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Egypt Independent
a day ago
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Trump's AI plan: Pull back restraints on tech
New York CNN — The Trump administration on Wednesday unveiled its AI action plan, a package of initiatives and policy recommendations meant to cement the United States as a global leader in a technology that's expected to be as influential as the internet itself. The White House largely seeks to achieve that lofty, Silicon Valley-friendly goal through scaling back AI regulation — with a notable, MAGA-friendly exception that will work to eliminate political 'bias' in AI. The plan includes three pillars: accelerating innovation, building out AI infrastructure in the United States and making American hardware and software the 'standard' platform for AI innovations built around the world. The plan also recommends that large language models procured by the federal government are 'objective and free from top-down ideological bias,' according to a 28-page plan published by the White House Wednesday. It's the Trump administration's latest push to expand AI infrastructure and investments in the United States and serves as another indication that staying ahead of China in AI is a top priority for the administration. 'It's a global competition now to lead in artificial intelligence,' said White House AI Czar David Sacks on a conference call with reporters Wednesday morning. 'AI is a revolutionary technology that's going to have profound ramifications for both the economy and for national security, so it is just very important that America continue to be the dominant power in AI.' The announcement came before Trump outlined his AI plans during an event in Washington Wednesday evening called Winning the AI Race. The event was hosted by the 'All-in Podcast,' a show about business and politics co-hosted by Sacks among other industry figures, and the Hill & Valley Forum, a group that hosts a tech and policy conference founded by Jacob Helberg, previously a commissioner for the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and investors Delian Asparouhov and Christian Garrett. 'Whether we like it or not, we're suddenly engaged in a fast-paced competition to build and define this groundbreaking technology that will determine so much about the future of civilization itself,' Trump said at the event. 'America is the country that started the AI race. And as president of the United States, I'm here today to declare that America is going to win it.' Trump also expanded on his desire to limit restrictions and regulations on AI development, saying the industry is 'a beautiful baby that's born.' 'We have to grow that baby and let that baby thrive. We can't stop it. We can't stop it with politics, we can't stop it with foolish rules,' Trump said, although he added that he doesn't like the name 'artificial intelligence' because 'I don't like anything that's artificial.' The action plan The plan involves removing what administration officials described as 'bureaucratic red tape' to AI development and is based on recommendations from the private sector, as well as academia and civil society groups, White House officials said. It also calls for streamlining permitting for data centers, semiconductor manufacturing facilities and energy infrastructure. And the government will partner with US tech companies to make 'full stack AI export packages' — AI models, hardware and software — available to American ally countries. That's in an effort to make US technology the global standard, something Silicon Valley leaders have called for to ensure the United States remains an AI leader. Michael Krastios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology, said on the conference call that all policies outlined in the action plan can be executed in the next six months to a year. Lawmakers and tech leaders have been divided on how AI should be regulated, highlighting the struggle to balance safety with speed. Soon after taking office, Trump repealed a sweeping executive order passed by former President Joe Biden that sought to implement some safeguards around AI development and use. More recently, the US Senate voted on July 1 to remove a provision from Republicans' sweeping domestic policy legislation, for example, that would have prevented states from enforcing AI-related laws for 10 years. Tech leaders have argued that state-level rules or a patchwork of regulation could slow innovation and deployment. But those who opposed the provision worried that it would hamper efforts to keep AI safe and hold tech companies accountable. However, the AI action plan recommends that the federal government 'consider a state's AI regulatory climate' when considering how to distribute federal funding for AI-related programs. At the Wednesday evening event, Trump went even further, saying, 'we have to have a single federal standard, not 50 different states regulating this industry … you can't have a state with standards that are so high it's going to hold you up.' David Sacks, the White House AI and Crypto Czar, speaks to press outside of the White House on March 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. Sacks spoke about the executive order on Crypto and U.S. Digital Asset have criticized the Trump Administration's agenda for prioritizing the interests of the tech industry over AI safety, in the face of concerns