The GOP faces a challenge in turning Trump voters into full-fledged Republicans moving forward. Despite Trump’s success in mobilizing support from various demographic groups, down-ballot Republican Senate candidates received fewer votes than Trump in battleground states, costing the party several races. The drop-off from Trump to GOP candidates suggests that there were “Trump-only” voters who did not translate their support for Trump to other Republican candidates on the ballot. Additionally, there were traditionally Democratic voters who voted for Trump but not for GOP Senate candidates, highlighting a need for the GOP to convert these voters in the future.
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, is facing scrutiny in the Senate, with several Republicans expressing discomfort over reports of his alleged drinking and mistreatment of women. With Senate Republicans concerned about Hegseth’s nomination, support among GOP members is wavering, with some senators planning to grill him about the allegations. Reports of Hegseth’s past behavior have raised questions about his suitability for the position, potentially jeopardizing his confirmation.
Other news highlights include President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, potentially giving Trump political cover for pardoning Jan. 6 rioters, and Rep. Sean Casten’s push for the House Ethics Committee to release a report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz. Lawmakers are considering a stopgap bill to extend government funding, which could complicate Trump’s plans for his first weeks in office. Trump is set to travel to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, while a Senate vote allowed the promotion of a general who oversaw troops during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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