If Donald Trump was not involved in any of the heinous sexual abuse of young girls/women, he would not be fighting the release of the complete Epstein files. He was a friend of Epstein’s and now because he is President, he wants to deny that fact. Massie is doing what is right. He knows, as we all do, the truth.
That has been my idea since the rumor about Melania and Jeffrey being an item before she met Trump got floated. That could be the whole enchilada in this mess. He does not want it known that he got Jeffrey's hand me down.
I have read Trump met Melania while she was partying with a mutual Epstein friend. So I just googled it. Zampolli was a member, along with others, in the Epstein, Trump network of money launderers, users, pedos, and high level money makers associated with the network. Someone detailed the whole network in an article on Substack. I believe.
"AI Overview
+4
Paolo Zampolli, a former modeling agent, introduced Melania Knauss (now Trump) to Donald Trump in 1998 at a party in New York City. At the time, Zampolli owned the modeling agency that represented Melania.
Too many of those SEALS seem to think their service is a pass to a political career. Their training is rough I know. So was mine in Ranger School. But, so what? It doesn't mean that we are Divine Leaders. However, most of the MAGAts rally around that tough-guy parody. Massie's no hero, but he happens to be right here. More power to him!
Olivia, I apologize in advance for a tone-deaf and possibly sexist question for which I have no standing (haters, please take a number), but there's a basis for it.
You wrote a book back in the Before Times (now OOP) about women resistance fighters. Women, by all accounts, are tough, brave and effective when they've decided that they're not taking the shit anymore. Spoiler: there's plenty of shit being taken today.
There are 31 Republican women in the House, and 10 in the Senate. And who has come out to publicly support the Epstein-Trump victims and demand for the release? Three. And all three are the worst, most mendacious fruit loops the GOP has to offer. Their sincerity doesn't even matter, they made a statement and took a stand. And it really upset Trump, so there's that.
From what you know, and what you've seen, *when* will (*any*, I know not all) GOP women break for this? Does this 'stand by your man' shit go all the way down to allowing girls to be raped, as long as the perp is sufficiently right-wing? Or self-identifies as Alpha? Or holy?
Take this whatever direction you like, I'm just asking for a friend.
I'm not blaming any victims, and I'm not abdicating the massive responsibility men have for this kind of horror. We can be the worst. Some of us are better than others at keeping it under control, but all of us must absolutely demand human decency of everyone.
I noticed that too. Two of the worst, most yelly partisan females have come out on behalf of the survivors - Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace. Bless their hearts for that. Who's the third? Yes you wonder why there aren't more.
Pardon for being cynical, but I don't think either Greene or Boebert (who's from my state) are doing this out of concern for women. Their history with Trump is too long and deep. If they're not doing it to advance their own political ambitions by trolling women voters, they simply don't want to be aligned with Trump on the Epstein issue because it makes them look bad. It's selfish survival as they sense the end is near. They're Rabid Red MAGAs and I don't trust their stance on women's issues one bit.
That's not cynical, that's just realistic. We know their stripes well, they won't be changing. It's just that I'm happy that they could even open up a space where they oppose trump on something at all.
Me either. Those three women are about to lose their seats next time. That is why they got on the right side of this issue. Most average maga hate the fact they may have been duped by a most likely pedo can man.
Oh, I know this is not what GOP leadership is saying. Ask average maga supporters on the street.
Consider the possibility that it has something to do with their own personal histories or the history of someone close to them. The percentage of women who've been sexually abused in some way, as children and/or as adults, is unknown but large. It's very possible that Mace, Greene, and Boebert have been affected in some way, directly or indirectly.
Some people have been surprised by the red-state turnout against abortion bans. I'm not surprised at all. The polling place is secret -- the men in your family aren't looking over your shoulder. I suspect that more, perhaps many more, prominent Republican women can relate to the experiences of these survivors, but understandably aren't willing to do so in public.
In general, women who take women's rights seriously don't vote Republican or run for office as Republicans. That goes double for those of us who aren't straight and don't want to pass for straight. So it matters when Republican women, and Republican men like Rep. Massie, show up and speak out. They're taking risks that you and I don't have to.
Those Repub women value their congressional seat more than they hate women being raped, and consequentially more than they want to uphold law and order in this country.
Oh, there's men who have this same problem in the GOP, and Dems for that matter.
George, that's actually a useful question. I don't know the personal histories of these three women, but it wouldn't surprise me if they or someone close to them has been the victim of sexual assault in some way. As you know, we live in a culture that, despite advances made over the decades, favors men. For women, the most reliable route to power and influence is through a man: usually a father or husband, but sometimes a boss. This invariably means playing by men's rules. Plenty of women, need I say, choose other routes, which is why there are so many strong, dynamic women on the Democratic side of the aisle, many of them women of color.