about AI taking jobs or harming children, among others. A coalition of privacy advocates, labor unions and other organizations are calling for a People's Action Plan to counter the Trump administration's proposals. Its signatories include the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the Writers Guild of America East and research institute the AI Now Institute. A senior White House official said that more than 10,000 responses from 'diverse' individuals and sectors were submitted in the White House's request for information to inform the plan. The plan recommends updating federal procurement guidelines so the government contracts only with large language model developers that 'ensure their systems are objective and free from top-down ideological bias.' But experts have said enforcing such a rule could be challenging since it's unclear what the definition of 'bias' is. That could also slow down innovation, because tech companies looking to secure government contracts will likely have new guidelines to adhere to. 'This type of thing, which creates all kinds of concerns and liability and complexity for the people developing these models — all of a sudden they have to slow down,' said Oren Etzioni, former CEO of the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, a Seattle-based nonprofit research institute. Investing in AI Wednesday's plan follows a series of AI and tech-related investments and announcements from private businesses made throughout Trump's second term thus far. On July 15, the president announced an investment of more than $90 billion from companies across tech, energy and finance to turn Pennsylvania into a hub for artificial intelligence. He kicked off his second term with a $500 billion AI infrastructure project called Stargate, which involves a collaboration between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison. U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on AI infrastructure, next to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the Roosevelt room at White House in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2025. Carlos Barria/Reuters He also said he would roll back Biden-era AI export restrictions on AI chips, and Nvidia was recently allowed to resume selling its H20 AI chips to China. More broadly, Trump has been pressuring tech giants to expand their US operations in a bid to bring back US manufacturing, create jobs and reduce reliance on China for tech production, although experts have been skeptical that such efforts will be successful. He's touted investments from companies like Apple and TSMC as political victories, although it's possible that at least some of those plans were in place regardless of Trump's push. Collaboration between the tech industry and the White House isn't new; it's happened under the Biden administration and long before then. But tech CEOs have been noticeably present through Trump's first six months in office. Tech giants and the White House have come together over a shared goal: Staying ahead of China's AI ambitions. Chinese startup DeepSeek rattled the markets and Silicon Valley earlier this year with its powerful yet supposedly cheap-to-train R1 model, sparking concern that China may be further ahead than expected. The challenge of maintaining an edge in AI while prioritizing safety has come up on Capitol Hill before; tech leaders from Microsoft, OpenAI, CoreWeave and AMD addressed the issue in a Senate committee hearing in May. 'The number one factor that will define whether the United States or China wins this race is whose technology is most broadly adopted in the rest of the world,' Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith said during that hearing.
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
The fight to keep space shuttle Discovery at the Smithsonian: L.A. arts and culture this weekend
The Smithsonian Institution has faced pressure from President Trump since March when he issued his 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History' executive order, which demanded an end to federal funding for exhibitions and programs based on racial themes that 'divide Americans.' Amid Trump's headline-grabbing gambits to remake the landscape of American arts and culture into a more MAGA-friendly image, another challenge to the Smithsonian flew largely under the radar. In early April, Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz introduced the Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act, which proposed to move the space shuttle Discovery from the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to a spot near NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The act was folded into President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which Trump signed into law on July 4. NASA gifted the Discovery to the Smithsonian in 2012 and it has been in Virginia ever since. Discovery launched on its maiden voyage in 1984 and flew 39 Earth-orbital missions — more than any other orbiter. The Smithsonian considers it a key part of its collection and issued a statement to Congress objecting to the proposed move. According to the Hill, the statement noted that 'the case against relocating the orbiter Discovery is both philosophical and practical … It would be unprecedented for Congress to remove an object from a Smithsonian collection and send it somewhere else.' In late June, the Houston Business Journal reported that the Smithsonian estimated the cost of moving Discovery to Texas would be between $300 and $400 million, far more than the $85 million cited by Cornyn and Cruz in Trump's massive reconciliation and spending package. Since the passage of of the bill, the fight over Discovery has heated up. Earlier this week, Rep. Joe Morelle, a Democrat from New York, introduced an amendment to keep Discovery at the Smithsonian. The Appropriations Committee agreed to the amendment, which now moves to the Rules Committee before going to the House floor for a vote. 