Good evening, everyone. We have a lot to cover tonight. There have been major developments in the Epstein investigation. New reporting reveals that the White House has been holding secret emergency meetings to coordinate its response to the Epstein files, and the details are raising serious questions. At the same time, Bill Gates testified before Congress, Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime assistant confirmed that she arranged calls between Epstein and Donald Trump, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is now set to testify as well.

Meanwhile, inflation has climbed to its highest level in years, yet Trump told reporters that he “loves” the inflation. I break down all of it.

People keep asking me: What are we going to do about the Epstein story? My answer is simple. I am not going to stop. I will keep reporting, digging, and exposing the facts until the truth is fully known and those responsible are held accountable. I will not let this story disappear. I will not move on because others want us to. And I will not stop asking questions.

Today, Instagram heavily suppressed one of my videos about Epstein. Reaching people with this information is becoming harder, not easier. But with your help, we can keep pushing forward, keep growing, and keep making sure these stories reach the public. If you’re able, subscribe or gift a subscription today. Every bit of support makes a difference.

Here’s the news:

• According to a new book by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, White House aides were reportedly worried about the possible release of a document containing allegations that Donald Trump had a sexual “predilection for nipples” and had mistreated an Epstein victim. The book describes internal concern over the potential political fallout from the allegations. The excerpt focuses on how seriously staff viewed the threat posed by the document rather than on proving the underlying claims.

• Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime assistant, Lesley Groff, told Congress that she occasionally arranged phone calls between Epstein and Donald Trump before Trump entered politics. During her testimony, Groff denied knowing about or witnessing Epstein’s abuse and said she was unaware of the full extent of his crimes while working for him. Lawmakers questioned the credibility of those claims, arguing it was difficult to believe that a close aide could have been unaware of Epstein’s misconduct. The testimony is part of an ongoing congressional investigation into Epstein’s associates and activities.

• Bill Gates told the House Oversight Committee that meeting with Jeffrey Epstein was a “grave error in judgment” and insisted he never witnessed criminal conduct by Epstein or harmed anyone himself. Gates said his interactions with Epstein were limited and focused on philanthropic fundraising, but acknowledged that Epstein later learned about his extramarital affairs and attempted to use that information to pressure him into renewing their relationship. He denied being friends with Epstein, denied visiting Epstein's private island or residences, and said no charitable partnership ever resulted from their discussions. The testimony is part of Congress's broader investigation into Epstein's network and whether he used relationships with powerful figures to gain influence or leverage.

• According to Rep. Melanie Stansbury, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has agreed that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche should testify before Congress about the handling of Epstein-related records.

• Inflation rose to 4.2% in May, driven in part by higher energy prices during the ongoing conflict with Iran. When asked about the increase, Trump said he “loves the inflation,” arguing that the economy had been performing exceptionally well before the war and that confronting Iran was necessary despite the economic costs. He suggested that higher oil prices were a consequence of military actions against Iran and maintained that inflation and energy costs would fall once the conflict ends. Critics have seized on the remarks, portraying them as dismissive of the financial impact on American consumers.

• Senators pressed Trump judicial nominees today on whether or not they would say that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. They refused:

• Here is another example:

• The war in Iran is restarting tonight. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S. Central Command would carry out military strikes against Iran following President Trump’s directive to “hit Iran hard.” Hegseth described the planned attacks as strong and decisive, arguing that military action would advance U.S. strategic objectives while strengthening America’s negotiating position. He suggested that Iran’s failure to reach a diplomatic agreement had led to the use of force instead. His comments emphasized the administration’s view that military pressure and diplomacy can be used together, stating that if necessary, the U.S. would “negotiate with bombs.”

• A reporter asked Hegseth whether attacks on bridges and electrical infrastructure could constitute war crimes. Rather than directly addressing the legal question, Hegseth accused the media of asking a biased and misleading question that unfairly questioned the motives of the U.S. and its allies. He argued that the reporter was implying wrongdoing without considering the broader context of the military actions. The exchange highlighted tensions between the administration and journalists over scrutiny of military operations.

