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The game of Russian Roulette

  

Category:  Op/Ed

By:  vic-eldred  •  last year  •  104 comments

The game of Russian Roulette
You have to think about one shot. One shot is what it's all about. A deer's gotta be taken with one shot.”

Link to quote: The Deer Hunter (Michael to Nick)


In an odd twist in the strange political diversion known as "the release of the Epstein files," President Trump has now urged House Republicans to back a measure to release the Epstein files. This strange series of events began with Merick Garland as Biden's AG sitting on the files for 4 years as congressional democrats prevented disclosure. Then Trump was reelected and he ordered his AG Pam Bondi to release them. For some strange reason Bondi released some of the files. Many speculated (and I'm one of them) that President Trump got a call from some of his donors asking for some of the files not to be released. Thus, Trump reversed himself.

That act caused even MAGA supporters to demand he keep his promise. It caused democrats to think that either there was something implicating Trump or at the very least they could use the withholding of info against the President ahead of the midterms. The problem with all of this speculation is that if there were any egregious acts by Trump in those files, we would have heard about it when the Trump hating democrats controlled the files.

Now apparently Trump has decided that the midterms are more important than protecting donors and that the files are more damaging to democrats than Republicans, so he has reversed himself once again. The files are to be released, and the DOJ has been advised to look into democrats who were deeply involved with Epstein.

(Just so everyone understands: Epstein made money by blackmailing people whom he fixed up with his sex slaves.)


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Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1  author  Vic Eldred    last year

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devangelical
Professor Principal
1.1  devangelical  replied to  Vic Eldred @1    last year

translation : it looks like pam bondi has finally finished redacting trump's name from the epstein files completely. unfortunately, the 23K documents that were in that file have now been reduced to about 11 pages. 

russian roulette = 1 bullet and 5 empty chambers

maga roulette = 5 bullets and 1 empty chamber

I like to imagine that the VC in this clip are all maga ... 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
1.1.1  JohnRussell  replied to  devangelical @1.1    last year
it looks like pam bondi has finally finished redacting trump's name from the epstein files completely.

Either that or there will be an unfortunate fire at DOJ and the FBI. 

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
1.1.2  devangelical  replied to  JohnRussell @1.1.1    last year

mao maga mao ...

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
1.1.3  devangelical  replied to  JohnRussell @1.1.1    last year
there will be an unfortunate fire at DOJ and the FBI

I thought that comes after the purge of brown shorts ... er, shirts ...

 
 
 
Krishna
Professor Guide
1.1.5  Krishna  replied to  JohnRussell @1.1.1    last year
it looks like pam bondi has finally finished redacting trump's name from the epstein files completely.
Either that or there will be an unfortunate fire at DOJ and the FBI

I've heard another explanation. On TV news tonight but I didn't catch the whole thing.

Trump has, or is going to, have the (so-called) Justice Dept initiate legal cases against Democrats who may or may not have been involved with Epstein. And apparently while there are the cases ongoing, they can't release these files related to a pending case.

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Guide
1.2  MrFrost  replied to  Vic Eldred @1    last year
President Trump has now urged House Republicans to back a measure to release the Epstein files. 

That's because his DOJ won't release anything that makes him look bad. It's all optics. 

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Professor Participates
1.2.1  Right Down the Center  replied to  MrFrost @1.2    last year
That's because his DOJ won't release anything that makes him look bad.

Why all the whining to get them if you were only going to whine about getting them?

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
2  Jeremy Retired in NC    last year
The problem with all of this speculation is that if there were any egregious acts by Trump in those files, we would have heard about it when the Trump hating democrats controlled the files.

That is something that the left can't seem to wrap their heads around.  Given the Democrats propensity to release everything and anything that would make Trump look bad even in the slightest, if there were anything in there that would have made that possible they would have released them.  Even this last hoax with the email batch the Democrats plan blew up in their faces.

Now apparently Trump has decided that the midterms are more important than protecting donors and that the files are more damaging to democrats than Republicans, so he has reversed himself once again. 

As evidenced already, Trump took a stand against that kind of activity.  If his donors are part of it, it's almost a given he will turn on them, and rightly so.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @2    last year

What a turn of events!

It's almost as though they trapped themselves.

Hopefully this blows up in the faces of democrats. They really deserve it.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
2.1.1  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1    last year
It's almost as though they trapped themselves.

They did.  As expected, their "gotcha" moment only wasted oxygen.  But then again a lot of what they do is waste oxygen

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.2  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @2.1.1    last year

Well so far, Larry Summers has been condemned by Liz Warren and announced he is withdrawing from public life. And Stacey Plaskett is on her way to being censured in the US House of Representatives.

This is what the democrats want?

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
2.1.3  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1.2    last year

From what I've read Summers claims he's "deeply ashamed".  He's only ashamed that he was outed as part of the pedophiles circles.  

Plaskett needs removed from office and charged accordingly.  Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.

This is what the democrats want?

I don't think it matters.  There is no running from these facts and hopefully those involved are dealt with accordingly.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
2.1.4  Jack_TX  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1.2    last year
And Stacey Plaskett is on her way to being censured in the US House of Representatives.

