Badlands News Brief
Epstein Fallout Continues as the Biden Admin Implodes
The News Cycle is almost impossible to track these days. At least, to do so fully.
That’s where we come in.
In the Badlands News Brief, the Badlands Media team hand pick news items of interest from the previous days to give you an overview of the biggest goings-on relevant to the Truth Community.
Some items feature original (and subjective) commentary. Feel free to follow the corresponding link to see our writers’ corresponding Substack accounts and check out their other work. LOTS OF
today!Now, onto the news from Thursday, January 4 …
Donald Trump Responds to Being Named in Jeffrey Epstein List
Donald Trump's spokesperson Steven Cheung has responded after the former president was named in a release of court documents involving late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying any claims regarding Trump's relationship with Epstein were "thoroughly debunked."
Epstein was indicted in 2019 on charges of operating a sex trafficking ring involving underage girls after Virginia Roberts Giuffre alleged he abused her as a minor and alleged his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, aided in the abuse. He was found dead in his jail cell while awaiting trial, while Maxwell was found guilty in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Trump and Epstein had a reported friendship, with the Republican telling New York magazine in 2002 that he'd known Epstein for 15 years and that he was a "terrific guy." He also flew on his jet a number of times, though he distanced himself from his comments following Epstein's arrest and said they had not spoken in years.
But as part of 40 previously redacted documents in the settled case released on Wednesday, a deposition of Johanna Sjoberg claims she traveled from Florida to Atlantic City with Epstein and went to one of the Trump's casinos. — NewsWeek
Our Take: “The release of new Epstein/Maxwell-related documents has refreshed allegations that Trump was somehow complicit in the blackmailing enterprise that they ran.
This could not possibly be more untrue.
Though some of the transcripts that mention Trump, Mar-a-Lago, and the Atlantic City Casino are newly public, it was previously known and recently testified to in the Maxwell trial that Epstein/Maxwell targeted Mar-a-Lago and that one of the girls in that trial, ‘Jane,’ was taken there in 1994.
It was also previously known that Trump chartered one of Epstein's planes to take him from Florida to New Jersey. This was testified to by the pilot when he took the witness stand in Maxwell's trial.
However, what is key here is that Epstein messed up by putting himself on Trump's radar.
Here's how:
The Atlantic City hotel was a trap for criminals from day one. The FBI and the Trump Organization coordinated during the pre-construction phase to set it up as such. Mar-a-Lago is likely similarly set up.
Epstein/Maxwell's targeting of Mar-a-Lago employees and guests later caused Trump to ban them from the property in 2008, shortly before Epstein pleaded guilty.
Furthermore, and perhaps most significantly as it concerns these new documents, the very attorney who helped get them unsealed says that Trump was the only person who picked up the phone and was eager to help him investigate Epstein and Maxwell. And that was back in 2009.
Do you know of any other acquaintances or clients of Epstein who were eager to help any investigator or journalist who was looking into Epstein or Maxwell?
So, when you include this information (and I put the citations below), Epstein and Maxwell were walking directly into a trap set up by Commissioner Gordon and Bruce Wayne/Batman when they engaged with Trump and visited his properties!!
PS: Another bad move Epstein made was trying to ‘weasel’ his way back into Trump's world in 2016, no doubt trying to make friends in high places ahead of a Trump Presidency (no doubt a Clinton Presidency would have been preferable to him, of course). And so Epstein had lunch with Trump ally Peter Thiel, who we now know was also a DOJ asset! Hahahaha!!
PS: Y'all know that it was Trump's DOJ who indicted both Epstein and Maxwell, right?” (Citations) —
…
Another Take: “While it can be a little frustrating to weather the Trump-Epstein conflation and obfuscation techniques blasted out by the Media Industrial Complex (including 'Right-Wing' media) when you zoom out a bit and consider it all through the twin lenses of a Mass Disclosure Operation and the Great Awakening, it couldn't be going any better.
