Author name: Chase Brennan

Tim Walz Scrambles as Viral Video Blows Open Minnesota Fraud Scandal
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Tim Walz Scrambles as Viral Video Blows Open Minnesota Fraud Scandal

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz pushed back this week against expanding fraud allegations tied to state-funded programs, following the rapid spread of a viral video that drew renewed attention to suspected misuse of public money involving childcare and learning centers in the Minneapolis area.

The controversy intensified after conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley released a 42-minute video on Friday documenting visits to multiple facilities in and around Minneapolis.

In the video, Shirley and a Minnesota resident identified as David traveled to locations allegedly owned by Somali immigrants and funded through state programs.

According to the footage, several sites appeared closed despite posted signage indicating they were operating, while staff at other locations declined to participate in on-camera interviews.

One building shown in the video displayed a sign reading “Quality Learing Center,” with the word “learning” misspelled.

In the video, Shirley said the center was listed as serving at least 99 children and had received roughly $4 million in state funds.

The video’s claims and visuals quickly spread online, drawing national attention and prompting responses from state and federal officials.

A spokesperson for Walz addressed the allegations in a statement to Fox News, saying the governor has taken sustained action to address fraud risks.

“The governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and ask the state legislature for more authority to take aggressive action. He has strengthened oversight — including launching investigations into these specific facilities, one of which was already closed,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that Walz has “hired an outside firm to audit payments to high-risk programs, shut down the Housing Stabilization Services program entirely, announced a new statewide program integrity director, and supported criminal prosecutions.”

Shirley later appeared on Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show” on Sunday night, where he discussed his findings and the response to the video.

He described the alleged misconduct as readily apparent. He said the situation was “so obvious” that a “kindergartener could figure out there is fraud going on.”

“Fraud is fraud, and we work too hard simply just to be paying taxes and enabling fraud to be happening,” Shirley said during the appearance.

He added that the public reaction has already produced consequences.

“There better be change. People are demanding it. The investigation have been launched just from that video alone. So there better be change, like I said we work way too hard to be paying taxes and not knowing where our money’s going,” Shirley said.

Federal authorities have also signaled increased involvement. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau had surged additional personnel to Minnesota to examine how public resources were distributed.

Patel said the move was part of a broader effort to “dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs.”

According to federal investigators, as much as half of the approximately $18 billion granted to Minnesota since 2018 could have been lost to fraudulent activity, potentially totaling up to $9 billion.

Authorities say the alleged schemes span multiple programs and years.

As of Saturday evening, 86 individuals had been charged in connection with the fraud investigations, with 59 convictions reported so far.

Law enforcement officials have said that a majority of those charged come from Minnesota’s Somali community, though investigations remain ongoing and additional charges have not been ruled out.

The rapid spread of Shirley’s video has added momentum to the probes. By Sunday night, the video had surpassed 100 million views, according to publicly available metrics.

State and federal officials have said the heightened attention has increased public pressure for accountability and transparency in how taxpayer-funded programs are administered.

Walz’s office has maintained that the governor’s actions demonstrate a commitment to oversight and enforcement, while investigators continue to examine the scope of the alleged fraud.

Authorities have not announced a timeline for concluding the investigations, but officials have indicated that further developments are expected as reviews of records and facilities continue.

‘Corrupt AF’: Minnesota’s Voter Vouching System Exposed by Pressler and Dhillon
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‘Corrupt AF’: Minnesota’s Voter Vouching System Exposed by Pressler and Dhillon

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Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, the Trump administration’s top civil rights enforcer, criticized Minnesota’s same-day voter registration vouching system after sharing a post from conservative activist Scott Presler that detailed how the process works under state law.

Presler wrote on X that Minnesota allows a registered voter to vouch for the residency of up to eight other voters on Election Day without requiring photo identification or additional proof of residence.

In his post, Presler outlined a hypothetical scenario to explain the system.

