Trump taps James M. McDonald as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York

PBS NewsHour – Politics — 2026-06-13 17:43:00 — www.pbs.org

Trump Taps Personal Lawyer for Top Manhattan Prosecutor Role Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will appoint James M. McDonald, one of his personal lawyers, to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. This move comes as Trump seeks to fill the vacancy left after he nominated the current officeholder, Jay Clayton, to be director of national intelligence.

Trump’s Direct Involvement and Public Statement

Trump made his intentions clear, stating he would name McDonald to the influential post, which oversees a wide range of high-profile cases, including terrorism, espionage, securities fraud, and public corruption. On his Truth Social platform, Trump posted, “I am confident that Jamie will deliver strong results for our Country,” signaling his personal trust in McDonald’s abilities and loyalty.

McDonald’s Ties to Trump’s Legal Challenges

McDonald is not only a former federal prosecutor and financial regulator but is also currently part of the legal team handling Trump’s pending appeal of felony convictions in New York. These convictions stem from hush money payments made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. The appointment raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, given McDonald’s direct involvement in Trump’s ongoing legal matters.

Recent Legal Actions and Political Pressure

The announcement comes as Trump faces mounting pressure from Congress to fill key roles in his administration. Trump’s earlier decision to name Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence was met with significant pushback. Meanwhile, McDonald’s recent legal work included securing a favorable outcome for Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, after the Trump administration Justice Department dropped a fraud and conspiracy case that had been initiated under the Biden administration.

Conclusion: A Controversial Appointment Amid Scrutiny

Trump’s decision to appoint a personal lawyer to one of the most prestigious federal prosecutor roles underscores his willingness to place trusted allies in positions of significant power, even as he navigates his own legal challenges. The move is likely to draw further scrutiny regarding the independence of the Justice Department and the potential for conflicts of interest as Trump continues to respond to ongoing legal and political pressures.

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Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/trump-taps-james-m-mcdonald-as-u-s-attorney-for-the-southern-district-of-new-york

Trump at 80: A President ‘Really Uncomfortable’ With Aging

NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-06-14 07:31:00 — www.nytimes.com

Donald Trump Addresses Age and Economic Claims in Wisconsin Speech

Donald Trump, speaking to supporters in Wisconsin earlier this month, addressed concerns about age and the state of the U.S. economy. During his remarks, Trump said, “These are the strongest job numbers of the entire administration so far, and that’s during this conflict, on top of it. So it’s great. And, you know, we have a thing. We have a problem in this country, because it used to be, if you’re — I’m a little older than a couple of you, but I don’t feel old. I feel the same as I did 50 years ago. It’s crazy. Mr. Senator. We got a great Senator right here, Ron, but I do feel the same. But — but in the old days, you know, if you had good job numbers, like great job numbers like they announced today, the stock market goes up. Today, everything is crazy.”

Trump’s comments came as he slipped an aside about his age into a broader monologue that touched on topics ranging from job numbers and the stock market to the U.S. war in Iran and a greeting for Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. The remarks highlighted Trump’s tendency to meander beyond the original topic, a pattern noted by observers and presidential historians.

Physical and Public Approach to Aging

As he ages, Trump has taken a notably public approach to his physical condition. He has allowed cameras to capture moments such as slumps, swollen ankles, and a bandaged hand. He continues to use a tall stairway to board Air Force One, often navigating the stairs with care. Trump also regularly appears before the media, fielding questions from supportive outlets and lashing out at journalists who pose challenging questions.

This openness stands in contrast to how other administrations have handled the visible signs of an aging president. For example, aides to President Joseph R. Biden Jr. have reportedly gone to lengths to obscure the signs of his physical decline, according to the excerpt.

Erratic Speech and Age-Related Questions

Trump’s erratic behavior and meandering speech patterns have drawn attention, with presidential historian Julian E. Zelizer noting that it is difficult to determine how much of this can be attributed to age-related decline. Trump, however, continues to assert that he does not feel old, insisting, “I feel the same as I did 50 years ago.”

