‘Haven't learned their lesson': MAGA rift deepens as Trump lashes out at ‘past supporters' over Epstein case, calls them ‘weaklings'
The controversy began after Trump criticised lawmakers who want to release justice department files on Epstein, a pedophile who died by suicide in 2019 and has been at the centre of many conspiracy theories.
Trump lashes out at 'weaklings' in his own party
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called these critics 'weaklings' and said they had fallen 'hook, line, and sinker' for a Democratic-orchestrated scam. He wrote: 'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bull***t', hook, line, and sinker.' He added: 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work … I don't want their support anymore!'
Trump argued that the focus on Epstein distracts from his achievements.
'I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country's history,' he wrote. 'All these people want to talk about… is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.'
Later, speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said that Attorney General Pam Bondi could release credible files but criticised 'some stupid and foolish Republicans' for pushing too hard. He said: 'They only want to talk about that 'hoax'. Don't give me their support.'
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Undo
Republicans divide over document release
The demand for transparency has gained traction in Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson, alongside influence from former vice president Mike Pence and other Republicans such as Senators Anna Paulina Luna and Lauren Boebert, have urged the administration to publish the relevant documents.
Pence told CBS News: 'The time has come for the administration to release all of the files regarding Jeffrey Epstein's investigation and prosecution.
… Anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held up to public scrutiny.'
In the House, Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie are pushing a discharge petition to compel a vote on releasing the files. This effort requires 218 signatures and is unlikely to proceed before Congress reconvenes in September.
Trump links Epstein probe to broader grievances
In a recent interview, Trump equated the Epstein investigation with other probes he views as politically motivated.
'It's all the same scam. They could look at this Jeffrey Epstein hoax also,' he said.
He insisted the material only needed to be credible to be released. 'In the case of Epstein, they've already looked at it and they are looking at it, and I think all they have to do is put out anything credible.'
Trump aide and Attorney General Pam Bondi had said that there was no 'client list' and also declined to comment on releasing additional files. Trump has urged her to exercise discretion in making any more documents public.
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Indian Express
13 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Daily Briefing: The big questions in Operation Sindoor debate
Good morning, A 19-year-old Indian has just become a grandmaster, the highest ranking a chess player can achieve. Divya Deshmukh defeated some of the world's best at the FIDE Women's World Cup to land in the final, where she was set for an intergenerational clash with Koneru Humpy. Interestingly, Humpy was India's first woman grandmaster and the youngest to achieve the feat, which she accomplished at the age of just over 15. Now, Deshmukh is India's fourth woman grandmaster. She clinched the title automatically, since a FIDE World Cup win allows players to bypass the three norms needed to qualify as a grandmaster. As grandmaster N Srinath puts it, it's like capturing the 'golden snitch' in a Quidditch game from the Harry Potter universe instead of scoring goals through the quaffle. With this win, Deshmukh could be eyeing the World Championship crown next. On that note, let's get to today's edition. The 16-hour special debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor in Parliament saw the government clarifying the circumstances of the ceasefire, while the Opposition flagged security and intelligence failures. Though stances taken by both sides were along expected lines, here are some key highlights from the Lok Sabha discussion. 👉 The big question in all this was whether India lost fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. The Opposition has been seeking clarification on the matter ever since Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan admitted on June 1 that the Indian Air Force lost jets on May 7. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, however, did not provide a specific answer, instead asking the Opposition to focus on the 'results'. 👉 The government also rebutted US President Donald Trump's claims that he brokered the ceasefire between India and the US using trade deals as leverage. Singh asserted that the fighting was stopped only because 'we had fulfilled our objectives'. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar clarified that 'at no stage in any conversation with the US was there any linkage with trade and what was going on.' 👉 Leading the charge for the Opposition, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi asked why the government did not aim for 'territorial gains'. 'When will we take PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir?' he questioned. AIMIM leader Assaduddin Owaisi, meanwhile, wondered how the government could allow the national cricket team to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup tournament in September if 'water and blood cannot flow together', as the government had claimed after the April 22 attack. Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda targeted the government on Trump's claims, stating, 'Donald ko chup karao… ya phir Hindustan mein McDonald's ko band karao (Silence Donald or shut McDonald's in India)'. Notably, the Congress has kept out leaders who were part of the government's foreign tour of multi-party delegations from its speakers list. Shashi Tharoor is said to have declined on his own, since he 'has to be consistent', which may violate party line. Whereas Manish Tewari had wanted to speak, but the party chose not to field him. House of bids: Last week, Qatar confirmed the rumours and threw its hat into the ring to host the 2036 Olympics. With this, Qatar joined the growing list of challengers to India's bid to host the 100th anniversary of the 1936 Olympics: Turkey, Indonesia, Hungary and Germany, among others. As of now, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has paused the host selection, and if you recall, it had told India to effectively get its house in order before preparing any master plan. Interestingly, though, Qatar and India's pitches are similar in their messages, underscoring inclusivity and regional aspirations. The former, however, may have a certain edge over the latter. Read my colleague Mihir Vasavda's explainer. Rebirth: The Noon river was once one of the forgotten rivers of Uttar Pradesh. 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History lessons: Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand turned deadly last week, amid intense fighting over a century-old border dispute. On Monday, the two nations agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire'. The dispute arises out of the 1907 drawing of the border between the two countries by France, the then-colonial power in Cambodia. However, deeper animosity is driven by the contested ownership of their shared culture and heritage. Know all about it. Goans have long faced the brunt of overtourism in the state. Recently, however, a new tourism crisis has taken shape in the state amid concerns over a shrinking foreign tourist footfall. Social media, too, has been rife with stories of territorial taxi drivers and overpriced stays. Goan tourism minister Rohan Khaunte, however, has accused 'paid' social media influencers of 'maligning' the state, while maintaining that there was 'no decline' in tourism. The latest grievance seems to be the 'unregistered homestays' being rented out to tourists, causing problems for residents. 'The issue is…that people from Delhi and other places who bought second homes here during Covid. Tourists come and stay in those homes and residential buildings. We have no details of these registrations,' Khaunte flagged. That's all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta Sonal Gupta is a senior sub-editor on the news desk. She writes feature stories and explainers on a wide range of topics from art and culture to international affairs. She also curates the Morning Expresso, a daily briefing of top stories of the day, which won gold in the 'best newsletter' category at the WAN-IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards 2023. She also edits our newly-launched pop culture section, Fresh Take. ... Read More
The Hindu
13 minutes ago
- The Hindu
PM's ‘shameful silence' on Israel's assault on people of Gaza height of ‘moral cowardice', says Sonia Gandhi
Asserting that Israel's military campaign in Gaza amounts to "genocide", Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) slammed the Modi government for being a "mute spectator to this affront to humanity", and said this was a "cowardly betrayal of our constitutional values". She also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "shameful silence" in the face of Israel's relentless and devastating assault on the people of Gaza is "deeply disappointing", as well as the height of "moral cowardice". In an article published in the Hindi daily 'Dainik Jagran', Ms. Gandhi urged the Prime Minister to speak out "clearly, boldly and forthrightly" on behalf of the legacy that India has long represented. She said nothing can justify Hamas' barbaric attacks on innocent men, women and children in Israel on 7 October 2023, or its continued holding of Israeli hostages thereafter. She said these must be condemned repeatedly and unreservedly. 'But as members of the international community - and more so as human beings - it is our responsibility to acknowledge that the Israeli government's response and reprisals against the civilian population of Gaza have not only been egregious, but downright criminal,' she asserted in her article in Hindi titled 'Gaza sankat par mookdarshak Modi sarkaar'. Over the past nearly two years, more than 55,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed, including 17,000 children, Ms. Gandhi pointed out. Most residential buildings in Gaza have been razed to the ground through relentless aerial bombardment, including hospitals, she said, adding that the social fabric has been completely shattered. "The events since October 2023 have been disturbing, and in recent months the situation has become even more heart-wrenching. We have seen how humanitarian aid has been weaponised as part of a dastardly strategy. The Israeli Defense Forces have imposed a military blockade on Gaza, deliberately and cruelly blocking the supply of medicines, food and fuel to the population," the former Congress chief said. 'The wanton destruction of infrastructure and the unbridled massacre of civilians have led to a man-made tragedy — made worse by the blockade. This strategy of forced starvation is undoubtedly a crime against humanity,' Ms. Gandhi said. In the midst of this devastation, Israel has either outright rejected or blocked humanitarian aid from the United Nations and other international organisations, she asserted. "In a perversion of every idea of humanity, armed soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces have ruthlessly fired on hundreds of civilians who were trying to gather food for their families. The United Nations itself has expressed grave concern on this issue - and even the Israeli Defense Forces have had to admit this horrifying truth," Ms. Gandhi said. "According to almost all objective assessments by experts on Israel's ongoing military occupation of Gaza, it is a campaign that amounts to genocide and aims