Trump's Epstein crisis explodes: Fallout triggers MAGA revolt & plunges admin into chaos
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Forbes
16 minutes ago
- Forbes
Ghislaine Maxwell Speaks With DOJ: What To Know About Her Alleged Perjury About Epstein
Justice Department prosecutors interviewed Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell on Thursday, after officials said they would ask her about Epstein's other associates—but critics have raised concerns about whether her testimony can be trusted, pointing to Maxwell's ongoing prison sentence and history of allegedly lying under oath. Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Cipriani Wall Street on March 15, 2005 in New York City. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images DOJ officials are interviewing Maxwell at a courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, on Thursday, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Maxwell's attorneys reportedly arriving around 9 a.m. EDT on Thursday morning. Blanche previously said the agency wanted to speak with her to find out 'information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims.' The interview comes as the DOJ has controversially refused to otherwise release documents about its investigation into Epstein, and as Maxwell serves a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted on charges of sex trafficking and transporting minors to participate in illegal sex acts. Maxwell is also still in the process of appealing her conviction, most recently asking the Supreme Court to take it up, and critics and legal experts have expressed concern she could use the interview to her own benefit to get a more lenient sentence from the federal government. Those fears have been amplified by Maxwell's history of alleged perjury, as the socialite was charged with perjury in 2020 based on allegedly lying during a 2016 deposition in a civil lawsuit about Epstein's alleged sexual abuse. Maxwell was never tried or convicted of perjury: The charges were separated from her other counts prior to her 2021 trial, and when she sought a retrial of her sex trafficking charges, prosecutors offered to drop the perjury charges as long as her conviction on the other, more serious, counts was allowed to stand. It still remains to be seen what Maxwell has told prosecutors during her interview, and if her testimony will be made public or lead to any reprieve in her prison sentence. Blanche denied comment when he arrived at the courthouse Thursday morning, ABC News reports, while Maxwell's attorney David O. Markus only said, 'We're looking forward to a productive day.' DOJ officials are expected to meet with Maxwell all day Thursday, and the interview could stretch into a second day, according to sources cited by the Tallahassee Democrat. Why Was Ghislaine Maxwell Charged With Perjury? Maxwell was charged with perjury based on answers she gave in a 2016 deposition regarding Epstein's alleged abuse and her own complicity. The indictment against her cited multiple comments she made denying any knowledge of Epstein's alleged abuse: When asked if Epstein had a 'scheme to recruit underage girls for sexual massages,' she responded, 'I don't know what you're talking about,' for instance, and she said she 'was not aware of anybody that I interacted with' at Epstein's properties being underage, other than a plaintiff involved in the civil lawsuit. Maxwell also testified under oath she was not aware of any 'sex toys or devices' being used at Epstein's properties, and that she had never personally given Epstein or any of his victims a massage. She also claimed she was unaware of Epstein engaging in 'sexual activities' with anyone besides herself and two women she and Epstein had 'three-way sexual activities with,' saying in her deposition, 'I wasn't aware that he was having sexual activities with anyone when I was with him other than myself.' When asked again by attorneys to confirm that her testimony was that she was 'not aware' of Epstein having any other sexual partners, Maxwell doubled down, saying, 'That is my testimony, that is correct.' Her statements conflict with charges in the indictment that Maxwell was later convicted on, which alleged Maxwell conducted massages and was 'present for and participated in the abuse of minor victims,' among other allegations. Maxwell's perjury charges weren't dealt with at her trial in 2021 alongside her sex trafficking charges, as she successfully requested to have those charges separated before her trial. Maxwell argued, and the court agreed, that the charges should be tried separately because they would have involved evidence that could have prejudiced the jury on the other charges, and it may have disqualified one of her attorneys from the trial because they participated in the earlier case. The perjury counts were still slated to proceed to trial after Maxwell was convicted in 2021, but prosecutors then offered to have the charges dropped in exchange for letting the conviction stand, rather than going through the whole process of having the sex trafficking charges tried again. The government suggested it was willing to drop the lesser perjury charges for the benefit of Epstein's victims, given that Maxwell had already been convicted, citing 'the victims' significant interests in bringing closure to this matter and avoiding the trauma of testifying again.' Chief Critic Multiple legal experts and critics have raised concerns about Maxwell's testimony, given her history of alleged perjury and the fact she could benefit from giving the Trump administration favorable testimony, such as exonerating Trump from Epstein's crimes or suggesting that individuals who are opposed to Trump were involved. 