Today in Politics, Bulletin 172. 7/17/25

… Press Sec Karoline Leavitt finally addressed questions I and others have raised for months about discoloration in Trump’s hands, swollen ankles, and dragging his right leg when he walks: "I know that many in the media have been speculating about bruising on the president's hand and also swelling in the president's legs. In recent weeks President Trump noted swelling in his legs. The president underwent a comprehensive exam. Results revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition.”

… “Recent photos of the president has shown minor bruising on the back of his hand. This is consistent with minor soft-tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and use of aspirin. The president remains in excellent health, as I’m sure all of you witness on a daily basis.”

… Leavitt also led off her press conference addressing the Epstein controversy: "The president doesn't like to see Democrats and the mainstream media covering this like it's the biggest story the American people care about. The president has been working so hard this week."

… She was asked by Fox’s Jacqui Heinrich if Trump would agree to calls by many Republicans for a special counsel to be appointed on Epstein to resolve everything: “The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That’s how he feels.”

… Trump’s Epstein problem isn’t going away anytime soon, as MAGA influencers won’t let it go, media continues to ask Trump and elected Republicans about it, and Democrats are pouring gasoline on the fire wherever they can. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ): “I just cosponsored Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-KY) bill to release the Epstein files. The American people deserve full transparency.“

… Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) on their effort to get Republicans to sign onto the bill to release the Epstein files: “We got Boebert, we got Marjorie Taylor Greene. We have up to 7 Republicans now.”

… Punchbowl: “Republican members of the House Rules Committee met with Speaker Johnson this morning. They are frustrated that Democrats on the Committee are offering amendments on the Epstein situation. Republicans are expected to vote these amendments down to ensure they don't come to the floor. But this opens these Republicans up to sharp criticism that they are protecting Epstein.”

… Politico: “Many GOP lawmakers fear being cornered by an expected discharge petition that would force a House vote on publicizing Epstein-related records. Reps. Massie (R-Y) and Khanna (D-CA) launched the effort, making it available for signatures and a possible floor vote as soon as next week. The hope has been that Speaker Johnson decides to cancel next week’s scheduled House session and instead send members home for an extended summer recess once voting concludes Thur or Fri.”

… Another other factor in all of this is Elon Musk, who has turned his powerful personal social media account with 222 million followers from a pro-Trump propaganda machine to his worst headache. Musk made 15 posts yesterday attacking Trump on Epstein. This was one: “The Old: 1. Admit nothing. 2. Deny everything. 3. Make counterclaims. But it won’t work this time.”

… MAGA influencer Laura Loomer has been pushing Trump for weeks to fire former FBI Director James Comey’s daughter at DOJ. She intensified the push after Comey posted his “86-47” seashell photo on Instagram last month that right-wingers claimed was a death threat. DOJ fired Maurene Comey yesterday, but the timing could not have been worse since it turns out she was also Epstein and Maxwell’s prosecutor.

… This move is another huge blunder by Trump and Bondi, as it makes it look as though he is punishing the Epstein/Maxwell prosecutor, and Comey is now free to speak about the case and do press interviews - which she could not do while employed by DOJ. Comey is also in the best position to speak out if Bondi ends up trying to release files that have been doctored or have omissions since she knows the evidence better than anyone.

… Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) to MSNBC: “Either she was fired because she's James Comey's daughter, which would be totally inappropriate and a wrongful termination, or she was fired because she was prosecuting Epstein and his accomplices. And why would they fire her over that? And why would they fire her now?”

… MAGA influencer Catturd to his millions of followers: “Remember when the podcast bro ‘influencers’ who are going against Trump right now got paid a half million dollars from Russia to tweet one ad a month, and they played dumb like that makes any sense and they pretended to be the victims? I do.”

… Alex Jones: “Why is Trump destroying MAGA in real time?”

… Right-wing podcaster Candace Owens: “I estimate Trump is about 4 days from calling his MAGA base a bunch of deplorables.”

… Right-wing podcaster Nick Fuentes: “We're gonna look back at the MAGA movement as the biggest scam in history. The liberals were right - we will see Trump as a scam artist. The Republicans must be hanged in the midterms. Trump must fucking pay for this. You don't need our support anymore? Forget about the midterms. The 2026 midterms, it just needs to be a Democrat avalanche. The Republicans are traitors - they shit on on our face.”

… Dark Mike Pence got in on the action: “The time has come to release all the files regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s investigation and prosecution. Anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held up to public scrutiny.”

… New Quinnipiac poll: Approval of the Trump Admin's Handling of the Epstein Files:

• All: Disapprove: 63% Approve: 17%

• Disapprove among: Democrats-83%, Independents-71% Republicans-36%.

