Meet The Mysterious Billionaire Paying American Troops During Government Shutdown

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Timothy Mellon isn’t like the other billionaires. If you haven’t heard of him, it’s because he’s rarely appeared in the press outside of a wedding announcement in 1963. He lives in Wyoming – not Jackson Hole, with the other elites of the west – in small town Saratoga, with a population of 1,760.

Despite keeping a low profile, Mellon is what Vanity Fair described as the most “consequential mega-donor” of the 2024 presidential election.

Amid the government shutdown, President Donald Trump announced that the administration received a $130 million donation to pay American troops. The donation was mysterious as the president refused to name the donor, who he called a “patriot” and friend. Sources later identified the donor to The New York Times, saying Timothy Mellon, grandson of former Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon, provided the funds anonymously.

When 83-year-old Mellon is talked about in the press, he is typically described as reclusive. Media outlets often use a photo of him from 1981 when writing about him. The billionaire rarely does interviews, though his family has spoken about him and his political donations in the past.

Those who know Mellon describe him as a “socially awkward” guy who “wears old aviator glasses with tape on the bridge,” Vanity Fair previously reported.

(Read more from “Meet The Mysterious Billionaire Paying American Troops During Government Shutdown” HERE)

JPMorgan Alerted U.S. to Epstein Transfers Involving Wall St. Figures

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Weeks after Jeffrey Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 awaiting prosecution on sex-trafficking charges, JPMorgan Chase filed a report alerting the US government to tens of millions of dollars of potentially suspicious transactions involving him and prominent Wall Street and business figures.

The so-called suspicious activity report that JPMorgan filed identified transactions with Leon Black, the co-founder of private equity firm Apollo Global Management; Glenn Dubin, a well-known hedge fund manager; lawyer Alan Dershowitz; and trusts controlled by Leslie Wexner, the retail tycoon.

The nature of the transactions, as well as Epstein’s role in them, is unclear.

JPMorgan said in its report that it was flagging about 4,700 transactions, totaling more than $1 billion, because they were potentially related to reports of human trafficking involving Epstein. It also mentioned Epstein’s wire transfers to Russian banks and sensitivities around “his relationships with two U.S. presidents.” Epstein at times was close with President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton.

None of the men mentioned in the report have been charged with crimes in connection to Epstein. (Read more from “JPMorgan Alerted U.S. to Epstein Transfers Involving Wall St. Figures” HERE)

Jeffrey Epstein Alleged to Broker Secret Back-Channel Between Ehud Barak and Vladimir Putin

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Leaked emails allegedly reveal that Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, served as a behind-the‐scenes “fixer” arranging diplomatic contacts between former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Russia during the height of the Syrian Civil War (2013-2016).

According to the hacking group known as the Handala Hacking Team, and published by Distributed Denial of Secrets via Drop Site News, the emails between Barak and Epstein show the following:

Epstein arranged a private meeting between Barak and Putin in the summer of 2013, to explore a Russia-led solution for removing Syrian President Bashar al‑Assad, with Israel’s interests at stake.

On February 21, 2014, Epstein wrote to Barak:

“with civil unrest exploding in ukraine, syria, somolia [sic], libya, and the desperation of those in power, isn’t this perfect for you.”

Barak responded:

“You’re right [in] a way. But not simple to transform it into a cash flow. A subject for Saturday.”

Epstein’s line frames multiple global hotspots (Ukraine, Syria, Somalia, Libya) in a single sweeping sentence—“the desperation of those in power” being ripe for opportunity. This suggests he was positioning Barak to exploit geopolitical unrest not purely for statesmanship but for something like strategic positioning or business advantage.

Epstein allegedly offered tactical advice on how to pressure the Barack Obama administration into military action against Iran after Syria, writing:

“I would use the opportunity to compare it with iran… the solutions become more compelx with time not less… hopefully someone suggests getting authorization now for Iran. the congress woudl do it.”

The communications also show Epstein advising Barak on business ventures—for example, coordinating with Russian-Israeli oligarch Viktor Vekselberg and the Renova Group for consultancy roles in Russia, again with Epstein’s help.

In short: the hacked emails portray Jeffrey Epstein not just as a financier and criminal, but as a clandestine intermediary in international diplomacy — working with Ehud Barak to engage Russia during a critical phase of the Syrian war. If substantiated, these revelations could reshape how we understand both Epstein’s global network and the murky corridors of back-channel diplomacy in the 2010s.

Planes Collide in New York — as Airport Grappled With Intense Delays: ‘We All Felt a Bump’

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Two planes collided on the tarmac at New York’s LaGuardia Airport Friday — as the airport grappled with intense delays brought on by weather and staffing shortages due to the historic government shutdown, The Post has learned.

A United Airlines plane returning from Orlando, Florida, was turning into its arrival gate when it clipped the tail of another United jet on the taxiway, a spokesperson for the airline said.

The clipped plane, which was waiting to be taxied for its journey to Houston, was stationary at the time.

“We all felt a bump during taxi to the runway but didn’t know it was another plane until the captain said it was,” a passenger, who declined to share their name, told The Post moments after the collision.

Video obtained by The Post showed numerous emergency vehicles at the scene.

Both planes returned to the gate, and all passengers were deplaned. (Read more from “Planes Collide at LaGuardia — as Airport Grappled With Intense Delays: ‘We All Felt a Bump’” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Mysterious Area 51 ‘Unmanned Aircraft’ Crash Probed by Air Force, FBI — as Claims, Rumors Swirl

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A mysterious aircraft crash near Nevada’s secretive Area 51 has triggered weeks of speculation, a military probe — and allegations of a government cover-up.

The incident occurred Sept. 23 on public land just outside the boundaries of the classified base at Groom Lake, about 83 miles north-northwest of Las Vegas, according to the Air Force and KLAS-TV, which reported on the crash Thursday.

A spokesperson for Creech Air Force Base confirmed the mishap involved an aircraft assigned to the 432nd Wing, which operates unmanned aerial vehicles.

No fatalities or injuries were reported, and recovery operations wrapped up Sept. 27, the base said.

But what followed — a base lockdown, flight restrictions and apparent tampering at the crash site — has fueled widespread rumors about what really fell from the sky.

The Air Force said investigators discovered “signs of tampering” during a follow-up site survey on Oct. 3, including an inert training bomb and an aircraft panel of unknown origin that were placed there after the crash. (Read more from “Mysterious Area 51 ‘Unmanned Aircraft’ Crash Probed by Air Force, FBI — as Claims, Rumors Swirl” HERE)

Top Trump Officials Are Moving Onto Military Bases

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Top members of Donald Trump’s White House are reportedly living in homes typically reserved for top military brass in Washington, D.C. as they pull back from neighborhoods where their presences were often targeted for protests by the many Democrats who make the Capital region their homes.

Stephen Miller and Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently joined a growing list of Trump Cabinet secretaries and advisers who’ve chosen to live in reserved military housing, with Rubio moving onto “Generals Row” in Fort McNair and Miller also living in the area after abandoning his digs in Arlington, The Atlantic reported.

They join Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who moved into military housing earlier this year, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is alone among his compatriots in finding some precedent for his decision to move onto Generals Row alongside Rubio.

White House and administration officials gave security concerns as the reasons for the arrangements; one other senior White House official, whose identity was not named by The Atlantic, is also in a similar arrangement due to “security concerns related to a specific foreign threat,” said officials.

While legal, the arrangements put a strain on the short supply of such housing in the District of Columbia and could ruffle some feathers among the nation’s top commanders at a time when relations between political appointees and the brass is already strained. Hegseth is largely to thank for that division after he summoned commanders to Virginia for a speech about “warrior ethos” and aesthetics that was reportedly not well-received. (Read more from “Top Trump Officials Are Moving Onto Military Bases” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Trump Designates Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concern’ for Slaughters of Christians by Islamists

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President Donald Trump has designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” for the ongoing mass murders of Christians by radical Islamists, directing the House Appropriations Committee “to immediately look into this matter” and stating that the United States “cannot stand by” while the slaughters occur.

Trump posted the Friday announcement on Truth Social, following a recent letter from Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) urging the administration to take “immediate action to address the systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians in Nigeria.”

Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a “COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN” — But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done! I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter, and report back to me. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!

DONALD J. TRUMP,

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Moore, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, detailed in his October 6 letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone, with hundreds more kidnapped, tortured, or displaced by Muslim terrorist groups like Boko Haram.

The congressman had also cited reports stating that 19,100 churches had been destroyed in the country since 2009. (Read more from “Trump Designates Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concern’ for Slaughters of Christians by Islamists” HERE)

Trump Celebrates ‘Truly Great Meeting’ with Chinese Dictator Xi Jinping

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President Donald Trump met with China’s genocidal communist dictator, Xi Jinping, on Wednesday in Busan, South Korea, for talks focused heavily on lifting recent restrictions and tariffs on bilateral trade.

Following the meeting, which Trump described in a statement on Truth Social as “truly great,” the two sides confirmed that China would lift restrictions on exporting rare-earth and critical minerals, which Beijing had imposed in response to tariffs on its goods. The restrictions would be paused for a year, potentially returning if Beijing and Washington do not agree on a blueprint for the sales, but Trump appeared positive about the restrictions not returning during remarks on Air Force One en route home, describing the meeting as a “12” out of ten.

China would also, Trump added, increase its purchases of American soybeans, sorghum, “and other farm products,” expected to produce significant profits from American farmers. In exchange, the Trump administration will reduce the American tariff rate on Chinese goods, previously at 57 percent, by ten percent, in recognition of China’s alleged measures to limit the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry published a readout describing the conversation between the two leaders, which allegedly lasted nearly an hour and a half. Beijing emphasized the friendly atmosphere and longstanding personal relationship between Xi and Trump. Contrary to the hectoring and superior tone that the Chinese government attributed to Xi in meetings with former President Joe Biden, Xi was optimistic about the potential America and China have to work together and ensured Trump that China had “no intention to challenge or supplant anyone.”

Trump departed South Korea following his meeting with Xi, while Xi remained in town to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit the country is currently hosting.

(Read more from “Trump Celebrates ‘Truly Great Meeting’ with Chinese Dictator Xi Jinping” HERE)

Rand Paul Questions U.S. Use of Deadly Force on Alleged Drug Boats Without Evidence

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Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is raising pointed concerns about recent actions by the U.S. military targeting vessels alleged to be drug-smuggling boats—actions carried out under the administration of Donald Trump. On a recent broadcast of Rob Schmitt Tonight on Newsmax, Paul asked: when survivors of these boat strikes are repatriated to their home countries, why aren’t they being tried for drug crimes—especially when the administration labels the boats as part of a narcotics-trafficking war effort?

“We don’t try them for drug crimes or we don’t even keep them. We’ve been sending them back.” Paul said. “We have no evidence of who they are, other than an accusation that they are drug dealers.”

He pointed to recent repatriations: survivors returned to Colombia and Ecuador, with no public presentation of evidence that the individuals were armed drug traffickers or that contraband was recovered.

Paul’s critique aligns with a broader legal debate: the proper balance between aggressive counter-narcotics operations and the protections afforded by due process and international law.

Since early September 2025, the U.S. military has carried out at least eight strikes (by some counts more) on vessels in the Caribbean Sea, and more recently in the Eastern Pacific, which the Trump administration says were “narco-trafficking” vessels engaged in a war-like conflict with U.S. interests.

It’s significant that Rand Paul is breaking with other Republicans on this issue—even though he has been broadly supportive of President Trump in many other areas.

His criticism of the strikes also places him at odds with voices in the party who argue that aggressive action against drug-trafficking boats is necessary to protect American lives and national security. For example, Vice President J.D. Vance recently defended such actions as “the highest and best use of our military.”

Senator Rand Paul isn’t defending drug traffickers—far from it. His concern is how the U.S. is conducting operations against them. He argues that even in the fight against narcotics, the U.S. must preserve its legal traditions: identifying suspects, gathering evidence, charging them criminally, or if using force, clearly defining wartime status and oversight.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Donald Trump Tells Pentagon to ‘Immediately’ Start Testing Nuclear Weapons

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By Greta Bjornson. President Donald Trump has given the directive to begin testing nuclear weapons in the United States for the first time in over 30 years.

The order from the president to the U.S. military came just hours before his meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Trump shared the news in a post on Truth Social.

“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office,” Trump wrote in his post.

He continued, “Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.”

Trump said the testing process will “begin immediately.” (Read more from “Donald Trump Tells Pentagon to ‘Immediately’ Start Testing Nuclear Weapons” HERE)

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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing, citing rival nations’ programs

By CNBC News. U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday directed the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons testing “on an equal basis,” citing testing programs by other countries.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, Trump said the decision “had to do with others,” without naming specific countries.

“They seem to all be nuclear testing. We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We don’t do testing … But with others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also,” he said, adding that details on the planned tests would be announced later.

Before his meeting with Xi, Trump wrote on Truth Social that “because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”

It was not immediately clear what Trump meant by “equal basis.” The Department of Defense was rebranded the Department of War on Sept. 5 under an executive order, though Congress has not approved the change. (Read more from “Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing, citing rival nations’ programs” HERE)