Apparently that vote has failed.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
2.1.5  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Jack_TX @2.1.4    last year

She has been removed from as Permeanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.6  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @2.1.5    last year

That may be sufficient for now.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.7  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Jack_TX @2.1.4    last year

So, 6 Republicans defected and every democrat backed her.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.8  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @2.1.3    last year
From what I've read Summers claims he's "deeply ashamed".  He's only ashamed that he was outed as part of the pedophiles circles.  

It tainted what would have been a distinguished career.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
2.1.9  Jack_TX  replied to  Vic Eldred @2.1.8    last year
It tainted what would have been a distinguished career.

I think there is going to be a lot of that going around.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
2.1.10  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Jack_TX @2.1.9    last year

Yup, it's not exactly Lincoln & Douglas anymore.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Participates
2.2  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @2    last year

So release ALL OF THEM then now.  Let the chips fall where they may.  You should be just as motivated as the rest of us, except you know better.  You know that DJT is on the verge of being implicated in the very same child sex cabal that he projected onto his opponents.  He is a pedophile pimp, and for some reason he has your undying loyalty.  How noble.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
2.2.1  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @2.2    last year
So release ALL OF THEM then now.

Where was your voice on all this during the Biden Administration? 

He is a pedophile pimp, and for some reason he has your undying loyalty.

The fact that you think you know so much about me and have been so wrong about, well EVERYTHING, is fkng hilarious.  

The ONLY reason the left is so vocal now is that you all THINK (unfounded naturally) it would bring Trump down.  It's obvious that none of you really read any of the emails.  If you did, you would find that Epstein suffered from TDS just like you do.  The difference is, in Epstein's case, Trump was part of his downfall.  In yours, he only made you cry.

Given the history of the democrats and their leaks, if this were something that could bring him down, they would have released all of it.  

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Professor Participates
2.2.2  Right Down the Center  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @2.2.1    last year
Given the history of the democrats and their leaks, if this were something that could bring him down, they would have released all of it.  

To a logical mind this is correct but be prepared for the spinsters to come along and twis every mention of Trump as proof Donald belongs in jail or at least impeached.  Of course the spinsters will also justify how every dem mentioned in the files is a nothing burger starting with Jeffries and Plaskett. 

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Participates
2.2.3  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @2.2.1    last year

Blah blah blah.  Your Trump sycophancy is profoundly on display here every day.  The rats are fleeing your ship but you are clearly devoted to going down on/with Trump.  When the evidence is finally in front of everyone you will be left protecting a pedophile.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
2.2.4  Jack_TX  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @2.2.1    last year
Where was your voice on all this during the Biden Administration? 

That is a fascinating question.  I doubt you'll get much of an answer.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
2.2.5  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Right Down the Center @2.2.2    last year
To a logical mind this is correct but be prepared for the spinsters to come along and twis every mention of Trump as proof Donald belongs in jail or at least impeached.

But the one thing they forget is that there has to be a LEGAL reason for jail or impeachment.  Hurt feelings doesn't meet those requirements.  2.2.3 is a perfect example of that.

Of course the spinsters will also justify how every dem mentioned in the files is a nothing burger starting with Jeffries and Plaskett. 

Oh, that's a given.  

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
2.2.6  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @2.2.3    last year
When the evidence is finally in front...

Investigating him for almost a decade now.  If there were evidence it would have been presented.  The best that could have been used was a charge past it's statute of limitations.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
2.2.7  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Jack_TX @2.2.4    last year
I doubt you'll get much of an answer.

Oh, I know I won't get much of an answer.  Especially a coherent one.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
3  author  Vic Eldred    last year

"US President Donald Trump has said he will take legal action against the BBC over how his speech was edited by Panorama, after the corporation apologised but refused to compensate him.

0911%20afone%20press_1.jpg?alias=standard_900x600nc

Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on Friday evening, Trump said: "We'll sue them for anywhere between $1bn   [£759m] and $5bn, probably sometime next week."

Trump says he will sue BBC for at least $1bn over Panorama edit


I think that might be a tidy sum.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
4  author  Vic Eldred    last year

"The House Oversight Committee distributed an internal memo this weekend blasting Democrats on the committee for selective leaks with “targeted redactions” to create a “hoax” for President Donald Trump. 

The memo is designed to help Republicans on the committee push back against what the leadership described as “an anti-Trump narrative” Democrats sought to create by releasing Jeffrey Epstein emails that name the president. Epstein, who died in a New York detention facility in 2019, was a financier connected to powerful men and  a convicted sex offender . 

In one of the emails that  House Democrats published last week , Epstein said, “Victim 1 spent many hours at my house with him,” referring to Trump. However, the Oversight Committee Democrats intentionally withheld the name of the victim, later identified as Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre. Before her death earlier this year, Giuffre  said that she never witnessed Trump doing anything wrong . "

Oversight Committee Republicans blast Dems for selective leaks Epstein probe in internal memo | Just The News

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
4.1  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Vic Eldred @4    last year
selective leaks with “targeted redactions” to create a “hoax” 

Democrats and leaks?  That's never happened!!! /s

That whole email thing blew up in their faces really quick.  

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
4.1.1  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @4.1    last year

Larry Summers may have just become the first victim.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
5  Nerm_L    last year

Trump already fell into the Epstein trap and tried to nuke MAGA.  And we found out that MAGA doesn't need Trump.

