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Good morning, everyone. What a morning it has been. The White House spent the night lashing out at those who criticized Trump’s election speech. I reviewed many of the documents it released, and they disprove most of Trump’s claims. They show that Russia, not China, tried to meddle in the election, and it did so to help Trump, not hurt him. Even Trump’s own people acknowledged that no votes were changed, only to be rushed away when they began telling the truth. Meanwhile, I have more exclusive Epstein reporting, the latest on the U.S. bombing of Iranian bridges overnight, and much more. I am working now to learn what comes next in the Todd Blanche saga, and I expect to have exclusive news soon. I am also continuing to review and fact-check every document released by the White House. It has already been a busy night, and it is going to be an even busier day. If you can, please subscribe or upgrade your subscription today. Your support keeps me caffeinated, funds independent journalism, and helps me fight back as the threats escalate.
Here’s the news: Trump speech fallout: The White House reportedly went into damage-control mode after Trump’s primetime address received a harsh response. Trump had promised to reveal “really big news,” but the anticipated bombshell never materialized. Speaking from the East Room, he attempted to convince Americans that the country’s election system contains “shocking vulnerabilities.” Instead, the speech was widely criticized and quickly challenged by fact-checkers. The White House’s reaction suggested that the address had backfired rather than delivered the political victory Trump expected. Here are some ways I fact checked: Trump claimed China carried out the largest election-data breach in history during the 2020 election cycle. This is misleading because much voter information is already publicly available or can be purchased. Federal officials said obtaining voter-registration data did not affect voting or election results. Trump also claimed the election system is catastrophically insecure. That is false: audits and federal assessments found no evidence that malicious activity compromised the 2020 or 2024 results. Trump claimed voting machines are easily compromised, but that claim lacks evidence. The declassified intelligence he cited concerned a vulnerability in a Venezuelan system that generally is not used in the United States. American voting machines are closely monitored and typically backed by paper ballots that can be audited by hand. Trump also exaggerated the number of dead people and noncitizens on voter rolls. These registrations—and illegal votes cast under them—are extremely rare and have not been shown to alter election outcomes. Trump falsely claimed major television networks refused to carry his speech because they wanted to conceal election corruption. ABC, NBC and CNN made the address available through their streaming platforms, websites and YouTube channels. Trump also falsely described mail-in ballots as inherently corrupt. Studies have found mail-voting fraud to be extraordinarily rare and far too limited to change election results. Trump continues to attack mail voting despite recently casting a mail-in ballot himself.
Trump released declassified intelligence intending to support his claim that China interfered in the 2020 election to defeat him, but the documents instead show that Vladimir Putin and senior Russian officials directed efforts to help Trump win. Russian proxies allegedly spread claims about Joe Biden and Burisma while trying to orchestrate a major corruption scandal against the Democratic nominee. The documents indicate these narratives were promoted through American officials, prominent figures and media outlets, although many identities remain redacted. The broader release says several foreign governments could potentially access election data, but provides no evidence that China manipulated voting systems or that foreign interference changed the 2020 result. In short, Trump’s own document release undermined his claims about China while reinforcing the intelligence assessment that Russia worked to benefit his campaign.
John Solomon, whom Trump hired to investigate alleged voting irregularities, acknowledged that no votes were changed in the 2020, 2022 or 2024 elections. Asked whether the 2020 results showing Joe Biden won the presidency were accurate, Solomon replied, “I’m researching.” He also said there is no intelligence indicating that Venezuela tampered with U.S. voting machines. His admissions directly undercut key claims Trump made about compromised elections and foreign interference.
Epstein news: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s first meeting with Epstein survivors lasted roughly an hour and left attendees more concerned about his nomination. Blanche opened by saying he was not asking the survivors to make commitments and would not make any himself. When asked why he had publicly said there were no investigative leads, he denied ever making that statement. He also claimed he lacked the power to open an investigation and directed survivors to other Justice Department officials in the room. Survivors left without clear answers about who could authorize an investigation or what additional information was needed. Sky Roberts, the brother of the late Virginia Giuffre, pointed to evidence Virginia had provided concerning the man formerly known as Prince Andrew, including sworn testimony and a photograph. When Roberts asked whether that material constituted an investigative lead, Blanche said Andrew would not cooperate and Virginia was no longer available. Survivors noted that Blanche demanded testimony and evidence while appearing to dismiss examples of both already contained in government files. They also criticized him for offering no credible plan to investigate alleged perpetrators and enablers beyond Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Afterward, Blanche told reporters that he had encouraged the survivors to give the FBI any information that might assist investigators. Survivors described Blanche as abrasive, condescending, evasive and intentionally noncommittal throughout the meeting. Annie Farmer said he would not commit to examining authorities’ failure to pursue her sister Maria Farmer’s 1996 report or release records about decisions not to charge Epstein. Farmer also called his explanations for interviewing Maxwell and her subsequent transfer to a less secure facility unsatisfactory and contrived. Dani Bensky and Lara Blume McGee said the meeting was unproductive and appeared designed to secure confirmation votes rather than deliver accountability. Several attendees urged the Senate to reject Blanche’s confirmation, arguing that he had left survivors trapped in the same cycle of unanswered questions.
