Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed said he does not consider Israel an ally of the United States, which has drawn criticism, especially from Jewish voters. Michigan has more Muslim registered voters than Jewish voters, and El-Sayed’s campaign may be relying on Muslim voter support to offset losses among Jewish voters in a close election.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed said Israel is not an ally because it uses U.S. money to involve the country in unwanted wars.
El-Sayed described Israel’s war in Gaza as a “genocide” and has faced attacks from Republican Mike Rogers accusing him of antisemitism.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and related groups spent about $30 million trying to oppose El-Sayed before the Democratic primary.
Michigan has about 200,000 registered Muslim voters, nearly double the number of Jewish voters, which is around 105,000 to 130,000.
Muslim voters in Michigan have shown lower voting turnout compared to Jewish voters, who participate at higher rates.
In 2024, many Michigan Muslim voters supported Green Party candidate Jill Stein or President Donald Trump, while fewer supported Democratic candidates.
Michigan has a large Arab American population, many of whom are Muslim or Christian, contributing to the diversity of Muslim voters.
The election outcome could depend on whether El-Sayed can mobilize enough Muslim voters to compensate for possible Jewish voter losses.
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The Trump administration has proposed a new $70,000 fee for international students who want to work in the U.S. after graduating. The administration has also increased background checks on student visas, ended the legal status of many students, and tried to limit how long student visas can last.
Key Facts
A $70,000 fee is proposed for international students seeking work visas after graduation.
President Donald Trump’s administration has increased security checks for student visas.
Thousands of international students have lost their legal status under these policies.
Limits on the length of student visas have been attempted.
NAFSA, an organization that supports international education, called these policies unprecedented.
These changes aim to reduce the number of international students in the U.S.
The policies could affect the U.S. economy by limiting skilled workers from abroad.
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President Donald Trump is campaigning in Texas to support Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in a close race against Democrat James Talarico. While some Republicans worry Trump’s presence may hurt candidates, polling shows the race has become slightly tighter since Trump’s rallies.
Key Facts
President Trump is visiting Texas on October 27 to help Ken Paxton in the midterm election.
Ken Paxton faces challenges including a 2023 impeachment and securities fraud charges resolved in 2024.
Democrat James Talarico has led in most polls, but by small margins.
Some GOP operatives worry Trump's declining approval and voter concerns on issues like gas prices might hurt Republican candidates.
After Trump’s rally in San Antonio, polls show the gap between Paxton and Talarico has narrowed.
Paxton’s campaign welcomes Trump’s support and is actively engaging with voters.
Poll data shows Talarico’s lead dropped from around 3.2 points before Trump’s rally to about 0.8 points after.
The race remains very close with some polls even showing Paxton ahead by a tiny margin.
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President Donald Trump announced a new Justice Department program that rewards people who report fraud involving the federal government. He said he would decide who gets the financial rewards if multiple people report the same case. The program offers up to $30,000 for tips that lead to criminal charges.
Key Facts
President Trump introduced a new anti-fraud whistleblower program with Vice President JD Vance.
The program rewards individuals with up to $30,000 for tips that help charge fraud cases involving the federal government.
Trump said he would act as the “arbitrator” to decide how rewards are distributed if multiple tips overlap.
The Justice Department states it has full control over awarding rewards and a $30,000 limit applies.
The new program encourages earlier reporting of fraud, unlike current rewards under the False Claims Act, which apply after lawsuits.
Vance said the program covers fraud cases not usually caught by existing laws, especially in government-related fraud.
President Trump invited reporters to submit tips and said the government would share rewards with them if their news outlets agree.
The program aims to increase the detection and reporting of fraud by offering financial incentives.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, will be executed by firing squad in December. President Donald Trump decided not to allow the execution to be livestreamed, and Hegseth supports the president's decision.
Key Facts
Nidal Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring over 30 in a 2009 Fort Hood shooting.
President Trump approved Hasan’s execution by firing squad on December 3.
The execution will take place at Fort Hood, Texas, at 1 p.m.
Pete Hegseth supports the execution method and the president’s decision not to livestream it.
Hegseth said the families of victims will be able to observe the execution.
Both Hegseth and President Trump believe the execution will serve as a deterrent to others.
This statement was made during Hegseth’s Arsenal of Freedom tour in Ohio and Wisconsin.
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President Donald Trump said it is too soon to decide if he will support Vice President JD Vance for president in 2028. When asked about endorsing Vance, Trump said they have not discussed it.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office.
A reporter asked if Trump would endorse Vice President JD Vance for president in 2028.
Trump said it is too early to talk about endorsing anyone.
Trump mentioned that he and Vance have never discussed an endorsement.
