The Buzz: Shutdown? What shutdown? We’ got 20,000 emails to read.

By Jon Bauer / Herald Opinion Editor

It was only Tuesday when President Trump bristled over suggestions that Americans were concerned over issues of affordability, as polls have cited, calling it a “con” perpetuated by Democrats. “I don’t know that they are saying that,” Trump said during a Fox News interview. “I think polls are fake. We have the greatest economy we’ve ever had.”

A day later — with release of release of some 20,000 emails by House Republicans and other documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s dealings and relationship to Trump and a pending vote on release of Department of Justice files on the convicted sex offender — Epstein, not the president — Trump may be more than happy to take your questions on affordability.

In other distractions from the end of the federal government shutdown — Remember the federal government shutdown? — consider:

Ripe for the pickin’: With House members back in session and its newest member, Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., sworn in after a seven-weeks wait for Speaker Mike Johnson to end their recess, Grijalva signed a petition that would require the Justice Department to release the files it has regarding child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Grijalva’s signature was the last of 218 needed to force a floor vote in the House, but the vote can’t be called for until a seven-business-day “ripening period” has elapsed.

Considering the length of Johnson’s recess, the unseemly nature of the files and the sneak peak with this week’s release of more Epstein emails, if the files get any riper they going to stand up, walk out on the House floor and release themselves.

Seems we’ve hit some heavy trafficking: Unsealed court documents have revealed new details regarding a then-17-year-old girl who advertised on a “companions” website for men in 2017 and attracted the attention of then-U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. Gaetz was investigated by the Justice Department for child sex trafficking but never charged, but a House Ethics Committee investigation concluded there was substantial evidence that Gaetz had sex with the 17-year-old, who was saving up to get braces.

There is no known trail of emails tying Gaetz’s dates to President Trump; just Trump’s failed nomination of Gaetz for U.S. attorney general and his prediction that Gaetz would have a “wonderful future” and do “great things.”

Family caucus time: Among the Senate Democrats who broke with the rest of the party and agreed to a deal to end the federal government shutdown was Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. Democrats voting to end the shutdown have faced anger from constituents, but Shaheen heard criticism from a Democratic candidate for a U.S. House seat from her own state; her daughter, Stefany Shaheen. “Clearly we had different approaches here,” Stefany Shaheen said, who supported a Democratic holdout until a deal was reached to extend ACA tax credits.

Thanksgiving dinner at the Shaheen homestead is likely to be a little chilly this year. “Would someone please ask the senator from the Great State of New Hampshire that as long as she’s passing GOP bills could she pass the candied yams?” (Passing the yams) “Remind the candidate for Congress that her mother was negotiating with Republicans before she had her driver’s license.”

Put me down for $200 on Humpy to win the Mariners’ Salmon Run: After two pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians were charged with tipping off associates betting on their individual pitches, Major League Baseball announced that the betting company partners it works with would limit bets on individual pitches to $200. Nor will individual pitches be allowed as part of parlay bets, which combine wagers for longer odds but bigger payouts. MLB Commissioner Ron Manfred said the league was taking the action to “ensure we are always protecting the integrity of the game.”

But to protect its financial interest in sportsbook operations, MLB will set no maximum on other bets, such as the over/under on how many times a player scratches himself down there or how often TV sportscasters feel it necessary to explain and titter over Seattle Mariner catcher Cal Raleigh’s “Big Dumper” nickname.

Now with some of the trimmings: President Trump, attempting to counter American’s obsession with “affordability,” pointed out that this year’s WalMart’s Thanksgiving meal basket costs 25 percent less than its meal basket from last year. That’s true, but the reason the basket costs less is because it has about half as many items in it. The 2024 basket, serving eight, cost $56. The 2025 basket costs less than $40 and feeds 10 people but is missing items from the previous year’s box, including a pecan pie, sweet potatoes, onions, celery, one less can of cream of mushroom soup and a smaller turkey.

Cheaper still, order the “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” food basket with buttered toast, popcorn, pretzel sticks and jelly beans. And at no extra charge you can call the president, “You Blockhead!”

Email Jon Bauer at jon.bauer@heraldnet.com.