Trump Under Fire After New Epstein Photos Emerge
New Photos and Footage Link Trump to Epstein
New evidence has emerged that sheds more light on the past relationship between Donald Trump and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. According to a report by CNN, newly uncovered photographs confirm for the first time that Epstein attended Trump's second wedding to Marla Maples at the Plaza Hotel in December 1993. A third photo shows the two men together two months earlier at the opening of the Harley-Davidson Cafe in New York.
In addition to the photos, the network aired footage from a 1999 Victoria’s Secret fashion show in New York, where Trump and Melania Trump were seen “laughing and chatting” with Epstein. It is important to note that both the photographs and the video were taken before any of Epstein’s known legal troubles began.
Trump Denies and Deflects Amid Controversy
When contacted by CNN about the newly surfaced images, Trump reportedly responded, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” before criticizing the organization as “fake news” and ending the call. As the controversy gained traction, the former president attempted to divert attention from what he called “nonsense” claims surrounding the Epstein case.
In an effort to change the subject, Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate a trio of new trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. He posted extensively about the economic benefits, stating, “The Open Market Japan may be as big a profit factor as the Tariffs themselves... I WILL ONLY LOWER TARIFFS IF A COUNTRY AGREES TO OPEN ITS MARKET.” He celebrated that Japan’s markets are now open for the first time and that Indonesia has also agreed to open its market to the USA, predicting that American businesses will “BOOM!” and the deals will create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
The Political Battle Over the Epstein Files
The release of this new evidence has intensified the political debate in Washington over the handling of the FBI and Justice Department files related to Epstein. Democratic Minority Leader Hakeen Jeffries criticized Republicans for not releasing the files before the House went on a month-long recess, suggesting, “It's reasonable to conclude that Republicans are continuing to protect the lifestyles of the rich and shameless, even if that includes pedophiles.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson faced pressure from within his own party to act but ultimately sent members home after losing control of the House Rules Committee. The adjournment has not quieted the turmoil, as many Trump supporters and right-wing influencers continue to demand a full accounting of the investigation into Epstein, who died by suicide in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Gabbard Revives 'Russia Hoax' Claims Against Obama
Amid the Epstein-related news, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has launched a new series of attacks against the Obama administration. Gabbard alleges that officials under former President Barack Obama knowingly created a “false 2016 election narrative” to undermine Trump’s presidency. In a series of posts, she claimed that newly released documents prove the “Russia Hoax was a lie.”
However, a report from The Washington Examiner notes that the federal five-year statute of limitations would likely prevent the Department of Justice from pursuing any charges related to alleged offenses from 2016 and 2017. A spokesperson for former President Obama dismissed the claims as “ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.”
Calls for Deeper Investigation into Epstein's Finances
Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, is urging the Department of Justice to investigate $1.5 billion in financial transactions connected to Jeffrey Epstein. In a letter obtained by The New Republic, Wyden provided Attorney General Pam Bondi with a “ready-made case” to follow the money trail. He highlighted that his investigation found Epstein used “shady, sanctioned Russian banks to send hundreds of millions of payments likely linked to sex trafficking” and that several wealthy financiers paid Epstein hundreds of millions of dollars.
Context on Previously Released Epstein Documents
Earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi released over 100 pages of documents related to the Epstein investigation. The files included flight logs and a contact book, though much of the information was already public. It is crucial to understand that being named in these documents does not imply any wrongdoing. The lists include alleged victims, accusers, and individuals who were only tangentially connected to Epstein through civil or criminal lawsuits. For instance, both Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton have been named due to having traveled on Epstein’s private jet, but neither has been formally accused of involvement in his crimes.
