Good afternoon, everyone. British Chris here with your daily dose of reality from Raw America, where we don’t sugarcoat the news or bow to oligarchs. Let’s dive into today’s stories that the mainstream media either won’t cover properly or will sanitize beyond recognition.
But first, a critical ask. The stories you’re about to hear represent hours of research, fact-checking, and connecting dots that billionaire-owned outlets refuse to connect. As MAGA consolidates its grip on corporate media and oligarchs buy up newsrooms to control the narrative, we need a people-powered response. Raw America survives on subscriber support, not corporate advertising or billionaire benefactors. That means we answer to you, not them. If you believe in media that tells the truth regardless of who it angers, please become a paid subscriber today. Every subscription is an act of resistance against the oligarchic takeover of American journalism. Now, let’s get to the news.
Maxwell’s Silence and Trump’s Cover-Up
Ghislaine Maxwell appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Monday and did exactly what everyone expected: absolutely nothing. She invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer a single question about the men who raped and trafficked women and girls alongside Jeffrey Epstein.
Representative Robert Garcia didn’t mince words. “After months of defying our subpoena, Ghislaine Maxwell finally appeared before the oversight committee and said nothing. Who is she protecting? And we need to know why she’s been given special treatment at a low security prison by the Trump administration. We are going to end this White House cover-up.”
Here’s where it gets interesting. Maxwell’s attorney claims she invoked the Fifth because she has a habeas petition pending. But he dangled a carrot: Maxwell would speak “fully and honestly” if Trump grants her clemency. He even claimed that “both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing” and that “Ms Maxwell alone can explain why.”
The problem? This position is wildly inconsistent with her behavior just months ago. In July, she sat down with Todd Blanche, Trump’s deputy attorney general and former criminal defense attorney, for a two-day interview. After that session, her lawyer proudly announced she “answered every single question” and “never invoked a privilege.”
So Maxwell will talk to Trump’s handpicked deputy attorney general behind closed doors, but won’t answer questions under oath before Congress? Representative Ro Khanna called out this obvious inconsistency.
Khanna had prepared questions about the “four named co-conspirators” and 25 men Maxwell mentioned in court filings who brokered secret settlements. The Department of Justice claims no such list exists, but recently released documents have raised serious questions about that assertion.
The stench of cover-up is overwhelming. Maxwell talks freely when Trump’s people ask the questions, but clams up when Congress tries to get answers.
MAGA Turns on Olympic Athletes
Senator Rick Scott of Florida has decided that Olympic athletes don’t have First Amendment rights if they criticize Dear Leader. In a video posted Sunday night, Scott threatened athletes at the Milan Cortina Winter Games who voiced concerns about their home country.
“Representing the United States at the Olympics is an honor,” Scott declared. “Anyone who feels otherwise should be stripped of their USA Olympic uniform.”
What prompted this authoritarian tantrum? Several Team USA athletes have spoken out against the administration’s policies, particularly the recent violence from ICE agents, including two public killings of American citizens in Minneapolis.
Freestyle skier Hunter Hess said something entirely reasonable: “I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the U.S. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
Trump called Hess “a real Loser” on Truth Social and said “it’s too bad he’s on” the team.
This is fascism 101, folks. Demand absolute loyalty, punish dissent, and threaten anyone who dares suggest the Dear Leader might not be perfect. The international audience at the opening ceremony understood the assignment. They booed Vice President JD Vance loudly when he appeared on the big screen.
Idaho Town Discovers MAGA Policies Apply to Them Too
The tiny Idaho town of Wilder, population 1,725, is learning a hard lesson: Trump’s immigration crackdown doesn’t care if you voted for him. In fact, 91 percent of Wilder voters supported Trump in 2024. They thought their remote location would shield them from aggressive enforcement operations. They were catastrophically wrong.
In mid-October, federal agents descended on an unlicensed horse racetrack and arrested more than 100 Hispanic locals. At least 75 have been deported to date. Federal, state, and local agencies showed up in force. The local sheriff rode through on horseback while a black military-style helicopter circled low. Most adults, including parents with toddlers, and many teenagers had their hands zip-tied.
John Carter, a Trump voter whose company provided security at the racetrack, told the Times that federal agents “pointed automatic rifles and set off flash-bang grenades” during arrests. He witnessed officers pointing guns at individuals and teenagers being zip-tied, including his own 14-year-old daughter.
Local immigration attorney Neal Dougherty noted that federal officials clearly prioritized immigration enforcement over illegal gambling prosecution. “The one thing everyone got asked was, ‘Where were you born?’ Not, ‘Did you see gambling?’ Just, ‘Where were you born?’”
Now local farmers face an uncertain harvest season with significantly reduced labor availability. Second-generation farmer Chris Gross said, “We rely on Hispanic labor. Nobody thought something like this could happen here.” Longtime resident David Lincoln said the operation “nearly destroyed” the town.
This is what happens when you vote for fascism thinking it will only hurt people you don’t like. Turns out authoritarianism doesn’t make exceptions for supporters.
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Good News: Ford Refuses to Fire Trump Heckler
Finally, some actually good news. Ford has refused to fire the factory worker who heckled Trump last month at a plant in Dearborn, Michigan.
Thomas “TJ” Sabula, 40, was suspended after calling Trump a “pedophile protector” during the presidential visit. Trump responded by flipping Sabula off, saying “F--k you,” and apparently telling him “You’re fired.”
But United Auto Workers Vice President Laura Dickerson announced Monday that Sabula is back working with no negative mark on his personnel file. “This ain’t The Apprentice,” Dickerson said.
A fundraiser for Sabula raised over $800,000 from people praising him for calling out Trump over the administration’s suppression of the Epstein files.
This is a victory worth celebrating. A corporation stood up to presidential intimidation and protected a worker’s right to speak truth to power.
That’s it for today’s round-up. Remember, Raw America exists because the corporate media won’t tell you these stories honestly. If you value independent journalism that refuses to bow to oligarchs and authoritarians, become a paid subscriber. We can’t do this without you.
I’m British Chris. Stay informed, stay angry, and stay active.
