Sunday, September 07, 2025
President Donald Trump PHOTO: CNN Feed
It’s been another wild week in politics, and I feel like I am getting “whiplash” from all the breaking news headlines. Job’s number ended the week — tough numbers for the Trump administration. Let’s “brunch” on all of it this week:
“More on Epstein” – As promised, a bipartisan group of U.S. House members held a news conference Wednesday, with women who say they were sexually abused and trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. They told Congress and reporters their stories. Marina Lacerda, an immigrant from Brazil, says she was abused by Epstein when she was 14 to 17 years old. She wants Congress to force the release of all Epstein documents, saying, “They have documents with my name on them, that were confiscated from Jeffrey Epstein’s house, and could help me put the pieces of my own life back together. But I don’t have any of it.” Lacerda says she was “Minor Victim #1” listed in a New York federal indictment of Epstein, and was one of dozens of victims. The Justice Department says Epstein committed suicide while in federal custody.
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“Trump Fires Back” — “What they’re trying to do with the Epstein hoax is get people to talk about that,” said President Donald Trump. “We’re having the most successful eight months of any president ever, and that’s what I want to talk about.” He added that the Epstein files case was a “Democratic hoax.” The problem with that is the file release is being pushed by some prominent Republicans, normally loyal to Trump. Rep. Thomas Massie (R), Kentucky, was a co-sponsor of the victims’ news conference, saying, “This is not a hoax. This is real. There are real survivors.” Massie said earlier. “There are real victims to this criminal enterprise, and the perpetrators are being protected because they’re rich and powerful and political donors to the establishment here in Washington, D.C. So today we’re standing with the survivors, and we’re giving them a voice.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) Georgia said, “Today, we are coming forward and we are going to fight like hell for these women, because we have to fight like hell for those enduring sexual abuse and they are living in a prison of shame.”
“What We Still Don’t Know?” – One of the victims said she was on Epstein’s plane to Africa with former President Bill Clinton, but she did not allege any impropriety on his part. Another woman says she told federal investigators that Epstein bragged of his connection to Trump. Again, no wrongdoing was alleged. Both make the compelling case that all documents must be released, victims’ names redacted, of course, so that we can answer a lot of questions. Remember, these documents don’t belong to Epstein, Maxwell, Trump, Congress, or the U.S. Department of Justice. This is government paperwork owned by the American people.
“A nation that cannot hold accountable rich and powerful men who have abused young girls is a nation that has lost its moral and spiritual bearings,” said Rep. Ro Khanna (D) California.
“Trump at Death’s Door?” – I don’t normally report on rumors, but there have been so many swirling lately on social media, that the story is now being discussed in the mainstream press. The rumors are regarding whether President Donald Trump is having serious health issues and might even be close to death. Some of this began in July after reporters noticed the president had swollen ankles and a bruised right hand. The White House said the ankles were from a common medical condition for a man of Trump’s age, and that too much handshaking bruised his hand. It seemed to fade, then ramped up last week after Trump was not seen in public for a few days.
“Fueling the Fire” – Fast forward to last week when former Trump aide Lev Parnas spoke out saying, “You could call it desperation, cognitive decline, or just plain delusion. But when Donald Trump can’t remember that he himself nominated Jerome Powell to the Fed—and then blames Joe Biden for it—you know something is deeply wrong. He’s so used to blaming Biden for everything, it’s now automatic. The economy? Biden’s fault. The Epstein files? Biden planted them.” Even conspiracy theorist Alex Jones weighed in on his InfoWars video saying, “It shows, and I get it, the fear that he’s getting sick – who knows what’s going on. His ankles are giant.” Jones, who is a big Trump supporter, but has no formal medical training, added, “That usually means serious heart decline. I mean liver failure, too, but his eyes aren’t yellow.” Social media went nuts. There was even a “death pool” on Facebook where people could predict the actual day of his death. My friend, former Delegate Jim Barach (D) West Virginia said, “DEAD POOL: My pick is Donald J. Trump on December 4, 2025. Join in! Please note, I wish no harm to the president, as that would leave JD Vance in charge (shudder).”
“What Say You, President Trump?” — The late Mark Twain famously said, “A lie can get halfway around the world, before the truth even gets its boots on!” He was spot on for a guy who never lived in the internet age. Trump was finally seen with family members at a golf course he owns in Virginia. When asked by reporters about his health, Trump simply said, “Never felt better in my life.” End of story? I think the White House could have swatted this down a lot earlier, rather than let the internet chatter percolate on through Labor Day. Tuesday morning Leading Report posted on X: “Breaking: President Trump spotted leaving the White House today.” Well, maybe that’s just because a) he lives there, and b) he’s not dead. You can’t make this stuff up.
“Shots Over Troubled Waters” – The war on illegal drugs has escalated to a new level. The U. S. military blew up a suspected Venezuelan drug vessel, killing 11 on board. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “The United States has long, for many, many years, established intelligence that allows us to interdict and stop drug boats. We did that. And it doesn’t work.” Rubio added, “What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them.” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called U.S. military action in the region a “criminal” threat. The Trump administration promised to attack drug cartels, so I suspect more is coming. I also suspect cartels may be planning a violent response.
“The Department of War” – On Friday, President Trump renamed the Department of Defense as the Department of War. That, of course, was its original name when President George Washington named it in 1789. It was renamed as Defense in 1947, by President Harry Truman. I suspect Trump’s motivation flows from the military attack on the Venezuelan ship. The U.S. was playing “offense” instead of “defense” for once, and took action first. Regardless, there are questions about whether Congress needs to approve. I think Trump has bigger fish to fry. An anemic August jobs report showed only 22 thousand new jobs were created. I’ve said it many times, but the economy will be the central issue in next years midterm elections.
“Trump Loses in Court Again” – After a string of victories in federal courts, the Trump team is now seeing some losses. A federal court judge ruled Trump’s dispatch of National Guard troops to quell violence in Los Angeles earlier this year was illegal because it violated the “Posse Comitatus Act” which says U.S. Military troops can’t be used for domestic law enforcement. I fully expect appeals. Trump may also pivot, suggesting he’ll target New Orleans with federal law enforcement help, instead of the previously promised Chicago response, which was met with state and local opposition in Illinois. In another federal court, the judge said Trump must restore $2 billion in funding that was unlawfully cut from Harvard University. And then on Thursday, the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in federal court, saying Trump’s use of National Guard troops to protect Washington, DC was illegal. The billable hours must be staggering.
“Vaccination Battle” – It was one of the most contentious Congressional hearings in recent memory, with Health Secretary Bobby Kennedy, Jr. getting grilled from Democrats and Republicans alike over CDC vaccination policies. Sen. John Barrasso (R) Wyoming said, “I support vaccines. I’m a doctor. Vaccines work.” Barrasso added, “Secretary Kennedy, in your confirmation hearing, you promised to uphold the highest standards for vaccines. Since then, I’ve grown deeply concerned.” Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) Washington was equally critical saying, “You’re interrupting me, and sir, you’re a charlatan. That’s what you are.” She added, “The history on vaccines is very clear.” Kennedy defended the dismissal of several high-ranking CDC officials, saying, “The people at CDC who oversaw that process, who put masks on our children, who closed our schools, are the people who will be leaving.” The fight will march on as the week, Florida became the first state in the nation to end all mandated childhood vaccines in schools.
Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is a South Florida-based political writer and analyst who has covered news and politics all across the nation, including New England, for the past 48 years. Most recently, he was the Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations covering West Virginia, its five neighboring states, and the entire Washington, DC media market. He remains a MINDSETTER™ Contributing Political Writer and Analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.
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