Trump Has the Opportunity to Do the Funniest Thing

Key Points:

• MAGA Inc., Donald Trump’s super PAC with $403 million in funds, has been slow to spend on GOP races this fall, instead planning to run ads focused on Trump’s own record, causing frustration among Republican leaders who doubt the money will be fully deployed before the midterms.
• Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton, struggling with scandals and fundraising, heavily relies on MAGA Inc. for support, but a standoff persists as Texas Republicans expect Trump to fund Paxton’s campaign following his primary endorsement, with GOP leaders urging Trump to invest soon to prevent a Democratic win.
• The Republican midterm convention in Dallas faces widespread disinterest from GOP candidates and members, with Trump dominating the event by speaking both nights, overshadowing other programming, though his speeches will compete with the start of the NFL season for media attention.
• In Massachusetts, 80-year-old Senator Ed Markey won his Democratic primary against Rep. Seth Moulton, demonstrating the strength of progressive credentials in the state and marking Markey’s second successful defense against younger challengers in recent years.
• House Democrats Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Jared Golden broke party ranks on a procedural vote to advance a lobstermen’s bill but inadvertently allowed a Republican messaging bill condemning socialism and supporting the SAVE America Act to come to a vote, angering Democratic leadership and prompting discussions of potential disciplinary measures.