DOJ to meet with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell
Related video: House panel moves to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell
It’s Tuesday. I have some great news: Production has begun for the next season of Apple TV’s “Ted Lasso”!
In today's issue:
- DOJ official to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell
- Epstein scandal grinds House to a halt
- White House boots WSJ from pool
- Colbert roasts CBS over show cancellation
- Lara Trump releases a song
?️ THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN SAGA
Trump officials push to speak with Epstein’s right-hand woman:
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Tuesday he expects to meet with convicted sex trafficker and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell “in the coming days.”
It's a stunning turn, coming weeks after the Justice Department (DOJ) put out a memo arguing the Epstein case was essentially closed. GOP lawmakers and MAGA allies have rejected that memo and maintained calls for more information.
Why now?: It appears the Trump administration is feeling the pressure of the mounting scandal. According to Blanche, the DOJ is now meeting with Maxwell to ask her, “What do you know?”
? Plus: A House panel just voted to subpoena Maxwell. What we know
Maxwell is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence after being convicted of sex trafficking charges.
How did this meeting come about?: Blanche said Attorney General Pam Bondi directed him to do so. Bondi has been facing rising scrutiny over her agency’s memo earlier this month, which refuted years of MAGA World theories questioning whether he died by suicide or had a “client list.”
Bondi has defended her agency's handling of the Epstein case and shared Blanche's statement about the Maxwell outreach to her X account Tuesday.
“President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence. If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say,” the statement read.
"Get it," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote in response.
Just now — Trump was asked about this Maxwell meeting: “I don’t know anything about it,” Trump said while speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, adding, "I think it’s something that sounds appropriate to do.”
Has Maxwell agreed to this meeting?: Maxwell’s attorney indicated today that she is open to a meeting.
Keep in mind: Earlier this year, Maxwell asked the Supreme Court to review her case. Just last week, the DOJ had urged the court to reject that appeal. Now, the DOJ is requesting a meeting with Maxwell herself.
What would Trump like to talk about? Quite literally *anything else*:
Sports, Obama, Hillary Clinton, his six-month workiversary…
The Epstein saga is taking up much of the oxygen in Washington, much to President Trump’s chagrin.
The chaos has brought the House to a halt for the second week in a row, forcing GOP leadership to throw out many of their plans for their last week in Washington before the August recess.
Democrats are threatening to force politically tough votes for Republicans. Instead of facing those votes, Republicans are opting to just simply abandon all floor business. In fact, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) just canceled Thursday’s votes — shutting down the House until September.
Tidbit: Check out ?this quote from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on Johnson’s handling of the Epstein scandal. ?
Meanwhile, the president’s Truth Social feed has been active and vibrant with attempts to shut down the mentions of the scandal.
Trump tried to steer the news cycle toward low-hanging fruit that is cherry-picked for his “anti-woke” base:
- Trump is pulling the U.S. from UNESCO, citing its diversity, equity and inclusion policies and its anti-America and anti-Israel leanings.
- Trump wants to rebrand the Washington Commanders name back to the “Redskins.” He took it one step further over the weekend, threatening to block plans for a new stadium for the team “if they don’t change the name back.”
He has repeatedly dismissed the scandal as the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax” and has dismissed any alleged ties on MAGA World’s favorite boogeymen: Former President Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Russia investigation.
In fact, he just pivoted a question about Epstein into an attack on Obama while speaking to reporters.
➤ ?COCA-COLA CONFIRMS TRUMP’S #SCOOP:
Coca-Cola announced in its earnings report today it will launch a cane sugar version of its signature soda in the United States. Trump credits himself with this change. Last week, Trump said he had been speaking to Coca-Cola about using cane sugar, but the company didn’t confirm the announcement until this morning.
➤ ? HUNTER BIDEN GIVES TRUMP A NICE GIFT:
Former President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, has been on a media blitz. He appeared on two podcasts where he delivered scathing criticisms of the Democratic Party. He bashed several members of the political elite by name (!) “F‑‑‑ him. F‑‑‑ him. F‑‑‑ him and everybody around him,” Hunter Biden said of actor George Clooney.
? IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Who got the Oval Office invite today?:
President Trump is meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House right now — after levying a 20 percent tariff on his country beginning on Aug. 1.
He took questions from reporters in the Oval Office. He is hopeful there could be a trade deal between the U.S. and the Philippines.
Oh, and: Trump also said he plans to visit China in “the not too distant future” after the Chinese president invited him.
It’s a tense time to be in the media:
The White House has banned The Wall Street Journal from covering Trump’s upcoming overseas trip amid its feud with the newspaper over its recent reporting on the president’s past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed to the Journal’s “fake and defamatory conduct” in a statement to The Hill.
The New York Times came to the Journal’s defense: The Times released a blistering statement condemning the White House’s decision as “simple retribution.”
Plus: NPR’s top editor, Edith Chapin, told staff today that she will be leaving the news outlet. This comes just days after Congress voted to defund public radio and television.
And then there’s the CBS drama: Late-night host Stephen Colbert tore into CBS and its parent company over its decision to cancel his show, “The Late Show.” The network said it was for financial reasons, but Colbert pointed to its settlement with President Trump.
“Over the weekend, it sunk in that they’re killing our show. But they made one mistake,” Colbert said. “They left me alive.” ? Watch Monday night’s cold open
➤ LIGHTER TIDBIT — HOW TRUMP HAS REDESIGNED THE WHITE HOUSE:
USA Today’s Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy writes, “How Trump’s personal aesthetic is redefining White House décor.” Trump picked the design elements himself.
Excerpt: “Gold-colored appliqués on the fireplace, gilded mirrors and ornate Rococo-style 18th and 19th century dessert stands and flower vases from London and France sit on the mantle. The walls are choc-a-block with paintings of former presidents in heavily ornate gold frames. The Cabinet Room has been outfitted with new ceiling medallions and a grandfather clock. ‘I picked it all myself,’ he said. ‘I'm very proud of it.’”
COMING UP
The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST)
This week: The Federal Reserve’s banking regulation conference. What to watch
2 p.m.: State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce briefs reporters. ?Livestream
4:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. ?Today’s agenda
7 p.m.: Trump participates in a reception with Republican members of Congress.
? INTERNET BUZZ
? Celebrate: Today is National Mango Day.
? I’m still salty about this: Beginning on Jan. 27, Southwest Airlines passengers will be assigned seats.
? New single just dropped: Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) dropped a new single titled, “Eyes of God.” ? Listen to a preview
? AND FINALLY…
To leave you with a moment of zen, I’d like to introduce you to this cat’s best spot for sunbathing.
