作者： root

Dem candidate who called for imprisoning ‘Zionists’ blames her own party, media for backlash

May 22, 2026 11:29am EDT / Fox News

Hakeem Jeffries and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene blamed Republicans for ‘propping up’ the candidate

By Charles Creitz Fox News

The Democratic House candidate under fire for recommending imprisonment for “American Zionists” blamed journalists and her own party for allegedly mischaracterizing her as wanting to create a holding center for “American Zionists” and a purported castration facility.

In an Instagram post last week, South Texas sex therapist Maureen Galindo proposed legislation that would repurpose a federal detention facility to imprison “American Zionists.” In other posts, she also accused her Democratic runoff challenger, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Johnny Garcia, of being paid to put “Jews and Mexicans in concentration camps via Zionist trafficking networks.”

In a social media video posted Thursday, Galindo blamed journalists for mischaracterizing her comments and said she has received threats and hate mail. She also sought to set the record straight about her reference to using an ICE facility in her district.

“I’m sorry to all journalists if I missed your email or social media message, it got lost in a wave of hundreds of death threats and the most vile things. I’m in Texas, I know MAGA. This is worse than MAGA, that’s because MAGA and Zionism is religious overtaking of government,” Galindo said.

DEMOCRATS VOW TO VOTE ‘EVERY SINGLE DAY’ TO EXPEL FELLOW DEM FROM CONGRESS IF SHE WINS MIDTERM

Maureen Galindo speaks at a League of Women Voters meeting in Texas.(Katina Zentz/Getty Images)

“I never said I wanted to use an internment camp. Literally never said it. I said I want to close all detention centers… and put billionaire American Zionists who are funding the genocidal prison systems involved in trafficking into prison.”

Galindo nevertheless reiterated her support for imprisoning what she called “billionaire American Zionists,” whom she accused of supporting “genocidal prison systems.”

She said the use of the phrase “internment camp” was invented by an unnamed journalist who “literally wants me dead.”

Galindo then accused House Democrats’ campaign arm, the DCCC, of fueling the uproar and criticized the organization for backing Garcia over her.

CROCKETT BLASTS ‘LEFT’ FOR ALLEGED SKIN DARKENING IN ADS AS TEXAS SENATE CLASH HEATS UP

She then accused Garcia of being the “PR guy” for the “deadliest jail in all of Texas” and called him a “Zionist-backed cop-candidate.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the DCCC and Garcia’s campaign for comment.

Reps. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., (left) and Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., (right) are vowing to force a vote to expel Texas Democratic candidate Maureen Galindo (center) over antisemitic comments if she is elected to Congress.(Al Drago/Getty Images | Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News via Getty Images | Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

In a video response, Garcia said Galindo’s comments have “no place in our Democratic Party or any place in public service.”

While Galindo could not be immediately reached, she posted a direct response to the matter on her media page, addressing it to all journalists seeking comment on the matter.

“Maureen never said that she wants anyone in internment camps.”

The campaign said Galindo still wants the Karnes ICE facility to be refitted for “billionaire Zionists” who could practice Evangelism, Catholicism, Mormonism and not just Judaism.

“It’s their behaviors and actions that will be judged,” the statement went on, adding that the retrofitting would also provide jobs to the region.

TEXAS DEMOCRATS CALLED OUT OVER ‘EGREGIOUS CIRCULAR-FIRING SQUAD BEHAVIOR’ IN SENATE PRIMARY RACE

Galindo shocked the body politic when she edged out Garcia in the original primary by a few points — putting her and the law enforcement official in the runoff.

The district number matches that of incumbent “Squad” member Rep. Gregorio Casar of Austin, but Casar is running in adjacent Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s district, which also overlaps with his current seat, after Doggett said he would retire if the GOP’s new map holds up in court.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene of Oregon hit back at the situation by blaming Republicans for “propping up” the “antisemitic” Galindo.

Jewish Democrats, including Reps. Jared Moskowitz of Florida and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, also condemned Galindo. Even some on the far left condemned Galindo, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who called her comments “disgusting.”

Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.

He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.

Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.

Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.

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https://www.foxnews.com/video/6342313711112

Trump says more late night talk show hosts to depart after Colbert exit

2026-05-22T15:37:51.77Z / Reuters

WASHINGTON, May 22 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Friday ​that more late-night talk shows will depart after he praised the end of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Trump ‌has repeatedly pressured the Federal Communications Commission to strip broadcast networks of their licenses, called on Walt Disney (DIS.N) to fire ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel and urged Comcast’s NBC (CMCSA.O) to fire host Seth Meyers.

The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.

“Stephen Colbert’s firing from CBS was the ‘Beginning of the End’ for untalented, nasty, highly overpaid, not funny, and very ​poorly rated Late Night Television Hosts,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Others, of even less talent, to soon follow. May they ​all Rest in Peace!”

Colbert hosted what has been the top-rated Late Show for 11 seasons. CBS last ⁠year said it was cancelling the “Late Show,” citing financial reasons. Late-night television, an American tradition since the 1950s, has been losing viewership and ​advertising dollars for years.

NBC, CBS and ABC did not immediately comment on Friday.

CBS announced in July that it was cancelling Colbert’s show just days ​after the company’s parent agreed to settle a lawsuit Trump filed against the company for $16 million over the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Days after that, the FCC approved Paramount’s (PSKY.O) $8 billion merger with Skydance.

The decision to end the top-rated late-night talk show sparked an outcry, however, from Democrats ​and other critics who noted that Paramount was seeking approval for its merger with Skydance at the time of the cancellation. Many ​critics suggested it was done to curry favor with the administration and saw it as a move to silence political satire in violation of the First ‌Amendment’s ⁠free speech protection.

Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said on Wednesday that Trump has been vocal about trying to get programming he dislikes off the air.

“This administration cannot tolerate any critics, whether it’s late-night comedies, whether it’s ‘The View’,” Gomez said. “They are using every regulatory lever in their arsenal to go after content.”

The FCC is investigating whether ABC’s “The View” violated equal time rules for an interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico ​of Texas. CBS in February barred ​Colbert from airing an interview ⁠with Talarico, citing an FCC order in January.

“Donald Trump’s administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV, because all Trump does is watch TV,” Colbert said at the time.

Last month, ​Trump cited a joke from Kimmel as grounds for his dismissal, which Disney declined to do. A ​day later, FCC ⁠Chairman Brendan Carr ordered a highly unusual early license review of the company’s eight ABC television stations. Disney must file its license renewal applications by May 28.

In September 2025, Carr pressured broadcasters to take Kimmel off the air. ABC briefly suspended Kimmel’s show over comments he made about ⁠the assassination ​of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Carr’s efforts drew sharp criticism from across the political ​spectrum.

Carr denied Colbert was forced off the air by government pressure. “He’s just not as popular or as funny as he once was, if he ever was,” Carr told Reuters ​in March.

When Trump called for NBC’s Meyers to be fired in November, Carr reposted it on X.

Reporting by David Shepardson Editing by Bill Berkrot

美向波兰增兵5000人 鲁比奥：美国继续评估兵力部署

2026年5月22日 22:08 / 联合早报

美国国务卿鲁比奥说，美国调整驻军并非“惩罚性”举措，而是为因应不同安全需求，不断重新评估全球兵力部署。 （法新社）

（赫尔辛堡综合电）美国总统特朗普突然宣布将向波兰增派5000名士兵，扭转了先前不派兵的决定。但国务卿鲁比奥提醒盟国，特朗普仍对部分未支持美国中东行动的盟友感到失望，美国会继续评估兵力部署情况。

特朗普周四（5月21日）在社交媒体宣布派兵决定，理由是他所支持的波兰民族主义者纳沃茨基当选总统。纳沃茨基在去年当选总统，五角大楼一周前宣布暂停向波兰派遣约4000名陆军士兵，令纳沃茨基措手不及。

