The Daily Dean Newsletter: Tuesday July 8, 2025
Trump's Epstein list nightmare grows, MAGA cracks, Tariff letter comedy, ICE terrorized kids in LA for a photo op, Texas flood update, Steve Schmidt's dire warning
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Democracy Lovers’ Must-Know Stories Today Welcome to the Daily Dean Newsletter, where we cut through the noise to bring you the stories that matter. Today’s top five stories expose the chaos, corruption, and consequences of the current political landscape - here’s what you need to know:
1. Trump’s Epstein Connection: The Client List Bombshell
Lev Parnas, a former associate of Rudy Giuliani, dropped a bombshell on Substack, claiming that Donald Trump is definitely on Jeffrey Epstein’s client list and that Elon Musk might have been as well. This comes amid Musk’s public feud with Trump, where he previously hinted at Trump’s presence in unreleased Epstein files before retracting those claims. The Department of Justice recently stated there’s no “client list” or evidence of Epstein blackmailing prominent figures, contradicting earlier promises of blockbuster releases. This raises questions about transparency and whether powerful names are being shielded. For democracy lovers, this is a stark reminder: accountability for the elite remains elusive, and the truth is often buried in political games. We talked about it ALL in yesterday’s “Weekend Roundup,” with Lev and his work here has been incredible.
Weekend Roundup: Live with Lev Parnas Epstein list disappearance, Trump VS Musk, Election rigging begins
I’m always grateful to spend time with Lev. He’s quickly becoming one of my favorite people. Lev oozes authenticity and humanity in uncovering the news, intentions of the fascist dictator in chief, whom he called a friend and an associate: Donald Trump.
2. Trump’s Tariff Letters: Amateur Hour Goes Global
Yesterday, Trump sent tariff letters to 14 countries, demanding they pay for the “privilege” of doing business in his America. The letters, described as embarrassingly amateurish, targeted nations like Japan, South Korea, and South Africa with rates ranging from 25% to 40%. Trump’s justification? A lack of “reciprocal” trade relationships. These letters follow a pattern of chaotic trade policy, with deadlines shifting (now extended to August 9) and only three deals secured despite promises of 90. For democracy lovers, this is a masterclass in economic bullying that risks global trade wars and domestic price hikes, all while Trump’s team moves the goalposts to mask failure.
3. ICE’s Macarthur Park Invasion: Reality TV Deportation Stunt
In a dystopian spectacle, heavily armed ICE agents, some on horseback with machine guns, stormed Macarthur Park in downtown LA yesterday while 20 kids played nearby. Accompanied by camera crews filming for what’s rumored to be a Trump and Dr. Phil-backed “ICE Deportation” reality TV show, the operation was less about enforcement and more about performative cruelty. The fallout? Outrage from LA residents, community leaders, and civil rights groups who condemned the harassment as a propaganda stunt. Local officials are demanding answers, with protests erupting over the militarized display and its impact on vulnerable communities. Democracy lovers, this is authoritarian theater at its worst—turning human lives into reality TV fodder while eroding trust in institutions.
4. Steve Schmidt’s Grim Forecast: America’s 20-Year Recovery
Legendary political strategist Steve Schmidt delivered a sobering warning in his Substack post: America’s democratic soul is battered, and recovery could take 20 years. Schmidt, a vocal critic of Trump’s MAGA movement, argues that the erosion of truth, institutions, and civic trust has plunged the nation into a storm of division and authoritarianism. He points to Trump’s policies, from pardoning January 6 rioters to undermining public faith, as deepening the crisis. Yet, Schmidt holds hope that resilience and collective action can rebuild America—eventually. For democracy lovers, this is a call to stay vigilant and fight for accountability, knowing the road ahead is long but not impossible.
5. Texas Floods: Trump’s Anti-Science Cuts Under Fire
The death toll from catastrophic Texas floods is nearing 100, and the finger-pointing has begun. While MAGA officials initially tried to pin the blame on Biden, Texas leaders—some Trump supporters—are now criticizing the Trump administration’s DOGE cuts to NOAA and the National Weather Service. The gutting of thousands of climate scientists, meteorologists, and support staff crippled the state’s ability to predict and prepare for the disaster. Families are grieving, and communities are devastated, with many arguing the tragedy could have been mitigated with proper forecasting. For democracy lovers, this is a stark lesson in the real-world cost of anti-science policies and the urgent need to restore expertise to protect lives.
Drowned in Silence: While Texas Families Searched for Their Children, Trump Golfed, Ate Ice Cream, and Announced a UFC Event on the White House Lawn
On July 4th, as families across the United States gathered to celebrate freedom and resilience, dozens of families in Kerrville, Texas, were plunged into unthinkable tragedy. By nightfall, torrential rain had caused the Guadalupe River to surge more than
Why It ALL Matters
These stories aren’t just headlines—they’re warning signs. From elite cover-ups to economic recklessness, performative cruelty, and anti-science devastation, the stakes for democracy are sky-high. Stay informed, stay engaged, and keep fighting for a system that serves the people, not the powerful.
Today’s Quote:
“Where the laws do not rule, there is no constitution.”
— Aristotle
The flood in Texas just might jump start some action against Trump ism and DOGE.
Families who sent their girls to Camp Mystic are not "the poors". They come from River Oaks and other wealthy enclaves.
At what point do these well-to-do parents begin lawsuits? Lawsuits where depositions and records lay bare how the gutting of NWS, contributed to the tragedy. These parents have influence and MONEY. Maybe that will make a difference.....or
Perhaps when they file their taxes and see their tax break it might occur to them that that tax break was not worth their child's life.
Just maybe.
OMG!!!! The videos were so scary!! THIS IS BECOMING WAY TOO FAMILIAR!!!!
Thanks Dean for this great round up of content that taken in whole would be way too much to absorb!
This is such a CRAZY TIME!! I don’t remember a time in my life when there has been so much devastation, disappointment, destruction and CHAOS!!!
If it wasn’t real it would be laughable!!
😢💔🙏🇨🇦💪🇺🇸👊🤲🏻