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Friday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 07:10:33 AM EST
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In other news this week:

DOJ fired prosecutor Maureen Comey. Anyone know why? Was it because of her father, because of something she did in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, or something she did in the Sean Combs trial?

Donald Trump has been diagnosed with venous insufficiency.

Ten reasons Emil Bove should not be a federal judge. But let's not blame his actions as a defense lawyer, which he was for all of five minutes. There's enough in his actions while a federal prosecutor to shut him out.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Donald Trump Under Pressure Over Epstein Files

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    Why don't they just ask (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 06:22:24 PM EST
    Ghislaine Maxwell?

    The conventional wisdom (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 06:32:04 PM EST
    says she won't talk because she expects a pardon from Trump at the end of Trump II.

    And lots of the stuff the DOJ asked for today will not be available because she is still in court. Obviously why they were requested.

    If Trump suddenly had some kind of health problem she might rethink that.
    Consider other deals.

    Parent

    What is meant by "the Epstein files"? (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Peter G on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 12:21:09 PM EST
    I can think of three buckets: (1) Files and records (including video and/or audio recordings) that JE himself made and kept, and which were seized by the FBI during the search incident to his arrest. (2) Files and records created by the FBI during the investigation of the case and by the U.S. Attorney's Office during their preparation for prosecuting it. (3) Materials presented to the grand jury for obtaining the indictments of JE and G. Maxwell. Nothing prevents government disclosure of categories 1 & 2 other than federal privacy laws designed to protect crime victims and individuals incidentally named in those files but not charged with any crime (which is actually a lot of what people want to see). Category 3 (which is what was pretend-requested to be disclosed today) cannot be disclosed without court order, and as far as I can tell the pertinent court rule does not authorize that disclosure (see Rule 6(e)(2)(E)).

    Parent
    Thanks for that. (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 12:49:24 PM EST
    It explains a lot and why nothing has been released. And I'm guessing if it was released it would be so redacted as nobody would learn much from it.

    Parent
    Dan Goldman (none / 0) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 01:56:43 PM EST
    Want to know about the redactions of Trump's name---

    To be clear, there is no proper basis to redact the name, identify, or likeness of President Trump.

    If you have been directed to redact instances of President Trump's name or likeness that are included in the Epstein Files, then your oath of office and your commitment to transparency requires you to inform the American people of that directive. As part of Congress' oversight authority provided by the Constitution of the United States, I request that you respond, in writing, to the following questions no later than June 2, 2025:

    Are you or the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in possession of all of the Epstein Files in the FBI's custody and control?

    Have the necessary redactions of victims' identities and likenesses been completed? If not, why not?  

    Has the name, identity or likeness of President Donald Trump been redacted? If so, why?  

    Have you, OAG, or any other member of the DOJ been contacted by President Trump, anyone working in the White House, or another agent of President Trump's about the Epstein Files?  

    If so, did they request that you or your staff prevent the release of the Epstein Files?

    Did they request that you redact the name, identity or likeness of President Trump from the Epstein Files prepared to be released publicly pursuant to your previous promise?  

    If not, why haven't you released the Epstein Files as you promised to do in February?  

    If you do still intend to release the Epstein Files, please provide a detailed timeline of your plan to do so.

    Parent

    AI says (none / 0) (#12)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 06:50:39 PM EST
    Reports have surfaced indicating that Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring, has expressed a willingness to testify before Congress regarding the case. These reports stem from an anonymous source close to Maxwell, as published in the Daily Mail on July 13, 2025. The source claims Maxwell was never offered a plea deal and would be "more than happy to sit before Congress and tell her story," according to NewsNation.


    Parent
    Hmmm (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 07:39:58 PM EST
    But maybe.  

    "Some people" think Epstein was killed to keep this stuff from coming out in a trial.

    If I was her that would weigh in any decision.

    They are talking about having her testify. If this keeps spiraling it could happen.  

    If this ends Shitler it would be both poetic and operatic. I would pay to see that opera.

    Parent

    Putting Ghislaine Maxwell before Congress ... (none / 0) (#105)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 12:10:28 AM EST
    ... would be a Godsend to Democrats, particularly if Republicans treat her as some people on the right have increasingly come to characterize her - that is, a victim.

    I hope we can all please understand and agree on one thing here, which is that Maxwell is no victim. Like her quasi-paramour Jeffrey Epstein, she is a pedophile. (She also committed perjury.) She was convicted of ten felony counts involving child sex trafficking and related offenses following a fair trial by a jury of her peers and sentenced to a 20-year prison term, which she's presently serving.