For starters, as many have pointed out, the MAGA and Trump base already knows he's innocent of any criminal association with Epstein, though he was a clear target of the Influence Op.
Second, the targets of the Disclosure Op are both the reachable Center and Left of American society, and what better way to get them engaged in the pre-Narrative than with seeding that Trump could FINALLY be taken down through his alleged association with Epstein?
In their blindness to see Trump toppled in the public mind, they have eagerly shifted the Overton Window into the mass acknowledgement that Bill Clinton, a former president, is a pedophile.
That's a win, folks.” —
Clinton-Appointed Judge Dismisses Trump Ballot Disqualification Case 'With Prejudice'
A federal judge in California dismissed a lawsuit that sought to keep former President Donald Trump off the Republican primary ballot.
On Wednesday, [Clinton appointed] District Judge David Carter granted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit “with prejudice,” which means that it can’t be submitted to the same court again, according to court papers.
A plaintiff attempted to argue that they suffered “emotional injury” due to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and watched the events unfold on television, on the radio, and in various publications. They then argued that the incident caused them “severe emotional distress” and then filed a lawsuit to keep the former president from California’s ballots.
But the judge wrote that because the events occurred “more than two years before the plaintiff” filed suit, it was outside of the two-year statute of limitations.
The decision by Judge Carter, a Clinton-appointed jurist who has ruled against President Trump in a separate case, was posted online by former Republican National Committee for California chairwoman Harmeet Dhillon.
“The remnants of the last California case to keep President Trump off the ballot here were dismissed today by Judge David O. Carter!!” she wrote on X on Wednesday. — The Epoch Times
Our Take: “Annnnnnd another one bites the dust.
A Federal Judge in California dismissed a case that sought to keep President Trump off the 2024 Ballot, and he did so with prejudice - thus keeping this case from being brought before the same court again.
Oh, the best part? It was a Clinton appointed judge.
Read that again. Now laugh.
We are continually witnessing the strength of the Bill Of Rights with every single one of these cases. They know there is no precedent, nor legal standing to remove President Trump from the ballots. These attempts at removing him are nothing more than temper tantrums being thrown by a side that knows they are already beaten. If Trump’s numbers are as low as they suggest, then why the need to remove him from ballots? Why the need to indict him, and send him to trial? If he is as unpopular as they say, why such an effort to attack him and destroy him?
One has to wonder - Who is really in control?” —
Biden to double down on Jan 6 attacks on Trump as 'Bidenomics' message deflates
President Biden's campaign is doubling down on Jan. 6-related attacks against former President Trump in the coming weeks following the poor performance of the White House's "Bidenomics" messaging.
Biden will launch the new wave of attacks on Friday, framing Trump as a threat to democracy during a speech at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Senior campaign officials highlighted the location's connection with George Washington and Trump's attempts to cling to power, contradicting Washington's willingness to step down from office, according to Axios.
"Over the last three years, MAGA Republicans haven’t shied away from the Big Lie — they’ve doubled down," Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez told NBC News.
Biden has given speeches on the anniversary of Jan. 6 in both 2022 and 2023, but he refrained from mentioning Trump either time. He is expected to take a different approach on Friday. — FOX News
Our Take: “Oh yes - This is the part wherein the lie is becoming so exposed that those perpetrating the lie have no option but to double down on said lie exactly as Biden does here. In the face of a failing economy thanks to his Administration’s horrendous economic policies, Biden has decided to pivot his campaign message away from his ‘amazing economy’ and right back to ‘mUh oRaNgE maN iS bAd.’
It would be funny if it weren’t so exhausting. Every time their nonsense becomes more exposed - they are forced to pivot and spin another false narrative which then gets exposed and the cycle repeats.
Their propaganda is useless to anyone with a forward thinking brain at this point.
This Administration is a cooked goose, and they know it.” —
Joe Biden's Red Sea Problem Is Getting Worse
A warning by the U.S. and other states to Houthi rebels to stop Red Sea shipping attacks comes amid questions over whether President Joe Biden is being tough enough on the Yemeni group and fears that an escalation in the region will disrupt world trade.
