US President, Donald Trump on Tuesday, July 22 deflected questions about the Justice Department’s renewed efforts to investigate the Jeffrey Epstein case, instead redirecting attention toward former President Barack Obama and claims of political interference in the 2016 election.
While meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, Trump was asked about reports that the Justice Department is arranging a meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell — Epstein’s longtime associate who is currently serving a sentence for sex trafficking.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche had announced the plan online, noting the department is pursuing “all credible evidence” related to Epstein’s criminal network.
Trump responded briefly, saying the development “sounds appropriate,” but insisted, “I don’t really follow that too much.” Instead, he spent most of the Oval Office press interaction railing against Obama-era officials, citing new claims from his spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard, who alleged that intelligence during Obama’s presidency was manipulated for political purposes.
“It’s the most unbelievable thing I’ve ever read,” Trump said, calling the Epstein matter a “distraction” and “nonsense.”
He added, “You ought to take a look at that and stop talking about nonsense.”
Later, Trump took to social media to announce a 19% tariff on imported goods from the Philippines, while waiving tariffs for U.S. exports to the country.
Meanwhile, the Epstein issue continues to divide Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the House would adjourn early for the August recess, canceling votes that were scheduled for later in the week. This decision follows repeated clashes among Republicans and a deadlock in the House Rules Committee over Democratic efforts to push for more transparency on the Epstein case.
Though Trump once had ties to Epstein, he has dismissed the renewed scrutiny as a politically motivated “witch hunt,” and declined to directly address calls from supporters demanding more information on Epstein’s death and criminal network.