Trump shrugs off questions over Epstein memo, calling them ‘a desecration’

Trump shrugs off questions over Epstein memo, calling them 'a desecration'

President Donald Trump on Tuesday shrugged off questions arounda new Justice Department memoabout accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, calling them "a desecration." "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years," Trump said during a Cabinet meeting after a reporter directed a question to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who's been the subject of MAGA blowback after the Justice Department said on Monday there is no evidence Epstein kept a "client list" or was murdered. "You're asking – we have Texas, we have this, we have all of the things, and are people still talking about this guy? This creep? That is unbelievable," Trump said, referring to the devastating flooding in Texas. "I mean, I can't believe you're asking a question on Epstein at a time like this, where we're having some of the greatest success and also tragedy with what happened in Texas. It just seems like a desecration." Trump's MAGA allies have for years sought evidence of an alleged Epstein "client list" potentially tying influential figures to the deceased former financier's crimes. After being confirmed as attorney general earlier this year, Bondi quickly embraced those theories. When asked about a client list in a February interview on Fox News, she said it was "sitting on my desk right now to review." Far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has demonstrated influence with the Trump administration and has frequently criticized Bondi over her handling of the Epstein investigation, called for Trump to fire the attorney general, writing on X Monday: "If she doesn't get fired over this Epstein memo, people are going to be so black pilled." And Elon Musk, a former Trump ally who previously alleged that the administration is withholding files on the Epstein case because Trump's name appears in them, asked Tuesday afternoon on X: "How can people be expected to have faith in Trump if he won't release the Epstein files?" Bondi, who attended the Cabinet meeting, attempted on Tuesday to clarify her February remarks, echoing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's argument the day before that the attorney general had been referring to the "entirety of all of the paperwork" related to Epstein. "I did an interview on Fox, and it's been getting a lot of attention because I said I was asked a question about the client list, and my response was, it's sitting on my desk to be reviewed — meaning the file, along with the JFK, MLK files as well. That's what I meant by that," Bondi said. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Trump shrugs off questions over Epstein memo, calling them ‘a desecration’

Trump shrugs off questions over Epstein memo, calling them 'a desecration' President Donald Trump on Tuesday shrugged off questions ...

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Independent Dan Osborn launches new US Senate bid to challenge Nebraska Republican Pete Ricketts

Independent Dan Osborn launches new US Senate bid to challenge Nebraska Republican Pete Ricketts

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former labor union boss who drew national headlines in his race last year as an independent candidate challengingNebraska Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischeris again throwing his hat into the political ring — this time to challenge Nebraska's junior senator, RepublicanPete Ricketts, in 2026. "I'm running for Senate because Congress shouldn't just be a playground for the rich," Dan Osborn said in a video released Tuesday to announce his candidacy. He criticized Ricketts, a former two-term Nebraska governor and multimillionaire who is the son of billionaire TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, as a lawmaker who "bought his Senate seat." Ricketts' campaign responded by touting his voting record "to secure the border and cut taxes for Nebraska workers" and painted Osborn as beholden to Democrats. "Dan Osborn is bought and paid for by his liberal, out-of-state, coastal donors," Ricketts campaign spokesman Will Coup said in a written statement. That was a reference to the nearly $20 million Osborn received last year from political action committees, including those that tend to support Democratic candidates. As he insisted last year, Osborn said he would serve as an independent if elected and has no plans to caucus with either Democrats or Republicans. He pointed to Ricketts' vote for Republicans' massivetax cut and spending billlast week that contains $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and cuts Medicaid and food stamps by $1.2 trillion. "Congress spends their time bickering about how much we should cut taxes for billionaires and multinational corporations. We're just an afterthought," Osborn said. "My kids and yours deserve an American dream too." It's a familiar refrain from Osborn, who centered hiscampaign last yearon representing working families he says are being steamrolled by an ever-growing wealth gap and policies that favor the rich over the middle class. Osborn was known in labor union circles as the Omaha industrial mechanic who successfullyled a labor strike at Kellogg's cereal plantsin 2021, winning higher wages and other benefits. He was a political newcomer when he challenged Fischer, outraising her by more than $1 million and coming within 6 percentage points of the two-term senator, who was used to winning by wide margins. Osborn acknowledged that it would be difficult to pose a campaign finance threat to Ricketts, one of the richest members of the U.S. Senate. Federal campaign finance reports show Ricketts' campaign had more than $800,000 cash on hand at the end of March. But Osborn believes his populist message appeals more to Nebraska voters than campaign war chests. "I think if you throw $100 million of your own money into Nebraska, I don't know that that moves the needle any more than $30 does," he said. "I think we're going to win this the old school way: Go out to where people are. Just hold town hall after town hall and talk with the good people in Nebraska." Ricketts is seeking reelection next year after winning aspecial electionlast year to finish out the term of former Sen. Ben Sasse, whoresignedin 2022. Ricketts wasappointedto the seat by his successor, fellow Republican Gov. Jim Pillen, to fill the vacancy — a movewidely pannedas having the appearance of backroom dealing, as Ricketts had heavily supported and donated more than $1 million to help elect Pillen.

