Latest news with #TurningPointUSA
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
This California school district backtracks on ‘equity' grading policy
For a brief few hours, Rep. Ro Khanna, known for his willingness to critique both parties, had a problem brewing in a northern California county he represents on Wednesday afternoon. Khanna, D-Calif., spoke out against a proposed grading system that was meant to make the schooling experience more bearable. In a social media post Wednesday, he slammed the San Francisco Unified School District for removing honors courses in biology and English and establishing an 'equity' grading plan. This Northern California school district was going to vote on a 24-page agenda, first reported by The Voice of San Francisco. It would cost $172,000 to train and guide students on this new system, meant to be tested across 14 district schools. The equity grading plan would remove homework or weekly tests and allow students to score a high letter grade despite lower marks. For example, if a student previously needed a 90 score for an A, they would have instead only needed an 80. 'My immigrant dad asked me where the missing 10% went when I scored a 90,' Khanna said in a social media post. He represents the East Bay area, next door to San Francisco. 'He came to America for the chance to work hard & pursue excellence. Giving A's for 80% & no homework is not equity — it betrays the American Dream and every parent who wants more for their kids." Khanna is aligned with conservatives like Turning Point USA's Kirk on this issue. 'San Francisco public schools will allow students to score as low as 41% on a test and still get a C — and they can take the test as many times as they want!' Kirk wrote in a post on Wednesday. 'This is what the push for 'equity' is always about.' Hours after Khanna published his post, the school district said they were delaying implementation of this initiative. Khanna said he was 'glad' to see the district backtrack. San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Maria Su announced the news Wednesday evening in a statement. 'It's clear there are a lot of questions, concerns, and misinformation with this proposal,' she said in a statement. 'We want to make sure any changes benefit our students. I have decided not to pursue this strategy for next year to ensure we have time to meaningfully engage the community.'
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
How Charlie Kirk Reshaped Arizona's Gubernatorial Race: Pollster
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk's recent endorsement of Representative Andy Biggs' campaign for governor in Arizona could have major implications for the GOP primary of the critical election, according to one pollster. Why It Matters Arizona's gubernatorial race will be one of the most closely watched elections of the 2026 midterms when Republicans are hoping to unseat incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who narrowly defeated Republican Kari Lake in the 2022 election. Arizona is a crucial swing state that backed President Donald Trump by nearly six points in the 2024 presidential race—his strongest showing of any swing state. A new poll from Noble Predictive Insights (NPI) points to a close race in the general election next November and suggests Kirk could have sway with some Republican primary voters. What to Know Kirk, who had been floated as a potential gubernatorial candidate for Republicans, endorsed Biggs earlier in May rather than running for the office himself. David Byler, Chief of Research at NPI, wrote in a poll report that his decision could boost the conservative congressman's campaign in a tight race. "The moment Kirk stepped out and backed Biggs, the math changed. Biggs now has the opportunity to inherit a young, digital-savvy base that Kirk built, which could be decisive," he said, noting that he could be getting an "army" of support from Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA. Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, speaks during a Turning Point USA event n West Palm Beach, Florida on July 26, 2024. Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, speaks during a Turning Point USA event n West Palm Beach, Florida on July 26, poll, conducted earlier in May but just released this week, showed Republican Karrin Taylor Robson leading the primary field with 24 percent. Biggs and Kirk followed, each receiving 17 percent support, while Treasurer Kimberly Yee received six percent of the vote. An additional 37 percent were still not sure how they would vote. Kirk and Yee have both passed on running since the poll was conducted. It surveyed 1,026 registered voters from May 12 to May 16, 2025, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.76 percentage points. Although it was rumored that Kirk could run, and he was included in early polls of the race, Kirk never made public comments indicating he planned to do so. The report noted that Biggs and Kirk shared an "ideological profile" and had "overlapping favorability," so many of Kirk's supporters may rally behind Biggs after the endorsement. Robson ran for governor in 2022 against Lake, positioning herself as a more mainstream conservative, but ultimately lost the primary after Trump backed Lake. The poll noted that she has advantages as well, including a fundraising lead and the highest net favorability among Republicans. In the general election, Hobbs held a slight lead over both Robson and Biggs, leading each by a 2-point margin. In a matchup against Robson, 41 percent said they'd back Hobbs and 39 percent Robson. When asked about the scenario where Biggs becomes the nominee, 38 percent said they'd vote for him compared to 40 percent who would back Hobbs. Newsweek reached out to each of the campaigns and Turning Point USA for comment via email and press contact form. What People Are Saying Mike Noble, NPI Founder & CEO, said in the poll report: "Katie Hobbs has a foundation, but not a fortress. With Republicans energized and the Trump factor still strong, this is shaping up to be a close and unpredictable race this early on." Trump wrote on social media after Biggs announced his run, endorsing both him and Robson in the primary: "When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem — Two fantastic candidates, two terrific people, two wonderful champions, and it is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH." What Happens Next Arizona's gubernatorial primary will be held August 4, 2026, and the general election is slated for November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report currently classifies the race as a pure tossup.
