Latest news with #ClintonFoundation
New York Post
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
FBI never probed ‘confidential' talks between DNC, Clinton campaign George Soros group, bombshell intel files show
WASHINGTON — Two high-ranking employees of liberal billionaire George Soros' Open Society Foundations held 'confidential conversations' with the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign team in 2016 to push the narrative of collusion between Russia and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, newly declassified intelligence files show. The documents revealed that Leonard Benardo and Jeffrey Goldstein — Open Society's regional director and senior policy adviser for Eurasia, respectively — held talks with then-DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz in early 2016 about smearing Trump as well as distracting from the 'growing scandal' surround Clinton's 'possible corruption' as secretary of state. In a January 2016 memo, the Soros operatives discussed with Wasserman-Schultz the negative fallout from Clinton Foundation donors getting preferential access to Hillary and the 'timely deletion of relevant data from mail servers.' 8 The files revealed that Open Society member Leonard Benardo (above) and Jeffrey Goldstein held talks with then-DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz in early 2016 about smearing Trump. Open Society Foundation The year before, the former secretary of state had nixed more than 30,000 emails from a private server. The FBI confirmed in a subsequent investigation that the messages included 'very sensitive, highly classified information,' but no charges were brought. According to another memo, this one from March 2016, then-President Barack Obama didn't want the controversy to 'darken the final part of his presidency' and apparently tried to pressure his attorney general, Loretta Lynch, to meddle in then-FBI Director James Comey's investigation of the Clinton emails. 'Barack Obama sanctioned the use of all administrative levers to remove possibly negative effects from the FBI investigation of cases related to the Clinton Foundation and the email correspondence in the State Department,' the memo declared. 8 The DNC saw the scandals' threat to Clinton's campaign as 'minimal' and worked on developing a two-pronged counter-attack 'focused on discrediting Trump through debates and propaganda activities.' Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post As a result, the DNC saw the scandals' threat to Clinton's campaign as 'minimal' and worked on developing a two-pronged counter-attack 'focused on discrediting Trump through debates and propaganda activities' — with the help of 'special services.' Those included either the direct involvement of intelligence agencies or the use of a now-discredited dossier compiled by ex-MI6 spy Christopher Steele, alleging Russian leader Vladimir Putin had blackmail material on Trump. At the time, the files also disclosed, Lynch was communicating with Clinton campaign political director Amanda Renteria and the Democratic candidate was in the process of discussing a plan with adviser Julianne Smith that Benardo described as 'a long-term affair to demonize Putin and Trump.' 8 Jeff Goldstein appears to have died last year but had been based in Washington, DC, as the senior policy adviser for Eurasia at the organization. Getty Images 'HRC [Hillary Rodham Clinton] approved Julia's idea about Trump and Russian hackers hampering U.S. elections,' a bombshell July 27, 2016, email from Benardo laid bare the plot. 'That should distract people from her own missing emails. … The point is making the Russian play a U.S. domestic issue.' Benardo currently serves as senior vice president at Open Society Foundations, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Goldstein's current status is unclear 8 In a January 2016 memo, the Soros operatives discussed with Wasserman-Schultz the negative fallout from the 'timely deletion of relevant data from mail servers.' Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock The memos and other intelligence files were handed over to the Obama FBI, and bureau deputy director Andrew McCabe shared them with senior officials at the Department of Justice — but the information implicating Clinton in the Russiagate scandal was never fully investigated. Comey later told the Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General he didn't view the intelligence — which had been obtained by Russian hackers — as 'credible.' Former FBI General Counsel James Baker disagreed and told the DOJ OIG 'how personally bothered he was' by Lynch's interactions with Clinton's campaign, adding that 'he and other FBI executives had great concerns' about evidence in the memos implying Lynch would 'use her position to make sure that Hillary Clinton was not prosecuted.' 8 Special counsel John Durham unearthed the stunning disclosures as part of a multi-year investigation into intelligence efforts surrounding the 2016 election. Getty Images Special counsel John Durham unearthed the stunning disclosures as part of a multi-year investigation into intelligence efforts surrounding the 2016 election and maintained in his assessment that the 'Benardo emails were likely authentic.' When Durham interviewed Benardo, the Open Society employee said 'to the best of his recollection, he did not draft the emails.' 'The [Clinton] campaign might have wanted or expected the FBI or other agencies to aid that effort ('put more oil into the fire') by commencing a formal investigation of the DNC hack [by Russia],' Durham's annex noted. 