MAGA isn’t buying it: Nicolle Wallace on the meltdown from Trump’s base over Jefferey Epstein files

Bondi vs. Bongino: Growing REVOLT in MAGA base over Epstein files

Epstein explosion! MAGA wants Bondi out

Trump Steals Soccer Champions’ Spotlight, Gets Booed by Fans

 https://time.com/7302062/trump-boos-fifa-club-world-cup-chelsea-palmer-infantino-controversy/

But Chelsea and PSG fans seemed to set aside their rivalries and unite around their dislike of Trump, booing him on several occasions throughout the evening, including when he was shown on the Jumbotron during the U.S. national anthem before the match and during the trophy presentation after.

Trump, who is largely unpopular in the U.S. and globally, and Infantino, who took over FIFA in 2016 as it was already marred by corruption scandals and has since been accused of disregarding human-rights concerns, have linked arms over the years to try to bring soccer to the U.S

Death and Sin

Rabbeinu Bachya (Devarim 34:5) Many people ask the question how it was possible that someone of the stature of Moses who became the instrument of giving the Torah to the people of Israel, died, whereas Elijah and Chanoch, both people of lesser stature, did not die? The answer is that Moses sinned at the waters of strife whereas both Chanoch and Elijah had not been guilty of sin at all. Seeing that they did not sin, they never became part of the decree of death that Adam was subjected to, and could therefore enjoy eternal life.

I sinned because I didn’t know

Netziv (Bamidbar 22:34): Because I didn’t know. The essence of Bilam’s sins was that he hadn’t made any efforts to know and understand. He should have realized that the donkey’s strange behavior was a message that G d was opposed to his journey [instead of just hitting the donkey].

Repentance for secretary having an affair with boss in office

Igros Moshe(O.C. 04:117) A woman worked in office and had inappropriate contact with a coworker. Regarding proper repentance for hugging and kissing and other disgusting behavior for a period of 6 months with a coworker while working as his secretary. It is now 4 years after you got married to a bal tshuva who is a ben Torah and truly G-d fearing and you haven’t repeated these acts and you are very broken hearted that it happened.  You should know that the essence of repentance is having great regret for what has happened and accepting never to do it again as we see in Rambam (Teshuva 2:2). Certainly confession in whispering to G-d is sufficient repentance together with the 4 Yom Kippurs that have occurred. However there is no question that you should do some deed to properly repent but since the wife is subservient to her husband and also has the responsibility of taking care of children and all this requires health and peace of mind therefore it is impossible to be involved in the affliction that would normally done. Rather you should work on strengthening  your faith in G-d that He sees and hears everything and nothing is concealed from Him. That will help you from doing anything wrong. It would also be good to say every day in any language you know well, that you know and believe this. You should also say Tehilim every day and if I you have time to divide it up so that you complete Tehilim every month. If you don’t have time than you should finish it every two months. It is a good idea to keep this up and it will also serve to increase the merit and thus the blessing in your house. Furthermore every Monday and Thursday you should silently say Vidoi but only from Our G-d to we have wronged You but not more than that. On erev Rosh Chodesh which is called Yom Kippur Koton, you should say the Vidoi of Rabbeinu Nissim which is printed in the Machzor of Yom Kippur and it is divided into 6 sections – but the fourth section which is for the sake of others don’t say because it is only said publically in synagogue.  All this should be done without an oath so that you will not transgress if you forget sometimes or you are prevented from saying for any reason. In addition you should decide that when your daughters grow up that you try to prevent them from working in an office so that they are not placed in such  temptation. The saying of saying vidoi on Monday and Thursday and erev Rosh Chodesh should be said until this coming Yom Kippur while the saying of Tehilim should continue indefinitely but without an oath. All the saying of Vidoi is to be said only before G-d but no one else should know about it. It is forbidden to publicize one’s sins.  You should also know that it is forbidden to be depressed but only should only have joy that you are merited to  repent and have a husband who is a talmid chachom. On Yom Kippur you will be able to have complete repentance from G-d. G-d should bless you and your husband with all good and peace, pleasure and happiness  from your children and your descendants should have G-d’s blessing

Now Trump Says Forget Jeffrey Epstein

 https://www.wsj.com/opinion/now-trump-says-forget-jeffrey-epstein-9ca7d378?mod=hp_opin_pos_2

He urges MAGA to give up a conspiracy tale that he and his allies promoted.

Donald Trump has traded in conspiracy stories for years: Barack Obama was born in Kenya. Ted Cruz’s father had a link to JFK’s killer. The 2020 election was stolen. Migrants are barbecuing people’s pets. He seems to think this is good show business, with appeal in certain niches of a fragmented culture.

Yet now he’s upset that the Jeffrey Epstein theories he fanned are proving hard to tamp down. Mr. Trump lamented online Saturday that his Administration is taking heat “over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it’s Epstein, over and over again.” His advisers are suggesting this was a snipe hunt, but the MAGA base is in furious disbelief, since the same people pledged to catch some snipe.

