Daily newsletter 7/23

🔹 It was a big news day in national politics — but not enough to help Trump get the Epstein scandal out of the headlines. The Wall Street Journal is now reporting that the DOJ told Trump back in May that his name comes up several times in the Epstein files; and this is after Trump sued the WSJ for publishing a raunchy birthday letter he allegedly sent to Epstein.

🇫🇷 French President Macron is hitting back hard at far-right commentator Candace Owens for pushing the conspiracy theory that his wife Brigitte is secretly transgender. Meanwhile, Trump’s border agents are facing backlash for detaining a gay U.S. citizen for hours, and his State Department may be planning to end PEPFAR and cut off HIV medication to other countries.

In Florida, a judge ruled in 2023 that an anti-drag law could not be enforced — but that isn’t stopping the state’s attorney general from harassing a wine bar over it.

Until tomorrow,

Christine Linnell
Social media manager, The Advocate

Trump (not drag queens) appears in Epstein files & DOJ told him months ago, The Wall Street Journal reports

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; U.S. State Department via ABC News

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Donald Trump that his name appears in Epstein investigation files.

French President Macron sues Candace Owens for defamation over claims his wife is transgender

Frederic Legrand/COMEO/Shutterstock; lev radin/Shutterstock

The Macrons are suing the right-wing influencer in a U.S. state court in Delaware.

Outrage after border agents subject detained gay Vermont superintendent to hours of ‘psychological terror’

Karolis Kavolelis/Shutterstock

Local officials and national lawmakers are expressing anger over U.S. citizen Wilmer Chavarria’s “deeply disturbing” encounter while returning from vacation with his husband.

Trump admin may end PEPFAR, replacing it with a program chiefly benefiting the U.S.

Christopher Penler/Shutterstock

The State Department has drafted a plan to end the successful global HIV-fighting program.

Florida Attorney General harasses wine bar for violating a drag ban that judges already blocked

footage still via facebook @kiltedmermaid; Courtesy Office of the Attorney General, State of Florida

This isn’t the first time James Uthmeier, who is up for election to a four-year term next year, has appeared to ignore the courts saying a law could not be enforced.

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