Maine Senate Democratic candidate Graham Platner is refusing to drop out of November’s election unless he can choose his replacement, the New York Post reports. Platner has faced widespread calls to withdraw from the race following a POLITICO report of sexual assault allegations against him. Graham Platner Loses Multiple Endorsements Following Sexual Assault Allegations More from the New York Post: A source familiar with the campaign discussions said Platner, his campaign and political strategist Morris Katz are deliberating about the Maine Democrat dropping out but only if his replacement shares his left-wing values. And the clock is ticking for Dems — there’s a deadline of Monday for the 41-year-old oyster farmer to withdraw and be replaced on the ballot, according to state election law. “This vibes to me like a play from Bernie Sanders to slide in Troy Jackson,” another source said. The source quipped that Platner “assumes whoever might replace [him] would want a rapist’s endorsement.” “His team is delusional,” this person said, noting that Katz, a former campaign adviser to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is still recommending Platner stay in the race. Mamdani also publicly called for Platner “to drop out of the race” on Tuesday. Elderly Vermont independent Sanders — who was Platner’s biggest backer — reportedly wants former Maine senate president Jackson to get the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. "I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside," Sanders said on Tuesday. I have spoken with Graham Platner about the best path forward for Maine. In light of these very serious allegations, I have recommended that he step aside. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 7, 2026 “I believe that it’s time for him to drop out of the race,” Mamdani said. "The only appropriate response is for the campaign to come to an end," he added. Watch below: Zohran Mamdani on Graham Platner: "I believe it's time for him to drop out of the race. The only appropriate response is for the campaign to come to an end." pic.twitter.com/yfvxejHQsY — TheBlaze (@theblaze) July 7, 2026 The Hill noted: Many other Democrats, including the state’s Democratic Party, national Senate leaders and the national Senate Democratic campaign arm, have also withdrawn their support for the oyster farmer in the wake of the reporting about the alleged assault. A woman named Jenny Racicot, who says she dated Platner in 2021, told Politico in a story released Monday that the Maine candidate entered her home while drunk one night and assaulted her. Platner has denied the allegation but said he is thinking about the “best path forward” for his campaign in light of it. The scandal is the latest headline to throw scrutiny on Platner, who has been Democrats’ hope to flip the Senate seat held by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). The post Graham Platner Will Only Drop Out Of Senate Race Under Specific Condition, Report Claims appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.

Andrew Gillum, the former Democratic nominee for Florida governor who narrowly lost to Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2018, was arrested last week on drug-related offenses. According to TMZ, Gillum was taken into custody in Daphne, Alabama, and “booked in the Baldwin County jail for possession of dangerous drugs, drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.” New: Andrew Gillum — the former Democratic nominee for Florida governor — was arrested last week in Alabama on drug offenses, TMZ has learned. https://t.co/oo8baLCBy6 — Jacob Wasserman (@jacob_wass) July 7, 2026 TMZ has more: The Daphne PD has yet to release details on what led to his latest brush with the law. You may recall … in 2020, Gillum and another man were found dazed and confused inside a room by paramedics at the Mondrian Hotel in South Beach, Florida. Another man discovered the two and called 911, worried that the person with Gillum had possibly overdosed. Police body cam footage was later released, showing several prescription pill bottles inside the room. Cops also removed three small bags of methamphetamine. However, prosecutors never formally charged Gillum or the other man in the room because there was insufficient evidence to link them directly to the drugs, which were not found on their persons. “Gillum, 46, was booked and released from jail on July 3,” The Hill stated. You may recall that in 2018, Gillum lost to DeSantis in one of the most competitive Florida gubernatorial elections of all time. Undoubtedly, the DeSantis victory by the slimmest of margins changed history forever. Former Democratic rising star Andrew Gillum, who came within 33,000 votes of defeating Ron DeSantis in the 2018 Florida governor’s race, was arrested last week in Alabama and charged with drug possession. https://t.co/mCk3PX3nJA — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 7, 2026 The Hill noted: In 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Gillum and Sharon Lettman-Hicks, his longtime adviser, on 19 counts each of wire fraud. The former gubernatorial candidate was also charged with making false statements to the FBI. Less than a year later, a jury found Gillum not guilty of lying to the FBI. Jason Coody, then the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Florida, dropped the remaining charges against Gillum and Letterman-Hicks shortly thereafter. The post Former Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate Arrested For Alleged Drug Offenses appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.

