Important Saturday Update: Major Epstein News Ahead of Trump's Birthday, Please Watch and Share
|
 |
Good evening, everyone. Tonight’s update is a little different.
I spent the day at the Trump-Epstein Reading Room in Washington, D.C., where I had the privilege of sitting down with two survivors, Marina Lacerda and Andrea Sterling. The conversation was raw, emotional and deeply honest. They spoke about their experiences, the abuse they endured and the lasting impact it has had on their lives. They also had a message for Donald Trump ahead of his birthday tomorrow: they are not going away, and they will not stop fighting for justice.
This interview is longer than what I typically publish, and it is different from our usual coverage. But I have made two promises to you. First, I will continue to amplify the voices of survivors and keep telling their stories until they receive justice. Second, I will continue expanding the kind of journalism and content we produce here.
This video is not polished. It is not heavily produced. What it is, however, is real. It is honest. And I believe it is important. You’ll find other news and reporting below as well.
Not every platform will be comfortable with this interview. Some may try to limit its reach. That is exactly why I hope you’ll watch it and share it.
And if you are able, please consider subscribing, upgrading your subscription, or gifting one to someone else. This Substack remains the one place where I am fully independent and accountable only to you. Your support makes this work possible.
Here’s the news:
Ahead of Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, Jeffrey Epstein continues to cast a shadow over the Trump White House as new revelations, congressional inquiries and behind-the-scenes accounts keep the scandal in the spotlight. Reporting on internal administration discussions suggests officials viewed the issue as a serious political threat, particularly as demands for the release of Epstein-related information grew among Trump’s own supporters. The controversy has persisted despite efforts to redirect public attention, fueled by ongoing questions about Epstein’s relationships with powerful figures and what remains undisclosed in government files. The result is a scandal that refuses to fade and continues to haunt Trump’s presidency.
Protesters at San Francisco's Ocean Beach gathered Saturday to create a giant human banner demanding the release of redacted government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that mention President Donald Trump. The demonstration came one day before Trump's highly publicized 80th birthday celebrations and was designed to draw attention to ongoing questions about the administration's handling of Epstein-related records. Organizers said the protest was aimed at increasing pressure for greater transparency surrounding the files. This is an image taken by Josh Edelson from the San Francisco Chronicle:
 |
Melinda French Gates said in a new interview that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “could have been stopped,” arguing that the U.S. justice system failed to prevent his abuse of underage girls. Her comments came days after Bill Gates testified before Congress that Epstein had attempted to blackmail him and used relationships with powerful people to bolster his reputation. Melinda Gates said meeting Epstein left her with a strong sense that he was “evil” and said her heart goes out to his victims. She also used the interview to advocate for greater female leadership and highlighted her recent investments in women’s health initiatives.
The United States and Iran say they are nearing a deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, with President Trump claiming an agreement could be signed as soon as Sunday. Mediator Pakistan said a memorandum of understanding is close, but Iranian officials cautioned that negotiations remain fluid and a signing may take several more days.
 |
The proposed agreement would reopen the strait, extend the fragile ceasefire between the two countries and lay the groundwork for further talks on Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief. Despite the diplomatic progress, disputes remain over key terms, and tensions continue in the region, with U.S. forces reporting they recently shot down Iranian drones near commercial shipping lanes.
Trump threatened to use a nuclear weapon against Iran if the deal is not executed:
 |
A federal judge’s order forcing the Kennedy Center to remove President Donald Trump’s name from the venue has been fully carried out, with workers taking down exterior signage and officials removing references online and throughout the building. The judge ruled that the Trump-backed board lacked authority to rename the congressionally chartered institution, stating only Congress can change its name. The Kennedy Center unsuccessfully argued that removing Trump’s name could jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars in donor funding tied to the rebranding and sought to delay or block the order. The ruling also upheld a separate decision blocking the board’s proposed two-year closure of the center for renovations. As it currently stands, however, tarps over the Kennedy Center remain concealing the place where Trump’s name once was. There is no requirement they take down the tarps:
 |
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s planned multibillion-dollar luxury resort development in Albania is facing fresh controversy after villagers alleged that land included in the project was wrongfully sold by a Miami-based businessman who has been linked to organized crime investigations. About a dozen residents claim they are the rightful owners of property near the proposed resort site and are seeking a court order to halt the development, while the businessman at the center of the dispute denies any issue with his ownership claims. The project has already sparked weeks of protests over environmental concerns, with critics warning it could threaten protected coastal habitat and accusing Albanian authorities of a lack of transparency. Neither Trump nor Kushner has been accused of wrongdoing, and the Albanian government maintains that the land designated for the project is privately owned.
