Donald Trump Under Pressure Over Epstein Files

By Jeralyn, Section Trump Administration
Posted on Fri Jul 18, 2025 at 07:04:10 AM EST
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Donald Trump has felt the pressure the past two weeks, from all sides over AG Bondi's decision not to release additional files regarding Jeffrey Epstein's purported "list of clients" and the investigation into his death while in pretrial detention. It began as a rumbling from from hard-core, radical-right MAGA supporters who love conspiracy stories, the more out-there the better. But it since has spread to other Republicans and even woken up sleepy Democrats.

The Dems initial reaction was "Who cares?", there's more important things to care about." Now that they sense a crack in Trump's armor, they are banging their plates on the table, joining the cacaphony.

There's an old saying, that some credit to Benjamin Franklin and others to a writer named Sanford in 1373, the essence of which is, "When you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas". Trump laid down plenty with Epstein during the early 90's. And now he's catching the fleas. He deserves them. [More...]

In the latest developments, yesterday the Wall St Journal reported it has seen a "baudy" birthday letter (free link) Trump sent Epstein for his 50th birthday. Trump says the letter is a fraud.

Last night, Trump caved in and said he will push the release of the sealed grand jury transcripts. Pam Bondi, at least recognizing that a court order is necessary to release sealed grand jury transcripts, said she will file a motion in court today requesting they be unsealed. What a lapdog. Anyone want to speculate on how long she lasts as AG?

Question of the day: How long before Trump pardons Ghislaine Maxwell?

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Donald Trump Under Pressure Over Epstein Files | 39 comments (39 topical)

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I don't see a pardon for GM. I think (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by Peter G on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 04:28:55 PM EST

the deal in the works is for her to drop her pending appeal, while the DOJ files a motion under Rule 35(b)(2)(C) to reduce her sentence in exchange for "cooperation" in the form of a debriefing that purports to "exonerate" Tr*mp and implicates whoever they want to see implicated, most likely Bill Clinton. Of course, if her trial/sentencing judge refuses to grant that motion, as he well might, then a commutation (shortening of her sentence) -- or even a pardon, although that's the least likely -- could ensue.

: I keep saying (none / 0) (#2)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 04:42:33 PM EST

"I can't believe they would be stupid enough to do that"
Said it about the BBB.
Seriously. The base would absolutely freak. But I think he has more than enough hubris. But it would be insane.
More popcorn.

Someone said (tv) (none / 0) (#3)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 04:57:43 PM EST

their could a secret deal that no one would know about until Trump left office.
That it could be, legally, kept secret.

Is zat true?

It is true that cooperation motions (none / 0) (#6)
by Peter G on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 05:43:15 PM EST

under Rule 35(b) are often filed "under seal" and are thus "secret." But if her sentence is shortened that would be public information; I cannot think of a way that could be kept secret.


3 1.2 years. Trump's term (none / 0) (#9)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 05:47:31 PM EST

is less than 20-life


I mean if he agreed to pardon her. (none / 0) (#10)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 05:48:50 PM EST

Could easily be in court till then. Right?


A federal criminal sentence does not (none / 0) (#11)
by Peter G on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 08:36:54 AM EST

take the form of "20-life" or anything like that. Parole was abolished in the federal system in 1987. (A term of "20-life" implies parole eligibility after 20 years served.) A person serving a twenty-year federal sentence stays in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for 20 years, less 15% for good behavior if earned. Unless the sentence is shortened by judicial action for some other reason (such as "cooperation," on motion of the prosecutors) or commutation by the President.


It was more of an expression (none / 0) (#12)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 08:43:10 AM EST

so apart from mistaking her sentence, is it not true that getting a full pardon at the end of Trump's current term is less than whatever her sentence is.

And the deal could be kept secret?


: yes, all of that (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by Peter G on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 01:48:17 PM EST

is true

I only recently learned (none / 0) (#4)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 05:27:00 PM EST

the father of Ms Maxwell is Robert Maxwell.

Rich, powerful, buried in the Mt of Olives cemetery. This is GOOGLE

The Mount of Olives cemetery is a historic and significant Jewish burial ground located in Jerusalem. It's considered the most venerated necropolis in the Jewish world and has been a burial site for thousands of years. The cemetery is situated on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Old City and the Temple Mount, and is believed to be the location where the Messiah will arrive and the resurrection of the dead will begin.

---

I read this in the context of pointing out of if the odd things about this case is she has been in prison for pedophilia for years and she is still alive. Inmates are not usually kind to pedos

And the two things might be related.

Anything to that?

None of my "pedo" clients (none / 0) (#5)
by Peter G on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 05:41:28 PM EST

suffered the oft-feared consequences in federal prison. They are typically concentrated in a few locations, where the other inmates have their own selfish reasons not to misbehave. One of my clients had musical talent and became the keyboardist for an inmate reggae band, in exchange for which the Jamaicans became his "posse" and protected him. And the women's prisons are even safer. Not so as to many state prisons, but the federal system is a lot safer. (Not for known snitches, necessarily, but for sex offenders, yes.)


