You might not know it by watching algorithmically approved conservative media, but we are in the thick of primary season, with important red-state primaries taking place nearly every Tuesday. In most states, the primary outcomes these weeks will be of greater consequence than the general election in November.

Sadly, special interest-supporting liberal Republicans will likely win most races — often thanks to Trump’s support. However, last week’s Indiana Senate elections demonstrated that it doesn’t have to be that way.

Trump has scared away quality challengers in every single congressional primary by reflexively endorsing incumbents.

Last week, we were entreated to what it looks like to finally have a unified and organized movement. A group of liberal Republicans in the Indiana Senate blocked a core party initiative; in this case, it was redistricting, and all but one target was defeated.

Thanks to Trump endorsements and support from Turning Point USA, the Club for Growth, and Indiana Sen. Jim Banks (R), six or seven state senators were defeated. Along with two more conservatives who won in open districts, a quarter of the entire Senate GOP conference shifted to the right, meaning they will likely have the votes to replace the Senate president.

This victory raises an obvious question: How come we don’t see united movements in other red states to replace entrenched groups of liberal Republicans who buck the party platform and betray their voters?

Instead, we often see Trump endorse those incumbents, who then attack the few conservatives we currently have in legislative chambers. If Trump would only endorse the way he did in Indiana, we’d change the party in one election cycle. Unfortunately, in almost every other primary, the president has been a net liability.

Even in Indiana, the president was something of a double-edged sword, as he successfully re-elected two Senate RINOs — Liz Brown and Ron Alting — simply because they voted for redistricting, but they were horrible on numerous other issues. Jim Banks himself opposed Alting because he was a champion of transgenderism and illegal aliens.

In Congress, both Reps. Jefferson Shreve (Ind. 6) and Jim Baird (Ind. 4) were vulnerable. Shreve only won his race by five points, which means Trump’s endorsement likely made a difference. Baird is one of the original sponsors of Florida Republican Rep. Maria Salazar’s amnesty bill.

RELATED: Trump needs to denounce the Dignity Act

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Looking ahead to Idaho’s upcoming primary, conservatives are outraged over a video surfacing from Gov. Brad Little (R) lambasting those who oppose illegal immigration. The Freedom Caucus in the state has tried to shut off illegal labor, but Little and his allies are not only blocking those bills, they are funding challengers against the conservatives.

Little has been a thorn in the side of conservatives for years and only received 60% in his re-election during the 2022 primary. It was well understood that he’d have a hard time running for a third term in 2026, but he preemptively secured Trump’s endorsement, which all but ensured that quality candidates like Attorney General Raul Labrador could not get into the race.

Numerous primaries have already been canceled because of Trump’s endorsements.

Before he was assassinated, Charlie Kirk had endorsed Nate Morris for Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat in Kentucky. Earlier this month, Trump endorsed establishment Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), forcing Morris out of the race in exchange for an ambassadorship.

Meanwhile, Trump has scared away quality challengers in every single congressional primary by reflexively endorsing incumbents. The only incumbent he is trying to unseat is Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). As a conservative, I have some disagreements with Massie on Hamas, Islam, crime, drugs, and immigration in general, but we all know that Trump singling him out has more to do with Massie’s dissent on the issues we do agree on.

Then, of course, there is Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, who just won yet another term thanks to a Trump endorsement. Conservatives complain bitterly about RINO senators wasting deep red states and undermining our ability to accomplish anything. Well, Capito is ground zero for this mismatch.

RELATED: How Republicans have failed to defund sanctuary cities for a generation

J. David Ake/Getty Images

In a state Trump won by 40 points, Capito is liberal on both fiscal and social issues and embodies the special interest and lack of heart, brain, and soul of the geriatric Senate GOP Conference that was led by Mitch McConnell.

Tom Willis, who was a state senator and Green Beret, was a viable challenger. Trump could have easily endorsed him and kept the seat in conservative hands, but he handed Capito another term. Capito also bankrolled a number of RINOs in the legislature who successfully fended off conservative challengers.

As conservatives scramble to push redistricting in southern states in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling, those who have slept through 10 years of Trump’s primary sabotage are surprised to find many RINOs in these supermajority Republican states who are recalcitrant to fully eliminate Democrat districts.

Tyler Bowyer, CEO of Turning Point Action, observed, “In deep red states like Indiana, Mississippi, Alabama — a large percentage of ‘moderate republicans’ are actually Democrats.”

The State Freedom Caucus Network has been valiantly fighting these people who have consistently been buttressed by Trump endorsements. The water is warm. It would be nice for conservative leaders with large followers or millions of dollars in PAC money to actually lead Trump rather than follow him and support the foot soldiers who are risking their livelihoods and careers to fight for the issues they post about.

​Freedom caucus, Illegal immigration, Red state, Thomas massie, Trump, Trump endorsements, Rino, Indiana, Gop primaries, State freedom caucus network, Opinion & analysis 

Christians face persecution across the globe — but one country has made it almost impossible for them to practice their faith, threatening torture, imprisonment, and execution simply because they believe in Jesus Christ.

That country is North Korea.

