No doubt for mainstream-media readers, the Epstein rift came out of nowhere,” said a New York Times reporter. “We had not established how important this story was to a good chunk of the MAGA base.” A political reporter at a rival publication added,

Donald Trump was up late Thursday and he was not happy with the Wall Street Journal’s report that he gifted Jeffrey Epstein with a letter featuring a drawing of a naked woman for his 50th birthday party.

Harry Enten said the figures "surprised" him as the president navigates GOP criticism on his administration's handling of the Epstein files.

Yes, the president is in the files, and his own administration provided that information back in February when Attorney General Pam Bondi released the “Epstein Files: Phase I.” While that release was a dud, featuring mostly redacted information and things that had already been reported, Trump’s name was there.

The controversy over President Donald Trump’s handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation entered a new dimension Thursday as his administration struggles to make good on its promises to release details on the sex trafficking case involving a one-time friend of the now-president.

Drawings produced by President Donald Trump have resurfaced after it was reported that he sent a letter and sketch to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday.

The passing of the spending clawback comes at a time when Trump's MAGA base has revolted over findings that there was not a "client list" of Epstein's.