Latest news with #TheEpsteinFiles'
Kuwait Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Trump faces MAGA meltdown over Epstein reversal
WASHINGTON: Donald Trump's MAGA base is up in arms after his administration effectively shut down conspiracy theories related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that have become an obsession for the US president's diehard supporters. Trump's Department of Justice and the FBI said in a memo made public Sunday there is no evidence that the disgraced financier kept a 'client list' or was blackmailing powerful figures. They also dismissed the claim that Epstein was murdered in jail, confirming his death by suicide, and said they would not be releasing any more information on the probe. It marked the first time Trump's officials had publicly scotched the stories—pushed by numerous right-wing figures, notably including the FBI's top two officials, before Trump hired them. The backlash was swift and brutal from his 'Make America Great Again' movement—who have long held as an article of faith that 'Deep State' elites were protecting Epstein's most powerful associates in the Democratic Party and Hollywood. 'Next the DOJ will say 'Actually, Jeffrey Epstein never even existed,'' furious pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Alex Jones tweeted. 'This is over the top sickening.' Trump has managed to avoid much of the direct blame over the fiasco, with ire instead being directed at FBI director Kash Patel and his deputy Dan Bongino. But the lion's share of the fury has been reserved for Attorney General Pam Bondi, who assured Fox News she had the Epstein client list on her desk and would get to the truth—in remarks endorsed by the White House. Bondi was already on thin ice with MAGA after distributing binders labeled 'The Epstein Files' to influencers at the White House that turned out to contain largely already public information and no new revelations. 'President Trump should fire (Bondi) for lying to his base and creating a liability for his administration,' far right influencer Laura Loomer posted on X. 'She is an embarrassment and she doesn't do anything to help Trump.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was pressed about the controversy and said that Bondi was actually talking about Epstein-related paperwork as a whole—sparking even more MAGA fury. 'This is what happens when the dog catches the car. Or, to put a finer point on it, when you and the people around you become the very 'Deep State' you have spent years attacking,' CNN analyst Chris Cillizza wrote on his Substack newsletter. Epstein died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking. Trump—who has denied visiting the US Virgin Islands home where prosecutors say Epstein sex trafficked underage girls—said ahead of his election he would have 'no problem' releasing files related to the case. The president appeared exasperated when he was asked by a reporter about Epstein at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. 'Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?... Are people still talking about this guy, this creep? That is unbelievable,' Trump said. It is one of a number of schisms that have opened in the MAGA movement in recent days, with supporters angry over Trump's announcement that weapons supply to Ukraine would resume. Trump's fiercely isolationist base was already upset at the president's bombing of Iran nuclear sites and his statements calling for an easing of immigration raids on farms. Beyond its insights into the power dynamics that animate Trump's supporters, the affair has raised concerns that MAGA disillusionment will damage Republican prospects in the next election cycle. The row comes with Trump under pressure from the launch of a new political party by his estranged former close aide Elon Musk, who had a bitter public split with the president over federal spending. — AFP
Business Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Times
Trump faces MAGA meltdown over Epstein reversal
[WASHINGTON] Donald Trump's MAGA base is up in arms after his administration effectively shut down conspiracy theories related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that have become an obsession for the US president's diehard supporters. Trump's Department of Justice and the FBI said in memo made public on Sunday there is no evidence that the disgraced financier kept a 'client list' or was blackmailing powerful figures. They also dismissed the claim that Epstein was murdered in jail, confirming his death by suicide, and said they would not be releasing any more information on the probe. It marked the first time Trump's officials had publicly scotched the stories - pushed by numerous right-wing figures, notably including the FBI's top two officials, before Trump hired them. The backlash was swift and brutal from his 'Make America Great Again' movement - who have long held as an article of faith that 'Deep State' elites were protecting Epstein's most powerful associates in the Democratic Party and Hollywood. 'Next the DOJ will say 'Actually, Jeffrey Epstein never even existed,'' furious pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Alex Jones tweeted. 'This is over the top sickening.' BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Trump has managed to avoid much of the direct blame over the fiasco, with ire instead being directed at FBI director Kash Patel, his deputy Dan Bongino. But the lion's share of the fury has been reserved for Attorney General Pam Bondi, who assured Fox News she had the Epstein client list on her desk and would get to the truth - in remarks endorsed by the White House. Bondi was already on thin ice with MAGA after distributing binders labeled 'The Epstein Files' to influencers at the White House that turned out to contain largely already public information and no new revelations. 