Trump Bows to Reality in Epstein Reversal, Beating a Rare Retreat
Faced with a mass defection on a bill to demand the release of the Epstein files, the president rushed to avoid an embarrassing loss, suggesting a slip in his iron grip on the G.O.P.
Faced with a mass defection on a bill to demand the release of the Epstein files, the president rushed to avoid an embarrassing loss, suggesting a slip in his iron grip on the G.O.P.
President Trump denounced calls for the release of the Epstein files as a Democratic hoax. He dispatched aides to warn Republicans that backing it would be seen as a “hostile act.” He placed personal calls to those who dared to do so, and even dispatched his attorney general and F.B.I. director to meet with one in the White House Situation Room in efforts to get her to flip.
In the end, none of it worked.
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...his reversal has opened the floodgates of Republican backing for the bill, which is expected to come to a vote in the House as early as Tuesday and appears likely to pass unanimously. It has also raised questions about Mr. Trump’s ability to impose his will on Republicans and the nation, suggesting a slip in his iron grip on his party amid his falling polling numbers, rising prices and rifts within his political coalition.
3:40 pm:
Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO)
Failing in threats to House Republicans if they voted to release the entirety of the Epstein documents, TACO today called for their release. Note: He may yet prevent release. The Senate must also vote and is unlikely to concur with the House. The Guardian
Trump The Successful Serial Liar, Tries His Boldest Yet
He did away with the Bureau of Labor Statistics head for reporting job numbers he didn't like. Now we have no credible employment data, which enables Trump to claim his whacko tariff and other economic policies are successful
Trump's Republican Party insists there's no affordability crisis and dismisses election losses
Many Republican leaders insist there's no problem with the GOP's policies, the party's message or President Donald Trump’s leadership, despite big losses in this month's elections
Trump says Democrats and the media are misleading voters who are concerned about high costs and the economy.
Those are the major takeaways from a series of private conversations, briefings and official talking points involving major Republican decision-makers across Washington, including inside the White House, after their party's losses Nov. 4. Their assessment highlights the extent to which the fate of the Republican Party is tied to Trump, a term-limited president who insists the economy under his watch has never been stronger.
That's even as an increasing number of voters report a different reality in their lives.
That's even as an increasing number of voters report a different reality in their lives.
Trump Ordering DOJ to Open Investigations into Democrats Means Epstein Documents "Can't be released"
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Speaking on ABC’s This Week, Massie criticized Trump for ordering attorney general Pam Bondi on Friday to examine Democrats with ties to Epstein....
“The president’s been saying this is a hoax,” Massie said, referring to several claims Trump has made in reaction to repeated calls for full disclosure of the files. “He’s been saying that for months. Well, he’s just now decided to investigate a hoax, if it’s a hoax. And I have another concern about these investigations that he’s announced. If they have ongoing investigations in certain areas, those documents can’t be released.
“So, this might be a big smokescreen, these investigations, to open a bunch of them, as a last-ditch effort to prevent the release of the Epstein files,” he added.