特朗普此前也因不满欧洲对美国在伊朗行动的反应，宣布将从德国撤走5000名士兵。北约欧洲成员国外长趁着星期五（5月22日）在瑞典赫尔辛堡开会，试图向鲁比奥了解华盛顿近期一连串军力部署调整原因。

鲁比奥强调，美国调整驻军并非“惩罚性”举措，而是因为华盛顿必须不断重新评估全球兵力部署，以应对不同的安全需求。但他也说，特朗普对部分北约盟友未能支持美国在中东的行动感到失望，这一问题仍有待处理。

北约秘书长吕特和波兰外长对特朗普向波兰增兵的决定表示欢迎，但多名外长也强调，如果美军在欧洲调整部署，应以更加有序、并与盟友充分协调的方式进行。

此次北约会议也为7月在安卡拉举行的北约峰会铺路。外交官说，欧洲盟友希望在峰会前缓和特朗普的不满，并集中展示欧洲提高防务开支的成果。

吕特指出，欧洲盟友正兑现承诺，把与国防相关的开支提高至国内生产总值（GDP）的5%；多国也准备推出一系列军购订单，以向特朗普证明，欧洲正投入更多资源承担自身防务。

不过，知情人士称，美国预计还将调整可供北约在危机或战争中调用的部队规模，部分美军资源可能被削减，但短期内不会立即影响目前驻欧洲的部队。相关调整将聚焦在美方认为欧洲盟友有能力接手和替代的领域。

美向波兰增兵5000人 鲁比奥：美国继续评估兵力部署

2026年5月22日 22:08 / 联合早报

美国国务卿鲁比奥说，美国调整驻军并非“惩罚性”举措，而是为因应不同安全需求，不断重新评估全球兵力部署。 （法新社）

（赫尔辛堡综合电）美国总统特朗普突然宣布将向波兰增派5000名士兵，扭转了先前不派兵的决定。但国务卿鲁比奥提醒盟国，特朗普仍对部分未支持美国中东行动的盟友感到失望，美国会继续评估兵力部署情况。

特朗普周四（5月21日）在社交媒体宣布派兵决定，理由是他所支持的波兰民族主义者纳沃茨基当选总统。纳沃茨基在去年当选总统，五角大楼一周前宣布暂停向波兰派遣约4000名陆军士兵，令纳沃茨基措手不及。

特朗普此前也因不满欧洲对美国在伊朗行动的反应，宣布将从德国撤走5000名士兵。北约欧洲成员国外长趁着星期五（5月22日）在瑞典赫尔辛堡开会，试图向鲁比奥了解华盛顿近期一连串军力部署调整原因。

鲁比奥强调，美国调整驻军并非“惩罚性”举措，而是因为华盛顿必须不断重新评估全球兵力部署，以应对不同的安全需求。但他也说，特朗普对部分北约盟友未能支持美国在中东的行动感到失望，这一问题仍有待处理。

北约秘书长吕特和波兰外长对特朗普向波兰增兵的决定表示欢迎，但多名外长也强调，如果美军在欧洲调整部署，应以更加有序、并与盟友充分协调的方式进行。

此次北约会议也为7月在安卡拉举行的北约峰会铺路。外交官说，欧洲盟友希望在峰会前缓和特朗普的不满，并集中展示欧洲提高防务开支的成果。

吕特指出，欧洲盟友正兑现承诺，把与国防相关的开支提高至国内生产总值（GDP）的5%；多国也准备推出一系列军购订单，以向特朗普证明，欧洲正投入更多资源承担自身防务。

不过，知情人士称，美国预计还将调整可供北约在危机或战争中调用的部队规模，部分美军资源可能被削减，但短期内不会立即影响目前驻欧洲的部队。相关调整将聚焦在美方认为欧洲盟友有能力接手和替代的领域。

NATO allies welcome Trump’s Poland troop announcement, but say messaging “confusing indeed”

2026-05-22 08:29:01 EDT / CBS News

London — America’s NATO allies were left scratching their heads Friday after President Trump announced a deployment of U.S. forces to Poland, reversing a decision to cancel the plan, with one European foreign minister calling the administration’s messaging “confusing indeed.”

