Ryan Walters' Test and the PragerU Factor

 Meanwhile, back in Oklahoma the Superintendent of Public Schools, Ryan Walters says his, "America First," test for prospective teachers arriving from California and New York will be released to the public, "soon." The test has been prepared presumably by Walters and his staff in partnership with an outfit called PragerU. The test is 50 questions long and has been described by some as a MAGA loyalty test. Walters doesn't go that far, at least not publicly, but does say it is designed to make sure Oklahoma schools aren't infiltrated by a bunch of radical left subversives hell bent on destroying America by teaching kids to hate the nation and, if they're white, themselves.  According to Walters if teachers from either state want to work here they have to get all 50 answers correct. He is a little fuzzy on who will do the grading, but one can probably assume there won't be any democrats involved in the process. Maybe the PragerU people will handle it. After all, Walters is quite proud of the collaboration, he brags about it every time he mentions the test. 

Which, of course, begs the question those of us unfamiliar with all this anti woke rigamarole should ask. What the fuck is PragerU?

Well, among other things, despite its somewhat misleading name, it isn't a university at all. It doesn't offer any online classes per se, it doesn't award any degrees, and it certainly doesn't have a campus. It was founded in 2009 by former right wing radio host Dennis Prager and radio producer and script writer, Allen Estin. Neither of them have any background in education, but both are well versed in over the edge right wing politics. 

PragerU is listed as a non-profit and is financed almost exclusively through private donations.  Wikipedia reports the biggest donor is the Linde and Harry Bradley Foundation, and prior to his death, Sheldon Adelson, who used to privately grill GOP presidential candidates to see if they were worthy of his huge contributions. Billionaire brothers Dan and Ferris Wilks--who made their cash manufacturing hydraulic fracturing equipment--are also major contributors and both of them sit on the board of directors. 

 TheU's chief products are child friendly cartoon videos showcasing the far right's version of history, politics, culture, and the climate. Wikipedia explains the videos contain, "misleading and factually inaccurate information," while promoting creationism and climate change denial. The videos are also accused of glossing over the history of the European colonization of the Americas, slavery and racism both current and during the past in the United States. As you can probably guess some of the videos are virulently anti LGBTQ in nature. (Which explains the questions regarding gender identification on Falterers' test.) As of 2023 Prager's You Tube channel contained 2,200 videos which cost anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 each to make. 

Obviously, there is a lot of money being shoveled into PragerU by some really, really rich people. People who think the United States is a great place, but only so long as they're running it. 

Many of the toons are narrated by various right-wing luminaries such as, Tucker Carlson, Nigel Farage--even though he is a Brit--Michelle Malkin, Ben Shapiro, and Candace Owens among others. One of the videos featuring Owens was so incendiary and false--at one point she claimed trans people are schizophrenics--Face Book labeled it, "hate speech," and removed it from the site. You Tube found the climate denial videos so misleading and outright wrong they started adding fact checking messages to them. In all You Tube restricted the viewing of 21 PragerU productions. The U sued the site claiming censorship, but two courts threw the litigation out. 

No wonder Ryan Walters likes them so much. They're his kind of people.

For those wondering, the top 10 public education systems in the United States are, 1. Massachusetts, 2. New York, 3. New Jersey, 4. Washington, 5. Pennsylvania, 6. Vermont, 7. Minnesota, 8. Connecticut, 9. Virginia, 10. Wisconsin.  

Notice anything there. How about every one of those states are either blue, or purple. There isn't one ruby red republican stronghold listed among the bunch. The same ranking shows California at 37th, which is still 13 spots ahead of Oklahoma. 

That's right, under Ryan Walters' stewardship the Oklahoma public education system has sunk to 50th in the survey. Maybe that's because, unlike those other states, Walters and PragerU are far more concerned with the politics of teachers rather than their actual qualifications. 

Hey, it has to be something, right?

8-21-25

Shopping for King Crab in Anchorage and Not Much Else

 Is it piling on to remind everyone that last fall Donald Trump promised us all he would end the war in Ukraine in a single day and now, just shy of seven months into his term, there is still no end in sight? After all, to be fair, Trump said he could end it in a day, but he never said which day. It is a detail so stunningly simple it is surprising the man hasn't brought it up himself. I mean it does sound like the sort of cheap-jack excuse either he, or one of his staff of toadies would come up with. 

