Today's News: Trump Administration Deflects Epstein Questions with Maxwell Interviews and Obama Accusations
These events are unfolding as Trump conducts a golf-heavy “working visit” to Scotland, where he faces protests and attempts to deflect attention from his own controversies by promoting various conspir
Photo: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images
Are you tired of this story? I’m tired of this story. And yet, here we are: this is what has dominated the news all week.
Newsie Project is going to stay on task (for now), but this is probably a good time to recommend that you read ‘Flooding the zone’ and the politics of attention (Justice Everywhere) and Jay Rosen’s advice in What I Learned by Watching the Press Try to Cover Trump, which is aimed at journalists, but applies equally to readers.
Stay safe and well-informed out there.
Overview
Date: July 25-26, 2025
Topic: President Trump’s Epstein Scandal, Conspiracy Theories, and Re-litigation of 2016 Russia Investigation
Summary: President Donald Trump is grappling with multiple political controversies, primarily the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case and renewed scrutiny over the 2016 Russian election interference investigation. His administration’s handling of Epstein-related disclosures, including the decision not to release more documents and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s unusual interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell, has drawn widespread criticism. Simultaneously, Trump and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are pushing claims that the Obama administration “manufactured” intelligence regarding Russian interference, a narrative strongly disputed by former intelligence officials. These events are unfolding as Trump conducts a golf-heavy “working visit” to Scotland, where he faces protests and attempts to deflect attention from his own controversies by promoting various conspiracy theories.
Sources
The New York Times - Competing Conspiracy Theories Consume Trump’s Washington
CNN - Trump flees Washington controversies for golf-heavy trip to Scotland
NBC News - Ghislaine Maxwell’s meetings with Justice Department shrouded in secrecy
Fox News - DNI Tulsi Gabbard declassified Trump-Russia docs: Here’s what they say
The Washington Post - Trump’s MAGA allies zero in on Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein furor persists
Key Points
President Trump is facing significant political fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, particularly concerning unreleased files and his administration’s handling of the investigation.
Trump is actively attempting to deflect attention from his own ties to Epstein by promoting various conspiracy theories, often targeting political opponents like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden.
The Justice Department, under the Trump administration, has drawn scrutiny for its decision to close the Epstein case review without new charges or document releases, leading to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s unusual interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Trump administration is re-litigating the 2016 Russian election interference investigation, with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassifying documents to support claims that the Obama administration “manufactured” intelligence to undermine Trump.
There is a pervasive theme across the articles of the politicization of justice and intelligence agencies, with accusations of biased investigations and efforts to control public narratives.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times details specific new conspiracy theories promoted by Trump, such as Obama being in prison, a tranquilized Hillary Clinton, or Joe Biden’s magical autopen. It also notes Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to abruptly recess the House due to the Epstein matter and Trump’s suggestion that Fort Knox gold reserves might be missing. The article highlights that applicants for jobs in the second Trump administration were asked whether Trump won the 2020 election.
CNN focuses on President Trump’s trip to Scotland as a “refuge” from Washington controversies, detailing his golf-heavy itinerary, the protests against him, and the “Convicted US Felon” headline in a local newspaper. It also explains the dedication of the MacLeod Course, named after Trump’s mother, and the significant security operation for his visit.
NBC News (Maxwell) emphasizes the highly unusual nature of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche personally interviewing Ghislaine Maxwell without the presence of prosecutors, and quotes former officials and victims' lawyers on the lack of transparency. It also mentions the recent firing of Maurene Comey, a lead prosecutor in the Maxwell case and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, as a potential effort to control the case.
NBC News (Gabbard) features direct quotes from Susan Miller, a retired CIA officer who oversaw the 2017 intelligence assessment, who states that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and the White House are “lying” about the assessment being manufactured. Miller details the process of the assessment and reveals she was questioned by John Durham’s team and faced potential criminal charges.
Fox News (Epstein names) directly quotes President Trump suggesting reporters should focus on Bill Clinton and Larry Summers regarding Epstein, and notes Clinton’s denial in his memoir of ever visiting Epstein’s island.
Fox News (Gabbard docs) provides specific declassified document details, including Presidential Daily Briefings from December 2016 stating Russia “probably not trying… to influence the election by using cyber means.” It details the FBI’s drafted “dissent” to the original brief and the subsequent creation of a new Intelligence Community Assessment, which the article claims “directly contradicted” previous assessments and was “politicized.” It also includes alleged Russian intelligence on Hillary Clinton’s health issues and a supposed Clinton-approved plan to link Putin to Trump.
The Washington Post highlights that many of Trump’s MAGA allies view Ghislaine Maxwell as the “Rosetta Stone” who can expose a “secret cabal of rich and powerful pedophiles,” quoting figures like Alan Dershowitz, Benny Johnson, and Charlie Kirk on the importance of her testimony and the possibility of leniency or a pardon. It also mentions Attorney General Pam Bondi’s previous statement about a “truckload of evidence” received by the FBI.
Contrasting Details
2016 Russian Election Interference Assessment:
Fox News (Gabbard docs) and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard claim the Obama administration “manufactured” intelligence, politicized the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), and suppressed information indicating Russia did not intend to influence the election in Trump’s favor or impact its outcome. They cite declassified Presidential Daily Briefings and a 2020 Republican House intelligence report.
NBC News (Gabbard) and former CIA officer Susan Miller directly refute these claims, asserting that Gabbard and the White House are “lying.” Miller states the assessment was based on credible information showing Russia sought to help Trump win, though no “two-way collusion” was found. The New York Times also notes that Gabbard’s allegations contradict a Republican-led Senate report signed by Marco Rubio.
Transparency and Motives in Epstein Investigation:
The Trump administration (Fox News, NBC News Maxwell) announced the closure of the Epstein case review without new charges or document releases, claiming no credible information remained. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s meetings with Ghislaine Maxwell are presented as a step to address public concern.
The Washington Post and The New York Times indicate that this decision sparked “fury” from both MAGA conservatives and liberal Democrats, who question the lack of transparency and whether the unreleased files might implicate Trump. The New York Times notes the administration’s “flip-flopping” on releasing files fueled cover-up speculation.
President Trump’s Involvement with Jeffrey Epstein:
President Trump, as quoted in Fox News and NBC News (Maxwell), attempts to deflect attention by suggesting others, like Bill Clinton and Larry Summers, had closer ties to Epstein, stating, “I sure as hell didn’t” live with Epstein and that the files were “made up by Comey… by Obama… by the Biden administration.”
The New York Times and The Washington Post state that Trump was “friends with Mr. Epstein, although they later fell out,” and that Trump’s name is “in the Jeffrey Epstein files,” as confirmed by his attorney general. The Washington Post notes Trump was quoted in 2002 calling Epstein a “terrific guy” and their falling out was over a property dispute, not Epstein’s crimes.
The Newsie Project uses AI to summarize, compare, and contrast the reporting of the major US and world online news sources.
This is an evolving project. Tools, approaches, and output formats will change over time. The Newsie Project does not attempt to provide a definitive capsule of any news story. While the incidence of errors in these summaries is low, and I attempt to spot-check details, AI tools can hallucinate. Please click through and read the articles for details (some may be paywalled).