The Secret Service failed to protect Trump—and the people responsible still have their jobs.
The deep state didn’t just fumble. They followed a pattern—and now the Epstein files fight is tearing MAGA apart from the inside.
Good Morning, it’s Tuesday, July 15th, 2025.
The swamp is doing what it does best—burying the truth and punishing the wrong people. After last week’s DOJ memo downplayed the Epstein files, we now know Trump’s own security detail failed to stop an assassination attempt. And instead of accountability, we’re watching allies turn on each other. But behind the headlines is a strategy you weren’t meant to notice—and that’s exactly what we’re unpacking in this week’s Ledger.
Want the full breakdown of how the Epstein files exploded into a White House power struggle—and why some Trump insiders are going quiet? Get The Ledger, our premium report, packed with the leaks, the memo details, and the names being protected. Upgrade now to unlock it.
(Or keep getting the version safe enough for the censors.)
Iran Floats Nuclear Talks If U.S. Halts Attacks
Iran said Monday it is willing to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States—but only if it receives guarantees of “no further aggression.” The message, delivered by Iran’s foreign minister, came days after Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian positions, escalating tensions across the region. Iran’s condition was framed as a peace gesture, but it effectively blames the U.S. and Israel for any future collapse in diplomacy.
The timing is notable: Trump’s administration has recently increased pressure on Iranian proxies while maintaining that diplomacy remains an option. Critics of the regime say Iran is attempting to exploit divisions within the U.S. government—between Trump and establishment diplomats—by offering terms unlikely to be accepted. This kind of brinkmanship has long been part of Iran’s playbook, especially as it seeks to reframe itself as a victim while dodging accountability for terror funding and proxy wars.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain a major flashpoint, with many in Washington warning that any delay in confrontation only allows the regime more time to rebuild its capabilities. Trump officials have not publicly responded to the demand.
Trump’s Auto Loan Tax Break Could Shake Up the Market
A provision in Trump’s new economic bill creates a major new incentive for car buyers—allowing up to $10,000 in annual interest deductions on auto loans, but only for vehicles assembled in the United States. The tax break, which applies starting next year, is being hailed by supporters as both a win for consumers and a powerful nudge for the auto industry to keep manufacturing at home.
Economists say this could shift tens of billions in buyer behavior practically overnight. U.S.-assembled vehicles currently account for just over 50% of new car sales, but this law could tilt the scales heavily in their favor. Foreign automakers with large overseas operations are scrambling to assess the impact, while China and Mexico—which have relied heavily on cheap export manufacturing—stand to lose significant U.S. market share.
Critics have already started calling it “disguised protectionism,” but the administration is leaning in. “If you build in America, you sell in America. If you don’t, good luck,” said one senior official close to the policy team. The change could reshape both the tax code and the domestic auto landscape.
Senate Report: Secret Service Blew Trump Assassination Protection
A damning new report from the Senate Homeland Security Committee confirms what many suspected: the Secret Service failed on nearly every level during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. The report outlines a series of catastrophic lapses—denied requests for increased security, ignored threat assessments, and botched communication during the rally in Pennsylvania where Trump was nearly killed.
The most shocking part isn’t what they missed, it’s how much they already knew. Internal communications show the Secret Service had multiple warnings about heightened threats in the days leading up to the event. Despite that, they left Trump exposed with minimal overhead protection and sluggish response coordination once the attack began. “It was a systemic breakdown of duty,” said one Senate staffer close to the investigation.
The administration is staying quiet, but the pattern is clear. These are the same institutions that spied on Trump during his campaign, leaked intel to the press, and now—when it mattered most—left him vulnerable. Call it sabotage, call it incompetence, but don’t call it an accident.
Trump Backs Pam Bondi as Epstein Firestorm Erupts Again
Donald Trump is standing behind Pam Bondi, his pick for Attorney General, as critics accuse her of burying key information from the Epstein investigation during her time as Florida’s top prosecutor. The issue flared up again this week after leaked memos showed Bondi’s office flagged names in Epstein’s circle but never advanced criminal referrals. Now, Democrats are using the scandal to stall her confirmation, and even some Republicans are getting squeamish.
But this isn’t just about Bondi. This is about protecting the system. Every time someone gets close to releasing the full Epstein files, the establishment throws a fit. From sealed documents to sudden “technical delays,” the game is always the same—stall, distract, and protect the powerful. Trump’s support for Bondi isn’t just political loyalty—it’s a signal. The swamp is panicking again, and that means the files still matter. But don’t expect the truth to come out while both parties have skin in the game.