'President Trump should fire (Bondi) for lying to his base and creating a liability for his administration,' far right influencer Laura Loomer posted on X. 'She is an embarrassment and she doesn't do anything to help Trump.' Trump riled White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was pressed about the controversy and said that Bondi was actually talking about Epstein-related paperwork as a whole -- sparking even more MAGA fury. 'This is what happens when the dog catches the car. Or, to put a finer point on it, when you and the people around you become the very 'Deep State' you have spent years attacking,' CNN analyst Chris Cillizza wrote on his Substack newsletter. Epstein died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking. Trump - who has denied visiting the US Virgin Islands home where prosecutors say Epstein sex trafficked underage girls - said ahead of his election he would have 'no problem' releasing files related to the case. The president appeared exasperated when he was asked by a reporter about Epstein at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. 'Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?... Are people still talking about this guy, this creep? That is unbelievable,' Trump said. It is one of a number of schisms that have opened in the MAGA movement in recent days, with supporters angry over Trump's announcement that weapons supply to Ukraine would resume. Trump's fiercely isolationist base was already upset at the president's bombing of Iran nuclear sites and his statements calling for an easing of immigration raids on farms. Beyond its insights into the power dynamics that animate Trump's supporters, the affair has raised concerns that MAGA disillusionment will damage Republican prospects in the next election cycle. The row comes with Trump under pressure from the launch of a new political party by his estranged former close aide Elon Musk, who had a bitter public split with the president over federal spending. When the Trump-Musk feud blew up last month, Musk alleged that Trump was named in the Epstein files. 'What's the time?' the world's richest man posted on his social media platform X on Monday, alongside an image of an Epstein countdown clock. 'Oh look, it's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again!' AFP
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Will MAGA turn its back on Trump over 'Epstein Files' whitewash?
Donald Trump's MAGA base is up in arms after his administration effectively shut down conspiracy theories related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that had become an obsession for the US president's diehard supporters. Trump's Justice Department and the FBI said in memo made public Sunday there is no evidence that the disgraced financier kept a 'client list' or was blackmailing powerful figures. They also dismissed the claim that Epstein was murdered in jail, confirming his death by suicide, and said they would not be releasing any more information on the probe. It marked the first time Trump's officials had publicly scotched the stories – pushed by numerous right-wing figures, notably including the FBI's top two officials, before Trump hired them. The backlash was swift and brutal from his 'Make America Great Again' movement – who have long held as an article of faith that 'Deep State' elites were protecting Epstein's most powerful associates in the Democratic Party and Hollywood. 'Next the DOJ will say 'Actually, Jeffrey Epstein never even existed,'' furious pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Alex Jones posted on X. 'This is over the top sickening.' Trump has managed to avoid much of the direct blame over the fiasco, with ire instead being directed at FBI director Kash Patel, his deputy Dan Bongino and Attorney-General Pam Bondi. Bongino and Patel spent years pushing conspiracy theories around the so-called 'Epstein list.' The controversy has clearly rattled Trump, who defended Bongino and Patel on social media as the 'greatest law enforcement professionals in the world,' without explaining why he had spoken out. Bongino reposted Trump's praise and was deluged with furious responses. But the lion's share of the fury has been reserved for Bondi, who assured Fox News in February she had the Epstein client list on her desk and would get to the truth – in remarks endorsed by the White House. Bondi was already on thin ice with MAGA after distributing binders labelled 'The Epstein Files' to influencers at the White House that turned out to contain largely already public information and no new revelations. 'President Trump should fire (Bondi) for lying to his base and creating a liability for his administration,' far right influencer Laura Loomer posted on X. 'She is an embarrassment and she doesn't do anything to help Trump.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was pressed about the controversy and said that Bondi was actually talking about Epstein-related paperwork as a whole – sparking even more MAGA fury. 