Trump did the only thing he is good at, creating a brand.  But the grassroots movement is more than a brand.  Jesse Ventura represented the original movement.  And Ventura has been a vocal critic of Trump.  

The grassroots aren't real happy with Trump's turn to TEA Party nonsense and fake conservatism.  This is not what they voted for.

Trump's own base has been demanding release of the Epstein files for a long time.  The phony smoke machine trying to shift blame onto Democrats is fake, New York elite bullshit.  Trump thinks we're that damned stupid?  Democrats could have released the files but didn't.  Trump promised to release the files and Trump damned well better deliver.  

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
5.1  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Nerm_L @5    last year
And we found out that MAGA doesn't need Trump.

Thank God for that.


The grassroots aren't real happy with Trump's turn to TEA Party nonsense and fake conservatism.

The TEA Party was about one issue, which the name implies. They are now part of MAGA.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
5.1.1  Nerm_L  replied to  Vic Eldred @5.1    last year
The TEA Party was about one issue, which the name implies. They are now part of MAGA.

Claiming the TEA Party is part of the MAGA movement would be like claiming Joe Biden was a Roosevelt Democrat.  

The MAGA movement traces it's beginnings to Ross Perot's 1992 Presidential campaign and the subsequent rise of the Reform Party.  Trump only created a brand; Trump did not create the movement.  

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
5.1.2  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Nerm_L @5.1.1    last year

I grant you that many of Perot's ideas went into the MAGA mix, but the Tea Party was focused on federal taxation.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
5.1.3  Nerm_L  replied to  Vic Eldred @5.1.2    last year
I grant you that many of Perot's ideas went into the MAGA mix, but the Tea Party was focused on federal taxation.

But MAGA was not about cutting taxes and shrinking government.  That was not Trump's 1st term agenda.  The agenda for the 1st term was to reinvigorate the heartland.  That's why Mike Pence was chosen to be VP.  The emphasis shifted away from coastal economics and politics (Free Trade sea ports) and toward developing he resources of the interior.

The campaign for Trump's 2nd term held the promise of continuing the 1st term agenda.  JD Vance was a Senator from Ohio, in a mixed race marriage, advocated Christian values, was not TEA Party, and had advocated America First policies as a Senator. 

Elon Musk and DOGE are not MAGA, that's asinine TEA Party nonsense that just destroys for the sake of destruction.  The One Big Beautiful Bill was all TEA Party; there is little MAGA in the OBBB.  Trump is now reinvigorating the heartland the same way he remodeled the East Wing.  Trump has returned to the TEA Party politics of phony fiscal accomplishments, ignoring the needs of the heartland, and heaping praise on Wall Street and financiers.  Trump has returned the false prosperity of creating more fiat currency whose value continues to decline.   

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
5.1.4  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Nerm_L @5.1.3    last year
The One Big Beautiful Bill was all TEA Party;

Yes, it was. Again, the TEA Party is now a part of MAGA. And cutting taxes helps to improve the US economy which ultimately benefits MAGA.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
5.1.5  Nerm_L  replied to  Vic Eldred @5.1.4    last year
Yes, it was. Again, the TEA Party is now a part of MAGA. And cutting taxes helps to improve the US economy which ultimately benefits MAGA.

But that's impossible.  TEA Party goals are quite different than MAGA goals.  The expectation of fiscal responsibility and monetary efficiency requires US dependence on foreign supply chains and 'coalitions of the willing'.  The TEA Party cannot cut taxes and shrink government without exploiting foreign entanglements.  The TEA Party must sell out the United States to maximize profits.  Selling the heartland to any foreigner with the jingle is not America First.  The TEA Party agenda can not pursue America First priorities. 

The TEA Party must adopt the Democrats' idea that the Constitution is a living document to be interpreted according to circumstance.  The TEA Party cannot pursue its agenda and conform to the idea of Constitutional Originalism.  Perverse interpretation of the Constitution is the only way the TEA Party can shrink government by shirking constitutional responsibilities and obligations.  

Either MAGA kills the TEA Party or the TEA Party kills MAGA.  They cannot realistically coexist within the Republican Party because they are opposites.  Trump's shyster personality is the only thing holding the Republican Party together now.  But Trump is done one year from now.  The Republican Party could fracture before 2028.  Trump abandoning MAGA has put the Republican Party in the same boat as Democrats.  Both parties are trying to be all things to all people.  Both parties have created a house divided.  

Matthew 12:25 - And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand .

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
5.1.6  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Nerm_L @5.1.5    last year

I think we disagree on what the Tea Party amounted to. Lower taxes is their goal and is entirely consistent with MAGA goals.

Don't you remember when candidate Obama learned that lower Capital Gains taxes actually increased revenue?

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
5.1.7  Nerm_L  replied to  Vic Eldred @5.1.6    last year
I think we disagree on what the Tea Party amounted to. Lower taxes is their goal and is entirely consistent with MAGA goals.

I don't think so.  MAGA wasn't about the TEA Party goal of cutting taxes and shrinking government.  The grassroots MAGA movement has been about reform and fairness.  MAGA advocates for a simplified tax code that is more fair.  The grassroots MAGA movement is skeptical of the 'job creator' claims the TEA Party uses to justify tax cuts.  