Brazil’s Lula Offers Trump Fruit Amid Tariff Fight
In the middle of a tense tariff dispute, Brazil’s President Lula publicly joked that he’d raise jabuticaba fruit for Donald Trump—yes, actual fruit—as a kind of personal peace offering. It might sound charming, but it’s actually a stunning sign of Trump’s leverage. Foreign leaders aren’t negotiating trade terms anymore—they’re trying to charm their way out of tariffs. This isn’t diplomacy, it’s tribute politics. When countries start sending symbolic gifts to avoid economic punishment, that’s what psychological dominance looks like. Trump’s economic pressure isn’t just working—it’s reshaping the global balance of power before he’s even sworn in.
Trump ‘Can Fire’ Fed Chair Powell If There’s Cause, Hassett Says
Top Trump economic advisor Kevin Hassett says the president “certainly” has grounds to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell if needed, and suddenly Wall Street is clutching its pearls. The Federal Reserve has long been the deep state’s financial firewall—unelected, unaccountable, and insulated from any democratic pressure. But Trump’s not playing by those rules anymore. He’s openly challenging the Fed’s independence, and it’s making the entire economic class nervous. Powell controls interest rates, inflation policy, and market sentiment—but answers to no voters. Trump’s move isn’t just personal—it’s a direct shot at the most powerful unelected institution in America.
Senators Push 500% Tariffs to End Russia’s War
Bipartisan senators unveiled a bill authorizing Trump to slap 500% tariffs on any nation still buying Russian oil and gas, calling it a “sledgehammer” to end the war in Ukraine. That’s rich coming from the same people who spent years trashing Trump’s use of tariffs as “reckless.” Now that it’s their war, they’re suddenly believers in economic warfare. The hypocrisy isn’t even subtle—it’s institutional. When Trump tried to protect American workers with tariffs, he was a danger to global stability. Now they want to weaponize tariffs to escalate a foreign conflict. Turns out it was never about policy—it was always about control.
EU Delays Tariffs, Braces for Trump’s Return
The European Union just postponed a round of retaliatory tariffs against the United States, quietly pushing them from July to August while signaling a “window for talks.” Translation: they’re already adjusting to the idea of Trump 2.0. They were tough when Biden was weak, but now that the power dynamic is shifting, they’re backing off. It’s a subtle but important signal that Trump’s trade posture is already working—before he’s even inaugurated. The EU knows the old game is over. Trump negotiates from strength, and they’re scrambling to avoid getting steamrolled.
DRONES FREEZE UKRAINE FRONT LINES
The Wall Street Journal says drone warfare has created a permanent stalemate in Ukraine. That’s not a bug, it’s the business model. Military contractors are cashing in on endless replacement orders, while victory becomes irrelevant. Drones don’t win wars—they fund them. The longer the war drags on, the bigger the budgets get. Read more
SPACEX LAUNCHES MYSTERY PAYLOAD
A classified satellite just went up on a SpaceX rocket, and nobody’s saying what it’s for. “Commercial GTO-1” is the label, but that’s just code for “spy satellite.” Geostationary orbit means 24/7 surveillance—of who, exactly? While they tell you the government’s shrinking, they’re building out the sky net. Read more
NIGERIA’S BUHARI DIES AT 82
Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s ex-president and military ruler, is dead at 82. He fought terrorists, promised reform, and ended up as just another corrupt strongman. Nigeria’s trajectory—energy wealth + corruption + extremism—is starting to look eerily familiar. Sound like any other superpower in decline? Read more
PLANE ‘COLLISION’ IN LONDON TRIGGERS PANIC
Emergency teams rushed to London Southend Airport after a reported plane “collision.” No deaths, no explosion—just a frenzy of breaking news with no substance. The media turns every wing scrape into a crisis, then drops it when the facts get boring. The real crash is journalistic integrity. Read more
The DOJ memo was meant to end the conversation. Our exclusive Ledger edition makes sure it doesn’t. Read what they buried. Decide what comes next. Get the full story here.
(Or keep getting the version safe enough for the censors.)
“The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie—deliberate, contrived and dishonest—but the myth—persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.”
— John F. Kennedy
Thanks for reading today’s issue. When the system protects its own—left, right, or deep state—we speak up. We expose the pattern. And we never stop pushing for the truth. We don’t take marching orders from the media, and we sure as hell don’t bow to the swamp.
~ Scott 🇺🇸
P.S.
Watching Trump defend Pam Bondi while Bongino fumes tells you everything. The Epstein list may not exist on paper—but the backlash sure as hell does. Who do you trust right now—and why? Hit reply and let me know.
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