Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City’s mayoral race, has said Donald Trump is “threatened” by his campaign as the president backs former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“Donald Trump is threatened by our campaign,” Mamdani told CNN Monday night. “He's threatened by it because, like his, we've diagnosed the crisis in working-class New Yorkers' lives, the cost of living, but unlike him, we're actually going to deliver on that.”
The president threw his support behind Cuomo earlier Monday, writing on Truth Social, “Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice.”
He also said it would be “highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds” to New York City if “communist” Mamdani wins the election. Mamdani identifies as a Democratic socialist.
Trump has also warned that voting for Democrats in the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections is a “death wish.”
“Virginia and New Jersey, VOTE REPUBLICAN IF YOU WANT MASSIVE ENERGY COST AND CRIME REDUCTIONS. The Democrats will double and even triple your Energy Costs, and CRIME will be rampant,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening without providing statistics to back up his claims.
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Key Points
- Trump to participate in tele-rallies for gubernatorial races in NJ and VA
- Americans to go the polls in New York, California, New Jersey and Virginia on Tuesday
- Trump administration will partially pay out SNAP benefits in November
- Here's how NYC's mayoral candidates are spending their final 24 hours before Election Day
- Donald Trump reiterates call for Republicans to scrap Senate filibuster
Which races to watch ahead of Election Day
02:50
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Rachel Dobkin
There are several high-profile races to look out for as we head into Election Day on Tuesday.
New York City’s mayoral race
- Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is facing off against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
- Mamdani is leading in the polls with 43.9 percent of voter support in a new Atlas Intel poll. Cuomo is trailing with 39.4 percent, followed by Sliwa with 15.5 percent.
Virginia’s gubernatorial race
- Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, is running against former Democratic congresswoman Abigail Spanberger in the governor’s race.
- Spanberger is leading in the polls with 54 percent of voter support in a new Research Co. poll, compared to Earle-Sears’ 46 percent.
New Jersey’s gubernatorial race
- Former state legislator Jack Ciattarelli is the Republican choice in New Jersey, up against Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill.
- New Jersey’s gubernatorial race is closer than Virginia’s. In the same Research Co. poll, Sherrill leads Ciattarelli by just three percentage points, 51 to 48 percent.
California’s ballot measure
- Californians will vote on whether they want to change the blue state’s congressional district maps in response to Texas’ redistricting in favor of Republicans.
Watch: Curtis Sliwa responds to question about regrets if he loses NYC mayoral race to Mamdani
08:00
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Rachel Dobkin
Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa has responded to a question about regrets if he loses New York City’s mayoral race to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
CNN’s Kasie Hunt asked Sliwa Monday afternoon, “If Mamdani’s elected and...he does run the city as a communist, are you going to have any regrets?”
“Why should I have regrets?” Sliwa said.
Hunt: If he does run the city as a communist, are you going to have any regrets?
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 3, 2025
Sliwa: Why should I have regrets? I trust people. People are going to make the choice. I'll live with the choice. I'd like them to choose me. But if perchance I lose on November 4th, I will… pic.twitter.com/xqJgVWXctQ
Mamdani identifies as a Democratic socialist, not a communist, as President Donald Trump has claimed.
What does Mamdani actually want to do, if elected mayor?
07:55
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Owen Scott
Donald Trump has continually claimed that Zohran Mamdani is a “communist” and a “radical.” But what does the mayoral candidate actually want to do if he wins?
Mamdani says that he wants to make New York City, which is one of the most expensive cities in the world, more affordable.
To do that, he wants to freeze rent on certain homes as well as bringing NYC’s corporate tax rate in line with New Jersey’s.
With the money he raises from that scheme, Mamdani plans to open government owned grocery stores and to make bus travel in the city free.
The Democratic candidate has also vowed to build more housing and warned Donald Trump that, if he wants to deploy the National Guard in New York, he will “have to get through me.”
