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Asia Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asia Times
Tucker Carlson's a Trump-coddling coward
The online meltdown over Tucker Carlson's evisceration of Ted Cruz was predictably theatrical. Social media buzzed with the usual suspects declaring it a must-see affair, praising Carlson's surgical dismantling of the Texas senator's Iran hawks routine. And yes, watching Cruz squirm like a pinned beetle was wildly entertaining. The man's capacity for public humiliation remains genuinely impressive. Cruz, a man-shaped lobbyist pamphlet, was an easy target, though. Carlson's takedown wasn't brave—it was bloodsport for clicks. He used Cruz as a stand-in to criticize US policy on Iran while conveniently dodging the one person actually responsible: Donald Trump. The man who greenlit the military aid to Israel. The man Carlson won't touch. This is the sleight of hand. Carlson postures as a dissident, but his crosshairs never rise above the Senate floor. He talks like an outsider, but never punches up. The result is cowardice—calculated avoidance dressed up as defiance, monetized for maximum clicks. Carlson isn't challenging power; he's cackling all the way to the bank, turning selective outrage into a subscription model. And in many ways, that's worse than the naked sycophants. At least Cruz grovels openly. Carlson misleads his audience into thinking he's rebelling against the machine, when in truth he's guarding its king. He lashes out at the foot soldiers and spares the general. This is not journalism. Not the respectable kind, anyway. When Israel began pounding Iran, Carlson didn't question the president's role in approving support—he attacked Cruz's rhetoric. Trump got a pass. He always does from Carlson. From the entire pseudo-revolutionary right. They all know who signs the checks, who pulls the strings, and who might one day hand them a podium or a pardon. That's why the silence is deafening. Steve Bannon, that other supposed voice of anti-establishment fire, falls into the same craven category. The architect of MAGA is perfectly willing to criticize the decision to assist Israel's Iranian adventures—but only in the abstract, never with Trump's name attached. For all his blue-collar cosplay and populist posturing, Bannon knows exactly which side his bread is buttered on. Without Trump, he's just another uber-wealthy ex-Goldman Sachs banker playing dress-up in work shirts and five o'clock shadow. But this isn't harmless. If Iran falls, the region doesn't get freer—it gets bloodier. The Islamic Republic is brutal, yes—but it's also a geopolitical keystone. Remove it, and the arch collapses. The aftermath wouldn't be democratic reform or some Instagram-filtered 'Persian Spring.' It would be tribal fragmentation, religious warfare, and the violent settling of decades-old scores. Hezbollah would spin even looser in Lebanon. Israel would face attacks on multiple fronts. ISIS remnants would resurface in the chaos, feeding off the vacuum like parasites in open wounds. Iraq would fracture again. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states would pour in money, weapons, and jihadist mercenaries to counterbalance rising Shia influence. Iran's Revolutionary Guard wouldn't simply vanish—it would splinter, with rogue commanders forming warlord fiefdoms across the region. Russia and China, already circling, would seize the chance to claim strategic energy corridors and military influence. Western embassies would go dark. Diplomacy would give way to drone strikes. And Europe? It would face a second refugee crisis, exponentially worse than 2015. Millions of displaced Iranians, Afghans, Iraqis, and Syrians, fleeing instability, starvation, or sectarian cleansing, would flood the Mediterranean and Balkans. Greece and Italy, already on the brink, would snap. France and Germany would fracture internally. The EU itself might not survive another wave. What falls in Tehran doesn't stay in Tehran. And yet no one on the right with any real influence is willing to say the obvious: Trump bears responsibility. Not Ted Cruz. President Trump, a man whose decisions, backroom deals, vanity, and erratic instincts bring us closer to World War III. Carlson won't say it. He can't. His son, Buckley, works for Vice President J D Vance. His livelihood depends on proximity to Trump's orbit. He'll hurl rocks at Congress but never at the throne. The result is a pathetic parody of journalism, where everything is questioned except the one man most responsible. We are ruled by strongmen and served by courtiers. Carlson's job is to entertain the peasants while never threatening the king. And as long as this charade continues, the real culprits walk free, while the world inches closer to complete carnage.
