MAGA Might Have Some Trust Issues

What's Happening

Politics

MAGA Might Have Some Trust Issues

What's going on: Of all President Donald Trump’s policies so far, few have generated more controversy among his base than his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. After the Justice Department announced last week that there’s no client list and no more information would be released, MAGA supporters have been furious. From far-right influencers (including some of the very podcast bros who helped elect Trump) to Republican lawmakers, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump’s base wants more answers in the form of Epstein-related files. As for the president’s response? In a Wednesday post on Truth Social, he referred to some of his supporters as “weaklings” obsessed with the Democrats’ “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax” — remarks that only sparked more backlash, including from Elon Musk.

What it means: Trump is facing what appears to be his ultimate litmus test. His stance on the Epstein scandal, which he now calls “boring,” is a far cry from when he promised transparency. While some far-right supporters look to the Epstein files as a way to uncover the “deep state,” other Republican lawmakers say this could be a matter of bringing more people to justice for heinous sex trafficking crimes. Democrats have also seized on the moment, trolling the GOP in an uncharacteristically aggressive fashion. One thing is clear: It seems like Trump’s attempts at saying “case closed” are only fueling more questions.

Related: Maurene Comey, Epstein Prosecutor (And James Comey’s Daughter), Fired (Politico)

US News

The Supreme Court Is (Silently) Judging

What's going on: Over the past few months, the Supreme Court has issued 15 rulings on emergency requests from the Trump administration. Legal experts say the pace is certainly unusual (hi there, “shadow docket”), and the high court offered little to no explanation for seven of those decisions. The most recent example: Earlier this week, the Court gave President Trump the go-ahead to start dismantling parts of the Education Department. The majority’s opinion was slightly longer than an Instagram caption, with just four sentences focused solely on legal procedure. Similarly terse rulings cleared the way for the administration to prohibit transgender troops and pushed through mass federal layoffs. 

What it means: With the Trump administration setting a record for emergency appeals, legal scholars are asking: Should the Supreme Court be explaining itself? When it does, judges and lawyers are tied to the precedents set. But at the same time, not giving an explanation can confuse the lower courts. As one legal expert told The New York Times, in a “highly polarized climate where the court is often accused of acting politically, the justices should feel a heightened obligation to explain their decision to the public.” The majority opinion might be brief, but the consequences aren’t.

Related: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Got Into It With DOGE (Daily Beast)

Technology

The New TikTok Deepfake Hustle 

What's going on: You might want to pay closer attention to the videos you’re coming across on social media. While it’s no secret that misinformation and deepfakes are rampant online, it might’ve just gotten even harder to spot what’s real from what’s fake. According to an NPR exclusive, researchers found new alarming deepfake technology that can now copy real creators’ speech — stumbles, filler words, natural pauses, and all. Same script, but totally new personas, faces, different accents, no credit. And even though the posts should have been tagged as AI, the creators initially dodged moderation — as if they trained for it.

What it means: Experts say we’ve entered a new phase of misinformation. AI-generated content now mimics real voices and scripts so convincingly that people scroll past without realizing they’re hearing someone else’s stolen words. And when bad actors get involved, it can be dangerous. Researchers say this could be a low-stakes test for more coordinated deception — the kind of strategy used in state-run disinformation campaigns. The UN has called for stronger tools to fight deepfakes, but platforms are already overwhelmed, and everyday users are the new front line.

Related: Is Your Partner Using AI on You? There Are Some Tells (PS)

Settle This

Psychologists say tapping into this underrated emotion daily will help you feel happier. Which is it?

Extra Credit

Stream

Your favorite love triangle is officially back. Yesterday, The Summer I Turned Pretty — based on Jenny Han's bestselling YA novels — returned to Prime Video for its third and final season. Picking up nearly four years after the season 2 finale, Belly (Lola Tung) is now wrapping up her junior year of college and returning to the fictional town of Cousins Beach with her childhood friend turned long-distance boyfriend, Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), in tow. The catch? Everyone, including Jeremiah, knows she’s still not over his older brother, Conrad (Christopher Briney). Expect another Taylor Swift soundtrack, even more emotional whiplash, and, fingers crossed, a final decision from Belly.

Game Time

Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.