'Any 'new' testimony [Maxwell] offers is inherently unreliable unless backed by evidence,' former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance said on X on Thursday. Bradley Edwards, an attorney representing Epstein victims who was involved in the case where Maxwell was deposed, told MSNBC on Wednesday that victims are 'alarmed' by the DOJ speaking with Maxwell and that she is being 'somehow given some credibility and a platform on this particular topic.' 'We're going to go and ask somebody to tell the truth who was indicted on perjury charges related to this particular topic,' Edwards said. 'Now, does she have information that could potentially help? Yes. Will she be truthful about it? Who knows.' Edwards called for anyone interviewing Maxwell to be well-versed in the Epstein case and what Maxwell has testified previously, arguing, 'Sending somebody there who knows nothing, she's going to say whatever she wants to say.' How Could Ghislaine Maxwell's Testimony Impact Her Case? The Trump administration could grant Maxwell some leniency in exchange for her testimony through a 'Rule 35 motion,' which allows prosecutors to request the court reduce a defendant's sentence because of actions they took post-sentencing. That could include providing 'substantial assistance' to the government in a different prosecution, such as if Maxwell were to provide information about other Epstein associates who are implicated in his alleged crimes. Trump could also theoretically pardon Maxwell or commute her sentence, though the optics of doing so would likely cause considerable public backlash. The Supreme Court is still deliberating on whether to grant Maxwell's request for justices to reconsider her conviction, as Maxwell argues a non-prosecution agreement Epstein made in 2008, which allowed him to plead guilty to some charges in order to avoid a life sentence in prison, also shielded her from liability. (Epstein was later indicted in 2019 after more information about his alleged abuse became public, and died in prison before his trial.) The Trump administration has so far opposed Maxwell's request at the Supreme Court, filing a brief on July 14 that argues the court should not take up the case and should let her conviction stand. Tangent In addition to the DOJ, the House Oversight Committee is planning to interview Maxwell, voting Wednesday in favor of issuing a subpoena for her testimony. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., suggested lawmakers could also tie Maxwell's testimony and its truthfulness to her sentence, giving her incentive to be helpful. 'The one thing we've got holding over her head is that if we find out she lies, she goes back to her original sentence,' Burchett said. 'If she's looking at maybe parlaying this into reducing her sentence, then we could have some leverage there.' Epstein has been accused of assaulting more than 100 women prior to his 2019 arrest, many of whom were underage, and Maxwell has been identified as his primary co-conspirator in helping him to allegedly coerce and assault his victims. The DOJ's interest in speaking with her comes as interest over the Epstein files has reached a fever pitch in recent weeks, following the agency's memo that announced it would not release any further files and debunked various conspiracies linked to Epstein, such as the existence of a 'client list.' The memo has sparked widespread backlash against the DOJ, as officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi had long promised the files would be released, with even Trump's supporters criticizing the administration and calling on Bondi to resign. While the DOJ has remained steadfast on not releasing the files in response to the public outcry, its decision to speak with Maxwell is one of several more minor steps the administration has taken in regards to the Epstein case. Prosecutors have also asked courts in cases against Epstein and Maxwell to unseal grand jury documents that reflect the decisions to bring indictments against the two defendants. Those filings are expected to be much more limited than the full tranche of documents the government has in its possession, however, and it's unclear when or if they could be publicly released, with one court already rejecting the government's request for materials to be unsealed. Further Reading Forbes Top DOJ Official Will Meet With Ghislaine Maxwell Amid Epstein Files Drama By Alison Durkee Forbes Here's What Jeffrey Epstein Was Accused Of, Convicted For—And The New Questions By Zachary Folk Forbes U.S. Prosecutors Offer To Drop Ghislaine Maxwell Perjury Charges If No Retrial In Sex Trafficking Case By Robert Hart
Newsweek
