Today in Focus Donald Trump’s Epstein U-turn
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Nov 18, 2025 Jonathan Freedland, a seasoned political journalist and presenter of Politics Weekly America, dives into Donald Trump's complicated ties to the Epstein files. He discusses how Trump's reluctance to release documents has become a political hotbed. Freedland reveals the contents of emails linking Trump to Epstein and highlights the extensive connections Epstein had with elite figures. He also examines the push by some Republicans for transparency and how this scandal resonates with Trump’s base, suggesting that his recent U-turn might only offer temporary relief.
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Late U-Turn Driven By House Revolt
- Trump initially refused to release the Epstein files and actively pressured House Republicans to keep them secret.
- He reversed course only after he saw enough Republican defections to cost him the vote, Jonathan Freedland explains.
Ambiguous Emails Fuel Competing Narratives
- The selectively released emails include claims by Epstein that Trump "knew about the girls" and that Trump told Ghislaine Maxwell to stop.
- Those lines can be spun as damning or exculpatory, making public interpretation contested.
Photos Undercut 'Barely Knew Him' Defense
- The public record already shows Trump and Epstein socialising, including photos and video of them together.
- Freedland notes those images alone make the claim Trump "hardly knew the guy" implausible.