Latest news with #POTUS
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Jeffrey Epstein introduced Melania to Trump? President's longtime biographer makes startling claim
At a time when the Jeffrey Epstein morass surrounding Donald Trump is deepening amid growing defiance by some Republicans, US President's longtime biographer Michael Wolff has re-ignited controversy. He claimed that the late disgraced financer played a key role in introducing Melania Trump to her future husband. Wolff, in a startling claim, stated that long before she became the First Lady of the United States (POTUS)- Melania Knauss- she was "very involved" in convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's social circle, and that is how she was introduced to Donald Trump. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Others MCA Public Policy Degree Project Management Operations Management others Product Management healthcare Leadership Data Analytics Finance Artificial Intelligence Technology CXO Data Science Design Thinking Cybersecurity Management MBA Digital Marketing PGDM Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details ALSO READ: Social Security eyes massive reform in US: New policy could hit 3.4 million Americans this month Melania and Jeffrey Epstein link revealed? Speaking on The Daily Beast podcast, Michael Wolff claimed that Melania was introduced to Trump through Paolo Zampolli , founder of ID Models, who helped Melania move to the US. They met in 1998. Zampolli, who had ties with both Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, played a key role in helping Melania immigrate to the US. "Where does [Melania] fit into the Epstein story? Where does she fit into this, into this whole culture of models of indeterminate age?" Wolff asked. "So this is another complicated dimension in this." Live Events "She's introduced by a model agent, both of whom Trump and Epstein are involved with. Epstein knew her well. She's introduced to Trump that way. Epstein [knew] her well," Michael Wolff said. ALSO READ: As Covid surge sparks alarm in US, Trump admin's big step worries local governments. What you need to know Melania was part of the same modelling and social circles frequented by both Trump and Epstein, he added. He also questioned Melania's ties to what he called a 'culture of models of indeterminate age.' Epstein spoke at length about Trump with the author Michael Wolff in August 2017, two years before being found dead in his jail cell and the recordings cast more light on Trump's long relationship with Epstein, The Daily Beast said in a report. What has Melania Trump said? The US First Lady has denied the Epstein link. Last week, she shared an excerpt from her bestselling memoir 'Melania', writing that she met Trump at New York City's Kit Kat Club, not through Epstein. In her book, Melania describes how Trump, already twice divorced, was there with a date but spent the evening talking to her. 'It was a refreshing departure from the usual superficial small talk,' she writes. ALSO READ: Dr Vinay Prasad's FDA exit in less than 3 months linked to Sarepta gene therapy controversy? Check details Wolff also described the first lady as someone who prefers to remain out of the spotlight. "She never is by his side," he said. Despite Trump's efforts to distance himself from Epstein, a photo from 2000 shows Donald and Melania at Mar-a-Lago alongside Epstein and Maxwell. Epstein himself once claimed that he introduced the couple. Donald Trump's links to Jeffrey Epstein came to the spotlight after The Wall Street Journal reported that attorney general Pam Bondi told Trump during a May briefing that his name had come up in justice department files connected to Epstein. Amid growing attention on the Epstein case, the Trump administration has faced renewed scrutiny after a July 6 memo from the Justice Department and FBI said that no "client list" exists. Last Tuesday, the Department of Justice sought an interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, the former accomplice of Epstein, currently in jail. She was convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking minors on behalf of the disgraced billionaire, who died in custody in 2019.
India.com
21 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Trump Announces US-Pakistan Oil Deal, Suggests India Sales Amidst New Tariffs, BRICS Criticism
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled a new energy pact with Pakistan, saying the United States will assist the South Asian country in developing its "massive" oil reserves. In a remarkable statement, he also hinted that Pakistan could potentially sell oil to India. The news broke through a post on President Trump's social media site, Truth Social, and came shortly after his administration had imposed 25% tariffs on India and an unspecified fine for New Delhi continuing to buy energy from Russia. "We have just made a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, in which Pakistan and the United States will join together to develop their enormous Oil Reserves," wrote President Trump. "We are in the process of selecting the Oil Company which will head this Partnership. Maybe they will be selling Oil to India someday!" US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) posts, "We are very busy in the White House today working on Trade Deals. I have spoken to the Leaders of many Countries, all of whom want to make the United States 'extremely happy.' I will be meeting with the South Korean Trade Delegation this… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 31, 2025 Busy Day At The White House In the same lengthy post, President Trump outlined a "very busy" day at the White House devoted to trade deals. He stated that he had spoken with leaders from many countries, who all wanted to make the U.S. "extremely happy" by presenting tariffs reductions. "I am going to be seeing the South Korean Trade Delegation this afternoon. South Korea is currently at a 25% Tariff, but they have a bid to purchase down those Tariffs. I will be looking to see what that bid is," Trump tweeted, suggesting additional trade deals with the goal of significantly lowering the U.S. trade deficit. A complete report on these events will be made "at the appropriate time." Negotiations With India Continue Amid BRICS Criticism Hours after stating the new tariffs on India, President Trump said that trade talks with New Delhi are ongoing and clarified that clarity is expected by the "end of this week." He was also severely discontented with India's membership in the BRICS group of 11 emerging economies, calling it "basically a group of countries that are anti-United States. "It's an attack on the dollar, and we are not going to allow anyone to attack the dollar. So it's partly BRICS and partly trade," Trump said when probed by a journalist based on the tariffs. This suggests that India's geopolitical alignments, particularly its energy relationship with Russia and its membership in BRICS, are significant factors influencing the U.S. trade stance.
