Insiders closely watching the high-stakes campaign would be shocked if Republicans pulled an upset and defeated the Democrats’ retaliatory response to red state gerrymandering.
They talk mostly about the expected size of victory, not whether it will win. The hedged consensus is that it’ll be by a modest margin, not a blowout.
Any size victory would help Newsom promote himself nationally as the Democrat whom party activists anxiously seek to aggressively fight Trumpism. It could energize grassroots progressives to back the Californian in early 2028 presidential primaries.
Propositions 50’s defeat, however, could be a devastating blow to Newsom’s presidential aspirations. If Californians wouldn’t follow him, why should other people?
Private and independent polls have shown Proposition 50 being supported by a small majority of registered voters. Not enough for an early victory dance. But the opposition is nowhere close to a majority. A lot of people have been undecided. They may not even bother to vote in a special election with only one state measure on the ballot.
As of last week, the return of mail-in ballots was running about the same as in last year’s presidential election at the same point — very unusual.
A slightly higher percentage of Democrats were casting ballots than GOP registrants. This is particularly significant in a state where 45% of voters are Democrats and only 25% are Republicans. The GOP needs a humungous turnout to beat Democrats on almost anything.
One practical importance of early Democratic voting is that the “yes” side doesn’t need to spend more money appealing to people who have already mailed in their ballots.
“It’s a bird in the hand kind of thing,” says Paul Mitchell, the Democrats’ chief data processor and principal drawer of the gerrymandered congressional maps up for approval in Proposition 50.
Mitchell believes the large recent weekend turnouts in California of “No Kings” protesters are indicative of the anti-Trump outrage that is generating Democratic enthusiasm for Proposition 50.
Republican consultant Rob Stutzman thinks that Proposition 50 could have been beaten with enough money. But not nearly enough showed up. Potential donors probably concluded it was a lost cause, he says. Don’t waste the cash.
It takes ridiculous amounts of money to win a competitive statewide race in California, with 23 million diverse voters scattered over hundreds of miles and several costly media markets.
Democrats, with their unmatched California power, have raised well over $100 million from unions, billionaire Democratic donors and other political investors.
Billionaire hedge-fund founder Tom Steyer put up $12 million. There are rumors he’s tempted to run for governor.
Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso is thinking very seriously about entering the 2026 gubernatorial race. He just paid for 100,000 pro-50 mail pieces in L.A. County, aimed at those least likely to vote.
One problem for the opposition is that it never unified behind a main anti-50 message. It ranged from “reject Newsom’s power grab” to “win one for Trump” and a purist lecture about retaining California’s current congressional districts drawn by a voter-created good government citizens’ commission.
The basic pro-50 message is simply, as Steyer says in his TV ad: “Stick it to Trump.”
This contest at its core is about which party controls Congress after next year’s midterm elections — or whether Republicans and Democrats at least share power. It’s about whether there’ll be a Congress with some gumption to confront a power-mad, egotistical president.
The fight started when Trump banged on Texas to redraw — gerrymander — its congressional districts to potentially gain five more Republican seats in the House of Representatives. Democrats need only a slight pickup to capture House control — and in an off-year election, the non-presidential party tends to acquire many.
Texas obediently obliged the nervous Trump, and other red states also have.
Newsom responded by urging the California Legislature to redraw this state’s maps to potentially gain five Democratic seats, neutralizing Texas’ underhanded move. The lawmakers quickly did. But in California, voter approval is needed to temporarily shelve the independent commission’s work. That’s what Proposition 50 does.
“He’s been trying to claim the national leadership on anti-Trump. This is a chance for him to show he can deliver,” says UC Berkeley political scientist Eric Schickler. “There’s a sense the party doesn’t know how to fight back.
“On the flip side, if he were unable to persuade California voters to go along with him, it would be a hard sell to show Democrats nationally he’s the best person to take on Republicans.”
“It’s a gamble,” says UC San Diego political science professor Thad Kousser. “If 50 wins, he’s a person who can effectively fight back against Donald Trump. If it loses, he has no hope of winning on the national level.”
But veteran political consultant Mike Murphy — a former Republican who switched to independent — thinks Newsom could survive voters’ rejection of Proposition 50.
