Melania says her piece about Epstein – doth the lady protest too much?

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/09/melania-trump-epstein-lies

When Donald Trump launched a seemingly random war against Iran, there was a whiff of suspicion of a Wag the Dog ploy to divert attention from how badly the Jeffrey Epstein scandal was going.

So when Trump’s wife Melania made a mysterious appearance at the White House on Thursday to put Epstein front and centre again, was it an elaborate ruse to divert attention from how badly the Iran war is going?

The first lady emerged from the Blue Room and walked to a lectern flanked by US flags in the grand foyer, surrounded by chandeliers, marble pillars and shiny chequered floor.

As cameras clicked away, Melania, full of cold fury, said in her now familiar Slovenian accent: “The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.”

To which America responded: “What lies? Maybe we read something somewhere a few months ago but we have more pressing concerns right now.”

What is Melania’s game? Is she a secret member of the resistance after all, driven to act now by Trump’s threat to wipe out Iranian civilisation and growing fears that he is descending into madness? Is there a smoking gun in the Epstein files that could yet bring him down? It would all make a great Amazon documentary.

Melania Trump denies connection to Epstein case, calls accusations ‘baseless lies’

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/melania-trump-denies-connection-to-epstein-case-calls-accusations-baseless-lies/

US first lady says Congress should hold a public hearing centered on survivors of Epstein’s crimes, claims statements about her are financially and politically motivated

First lady Melania Trump on Thursday denied ties to Jeffrey Epstein and knowledge of his sex crimes, saying that accusations she was somehow involved were an attempt to defame her, thrusting the affair back into the spotlight ​after her husband had sought to put it behind him.

The seemingly out-of-the-blue message came as her husband, US President Donald Trump, and his administration had finally seemed to move past more than a year of controversy surrounding Epstein, especially as the Iran war had become all-consuming in Washington.

Democrats, meanwhile, jumped on Melania Trump’s comments, saying they agreed with her call for a congressional hearing. In a social media post, Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee that is investigating Epstein, called on the Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer, to schedule a public hearing “immediately.”

Heart of King controlled by G-d

 Mishlei (21:1) Like channeled water is the mind of the king in the LORD’s hand;He directs it to whatever He wishes. 

Meshech Chochma (Devarim 17:15): … The Ralbag notes that the heart of the king is in G-d’s hand. Thus the king has no free will but what he does is determined by G d. Shmuel was thus afraid of Shaul at this point because Shaul was no longer king and thus had free will to harm him

Malbim (Mishlei 21:01) King’s heart is in God’s hand Even though a normal man has free will to do as he wishes this is not so for a king. That is because the welfare of the nation is dependent on him. If he choses a harmful action it will produce widespread harm to the nation. Therefore since his actions impact many he is constrained by G-d and has restricted free will 

Or HaChaim (Bereishis 44:18) king's heart is in G-d's hand." This means that the king is privileged to receive divine assistance before pronouncing judgment. 

Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim 17:15) It would do well for us to study our history and to learn what happened to the Jewish people during the centuries when their political system was headed by a king of flesh and blood. Devarim Rabbah 5,11 sums it up in these words: the Jewish kings caused many of their people to fall in battle because of their faulty policies. Shaul caused many casualties at Gilboah  David caused a plague. Achav, King of Israel, became the cause of the three year famine. Tzidkiyah’s policies became the immediate cause for the destruction of the Temple . How was it that the entire people who had experienced a tremendous renaissance under the leadership of the prophet Samuel agreed to ask for a king? The Talmud Sanhedrin 20 dissects the wording in Samuel I 8, pointing out that the elders of the people were motivated by pure considerations asking that the purpose of the king be “to judge us,”. The common people were motivated by the desire for their king to be a general who would lead them in war, and their sin was in saying “like all the nations.” They spelled this out in greater detail in verse 20 of that chapter. The people were agreed that they wanted a king, but they differed regarding the tasks of that king.

Ralbag (Mishlei 21:01) Heart of a king – This means that the deeds and thoughts of a king are limited by G-d. Because if he had total free will it would pose a great danger to the nation he controlled

Hashgacha Protis - Knowledge or Awareness?

 An important issue is whether Hasghacha Protis means G-d determines what happens to us or is merely aware of our actions and will eventually give reward or punishment

Avos (03:15) Everything is foreseen but the right of choice is granted, and the world is judged with goodness, and everything is in accordance with the preponderance of man's deeds.

