From RaTmasTer to kingmaker: How Jonathan Stickland trolled his way to Texas GOP power
In his teens and his 20s, Stickland was a prolific internet troll. But instead of growing out of it, he would make a career of it โ ascending to the role of a conservative Texas powerbroker, before taking heat for hosting a meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
Two Empower Texans staff members reprimanded after recording reveals them joking about Gov. Greg Abbott's wheelchair use
The staff members from Empower Texans criticized Abbott for allowing local officials to impose more strict mask orders. Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via REUTERSTwo staffers for the hardline conservative group Empower Texans have been caught on an audio recording disparaging Gov. Dan Patrick denounced them and Empower Texans said the staffers were "suspended from all public activities with the organization immediately." Patrick also condemned the remarks, tweeting: "The hateful [Empower Texans] attack mocking Governor Abbott is outrageous, vulgar and completely unacceptable. [McDonald] and [Cheshire] are persona non grata in my book and anyone [at Empower Texans] who does not condemn this behavior."