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Billionaires and Silicon Valley Have Flooded California’s Races With Cash

Jun 2, 2026Center Left

Tom Steyer has spent a staggering $216 million on his campaign for governor. Tech titans have lined up behind one of his rivals. And in other races, rich donors are spending big.

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'Planemaxxing': report finds U.S. blew classified cash on fancy and unsafe Trump jet

Raw Story

9 hours ago

'Planemaxxing': report finds U.S. blew classified cash on fancy and unsafe Trump jet

The U.S. government quietly spent hundreds of millions of dollars so President Donald Trump could fly in an unsafe plane with a chandelier, according to a new report. The $400 million jet donated by the Qatari royal family was recently grounded after security measures — which Trump himself approved — proved unable to withstand a credible threat from Irani proxy forces, the New York Times reported Saturday."The reversal exposes the potential risks that the government took to satisfy Mr. Trump’s demand for an aircraft befitting the grandeur he believes should accompany his office," the Times reported. Trump was reportedly entranced by the double-decker jet's luxurious features, namely a bedroom bedecked in leather and a lounge with sued seats and a chandelier, the Times reported. His desire to fly in luxury meant the 747-8 plane was overhauled in just about eight months — while experts told the Times it should have taken several years. "Trump was personally engaged in making decisions about the retrofitting of the donated plane," sources told the Times, "giving the final approval on the features and security measures that would be included."That tight deadline bumped up the price tag, the Times reported. The government was forced to spend "hundreds of millions of dollars" on top of publicly acknowledged $400 million to buy training equipment in time for pilots to fly the 747-8 plane, according to the report. "The Pentagon has tried to mask the total price tag — including from Congress — by taking the funds from a classified budget for nuclear modernization," the Times reported. The rushed effort caught up with Trump in Turkey earlier this month when the Secret Service identified a credible threat from which the new Air Force One plan could not protect him, the Times previously reported.The White House earlier this week announced that the Qatari jet would be taken out of service for what the White House declared to be “PLANEMAXXING."

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Who is Troy Jackson? Maine’s swap-in for Graham Platner in Senate race

New York Post

9 hours ago

Who is Troy Jackson? Maine’s swap-in for Graham Platner in Senate race

Democrats are betting Jackson’s rural roots, labor background and populist message can connect with voters as Republicans say he is a longtime lawmaker with a blustery past.

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Beloved SoCal restaurant serving iconic California cocktail to close after 50 years

New York Post

11 hours ago

Beloved SoCal restaurant serving iconic California cocktail to close after 50 years

An iconic harbor restaurant In Orange County has promised to leave the recipe for its signature cocktail before they close their doors for good, as longtime fans mourn the upcoming closure.

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Troy Jackson secures Democratic nomination for Maine Senate seat after chaotic primary race

US news | The Guardian

13 hours ago

Troy Jackson secures Democratic nomination for Maine Senate seat after chaotic primary race

Progressive former state senate president gains nomination after Graham Platner dropped out over sexual assault allegationsIn a race defined by scandal, withdrawals and a frantic hunt for a replacement candidate, Maine Democrats hit reset on their chaotic Senate primary on Saturday as Troy Jackson officially secured the party’s nomination.He took the stage at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor to rapturous applause, a standing ovation and Noah Kahan’s Northern Attitude blaring over the speakers. “This is the absolute honor of my life,” Jackson said. Continue reading...

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Jackson formally clinches Democratic nod to take on Collins in Maine Senate race

The Hill News

13 hours ago

Jackson formally clinches Democratic nod to take on Collins in Maine Senate race

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson formally clinched the Democratic nod to take on Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in November, giving the party just 100 days to quickly turn the tides in the must-win race. Jackson handily won on Saturday with 566 votes during the Democratic nomination convention in Bangor, Maine. His only challenger, biopharmaceutical executive Saundra…

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After Democratic Shake-Up, Susan Collins Holds Enormous Cash Edge in Maine

NYT > U.S. > Politics

13 hours ago

After Democratic Shake-Up, Susan Collins Holds Enormous Cash Edge in Maine

Republicans are pouring huge sums behind the Maine senator through a web of billionaire-funded super PACs. Troy Jackson, the new Democratic nominee, has a lot of catching up to do.

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Maine Dems pick Troy Jackson to replace Graham Platner and take on Susan Collins in high stakes Senate race

New York Post

13 hours ago

Maine Dems pick Troy Jackson to replace Graham Platner and take on Susan Collins in high stakes Senate race

The special nominating convention in Bangor served as a coronation for Jackson, who essentially locked up the nomination earlier this week.

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Democrats poised to nominate Troy Jackson in must-win Maine Senate race

NBC News Politics

13 hours ago

Democrats poised to nominate Troy Jackson in must-win Maine Senate race

BANGOR, Maine — Former state Senate President Troy Jackson is on the cusp of becoming Democrats’ Senate nominee in Maine, starting a 101-day sprint to Election Day in a nationally watched, must-win race for his party.

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Billionaires and Silicon Valley Have Flooded California’s Races With Cash

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Billionaires and Silicon Valley Have Flooded California’s Races With Cash

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