Trump's headed to Kentucky to boost GOP challenger in Massie's back yard



President Donald Trump, committed to toppling Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie (R), is traveling on Wednesday to the congressman's district to support his Republican challenger Ed Gallrein at Hebron's Verst Logistics packaging facility.

Bad blood

Massie first drew the president's ire in a big way in 2020 when he delayed Trump's $2 trillion COVID relief package.

Although the antagonism between the two men apparently subsided — Trump endorsed Massie in 2022 and characterized him as a "first-rate Defender of the Constitution" — their detente proved short-lived.

It certainly did not help that Massie backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary; voted against Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act; criticized the president over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files; and publicly opposed the current and previous U.S. military actions against Iran; or that the president, in turn, branded Massie's Trump-voting wife a "Radical Left 'flamethrower'" and repeatedly called for the congressman's removal both from office and the GOP.

Trump allies are also behind the political action committee that has spent over $1 million on anti-Massie ads in Massie's 4th congressional district.

Trump's champion

On Tuesday, Trump once again identified his champion in the campaign to unseat Massie: Ed Gallrein, a farmer and Navy SEAL combat veteran whose website notes that he's "fighting for President Trump's and the Republican Party's America First Agenda."

'Trump fans in KY-4 and across the entire Commonwealth also support my work.'

While Trump originally endorsed Gallrein in October, the candidate officially filed to run on Tuesday.

After saying that Massie — a lawmaker with a 86.53% lifetime Turning Point Action score and a 90.74% score this Congress — is the "Worst 'Republican' Congressman we have had in many years," Trump stated that "the person that will help us do the job, and do it right, is Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, Fifth Generation Kentucky Farmer, and American Hero, Captain Ed Gallrein, a true Patriot."

RELATED: Trump holds off on Texas Senate endorsement to pressure GOP to deliver on 'No. 1 priority' legislation: Report

Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

Trump urged individuals thinking about running against Massie to "rally behind Captain Ed Gallrein, the Candidate who is, far and away, best positioned to DEFEAT Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie."

The president noted in a separate post hours before making the trip to Kentucky, "Massie, who is running against a great American Patriot in the Kentucky Primary, will hopefully lose BIG."

Blaze News reached out to Massie's office for comment but did not receive a response by deadline.

Massie claimed in an X post ahead of Trump's visit that interlopers may discover "Trump fans in KY-4 and across the entire Commonwealth [who] also support my work in the Epstein files, reigning in spending, ending forever wars, draining the swamp, and food freedom!"

The congressman also released an attack ad this week, amplified by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), that portrays Gallrein as a fair-weather friend who abandoned Trump and left the GOP just after the president secured the Republican nomination in 2016.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the voter registration cards referenced by Massie indicate that Gallrein changed his voter registration from Republican to independent on May 18, 2016 — around the same time Trump won the GOP nomination.

Gallrein reportedly registered as a Republican again in June 2021, when he decided to launch his unsuccessful campaign for the Kentucky Senate.

Gallrein's spokeswoman Alexandra Wilkes told the Enquirer that Massie, not Trump, prompted his flight from the Republican Party.

"Ed briefly changed registration out of frustration with the broken system Congressman Massie created in his district, which hurt the Republican Party, and he is proud to stand with President Trump and true conservative Republicans," said Wilkes.

As of midday Wednesday, the prediction market Kalshi put Massie's chance of securing the Republican nomination at 58% and Gallrein's chance at 43%.

Massie faced two challengers in the 2024 GOP primary for Kentucky's 4th congressional district and secured 75.9% of the vote. He went on to net 99.6% of the vote in the general election.

The primary election takes place on May 19.

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Dad accused of killing daughter's alleged rapist wins Republican sheriff nomination: 'We're just getting started'



An Arkansas father who is facing second-degree murder charges for allegedly killing his teen daughter's suspected sexual abuser has won the Republican nomination for county sheriff.

As Blaze News reported in October 2024, Aaron Spencer woke up to find his 14-year-old daughter missing from the family’s home. Police were notified about the missing girl.

'Michael Fosler is [expletive] dead on the side of the road for trying to kidnap my daughter. I had no choice.'

