President Donald Trump’s Justice Department has been given until 12 p.m. ET on Friday to address privacy concerns raised by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, about the possible release of grand jury transcripts and exhibits from the sex trafficking investigation.
Vice President JD Vance denied a strategy dinner at his official residence Wednesday night was to discuss the handling of the Epstein case, which has been roiling the Trump administration for more than a month.
News of the meeting first leaked to CNN, and NBC News reported it was going ahead with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who recently met with Maxwell, all in attendance.
But Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter, the dinner had been canceled after news of it leaked.
Officials are reportedly weighing whether to release a recording of the Maxwell interview. The Epstein co-conspirator said she never saw Trump do anything of concern with the late wealthy financier, according to an ABC News report. Conspiracy theories continue to swirl as the disgraced socialite has been moved to a low-security prison camp.
CNN reported officials are considering asking podcaster Joe Rogan to help diffuse the uproar over the Epstein files with an interview. He has been highly critical of the administration’s handling of the information.
What you need to know...
- JD Vance hosted meeting to discuss Epstein fallout back on, report says
- Watch: Vance denies meeting is about Epstein files scandal, which Trump call 'bulls***' and 'hoax'
- Trump admin considering asking Joe Rogan to help diffuse Epstein files furore, report says
- Ghislaine Maxwell told DOJ she never saw Trump do anything of concern with Epstein
- Trump team weighs releasing Ghislaine Maxwell’s interview with DOJ officials, report says
- Tulsi Gabbard asked directly if Epstein was an 'intelligence asset'
Live coverage paused
05:00 , Rachel DobkinOur live coverage has been paused. Here's a full breakdown:
Maxwell told Blanche she never saw Trump do anything concerning with Epstein: report
House Democrat says Epstein victims need to be 'put first'
04:50 , Rachel DobkinRepresentative Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, said during an MSNBC interview Wednesday night, the victims of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell need to be “put first.”
“It is the victims now, the survivors, whose interests and whose desires have got to be put first,” he said. “They want to see the truth and the whole truth about the entire conspriacy come out.”
Raskin: "What we have is the Trump Justice Department organizing itself not around the interests of the survivors -- the people who were victimized by Maxwell and Epstein -- but rather organizing itself around protecting the perpetrators." pic.twitter.com/kwQWKjiOLp
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 7, 2025
Ghislaine Maxwell’s Texas ‘Club Fed’ prison ups security after taking in the Epstein sex trafficker
04:20 , Rachel DobkinGhislanine Maxwell’s Texas prison, dubbed “Club Fed,” has reportedly upped security after taking in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficker.
Maxwell, a disgraced British socialite who was a close associate of Epstein’s for years, is serving a 20-year sentence for her part in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse minor girls with the late wealthy financier.
Maxwell was recently moved from a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, to a minimum security prison in southeast Texas called Federal Prison Camp Bryan.
FPC Bryan has increased security measures in response to Maxwell’s transfer, NBC News reported Wednesday, citing a senior law enforcement official.
Two prison employees told the outlet members of the federal Bureau of Prisons’ Special Operations Response Team have been positioned outside FPC Bryan’s front entrance since the weekend.
The special ops crew is there to check people’s IDs and wave them through, the employees reportedly said.
Read on...
Ghislaine Maxwell’s Texas prison ups security after taking in Epstein sex trafficker
Trump calls JD Vance's secret meeting rumor 'total bulls**t'
03:50 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump called a secret meeting Vice President JD Vance was reportedly hosting with top officials over how to handle the situation surrounding the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “total bulls**t.”
Vance denied there was ever a meeting planned.
Trump calls old foe Andrew Cuomo as he considers intervening in NYC mayor’s race to thwart Mamdani: report
03:20 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump took a call with his old foe, Andrew Cuomo, as he considers intervening in New York City’s mayoral race to thwart Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani, according to a new report.
Trump and the former New York governor, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, talked about the competitive race in a call made in recent weeks, The New York Times reported Wednesday, citing people briefed on the matter.
It’s unclear what exactly was discussed in the call or when it exactly happened.
Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi told The Independent, “The Governor and the President have not spoken in some time. As far as I know, they have not discussed the race.”
Read on...
Trump calls old foe Andrew Cuomo as he considers intervening in NYC mayor’s race
Married immigrants trying to get green cards could be deported, new Trump-era guidance says
02:50 , Rachel DobkinImmigrants who are married to U.S. citizens have long expected that they won’t be deported from the country while going through the process of obtaining a green card.
But new guidance from Donald Trump’s administration explicitly states that immigrants seeking lawful residence through marriage can be deported, a policy that also applies to immigrants with pending requests.
Immigration authorities can begin removal proceedings for immigrants who lack legal status and applied to become a lawful permanent resident through a citizen spouse, according to guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued this month.
The policy also applies to immigrants with pending green cards through other citizen family members.
Read more from Alex Woodward:
Married immigrants trying to get green cards could be deported, new Trump policy says
Laura Loomer testified that Bill Maher’s joke about her sleeping with Trump torpedoed her chance at White House job
02:20 , Oliver O'ConnellMAGA extremist Laura Loomer recently testified in her $150 million defamation lawsuit against Bill Maher that the HBO star’s joke about her sleeping with Donald Trump ended up costing her a position at the White House because of the “media frenzy” it created.
Loomer, the self-annointed Trump “loyalty” enforcer whose influence with the president has seemingly risen in recent months, sat down for a deposition last week with HBO’s attorney. And, as Puck reported, it quickly became “every bit as unhinged as one might expect.”
Justin Baragona has the story.
Loomer testified that Bill Maher’s Trump joke torpedoed her chance at White House job
Jasmine Crockett mocks Trump Deputy AG Blanche: 'Last time I checked, he lost!'
01:50 , Oliver O'ConnellRep. Jasmine Crockett has mocked President Donald Trump's praise of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly his personal lawyer.
The Texas Democrat made the comments on CNN's The Source with anchor Kaitlan Collins, who asked about Trump's remarks from a news conference earlier in the day, in which he praised Blanche for the work he is doing on the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Crockett said she doesn't trust Blanche the same way the president seems to trust him.
“[Trump] talked about how great [Blanche] is, but the last time I checked, [Blanche] lost that case for the president in New York,” Crockett said. “So, there was definitely a group of jurors who didn't believe he was this great, incredible attorney to be trusted.”
Crockett was referring to Trump's state case, where he was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a payment he made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. Blanche and the District Attorney of New Jersey, Alina Habba, were Trump's criminal defense team during the trial.
Crockett: Do I trust Todd Blanche? Definitely don't trust him on the way that the president trust him. In fact, he talked about how great he was. But the last time that I checked, he actually lost that case for the president in New York pic.twitter.com/CqOW0Cr44N
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 6, 2025
As deputy attorney general, Blanche has most recently played the part of mediator between the Trump administration and disgraced Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
Blanche has met with Maxwell and her attorney twice in Tallahassee, where she was serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking underage girls for Epstein.
There has been much speculation that their conversations likely revolved around any damaging information Maxwell may have had about Trump. It is reported that Maxwell told Blanche that she never saw Trump do anything of concern with his friend, Epstein.
Following their meeting, Maxwell was quietly transferred to a low-security prison camp in Texas to the consternation of both inmates and prison officials. Trump said on Tuesday he had no knowledge of the move.
Report: Gabbard overrode CIA officials' concerns over release of classified Russia interference report
Thursday 7 August 2025 00:50 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Trump administration pressed for the release of a highly classified document concerning Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, following an intense internal dispute over its secrecy. The struggle concluded in late July when Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard unveiled a minimally redacted version of the report, sources familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.
Gabbard, with the explicit approval of President Donald Trump, reportedly overruled objections from the CIA and other intelligence agencies. These agencies had argued that more of the document should remain classified to safeguard U.S. spy agencies’ sources and methods, as stated by individuals who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Nevertheless, Gabbard, alongside CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Attorney General Pam Bondi, released a series of intelligence and law enforcement reports. They assert, without providing evidence, that the intelligence agencies’ finding – that Moscow intervened in the 2016 presidential contest to aid Trump – is a “hoax” orchestrated by the Obama administration.
Since then, the Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into Obama-era officials, and Bondi has ordered for a grand jury to potentially hear evidence in the case.
However, multiple independent reviews, including a comprehensive bipartisan inquiry by the Senate Intelligence Committee, have concluded that Vladimir Putin’s government did intervene, partly to assist Trump. Two former CIA officials who led the original intelligence assessment have stood by their sourcing and analysis, as reported to the Post.
Laura Loomer says a friend calls her ‘Trump’s Rasputin’
Thursday 7 August 2025 00:20 , Oliver O'ConnellLaura Loomer has been dubbed “Trump’s Rasputin” as her influence grows with her quest to oust administration officials she deems insufficiently loyal to President Donald Trump.
The 32-year-old has courted controversy as a right-wing online provocateur, making statements in support of white nationalism, using anti-Islam rhetoric, and spreading conspiracy theories, including on 9/11.
She has been getting senior Trump administration officials fired by digging up old social media posts, reviewing their employment records, and examining their past political donations. The New York Times dubbed her “Trump’s blunt instrument.”
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Laura Loomer says friend calls her ‘Trump’s Rasputin’ as surprising influence grows
Report: Ghislaine Maxwell told Justice Department she never saw Trump do anything concerning with Epstein
Wednesday 6 August 2025 23:50 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell said that she never saw Donald Trump do anything that would cause concern during her hours-long meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche over the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to ABC News.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking underage girls to her late accomplice, Epstein.
