Even some members of the GOP are “secretly hoping former president Donald Trump loses this November,” according to Joan Walsh. With Trump’s cult of personality, so-called “reasonable Republicans” realize they will never have control of the party so long as he’s their leader. Meanwhile, Trump’s partner in crime isn’t doing him any favors. As Jeet Heer reminds us, “JD Vance has turned out to be an unusually unpopular presidential running mate.” He recently flailed at the simple task of ordering a doughnut like a normal human being. That gaffe might have been minor in the scheme of things, Heer writes, but it’s symptomatic: “His poll numbers are atrocious—and have been getting steadily worse.”

In Washington, DC, K Street has long been a breeding ground for bottom-feeding grifters, and this week Chris Lehmann exposed the latest players, the right-wing fraudsters Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman. They’ve spread sexual-assault rumors, made up lies about Pete Buttigeig, and have been convicted of voter fraud. This time, operating under pseudonyms, the pair claimed to have a tool for AI-powered lobbying and fibbed about their client list. One could say they are the grift that keeps on giving.

-Alana Pockros

Engagement Editor, The Nation

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