academy of Music.

💬KEY QUOTE: “That’s why I’m like, ‘Don’t even look at me about running, ‘cause you all are lying,’” – Michelle Obama.

🎯IMPACT: The comments reaffirm Michelle Obama’s disinterest in entering politics while simultaneously chastising American voters for their supposed misogyny.

IN FULL

Michelle Obama has reiterated her rejection of any presidential bid, alleging that America remains “not ready for a woman” in the nation’s top job. During a discussion at the Brooklyn Academy of Music alongside Tracee Ellis Ross, she pointed to President Donald J. Trump’s crushing defeat of Kamala Harris in 2024 as a supposed telltale sign, rather than accepting that the former vice president’s loss was a rejection of Democratic politics. “Well, as we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” she said.

Mrs. Obama went on to say, “That’s why I’m like, ‘Don’t even look at me about running, ‘cause you all are lying.’ You’re not ready for a woman. You are not. So don’t waste my time.” She further chastised American voters by lecturing, “We got a lot of growing up to do, and there are still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it.”

The former first lady has consistently voiced her disdain for political office. Back in 2018, while speaking with Savannah Guthrie on the Today program, she unequivocally rejected embarking on her own political career: “Absolutely not. I’ve never wanted to be a politician. Nothing has changed in me. I want to serve… There are so many ways to make an impact. Politics is not my thing. It’s as simple as that.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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November 14, 2025
News
Politics

Vance Will Discuss 2028 Presidential Run With Trump After Midterms.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Vice President J.D. Vance said he will discuss the possibility of a 2028 presidential run with President Donald J. Trump after the 2026 midterms.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Vice President Vance, President Trump, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The comments were made on Thursday evening in a Fox News interview.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re going to do everything that we can to win the midterms. And then after that, I’m going to sit down with the President of the United States and talk to him about it.” – J.D. Vance

🎯IMPACT: Vance’s comments highlight his focus on the midterms.

IN FULL

Vice President J.D. Vance appeared on addressed speculation about a potential presidential run in 2028 in a Fox News interview on Thursday. Vance said he will discuss the matter with President Donald J. Trump after the 2026 midterms, but stressed that they are his immediate focus, being key to securing the President’s agenda.

“I [have] thought about what that moment might look like after the midterm elections, sure, but… I try to put it out of my head and remind myself the American people elected me to do a job right now, and my job is to do it,” Vance said, explaining: “[I]f you start getting distracted and focused on what comes next, I think it actually makes you worse at the job that you have.”

Vance, a favorite among MAGA supporters, is seen as a leading Republican contender for 2028. Early polls suggest he is competitive in a hypothetical matchup against California Governor Gavin Newsom, a likely Democratic candidate.

“I really want us to win the midterms because if the Democrats get in power, they’re going to try to screw up a lot of the great things the President of the United States has done over the past ten months,” Vance said, emphasizing that some of the proverbial “trees” the administration has planted will take a few years to “bear fruit,” reiterating, “I don’t want the Democrats to screw that up.”

Regarding a potential contest with Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the 2028 nomination, Vance was conciliatory, saying, “If Marco eventually runs for President… we can cross that bridge when we come to it, adding that “if either one of us end up running, it’s a long, long ways in the future, and neither of us is entitled to it.”

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October 27, 2025
News

Trump Hints at Third Term, But Dismisses VP Speculation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has hinted again at the possibility of a third presidential run, but ruled out serving as Vice President.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, WarRoom host and former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made the remarks aboard Air Force One on Monday, en route to Japan.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Am I not ruling it out? You’ll have to tell me.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump’s comments fuel speculation about his potential return to the presidential race, while squashing speculation about a bid for the vice presidency.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has not ruled out the possibility of running for the presidency again, stating he has “the best numbers ever” during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday. The comments were made as Trump traveled to Japan, which has just sworn in a new, anti-mass migration prime minister.

When asked about WarRoom host and former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon recent remarks suggesting Trump win a third term in 2028, Trump responded, “I would love to do it.” Pressed further on whether he was ruling out another run, Trump said, “Am I not ruling it out? You’ll have to tell me.”

Among fellow Republicans, Trump floated Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as possible successors, saying he was “not sure anyone would run against those two.” The America First leader also criticized Democrats, claiming, “We have a great, a great group of people, which they don’t,” specifically mentioning Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), referring to them as “low IQ.”

However, while addressing a theory that he could return to the White House by running as Vice President and having the presidential candidate step aside for him after the election, Trump dismissed the idea as “too cute,” adding, “It wouldn’t be right.”

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September 19, 2025
Politics

AOC Considering 2028 Presidential Bid.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is reportedly ramping up her political operation for a potential 2028 presidential run.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and possible donors and supporters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ocasio-Cortez has been holding town halls across upstate New York and participating in a national “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with Bernie Sanders for several months. The report about her potential presidential run and political operation ramp-up surfaced on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “She has a supporter base that, in many ways, has a larger potential width than Bernie’s,” said Ari Rabin-Havt, a Progressive commentator and former aide to Sen. Sanders.

🎯IMPACT: The potential run would position Ocasio-Cortez as the leading figure for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, with implications for both Senate and presidential races.

