This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the latest developments in the Epstein files saga, how Supreme Court decisions under John Roberts have dramatically expanded Trump’s power, and whether the Texas Republicans’ redistricting plan will tip the map redder, or backfire.
Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:
Khadeeja Safdar and Joe Palazzolo for The Wall Street Journal: Jeffrey Epstein’s Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album. One Was From Donald Trump.
Corinne Ramey and Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg for The Wall Street Journal: Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Publisher Dow Jones Over Jeffrey Epstein Article
Sadie Gurman, Annie Linskey, Josh Dawsey and Alex Leary for The Wall Street Journal: Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files
Michael Gold for The New York Times: Swallowing Reservations, Democrats Go on Offense on Epstein Files
Isabel Keane for the Independent: What does Donald Trump have to prove to win his WSJ lawsuit over ‘fake’ Epstein card?
Austin Sarat for The Hill (Opinion): Trump’s WSJ lawsuit is as dangerous as it is unprecedented
Landon Thomas Jr. for New York Magazine (From the Archives): Jeffrey Epstein: International Moneyman of Mystery; “Terrific guy,” Donald Trump booms from a speakerphone. “He’s a lot of fun to be with.”
Peter M. Shane for The Atlantic: This Is the Presidency John Roberts Has Built
The Hardest Job in the World by John Dickerson
Charlie Savage for The New York Times (News Analysis): Immunity Ruling Escalates Long Rise of Presidential Power
Katie Shepherd for The Washington Post: Trump denies Maryland’s request for FEMA aid after devastating floods
Nicholas Riccardi and Nadia Lathan for The Associated Press: Texas Republicans aim to redraw House districts at Trump’s urging, but there’s a risk
The Associated Press: New York’s top court rejects congressional maps drawn by Democrats
Andrew Howard for Politico: Democratic poll warns GOP redistricting could cost Republicans up to 7 points in competitive seats
Jamie Osbourne for The Houston Chronicle: These Democrats could be targeted in the GOP’s Texas redistricting push
J. David Goodman for The New York Times: Cornyn Calls Primary Fight Against Ken Paxton a ‘Test of Character’
Nia-Malika Henderson for Bloomberg (Opinion): MAGA Evangelicals Love Their Sinners More Than They Hate Sin
Here are this week’s chatters:
Emily: David Brooks for the New York Times (Opinion): When Novels Mattered; Ann Patchett Responds: Gives David Brooks literature recommendations; Emily’s recommendation: The Gods of New York by Jonathan Mailer.
John: Water Crises: Iranians asked to limit water use as temperatures hit 50C and reservoirs are depleted and Athens’s New Answer to a Water Supply Crunch: An Ancient Aqueduct
David: Book recommendation: The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling); Salt Lake City Celebration: City Cast’s “801 Day” Festival on Aug. 1st
Listener chatter from James Mehigan in Christchurch, New Zealand: Ex-speaker Trevor Mallard being sued by child over Parliament protest music
For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Emily, John, and David discuss what they are enjoying reading, watching, and cooking so far this summer.
In the latest Gabfest Reads, David talks with Carl Hiaasen about his new book, Fever Beach, a political satire for the Trump Era.
Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)
Research by Nora Moses
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