Latest news with #Trumper
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Nancy Mace's Ex-Staffers Claim She Asked Them to Make 'Burner Accounts' on Social Media to Hype Her
South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace's former staffers spoke out about her alleged strange behavior in a new report from WIRED. Several past staffers claim that they were asked to create burner accounts on social media to monitor comments about Mace and even reply, "saying things that weren't true," in order to boost her image. The reporting, which Mace's office dismissed as "laughable," comes one week after the congresswoman shocked her colleagues by reportedly showing an image of her naked body during a House subcommittee staffers of South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace are accusing the controversial congresswoman of making some questionable requests of her team. In a new report from WIRED, several past staffers spoke out against Mace, 47, under the condition of anonymity in order to avoid retaliation from their former boss. Mace's office dismissed the report as "laughable" when reached for comment by PEOPLE. Some of the former workers alleged to WIRED that the Republican lawmaker would frequently monitor her image on social media, even creating bots to post in support of her. She allegedly also asked staffers to create fake profiles on social media in order to keep an eye on discourse and boost her online image. 'We had to make multiple accounts, burner accounts, and go and reply to comments, saying things that weren't true—even Reddit forums,' a former staffer claimed. 'We were congressional staff, and there were actual things we could be doing to help the constituents.' The congresswoman, once a self-described 'never Trumper,' has become one of the president's most outspoken allies in Congress during his second term. She has touted her tech expertise as a member of the House subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation. In fact, WIRED's sources claimed, Mace would often describe herself as a 'self-taught coder.' 'I would say [it was] at least a weekly comment, if not daily,' another said of the congresswoman's tech boasting. PEOPLE asked Mace's office for comment on the WIRED report, to which spokesperson Sydney Long sarcastically warned that her response would have to be short. "I would give you an additional comment but we're too busy creating burner accounts, according to former staff," she prefaced. Long's official statement read, "As Congresswoman Mace's Communications Director, I can say with complete confidence: I've never been asked to create a burner account, and the suggestion is laughable." The latest reporting from WIRED comes just one week after Mace's latest buzzy appearance on Capitol Hill. Just five months into the congressional term, she has already come under fire for yelling trans slurs on the House floor, hurling profanity at a constituent in an Ulta store, and threatening a fellow congresswoman to "take it outside" during a heated exchange. And most recently, Mace shocked colleagues by showing what she said was a screenshot of her "naked body" during a House subcommittee hearing. On May 20, Mace delivered a speech at a hearing for the House Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee, titled 'Breach of Trust: Surveillance in Private Spaces." During the speech, Mace — who accused her former fiancé, Patrick Bryant, and three other men of rape and sexual misconduct in a nearly hour-long speech on the House floor on Feb. 10 — recalled an alleged incident in which she said Bryant set up a "secret camera" without her knowledge. Speaking in front of a black and white screenshot, Mace pointed out the silhouette of a body circled in yellow standing on the right side of the screen. 'Behind me is a screenshot from one of the videos I found of myself. The yellow circle, this naked silhouette, is my naked body," she claimed. 'I didn't know that I had been filmed. I didn't give my consent. I didn't give my permission." The congresswoman went on to claim that her ex had secretly filmed her and saved the video "for over three years," allegedly without her knowing. She also claimed that he had filmed other women "without their knowledge, without their permission, and without their consent." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Bryant has repeatedly denied Mace's allegations. Following her May 20 remarks, he shared a statement on Facebook, insisting, "I categorically deny the false and outrageous claims made by Nancy Mace. I have never raped anyone. I have never hidden cameras. I have never harmed any woman. These accusations are not just false— they are malicious and deeply personal." "My mistake was loving and trusting someone who later weaponized our relationship," he continued. "Nancy Mace made these claims only while standing in Congress, purportedly shielded by legal immunity. If she believed them to be true and there was evidence to support her accusations, she would say them outside the chamber, away from her public role and protections, and pursue them through proper legal channels. She has not done so, because she cannot." Bryant's statement concluded, "Her allegations are absolutely baseless. And, I will, at the right time, do whatever is necessary and appropriate to clear my name, to prove my integrity, and to restore my reputation in the community." Read the original article on People