‘She’s out’: Nancy Pelosi expected to quit politics after California votes on redistricting this week: report
07:30
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Rachel Dobkin
Some Democrats believe Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi may soon announce her retirement from politics, following a pivotal vote Tuesday in which voters in her home state of California cast their ballots on Proposition 50, an emergency redistricting proposal meant to counter a Trump-led effort in Texas to add more GOP seats to Congress.
Pelosi, who left House leadership in 2022, is expected to make an announcement about her political future after Tuesday’s vote, NBC News reports.
“I think she’s preparing to exit the stage,” a House Democratic leadership aide told the outlet. “We will not fully appreciate the time we have spent with her.”
“I wish she would stay for 10 more years,” a House Democrat added in an interview with NBC. “I think she’s out. She’s going to go out with Prop 50 overwhelmingly passing, and what a crowning achievement for her to do that.”
Read more from Josh Marcus:
MAGA conspiracy theorist and Trump influencer Laura Loomer now credentialed to ‘cover’ the Pentagon after media purge: report
07:00
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Rachel Dobkin
Laura Loomer, a right-wing political influencer known for her Islamophobic positions and fierce online attacks on figures seen as insufficiently loyal to President Donald Trump, has reportedly been credentialed to cover the Pentagon.
Loomer’s alleged access to the Defense Department, first reported by The Washington Post, comes as virtually all mainstream news organizations in the Pentagon press corps turned in their badges last month rather than agree to a restrictive new Trump administration policy for covering the military.
The Independent has contacted the Pentagon and Loomer for comment.
The new media policy bans reporters from soliciting any information from military officials without prior authorization from the Pentagon, and nearly every American news organization – including Trump-friendly networks such as Fox News and Newsmax — has rejected it.
The Pentagon Press Association has called the policy an “unprecedented message of intimidation” that suggests it is “criminal to speak without express permission.”
Read more from Josh Marcus:
Watch: New York Democrat defends decision to endorse Andrew Cuomo
06:30
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Rachel Dobkin
NY Rep. Tom Suozzi, who in 2021 called on then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign, on why he’s endorsing him now over Zohran Mamdani. pic.twitter.com/arz1GgZH7C
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) November 4, 2025
Watch: Stephen Miller says New Yorkers need to 'unite' behind Cuomo
05:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
White House official Stephen Miller has called on New Yorkers to “unite” behind former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo so he can beat Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee in New York City’s mayoral race.
Stephen Miller: The Anti-Mamdani vote which is really the pro-NYC vote, the pro-America vote needs to unite behind a leading candidate and that’s Andrew Cuomo. pic.twitter.com/A3bd3v8ijV
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 4, 2025
Watch: Mamdani reacts to Trump backing Cuomo
05:00
,
Rachel Dobkin
NYC Mayoral candidate Mamdani speaks to Erin Burnett after Trump endorses his opponent Andrew Cuomo: "This is the man that Donald Trump wants to be the next mayor of New York City, and not because he's good for New Yorkers, but because he'll be good for Donald Trump." pic.twitter.com/5EiFB7nsxT
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) November 4, 2025
In pictures: NYC mayoral candidates on eve of Election Day
04:30
,
Rachel Dobkin
Andrew Cuomo clears up issue hours ahead of Election Day...he does not own OJ Simpson's Bronco
04:00
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Rachel Dobkin
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running for New York City mayor as an independent, has cleared up an issue hours ahead of Election Day, telling voters he does not own O.J. Simpson's infamous Bronco.
Cuomo said people have claimed he has been driving the “OJ Bronco,” but he clarified in a video posted on X Monday night, “Actually, it’s not the OJ Branco.”
New York, here’s a little history on why we’ll win this race—last stretch magic courtesy of the good luck truck!#VoteforCuomo pic.twitter.com/FdWX0Xqos5
— Andrew Cuomo (@andrewcuomo) November 4, 2025
Simpson, a football star who was acquitted of the double murder of his ex-wife and her friend in the 1990s, was filmed on television speeding in a 1993 white Ford Bronco during a police chase.