Spencer got in his vehicle to try to track down his missing daughter and spotted a white Ford truck on the highway owned by Michael Fosler — the 67-year-old man accused of raping Spencer's daughter.

The Lonoke County Sheriff's Office said in a press release, "While en route, deputies were notified that the father, Aaron Spencer, had located the juvenile in a vehicle with Michael Fosler."

The affidavit said Spencer used his vehicle to rear-end Fosler’s Ford F-150 truck at an intersection, which forced it off the road and into a ditch.

Citing court records, USA Today reported that Spencer "then got out of his car and started firing a gun at Fosler. He fired 16 times, court records state, noting 15 bullets hit Fosler."

Court documents said Spencer pistol-whipped Fosler in the face after firing the shots.

Court records show Spencer then called 911 and said, "Michael Fosler is [expletive] dead on the side of the road for trying to kidnap my daughter. I had no choice."

Police said Fosler was pronounced dead at the crime scene.

Spencer was arrested, charged with second-degree murder in connection with Fosler's death, and then released from the Lonoke County Detention Center after posting bail.

Court documents said Spencer went to the home of a female acquaintance of Fosler on July 8, 2024, told the woman that Fosler raped his underage daughter, and then demanded Fosler's phone number and home address.

Spencer instructed the woman not to call anyone, including the police, according to court documents.

However, Fosler's acquaintance revealed the situation to one of her family members, who was a mandated reporter. According to USA Today, "Mandated reporters are required to notify law enforcement officials or social services about suspected cases of child abuse."

The mandated reporter alerted the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office about the rape allegations, court records stated.

Court records said two officers went to Spencer's residence as part of the investigation into the rape of his minor daughter.

Court docs said the interaction between Spencer and officers was recorded on a police bodycam, and one of the officers is heard telling Spencer, "We still don't live in a country where you can take the law into your own hands," to which Spencer responded with an expletive.

Officials with the Wade Knox Children's Advocacy Center interviewed Spencer's daughter, according to court records.

USA Today reported that police obtained an arrest warrant for Fosler for a charge of rape and one count of internet stalking of a child — both of which are felonies.

USA Today said Fosler was arrested and then released from jail on $50,000 bond on July 17, 2024.

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Spencer's sister-in-law in 2025 launched a GiveSendGo crowdfunding campaign, which has raised over $100,000 in an effort to keep their "family afloat amid Aaron’s daunting legal proceedings."

"Beginning in the spring of 2024, my then 13-year-old niece was targeted by a predator, groomed, and assaulted multiple times," the crowdfunding listing said.

As Blaze News reported in October 2024, Spencer launched a political campaign to become the new Lonoke County Sheriff despite awaiting trial in connection with the alleged murder of Fosler.

The Arkansas secretary of state revealed that Spencer won more than 53% of the vote in last Tuesday's three-person GOP primary, easily defeating incumbent Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley and David Bufford.

Spencer said of his victory, "Lonoke County sent a clear message last night, and we're just getting started."

"I'm running to restore accountability and integrity to the sheriff's office, and the people of this county just showed they want the same thing," the father said on his campaign Facebook page. "Let's finish the job and build a safer, stronger Lonoke County together."

Sheriff Staley congratulated Spencer by saying in a statement, "Tonight, the voters made their decision in the Republican Primary, and I respect the decision."

Staley had been the Lonoke County Sheriff for the last 13 years.

Spencer — a husband, father, combat veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, contractor, and farmer — now will face off against Democrat nominee Brian Mitchell Sr. in November.

Fox News noted that Spencer will be prohibited from serving as sheriff if he is convicted of the murder charge.

Spencer's trial initially was scheduled for January but has been postponed. He has pleaded not guilty.

Spencer's lawyers released a statement Friday: "Aaron did exactly what Arkansas law allows and exactly what any father would do: He protected his daughter and himself from harm."

"We said from the beginning that Aaron was justified under Arkansas law in protecting his daughter, and every time the facts have come into focus, that conclusion has only become clearer," the Lassiter & Cassinelli legal team proclaimed.

His lawyers also characterized Spencer's supporters as "parents, veterans, and neighbors who watched the system fail and support a father who stepped up."

"Lonoke County residents have rallied behind Aaron Spencer not just in his legal defense, but in his broader mission to bring accountability to a county government that has long operated without it," the statement said.

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Schumer versus Schumer: Damning footage exposes Democrat flip-flop



U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is a vociferous opponent of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, sometimes referred to as the SAVE America Act, which would require individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

The unpopular senator has characterized the act — the passage of which President Donald Trump has made a condition of his ratification of other bills — as "Jim Crow 2.0," a "fringe piece of legislation," and as "extreme as it gets."

'Americans see the hypocrisy.'

Schumer was not, however, always opposed to measures protecting the benefits owed only to American citizens.

Decades-old footage has once again gone viral online, showing Schumer previously making the case that valid U.S. identification ensures against rampant fraud by noncitizens.

When discussing a proposed amendment to the Republican-sponsored Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act in March 1996, then-Rep. Chuck Schumer stated, "Let's admit the truth: Everywhere people go, they're asked for a Social Security card. In fact, one way to prove you’re a bona fide person who can have a job is to ask for a driver’s license and a Social Security card."

“This is an anti-fraud amendment. All over, where we go, people say, 'Well, why can't you stop illegal immigrants or others from coming here?' And the number-one answer we give our constituents is, 'When they come here, they can get jobs, get benefits against the law because of fraud,'" said Schumer.

RELATED: Illegal alien allegedly voted in 2024 federal election, when Trump and Kamala were on the ballot

Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images

In the video — an excerpt of which the White House shared online last month — the Democrat also blasts opposition to the "anti-fraud measure."

Responding to the remarks made by the Schumer of yesteryear, Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) wrote, "Americans see the hypocrisy. Pass the Save America Act."

"The only thing that's changed here is Democrat messaging," wrote Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.). "EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON recognizes that securing U.S. elections is commonsense."

North Carolina Rep. Mark Harris (R) urged Schumer, "Listen to your past self."

"I guess new Chuck Schumer changed his mind," wrote Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).

On Sunday, Schumer recycled his "Jim Crow 2.0" talking point and claimed that the SAVE Act would "disenfranchise tens of millions of people."

"If Trump is saying he won’t sign any bills until the SAVE Act is passed, then so be it: there will be total gridlock in the Senate," continued Schumer. "Senate Democrats will not help pass the SAVE Act under any circumstances."

A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll from February revealed that a supermajority — 71% — of U.S. voters support the SAVE Act, including 50% of Democrats. When polled on the particulars of the legislation, 75% of U.S. voters said they supported proof of citizenship; 81% said they supported voter ID; and 80% said they supported states removing noncitizens from voter rolls.

The poll also found that 85% of respondents, including a majority across all political parties, said that only American citizens should be able to vote.

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FLASHBACK: Sen. John Cornyn Claimed ‘Irrelevant’ Trump Couldn’t Win The 2024 Presidential Election

Trump is reportedly mulling an endorsement for Cornyn, so it's time for a reminder of several instance in which Cornyn betrayed conservatives.

Trump to intervene in Texas' Senate race, anoint his preferred candidate



Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's challenge to incumbent Sen. John Cornyn went unresolved in Tuesday's heated Republican primary race, as neither candidate proved able to secure 50% of the total vote.

With over 95% of the votes in as of Wednesday afternoon, Cornyn leads Paxton 41.9% to 40.7%, reported the Associated Press.

'We must win in November.'

Several hours after the Cornyn campaign stated on social media that "Judgement Day is coming for Ken Paxton," President Donald Trump announced that he would be staging an intervention and handpicking which of the two candidates — each of whom netted the support of approximately 900,000 Texans — he wants to compete against Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) in the general election.

Trump stated that the GOP primary race in Texas "cannot, for the good of the Party, and our Country, itself, be allowed to go on any longer. IT MUST STOP NOW!"

Claiming that his GOP endorsements have "been virtually insurmountable," Trump said that he will be endorsing one of the two candidates imminently and asking the disfavored candidate "to immediately DROP OUT OF THE RACE!"

