Happy Friday, friends! The end of another week is upon us. I’m sitting in our backroom with fans and the AC on, trying to keep up with the rising temperatures in our area. I learned yesterday from our local weatherman that this is the most humid summer in Virginia since 1945! So, it wasn’t in my imagination that it feels even heavier than normal! Wherever you find yourself, I pray for a cool breeze and some shade - hey, it’s only 7 weeks until the “ber” months. Come on, Fall!
Alright, let’s jump into the July 18th installment of the Dawn Dispatch…
White House Announces Trump Health Update After Speculation of Swollen Legs and Bruised Hands
On Thursday evening, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed additional details about President Donald Trump’s health after photos showed apparent bruising on his hands as well as swollen legs.
Leavitt read a memo emphasizing his legs were a ”benign and common” condition, while his hands were attributed to hand shaking and the use of aspirin. Additionally, Leavitt reassured reporters that the President conducted multiple tests to include vascular studies, bilateral lower extremity tests, venous Doppler ultrasounds, lab testing for metabolic and cardiac markers, and an echocardiogram. Leavett did reveal that the President is suffering from Chronic Venous Insufficiency, a condition where veins have trouble moving blood back to the heart, particularly in the legs. Yet, additional testing confirmed normal cardiac structures and function.
Bottom Line: The current administration is taking a more forthcoming approach to get ahead of any rumors regarding President Trump's health, amid recent investigations surrounding the cover-up of former President Biden’s cognitive and physical decline. In May, President Trump's physician reported Trump to be “in excellent health.” It’s not unusual for a 70-year-old to experience swelling, especially considering how active the President is during a normal work day.
Israel strikes Gaza Catholic Church in second civilian casualty event in a week.
According to the Israeli military, the church was struck by shell fragments that hit the church mistakenly during a strike on another target in the vicinity. Prime Minister Netanyahu released a statement advocating for the protection of innocent civilians and described the incident as “regretful” and promised a thorough investigation into the incident.
Bottom Line: This is the second civilian casualty event in the last week in which Israel has had a less than favorable response to. The parish priest of the Catholic church, Father Gabriel Romanelli, was seen injured in the attack. Father Romanelli frequently reports personally to Pope Leo at the Vatican on the situation in Gaza. Churches are mandated as an international “no strike” protected landmark, and any action against a protected landmark is a violation of international human law. Following an investigation, the country could be charged with a war crime, and see increased scrutiny from international players. The only time a church would be acceptable to target, is if it was being used for military operations.
UK Looking to Lower Voting Age to 16
The British government says it will introduce legislation to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 to “modernize U.K. democracy.” The government’s website claims the bill is designed for
“expanding the democratic rights of young people and paving the way for digital voter identification; rebuilding our firewall against foreign interference and protecting those who put their name forward to stand in elections against harassment and intimidation.”
The bill is predicted to pass, allowing 1.6 million teenagers the privilege to vote in the next general election. The Labour Party holds the majority in Parliament and campaigned for lowering the voting age last year, following a 59.7% voter turnout in last year’s election. Advocates for lowering the voter age claim that 16-year-olds may be equally or more informed than other voters, as they are actively learning about elections and current events while in school. Additionally, as 16-year-olds can join the military in the UK and pay taxes, supporters believe these teens have a right to vote on where those taxes go.
The Conservative Party mainly opposes the bill, citing that young voters habitually vote in favor of a liberal candidate. Those opposed believe teens are easily persuaded by current trends in popular, performative politics and may not be mature enough to vote at 16-17.
Bottom Line: Many mainstream media outlets are asking whether the UK is setting a precedent for the US to consider similar measures. Democrats have previously introduced legislation without success. Yet, since 2024, cities such as Albany, CA, and Newark, NJ, have allowed 16-year-olds to vote in local elections. Considering the Republican majority and its stance on lowering the voting age, it’s unlikely at this time to see any bill introduced. However, Democrats could look at the opportunity in the future, knowing a move is statistically in their favor.
Maurene Comey, the Daughter of Former FBI Director Comey, Fired
Maurene Comey, former prosecutor for the Jeffrey Epstein and Sean “Diddy” Combs case, was fired on Wednesday evening. According to Politico via a third-person account, Maurene Comey was given no explanation for her firing. That same source claims the order did not come from the office's interim U.S. attorney, suggesting the dismissal originated from the Justice Department’s headquarters.
Bottom Line: Maurene Comey’s firing instills more curiosity from those watching the Jeffrey Epstein files unfold, and the unusual handling of its “authenticity” in the last week. Additionally, as her father is undergoing a potential investigation for his role in encouraging a narrative surrounding Trump’s 2016 campaign, Russian link rumors, and threatening social media posts, removing Maurene may be in order to avoid a conflict of interest. Regardless, it comes at an odd time, considering many critics of the Epstein Case Files have been calling for her dismissal prior to this month.
WSJ Hit-Piece on Trump
Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal published a what was being reported as a “bombshell report” detailing a sexually suggestive 2003 birthday letter allegedly bearing Trump's signature to Jeffrey Epstein, featuring an outline of a naked woman and concluding with "Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret." Trump vehemently denied writing the letter, calling it "fake" and threatening to sue the Journal, NewsCorp, and Rupert Murdoch. Following the WSJ report, Trump directed Attorney General Bondi to seek court approval to release "any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony" from the Epstein case.
Trump responded to the earlier backlash by posting on Truth Social that supporters should "not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about," calling the controversy a "hoax" created by Democrats and labeling his critics as "weaklings." Trump went as far as saying, "I don't want their support anymore" regarding supporters who continue to press for file releases.
Bottom Line: This issue is creating unprecedented tension within Trump's base, with many MAGA supporters feeling betrayed by the administration's reversal on a key transparency promise. Even House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene are pushing for more transparency, with Greene working to force a House vote requiring the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related documents. The WSJ revelation has intensified the controversy, forcing Trump to reverse course on file releases while simultaneously threatening legal action against the newspaper. The controversy threatens to fracture Trump's coalition over an issue that has been central to many conspiracy theories within conservative circles, particularly those believing Epstein possessed compromising material on powerful figures.
Still, as reported yesterday, since the entire Epstein debacle has picked up steam in the last few weeks, Trump’s approval ratings have only increased, indicating that the issue might just be an “online” phenomenon.
Happening Today:
Today, Planned Parenthood lawyers are scheduled to appear before a federal judge seeking an extension of the temporary restraining order blocking a Republican provision that would terminate Medicaid payments to abortion providers. The contested measure, included in Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" signed on July 4th, would halt all Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood for a full year.
Things to watch…
US Strikes Destroyed Only One of Three Iranian Nuclear Sites
Singer Connie Francis is dead at 87
On This Day In History…
1918 - Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid leader and future president, was born in the village of Mvezo (July 18th is now celebrated as Nelson Mandela International Day)
1925 - Adolf Hitler published the first volume of "Mein Kampf" (My Struggle), his autobiographical manifesto that became the blueprint for Nazi ideology
1936 - General Francisco Franco revolted against the Republican government in Spain, starting the Spanish Civil War
1947 - President Harry S. Truman signed the Presidential Succession Act, establishing the line of succession if the president becomes incapacitated
1968 - Intel Corporation was founded in Mountain View, California
1976 - Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci became the first person in Olympic history to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics at the Montreal Olympics
1984 - McDonald's massacre in San Ysidro, California: James Oliver Huberty killed 21 people and injured 19 others before being shot by police
2013 - The city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy with up to $20 billion in debt, becoming the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history
Alright friends - I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I’m hosting a baby shower at our house for four women at our small parish, so today I’ll be cleaning! I’ll see you back here, bright and early, on Tuesday morning!
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