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Michael Wolff Sues Melania Trump Over Legal Threat Against His Epstein Connection Claims

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First Lady Melania Trump participates in the Senate Spouses Luncheon at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, May 21,2025. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Author Michael Wolff โ€” known for his sensational and often controversial takes on former President Donald Trump โ€” is now suing former First Lady Melania Trump after she warned of legal action over his remarks linking her to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Wolff, who has a long history of making provocative claims about the Trump family, accused the Trumps of โ€œthreatening those who speak against them.โ€

The dispute stems from a since-retracted story published by The Daily Beast in July, based on an interview with Wolff. The outlet later admitted the piece โ€œdid not meet editorial standardsโ€ and issued an apology after Melania Trumpโ€™s legal team challenged โ€œthe headline and framing.โ€

Despite the outletโ€™s own acknowledgment of its failure, Wolff is now claiming that the Trumps use legal action โ€œto silence their speech, to intimidate their critics generally, and to extract unjustified payments and North Korean-style confessions and apologies,โ€ according to the Associated Press.

He filed his lawsuit on the very day Melania Trumpโ€™s lawyer had given him to retract his statements, apologize, and pay damages.

The controversy began with comments Wolff made on The Daily Beast Podcast, hosted by Joanna Coles, during a discussion of Epsteinโ€™s connections to various public figures. Wolff alleged, without providing evidence, that โ€œ[Melania] was very involved in this Epstein relationship. There is this model thing, and sheโ€™s introduced by a model agent, both of whom Trump and Epstein are involved with. Sheโ€™s introduced to Trump that way, Epstein knows her well.โ€

Wolff later told Fox News Digital that he โ€œhad nothing to do with the articleโ€ that The Daily Beast published โ€” a statement critics see as an attempt to distance himself from the outletโ€™s retracted piece.

Melania Trumpโ€™s spokesperson, Nicholas Clemens, responded firmly:

โ€œFirst lady Melania Trump is proud to continue standing up to those who spread malicious and defamatory falsehoods as they desperately try to get undeserved attention and money from their unlawful conduct.โ€

Wolffโ€™s lawsuit now argues that itโ€™s โ€œfair to askโ€ whether Melania Trump โ€œfits into the Epstein story,โ€ and that he intends to put the Trumps under oath.

The former first lady, however, has consistently fought back against false claims and media attacks since her time in the White House โ€” and this latest case appears to be another chapter in a long line of media figures using innuendo to generate headlines at her expense.

Trump Seeks To Proceed With $10B Lawsuit Over Wall Street Journal

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The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump’s legal team has requested a Florida federal judge reject a request from the Wall Street Journal to dismiss a $10 billion defamation lawsuit over the paper’s reporting on the bawdy letter allegedly penned by Trump that appeared in a birthday book for disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.ย 

In a court filing late Monday, Trump’s lawyers argued that the July article and surrounding coverage were a “deliberate smear campaign designed to damage President Trump’s reputation” and subject the president to “public hatred and ridicule.” They also requested oral arguments over the Journal’s recent motion to dismiss.

“Defendants did not publish the Article on the front page of The Wall Street Journal based on a mere harmless joke between friends,” Monday’s filing said. “Indeed, such an assertion strains credulity beyond repair. The Article, and the surrounding media around it, were all a deliberate smear campaign designed to damage President Trump’s reputation.”

Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for aiding and participating in Epstein’s trafficking of underage girls, told Justice Department officials in August that Epstein had asked her toย organize contributionsย to his 50th birthday book from friends and associates, but said she could not recall if Trump, then a private citizen, was among those who responded.

Last month, the House Oversight Committee released records from Epstein’s estate that included aย copy of a birthday bookย with the alleged letter from Trump that the newspaper had described.

Trump thenย filed a lawsuitย against the Journal in July, and has continued to assert the letter is fake and that the signature on the letter isย not his.

Acknowledging the release of the letter by the House Oversight panel, Trump’s lawyers alleged that the Wall Street Journal was still “deliberate and malicious” in its reporting by claiming that the letter was not only authored by Trump but also “on-brand” for the president.ย 

The Wall Street Journal has stood by its reporting.

“Because Plaintiff has publicly admitted that he was Epstein’s friend in the early 2000s, his reputation cannot be harmed by the suggestion that he was friends with Epstein in 2003. Indeed, he was listed in the Birthday Book as a ‘friend’ of Epstein. The fact that his relationship with Epstein may now be a political liability — over 20 years after the Birthday Book was presented to Epstein — does not change this conclusion,” the Journal contended in its request for dismissal.

