Two State Elections Could Shape Trump's Agenda

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Politics

Two State Elections Could Shape Trump's Agenda

What's going on: Wisconsin — land of cheeseheads and cherries — is now also home to the most expensive judicial race in US history (drawing more than $90 million, including a casual $20 million from Elon Musk and his allies). Today, voters will decide whether the state Supreme Court keeps its liberal majority or shifts to the right. On the ballot: Liberal Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford and former Republican state Attorney General Brad Schimel. Whoever wins could help determine the future of abortion access in the state and weigh in on a lawsuit involving Musk-owned Tesla (perhaps explaining those $1 million checks). The court may also hear a challenge to Wisconsin’s congressional map, which currently gives the GOP six of the state’s eight House seats, shaping the future balance of power in Congress and President Donald Trump’s ability to advance his agenda.

Tell me more: That balance is also in play in Florida, where two special congressional elections that were supposed to be “snoozers” have gotten interesting. Today, two seats are up for grabs: Florida’s First Congressional District, formerly held by Matt Gaetz, and the Sixth, last occupied by current National Security Advisor Michael Waltz of Signalgate. Like Wisconsin, the latter race has drawn millions of dollars, and even a narrow margin could impact the House. The GOP is acutely aware of the stakes, with Trump withdrawing his nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as UN ambassador to avoid a potentially close special election.

Related: Mike Waltz’s Supporters Could Start Leaving Him on Read (WSJ Gift Link)

International

France's Far-Right Movement Gets a Shakeup

What's going on: Yesterday, a French court convicted far-right leader Marine Le Pen of embezzlement. Her punishment? Jail time, a fine, and — most critically — a five-year ban from running for office. Le Pen, who’s had three failed presidential campaigns, was the frontrunner in the 2027 presidential race (current President Emmanuel Macron is serving his final term). The 56-year-old has led the National Rally — a party with a xenophobic history — out of obscurity and into the center of French politics. Her profile reached new heights last summer, after her party’s surprise win in European Parliament elections — though that momentum has clearly come to a halt. Le Pen’s attorney called the ruling “scandalous,” noting she’d appeal. 

What it means: With Le Pen sidelined and no clear Macron successor, the 2027 election landscape has been thrown into chaos, creating a power vacuum. If her appeal fails or drags on in court, the National Rally will need to go back to the drawing board for a new candidate. Among the names being floated: Le Pen’s 29-year-old deputy, Jordan Bardella. Beyond France, far-right leaders like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have condemned the ruling as an attack on their movement. Some commentators have compared Le Pen to Trump, who was also convicted while running for president. If Le Pen really is anything like him, don’t count her out quite yet.

Related: UK Schools to Show Adolescence to Highlight Social Media Harms (BBC)

Health

A Brain Implant Is Helping One Stroke Survivor Find Her Voice — Literally

What's going on: A new study offers hope that some people who’ve lost their ability to speak may one day regain it. Researchers detailed how their brain-computer interface (BCI) helped a 47-year-old woman communicate again, 18 years after a stroke left her unable to speak. As a part of a clinical trial, doctors implanted the BCI in the region of her brain responsible for speech. Using a “streaming approach” and an AI model, the device translates her brain activity into real-time communication. They even used a synthesizer to recreate her voice from before the stroke.

What it means: While others have worked on similar technology, this BCI is one of the first to restore speech without disrupting the natural flow of conversation. The tech “converts her intent to speak into fluent sentences.” One of the researchers said if they can further refine the implant’s ability to match natural speech with personalized voice samples, it would be a “significant” advancement. More research is needed, but one of the study’s authors noted that with sustained investment (a nod to recent National Institutes of Health research cuts), the technology could be available within a decade.

Related: A New Blood Test Could Help Diagnose Alzheimer’s (Guardian)

Your Political Briefing

The week in political chaos.

The numbers: A new poll found that nearly half of American adults support Trump’s immigration tactics, but they’re less confident about his economic policies. Also not a fan: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), as exemplified by that marathon speech.

Uh-oh: Did RFK Jr. just fat-shame West Virginia’s governor at a very public event?

Chains of command: The Trump family is venturing even deeper into the crypto bro world. Their new bitcoin mining firm’s name inspires a lot of creativity. 

Tell Us

With new tariffs looming, many Americans are cutting back on extras like dining out and travel to save more, according to The Washington Post. Are you making any changes to your spending?

Extra Credit

Laugh

Chelsea Handler is having a busy 2025. Not only did she release her seventh book, I’ll Have What She’s Having, in February, but the comedian just dropped her third Netflix special. In The Feeling, Handler takes to the stage to discuss everything from selling spiked lemonade during her adolescent summers, a “one-time would-be hookup” with a certain former governor, to her deep hatred of pickleball (“I blame COVID,” she quips), which she once played at the Bush (yes, that Bush) family vacation house. Relatable.

Game Time

Start your Tuesday off right with Typeshift, a fun new game that challenges you to create words from a set number of letters. Warning: It’s very addicting. Start playing.