The Scandal That’s Sticking Deflection and diversion for once aren’t working for Teflon Don Dan Rather and Team Steady Jul 17 Credit: Getty Images It comes as no surprise that Donald Trump doesn’t think a special prosecutor is needed for the Jeffrey Epstein case. That announcement on Thursday is the latest Trump tactic to kill this story. But with every move to explain away his lack of action in releasing the files of a child sexual predator, who once was a close friend of Trump, his base grows more enraged. And Trump looks more and more suspicious. A week ago, I wouldn’t have thought I’d be writing about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal once, much less a second time in four days. But here we are. And that is the point. The story isn’t going away, no matter how badly Donald Trump wants it to … and he wants it badly. As we reported, MAGA is hopping mad and getting madder, as Trump loses his grip on the narrative and lashes out at his most loyal followers. To recap: Trump decided not to release the Epstein files, claiming there was nothing to see here. He downplayed the importance of the list of prominent people who were allegedly involved in child sex trafficking. What a change for Trump, who dined out for years on Epstein conspiracy theories only to now call it all a “hoax.” MAGA then melted down, and Trump told them to move on. When they didn’t, he fell back to his old reliables — blaming Joe Biden and/or Barack Obama. That’s a tough one to pull off considering Epstein was arrested and died in jail all on Trump’s watch. When his supporters were still demanding satisfaction, he turned on them, calling them “stupid” and “foolish.” He wrote that his “PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullsh**t,’ hook, line, and sinker.” The White House communications team, which normally publishes all of his Truth Social posts on X, did not repost this one. Trump has managed to alienate a group of people so enthralled with him that they witnessed an insurrection on January 6 and now profess to believe it was just a group of patriots wanting a tour of the Capitol. Trump’s hold on the MAGA coalition has slackened in recent weeks after several unpopular moves. He cut Medicaid after promising not to touch entitlements. He campaigned as the “no new wars” candidate and then bombed Iran. He is sending weapons and supplies to Ukraine, when he pledged to end the war there on Day 1. Even his breakup with Elon Musk displeased a contingent of the far right. While he seemed to weather each of these mini-crises, the addition of a major crisis — Epstein — has caused a fissure in the MAGAsphere and a crack in the armor of the self-described “Teflon Don.” Rather than lay low, cease talking about Epstein, and stop maligning his ardent supporters, Trump doubles and triples down. He had federal prosecutor Maurene Comey fired late Wednesday. She had prosecuted the cases against Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. If Comey’s name sounds familiar, it’s because her father, James Comey, FBI director during Trump’s first term, was fired for refusing to drop the investigation into Trump’s 2016 campaign’s ties to Russia. Trump’s once and former followers are fanning the flames of the scandal. Musk has been barking questions about Trump and Epstein to his 222 million followers on X. MAGA influencer Lara Loomer and Trump acolyte Representative Lauren Boebert are leading the charge for a special counsel. Right-wing podcaster Theo Von reposted a clip of JD Vance calling for the release of the Epstein files from last month, asking, “What changed?” Even lapdog Speaker Mike Johnson said the files should be released. With friends like these, who needs Democrats? Apparently, Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who is clearly not getting invited to Thanksgiving at the White House. He and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna have introduced the “Epstein Files Transparency Act” to force a House vote on releasing everything the Justice Department has on Epstein. How is all this playing in Peoria? Not great, if you’re the president. A new CNN poll says that only 3% of U.S. adults are satisfied with the amount of information the government has released about Epstein. And 67% of respondents in a YouGov poll say the government is covering up evidence. The stress of having MAGA world turn on him may be getting to the president. While there were many times on the campaign trail that Trump looked and acted his 78 years — giving rambling, incoherent speeches, mixing up or forgetting names and places — during the first part of his second term, those slips have been kept to a minimum. Until last week. At the FIFA Club World Cup trophy ceremony in New Jersey, when champion team Chelsea posed for photos, Trump inexplicably put himself in the middle. The players managed to nudge him to the back. And then he pocketed a medal and said he was keeping the original trophy at the White House. A replica was given to the team. On Tuesday, he fell asleep on the stage of an energy summit in Pennsylvania, after pivoting from talking about artificial intelligence to telling an incomprehensible story about his uncle and the Unabomber. Trump claimed that John Trump, a professor at MIT, taught Ted Kaczynski and said he was a good student. Kaczynski did not attend the school. Trump has returned to his well-worn playbook, trying to