'The forced removal and relocation of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum is inappropriate, wasteful, and wrong. Neither the Smithsonian nor American taxpayers should be forced to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on this misguided effort. I am grateful for the bipartisan support of my colleagues on this amendment and hope we can continue working together throughout the remainder of the Appropriations process to keep a treasured Smithsonian artifact where it belongs,' Morelle said in a statement sent to The Times. The Smithsonian did not respond to a request for comment on the evolving situation, or its quest to keep the Discovery in its collection. I'm arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt, hoping to orbit a positive news cycle someday soon. Here's your arts and culture roundup for this week. The Corpse FlowerThe infamously stinky plant, formally Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum), 'produces the largest unbranched inflorescence in the plant kingdom' and is known for its pungent aroma. 'Green Boy,' one of 43 corpse flowers in the Huntington's collection may have already blossomed by the time you read this, so be sure to check it out as the bloom lasts only 24-48 hours. 'It smells pretty bad,' Brandon Tam, the Huntington's associate curator of orchids,' told Times summer intern Aspen Anderson in her story on the event. But for those who prefer to avoid the full olfactory experience, there's a livestream.10 a.m.–5 p.m., closed Tuesday. The Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Father John MistyJosh Tillman, whose Misty persona was described in a 2017 profile by Times pop music critic Mikael Wood as 'a convivial (if polarizing) chronicler of society's growing absurdity,' is joined by Lucinda Williams and Hamilton Leithauser for an eclectic evening of indie rock and folk.7 p.m. Friday. Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave. Phasmagorica: The Room Between WorldsLimited to nine audiences members at a time, this 'experiential paranormal encounter' proudly boasts that it is not a performance and does not use actors. Instead, sacred geometry, occult methodology, immersive light phenomena and 13 speakers of Dolby Atmos sound produce 'a fully-contained, tactile installation designed to provoke contact.' Guests are guided through a séance featuring spirit communication via arcane instruments and trigger objects, fortune-telling and psychological thresholds.7:30 and 9:15 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer St. Austin Powers triple feature Yeah, baby! The academy's 'Summer of Camp' series continues with the shagadelic trilogy of 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery' (1997), 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me' (1999) and 'Austin Powers in Goldmember' (2002). Director Jay Roach will be in attendance.2 p.m. Saturday. Academy Museum, 6067 Wilshire Blvd. Billy WoodberryThe MOCA Artist Film Series presents the L.A. Rebellion filmmaker's 2016 feature, 'And when I die, I won't stay dead,' a documentary on the life of Beat poet Bob Kaufman. Best known for 'Bless Their Little Hearts' (1983), Woodberry assembled archival footage and photos, interviews with Kaufman's contemporaries, and readings from Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis and others, plus a jazz soundtrack featuring Billie Holiday and Ornette Coleman.3 p.m. Saturday. Museum of Contemporary Art, 250 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Queens of SoulThe peacocks and peahens will not be the only ones strutting and preening at the L.A. County Arboretum when the Pasadena Pops performs this salute to such divas as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Adele and others, featuring hit songs such as 'Respect,' 'Proud Mary, 'I'm Every Woman' and 'Rolling in the Deep.'7:30 p.m. Saturday. L.A. County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Black Pasifika: Deep Sea ProtocolsWriter, relational architect and guerrilla theorist Neema Githere hosts this program exploring the links between climate crisis and technology across Melanesia. Githere will provide context and discuss deep-sea protocols and the consequences of technological accelerationism on sea-stewarding peoples from the Swahili coast to Melanesia with their grandfather, Dr. Gilbert Githere, founder of the Mombasa-Honolulu Sister City society. The filmic essay 'AI: African Intelligence' by Manthia Diawara searches for a more humane and spiritual control of algorithms. Ahead of the program, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., the time-based somatic works 'Oceanic Refractions' and 'Cries From the Moana' will be shown on monitors in LACMA's Smidt Welcome Plaza.6 p.m. Sunday. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd. L.A. Phil at the Hollywood BowlIn a week of debuts, Italian conductor Daniele Rustioni, recently appointed principal guest conductor of the Metropolitan Opera, makes his Los Angeles Philharmonic bow leading the orchestra through Mendelssohn's 'Violin Concerto' (with soloist Veronika Eberle), selections from Berlioz and Liszt, and Respighi's 'Pines of Rome.' Two nights later, former Dudamel Fellow and current Boston Symphony Orchestra assistant conductor Anna Handler makes her first Bowl appearance, leading the Phil in the world premiere of Eunike Tanzil's 'Ode to the City of Dreams,' Mozart's 'Concerto for Flute and Harp' and Richard Strauss' 'Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30.' Mendelssohn, 8 p.m. Tuesday; Tanzil, Mozart and Strauss, 8 p.m. Thursday. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. — Kevin Crust Times art critic Christopher Knight was thrilled to see the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's exhibit 'Realms of the Dharma: Buddhist Art Across Asia.' Currently installed in the temporary exhibition spaces of the Resnick Pavilion, the show consists of roughly 180 objects that have been in storage for years after being boxed up in preparation for the demolition of the museum's original campus and the debut of the new David Geffen Galleries. Catch the exhibit now, before it gets stowed away again, writes Knight, adding that it 'includes some of the most splendid sculptures and paintings' in the museum's permanent collection. Times classical music critic Mark Swed hopped a plane to Austria and headed for the small town of Bregenz, where a major arts festival that attracts more than 250,000 visitors in July and August and boasts a $31-million budget is hosted. The biggest draw at the bustling festival is opera, and the biggest show is a production staged each year on the Seebühne — a massive stage built directly on Lake Constance with bleachers to accommodate an audience of 7,000. 'This year's 'Die Freischütz,' Carl Maria von Weber's early 19th century opera about a huntsman who makes a very bad deal with the devil for a magic bullet, opened last week and runs through Aug. 17,' writes Swed. 'All 27 performances are expected to sell out as usual for the kind of spectacle that exists nowhere else.' Read all about the world-famous technical and artistic extravaganza, here. Johanna Burton is leaving the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, to become the new director of the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania, ICA Philadelphia announced Thursday. Burton became MOCA's first female director in 2021 after its recently named Artistic Director Klaus Biesenbach unceremoniously left his position for a job in Berlin. Burton's departure makes her the fifth director to leave MOCA since 2008. Burton will fill the role at ICA Philadelphia left vacant by Zoë Ryan who exited the museum to take over leadership at the UCLA Hammer Museum in Westwood after its longtime director Ann Philbin retired. MOCA did not respond to a request for comment about Burton's departure. Architect Paul R. Williams' L.A. building, Founders Church of Religious Science, is among five structures across the country picked to receive funding through the Getty Foundation's Conserving Black Modernism Initiative. Announced earlier this week by the foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, the money will support preservation plans for the buildings and further train caretakers in maintenance best practices. Another overarching goal is to increase public awareness of the architects' legacies and the buildings they created. The other four buildings receiving Getty funds are the ITC Administration Building in Atlanta, designed by Edward C. Miller; First Church of Deliverance in Chicago, an adaptive reuse project redesigned by Walter T. Bailey; McKenzie Hall in Eugene, Ore., designed by DeNorval Unthank Jr.; and Vassar College's 2500 New Hackensack building in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., by Jeh Vincent Johnson. Artist Amy Sherald has canceled her upcoming solo show, 'American Sublime,' at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, citing censorship after she was told the museum wanted to exclude a painting featuring a transgender woman holding a torch in a pose meant to evoke the Statue of Liberty. Sherald was told that the museum did not want to provoke a reaction from President Trump, who has brought anti-trans ideals into the federal government. In a statement to the New York Times, Sherald wrote, 'It's clear that institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives played a role.' The Ebell of Los Angeles has named Camille Schenkkan its chief operating officer. The nonprofit organization, which dedicates itself to 'inspiring women and fostering community through arts, culture and education,' was founded in 1894 and occupies one of the city's most storied historic buildings — a campus and theater designed in 1927 by architect Sumner Hunt. Schenkkan arrives at the Ebell from Center Theatre Group, where she served as deputy managing director. Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee introduced a proposal earlier this week to rename the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington after the first lady, Melania Trump. — Jessica Gelt Marlee Matlin shared her favorite Sunday activities with The Times — including a stop for pizza in Eagle Rock (hint: it's a classic). See you there!