After Simpson died at the age of 76 in April 2024, The New York Times reported his Bronco made it to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
George Santos takes jab at NYC mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa
03:40
,
Rachel Dobkin
Former Republican New York congressman George Santos has taken a jab at Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee in New York City’s mayoral race.
“I think Curtis is underestimating how hated he will become once [Zohran] Mamdani becomes mayor due to his selfishness,” Santos said of the Democratic nominee.
I think Curtis is underestimating how hated he will become once Mamdani becomes mayor due to his selfishness.
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) November 4, 2025
Santos, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in August 2024, was recently released from prison after President Donald Trump signed a sentence commutation.
Cuomo responds to Trump backing him in NYC mayoral race
03:20
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Rachel Dobkin
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has responded to President Donald Trump backing him in New York City’s mayoral race.
“He believes that [Zohran] Mamdani is an existential threat to New York,” Cuomo said, per CNN. “He believes he’s a communist. He believes he’ll bankrupt New York. So he opposes Mamdani. He doesn’t support me. It’s the opposition of Mamdani.”
Mamdani, who beat Cuomo during the Democratic primary, identifies as a Democratic socialist, not a communist.
Trump praises New Jersey Republican ahead of Election Day: 'A great guy'
03:00
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Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump has praised former state legislator Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican choice in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, calling him a “great guy.”
Speaking at a tele-rally Monday night, Trump said, “You need to go out and vote for Jack Ciattarelli, who's a great guy, a friend of mine, a great guy, a very successful man, who wants to put all of his efforts now into really saving New Jersey, making it great again, saving it,” per NBC News.
New York Democrat defends decision to endorse Cuomo
02:40
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Rachel Dobkin
Democratic New York Congressman Tom Suozzi has defended his decision to endorse former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for New York City mayor over Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.
“He's good at getting things done. Is he perfect? No, he's got flaws. Everybody's got flaws,” Suozzi told CNN Monday night. “But I think that when looking at the two candidates head to head, that Andrew Cuomo would be much better for New York City because he has the experience of operating a multi-billion dollar enterprise and getting things done in the complex environment of New York politics.”
Cuomo has been criticized over his past administration’s handling of nursing homes during the Covid-19 pandemic and sexual harassment allegations.
The ex-governor has denied the sexual harassment allegations and defended New York officials’ leadership during the pandemic.
Mamdani rebukes Trump after president backs Cuomo and threatens federal funds
02:20
,
Rachel Dobkin
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City’s mayoral race, has rebuked Donald Trump after the president threw his support behind former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and threatened federal funds if Mamdani won the election.
Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening, “If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home, because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival!”
“Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!” he added.
In a CNN interview later that night, Mamdani said Trump was “threatened” by his campaign.
“Donald Trump is threatened by our campaign. He's threatened by it because, like his, we've diagnosed the crisis in working-class New Yorkers' lives, the cost of living, but unlike him, we're actually going to deliver on that.”
Responding to Trump threatening federal funds, Mamdani said, “ It's money that New York City is owed. It's not Donald Trump's to decide which city or state will get what money.”
Kash Patel releases images of suspect as he doubles down on claims FBI stopped ISIS-inspired Halloween attack
02:00
,
Rachel Dobkin
FBI Director Kash Patel has shared images of a suspect in what the agency is calling a foiled ISIS-inspired Halloween attack.
Patel announced on X Friday morning that the FBI arrested multiple suspects in Michigan “who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend.”
Mohmed Ali, and an unnamed minor, both U.S. citizens from Dearborn, have been accused of planning a terror attack in the U.S. on behalf of ISIS, which is a designated foreign terrorist organization, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Along with Ali, Majed Mahmoud was named as a defendant in the case, with the criminal complaint accusing him and others of being co-conspirators in the alleged plot.