She was recently transferred to a low-security prison camp after the meeting with Blanche.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Maxwell told Blanche she never saw Trump do anything concerning with Epstein: report
Is JD Vance Trump's MAGA heir apparent?
Wednesday 6 August 2025 23:20 , Oliver O'ConnellMadeline Sherratt takes a look at recent remarks that suggest he may well be...
Trump names JD Vance as his heir apparent for MAGA in 2028
-
However, anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project has been circulating a video designed to stir things up:
JD has a plan, Donald. And he's out to get you. pic.twitter.com/K1fgBj6rSY
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) July 30, 2025
Family of Epstein victim issues statement on JD Vance strategy dinner
Wednesday 6 August 2025 23:00 , Oliver O'ConnellThe family of Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who died by suicide this year, issued a new statement Wednesday on the meeting planned at Vice President JD Vance’s residence tonight regarding the Trump administration’s strategy on the Epstein Files.
Sky and Amanda Roberts, and Danny and Lanette Wilson, released the following statement:
“We understand that Vice President JD Vance will hold a strategy session this evening at his residence with administration officials. Missing from this group is, of course, any survivor of the vicious crimes of convicted perjurer and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. Their voices must be heard, above all. We also call upon the House subcommittee to invite survivors to testify.
“As Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s siblings, we offer to represent her in her stead and we hope the administration takes our call to action seriously.
“Any information that may be released by the government should take into account the survivors who wish to remain anonymous, for their safety and well-being. They should be consulted first.
“We reiterate that Ghislaine Maxwell should have remained in a maximum security prison and does not deserve the luxuries currently afforded her.”
Watch: Vance denies meeting is about Epstein files scandal, which Trump call 'bulls***' and 'hoax'
Wednesday 6 August 2025 22:54 , Oliver O'ConnellREPORTER: Is Vice President Vance hosting a gathering tonight to talk about how to respond to the Epstein situation?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 6, 2025
TRUMP: Is he working on what?
R: Is he hosting some kind of gathering of top advisers this evening to talk about how to respond to the Epstein situation?
TRUMP:… pic.twitter.com/H63jbkWYYo
Trump says he has not been brief on what Maxwell told Blanche
Wednesday 6 August 2025 22:51 , Oliver O'ConnellAsked whether he had been briefed on what Ghislaine Maxwell told Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump said: “No, I haven’t... I don’t know.”
REPORTER: Have you been briefed on what Ghislaine Maxwell told Todd Blanche?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 6, 2025
TRUMP: No I haven't pic.twitter.com/TuMjNEYiZJ
Tulsi Gabbard asked directly if Epstein was an 'intelligence asset'
Wednesday 6 August 2025 22:50 , Oliver O'ConnellDirector of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard refused to rule out whether late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein served as an “intelligence asset,” during an awkward interview.
Former Democrat turned Trump-loyalist Gabbard sat down with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine on the Pod Force One podcast, which was released today.
“Lastly, Epstein. Do you think there is any evidence that he could be, could’ve been, an intelligence asset, either for us or for foreign agencies?” Devine asked toward the end of the interview.
“Uh, I can tell you I haven’t seen anything, um, that’s come across my desk that reflects that,“ Gabbard responded.
The DNI continued: “Um, if that were to change and there was some credible information or intelligence, um, that that did come to light, um, you know, the president has made clear if there’s anything that’s credible out there ‘put it out there for the American people to see,’ and I would do exactly that.”
Gabbard then suggested that the “mainstream media” was trying to distract from President Donald Trump’s successes by dredging up the Epstein scandal.
There have long been reports and rumors suggesting that Epstein might have had links to the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad.
The story was recently rejected by the former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, but is promoted by some conservative commentators, including former Fox News star Tucker Carlson.
A former victim of Epstein’s claimed he boasted about being a Mossad agent, though no evidence has ever confirmed this.
Here’s Mike Bedigan with more:
.png?trim=304,0,362,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Tucker Carlson claims Jeffrey Epstein worked for Israel to blackmail US officials
Trump will put 100% tariff on computer chips
Wednesday 6 August 2025 22:42 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, announced plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on imported computer chips.
This measure is expected to increase the cost of electronics, automobiles, household appliances, and other essential goods for the digital age.
Trump stated that U.S.-based computer chip manufacturers would obviously be exempt from the import tax.
This proposal came after the Covid-19 pandemic saw a chip shortage inflate car prices and contribute to a general rise in inflation.
Trump admin considering asking Joe Rogan to help diffuse Epstein files furore: report
Wednesday 6 August 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'ConnellThe on-off-on-again strategy meeting hosted by Vice President JD Vance, according to reports, is ostensibly about the Trump administration getting on the same page and the possible release of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s interview with Ghislaine Maxwell from last month.
Two officials told CNN that the materials from the meeting with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice could be made public as early as this week.
There have also been internal discussions about Blanche holding a press conference or doing a high-profile interview, and one name that emerged as a possibility was podcaster Joe Rogan, three people familiar with the discussions told CNN. Those conversations are only preliminary at this stage, the network notes.
Rogan, who endorsed President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, has been highly critical of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein case and previously called their refusal to release more information about Epstein a “line in the sand.”
Rogan has also accused Trump of “gaslighting” his supporters over the Epstein files.
The podcaster criticized the administration’s handling of information regarding Epstein during a July 25 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, featuring guest Mike Baker, a former CIA covert operations officer.
“This one’s a line in the sand, because this is one where there’s a lot of stuff about, you know, when we thought Trump was going to come in and a lot of things are going to be resolved, going to drain the swamp, going to figure everything out, and when you have this one hardcore line in the sand that everybody had been talking about forever, and then they’re trying to gaslight you on that,” said Rogan.
Trump supporters grew furious earlier this month when the administration released a memo rejecting conspiracy theories regarding the official ruling on Epstein’s death as being by suicide in a Manhattan jail in August 2019. The memo stated that there was no “client list” and that no more information about the case would be released.
The Epstein files have been the subject of a litany of conspiracy theories, mostly stemming from the right.
Read what the Epstein schism could mean for Trump’s MAGA base.
Watch LIVE: Trump announces '$100bn Apple investment' in US manufacturing
Wednesday 6 August 2025 22:16 , Oliver O'ConnellMurdoch to provide Trump regular health updates in deal to delay Epstein letter defamation deposition
Wednesday 6 August 2025 22:10 , Oliver O'ConnellRight-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch has agreed to give Donald Trump regular health updates in a deal to postpone Murdoch’s deposition in the president’s $10 billion lawsuit over a Wall Street Journal article about a “bawdy” birthday letter Trump allegedly wrote to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Justin Baragona has the details.
.jpg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
94-year-old Murdoch to give Trump regular health updates in deal to delay deposition
Ghislaine Maxwell’s cushy prison transfer roils federal prison staffers
Wednesday 6 August 2025 21:50 , Oliver O'ConnellCurrent and former federal prison workers are reportedly furious that Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell was recently transferred to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas known as “Club Fed” for its relatively relaxed conditions.
Following Maxwell’s transfer to the Bryan Federal Prison Camp, which federal officials disclosed on Friday, Bureau of Prisons staff shared their thoughts in a private Facebook group for vetted agency employees and retirees, NBC News reports.
Josh Marcus has the story.
Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer to cushy prison roils federal staffers: ‘Makes me sick’
Wall Street closes higher, led by a rally for Apple
Wednesday 6 August 2025 21:44 , Oliver O'ConnellWall Street closed higher today following a rally in Apple's stock.
The S&P 500 climbed 0.7% Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2% and the Nasdaq composite rose 1.2%.
Apple alone accounted for more than a third of the S&P 500’s gain ahead of an announcement at the White House, where it’s expected to increase its U.S. investments by an additional $100 billion over the next four years.
Trading elsewhere on Wall Street was mixed following a jumble of profit reports.
Epstein meeting is to help resolve feud between Patel and Bondi, report says
Wednesday 6 August 2025 21:42 , Oliver O'ConnellOne of the purposes of the so-called Epstein strategy meeting hosted by Vice President JD Vance is to smooth over tensions between FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, CNN reports.
The pair is said to have feuded over the handling of the Epstein files. Patel has pushed conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged “client list” in the past.
Just a week ago, there were reports suggesting that Bondi would become President Donald Trump’s “fall guy” for the chaos that erupted over the Epstein case.
Here’s our earlier coverage:
Pam Bondi will become Trump’s fall guy for Epstein files chaos, DC insider says
Vance's hosted meeting is proceeding, report says after denials and supposed cancellation
Wednesday 6 August 2025 21:34 , Oliver O'ConnellDespite an earlier report that it had been canceled, senior Trump administration officials are expected to gather at Vice President JD Vance’s official residence this evening to discuss the Jeffrey Epstein case and other matters, three sources familiar with the meeting confirmed to NBC News.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles have all been invited to attend, the sources said. FBI Director Kash Patel is also believed to be going.
CNN first reported that Vance and senior officials would be discussing the Epstein case at the meeting.
Vance spokesperson William Martin dismissed CNN’s reporting as “pure fiction” in a statement to NBC News.
The purpose of the meeting is reportedly to try and get everyone on the same page as the administration continues to be attacked by both Democrats and members of Trump’s base over its handling of the Epstein case, amid calls for greater transparency.
The group will also discuss other topics, the sources to NBC, with one person downplaying the notion that the agenda was solely driven by the Epstein controversy.
“There was never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice President’s residence to discuss Epstein Strategy,” Martin told the network.
Administration officials often gather at Vance’s residence, and the vice president frequently hosts colleagues and lawmakers there, one source noted.
