Through his leadership PAC, Barr contributed multiple times to lawmakers including Reps. Anthony Gonzalez, John Katko, David Valadao, and Jaime Herrera Beutler—all of whom broke with Trump after the January 6 Capitol riot. A Trump adviser called Barr’s support “a slap in the face,” and others have labeled him a McConnell protégé unlikely to stand with Trump in tough moments.
Barr is competing against former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and businessman Nate Morris. Cameron lost the 2023 governor’s race despite Trump’s endorsement, while Morris has come under fire for donating to Nikki Haley shortly before she challenged Trump in the 2024 GOP primary.
Barr’s team argues he remains a strong Trump ally and that his PAC has made hundreds of donations aimed at building GOP unity. His spokesman highlighted Trump’s past support for Barr and pointed to Morris’ backing of Haley and his business record as reasons to question Morris’s commitment to conservative principles.With Trump maintaining broad influence in Kentucky—where he won by over 30 points—his endorsement could be decisive in the 2026 Senate primary, shaping the future of GOP leadership in the state and beyond.
Judge Warns Trump Suspect as He Prepares to Act as Own Lawyer
Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, will represent himself in his upcoming federal trial in Fort Pierce, Florida. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted his request in July, though court-appointed attorneys will remain as standby counsel. Cannon emphasized heightened courtroom security, warning Routh that any sudden movements would prompt swift action by marshals.
Jury selection is set to begin Monday and expected to last three days, with three panels of 60 potential jurors being questioned to seat 12 jurors and four alternates. Opening statements are scheduled for September 11, and the trial may last up to four weeks, though it could conclude earlier.