A couple of days ago the American President met with Russian strongman, Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, AK to hash out the details of a Ukrainian peace plan. Just to make sure there weren't any impediments to a potential, "peace in our time," deal the Ukrainians weren't invited. (Hey, ever since the Russians invaded, they've been an unreasonably hysterical bunch, especially their President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.)  

The meeting was originally scheduled to be a one on one between the two leaders. At the last minute, literally, it was announced Secretary of State Marco Rubio, real estate dealer, turned special enjoy, Steve Witkoff, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent would sit in. Some of Putin's people would also be present. The change went unexplained, although in the week leading up to the summit there had been a great deal of trepidation on the American side that Mr. Trump would emerge from a one on one with Putin wearing nothing but his boxer shorts. 

Thankfully a public depantsing didn't occur. In fact, on the surface at least, nothing happened. No agreements were reached, no ceasefire was declared (To prove it, the Russians launched a few missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian civilian targets while both men were enroute to Anchorage.) and no land swaps were proposed. In truth, the whole thing was a waste of time and money. Apparently, nothing was said that couldn't have been said over the phone. Who knows though? Maybe some good came out of the trip. During the negotiations perhaps a few low-level aides from both sides made runs to a local market to score some Alaskan king Crab for the rides home. 

Obviously, last Friday wasn't The Day Donald Trump decided to end the war. It became just the latest in an ever growing number of days he hasn't.

Others, however, have pointed out one man did accomplish something. His name was Vladimir Putin. Despite the not surprising lack of progress, the Russian imperialist kleptocrat landed at an American military base. Then he was greeted on a red carpet by the supposed, "leader of the free world," with a hearty handshake, and was able to tool around in Trump's armored limo, smiling and waving to onlookers. In many other countries he would have been immediately arrested and dumped in the local clink to await trial for crimes against humanity. One can only imagine how that tape will play on Russian TV, not to mention in NATO capitals from Ottawa to Warsaw. 

In addition, he was able to return home, knowing both his public and military understand he faced down the American President without making a single concession. He, Vladimir Putin, exuded strength while Donald Trump, the President of the United States was left mumbling, "There isn't a deal until there is a deal." On Saturday, during The Daily Beast podcast Trump biographer, Michael Wolff put it this way, "This is, you know, really, really a loss for Trump and potentially a loss for Ukraine." He summed up the meeting this way, "Trump got fucked."

Both Putin and Trump made brief statements after the summit, neither saying much. The President did give an interview later in the day to FOX News guy, Sean Hannity--probably the only, "journalist," he could trust not to ask him something along the lines of, What the hell were you thinking, you stupid son of a bitch? During the chat, Trump said, in part, "Now it is really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done." 

In other words, That's right, Mr. Roosevelt, the Japanese just sunk the American Pacific Fleet at Pear Harbor and invaded the Philippines, but don't dwell on your losses. Get over it. Call the Emperor and make peace. If you do they promise not to occupy Venice Beach.

Now that's the Donald Trump we know and loathe so much. It's also the Donald Trump, Vlad Putin has counted on time and time again. 

8-17-25

The Great Escape From Texas

 A few weeks ago, on July 21st, KWTX a television outlet in Waco, TX reported the special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abott was beginning over in Austin. The online report noted the session's agenda included items not taken care off during the regular session. They included things like cannabis regulations and a student testing program. The most important item however concerned the flooding recently experienced in central Texas which killed over a hundred people, many of them children. Included were improvements to flood warning systems and emergency communications. Funding for relief aid to the victims of the July flooding was also on the table. The outlet said that state legislators wore green that first day in remembrance of those lost during the disaster.

Notice anything missing from the menu of that soon to be contentious get together? How about redrawing the entire state's congressional district map in a way that will deal the republican party a sure-fire hand to win an additional five seats in the 2026 elections.

Yes, it seems at some point either immediately before, or just after the special session began, Donald Trump made a phone call to Governor Abott and others. He had come up with a bright idea to help preserve republican control of the House next year. (Actually, it was probably someone else who came up with the idea, Trump himself is incapable of bright ideas.)