“Here’s how it works: Let’s say that Shukran is a registered voter in Minnesota. It’s Election Day & Shukran brings 8 friends (with) him to vote,” Presler wrote.

“Shukran: ‘My 8 friends that live in our neighborhood don’t have IDs.’ Election Day Worker: ‘Sign this form to vouch for them.’”

Presler concluded the example by writing, “+8 votes.”

The post drew widespread attention online and prompted reactions from critics who questioned Minnesota’s same-day registration policy. Presler’s description focused on the state’s long-standing “vouching” provision, which allows certain voters to attest to the residency of others who lack qualifying documentation at the polls.

Dhillon, who serves as assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, shared Presler’s post and added her own comment.

“This is corrupt AF,” Dhillon wrote.

Presler responded by thanking Dhillon for drawing attention to the issue.

The vouching process cited by Presler is publicly described on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s official website under the section titled “Register on Election Day.”

The site lists vouching as one of the acceptable methods for proving residence when registering to vote at a polling place.

“Registered voter who can confirm your address,” the website states.

“A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. This is known as ‘vouching.’

A registered voter can vouch for up to eight voters. You cannot vouch for others if someone vouched for you.”

Minnesota is one of several states that permit Election Day registration, and the vouching option has been part of state election law for years.

State officials have maintained that the system is designed to ensure eligible voters are not prevented from voting due to paperwork issues.

While there has been no official determination of widespread fraud tied to the vouching process, critics have pointed to past cases and structural concerns.

The Heritage Foundation’s Voter Fraud Map and Election Fraud Database documents a 2017 case involving Zameahia J. Ismail, a non-citizen who voted in Minneapolis after an acquaintance vouched for her address during same-day registration without identification.

Election Integrity Watch, a conservative election watchdog group, has previously raised concerns about Minnesota’s election framework.

The group has stated that the “combination of no ID requirements, no provisional balloting, Election Day registration and ‘vouching’ makes Minnesota’s election system ripe for abuse.”

State Republicans have also questioned aspects of Minnesota’s election system in recent years, including automatic voter registration, the vouching provision, and procedures used to verify citizenship.

Dhillon’s criticism of the Minnesota system comes amid broader legal actions by the Department of Justice related to election administration.

The DOJ has filed lawsuits against Minnesota and other states over voter roll maintenance and compliance with federal election laws.

“States are required to safeguard American elections by complying with our federal elections laws,” Dhillon said.

“Clean voter rolls protect American citizens from voting fraud and abuse, and restore their confidence that their states’ elections are conducted properly, with integrity, and in compliance with the law.”

The DOJ has not announced any specific enforcement action tied directly to Minnesota’s vouching policy following Dhillon’s comment. State election officials have not indicated that changes to the system are imminent.

Minnesota’s vouching provision remains in effect and is listed as an approved proof-of-residence option for Election Day registration ahead of future elections.

Ohio Journalist Exposes Alleged Somalian EBT Scam Fueling Cash Businesses
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Ohio Journalist Exposes Alleged Somalian EBT Scam Fueling Cash Businesses

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An independent journalist in Ohio has released a video investigation alleging extensive fraud schemes involving the misuse of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits within parts of the state’s Somali community, adding to broader scrutiny of welfare programs and oversight failures.

The investigation, shared widely on social media and posted on X by the account @WallStreetApes, centers on neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio.

In the video, the journalist documents what he describes as a pattern in which Somali-owned restaurants are closely connected to grocery stores, allowing welfare benefits intended for household food purchases to be redirected into commercial operations.

The journalist is shown touring multiple areas of Columbus while explaining how the alleged scheme operates.

“Every single Somali restaurant has a grocery store right next door or within eye shot of the restaurant,” he said in the video.

“They can just order everything they need to their grocery store that’s right next or attached to the restaurant that they also own and never have to fill a single cart.”