“It would take some of the shine off him. But he’d still be a contender. It wouldn’t knock him out. The worst you could say was that he lost 50 but was fighting the good fight.
“If 50 wins, Gavin might have a good future as a riverboat gambler if he puts all the chips in.”
The Irish golf star had stood up for himself amid verbal abuse and other inappropriate behavior from some American fans during the Ryder Cup this weekend at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y.
After helping Team Europe fend off a massive U.S. rally for a 15-13 victory Sunday, McIlroy had plenty more to say about what he witnessed from fans during the three-day event.
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” McIlroy said during his team’s post-tournament press conference. “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than than what was was seen out there this week.
“Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people. And, you know, sometimes this week we didn’t see that.”
McIlroy went 3-1-1 during the event while enduring boisterous jeers and insults from members of the crowd who were doing their best to disrupt him while he lined up to swing or putt. At one point Saturday a cup of beer appeared to sail out of the crowd and hit the brim of a hat worn by McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, who was walking next to her husband.
The reigning Masters champion didn’t take such treatment quietly, clapping back at times with profanity or gestures of his own.
At one point during foursome play Saturday morning, McIlroy told some boisterous Americans to “shut the f— up.” He then proceeded to send his shot to within three feet of the hole, setting up Tommy Fleetwood‘s putt to clinch the European pair’s win.
Asked Sunday how satisfying that particular set of events was, McIlroy replied, “Very f— satisfying.”
On Monday morning, U.S. golf legend Tom Watson congratulated the European team on their win in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The four-time Ryder Cup player and two-time captain also wrote: “More importantly, I’d like to apologize for the rude and mean-spirited behavior from our American crowd at Bethpage. As a former player, Captain and as an American, I am ashamed of what happened.”
In general, McIlroy said, “we shut them up by our performance and how we played. You know, I chirped back a few times because it got to me a few times. [But] we tried to handle everything that came our way with class and poise and for the most part I felt like we did that.”
The amount of security and police present at the tournament was increased as the weekend went on, a step McIlroy didn’t think was necessary.
“The police out there and the amount of the security presence was insane,” McIlroy said. “It’s not like — nothing was going to happen. There wasn’t really going to be any sort of physical altercation or anything like that. … There was a lot of language that was unacceptable and abusive behavior, but look, it’s a minority of the crowd. It’s not the majority. The majority of people here are true golf fans and are respectful and [hope] that both teams have the same chance to hit the shots and play a fair contest.”
McIlroy added that he hopes those respectful fans are the ones who show up at the next Ryder Cup, which will be held in his homeland.
“We will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable.”
That said, McIlroy and his European teammates did appear to take part in a little playful taunting of their own after their win Sunday. President Trump posted a video on Truth Social that showed the group hoisting their trophy and singing, “Are you watching, Donald Trump?”
Trump, who attended the Ryder Cup on Friday, wrote in response: “Yes, I’m watching. Congratulations!”
LADY GAGA dominated the MTV VMAs – winning four gongs out of 12 nominations and performing her new single The Dead Dance on stage for the first time.
She is now the third most awarded artist in the ceremony’s history with 22 gongs — one more than Madonna.
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Lady Gaga won four gongs out of 12 nominationsCredit: Getty
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She performed her new single The Dead Dance on stage for the first timeCredit: Getty
Gaga is now just behind Beyonce and Taylor Swift who are tied on 30 awards each.
Despite putting on the best performance of the night, Bizarre can reveal the superstar wasn’t actually inside the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, when she appeared on stage.
In fact Gaga secretly recorded her performance across town at Madison Square Garden, where she was performing on her Mayhem Ball tour, and shot it four times to make sure they had the perfect take.
Gaga pushed back her performance there by 90 minutes in order to walk the red carpet at the VMAs before racing back across town to get on stage.
A source said: “Gaga was adamant she wanted to be involved in the VMAs but obviously cancelling her show at MSG was never an option.
She and her team worked with MTV for weeks in order to get in two places at once.
“As soon as she won Artist of the Year she raced backstage for pictures and then drove to MSG. It was full on but if anyone could pull it off it’s Gaga.
