Trump, Epstein and the Deep State | Chris Hedges

[LurchAddams]

I don't know about young girls in the plural, unless you count walking into the changing room of certain young girls, but there is -one- case that I strongly suspect that Trump is truly guilty of:

The Donald Trump underage rape accusation explained

Mr Trump has repeatedly denied the allegation that he raped a 13-year-old girl in 1994

www.independent.co.uk

Separate incident, but yes. trump's a fucking rapist goon, no doubt about it. trump is a pedophile. Why am I sure? Looks how he's acting. He's freaking out even at his own supporters. That is the behavior of a guilty man!

 

[Scott]

I don't know about young girls in the plural, unless you count walking into the changing room of certain young girls, but there is -one- case that I strongly suspect that Trump is truly guilty of:

The Donald Trump underage rape accusation explained

Mr Trump has repeatedly denied the allegation that he raped a 13-year-old girl in 1994

www.independent.co.uk

Separate incident, but yes. trump's a fucking rapist goon, no doubt about it. trump is a pedophile. Why am I sure? Looks how he's acting. He's freaking out even at his own supporters. That is the behavior of a guilty man!

I -think- you're right that Trump has something to hide- the only serious incident I've personally heard of is the one that is referenced in the article, but that's more than enough in my view. But I'm not sure. A substacker I deeply respect who, like in this forum, uses a pseudonym, had this to say about it:
**
Trump is in many ways a pragmatist and big-picture thinker, willing to break eggs or backtrack for what he perceives to be the greater good. The real reason is likely less directly salacious than people think; i.e. not Trump himself compromised by kompromat, but rather he may think the revelations as a generality will take the focus off the mission, mar his “big victories”.

There’s other instances of this: Trump has already ‘softened’ on various big policy initiatives like deporting migrants, as he recently announced being open to letting farmers choose to keep their long-time migrant workers. Republicans likewise are following suit:

UPDATE:

A SOFT AMNESTY BILL has been filed and has the support of several House Republicans.

It would allow illegal aliens who crossed the border before 2021 a pathway to stay and work here, legally.

They can get up to 7 years of legal status with work authorization.

They'd need to pay restitution and check in regularly with DHS, and the legal status could be RENEWED if there is good conduct.

The REPUBLICANS who have signed on:

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO)
Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA)
Rep. Young Kim (R-CA)
Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY)
Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA)
Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman (R-IN)
Rep. David G. Valadao (R-CA) HR 4393

In the worst case scenario, Trump may fear for the stability of the entire nation, depending on how bad the Epstein revelations may turn out to be.

And in an even worse case, Trump may be acting to directly shield Israel and its involvement in the espionage of the United States, given what we now know of Epstein’s role in intelligence operations. As an example on that count—for those who aren’t caught up—here’s a recent interview with Israeli producer Zev Shalev who revealed that he was told directly by Robert Maxwell’s handler, Israeli spy Ari Ben-Menashe, that Epstein was an Israeli intelligence asset whose job was to prevent Clinton from becoming another Carter:

Former CBS executive producer Zev Shalev: “Jeffrey Epstein was an Israeli military intelligence asset. This came directly from Ari Ben-Menashe, Robert Maxwell's former handler, speaking on the record. The mission was simple: stop Bill Clinton from becoming "another Carter"—a president who might force Israel into comprehensive peace negotiations with Palestinians. Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were sent to compromise Democratic politicians, building blackmail files to neutralize any future peace initiatives.”

You can hear this at the 15:00 mark of the interview below:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOQFffpxPOQ&ab_channel=NarativwithZevShalev


Which of course lines up with Epstein’s own boasts:

Jeffrey Epstein allegedly boasted about being a Mossad agent

Jeffrey Epstein boasted about being a Mossad agent like Ghislaine Maxwell 's father, according to new bombshell claims made in a lawsuit.

www.dailymail.co.uk

So, does Trump see something so balefully incriminating for various public officials—past or present—in the files, that he believes the systemic risk to the country at large is too great? Or is the risk not to particular American officials, but rather to the sanctity of the One Great Secret of American history: that Israel controls the US government?
**

Source:

Trump's Epstein Finale Puts Country at Critical Crossroads

Something very odd is happening with Trump and the Epstein case.

simplicius76.substack.com

Like I've said, I lean more towards Trump having something to hide as you do, but I can't dismiss the idea that this may be less about things he himself wants to hide in terms of his relationship with Epstein and more about what the deep state wants to hide and what they're willing to do if things don't remain hidden.

