CNN Inside Politics

Political drama unfolds as President Trump picks fights with media outlets just 44 days before the midterms! Can Democrats flip key states or is it all just noise? Also, as President Trump hosts China's leader amidst media crackdowns, are we witnessing a distraction or a strategic move? Tune into Inside Politics for the latest unraveling of power dynamics and midterm strategies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're 46 days until the midterm elections, and it appears at least some vulnerable Republicans have decided cozying up to the White House may not be the best strategy. The latest is GOP Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, who is skipping a rally in Iowa that VP Vance is attending. Hinson's move comes days after two other Iowa Republicans in tight House races broke with the Trump administration.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is President Trump trying to take the 2026 midterms back to 1988? Stumping for Senate candidate Michael Whatley in North Carolina, Trump referred to Democrat Roy Cooper as a "pro-crime politician" who's "tried to bully you into silence while they turned your cities into blood-soaked killing fields, flooded your communities with migrant criminals, destroyed your schools with gangs and drugs, and filled your streets with lawlessness, filth and squalor. He mentioned crime at least 16 times during that speech.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is now going all in on the midterms with his cash and his time. He hits the trail tonight in North Carolina to campaign with GOP Senate candidate Michael Whatley in his race against former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. The visit underscores a crucial challenge for Whatley. He wants to tap into Trump's pull with the GOP base, but not alienate moderates and unaffiliated voters who could decide this incredibly important race. And Whatley is hardly alone in trying to thread the Trump endorsement needle.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FBI Director Kash Patel fielded questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee today, and the hearing veered into some very unexpected directions, with topics swinging from election lies and violent immigration operations to ... bestiality? Meanwhile, as the Patel was testifying, President Trump was lashing out at the Supreme Court after justices blocked his push to restrict mail-in ballots just seven weeks before the midterms.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices