One video you have to catch

I know that there's a lot going on with regards to the Epstein scandal.  I think the video below does an incredible job providing a solid walk through.

 

This is C.I.'s "The Snapshot:"

Thursday, December 17, 2025.  They're going after Jasmine now -- not the GOP, the fake-asses who pretend to be Democrats, the first to jump from the sinking ship of the USS CHUMP FAILURE emerges, Pam Bondi's going after transgender people and those who support them, and much more.

Lets start with Jasmine Crockett.

Some people are not going to be highlighted for their YOUTUBE programs.  I'm not in the mood to watch you White assholes attack another Black woman the way you did Kamala.  Are you 'progressives' just wanting for everyone to see you as the racists you truly are?  

I'm not in the damn mood.  I do know Texas voters.  Not only do we have a huge amount of community members in Texas, I speak there regularly and not just starting this year. So screw you if you're trying to argue Jasmine can't win or that "We need Jasmine in the House."

When Democrats in Congress were shaking in their boots at the start of this year, Jasmine pushed back.  Jasmine gave the others courage to speak out.  

Women in Texas will -- and have -- crossed party lines.  They'll do it for a workhorse -- Ann Richards or Annette Straus to name but two.  They won't do it for a Barbie doll not even if she's called Abortion Barbie.  But for a woman they see working, that they see taking the powerful on?  They'll cross the party line.

And it's Jasmine that's in the lead.

 

Jasmine Crockett leads James Talarico by 8 points in Senate Democratic primary, new poll finds

Brian Tyler Cohen?  We don't need you in this community and a lot of the rest of you can find that out as well.

And you're racist and you're sexist if you're saying, "We need her in the House.'  WTF you piece of trash BTC viewer.  Truth be told, Texas needs White boy to keep his ass in the state legislature so that maybe Texas Democrats can really fight back for a change.  

And he's done nothing but be White.  That's why you love him.  He's White and he's got a cock.  

And that trumps all the leadership Jasmine's shown -- to you racists and sexists at least.

We will be pruning from the list of people we used to highlight YOUTUBE videos from

I'm not going along with the trashing of Jasmine.  

Shame on those who do and who take part in it.

It's amazing that these racists-sexists -- they're both -- think they can tell a Black woman "Now is not your time" to clear the field for a woefully unqualified White man.  

You already did that by treating Gaza as the most important issue in the US.  It isn't.  It wasn't.  It ain't never going to be. 

What was it?  The first real opportunity to build consensus and push for change.

But Gaza Freaks destroyed that.  They attacked Kamala with lies.  They supported the White man -- because the majority of them were White -- that includes Rashida -- Arab is considered White you racist and uneducated bigots.  And Chump's continued that war and did you miss his non-stop praise this week?  He conflates Jewish with Israel.  And, no, they aren't the same thing.  One is a religion and one is a nation-state.  But he's the one you supported, the one too stupid in 2023 (or since) to get what so many others finally grasped -- Jewish and Israel are not the same thing, many Jews around the world disapprove of Netanyahu's actions.  And we were building on that, those of us who truly care about the Palestinians, we saw it was the moment, we knew the history and knew this was the time..  But Gaza Freaks (Socialists in closets who lie about everything including pretending to be Democrats) you had to f**k everything up and give it to Chump and now you same Gaza Freaks are too damn scared to protest him and call him out.  You're too damn scared to fight for the Palestinian people.  You brought this on the Palestinians and it's your fault and that includes Palestinian Americans who attacked Kamala.

And you Gaza Freaks didn't just attack Kamala, you attacked Black people in the US.  It's the detail that Sam Seder forever 'forgets' in his never ending 'analysis.'

"Keep Palestinians names out of your mouth!"  Fine.  You're on your own now.  And we see you do what?  Not a damn thing.  Because you honestly didn't do that much to begin with

Grifter Jill Stein was never a choice.  The election was between Kamala and Chump.  And Kamala wasn't good enough for you.  We would have had a different policy under Kamala.  And we could have protested during a Kamala presidency.

But a bunch of cheap, racists- sexists idiots put Chump back in the White House.  

Do you know how many Palestinians have died since Chump was inaugurated?

No, you don't.  You don't know much of anything.

You just cower.

And whine.

And then attack Chuck Schumer for that sort of behavior this year -- as though you're not doing the same.

Jasmine stood up and spoke out and is a leader. 

I'm not going to let you rip her apart as you advance a White man because -- with no polling to back you up -- you think it's an easy win for him.

Really?  You think the rumors that the GOP spreads -- takes to the parking lots of Trade Day Weekend (a huge, monthly giant swap meet in Canton, Texas) aren't going to touch your wonder boy.  Do you not know the rumor mill the GOP runs in Texas?  Or how Ken Paxton stays in the race after cheating on his wife?  Because people can relate to that -- mainly due to John Cornyn being too chicken to really go after Ken and send him packing from the GOP primary.  

Cornyn's allowed Paxton to set the terms.  

And people an relate to marital problems.  

Many people in Texas will not relate to a 36-year-old unmarried male, never married male.  Whose most recent statement further created problems as he claimed that his work had been his focus. 

That's not a message most people are going to relate to.  

It's cute to watch your 'progressives' (Socialists) who attacked Chuck Schumer in the early part of this year because you're now doing basically what you accused Chuck of: doing the easy thing and not fighting back.

And you better be worried right now.  Because the Black community -- having already seen the attacks on Kamala -- are not going to rush to the polls to support a party that hid behind Jasmine for basically the whole year -- they did, that's others in Congress, that's Democrat rank-in-file -- and let her be out there alone and now wants to act as though all she did this year didn't count?

 

A number of us walked away.  A number are still on vacation and may not come back in time for the mid-terms.  You screw Jasmine over and you are playing with fire.  I respect those who went on vacation but you screw over Jasmine and I no longer have any solid reason to make the case for voting Democrat -- especially when speaking to Black audiences -- you know, the people the bulk of YOUTUBERS can't get to watch your White White videos.  We'll circle the wagons on this because enough is enough.  Kamala was attacked repeatedly.  Black people?  We were attacked for supporting her.  I'm not talking about Chump or the GOP.  I'm talking about Socialists posing as Democrats were attacking us.  We weren't allowed a minute of pride for the moment, for Kamala's historic campaign.  And you think you can get away with this again with regards to Jasmine?  You think you can attack her and, worse, you think you're so cleaver we won't understand what's going on.

You insult her with statements about how she's needed in the House and should drop out.  You think we don't see you trashing a Black woman when you do that.  Jasmine's in Congress.  James isn't.  James is a lowly state legislator with no real power and no real image other than the crafted b.s. that his enablers have pimped.  And I didn't say a word about that prior to today.  Not one word.  

But now there's online army going after Jasmine.  

Look around, we're largely avoiding your No Kings protests.  (I have participated and will continue to do so.)  We're avoiding your mass actions because we know you're hiding behind us.  We're the ones who'll be the first to be attacked at any protest.  Because of skin color.  And elected Democrats who are White largely hid behind Jasmine and lets her take the attacks.  

You don't understand how we see it.  And that's because you don't want to.  What we saw and continue to see?  It's out in public.  I'm sorry that you're Sam Seder won't cover it.  It's been covered in the Black blogosphere.  So if at this late date, you don't know about it, it's honestly because you don't want to know about it.  

Here's Roland Martin talking about what's going on.

Let's wind down with this from Senator Patty Murray's office:

Murray, lawmakers: “We urge you to promptly review these concerns and take immediate steps to improve conditions and practices at NWIPC… Violations of the law or any abuse of human rights will not go unnoticed or unchallenged.”

ICYMI: Senator Murray Condemns Egregious Use of Force by ICE as Constituent is Mauled by Attack Dog, Demands Release from NWIPC to Receive Appropriate Medical Care

KUOW: Inside the black box of ICE detention in Tacoma, she watched her wedding day come and go

***LETTER HERE***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led Members of the Washington state Congressional delegation in a letter to Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, expressing grave concerns with conditions at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) in Tacoma, Washington and demanding answers to a long list of questions regarding overcrowding and lack of access to medical services, food, and legal counsel for individuals detained at the facility. The population at NWIPC has ballooned over the past year under the Trump administration’s indiscriminate and cruel mass deportation campaign, nearing—and at times exceeding—the facility’s maximum capacity of 1,575.

Joining Senator Murray in sending the letter to ICE were: Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10).

“Our offices have received reports from local service providers and advocates that conditions and access to services at NWIPC have deteriorated in the last year as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has chosen to detain more individuals at the facility,” the Members wrote in their letter. “In June, detained individuals were reportedly transferred to Alaska—far away from their families and legal representatives—because NWIPC reached capacity. None of this is remotely acceptable—you and the entire Trump administration have a basic moral and legal obligation to the people who have been detained and are under your care.”

“It is well established at this point that this administration is not prioritizing detaining violent criminals, but instead is detaining mostly peaceful, law-abiding immigrants with no criminal record who work hard and contribute to our communities,” the lawmakers continued. “With this in mind, we urge ICE to release noncitizens who do not pose a threat to public safety and to ensure necessary staff levels at NWIPC to protect the safety and basic dignity of the people in its custody.”

In the letter, the Members raise concern over the lack of medical care for individuals detained at NWIPC and other ICE facilities, writing: “We are deeply concerned that the facility does not have sufficient medical staff and dedicated space to adequately provide medical care to the increased number of detained noncitizens. Additionally, we are incredibly concerned about challenges detainees face in accessing behavioral health care and other specialty care.”