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Donald Trump's AI plan gains tech giant support to boost US tech edge in AI race against China
The US President Donald Trump's administration has launched a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy aimed at enhancing US technological leadership while reducing regulatory barriers to AI development. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This AI Action Plan focuses on accelerating data infrastructure, exporting US AI technology stacks, and strengthening global partnerships to counter China's growing AI influence. Major US technology companies—including Palantir, Google, Meta, and Amazon—have welcomed the move, calling it a crucial step toward innovation and economic growth. However, experts caution that while deregulation and technology exports may strengthen US competitiveness, challenges such as ideological bias in AI models and geopolitical concerns over 'AI dominance' remain. What is Donald Trump's AI plan The Trump administration has unveiled a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy aimed at solidifying America's leadership in emerging technologies. This policy, called the AI Action Plan, focuses on reducing regulatory barriers, expanding technological exports, and strengthening global alliances to counter China's rising influence in AI development and governance. The White House aims to accomplish its ambitious, Silicon Valley-aligned vision by loosening regulations on artificial intelligence, while introducing one key MAGA-friendly provision focused on eliminating political 'bias' within AI systems. The strategy is built on three core pillars: accelerating AI innovation, expanding US AI infrastructure, and positioning American hardware and software as the global standard for AI development. Additionally, the plan emphasises that large language models used by federal agencies must remain 'objective and free from top-down ideological bias,' according to the 28‑page document released by the White House on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Donald Trump's AI Policy: Key goals of the AI action plan The newly unveiled policy outlines three major areas of focus: Reducing red tape: The administration aims to simplify regulations and ease permitting for AI infrastructure, including large-scale data centers and energy support systems. Exporting US AI technology: The plan calls for exporting complete AI stacks—hardware, models, software, applications, and standards—to allied nations. Officials argue that meeting global demand will prevent reliance on rival nations' technology. Countering Chinese influence: The policy pledges to actively counter China's growing presence in international AI governance, ensuring that global standards align more closely with US values and innovation priorities. US tech giants welcome Trump's AI plan but warn of challenges in correcting bias The plan received widespread approval from the American tech industry: Palantir Technologies lauded the plan, calling AI 'the birthright of the country that harnessed the atom and put a man on the moon.' NetChoice, a leading industry trade group representing Meta, Amazon, and Google, praised the focus on deregulation and investment in innovation. The group emphasised that streamlined policies would accelerate adoption and commercialization of AI across industries, as reported. A significant aspect of the plan focuses on correcting 'ideological bias' in AI systems. Experts warn, however, that addressing such biases is inherently difficult and may face constitutional challenges under the First Amendment. High-performing language models often need to process sensitive or contested subjects such as climate change, public policy, and social issues, which complicates attempts to create fully 'neutral' systems. Trump's AI dominance plan raises global trust concerns While the plan calls for US 'AI dominance,' experts caution that this language could strain relations with allied countries wary of overdependence on American technology. Vivek Chilukuri, director of the technology and national security program at CNAS, noted that Washington already has significant leverage across the AI stack. He argued for fostering balanced partnerships that respect other nations' sovereignty while promoting US-led innovation. Analysts warn that a purely dominance-oriented approach may evoke concerns similar to existing anxieties around dependence on US cloud providers and digital infrastructure. The Trump administration's AI plan represents a strategic shift toward deregulation and global technology expansion, signaling strong government support for rapid innovation. While this may accelerate US leadership in AI, implementation challenges including managing AI bias, navigating geopolitical sensitivities, and ensuring equitable access to technology will define its success. Experts stress the need for careful execution, emphasising partnerships and responsible AI practices to maintain trust both domestically and internationally. Also Read |
Axios
6 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Oath Keepers founder freed by Trump warns of more Epstein pain
Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right militia group Oath Keepers, warned that President Trump's dismissal of what he's dubbed the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax" will cause "trouble" in the MAGA world. Why it matters: The alarm bells from a man who whose sentence was commuted through Trump's sweeping Jan. 6 clemency echo those from other prominent supporters of the president and MAGA-friendly voices. Rhodes was found guilty of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2023 for his role in the deadly Capitol riot. But he was released from prison earlier this year after the president commuted his sentence in a wave of roughly 1,500 pardons and 14 commutations. Driving the news: "I believe 90% of his own base understands that Epstein was up to something, and we know that's the tip of the iceberg," Rhodes told a group at a Texas event earlier this month, the Daily Beast first reported. He later added, "It's really disheartening to see President Trump just declare that to be a hoax. I don't think it is. And I think it's going to cause him trouble in his own base. It already is." But he also spoke fondly of the president, who he said set him "free." By the numbers: Beyond podcasters' and public figures' opinions, recent polling from Quinnipiac University found that 63% of voters don't approve of the administration's handling of the case. Republicans appeared split, with with 40% approving and 35% disapproving. What they're saying: Reached for comment, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogerssaid that "instead of covering the real news, AXIOS is embarrassingly regurgitating leftwing stories that no Americans care about." She continued, "President Trump is historically popular with the Republican base because he has delivered win after win." Zoom out: In the midst of pervasive headaches over his administration's handling of evidence of the disgraced financier's case, Trump said his attorney general should release"credible" evidence — though he's continued to rage against a so-called "hoax" that his "PAST supporters have bought" into. Some members of the MAGA movement did not take so kindly to that rhetoric. Amid mounting pressure, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi last week to seek the release of grand jury testimony. But even then, he wrote, "This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!" Fighting against the so-called "deep state" is foundational to the MAGA movement, Axios' Tal Axelrod reports, noting the president and his allies stoked the Epstein coals on the right for years. What he's saying: Rhodes — suggesting Trump was protected from the Butler, Pennsylvania, shooting by divine intervention — said he hopes "that he keeps in mind that God saved him for a purpose." "That purpose is to defeat the deep state," he said. "It's not to make great trade deals. It's not to have a great economy. It's not any of that stuff. The real heart and soul of it is to defeat the deep state."