“If you’re even found to be in possession of a Bible, you and your entire family are likely going to be thrown into a concentration camp — a work camp — for the rest of your days, never to be heard of, never to be seen again,” CEO of Open Doors Ryan Brown tells BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey.

“To be identified as a Christian — to be found as a Christian — is the equivalent of a death sentence,” he says, pointing out that in North Korea, the highest authority isn’t God, but the state.

“And so, for Christians, who have a higher authority than the state — Christians are immediately seen as enemies of the state. They’re assumed to be enemies of the state or, in some cases, assumed to be allies of the West,” he explains.

There are also public executions of Christians.

“In many cases, if they feel like, OK, it’s been a little too long; we need to remind people that we’re in charge; we need to remind people what the consequences are,” he says.

However, despite the threat Christians face in North Korea, they refuse to give up.

“There are about 400,000 Christians in North Korea … and it is growing,” Brown says, explaining that Open Doors has set up safe houses across the border where “individuals are able to come be nursed back to physical health.”

“It … humbles me to see that there are men and women that have, in essence, escaped from North Korea, come to these safe houses, been nursed back to health, and their goal and their intent and what they have done is to go back to North Korea so they can continue to minister,” he explains.

“They’ve … taken a posture of ‘How can I be equipped so that I can go back and continue to share the gospel with my friends and neighbors?'” he adds.

Want more from Allie Beth Stuckey?

To enjoy more of Allie’s upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture, news, and theology from a Christian, conservative perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​Allie beth stuckey, Allie beth stuckey candace cameron bure, Bible, Blazetv, Christians, Concentration camp, Country, Execution, Faith, Globe, Imprisonment, Jesus christ, North korea, Open doors, Persecution, Relatable, Ryan brown, Torture, Death sentence, The blaze, Blazetev, Blaze media, Blaze news, Blaze podcasts, Blaze podcast network, Blaze online, Blaze originals, Relatable with allie beth stuckey 

Bodycam video caught the moment when a 38-year-old male ambushed and repeatedly stabbed a Florida deputy Wednesday.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Deputy Robert Fitch responded around 5 p.m. to the area of 11775 NW 10th Place in Dunnellon in reference to a suspicious person.

‘I should have killed you. You’re lucky I didn’t.’

Dunnellon is located on the west coast of Florida; it’s about an hour south of Gainesville and about an hour and a half north of Tampa.

As the deputy exited his vehicle, Heriberto Medina Marquez immediately ambushed him, causing the deputy to fall to the ground, officials said.

Marquez then climbed atop the deputy and repeatedly stabbed him in the chest before fleeing into a nearby wooded area, officials said.

RELATED: Female slashes face of 3-year-old boy she kidnapped at Walmart — and officers open fire: Police

Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office bodycam video screenshot

But after another deputy arrived on the scene, Marquez emerged from the woods, and the deputies were able to take him into custody without further incident, officials said.

RELATED: ‘Despicable’ homicide suspect caught on body cam pointing gun at Florida deputy — and pulling trigger, cops say

Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office bodycam video screenshot

Detectives arrested Marquez for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, the sheriff’s office said.

After being placed in a patrol vehicle, Marquez was heard saying, “I should have killed you, bitch. You know that, right?”

He added, “I should have killed you. You’re lucky I didn’t.”

The following is bodycam video of the attack and arrest. Content warning: Language.

RELATED: Knifed for ‘being a Christian’? Suspect allegedly stabs man and his dog after asking about victim’s religion

Officials said the deputy suffered minor injuries during the attack — and that his bulletproof vest “saved his life.”

Following interviews and evidence gathering, major crimes detectives from the sheriff’s office determined Marquez intentionally attempted to take the life of Deputy Fitch.

RELATED: Knife-wielding thug who’s a convicted felon allegedly stabs Asian man nearly 20 times on train in what prosecutor calls a ‘random and incredibly violent’ attack

Medina Marquez. Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office

Investigators recovered two folding knives at the scene, both with suspected fresh blood on them, the sheriff’s office told WKMG-TV.

Marquez was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was being held without bond, officials said. WKMG said he also was charged with providing a false name to law enforcement and resisting without violence.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Ambush, Arrest, Attempted murder, Bulletproof vest, Crime thwarted, Deputy stabbed, Florida, Jailed, Marion county sheriff’s office, Suspect stabs deputy, Suspicious person, Heriberto medina marquez, Crime 

The murder of a transgender student led to death threats against the scheduled speaker at a Turning Point USA event before the suspect turned himself in to police.

A 19-year-old transgender-identifying male was found dead in the laundry room of an off-campus apartment building near the University of Washington. Police said he was found with stabbing wounds.

‘I received over 200 explicit calls for violence.’

Some on the left responded by issuing death threats against detransition activist and speaker Chloe Cole, who was scheduled to appear at UW on Sunday. Cole posted a video decrying the hundreds of hateful messages she received before the event was canceled.

“There were local Antifa groups that were actually scheduling these large-scale protests, and there were so many people who I saw online, just out in the open, who were saying things like, ‘I hope you get Kirked,'” Cole said to Fox News.