Trump admin has until noon Friday to respond to Epstein victims
Wednesday 6 August 2025 21:30 , Oliver O'ConnellJudge Richard Berman had given the Trump administration until 12 p.m. ET on Friday to respond to yesterday’s filings by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell regarding the unsealing of grand jury testimony and accompanying exhibits.
He wants to know to what extent the information included has already been made public and what the government’s position is on unsealing the exhibits in addition to the transcripts.
Read Judge Berman’s order here.
“The survivors support transparency when it can be achieved without sacrificing their safety, privacy, or dignity,” lawyers for the survivors wrote in a letter to the judge weighing unsealing transcripts from the investigation into Maxwell.
“But transparency cannot come at the expense of the very people whom the justice system is sworn to protect — particularly amid contemporaneous events that magnify risk and trauma: the public platforming of Ms. Maxwell as a purportedly credible commentator despite her sex-trafficking conviction and perjury charges, her transfer to lower-security custody, a government request to unseal filed without conferral, and the looming specter of clemency,” they added.
‘Jeffrey Epstein is dead. Ghislaine Maxwell is not’: Sex trafficker fights DOJ move to unseal grand jury records
Wednesday 6 August 2025 21:10 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, who, after his death, was convicted of sex trafficking girls and young women as his accomplice, is opposing the government’s requests to unseal the grand jury transcripts in her criminal case.
The Trump administration has been firefighting the fallout from the so-called “Epstein Files” since the DOJ released a memo last month that contained little new information and concluded no further investigation was warranted into the late sex offender’s alleged sex trafficking scheme.
Kelly Rissman reports on Maxwell’s opposition to the release of the grand jury transcripts that led to her trial and conviction in federal court.
Ghislaine Maxwell does not want grand jury transcripts released
Trump intends to meet with Putin and Zelensky, possibly next week
Wednesday 6 August 2025 20:50 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump reportedly intends to hold a direct, in-person meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week, according to sources familiar with the plan, who spoke with The New York Times. This would then be followed by a proposed trilateral summit involving him, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine war latest: Trump plans to meet with Putin next week, says report
Trump disclosed these ambitious intentions during a call with European leaders on Wednesday. The proposed meetings would be exclusive to the three men, notably excluding any European counterparts, despite the continent's ongoing efforts to mediate peace.
One source indicated that the European leaders, who have sought to play a coordinating role in ending the violence between Russia and Ukraine, appeared to accept Trump's outline.
However, it was not immediately clear whether either Putin or Zelensky had formally agreed to the plan described by Trump. Zelensky was present on the call with European leaders, subsequently stating that he had a “conversation with President Trump” and that his and the European leaders’ position was that “the war must end,” specifically “an honest end.”
The call also included Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Jasmine Crockett mocks Trump Deputy AG Blanche: 'Last time I checked, he lost!'
Wednesday 6 August 2025 20:30 , Oliver O'ConnellRep. Jasmine Crockett has mocked President Donald Trump's praise of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly his personal lawyer.
The Texas Democrat made the comments on CNN's The Source with anchor Kaitlan Collins, who asked about Trump's remarks from a news conference earlier in the day, in which he praised Blanche for the work he is doing on the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Crockett said she doesn't trust Blanche the same way the president seems to trust him.
“[Trump] talked about how great [Blanche] is, but the last time I checked, [Blanche] lost that case for the president in New York,” Crockett said. “So, there was definitely a group of jurors who didn't believe he was this great, incredible attorney to be trusted.”
Crockett: Do I trust Todd Blanche? Definitely don't trust him on the way that the president trust him. In fact, he talked about how great he was. But the last time that I checked, he actually lost that case for the president in New York pic.twitter.com/CqOW0Cr44N
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 6, 2025
Crockett was referring to Trump's state case, where he was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a payment he made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. Blanche and the District Attorney of New Jersey, Alina Habba, were Trump's criminal defense team during the trial.
As deputy attorney general, Blanche has most recently played the part of mediator between the Trump administration and disgraced Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
Blanche has met with Maxwell and her attorney twice in Tallahassee, where she was serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking underage girls for Epstein.
There has been much speculation that their conversations likely revolved around any damaging information Maxwell may have had about Trump. It is reported that Maxwell told Blanche that she never saw Trump do anything of concern with his friend, Epstein.
Following their meeting, Maxwell was quietly transferred to a low-security prison camp in Texas to the consternation of both inmates and prison officials. Trump said on Tuesday he had no knowledge of the move.
Trump approval 20 points underwater in new poll with 81% blaming him for Epstein info blackout
Wednesday 6 August 2025 20:15 , Oliver O'ConnellPublic approval of Donald Trump’s presidency has dropped by 6 percentage points since April, and his approval rating is now 20 points underwater, 38-58, according to a new national University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll of 1,000 respondents conducted July 25-30.
“Six months into his second term as president, Donald Trump looks to be on the ropes with the American public,” says Tatishe Nteta, provost professor of political science at UMass Amherst and director of the poll.
“Trump’s approval ratings, already historically low for a newly elected president, continue to sink, with close to 6-in-10 Americans (58%) expressing disapproval of the job that Trump is doing in office.
“While Trump remains a popular figure among Republicans and conservatives, Trump’s time in office is viewed more negatively across genders, generations, classes, and races, with majorities of each of these groups disapproving of Trump’s performance.
“With over three years left in the Trump administration, there is still time for him to right the ship and fulfill the promises that catapulted him to the presidency, but the president is not off to the start he or his supporters envisioned.”
On specific issues, Trump’s performance, rated on a percentage approve to disapprove, is as follows:
- Inflation: 31-63 (33-62 April 2025)
- Immigration: 41-54 (50-46 April 2025)
- Jobs: 37-55 (38-53 April 2025)
- Civil Rights: 32-58 (36-53 April 2025)
- Tariffs: 31-63 (Not asked in April 2025)
- Natural Disasters: 37-53 (Not asked in April 2025)
Of all issues surveyed in the latest University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll, one appears to be the greatest drag on Trump’s presidency: Jeffrey Epstein and Trump’s handling of the evidence gathered in the federal investigation of the accused sex trafficker and his long-time friend.
Some 63 percent of respondents believe the Trump administration is hiding information about the case, and 59 percent believe a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate the Justice Department’s handling of the case.
Most alarmingly for Trump, 81 percent of respondents believe he is personally responsible for hiding information about the investigation into Epstein.
Report: Gabbard overrode CIA officials' concerns over release of classified Russia interference report
Wednesday 6 August 2025 20:02 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Trump administration pressed for the release of a highly classified document concerning Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, following an intense internal dispute over its secrecy. The struggle concluded in late July when Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard unveiled a minimally redacted version of the report, sources familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.
Gabbard, with the explicit approval of President Donald Trump, reportedly overruled objections from the CIA and other intelligence agencies. These agencies had argued that more of the document should remain classified to safeguard U.S. spy agencies’ sources and methods, as stated by individuals who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Nevertheless, Gabbard, alongside CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Attorney General Pam Bondi, released a series of intelligence and law enforcement reports. They assert, without providing evidence, that the intelligence agencies’ finding – that Moscow intervened in the 2016 presidential contest to aid Trump – is a “hoax” orchestrated by the Obama administration.
Since then, the Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into Obama-era officials, and Bondi has ordered for a grand jury to potentially hear evidence in the case.
However, multiple independent reviews, including a comprehensive bipartisan inquiry by the Senate Intelligence Committee, have concluded that Vladimir Putin’s government did intervene, partly to assist Trump. Two former CIA officials who led the original intelligence assessment have stood by their sourcing and analysis, as reported to the Post.
Laura Loomer says a friend calls her ‘Trump’s Rasputin’
Wednesday 6 August 2025 19:50 , Oliver O'ConnellLaura Loomer has been dubbed “Trump’s Rasputin” as her influence grows with her quest to oust administration officials she deems insufficiently loyal to President Donald Trump.
The 32-year-old has courted controversy as a right-wing online provocateur, making statements in support of white nationalism, using anti-Islam rhetoric, and spreading conspiracy theories including on 9/11.
She has been getting senior Trump administration officials fired by digging up old social media posts, going through their employment records, and looking at their past political donations. The New York Times dubbed her “Trump’s blunt instrument.”
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Laura Loomer says friend calls her ‘Trump’s Rasputin’ as surprising influence grows
Vance meeting to discuss Epstein fallout canceled, report says
Wednesday 6 August 2025 19:44 , Oliver O'ConnellA dinner for senior officials at Vice President JD Vance's residence, intended to discuss topics including the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, has been canceled after news of it leaked, a source familiar with the matter said.
Vance's spokesman stated that the dinner, first reported by CNN, had never been planned.
“There was never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice President's residence to discuss Epstein strategy,” said Vance's spokesman William Martin.
In addition to Vance, the meeting was scheduled to include White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who had recently met with Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Trump administration has struggled for weeks to manage the political fallout from the Epstein investigation, amid public pressure for more transparency regarding its handling of files related to the convicted sex offender's case.
President Donald Trump had promised to release files related to the disgraced financier's case if reelected. However, in July, the Justice Department stated that a previously announced Epstein client list did not exist, angering Trump's supporters, who have called for additional details to be made public.
With reporting from Reuters
Ghislaine Maxwell got ‘special preference’ with move to Texas Club Fed
Wednesday 6 August 2025 19:30 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell’s transfer from a Florida federal prison to a Texas prison camp, known for its relatively relaxed environment, reeks of “special preference,” experts say.