On Thursday, Mr. Trump said in a Truth Social post he was “pleased to announce that the United States will be sending an additional 5,000 Troops to Poland.”

It wasn’t clear whether the troops would be based in the country permanently or on a rotational basis.

His statement came two days after Vice President JD Vance defended a previously announced decision to cancel the planned deployment of 4,000 forces to Poland, saying the country “is capable of defending itself with a lot of support from the United States.”

Vance accused the media of “overreacting” to “a very minor thing.”

Soldiers of the U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Stryker Brigade participate in the Amber Shock 26 portion of the Saber Strike 26 NATO military exercises, May 6, 2026, near Bemowo Piskie, Poland. Sean Gallup/Getty

At a meeting Friday in Sweden of NATO foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, European leaders welcomed Mr. Trump’s announcement, but some acknowledged difficulty in keeping pace with the messaging from Washington amid tension between the allies. Mr. Trump and his cabinet have bashed NATO members for refusing to join the offensive operations against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel almost three months ago.

“All’s well that ends well,” Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Friday.

His Swedish counterpart, Maria Malmer Stenergard, was more blunt, telling reporters the U.S. position on joint defense under the nearly eighty 80-year old transatlantic alliance, “is confusing indeed, and not always easy to navigate.”

“Maybe social media negotiation is not the best thing,” she added.

NATO leaders are set to meet again next week for a summit in Ankara, Turkey, but European allies were likely to push Rubio for clarity on the changing U.S. stance on troop deployments as they meet Friday in Sweden.

Rubio is expected to speak at the meeting later Friday and to address the deployment of U.S. forces in the region.

He said Friday that any reduction in U.S. troop deployments was “not a punitive thing,” but added that Mr. Trump’s “views — frankly disappointment — at some of our NATO allies and their response to our operations in the Middle East … will have to be addressed.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (center), takes part in the working session of the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, May 22, 2026. Christoph Soeder/picture alliance/Getty

He added that the issue “won’t be solved or addressed today,” and said that, as with any alliance, “it has to be good for everyone who’s involved.”

Europeans “have heard the message”

Mr. Trump announced the surprise deployment to Poland about three weeks after he said the U.S. was “studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany,” following a public fallout with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said the president had been “humiliated” by Iranian negotiators.

Senior U.S. defense officials told CBS News the following day that the Pentagon was planning to withdraw about 5,000 American forces from Germany.

Mr. Trump has also said he’s considering pulling the U.S. out of the alliance that it helped to found in the wake of World War II, and after his administration pushed for the takeover of Greenland, a semi-autonomous region of NATO ally Denmark, earlier this year.

Under intense pressure from the White House, some NATO allies have scrambled to show they are increasing spending on their defense. Last year, for the first time, a European ally – Norway – spent more per capita than the U.S. on its military, according to the Atlantic Council.

At next week’s summit in Ankara, European leaders will be keen to demonstrate they have made good on promises to increase spending and assume more of the burden of defending the continent.

A slew of arms deals are being lined up to make that case to the president, diplomats told the AFP news agency this week. Some NATO allies, led by France and Britain, have already sent warships to the region to take part in an international operation to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but that mission is still being nailed down, and the Europeans have made it clear they will only start after hostilities end.

Still, European “allies have heard the message” from Washington, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said recently.

A chance “to Europeanize NATO”?

NATO ministers still expect U.S. force drawdowns on the continent as the Trump administration pursues its “America First” agenda.

“What is important is that it happens in a structured manner,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Friday in Sweden. “So that Europe is able to build up when the U.S. reduces its presence.”

“As the U.S. reevaluates its level of engagement and presence in Europe within the alliance, it is exactly the opportunity … to Europeanize NATO,” said France’s top diplomat Jean-Noel Barrot.