to ethnically cleanse the Gaza Strip of Palestinians," she said. Its scale and consequences are reminiscent of the Naqba tragedy of 1948, when Palestinians were forced from their homes, Ms. Gandhi said. All this atrocities are being carried out to serve some of the most nefarious objectives — ranging from a colonial mindset to the selfish interests of a few "greedy" real estate tycoons, Gandhi claimed. She asserted that the ongoing crisis has exposed one of the most serious weaknesses in the international system. "UN General Assembly resolutions demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza have been completely ignored. The United Nations Security Council has failed to impose sanctions on the Israeli government for its attacks on civilians in Gaza and the large-scale destruction of its infrastructure," she said. The International Court of Justice's order of January 26, 2024 — directing Israel to prevent acts of genocide and to provide essential services and humanitarian aid to civilians — has also been completely ignored, Gandhi said. Israel's direct and indirect support from the U.S. not only encouraged these actions, but also made them possible, she added. Ms. Gandhi opined that when international laws and institutions have become "virtually defunct", the fight to protect the interests of the people of Gaza is now left to individual countries. Despite the risk of backlash, South Africa has taken the bold step of taking Israel to task at the International Court of Justice, and Brazil has now joined the effort, she noted. France has decided to recognise the Palestinian state, and countries like Britain and Canada have imposed sanctions on Israeli leaders who have promoted aggression in Gaza, she said. Even within Israel itself, the voices of protest are growing - a former prime minister has acknowledged the reality of Israeli war crimes in Gaza, she said. "Amidst this humanitarian crisis and the rising global consciousness around it, it is a national shame that India has remained a mute spectator to this affront to humanity," Gandhi said. "India has long been a symbol of global justice. We are the country that inspired global movements against colonialism, raised its voice against imperialist domination during the Cold War era, and led the international struggle against apartheid South Africa," she said. "At a time when innocent human beings are being brutally slaughtered, India's abdication of its values is a blot on our national conscience, a disregard for our historical contributions, and also a cowardly betrayal of our constitutional values," Gandhi said. She pointed out that the Directive Principles of State Policy clearly require the government to take effective steps to "promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration. 'But Israel's blatant disregard for basic concepts of international law, human rights and justice — and our current government's moral cowardice in the face of it — is tantamount to a dereliction of our duties to our constitutional values,' she said. India has always been a supporter of the 'two-state solution' and a just peace between the people of Israel and Palestine, she asserted. Ms. Gandhi recalled that in 1974, under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, India became the first non-Arab country to recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. In 1988, India was among the first countries to officially recognise the State of Palestine, she noted. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shameful silence in the face of Israel's relentless and devastating assault on the people of Gaza is deeply disappointing. It is the height of moral cowardice. The time has come for him to speak out clearly, boldly and forthrightly on behalf of the legacy that India has long represented," she said. The Global South is once again looking to India for leadership on an issue that today shakes the collective conscience of all humanity, Gandhi said.
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Business Standard
13 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Parliament Monsoon Session LIVE updates: Rajya Sabha to debate Op Sindoor, PM Modi likely to attend
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has firmly dismissed any speculation that US President Donald Trump had a hand in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan to end Operation Sindoor. 'There was no call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump between April 22 (the Pahalgam attack) and June 17 (the ceasefire)... and at no stage was there any link between trade and what was going on…' Jaishankar stated on Monday evening during a heated parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor. Jaishankar's remarks come in response to President Trump's assertion that he persuaded Delhi and Islamabad to halt escalating tensions following missile strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Previously, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi had said Trump had claimed on 26 occasions that he used trade deals to bring about the ceasefire. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday praised Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in the Lok Sabha for articulating the outcomes of Operation Sindoor and highlighting India's diplomatic efforts on the global stage. Applauding Jaishankar's remarks, PM Modi said, 'The speech by EAM Ji was outstanding. He highlighted how the world has clearly heard India's perspective on fighting the menace of terrorism through Operation Sindoor.' Defence Minister: Operation Sindoor Achieved Objectives Opening the debate on Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that India is prepared to go to any extent to eradicate terrorism. He explained that Operation Sindoor, launched to dismantle terror infrastructure in Pakistan, is currently paused as the armed forces have achieved their objectives. However, he cautioned that the operation could resume if Islamabad undertakes any hostile actions.