Recently, Senator Murray called attention to the violent assault of Wilmer Toledo-Martinez in Vancouver, Washington—condemning the officers who sicced an attack dog on Wilmer, despite him not resisting arrest, and calling for Wilmer to be immediately released from ICE custody. Wilmer is currently being held at NWIPC, where he has been unable to obtain adequate medical care. In a visit to NWIPC by Senator Murray’s staff in August, facility staff indicated that NWIPC only employed four behavioral health staffers for a population of approximately 1,500 detainees. There were reports of at least two suicide attempts at NWIPC in April. In July 2024, after the death of a man detained at NWIPC, Senator Murray requested a comprehensive review of the quality and accessibility of medical services for individuals in ICE custody from the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—that review is currently underway.

The lawmakers’ letter also draws attention to reports from advocates that at least three pregnant women detained at NWIPC over the past year have been unable to receive appropriate medical care. Advocates also shared that at least one pregnant woman was shackled during transportation, which violates agency policy and raises concerns that medical information, such as whether a woman is pregnant, is not being properly documented by the facility. Senator Murray has long fought against the mistreatment of pregnant women in detention, including by pushing for her legislation—the Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act—to end the practice of shackling pregnant women in ICE detention. Murray also led an oversight letter to ICE in September demanding answers and accountability about the mistreatment of pregnant women in detention facilities under the Trump administration.

The Members continued by raising concerns over the inadequate provision of meals at NWIPC and difficulty that detained individuals have in accessing legal counsel, writing: “Attorneys have faced significant delays to meet with their clients, making adequate legal counsel more difficult. This has become especially challenging when immigration courts advance noncitizens’ hearings by months without sufficient warning. At times, attorneys have had to wait at the facility for up to 6 hours to see their clients.”

The letter concludes by requesting answers to a list of questions by January 16^th regarding capacity and staffing levels at NWIPC, the provision of food and medical care, access to legal counsel, treatment of pregnant women, and recent facility visits. “Please understand that we are paying close attention to the conditions at NWIPC—and your management of this facility,” the Members wrote. “We urge you to promptly review these concerns and take immediate steps to improve conditions and practices at NWIPC to comply with existing standards and laws and ensure that people in immigration detention are being treated with basic dignity and respect. Violations of the law or any abuse of human rights will not go unnoticed or unchallenged.”

Senator Murray and other members of Washington state’s Congressional delegation have been conducting oversight of NWIPC throughout this year, despite the Trump administration’s efforts to block Congressional oversight of federal immigration detention facilities. After a protracted legal battle over Washington state’s ability to enforce health and safety standards at NWIPC, a federal appeals court ruled in August that the state should be allowed to enforce such standards at the detention center, and that failure to comply could result in fines of up to $10,000 per violation.

Senator Murray has championed comprehensive and humane immigration reform throughout her time in Congress, and has consistently pushed for greater oversight of conditions at NWIPC. In 2024 at a Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing, Murray asked then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to commit to an independent investigation of conditions at NWIPC and pressed him on the overuse of solitary confinement at ICE detention facilities—which Senator Murray has consistently spoken out against. While Chair of Appropriations, Senator Murray secured language in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024—which was signed into law in March 2024—to ensure stronger oversight of federal detention facilities and provisions to increase transparency. Senator Murray is also an original cosponsor of the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, which would set humane standards for detention facilities and increase oversight. Murray was outspoken in her opposition to the Laken Riley Act earlier this year, arguing it threatened civil liberties and would divert resources away from detaining true threats to public safety.

The lawmakers’ full letter to ICE is available HERE and below:

Dear Acting Director Lyons:  

We are writing to share our grave concerns with conditions at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) in Tacoma, Washington and to request information about access to medical services, food, and legal counsel for detained noncitizens at the facility. Our offices have received reports from local service providers and advocates that conditions and access to services at NWIPC have deteriorated in the last year as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has chosen to detain more individuals at the facility. In June, detained individuals were reportedly transferred to Alaska—far away from their families and legal representatives—because NWIPC reached capacity.

None of this is remotely acceptable—you and the entire Trump administration have a basic moral and legal obligation to the people who have been detained and are under your care.

You must ensure the facility complies with the 2011 Performance-Based National Detention Standards as revised in 2016 (PBNDS 2011) to keep detained noncitizens safe and healthy while protecting the rights they are entitled to under law. 

It is well established at this point that this administration is not prioritizing detaining violent criminals, but instead is detaining mostly peaceful, law-abiding immigrants with no criminal record who work hard and contribute to our communities. With this in mind, we urge ICE to release noncitizens who do not pose a threat to public safety and to ensure necessary staff levels at NWIPC to protect the safety and basic dignity of the people in its custody. 

