The Morning Sixpack - August 5, 2025

Trump’s sons launch manufacturing SPAC; NASA speeds moon nuclear reactor; Fed chair race narrows; White House targets bank bias; Epstein files subpoenaed; did you know Epstein was an FBI informant?

Jeffrey Epstein Was More Than Just Protected—He Was an FBI Informant, Documents Reveal #Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein wasn’t just skating on legal ice—he was an active FBI informant long before his notorious 2007 plea deal, according to leaked documents obtained by RadarOnline. This changes the entire narrative: Epstein wasn’t merely protected by powerful connections; he was essentially a federal asset.

Internal FBI memos show Epstein providing information to the bureau as part of a deal that kept federal prosecutors at bay while he served a lenient sentence in Florida. One cable from 2008 reads, “No federal prosecution will occur in this matter as long as Epstein continues to uphold his agreement with the State of Florida.” The deal even granted immunity to his alleged co-conspirators, raising serious questions about what Epstein was trading for such protection.

Alex Acosta, the U.S. Attorney behind the plea bargain, later admitted he was told to “leave it alone” because Epstein “belonged to intelligence.” This isn’t some conspiracy theory—it’s a documented reality. A source close to the case calls these files the “smoking gun,” showing Epstein’s FBI ties stretch well before the plea deal.

The revelations confirm long-held suspicions: Epstein’s immunity wasn’t just a legal fluke but part of a larger, murkier relationship with federal authorities. As one insider put it bluntly, “Epstein wasn’t just evading justice—he was helping them.” And the public deserves to know exactly what he was trading and who else was in on it.

Source: RadarOnline

House Oversight Committee Demands Justice Department Release Epstein Files Amid Growing Suspicion of Top Officials’ Involvement #EpsteinFiles

The House Oversight Committee just made it crystal clear: They want the full truth on Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation, subpoenaing the Justice Department for all related files. This isn’t just routine poking around—lawmakers suspect links reaching as high as former President Trump and other big names, and they’re not backing down despite the congressional recess.

Republicans running the committee also subpoenaed depositions from former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and eight former top law enforcement officials. Interest in the Epstein files isn’t fading; it’s only heating up. Trump’s attempts to brush aside the Justice Department’s refusal to fully release the documents have met resistance from lawmakers across the political spectrum—including some of his own supporters.

The subpoenas signal that the investigation could expose uncomfortable truths about powerful figures. As Rep. Robert Garcia said, “What is Donald Trump hiding that he won’t release in the Epstein files?” This probe is far from over, and transparency is the demand.

Meanwhile, Trump is busy stirring the pot on tariffs and foreign relations, but the Epstein files are proving impossible to ignore. The public deserves clarity on who knew what and when—no more stonewalling or political games.

Source: Associated Press

Trump Narrows Fed Chair Race: Scott Bessent Out, “Both Kevins” Gain Ground

President Trump just cut the field for his next Federal Reserve chair nominee, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent isn’t on the list. “I love Scott, but he wants to stay where he is,” Trump told CNBC Tuesday, effectively taking him out of the running.

Trump’s focus is now on two frontrunners: Kevin Hassett, his National Economic Council director, and Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor. Both “Kevins,” as Trump called them, seem to have his backing, giving them a clear edge over other candidates like Fed Gov. Christopher Waller.

With Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s term ending in May 2026, Trump is expected to make a decision soon. He also hinted he might pick someone short-term to fill a separate vacancy at the Fed, potentially setting up a tandem announcement.

Market watchers are watching closely, especially after the Fed’s recent decision to hold interest rates steady despite Trump’s pressure for cuts. Hassett’s odds jumped after Trump’s comments, signaling investor confidence in the “Kevin” approach.

Bottom line: Trump’s Fed pick will shape monetary policy amid economic uncertainty, and his narrowed list shows a preference for insiders aligned with his agenda rather than current Treasury leadership.

