News of the Week for October 18th, 2026
- 2026 Election
- Abortion
- Gun Rights
- Hide the Decline
- Socialized Medicine
- War & Terror
- National News
- Economy & Taxes
- International News
- Opinion
2026 Election
Bad blood spills over in the Texas Senate race — and it’s tearing Republicans apart
Wounds haven’t healed from the contentious primary in which Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn, and allies of both say the other side needs to do more to bring the party together.
Deep Red State GOP Senator Scrubs Trump Mentions From Campaign Website
President Donald Trump may want Republicans to vote like he’s on the midterm ballot, but Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) doesn’t want to boast of any association with Trump.
GOP ad buyer mixes up Portlands, spends money meant to help Maine Sen. Susan Collins in Oregon
An outside group mistakenly spent nearly $25,000 to boost Collins in Portland, Oregon, rather than Portland, Maine. The buyer admitted to the error and refunded the PAC.
Ken Paxton Partied in Dubai With Fugitives Ahead of High-Stakes Texas Senate Race
Trump backed the scandal-plagued Paxton in one of the riskiest bets of the midterms
What Abdul El-Sayed Is Hiding
Normally, I’d put a piece like this behind the paywall, but I think it is very important for everyone to read it and to share it.
The Senate Is Breaking Closer
The headline Senate races have tightened, and the battlefield has widened. That means there is hope, but also a lot more peril, for Republicans.
Republicans Spend Big to Defend Nebraska Senate Seat
In sign of Midwest angst, Senate Leadership Fund comes to the aid of Sen. Pete Ricketts, while Democrats express confidence in North Carolina and Georgia
Top G.O.P. Groups Pull Support From First House Incumbents
Two major Republican super PACs are said to be withdrawing cash from the races of the incumbent Representatives Thomas H. Kean Jr. of New Jersey and Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa in an effort to triage the midterm map.
Trump a Drag On the Midterms
The Star Tribune poll finds that President Trump’s unpopularity in Minnesota continues to deepen, with 58% now disapproving of his performance. I was interviewed yesterday by a reporter from the New York Post on the midterms in Minnesota. His article covers accurately the state of play.
Ken Paxton Admits Greg Abbott’s Reelection Bid ‘Struggling’ in New Leaked Audio Clip
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has been heard warning that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is “struggling” in his bid for reelection in yet another leaked audio clip of the embattled U.S. Senate hopeful.
Breaking Slowly in the Governors’ Races
Only a few of the big races look seriously out of reach, but Republicans are in a perilous position.
DOJ Sues California to Stop Counting 20,000 Ballots
“We provided California an opportunity to self correct its records and we requested that it segregate the suspected illegal ballots for the upcoming election.”
The Problems Awaiting Any Future Democratic Congressional Majority
If yesterday’s newsletter seemed particularly gloomy, fear not. Running the legislative branch is never easy, even under the best of circumstances, and if Democrats win control of the House and Senate this November, they are likely going to have a very rough time for the ensuing two years.
Abortion
Court Cases & Legislation
UK Pro-Life Leader Fights Charges for Praying Silently at Abortion Biz
A woman arrested twice for silently praying outside an abortion clinic, who received a £13,000 payout in acknowledgment of her unjust treatment, has pleaded not guilty to new charges brought against her earlier this month for allegedly breaching abortion buffer zone legislation.
Gun Rights
Murphy signs new gun legislation. Gun rights advocates sue
In a room packed with red-shirted Moms Demand Action gun regulation activists, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new gun control law Thursday. Murphy said the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this summer to overturn New York’s concealed weapons law had forced New Jersey to get specific about when, where and who should be allowed to carry concealed weapons. Republicans call the law unconstitutional.
Oregon father is the latest armed civilian to confront a gunman in a US mass shooting
Few mass shootings in the U.S. end like the deadly attack on an Oregon elementary school: with an armed civilian opening fire on the gunman.
Hide the Decline
Environment &“Green Energy”
New Study Suggests Large Regions Of The Pacific Ocean Have Been Cooling For The Last 80 Years
The Pacific Ocean covers about one-third of the Earth’s surface. Much of it has been cooling in this era of “global” warming.
Socialized Medicine
Government in Healthcare
Belgium Expands Killable Caste While Euthanasia Cases Increase
I still marvel at people who think–even after decades of experience with these laws–that legalizing assisted suicide or euthanasia will remain limited to the few for whom nothing else can be done medically to prevent suffering. Not only is it not true, but it is never intended by euthanasia enthusiasts to be so constrained. Indeed, wherever killing as an answer to suffering is legalized, the numbers so dispatched continually rise, the guidelines expand, and euthanasia or suicide as a means of death becomes societally normalized.