IN FULL

Far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)—popularly known as AOC—is reportedly ramping up her political operation ahead of a potential presidential run in 2028. It is believed Ocasio-Cortez and her team are weighing whether to pursue the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)—who has signalled he may not run for re-election in 2028—or aim for the White House.

AOC, who represents parts of Queens and the Bronx, has been working to expand her influence both in New York and across the country. She has joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on his nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour and has held town halls throughout upstate New York this summer. Additionally, she has invested significant resources into growing her social media presence and compiling a list of potential supporters and donors, according to reports.

While no official decision has been made, it is believed Ocasio-Cortez’s team aims to keep her options open. Some allies believe that even if she doesn’t think she can secure the presidential nomination, a run for the White House would ensure the progressive wing of the Democratic Party has a voice in the primary, similar to Sanders’s 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton.

If she opts to pursue a Senate seat, Ocasio-Cortez could challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, though it appears he may not seek re-election. Schumer, 74, has served five terms and last won re-election in 2022 without facing a serious challenge from the left.

Ari Rabin-Havt, a former Sanders aide, told the media on Friday, “She has a supporter base that, in many ways, has a larger potential width than Bernie’s. She has been in the glare of the spotlight from day one and has the national campaigning experience a lot of other potential candidates are now trying to get.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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September 16, 2025
Politics

Tim Walz Seeks Third Term as Minnesota Governor.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) announced his intention to seek a third term in office in 2026.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governor Tim Walz, Democratic Party leaders, and Republican challenger Scott Jensen.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made Tuesday in Minnesota, coinciding with a special legislative election.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I want to make Minnesota a place where everyone has a chance to succeed, in every corner of the state.” – Tim Walz

🎯IMPACT: Walz’s decision adds to speculation about his future political ambitions and sets the stage for a competitive gubernatorial race in 2026.

IN FULL

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) announced on Tuesday that he plans to run for a third term in 2026. In his announcement video, Walz—the Democratic Party’s 2024 vice presidential nominee—stated, “I want to make Minnesota a place where everyone has a chance to succeed, in every corner of the state.”

Minnesota is one of several states that permits governors to serve more than two terms. Walz joins Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) in seeking re-election in 2026. Both governors have been tied to a potential 2028 presidential run, suggesting their gubernatorial re-election bids serve as a means of keeping them politically relevant. However, current polling data shows both Democratic governors having an uphill fight against the likes of Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Walz was re-elected to a second term in 2022, defeating his Republican challenger, Scott Jensen, by over seven percentage points. Jensen announced in July that he intends to face Walz again.

As Kamala Harris‘s 2024 vice presidential running mate, Walz did little to help the Democratic ticket in his home state. Harris, en route to her landslide defeat at the hands of President Donald J. Trump, only won Minnesota by just over four points—despite the state being a reliable Democrat bastion.

Already, Walz is facing significant pushback from voters over his response to the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, in which two children died. The Minnesota governor has pushed for new gun control measures, ignoring the fact that the shooting was an ideologically motivated attack carried out by a transgender. He also openly fantasized about President Donald J. Trump dying this past Labor Day.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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August 21, 2025
Politics

Kamala Harris Launches ‘Global Tour’ for Book No One Wants to Read.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced a 15-city book tour to promote her upcoming memoir, 107 Days.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kamala Harris, Simon & Schuster, and several independent bookstores.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The tour begins September 24 and ends in late November, spanning cities including New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and London.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Over the next few months, I will travel our country to share behind-the-scenes moments, lessons learned, and how we keep moving forward together.”  — Kamala Harris

🎯IMPACT: The tour will spark further speculation about Harris’s political future, including a potential 2028 presidential run.

IN FULL

Kamala Harris, the former vice president and failed Democratic presidential candidate, has announced a 15-city book tour to promote her memoir, 107 Days. The book covers her 2024 campaign after former President Joe Biden was forced to drop out of the race. The tour will begin on September 24, one day after the book’s release, and conclude in late November at Miami’s Ziff Opera House. Stops include major cities such as New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and London.

Harris made the announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) with a video featuring clips from the 2024 presidential campaign trail. The memoir, which Harris described as “a journal,” recounts her brief, disastrous presidential run. “107 Days is my candid and personal account of the shortest presidential campaign in modern history,” Harris wrote. “Over the next few months, I will travel our country to share behind-the-scenes moments, lessons learned, and how we keep moving forward together.”

According to Simon & Schuster, the events will allow Harris to share her experiences and insights while engaging with audiences in theaters and music halls.

The tour will include partnerships with small, independent bookstores in several cities, and Harris reportedly expanded the itinerary to include less traditional stops such as Portland, Oregon, and Durham, North Carolina. A source familiar with Harris’ plans hinted at potential surprise visits in addition to the scheduled events.

Some stops include conservative-leaning states like Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama, and the tour has fueled speculation about Harris’ political ambitions. The National Pulse reported in late July that Harris will forego a run for California governor in 2026, emphasizing her desire to travel across the country and engage with people.

Two sources close to Harris have suggested she is keeping her options open for a 2028 presidential run.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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