Scott Jennings, senior political contributor and conservative commentator for CNN, said on Tuesday that he had a lengthy conversation with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the hospital. “I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky. He’s still recovering in the hospital. We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about IRAN, UKRAINE, the unfolding situation in MAINE, my visit to the TR Presidential Library, and even a little bit of Senate history,” Jennings said. “I told him we want to see him back at work as soon as possible,” he added. I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky. He’s still recovering in the hospital. We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about IRAN, UKRAINE, the unfolding situation in MAINE, my visit to the TR Presidential Library, and even a… — Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) July 7, 2026 There have been unverified rumors circulating online that McConnell is “brain dead” and won’t return to Congress. Mitch McConnell’s Wife Reportedly Travels To China And Meets With Top Chinese Official As Senator Remains Hospitalized Daily Mail explained further: Senate Majority Leader John Thune also had a 'lengthy and substantive' phone call with McConnell on topics including national security on Monday, NOTUS reported. The health update on McConnell comes after the 84-year-old was admitted to hospital on the morning of June 14 following a medical emergency at his Washington, DC, home. Paramedics responded to a report of an unconscious person believed to have suffered a 'cardiac arrest,' with a medic reporting 'CPR in progress' at the address. The senator was not named on the call, and his office has never confirmed what sent him to the hospital, saying only that he is receiving 'excellent care.' The speculation surrounding McConnell has intensified in recent days because his aides have refused to release new information regarding his condition or whether he will return to work as the GOP fights to maintain its razor-thin majority. Trump conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer claimed that an unnamed White House source told her that McConnell is in a 'vegetative state' or 'brain dead' and is 'not coming back' to work. "Believe me when I tell you, Mitch McConnell is a vegetable. Passing the Save America Act and getting Trump’s agenda codified is much easier than covering up for a man who is never going to be the same. Do you know what happens to your brain when you’re found unconscious for a long period of time and you fall and hit your head at 84?" Loomer wrote on Tuesday. "Show us his brain scan. They never will. We know why. I have enough contacts to know the truth," she added. Believe me when I tell you, Mitch McConnell is a vegetable. Passing the Save America Act and getting Trump’s agenda codified is much easier than covering up for a man who is never going to be the same. Do you know what happens to your brain when you’re found unconscious for a… https://t.co/M0doQ2GDvc — Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) July 7, 2026 Desirée Townsend, the journalist who first obtained a recording from emergency responders suggesting McConnell was unconscious after suffering a cardiac arrest, said she has "heard the same thing" as Loomer. "I have heard the same thing from my sources for days. At this point, I am at the hospital for when they eventually decide to move cut him off of life support and move his body. His Capitol police detail is still here as of 3:39pm ET," Townsend said on Monday. I have heard the same thing from my sources for days. At this point, I am at the hospital for when they eventually decide to move cut him off of life support and move his body. His Capitol police detail is still here as of 3:39pm ET. https://t.co/tSTetm51de — Desirée Townsend (@Cheering4Change) July 6, 2026 "I think this whole situation surrounding Mitch McConnell just became far more serious. What authority was Elaine Chao acting under when she met with a senior CCP while her husband, a sitting U.S. senator, was hospitalized following a reported medical emergency? Elaine Chao hasn’t held a U.S. government position since January 7, 2021, when she resigned as Secretary of Transportation. The Logan Act prohibits unauthorized private citizens from conducting correspondence or negotiations with foreign governments regarding disputes or matters involving the United States," said Kylie Jane Kremer, co-founder of the conservative political advocacy organization 'Women for America First.' "If Elaine Chao was representing the United States with authorization from the U.S. government, the State Department should say so. If she was acting solely as a private citizen while discussing U.S.-China relations with senior Chinese officials, it raises legitimate questions about whether the Logan Act could apply. The State Department should immediately explain whether this meeting was officially sanctioned, what capacity Elaine Chao was serving in, and whether she had authorization to engage in those discussions," she continued. "President Trump has previously criticized Elaine Chao over her family’s business ties to China. Regardless of politics, the American people deserve transparency about the purpose of this meeting. These questions are even more important because there are still serious unanswered questions about Senator McConnell’s condition. We still do not know the status of a sitting U.S. senator while his wife was meeting with the CCP. Finally, has anyone confirmed whether Elaine Chao has returned to the United States? If so, when? If not, where is she now? This is a national security issue. The American people deserve answers," she added. I think this whole situation surrounding Mitch McConnell just became far more serious. What authority was Elaine Chao acting under when she met with a senior CCP while her husband, a sitting U.S. senator, was hospitalized following a reported medical emergency? Elaine Chao… https://t.co/wWHGtd38Wq pic.twitter.com/I8ZHLK1fiV — Kylie Jane Kremer (@KylieJaneKremer) July 6, 2026 More from The Daily Beast: Later Monday night, Loomer followed up on her initial post, claiming that a White House source told her McConnell was in "organ failure." "The White House has been told 'McConnell isn't ever coming back,'" she added. McConnell's office would not even confirm if he was conscious and would not say whether he was on life support. When the Daily Beast requested clarification, a spokesperson pointed to a statement released on July 2, saying: "Senator McConnell appreciates the outpouring of support he's receiving while he continues his recovery in the hospital. "The Senator continues to improve, and is working closely with his staff on Kentucky and Senate matters while the Senate is out of session." On Monday, McConnell's communications director, Stephanie Penn, said in response to specific questions from the Daily Beast about the senator's condition that the office "will be sure to keep you updated." The post CNN Conservative Commentator Says He Spoke With Mitch McConnell As Rumors Swirl About Senator’s Health appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.