According to the journalist, these grocery stores are able to process EBT transactions for bulk food purchases, which are then used to supply the adjacent restaurants.

He further alleged that the grocery stores often report significant annual losses, which can be used as tax write-offs, while the restaurants operate largely in cash.

The arrangement, he claimed, allows government-funded food supplies to subsidize private businesses while minimizing tax exposure.

The investigation also focused on family structures within the community, particularly polygamous marriages, which the journalist said can increase access to public assistance.

He alleged that multiple wives are able to claim benefits individually as single mothers, significantly expanding the total amount of welfare payments received by a single household.

“If you have two or three wives that don’t claim, these women can go work at Wal-Mart full time for $15 an hour and still qualify for food stamps as long as they have a couple kids,” the journalist said.

The journalist referenced Minnesota as a comparison point, stating that 88 percent of the Somali community there is reportedly on social services.

He suggested that similar patterns of fraud could be present in Ohio, particularly in Columbus, which is home to one of the largest Somali populations in the United States.

The video builds on earlier reporting by Columbus resident Nakia Deon, who previously drew attention to similar allegations in a video posted on X.

Deon described Somali men owning markets where their wives allegedly used EBT cards almost exclusively, raising questions about hidden polygamous marriages, welfare abuse, and money laundering.

In the new investigation, the journalist credited Deon for first highlighting the issue. “Nakia was absolutely right,” he said.

He expanded on her claims by visiting several locations, including the Walmart on Georgesville Road, where he observed Somali women working low-wage jobs while still qualifying for public assistance.

The allegations in Columbus come amid broader concerns about welfare fraud involving Ohio’s Somali community, which is the second-largest in the country.

Ohio attorney Mehek Cooke has separately raised alarms about Medicaid fraud in the state, alleging that millions of taxpayer dollars have been stolen through schemes involving fake medical conditions and coerced healthcare providers.

Cooke told Fox News that the Medicaid fraud in Ohio dates back more than a decade and is more extensive than similar cases in Minnesota.

She described Minnesota’s scandals as “just the tip of the spear.”

In Minnesota, federal prosecutors have charged dozens of individuals in connection with a $250 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, with funds allegedly funneled to Somali-linked organizations.

The journalist behind the Ohio video has not publicly confirmed his identity but described himself as an independent investigator.

He indicated that his work is ongoing and that additional reporting is planned.

“I’m changing tactics, going back up Monday and I have a couple ideas to see if I can’t sniff a few more,” he said.

As the video continues to circulate online, it has renewed debate over welfare oversight, enforcement, and the ability of state and federal agencies to detect and prevent fraud within public assistance programs.

Fraud Allegations Rock Minnesota as Paperwork Tells a Troubling Story
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Fraud Allegations Rock Minnesota as Paperwork Tells a Troubling Story

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An exchange between commentator Nick Shirley and a Minneapolis-area man identified as David laid out detailed allegations of widespread fraud involving childcare, transportation, and healthcare programs in Minnesota, raising questions about oversight of taxpayer-funded systems.

Shirley opened the discussion by asking, “How deep is this fraud here inside of Minnesota?”

David responded that the scope was extensive, saying, “It is far worse than anybody can imagine. You heard it’s seven to 10 billion, and maybe more. And now the numbers have been revised and put out there publicly that they think it’s more like 8 billion.”

David explained that his involvement began through personal observation.

He said his office is located in Minneapolis “in the heart of all of this fraud,” where he repeatedly noticed licensed childcare centers that appeared to have no children present during normal operating hours.

“I would see these childcare centers,” he said.

“I said, well, there aren’t any kids there. It’s the middle of the day, and all I see are a couple of guys standing out front smoking.”

According to David, similar observations continued as he passed additional daycare locations.

“Then I’d go buy another daycare, and I’d see the same thing,” he said.

“I said, Well, where do these kids play?” David said he began researching the facilities online and found that some were licensed for dozens of children while appearing to have none present.