 In other words, fuck all that disaster preparedness and humanitarian shit. The Mango Mussolini had told them to jump on his behalf and the only question asked by Texas republicans was, "How high, boss?"

Currently republicans hold a seven seat majority in the house. It could be down to five by the year's end. .There are two vacant seats which were held by democrats who are now deceased. The vacancies will be filled by special elections later this year. Given what normally happens in mid-term congressional elections--the political party holding the White House usually loses seats even when things are going well--Trump can't count on the electorate. He has to pull the puppet strings in order to gerrymander the living daylights out of a place like Texas, which has 13 democratic members of congress out of a total of 38.

Now, instead of flood relief, Greg Abott and the rest of Trump's merry pranksters in Texas are screeching about the 50, or so democratic legislators who have fled the state in order to stop Trump's power grab by denying the legislature a quorum. In fact, to put it as mildly as possible, Abott and his pals have gone ape shit crazy over the walk out.

Democratic legislators are being fined $500 for every day they are gone. (Most took it on the lam to Illinois, while others are hunkered down in New York and Massachusetts.) Abott has threatened them with arrest, going so far as claim he has State Troopers out hunting them down. He is also threatening to remove them from the legislature, although to do so he needs the State Supreme Court's help. In addition, Texas, U.S. Senator John Cornyn called up the Director of the FBI, Kash Patel and asked him to use his agents to track the missing democrats down. One report says Patel agreed even though there is no evidence of any federal crime being committed. Of course, in this administration things like the law are considered nothing more than mere inconveniences. Patel probably just asked himself, "What would Donald do?" Or, more likely, "What does Donald want me to do?" 

In the end this is a battle Trump will win. Texas law says special legislative sessions can last only 30 days. Democrats promised to return to the state when the 30 days are up. However, Texas law doesn't limit the number of special sessions the Governor can call. Abott has already promised to simply call another one as soon as everybody is back in town. And he'll keep doing it until the Big Man gets his way. 

In Texas anyway.

In other states the lunacy might go a little differently. California Governor, Gavin Newsom says if Trump is successful pulling off this cold-blooded manipulation he and his state will respond, by making sure they add the same number of democratic seats republicans stole in Texas. There have been rumblings in Illinois and New York of doing the same thing. In short, the nation is on the brink of a gerrymandering war. 

Well why not? After all, it's just the voters everyone is taking about. It isn't like they're screwing with the victims of natural disasters. 

You know, like the ones in Texas.

8-10-25

God Emailed Gene Bicknell and Told Him to Pay a Lot for His Sins

 Gene Bicknell is by all accounts a deeply religious man--a genuine born again, fundamentalist Christian. He is, or at least was, a really rich guy. Unlike many these days he actually did start on the economic ground floor and then worked his way up. Gene Bicknell was born in Picher, Oklahoma, but his family moved to southeast Kansas--a short trip from Picher--when he was young. According to his bio he worked his way through what is now, Pittsburg State University in his adopted hometown.  Depending on the source he either sold insurance locally or was a s sales rep for a couple of national concerns. What everyone can agree on is in 1962 Bicknell opened his first Pizza Hut franchise in Pittsburg. 

It was the first of many. By 2006 he was the largest franchisee in the chain owning close to 800 stores spread across 26 states. In the same year he sold them all to Merrill Lynch and Associates for what has been reported to be $615 million. 

Brother Bicknell had other interests besides tossing pizza dough. He wrote TV screen plays, did some part time local radio and TV sportscasting, and even scored a few acting gigs. (In 1979 he played a rival gang member in Walter Hill's, "The Warriors.") He also became involved in politics. He ran for Governor of Kansas twice, although both times he lost in republican primaries. In addition, he owned a plastic container manufacturing firm and an entertainment venue in Branson, MO known as the Mansion Theater. The company that was created to run the theater was called, Mansion Entertainment Group. Mr. Bicknell hired Larry K. Wilhite, a flockless pastor, to lead the group.

Then things began to go sideways.