Axios
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Scoop: FBI's Dan Bongino clashes with AG Bondi over handling of Epstein files
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino took a day off from work Friday after clashing at the White House with Attorney General Pam Bondi over their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, four sources familiar with the conflict told Axios. Why it matters: The dispute erupted Wednesday amid the fallout of the administration walking back its claims about Epstein by determining the convicted sex offender didn't have a celebrity "client list," and that he wasn't murdered in his New York City prison cell in 2019. Bongino didn't come to work Friday, leading some insiders to believe he had quit. But administration officials say he's still on the job, even as the internal tension over the Epstein case continues. Zoom in: At the center of the argument: a surveillance video from outside of Epstein's cell that the administration released, saying it was proof no one had entered the room before he killed himself. The 10-hour video had what has widely been called a "missing minute," fueling conspiracy theories in MAGA's online world about a cover-up involving Epstein's death. The "missing minute," authorities say, stemmed from an old surveillance recording system that goes down each day at midnight to reset and record anew. It takes a minute for that process to occur, which effectively means that 60 seconds of every day aren't recorded. Bongino — who had pushed Epstein conspiracy theories as a MAGA-friendly podcast host before President Trump appointed him to help lead the FBI — had found the video and touted it publicly and privately as proof that Epstein actually hadn't been murdered. That conclusion — shared by FBI Director Kash Patel, another conspiracy theorist-turned-insider — angered many in Trump's MAGA base, criticism that increased after Axios first reported the release of the video and a related memo. After the video's "missing minute" was discovered, Bongino was blamed internally for the oversight, according to three sources. Two sources familiar with Bongino's position say he was increasingly displeased with Bondi's handling of the Epstein case because she had publicly overpromised and underdelivered disclosures about an Epstein "client list" that apparently never existed. The intrigue: MAGA influencer Laura Loomer, a Bondi critic, wrote Friday on X that Bongino and Patel were "furious" with the way Bondi had handled the case. Some Trump advisers have criticized Bondi, but Trump "loves Pam and thinks she's great," a senior White House official said. Those witnessing the Wednesday clash between Bondi and Bongino in the White House were Patel, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich. Inside the room: During the meeting, Bongino was confronted about a NewsNation article that said he and Patel wanted more information released about Epstein earlier, but were held back. Bongino denied leaking that idea. "Pam said her piece. Dan said his piece. It didn't end on friendly terms," said one person briefed on the heated discussion. Bongino left angry, the source said. "The fact is, Dan was for releasing the information with the video and had no problem until he got heat online," a senior administration official told Axios. "Bongino found the video with the missing minute. He vouched for it after a 'thorough review,' he said, and he thought this would end the matter. When that didn't work, he lost his mind and ran out of D.C." Said a pro-Bongino source: "Dan is not the bad guy here. He shouldn't take the fall." The big picture: The blowup involving Trump's senior law enforcement officials showed just how much the administration has been rocked by its handling of the Epstein case. At different times, Bondi, Bongino and Patel each have complained to others that they were being unfairly blamed for the Epstein flap, and hung out to dry. Zoom out: Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, joined the administration after gaining prominence as a conservative podcaster with a regular appearances on Fox News. What they're saying: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche weighed in Friday morning on X, saying that he "worked closely with @FBIDirectorKash and @FBIDDBongino on the joint FBI and DOJ memo regarding the Epstein Files. All of us signed off on the contents of the memo and the conclusions stated in the memo." "The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo's composition and release is patently false."
