Both WWE and AEW boast immensely talented rosters, each filled with some of the best wrestlers in the industry.
As rival promotions, they continuously push the boundaries to outshine each other. Their competition has become increasingly intense, fueling an exciting and fierce feud that keeps fans eagerly engaged.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/aew/3-aew-stars-will-never-join-wwe
**Robinhood Stock Price Drops Despite Strong Q3 Revenue and Crypto Growth**
Robinhood (HOOD) recently reported impressive Q3 results, with revenue rising to $608 million and crypto income growing by 89%. Monthly active users also climbed to 12.8 million, the highest in over a year. Yet, despite these positive numbers, Robinhood’s stock price declined sharply, currently trading near $121. This drop has puzzled many investors, especially given the company’s strong quarterly performance.
### Why Did Robinhood’s Stock Fall After Strong Q3 Results?
The key reason lies in the recent shifts in the crypto market. Bitcoin fell below the $100,000 mark, and the majority of market activity came from futures trading rather than spot trading. Unlike platforms such as Binance, Bybit, and OKX, Robinhood does not offer crypto futures aggressively, limiting its ability to benefit from this surge in futures volume.
### Understanding Spot vs. Futures Trading Impact
Robinhood’s revenue from crypto is primarily generated through spot trading—where users buy and sell coins directly. The recent Bitcoin price drop from around $105,000 to under $100,000 was largely driven by forced futures liquidations, a different market mechanism that Robinhood does not participate in. Since spot trading did not increase during this volatility, Robinhood’s earnings did not capture the gains that futures-heavy platforms experienced. This discrepancy explains why the stock price reacted negatively despite solid quarterly results.
### Strong Q3 Performance Highlights
– **Revenue:** $608 million
– **Crypto income:** Up 89%
– **Monthly active users:** 12.8 million
– **Earnings per share:** $0.61 (vs. $0.54 estimate)
These numbers paint a healthy long-term outlook. However, the stock price is now more influenced by expectations for the next quarter and broader crypto market conditions.
### Bitcoin’s Decline Weighs on HOOD Stock
Robinhood stock typically correlates closely with Bitcoin’s price movements. As Bitcoin dropped from near $115,000 to around $98,000, HOOD’s share price fell from approximately $150 to $121. This pattern reflects the market’s perception of Robinhood as highly sensitive to crypto market weakness.
Analysts remain divided on HOOD’s potential. Some major firms have set price targets between $135 and $180, signaling upside from current levels. However, caution remains, as sustained pressure on Bitcoin could keep the stock under pressure. Since Robinhood’s earnings rely on spot crypto trading, a sluggish Bitcoin market may limit growth in upcoming quarters regardless of solid past performance.
### Technical Outlook for Robinhood Stock
Following its recent drop, HOOD is now trading below a short-term trend line formed after the decline from the $150 area. A critical resistance level to watch is $138—breaking above this level could indicate renewed buying interest and a potential upward move.
The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator adds further insight. Although CMF has broken its downward trendline, it remains below zero, indicating that money is still flowing out of the stock. A push above zero on the CMF would be a bullish sign, suggesting stronger inflows that could support a move toward $138.
### What’s Next for Robinhood?
Robinhood’s recent stock decline is not due to weak Q3 fundamentals but rather the unpredictable crypto market dynamics and Bitcoin’s price drop. Since the company’s revenue depends on spot trading rather than the futures market, the current futures-driven volatility limits its ability to capitalize on market swings.
The critical factor for Robinhood’s stock recovery will be Bitcoin rising above $100,000 and a subsequent pickup in spot trading activity. Until then, HOOD’s share price is expected to remain closely tied to the overall crypto cycle and market sentiment.
—
**In summary**, while Robinhood delivered strong quarterly results with significant user and revenue growth, its stock price reflects broader shifts in the crypto market, especially the dominance of futures trading where the company has limited exposure. Investors should monitor Bitcoin’s price movements and spot crypto trading volumes for signs of a potential rebound in HOOD stock.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/crypto/robinhood-stock-price-slips-after-a-strong-q3-is-crypto-the-real-reason/
SAN JOSE — Now that San Jose State must win its final three games just to become bowl eligible, a matchup against the last-place Nevada Wolfpack would seem to be just what the Spartans need. However, they’ll have to do something they haven’t accomplished in 25 years.
Saturday afternoon’s game takes place in Reno, where the Spartans have only won once in the history of the program. They have lost 10 straight games in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada since Jarmar Julien scored three rushing touchdowns in the final eight minutes to seal a 49-30 win back in 2000.
San Jose State (3-6, 2-3 Mountain West) also has yet to win on the road this season and is coming off a frustrating home loss to Air Force.
“It’s not like we’re Ohio State, we’re struggling ourselves,” San Jose State coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “We just need to focus on ourselves. They’ve been in a lot of close games and had opportunities to win, just like us.”
The Spartans have let fourth-quarter leads slip away in three of their losses. But in the 26-16 loss to Air Force, it was the offense that struggled to keep San Jose State in the contest, contributing to their third loss in the past four games.
Despite leading the FBS in passing yards per game (332.6), the Spartans had three turnovers and allowed a safety against the Falcons. Their defense, ranked No. 8 in the Mountain West by allowing 419.56 yards per game, limited the conference’s third-ranked scoring offense to seven points below its season average.
Entering the Air Force game, quarterback Eget had not thrown an interception since September 7 against Texas. However, against the Falcons, he threw two picks. Meanwhile, FBS-leading receiver Danny Scudero (1,126 yards) was held to just 41 yards receiving and did not find the end zone in the loss.
“It never felt in the game that the defense was stopping us,” offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann said. “We stopped ourselves.”
Up next is Nevada (1-8, 0-5 MW), which has played some of the top teams in the Mountain West close, including a 20-17 loss to Fresno State and a 24-22 loss to New Mexico. Wolfpack defensive lineman Dylan Labarbera is second in the Mountain West in sacks with 6.5.
San Jose State struggled to give Eget time to throw the ball against Air Force, which resulted in heavy pressure and batted passes at the line. In the Spartans’ three wins, they have a plus-four turnover margin, but in their six losses, they have a minus-eight turnover margin.
Niumatalolo emphasizes the importance of the team getting off to a fast start against the Wolfpack. The Spartans’ defense achieved this last week against the Falcons by forcing them to go three-and-out on their first two drives, but the offense was not able to match the effort, settling for a field goal and losing a fumble on their first two drives.
“Starting fast is our mantra every week,” Niumatalolo said. “Our offense came out fast against Hawaii, but our players are human. It’s not like you can press a button and they will come out fast.”
The Spartans’ defense had one of their stronger showings of the season, limiting Air Force to 302 yards of total offense. The Falcons average 438 total yards of offense per game. The Spartans, who have struggled in pass coverage this season, were not tested too much by an Air Force offense that is option-heavy and had 63 rushing attempts compared to just 10 passing attempts.
This week against Nevada, San Jose State faces the worst passing offense in the Mountain West. Nevada ranks last in passing yards per game (153.67), last in total passing touchdowns (7), and has thrown the most interceptions (17).
The Wolfpack started the year with Chubba Purdy, brother of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, before giving the keys to true freshman quarterback Carter Jones after Purdy struggled. Carter has thrown for 661 yards, three touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
San Jose State’s defense ranks 11th in passing yards allowed (281 yards per game), and defensive coordinator Derrick Odum hopes the unit can build upon one of its better outings of the 2025 season.
“There have been some moments that we would have liked to get better at, that’s just football,” Odum said. “There’s been no pointing fingers. They’re a close-knit group and always looking to improve every week.”
Nevada’s defense ranks around the middle of the pack in both rushing defense (152.89 yards allowed per game, sixth in MW) and passing defense (230.67 yards allowed per game, seventh in MW).