While the Journal’s reporting included a denial from President Trump, his lawyers argued in Mondays filing that the publication still acted with a “reckless disregard for the truth” because the request for comment was rushed and the reporting allegedly cast doubt on the president’s claim. 

State Prosecutors Hint At Possible New Charges After Trump Commutes Santos Sentence

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Arrest image via Pixabay

Former New York Republican congressman George Santos walked free on Friday after President Donald Trump commuted his federal sentence โ€” but the move may not end his legal ordeal. A local prosecutor on Long Island appeared to signal that state-level charges could be used to sidestep the presidentโ€™s act of clemency.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said on the social platform X that her office had been โ€œat the forefrontโ€ of the effort to โ€œbring Santos to justice.โ€ Donnellyโ€™s jurisdiction includes part of the district Santos once represented in Congress.

โ€œI am proud of the work my office has done, and the conviction achieved in partnership with the U.S. Attorneyโ€™s office,โ€ Donnelly said. โ€œWhile the office cannot comment on ongoing investigations, suffice it to say that I remain focused on prosecuting political corruption wherever it exists regardless of political affiliation.โ€

Her statement โ€” vague but pointed โ€” has fueled speculation that prosecutors could seek state charges mirroring the federal case, a move critics say would effectively undermine Trumpโ€™s commutation and keep Santos entangled in the court system despite his early release.

A spokesperson for the Nassau County D.A.โ€™s office declined to elaborate when asked whether an investigation was ongoing.

Trumpโ€™s Message: โ€œUnequal Justiceโ€ and Political Targeting

Announcing the commutation on Truth Social, President Trump praised Santosโ€™s โ€œCourage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN,โ€ suggesting the former lawmakerโ€™s punishment was disproportionate.

โ€œGeorge Santos was somewhat of a โ€˜rogue,โ€™ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that arenโ€™t forced to serve seven years in prison,โ€ Trump wrote.

Santos had served just 84 days of a seven-year sentence after pleading guilty last summer to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors had accused him of multiple financial and campaign-related offenses โ€” including money laundering and falsifying records โ€” but supporters argue that he faced harsher treatment because of his party affiliation and outspoken loyalty to Trump.

Possible State Move Seen as Political

Republicans are already warning that a state prosecution would represent another example of โ€œlawfareโ€ โ€” the use of legal mechanisms to target political opponents.

Santos himself, who had initially said he wouldnโ€™t seek clemency before later telling interviewer Piers Morgan heโ€™d accept โ€œwhatever the president is willing to give me,โ€ has yet to comment on Donnellyโ€™s remarks.

For now, the former congressman is free โ€” but the signals from Nassau County suggest that the battle between Trumpโ€™s justice reform message and New Yorkโ€™s prosecutors may be far from over.

Former GOP Senator Jumps Into Race In Battleground State

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Former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu officially entered the 2026 race in New Hampshire, campaigning to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. In his launch video, Sununu told voters: โ€œCongress just seems loud, dysfunctional, even angry. I want to return to the Senate to help calm the waters.โ€

Sununu served three terms in the House before defeating then-Governor Shaheen in 2002 to win the New Hampshire Senate seat; he lost the rematch in 2008. His return comes nearly two decades after leaving public office for the private sector.

For Republicans, this is a golden opportunity. New Hampshire is the regionโ€™s only true swing state, and with Shaheen stepping aside, the seat opens up in a cycle where the GOP seeks not just to defend but expand its Senate majority. National Republicans believe Sununu brings strong name recognition and credibility in the Granite State.

Still, the path is not automatic. Sununu must first secure the GOP nomination. His strongest competition comes from former Senator and Ambassador Scott Brown. Brown has leaned into the Trump-era base, emphasizing his alignment with President Trumpโ€™s agenda and fundraising heavily. Heโ€™s already called out Sununuโ€™s past independent streak, pointing to his backing of John Kasich in 2016 and Nikki Haley in 2024, as well as his published op-ed branding Trump a โ€œloser.โ€

President Trump has remained officially neutral so far. While that leaves Sununu without an immediate endorsement booster, it also leaves room for maneuver. Reports suggest national Republican strategists view Sununu as the strongest candidate to flip the seat โ€” a flip that would not only return it to the GOP column, but help lock in and expand the Senate majority Republicans are aiming for.

