Latest news with #EPSTEIN
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Still Time To Delete This': Critics Clown Jim Jordan-Backed Account's 'Unbelievable' Post
An X account overseen by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) faced backlash Thursday after it tried rickrolling those seeking the highly-anticipated (and subsequently disappointing) release of documents tied to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House Judiciary GOP account, representing the majority of a committee chaired by Jordan, shared a post that claimed the 'EPSTEIN FILES' were released alongside a shortened URL link that read 'EpsteinFilesV2.' The link — veiled to appear as if it was tied to files that President Donald Trump's Justice Department began sharing to conservative influencers — instead redirected X users to Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' music video, the focus of a meme that's nearly old enough to vote in elections. The post, which can be viewed here, has since been deleted. X users, including right-wing accounts, slammed the committee over the post as others made nods to ex-Ohio State University wrestlers' allegations that Jordan was aware of sexual abuse complaints against a team doctor when he was a coach at the school. 'Sorry. I'm confused. You're telling me a committee headed by The Honorable Rep. Jim Jordan would try and muddy the waters about known sexual predators? pff. No way,' wrote Clifton Adcock, an investigative reporter at The Frontier. Another user wrote, 'An official government account headed by Jim Jordan is trolling in regards to child sex trafficking using a decades old meme. Where is the protect the children crowd?' Wall Street Apes — an account that's pushed misinformation, perAFP, and is followed by the likes of Elon Musk as well as Donald Trump Jr. — also blasted the 'absolutely unbelievable' post from the House Judiciary GOP. Christina Pushaw, rapid response director for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' 2024 presidential campaign, simply replied, 'There's still time to delete this.' You can check out more reactions to the House Judiciary GOP post below. Trump Says 25% Tariffs On Mexico And Canada Will Kick In On March 4 Trump Reups Old Lie To Rewrite History Of Getting Russian Help To Win 2016 Election Trump Walks Back Calling Zelenskyy A 'Dictator,' Questions If He Ever Said It
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
House Judiciary GOP account posts 'Rickroll' instead of Epstein files link, sparking backlash
The Brief The House Judiciary GOP account falsely claimed to share the Epstein files but linked to a "Rickroll" prank. The post quickly faced backlash, with critics calling it tone-deaf and irresponsible. The Judiciary Committee has not yet addressed the controversy. LOS ANGELES - The official X account for the House Judiciary GOP is facing criticism after it posted a false link claiming to provide access to the newly released Epstein files—only for users to find themselves "Rickrolled" with Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" music video. The post, which featured "#BREAKING: EPSTEIN FILES RELEASED" alongside the misleading link, was quickly flagged by community notes on X. Users pointed out that the link did not contain the Epstein files but instead redirected to the 1987 hit song. What they're saying Critics slammed the Judiciary Committee's lack of judgment, given the serious nature of the Epstein case. "This is the official X account for the House Judiciary Committee using the Epstein files as an occasion for a corny "Rickroll" joke. Just a stunning lack of judgment by the people responsible for this account. Truly mind-boggling," one user wrote. The Judiciary GOP has not yet commented on the backlash, and the post remains online as of the latest update. The backstory "Rickrolling" is an internet prank that involves tricking someone into clicking a link they believe is important—only to be redirected to Rick Astley's 1987 song "Never Gonna Give You Up." The meme originated in 2007 and has since become a widespread internet joke, often used for lighthearted trolling. However, the House Judiciary GOP's use of the prank in connection with the Epstein files, a case involving serious crimes and ongoing legal scrutiny, was widely seen as tone-deaf and inappropriate. Critics argue that the meme's use in this context trivializes the gravity of the situation and raises concerns about the committee's professionalism in handling sensitive matters. The Source This report is based on House Judiciary GOP's official X post, community note corrections, and user reactions on social media following the misleading Epstein files link.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How the Released ‘Epstein Files' Disappointed
People carry binders bearing the Justice Department seal and titled "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" outside the White House on Feb. 27, 2025. Credit - Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty Images Members of Congress and far-right influencers had been clamoring for the release of previously classified documents related to the late financier and alleged sex trafficker Jefferey Epstein since President Donald Trump, who had promised during his campaign that he would do so, took office. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Wednesday that Thursday would be the day they'd be waiting for. But after a group of far-right influencers were handed physical binders at the White House—a photo-op-style move some observers called a 'managed disclosure' and others described as 'tasteless'—people online waited for hours to get access to a digital version of the release. So when the X account for the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee posted: 'BREAKING: EPSTEIN FILES RELEASED,' followed by a link, users hoped it would lead them to the anticipated cache of documents. Instead, what clickers got was the music video for Rick Astley's 1987 hit song 'Never Gonna Give You Up.' The prank—a nearly two-decade-old bait-and-switch meme known as 'rickrolling'—enraged observers and has since been taken down. 