Trump’s fundraising dominance exposes growing financial weakness among Republicans

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, shrinking small-dollar donations and growing dependence on wealthy megadonors threaten to undermine Republican candidates despite the GOP’s substantial financial resources.

Republicans are entering the final stretch of the 2026 midterm elections with a significant fundraising advantage fueled by wealthy donors and powerful super PACs. But beneath that financial strength lies a growing vulnerability: The party is losing ground in the competition for small-dollar contributors, leaving congressional candidates increasingly dependent on President Donald Trump and a relatively small network of major political donors.

Campaign finance figures analyzed by POLITICO reveal a widening gap between Republican and Democratic online fundraising operations. While Trump remains the GOP's dominant fundraising force, Republican candidates have struggled to build independent donor networks capable of sustaining competitive House and Senate campaigns.

The imbalance raises questions about the party's financial stability beyond Trump's presidency and its ability to compete in future elections without relying heavily on billionaires and outside political organizations.

PENTAGON PURSUES KETAMINE WAFERS FOR BATTLEFIELD PAIN TREATMENT

A nearly $41 million Defense Department development contract could expand options for treating wounded U.S. troops, as the manufacturer explores emergency authorization before full FDA approval.

WASHINGTON | The Pentagon is pursuing a dissolvable ketamine wafer designed to treat moderate to severe pain in wounded service members, backing the technology with a development contract worth nearly $41 million as its manufacturer seeks a potential pathway to emergency use before full federal approval.

Singapore-based pharmaceutical company iX Biopharma is developing Wafermine, a ketamine-based medication administered beneath the tongue rather than through an injection. The proposed treatment could provide military medical personnel with another option for managing acute pain in battlefield casualties.

The company has announced plans to pursue emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration, citing a federal declaration that allows certain medical products to be considered for emergency use in response to specified military threats.

The declaration does not constitute FDA approval of Wafermine or establish that the medication has been authorized for battlefield deployment.

The regulatory effort follows a Sept. 3 declaration by the Department of Health and Human Services, which determined that circumstances exist to justify potential emergency authorization of drugs identified by the Defense Department.

According to the federal notice, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth determined July 15 that a military emergency, or significant potential for one, involved heightened risks to U.S. forces from chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear agents, or other attacks capable of causing life-threatening injuries.

No. 13 Alabama rallies past Texas A&M 31-20 behind Keelon Russell's three touchdown passes

Russell throws for 311 yards, Rico Scott adds a career-high 156 receiving yards and Alabama's defense shuts down the Aggies in a dominant fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. | Keelon Russell threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 13 Alabama scored 14 unanswered fourth-quarter points to rally past Texas A&M 31-20 on Saturday, celebrating its 105th homecoming game with a Southeastern Conference victory at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Trailing 20-17 entering the final quarter, Alabama (6-2, 4-2 SEC) seized control behind Russell's touchdown passes to tight ends Marshall Pritchett and Kaleb Edwards. The Crimson Tide's defense completed the comeback by holding Texas A&M (4-4, 1-4) to just 15 yards in the final 15 minutes.

All three Aggies possessions in the fourth quarter ended in three-and-outs as Alabama turned a three-point deficit into an 11-point victory before a sellout crowd at Saban Field.

Russell completed 19 of 30 passes with one interception, recording his third 300-yard passing performance of the season. Wide receiver Rico Scott delivered a career-high 156 yards on six receptions, while Alabama's defense forced three turnovers, including a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dijon Lee Jr.

The victory improved Alabama's all-time homecoming record to 90-14-1 and extended its winning streak against unranked opponents at Bryant-Denny Stadium to 92 games.

Alabama women's golf sits sixth at Landfall Tradition as freshman Alvilda Wiberg holds top-five spot

Wiberg remains tied for fifth at even-par 144 after 36 holes, while the Crimson Tide looks to gain ground in the final round in Wilmington, North Carolina.

WILMINGTON, N.C. | Freshman Alvilda Wiberg remained among the tournament leaders as Alabama women's golf finished the second round of the Landfall Tradition in sixth place Saturday at the Country Club of Landfall.

The Crimson Tide posted a 16-over-par 592 through 36 holes after following an opening-round 288 with a second-round 304. Wiberg continued to lead Alabama individually, holding a share of fifth place at even-par 144 heading into the final round.

Wiberg opened the tournament with a 3-under 69 before shooting a 3-over 75 in the second round. Her performance kept her among the top five players in the field despite Alabama losing ground in the team standings.

