{"id":1032,"date":"2025-07-28T09:16:05","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T09:16:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/?p=1032"},"modified":"2025-07-28T09:17:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T09:17:53","slug":"1032","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/?p=1032","title":{"rendered":"Trump lands another big win with EU trade deal, but he can\u2019t dodge the Epstein saga"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<article id=\"article-45edf1c3-6162-3298-87d0-23c4a4f72e59\" class=\"\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"mx-auto grid grid-cols-article-mobile md:px-[40px] md:max-w-[1220px] md:grid-cols-article-page-cover\">\n<div class=\"col-body md:col-[1_\/_4]\">\n<header class=\"mb-5 md:max-w-[750px] lg:mb-8\">\n<h1 class=\"mt-2 text-[1.625rem] font-bold leading-tight md:text-[2rem]\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Trump lands another big win with EU trade deal, but he can\u2019t dodge the Epstein saga<\/h1>\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"flex items-start justify-between mt-3\">\n<div class=\"flex items-start\">\n<div class=\"inline-block\">\n<div class=\"text-sm font-semibold\">Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNN<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-xs text-muted md:text-sm\">\n<div><time datetime=\"2025-07-28T04:00:41.000Z\">Mon, July 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM GMT+1<\/time><\/div>\n<div>9 min read<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ml-3 flex items-center\">\n<div class=\"relative inline-flex h-[32px] items-center\"><\/div>\n<p><button class=\"ml-2 inline-flex h-8 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-[#f5f5f5] px-3 py-2 hover:bg-[#e3e3e3]\" aria-label=\"View comments\" data-ylk=\"elm:cmmt_open;elmt:cmnt;g:45edf1c3-6162-3298-87d0-23c4a4f72e59;itc:1;pos:0;sec:view-cmnts-cta;slk:comments;t4:ctrl;\" data-rapid_p=\"3\" data-v9y=\"1\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex items-center text-sm font-medium text-gray-900 md:text-base md:font-normal\">18<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden -mx-4 md:mx-0 md:rounded-lg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-cover object-center\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Vehhio_PJ91Rc6B9wp3QEQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/02e55338312b9bd4b714bc6a28b47bf9\" alt=\"President Donald Trump shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 27. - Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><button class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\" data-rapid_p=\"4\" data-v9y=\"1\"><\/button><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 line-clamp-2 pr-2.5\">\n<div>President Donald Trump shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 27. &#8211; Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"mt-1 rapid-noclick-resp text-sm text-scooter bg-primary dark:text-[color:var(--fg-link)] ml-2 absolute bottom-0 right-0 before:content-['...']\" data-ylk=\"elm:loadmore;itc:1;sec:content-canvas;slk:more;\" data-rapid_p=\"24\" data-v9y=\"1\">More<\/button><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-body\">\n<div class=\"\" data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">President Donald Trump claimed another win for his campaign to transform the global economy and American life, but he still can\u2019t escape intensifying questions over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein controversy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The United States <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/27\/business\/trump-us-eu-trade-deal?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:clinched a framework deal;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"79\">clinched a framework deal<\/a>with the European Union on Sunday that averted a damaging trade war. Trump believes such moves will revive US manufacturing. But the resulting 15% tariff on EU goods entering the US likely means American consumers <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/27\/business\/eu-trade-deal?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:will face higher prices;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"80\">will face higher prices<\/a> in the long term.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This is a significant step. So Trump\u2019s insistence that it was not simply a bid to distract from the Epstein saga is reasonable. \u201cOh, you have got to be kidding with that,\u201d the angry president told a reporter. But his irritation underscored his failure to shrug off weeks of revelations about the case and his own past friendship with the accused sex trafficker, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\">Mystery surrounds the administration\u2019s motives after Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump\u2019s former personal lawyer, <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/25\/politics\/ghislaine-maxwell-trump-epstein-doj?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:met last week;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"81\">met last week<\/a>with Epstein\u2019s imprisoned accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. Her lawyer implied that Maxwell was open to a presidential pardon. Trump\u2019s record of using such power for political purposes has critics warning he may be seeking a deal that would politicize justice.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The storm back home isn\u2019t abating. Two lawmakers, one Democrat and the other Republican, vowed Sunday to <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/27\/politics\/gop-lawmakers-at-odds-as-epstein-fallout-continues?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:force a vote;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"82\">force a vote<\/a> on the House floor on the release of Epstein case files. Such a vote could embarrass the administration and create a major political showdown.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This came on a typically frenetic weekend that Trump spent in Scotland and that served as a metaphor for his turbulent influence on America and the globe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He juggled the highest-level diplomacy \u2014 talks with the EU\u2019s top official, Ursula von der Leyen \u2014 with a trip <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/27\/business\/trump-scotland-business-crypto?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:promoting his business empire;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"83\">promoting his business empire<\/a>, in this case his portfolio of exclusive Scottish golf clubs. His visit was greeted with street protests by caustic Scots and featured outbursts of extreme rhetoric \u2014 including his <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/27\/politics\/trump-beyonce-prosecute-fact-check?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:social media call;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"84\">social media call<\/a> for the prosecution of former Vice President Kamala Harris.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\">Trump will come face-to-face Monday with pressure to force Israel to do more to mitigate a <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/25\/politics\/trump-gaza-famine-israel-netanyahu-analysis?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:growing famine in Gaza;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"85\">growing famine in Gaza<\/a>. He\u2019ll see British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his Turnberry resort in southwest Scotland before traveling with Starmer to Aberdeenshire, where Trump will inaugurate a new course at another club. Starmer last week said of <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/27\/middleeast\/israel-pausing-operations-gaza-starvation-intl?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:the crisis in Gaza;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"86\">the crisis in Gaza<\/a> that \u201cwe are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">A significant trade deal that comes with many caveats<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Much is unknown about the scope of the trade deal with the EU, which will see a 15% tariff imposed on most of the bloc\u2019s exports and billions of dollars in purchases of US energy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But it extends a winning streak and a record of implementing campaign promises for a president who is imposing personal power and often idiosyncratic beliefs \u2014 for instance in the effectiveness of trade tariffs \u2014 on the US and the world.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cThis was the big one. This is the biggest of them all,\u201d Trump said Sunday after meeting von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\">Von der Leyen followed the accepted wisdom that praising Trump personally can provide political payoffs. \u201cHe is a tough negotiator, but he is also a dealmaker,\u201d she said.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Trump has recently announced framework deals on trade with <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/22\/business\/japan-trade-agreement-us?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:Japan;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"87\">Japan<\/a> and <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/22\/business\/trump-philippines-trade-deal?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:the Philippines;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"88\">the Philippines<\/a> \u2014 which both include higher tariffs that represent a fracturing of the 21st-century global free-trade arrangements. Trump believes that this system, which helped make the US a dominant global power, is nevertheless unfair on American workers and industries. And he rejects economists\u2019 arguments that raising tariffs increases prices for already-stretched US consumers.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"rounded-lg\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/9L2hlsAmEP.OECSG7zR03Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/44a017619b52b6e3a0a647b18a30c50e\" alt=\"Traversing cranes move shipping containers stacked in Hamburg Port in Hamburg, Germany, on April 15. - Sean Gallup\/Getty Images\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><button class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\" data-rapid_p=\"15\" data-v9y=\"1\"><\/button><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 line-clamp-2 pr-2.5\">\n<div>Traversing cranes move shipping containers stacked in Hamburg Port in Hamburg, Germany, on April 15. &#8211; Sean Gallup\/Getty Images<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"mt-1 rapid-noclick-resp text-sm text-scooter bg-primary dark:text-[color:var(--fg-link)] ml-2 absolute bottom-0 right-0 before:content-['...']