Good morning, everyone. We have a packed day of major developments, and I have the latest. Congress is pushing new legislation that would allow Jeffrey Epstein survivors to hold the Department of Justice accountable. At the same time, Epstein survivors are taking the courageous step of testifying under oath in Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing.
Tonight, Donald Trump is expected to address the nation and reportedly claim that China interfered in the 2020 election. Some networks may choose not to carry the speech live. Meanwhile, devastating wildfires continue to tear across Canada, and there is much more to cover throughout the day.
I will be watching tonight’s speech from start to finish, and I will bring you updates as it unfolds. What I will not do is simply repeat the President’s claims. I will fact-check the speech in real time, separate fact from fiction, and make sure you get verified information instead of political spin.
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Here’s the news:
Trump’s Address to the Nation:
Donald Trump is expected to deliver a primetime speech on election security that may include intelligence concerning China’s intentions or capabilities related to the 2020 election. Reuters reports that White House officials debated releasing the intelligence because they were concerned it could be misleading if presented without proper context. According to Reuters’ sources, the intelligence does not show that China manipulated ballots, altered vote counts, or changed the outcome of the 2020 election. The White House has not confirmed the contents of the speech, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissing reports based on anonymous sources as speculation. The remarks come as Republicans prepare for a difficult midterm election campaign.
The anticipated speech revisits Trump’s longstanding claims about election security, even though his allegations of widespread fraud in the 2020 election have been repeatedly rejected by courts, recounts, and election officials. Reuters notes that numerous reviews found no evidence of fraud sufficient to affect the election’s outcome. Some Senate Republicans, including Majority Leader John Thune, have urged the party to focus on the 2026 elections and current voter concerns rather than relitigating 2020. Democrats and voting rights advocates argue that Trump’s renewed focus on election fraud could undermine confidence in future elections. Reuters emphasizes that any discussion of the China intelligence should not be interpreted as evidence that the 2020 election results were altered, because the intelligence reportedly does not support that conclusion.
During questioning, Sen. Cynthia Lummis was asked whether Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are "duly chosen and sworn in." After a long pause, she replied, "I don't know," drawing attention because the question concerns an established fact rather than a disputed issue.
According to The Daily Beast, Major television networks have not cleared their schedules to air President Trump's planned primetime address on election security, and it remains unclear whether the White House requested that they interrupt regular programming. Broadcast networks have previously declined to carry presidential speeches they viewed as primarily political rather than matters of national importance. Some Democratic lawmakers and media figures have urged networks not to air the address live, arguing it could further undermine public confidence in elections.
Epstein:
Epstein survivor Danielle Bensky testified on Capitol Hill today, under oath, at the Todd Blanche hearing. Watch her heroism:
Rep. Thomas Massie and a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which would allow state attorneys general, victims, members of Congress, and certain state officials to sue the Department of Justice if it fails to comply with the existing law requiring disclosure of Epstein-related records. Supporters argue the DOJ has unlawfully withheld millions of files, overused redactions, and delayed releasing records required under the original Epstein Files Transparency Act. The bill would also give victims access to unredacted records about their own cases, require the DOJ to provide state prosecutors with records needed for investigations, and impose penalties for officials who knowingly conceal or withhold files. If the House does not consider the legislation within seven legislative days, supporters say they will pursue a discharge petition to force a vote.
During a Fox News appearance, Todd Blanche argued that "there's only one president that's held Jeffrey Epstein accountable, and that's Donald J. Trump." Fox News host Jesse Watters responded by saying he wasn't sure Blanche fully understood how people felt about the issue:
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that the Trump administration mishandled the release of the Epstein files, saying, "If people want to say we mishandled the Epstein release, guilty. We did mishandle it."
Iran:
The U.S.-Iran conflict intensified with a new round of American strikes targeting military and naval infrastructure across Iran, including areas near Tehran and the strategic port of Bandar Abbas. U.S. Central Command said the attacks were intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. also disabled an oil tanker attempting to reach an Iranian port after it allegedly ignored repeated warnings during the U.S. naval blockade. Iran reported casualties from the strikes, while the U.S. described the operations as a response to continued Iranian threats.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against U.S.-allied countries in the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, raising fears of a broader regional war. Jordan said it intercepted multiple incoming missiles, while Kuwait activated its air defenses against drone attacks. Iran warned that any further attacks on its infrastructure would trigger retaliation against regional infrastructure and reiterated that it would not allow foreign control over the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Iranian officials maintained they remain open to diplomacy if negotiations can protect the country’s interests.
About a week after President Trump said of Iran's leaders, "I don't want to deal with them anymore... They're scum... They're sick people," Vice President JD Vance said he was "frustrated by Americans who say you can't negotiate with Iran." The differing statements suggest a contrast between Trump's harsh rhetoric toward Iran's leadership and Vance's argument that diplomacy should not be ruled out.