• Trump said he plans to appoint businessman Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence on June 19 and has instructed him to immediately shrink the Office of the Director of National Intelligence by returning staff to their original agencies. Trump described Pulte’s role as temporary and said he is still searching for a permanent nominee with national security experience. He also asked Congress to pass a short-term extension of Section 702 of FISA, a key surveillance authority that is set to expire, to allow time for selecting and confirming a permanent intelligence chief. Critics, particularly Democrats, argue that Pulte lacks national security credentials and that his appointment could jeopardize bipartisan negotiations over renewing the surveillance program.

• Trump signed a law providing nearly $70 billion in funding for immigration enforcement agencies through 2029. The measure significantly expands resources for ICE, Border Patrol, and the Department of Homeland Security to support border security and immigration enforcement operations. Republicans argued the funding is necessary for public safety and border control, while Democrats criticized it as a major expansion of deportation and detention efforts with insufficient oversight. The bill passed Congress by a very narrow margin after months of political conflict over immigration policy.

• According to Politico, a senior Justice Department official planned to seek compensation from Trump’s proposed “Anti-Weaponization Fund” because he believed he had been unfairly targeted during past government investigations. His intention to file a claim raised conflict-of-interest concerns because he was also involved in communicating with Congress about the fund. The proposal became politically controversial and faced bipartisan criticism, leading the Justice Department to abandon it. The episode exposed internal disagreements over both the fund’s purpose and who should be eligible to benefit from it.

• After the Knicks lost their first game in 46 days while Donald Trump was in attendance at Madison Square Garden, some fans blamed him for ending the team’s winning streak. A group of fans gathered outside the arena and burned sage in an effort to “cleanse” the venue before the next game. The idea of a “Trump Curse” spread online, with fans, commentators, and celebrities playfully suggesting that Trump’s presence disrupted the team’s momentum. The article focuses on the humorous fan reaction and superstition surrounding the loss rather than any serious claim that Trump caused it.

• A Somali referee, Omar Artan, who was selected to become the first Somali official to work a World Cup, was denied entry to the United States and sent home after being detained and questioned for 11 hours in Miami. U.S. officials cited unspecified “vetting concerns” and alleged associations with suspected terrorists, while Artan denied any connection to the militant group al-Shabab and said he was repeatedly questioned about it. His return to Somalia sparked a hero’s welcome and fueled criticism that U.S. immigration and security policies are undermining the World Cup’s promise of global participation. The incident is part of broader controversy surrounding visa denials, travel restrictions, and border scrutiny affecting some World Cup officials, players, and fans from countries subject to U.S. travel bans or heightened vetting.

• According to CNN, Taiwan conducted its first live-fire exercise using U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket systems aimed toward the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating how it would respond to a potential Chinese invasion. The drills emphasized Taiwan’s “shoot-and-scoot” strategy, in which mobile rocket launchers quickly fire and relocate to avoid being targeted. The exercise reflects Taiwan’s broader effort to strengthen its defenses against growing military pressure from China, which continues to claim the island as its territory. The United States remains Taiwan’s primary arms supplier and has encouraged this more mobile, asymmetric defense approach.

• UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland claims he was barred from attending the UFC event being held at the White House and says the decision was retaliation for his criticism of Donald Trump, Israel, and Jeffrey Epstein. Strickland, once a Trump supporter, has become increasingly critical of the president, particularly over U.S. military actions involving Iran and Trump’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. UFC CEO Dana White publicly dismissed Strickland’s claim that he was banned, joking that he is “banned from humanity” rather than from the event. The dispute has added controversy to the planned White House UFC card, which is already drawing attention because of its political symbolism and Trump’s close ties to the UFC.

• The FBI has executed a search warrant at a southern California aerospace facility after an overheated chemical tank containing thousands of gallons of highly flammable methyl methacrylate forced the evacuation of about 50,000 residents last month. Federal investigators are seeking records and evidence related to how the chemical was stored, monitored, and cooled, while local prosecutors are conducting a separate criminal investigation. The incident raised fears of a major explosion, though one was ultimately avoided when pressure in the tank was relieved. The company says it is cooperating with investigators, while residents and local officials continue to seek answers about what caused the emergency and whether similar risks remain.