The U.S. joined 10 other countries in warning that if the Iranian-backed group continued to attack shipping, it would "bear the consequences"—suggesting the threat of military action against targets in Yemen.
U.S. deputy ambassador Christopher Lu told an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting that the Houthis have carried out more than 20 attacks since November 19, with the rebel group announcing Wednesday morning it had targeted another container ship.
The Houthis support Hamas in its war against Israel that followed the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militants, resulting in Israel's siege on Gaza. Houthis have used missiles, drones, fast boats and helicopters, claiming that they are targeting ships linked to Israel in revenge for its military campaign against Hamas. — NewsWeek
Our Take: “Okay, okay. Stop me if you’ve heard this one: ‘Another worldly conflict has broken out and is escalating and Resident Biden is weak, feckless, and useless in his response.’
I know. It’s pretty much on repeat at this point - except instead of being made to binge watch something cool like Lord Of The Rings, we are being made to binge watch early 90’s late-night QVC with our eyelids taped open.
As the conflict off the coast of Yemen escalates, and shipping lanes continue to fall under attack from Houthi rebels, anything Joe has to say or do pertaining to this situation continues to be as useful as stopping a freight train with a BB gun. With every day that passes it is things like this that continue to wake the American public and show them how weak their White House is. With every day that passes, more and more people become aware of what is happening.
In the end, this will only serve to drive more to President Trump’s side come November as the American people are sick and tired of appearing utterly weak and hopeless on the world stage.” —
Electric Car Models Eligible for $7,500 Tax Credit Cut to 13
The number of electric vehicle models eligible for a consumer tax credit of as much as $7,500 fell sharply as new rules from the Biden administration kicked in on Jan. 1.
Narrower criteria reduced the number of qualifying models to 13 from about two dozen, according to federal data from fueleconomy.gov. The new rules exclude from the tax credit vehicles that use battery components made by Chinese manufacturers.
Treasury Department spokeswoman Ashley Schapitl said the government has been closely coordinating with companies on the new restrictions, but that some companies had yet to submit data, which could lead to additions to the list.
“Automakers are adjusting their supply chains to ensure buyers continue to be eligible for the new clean vehicle credit, partnering with allies and bringing jobs and investment back to the United States,” she said. — Bloomberg
Our Take: “Biden Admin: ‘Use electric everything! We will give you tax credits.’
Also Biden Admin: ‘LoL. Nevermind.’
Due to new Biden Administration rules, only 13 EV models are now eligible for a $7,500 consumer tax credit as opposed to 24 just a year ago.
Despite the fact that this goes hand in hand with new climate laws being pushed by Biden’s admin, there is one very interesting facet to this story:
’Last month, the Treasury Department announced rules targeting battery components made by companies under Chinese jurisdiction or with at least 25% Chinese government ownership, the report says.’
That is … well - Interesting.
If you follow our friend
, you are aware how he has pointed out the many ways in which Biden’s DOJ, Treasury etc have actually continued carrying on with very ‘Trumpian’ moves and mandates, and I can’t help but wonder if there is more lying beneath the surface than it appears here.From a 40k foot view, this comes off to me as stifling EV’s and the climate drive, while also giving China a kick to the giblets.” —
Sea-Change: Most Hispanics Now Prefer Trump - Biden's Black Support Plummets From 2020
Confounding leftists in and outside of major media who've spent years portraying Donald Trump as a racist, Hispanic support for the former president continues to surge -- to the point that Trump is now the first choice among the increasingly significant US demographic.
Meanwhile, black enthusiasm for Biden has plummeted since 2020, leaving many in the Democrat electoral cornerstone eager to vote for a third-party candidate. These are among several findings of a new USA Today/Suffolk University poll that are sure to compound Democrats worries about the 2024 election.