distract the public by pushing other sensational stories to the fore. He threatened to strip comedian Rosie O’Donnell of her citizenship. He wants to prosecute Senator Adam Schiff for alleged mortgage fraud. He went after his favorite punching bag, Governor Gavin Newsom, and California’s plans for high-speed rail. He announced that the Coca-Cola Company will now make Coke with cane sugar rather than corn syrup. And he is trying to make hay of the fact that President Biden used an autopen to sign pardons. None of these non-stories seems to be sticking. Meanwhile, actual important news is getting less coverage than it deserves. Trump has threatened to fire Jerome Powell, chairman of the Federal Reserve, calling him “terrible.” “I was surprised he was appointed,” Trump said of the man he appointed. Also, the president cannot fire the Fed chief. The Wall Street Journal reports that six months of Trump’s questionable economic policies — tariffs, immigrant deportations, ballooning the deficit — are showing up in a weakening economy. Inflation is up, and job growth is down. Indications are that these trends will continue. A growing group of congressional Republicans is trying to encourage Trump to rethink his mass deportation policy, specifically around farmworkers. It is widely unpopular with the general public, and it will decimate an already hurting U.S. agriculture industry. And there is even real news about Epstein that has gotten lost in the kerfuffle. Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat from Oregon, has been investigating Epstein’s finances for years. He has found evidence of huge amounts of other people’s money — billions of dollars — that Epstein allegedly moved to help finance his sex-trafficking network, among other findings. Why is Trump so determined not to release the files? If they contain damaging information about Democrats, he would have leaked them months ago. If the files include no mention of Trump, why not release them now? The only person Trump would go to these lengths to protect is himself. Steady is free, but to support my team’s efforts to protect our democracy through the power of independent journalism, we’d appreciate it if you would consider joining as a paid subscriber. It keeps Steady sustainable and accessible for all. If you are not able to upgrade, we understand. No matter how you subscribe, I thank you for reading. Stay Steady, Dan

Great News That's Bad For Donald Trump Onward! Scott Dworkin Jul 15 While Trump is busy finding more ways to be corrupt, I’m glad to have some great news for you today. I dig through the dumpster fire of Trump’s lies every day so you don’t have to—delivering the facts, and hopefully a bit of relief from maga’s mayhem. If you haven’t yet, I hope you’ll become a paid subscriber today to support my reporting and advocacy: Let’s jump in. In Maine, a group of folks formed outside of Portland International Jetport to protest Avelo Airlines for their role in deportation flights. Avelo says those flights only operate in Arizona. But if your company is supporting the regime’s hateful immigration policy anywhere, it should face pushback everywhere. Following Trump’s boo-filled appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup Final, it’s been reported that the winning team was given a replica trophy at the event. Why? Because Trump is keeping the original trophy—which cost roughly $230,000—for himself. According to Trump, the trophy was given to him by FIFA head Gianni Infantino back in March. It’s just so weird—throwing that much money down the drain … or maybe it was an “investment.” Sort of like a luxury jet? Dozens of states and DC filed a lawsuit yesterday against the Trump regime, for freezing $6.8 billion in Congressionally-authorized funding for schools. Trump’s unlawful policy harms K-12 students, teachers, parents, and pretty much everybody. In other news, since just November, 69 of the 110 DoJ lawyers tasked with defending Trump’s horrendous policies, have resigned. Probably because what Trump’s doing is indefensible. WELL DONE! In California, an art project called Vjaybomb projected images onto a Los Angeles building, depicting Trump eating the “client list” from the Epstein files. Brilliant. Meanwhile, Democrats are pressuring Trump and Republicans from various angles for the release of the Epstein files. Dem Rep. Ro Khanna filed an amendment to the GENIUS Act that would have required AG Pam Bondi to publish the Epstein files online within 30 days. Of course, House Republicans shot it down. Separately, Dem Rep. Marc Veasey has a resolution calling for the release of “all files related to the Epstein case.” This is a complete lose-lose situation for the GOP. Republicans who vote in support of releasing the files will be in the doghouse with Trump. And those who vote to be in on the coverup, will face backlash from maga. At a fundraiser on Friday, former President Barack Obama said: “If we do our jobs over the next year and a half, then I think we will rebuild momentum, and we will position ourselves to get this country moving in the direction it should.” That’s why we’re getting together on Thursday for a mass protest against Trump, and a celebration of the late great John Lewis. In addition to our daily reporting, our advocacy campaigns are taking off now more than ever. And our social media initiatives continue to dominate the trends. I’ve been taking