BY MATT BERG & CROOKED MEDIA

TUESDAY
AUGUST 5, 2025

You know how this ends? [Sydney Sweeney] is going to marry Barron [Trump].”

 
— Fox News host Jesse Watters, on how to create “the greatest political dynasty in American history.”

COVER-UP IN SMOKE

Donald Trump and House Republicans are launching a phony investigation into the Epstein files. Here’s why it’s bullshit.

- Don’t be fooled: Republicans say they’re trying to get information on the Epstein files. The reality is that they’re taking enormous pains to make it look like they are searching for answers, when in fact they’re avoiding the obvious steps they could take to shed light on the situation. Add up all the data points, and the conclusion is clear: There’s a cover-up afoot. Let’s count the ways, shall we?

- Today, Rep. James Comer (R-KY), a MAGA firebreather who chairs the House Oversight Committee, [formally subpoenaed]([link removed]) the Department of Justice for documents relating to deceased child sex predator Jeffrey Epstein. But this wasn’t actually his choice: Two weeks ago, Democrats and some Republicans on the committee voted for the subpoena — forcing Comer to follow through. 

- President Donald Trump, whose name is reportedly mentioned in the files multiple times, has adamantly resisted releasing these files. So… what does Comer do to muddy the waters? He [subpoenas a slate]([link removed]) of Trump’s perceived enemies! The list includes Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton; former Attorneys General Bill Barr, Merrick Garland and Jeff Sessions; and former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller “for testimony related to horrific crimes perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein.”
 

- Some of these names make sense. Bill Clinton was acquainted with Epstein, and the others worked for the DOJ at some point. But one extremely important name is missing: Alex Acosta, the former Trump official and one-time prosecutor who gave Epstein [a sweetheart deal]([link removed]) to avoid real accountability. Any real search for answers would include Acosta — but he’s nowhere in sight. Smells fishy! Instead, he’s sitting on the board of directors for the far-right Newsmax outlet, which has recently given airtime to speculation that Epstein’s closest confidante, the convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, [might really be innocent]([link removed]).

 
Trump’s team is scrambling to make it look like they’re investigating the Epstein files. They’re not. 

- After the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Maxwell for testimony, Trump dispatched Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche — his former personal lawyer — to meet privately with her for several hours. The secretive meeting was widely believed to be an effort to gauge what she knows (and might tell lawmakers) about Trump’s involvement with Epstein.
 

- Today, Trump tried to explain Blanche’s communication with Maxwell: “He probably wants to make sure that people who should not be involved … are not hurt by something that would be very, very unfortunate, very unfair to a lot of people.” Gee, who could he be talking about!

- Days after that meeting, federal officials moved Maxwell to one of the nicest, most lenient federal detention facilities in the country, without explanation. The move raised howls of protest from current and former federal prison staffers, who noted that it’s unheard of for an inmate serving a lengthy sentence for sex crimes to be moved there. “Since when are sex offenders allowed at the camp?” [one person wrote in a Facebook page]([link removed]) dedicated to staffers. “I don’t care who she snitched on, she’s a damn human trafficker."

- Now, the Trump administration is [considering the release]([link removed]) of some of the audio from the meeting between Blanche and Maxwell. For weeks, White House officials have been frustrated about the negative publicity about the files. This could give them a chance to control the narrative ahead of her testimony — and lock in the parts of her story they happen to like. 

- Another phony attempt at transparency: Last month, Attorney General Pam Bondi [called for a judge]([link removed]) to release grand jury testimony transcripts in Epstein’s trial. The judge denied the request — as seasoned legal experts had predicted. Yesterday, Bondi asked another judge to [release other grand jury]([link removed]) testimony. Reminder: The DOJ is sitting on a truckload of files that it could release immediately, without a judge’s approval! 

- Trump continues to dangle a pardon in front of Maxwell, a woman federal prosecutors once said was willing to “brazenly lie under oath about her conduct.” Trump has, of course, used his pardon power to spring his loyal aides from prison in the past, including advisors [Roger Stone and Paul Manafort]([link removed]). 

More Republicans are starting to break with Trump on the Epstein files, because, y’know, Maxwell is a despicable person: “It’s ridiculous that he would consider shortening a sentence for somebody who aided and abetted sexual trafficking as she did,” a GOP senator told The Hill.

TEXAS STRANGERS

The great Texan gerrymandering battle continues to heat up — and it’s spreading around the country. 
 
Texas Democrats fled the state this week to prevent Texas Republicans from redrawing district lines, a blatant attempt to save GOP control of the House in next year’s midterms. This morning, Trump doubled down on his support for the move.
 