“This place is licensed for 80 children. They had zero children. Every time I went by there, they never had a single child there.”

David also described noticing transportation companies operating without visible passengers.

“Then I started to see all these transportation companies going around, and it was always a Somali driver,” he said.

“They never had a passenger, never, ever, once.”

He said his research led him to Minnesota’s non-emergency medical transportation program.

“This is going to the dentist’s office, therapy, whatever it might be,” he said.

When David looked into the number of transportation companies involved, he said the findings were significant.

“The research came back that there are 1020 of them, and more than 800 of them are Somali owned,” he said.

David alleged that oversight was minimal, adding, “Nobody from the state of Minnesota ever cross checks to see if any rides were ever actually provided. All they did was write the check.”

As Shirley reviewed documents during the exchange, he asked, “All this paperwork right here. What are we looking at?”

David replied that much of the data he collected related to childcare.

“The areas of fraud that I have numbers for are mostly related to child care,” he said.

“This is massive fraud that is beyond anyone’s imagination the scope.”

David cited a specific example in Minneapolis involving two childcare operations listed at the same address.

“Together they’re licensed, supposedly for 120 children,” he said.

“I have never seen a single child there ever, and I’ve been by that place at least 100 times.”

Shirley summarized the allegation by asking, “These Somalians, these groups, are setting up these daycares, these childcare centers, getting money from the government, but there’s no kids?”

David answered, “No kids. Never had any of them.”

He added that despite violations, the facilities continued operating.

“They’re still getting money, and it’s millions of dollars for every one of them every year.”

When Shirley asked who was receiving the funds, David said the money came from a mix of state and federal sources.

“We have a thing called CCAP. It’s a blend of federal and state money,” he said.

“The bottom line is it’s taxpayer money.”

David alleged that the same individuals and addresses appeared across childcare, adult daycare, healthcare, and transportation businesses.

“There’s one building that has 14 Somali healthcare companies at the same address,” he said, adding that another building in Saint Paul had 22 similar businesses.

Shirley asked whether government officials were aware of the situation.

David replied, “The government knows they’re writing the checks.”

He went on to describe political dynamics he believes play a role, stating that the Somali community “will not speak to anyone outside the community” and “they vote as a block.”

According to David, this has influenced political decision-making in Minnesota, where, he said, officials are reluctant to intervene.

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Scott Bessent Details Why We Will See an Economic Boom in 2026
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Scott Bessent Details Why We Will See an Economic Boom in 2026

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Scott Bessent said the recently passed tax bill is already reshaping the U.S. economy, driving a surge in capital investment by American businesses while delivering direct financial benefits to working families through lower taxes and higher take-home pay.

Bessent outlined what he described as the most significant elements of the legislation, emphasizing provisions that allow immediate expensing for business investments and extended incentives for factory construction.

“What we are going to see next year, that, if you think about the signature parts of the tax bill, I think that the powerful, the most powerful parts had the immediate expensing for American business, permanent for equipment, and then four or five year window for factories,” Bessent said.

He said those provisions have already triggered a major increase in capital expenditures and are expected to accelerate further as trade deals take effect.

“So we are seeing, already seeing, a CapEx boom. So 2025 was a CapEx boom. I think that is going to accelerate with all the trade deals we’ve done,” he said.

Bessent pointed to Boeing’s expansion in South Carolina as a concrete example of how the tax and trade policies are influencing corporate decisions.

“I was just about six weeks ago in my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, Boeing, the largest employer there, is increasing their plant by 50% for the Dream liners, result of the trade deals, but it’s also part of the tax deal,” he said.

According to Bessent, the increased investment by major employers is expected to translate into job growth and higher wages for American workers.

“So we’re going to continue seeing this capex boom that turns into employment boom on the other side for working Americans,” he said.

Bessent said the legislation also reflects firm commitments made by President Donald Trump to working Americans, commitments that were treated as nonnegotiable during negotiations on Capitol Hill.