The grassroots MAGA movement leans toward being more pro-worker than pro-business.  The function of business is to create jobs, provide living wages, and support stakeholders rather than shareholders.  The grassroots MAGA movement is not a cheerleader for Wall Street.  MAGA rejects the idea of class warfare and equity.  But the grassroots MAGA movement demands fairness.

Trump garnered support from the grassroots MAGA movement by promising to 'drain the swamp'.  Grassroots MAGA views the swamp as extending beyond government.  Globalist elites, multi-national corporations, and rich financiers are swamp creatures, too.  The grassroots MAGA movement won't be that impressed by tax cuts to reward swamp creatures.

The grassroots MAGA movement's economic agenda is a populist demand for a national, stakeholder-focused economy that prioritizes the American worker and the American economy over the global economy and global investors.  The grassroots MAGA movement has embraced many of the progressive ideas of both Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt.  Parts of Teddy Roosevelt's Square Deal and Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal have been mushed together to create a MAGA demand for a Fair Deal.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
5.1.8  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Nerm_L @5.1.7    last year

Do you think either is going anywhere?

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
5.1.9  Nerm_L  replied to  Vic Eldred @5.1.8    last year
Do you think either is going anywhere?

IMO it's too early to say.  Republicans have killed off all their 'culture war' issues used to throw red meat to the base.  Immigration is not going to be as big an issue for Republicans during the midterms and, on the current trajectory, will be a non-issue in 2028.  

So, the division within the Republican Party is being refined to 'role of government' issues.  The TEA Party fiscal austerity measures have never been popular and, realistically, have never delivered promised results.  The Republican base has lost a lot of interest in drowning government in Newt Gingrich's bathtub.  The TEA Party can fearmonger about national debt and foreign adversaries but absent another large scale terror attack that playbook has lost its mojo.

The growing complaints and concerns about affordability is a better fit for the MAGA America First politics.  Grassroots MAGA is definitely not nostalgic for the gilded age of robber barons.  MAGA is more likely to see the rich as being to root cause of increasing unaffordability.  

The grassroots MAGA movement has the advantage as far as the politics go.  A lot depends on which faction can find the more charismatic spokesperson.  

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
5.1.10  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Nerm_L @5.1.9    last year
A lot depends on which faction can find the more charismatic spokesperson.  

MAGA has a very strong bench.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
6  JohnRussell    last year

When you cant face reality, create a new one for yourself, that is Trump in a nutshell. He wants the Republicans to release the files so HE can take credit for it. The truth is that 40 or so Republicans in the House were going to vote for the release before Trump said "release them". If Trump fought against that he would look more guilty than he already does. 

Trump knew Epstein was molesting teenagers and didnt care. That is the truth of it. Now when that becomes more clear than it already is Trump will just lie and lie and say it was his idea to make the files public all along. When something bad about him and Epstein comes out he will say its not his fault and something about Biden and Jack Smith bla bla bla and make himself the victim in some way. It is the story of his life. 

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
6.1  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  JohnRussell @6    last year
When you cant face reality, create a new one for yourself, that is Trump in a nutshell.

You mean like "Russia Collusion", January 6th and now Epstein?

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
6.1.1  JohnRussell  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @6.1    last year

All subjects that you know nothing about. 

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Professor Participates
6.1.2  Right Down the Center  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @6.1    last year

They are just serving up the next nothing burger so their heads can explode.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
6.1.3  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  JohnRussell @6.1.1    last year

The first two turned out to be false realities created by the Democrats and believed by the most gullible, and it's looking more that the third will as well.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
6.1.4  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  Right Down the Center @6.1.2    last year

We've already known that they think that the rest of the world is as gullible as their lemming followers.

 
 
 
George
PhD Expert
6.1.5  George  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @6.1    last year
"Russia Collusion"

The only candidate that colluded with Russia was Hillary, the low functioning lemmings on the left keep forgetting that

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
6.1.6  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  George @6.1.5    last year

The same people think Trump incited a riot on January 6th.

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Guide
6.1.7  MrFrost  replied to  George @6.1.5    last year

The only candidate that colluded with Russia was Hillary, the low functioning lemmings on the left keep forgetting that

So Hillary met with Russian spies in trump tower? Wow, ok.. LOL

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
6.1.8  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  MrFrost @6.1.7    last year

She created the lie that so many still believe.

 
 
 
George
PhD Expert
6.1.9  George  replied to  MrFrost @6.1.7    last year

No she just hired a foreign spy to work with Russian intelligence to gather information on her opponent and then used a compliant DOJ to investigate her opponent for political gain. WOW, ok... LOL

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
6.1.10  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  George @6.1.9    last year

Which brought us the Russia Collusion hoax.  

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Guide
6.1.11  MrFrost  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @6.1.10    last year

Which brought us the Russia Collusion hoax.  

What was the hoax part?

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
6.1.12  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  MrFrost @6.1.11    last year

It's cute how you don't pay attention to a damn thing.  Please try to keep up with what's going on.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Professor Participates
6.2  Right Down the Center  replied to  JohnRussell @6    last year
Trump knew Epstein was molesting teenagers and didnt care. That is the truth of it.

That may be your partisan truth but it is not necessarily THE truth.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
7  JohnRussell    last year
Trump could release the Epstein records himself but is instead pushing a House vote to shift blame, is using vague language about what the House is “legally entitled” to access that could allow stonewalling, and may be setting up the Senate to delay or block disclosure while he claims to support transparency. In addition, I would expect this White House to now say they cannot release certain files due to the ongoing investigation by the Justice Department.

