In a significant development, the US House Democrats released new emails related to Jeffrey Epstein this morning, which include references to former President Donald Trump. A notable email from Epstein to Ghislaine Maxwell dated April 2011 claims that Trump spent hours with a victim at Epstein's residence. The email states: “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump... [the victim] spent hours at my house with him.” However, the victim's name was initially redacted in the version released by the Democrats.
Shortly after the email's release, the White House issued a statement identifying the "unnamed victim" as Virginia Giuffre, who has consistently maintained that Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing. This statement has sparked further scrutiny, leading BBC Verify to investigate the documents released by the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee.
Upon reviewing the documents, BBC Verify discovered the same email in a file labeled HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031326.txt. Unlike the redacted version, this file included the victim's name: “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump... Virginia spent hours at my house with him.” When asked about the initial redaction, Representative Robert Garcia, a leading Democrat on the committee, explained that they adhere to a policy of not releasing victims' names per the families' wishes.
The ongoing saga surrounding Epstein continues to cast a shadow over US politics. The White House has characterized the emails as “selectively leaked” by Democrats to construct a “false narrative” about Trump's connections to Epstein. Meanwhile, Democrats argue that the emails raise serious questions regarding the former president’s alleged ties to the convicted sex offender.
In a dramatic turn of events, Republicans have unveiled over 20,000 pages of documents from the Epstein estate, creating a narrative filled with ups and downs that consistently draws media attention. Such revelations could distract Trump from his efforts to address pressing public issues, including the economy and rising living costs in America. Conversely, Democrats might welcome this twist as it diverts focus from internal party conflicts regarding the government shutdown.
Among the newly released emails, correspondence between Epstein and author Michael Wolff surfaces, highlighting their discussions about Trump. In an email dated October 2016, just days before the presidential election, Wolff suggested to Epstein that he could conduct an interview that would “finish” Trump. The email reads: “There's an opportunity to come forward this week and talk about Trump in such a way that could garner you great sympathy and help finish him. Interested?”
Another email from March 2011 indicates that Peter Mandelson, a British politician, advised Epstein against participating in a BBC interview regarding his connections to the Duke of York. Mandelson's response was a firm “No!” after Epstein forwarded the interview request from BBC Radio 4's Today program.
The House Oversight Committee plays a crucial role in the release of documents related to Epstein, as it is responsible for investigating federal agencies and has the authority to compel witnesses to testify. Currently led by Republicans, the committee has been instrumental in demanding and releasing documents associated with Epstein's case.
The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, has denounced the email release as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish Trump's reputation. Leavitt emphasized that the “unnamed victim” referenced in the emails is Virginia Giuffre, who has repeatedly asserted that Trump was not involved in any misconduct. She also pointed out that Trump had expelled Epstein from his club years ago due to inappropriate behavior.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the Epstein emails are likely to become a topic of discussion among White House reporters. With Trump maintaining a relatively quiet public schedule, it is anticipated that he may address the issue on social media or during press briefings later today.
Additionally, the newly released email exchanges highlight Epstein's attempts to navigate his relationship with Trump and his associates, raising further questions about the former president's connections to the convicted sex offender. As the deadline for a House vote on the complete release of Epstein's files approaches, the implications of these emails will undoubtedly remain a focal point in American politics.