    There are a lot of victims of Epstein and Maxwell who've expressed willingness to testify about what happened to them, such as Maria Farmer. Will Republicans allow them to tell their stories, especially since they've been retraumatized by the resurrection of this gross, tawdry and ultimately tragic tale?

    That meeting today between Dep. AG Todd Blanche and Maxwell and her attorney at the Tallahassee federal courthouse - only a few days after DOJ fired Maurene Comey, the federal prosecutor who secured Maxwell's conviction and put her away - looks less like a deposition and more like negotiations for a cooperative defense agreement. DOJ is acting as Trump's personal law firm, rather than in the public's best interest.

    Republicans are not protecting the survivors. They are circling the wagons to shield their abusers. If Democrats can't hammer and beat them on that point, they might just as well pack their bags and retire to Palm Springs.

    (Sigh!) Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.

    Parent

    Michael Cohen (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jul 21, 2025 at 09:34:53 AM EST
    was on a podcast saying there was no way Trump was involved in sex trafficking with Epstein because he is a germaphone. I'm left thinking didn't you testify about Trump having sex with a p*rn star and paying her off? Sheesh the world is just nuts these days.

    RIP Ozzy Osbourne. (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at 02:54:27 PM EST
    A rock and roll legend. I was a Black Sabbath fan way back when I was 13 years old. Masters of Reality was my first album.
    Love (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at 05:37:44 PM EST
    the knees

    Parent
    He Gets Us... (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by desertswine on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 12:05:00 PM EST
    All of us.

    South Park PSA.

    nsfw

    Yep (none / 0) (#97)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 02:40:00 PM EST
    they got him dead to rights.

    Parent
    Trump get the first episode to f the new season. (none / 0) (#98)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 02:53:11 PM EST
    Which is on Paramount😀

    `South Park's most furious episode ever': the jaw-dropping Satanic takedown of Donald Trump
    They've depicted the president's privates. They've shown him in flagrante with the devil. The makers of the foul-mouthed US cartoon have certainly thrown down the gauntlet



    Parent

    Trump is said to be freaking (none / 0) (#102)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 04:19:37 PM EST
    But so far he is doing it privately.  

    I'm really really looking forward to his response.

    Parent

    I just watched it. (none / 0) (#103)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 06:40:09 PM EST
    Absolutely fabulous. This is the stuff I want to see more of. More please.

    Ridicule them. Demean them. Every dam day.

    Parent

    It really is something (none / 0) (#104)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 06:51:33 PM EST
    It leaves no button unpushed.  

    I so hope Trump sues them.  I think they do too.
    That would be a hell of a trial.

    Parent

    Powell isn't taking the BS (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 03:32:17 PM EST
    and he makes Cheeto look like an idiot.

    this is wonderful.  It starts about 50 seconds in.

    Laura Loomer and others (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 08:36:28 AM EST
    have been calling for her to be fired for a while.

    "Why is Comeys daughter still in the DOJ"

    I think he fired her to throw them a bone and try to change the subject.

    It really (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 10:25:41 AM EST
    looks bad in light of who she was trying to put or did put in prison. And the timing couldn't be worse.

    Parent
    If anyone (none / 0) (#3)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 10:26:51 AM EST
    can read that letter Trump wrote to Epstein and not think they were doing some creepy and illegal stuff together that would be something.

    That letter to me is basically an admission of guilt.

    Honestly, I'm just here for the popcorn. (none / 0) (#4)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 04:43:13 PM EST
    Whether or not I believe that Trump and his regime are covering up the Jeffrey Epstein affair is actually immaterial in the larger scheme of things.

    Suffice for me to note only that there were many young women - some of whom were under the age of consent - who were real victims of that creep. That's somehow gotten lost in the collective obsession of mainstream journalism and social media over the late financier's so-called "client list", which may or may not actually exist.

    What I do believe is that conspiracy theories will eventually consume themselves, like a snake devouring itself tail first. Donald Trump has only himself to blame here for the personal folly-turned-political firestorm that he himself lit the match to start many years ago. Couldn't have happened to a nicer fella.

    And that dumba$$ is now doubling down on stupid by filing a lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal, thus further ensuring that Trump / Epstein remains a big story for the next few news cycles.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    How much of what everyone wants (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 04:59:46 PM EST
    can the get in the process of discovery?

    Parent
    Lisa Ruben (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 05:08:00 PM EST
    just answered this.  It's pretty much.  As I understood.
    And he would have to be deposed.

    Parent
    I know he just got a big settlement (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 05:12:30 PM EST
    from CBS and others he has bullied.

    This is different.  They are not going to settle.  