on Trump for nearly 10 years. And I’m not slowing down one bit. But I need all hands on deck to keep our momentum going. We’re 100% reader-funded. No billionaires. No ads. No nonsense. So if you haven’t yet, please join us as a paid subscriber today: Thanks for all you do, no matter how you subscribe. Onward! Scott What do you think about Trump keeping the FIFA trophy? Don’t forget to like, re-stack, and share this post! Another way to help us out is by giving gift subscriptions away to friends and family! You can get yours by clicking the link or button below All links related to this article are at the top of the comments section. For all contact Congress links, or to volunteer, you can go here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-for-the-watchdog-coalition COMMENTS:   Find an event honoring John Lewis here: https://goodtroubleliveson.org/ NEW: Sens. Booker and Padilla are proposing a new law to require ICE to unmask and display clear identification. Tell your Senators and Rep they need to support this via the link below. And please share! https://tinyurl.com/bp8cau82 NEW: Tell Congress: Reverse Trump’s NOAA cuts and save the National Weather Service https://tinyurl.com/bdbur8df eh, So the MAGA movement is chewing itself up. Tucker. Bannon. Kelly. All of them are turning on bondi, and Im waiting for them to turn on Trump. I keep hoping. https://thistleandmoss.com/p/the-maga-fuckguzzling-cockmangler Thanks as always Scott doing the hard work. Cross posted to our readers for you. CAN YOU IMAGINE SOMEONE SO INFANTILE AND PATHETIC THAT HE WON'T GIVE THE ACTUAL TROPHY TO THE WINNERS??!!? THEY HAVE A COPY???!! no matter how I try to acclimate to the man's behavior, there is, every day a new low It's unclear who you are emailing, but DEMS have been making LOT OF NOISE! Not only have DEMS been criss-crossing the nation, but BERNIE SANDERS has been conducting the FIGHT THE OLIGARCHY TOUR - well attended with overflow crowds. MEIDASTOUCH NETWORK has joined the AFL-CIO BUS TOUR. BILLBOARDS are being erected across the nation. MEIDAS TOUCH has podcasts on you tube you might consider viewing. NEVER expect CORPORATE MEDIA to broadcast the widespread protests. There are numerous others speaking out - ON LINE! ROBERT REICH, DAN RATHER, ADAM MOCKLER, AARON PARNAS, COMMON DREAMS, CIVIL DISCOURSE by JOYCE VANCE, DEMOCRACY DOCKET by Marc Elias (gop voter suppression opposition), MICHAEL COHEN, COMMON CAUSE, STOP THE PRESSES by Mark Jacobs - affiliated with COURIER: offered this yesterday: 5 scenarios for staving off a dictatorship Trump’s momentum is alarming, but we can fight back and win. Mark Jacob Jul 14 This is one reason why large demonstrations are important. We need the Trump regime to be so worried about mass protests that it’s afraid to cancel the midterms. You can join the next major protest on Thursday, July 17. It’s called "Good Trouble Lives On," a tribute to civil rights leader John Lewis on the fifth anniversary of his death. Find an event near you. https://www.stopthepresses.news/p/5-scenarios-for-staving-off-a-dictatorship?utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=r498f&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email OCCUPY DEMOCRATS has endlessly posted information. KEN HARBAUGH & other VETERANS have endlessly protested, organized to protect AFGHANS from DEPORTATIONS. DEMOCRACY NOW! has commented. The DAMAGE REPORT & REBEL HQ has posted condemnations. JAMIE RASKIN, JASMINE CROCKETT, BRIAN TYLER COHEN (must read book: SHAMELESS).... Much as I dislike FORBES, they have been posting CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY. DON'T FORGET CHARLIE ANGUS from CANADA! AMERICA AMERICA by Steven Beschloss There are a host of others who are holding rallies, protests, town halls - there is so much ANTI-TRUMP action going on you simply can't keep up! Trump has backed himself into so many corners, it shouldn’t be long before that walls all cave in on him. And now that he will never be on the ticket again, it is highly unlikely that the worst of that MAGA movement will continue to vote for the people he endorses. A few more totally inept candidates will die on the vine just like they did in 2020 senate races. He really did it with Epstein files. If he doesn’t release them, the cult will be mad that he hasn’t exposed all the pedophiles exposed in the files. If he doesn’t release them, then it is 100% likely it will expose the truth about him. After years and years of all the ways he has revealed he himself is a pedophile, MAGA will finally come out of their bubble where trump can do no harm and see him for the POS he is and has always been. That day cannot come soon enough for me. They should use a Sharpie to "engrave" Noble Piece Prize on the FIFA trophy. He wouldn't notice the misspellings. Keeping a trophy that you yourself did not earn, is disrespecting to the ones who actually did....but par for the course for this guy. Everything he does is disrespectful, or worse. We covered the Avelo Airlines protest in Wilmington, DE. https://statebroadcastnews.com/2025/04/25/delaware-residents-protest-airlines-ice-contract/ “Least of these” and How to treat foreigners, aliens, etc In Matthew 25:40, Jesus states, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did for me." This implies that by caring for those who are in need, you are essentially caring for him, emphasizing the importance of compassion