* According to acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst III, the ongoing war with Iran, “Operation Epic Fury,” has already cost a (low-balled) estimated $25 billion so far. This war of choice isn’t cheap. “Epic Fury” should actually be the response of Congress and the general public to the spiraling costs, weapons-stockpile depletion, alliance discord and humanitarian tragedies caused by this chaotic war where narcissistic, wishful thinking substituted for strategy.
* “We have the best negotiator in the world driving a great deal.”—Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, on President Trump’s leadership over Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Imagine, if we didn’t.
* “We live in a crazy world.”—President Donald Trump. Truth be told.
* Revelations update: The Pentagon is releasing UFO files before the Trump Administration releases the Epstein files.
* It has caught the attention of 2028 political speculators that VP JD Vance is the first vice president to serve as the finance chair of the RNC. It’s the stairway to big-time GOPster financiers. Vance is known to regularly give out his cell phone number to major donors.
* When King Charles spoke to Congress, it surprised many viewers to see some bi-partisan, standing ovations–including responses on references to alliances and “checks and balances.” It was actually performance protocol for a real royal. As Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters pointed out, this was also another example of “elevator courage.” In short, GOPsters won’t risk going public with Trump criticism. In private conversations on Congressional elevators, however, they often express deep frustration and disagreement with Trump.
* That voters typically don’t make foreign policy a priority is probably a given with Trump, Hegseth & Co. but it does come with a political caveat. Voters can still sense when the country’s in trouble in the world.
* Melania Trump: Let’s just call her America First Lady.
* Pope Leo/Dope Nero Exchange:
^Holy Father: “Enough with the idolatry of self and money. Enough with the display of force. Enough with war! True strength is manifested in serving life.”
^Wholly Fodder: “Leo should get his act together as Pope. I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess.”
^BTW, if Leo were actually trying to lure Trump into more bombastically stupid tweets, would that be a Robe-a-Dope strategy?
* Another day at the orifice: Trump has an Oval Office button to push for a Diet Coke order on the spot. Why not? It kills cancer cells.
* “CRAZYTOWN”: That was how John Kelly, former Trump chief-of-staff, labeled the Trump White House. That was then—as well as now.
* “President Trump hates women he can’t control.”—Marjorie Taylor Greene.
* How much of an authoritarian, right-wing culture warrior was former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban? He was, according to Steve Bannon, “Trump before Trump.”
* Low-caliber update: the DOJ will now be allowing firing squads for federal executions. Tar & feathering is still banned.
* Comey & “86 47.” Trump still thinks the seashell numbers that former FBI Director James Comey spotted on a beach and briefly posted were a threat worthy of DOJ prosecution. Trump said “86” is a “mob term” for “kill him.” Merriam-Webster characterizes it as slang for “throw out” or “get rid of” that’s often associated with restaurant kitchens. In short, the defense plans to file a motion to “86” the case like spoiled tuna because the prosecution was vindictive and selective.
* It’s a global reality that countries needing American support will resort to Trump vanity appeals. One example: Ukraine wants to hold on to a western chunk of the Donbas region occupied by Russia. Ukrainian officials have been referring to such a free economic zone as “Donnyland.”
* Timing is everything: Too bad the U.S. visit of UK’s King Charles and Queen Camilla didn’t include attendance at a “No Kings” Rally.