James Talarico just finished his remarks here in Texas. And they should ricochet across the country.
When we teamed up with our friends at Institute for Primary Facts to take all 3.5 million Epstein files on the road across America, we wanted these pop-up exhibits to be more than just a symbol of defiance. We wanted them to be a platform for survivors, pro-democracy leaders, and dissenters to speak out at a moment when our democracy is at stake.
This morning, U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico did exactly that.
Rather than stay away from Dallas — where the GOP is holding its first-ever midterm convention and where Donald Trump is trying to reinforce his cult of personality — Talarico stormed the city and took the spotlight away from the president. He just wrapped up a press conference here at the Trump-Epstein Memorial Reading Room & Bookmobile, where he made the case that our government is being overtaken by unprecedented corruption.
He stood with Epstein survivors, Sharlene Rochard and Annie Farmer (sister of Maria Farmer) in demanding action from the federal government… and accountability for those in power who are protecting criminals and pedophiles. It’s not easy to do what they’re doing. Not easy at all. They’ve faced retaliation and sinister threats merely for reporting crimes. And they’ve had to deal with a Trump administration that has officially shut down their pleas for justice.
The price of dissent is historically high in America. I’ve felt it. I’ve faced threats of murder and accusations of “treason” for telling the truth about the madman in the White House. Opposition leaders have been violently attacked on the campaign trail. Protesters have been charged with fake crimes by their government and journalists have been arrested. That’s not a cost anyone should have to pay for “free speech.”
But this morning in Dallas, James Talarico and brave survivors of sexual abuse showed us that there’s only ONE way to restore America to a place where corruption is countered and courage is encouraged. There’s only ONE way to lower the price of dissent. And that’s to increase the supply.
Let their example be an inspiration.
Your friend, in defiance,
DEFIANCE DAILY
In case you missed it, last night’s episode of DEFIANCE Daily is below. Catch our next episode tonight at 5 pm ET!
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A BRIBE AND A NEW TRIBE? Donald Trump opened his two-day “midterm convention” in Dallas last night with this unprecedented offer: “If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000.” It sounds a bit like illegal vote-buying to us, and naturally, he provided no details on how it would be paid for in the first place. (Plus, we’re still waiting on those DOGE and tariff rebates he promised last year!) But the bribe wasn’t the only convention surprise. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman made a video appearance, declaring himself a “common sense Democrat” who rejects “socialism.” Pretty ironic thing to say just minutes before a guy promises government handouts for votes.
MONEY FOR YOU, MONEY FOR YOU, AND MONEY FOR TRUMP, TOO. Trump’s handing out money in the White House, too. The Washington Post reported this week that Trump gave $45,000 cash gifts to three young female aides, including executive assistant Natalie Harp, and $20,000 to aide Walt Nauta. The size of the cash gifts, all logged as “holiday gifts,” raises legitimate ethical questions. But ethics — and money — are no object for Trump. A CNBC analysis found Trump’s nine largest oil and gas holdings gained $1.5 million to $4.4 million during the first six months of the Iran war. Further, his accounts sold up to $1 million in Exxon shares just hours before he announced a ceasefire in April, right before the stock dropped 6.5%. Accountability for all of this is exactly why we need a change in leadership in Congress.
THE ELECTION DENIERS WATCHING THE POLLS. Knowing full well that Trump’s brazen corruption, his illegal war, and his economic policies driving up prices on just about everything, are making these midterms a big lift for Republicans, Tea Party Patriots Action is taking, well, action. Not only are there still people who call themselves “Tea Party Patriots,” but they are training thousands of poll watchers across battleground states this fall. It’s worth remembering exactly who this organization is. The group was listed as a coalition partner of the “Stop the Steal” rally that preceded the January 6th insurrection, and founder Jenny Beth Martin has suggested that she helped originate the SAVE Act, the legislation that would create sweeping new barriers to voter registration nationwide. The other side is clearly ready for the midterms…are you? If not, get your Midterms Marching Orders now at defiance.org/midterms.
WHO COUNTS, AND WHO DOESN’T? But why stop with 2026, right? The Trump administration is looking ahead to future elections, proposing sweeping changes to the 2030 Census that would exclude noncitizens from counts that determine congressional seats. The proposal also would prohibit questions about race and ethnicity, which have been asked since the 1790 Census, and sexual orientation on Census questionnaires. This is the same administration, mind you, that touted a Census report on noncitizen voting that used bad data to reach faulty conclusions (and was co-authored by a former DOGE staffer to boot). These aren’t cosmetic changes — this data not only impacts representation in Congress, but also helps enforce the Voting Rights Act and civil rights laws, and determines federal funding apportionment. Expect a big fight over this.
SUING TO SAVE THE SPECIES. A coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general filed two lawsuits this week challenging the administration’s rollback of Endangered Species Act protections. They argue that the changes illegally clear the way for mining, drilling, and development at the expense of protected species like orcas, sockeye salmon, and grizzly bears. One of the AGs, California’s Rob Bonta, said the administration “consistently choose[s] extraction, exploitation, and profiteering over protection and preservation.” The Endangered Species Act has prevented 99% of the species it protects from going extinct since 1973, and 21 states are prepared to defend it in court.
Today’s first Ant-itude comes from Clancy Bounds in California, who writes, “I just released an EP of three songs. I’m an award-winning songwriter and also a combat veteran from one of our forever wars. Below are links to the songs. Keep the faith!”
http://www.dreamhillmusic.com/fever/fastwalking.mp3
http://www.dreamhillmusic.com/fever/lyingradio.mp3
http://www.dreamhillmusic.com/fever/walkwithme.mp3
Our second Ant-itude comes from Nancy Babbitt, who’s showing off her Defiance swag at Capitol Reef National Park in Utah!
Great job, Clancy and Nancy! Thank you for sharing!
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Get your DEFIANCE SWAG HERE! Then snap a photo of you proudly sporting your shirts, hats, and more, and send it to our newsletter editor at melissa@defiance.org.
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TONIGHT — THURS, SEPT 10 — DEFIANCE DAILY — It’s our last day in Dallas, with more special guests. Don’t miss it! Join us every weeknight @ 5pm ET, you can watch our hour-long podcast LIVE on our DEFIANCE.News page, YouTube, or X — and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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