🚨 TWENTY-TWO STATES IN RECESSION AS TARIFF SHOCK DESTROYS MANUFACTURING BASE; TRUMP CLAIMS ECONOMIC BOON

The Narativ | Know Sooner

🔴 STORIES TO WATCH

1. 📉 TWENTY-TWO STATES IN RECESSION BEFORE TARIFF IMPACT FULLY HITS

Mark Zandi at Moody’s Analytics calculates 22 states now in recession as employment data shows 11 states where jobs fell first quarter 2025—up from three negative-growth states previous quarter and none before that. Just seven states showed manufacturing employment growth as deportations removed 750,000 immigrant workers from labor force while federal government shed tens of thousands. Consumer sentiment cratered to 51 down 29% from year ago as auto loan delinquencies hit 5% well above 3.5% long-term average. Deloitte projects recession fourth quarter 2026 lasting into 2027 with unemployment averaging 5%—trajectory Trump’s tariff policy accelerated showing 2026 midterm tsunami building before China duties fully hit.

2. 📁 MAXWELL PETITION COULD STALL EPSTEIN FILES RELEASE

Ghislaine Maxwell filed habeas petition WEDNESDAY—two days before FRIDAY December 19 deadline—claiming “substantial new evidence” proves constitutional violations spoiled her 2021 trial in long-shot move ABC News reports “could complicate the release.” Timing reveals desperation after Supreme Court declined appeal in October and appeals court upheld conviction, but filing lands exactly when DOJ MUST release all unclassified Epstein records per transparency law Trump signed November 19. Chief of Staff Susie Wiles already exposed strategy as misdirection—Bondi “completely whiffed” giving influencers “binders full of nothingness” in March then opened Clinton investigation giving grounds to withhold materials as part of “active federal investigation.” Maxwell’s Wednesday filing creates new litigation that could delay release even as bipartisan lawmakers warned against “procedural hurdles that could interfere” with statutory deadline.

3. 🏛️ JOHNSON SAYS HE’S IN CONTROL AS HE LOSES CONTROL

Four Republicans broke ranks WEDNESDAY signing Democratic discharge petition giving it 218 signatures needed to force ACA vote JANUARY when 22 million Americans already face doubled premiums after enhanced subsidies expire December 31. Pennsylvania’s Fitzpatrick, Bresnahan, Mackenzie and New York’s Lawler defied Johnson in swing districts Harris carried after Rules Committee blocked their amendments Tuesday—moderates warned speaker allow vote on compromise or face Democrats’ clean extension passing GOP-led House. Johnson scrambles to hold any vote before THURSDAY afternoon recess but discharge petition requires seven legislative days meaning vote won’t occur until second week of January—authority collapse mirrors premium spike as both arrive January with consequences for 2026 midterms moderates desperately trying to avoid.

4. 👑 KING OF DELUSION CLAIMS GREAT YEAR AS VOTERS REGRET RISES

Trump addressed nation WEDNESDAY NIGHT claiming economy rescued and “hottest country anywhere in the world” while approval sits 13 points underwater at 39% and Navigator poll shows 14% of Trump voters now regret their choice citing broken promises and economic management. President shouted through 18-minute speech promising $1,776 “warrior dividend” funded by tariffs he claims brought $18 trillion investment while real figure closer to $7 trillion and consumer sentiment cratered to 51 down 29% from year ago. Address followed Wiles interviews calling Vought “absolute zealot” and Vance “conspiracy theorist” revealing cabinet selection prioritized loyalty over competence guaranteeing cascading policy failures through 2026 midterms where Democrats swept off-year elections showing MAGA collapse.

5. ⚖️ SMITH TESTIMONY REVEALS PROOF BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT OF CRIMINAL SCHEME

Former special counsel testified WEDNESDAY before House Judiciary that investigation “developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election” and “repeatedly tried to obstruct justice” concealing classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Republicans subpoenaed Smith seeking to discredit prosecutions after Trump won reelection, but closed-door testimony instead created record contradicting GOP “political weaponization” narrative as Democrats demanded public hearing and Trump threatens to prosecute Smith himself.

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🎯 THE PATTERN

22 states already in recession, Maxwell files last-ditch petition two days before FRIDAY deadline, Johnson loses authority as premiums double JANUARY 1, Trump shouts delusions while voter regret rises, and Smith testifies proof beyond reasonable doubt exists. They’re not hiding what’s happening—they’re just betting Americans won’t connect the recession already here to the January collisions coming next.

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📖 READ OUR EPSTEIN INVESTIGATION

Narativ has been on the Epstein beat for six years.

The only news organization to successfully tie Epstein to intelligence operations. The first to identify the blackmail and influence operation at its core. The first to expose the financial crimes and market manipulation that drove the network. The first to connect Epstein and Trump to a multi-decade Russian operation to destabilize American capitalism.

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