Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

The Guardian - US

World

Edward Helmore in New York

Trump on defensive over Epstein case following report he sent ‘bawdy’ letter

Jeffrey Epstein Donald Trump Pam Bondi Ron Wyden MAGA Ghislaine Maxwell Joe Biden Merrick Garland Mike Johnson Riley Gaines

a man in a suit speaks while seated — Donald Trump speaks in the oval office on 16 July 2025. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP

Donald Trump on Friday morning launched a fresh defense of his conduct in the Jeffrey Epstein case after the scandal deepened on Thursday following a Wall Street Journal report that he had written the sex offender a bawdy note with a sketch of a naked woman.

“If there was a ‘smoking gun’ on Epstein, why didn’t the Dems, who controlled the ‘files’ for four years, and had Garland and Comey in charge, use it? BECAUSE THEY HAD NOTHING!!!” Trump said in a Truth Social post early on Friday.

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

Some in Florida and Alabama without power as Isaias moves north to Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic

Some in Florida and Alabama without power as Isaias moves north to Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic

Hurricane Isaias has left nearly 396,000 customers without power across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama

The Independent UK

Woman finds an off-duty ICE agent asleep on her lawn at 3 AM. He allegedly attacks her 72-year-old father, who fires one shot and won’t be charged

Woman finds an off-duty ICE agent asleep on her lawn at 3 AM. He allegedly attacks her 72-year-old father, who fires one shot and won’t be charged

Questions arose about ICE's legal limits.

We Got This Covered

Families of 9/11 victims await key ruling in New York as truther conference is held nearby

Families of 9/11 victims await key ruling in New York as truther conference is held nearby

Families say Saudi Arabia provided aid to hijackers while conspiracist conference casts doubt on official narrative

The Guardian - US

Panama Earthquake: State of Emergency Declared After 7.7 Quake, With More Than 100 Recorded Aftershocks

Panama Earthquake: State of Emergency Declared After 7.7 Quake, With More Than 100 Recorded Aftershocks

Panama declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck within a day, injuring 27 people, damaging infrastructure and isolating communities with landslides and blocked roads

International Business Times UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

‘Deeply concerning’: Democratic congressional candidate rebukes ICE’s presence in New York

‘Deeply concerning’: Democratic congressional candidate rebukes ICE’s presence in New York

Darializa Avila Chevalier criticizes NYPD’s ‘inaction’ in protecting Marble Hill protesters after ICE shot a man

The Guardian - US

Gunman kills pregnant woman, 2 children and 5 others in massacre of Pennsylvania family

Gunman kills pregnant woman, 2 children and 5 others in massacre of Pennsylvania family

Erie police chief said the scene was the most difficult and heartbreaking that he has encountered

The Independent UK

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

Some in Florida and Alabama without power as Isaias moves north to Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic

Some in Florida and Alabama without power as Isaias moves north to Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic

Hurricane Isaias has left nearly 396,000 customers without power across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama

The Independent UK

Woman finds an off-duty ICE agent asleep on her lawn at 3 AM. He allegedly attacks her 72-year-old father, who fires one shot and won’t be charged

Woman finds an off-duty ICE agent asleep on her lawn at 3 AM. He allegedly attacks her 72-year-old father, who fires one shot and won’t be charged

Questions arose about ICE's legal limits.

We Got This Covered

Families of 9/11 victims await key ruling in New York as truther conference is held nearby

Families of 9/11 victims await key ruling in New York as truther conference is held nearby

Families say Saudi Arabia provided aid to hijackers while conspiracist conference casts doubt on official narrative

The Guardian - US

Panama Earthquake: State of Emergency Declared After 7.7 Quake, With More Than 100 Recorded Aftershocks

Panama Earthquake: State of Emergency Declared After 7.7 Quake, With More Than 100 Recorded Aftershocks

Panama declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck within a day, injuring 27 people, damaging infrastructure and isolating communities with landslides and blocked roads

International Business Times UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

‘Deeply concerning’: Democratic congressional candidate rebukes ICE’s presence in New York

‘Deeply concerning’: Democratic congressional candidate rebukes ICE’s presence in New York

Darializa Avila Chevalier criticizes NYPD’s ‘inaction’ in protecting Marble Hill protesters after ICE shot a man

The Guardian - US

Gunman kills pregnant woman, 2 children and 5 others in massacre of Pennsylvania family

Gunman kills pregnant woman, 2 children and 5 others in massacre of Pennsylvania family

Erie police chief said the scene was the most difficult and heartbreaking that he has encountered

The Independent UK

Our Picks

Physicians’ group calls for ban on raw milk – as it’s becoming increasingly popular in the US

As raw milk industry experiences record growth, experts say it might contain pathogens that can sicken people

The Guardian - US

San Francisco Church Criticised for Letting Adult Star Preach About 'Bodily Autonomy' in Kink-Leather

Metropolitan Community Church San Francisco has faced criticism after drag performer Honey Davenport delivered a sermon during Folsom Street Fair weekend.

International Business Times UK

Dakota Johnson Says She Grew Pubic Hair for 'Fifty Shades' Even Though the Film Added It Digitally

Dakota Johnson has discussed growing her pubic hair for her role in 'Fifty Shades of Grey', prompting renewed attention to grooming expectations and medical guidance on pubic hair.

International Business Times UK

As companies pour billions into Earth-based AI infrastructure, Google taking the data center race off-planet

Google will conduct experiments with its satellite in space for a year.

‘Halloweenmas’: how the spooky one-nighter turned into a month-long spectacular

Welcome to Halloweenmas, weeks of themed fun and gifts – from costume parties to decorating trees – without the stress, rules or cost of Christmas

The Guardian - UK

After Megan Fox Horrified Fans, Cameron Diaz Faces Scrutiny Over Her Looks As Comment About Aging Resurfaces

Cameron Diaz’s old Botox confession resurfaced after Megan Fox faced appearance-related criticism, prompting fresh online debate about cosmetic procedures and aging naturally.

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play