War & Terror
What Are U.S. Soldiers Doing in Ecuador?
Quito wants help in curbing cartel violence but demand for drugs persists.
Germany faces ‘shadow war’ that goes beyond Cold War threats, minister warns
Germany faces an escalating “shadow war” involving sabotage, cyberattacks and assassination plots, officials warned, amid concerns over Russian operations targeting European countries.
China and Russia Helping Iran Attack Americans? Compare and Contrast
Could it be that the president has unwittingly staffed his administration with Radical Left Morons and Lunatics? Well . . .
Trump Cancels Livestream of Fort Hood Shooter’s Execution
People on both sides of the aisle condemned Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision to livestream Nidal Malik Hasan’s execution.
Brazen Russian Attacks Are Testing NATO
Alliance facing dilemma over how to respond without escalating or looking weak
Order to limit Starshield for Ukraine came from inside White House, sources say
The order to limit a satellite system used by Ukraine for battlefield communications and drone operations came from inside the White House, according to two US officials and a Western official briefed on the matter.
Trump waives new Russia sanctions in the “national interests”
President Trump waived new sanctions on Russia late Friday night, saying it was in the “national interests” to hold off on the sweeping levies under the Graham Act that he signed just last month.
Trump Betrays Lindsey Graham; Will Rally With Darlene Wednesday
This is exceptional timing. President Trump continues to become a de facto ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine*, and is willing to reverse a bill that he bragged about while addressing the United Nations less than a month ago
U.S. Defense Startups Flock to Taiwan to Build China-Free Drones
American tech meets Taiwanese hardware in push to assemble uncrewed boats and aircraft using a ‘non-red’ supply chain
U.S. Rep Scholten: Grand Rapids office got letter containing white powder
Democratic U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten said her office in Grand Rapids received a threatening letter on Friday, Oct. 16, that contained an unidentified white powder.
National
Leftist SF Mayor: City Getting ‘Entrapped in Progressive Values’ Led It Down Wrong Path
“There’s nothing progressive about small businesses having to shudder because they’re a victim of crime over and over again.”
White House Asks Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle to Resign
A Wall Street Journal report said Guilfoyle apparently asked a donor to President Donald Trump for $100,000.
Kimberly Guilfoyle Allegedly Threatening White House Over Ouster
Kimberly Guilfoyle is threatening to bring the Trump family down with her following her shock ouster this week, insiders say.
This Obscure Balkan Territory Has a Lot of Friends in Trump World
A pro-Russian party in Republika Srpska has several Trump-world lobbyists on its pay role. What is it after?
Reflecting Pool liner failed in 85 places after flawed renovation, inspection found
The damage identified by an inspection the contractor commissioned is far more extensive than has been previously reported, a document obtained by The Post shows.
Confirmations in the Lame Duck
According to reports, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley intends to hold two confirmation hearings in November following the elections. This is an appropriately aggressive move that will allow the Senate to “leave no vacancy behind” as Senator McConnell used to say — and one that should be emulated by other committees in the Senate.
Florida’s Digital ID Checkpoint For Social Media Is Back In Force
Florida’s age gate now has a judicial green light, at least while the larger speech fight keeps moving.
Economy & Taxes
Is 8% next? Why mortgage rates have surged, and may stay higher for longer
Mortgage rates are on a rough ride. In just over a month, they’re up a full percentage point to around 7.5%, a three-year high. Buyers are pulling back in response, and September home sales look poised for a steep downturn.
Our Economic Past Was Not Always Greener
While many commentators are nostalgic for the glory days of yesteryear, families are richer today and can afford to buy more than ever before.
FAUXCAHONTAS “EFF-YOU”: How Elizabeth Warren wants to stop you from profiting from stock buybacks, after she and her husband reaped their literal rewards
In other words: Warren wants to stop you from increasing your wealth after she and her husband have already socked away millions.
US-owned Canadian steel plants begin mass layoffs amid Trump tariffs
Layoffs have reportedly begun at the Hamilton’s Stelco steel plant in Canada, which is owned by American company Cleveland-Cliffs, amid President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Canadian steel imports.
Trump’s Plan To Buy Russian Diesel Would Violate Federal Law
If laws passed by Congress do not apply to presidential actions, then we no longer live in a democracy.
Nine Major Banks ‘Denied, Debanked, and Discriminated Against’ Conservatives, Trump Admin Probe Finds
A new federal report finds “irrefutable evidence that the nation’s largest banks have denied, debanked and discriminated against” conservatives, religious organizations and lawful businesses because of their political beliefs or activities.
