Stephen King commented on reactions to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, highlighting criticism he received after being elected. Mamdani is the first Muslim mayor of NYC and faced backlash for his views on Israel and his political stance as a Democratic Socialist. President Trump and Elon Musk both discussed Mamdani’s election and its implications.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani was elected as the first Muslim mayor of New York City.
Mamdani faced criticism for his refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.”
He identifies as a Democratic Socialist and supports policies like government-run grocery stores and free buses.
Stephen King remarked on people upset with Mamdani's election despite voting for President Trump.
Elon Musk made mixed comments about Mamdani, calling him charismatic but a "swindler" with potentially harmful policies.
President Trump encouraged voters to support Andrew Cuomo to prevent Mamdani's election.
Democrats had significant wins nationwide, suggesting a possible shift in political trends.
Mamdani will take office in January, and Republicans plan to review their strategies for future elections.
Ghazala Hashmi has become the first Indian American and first Muslim to win a statewide office in Virginia by securing the position of lieutenant governor. Hashmi, who moved to the U.S. as a child from India, is currently a state senator and previously worked as a college professor.
Key Facts
Ghazala Hashmi won the election for lieutenant governor in Virginia.
She is the first Muslim to win a statewide office in Virginia.
Hashmi is also the first Indian American to achieve this milestone in Virginia.
She moved to the U.S. from Hyderabad, India, as a child.
Prior to her political career, she worked as a college professor.
Hashmi became a state senator by winning a seat previously held by Republicans in 2019.
She entered the race for lieutenant governor by winning a Democratic primary.
Islamophobia was noted during Zohran Mamdani's campaign, related to the broader election context.
California Republicans have filed a federal lawsuit aiming to stop a new congressional map approved by voters. The lawsuit claims the map unfairly uses race to benefit Hispanic voters and asks the court to block it before the 2026 elections. The case will be heard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Key Facts
A group of California Republicans filed a lawsuit to stop a new U.S. House map.
The map was approved by voters through Proposition 50.
The lawsuit claims the map unfairly benefits Hispanic voters.
The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The lawsuit was filed by The Dhillon Law Group, led by Harmeet Dhillon.
Governor Gavin Newsom supports the new map.
The lawsuit argues the map violates the 14th and 15th Amendments.
A decision is hoped for before candidate filings begin on December 19, 2026.
The Supreme Court reviewed arguments about President Trump's power to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Justice Amy Coney Barrett and other justices questioned the administration's interpretation of this law. The main issue is whether the president has the right to use tariffs as a regulatory tool under IEEPA.
Key Facts
Justice Amy Coney Barrett and other justices questioned the Trump administration's interpretation of IEEPA.
IEEPA is a law that allows the president to respond to unusual threats from outside the U.S. by declaring a national emergency.
President Trump used IEEPA to justify imposing tariffs through executive orders.
The Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued for the administration, claiming IEEPA gives broad authority for various actions, including tariffs.
Justice Barrett pointed out that some terms in IEEPA, like "nullify" and "void," have specific meanings and might not imply broad power.
Justice Elena Kagan noted that IEEPA doesn't mention revenue-raising actions like tariffs.
Justice Neil Gorsuch raised concerns about setting limits on presidential power under this law.
Jacob Frey won a third term as the Mayor of Minneapolis after defeating Democratic state Senator Omar Fateh and other challengers in a ranked-choice voting election. Frey secured just over 50% of the votes in the final count. The election saw a high turnout, with over 147,000 ballots cast.
Key Facts
Jacob Frey was re-elected as Minneapolis' mayor, securing just over 50% of the vote.
Frey competed against Democratic state Senator Omar Fateh and 13 other candidates.
Under ranked-choice voting, voters ranked up to three candidates by preference.
If no candidate gets a majority in the first round, the lowest candidates are removed, and votes are redistributed.
Frey and Fateh were the main frontrunners throughout the election.
Fateh congratulated Frey and highlighted the campaign's focus on housing, labor rights, and public safety.
The election saw the highest turnout for a municipal race in Minneapolis, with over 147,000 voters.
The Minneapolis City Council will certify the final results soon.
Dick Cheney, a former vice president, passed away at 84, leading to mixed reactions in his home state of Wyoming. While some praised his legacy, many residents disagreed due to his and his daughter Liz Cheney's criticism of President Donald Trump. Cheney's political influence in Wyoming has declined over time.
Key Facts
Dick Cheney, former vice president, died at age 84 in Wyoming.
Wyoming's governor ordered flags lowered in his honor.
Many Wyoming residents have viewed Cheney unfavorably for over five years.
Cheney and his daughter Liz have criticized President Donald Trump.
Liz Cheney lost support in Wyoming after opposing Trump.
In 2022, Trump-supported Harriet Hageman defeated Liz Cheney in a Republican primary.
Dick Cheney had a 30-year political career, including serving as U.S. defense secretary.
Wyoming remains a stronghold of Trump support in recent elections.
President Donald Trump is facing criticism as people express worries about the U.S. economy. Economic concerns recently led to Democratic victories in important elections. President Trump acknowledged these issues and emphasized the importance of making life more affordable.