The escalating conflict is disrupting global energy markets and international shipping. Oil prices have climbed above $85 per barrel, while U.S. gasoline and diesel prices have risen significantly as concerns grow over potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route. India instructed shipping companies to stop assigning Indian sailors to vessels traveling through the strait because of increasing security risks. Reports also emerged of a drone strike on a ship near Iraq’s Basra port, adding to concerns about maritime safety in the region.
The crisis is also reshaping regional politics and diplomacy beyond the battlefield. Lebanon announced it intends to end Hezbollah’s independent military presence and centralize decisions on war and foreign policy under the Lebanese state. Israel indicated it plans to maintain troops in security zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria despite ongoing negotiations, while Pakistan urged both the U.S. and Iran to return to negotiations under their existing memorandum of understanding.
A U.S. citizen, identified by her lawyer as Dena Karari, has been released from Iran after being unable to leave the country since December 2024. President Donald Trump announced her release, calling it a "gesture of goodwill" by Iran, while her lawyer credited the administration's efforts with securing her freedom. According to her lawyer, Karari was never physically imprisoned but was prevented from leaving Iran, repeatedly interrogated, and accused over her work with the Children of Mehr Foundation, a nonprofit supporting disadvantaged children. She is now safely outside Iran and traveling back to the United States. Her lawyer also called on Iran to dismiss charges against the foundation's local staff, noting that up to five other Americans remain detained in Iran.
Canada fires:
Canada is battling 857 active wildfires, most of which remain out of control, with major fire clusters in western Ontario generating massive smoke plumes. The smoke has spread across much of Canada and into the northern United States, significantly reducing air quality. Authorities reported 23 new fires on Thursday alone, and thunderstorms expected in Ontario are unlikely to bring enough rainfall to slow the fires. The situation remains highly volatile as dry conditions continue to fuel wildfire activity. This is the latest from WX:
Smoke from the fires has triggered hazardous air quality across parts of the U.S., prompting health warnings for millions of people. Air quality alerts cover the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast, with residents in affected areas advised to stay indoors and limit outdoor activity. Detroit currently has the worst air quality in the world, according to IQAir, followed by Minneapolis and Toronto. Smoke has also created hazy skies and unusually red sunrises and sunsets as it drifts farther south.
Weather patterns are expected to keep pushing wildfire smoke into the U.S. through the weekend, potentially affecting major events. Northwesterly winds are carrying smoke toward New Jersey, raising concerns about air quality for Sunday’s World Cup final. Meteorologists expect wind patterns to shift by Monday, redirecting much of the smoke toward Quebec and improving conditions across the northeastern U.S. However, air quality is expected to remain poor in many areas until then. Here is a video of the fires from Northern Ontario:
The wildfires are disrupting transportation and highlighting the growing risks posed by extreme fire conditions. A dramatic video showed a freight train surrounded by wildfire flames in northern Ontario, forcing workers to request an emergency rescue. Canadian National Rail confirmed all workers were safely evacuated and temporarily suspended rail operations in the affected region. The incident underscores the widespread impact of the fires on critical infrastructure and public safety.
Other news:
The Trump administration replaced educational panels about slavery at George Washington's former Philadelphia home with new exhibits that critics say present a more sympathetic view of enslavers and downplay the realities of slavery. The change followed a months-long legal battle after the National Park Service removed the original panels under an executive order directing federal sites to present a more favorable view of American history. The administration argues the new exhibit still acknowledges the evils of slavery while providing broader historical context, but historians, city officials, and activists accuse it of sanitizing history and undermining public trust. Philadelphia's mayor condemned the overnight replacement, while opponents vowed to continue legal challenges and educate visitors using the original exhibit's content.
Greater emphasis on Washington’s discomfort with slavery: The new panels highlight that George Washington became uneasy about slavery later in life and eventually freed the enslaved people he owned in his will. Critics argue this shifts attention away from the fact that he actively enslaved people throughout most of his life.
Portrayal of enslaved people as having more autonomy: One new panel states that enslaved people at the President’s House “experienced a greater modicum of autonomy than elsewhere in the South,” noting they could sometimes explore Philadelphia and even attend the theater with tickets purchased by Washington. Historians and activists argue this language minimizes the reality that they remained enslaved and had no genuine freedom.
Broader patriotic framing: The replacement exhibit places more emphasis on the nation’s founding, the Revolution, and the eventual abolition of slavery, arguing that the Founders began a process later completed by the Civil War. The original 2010 exhibit focused primarily on the lives, identities, and experiences of the nine enslaved individuals who lived and worked at Washington’s Philadelphia residence.
Reduced focus on slavery’s central role: Critics contend the new exhibit shifts the narrative from examining the contradictions between American ideals and slavery to presenting a more balanced or favorable account of the Founding Fathers. The Interior Department says the new panels still acknowledge slavery’s injustices while providing additional historical context, but opponents argue they soften the brutality of slavery and amount to a rewriting of history.
