Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, finished 1 1/2 days of interviews Friday with U.S. Justice Department officials, answering questions “about 100 different people,” her attorney said. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence at a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee after being convicted three years ago of helping Epstein – a wealthy, well-connected financier – sexually abuse underage girls.
Questions over President Donald Trump’s past ties with Epstein and secret files related to him have dogged administration officials, including some officials who once stoked conspiracy theories and now say there is nothing further to disclose.
Trump on Friday ducked questions about the possibility of his pardoning Maxwell.
“You’re making a very big thing over something that’s not a big thing,” Trump told reporters on the tarmac after landing in Scotland. He said the media should be focused on other people with alleged links to Epstein.
“Don’t talk about Trump,” he added.
Other news we’re following today:
- Trump arrives in Scotland: The President is visiting Trump golf properties as his family’s business prepares for the Aug. 13 opening of a new course near Aberdeen. Trump also plans to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to talk trade during his visit. Trump took questions after disembarking from Air Force One, telling reporters, “This immigration is killing Europe. And the other thing, stop the windmills.” Trump has previously spoken about his distaste for windmills, and he once unsuccessfully sued, claiming a nearby windfarm marred players’ view from one of his golf courses in Scotland.
- Education Department releases grants: Billions of dollars in grants to schools for adult literacy, English language instruction and other programs are being released. The administration withheld $6 billion in funding on July 1 as part of a review to ensure spending aligned with the White House’s priorities, but those funds will now be released days after 10 Republican senators sent a letter imploring the funds be restored.
- U.S. cuts short Gaza ceasefire talks: Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said the U.S. is bringing home its negotiating team from Qatar for consultations after the latest response from Hamas “shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.” Trump previously urged progress in ceasefire talks, and lower-level negotiations have dragged on for weeks, while aid groups say Palestinians in Gaza risk starvation.