I must say I chuckle at Trump manipulating the media and admire him hugely for it. Just like Boris did and Blair tried to do, these 21st CEntury politicians are well aware you can fool enough of the stupid public for enough of the time to get elected and build a career. Trump's done it TWICE for God's sake (with, I suspect, a lot of online assistance from Putin and Netanyahu). One of the great advantages of reaching 80 is that I can chuckle at the bounders conning the sheeple. Let's be honest, nobody cares about Epstein. He's dead.

I suspect there's an enormous amount of exaggeration and hyperbole being promoted about Epstein and obviously by Trump detractors.

The problem is this time..the MAGA crowd have invested so much drama in the notion of a giant Deep State perverted pedo ring that secretly runs the USA, as the Tea Party did before MAGA, which includes most of Congress and the Senate who were all clients of Epstein and attended pedo parties on that incredibly boring island he owned.

Trump and those around him actively supported this notion for political benefit and it now appears to be backfiring on them.

The core MAGA crowd (estimated to be around 35 million) support for Trump is really one of a cult like love. But strong love can turn to a visceral hate.

However Trump has a history of being able to pull a rabbit out of a hat to deflect and may do so this time but it's just hard to see how.

Will be interesting to see how the Rupert Murdoch, Wall St Journal lawsuit pans out.

Murdoch loathes Trump but has been happy to promote and use him to benefit Fox News.

# A very dear pal of mine the late Aussie chef Tony Bilson was booked by an Aus Trade Commission in NYC to guest chef at Trump Tower for a month. Donald Trump was furious as to why this unknown Aussie would be cooking at his establishment and said so publicly.
But then Bilson fan Rupert Murdoch booked regular tables for the month for business associates dinners. Trump changed his mind and told the media it was all his idea. So funny.

I reckon it's Trump's health that is the real issue that will dominate from now on. He's at that dangerous age where one can go downhill quickly. He looks dreadful at the moment.

So now it's been reported that JD Vance had a meeting recently in Montana with Rupert & Lachlan Murdoch and a bunch of Republican heavyweights before the publication of the alleged Epstein card sent by Trump for his birthday.

JD Vance was imposed on Trump. Trump didn't want him.

Something is afoot. As powerful as Trump is the Repubs are not going to want the second half of his presidency to be a lame duck mess if they lose power in Congress & the Senate.