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President Trump threatens to sue author Michael Wolff and the Epstein estate after the release of emails suggesting the two conspired against him during his 2016 campaign. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Palm Beach, Florida on Saturday, Trump addressed the Justice Department’s Friday release of over three million Epstein-related records and personal emails.
“It looked like this guy, Wolff, was a writer, was conspiring with Epstein to do harm to me,” Trump said. “I didn’t see it myself, but I was told by some very important people that not only does it absolve me, it’s the opposite of what people were hoping.”
Trump characterized Wolff as a “third-rate writer” and indicated a strong likelihood of legal action against both Wolff and the Epstein estate “because he was conspiring with Wolff to do harm to me politically. That’s not a friend.”
The controversy centers on correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, and Michael Wolff, author of “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House” and other books critical of the Trump administration.
In one March 2016 email reviewed by Fox News Digital, Wolff encouraged Epstein to create an “immediate counter narrative” to James Patterson’s book about him, “Filthy Rich: A Powerful Billionaire, the Sex Scandal that Undid Him, and All the Justice that Money Can Buy.”
“I believe Trump offers an ideal opportunity,” Wolff wrote to Epstein. “It’s a chance to make the story about something other than you, while, at the same time, letting you frame your own story.” Wolff added, “Also, becoming anti-Trump gives you a certain political cover which you decidedly don’t have now.”
In a previously released February 2016 email, Wolff had suggested to Epstein that he could be the “bullet” that might end Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. This email was sent during the early stages of Trump’s campaign, when he was emerging as a frontrunner in the Republican primaries.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the content of the released documents, telling Fox News Digital on Friday that “in none of these communications, even when doing his best to disparage President Trump, did Epstein suggest President Trump had done anything criminal or had any inappropriate contact with any of his victims.”
The Justice Department’s massive document release comes amid long-standing public interest in Epstein’s associates and activities. Epstein, who had connections to numerous prominent figures in politics, business, and entertainment, died by suicide in his jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The timing of these revelations is particularly significant as Trump continues to maintain a prominent position in Republican politics. The former president has consistently denied any improper association with Epstein, though the two were known to have moved in similar social circles in New York and Florida during the 1990s and early 2000s.
For Wolff, these revelations could potentially impact his credibility as a journalist and author. His books on the Trump presidency, particularly “Fire and Fury,” became bestsellers but were criticized by the Trump administration and some media critics for alleged inaccuracies and questionable sourcing.
The Justice Department is expected to continue releasing documents from the Epstein files, with Blanche indicating that more than three million pages of records would be made available. These documents are likely to be scrutinized closely by journalists, legal experts, and political observers as they may shed further light on Epstein’s network and activities prior to his arrest and death.
As this story continues to develop, it underscores the enduring impact of the Epstein case on American politics and the complex web of relationships that surrounded the convicted sex offender during his lifetime.
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9 Comments
Fascinating if true, but I’ll reserve judgment until more facts come to light. Trump has a history of making unsubstantiated claims against his critics. Eager to see what the DOJ has uncovered.
Agreed, we need to be cautious about jumping to conclusions here. The Epstein saga has been full of twists and turns. Let’s see what the actual evidence shows.
This just gets murkier and murkier. If Wolff was coordinating with Epstein, that’s a major scandal. But Trump’s track record on truthfulness makes me skeptical until proven.
The Epstein case has always been murky and controversial. If Trump can prove Wolff was colluding with Epstein, that would be a major development. But the details will be crucial.
Lawsuits against authors are tricky. Trump would need to show clear evidence of malice or conspiracy, which can be difficult to prove. We’ll have to see how this plays out.
This raises a lot of questions about the relationships and dealings between influential figures like Epstein and political writers/commentators. The public deserves transparency.
Given Epstein’s sordid history, any connections to media figures are bound to be scrutinized. Trump seems intent on pursuing this, but the evidence will need to be solid.
This is quite a bombshell if true. Curious to see what evidence the DOJ has uncovered linking Wolff and Epstein. Suggests a coordinated effort to undermine Trump politically.
I wonder how much credence to give Trump’s claims. He’s known to exaggerate and make unsubstantiated allegations. Need to see the actual emails and communications.