Key Facts
President Trump faces criticism over economic concerns affecting American voters.
Democrats won key elections by highlighting these economic issues.
President Trump mentioned affordability as a priority moving forward.
Vice President JD Vance reiterated the focus on making life affordable.
People in Virginia, New Jersey, New York City, and California indicated the economy as a top concern.
In recent elections, Democrats won, while Republicans struggled to secure major victories.
President Trump originally promised to lower inflation and boost jobs.
Concerns have grown over high prices for essentials, such as groceries and housing.
Democrats won key elections by focusing on the economy, particularly affordability. They succeeded in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City by highlighting economic concerns, which helped them in areas President Trump previously won. These victories highlight a shift in the political landscape since the previous year's focus on similar economic issues by Republicans.
Key Facts
Democrats won significant races in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City.
Abigail Spanberger won the governorship in Virginia against GOP's Winsome Earle-Sears.
Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey.
Zohran Mamdani was elected as mayor of New York City.
Democrats focused on affordability during their campaigns, addressing issues like housing and energy costs.
In 2024, 32% of voters named the economy as their top concern in New Jersey, and 65% of those voters supported Sherrill.
In Virginia, 48% of voters said the economy was the most important issue, and Spanberger won those voters by 63-37%.
A federal judge has told prosecutors in the case against former FBI Director James Comey to give defense lawyers materials from the investigation. Comey is accused of lying to Congress, and he has pleaded not guilty. The judge is concerned the prosecution might have charged Comey before gathering enough evidence.
Key Facts
A federal judge ordered prosecutors to provide investigation materials to Comey's defense lawyers.
James Comey is charged with lying to Congress in 2020.
President Donald Trump had previously called for action against Comey.
The judge noted the case seemed unusual because it appeared to charge first and investigate later.
Comey’s lawyers claim the case is politically motivated and should be dismissed.
Prosecutors need to give the defense grand jury materials and evidence from 2019 and 2020.
The case involves discussions about media leaks and Comey’s communication with reporters.
A federal judge ordered the White House to include American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at its press briefings. This decision comes after a lawsuit claimed that not providing ASL violated disability rights laws. The order ensures deaf Americans can access important government information.
Key Facts
A judge has required the White House to use ASL interpreters at briefings.
The decision was made because the lack of interpreters likely violates the Rehabilitation Act.
The National Association of the Deaf and two deaf men filed the lawsuit against President Trump and others.
They argued that not using ASL at briefings is discriminatory.
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities by the federal government.
ASL has a different vocabulary and grammar from English, making closed captions insufficient for many.
The order asks for qualified interpreters whose signing must be visible.
The lawsuit did not succeed in requiring ASL interpretation for events by the vice president, first lady, or second lady.
A new sign has been put up outside the Oval Office at the White House, as part of renovations that President Donald Trump decided on. These renovations include making a ballroom in the East Wing, which Trump thinks is needed for hosting large events. There was some criticism over the sign’s style, but the construction costs are not covered by taxpayers.
Key Facts
A new sign is outside the Oval Office at the White House.
President Trump is having the East Wing renovated to create a large ballroom.
The ballroom will be able to seat 650 people for events.
The new sign has cursive gold letters against a white background.
Some people criticized the sign for not matching the White House and for its style.
Renovations include a "Presidential Walk of Fame" and other decorative changes.
The costs for the new ballroom are paid by President Trump and donors, not taxpayers.
There is a chance the sign could be temporary, as it might just be a decal.
Jacob Frey won a third term as mayor of Minneapolis after defeating Omar Fateh and other candidates in a ranked-choice voting election. Frey led the count but did not have enough votes to win immediately in the first round.
Key Facts
Jacob Frey is the Democratic Mayor of Minneapolis.
Frey won his third term in office.
He faced 14 opponents, including democratic socialist Omar Fateh.
The election used ranked-choice voting, which means voters ranked candidates in order of preference.
Frey led by about 10 percentage points after the initial count.
He needed more than 50% of the votes in one round to win outright but eventually won in the final count.
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch expressed concerns over the growing power of U.S. presidents. During a Supreme Court hearing, Gorsuch questioned the limits of President Trump's tariff powers and the potential for future presidents to have unchecked authority.
Key Facts
Neil Gorsuch is a Supreme Court Justice appointed by President Trump.
Gorsuch raised questions about the limits of presidential power.
The context was a Supreme Court hearing on President Trump's tariffs.
The debate involved "major questions" and "nondelegation" doctrines, which relate to how much authority can be given to presidents.
Gorsuch warned of a shift in power from Congress to the President.
The Solicitor General acknowledged that future presidents could use the same powers for different issues, like climate change.
This story is still developing, and more updates are expected.
In the 2025 U.S. elections, Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the New York mayoral race, becoming the first Muslim mayor of the city. Democrats also won gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, and Californians voted to let Democratic lawmakers redraw the congressional map. These elections served as an early measure of public opinion on President Donald Trump's administration during off-year elections.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, became New York City's first Muslim mayor.
Mamdani won with over one million votes, beating independent candidate Andrew Cuomo.
Democrats won governor races in New Jersey and Virginia.