During an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was asked which country is America’s best friend in South America and cited El Salvador and Costa Rica as examples of close partners. The answer was geographically incorrect: neither country is in South America; both are located in Central America. Noem praised the countries for their cooperation with the Trump administration on migration and security issues, but neither directly answered the question as asked. The exchange quickly drew attention online because it confused two distinct regions of the Americas.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that the Trump administration’s proposed “Shield of the Americas” security framework would be “stronger than NATO,” arguing that it would create deeper cooperation among countries in the Western Hemisphere on border security, migration, counterterrorism and transnational crime.
Forecasters say Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House faces a slight chance of severe weather, including tornadoes and hail, according to the National Weather Service. Meteorologists said damaging winds are the primary concern, while rain and thunderstorms are more likely earlier in the day. Weather conditions are expected to improve somewhat by the event’s scheduled 8 p.m. start, though the threat of storms will remain. The Secret Service said it has contingency plans in place and will coordinate with government and UFC meteorologists to monitor conditions in real time.
This is the current state of the White House ahead of Trump’s UFC fight:
According to Politico, a growing divide is emerging within the Republican Party over artificial intelligence, as populist conservatives including Sen. Josh Hawley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis push for stronger regulation of AI and Big Tech while challenging President Trump's more hands-off approach. The faction argues that AI poses risks to jobs, families, communities and self-government, and has opposed White House efforts to prevent states from enacting their own AI regulations. The debate is increasingly becoming a major political issue ahead of future elections, with Republican candidates campaigning against Big Tech and concerns over data centers, deepfakes and worker displacement. Polling suggests the public broadly supports AI safeguards, giving momentum to conservatives advocating a more aggressive regulatory approach.
Green algae has reappeared in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool just days after the completion of a Trump administration renovation project that cost roughly $16 million, far more than the original estimate. The Interior Department said the algae is a temporary byproduct of dormant water supply lines being restarted and defended the project as a permanent fix, citing a new filtration system and ongoing maintenance plan. The renovation, part of preparations for America’s 250th anniversary, included a $1.7 million ozone nanobubbler system and a $14.2 million project to line the pool in “American Flag Blue.” Similar algae problems emerged after the pool’s last major renovation in 2012, when officials ultimately had to increase ozone treatment to address persistent blooms.
Haitian security official James Boyard, who serves as both cabinet director of the Defense Ministry and inspector general of the national police, was kidnapped Thursday in Port-au-Prince, according to people familiar with the case. Boyard is the highest-ranking government official abducted in Haiti in recent years, highlighting the growing power of gangs that control roughly 70% of the capital. Analysts say the kidnapping appears to have been carefully planned and may have involved assistance from someone close to his security detail. The abduction comes as gangs increasingly target public officials and follows years of widespread kidnappings amid Haiti’s worsening security crisis.
Blue Origin says it expects to resume flights before the end of 2026 despite the massive explosion that destroyed a New Glenn rocket and heavily damaged its Florida launch pad last month. The setback is significant because NASA is relying on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket and Blue Moon lunar lander for key missions tied to the Artemis program’s planned return of astronauts to the Moon. NASA, the Space Force and Blue Origin are working together to investigate the failure and accelerate repairs, with officials emphasizing that the lunar lander can continue development even as launch infrastructure is rebuilt. While experts say the recovery timeline is ambitious, they note that Blue Origin has substantial resources and government support behind efforts to get the program back on track.
See you soon.
— Aaron
Comments
Post a Comment