\" data-ylk=\"elm:loadmore;itc:1;sec:content-canvas;slk:more;\" data-rapid_p=\"35\" data-v9y=\"1\">More<\/button><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Trump is flexing power everywhere.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He is gutting the federal government, dominating Congress, and exerting unprecedented pressure on law firms and universities to impose his right-wing ideology, all while seeking to intimidate media outlets. These are wins for his populist \u201cMake America Great Again\u201d movement and its program to buckle what supporters see as liberal power.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\">But as with Trump\u2019s outlier belief in tariffs, the long-term impacts that his actions could have on American society, the economy and democracy are alarming critics. Trump has politicized the legal system; his government funding cuts have hampered vital scientific research on critical subjects such as cancer; and his expanding of presidential power often tests the Constitution.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<div id=\"recirc-45edf1c3-6162-3298-87d0-23c4a4f72e59\" class=\"mb-4\">\n<div class=\"mb-3.5 flex items-center gap-2\">\n<h2 class=\"text-xl font-semibold leading-5\">More in Politics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid gap-3 lg:grid-cols-2\">\n<div class=\"relative flex\">\n<div class=\"relative shrink-0 overflow-hidden mr-3 lg:mr-3 rounded-[4px] size-[100px]\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/j1mDMCckUyCwIncfUgFv7A--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD0yMjA7cT05NTt3PTIyMDthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/ap.org\/c388e846f86733dc59fe36fcfbc2f0b7.cf.webp\" alt=\"\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"mb-1.5 text-base font-medium\"><a class=\"stretched-box line-clamp-3 text-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/immigration-judges-fired-trump-administration-131027544.html\" data-ylk=\"ct:story;elm:hdln;g:301d166f-8a14-3837-8e27-be24115f171d;itc:0;sec:trending-story-center;ll3:target-modal;\" data-rapid_p=\"1\" data-v9y=\"1\">Immigration judges fired by Trump administration say they will fight back<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"flex items-center\"><span class=\"truncate\">Associated Press<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative w-full\">\n<div class=\"relative flex\">\n<div class=\"bg-dirty-seagull dark:bg-ramones mr-3 lg:mr-3 rounded-[4px] size-[100px]\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-4 h-4 bg-dirty-seagull dark:bg-ramones\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 h-4 bg-dirty-seagull dark:bg-ramones w-4\/5\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"h-4 bg-dirty-seagull dark:bg-ramones w-5\/12\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"_r_3t_\" class=\"absolute inset-0 rounded-[4px] focus-within:ring-2 focus-within:ring-blue-700\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative flex\">\n<div class=\"relative shrink-0 overflow-hidden mr-3 lg:mr-3 rounded-[4px] size-[100px]\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/uu\/api\/res\/1.2\/4neTYUQnBJ9bFmk7fMvEXw--~B\/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD0yMjA7cT05NTt3PTIyMDthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_spun_articles_751\/9e34ab6d4c57d7ac403c95fa05de77d5.cf.webp\" alt=\"\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"mb-1.5 text-base font-medium\"><a class=\"stretched-box line-clamp-3 text-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/sports\/article\/president-trump-not-happy-golf-045457484.html\" data-ylk=\"ct:story;elm:hdln;g:6929084f-71df-3714-a8fd-792b9a6456bf;itc:0;sec:trending-story-center;ll3:target-modal;\" data-rapid_p=\"2\" data-v9y=\"1\">President Trump &#8216;Not Happy&#8217; With His Golf Nickname<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"flex items-center\"><span class=\"truncate\">The Spun<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Still, markets may welcome the EU trade deal framework, assuming it is fully implemented \u2014 hardly a given considering Trump\u2019s volatile history of threats and reversals. An EU-US trade war would have been a far worse outcome.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But the agreement confirms suspicions that Trump\u2019s goal is not fairer trade but higher tariffs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Although existing tariffs have so far not harmed the economy as much as some experts feared, Americans will pay more for cars, food, luxuries and consumer goods. The inflationary impact on the economy, and Trump\u2019s likely appointment next year of a new Federal Reserve chair who will lower interest rates, could mean greater economic threats to come.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\">There\u2019s also an important geopolitical aspect to the EU trade deal. The Europeans committed to buying $880 billion of energy from the US<em>. <\/em>This could make America\u2019s NATO allies less vulnerable to pressure from Russia at a time when the Western alliance is opposing Moscow\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWe still have too much Russian LNG (liquid natural gas) that is coming through the back door again to our European Union, and some Russian gas and oil still in the European Union, which we do not want anymore,\u201d von der Leyen said.