The continent’s collective will and defense capacity has been tested by Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Rutte has pushed European nations to buy more weaponry from the U.S. to give to Kyiv.

Officials in Washington have accused NATO partners including France, Spain and Italy of shirking their responsibilities when it comes to defense spending.

“What I want to achieve is that the burden is more evenly spread, that there is more burden sharing here,” Rutte said. “At the moment, it is only six or seven allies who are doing the heavy lifting.”

But there’s no doubt Europe would prefer to keep the U.S. onside.

Ahead of a cabinet meeting Tuesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his government was “trying to obtain information and to influence the decisions of our American allies.”

Washington “must understand how important close and very well coordinated cooperation is from the point of view of the security of Poland, Europe, the United States and the global order, including the presence of American troops in Poland,” he said.

“We believe it’s in the U.S. interest to have deployments in Europe,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Friday, calling it “the cheapest way to keep the continent in peace.”

卡塔尔谈判小组抵达德黑兰 协助促成伊美达成协议

2026年5月22日 22:42 / 联合早报

3月29日，在伊朗德黑兰，卡塔尔阿拉伯电视台和商业大楼遭到袭击受损。 （路透社）

知情人士告诉路透社，一个卡塔尔谈判小组已抵达德黑兰，与美国协调，旨在协助促成一项结束伊朗战争并解决悬而未决问题的协议。

卡塔尔曾在加沙战争和其他国际紧张局势中扮演调解人的角色，但在最近一次冲突中遭到伊朗导弹和无人机袭击后，此前一直避免在伊朗战争中发挥调解作用。

另据数名知情人士透露，阿拉伯联合酋长国最近几日以更加协调的方式推动结束伊朗战争，与沙特阿拉伯和卡塔尔一道敦促美国总统特朗普给谈判一个机会。

彭博社引述这些人士说，促成这些对话的原因是，这些国家担心，如果敌对行动重启，德黑兰的报复将使波斯湾地区经济陷入混乱。知情人士称，这三个美国盟国的领导人分别在与特朗普的通话中指出，军事行动无法实现美国在伊朗问题上的长期目标。这些人士因讨论敏感问题而要求匿名。

阿联酋如今的立场显示态度出现转变。此前，阿联酋曾遭受伊朗袭击，在对待德黑兰的问题上，也比其他海湾邻国更加强硬。

卡塔尔谈判小组抵达德黑兰 协助促成伊美达成协议

2026年5月22日 22:42 / 联合早报

3月29日，在伊朗德黑兰，卡塔尔阿拉伯电视台和商业大楼遭到袭击受损。 （路透社）

知情人士告诉路透社，一个卡塔尔谈判小组已抵达德黑兰，与美国协调，旨在协助促成一项结束伊朗战争并解决悬而未决问题的协议。

卡塔尔曾在加沙战争和其他国际紧张局势中扮演调解人的角色，但在最近一次冲突中遭到伊朗导弹和无人机袭击后，此前一直避免在伊朗战争中发挥调解作用。

另据数名知情人士透露，阿拉伯联合酋长国最近几日以更加协调的方式推动结束伊朗战争，与沙特阿拉伯和卡塔尔一道敦促美国总统特朗普给谈判一个机会。

彭博社引述这些人士说，促成这些对话的原因是，这些国家担心，如果敌对行动重启，德黑兰的报复将使波斯湾地区经济陷入混乱。知情人士称，这三个美国盟国的领导人分别在与特朗普的通话中指出，军事行动无法实现美国在伊朗问题上的长期目标。这些人士因讨论敏感问题而要求匿名。

阿联酋如今的立场显示态度出现转变。此前，阿联酋曾遭受伊朗袭击，在对待德黑兰的问题上，也比其他海湾邻国更加强硬。

DNC chair under pressure again after flipping on releasing autopsy

May 22, 2026 8:50am EDT / Fox News

Rep Mark Veasey says ‘the clock is ticking’ and calls on Martin to step down as party leader

By Robert McGreevy, Fox News

NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin is facing increased scrutiny from his party, including calls to resign, after he changed his months-long stance and released the party’s long-awaited autopsy on its 2024 election loss.

