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CNN —Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer, described himself as a truth-teller who will “end the division” as he launched his bid for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination on Wednesday in Boston. Some Kennedy family members have denounced his views on vaccines. Kennedy lives in Los Angeles, but he chose Boston as a nod to his family’s deep political roots in the city, even though his father, Robert F. Kennedy, declared his presidential ambitions in the Senate Caucus Room on Capitol Hill in 1968, the same place his uncle, John F. Kennedy, launched his presidential campaign in 1960. “I’m a lifelong Democrat, but I will not be voting for Robert Kennedy Jr. because I cannot stomach the anti-vaccine thing,” said Tyson Humble of Portland, Oregon, who was visiting the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of former President Kennedy, is currently the US ambassador to Australia.

☆ Lindsay Graham rips Marjorie Taylor Greene's defense of the accused Pentagon leaker, calling it 'one of the most irresponsible statements she can make'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's defense of the accused Pentagon leaker. Graham called Greene's stance "irresponsible" and one that puts America "in serious danger." Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) April 13, 2023"Jake Teixeira is white, male, christian, and antiwar. Hours after Graham's criticism of Greene, Greene posted a doctored image of him on Twitter holding a Bud Light can that featured a photo of trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) April 16, 2023Conservatives have blasted Bud Light's recent partnership with Mulvaney and have called for a boycott of the brew.

☆ In signing 6-week ban, DeSantis wades into thorny debate over abortion and 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

April 14 (Reuters) - When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban on April 14, 2022, he held a morning ceremony at a church in front of an enormous "Protect Life" sign, flanked by women and children. On Thursday, exactly one year later, DeSantis – now a likely 2024 Republican presidential candidate – signed a six-week ban with decidedly less fanfare. Republican presidential hopefuls, including former President Donald Trump, have largely sidestepped the issue. REPUBLICANS TREAD CAREFULLYOther Republican presidential contenders have also treaded carefully. In a social media post after November's midterm elections, he blamed the "abortion issue" for the party's underperformance.

☆ Mike Pence in pink boots, Ron DeSantis in a big ball gown. Here's how the 'RuPublicans' Instagram account uses AI art to call out GOP lawmakers — by dressing them in drag.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The "RuPublicans" Instagram account posts AI-generated pictures of GOP lawmakers in full drag. The images range from Mike Pence in sparkly pink boots to Ron DeSantis in a big ball gown. The images are the work of an Instagram account called "RuPublicans," which uses AI to dress Republican lawmakers in drag — complete with frills, feathers, jewels, and wigs. Some of the GOP lawmakers in drag have a history of pushing anti-trans rhetoricSeveral GOP lawmakers that the "RuPublicans" account called out have, in the past, pushed anti-trans messages. Representatives of Pence, DeSantis, Graham, Cruz, Hawley, and McConnell did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment sent outside regular business hours.

☆ Ron DeSantis quietly signs 6-week abortion ban into law in Florida
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Matt Dixon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Ron DeSantis quietly signed legislation Thursday that would ban most abortions after six weeks in Florida, a move that will weigh on his likely 2024 presidential bid. The Florida law bans abortions at six weeks but creates new exemptions for rape and incest up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Last year, DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature that is currently before the Florida Supreme Court. He supports a federal abortion ban. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who announced her candidacy in February, said on NBC's "TODAY" show that she would not support a "full-out federal ban" but would support a federal 15-week abortion ban.

☆ Tim Scott is the most intriguing GOP presidential hopeful most Republicans haven't heard of
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott is far from well-known by Republican voters. But if he runs for president, Scott would be well positioned to break out if either Trump or DeSantis falter. "I hope he is considering jumping into the race," Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst recently told Insider while on her way back to her Senate office. But more than just his colleagues, Republican voters may also be just as effusive. It's difficult to find polling on Scott's national favorability, but a recent Monmouth University poll of self-identified Republican voters showed significant promise.

☆ Lindsey Graham chatted and smiled with Saudi Arabia's crown prince, who he previously called an 'unhinged' murderer he'd never work with
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham was pictured meeting Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman. In a tweet Tuesday, Graham said he had just had a "very productive, candid meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince and his senior leadership team. "This guy has got to go," Graham said in a 2018 Fox News interview, and said the crown prince had Khashoggi "murdered." "Saudi Arabia, if you're listening, there are a lot of good people you can choose," Graham said. President Joe Biden had pledged to make the crown prince a "pariah" while seeking election in 2020, but as president has instead chosen to maintain an alliance.

☆ Right-wingers are so pissed about Bud Light's LGBTQ marketing that they keep buying the beer just to film themselves destroying it
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Trans TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney posted a video that was sponsored by Bud Light. Angry with the beer brand's LGBTQ marketing, right-wingers have filmed themselves destroying cans. Now conservatives, angry with the brand's association with Mulvaney, started taking out their rage on beer cans. Meanwhile, others — like TikTok user ramrebel1500 — are calling for peace and for people to stop destroying beer cans just to make a point. The Bud Light boycott, however, is linked to a deeper, more sinister anti-trans sentiment brewing on the right.