The disgraced British socialite, 63, who is serving 20 years for her part in a scheme to abuse and exploit girls with Jeffrey Epstein, met with the Justice Department last month as the Trump administration tries to tamp down speculation that it is withholding information on the late sex offender’s case.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Ghislaine Maxwell got ‘special preference’ with move to Texas Club Fed: experts
Report: Ghislaine Maxwell told Justice Department she never saw Trump do anything concerning with Epstein
Wednesday 6 August 2025 19:10 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell said that she never saw Donald Trump do anything that would cause concern during her hours-long meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche over the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to ABC News.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking underage girls to her late accomplice, Epstein.
She was recently transferred to a low-security prison camp after the meeting with Blanche.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Maxwell told Blanche she never saw Trump do anything concerning with Epstein: report
Is JD Vance Trump's MAGA heir apparent?
Wednesday 6 August 2025 18:50 , Oliver O'ConnellMadeline Sherratt takes a look at recent remarks that suggest he may well be...
Trump names JD Vance as his heir apparent for MAGA in 2028
While anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project has been circulating a video designed to stir things up:
JD has a plan, Donald. And he's out to get you. pic.twitter.com/K1fgBj6rSY
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) July 30, 2025
How are the Clintons connected to Epstein?
Wednesday 6 August 2025 18:40 , Oliver O'ConnellFormer President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been subpoenaed by Republicans on the House Oversight Committee to give testimony about their past dealings with the late billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
In his letter to Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party’s 2016 presidential nominee, committee chair James Comer wrote: “Your family appears to have had a close relationship with both Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.”
Joe Sommerlad looks at how they are connected.
Tulsi Gabbard asked directly if Epstein was an 'intelligence asset'
Wednesday 6 August 2025 18:30 , Oliver O'ConnellDirector of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard refused to rule out whether late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein served as an “intelligence asset,” during an awkward interview.
Former Democrat turned Trump-loyalist Gabbard sat down with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine on the Pod Force One podcast, which was released today.
“Lastly, Epstein. Do you think there is any evidence that he could be, could’ve been, an intelligence asset, either for us or for foreign agencies?” Devine asked toward the end of the interview.
“Uh, I can tell you I haven’t seen anything, um, that’s come across my desk that reflects that,“ Gabbard responded.
The DNI continued: “Um, if that were to change and there was some credible information or intelligence, um, that that did come to light, um, you know, the president has made clear if there’s anything that’s credible out there ‘put it out there for the American people to see,’ and I would do exactly that.”
Gabbard then suggested that the “mainstream media” was trying to distract from President Donald Trump’s successes by dredging up the Epstein scandal.
There have long been reports and rumors suggesting that Epstein might have had links to the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad.
The story was recently rejected by the former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, but is promoted by some conservative commentators, including former Fox News star Tucker Carlson.
A former victim of Epstein’s claimed he boasted about being a Mossad agent, though no evidence has ever confirmed this.
Here’s Mike Bedigan with more:
Tucker Carlson claims Jeffrey Epstein worked for Israel to blackmail US officials
Clintons ordered to testify in Jeffrey Epstein investigation
Wednesday 6 August 2025 18:20 , Oliver O'ConnellBill and Hillary Clinton are set to testify before the House Oversight Committee in October as the panel investigates the cases involving pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his convicted sex trafficking accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the committee, tweeted a list of testimony dates on Tuesday for upcoming witnesses — including the former president and secretary of state — who are compelled by subpoena to appear.
Several other top federal officials, including former Attorney General Merrick Garland, are also scheduled to testify.
John Bowden reports.
Bill and Hillary Clinton ordered to testify in Jeffrey Epstein investigation
Trump admin considering asking Joe Rogan to help diffuse Epstein files furore: report
Wednesday 6 August 2025 18:06 , Oliver O'ConnellTonight’s Epstein strategy meeting hosted by Vice President JD Vance comes as the Trump administration considers releasing the contents of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s interview last month with Ghislaine Maxwell.
Two officials told CNN that the materials from the meeting with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice could be made public as early as this week.
There have also been internal discussions about Blanche holding a press conference or doing a high-profile interview, and one name that emerged as a possibility was podcaster Joe Rogan, three people familiar with the discussions told CNN. Those conversations are only preliminary at this stage, the network notes.
Rogan, who endorsed President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, has been highly critical of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein case and previously called their refusal to release more information about Epstein a “line in the sand.”
Rogan has also accused Trump of “gaslighting” his supporters over the Epstein files.
The podcaster criticized the administration’s handling of information regarding Epstein during a July 25 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, featuring guest Mike Baker, a former CIA covert operations officer.
“This one’s a line in the sand, because this is one where there’s a lot of stuff about, you know, when we thought Trump was going to come in and a lot of things are going to be resolved, going to drain the swamp, going to figure everything out, and when you have this one hardcore line in the sand that everybody had been talking about forever, and then they’re trying to gaslight you on that,” said Rogan.
Trump supporters grew furious earlier this month when the administration released a memo rejecting conspiracy theories regarding the official ruling on Epstein’s death as being by suicide in a Manhattan jail in August 2019. The memo stated that there was no “client list” and that no more information about the case would be released.
The Epstein files have been the subject of a litany of conspiracy theories, mostly stemming from the right.
Here’s what the Epstein schism could mean for the MAGA base:
Could Trump lose the ‘bros’ that helped him win election over Epstein Files fallout?
Maxwell not welcome in Texas ‘Club Fed’ prison camp, says inmate
Wednesday 6 August 2025 17:50 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell’s transfer to a minimum-security prison in Texas — commonly referred to as a ‘Club Fed’ — has upset her fellow inmates, who believe she shouldn’t be there given the nature of her crimes.
The disgraced British socialite and former girlfriend of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was quietly transferred this week from a stricter low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida, to a prison camp 100 miles outside Houston, Texas.
Maxwell’s new prison mainly houses inmates convicted of “white-collar” crimes and minor offenses, and they are said to be angry about her presence.
Read on...
Sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell not welcome in cushy Texas prison camp, says inmate
Ghislaine Maxwell fights DOJ move to unseal grand jury records
Wednesday 6 August 2025 17:30 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein who after his death was convicted of sex trafficking girls and young women as his accomplice, is opposing the government’s requests to unseal the grand jury transcripts in her criminal case.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Ghislaine Maxwell does not want grand jury transcripts released
Meanwhile, on Truth Social...
Wednesday 6 August 2025 17:20 , Oliver O'ConnellHere’s what has been on President Donald Trump’s mind this morning (in between slapping more tariffs on India and speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky).
He lashed out at Senator Chuck Schumer, calling him and other Democrats “extortionists”:
Politically embattled Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, wants the Republicans to pay, as EXTORTION, TWO BILLION DOLLARS in order for the Radical Left Democrats to approve the hundreds of Trump Appointments who have been waiting for months, and are raring’ to go. This has never happened before. There has never, in U.S. history, been such a delay. THEY ARE EXTORTIONISTS! Republicans must create legislation in order to get out of the grasp of these Country hating THUGS. Move quickly!!! MAGA
He posted a video of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard discussing her accusations of an attempted “coup” by former President Barack Obama with Laura Ingraham, writing:
Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard: “Obama directed that a National Security Council meeting be called... They were tasked to create an Intelligence Assessment that detailed how Moscow tried to influence the election—not 'if'—but 'how'... They knowingly wrote things in this assessment that were false.”
More on that here, as AG Pam Bondi orders a grand jury investigation.
And he proclaimed that he had donated his salary to the White House Historical Association:
I am proud to be the only President (with the possible exception of the Late, Great George Washington) to donate my Salary. My first “Paycheck” went to the White House Historical Association, as we make much needed renovations to the beautiful “People’s House.” Great improvements and beautification is taking place at the White House, at levels not seen since its original creation. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Earlier, he celebrated his 36 Club Championships in golf:
Donald J. Trump Truth Social 08.06.25 09:22 AM EST
— Fan Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) August 6, 2025
36 Club Championships! pic.twitter.com/ue0UEHjIOy
More context on that below:
White House boasts about Trump’s golf score days after he was accused of cheating
‘I read about it just like you’: Trump says he ‘didn’t know’ about Ghislaine Maxwell transfer from prison to Texas Club Fed
Wednesday 6 August 2025 17:10 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump says that he was not behind the order directing Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer from a prison facility in Florida to a minimum security facility in Texas dubbed “Club Fed”.
The president claimed on Tuesday that he’d only learned about the prison transfer in news reports. Maxwell remains in prison on a 20-year sentence for crimes committed with Jeffrey Epstein, her former boyfriend. Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting charges for sex trafficking children.
“I didn’t know about it at all. I read about it just like you did,” Trump told a reporter.
John Bowden reports.
Trump says he ‘didn’t know’ about Ghislaine Maxwell prison transfer to Texas Club Fed
Murdoch to provide Trump regular health updates in deal to delay Epstein letter defamation deposition
Wednesday 6 August 2025 16:50 , Oliver O'ConnellRight-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch has agreed to give Donald Trump regular health updates in a deal to postpone Murdoch’s deposition in the president’s $10 billion lawsuit over a Wall Street Journal article about a “bawdy” birthday letter Trump allegedly wrote to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Justin Baragona has the details.
94-year-old Murdoch to give Trump regular health updates in deal to delay deposition
Ghislaine Maxwell’s cushy prison transfer roils federal prison staffers
Wednesday 6 August 2025 16:30 , Oliver O'ConnellCurrent and former federal prison workers are reportedly furious that Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell was recently transferred to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas known as “Club Fed” for its relatively relaxed conditions.
Following Maxwell’s transfer to the Bryan Federal Prison Camp, which was disclosed by federal officials on Friday, Bureau of Prisons staff shared their thoughts in a private Facebook group for vetted agency employees and retirees, NBC News reports.
