Latest news with #WhyIt
Newsweek
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Nancy Mace's Chances of Winning South Carolina Governor's Race—Polls
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. South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace is rumored to be soon announcing her bid to become the Palmetto State's governor, though early polls show a large degree of uncertainty among the electorate. Newsweek reached out to Mace via email for comment. Why It Matters Mace is scheduled to deliver a "special announcement" on the morning of August 4 at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Her gubernatorial entry would mark a crowded GOP primary of candidates attempting to succeed current term-limited Republican Governor Henry McMaster. Speculation of an apparent Mace gubernatorial campaign heightened when her office touted a "major address on the future of South Carolina" scheduled to take place August 4. A social media slipup also took place, with The Associated Press' Meg Kinnard noting that publicity for Mace's "Statewide Mother of ALL Town Halls Tour" came under the label of "Nancy Mace for Governor." An event website advertising the town halls has since removed any mention of the term "governor." Mace's own remarks have fueled rumors, including one of her social media posts acknowledging that President Donald Trump "needs America First governors" and that the state of South Carolina "needs a fighter." She's also said her state has gone "woke" the past couple years. What To Know Mace, 47, has represented South Carolina's 1st congressional district since 2021 and previously served in the South Carolina General Assembly from 2018 to 2020. Polling published in late July by the South Carolina Policy Council shows Mace receiving 16 percent support from Republican-identifying voters, one point ahead of South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette earned 8 percent support, Representative Ralph Norman received 6 percent, and State Senator Josh Kimbrell received 3 percent. About 52 percent were undecided. Norman announced his run for governor on Sunday. Newsweek reached out to the Wilson and Norman campaigns via email for comment. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) walks off the House floor before a vote on the Republican budget plan at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) walks off the House floor before a vote on the Republican budget plan at the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2025 in Washington, Carolinians across party lines support eliminating income tax, adopting spending limits, and expressed concerns about increased energy costs to construct data centers, according to the poll. A Winthrop University poll in February found that 52 percent of South Carolina adults said they were either very or somewhat familiar with Mace, compared to 39 percent for Wilson. Evette had a 32 percent recognition level. Scott Huffmon, director of the Winthrop Poll, told Newsweek via phone on Friday that Mace's entry into the gubernatorial race would not be a shock and is on par with what most pundits expect of her. "It's obviously going to make the race very fractious, very interesting with the potential to have a lot of unflattering portraits of many of the candidates—all of the cliches about tough, hard politics in South Carolina, they're all true. "[Mace] says things that are seen by many as outrageous and seen by many within her party as extremely strong stances, often coinciding with President Trump, even though she had criticized President Trump years ago. She definitely has gotten back into his good graces, but that's what's going to make it a very contentious and interesting primary." He noted how Mace has already fired "the opening salvos" at Wilson, saying if she enters it's "a two-man race" between the pair. But Huffmon said Norman may ultimately be viewed as the "calm and steady candidate." Mace has broad name recognition, he added, but that does not automatically translate into votes or support. Wilson does, too, while Norman would likely have to spend more money to achieve that broader level of recognition. "That's no big deal," Huffmon said. "He's extremely wealthy on his own. He has connections to the fundraising apparatus, both in the 5th District and around the state. "He has the possibility of maybe calling in a favor from Nikki Haley and getting an endorsement because he has always been a Haley supporter." McMaster's ultimate endorsement, if he provides one, remains unknown for now. He has a relationship with Wilson, Huffmon noted, and shares the same fiscal sensibilities as Norman. "Whether or not he would endorse Nancy Mace to the degree that she makes this a little more outrageous than a normal primary would be, I would think every time she might do that will make him disinclined to endorse," he said. "But I don't see him indicating anytime soon who he might endorse." What People Are Saying Representative Nancy Mace on Fox News last weekend: "I will be making a decision over the next couple of days about my future. I believe I may be forced to run for governor because I can't watch my beautiful red state of South Carolina go woke. It's gone woke over the last couple of years." Representative Ralph Norman on Sunday told supporters in Rock Hill, South Carolina: "I've seen way too many corrupt politicians in Columbia, S.C, looking out for themselves and not for you. And in Washington, I've seen career politicians who care more about their next election than they do securing our future generations." South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson to the Bluffton Today: "My three brothers and I, all four of us are Eagle Scouts. All four of us are officers in the United States military. All four of us have served oversees. It was because of the upbringing of my dad and his instilling in me a desire to serve the public." What Happens Next The South Carolina gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026.