San Jose State’s offense hopes to get back on track after a rough outing against Air Force. Their wide receiving corps features Scudero paired with Kyri Shoels (680 receiving yards, fourth in MW) and Leland Smith (643 receiving yards, sixth in MW), making one of the most dynamic receiving rooms in the country.
Eget leads all of FBS with 2,941 passing yards.
While the passing offense has always excelled, the Spartans have seen a boost in their ground game since freshman running back Steve Chavez-Soto emerged as part of a dual-headed backfield alongside Lamar Radcliffe.
Chavez-Soto earned significant playing time during SJSU’s win against New Mexico on October 3. The week prior, he was only on the scout team and received playing time due to injuries to Floyd Chalk IV (who redshirted), Jabari Bates, and Viliami Teu.
Since getting his shot, Chavez-Soto has rushed for 300 yards, scored seven touchdowns, and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry in five games played.
“He approached everything like he’s the starter from day one,” running backs coach Michael Smith said. “That builds confidence in not only me but the whole coaching staff.”
With bowl eligibility on the line, San Jose State cannot overlook any opponent in its remaining three games.
“We recognize it’s a hard place to win,” Niumatalolo said. “We’re looking forward to this challenge.”
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/14/san-jose-state-college-football-mountain-west-bowl-nevada-reno/
While most of her top-ranked peers are enjoying the off-season, Iga Swiatek’s season isn’t over just yet. She will be in action from November 14-16 at the Billie Jean King Cup 2025 play-offs in her native Poland. Swiatek will spearhead her country’s challenge as they bid to secure a spot in next year’s qualifiers.
However, Swiatek’s decision to extend her season by another week stands in contrast to her recurring complaints about the prolonged season on the WTA Tour. Earlier in the season, she raised concerns about the demanding schedule, stating that players barely get enough time to unwind and are constantly on the move.
“Maybe I shouldn’t talk about vacations, but let’s be honest, there’s no time for them during the season. And our bodies need them too. Some players wait, others go on vacation, train for a couple of days, and then play in the tournament, which isn’t ideal,” Swiatek said.
The reigning Wimbledon champion also voiced her disapproval of the mandatory requirement to compete in six WTA 500 tournaments. Due to her consistent performances at higher-level tournaments, she has rarely been able to fulfill this obligation, leaving her with little time and energy to comply. Players are docked ranking points for not meeting this criterion.
Swiatek suggested that competing in the Billie Jean King Cup should be treated as an alternative to one of the mandatory WTA 500 tournaments, or that the six-tournament mandate should be reduced.
“There’s one important thing: the ITF and WTA should sit down together and allow players to avoid having to compete in six mandatory 500s, or five, because if you play in the BJK Cup Finals, you have one less week to do so,” she explained. “If the WTA could treat it like another tournament, perhaps remove one of the mandatory 500s, I think that would be good.”
Despite her issues with a lengthy season, one can understand Swiatek’s choice to be available for national duty. Unless seriously injured or fatigued, she has consistently stepped up to represent Poland across various national events.
With Swiatek leading the charge, Team Poland is expected to advance through their group with relative ease.
**Iga Swiatek-Led Poland Grouped with Romania and New Zealand in Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Play-Offs**
Poland has been drawn into Group B of the Billie Jean King Cup 2025 play-offs alongside Romania and New Zealand. Poland will host all ties in Gorzów Wielkopolski from November 14-16.
The team’s hopes will rest heavily on Iga Swiatek. She will be joined by Katarzyna Kawa, Linda Klimovicova, and Martyna Kubka.
Romania will be led by Elena Gabriela-Ruse, with Monica Niculescu, Gabriela Lee, Maria Gae, and Elena Ruxandra Bertea completing their line-up.
Poland will face New Zealand on Friday, November 14, followed by Romania on Sunday, November 16.