Sununu emphasized the campaign will focus on Granite State issues such as healthcare affordability, energy costs, housing and border security, rather than Washington partisan squabbling. He said: โ€œMaybe youโ€™re surprised that Iโ€™m running for the Senate again. Iโ€™m a bit surprised myself. Why would anyone subject themselves to everything going on right now? Well, somebody has to step up and lower the temperature. Somebody has to get things done.โ€

In short: the Republican field now features a heavy-hitter with deep state roots, strong ties to New Hampshire, and a credible path to winning in 2026. The GOP has the chance to turn this open seat into a win โ€” but Sununu will have to navigate primary politics, reconcile his past positions with todayโ€™s Republican base, and secure key endorsements to prevail.


Sununu & Trump: A Complicated Relationship

Understanding Sununuโ€™s past interaction with Trump helps clarify the dynamics at play in this race.

Background of Sununuโ€™s past opposition

  • In 2016, John E. Sununu served as a national co-chair for John Kasichโ€™s presidential campaign. He did not support Trumpโ€™s 2016 bid.
  • In the 2024 Republican primaries, Sununu backed Nikki Haley rather than Trump.
  • He authored an op-ed published just ahead of the New Hampshire presidential primary with the blunt headline โ€œDonald Trump is a loser.โ€

Why this history matters

  • That record means Sununu begins the 2026 Senate contest with baggage in the Trump-aligned wing of the party. Some voters will view him skeptically if they believe loyalty to Trump is a key litmus test.
  • On the other hand, his independence also offers advantages: he can appeal to moderate Republicans, independents and swing voters in New Hampshire who may have turned off by raw partisan rhetoric. Because New Hampshire is a swing state, that broader appeal could be a strategic asset.

Where Trump stands (so far)

  • Trump has not yet endorsed in the New Hampshire GOP Senate primary, leaving the field open.
  • While Trump once publicly signaled support for Sununuโ€™s brother (former Governor Chris Sununu) in a possible Senate run, John E. Sununu must still make his case to the President and his base.
  • Some Republican strategists believe that Trump may be pragmatic โ€” if Sununu emerges as the strongest candidate to flip the seat, the president could be willing to support him despite the earlier friction. As one adviser put it: โ€œPresident Trump appreciates winners โ€ฆ and understands that John E. Sununu puts this race on the map for Republicans.โ€

What Sununu must do

  • He needs to demonstrate to GOP primary voters that, despite his past, he is committed to key Republican priorities (border security, low taxes, energy independence, etc.).
  • He may need to secure Trumpโ€™s endorsement โ€” or at least neutralize opposition from the pro-Trump base.
  • He needs to keep the campaign message centered on winning the seat back for Republicans, rather than internal Republican feuds.

Why a Sununu Win Matters for Republicans

  • Seat flip potential. With Sen. Shaheen retiring, this is a rare open seat โ€” and Republicans have a strong opportunity to convert it. Flipping a Democratic seat in a swing state is a direct path to expanding the GOP Senate majority.
  • Midterm dynamics favoring Republicans. Holding a 53-47 majority after the next election would give Republicans greater flexibility on legislation, confirmations, and oversight. A successful 2026 campaign in New Hampshire would contribute meaningfully to that goal.
  • Messaging advantage. A win in a northern swing state helps buck the narrative that Republicans can only win in deep red states. Demonstrating competitiveness in a place like New Hampshire strengthens the GOPโ€™s appeal to independent and moderate voters.
  • National momentum. Winning this seat could provide momentum going into 2028 and reinforce the partyโ€™s strategy of targeting vulnerable Democratic seats. It also signals to donors and activists that the GOP has a winning blueprint beyond the usual battlegrounds.

Bottom Line

John E. Sununuโ€™s entry into the 2026 Senate race is a major development for Republicans. He brings name recognition, prior Senate experience, and a base in a state that is both competitive and critical to national Senate math. The complications with his past stance toward Trump are real โ€” but not necessarily insurmountable

Suspect Arrested After Ramming Car Into White House Barricade

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A man was arrested Tuesday night after driving his vehicle into a security gate at the White House complex, the United States Secret Service (USSS) announced. According to the agency, at approximately 10:37 p.m. on October 21, the individual drove his vehicle into the Secret Service vehicle gate located at 17th and E Streets NW in Washington.

Arrest image via Pixabay

Uniformed Division officers of the Secret Service immediately arrested the driver. The vehicle was assessed in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and was โ€œdeemed safe.โ€

The agency said the investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing, and no motive has yet been publicly identified.

While officials noted there was no known breach of the core residence or threat to the Presidentโ€™s safety at the time, the incident raises fresh questions about security.