After months of refusing to release the report, which was meant to be an analysis of how and why former Vice President Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election, Martin flipped and released the report Thursday.

Martin claimed he initially believed that putting out the report would be a distraction but then said that not releasing the report became “an even bigger distraction.”

Critics within his own party argued the report released Thursday was far from comprehensive.

DEMOCRATS RELEASE 2024 ELECTION AUTOPSY THAT CHAIR SAYS ‘DOES NOT MEET MY STANDARDS’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks to members of the media as she arrives for the last votes of the week at the U.S. Capitol Building on May 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Ocasio-Cortez criticized the recently released DNC autopsy of the 2024 election’s timing and its exclusion of any mention of Gaza.(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

“I think it’s pretty unbelievable that Gaza would not be mentioned once in the autopsy report,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told reporters Thursday.

“I think it was very clearly a major dynamic and a major thread that was happening in 2024, regardless of how one feels about that issue, the fact that it’s not even addressed, I think, is a major oversight, and I think that for young people it was a huge part of the environment. I can tell you for myself, as a candidate during that cycle, there’s no way that it was an ignorable issue or totally immaterial. So, I think that you know it’s a real disservice to not speak to that or include or assess that,” she said.

Ocasio-Cortez was far from the only congressional critic.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., also criticized the document’s failure to mention Gaza.

“One of the reasons we lost was our blank check to Israel and Netanyahu while they committed genocide in Gaza,” he said in a video posted to his YouTube channel.

“We must speak and confront hard truths if this party is to win in 2028,” he added.

UNITY TESTED: DEMOCRATS FACE OFF OVER ISRAEL AND AIPAC DARK MONEY DURING DNC MEETING

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., speaks during the National Action Network National Convention in New York City on April 8, 2026.(Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Others, like Rep. Mark Veasey, D-Texas, went as far as calling for Martin to resign.

“There doesn’t seem to be a plan to turn things around and the clock is ticking,” he told Semafor, adding, “November is literally around the corner… I believe it’s time for him to move on.”

Democratic strategist Steve Schale called the report release “an unmitigated s—show, according to NBC, adding “there’s just no confidence in the competence in the DNC.”

Martin himself admitted the report’s inadequacy.

“I am not proud of this product; it does not meet my standards, and it won’t meet your standards,” he wrote Thursday, claiming he could not “in good faith put the DNC’s stamp of approval on it.”

DNC Chair Ken Martin makes a speech during the press conference for the DNC site visit at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.(Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Entire sections of the report, which was written by Democratic strategist Paul Rivera, according to CNN, were left blank, and the document was reportedly riddled with omissions and factual errors.

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Aside from omitting any mention of the Gaza conflict splitting party voters, the report also failed to mention former President Joe Biden’s age or Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Fox News Digital contacted the DNC for additional comment.

Fox News’ Dan Scully contributed to this report.

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6396343576112

Trump joins Lawler to test economic pitch in competitive New York district

2026-05-22T15:04:46.103Z / Reuters

U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY) arrives prior to a closed briefing on Iran for members of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Summary

Trump appears with Lawler in New York battleground district
Trip comes amid inflation, gas price pressure, tied to Iran conflict
Republican unease grows over ballroom funding and compensation fund

May 22 (Reuters) – Donald Trump travels on Friday to ​New York’s Hudson Valley with one of the most vulnerable House Republicans facing reelection in November’s midterm ‌vote, a rare test of the U.S. president’s standing with suburban voters concerned about rising costs.

Trump’s visit alongside Representative Mike Lawler comes as political strategists eye congressional districts in suburbs, which are expected to be closely contested between Democrats and Republicans during ​the elections.

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Voters’ approval of Trump’s performance in office has fallen since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began ​in February. Rising gasoline prices and broader inflation concerns are intensifying the political stakes ⁠in the House of Representatives, where Republicans are defending a narrow margin of control.

