What to know on Trump, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Jeffrey Epstein files: The latest
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
What to know on Trump, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Jeffrey Epstein files: The latest
White House continues to battle calls for more transparency over what Epstein did. Justice Department says a systematic review of the files didn’t turn up any list of clients involved in Epstein’s crimes. Trump has the power to pardon Maxwell fully as well as to commute her prison sentence. But to many, that might look more like reducing than enhancing accountability – especially if Maxwell offers little in return. The Justice Department asked federal judges in Florida and New York to unseal transcripts of testimony before grand juries investigating Epstein and Maxwell. The department said it will first redact both victim-related information and personal identifying information from the transcripts. The White House said there was “no daylight” between the Trump administration and the White House, and the House and the Senate won’t vote on the issue until after the summer recess. The House is expected to vote on a bill this week that would make it easier to release the files, but the Senate has not yet voted on the bill. The Senate is also considering a bill that would allow the release of the records.
It’s unclear what came out of the interview, but Maxwell’s lawyer David Markus said his client answered all of the government’s questions, which covered about 100 people.
“She answered questions about everybody and she didn’t hold anything back,” Markus said, without specifying who was mentioned.
The Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on what came out of the interview.
The talks follow more than two weeks of bubbling outrage from members of President Donald Trump’s base over the department’s announcement in early July that it won’t release its files on Epstein. DOJ said a systematic review of the files didn’t turn up any list of clients involved in Epstein’s crimes.
Even some congressional Republicans have clamored for the files’ release or introduced legislation to try to force the Trump administration’s hand. Republican leadership has so far blocked the legislation and White House officials continue to resist those calls.
Still, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has suggested that Maxwell could reveal new details about Epstein’s circle and crimes.
Here is all the latest on the fallout:
July 25: Maxwell lawyer signals desire for pardon
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of trafficking a minor to Epstein for sexual abuse, and for conspiring to entice and transport minors for illegal sex acts. She is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, and has an appeal pending at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Markus indicated July 25 that his client could ask for a pardon soon, following the two days she spent talking to Justice Department officials July 24-25.
“We haven’t spoken to the president or anybody about a pardon just yet,” he said. “The president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in the right and just way.”
Trump has the power to pardon Maxwell fully as well as to commute her prison sentence. But to many, that might look more like reducing than enhancing accountability – especially if Maxwell offers little in return.
In the morning on July 25, Trump said he hasn’t thought about pardoning Maxwell, but also didn’t rule it out.
“I’m allowed to do it, but it’s something I have not thought about,” Trump said. “I certainly can’t talk about pardons now.”
July 25: 16% of voters in poll approve of Trump administration on Epstein
Only 16% of of voters who responded to a poll released July 25 by Emerson College Polling approved of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files. Fifty-one percent disapproved, while 33% were neutral.
The poll surveyed 1,400 U.S. voters from July 21-22. Its margin of error is ±2.5 points, according to the polling organization.
July 23: Florida judge shields Epstein grand jury testimony
In addition to approaching Maxwell, the Justice Department asked federal judges in Florida and New York to unseal transcripts of testimony before grand juries investigating Epstein and Maxwell. If judges allow for the transcripts’ release, the department said it will first redact both victim-related information and personal identifying information from the transcripts.
On July 23, federal Judge Judge Robin L. Rosenberg rejected the request in Florida, writing that she doesn’t have the power to order the records’ release because of a past ruling from an appeals court that presides over her trial court.
Judges in New York haven’t yet ruled on the administration’s requests there.
July 23: Reports emerge that AG Bondi told Trump in May he is named in Epstein files
Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump in May that he was named multiple times in the government’s files on Jeffrey Epstein, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and CNN.
A White House official did not dispute that Trump’s name is mentioned in the Epstein files, telling USA TODAY that briefing binders Bondi prepared for MAGA influencers in February included the president’s name. But the official rejected any suggestion that Trump engaged in wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
Being named doesn’t mean the person did anything criminal.
July 22: House Speaker Mike Johnson starts summer recess early to avoid Epstein
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, announced on July 22 he is shutting down the House for its summer recess early to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Johnson said there was “no daylight” between the Trump administration and the House, and the White House needed “space” to address the issue.
Members of Congress were scheduled to leave Washington for several weeks starting July 24, but Johnson said he would cut the schedule short and end with votes on July 23.
Johnson took that step after Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, co-sponsored legislation calling for the release of the government’s Epstein records.
July 22: New footage shows Epstein at Trump wedding
Archived video footage and photos revealed by CNN July 22 showed Jeffrey Epstein attended Trump’s wedding to Marla Maples at the Plaza Hotel in 1993.
Maples is the second of Trump’s three wives. The couple divorced in 1999.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Trump told CNN when asked about the wedding photos on a phone call. He called the outlet “fake news” and hung up.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the images were “out-of-context frame grabs of innocuous videos and pictures of widely attended events to disgustingly infer something nefarious.”
July 22: House committee agrees to seek Maxwell testimony
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee agreed on July 22 to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell to testify.
Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, said he pressed for the subpoena in order to learn more about Epstein’s criminal conduct.
“This deposition will help the American people understand how Jeffrey Epstein was able to carry out his evil actions for so long without being brought to justice,” Burchett said.
July 18: Trump sues Wall Street Journal over lewd Epstein birthday letter
On July 17, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent Epstein a lewd birthday letter for his 50th birthday, which took place in early 2003. Trump called the letter a “FAKE” on social media July 17 and sued the newspaper’s publisher for libel on July 18.
The letter contains typewritten dialogue between “Donald” and “Jeffrey,” and at a later point “Trump.” In the dialogue, “Donald” says, “We have certain things in common, Jeffrey” and that, “Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?” The dialogue ends with “Trump” saying, “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
The dialogue is encased within a seemingly hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, the Journal reported. The letter includes a pair of arcs denoting the woman’s breasts, and a “Donald” squiggly signature mimicking pubic hair.
USA TODAY could not verify the details or origin of the letter.
Contributing: Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen, Melina Khan, Savannah Kuchar, Christopher Cann – USA TODAY