A recent poll conducted by Change Research showed Democrat David Jolly leading Republican Byron Donalds in a hypothetical Florida gubernatorial general election. “David Jolly leads Byron Donalds 46% to 42% with registered voters who say they will likely vote. Jolly is consolidating Democrats and leads the all-important Florida NPA by 18 points (46% to 28%) with apparent room to grow. Byron Donalds lags Donald Trump’s performance with Hispanics by 10 points, with only 30% of Puerto Ricans and 50% of Cubans currently supporting him,” Change Research wrote. A 1,600-person poll by Change Research shows Democrat David Jolly leading Republican Byron Donalds by four points in projections for Florida’s gubernatorial election. Donalds has few achievements to his credit; instead, Donalds record is marked by his passionate defense of… pic.twitter.com/PUbH0V9yFY — AF Post (@AFpost) May 20, 2026 “70% of Floridians say they are falling behind the cost of living. 65% do not think Florida is affordable for them or their family,” Change Research wrote. “Democrats’ vote motivation is 13 points higher than Republicans (88% to 75%), which explains the recent special election wins for Democrats, as well as a Democrat being elected Mayor of Miami by 19 points, the first in 30 years,” it added. Newsweek shared further: A survey commissioned by Freedom Project USA and conducted online by Change Research, a Democratic-aligned polling firm, shows Democratic former Representative David Jolly narrowly leading Republican Representative Byron Donalds in a potential general election matchup for governor, offering an early signal that the race may be tighter than Florida’s recent Republican dominance might imply. It also shows Democratic retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alex Vindman narrowly leading Republican Senator Ashley Moody with likely voters in a key race as Democrats try to take control of the Senate, while Democrat José Javier Rodríguez leads in the state attorney general’s race against incumbent James Uthmeier. A spokesperson for Donalds’ campaign directed Newsweek to a post on X from chief strategist Ryan Smith, who dismissed the survey as unreliable, pointing to its Democratic links and writing: “The fact is Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next governor.” Smith called the poll “pure bulls***.” He said the poll had the following red flags: No demos Pollster who had Kamala winning in 24 Pollster for Dems No demos +Pollster who had Kamala winning in 24 + Pollster for Dems = % pure bullshit. The fact is Trump-endorsed @ByronDonalds will be Florida’s next governor. Have a nice day. https://t.co/SgN0yUWB9k — Ryan Smith (@RyanSmithFL) May 18, 2026 “Floridians are fed up with Ashley Moody’s failed leadership that is driving up the cost of gas, groceries, insurance, rent and other essentials,” Albert Fujii, a spokesman for the Vindman campaign, told Newsweek. “We are going to win in November because Alex’s Florida First Agenda to cut costs and fight corruption is resonating with not just Democrats, but Republicans and Independents as well. We are all gas, no brakes,” he added. FLORIDA POLL Governor David Jolly: 46% Byron Donalds: 42%—Senate Alex Vindman: 47% Ashley Moody: 45%@ChangePolls | 5/13-16 | 1,593 LVhttps://t.co/cwU3WssTB2 pic.twitter.com/BqX9x9U0if — InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) May 18, 2026 In contrast, a poll conducted by Cherry Communications showed Donalds leading Jolly by eight points. NEW POLL: Republicans will easily win the race to succeed Ron DeSantis as Florida governor. Florida – 2026 GovernorByron Donalds 47% (+8)David Jolly 39% This is in stark contrast to 2018, when DeSantis won his first term as governor by just 0.39%. Cherry Communications… pic.twitter.com/PJLt5s1hRS — Election Time (@ElectionTime_) May 16, 2026 Donalds will face investor James Fishback, Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, and several other candidates in the GOP primary. Florida Governor GOP Primary Byron Donalds: 46% James Fishback: 35% Not sure: 19%——• Age 17-25: Fishback +40• Age 26-35: Donalds +6• Age 46-55: Donalds +21• Age 56-65: Fishback +2• Age 76+: Donalds +23@TPSIOfficial | 5/13-14 | 750 LV… pic.twitter.com/SXGVj06WhT — InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) May 18, 2026 Mediaite has more: In the GOP primary for governor, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) scored the Trump endorsement and has consistently polled well above the rest of the field, with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Speaker of the Florida House Paul Renner, and James Fishback all struggling at least 25 points behind Donalds over the past few months. On the Democratic side, David Jolly, who previously represented a Pinellas County congressional district as a Republican before switching parties in 2018, is the frontrunner over Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, although by a narrower margin. Senate candidates include Lt. Col. (ret.) Alex Vindman, who testified against Trump during his first impeachment, and State Rep. Angie Nixon. For attorney general, former state legislator and assistant secretary of labor for the Biden administration José Javier Rodriguez is all but certain to be the primary winner; one other candidate has raised only $6,600 (mostly from a $5,000 personal loan from the candidate) compared to Rodriguez raising over half a million dollars as of the end of March. A new poll by Change Research showing optimistic numbers for Jolly, Vindman, and Rodriguez over the Republican competition got buzz on social media Monday, and the head-to-head numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they do highlight critical weaknesses for the GOP and possible pathways to victory for the Democrats. The poll, which was commissioned by Freedom Project USA, surveyed 2,070 registered voters in Florida from May 13 to 16 via the online platform SurveyMonkey. Of this sample, 1,583 identified as likely to vote in the November 2026 election. The margin of error is 2.3%. Change Research’s methodology memo says that the respondents were recruited through “targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram, as well as across the web via Facebook’s ad platform” and “text messages sent, via the Switchboard platform, to cell phone numbers listed on the voter file for individuals who qualified for the survey’s sample universe, based on their voter file data.” The memo added that “[p]ost-stratification was performed on age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, 2024 presidential vote, and region,” with the “weighting parameters…based on the demographic composition of registered voters in Florida, based on voter file data” from the Florida Secretary of State. When respondents were asked how they were registered to vote, 34% said Democrat, 46% said Republican, 19% said Independent, and 2% said some other party.

Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of President Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. “I want to share a personal health update. I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. While this isn’t news anyone expects, I’m working closely with my medical team on a treatment plan,” she wrote on Instagram. “I would like to thank my doctors for performing a procedure earlier this week on me. I am staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids, and those closest to me,” she continued. Vanessa Trump announced she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and recently underwent a procedure as she starts treatment and recovery. "I am staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids, and those closest to me," Trump wrote.… pic.twitter.com/jDeOkQK6ly — Fox News (@FoxNews) May 21, 2026 Fox News shared further: The announcement quickly drew support from members of the Trump family and supporters online, including a public response from Ivanka Trump, who commented: “Praying for your continued strength and a swift recovery. Love you mama.” The post was also liked by Tiffany Trump and rapidly gained engagement as readers reacted to Vanessa’s news. Vanessa concluded her statement by thanking supporters for their kindness while she focuses on ongoing treatment. “Thank you for your kindness and support it truly means more than I can express,” she wrote. “I kindly ask for privacy as I focus on my health and recovery.” Vanessa Trump shares five children with ex-husband Donald Trump Jr. In recent years, she has largely maintained a lower public profile compared to other members of the extended Trump family. Last year, Vanessa Trump revealed that she was in a relationship with golf legend Tiger Woods. More below: Who is Vanessa Trump? 6 facts about Tiger Woods’ new girlfriend https://t.co/dRqF3mDv9s pic.twitter.com/D5r0dWQqTH — New York Post (@nypost) March 24, 2025 More from USA TODAY: Vanessa grew up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and became a model early on in her life, the New York Times reported in 2006. She met Trump Jr. at a party and the two were introduced by Trump himself, who reportedly went up to her and introduced himself and his son to her. “I’m at this fashion show,” Vanessa told the Times about meeting Trump Jr. in 2003. “Donald Trump comes up to me with his son: ‘Hi, I’m Donald Trump. I wanted to introduce you to my son Donald Trump Jr.” The two eventually tied the knot in November 2005 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago. Following the divorce in 2018, Trump continued to be involved with her ex-husband’s family, even attending President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. Moreover, Trump has been dating golfer Tiger Woods since March 2025.