Since President Trump returned to office for his second term, the nation has witnessed a number of alarming incidentsโ€”some narrowly averted, some still under investigation. Two recent events in particular stand out:

1. The hunting-stand incident near Air Force One
Over the weekend, the Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched a federal probe after agents discovered a โ€œhunting standโ€ positioned in a tree with a direct line of sight toward where Air Force One touches down at Palmโ€ฏBeachโ€ฏInternationalโ€ฏAirport in Florida, ahead of President Trumpโ€™s arrival at his estate in Mar-a-Lago.

While officials stressed that no individuals, ammunition or explosives were found at the site, the discovery of an elevated platform within view of the presidential aircraft sparked serious concern. It comes on the heels of past assassination attempts targeting the Republican President.

2. The July-and-September 2024 assassination attempts
On July 13, 2024, while President Trump was speaking at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman climbed onto a rooftop and fired multiple shots; one grazed Trumpโ€™s ear and a spectator was killed.

Then on September 15, 2024, at the Trumpโ€ฏInternationalโ€ฏGolfโ€ฏClub,โ€ฏWestโ€ฏPalmโ€ฏBeach in Florida, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was spotted hiding in shrubbery with a rifle aimed at Trump. Secret Service agents intervened and arrested him later that day.

Are Liberals Using Tax Exempt Groups To Promote Terrorism?

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Image via Pixabay free images

A top congressional chairman is leaning on the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the tax-exempt status of several left-wing or Islamist organizations for actively supporting deadly Islamist terrorist activity.

The U.S. House Ways and Means announced in a statement that Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) is calling on the IRS to โ€œrevoke the tax-exempt status of multiple organizations previously referred by the Ways and Means Committee for failing to operate within their stated tax-exempt purpose.

โ€œThe letter coincide(ed) with the anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel and targets organizations with links to designated foreign terrorist groups, as well as organizations linked to violence and unrest in the United States,โ€ the Committee reports.

โ€œChairman Smith previously demanded then-IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel revoke the tax-exempt status of eight organizations with ties to Hamas and terror-linked organizations, as well as entities fueling antisemitic protests on U.S. college campuses and violence in the U.S.

In the letter to the IRS, Chairman Smith wrote: โ€œWe write to request that the Internal Revenue Service (โ€œIRSโ€) prioritize examinations into the tax-exempt status of tax-exempt organizations previously referred to the IRS for revocation during the 118th Congress. In light of the anniversary of the October 2023 violent attack on Israel, along with recent acts of political violence and the continued disruptive activities of previously identified organizations that have been sowing chaos in the United States and have links to designated foreign terrorist groups, it is imperative that action is taken to ensure tax-exempt groups are operating within their tax-exempt purpose.โ€

Smithโ€™s letter continues, โ€œFrom the international funding sources and activities of tax-exempt entities in the U.S., and the role of certain organizations in fostering antisemitism on college campuses, the Committee has remained steadfast in ensuring that all tax-exempt organizations are abiding by their exempt status.  In September 2024, the Committee on Ways and Means (โ€œthe Committeeโ€) sent seven letters to the IRS requesting that the IRS investigate and revoke the tax-exempt status of the referenced organizations, while also highlighting the tax-exempt organizationsโ€™ ties to Foreign Terrorist Organizations, support of illegal activity in America, and failure to operate for stated exempt purposes.  Some of the organizations, such as Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation, American Muslims for Palestine, and Islamic Relief USA, are suspected of having terrorist ties to groups like Hamas, using those ties to actively support and funnel resources in support of terrorism. Other groups like the Alliance for Global Justice, WESPAC Foundation, and Tides Foundation instead fiscally sponsor projects that disrupt college campuses, incite violence and intimidation, and illegal riot across the United Statesโ€”prominent projects include Students for Justice in Palestine and Samidoun. Together, this evidence strongly supported referring the groups to the IRS for revocation of their tax-exempt status.โ€

The committee notes โ€œorganizations for which Chairman Smith is renewing referral for revocation of tax-exempt status include: Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation, American Muslims for Palestine, Islamic Relief USA, Alliance for Global Justice, WESPAC Foundation, Tides Foundation, Peoples Media Project (also known as The Palestine Chronicle), and The Peopleโ€™s Forum.โ€

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions ofย Great America News Desk.ย 

Trump-Endorsed Candidate Launches Primary Challenge Against Massie

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Veteran Navy SEAL and businessman Edโ€ฏGallrein officially launched his campaign Tuesday to challenge Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentuckyโ€™s strongly Republican 4th Congressional District. With President Trumpโ€™s full endorsement, Gallrein declared:

