Former Trump advisors wage Balkan campaign as MAGA moves into Europe
Former Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita, Trump 2016 campaign manager Paul Manafort, and strategist and pollster Tony Fabrizio round out the team backing Berisha, according to the Associated Press. LaCivita has compared Trump and Berisha, saying they are both "unfairly prosecuted and persecuted by a government that has no regard for Democracy."
When asked by Syri TV's Cim Peka why the Albanian election is important for the world, LaCivita said that "one of the things that many of us know in the United States is that the Soros family is very active in politics around the globe, and it's not just regular politics, it's destabilizing politics." LaCivita said that the family thrives "in an environment where the governments are insecure and they found the perfect home unfortunately in Albania, and they found the perfect prime minister in Edi Rama."
Soros V Trump — Socialists Target Conservatives In Upcoming European Nation's Election
The Socialist Rama is hoping to win a fourth consecutive term as PM in Sunday's election on a promise of bringing Albania into the European Union while the country still faces major problems of graft and corruption.
LaCivita explained that calling out Soros' involvement was important "because it has an impact on Albania's future." He said that Berisha's campaign is "about the Albanian people," explaining that their "biggest desire is to be able to work, live, and raise a family and have a future and so any time that there are individuals or that there are organizations that want to create an atmosphere that make that difficult, to me they're the actual enemy and those are the people that we wage campaigns to actually defeat."
Read On The Fox News App
George and Alex Soros' Open Society Foundations has been very involved in the Balkans and has invested over $131 million in Albania in a period of 18 years.
Requests sent to representatives of the Soros' Open Society were not returned by press time.
When Fox News Digital spoke to Berisha in April about the impediments he faced in the May 11 elections, he named the sanctions placed against him by the Biden administration for allegations of corruption in 2021. "I'm not able to meet with Albanian Americans, which are so numerous, and in this election, for the first time, they have the right to vote for the party and candidate they prefer in their country of origin," Berisha explained.
Albania Issues Yearlong Tiktok Ban Amid Youth Violence Concerns
To date, there appears to be no movement on sanctions against Berisha. In April, the State Department did not respond to Fox News Digital's questions about whether it would consider lifting sanctions against Berisha, and whether the sanctions in place impeded free and fair elections in Albania. A spokesperson told Fox News Digital Thursday that "the Department has nothing to report on this designation at this time."
Berisha's race has been fraught by other complications, including being stripped of his legal immunity in December 2023 and held under house arrest until November 2024. Berisha is currently awaiting trial on corruption charges.
Berisha told Fox News Digital that the charges were the product of lawfare leveled against him by Rama and Soros.
Berisha is not the only opposition candidate who has faced charges in the lead-up to elections. Former Albanian president Ilir Meta was also arrested on corruption allegations in October 2024.
Albanians Rally By The Thousands Against Ruling Socialist Government
Former Albanian Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations Agim Nesho told Fox News Digital that "May 11 elections are unfolding under intense pressure from the ruling Socialist Party, which has clung to power for over 12 years. The regime stands accused of jailing opposition leaders on fabricated charges, weaponizing state institutions, and silencing dissent in a country where citizens are increasingly afraid to speak freely."
Nesho claimed that "the Albanian people are being denied the basic democratic rights to organize, vote, and oppose the government without fear. This system of repression, critics say, is supported—either tacitly or directly—by elements of the Biden administration and global actors like Alex Soros, who have worked to undercut the opposition and prevent free and fair elections, much like the political persecution seen in the United States against former President Donald Trump."
Saying that the "election could mark a turning point," as "a true grassroots movement is rising—ready to challenge state corruption and restore Albania's path to freedom, development, and democratic self-determination," Nesho called "on the Trump administration to closely monitor these elections and send a clear message to Tirana: America is watching."
Nesho said "the United States must stand firmly on the side of democracy and the rule of law. The Albanian people deserve free elections, not another manipulated outcome enforced through fear and political imprisonment."
Politico reported that while Rama's Socialist Party appears to be ahead in polling, the impact Albanians who live abroad being allowed to vote for the first time, and a lack of reliability in polling data may still leave room for Berisha to secure victory and return to office as prime minister.
Original article source: Former Trump advisors wage Balkan campaign as MAGA moves into Europe
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
11 minutes ago
- Fox News
Newsom's policies led to ‘lawlessness' in California, former LA County sheriff argues
Former LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez discuss California Gov. Gavin Newsom's comments alleging that President Donald is an authoritarian and more on 'Fox News Live.'
