Steve Contorno
@scontorno
Senior reporter for @CNN. Signal: 8134383481.
Comedians & other “manosphere” influencers who helped Trump reach young men last fall have lately expressed discontent over his return to Washington. Are their fans shifting too? I went to comedian Theo Von’s stand-up show in Detroit to hear from them. cnn.com/2025/07/16/pol…
As the White House grants new access to right-wing media, one prominent figure has been left out: @LauraLoomer. Her influence is undeniable, as seen by Trump’s recent national security shake up. But she says his advisers are afraid of what she’ll ask. cnn.com/2025/05/03/pol…
Ron & Casey DeSantis once ruled Florida unrestrained. But a funding scandal involving the First Lady’s signature initiative has left the couple increasingly isolated and their political futures murky as they plot a succession plan. cnn.com/2025/04/27/pol…
Packed room for Sen. Chuck Grassley’s town hall in Fort Madison, Iowa. Some overflow standing outside the open doors. One person asked his staff why they didn’t pick a larger venue. She said Grassley has been holding town halls in rooms like this for more than 40 years.
At a moment Dems are trying to confront Trump and win back some of his voters, I sat down with three retiring Dems on why they are leaving, how the Senate is changing and what Dems need to do to win. w/@jeremyherb and producer @morgan_rimmer cnn.com/2025/04/09/pol…
Loomer confirms her meeting with Trump, but tells me "Out of respect for President Trump ... I’m going to decline on divulging any details" She adds it was an honor to present Trump with her "findings" and that she "will continue reiterating the importance of strong vetting”
New: The WH fired at least three NSC staffers on Wednesday, three sources familiar w/ the move tell CNN One of the sources said the firings were a direct result of Trump's Oval Office meeting w/ Laura Loomer Brian Walsh, Thomas Boodry & David Feith were among those fired
"At some point I felt bad for the candidate because his voice got smothered." As Elon Musk confronts the limitations of political influence, Republicans are left wondering if an alliance with the world's wealthiest man helps or hurts. cnn.com/2025/04/02/pol…
I think of historic mansions you see in much of the Midwest and Eastern US, whole neighborhoods of giant homes built in the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Cities like Detroit and Cleveland.
In September, Trump posted on Truth Social a pledge to support pro-marijuana policies if elected. Now, a Super PAC backed by the weed industry is running ads around the White House and Mar-a-Lago carrying reminders of the president's promise. edition.cnn.com/2025/04/01/pol…
New: from lawyers, academia, media, Congress, arts & culture—our deep dive into how Trump is using his power against potential sources of opposition and how they are struggling to respond W/@jeremyherb @fschouten @scontorno cnn.com/2025/03/30/pol…
Two months ago, Trump and Speaker Johnson regularly made light of the president pulling from the House majority to fill top jobs. As the GOP sweats a pair of special elections in deeply red Florida districts, though, jokes have now given way to unease. cnn.com/2025/03/30/pol…
News: Top Rs were so anxious about FL-06 that Trump’s own team and House GOP leaders personally intervened A top Trump adviser warned Fine to get his house in order. Hudson and Emmer each told Fine to “get his sh*t together” sources tell me & @scontorno cnn.com/2025/03/27/pol…