logo
White House shifts focus to Obama claims amid Epstein scandal fallout

White House shifts focus to Obama claims amid Epstein scandal fallout

The Sun5 days ago
WASHINGTON: The White House intensified efforts on Wednesday to shift public attention away from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal by reviving claims of a 'treasonous conspiracy' involving former President Barack Obama. Intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard alleged a 'years-long coup' orchestrated by Obama, citing newly declassified intelligence as proof of election interference claims against Russia.
Gabbard's assertions, presented during a press briefing, directly contradict multiple investigations conducted between 2019 and 2023, all of which confirmed Russian interference in the 2016 election. The Justice Department has now formed a 'Strike Force' to examine these allegations.
Meanwhile, the Epstein scandal continues to dominate headlines. The financier, who was linked to high-profile figures including Trump, died in prison in 2019 under controversial circumstances. Trump's administration had pledged to release Epstein case files, but Attorney General Pam Bondi recently stated no such documents would be disclosed.
New reports from The Wall Street Journal reveal Trump's name appears multiple times in Epstein's files, though no wrongdoing is indicated. Trump denies any misconduct and has sued the Journal over a separate report alleging he wrote a lewd letter to Epstein in 2003.
Republican leaders adjourned the House early to avoid votes on the Epstein matter, but bipartisan efforts persist to demand transparency. A House subcommittee recently voted to subpoena Justice Department documents related to Epstein.
Despite White House attempts to redirect attention, the Epstein scandal remains a pressing issue, complicating Trump's efforts to control the narrative. - AFP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump eyes 'world tariff' of 15-20% for most countries
Trump eyes 'world tariff' of 15-20% for most countries

The Star

time6 minutes ago

  • The Star

Trump eyes 'world tariff' of 15-20% for most countries

A container is loaded onto a cargo ship while docked at a port under the Port Authority of Thailand, following the announcement that U.S. President Donald Trump would impose tariffs of 36% on goods from Thailand starting on August 1, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Monday most trading partners that do not negotiate separate trade deals would soon face tariffs of 15% to 20% on their exports to the United States, well above the broad 10% tariff he imposed in April. Trump told reporters his administration will notify some 200 countries soon of their new "world tariff" rate. "I would say it'll be somewhere in the 15 to 20% range," Trump told reporters, sitting alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his luxury golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland. "Probably one of those two numbers." Trump, who has vowed to end decades of U.S. trade deficits by imposing tariffs on nearly all trading partners, has already announced higher rates of up to 50% on some countries, including Brazil, starting on Friday. The announcements have spurred feverish negotiations by a host of countries seeking lower tariff rates, including India, Pakistan, Canada, and Thailand, among others. The U.S. president on Sunday clinched a huge trade deal with the European Union that includes a 15% tariff on most EU goods, $600 billion of investments in the U.S. by European firms, and $750 billion in energy purchases over the next three years. That followed a $550-billion deal with Japan last week and smaller agreements with Britain, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Other talks are ongoing, including with India, but prospects have dimmed for many more agreements before Friday, Trump's deadline for deals before higher rates take effect. Trump has repeatedly said he favors straightforward tariff rates over complex negotiations. "We're going to be setting a tariff for essentially, the rest of the world," he said again on Monday. "And that's what they're going to pay if they want to do business in the United States. Because you can't sit down and make 200 deals." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Monday trade talks with the U.S. were at an intense phase, conceding that his country was still hoping to walk away with a tariff rate below the 35% announced by Trump on some Canadian imports. Carney conceded this month that Canada - which sends 75% of its exports to the United States - would likely have to accept some tariffs. (Additional reporting by Andrew MacAskill in Turnberry, Andrea Shalal in Edinburgh and William James in LondonEditing by Rod Nickel)

Trump asks for swift deposition of Murdoch in Epstein defamation case
Trump asks for swift deposition of Murdoch in Epstein defamation case

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Trump asks for swift deposition of Murdoch in Epstein defamation case

NEW YORK: Donald Trump on Monday asked a US judge to order a swift deposition for billionaire Rupert Murdoch in the US president's defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over its July 17 article about Trump's relationship with the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Republican president on July 18 sued the Journal, its owners including Murdoch, and the reporters who wrote the story asserting Trump's name was on a 2003 birthday greeting for Epstein that included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to secrets they shared. In a court filing on Monday, lawyers for Trump asked the federal court in Miami, Florida, to compel Murdoch, 94, to testify within 15 days, in part due to his advanced age. Dow Jones, the Journal's publisher, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dow Jones has said the Journal stood by its reporting and would vigorously defend against the lawsuit.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store