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Epstein case: Trump accuses Democrats and says, ‘Ask Bill Clinton’

Trump revives the Epstein case and puts pressure on the Republican Party

The Epstein case dominates political debate in the United States. Donald Trump accuses Democrats of wanting to ‘revive the Epstein hoax’ to divert attention from their political defeats, including the shutdown. The American president argues that Jeffrey Epstein was a problem for the Democratic Party and calls for explanations from Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman and Larry Summers. Trump reiterates: “I have a country to run”.

Trump pressures to block the motion on the files

The Epstein case is also at the centre of the internal balance of power within the Republican Party. Trump is putting pressure on members of his party who intend to vote with the Democrats in favour of the motion to make all Justice Department files public. The vote is scheduled for next week.
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, after months of resistance, has decided to bring the motion to the floor anyway, ahead of schedule. The decision came after the release of emails in which Epstein claimed that Trump “knew about the girls” and after the presentation of a petition with 218 signatures, including some Republicans.

The White House attempts to stop GOP dissidents

The change of course was agreed with Trump, who is aware that a vote on the Epstein case is inevitable. The White House is trying to convince Republican MPs who have already signed the motion to back down. These include Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace, both of whom have been contacted by Trump. Mace has stated that she considers the Epstein case “personal”, having been a victim of abuse herself.
According to US media, several Republicans may vote for transparency on the documents so as not to contradict the promises made to voters. The publication of the files had been blocked by Trump during his previous term.

Risk of passage in the House and uncertainty in the Senate

If the motion on the Epstein case obtains 290 votes, it would become veto-proof and put pressure on the Senate. Congressman Thomas Massie, a signatory of the motion and internal opponent of Trump, is aiming for precisely this scenario. Meanwhile, press conferences are being organised with victims of sex trafficking linked to Epstein to increase political pressure.

Epstein as Bannon’s informal adviser in 2018

New files show Epstein playing an active role in Steve Bannon’s political strategy in 2018, during media support for the Trump administration. The communications, cited by the Guardian, reveal that Epstein provided guidance on television interviews, defending tax cuts and managing public perception, as well as commenting in real time on developments in Russiagate.

The messages also show an obsessive concern for confidentiality: Epstein proposed meetings “under the cover of darkness”, with secondary entrances and maximum discretion, in his Manhattan apartment. Bannon agreed.

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