The threat appeared to refer to the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA.

“I received over 200 explicit calls for violence from various groups and some individuals against me and the UW chapter,” Cole said in an email to Newsweek.

She said she is working to reschedule her speaking engagement at UW.

“I am personally determined to speak on that campus,” she added.

While liberals blamed TPUSA for the death of the transgender-identifying student, the Seattle Police Department released photographs Wednesday from surveillance video of the suspect they were seeking to identify.

The next day, police said the 31-year-old man turned himself in to police and was booked for murder.

RELATED: Teen transgender-identifying substitute teacher allegedly made online threats to Loudoun County school

Turning Point USA released a statement about the event cancellation.

“In light of this tragedy and by an overwhelming surge of violent threats directed at our chapter, threats that appear deliberately designed to falsely associate our peaceful event with the murder, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our upcoming event with Chloe Cole.”

They also condemned the “horrific act of violence” against the transgender-identifying student.

A spokesperson for the university told Newsweek they were unaware of any threats.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Tpusa threats, Uw trans student murder, Transgender murder, Chloe cole, Politics 

Former bartender and current Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is proving that no matter where you come from — or what ridiculous ideas you have — you can still be taken seriously as a potential candidate for president of the United States.

And BlazeTV host Stu Burguiere tells co-host Dave Landau that AOC, who is one of “the most famous politicians in America” while also being “a dunce,” is “surging to a lead in the 2028 primary for the first time.”

“AOC?” Dave asks, shocked.

“Yes, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,” Stu replies.

“I just went blind in my right eye for a moment,” Dave jokes.

“It is legitimately possible that she could win,” Stu adds, before playing a clip of the congresswoman telling Ilana Glazer on the “It’s Open” podcast that billionaires “can’t earn” $1 billion.

“There’s a certain level of wealth and accumulation that is unearned. Right? You can’t earn $1 billion. You just can’t earn that. You can get market power. You can break rules. You can do all sorts of things. You can abuse labor laws. You can pay people less than what they’re worth. But you can’t earn that,” AOC explained.

“And so, you have to create a myth that since you didn’t earn that, you have to create a myth of earning it,” she added.

“I don’t have $1 billion,” Dave comments, “but I don’t trust anyone telling someone they didn’t earn the money they earned.”

“I don’t know when the country became this way,” Stu adds, “but they are this way now where you just get to, without accomplishing anything on your own, you get to just say that no one else deserves what they have achieved in their lives.”

Want more from Stu and Dave?

To enjoy more of Stu and Dave’s lethal blend of wit, humor, and insightful commentary subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​Alexandria ocasio cortez, America, Aoc, Blazetv host, Cohost dave landau, Dave landau, Former bartender, President, Stu and dave, Stu and dave do america, Stu burguiere, United states, Alexandria ocasiocortez, The blaze, Blazetv, Blaze news, Blaze podcasts, Blaze podcast network, Blaze media, Blaze online, Blaze originals, Blaze original 

Among the more popular celebrities to come out as a Trump supporter is Nicki Minaj, who revealed that an interaction with Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed her into the arms of the Republican president.

The rap artist said in an interview with Time that Newsom “completely ignored” her when she requested help over swatting attempts that threatened her safety.

Minaj said Luna’s help made her want to be more public about her political support for President Donald Trump.

While Minaj previously flirted with the Republican Party, she said that swatting innocents at her mansion in Los Angeles in 2022 and 2023 led her to seek help from Newsom. She posted the request on social media but said he never replied.

“He just completely ignored me, with all the money I spent in taxes,” she told Time.

Then in 2025, Minaj said she was contacted by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) after another swatting attempt. Luna connected the rapper with federal law enforcement as well as a private security firm that guards the congresswoman.

“I was shocked,” Minaj said. “I’d never seen anyone in politics treat me that way.”

Minaj said Luna’s help made her want to be more public about her political support for President Donald Trump. She also said she was put off by former President Barack Obama’s friendship with Jay-Z, the rapper and producer.

“I think Jay-Z ended up costing Obama a lot, whether he knows it or not,” she told Time. “Lots of rappers don’t like Jay-Z and were afraid to say it.”

Jay-Z’s company did not respond to a request for comment from Time.

Minaj has since made numerous public statements supporting Trump and his polices. She even appeared with Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, at a Turning Point USA event in Dec. 2025.

RELATED: Cardi B calls America ‘ghetto’ and complains about JD Vance in rant praising Saudi Arabia

“Many celebrities feel the way I do,” Minaj continued, “but they don’t say it. Sometimes you just need one brave person to get the brunt of the impact. I think I am the catalyst for that change.”

She added that she wanted to encourage others to come out of the closet with their Trump support.

“Hopefully when they see me and hear me speak and feel my energy,” she concluded, “that will make them say, ‘You know what: Who am I afraid of? What am I afraid of?'”

Minaj is one of the top-selling female rap artists in history, bested only by Cardi B, with whom Minaj is in a public feud.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Nicki minaj, Trump supporter, Gavin newsom, Celebrities for trump, Politics