EXCLUSIVE: Ex-FBoy Island Star Mark Moran Drops Virginia Senate Bid, Sets Eyes On Soros-Backed DA
'My mouth won't shut up'
Ex-GOP congressman tries to save Democrats from losing redistricting war — but Hakeem Jeffries doesn't want his help
Rep. Kevin Kiley was elected as a Republican in 2022 to represent California's 3rd district in the U.S. Congress.
After the Golden State's Democratic gerrymander effectively reduced to nil his chances of getting re-elected with an "R" next to his name, Kiley filed to run as an independent in the nonpartisan primary for California's newly drawn 6th district.
'This arms race could create a new norm.'
"I've always seen my role as being an independent voice for our community, holding politicians in Sacramento and Washington accountable to serve my constituents. I answer to you, not party leaders," said Kiley, who had a 77.42% lifetime score in Turning Point Action's rating system.
On his way out the GOP door, the newly minted free agent complained about gerrymandering, noting that "both parties are complicit" and that "political division has become a serious problem for our country."
Kiley — one of the few casualties on the right of the redistricting war that Republicans are now winning in a big way thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Callais — is asking Democrats to help him pass a bill that would prohibit states from engaging in mid-cycle redistricting and changing their congressional maps more than once a decade.
The former Republican told Axios on Wednesday that he has written to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, asking the radical Democrat and his cronies to support a discharge petition that would force a vote on his ban.
"This arms race could create a new norm where maps are redrawn to gain a temporary advantage every two years," Kiley wrote to Jeffries. "The result will be chaos for our democracy: a weakening of representation, a further polarization of Congress, and a deepening of the distrust and division that threaten our country's future."
Some Democratic lawmakers who, like Kiley, are on tilt after having their districts redrawn, are receptive to the idea of a ban.
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), for instance, said he'd sign on, noting, "Why wouldn't I? Both parties need to get behind ending this. It's gonna kill the democracy."
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D), whose Kansas City-based district lawmakers transformed last year into a GOP-leaning Missouri seat, is another desperate lawmaker supportive of the ban, stating that "of course" he would sign onto the discharge petition.
Jeffries — whose help Kiley acknowledged was critical to the petition's success — apparently has no interest in helping the independent with his crusade.
Christie Stephenson, a spokeswoman for Jeffries, told Axios, "Kevin Kiley's unserious legislation would supercharge partisan gerrymandering by Red states while putting Democratic-led ones at a serious disadvantage."
"Leader Jeffries has no plans to support it," Stephenson added.
This is at odds with Kiley's statement earlier this month, where he noted, "Minority Leader Jeffries has announced he supports my proposal to prohibit mid-decade redistricting."
Former Democratic Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (Texas), who passed away in 2024, introduced the same legislation to ban mid-cycle redistricting in the last Congress.
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Karine Jean-Pierre's humiliating book tour is even worse than you think
Karine Jean-Pierre has been hawking a new book in a desperate attempt to cash in on her time as White House press secretary — and it's not going well.
Whereas fellow lesbian and propagandist Rachel Maddow of MSNBC suggested that the book was a "truly new and valuable contribution to our understanding of the Biden presidency," the Washington Post shredded "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House Outside the Party Lines," noting that it was a "fascinating book for all the wrong reasons."
'Sorry, I'm not trying to be dense. I'm a little unclear about what this has to do with Democratic leaders.'
The reviewer — confronted with 180 pages' worth of Jean-Pierre's thoughts "written in the outmoded register of one of those lawn signs proclaiming that 'in this house, we believe kindness is everything'" — expressed amazement "that someone who writes in such feel-good, thought-repelling clichés was hired to communicate with the nation from its highest podium."
The Post concluded on the basis of the book that Jean-Pierre is a "blinkered" establishmentarian whose recent departure from the Democratic Party and identification as an independent "seems to be less of a strategy than a style"; whose "thinking remains so decidedly in the box"; and who "appears to have little authentic understanding of why her erstwhile party’s approval rating has cratered."
Journalist Matt Taibbi's review of the book for the Free Press was similarly damning, dubbing it "history's most incoherent memoir."
"Jean-Pierre had over a year to think about what to say about all this, and instead of writing the book the whole world wanted, the true story (complete with photos of Biden’s used-bib collection and pictorial toilet guides) of her frustration at having to be the public face of one of the most obvious and legally perilous cons in American political history, she denied there was anything to cover up, much less that she had responsibility for it," wrote Taibbi.