“During her show she performed with some of her Moonmen — she’s so proud to be still winging awards.
“It was a really special moment, especially as her mum and dad were in the crowd.”
As she picked up the Artist of the Year gong, Gaga gave a shout-out to her fiance Michael Polansky and said: “To my partner in all things, Michael.
Yungblud’s subtle message to mentor Ozzy Osbourne during VMAs tribute performance for late rock icon
“Creating this year with you was a beautiful, beautiful dream, and you have been my partner every step of the way.
“I dedicate this to you too, my love. I wish I could stay and watch all these amazing performances, but I have to go back to Madison Square Garden.”
Feeling reflective the superstar went on to admit she wants to be performing until 2045 and feels like New York has shaped her into the artist she is today.
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Bizarre’s Jack Hardwick was at the VMAsCredit: Supplied
Gaga said: “I hope in 20 years when I have written lots more albums that I will still be back here. I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel that this is where I grew up because it made me so much of who I am.
“I think about what [my music] would have sounded like if I hadn’t grown up here.
“I feel like when you are from New York it kind of grows roots in your veins. You have this understanding of life and community, it’s very strong. It’s a feeling. I can’t quite describe it as it’s a feeling.”
Now Gaga is on a roll, the wheels are in motion for her to come to the UK for four headline shows at London’s O2 Arena.
The gigs, along with two more in Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, sold out in seconds.
And if her performance in New York was anything to go by, us British fans are in for a treat.
IT’S RAINING MEN FOR SABRINA
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Sabrina Carpenter stunned fans with a rain-soaked rendition of her new single TearsCredit: Getty
SABRINA CARPENTER wowed fans with a seriously sexy and rain-soaked rendition of her new single Tears.
And there was something for everyone, as she was surrounded by a troupe of very attractive male dancers dressed as policemen as well as drag queens.
During the evening, Sabrina won three MTV VMAs and used her performance to call for the advancement of trans rights.
Speaking on stage, the Manchild singer said: “This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity.
“So to get to be part of something that can make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is your f***ing oyster, I’m so grateful to do that.”
NIGHT’S YUNG FOR AEROSMITH
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Yungblud was joined by Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe PerryCredit: Getty
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He led a special tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne after his death in JulyCredit: Instagram
HOMEGROWN star Yungblud led a special tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne after his death in July.
The punk rocker was joined by Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry for a medley of the Black Sabbath singer’s hit singles Crazy Train, Changes and Mama, I’m Coming Home.
Speaking on the carpet, Yungblud revealed he was wearing Ozzy’s cross necklace (which Ozzy had given him, inset above) as a mark of respect.
He added: “It’s a big moment to honour someone you love.
“I’m wearing his cross tonight. I love him and always have. I hope he’s up there with a drink watching tonight.”
Teasing his future plans, Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Harrison, added: “There is a new project coming in two weeks… I’ve not said that yet.”
As the cameras cut away from the singer, to Steven Tyler’s impressive guitar solo, Bizarre watched as Yungblud turned his back on the audience and sipped an alcoholic drink, looking up to the emotional montage of the late rock legend.
Over the past few years Yungblud had grown close to Ozzy and his family. He was one of the star acts at Black Sabbath’s homecoming gig in Birmingham earlier this summer.
Yungblud revealed to Bizarre that he learned of Ozzy’s passing via a text from the heavy metal legend’s son Jack Osbourne. The singer said: “You get to know someone personally, who you love and then they leave.
“I was texting him, then his son Jack texted me and said, ‘He’s gone’.
“Being around the family and being at the funeral, the amount of love there. That family are real as f***.
“The dream is to have kids and a family like that. There’s no gimmicks. It’s authentic.”
VMA SPOT
BUSTA RHYMES gave fans a nostalgic trip down memory lane by performing eight of his biggest hits after collecting the inaugural Rock The Bells Visionary Award.
The rapper belted out a medley of his best-loved songs including Break Ya Neck, Gimme Some More and Stop the Party – which got some of the night’s biggest cheers.
TATE’S IN TRAINING TO WED
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Tate McRae gave a red-hot performance of Revolving Door and Sports Car in this two-pieceCredit: Getty
TATE McRAE appeared to be using the VMAs as a dry run for her own wedding.
