 |
| Melania Trump |
The $40M Amazon documentary “Melania” obviously didn’t cut it. It probably made things worse.
Desperate to get her popularity rating into positive territory, Melania Trump delivered an out-of-the-blue statement to reporters on April 9, saying she had no relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Donald Trump must have fumed. He launched a war partly to make the world forget about the Epstein files, and now his wife put the sexual predator front and center while he is desperately searching for off-ramps to end his Iranian crisis.
The First Lady claims her six-minute appearance was designed to clear her “good name.” Since Melania's popularity rating checks in at -12 percent, it’s going to take a lot more than a one-shot event to make that happen.
She blew off her Oct. 23, 2002 “Dear GI” email to Epstein’s henchwoman, Ghislaine Maxwell, as casual correspondence, a “trivial note.”
In it, she complimented Maxwell on her photo that ran in New York Magazine and suggested that she should give her a phone call.
FLOTUS wrote: “I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!” She signed off: “Love Melania.” That sure sounds pretty chummy.
Melania’s pitiful PR play seriously backfired. She called on Congress “to provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing specifically centered around the survivors, give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony.”
Those Epstein survivors quickly shot down that idea as a distraction. Fifteen of them signed a statement, trashing Trump for “shifting the burden onto survivors under politicized conditions that protect those with power: the Department of Justice, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Trump administration, which has still not fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.”
They also said Melania’s photo-op “diverts attention from Pam Bondi, who must answer for withheld files and the exposure of survivors’ identities.”
Epstein survivors believe they have already shown courage by coming forward, testifying and filing reports. "Now it’s time for those in power to do theirs,” they wrote.
Instead of wasting everyone's time, Melania should whisper into the ear of her hubby, who has the power to deliver justice to the Epstein survivors.
That could get the First Lady’s popularity back into the plus column. She “enjoyed” a three percent positive score in January 2025.
Remember the Antipopes… Team Trump has denied reports that it tried to pressure Pope Leo into supporting its military adventures.
That’s good news.
The Pentagon was apparently upset to learn that peacenik Pope Leo said during his January State of the World address: “War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading.”
It’s totally insane that a Pentagon chowderhead referred to Avignon in his January meeting with the Vatican’s US ambassador Cardinal Christophe Pierre.
That’s like shouting “Remember the Alamo” in the streets of Mexico City
Seven “antipopes” presided in Avignon Palace from 1309 to 1376 because of a dispute between the French royals and Rome.
Where does Team Trump expect to base its antipope? Mar-a-Lago, which enjoys fine winter weather, probably has the inside track. It may lack grandeur of the Avignon Palace, but it will do in a pinch.
Pope Leo will soon score his own PR points. He declined a White House invite to attend July 4 festivities in Philadelphia.
On that day, he will be on the Italian island of Lampedusa, an entry point for migrants crossing the ghetto Mediterranean. Will Leo’s speech at Lampedusa, take aim at Team Trump’s harsh anti-immigration policies? Stay tuned.
Richard Nixon is remembered for his infamous "I am not a crook" statement. Donald Trump will be haunted by his "I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation” line... Nixon's trip to China changed the world. Trump's trip to China may also change the world, for the worse... Pity the president's PR team that denies reality to stay on the good side of their boss.
Nine percent of US adults think it was okay for Donald Trump to post an image depicting himself as Jesus Christ. Oh Lord!... It’s hard to shed a tear for a billionaire, especially one with a thin skin like Citadel chief Ken Griffin... A Republican group plans to support GOP candidates who want to restore foreign aid cuts made by Elon Musk's DOGE.
The death of Ted Turner, CNN's visionary founder, highlights the network's uncertain future under Paramount Skydance ownership... Anti-Defamation League reports a 33% drop in antisemitic incidents in 2025. But hold the cheers because 2025 was the third most violent year for American Jews... AI could use some PR according to Yale Youth Poll... Omnicom Media Intelligence warns that ad frequency can result in brand damage... Wall Street gives Bronx cheer to Coinbase's decision to fire about 700 people.
Struggling WPP and rampaging Omnicom have something in common. It's 6.7 percent... Nonsensical Comey indictment and Melania's war on Jimmy Kimmel are sure signs that Team Trump is falling apart... Black Rock pulls the plug on offshore wind project to please the nation's No. 1 hater of 'ugly' offshore windmills. 
“Having been born in the US” is tied for dead last in the “What does it mean to be American” survey conducted by Ipsos US Public Affairs... Defense Secretary Hegseth's boneheaded move... FTI Consulting chief Steven Gunby is the firm's $10M man... Book bans in the US near record level... Can Kevin Warsh avoid the fate of Kevin McCarthy?