23-05-2025
- Politics
New Jersey governor race heats up ahead of primary -- with Trump's impact on the line
New Jersey is set to hold its gubernatorial elections this year, with hotly contested primaries set for next month -- and many experts are saying the high-stakes race could be a harbinger for the mood of the country ahead of 2026's critical midterm elections. "This is going to be the first real test for the potential Democratic backlash against the Trump administration. We've seen a little bit from special elections that Democratic voters are motivated to turn out. Does that continue going forward in the fall in New Jersey?" Daniel Bowen, a political science professor at The College of New Jersey, told ABC News. Brigid Callahan Harrison, the chair of the Political Science and Law Department at Montclair State University, told ABC News that the race might not only be a "bellwether" for how voters feel about President Donald Trump and the upcoming midterms, but that it could indicate both how partisan allegiances are shifting in New Jersey and the strength of Trump's endorsement of Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli. Harrison points to Kamala Harris' small margin of victory in New Jersey, too. Harris won New Jersey by around 6 percentage points in 2024; then-Vice President Joe Biden won the state by about 16 percentage points in 2020. At stake in the race are also issues in New Jersey such as immigration enforcement and sanctuary cities, and the cost of housing and general affordability -- issues that have divided and animated Americans around the country and that are set to take center stage in the midterms as well. Democrats contend with a crowded field The Democratic primary features six figures hoping to succeed incumbent and term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and to keep the governorship blue. Polling shows that U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who represents the state's 11th Congressional District, is leading the pack. Sherrill's experience as a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and network of political supporters from a previous run for Congress work in her favor, Harrison said. Another Democratic candidate, Josh Gottheimer, has represented New Jersey's 5th Congressional District since 2017. The former political operative is widely seen as a moderate. Similar to other candidates, Gottheimer is positioning himself as ready to take on Trump. He has also framed himself as being the best one to tackle affordability in the state. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was an educator in Newark Public Schools and a member of the city council before being elected mayor for the first time in 2014. He was arrested earlier this month while joining members of Congress at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Newark. Trespassing charges against Baraka have since been dismissed. Steven Fulop was first elected mayor of Jersey City in 2013. The ex-Goldman Sachs investment banker and former Marine has overseen population growth, increased development and municipal reforms. Steve Sweeney, a former ironworker who served as New Jersey's state Senate president for more than a decade, spent two decades as a lawmaker in that chamber before losing to a Republican in 2021. He has touted his strong support from unions and experience as a legislator. Sean Spiller, the president of the New Jersey Education Association -- the state's largest teacher's union -- has pointed to his experience as the former mayor of the city of Montclair as evidence that he is able to take on issues such as affordable housing and investing in childcare. As the June 10 primary gets closer, experts say they're all facing some of the same headwinds. After New Jersey eliminated its old primary ballot design, which used to allow most county parties to give preferential placement to their endorsed candidates, candidates now must focus more on their own get-out-the-vote operations, Harrison said. "Nobody's run in a race like this," she said. Republicans play the Trump card -- as he endorses a returning challenger Republicans are hoping to flip New Jersey's governorship red -- and point to the closer-than-expected margin between Trump and Harris in 2024 as evidence that it's in reach. A recent New Jersey Republican Party fundraising email encouraged voters to "finish the job" and "flip New Jersey red, for good." Experts said the presidential results might not necessarily indicate how competitive the gubernatorial race will be. Bowen said that New Jersey's off-cycle gubernatorial elections often show voters largely voting against the incumbent party in power in the White House, although he added that Republicans also see the race as intertwined with Democratic incumbent Murphy finishing up his time in office. Still, most of the Republican candidates have been eager to align themselves with Trump. Trump has endorsed the Republican front-runner Ciattarelli in the race that the president wrote is being "closely watched by the entire World." Ciattarelli has been involved in local politics for decades, serving various roles including councilman and state assemblyman. He has had his sights on governor since 2017, where he ran for the first time but lost the primary. Ciattarelli succeeded in clinching the Republican nomination in 2021, but ultimately lost to Murphy. Ciattarelli, who says his top priority is making the state more affordable, has shifted his stance on Trump over the years. In 2015, he issued a statement calling Trump "out of step with American values" and "not fit" to be president. But he now supports the president, and endorsed Trump in the 2024 election. Trump, recently wrote on his social media platform that Ciattarelli, "after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!)" After the endorsement, Ciattarelli told Fox News that he will support the president's agenda. He has acknowledged his previous comments about Trump, too, but compared himself to Vice President JD Vance -- who at one point also did not support the president but is now vice president under Trump. Ashley Koning, the director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University, told ABC News that Trump's endorsement could help encourage undecided Republican