: They are referred to in federal (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Peter G on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 05:44:55 PM EST

prison slang as "chomos," btw. For "child molester."

: Interesting (none / 0) (#8)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Jul 24, 2025 at 05:45:04 PM EST

That pedo part was really an aside in a long thing about "odd things" around this case.
I'll look for it.

Listening (none / 0) (#14)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 02:50:13 PM EST

to some podcasts about this again. I think I am done with the podcasts on this subject though because there isn't much more to learn at this point. Epstein was apparently the Mary Kay of sex trafficking. Find a girl, rape her and get her to bring her friends so she is now participating in the sex trafficking.

Gavin Newsome says he thinks that this is another example of Trump taking an event and weaving a conspiracy theory around it like for example what he did during the NC hurricane. And the more I think about it the more this seems to be the case. The NYT is reporting that the DOJ was scouring the files to find something to appease Trump's base and there was nothing. Which also explains why there were no other indictments. I honestly don't think Maurene Comey would have let anyone off the hook if she had the evidence to prosecute. The sad thing is the victims were trapped into this and a lot of them couldn't be used as witnesses hence the reason why there weren't more counts against Maxwell.

According to this guy (none / 0) (#15)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 03:54:14 PM EST

There are only 5 names in both the flight logs and court documents

Bill Clinton
Prince Andrew
Donald Trump
Michael Jackson (?)
David Copperfield

Instagram link

Well (none / 0) (#16)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 04:09:25 PM EST

if they were on the flight logs likely they would be in the court documents. As I recall Epstein's pilot was asked names about who flew on his planes under oath during the Maxwell trial.

But it all gets back to just release the files and end the speculation. I just don't think Trump will ever release the files.

Also the lawyer for Epstein's estate apparently has the same information as DOJ. I would guess that all the evidence against Epstein was given to his defense attorneys who then gave it to the estate. The estate said they have a digital copy of the birthday book. So all of this is going to come out at some point no matter what Trump does.


: The guy does say (none / 0) (#17)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 04:12:40 PM EST

there are many others, some only in the flight logs some only in the court documents.

: I would be surprised (none / 0) (#18)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 04:14:14 PM EST

if there was "one" pilot.

He says (none / 0) (#19)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 04:16:33 PM EST

Trump is mentioned in several witness statements

I think that might be what Trump is worried about.

Like I said. Creepy.


For whatever reason (none / 0) (#20)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 04:18:07 PM EST

I don't see Trump actually having sex with underage girls.

I can see him watching.


I honestly (none / 0) (#21)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 04:33:19 PM EST

think any mention of himself is what Trump is worried about because he has created this whole lie about him being against Epstein, testifying against Epstein etc. etc. when in fact he was his best friend. The whole house of cards is gonna collapse. We do know that he filed to have his name redacted in one of the cases that were unsealed and publicly released and Clinton did not request his name be redacted. So maga finding out he is Doe174 or whatever the fake name was is gonna explode some brains.


Any mention should not concern him (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 04:42:48 PM EST

We know there's lots of good famous well known people who had nothing to do with sex trafficking were around Epstein

I've been surprised some of the names I've read.

Iiiiii don't think it's "any mention" he is worried about.

Tho he is probably worried about those too.


Well (none / 0) (#23)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 05:20:11 PM EST

obviously there is something he thinks is bad enough that he is not gonna release the files and Susie Wiles told Bondi to kill the case.

Somebody gave the WSJ the entire file or enough of the file to do some damage. The funniest thing is some maga are now saying that Trump is being held hostage by the deep state and can't release the files.


Uh huh (none / 0) (#25)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 05:22:03 PM EST

and Ghislaine Maxwell is a victim,


Yes, (none / 0) (#27)
by KeysDan on Sat Jul 26, 2025 at 10:04:54 AM EST

and I fear the only change to come out of the rekindling of this pedophile scandal will be the Trump pardon or commutation of sentence for Ms. Maxwell. Trump's way of "wishing her well".


You know what (none / 0) (#28)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 26, 2025 at 10:22:06 AM EST

I hope he does


I agree with Andy Borowitz (none / 0) (#29)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Jul 26, 2025 at 10:47:13 AM EST

When you are have problems because of your relationship with a child sex trafficker it's not the best idea to pardon his partner in crime.

Go ahead. Pardon her. They would both be dead in a year IMO


Of course. I (none / 0) (#30)
by KeysDan on Sat Jul 26, 2025 at 11:24:47 AM EST

hope you are right. But, we can not underestimate the moral gymnastics of fascists. Already, there are claims of "deep state" victimization of poor Ghislaine. The Republican focus on pedophilia seems to apply to groups (e.g. LGBTQ, Liberals, Lefties, Democrats) as a means to dehumanize and pave the way for cleansing. Individual pedophiles may not necessarily be so included, especially if they have seen the light of Jeebus. A youth pastor may have fallen to pedophilia, but not all youth pastors are to be eliminated. A bad apple v bad apples.