Newsweek
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Inviting Sex Offender into White House Raises Eyebrows
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. President Donald Trump inviting former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, a registered sex offender, to the White House on Thursday has garnered controversy. Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via an email sent outside regular business hours. Why It Matters Taylor has appeared on stage with Trump at campaign rallies in the past. But his attendance at the White House on Thursday comes as Trump faces increasing pressure over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who authorities say died by suicide in a federal jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The president is facing an outcry over his administration's refusal to release additional records related to Epstein, despite earlier promises of transparency. He has tried to deflect questions about the case, expressing annoyance that people are still talking about it even as some of his allies continue to promote conspiracy theories about it. President Donald Trump listens as former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor speaks during an executive order signing ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 31, 2025. President Donald Trump listens as former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor speaks during an executive order signing ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 31, told reporters this week that Epstein "stole" Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's most well-known accusers, from his Mar-a-Lago club, where she worked in the summer of 2000 when she was 16. That raised questions, including from Giuffre's family, about how much Trump knew about Epstein's crimes given he continued to associate with Epstein after 2000. Trump said on Thursday that he didn't know why Epstein was taking young employees from Mar-a-Lago, and that it caused him to cut ties and ban Epstein from the club. What To Know Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test for American children and reinvigorate a national sports council. Taylor and other figures from the sports world, including pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau and Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker joined Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House to become formal members of the council, known as the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. Taylor was arrested in 2010 on rape and prostitution charges in connection with the assault of a 16-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty in 2011 to misdemeanor charges of sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute, was sentenced to six years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender. He was arrested in 2021 in Broward County, Florida, and charged with failing to report a change of residence as a sex offender. He later pleaded no contest to an amended charge and the case was closed. He was again arrested and charged with failing to report a residence change as a sex offender in July 2024, but prosecutors closed the case a few weeks later. Taylor's presence at the White House sparked a backlash on social media. "Trump literally had Lawrence Taylor, a registered sex offender who raped a 16-year-old, featured at the White House as he announced his 'President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition' initiative for kids," social media personality Brian Krassenstein wrote on X, formerly Twitter. He described this as "Sickening!" What People Are Saying Taylor said during Thursday's executive order signing: "I'm just proud to be on this team. I don't know why, I don't know what we're supposed to be doing, but I'm here to serve and I'm here to serve you. So I'm going to do the best I can for as long as I can." Trump said on Thursday about Taylor: "Acknowledged to be the greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL, a friend of mine for a long time. Too long, right Lawrence? Lawrence Taylor, he's an incredible guy and just been my friend a long time. Knew him forever." Asked if he knew why Epstein was taking young women from Mar-a-Lago at the White House on Thursday, Trump said: "No, I don't know really why, but I said, if he's taken anybody from Mar-a-Lago, he's hiring or whatever he's doing, I didn't like it. And we threw him out." Julie Roginsky, a former Fox News and CNBC contributor and co-founder of the nonprofit Lift Our Voices, wrote on X: "Lawrence Taylor is a registered sex offender who was arrested for sexually assaulting a young girl. Someone needs to ask MAGA why Trump hangs out with so many child predators." MSNBC host Chris Hayes wrote on X: "On the day Virginia Giuffre's family is speaking out about how survivors are treated like trash, here's who's in the White House." Tara Setmayer, a former GOP communications director, wrote on X: "Trump sure does like to hang out with sex offenders caught with underage girls. Add Lawrence Taylor to the list." What's Next Trump is likely to continue facing questions about the Epstein case. This story includes reporting from The Associated Press.