and service to others. Elaboration: This verse comes from Jesus's parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46. In this parable, the King (representing Jesus) separates people into two groups based on how they treated those in need: the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned. The "least of these" refers to those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or in need, such as the poor, sick, or those in prison. Jesus emphasizes that caring for them is equivalent to caring for him. The verse also highlights that failing to care for the "least of these" is failing to care for Jesus himself. It encourages believers to be compassionate and service-oriented, recognizing that their actions towards others have spiritual implications. How God says to treat foreigners God's Word consistently emphasizes treating foreigners, or "aliens," with kindness, compassion, and justice. The Bible encourages loving them as you love yourself, remembering that you were once foreigners yourselves. Specifically, this includes providing for their needs, ensuring they receive justice, and not mistreating them. Here's a more detailed look at what the Bible says: Love and Compassion: Leviticus 19:34: "The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 10:17-19: "For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt." Deuteronomy 27:19: "Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow." https://theimmigrationcoalition.com/resources__trashed/bible-verses/ https://www.google.com/search?q=what+did+god+say+in+his+word+about+how+to+treat+foreigners&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari John Lewis was a truly great American...I am proud to use the postage stamp that honors him. The stamps on the sheet show him as a late-career Congress Critter in official portrait. The photograph on the sheet shows him as an early-career Civil Rights activist, at work. JOHN LEWIS almost lost his life fighting for the right of BLACK AMERICANS TO VOTE!  Nowadays, MAGA GOP undermione VOTING RIGHTS in legislatures & courts!  REPUBLICAN RACISM hasn't changed! WE have those HEROES who are fighting In COURTS!  MAGA GOP no longer have BRUTE FORCE that is broadcast in the media, no VICIOUS DOGS, or water hoses....their attempts are the same.  I always point out the GOVERNMENTAL FAILURES OF THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED STATES - always LOW IN STATISTICS - you know what they are: EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, CRIME, etc.  There was a recent program on PBS about APPALACHIA - COAL OWNED THE STATE, why educate people? COAL prevented a diversified economy. Now preventing care for BLACK LUNG DISEASE. MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL destroyed their environment & drinking water.  POOR EDUCATION: promoting TEN COMMANDMENTS IN CLASSROOMS or TRUMP MADE IN CHINA BIBLES.  DEMOCRACY DOCKET by Marc Elias reports on efforts by REPUBLICANS to DISENFRANCHISE VOTERS particularly BLACKS VOTERS & overseas voters who vote DEMOCRATIC, racially GERRYMANDER STATES, force low wage earners to travel long distances to REGISTER TO VOTE, fill ELECTION BOARDS with ELECTION DENIERS (long since disproven) or the  GEORGIA! Notice how GEORGIA provided inadquate VOTING MACHINES forcing (MINORITY) voters to stand in endless lines for hours & then OUTLAWED providing FOOD & WATER?  Brad Raffensperger Is Just Another Republican Vote Suppressor https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/brad-raffensperger-is-just-another-republican-vote-suppressor/ MASSACHUSETTS has worked to expand voting, ensure that ABSENTEE BALLOTS are counted and to expand EARLY VOTING. It works! VOTER TURNOUT increases.  That's what DEMOCRACY needs!  WELL FUNDED MAGA GROUPS fight to devise tactics to DISENFRANCHISE.  Indiana Secretary of State asking for citizenship verification for 585,774 registered voters https://www.wrtv.com/news/politics/indiana-secretary-of-state-asking-for-citizenship-verification-for-585-774-registered-voters NORTH CAROLINA:  JEFFERSON GRIFFIN attempted to DISENFRANCHISE 60,000 VOTERS: The Riggs-Griffin court fight is over, but partisan tensions remain on the NC Supreme Court | Opinion excerpt:  Griffin's challenge to Riggs' narrow victory added to the political tone. Riggs had to raise funds for the court fights and had to recruit supporters. Groups backing her paid for mobile billboards that said: "Tell Jefferson Griffin that trying to silence 60,000 voters is shameful." Her supporters rallied on the Wake County courthouse steps. Riggs said in an email to the News & Observer: "When powerful politicians tried to disenfranchise lawful voters, North Carolinians across the political spectrum stood up and made sure power stayed in the hands of the people. "I understand the havoc that this 182-day effort wrought. I am committed to showing up in communities across North Carolina and talking with voters about what a government that's working for them and upholding their rights looks like. Judges have to prioritize the constitution and put the rule of law over party and personal political ambition, and it is important that voters remember they have the power to put judges on the bench who will put our democracy first." https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-riggs-griffin-court-fight-is-over-but-partisan-tensions-remain-on-the-nc-supreme-court-opinion/ar-AA1I6D0E