Trump ally, billionaire GOP megadonor Ronald Lauder won't back Trump's 2024 run for president  — Ronald Lauder, an heir to the Estée Lauder fortune, is the latest Republican megadonor to distance himself from Trump as the former president launches a third bid for the White House.

Sam Bankman-Fried tries to explain himself  —  The fallen crypto CEO on what went wrong, why he did what he did, and what lies he told along the way.  —  Last night, Sam Bankman-Fried DMed me on Twitter.  —  That was surprising.  I'd spoken to Bankman-Fried via Zoom earlier in the summer …

Senators float audit of Rick Scott's NRSC  —  The GOP's post-election finger-pointing intensified Tuesday, with two senators calling for an audit of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.  —  During a tense, three-hour-long meeting of the Senate GOP Conference, Sens. Marsha Blackburn …

NATO Says Missile That Hit Poland Was Likely Ukraine Air Defense  —  Alliance meeting assesses fatal explosion that occurred amid Russian barrage across Ukraine  —  BRUSSELS—Top NATO officials said a missile that crashed in Poland and killed two people was likely a Russian-made weapon fired …

Kari Lake told Arizona's McCain Republicans to ‘get the hell out.’ They did  —  Editor's Note: Jon Gabriel is Editor-in-Chief of Ricochet.com and an opinion contributor to the Arizona Republic.  Follow him on Twitter at @ExJon.  The views expressed here are his own.  Read more opinion at CNN.

Senate votes to advance same-sex marriage bill  —  The Senate on Wednesday voted to start debate on legislation that would codify same-sex marriage protections, paving the way for it to pass by the end of the week.  —  Senators voted 62-37 to advance the measure, with 12 Republicans joining with every Democrat.

Elon Musk gives ultimatum to Twitter employees: Do ‘extremely hardcore’ work or get out  —  New York CNN Business —  Twitter's new owner Elon Musk has given employees until Thursday evening to commit to “extremely hardcore” work or else leave the company, according to a copy …

Far-right extremist guided ‘army’ of rioters to Pelosi's office on Jan. 6 , prosecutors tell jury  —  WASHINGTON — A far-right extremist charged with aiding and abetting the theft of a laptop from Nancy Pelosi's office during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, “led an army” towards the House Speaker's suite …

Assembly GOP ostracizes election denier who backed Robin Vos' challenger  —  MADISON - Republicans in the state Assembly have exiled one of their own members who campaigned against Speaker Robin Vos and promoted false claims about the 2020 election.  —  GOP caucus members voted to bar …

Patty Murray likely to be first female Senate president pro tem, 3rd in line for presidency  —  U.S. Sen. Patty Murray will likely be the first woman to serve as Senate president pro tempore, a position that would place her third in line for the presidency.  Murray will also likely chair …

‘National Conservatism’ Is A Dead End  —  A rant.  —  Since a civil war is about to break out and destroy the modern Republican Party — fingers crossed — let me tell you what grinds my gears.  —  Young NatCons, many of whom I know and like, seem to be under the impression …

Ukrainian Analysis Identifies Western Supply Chain Behind Iran's Drones  —  Russia's use of Tehran-provided unmanned aircraft built with foreign parts demonstrates limits of international sanctions  —  New intelligence collected from downed Iranian drones in Ukraine shows that a majority …

Failed GOP candidate busted on felony rape charge just days after losing election to his mom  —  A South Dakota House candidate who lost his race appeared in court this Tuesday on a charge of second-degree rape, KOTA reports.  —  Bud Marty May, 37, faces 50 years in prison over the Class 1 felony charge.

Jon Stewart Defends Dave Chappelle's ‘SNL’ Monologue: ‘Censorship’ Doesn't End Antisemitism … Jon Stewart defended his friend Dave Chappelle during his appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” Tuesday evening, commenting on the comedian's recent “Saturday Night Live” monologue …

'I don't have the funds': a diabetic prisoner pleaded for insulin supplies before his death  —  Clifford Farrar collapsed after seeking care last year.  His death exposes the health crisis in Washington state prisons  —  Felix Sitthivong in Aberdeen, Washington, and Sam Levin in Los Angeles

Two anonymous $425 million donations give dark money conservative group a massive haul  —  One of the biggest conservative dark money organizations in the nation was boosted last year by two separate anonymous gifts, each totaling more than $425 million dollars.