Read on...
Majority of Americans believe a political candidate will be assassinated within 5 years, poll finds
01:40
,
Rachel Dobkin
Americans are worried about a potential spike in political violence in the coming years, with majorities expecting such attacks to increase, while more than half of Americans told pollsters they expect a political candidate to get assassinated within the next five years.
Fears of rising violence are bipartisan, a new poll from Politico and Public First found, with 53 percent of 2024 Kamala Harris voters and 51 percent of Trump voters expecting an assassination soon.
Around 61 percent of recent Harris voters and 50 percent of recent Trump voters foresee a spike in violence overall.
The poll, taken after the September assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, reflects a national mood that’s both concerned about — and, to a degree, accepting of — political violence.
Read more from Josh Marcus:
New York's Jewish community divided, anxious as city faces potential first Muslim mayor
01:20
,
AP
New York City’s Jewish community — the largest in the United States — abounds with anxiety and friction a day ahead of an election that could give the city its first Muslim mayor.
That candidate, Zohran Mamdani, has won over many progressive Jewish voters with vows to make the city more affordable and equitable. Yet he has alarmed many other Jews — in New York and across the U.S. — with harsh criticism of Israel, including saying its military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide.
The tensions within the politically diverse community were illustrated Friday in a sermon by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, who leads Central Synagogue in Manhattan, one of the country's most prominent Reform synagogues.
She pointedly criticized Mamdani’s words about Israel, yet declined to endorse either of his opponents, Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, and pleaded for New York’s Jews to minimize virulent political infighting.
Read on...
Karl Rove gives his predictions for the key races this week - including one upset
01:10
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Rachel Dobkin
Veteran GOP strategist Karl Rove offered his predictions ahead of key elections across the U.S. on Tuesday — forecasting at least one surprise.
Speaking to Fox News, Rove zeroed in on the mayoral race in New York City and gubernatorial and down-ballot races in New Jersey and Virginia.
“If I were a betting man, I’d say New Jersey could be an upset,” the erstwhile advisor to former President George W. Bush said on November 1, according to Mediate.
In Virginia, he said Republicans will likely suffer minimal losses, while in New York, he said Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani would emerge victorious.
Read more from Brendan Rascius:
Trump falls short of endorsing Virginia Republican at tele-rally
00:53
,
Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump fell short of endorsing Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia’s gubernatorial race at a tele-rally Monday night.
Trump said Virginians should “vote for Republicans up and down the ballot” but did not endorse Earle-Sears by name, per the Associated Press.
Watch: New Jersey Democrat enlists Barack Obama to get out the vote
00:40
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Rachel Dobkin
Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for New Jersey governor, has shared the screen with former President Barack Obama, urging people on social media to vote on Election Day Tuesday.
.@BarackObama wants you to get out and vote tomorrow!https://t.co/g76TpmDmEc pic.twitter.com/tQY4HPEPkh
— Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) November 3, 2025
Trump says voting for Democrats is a 'death wish' ahead of governor elections
00:13
,
Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump has warned that voting for Democrats in the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections is a “death wish.”
“Virginia and New Jersey, VOTE REPUBLICAN IF YOU WANT MASSIVE ENERGY COST AND CRIME REDUCTIONS. The Democrats will double and even triple your Energy Costs, and CRIME will be rampant. A vote for the Democrats is a DEATH WISH! VOTE REPUBLICAN!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening.
Elon Musk urges New Yorkers to 'vote Cuomo'
00:00
,
Rachel Dobkin
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has urged New Yorkers to vote for former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo instead of the Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani or the Republican Nominee Curtis Sliwa in the Big Apple’s mayoral race.
Remember to vote tomorrow in New York!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 3, 2025
Bear in mind that a vote for Curtis is really a vote for Mumdumi or whatever his name is.
VOTE CUOMO!
