logo
Why the White House is now claiming the Epstein files are a ‘hoax'

Why the White House is now claiming the Epstein files are a ‘hoax'

Independent3 days ago
Donald Trump is criticising his own supporters for demanding the release of Jeffrey Epstein 's case files, labelling their efforts as a "hoax" generated by political foes.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained Trump's "hoax" claim by asserting that Democrats are now opportunistically joining the call for transparency, despite having done nothing during their time in power.
Trump also attacked his supporters and called them 'stupid' and 'foolish' during an Oval Office media availability
Leavitt credited Trump with having commissioned an 'exhaustive review' of the case files by FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi
The Department of Justice and FBI confirmed there is no client list and no additional files will be made public, with much of the information sealed to protect victims and no further charges anticipated.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why two justices could hand Republicans their own ‘Ginsburg moment' next year
Why two justices could hand Republicans their own ‘Ginsburg moment' next year

The Independent

time22 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Why two justices could hand Republicans their own ‘Ginsburg moment' next year

Are conservatives headed for their own 'Ginsburg moment'? That could be the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections if Democrats have any say in the matter. With next year's congressional elections still on the horizon, the first glimpses of the political dynamics that will shape 2026 are coming into view. Even as Donald Trump and his administration remain this week consumed by an uproar among the MAGA base over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, issues like inflation and the White House's mass deportation raids continue to retain salience quietly in the background — quietly, but not with diminished importance, as they'll likely remain the top factors driving Americans to the polls. Then, there's the Supreme Court. It remains a sore point for liberals who watched Republicans lock Barack Obama out of the discussion over a vacant seat in 2016 and then, in 2020, watched Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death just two months before a presidential election notch a second rightward shift for the court in less than a decade. Justice Clarence Thomas, 77, is the oldest member of the bench. Some conservatives have privately begun to fret that the right-leaning justice or his 75-year-old colleague, Samuel Alito (whose wife hung a symbol honoring the January 6 conspiracy after the attack) could cause another 'Ginsburg moment' by refusing to resign while Republicans control the Senate, allowing one or both seats to fall into liberal hands. Legal commentators are somewhat torn over whether either will retire this term. Mike Davis, a former Senate GOP staffer on Supreme Court nominations and current 'viceroy' of Trumpworld, wrote that Alito was 'gleefully packing up his chambers' after the 2024 election. Ed Whelan, the Antonin Scalia chair in constitutional studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, also predicted in 2025 that Alito would retire in 2025, and Thomas in 2026, according to the American Bar Association Journal (ABAJournal). Others are less certain, and a source close to Alito tried to tamp down on that speculation earlier this year. "Despite what some people may think, this is a man who has never thought about this job from a political perspective," they told the Wall Street Journal. "The idea that he's going to retire for political considerations is not consistent with who he is," the source added. David Lat, who founded his own blog reporting on gossip surrounding the Court and broader legal world, also noted to ABAJournal that both justices have hired full rosters of clerks for the upcoming two terms, the latter of which will end in 2027. Under Donald Trump's first term, three Supreme Court vacancies were filled by conservative justices. Ginsberg's refusal to retire at multiple points when multiple factors were clear, including how her health challenges were affecting her work and the likelihood that Republicans would bend the rules (or shatter them) to see her seat filled with a conservative, is still looked by many as a failure of not just the justice but those liberals around her who allowed the octogenarian's desire to stay on the job conflict with political realities. Her defenders insisted that the justice's deliberations about retiring did not factor in politics at all. Critics of the Court see the justices' shroud of apoliticism as an excuse that does not match their rhetoric or actions, either on the bench or in public. The efforts by Alito's allies to dissuade speculation echoed those same defenses and rang especially hollow for the conservative justice who has shmoozed with a conservative billionaire with cases before the court and who reportedly authored his own blueprint for the eventual overturn of Roe vs Wade as far back as 1985. Thomas, meanwhile, reportedly sparked fears among conservatives that he would resign from the Court on his own way back in 2000 as he complained about the job's pay. But there's been no such murmuring as of late. If the claims are true and both justices are set on remaining on the bench, they could put Republicans in an awkward spot. The GOP's chances of protecting their newly-acquired Senate majority remain strong but have grown noticeably weaker in the past six months. The announced retirement of Thom Tillis in North Carolina puts his purple-seat state decidedly in play. Maine's Susan Collins is up for re-election, as is John Cornyn in Texas; Cornyn faces a hyper-MAGA primary challenger whom the senator has said could give up the seat to Democrats in November of 2026 if his primary challenge is successful. Rumors also continue to swirl about the possible retirement of Joni Ernst, the senator from Iowa, and her partner in the Senate delegation from the state, Chuck Grassley, is a staggering 91 years old himself. Several factors could force the Senate back into Democratic hands next year, and if the party's discussions over countering GOP redistricting in Texas by 'going nuclear' and following suit across a range of blue states is any indication, the party's members have learned not to give Republicans an inch and could block any of Trump's SCOTUS nominations going forward. In the end, the same shaky apoliticism that the justices cling to when facing any criticism from Congress or the Executive Branch could swing back to help the left, after causing so much damage at the end of the Obama era. It would be up to Democrats in the Senate to decide whether they are truly willing to take a page from the GOP's playbook.