"We have an easy to beat, Radical Left Opponent, and we have to TOTALLY FOCUS on putting him away, quickly and decisively!" continued the president, referring to Talarico. "Both John and Ken ran great races, but not good enough. Now, this one, must be PERFECT!"

RELATED: Chip Roy's political future uncertain after nail-biting Texas AG race

Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images, Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

"We must win in November!" he concluded.

The runoff election will be held on May 26 in the event that both candidates remain in the race.

On Wednesday afternoon, Paxton tweeted, "Last night, in a historic failure for John Cornyn, he failed to get nearly 60% of the GOP vote after spending $100 million. It's time to finish the job in the runoff."

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Stephen A. Smith criticizes open borders, tells CBS he's still open to presidential run: 'I'm not ruling it out'



Sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith says he is a fiscal conservative but a social liberal.

For those reasons, the ESPN personality says he is not completely opposed to running for office, but it would be as a Democrat.

'I couldn't see myself running as a member of the GOP.'

The 58-year-old critiqued policy from both of the last two administrations during an interview with "CBS Sunday Morning" and host Robert Costa, remarking that he has "no desire to be a politician."

"Zero. I have no desire to run for office," he told Costa. But when asked if he would "run for president," Smith revealed that the door is still open.

"I'm not ruling it out because I'd love to be on the debate stages against some of these individuals that think they're better suited to run the country, because I think that the American people deserve to listen to and hear from somebody who genuinely cares about making life better for them instead of yourself."

RELATED: ESPN fatigue: Stephen A. Smith pushes vaccines, racial drama, and no real journalism

When asked which party's banner he would fly, Smith said he would run as a Democrat chiefly because of the fact that he is more left on social issues.

"I couldn't see myself running as a member of the GOP. I'm a fiscal conservative. I can't stand high taxes, but I'm a social liberal in the same breath because I believe in living and let live. I pay attention to the desolate and the disenfranchised. Yes, I like strong borders. That's absolutely true. We never needed open borders, but we don't need it to be completely closed either. We're a gorgeous mosaic."

The sports analyst criticized both President Biden's and President Trump's policies during an extended version of the interview, calling out Biden's open-border policies.

"The borders needed to be closed. [Trump] was right to do that, but only because Biden opened them," he explained.

Smith's criticisms of Trump mainly focused on deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which he described as "grabbing people up [and] snatching people off the streets."

RELATED: Jason Whitlock: Stephen A. Smith is a part of a controlled ‘clown show’

Stephen A. Smith is moving closer to a 2028 campaign... spending a few days with him in recent months reminded me of spending a few days with Trump back in 2013-2014. Many laughed at the prospect of a bid. But in an age of celebrity and social media... https://t.co/VrTmJUWtsB
— Robert Costa (@costareports) February 13, 2026

Smith took issue with the targets of the agency and claimed the Trump administration had previously characterized enforcement as "going after the criminals," only to then enforce immigration laws against "anybody who crossed the border illegally."

The interview touched on a lot of different topics, including racism. At one point during the interview, Costa noted that Smith's broadcasting style had garnered him the nickname "Screaming A. Smith." The analyst quickly retorted.

"White men are all over the place screaming all the time. They don't call them screaming whatever," Smith declared. "Matter of fact, they call them passionate, and they never associate the word 'anger.' But somehow they do that with me despite this fact that I smile a lot. A lot of reasons to be happy."

On the subject of race, Smith later noted that he does not believe racism is "as prevalent as some on the left would like us to believe."

Smith said he does believe that the vast majority of Americans judge each other on the content of their individual character rather than skin color.

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Democrats panic at sight of Tulsi Gabbard at FBI raid of Fulton County election office



The FBI raided the Fulton County, Georgia, elections office on Wednesday as part of an apparent investigation into possible violations of federal laws related to the preservation of election records and intimidation or defrauding of voters.

Georgia Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff were among the Democrats who rushed to condemn the raid, which took place just days after President Donald Trump stated that the 2020 U.S. presidential election "was a rigged election" and "people will soon be prosecuted for what they did."

'A US election can never, ever be rigged again.'