What you call this "'stand by your man' shit" has much to do with both economics and social attitudes. Women on their own make less than men and have fewer opportunities than men of their own class. Women with women partners have fewer economic options than women with male partners. Women raising children on their own have the hardest time of all.
I hope you'll take up "the massive responsibility men have for this kind of horror" and address men instead of calling attention to the failings of some women. You're more likely to hear the trashy male "locker-room talk" that most women don't. But be prepared: If you speak up, some of your peers will question your XY credentials.
I understand the *actual* 'stand by your man shit' is rooted in the limited economic options women have, as well as the burden of child care. Women have to put up with an abusive man because they can't afford to leave. I'm not talking about that. What I'm referring to is how the attitudes from that privation are then transferred over to deference to all men in all ways. Why vote for men who want to restrict your life and rights? Who want to tell you how you are to live. Just because they're men?
So are those the "calling attention to the failings of some women" you're saying I'm doing? And you're telling me what I'm more likely to hear? If I were to try and refute your assertions, I would immediately be dismissed as lying. This is not my first rodeo. Your cartoonish view of men needs a little work.
Massy has what we in the trauma world call "Institutional Courage" -- he is willing to speak up and fight for these survivors -- and the truth -- despite the personal and professional consequences. We've known others who've done similar, (I'm looking at you, Ms. Troy).
Always cherish the whistle-blower no matter how uncomfortable....
Johnson is a major embarrassment. How he actually said Trump’s involvement w/Epstein was as an FBI informant and wasn’t struck by lightning, I’ll never figure out. My God! Speaker of the House? More like Trump ass licker.
In the big picture of everything Epstein, Trump is involved. He is part of the corruption and money laundering, the sex trafficking, the assault and rape of E.Jean Carroll. But it is other huge names too, in the US and abroad and that's why he's fighting so hard. He knows that if any comes out on his watch, someone is probably going to kill him. He also has Miller and Vought trying to push their agenda as quickly as possible before any of this comes out. So they are holding off as long as possible!
Although nothing shames him, Melania might have threatened him so it will never be known. These survivors are so tormented by this, but if she was one of them but not tossed aside, she’d never want that known. Hard to think like scum, but we’re all learning! Really hard to think like anyone who’d married that monster.
The truth stands with all of us who are the victims of the liars to protect the evil done by the MAGA Supreme Court, Congress, Trump, and the devil itself. The liberty for justice and the ballot will end it all soon.
Thanks Olivia: Yes real men don't go around raping little girls and sexually assaulting any woman. These young ladies who came out of the dark and lit the sky on fire need all the support you can muster. Women and little girls need to be listened too and given a safe space to vent their rage and pain. As a father of three daughters , I believe women should be given equal time and space as any man. They are not chattel , they are your daughters ,sister, mothers . Any republican who votes no on opening up the files shows me they are just pedophile lovers who care less for the young victims of the abhorrent crime. Mr. Massie and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna are doing the proper thing. They claim Mr. Massie is working against the team. Go Figure . That man gets the kudos for putting his self respect ahead of his seat. Good on him. I often wonder how many men in Trumps cabinet are named in the file. According to Ms. Maxwell's claim . Read the Blanche , Maxwell transcript. If that is what she said was the truth , it was only one truth.
"Either way, his race is the canary in the coal mine. "
The canary in the coal mine keeled over and died months ago. We know exactly who is in charge, what he is doing, and what he did in his sordid past.
The big picture... Trump was in on it. The evidence can be suppressed, lied about, called fake news or whatever, but we all know that Trump was in on it. The only remaining questions is what can be done about it.
A moral republican! I'm impressed one still survives. I never thought I would send a contribution to a republican ever, but Tom makes me rethink that for a moment. From the party of family values to the party that protects pedophiles, predators and child sex traffickers. The Guaraians of Pedophiles - GOP.
I will bet trup's KKKristian Evilgelicals will find a way to support their protector of predators by misquoting something from some abstract bible verse... Or since their orange Jesus is their spiritual guidance, they will accpet the predatory actions against children. A cult, is a cult, is a cult...
If Donald Trump was not involved in any of the heinous sexual abuse of young girls/women, he would not be fighting the release of the complete Epstein files. He was a friend of Epstein’s and now because he is President, he wants to deny that fact. Massie is doing what is right. He knows, as we all do, the truth.
Maybe he’s hiding how he met Melania.
That has been my idea since the rumor about Melania and Jeffrey being an item before she met Trump got floated. That could be the whole enchilada in this mess. He does not want it known that he got Jeffrey's hand me down.
I have read Trump met Melania while she was partying with a mutual Epstein friend. So I just googled it. Zampolli was a member, along with others, in the Epstein, Trump network of money launderers, users, pedos, and high level money makers associated with the network. Someone detailed the whole network in an article on Substack. I believe.