 

[LurchAddams]

I -think- you're right that Trump has something to hide- the only serious incident I've personally heard of is the one that is referenced in the article, but that's more than enough in my view. But I'm not sure. A substacker I deeply respect who, like in this forum, uses a pseudonym, had this to say about it:
**
Trump is in many ways a pragmatist and big-picture thinker, willing to break eggs or backtrack for what he perceives to be the greater good. The real reason is likely less directly salacious than people think; i.e. not Trump himself compromised by kompromat, but rather he may think the revelations as a generality will take the focus off the mission, mar his “big victories”.

There’s other instances of this: Trump has already ‘softened’ on various big policy initiatives like deporting migrants, as he recently announced being open to letting farmers choose to keep their long-time migrant workers. Republicans likewise are following suit:

UPDATE:

A SOFT AMNESTY BILL has been filed and has the support of several House Republicans.

It would allow illegal aliens who crossed the border before 2021 a pathway to stay and work here, legally.

They can get up to 7 years of legal status with work authorization.

They'd need to pay restitution and check in regularly with DHS, and the legal status could be RENEWED if there is good conduct.

The REPUBLICANS who have signed on:

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)
Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO)
Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA)
Rep. Young Kim (R-CA)
Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY)
Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA)
Rep. Marlin A. Stutzman (R-IN)
Rep. David G. Valadao (R-CA) HR 4393

In the worst case scenario, Trump may fear for the stability of the entire nation, depending on how bad the Epstein revelations may turn out to be.

And in an even worse case, Trump may be acting to directly shield Israel and its involvement in the espionage of the United States, given what we now know of Epstein’s role in intelligence operations. As an example on that count—for those who aren’t caught up—here’s a recent interview with Israeli producer Zev Shalev who revealed that he was told directly by Robert Maxwell’s handler, Israeli spy Ari Ben-Menashe, that Epstein was an Israeli intelligence asset whose job was to prevent Clinton from becoming another Carter:

Former CBS executive producer Zev Shalev: “Jeffrey Epstein was an Israeli military intelligence asset. This came directly from Ari Ben-Menashe, Robert Maxwell's former handler, speaking on the record. The mission was simple: stop Bill Clinton from becoming "another Carter"—a president who might force Israel into comprehensive peace negotiations with Palestinians. Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were sent to compromise Democratic politicians, building blackmail files to neutralize any future peace initiatives.”

You can hear this at the 15:00 mark of the interview below:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOQFffpxPOQ&ab_channel=NarativwithZevShalev


Which of course lines up with Epstein’s own boasts:

Jeffrey Epstein allegedly boasted about being a Mossad agent

Jeffrey Epstein boasted about being a Mossad agent like Ghislaine Maxwell 's father, according to new bombshell claims made in a lawsuit.

www.dailymail.co.uk

So, does Trump see something so balefully incriminating for various public officials—past or present—in the files, that he believes the systemic risk to the country at large is too great? Or is the risk not to particular American officials, but rather to the sanctity of the One Great Secret of American history: that Israel controls the US government?
**

Source:

Trump's Epstein Finale Puts Country at Critical Crossroads

Something very odd is happening with Trump and the Epstein case.

simplicius76.substack.com

Like I've said, I lean more towards Trump having something to hide as you do, but I can't dismiss the idea that this may be less about things he himself wants to hide in terms of his relationship with Epstein and more about what the deep state wants to hide and what they're willing to do if things don't remain hidden.

Totally and absolutely disagree with this:

"Trump himself compromised by kompromat, but rather he may think the revelations as a generality will take the focus off the mission, mar his “big victories”.

The people around trump, like the project 2025 folks are big thinkers and planners - trump is not. trump manages his life crisis by crisis, he is NOT a strategic thinker. And in this case, he's lashing out at his own supporters over a scandal he and his fellow thugs themselves stokerd.

No, trump is not a "big picture" thinker. He's a clown, he's a showman. He knows how to latch onto anger, stoke it and use it to his advantage. Had he though he could have done that as a Democrat, he wouls have, but Dems don't harbor hate - and so trump has nothing to latch onto.

 

[Scott]

Totally and absolutely disagree with this:

"Trump himself compromised by kompromat, but rather he may think the revelations as a generality will take the focus off the mission, mar his “big victories”.

