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The GOP’s latest Happy Meal is sending voters home hungry…

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Mike Lawler Put The Fries In The Bag. But It’s Not 2024 Anymore

Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, fighting to keep his congressional seat, tried to recreate one of the most memorable moments from Trump’s 2024 campaign: his stint working at McDonald’s.

Unfortunately for Lawler, the sequel was nothing compared to the original.

When Trump donned the apron at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, it became one of the defining images of the 2024 election. It was a bit ridiculous, entertaining, and quintessentially Trump. But beneath the spectacle, it reinforced an important political message: Trump understood the Americans forgotten by Washington.

Two years later, Republicans seem to have forgotten that last bit.

Trump’s McDonald’s stunt wasn’t meant to prove to voters that he could make a mean McDouble. It showed that, contrary to the political establishment, he understood voters’ struggles and would actually do something about it.

That promise helped deliver the GOP a trifecta in the swamp. Voters wanted lower prices, MAHA, an end to endless wars, and a government that put their interests before corporate lobbyists and political insiders.

Republicans had an opportunity to turn that coalition into a lasting political realignment. All they had to do was deliver.

Spoiler warning: they didn’t.

Instead, the GOP has spent much of its time in power undermining the very thing that got them there.

MAHA supporters bristled at the administration’s order to boost domestic glyphosate production; another war in the Middle East is squeezing Americans’ wallets; and some of the loudest advocates of mass deportations are accusing the White House of hiding statistics on the effort.

Meanwhile, many elected Republican officials have traded policymaking for loyalty, defending the White House instead of giving voters a compelling reason to keep them in power.

That leaves Republicans in a bind.

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They can’t distance themselves from Trump after spending the last two years defending him. But they also can’t run back the 2024 playbook.

They’re no longer the outsiders promising to fix Washington. They’re the establishment they promised would finally be held accountable.

Republicans want the political benefits of Trump’s populist messaging without delivering on the policy.

That’s why Lawler’s McDonald’s moment falls flat. The apron is the same, but the political appetite has disappeared.

And the man at the top isn’t making things any easier.

At a Sunday rally in Georgia, Trump encapsulated many people’s frustrations with the current administration. The president acknowledged advisors had warned him against talking about the country’s oil profits while Americans were getting hammered at the pump.

In other words, don’t brag about oil companies getting rich while Americans are paying a fortune just to get to work.

But, in true Trump fashion, he said it anyway:

“I don’t give a damn. I’m gonna say it. We’re making a freaking fortune.”

From The Editors’ Desk

Why So Many Men Aren’t Working — Keith Humphreys and Brent Orrell, The Atlantic

Some 6.7 million working-age American men have dropped out of the labor force, but a shortage of jobs may not be the problem. The Atlantic argues that video games, porn, weed and sports betting have made it easier than ever for men to check out of working life. The average jobless man now spends five and a half hours a day watching TV and movies alone.

Businesses Warn Another Round Of Price Increases Could Be Coming — Jack McGeever, Daily Caller News Foundation

Americans still reeling from inflation could be in for another round of sticker shock. Businesses are warning that rising energy costs, tariffs and expensive shipping could force them to hike prices as existing contracts expire. Gas prices already jumped 9.1% in September, and the Federal Reserve’s latest report suggests more pain could be on the way for consumers.

Republicans race to avoid a civil war over Israel — Shelby Talcott, Semafor

The GOP’s growing divide over Israel could become a major headache for JD Vance in 2028. While Trump remains firmly aligned with Netanyahu, Vance is trying to thread the needle between pro-Israel hawks and an increasingly skeptical America First wing. Semafor reports that frustration with Netanyahu is simmering even inside the White House, while younger Republican voters are far less supportive of the Israeli government than their elders.

How Florida Took the Lead in Battling Big Tech — Arian Campos-Flores, Wall Street Journal

Florida is becoming ground zero for the fight against Big Tech, and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis isn’t waiting for Washington’s permission. His administration has gone after Meta, Discord and OpenAI over concerns about child safety, privacy and AI harms. The Wall Street Journal reports that Florida’s aggressive approach is putting it at odds with President Trump’s preference for keeping government regulation of AI to a minimum.

Democrats Are Losing Trust in Mail-In Ballots — Natalie Fertig, Washington Sun

After years of defending mail-in voting, some Democrats are suddenly souring on the practice. Fears that Trump could interfere with ballot delivery are driving more voters to cast their ballots in person, the Washington Sun reports. In Ohio, absentee ballot requests are down 28% compared to 2022, while early in-person voting has surged 196%.

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STATE OF TUESDAY: Mike Lawler Put The Fries…