JD Vance was standing behind Trump during the conversation.
Vance recently said he is focused on the upcoming midterm elections.
Vance declined to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection in Israel.
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President Donald Trump criticized Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, calling her dishonest and saying she could be deported after federal agents searched her home for immigration fraud. He also made negative remarks about Somalia, her country of birth.
Key Facts
Federal agents conducted a search of Ilhan Omar’s home in Washington, DC, related to immigration fraud.
Ilhan Omar is a US citizen and a member of Congress.
President Trump called Omar “sick” and “dishonest.”
He suggested that Omar could be deported despite her citizenship.
Trump referred to Somalia, Omar’s birthplace, in a derogatory way.
The events happened shortly after the federal investigation became public.
Omar has been a vocal political figure and often in the spotlight.
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President Donald Trump said he has spent more than $300 million so far to support Republican candidates in the 2024 midterm elections. He aims to help the GOP avoid large losses in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Key Facts
President Trump announced spending over $300 million on the 2024 midterm elections.
The money is meant to support Republican candidates.
The goal is to prevent big losses for Republicans in Congress.
Midterm elections will decide control of the House and Senate.
President Trump called these the most important midterm elections in U.S. history.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says that Ukrainians in the United States can stay for now, even though their temporary protected status (TPS) has expired. DHS is still deciding what will happen next with this status.
Key Facts
Temporary protected status (TPS) for many Ukrainians in the U.S. has expired.
DHS says Ukrainians can remain in the country while they decide on the next steps.
TPS is a protection given to people from countries facing danger like war or disaster, allowing them to stay temporarily.
Ukrainian student Mariia Hlyten shared concerns about her uncertain future in the U.S.
The decision about extending or ending TPS for Ukrainians is still pending.
This protection affects thousands of Ukrainians living in the U.S.
DHS is responsible for immigration and border protection policies.
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Meghan McCain criticized a political ad that included Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton’s estranged mother. She called the ad “dastardly” and said it should not have been made.
Key Facts
Meghan McCain is the daughter of the late Senator John McCain from Arizona.
She spoke out against a political ad related to Ohio’s governor race.
The ad featured Amy Acton’s mother, who is estranged from Acton.
McCain called the ad “dastardly,” meaning very bad or wrong.
She blamed the consulting firm that made the ad.
McCain shared her opinion on the social media platform X.
Amy Acton is a Democratic candidate in Ohio’s governor race.
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President Donald Trump is actively campaigning in states that strongly supported him in the 2024 election as the midterm elections approach. Polls show that support for the Republican Party is decreasing, even in states that traditionally vote Republican.
Key Facts
The midterm elections in the U.S. are coming up soon.
President Trump is campaigning in states he won by large margins in 2024.
Polls indicate a drop in support for the Republican Party (GOP).
Some traditional Republican states are showing signs of weaker GOP support.
This situation is causing concern for President Trump and the Republican Party.
Campaign events are focused on energizing the Republican base ahead of the midterms.
The article mentions Texas as one of the locations involved in this campaign effort.
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CNN has warned President Trump’s Department of Justice that it may take more legal steps if the White House keeps stopping CNN from participating in the press pool rotation. CNN claims the government is blocking its access because of the content CNN reports.
Key Facts
CNN is involved in a dispute with President Trump’s Department of Justice.
The conflict is about CNN being blocked from participating in the press pool rotation on Air Force One.
CNN’s lawyer, Ted Boutrous, sent a letter warning of further legal action if the blocking continues.
CNN says the blocking is a form of retaliation based on the content of its news coverage.
The press pool rotation determines which media outlets get access to cover President Trump’s travel and events.
This issue involves the relationship between the White House and the media.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. position on Ukraine has not changed. He also highlighted that U.S. forces need Patriot missile interceptors to protect themselves.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke publicly about the U.S. stance on Ukraine.
He said the U.S. policy toward Ukraine remains the same.
Hegseth stressed that U.S. troops (“our guys”) require Patriot missile interceptors for defense.
The Patriot missile system is used to intercept and destroy incoming missiles or aircraft.
Hegseth addressed false reports about the Department of Defense in the news.
He made these remarks in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
The focus was on both helping Ukraine and protecting U.S. forces.
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During a White House press event, President Donald Trump called journalist Andrew Feinberg a "sick person" in a tense exchange. Feinberg, a reporter for The Independent, responded publicly on social media after being singled out by the president.
Key Facts
President Trump directed the comment "What's wrong with you? Are you a sick person?" at journalist Andrew Feinberg.
The exchange happened during a press event about a new whistleblower incentive program for fraud reports.
Feinberg works as a White House correspondent for The Independent since 2022 and has previously worked for Newsweek.