Axios
23-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Scoop: Cornyn taps LaCivita for super PAC in Texas GOP Senate primary
Texas Sen. John Cornyn has enlisted Chris LaCivita, a top political adviser to President Trump, to help him beat back a primary challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Why it matters: LaCivita's involvement doesn't guarantee an endorsement from Trump in what is expected to be the GOP's most expensive Senate primary. But it does show how Cornyn, long regarded as more country club than MAGA, is moving to align himself with the president. A recent poll commissioned by the Senate Leadership Fund, the main GOP leadership super PAC, showed Cornyn down double digits to Paxton. But even before that poll was out, Cornyn was making moves to bolster his Trump bona fides and boasted about his 99% voting record with Trump. Paxton, meanwhile, is accusing Cornyn of being a faux Trumper. Driving the news: LaCivita is joining Texans for a Conservative Majority, a super PAC supporting Cornyn's reelection bid, as a senior adviser, Axios has learned. Cornyn has also tapped Tony Fabrizio, another senior Trump strategist, to work on his campaign. The intrigue: The contest between Cornyn and Paxton fight is shaping up as a rematch of the 2024 primary battle pitting Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Paxton has hired Axiom, a prominent Republican consulting firm, to guide his campaign. Trumpworld has developed a disdain for Axiom and its leader, Jeff Roe, for its work on behalf of DeSantis. Trump has savaged Roe in private, and LaCivita and Fabrizio seem to enjoy going after the strategist in public. Roe himself is not involved in the race, though others involved in the firm are, according to a person familiar with the arrangement. Zoom in: Texans for a Conservative Majority has also tapped Aaron Whitehead as executive director, Mike Shields to oversee its media efforts, and Erik Iverson as its pollster.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tom Horne's attack on DEI is a stunt, just like the Luigi Mangione musical
Arizona schools chief Tom Horne has warned public schools they could lose federal funding if they don't sign his 'No DEI here' statement, even though the executive order that is the basis for this is neither enforceable nor clear. Its language provides no specifics on what constitutes the dreaded DEI, yet Horne demands public schools sign to confirm they have nothing approaching it. Of course, Horne should have plenty of examples, given that one of his first acts was to initiate a 'Empower Hotline,' to allow parents to report objectionable material taught to their kids. And, of course, this turned out to be at best a nothing burger and at worst a fiasco. If Horne had examples, you would think he would trot them out. But he doesn't, which suggests that Horne's 'No DEI Here' is just another performative stunt, trying to ingratiate himself with the Trumper crowd. Mike McClellan, Gilbert I believe I speak for hundreds of thousands of Arizona voters when I say I am absolutely sick of politics and empty-suit double-talking politicians. Why on earth would you start up with political ads a full 18 months before the election? I could not hit the mute button fast enough when I started seeing yours. You may have very well just caused me, out of pure frustration, to vote for someone else. Antonio Morales Jr., Glendale When libraries put parental controls on books, students will find a way to access the books they want to read through friends, bookstores and Kindle. Wouldn't the parents rather know what their kids are reading? Then perhaps they could open a dialogue about 'sensitive' subjects. Bekke Hess, Bullhead City Letter: Arizona public schools need more DEI, not less of it I'm amazed that the homeschooling community is complaining about caps to their spending. I am sure public-school students would love to bake with high-end equipment, design clothing with the best fabrics and buy the best tools. Do you even realize that Arizona is spending nearly a billion dollars yearly on empowerment scholarship accounts? The budget isn't going to be able to sustain that without raising taxes. Public school districts are struggling to provide competitive salaries for teachers, resources to maintain buildings and programs that don't charge students. They, too, would love a piece of the education dollars' pie. Wake up state leaders and Arizonans, we are bankrupting the public education system. Alexis Reed, Anthem Letters: Arizona should ban