KEVIN MAGUIRE: 'Labour must find engaging story for the UK - or face election wipeout'
KEVIN MAGUIRE: 'Labour must find engaging story for the UK - or face election wipeout'

Daily Mirror

time22 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

KEVIN MAGUIRE: 'Labour must find engaging story for the UK - or face election wipeout'

Kevin Maguire says No. 10 needs a rethink over failure to tell an engaging story, and fast, or Keir Starmer's Government faces being dead in the water at the next election Imagine if we had a UK Government reviving an ailing NHS, raising the minimum wage well above inflation, introducing breakfast clubs and giving free school meals to 500,000 more poorer kids. ‌ One that was devising much improved new job rights, planning a huge house-building drive, bringing a fragmented rail industry back into public ownership, overseeing a green energy revolution to safeguard supplies and prices while investing heavily to guarantee steel production in Scunthorpe and Port Talbot. ‌ Ministers committed to opening centres in every local authority to give all kids a better start in life and, finally, negotiate and implement concrete plans to deter and deal with small boat crossings where Rwanda failed expensively and disastrously. ‌ A Cabinet consigning dinosaur Tory hereditary peers to the dustbin of history and a Prime Minister resetting relations with the rest of Europe to boost trade and avoid long passport queues. You'd not be an excessively enthusiastic Pollyanna should you recognise that we have that UK Government but you'd also not be alone if you'd need to be Miss Marple to detect it. ‌ Because winter fuel, disability cuts and the 'Island of Strangers' rows mean that Government is a strange land to millions of voters, including those who put their X next to Labour a year ago. As MPs pack their buckets and spades this week, Downing Street must think hard about the missing vision thing over the Summer. ‌ The Government's fatal lack of a compelling, vibrant story is becoming an obsession of mine. The awful own goals, too. And the can't do rather than a can do approach to issues such as the pernicious two-child poverty cap. Labour isn't as good as it could be yet nor is it anyway as near as bad as Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch and the great disillusioned pretend or believe. ‌ But unless Starmer and Co start telling an engaging story, the writing will be on the wall sooner rather than later for a General Election that might be up to four years in the future. Donald Trump feels MAGA's bite Revolutions devour their children and you'd need a heart of stone not to enjoy his MAGA movement eating Donald Trump alive over the Jeffrey Epstein files. ‌ The demented US President, who once hailed the now dead paedophile a 'terrific guy' and 'a lot of fun to be with', is taking as much flak as Prince Andrew. Claiming there was nothing to see then, when abusing supporters failed to stem criticism, demanding the Justice Department release a 'client list' his puppet minister Pam Bondi claimed was on her desk before declaring it never existed won't cauterise this bleeding wound. Because conspiracy theorist Trump, a liar who questioned whether Barack Obama was born in the USA and entitled to be President, is suddenly at the heart of one of the juiciest conspiracy theories of them all. ‌ Flying to meet Starmer this week and visit his Turnberry golf course in Scotland ahead of September's state visit, Trump could always ask for a secret chat with the disgraced Duke of York to swap notes. Diane Abbott's suspension a mistake Foolishly suspending Diane Abbott and four more Labour MPs is bullying Keir Starmer putting rocket boosters under Jeremy Corbyn's proposed Left-wing rival party. ‌ The venerable first Black woman elected to the House of Commons U-turning on an apology for offending many Jewish people by downplaying anti-Semitism deserved criticism but loss of the whip? Equally backbench rebels Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, Neil Duncan-Jordan and Rachael Maskell invited a stiff talking to from his enforcers yet surely not banishment. ‌ The battered Prime Minister whacking MPs who were on the right side of the argument over caring for the disabled won't reinforce his authority, It'll be weakened, perhaps fatally. The five plus another five on the Westminster naughty step all want to remain Labour yet Corbyn and co-conspirator Zara Sultana are eyeing possible recruits when Starmer's pulling up guy ropes down one side of what needs to be a big tent to win. ‌ 'Tycoon King' and his Highgrove row Labour's new job rights can't come quick enough for feudal lord Charlie Windsor's gardeners after an exodus from Highgrove. No wonder the peasants are revolting when a tycoon King worth an estimated £640million reportedly pays only the legal minimum wage, currently just £12.21 an hour, and is high-handed. ‌ The feather-bedded hereditary monarch's role in issuing marching orders to a probationary gardener, insisting 'don't put that man in front of me again' after the poor soul made a factual error about a flower, sounds nauseating. Issuing instructions during daily walkouts and sending memos written in thick red ink portray pompous Chas as the boss from hell. ‌ Charlie's exploited gardeners need to join a trade union and create a right royal stink. Going up He'll never have an easier mission when it was the Tories who ran a secret Afghan migration route and gagged Parliament and the media after that huge data loss on their watch but Labour John Healey was a commendably cool Defence Secretary. Going down All at sea Nigel Farage exposed Reform's muddled posturing by claiming England's sinking water firms 'need private-sector innovation' when it is commercial companies putting up bills and dumping sewage. Total renationalisation is the only answer. Speaker's corner 'We haven't forgotten you. We have failed you.' Leicester South Independent MP Shockat Adam at a meeting in Parliament summed up Britain's hand-wringing after a young Palestinian, Abubaker Abed, criticised UK arms supplies to Israel during the ongoing slaughter and war crimes in Gaza. Shame on us.

