Latest news with #Epstein-linked
7NEWS
31-07-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Giuffre family demands answers after Trump says Epstein ‘stole' Virginia from Mar-a-Lago
Donald Trump's admission that Epstein recruited Virginia Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago has sparked outrage from her family, who are now demanding answers about what he knew and when. Speaking aboard Air Force One, the president told reporters that Epstein 'stole' Ms Giuffre from the Mar-a-Lago spa when she was just 16. 'Everyone knows the people who were taken,' Mr Trump said. 'People were taken out of the spa hired by him… And then not too long after that, he did it again. And I said, 'Out of here.'' But the family of Ms Giuffre, who lived in WA before she tragically took her own life, has issued a furious response. 'It was shocking to hear President Trump invoke our sister and say that he was aware that Virginia had been 'stolen' from Mar-a-Lago,' the family said in a statement. 'It makes us ask if he was aware of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal actions, especially given his statement two years later that his good friend Jeffrey 'likes women on the younger side... no doubt about it.'' The comments have sparked renewed scrutiny of Mr Trump's long-denied ties to Epstein and his inner circle, including whether his administration sought to downplay any connection. Mr Trump has previously claimed he 'never had the privilege of going to (Epstein's) island' and insisted Democrats planted his name in case files. But Florida's former attorney general Pam Bondi reportedly told Mr Trump that his name appears 'multiple times' in Epstein-linked documents. Ms Giuffre, who died at the age of 41 in April, was one of the most vocal survivors to speak out about Epstein and Ms Maxwell's trafficking operation. She maintained she was recruited into the ring while working as a locker room attendant at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. Mr Trump officially severed ties with Epstein in 2004. Over the years, he's attributed the falling-out to everything from Epstein being 'a creep' to a dispute over a Palm Beach property. His latest remarks, however, raise new questions about what he knew and when. The Ms Giuffre family also lashed out at Congress over ongoing moves to allow Ms Maxwell to testify about Epstein's network, calling her 'a monster who deserves to rot in prison for the rest of her life.' 'If our sister could speak today, she would be most angered by the fact that the government is listening to a known perjurer,' their statement continued. 'A woman who repeatedly lied under oath and will continue to do so as long as it benefits her position.' Ms Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence, met with Justice Department officials last week. She is scheduled to testify before Congress on August 11, though a request for immunity has already been denied.
Perth Now
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Trump's Epstein claim sparks Virginia Giuffre family outrage
Donald Trump's admission that Epstein recruited Virginia Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago has sparked outrage from her family, who are now demanding answers about what he knew and when. Speaking aboard Air Force One, the president told reporters that Epstein 'stole' Ms Giuffre from the Mar-a-Lago spa when she was just 16. 'Everyone knows the people who were taken,' Mr Trump said. 'People were taken out of the spa hired by him… And then not too long after that, he did it again. And I said, 'Out of here.'' But the family of Ms Giuffre, who lived in WA before she tragically took her own life, has issued a furious response. 'It was shocking to hear President Trump invoke our sister and say that he was aware that Virginia had been 'stolen' from Mar-a-Lago,' the family said in a statement. 'It makes us ask if he was aware of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal actions, especially given his statement two years later that his good friend Jeffrey 'likes women on the younger side... no doubt about it.'' The comments have sparked renewed scrutiny of Mr Trump's long-denied ties to Epstein and his inner circle, including whether his administration sought to downplay any connection. Mr Trump has previously claimed he 'never had the privilege of going to (Epstein's) island' and insisted Democrats planted his name in case files. But Florida's former attorney general Pam Bondi reportedly told Mr Trump that his name appears 'multiple times' in Epstein-linked documents. Ms Giuffre, who died at the age of 41 in April, was one of the most vocal survivors to speak out about Epstein and Ms Maxwell's trafficking operation. She maintained she was recruited into the ring while working as a locker room attendant at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. Mr Trump officially severed ties with Epstein in 2004. Over the years, he's attributed the falling-out to everything from Epstein being 'a creep' to a dispute over a Palm Beach property. His latest remarks, however, raise new questions about what he knew and when. The Ms Giuffre family also lashed out at Congress over ongoing moves to allow Ms Maxwell to testify about Epstein's network, calling her 'a monster who deserves to rot in prison for the rest of her life.' 'If our sister could speak today, she would be most angered by the fact that the government is listening to a known perjurer,' their statement continued. 'A woman who repeatedly lied under oath and will continue to do so as long as it benefits her position.' Ms Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence, met with Justice Department officials last week. She is scheduled to testify before Congress on August 11, though a request for immunity has already been denied.
