Plus, Nikole Hannah-Jones sits down with MS NOW amid criticism over NYT essay |

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Monday, Sep. 28, 2026

Today, we’re looking at why Republicans think Trump is focused on the wrong things, how Susan Collins’ 2018 vote for Brett Kavanaugh is shaping Maine’s Senate race, the president’s election gimmicks and more. 

Donald Trump, left, looks away. Others, blurred in the background, look forward.

Win McNamee / Getty Images

Republicans worry that Trump is focused on the wrong things

By Kevin Frey and Jack Fitzpatrick

The national average for a gallon of gas is $4.48. Diesel is $6.47. The Iran war is raging on. And President Donald Trump is fixated on personal grievances, a media ban and Washington renovations.

With just five weeks to go before the midterm elections, Republicans on Capitol Hill know that voters are focused on the economy.

But as Republicans try to protect their majorities, GOP lawmakers also acknowledge that President Donald Trump’s attention is… elsewhere.

 

This is a preview of Kevin Frey and Jack Fitzpatrick’s latest article. Read the full article here.

Respond directly to Kevin Frey and Jack Fitzpatrick’s latest article by submitting a letter to the editor through this form. Read our submission guidelines here. 

Respond directly to Kevin Frey and Jack Fitzpatrick’s latest article by submitting a letter to the editor through this form. Read our submission guidelines here. 

 

Must Reads

 
A photo illustration depicting Donald Trump as a jack-in-the-box.

Ben King / MS NOW; Win McNamee / Getty Images

Trump’s gimmicks aren’t working with voters anymore

Promising a diesel export ban and $5,000 checks won't change the midterm prospects of the president or the Republican Party, Paul Waldman argues.

 

How Susan Collins’ 2018 vote for Brett Kavanaugh is shaping Maine’s pivotal Senate race

Some voters in Maine are disappointed in Susan Collins’ vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, but it’s unclear if Troy Jackson can take advantage of that. Read more from Will McDuffie. 

 

Donald Trump’s disastrous Iran war is having one surprising positive impact — for now

Seven months into the Iran war, it’s clear Trump had no concrete goals in mind. Least of all, accidentally driving down global carbon emissions — and yet here we are, Hayes Brown argues.

 
Pete Hegseth, seen at profile from the shoulders up.

Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

Advocacy groups challenge Hegseth on blocking promotions for women and people of color

The NAACP, the National Women’s Law Center and others called for the defense secretary to submit to congressional oversight of the military’s high-level promotions. Read more from Priya Sridhar.

 
 

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An image of Nikole Hannah-Jones and her daughter Najya.

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