Kli Yakar (Bereishis 41:01) And behold after two years Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile. The Philosophers claim that G-d is too elevated and great to pay attention to the lowly world below the sphere of the moon. To nullify this pernicious view the verse says Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.This means not to say that because G-d is so great  that he has no awareness  of our actions because He is all knowing and is  fact knows all of mans deeds

Koheles Rabbah (10:14) Never does a serpent bite unless it has been incited from Above, nor does a lion rend its prey unless it has been incited from Above, nor does a government interfere with men unless it has been incited from Above.

Shemuel (1 02:03-10) Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.4. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength.5. Those who were full have hired out themselves for bread; and those who were hungry ceased to hunger; the barren has borne seven; and she who has many children has become wretched.6. The Lord kills, and returns to life; he brings down to Sheol, and brings up.7. The Lord makes poor, and makes rich; he brings low, and he lifts up.8. He raises up the poor from the dust, and lifts up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory; for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he has set the world upon them.9. He will keep the feet of his pious ones, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.10. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; from heaven shall he thunder upon them; the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Divine Providence is dependent on spiritual level

 Meshech Chochma (Shemos 13:9): Providence is manifest for each Jew according to his spiritual level as the Rambam explains in Moreh Nevuchim (3:18): Providence is not equal for everyone but rather is proportional to spiritual level. Consequently, the Providence for the prophets is extremely powerful each according to their level of prophecy. The Providence for the pious and saintly is according to their level of perfection. In contrast, the fools and the rebels lacking spirituality are in essence in the same category as animals… This concept that Providence is proportional to spiritual level is one of foundations of Judaism… 

'Not buying it': Nearly half of Israelis say Israel and US did not win Iran war, poll finds

 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-892495

A new Walla and Maariv poll found that many Israelis are unconvinced by claims of victory over Iran, with broad dissatisfaction over the war’s outcome and mixed views on political leadership.

The Israeli public is deeply divided over the question of victory in the war with Iran, according to a Walla and Maariv poll published on Thursday.

According to the poll, the public is not buying the “image of victory” when it comes to Iran. Despite the ceasefire, it appears that most Israelis do not feel a sense of victory in the direct campaign against Iran.

Forty-six percent of respondents believe that Israel and the United States did not win the war. Only 22% of the public believes that victory was achieved.

Sixty-three percent of all respondents said they were dissatisfied with the outcome of the war, compared with only 32% who expressed satisfaction.

Divine Providence

 Chullin (07b) No man bruises his finger here on earth unless it was so decreed against him in heaven, for it is written: It is of the Lord that a man's goings are established. How then can man look to his way?

Kesubos (30a) Everything is ‘by the hand of heaven’ except cold and heat, for it is said: ‘Cold and heat are in the way of the foward; he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them? Further, are lions and thieves ‘by the hand of man? Did not R. Joseph say. and R. Hiyya teach: Since the day of the destruction of the Temple, although the Sanhedrin ceased, the four forms of capital punishment have not ceased? ‘They have not ceased,’ you say? Surely they have ceased! But sayLions and thieves are ‘by the hand of heaven’, and cold and heat are ‘by the hand of man’.

Idolatry

 Avoda Zara (54b) Philosophers asked the elders in Rome, If your God has no desire for idolatry, why does He not abolish it? They replied, If it was something of which the world has no need that was worshipped, He would abolish it; but people worship the sun, moon, stars and planets; should He destroy the Universe on account of fools! The world pursues its natural course, and as for the fools who act wrongly, they will have to render an account. Another illustration: Suppose a man stole a measure of wheat and went and sowed it in the ground; it is right that it should not grow, but the world pursues its natural course and as for the fools who act wrongly, they will have to render an account. Another illustration: Suppose a man has intercourse with his neighbour's wife; it is right that she should not conceive, but the world pursues its natural course and as for the fools who act wrongly, they will have to render an account. This is similar to what R. Simeon b. Lakish said: The Holy One, blessed be He, declared, Not enough that the wicked put My coinage to vulgar use, but they trouble Me and compel Me to set My seal thereon!

Avoda Zara (55a) An Israelite named Zunin said to R. Akiba: We both know in our heart that there is no reality in an idol; nevertheless we see men enter the shrine crippled and come out cured. What is the reason?’ He replied, I will give you a parable: To what is the matter like? To a trustworthy man in a city, and all his townsmen used to deposit their money in his charge without witnesses. One man, however, came and deposited his money in his charge with witnesses; but on one occasion he forgot and made his deposit without witnesses. The wife of the trustworthy man said to her husband, "Come, let us deny it." He answered her, "Because this fool acted in an unworthy manner, shall I destroy my reputation for trustworthiness!" It is similar with afflictions. At the time they are sent upon a man the oath is imposed upon them, "You shall not come upon him except on such and such a day, nor depart from him except on such and such a day, and at such an hour, and through the medium of so and so, and through such and such a remedy." When the time arrives for them to depart, the man chanced to go to an idolatrous shrine. The afflictions plead, "It is right that we should not leave him and depart; but because this fool acts in an unworthy way shall we break our oath!" This is similar to what R. Johanan said: What means that which is written, And sore and faithful sicknesses?  Sore in their mission and faithful to their oath.