โ€œThis district is Trump Country. The President doesnโ€™t need obstacles in Congress โ€“ he needs backup. Iโ€™ll defeat Thomas Massie, stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump, and deliver the America First results Kentuckians voted for.โ€

Indeed, Trump had already thrown his weight behind Gallrein in a Truth Social post on Friday:

โ€œI hope Ed gets into the Race against Massie, who is now polling at about 9% because the Great People of Kentucky are wise to him โ€” He only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left.โ€
โ€œUnlike โ€˜lightweightโ€™ Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.โ€

Trumpโ€™s endorsement is the latest chapter in a bitter intra-party battle. Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican, has diverged repeatedly from Trumpโ€™s agenda โ€” most notably by breaking with the former president on major policy items, including the massive reconciliation package known as the Oneโ€ฏBigโ€ฏBeautifulโ€ฏBillโ€ฏAct, and by teaming with progressive Rep. Roโ€ฏKhanna (Dโ€“Calif.) to demand the release of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffreyโ€ฏEpstein. The split has sharpened over time into an explicit effort by Trump and his allies to unseat Massie.

Massie responded to Trumpโ€™s move by slamming Gallrein:

โ€œAfter having been rejected by every elected official in the 4th District, Trumpโ€™s consultants clearly pushed the panic button with their choice of failed candidate and establishment hack Ed Gallrein.โ€

Massie enters the race with more than $2 million cash on hand for his reelection bid and reported contributions of $768,000 from July to September. That level of fundraising shows he is not backing down.

Kentuckyโ€™s 4th District is reliably Republican, meaning the winner of the GOP primary is extremely likely to win the general election. With President Trumpโ€™s base still the backbone of the party, his move to back Gallrein is a clear signal: he wants reliable allies in Congress who will advance the โ€œAmerica Firstโ€ agenda without dissent.
Massieโ€™s independent streakโ€”once an asset to those who prize policy purityโ€”has now become a liability in the Trump era of the party. For Republicans concerned about unified action and legislative wins, the message is simple: stand with Trump or be replaced.

Fox News Host Laura Ingraham Joins Board of Trump Jr.โ€™s New SPAC

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Fox News primetime host Laura Ingraham has been named a board member of a new special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) led by Donald Trump Jr..

The blank-check firm, Colombier Acquisition Corp.โ€ฏIII, filed its registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday, planning to raise 26 million units at $10 each โ€” a total IPO target of about $260 million.

The stated mission of the new SPAC is stirring: the company intends to โ€œfund the next chapter of American Exceptionalism and help Make America Grow Again.โ€

A Powerful Line-Up

This initiative brings together heavyweight conservative and business voices:

  • Donald Trump Jr. himself is listed as a director of the SPAC.
  • Ingraham, as noted, takes a board seat, aligning her media voice with pro-growth, America-first business leadership.
  • Others on the board include billionaire investor Chamathโ€ฏPalihapitiya (often dubbed โ€œWall Streetโ€™s SPAC kingโ€), Blakeโ€ฏMasters (a former president of the Thiel Foundation and GOP Senate candidate-turned-investor), and conservative business leader Chrisโ€ฏBuskirk of 1789 Capital.
  • The SPAC is sponsored by 1789โ€ฏCapital โ€” a firm with ties to Trump family allies including Trump Jr. โ€” and led operationally by finance veteran Omeedโ€ฏMalik.

Why This Matters for the Republican Agenda

  1. Scaling American Growth โ€” The SPAC presents an opportunity to invest in high-potential private companies that are aligned with conservative economic principles: innovation, domestic manufacturing, job creation. It echoes longstanding themes of shrinking dependency on foreign supply chains and revitalizing American industry.
  2. Bringing Conservative Media Into the Arena โ€” Laura Ingrahamโ€™s role on the board is significant beyond her television presence. It bridges the media platform with private-capital activity in service of a pro-growth agenda, reinforcing conservative alignment across cultural and economic spheres.
  3. Leveraging the Trump Ecosystem โ€” This SPAC is further proof of increasing alignment between the Trump familyโ€™s business interests and the conservative movement. With Trump Jr. at the helm and Fox News hosts like Ingraham working in the same orbit, the cultural and economic wings of the movement are becoming more integrated. Some might view this as a consolidation of influence โ€” and for supporters, it represents an effective mobilization of talent, media, capital and ideas.
  4. Messaging Strength โ€” The marketing language around โ€œAmerican Exceptionalism,โ€ โ€œMake America Grow Again,โ€ and taking bold action to merge private champions into public markets resonates deeply with patriotic, pro-growth, and pro-Liberty voters and investors. It signals optimism about the future of U.S. business and opportunity.