“The President I led the administration’s team up on the hill in terms of what was non negotiable for non negotiable for the President, and a lot of traditional Republicans didn’t like his campaign promises to working Americans, and the President never yielded on this,” Bessent said.

He listed several tax provisions that were preserved despite internal opposition.

“So no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security, deductibility of auto loans for American made cards,” he said.

Bessent noted that the bill, passed on July 4, applies retroactively, providing immediate benefits to both workers and businesses.

“So the bill was done on July 4. It’s retroactive to the beginning of the year for working Americans, retroactive to January 20 for corporates,” he said.

Bessent said the retroactive nature of the law combined with unchanged withholding levels is likely to result in unusually large tax refunds for many households.

“So working Americans. I also had the honor of being the IRS commissioner, and I can see that we’re going to have a gigantic refund year in the first quarter, because no one changed their working Americans did not change their withholding,” he said.

He predicted that many families could see substantial refunds when they file.

“So I think households could see, depending on the number of workers, $1000-$2,000 refunds,” Bessent said.

He added that once workers adjust their withholding going forward, they should see higher paychecks as well.

“They will change their withholding schedule at the beginning of the year, and they will get an automatic increase the in real wages,” he said.

Bessent said the combination of increased business investment and direct tax relief for individuals represents a powerful economic shift.

“So I think that’s going to be a very I think that’s going to be a very powerful combo of corporate and individuals,” he said.

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Senate Filibuster Killing Common Sense Election Security: Byron Donalds
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Senate Filibuster Killing Common Sense Election Security: Byron Donalds

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Rep. Byron Donalds criticized the U.S. Senate for failing to act on the SAVE Act, legislation passed by the House more than seven months ago that aims to secure federal elections by ensuring that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote.

The issue was raised during a Newsmax segment in which host Carl Higbie questioned why the Senate has not taken up the bill, despite the House having already acted.

“235, days since the House passed the Save Act, which would secure our elections. The constitution is clear. You can provide some integration and some framework for our elections, voter ID, things like that, but the Senate is not moving on it. What is going on here?” Higbie said.

Donalds responded by placing the blame squarely on the Senate’s procedural rules and leadership, saying the chamber has become a roadblock to legislation that already has support in the House.

“The Senate doesn’t work. I’ve been very clear on this one, the filibuster is a major hurdle to getting common sense policy through both chambers of Congress here in Washington, DC, the Save act is common sense,” Donalds said.

The SAVE Act was passed by the House with the stated goal of reinforcing election integrity by clarifying that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in federal elections.

Donalds argued that regardless of partisan disagreements, the Senate should at least allow the legislation to come to a vote.

“It should go up for a vote. If Democrat senators want to vote it down, let them be on the record for it, but for it to not even get a vote in the Senate makes no sense,” he said.

Donalds said frustration over stalled legislation is growing on Capitol Hill, particularly among lawmakers who see House-passed bills languish indefinitely once they reach the Senate.

“And this is actually one of the big issues we’re having here on Capitol Hill. A lot of people are upset. They’re saying, Well, why isn’t Congress doing more?” Donalds said.

He explained that concerns about Senate inaction can even affect which bills House leadership chooses to bring to the floor, creating a bottleneck in the legislative process.

“I will tell you, a lot of policy ideas that are filed in the house don’t even get to the floor because leadership is concerned. I don’t agree with them, but they’re concerned about things just going to sit in the Senate and not getting any action,” Donalds said.

Despite those concerns, Donalds said the House should continue passing legislation and sending it to the Senate, forcing senators to take clear positions on key issues.

“I think we should continue to do our jobs here in the house, send bills over to the Senate, but the Senate has got to start voting for things,” he said.

Donalds specifically named election-related measures he believes should be brought up for votes, even if Democrats oppose them.

