President Donald Trump has lambasted Democrats for trying to “distract” from his administration’s success with what he calls the “Jeffrey Epstein SCAM.”
Amid backlash from both Democrats and his own base over his administration’s handling of files related to the late convicted sex offender, Trump has been trying to downplay the controversy, calling it “another Democrat CON JOB,” in a Truth Social post Thursday night.
Earlier Thursday, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirator, met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in Florida as the Trump administration tries to address the uproar concerning the case.
Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for aiding the late financier’s scheme of sex trafficking minors. Her lawyer said she “never declined to answer” any questions, nor did she invoke any privilege during the meeting. Blanche is set to continue his interview with Maxwell on Friday.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett told The Independent she wanted Maxwell to testify under oath before Congress before talking to the Department of Justice. The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed the disgraced socialite, and she will be deposed in prison on August 11.
Crockett suggested that in speaking with Trump’s DOJ, it could mean that Maxwell “can engage in a coverup” and that the president would “most likely let her out of jail free.”
On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi had told Trump in May that he appeared multiple times in the Epstein files.
Appearing in the files does not indicate that an individual has committed any wrongdoing, nor has Trump ever been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.
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Key points
- Trump blasts Democrats over what he calls the ‘Epstein SCAM’ and ‘CON JOB’
- Ghislaine Maxwell 'never declined to answer' in meeting with Trump's DOJ
- Jasmine Crockett unleashes on Ghislaine Maxwell talking to Trump DOJ before Congress
- Republicans cross party lines and vote to subpoena the Epstein files
- Trump told by DOJ that his name 'appears in Epstein files,' sources say
- The Epstein List: who's in the files?
- Awkward moment as Trump tours Federal Reserve Building with Jerome Powell
ANALYSIS: Trump’s Obama ‘Russia-gate’ push offers the MAGA Epstein crowd a head on a plate. Here’s why he can’t deliver on that promise
06:00
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Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden writes:
Tulsi Gabbard is the face of Donald Trump’s newest bid to move the news cycle off the Jeffrey Epstein files.
But she, like the president himself, is likely to see her efforts end in the same murky water where the dreams of prosecuting Hillary Clinton died during Trump’s first term in office.
On Wednesday, the White House trotted out the Director of National Intelligence, alongside press secretary Karoline Leavitt, to brief reporters on an intel review that Gabbard had led.
Continue reading...
JD Vance spars with MSNBC host over WSJ Epstein reporting
05:00
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Rachel Dobkin
Vice President JD Vance sparred with MSNBC host Chris Hayes over a Wall Street Journal report released last week that claimed President Donald Trump contributed a letter to Jeffrey Epstein’s 2003 birthday album.
In response to a new WSJ report that claimed former President Bill Clinton also gave a note in the same album, Hayes wrote on X Thursday night, “So this is probably fake too, right @JDVance ? The whole thing made up? Or maybe just the Trump part? I’m losing the thread a little, I gotta say.”
The Trump administration has railed against the WSJ, calling its report that Trump was in Epstein’s birthday album fake, or as Vance had put it, “bulls***.”
Responding to Hayes on X, Vance said Thursday night, “It's bogus for the WSJ to publish a hit piece without showing us the letter.
“I have no idea if the book exists--WSJ won't show it to us. I have no idea if the letter exists--WSJ won't show it to us. What I find absurd is the idea that Donald Trump was writing poems to Epstein, and I find it equally absurd that a major American paper would attack the President of the United States without revealing the basis for the attack.”
Trump is suing the WSJ, its parent company and owner Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion over its reporting.
As for the piece on Clinton, a spokesman for the former president declined to comment and instead referred to a previous statement saying Clinton’s association with Epstein ended more than a decade before he was arrested in 2019.
Full story: Trump blasts Democrats over what he calls the ‘Epstein SCAM’ and ‘CON JOB’
04:30
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Rachel Dobkin
A furious Donald Trump once again blasted the “Radical Left Democrats” over the ongoing fallout over the so-called “Epstein files,” describing it as a “SCAM” and a “CON JOB.”
In a late-night post on Truth Social Thursday, the president fumed over an alleged attempt to “distract and obfuscate” from his administration’s first “GREAT six months of service to America ... the results of which many are saying is the BEST six months in Presidential history.”
“[The Democrats] have gone absolutely CRAZY, and are playing another Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax but, this time, under the guise of what we will call the Jeffrey Epstein SCAM,” Trump bellowed online.
