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** Daily Newsletter: february 6, 2026
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** In today’s newsletter:
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STEPHEN DAISLEY: Jeffrey Epstein’s Critique of Catholicism ([link removed])

CHARLOTTE ALLEN: Uncovering the Real Melania ([link removed])

JOHN WILSON: The Reckoning of Old Age ([link removed])
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** Jeffrey Epstein’s Critique of Catholicism ([link removed])
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** Stephen Daisley
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In the latest batch of Jeffrey Epstein’s emails released by the DOJ, he makes some telling statements about the Catholic Church. In an email criticizing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he takes issue with the “ludicrous statement that every life is equal. . . . It is Catholicism at its worst.”

“As endorsements go, the Vatican couldn’t have asked for better,” Stephen Daisley writes. “Catholicism, as Epstein observed, is a roadblock to this version of progress because of its insistence on the inviolability of life.”

For further reading: Matthew Schmitz made controversial claims in the “Epstein Myth ([link removed]) ” (October 2025), where he questioned the reliability of witnesses of the alleged pedophile blackmail ring, and argued that the conspiracy is a reincarnation of the medieval Jewish blood-libel myth. The podcast he recorded on the same subject, with First Things editor Julia Yost, was recently plugged on The Joe Rogan Experience ([link removed]) .
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** Uncovering the Real Melania ([link removed])
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** Charlotte Allen
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Charlotte Allen reviews Melania. The documentary tantalizingly withholds the First Lady’s inner world while luxuriating in the beauty of her surroundings. The movie is watchable and entertaining, complete with great photography and greater music. And, if you watch closely, there are a few glimpses of the woman behind the mask of perfection, Charlotte writes, from her mouthing along to a Michael Jackson song, the true affection of her staff and collaborators, and her sumptuous European tastes.

For further reading: The movie highlights Melania’s precise interest in fashion and aesthetics. For the first Trump inauguration, she wore a powder blue Ralph Lauren ensemble that paid tribute to Jackie Kennedy. Last year, Isabella Redjai wrote on how Ralph Lauren is the quintessential American designer ([link removed] ) —and a patriot to boot.
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** The Reckoning of Old Age ([link removed])
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** John Wilson
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The U.S. life expectancy has reached its highest ever, and children born this year can expect to live to about seventy-nine years old. John Wilson, who “Lord willing” will turn seventy-eight in June, reflects on the burdens and blessings that come with reaching old age and caring for loved ones. He foresees a disturbing collision course between increased life expectancy and promotion of assisted suicide. He bids us to always remember that “caring for each other is the highest expression of love.”

For further reading: Leah Libresco Sargeant’s latest book, The Dignity of Dependence, builds on this expression of care. You can hear her discussion with Rusty here ([link removed]) .

Upcoming Events
* February 10, 2026: The Protestant Mind newsletter launch by Dale Coulter | Subscribe here ([link removed]*%20%3E%3E) .

* February 12, 2026: The March Issue release

* March 5, 2026: Annual D.C. Lecture: “Our Crisis is Metaphysical” ft. Mary Harrington | Washington, DC. Register here ([link removed]) .

Until next time,


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VIRGINIA AABRAM
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Newsletter Editor
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