The people around trump, like the project 2025 folks are big thinkers and planners - trump is not. trump manages his life crisis by crisis, he is NOT a strategic thinker. And in this case, he's lashing out at his own supporters over a scandal he and his fellow thugs themselves stokerd.

No, trump is not a "big picture" thinker. He's a clown, he's a showman. He knows how to latch onto anger, stoke it and use it to his advantage. Had he though he could have done that as a Democrat, he wouls have, but Dems don't harbor hate - and so trump has nothing to latch onto.

I don't agree with everything you say, but I tend to think you're right regarding Trump's capacity for deep thinking. I think it's a bit of projection- Simplicius is definitely a deep thinker and so he thinks that the President probably is too. I think there have been many examples from Trump's first Administration where people close to him were disappointed in him and I suspect the same is happening and will continue to happen in his second term.

 

[Tobytone]

Just saw the article from which this thread draws its name. I just skimmed it, but it seems on point with other things I've heard. Quoting from the introduction to the article below:
**

The Trump administration’s refusal to release the Epstein files and videos is done not only to protect Trump, but the ruling class. They all belong to the same club.​

Chris Hedges
Jul 12, 2025

The refusal by the Trump administration to release the files and videos amassed during investigations into the activities of the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, should put to rest the absurd idea, embraced by Trump supporters and gullible liberals, that Trump will dismantle the Deep State. Trump is part of, and has long been part of, the repugnant cabal of politicians – Democrat and Republican – billionaires and celebrities who look at us, and often underage girls and boys, as commodities to exploit for profit or pleasure.

The list of those who were in Epstein’s orbit is a who’s who of the rich and famous. They include not only Trump, but Bill Clinton, who allegedly took a trip to Thailand with Epstein, Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, hedge fund billionaire Glenn Dubin, former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, former Secretary of the Treasury and former president of Harvard University Larry Summers, cognitive psychologist and author Stephen Pinker, Alan Dershowitz, billionaire and Victoria’s Secret CEO Leslie Wexner, the former Barclays banker Jes Staley, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, the magician David Copperfield, actor Kevin Spacey, former CIA director Bill Burns, real estate mogul Mort Zuckerman, former Maine senator George Mitchell and disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, who reveled in Epstein’s perpetual Bacchanalia.

They also include law firms and high-priced attorneys, federal and state prosecutors, private investigators, personal assistants, publicists, servants and drivers. They include the numerous procurers and pimps, including Epstein’s girlfriend and daughter of Robert Maxwell, Ghislaine Maxwell. They include the media and politicians who ruthlessly discredited and silenced the victims, and strong armed anyone, including a handful of intrepid reporters, seeking to expose Epstein’s crimes and circle of accomplices.

There is a lot that remains hidden. But there are some things we know. Epstein installed hidden cameras in his opulent residences and on his private Caribbean island, Little St. James, to capture his high-powered friends engaging in sexual romps and abuse of teenage and underage girls and boys. The recordings were blackmail gold. Were they part of an intelligence operation on behalf of the Israeli Mossad? Or were they used to ensure that Epstein had a steady source of investors who funneled him millions of dollars to avoid being outed? Or were they used for both? He shuttled underage girls between New York and Palm Beach on his private jet the Lolita Express, which was allegedly outfitted with a bed for group sex. His coterie of famous friends, including Clinton and Trump, are recorded as traveling on the jet numerous times on released flight logs, although many other flight logs have disappeared.

Epstein’s videos are in the vaults of the FBI, along with detailed evidence that would rip back the veil on the sexual proclivities and callousness of the powerful. I doubt there is a client list, as Attorney General Pam Bondi claims. There is also no single Epstein file. The investigative material amassed on Epstein fills many, many boxes, which would bury Bondi’s desk and probably, if collected in one room, dominate most of the space in her office.

Did Epstein commit suicide, as the official autopsy report claims, by hanging himself in his jail cell on August 10, 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City? Or was he murdered? Since the cameras recording activity in his cell the night were not functional, we do not know. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist hired by Epstein's brother, who served as the chief medical examiner for New York City and who was present at the autopsy, said he believes Epstein's autopsy suggests homicide.

