@stphnfwlr.com
political reporter in ATL covering the south + future of GOP/Dem parties + ??? for @npr.org | always thinking of bourbon, biscuits and buc-ee’s newsletter: stphnfwlr.substack.com stories: https://www.npr.org/people/1219684807/stephen-fowler
NEW @npr.org: The Justice Department has published additional Epstein files related to allegations that President Trump sexually abused a minor after an NPR investigation found dozens of pages were withheld.
But 37 pages of records are still not public.
More:
New @npr.org Politics Podcast:
Justice Department releases missing Epstein files related to Trump
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to NPR Friday that Trump has been "totally exonerated by the release of the Epstein files."
Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein. The White House and Justice Department have warned that the raw files released to the public include "untrue and sensationalist claims."
The new files do not shed any more light on how credible federal investigators viewed her claims or how they were resolved.
Still unanswered, too, is why the allegations were included in a DOJ slide presentation last year summarizing the Epstein cases.
In the newly-published documents, the woman described how Trump allegedly put her head "down to his penis" and she "bit the shit out of it."
She alleged that Trump struck her and said something to the effect of "get this little bitch the hell out of here."
Read the new pages of Epstein files related to allegations that Trump sexually abused a minor that were previously withheld:
The new files do not shed any more light onto how credible federal investigators viewed her claims or how they were resolved.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/27...
The files include 16 new pages that cover three additional FBI interview summaries with a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse decades ago when she was a minor.
NEW @npr.org: The Justice Department has published additional Epstein files related to allegations that President Trump sexually abused a minor after an NPR investigation found dozens of pages were withheld.
But 37 pages of records are still not public.
More:
So please support your public radio and newspapers! We're the source of whatever Claude is summarizing anyway. And we do it better.
But this Claude incident highlights another problem with AI:
My story and the Post's work are carefully written and reported.
We deliberately choose what we can and can't say. Editors review our language and challenge us on facts.
AI summaries throw all that work into a copy blender.🫠
Are there concerns around using AI for targeting generally? Absolutely.
Myself and many others reported on the use of Israeli AI targeting systems during the Gaza war.
There are lots and lots of questions about whether it works, whether its legal, and so on.
www.npr.org/2023/12/14/1...
The post has reported something called the Maven Smart System was used to aid in targeting.
I have not done independent reporting on that one, so I can't say for sure.
And I certainly don't know if, or the extent to which Maven was involved with the Minab strike.
Claude then referenced project Maven, a long-running department of defense program to use AI at the Pentagon.
It noted that Maven was being used in the Iran conflict, citing DNYUZ. Not sure what that is, but I'm pretty sure its based on the Post's reporting here.
bsky.app/profile/wash...
That was based on this report from yesterday, which Claude did a reasonably good job summarizing.
In essence probably the best theory is that the U.S. or Israel (more likely U.S.) used outdated targeting information when it struck the school.
Full post:
bsky.app/profile/gbru...
OK, as the actual journalist who has been unwittingly caught up in the Claude rumor this morning (who also covers AI disinformation) let me clear this one up for the record.
To recap: Claude kind of implicated itself in the Iran school bombing citing (in part) my reporting...
NEW @npr.org: As a growing crop of young candidates challenge longtime Democratic incumbents, some are not just breaking through in the money race, but outraising their opponents altogether.
A look at generational dynamics in 12 House districts with @elenamoore.bsky.social
Stepping in as acting secretary is GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma who Trump said had "Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda." n.pr/4s2Covt
As a growing crop of young candidates challenge longtime Democratic incumbents, some are not just breaking through in the money race, but outraising their opponents altogether. n.pr/3NgKMIE
NEW @npr.org: As a growing crop of young candidates challenge longtime Democratic incumbents, some are not just breaking through in the money race, but outraising their opponents altogether.
A look at generational dynamics in 12 House districts with @elenamoore.bsky.social
With Rep. Dan Crenshaw losing his primary
Rep. Burgess Owens retiring
Sen. Steve Daines' surprise retirement
Now ***1 in 8*** current lawmakers in Congress don't plan to return to their seats next year, per the @npr.org retirement tracker.
New @npr.org: Former Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will face former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley in the state's toss-up U.S. Senate race.
Wondering why the NPR logo looks a little different today? Thread below:
"I think it's time for America to rip the Band-Aid off," Marjorie Taylor Greene said to Megyn Kelly. "And we need to have a serious conversation about what the fuck is happening to this country and who in the hell are these decisions being made for, and who is making these decisions."
It's the first major primary day for the 2026 midterms, and the @npr.org network is the only place you'll find comprehensive on-the-ground reporting in all the key places and races.
Including must-watch contests for TX Senate, a Dem battle in NC04 and more:
Further fanning the flames were comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio Monday night, who suggested that it was Israel's plans to attack Iran that influenced the American involvement.
Further fanning the flames were comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio Monday night, who suggested that it was Israel's plans to attack Iran that influenced the American involvement.
The Trump administration's explanations for the new war in Iran have been met with displeasure by many of the president's supporters who believe the country should focus on domestic issues.
President Trump promised his "Make America Great Again" voters an "America First" foreign policy. With the war in Iran, he's testing MAGA world's willingness to be flexible on one of its core beliefs. n.pr/4uaFY8o