Mamdani not surprised by Trump backing Cuomo
Monday 3 November 2025 23:33
,
Rachel Dobkin
Zohran Mamdani responded to President Donald Trump’s backing of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, saying he had known that would be the outcome “for months.”
“The MAGA movement’s embrace of Andrew Cuomo is reflective of Donald Trump’s understanding that this would be the best mayor for him — not the best mayor for New York City, not the best mayor for New Yorkers, but the best mayor for Donald Trump and his administration,” Mamdani said at a campaign event in Queens, New York, on Monday, per The New York Times.
Trump urges voters in Virginia and New Jersey to vote Republican or they will 'rue the day'
Monday 3 November 2025 23:20
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Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump has urged voters in Virginia and New Jersey to vote Republican for governor, or they will “rue the day.”
“A vote for a Republican means substantially lower energy prices, a vote for a Democrat, especially these two losers who are running, means a doubling, tripling, and even quadrupling of your energy costs.
“It will not be sustainable, and you will rue the day that you voted to destroy your life!” Trump wrote in all caps Monday evening without providing any statistics to back up his claims.
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, is facing off against former Democratic congresswoman Abigail Spanberger in Virginia.
Former state legislator Jack Ciattarelli is the Republican choice in New Jersey, up against Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill.
Watch: Alina Habba issues stark warning to New Jersey voters
Monday 3 November 2025 22:55
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Rachel Dobkin
Alina Habba, a former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump and the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, has issued a stark warning to New Jersey voters ahead of Election Day on Tuesday.
“This office will investigate and prosecute any criminal activity related to the election process...and it will do so regardless of who commits those crimes and regardless of party or affiliation,” Habba said.
On the eve of election night, here’s a friendly reminder from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/uLfuzWjniu
— US Attorney Habba (@USAttyHabba) November 3, 2025
Trump says New Yorkers 'must vote' for Andrew Cuomo
Monday 3 November 2025 22:33
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Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump has told New Yorkers they “must vote” for former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ahead of a nail-biting mayoral race in the Big Apple.
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home, because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival! “ Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday evening.
Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who beat Cuomo in the Democratic primary, has refuted claims that he is a communist.
“A vote for [Republican nominee] Curtis Sliwa (who looks much better without the beret!) is a vote for Mamdani. Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!” Trump said.
Who is Jack Ciattarelli?
Monday 3 November 2025 22:15
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Ariana Baio
Jack Ciattarelli, a former New Jersey state legislator, has been endorsed by President Donald Trump as the Republican candidate for governor.
Ciattarelli, 63, started in local politics by serving on his borough’s town council then moving up to the county board of freeholders and eventually to the state assembly. His campaign for governor is his third iteration, having lost in the Republican primary in 2017 and the general election in 2021.
On the economy, Ciattarelli said he supports cutting corporate taxes, simplifying tax brackets to just three, with the highest capped at 5 percent and capping property taxes – policies that align largely with Republicans.
The Republican candidate supports abortion rights up to 20 weeks of gestation, with exceptions afterward in cases where the pregnant person’s life is in danger. He said he now supports same-sex marriage.
Ciattarelli has toed the line when it comes to Trump. He called Trump a “charlatan” in 2015 but supported the president in 2020 – even attending a “Stop the Steal” rally in New Jersey. He later said he did not know it was a “Stop the Steal” rally and called January 6, 2021, a “sad” day.
But Ciattarelli has moved closer to the MAGA Republicans, endorsing Trump in 2024 and claiming he would give the president “an A” for his efforts thus far in his second term.
Watch: Obama roasts Trump for DEI obsession at rally
Monday 3 November 2025 21:45
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Ariana Baio
Who is Winsome Earle-Sears?
Monday 3 November 2025 21:30
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Ariana Baio
Winsome Earle-Sears, Virginia’s lieutenant governor, is seeking to continue her history-making by becoming Virginia’s next Republican governor – the first woman of color to do so.