The Epstein case is important because it implodes the fiction of deep divisions between Democrats, who had no more interest in releasing the Epstein files than Trump, and the Republicans. They belong to the same club. It exposes how the courts and law enforcement agencies collude to shield powerful figures who engage in crimes. It lays bare the depravity of our exhibitionist ruling class, accountable to no one, free to violate, plunder, loot and prey on the weak and the vulnerable.
**

Full article:

Trump, Epstein and the Deep State

The Trump administration’s refusal to release the Epstein files and videos is done not only to protect Trump, but the ruling class. They all belong to the same club.

chrishedges.substack.com

Another article on the recent blowup in the MAGA movement regarding Epstein, this one talks about how FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is considering resigning over what he feels is a coverup and Kash Patel, the FBI Director himself, is considering the same...

MAGA Civil War Erupts Over Trump’s Epstein Files Flop

Trump’s top minds are at one another’s throats as some allege an ongoing cover-up.

www.thedailybeast.com

Hey Scotty, I'd love your brilliant answer for the glaring question? Why did Biden’s DOJ twiddle their thumbs for four years on those files? Let me guess, it wouldn't be nice to leak Trump’s dirt? Too honorable right? Or were Democrats on that Epstein list, and again, too honorable to lose a few names or drop a page in the shredder? Maybe the Jan 6th shredder broke, and they couldn’t fix it in time. I’m dying for your genius reply.

Also, I haven’t checked, but I bet inflation’s through the roof and the stock market’s in the gutter like all you brilliant libtards warned me, right?

Those cases you swore Trump would lose, he’s tanked them all, yeah?

Since I’ve been off the news, I assume Trump fumbled the border without Congress, just like you dumbasses preached for months, right?

You probably nailed it that Trump couldn’t get any of the Americans Biden left behind back home. I hoped for about 47 brought home, your team told me he would fail at that too, so I’m likely wrong, huh?

It’ll suck when I catch up and find you idiots called every shot. LMFAO

This is another sad libtard pipe dream, leaving you dope-starved morons twitching when it crashes, as usual. I'll be checking my account real quick, I foolishly through some cash in the market in early April, I probably lost it all, right?

 

[LurchAddams]

I don't agree with everything you say, but I tend to think you're right regarding Trump's capacity for deep thinking. I think it's a bit of projection- Simplicius is definitely a deep thinker and so he thinks that the President probably is too. I think there have been many examples from Trump's first Administration where people close to him were disappointed in him and I suspect the same is happening and will continue to happen in his second term.

Not a deep thinker. Was born into wealth which is why he's been able to survive so many businesses failures. His success is the image of a "successful businessman" he's built. His image is everthing, which is why I'm sure there's something to the Epstein shit and him. He's behaving like it's all starting to crumble around him.

Hitler's last moments were in a bunker where he and his mistress killed themselves. trump's swan song probably won't be that but it's going to be some spectacular failure, like what happened to Weinstein and Spacey.

trump manages his presidency moment to moment. Good example: Those tariffs on "liberation day"? Look like they made that shit up 5 mins before the meeting at Kinkos.

 

[Scott]

Hey Scotty, I'd love your brilliant answer for the glaring question? Why did Biden’s DOJ twiddle their thumbs for four years on those files? Let me guess, it wouldn't be nice to leak Trump’s dirt? Too honorable right? Or were Democrats on that Epstein list, and again, too honorable to lose a few names or drop a page in the shredder?

I imagine you've heard that a lot of the information that Epstein collected was used as potential blackmail material. Have you considered the possibility that the DOJ isn't, or at least wasn't the only party who had much if not all of Epstein's files? I say wasn't because I'm taking into account the possibility that the DOJ has in fact shredded much if not all of the information they had.

If we consider this possibility, then there's only one thing left to add:
"Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

 

[Scott]

Not a deep thinker. Was born into wealth which is why he's been able to survive so many businesses failures. His success is the image of a "successful businessman" he's built. His image is everthing, which is why I'm sure there's something to the Epstein shit and him. He's behaving like it's all starting to crumble around him.

You may be right on the crumbling part, regardless of how much of it is due to the Epstein thing. Only one way to know for sure though, and that's to see what happens.

Hitler's last moments were in a bunker where he and his mistress killed themselves.

That's certainly the official story. I suspect the truth may have been somewhat different, at least for Hitler himself. Here's the conclusion on Hitler's death from military.com:
**

What Is Really Known About Hitler's Fate?​

In short, there's no tangible evidence Hitler died in the bunker in the closing days of April 1945. Nor is there any tangible evidence he escaped. The official accounts of the events leading to Hitler's death are suspect.

There were certainly ways for Hitler to get to South America, but there's no proof. All the reported sightings are hearsay.