Trump boasts a five-point lead among Hispanics, with Biden trailing 39% to 34%. That is an absolute sea change from 2020, when Biden's Hispanic share blew Trump out of the water, 65% to 32%.
While Biden received 87% of the black vote in 2020, only 63% intend to vote for him in November. It's not that they're surging toward Trump. Indeed, USA Today reports his black support is holding steady at the same 12% he received in 2020. Rather, fed up with Biden, 20% of blacks plan to vote for someone other than Biden or Trump. — ZeroHedge
Our Take: “As we all predicted, the minority vote is beginning to sway heavily towards Donald Trump as he has now become the leading choice for President amongst Hispanics that were polled for the 2024 election.
This, coupled with his increasing support amongst the black population is beginning to lay out a story which will almost certainly end in doom for the Democrats. In 2024, Biden’s Hispanic share of the vote was 65% to 32% - that number has dramatically shifted as Trump now leads that category 39% to 34%.
What most folks fail to realize is that most Hispanics who come here legally from Central and South America are doing so to escape Communism. They aren’t gonna come here to vote for it.
In addition, Biden’s support amongst the black population has plummeted.
Folks are beginning to realize the myriad ways in which the left has used them for their own ends over the year and it appears this is the year that the buck stops.
An awakening amongst the minority population remains [their] biggest fear, and we are seeing it happen in real time.” —
BONUS ITEMS
Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Iran attack, Tehran vows revenge
Islamic State claimed responsibility on Thursday for two explosions in Iran that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores at a memorial for top commander Qassem Soleimani.
In a statement posted on its affiliate Telegram channels, the militant Sunni Muslim group said two IS members had detonated explosive belts in the crowd that had gathered at the cemetery in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday.
The memorial was marking the fourth anniversary of the death of Soleimani, who was assassinated in Iraq in 2020 by a U.S. drone.
In Washington, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters the United States was in no position to doubt Islamic State's claim that it was responsible for Wednesday's attack.
Tehran has vowed revenge for the bloodiest such attack since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The twin blasts also wounded 284 people, including children.
"A very strong retaliation will be meted out to them by the hands of the soldiers of Soleimani," Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber told reporters in Kerman. — Reuters
Trump wants judge in January 6 case to hold special counsel Jack Smith in contempt
Donald Trump’s legal team told a federal judge on Thursday that special counsel Jack Smith and prosecutors in his office should be severely sanctioned and possibly held in contempt after they continued to submit filings in the case following a stay order from the judge.
Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the Washington, DC, election subversion case, issued a stay on the case after Trump appealed her ruling dismissing his claims that presidential immunity protects him from prosecution.
“The Stay Order is clear, straightforward, and unambiguous. All substantive proceedings in this Court are halted,” Trump’s attorneys wrote. “Despite this clarity, the prosecutors began violating the Stay almost immediately.” — CNN
We hope you enjoyed this brief look back at the major news items you might have missed in this ever-escalating and ever-accelerating news cycle as the Information War continues to rage on around us.
As always, if you have any thoughts on these news items or the MANY others swirling in the digital ether, drop into the comments below to share them with your fellow Badlanders.
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Thanks for the great Takes today. My biggest laugh came from: "a kick to the giblets.” — Paul Fleuret"" :-))
I have thought often about how the "Polls" are showing all this positive Trump data. Since I know in all past elections the "Polls" have been fake. As Chris Paul has pointed out the DS Rat Bastard's MSM have used things like "Polls" to push their lies and explain how the unbelievable has occurred. So here is my theory: the Trump team as I believe is in control and they are now slowly feeding Normieville the Truth at a pace that allows them to consume it without causing cognitive dissonance. Thus moving the Overton Window dramatically in our favor. The simple Truth is that we are the majority and growing larger every day.
Glorious!
God Wins!
God Bless!!!
Deep State Propaganda: wash, rinse, repeat! It’s so glorious to have one’s eyes wide open to their BS!!!! God bless OUR President, his family and his team, all those behind this operation, our military and the truth community! We will never give up!
❤️🇺🇸