Source: MarketWatch

White House Ready to Fine Banks for Political Discrimination Against Conservatives

The White House is gearing up to crack down on banks that cut off customers for political reasons, targeting financial institutions with potential fines and investigations. A draft executive order, expected to be signed this week, directs regulators to hunt for violations of credit and antitrust laws if banks drop clients based on their political beliefs.

This move responds to growing complaints from conservatives and crypto companies who say banks have shut them out, sometimes citing vague “reputational risks.” The draft references cases like Bank of America closing accounts of a Ugandan Christian group due to religious beliefs, a claim the bank disputes, saying it doesn’t serve small foreign businesses.

President Trump shared his own experience of being dropped by banks like JPMorgan Chase, accusing them of discrimination despite his loyalty. A JPMorgan spokeswoman denied politically motivated closures but agreed regulatory reform is needed.

The order would also force banks to revise policies that might encourage such discrimination and involves the Small Business Administration reviewing banks it guarantees loans with. It signals the administration’s intent to protect conservative clients and crypto firms, pushing back against what they see as unfair financial gatekeeping.

Banks, meanwhile, insist their decisions are driven by legal compliance, especially anti-money laundering rules, and have already started updating policies to avoid discrimination allegations.

Source: Wall Street Journal

NASA’s Acting Chief Pushes to Fast-Track Nuclear Reactor on the Moon by 2030

NASA is gearing up to accelerate its plan to put a nuclear reactor on the moon, aiming to jumpstart the next chapter of space exploration despite tight budgets. Sean Duffy, acting NASA administrator and secretary of transportation, sent a directive pushing for a 100-kilowatt lunar reactor launch by 2030—more powerful than the 40-kilowatt model already in the works.

Duffy frames this move as key to “winning the second space race,” especially as China targets landing astronauts on the moon by the same year. The faster timeline also includes plans to replace the aging International Space Station with commercially run stations well before 2030 to keep the U.S. ahead in orbit.

A 100-kilowatt reactor could power roughly 80 U.S. homes, highlighting its potential to sustain longer lunar missions and future Mars expeditions. Yet, NASA hasn’t been explicit about exactly what the reactor would power, leaving room for speculation about lunar bases or heavy equipment.

Duffy stressed national security concerns, warning that “the first country to have a reactor could declare a keep-out zone which would significantly inhibit the United States,” referencing the joint Russian-Chinese space plans. Despite recent Pentagon setbacks with nuclear rocket programs, NASA remains committed to advancing nuclear power technology in space.

Bottom line: This push signals that despite budget cuts, nuclear power is central to America’s space ambitions—and NASA isn’t willing to let China take the lead.

I seriously thought this was from the Onion.

Source: UPI

Trump’s Sons Dive Into U.S. Manufacturing with New $300M SPAC Launch

Eric and Donald Trump Jr. are backing a new SPAC aiming to breathe life into domestic manufacturing and critical supply chains. Their New America Acquisition I Corp. just filed for a $300 million public offering to target companies that revitalize American industry—tying into their family’s ongoing push for economic nationalism.

The SPAC will hunt for merger candidates worth at least $700 million combined, with Eric and Donald Jr. holding millions of founder shares that could turn into big payouts once deals close. This move mirrors President Trump’s tariffs and trade rhetoric focused on boosting American manufacturing and jobs.

Led by longtime media and tech exec Kevin McGurn, and advised by investment veteran Kyle Wool—already a key player in the Trump sons’ expanding portfolio—the SPAC fits right into the family’s broad business ambitions beyond real estate and crypto.

The Trumps have faced criticism over conflicts of interest, especially given their simultaneous investments in controversial sectors like cryptocurrency and politically charged “antiwoke” ventures. Still, this new SPAC signals they’re doubling down on playing a role in shaping America’s industrial future.

If the SPAC succeeds, it’ll add another chapter to the Trump family’s expanding empire—and give them a fresh stake in the country’s manufacturing comeback narrative.

I seriously thought this was from the Onion, too.

Source: Wall Street Journal (gift article)