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Trump rages over newly surfaced Epstein wedding photos and Victoria's Secret fashion show footage: Live

Trump rages over newly surfaced Epstein wedding photos and Victoria's Secret fashion show footage: Live

Independent2 days ago
Newly uncovered photos and footage cast fresh light on Donald Trump 's past ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
At least two black and White photos unearthed by CNN confirm for the first time that Epstein attended the president's December 1993 wedding to Marla Maples at the Plaza Hotel in New York. A third photograph taken two months earlier shows the pair together during the opening of the Harley-Davidson Cafe in New York.
The outlet also broadcast footage from a 1999 Victoria's Secret runway event in New York, showing Trump, accompanied by Melania Trump, 'laughing and chatting' to Epstein. Both the photos and video predate any of Epstein's known legal issues.
Asked about the photos in a call with CNN Tuesday, Trump said, 'You've got to be kidding me' before lashing out at the 'fake news' organization and hanging up.
The report comes as the president attempted to brush off 'nonsense' claims surrounding the convicted sex offender's case and peddled a conspiracy theory that former President Barack Obama manufactured the Russia investigation into Trump's 2016 campaign.
Trump rages over newly surfaced Epstein wedding photos
Donald Trump has lashed out at CNN after they unearthed photos and footage of the president with Jeffrey Epstein in the 1990s.
'You've got to be kidding me,' Trump said in a phone call with the outlet, before branding it a 'fake news' organization and hanging up.
At least two black and White photos confirm, for the first time, that Epstein attended the president's December 1993 wedding to Marla Maples at the Plaza Hotel in New York.
A third photograph taken two months earlier shows the pair together during the opening of the Harley-Davidson Cafe in New York.
The outlet also broadcast footage from a 1999 Victoria's Secret runway event in New York, showing Trump, accompanied by Melania Trump, 'laughing and chatting' to Epstein. Both the photos and video predate any of Epstein's known legal issues.
James Liddell23 July 2025 10:04
Obama's office issues rare response to 'bizarre allegations' from Trump
After President Donald Trump accused former President Barack Obama of treason, branding him the 'ringleader' of the Russia investigation, Obama's office issued a rare response, calling the 'bizarre allegations' both 'ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.'
Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said: 'Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response. But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one.'
Rodenbush noted that multiple investigations, including a bipartisan examination by the Senate Intelligence Committee, confirmed Russia had meddled in the 2016 election. That committee was led by then Senator Marco Rubio, now Trump's Secretary of State.
Here's the statement in full:
Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response. But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.
Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes. These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.
Oliver O'Connell23 July 2025 01:30
Trump labels Epstein files probe 'witch hunt' as he spirals over 'Barack Hussein Obama' in Oval Office rant
John Bowden reports from Washington, D.C.:
Donald Trump hastily changed the subject to his years-long bid to seek revenge against Barack Obama as he was questioned about the Jeffrey Epstein files during a meeting Monday with the president of the Philippines at the White House.
The U.S. president accused his predecessor of 'sedacious [sic]' behavior and ranted about an imaginary 'coup' after Ed O'Keefe of CBS News asked him about the Justice Department reaching out to attorneys for Ghislaine Maxwell to request a new interview about Epstein and the sex trafficking ring for which her involvement earned the socialite a 20-year prison sentence in 2022.
Continue reading...
'Witch Hunt': Trump's label for Epstein files probe as he spirals in Oval Office rant
President turns to DNI Tulsi Gabbard's 'Russiagate' distraction in lengthy screed when asked by reporter about stonewalling over full release of files tied to sex-trafficker financier
Oliver O'Connell23 July 2025 01:00
In depth: Trump law to COST millions their healthcare and add $3T in debt while rich see tax CUTS
President Donald Trump's signature law will simultaneously cause 10 million people to lose their healthcare while at the same time causing the nation's deficit to skyrocket, due to the fact it also includes massive tax cuts for the wealthy, a new analysis has found.
