July 31, 2023 - Your Evening Digest

Another Trump grift, another Trump loss, a peace summit upcoming, and more

It’s July 31, 2023, and here is all the news you need to know about. If you enjoy my newsletter, please consider a monthly subscription to support my work, and to get access to Q&As, exclusive content, and more.

1) Trump Grift Continues

Donald Trump’s grift is continuing. In bombshell new reporting, former President Trump spent over $40 million from his Super PAC on legal fees for himself and his personal associates. Donald Trump also requested a $60 million refund from the PAC, as he burned through money originally meant to help his campaign. This year, Donald Trump has been indicted twice, and many of his personal associates have either been forced to testify in front of a grand jury or have been questioned by prosecutors in other formats. Moreover, this new reporting comes amid reports that Special Counsel Jack Smith is gearing up to indict Trump in Washington, D.C. as soon as this week. The moment the third indictment is issued, I will report live from the D.C. courthouse, so stay tuned.

2) Trump Loses In Court Again

Today, Donald Trump suffered yet another loss in court, this time in Georgia. Amid reports that District Attorney Fani Willis is preparing to issue indictments in the next two to three weeks, Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney denied Trump's motion to quash the Special Grand Jury's final report and disqualify Willis. Moments before this ruling was issued, DA Willis made the following statement about the expected indictments: “The work is accomplished. We’ve been working for two and half years. We’re ready to go.” Security is increasing at the Fulton County courthouse, with barriers being erected in front. Today’s ruling by Judge McBurney was the final attempt by Trump to prevent Willis from issuing charges or using evidence from the Special Grand Jury that had previously been empaneled. Stay tuned, charges are likely coming very soon.

3) Nuclear Threat Amid Upcoming Peace Summit

This morning, Former Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, issued a veiled nuclear threat to Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe. He asserted that if the Ukrainian offensive was successful in capturing land in the southeast, Russia will have no other option than to utilize strategic nuclear weapons. Medvedev is currently the Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and stated: "[i]magine if the offensive, which is backed by NATO, was a success and they tore off a part of our land then we would be forced to use a nuclear weapon according to the rules of a decree from the president of Russia.” He specifically referred to Russia’s internal policy of using nuclear weapons when the country’s sovereignty is threatened.

Amid this nuclear threat, Saudi Arabia will be hosting a peace summit in Riyadh on August 5th and 6th. Saudi Arabia has invited more than 30 countries to discuss a possible peace plan, and the United States is expected to send a representative. However, initial reports suggest that Russia does not plan to attend and remains unwilling to make any concessions at the negotiating table. Stay tuned for more.

4) Niger’s Coup Gets Worse

The situation in Niger continues to deteriorate as the Military Junta currently in control of the country asserted that France is planning on launching airstrikes around the country to restore order and restore recently deposed-President, Mohamed Bazoum. Additionally, Niger's new post-coup leaders have officially suspended the export of uranium and gold to France, in a major blow to the French economy.

Meanwhile the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) which includes a military rapid-reaction force used by the economic community of West African states has reportedly been placed into an “Combat-Alert Status.” In response, both Burkina Faso and Mali have announced that they will consider any regional military intervention in Niger as a declaration of war against them as well. This news comes days after a coup removed President Bazoum and closed the country’s border. The situation is only getting worse within the country and civil unrest is likely to increase.

5) Biden Keeps Space Command In Colorado

President Biden reversed a Trump decision to move the United States Space Command to Alabama, keeping the Command Center in Colorado. This decision is a major blow to Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and comes as Tuberville is currently blocking several Biden military nominations in the United States Senate. According to the Associated Press, President Biden was convinced by the head of Space Command, who argued that moving his headquarters now would jeopardize military readiness. Learn more about this decision here.