“As things are revealed and, I hope will take place quickly, you will see that it is yet another Democrat CON JOB. Hopefully, the Grand Jury Files will put an end to this HOAX. Everyone should see what is there, but people who are innocent should not be hurt. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Read more from Mike Bedigan:
Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday book included letter from former president Bill Clinton, report claims
04:00
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Rachel Dobkin
Jeffrey Epstein's birthday album included a letter from former President Bill Clinton, according to a new Wall Street Journal report.
According to the report released Thursday, Clinton had handwritten a single paragraph in the album, which read, “It’s reassuring isn’t it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and [illegible word], and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends.”
A Clinton spokesman declined to comment to the WSJ on the reporting and instead referred to a previous statement saying the former president’s association with Epstein ended more than a decade before he was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges. The statement also said Clinton didn’t know about Epstein’s crimes, the WSJ reports.
Read more...
Trump rails against Democrats for trying to 'distract' from his 'great' six months in office with 'Jeffrey Epstein scam'
03:30
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Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Thursday night: “The Radical Left Democrats are doing everything in their power to distract and obfuscate from our GREAT six months of service to America, results of which many are saying is the BEST six months in Presidential history.
They have gone absolutely CRAZY, and are playing another Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax but, this time, under the guise of what we will call the Jeffrey Epstein SCAM.
As things are revealed and, I hope will take place quickly, you will see that it is yet another Democrat CON JOB. Hopefully, the Grand Jury Files will put an end to this HOAX. Everyone should see what is there, but people who are innocent should not be hurt. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Joy Behar reveals The View is going on hiatus day after White House calls for it to be canceled
03:00
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Oliver O'Connell
A day after the White House suggested that The View should be “pulled off air” because its ratings “hit an all-time low” due to “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” host Joy Behar got MAGA tongues wagging when she accidentally revealed that the daytime talk show was approaching its summer break.
Justin Baragona reports.
Senator Elizabeth Warren calls for independent investigation into Paramount merger
02:45
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Rachel Dobkin
BREAKING NEWS: Trump's government just approved Paramount's merger with Skydance.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 24, 2025
Sure looks like they paid Donald Trump $36 MILLION for this merger.
Bribery is illegal no matter who is president. pic.twitter.com/DE7LPRjT6X
MTG again lashes out at Trump this time over his AI plan
02:30
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Oliver O'Connell
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch ally of the MAGA movement, broke from President Donald Trump on Thursday to oppose his executive order on artificial intelligence, raising concerns about its impact on the environment and states’ rights.
Hoping to accelerate the United States’s development of AI, Trump signed a series of executive orders on Wednesday, making it easier to build data centers on federal lands and incentivizing states to impose fewer regulations by threatening to withhold federal funding to AI projects.
But Greene raised a red flag, saying she was concerned with the impact of massive data centers on the people and environment around them, while providing little to no regulations.
Ariana Baio reports.
Former Fed official said he'd be 'honored' if Trump offered him chair position
02:15
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Rachel Dobkin
Former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh told Fox News’ Brett Baier he’d be “honored to serve” as Fed chair if President Donald Trump offered him the position.
Warsh: Regime change in everything the Fed does…
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 24, 2025
Baier: Do you want the job?
Warsh: If the president calls, I would be honored to serve pic.twitter.com/KL08c1Q8Gd
Trump has pressured Fed Chair Jerome Powell to lower interest rates and has floated the possibility of firing him before.
Powell’s term is up in May 2026. Trump would need cause to end Powell’s term early, but it’s unclear what actions would count.
Trump said Thursday he doesn't think firing Powell is “necessary.”
Congress subpoenas Ghislaine Maxwell and plans a prison interview
02:00
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Oliver O'Connell
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has issued a subpoena ordering Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein, to testify from prison in Florida.
Comer set Maxwell’s deposition date for August 11 as the Trump administration faces mounting criticism over the Epstein files. Maxwell is set to be interviewed at the Federal Correctional Institution Tallahassee, where she is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in helping Epstein recruit, groom, and abuse young girls.
Katie Hawkinson reports.
Watch: Moment Fed Chair Jerome Powell fact-checks Trump
01:45
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Rachel Dobkin
yikes -- Powell shakes his head as Trump rips into him for the cost of Fed building renovations. Powell denies some of the claims Trump is making. pic.twitter.com/Ok2aoE0JFx
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 24, 2025
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell does not have to pay out $5m over ‘Prove Mike Wrong’ stunt, court says
01:30
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Oliver O'Connell
MyPillow founder Mike Lindell does not have to pay $5 million to a software developer who tried to disprove his 2020 election interference claims, a federal appeals court ruled.