Sometime during, or before 2022 Wilhite hooked up with Richard, call me Rick, Silanskas and Stephen Hedrick.  Silanskas had been involved in three failed amusement/entertainment proposals in the past. Two were in the Ft. Worth, TX area and one in Muscle Shoals, AL. Hedrick, was a former design executive for Disney who one supposes was slated to be the head, "Imagineer." When things got rolling, however, he ended up being the group's front man.    

In 2022 the three of them began to hit up Gene Bicknell for money--lots and lots of money--to finance a sure fire success. It would be called American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, a $2 plus billion adventure in capitalism at its most daring. They told the aging Bicknell, who at the time was 90 or so, and anyone else who would listen the planned venue would be a world class destination rivaling anything the Disney people had built. They also insisted, at least to Gene Bicknell, the project was not just divinely inspired but had been enthusiastically endorsed by the Lord God Almighty. Bicknell, who despite his riches didn't have anywhere near $2 billion, took the bait.

By 2023 Hedrick, accompanied by Vinita's Mayor and other dignitaries announced to the world the construction of American Heartland would begin soon, and the park would be open for business in 2026. As proof they pointed to a chunk of land which had been purchased that was now fenced in and accessed by a recently built gravel road, presumably for construction vehicles. 

Over the next year Hedrick, Wilhite, and Silankas kept running to Bicknell for money. When he seemed reluctant, they went to places not even Nigerian internet grifters would dare go. Bicknell began receiving emails and texts from someone who claimed to be, "Sister Catherine." She told him in no uncertain terms God in heaven had decreed the park should be finished. Bicknell also got messages from a, "medium," saying in her visions the Lord had advised her the same thing. 

You know where this is going, don't you. Finally, God, the Creator of Heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen, began directly messaging Gene Bicknell via electronic devices. One such message is reported to have said, "This mission will not tolerate anything but ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE and ABSOLUTE CLIFF-DIVING FAITH FROM THE HIGHEST MOUNT ABOVE THE SEA. NOW LISTEN. I AM INSTRUCTING YOU TO EMPTY THE WAREHOUSES AND ACCELERATE THIS MISSION WITHOUT DELAY. TRUST THEM COMPLETELY AND AVOID INSERTING DISTRACTIONS OR DOUBTFUL QUESTIONS."

That's some pretty heavy Old Testament shit for a 90 year old guy who is trying to repent for his sins. Sins like acting in an 80's slasher flick which featured a college aged girl getting her head cut off while she is--yes--giving head.  (Hey, we all have a past.) 

Needless to say, the whole scam is falling apart now. As of this year the park remains an empty plot of land. The only construction that has ever taken place is that fence and the gravel road. Bicknell, probably thanks to his family, recently filed suit in federal court seeking $60 million from his three, "partners." (At one point God had instructed him to give Hedrick, Wilhite, and Silankas complete control of the park if it ever did get built.) The suit includes allegations that while Wilhite and Silankas were forging the name of the Lord on divine messages, at the same time they were forging Bicknell's signature on checks and other paperwork.  

It's doubtful Gene Bicknell will ever see a dime of that money. If those tens of millions he kicked in haven't been spent already--large portions of it paid the salaries of the three guys who supposedly were running the project--it is probably sitting in some offshore bank. Besides,a lawsuit like this can take years and it has been reported that last year, Gene Bicknell suffered a, "crippling," stroke. Combine his age with his health and it's a safe bet he doesn't have a long time left.

The Tulsa World reports Hedrick and Wilhite have left the project--possibly for an extended trip to the Cayman Islands. Meanwhile there was no word on the whereabouts of Rick Silankas. The World recently received an email purportedly from Hedrick saying that currently millions are owed to design consultants and architects who have worked on the park's plans. 

If true, that revelation proves really only one thing. When you're running a con this big you have to go all the way.  

Well, that and there are a lot more suckers than just one born every minute.

