It's been a week, to say the least. While the existential threats loom large, we must cling to any sliver of good news, however small. Perhaps like Rose on that floating door in Titanic – there was clearly room for two, but alas…well, you know.
Epstein's "Birthday Book": A Kryptonite to Trump's Armor?
Amidst the generational damage and the reality of a "Vulgarian criminal president" (as Waj so aptly puts it) who associated with a pedophile, there's a surprising development: the Epstein files. For the first time in a decade, something has emerged that even Trump's loyal base can't easily dismiss. Eighty percent of Americans, across the political spectrum, want to know more about the Epstein files. This isn't about partisanship; it's about the universal disgust for wealthy billionaire pedophiles who escape justice.
And it appears even Rupert Murdoch has sharpened his knives. Last week, we speculated about his motivations, and now, the Wall Street Journal—Murdoch's own publication—is running explosive stories. As we discussed in our Andor Season 2 analysis (available on both our Substacks), in the world of fascism, no one is truly safe. Loyalty crumbles when self-preservation kicks in. Murdoch, a staunch Trump supporter for years, seems to be revealing fissures in that allegiance.
The New York Times reported on the Wall Street Journal's findings: "Trump's name is on contributor lists for Epstein's birthday book." The Times also reviewed other records of Trump's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, including an inscription where he called Epstein "the greatest." This directly contradicts Trump's previous claims, especially his denial of signing a sexually suggestive note and drawing, despite a plethora of evidence showing his penchant for drawing.
Trump's name appears alongside dozens of Epstein's acquaintances, including Leslie H. Wexner (then owner of Victoria's Secret), Alan Greenberg (former head of Bear Stearns), and physicist Murray Gell-Mann. The book also features an introductory letter handwritten by Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving 20 years in federal prison.
The Wall Street Journal's reporting further revealed that Bill Clinton and Wall Street billionaire Leon Black also contributed letters to Epstein's 50th birthday book in 2003. Bill Clinton's message, filled with nauseating phrases like "childlike curiosity," attempts to portray a benign relationship. His spokesman referred back to a previous statement claiming Clinton cut ties with Epstein over a decade before his 2019 arrest and was unaware of the alleged crimes.
The Conspiracy of Silence: Following the Money and Connections
This revelation brings us back to last week's discussion about Nancy Pelosi's curious pivot away from the Epstein story, urging a focus on "kitchen table issues." Was she trying to protect Democrats on the list, perhaps Bill Clinton's legacy? If so, it's a dangerous miscalculation. We agree: no matter the political affiliation or celebrity status, if a name is on that list and found to be complicit in child abuse or cover-ups, they deserve no protection.
The notion that these powerful individuals "didn't know" about Epstein's activities is preposterous. Donald Trump himself openly spoke about Epstein's penchant for "young girls" in 2003. Photos exist of Bill Clinton on Epstein's plane, long after any plausible deniability. These handwritten letters, compiled in a leather-bound book, demonstrate a level of intimacy that goes beyond a mere casual acquaintance. You don't write heartfelt tributes for someone whose activities you find questionable. This suggests a "big club" where the super-rich, accustomed to incestuous ecosystems, protect their own.
Consider the case of Leslie Wexner, the billionaire CEO of Victoria's Secret, who is still alive. Why did he give Epstein, a college dropout with no discernible financial credentials, power of attorney? Why did Wexner gift him a $77 million penthouse in Manhattan for zero dollars? These aren't the actions of a shrewd businessman dealing with a mere financial advisor. As Senator Ron Wyden stated, "Follow the money."
The only plausible explanation for such inexplicable acts of generosity and trust is blackmail. Epstein, with his multi-billion dollar sex trafficking ring, undoubtedly possessed compromising information—videos, photos, receipts—that he meticulously kept. This aligns with former Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta's alleged statement that he was told to go "soft" on Epstein because he was "with intelligence"—whether American or foreign is unclear. The pieces of this puzzle, from Epstein's mysterious entry into elite circles despite a lack of qualifications to his continued evasion of justice, increasingly point to a deeper, more sinister network of influence and control.
Trump's Desperate Denials and Cratering Poll Numbers
While the Epstein revelations send shockwaves, Donald Trump continues his familiar playbook of denial and deflection. On his social media platform, he railed against the "radical left Democrats" for perpetrating another "Russia, Russia, Russia hoax," this time under the guise of the "Jeffrey Epstein scam." He grandiosely claimed his "six months of service to America" were "the best six months in presidential history."
The reality, however, paints a different picture. According to new Gallup numbers, Trump's approval ratings are absolutely underwater:
Overall approval: 37%
On immigration: 38%
On the economy: 37%
On trade: 36%
Federal budget: 29%
Overall among independents: 29%
This is a fucking disaster for a president just six months into his term. Any normal presidency would still be basking in the glow of victory. Trump, however, has swiftly eroded any goodwill from his slim win. His desperate attempts to smear Barack Obama also continue to fall flat. It's clear he's a man consumed by personal vendettas, aging, growing lazier, and motivated purely by self-preservation and personal enrichment. He ran for office to avoid jail, to grift, and he has shown no fidelity to the Constitution, the rule of law, or the American people.
The Free Speech Frontline: South Park and The View
As the Epstein scandal unfolds and his poll numbers crater, Trump's war on free speech intensifies. He has set his sights on South Park and The View, two prominent media outlets that dared to mock him. This isn't just about sensitive feelings; it's a chilling demonstration of the MAGA administration's authoritarian tendencies. The attacks on these shows are a clear attempt to silence dissent and control the narrative, forcing media to conform or face the consequences.
The Republican establishment, including figures like Marco Rubio, Lindsey Graham, and Ted Cruz, who once vehemently opposed Trump, have now completely capitulated, vying for proximity to his power. They, along with figures like Rupert Murdoch, have tolerated him because his base loves him. However, as Trump weakens or eventually exits the political stage, these former allies will be looking to solidify their own positions. Figures like J.D. Vance, for example, are already positioning themselves for a post-Trump era.
The events of this week are a stark reminder of the fragile state of our democracy. The truth is under assault, free speech is being stifled, and accountability for the powerful remains elusive. But the public's overwhelming demand for transparency on the Epstein files offers a glimmer of hope: that some lines, however blurred by power and privilege, cannot be crossed without consequence.
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