Good morning, everyone. I’m currently on the Amtrak heading to New York for a day trip where I’ll be appearing on Maury Povich’s show. Yes, seriously. I’m thrilled about it, and I can’t wait to share more once it airs. Now, onto the news, because even from the train, the news never stops. We’ve got a packed day ahead:
We have bombshell emails showing a close connection between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.
Adelita Grijalva will be sworn in this afternoon.
The House is voting on a bill to reopen the government.
Overnight, Republicans blocked an effort to redirect billions from Argentina to extend ACA subsidies.
And this morning, MAGA world is furious after Trump said America doesn’t have enough talented people and that we need more H-1B visas.
I’m literally recording this from the train, so please forgive any audio issues, but I’m committed to making sure you still get accurate, fact-based coverage wherever I am.
Every day, we’re reaching more Americans who don’t normally watch the news, informing, engaging, and cutting through misinformation. If you believe in this work, subscribe and support it. I truly can’t do it without you.
Here’s what you missed:
Newly released emails between Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell show Epstein referring to Donald Trump as “the dog that hasn’t barked” and claiming that an alleged victim “spent hours at my house with him,” contradicting Maxwell’s past denials that Trump ever visited Epstein’s home.
Additional correspondence with author Michael Wolff reveals Epstein saying Trump “knew about the girls” and discussing how to use Trump’s public statements about their relationship for “political currency,” prompting Democrats on the House Oversight Committee to demand the full release of the Epstein files.
House Republicans voted unanimously against a Democratic amendment to redirect $40 billion in Argentina bailout funds toward extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, rejecting Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon’s proposal to prevent healthcare premiums from doubling as Democrats accused Trump of prioritizing foreign bailouts over Americans’ needs.
House Republicans voted unanimously against a Democratic amendment to remove a provision in the government funding bill that would allow 8 Republican Senators who were investigated by Special Counsel Jack Smith to sue the federal government for $500,000.
House Republicans voted unanimously against a Democratic amendment put forth by Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari and Congressman Suhas Subramanyam to ensure that no American taxpayer dollars go to fund the White House ballroom being build by the President.
Trump defended the H-1B visa program in a Fox interview, claiming America lacks enough “talented” workers to meet industry needs, sparking backlash from his MAGA base and critics who accused him of insulting U.S. workers while his administration continues mass deportations.
Policy experts warn Trump’s proposal to replace enhanced Obamacare subsidies with direct cash payments or health savings accounts could destabilize ACA markets by driving healthy people out of coverage, raising costs for the sick, and potentially collapsing the system, while Republicans argue it would give consumers more control over their healthcare spending.
Trump reposted a Truth Social message calling for former President Barack Obama’s imprisonment, amplifying a post accusing Obama of “treasonous crimes” and echoing QAnon-style rhetoric about a supposed “Deep State” war, continuing his pattern of targeting political opponents.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America announced an $80 million campaign to boost anti-abortion candidates in the 2026 midterms, targeting key Senate and House races in states like Iowa, Georgia, Michigan, and North Carolina as the movement seeks to regain influence after post-Roe ballot losses.
A late addition to the federal spending bill that would effectively ban most hemp-derived products, including CBD and THC drinks, has sparked opposition from several Kentucky Republicans, threatening passage of the shutdown-ending bill and dividing the GOP and alcohol industry over hemp regulation.
The U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration a temporary extension on its freeze of $4 billion in SNAP food aid, prolonging uncertainty for 42 million Americans as states scramble to reverse benefits already issued amid the ongoing government shutdown.
A Human Rights Watch and Cristosal report accuses the Trump administration of complicity in the torture of 252 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador, detailing beatings, sexual abuse, and inhumane conditions at the Cecot mega-prison, where detainees were told, “You have arrived in hell.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled a sweeping Pentagon acquisition overhaul praised across the defense industry, promising faster, business-driven weapons procurement through longer contracts, streamlined decision-making, and reduced bureaucracy as part of a push to put the military on a “wartime footing.”
Trump says he feels obligated to sue the BBC for $1 billion over an edited Jan. 6 speech he claims was misleading, as top BBC executives resign amid the scandal and the broadcaster faces mounting criticism over editorial bias and independence.
John F. Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg announced a run for New York’s 12th Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Jerry Nadler, positioning himself as a new-generation Democrat aiming to harness the district’s energy and help his party regain control of the House in 2026.
Trump formally asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling his corruption trial a “political, unjustified prosecution,” while Netanyahu maintains his innocence in ongoing fraud, bribery, and breach of trust cases.
Maine Democrat Jordan Wood exited the state’s Senate race to run for the open 2nd Congressional District seat following Rep. Jared Golden’s retirement, setting up a key 2026 battleground as Democrats fight to retain control in a Trump-leaning district.
Kazakhstan’s parliament passed a law banning “LGBT propaganda” in media and online, imposing fines and jail time for repeat offenders, drawing condemnation from rights groups who say it violates international human rights commitments.
A Turkish military C-130 cargo plane crashed in Georgia’s Sighnaghi region while flying from Azerbaijan to Turkey, killing all 20 on board, as investigators from both countries probe the cause of the disaster.
Good news:
A 17-year-old from Australia’s Gold Coast, Josh Pache, was rewarded with $1,000, a job offer, and over $10,000 raised online after turning in $3,500 he found at a gas station, inspiring widespread praise for his honesty and generosity.
Researchers in France discovered that nanobodies—tiny antibody-like proteins found in camels, alpacas, and llamas—could lead to safer, more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders, thanks to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and reduce side effects compared to traditional antibodies.
An international coalition approved the creation of “Macronesia,” a massive marine sanctuary spanning the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde, and Canary Islands to protect 32 whale and dolphin species along one of the Atlantic’s most vital migratory routes, marking one of the largest ocean conservation initiatives ever undertaken.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