Josh Marcus has the story.
Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer to cushy prison roils federal staffers: ‘Makes me sick’
Gloria Allred to hold press conference with Epstein victim today
Wednesday 6 August 2025 16:21 , Oliver O'ConnellHigh-profile attorney Gloria Allred, who has represented 27 victims of Jeffrey Epstein, will hold a press event at 3 p.m. ET today with one of the survivors of abuse by the late sex offender.
According to an announcement, the victim was the first person to have documented proof that she filed a police report against Jeffrey Epstein in 1997, alleging that he sexually battered her.
At the press conference, the victim will respond for the first time to questions about recent developments, such as:
- Should the Epstein files be released?
- Should Ghislaine Maxwell be pardoned by the President?
- Did you ever meet Virginia Giuffre?
- If you did, what did you discuss?
- Do you want Ms. Maxwell to testify before Congress?
- How do you feel about seeing the Jeffrey Epstein story in the news almost every day?
Allred will discuss what the next step should be to help and protect victims from sexual predators and what positive changes Congress should consider, given the failures of the criminal justice system to protect victims from being preyed upon by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Trump admin has until noon Friday to respond to Epstein victims
Wednesday 6 August 2025 16:15 , Oliver O'ConnellJudge Richard Berman had given the Trump administration until 12 p.m. ET on Friday to respond to yesterday’s filings by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell regarding the unsealing of grand jury testimony and accompanying exhibits.
He wants to know to what extent the information included has already been made public and what the government’s position is on unsealing the exhibits in addition to the transcripts.
Read Judge Berman’s order here.
“The survivors support transparency when it can be achieved without sacrificing their safety, privacy, or dignity,” lawyers for the survivors wrote in a letter to the judge weighing unsealing transcripts from the investigation into Maxwell.
“But transparency cannot come at the expense of the very people whom the justice system is sworn to protect — particularly amid contemporaneous events that magnify risk and trauma: the public platforming of Ms. Maxwell as a purportedly credible commentator despite her sex-trafficking conviction and perjury charges, her transfer to lower-security custody, a government request to unseal filed without conferral, and the looming specter of clemency,” they added.
How are Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein connected?
Wednesday 6 August 2025 16:00 , Oliver O'ConnellFormer President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been subpoenaed by Republicans on the House Oversight Committee to give testimony about their past dealings with the late billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
In his letter to Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party’s 2016 presidential nominee, committee chair James Comer wrote: “Your family appears to have had a close relationship with both Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.”
Joe Sommerlad takes a look at what he’s referring to.
Democrat lawmaker likes Vance strategy dinner to mob 'family meeting'
Wednesday 6 August 2025 15:50 , Oliver O'ConnellA family meeting. Yeah this is how the mob does it, too. https://t.co/kzJbR0B433
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 6, 2025
Family of Epstein victim issues statement on JD Vance strategy dinner
Wednesday 6 August 2025 15:47 , Oliver O'ConnellThe family of Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, issued a new statement Wednesday on the meeting planned at Vice President JD Vance’s residence tonight regarding the Trump administration’s strategy on the Epstein Files.
Sky and Amanda Roberts, and Danny and Lanette Wilson, released the following statement:
“We understand that Vice President JD Vance will hold a strategy session this evening at his residence with administration officials. Missing from this group is, of course, any survivor of the vicious crimes of convicted perjurer and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. Their voices must be heard, above all. We also call upon the House subcommittee to invite survivors to testify.
“As Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s siblings, we offer to represent her in her stead and we hope the administration takes our call to action seriously.
“Any information that may be released by the government should take into account the survivors who wish to remain anonymous, for their safety and well-being. They should be consulted first.
“We reiterate that Ghislaine Maxwell should have remained in a maximum security prison and does not deserve the luxuries currently afforded her.”
‘Jeffrey Epstein is dead. Ghislaine Maxwell is not’: Sex trafficker fights DOJ move to unseal grand jury records
Wednesday 6 August 2025 15:45 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, who, after his death, was convicted of sex trafficking girls and young women as his accomplice, is opposing the government’s requests to unseal the grand jury transcripts in her criminal case.
The Trump administration has been firefighting the fallout from the so-called “Epstein Files” since the DOJ released a memo last month that contained little new information and concluded no further investigation was warranted into the late sex offender’s alleged sex trafficking scheme.
Kelly Rissman reports on Maxwell’s opposition to the release of the grand jury transcripts that saw her tried and convicted in federal court.
Ghislaine Maxwell does not want grand jury transcripts released
Trump slaps new tariffs on India over Russian oil imports
Wednesday 6 August 2025 15:36 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, imposing an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil.
This brings the combined tariffs levied by his administration on the country to 50%.
The new import taxes take effect 21 days after the order's signing, potentially allowing India and Russia time to negotiate with the administration.
The move threatens to further complicate US-Indian relations and comes shortly after an Indian government source said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit China for the first time in over seven years later this month.
U.S.-India ties are facing their most serious crisis in years after talks with India failed to produce a trade agreement.
With reporting from Reuters
Trump says he ‘didn’t know’ about Ghislaine Maxwell transfer from prison to Texas Club Fed
Wednesday 6 August 2025 15:30 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump says that he was not behind the order directing Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer from a prison facility in Florida to a minimum security facility in Texas dubbed “Club Fed”.
The president claimed on Tuesday that he’d only learned about the prison transfer in news reports. Maxwell remains in prison on a 20-year sentence for crimes committed with Jeffrey Epstein, her former boyfriend. Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting charges for sex trafficking children.
John Bowden reports.
Trump says he ‘didn’t know’ about Ghislaine Maxwell prison transfer to Texas Club Fed
Will Trump administration release Ghislaine Maxwell's interview?
Wednesday 6 August 2025 15:20 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Trump administration is considering publicly releasing an audio recording of an interview with Ghislaine Maxwell and senior officials from the Department of Justice about Jeffrey Epstein, according to a new report.
It was previously unknown that such a recording existed, and officials are currently discussing whether to release a transcript of the discussion between the British socialite and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Trump weighs releasing Ghislaine Maxwell’s Epstein interview with DOJ: report
White House: Apple to pledge $100B for US manufacturing
Wednesday 6 August 2025 15:19 , Oliver O'ConnellApple is poised to announce a significant new financial commitment of an additional $100 billion towards expanding its production footprint within the U.S.
The pledge, confirmed by a White House official speaking on condition of anonymity, aligns with President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff and trade agenda, which aims to repatriate manufacturing jobs to the U.S. It will be officially announced this afternoon.
This latest commitment follows Apple's earlier declaration in February, where the tech giant outlined plans to invest $500 billion in U.S. operations over the next four years. That broader initiative includes the establishment of a giant factory in Texas dedicated to artificial intelligence servers, alongside the creation of approximately 20,000 research and development positions nationwide.
Trump's tariffs cost Apple $800 million in the June quarter and spurred some customers to buy iPhones in late spring this year.
In response, Apple has been strategically re-routing production for products destined for the U.S. market, sourcing iPhones from India and other devices, such as Macs and Apple Watches, from Vietnam.
The ultimate tariff rates applicable to many Apple products remain uncertain, though a number of its products are currently exempt.
With reporting from Reuters
Bill and Hillary Clinton ordered to testify in congressional Epstein probe
Wednesday 6 August 2025 15:10 , Oliver O'ConnellBill and Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee in October as the panel probes the investigations into pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his convicted sex trafficking accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the committee, tweeted a list of testimony dates on Tuesday for upcoming witnesses — including the former president and secretary of state — who are compelled to appear by subpoena.
Several other leading federal officials, including former Attorney General Merrick Garland, are also scheduled to testify.
John Bowden reports from Washington, D.C.
Bill and Hillary Clinton ordered to testify in Jeffrey Epstein investigation
Report: Ghislaine Maxwell told Justice Department she never saw Trump do anything concerning with Epstein
Wednesday 6 August 2025 14:58 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell said that she never saw Donald Trump do anything that would cause concern, during her hours-long meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche over the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to ABC News.
The Trump administration is considering whether to release the transcript from Blanche’s meetings with Maxwell last month, ABC News reported. CNN first reported that the meeting was recorded and is being digitized.
Kelly Rissman has the latest.
Maxwell told Blanche she never saw Trump do anything concerning with Epstein: report
Trump approval 20 points underwater in new poll with 81% blaming him for Epstein info blackout
Wednesday 6 August 2025 14:47 , Oliver O'ConnellPublic approval of Donald Trump’s presidency has dropped by 6 percentage points since April, and his approval rating is now 20 points underwater, 38-58, according to a new national University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll of 1,000 respondents conducted July 25-30.
“Six months into his second term as president, Donald Trump looks to be on the ropes with the American public,” says Tatishe Nteta, provost professor of political science at UMass Amherst and director of the poll.
“Trump’s approval ratings, already historically low for a newly elected president, continue to sink, with close to 6-in-10 Americans (58%) expressing disapproval of the job that Trump is doing in office.
“While Trump remains a popular figure among Republicans and conservatives, Trump’s time in office is viewed more negatively across genders, generations, classes, and races, with majorities of each of these groups disapproving of Trump’s performance.
“With over three years left in the Trump administration, there is still time for him to right the ship and fulfill the promises that catapulted him to the presidency, but the president is not off to the start he or his supporters envisioned.”
