Midwest
Social media explodes after Dem senator makes 'insulting' remark about brains of Trump voters
Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin was ripped by conservatives on social media on Tuesday after an interview where she likened President Donald Trump’s election to the “angry teenage years” of the United States where voter brains are still being formed.
“Representing a state here, people voted for Trump and voted for me, I have a responsibility to represent my entire state,” Slotkin said on ABC’s “The View.” “But I don’t think there’s anyone who feels like what’s going on right now is normal. Even if you voted for Trump, right?”
“I think there is a feeling in the country, and I often say this, you know, we’re about to turn 250 years old, right? We’re still pretty young for a country. These are, like, our angry teenage years. We are going through this push and pull where we’re happy, we’re sad. We want this, we want that, and what do you do when you have a teenager threatening themselves and others? You just try to get them through this period alive so that their brain can fully form and you can come back to kind of what,” Slotkin said before being cut off by Joy Behar.
“Are you talking about Trump?” Behar asked.
‘MODERATE’ DEM GIVING REBUTTAL TO TRUMP’S JOINT ADDRESS PROMOTED STAFFER WHO BOOSTED FARRAKHAN
Sen. Elissa Slotkin and President Donald Trump (Getty/IMAGN)
“No, I’m talking about our country,” Slotkin said. “We’re a pendulum swinging. We are a pendulum swinging. I don’t think there is an American that thinks this is normal.”
Slotkin’s comments were widely interpreted by conservatives on social media as a slight to Trump voters.
“Ah yes, we’ve reached the point post-election loss where Democrats just revert to calling Americans stupid for voting against them,” Abigail Jackson, communications director for Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., posted on X. “Not a single ounce of self-awareness to be found.”
“Slotkin says this while literally sounding like a teenager…” Fox News contributor Joe Concha posted on X.
DEMOCRATIC SENATOR SAYS PARTY IS LACKING LEADERSHIP, STRATEGY FOLLOWING DEFEAT TO TRUMP
Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Reuters)
“This is supposedly their smart, reasonable messenger?” Fox News contributor Guy Benson posted on X.
“Interesting to compare this to their arguments on transitioning teenagers,” Spectator contributing editor Stephen L. Miller posted on X.
“Wow!” Red State writer Bonchie posted on X. “What a fresh, novel take. No one has ever said this before. Elissa Slotkin is truly the future of the Democratic Party.”
President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Evan Vucci/AP)
“This is monumentally insulting to the millions of Americans that voted for a change last November,” Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., posted on X.
Slotkin, elected as a Democrat to the Senate in Michigan in November despite Trump carrying the state, was selected to give the party’s response to Trump’s recent joint address to Congress.
In a Sunday interview with “Meet the Press,” Slotkin acknowledged that the Democratic Party has been “on their heels” since Trump’s election.
“I don’t think that’s something hidden,” she said of the Democratic Party’s loss of confidence following its defeat to Trump. “I think it’s on us to be clear about not only leadership – and there’s lots of leaders in both parties – but also a strategy. I think that’s something that, as Trump has been successful in flooding the zone and, like every day, 15 things happening, we are still finding our footing, and I think you can’t get better until you admit you have a problem.”
Slotkin’s office pointed to her full remarks when Fox News Digital reached out for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Jeffrey Clark contributed to this report
Read the full article from Here
Illinois
Illinois GOP chair says Obama Center is political operation on public land | Fox News Video
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Bob Grogan says the Obama Presidential Center functions as a political operation and headquarters for the Obama Foundation rather than a traditional presidential library.
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Bob Grogan says the Obama Presidential Center functions as a political operation and headquarters for the Obama Foundation rather than a traditional presidential library. Grogan discusses public land, taxpayer-funded infrastructure, the Center’s endowment shortfall and why critics continue to oppose the project.
Indiana
Madam Walker Legacy Fest block party celebrates Black excellence with food, music, and community
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A big weekend is on the books for the annual Madam Walker Legacy Center as they host their annual Legacy Fest.