Trump is also facing unusual ​pushback from some Republicans over his push to finance a White House ballroom project and a separate effort to establish ​a political compensation fund tied to a legal settlement involving the IRS over the release of his tax returns.

TRUMP VISIT FOCUSED ON REPUBLICANS’ TAX POLICIES

Trump is scheduled to speak at an event at Rockland Community College centered on the economy and tax policy, ​particularly last year’s expansion of a federal deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT, a key ​issue for suburban voters in New York. The state imposes a relatively high income tax on residents.

The president will “highlight his strong ‌record ⁠of making life more affordable for working families,” said White House spokesperson Liz Huston. She added that Trump plans to draw a contrast with Democrats in Congress, who voted against the tax law, which included tax breaks on tips and Social Security.

Riya Vashi, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, blasted the planned visit, saying ​it reflects poor judgment by ​Lawler.

“Nothing says ‘I don’t care ⁠about my district’ quite like Mike Lawler bringing Donald Trump to NY-17 to tout a disastrous economy that’s crushing working families,” Vashi said.

Lawler, one of few Republicans representing ​a district won by Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, has ​embraced Trump more ⁠openly than some other swing-district Republicans.

New York’s 17th Congressional District, which stretches across parts of the lower Hudson Valley, is expected to be among the nation’s most competitive House races and could play a pivotal role in determining ⁠control of ​Congress.

Trump has demonstrated his continued political strength within the Republican Party in ​recent weeks, with several candidates he endorsed successfully defeating incumbents who had fallen out of favor with him, reinforcing his influence over primary ​contests and party alignment heading into the 2026 cycle.

Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Trevor Hunnicutt and Alistair Bell

Britney Spears argued with police, denied being intoxicated during March DUI arrest, footage shows

May 22, 2026 / 10:08 AM EDT / CBS News

Pop star Britney Spears was driving erratically and speeding when she was pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence in California in March, according to police records.

An investigation report obtained and reviewed by CBS News said that Spears was drifting between lanes on U.S. 101 when she was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol. It took her 15 seconds to respond to commands to pull over, police said. When she rolled down the window to speak to police, the reporting officer noted “the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from” the vehicle.

Spears argued with police for about 10 minutes before getting out of the car, according to the investigation report. Dashboard camera footage showed Spears telling police she “did not like” the order to exit the vehicle. At one point, she said she did not want to get out of her car because of traffic on the highway. When the officers offered to drive her around a corner, she again refused and asked if they could come to her home.

“I’ll make you food or lasagna, whatever you want. I have a pool,” Spears can be heard saying. She later says that she is “totally fine” and able to drive.

Britney Spears and police officers during a DUI arrest on March 4, 2026. California Highway Patrol

When she exited the car, she appeared visibly unsteady and exhibited “rapid and slurred” speech, according to the reporting officer. The officer also noted that Spears exhibited “dramatic mood swings” during their interaction and that she occasionally spoke with a British accent.

Spears told officers she had a mimosa about six hours earlier, and said that she did not feel at all intoxicated.

“I could probably drink four bottles of wine and take care of you. I’m an angel,” Spears told the officer, according to the report. She also said she had taken Lamictal, a medication used to treat bipolar disorder.

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When police searched her vehicle, they found a bottle of Adderall that was not prescribed to Spears and a wine glass in the front cupholder. Spears was arrested on suspicion of driving while drinking and using drugs.

Two Breathalyzer exams taken about an hour after Spears was pulled over showed she had a blood alcohol level of 0.06% and 0.05%, according to the report. Blood was also drawn to test for drugs. The results of the drug test were not included in the report.

Spears was released the morning after her arrest, according to inmate records reviewed by CBS News. In a statement to CBS News, a representative for Spears referred to the incident as “unfortunate” and “completely inexcusable.” She pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving earlier this month, and was sentenced to 12 months probation, avoiding jail time.

Spears voluntarily checked herself into rehab in April, a spokesperson told CBS Los Angeles.