Trump dispatched some Republican foes, but his momentum is still a mirage

Whether he wants to admit it or not, the president is racking up legislative defeats, even as he racks up primary wins.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS Trump dispatched some Republican foes, but his momentum is still a mirage Trump dispatched some Republican foes, but his momentum is still a mirage Whether he wants to admit it or not, the president is racking up legislative defeats, even as he racks up primary wins. MORE JD Vance points to Tina Peters as someone deserving of a taxpayer-financed check The vice president’s comments reinforced concerns that the new fund exists to send taxpayer money to Donald Trump’s favorite criminals. MORE JD Vance points to Tina Peters as someone deserving of a taxpayer-financed check The vice president’s comments reinforced concerns that the new fund exists to send taxpayer money to Donald Trump’s favorite criminals. MORE Possible ‘slush fund’ payout for a specific Jan. 6 rioter trips up DOJ’s Todd Blanche Democrats aren’t just concerned about taxpayer-financed checks to all Jan. 6 rioters; they’re also concerned about a check going to one individual rioter. MORE Possible ‘slush fund’ payout for a specific Jan. 6 rioter trips up DOJ’s Todd Blanche Democrats aren’t just concerned about taxpayer-financed checks to all Jan. 6 rioters; they’re also concerned about a check going to one individual rioter. MORE Trump’s ‘slush fund’ deal came with some newly disclosed fine print about his tax returns The president’s deal was already one of the most important corruption controversies in recent memory. Though it seemed implausible, it just got worse. MORE Trump’s ‘slush fund’ deal came with some newly disclosed fine print about his tax returns The president’s deal was already one of the most important corruption controversies in recent memory. Though it seemed implausible, it just got worse. MORE MORE FROM THE MADDOWBLOG ‘Peanuts’: Trump digs deeper on downplaying Americans’ wartime financial burdens 2 Jan. 6 police officers sue to block Trump DOJ’s ‘slush fund’ Former official files first claim under Trump’s ‘slush fund,’ seeks $2.7 million Trump’s endorsement of Texas’ Paxton delights Democrats, frustrates Republicans WHAT'S ON RACHEL'S BLUESKY RADAR? "“As goes DOJ, so goes the republic,” the liberal author, podcaster and MS Now host said in a statement issued through Crown. “What DOJ chooses to pursue — and what it lets go — can determine the boundaries of our political rights, our economy, and the fundamental question of whether the protections written into our Constitution are just words, or real life.”" Rachel Maddow takes on the DOJ’s 150-year saga in a new book, ‘Department of Fate’ (Associated Press)   Follow Rachel on Bluesky here. NEW LIVE EVENT! Rachel interviews civil rights legal titan Sherrilyn Ifill in Philadelphia! Thursday, June 25 at 7pmET Part of MS NOW Live's We the People: America 250, Country at a Crossroads event. Tickets and more at MS.NOW/America250 PRE-ORDER NOW! Rachel has a new book! "Department of Fate: The Promise, the Power, and the Collapse of America’s Most Consequential Institution" comes out November 10 but you can pre-order now. See MS.NOW/DepartmentOfFate for links and options to pre-order. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to follow it yourself or send this sign-up link to someone you know would appreciate it. NEWS TIPS? SEND IT TO RACHEL FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK RACHEL MADDOW ON BLUESKY  229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER