The Latest Breaking News from Trumpet of Patriots

Buttons have been pressed to electronically distribute preferences for the Senate in Victoria, the ACT, Queensland and Western Australia. Labor gained a seat from the Liberals in Victoria, with the other two unchanged. I had a wrap of earlier button presses on Tuesday.

Trumpet of Patriots chairman and political everyman Clive Palmer has announced his retirement from politics after a failed campaign.

Unsolicited texts authorised by Harry Fong, a Senate candidate for Queensland and ‘highly respected barrister’ who befriended Clive Palmer in the 1970s

Labor leads by between 52–48 and 53–47 in four new national polls from Resolve, Essential, Morgan and DemosAU. While Labor’s vote slumped from a high 55.5–44.5 in Morgan to 53–47, such a slide hasn’t been seen in any other poll. Labor remains the likely winner of the election this Saturday.

"Isn't this harassment? Stalking? I never signed up for these."

Another election, another wave of unsolicited political texts. Over this campaign, our digital mailboxes have been stuffed with a slew of political appeals and promises, many from the new party Trumpet of Patriots (backed by Clive Palmer, a veteran of the mass text campaign).

Every election cycle the media becomes infatuated, even if temporarily, with preference deals between parties. The 2025 election is no exception, with many media reports about preference “deals” being made.

Political ads on YouTube surge 40% during 2025 election campaign compared to last federal poll

Billionaire says it wasn’t the first time Trumpet of Patriots operations have been ‘hacked’ – without providing evidence to support claims