“If Democrats want to vote things down, like the Save Act, or if they want to vote down voter ID in federal elections, or if they want to vote down simple common sense, things like making sure that illegals are not counted for the purpose of setting congressional districts that should all be voted for in the United States Senate, and if Democrats vote no, let the American people see that clearly,” Donalds said.

Higbie agreed with the need to put senators on the record before closing out the segment.

“Yeah, and get them on the record like you said. Well, Congressman Byron Donalds, we appreciate it,” Higbie said.

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Steelers WR DK Metcalf Assaults Fan in the Stands, Could Cost Him Millions
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Steelers WR DK Metcalf Assaults Fan in the Stands, Could Cost Him Millions

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DK Metcalf, a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been suspended for two games by the NFL for what the league described as “conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan.”

The incident occurred Sunday during a game at Ford Field in Detroit, where the Steelers were playing the Detroit Lions.

According to the league, Metcalf violated the NFL’s long-standing policy that prohibits players from entering the stands or confronting spectators under any circumstances on game day.

The NFL policy states that “players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day.”

It further warns that, “If a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”

As a result of the suspension, Metcalf is set to forfeit $555,556 in salary if his planned appeal is denied, according to ESPN.

It could end up costing even more:

The altercation took place near the front row of the lower bowl at Ford Field.

Video footage circulating from the game shows Metcalf initially speaking with a fan while leaning over the first-row railing.

Moments later, Metcalf is seen walking up to the fan, grabbing the individual by the shirt collar, and shoving him backward before being separated.

The fan involved was identified as Ryan Kennedy, a Detroit Lions supporter.

Metcalf has maintained that Kennedy directed a racial slur at him during the exchange, an allegation that Kennedy has strongly denied.

“These allegations are completely false,” a statement released by the Michigan law firm representing Kennedy said.

The statement also said Kennedy has faced “harassment, threats, and messages advocating violence” in the aftermath of the incident.

Kennedy’s attorneys said the public attention following the suspension has resulted in significant personal backlash for their client, though they did not detail any specific law enforcement action tied to the threats described.

During the live broadcast, CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson provided context for what unfolded along the sideline and into the stands.

“He came over because the fan in the stands was holding a ‘4’ Pittsburgh jersey.

He went over, and the fan said something to him,” Wolfson said on the broadcast.

“Obviously, Metcalf did not like what he said, and you saw the swipe there. No Steelers came over to him and mentioned anything.”

The NFL has consistently enforced strict rules regarding player interactions with fans, citing concerns over safety, escalation, and crowd control.

League officials have emphasized that even verbal exchanges can quickly escalate into dangerous situations when players leave the field of play.

Appeals are handled through the NFL’s disciplinary process and can result in the suspension being upheld, reduced, or overturned.

The suspension comes at a critical point in the season for Pittsburgh, as Metcalf is a key part of the team’s offense.

His absence for two games could have implications for the Steelers’ passing attack depending on the outcome of the appeal.

The NFL said its decision was based on video evidence and its existing conduct policies, reaffirming that physical confrontations with fans are prohibited regardless of circumstances or alleged provocation.

Brown University Scrambles, Benches DEI Safety Chief After Deadly Campus Failures
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Brown University Scrambles, Benches DEI Safety Chief After Deadly Campus Failures

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A Fox News segment featured Laura Ingraham and Chad Ayers discussing Brown University’s decision to place Rodney Chatman, the school’s Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Management, on administrative leave, with criticism focused on the timing of the move and the university’s approach to campus safety.

Ingraham introduced the development by noting the administrative action taken against the university official and questioned whether the move came too late.

“It looks like they just put a one of their heads of building management on and guys will put up the screen. The Vice President for public safety and emergency management has been put on administrative leave, effectively. Chad, that seems like a little CYA, a little late in the game for that, does it not?” Ingraham said.

Ayers responded by saying the decision should have been made earlier and criticized the university’s priorities, pointing to recent student deaths.