Medical Care 

The federal government has a moral and legal obligation to protect the health of individuals in its custody. We have had long-standing concerns about access to medical services in ICE detention facilities. In recent years, several members of the Washington Congressional delegation requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive review of the quality and accessibility of medical services for individuals in ICE custody. At times this year, NWIPC has exceeded 1,500 individuals in custody, nearing the facility’s maximum capacity of 1,575 individuals. We are deeply concerned that the facility does not have sufficient medical staff and dedicated space to adequately provide medical care to the increased number of detained noncitizens.

Additionally, we are incredibly concerned about challenges detainees face in accessing behavioral health care and other specialty care. During an August 2025 site visit, facility staff indicated the facility employed only four behavioral health staffers. There were reports of at least two suicide attempts at NWIPC in April. It is plainly inadequate to have four behavioral health staff serving the 1,500 detainees under the facility’s care, especially given the fact that serious behavioral health issues frequently emerge under the severe stress of detention. We are also alarmed by reports from advocates with access to the facility that at least three detained pregnant women at NWIPC have been unable to receive appropriate medical care, even after they request specialty prenatal care appointments. Regular exams such as ultrasounds are necessary to monitor development and ensure a healthy pregnancy. Advocates also shared that at least one pregnant woman was shackled during transportation, which violates agency policy and raises concerns that medical information, such as whether a woman is pregnant, is not being properly documented by the facility.

Food 

The Seattle Times recently reported on the inadequate provision of meals at NWIPC as the detained population has increased. Advocates who speak with detainees have shared that meals are provided late and, in some cases, detainees did not receive three meals per day. Detainees have made complaints about food and sanitation for many years, and we urge the facility to be responsive to the nutritional needs of individuals in its custody. Legal service providers with access to the facility have also shared that detainees waiting for video teleconferencing (VTC) hearings may miss meals. We urge the facility to ensure that all detained noncitizens, including those awaiting hearings or visits, are provided a minimum of three meals per day, as required by national detention standards (PBNDS 2011). 

Access to Legal Counsel

Access to legal resources for noncitizens in immigration detention supports their ability to understand their rights and navigate immigration court, preventing backlogs in the immigration court system. Detained noncitizens at NWIPC face several concerning barriers to accessing legal counsel. Attorneys have faced significant delays to meet with their clients, making adequate legal counsel more difficult. This has become especially challenging when immigration courts advance noncitizens’ hearings by months without sufficient warning. At times, attorneys have had to wait at the facility for up to 6 hours to see their clients. This August, two of the seven attorney visitation rooms were being used as Virtual Attorney Visitation rooms (VAVs) and two were being used for video teleconferencing (VTC) hearings, leaving only three rooms available for attorneys to meet with their clients in person. We have also heard from advocates with access to the facility that, at times, only one visitation room was available and interviews for facility staff were being conducted in these attorney visitation rooms. 

In the Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress provided $10,000,000 for ICE to improve legal resources for noncitizen detainees, including to expand video attorney visitation. During an August 2025 site visit, NWIPC staff indicated that the facility recently implemented a new scheduling system to reserve attorney visitation rooms. We ask that the facility work with attorneys to resolve any issues that arise with the new system expeditiously so as not to delay access to legal counsel. We urge you to improve access to legal counsel by ensuring attorney visitation rooms remain available for attorneys to meet with their clients. 

Given these concerns, we request answers to the following questions by January 16, 2026: 

1. What is the maximum capacity of NWIPC, as determined by the fire marshal? As of November 1, 2025, how many individuals were detained at the facility?  

1. How many staff were employed by NWIPC on January 20, 2025? Of this cohort, how many were trained and certified medical services providers who routinely provided direct medical services? 

1. As of November 1, 2025, how many staff were employed by NWIPC? Of this cohort, how many were trained and certified medical services providers who routinely provide direct medical services? 

2. As of November 1, 2025, how many pregnant women were detained at NWIPC? How often have these women requested, and how often have they received, prenatal care appointments with a specialist?

3. How many days in the last six months has the facility not provided three meals each day to every noncitizen in its custody?

1. Why did the facility not provide three meals each day to every noncitizen?
2. For each day, for how many noncitizens were three meals not provided?

4. What is the current status of the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) at NWIPC? Are noncitizens able to access LOP daily? What are the hours of availability each day? Outside of hours, are there any other restrictions on daily LOP access, and if so, what are they and why are they in place?

5. How many attorney visitation rooms are currently available for in-person attorney meetings? How many attorney visitation rooms are currently available for virtual attorney meetings? 
6. In the last six months, have the attorney visitation rooms been used for a purpose other than attorney-client meetings (in-person or virtual) or video teleconferencing (VTC) hearings? 

6. When were the most recent facility visits by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General, DHS Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO), the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and ICE oversight personnel (whether the Office of Professional Responsibility or otherwise)? What, if any, recommendations were made after each visit? What progress has been made to implement such recommendations?

