Trump calls the Epstein case a “scam” by Democrats, yet demands full disclosure. As Maxwell cooperates with the DOJ, pressure builds for transparency amid rising public and political scrutiny.
US President Donald Trump is under intense scrutiny after reports claimed his name appears in the Justice Department’s files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Trump was informed in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi that he was named in the Epstein case files.
The publication, citing senior administration officials, said Trump was also told that other influential individuals were listed, but the Department of Justice (DoJ) did not intend to release further documents related to the probe.
Amid mounting criticism, White House spokesperson Steven Cheung issued a denial and sought to distance Trump from Epstein. “The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep. This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media,” he said in a statement.
Despite the rebuttals, many observers and critics believe that Trump is using diversionary tactics to steer attention away from the controversy.
Trump reignited allegations against former President Barack Obama, accusing him of treason. Earlier this month, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard joined the White House narrative and claimed that Obama administration officials had engaged in “treasonous” acts during the 2016 election.
At a White House press conference, Trump said, “They tried to steal the election,” alleging that the Obama administration attempted to sabotage his win over Hillary Clinton. Obama’s office responded sharply to these allegations.
“Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response,” the former president’s office stated. “But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction."
Political analysts believe Trump’s renewed focus on Obama is a strategic move to shift the media narrative away from the Epstein files.
In another unexpected move, Trump’s administration released over 230,000 pages of documents related to the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., including FBI surveillance records. The files had been sealed by court order since 1977.
However, this release faced immediate backlash from MLK’s family. His surviving children issued a statement condemning “any attempts to misuse these documents in ways intended to undermine our father’s legacy.”
Civil rights leader Al Sharpton criticized the move, stating, “The disclosure of the King files was a desperate attempt to distract from the firestorm engulfing Trump over the Epstein files and the public unravelling of his credibility.”
Trump also reignited cultural debates by urging the NFL team Washington Commanders to revert to their former name “Redskins,” a term long criticized as racially offensive. In a post on TruthSocial, Trump wrote, “I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington.”
He also criticized Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians, calling for the return of their former name “Cleveland Indians.” Trump’s remarks were widely seen as provocative and racially insensitive.
Critics pointed out the hypocrisy in Trump’s focus, noting how he had once rebuked Obama for commenting on the Redskins’ name. “Focus on important issues,” Trump had said then — a sentiment his critics now echo back at him.
As the Epstein scandal continues to cast a shadow over the Trump administration, many anticipate more such deflection attempts. Whether they succeed in shifting public focus remains to be seen.