Conclusion

Trump’s public handling of his age and health, along with his frequent digressions during public remarks, have become a notable aspect of his current political persona. While he claims to feel as vigorous as ever, observers continue to scrutinize both his physical condition and the accuracy of his statements on the economy and other issues. As the debate over age and fitness for office intensifies, Trump’s approach stands out for its visibility and defiance of traditional political norms.

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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/14/us/politics/trump-age-birthday-80.html

Trump called the 2026 World Cup history’s ‘most successful.’ Problems cloud ticket sales

PolitiFact – Rulings and Stories — 2026-06-12 15:39:00 — www.politifact.com

Trump’s World Cup Boast: Fact-Checking Claims of “Most Successful” Ticket Sales

President Donald Trump has once again reached for superlatives, calling the 2026 World Cup the “most successful World Cup they’ve ever had” and claiming, “They’ve never sold tickets at that level. They’ve never sold that many tickets so quickly.” He made similar statements in May, touting it as “the most successful they’ve ever had ticket-wise.”

While it’s true that the 2026 tournament is historic in scale—with 48 teams and 104 games across North America—Trump’s claims gloss over key context. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced over 6 million tickets sold as of June 10, a record in raw numbers. However, experts note that this is largely because the tournament has expanded to include more teams and matches than ever before. Previous World Cups had a maximum of 32 teams and 64 matches, meaning there are simply more tickets available for sale in 2026.

Soccer historians and analysts caution that comparing ticket sales across tournaments is misleading. “There are far more games and therefore tickets to be sold,” said Leander Schaerlaeckens, a soccer columnist and university lecturer, highlighting the false equivalency in Trump’s comparison.

Moreover, not all matches are sold out, and the ticketing process has been marred by controversy. Many fans have been priced out, with the cheapest resale tickets for opening round matches listed at $242 and up, despite FIFA advertising $60 tickets that were extremely limited. Dynamic pricing has pushed prices even higher, and consumer complaints have triggered investigations in multiple states.

In summary, while the 2026 World Cup is breaking records for total tickets sold, Trump’s sweeping claims ignore the expanded scale of the event and the ongoing issues with ticket accessibility and pricing. The numbers alone don’t tell the full story, and Trump’s statements exaggerate the success by omitting these crucial details.

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Source: https://www.politifact.com/article/2026/jun/12/World-cup-FIFA-tickets-pricing-Trump/

Trump endorses Collins in Georgia Republican Senate runoff

Administration News — 2026-06-14 06:49:00 — thehill.com

Trump Endorses Mike Collins in Georgia GOP Senate Runoff, Calls Him a “WARRIOR and WINNER”

President Trump early Sunday threw his support behind Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) in the upcoming Georgia GOP Senate runoff, choosing Collins over former college football coach Derek Dooley. Trump declared, “Mike is strongly supported by the most Highly Respected MAGA Patriots in Georgia and beyond, and many Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate — He is a WARRIOR and WINNER!”

Trump’s Endorsement and Claims

Trump’s endorsement highlights his ongoing influence in Republican primaries and his continued use of superlative language to describe his preferred candidates. By stating that Collins is “strongly supported by the most Highly Respected MAGA Patriots in Georgia and beyond,” Trump seeks to frame Collins as the clear choice for those aligned with his movement. He further claims that Collins has the backing of “many Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate,” positioning Collins as a consensus pick within the party.

Fact-Checking Trump’s Assertions

While Trump’s endorsement is a standard political move, his statements often include exaggerations or unsupported claims. In this case, Trump’s assertion that Collins is “strongly supported by the most Highly Respected MAGA Patriots in Georgia and beyond” is subjective and not independently verifiable. Similarly, the claim that “many Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate” support Collins is vague and lacks specific evidence in the excerpt provided.

Trump’s use of emphatic language, calling Collins a “WARRIOR and WINNER,” is characteristic of his rhetorical style but does not provide factual information about Collins’ record or qualifications. These types of statements are designed to energize his base and create an impression of overwhelming support, even when the details are not substantiated.

