Latest news with #PrinciplesFirst
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Mark Cuban rips Democrats' constant ‘Trump sucks' message: ‘Not the way to win'
Billionaire business mogul Mark Cuban accused the Democratic Party of having no message beyond 'Trump sucks' on Sunday. 'We picked the wrong pressure points,' Cuban said on 'Pod Save America.' 'It's just 'Trump sucks.' That's the underlying thought of everything the Democrats do. 'Trump sucks.' Trump says the sky is blue. 'Trump sucks.' That's not the way to win! It's just not! Because it's not about Trump — it's about the people of the United States of America — and what's good for them! And how do you get them to a place where they're in a better position, and it's less stressful for them.' Earlier in the show, Cuban lamented that Democrats ultimately 'suck' at reaching out to people with immediate solutions compared to President Donald Trump or New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. 'Why do you think we suck at it?' 'Pod Save America' host Dan Pfeiffer asked. 'Democrats want to think,' Cuban replied. 'They want to engage. They want to have conversations. They want to feel smart. They want to look smart. They go to college. These are college graduates. That's what college graduates do. Everything's like a dorm room discussion. And I think that's a big difference. Most people just want to live their lives and hope things get better.' Mark Cuban accused the Democratic party of not having a message for voters besides 'Trump sucks.' Pod Save America Fox News Digital reached out to the DNC for comment. Cuban was a staunch supporter of then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 and helped campaign for her during the presidential election. Despite his support for Harris, Cuban has criticized the Democratic Party since the election and has mocked them, saying they 'can't sell worth s—t.' Cuban said Democrats aren't able to reach out to people with solutions for their problems like Trump. REUTERS 'I learned that Democrats can't sell worth s—t,' he said at February's 'Principles First' summit in Washington, DC 'They're so persnickety about every little detail, and that's why Republicans at the presidential level — I don't want to say kicked their ass because it wasn't a runaway — but yeah.' He revealed at that event that, at one point, he told the Harris team not to advise him on what to say at campaign events, arguing, 'I'm just going to do what I think is right.'
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Korea Herald
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Alex Hinton] Trump's America Is a tinderbox
'Bomb threat! You need to exit — now,' a security officer shouted at me as I observed the Principles First conference, a gathering of moderate Republicans in Washington, on Feb. 22. Moments later, we learned that the threat had come from an untraceable email claiming that four pipe bombs had been planted 'to honor the J6 hostages recently released by Emperor Trump.' Sadly, I wasn't surprised. Just days earlier, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and other insurrectionists pardoned by President Donald Trump for crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol had been celebrated as heroes at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a major gathering of Trump's 'Make America Great Again' movement. As one of them boasted at the event, 'We're like gods.' During the conference, Tarrio led a group back to the US Capitol, where they chanted, 'Whose house? Our house!' He was later arrested for assaulting a protester. After his release, Tarrio traveled to the Principles First venue, where he verbally harassed Michael Fanone, the former Washington police officer who was severely injured while defending the Capitol during the insurrection. As an anthropologist who studies political violence, I see these events as a sign that the United States is in serious trouble. In my 2021 book "It Can Happen Here," I argued that bad actors are increasingly emboldened, heightening the risk of politically motivated violence. That threat became even more apparent on June 14, when Trump supporter Vance Boelter shot two Minnesota state Democrats and their spouses, killing State House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband. Authorities later discovered a hit list with the names of 45 Democratic officials in Boelter's car. Four key factors are driving this surge in political violence. First, despite branding himself as a 'law and order' president, Trump has helped cultivate a culture of impunity. It's not just that he is a convicted felon whose three remaining criminal cases were dismissed or suspended after his re-election. Long before that, he famously proclaimed, 'I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters.' On his first day back in office, Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 1,500 January 6 insurrectionists, including Tarrio. He has continued issuing pardons to allies, with the Justice Department's pardon attorney, Ed Martin, posting on X, 'No MAGA Left Behind.' By politicizing the presidential pardon, Trump has sent the dangerous message that partisan violence is acceptable. The second factor is past acts of political violence, which heighten the risk of future violence. As I explained in "It Can Happen Here," the US has a long history of political violence to draw on. But even recent events offer ample cause for alarm. Trump bears much of the blame. Before the January 6 insurrection, he attacked election integrity and explicitly directed the Proud Boys — and, by extension, other far-right extremists — to 'stand by.' Like other scholars