Trump orders Epstein files release, welcomes Mamdani, crown prince to White House in busy week
This week, former President Donald Trump engaged in significant political activities, including high-profile meetings with both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, along with signing a notable piece of legislation concerning the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The legislation, passed overwhelmingly by Congress, mandates the Justice Department to disclose documents connected to Epstein, a convicted sex offender whose associations have drawn scrutiny over the years. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to announce his approval of the bill, emphasizing his role in pushing for its passage and contrasting it with the Biden administration’s lack of transparency on the matter. He highlighted that under his direction, the Justice Department had already provided nearly 50,000 pages of documents to Congress, asserting that the Biden administration had not released any files regarding Epstein.
In addition to the Epstein legislation, Trump’s meetings this week showcased his efforts to build relationships across the political spectrum. His encounter with Mayor-elect Mamdani was particularly notable, as they discussed issues of affordability and urban improvement in New York City. Despite Mamdani’s previous remarks labeling Trump a “despot,” Trump expressed optimism about their collaboration, suggesting that they had more in common than he initially expected. He downplayed Mamdani’s comments, stating he had faced worse insults and believed that their working relationship would evolve positively. On the international front, Trump’s reception of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman marked a stark contrast to the Biden administration’s approach, which had labeled Saudi Arabia a “pariah” following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. During the meeting, the U.S. announced plans to sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, reinforcing military ties and designating the kingdom as a “major non-NATO ally,” a move that underscores Trump’s commitment to strengthening defense relationships with key allies.
Overall, this week highlighted Trump’s strategic maneuvering in both domestic and foreign affairs, as he seeks to assert his influence and navigate complex political landscapes. His push for the release of Epstein-related documents may resonate with his base, while his diplomatic overtures to Mamdani and bin Salman reflect an attempt to foster cooperation and bolster U.S. alliances. As Trump continues to engage with various political figures, his actions could have significant implications for his future endeavors and the broader political climate in the United States.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_HnvQLKVrM
President
Donald Trump
kicked off the week meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and closed the week meeting with
New York
City Mayor-elect
Zohran Mamdani
.
He also signed legislation ordering the Justice Department to release files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender
Jeffrey Epstein
.
Here’s a look at what happened this week.
Trump announced Wednesday evening that he put his stamp of approval on a bill instructing the Justice Department to release files related to Epstein — after Congress passed the measure Tuesday.
TRUMP SAYS WHETHER HE WOULD SIGN EPSTEIN FILES BILL
“I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!” Trump wrote in a lengthy message on the Truth Social platform. “As everyone knows, I asked Speaker of the House
Mike Johnson
, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, to pass this Bill in the House and Senate, respectively. Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage.
“At my direction, the Department of Justice has already turned over close to fifty thousand pages of documents to Congress. Do not forget — The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him.”
Trump’s ties to Epstein had faced increased attention after Trump’s Justice Department and FBI announced in July it would not unseal investigation materials related to Epstein, and that the agencies’ investigation into the case had closed.
TRUMP CALLS ON HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO VOTE TO RELEASE EPSTEIN FILES: ‘WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE’
However, Trump announced Nov. 16 that he backed releasing the documents, claiming that he had “nothing to hide.”
Ultimately, the House voted Tuesday to release the files by a 421–1 margin, following pressure for months from the measure’s ringleaders, Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and other Democrats.
The Senate passed the measure by unanimous consent later Tuesday.
BIDEN’S SAUDI FIST BUMP DREW HEAT IN 2022 — TRUMP JUST ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET
Mamdani visited Trump at the White House
Friday, and the two appeared chummy and ready to launch a fresh start in their relationship. The two said they discussed addressing affordability issues and improving conditions in New York.
Trump said
the two had more in common than he anticipated, and that he would be “cheering” for Mamdani as he leads the city.
“I expect to be helping him, not hurting him — a big help,” Trump said.
EPSTEIN REFERENCED TRUMP IN PRIVATE EMAILS TO GHISLAINE MAXWELL AND OTHERS, NEW RECORDS SHOW
Trump also brushed off Mamdani’s comment labeling him a despot in his victory speech following the Nov. 4 election, with the president claiming Friday he’s encountered worse and that he believes Mamdani will change his tune as the two work together.
“I’ve been called much worse than a ‘despot,’ so it’s not, it’s not that insulting,” Trump said. “I think he’ll change his mind after we get to working together.”
Trump also
met with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
at the White House Tuesday, an occasion that included a red carpet rolled across the South Lawn, military honor guard, and an Air Force flyover to elevate the formal state-level welcome.
During bin Salman’s visit, the U.S. announced that it would sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, and that it would now be a ”
major non-NATO ally
” to facilitate military cooperation between the two countries.
“President Trump approved a
major defense sale package
, including future F-35 deliveries, which strengthens the U.S. defense industrial base and ensures Saudi Arabia continues to buy American,” the White House said in a statement.
Trump’s reception of bin Salman is a departure from the Biden administration, who said in 2019 during his presidential campaign that he would make Saudi Arabia “the pariah that they are” because of the death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in 2021 that bin Salman gave the green light on the operation that took Khashoggi’s life. Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident, was brutally murdered in Istanbul at the Saudi consulate in 2018.
But Trump defended bin Salman Tuesday, and accused a reporter who asked about U.S. intelligence reports linking the prince to Khashoggi’s death of embarrassing bin Salman.
“A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about,” Trump said Tuesday. “Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen, but he knew nothing about it. And would you leave it at that? You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question.”
Even so, bin Salman has dismissed the reports as false. When asked Tuesday about Khashoggi, bin Salman said it’s “painful” to hear of the death of anyone for “no real purpose,” and “we are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again.”
