Trump cuts off Epstein question, ready to take over US cities

The David Pakman Show - July 9, 2025

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Donald Trump’s latest actions reflect a deepening authoritarian impulse, with his administration now launching criminal investigations into former CIA Director John Brennan and FBI Director James Comey. While framed as justice for the 2016 Russia probe, these cases are an attempt at political revenge. The move echoes Trump's first-term tactics and comes despite clear legal obstacles, like expired statutes of limitations. The goal isn’t legal victory—it’s intimidation.

Karoline Leavitt’s celebratory reaction on Fox News reveals the administration's broader strategy: criminalize dissent and cheerlead the erosion of democratic norms. Meanwhile, Trump’s team continues to hide key facts about the economy, his health, and his actions in office. These moves signal a governing philosophy rooted in secrecy and personal power, not transparency or accountability.

At a recent cabinet meeting, Trump floated ideas like federal takeovers of New York and Washington, D.C., claiming he could "run them better." These weren’t just offhand remarks—he’s already sent armed federal agents into cities without local approval. The implication is clear: Trump sees elected local officials as obstacles to be sidelined in favor of centralized, Trumpist control.

During that same meeting, Trump’s cognitive issues were on full display. He rambled incoherently, contradicted his own policies, and seemed lost on basic facts about Ukraine and federal programs. Had Joe Biden done the same, the media would be in full panic mode. But with Trump, silence prevails—reinforcing the illusion of competence that masks chaos.

Trump’s refusal to release the Epstein files—once a MAGA obsession—has triggered outrage from his own base. Prominent right-wing voices like Megyn Kelly, Patrick Bet-David, Tim Pool, and even Alex Jones are accusing him of a cover-up. Their disillusionment exposes a key contradiction: Trump now acts like the very establishment he once claimed to fight.

Finally, voting rights attorney Marc Elias makes the case that while the courts have been a crucial line of defense against attacks on democracy, they cannot do it alone. He explains that sustained protection requires active civic engagement, strong local participation, and political victories—particularly in Congress. Without these broader efforts, Elias warns, the risks of authoritarianism and electoral manipulation could grow, threatening the integrity of future elections and the democratic process itself.

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On today’s bonus show:

Investor purchases are driving up housing prices, pricing many traditional buyers out of the market. Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok caused controversy by posting anti-Semitic and pro-Hitler comments, highlighting the challenges of AI content moderation and influence. Finally, the U.S. birth rate is declining due to numerous economic and social factors.

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