Trump Gets 'Ratioed' on Truth Social for First Time Amid Epstein Backlash

 https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-truth-social-post-pam-bondi-2098351

President Donald Trump's weekend post defending Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files has triggered an unprecedented backlash, marking the first time the Republican has been "ratioed" on his own social media platform, Truth Social.

The term "ratioed" refers to when a social media post receives more replies than likes or shares, often signaling more disagreement or criticism than support.

In his Saturday evening post, Trump lashed out at those criticizing Bondi, calling her performance "FANTASTIC" and dismissing the ongoing interest in Epstein as a waste of time.

"We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening," the president wrote. "Let's not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about."

In reality - how to deal with the consensus view of women as subordinate?

I have presented a number of posts regarding the Torah attitude towards women - in particular in marriage -  where they are clearly described as being subordinate to their husbands. As a consequence I have been attacked by some for being a nut or intellectual dishonesty - though no one has presented the "true" Torah view that contradicts what I have presented and no one has explained why an objective scholarly approach is a sign of being a nut. Clearly some people want their Judaism sanitized and subordinate to their own views i.e, they want to create G-d in their own image.

I have been criticized by those who claim that it is inappropriate or even a chilul haShem for daring to mention what the consensus of our traditional mainstream sources about women. Meaning that while they agree that my posts are accurately presenting the Torah view - it is best  if people are ignorant of how our rabbis tell us how the Torah views women and marriage. That is a rather bizarre claim. On the one hand we are to dedicate our lives to learning about and living  according to what rabbis tell us is G-d's will - but at the same time we are not supposed to learn what the Torah says about certain topics because that is a chilul HaShem?! How can G-d's will be a chilul HaShem?

On the other hand it is also accurately claimed that women and society are different today and that therefore they need to be treated differently the classic sources say. This is explained either that the Torah is outdated - chas v'shalom or that there are kabbalistic ideas which indicate as we come into Messianic times i.e., after 1740 - that women's role will come to be equal and perhaps superior to that of men. The only problem is that these kabbalistic views are minority opinions which are not very clear and have no basis in traditional sources and seemed to be used as a fig leave to cover the embarrassing consensus views.

I would like to start a serious discussion about how to reconcile the traditional views - which clearly are not acceptable to many if not most frum women and men - but which at the same time clearly represent the traditional consensus views of our greatest rabbis throughout history. Does this mean that the only solution is for people to submit themselves to the traditional view? Or as Rav Solveitchik put it, "we sacrificed out intellects on Mt. Sinai?" I think that there are alternatives.

I would appreciate if some people can contain their hysteric comments. I am concerned with reality - the reality of Torah and the reality of modern men and women. Any reconciliation has to be within the framework of traditional halachic reasoning and principles. This is a discussion for mature adults who are committed to the Torah and halacha. I am not interested in a solution which in essence says to abandon Yiddishkeit. And it really doesn't help in arriving at an answer by shooting at me - I am simply the messenger[to be continued]

Musk slams Trump defense of Bondi on Epstein controversy: ‘Just release the files as promised’

 https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5398685-elon-musk-criticizes-trump-over-epstein-case/

Tech billionaire Elon Musk blasted President Trump on Saturday over his defense of Attorney General Pam Bondi and her handling of the case related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Musk, in a post on the social platform X late Saturday, responded to another X user, who screenshotted Trump’s Truth Social statement earlier that day and wrote, “This is in the running for worst post ever made.”

“Seriously,” Musk said, agreeing with that sentiment about Trump’s post. “He said ‘Epstein’ half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein.”

“Just release the files as promised,” Musk added.

Musk, a few minutes later, responded to a separate post calling the Epstein case Trump’s “Achilles’ heel,” rebuking the president for pledging to release the files on the campaign trail and now dismissing the significance of the case.

Elon Breaks Silence on Trump’s Epstein File Demand to MAGA

 https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-breaks-silence-on-donald-trumps-epstein-file-demand/

Elon Musk has added his voice to the chorus of conservatives calling on President Donald Trump to release the Epstein files “as promised,” hours after the president pleaded with MAGA to end its civil 

Polls show American backlash as Trump breaks promise to focus on criminals in anti-immigrant crusade

Bannon warns GOP could lose 40 House seats over Epstein files

 https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5398104-steve-bannon-donald-trump-epstein-files-2026-midterms/

Former White House aide Steve Bannon suggested Friday that the GOP could lose dozens of House seats in the 2026 midterms over the Trump administration’s handling of files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

“You’re going to lose 10 percent of the MAGA movement. If we lose 10 percent of the MAGA movement right now, we ain’t gonna … we’re gonna lose 40 seats in ’26,” he told a live audience during his “War Room” podcast. “We’re gonna lose the president.”