COURIER covers Trump’s march toward dictatorship and the right’s obsession with Natalie Harp
Plus a Utah city’s Meta problem and a bipartisan fight over AI surveillance.
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Happy Wednesday!
This week, we’re talking about the media’s refusal to call Trump’s authoritarianism what it is, the right’s meltdown over Trump’s “human printer” Natalie Harp, and what happens when a city gives Meta a 20-year tax break — then asks residents to pick up the tab.
Before we jump in, a little housekeeping: Round-Up will be on pause next week while I squeeze in an end-of-summer beach trip with my husband and toddler. Wish me luck. We’ll be back in September with our VP of State Political Content, Keya Vakil, taking over—and keeping you up to date on all the election news you need to know as we get closer to the midterms.
Let’s dive in.
- Tymoni Correa-Buntley
P.S. If you haven't already, follow us on social (like and subscribe to our YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, Threads, and X/Twitter) to make sure you don't miss anything.
Natalie Harp is Trump's security blanket, and the GOP can't stand it
In this week's American Freakshow, Nina Burleigh explains how one word, "Natalie,” sent the GOP spiraling into defensive outrage that says more about them than it does about Sen. Jon Ossoff.
The media are missing the story of our lives: a looming dictatorship
In this week’s Stop the Presses, Mark Jacob’s warns that the media keeps softening the language on Trump’s authoritarian moves — and by the time they’re willing to call it a dictatorship, it may be too late to matter.
How Congress complicated its college sports fix
A GOP-led NCAA reform bill nearly collapsed this week over fears it could override state bans on trans athletes in women’s sports. The White House insists it won’t — but senators aren’t fully convinced, and the bill’s now been pushed to September. Michael Jones reports.
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HBO’s Harry Potter reboot has a J.K. Rowling problem—and its cast isn’t making things any less messy. COURIER’s Kat Tenbarge breaks down the half-assed apologies and terrible statements coming from the show’s stars as they’re pressed on Rowling’s anti-trans views.
On COURIER’s TikTok, you can see the top post of the week here with 3.8M views and 125,400+ likes. On COURIER’s Instagram, you can see the top post of the week here with 878.7k views and 57.3k+ likes.
Ossoff blasts Trump over Iran war—and lands a viral Natalie Harp jab
Sen. Jon Ossoff blasted Trump for lying the nation into war with Iran while American service members bear the consequences. But it was his jab at Trump traveling with Natalie Harp aboard his “apparently defenseless flying palace” gifted by Qatar that quickly became the viral moment of the speech. COURIER has the video.
Trump’s 2020 election lie has become a loyalty test
More than 60 times since Trump returned to office, his nominees for judgeships and Cabinet posts have refused to answer one simple question: Did Joe Biden win the 2020 election? Senators keep asking, and nominees keep dodging. COURIER breaks down the pattern—and why denying the 2020 results appears to have become a price of admission for serving in Trump’s government.
McConnell voted against sick leave 23 times. Now he’s taking it.
Mitch McConnell has been absent from the Senate for two months while recovering from a fall—and he’s still collecting his paycheck. Meanwhile, McConnell has voted against paid sick leave at least 23 times during his decades in Congress. COURIER breaks down his record and the irony of his extended absence.
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Eagle Mountain hit residents with a 183% tax hike after giving Meta a 20-year tax break
Eagle Mountain, Utah, gave Meta a 20-year tax break to build a massive data center. Now, residents are facing a 183% property tax hike to help close the city’s budget gap. Critics say the city wouldn’t be under the same financial pressure if it hadn’t given away millions in tax revenue. Utah Junction has the story.
Pete Hegseth broke his own department’s rule to fundraise for Zach Nunn
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth headlined a ticketed campaign fundraiser for US Rep. Zach Nunn at the Iowa State Fair. It’s the exact kind of appearance his own department’s rules say Cabinet officials aren’t allowed to make and the second time this year his conduct has conflicted with his own department’s rules. Iowa Starting Line has the story.
In rural NC county, opposition to Flock cameras unites conservatives and liberals
Activists from across the ideological spectrum, some of them brand new to public advocacy, are quickly mobilizing as part of a broad-based push against Flock cameras in Hendersonville and Henderson County. Cardinal&Pine shares the story.
That’s it for ROUNDUP this week. This email was sent to 51,732 readers. If you enjoy reading this newsletter each week, would you mind sharing it on X/Twitter, Threads, or Bluesky? Have a tip, idea, or feedback? Reply directly to this email.
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