Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Good morning, and welcome to RedState's "Morning Minute" — a brief glimpse at which stories are trending at the moment and a look ahead at what the day may bring. Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day.
TOP O' THE MORNIN'
Red-Hot at RedState
The Ossoff-Platner Similarities, and How They Could Sink the 'Pee-Wee Herman' Reelection Campaign
Georgia voters should think long and hard before they cast their ballots in the 2026 Senate election as to whether they want someone like this to continue to "represent" their interests in D.C.
Watch: Vindman Lost to a Deranged Pink-Megaphone Socialist Who Takes Her Kids to Drag Shows
So, it looks like the Democrats have done it again. They've chosen yet another loud, performative socialist activist whose political résumé seems built for viral clips rather than serious governance.
Wasserman Schultz Wins Bitter FL-20 Primary - But Here's the Delicious Part
I speculated earlier on a possible backlash that could come from this for Wasserman Schultz among black Democrat voters who might be upset with her move. Wouldn't it be something else for all of this to backfire on Democrats in the general election?
Trending Across Townhall Media
Bearing Arms — Why Offering Unsolicited Gun Advice Can Backfire Hilariously on You
When you start throwing around unsolicited advice, particularly without knowing who the hell you're talking to, you're not coming across like an expert. You're looking like an absolute moron.
HotAir — Preaching the Word of God Is 'Hate Speech'
Islam is not strictly a religion: it is a political project, and Sharia law is inextricably linked to it. And Sharia explicitly demands censorship of non-Muslims.
PJ Media — Jon Ossoff Knew EXACTLY What He Was Implying About This Cancer Survivor
Bad news is, because the mainstream media will continue to shield Ossoff from culpability, these attacks aren’t going to stop. If anything, they’ll likely escalate. Ossoff might’ve (meekly) walked back his comments, but he still profited from them via social media exposure. And clearly, his base loved what it heard.
Townhall — Bill Maher Shut Down a Muslim Comedian When the Conversation Veered Into This Topic
When Amini tried to claim that the Bible and the Quran are essentially the same book, Maher said he had to pump the brakes.
Twitchy — Chip Roy Sums Up CNN-Style 'Journalism' After Natalie Harp Sensationalism Backfires
Because CNN is a garbage network that helps promote trash narratives on behalf of the Democrats. And what exactly is an "SUV trunk"?
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
The critters, as we know, are out on their Summer recess, and the primaries are winding down. Here's an interesting note regarding the new crop of critters who'll make up the 120th Congress — there will be more new faces than there usually are:
With Cory Mills defeat, this year had the highest number of incumbents lose their primary of any non-redistricting year since 1970
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) August 19, 2026
Other critter-centric news:
Cornyn Weighs in on His Staffer Now Working for Talarico, Makes Things Even Worse
Hasan Piker Hardest Hit As Dem Jared Moskowitz Trounces DSA Spoiler Oliver Larkin in FL-25 Primary
White House What's Up
Here's how President Trump's Wednesday is shaping up:
- 8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — The White House
- 11:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office
- 12:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office
- 2:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT delivers Remarks with Technology Leaders — Roosevelt Room
- 4:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. Treasury - Scott Bessent — Bessent highlighted the failures of communism and the successes of the U.S. economy...
Show me where communism has ever worked before—whether it’s the Soviet Union, Cuba, or Venezuela. With these policies, you always end up with less.
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) August 14, 2026
Core inflation, which came out days ago, was 2.5%—a very good number, moving toward the Fed’s 2% target.
What we’ve seen over the… pic.twitter.com/SDS7w8pwn9
...while he continues to turn the screws on Iran.
Bessent Plans New Economic Measures 'Never Seen Before' Against Iran
Full Court Press...
We had some notable court decisions on Tuesday, including:
- ❌ In Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends v. DHS (immigration enforcement - schools and places of worship), 4th Circuit Court of Appeals AFFIRMS lower court's preliminary injunction.
- ✅ In African Communities Together v. Noem (TPS - Ethiopia), Judge Brian Murphy (Massachusetts) GRANTS admin's motion to dismiss as to all counts but the equal protection claim.
- ✅ In Cultural Heritage Partners v. Trump (renovations to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building), Judge Dabney Friedrich DENIES plaintiffs' motion for temporary restraining order/preliminary injunction.
Some other court news:
'Leave NOW': Judge Lifts 'Last Block' on Trump's TPS Terminations
No, You Can't Move FBI HQ — Obama Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Relocate Bureau to Reagan Building
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Still waiting on that SCOTUS decision on the election integrity executive order. 🍿
From White House Comms:
On Friday, August 21, 2026, Vice President JD Vance will visit Middletown, Ohio, where he will deliver remarks on the Trump Administration’s America First economic agenda at the Cleveland-Cliffs Middletown Works facility.
MORNING MUSING
I know it's not nice to name-call. I guess sometimes I'm not nice.
Alexander — sorry, "Alex" — Vindman is a Grade A jackwagon, and I'm delighting that he blew $16 million losing to an off-the-rails socialist in Florida's Democrat Senate primary. Sorry/not-sorry.
Maybe I'd feel differently if I thought Angie Nixon might give Ashley Moody a serious challenge in November.
Nah.
LIGHTER FARE
You otter know...
Do not forget to water your otters..🦦😅 pic.twitter.com/aYnohqi9uj
— 𝕐o̴g̴ (@Yoda4ever) August 18, 2026
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