Sic Vita Est

8-5-25

Ryan Walters Redux: Vintage Porn, Conspiracies, and a Possible Opportunity

 Late last week all hell broke loose after the State Board of Education met in an executive session. The meeting was held in Superintendent Ryan Walters' office. During the private session, which included among other things, discussing the revocation of teaching certificates for inappropriate conduct, board members, Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage claim they witnessed nude women cavorting on a television located there. Carson demanded that the Superintendent, "Turn it off!" Deatherage noted that the people on the screen who were clothed appeared to be wearing fashions out the 1960's. (One of them had a hat on, "similar to the one worn on the old sitcom, "Gilligan's Island.") Walters, after fumbling around with the remote control for a painful moment, finally cut the TV off. Other members, who claimed they couldn't see the images, said in the immediate aftermath Walters appeared, "Shook up" and "flustered." '

This past Tuesday Walters held a press conference in front of the Governor's office in the capitol building. (No doubt because in conspiratorial demagoguery, like real estate, location is everything.) He told the media, in part, "These board members have a lot to answer for--and so does the Governor of the state of Oklahoma. Did he direct these board members to lie about me? Did he direct them to go in and disrupt everything in these board meetings? What exactly were they told to do?"   

Indeed, what were they told to do by the Governor? According to Ryan Deatherage he hasn't spoken to Governor Kevin Stitt in about two years. In other words, Stitt hadn't told him anything. Carson has also denied receiving instructions from the Governor. Undeterred by facts, Walters took a trip further into the deep end when he claimed the Oklahoma County Sheriff's office, who is investigating the incident, had already exonerated him. The next day, during an interview on the local CBS affiliate Sheriff Tommie Johnson was asked if Walters had actually been exonerated. His answer was a simple, "No." He went on to say his department had just begun its investigation and anyone suggesting the inquiry could be wrapped it up in a single day was insulting both the process and the team looking into it. 

Oops.

Back in front of the Governor's office Walters finished with, "We will continue to make sure these board members are held accountable. They should resign immediately in disgrace for the lies they told. We should get back to work for the people of Oklahoma." 

Well, God knows we need it. Walters has been in office for two plus years and the state now ranks 50th in public education. Only New Mexico is below Oklahoma. (The District of Columbia was included in the survey.) That means the state even ranks behind Mississippi, which until the Walters' Wild West and Magic Act showed up, didn't seem possible.

Blaming board members, the Governor, and the press--yes, he claimed the media was also in on the plot to, "subvert the will of Oklahoma voters," is so Trumpian in nature we should have expected it. However, the accusation that these people--republicans all--just made this shit up to get rid of him might serve another purpose.

Earlier in the week Walters announced the state would, "partner," with American Virtual Academy, an Arizona based online school. According to Walters the, "Academy is focused on bringing, patriotism and American values into education." What Walters failed to say is American Virtual Academy is also focused on making its founder and CEO, Damien Creamer a boat load of money. According to one report in the Oklahoman, since 2015 Creamer has raked in $24 million in personal salary paid in full by the taxpayers of Arizona.   

When someone sitting in on the announcement asked about the school's stunning lack of academic success, Walters claimed the media had it confused with another online Arizona school which had run so afoul of educational authorities in Arizona they lost their charter. He was talking about what was called Primavera Online School. Before losing their charter only 9% of their students tested proficient in math, as compared to 32% of the students in the rest of the state. 

For those who haven't figured it out yet, a Phoenix media outlet reports Primavera Online School and American Virtual Academy are the same thing, run by the same guy, Damien Creamer. Apparently, those American values don't include figuring out the answer to 2 plus 2. But hey, Ryan Walters assured everyone there the state of Oklahoma would advise parents how to qualify for financial assistance if they want to enroll their kids into this latest adventure in private education. As the Superintendent said, "Oklahoma is the friendliest school choice state in the nation."

Yeah, and look where that got us, Ryan.

When asked the Superintendent was proud to inform the audience that he alone had worked out this deal. He didn't need help from the board--you know, the people who are supposed to have a say in such things. For the record, no one has said it yet and I'm not saying it now, but it is certainly a possibility Mr. Walters didn't want the board involved for reasons that are, shall we say, a tad shady. Let's face it, no one, except perhaps for Ryan Walters himself, can deny it appears that opportunity is there. Especially when you consider the shaky record of American Virtual Academy and its founder. 

In an op-ed piece for the Oklahoman, Christy Taylor wrote, "Instead of focusing on educational outcomes, Walters prioritizes culture war theatrics, mandating bible instruction, adding 2020 election denial language into curriculum, and threatening teachers from other states--all while using state money for national news appearances to boost his political profile. " She summed it up succinctly, "It's clear Ryan Walters is unfit to lead our schools."

