Good evening. We have breaking news right now the United States Senate has passed, unanimously, the bill to release the Epstein files.
There’s a lot of news to get to tonight, but I want to begin with a brief personal note. This past week has been a whirlwind, and I could not be prouder of the reporting we have produced. We have reached more households than every major media outlet except Fox News and the Daily Mail. That growth is happening because of you, your readership, your engagement, and your support.
At the same time, we are entering dangerous territory. Donald Trump is escalating his attacks on the free press, even calling for ABC News to have its broadcast license revoked simply because a reporter asked him about the Epstein files. Yes, that is where we are now. The threat to independent journalism has never been more urgent. I have received my own share of threats from online voices aligned with the White House. But let me be clear: I will not back down, and I will not be intimidated.
To everyone who has already subscribed, thank you. And if you value this work, if you want reporting that will not bend to pressure, please consider subscribing today. It makes all the difference.
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The United States Senate has passed the bill to release the Epstein files unanimously, with no changes from the House bill, in a major victory for the Epstein survivors.
Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the CIA’s findings on Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, calling Khashoggi “extremely controversial,” urging reporters not to “embarrass” the prince, and downplaying conflict-of-interest concerns while promoting U.S.–Saudi investment deals.
Jamal Khashoggi’s widow condemned President Trump for dismissing her husband as “extremely controversial” while defending Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his White House visit, urging an apology and compensation for Khashoggi’s 2018 murder.
During an Oval Office exchange, President Trump attacked ABC reporter Mary Bruce for asking why he hasn’t released the Jeffrey Epstein files, calling her “a terrible reporter,” labeling ABC “fake news,” and urging the FCC to revoke the network’s broadcast license.
Trump publicly warned Congress he will not support legislation to extend expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies, declaring on Truth Social that the only health-care plan he would approve is one that sends money “directly back to the people” instead of to insurance companies—an ultimatum that complicates Senate Republicans’ push to move ahead with a vote aimed at addressing rising health-care costs.
Donald Trump gave a royal welcome to the leader of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
Trump praised him, saying he’s extremely proud of his work and calling his human-rights achievements “incredible.”
The House voted overwhelmingly to require the DOJ to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, with only Rep. Clay Higgins opposing the measure and defending his stance in a lengthy statement online.
ProPublica reports that a White House official — a former lawyer for Andrew Tate — pressured DHS to return electronic devices seized from Andrew and Tristan Tate during a U.S. investigation, an intervention experts say was highly improper and part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration inserting itself into law-enforcement matters to aid allies.
The Trump administration is preparing to shift personnel and responsibilities from at least five key Education Department offices—including Civil Rights, Indian Education, Elementary and Secondary Education, Postsecondary Education, and Special Education—to other federal agencies, allowing Secretary Linda McMahon to incrementally dismantle the department under a March executive order without needing congressional approval, while technically retaining limited oversight.
Brian Walshe, set to stand trial for murdering his wife Ana Walshe, pleaded guilty to lesser charges of misleading police and improperly disposing of her body—without admitting murder—while prosecutors prepare a case involving evidence of bloodstained items, alleged incriminating internet searches, and up to 60 witnesses, following his competency ruling and prior conviction in a separate federal fraud case.
Over the past six weeks, more than $1 trillion has been erased from the global crypto market as Bitcoin and other digital assets plunge amid fears of an AI-driven tech bubble, rising market volatility across global indexes, warnings from leaders like Google’s Sundar Pichai and Klarna’s CEO about “irrational” investment in AI infrastructure, and fading expectations of a near-term US rate cut.
The Trump administration sued California over new laws banning masked federal agents and requiring visible identification, arguing the rules endanger officers, while state officials say the measures are needed to prevent abuses and stop criminals from impersonating federal agents.
A Trump-pardoned Jan. 6 rioter, Andrew Paul Johnson, was arrested on child molestation charges, with officials saying he tried to bribe his underage victim into silence by promising a nonexistent multimillion-dollar “Jan. 6” payout.
The House voted to formally rebuke Rep. Chuy Garcia for orchestrating a scheme to make his chief of staff the only Democrat on the ballot to replace him, with members — including fellow Democrats — condemning the move as undermining a free and fair election.
Investigators say an improperly placed wire label on the cargo ship Dali caused a critical power loss before it struck and collapsed Baltimore’s Key Bridge in 2024, killing six workers, with the NTSB calling the tragedy preventable as it prepares to finalize the crash’s probable cause.
See you in the morning.
— Aaron