On specific issues, Trump’s performance, rated on a percentage approve to disapprove, is as follows:
- Inflation: 31-63 (33-62 April 2025)
- Immigration: 41-54 (50-46 April 2025)
- Jobs: 37-55 (38-53 April 2025)
- Civil Rights: 32-58 (36-53 April 2025)
- Tariffs: 31-63 (Not asked in April 2025)
- Natural Disasters: 37-53 (Not asked in April 2025)
Of all issues surveyed in the latest University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll, one appears to be the greatest drag on Trump’s presidency: Jeffrey Epstein and Trump’s handling of the evidence gathered in the federal investigation of the accused sex trafficker and his long-time friend.
Some 63 percent of respondents believe the Trump administration is hiding information about the case, and 59 percent believe a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate the Justice Department’s handling of the case.
Most alarmingly for Trump, 81 percent of respondents believe he is personally responsible for hiding information about the investigation into Epstein.
Vance to hold crisis strategy meeting to discuss Epstein files, report says
Wednesday 6 August 2025 14:27 , Oliver O'ConnellCNN reports that top Trump administration officials will gather at the vice president’s residence Wednesday evening as they continue to decide whether to release an audio recording and transcript of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s recent conversation with Ghislaine Maxwell, an accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein.
The administration’s handling of the Epstein case, along with the need to develop a unified response, is expected to be a main focus of the dinner, according to three sources familiar with the meeting. The attendees will include White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Vice President JD Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Blanche.
With the exception of Vance, these officials are considered the leaders of the administration’s ongoing strategy regarding the Epstein files, two sources said.
The meeting occurs as Trump’s administration weighs the possibility of releasing the contents of Blanche’s interview with Maxwell last month. Two officials told CNN that the materials could be made public as soon as this week.
Good morning
Wednesday 6 August 2025 14:25 , Oliver O'ConnellWelcome back to our rolling coverage of the latest developments in Trumpworld as the scandal over the administration’s handling of the Epstein files continues.
This evening, Trump officials will gather at Vice President JD Vance’s residence to discuss strategy, according to reporting by CNN.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell is said to have been given special preference in her transfer to a “Club Fed” minimum security prison camp in Texas, The Washington Post reports. President Donald Trump yesterday denied any part in her relocation from prison in Florida. She is currently serving 20 years for sex trafficking underage girls to Epstein.
And finally, the House Oversight Committee has issued nearly a dozen subpoenas for information related to Epstein. One subpoena sent to the Department of Justice requests that all Epstein files in its possession, as well as any communications between former Biden administration officials and the DOJ related to the case, be handed over to Congress.
Subpoenas were also issued to 10 prominent Democratic and Republican figures, requesting closed-door depositions. This includes both former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
'This makes me sick': Ghislaine Maxwell’s cushy prison transfer roils federal prison staffers
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:54 , Oliver O'ConnellCurrent and former federal prison workers are reportedly furious that Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell was recently transferred to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas referred to as “Club Fed” for its relatively relaxed conditions.
Josh Marcus reports.
Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer to cushy prison roils federal staffers: ‘Makes me sick’
Trump’s agriculture secretary doubles down on suggestion people should work on farms to avoid losing Medicaid
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:45 , Oliver O'ConnellAmericans at risk of losing their Medicaid government health coverage because of new work requirements signed into law by the Trump administration should find employment on U.S. farms, according to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.
“We have way too many people that are taking government program that are able to work,” Rollins said in an interview on Fox Business on Tuesday. “This is not children. These are not disabled [people]. These are not senior citizens. These are able-bodied Americans who are taking government handouts.”
Josh Marcus reports from San Francisco.
Trump’s farm secretary says people should work in fields to avoid losing Medicaid
Texas Democrat eviscerates Republicans when asked if they 'ran from fight'
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:40 , Oliver O'ConnellCBS News asked Texas Rep. Ann Johnson if Democrats “ran from the fight” by leaving the state to avoid a vote on redistricting to gerrymander the electoral map in favor of Republicans.
She replied: “No, abandoning your job is going to Cancun during a deadly freeze” — a reference to Sen. Ted Cruz going on vacation as the state lost power and heat. She also gave examples of cuts to healthcare and education.
She then added, “When Trump called Georgia Republicans and said, ‘I just need you to find me 11,000 votes,’ they said no.
“But when he called Texas Republicans and said I need you to steal me five seats, they said, ‘Does July work for you?’
“Well, it doesn’t work for us as Texas Democrats.”
Watch the full clip below:
🚨OH MY GOD: CBS asked Texas Rep. Ann Johnson if Democrats “ran from the fight.” Her response was epic:
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) August 5, 2025
“No, abandoning your job is going to Cancun during a deadly freeze.”
Then she went nuclear:
“When Trump asked Georgia GOP to ‘find 11,000 votes,’ they said no.
When he asked… pic.twitter.com/Xxh0uS27s7
And here’s more of the interview:
Texas Democratic lawmakers Rep. James Talarico, Rep. Ann Johnson and Rep. John Bucy — who fled the state to block a vote on a GOP redistricting plan backed by President Trump — tell CBS News’ @edokeefe the that threat of arrest is "not normal"
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 5, 2025
"The threat of arrest is something… pic.twitter.com/lbfA67m42j
Full story: Trump team officially ends Musk’s ‘five things’ DOGE email
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Trump administration has ditched an Elon Musk–mandated program requiring federal employees to share five workplace accomplishments every week, according to a new memo.
When the billionaire was at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency before his relationship with President Donald Trump imploded in early June, his short-lived initiative prompted widespread outrage among employees and management at federal agencies.
Rhian Lubin has the details.
Trump team officially ends Musk’s ‘five things’ DOGE email that drew ire
Elon Musk reposts Trump's call to federalize DC
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:27 , Oliver O'ConnellElon Musk has reposted President Donald Trump’s call to federalize Washington, D.C. if the authorities cannot get crime under control.
Musk provides more detail on what a photo posted by the president — of a bloodied shirtless young man —appears to depict.
He wrote: “A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC.
“A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her.
“It is time to federalize DC.”
A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2025
A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her.
It is time to federalize DC. pic.twitter.com/RPHKj7J3ti
“Somebody from DOGE was very badly hurt last night,” Trump said this afternoon at a White House event. “You saw that. A young man who was beat up by a bunch of thugs in D.C. And either they're going to straighten their act out in terms of government and in terms of protection, or we're going to have to federalize and run it the way it's supposed to be run.”
.@POTUS: "Somebody from @DOGE was very badly hurt last night... a young man who was beat up by a bunch of thugs in D.C. Either they're going to straighten their act out... or we're going to have to federalize and run it the way it's supposed to be run." https://t.co/Z6Ywr9oYYX pic.twitter.com/yhg9mRfDaF
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 5, 2025
Trump asked whether he personally approved transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:20 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump was asked if he personally approved the transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell to a lower security prison camp in Texas.
He replied that he didn’t know about it and claimed it was “not a very uncommon thing.”
Q: Did you personally approve the prison transfer for Ghislaine Maxwell?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2025
TRUMP: I didn't know about it at all. It's not a very uncommon thing.
Q: Do you believe she's credible?
TRUMP: Todd Blanche is one of the most highly respected people you would ever meet pic.twitter.com/4U6yNkNPxK
Trump was also asked about Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s meeting with the convicted sex trafficker.
Trump says the Deputy AG is speaking with Ghislaine Maxwell so that: people who should not be involved or aren't involved are not hurt by something that would be very, very unfortunate, very unfair to a lot of people pic.twitter.com/M4r95jjThd
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 5, 2025
Trump comments on Texas redistricting and Democrat response
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:17 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump was asked by a reporter if gaining five additional Republican seats via redistricting in Texas was worth it, considering that Democratic-dominated states such as California, New York, and Illinois would likely do the same to add more seats there.
The president responded that they would have done it anyway.
Doocy: if Texas redrawing their congressional map right, would get you five safe red seats means that California, NY, Illinois, and Maryland are all going to redraw their maps to add safe.
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 5, 2025
Trump: Well, they'll do it anyway.
Doocy: Is it worth it?
Trump: They would’ve done it… pic.twitter.com/dJ1nzFjtMp
Asked if he supports having the FBI help Texas Republicans return Texas Democratic lawmakers hunkering down in suburban Chicago to the state, President Trump says: “They may have to. … The governor wants them back.”
Earlier, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas had asked the FBI to help round up Texas Democrats and send them home.
Trump say the FBI “may have to” arrest Texas Democrats who broke quorum pic.twitter.com/xAsCMKdDX4
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 5, 2025
Trump rules out Bessent for Fed chair, will choose someone for open seat 'very shortly'
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:15 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump is poised to name his choice for an open seat on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors “very shortly,” after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent withdrew his consideration for the role.
Speaking to CNBC, Trump described Fed Governor Adriana Kugler’s decision to vacate her seat early as a “pleasant surprise.”
Kugler’s departure, which came ahead of her term’s scheduled end on 31 January, appears to have accelerated Trump’s plans for the U.S. central bank, providing an immediate opportunity to appoint an individual who could potentially be elevated to the top policymaking position when Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s term concludes in May.
Trump indicated that his selection would be “one of four people,” identifying current White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett and former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as “very good” prospects. While he did not disclose the names of the other two individuals, reports suggest current Governor Christopher Waller is under consideration, despite his advocacy for rate cuts not aligning with the pace or extent that Trump desires.
“There are numerous people that are qualified,” Trump stated, reiterating his intention to announce a replacement for Kugler, who was appointed to the Fed’s board by Joe Biden, “very shortly.” Bessent, he clarified, would not be in contention for the position as he wishes to remain in his senior Treasury role.
The nominee would initially serve the remaining months of Kugler’s term. However, Trump could explicitly signal his intention for that individual to be nominated for a full 14-year term and to also be his preferred candidate to succeed Powell when the Fed chief’s term expires next May. This strategy would afford his nominee several months and multiple policy meetings to begin influencing the policy debate.