• The U.S. has recorded more than 2,000 confirmed measles cases in 2026, putting the country on pace for its worst measles outbreak in decades. Health experts attribute the spread largely to declining vaccination rates, vaccine misinformation, and weakened public health systems that have struggled to contain outbreaks. Doctors and public health officials warn that unvaccinated communities and infants too young to be vaccinated are especially vulnerable, and many believe the true number of cases is significantly higher than reported. The outbreak has also intensified debate over vaccine skepticism and the role of public officials in promoting accurate health information.

• Former Republican-turned-Democrat David Jolly selected former congresswoman Gwen Graham as his running mate in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race. The move comes after a major Democratic rival dropped out, giving the Jolly-Graham ticket time to unify the party before the August primary. Jolly and Graham are presenting themselves as pragmatic centrists focused on governing rather than culture-war politics, while Republicans argue the ticket represents an outdated Democratic establishment. The announcement highlights Democrats’ challenge of building a broad coalition in a state that has become increasingly Republican in recent years.

• EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the Trump administration does not plan to create national environmental regulations or standards specifically for data centers. Instead, he argued that decisions about issues such as water use, air pollution, and energy consumption should be made at the state and local level because data centers and communities have different needs. Zeldin said EPA’s role will be mainly advisory, providing technical expertise and sharing best practices rather than acting as a regulator or mediator. His comments reflect the administration’s broader approach of encouraging AI and data center development while relying on voluntary agreements and local oversight rather than new federal requirements.

• Police in Toledo, Ohio, have identified 20-year-old Ka Nye Taylor as a suspect in a mass shooting at the Old West End Festival that wounded 12 people and are also seeking help identifying a second alleged shooter. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute between two rival groups, with only a few victims involved and most of the injured being innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. Victims ranged in age from 14 to 61, and all are expected to survive, with most already released from the hospital. Authorities are offering up to $15,000 in combined rewards for information leading to the arrests of the suspects.

• According to NBC News, an American diplomat assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar, was found dead at a residence popular with diplomats and foreign visitors. The U.S. State Department confirmed the death but has released few details, citing the privacy of the employee’s family. According to unnamed diplomatic sources, Myanmar police are investigating the case as a possible homicide and have detained a Thai woman in connection with the investigation. Authorities in Myanmar, Thailand, and the United States have declined to provide further information, and no charges or official findings have been announced.

• House Democrats are escalating their fight with Republicans over campaign fundraising by threatening to investigate WinRed, the GOP's main online fundraising platform. Democratic lawmakers claim there is evidence that WinRed may have processed illegal foreign contributions and are demanding records and testimony from the company's leadership. The move comes as Republicans intensify their own investigation into the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, whose CEO invoked the Fifth Amendment during a congressional hearing. The dispute reflects a growing partisan battle over allegations of fraud, foreign donations, and oversight of the two parties' major online fundraising systems.

• The Southern Baptist Convention voted overwhelmingly to advance a constitutional amendment that would formally ban member churches from having women serve as pastors or preach to congregations. Supporters argue the measure reflects biblical teachings and provides clarity on church leadership, while opponents say existing rules already address the issue and that the change is unnecessary. If approved again next year, the amendment would strengthen the denomination's ability to expel churches that allow women in pastoral roles. The vote highlights the SBC's continued movement toward a more conservative interpretation of gender roles in church leadership.

• NATO allies are considering speeding up drone purchases and other counter-drone measures after a series of security incidents along the alliance’s eastern flank, including a Russian drone crash in Romania that injured civilians. Member countries discussed expanding air-policing capabilities, improving drone defenses, and increasing monitoring of critical infrastructure, particularly around the Black Sea. The push reflects growing concern that Russia’s war against Ukraine is creating new aerial threats for neighboring NATO countries. Officials hope to approve concrete drone-defense initiatives at NATO’s summit in Ankara next month.

See you soon.

— Aaron