8 Former FBI Director James Comey later told the Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General he didn't view the intelligence — which had been obtained by Russian hackers — as 'credible.' REUTERS 'The Office's best assessment is that the … emails that purport to be from Benardo were ultimately a composite of several emails that were obtained through Russian intelligence hacking of the U.S.-based Think Tanks, including the Open Society Foundations, the Carnegie Endowment, and others.' The CIA determined that the intelligence was also not 'the product of Russian fabrications' as early as 2017. The FBI received an investigative referral from the CIA related to the Clinton files after an Aug. 3, 2016, meeting at the White House at which Obama, Comey, then-CIA Director John Brennan, Vice President Joe Biden, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper were all present. 8 The memos and other intelligence files were handed over to the Obama FBI, and bureau deputy director Andrew McCabe shared them with senior officials at the Department of Justice. Getty Images The information implicating Trump was still 'disseminated through leading U.S. publications,' the intelligence files recounted, as part of 'the first stage of the campaign' by Clinton associates 'due to lack of direct evidence' of Trump's purported collusion with Russia. Attorney General Pam Bondi, CIA Director John Brennan and FBI Director Kash Patel approved the release of the files Thursday by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). 'Based on the Durham annex, the Obama FBI failed to adequately review and investigate intelligence reports showing the Clinton campaign may have been ginning up the fake Trump-Russia narrative for Clinton's political gain, which was ultimately done through the Steele Dossier and other means,' Grassley said in a statement. 8 Attorney General Pam Bondi, CIA Director John Brennan and FBI Director Kash Patel approved the release of the files Thursday by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post 'These intelligence reports and related records, whether true or false, were buried for years. History will show that the Obama and Biden administration's law enforcement and intelligence agencies were weaponized against President Trump,' he also said. 'This political weaponization has caused critical damage to our institutions and is one of the biggest political scandals and cover-ups in American history. The new Trump administration has a tremendous responsibility to the American people to fix the damage done and do so with maximum speed and transparency,. Reps for Clinton did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Epstein case: Kevin Spacey says Bill Clinton was on Jeffery's jet with "young girls"; 'didn't want to be around this guy'
Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has claimed that former US President Bill Clinton rode on infamous child sex offender Jeffery Epstein's plane which also had many 'young girls.' During an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, the actor said, 'I was very fortunate that President Clinton introduced me to a lot of business leaders in London because he knew I was coming to the Old Vic. Do you know who I never asked for anything? It was Jeffrey Epstein.' Spacey further added that on their trip to Africa, Clinton was put 'at risk' as there were many young girls around. 'I didn't want to be around this guy because I felt he put the President at risk on that trip to South Africa because there were these young girls and we were like what who is this guy? Upon being asked by Piers, if there were young girls on the flight, Spacey confirmed, saying, 'There were young girls on those flights, yeah, and that's been out. They've talked about it.' Upon being questioned if he ever went to Epstein's island, Spacey said, 'There's a big difference between not remembering that I met some guy and some woman on a humanitarian trip where my focus was entirely on what we were there to do, and not remembering whether I went to somebody's Island. So I never went to Jeffrey Epstein's Island.' He also dismissed rumours suggesting that Prince Andrew had approached him for help or asked him to testify that Ghislaine Maxwell was his guest and not Andrew's. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The boy meets a dog on the street - no one expected what happened next. Women's Method Learn More Undo 'I heard a report about that, but at no time did anyone ever contact me on his behalf. And as I say, I'm not friends with him. I never saw him after that day.' The video was posted by American commentator Benny Johnson on social media platform X, which has drawn much attention. Johnson urged for transparency on the matter, 'It's time for Bill Clinton to answer for his relationship with Epstein. There are witnesses. Something very dark is going on here...' The remarks have reignited scrutiny of Clinton's past links with Epstein. Earlier, US President Donald Trump claimed he had never visited Epstein's private island, Little Saint James, but alleged that Clinton had visited the location 28 times. Although the claim itself is not new, the specific number mentioned by Trump is. Clinton's spokespersons have previously denied the allegations, insisting that he never visited the island. Epstein's flight logs also contain no record of Clinton flying anywhere near it. Clinton did, however, travel multiple times on Epstein's private jet for work related to the Clinton Foundation. One such journey included a nine-day tour of Africa in 2002, with several high-profile individuals including Kevin Spacey, actor Chris Tucker, Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein himself, and a 21-year-old masseuse, Chauntae Davies. Davies later testified that she had been repeatedly raped and abused by Epstein.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Did Bill Clinton go to Epstein's island 28 times? Here's what the flight log revealed
