Former President Donald Trump is slated to appear in a New York courtroom on Monday as part of a civil fraud case against his family and businesses. As anticipation builds, concerns are growing that Trump and his legal team may resort to gaslighting tactics to discredit the charges brought against them.

Gaslighting, a psychological manipulation technique where one seeks to distort or deny facts, has been a recurrent strategy employed by Trump in the past. He has consistently argued that his properties are worth more than reported, asserting his brand adds "billions and billions" to his net worth.

In the opening statement of the trial, Trump's attorney, Christopher Kise, provided a defense that seemed to dismiss the general public's comprehension of the complexities surrounding the New York real estate industry. Kise insisted that any discrepancies in valuation merely reflect the "change in a complex, sophisticated real estate development corporation," suggesting that those outside the industry may lack the necessary understanding.

Meanwhile, a blockade by Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican lawmaker, is crumbling as an increasing number of his party colleagues publicly denounce his actions. Tuberville's obstruction has held up President Joe Biden's military nominees for months, prompting criticism from Republicans who point out the detrimental effects it has on national security. Senator Dan Sullivan expressed concern, stating, "Xi Jinping is loving this… How dumb can we be?" Senator Lindsey Graham echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the harm being done to the country's military.

Though a resolution to the impasse has not yet been reached, the growing Republican opposition to Tuberville's tactics suggests that his efforts to make a name for himself may soon be curtailed.

Abortion rights will be a key issue on Election Day in several states. Ohio is set to decide whether to enshrine abortion rights in its state constitution, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Democrats, who have reportedly outpaced anti-abortion opponents in fundraising, hope to maintain support for reproductive rights in a state that has trended firmly red.

Meanwhile, in Virginia, Republicans aim to capitalize on their recent victories by flipping control of the state Senate. If they succeed, it could pave the way for the passage of Governor Glenn Youngkin's proposed 15-week abortion ban, potentially impacting reproductive rights in the state.

In Pennsylvania, a pivotal state Supreme Court race is taking place, reigniting the debate around abortion rights. Although the election itself won't shift the balance of the court, the outcome could have significant future implications. Democrats currently hold a majority, but with three Democratic justices up for reelection in 2025, their control hangs in the balance. The endorsement of Judge Carolyn Carluccio, backed by anti-abortion groups, threatens to narrow the court's balance and serves as a reminder of the significance of reproductive rights in this race.

As these key elections approach, the spotlight remains on the fate of abortion rights and whether they can continue to energize and mobilize voters as they have done in previous election cycles. The outcome of these races will undoubtedly shape the future of reproductive rights in these respective states.