ANALYSIS — A noticeably fired-up President Donald Trump on Tuesday attempted to distance himself from his administration’s next steps in the Jeffrey Epstein documents drama, while also announcing a revised trade arrangement with the Philippines.
Meeting with reporters in the Oval Office alongside Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Trump appeared feistier than he’s been in recent public appearances as he attempted to change the subject several times. He contended, for instance, that he did not know that a senior Justice Department official who represented him during a New York state criminal case intended to interview Epstein’s former associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The scene in the Oval Office, now wall-papered with gold leaf at Trump’s direction, summed up what the president’s second term has become: A world leader seeking to close a trade deal sat mostly silent as Trump deflected questions about the latest scandal. The Epstein saga has riled up some conservative lawmakers and “Make America Great Again” influencers, though polls have shown GOP voters remain solidly behind him.
