Trump in Scotland: Escaping Epstein?
The Epstein files are increasingly consuming the Trump administration, while Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's co-conspirator and accomplice, has met Department of Justice officials and been ordered to appear before a congressional committee.
This, as the Wall Street Journal continues to reveal the alleged extent of Donald Trump's relationship with the convicted sex offender.
Meanwhile, the president is due to arrive in Scotland to honour his mother, play golf, and meet Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney.
If you've got a question you'd like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Trump-Putin peace summit leaves five unanswered questions as ceasefire in doubt
The prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine seems more distant than ever as several hours of negotiations in Anchorage, Alaska, between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ended without agreement Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have concluded their highly anticipated peace summit without any notable outcome, as the two world leaders failed to broker an agreement - leaving a host of unanswered questions in their wake. The two met in Anchorage, Alaska, today for what was projected to be several hours worth of closed-door negotiations between senior teams in a bid to hammer out a Ukraine ceasefire. But they both left empty-handed after just under three hours, with the summit closing abruptly following a joint press statement and both men boarding their respective planes bound for home. Mr Trump, who conceded there was "no deal" in his own statement, has left more questions than answers after delivering vague remarks to gathered journalists. What was the ' significant point' that couldn't be agreed on? Mr Trump gave the most substantive answer to what happened behind closed doors when he addressed diplomats and members of the press, but still revealed very little as to what was said. He notably revealed that "many points were agreed to" in the closed-door meeting, adding that "one is the most significant". He said: "We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to, there are very few that are left. Some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant but we have a very good chance of getting there." While he spoke for a little longer, he never did elaborate on that point, with members of the public none the wiser as to what he meant after he and Putin split off without answering journalists' questions. Will Trump go to Moscow? Today's joint address concluded with a brief quip from Putin, who appeared to suggest another meeting in the future - this time on his home turf. Speaking after Mr Trump suggested they could meet again, he said: "Next time in Moscow." The US President seemed discomforted by the suggestion, however, and was very non-commital in his response, telling his Russian counterpart the suggestion was an "interesting one". He said: "That's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening." Neither Washington nor the Kremlin has committed to another meeting, with Mr Trump suggesting in an interview on Fox News that the ball is now in Ukraine and NATO's court. Why did Trump not take questions? Mr Trump famously enjoys speaking with members of the press, whether from the Oval Office or in conferences after major meetings conducted behind closed doors. But today was notably different, with the US and Russian Presidents notably departing the stage abruptly and without taking a single question. The leaders had a taste of the kind of questions that would have been asked, with Putin quizzed as to whether he would "keep killing civilians" in Ukraine. He appeared to antagonise members of the press at several points by holding his hand to his hear and shrugging, before cracking a smile. He may have wanted to avoid answering these lines of inquiry on stage and ruled out taking questions - but neither Kremlin nor Washington officials have said why they left before doing so. How will NATO respond? One question to which we will eventually get an answer is how NATO will respond to the meeting, with Mr Trump saying during today's conference that he planned to speak with representatives of the military pact after the summit. He said: "I'm going to start making a few phone calls and will tell them what happened." World leaders typically release statements following conversations with Mr Trump, with Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte among the key figures likely to do so. But we've already got an early taste of how the summit was received by former NATO officials, with the US' former ambassador to the organisation saying Mr Trump achieved "zero". Douglas Lute told the BBC Putin ultimately won, having come away "with the end of international isolation". Why was the luncheon cancelled? Among the billed features of the summit mentioned ahead of time was a luncheon between senior negotiators, which appears to have been ultimately ditched at the last second. These lunches are typically vital opportunities for strengthening diplomatic ties, and have been skipped in the past when frictions develop between officials. A highly-anticipated lunch between Mr Trump and Ukrainian premier Volodymyr Zelensky was notably skipped earlier this year after their Oval Office meeting descended into a shouting match. While the Anchorage summit was more publicly convivial, the lunch between US and Russian officials was skipped. Representatives from either party are yet to confirm as to why this was the case.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
British personnel ready to arrive in Ukraine once fighting on hold
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his US counterpart Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, where they discussed the conflict after more than three years of fighting in eastern Europe but failed to strike a deal. After talking for nearly three hours, they refused to answer questions from reporters, but both made statements, with Mr Trump saying 'some great progress' was made with 'many points' agreed to, and 'very few' remaining. The UK Government earlier this summer backed international efforts to set up a 'Multinational Force Ukraine', a military plan to bolster Ukraine's defences once the conflict eases, in a bid to ward off future Russian aggression. 'Planning has continued on an enduring basis to ensure that a force can deploy in the days following the cessation of hostilities,' an MoD spokesperson said. According to the Government, 'along with securing Ukraine's skies and supporting safer seas, the force is expected to regenerate land forces by providing logistics, armaments, and training expertise'. It 'will strengthen Ukraine's path to peace and stability by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine's own forces', the spokesperson added. Early designs for the Multinational Force Ukraine were originally drafted last month, after military chiefs met in Paris to agree a strategy and co-ordinate plans with the EU, Nato, the US and more than 200 planners. Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes. Recently, weʼve discussed with the U.S. and Europeans what can truly work. Everyone needs a just end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end,… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 15, 2025 Moments before Mr Trump touched down in Anchorage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that Saturday 'will start early for everyone in Europe' as leaders react to the Alaska summit. 'We continue co-ordinating with our partners in Europe,' Mr Zelensky said, and added: 'Russia must end the war that it itself started and has been dragging out for years. 'The killings must stop. A meeting of leaders is needed – at the very least, Ukraine, America, and the Russian side – and it is precisely in such a format that effective decisions are possible.' When he addressed the press, Mr Putin said he greeted Mr Trump on the tarmac as 'dear neighbour' and added: 'Our countries, though separated by the oceans, are close neighbours.' According to a translation carried by broadcasters, he claimed the 'situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security'. Stood next to Mr Putin in front of the words 'Pursuing Peace', Mr Trump said: 'We haven't quite got there but we've made some headway.' He stressed 'there's no deal until there's a deal' and added: 'I will call up Nato in a little while. 'I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I'll of course call up President Zelensky and tell him about today's meeting.' Concluding their exchange, the US president said: 'We'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. 'Thank you very much, Vladimir.' Mr Putin replied: 'Next time, in Moscow.' Mr Trump said: 'That's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat for that one. 'I could see it possibly happening.' Speaking to Fox News before boarding Air Force One to leave Alaska, Mr Trump said 'a lot of points were negotiated' in what he described as 'a very warm meeting'. He said European nations would have some involvement in any deal, but said the emphasis was on Mr Zelensky 'to get it done'. Mr Trump said he expected the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to meet, possibly with him involved. The Kremlin has previously said the two men would only meet when an agreement is ready to be signed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the talks as 'very positive', according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. He said no questions were taken from journalists because Mr Putin and Mr Trump had made 'comprehensive statements'.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin shake hands in Alaska as Ukraine war talks begin
After descending from Air Force One, Mr Trump applauded the Russian leader as he approached, walking along red carpets that had been placed for each leader on Friday. They gripped hands for an extended period of time, with both men smiling, and Mr Putin eventually grinned and pointed skyward while their hands were still clasped. Uniformed military members stood at attention nearby at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and B-2s and F-22s — military aircraft designed to oppose Russia during the Cold War — flew over to mark the moment. Reporters nearby yelled, 'President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?' and Mr Putin put his hand up to his ear but did not answer. Mr Trump and Mr Putin both climbed in the US presidential limo, with Mr Putin grinning widely as the vehicle rolled past the cameras. It was the kind of reception typically reserved for close US allies and belied the bloodshed and suffering in the war Mr Putin started in Ukraine. Although not altogether surprising considering their longtime friendly relationship, such outward friendliness before hours of closed-door meetings is likely to raise concerns from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, who fear that Mr Trump is primarily focusing on furthering US interests and not pressing hard enough for Ukraine's. Mr Zelensky and European leaders were excluded from Mr Trump and Mr Putin's discussions, and Ukraine's president was left posting a video address in which he expressed his hope for a 'strong position from the US'. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the previously planned one-on-one meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Putin is now a three-on-three meeting that will include US secretary of state Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The change indicates that the White House is taking a more guarded approach than it did during a 2018 meeting in Helsinki, when Mr Trump and Mr Putin first met privately just with their interpreters for two hours. The Kremlin says the summit will also include the two delegations meeting and talks continuing over lunch. The men are expected to hold a joint press conference. The Kremlin shared two clips of Mr Putin and Mr Trump smiling and talking before talks began, alongside Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and Mr Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov. Russian media outlets also shared images that appeared to show a bemused Mr Putin raising his eyebrows in response to shouted questions from assembled reporters. At one point, Mr Putin cupped his hands around his mouth and appeared to say something, although his voice could not be heard. Interviewed by Bret Baier of Fox News Channel aboard Air Force One as he flew to Alaska, Mr Trump said he would like to walk away from the meeting with a ceasefire. He also said he would like a second meeting on Russia's war in Ukraine. 'I wouldn't be thrilled if I didn't get it,' Mr Trump said of a halt to hostilities between the countries. He said everyone tells him he will not get a ceasefire until a second meeting. 'So, we'll see what happens. I'm going to be, I won't be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire,' he said. Mr Trump earlier joked that he 'might start liking Hillary Clinton again' after the former secretary of state said she would nominate Mr Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize herself if he negotiates an end to Russia's war on Ukraine without Ukraine having to give up territory. 'Well, that was very nice,' Mr Trump said when asked about Ms Clinton's comment during an in-flight interview with Fox News Channel. 'I may have to start liking her again.' Mr Trump and Mr Clinton were presidential rivals in 2016 and have had a contentious relationship. Mr Trump has also been angling to be awarded the prestigious peace prize. If Donald Trump negotiates an end to Putin's war on Ukraine without Ukraine having to cede territory, I'll nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize myself. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 15, 2025 The sit-down gives Mr Trump a chance to prove to the world that he is both a master dealmaker and a global peacemaker. He and his allies have cast him as a heavyweight negotiator who can find a way to bring the slaughter to a close — something he used to boast he could do quickly. For Mr Putin, a summit with Mr Trump offers a long-sought opportunity to try to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia's gains, block Kyiv's bid to join the Nato military alliance and eventually pull Ukraine back into Moscow's orbit.