Swiatek currently has 62 wins this year. By winning both of her singles ties at the Billie Jean King Cup, she could surpass current leader Aryna Sabalenka’s tally of 63 wins. Achieving this would mark Swiatek’s fourth consecutive season with the most wins on the tour.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-why-iga-swiatek-still-playing-end-wta-season-looking-pole-s-strange-scheduling-decision-amid-criticism-long-calendar
**The Woman Who Accused Matt Gaetz of Sexual Misconduct Once Lived in a Homeless Shelter**
The woman who told the House Ethics Committee that she had sex with then-Rep. Matt Gaetz at a house party when she was 17 years old—all but ending his national political career—lived part-time at a Florida homeless shelter with one of her parents. To afford braces for her teeth, she turned to selling her “companionship.”
These revelations shed light on her difficult personal circumstances and the complexities surrounding the allegations against Gaetz.
*Excerpt from the New York Post.*
—
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https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4352462/posts
Our advice columnists have heard it all over the years — so we’re diving into the Pay Dirt archives to share classic letters with our readers. Submit your own questions about money here. (It’s anonymous!)
—
### Dear Pay Dirt,
We just had a big wedding and our baby’s first birthday celebration. It was great to do a big party with friends. I’m struggling, though, because I’m surprised at how little our guests gave, and I’m feeling guilty about that.
Generally, I’ve always heard you give $100 to $125 per person, particularly if you’re drinking and eating (we had an open bar). However, many people we consider good friends gave much less. A few didn’t give at all.
Getting about $100 each would’ve covered the cost of each person at the wedding. Of course, if they didn’t have the money, we’d understand, but many of them are very financially comfortable.
I know it’s in the past now. But how do I not let this frustration and sadness color my friendships with these people? I know it’s not the point of the party, but it’s also hard not to feel like the celebration we threw was a bit underappreciated.
— Blue About the Wedding
—
### Dear Blue About the Wedding,
I am not a wedding planner, but this is the first I’ve heard of anyone being obligated to pay to attend a wedding, much less pay an amount equivalent to a meal at a three-star Michelin restaurant.
The point of a wedding is that your loved ones can celebrate with you, not that they can subsidize a very expensive party you want to throw for yourself and, in your own words, feel “appreciative” of it.
It’s not uncommon for people to give wedding presents (though that is not required either, to be clear). But even then, your price range — $300 per couple at the high end — seems extremely high to me. And I live in New York City, where everything is more expensive than virtually everywhere else in the country.
I also got married here, in a lovely venue, and had a sit-down dinner and open bar, which, as you note, is not cheap. But it never occurred to me for one second that my friends should be paying for it.
So, consider the possibility that your friends did their part, which is to show up to the wedding—at your convenience and not theirs—and celebrate your marriage with you. They already likely had to take time out of their schedules, in some cases travel and/or arrange and pay for child care, and I’m sure many of them did give you gifts.
I’m afraid the only person here who’s being unappreciative in an inappropriate way is you.
Weddings can be very expensive, but that is a choice. They don’t have to be. I know plenty of people who had small ceremonies in their backyards, with potluck dinners and flowers plucked from the local deli stand. They were just as meaningful as the fancier weddings I’ve attended at glamorous locations that were epic, multi-day affairs.
It doesn’t matter which option you choose, but it’s your responsibility to pay for your party, and no one else’s.
— Elizabeth Spiers
*From: I’m Frustrated My Friends Didn’t Get Me More Expensive Wedding Gifts. (June 16, 2022.)*
—
### Dear Pay Dirt,
My current job compensation includes a base salary, a very small percentage of the business I bring in, and profit-sharing. The idea is that as the company grows, profits increase and my piece of the pie gets bigger. So, along with several of my coworkers, I’m a part-owner.
The people directly benefiting from this model are my bosses, who each bring home about 10 times per month what I do in profits. If I get $2,000, they’re bringing home $20,000.