Mint
a day ago
- Politics
- Mint
'We will deny your Visa, if...': US Embassy's BIG warning against birth tourism
US Visa: Amid the US Department's tightening of its visa policies, the US Mission to Nigeria has issued a stern warning that visa applications will be cancelled if applicants are found travelling to US primarily to give birth in the US for citizenship purposes. 'Using your visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States so that your child will have US citizenship is not permitted. Consular officers will deny your visa application if they have reason to believe this is your intent,' the US Mission to Nigeria announced, in a social media post. Birth tourism in the US refers to the practice where foreign nationals travel to the country to give birth so that their off springs get direct US citizenship, as per the rights granted by the 14th Amendment. The US Mission to Nigeria's latest post warns people against indulging in the practice. Donald Trump has previously voiced concerns against the misuse of 14th Amendment rights for birth tourism. During his first term, the POTUS had issued a fact sheet titled 'President Donald J. Trump Is Taking Action to End Birth Tourism, Protect National Security, and Curb the Abuse of Public Resources' which strongly criticised the practice of birth tourism. 'The Administration is taking action to end 'birth tourism' – a practice in which aliens travel to the United States with the purpose of giving birth to gain citizenship for their children. Organizations bring in large numbers of aliens to systematically exploit this loophole and unfairly provide citizenship for their children,' reads the official notice now available on the archives of the official White House website. The Donald Trump administration is also planning to overhaul the H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers, aiming to replace it with a more weighted and wage-linked selection process. The proposed changes aim to give preference to certain applicants based on additional criteria—potentially including wages—thereby benefiting highly-skilled and higher-paid professionals.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Trump to grant Sean Diddy a pardon? Here's what we know ahead of October sentencing
US President Donald Trump is 'seriously considering' granting disgraced rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs a complete presidential pardon before the convicted Bad Boy Records founder is sentenced later this year. In May, Trump mentioned Diddy used to like him alot, but he has not seen him or spoken to him in years. Speaking to Deadline, a Trump administration source said that a full get-out-of-jail card for Diddy is being 'seriously considered,' for nearly two months after Trump openly discussed the idea of a his pardon in an Oval Office gaggle. Moreover, other insiders confirm that since Combs was found partially guilty in his NYC sex-trafficking trial earlier this month, the subject has escalated from 'just another Trump weave to an actionable event,' as multiple supporters of the heavily the currently imprisoned rapper have been pitching the White House. Charges against Diddy and all about his sentence Diddy, 55, was convicted of two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, but was found not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering earlier this month. Combs, who is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3, faces a maximum term of ten years in jail. Trump even hinted in May that he was amenable to the concept of a presidential pardon, which has been discussed from the start of Combs' trial. Also Read: US warns its citizens against tsunami threats in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu; 'Be prepared to…' Here's what Trump said in May on Diddy pardon When questioned about the issue in the Oval Office in May, Trump acknowledged, 'I know people are thinking about it,' but added that no one has asked for the pardon yet. He mentioned that Diddy used to like him alot, but he has not seen him or spoken to him in years. 'I think when I ran for politics he sort of, that relationship busted up from what I read. I don't know. He didn't tell me that, but I'd read some nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden.' 'So, I don't know. I would certainly look at the facts. if I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me it wouldn't have any impact,' the POTUS said. Combs' lawyers are contesting his pre-sentencing confinement, arguing that his actions were consensual and hence he doesn't deserve detention. They call his imprisonment excessive and against Department of Justice policy, claiming that no other person in America has ever been imprisoned under the Mann Act for comparable acts.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Trump denounces NYC shooting as ‘senseless' violence by ‘crazed lunatic', issues message for victims' families
President Donald Trump responded to the Monday night shooting at Blackstone's New York headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, which claimed four lives. President Donald Trump reacted to NYC shooting that claimed four lives. Taking to Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump, who is in Scotland, informed that he has been updated about the tragic shooting that took place in Manhattan, 'a place that I know and love.' 'I trust our Law Enforcement Agencies to get to the bottom of why this crazed lunatic committed such a senseless act of violence,' he wrote. Shooter Shane Tamura, 27, entered the office building at 345 Park Avenue and opened fire with an M4 rifle, killing a woman in the lobby and a security guard. He also killed Wesley LePatner, a 43-year-old senior managing director at Blackstone, and NYPD officer Didarul Islam. Expressing grief over the killing of four people, the POTUS stated, 'My heart is with the families of the four people who were killed, including the NYPD Officer, who made the ultimate sacrifice.' Islam, a 36-year-old NYPD police officer, is survived by two young sons, and his wife is expecting their third child. 'God Bless the New York Police Department, and God Bless New York!' he concluded. Also Read: What is CTE? NYC shooting suspect Shane Devon Tamura's note says 'Study my brain please' Tamura leaves behind a chilling note The shooting spree came to an end after Tamura took his own life. Following his death, police reportedly found a note, in which the suspected shooter blasted NFL and opened up about his chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) diagnosis. 'Study my brain please I'm sorry Tell Rick I'm sorry for everything,' the note read. According to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Tamura had a "documented mental health history" despite being a standout football player in high school. Officials verified that he travelled from Las Vegas to New York to carry out his planned attack. However, his motive is being investigated by the police. Trump to fly back to Washington Meanwhile, Trump's post on social media came on the last day of a five-day golf vacation at his two Scottish resorts. He took part in a brief ceremony to inaugurate a new 18-hole course at his Aberdeen property on Tuesday. He is anticipated to complete an 18-hole round on his new course before heading back to Washington later Tuesday.
