In a special report, MSNBC’s Ari Melber explores the connections between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, delving into the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s crimes, investigations, and suspicious death while in federal custody. The report utilizes government documents, original sources, and legal updates from both local and federal cases to analyze the relationship, broken promises, and Trump’s responses. Featuring insights from former federal prosecutor John Flannery and victims advocate Nancy Erika Smith, the report offers a comprehensive examination of this complex and controversial subject.
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Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has adopted a new online strategy, using social media to directly mimic Donald Trump’s tone and writing style. This involves publishing content deliberately designed to be rude, brash, and self-aggrandizing, mirroring Trump’s own online behavior. While some critics have labeled the content as childish, the strategy aims to satirize Trump by emulating his approach, making criticism of Newsom’s content simultaneously a criticism of Trump’s. This approach has been noted by Politico as Newsom “holding a mirror up to MAGA.”
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An Associated Press review revealed that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife, Angela Paxton, secured mortgages with inaccurate statements, claiming multiple properties as primary residences to obtain lower interest rates. This allowed them to improperly benefit from lower rates and potentially violated federal and state laws prohibiting false statements on mortgage documents. Furthermore, the Paxtons collected an improper homestead tax break on two of those homes at the same time. These revelations have political implications, especially given similar accusations against Democrats by the Trump administration and Paxton’s own past legal and political troubles.
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Donald Trump is reportedly earning millions from merchandise sales, potentially diverting funds that supporters believe are supporting the “MAGA movement.” This is happening while he is selling merchandise that includes the slogan “Trump 2028”, despite being constitutionally unable to run for president again. Trump has also made comments about the possibility of canceling elections, specifically referencing a scenario of war. This statement has raised concerns about the implications for democracy.
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In an effort to delay the approval of redrawn congressional districts, Texas Democrats have returned to the state’s capitol, with many refusing to sign “permission slips” required to leave the chamber, as per new protocols. These protocols, established by Republicans, involve Democrats being escorted by designated officers. Representative Nicole Collier, choosing to remain confined inside the chamber, has condemned the process as demeaning and an attack on her dignity. This move follows a two-week quorum break, which has delayed Republicans’ effort to redraw the state’s congressional districts.
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On Wednesday, Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller faced a hostile reception at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station, where National Guard troops were stationed as part of President Trump’s crime crackdown. The trio was met with hecklers who voiced opposition to the administration’s policies, including chants of “Free DC” and protests about the war in Gaza. Despite the protests, the officials entered a Shake Shack restaurant, where Vance mingled with service members and spoke about the administration’s commitment to addressing crime. Miller dismissed the protesters as “stupid white hippies”, further inflaming the situation.
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A recent poll indicates that California Governor Gavin Newsom currently holds a slight lead over former Vice President Kamala Harris in a hypothetical 2028 Democratic primary, with 25% of California Democrats supporting Newsom compared to Harris’s 19%. This poll, conducted by Politico and The Citrin Center, surveyed 1,445 registered California voters between late July and early August. The poll offers an early look into the preferences of Democrats in a crucial state for the party, which could be pivotal for either Newsom or Harris if they were to launch presidential bids.
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Elizabeth Simons, daughter of the late billionaire hedge fund investor Jamie Simons, has donated $250,000 to the pro-Zohran Mamdani super PAC, New Yorkers for Lower Costs, making it the largest contribution to the group. The super PAC has already raised nearly $2 million from almost 300 donations. Simons, who is chairwoman of the Heising-Simons Foundation, is contributing to a campaign of a Democratic socialist, Mamdani, who has expressed that he does not believe billionaires should exist. Other super PACs have also been supporting campaigns of mayoral candidates, including Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams.
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Democratic voters prioritize winning and are drawn to inspiring candidates. Party leaders, however, are making themselves look bad by refusing to endorse a Democratic candidate who actively seeks cross-party alliances. Progressives should leverage their influence and demand commitments from leaders like Jeffries, such as pledging to endorse the presidential nominee. This is especially important given the party’s ideological diversity and the lack of justification for leaders to withhold support from a winning and cooperative candidate.
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Once staunch defenders of free enterprise, conservative business groups are largely silent regarding Donald Trump’s actions to control private businesses. These groups, such as the US Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable, which previously criticized government overreach, have remained quiet despite Trump’s interventions like demanding a cut of Nvidia’s China sales and considering a government stake in Intel. The president’s actions, including public criticism of CEOs and unorthodox arrangements, have created an environment where businesses fear retribution for dissent, opting to wait for promised tax cuts instead. This silence highlights a shift in the risk calculus for corporations under Trump’s administration.
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John Q. Hosedrinker