Trump’s Connection to Epstein Files Sparks Debate on CNN

Scott Jennings, a senior political commentator for CNN, found himself in a heated exchange with “CNN Newsnight” host Abby Phillip over recent claims linking President Donald Trump to documents related to the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

According to reports, Trump was informed in May that his name appeared in various files associated with dubious financial actors. The Wall Street Journal highlighted this detail, which the White House has since refuted. Phillip raised questions about why Trump would be “associated” with Epstein at all.

“What do you really own? Is it just what the Wall Street Journal refers to as unverified hearsay?” Jennings asked, pointing out the problematic nature of such claims. “Isn’t that a phrase editors should take issue with?” He suggested that Phillip’s stance might not fully grasp the implications of the term “hearsay.”

Jennings also admitted some confusion regarding the definition of hearsay, but acknowledged its legal significance.

The White House has openly criticized these allegations, with communications director Steve Chen labeling the report as “fake news.” He stated, “This is just a continuation of misleading stories like the one from the Wall Street Journal.”

After back and forth on the show, Jennings pressed Phillip on why Trump should feel the need to defend himself against such claims. He questioned whether there is any reliability to these assertions, referencing a recent Washington Post investigation that did not implicate Trump in wrongdoing.

On Friday, Trump announced a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch, addressing a past article that he claimed misrepresented his communications about a loan. In 2019, Trump indicated that Epstein’s victims’ lawyers suggested he was implicated in incidents involving minors at Epstein’s properties in Florida.

Bradley Edwards, an attorney representing some of Epstein’s victims, recalled a 2018 video where he characterized Trump as cooperative during their legal proceedings. “The only person who actually spoke with me back then was President Trump. He was willing to engage and offer information,” Edwards stated.

Edwards further remarked, “The details he provided were useful and indicated he was not involved in any wrongdoing.” Epstein was known to have connections with various high-profile individuals, including celebrities, politicians, and business leaders, despite his past as a convicted sex offender.