Amen to that, Sister.

8-1-25

Ryan Walters Forgets to Change the Channel

After a while all the talk, rumors, and speculation about Donald Trump's involvement with Jeffrey Epstein becomes exhausting. It is rather like that dream during which you are trying to get somewhere, but your feet keep sinking into the carpet, or sidewalk and each step is a monumental struggle. Indeed--let's take a break from the alleged salacious behavior of the rich, famous, and powerful to focus on something else for a moment. 

That's right. Let's look into the alleged salacious behavior of that wannabe rich, famous, and powerful apostle of Donald Trump, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Schools, Ryan Walters. There is now evidence the same man who has mandated that every classroom in Oklahoma have at least one bible in it--the man who ordered every state student and faculty member to either pray with him, or watch him pray on video, has a taste for watching what he, himself would classify as pornography. And not in the privacy of his own home, but rather in his state funded office while serving the people of Oklahoma, Donald J. Trump, and Jesus Christ, although, not necessarily in that order.

This past week members of the State Board of Education, chaired by Walters, met in what is known as an, "Executive Session." (It is a meeting where they decide things in private--no press, or public allowed--before they go out and pretend to decide the same things in public.) The meeting was held in Walters' office which apparently is spacious enough to seat everyone involved. One of the furnishings in the office is a television. As the meeting began the TV was on, but muted. Board members, Ryan Deatherage and Becky Carson had perfect views of the screen, which was to Walters' back, while others in the room didn't.

As the meeting progressed, both Deatherage and Carson told the media they saw naked women on the television. Although neither of them described in detail what the naked women were doing, Carson was quoted as saying in part, "I'm sorry I even have to use this language, but I'm like, those are nipples. And then I'm like, that's pubic hair." Deatherage, apparently, an amateur historian of such things, was quoted as saying, "It looked like it was made in the '60s maybe. Carson said she used her sternest mother/teacher voice to demand Walters, "Turn it off now!"

At that point Walters got up and in what seemed to be a flash of panic fumbled around for a moment or two (It always happens at the worst of times doesn't it?) before finding the off button. Board member Chris Van Denhende told The Oklahoman that while he couldn't see the screen when Walters sat back down he was, "shook up." Another member Mike Tinney also claimed he didn't see the screen, but said that after Walters turned off the TV he was, "Obviously a little flustered, or embarrassed."

According to everyone involved, after what we can presume was an awkward pause, the meeting then proceeded as if nothing had happened. In other words, it was another case of, "Nothing to see here, move on." On the agenda that day was Walters' planned test for licensing teachers coming in from other states which ensures they are, let's say, unwoke and loyal to the Donald Trump dogma of, "America first." 

So far Ryan Walters hasn't issued a statement. However, his mouthpiece, Quinton Hitchcock called the story, "..a junk tabloid lie." He added, "Any number of people have access to these offices, you have a hostile board who will say anything except the truth, and now NonsenseDoc is reporting on an alleged random TV cable image." 

In short, the whole thing is a conspiracy. How wonderfully Trumpian. 

State legislators are currently lining up to demand an investigation which includes the seizure of any and all electronic devices in Walters' office. Many on both sides of the aisle have waited for years to bring down what they consider a self-righteous, extravagantly arrogant, pompous asshole. Because, in the end, Ryan Walters is the local incarnation of Matt Gaetz--a man so personally reprehensible, everyone, no matter what their politics, hates his guts.

The chances of Ryan Walters resigning from his office over this incident are zero. His ego won't allow it. In fact, right now he is probably convincing himself the whole thing is a conspiracy. And no matter how much legislators despise him, it's doubtful they'll impeach the guy. What will more likely happen is Walters' days of running roughshod over the board are finished. From now on they and not the Superintendent determine policy take the decisions. In addition, that run for Governor Walters was planning on next year could well be in jeopardy. Even Oklahoma republicans have limits to their hypocrisy. At least we hope they do.

Otherwise, this sordid little moment did accomplish one thing. It validated my firm belief that deep within every one of these high profile hyper-fundamentalist Christian political Kahunas dwells the soul of a dirty old man. And sometimes all you have to do to find it is wait for the silly sons of bitches to forget to change the channel. 

