Let me just get this out of the way — we’re mainlining Epstein today. Not because I want to, but because the discourse has gotten so ridiculous, so circular, and so transparently performative that I can’t ignore it anymore. The Democrats now care about Epstein. Amy Klobuchar is out here pairing Epstein with half-dated memes on national television like it’s a fresh revelation. Tim Burchett is still the loudest Republican voice pushing for full disclosure. And meanwhile, nobody has anything new to say. It’s like we’re watching a re-run in slow motion, and everyone’s just shouting at the screen.
The real problem is what I’ve been calling Schrodinger’s Evidence. We’ve all collectively built up this idea of what’s in the box — CIA asset, Mossad handler, Satanic cult leader, blood sacrifices, Clinton’s worst secrets, and so on. But nobody actually wants evidence. They want validation. They want their specific theory proven true, and anything less will feel like a cover-up. If the files only show Epstein as a grotesque individual with a small circle of powerful enablers, that’s not enough. If they don’t name the names we already expect, that’s not enough. Even if the evidence supports trafficking, the absence of the right villains will be treated like proof of suppression.
And look, I’m not here to downplay the man’s crimes. I believe there’s more to uncover. But if we’re serious about transparency, then we need to be serious about evidence. You can’t just chant “release the files” and expect your fever dream to be officially confirmed. That’s not how any of this works. And yet that’s the posture of both parties now — Klobuchar, Pelosi, Khanna, they’ve all taken a spin. Some are earnest, sure. But when Pelosi stands up and yells about releasing the files after being Speaker twice while this all went down? Come on. That’s not courage. That’s theater.
I’m also frustrated with the Trump response. Pam Bondi staged a big influencer rollout of the files, complete with binders and applause. But there’s been no follow-through. Trump now calls the whole thing a hoax, lumping it in with the Steele dossier and Hunter Biden’s laptop. It’s a bad look. His administration invited scrutiny — then offered nothing. If you’re going to pick a fight with the intelligence community and the courts, you better finish what you started. Instead, we’re stuck with two parties trading jabs and calling it oversight.
This isn’t going away. Not because we’re learning anything new, but because it’s become a cultural litmus test. Believing in “the truth” about Epstein is now a stand-in for believing in institutional rot, elite corruption, or your preferred brand of populism. But the truth — the real truth — doesn’t care about your team. And if we ever do open the box and find something messy but unremarkable, it won’t be closure. It’ll just be another excuse to yell louder.
Liberation Day, or the Illusion of It
Now, about Liberation Day — or what’s left of it. Trump’s three-stage tariff plan is technically still on, but the vibe has shifted. According to what I’ve heard, most of the big economies — Japan, the EU, China — are being pushed not to finalize deals by August 1st, but to agree to joint statements. One- or two-page documents. Basically, a photo op. Trump wants their leaders to stand next to him and say, “We’re working on it.” That’s the baseline now. The U.K. already did it. Vietnam did it. And that’s what Trump wants everyone else to do — buy him time, let him claim progress.
Step two will be the actual paperwork — something between 5 and 40 pages — spelling out the trade language. And then comes the final version: the full-scale trade agreements with real enforcement mechanisms, especially around rules of origin. That’s what they really care about. Preventing countries from hiding goods behind third-party exports and skirting tariffs. But again, all this starts with the handshake. If you don’t stand there and nod, Trump starts turning the screws.
And let’s not forget how chaotic this all still is. Some countries apparently agreed to Trump’s demands too quickly, and instead of locking it in, Trump said, “Feels like we can get more.” So he pulled back. That’s not policy — that’s poker. And it’s why even insiders have no idea what’s coming next.
Democrats, PACs, and the Texas Play
Finally, let’s talk about the Democrats. There’s an official DNC autopsy of 2024 underway, and apparently, they’re blaming their own Super PAC, Future Forward. Not their messaging, not their candidate choices, not their incoherent platform — just the ads. That’s the problem, supposedly. It’s absurd. The truth is, this party is run by vendors. Not leaders. Not visionaries. Just people who know how to make decks and stay in the right group chats. They’re already circling the next money pile, and Future Forward’s demise just opens up room for a new PAC with the same people.
As for Texas, the state house is redrawing maps to give Republicans five more winnable seats — and Beto’s out here suggesting California and Illinois gerrymander even harder. Gavin Newsom’s already calling to eliminate California’s supposedly independent redistricting commission. Meanwhile, in the Senate race, Cornyn’s fading, Paxton’s a mess, and Democrats see a crack of daylight. Colin Allred’s already in. Jasmine Crockett might follow. And Beto? He’s being asked. Again. God help us.
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
05:14 - Epstein
23:47 - Tariffs
34:49 - Gerrymandering and Democrats
50:38 - Wrap-up
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