7. OIDO issued a report in November 2024 following an inspection of NWIPC. While 11 of the recommendations have been addressed, one remains outstanding. What progress has been made on implementing the remaining recommendation?  

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Please understand that we are paying close attention to the conditions at NWIPC—and your management of this facility.

We urge you to promptly review these concerns and take immediate steps to improve conditions and practices at NWIPC to comply with existing standards and laws and ensure that people in immigration detention are being treated with basic dignity and respect. 

Violations of the law or any abuse of human rights will not go unnoticed or unchallenged.

Sincerely,  

###

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Chump destroys the White House

Will Chump's White House remodel end up the biggest scam of all time?  Lee Moran (Huffington Post) reports:

Donald Trump delivered an update on the cost of building his much-hyped White House ballroom on Wednesday.

The venue, which the president controversially razed the East Wing to make way for, will now cost $400 million, he revealed during his speech at a White House Hanukkah reception.

Previously, Trump had talked about the construction project price being $250 million, and then $300 million.

“We’re donating a $400 million ballroom,” Trump said, adding another $100 million to the cost.

He continued:

“Myself and donors are giving them, free of charge, for nothing, we’re donating a building that’s approximately 400 millions, I think I’ll do it for less, but it’s 400. I should do it for less. I will do it for less. But just in case, I say 400. Otherwise if I go $3 over the press will say, ‘It cost more.’ I build under budget and ahead of schedule … always. I know how to build under budget. I build good.”

“It’ll be the most beautiful ballroom,” Trump added. “And it’ll handle inaugurations. It’s got 5-inch-thick glass windows. It’s impenetrable by anything but a howitzer. It’s impenetrable. But I will say, if I’m up making a speech one day and I hear, ‘Ding, ding, ding,’ I’m out of there.”

Some comments on the article:

DEFEATTHEGREED1

36 minutes ago

I've been in the building industry for 56 years; I started doing stock work at 15yrs old. I eventually went to sales and purchasing then worked in the field in residential and commercial construction. A bad knee and shoulder drove me back to sales.

Let me tell you this NO ONE makes a 25% error on the cost of the job unless they are completely incompetent.

DEFEATTHEGREED1

35 minutes ago

And the buffoon said:

“Myself and donors are giving them, free of charge, for nothing, we’re donating a building that’s approximately 400 millions, I think I’ll do it for less, but it’s 400. I should do it for less. I will do it for less. But just in case, I say 400. Otherwise if I go $3 over the press will say, ‘It cost more.’ I build under budget and ahead of schedule … always. I know how to build under budget. I build good.”

Spoken like a 10 yr old. Incompetent.

sue stigura

4 hours ago

The orange toddler never donates to any project or charity effort. He is a total grifter and a miser with his own money but literally spends the taxpayer money to the tune of 30 million plus on his golf trips and sporting event adventures.

Arnold Blumbergs

3 hours ago

Now the GD ballroom will be twice the size of the WH.  Started out to hold 500, then 750, then 1,000 now probably 3,000.  He has a preoccupation with size.

This is C.I.'s "The Snapshot:"

Wednesday, December 17, 2025.   Crazy Eyes Susie Wiles is all over the media as Chump continues to destroy the economy and continues his war on immigrants. 

We noted the Susie Wiles VANITY FAIR interview in yesterday's snapshot -- we also posted multiple videos on the topic throughout the day and this morning. 

 

There are a lot of e-mails about that and I'm going to make a few points and that may be it for that interview.  This is nothing new for me and when I make these comments people often get mad.  You have been warned.

Wiles remarks are news. 

They deserve to be covered.

The White House response is also news and deserves to be covered. 

There are no 'good guys' versus 'bad guys' here.

Chump is not a bad person!!!!  Of course he is, but that's all we've got here:  Bad guys.

The writer's not a good guy.

He did his job and it was news that he provided.  But he wasn't a good guy.

ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN and the more recent follow up with Meryl Streep (remember when she was telling us today's WASHINGTON POST was so wonderful?) are not films on journalism.  Their glorification myths.  The most honest film or TV movie on journalism starred Valerie Bertinelli, 1986's ROCKABYE.  Valerie's child goes missing.  A journalist makes a thousand promises.  In the end, the journalist is just focused on the job.

Susie Wiles is an idiot and that's what's revealed by this matter.

I do not get 'seduced' in interviews.  I know the profession and I know that they will suck up to you and lie.  That's fine.  I know that their story is the most important to them and that it's why they get paid.  I know that entertainment coverage has impacted non-entertainment coverage in a very bad manner but that even without its influence, journalism would still be what it is today.