    Parent

    So now Trump is suing Rupert (none / 0) (#5)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 04:54:38 PM EST
    and Dow Jones(?) and whoever else about the birthday card.  It's official.

    So, if he is sueing them.  He gets deposed, right?
    I'll pay to see that.

    Trump sues Murdoch, Dow Jones over WSJ story on Epstein birthday letter: court records

    This (none / 0) (#14)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 09:08:22 PM EST
    Will probably end up like the Woodward tape case that was thrown out of court. He sues so he can look like he's fighting back but unless there is something he can use against them like a merger then the case goes nowhere

    Parent
    This is a new shiny thing (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 06:05:48 PM EST
    I'm sure charges are coming.

    Gabbard claims Obama officials `manufactured intelligence' of 2016 Russian election interference
    by Brett Samuels and Rebecca Beitsch - 07/18/25 6:26 PM ET

    Gabbard asserted in a statement that former officials engaged in a "treasonous conspiracy" and said her office was turning over evidence to the Justice Department for possible criminal referrals.

    Skepticism About Trump's Birthday Card to Epstein (none / 0) (#15)
    by RickyJim on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 10:42:13 AM EST
    Michael Cohen is quite credible here: starting 3:15 in. He says that Trump does not have the drawing, typing or literary skills to produce the card.  He guesses that he asked somebody to write it for him.

    Trump (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 01:46:49 PM EST
    draws pictures.

    Cohen is an idiot.

    Parent

    I'll Wait for the Evidence (none / 0) (#21)
    by RickyJim on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 03:35:59 PM EST
    Trump got some small change in return for sending in those doodles of buildings.  Nobody so far has claimed they have seen Donald Trump draw a picture, use a typewriter or computer or use language like in the dialog in the birthday letter.  And Cohen has been making his living for the last few years by making anti-Trump podcasts and interviews as this yesterday with Jake Tapper.

    Parent
    Whatever (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 04:10:15 PM EST

    Trump, Who Has Sold His Doodles in Past, Denies Report of Graphic Epstein Letter by Saying He 'Never Wrote a Picture in My Life'

    People have seen him draw them.

    Parent

    Here (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 04:12:48 PM EST
    Trump even admitted to his prolific scribbling prowess in his 2010 book, Trump Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges Into Success.

    "Each year, I donate an autographed doodle to the Doodle for Hunger auction at Tavern on the Green," he wrote. "It's a great event."

    link

    Parent

    Listen to the Interview I Linked (none / 0) (#24)
    by RickyJim on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 04:26:23 PM EST
    He told Tapper that Trump has had plenty of assistants who were excellent artists.  I also agree with Cohen that there are much more horrible things that Trump is doing now than what he and Epstein might have done 20-30 yearas ago.

    Parent
    Who cares what Michael Cohen told Jake Tapper? (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 08:00:10 PM EST
    Regarding Tapper: To the extent that Donald Trump was immunized from scandals which would have toppled anyone else in politics, it's because Tapper, Maggie Haberman and their colleagues in the political press corps -- surely in the interest of upholding their sense of fairness, balance and impartiality (nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more, say no more) -- have repeatedly bent over backward to rationalize and normalize the abhorrent behavior of a corrupt neo-fascist from hell.

    Donald Trump's long and meticulously well- documented adversarial relationship with facts and truth stands as testament that he should not be afforded any benefit of the doubt by anyone.

    Personally, I don't care about the Jeffrey Epstein case because he's dead, although I have expressed my concern over the effect of this public obsession with it on Epstein's many and very real victims, whose pain and distress appear to exist only in the abstract to the chattering classes.

    To the extent that Trump is in political trouble over Epstein, it's his own fault. His campaign turned the case into a political Ponzi scheme by strongly suggesting to his marks that its evidence could bring down the Deep State. And as a result, it should come as no surprise to anyone that there's now a run on the bank and it's costing him political capital with the supporters he's bilked.

    But will it cripple or topple Trump? Well, I'll believe it when I actually see it happen and not before. I mean, if "Grab 'em by the p*$$y", a criminal conviction on 34 felony counts and "They're eating the dogs, they're eating the cats" couldn't sink him, I very much doubt this will.

    That said, I'll add a caveat with an admission that nothing would make me happier right now than to see subsequent events prove me wrong.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Donald, I agree (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jul 21, 2025 at 05:22:13 PM EST
    He's playing this Epstein thing to the hilt with one hand, while his other hand is probably in his pocket hiding some new authoritarian plan he wants to keep secret until he's ready to roll with it.

    I also think Trump is a marionette, with the strings being held by Stephen Miller.