The singer wore a sheer white dress with a statement train that was so long she needed two members of staff to carry it like bridesmaids.
Tate is thought to be single at the moment, but after watching her red-hot performance of Revolving Door and Sports Car in this two-piece we imagine she won’t be short of offers.
ARI: MIC’S TUTU TALL
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Ariana Grande joked that the height of the mic got taller each time she took to the stageCredit: Getty
ARIANA GRANDE may be small but she took home some of the biggest gongs of the night.
She picked up the award for Best Pop and Video of the Year for her Brighter Days Ahead.
Despite not being a performer, Ari was given her own dressing room backstage to cater for her three wardrobe changes.
The superstar arrived in a fitted polka dot number and ended things in a white ballerina tutu.
During her time on stage, Ari seemed overcome with emotion at her wins, before joking that the height of the mic got taller each time she took to the stage.
VMA SPOT
BIZARRE’S Jack got the A-List treatment before the main event after Virgin Atlantic invited him for champers at their Clubhouse Lounge at Heathrow before he set off to New York.
Not all of the stars flying out for the bash fancied a tipple, as Gogglebox’s Joe Baggs put Jack to shame by swerving the bubbles for a green juice.
MARIAH’S MEDLEY
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Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande were all smiles at the eventCredit: Getty
MARIAH CAREY returned to the VMAs stage for the first time in two decades to pick up the Video Vanguard Award and to perform a medley of her hits.
And, naturally, the notorious diva made sure the luxuries were laid on before she even stepped foot in the Big Apple.
Insiders said Mariah flew in via private jet, which had been decked out with white roses and cashmere blankets.
After laying low for a couple days at her sprawling £16million penthouse in Tribeca, Mariah and her glam squad then spent most of Sunday getting her red carpet-ready.
MTV bosses were on alert for the infamous diva to be hard work, but I’m told everything went smoothly . . . even if she did keep a wide berth from almost every other star.
Mimi opted to swerve both the red carpet and on stage VIP seats, instead zipping in and out via the backdoor.
She was handed her gong by Ariana Grande. Mariah told Ari: “I love you. I’m so grateful for you and I’m beyond proud of everything you’ve achieved, girl.”
It marked the first time the We Belong Together singer has ever won a coveted Moonman.
RICKY WINS LATIN ICON
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Ricky Martin gave a hip-thrusting medley of his biggest hitsCredit: Getty
RICKY MARTIN proved he’s still got it with a hip-thrusting medley of his biggest hits.
The Latin pop king belted out Livin’ La Vida Loca, Shake Your Bon Bon, Maria, The Cup Of Life along with two Spanish tracks.
Ricky, who also picked up the first ever Latin Icon award, was hoisted high above the crowd to kick off his medley before an outfit change mid performance.
A beaming Ricky told fans: “I’m addicted to your applause that’s why I keep coming back.”
Later this year he will tour Australia with support from Rita Ora. It’s been a long time since he played the UK so hopefully dates over here are not far off.
Former TOWIE star Pete Wicks dazzled on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor last year. It’s thought one of his famous pals is set to follow in his footsteps and take part in the 2025 series
A friend of 2024 Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks is reportedly ready to follow in their pal’s footsteps (Image: BBC)
Reality TV star Vicky Pattison is reportedly ready to add Strictly Come Dancing to her lengthy TV CV. The former Geordie Shore star, who has pivoted into making documentaries over recent years, is apparently set to get her dancing shoes on ready for the BBC show’s new series.
Vicky, who was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2025, was on hand to support pal Pete Wicks during his time on the dancefloor last year. The former Geordie Shore’s appearances in the audience didn’t go unnoticed by BBC bosses, who liked what they saw.
“She has great energy and will no doubt be a hit with the viewers,” an insider of said of Vicky, who is reportedly ready to step out of her comfort zone and learn a new skill.
Vicky Pattison and Pete Wicks have a close bind
A source close to the 37-year-old said: “She’s had a continuing rise in popularity and her TV work is going from strength to strength after presenting a serious Channel Four documentary and appearing on Celebrity Gogglebox.”