Epstein reportedly had this bizarre painting of Bill Clinton displayed at his New York mansion. President Donald Trump Friday claimed he never visited Epstein's infamous island, Little Saint James, which was the den of Epstein's sex trafficking, but former president Bill Clinton visited the island 28 times. This is not a new allegation, though the number 28 from Donald Trump is absolutely new. Earlier, Clinton's spokespersons denied the allegations and said Clinton never visited the island. Clinton made some trips on Epstein's private jet, but that was for the Clinton Foundation and he had a Secret Service detail. Epstein's flight log also showed no record of Clinton flying anywhere near Epstein island. When Clinton and Epstein became 'friends' According to records, Clinton spent nine days with Epstein on a tour of Africa in 2002. On September 21, 2002, Clinton took Epstein's plane along with Kevin Spacey, Chris Tucker, Ghislaine Maxwell and also Epstein. Also present was a 21-year-old masseuse, Chauntae Davies who later testified that she was repeatedly raped and abused by Epstein. After the trip, Clinton thanked Epstein but never suggested that the two were friends. 'Jeffrey is both a highly successful financier and a committed philanthropist,' he told New York Magazine. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, you have to play this game. Navy Quest Game Undo by Taboola by Taboola 'I especially appreciate his insights and generosity during the recent trip to Africa.' Epstein, on the other hand, reportedly told friends that Clinton stunned foreign leaders in the same way Mike Tyson would if he walked into a downtown gym, saying: 'He's the world's greatest politician'. In late 2003, Epstein organised a dinner in honour of Clinton in New York but Clinton did not show up. Epstein bought a painting of Clinton in red high heels and a blue dress and displayed that in his New York mansion. Long after Epstein's sex trafficking was reported and Epstein finished his 13-month prison sentence for sexually abusing a minor, Ghislaine Maxwell was invited to the wedding of Chelsea Clinton in 2010.
Spectator
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
MAGA, Epstein and the paedo files
Bill Clinton published another memoir last year, entitled Citizen, and I take it that everyone read the book the minute it came out. For those who somehow didn't, there's a striking passage that can be easily found by standing in a bookshop, going to the index and searching under 'E' for 'Epstein'. This leads to a single page reference in which the 42nd president gives a terse and somewhat legalistic account of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, explaining that he never went to Epstein's island, borrowed his plane only to support the work of the Clinton Foundation and cut off contact before Epstein's first arrest in 2005. In a brusque summary Clinton or his ghostwriters conclude: 'I wish I had never met him.' Quite a few eminent people seem to have come to the same conclusion. Epstein appears to have made it his life's mission to be close to as many prominent people as he could, from politicians and journalists to scientists and lawyers. The 'little black book' of his contacts included people he had met, but also the phone numbers of those he hadn't and apparently wanted to. There are several ways to see all this. Perhaps Epstein was a high-networking pimp, introducing women to prominent men. Perhaps a number of the men knew he liked underage girls and they liked underage girls too – a fact he could hold over them. Some think that this explains Epstein's otherwise inexplicable fortune: he was effectively running a high-end blackmail and extortion racket. Others have come to the conclusion that he must have been performing such an operation on behalf of an intelligence service. All these questions and more have recently burst into the open again because of the Trump administration's change of direction on the story. When running for office, Donald Trump was happy to promise the release of all the details relating to the Epstein case in the same way that he promised the release of all the government files relating to the assassinations of John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. It seemed part of an initiative for greater openness and transparency in government. But as I described here in March, the release of the JFK files changed nothing. Despite Trump's declaration that it was going to be huge, no especially new information was discovered. With Epstein things are different, not least because it is all more recent. And because so many distinguished people – including Trump – knew the disgraced man. In February there was a bizarre scene at the White House when the administration released binders marked 'The Epstein Files: Phase 1' to a bunch of conservative media influencers. These people left waving their binders as though they were golden tickets to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. They became less excitable when it transpired that all the contents were already in the public domain. But what of volumes two and more? Attorney-General Pam Bondi increased speculation that there was more to come by