But one of my clients is actively headhunting me. I know passive income is an important part of building wealth and am reluctant to leave profit-sharing behind for only a salary.
The comp at both jobs would be similar and my career path would likely be very different if I made this move. It’s an emerging industry that’s not going anywhere — think renewable energy versus what I do now (general consulting). I know my compensation will steadily increase over the years where I am, and there’s a ton of flexibility.
A new job brings new, different, and interesting opportunities. I am torn. What are the things I should consider when switching jobs?
— Working For the Man
—
### Dear Working For the Man,
I think you’ve thought a lot about this and it’s hard to make a decision because, in the end, you have two paths to take. Each path is different and could revolve around a substantial payout.
At this time in your life, I’m wondering what you value more. I love the idea of flexibility — for personal reasons — but I’m also a firm believer that everyone should be able to have it. Life can change in the blink of an eye and you may need to alter your work schedule to fit a situation that came up.
I’m worried, however, that your stake in the company may not be enough for you to eventually bring home the profit you crave or deserve. I think it’s unfair that you’re getting $2,000 and your bosses are pocketing $20,000. As you said, in the long run staying in this position may line your bosses’ pockets more than it does yours.
Challenging yourself on a new career path could also open new avenues and ways to grow. Growth in your career is very important because your experience is what you’ll need to negotiate your salary in the future.
You can always have a talk with your boss about your current compensation and what they can do to meet you in the middle. If you’re bringing a lot of money in, they aren’t going to want to let you go. If they come back empty-handed, it’s time to jump ship.
— Athena Valentine
*From: A Year Ago, I Received a Large Sum of Cash. I’m Mortified About Where It’s All Gone. (June 21, 2022.)*
—
### More Money Advice From Slate
My husband and I have been together for 23 years. We met at a startup and he found a clever way to start the business he still runs today. Not long after, I joined the company where we worked together for almost 15 years.
The problem is, outside a handful of good years, the business is a zombie. It produces a very modest income and despite general plans for a future payout, there is no measurable progress. I am fed up and exhausted from being the breadwinner.
—
Have a money question or dilemma? Submit your anonymous query [here].
https://slate.com/advice/2025/11/money-advice-wedding-gift-disappointment.html?via=rss
Tiger Woods’ girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, recently shared a heartfelt social media post dedicated to her daughter, Kai Trump.
The post came ahead of the second round of the Annika 2025 tournament, highlighting Vanessa’s support and pride for Kai as she competes.
Fans and followers have been inspired by the family’s encouragement during this exciting event.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/golf/news-tiger-woods-girlfriend-vanessa-trump-special-message-daughter-kai-ahead-the-annika-day-2
“We might be small, but we’re quick, flexible, and deeply committed, and that approach makes us truly competitive,” said Edith Sepp, CEO of the Estonian Film Institute. More than 1,700 accredited guests from over 50 countries are pouring into town for the biggest film bash of the year: the Black Nights Film Festival and Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event.
Sepp is particularly proud of her country’s post-production facilities and crew, describing them as “highly skilled, inventive and a pleasure to work with.” She adds, “The facilities in Tallinn can handle everything from sound and color to visual effects, and the quality is world-class.”
Our competitiveness is best illustrated by the company Frost FX, which received an Emmy Award for special visual effects in the HBO series *The Penguin*. “This is a great example of how Estonian talent continues to shine globally,” she insists.
According to the Estonian Film Institute, the cash rebate—specifically for post-production—is a unique advantage, though perhaps not so well-known abroad. The minimum spend to benefit from a 20% tax rebate on eligible production costs is €30,000 ($34,000). Spending €50,000 ($57,800) raises the rebate to 25%, and €80,000 ($92,000) qualifies for the maximum 30% rebate, according to Film Estonia guidelines.