Conclusion

President Trump’s endorsement of Mike Collins in the Georgia GOP Senate runoff underscores his continued role in shaping Republican contests. However, as with many of his public statements, Trump’s claims about the breadth and depth of support for Collins are difficult to verify and rely heavily on subjective language. Voters should be aware of the distinction between political rhetoric and verifiable fact as they consider Trump’s endorsements and the candidates he supports.

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Source: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5923238-trump-endorses-mike-collins-georgia-senate/

Trump’s UFC fights bring historic spectacle to White House : NPR

NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-06-14 04:00:00 — www.npr.org

Trump’s UFC Spectacle at the White House Raises Questions About Priorities and Conflicts

President Trump is moving forward with his plan to host a UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House, an idea he first floated at a rally in Des Moines nearly a year ago. “We’re going to have a UFC fight – think of this – on the grounds of the White House,” Trump told supporters at the time. The event, now set for the nation’s 250th anniversary—which also coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday—will feature seven cage fights in a temporary arena known as “The Claw.”

A Focus on Side Projects Amid National Crises

Trump’s attention to the UFC event is just one of several side projects he has pursued during his presidency, even as the U.S. remains at war with Iran, inflation has surpassed 4%, and his approval ratings have dropped. He has also planned a rally on the National Mall, an IndyCar race through D.C., and a series of major construction projects, including a new ballroom and underground military complex at the White House, as well as a massive arch near Arlington National Cemetery.

At official events, Trump frequently touts his building projects. At a recent agricultural roundtable in Wisconsin, he showed farmers photos of a Washington, D.C., fountain, claiming, “We had 22 fountains that didn’t work. All of the fountains, not one fountain in Washington worked. Out of the 22 fountains, they’re all looking beautiful.” This sweeping statement exaggerates the scope of his achievements and echoes his pattern of making broad, unverifiable claims.

Conflict of Interest Concerns and Financial Ties

The UFC event has drawn scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest. A watchdog group, the Public Integrity Project, has filed a lawsuit to halt the event, calling it “deeply corrupt” and highlighting that Trump owns up to $50,000 in stock in the company that owns UFC. The White House, through spokesperson Davis Ingle, has denied any conflict, stating that Trump’s assets are in a trust managed by his children. However, the trust is not blind, meaning Trump could still be aware of and benefit from his holdings.

The government’s legal filings argue that the event should proceed, citing the extensive resources already committed and noting that previous presidents have held public events on the South Lawn. The White House insists that UFC is paying for the event, with no taxpayer dollars used beyond normal government duties. Still, seven government agencies have been involved in coordinating the spectacle.

Public Reaction and Legacy Building

Despite Trump and UFC CEO Dana White’s insistence that the fights are about America’s birthday, not Trump’s, public support is low. Only 16% of U.S. adults believe it’s appropriate to hold mixed martial arts matches on the White House lawn, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Even among Republicans, support is tepid.

Trump has a long history with UFC and has spoken about the sport and aging on the UFC Unfiltered podcast, saying, “As you get older, it’s not that you can’t do it. I think you’re physically the same. Maybe in some ways you’re stronger and better, but you don’t have that same motivation to do it. You want the success, but you don’t want to work quite as hard.”

Conclusion: A Presidency Defined by Personal Projects

As Trump’s second term nears its end, his focus on high-profile, unconventional projects like the UFC event stands in stark contrast to traditional presidential priorities during wartime. His penchant for exaggeration and his personal financial ties to the event raise ongoing questions about his motivations and the legacy he hopes to leave. The spectacle on the South Lawn may say as much about Trump’s approach to the presidency as it does about the nation’s milestone anniversary.