16 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Reacts to Death of Hulk Hogan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump has reacted to the death of professional wrestling legend and ally, Hulk Hogan. Hogan died at age 71 following a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida, home early Thursday morning. The president, a longtime fan and a former professional wrestling heel, himself, posted on Truth Social, "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, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!" Trump and Hogan have shared a decades-long relationship rooted in their mutual flair for showmanship and crossover appeal between entertainment and politics. Their connection dates back to the 1980s, when Trump hosted several WrestleMania events at his Atlantic City casinos, featuring Hogan as the headline act. Over time, they maintained a friendly rapport, with Trump praising Hogan's star power and Hogan occasionally invoking Trump's name in public appearances. Earlier on Thursday, as tributes began to pour in, Vice President JD Vance posted, "Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we'd get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace." Donald Trump Jr. posted, "R.I.P to a legend." Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said on X, "We all have fond memories of @hulkhogan. From my childhood in the '80s, to campaigning with him last year, I always saw him as a giant in stature and in life. May he rest in peace." Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, told reporters Thursday at the White House, "I love Hulk Hogan ... I had an Italian Mastiff dog named Hulk Hogan." R.I.P to a legend. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 HULK HOGAN — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 24, 2025 In recent years, Hogan has become increasingly involved in politics. During the 2024 Republican National Convention, he combined his signature WWE theatrics with the fiery rhetoric of President Donald Trump to deliver a forceful endorsement of his longtime associate. "Let Trumpamania run wild! Let Trumpamania rule again! Let Trumpamania make America Great Again!" Hogan shouted into the crowd. Donald Trump and World Champion Wrestler Hulk Hogan are shown at Wrestlemania Vl Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey March 29 1987. Donald Trump and World Champion Wrestler Hulk Hogan are shown at Wrestlemania Vl Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey March 29 1987. AFP/Getty Images He ripped off a t-shirt emblazoned with a picture of himself on a motorcycle to reveal a bright red Trump-Vance campaign shirt underneath. Then-presidential candidate Trump stood to applaud the move. In September of 2024, two months after the RNC, Trump publicly promote Hulk Hogan's beer brand, Real American Beer. Trump posted on Truth Social: "Hulk Hogan is doing a beer, and if he's doing it, it must be good. Great looking can and logo. Give it a try!!! DJT" This promotion came despite Trump's own admission that he doesn't drink alcohol. Though Hulk Hogan eventually became a favorite among Trump's base, according to ABC News, he supported Democrat Barack Obama during the 2008 election but later shifted his stance, backing Republican Mitt Romney over Obama in 2012. Hogan notably lampooned Trump in a 2012 video. As part of a promotional stunt, Hogan impersonated Trump by removing his sunglasses and mockingly styling a paper bag as a comb‑over. He then mimicked firing his own family and suggested Trump "turns his back on everyone," implying the then-real estate mogul and reality show star is self‑centered. Hulk Hogan ripping Trump in 2012 as not 'cool' and someone who turns his back on everyone including his own family. This was before he sold out to Trump to promote his beer. — PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 24, 2025 This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Politico
17 minutes ago
- Politico
Marjorie Taylor Greene takes aim at Trump on artificial intelligence
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is taking aim at a recent executive order from President Donald Trump looking to expand artificial intelligence capacities in the U.S., the latest prominent break between the president and one of his most vocal supporters in Congress. 'My deep concerns are that the EO demands rapid AI expansion with little to no guardrails and breaks,' she wrote on X on Thursday. Greene said she is concerned about the impact the order — which indicates artificial intelligence data centers will be built on federally owned land — will have on the environment and the water supply. She also said the order threatens states who choose to regulate AI, a move she says is 'an absolute threat to federalism' and a reason she originally criticized and threatened to vote against final approval for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Greene's direct attack on artificial intelligence — an industry which Trump has made his support for known — is another in a series of notable breaks. She has also recently criticized Trump for his intervention in Iran and his criticism of some vocal MAGA supporters. In a long post on X in May, Greene warned that she represents the MAGA base and when she is 'frustrated and upset over the direction of things' — which in the post included Iran, Ukraine, vaccines, the judicial system, use of federal funds and gender ideology — the base wouldn't be happy either. 'When you are losing MTG, you are losing the base,' she said. 'And Trump isn't on the ballot in the future, so do the math on that.'