    Parent

    The only (none / 0) (#32)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 20, 2025 at 10:05:42 AM EST
    thing that is different now is that he attacked his own voters. They are the true snowflakes who have been coddled for far too long and told how special they are not only by Trump but by the media and their obsession with diners in the midwest.

    Parent
    Well said Donald. (none / 0) (#37)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Jul 20, 2025 at 12:53:31 PM EST


    Parent
    So (none / 0) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 04:33:34 PM EST
    You think those drawings were done by 'excellent artists".
    Did you look at them?  And I guess they signed his name?
    Or do you think he always has a artist travelling  with him and he just signs them?

    Thanks but I would rather stick nails in my ears than listen to Cohen. That man has had his 15 and needs to go away.

    Parent

    Who cares whether he actually drew (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by Peter G on Mon Jul 21, 2025 at 08:52:58 AM EST
    the lewd cartoon with his own hand, or hired someone to do it? He clearly signed it, so it's his expression.

    Parent
    Exactly, Peter. (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 03:58:07 PM EST
    When I worked at the state legislature, I wrote numerous pieces of correspondence for the State House speaker and majority leader over the years. It was always done with the mutual understanding that once they signed the final draft and it was sent to its intended recipient, at that point they owned it.

    There were times when I received suggested drafts from the bosses which I subsequently had to tone down. I kid you not, one time I got my hands on a memorable and intemperate three-word draft reply from the House majority leader to a hostile inquiry from the chair of the state board of education, which thankfully didn't get sent because it read as follows:

    "Dear Sir:

    Go f*ck yourself.

    Sincerely yours, ..."

    Needless to say, I prepared a far more proper and dignified response. I also kept the original draft, which he had actually written on House letterhead, no less. Many years later, when he became governor, I had it framed and gave it to him when he was inaugurated. He laughed so hard I thought he'd wet his pants and then said to me, "Thank you for saving my political career."

    ;-)

    Parent

    Then (none / 0) (#16)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 12:06:29 PM EST
    he didn't draw the sketches he sent to people to sell for charity either. Nobody thinks Trump actually typed that out himself.

    Anyway this is apparently just the tip of the iceberg as Bondi had 1000 agents going through all the evidence flagging Trump's name. There is no telling how much evidence is in there that includes Trump but it's telling that instead of redacting they just closed the case.

    Parent

    Wise words from Kos (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 07:43:06 PM EST

    And here's the thing: Trump's power depends entirely on the unwavering devotion of people like this. So what happens when that devotion falters? What happens if Elon Musk follows through on his threats to primary Republicans over Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill"--and actually succeeds, powered by this festering backlash on the far right?

    And what happens if the fractured right allows Democrats not just to win big in the House, but to do the seemingly impossible and retake the Senate?

    Trump's influence is only as strong as his grip on his base. So what happens when that grip disappears?

    Sh!t is getting interesting.
    Check H.Res.581-Epstein Files Transparency Act (none / 0) (#28)
    by RickyJim on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 08:23:45 PM EST
    Especially the strange bedfellows among the cosponsors.  I can't see this as anything but serious trouble for DJT.

    What you see here is the extent of it. (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 08:39:46 PM EST
    H.Res.581 is congressional performance art. It will not be scheduled for a public hearing by Gentleman Jim Jordan. And even if it was and somehow got passed out by his Judiciary Committee, to the extent that Speaker MAGA Mike Johnson controls the House agenda, the legislation will not see the light of day on the House floor.

    You can take that to the bank.

    Parent

    They already (none / 0) (#33)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 20, 2025 at 10:07:04 AM EST
    tried this and the GOP blocked it coming up for a vote. Virginia Foxx saying "she trusts the president".

    Parent
    Regarding Emil Bove's judicial candidacy, ... (none / 0) (#29)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Jul 19, 2025 at 08:27:42 PM EST
    Jeralyn: "Ten reasons Emil Bove should not be a federal judge. But let's not blame his actions as a defense lawyer, which he was for all of five minutes. There's enough in his actions while a federal prosecutor to shut him out."

    ... one needs to consider the total package he offers and not just pick and choose what to like and dislike, cafeteria-style.

    To Jeralyn, Peter G and their honorable colleagues in the criminal defense establishment: With all due respect, Bove's behavior as an attorney rightly bears no reflection on either your chosen field of legal practice or your own personal integrity therein and thereof.

    If Emile Bove's conduct as a federal prosecutor leaves much to be desired, then the odds are better than even that the same could be said about his tenure as a criminal defense counsel, for the simple reason that leopards don't change their spots depending on the terrain they presently inhabit. And from what I've seen, I wouldn't trust him to fairly judge the entries in a two-float rose parade.

    Aloha.