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Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/06/14/nx-s1-5854962/trump-ufc-white-house-fights

Rep. Norma Torres Proposes Ban on Special Treatment for Convicted Drug Traffickers — ProPublica

ProPublica — 2026-06-11 04:00:00 — www.propublica.org

Trump’s Pardon of Honduran Ex-President Sparks Outrage Over VIP Prison Perks

President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of taking bribes and enabling drug traffickers to export more than 400 tons of cocaine to the U.S., has ignited a political firestorm over the use of taxpayer dollars for special treatment of pardoned criminals.

After Trump granted Hernández a full pardon in December, federal prison officials reportedly removed an immigration detainer that should have kept Hernández in custody for pickup by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Instead, the Bureau of Prisons arranged for a four-man tactical team to drive Hernández six hours from a high-security West Virginia prison to the luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan, with overtime pay funded by taxpayers.

The special treatment, described by Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) as “red carpet” accommodations, prompted her to introduce an amendment to bar the Bureau of Prisons and other agencies from using public funds to provide VIP perks, transportation, or preferential legal treatment to convicted drug traffickers and child traffickers, even if they have been pardoned.

Hernández, who has long denied wrongdoing, appealed to Trump’s sympathies last year with a letter claiming he was a victim of “political persecution” by the Biden administration. Trump’s pardon came just two days before a contentious Honduran presidential election, a move experts said signaled support for Hernández’s right-wing National Party and may have encouraged election manipulation.

The Bureau of Prisons has not commented on the specifics of Hernández’s release, but a retired prison worker described staff as “disgusted” by the agency’s actions. Torres’s amendment was voted down along party lines in the House Appropriations Committee, with Republicans opposing the measure.

The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about the fairness of the justice system and the use of presidential pardons. Torres vowed to continue fighting for reforms, stating, “The American people deserve a government that enforces the law fairly and holds powerful criminals accountable, regardless of who pardons them.”

This episode underscores the far-reaching consequences of Trump’s pardon decisions and raises questions about accountability and equal treatment under the law.

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Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-bureau-prisons-pardons-juan-orlando-hernandez-norma-torres

Trump’s Inaccurate Anecdote on ‘Right to Repair’ Cars

FactCheck.org — 2026-06-12 07:24:00 — www.factcheck.org

Trump Falsely Claims Mechanic Jailed for Seven Years for Fixing His Own Car

President Donald Trump has repeatedly cited a wildly inaccurate anecdote to support his stance on the “right to repair” debate, claiming that a man was sentenced to seven years in jail simply for fixing his own car. In remarks on June 4, Trump stated, “They gave a man seven years in jail, actually, because he fixed his own car.” He reiterated the claim the following day at a Wisconsin agriculture roundtable, asserting, “I pardoned a man last week who was sentenced to seven years in jail because he got caught fixing his car or his truck.”

However, the facts do not support Trump’s story. The case he referenced appears to be that of Troy Lake, a Wyoming diesel mechanic who was pardoned by Trump on November 7. Lake served seven months of a one-year sentence—not seven years—after pleading guilty to violating the Clean Air Act by disabling emissions monitoring systems on hundreds of commercial trucks. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lake and his company, Elite Diesel Service Inc., orchestrated a large-scale conspiracy to tamper with emissions controls, resulting in significant illegal pollution.

Lake was not prosecuted for merely fixing his own vehicle, but for intentionally disabling federally mandated emissions equipment on at least 344 trucks, causing an estimated 1,300 tons of excess nitrogen oxides and other pollutants. The case involved multiple co-conspirators and substantial fines, and was not simply about the right to repair a personal vehicle.

Despite Trump’s claims that Democrats want to jail people for fixing their own vehicles, no such law exists. The “right to repair” debate is more nuanced, focusing on consumers’ ability to repair their own products or choose independent repair shops, particularly as modern vehicles become more reliant on proprietary software and telematics.

Trump’s repeated false statements misrepresent both the facts of the Lake case and the broader right to repair issue, exaggerating the consequences and incorrectly attributing blame to political opponents. This pattern of distortion highlights the importance of fact-checking claims made in high-profile policy debates.

