“It’s Donald Trump’s Watergate.” That’s what members of Congress are calling the bombshell revelations from the past 24 hours, which exposed allegations that Trump officials coordinated with Justice Department officials in the Situation Room to shield Trump from the fallout surrounding the Epstein files. Now, the investigation is escalating on Capitol Hill.

Many in Congress are demanding testimony from JD Vance, Susie Wiles, and other top officials. If you thought this story was over, it is anything but. The investigation is growing because the facts continue to emerge, and because we are helping bring those facts to light.

At the same time, tensions with Iran are escalating. The United States reportedly struck Iranian water infrastructure, and Trump is promising additional bombing operations today. There is a lot to cover below.

Meanwhile, Trump officials are openly celebrating efforts to ban TikTok accounts investigating Epstein. One of my Epstein videos was censored on TikTok this morning as well. That should concern everyone. It also reinforces why this work matters. If you can, please subscribe today and help support independent reporting. We will not be intimidated, and we will not stop.

Tonight at 7:45 p.m. ET, we’ll have our next paid subscriber live event. I’ll be joining from a train, so let’s hope the Wi-Fi cooperates. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you there.

Here’s the news:

• The Knives are out inside the White House. The ascent of Bill Pulte reflects a broader shift inside Trump’s orbit, where loyalty is prized above all else and grievances are increasingly driving decision-making. According to Trump allies who spoke to Politico, along with GOP Senate aides and others close to the administration, the president has become increasingly frustrated with both his own staff and congressional Republicans. As one MAGA-world operative put it, Trump is now “increasingly frustrated with everyone, from his own team to the Senate.”

• Members of Congress are increasingly comparing the controversy surrounding the Epstein files to Watergate, arguing that questions about what information has been withheld and how the administration has handled the issue deserve far greater scrutiny. New reporting suggests that Vice President JD Vance has been deeply involved in the White House’s strategy surrounding the Epstein files, including participating in high-level discussions with senior administration officials.

• According to the report, meetings on the issue have even taken place in the Situation Room, underscoring the importance the administration has attached to managing the fallout. Critics say these revelations raise new questions about transparency and accountability, with many now calling on Vance to publicly explain his role in the administration’s handling of the matter.

• As a result, members of Congress are intensifying scrutiny of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files, with the House Oversight Committee now seeking testimony from acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Committee Chair James Comer said lawmakers want answers about the release process, including whether any Epstein-related documents remain undisclosed, after former Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly said Blanche oversaw the effort. Democrats are pushing for Blanche to testify under oath in a public setting, arguing that the public deserves full transparency about how the files were handled. The growing investigation comes as Blanche seeks Senate confirmation to permanently lead the Justice Department, placing additional political pressure on the administration over the Epstein controversy.

• Overnight, Paolo Zampolli, a Trump Administration official who is mentioned repeatedly in the Epstein files, admitted to having an account banned on TikTok of Bekah Day, an independent journalist covering Zampolli’s ties to Epstein:

• Paolo Zampolli is a former modeling agent, businessman, and longtime friend of Donald Trump who is widely known for introducing Trump to Melania Knauss (now Melania Trump) in 1998. He later became a presidential special envoy and has remained closely connected to the Trump family through business, diplomatic, and social circles. According to a 2026 New York Times investigation, Zampolli contacted senior ICE officials regarding his former partner, Amanda Ungaro, during a custody dispute over their son, though he denies seeking special treatment or favors.

• The Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room is in Washington, D.C. this week. It is a traveling exhibition in Washington, D.C., featuring millions of pages of publicly released Epstein-related documents and a timeline of Trump and Epstein’s past relationship. Organizers say the exhibit is intended to encourage deeper engagement with the facts surrounding Epstein’s crimes and their impact on victims rather than serve as a political protest. The installation includes artwork by Epstein accuser Maria Farmer and a memorial space with 1,400 candles representing victims, where visitors can leave written reflections. Many attendees described the experience as emotional and sobering, with some saying it reinforced the importance of seeking accountability and remembering the victims.

• Concerns about Donald Trump’s health are rising again after it was revealed that 22 medical specialists participated in his recent physical examination at Walter Reed, reportedly the highest number ever involved in a presidential checkup. The figure was nearly double the 14 doctors who examined him during his previous physical, leading some medical experts to question why such an extensive team was needed. Critics argue that the unusually large number of specialists, combined with recurring bruising on Trump’s hands and concerns about his age, has fueled speculation about underlying health issues. Trump and the White House, however, maintain that the examination was simply a comprehensive assessment and that he remains in excellent health and fully capable of serving as president.

Iran war:

• This morning, Donald Trump announced the intent to seize an Iranian island, and with it, the oil on the island. To do so experts say boots on the ground would likely be required.

• The conflict between the U.S. and Iran escalated sharply over the past 24 hours, with both sides exchanging military strikes across the Middle East. The U.S. launched a second day of attacks after accusing Iran of downing an American military helicopter, while Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. military assets in the region. President Trump warned that additional American strikes could follow and said Iran would “pay the price” for its actions. Iranian officials responded by saying the renewed attacks had effectively destroyed any remaining ceasefire efforts. Trump further said that if Iran did not sign an agreement today, he will “bomb the shit out of them.”