    I understood J to mean that Bove's willingness (none / 0) (#40)
    by Peter G on Mon Jul 21, 2025 at 09:05:36 AM EST
    to represent Tr*mp on criminal charges and to present, as well as could be done, his client's legally bogus "defenses" is not, in and of itself, a reason to oppose his nomination to become a judge. If he behaved dishonorably as a defense lawyer by knowingly presenting false evidence, lying to the judge or to the prosecutors, threatening or bribing witnesses or jurors, and/or defying court orders, that would be something else.

    Parent
    I'm fine with his representation. (none / 0) (#59)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 04:14:44 PM EST
    At the end of the day, all you can do as defense counsel is advise your clients. Whether or not they take your advice is entirely up to them.

    I'd be fine with you offering up Trump's looney-tunes defense, Peter, because the entire sum balance of your own work product as an attorney would lead me to believe that you very likely tried to first warn your client off that path and he refused.

    However, considering Emil Bove's own sum total, I've concluded that not only did he NOT try to discourage Trump from mounting that defense, but he also very likely cheered him on and helped him double down.

    That sort of ingratiating behavior is what ultimately led to John Eastman's disbarment.

    Aloha. ;-)

    Parent

    The good news (none / 0) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 20, 2025 at 08:55:11 AM EST
    I hear chatter about "will Epstein be the thing that finally destroys Cheeto".

    While I think it actually might the truth is we don't need it to do that.

    All we need it to do is keep at least 10% of his voters on the couch in Nov '26.

    10% should do nicely right across the country combined with the already building blue wave.  And I think it will be more than 10%

    The bad news

    I think we should be ready for anything over the next few weeks.  He will be more desperate and delusional by the hour.

    Rick Wilson (none / 0) (#34)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 20, 2025 at 10:14:17 AM EST
    has said his polling shows 10-15% of maga has left Trump/the GOP/whatever over Epstein. Trump has also hoovered up all the crazies into his "coalition" who are not reliable voters.

    Yes, we should prepare for a lot of mud to be thrown out etc. because as a malignant narcissist Trump will be concerned with saving himself no matter what the truth and facts are. He will blow everything up, have ICE murder people, arrest Hillary etc. etc. in an attempt to avoid consequences.

    Parent

    I was thinking more (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Jul 20, 2025 at 10:43:13 AM EST
    along the lines of invading and occupying Greenland

    Parent
    Maybe something with (none / 0) (#36)
    by desertswine on Sun Jul 20, 2025 at 12:11:50 PM EST
    perennial whipping-post Mexico.

    Parent
    Considering (none / 0) (#38)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Jul 20, 2025 at 01:38:03 PM EST
    how well bombing Iran went over can't see Greenland making much if any difference.

    Parent
    Two Illuminating Links (none / 0) (#42)
    by RickyJim on Mon Jul 21, 2025 at 12:26:27 PM EST
    The actual birthday letter.
    The best analysis of the content I've seen.  It does make me doubt that Michael Cohen is correct.

    I agree (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at 07:48:45 AM EST
    It's possible he did not do the drawing.

    It actually looks better than I would expect from him.

    Parent

    Might be an over reach (none / 0) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at 08:44:19 AM EST
    From snopes

    Legislation introduced by Republicans could ban hairdressers from giving gender nonconforming haircuts to minors.
    Rating:

    Outdated

    Context
    State legislation proposed by Arkansas Republicans in March 2025 would have allowed lawsuits against people who give youth gender-nonconforming haircuts, but the bill's author withdrew the policy from consideration just a month later.

    The hair cut (none / 0) (#46)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at 10:46:08 AM EST
    proposal is wholly in line with fascism.  

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at 11:57:05 AM EST
    It was withdrawn.  Thin consolation

    Parent
    Will (none / 0) (#47)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at 11:06:05 AM EST
    Arkansas voters ever reach a breaking point with this nonsense?

    Parent
    Wish (none / 0) (#48)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at 11:56:08 AM EST
    I knew

    Parent
    The Republicans are doing everything wrong (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at 07:40:14 PM EST
    when it comes to Epstein.

    Sending the House home?  For summer vacation?  Clearly to avoid a vote? They are going to be roasted everytime they make a public appearance.

    If anything it will insure that the discharge petition passes in Sept.

    Meeting with Maxwell?  Seriously?  A deal with Maxwell might actually get him shot again.

    Charging Obama with treason ain't gonna do it.

    It seems (none / 0) (#53)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 10:02:34 AM EST
    he is falling back on his "greatest hits" again. Obama, Hillary, Biden etc. etc.