hunting dogs - and politics in the entertainment section Art imitates art? Several years ago, Mel Brooks created a play called 'The Producers' about a Broadway impresario and his accountant who scheme to get rich by fraudulently overselling investment interests in a Broadway musical they know will flop. Their scheme depends on the play going belly up on opening night so they can walk away with all the invested dollars. To ensure its failure, they set about writing and casting the worst, most tasteless production they can imagine — 'Springtime for Hitler.' The play, however, turns out to be a comedy hit. Audiences love it. It goes on extended run and they lose their shirts and go to prison. Today, producers in San Francisco are staging a musical called 'Luigi' about Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering a health-care CEO in New York City. Apparently, these real-life producers are serious. Charles Lopresto, Phoenix Thank you so much for featuring the Phoenix demonstration for May Day on the front page. Of course, there were other demonstrations in Arizona, including in Gilbert, Tucson, Tempe and Sedona. It is important that mainstream media recognize the popular resistance to the current administration and its policies. The 47th president and his followers are gleefully destroying the government, including essential programs for families, veterans, seniors and health care. The separation of powers is dying. The administration's lack of empathy and authoritarian impulses should be alarming to all citizens. My father fought in World War II to defeat fascism. We may be called upon to do the same. Gerri Chizeck, Chandler I can't believe I'm writing this, but Phil Boas wrote a brilliant column. His analysis of the tragic death of an elderly woman whose power was shut off by APS was thoughtful and inquisitive. While he acknowledged that her death shouldn't have happened, he also suggested that APS is not a social service agency and shouldn't bear sole responsibility for what happened. He closed with an important question: 'So, what's our next step?' I remember first hearing about the woman's death and blaming APS. It was a sudden and visceral reaction. But Phil's piece made me sit back and think it through. By the time I got to his final question, I had come to a possible answer. Before someone's power is disconnected for nonpayment, APS or SRP must notify the city of residence. They must have a plan to conduct a wellness (physical and/or financial) check. It could be through the police or other agency. The city would already know if the person is paying his or her utility bills. The process then needs to include a plan on how to help the person involved. And the power companies can only stop service when authorized by the city. It would involve coordination, but it's worth it. Thanks, Phil. Dan Peel, Scottsdale What's on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at opinions@ This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ schools chief cozies up to Trump crowd with DEI stunt | Letters
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Loomer spars with surgeon general nominee's brother on X
Conservative activist Laura Loomer is sparring on social media with the brother of President Trump's new nominee to serve as U.S. surgeon general. Loomer, who is known to speak with Trump and was seen as a player in the administration's decision to dismiss several national security staff members, railed against Casey Means's qualifications to serve as surgeon general after Trump pulled his original pick and nominated her to the position. On Friday, she and Calley Means, Casey Means's brother, continued their battle on social platform X. Calley Means serves as a special government employee of the Department of Health and Human Services led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Both of the Means siblings are allies of Kennedy. Calley Means said in a Friday post on X he'd obtained information that Loomer was 'taking money from industry to scuttle President Trump's agenda.' If that was incorrect, he invited Loomer to sue him and go to 'discovery,' tagging her in the post. Loomer responded in a lengthy post that said Means was 'full of s‑‑‑' and argued he was trying to use his background in public relations to negatively impact her relationship with the president and the public. She made a litany of allegations against both Means siblings. 'You are a PR spin master (funny how you never talk about your career in PR and crisis management) and you are threatened by my access to President Trump and the fact that White House officials called me to discuss the posts I made about your sister,' Loomer wrote in her post. She accused Calley Means of paying right-wing podcasters to back his sister for surgeon general 'despite her lack of qualifications.' 'Maybe you should sue me and we will find out in discovery,' Loomer wrote. 