the Cut Sheet begins with Harry Enten’s numbers on Trump’s power in Republican primaries and Darline Graham’s South Carolina win. The Cut Sheet carries us into the 8 AM hour with Trump’s standing inside the Republican Party and renewed questions about the Lancaster measles dispute. The conversation then turns to Trump reposting Matt Van Swol’s furious warning that congressional Republicans are failing to deliver the reforms voters expected. We contrast Mike Johnson’s ability to move legislation through a thin House majority with criticism of John Thune and the Senate, then revisit Larry Krasner’s White House ballroom remarks and the media reaction.
An Iranian state-media threat involving Barron Trump brings a much darker security story before we shift into the Republican Party’s post-Trump future. Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio and JD Vance become the center of an early 2028 debate, with Kayal ranking Rubio first, Vance second and DeSantis third. Shawn weighs readiness, policy instincts and electability, while we talk through how much a future primary could turn on Trump’s own preference.
Stephen A. Smith then drives a long media segment as we discuss Democrats declining invitations, his clash with the National Association of Black Journalists and the group’s “Thumbs Down Award.” We argue that Republicans can benefit from appearing in hostile media settings and widen the discussion to political expectations placed on Black voters. The hour closes with Emily Compagno’s permanent move to The Five, Jessica Tarlov describing how Trump’s attacks affect her and our argument that being singled out by Trump can raise a television personality’s profile.