Multiple floors of the former Pfizer headquarters, which is under construction to be converted into 1,600 residential apartments, started caving in on Tuesday, prompting street closures and evacuations of nearby buildings. The building is reported as being unstable and at risk of collapse. “Around 8 a.m., construction workers noticed cracks inside the building. The FDNY say the workers spotted structural support beams beginning to buckle on the 21st and 22nd floors and self-evacuated,” ABC7 New York reports. “Officials say that caused the 21st to 26st floors of the 37-story building to start caving under the stress,” it added. “Fire officials said they received a call just before 8 a.m. about falling bricks near 235 East 42nd Street,” The New York Times noted. A high-rise Manhattan building at risk of collapse is the former headquarters of Pfizer that is being converted into apartments. Two columns buckled on the building’s 21st and 22nd floors, and several floors near the columns were sagging, officials said.… — The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 7, 2026 Watch below: FDNY Are Evacuating the Former Pfizer Headquarters Building in New York City Amid Reports of Structural Damage “Building inspectors are there at the scene investigating reports that a structural support beam was beginning to buckle.” pic.twitter.com/yq6MMvivoY — Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) July 7, 2026 ABC7 New York shared further: Multiple buildings have been evacuated, including a hotel and Kennedy International School. Mayor Zohran Mamdani advised anyone in the area to follow the instructions of first responders on the ground. “Now luckily there have been no injuries to report at this time, all workers are accounted for, the building has been evacuated, a number of tall buildings in the area are also being evacuated at this time, a school with about 400 children has also been evacuated,” Mamdani said. The FDNY said the following buildings have been evacuated: 815 Second Avenue 235 East 42nd Street 210 East 43rd Street 212 East 43rd Street 211 East 43rd Street 220 East 42nd Street 231 East 43rd Street 225 East 43rd Street 235 East 43rd Street Of the evacuated buildings, 231 East 43rd Street is the Hampton Inn Manhattan Grand Central and guests have been evacuated out of their rooms. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic is closed on East 42nd Street between Second and Third avenues. Second Avenue is closed from 38th to 44th streets and 43rd and 44th streets are closed between Second and Third avenues. FDNY told Newsweek that Department of Buildings (DOB) engineers were utilizing FDNY drone footage to examine the structure. Footage inside the building below: Video shows two columns buckled inside a Midtown building under construction. Dozens were evacuated and multiple streets were closed at the height of rush hour. See the full story : https://t.co/lgH632z6TN pic.twitter.com/7eYIZtJNPI — PIX11 News (@PIX11News) July 7, 2026 Newsweek has more: The DOB said the project has active construction permits and that inspections are ongoing. It was expected to provide additional updates at an 11 a.m. briefing on Tuesday. The tower at 235 East 42nd Street, once the global headquarters of Pfizer, is in the midst of what developers describe as the largest office‑to‑residential conversion in the United States. Led by Metro Loft and David Werner, with Gensler as architect, the project has been transforming the Midtown high‑rise into a luxury complex expected to hold between 1,500 and 1,600 apartments. Construction has been underway since 2024 across a multi‑building footprint that includes 219 East 42nd Street. The structural emergency that unfolded halted work abruptly, prompting widespread evacuations along East 42nd and East 43rd Streets as officials assessed the tower’s stability. This story is developing.  The post DEVELOPING: Midtown Manhattan High-Rise Building At Risk Of Collapse, Prompts Evacuations appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.