at the time, I warned that the risk of violence in the US was especially high. While dramatic, neither the October 7, 2020, arrest of militia members who plotted to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer nor the Jan. 6 Capitol attack came as a surprise. As the 2024 election approached, the threat of violence once again escalated. Trump himself was nearly assassinated during a July 13 rally in Pennsylvania, threats against election workers surged, and many feared that a contested election would again lead to an insurrection — a concern that Trump's victory ultimately rendered moot. Third, American society remains deeply divided. In my research on US political culture, I have seen this polarization firsthand, as people on both the left and the right often demonize the other side as authoritarian, framing politics in apocalyptic us-versus-them terms. The data underscores just how toxic and entrenched US polarization has become. Nearly half of Americans view those on the opposite side of the political spectrum as 'downright evil,' while an even greater share of Democrats and Republicans describe each other as 'closed-minded, dishonest and immoral.' While both parties have contributed to this division, Trump remains the polarizer-in-chief. He repeatedly stoked anger and resentment during his first term, and his 2024 campaign centered on promises of retribution and warnings about 'criminal' immigrants and 'woke' leftists — groups he continues to demonize. Lastly, the risk of political violence tends to rise during tumultuous periods, especially when the legitimacy of elections is challenged or when democratic institutions are weakened. Both conditions were present in the lead-up to the 2021 insurrection, and they persist today. Trump is now waging an aggressive campaign to consolidate executive power. Since returning to the White House, he has sought to undermine every check on presidential authority, including judicial independence, civil society, academic freedom, public-service neutrality, press freedom, and even basic civil liberties. As a result, today's America is a tinderbox. When and where the next would-be assassin might strike is anyone's guess, but one thing is certain: the risk of political violence will spike ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and could reach crisis levels by the presidential election of 2028. There's an easy way to mitigate this risk: Trump could choose to be a unifier rather than a divider. Polls show that most Americans want the political temperature brought down. Unfortunately, it is far more likely that Trump, who rose to power on a populist platform rooted in fear and grievance — much of it racially tinged — will continue to fan the flames of division, keeping the risk of political violence elevated.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Parkwoods Wealth Partners Names Kevin Reilly, CFP®, as Chief Financial Officer and Head of M&A
Strategic hire strengthens Parkwoods' financial leadership and supports advisor-centric growth strategy ST. LOUIS, June 24, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Parkwoods Wealth Partners today announced Kevin Reilly, CFP®, as its new Chief Financial Officer and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, a move that reflects the firm's strategic commitment to growth through partnerships with independent advisory firms. Reilly brings nearly two decades of experience spanning Wall Street investment banking and strategic advisory in the RIA space. As an M&A investment banker at Barclays, he executed on transactions worth $10 billion in cumulative enterprise value. He then spent seven years at Dimensional Fund Advisors supporting RIAs with combined assets exceeding $30 billion. Most recently, he advised wealth management firms on strategic growth and M&A at Advisor Growth Strategies, a leading management consulting and transaction advisory firm in the wealth management space. CEO Al Sears emphasized the significance of Kevin's hire: "We've reached a point in our growth where operational and capital sophistication need to keep pace with our vision. Kevin brings both. His background at Barclays and Dimensional gives him a unique ability to think strategically and execute precisely." In his new role, Reilly will lead Parkwoods' internal financial function, spearhead acquisition strategy, and guide integration efforts, emphasizing sustainable growth and advisor alignment. "As we continue to scale, we're focused on building a firm that lasts," said Ed Edwin, COO and Co-Founder. "Kevin understands how to structure long-term growth, and he knows what success looks like for the advisors we work with." Reilly's time at Dimensional makes him a particularly strong fit. "Our investment strategy is rooted in evidence, and we apply that same discipline to how we build the firm," said Bob French, CFA, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Marketing. "Kevin brings a data-driven approach to capital allocation and M&A that fits perfectly with our vision." Chris Gardner, Head of Advisory, further highlighted Kevin's industry understanding: "Kevin has sat at the table with founders facing critical decisions. He brings credibility, empathy, and strategic clarity—qualities essential to supporting our advisor partners." For Kevin, joining Parkwoods was a clear choice: "This is a firm that puts its philosophy into practice – both in how it invests and how it grows. I'm excited to help build a Finance and M&A strategy that supports advisors and enhances client outcomes." Reilly holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School, a BA in English and Philosophy from Boston College, and is a Certified Financial Planner™. He will be based in Charlotte, NC and will report directly to CEO Al Sears. About Parkwoods Wealth PartnersParkwoods Wealth Partners is dedicated to helping individuals and families live purposeful financial lives through evidence-based investing and Principles First Financial Planning. By partnering with independent advisors, Parkwoods combines institutional resources with boutique flexibility, emphasizing fiduciary responsibility and enduring client relationships. View source version on Contacts Bob
