Here are some of the week's biggest political stories from NJ.com.
Bettors are weighing in on whether Trump is in trouble heading into the midterms. A blue-state governor delivered a withering comeback after an attack from Trump-loving Nicki Minaj. A GOP icon made a grim post-midterm prediction about Trump. Piers Morgan told an ousted Trump official to cut the crap during a tense interview. Trump lashed out at a reporter who asked about a canceled rally with a "you look like hell" jab. And Trump responded to the firing of Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, saying "she's got problems."
0:00 Trump midterm betting odds 0:44 Governor fires back at Nicki Minaj 1:30 GOP icon's midterm prediction 2:11 Piers Morgan interview 2:51 Trump explodes at reporter 3:33 Trump on Brett Sylvia firing
Read the full stories at NJ.com.
Video Summary
AI Generated
This week's headlines focus on the lead-up to the midterm elections, with prediction markets favoring Democrats for congressional control. Other key stories include a public feud between Governor Kathy Hochul and Nicki Minaj, potential post-election military strikes against Iran, and controversies surrounding Donald Trump's interactions with the press and military leadership.
Here's what's making headlines this week.
With the midterm elections just four days away,
prediction market traders are placing their bets
on which party will control Congress after Election Day.
According to NJ.com,
Kalshi traders on Friday gave Democrats
a 91% chance of controlling the House
and a 69% chance of winning the Senate.
PolyMarket showed similar figures,
with 93% odds for Democratic control of the House
and 68% for the Senate.
These are market estimates, not election results.
National polling has also shown Republicans trailing Democrats
on the generic congressional ballot.
President Donald Trump
and Republican lawmakers have questioned those polls
as Trump continues campaigning ahead of Tuesday's election.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is firing back
at rapper Nicki Minaj after the outspoken
supporter of President Donald Trump called
the Democratic governor an evil woman.
According to the Staten Island Advance,
Minaj criticized Hochul in a social media
post Wednesday, warning
that the governor would face what she called God's wrath.
Hochul responded by suggesting Minaj spend less time online
and stop attending Trump rallies,
saying they were poisoning her mind.
Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman also joined the
exchange. The dispute comes as Hochul faces Blakeman
in her reelection campaign. Minaj has
publicly declared herself Trump's number one fan
and recently appeared alongside him at a Michigan
Republican strategist Karl Rove believes
President Donald Trump could launch another round
of military strikes against Iran after next week's midterm elections.
According to the Staten Island Advance,
Rove made the prediction Wednesday on Fox News Radio,
pointing to a growing American military presence
in the region.
Rove cited two aircraft carriers already deployed,
a third on the way, and additional ground and air forces
as signs of possible military action.
CNN also reported that Trump was leaning toward
major strikes after the election,
citing officials familiar with military planning.
No decision to launch an attack has been announced.
Piers Morgan clashed
with former White House press secretary Katie Zachariah during a tense
interview Wednesday,
telling her to cut the crap after she repeatedly praised President
Donald Trump.
Zachariah was fired on October 16th after just five days in the job.
Morgan pressed her about President Donald Trump's decision.
She declined to discuss their private conversations
and repeatedly defended Trump.
Morgan questioned her responses, saying she sounded like a robot.
Zachariah insisted the conversation should focus on Trump, not her.
Her 14-minute press briefing drew criticism for taking few questions.
President Donald Trump lashed out
at a Reuters reporter Thursday after being asked whether
he cancelled two upcoming campaign rallies
because he was tired of travelling.
According to NJ.com,
Trump cancelled in-person rallies in Kansas and Iowa.
The Republican National Committee said candidates
in both states were performing well.
Trump called the reporter sick and out of shape, telling him,
You look like hell.
He insisted he felt perfect and defended his campaign schedule.
Trump said he would still hold a rally in Florida on Friday,
along with virtual events.
The exchange drew criticism on social media,
including from political commentators.
President Donald Trump is responding to reports
that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Lieutenant
General Brett Sylvia amid an investigation
into alleged leaks of classified information.
According to NJ.com, a Defense Department official told Fox News
that Sylvia is being investigated over alleged
disclosures involving Iran, Russia, and Ukraine.
The case was referred to the Justice Department.
Asked about Sylvia on Thursday,
Trump repeatedly referred to the male general as
she, warning that Sylvia would face serious,
long-term problems as officials investigate leaks.
The remarks drew criticism on social media.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said
the department has zero tolerance for intentional,
unauthorized disclosures of classified information.
No replacement for Sylvia has been announced.