'Is this CNN?!' Michael Smerconish goes viral as he rejects WSJ's Trump-Epstein letter
'Is this CNN?!' Michael Smerconish goes viral as he rejects WSJ's Trump-Epstein letter

Daily Mail​

time22 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

'Is this CNN?!' Michael Smerconish goes viral as he rejects WSJ's Trump-Epstein letter

A CNN host shocked social media as he sided with Donald Trump over the latest developments in the Jeffrey Epstein saga. Michael Smerconish defended the president on his show after The Wall Street Journal published an alleged birthday letter that Trump sent to the pedophile financier. Trump denies he wrote the letter and accompanying lewd drawing. He is suing the Journal, as well as the paper's owner media mogul Rupert Murdoch personally. Smerconish shared excerpts of the letter on his show, which included an imaginary conversation between Trump and Epstein. The note allegedly concludes with Trump telling Epstein, 'May every day be a wonderful secret.' The CNN host said on Saturday, 'It's hard to believe that the president would have written the imaginary conversation between himself and Epstein 22 years ago. I mean, listen to some of the back and forth.' After reading a few excerpts, Smerconish stated, 'That doesn't sound like something Donald Trump would write.' X user @MichaelFauchea2 wrote, 'Is this CNN????????? Wow!' in response to a clip of Smerconish's remarks. Another user, who goes by the handle of @TyrannyStomper, wrote 'Man, thank you, CNN. As bad as CNN is they do get it right occasionally these days.' The bombshell report by the Journal alleges that Trump drew Epstein a 'bawdy' doodle of a topless woman, which included his signature on her pubic area. Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, declared on social media, 'In 47 years I've never seen him doodle once. Give me a break.' Vice President JD Vance posted on X defending his boss, saying that the story is 'complete and utter bulls***.' 'The WSJ should be ashamed for publishing it,' the 40-year-old VP continued. 'Where is this letter? Would you be shocked to learn they never showed it to us before publishing it? Does anyone honestly believe this sounds like Donald Trump?' Democrats have put Republicans in a bind over the matter, seizing on the bizarre explanation that Trump doesn't draw, despite there being myriad examples of the president's sketches. California Gov. Gavin Newsom hit back on Trump's claim he never drew with a picture by posting one that he donated to charity. 'Trump loves to draw,' former congressman Adam Kinzinger posted alongside a dozen of the president's drawings. 'Just saying.' Progressive Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., wrote on X: 'I don't know what's in the Epstein files, but Trump being so desperate to make this story go away is making me wonder: what's he hiding?' 'Give the American people the transparency they deserve,' she added. 'Release the full files.' Across Washington, the Epstein scandal is proving difficult to tamp down. A rebel band of Republican lawmakers including some of MAGA's biggest stars - like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert - are joining forces with hundreds of Democrats to force a bombshell ballot on the Epstein files. Despite the typical partisan battle lines being drawn on most issues in Washington, D.C. these days, this matter in particular has created an unlikely set of bedfellows. Progressive Democrat Ro Khanna and libertarian-minded Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky teamed up last week to introduce the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would compel Attorney General Pam Bondi to publicly release all unclassified materials relating to Jeffery Epstein. The duo's resolution is receiving the the backing of a diverse set of members, including New York socialist darling Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan 'Squad' member Rashida Tlaib, as well as Boebert of Colorado, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, and Greene of Georgia. Khanna noted during a Thursday media appearance that his resolution had the backing of all 212 of his Democratic colleagues in the House. Even if only the 10 GOP co-sponsors of the resolution were to support it, it would easily pass the House, as just a simple majority is need, which is 218 votes out of 435.

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