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Independent Dan Osborn launches new US Senate bid to challenge Nebraska Republican Pete Ricketts

Independent Dan Osborn launches new US Senate bid to challenge Nebraska Republican Pete Ricketts OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former labor union bos...

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Soccer-Trump to attend Club World Cup final, FIFA opens office in Trump Tower

Soccer-Trump to attend Club World Cup final, FIFA opens office in Trump Tower

WASHINGTON/EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump will attend Sunday's Club World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, he said at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, as world soccer's ruling body FIFA announced it had opened an office in New York's Trump Tower. The expanded tournament featuring many of the world's best club teams has been widely seen as a dry run for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico with a record 48 national teams taking part. Sunday's Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium will be a preview of next year's championship match, with the home of the NFL's New York Jets and Giants also hosting the 2026 finale. "I'll be going to the game," Trump told reporters. The news came a day after FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the opening of a representative office at Trump Tower, where the Club World Cup trophy will be on display until the final. "We have received such a big support from the government and from the President with the White House Task Force for the FIFA Club World Cup (now) and for the FIFA World Cup next year," Infantino said. Trump has not shied away from sport's super-sized spotlight during his second term, becoming the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl in February, and in May announcing D.C. as the host for the 2027 NFL Draft from the Oval Office. His immigration crackdown and travel ban on 12 countries have prompted concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup, however, even as Infantino offered assurances that the world will be welcomed in the U.S. for the quadrennial global showpiece event. A memo obtained by Reuters last month showed that the Trump administration was considering significantly expanding its travel restrictions by potentially banning citizens of 36 additional countries from entering the U.S. (Reporting by Amy Tennery in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Andrea Shalal in Washington, editing by Ed Osmond)

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Soccer-Trump to attend Club World Cup final, FIFA opens office in Trump Tower

Soccer-Trump to attend Club World Cup final, FIFA opens office in Trump Tower WASHINGTON/EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Reuters) -U.S. President Don...

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Scott Frost rips his bad Nebraska stint after returning to UCF: ‘It wasn’t a good move’

Scott Frost rips his bad Nebraska stint after returning to UCF: 'It wasn't a good move'

Scott Frost is thrilled to be back atUCF, and he's not holding back in describing how bad of a run he had working for his alma mater. Frost, whoreceived a five-year deal to return and lead the Knightsin December, ripped his time at Nebraska on Tuesday at the Big 12's media days. Frost, who was fired fromNebraskajust three games into the 2022 campaign, said there was one very clear thing he learned from his time with the Cornhuskers. "Don't take the wrong job," he said, viaThe Athletic's Chris Vannini. Frost was hired at Nebraska, where he played and went to school, in 2018 after two dominant seasons at UCF — including one where they went 13-0 two years after a winless season. Frost, however, struggled in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers never had a winning season under his watch and had back-to-back three-win campaigns. Frost was then fired early during the 2022 season. In total, he went 16-31 there. Nebraska has since hired Matt Rhule to replace him. Rhule got the Cornhuskers to their first bowl game in eight years last season. The jump to Nebraska for Frost seemed like the perfect fit at the time, at least on paper. UCF was still in the American Athletic Conference — it joined the Big 12 in 2023 — so moving to the Big Ten was a significant step up. He had significant connections at the school, and was its quarterback during Nebraska's national championship season in 1997. Now, looking back, Frost said he was forced into the job. "I said I wouldn't leave [UCF] unless it was someplace you could win a national championship," Frost said. "I got tugged in a direction to try to help my alma mater and didn't really want to do it. It wasn't a good move. I'm lucky to get back to a place where I was a lot happier." Frost is now tasked with bringing the Knights' program back after a rough campaign last fall. He'll take over for Gus Malzahn, wholeft in November to become the offensive coordinator at Florida State. The Knights went 4-8 last season and 2-7 in Big 12 play while failing to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2015.

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Scott Frost rips his bad Nebraska stint after returning to UCF: ‘It wasn’t a good move’

Scott Frost rips his bad Nebraska stint after returning to UCF: 'It wasn't a good move' Scott Frost is thrilled to be back atUCF...

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'No extensions will be granted': Trump vows new tariff deadline is a firm one

