welcome to From the political deska daily newsletter bringing you the latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail from the NBC News politics team.
In today’s edition, we take a deep dive into President Donald Trump’s growing list of promises to convince voters to back the Republican Party in the November election. Plus, Andrea Mitchell discusses the consequences of Russia releasing an American from prison.
—Adam Warner
Trump keeps promising ‘good stuff’ if Republicans win midterm elections
Authors: Megan Shannon, Sarah Dean and Sahil Kapoor
President Donald Trump Promising “good stuff” as he campaigned across the country — but only if voters gave Republicans control of Congress in the midterm elections.
Gathered in the week kansasTrump promised that if Republican senators. Roger Marshall Re-elected.
“With Roger Marshall in the Senate, we will make year-round E15 permanent,” Trump said, referring to sales of fuel blended with 15 percent ethanol, which is often restricted during the summer for environmental reasons. “But if Adam Hamilton Yes, I don’t do that. That’s it. I only did it for him. “
Yesterday at North CarolinaTrump vowed to direct the Justice Department to resolve veterans’ claims over water contamination at Marine Corps Base Lejeune in North Carolina.
“If we win control of the House and Senate, I will direct the Department of Justice to resolve all remaining legal claims as quickly as possible and get them off the books and done with,” Trump said. “If we don’t win, there’s no money. If we win, you get it, and the nightmare that’s been going on for so many years is finally over.”
Saturday at kentuckyTrump announced that the Department of Defense will invest $100 million in pharmaceutical company Anthea’s manufacturing plant in the state.
“But you have to win, Andy. Otherwise, forget it,” he said, referring to the Republican Senate candidate Andy Barr.
In some cases, to fulfill his campaign promises, Trump will need allies in Congress to pass them. But in other cases, Trump will use executive authority to achieve this goal regardless of the outcome.
Trump has touted his pledge at nearly every rally to send $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans take control of the House and Senate. But Republican leaders have made no such commitment, and some key figures on Capitol Hill are skeptical that will happen, saying they haven’t even seen Trump’s plan on where the funding will come from.
A recent NBC News Decision Desk poll found that only 14% of U.S. adults expected to receive such payments in this scenario, while 71% expected not. Even among self-described Republicans, 47% to 28% said they did not expect to receive a $5,000 payment.
Read more→
Vitkov’s praise of Putin sparks bipartisan backlash
Analysis by Andrea Mitchell
Diplomatic gift from Russian president Vladimir Putin The information received from the Trump administration over the past 10 days has been considerable, damaging not only Ukraine’s interests but also unsettling U.S. allies across Europe — perhaps nothing more than the envoy Steve WitkoffPutin was declared a “humanitarian” today.
In St. Petersburg, Witkov joined Putin in expressing gratitude to Russia for the release of an American prisoner. Stephen HubbardRussia captured him in Ukraine just months after the war began. He was convicted by a Russian court of being a mercenary and has long been accused of staging show trials, a charge he denies.
Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher, was described to NBC News by several former U.S. officials as a “low-level” prisoner who had not worked for the U.S. government and was considered incapable of securing major deals by Moscow. Putin groomed Hubbard at the perfect time to solidify his huge advantage over the president Donald Trump And produce good publicity effect. He could hardly wish for anything better than to be described as a humanitarian by top U.S. negotiator Vitkov.
Asked about Vitkov’s praise of Putin, Trump said: “I guess you could say it was for that specific purpose, to get a guy out of prison who thought he was going to jail for life. But, you know, I’m not going to say anything in any way.” He later attributed Hubbard’s release to his abandonment of the Russia sanctions he had just signed into law, as well as to a personal plea he made to Putin in his final phone call.
Vice President JD Vance Said the country should “celebrate” the return of an American hostage instead of “complaining about what Steve Witkopf said in order to get the job done.” But outside the White House, Witkoff’s labeling of Putin sparked a bipartisan backlash.
Democrat, Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee Mark WarnerVirginia Democrats called it an “insult,” adding that the late senator, a prime mover of the sanctions bill, said it was “insulting.” Lindsey GrahamRS.C., “rolling in his grave.” Vice Chairman, House Intelligence Committee Jim Himes“Donald Trump is on Putin’s side, and that’s why Witkov said what he said,” the Connecticut Democrat said.
Meanwhile, Republican Sens. Susan Collins“I would describe Putin as a warmonger. He’s certainly not a humanitarian. He’s an aggressor in the war against Ukraine,” said the retiring senator who is running for reelection in Maine. Tom TillisRN.C. wrote on You should go back to Ukraine and ask the families of the children Putin kidnapped and murdered if they agree that your friend Putin is a “humanitarian.” “
Witkoff and his negotiating partner, Trump’s son-in-law Jared KushnerIt is also reported that Putin has agreed to restart trilateral talks with the United States and Ukraine that have not been held since February. president of ukraine Vladimir Zelensky It said it should be held in November at the latest. There is no word yet on whether Putin will accept the “energy ceasefire” unilaterally announced by Trump a week and a half ago and that Zelensky held out for several days amid Russian missile attacks on Kiev and Kharkiv.
Energy experts say this all comes after Trump’s diesel deal with Russia provided Putin with much-needed revenue without lowering U.S. diesel prices. Moreover, a week has been filled with conflicting explanations for the sudden cessation of U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine and the slowdown in Ukraine’s vital ties to the military version. Muskstar chain.
After days of devastating Russian attacks on civilians in Kyiv and Kharkiv, Christine Welker Asked on “Meet the Press” last weekend if Ukraine could win the war without the United States, Zelensky responded: “If the United States supports Putin, I mean, it’s unbelievable. It’s tragic. It’s a historic mistake and a big tragedy.” If that happened, Zelensky added, “of course we’re not going to win.”
🗞️ Today’s other top stories
- 📺 Advertising consequences: Vice President JD Vance Tell Republicans to “stop complaining” Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek RamaswamyControversial ad featuring Democratic opponent Amy ActonEstranged mother. Meanwhile, Senator. Jon HustedThe Ohio Republican said he “will not run the ad.” Read more →
- ↔️Balancing act: republican congressman Ashley Hinson She told “NBC Nightly News” she was willing to stand up to Trump but also supported him in his bid for Senate. Iowa. Read more →
- 💰 Cash Dash: Opponents of billionaire tax proposal california‘s votes have a 250 to 1 ad spending advantage over supporters. Read more →
- ⚖️ SCOTUS WATCH: The Supreme Court says the Trump administration cannot enforce new policies limiting the treatment of transgender inmates in federal prisons. Read more→
- 🗺️ SCOTUS Watches, continued: liberal justice Elena Kagan The Supreme Court’s conservative majority yesterday said it was undermining democracy in a series of rulings, several of which triggered a new wave of legislative mapping that increasingly eliminates competitive districts. Read more →
For now, that’s all the Political Desk has to offer. Today’s newsletter is edited by Adam Wollner.
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