There are reporters who do outstanding work.  They are few and far between.  There are journalist who don't do outstanding work but do needed work.  They will leave out things intentionally because they know what the heads of their outlet want and don't want.  Then their are the bad reports who just don't know what to do and will never know.  Then you've got the reporter who is going to flash it up and get attention -- whether the produced work is worthy or not -- because it's al about the reporter's vanity.  

Wiles is an idiot.  She got seduced -- kind words and sucking up convinced her this was like a conversation with a friend.  It's not.  She let her guard down and talked and talked.  11 interviews.  And she said what was reported.  She's whining context.  11 interviews?   Did you think this was going to be a transcript piece?  Everything you said was never going to be printed.  The most attention getting remarks would make it into the article.  You provided good copy.  That's all you did and you're an idiot for not realizing that before you agreed to it.

Yeah, the reporter tricked her!!!

I can applaud that because she's a bad person working for a bad person.

I'm not going to turn that into, "He's not an asshole."

Because he is.  Chris Whipple is an asshole Here is on THE DAILY BEAST podcast.

 

Approximately 11 minutes in, this exchange takes place. 

Joanna Coles : And yet she found the time to sit with you or talk to you for 11 interviews.  What's that about?

Chris Whipple: I don't know.  I-I can't  read her mind. I cannot [. . .]

About 23 minutes and fifty seconds in, this exchange took place.

Joanna Coles: But I didn't really understand what she meant by that.  What do you think she meant by that?

Chris Whipple: Well, listen, I can't read her mind, but look --

Joanna Coles: You keep saying that but you interviewed her 11 times.  You must have an idea.

Chris Whipple: Uhm, no, I said I couldn't read Trump's mind.  I don't think I said that [about Wiles] before that.

Um, yes.  You did say it.

And that was so stupid.

First off, the piece is under attack and you give an interview where you say something on camera and then about ten minutes later you say you didn't say that.

Do you have dementia?

Can we trust anything you say or that you've written?

His ego betrayed him.  And the arrogance with which he tells Joanna that she's wrong.  And she wasn't wrong.  He looks like an idiot.  

And note what I did above.  I quoted what I wanted, what I thought was pertinent.  That's what Chris did.  Wiles said what she said.  Context?  There's no missing context.  This is what she said in the interviews to a professional journalist and the journalist determined what to quote by what was newsworthy.

We'll note the VF interview from time to time (in fact, later in the snapshot today) but we're not obsessing over it. Next topic.

 

It's a Chump economy, sadly.  A Chump economy and it's just getting worse.  CNBC notes, "November unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, highest level since September 2021."  For those keeping track, Monday found Goldman Sachs predicting what the unemployment rate would be when announced.  They were 1% off -- they predicted 4.5%.  Unemployment at 4.6% and job cuts are increasing.  Chris Clark (MONEYWISE) notes the hardest hit: "The industries leading with job cuts were technology, retail and services."

Sam Sutton and Victoria Guida (POLITICO) add, "For now, Trump administration officials say they’re optimistic that the labor market will turn around next year once the effects of the president’s business-friendly tax and regulatory policies kick in. The capital investments that have helped push the U.S.’s gross domestic product above 3 percent — a level that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously identified as vital to the country’s fiscal outlook — are also expected to push up payroll growth over the next year."

 

Marty Schladen (OHIO CAPITAL JOURNAL) reports:

Combined with other factors, President Donald Trump’s big tariffs on Chinese goods are costing Ohio farmers and their counterparts in other states heavily, according to a new report.

The report shows Ohio farmers lost nearly $76 million of their exports to China this year compared to one year earlier.

 

Tariffs are taxes on imports, and since the start of his second term, Trump has imposed a shifting array of them on every country in the world — except Russia for some reason, according to the Atlantic Council’s Tariff Tracker.

Economists have said the unpredictability of the measures has slowed some business investment because decision-makers can’t plan. And surveys conducted by the Federal Bank of Cleveland show that regional businesses are seeing higher input costs from them and many are raising prices for their customers.

That’s not helpful as Republicans struggle to deal with a national affordability crisis.

Farmers have faced a double whammy. They’ve seen many of their costs go up because of the import taxes.

Meanwhile, China — the country’s third-largest trading partner — stopped purchases of American soybeans in May before resuming them last month. The stoppage was in retaliation for the tariffs Trump imposed that now are at 20%, according to the tariff tracker.

He screwed up the economy.  Chump did it. ABC NEWS adds that energy prices have surged 13% from this time last year.  Thanks, Chump. Janna Brancolini (THE DAILY BEAST) has more bad news:

Higher prices are forcing Americans to cut back on holiday presents this year, a new poll has found.

A total of 41 percent of Americans plan to spend less on presents this year, CNBC reported.

That’s a six-point jump compared to 2024 and the most significant increase since the 2022 inflation surge, according to the new CNBC All-America Economic Survey,

Of those who reported they would be spending less, 46 percent said the reason was the “high cost of goods,” a 10-percent increase from last year’s survey.

