&w=3840&q=100)
Epstein was 'terrified' of Trump in his last days, reveals author Michale Wolff
A protest group called "Hot Mess" hold up signs of Jeffrey Epstein and President Donald Trump in front of the Federal courthouse on July 8, 2019 in New York City. File Photo/AFP
Journalist and author Michael Wolff has claimed that Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier, was reportedly 'afraid' of Donald Trump, whom he knew 'better' than most and whose rise to power deeply unsettled him.
Wolff, author of the bestselling Fire and Fury, revealed on his podcast that Epstein was a key behind-the-scenes source for the book.
The author discussed hours of private conversations with Epstein before he died in 2019.
'When I was writing Fire and Fury, I became an outlet for Epstein to express his incredulity about someone whose sins he knew so well, and then this person actually being elected president,' Wolff stated.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'Epstein was utterly preoccupied with Trump, and I think, frankly, afraid of him.'
According to Wolff, Trump and Epstein's friendship, which began in the 1980s, was marked by rivalry over money, women, and social status.
'I think Epstein saw Trump as essentially Bush League,' Wolff noted.
'Epstein knew him, really, I think, better than most. I mean, this was a true BFF situation: two playboys very much styling themselves as playboys in that (Hugh) Hefner sense, who palled around for the better part of 15 years.'
Their relationship reportedly deteriorated in 2004 when Trump outbid Epstein on a luxurious Palm Beach property.
'He was really, really, really p****d,' Wolff recalled Epstein saying.
The rift widened after Trump's 2016 presidential victory.
'When Epstein and I were talking about this, Trump was now the president of the United States, and I think frightening,' Wolff said.
'Because the most inappropriate person to be the president of the United States was probably Donald Trump.'
'I was always startled how afraid he seemed about Trump. And I've Focal I've spoken to several other people who knew Epstein well. They make the same point. And I know that Epstein would emphasize how he believed Trump was capable of doing anything. He had no scruples.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Wolff urged Epstein to share his story publicly. 'I urged Epstein to go public with everything I've told you here, but Epstein's attitude was that I was unaware of how the real world operated,' Wolff recounted.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Judge weighing disciplinary referral for DOJ lawyers in Venezuela deportations case
By Jan Wolfe Judge weighing disciplinary referral for DOJ lawyers in Venezuela deportations case WASHINGTON, - U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said on Thursday he may initiate disciplinary proceedings against Justice Department lawyers for their conduct in a lawsuit brought by Venezuelans challenging their removal to a Salvadoran prison in March. Boasberg, a prominent Washington, D.C., judge who has drawn President Donald Trump's ire, said during a court hearing that a recent whistleblower complaint had strengthened the argument that Trump administration officials engaged in criminal contempt of court by failing to turn around deportation flights. Boasberg also raised the prospect of referring Justice Department lawyers to state bar associations, which have the authority to discipline unethical conduct by attorneys. "I will certainly be assessing whether government counsel's conduct and veracity to the court warrant a referral to state bars or our grievance committee, which determines lawyers' fitness to practice in our court," Boasberg said. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment. Boasberg has been hearing an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit brought on behalf of alleged Venezuelan gang members removed from the U.S. under a rarely invoked 18th-century law. The detainees in the case were returned to Venezuela last week as part of a prisoner exchange, after spending four months in El Salvador's CECOT prison. The migrants' lawyers have disputed the gang membership claims and said their clients were not given a chance to contest the government's assertions. Boasberg said in April that the Trump administration appeared to have acted 'in bad faith' when it hurriedly assembled three deportation flights on March 15 at the same time that he was conducting emergency court proceedings to assess the legality of the effort. In court filings, Justice Department lawyers have disputed that they disobeyed a court order, saying remarks Boasberg made from the bench were not legally binding. In a 2-1 order, a federal appeals court in April temporarily paused Boasberg's effort to further investigate whether the Trump administration engaged in criminal contempt. Boasberg said during Thursday's hearing that the delay from the appeals court was frustrating for the plaintiffs, and that a whistleblower complaint from Erez Reuveni, a former Justice Department attorney who was fired in April, strengthened the case for contempt. Reuveni described three separate incidents when Justice Department leaders defied court orders related to the deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a post on X, called Reuveni a "disgruntled employee" and a "leaker." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
17 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Iran says ready for nuclear talks with US, but on one condition
Iran is ready to engage in talks on its nuclear program with the United States, but only if Washington takes meaningful steps to rebuild trust, a senior Iranian diplomat said Thursday, ahead of a key meeting with European officials. That meeting will be the first since a ceasefire was reached after a 12-day war waged by Israel against Iran in June, which also saw US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. (AFP) That meeting will be the first since a ceasefire was reached after a 12-day war waged by Israel against Iran in June, which also saw U.S. B-52 bombers strike nuclear-related facilities in the Islamic Republic. The discussions will bring Iranian officials together with officials from Britain, France and Germany — known as the E3 nations — and will include the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. A similar meeting had been held in the Turkish city in May. Iran's conditions In a social media post, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Thursday that for talks with the Unites States, Tehran would seek that 'several key principles' be upheld. These include 'rebuilding Iran's trust — as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States," he said, adding there could be no room 'for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario.' Washington would have to respect and recognize Iran's rights under the international agreement known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the right to enrich uranium 'in line with its legitimate needs' and the lifting of crippling economic sanctions on Iran. The talks in Istanbul will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, the other of Iran's two deputy foreign ministers. A show of strength Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised interview Thursday that Tehran would not back down from uranium enrichment. Before the war in June, Iran was enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels. 