Earle-Sears, 61, is a former Marine, state legislator, and member of the Virginia State Board of Education who was elected lieutenant governor in 2022. After an unsuccessful Senate write-in campaign, she’s now up against Democratic Abigail Spanberger for the governor’s office.
On policy, Earle-Sears mirrors many traditional Republican values.
Earle-Sears is personally opposed to abortion, but said she supports a 15-week ban on abortion as well as exceptions in cases of rape, incest and protecting the life of the pregnant person.
She has expressed views opposing diversity, equity and inclusion policies, believing they make people of color appear as “victims.”
The Virginia candidate has also voiced staunch opposition to transgender students participating in sports teams and using bathrooms consistent with their gender identity. This has been a central theme of her campaign, with more than $2 million spent on advertisements focusing on transgender policy, according to CNN.
She supports Trump’s tariffs as well as the implementation of the Department of Government Efficiency.
Earle-Sears has not received the direct endorsement from President Donald Trump. In 2022, she made negative comments about Trump when she called him a “liability” and urged the Republican Party to move away from him as its leader.
However, Trump has encouraged voters to “vote Republican” in Virginia.
Senate leader ‘optimistic’ about shutdown deal this week
Monday 3 November 2025 21:00
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Ariana Baio
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Monday he’s “optimistic” that a deal could emerge this week that could lead to the government reopening after more than a month-long shutdown.
But when asked if he was confident, Thune responded, “Don’t push it.”
Schumer calls Trump ‘cruel and callous’ for partial SNAP payments
Monday 3 November 2025 20:30
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Ariana Baio
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the president “cruel and callous” for agreeing to send out partial SNAP payments to comply with a federal judge’s order – believing there is more money to be used to help the more than 41 million SNAP recipients.
“USDA has the authority to fully fund SNAP and needs to do so immediately. Anything else is unacceptable,” Schumer wrote on X.
Democrats have accused the administration of purposefully withholding funding to the food stamps program to pressure Democrats to pass a continuing resolution. The administration has said it legally cannot tap into funds outside of the contingency fund, which only contains enough to support 50 percent of SNAP recipients.
“Trump’s ‘decision’ to follow the court order and only send partial SNAP benefits to 42 million hungry Americans as Thanksgiving approaches is cruel and callous,” he continued, adding that the president should “focus less on his ballroom.”
USDA has the authority to fully fund SNAP and needs to do so immediately. Anything else is unacceptable.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) November 3, 2025
Trump’s "decision" to follow the court order and only send partial SNAP benefits to 42 million hungry Americans as Thanksgiving approaches is cruel and callous.
Trump should…
Watch: Trump claims he doesn't know who Binance founder is despite pardoning him
Monday 3 November 2025 20:00
,
Ariana Baio
Administration transferred $300M to program for low-income women and children
Monday 3 November 2025 19:30
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Ariana Baio
The Trump administration revealed in court filings Monday that it had given $300 million to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, also known as WIC, amid the government shutdown.
The program, which serves more than 6.5 million women and children in the United States, provides monthly benefits for low-income families for infant necessities such as formula or lactation support as well as access to prenatal healthcare, nutrition for children under the age of 5, food and more. Approximately 41 percent of all infants in the U.S. use the WIC program.
In the federal lawsuit over SNAP benefits, a judge is requesting funding information about funding for WIC, which is often complementary to SNAP. But the administration said it didn’t need to worry about WIC because it transferred $300 million of funding from customs revenue through the Section 32 account.
The Section 32 account permanently appropriates 30 percent of customs receipts from all imports to fund various programs, including the childhood nutrition program, Food and Nutrition Services.
The administration said transferring the funds from FNS to WIC would be less disruptive to the FNS than transferring them to SNAP, which required a great deal more funding. They also said FNS and WIC have the same shared goal of feeding children – thus fall under the same “bureau, division, or office”
Trump team will partially fund SNAP benefits after judge’s order, USDA tells court
Monday 3 November 2025 19:00
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