West Australian
31-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Giuffre family demands answers after Trump says Epstein ‘stole' Virginia from Mar-a-Lago
Donald Trump's admission that Epstein recruited Virginia Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago has sparked outrage from her family, who are now demanding answers about what he knew and when. Speaking aboard Air Force One, the president told reporters that Epstein 'stole' Ms Giuffre from the Mar-a-Lago spa when she was just 16. 'Everyone knows the people who were taken,' Mr Trump said. 'People were taken out of the spa hired by him… And then not too long after that, he did it again. And I said, 'Out of here.'' But the family of Ms Giuffre, who lived in WA before she tragically took her own life, has issued a furious response. 'It was shocking to hear President Trump invoke our sister and say that he was aware that Virginia had been 'stolen' from Mar-a-Lago,' the family said in a statement. 'It makes us ask if he was aware of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal actions, especially given his statement two years later that his good friend Jeffrey 'likes women on the younger side... no doubt about it.'' The comments have sparked renewed scrutiny of Mr Trump's long-denied ties to Epstein and his inner circle, including whether his administration sought to downplay any connection. Mr Trump has previously claimed he 'never had the privilege of going to (Epstein's) island' and insisted Democrats planted his name in case files. But Florida's former attorney general Pam Bondi reportedly told Mr Trump that his name appears 'multiple times' in Epstein-linked documents. Ms Giuffre, who died at the age of 41 in April, was one of the most vocal survivors to speak out about Epstein and Ms Maxwell's trafficking operation. She maintained she was recruited into the ring while working as a locker room attendant at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. Mr Trump officially severed ties with Epstein in 2004. Over the years, he's attributed the falling-out to everything from Epstein being 'a creep' to a dispute over a Palm Beach property. His latest remarks, however, raise new questions about what he knew and when. The Ms Giuffre family also lashed out at Congress over ongoing moves to allow Ms Maxwell to testify about Epstein's network, calling her 'a monster who deserves to rot in prison for the rest of her life.' 'If our sister could speak today, she would be most angered by the fact that the government is listening to a known perjurer,' their statement continued. 'A woman who repeatedly lied under oath and will continue to do so as long as it benefits her position.' Ms Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence, met with Justice Department officials last week. She is scheduled to testify before Congress on August 11, though a request for immunity has already been denied.
The Hill
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Massie: DOJ ‘hiding behind' victim protection in Epstein controversy
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on Sunday accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of 'hiding behind' the argument of protecting victims as it faces calls to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 'The Department of Justice says they will not be releasing further Epstein material in order to protect what they say is more than 1,000 victims, many of whom were underage,' NBC News's Kristen Welker said during an interview with Massie Sunday on 'Meet the Press.' 'I want to read you a little bit of a DOJ memo which writes, quote, 'Sensitive information relating to these victims is intertwined throughout the materials. One of our highest priorities is combatting child exploitation and bringing justice to victims. Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither one of those ends.' What is your response to the concern that releasing these files could ultimately hurt the victims, Congressman Massie?' Welker asked. 'Well, look, that's a straw man. Ro and I carefully crafted this legislation so that the victims' names will be redacted and that no child pornography will be released. So, they're hiding behind that,' Massie responded, referring to an effort he and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are undertaking to force a vote in Congress on releasing Epstein-linked files. 'But we're trying to get justice for the victims and transparency for America,' the Kentucky Republican added in an interview highlighted by Mediaite. 'And so, you know, we've redacted things before. We don't want to hurt the victims. We're doing this for the victims.' President Trump and his administration have been facing heavy criticism over their handling of information related to Epstein in recent weeks, with the controversy also causing chaos in Congress. Last Wednesday, the House broke for its weeks-long August recess, shutting down a day earlier than planned as the Epstein controversy brought the chamber to a standstill.
NDTV
23-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Do It": Bernie Sanders Urges Trump To Release 'Promised' Epstein Files
President Donald Trump is "lying to the American people", and he must fulfil his long-standing promise to release the full Jeffrey Epstein files, US Senator Bernie Sanders has said. "During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump said very clearly that he would release the Epstein files. My response, Mr President, do it," the lawmaker said in a video posted to X. The Senator added, "Jeffrey Epstein was an extremely wealthy guy who hung out with some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in our country and the world, including Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, multiple billionaires, and Donald Trump." "Hiding whatever [Trump] is hiding with the Epstein files is not the first time, to say the least, that he has lied to the American people," Sanders added. Addressing the President again, he said, "Do what you promised the American people you would do and stop trying to deflect attention away from what you promised. Be transparent, the way you promised you would be. Tell the truth like you promised." My thoughts on the Epstein files: — Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) July 22, 2025 The rebuke follows recent revelations that the US government may be sitting on over $1.5 billion in suspicious Epstein-linked wire transfers, as disclosed by Senator Ron Wyden. Senator Dick Durbin has alleged that the FBI redacted or suppressed Trump-related content in its internal Epstein case reviews. Survivors, lawmakers, and advocates are demanding that the DOJ interview Ghislaine Maxwell and unseal remaining documents. The DOJ and FBI recently claimed that no "client list" exists. Sanders said Trump promised that his " big beautiful bill" would not touch Medicaid, yet the administration is now pushing legislation that would strip "17 million Americans" of coverage. The cuts, he argued, are part of an economic agenda that hands a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the top 1 per cent and $900 billion to major corporations. According to Sanders, Trump "is making his very rich friends much richer while making life harder for working families." He also accused Trump of damaging the core values of American democracy. Sanders said Trump is ignoring Congress, refusing to spend money already approved for housing, education, and other basic needs, and dismissing court decisions he doesn't like. He added that Trump was targeting universities that taught things he disagreed with and going after law firms that represented people he didn't support. "He doesn't like a free press, and he doesn't want criticism. He has sued ABC, Meta, the Wall Street Journal, and CBS, and he has cut funding for PBS and NPR," Sanders claimed. The senator ended by saying, "Enough is enough. Too many Americans have fought and died to defend freedom and democracy, to defend the First Amendment and the right to dissent. That is what makes America great. Whether Donald Trump likes it or not, we are and will remain a government of the people, by the people and for the people, not a country run by a bunch of billionaire oligarchs who want to move this country to an authoritarian society."