“Well, Laura, we’re about a week too late for something like this to take place. Like we said, we have dead students,” Ayers said.

Ayers said Brown University has focused more on emotional considerations than on physical safety and security for students.

“We have a university that’s more concerned about putting you in your safe place so your feelings don’t get hurt than we do about the safety and security of college students. This has got to change,” Ayers said.

He compared safety preparation at colleges with training provided in primary and secondary education, arguing that universities lag behind.

“I’ve said it time and time again, we do an excellent job for the most part, of training elementary, middle and high school students and staff on how to respond to these types of events and how to prepare for them. We don’t do that at the college level,” Ayers said.

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NYT Buries the Lede: Admits No Proof Trump Was Involved in Epstein Crimes
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NYT Buries the Lede: Admits No Proof Trump Was Involved in Epstein Crimes

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The New York Times acknowledged in a recent report that there has never been any evidence connecting President Donald Trump to the criminal activities of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, despite years of public speculation and repeated claims pushed by Democratic officials.

The article, written by Times reporters Nicholas Confessore and Julie Tate, was based on interviews with “more than 30 former employees of Jeffrey Epstein, victims of his abuse and others who crossed paths with Mr. Epstein and President Trump.”

New York Times Screenshot

The report also cited what it described as “new documents” related to Trump’s past interactions with Epstein.

While much of the article relied on decades-old photographs and quotes from the 1990s to suggest familiarity between Trump and Epstein, the Times ultimately conceded that its review found no evidence tying Trump to Epstein’s abuse or trafficking of minors.

“An examination of their history by The New York Times has found no evidence implicating Mr. Trump in Mr. Epstein’s abuse and trafficking of minors,” the article stated.

The admission comes after months of renewed efforts by Democratic leaders and allied activists to link President Trump to Epstein’s crimes.

Those efforts intensified on Thursday, when party officials circulated a collection of emails, some newly disclosed and others dating back years, to claim Trump had a close personal relationship with Epstein.

Among the materials promoted by Democrats were emails in which Epstein expressed hostility toward Trump.

The Democratic Party’s official X account highlighted a February 8, 2017 email Epstein sent to former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who served in the Clinton administration.

In the message, Epstein criticized Trump, writing, “recall I’ve told you… I have met some very bad people… none as bad as Trump. not one decent cell in his body… so yes– dangerous.”

Democrats publicly amplified the email as part of their argument.

“Newly released emails show Jeffrey Epstein thought Trump was one of the worst people he knew, with ‘not one decent cell in his body,’” the Democratic Party posted on X.

“He went on to describe Trump with one word: ‘Dangerous.’”

The post drew criticism online, with numerous users pointing out that Epstein’s stated disdain for Trump directly contradicted claims that the two men were close friends.

Despite that, the Democratic Party’s official account released a video on July 18 asserting that Trump had a “close” relationship with Epstein and describing it as a “secret friendship.”

Democrats also circulated documents in which the name of a prominent Epstein accuser was redacted, using the material to suggest Trump’s involvement in Epstein’s crimes.

The accuser was later identified as Virginia Giuffre, who testified under oath that Trump had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal activity.

Giuffre, who died earlier this year, had publicly stated that Trump was not among those who abused her.

She was also a supporter of President Trump’s 2024 campaign and praised his actions related to Epstein’s prosecution.

Additional reporting has shown that Epstein himself took steps that undermined claims of cooperation with Trump.

In 2019, Epstein actively advised U.S. Delegate Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands during a congressional hearing that focused on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case against Trump.

Epstein provided guidance to Plaskett during her questioning of witnesses during the hearing.

Trump severed ties with Epstein years earlier.

Epstein was banned from Trump’s Mar-A-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, after inappropriate conduct involving a minor staff member in the early 2000s.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and later convicted co-conspirator, has also stated that Trump was not involved in Epstein’s crimes.

