Justice Department senior official meets Epstein co-conspirator for second day

Trump seeks to distance himself from Epstein’s scandal

President Donald Trump is attempting to move past the controversy surrounding the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose imprisonment and death in 2019 remain shrouded in conspiracy theories. A series of meetings between the former president’s former personal attorney, Todd Blanche, and Ghislaine Maxwell—Maxwell’s lawyer, David Markus—have drawn attention to the ongoing investigation.

Key Moments from the Tallahassee Meetings

• Tallahassee Courthouse – Blanche and his team entered the courthouse through a back door to conduct hearings with Maxwell.
• Maxwell’s Defense – Markus stated that Maxwell had answered every question “to the best of her ability,” calling her a “scapegoat” for “years of unfair treatment.”
• Blanche’s Statement on X – The former personal attorney promised to share additional information once it was “appropriate.”

Trump’s Public Statements

In press releases ahead of a visit to Scotland, Trump emphasized that he had no ties to Epstein. He urged journalists to focus on Democratic figures—Bill Clinton, Larry Summers—as “really close friends” of the disgraced financier. When asked whether he considered pardoning or commuting Maxwell’s 20‑year sentence, Trump said: “I haven’t thought about it,” while noting he had the power to act.

Conspiracy Theories and DOJ Findings

• Epstein’s death was ruled a suicide, but speculation that he was murdered to prevent his testimony has persisted.
• The Department of Justice and the FBI confirmed there was no evidence of a “list” of Epstein’s clients, asserting he died by suicide.
• Trump’s base has expressed frustration after the administration announced that no new elements were found warranting additional documents.

Maxwell’s Conviction and Legal Pursuit

Maxwell was convicted in 2022 for grooming underage girls between 1994 and 2004, enabling Epstein to exploit them sexually. The DOJ review of the so‑called “Epstein files” included Trump’s name among hundreds, though no wrongdoing was detected.

Final Note from the President

Trump filed a $10 billion defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal after the paper alleged he had drafted a sexually suggestive letter to Epstein in 2003. Speaker Mike Johnson cut short the legislative session to avoid potential debates among Trump’s Republicans over the release of these files.