“The video is gross, but it also suggests that Trump is worried the walls may be closing in,” Steele wrote. “Facing a debacle over the Epstein files, Trump is throwing red meat at his base, falsely claiming that Obama may have falsified the records, even though they date back to 2019, long after he left office.”

Trump-backed RNC Chair Michael Whatley jumps into North Carolina's Senate race as Lara Trump declines to run, creating a battle for one of 2026's competitive seats.

Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley is expected to jump into the North Carolina Senate race after Lara Trump once again decided to pass on a run.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley is expected to run for the Senate in North Carolina, setting up a marquee race in next year’s midterms, two sources familiar with Whatley’s plans tell CNN.

Whatley's plans have been blessed by the White House, one of the sources said. Also expected to enter the race is Democratic former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, according to three sources familiar with Cooper's plans. Cooper is expected to announce his bid next week, the sources said.