WHAT WE'RE WATCHING
🏳️⚧️ Trump shooter appears to have been a violent leftist. New reporting reveals Butler, PA, shooter Thomas Crooks used they/them pronouns on an online account and left an extensive digital footprint showing violent threats. Despite previous FBI testimony claiming no clear motive, investigators have documented Crooks' shift from pro-Trump to violently anti-Trump between 2019 and 2020.
🗂️ Trump calls on House Republicans to release Epstein files. President Trump has changed his tune, now urging House Republicans to vote in favor of releasing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, insisting he has "nothing to hide" and calling the controversy a "Democrat hoax."
⚖️ Supreme Court reviews Trump-era asylum policy. The Supreme Court will hear a case on Trump's 2018 "metering" policy, which turned away migrants before they entered the US. Lower courts ruled it illegal, but Trump's team argues that presidents need the authority to block entry when border conditions demand it.
💰 Wikipedia funds liberal activist editing campaigns. The Wikimedia Foundation paid over $1 million in grants to liberal groups hosting mass-editing events aimed at introducing feminist and racial justice perspectives into Wikipedia articles. Wikipedia stated that they are “not here to push a point of view,” despite evidence to the contrary.
INSIDER RADAR
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) warned that China has overtaken Russia as America’s top cyber threat.
Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) asked for a classified briefing after discovering a Chinese-linked trailer park shares a fence with a US nuclear bomber base in Missouri.
The War Department announced a major overhaul to focus on six “Critical Technology Areas,” including AI, hypersonics, and directed energy.
A federal judge rebuked the DOJ over “profound investigative missteps” in its case against James Comey, suggesting the indictment may be tainted by misconduct.
HOAX TRACKER
Media buries key facts about Trump shooter
New reporting shows would-be assassin Thomas Crooks left years of violent threats, extremist posts, and clear warning signs — contradicting the official claim he had no motive or digital footprint. Despite evidence that he may have been known to authorities since 2020, ABC, CBS, and NBC gave the revelations zero coverage.
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QUICK AND IMPORTANT
The DOJ opened a mortgage fraud probe into Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA).
Bangladesh's ousted PM Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.
President Trump announced the US will sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia.
President Trump defended Tucker Carlson's interview with white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
The most clicked link in our last newsletter was President Trump removing tariffs on grocery staples.
INSIDER EXCLUSIVE
Olympics moves toward a trans ban
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is preparing to ban transgender-identifying individuals from competing in women’s events…
THE MAIN STORY
New docs expose Democrats’ tight relationship with Epstein
_WHAT’S HAPPENING_
Newly released documents reveal that Delegate Stacey Plaskett, a House Democrat from the US Virgin Islands, texted convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 congressional hearing in order to damage President Donald Trump.
Epstein appeared to be watching the hearing live and sent Plaskett real-time suggestions on how to question Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney.
_THE FACTS_
Last week, the House Oversight Committee released about 20,000 pages of Epstein-related documents.
The texts show Epstein messaging Plaskett during Michael Cohen’s February 27, 2019, testimony before Congress.
Epstein wrote, “Cohen brought up RONA – keeper of the secrets,” referring to Trump aide Rhona Graff.
Plaskett replied, “RONA?? Quick I’m up next is that an acronym,” indicating she would soon question Cohen.
Epstein clarified, “That’s his assistant,” prompting Plaskett to ask Cohen about Graff moments later.
Epstein texted “Good work” one minute after Plaskett finished her questioning.
Epstein also texted her earlier in the hearing, complimenting her outfit and asking if she was chewing gum.
Plaskett’s office admitted she had contact with Epstein, calling him part of “the public at large.”
Epstein donated $8,100 to Plaskett’s campaign, which she later returned after public backlash.
Epstein owned two private islands in the US Virgin Islands, Plaskett’s home district.
_OUR INSIGHTS _
The real-time texting between a House Democrat and Jeffrey Epstein may only hint at how deep his ties to Congress truly ran.
Epstein had clear interests in Plaskett’s district, but the current silence from every sitting Democrat suggests her relationship with him wasn’t an isolated case. And if no one is willing to denounce it, it raises the possibility that others in Congress — potentially on both sides of the aisle — were closer to Epstein than previously acknowledged.
_JOIN THE DISCUSSION_
Do you think Epstein was a larger power player in Congress than previously known?
BIAS SPOTTER
How left and right outlets frame a House Democrat texting Epstein
_LEFT_
GOP obstruction focus: The Guardian positioned Plaskett's actions as confronting Republican resistance, noting her office's statement that she "took on the GOP that was trying to bury the truth" during the Cohen hearing. The Guardian
Already a known sex offender: The Independent noted that "while Epstein wasn't arrested until July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges, at the time of the hearing, he was a known convicted sex offender after pleading guilty to state charges in Florida in 2008." The Independent
_RIGHT_
Virgin Islands connections: The Daily Caller noted that "Epstein, who owned two private islands in the US Virgin Islands and maintained extensive ties there, donated to a variety of politicians, including Plaskett." The Daily Caller
Renewed investigations: The New York Post reported that following the revelations, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed federal prosecutors to investigate Epstein’s links to Democratic figures and institutions. The New York Post
_THE DAILY DEBATE_
POLLS RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY
Do you support Trump sending $2,000 checks to Americans?
🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ 👍 Yes (722)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 👎 No (775)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Unsure (215)
👍 Yes: “If the U.S. is saving money again, the effects should be felt by the taxpayers who have been suffering for the past two decades.” — Gess
👎 No: “There is no such thing as surplus money when the country is drowning in debt.” — Shelley
🤔 Unsure: “While the income from tariffs should help the American people who are struggling under its crunch, the timing seems like a bribe.” — Carol
💬 COMMENT OF THE DAY
“The US must keep pressure on and be vigilant of Mexico in order to deter, control, and steer problems away from the US. There are many things the US can do indirectly to accomplish this. We can't just ignore the situation, hoping it will go away; it will not.” — Jorge
Join the daily discussion for a chance to be featured
_POP QUIZ_
What is Trump selling to Saudi Arabia?
Today’s newsletter was written by Brandon Goldman, Anthony Constantini, and Ariel David. We scoured 100s of sources to bring you stories and insights you won’t find in the mainstream media.
See you tomorrow.
