Donald Trump sat down with Michael Cohen, his former personal attorney and longtime critic, on a radio show. The interview was recorded on Thursday and broadcast on 77WABC. It marked their first public conversation in eight years after a reported reconciliation. Trump referred to Cohen as “boss” and said Cohen had “recanted everything you said.” Cohen recalled his 2016 cable news defenses of Trump and said he had once described himself as “attack dog with a law license.” Trump said Cohen had been “weaponized” and that many people had been weaponized. Cohen interjected, “Well, maybe just you and I, sir.” Trump replied, “Yeah, me too. But they weaponized you.” Trump claimed prosecutors had threatened Cohen with jail to obtain his testimony, which he said helped secure his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush‑money payments to Stormy Daniels. The full interview will air on Sunday. Cohen’s statements have changed over time. In 2017 he told Vanity Fair he would “take a bullet” for Trump. In 2018 he described his loyalty as “blind loyalty that led me to choose a path of darkness.” He testified before Congress in 2019, calling Trump a “racist,” “conman,” and “cheat,” and warned that Trump’s potential loss in the 2020 election could prevent a peaceful transfer of power. In 2022 he called Trump a “predator” and “conman,” and in 2023 he said he hoped Trump would be imprisoned. In May 2024 he said he regretted actions that violated his moral compass while serving Trump, and in a Substack post he said forgiveness does not require amnesia and that the fight may no longer need to continue. The interview represents a reversal in a relationship that had been marked by legal conflict and public criticism.

Democratic candidates who rose to prominence by challenging Donald Trump during his first term suffered primary election defeats on Tuesday, with former National Security Council aide Alexander Vindman losing his Senate primary in Florida to democratic socialist Angie Nixon. Vindman, known for testifying in the 2019 House impeachment inquiry, made opposition to Trump a central theme of his campaign, but voters highlighted living cost concerns and favored a challenger positioning herself as focused on affordability. Vindman’s loss follows a series of defeats for former impeachment managers and resistance figures, including Representatives Diana DeGette of Colorado and Eric Swalwell of California, both of whom were unseated by progressive challengers or withdrew amid scandal. Representative Dan Goldman of New York was defeated in his primary, while Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, a Jan. 6 witness, finished third in a Maryland House race. Billionaire donor Tom Steyer and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also fell short in their respective primaries. Several incumbents, such as Representatives Shri Thanedar of Michigan and Al Green of Texas, were beaten by younger opponents, and George Conway captured only 6 % of the vote in a New York City primary. Strategist David Axelrod noted that many voters are prioritizing the cost of living over Trump accountability, saying “She made those issues her focus.” Analysts attribute the outcomes to a shift in Democratic electorate priorities, with voters expressing fatigue with the never‑Trump paradigm and seeking candidates who address economic concerns. Some candidates, including former GOP member David Jolly, have adjusted their messaging to emphasize economic policy rather than Trump, while former Jan. 6 Committee member Elaine Luria highlighted her record on accountability before pivoting to pocketbook issues. Dunn, who earned a Presidential Citizens Medal for his actions on Jan. 6, said his name recognition helped his campaign but could not overcome voter concerns about affordability, noting “It’s too nuanced to just say people no longer care about Trump.” The election results suggest Democrats may need to balance their commitment to holding Trump accountable with broader policy demands on cost of living if they regain control of the House, as Republican leaders warn of potential impeachment proceedings should the party win a majority in 2027.

Federal Judge Stephen Wilson ruled this week that the offshore oil pipeline off the Santa Barbara coast may continue operating, moving regulatory authority to the federal government. The pipeline had been shut in 2015 after a burst pipe caused a major spill and remained closed until it was restarted earlier this year following a directive from the Trump administration. The administration invoked the Defense Production Act, stating that the order was needed to address supply disruption risks and support national security. Wilson concluded that the federal order preempted conflicting state laws, including a trespass claim, and imposed a $1.5 million penalty on Sable Offshore Corporation for violating the consent decree without state approval. Sable purchased the pipeline from ExxonMobil in 2024 and had sought to resume offshore production for more than a year. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the operation improves oil supply and is vital to national defense. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the decision, saying it could raise gas prices and harm the environment. A California Department of Justice spokesperson said the state is reviewing legal options and will continue to defend its sovereign authority. The court’s decision keeps the pipeline in service while the legal battle proceeds.

Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia announced the arrest of a husband‑wife team accused of running an insurance fraud scheme that allegedly obtained about $382,000. Ingoglia, who was appointed CFO in 2025 and is seeking re‑election, has increased criminal investigations at the Department of Financial Services. The Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division charged Christine Ann Nunzio and Phillip Salvatore Nunzio with organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, insurance fraud, violation of the Florida Money Laundering Act and misuse of deceased personal identification. Authorities say the couple used a construction company to submit false life insurance applications and claims, including those for four deceased individuals, some of whom were relatives. Ingoglia said his office is committed to protecting policyholders from fraud that raises costs for Floridians. The arrests occurred this summer after investigators uncovered the false policies. The case is part of a series of prosecutions that also included an undocumented migrant and alleged worker’s compensation and hurricane relief scams. The couple’s next court date is set for later this month.

Republican Mike Rogers announced a one-year moratorium on new data center construction in Michigan, saying a pause is needed to address community concerns. The race for the open Senate seat being vacated by Gary Peters is a key battleground; Rogers' proposal differs from his previous support for data centers and from his Democratic opponent Abdul El‑Sayed, who seeks stricter standards but not a statewide ban.