Feinberg said on social media that he had identified himself to President Trump before the confrontation.
The vice president shared a clip of the exchange and criticized Feinberg’s behavior in the Oval Office.
Trump has a history of clashing with reporters and sometimes uses personal insults during press briefings.
Feinberg declined to comment further when contacted by phone after the incident.
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The 2026 midterm elections in the United States are expected to be the most expensive ever, with $11.6 billion spent on political ads alone. Much of this money comes from special groups, secret donors, and wealthy individuals, which many voters feel has too much influence on election outcomes.
Key Facts
The 2026 midterm elections will likely have the highest spending in U.S. history.
$11.6 billion is expected to be spent just on political advertisements.
Independent expenditure-only political action committees (super PACs) play a big role in funding campaigns.
“Dark money” refers to donations where the donors' identities are not disclosed.
Billionaire donors also contribute large amounts to influence elections.
Voters from both major parties say money has too much power in elections.
Experts from Harvard Law School and Capital University discuss who pays and what impact money has on elections.
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Religious leaders from different faiths plan to help voters and prevent voter intimidation on Election Day. They will be present at polling places in states like Ohio, Arizona, and Wisconsin to support voters.
Key Facts
A Quaker leader will travel from Washington, D.C. to Ohio on Election Day.
A Christian minister and a Jewish rabbi will watch outside a polling place in Arizona.
A Buddhist nun will be present to support voters in Wisconsin.
The group is made up of leaders from different religions.
Their main goal is to stop voter intimidation.
They plan to be active on Election Day at various voting locations.
They are working together in a nonpartisan way, meaning they do not support any political party.
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President Donald Trump warned his supporters that if Democrats keep control of Congress, the United States could face chaos like the recent protests and riots in France. He made this comment during a rally in Kansas ahead of the midterm elections in two weeks.
Key Facts
President Trump gave a speech in Kansas during a campaign rally.
He connected the unrest in France with possible problems in the U.S. under Democratic control.
The protests and riots in France have been disruptive and damaging.
Trump used this comparison to warn voters about the consequences of voting for Democrats.
The message was part of his effort to encourage supporters to vote in the midterm elections.
The midterm elections are happening in two weeks from the time of the speech.
Trump’s warning focused on fear of chaos and destruction if Democrats remain in power in Congress.
The speech was aimed at motivating Trump’s voter base to push for Republican control of Congress.
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Karl Rove and David Axelrod, two well-known political strategists, discussed their views on election security and the 2026 midterm elections. They shared their predictions during a conversation with PBS News' Lisa Desjardins at the Economic Club of Chicago.
Key Facts
Karl Rove was a key strategist during President George W. Bush’s time in office.
David Axelrod was a main adviser for President Barack Obama.
They talked about the importance of election security.
The discussion focused on the 2026 midterm elections.
The conversation lasted nearly one hour.
The event took place at the Economic Club of Chicago.
The interview was conducted by PBS News journalist Lisa Desjardins.
Part of the discussion was shared in a video player above the article.
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Millions of Americans who did not pay their federal student loans on time could have money taken directly from their paychecks starting in 2027. The government is planning to hire private debt collectors and might also take some tax refunds and Social Security benefits to recover these debts.
Key Facts
Nearly 10 million Americans are in default on their federal student loans.
The government can take up to 15% of a borrower's wages without going to court.
Borrowers usually receive a notice at least 30 days before wage garnishment begins.
The Treasury Department is preparing to hire private debt collectors as early as November.
Wage garnishment and benefit seizures could worsen financial problems for struggling borrowers.
The government can also intercept federal tax refunds and some Social Security benefits.
Debt collection measures were delayed multiple times but could resume soon.
Borrowers can contest the debt or try to fix their default status before wage garnishment starts.
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The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) gave Los Angeles election officials a list of 20,000 suspected non-citizens registered to vote, but local officials found that many on the list were actually born in the U.S. The DoJ sued California after state officials refused to separate ballots from the people on the list without confirming their citizenship.
Key Facts
The DoJ sent a list of 20,000 suspected non-citizens in California to election officials last week.
Los Angeles officials found that about 39% of a sample on the list were born in the United States.
Only around 7,000 people on the list had an address in Los Angeles County.
43% of the listed voters had canceled voter registrations, and 71% never voted.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created the list but has not shared how it matched voter records to non-citizen records.
Previous DHS lists from other states, like Nevada, have been found to contain errors, with all flagged voters confirmed as citizens.
The DoJ says some people on the list might be citizens but insists California must check the citizenship of voters on the list.
California officials refused to separate ballots without independent citizenship checks, leading to the DoJ lawsuit.
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