claiming some months ago that Epstein's 'client list' was literally sitting on her desk waiting to be released. Then in a strange about-face this month, the administration has said that no such list exists. This has led to demands from even some of Trump's most loyal supporters for the firing of Bondi, or the resignations of various Trump appointees at the FBI and CIA. Some have even turned on Trump himself and he, in turn, has turned on them. He now claims that the whole thing is a Democrat hoax and attacked 'My PAST supporters' who 'have bought into this bullshit hook, line and sinker'. Anyone who thought the Epstein saga could not get more complicated now has to contend with this as well. Some people – including Trump supporters – have concluded that the files must incriminate him. Others have suggested that the President may simply be being judicious in deciding that innocent people named in Epstein-related documents should not have their lives destroyed by mere association. But it is too late to try to consign the saga to the past. As a story, it is almost perfect. It currently includes claims about high–profile paedophiles and the possibility that successive presidents have been involved in a child-prostitution ring. There is virtually nothing more precisely pitched to agitate the public mind. Over a decade ago, British politics went into a meltdown after Tom Watson and others insisted a ring of murderous child-rapists had been operating at the heart of Westminster. Those claims were indeed lies, as this magazine said from the get-go. But they tapped into a deep public fear. The unsourced claims by various MAGA influencers of Mossad involvement make the Epstein story even more enticing, as the conspiracy now involves Israeli intelligence too – although it would be a very strange Mossad operation that caught up the former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and simply passed it over. (For that matter, it would also be strange for the files to have included material on Trump which the Biden administration chose not to release.) But that is where the Epstein theorists have landed. The Epstein case is obviously not all lies. Why did so many big names find him so congenial? And why did so many stick by him even after his exploitation of underage girls had become a matter of public record? The administration now has the opportunity to double-down or to reverse course once again and release what it has. Other than 'don't hang out with paedophiles', it is hard to know what lessons to draw. Except, of course, for the old one that you should be careful about feeding the fires of public outrage, lest they burn down more than you could ever imagine.
Politico
18-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
‘A beacon to the field': OpenAI advisers urge robust role for nonprofit
The company's board of directors thanked the commission and the community leaders who gave input in a statement, saying it was valuable in ensuring OpenAI's technology benefits everyone. 'As we carry this mission forward, we remain committed to listening, learning, and building in partnership with those on the front lines of change,' as part of the board's commitment to the nonprofit, the statement said. Vision for the nonprofit OpenAI announced last year it would make its nonprofit parent company a shareholder of a for-profit parent company, and tasked the commission with advising on how the new nonprofit could be most impactful. The company later changed course in May amid public pressure, saying its nonprofit would instead oversee a for-profit public benefit corporation. 'Even if those external things hadn't been in motion … we still would have landed on 'a nonprofit is a good thing in AI. We need more of them,'' Zingale said. 'Putting the nonprofit in charge is even better.' Bonta is already responsible for regulating the state's charities and making sure their resources aren't misused. But the commission — whose report repeatedly references the importance of the California and Delaware attorney generals' oversight over the nonprofit, due to where it's headquartered and incorporated — thinks Bonta should get more involved in the AI industry's development, much of which is housed in his state. 'We think it should be over AI more broadly, not just the one who chose to be a nonprofit,' said Zingale. 'We'd like to see that kind of oversight more evenly distributed across the sector.' The commission's vision for the nonprofit is far more ambitious than that of a traditional grant-making organization. It argues OpenAI's nonprofit should fund various democratic, economic and social causes to prepare society for AI's future disruptions, while also nurturing human pursuits in arts and culture. Those ideas span investments in statewide advocacy networks to gather public input on AI deployment, initiatives focused on algorithmic fairness in the workplace, apprenticeship pipelines within unions and AI literacy programs at libraries. They also want support for local museums, influencer cohorts and offline spaces. Among the more risk-focused proposals are that OpenAI fund environmental groups exploring the harms of AI, as well as independent safety research and efforts to pressure-test AI systems by mimicking hackers. Behind the scenes The commission has been holding meetings and taking written comments from California nonprofits, civic groups, faith-based institutions and others over the past three months. Altogether, more than 500 people and 100 organizations gave their feedback, including the YMCA, the Clinton Foundation and the Greenlining Institute.
