Trump leaves Washington as more Epstein info drops
In today's issue:
Trump and Powell's awkward clash
Best memes of Fed chief in hard hat
Epstein book had Bill Clinton note: WSJ
GOP leaders steamrolled on Epstein
Gruesome Gaza starvation photos
⛳ IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Off to Scotland!:
President Trump is flying to Scotland on Air Force One right now for a weekend trip.
What is he doing there?: He's expected to celebrate the opening of his new golf course, which has been named after his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was of Scottish descent.
And to add some work to the trip: Trump will also meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney.
These photos will live rent-free in my brain:
President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell clashed in front of the media Thursday during a rare visit by the president to the Fed.
The two walked around the facility — in hard hats — to tour the multibillion-dollar renovation, which Trump and White House officials have spent weeks criticizing.
The most remarkable moment came when Trump touted what he claimed were previously unknown cost overruns for the project.
The president said figures had 'just come out,' retrieving a piece of paper from his suit pocket. Powell proceeded to fact-check the figures in real time.
📹 Just watch this clip of the two — Tension? Naaah.
Moments later, the president was asked what things Powell could say that would get Trump to back off his fierce criticism of the Fed chief.
'Well, I'd love him to lower interest rates,' Trump said, slapping Powell on the back as they began to walk away together. 'Other than that, what can I tell you?'
Trump later insisted there is 'no tension' between the two.
➤ POWELL BECOMES A MEME
The Fed chair's face analyzing the paper Trump provided him while sporting a hard hat instantly went viral online.
Here are some of my favorites:
Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.): 'When my wife tells me we're actually saving money with Rent the Runway.' 📸 The photo
White House press aide Abigail Jackson: 'My husband looking at the credit card bill after I told him I needed to go shopping for the 'necessities.'' 📸 The post
Bloomberg Business's Alexandra Semenova: 'getting edits back on a story' 📸 The post
X user @BeardoTrader: 'After five years of mortgage payments, you realize the principal has only decreased by $27.' 📸 The post
Day 2 of Ghislaine Maxwell's sit-down:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is speaking with Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell for a second day today.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell for roughly five hours on Thursday.
Will we hear what she has to say?: Blanche said the DOJ will share more information at 'the appropriate time.'
📹 See video of Maxwell returning to prison after Thursday's meeting: via WCTV
A looming question — would Trump pardon Maxwell?: Before leaving for Scotland, Trump was asked whether he would pardon her. 'It's something I haven't thought about it. I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about,' Trump said.
Remember: A number of Republicans, including the House Speaker, have raised concerns over whether any testimony from Maxwell could be trusted. She's serving a 20-year prison sentence, and her legal team has asked the Supreme Court to take up an appeal of her conviction.
Drip, drip, drip:
The Wall Street Journal dropped more information about the Jeffrey Epstein saga on Thursday.
The Journal reports that former President Clinton was also among the high-profile people who wrote a message for Epstein's 50th birthday book. (Yes, the same book the Journal reported included a 'bawdy' letter from Trump.)
What Clinton allegedly wrote: 'It's reassuring isn't it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and [illegible word], and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends.'
The Journal says a spokesperson for Clinton declined to comment on the birthday message — and reiterated that Clinton cut off ties with Epstein more than a decade before the New York financier was arrested in 2019.
Tidbit about the book: 'Clinton and Trump were listed under the 'Friends' group, along with about 20 other associates such as [Wall Street billionaire Leon Black ], [media owner Mort Zuckerman ], former Victoria's Secret leader Leslie Wexner, attorney Alan Dershowitz, U.K. politician Peter Mandelson and the late Jean-Luc Brunel, who ran a modeling agency.'
🌻 ON CAPITOL HILL
What a headline:
' GOP leaders submarined by Epstein uproar.' That's the latest congressional readout on the Epstein saga from The Hill's Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell.
Well, when you put it that way: 'A bonanza of subpoenas for Epstein-related materials and testimony erupted in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee,' the pair write. 'A House Appropriations Committee markup was postponed amid threats of Democrats forcing more Epstein-related materials. And a rebellion on the House Rules Committee over Epstein amendments thwarted plans for House votes, prompting leaders to begin August recess one day early.'
What is still looming: 'Hanging over the whirlwind of a week is a discharge petition that Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is vowing to spearhead for his bipartisan resolution — co-sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) — calling for the release of the Epstein files. The mechanism will not be ready for action until September, given the House's strict rules, meaning the Epstein saga will still be a live issue on Capitol Hill when lawmakers return from their August recess.'
^ By the way: Massie and Khanna will appear for a joint interview on NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday.
Why this matters: House GOP leaders are hoping this controversy will blow over by September. But lawmakers who want the files to be released say they have no plans to back down. This could follow them into September, when the House returns.
➤ TIDBITS:
Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) is set to report to prison today. He will serve more than seven years after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft as part of a plea deal last summer.
HuffPost's Igor Bobic 📸 posted a photo of Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) with his young baby walking alongside Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) at votes.
🏥 GETTING TRACTION
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is really bad:
The Washington Post published a shocking report Thursday about the mass starvation happening in Gaza. I've seen this report mentioned and quoted all over social media.
I'll warn you, this is tough to read, and the photos are quite graphic.
Excerpt: 'After four months of a near-total Israeli siege, Gaza's few remaining hospitals now have wards for the growing number of malnourished children whose tiny bodies are just the width of their bones. Doctors are famished to the point that they have dizzy spells as they make their rounds, medics say, and the journalists documenting their caseloads are often too weak to even walk to the clinics.'
Doctors, relief workers and Gazans say a worst-case scenario is now happening: 'Nearly 1 in 3 people are going multiple days without eating, according to the United Nations, and hospitals are reporting rising deaths from malnutrition and starvation.'
'Relief workers say parents throughout Gaza regularly forgo meals, and sometimes days' worth of food, to feed their children.'
CNN also 📸 published a series of photos of the dire situation in Gaza. Again, these are extremely graphic and heartbreaking to see.
Why has there not been a formal declaration of famine?: The Associated Press explains. Essentially, Israel has limited access to Gaza, so it's hard to get the accurate information needed to assess whether Gaza has reached famine-level conditions.
➤ WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION?:
These photos and reporting have been reposted all over social media.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the reports of mass starvation as beyond the world's 'worst fears.' Albanese also called for Israel to 'comply with international obligations' and allow relief organizations to 'carry out their lifesaving work safely and without hindrance.'
Expect to see more reactions as the reality of this footage sets in.
Coming Up
The House and Senate are out. President Trump is on his way to Scotland. (All times EST)
3:20 p.m. Trump lands in Turnberry, Scotland.
Sunday morning: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) will all appear on NBC's 'Meet the Press.'
The Hill's Emily Brooks will join the panel on NewsNation's 'The Hill Sunday.'
🍨 Celebrate: Today is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day.
🚲 Why today's Tour de France competitors seem superhuman: The Atlantic's Matt Seaton writes that ' Science Is Winning the Tour de France.' It explains 'why today's competitors far surpass the cheating champions of yesteryear.'
👋 AND FINALLY…
To leave you with something much lighter to get your weekend started, here's a golden retriever teaching his baby human brother how to crawl.
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