If there's any chance Hitler lived, it's hard to believe Western intelligence agencies or Israel's Mossad could have kept a search for him hidden.

The most likely scenario is the simplest: Hitler died in his bunker, though likely under very different conditions than the official history. The Western Allies wanted the world to believe the leader died by suicide. The Soviets had their own reasons to leave the mystery unsolved.

Barring the release of a "smoking gun" document buried in intelligence archives, the truth will probably never be known.

Joseph V. Micallef is a military historian, best-selling author, keynote speaker, syndicated columnist and commentator on international politics and the future.
**
Full article:

How Did Hitler Die?

Among conspiracy theories is the claim that Adolf Hitler did not die in his Berlin bunker but escaped Berlin and found refuge in South America.

www.military.com

I also found this article to be quite interesting:

10 Genuine Reasons To Consider That Hitler Really Did Escape Berlin - Listverse

Like the declarations that “Elvis Presley Is Alive,” the claims that Adolf Hitler didn’t die in Berlin have continued since the announcement of his

listverse.com

This last one below is behind a paywall, but it certainly -sounds- promising and it came out just a few months ago:

🚨 Hitler Didn’t Kill Himself? ⚠️ Suicide, Secrets, and the Bunker That Won’t Stay Silent 📰 Declassified CIA files and eerie testimonies are reigniting the fire - did Hitler really die in Berlin

Sources: https://cia.gov/readingroom/docs/HITLER%2C%20ADOLF_0003.pdf https://en.mercopress.com/2025/03/25/milei-orders-declassifying-nazi-and-military-dictatorship-files https://aurora-israel.co.il

www.shirioncollective.org

 

[Tobytone]

I imagine you've heard that a lot of the information that Epstein collected was used as potential blackmail material. Have you considered the possibility that the DOJ isn't, or at least wasn't the only party who had much if not all of Epstein's files? I say wasn't because I'm taking into account the possibility that the DOJ has in fact shredded much if not all of the information they had.

If we consider this possibility, then there's only one thing left to add:
"Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones".

Brilliant theory Scotty, genius, LOL. You should churn out detective novels with talent like that. So, the Epstein files were copied and/or vanished, but landed in some mystery blackmailer’s hands, and now they’re bribing Trump to keep the “damning evidence” buried by his DOJ? Pure gold for someone with a learning disability.

Let me try harder with your masterpiece, but first I'll try a bit of logic. If someone outside the DOJ had dirt on Trump, they could’ve named their price, and it would have been in big and bold font on every front page for months. Don't you think? Nah, that makes too much sense.

Oh, wait, this person or group had the files during Biden’s term so the Biden DOJ couldn’t release what they didn’t have. Then, poof, they slipped them in when Trump won, betting Bondi would spill... but now she's still holding them and they’re now blackmailing Trump to keep them hushed? Or maybe bribing Bondi? Wow, you're on to something here, LOL

I love your quote at the end, it's so relevant. lmao Scotty.

 

[TravisBickle]

One of the girls testimony. https://www.facebook.com/reel/3042323135928654

Facebook for news............eeeeeew.

 

[Scott]

One of the girls testimony. https://www.facebook.com/reel/3042323135928654

I'm pretty sure that's the same case I was referring to earlier in the following article:

The Donald Trump underage rape accusation explained

Mr Trump has repeatedly denied the allegation that he raped a 13-year-old girl in 1994

www.independent.co.uk

Both the age and the date of the incident match up, as well as the fact that Trump's daughter was the same age as her at the time of the alleged incident.

I've now found an article that deals specifically with Katie Johnson, which is the name that was used for the woman in the video:

Katie Johnson – The Girl Who Vanished: Revisiting the Rape Allegations Against Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein

On a humid summer day in 2016, as America’s political landscape trembled beneath the weight of the Trump campaign’s insurgent rise, a legal complaint quietly appeared in a California courthouse. It…

karlismyunkle.com

I think that this comedian (honestly, I don't know his name) is right in regards to Occam's razor too:

342K views · 12K reactions | The simplest explanation is often the correct one | The Daily Show

The simplest explanation is often the correct one.

www.facebook.com

There's also this, which looks connected to the same case:

WITNESS BACKS CLAIM OF PLAINTIFF WHO SAYS TRUMP RAPED HER REPEATEDLY AT AGE 13 | East County Magazine

www.eastcountymagazine.org