Lutnick Throws the Future of U.S.-Mexico Trade Talks Into Further Doubt
The commerce secretary has objected to significant reductions in tariffs on Mexican steel, aluminum and automobiles
International
The Welfare State Is Crushing Britain
The soaring number of people on disability and sickness benefits is blowing up the country’s welfare bill and imperiling its long-term financial stability
Build on the green belt
Building on land that is neither beautiful nor open to the public would save the countryside we actually love
Kushner Faces the Wrath of the ‘Flamingo Revolution’
You probably haven’t heard of the “Flamingo Revolution,” and the odds of you spending much time thinking about Albania are understandably low. And you’ve probably long since gotten used to hearing about presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner signing lucrative real estate development deals, in between work as a “special peace envoy” in the administration, a position that requires no Senate confirmation vote, background check, or security clearance. But you might be surprised to know that one of Kushner’s best friends is also beloved by . . . the Soros family. In fact, Alex Soros calls this European leader his “brother from another mother.”
Greenland Denies Trump’s Claims The U.S. Will Begin ‘Massive’ Oil And Gas Drilling There
A top Greenland mining official said President Donald Trump’s claims that “massive” oil, gas and mineral exploration will soon begin in Greenland are heavily exaggerated, citing well-known barriers to beginning such a project, marking the latest dispute between Trump and Greenland as he’s repeatedly said the Danish territory should become part of the U.S.
Fujimori Approval Sinks as Peruvians Fret Over Economy, Crime
President Keiko Fujimori’s popularity plunged in October as Peruvians expressed deeper concerns about the economy and crime, while also looking askance at closer ties to Donald Trump and the US.
France Protests Turn Violent as Rioters Torch Buildings
France protests erupt into violence as rioters torch buildings, loot businesses and clash with police. More than 550,000 demonstrators take to the streets.
Opinion
Trump’s Dumb Diesel Deal with Russia
On Sunday, Ottawa announced that, after coordinating with the U.S., it will maximize oil and diesel fuel exports to the United States to ease domestic supply constraints. That’s quite a reversal from Trump’s long-stated belief that the U.S. doesn’t need Canadian energy imports.
The U.S. Can End Agriculture Socialism
A springtime essay from 1958 by Whittaker Chambers reminds of how the government has undermined free society through its overbearing agriculture policies.
Freedom Conservatives Unite
You may remember that in 2023, responding to the emergence of “national conservatives” and their statement of principles, a large group of more liberty-minded conservatives drafted and signed their own statement of principles. They called it “Freedom Conservatism.” Several of my (then-future) NR colleagues and I were among the signatories.
Trump’s Diesel Deal with Putin Is a Gross Abuse of Power
While it portends no economic benefits for the U.S., it is an absolute coup for Putin.
Buying Russian Diesel is an Americans Dead, Not America First, Policy
Before we begin this morning, today is Christy’s and my 26th wedding anniversary. October has two meaningful anniversaries for us. The first, of course, is our wedding. October, ten years ago, is also when Christy was given two years to live due to the genetic lung cancer she has.
Vance knows what socialism is. He just won’t admit he likes it
What is socialism? A perplexing question for some, apparently.
The Geriatric Strongmen Who Hold the Fate of the World in Their Hands
As I noted on yesterday’s edition of The Editors podcast, back on March 5, 2025, I wrote that the U.S. government had “effectively switched sides in the Russia-Ukraine War.” I was told that was hyperbolic.
Fusionism, Properly Understood
Freedom and virtue are essential complements to one another.
Flock Cameras Are Just a Part of a Larger Government Database Problem
The Constitutional Case for a Sought-Vehicle Rule
Nixonmaxxing: Why Richard Nixon Is the Wrong Hero for the New Right
Richard Nixon is enjoying an unlikely revival among Gen Z conservatives, but his presidential record complicates the new nostalgia for Tricky Dick.
Corruption Is King in Trump’s Washington
The Swamp — A new Fox News poll finds that 88 percent of American voters are extremely/very concerned about corruption in government. The poll, released yesterday, comes amid an onslaught of stories of questionable dealings involving Trump family members, administration officials, and the web of the MAGA universe.
The Radicalisation of Tucker Carlson
The most parsimonious explanation for Carlson’s political project in recent years is that he has developed a hatred of Western liberal democracy.
Congress Must Investigate Trump’s Aid and Comfort to Putin
Republicans and Democrats, together, should regard this week’s developments as the last straw.
DOGE Worked? Only If You Grade on a Curve.
Cutting the number of federal employees wasn’t the disaster that many critics fretted about, but that wasn’t the metric for success.
