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Trump signs bill reopening government, dodges question on Epstein

Chris Graham
donald trump
Donald Trump. Photo: © Shutterstock.

Donald Trump didn’t get his victory lap after signing legislation reopening the federal government late Wednesday night.

The White House had news cameras and reporters in the Oval Office for the ceremonial signing, which ends the 43-day shutdown without MAGA Republicans having to do more than pinky promise to hold a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies – that compromise the handiwork of our own Tim Kaine.


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donald trump jeffrey epstein
Photo: © miss.cabul/Shutterstock

After using his sharpie on the legislation, making squiggles on the bill that might remind you of the artwork he submitted to his now-dead pedophile friend, Jeffrey Epstein, for Epstein’s 50th birthday – a drawing of an outline of a naked female teen, his signature made to look like it was representing the pubescant girl’s pubic hair – Trump, rather somberly, said to the reporters in attendance: “I don’t know if you have questions.”

As several tried to get questions in, Trump began a rant about how “we really have a really great situation,” citing made-up numbers about foreign investment, as he is known for doing.

NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Garrett Haake tried to ask a question about negotiating with Democrats, and after Trump ignored that one, Haake went for the kill.

“Mr. President, can you respond to these Epstein emails that were released today?”


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At this point, aides ushered reporters out of the Oval Office.

No more questions, folks.

Anyway, good job, Sen. Kaine, for giving Republicans not only poison pills in the compromise allowing senators who were investigated along with Trump for their roles in the Jan. 6 coup attempt to cash in, but of course, there’s the fact that health-insurance premiums will soon be out of control for millions.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

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