'You are lashing out because your lies have actually made their way to the President.' Loomer also argued that Calley Means is a 'never Trumper,' arguing she has been with Trump from day one. Calley Means fired back that the only time he had uttered the words 'never Trump' was during an appearance two months before last year's election on Joe Rogan's podcast where he argued that Trump must win the election and 'never Trumpers' must vote for him. 'She used this quote to imply the opposite,' he said of Loomer. 'I explicitly said that I didn't support Trump in 2016 to make the case to voters who were still on the fence out Trump in 2024. After this episode, I urged Joe to have Trump on and gave his producer the campaign's contact info,' he wrote. 'Before going into this Rogan episode, Casey and I prayed that we could communicate the existential nature of the chronic disease crisis and convince Americans to vote for President Trump – which Casey and I believe was existential,' he added, saying Casey Means was 'integral in forming messaging that contributed to millions of new' 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) voters. 'The fact that you would take this quote and show it to the White House to seed doubt about us shows what type of operator you are,' he added. 'Any pharma company in DC knows the best way to squash a nominee is to seed doubt about Trump loyalty. You took a quote where I was advocating for Trump on the most popular podcast in the world (quoted in a WSJ article explaining how MAHA voters are coming to Trump) and used to seed doubt about my loyalty to Trump,' he wrote. 'Who is paying you?' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Loomer spars with Surgeon General nominee's brother on X
Conservative advocate Laura Loomer is sparring on social media with the brother of President Trump's new nominee to serve as U.S. surgeon general. Loomer, who is known to speak with Trump and was seen as a player in the administration's decision to dismiss several national security staff members, railed against Casey Means' qualifications to serve as surgeon general after Trump pulled his original pick and nominated her to the position. On Friday, she and Calley Means, Casey Means' brother, continued their battle on X. Calley Means serves as a special government employee of the Department of Health and Human services led by Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. Both of the Means siblings are allies of Kennedy. Calley Means on Friday said he'd obtained information that Loomer was 'taking money from industry to scuttle President Trump's agenda,' he wrote in a Friday post on X. If that was incorrect, he invited Loomer to sue him and go to 'discovery,' tagging her in the post. Loomer responded in a lengthy post that said Means was 'full of s—' and argued he was trying to use his background in public relations to negatively impact her relationship with the president and the public. It made a litany of allegations against both Means siblings. 'You are a PR spin master (funny how you never talk about your career in PR and crisis management) and you are threatened by my access to President Trump and the fact that White House officials called me to discuss the posts I made about your sister,' Loomer wrote in her post. She accused Means of paying right-wing podcasters to back Calley Means for surgeon general 'despite her lack of qualifications.' 'Maybe you should sue me and we will find out in discovery,' Loomer than wrote. 'You are lashing out because your lies have actually made their way to the President.' Loomer also argued that Calley Means is a 'never Trumper,' arguing she has been with Trump from day one. Means fired back that the only time he had uttered the words 'never Trump' was during an appearance two months before last year's election on Joe Rogan's podcast where he argued that Trump must win the election and Never Trumpers must vote for him. 'She used this quote to imply the opposite,' he said of Loomer. 'I explicitly said that I didn't support Trump in 2016 to make the case to voters who were still on the fence out Trump in 2024. After this episode, I urged Joe to have Trump on and gave his producer the campaign's contact info,' he wrote. 'Before going into this Rogan episode, Casey and I prayed that we could communicate the existential nature of the chronic disease crisis and convince Americans to vote for President Trump – which Casey and I believe was existential,' he added, saying Casey Means was 'integral in forming messaging that contributed to millions of new' Make America Healthy Again voters. 'The fact that you would take this quote and show it to the White House to seed doubt about us shows what type of operator you are,' he added. 'Any pharma company in DC knows the best way to squash a nominee is to seed doubt about Trump loyalty. You took a quote where I was advocating for Trump on the most popular podcast in the world (quoted in a WSJ article explaining how MAHA voters are coming to Trump) and used to seed doubt about my loyalty to Trump. 'Who is paying you?'
