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The Wright Report

18 JULY 2025: Headline Brief: Trump's Letter to Epstein - Real or Fake? // Good News on Tariff Wars, Energy, Mining, MAHA // Global News: Panama Canal, Ukraine's Drones, Australia's Sleep Research

The Wright Report

Bryan Dean Wright

News, Politics

4.92K Ratings

🗓️ 18 July 2025

⏱️ 20 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, for Friday's Headline Brief as he covers the top stories shaping America and the world.

Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Birthday Letter Allegation
President Trump files a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and News Corp over a report claiming he drew a suggestive birthday card for Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Trump calls the letter fake and denies the language or drawing style matches his. Bryan explains this is what prompted Trump to denounce the Epstein case earlier this week and argues the leak may be tied to fired DOJ official Maurene Comey.

Congress Moves to Slash Billions from Global Aid and Public Broadcasting
The House is expected to approve a rescissions bill that cuts $9 billion from foreign aid and media outlets like NPR and PBS. Democrats call the cuts cruel, while Trump's budget chief confirms more clawback bills are coming.

Thailand Ups Tariff Offer to Avoid Trade Penalties
Thailand increases its offer to allow 90% of U.S. goods tariff-free, part of Trump's broader strategy to open global markets for American products. The White House has not yet said if it will accept the revised deal.

93% Tariff on Chinese Graphite Set to Boost U.S. Mining
The U.S. announces steep tariffs on graphite imports from China, a critical mineral for batteries and aerospace. The move is expected to revive domestic projects in Alaska, Alabama, and Louisiana that have long struggled to compete with Chinese state-subsidized graphite.

Trump Halts Plan to Remove Columbia River Hydropower Dams
Reversing a Biden-era decision, Trump defends the Pacific Northwest's dams from removal. The decision preserves 24/7 electricity for AI data centers, agriculture, and irrigation, while ensuring continued barge access for inland cities like Lewiston, Idaho.

Coca-Cola Drops Corn Syrup Under Health Secretary RFK Jr.'s Push
The company will shift from high-fructose corn syrup to sugar, a change long advocated by Health Secretary Bobby Kennedy Jr. Farmers in the Midwest worry about lost income, while Florida and Brazil sugar producers stand to gain.

Ice Cream Industry to Remove Synthetic Dyes by 2027
Forty major ice cream brands will eliminate petroleum-derived colorants, but the transition will take years due to the farming cycles of natural color sources like beets.

New Delays for Air Force One Due to Security Clearance Issues
Skilled workers at Boeing's Seattle plant are failing security screenings, slowing production of the next presidential jets. Even the Qatar 747, once floated as a backup, will need similar vetting.

Chinese Investors Buying Up U.S. Homes in Record Numbers
Chinese buyers spent $13.7 billion on U.S. homes this year, up 83 percent, mostly in Democrat-led states like California. Bryan raises concerns about affordability and national security.

China Pushes to Control Panama Canal Deal, Trump May Respond
Beijing threatens to block a port sale in Panama unless its state-owned firm COSCO gets a share. Trump is reportedly furious and may use military pressure to prevent Chinese involvement in canal operations.

Ukraine Proposes Drone-for-Weapons Swap with U.S.
President Zelenskyy offers U.S. access to battlefield-hardened drone technology in exchange for American missile systems. Trump is reportedly intrigued, and Bryan calls it a win-win—though argues we should get the tech for free.

Study Links Bright Evening Light to Heart Risk
Australian researchers find that excessive nighttime light exposure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure by up to 45 percent. Bryan urges listeners to shut off devices before bed—or just go full Amish.

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32

Transcript

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0:00.0

It's July 18th. I'm Brian Dean Wright, former CIA operations officer, and this is The Wright Report.

0:12.4

Hey, good day to you, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to The Right Report, Your Daily News, podcast.

0:22.8

It's Friday's headline brief, heavy on news, lighter on analysis, watching us into the weekend with events that, as ever, are shaping America and the world.

0:32.4

We begin with domestic news this morning, starting with a possible reason for why President Trump has been a

0:38.3

little bit angry this week regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case. Fair warning, as ever, this is not

0:44.1

for little ears. The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that back in the year 2003,

0:49.2

Mr. Epstein got a book for his 50th birthday made up of letters from friends and family.

0:54.6

Allegedly, this includes a letter from Donald Trump.

0:58.2

We'll recall that during this time back in 2003, Epstein and Trump were socially connected,

1:03.3

as Mr. Trump told New York Magazine at the time, quote,

1:06.7

I've known Jeff for 15 years, terrific guy.

1:09.5

He's a lot of fun to be with.

1:11.1

It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.

1:16.7

No doubt about it, Jeffrey enjoys his social life, end quote.

1:20.5

The journal alleges that it was during this time that Trump sent a birthday letter to Epstein in the form of a drawing of a naked woman.

1:29.1

The text that was written in this image included some pretty cryptic references to secrets

1:34.5

in life that both men knew exactly what that meant and that they had it in common, and that,

1:40.5

quote, there were enigmas that never age, end quote.

1:47.9

The Wall Street Journal alleges that this letter ends with a statement by Trump that, quote, they were enigmas that never age, end quote. The Wall Street Journal alleges that this letter ends with a statement by Trump that, quote,

1:54.7

A Powell is a wonderful thing, happy birthday, and may every day be another wonderful secret, end quote.

2:05.5

Allegedly, according to the Wall Street Journal, this letter and others were evaluated by the Department of Justice many, many years ago during the Epstein investigation. It's not clear, though, if Trump's DOJ recently reviewed this again for possible release. In any case, President Trump slammed

2:11.0

the Wall Street Journal yesterday for publishing this alleged letter, saying it's just fake.

...

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