By John Q. Hosedrinker 
California Governor Gavin Newsom has humorously responded to Trump’s proposal to reopen Alcatraz prison. Newsom’s spokesperson stated the prison will reopen the same day the “Epstein files” are released, which they believe will never happen. This follows a visit to the island by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Attorney General Pam Bondi, amidst controversy surrounding the Epstein files release. Trump, initially considering the reopening, has now allowed Bondi to release grand jury testimony on the matter, dismissing any incriminating evidence.
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Gavin Newsom says Alcatraz will reopen the ‘same day Trump releases the Epstein files’. It’s a bold statement, and honestly, it’s hard not to crack a smile at the sheer audacity of it. Newsom’s playing a clever game here, tapping into the public fascination with the Epstein case and the enduring intrigue surrounding the infamous island prison. It’s political theater, no doubt, but it’s also a smart way to keep the issue of the Epstein files front and center. The idea of Trump possibly ending up as the first new inmate is, well, it’s tempting to envision. And you know, it’s not hard to appreciate the fact that Newsom is savvy enough to grasp the nuances of today’s issues and the rhetoric that resonates with a modern audience. Maybe he’s not everyone’s pick for 2028, but he’s definitely connected to the zeitgeist, which, as someone with their finger on the pulse of popular opinion, is a useful quality. It does make you wonder why the rest of the Democratic Party struggles to achieve the same kind of connection.
Speaking of which, the strategy to “make everything about the Epstein files, no matter the distraction” is one that seems to be resonating with a lot of people. It seems like the people who were Trump’s most ardent supporters have gone strangely silent. Have your Trump-supporting friends and acquaintances done the same? It’s a noticeable phenomenon, this sudden reluctance to engage in discussions about the news, as if claiming ignorance on the matter. When I brought up the Epstein Birthday Album to one family member, she immediately deflected, trying to turn it into a “both sides” situation. She implied that other people were involved, attempting to justify her protection of Trump. In fact, it seemed to fall into the realm of conspiracy theories. It’s frustrating, to say the least, especially when you’re trying to navigate the minefield of family relationships.
Her unwillingness to condemn someone accused of such heinous crimes because of their political leanings is honestly bizarre. It’s like her critical thinking has become completely compromised. It’s the classic case of refusing to see the forest for the trees, prioritizing political allegiance over basic human decency. Her logic seems to simply be a distraction to avoid any sense of truth that could come to light. It’s as if the mechanism for critical thinking has been completely broken, which is a deeply concerning thought. And this illustrates the very real issue of people who will simply never be swayed by facts. Anyway, back to the core issue: the whole situation just feels broken.
Then there’s the practicality of Newsom’s proposal, the potential reopening of Alcatraz. Considering the fact that the prison was shut down due to its high operating costs and the challenges of maintaining a structure in the harsh salt air of the island, the proposal is a little ridiculous. Add to that the logistical nightmare of transporting staff and resources to the island, and it feels like a joke. And, of course, there’s the whole question of whether it would be necessary at all, given that a maximum-security wing is open in Marion, Illinois that has a good track record for security. It does seem like a bit of a distraction from the bigger issue, doesn’t it?
The Epstein files themselves are only a “three horse carousel ride,” but the unredacted files could potentially contain the details for 100,000 pages of files, and so the idea of using Alcatraz as a prison is a fairly ambitious goal.
While we’re on the topic, the fact that Newsom’s a bit of an expert-level troll is undeniable. He knows how to grab attention and he has. He has also shown himself willing to change positions, which is the job of any active politician. But the downside is that it’s all performance. Unfortunately, the latest trend is his attempts to show he understands the “nuance” of trans rights. And yet, it comes across as if his actions are motivated by keeping his name in the news. The joke is that it might be a reference to the former prison. And, despite criticisms, he’s been pretty effective at hitting back at the opposition.
While Newsom isn’t my guy, it’s good to know he’s standing up to Trump, given the current state of affairs, and it’s something the Democrats need to recognize and embrace. The Democrats are often far too hesitant to fight back. And when a Democrat steps up to fight back, they are often met with a barrage of criticism. Newsome’s response is probably the best one to have.
Trump is either guilty of the child rape charges, or he is protecting the guilty people. The strategy seems right from “Hunger Games”. But it is what it is. And I’m going to keep saying it.