7-27-25

Banquo Takes a Seat at Donald Trump's Table

 Six days ago it was predicted here that by this weekend we would all be talking about something other than Jeffrery Epstein. Obviously, that was a bad call. Not only is everyone still talking about this increasingly sordid episode, but Donald J. Trump is promising to sue the Wall Street Journal and its owner, Rupert Murdoch for billions of dollars because of it. (Which is, as someone might have pointed out to El Don, is not the best way to get everyone to stop talking about the Jeff Epstein files.)

According to the Journal in 2003 Epstein's girlfriend and fresh talent recruiter, Ghislaine Maxwell asked a bunch of his pals to send him greetings and congratulations on his 50th birthday. She collected all the responses and put them into a leather bound scrapbook. Donald Trump's alleged contribution to the collection opened with, "There must be more to life than having everything." Then it wandered off into a fictional conversation between Trump and Epstein with Trump saying, "Yes there is, but I won't tell you what it is." Epstein responds, "Nor will I, since I know what it is." Trump's next line is, "We have certain things in common, Jeffrey." Epstein answers, "Yes, we do, come to think of it." Then Trump adds, "Enigmas never age, have you noticed that? Epstein's answer is, "As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you." The note ended with Trump writing, "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday--and may every day be another wonderful secret." The WSJ reports this text was framed by a hand drawn outline of an anatomically correct female torso. It was signed, "Donald," where the pubic hair should be. 

Almost at the same instant the Journal piece hit the internet a quote by Trump given during a 2002 interview with New York magazine became public. At that time Citizen Trump said of his friend, " I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said he likes beautiful women as much as I do and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it--Jeffrey enjoys his social life."

Adding insult to injury a couple of days before the WSJ story appeared Trump caught wind of it and called his old pal, Rupert Murdoch, asking him to kill it. The President now claims Murdoch agreed to, but the publication ran it anyway--which leads us to one of two conclusions. Either the most powerful media mogul in the world can't control his own staff, or Rupe Murdoch flat out lied to Donald Trump. Personally, I prefer the latter, it appeals to my appreciation of irony.  

Suffice it to say, our man in the Oval Office went ape shit crazy. So much so it appeared he tripped off into full blown dementia. In Pittsburgh Trump claimed his late uncle, John Trump, who was a long time professor at MIT, told him a story about having Ted Kaczynski as a student. The problem being, Kaczynski, who is better known as, "the Unabomber," was never enrolled at MIT. In addition, dear old Uncle John died before Kaczynski was even identified and caught. Mr. Trump also claimed Joe Biden appointed his arch enemy du jour, Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell. Scads of media outlets showed that clip, then gleefully followed it with one of Donald Trump, "...proudly introducing my nominee for Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell." 

Donald Trump vehemently denies he wrote the birthday note to that, "terrific guy," Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview he said, "This is not me. This is a fake thing." A moment later he added, "I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women. It is not my language. It's not my words."

While we have stone cold proof Donald Trump is a crudely obscene man and a sexual predator, when it comes to the Epstein birthday note, I actually believe him. That whole fantasy conversation between Trump and Epstein requires an imagination, not to mention literary knowledge and talent far beyond anything demonstrated by Donald Trump in the past, or present. (For God's sake, the guy said, "I never wrote a picture...") That, however, doesn't mean he didn't see it, approve it, and personally sign it. 

What probably happened is Trump got a call, or email from Maxwell, then handed off the job of composing it to someone else--maybe even Maxwell herself--then read and signed the final product. Whether the artwork was his or not really doesn't matter. Why not? While Donald Trump has denied writing the note, he has never said he didn't see it or sign it. 

Whatever the case, the issue, which Trump is desperate to get rid of now has new legs. We have the  hard core conspiracy wing of MAGA, the Wall Street Journal, and Trump's pending lawsuit to thank for it. Indeed, this story is becoming oddly Shakespearian in a way. In it, Jeffrey Epstein has become to Trump what Banquo was to Macbeth. The former friend turned terrifying ghost who is now seated at the banquet table. 

7-20-25