The survey results come as almost half of Americans say the cost-of-living crisis is the worst they’ve ever seen, with voters increasingly blaming President Donald Trump’s policies.

 

Which would explain Chao Deng (WALL STREET JOURNAL) noting, "Also on Tuesday, the government reported that U.S. retail sales were decelerating."  Jeffry Bartash (MARKET WATCH) notes: 

Manufacturers may also have to cut production if sales don’t pick up soon, S&P said.

Tariffs were blamed once again. S&P said businesses raised prices at one of the fastest rates in the past three years to cover their own higher costs. And no part of the economy was spared.

“Higher prices are again being widely blamed on tariffs, with an initial impact on manufacturing now increasingly spilling over to services to broaden the affordability problem,” Williamson said.

Big picture: It doesn’t seem like the economy will enter 2026 with a strong dose of momentum. Companies hope the trade disputes will settle down, but tariffs hang over the economy like the Sword of Damocles.

 This morning on MEIDASTOUCH NEWS, Ben notes the awful economy and he also notes 'peace' poser Chump is at war right now.  Illegal war.  War Crimes  And that it's about oil (whcih 

Doesn't he have enough wars already?  You have people in the US afraid to go out of their homes because of his war on immigrants, for example.  Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Colleen DeGuzman (TEXAS TRIBUNE) report:

Sara had been preparing for a radio interview earlier this month to promote her plans to open an at-home child care center in Central Texas when she learned that a new federal immigration order rendered her ineligible for legal status.

Sara, an undocumented Venezuelan who applied for asylum earlier this year, canceled the interview and indefinitely put her plans on hold.

Now, Sara, her husband and two sons follow strict rules: curtains must stay shut and doors locked at all times. If someone knocks on the door, they won’t answer. They don’t get together with friends unless it’s an emergency. For trips to the grocery store, they go individually, in shifts.

In an instant, the work — and hope — that the family had invested toward economic stability and living lawfully in the U.S. for nearly a decade disappeared.

“We don’t understand this administration’s reasons for leaving us in limbo like this,” said Sara, who asked to be identified by her first name because she fears being targeted by immigration authorities. “I came to contribute to this country. Why take those possibilities away and force us to leave and put us through this trauma? It deprives you of sleep, takes away your peace, it takes away everything, your dignity as a person.”

Let's note this from Ava and my "Media: Why America's turned on Chump's war on immigrants" back in July:

FADE IN

INT SQUAD CAR - DAY

Tension and energy fill the squad car as OFFICER NOLAN looks at DETECTIVE LOPEZ.  

NOLAN: Ready?

Lopez nods.  The two pull dark masks over their faces and throw open the doors of their squad car

EXT. TREE LINED STREET -- DAY

Nolan and Lopez run towards a 2024 blue Ford Crown Victoria.

INT. CROWN VICTORIA - DAY

MASON, 25, sits in parked car listening to music and finishing some french fries when a big thud is hear.

EXT. TREE LINED STREET - DAY

NOLAN: Roll down the window!!!

Nolan and Lopez stand beside the parked car yelling.

NOLAN:  Roll down the window!

Lopez looks at Nolan.  He nods.  He breaks the window with his gun, reaches inside and grabs Mason by the t-shirt collar.  Lopez reaches in and grabs Mason by the neck, joining Nolan in pulling a scared Mason out of the car.

MASON: What's going on!  What did I do?  

DETECTIVE HARPER runs over towards them as Nolan and Lopez hurl Mason to the ground.

LOPEZ:  Down!  Stay down!

MASON: Who are you?

NOLAN: Shut up!

Lopez begins tazing Mason while Nolan and Harper kick him.

Would you accept that scene on THE ROOKIE?

[. . .]

THE ROOKIE scenario above?  

 

George Retes.  That's the name of the man this actually happened to.  In California.  And he's not an immigrant.  He's a US citizen and, in fact, an Iraq War veteran.  And when ICE began attacking him, they didn't listen and they didn't care.  Olga R. Rodriguez (AP) notes 

"It took two officers to nail my back and then one on my neck to arrest me even though my hands were already behind my back," Retes said.

[. . .]

Retes was taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where he said he was put in a special cell on suicide watch and checked on each day after he became emotionally distraught over his ordeal and missing his 3-year-old daughter's birthday party Saturday.

He said federal agents never told him why he was arrested or allowed him to contact a lawyer or his family during his three-day detention. Authorities never let him shower or change clothes despite being covered in tear gas and pepper spray, Retes said, adding that his hands burned throughout the first night he spent in custody.

On Sunday, an officer had him sign a paper and walked him out of the detention center. He said he was told he faced no charges.

"They gave me nothing I could wrap my head around," Retes said, explaining that he was met with silence on his way out when he asked about being "locked up for three days with no reason and no charges."