… Gavin Newsom posted this:

… NYT: “Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) the top Dem on the Senate Finance Committee, has been digging into Epstein’s financial network for the past 3 years. Some members of his staff have viewed confidential files that shed light on the immense sums of money that Epstein moved through the banking system to fuel his vast sex-trafficking network. Filings by 4 big banks flagged more than $1.5 B in transactions — including thousands of wire transfers for the purchase and sale of artwork for rich friends, fees paid to Epstein by wealthy individuals, and payments to numerous women.”

… “Even before the DOJ announced last week that it was closing the door on the Epstein investigation, Wyden had been pressing AG Pam Bondi to turn over bank reports along with other information about wealthy individuals and financial institutions in Epstein’s network. The confidential bank reports could be crucial, because they provide the most comprehensive look at the enormous financing machine behind Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation in FL and the US Virgin Islands. To date, only bits and pieces of the financial transactions involving Epstein’s network have come out through civil litigation and news reports.”

… Wyden: “We felt from the beginning this was a follow-the-money case. This horrific sex-trafficking operation cost Epstein a lot of money, and he had to get that money from somewhere. In this era of misinformation, these reports are the coin of the realm.”

… Trump tried to distract from the Epstein controversy with this post: “I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the US, and they have agreed to do so. I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them - You’ll see. It’s just better!”

… Gavin Newsom: “Oh thank god! I’ve totally forgotten about the Epstein files now!”

… But Coca-Cola said that is not the case. Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “A Coca-Cola spokesperson said the company appreciates ‘Trump’s enthusiasm’ for its brand but did not go as far as confirming such a move.”

… This is not happening and is more fantasy from Trump. Sugar costs a lot more than corn syrup and is imported from Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. All their plants were have to be refitted to accommodate the change, which would cost a fortune. He also may want to check with Big Ag front man Chuck Grassley and the US corn farmers.

… Corn Refiners Assn President and CEO John Bode: “Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn’t make sense. President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit. Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit.”

… Newsom is mobilizing CA to respond to Texas calling a special session to attempt to gerrymander congressional districts before the midterms at the direction of Trump, who said he thinks Republicans could gain 5 additional seats with this illegal chicanery. Republicans hold 9 seats in CA.

… Punchbowl: “Some CA Dems have indicated they’re willing to run in more competitive districts in order to reach the goal of gaining a half dozen more blue seats. This is a brazen political gamble, exactly the kind of ploy that the Democratic Party base has been demanding. Yet it’ll be extremely hard to pull off for a few reasons. The biggest roadblock is that the CA voters approved a constitutional amendment that handed authority over redistricting to an independent commission ahead of the 2011 remap.”

… Newsom would have to call a special session to have the legislature approve a proposition for a special election that would rescind the commission. They could even state on the initiative that it would be temporary. They would then have a special referendum just on that issue, and they think they can sell that to voters as a measure to counter Texas.

… Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA): “Here’s the thing about our Gov. Newsom - he’s a street fighter. He’s not going to let Trump or anyone fuck with California or our country. If Republicans want to bring knives to the fight, he’s bringing tanks. We’ve got his back.”

… Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA): “We’re ready. If Texas goes, we are going.”

… Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) on Ken Paxton’s threat to arrest TX Dems if they prevent a quorum by not showing up for the special session: “We have truly become a country run by lawless wannabe gangsters. Please explain how an AG who faced felony charges for almost a decade, was also under fed investigation, & impeached, on behalf of the 34 count convicted felon, can even UTTER that he will HUNT & ARREST lawmakers if they decide to protect the country from the deranged & senile Temu Hilter.”

… CNN: “DCCC made a verbal commitment to Texas delegation to spend 6 figures to help fight their state's push for new maps to help Republicans in the midterms. Jeffries and DNC have also committed to spending $$ in Texas. This initial tranche would likely be focused on messaging (ad campaigns, maybe polls) to up public pressure on Texas Rs not to go ahead with it. If they do, there will be a LOT more money for litigation needed but that’s a later conversation.”

I was hoping for a slow news day but it was not to be! This is a big one with lots of important stuff. I did my best to keep up with everything although I know I may miss a good story or two that didn’t make it in. I enjoy reading all your comments each morning as it seems like we have grown a lively community of respondents - which is great!

If you missed the last Bulletin, you can find it here.

… Politico: “Several outside lawyers recently warned Trump that a new strategy to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the central bank’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation project is on shaky legal ground. Privately, WH officials also acknowledged uncertainty about whether the argument would hold up in court. Fed board members