Maine Mayhem

THE LATEST

Graham Platner’s campaign quietly polled replacement options yesterday, finding that former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson measured the best against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Read more Judge Orders Disbursement of $5 Million Trump Owes E. Jean Carroll

• Social worker Paige Loud and Maine Beer Company co-founder Dan Kleban could also throw their hats in the ring.

• The state Democratic Party has an emergency meeting scheduled for this afternoon.

A TV station reported that Maine state Rep. Valli Geiger said Platner had called in support of her succeeding him — which Platner’s campaign spokesperson denied, telling NOTUS’ Igor Bobic: “He’s not made any decision on endorsing. Graham called Valli to thank her for her support and encouraged her to consider running if he stepped down.”

“It’s over,” President Donald Trump said of the ceasefire with Iran and the countries’ memorandum of understanding. “I don’t want to deal with them, but they’re scum. … They’re led by sick people, and they’re vicious, violent people.”

Another policy bombshell from today’s NATO summit: The U.S. is working to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot air defense systems — though Trump hasn’t informed American manufacturers yet.

• The president also threatened to cut off all trade and visits with Spain, and his administration is now compiling a “menu” of goods to potentially embargo.

• He isn’t flying home on his new Air Force One, though.

THE ADMINISTRATION

The president lost his bid to delay paying out E. Jean Carroll’s $5 million settlement. He immediately appealed the decision.

• A three-judge panel also denied a Kennedy Center board request to restore Trump’s name to the institution as it goes through the appeal process.

The DOJ threatened dozens of state and local election officials with prosecution if any noncitizens are found to have voted in the upcoming midterms. The agency will also send federal election monitors to 15 jurisdictions in six states.

Read more Trump Isn’t Flying Home on His New Qatari-Gifted AF1

THE HILL

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear asked Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) to update the state’s residents on his health status.

Susan Collins (R-Maine) accused the administration of proposing federal grantmaking changes that would “undermine scientific and biomedical research.”

THE WORLD

Rahm Emanuel criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a speech today at Tel Aviv University — a dramatic shift in tone for the potential 2028 Democratic candidate, who has supported Israel for decades.

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Read more Platner’s Fall