 

 
George was on CBS EVENING NEWS yesterday talking about what he endured.

 

 

 

 Again, this was done to an American citizen.  No one should have that done to them.  This is not what we expect in the United States when it comes to someone being taken into custody.

 

You do not have the right to beat someone whose hands are behind their back.  You do not not need to be breaking windows.  You do not need to be terrorizing and you do not need to be hidden behind masks.

 

It is a very slippery slope.  You accept it from ICE, you better believe it's going to transfer over to the police.

  In an October column for THE WASHINGTON POST, conservative George Will wrote about Retes:

 

One Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent’s knee was on his neck, another’s was grinding his back. Drenched with tear gas and pepper spray, George Retes might have wished that his 137 pounds were back in Kirkuk, Iraq, one of his Army deployments. Herewith a glimpse of your tax dollars at work.

Born 26 years ago in Ventura, California, where his mother was born, he enlisted after high school and calls the Army “the best job ever,” adding, “I love the infantry.” He married a woman he deployed with, thereby acquiring a stepson, soon a daughter, and a reason to leave the Army: to avoid long absences from his children.

 [. . .]

The ICE men were presumably looking for undocumented immigrants. Retes’s driver’s license, which he says the ICE men never asked to see, identifies him as “Veteran Army.” His license plate includes “DV”: disabled veteran. While ICE’s warriors were trying and ultimately succeeding in smashing his driver’s-side window (the better to pepper spray him), they apparently did not notice his rear window’s “Iraq Combat Veteran” sticker.

Amid a torrent of shouted and contradictory ICE men commands, and after he asked for an agent’s badge number, he says, Retes was dragged from his car, his wrists were zip-tied behind his back, and he was seated on the roadside ground for four hours.

At THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE, George Retes writes:

My name is George Retes. I'm 26 years old, born and raised in Ventura, California. I'm a U.S. citizen and an Iraq combat veteran. As of writing this, it has been a little over 5 months since I was wrongfully detained, stripped of my rights, and held down by officers kneeling on my neck and back. I was thrown in jail for three days and three nights and placed on suicide watch - without any explanation, charges, or apology.

pick up below 

Nearly two months later, I wrote an op-ed for the San Francisco Chronicle detailing my ordeal and what had happened to me. My message was simple: if this can happen to me - a U.S. citizen and Iraq combat veteran - it can happen to anyone. I urged people to take responsibility, to stand together, and to make sure our rights aren't stripped away right in front of us.

In response to my op-ed, the Department of Homeland Security posted the following statement on X (formerly Twitter):

"As CBP and ICE agents were executing criminal search warrants on July 10 at the marijuana sites in Camarillo, CA, George Retes - a U.S. citizen - became violent and refused to comply with law enforcement. He challenged agents and blocked their route by refusing to move his vehicle out of the road. CBP arrested Retes for assault.

U.S. citizens are NOT ‘wrongfully' being arrested by ICE. DHS enforcement operations are highly targeted and are not resulting in the arrest of U.S. citizens. We do our due diligence.

We know who we are targeting ahead of time.

These types of smears are designed to demonize and villainize our brave ICE law enforcement. This kind of garbage has led to a more than 1,000% increase in assaults on enforcement officers."

It's statements like this - painting everyday people as if they're the problem - that truly demonize and villainize ICE. When agents mask up and run through towns violating people's rights, they create this image themselves.

On Dec. 9th, 2025, I had the honor of testifying at a shadow hearing led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat. I spoke not just for myself, but for every person who believes that our constitutional rights should never be optional. What happened to me should never happen to anyone, and the fact that it did shows that our system is failing the very people it's meant to protect.

We're back to Susie Wiles.  Idiots fall for flatter.  We see that every day with Chump.  But it's equally true of Susie Wiles.  Every word VANITY FAIR published as a quote came out of her mouth yet she wants to pretend otherwise or insist that she was taken out of context.  She said what she said about Musk (drug addict), Donald Chump, etc.  Greta Bjornson (PEOPLE) notes:

Susie Wiles spoke to Vanity Fair for a two-part series about Trump's first year back in the White House, during which she addressed the long-awaited Epstein files, which have plagued Trump, 79, during his second term.

The Trump administration resisted releasing all files related to the investigation of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein for months before Congress passed an act in November demanding that they publicly share as many files as possible.

Wiles, 68, reportedly said to Vanity Fair that Trump is in "the Epstein file."

"We know he’s in the file. And he’s not in the file doing anything awful,” she said, noting that the president “was on [Epstein’s] plane ... he’s on the manifest."

She then added, "They were, you know, sort of young, single, whatever — I know it’s a passé word but sort of young, single playboys together.”

Crazy Eyes?  That's probably the most important statements she made to VANITY FAIR. 

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