Recent projects that have used solely Film Estonia’s post-production incentive include the Finnish crime show *All the Sins* (Seasons 1, 2, 3), produced by MRP Matila Röhr Productions. Post-production services ranged from offline editing by Tambet Tasuja, visual effects by Frost FX, to the creation of promo clips and trailers by Tallinn Postworks, according to Estonian co-production outfit Taska Film.
Another beneficiary was the Icelandic film *Driving Mum* by Hilmar Oddsson, co-produced by Estonia’s Alexandra Film. The production hired Estonian sound designers, editor Hendrik Mägar (also involved with Anna Hinds’ Sundance winner *Smoke Sauna Sisterhood*), and composer Tõnu Kõrvits. Kõrvits won Best Original Score for the film at the 2022 Black Nights Film Festival, where *Driving Mum* also took home the Grand Prize.
“Post-production has become the talk of the town,” said film commissioner Nele Paves, who manages Film Estonia’s total €6.2 million ($7.1 million) annual cash rebate fund. “Separating post-production spend from production spend to access foreign incentives is becoming widespread.”
Paves highlights Film Estonia’s strengths: “We are super quick, transparent, and flexible. We offer auditing after the production, giving rebates then, so producers don’t have to wait for the last bits of post-production. Decisions and rebates can be obtained within a month, which is unusual for a public fund.”
She is currently lobbying the Estonian government to increase the 30% cap on the cash rebate and to open the incentive to national productions. “We need to keep our talent and make our incentives even more competitive. Politicians need convincing, but we’re hopeful for 2026,” Paves concluded.
https://variety.com/2025/film/global/driving-mum-all-the-sins-film-estonia-1236581899/
Bitcoin’s falling! Bitcoin’s falling! Well, Bitcoin slipped right under the $100K mark and briefly touched a six-month low near $96,094. This wasn’t just a gentle pullback; it was a classic leveraged long flush, a sudden price drop forcing the liquidation of numerous leveraged long positions. Think of it as the market aggressively wiping out speculators who were over-betting on a price rise. We’re talking about roughly $509M in TC long positions getting liquidated in 24 hours. Even after all that, sentiment hasn’t totally crashed. Most folks are still leaning bullish, viewing this less as a disaster and more as a “buy-the-dip” opportunity. The noise might stick around for a bit, but the overall setup still favours smart accumulation and low-risk staking over high-risk leverage plays. That’s why smart money is rotating toward projects with real utility. 1. Best Wallet Token (EST): Wallet Utility, Staking, and Fee Discounts Best Wallet Token (EST) is essentially your membership key to a top-tier Web3 wallet ecosystem, positioning itself as the access key to a full Web3 wallet stack. Its Best Wallet app is also among the leading self-custodial wallets today. EST lowers trading fees inside the wallet, offers priority launchpad access, and provides staking yields up to 77% for early community members. This focus on utility matters greatly when volatility bites, as a wallet token that reduces on-chain costs and offers curated deal flow gives holders something tangible to use every market day, not just during rallies. The presale has already impressively crossed over $17M, setting it apart from typical micro-raises. Its roadmap promises more juice, like market analytics, MEV protection, a staking aggregator, and a debit card, all designed to funnel recurring demand back to EST. If execution stays on track, the EST token forecast includes potential highs near $0. 62 by the end of 2026, giving you an ROI of over 2280% if you bought at today’s price. You don’t have long to buy in, though, as the presale ends on November 28. Get EST tokens for $0. 025945. 2. PepeNode (EPENODE): Mine-To-Earn Without the Bills PepeNode (EPENODE) cleverly blends meme culture with a mining-sim GameFi layer where you can buy nodes, upgrade facilities, and earn in-ecosystem rewards. It’s essentially gamified crypto mining without the need for the complicated tech setup and massively expensive electricity bills. This dual appeal of narrative and mechanics has seen its presale raise over $2. 1M. The project also offers eye-catching triple-digit staking APYs for early participants, currently standing at 604%. You also get rewards for being the best miner, not only in EPENODE but in other popular altcoins like EPE and ARTCOIN, further enhancing the project’s reach. GameFi tokens typically perform well when liquidity shifts from Bitcoin to faster-moving sectors, and EPENODE fits this rotation. Our experts predict EPENODE’s token price reaching a potential $0. 