Although generally critical of the raid that Warnock suggested was a political errand "for a vengeful president," some Democrats appeared particularly rattled by the presence of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Referencing a Reuters photo placing Gabbard at the site of the search on Wednesday, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner (D) asked, "Why is Tulsi Gabbard at an FBI raid on an election office in Fulton County?"

"Either Director Gabbard believes there was a legitimate foreign intelligence nexus — in which case she is in clear violation of her obligation under the law to keep the intelligence committees 'fully and currently informed' of relevant national security concerns," continued Warner, "or she is once again demonstrating her utter lack of fitness for the office that she holds by injecting the nonpartisan intelligence community she is supposed to be leading into a domestic political stunt designed to legitimize conspiracy theories that undermine our democracy."

Warner, who also shared a video of his corresponding meltdown, was hardly the only Democrat who panicked over the sight of Gabbard in Fulton County.

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Ct.) joined Warner in penning a letter to Gabbard on Thursday questioning her involvement in an apparent domestic law enforcement operation and demanding an explanation "given the politically fraught nature of elections for federal office."

RELATED: Virginia Democrats just hit their first setback — and it could make a difference in the midterm elections

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Democrats' vexation might have something to do with Gabbard's proven efficacy in blowing up official narratives and exposing bad actors. Last year, for instance, she helped expose the origins of the Russia collusion hoax and corresponding "years-long coup" against Trump.

Evidently the administration's attention has moved from the 2016 to the 2020 presidential election.

White House officials told the Wall Street Journal that Gabbard has spent months re-examining the supposed results of the 2020 election and looking for potential crimes. This investigation has involved scrutinizing voting machines, analyzing data from swing states, and looking at glaring discrepancies.

Gabbard is expected to prepare a report on her findings.

"President Trump and his entire team are committed to ensuring a U.S. election can never, ever be rigged again," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. "Director Gabbard is playing a key lead role in this important effort."

ODNI press secretary Olivia Coleman told the Journal that Gabbard "has a vital role in identifying vulnerabilities in our critical infrastructure and protecting against exploitation."

"DNI Gabbard has and will continue to take actions within her authorities, alongside our interagency partners, to support ensuring the integrity of our election," added Coleman.

Trump told reporters that Gabbard is "working very hard to try to keep the election safe, and she's done a very good job."

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'Something historic': CNN analyst GOBSMACKED by how Vance polls against Nikki Haley, others



The 2028 presidential election is 34 months away, and in that time, there are sure to be plenty of surprises. There are, however, already clear signs of who may ultimately make a bid for the White House — and how they might fare in the primaries.

CNN's chief data analyst, Harry Enten, expressed surprise on Monday by how Vice President JD Vance performed in a recent poll of likely New Hampshire Republican primary voters against former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nimarata "Nikki" Haley, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and other prospects.

'The rest of the field are like going around in go-karts.'

Enten alluded to prediction market odds indicating that Vance is "running well ahead of the field" and that "nobody else is even close."

Polymarket puts Vance's chance of becoming the Republican presidential nominee in 2028 at 54%. The site has the chances of the runner-up, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, securing the nomination at 9%. This high confidence in Vance's chances is similarly expressed on the PredictIt site as well as on the federally regulated prediction market Kalshi, which suggests Vance and Rubio have a 48% and 10% chance of securing the nomination, respectively.

"JD Vance is like Mario Andretti, and Marco Rubio and the rest of the field are like going around in go-karts at this point," said Enten. "That's really what we are looking at. JD Vance is the clear, heavy favorite at this time."

Enten noted that Vance's staggering early lead reflected in the prediction markets "is not coming out of nowhere" and directed CNN talking head Sara Sidner's attention to a poll conducted in October by the University of New Hampshire.

RELATED: 'All in': TPUSA's Andrew Kolvet sets sights on 2028 presidential candidate after AmFest

Photo by Caylo Seals/Getty Images

The poll found that among those who plan to vote in the 2028 Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire, 51% said they would vote for Vance; 9% said they would vote for Haley; 8% said they would vote for Gabbard; 5% said they would vote for Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders; 4% would vote for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.); and 3% each would vote for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Calgary-born Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who appears poised to run as the kind of Republican President Donald Trump crushed in the 2016 and 2024 GOP primaries, proved unable to capture 1% in the poll.