Newsweek
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Trump Calls Jeffrey Epstein 'The Greatest' in Newly Revealed Note: Report
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. President Donald Trump wrote sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein a note in a signed copy of Trump's book in October 1997, calling him "the greatest," The New York Times reports. Newsweek reached out to the White House via email Thursday night for comment. Why It Matters Trump's alleged connection to a leather-bound birthday book compiled for Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 has reignited debate and legal battles about the extent of relationships between high-profile individuals and Epstein, the disgraced financier. Epstein's circle—including influential fellow financiers, scientists and politicians—has remained a topic of public and political scrutiny since his arrest and subsequent 2019 death in a New York City jail cell. Pressure mounted for the Trump administration to release files connected to Epstein after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly informed the president that his name was included in documents related to the investigation of the sex offender. The Trump administration attempted to disclose grand jury transcripts but was later denied by a federal judge. What To Know According to the Times report, Trump's name also appears on a list as a contributor for Epstein's 2003 birthday book. The Times said it reviewed the list, which included names like Leslie H. Wexner, the former owner of Victoria's Secret, and Wall Street executive Alan C. Greenberg. There was an introductory letter for the book written by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend who's serving a 20-year prison term, according to the outlet. Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against the The Wall Street Journal this month after the paper reported Trump allegedly signed a sexually suggestive drawing for Epstein's birthday book. The president took to Truth Social, saying, "The Wall Street Journal printed a FAKE letter, supposedly to Epstein. These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don't draw pictures. I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn't print this Fake Story. But he did, and now I'm going to sue his ass off, and that of his third rate newspaper. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DJT" The Times reports that Trump had at least once before allegedly written a note to Epstein, in a signed copy of his book, Trump: The Art of the Comeback, saying, "To Jeff — You are the greatest!" What People Are Saying Trump posted to Truth Social on Thursday: "The Radical Left Democrats are doing everything in their power to distract and obfuscate from our GREAT six months of service to America, results of which many are saying is the BEST six months in Presidential history. They have gone absolutely CRAZY, and are playing another Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax but, this time, under the guise of what we will call the Jeffrey Epstein SCAM. As things are revealed and, I hope will take place quickly, you will see that it is yet another Democrat CON JOB. Hopefully, the Grand Jury Files will put an end to this HOAX. Everyone should see what is there, but people who are innocent should not be hurt. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
Newsweek
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Christian Singer Faces Anger Over MAGA Ties Ahead of Canada Concert
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. Christian singer Sean Feucht is facing anger ahead of a concert in Canada, with its venue having been changed after people threatened to protest the original Parks Canada venue. Newsweek has reached out to Feucht via email for comment. Why It Matters Feucht is an Pro-Trump American Christian singer-songwriter and founder of the Let Us Worship movement. He unsuccessfully ran as a Republican candidate in California's 3rd congressional district in 2020. Born in Montana, he founded Hold The Line, which is described on Feucht's website as "A movement seeking to engage the church and young people to inform, educate, and inspire the next generation of leaders to stand for what is right in the governmental arena." Left, Israel supporters, including Christian evangelical Sean Feucht, holding guitar, participate in the United for Israel march outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 25, 2024 . Right, an LGBTQ+ flag is... Left, Israel supporters, including Christian evangelical Sean Feucht, holding guitar, participate in the United for Israel march outside of Columbia University in New York City on April 25, 2024 . Right, an LGBTQ+ flag is seen at the Madrid Pride Parade in Madrid, Spain, on July 5, 2025. More/David Benito/WireImage What To Know Feucht's concert was originally slated to take place at the York Redoubt National Historic Site near Halifax, but a permit was ultimately revoked because of safety concerns, following planned protests. In an email sent to Newsweek, the Parks Canada Media Relations Team shared a statement that read in part: "Parks Canada is aware that members of the public have expressed concern about an event scheduled to take place at York Redoubt National Historic Site on July 23, 2025." The statement detailed that this event was not a Parks Canada event but was instead to have been hosted by a permit holder. "After careful review, and due to heightened public safety concerns, Parks Canada has notified the organizer that the permit has been revoked," the statement read. A public event page on Facebook was titled "Protest MAGA dude in Halifaz at York Dedoubt Nat'l Park." The description for this event has been updated to read "THE PERMIT FOR THIS GROSS PERSON HAS BEEN REVOKED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS." It also read in part that "He [Feucht] spreads intolerance and hate under the name of religion." A post about the concert was also shared on the public Facebook group Gay Nova Scotia (2SLGBTQIA+). It read in part that the person posting wanted to make the community aware of the concert, which it described as "concerning," and said that individuals could email Parks Canada to try to stop it from happening. Following confirmation that the permit for the event at the park had been revoked, a post was updated to read "WE WON WE WON WE WON!!!!!!!! LOVE WINS." Local residents described the concert as "upsetting" and "inappropriate" while speaking to the outlet, CBC. Feucht has previously been criticized over remarks he has made about the LGBTQ+ community and for his pro-life stance. The In the News section on his website lists appearances on NewsMax, Breitbart and Steve Bannon's War Room Podcast. Feucht first rose to prominence with his Let Us Worship tour in the latter half of 2020, which protested COVID-19 lockdowns. In April of 2022, he helped to lead a protest against The Walt Disney Company for their opposition to anti-LGBTQ legislation and in early 2023, he announced a "Kingdom to the Capitol" tour. This was co-sponsored by Turning Point USA, the nonprofit that advocates for conservative politics at high schools and university campuses. What People Are Saying Sean Feucht wrote in a post shared to X: "We will all get to witness if free speech and freedom of religion still exist in Canada." The Parks Canada Media Relations team said in a statement shared with Newsweek: "Due to evolving safety and security considerations based on confirmation of planned protests, input from law enforcement, and the security challenges with the configuration of York Redoubt, Parks Canada has reassessed the conditions of the permit and potential impacts to community members, visitors, concert attendees and event organizers. After careful review, and due to heightened public safety concerns, Parks Canada has notified the organizer that the permit has been revoked." What's Next CBC reported that Feucht's free concert will now be staged in a rural area about 60 kilometres north of Halifax.
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Amanda Knox Sends Message to 'SNL'
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. Amanda Knox's tongue-in-cheek post about one day appearing on Saturday Night Live has gone viral on social media. Newsweek reached out to Knox's representative and NBC via email on Wednesday for comment. Why It Matters Knox, now 38, garnered worldwide attention in 2007 after she was accused of murdering her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, during a study abroad program in Perugia, Italy. She spent nearly four years in an Italian prison before her conviction was overturned, and she was exonerated in 2015. In the days after Kercher's murder, Knox falsely accused her boss, Patrick Lumumba, of the killing, and he spent two weeks in prison. At the time, she had signed statements to police, though she later questioned her accusation in a handwritten note. Knox was convicted of slander and received a three-year sentence. What To Know On Monday, Knox took to X to speak out about the nickname she received at the height of her fame. "When I was twenty years old, I became a symbol. I did not ask for it. I did not understand it. I certainly did not benefit from it," she told her 161,200 followers on the platform in a lengthy thread. "I became a caricature of a person: 'Foxy Knoxy.'" "An archetype: The seductress, the devil with the face of an angel, the ice queen, the remorseless murderess. My name and face had become a totem for society's anxieties about sex, youth, and femininity," she said in a subsequent post. Amanda Knox (center) is escorted by police upon her arrival at a court hearing in Perugia, Italy, on September 26, 2008. Amanda Knox (center) is escorted by police upon her arrival at a court hearing in Perugia, Italy, on September 26, 2008. Federico Zirilli/AFP via Getty Images "Foxy Knoxy" was coined by British and Italian media. In 2009, Knox was voted "Woman of the Year" in Italy by a television news poll. In response to her post, X user @LordOfMundane wrote: "And then you became a Supreme Court Justice!" The user included side-by-side photos of Knox and Justice Amy Coney Barrett. "Just saying, I'm still available, SNL," Knox responded, appearing to agree with their resemblance. At the time of publication, Knox's post had racked up 194,700 views, 3,500 likes and 115 comments. What People Are Saying In the replies underneath Knox's X post, many encouraged Saturday Night Live to take her up on her offer to play Barrett. X user @deltamagnet wrote: "Take a girl up on a dare, SNL!" @wga2557 wrote: "Double dare SNL!" @IAm_THEPaulina wrote: "OMG - @nbcsnl." @blueyedcole wrote: "@nbcsnl LET THIS WOMAN DO SOMETHING HILARIOUS." @John_Nez_Artist wrote: "Kind of uncanny... a match!" @kirkjason12 wrote: "That would be awesome!!" @1Lambinator wrote: "Wow! Spot on!" @barrydorsey wrote: "This would be epic." What Happens Next Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET and is also available to stream on Peacock.
