Trump accused of ‘running scared’ over Epstein files as he peddles Obama-Russia ‘hoax’: Live

Trump continues to peddle Tusli Gabbard's Obama conspiracy theory

James Liddell22 July 2025 11:25

Trump and Epstein allegedly engaged in 'locker room talk' about teenage girl in financier's office

Jeffrey Epstein accuser Maria Farmer alleged that Donald Trump and the financier engaged in “locker room talk” in the sex offender's office in 1995.

Farmer, who on Sunday said she twice told the FBI about Trump’s ties to Epstein, spoke to CNN’s Erin Burnett on Monday after the White House denied the president had ever visited Epstein’s office.

The woman, who was 25 years old at the time, accused Trump of standing over her, smirking, in a “very imposing way” inside the office.

Farmer told Burnett that Epstein told Trump, “She’s not here for you, follow me.”

Farmer said that Trump then made a “vulgar” comment that she speculated may be “locker room talk in the 1990s.”

“He made a joke to Epstein: ‘I thought she was 16,’” she added.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

James Liddell22 July 2025 11:00

Stephen Colbert tells Trump ‘go f*** yourself’ after Late Show cancellation

Stephen Colbert had a very blunt message for President Donald Trump after the president celebrated CBS’s cancellation of The Late Show.

In his Monday monologue, Colbert brought up a Truth Social post Trump made on Friday, where he had written: “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.”

Responding to his post, Colbert said: “How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism?”

Looking into the “Eloquence Cam,” the talk show host did not pull his punches, telling the president: “Go f*** yourself.”

Shahana Yasmin has more:

James Liddell22 July 2025 10:30

The Epstein List: Who has been named?

After years of peddling conspiracy theories about the Jeffrey Epstein files, President Donald Trump is now attempting to shift focus away from the case and his relationship with the convicted sex offender.

The Trump administration continues to face backlash after a Department of Justice and FBI memo released last week stated that there was no evidence that the disgraced financier, who socialised with royalty and celebrities and was accused of running a large network of underage girls for sex, had a “client list.”

While judges, court staff, and legal representatives have been excluded, The Independent has listed some of the names that appear in the legal records connected to Epstein:

James Liddell22 July 2025 10:00

Former congressman makes dig at Trump amid Epstein files drama

Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger made a dig at President Donald Trump Monday night as the administration faces backlash over its handling of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“Trump releases MLK Jr files…. Didn’t limit it to ‘pertinent’ and ‘grand jury.’ So do the same for Epstein,” Kinzinger, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, wrote on X.

Kinzinger was referring to the Trump administration's push to release federal documents on famous assassinations like civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, while limiting the information disclosed in Epstein’s case.

The feds released more than 230,000 pages of documents related to King’s shooting on Monday.

The Trump administration has faced backlash, including from its own base, after it said earlier this month there was never any so-called Epstein client list, which people suspected had the names of powerful people who may have partaken in the wealthy financier’s crimes.

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social last week, “Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!”

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a motion with a federal court to unseal grand jury transcripts in Epstein’s case the next day.

Rachel Dobkin22 July 2025 09:29

Trump ‘running scared’ over Epstein with Obama Russia ‘hoax’ theory

Trump been accused of attempting to distract from the Jeffrey Epstein case by peddling a conspiracy theory that former President Barack Obama “manufactured” allegations of Russian interference into Trump’s 2016 campaign. Late Monday, Trump said that there was “irrefutable evidence” that “Obama himself manufactured the Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX.”

Refuting the president’s claim of a “Democratic-led conspiracy theory,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters: “Why do we think President Joe Biden or President Barack Obama's names are being invoked? Because Donald Trump is running scared.”

James Liddell22 July 2025 09:06

After Trump unseals MLK files, Bernice King demands Epstein release

On Monday, the Trump administration released more than 6,000 files on the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, which saw the daughter of the slain civil rights activist, Bernice King, tweet: “Now, do the Epstein files.”

James Liddell22 July 2025 09:00

The rise of the QAnon conspiracy and why the Epstein files matter

The Justice Department asked a federal court on July 18, 2025, to unseal grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein’s case.

The direction from President Donald Trump came after weeks of frustration among some far-right groups over his administration’s refusal to release the complete and unredacted “Epstein files.”

Epstein’s 2019 arrest and death became a central focus for QAnon followers, who saw them as proof of a hidden global elite engaged in child trafficking and protected by powerful institutions.

The release – or withholding – of the Epstein files is often cited within QAnon movement circles as evidence of a broader cover-up by the so-called “deep state.”

Some followers of the MAGA – Make America Great Again – movement and the Republican Party believe in the false claim that the United States is secretly controlled by a cabal of elites who are paedophiles, sex traffickers and satanists.

Over time, what started as a baseless conspiracy on obscure platforms has migrated into the mainstream. It has influenced rhetoric and policy debates, and even reshaped the American political landscape.

Read more from Art Jipson:

Rachel Dobkin22 July 2025 08:00

Thomas Massie on Epstein files: 'I don't think this is going to go away'

Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, said Monday night, “I don't think this is going to go away,” referring to the drama surrounding the release of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Trump administration has faced backlash, including from its own base, after it said earlier this month there was never any so-called Epstein client list, which people suspected had the names of powerful people who may have partaken in the wealthy financier’s crimes.

Massie has been working with Democrats and some other Republicans to push for the release of all of the Epstein files.

He told CNN’s Manu Raju, “I think momentum will build for transparency” over Congress’ August recess.

“I don't think this is going to go away. And I think when we return in September, we'll get phase two of the Epstein files,” he said.

President Donald Trump announced last Thursday he had asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to release certain Epstein files, “subject to court approval.”

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a motion with a federal court to unseal grand jury transcripts in Epstein’s case the next day.

Rachel Dobkin22 July 2025 07:00

Trump calls Thomas Massie a 'loser' and calls for opponent he can 'vigorously campaign for' amid Epstein files drama

President Donald Trump has called Representative Thomas Massie a “loser” and called for an opponent he can “vigorously campaign for” as the Kentucky Republican pushes for the release of all files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“Thomas Massie, the worst Republican Congressman, and an almost guaranteed NO VOTE each and every time, is an Embarrassment to Kentucky. He’s lazy, slow moving, and totally disingenuous - A real loser! Never has anything positive to add. Looking for someone good to run against this guy, someone I can Endorse and vigorously campaign for!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday night.

The Trump administration has faced backlash, including from its own base, after it said there was never any so-called client list, which people suspected had the names of powerful people who may have partaken in Epstein’s crimes.

Rachel Dobkin22 July 2025 06:00