Lindell, widely known as “MyPillow Guy,” claimed that China interfered with the 2020 election results and he had evidence to back it up. He then launched a “Prove Mike Wrong Challenge,” a stunt in which contestants tried to debunk his evidence, offering $5 million to anyone who could do it.
Kelly Rissman reports on what happened next.
Ex-deputy assistant AG says DOJ-Ghislaine Maxwell meeting shows how 'worried' Trump admin is
01:15
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Rachel Dobkin
Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo told Fox News the DOJ’s meeting with Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell shows “how seriously now the Trump admin is taking this” and “how much I think they’re worried that people are losing faith in the integrity of the Justice Department leadership.”
Fox guest says it is “highly unusual” for Dep AG to interview Maxwell, says we’ve never seen anything like this in the history of the US, and it shows “how seriously the Trump admin is taking this and how much they’re worried that people are losing faith in the integrity of DOJ.” pic.twitter.com/7ghYBhkSsS
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) July 24, 2025
Man accused of second Trump assassination attempt allowed to represent himself at trial
01:00
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Rachel Dobkin
Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump last September, is allowed to represent himself at trial, the Associated Press reports.
District Judge Aileen Cannon approved Routh’s request but said court-appointed lawyers need to remain on standby.
Trump says he doesn't think firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell is 'necessary'
Friday 25 July 2025 00:45
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Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump said he doesn't think firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is “necessary.”
President Trump on firing Fed Chair Powell: "To do that is a big move and I just don't think it's necessary, and I believe that he's going to do the right thing." pic.twitter.com/iXwJFtkhYM
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 24, 2025
Trump has pressured Powell to lower interest rates and has floated the possibility of firing him before.
Judges deny release of Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury transcripts
Friday 25 July 2025 00:30
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Oliver O'Connell
Federal judges in New York and Florida on Wednesday rejected requests to unseal grand jury transcripts related to investigations into Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein.
Last week, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche asked judges in Florida and New York to release transcripts from grand jury proceedings that resulted in indictments against Epstein and Maxwell, saying, “Transparency to the American public is of the utmost importance to this Administration.”
However, appeals from both the Trump administration and Maxwell were denied Wednesday by two separate judges.
Isabel Keane reports.
DOJ to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell for second day
Friday 25 July 2025 00:18
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Rachel Dobkin
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said he will meet with Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell for a second day on Friday.
“The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time,” Blanche said.
Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow. The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time.
— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) July 24, 2025
Maxwell’s lawyer, David Oscar Markus, told reporters his client answered every single question put to her by the DOJ Thursday.
Friday 25 July 2025 00:00
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Rachel Dobkin
A merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media has been formally approved by the Federal Communications Commisison, following months of uncertainty.
The $8.4 billion deal was formally approved by the Trump administration Thursday, after FCC commissioners voted 2-1 along party lines.
It means that Skydance will take control of Paramount in the coming weeks.
Earlier this week Skydance reassured the Trump administration that it would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies and hire an ombudsman to review “complaints of bias” at CBS News once the merger has been completed.
Read more from Mike Bedigan:
State Department approves extra $330 million weapons sale to Ukraine: report
Thursday 24 July 2025 23:45
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Rachel Dobkin
The State Department has approved an extra $330 million weapons sale to Ukraine, which includes $180 million for air defense systems, the Associated Press reports.
This comes after the Trump administration approved a $322 million weapons sale to the war-torn country on Wednesday. That sale included armored combat vehicles.
Has the ‘QAnon Shaman’ turned on Trump?
Thursday 24 July 2025 23:30
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Oliver O'Connell
Jacob Angeli Chansley, also known as the “QAnon Shaman,” has launched a scathing verbal attack on President Trump, as the commander-in-chief continues to deal with the fallout of his administration’s decision not to release the Epstein files.
In 2021, the pictures of Chansley, adorned in a fur Viking horned headdress and red, white, and blue face paint, became a defining image of the Capitol riot.
Four years on, Chansley’s support of the president seems to be over, as Madeline Sherratt reports.
Trump’s approval tanks amid Epstein fallout
Thursday 24 July 2025 23:15
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Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump's approval rating has tanked, amid the Jeffrey Epstein files fallout, with less than 30 percent of independents approving of the way the president is handling his job.