There it is. 

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
7.1  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  JohnRussell @7    last year
Trump could release the Epstein records himself but is instead pushing a House vote to shift blame

Or eliminate the Democrats chances of crying about it if any of them are involved.  Like Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands).

 
 
 
George
PhD Expert
8  George    last year

Anybody at this point that thinks there is anything in the Epstein files that can hurt trump is a fucking moron.

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
8.1  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  George @8    last year
Anybody at this point that thinks there is anything in the Epstein files that can hurt trump is a fucking moron.

Anybody at this point that thinks there is anything, even a video of Trump shooting someone on 5th Ave, that could hurt Trumps image with his fucking moron base, is naive.

 
 
 
George
PhD Expert
8.1.1  George  replied to  Dismayed Patriot @8.1    last year

You are absolutely correct, the trump sycophants won't be swayed anymore that the worthless fucktards who think trump is responsible for their miserable fucking lives. 

 
 
 
devangelical
Professor Principal
8.1.2  devangelical  replied to  George @8.1.1    last year
worthless fucktards who think trump is responsible for their miserable fucking lives

maga!

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
9  author  Vic Eldred    last year

There is an article on this site about Trump hijacking the left's new narrative about affordability. [deleted]

[✘] For 4 years the inflation created by Joe Biden's administration were explained away by the leftist MSM. It is part of Marxist ideology know as a false consciousness. Marx taught that only intellectuals knew what was good for the people. This we had the media telling us that things really were good despite the inflation and high prices.

Trump cannot expect any such propaganda from the media to protect him. He must figure out a way to remedy the high prices that were caused by his predecessor and politically he only has about 6 months to do it. It is a tall order and I have my fingers crossed.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
9.1  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @9    last year

Trump was elected because he said he could fix everything on day one and too many gullible or wishful thinking people believed him. No one voted for him to fix everything over four years.

[Deleted][✘]

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
9.1.1  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @9.1    last year
Trump was elected because he said he could fix everything on day one

No.  He wasn't.

He was elected because he was not Biden or Harris.  He was elected as a rejection of looney leftism and the hate mongering it requires.  

The militant left are forever unwilling to look in the mirror and admit that this is all about an intense rejection of them.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
9.1.2  JohnRussell  replied to  Jack_TX @9.1.1    last year
this is all about an intense rejection of them.

This is "all about" MAGA not caring, at all, that Trump is completely unfit for office and an everyday embarrassment to this country. 

Donald Trump told reporters a couple days ago that he does not know why he was given an MRI.  I have had about six MRI's and I knew each time exactly why I was getting it. The doctors and nurses tell you. 

Why are you so blase about Trump's stupidity and daily (hourly) lying ?

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
9.1.3  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  JohnRussell @9.1.2    last year
This is "all about" MAGA not caring, at all, that Trump is completely unfit for office and an everyday embarrassment to this country. 

Aren't you the person trying to explain off Biden trying to shake hands with somebody who wasn't there?  Now you expect to be taken seriously when you talk about the mental problems of somebody else?  jrSmiley_86_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
9.1.4  JohnRussell  replied to  Jeremy Retired in NC @9.1.3    last year

I know its a complete waste of time, but here

factcheck.afp.com   /doc.afp.com.348P3D7

Video shows Biden gesturing to crowd, not embracing 'imaginary' person

3-4 minutes


Social media users are claiming a video shows Joe Biden reaching to shake hands with and hug an "imaginary" or "invisible" person after a December 2023 speech in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This is false; the clip is cut short and closely cropped, obscuring the crowd to which the US president was gesturing.

"After shaking hands with invisible people several times, US President Joe Biden started hugging them," says a  December 21, 2023 post  on X, formerly Twitter, from a popular account called "S p r i n t e r."

"Biden shook hands with his imaginary friend again," the same  profile , which has  previously  spread  disinformation  under  aliases  such as "Sprinter," added in a  second post .

The short clip shows Biden lifting his hands as he looks to his left and then behind him after delivering a speech.

But posts   claiming   Biden was trying to engage an   "imaginary"   or   "invisible"   person are inaccurate.

They are the latest in a long   history   of   manipulated   or   misrepresented   videos purporting to show the Democratic president, 81,   lost   or   confused ,   misreading social cues   or   dozing off   on the job.

The latest clip captures the conclusion of Biden's December 20, 2023 address to the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce in Milwaukee.

Other angles from the official   White House stream   and   footage   from   C-SPAN   and other   US media   show audience members seated around the stage as Biden spoke about his administration's economic policies and support for Black-owned small businesses (archived   here ,   here ,   here   and   here ).

The attendees stood up as Biden stepped away from the podium and turned toward them. He gestured in their direction -- rather than reaching for an "imaginary" person -- and continued to acknowledge different sections of the crowd while exiting the stage.

AFP has debunked similar claims that Biden waved to no one after other speeches   here   and   here .

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Professor Participates
9.1.5  Right Down the Center  replied to  Jack_TX @9.1.1    last year

You mean they didn't lose because it was a communication issue? S/

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
9.1.6  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @9.1.2    last year
This is "all about" MAGA not caring, at all, that Trump is completely unfit for office and an everyday embarrassment to this country. 

