Donald Trump will be hoping for a bit of peace and quiet in Scotland after the last few weeks… but we expect protesters will have other ideas
Anyone who has studied, or even half watched a movie about American politics understands one simple rule.
It’s not the crime that gets you, it’s the cover up. The multiple mentions of Donald Trump’s name in the Epstein files don’t insinuate any guilt or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. They may be entirely innocent, or hearsay.
But last week, when he was asked if his name was in the files, Trump unequivocally said “no.” That was a lie.
And whatever is in the files, those around him have gone to extreme lengths to prevent their release, and to encourage the American people and media to talk about something – ANYTHING – else.
All of which amounts to a determined effort by the White House and senior government figures to cover up the details of Trump’s relationship with America’s most notorious and prolific paedophile and sex trafficker.
READ MORE: Donald Trump visit LIVE as ring of steel surrounds US President’s UK trip
And it may be nothing, but whatever it is or is not – they’d apparently rather drag out the row in public for weeks on end than reveal what’s in the files.
And in the middle of all this, Trump is on his way to Scotland for his first UK visit since returning to the White House.
He’ll be hoping for a bit of peace and quiet after the last few weeks….but we expect some protesters will have other ideas.
Here’s everything that happened in Trump world in the last 24 hours that you need to know about. Buckle up.
1. Trump tried to do a Zelensky on the Fed chairman and it didn’t quite land
Trump’s attempt to do a “Zelensky in the Oval Office” on the Fed chairman went a bit Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Among those in Washington most commonly singled out for attack by Donald Trump is Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve.
Trump is all mad at Powell, the independent chief of America’s monetary policy, for not cutting interest rates.
He’s floated the idea of sacking him, something he’s constitutionally banned from doing.
And he’s moaned about the cost of a renovation currently taking place at the Fed’s HQ in Washington DC.
Trump has used overruns at the project to insinuate either waste, fraud or incompetence on the part of Powell.
All of which led to Trump donning a hard hat last night to go on a deeply weird, on-camera, personal inspection of the building work.
And it seemed like Trump had a plan to bully Powell live on TV. He said the cost of the long running project was now “about $3.1 billion” rather than the $2.7 billion he stated previously.
“So we’re taking a look,” Trump said. “And it looks like it’s about $3.1 billion. Went up a little bit. Or a lot. So the 2.7 is now 3.1.”
Powell looked on, shaking his head and saying “I’m not aware of that, Mr President. I haven’t heard that from anyone at the Fed.”
“Yeah, it just came out,” Trump said, reaching into his breast pocket for a piece of paper which he handed to Powell.
Powell pulled out his glasses, read the paper and said: “Oh, that’s the Martin building.”
“You just added in a third building,” he said.
Trump said the building in question was “being built”, to which Powell interjected, noting it had already been built.
Five years ago. “We finished Martin five years ago.”
2. Even Trump’s most loyal backers are starting to talk about impeachment
Sources told the Mirror last night that the prospect of the Epstein scandal leading – after the mid-terms – to a third impeachment is being privately discussed among even Trump’s most loyal backers in Washington.
And unlike his first two impeachments, this one might stick.
You can read our full story here.
3. Trump is still insisting it’s a “SCAM”
Trump posted on Truth Social overnight, attacking “radical left Democrats” for trying to distract attention away from his first six months in office, which he says “many are saying is the BEST six months in Presidential history.”
He wrote: “They have gone absolutely CRAZY, and are playing another Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, but this time under the guise of what we will call the Jeffrey Epstein SCAM.”
He went on to say he hopes “things are revealed” quickly, and that the grand jury files will “put an end to this HOAX”.
The grand jury files are almost certainly not coming, and are not what his supporters are asking for.
“Everyone should see what is there,” he added. “But people who are innocent should not be hurt.”
It’s unclear whether he’s referring to Epstein’s victims there…or himself.
4. He’s apparently seen the South Park episode, and is “seething” about it
Trump has reportedly seen the episode of South Park that aired this week, which features a depiction of him in a sexual relationship with Satan, bullying townsfolk with frivolous lawsuits and an AI assisted fake ad showing him rolling around naked in the desert with a talking penis.
“The President is seething over the childish attack by South Park,” a Trump administration source reportedly told Deadline.
Kind of understandable.
5. Epstein really didn’t want to talk about Trump during his deposition
Some eye-opening video has emerged of Jeffery Epstein giving evidence in 2010. During the questioning, he was first asked if he had a social relationship with Donald Trump, and when he said yes, he was asked: “Have you ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18?”
Epstein replied: “Though I’d like to answer that question, at least today I’m going to have to assert my Fifth, Sixth, and 14th Amendment rights.”
6. Trump thinks he’s going to get “f****d”
A Republican close to the White House told Politico’s Playbook yesterday that the President had been lamenting his fate in the Oval Office in recent days.
“They’re going to accuse me of some funny business,” he reportedly said. He maintained his distance from Epstein’s criminal behaviour, but added: “They’re going to f**k me anyways.”
7. The New York Times has more details of the Epstein birthday binder
There’s still no sign of a scan or photo of Trump’s alleged note to Epstein for his 50th birthday – which Trump continues to insist he had nothing to do with.
The New York Times has however found the cover note written by Ghislaine Maxwell – which is curiously cold and reads a bit like an intro to an essay. “In this essay, I will argue…”
The Times found another admiring note Donald Trump wrote to Epstein – in the cover of a copy of his book: “The Art of the Comeback”.
“To Jeff — You are the greatest!” the inscription reads.
8. Wait, Kash Patel told people what?
According to a throwaway line in the Wall Street Journal’s most recent story on the scandal, “FBI Director Kash Patel has privately told other government officials that Trump’s name appeared in the files, according to people close to the administration.”
Which, bear in mind, is something the President was still denying until Tuesday.
9. Ghislaine spotted with a box of stuff
After her lengthy chat with Trump’s Deputy Attorney General (and former personal lawyer) Todd Blanche, Ghislaine Maxwell was long-lensed carrying a mysterious white box back to her cell.
10. Scottish village becomes fortress ahead of Trump visit
As Trump jets towards Scotland on Air Force One, the village next to his luxury golf course has been transformed into a fortress.
A huge operation is underway in Turnberry in Ayrshire ahead of the US President’s visit.
A 10ft metal barrier has been put up, sparking complaints that the usually-quiet area now looks like an “American prison”.
Huge protests are expected over the weekend as Mr Trump touches down in the UK on a personal visit. Sniper teams and road checkpoints are visible in the usually-quiet rural setting north of the border.
So obviously, we’ll be there later today to cover it all. Something to look forward to.
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