A fight over whether Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an's son got special treatment is dominating Taiwan's local election run-up, and it is turning into a mess for both parties.

• Chiang's eldest son won a spot on a Taipei exchange program with only 25 places, and the opposition says he got in through privilege.
• A post on Threads from a self-described classmate defended him, saying he earned his school place and his scout award on merit — then people accused the post of being a fake plant.
• Taipei council speaker Tai Hsi-chin said online talk is now so muddled that residents have to judge truth for themselves, and urged both sides to argue policy instead.
• Some DPP lawmakers worry the attacks have gone too far; Chiang says critics should come after him, not a minor.
• In New Taipei, the DPP's Su Chiao-hui opened her campaign HQ with both President Lai and former president Tsai on stage, drawing a claimed 20,000 people.

Outlook: With under 90 days to the 2026 vote, expect the privilege row to keep running while the DPP presses its momentum in New Taipei.