Your morning update from Salon.
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The news, in brief …
“Points to possible cover-up”: DOJ withheld Trump-related documents in Epstein files
An NPR investigation found that documents surrounding Trump sexual abuse allegations were absent. Read more.
“Does not erase the emails I wrote”: Attia steps down from CBS over Epstein ties
The longevity influencer’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein led to his departure from the network. Read more.
“Cut the check”: Lawmakers and companies demand refunds from Trump’s illegal tariffs
The demands were met with more tariff threats by the president. Read more.
Green protests racist Trump video at State of the Union
The Texas rep. held a sign up that said "Black people aren't apes." Read more.
Make me smarter …
Trump’s Iran threats echo Bush’s macho Iraq playbook
“Real men want to go to Tehran,” Bush’s neocons said. Two decades later, Trump’s rhetoric follows a familiar script. Read more.
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The absolute State of the Union …
We should know better than to expect a unifying message from President Donald Trump by now. But even judging on a Trumpian curve, last night’s State of the Union address was remarkably petty.
In between live military commendations and draping himself in Olympics glory, Trump stopped to take potshots at a few of his favorite targets. He laid into the Supreme Court for not being pliant enough. He attacked Somali immigrants for supposed fraud in Minnesota. He generated cheap heat with call-outs of Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party as a whole, landing on the idea that the entire opposition should be “ashamed” of themselves.
Trump’s 107 Minutes Hate looked even more scattered when compared to the lean response from Democrats. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger honed in on affordability issues in a quick rebuttal that previewed her party’s plans for the midterms.
What do you think? How was the president’s performance on Tuesday night? Will Spanberger’s star continue to rise? Sound off in the comments.
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Before you go …
Why Trump’s creepy emails work for MAGA faithful
The president’s fundraising emails are part of a larger messaging campaign that has become increasingly menacing. Read more.
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