Trump’s Growing List of Campaign Promises: From the Politburo

Welcome to From the political officea daily newsletter bringing you the latest reporting and analysis from the NBC News Politics team from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

In today’s edition, we look at the growing number of promises President Donald Trump has made to persuade voters to support Republicans in the November election. Plus, Andrea Mitchell examines the aftermath of Russia’s release of an American from prison.

—Adam Wollner

Trump continues to promise ‘gifts’ if Republicans win midterm elections

By Megan Shannon, Sarah Dean and Sahil Kapur

President Donald Trump is pledging to deliver “gifts” while campaigning across the country — but only if voters keep Republicans in control of Congress in the midterm elections.

Gathering Monday at KansasTrump promised a favorable policy decision from his administration if Republican Sen. Roger Marshall is re-elected.

“With Roger Marshall in the Senate, we will make E15 permanent year-round,” Trump said, referring to the sale of fuel blended with 15% ethanol, which is often restricted in the summer for environmental reasons. “But if Adam Hamilton is there, I don’t do it. That’s it. I only do it for him.

Yesterday at North CarolinaTrump has pledged to direct his Justice Department to resolve veterans’ claims over contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

“If we win the House and Senate, I direct the Department of Justice to resolve all remaining legitimate claims as soon as possible, take the case off the books and put an end to it,” Trump said. “If we don’t win, there is no money. If we win, you will have it, and it will finally be the end of this nightmare that has lasted for so many years.”

And Saturday at KentuckyTrump said the Defense Department would invest $100 million in pharmaceutical company Anthea’s manufacturing plant based in the state.

“But you have to win, Andy. Otherwise, forget it,” he said, referring to the Republican Senate candidate. Andy Barr.

In some cases, to keep his election promises, Trump would need to have allies in Congress to pass them. But in other cases, Trump wields executive power to succeed, regardless of the results.

At nearly every one of his rallies, Trump touts his promise to send every American adult a $5,000 payment if Republicans hold the House and Senate. But Republican leaders have made no such promises, and some key players on Capitol Hill doubt it will happen, saying they haven’t even seen a plan from Trump on where the funds will come from.

A recent NBC News Decision Desk poll found that only 14% of American adults expect to receive such payments in this scenario, while 71% do not expect them. Even self-identified Republicans said 47% to 28% that they did not expect to see $5,000 payments.

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Witkoff’s Praise for Putin Sparks Bipartisan Backlash

Analysis by Andrea Mitchell

Diplomatic gifts from the Russian president Vladimir Putin What the Trump administration has received over the past ten days has been massive, undermining Ukraine and shaking U.S. allies across Europe – perhaps none more so than the special envoy. Steve Wittkoff» today’s statement that Putin is a “humanitarian.”

In St. Petersburg, with Putin, Witkoff expressed gratitude for Russia’s release of an American prisoner. Stephen Hubbardwhich Russia captured in Ukraine a few months after the start of the war. He was convicted by a Russian court – long accused of holding show trials – of serving as a mercenary, charges he denied.

Described by several former U.S. officials to NBC News as a “low-level” prisoner who had not worked for the U.S. government, Hubbard, 74, a retired teacher, was not seen by Moscow as being able to land a major deal. Putin produced Hubbard at the perfect time to leverage his considerable advantage with the president Donald Trump and generate favorable publicity. He could hardly have asked for anything better than to be described as a humanitarian by Witkoff, America’s top negotiator.

Asked about Witkoff’s praise of Putin, Trump responded: “I guess you could say for that particular purpose, for the purpose of enabling a man who thought he was going to be in prison for life. But, you know, I wouldn’t say anything one way or the other.” He then attributed Hubbard’s release to his waiver of the Russian sanctions he had just signed, as well as his personal request to Putin during their last phone call.

vice-president J.D. Vance said the country should “celebrate” the return of an American hostage, not “complain about what Steve Witkoff said to get this done.” But outside the White House, Witkoff’s labeling of Putin sparked a bipartisan reaction.

Among Democrats, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee Mark WarnerD-Va., called it “insulting,” adding that the lead author of the sanctions bill, the late Sen. Lindsey GrahamRS.C., “was turning in his grave”. Vice Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Jim HimesConnecticut Democrat, said: “Donald Trump is on Putin’s side, and that’s why Witkoff says the kinds of things he says. »

Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Susan Collinswho is running a tough re-election campaign in Maine, said: “I would describe Putin as a warmonger. He is certainly not a humanitarian. He is the aggressor in the war against Ukraine.” Retired senator. Thomas TillisRN.C., was more explicit, writing on

Witkoff and his fellow negotiator, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushneralso reported that Putin agreed to resume trilateral negotiations with the United States and Ukraine, which have not taken place since February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said they should take place no later than November. It is unclear whether Putin will accept the “energy ceasefire” unilaterally announced by Trump a week and a half ago, which Zelensky adhered to for several days while Russian missiles pounded kyiv and Kharkiv.

All this comes after Trump’s diesel deal with Russia gave Putin desperately needed revenue without lowering U.S. diesel prices, energy experts say. Additionally, there has been a week of conflicting explanations for a sudden interruption in US intelligence sharing with Ukraine and a slowdown in Ukraine’s vital connection with the military’s version of Elon MuskIt’s Starlink.

After days of devastating Russian attacks on civilians in Kyiv and Kharkiv, Kristen Welker Last weekend, Zelensky asked on “Meet the Press” whether Ukraine could win the war without the United States. He responded: “If the United States supports Putin, I mean, that’s unbelievable. It’s a tragedy. It’s a historic mistake and a great tragedy.” If that happened, Zelensky added, “of course we will not prevail.”

That’s all that’s coming from the politburo for now. Today’s newsletter was written by Adam Wollner.

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