'This is what happens when the dog catches the car. Or, to put a finer point on it, when you and the people around you become the very 'Deep State' you have spent years attacking,' CNN analyst Chris Cillizza wrote on his Substack newsletter. Epstein died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking. Trump – who has denied visiting the US Virgin Islands home where prosecutors say Epstein sex trafficked underage girls – said ahead of his election he would have 'no problem' releasing files related to the case. It is one of a number of schisms that have opened in the MAGA movement in recent days, with supporters angry over Trump's announcement that weapons supply to Ukraine would resume. Trump's fiercely isolationist base was already upset at the president's bombing of Iran nuclear sites and his statements calling for an easing of immigration raids on farms. Beyond its insights into the power dynamics that animate Trump's supporters, the affair has raised concerns that MAGA disillusionment will damage Republican prospects in the next election cycle. The row comes with Trump under pressure from the launch of a new political party by his estranged former close aide Elon Musk, who had a bitter public split with the president over federal spending. When the Trump-Musk feud blew up last month, Musk alleged that Trump was named in the Epstein files. 'What's the time?' the world's richest man posted on his social media platform X on Monday, alongside an image of an Epstein countdown clock. 'Oh look, it's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again!' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. © Agence France-Presse
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Elon Musk Claims Donald Trump ‘Is in the Epstein Files': ‘That Is the Real Reason They Haven't Been Made Public'
In an explosive allegation, Elon Musk — amid a real-time escalating feud Thursday with President Trump — claimed that Trump is 'in the Epstein files.' Musk, in a post on his X social media platform, wrote, 'Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!' Musk later added, 'Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.' More from Variety Donald Trump Says Elon Musk Has 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' as Rift Grows: 'I Don't Know If We Will' Have a 'Great Relationship' Anymore Jimmy Kimmel Roasts Trump for Sharing 'Deranged' Theory Claiming Biden Is a Robot Clone: 'This Is Deeply Nuts... if Your Dad Was Saying This, You'd Look for an Assisted Living Facility' Elon Musk Slams Trump's Spending Bill: 'A Disgusting Abomination' 'The Epstein Files' is a reference to U.S. government documents about Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced multimillionaire financier and convicted sex offender. Epstein died in 2019 in what authorities said was an apparent suicide while he was being held in a Manhattan jail awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Musk's allegation. On Feb. 27, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who was appointed by Trump, declassified and publicly released the 'first phase' of files related to Epstein and 'his sexual exploitation of over 250 underage girls at his homes in New York and Florida, among other locations,' according to a Department of Justice announcement. Many of the documents had already been public and they did not include a list of Epstein's clients; Bondi had told Fox News in a Feb. 21 interview that the Epstein client list was 'sitting on my desk right now.' Before Epstein's death, federal prosecutors had charged him with sex trafficking of girls as young as 14 years old and collecting child pornography. He pleaded not guilty but was denied bail after a judge determined he posed a significant flight risk. Epstein's network of friends in Hollywood, Wall Street and Washington, D.C., had included Trump and many others, including Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, Mick Jagger, Kevin Spacey and former President Bill Clinton. According to the New York Times, Musk was 'photographed at a party in 2014 with Ghislaine Maxwell, one of Epstein's longtime associates and a former girlfriend who was convicted in 2021 on charges that she aided Epstein in his sex-trafficking activities.' Maxwell received a 20-year prison sentence in the case. In 2018, Epstein told the Times that he had been advising Musk but Musk denied that at the time. Musk, who owns X, has more than 220 million followers on the platform (formerly called Twitter). Best of Variety Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?' What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Named in Epstein Files His Own Administration Released
Donald Trump's name has appeared seven times in 'The Epstein Files' his own administration has released. The files—released after a photo op with right-wing influencers holding large shiny binders—don't seem to contain anything that isn't already public information. They include flight logs, an evidence list, and redacted pages from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's address book. Trump was first mentioned on page 24 of the first flight log, on October 11, 1993. He was mentioned again, twice, on page 2 of the log on May 15, 1994, as were his then-wife Marla Maples, his daughter Tiffany Trump, and their nanny. Each of the listed dates also had Epstein's own initials on them, suggesting that he was on the exact same flight as Trump for at least three of the seven times his name shows up in the flight log. This release has completely failed to live up to the hype. The influencer photo op paired with the obvious lack of new information, along with the knowledge that there are apparently thousands more pages of Epstein files, infuriated the MAGA faithful who'd been waiting for vindication of their sex trafficking cabal conspiracy theories. A name in the flight log does not confirm or deny any criminal activity, but it does confirm that Trump had a real relationship with the convicted predator who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting federal trial. Attorney General Pam Bondi hinted that more files will be released Friday. Trump has yet to comment.