"AI Overview
+4
Paolo Zampolli, a former modeling agent, introduced Melania Knauss (now Trump) to Donald Trump in 1998 at a party in New York City. At the time, Zampolli owned the modeling agency that represented Melania.
Details surrounding the introduction
That and so much more. Typical of his narcissistic personality disorder that he thought w/his vile past he cd be President and no one wd uncover it.
Too many of those SEALS seem to think their service is a pass to a political career. Their training is rough I know. So was mine in Ranger School. But, so what? It doesn't mean that we are Divine Leaders. However, most of the MAGAts rally around that tough-guy parody. Massie's no hero, but he happens to be right here. More power to him!
Olivia, I apologize in advance for a tone-deaf and possibly sexist question for which I have no standing (haters, please take a number), but there's a basis for it.
You wrote a book back in the Before Times (now OOP) about women resistance fighters. Women, by all accounts, are tough, brave and effective when they've decided that they're not taking the shit anymore. Spoiler: there's plenty of shit being taken today.
There are 31 Republican women in the House, and 10 in the Senate. And who has come out to publicly support the Epstein-Trump victims and demand for the release? Three. And all three are the worst, most mendacious fruit loops the GOP has to offer. Their sincerity doesn't even matter, they made a statement and took a stand. And it really upset Trump, so there's that.
From what you know, and what you've seen, *when* will (*any*, I know not all) GOP women break for this? Does this 'stand by your man' shit go all the way down to allowing girls to be raped, as long as the perp is sufficiently right-wing? Or self-identifies as Alpha? Or holy?
Take this whatever direction you like, I'm just asking for a friend.
I'm not blaming any victims, and I'm not abdicating the massive responsibility men have for this kind of horror. We can be the worst. Some of us are better than others at keeping it under control, but all of us must absolutely demand human decency of everyone.
I noticed that too. Two of the worst, most yelly partisan females have come out on behalf of the survivors - Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace. Bless their hearts for that. Who's the third? Yes you wonder why there aren't more.
Boebert.
Pardon for being cynical, but I don't think either Greene or Boebert (who's from my state) are doing this out of concern for women. Their history with Trump is too long and deep. If they're not doing it to advance their own political ambitions by trolling women voters, they simply don't want to be aligned with Trump on the Epstein issue because it makes them look bad. It's selfish survival as they sense the end is near. They're Rabid Red MAGAs and I don't trust their stance on women's issues one bit.
That's not cynical, that's just realistic. We know their stripes well, they won't be changing. It's just that I'm happy that they could even open up a space where they oppose trump on something at all.
Me either. Those three women are about to lose their seats next time. That is why they got on the right side of this issue. Most average maga hate the fact they may have been duped by a most likely pedo can man.
Oh, I know this is not what GOP leadership is saying. Ask average maga supporters on the street.
The RRMagas on my street are looking extremely sheepish lately!
Massie and Rand Paul are having the same, sudden encounter with sanity and reason.
Consider the possibility that it has something to do with their own personal histories or the history of someone close to them. The percentage of women who've been sexually abused in some way, as children and/or as adults, is unknown but large. It's very possible that Mace, Greene, and Boebert have been affected in some way, directly or indirectly.
Some people have been surprised by the red-state turnout against abortion bans. I'm not surprised at all. The polling place is secret -- the men in your family aren't looking over your shoulder. I suspect that more, perhaps many more, prominent Republican women can relate to the experiences of these survivors, but understandably aren't willing to do so in public.
In general, women who take women's rights seriously don't vote Republican or run for office as Republicans. That goes double for those of us who aren't straight and don't want to pass for straight. So it matters when Republican women, and Republican men like Rep. Massie, show up and speak out. They're taking risks that you and I don't have to.
Wow amazing, that's the third yelly one ;)
Boebert
Those Repub women value their congressional seat more than they hate women being raped, and consequentially more than they want to uphold law and order in this country.
Oh, there's men who have this same problem in the GOP, and Dems for that matter.
I hate pedos.
George, that's actually a useful question. I don't know the personal histories of these three women, but it wouldn't surprise me if they or someone close to them has been the victim of sexual assault in some way. As you know, we live in a culture that, despite advances made over the decades, favors men. For women, the most reliable route to power and influence is through a man: usually a father or husband, but sometimes a boss. This invariably means playing by men's rules. Plenty of women, need I say, choose other routes, which is why there are so many strong, dynamic women on the Democratic side of the aisle, many of them women of color.
What you call this "'stand by your man' shit" has much to do with both economics and social attitudes. Women on their own make less than men and have fewer opportunities than men of their own class. Women with women partners have fewer economic options than women with male partners. Women raising children on their own have the hardest time of all.