The freshman also distinguished herself on the course's par-3 holes, averaging 2.88 strokes and playing them at 1 under par, the second-best par-3 scoring average among tournament competitors.

Alabama's overall performance on the shorter holes remained a strength. The Crimson Tide averaged 3.25 strokes on par 3s, ranking third in the field at 10 over par.

While Wiberg provided consistency near the top of the individual leaderboard, teammate Amely Bochaton delivered Alabama's lowest second-round score.

Bochaton followed an opening 75 with a 1-over 73, moving into a tie for 25th place at 4-over 148. Her second-round performance helped limit Alabama's losses as the team struggled to match its opening-day scoring pace.

Manon Petitcolas entered the final round tied for 47th at 7-over 151 after rounds of 72 and 79.

No. 18 LSU overwhelms Auburn 38-17 as Sam Leavitt throws for 387 yards, three touchdowns

Leavitt accounts for four touchdowns, Jackson Harris adds 178 receiving yards and LSU's defense records seven sacks in a commanding SEC road victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

AUBURN, Ala. | Sam Leavitt threw for 387 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score as No. 18 LSU overwhelmed Auburn 38-17 on Saturday, using an explosive first half and relentless defensive pressure to secure a Southeastern Conference victory before a sellout crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Leavitt accounted for four touchdowns as LSU (6-2, 3-2 SEC) built a commanding 31-10 halftime lead. Receiver Jackson Harris caught nine passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70-yard scoring reception that helped break open the game late in the second quarter.

Auburn (4-3, 2-3) struggled to establish its running game against LSU's aggressive defensive front, which recorded seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss while limiting the Tigers to 67 rushing yards on 35 attempts.

"We didn't effectively move the ball offensively," Auburn coach Alex Golesh said, noting that seven of the team's 11 possessions lasted four plays or fewer. "That was not what you would want Auburn football to be by any means.

LSU established control early, forcing Auburn into a three-and-out on its opening possession before Scott Starzyk connected on a 30-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

Auburn responded with a 12-play, 69-yard drive that included two third-down conversions. Alex McPherson finished the possession with a 23-yard field goal to tie the game at 3.

The tie was short-lived.

No. 1 Auburn equestrian holds off No. 4 Texas A&M 11-9 as Ariana Marnell delivers decisive ride

Marnell's clutch Fences performance seals a top-five SEC showdown as the unbeaten Tigers improve to 3-0 and capture three Most Outstanding Performer honors.

AUBURN, Ala. | Junior Ariana Marnell delivered under pressure in the final ride, scoring an 84.5 in Fences to secure No. 1 Auburn's 11-9 victory over No. 4 Texas A&M in a tightly contested Southeastern Conference equestrian showdown at the Auburn University Equestrian Center.

With Auburn holding a narrow 10-9 advantage and the outcome resting on the final ride, Marnell outscored Texas A&M's Alida Treuting 84.5-78.5 to clinch the victory and preserve the Tigers' undefeated start.

Auburn improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in SEC competition, overcoming a strong challenge from the Aggies behind a dominant Western performance and several key contributions from its younger riders.

Auburn volleyball sweeps Ole Miss in dominant SEC victory behind Belle Patrick's 15 kills

Tigers hit an SEC season-best .361, commit just six attack errors and earn their first home sweep of the Rebels since 2011.

AUBURN, Ala. | Belle Patrick delivered 15 kills, and Auburn volleyball produced its most efficient offensive performance of Southeastern Conference play, sweeping Ole Miss 25-16, 25-16, 25-22 at Neville Arena to open a six-match homestand.

The Tigers (12-8, 2-6 SEC) hit .361, their highest percentage in conference competition this season, while committing a season-low six attack errors. Auburn also limited Ole Miss (8-11, 2-6) to a .097 hitting percentage, the lowest by an SEC opponent against the Tigers this season.

Patrick led Auburn with a .333 hitting percentage, seven digs and three blocks, helping the Tigers snap back into the win column with their first home sweep of Ole Miss since 2011.

The victory also marked Auburn's first consecutive-match sweeps of the Rebels since the Tigers swept their season series in 1998.

No. 1 South Carolina women's basketball dominates Benedict 113-34 in exhibition victory

Tessa Johnson and freshman Jerzy Robinson score 17 points apiece as the Gamecocks cruise past Benedict ahead of their season-opening showdown with No. 20 Maryland in Paris.

COLUMBIA, S.C. | Top-ranked South Carolina women's basketball overwhelmed Benedict 113-34 in an exhibition game Friday night at Colonial Life Arena, showcasing its depth and defensive intensity ahead of a challenging start to the 2026-27 season.

Senior Tessa Johnson and freshman Jerzy Robinson scored 17 points apiece, while junior Joyce Edwards added 15 as the Gamecocks placed three players in double figures and dominated the rebounding battle.

Robinson delivered an impressive all-around performance in her South Carolina exhibition debut, recording a double-double with 17 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. She also contributed five assists and two steals, providing an early glimpse of her potential impact on coach Dawn Staley's roster.

South Carolina established control defensively from the opening tip, limiting Benedict to four first-quarter points and forcing nine turnovers during the first 10 minutes.

The Gamecocks initially struggled to find their offensive rhythm, shooting 36% from the field in the opening period. Johnson helped stabilize the offense, scoring six points on two 3-pointers in three attempts.

South Carolina stuns No. 11 Tennessee 27-24 on Malik Orsan's last-second field goal

LaNorris Sellers accounts for three touchdowns as the Gamecocks rally late, forcing a crucial turnover before Orsan delivers a 48-yard winner at Williams-Brice Stadium.

COLUMBIA, S.C. | Malik Orsan kicked a 48-yard field goal as time expired, and LaNorris Sellers accounted for three touchdowns as South Carolina stunned No. 11 Tennessee 27-24 on Saturday night, giving the Gamecocks their second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent.

Sellers threw for one touchdown and rushed for two more, including a game-tying score with 1:17 remaining, before South Carolina's defense forced a decisive turnover in the final minute at Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) appeared headed for another disappointing finish after surrendering an early 14-point advantage. Instead, Sellers engineered a late comeback, and a strip sack by Dylan Stewart gave South Carolina one final opportunity.

Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre lost the football when Stewart brought him down with 33 seconds remaining. Defensive tackle Tomiwa Durojaiye recovered the fumble at the Tennessee 34-yard line, putting the Gamecocks within striking distance.

South Carolina worked the clock down to three seconds before Orsan connected from 48 yards, sending the home crowd pouring onto the field.

The victory marked South Carolina's second straight win over a ranked opponent following its upset of then-No. 16 Florida two weeks earlier in Gainesville.

Sellers finished 18 of 32 passing for 210 yards and added 96 rushing yards, repeatedly extending plays with his mobility and creating problems for Tennessee's defense.

The sophomore quarterback delivered his biggest plays with South Carolina facing a seven-point deficit late in the fourth quarter.

No. 6 Indiana defeats Michigan 13-6 in overtime, earns first Big House victory since 1967

Hoover overcomes injury to score winning touchdown as Hoosiers' defense dominates Michigan, keeping Indiana in the Big Ten championship race.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. | Injured quarterback Josh Hoover delivered when Indiana needed him most, scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run in overtime as the No. 6 Hoosiers defeated Michigan 13-6 on Saturday, securing their first victory at Michigan Stadium since 1967

Hoover, playing through injuries sustained in the previous week's loss to Ohio State, connected with tight end Brock Schott on a 21-yard completion before powering into the end zone for the decisive score. Indiana's defense then stopped Michigan's overtime possession to seal a historic Big Ten road victory before more than 111,000 fans.

The victory improved Indiana to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in Big Ten play, keeping the Hoosiers in contention for the conference championship. Michigan fell to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

"Even in the bleakest moments, we found a way," Indiana coach Curt Cignetti told radio broadcaster Don Fischer after the game.

Rep. Terri Sewell announces $250,000 in federal funding for Craig Field Airport in Selma

Federal investment targets airport improvements as Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority pursues aviation development, infrastructure modernization and new economic opportunities in Alabama's Black Belt.

SELMA, Ala. | Craig Field Airport in Selma is receiving $250,000 in federal community project funding for airport improvements, marking a new investment in aviation infrastructure and economic development in Alabama's Black Belt region.

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., presented the funding during a ceremony attended by airport officials and community representatives, highlighting continued federal support for infrastructure improvements in Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

The ceremonial check identifies the award as part of Community Project Funding for fiscal year 2026, with $250,000 designated for Craig Field Airport-Selma and specifically allocated for airport improvements.

The funding comes as the Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority works to strengthen its aviation operations, modernize infrastructure and expand the airport's role as an economic development asset for Dallas County and surrounding communities.