Epstein survivor Dani Bensky after meeting with Todd Blanche: “Blanche treated the meeting as a mere ‘check-the-box’ exercise intended to secure votes for his confirmation. He danced around his wording, repeatedly interrupted us…”
Sarah Ewall-Wice
@ewallwice.bsky.social
U.S. Political Reporter | The Daily Beast | On signal (EwallWice.33) and proton mail!
Sen. Chuck Schumer and DSCC Chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand call on Graham Platner to exit race:
The Reflecting Pool is bright green today rather than “American flag blue”
Sen Husted voted for Schumer amendment to block Anti-Weaponization Fund AND to prevent public/private funds for WH ballroom without congressional approval. Came one day after this Fox News poll in the Ohio Senate race: Brown 53% Husted 45%
Republicans who voted for the amendment that would require Trump's ballroom project to get congressional authorization to proceed: Collins Husted Moran Murkowski Sullivan Tillis (still did not make 60 vote threshold)
Trump on whether the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" is dead or on hold? "I'd have to ask the lawyers, I don't know."
Pres. Trump bragging about his renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in the Oval Office on Wednesday (his first public appearance in days) with a poster in hand. (Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images)
Blanche today on the $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund: "We're not moving forward with the fund." Also Blanche today: "I'm not committing to doing anything in writing."
The Justice Department expanded Trump's IRS settlement to block him from facing tax audits or penalties for unpaid taxes
Trump Given Sweeping Tax Amnesty in Secret Deal
The president’s personal lawyer, who is now acting attorney general, is blocking the president and his family from any punishment for unpaid taxes.
thedailybeast.com
Not at the table for the bilateral meeting between leaders of the world's two largest economies: women.
Trump today: "I was hunted. I was the hunter. Now we, I was hunted by some very bad people. Now I'm the hunter. It's much better when you're the hunter, but these are bad people."
For those curious, that's a little more than the estimated $23 billion cost of extending the enhanced health care subsidies that ended last year through 2026...
Sarah Ewall-Wice@ewallwice.bsky.social · 3mo agoDefense Department official testifies at hearing that the estimated cost of the Iran War so far is $25 billion in response to question by Ranking Member Adam Smith.
Defense Department official testifies at hearing that the estimated cost of the Iran War so far is $25 billion in response to question by Ranking Member Adam Smith.
Democrat-backed referendum to redistrict Virginia ahead of the midterms projected to pass www.thedailybeast.com//trump-humil...
Trump Humiliated as Midterm Election Plot Backfires With Voters
Virginia voters backed a plan aimed at giving Democrats more seats in the House.
thedailybeast.com
First Lady Melania Trump gave a lengthy spoken statement today: "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today. The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect."
Line that stood out the most for me from SCOTUS today: Justice John Roberts, responding to Solicitor General D. John Sauer with, "It's a new world. It's the same Constitution." www.thedailybeast.com/humiliated-t...
Humiliated Trump Watches Own Justices Tear His Citizenship Case Apart
Conservative justices poked holes in the Trump administration’s argument as the president looked on.
thedailybeast.com
Rep. Ro Khanna is calling for King Charles to meet with Epstein survivors during his U.S. visit next month www.thedailybeast.com/rep-dares-ki...
Rep Dares King Charles to Meet Epstein Survivors on U.S. Tour
Ro Khanna has handed the British royal a dilemma over his planned trip to Washington.
thedailybeast.com
A Democrat just flipped the Florida House district that includes Mar-a-Lago in a blow to Pres. Donald Trump, who endorsed the GOP candidate and voted in the special election (by mail): www.thedailybeast.com/democrats-fl...
Democrats Flip Mar-a-Lago in Personal Humiliation for Trump
A Democrat picked up the Florida House seat that includes Mar-a-Lago in Tuesday’s election.
thedailybeast.com
Trump asked by Japanese reporter why he did not tell allies like Japan about attacking Iran in advance: Trump: "You don't want to signal too much... We wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?"
As the Pentagon asks for $200B as the Iran war rages, do not forget, Trump's tax law last year gave the Defense Department an additional $150B+ on top of its annual budget.
Rep. Garcia: we opened up what was supposed to be a briefing by asking AG Bondi multiple times if she would commit to follow the subpoena that compels her to answer questions, that’s under oath, transcribed and she refused on multiple occasions to commit to following the subpoena
The plot thickens... Dem Shawn Harris & Trump-backed Clay Fuller advance to runoff in crowded race to replace MTG... Republicans will need to consolidate their field, but Harris is ahead in tonight's race in a GA district MTG won by nearly 30 pts in 2024 www.thedailybeast.com/democrat-com...
Democrat Tops Race for Marjorie Taylor Greene Seat in Shock Election Twist
Georgia held a special election to replace the former MAGA lawmaker turned fierce Trump critic.
thedailybeast.com
Q: Tomahawk missile likely destroyed Iranian girls' school. Will US accept any responsibility? Trump: I will say the Tomahawk, which is one of the most powerful weapons around is used by, you know is sold and used by other countries... whether it's Iran, who also has some...