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">Epstein drama haunts Trump\u2019s Scottish golf trip<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Trump\u2019s frustration that a key political achievement has been overshadowed by the Epstein saga is unlikely to dissipate in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The controversy started because of <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/27\/politics\/trump-epstein-conspiracy-theories-fires?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:conspiracy theories;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"89\">conspiracy theories<\/a> among Trump\u2019s base that claimed the disgraced financier did not take his own life in prison but was murdered, and that he left behind a client list of rich and powerful Americans who\u2019d taken advantage of his alleged sex trafficking.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\">These claims were promoted by Trump and allies including Pam Bondi and Kash Patel. When all three assumed positions of great power (Bondi is attorney general, and Patel is FBI director), their failure to release the files as promised caused a rupture in Trump\u2019s MAGA base, which the administration has failed thus far to repair.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The political uproar explains why Blanche\u2019s meeting with Maxwell last week caused such consternation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Maxwell\u2019s lawyer told reporters after her second day of meetings with Blanche in Tallahassee, Florida, that she had answered every question truthfully and honestly. He also noted that the president has the power to pardon those convicted of crimes. \u201cWe hope he exercises that power in a right and just way,\u201d the attorney, David Oscar Markus, <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/25\/us\/video\/ghislaine-maxwell-doj-attorney-questions-meeting-digvid?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:said Friday;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"90\">said Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"rounded-lg\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/RDSnijUzRqrvJGI8PckWpQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/4cd5325dc4d6a0baa4400eec8bdce3a2\" alt=\"Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend a benefit concert in New York in 2005. - Joe Schildhorn\/Patrick McMullan\/Getty Images\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><button class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" aria-label=\"View larger image\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\" data-rapid_p=\"18\" data-v9y=\"1\"><\/button><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 line-clamp-2 pr-2.5\">\n<div>Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend a benefit concert in New York in 2005. &#8211; Joe Schildhorn\/Patrick McMullan\/Getty Images<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"mt-1 rapid-noclick-resp text-sm text-scooter bg-primary dark:text-[color:var(--fg-link)] ml-2 absolute bottom-0 right-0 before:content-['...']\" data-ylk=\"elm:loadmore;itc:1;sec:content-canvas;slk:more;\" data-rapid_p=\"38\" data-v9y=\"1\">More<\/button><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Blanche has so far not offered a detailed public account of the meetings.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\">There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Trump in his relationship with Epstein, and the president appears to have severed the friendship long before the accused sex trafficker was charged with federal crimes.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But the Justice Department\u2019s unorthodox approach is raising concerns that it goes beyond a public relations effort to convince MAGA voters the administration is doing something. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison term, has an incentive for providing information that could ease her situation \u2014 and Trump has the power to do so.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Questions over the president\u2019s motives became even more important when CNN and other outlets reported last week that <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/23\/politics\/bondi-trump-epstein-list-files?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:Trump\u2019s name was mentioned;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"91\">Trump\u2019s name was mentioned<\/a> in the Epstein files, along with those of some other prominent Americans. This does not mean that he or anyone else is guilty of wrongdoing. In fact, Bondi might have made the correct decision legally in refusing to release information that could harm the reputation of people not accused of crimes. But beyond a joint Justice Department and FBI statement on the rationale for not releasing the files, the administration has rarely attempted to justify a policy that has <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/14\/politics\/epstein-fallout-trump-maga?