Rogers said the moratorium would give time to create a transparent approval process that puts local control first, prevents utility price increases, protects water resources and avoids pay‑to‑play schemes. He emphasized that he does not support a federal ban, only a state‑level pause that state policymakers could approve. He noted that in a July interview he had called for grid and environmental rules while allowing communities that want data centers to approve construction.

El‑Sayed has called for tougher standards to mitigate data center impacts on the electric grid, water and local communities but has not advocated a moratorium. Data centers have become a campaign issue in several midterm races as voters cite rising electricity costs and environmental concerns; the Data Center Coalition says the facilities alone are not responsible for higher utility rates.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee warned that data centers could be a liability in the midterms, referencing similar debates in Ohio’s Senate race between Republican Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. House legislation H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, and Senate companion S. 5028 aim to shield consumers from data center cost impacts. Rogers' shift marks a notable change in his stance and could influence the Michigan Senate contest, though the moratorium has not yet been enacted.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco announced their support for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in his re‑election bid for Florida’s 12th Congressional District. The endorsement comes as the district becomes more competitive for Democrats.

Bilirakis, first elected in 2007, is seeking his 11th term in a district that now includes portions of Hillsborough and most of Pasco counties after redistricting made the contest more competitive. He has the backing of former President Donald Trump, who previously endorsed him in 2024, marking the fourth time Trump has given the congressman his nod. An analysis by the Center for Effective Lawmaking rated Bilirakis as the most effective Republican member of Florida’s House delegation in 2023, while the Lugar Center named him the most bipartisan member of the state’s congressional delegation in the last Congress, ranking him 27th nationwide among 435 members.

Chronister said law enforcement faces the fentanyl crisis and needs tools to save lives, adding that Bilirakis has been a steadfast advocate for first responders. “Every day, law enforcement officers witness the devastating toll the fentanyl crisis is taking on our families and communities. We need leaders who understand the urgency of this fight and are committed to giving law enforcement the tools and support necessary to save lives and keep dangerous drugs off our streets,” Chronister said. He also praised Bilirakis for listening across the aisle and supporting veterans.

Nocco, who has known Bilirakis for more than two decades, described him as a “convicted leader” who serves Tampa Bay citizens every day and said the congressman provides resources to keep the community safe. “Besides supporting our veterans, Gus stands with law enforcement and provides us with the resources to keep our community safe. We all know the phrase, ‘Gus is for us.’ There is no better way to describe how much Gus Bilirakis cares for our community,” Nocco said.

Bilirakis called the endorsements an honor and said he will continue to prioritize public safety, combat fentanyl, and support officers. “Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities, and I will always stand with them. Whether it is combating the deadly fentanyl crisis, giving first responders the resources they need, or supporting the men and women who wear the badge, public safety will continue to be one of my highest priorities,” he said.

Bilirakis faces Democrat Kimberly Overman, a former Hillsborough County commissioner, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has placed the seat on its District in Play program, though Bilirakis remains the heavy favorite. Voter data shows that under the new district boundaries, about 57% of residents voted for Trump in 2024, compared with 67% under the previous lines, indicating a modest shift toward Democrats.

The race is expected to be decided in November, with Bilirakis holding a significant advantage but the DCCC’s focus suggesting continued scrutiny of the district’s competitiveness.

President Donald Trump said he would welcome a large data center or AI plant in any state or locality because of the jobs, tax revenue and national security benefits, during a White House meeting with cryptocurrency leaders.

Data centers that power artificial intelligence and cloud computing face growing local opposition over electricity demand, water use, noise and changes to community character. A Fox News poll in July showed most voters oppose new data center construction in their areas, though the issue ranks below cost‑of‑living concerns.

The Senate Republicans' campaign arm warned that data center opposition could cost Republican candidates seats, noting vulnerabilities for Senator Jon Husted in Ohio and urging voters to consider the issue in November. Democrat Aaron Ford in Nevada tied Trump’s remarks to Governor Joe Lombardo, calling them cheerleaders for data centers and proposing to end state tax breaks, audit projects and require developers to fund their own utilities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who previously praised a $40 billion data center investment, has pledged tougher reviews of energy consumption and the removal of sales tax exemptions after criticism from his Democratic opponent. In Wisconsin, Representative Tom Tiffany ran a television ad labeling his Democratic opponent David Crowley as “Data Center David,” while Crowley emphasized local community veto authority and the economic potential of data centers. Both candidates have called for stricter regulation of data center projects.

The controversy remains a secondary political issue as the November election approaches.

National Republican Senatorial Committee issued a memo on Tuesday stating that the perception of data centers could become a liability for Republican candidates if Ohio Senator Jon Husted loses his reelection bid against Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown. The memo, reported by Axios, said that Brown’s campaign has framed data centers as an opponent and that without correcting the public record the issue could expand beyond Ohio. It recommended that Republican candidates support siting rules allowing construction only where local voters approve, while opposing a total ban that they argued would cause the United States to lose the artificial intelligence race to China. Trump, speaking at a White House cryptocurrency event on Wednesday, said he would welcome large data centers or AI plants in any community that offers them, noting that such facilities generate substantial jobs and tax revenue. He added that data centers produce fewer jobs than manufacturing or warehousing but still contribute significantly to local tax bases and suggested the industry could benefit from improved public relations. Trump repeated that he would support locating a data center in his own jurisdiction, saying that refusing the projects would leave the United States behind as other regions seek similar investments. The memo calls for Republican candidates to address voter perceptions of data centers promptly, while the outcome of the Ohio Senate race remains undecided.