voters to favor Ciattarelli. She said the center's polling showed that with Republican voters who were split, about half said an endorsement from Trump would make them more likely to vote for that candidate. Conservative talk show host Bill Spadea previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House and the state assembly, and has said he isn't afraid to call out both parties. He has expressed a desire to end taxpayer subsidies for Planned Parenthood and replicate the Department of Government Efficiency in New Jersey, in addition to promising to combat illegal immigration and increase affordability. Still, he said he has disagreed with Trump on "multiple occasions." Jon Bramnick, a former state senator, appears to be less supportive of Trump. Last April, he made it clear that he would not vote for Trump in the 2024 presidential race, though he also said he probably wouldn't vote for the Democratic candidate either. Still, some of Bramnick's positions reflect stances similar to Trump's. In addition to branding himself as the "toughest candidate on immigration," Bramnick also seeks to end sanctuary state policies in New Jersey, and introduced the " New Jersey Laken Riley Act," which intends to align the state's law with Trump's legislation. Mario Kranjac, the former mayor of the town of Englewood Cliffs, is running a pro-Trump campaign, branding himself as a "political outsider." Justin Barbera, a contractor, is also running a pro-Trump campaign, telling the New Jersey Monitor he is guided by his military and Christian background. Even with Ciatterelli standing out as the front-runner, Bowen said that nothing is certain until the primary wraps. "It certainly looks like the race is Ciatterelli's to lose at this point -- although, of course, in a primary, anything can happen," Bowen said.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Jersey governor race heats up ahead of primary -- with Trump's impact on the line
New Jersey is set to hold its gubernatorial elections this year, with hotly contested primaries set for next month -- and many experts are saying the high-stakes race could be a harbinger for the mood of the country ahead of 2026's critical midterm elections. "This is going to be the first real test for the potential Democratic backlash against the Trump administration. We've seen a little bit from special elections that Democratic voters are motivated to turn out. Does that continue going forward in the fall in New Jersey?" Daniel Bowen, a political science professor at The College of New Jersey, told ABC News. MORE: Trump's first 100 days tests future of both Republican and Democratic parties: ANALYSIS Brigid Callahan Harrison, the chair of the Political Science and Law Department at Montclair State University, told ABC News that the race might not only be a "bellwether" for how voters feel about President Donald Trump and the upcoming midterms, but that it could indicate both how partisan allegiances are shifting in New Jersey and the strength of Trump's endorsement of Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli. Harrison points to Kamala Harris' small margin of victory in New Jersey, too. Harris won New Jersey by around 6 percentage points in 2024; then-Vice President Joe Biden won the state by about 16 percentage points in 2020. At stake in the race are also issues in New Jersey such as immigration enforcement and sanctuary cities, and the cost of housing and general affordability -- issues that have divided and animated Americans around the country and that are set to take center stage in the midterms as well. The Democratic primary features six figures hoping to succeed incumbent and term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and to keep the governorship blue. Polling shows that U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who represents the state's 11th Congressional District, is leading the pack. Sherrill's experience as a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and network of political supporters from a previous run for Congress work in her favor, Harrison said. Another Democratic candidate, Josh Gottheimer, has represented New Jersey's 5th Congressional District since 2017. The former political operative is widely seen as a moderate. Similar to other candidates, Gottheimer is positioning himself as ready to take on Trump. He has also framed himself as being the best one to tackle affordability in the state. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was an educator in Newark Public Schools and a member of the city council before being elected mayor for the first time in 2014. He was arrested earlier this month while joining members of Congress at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Newark. Trespassing charges against Baraka have since been dismissed. MORE: Charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver spark backlash after incident with ICE agents Steven Fulop was first elected mayor of Jersey City in 2013. The ex-Goldman Sachs investment banker and former Marine has overseen population growth, increased development and municipal reforms. Steve Sweeney, a former ironworker who served as New Jersey's state Senate president for more than a decade, spent two decades as a lawmaker in that chamber before losing to a Republican in 2021. He has touted his strong support from unions and experience as a legislator. Sean Spiller, the president of the New Jersey Education Association -- the state's largest teacher's union -- has pointed to his experience as the former mayor of the city of Montclair as evidence that he is able to take on issues such as affordable housing and investing in childcare. MORE: Trump's first 100 days tests future of both Republican and Democratic parties: ANALYSIS As the June 10 primary gets closer, experts say they're all facing some of the same headwinds. After New Jersey eliminated its old primary ballot design, which used to allow most county parties to give preferential placement to their endorsed candidates, candidates now must focus more on their own get-out-the-vote operations, Harrison said. "Nobody's run in a race like this," she said. Republicans are hoping to flip New Jersey's governorship red -- and point to the closer-than-expected margin between Trump and Harris in 