In California, voters allowed Democratic lawmakers to redraw the congressional map.
The elections acted as an early test of President Trump's popularity, showing significant disapproval in several states.
55% of New Jersey voters, 56% of Virginia voters, 69% of New York City voters, and 63% of California voters expressed disapproval of President Trump.
Trump supported Andrew Cuomo in the New York mayoral race and showed support for the Republican candidate in Virginia.
Democrats took major positions in Virginia, with Abigail Spanberger winning the governor's race.
Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill, newly elected Democratic governors of Virginia and New Jersey, plan to address high electricity costs in their states. Spanberger aims to lower energy costs by cutting construction hurdles and promoting solar projects, while Sherrill intends to freeze utility rates and expand nuclear power. High energy costs remain a significant concern for voters.
Key Facts
Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill are the newly elected governors of Virginia and New Jersey, respectively.
Both governors focused on reducing electricity costs in their election campaigns.
Spanberger's plan includes reducing construction red tape and increasing solar energy projects with battery storage in Virginia.
Virginia hosts many data centers near Washington, D.C., and Richmond, which impacts energy use.
Sherrill plans to freeze utility rates and develop new nuclear power in New Jersey.
Sherrill criticized PJM Interconnection, the largest electricity grid operator, for preferring coal and oil.
An Associated Press poll showed that 36% of Americans find electricity bills a major source of financial stress.
President Trump claimed that reliance on renewable energy might lead to higher energy prices.
The Heritage Foundation is urging Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to investigate the long-term health effects of the birth control pill. The group argues the pill's impact on women's health and society should be studied further. They suggest that Kennedy should commission a study by the National Institutes of Health.
Key Facts
The Heritage Foundation wants an examination of the health effects of the birth control pill.
They suggest that birth control is linked to changes in society, like hook-up culture and delayed marriage.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is urged to lead this investigation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 14% of women ages 15 to 49 use the pill.
Known side effects of the pill include mood changes and weight gain.
The Heritage Foundation proposes a study similar to those done on other drugs and additives.
Critics argue that the call for a study is part of a broader agenda to control women's reproductive rights.
The article discusses the challenges faced by the Republican Party and President Donald Trump in addressing economic issues like inflation and stagnant wages. It highlights the need for Republicans to refocus their strategies to regain voter trust and offer clear economic solutions. Recent election results suggest that voters are still leaning towards Democrats for economic security.
Key Facts
Republicans face challenges in addressing inflation and wage stagnation.
The article emphasizes the importance of focusing on economic issues rather than cultural debates.
Recent election results in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia show Democrats have gained voter trust.
The Trump administration and GOP need to create a clear economic plan for the upcoming midterm elections.
Voters are concerned with everyday expenses like groceries, fuel, and medicine costs.
The article suggests Republicans should work on reducing government spending and increasing wage growth.
The GOP must provide practical solutions for economic issues to compete with Democrats.
Newsweek is hosting a virtual town hall on political violence in America.
Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York City, has warned federal immigration agents that everyone, including them, will be held accountable to the same legal standards. He emphasized the need for consistency and clarity in the application of the law.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the newly elected mayor of New York City.
He spoke about holding everyone to the same legal standards.
Mamdani addressed federal immigration agents, known as ICE agents.
He stressed the importance of accountability under the law.
Mamdani is described as a democratic socialist and is 34 years old.
He wants an era of consistency, clarity, and conviction in law enforcement.
The U.S. government shutdown has lasted 36 days, breaking the record for the longest shutdown. President Trump has not agreed to negotiate with Democrats on health insurance issues unless they agree to reopen the government. He has suggested that ending the Senate filibuster rule could help resolve the shutdown.
Key Facts
The government shutdown has been going on for 36 days, making it the longest in U.S. history.
It has caused issues like program cuts, flight delays, and federal workers not getting paid.
President Trump is not negotiating with Democrats about health insurance subsidies unless the government is reopened.
Trump has mentioned the current shutdown negatively affected Republican election results.
He wants Republicans to end the Senate filibuster, a rule that requires 60 votes to advance most legislation.
The Republicans have a Senate majority with 53 seats, while Democrats have 47.
Democrats have blocked legislation to fund the government multiple times.
The Houston Police Officers' Union is inviting New York Police Department (NYPD) officers who are unhappy with the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City's mayor to move to Texas and join the Houston Police Department. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, recently won the mayoral election, becoming New York City's first Muslim mayor, and he has faced criticism for past remarks about police defunding.
Key Facts
The Houston Police Officers' Union posted on Facebook encouraging NYPD officers unhappy with the new mayor to consider working in Houston.
Zohran Mamdani is New York City's newly elected mayor, a democratic socialist, and he is the first Muslim mayor of the city.
Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the election.
Over 2 million people voted in the mayoral race, the highest turnout in more than 50 years.
Mamdani has been criticized for a past comment about defunding the NYPD, although he no longer supports that position.
The Houston Police Officers' Union highlights benefits like competitive pay and a supportive city environment.
The union also invited people to suggest places in Houston for New Yorkers to eat or live.
The Houston Police Department is actively recruiting officers from across the U.S., said Douglas Griffith, the union president.
