Robin Abcarian

Column: Why is Trump so desperate to distract the country from the Epstein files? The president supported releasing the files during the 2024 election to appease his MAGA base. Now he calls it a Democratic deflection.

‘So, what, exactly, was the point of shuttering the House? Was Johnson trying to protect Trump from “incriminating” information in the Epstein files? Or simply currying favor with an increasingly erratic president by doing his bidding?’

Via @rabcarian.bsky.social

www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Epstein wrote that Trump knew of sexual abuse but didn’t participate That account, included in a new tranche of documents, conflicts with Trump’s denial of ever knowing about Epstein’s solicitation of underage prostitution before Epstein’s 2008 plea deal.

Guys, can we PLEASE not call rape "underage prostitution"? As in: "That account...conflicts with Trump’s denial of ever knowing about Epstein’s solicitation of underage prostitution before Epstein’s 2008 plea deal."
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202... @iarnsdorf.bsky.social

The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.

This was Beyond the Valley of Predictable. Thanks to those who have quantified the death & destruction. SHAME SHAME on Musk and DOGE. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...

‘There Should Be Flashing Red Lights’: Steve Bannon on Mamdani’s Win Trump’s former White House strategist has a warning for Republicans gloating about Zohran Mamdani’s election.

Steve Bannon updates the racist Obama birth certificate playbook for Mamdani: "I think this guy's citizenship should be checked. If the guy lied on his naturalization papers, he ought to be deported and put on a plane to Uganda." Mamdani was 7 when he moved to the US. www.yahoo.com/news/article...

Column: Proposed settlement between feds and UCLA is a master class in extortion Trump's administration accused the university of antisemitism and wants to dismantle anything related to DEI.

Solid column by @rabcarian.bsky.social. The Trump administration's extortion of UCLA goes beyond asking California taxpayers (ultimately) to pay $1 billion completely unjustified by law. Many substantive provisions of the draft substitute Trump administration policy preferences for the law.

Column: Proposed settlement between feds and UCLA is a master class in extortion Trump's administration accused the university of antisemitism and wants to dismantle anything related to DEI.

‘In the Trump administration’s war on American universities, fighting antisemitism, while worthy, is just a pretext. Don’t be fooled.’

Via @rabcarian.bsky.social

www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Column: Virginia Giuffre spent half her life fighting for justice against Epstein In her posthumous memoir, "Nobody's Girl," Giuffre has the last word.

‘If there’s one takeaway from Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, it’s that the unrepentant child trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s partner in crime, should never, ever be considered for the pardon or commutation’

Via @rabcarian.bsky.social
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Not really sure what that’s about. My feeling is: I write what I wrote and the better ideas transcend placement on the page!

For the record, I do not give a you-know-what about @katieporteroc.bsky.social snapping at a reporter or a staffer. Are you freaking kidding me? Have you checked out the state of our democracy lately? I haven't picked a side in the gov's race, but give me a freaking break on this meaningless crap.

Commentary: At Trump's Justice Department, partisan pugnacity where honor, integrity should be Harmeet Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division responds to personal tragedy with a lack of civility, reflecting an administration that deems half the country its enemy.

Excellent post by @markzbarabak.bsky.social on our Mean Girl assistant AG www.latimes.com/politics/sto...

Just wow

Next time some Trump supporter says "BUT THE NAME-CALLING BY THE LEFT IS DANGEROUS!" show them this:

#Hypocrisy

Border Czar Tom Homan was caught by the FBI accepting bribes - on camera - to deliver government contracts in exchange for $50,000 in cash.

Pam Bondi knew.

Kash Patel knew.

Emil Bove knew.

And they made the investigation go away.

A corrupt attempt to conceal brazen graft.

You are an amazing raconteur! What a pleasure it was to talk with you about Jerry, the Dead, and the 60s counterculture. Go buy the book, people!

Morning smile.

Exactly

Column: Epstein survivors threaten to take matters into their own hands Tired of Congress dragging its feet, the women said to "stay tuned" regarding the release of their own incriminating list.

‘This is about protecting America’s children. This is about restoring trust in our government. This is about standing with survivors. This should be beyond politics. It’s a moral issue’

Via @rabcarian.bsky.social

www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

And yes, as a matter of fact, I am a former fashion editor. For the LA Daily News and the @detroitfreepress.bsky.social Covered the shows in NY, Paris, London & Milan a lifetime ago. Still have some Armani in my closet!

Giorgio Armani, Italian designer who revolutionized the shape of fashion, has died Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who revolutionized the shape of fashion for men and women, has died at home, the fashion house said. He was 91.

RIP to Giorgio Armani, who, among his many talents, put women in softly structured pantsuits and changed how we dress. Lovely obit by my former colleague Mary Rourke, who must have penned it 20 years ago! www.latimes.com/obituaries/s...

Column: The absurd persecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia The Trump administration is hellbent on making an example of the Salvadoran immigrant who is also, yes, a Maryland father.

‘The Trump administration’s jihad against immigrants, particularly those with brown skin, is as un-American as it is sickening…It’s clear that no immigrant in this country is safe from his racist wrath.’

Via @rabcarian.bsky.social @latimes.com

www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Column: Microplastics are just one way the world is trying to kill you Microplastics and other toxins have invaded every corner of our lives, including our brains, wreaking havoc on our health

Microplastics are just one way the world is trying to kill you www.latimes.com/opinion/stor... via @rabcarian.bsky.social

lol. Gavin. Too good.

Column: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's embrace of unchristian Christian nationalism The influential 'theo-bro' Douglas Wilson wants to turn back the clock on civil rights in the name of Christ.

‘What you have in people like Hegseth and Wilson are authoritarian men who hide behind their religion to execute the most unchristian of agendas.’

Via @rabcarian.bsky.social

www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Unfuckingbelievable

I approve of this bird

I’m sorry but “traditional media” has been covering the shit out of this story.

Competition is the lifeblood of journalism!

Rupert Murdoch Plots a Newspaper War In L.A. The launch of a New York Post offshoot in California may seem like side show. But News Corp sees a real chance to carve away audience from The Los Angeles Times with its tabloid formula. Is the Times'...

‘In L.A. right now, despite missteps, Soon-Shiong’s paper has had a near monopoly on daily metro news coverage… That SoCal monopoly may now be under threat by a well-capitalized machine run by Fleet Street veterans.’

www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...

Column: Will Trump weaken the federal judiciary with specious accusations against judges? It's right out of the autocrat's playbook: Trump and his loyalists are going after judges who defy him.

Over the weekend, the @latimes.com @rabcarian.bsky.social featured Keep Our Republic's Article III Coalition member, Judge Jeremy Fogel.

He provided firsthand insights into judicial conferences & discussed the state of the judiciary today.

www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Column: Will Trump weaken the federal judiciary with specious accusations against judges? It's right out of the autocrat's playbook: Trump and his loyalists are going after judges who defy him.

‘It’s no secret that Trump harbors autocratic ambitions… And now he has trained his sights on the independent judiciary urging punishment of judges who thwart his agenda.’

Via @rabcarian.bsky.social

www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...