“A lot of people say, when you do that, why don’t you just pick the person who is going to head up the Fed? That’s a possibility, too,” Trump added.
With reporting from Reuters
Trump says he may use National Guard or military at the 2028 Olympics
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:09 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump says, “We’ll do anything necessary to keep the Olympics safe,” and said that includes potentially deploying “our National Guard or military.”
His statement comes after he sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles to respond to immigration protests earlier this year.
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Games, beginning on July 14, 2028.
Trump: "We'll do anything necessary to keep the Olympics safe, including using our National Guard or military." pic.twitter.com/q00vbe0fff
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2025
Trump says Vance would 'probably' be heir apparent
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:06 , Oliver O'ConnellAsked if JD Vance is his heir apparent, President Donald Trump doesn’t definitively say yes: “Certainly he’s doing a good job,” and “probably” would be the next Republican nominee.
Trump adds that Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio could possibly team up and “some other people on this stage” — some of his Cabinet secretaries — could also be future players.
DOOCY: You could clear the entire Republican field right now. Do you agree that the heir apparent to MAGA is JD Vance?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2025
TRUMP: Well I think most likely pic.twitter.com/Ntkd2MVxPK
Watch: Trump asked about prosecuting foreign trans athletes competing in the US
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:04 , Oliver O'ConnellQuestion: Will the DOJ consider pressing charges against any man that tries to masquerade as a woman coming into this country to beat up American athletes?
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 5, 2025
Trump: I would have to ask the attorney general about that pic.twitter.com/8MLBFFgdOA
‘Jeffrey Epstein is dead. Ghislaine Maxwell is not’: Sex trafficker fights DOJ move to unseal grand jury records
Tuesday 5 August 2025 22:01 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, who, after his death, was convicted of sex trafficking girls and young women as his accomplice, is opposing the government’s requests to unseal the grand jury transcripts in her criminal case.
Kelly Rissman has the full story.
Ghislaine Maxwell does not want grand jury transcripts released
Trump asked if he would support Israel occupying all of Gaza
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:57 , Oliver O'ConnellThe Independent’s Andrew Feinberg asked President Donald Trump: “Mr. President, would you support Israel reoccupying all of Gaza as has been suggested by some Israeli officials?”
The president responded: “Well, I don't know what the suggestion is. I know that we have, we are there now, trying to get people fed. As you know, $60 million was given by the United States fairly recently to supply food, and lot of, lot of food, frankly, for the people of Gaza that are obviously not doing too well with the food. And I know Israel is going to help us with that in terms of distribution, and also money. We also have, the Arab states are going to help us with that in terms of the money and possibly distribution. So that's what I'm focused on. As far as the rest of it, I really, I really can't say that's going to be pretty much up to Israel.”
Trump presented with full set of LA 1984 Olympic medals
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:52 , Oliver O'Connell“Can I say I won them athletically?” jokes Trump
Trump is presented a full set of Olympic medals
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 5, 2025
Trump: Can I say that I won them athletically? pic.twitter.com/jxhfYIJ61Z
Trump uses White House auditorium his administration derided as Biden ‘fake Oval Office’
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:48 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump is holding an event to sign an executive order establishing an Olympics task force for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
He is doing so in a White House auditorium that his administration previously criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for utilizing.
The South Court Auditorium, where Mr Trump is set to sign the directive, stands in contrast to the Oval Office, Trump’s usual venue for such official acts.
The Biden administration frequently hosted events in the auditorium, a practice that drew sharp criticism from Trump officials.
In March, Alina Habba, a former Trump attorney and his preferred candidate for top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, posted from the room on X, declaring: “We’re in Biden’s FAKE Oval Office.”
The following month, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt similarly referred to the space as “Joe Biden’s former office that he pretended to be his office.”
With reporting from the AP
Trump threatens to take over Washington DC's governance
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:42 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the federal government could take control of Washington D.C. if the local government “doesn't get its act together,” as he posted on social media criticizing crime in the U.S. capital.
“The law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these 'minors' as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14,” Trump stated.
“If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the city,” he added.
Here’s his Truth Social post in full:
Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local “youths” and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released. They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now! The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these “minors” as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see. If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they’re not going to get away with it anymore. Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Trump met with Judge Jeanine Pirro today, recently confirmed as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. She posted a video from outside the White House:
President Trump wants me to relay a message to you about crimes in the nation’s capital pic.twitter.com/zvT5YqpaAC
— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) August 5, 2025
Data released by the FBI today shows that crime decreased in every category in 2024, including murder, violent crime, and motor vehicle thefts. This trend aligns with experts' reports of continuous drops in violent crimes after a spike following the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the report highlighted good news, a violent crime still happened every 25.9 seconds on average in the United States last year, according to the FBI's annual Unified Crime Report, which gathers crime data from law enforcement agencies nationwide.
This year's report utilizes data from 16,675 agencies, encompassing a combined population of over 325 million people, which accounts for approximately 95.6% of U.S. residents.
Full story: Murdoch to provide Trump regular health updates in deal to delay deposition
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:40 , Oliver O'ConnellRight-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch has agreed to give Donald Trump regular health updates in a deal to postpone Murdoch’s deposition in the president’s $10 billion lawsuit over a Wall Street Journal article about a “bawdy” birthday letter Trump allegedly wrote to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The deal comes a week after the president’s lawyers called on the 94-year-old Murdoch to be deposed within the next 15 days due to his advanced age and health problems over the years, implying that the Fox News founder could die before the case went to trial.
Justin Baragona reports.
.jpg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
94-year-old Murdoch to give Trump regular health updates in deal to delay deposition
Full story: Ghislaine Maxwell does not want grand jury transcripts released
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:31 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, is opposing the government’s requests to unseal the grand jury transcripts in her criminal case.
The Trump administration has been firefighting the fallout from the so-called “Epstein Files” since the DOJ released a memo last month that contained little new information and concluded no further investigation was warranted into the late sex offender’s alleged sex trafficking scheme.
Kelly Rissman has the latest.
No new information in Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury transcripts, Pam Bondi says
Epstein survivor Annie Farmer supports release of grand jury transcripts
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:28 , Oliver O'ConnellAnnie Farmer, a survivor of the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, says through her lawyers that she supports the release of the grand jury transcripts from the respective investigations.
“Ms. Farmer strongly supports the release of Epstein’s and Maxwell’s grand jury transcripts, subject to appropriate redactions of the victims’ names and identifying information. Unsealing the grand jury transcripts serves the interests of transparency, accountability, and restorative justice.”
Epstein survivors urge transparency 'without sacrificing their safety, privacy, or dignity'
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:25 , Oliver O'ConnellIn another letter to Judge Richard Berman, lawyers representing the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes say that they “support transparency when it can be achieved without sacrificing their safety, privacy, or dignity.”
They write:
But transparency cannot come at the expense of the very people whom the justice system is sworn to protect particularly amid contemporaneous events that magnify risk and trauma. Several victims have already died by suicide, drug overdose, or under tragic circumstances tied directly to the trauma caused by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. These survivors have already endured profound violations of their rights and dignity, both during the years of Epstein’s abuse and in the years following. To now compound their trauma by sidelining them from critical decisions— especially in this climate of heightened concern—is inconsistent with both the letter and the spirit of the [Crime Victims’ Rights Act].
The CVRA, Rule 6(e), and Eleventh Circuit authority all point toward narrow tailoring, maximal privacy protections, and meaningful victim participation before any grand jury material sees daylight.
We respectfully ask the Court to adopt the safeguards outlined above.
Trump threatens further tariff action as new import taxes set to kick in
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:22 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump has issued new tariff threats against the European Union, India, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Trump outlined aggressive tariff reprisals, threatening the European Union with a 35 percent levy and indicating a substantial increase in duties on Indian goods, citing their purchase of Russian oil.
Speaking on CNBC, Trump stated that 35 per cent tariffs would apply to the European Union if they failed to deliver on promised investments in U.S. goods. He claimed the EU was paying $600 billion, adding “We’re a rich country again,” and that the investment could go in “anything I want.”
He also indicated imported pharmaceutical drugs could eventually face tariffs as high as 200 percent, stating: “We want pharmaceuticals made in our country.”
He explained that these would be increased to 150 or 200 percent over 18 months. Tariffs on semiconductors and computer chips are also expected.
Higher tariffs could also be imposed on India, Trump revealed. Last week, the US announced a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, along with an additional import tax due to India’s purchase of Russian oil.
“I think I’m going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours because they’re buying Russian oil, they’re fueling the war machine,” Trump said on Tuesday. “And if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy.”
These tariff threats are part of a broader recent surge in trade activity, including actions on Brazil, copper, low-value goods, and reduced taxes on South Korean imports.
With reporting from the AP
Epstein Estate takes no position on government's request to unseal grand jury transcripts
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:21 , Oliver O'ConnellThe co-executors of the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein have written to Judge Richard Berman to set out their position regarding the government’s motion to unseal all grand jury transcripts relating to the investigation, “subject to appropriate redactions of victim-related and other personal identifying information.”
“In view of the Government’s commitment to protect the identities of those claiming to have been victimized by Mr. Epstein, the Epstein Estate takes no position regarding the Government’s motion to unseal.”
Democrats have early edge over Republicans in 2026 midterm election poll
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:12 , Oliver O'ConnellA new poll finds that Democrats have an early edge heading into the 2026 midterm elections in the minority party’s bid to wrest control of the House of Representatives back from Republicans.