    Even Marge can see through the Maxwell meeting and isn't buying it. I hadn't thought about Trump getting shot at again but with so many Epstein conspiracy theories running around that isn't too farfetched at this point.

    Parent

    Another (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 10:33:32 AM EST
    thing maga seems to be waking up to the fact that Trump screams about treason yet no one is indicted for these so called crimes. I guess it's not easy to find a prosecutor who wants to be disbarred or become a laughingstock to take these cases.

    Parent
    I thnk DOJ Barbie (none / 0) (#55)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 11:57:42 AM EST
    would do it. But she would have to personally prosecute the case. Or Bove.

    Parent
    Surprise surprise (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 03:05:28 PM EST
    Judge Denies Request to Unseal Epstein Transcripts
    July 23, 2025 at 2:24 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 95 Comments

    "A federal judge in Florida on Wednesday denied a request from the Trump administration to release grand jury transcripts from an investigation into the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, stymying efforts by President Trump to dispel a storm of criticism from many of his supporters," the New York Times reports

    I suspect (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 03:29:07 PM EST
    this is a judicial order that President Donald Epstein Trump will obey.

    Parent
    WSJ is reporting today (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 04:16:09 PM EST
    that the DOJ told Trump as early as May he was in the Epstein files multiple times.

    Trump lied on camera about that several times.

    MTG is absolutely right,

    Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸

    @RepMTG
    If you tell the base of people, who support you, of deep state treasonous crimes, election interference, blackmail, and rich powerful elite evil cabals, then you must take down every enemy of The People.

    If not.

    The base will turn and there's no going back.

    Dangling bits of red meat no longer satisfies.

    They want the whole steak dinner and will accept nothing else



    Parent
    I was thinking back (none / 0) (#62)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 04:49:27 PM EST
    Trump was told in May he was in the files.  I expect everyone in the inner circle was told at this time, in May.

    Interesting the famous Elon tweet was June 5

    Time to drop the really big bomb:@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.

    Have a nice day, DJT!

    -- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025




    Parent
    This "reporting" from the WSJ (none / 0) (#63)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 05:34:42 PM EST
    is being released in what ways looks very strategic.

    I bet they have more.  

    Parent

    sorry (none / 0) (#64)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 05:36:44 PM EST
    ways that look very strategic.

    Drip drip drip.

    I bet they have the goods.  Maybe Robert is thinking about legacy?

    Parent

    sigh (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 05:41:04 PM EST
    maybe RUPERT is thinking about legacy. And all he did to create Trump.

    I'll stoppp posting typos now

    Parent

    People (none / 0) (#72)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 08:31:17 AM EST
    that know Rupert seem to say he cares really nothing for his legacy. He also hates Trump. Personally I think this has gone beyond Rupert. If reporters have the goods on Trump Rupert might as well make the money on the story instead of another outlet because said reporters could go public or sell the story to another outlet and cut Rupert out. The reporters are not powerless in this story.

    And yes, there is more to come once again coming from people who know Rupert. We have only seen 2 parts of a multi part story.

    Does getting rid of Trump really matter to people like Murdoch? It's not like they aren't going to get what they want from Vance. The fatal error in a plan of replacing Trump with Vance is the lack of understanding of Trump's base.

    Parent

    it seems (none / 0) (#71)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 08:24:08 AM EST
    that Kash Patel was blabbing that Trump was all over the Epstein files to many people in DC. So at least now we can guess where Musk got the information.

    Parent
    Maybe he will (none / 0) (#61)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 04:17:39 PM EST
    attack the judge just to make it look good.

    Parent
    More likely blame (none / 0) (#77)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 09:47:32 AM EST
    than attack

    Parent
    Wow (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jul 23, 2025 at 06:05:08 PM EST
    The House Oversight committee is going to subpoena the DOJ to make them release the files.

    This is breaking news

    I'm starting to rethink my initial take ... (none / 0) (#67)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 07:16:51 AM EST
    ... on the Jeffrey Epstein case. I had long been skeptical of suggestions that Trump had a deeper connection to it beyond what we've already long known about their friendship. I was like, okay, so he hung out with trashy people and spoke crassly about women. Wow, revelation, stop the presses.

    But now, I'm wondering what has him so spooked. I mean, he's weathered storms of public outrage before, and so often that I've long since lost count. It can't be that he's lost control of the narrative, because that's occurred prior, too.

    There's something in those evidence files that he really does not want to see the light of day. What could be so bad? Did he pimp out Ivanka? Maybe it has nothing to do with sex. Money laundering, perhaps? Was Epstein propping up his business financially at a low point in funds?

    Inquiring minds want to know.