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Speaker Mike Johnson, Jeff Landry tell Gavin Newsom to mind his own business after Shreveport insult
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom should focus on what they describe as his own broken state rather than insulting Shreveport about its crime rate in what they say is a false narrative. During an interview this week with Brian Tyler Cohen, Newsom criticized President Trump's police takeover in Washington, D.C., and previous National Guard activations in Los Angeles while invoking Johnson's hometown of Shreveport as an example of crime chaos. 'I think (Trump) should start with Shreveport, La., and Speaker Johnson's district that has six times plus the per capita murder rate of Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco," Newsom said in the interview. What about the carnage, Mr. President, in Shreveport? Why aren't you protecting the folks there?" In a text to USA Today Network Saturday, Johnson said Newsom "should spend less time commenting on national affairs and trying to subvert state laws for a blatant power grab, and much more time working to change the disastrous, far-left policies that are destroying his state." "Republicans will not be lectured about what makes the American people safe by a man who has repeatedly protected violent criminals and illegal aliens," Johnson said. "While Democrats have created crime crises through radical policies like defunding the police, President Trump and Republicans are serious about solving this scourge in America's capital city and across the nation." Most of Shreveport is actually represented in Congress now by Democratic U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, though Johnson still represents a small portion of his hometown. USA Today is seeking comment from Fields. Though Shreveport was considered one of America's most dangerous cities as recently as 2023, Landry, Louisiana's Republican governor, and Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said violent crime fell significantly in 2024 and so far in 2025. "Gov. Newsom may hold his own opinions but he is not entitled to distort the facts; homicides in Shreveport are down 40% this year, and we are continuing to see a significant decline in crime," Landry said Saturday in a text to USA Today Network. "Gavin has done a great job of wrecking California, we don't need him doing the same to the rest of the country," Landry said. Arceneaux said he doesn't want Newsom's comments to present a distorted picture of Shreveport to those who live there or would consider moving to the city or investing in Shreveport. "I would disagree with (Newsom's) assessment," Arceneaux said Saturday as he was conducting "block by block" engagements with Shreveport residents. "For a number of years were on the Top 10 (most dangerous cities), but we're no longer on those lists. "We've invested in police and technology and our officers are doing a good job." More: Louisiana attorney general says gaming site Roblox fosters environment for child predators Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Speaker Mike Johnson, Jeff Landry blast Gavin Newsom's Shreveport insult Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bill Maher slams Democrats like Kamala Harris and the Clintons for being 'afraid' to come on his show
"Real Time" host Bill Maher called out Democrats like former Vice President Kamala Harris and the Clintons for being "afraid" to come onto his show while praising Republicans for coming on and taking "their beating like a man." The "Real Time" host said people ask him "all the time" why he doesn't have guests like Harris or Bill and Hillary Clinton on his program, but according to Maher, it's not for a lack of trying on his end. "You think we don't ask? We ask these people every week. They say no," he said. "It took eight years and a petition to get Obama on." Bill Maher Admits He Still Fears Getting Canceled Despite Cultural 'Vibe Shift' After Election Maher expressed confusion at the fact that Democratic politicians would be "afraid" to come on his show, considering that the late-night host is a longtime liberal who mostly votes for Democrats. "And these are people — all people I voted for. Think about that. They're afraid to come on the show of a guy who voted for them," he jeered. "The Republicans, they show up and when they do, they take their beating like a man." Read On The Fox News App The late-night host then played a montage of conservatives appearing on "Real Time" and getting into heated disagreements with him. Conservative guests included in the montage were former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, former Attorney General Bill Barr, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon. "Look, I would love to have AOC on the show and [Zohran] Mandani and Elizabeth Warren, but I can't subpoena the guests and I can't fix that," Maher asserted. "What the Democrats are scared of more than anything else. I mean, obviously, besides gluten, is being primaried from the far left, even though most Democrats are not far-left, they're mildmannered and moderate." He joked, "At least at my bath house." Click Here For The Latest Media And Culture News Although Maher was critical of Democrats who were too "afraid" to make an appearance on his show, there was one liberal politician who Maher praised for being brave enough to make an appearance. In the prior segment, Maher poked fun at California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his "perfect hair," but commended the fact that he's willing to come on his show. The last time Newsom was on "Real Time," Maher did not pull any punches during their time together, calling out the governor over the Golden State's many regulations — something he'd previously pressed Newsom on. The liberal host relayed how he personally felt the sting of big government. Maher kicked off the exchange in March by complaining to Newsom about how he needed to pay out-of-pocket for "two inspections" for upgrades on his roof following the devastating wildfires in the Pacific Palisades. "It's my roof!" Maher exclaimed. "If it falls on my head, that's my problem." "Why do I need two inspections, which I have to pay for? You were here last time. We talked about regulations. You said, 'Oh, it's a completely new day,'" Maher said and made a face at the governor. "You said you were working on it." Fox News' Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this article source: Bill Maher slams Democrats like Kamala Harris and the Clintons for being 'afraid' to come on his show Solve the daily Crossword
