Thursday July 17th, 2025
Trump vs MAGA, Powell Panic, and the Epstein Fallout
Trump just called his own base ‘weaklings’ over Epstein file demands, the Fed is bracing for a leadership shakeup, voter roll fights are heating up, and America’s new deportation scheme is already pissing off Africa. Meanwhile, nobody likes Trump’s megabill—except maybe his donors. WTF will happen tomorrow?
Today in one sentence: Trump’s infighting with his base over Epstein files threatens GOP unity as Congress inches toward a high-stakes vote, markets jitter over a possible Fed chair firing, states face a federal push for voter data, the White House’s third-country deportations spark global blowback, and bipartisan rejection of Trump’s spending bill sets the stage for legislative gridlock.
1. MAGA Meltdown Over Epstein Files Escalates
Trump’s public takedown of his own MAGA loyalists over Epstein transparency is backfiring—top influencers and conservative media (Axios, Forbes) are warning he’s burning his base and stoking the biggest internal rift since 2016. Expect more right-wing media pile-on and possible walk-backs from Trump’s allies, as grassroots conservatives threaten to sit out campaign events. Ripple: Watch for online conspiracy chatter to migrate toward anti-Trump spaces.
2. House Set For Contentious Epstein Files Vote
Rep. Massie’s discharge petition (NYT) is gaining steam, with bipartisan frustration boiling over. House GOP leaders are scrambling to avoid a public split, but Democrats are promising more procedural stunts after their last effort failed by a single vote (Axios). Likely: Leadership will try to delay, but a leak or surprise vote could force DOJ and Bondi into the spotlight. Ripple: Watch for sudden resignations or public statements from DOJ staffers under Bondi.
3. Markets Brace As Trump’s Powell Threat Stirs Panic
Wall Street and global markets are on edge after Trump’s threats to fire Fed Chair Powell (WSJ, Bloomberg), even as the White House tries to walk it back. The uncertainty is likely to persist, keeping stocks volatile and bond yields jumpy. If Powell is publicly humiliated or resigns, expect instant market swoon and a fresh round of foreign investor jitters. Ripple: Bank lobbyists may pressure the Senate for emergency hearings on Fed independence.
4. States Fire Back Against DOJ’s Voter Roll Requests
Several states are pushing back—some preparing lawsuits or legislative moves—after the DOJ’s sweeping voter data demands, with bipartisan officials warning of federal overreach (Washington Post, CyberScoop). Expect at least one lawsuit or official state resistance within 24 hours, plus a round of noisy congressional hearings. Ripple: Watch for a scramble to update cybersecurity protocols as local clerks fear equipment tampering.
5. Deportation To Eswatini Sparks Global Uproar
The secretive deportation deal with Eswatini is drawing fire from pro-democracy groups and African leaders (Military.com, AP), many of whom say they were never consulted. With the deportees now in legal limbo and local prisons, human rights orgs are expected to file complaints or organize protests, and the State Department could face formal diplomatic blowback. Ripple: US embassies in southern Africa may face coordinated demonstrations or even staff pullbacks.
Notables
GOP Rebrands Megabill As ‘Economic Security’
After polling shows 61% opposition (Politico), Republicans are quietly rebranding Trump’s domestic spending package and prepping a fresh ad blitz to salvage midterm prospects. Expect tepid Dem response but escalation in negative ads.
Senate Dems Dig Into Voter Database Overhaul
Senate Democrats are demanding answers from DHS on the fast-tracked immigrant database used to hunt noncitizen voters (CyberScoop). Letters and committee hearings could drag whistleblowers into daylight within days.
Crypto Lobby Eyes Epstein Vote (60% chance)
After the Epstein files amendment was blocked on crypto legislation (Axios), the crypto lobby is reportedly ramping pressure on lawmakers to get a floor vote—expect money to flow and a handful of surprising endorsements.
Duck and cover—tomorrow’s gonna be a circus.