2024 as evidence that it's in reach. A recent New Jersey Republican Party fundraising email encouraged voters to "finish the job" and "flip New Jersey red, for good." MORE: Biden touts 'close' relationship with Harris, but 'not surprised' by her election loss Experts said the presidential results might not necessarily indicate how competitive the gubernatorial race will be. Bowen said that New Jersey's off-cycle gubernatorial elections often show voters largely voting against the incumbent party in power in the White House, although he added that Republicans also see the race as intertwined with Democratic incumbent Murphy finishing up his time in office. Still, most of the Republican candidates have been eager to align themselves with Trump. Trump has endorsed the Republican front-runner Ciattarelli in the race that the president wrote is being "closely watched by the entire World." Ciattarelli has been involved in local politics for decades, serving various roles including councilman and state assemblyman. He has had his sights on governor since 2017, where he ran for the first time but lost the primary. Ciattarelli succeeded in clinching the Republican nomination in 2021, but ultimately lost to Murphy. Ciattarelli, who says his top priority is making the state more affordable, has shifted his stance on Trump over the years. In 2015, he issued a statement calling Trump "out of step with American values" and "not fit" to be president. But he now supports the president, and endorsed Trump in the 2024 election. Trump, recently wrote on his social media platform that Ciattarelli, "after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!)" After the endorsement, Ciattarelli told Fox News that he will support the president's agenda. He has acknowledged his previous comments about Trump, too, but compared himself to Vice President JD Vance -- who at one point also did not support the president but is now vice president under Trump. Ashley Koning, the director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University, told ABC News that Trump's endorsement could help encourage undecided Republican voters to favor Ciattarelli. She said the center's polling showed that with Republican voters who were split, about half said an endorsement from Trump would make them more likely to vote for that candidate. Conservative talk show host Bill Spadea previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House and the state assembly, and has said he isn't afraid to call out both parties. He has expressed a desire to end taxpayer subsidies for Planned Parenthood and replicate the Department of Government Efficiency in New Jersey, in addition to promising to combat illegal immigration and increase affordability. Still, he said he has disagreed with Trump on "multiple occasions." Jon Bramnick, a former state senator, appears to be less supportive of Trump. Last April, he made it clear that he would not vote for Trump in the 2024 presidential race, though he also said he probably wouldn't vote for the Democratic candidate either. Still, some of Bramnick's positions reflect stances similar to Trump's. In addition to branding himself as the "toughest candidate on immigration," Bramnick also seeks to end sanctuary state policies in New Jersey, and introduced the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act," which intends to align the state's law with Trump's legislation. Mario Kranjac, the former mayor of the town of Englewood Cliffs, is running a pro-Trump campaign, branding himself as a "political outsider." Justin Barbera, a contractor, is also running a pro-Trump campaign, telling the New Jersey Monitor he is guided by his military and Christian background. Even with Ciatterelli standing out as the front-runner, Bowen said that nothing is certain until the primary wraps. "It certainly looks like the race is Ciatterelli's to lose at this point -- although, of course, in a primary, anything can happen," Bowen said. New Jersey governor race heats up ahead of primary -- with Trump's impact on the line originally appeared on
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Good news for Canadians: Mark Carney signs order to cut taxes for middle-class citizens, effective July 1
Mark Carney, the new Prime Minister, had his first cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill on Wednesday. After the meeting, Carney signed a symbolic order to show his top priority is a middle-class tax cut . He asked his ministers to get ready to bring in the tax cut bill as soon as Parliament returns later this month. Carney said the goal is for the tax cut to start by July 1, as promised. This tax cut will lower personal income tax by 1% for many Canadians. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¡El azúcar en sangre no viene de los dulces! Conoce al enemigo de la glucosa Azúcar en sangre Mirar Ahora Undo 22 million Canadians who pay federal income tax will benefit. Some families could save up to $840 a year because of it, Carney said. Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne called the move 'very significant.' Champagne said it sends a clear message that this tax cut is the government's first priority. Live Events But for the tax cut to happen, Parliament has to approve it, Carney said. Since Carney's government is a few seats short of a majority, they will need to get 2 more votes to pass the law. Champagne said the Liberals will introduce a ways and means motion to officially bring in the tax cut law. He's hopeful the opposition will support it. New Cabinet Team Before the cabinet meeting, new ministers and secretaries of state said they were excited to begin work. Carney's cabinet was sworn in on Tuesday. It's a two-tier system, 28 core ministers and 10 secretaries of state. He kept some experienced ministers in key roles but also brought in 24 new people. Wayne Long, from New Brunswick, is now the Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions. Long said he thinks the government will be run more like a corporation, which is 'long overdue.' He promised to represent his people and speak freely. Long was known for being critical of ex-PM Justin Trudeau. He once said he wouldn't run again if Trudeau stayed leader. Reporters asked if criticizing Trudeau helped him get this new