    Parent

    My first guess would be (none / 0) (#69)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 07:45:31 AM EST
    underage girls.  But seriously, it could be anything.  

    Parent
    This (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 08:02:25 AM EST
    Epstein was asked in a 2010 deposition about his relationship with Donald Trump:

    LAWYER: Have you ever had a personal relationship with Donald Trump?

    EPSTEIN: What do you mean by "personal relationship," sir?

    LAWYER: Have you socialized with him?

    EPSTEIN: Yes, sir.

    LAWYER: Have you ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18?

    EPSTEIN: Though I'd like to answer that question, at least today I'm going to have to assert my 5th, 6th and 14th Amendment rights, sir.

    Parent

    Underage (none / 0) (#73)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 08:35:00 AM EST
    girls would probably be the only thing that would matter. Trump routinely steals and grifts and that doesn't bother his base one iota. Just my opinion anyway.

    Parent
    Yes. (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 09:26:06 AM EST
    Pedophilia undergirds Q Anon/ MAGAts political paranoia . Sexual assault of adult women (Hollywood starlets to attacks in a department store fitting room) seems just fine, but assaults on little girls may cross the line.  And, in the Trump era, due process is quaint  jurisprudence so allegations may be enough evidence for them.

    The sources of Epstein's money is a mystery, so  Senator Wyden's investigation  into finances is another avenue of interest that may spill over to Trump.

    Speaking of mysteries, what is with some Democratic leaders who advocate "moving on" from the Epstein/Trump scandal to "kitchen table" issues.   Can't they handle both?  To me, it would be like Democrats, in 1974, moving on from Nixon/Watergate  so as to focus on  stagflation.


    Parent

    Who said that? (none / 0) (#76)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 09:32:55 AM EST
    Primary them.

    Parent
    Nancy (none / 0) (#79)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 10:04:04 AM EST
    Pelosi is the only one I know of. She just needs to retire along with a bunch of others. I guess that power is hard to relinquish.

    Parent
    Or her friends (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 10:18:08 AM EST
    are on the list.

    Parent
    Yes, (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 10:45:42 AM EST
    Mrs. Pelosi  seemed to equate  Trump/Epstein with Alcatraz restoration as "distractions" .    Several political consultants  are suggesting similar tactics --must be for something not just all about Trump.   The Democratic leadership needs to look for new  consultants,---consultants  who are aware and savvy enough to chart a course that embraces all the dangers of Trump and. fascism and offers a Democratic. Party agenda .   And jettison those tired  political hangers-on.

    Parent
    I happen to have agreed with Mrs. Pelosi. (none / 0) (#95)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 01:28:36 PM EST
    KeysDan: "Mrs. Pelosi seemed to equate Trump / Epstein with Alcatraz restoration as 'distractions'."

    I likewise thought the whole Epstein files thing was a GOP hushpuppy thrown to MAGA's baying dogs- a political red herring and a distraction. I even expressed my skepticism in earlier posts in this same thread. But then something clicked, and I'm only now starting to change my mind for the primary reason cited above.

    There's just something about the Epstein case that clearly has Trump spooked. Maybe the first indication for me, in obvious retrospect, was his almost hysterical public admonitions to his MAGA base to not go there. The higher octave of his delivery raised my eyebrow in suspicion, thinking not unlike Queen Gertrude in Hamlet: "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

    Anyway, the whole thing has certainly gotten curiouser and curiouser. Go ask Alice. I think she'll know.

    ;-D

    Parent

    I wonder (none / 0) (#80)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 10:17:37 AM EST
    if Trump is shown to have participated in sex trafficking women not minors what kind of reaction maga will have. What I find interesting is that none of what is in those files has ever been leaked out by the FBI. Partially that may be because of the Maxwell trial.

    Saw a podcast with a journalist who speaks regularly to the victims. She said this whole Maxwell thing is horrifying them and people need to understand that Maxwell sexually assaulted these girls along with Epstein and the victims consider her worse than Epstein because while Epstein was a monster Maxwell is the one that worked to gain their trust. Epstein could have never gotten these victims without her.

    Apparently Epstein wired 1 billion to a couple of women in Russia right before he was either arrested or died? Yes, lots of suspicious transactions but Michael Wolff said one of the things he did or services he sold was telling the wealthy how to cheat on their taxes.

    Parent

    I think it's possible (none / 0) (#82)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 10:31:03 AM EST
    the sex stuff Trump is worried about might not be criminal but just really really creepy.

    Maybe sitting in his lap?

    That's just the sex stuff.  Seems more likely his crimes might involve the money.

    Let's hope for both.