You mean this is all about them not caring what your opinions are.  Yes.  That's correct.

But it doesn't matter what they think.   There aren't enough of them to win an election.  What matters is what the swing voters think, and they spoke really loudly.

They would rather have all of the shit Trump brings than a 6'4" man swinging his balls in the women's locker room before going out to win the women's competition.  They would rather have the great orange blowhard than some batshit leftist willing to let drag queens groom little kids for the sake of their own self-proclaimed enlightened self-righteousness.  They are willing to tolerate all his many failings because, as full of shit as he is, he makes more sense than Biden or Harris and their left wing handlers.

At some point, Democrats are going to have to demonstrate something at least vaguely resembling competence.  They're going to need to learn to hide their contempt for working Americans and their hatred of straight white men.

Donald Trump told reporters a couple days ago that he does not know why he was given an MRI.  I have had about six MRI's and I knew each time exactly why I was getting it. The doctors and nurses tell you.  Why are you so blase about Trump's stupidity and daily (hourly) lying ?

Do you understand how completely insane it is to take Trump literally and then in the very next sentence complain about him lying all the time?

You're asking the wrong question, BTW.  The question isn't why I don't care about Trump's lies.  That should be obvious.  First and foremost, there is absolutely fuck all I can do about it.  Secondly, I don't ever take him seriously.  How can I?  I'd have to be a complete fucking moron to believe anything he says. 

The question you should be asking is "don't you find it problematic that you can't take the POTUS seriously?"   

That answer is yes.  I do.  Again, there isn't a lot I can do about it, but yeah, it's a problem.

 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
9.1.7  JohnRussell  replied to  Jack_TX @9.1.6    last year

What is insane is your endless dismissal of complaints about the most unfit for office president in our 250 year history. 

Fitness for office is the starting point for the acceptance of a president, not some minor side issue. 

You excuse his constant lying by saying in effect "he's a liar, what do you expect"?    It is ludicrous. 

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
9.1.8  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @9.1.7    last year
What is insane is your endless dismissal of complaints about the most unfit for office president in our 250 year history.

The dismissals can only be endless if the complaints are first.  Are you familiar with "the boy who cried wolf"?  You can only tattle on this man so many times before people stop giving a shit.

Fitness for office is the starting point for the acceptance of a president, not some minor side issue. 

Well John, the voters decided that Trump was more fit than Biden or Harris. That's how the system works, we go with whatever they decide.  I realize that's not how the Democratic Party works, but that's yet another issue they'll need to sort out.

You excuse his constant lying by saying in effect "he's a liar, what do you expect"?    It is ludicrous. 

I'm sure you'd like to convince yourself of that.  What's really ludicrous is seeing this incredibly well established pattern of behavior, doggedly expecting a different result, and then demanding that everybody else live in your fantasy world.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
9.1.9  JohnRussell  replied to  Jack_TX @9.1.8    last year
The dismissals can only be endless if the complaints are first.  Are you familiar with "the boy who cried wolf"? 

I dont think you understand the meaning of The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf. 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
9.1.10  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @9.1    last year
No one voted for him to fix everything over four years.

If he can fix things by next year, we'll all be happy.

If it takes him 4 years, J D Vance will be most happy.

 
 
 
Jeremy Retired in NC
Professor Guide
9.1.11  Jeremy Retired in NC  replied to  JohnRussell @9.1.4    last year

You expect to be taken seriously when you talk about the mental problems of somebody else?  

 
 
 
Sean Treacy
Professor Principal
10  Sean Treacy    last year

The victims have been free to speak at any time for years. Lawyers have no doubt been begging them to name an individual who molested them.   Prince Andrew was the only successful lawsuit against an individual who wasn’t Epstein or Maxwell.  That’s it. 

.   and now the representatives who promised to name names on the house floor are reneging on their promise. There’s just no there, there. 

no outrage from democrats that one of their reps was asking questions Epstein texted her during a congressional hearing though.  It’s almost like they only care about this as a means to attack trump.  

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
10.1  Nerm_L  replied to  Sean Treacy @10    last year
The victims have been free to speak at any time for years. Lawyers have no doubt been begging them to name an individual who molested them.   Prince Andrew was the only successful lawsuit against an individual who wasn’t Epstein or Maxwell.  That’s it. 

.   and now the representatives who promised to name names on the house floor are reneging on their promise. There’s just no there, there. 

no outrage from democrats that one of their reps was asking questions Epstein texted her during a congressional hearing though.  It’s almost like they only care about this as a means to attack trump.  

Kash Patel was a vocal proponent for releasing information about Jeffery Epstein's associates throughout Trump's 2024 campaign.  FBI Director Patel is not a Democrat.  Donald Trump made release of Epstein information a promised priority if he won the 2024 election.

What all these smoke machine arguments are trying hide is the simple fact that Donald Trump lied to the MAGA base just to get elected.  Trump created the MAGA brand but Trump did not create the America First grass roots movement.  Like any rich New York elitist, Trump stole an idea from the heartland and now has screwed it up.  What's Trump going to do, take his ball and go home?  Trump has turned his back on America First.  And its becoming too noticeable to ignore.

