The Faulkner Focus

Rep. Byron Donalds is calling out Democrats and the media over what he sees as a double standard toward Black conservatives. Donalds says that if he and Michigan gubernatorial candidate John James were running as Democrats, their campaigns would be receiving widespread national attention as they seek to become the first Black governors of their states. Instead, he argues, their conservative views are overshadowing the historic significance of their campaigns. Donalds also says Democrats take Black voters for granted, urging voters to look beyond party loyalty when deciding which policies will improve their lives.

"They only want you to stand on being Black if you're going to be a Democrat." Rep. Byron Donalds calls out the media for ignoring the historic possibilities of Florida and Michigan having their first Black governors just because both candidates are Republicans. @ByronDonalds agreeing with the sentiment shared by @NICKIMINAJ , saying if he and Rep. John James were Democrats then their campaigns would be celebrated by the media. “If myself or John were running as Democrats... every news outlet in the country would talk about how historic it is,” Donalds told @HARRISFAULKNER Reacting to Minaj’s post, Donalds says Black voters should pay attention to how conservative candidates are treated, arguing their historic campaigns would be celebrated if they were on the other side. @FaulknerFocus

"David Jolly is a fraud." With just eight days until Florida voters head to the polls, Rep. Byron Donalds takes direct aim at his Democratic opponent for governor. Speaking with @HARRISFAULKNER, Donalds criticizes Jolly's past party affiliations and his policies that would impact millions of Floridians. Donalds says his own priorities include lowering insurance costs and property taxes while building on Gov. Ron DeSantis' policies. "Now it's about preparing and protecting that Florida dream here, for the future of our state while also driving down costs and insurance and property taxes and making sure people can afford Florida into the future." @FaulknerFocus

BREAKING: A judge rules Alex Murdaugh's defense team can independently test DNA evidence ahead of his retrial in the murders of his wife and son. Murdaugh was convicted in 2023 of killing his wife and son, but the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned those convictions after finding jury tampering by a former court clerk. His retrial is set for next April. @HARRISFAULKNER @FaulknerFocus

"It's not a miracle... it's called heroism." Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett praises the passengers who he says rushed into the cockpit of the Flydubai flight, overpowered the alleged attacker, and helped prevent a potential catastrophe. Bennett says a second crew aboard the flight then took control and safely landed the plane in Saudi Arabia, where authorities allowed the emergency landing. Bennett says they have the Saudi authorities to thank for allowing the plane to land. Now, the news everyone aboard has been waiting for: Bennett says the passengers are safely home in Israel. | @HARRISFAULKNER @FaulknerFocus

Former Vice President Mike Pence says remembering 9/11 isn't only about honoring the lives lost and the heroes who answered the call. He says America also has to remember the lesson that followed. Pence tells @HARRISFAULKNER the attacks changed how the country confronted terrorist threats, shifting from simply defending against them to taking the fight directly to the enemy. “We would no longer simply work to defend ourselves against the radical Islamic terrorists that sought to do us harm and harm our allies, but we took the fight directly to them." | @FaulknerFocus