Trump Allies, U.S. Officials Fear Iran Victory Lap Is Premature

 https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/trump-allies-u-s-officials-fear-iran-victory-lap-is-premature-96f8e810?mod=WSJ_home_mediumtopper_pos_1

President Trump’s declaration of “total victory” in Iran left some close allies and several senior aides worried Wednesday that he is overstating what is a fragile cease-fire with Tehran, which remains capable of blocking ships in the Strait of Hormuz and attacking U.S. forces in the region.

The president has been advised on the risks that could cause the cease-fire to crater and warned that Iran still retains dangerous military capabilities, according to multiple officials.

Ceasefire?!

Trump loses Power

Israel failed to achieve its goals, and the price is likely to be heavy

 https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/04/08/israel-failed-to-achieve-its-goals-and-the-price-is-likely-to-be-heavy/

The ceasefire left Israel without diplomatic gains and without a response to its main threats. The gap between military success and the actual outcome heightens the risk of further escalation. At the same time, criticism is mounting over the government's conduct and its impact on Israel's standing on the international stage.

The ceasefire in the fighting with Iran, for now for two weeks, leaves Israel in a problematic strategic position: It failed to achieve any of the war goals it had set for itself; it remains entangled in the war in Lebanon; and its international standing is at an unprecedented low point amid accusations that it dragged the US into a war with Iran. To that must be added the continuing damage to the Israeli economy, especially to the home front, and the severe crisis of trust between the government and the Israeli public, particularly in the north.

The IDF did achieve in the operation most of the operational objectives it had set for itself, but Netanyahu failed to translate those into a broader strategic result. Just as happened in the war in Gaza and in the previous war in Lebanon, Israel has found itself in an endless campaign, with the goals it set appearing either too ambitious or impossible to achieve. The regime in Iran did not collapse, as had been claimed it would; control over 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium was not achieved; the missile array was only partially neutralized; and support for the proxies continued and even turned into an active regional campaign involving the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the Houthis and Shiite militia groups in Iraq.

Trump's threat to destroy 'a whole civilization' leaves a permanent stain on our history

US and Israel set out ambitious, vital war goals; as of the ceasefire, none have been achieved

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-and-israel-set-out-ambitious-vital-goals-as-of-the-ceasefire-none-have-been-achieved/

Fighting halts with the US president hailing what is only a tactical victory, and impossibly expecting a deal in two weeks to impose terms on the weakened but emboldened Iranian regime

Launching what was initially described as “a pre-emptive” campaign against Iran on February 28, the United States and Israel set out a series of highly ambitious and ultimately vital goals. When US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire and declared victory 39 days later, amid significant tactical success but inadequate strategic planning, none of them had been definitively achieved.

But, for now, the single most important war aim — ensuring that this regime can never get that weapon — remains unfulfilled. Iran’s nuclear “industrial base” has been further degraded, the regime retains its buried stockpile of highly enriched uranium. It may, if anything, be more inclined to attempt a breakout to the bomb, with a heightened determination to destroy Israel and to achieve broader invulnerability to future attack.

Similarly, while its ballistic missile capabilities, including all the necessary manufacturing elements, have been greatly degraded — Netanyahu and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have both said Iran is not capable of building more missiles at present — the regime proved able to keep firing throughout the war, at Israel and Gulf neighbors, including at longer ranges and with diversely deadly warheads.

Trump’s semantic games about old and new regimes symbolize the biggest danger of this current, fateful moment. The fighting is at a fragile halt, with the Islamic Republic still oppressing its people and still seeking to destroy Israel, emboldened to have survived an assault led by the world’s mightiest military power, and with no binding agreements in place to ensure that it cannot reconstitute what it has lost.

And yet the US president is telling the world, and himself, that he is dealing with “reasonable” people — indeed that he has received “a 10-point proposal” from them, believes it to be “a workable basis on which to negotiate,” and expects that a two-week ceasefire period “will allow the agreement to be finalized and consummated.”