Roger Rogoff, a veteran prosecutor and former Washington state judge, was unanimously appointed by federal judges as the U.S. attorney for Western Washington after the previous interim appointment expired. Less than an hour after being sworn in, President Donald Trump’s administration fired Rogoff, prompting him to consider legal action over his removal. The dispute stems from the administration’s effort to keep unconfirmed U.S. attorneys in office through temporary personnel changes, a practice that has faced legal challenges. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the firing, arguing that the judges bypassed the traditional consultation process with the administration, while critics, including Sen. Patty Murray, said the appointment was lawful and accused the administration of politicizing the role. Rogoff said he anticipated the possibility of being fired but viewed the judges’ unanimous appointment as a significant honor after decades of public service.
Republican Senate candidate Rep. Mike Collins is facing renewed scrutiny after CNN reported that his son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II, has promoted White nationalist ideology, shared antisemitic content, praised extremist groups, and used Nazi imagery across social media while maintaining close personal and professional ties to Collins. Scheer, who is married to Collins' daughter, has appeared in Collins' campaign materials, attended campaign events, lived on Collins-owned property, and allegedly helped produce promotional content for the congressman's trucking company, though Collins' campaign did not directly address questions about Scheer's views.
The New York Times has asked a federal court to block Justice Department subpoenas requiring three of its journalists to testify before a grand jury about sources for reporting on security concerns involving the new Air Force One gifted by Qatar. The newspaper argues the subpoenas violate constitutional protections for press freedom and were issued in bad faith to punish its reporting. The Justice Department maintains that the reporters are not targets of the investigation but are material witnesses in an effort to identify officials who leaked classified national security information. At his Senate confirmation hearing, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended authorizing the subpoenas, saying the goal is to determine who disclosed classified information, not to prosecute journalists. The dispute highlights growing tensions between the Trump administration and the press, following broader efforts to investigate government leaks and roll back protections for journalists in leak investigations.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited a World Cup watch party at Rikers Island, where more than 100 inmates with good disciplinary records watched the England-Argentina semifinal as part of a broader jail recreation program. Correction officials said about 4,500 inmates have participated in roughly 90 watch parties during the tournament, arguing the events improve safety and morale inside the jail. Mamdani spoke with inmates, discussed the match, and congratulated one person who said he was being released later that day. The visit came as Rikers continues to face intense scrutiny, with a federal monitor recently reporting persistent violence, poor management, and unconstitutional conditions at the jail. Despite those ongoing problems, inmates who attended the event described it as a rare opportunity to enjoy a positive communal experience and a catered meal.
Joe Rogan told Vice President JD Vance that he agreed with comments made by Texas state Rep. James Talarico opposing laws requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools. Rogan said Talarico, a Christian with seminary training, argued that forcing religious displays on others can drive people away from Christianity rather than encourage faith. Rogan said he thought Talarico made a “really good point” and agreed that mandated religious displays are not the right approach.
A new Pew Research Center survey found that, for the first time in about 20 years of tracking, China is viewed more favorably than the United States across the countries surveyed. China received more positive ratings than the U.S. in 25 of 36 countries and territories, while Chinese President Xi Jinping was viewed more favorably than President Donald Trump in 22 of them, although confidence in both leaders remained relatively low. Researchers attributed the shift to declining global perceptions of U.S. foreign policy, including tensions with allies, military actions, and trade disputes, alongside fading negative views of China tied to the Covid-19 pandemic. The White House rejected the findings, arguing that Trump's policies have strengthened global stability, while China's embassy said the results reflect international recognition of China's progress. Despite China's improved image, the U.S. continues to be viewed as more respectful of personal freedoms overall, though that advantage has narrowed in recent years.
After Argentina defeated England 2–1 in the World Cup semifinal, several Argentine players celebrated with a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Malvinas are Argentine”), referring to the disputed Falkland Islands. The U.K. government called the display inappropriate and urged FIFA to investigate, arguing that it violated the organization’s rules against political messages at sporting events. FIFA’s disciplinary code allows fines for political or ideological displays, and similar incidents involving territorial disputes have previously resulted in sanctions. The Falkland Islands remain a longstanding point of contention between Britain and Argentina, stemming from the 1982 war over the territory that left hundreds dead on both sides. The controversy comes just before Argentina faces Spain in the World Cup final, with renewed scrutiny on FIFA’s enforcement of its political neutrality rules.
More than 500 Rohingya refugees are feared dead after two overcrowded boats carrying people fleeing Myanmar reportedly capsized in the Bay of Bengal. The vessels, carrying a combined estimated 530 passengers, departed from Myanmar’s Rakhine state in late June, with one disappearing shortly after departure and the other believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s coast on July 8. The U.N.’s refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the casualty figures have not yet been officially confirmed but warned the incidents could represent a devastating loss of life. Many Rohingya continue to risk dangerous sea crossings because of persecution in Myanmar, worsening conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh, and ongoing conflict in Rakhine state, despite the heightened dangers of monsoon season. U.N. agencies called for stronger international efforts to improve search and rescue operations, expand refugee protection, and combat human smuggling to prevent further tragedies along one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
See you soon.
— Aaron