Iran: The United States struck bridges, rail links and other infrastructure in southern Iran for a sixth consecutive night. The attacks appeared designed to isolate Bandar Abbas, Iran’s main port, from Tehran and the rest of the country. U.S. Central Command said it targeted military logistics and maritime capabilities, while Iranian officials said civilian infrastructure was hit. Iranian state media reported that at least eight people were killed and 20 were injured. The strikes also damaged power infrastructure and a maritime control tower at Chabahar, another major Iranian port.
Iran retaliated with missiles and drones aimed at U.S. military facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and, for the first time, Syria. The Revolutionary Guard claimed it targeted radar installations, missile platforms, aircraft and a Special Operations command center. These claims could not be independently verified, and the Pentagon did not immediately comment. A child in Qatar was injured by falling shrapnel during interception operations, while air-raid sirens sounded in Bahrain. The escalating attacks followed the collapse of a ceasefire and interim agreement between Washington and Tehran. Here is a video of bridges in Iran destroyed following US strikes:
 Fighting has largely halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carried about one-fifth of the world’s oil before the war. Iran declared the waterway closed and threatened to prevent oil and gas exports as long as U.S. attacks continued, while Washington reimposed its naval blockade. Despite growing fears about the global economy, Trump insisted the United States was “winning big in Iran.” Communication channels remain open, with the White House saying Tehran wants to make a deal. Iran also released American prisoner Dena Karari in what Trump described as a gesture of goodwill.
Other news: According to the Wall Street Journal, the Treasury Department’s top tax policy official, Kenneth Kies, was reportedly forced out after clashing with the White House over IRS audits. Kies warned that political officials risked violating a federal law restricting senior officials from influencing tax-enforcement decisions. He served simultaneously as assistant Treasury secretary for tax policy and acting chief counsel of the IRS. According to people familiar with the matter, he will leave both positions within the coming weeks. His ouster raises questions about potential White House attempts to interfere with the independent enforcement of federal tax laws. Canadian wildfire smoke is creating dangerous air quality for more than 120 million people across the Midwest and Northeast, with conditions expected to remain poor through Saturday. New smoke plumes from Ontario have pushed pollution to the surface, driving air-quality levels above hazardous thresholds in cities including Chicago, Detroit and Toronto. Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5 particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream, posing the greatest risk to children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions. A heat dome over the central United States is pulling the smoke south, while climate change is making severe fire and smoke seasons longer and more likely. Officials recommend limiting outdoor activity and keeping windows closed, particularly in areas under air-quality alerts.
Federal health officials linked shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia to a multistate cyclospora outbreak. The FDA traced the contaminated lettuce to a single unnamed supplier, and Taco Bell has stopped using its products. More than 30 states have reported cyclospora infections this year, with cases surpassing the previous national record of roughly 4,700. The parasite can cause prolonged watery diarrhea, frequent or explosive bowel movements and other intestinal symptoms, but the illness is typically treatable with antibiotics. Officials are investigating whether contaminated lettuce remains available elsewhere and advise consumers not to eat shredded lettuce from affected Taco Bell locations. According to Politico, Trump administration officials are reportedly considering replacing Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Troy Edgar just months after his return to the agency. Current and former DHS officials accuse Edgar of micromanaging operations, interfering in matters beyond his authority and lacking a strong understanding of the deportation process. His management style reportedly conflicts with Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s effort to decentralize decision-making after months of turmoil under Kristi Noem. Mullin and the White House publicly defended Edgar, insisting that he retains their full confidence. Brian Cavanaugh, Trump’s nominee for DHS undersecretary for management, is reportedly being considered as a possible replacement once confirmed. ICE arrested Chinese human rights lawyer Wu Shaoping in Pennsylvania while he was delivering Amazon packages, despite his pending U.S. asylum application. Wu entered the country legally in 2019 after fleeing a crackdown on lawyers and activists in China and applied for asylum the following year. He has continued advocating for Chinese political prisoners while awaiting a decision on his case. Human rights advocates fear that deporting him to China could expose him to imprisonment and persecution for his legal work and activism. Wu remains in detention ahead of a July 27 immigration hearing, and his arrest has alarmed other Chinese dissidents who sought protection in the United States. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Donald Trump are expected to attend Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey, where Spain will face Argentina. Their meeting comes amid tensions over Spain’s defense spending and its refusal to support the U.S. attack on Iran. Trump previously threatened to cut off trade with Spain because Madrid would not commit to NATO’s target of spending 5 percent of GDP on defense. He later softened his position and praised Spain for meeting its agreed 2 percent target. Despite their disagreements, Trump and Sánchez reportedly had a friendly conversation about the World Cup at the recent NATO summit.
See you soon. — Aaron You’re currently a free subscriber to the Parnas Perspective. For the full experience, more content, and to support Aaron, upgrade your subscription.
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