Conclusion

President Trump’s anecdote about a mechanic jailed for seven years for fixing his own car is not supported by the facts. The actual case involved criminal tampering with emissions controls, not simple repairs, and the sentence was far shorter than Trump claimed. The right to repair debate remains complex, but Trump’s statements have significantly misrepresented both the law and the reality faced by consumers and mechanics.

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Source: https://www.factcheck.org/2026/06/trumps-inaccurate-anecdote-on-right-to-repair-cars/

Donald J. Trump: “It is my Great Honor to endorse “MAGA” Mike Collins, a Highly Respected Cong…

Trump's Truth – Latest Posts — 2026-06-13 23:56:00 — trumpstruth.org

Donald Trump Endorses Mike Collins for Senate, Repeats False Claims and Launches Attacks

Donald Trump has issued a forceful endorsement of Congressman Mike Collins for the United States Senate in Georgia, using the opportunity to repeat a series of false claims, exaggerations, and personal attacks against political opponents.

False Claims About Georgia Election and Border Security

Trump asserted, “we just had a BIG Presidential Election Win with the Most Votes Received by any single Candidate in Georgia’s History, for any Election,” and claimed, “the facts have now proven that I won by a lot!” These statements are false. Official certified results show that Trump lost Georgia in the 2020 presidential election, and multiple recounts and audits confirmed the outcome. There is no factual basis for the claim that he won the state “by a lot.”

He also stated, “I created the Strongest Border in History,” and credited Mike Collins for supporting him. This is an exaggeration. While border security policies were tightened during his administration, there is no evidence to support the assertion that the U.S. border was the “strongest in history,” and illegal crossings remained a persistent issue.

Attacks and Distortions Targeting Jon Ossoff

Trump repeatedly attacked Senator Jon Ossoff, calling him a “Radical Left Dumocrat,” “weak and pathetic,” and a “totally ineffective RADICAL LEFT LOSER.” He accused Ossoff of trying to raise taxes by “over 4 Trillion Dollars,” voting for “Men in Women’s Sports, Transgender for Everyone, Open Borders,” and wanting “Criminals of every variety, including 11,888 Murderers, to pour into our Country totally unchecked and unvetted.” These claims are misleading or outright false. There is no evidence that Ossoff supports open borders, wants to abolish borders, or has advocated for allowing “11,888 Murderers” into the country.

Trump further claimed Ossoff “voted AGAINST Voter I.D., and also, fought strongly against Proof of Citizenship, but is in favor of allowing Illegal Aliens to vote in our Sacred Elections.” These are distortions of Ossoff’s record; there is no support for the claim that he favors allowing non-citizens to vote in federal elections.

Exaggerations About Economic and Foreign Policy Achievements

Trump claimed, “we now have the Strongest Border, the Best Stock Market, and the Most Success that our Country has ever seen,” and asserted that “the Islamic Republic of Iran… has just agreed to never have a Nuclear Weapon, and the Hormuz Strait will be opening shortly. Gas prices will plummet, and Affordability will be far better than the numbers from the Record Inflation Driven Biden Administration years.” These statements exaggerate or misrepresent the facts. There is no public agreement from Iran to permanently forgo nuclear weapons, and gas prices are influenced by global markets, not solely by U.S. policy.

Conclusion

Trump’s endorsement of Mike Collins is marked by a pattern of falsehoods, exaggerations, and personal attacks, particularly targeting Senator Jon Ossoff and distorting the record on Georgia’s election results, border security, and economic conditions. As the Senate race in Georgia intensifies, voters are likely to see continued use of such rhetoric, underscoring the importance of fact-checking and scrutiny of campaign claims.

Source article

Source: https://trumpstruth.org/statuses/39248

Trump taps James M. McDonald as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York

PBS NewsHour – Politics — 2026-06-13 17:43:00 — www.pbs.org

Trump Taps Personal Lawyer for Top Manhattan Prosecutor Role Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will appoint James M. McDonald, one of his personal lawyers, to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. This move comes as Trump seeks to fill the vacancy left after he nominated the current officeholder, Jay Clayton, to be director of national intelligence.