A YouGov/The Economist survey took place between August 1-4 and polled 1702 US adult citizens. The generic ballot is a barometer that shows just whether voters would prefer voting for a Democrat or a Republican.
Eric Garcia reports from Washington, D.C.
Democrats hold slim edge over Republicans in early 2026 midterm election poll
Watch LIVE: Trump signs executive orders as questions continue to swirl around Epstein links
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:08 , Oliver O'ConnellIn just six months, Trump is nearly halfway through Project 2025 agenda
Tuesday 5 August 2025 21:04 , Oliver O'ConnellNearly half of the initiatives laid out in Project 2025 — which is considered by many to be a blueprint for the second Trump administration — have already been implemented by the president, a rolling analysis has found.
Just over six months into Donald Trump’s second term, approximately 115 of the 317 objectives set forth in the far-right playbook, authored in 2023 by the Heritage Foundation, have become a reality.
Ariana Baio has the details.
Project 2025 agenda is about halfway to completion in Trump’s first six months
MTG turned on GOP after Trump snubbed her ambitions to be governor, expert says
Tuesday 5 August 2025 20:53 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald Trump’s apparent reluctance to publicly back Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s gubernatorial bid triggered her potential break with the GOP, according to an expert.
Once one of the president’s most loyal supporters, Greene ramped up her anti-Republican rhetoric over the weekend, claiming that she had become disillusioned with the party and questioned its treatment of female politicians.
James Liddell reports.
‘Has to sting’: MTG turned on GOP after Trump shut down governor hopes, expert says
Texas senator calls on FBI director Kash Patel to hunt down ‘fleeing’ Democrats
Tuesday 5 August 2025 20:49 , Oliver O'ConnellRepublican Senator John Cornyn is calling on the FBI to track down and arrest Texas Democrats who left the state to derail a vote on new congressional districts explicitly designed to elect more Republicans to Congress.
In a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday, Cornyn requested the agency’s help to “locate the out-of-state Texas legislators who are potentially acting in violation of the law.”
Alex Woodward has the latest.
Texas senator calls on FBI director Kash Patel to hunt down ‘fleeing’ Democrats
Laura Loomer’s MAGA critics accuse her of being funded by Big Pharma
Tuesday 5 August 2025 20:44 , Oliver O'ConnellFar-right activist Laura Loomer has been accused by her MAGA critics of being funded by Big Pharma.
The accusations come after several federal workers targeted by Loomer have been fired, such as the NSA general counsel and a Biden alumna appointed to West Point, The Bulwark noted.
Another, Dr. Vinay Prasad, left his role at the top of a treatment-approval division at the Food and Drug Administration after Loomer accused him of disloyalty to President Donald Trump. Prasad said he resigned in order not to become a “distraction.”
Right-wing pharma critic Kevin Bass wrote on X on July 29 that “FDA is once again a paid arm of pharma. You can thank @LauraLoomer, Bob Goldberg, @AllysiaFinley, and the folks at @WSJ. Pharma paid them to coordinate and pull off the coup.”
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Laura Loomer’s MAGA critics accuse her of being funded by Big Pharma
Trump approval 20 points underwater in new poll with 81% blaming him for Epstein info blackout
Tuesday 5 August 2025 20:32 , Oliver O'ConnellPublic approval of Donald Trump’s presidency has dropped by 6 percentage points since April, and his approval rating is now 20 points underwater, 38-58, according to a new national University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll of 1,000 respondents conducted July 25-30.
“Six months into his second term as president, Donald Trump looks to be on the ropes with the American public,” says Tatishe Nteta, provost professor of political science at UMass Amherst and director of the poll.
“Trump’s approval ratings, already historically low for a newly elected president, continue to sink, with close to 6-in-10 Americans (58%) expressing disapproval of the job that Trump is doing in office.
“While Trump remains a popular figure among Republicans and conservatives, Trump’s time in office is viewed more negatively across genders, generations, classes, and races, with majorities of each of these groups disapproving of Trump’s performance.
“With over three years left in the Trump administration, there is still time for him to right the ship and fulfill the promises that catapulted him to the presidency, but the president is not off to the start he or his supporters envisioned.”
On specific issues, Trump’s performance, rated on a percentage approve to disapprove, is as follows:
- Inflation: 31-63 (33-62 April 2025)
- Immigration: 41-54 (50-46 April 2025)
- Jobs: 37-55 (38-53 April 2025)
- Civil Rights: 32-58 (36-53 April 2025)
- Tariffs: 31-63 (Not asked in April 2025)
- Natural Disasters: 37-53 (Not asked in April 2025)
Of all issues surveyed in the latest University of Massachusetts Amherst Poll, one appears to be the greatest drag on Trump’s presidency: Jeffrey Epstein and Trump’s handling of the evidence gathered in the federal investigation of the accused sex trafficker and his long-time friend.
Some 63 percent of respondents believe the Trump administration is hiding information about the case, and 59 percent believe a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate the Justice Department’s handling of the case.
Most alarmingly for Trump, 81 percent of respondents believe he is personally responsible for hiding information about the investigation into Epstein.
ICE arrests dropped in July amid backlash to raids and mass deportation plans
Tuesday 5 August 2025 20:23 , Oliver O'ConnellThe pace of daily immigration arrests fell nearly 20 percent in July, as the Trump administration confronted court challenges, threats against agents, and continued protests against its mass deportation plans.
Between July 1 and 27, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement averaged 990 daily arrests, down from 1,224 the previous month, according to government data analyzed by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonpartisan research project based at Syracuse University.
Josh Marcus reports.
ICE arrests dropped in July amid backlash to raids and legal challenges
Democrats reach breaking point over Republican threats in political map arms race
Tuesday 5 August 2025 20:15 , Oliver O'ConnellAlex Woodward writes:
Democrats have spent years issuing warnings over Republican threats to redraw the political maps that could determine the balance of power for years to come. Now, they’re prepared for “war.”
After protracted legal battles to unwind Donald Trump’s executive actions and unsuccessful attempts to derail the president’s agenda in Congress, Democrats appear to have reached a breaking point and are ready to do some map-making of their own, reluctantly preparing to fight fire with fire.
Read on...
Democrats ready for ‘war’ in political map arms race with Republicans
Watch: GOP lawmaker asked how much 'fascism' costs at rowdy town hall
Tuesday 5 August 2025 20:13 , Oliver O'ConnellSouth Park takes aim at Trump administration again
Tuesday 5 August 2025 20:00 , Oliver O'ConnellSouth Park will continue to take aim at the Trump administration as ICE descend on the fictional Colorado town in an upcoming episode.
A teaser for the next episode, due August 6, shows Trump seated next to Satan at a formal dinner when he reaches under the table and touches the character’s thigh. Satan then bats his hand away, telling the president to “stop!” while a presenter in the background is heard praising Trump, stating: “We want to honor the president’s courage….”
The clip also shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers descending on South Park, with longtime guidance counsellor Mr. Mackey having apparently signed up to join them.
Kevin E G Perry reports.
South Park takes aim at Trump administration again as series moves to Paramount+
Lobbyists have spent over $2M on TV ads in Palm Beach hoping to catch Trump’s attention
Tuesday 5 August 2025 19:56 , Oliver O'ConnellLobbyists in Florida have spent around $2 million on cable TV ads in the Palm Beach area in an apparent attempt to catch the attention of Donald Trump.
The president is known to be an avid television watcher, both at home at his Mar-a-Lago residence and during trips to his multiple golf clubs for tournaments.
Mike Bedigan has the details.
Over $2M spent on TV ads in Palm Beach hoping to catch Trump’s attention
Watch: Trump corrected on when jobs numbers were revised before 2024 election
Tuesday 5 August 2025 19:47 , Oliver O'ConnellKERNEN: The revision last year was in August. There was still plenty of time for voters to see those weren't real jobs.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2025
TRUMP: No. After the election in November. I believe it was in November.
KERNEN: This was in August
TRUMP: The numbers were rigged pic.twitter.com/Ao5k4hyIJm
Epstein victim rips government’s handling of files release
Tuesday 5 August 2025 19:37 , Oliver O'ConnellA victim of Jeffrey Epstein has condemned what they called the Trump administration’s “political warfare” in its handling of government files on the late convicted sex offender as the Justice Department pushes for the release of grand jury transcripts in his New York federal case.
Epstein was a wealthy financier who died in a New York City jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for federal sex trafficking charges. He had been accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. About a decade earlier, Epstein pleaded guilty to Florida state charges of soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution.
Rachel Dobkin reports.
Trump claims prices are falling, but that's not the experience of most Americans
Tuesday 5 August 2025 19:18 , Oliver O'ConnellDuring his CNBC interview, President Donald Trump hailed prices falling for “everything” except stocks.
“We were in such bad shape when I took over, eggs had tripled in price. More than that, everything was up, and prices are down,” he said.
However, as Erin Keller reports, more than half of Americans are experiencing financial strain due to the rising cost of groceries.
.jpg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Ghislaine Maxwell not welcome in Texas ‘Club Fed’ prison camp, says inmate
Tuesday 5 August 2025 19:10 , Oliver O'ConnellGhislaine Maxwell’s transfer to a minimum-security prison in Texas — commonly referred to as a ‘Club Fed’ — has upset her fellow inmates, who believe she shouldn’t be there given the nature of her crimes.
The disgraced British socialite and former girlfriend of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was quietly transferred this week from a stricter low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida, to a prison camp 100 miles outside Houston, Texas.
Maxwell’s new prison mainly houses inmates convicted of “white-collar” crimes and minor offenses, and they are said to be angry about her presence.
Read on...
Sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell not welcome in cushy Texas prison camp, says inmate
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
