Following the successful passage of a bill forcing the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, the White House intends to scrutinize Democrats’ connections to the disgraced financier. Anonymous White House officials stated that Democrats who sought to use the issue to criticize President Trump will regret it. This strategy includes highlighting relationships, such as the one between Epstein and Bill Clinton, and raising questions about figures like Stacey Plaskett. This move comes as President Trump is asking the Justice Department to investigate Epstein’s ties to specific Democrats and financial institutions, shifting the focus away from his own associations.
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In August, the U.S. trade deficit decreased by almost 24% to $59.6 billion due to President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, which pushed imports down by 5%. Exports saw a slight increase of 0.1% to $280.8 billion. Although the trade deficit decreased in August, it is still up for 2025. The administration is facing a legal challenge in the Supreme Court over the legality of the tariffs.
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The documentary “Rovina’s Choice” highlights the impact of dwindling international aid, specifically the US’s decreased funding for USAID. This aid cuts have devastating consequences, with hundreds of thousands of deaths already linked to these changes, and millions more projected by 2030. Studies reveal the vital role of international assistance in reducing mortality rates from diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria. Despite progress in combating famine and improving global health, the reduction in funding is reversing these gains, potentially leading to a manufactured crisis of widespread death and suffering.
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In response to mounting concerns, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Robert Garcia introduced the Stop Ballroom Bribery Act, targeting apparent corruption surrounding President Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom project. This legislation aims to restrict donations from entities with potential conflicts of interest and prevent quid-pro-quo arrangements, as key donors have business interests before the administration. The bill seeks to ensure transparency by requiring the disclosure of meetings with senior federal officials and the publication of all donations. Furthermore, it imposes pre- and post-donation restrictions, including a two-year cooling-off period for lobbyists and banning anonymous donations, with provisions for enforcement and penalties.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed a strong desire for the release of all files related to Jeffrey Epstein, distrusting the current administration’s handling of the matter. During an interview, Schumer used profanity to emphasize his distrust of the Department of Justice and other officials. This push for transparency follows a vote in the House, supported by nearly all Republicans, to release the Epstein files after a previous disagreement within the party. The renewed focus on the Epstein case stems from the DOJ’s acceptance of the circumstances surrounding his death and Trump’s reaction.
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The Social Democrats experienced significant losses in Denmark’s municipal and regional elections, with support dropping over five percentage points nationally. This decline included the loss of Copenhagen, marking the first time in over a century the party will not hold the lord mayor position. Mette Frederiksen attributed the defeat to factors such as rising food prices, urban-rural imbalances, and crime. Analysts suggest voter fatigue with the prime minister’s hardline policies on immigration and integration also contributed to the setback.
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A federal appeals court panel upheld the dismissal of Donald Trump’s $475 million defamation lawsuit against CNN, deeming his claims “unpersuasive” and “meritless.” The lawsuit stemmed from CNN’s use of the term “the Big Lie” to describe Trump’s claims of election fraud, a phrase the court found did not constitute a false statement of fact. The court rejected Trump’s argument, stating that the term was a subjective interpretation of his actions. This marks another legal defeat for Trump in his attempts to sue media outlets over their coverage of his claims.
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During his White House visit, President Donald Trump warmly embraced Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, dismissing U.S. intelligence findings that implicated the Crown Prince in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump praised Prince Mohammed as an indispensable player in the Middle East and announced Saudi Arabia’s increased investment in the U.S. Furthermore, Trump announced agreements including the sale of F-35 fighter jets, a defense agreement, and designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, despite concerns about human rights and potential conflicts of interest. The visit also aimed to advance the Abraham Accords and normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, though the Saudis insisted on a path to Palestinian statehood first.
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The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill on Tuesday compelling the Justice Department to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein. This decisive action followed months of effort to overcome opposition, including from former President Donald Trump and Republican leadership. Despite initial resistance, the bill garnered significant momentum, leading to its passage in the House and subsequent unanimous consent in the Senate. This legislative victory marks a crucial step in the pursuit of accountability for Epstein’s victims and scrutiny of law enforcement’s handling of the case.
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In response to Donald Trump’s repeated threats of military action against drug cartels in Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly stated that such intervention “is not going to happen,” citing the historical precedent of the Mexican-American War. Despite Trump’s warnings and claims of being unhappy with Mexico, Sheinbaum maintains that Mexico will not request any foreign intervention. Trump’s threats coincide with the deployment of military assets in the Caribbean, and are seen by analysts as an aggressive approach toward Latin American countries. Trump continues to demand that Mexico do more to reduce the flow of drugs and migrants across the US-Mexico border.
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John Q. Hosedrinker