job, Long said, 'Not at all.' He said Carney doesn't do favours, and chooses qualified people. Jill McKnight, from British Columbia, is now Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. Maninder Sidhu, new Minister of International Trade, said Sidhu was elected in 2019 and used to be a parliamentary secretary for international development. Stephen Fuhr, a longtime B.C. MP, is now Secretary of State for Defence Procurement. He said he'll figure out his priorities during the cabinet meeting. Tim Hodgson, a former Bank of Canada adviser and ex-Goldman Sachs CEO, is now Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. Hodgson said he's ready to build, dig in, and do a lot of work. He also said he'll be working with provinces, Indigenous partners, and industries. Hodgson added he's going out west soon to begin this work. Parliament is set to return on May 26, and the following day, King Charles III will deliver the Speech from the Throne. After this, the government will take further economic steps, as confirmed by Finance Minister Champagne . He explained that the first step is the middle-class tax cut, which is already in progress. The second step will be the Throne Speech itself, where the government will outline its new priorities. Following that, there will be a fall economic update to present more detailed plans. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney's team on Wednesday. He said it's wrong that they're doing a fall economic update instead of a spring budget. Poilievre said families are struggling and businesses are suffering from U.S. tariffs. He said the Liberals are avoiding responsibility. He also said Carney, who was supposed to be a 'serious economist,' is giving Canadians only 'delays and dysfunction.' FAQs Q1. What is Mark Carney's first big plan as Prime Minister? He wants to cut income taxes for the middle class. Q2. Will the tax cut happen right away? No, it needs to be passed by Parliament first.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
All about Sean Diddy's leagal team the 'Bad Boy for Life' rapper hired using his $800M war chest
Armed with an estimated £800 million fortune, Sean "Diddy" Combs is sparing no expense as he faces a slate of serious charges—including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and prostitution. With prosecutors alleging that the hip-hop mogul used coercion and violence to secure sexual acts and protect his empire, a conviction could put him behind bars for life. #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare But Combs, who coined the iconic phrase "Bad Boy for Life," is fighting back with a powerhouse legal team boasting over 150 years of combined courtroom experience. The high-profile group includes lawyers who've defended some of the most infamous names in recent history—from alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione to disgraced pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli and rapper Young Thug. Combs has pleaded not guilty, denied all allegations, and recently turned down a plea deal. His legal strategy is expected to rest on the argument that all sexual encounters were consensual, according to ABC reports. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Recommends: "These 5 Books Will Turn Your Life Around" Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Leading the Charge: Marc Agnifilo At the forefront of Combs' defense is veteran trial lawyer Marc Agnifilo , known for navigating high-stakes and high-profile cases. His client list reads like a courtroom who's who: NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, "Pharma Bro" Martin Shkreli, and ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng. Raniere was sentenced to 120 years for operating a secretive sex cult; Shkreli received seven years for securities fraud; and Ng got a 10-year sentence for his role in a $1.66 billion bribery scheme. Live Events Agnifilo, a former state and federal prosecutor, has tried more than 200 cases over his 30-year career. He's also one half of a legal power couple—his wife, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, is a former Manhattan DA who once investigated the Trump Organization and recently defended Luigi Mangione in a murder case. Teny Geragos: Legal Legacy in Action Also on the defense team is Teny Geragos, co-founder of the Agnifilo Intrater law firm. Like her colleague, she's defended notorious figures like Raniere and Shkreli. A 2016 graduate of Loyola Law School, Geragos is the daughter of famed defense attorney Mark Geragos, who's represented clients including Hunter Biden, Chris Brown, and Michael Jackson. Although Mark Geragos is not officially part of Combs' legal team, he made headlines during jury selection when prosecutors accused him of violating court rules by discussing the case on his podcast. Mark is also currently working to secure the release of the Menendez brothers, more than 35 years after their conviction for the murder of their parents. Alexandra Shapiro: The Appeals Expert Bringing deep appellate experience to the team is Alexandra Shapiro. A former deputy chief of appeals for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan, she once advised the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel and clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Shapiro is currently handling Sam Bankman-Fried's appeal following his recent conviction, and she has argued multiple cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Interestingly, the judge overseeing Combs' trial also once clerked for Ginsburg, though during a different period. Brian Steel: Battle-Tested in the South Most recently added to the defense roster is Atlanta-based attorney Brian Steel, best known for representing rapper Young Thug in Georgia's longest-running criminal trial. Steel gained national attention after he was briefly jailed for contempt when he refused to reveal how he learned about a private meeting between a witness, prosecutors, and the judge—a ruling that was later overturned. His client ultimately avoided a long prison sentence despite multiple guilty pleas. With a legal dream team like this, Combs is clearly preparing for a long and bitter courtroom battle. Whether their combined firepower can keep him out of prison remains to be seen.