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Guide
10.1.1  MrFrost  replied to  Nerm_L @10.1    last year
Trump has turned his back on America First.  And its becoming too noticeable to ignore.

Bingo...

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
11  author  Vic Eldred    last year

The first to fall:

"Larry Summers , the former president of Harvard University, has announced that he will step back from public commitments, according to the Ivy League college's student newspaper.

In a statement released Monday to  The Harvard Crimson , Summers said it was part of an effort "to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me."

The announcement follows the release of  seven years’ worth of correspondence  between Summers and the disgraced financier Jeffrey E. Epstein by the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform."

Larry Summers steps back from public roles after Jeffrey Epstein emails | Fox News

 
 
 
MrFrost
Professor Guide
11.1  MrFrost  replied to  Vic Eldred @11    last year

Trump is still a pedophile. 

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Professor Participates
11.1.1  Right Down the Center  replied to  MrFrost @11.1    last year

But Joe gets a pass

joe-biden-sniffing-85df1510df.jpg

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
12  author  Vic Eldred    last year

The second to fall:

Stacey Plaskett who represents the Virgin Islands in the House of Representatives. You may be asking what the hell is someone from a US territory doing in the US House of Representatives, well it seems we allow a territory to send a delegate to sit on committees and engage in debate but cannot vote on legislation.

OIP.WrrKhM1o0oEmK6wxrEFM7QHaFj?w=234&h=211&c=8&rs=1&qlt=90&o=6&pid=3.1&rm=2
Stacey Plaskett

What Plaskett was caught doing was consulted with Epstein during a 2019 hearing with Michael Cohen. Epstein was sending her texts/e-mails helping her question Cohen. Incredible!

Members of the House Freedom Caucus are now pushing for a resolution to formally censure her and to remove her from the House Intelligence Committee.

 
 
 
Sean Treacy
Professor Principal
12.1  Sean Treacy  replied to  Vic Eldred @12    last year

Watch the double standards in play.  Hakeem Jeffries already said she did nothing wrong by texting Epstein during a congressional hearing for help... T

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
12.1.1  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Sean Treacy @12.1    last year

I saw it on CNN:

COLLINS: "Were Stacey Plaskett's texts with Epstein appropriate?"

JEFFRIES: "She’s not violating any House rule."

COLLINS: "Do you think it was appropriate?"

JEFFRIES: "I haven’t had a conversation with Plaskett. End of the story."
 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
12.1.2  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Vic Eldred @12.1.1    last year

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
12.1.3  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  Vic Eldred @12.1.2    last year

And here it comes:

G6D6IitXYAExT2X?format=jpg&name=large

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
12.1.4  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @12.1.1    last year

I would surmise that the vast majority of Americans have never heard of Stacey Plaskett and dont care about her texting Epstein precisely because they dont know who she is. 

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
12.1.5  Trout Giggles  replied to  JohnRussell @12.1.4    last year

I do. If she was texting Epstein and had any kind of political or personal relationship with him she should be censored

 
 
 
Dismayed Patriot
Professor Quiet
12.1.6  Dismayed Patriot  replied to  JohnRussell @12.1.4    last year
dont care about her texting Epstein precisely because they dont know who she is. 

I fail to see what the issue is here even if everything they claim is true. Did Stacey ever say “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”? No? Did she ever consider Epstein a friend and spent time with him? Did Epstein ever refer to her as the "dog that won't bark" implying she was keeping Epstein's secrets? So why the fuck would anyone care about her texting Epstein to get info to be used to question one of Trumps former fixers? It seems almost embarrassing for them to even bring this useless bit of info up as it's obviously just a moronic distraction. But I guess when they have absolutely nothing else, they have to fling everything they can at the wall and see what they can get to stick to the dumbest fucking minds on the planet, aka Trumps sycophant base that clearly couldn't tell the difference between a lie and truth if their lives depended on it.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Professor Participates
12.1.7  Right Down the Center  replied to  JohnRussell @12.1.4    last year

Interesting spin.  Nothing to see here because you don't know who the person is.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
13  author  Vic Eldred    last year

This Just in:

"Former Harvard University President Larry Summers has resigned from OpenAI’s board after receiving criticism for previously undisclosed correspondence between him and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“Larry has decided to resign from the OpenAI Board of Directors, and we respect his decision,” the OpenAI board said in a statement Wednesday. The board said it appreciated his contributions and the perspective he brought."

Larry Summers Resigns From OpenAI Board Amid Epstein Revelations

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
13.1  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @13    last year

Is Larry Summers a communist ? 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
13.1.1  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @13.1    last year

No. Why would you ask such a question?

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
13.1.2  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @13.1.1    last year

Is he a leftist? 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
13.1.3  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @13.1.2    last year

I don't regard him as a leftist. However he is an economist who has consistently served under democratic administrations and his party affiliation is democrat.

You see John, the point was that it is mostly democrats who are going to be hurt with this.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
13.1.4  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @13.1.3    last year

You dont know that. 

We are never going to see the true Epstein files anyway. Trump had the chance to get on the correct side of this and he refused. Now he will be under suspicion about this for the rest of his life. 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
13.1.5  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @13.1.4    last year
You dont know that.

We don't know what?


We are never going to see the true Epstein files anyway.

What do you mean by the "true" Epstein files? 