0072 by the end of 2026, giving you an ROI of 528% from today’s price. Buy your EPENODE for $0. 0011454. 3. XRP (RP): Top Liquidity and Near-Instant Settlement For anyone prioritizing established exchange liquidity and a robust payments narrative, RP remains a core listed option, currently trading around $2. 26 with deep markets and broad exchange coverage, including tier-one venues. The XRP Ledger’s low-cost, near-instant settlement capabilities continue to make it a go-to for cross-border transfers and remittance-style flows. And its substantial market cap and volume provide a cushion against volatility during broader market drawdowns. In a week when Bitcoin dipped to a six-month low, RP’s appeal lies in the ability to re-enter on liquid order books, while maintaining exposure to a strong, payments-led adoption curve. If the market stabilizes into year-end, rotations into large-cap alts with genuine throughput can outpace headline beta. This would make RP a reliable choice for HODLers focused on safer rails. Find RP on Binance for top liquidity. Remember, this is not intended as financial advice, and you should always do your own research before making any investments.
https://bitcoinist.com/best-crypto-to-buy-and-hodl-during-bitcoin-6-month-low/
Justice Department officials connected to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s work were involved in blocking an FBI inquiry into whether Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign violated federal campaign finance laws when it funded the Steele Dossier through intermediaries, according to emails released Thursday.
The documents add to a series of disclosures emerging as the Trump Justice Department pursues a sweeping investigation into alleged anti-Trump conduct inside federal agencies dating back a decade.
The emails appear to show DOJ officials advising the FBI against opening a probe into whether the Clinton campaign improperly used cutouts to finance Fusion GPS and former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele. The FBI ultimately did not pursue the potential violations. Two officials now tied to Smith’s investigation were linked to the decision.
—
### Trump DOJ and FBI Expand Investigation into Alleged Political Conspiracy
The Trump DOJ and FBI have opened a wider inquiry into what investigators describe as an ongoing criminal conspiracy involving years of political activity inside federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Congressional investigators have released information over recent months indicating that the FBI quietly began examining Democratic Party-aligned efforts dating back to the Trump-Russia allegations and extending to Smith’s pursuit of President Donald Trump. Smith was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to lead the Biden Justice Department’s investigations involving Trump.
—
### Background on Jack Smith and the Arctic Frost Inquiry
Newly declassified materials connected to the Arctic Frost inquiry describe a broad set of legal actions targeting Trump and his allies beginning in 2022, as Trump considered another presidential run.
Before his selection as special counsel, Smith headed the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section from 2010 until early 2015. During that period, the IRS controversy involving Lois Lerner unfolded, in which her division scrutinized conservative nonprofit groups. Lerner apologized for the conduct but denied political motives.
Records show Smith’s unit engaged with Lerner and the IRS during that time, with the IRS transferring nonprofit tax records to the FBI, although no prosecutions followed.
—
### FBI’s Retention of Investigative Documents
Recent disclosures also include the FBI’s discovery of investigative documents kept inside “burn bags” at FBI headquarters. According to court filings connected to the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, the records included materials on the Mar-a-Lago search, the January 6 Capitol breach, the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, and the classified appendix to Special Counsel John Durham’s work.
Just the News reported that more than two dozen Russiagate-related subpoenas are planned, coinciding with new information disclosed in the Comey prosecution. Additional records show that long-standing investigative materials related to Trump had been retained inside the FBI without full disclosure.
—
### Federal Election Commission Findings on 2016 Clinton Campaign Payments
The Federal Election Commission ruled in 2022 that there was “probable cause” to believe Hillary for America and the Democratic National Committee violated federal law by misreporting payments connected to Fusion GPS.