'Disgusting behavior,' posted Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R., Fla.), who chairs a task force focused on transparency and declassifying federal materials. 'The amount of people hurt by Epstein is not a joke. Whoever posted this is going to get fired.' 'Just a stunning lack of judgment by the people responsible for this account,' said conservative political commentator Matt Walsh on X. 'Little kids were raped and this is how the GOP acts. These people are as guilty as the Epstein client list. This is why it's taken this long to get any progress,' another user posted. TIME has reached out to the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee for comment. The Justice Department eventually did publish the documents online, but it only led to more disappointment when reviewers found that the release was heavily redacted and included information that was already previously made available. Read More: The Biggest Names from Jeffrey Epstein's Unsealed Court Documents Responding to the lack of new information, Luna, the congresswoman, posted on X: 'THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment. GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!' Far-right activist Laura Loomer also raged: 'We were all lied to today,' and she called on Bondi to resign, labeling her a 'total liar.' Loomer said in another post: 'This is absurd. Everyone is laughing at the admin today.' Former MLB pitcher John Rocker, also a conservative, said on X: 'THE EPSTEIN FILE RELEASE TODAY WAS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.' On the other side of the political spectrum, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D., Calif.) referred to the redactions in a post on X. 'You were promised the full Epstein files. You got this,' he said, with a picture of a page of black lines. Other Republicans had more positive things to say. Rep. Nancy Mace (R., S.C.) thanked the Trump Administration for releasing the documents and 'shedding light on this darkness,' adding on X: 'Our hearts ache for the victims of this crime, and we stand alongside them in their quest for justice.' Before the release of the documents, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R., Ga.) said on X that she was 'proud' of the work of Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, and added: 'AG Bondi will release the documents only protecting victim's identity which is the right thing to do. AG Bondi is releasing today everything she currently has. AG Bondi and FBI Director Patel are doing a great job!' Bondi on Thursday claimed the FBI was withholding records she'd requested and instructed Patel to investigate as well as ordered the 'full and complete' files to be delivered to her by Friday. Contact us at letters@
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP Rick-Rolls People Looking for Epstein Files. You Read That Right.
The official social media account for the House Judiciary GOP Rickrolled the Epstein files on Thursday. On the heels of a political stunt in which the Trump administration gifted large binders labeled 'The Epstein Files: Phase One' to a cadre of MAGA influencers, Republicans in office suddenly decided it would be kosher to use the abhorrent sex trafficking case to make a quick joke. '#BREAKING: EPSTEIN FILES RELEASED,' the official X account for the House Judiciary GOP posted alongside a shortened URL that actually directed users to Rick Astley's music video for 'Never Gonna Give You Up.' The disgusting gimmick appalled users on the social media platform, some of whom were shocked that the Republican Party would risk the American public's cybersecurity by sending them down an unknown web address to access highly coveted, classified information. 'Sending the American people to a tiny url that redirects to an unknown destination is a great way to ensure trust in the cybersecurity domain,' posted one user. For years, Jeffrey Epstein orchestrated a child sex trafficking ring in which he raped countless young girls and helped his wealthy and famous affiliates do the same. He allegedly killed himself in a jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. Earlier this week, Attorney General Pam Bondi pledged to release the details of Epstein's flight logs as well as a list of his connections to the public by Thursday, though that still has not happened. 'The 'Epstein Files' are something of a white whale for the QAnon wing of MAGA, as they believe that its release would reveal the villainous liberal cabal that secretly coordinates international child sex trafficking,' wrote The New Republic's Malcolm Ferguson. 'Many in the conspiracy community believe that Epstein's death—and the botched release of this list—is part of a greater 'deep state' coverup.' So the White House's gag earlier in the day, unsurprisingly, ruffled feathers on the far-right. After some MAGA talking heads—including DC Draino's Rogan O'Handley, Libs of TikTok's Chaya Raichik, Liz Wheeler, and Mike Cernovich—refused to share the contents of the binders after waltzing out of the executive office, others on the right were left screaming and scrambling online for actual details related to Epstein's activities. 'THERE ARE NO EPSTEIN FILES!!!' Laura Loomer claimed on X. 'THE BINDERS ARE PROPS. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE RIGHT WING PAID INFLUENCERS LIED TO ALL OF YOU TODAY! THEY ENGAGED IN DECEPTION TO RUN COVER FOR PEDOPHILES!!! THEY POSTED SELFIES WITH PROP BINDERS! LIARS AND DECEIVERS.'
