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On Friday, President Trump was seen with a thick layer of makeup on his hand during an appearance at a White House exhibit, raising further questions about his health. This followed previous instances of makeup use to cover bruising, despite White House statements attributing the marks to frequent handshaking and a chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis. While the White House has been forthcoming with some information, like the CVI diagnosis, it has remained evasive on other health-related matters, such as questions about the president’s doctor and treatment plans for his swollen ankles. Moreover, the President’s appearance during his speech suggested a self-consciousness toward the makeup on his hand.
In a recent Oval Office address, former President Trump threatened to deploy active-duty military personnel to Chicago, citing an “incompetent mayor” and rampant crime. This move, similar to his actions in Washington, D.C., aims to “straighten out” the city, despite potential legal challenges under the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in civilian law enforcement. Trump claimed this plan, following his successes in D.C., would be welcomed by Chicago’s Black community. He also mentioned similar plans could be implemented in New York.
In a Thursday night CNN interview, former National Security Advisor John Bolton criticized Donald Trump, suggesting he was manipulated by Vladimir Putin during their recent meeting. Bolton implied Trump’s administration struggled to communicate decisions consistently, causing confusion regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which benefited Russia. Bolton also mocked Trump’s comparison of himself to Richard Nixon in a Truth Social post, criticizing Trump’s approach to the war. Hours later, the FBI raided Bolton’s home, reportedly seeking classified documents as part of a national security investigation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has adopted a confrontational strategy, mirroring Donald Trump’s tactics to counter a Trump-backed redistricting effort in Texas and gain national attention. Newsom has flooded social media with all-caps posts and memes, drawing reactions from both sides of the political spectrum, including praise from some Republicans. This approach has led to increased visibility and fundraising, positioning Newsom as a potential 2028 presidential contender. While some critics, including within his own party, view this as grandstanding, Newsom’s allies believe this aggressive approach is necessary to energize the Democratic base and counter Trump’s influence.
The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration, allowing the National Institutes of Health to cut $783 million in research funding as part of a push to reduce federal diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The 5-4 decision, however, blocked the administration’s broader anti-DEI directive from being used for future funding cuts. The ruling allows the administration to proceed with grant cancellations while a lawsuit continues, while plaintiffs argue the decision harms public health. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, criticizing the outcome and the court’s use of emergency appeals.
Ghislaine Maxwell, when interviewed by Donald Trump’s former criminal defense attorney, denied ever witnessing inappropriate behavior by Trump and praised his presidency. During the interview, Maxwell stated she did not know the nature of Trump’s friendship with Epstein but remembered seeing them together in social settings, claiming she met Trump through her father in the 90s. She also claimed she never witnessed Trump in any type of massage setting and said she didn’t remember if Trump submitted a letter or card for Epstein’s 50th birthday. These statements come amidst scrutiny of Trump’s relationship with Epstein and the Justice Department’s release of the interview transcript, coinciding with the handover of Epstein files to the House Oversight Committee.
A rainbow crosswalk memorializing the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, was painted over by the Florida Department of Transportation on August 21. This action was taken under the direction of the Trump administration’s “SAFE ROADS Initiative,” which aimed to eliminate road distractions, according to a letter from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer criticized the move as a “cruel political act,” particularly since the crosswalk, installed in coordination with the state, adhered to safety standards and served as a memorial. Despite the erasure, community members quickly restored the rainbow colors with chalk, demonstrating their commitment to honoring the lives lost in the 2016 tragedy.
During a Friday media meeting, President Trump expressed support for the Justice Department’s decision to release the Epstein files to the House Oversight Committee, stating he “couldn’t care less” and emphasizing the importance of protecting innocent individuals. He dismissed the files as a “Democrat hoax,” while also mentioning the inclusion of Bill Clinton and Larry Summers in the files. Trump highlighted his administration’s achievements, citing a successful seven months in office. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Trump was mentioned in the files, though being listed does not indicate criminal activity.
President Trump has threatened a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., due to disagreements over the city’s crime statistics. Trump has already deployed federal troops and agents as part of a crackdown, despite a reported decrease in violent crime. This move has sparked controversy, with critics raising concerns about constitutional limits and home rule rights. The mayor of D.C. has stated that the city’s crime levels are at their lowest in 30 years and are working on improving the current issues. Legal challenges to the federal involvement are anticipated.
John Q. Hosedrinker