'Our enrichment will continue, and we will not give up this right of the Iranian people,' Araghchi said in a video posted on the state TV's Telegram channel. Iran's top diplomat said the Istanbul talks with the European parties are necessary, especially after the 12-day war, to make them aware that Iran's positions remain strong. 'The world must know that there has been no change in our stance,' he said. "We will continue to firmly defend the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy, especially regarding enrichment.' Araghchi also said that Iran has always been ready to advance its peaceful program within a reasonable and logical framework. 'We have never hesitated to build trust with countries that may have concerns,' he said, 'but at the same time, Iran's demand is that its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment, be respected.' High stakes European leaders have threatened to trigger a 'snapback' mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program. The United Kingdom, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The U.S. withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement wasn't tough enough. Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israel's recent strikes on Iran. In last month's conflict, Iran responded to Israeli and U.S. strikes with missile attacks, including a strike on a U.S. base in Qatar, which Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state. In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Iran's national security council in Tehran. Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran's nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. 'Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists,' he said, emphasizing Iran's position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats. The aftermath of war According to Iran's official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the June Israel-Iran war. The extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear sites from the war has not been publicly revealed but a spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said Thursday the country's nuclear industry would recover. 'Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure — it will grow back and thrive again,' state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying. The U.N. nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA — reported in May that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilograms (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West. After the June war, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, following legislation signed by Pezeshkian. The road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
"We lost a great friend today": President Donald Trump pays tribute to Hulk Hogan after WWE icon dies at 71
Donald Trump and Hulk Hogan in 1988 (Image Source: Getty) Following the passing of WWE icon Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Gene Bollea), U.S. President Donald Trump was one of many to pay tribute. Hulk Hogan passed away aged 71 from a cardiac arrest, in his Clearwater, Florida home on July 24, 2025. Trump said in a Truth Social post, ' We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster.' Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, which was one of the highlights of the entire week. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!' President Donald Trump highlighted Hulk Hogan's political support Donald Trump's media adviser on Hogan's loyalty and enthusiasm for politics, stating that he had always played a role in working with the "Make America Great Again" movement. In July 2024, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Hogan shocked the nation in full "Trumpamania" style. When looking like he was getting ready to go the full Rambo, ripping his shirt open and revealing a Trump campaign tank top, he yelled, "Let Trumpamania run wild! That speech was, he said, 'one of the highlights of the entire week,' indicating cultural relevance. — wrestlelamia (@wrestlelamia) Aside from that memorable encounter, Hogan continued to be a Trump booster. He also hit the campaign trail with Trump Jr. and other MAGA stars, making appearances at rallies and banging the drum for Trump's agenda, including endorsing Trump's Real American beer brand on Truth Social. Donald Trump and Hulk Hogan: A friendship forged over three decades Donald Trump and Hulk Hogan's relationship goes back to the 1980s and was first strengthened when it was first introduced at WWE events and Trump's casino interests in Atlantis City. They met at WrestleMania IV and V, which were held at Trump Plaza, and the two formed a mutual admiration society. Although Hogan told me their relationship was 'more casual, though meaningful,' Trump apparently saw him as a close aide, calling him a 'great friend.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Global Indices Are on the Move — Time to Trade! IC Markets Learn More Undo In his tribute, Trump extended his sympathies to Hogan's wife, Sky, and his two children, Brooke and Nick, calling Hogan as lovely as he was, "talented.' Trump said he conveys his best wishes and love to "his wife, Sky, and family." Also Read: Hulk Hogan's death: Health issues, cardiac arrest, and the life he left behind WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan changed the professional wrestling landscape in the 1980s with his larger-than-life image and trademark catchphrases. He has main-evented eight of the first nine Wrestlemanias and appeared in the mainstream, with parts in Rocky III and a ride of his own with Hogan Knows Best. He remained a presence, even if controversial (he was briefly removed from the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2015, only to be reinstated in 2020). The tribute from Trump is likewise mirrored by those from Hogan's WWE peers—Ric Flair, Brutus Beefcake, and from fellow MAGA sounders such as Vice President JD Vance, who deemed Hogan a "great American icon". The far-reaching condolences reflect Hogan's storied success in both entertainment and politics, and in Trump's orbit. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