Eric Garcia takes a close look at what is to come...
Trump's signature bill adds $3.4 trillion to deficit, leaves 10M without healthcare
'It's actually almost unheard of ... that juxtaposition of taking from the poor while giving to the rich,' one analyst said
Oliver O'Connell23 July 2025 00:30
ICYMI: Trump claims he never 'wrote a picture'... turns out that's not true
When Donald Trump pushed back against a report alleging he drew a 'bawdy' sketch to celebrate convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein 's 50th birthday, the president insisted he doesn't draw pictures.
'I never wrote a picture in my life,' he said in an awkwardly phrased rebuttal to the Wall Street Journal last week, vehemently denying having anything to do with the birthday card. In a later Truth Social tirade he doubled down on the statement and bluntly declared: 'I don't draw pictures.'
Despite the president's claims, multiple sketches by Trump have been made public over the years.
James Liddell reports.
Trump claims he never 'wrote a picture.' His claim has now been exposed
At least five sketches attributed to Trump have sold at auction over the past decade, undermining his claim, 'I don't draw pictures'
Oliver O'Connell23 July 2025 00:00
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary insists 'nobody gives a poop' about Epstein
Seemingly running cover for the Trump administration, which continues to face demands from MAGA supporters to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary declared on Monday night that 'nobody gives a poop' about the deceased sex offender.
When confronted with poll numbers that found a vast majority of Republicans want all the documents related to the Epstein case to be published, the pro-Trump businessman and self-described 'Mr. Wonderful' doubled down while continuing to shrug off the controversy.
Justin Baragona has the story.
Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary insists 'nobody gives a poop' about Epstein
'Maybe they were raped, maybe they weren't. This is not what American families give a d*mn about,' Kevin O'Leary exclaimed on Monday night.
Oliver O'Connell22 July 2025 23:30
Jeff Daniels has pointed message to Trump voters
Actor Jeff Daniels has again lashed out at President Donald Trump's supporters, this time with a seven-word message.
The 70-year-old Emmy-winning actor, who on numerous occasions has criticized Trump and the GOP, spoke to MSNBC 's Nicolle Wallace on the latest episode of her The Best People podcast about the current political climate under the Trump administration, including tariffs and the state of the Republican party.
Inga Parkel has the story.
Jeff Daniels issues pointed seven-word message for Trump voters
'Dumb and Dumber' star additionally lamented Kamala Harris's loss, saying he thinks she would have led like Abraham Lincoln
Oliver O'Connell22 July 2025 23:00
GOP mocked for posting about Trump's paper straw policies amid Epstein fallout
Social media users are mocking the GOP after a tweet from its official X account, stating President Donald Trump is " Making Straws Great Again" as the White House continues to deal with fallout over the Epstein files investigation.
Posted Tuesday morning, the tweet includes a photo of Trump looking celebratory with his fist in the air and an inset of paper straws, celebrating the current president's cancellation of paper straw mandates under the Biden administration.
Erin Keller reports.
People on social media are mocking the GOP's 'Making Straws Great Again' tweet amid Jeffrey Epstein file demands.
Oliver O'Connell22 July 2025 22:45
MAGA distractions help Trump deviate from so-called Epstein files
President Donald Trump and his administration have been delving into distractions for their Make America Great Again base in deviation from its handling of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein died in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges related to the trafficking and sexual abuse of dozens of minor girls. His life and death have been the center of conspiracy theories, notably among Trump's base, as the feds have been tight-lipped about the evidence collected.
Rachel Dobkin reports.
The Trump administration has recently focused on a slew of issues not related to Epstein, from civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, to the names of sports teams in Washington and Cleveland
Oliver O'Connell22 July 2025 22:30
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Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip
Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip

Rhyl Journal

time28 minutes ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip

The US president is expected to arrive at Prestwick Airport in the evening, before heading over to his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. He is then expected to head over to his Menie golf course in Aberdeenshire before opening up a new course dedicated to his Scottish mother, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis. He will leave the country at some point on Tuesday. His presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. Mr Trump will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he lands, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a 'warm welcome'. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay when the pair will discuss the UK-US trade deal. The US president will also meet with First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would have the opportunity to raise various issues with Mr Trump, including tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking ahead of his arrival, Mr Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland's tourism sector and economic investment potential. He said: 'Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. 'That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the President himself. 'As we welcome the President of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. 'This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy. 'It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected President as he visits our country. 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' The SNP leader said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. Ahead of protests expected around Scotland, he said people had a right to 'peaceful demonstration', adding that 'everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful, and democratic manner'. 'That is right and proper,' he added. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US President requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'

Resurfaced clip shows Epstein pleading the Fifth when asked if he was with Trump around underage girls
Resurfaced clip shows Epstein pleading the Fifth when asked if he was with Trump around underage girls

The Independent

time28 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Resurfaced clip shows Epstein pleading the Fifth when asked if he was with Trump around underage girls

A resurfaced clip shows sex offender Jeffrey Epstein pleading the Fifth when he was asked during a deposition if he ever socialized with underage girls around Donald Trump. The video clip, unearthed by left-leaning outlet MeidasTouch, shows Epstein responding to questions during a March 2010 deposition. The disgraced financier was questioned by an attorney of an alleged victim, Vice News previously reported. In the clip, the attorney asks: 'Have you ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18?' Epstein replied: 'Though l'd like to answer that question, at least today l'm going to have to assert my Fifth, Sixth, and 14th Amendment rights, sir.' Trump has never been accused of any crime in connection with the Epstein investigation and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Pleading the Fifth refers to invoking the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and not self-incriminate. Epstein once pleaded the Fifth over 1,000 times in a deposition, which addressed his relationships with Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton, along with subjects including his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, and his New York mansion. It is unclear whether that deposition, details of which were published in a trove of documents in January 2024, is the same 2010 deposition in which he was questioned about Trump. In the 2010 clip, the attorney also asked: 'Have you ever had a personal relationship with Donald Trump?' Epstein asked what the attorney meant by a 'personal relationship.' The attorney rephrased, asking: ' Have you socialized with him?' 'Yes, sir,' Epstein responded. The attorney questioning Epstein is not identified in the clip. A deposition involves an individual giving sworn testimony outside of court, and can involve the names of dozens of people, but it does not mean they are implicated in any crimes. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told The Independent that the clip is "nothing more than out-of-context frame grabs of innocuous videos and pictures of widely attended events to disgustingly infer something nefarious." "The fact is that The President kicked him out of his club for being a creep," Cheung said. "This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media, just like the Obama Russiagate scandal, which President Trump was right about.' Epstein and Trump were known to socialize in New York and Palm Beach. The President had called Epstein a 'terrific guy' in a 2002 interview with New York Magazine but the pair had a falling out around 2004, The New York Times reports. Trump then barred Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club 'for being a creep,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution charges and was sentenced to 18 months in a minimum-security facility in Palm Beach County. In 2019, Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges. He died by suicide in a New York City jail cell about a month after his arrest. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is the only person who has been charged in connection with the Epstein case. The disgraced British socialite is serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida federal prison for her role in helping Epstein recruit, groom, and abuse young girls. The Trump administration has come under increasing pressure, from both Democrats and MAGA allies, to release more information since the Justice Department and FBI released a joint memo on July 6 indicating there would be no further disclosures in the Epstein investigation. The memo said there was no 'client list' containing names of Epstein's alleged high-profile associates. However, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi had insinuated that the same 'client list' was on her desk in February amid a tranche of Epstein files. The memo also confirmed Epstein died by suicide, pouring cold water on years of conspiracy theories around his death. The agencies released security footage taken from outside Epstein's cell in the hours leading up to his death to bolster their findings. But some have argued the footage was altered and has a 'missing minute.' The president has tried to quell the outrage, directing Bondi to make attempts to unseal grand jury testimony related to the Epstein investigation. Two judges in Florida and New York denied those requests this week on legal grounds. On Thursday, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Maxwell. Her attorney, David Markus, told reporters she 'never declined to answer' questions and did not invoke any privileges during the meeting. A federal judge rejected a separate request from Maxwell's attorneys to release grand jury transcripts Wednesday. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer also subpoenaed Maxwell Wednesday as a growing number of lawmakers seek more information on the Epstein files. On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi had told Trump in May that his name appears in the Epstein Files. The president denied to reporters earlier this month that his name was in the files. Appearing in the files does not indicate that an individual has committed any wrongdoing. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung called the WSJ report 'fake news.' Last week, the WSJ also reported on an alleged 50th birthday card that Trump sent to Epstein. The WSJ described the 2003 note as including a drawing of a naked woman and Trump's signature made to look like her pubic hair. The report alleges Trump ended the note with a birthday wish for Epstein: 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.' The president A spokesperson for Dow Jones, the paper's publisher, said the company has 'full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting.'

