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President Trump’s consideration of a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of sex trafficking, has drawn significant backlash from within the MAGA movement. Right-wing figures expressed strong disapproval on social media platforms, warning against such a move. This reaction comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s rejection of Maxwell’s appeal, raising concerns about the administration’s handling of the Epstein case. Trump’s potential pardon could further alienate his base, and potentially impact his credibility and the Republican Party’s success.
The Oregon Republican Party promoted Donald Trump’s plan to send National Guard troops to Portland with a social media post featuring a fabricated image of a riot scene. The image, presented on platforms like Facebook and X, was a composite of two stock photos, one depicting South American riot police and the other a Brazilian protest. Despite the image’s inauthenticity, the post was made to encourage Trump’s plan to send troops. After being questioned about the image’s origins, the party responded, claiming they were “just bad memers,” and the post was subsequently removed.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Trump’s plans to deploy troops in American cities, facing questions from CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins regarding the legal challenges. The plans were in response to anti-ICE protests in cities like Portland and Chicago, but a judge blocked the Portland deployment citing the administration’s claims of violence were unsubstantiated. Leavitt criticized the judge’s ruling and accused Collins of bias, insisting the president had the authority to deploy troops. The administration’s use of military force in Democratic cities has been growing, often facing legal battles, and increasing tensions.
Responding to questions about a potential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, former President Donald Trump stated he would need to consult with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Trump, who claimed to have not heard her name recently, indicated he would review the matter. This came after the Supreme Court rejected Maxwell’s appeal to overturn her conviction on sex trafficking charges. He also mentioned he has received pardon requests from others, including Sean “Diddy” Combs.
During a Navy celebration in Norfolk, Virginia, Donald Trump attempted to incite boos against Barack Obama by referring to him by his full name, “Barack Hussein Obama.” The crowd of service members, however, remained silent, a stark contrast to Trump’s expectations. The president proceeded with a meandering speech filled with boasts and personal anecdotes, including one about his physical fitness. This moment mirrored a similar awkward encounter earlier in the week with the Defense Secretary.
The Supreme Court has denied a lawsuit filed by Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist, against social media platforms and individuals. Loomer alleged a coordinated effort to censor her on social media, arguing this impacted her congressional campaigns after she was banned from platforms like Twitter and Facebook for “hateful” conduct. Her lawsuit named various defendants and claimed they conspired to suppress conservative speech, but lower courts dismissed the case, finding no violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The Supreme Court’s decision, with Justice Alito recusing himself, effectively ends the legal challenge.
The Supreme Court has refused to hear Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal, upholding her 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking. Maxwell argued she should be shielded from prosecution due to a non-prosecution agreement Epstein secured in Florida, a claim rejected by lower courts. The Justice Department maintained that the agreement did not cover Maxwell, and the court agreed. Maxwell’s lawyer stated that they are disappointed, but will continue to pursue other avenues.
Initial polling reveals a majority of Americans blame Donald Trump and Republicans for the government shutdown, as opposed to Democrats. The Washington Post poll indicated 47% of adults blame Trump and the Republicans, while 30% blame the Democrats. Despite the President’s assertion that Republicans are “winning” and blaming Democrats for the impasse, federal workers are beginning to feel the shutdown’s effects. The White House has threatened mass layoffs if the Democrats do not resolve the ongoing stalemate.
John Q. Hosedrinker
Jane Goodall’s Final Wish: Trump, Musk, and Others on One-Way Space Trip
In a recently released interview, primatologist Jane Goodall revealed her desire to send certain political figures into space due to their perceived aggressive behaviors. Goodall, who had spent her life studying chimpanzee behavior, compared figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk to alpha male chimpanzees. She indicated she would send these individuals, along with others such as Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Benjamin Netanyahu, on a one-way trip, likening their behaviors to the aggressive territorial displays observed in chimpanzee communities. Goodall emphasized the importance of hope and individual actions in combating the current political climate and environmental crises.
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