“I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats,” Trump told CNBC this morning.
 
Democratic leaders are united on this issue: If the GOP wants to play dirty, they’re vowing to do the same. 
 
California is already planning[​]([link removed]) to change their maps, and New York is also considering gerrymandering[​]([link removed]) in Democrats’ favor. Meanwhile, Ohio[​]([link removed]) and Missouri are also thinking about redistricting. 
 
“We will be on this slippery slope … all over the country,” Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) told What A Day. “Those new rules would be a tragedy for the country. But there is, I think, a great willingness and an understanding of the importance of not letting a deeply unpopular party … somehow maintain the majority by trying to rewrite the district lines.”

On that note, Crooked’s Jon Lovett spoke with Texas State Rep. James Talarico about his party’s efforts. It’s a great conversation, [give it a listen]([link removed])!

WHAT A SPONSOR

 
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If you’re tired of watching winnable elections slip away because no one knew how to get folks on the rolls, it’s time to do something about it. Go to [civitech.io/crooked]([link removed]) to learn more.

 

 

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WHAT ELSE?

[Israel is mulling a new plan]([link removed]) to occupy all of Gaza, and it’s freaking people out — even top officials who used to lead the country’s military. “If anyone imagines that we can reach every terrorist and every pit and every weapon, and in parallel bring our hostages home — I think it is impossible,” said the former chief of Israel’s internal security service. And these ain’t left-wing peace activists by any definition!
 
[Donald Trump said he’s gonna pick the next]([link removed]) federal reserve chair “shortly,” and it’s not gonna be Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. It’s not clear who he’ll pick yet, but I don’t envy that job: The last person Trump picked was Jerome Powell, his new arch-nemesis. Poor guy!
 
[More than 20 people in Florida fell sick]([link removed]) from drinking raw milk, including six young children, prompting a warning from the state about the risks of chugging MAHA’s favorite beverage. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, of course, is a raw milk enthusiast[​]([link removed]). 
 
[Republicans were advised to go home]([link removed]) for the summer and boast about Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”... and it’s not going so well. Just look at Rep. Mike Flood’s (R-NE) [rowdy town hall last night]([link removed]), where folks showed up angry!  “How much does it cost for fascism? How much do the taxpayers have to pay for a fascist country?” one attendee asked Flood. Reminder: It’s your patriotic duty to annoy your representative in Congress!
 
[Slate has this new piece]([link removed]) on how the Pod Save America guys have shifted their stance on Gaza and why it’s a big deal for the Democratic Party. “I think the hosts’ political instincts — as well as their uncanny ability to read the tea leaves and barely beat the party to where it’s headed next — are on display here with Palestine as well,” the author writes.

[Young adults are much less likely]([link removed]) to follow politics or say that voting is important, according to a new poll. “There’s a lack of belief that democracy is even able to improve their lives,” one expert said. Here’s an idea: Forward this newsletter to one young person who you want to be more engaged! We aim to make this wild news cycle fun — or, um, less mind-numbing — to keep up with, and the more people we reach the better!

THERE'S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM
  If you love messy power players and hate the men who actually have power, This Fucking Guy is for you. It’s a YouTube series from Hysteria hosts Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco, where they deep-dive into the worst people in politics, business, and beyond. Think of it like a true crime series — but the crime is having way too much power and being the absolute worst. The [latest episode]([link removed]) is all about Kristi Noem: MAGA darling, anti-abortion extremist, and the governor who bragged about killing her dog. Watch This Fucking Guy on [YouTube]([link removed]) or listen on Spotify.
 

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[ICE arrests across the country declined]([link removed]) by nearly 20 percent last month, as Donald Trump’s immigration agenda grows more unpopular. 

[The National Weather Service is hiring]([link removed]) back hundreds of workers that were fired by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. So efficient!

[A coalition of nonprofits, tribes and local governments]([link removed]) is suing the Environmental Protection Agency for terminating a $3 billion program, which helped disadvantaged communities deal with climate change, even though Congress was legally mandated to fund it.

[Local climate activism can be super effective,]([link removed]) according to a new report. Across several states, grassroots groups have successfully pushed for environmental initiatives, which are projected to significantly reduce emissions. This is proof that you can make a difference, even in your local community!

[What does Pope Leo have in common]([link removed]) with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)? They’re two of the top three most favorably viewed global figures, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to new Gallup polling. I’m sure all those [incredible Sanders memes]([link removed]) didn’t hurt.
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