A member of Kamala Harris’ campaign is finally speaking out amid accusations by critics that celebrities were paid millions to endorse the vice president during her failed presidential campaign. Adrienne Elrod, who served as a senior spokesperson for the campaign, told Deadline they do not pay celebrities. ‘We have never paid any artist and performer. We have never paid a fee to that person,’ she said.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz did not commit to backing Matt Gaetz for attorney general when asked Thursday. Cruz demurring on the matter is the latest incident highlighting Congress’ hesitancy to get behind Donald Trump’s nominee. Both Republicans and Democrats have bristled at the idea Gaetz could be the top law enforcement official in the U.S.

The Republican president-elect improved his share of support in New York City including in AOC’s district in 2024, leaving some scratching their heads over how someone could vote for him and a progressive member of ‘The Squad.’ After the election, the Democratic congresswoman put out on social media that she wanted to hear from such voters about their thinking. The responses came flooding in. She shared her takeaways in an interview with the liberal news network. ‘When it comes to people who split their ticket, I think a lot of people cited several different things,’ Ocasio-Cortez told Reid.

President-elect Donald Trump has decided to bring his barefisted advisor Steven Cheung to the White House as his communications director. Cheung, who made his bones in communications at the Ultimate Fighting Championship, previously served in the White House during Trump’s first term as director of strategic response. He was responsible for delivering tart responses to the press as comms director for the Trump campaign, which modelled the candidate in taking a sledgehammer to political rivals.

Vice President-elect J.D. Vance is preparing for government. But meetings to plan policy rollouts and announce appointments at MAGA HQ sometimes have to wait until after family time and a chance to frolic with the children on the grounds of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. These pictures show Trump’s top lieutenant dressed casually in polo shirt and shorts playing with Ewan, seven, Vivek, four, and Mirabel, two, on the sweeping lawn that leads down to the water.

Democratic lawmakers are enraged at Donald Trump’s recent picks for Cabinet and West Wing, saying his selections are downright ‘dangerous.’ The president-elect has stirred controversy after nominating a rash of hardline conservatives and MAGA loyalists, some with questionable qualifications, to top positions in the executive branch. Two of the most polarizing nominations have been Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary and ex-Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general.