'No extensions will be granted': Trump vows new tariff deadline is a firm one

WASHINGTON ―President Donald Trumpsays he's not extending his latest tariff deadline any further as the latest the Republican's administration escalates itspressure campaignon longtime U.S. allies to negotiate new trade deals. Trump said he's sticking to a new Aug. 1 starting date for higher tariffs to go into effectas he sends letters to leaders of nationsacross the world alerting them to new U.S. tariff rates on goods from their countries. "There has been no change to this date, and there will be no change. In other words, all money will be due and payable starting AUGUST 1, 2025,"Trump said in a July 8 poston Truth Social. "No extensions will be granted." More:Trump announces tariff hikes on 14 countries including Indonesia and South Africa Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has taken an on-and-off-again approach to his tariff regime ‒ routinely threatening new fees on goods that he retreats from later. His past efforts haveearned him a nicknameamong Wall Street financial analysts called "TACO trade," an acronym that stands for "Trump always chickens out." Steep"reciprocal" tariffsthat Trump initially imposed in early April ‒but soon after paused for 90 daysamid market turbulence ‒ were set to go back into effect July 9. But Trump on July 7extended the deadline to Aug. 1after his administration has struggled to secure trade deals with other nations during the pause. More:Trump says 25% tariffs coming for Japan and South Korea as trade war escalates again Trump on Monday announced new tariff rates for 14 countries ranging from 25% to 40%. He said each will go into effect Aug. 1. They include 25% tariffson imports from Japan and South Korea, major U.S. trading partners. Dozens of more letters to additional countries are expected to go out July 8 and July 9. More:Trump erupts when asked about 'TACO trade' ― a new nickname mocking his tariff approach The new tariffs would more than double, and in some cases quadruple, the fees on imports. Since April, the Trump administration has been imposing a 10% universal tariff on goods from most countries. Top White House trade adviser Peter Navarro had predicted the administration would reach 90 trade deals in 90 days because of the threat of higher tariffs facing countries. But so far, Trump has reached trade agreements with only the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:President Trump vows his new deadline on tariffs is a firm one

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

'No extensions will be granted': Trump vows new tariff deadline is a firm one

'No extensions will be granted': Trump vows new tariff deadline is a firm one WASHINGTON ―President Donald Trumpsays he's not ex...

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US farm secretary says 'no amnesty' for farmworkers from deportation

US farm secretary says 'no amnesty' for farmworkers from deportation

By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Tuesday that there will be "no amnesty" for agricultural workers as President Donald Trump's administration moves to deport all immigrants in the country illegally. Rollins said the administration wants a 100% American workforce and suggested some people receiving government aid could replace immigrant workers. "Ultimately, the answer on this is automation, also some reform within the current governing structure. And then also, when you think about, there are 34 million able-bodied adults in our Medicaid program. There are plenty of workers in America," she said at a press conference outside the Department of Agriculture headquarters. Most adults on Medicaid work full- or part-time or are not working due to illness or disability, caregiving, or school attendance, according to a May brief by the health policy organization KFF. The farm sector has warned that mass deportation of farm workers would disrupt the U.S. food supply. In June, the Trump administration signaled it might pause raids on some farm worksites. It has since reversed course. Trump's tax-cut and spending bill, passed on July 3, introduces work requirements for Medicaid, which the Congressional Budget Office has said is expected to leave nearly 12 million people uninsured. Later on Tuesday, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer said at a cabinet meeting at the White House that the Department of Labor had developed a new office to work with farmers and ranchers, but did not provide more details. The Labor Department oversees the H-2A program, which provides seasonal visas for agricultural workers. Rollins also said at the press conference that the USDA will curb farmland purchases by "foreign adversaries," including China, and terminate agreements and contracts with people and entities from those countries. Asked about land already owned by Chinese-owned companies Syngenta and Smithfield Foods, Rollins said the administration is still considering its options. "You'll likely see an executive order on this very soon from the White House and we'll be looking at multiple different authorities within the federal government to begin to claw that back," Rollins said. In 2023, Arkansas ordered Syngenta to sell 160 acres (65 hectares) of farmland under a state law barring some foreign entities from acquiring or holding land. Twenty-six states limit or ban foreign businesses, governments or nationals from owning private farmland, according to the National Agricultural Law Center, and some of those laws have faced legal challenges. Only about 3.4% of U.S. farmland is owned by foreign entities, and Canada owns the largest share, about 30%, according to the USDA. Rollins said she will be a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, "as of this afternoon." The interagency body reviews foreign investments in the U.S. for national security threats. Bipartisan lawmakers have supported limits on ownership of farmland by foreign countries, citing national security concerns. (Reporting by Leah DouglasEditing by Marguerita Choy and David Gregorio)

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

US farm secretary says 'no amnesty' for farmworkers from deportation

US farm secretary says 'no amnesty' for farmworkers from deportation By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Agriculture Secreta...

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Carlos Alcaraz makes quick work of Cam Norrie at Wimbledon to reach semifinals

Carlos Alcaraz makes quick work of Cam Norrie at Wimbledon to reach semifinals

LONDON (AP) — Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached theWimbledonsemifinals by beating Cameron Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday. Alcaraz extended his winning streak to 23 matches and became the just second Spanish player in history to reach the men's singles semifinals at Wimbledon on three occasions — the other was Rafael Nadal. After Norrie held serve to open the match on Centre Court, the second-seeded Alcaraz took control by rattling off the next five games against the left-handed Briton. Alcaraz never let Norrie into the match — facing only five break points and saving all of them. He compiled 39 winners and 13 aces to go with 26 unforced errors. "To be able to play another semifinal here at Wimbledon is super special," Alcaraz said in an on-court interview after finishing off the quarterfinal match in 1 hour, 39 minutes. Alcaraz will face No. 5 Taylor Fritz for a spot in the final. ___ AP tennis:https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

byMario Satorik

in

July 08, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz makes quick work of Cam Norrie at Wimbledon to reach semifinals

Carlos Alcaraz makes quick work of Cam Norrie at Wimbledon to reach semifinals LONDON (AP) — Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reac...

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