In the book, Jean-Pierre reportedly rejects the obvious justification for Biden's ouster — the mental and physical decrepitude that had him tumbling, mumbling, and bumbling — and claims that she "saw Biden every day and saw no such decline." As for Biden's humiliating performance in his TV debate with President Donald Trump, Jean-Pierre blamed a cold and travel-related exhaustion.
Perhaps worse than the reviews for the book are Jean-Pierre's efforts to sell it on tour.
For instance, Jean-Pierre befuddled a sympathetic journalist with a series of word salads in her recent interview with the New Yorker.
Isaac Chotiner repeatedly pressed Jean-Pierre on her explanation for how and why the Democratic Party supposedly undermined former President Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 election.
When asked the second time why the Democrats had it out for Biden, Jean-Pierre said — in an interview the New Yorker indicated was edited for length and clarity — that:
they believed that he needed to step aside. There’s more to this than just that period of time. This is very layered, right? There’s a period of time that I questioned what was happening and how do we treat our own, how do we treat people who are decent people. And then you also have to think about how I’m thinking about this as a black woman who is part of the LGBTQ community, and living in this time where I also don’t think Democrats right now, Democrats’ leadership, is protecting vulnerable people in the way that it should.
The interviewer responded, "Sorry, I'm not trying to be dense. I'm a little unclear about what this has to do with Democratic leaders and many Democrats in the country thinking that Joe Biden was going to lose to Donald Trump — which was what the polls all showed — and therefore thinking that he should be replaced."
After Jean-Pierre launched into a rant about how "nobody knows" about what could have alternatively happened, Chotiner indicated that he had no idea what the former Biden spox was trying to say.
Toward the end of the viral interview, Jean-Pierre — who had made sure to mention her LGBTQ status and race numerous times and suggested the subtitle of her book, "Inside a Broken White House," was referring to the Trump White House — accused Chotiner of pushing Democratic Party talking points.
David Weigel, a political writer for Semafor who was among the multitude of critics awestruck by how badly the interview went, said, "Turns out you can do a career-ending interview even after your career is over."
Even Jean-Pierre's interview with Stephen Colbert — a liberal propagandist who helped raise millions for Biden's campaign last year — went off the rails when the CBS late-night host proved unwilling to buy what the former White House spox was selling.
Colbert, like Chotiner, asked Jean-Pierre to explain how the Democratic Party betrayed Biden. Even though that's a core claim in the former press secretary's book, she appeared unable to answer, launching into a speech about Biden's perceived accomplishments and how he was still "engaging, understood policy, and was always putting the American people first."
The late-night host pointed out that "it takes more than that to be the president of the United States, and in a moment of great pressure on stage, we saw someone shock us and worry us. And nothing could assuage that worry. So I don't think it was necessarily a betrayal of Joe Biden as other people saying, 'We don't think we were shown the Joe Biden that you saw.'"
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Independent infighting? Ex-governor, embattled mayor determined to thwart socialist Mamdani
The drama surrounding the New York City mayoral race continues after radical Democratic Socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani came from behind to win the Democratic primary last month.
Just a few weeks ago, Mamdani overcame long odds to win the primary, trouncing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a legacy Democrat with almost universal name recognition, by 12 points. Cuomo conceded defeat on election night, admitting, "Tonight was not our night. Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani’s night."
Spokesman Rich Azzopardi believes that Cuomo still has the best odds of defeating Mamdani.
It appears that Cuomo is down but not out. On Monday, Cuomo announced that he will remain in the race as an independent. He claimed to be "in it to win it" and slammed Mamdani for offering "slick slogans but no real solutions."
Cuomo is not the only high-profile Democrat running as an independent. Current Mayor Eric Adams, elected in 2021 as a Democrat, is trying to keep his job as an independent.
Former federal prosecutor Jim Walden is likewise running as an independent.
RELATED: Glenn Beck: Mamdani victory is ‘NOT A FLUKE’ — he’s Democrats’ 2028 vision for America
With Curtis Sliwa running as a Republican, the field is crowded — a dynamic that strongly favors Mamdani. According to a Data for Progress poll conducted from July 1 to July 6, Mamdani holds a commanding lead among likely NYC voters, with 40% planning to pull the lever for him. Cuomo finished a distant second with just 24%. Adams and Sliwa were neck and neck for third at 15% and 14%, respectively, while Walden managed just 1%.
Spokesman Rich Azzopardi believes that Cuomo still has the best odds of defeating Mamdani, according to the New York Post.
Cuomo also reportedly has a plan to unify support against Mamdani down the stretch.