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Neo-Marxist Kool-Aid': Southern Poverty Law Center puts youth group on hate map
Newsweek Senior Editor-at-Large Josh Hammer reacts to the Southern Poverty Law Center putting conservative youth group Turning Point USA on their hate map. 'They've paid up a lot of money in defamation lawsuits over the years for things exactly like that,' Mr Hammer told Sky News host Rita Panahi. 'This organisation, to put it mildly, they have lost their way. 'The problem is that, like so many once liberal institutions, they drank the woke identitarian identity politics neo-Marxist Kool-Aid with every ounce of their being. 'They have turned into the very monsters that once upon a time, very long ago, they opposed.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
MAGA Mourns Death of Trump-Supporting ‘Duck Dynasty' Star Phil Robertson
Conservatives have flocked to pay tribute following the death of Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, a staunch Donald Trump ally who once grouped gay people with terrorists in a description of 'sin.' The reality star's family members announced his death at age 79 on Sunday after revealing in December the patriarch had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's as well as 'some sort of blood disease' that was causing issues with his whole body. Roberston has been an avid supporter of Trump for years. Robertson initially backed Sen. Ted Cruz in the 2016 GOP primaries, but threw his weight behind Trump when he became the party nominee. In 2019, Trump invited Robertson and his son, Willie, on stage at a rally in Monroe, Louisiana. 'Smart as can be and wonderful people and they hit big, they hit big,' Trump said at the time. 'I got it down to this,' Roberston said on stage. 'If you're pro-God and pro-America and pro-gun and pro-duck hunting... That's all I want!' Robertson added in a 2020 podcast episode he finds Trump to be 'caustically brilliant.' 'I'm a Trump supporter. I weigh a man in politics — I judge them by what they've done,' he said, adding that he had 'preached the gospel' to Trump when they met. Robertson also supported Trump in 2024. The reaction to Robertson's death was swift, with Republicans, Trump fans and Christian conservatives expressing their condolences. 'Phil is what makes America great,' GOP Rep. Chip Roy posted on X. 'Faith in Jesus, hard work, happiness, family, and love of freedom. My daughter said 'Mr. Robertson was our childhood!' Indeed,' the Texas lawmaker added. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Robertson 'was a living example of what God can do in all of our lives if we follow Him. He was a bright light for the world to see. Bryan and I are praying for the whole Robertson crew tonight.' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also offered prayers to Robertson's family, saying she was 'sorry to hear' of his death. Other right-wing figures called Robertson a 'God-fearing patriot,' a 'legend' and 'a special man.' 'Phil Robertson was an American icon and an inspiring hero to millions of Americans,' right-wing activist Charlie Kirk wrote on X. Kirk, the founder of conservative youth group Turning Point USA, celebrated Robertson's handling of the 2013 controversy that led to his brief suspension—just 9 days—from A&E's Duck Dynasty. 'When the woke era was first getting started, Phil offered a masterclass in how to overcome an attempted cancellation,' Kirk wrote. 'Phil told GQ magazine he thought homosexuality was sinful. A&E tried to kick him off his own show, but he never apologized or backed down, and A&E soon had to bring him back.' Asked in a 2013 GQ profile to describe sin, Robertson said: 'Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.' 'We never, ever judge someone on who's going to heaven, hell,' he later added. 'That's the Almighty's job. We just love 'em, give 'em the good news about Jesus—whether they're homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort 'em out later, you see what I'm saying?' Duck Dynasty, which ran from 2012 to 2017, achieved remarkable popularity and commercial success. It followed the Evangelical Christian Robertson family's life and hunting business in West Monroe, Louisiana.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Elon Musk slams SPLC for labelling Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA a ‘hate group'
Elon Musk has called the non-profit Southern Poverty Law Center a 'scam organization' after it included MAGA activist Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA on its signature 'Hate Map' and branded it 'an anti-government extremist group.' Kirk's Arizona-based collective was founded in 2012 and considers itself 'the largest and fastest-growing' conservative grassroots organization in the United States. It boasts a presence on 'over 3,500 campuses' nationwide. It has long been associated with President Donald Trump, who has regularly delivered speeches to its gatherings. But the SPLC's inclusion of TPUSA on the map places it in the same company as regional chapters of the Ku Klux Klan and other far-right, neo-Nazi and Islamophobic organizations. Kirk, 31, who is currently on a speaking tour of the United Kingdom and last week addressed the Oxford Union, responded angrily in a lengthy post on X by calling the SPLC's move 'a cheap smear from a washed-up org that's been fleecing scared grandmas for decades.' He continued: 'They somehow still rake in over $100 million a year peddling their 'hate map' nonsense, sitting pretty in their Montgomery 'Poverty Palace' while crying about 'hate' to line their pockets. Even former staffers called their racket a 'con.' 'Their game plan? Scare financial institutions into debanking us, pressure schools to cancel us, and demonize us so some unhinged lunatic feels justified targeting us. Remember the Family Research Council? An SPLC-inspired gunman went after them. They'd love nothing more than to see TPUSA in the crosshairs.' Kirk concluded his rant by claiming that 'nobody with a functioning brain buys their garbage anymore' and branding the SPLC 'a laughingstock, a hollowed-out husk of an organization that's been exposed as a grift time and time again' and fuming: 'They're not just irrelevant – they're a cautionary tale of how to torch your own credibility.' The world's richest man reacted to Kirk's post by declaring, 'SPLC is a scam organization. " Kirk replied enthusiastically with two 100 percent emojis, signaling his agreement. The Independent has contacted the SPLC for its response to Kirk's attack. In an essay accompanying the latest instalment of its annual 'Year in Hate and Extremism' report, published alongside the map, the legal advocacy group describes the TPUSA as 'a well-funded, hard-right organization with links to Southern Poverty Law Center-identified hard-right extremists' with 'a tremendous amount of influence in conservative politics.' It continues: 'Turning Point USA's primary strategy is sowing and exploiting fear that white Christian supremacy is under attack by nefarious actors, including immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and civil rights activists. 'TPUSA and its spokespeople often warn their audience that their children, wives, religion, way of life and they themselves are under attack by various constructed enemies [and] exploits complicated feelings of insecurity and anxiety to manufacture rage and mobilize support to revive and maintain a white-dominated, male supremacist, Christian social order.'