US and Mexico sign accord to combat Tijuana River sewage flowing across the border
US and Mexico sign accord to combat Tijuana River sewage flowing across the border

The Independent

time28 minutes ago

  • The Independent

US and Mexico sign accord to combat Tijuana River sewage flowing across the border

The United States and Mexico have signed an agreement outlining specific steps and a new timetable to clean up the longstanding problem of the Tijuana River pouring sewage across the border and polluting California beaches, officials from both countries announced Thursday. Billions of gallons of sewage and toxic chemicals from Tijuana have polluted the Pacific Ocean off neighboring Southern California, closing beaches and sickening Navy SEALs who train in the water. That's despite multiple efforts and millions of dollars that have been poured into addressing the problem over decades, including under the first Trump administration. 'There is a great commitment by the two countries to strengthen cooperation,' Mexico's Environmental Secretary Alicia Bárcena said Thursday after meeting with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin in Mexico City for the signing of the memorandum of understanding. The accord comes three months after Zeldin flew to San Diego to meet with Mexican officials and visit the border. 'I smelled what a lot of residents in the community lived through and have to deal with," he said Thursday. "I saw the degradation of the Tijuana River valley. I heard about the beaches that were closed. I met with the Navy Seals, who have had their training impacted. It was a powerful visit all around for me.' Under the agreement, Mexico will complete its allocation of $93 million toward infrastructure projects, including adhering to a specific schedule for priority projects spanning through 2027. The 120-mile-long (195-kilometer) Tijuana River runs near the coast in Mexico and crosses into Southern California, where it flows through Navy-owned land and out to the Pacific. As Tijuana's wastewater treatment plants have aged, its population and industry -- including the manufacturing plants, known as maquiladoras that make U.S. goods — have boomed. At the same time, there has been an increase in the amount of toxins that have made their way into the river and into San Diego County — since 2018, more than 100 billion gallons of raw sewage laden with industrial chemicals and trash. The pollution has sickened not only swimmers, surfers and lifeguards but also schoolchildren, Border Patrol agents and others who do not even go in the water. Scientists say the sewage is vaporized when it foams up and enters the air people breathe. California beaches near the border have been closed more often than not over the past four years. 'The communities along the Tijuana River have suffered this public health crisis for far too long,' said Kristan Culbert, associate director of California river conservation at American Rivers, in a statement Thursday. Since 2020, more than $653 million in funds have been allocated to address the issue, but the crisis has continued largely because of delays by the Mexican government, Zeldin has said. Zeldin said this agreement factors in 'population growth, operation and maintenance costs, and other variables that would make this solution durable and long term.' He praised the new administration of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office last October, for its willingness to address the issue. Sheinbaum said earlier Thursday that her government would expand a wastewater treatment plant that would reduce the contamination reaching the coast. 'There are other actions that were signed that we have to complete, that we're going to get done in the next year for the entire Tijuana sanitation system, for the entire metropolitan Tijuana area," she said. Sheinbaum said the United States also has to make investments in the binational problem. Referring to another agreement to send more water to the U.S. to reduce Mexico's water debt in the Rio Grande, Sheinbaum said the Tijuana River agreement 'is a good example of how when our technical teams sit down, they can resolve a problem that seemed unsolvable.' The U.S. has agreed to complete the expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant next month. The agreement also stipulates that Mexico this year divert 10 million gallons per day of treated sewage away from the shore. _____ Associated Press writer María Verza in Mexico City contributed to this report.

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