☆ Here are all of the Republican elected officials backing Trump's 2024 campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Bryan Metzger | Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Michael Burgess — the Texas congressman endorsed Trump in March after being named to the former president's campaign's Texas leadership team. Eli Crane — the Arizona freshman tweeted his support for Trump's 2024 bid the night of his announcement. Barry Moore — the Alabama congressman endorsed Trump in a radio interview in December, citing the former president's "experience level." 3 House Republican endorsed Trump days before his widely expected 2024 announcement in November. Roger Williams — the Texas congressman endorsed Trump in March after being named to the former president's campaign's Texas leadership team.

☆ Mike Pence gambled his career to become Trump's successor. Now he can't even find a lane to compete against his former boss.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Mike Pence gambled his future to become President Donald Trump's running mate and vice president. Two years after leaving office, it appears all for naught, as he can't seem to find a lane to compete against his former boss. This, in part, led to some Trump supporters storming the Capitol whilst chanting "hang Mike Pence." But despite this, Monmouth University polling from March 2023 shows him lagging behind other prospective candidates, like DeSantis and Trump, in favorability polls among evangelical Republicans. According to Morning Consult's surveying, Pence once again received the second-most "unfavorable" polling behind only former Rep. Liz Cheney.

☆ Lindsey Graham tried to fundraise for Trump on Fox News hours after the former president was indicted: 'Give the man some money so he can fight!'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Lindsey Graham tried to raise funds for Trump's war chest just after the former president was indicted. Graham told Fox News viewers to donate to Trump and "give the man some money" to fight the case. During the interview, Graham also called the New York indictment of Trump "legal voodoo." After Trump falsely predicted that he would get arrested on March 14, the Trump campaign pumped out multiple fundraising emails calling for contributions. The Democratic Governors Association and multiple Democrat PACs have sent out their own donation requests since Trump's indictment, The Times reported.

☆ Trump wants to block Georgia prosecutors from using evidence in monthslong special grand jury investigation into his election interference
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

They argued the special grand jury investigating him was unconstitutional and unfair. Between May of 2022 and January of this year, a special purpose grand jury heard evidence from dozens of witnesses, including Raffensperger, Georgia Gov. The special purpose grand jury doesn't have the power to bring indictments, but it completed its work with a secret report in January, which makes recommendations for criminal charges. Willis must now decide whether to refer the findings and evidence it collected to an ordinary grand jury, which can bring criminal charges. In the new filing, Trump's attorneys argue the Georgia statute to authorize the special purpose grand jury have been rarely invoked, and raise unsettled constitutional questions.

☆ Former presidential candidate John Edwards was accused of funneling nearly $1 million in donor contributions to support his pregnant mistress and criminally charged with a campaign finance violation.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

John Edwards was charged with campaign finance violations in 2011 related to his 2008 presidential run. Edwards was acquitted of one campaign finance violation charge — the others were dropped. The last time a presidential candidate was criminally charged for alleged campaign finance violations, John Edwards faced up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. Edwards was John Kerry's vice presidential running mate in 2004 in the pair's losing race against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney prior to launching his own presidential campaign in 2008. "It's not illegal to be a pig," said Brett Kappel, a Washington campaign finance expert told The Washington Post at the time the charges were brought.

☆ Chris Christie compares Ron DeSantis' stance on Ukraine to appeasing Hitler before WWII
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Chris Christie compared Ron DeSantis to British PM Neville Chamberlain over his Ukraine stance. Chamberlain is accused of appeasing Adolf Hitler before World War II. DeSantis, who is rumored to be preparing a 2024 bid, has questioned US support for Ukraine. Chris Christie has compared Ron DeSantis to the British Prime Minister accused of appeasing Adolf Hitler before World War II. "[DeSantis] sounds like Neville Chamberlain talking about when Germany had designs on Czechoslovakia," Christie told Axios Tuesday.

☆ After Ron Desantis got testy over a reporter’s question about Ukraine, he told Tucker Carlson the war should not be a US priority, moving closer to Trump’s position
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | Hannah Getahun | Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ron DeSantis has previously avoided taking a hard stance on the US's Ukraine policy. On Monday, DeSantis said in a statement the Ukraine war is not of "vital national interest." The US has since provided Ukraine with billions of dollars of military aid, which has had bipartisan support. For Biden and his European allies, support for Ukraine is framed as a vital part of protecting the sovereignty of the country. Prominent House Republicans Rep. Mike McCaul and Rep. Mike Turner have even called on Biden to increase existing support for Ukraine.

☆ Lindsey Graham is calling for the US to unleash its 'fury and might' to destroy the Mexican drug cartels
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Sen. Lindsey Graham wants to unleash the "fury and might" of the US on Mexico's cartels. Graham says the US needs to destroy cartels because too many Americans have died of fentanyl overdoses. Graham said he plans to introduce bipartisan legislation in the coming days, to designate the drug cartels as terrorist organizations. He also said he wants to introduce legislation authorizing the US military to use force to destroy Mexican drug labs. "Not to invade Mexico, not to shoot Mexican airplanes down, but to destroy drug labs that are poisoning Americans," he said.

