Newly released documents reveal that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, despite previously distancing himself from Jeffrey Epstein, planned a visit to Epstein’s private island in 2012. Emails show Lutnick’s request for a dinner invitation to the island, which was then followed by an invitation to lunch on Little St. James. Furthermore, documents indicate Lutnick invited Epstein to a Hillary Clinton fundraiser in 2015. These details cast further doubt on Lutnick’s previous claims of minimal interaction with the disgraced financier, especially considering Lutnick’s previous acknowledgement of having seen the massage room in Epstein’s townhouse.
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Speaking in the Oval Office, President Trump claimed his “silent majority” of supporters “don’t riot” while defending his deportation policies, seemingly referencing anti-ICE protests. This statement was made weeks after the fifth anniversary of the January 6th Capitol riot, in which Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building. Social media users quickly pointed out this contradiction, sharing footage of the riot that resulted in multiple deaths and accusations that Trump incited the insurrection. Polls show that the majority of Americans disagree with Trump’s immigration policies, which indicates a vulnerability for Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterms.
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Project 2025, a detailed conservative agenda, presented a rare opportunity for accurate prediction but was instead met with journalistic surprise despite its public availability. While advocacy groups like the ACLU warned of the plan’s negative impacts, their concerns were often dismissed as partisan, whereas Trump’s denials, even when demonstrably false, were treated as newsworthy facts. This journalistic approach, prioritizing neutrality and minimizing the appearance of bias, ultimately allowed Trump’s lies to be laundered into legitimate disagreements, hindering voters from understanding the gravity of the situation. The failure to simply acknowledge the obvious – the existence of the document, its authors, Trump’s endorsements, and his lies – directly hampered the ability of the press to inform the public.
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Recent data reveals the detrimental impact of President Trump’s tariff policies on American alcohol manufacturers, particularly in Canada. Provincial liquor store boycotts in Quebec and Ontario have led to a staggering 91% decline in U.S. wine sales to Canada since 2024, causing major losses for companies like Brown-Forman and prompting production suspensions at plants like Jim Beam’s. This situation has forced smaller distillers to drastically reduce sales and shift production to Canada, alongside a rise in prices and scarcity of imported goods in American bars. Despite these consequences, the President has shown no inclination to alter his course, even threatening further tariffs on foreign products in response to political disagreements.
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The Justice Department’s recent release of three million files related to Jeffrey Epstein has sparked controversy, particularly concerning the identities of his associates and potential protection by the department. Ghislaine Maxwell, an Epstein accomplice, alleged that 29 of Epstein’s friends were shielded through secret settlements. Critics point out the incongruity of having extensive files detailing Epstein and Maxwell’s trafficking but an inability to identify those involved, suggesting a potential cover-up by the Justice Department to protect wealthy abusers.
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The Justice Department released approximately 3 million documents, including over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, fulfilling a mandate from the Epstein Files Transparency Act. These files originated from various law enforcement proceedings linked to Epstein’s activities and death. The released documents also contained uncorroborated allegations made to the FBI about Donald Trump, who had been questioned about his administration’s delay in publishing the files and the lack of evidence that Epstein had a “client list.” Furthermore, the documents reveal contacts between Epstein and individuals like Elon Musk and Howard Lutnick, with the DOJ claiming that the release aims to comply with the law while protecting victims.
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The arrest of journalist Don Lemon for covering a protest in Minneapolis is a blatant attack on the First Amendment, signaling an attempt to silence dissenting voices and intimidate other journalists. This action, orchestrated by Attorney General Pam Bondi, represents a broader effort to use the Justice Department for political retribution against perceived critics of the administration. Furthermore, the arrest is part of a pattern of suppressing free expression, echoing tactics seen in Minneapolis and aligning with autocratic figures. These actions, coupled with other efforts to control media access and undermine voting rights, are critical steps toward turning the United States into an autocracy.
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The Independent maintains a commitment to on-the-ground reporting on crucial issues like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, providing in-depth investigations and documentary projects. These efforts aim to distinguish facts from narratives during a pivotal period in US history, allowing for comprehensive perspectives. This reporting, crucial for a broad audience, is made accessible without paywalls, relying on reader donations to sustain its mission of providing quality journalism to everyone. The publication’s commitment to reporting is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum.
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Massive power outages in Cuba left many unaware of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on any country supplying oil to the island nation. This announcement has sparked anger and anguish among Cubans already facing economic hardship due to increased U.S. sanctions and crumbling infrastructure. Experts like Jorge Piñon suggest that the restriction of fuel shipments could worsen Cuba’s precarious economic state. Many Cubans express that the government poses a larger threat to them than the United States, as the country struggles with severe blackouts and shortages of basic goods.
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The Department of Justice released more Epstein files, including mentions of President Trump and other public figures, with a warning about potentially false claims. Trump announced tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, despite Cuba posing no threat, and simultaneously threatened Canada regarding Alberta’s oil independence movement. Researchers discovered that baby and young juvenile sauropods were the most common food source for the meat-eating dinosaurs at the top of the food chain. Additionally, archaeologists found a significant ancient tomb in Mexico dating back to 600 AD.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Trump Claims Followers Don’t Riot, Ignoring January 6th
Speaking in the Oval Office, President Trump claimed his “silent majority” of supporters “don’t riot” while defending his deportation policies, seemingly referencing anti-ICE protests. This statement was made weeks after the fifth anniversary of the January 6th Capitol riot, in which Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building. Social media users quickly pointed out this contradiction, sharing footage of the riot that resulted in multiple deaths and accusations that Trump incited the insurrection. Polls show that the majority of Americans disagree with Trump’s immigration policies, which indicates a vulnerability for Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterms.
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