Press

Democratic strategist and ROKK Partner Kristen Hawn joined Bloomberg’s Balance of Power to discuss the importance of respectful dialogue in politics. She also provided her thoughts on the impending government shutdown and how that looms over both parties.

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah Valley University event on Wednesday, with many political figures sending their regards to his family and a discussion sparking around the right to free speech. Republican strategist and ROKK Partner Ron Bonjean joined BBC World News to share his thoughts and discuss Kirk’s career and influence.

After the August recess, Trump and Congress have a full agenda for September. Trump gave the leaders of Russia and Ukraine a deadline for early this month to reach a peace deal or face possible U.S. retaliation. Back home, Congress has an end-of-month deadline to negotiate a spending deal to avoid a government shutdown. 

Republican strategist and ROKK Partner Ron Bonjean spoke with The Wall Street Journal about what September will bring for Trump and Congress

Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, was in this week’s headlines due to President Trump firing her, but strategists on both sides of the aisle believe that Cook is owed due process before being terminated. Trump also continued comments on Cracker Barrel reverting to their previous logo. Democratic strategist and Partner Kristen Hawn joined Bloomberg’s Balance of Power to give her insights on these headlines and more.

President Trump weighed in on the new Cracker Barrel logo, another example of the government’s evolving relationship with corporate America during his presidency. Additionally, Trump announced he wants to send the National Guard to Chicago, following their most recent assignment to Washington D.C. Democratic strategist and Partner Kristen Hawn shared her thoughts on this and more on Bloomberg’s Balance of Power.

President Trump met with Putin in Alaska last week where they discussed the current situation in Ukraine. Following that meeting, Trump also met with Zelensky and other leaders from Europe on Monday to discuss the same, with Zelensky committing to buying 90 billion dollars worth of arms from the U.S.

Republican strategist and ROKK Co-Founder Ron Bonjean shared how Republicans are reacting and what the future holds for Russia, Ukraine and U.S. involvement on BBC News. 

Watch the full panel discussion below.

After President Trump’s latest round of tariffs, the cost of living in America is projected to rise. For Trump, who campaigned on bringing down the cost of groceries in 2024, this may continue to negatively affect his approval ratings. 

With the 2026 midterm elections quickly approaching, Republicans will need to be careful that inflation and costs don’t become an anchor on candidates next year. 

Republican strategist and ROKK Co-Founder, Ron Bonjean, spoke with The Hill about how the tariffs could impact both Republican and Democratic messaging going into the midterms.

Ron Bonjean, ROKK Partner and Republican strategist, joined BBC World News’ ‘The Context’ to share his insights on the recent headlines worldwide and in the United States.

President Trump set a Friday deadline for Russia and Ukraine to reach a peace deal. If they cannot reach an agreement, Trump has threatened heavy sanctions on Russia as well as secondary sanctions on countries such as India that trade with Russia. Ron shared his thoughts, saying that Trump’s previous approach wasn’t working to get Putin to the table and because of that, he has pivoted to a harsher stance Russia to get closer to a peace deal. Will the threat of sanction be enough of an influence? Only time will tell, however, many other countries have attempted to fall in line following their own harsh sanctions which could be an indicator of how this may play out.

The conversation switched to the situation in Gaza and Israel, with top leaders recently writing an open letter to President Netanyahu, urging him to cut back on the military campaign. Instead, reports say that Netanyahu has decided to widen the military operation in Gaza which conflicts with Trump’s proposed aid to those suffering in Gaza. Ron discussed the tough duality to navigate between ensuring Hamas does not grow in power while making sure humanitarian efforts are effective, which many Americans support.

Lastly the panelists shared their thoughts on the redistricting fight in Texas where Texas Democrats have left the state to slow down efforts to give Republicans more districts, heading into the 2026 midterms. Ron believes this battle over redistricting ultimately widening the divide between Republicans and Democrats and it will not help Americans in an already split political environment.

Watch the full panel discussion below.

Senate Democrats received a massive boost as former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) announced he will be entering the race for Senate, delivering the party its biggest recruiting victory of the cycle. 

Speculation surrounding a possible Cooper bid hit a fever pitch in recent weeks after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced that he would not be running for reelection.

ROKK Senior Vice President John LaBombard spoke with The Hill about what Cooper’s recruitment means for Democrats and the possibility of flipping the Senate.