In North Carolina, party activists are seeking to punish Republican Senator Thom Tillis for his support for same-sex marriage rights. North Carolina State Representative Mark Brody, who supports censuring Sen. Tillis, says it is better to address differences directly. Law, who served as a senior member of Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns in Nevada, and the county party did not respond to requests for comment. Although Tillis retains support among the party establishment, Jim Womack, a county party chair, says the Senator’s critics are gaining strength. “The North Carolina Republican party will eventually be decentralized to the point where the grassroots will actually run the party,” Womack said.

☆ South Carolina state senator proposes a bill that would require new residents to pay $500 to move there
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A South Carolina state senator proposed a bill that would ask relocators to pay $500 to move there. New residents would pay $250 to register their vehicle and $250 for a new driver's license. Most states, including South Carolina, require newcomers from different states to get a new license upon arrival. It costs $25 to get a driver's license in South Carolina, which typically lasts for eight years. The bill doesn't aim to deter migration to South Carolina, Goldfinch told the committee.

☆ Trump, other Republicans will have to pledge loyalty to 2024 presidential nominee, party chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The Republican Party plans to ask 2024 presidential candidates to pledge support for the eventual nominee, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said on Sunday, espousing an idea so far not embraced by former President Donald Trump. Candidates who do not sign the pledge will not be allowed to participate in party-sponsored debates during the state-by-state presidential nominating contests, McDaniel said. Trump, who remains popular in the Republican Party but is already facing challenges in his next White House bid from former supporters including Nikki Haley, has so far refused to commit to supporting the eventual Republican nominee. "We're saying you're not going to get on the debate stage unless you make this pledge. Trump did not immediately react publicly to her comments but a campaign spokesperson told Reuters, "President Trump will support the Republican nominee because it will be him."

☆ Anti-ESG crusader Ramaswamy launches U.S. presidential bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Isla Binnie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A former biotechnology investor and executive, Ramaswamy will pursue the Republican nomination in what is shaping up to be a crowded field. A political outsider, Ramaswamy rose to prominence in 2021 as the author of "Woke Inc: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam". But Ramaswamy's contrarian message made him popular in conservative political circles and a regular guest on cable TV shows. Ramaswamy co-founded Strive with former Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA executive Anson Frericks, who will continue to run the firm. Reporting by Isla Binnie in New York; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Pence says Republicans will have 'better choices' than Trump in the 2024 presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Former Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that he would prefer a Republican alternative to former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. "I think we're going to have better choices" than Trump, Pence said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" when asked if the GOP should nominate someone other than the former president next year. The potential 2024 candidate Pence did not explicitly rule out supporting Trump if he became the GOP nominee. "I'll keep you posted," Pence said when asked if he sought the Republican presidential nomination. After several relatively quiet months when Trump was the only notable Republican on the campaign trail, former South Carolina Gov.

Haley, 51, dug into the difference in ages between 80-year-old President Joe Biden and her challenger Trump, who's 76. She enters the race trailing Trump and other would-be challengers in public polls. A Morning Consult poll on Tuesday, for instance, shows Trump backed by 47% of Republican primary voters, while just 3% of respondents said they would pick Haley. Haley's widely anticipated announcement makes her just the second candidate in what's likely to become a wide Republican primary field. "Haley's entrance officially kicks off a messy 2024 primary race for the MAGA base that has long been brewing," it said.

☆ Republican Sen. Tim Scott Prepares for Presidential Run
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Eliza Collins | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Republican Tim Scott has said the support of his mom and a mentor turned his life around and taught him conservative principles. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott is taking steps to run for president, people familiar with his plans said, adding to the stable of Republicans looking to wrest the party mantle from former President Donald Trump. Mr. Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, is testing a message with GOP voters in key early states focused on unity and optimism as some Republicans say it is time to move on from the Trump era. Mr. Trump has announced a bid for president in the 2024 election.

☆ Most Republicans are on the fence about Trump's 2024 re-election bid. Here are the few elected officials backing him so far.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Bryan Metzger | Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

As of Monday, five senators and about a dozen House members have announced they're backing Trump in 2024 or expressed support for his bid. As president, Trump maintained an ironclad grip over the GOP. Eric Schmitt — the newly elected senator told Politico last month he's backing the former president in 2024, who also endorsed Schmitt in Missouri's GOP primary last year. Tommy Tuberville — the Alabama senator endorsed Trump in a tweet just days after he launched his 2024 bid, becoming the first Republican senator to do so. 3 House Republican endorsed Trump days before his widely expected 2024 announcement in November.

☆ Ron DeSantis backed deep cuts to Social Security and Medicare while in Congress. Trump is ready to hammer him for it ahead of 2024.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Trump has made it clear that he will attack DeSantis' past support for changes to Social Security and Medicare. It would have also increased the full retirement age for Social Security to 70 as well. The AARP tore into Ryan's proposal at the time, particularly for its proposed changes to social security. Trump has made it clear that he would not propose cuts to Social Security and Medicare and is ready to attack 2024 nomination challengers who have in the past. Insider couldn't find any comments he made at the time, but he was far from the only Republican or even the only Florida Republican to vote against the bill.

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