Trump's association and degree of involvement may be rationalized away in service to Republican's power quest and the rubes willingness to look past, or deny, Trump's culpability. No one thought Trump could get away with pardoning 1,600 J6 insurrectionists, but he did so on day one. While certainly different, Trump is not above giving it a try.


: All that is (none / 0) (#32)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 26, 2025 at 12:41:06 PM EST

true but it is still fringe. All the media apparatus in this country even Maga Maggie aren't buying what Trump is saying FOR ONCE and are already saying that nobody can believe what a woman who repeatedly lied to prosecutors and sexually abused 14 year old girls will say.
I think it was Wajat Ali who pointed out that Murdoch has given the media the permission structure to go after Trump. So it's sad that we have one person deciding all this. I guess all the other media is so afraid of Murdoch they went along with his pro Trump garbage. Murdoch truly is a cancer on America.

ENDING CRIME AND DISORDER (none / 0) (#24)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 05:20:27 PM EST

ON AMERICAN STREETS

Of all the crazy batsh!t EOs so far this has to be top 5.

It talks about institutionalizing the homeless.

Not making that up.

Where does he expect to put them? More camps would be my guess.

Yes (none / 0) (#26)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Jul 25, 2025 at 05:44:55 PM EST

he is going to build more concentration camps and throw them in there because there is nowhere else that can be thrown up fast enough to house them and they will be built by Trump's buddies given no bid contracts and the homeless will be force fed roach infested food.


An out of sight (5.00 / 1) (#31)
by KeysDan on Sat Jul 26, 2025 at 12:09:08 PM EST

out of mind policy, tragically, will be popular in many quarters. Homelessness, is in large part, is a legacy of Ronald Reagan. The idea of moving the mentally ill out of, and closing, large institutions, and deploying community care was derailed owing to decreases in funding for community health services or half-way housing, leaving many without support after being released from their institutional care.

Indeed, overall cuts to welfare programs impacted vulnerable populations and contributed to a rise in poverty which is a key factor in homelessness. Reagan was no friend to cities and oversaw cuts in HUD funding; he did not even recognize his HUD Secretary, Sam Pierce, his only Black cabinet member, addressing him at an event as Mr. Mayor.

A continuing issue is the lack of affordable housing and impediments to its provision--NIMBY and lack of funding. Perhaps, the fundamental reason for the unhoused is the enduring Republican saw--- individual responsibility for social problems, giving a permission structure to despise the homeless and to get them out of sight-- concentration camps will do just fine.


: Kyle Langford, (none / 0) (#33)
by KeysDan on Mon Jul 28, 2025 at 04:53:47 PM EST

a leading Republican candidate for governor of California, published a photo of himself at the entrance to Auschwitz with the text--"My 0% unemployment camp" and as "a solution to the homeless problem." Highlighting his view, Langford called the death camp a "beautiful work camp."
It is good to observe that the news article notes that Langford's comments were "sparking controversy". While it is unlikely that Langford will go far in the California gubernatorial race, it suggests the MAGAt permission structure for Republican nutjobs to go full fascist.

So...nothing to actually address causes of (none / 0) (#35)
by Chuck0 on Sat Aug 02, 2025 at 12:51:42 PM EST

homelessness. Just lock em up. Does orange mussolini have any idea how many homeless are veterans? You know, the same orange mussolini that claims to care about veterans.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.


Donald (none / 0) (#34)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Aug 02, 2025 at 08:56:49 AM EST

Trump redacted his name from the files. Honestly I am not surprised to hear this.

I wonder what maga is gonna say about a convicted child sex trafficker being given preferential treatment.

Counteroffensive (none / 0) (#36)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Aug 02, 2025 at 03:02:42 PM EST

Democratic governors advise strong counteroffensive on redistricting

Oops (none / 0) (#37)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Aug 02, 2025 at 04:54:59 PM EST

Smithsonian to Restore Info About Trump Impeachments
August 2, 2025 at 5:24 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 14 Comments

The Smithsonian said on Saturday that it would restore information about President Donald Trump's two impeachments to an exhibit in the National Museum of American History "in the coming weeks," the Washington Post reports

Good to hear (none / 0) (#38)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Aug 02, 2025 at 06:15:48 PM EST

from RAW STORY

But here's where Trump's gambit is backfiring on the Republican Party, Ballou wrote. Conservative judges are apparently so alarmed by appointments like Bove that they're refusing to retire, denying Trump future vacancy opportunities.

"Trump and his allies might come to regret appointing such a transparent partisan to the federal bench," he wrote.

Please stay on topic (none / 0) (#39)
by Jeralyn on Sun Aug 03, 2025 at 03:03:58 AM EST

A new open thread is on its way.