According to NewsNation, Cuomo is expected to pledge to drop out of the race in mid-September if he is not in the lead. He is also expected to call on Adams, Sliwa, and Walden to promise to do the same if they remain behind.
RELATED: Exclusive: Vance on Mamdani: ‘Who the hell does he think that he is?’
Adams seemed to dismiss Cuomo's reported plan to defeat Mamdani. "This kind of political double-dealing is exactly why so many New Yorkers have lost trust in [Cuomo]," Adams' campaign said in a press release, the Post reported.
"The people spoke loudly — he lost," the statement continued, referring to Cuomo's primary defeat. "Yet he continues to put himself over the number-one goal — beating Mamdani and securing our city’s future."
Adams' campaign also described Mamdani as an "inexperienced opponent" who nevertheless poses a "serious threat."
During the Bolivian Day Parade in Queens on Sunday, Adams also noted that, unlike Cuomo, he "didn’t lose" to Mamdani — or anyone else — in the Democratic primary, the Post reported. Of course, Adams couldn't have lost because he didn't participate in the primary, though whether he mentioned that fact to the media on Sunday is unclear.
When asked whether he would consider dropping out to help Cuomo, Adams, who until recently faced federal indictment, replied with bewilderment, "Are you kidding me?"
'Putting New York’s best interests over our personal ambitions is critical at this moment.'
Sliwa also said he has no plans to drop out. "I’m not going anywhere. I’m in it until Nov. 4," he said Sunday.
"I’m the only candidate with a major party nomination, a 50-year record of serving New Yorkers, and a real path to victory," Sliwa later told NewsNation. "While they play musical chairs on a sinking ship, I’m out campaigning in NYC, listening, leading, and fighting to win it for the people. Let the voters decide this November."
Walden, however, seems the most amenable to Cuomo's reported idea. In fact, he indicated that he was the one who first suggested it. "I am glad Andrew has agreed to adopt my pledge," Walden said in a statement to NewsNation. "I hope Eric and Curtis sign on as well. Putting New York’s best interests over our personal ambitions is critical at this moment."
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Stephen A. Smith FLIRTS with Republican presidential bid
Stephen A. Smith has been making headlines lately, and it’s not for his reporting on ESPN. Rather, the sports commentator has been making the podcast rounds and teasing the idea of running for the presidency in 2028.
And on a recent episode of the “PBD Podcast” with Patrick Bet-David, Smith appeared to suggest that he wouldn’t be opposed to running as a Republican.
“100% that in 2028, if you run, you will run as a Democrat,” PBD said, addressing Smith.
“The only reason I say that, is because I don’t think that I’d have a snowball's chance in hell of running as a Republican. I think JD Vance, the Marco Rubios of the world, even the Ron DeSantises of the world have that on lock, number one,” Smith replied.
“Number two, the party is not as in disarray as the Democratic Party. Number three, even though I’m a centrist, and I’m a registered independent,” he continued, “I would have voted for Nikki Haley if Ron DeSantis hadn’t pissed me off with the whole slavery, ‘there’s good parts about slavery’ comment.”
“I might have voted for him. That was my issue with him. Trump, obviously, it’s behavior more so than anything else, but I had no problem with Nikki Haley. I’m friends with Governor Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey,” he added, before explaining that “if a third party had a chance of winning an election,” that would be how he’d run.
“I don’t like leaning far right or left, and I think both sides pull you dramatically in their direction,” he concluded.
BlazeTV host Jason Whitlock doesn’t like where he sees this going.
“That’s fascinating. Now, he’s just thrown in a new angle here, in my opinion, running as a third candidate,” Whitlock says, speculating, “so maybe his play is, and their play is, if we can get him out there as a centrist and pull enough men away from the Republican Party, it may open a door for the Democrats.”
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KJP Should Be Compelled To Give Her Tell-All About Biden’s Decline Under Oath
Want a laugh? The spinner-in-chief for much of President Joe Biden’s deepfake tenure is coming out with a new book to combat 'disinformation.'Bernie Sanders unapologetic about private jet use on anti-oligarchy tour
Rather than idle in one of his three houses, millionaire Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has been traveling around the country for his Fighting Oligarchy Tour, hitting Americans up for money and giving speeches with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and other fellow travelers on "how we move forward to take on the oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country."
When pressed Wednesday about the optics of taking a private jet around the country to complain about poverty and inequality, Sanders stated emphatically that he would not apologize for avoiding the alternative modes of travel used by everyday Americans.
Citing campaign expenditures released last month, the Washington Free Beacon indicated that Sanders' main campaign committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, which manages the Fighting Oligarchy Tour, spent $221,723 on chartering private jets during the first quarter of 2025.