Three people are dead and over a dozen first responders were transported to a hospital after being exposed to an unidentified substance. “NMSP Leading HazMat Investigation Following Deadly Exposure at Mountainair Residence. At approximately 11:00 a.m., the New Mexico State Police responded to 306 Hanlon Ave. in Mountainair, New Mexico, to assist the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office with what was initially believed to be a suspected overdose involving an unidentified substance. Four individuals inside the residence were found unresponsive. Three of the four individuals are now deceased,” the New Mexico State Police wrote on Facebook. “During the response, 18 first responders were exposed to the substance and began experiencing symptoms, including nausea and dizziness. The occupant and 18 first responders were transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where they are currently being quarantined, evaluated, and monitored. Two first responders are currently listed in serious condition. Albuquerque Fire Rescue HazMat teams are assisting at the scene in efforts to identify the substance involved. At this time, investigators believe the substance may be transmitted through contact and do not believe it to be airborne,” it continued. There is currently no threat to the public. A secure perimeter has been established, and the affected area remains limited to the residence. The New Mexico State Police are leading this ongoing and active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. We ask the public to avoid the area and keep all affected individuals and first responders in their thoughts,” it added. 3 dead in New Mexico and first responders treated for exposure to unknown substance, officials say https://t.co/VFLHSR8T6m — ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) May 20, 2026 More from the Santa Fe New Mexican: Torrance County Sheriff David Frazee said at least one person who was found within the home was revived with Narcan, which is used to reverse opioid overdoses, before first responders began feeling ill. “Evidently, they must have inhaled some toxins or something from the scene,” Frazee said. “Last I heard, [they were] transported to UNM Hospital, and they’re being treated there, and they’re trying to determine what type of chemical was used.” Frazee said New Mexico State Police have taken over the scene, noting the agency’s hazmat capabilities. “There have been rumors circulating online about a possible hazmat situation in Mountainair. At this time, there is no community-wide hazmat issue or public danger. Authorities have identified the residence involved and are actively working to determine exactly what caused two individuals to tragically pass away and two others to require medical treatment. At this time, we do not know the exact cause. However, based on the information currently available, all indications are pointing toward narcotics as a possible factor. The investigation is still ongoing, and officials are working carefully to confirm the facts before releasing final conclusions,” Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto said. “Yes, some of our EMTs were taken to the hospital for evaluation after potential exposure. These were individuals who had direct contact with the affected persons at the scene. At this time, there is no indication that this situation is airborne or poses a risk to the general public. I also want to address comments claiming that we are not taking the drug situation seriously. We absolutely are. Our first responders, law enforcement, medical personnel, and local officials work every day to protect this community and respond to difficult situations. But the reality is that addiction and substance abuse are issues affecting communities all across our state and nation. There is no simple or immediate solution. Lasting change requires family support, accountability, education, and most importantly, individuals who are willing to accept help,” Nieto continued. “We understand the fear, frustration, and concern people are feeling right now. We ask everyone to avoid spreading rumors or sharing misinformation online while the investigation is ongoing. Spreading unverified information only creates more panic, confusion, and additional pain for the families involved and for the community as a whole. If anyone has constructive ideas, resources, or solutions that could help Mountainair address these challenges, I am always willing to listen. We may not have every answer today, but we will continue working together as a community to keep Mountainair safe, informed, and supported,” he added. Three people are dead and more than a dozen first responders are being treated for exposure to an unidentified substance after being called to a home east of Albuquerque for a suspected drug overdose.https://t.co/xZpYahATGh — KUTV2news (@KUTV2News) May 20, 2026 The Independent shared further: EMS Chief Josh Lewis, who was the first to enter the home, will remain in the hospital overnight for observation, the mayor said. “We are incredibly thankful that the other responders have been released,” Nieto said. “While they are not yet fully recovered, they are doing much better.” Some Torrance County EMTs and hospital nurses who came into contact with people who were at the home also experienced symptoms, according to the mayor. “We are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers and wishing them a full and speedy recovery,” Nieto said. Albuquerque Fire Rescue Hazmat teams are working to identify the substance. Investigators believe it may be spread through contact rather than being airborne, according to authorities. Mountainair Public Works confirmed that the substance was not carbon monoxide or related to natural gas. Authorities said they secured a perimeter around the home and that there is “no threat to the public.”

Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, the daughter-in-law of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is resigning from two of her three government roles. The former CIA officer reportedly told her colleagues earlier this month of her plans to step down from the roles. “Kennedy serves as the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy and Capabilities and the Associate Director for Intelligence and International Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget,” The Independent reports. “She’s also a member of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board,” the outlet added. Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, daughter-in-law of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is stepping down this week from two Trump administration posts, adding to a series of recent departures in senior national security roles. https://t.co/3rORgM3YX4 — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 19, 2026 More from The Independent: Kennedy, who is married to Robert F. Kennedy III, told colleagues she wants to remain a member of the intelligence advisory board and is planning to leave her other two roles, according to an email reviewed by The Post, which did not mention Iran. “Being a mom is God’s greatest gift, and after two years on the campaign trail and a year serving in this extraordinary Administration, I have to make sure my family has all it needs,” she wrote. The White House did not comment and referred The Independent to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Office of Management and Budget. In a statement shared with The Independent, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she’s “grateful to Amaryllis Fox Kennedy for her leadership and exceptional service as both the Deputy DNI for Policy and Capabilities and as Associate Director for Intelligence and International Affairs for OMB.” “Amaryllis took the reins of P&C, spearheading the development of P&C 2.0 and setting a bold vision for the future. Under her leadership, we successfully aligned the Intelligence Community agencies with the Administration’s and ODNI’s goals, driving a unified approach to our mission,” Gabbard said. “I shared with [White House chief of staff] Susie [Wiles] a few weeks ago that with great wistfulness and gratitude for this last year, it’s time for me to head back out into the private sector to keep my family financially on track,” she wrote in an email, according to PEOPLE. “I love the President with all my heart” she continued. “My daughter is headed to college next year and I only have one year left with my youngest home in the afternoons, before he heads off to elementary school,” Kennedy wrote, according to the outlet. She denied a report by The Washington Post that she was stepping down from her roles due to disagreements over the war against Iran. “The Washington Post — who swamp-cheered their way through the last two decades’ disastrous and violent wars — speculated yesterday that perhaps I’m rejoining the private sector due to disagreement with the President’s foreign policy. Hogwash,” Kennedy said. “I’m rejoining the private sector because I have a daughter about to begin college, with two younger children to educate, and I have to keep my family financially on track. But make no mistake about it — I stand with the President EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. And I will be at his side, serving on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board and the Intelligence Oversight Board with pride, devotion, and deepest gratitude for the coming two and a half years. Mr. President, God bless you, our Peacemaker in Chief,” she continued. For the last year and a half, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the security of our nation under the leadership of a President wholly and profoundly devoted to the safety and success of the American people. I’ve witnessed him work tirelessly to deliver a global and… — Amaryllis Fox (@amaryllisfox) May 20, 2026 “Thanks, Amaryllis, for your extraordinary service,” RFK Jr. said. Thanks, Amaryllis, for your extraordinary service. https://t.co/e0X8ALL6AH — Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) May 20, 2026 PEOPLE shared further: Amaryllis was tapped to run RFK Jr.’s campaign in late 2023 after former Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich departed — and as much of the rest of the Kennedy clan decried RFK Jr.’s primary challenge of then-President Joe Biden. “Fox, a former CIA agent, had no experience running a political campaign, and many of Kennedy’s inner circle found her an odd choice,” investigative journalist Isabel Vincent wrote in her recent biography RFK Jr.: The Fall and Rise. “Amaryllis is a woman of extraordinary intelligence and drive who I am confident will take this campaign to the next level,” RFK Jr. wrote in an October 2023 press release. In her 2019 book about life in the CIA, Amaryllis detailed “risking her life after 9/11 as an undercover agent posing as an art dealer to penetrate a network of Islamist extremists working to build a nuclear bomb,” according to Vincent. She married RFK Jr.’s son, Robert F. Kennedy III, at the family’s compound in Hyannis Port, Mass., in 2018. The couple met in 2014 at the Burning Man festival in Nevada, according to Vincent.

A former federal prosecutor in South Florida has been indicted for allegedly stealing a sealed copy of Jack Smith’s Volume II report on President Trump’s classified documents investigation and emailing it to her personal Gmail account. The file name she allegedly used to disguise it: “Bundt_Cake_Recipe.pdf.” Carmen Mercedes Lineberger, who served as the managing assistant U.S. attorney in the Fort Pierce branch of the Southern District of Florida, faces a four-count indictment that includes theft of government property and concealment of government records. She pleaded not guilty during a court appearance in West Palm Beach and was released without having to post bond. According to the indictment, Lineberger renamed the report "Bundt_Cake_Recipe.pdf" before attaching it to an email from her DOJ account to her personal Gmail account. https://t.co/PrMCriYkWi — Katherine Faulders (@KFaulders) May 20, 2026 ABC News also reported the indictment development: New: DOJ charges prosecutor with attempting to steal report on Trump's classified docs case https://t.co/KxB0IUsdwA w/ @KFaulders @PCCharalambous — Alex Mallin (@alex_mallin) May 20, 2026 The allegations are laid out in detail. Prosecutors say Lineberger, while still serving as a DOJ prosecutor last December, emailed the sealed report from her government account to