Good morning everyone. Donald Trump has finally broken his 36-hour silence, dismissing the Epstein files as a “hoax,” and his supporters are erupting in anger, turning on him online and demanding the full release of the records. At the same time, Ghislaine Maxwell is reportedly receiving even more preferential treatment in prison, including unlimited toilet paper, and Speaker Mike Johnson is now moving to fast track a vote on releasing the Epstein files as early as mid-week next week.
We live in a nonstop news cycle that burns through stories in hours, not days, and already some outlets are pushing the Epstein files out of the spotlight. I refuse to let that happen. This is about the survivors. This is about justice. This is about transparency. The fight for truth is only beginning, because more files are on the way. I have made it my mission to uncover everything, and I will not stop, no matter how badly this White House wants silence.
This morning, Donald Trump posted his first Truth Social post in more than 24 hours, calling the Jeffrey Epstein files a “hoax” again.
He begged Republicans to stop talking about:
The reaction from those who follow him on Truth Social was not great. I spent the morning combing through the comments, and as it currently stands, Trump’s base is turning on him. Not only does the post have much less engagement than usual, but it also shows a base angry at their leader:
House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly scheduled a vote to force release of the Epstein files after realizing the effort couldn’t be stopped, as GOP leaders brace for many Republicans to break with Trump and potentially deliver a veto-proof majority for the bipartisan Massie–Khanna bill.
Trump is escalating pressure on Republicans to oppose releasing the full DOJ Epstein files ahead of a forced House vote; despite dozens of Republicans signaling support amid public demands for transparency, newly released emails suggesting Trump knew about Epstein’s misconduct have intensified the fight, though the bill still faces long odds in the Senate and would require Trump’s signature. However, it is possible that the vote can secure veto-proof majorities in the House and the Senate.
Newly released House oversight text messages show Jeffrey Epstein privately advising Steve Bannon for six days in August 2018, coaching him on pro-Trump media messaging, critiquing his TV appearances, drafting talking points on tax cuts and immigration, and coordinating secret in-person meetings, revealing Epstein’s behind-the-scenes involvement in Bannon’s efforts to support Trump and promote his media projects after leaving the White House.
Mike Johnson says Democrats are “trying to manufacture a hoax” linking Trump to Epstein and claims their actions reflect “Trump derangement syndrome.”
Republican Rep. Andy Biggs says he’ll vote to release the Epstein files despite Trump’s opposition, a break that could complicate his Trump-backed run for Arizona governor.
A CNN investigation says Ghislaine Maxwell is receiving unusual perks at her minimum-security prison in Texas, including unlimited toilet paper, private meals, isolation from other inmates, special visitation arrangements, and alleged help from the warden, prompting inmate transfers, whistleblower complaints, and outrage from Epstein’s victims as Maxwell prepares a commutation request that Trump has not ruled out.
Ben Shapiro argues that Marjorie Taylor Greene backs releasing the Epstein files as a tactic to undermine Donald Trump’s presidency.
US Catholic bishops issued a rare rebuke of Trump’s immigration crackdown, warning of fear, profiling, violations of sacred spaces like churches and hospitals, harsh detention conditions, and “indiscriminate mass deportation,” while calling for meaningful immigration reform and criticizing the administration’s rollback of protections near sensitive locations.
A federal judge ordered that 615 people arrested in Chicago’s recent immigration crackdown must be released on bond by November 21 after finding ICE violated a settlement on warrantless arrests, raising major logistical challenges as many detainees were moved around the country and sparking tensions with immigration officials who vow to intensify enforcement despite the ruling.
The Nevada Supreme Court unanimously reinstated a state forgery case against six Trump allies who signed false 2020 elector certificates, ruling the charges were properly filed in Las Vegas. The decision comes shortly after Trump issued federal pardons to these individuals, which do not apply to state crimes.
Senior Fannie Mae executives Malloy Evans and Danielle McCoy were removed from their positions after objecting to the company giving Freddie Mac confidential and competitively sensitive pricing information, with internal emails showing Evans warning on October 11 that the shared data was a “problem” and McCoy stressing it should “never be shared” because it exposed Fannie Mae to serious risk, all occurring while the data exchange was taking place under a project directed by the company’s regulator, Bill Pulte.
Verizon plans to cut about fifteen thousand jobs starting next week, the largest reduction in the company’s history, as it struggles with subscriber losses and rising competition, according to the Wall Street Journal.
An NBC News poll finds Republicans are more likely than Democrats to report having close friends in the opposite party, with 82 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of Democrats saying they have at least one such friendship, a gap that widens among the most ideological voters and narrows among moderates.
New Jersey authorities charged 14 people, including alleged Lucchese crime family member Joseph “Little Joe” Perna and several relatives, for running a multimillion-dollar illegal sports betting ring involving student athletes and offshore sites, accusing the network of racketeering, gambling offenses, and money laundering between 2022 and 2024.
Iran reopened its National Aerospace Park to showcase missiles, drones, and other IRGC weapons as a display of strength, giving visitors and media rare access to hardware used in the conflict while promoting the country’s expanding missile and drone capabilities amid rising fears of another confrontation.
A fast-moving wildfire in Mono County, California has burned 5.3 square miles, damaged 15 structures, forced evacuations and road closures, and briefly grounded aircraft due to 50 mph winds, though fire activity eased after local precipitation.
Russia launched a massive overnight strike on Kyiv with 430 drones and 18 missiles, killing at least four people and injuring dozens, which Zelenskyy said was a deliberate attempt to cause maximum civilian harm.
Germany’s defense minister Boris Pistorius condemned Russia’s latest attacks on Kyiv as showing “contempt for humanity” and aiming to break Ukrainian morale, announced at least €150 million in new German funding for Ukraine’s NATO-prioritized weapons needs, and noted growing Nordic support including a separate €430 million package.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon is retiring and will be succeeded on February 1 by Walmart U.S. chief John Furner, a longtime company executive taking over as the retailer faces economic pressures, political scrutiny over affordability, and a major AI-driven transformation.
South Carolina plans to carry out its third firing-squad execution of the year on Friday, putting Stephen Bryant to death despite defense claims of unconsidered brain damage and childhood abuse, as the state accelerates executions and death-penalty critics condemn firing squads, electrocution, and lethal injection as inhumane choices for condemned prisoners.
