Hi everyone!
The Wall Street Journal dropped a story last night that was meant to be a bombshell claim that Trump had written a racy birthday message to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. The description of the letter was that it was contained in a "leather-bound book" that had been "compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell." The Journal shared the text, which apparently was a typewritten note styled as an imaginary conversation between Trump and Epstein, written in the third person."
It read:
“Voice Over: There must be more to life than having everything,
Donald: Yes, there is, but I won’t tell you what it is.
Jeffrey: Nor will I, since I also know what it is.
Donald: We have certain things in common, Jeffrey.
Jeffrey: Yes, we do, come to think of it.
Donald: Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?
Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.
Donald: A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret."
The Journal asked Trump for comment, who said "This is not me. This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story. I never wrote a picture in my life. I don’t draw pictures of women. It’s not my language. It’s not my words." In classic fashion, Trump threatened to sue Rupert Murdoch, owner of the Journal, over what he said is "a fake thing."
After the story was released, many in the MAGA faithful circled the wagons around Trump, saying that obviously the purported message was not from him, that it had been fake. Still others started feeling like they finally understood why Trump was calling the whole Epstein thing a hoax—because he already knew about the letter and the Journal story and believes fully that it is a hoax.
Following the whole mess, Trump publicly asked AG Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to put together all the grand jury testimony from the Epstein case for release. “Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to court approval," Trump said. “This scam, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end right now!”
Bondi responded, saying “President Trump—we are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts.” And hopefully that's it. Hopefully, they release what they've got, protect the victims, everyone who is interested has a looksie, and we can get on with our lives.
Just to circle the square from yesterday's missive, it turns out that, per the White House, the president would NOT recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. When asked about it, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was unequivocal.
"Well, the idea was floated from someone in the media to the President," Leavitt said when asked about it. "The President would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That's how he feels. And as for his discussions with the Attorney General, I'm not sure."
Democrats have been getting all flummoxed when they're asked why they didn't release the Epstein stuff while they had control of Congress. They had at least four years to get this done and are only now clamoring to release it because they think it will hurt Trump.
In other news, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is getting cancelled. The coming season will be the last one for The Late Show. I haven't really watched it since it was Dave Letterman at the helm, and Colbert's vaccine dances and his encouraging everyone to take it were a bit grody when I saw the clips on socials. CBS says it's not political but budgetary, and perhaps in an internet age when everyone is watching while scrolling anyway, it's just not a draw anymore. I'd rather stream old episodes of Cheers, to be honest. Of Cheers: it's still funny, but I think mostly it's a nostalgia thing for a bygone era.
Here's what's on my desk today:
President Trump would NOT recommend special prosecutor for Epstein, press sec says
This contradicts a report from a veteran journalist on Wednesday.
MAGA rallies around Trump after WSJ ‘nothing burger’ bombshell
“This is not me,” Trump said. “This is a fake thing. It’s a fake Wall Street Journal story.”
White House celebrates end of child sex change programs at hospitals across the country
“And as a result of that strong policy and the president’s strong common-sense position on the issue, we’ve had such an overwhelming response, which is great for children,” Leavitt said.
JACK POSOBIEC: ICE finally raids my hometown—I’ve been waiting for 20 years!
“We’ve been waiting 20 years to get these invaders out of my town.”