Considerations for Conservative Investors & Supporters

  • Alignment of values and vision: This venture clearly invites participation by those who believe in American economic strength, renewal of manufacturing, and innovation under a conservative framework.
  • Risk and reward: As with all SPACs, there are inherent risks โ€” particularly the uncertainty of what private company will be merged and how the market will react. However, the backing of high-profile conservative leaders may bring a unique brand strength and network effect.
  • Cultural impact: Ingrahamโ€™s involvement means that conservative media will potentially be linked to private-market outcomes. This could amplify messaging but also raise questions about separation of media and business roles (a subject of debate).
  • Timing: The filing was recent, and the IPO process is underway. As the venture develops, more details will emerge (which company they will target, when, etc.). Supporters should watch for updates and ensure that the company they merge with aligns with the broader vision.

Whatโ€™s Next

Supporters in the conservative movement will likely view this development as a concrete manifestation of turning media influence into economic muscle โ€” shaping culture and business in tandem.

The IPO units are expected to trade under the ticker โ€œCLBR Uโ€ on the Newโ€ฏYorkโ€ฏStockโ€ฏExchange (NYSE).

The next steps will include selecting a target company to merge with, closing the deal, and executing on growth plans. Investors should monitor the companyโ€™s announcements and disclosures via SEC filings.

Media watchers will track how this move influences the relationship between conservative media, the Trump business ecosystem, and public market investment.

House Judiciary Committee Refers Former CIA Director To Justice Department For Prosecution

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On Tuesday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) referred former CIA Director John Brennan to the Justice Department for allegedly making false statements to Congress.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Jordan accused Brennan of lying in his 2023 Judiciary Committee testimony by denying that the CIA used the Steele dossier in prepping the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian election interference, and falsely claiming the CIA opposed including it.

Declassified documents reportedly show Brennan approved the decision to include the dossier, despite objections from senior CIA officials.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Jeanine Pirro Announces Additional Charges Against DC Teens Over DOGE Employeeย Attack

By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Jeanine Pirro, CC BY-SA 2.0,

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro announced Monday that two young men have been charged in connection with a violent summer attack on a federal staffer for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Federal prosecutors have charged Lawrence Cotton-Powell, 19, and Anthony Taylor, 18, with robbery, assault, and carjacking for their alleged roles in the beating of DOGE employee Edward Coristine, known to colleagues as โ€œBig Balls,โ€ and another individual in early August.

According to Pirro, the pair had already been involved in another mugging โ€” of a victim named Ethan Levine โ€” shortly before the brutal assault on Coristine. Both suspects, she said, are repeat offenders who should never have been on the streets in the first place.

โ€œLawrence Cotton-Powell is 19 years of age. He is now charged with robbery, first-degree robbery for which he faces 15 years in prison. He also faces a charge of assault with intent to commit robbery, another 15 years, and robbery for Edward Coristine, 15 years, assault with intent to commit robbery, another 15 years, and attempted carjacking, five years,โ€ Pirro said.

Pirro didnโ€™t mince words when calling out judges who ignored her officeโ€™s repeated requests for jail time. Instead of protecting the public, the courts released Cotton-Powell on probation, giving him multiple chances to reoffend โ€” and, according to prosecutors, he did just that.

Watch:

This latest attack became a flashpoint for President Donald Trumpโ€™s crackdown on violent crime in Americaโ€™s cities. Following the assault, Trump ordered National Guard deployments to crime-plagued areas like Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, while courts have blocked his efforts to extend the same law-and-order measures to other liberal-run cities like Seattle.

During an interview, Coristine said he was defending a woman when he was attacked by the group.

The charges against Cotton-Powell and Taylor follow outrage over two other teens โ€” a 15-year-old girl and boy โ€” who received only probation for their roles in the same attack. Both Pirro and Trump condemned the slap-on-the-wrist punishment. (RELATED: Police Apprehend Suspects Linked To DOGE Staffer Beating)

โ€œI think the judge should be ashamed of himself,โ€ said Trump.

Calling the outcome โ€œterrible,โ€ Trump and Pirro have urged lawmakers and local officials to enact tougher sentencing laws for youth offenders in D.C., arguing that the explosion of teen crime in the capital is the direct result of years of leniency and failed progressive policies.