"Take a look here! JD Vance at 51%!" said Enten. "The next closest is Nikki Haley, who's at 9 — who's at 9! I mean, what is that? That's 42 points ahead of the pack."

"There's a reason why he's such a heavy favorite in the prediction market so far, because if you win the GOP primary in New Hampshire, chances are, you're going to be the Republican nominee for president," added Enten.

When asked by Sidner whether it was rare to see an early lead of this magnitude, Enten said, "I looked back. Hitting 50% plus in the early New Hampshire polls for a non-sitting president — JD Vance is the only one."

"JD Vance is pulling off something historic at this time," continued Enten.

While Vance's early lead is unprecedented, the last five sitting vice presidents who ran for president all became their parties' nominees.

A straw poll was also taken earlier this month at Turning Point USA's annual AmericaFest, where widowed CEO Erika Kirk endorsed the vice president.

Blake Neff, the producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show," noted that Vance won the AmFest straw poll "by more than Donald Trump won the 2024 one we did two years ago." Whereas 82.6% of respondents previously said they wanted to see Trump as the 2024 GOP nominee, 84.2% of respondents said they wanted to see Vance as their nominee in 2028.

The UNH poll that found a majority of likely GOP voters support Vance likewise found that there is a much closer race developing across the aisle.

Among those who plan to vote in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire, 19% of respondents say they would vote for former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; 15% would vote for California Gov. Gavin Newsom; 14% would vote for New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; 11% would vote for failed presidential candidate Kamala Harris; 8% would vote for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.); and 6% would vote for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

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Michigan Election Integrity Warriors Stop ‘Disastrous’ Ranked-Choice Voting Drive

'... Our leaders uncovered an army of Michiganders eager to join our opposition once they learned the truth about Ranked Choice Voting,' Patrice Johnson said.

Voters aren’t thinking — they’re SURVIVING: The new political divide



America isn't divided by politics. According to Brent Buchanan, it’s actually divided by biology.

Buchanan makes the case that voters no longer make decisions logically but emotionally, driven by something hardwired into human behavior.

“I began looking at academic research on what actually drives human behavior, specifically when it relates to voting. And the question goes back to, ‘What drives human behavior, period?’” he tells BlazeTV host Steve Deace on the “Steve Deace Show.”

And Buchanan’s answer to that question, while complicated, is actually quite simple. At the end of the day, it is survival that informs our decision-making.


“It doesn’t matter if somebody’s voting, buying a car, getting married. It is all this biological fact that our brains were built to conserve energy. And the least caloric way that we can take in, process information, and make decisions is emotionally through our subconscious, through the inside part of our brain, not through the prefrontal cortex,” he explains.

“It makes a lot of sense ... biologically, we were built for survival. And everything we do is based around survival. And even though we’re not being chased by wild animals or going without food for days or weeks on end as the whole population used to do a long time ago, those innate senses and that biology is still with us,” he continues.

“I mean God created us for a reason, with a purpose, and it was to survive, and it was to procreate and to spread His gospel,” he says, adding, “And all of those are biologically built into us.”

Deace agrees with Buchanan, pointing out that during the election cycle last year, “the most effective message” was the Trump ad that read, “Kamala Harris is for they/them. Trump is for you.”

“The most extreme candidate tends to lose. And why does the most extreme candidate tend to lose? Because they’re viewed as most threatening to somebody’s safety, security, or belief system. So that was a wonderful way to cast Kamala Harris as way more extreme of the two candidates running for president,” Buchanan responds.

“Secondarily, it plays into in-group, out-group factors. That also goes back to our survival instincts, where if somebody is on the out-group, they are your enemy,” he continues.

“So with a lot of young men, a lot of non-white voters, they saw that message, and they didn’t say, ‘I’m making my decision on this election based on the transgender issue.’ But that issue became a proxy for extremity,” he says, adding, “That is what won Donald Trump the election.”

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