A new Gallup poll shows Trump’s overall approval rating at 37 percent. When broken up across political affiliation, 89 percent of Republicans approve of the job the president is doing. For independents, 29 percent approve of the president’s performance and only 2 percent of Democrats approve.
The 37 percent approval rating is the lowest of Trump’s second term and mere points away from his all-time worst rating of 34 percent at the end of his first term.
Rachel Dobkin has the details.
Democrat vows to subpoena Epstein ‘birthday book’
Thursday 24 July 2025 23:00
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Oliver O'Connell
California Representative Ro Khanna has vowed to subpoena Jeffrey Epstein’s “birthday book” after a “bombshell revelation” of its whereabouts.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the book contains a “bawdy” letter and drawing scrawled by Donald Trump for Epstein’s 50th birthday, though its location had been unclear.
James Liddell reports.
Powell fact checks Trump’s Fed renovation as awkward hard-hat visit turns tense
Thursday 24 July 2025 22:50
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Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump’s attempt to shame Federal Reserve Board of Governors chair Jerome Powell over the cost of a long-running renovation to the central bank’s Washington headquarters went horribly wrong on Thursday when Powell had a ready response for the president’s accusations during a tour of the construction site.
After viewing parts of the costly renovation, Trump and Powell stopped briefly to speak to reporters who’d traveled to the Federal Reserve headquarters with the president.
Andrew Feinberg reports on what was said next.
Migrant deported to notorious El Salvador prison demands $1.3M from Trump administration
Thursday 24 July 2025 22:39
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Oliver O'Connell
Federal agents arrested Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel outside his apartment in Texas on his 27th birthday. Two days later, he was deported to a brutal prison in El Salvador, where he was packed in a jail cell with more than a dozen other Venezuelan men for up to 24 hours a day, for four months.
Inside El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, Rengel “endured physical, verbal and psychological abuse,” including routine beatings from guards using their fists and batons, according to his complaint to the Department of Homeland Security Thursday.
Alex Woodward has the details.
Trump says US 'can afford just about anything,' after tour Fed building renovation
Thursday 24 July 2025 22:31
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Oliver O'Connell
An upbeat-sounding President Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social following his tour of the Federal Reserve Board Building, currently under renovation, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
The president appears to have come to terms with the project's cost and hopes it will be completed as soon as possible.
Naturally, he had a dig at Powell in his remarks by ending with “let’s just get it finished and, even more importantly, LOWER INTEREST RATES!”
Here’s what he wrote in full:
It was a Great Honor to tour the Renovation (and some new Construction!) of the Federal Reserve Building with Chairman Jerome Powell, Senator Tim Scott, and others. It’s got a long way to go, would have been much better if it were never started, but it is what it is and, hopefully, it will be finished ASAP. The cost overruns are substantial but, on the positive side, our Country is doing very well and can afford just about anything — Even the cost of this building! I’ll be watching and, hopefully, adding some expertise. As everyone knows, I renovated the Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue, and it was a roaring SUCCESS. The total Construction cost was a small fraction of the Fed Building’s cost, and it is many times the size. With all of that being said, let’s just get it finished and, even more importantly, LOWER INTEREST RATES!
Trump’s FCC chair plays coy on Fox News when asked if president involved in Colbert’s cancellation
Thursday 24 July 2025 22:20
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Oliver O'Connell
Days after both he and Donald Trump gloated that CBS had canceled Stephen Colbert’s late-night show, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr wouldn’t give a direct answer when asked on Fox News whether the president played a part in The Late Show’s demise.
Justin Baragona reports on what he did say.
Full story: Ghislaine Maxwell answered every question from DOJ officials, lawyer says
Thursday 24 July 2025 22:10
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Oliver O'Connell
Ghislaine Maxwell answered every single question put to her by Department of Justice officials, her attorney has said.
David Oscar Markus briefly talked to reporters outside the courthouse after the disgraced British socialite was grilled during a meeting with officials Thursday.
Mike Beidgan reports.
Republicans plan to use threat of third Trump impeachment as key issue to boost their standing in midterm races
Thursday 24 July 2025 22:02
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Oliver O'Connell
Republican strategists say they plan to make a major midterm talking point from the threat of a third impeachment against Donald Trump that could come if Democrats retake the House.
“We know what the stakes are in the midterm elections,” John McLaughlin, a Trump pollster, told NBC News. “If we don’t succeed, Democrats will begin persecuting President Trump again. They would go for impeachment.”
Josh Marcus reports.