We are talking about a case that was conducted decades ago involving a monster who used sexual exploitation to blackmail people. The trial was a settlement with restrictions that protected victims and prevented further investigation. The files that exist can easily be made public provided the privacy of the victims are insured. You are getting everything.


Trump had the chance to get on the correct side of this and he refused. Now he will be under suspicion about this for the rest of his life. 

I believe he tried to protect donors from embarrassment. There is a political price for doing that, but he can't run again anyway. I say let's give democrats what they want.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
13.1.6  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @13.1.5    last year

Let me explain this to you. For a long time, which is likely in his past at this point, Trump had a sexual attraction to teenage girls, when he himself was in 30's and 40's and 50's.  He judged a modeling contest that featured underage girls in skimpy tight bathing suits. There is video of that.  He entered the dressing rooms of girls in the Miss Teen USA contest, which is something he bragged about on Howard Stern. The girls involved said that some of them were topless or other stages of changing. And they all werent 18. He joked about Epsteins lust after young women, sounding vaguely jealous. 

Trump knew what Epstein was doing , and it didnt bother him, because he understood the inclination. I dont believe Trump was involved with the sex slavery, but he knew in general what was going on, and didnt care because he didnt see that much wrong with it. 

His MAGA Q Anon types would never forgive him if it came out he stayed silent while Epstein was doing these things. His legacy with his most faithful followers would be in tatters. 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
13.1.7  JohnRussell  replied to  JohnRussell @13.1.6    last year
Investigations by major outlets documented that Trump judged and hosted modelling competitions such as Elite’s Look of the Year in the early 1990s, where  video and reportage show teenage contestants, with some reports citing participants as young as 14 , prompting renewed scrutiny about adult behavior around minors and the modeling industry’s norms  [1]   [5] . The Guardian’s 2021 reporting and later media resurfacing of footage in 2025 emphasize that the competitions were used by agency operators to place young models in high‑pressure environments, and that Trump's visibility at these events made him a focal point for questions about what he knew or should have known. These accounts do not allege Trump committed sexual crimes at those events but do link his presence to contexts where  power imbalances and vulnerability of minors were evident   [1]   [5] . Fact Check: What allegations emerged from the Trump Model Manageme...
 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
13.1.8  author  Vic Eldred  replied to  JohnRussell @13.1.6    last year
He judged a modeling contest that featured underage girls in skimpy tight bathing suits.

Hosting or judging beauty contests does not make one a pedophile or a pervert.


Trump knew what Epstein was doing , and it didnt bother him, because he understood the inclination. I dont believe Trump was involved with the sex slavery, but he knew in general what was going on, and didnt care because he didnt see that much wrong with it.

You do know that the recently cherry-picked e-mails that the dems just released have Trump supposedly telling Maxwell to stop. And we all know that Trump ended any relationship with Epstein long ago.


 His legacy with his most faithful followers would be in tatters. 

His legacy is going to be much different than you think.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
14  author  Vic Eldred    last year

It seems that I now have a few more additions:

2025-washington-dc-jeffries-spoke-115617822.jpg?w=1024

"House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) charged Tuesday that Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ campaign “solicited money from  Jeffrey Epstein .”

The Kentucky Republican, who is  leading the oversight panel’s investigation into Epstein , cited a 2013 email from a political consulting firm inviting the notorious pedophile to a Democratic Party dinner and to “get to know” Jeffries. 

“Democrat fundraisers invited Epstein to attend an event, or meet privately with Hakeem Jeffries as part of their 2013 effort to win a majority,” Comer said on the House floor. 

“So,  Hakeem Jeffries’ campaign  solicited money from Jeffrey Epstein,” he claimed. “That’s what we found in the last document batch.” 

Jeffrey Epstein was invited to Dem fundraising dinner and to ‘get to know’ Hakeem Jeffries by firm working with 'Brooklyn's Barack' | New York Post


Then we have this dumb ass:

rep-jasmine-crockett-d-texas-111609066.jpg?w=1024

"WASHINGTON — “We gonna expose it all!”  Rep. Jasmine Crockett  warned while accusing Lee Zeldin of taking donations from “somebody named Jeffrey Epstein” — claiming she “very quickly” found evidence linking the Long Island Republican to  the late sex offender , who died in jail awaiting trial in August 2019.

Crockett (D-Texas) cited Federal Election Commission filings, which actually show two different men named Jeffrey Epstein donated to Zeldin, now  President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency administrator , while he represented New York in the House.

Both Jeffrey Epsteins donated to Zeldin months after the notorious man of the same name allegedly hanged himself.

Crockett’s office did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on the apparent misidentification, nor did either donor.

In her remarks, Crockett pushed back on an ultimately defeated Republican  attempt to censure Delegate Stacey Plaskett  (D-USVI), who recently released messages show remained in touch with the predator long after his public disgrace.

“Folks who also took money from somebody named Jeffrey Epstein, as I had my team dig in very quickly: Mitt Romney, the NRCC, Lee Zeldin, George Bush, WinRed, McCain-Palin, Rick Lazio,” Crockett said Tuesday night — shortly after Republicans revealed that supporters of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) invited Epstein to a  private meet-and-greet in 2013. "

Jasmine Crockett says 'Jeffrey Epstein' funded Lee Zeldin, but files show it wasn't THAT Epstein | New York Post

 

 
 

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