- Michael S. Schmidt @ The New York Times: In Matt Gaetz Scandal, Circumstances Left Teen Vulnerable to Exploitation
A 17-year-old with a homeless parent wanted money for braces and ended up having sex for money with powerful men. She wants the public to have a fuller understanding of how she was victimized.
- Brandy Zadrozny @ MSNBC: The conspiracy crowd’s reaction to the Epstein emails? Yawn.
Far-right conspiracy theorists and influencers are a big reason the Epstein scandal hasn’t died. But the newly released emails about Trump haven’t impressed them.
- Jeremy Kohler @ ProPublica: How Trump Has Exploited Pardons and Clemency to Reward Allies and Supporters
In his second term, President Donald Trump has largely used his clemency power to benefit allies, donors and culture-war figures — including Jan. 6 defendants.
- Hunter Walker @ Talking Points Memo: JD Vance Received a Dire Warning About the Groyper Takeover of the GOP From a Strange Source
The call warning of a dangerous tide of extremism in Donald Trump’s Washington is coming from inside the house — the vice president’s house.
- Tommy Christopher @ Mediaite: Megyn Kelly Spends 2 Solid Minutes On How Maybe Jeffrey Epstein Was Actually ‘Not A Pedophile’
YouTube and Sirius XM host Megyn Kelly took a detour to riff about how deceased sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein might not have been “an actual pedophile.”
- Aaron Rupar and Thor Benson @ Public Notice: “It’s 4chan s**t": The govt's deranged social media presence
"You see Trump administration accounts that look like they’re literally run by Groypers," Charlie Warzel tells us.
- Will Sommer @ The Bulwark: Kash Patel’s Girlfriend Is Driving MAGA Nuts
She’s litigious. They’re sexist. It’s a miasma of loathing.
- David Gilbert @ Wired: Stewart Rhodes Relaunched the Oath Keepers. Even Old Oath Keepers Don’t Care
Militia leader Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted for his role in the January 6 attack, is asking potential new members and supporters to send money. Former allies are unconvinced.