– The DNC paid $849,407, and
– The Clinton campaign paid $175,000 to Perkins Coie.
The FEC said the campaign labeled the expenses as “legal services,” and the DNC described them as “legal and compliance consulting.”
Clinton campaign lawyer Marc Elias hired Fusion GPS in 2016, and Fusion in turn hired Steele. Elias testified that he met with Steele during the campaign, knew Steele planned to brief reporters, and provided periodic updates to the Clinton campaign based on Fusion’s research.
Special Counsel John Durham later said campaign officials, Fusion GPS, and Perkins Coie acted jointly in advancing collusion claims during the 2016 race. The FBI declined to open a criminal investigation into the campaign finance matter.
—
### Key DOJ Officials Involved in Decision Not to Investigate
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said Thursday that emails show the decision was made by Richard Pilger, then a leader in the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, and J. P. Cooney, then with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C.
Grassley noted that Pilger later played a key role in approving the launch of Smith’s Arctic Frost investigation, and that Cooney served as Smith’s deputy special counsel.
An FBI communication dated July 2019, released Thursday, showed the bureau sought consultation from DOJ officials regarding “DNC and Fusion GPS FEC violations.” The document indicated the FBI did not move forward after receiving input from Pilger and Cooney.
—
### Grand Jury Subpoenas and Expanded Investigations
A federal grand jury is issuing more than 30 subpoenas related to Trump-Russia allegations. Additional subpoenas involve former CIA Director John Brennan and his handling of Steele’s dossier and the 2016 intelligence community assessment. A grand jury in South Florida is overseeing portions of the inquiry.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe sent a referral on Brennan in July, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also delivered declassified evidence to the DOJ describing a “treasonous conspiracy.”
New information indicates Comey expected Clinton to win in 2016 and was aware of intelligence describing a Clinton plan linking Trump to Russia. Records also reference alleged leaks by Comey’s associate Daniel Richman.
—
### Phone Records Obtained in Arctic Frost Investigation
Further disclosures show Smith and the FBI obtained phone records from eight Republican senators and one Republican House member during the Arctic Frost investigation.
A 2023 FBI record stated investigators conducted a limited toll analysis involving calls associated with the following members of Congress:
– Senators Ron Johnson, Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley, Dan Sullivan, Tommy Tuberville, Cynthia Lummis, Marsha Blackburn
– Representative Mike Kelly
Lawyers for Smith defended the decision. Grassley released documents showing Smith issued nearly 200 subpoenas seeking information from more than 400 Republican officials and groups.
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### High-Level Approvals and Coordination with White House
Records further show that Attorney General Merrick Garland, then-FBI Director Chris Wray, and then-Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco approved the Arctic Frost inquiry.
Emails also show coordination between the Biden White House Counsel’s Office and an FBI agent to transfer phones belonging to former President Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence.
Arctic Frost extended to dozens of Republican officials and organizations, according to documents released earlier this year.
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### Continued Scrutiny of Smith’s DOJ Tenure
Smith’s earlier period at DOJ continues to receive scrutiny. Congressional records show he arranged meetings between DOJ officials and IRS leadership in 2010 and 2013 to discuss campaign finance enforcement.
Representatives Jim Jordan and Darrell Issa sought Smith’s testimony in 2014, citing concerns about DOJ involvement. Smith testified that the Public Integrity Section debated possible investigations but did not open cases.
Senate investigators reported that IRS and DOJ officials exchanged documents and explored potential theories for criminal charges involving tax-exempt organizations. They described follow-up contacts between DOJ officials and IRS leaders, including discussions about 501(c)(4) political activity. An IRS official cautioned DOJ that the agency had not seen conduct warranting criminal investigation.
Senate investigators later described DOJ’s interest as unusually aggressive compared with standard IRS enforcement practices.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/11/new-docs-expose-jack-smiths-direct-connection-to-russia-collusion-clinton-cover-up-watch/