• One of the most significant developments is Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to all marine traffic until further notice. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, carrying a large share of global oil and gas exports. Iranian authorities blamed the closure on what they called American aggression, while U.S. Central Command disputed Iran’s claim and maintained that the strait remains open. The closure has heightened fears of disruptions to global energy markets and international shipping.

• New evidence suggests that U.S. strikes may have damaged drinking water infrastructure on Iran’s southern coast. Images and satellite analysis reviewed by NBC News showed collapsed roofs and bomb fragments at facilities believed to be part of a local drinking water system in Hormozgan Province. While the extent of the damage remains unclear, questions are being raised about whether the facilities were intentionally targeted. If civilian water infrastructure was deliberately struck, it would be a war crime.

• The fighting is increasingly affecting civilian and commercial shipping throughout the Gulf region. Iran reported that a cargo vessel was hit by a U.S. projectile near Oman, while a separate tanker experienced a fire off Oman’s coast. India also confirmed that three of its citizens were killed aboard a tanker disabled by U.S. forces after it allegedly violated an American blockade on Iranian oil exports. These incidents underscore how the conflict is disrupting maritime trade and putting civilian crews at risk.

• The broader regional fallout continues to grow, with missile interceptions, civilian injuries, and rising fears of a wider war. Jordan said it intercepted at least 20 Iranian missiles, while Bahrain reported that debris from an intercepted Iranian drone injured an 11-year-old girl and damaged homes and vehicles. Iran also claimed to have targeted a U.S. air base in Jordan, though those claims have not been independently confirmed. As hostilities spread across multiple countries, concerns are mounting that the conflict could evolve into a larger regional confrontation.

Other news:

• Meanwhile, for his 80th birthday this Sunday, Trump said he wanted “world peace.” Trump proceeded to bomb Iran hours later:

• New court filings reveal that Trump’s planned “UFC Freedom 250” event on the White House South Lawn has grown into a massive $60 million production, far larger than originally envisioned. Organizers now expect roughly 125,000 attendees, with another 75,000 people requesting tickets, requiring nearly 500 portable toilets, hundreds of trucks, and up to 900 contractors to support the event. The centerpiece is a full UFC Octagon surrounded by extensive staging, lighting, broadcast infrastructure, and temporary seating. The event is also the subject of a lawsuit from critics who argue it is effectively a taxpayer-supported celebration of Trump’s 80th birthday rather than a legitimate America 250 celebration, though the administration has defended it as a historic patriotic event.

• The New York Knicks staged a historic comeback from 29 points down to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107–106 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. After trailing by 27 at halftime, the Knicks dominated the second half and gradually erased the deficit. OG Anunoby scored the winning basket on a tip-in with seconds remaining, giving New York a 3–1 lead in the series. The victory was the largest comeback in NBA Finals history and put the Knicks one win away from a championship.

• A Guardian investigation details allegations from prisoners held in Oklahoma State Penitentiary’s underground H Unit, known as “the tombs,” where inmates describe years spent in windowless cells with no access to natural sunlight. Letters from prisoners recount unsanitary conditions, vermin infestations, prolonged isolation, inadequate mental health care, and frequent incidents of violence and sexual assault, with some describing the experience as psychological torture. Human rights experts and advocates argue that the lack of sunlight and extensive solitary confinement can cause severe mental and emotional harm, while former inmates say the conditions left lasting trauma and contributed to suicidal thoughts. Oklahoma corrections officials dispute the allegations, saying the facility complies with state and federal standards and that any maintenance or policy issues are addressed when identified.

• The House Appropriations Committee approved a nearly $100 billion funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security along party lines, highlighting ongoing divisions over immigration policy and enforcement. The legislation provides billions for ICE and Customs and Border Protection on top of roughly $70 billion already approved through a separate Trump-backed funding package, while also increasing Coast Guard funding and supporting additional border security personnel and technology. Democrats argued that the bill does not go far enough in limiting ICE and Border Patrol enforcement practices and raised concerns about the scale of funding being provided with limited oversight. Republicans defended the measure as necessary to stabilize DHS operations and strengthen border security, rejecting most Democratic amendments aimed at imposing additional restrictions on immigration enforcement activities.

• Germany is turning the collapse of its joint fighter-jet project with France and Spain into an opportunity to establish itself as Europe’s leading aerospace power, leveraging its much larger defense budget, strong industrial base, and growing political confidence. German officials argue that the country now has the resources and expertise to help lead development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft, while France faces tighter financial constraints despite its greater experience in military aviation. An Airbus-led consortium has already proposed a new fighter program centered on German industry, reflecting Berlin’s ambition to become the hub of Europe’s future defense sector. The shift marks a significant change in European defense dynamics, with Germany increasingly positioning itself as a leader rather than a junior partner in major military projects.

• Five EU countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, and Ireland, are urging a coordinated European response to growing pressure from the Trump administration and pharmaceutical companies to raise drug prices across Europe. The countries argue that individual negotiations could weaken Europe’s bargaining power and undermine healthcare systems that rely on lower medicine costs. The push comes as the U.S. seeks lower drug prices domestically while pressuring European governments to pay more, with some countries already facing direct negotiations and investment threats from major pharmaceutical firms. The group is calling for deeper cooperation on drug pricing and reimbursement policies to preserve affordable access to medicines and prevent a fragmented European response.

See you soon.

— Aaron