her personal email on Dec. 1, 2025. That report, Volume II of the Jack Smith investigation, was ordered sealed by Judge Aileen Cannon and has never been seen by the public. The Associated Press laid out the core allegations from the indictment. A former federal prosecutor in Florida sent to her personal email account a special counsel report from the investigation into President Donald Trump’s classified documents case despite a judge’s order that it remain sealed, according to an indictment made public Wednesday. Carmen Lineberger, who worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and managed its Fort Pierce branch, faces charges including theft of government property and concealment of government records. She pleaded not guilty during a court appearance in West Palm Beach. Her attorney did not immediately return messages seeking comment. Prosecutors allege that while serving as a Justice Department prosecutor last December, Lineberger sent a copy of the report that special counsel Jack Smith and his team had prepared, recapping their investigation into Trump’s retention of top-secret documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, to her personal email account. The indictment alleges that Lineberger sought to conceal her actions by altering the original file name of the report to “Bundt_Cake_Recipe.pdf” before saving the re-titled file on her government computer and emailing it to her personal email account. Several months earlier, according to the indictment, Lineberger created on her computer a document consisting of portions of internal Justice Department messages, along with portions of an internal memorandum with header and footer markings indicating it was for official use only. Prosecutors say she sent the material to her personal email address via an attached file titled “chocolate_cake_recipe.pdf.” The indictment does not explain why Lineberger may have wanted to send the report, which prosecutors say she had access to in her professional capacity as a prosecutor, to her own email account. So the “Bundt_Cake_Recipe” was the sealed Jack Smith report, and an earlier batch of internal DOJ messages traveled under the name “chocolate_cake_recipe.pdf.” The indictment does not explain why Lineberger allegedly wanted the sealed report on her personal account. CNBC added details on the charges and Cannon order. A former federal prosecutor has been charged with stealing the sealed volume of the report prepared by then-special counsel Jack Smith about the criminal case against President Donald Trump over his retention of classified documents. Carmen Mercedes Lineberger is accused in a four-count indictment of saving the sealed portion of Smith’s report on her government-issued computer under the file name “Bundt_Cake_Recipe.pdf.” Lineberger, who was a managing Assistant U.S. Attorney at the time, allegedly emailed the report from her DOJ email account to her personal Gmail account on Dec. 1, 2025. At the time of the alleged conduct, the 62-year-old Lineberger was managing Assistant U.S. Attorney in Fort Pierce, Florida, according to the indictment in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Lineberger is charged with theft of government property and counts related to the removal and altering of public records in the indictment. Judge Aileen Cannon on Jan. 21, 2025 issued an order prohibiting the DOJ, as well as its officers and employees, from “releasing, sharing, or transmitting” Volume II of Smith’s report, which was filed in the court. Lineberger appeared in court in Fort Pierce on Wednesday and was released without having to post bond. Judge Cannon had sided with President Trump’s legal team, which argued that releasing the report would be unfairly prejudicial after Smith abandoned the case following Trump’s 2024 election victory. Cannon permanently blocked the report’s release in February. The investigation into Lineberger is being handled jointly by the FBI and the DOJ Office of Inspector General. To avoid conflicts of interest, a special prosecutor from outside the Southern District of Florida was assigned to the case. Gateway Pundit highlighted the DOJ language and special-prosecutor detail. Carmen Lineberger, the former Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney in Fort Pierce, Florida, was indicted on two counts of theft of government money or property valued at less than $1,000, destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in federal investigations, and concealment, removal, or mutilation of public records. In separate instances in late 2025, the indictment alleges that Lineberger altered electronic file names of government records she received in her official capacity in order to conceal unauthorized electronic transmission of those records to personal email accounts belonging to her. The altered records allegedly included portions of internal DOJ electronic messages, an internal DOJ memorandum, and a DOJ report related to a criminal prosecution in the Southern District of Florida that had been court-ordered to remain under seal and prohibited from distribution or disclosure outside DOJ. As alleged in the indictment, Lineberger concealed her actions by saving electronic copies of government records under the misleading file names “chocolate cake recipe” and “bundt cake recipe” before electronically transmitting those records to her personal email accounts. The case is being jointly investigated by the FBI and the DOJ Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie S. Utt from the Northern District of Florida was assigned as a special prosecutor to avoid conflicts of interest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie S. Utt from the Northern District of Florida was assigned as the special prosecutor to handle the case. Lineberger’s defense attorney has not publicly commented. Think about this one for a moment. President Trump was dragged through years of classified documents lawfare by the same DOJ apparatus that employed Carmen Lineberger. Jack Smith’s team built an entire prosecution around the idea that mishandling sensitive government materials was a grave national security threat. And now a former DOJ prosecutor from the very same Southern District of Florida stands accused of stealing sealed records from that investigation, renaming them after baked goods, and shipping them to her personal Gmail. She is innocent until proven guilty, and she has entered a not-guilty plea. The irony is hard to miss: a former DOJ prosecutor now stands accused of mishandling records tied to the same Jack Smith operation used against President Trump. This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.