    Parent

    The only (none / 0) (#87)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 11:01:52 AM EST
    thing it seems we all know for sure is that Trump has decided that covering up is a better option than the info getting out whatever that may be.

    Parent
    I am not surprised that there has been (none / 0) (#83)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 10:36:24 AM EST
    no previous leak. In decades of working on the defense of federal criminal cases, I have never seen a leak of investigative information or material from the FBI or the U.S. Attorney except when done deliberately to prejudice the accused before trial or to pressure a suspect to "cooperate." That is, always to benefit the prosecutors. Never in any sort of "whistleblower" or internal dissent scenario.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#88)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 11:02:55 AM EST
    I was thinking about the Hillary email issue where the FBI was leaking like a sieve and not always with good information. But since then they have gotten rid of the Russian asset in the FBI so maybe that's why they've not leaked anything.

    Parent
    That is, not since (or other than) (none / 0) (#90)
    by Peter G on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 11:17:44 AM EST
    "Deep Throat" in the Nixon Watergate case, who turned out to be the Deputy Director of the FBI (the job Bongino has now)! For example, the whole time that the FBI's "COINTELPRO" operation was being used to spy on and harass lawful civil rights and antiwar organizers in the 1960s and '70s, implicating hundreds and hundreds of agents, the existence of the program was never leaked until it was disclosed as a result of the 1971 Media PA activist burglary. (I knew several of the perpetrators.)

    Parent
    Ah, yes, Watergate and COINTELPRO. (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 12:54:52 PM EST
    (Sigh!) How I long for the days of third-rate burglaries, political eavesdropping and coverups, vice presidents who took bribes the old-fashioned way with bundles of cash stuffed in plain manila envelopes, and paranoid, racist and deeply closeted FBI directors with lifetime appointments who regularly engaged in blackmail of public figures. Life was so much simpler back then.

    ;-)

    Parent

    That was then (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 09:08:22 AM EST
    this is now.  I'm pretty sure Trump's ability to "get away" with stuff is shrinking faster Americas reputation

    There is one very good thing about this.  I love that Trump himself rolled it up with all the other Witch Hunts.

    When he is so laughably lying about the Epstein files his push to link it all might just work.

    IN THE MINDS OF MAGA.

    You know, if this is not a witch hunt maybe all the rest wasn't either.

    For those with multiple brain cells left this will be a thought.

    Parent

    The linking (none / 0) (#78)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 10:03:13 AM EST
    of all the cases against him is so obvious but in this case I understand what he is doing. Maga has fallen for all the other scams he has done calling anything he didn't like "fake news". So why wouldn't he expect them to fall in line again?

    I agree about the few with a few brain cells they might be starting to get it.

    Parent

    OY (none / 0) (#68)
    by jmacWA on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 07:40:10 AM EST
    The Court adds to Trump's power -- Lyle Denniston on yesterday's shadow docket ruling.

    I don't know what this is about (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 10:46:14 AM EST
    But I'm trying to find out.  Anyone know?

    CallMeChristii
    @CallMeChristii
    👀
    Quote
    E X X ➠A L E R T S

    @ExxAlerts
    ·
    11h
    BREAKING: 🚨  Roger Stone looking at recruiting a "REPUBLICAN PRIMARY OPPONENT" for Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton
    Here (none / 0) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 10:46:35 AM EST

    Roger Stone
    @RogerJStoneJr
    I may have no choice, but to recruit a Republican primary opponent for Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas. Hard hitting ads, revealing the secret truth about him would bring him down.
    11:15 PM · Jul 23, 2025
    ·
    304.3K
     Views



    Parent
    The only (none / 0) (#89)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 11:04:20 AM EST
    thing I have heard is something about his military record but I can't imagine that would rise to the level Stone is talking about.

    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#91)
    by KeysDan on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 11:24:57 AM EST
    Senator Cotton mischaracterized his military record implying he was an Army Ranger when he  was Ranger-qualified (graduated from  Ranger school).  Hardly something that would upset the old dirty-trickster.  Tucker Carlson  claimed Cotton was  trying to block release of  the JFK assassination files, but Cotton denied it.  
    Winner chicken dinner? --Cotton said the Epstein files should be released.

    Parent
    Hulk Hogan dies... (none / 0) (#93)
    by desertswine on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 12:08:27 PM EST
    at 71.

    Of a more important note. (5.00 / 2) (#96)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 02:39:08 PM EST
    Chuck Mangione died on July 22. A better person who will actually be missed.

    Parent
    I really hope (none / 0) (#100)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 03:41:21 PM EST
    Bill Clinton is not in the Epstein files

    LOL (none / 0) (#101)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 03:48:40 PM EST
    That is funny.

    Parent

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