Trump’s Direct Involvement and Public Statement

Trump made his intentions clear, stating he would name McDonald to the influential post, which oversees a wide range of high-profile cases, including terrorism, espionage, securities fraud, and public corruption. On his Truth Social platform, Trump posted, “I am confident that Jamie will deliver strong results for our Country,” signaling his personal trust in McDonald’s abilities and loyalty.

McDonald’s Ties to Trump’s Legal Challenges

McDonald is not only a former federal prosecutor and financial regulator but is also currently part of the legal team handling Trump’s pending appeal of felony convictions in New York. These convictions stem from hush money payments made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. The appointment raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, given McDonald’s direct involvement in Trump’s ongoing legal matters.

Recent Legal Actions and Political Pressure

The announcement comes as Trump faces mounting pressure from Congress to fill key roles in his administration. Trump’s earlier decision to name Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence was met with significant pushback. Meanwhile, McDonald’s recent legal work included securing a favorable outcome for Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, after the Trump administration Justice Department dropped a fraud and conspiracy case that had been initiated under the Biden administration.

Conclusion: A Controversial Appointment Amid Scrutiny

Trump’s decision to appoint a personal lawyer to one of the most prestigious federal prosecutor roles underscores his willingness to place trusted allies in positions of significant power, even as he navigates his own legal challenges. The move is likely to draw further scrutiny regarding the independence of the Justice Department and the potential for conflicts of interest as Trump continues to respond to ongoing legal and political pressures.

Source article

Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/trump-taps-james-m-mcdonald-as-u-s-attorney-for-the-southern-district-of-new-york

President Trump Endorses Mike Collins in Georgia Senate Runoff

NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-06-14 01:38:00 — www.nytimes.com

Trump Endorses Mike Collins in Georgia Senate Runoff, Repeats False Claims About 2020 Election

Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Representative Mike Collins in the Republican Senate primary runoff in Georgia, offering a high-profile endorsement just days before the vote. On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Mike Collins is a true Friend, Fighter, and WARRIOR, who has been with us from the very beginning, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be your next United States Senator.”

Trump’s Endorsement and Political Calculus

By backing Collins, a staunch loyalist and immigration hard-liner, over Derek Dooley—a former University of Tennessee football coach—Trump is aiming to influence one of the nation’s most competitive battlegrounds. Collins led Dooley by about 10 percentage points in the initial round of primary voting, and recent polls show him ahead in the runoff.

Trump’s endorsement has proven to be a powerful force in Republican primaries, often reshaping the dynamics of close races. The move comes as Dooley, supported by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, has campaigned on a “Georgia First” message echoing Trump’s own “America First” slogan. Despite Dooley’s efforts to win Trump’s favor, including a lengthy White House meeting, the former president chose Collins, whose campaign has brought on several of Trump’s own political advisers.

False Claims About the 2020 Election

In his endorsement post, Trump also revisited his widely debunked claims about the 2020 election results in Georgia. He criticized Dooley for acknowledging the reality that Trump lost the state, writing disapprovingly that Dooley “said that I lost Georgia in 2020.” Trump then repeated his false assertion that he carried Georgia in the 2020 election, despite extensive evidence and multiple recounts confirming his loss.

This is not the first time Trump has attacked Georgia officials or candidates who have refused to support his efforts to overturn the 2020 results. As recently as 2024, Trump publicly referred to Governor Kemp as a “bad guy” for not joining his attempt to reverse the outcome, though their relationship has since become less publicly contentious.

Conclusion

Trump’s endorsement of Mike Collins highlights his ongoing influence in Republican primaries and his continued reliance on false claims about the 2020 election. By disparaging candidates who acknowledge the certified results, Trump continues to promote misinformation that has been repeatedly disproven by official counts and court rulings. As the Georgia Senate race intensifies, Trump’s involvement is likely to remain a central—and controversial—factor.

Source article

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/14/us/politics/trump-mike-collins-georgia-senate-runoff.html