Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime assistant, Lesley Groff, disclosed during a closed-door committee interview that she arranged several phone calls between Epstein and Donald Trump prior to Trump’s presidency. Groff, who worked for Epstein for approximately 18 years, stated that while the calls were infrequent, they did occur. Groff also sought to distance herself from Epstein’s criminal activities, describing him as a “monster” and a “master manipulator.” Despite her claims of ignorance regarding Epstein’s abuses, some panel members and survivors expressed skepticism about her assertions.
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During a recent Pride Gala, U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride addressed the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary, where her colleague, Rep. Nancy Mace, faced a significant defeat, finishing a distant fifth. McBride, who has been a frequent target of Mace’s anti-transgender rhetoric, offered a brief, pointed remark: “Happy Pride, Nancy.” This moment of political role reversal garnered a standing ovation from attendees, highlighting the contrast between Mace’s public criticism and McBride’s measured response. Despite Mace’s efforts to position herself as a prominent voice against transgender rights, her electoral performance suggests a shift in political fortune.
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Russia’s recent activity in building up infrastructure near Europe’s borders, purportedly to deploy over 100,000 troops, has certainly sparked a lot of discussion. It’s an interesting development, and when you dig into it, a few key questions and observations naturally rise to the surface.
The sheer number of troops mentioned, over 100,000 professional soldiers, immediately begs the question: where exactly are these forces being drawn from? Considering the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and reports of depleted Russian military resources, it’s difficult to fathom where such a substantial, battle-ready contingent could be materialized. Many seem to believe that Russia has already committed a significant portion of its active forces to Ukraine, and further substantial deployments near Europe’s borders would strain its capabilities even further, potentially even necessitating the recruitment of less experienced personnel or drawing from existing, perhaps under-equipped, reserves.… Continue reading
Masked men attacked a home on a residential street near Belfast’s Shankill Road, breaking down the door and throwing bricks, amidst claims of “liberating” the property and calls for “local homes for local people.” These violent scenes erupted following the charging of a Sudanese asylum seeker for attempted murder, with far-right figures promoting protests. Simultaneously, other areas saw similar unrest, including a bus set alight and homes torched, creating an atmosphere of fear for ethnic minority communities, with businesses closing early and residents advised to stay indoors.
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President Trump has continued his pattern of questioning election results, even in seemingly straightforward races. Following a L.A. mayoral runoff where Republican Spencer Pratt initially led but was overtaken by Democrat Nithya Raman as mail-in ballots were counted, Trump claimed the outcome was impossible and indicative of a “3rd World Nation.” This aligns with his past baseless accusations of fraud in the 2020 election and his continued attempts to erode public faith in the electoral process. Despite legislative efforts and executive orders aimed at altering election processes being met with legal challenges and expert condemnation, Trump’s strategy appears focused on sowing chaos by promoting claims of fraudulent results, a tactic that foreshadows his potential reaction to future election outcomes.
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Pete Hegseth’s attempts to “simplify” the military’s religious coding system have inadvertently exposed the exclusionary nature of Christian nationalism. By reducing religious designations to 31 from 211, and granting Christians multiple subcategories while others receive only one, Hegseth signaled a hierarchy that marginalized non-Christian faiths and even excluded Mormons from the “Christian” label. This move, driven by Christian nationalist inclinations, backfired by revealing the deep divisions within Christianity itself, a stark contrast to the unified “Christian nation” often promoted by its proponents. Ultimately, this episode demonstrates that the pursuit of Christian nationalist power is not only about excluding non-Christians but also about the potential marginalization of various Christian factions.
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Power demands constant scrutiny, particularly in areas like immigration, government spending, and the suppression of dissent. This publication is committed to holding those in positions of authority accountable for their actions and decisions. Membership directly supports the vital work of asking difficult questions and pursuing truth, regardless of where it leads.
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Inflation remains a significant economic concern, with the average American experiencing rising costs for essential goods like gas, food, and electricity, even as wage growth slows. Energy prices, significantly impacted by geopolitical events, accounted for a substantial portion of the overall inflation increase. While some prices, such as dairy and prescription drugs, have seen decreases, the broader trend of rising costs, coupled with proposed tariffs, suggests continued pressure on consumer budgets.
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Nine months into the Trump administration’s campaign against suspected drug boats, a pattern of over 60 attacks resulting in more than 200 extrajudicial killings has emerged. The anomaly lies in the first strike on September 2, 2025, which resulted in 11 deaths, prompting questions about the unusually large crew. Military officials have suggested these individuals may have been victims of human trafficking or other forms of illicit cargo, raising concerns about the accuracy of targeting protocols and the potential for civilian casualties.
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Taliban security forces reportedly opened fire to disperse a protest in Herat, Afghanistan, organized in support of women arrested for dress code violations. Witnesses reported seeing shots fired into the air, with several individuals sustaining injuries during the confrontation. The protest, which involved up to 150 men, aimed to show solidarity with women detained for not adhering to strict dress code regulations, including the wearing of a full chador or face-covering burqa. Taliban authorities claimed the situation was brought under control, while human rights monitors expressed alarm at the use of force and called for the release of detainees and accountability for those responsible.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood