Epstein Birthday Scrapbook Photo Suggests Trump Was Involved in $22,500 “Purchase” of Woman

/0 Comments/in , /by

A newly released photo from Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday scrapbook has sparked fresh outrage and intensified scrutiny of President Donald Trump’s past relationship with the disgraced financier. The image, released Monday by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, shows Epstein holding a novelty check for $22,500, allegedly signed by Trump, with a note implying that a woman was “sold” to him in the 1990s.

The caption, attributed to Joel Pashcow — a longtime Mar-a-Lago member and Palm Beach socialite — reads:

“Jeffrey showing early talents with money + women! Sells ‘fully depreciated’ [redacted] to Donald Trump for $22,500.”
It continues:

“Epstein showed early ‘people skills’ too. Even though I handled the deal I didn’t get any of the money on the girl!”

The woman’s face is redacted in the image, and her identity remains officially undisclosed. The Wall Street Journal reported that the woman was someone whom both Epstein and Trump “socialized with” during the 1990s. However, her attorney has publicly denied any romantic relationship with either man, saying she was unaware of the photo, never knew Pashcow, and described the suggestion as a “disgusting and deeply disturbing hoax.”

The novelty check appears to be signed “DJ Trump” — a stylized version of Trump’s signature, though notably different from his more formal autograph during that period. The implications of the photo are now under examination by congressional investigators, particularly as it appears to connect Trump and Epstein in a more personal and troubling way.

Attempts to contact Joel Pashcow, who appears in the photo alongside Epstein, have not been successful. His name appears in Epstein’s flight logs, and he is known to reside in Palm Beach, Florida — near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Public records list him as managing member of Nassau Capital, an investment firm, and a past board member of the Palm Beach Police and Fire Foundation. In a 2020 Mother Jones interview, Pashcow reportedly dismissed questions about Epstein by saying, “You’re really pathetic, you know that?”

The image is one of several explosive details revealed as House Oversight Committee Democrats continue to release excerpts from Epstein’s so-called “birthday book” — a professionally bound scrapbook created for his 50th birthday in 2003. The book, believed to have been assembled by Epstein’s close associate Ghislaine Maxwell (now serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking), includes letters, notes, and photos from a who’s who of Epstein’s associates, including Trump, Bill Clinton, and others.

The scrapbook is part of an ongoing investigation into Epstein’s network and the individuals who socialized and potentially collaborated with him.

12th Grade Reading and Math Scores Hit 20-Year Low

/0 Comments/in , /by

The reading and math scores for American 12th graders have hit a 20-year low, according to a study from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP).

In the area of reading, these are the worst scores in the history of the study, which launched in 1992.

The study also showed that eighth graders lost a lot of ground in science and that the gender gap between boys and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math returned after nearly being equal in 2019. Girls are falling behind.

Per NBC, the “assessments were the first since the pandemic for eighth graders in science and 12th graders in reading and math.”

“Scores for our lowest-performing students are at historic lows,” Matthew Soldner of the National Center for Education Statistics told NBC. “These results should galvanize all of us to take concerted and focused action to accelerate student learning.” (Read more from “12th Grade Reading and Math Scores Hit 20-Year Low” HERE)

Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska’s Look of Horror After She Was Fatally Stabbed on Train — As Her Final Moments Are Revealed

/1 Comment/in , /by

Slaughtered Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska looked up at her killer with terror in her eyes after he repeatedly stabbed her with a pocket knife, as no passengers came immediately to her aid, disturbing newly-released surveillance footage shows.

The new extended clip from the Aug. 22 attack on the Lynx Blue Line train shows the 23-year-old cowering in fear and covering her face with her hands after the shocking, unprovoked attack, allegedly carried out by homeless repeat felon Decarlos Brown Jr.

Zarutska, who had come to the US in 2022 seeking safety after Russia invaded her country, pulls up her legs, which can be seen spattered with blood in the video.

It comes as the FBI announced on Monday that Brown was hit with federal charges on top of the state murder rap he already faces. The penalty includes the possibility of the death sentence if he is convicted.

She then falls to the floor about 15 seconds later, the video shows. (Read more from “Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska’s Look of Horror After She Was Fatally Stabbed on Train — As Her Final Moments Are Revealed” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Trump Maintains Epstein Birthday Letter Is “Fake” as Alleged Note Surfaces in Records Turned Over to Congress

/3 Comments/in , , /by

Lawyers for Jeffrey Epstein’s estate have submitted a copy of Epstein’s infamous 50th birthday book to Congress — including a controversial letter bearing Donald Trump’s signature that he has repeatedly claimed does not exist.

On Monday, members of the House Oversight Committee confirmed receipt of the book and the letter, which was originally reported by The Wall Street Journal in July. The book, professionally bound in 2003, includes messages from dozens of Epstein’s associates — among them, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and billionaire Leon Black. Some notes were harmless birthday wishes, while others reportedly featured sexual references, drawings, or provocative imagery.

The letter attributed to Trump is among the more graphic. According to WSJ reporting, it featured typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, ending with the message: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” The letter was signed “Donald” in a stylized, squiggly manner positioned under the woman’s waistline to mimic pubic hair.

Trump has denied any connection to the letter, calling it “a fake thing.” He has since filed a defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, its parent company News Corp, and several of its reporters, arguing the letter is fabricated and defamatory. In response, a Dow Jones spokesperson stated, “We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting.”

Now, with the birthday book delivered under subpoena by House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the contents are expected to receive further congressional review. The subpoena followed a July 25 letter from Democratic Reps. Robert Garcia and Ro Khanna urging Epstein’s estate to release the book “to assist in bringing transparency and accountability.”

Rep. Garcia, the committee’s Democratic ranking member, issued a strong statement Monday:

“President Trump called the Epstein investigation a hoax and claimed that his birthday note didn’t exist. Now we know that Donald Trump was lying and is doing everything he can to cover up the truth. Enough of the games and lies — release the full files now.”

The book was compiled by Epstein’s close associate Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003, prior to Epstein’s first arrest in 2006. Maxwell has since acknowledged to Justice Department officials that she helped assemble the book, though she claimed she could not recall who contributed what.

Trump, Clinton, and roughly 20 others were listed in the book under the “Friends” section, according to WSJ. Trump and Epstein were known to socialize in Palm Beach, Florida, during the 1990s. Flight logs show Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet, and the financier was photographed at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate multiple times.

Trump has claimed he cut ties with Epstein years before his 2019 arrest, citing a personal falling-out after Epstein allegedly recruited staff away from the Mar-a-Lago club. However, WSJ reported that Trump’s name appears multiple times in government files related to Epstein — a fact the Justice Department reportedly informed him of in May. The department emphasized that being named in such files does not indicate criminal wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, efforts to release more Epstein-related materials remain stalled. The Justice Department stated in July that no “client list” exists and declined to release further records — a decision that sparked backlash from some of Trump’s political allies, who had previously demanded transparency.

Photo credit: Flickr

Biden Assault Accuser Expands $100M Lawsuit to Include Jill and Hunter

/0 Comments/in , /by

In 1993, Tara Reade worked as staff assistant in then-Senator Joe Biden’s office. One day, according to Reade, Biden allegedly sexually assaulted her. She claims she filed a written complaint with a congressional personnel office, but as of today, no copy of this complaint has surfaced.

All attempts to seek help both internally and externally were unsuccessful, according to Reade, who alleges she was stripped of her responsibilities and treated poorly as a result.

In 2020 when Joe Biden was running for president, Reade filed a police report with the Washington, D.C., police, but the case remained inactive because the timing of the alleged assault fell outside the statute of limitations. She was even denied help from Time’s Up — a nonprofit that supports survivors of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. However, the organization had ties to Anita Dunn, one of Joe Biden’s top advisers.

The intimidation, threats, and false accusations Reade suffered from her advocacy became overwhelming. In 2020, Reade’s Twitter records were subpoenaed by a grand jury, her bank accounts were disrupted, and a FedEx package containing her book manuscript, which was a memoir detailing her alleged abuse, mysteriously disappeared.

Fearing for her safety, Reade relocated to Russia in 2023 after being granted asylum. Even though Biden is no longer in office, she remains in Russia today, as she fears the Biden family will seek retribution. (Read more from “Biden Assault Accuser Expands $100M Lawsuit to Include Jill and Hunter” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

GOP Senator Blasts JD Vance’s ‘Despicable and Thoughtless Sentiment’ Following U.S. Strike on ‘Drug Boat’ That Killed 11

/0 Comments/in , /by

Rand Paul slammed JD Vance for his comments celebrating the U.S.’s lethal strike on a vessel involved in the drug trade that was coming out of Venezuela.

The vice president has been praising the military’s attack that allegedly killed 11 Tren de Aragua narco terrorists – despite the strike’s murky legal justification.

‘Killing cartel members who poison our fellow citizens is the highest and best use of our military,’ Vance wrote on X.

The classic Harper Lee novel To Kill a Mockingbird portrays a case of a man wrongfully accused of rape.

Paul capped off his post with: ‘What a despicable and thoughtless sentiment it is to glorify killing someone without a trial.’

The Senator was referencing Vance’s response to a liberal journalist who said ‘killing the citizens of another nation who are civilians without any due process is called a war crime.’ (Read more from “GOP Senator Blasts JD Vance’s ‘Despicable and Thoughtless Sentiment’ Following U.S. Strike on ‘Drug Boat’ That Killed 11” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

California Woman Charged After Allegedly Casting Ballots in Her Dog’s Name — Twice

/0 Comments/in , /by

In a bizarre case that’s raising fresh concerns about election integrity, a 62-year-old California woman has been criminally charged after allegedly registering her dog to vote and casting ballots under the pet’s name in two separate elections.

Laura Lee Yourex, of Orange County, is accused of using her deceased dog, Maya Jean Yourex, to fraudulently participate in California’s 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary election. According to the Los Angeles Times, only the 2021 ballot was accepted. The dog had reportedly passed away before the 2022 election, yet Yourex continued to flaunt the fraud online.

In October 2022, she shared a photo on social media showing Maya’s dog tag alongside a mail-in ballot, with the caption: “Maya is still getting her ballot.” The post, viewed by investigators, helped uncover the scheme.

The case came to light after Yourex herself reportedly contacted the Orange County Registrar of Voters to admit she had registered and voted on behalf of her dog. That prompted a referral to the district attorney’s office.

She now faces up to six years in jail after being charged with:

One count of registering a nonexistent person to vote
One count of perjury
One count of procuring a false or forged document to be filed
Two counts of casting a ballot when not entitled to vote

While the case may seem unusual — even humorous — it underscores significant concerns about election safeguards in California.

Critics argue that the fact a dog was able to be registered and cast a ballot points to glaring weaknesses in the state’s voter verification system.

California does not require proof of residence to vote in state elections, unlike federal elections, which is why Maya’s 2022 primary ballot was ultimately rejected.

Voter ID laws, proof of citizenship requirements, and in-person voting protocols are often cited as additional tools that could help prevent such incidents.

California was not alone in being scrutinized. According to The Los Angeles Times, more than two dozen other states received similar inquiries from the federal government regarding election integrity and registration procedures.

Photo credit: Flickr

Trump Admin Launches ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ to Target Illegal Immigration, Fight Violent Crime in Chicago

/1 Comment/in , /by

The Department of Homeland Security kicked off a crackdown on illegal immigrants in Chicago Monday — after local Democrats spent the weekend protesting President Trump’s threat of a federal law enforcement surge in America’s third-largest city.

“DHS is launching Operation Midway Blitz in honor of Katie Abraham who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol in Illinois,” the department announced on X..

“This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew [Democratic] Governor [JB] Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets.”

The statement concluded: “President Trump and [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem stand with the victims of illegal alien crime while Governor Pritzker stands with criminal illegal aliens.”

ICE has been positioning staff to carry out operations in the Windy City for more than a week, leading sources to say that a crackdown was imminent. (Read more from “Trump Admin Launches ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ to Target Illegal Immigration, Fight Violent Crime in Chicago” HERE)

Appeals Court Upholds $83.3 Million Defamation Verdict Against Donald Trump in E. Jean Carroll Case

/0 Comments/in , /by

A federal appeals court has upheld an $83.3 million civil defamation verdict against former President Donald Trump, rejecting his efforts to overturn the jury’s decision in favor of writer E. Jean Carroll.

The ruling, issued Monday by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, affirms a Manhattan jury’s finding that Trump must pay the substantial sum for a series of defamatory social media posts targeting Carroll after she publicly accused him of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s.

Trump, who has repeatedly denied the allegations and claimed Carroll fabricated the story to promote her book, argued that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision expanding presidential immunity should shield him from the financial judgment. His legal team also sought a new trial.

However, the appeals court firmly rejected those arguments. “Trump has failed to identify any grounds that would warrant reconsidering our prior holding on presidential immunity,” the court wrote. “We also conclude that the district court did not err in any of the challenged rulings and that the jury’s damages awards are fair and reasonable.”

The $83.3 million award was handed down in 2024 after a trial focusing on Trump’s repeated online attacks against Carroll, including accusations that she lied about the alleged 1996 assault in a Manhattan department store. Although Carroll’s claims lacked direct physical evidence, the jury determined Trump’s comments were defamatory and damaging to her reputation.

This case followed an earlier, separate civil trial in which Trump was found liable for sexually abusing Carroll. That case resulted in a $5 million judgment, which was also upheld by an appeals court in December 2023.

Trump’s legal team has not yet indicated whether they will attempt to bring the case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Nearly 50,000 Diagnosed With 9/11-Linked Cancers; Deaths From Related Illnesses Surpass the Attack Toll

/4 Comments/in , /by

The number of first responders and others diagnosed with cancers linked to the September 11 attacks has surged to 48,579, marking a staggering 143% increase over the past five years, according to the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP)
New York Post.

Among the most commonly identified cancers are skin, prostate, and breast cancers, along with melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, and cancers affecting the thyroid, kidney, lung, and bladder. Experts attribute this rise to prolonged exposure to toxic substances at Ground Zero and the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island.

Why the Surge?

Aging Responders: Many of those who worked in the recovery efforts are now in their late 50s and 60s. “We know that the population is aging, so we can predict that the number of cancers is going to go up,” said Dr. Steven Markowitz, an occupational medicine specialist at Queens College.

Record Enrollment: The WTCHP saw over 10,000 new enrollees in 2024, its highest number to date. As a result, more people are being monitored and diagnosed.

Death Toll and Comparison to 9/11 Casualties

As of March 27, 2025:

8,215 WTCHP enrollees had died, including 5,844 first responders.

Out of these, 3,767 had cancer, including 2,388 responders.

These cancer-related deaths now exceed the 2,977 victims who died on September 11, 2001.

John DeVito, 53, a retired NYPD officer from Bellport, Long Island, recalled sifting through debris without protective equipment, saying:

“We went through it with rakes… Everybody said everything was safe.”

Diagnosed with esophageal cancer on March 13, 2020, he underwent extensive treatment, including surgery to remove part of his esophagus and stomach.

Glenn Taraquinio, 62, another retired NYPD officer, vividly remembers the dangers on “the pile”:

“Every once in a while you’d look in the bucket and you’d see a hand or another body part… officials insisted the air was safe.”

FEMA eventually provided N95 masks, but they “would turn black in an hour.” He was diagnosed with 9/11-related prostate cancer in 2020 and described the rising cancer numbers as “insane.”

Phil Rizzo, 69, a former Department of Correction Emergency Services Unit captain, recalled:

“There was so much ash falling it looked like it was snowing.”

Diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2023, he reflected:

“It looks like little by little it’s getting most of us who worked there.”

FDNY EMT Ivonne Sanchez, 59, was on the pile for nearly ten months. A breast cancer diagnosis came in 2013, progressing quickly from stage one to stage two:

“I knew in my gut it was something bigger… You must have ESP,” her doctor remarked after diagnosis.

Many of those affected, including Taraquinio and Sanchez, are traveling to Washington, D.C. this week to advocate for extended healthcare funding for those battling 9/11-related illnesses:

“Unfortunately, it’s another fight for funding,” Taraquinio said. “It’s exhausting.”

Photo credit: Flickr