The New York Times report, while revisiting past interactions and public speculation, ultimately confirmed that no evidence has ever connected President Trump to Epstein’s abuse or trafficking operation, a conclusion that stands in contrast to repeated claims made by Democratic officials and party organizations in recent months.

The NFL’s Chicago Bears Are Considering Leaving Illinois If Politicians Keep It Up
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The NFL’s Chicago Bears Are Considering Leaving Illinois If Politicians Keep It Up

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The Chicago Bears are increasingly signaling that they may take their search for a new stadium beyond Illinois, citing frustration with state and local political leaders and warning that stalled legislation has jeopardized plans to keep the franchise in the Chicago area.

For several years, the Bears have warned that remaining in downtown Chicago may not be viable without a new stadium and updated infrastructure.

The team has explored relocation options within the region, including a move to nearby suburbs, but negotiations and required government actions have slowed considerably.

State lawmakers in Illinois would need to approve zoning changes, infrastructure funding, and property tax arrangements, but those steps have not materialized.

Last year, Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said the organization was focused on relocating to suburban Arlington Heights, on the site of the former Arlington Park horse racing track.

That plan, however, has stalled at the state Capitol in Springfield, prompting the team to broaden its search.

According to WGN-TV, Warren has now indicated that the Bears could leave Illinois entirely.

“In addition to Arlington Park, we need to expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana,” Warren said in an open letter to fans.

Warren wrote that the Bears had relied on guidance from Illinois leadership but had not received the legislative cooperation needed to move forward.

“We listened to state leadership and relied on their direction and guidance, yet our efforts have been met with no legislative partnership,” he said.

He emphasized that delays and uncertainty have created significant challenges for a project of this scale.

“Stable timelines are critical, as are predictable processes and elected leaders, who share a sense of urgency and appreciation for public partnership that projects with this level of impact require,” Warren wrote.

“We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation to date.”

Warren also said the team was informed that its stadium project would not be a priority for state lawmakers next year.

“We have been told directly by State leadership that our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois,” he wrote.

While acknowledging the growing tension, Warren insisted the Bears are not using the possibility of relocation as a negotiating tactic.

“Our goal is clear: build a world-class football team that has a world-class stadium worthy of our world-class fans — a stadium that reflects the future we are building together,” he said.

The Bears’ efforts to secure a new stadium date back to at least 2023, when the organization first asked Chicago officials to assist in identifying a downtown site and to partner on funding.

City leaders did not take formal action, and neither of the city’s two most recent mayors advanced a concrete proposal to keep the team in Chicago.

In 2024, the Bears signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Arlington Heights to relocate to the former racetrack property.

That agreement was tied to the advancement of a “megaprojects” bill in the Illinois legislature, which a local state senator had pledged to support.

The bill was intended to provide infrastructure funding needed to support a large-scale development such as a new stadium.

Arlington Heights officials have said the legislation is essential before the project can proceed.

The megaprojects bill, however, has stalled in Springfield, where Chicago Democrats have opposed measures that could facilitate the Bears’ departure from the city.

With no movement on the legislation, the Bears’ Arlington Heights plan remains uncertain.

As Illinois lawmakers debate, officials in Indiana have moved to position their state as a potential alternative.

The Indiana General Assembly has passed House Bill 1292, creating a “professional sports development commission” designed to explore options for attracting a major sports franchise to northwest Indiana.

The legislation “authorizes the commission to study various plans and recommendations that are proposed with respect to attracting a professional sports franchise to northwest Indiana.”

Several towns in northwest Indiana have already expressed interest in hosting the Bears, hoping to capitalize on the opportunity should the team decide to cross the state line.

The situation places pressure on Illinois leaders to act if they hope to keep one of the state’s most storied sports franchises.

With no firm timeline in place and political disagreements unresolved, the Bears appear poised to continue exploring all available options as they seek a long-term home for the team.


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