President Trump touched down in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7, 2026 for the NATO Summit, and allied defense spending is once again the fight at the center of the room. This is the same argument Trump has been winning since his first term. For years, too many allies leaned on American taxpayers while pleading poverty on their own defense. Now the goalposts have moved, and they moved because Trump moved them. NATO members committed at the 2025 Hague Summit to invest 5 percent of GDP on defense annually by 2035. Trump arrived in Ankara to make sure nobody games that number. President Donald J. Trump arrives in Ankara, Turkey and is welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ahead of NATO Summit. America is back on the world stage. pic.twitter.com/rAuG4x8GSL — The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 7, 2026 The New York Post reported July 7 that Trump planned to warn NATO countries against using “funny math” on defense spending as leaders gathered for the summit. The report put the warning inside the larger fight over whether allies are moving from the old 2 percent benchmark to the new 5 percent promise with real military spending, public proof, and timelines allies can be judged against. His concern is specific. Some countries pad their totals with non-military or questionable expenses so the top-line number looks respectable without buying real capability. The Post noted that all 32 NATO countries technically hit the old 2 percent target in 2025. That was the floor, and it took American pressure just to get everyone to the floor. The bigger 5 percent target is a different story. The report identified the UK, France, Italy, and Spain as lagging or resisting larger increases. Poland and the Baltic states are among the strongest spenders, driven by the Russia threat on their doorstep, while Germany has laid out a path to 5 percent by 2030. The distance between those two groups is exactly what Trump is pressing on in Ankara. The fight is practical: a spending pledge only helps the alliance when it turns into trained forces, ammunition, air defense, ships, aircraft, logistics, and industrial capacity that can survive a real crisis. The official NATO page lays out what the 5 percent actually requires, and it is more than one soft headline number. The commitment breaks into at least 3.5 percent of GDP for core defense requirements and up to 1.5 percent for broader defense- and security-related investments like critical infrastructure, networks, civil preparedness, resilience, innovation, and the defense industrial base. That 1.5 percent bucket is where the funny math can hide. Trump’s point is that the core 3.5 percent for real military capability has to be real. NATO says allies also agreed to submit annual plans showing a credible, incremental path toward the 3.5 percent core-defense goal. Plans on paper are how you prove the money is aimed at defense and not creative bookkeeping. The same NATO page shows the pressure is producing results. European allies and Canada increased defense expenditure by over $90 billion in 2021 prices, nearly $139 billion in nominal terms, in 2025 compared with 2024. They invested a combined total of more than $571 billion in defense in 2025 in 2021 prices. That money did not appear because allies suddenly discovered generosity. It appeared because Trump refused to let them freeload. Trump to warn NATO countries against using 'funny math' on defense – as key allies struggle to do the minimum https://t.co/KEqWvBv1aS pic.twitter.com/6nTK8D08A2 — New York Post (@nypost) July 7, 2026 The NATO Summit page lists the Ankara meeting as a July 7-8 gathering of NATO heads of state and government and key partners, with defense investment listed as a central issue. That official framing matters because the summit is built around the question of follow-through after last year’s Hague commitments, especially on defense investment and production. The official agenda says the summit is meant to review progress since the 2025 Hague Summit and set a roadmap to keep delivering on NATO objectives through the next phase of allied planning. It highlights defense investment, defense industry, and support for Ukraine, with a direct note that Ankara is about making sure allies are investing more and investing in the right capabilities. That setting matters because the Ankara meeting is where last year’s promises start becoming this year’s proof. The summit is about whether those totals turn into readiness, production, and credible plans allies can actually execute. “The right capabilities” is the phrase that matters. Trump is not chasing a bigger number for its own sake. He wants tanks, munitions, industrial capacity, and readiness, not line items that vanish under scrutiny. The White House lists the NATO spending deal among the administration’s national-security wins. The page frames the agreement as part of a broader national-security rebuild built around readiness, defense modernization, supply chains, defense industrial capacity, and alliance accountability after years of weak burden-sharing. It says Trump secured a transformational agreement requiring NATO members to raise defense spending from 2 percent to 5 percent of GDP, turning a long-running complaint into a concrete benchmark. The same page ties the second-term agenda to rebuilding readiness, modernizing defense capabilities, restoring the American defense industrial base, and demanding accountability across alliances so allies cannot treat U.S. protection as a blank check or a substitute for their own militaries. That is the Trump doctrine in one sentence: America can lead the alliance without being the alliance’s endless ATM. The page also puts the spending win inside a broader national-security push that includes readiness, defense modernization, supply chains, and industrial production. In other words, the administration is treating burden-sharing as part of a larger rebuild of deterrence, not as a diplomatic talking point to be filed away after the summit. Allies who want U.S. protection now have to show real money, real capability, and real plans. The old routine of flattering Washington while American taxpayers carried the load is under pressure. Trump forced the 5 percent commitment onto the books. Now he is in Turkey making sure allies deliver the capability behind it instead of dressing up soft spending to hit a headline figure. The post President Trump Lands In Ankara And Tells NATO The “Funny Math” Days Are Over appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.