Speaking to The Sun, they added: “It’s a no-brainer they want to sign her up” The Mirror has approached the BBC and representatives for Vicky for comment on this story.
Pete isn’t the only former Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky is pals with. In May, it was announced that Vicky would launch podcast inspired by ‘female comradery; with Angela Scanlon, who finished in sixth place during the 2023 series.
Vicky and Angela will discuss topics including motherhood and internet drama as the hosts of a new podcast titled Get A Grip. The catalyst for the podcast was “female comradery in the face of the ridiculous”, according to Virgin Radio UK host Angela.
“Being told to ‘get a grip’ is not a new notion for most women, and is something I’ve experienced a couple of times (a week!), as has Vicky,” the 41-year-old said.
“Female comradery in the face of the ridiculous was the catalyst for our new podcast. We wanted to create a fun and empowering space where we can unpick the good, the bad and the bizarre happenings in the world each week as we move through our own lives loudly, unashamedly and maybe a little unhinged.
“We’re taking the group chat into the pod world and we can’t wait for you to come with us!” Vicky added: “For those who know me by now I am never one to shy away from expressing myself whether people want to hear it or not!
“So I’m thrilled that I get to do that alongside my partner in crime as we do our best to keep things real and put the world to rights with lots of laughter along the way. I have no doubt we will be bringing a lot of you along with us too.”
Speaking about Pete’s Strictly stint last year, Vicky said: “Like when I found out Pete was doing it, the first thing I did was ring him and see if he was OK.
“Because me and him are more like stand in the corner, drink and have a laugh than you know, centre of the dance floor people. And he was saying he was really nervous, and I think that’s how I’ll be.”
The Ibiza resident posted a video of unruly passengers aboard an easyJet flight from Luton to the Spanish island which ended with police meeting the plane on the runway
16:46, 19 May 2025Updated 17:15, 19 May 2025
Loud English tourists branded ‘animals’ on Ibiza easyJet flight
A woman has laid into English tourists after she was stuck on a flight to Ibiza with unruly passengers.
Posting online, the Ibiza resident shared footage of the boisterous Brits online, insisting that they shouldn’t have been allowed on the easyJet plane in the first place.
In a no-holds-barred message alongside a video of the packed plane where passengers could be seen banging on luggage compartments above them and yelling ‘Come on Ibiza’, the Spanish speaker said: “My flight from London to Ibiza was absolutely horrible. I was scared.”
She added that people were “standing, screaming, guys hitting each other, drinking bottles of alcohol one after the other and stopping the flight attendants from doing their job. Real hell. This video is just the end because I couldn’t film what happened during the journey.
“It was a really wild 2.5 hour flight. This shouldn’t be allowed.” Erika said that those who had drunk too much alcohol should not be allowed on flights.
“We don’t want this type of tourism in Ibiza, they should stay at home. I had a very bad time and the flight attendants unable to do anything,” she added.
The woman added in comments to a local Ibizan newspaper that she had complained to the flight attendants: “I’m not afraid of flying because I’ve flown around the world but I had a panic attack because it was like being in a pub, in a nightclub, but in the air,” she continued.
She claimed the two male air stewards and an air stewardess on board had asked some passengers for their documentation, but were met with shouts of ‘f** off.’
A spokesperson for easyJet said: “We can confirm that flight EZY2307 from Luton to Ibiza on 16 May was met by police on arrival due to a group of passengers behaving in a disruptive manner. The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJet’s priority. Whilst such incidents are rare we take them very seriously and do not tolerate disruptive behaviour onboard.”
The footage was posted on Saturday, a day before thousands of people marched in the Canary Islands’ cities as part of a new anti-mass tourism protest. Locals in the Balearic Islands, which include Ibiza, are due to stage their protest on June 15.
Over the weekend, fed-up locals made their frustrations clear in the Canary Islands as peak tourism season nears, with an estimated 7,000 people marching through the streets and promenades in Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife, alone. The massive protests have been echoed on each of the territory’s six other islands, including Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, with organisers saying the sun-kissed Spanish islands, which are extremely popular, especially with British tourists, “have a limit”.
There have been long-running tensions in holiday destinations across Spain due to the pressure large numbers of tourists put on local resources and property prices.