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:put it at odds;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"92\">put it at odds<\/a> with its own supporters in the MAGA movement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI\u2019m concerned that the deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, is meeting with (Maxwell) supposedly one-on-one,\u201d Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California said on NBC\u2019s \u201cMeet the Press\u201d on Sunday. \u201cLook, I agree \u2026 that she should testify. But she\u2019s been indicted twice on perjury. This is why we need the files.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\">Republican leaders hoped the case might simply disappear over the summer recess. But Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie, a co-sponsor with Khanna of a House bill demanding the release of the files, isn\u2019t giving up. \u201cThis is going to hurt Republicans in the midterms. The voters will be apathetic if we don\u2019t hold the rich and powerful accountable,\u201d Massie said on NBC. \u201cI think when we get back, we can get the signatures required to force this to the floor.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Trump administration has asked the courts to release grand jury testimony pertinent to the Epstein case. But one federal judge <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2025\/07\/23\/politics\/judge-declines-grand-jury-documents-jeffrey-epstein?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:refused;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"93\">refused<\/a> last week, in a ruling that may have given the DOJ political cover.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWe want them to release the files. However, we can\u2019t make them release it because of separation of power,\u201d Oklahoma GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin told Jake Tapper on CNN\u2019s \u201cState of the Union.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">That may be the case. But grand jury testimony is believed to be only a fraction of the evidence against Epstein that the government holds \u2014 and hasn\u2019t made public. And the entire controversy has been worsened by the administration\u2019s clumsy approach and unwillingness to confront the anger of the MAGA base.<\/p>\n<div class=\"max-md:faux-bleed mb-4 bg-marshmallow pb-5 dark:bg-ramones md:invisible md:mb-0 md:h-0 md:overflow-hidden md:pb-0\">\n<div class=\"py-2 text-center text-xs uppercase\">\u201cI think that part of this problem is that there were some false expectations that are created, and that\u2019s a political mistake,\u201d Missouri Republican Rep. Eric Burlison told CNN\u2019s Manu Raju.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at <a class=\"link \" href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/register?source=external-feeds_iluminar&amp;cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo&amp;registration_email_campaign=https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ylk=\"slk:CNN.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-rapid_p=\"94\">CNN.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-2 mx-auto grid grid-cols-article-mobile md:px-[40px] md:max-w-[1220px] md:grid-cols-article-page-cover\">\n<div class=\"col-body\" data-i13n-boundary=\"true\">\n<div class=\"col-body py-3 md:mb-7 md:py-0 cursor-pointer border-y border-y-black\/5 md:border-y-0\">\n<div class=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div id=\"_r_3n_\" class=\"mx-auto mb-6 mt-5 max-w-full items-center justify-center ad-container\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<article id=\"article-e4e6ad5a-6833-3729-8c91-60889eded0bd\" class=\"\">\n<div class=\"mx-auto grid grid-cols-article-mobile md:px-[40px] md:max-w-[1220px] md:grid-cols-article-page-cover\">\n<div class=\"col-body md:col-[1_\/_4]\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden -mx-4 md:mx-0 md:rounded-lg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-cover object-center\" style=\"--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246\/0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid #e5e7eb; display: block; vertical-align: middle; max-width: 100%; height: 276px; object-fit: cover; object-position: center; position: absolute; width: 414px; inset: 0px; color: transparent;\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/0asRPwx1tgj4SfrJpQ0bYQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05OTQ7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_guardian_765\/c7cbd9efab70635091d7b79be13b1431\" alt=\"&lt;span&gt;Donald Trump looks on during a meeting with EC chief Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland on Sunday as the US trade deal with Europe was announced.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein\/Reuters&lt;\/span&gt;\" data-nimg=\"fill\" \/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump lands another big win with EU trade deal, but he can\u2019t dodge the Epstein saga Analysis by<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1035,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,1,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","category-uncategorized","category-world-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1032"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1036,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1032\/revisions\/1036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1035"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cedritech.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}