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Lindsey Graham slammed for ‘game on' tweet after Israel bombs Iran
South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is facing widespread criticism for a tweet he posted following the Israeli strikes on Iran. 'Game on. Pray for Israel,' he wrote on Thursday night. Israel struck bases and nuclear sites in an attack more severe than previous attacks on Iran, with President Donald Trump pushing the country to agree to fresh restrictions on its nuclear program as additional strikes could be 'more brutal.' 'Game? Your soul is lost,' said broadcaster Keith Olbermann in response. 'I have no doubt that you are incredibly turned on right now, Senator. Iranians, who are caught in this mess, deserve your prayers too but I know we are just an afterthought. You're a disgrace,' said journalist Yashar Ali. 'Game? You're disgusting,' Owen Shroyer added. Israel killed a number of Iran's security chiefs, dealing a severe blow to the country's chain of command. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the attack as a way to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, which is seen as an existential threat by the Israelis. 'A game? You piece of s***,' wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp wrote to Graham. Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Arizona Senator John McCain, whom Graham admired, added to the criticism, writing, 'It's not a f****** game Lindsey.' 'It isn't a game, Senator. You confirmed a talkshow host SecDef who texts strike plans on unsecured apps,' said Heath Mayo, the founder of the conservative group Principles First. 'You supported a President who thinks Ukraine caused Putin's invasion. You should pray for all of us. We're going to need all the help we can get with amateurs in charge.' 'It's not a game, dip****,' attorney Ron Filipkowski added. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman called for Israel to continue 'wiping out Iranian leadership.' 'Our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack,' he wrote on X late on Thursday. 'Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel. We must provide whatever is necessary—military, intelligence, weaponry—to fully back Israel in striking Iran.' While writer Tim Shorrock called Fetterman 'The drooling War Maniac from Pennsylvania,' singer/songwriter John Ondrasik called the senator 'a Lion in a sea of Lemmings' and former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said Fetterman 'is amazing.' 'His support of Israel used to be standard for almost every D in Washington. Now he's a lonely voice, but he remains an amazingly powerful and inspiring voice,' he added.
Axios
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Illinois Democrats walk tightrope as Durbin delays 2026 decision
Sen. Dick Durbin has yet to announce whether he'll seek another term, but that's not stopping would-be successors from starting their campaigns. Why it matters: The 80-year-old, an U.S. senator from Illinois since 1996, is the second highest ranking Democrat in Washington. Context: Durbin is expected to decide soon whether he'll run for reelection in 2026, but insiders have speculated that he would retire. The intrigue: Illinois Democrats who have their eyes on his seat are walking a tightrope of respecting the elder Democrat while also starting a campaign statewide. Why it matters for them: An endorsement from the influential and widely liked Durbin is at stake. State of play: Several members of Illinois' congressional delegation are rumored to be interested in running to succeed Durbin, including Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robin Kelly, Sean Casten and Lauren Underwood. They have all recently hosted or participated in town hall meetings in Republican parts of the state, including outside their districts, to counter the current president's policies and court would-be voters in parts of the state who may not be familiar with suburban Chicago Democrats. They are also amassing large fundraising war chests, including Krishnamoorthi, who has raised just shy of $20 million. That outpaces almost all the other would-be candidates' fundraising combined. Meanwhile: Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who is also in the mix for higher office, took part in a Principles First dinner Tuesday night with former Illinois lawmakers Adam Kinzinger and Dan Lipinski, both moderates. The latest: Last week, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle implored Durbin and Gov. JB Pritzker (who is also up for reelection next year) to make up their minds while inviting potential candidates to speak to the Cook County Democratic Party. What they're saying: "Needless to say, there would be a lot of ripple effects if either of them decided not to run, but those decisions are their own, and hopefully they'll make them relatively quickly," Preckwinkle said to reporters at the meeting. Reality check: Durbin could end all of the political jockeying if he shocks the political world and decides to run for reelection. He wouldn't be the first senator to continue serving into his 80s.
