Musk, Epstein, and Tariffs - “The Sunday Political Brunch”- July 13, 2025
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
Musk, Epstein, and Tariffs - “The Sunday Political Brunch”- July 13, 2025
“Tallying Tariffs” – “Tallying Tariffs” – President Donald Trump promised to impose new tariffs on numerous nations this past Wednesday, but instead announced the new date would be August 1. They include 25 percent tariffs on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, as well as 50 percent tariffs on goods from Brazil and 35 percent on those from Canada. An additional 18 nations, including Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia, and the Philippines, would also see increased tariffs. On the heels of concerns over the financial impact of the “big, beautiful bill” signing and the tariffs, the financial markets have been fluctuating like a yo-yo. The Dow Jones closed last Thursday, July 3, at +344; then -422 on Monday and -165 on Tuesday; rebounded +217 on Wednesday; and -223 on Thursday. Friday, it dipped sharply, down by nearly than 300. Unsettled times mean unsettled markets!
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“Musk’s America Party” – One person who is still angry about the “big, beautiful bill” is former Trump aide Elon Musk. Musk, who has launched a third party, known as the America Party, had also threatened to finance and endorse challengers to any Republican senators who voted for the bill. It’s not certain if he will or can do both, but the concept of a third party is getting traction in some polls. First of all, on his own X platform, he asked readers if they would support the creation of a third party, and 65 percent responded, “yes.” Now that’s not a scientific sample of people, since they are primarily comprised of those who follow his tweets. Still, it is anecdotal evidence in support. According to a survey by the independent pollster Quantus Insights, 14 percent said they would be very likely to support the new party, and 26 percent said they would be somewhat likely. That’s 40 percent, which is a significant figure. It may not be enough to win, but the party could be a “spoiler” in many close races. Musk is wealthy, but so was Ross Perot, and he could not make a third party go. It takes a lot of organization and “boots on the ground” to persuade voters.
“Biden Testimony ‘Doctored’” – The House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the health decline of President Joe Biden’s final years in office, hit something of a brick wall. The committee had subpoenaed Biden’s White House doctor to testify. But Dr. Kevin O’Connor cited doctor-patient confidentiality and also declined under the Fifth Amendment, which protects one’s right against self-incrimination. Rep. James Comer (R) Kentucky said in a statement, “The American people demand transparency, but Dr. O’Connor would rather conceal the truth.” Many committee members are concerned that Biden’s mental acuity was so diminished that high-level aides were running the White House, including signing presidential orders with an auto-pen. Biden has, in the past, called the claims “ridiculous and false.” I hope the committee pursues its work. That is not my knock on Biden, but rather a ringing endorsement of the public’s right to know.
“Supreme Court: ‘You’re Fired!’” – It was a mixed week of decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, which is making a very rare July agenda. On an 8-to-1 vote, the high court essentially ruled that the Trump administration, as the head of the Executive Branch of government, can proceed with downsizing federal agencies, such as those in education and state, which fall under the president’s authority. The court overturned a federal district court judge's decision, but more appeals and lawsuits are likely to follow. Friday, the State Department dismissed 1,300 employees. While that was a win for the White House, it was also dealt a significant setback on immigration. The justices voted not to uphold a Florida immigration law. The Sunshine State passed a law recently that would let Florida law enforcement arrest anyone who was in the state illegally. Essentially, the high court ruled immigration is the purview of the federal government, and individual states may not exceed that authority. However, the ruling only temporarily halts Florida’s enforcement, as the legal case proceeds through the federal court system. To top things off, another federal district court has issued a nationwide injunction banning Trump’s end of birthright citizenship. Cue up the U.S. Supreme Court, still working in July!
“The Epstein Files” – In February, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Fox News that she had Jeffrey Epstein’s client list. “It’s sitting on my desk right now to review.” She added, “That’s been a directive by President Trump.” This “list” purportedly contains the names of famous politicians, entertainers, athletes, rich folks, and others who visited what amounted to a “sex camp” on a private island owned by Epstein. Some of the victims were under the age of consent, suggesting statutory rape and sex trafficking. Then on July 7, the Justice Department issued a memo which said, in part, “This systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list.’” It went on to say, “There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.” Well, which is it? First, there was a salacious client list, and now there isn’t one. President Trump promised to restructure and rebuild trust in the Justice Department, but now it has zero credibility. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino may resign over the dispute.
“Hi, this is Marco Rubio! NOT!!!” – It is perhaps the most disturbing political story of the week, but let’s face it, we all saw it coming. Someone using artificial intelligence replicated the voice of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The AI-generated voice was used to call three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor’s office, and a member of Congress. The imposter also sent texts that mimicked Rubio’s writing style. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, "The State Department, of course, is aware of this incident and is currently monitoring and addressing the matter.” Rubio won’t be the last politician “hacked” like this. On a personal note, this is why I don’t answer or speak to unsolicited robocalls. A hacker on the other end could use my recorded voice to generate AI-assisted applications for loans, credit cards, and other purposes. We live in scary times!
“Be the Judge of Buttigieg” – Last week, I did a thumbnail sketch of the three leading Republicans for president in 2028, so this week let’s look at the top three Democrats. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, is now a resident of Michigan. He has mulled a run for governor and senator in 2026, but is also leading in a key poll to be the Democrats' nominee for president in 2028. Democrats need to win back the “blue wall” of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania in 2028. The openly gay Buttigieg could win his adopted home state of Michigan, and neighboring Wisconsin, which has sent an openly lesbian U.S. Senator to Washington, DC for several years now. If he adds Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) Pennsylvania to his VP ticket, Democrats would have a shot at winning all three states and the White House.
“Harris, Take 2” – The Emerson College Poll, which shows Buttigieg leading at 19 percent, has former Vice President Kamala Harris in second place with 13 percent. I fully expect Harris to be elected Governor of California next year, putting her in a prime position to run for president in 2028. However, the history books tell us that political parties rarely nominate a candidate who has already run for the top job and lost. For example, Gov. Adlai Stevenson II (D) Illinois, lost to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower in the 1952 White House campaign. In 1956, Democrats again nominated Stevenson, who lost in a second landslide to Eisenhower. The public has a “been there, done that” attitude, and that could hurt Harris’s chances. In the modern era, there’s only been one candidate who “broke the mold.” Vice President Richard Nixon was defeated by Sen. John Kennedy (D) Massachusetts, in the 1960 presidential election. But Republicans gave Nixon the nomination again in 1968 and he won the presidency. It can be done, but it’s rare.
“New Found Newsom” – I first met Gavin Newsom in 1999, when he was a little-known member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. But the public really liked his boyish good looks and charm, along with his progressive agenda. His political career took off like a rocket, despite a few hiccups. By 2004, he was the Mayor of San Francisco and was reelected in 2007. After that, he served two terms as Lieutenant Governor of California, before winning the state’s top job for two terms. He finished third in the recent Emerson College Poll with 12 percent. At 57, Newsom may have a few more shots at the White House if he does not win in 2028. Like Harris, Newsom will be challenged to win any of the seven battleground states that twice provided the margin of victory for Trump.