Some of the flights taken by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez on the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" were reportedly worth $15,000 an hour.
Where Sanders is concerned, this is par for the course.
In the final three months of 2019, Sanders' campaign spent nearly $1.2 million on a luxury private jet charter service — not a good look for someone critical of the wealthy and supposedly concerned about the supposed threat of climate change.
'You think I'm gonna be sitting on a waiting line at United waiting?'
During an interview Wednesday, Fox News' Bret Baier asked the self-described democratic socialist to respond to the Beacon's report concerning his jet travel.
Sanders initially tried to neutralize the question with some whataboutery, suggesting that President Donald Trump — who has made no claim to being a socialist — has not and would not fly commercial while in "campaign mode."
"But he's also not fighting the oligarchy," said Baier.
"You run a campaign, and you do three or four or five rallies in a week. [It is] the only way you can get around to talk to 30,000 people," said Sanders. "You think I'm gonna be sitting on a waiting line at United waiting? You know, while 30, 000 people are waiting?"
'Socialism for you, luxury for him.'
Sanders stressed that private jet travel was "the only way to get around."
"No apologies for that," continued the senator. "That's what campaign travel is about. We've done it in the past. We're gonna do it in the future."
— (@)
"I think at a time when the people on top are doing phenomenally well, when seniors, working-class people are struggling, people want to hear action to stand up to the people who have the wealth and the power and create an economy that works for all of us, not just the people on top," Sanders told Baier.
Critics seized upon Sanders' comments as another example of his apparent hypocrisy.
"Ironic that a self proclaimed socialist doesn't like to stand in line since that's what people do in socialist countries. It's just for food, gas, and medical attention — not flights on United," tweeted former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R).
All-American swim star Riley Gaines noted, "The socialist who rails against the wealthy flies private and scoffs at flying commercial — socialism for you, luxury for him."
Sanders admitted during his October appearance on the "Lex Fridman Podcast" that it is easy for politicians to lose touch with everyday Americans and their priorities, noting that "it's a very easy trap to fall into — you can get separated from ordinary people and their struggle."
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Harris apparently ignores RFK Jr.'s offer to drop out of race, endorse her in exchange for possible position in admin
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reached out to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and offered to drop out of the race and endorse her in exchange for a powerful — perhaps even Cabinet-level — position in her administration, should she win, but Harris has thus far ignored him.
Last week, RFK Jr., a 70-year-old independent presidential candidate who comes from a legacy Democrat family, attempted to make contact with Harris' campaign to arrange a meeting to discuss the offer, according to multiple reports.
"From the beginning of this campaign, we were saying people should be talking to each other," RFK Jr. told the New York Post. "That is the only way of unifying the country."
He also suggested that dismissing or ignoring his offer would be a "strategic mistake" for Harris.
"I think they ought to be looking at every opportunity," he explained, "I think it is going to be a very close race."
Despite RFK Jr.'s public plea for Harris' attention, Harris and her team have yet to respond, according to Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, RFK Jr.'s campaign manager.
'Mr. Kennedy is willing to meet with leaders of both parties to discuss the possibility of a unity government.'
The Democratic Party in general has made very clear it wants nothing to do with the son of Bobby Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, two Democrat titans of the 1960s who fell victim to assassination.
"No one has any intention of negotiating with a MAGA-funded fringe candidate who has sought out a job with Donald Trump in exchange for an endorsement," DNC spokesperson Matt Corridoni said in a statement to CNN on Wednesday.
RFK Jr. has not denied making overtures to the Trump campaign. In fact, he and Trump reportedly met in person in Milwaukee last month to discuss a possible role for RFK Jr. in a second Trump term.
RFK Jr.'s team also apparently leaked video of a phone call between RFK Jr. and Trump around that time. In the video clip, Trump touches on several topics, including problems associated with childhood vaccinations and his phone call with Biden after he was shot and nearly killed at the Butler rally, but does not overtly reference a role for RFK Jr. in exchange for his endorsement.
"Mr. Kennedy is willing to meet with leaders of both parties to discuss the possibility of a unity government," a spokesperson for RFK Jr. told the New York Post.
Earlier this year, before Joe Biden dropped out of the race, RFK Jr. also attempted to make inroads with his campaign, to no avail.
RFK Jr. told the New York Post that he has not had contact with the Democratic Party since he launched his campaign for president last year, and CNN noted that Democrats have run ads calling RFK Jr. a "spoiler."
Harris' campaign did not respond to the New York Post's request for comment.
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