Festivities kicked off Friday night with a performance by Teddy Riley, Guy 2.0 & Friends. Saturday celebrations continue with a free block party along Indiana Avenue.
Vendors will pack the avenue during the block party, along with live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.
The block party runs from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Legacy Fest shines a spotlight on music, culture, community, and the enduring legacy of Black entrepreneurship and artistry.
This year’s Fest also highlights the 99th anniversary of the iconic Walker Theatre, a symbol of the city’s rich cultural heritage.
I asked Kristian Little Stricklen, the president and CEO of the Madam Walker Legacy Center, about why they’ve continued to grow Legacy Fest. She credits the community for the festival’s expansion.
“The community support and feedback that we got, it’s why we continue to do it – year over year over year,” she said. “We want to make sure that we’re doing what we’re supposed to, right? To uplift Madam Walker’s legacy.”
Indiana Avenue will be closed between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Blackford streets to accommodate community festivities.
The Madam Walker Theatre anticipates a big year next year as it prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Iowa
Blocked Iowa HHS director resigns but is appointed deputy director
Watch as Gov. Kim Reynolds reveals Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation
Gov. Kim Reynolds signs an executive order June 8 creating an Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Iowa’s director of Health and Human Services has resigned after the Iowa Senate blocked his confirmation in April, but he will stay in leadership as deputy director.
Larry Johnson was appointed to succeed Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia in September 2025. Johnson took over the department in October.
Johnson’s confirmation in April, however, was blocked by Iowa Senate Democrats. Johnson received the support of 28 senators, six votes short of the 34 needed.
“Hundreds of thousands of Iowans rely on the Department of Health & Human Services, but under Mr. Johnson’s leadership, those Iowans have been met with diminished care and services and a disrespectful lack of transparency and communication,” Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner said in a statement at the time of Johnson’s confirmation block. “Senate Democrats believe Iowans deserve more responsible leadership for such an important executive department.”
Under state law, 60 days after the Iowa Senate disapproves a person’s appointment, the nominee must step down. Johnson’s resignation came June 19, 58 days after his confirmation was blocked.
In a news release Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Kraig Paulsen, the director of the Iowa Department of Management, to also serve as the director of Iowa Health and Human Services.
“This is not the first time I’ve called upon Director Paulsen to help lead executive branch departments during times of transition,” Reynolds said in a statement. “His experience across state government is unmatched, and I have full confidence in his ability to ensure our state’s largest agency has the leadership team required, not only to serve Iowans most in need of assistance, but also to advance strategic initiatives such as rural health transformation, cancer research, and child welfare technology improvements.”
Paulsen named Johnson as principal deputy director of the department to “ensure efficient and effective operations,” according to the release.
“Iowa HHS requires strong and experienced leadership at every level to ensure continuity of critical services such as Medicaid, SNAP, and child protection, and Larry Johnson is exactly that leader,” Paulsen said in the release. “I look forward to working closely with Principal Deputy Director Johnson to ensure Iowa’s strong commitment to our most vulnerable citizens continues as usual.”
Weiner, in a statement issued June 19, said Reynolds “has decided to blatantly disregard and circumvent the Senate in re-establishing Larry Johnson as the de facto head” of Health and Human Services.“This is partisan politics of the worst kind,” Weiner said in the statement. “Under Larry Johnson, the hundreds of thousands of Iowans who rely on HHS for critical services have received a diminished standard of care, a disrespectful lack of responsiveness, and a department more concerned with fealty to the governor than transparency to the public. And yet, this governor simply cannot handle a world in which she doesn’t get her way, so she has invented a title that allows Johnson to resume his work.”
Weiner said the decision to not confirm John was “not made lightly,” and “We did what was right for Iowans.”
“Our goal has been and remains to work within the bounds of the Senate for the benefit of all Iowans,” Weiner said. “Unfortunately, Gov. Reynolds would rather play politics than give Iowans the respect of a more diligent search for a qualified candidate.”
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.
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