I hope you'll take up "the massive responsibility men have for this kind of horror" and address men instead of calling attention to the failings of some women. You're more likely to hear the trashy male "locker-room talk" that most women don't. But be prepared: If you speak up, some of your peers will question your XY credentials.
Good points Susanna.
I understand the *actual* 'stand by your man shit' is rooted in the limited economic options women have, as well as the burden of child care. Women have to put up with an abusive man because they can't afford to leave. I'm not talking about that. What I'm referring to is how the attitudes from that privation are then transferred over to deference to all men in all ways. Why vote for men who want to restrict your life and rights? Who want to tell you how you are to live. Just because they're men?
So are those the "calling attention to the failings of some women" you're saying I'm doing? And you're telling me what I'm more likely to hear? If I were to try and refute your assertions, I would immediately be dismissed as lying. This is not my first rodeo. Your cartoonish view of men needs a little work.
Massy has what we in the trauma world call "Institutional Courage" -- he is willing to speak up and fight for these survivors -- and the truth -- despite the personal and professional consequences. We've known others who've done similar, (I'm looking at you, Ms. Troy).
Always cherish the whistle-blower no matter how uncomfortable....
Meh. Break with trump on *anything* and you're on your own. Massie may as well switch parties.
And on that 'choose your fate' question: whither Saintly Mike Johnson? What will HIS fate be, pray tell?
My guess is he'll be thrown under the bus and replaced. He's an embarrassment.
Johnson is a major embarrassment. How he actually said Trump’s involvement w/Epstein was as an FBI informant and wasn’t struck by lightning, I’ll never figure out. My God! Speaker of the House? More like Trump ass licker.
Excellent article! I can't figure out why the GOP is backing Trump. We are spiraling down a deep and ugly hole.
They're complicit.
And chickenshit. I think I need a Dave Barry break.
Super! Superb! Well said!
In the big picture of everything Epstein, Trump is involved. He is part of the corruption and money laundering, the sex trafficking, the assault and rape of E.Jean Carroll. But it is other huge names too, in the US and abroad and that's why he's fighting so hard. He knows that if any comes out on his watch, someone is probably going to kill him. He also has Miller and Vought trying to push their agenda as quickly as possible before any of this comes out. So they are holding off as long as possible!
Several excellent points!
Exactly.
"Embarrass some powerful men?" How about some powerful men up on charges?
And that creepy birthday greeting sure appears to have Trump’s signature. And never thought I would see MTG on the right side of any issue!
Believe me, its by default. There is not a "be on the right side of history thought that has ever crossed her brain".
Although nothing shames him, Melania might have threatened him so it will never be known. These survivors are so tormented by this, but if she was one of them but not tossed aside, she’d never want that known. Hard to think like scum, but we’re all learning! Really hard to think like anyone who’d married that monster.
She was one of them.
The truth stands with all of us who are the victims of the liars to protect the evil done by the MAGA Supreme Court, Congress, Trump, and the devil itself. The liberty for justice and the ballot will end it all soon.
Thanks Olivia: Yes real men don't go around raping little girls and sexually assaulting any woman. These young ladies who came out of the dark and lit the sky on fire need all the support you can muster. Women and little girls need to be listened too and given a safe space to vent their rage and pain. As a father of three daughters , I believe women should be given equal time and space as any man. They are not chattel , they are your daughters ,sister, mothers . Any republican who votes no on opening up the files shows me they are just pedophile lovers who care less for the young victims of the abhorrent crime. Mr. Massie and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna are doing the proper thing. They claim Mr. Massie is working against the team. Go Figure . That man gets the kudos for putting his self respect ahead of his seat. Good on him. I often wonder how many men in Trumps cabinet are named in the file. According to Ms. Maxwell's claim . Read the Blanche , Maxwell transcript. If that is what she said was the truth , it was only one truth.
I disagree with Massie around 90% of the time.
That said, I deeply appreciate his courage on this one.
Trump did not cow him.
"Either way, his race is the canary in the coal mine. "
The canary in the coal mine keeled over and died months ago. We know exactly who is in charge, what he is doing, and what he did in his sordid past.
The big picture... Trump was in on it. The evidence can be suppressed, lied about, called fake news or whatever, but we all know that Trump was in on it. The only remaining questions is what can be done about it.
Check this out.
https://open.substack.com/pub/gregolear/p/redacted-the-real-epstein-list?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=dgubl
A moral republican! I'm impressed one still survives. I never thought I would send a contribution to a republican ever, but Tom makes me rethink that for a moment. From the party of family values to the party that protects pedophiles, predators and child sex traffickers. The Guaraians of Pedophiles - GOP.
I will bet trup's KKKristian Evilgelicals will find a way to support their protector of predators by misquoting something from some abstract bible verse... Or since their orange Jesus is their spiritual guidance, they will accpet the predatory actions against children. A cult, is a cult, is a cult...