Trump urges Israel's president to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu
2 hours ago
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Live Reporting
Edited by Brandon Livesay and Alex Smith
Sense of urgency as Trump calls out members of his partypublished at 20:27 GMT
20:27 GMT
Anthony Zurcher North America correspondent
There are
four Republican signatures on the House of Representatives petition that would
force a vote to order the Justice Department to release all files related to
its investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.
If any one of those four changed his or
her mind, the petition would come up short. That may
explain the efforts by the White House to unite the
party behind blocking the petition.
It appears top administration officials are
meeting today with one of the signatories, Lauren Boebert of Colorado.
Republican
Thomas Massie of Kentucky is a co-sponsor of the petition. The other two are
Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.
Greene - a
firebrand conservative - has recently stepped up her criticism of Trump on a
range of subjects.
The
president in his recent Truth Social post on the Epstein matter called out
members of his own party, saying "only a very bad, or stupid,
Republican would fall into that trap" of supporting further Epstein inquiries.
Once the petition is filed, which barring some change is
expected to happen later today, the countdown to a House vote – which would
could occur sometime in December – would be irreversible.
Hence the sense of
urgency coming from the White House.
Trump posts again, repeating attack on Democratspublished at 20:25 GMT
20:25 GMT
Half an hour after his first post on Truth Social addressing the release of the Epstein documents, President Trump has posted again.
He says: "In other words, the Democrats are using the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax to try and deflect from their massive failures, in particular, their most recent one — THE SHUTDOWN!"
It's a similar message to his first post, where Trump said: ""The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because they’ll do anything at all to deflect on how badly they've done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects."
Oversight Committee Democrat calls for further document releasepublished at 20:00 GMT
20:00 GMT
The leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Robert Garcia, is calling for the release of further documents, saying that he hopes today's release spurs the Trump administration to "fully release the Epstein files".
"They have right now the entire files," he says.
For context: The 'Epstein files' are a vast trove of documents amassed from criminal investigations into Epstein.
The White House has accused Democrats of initially selectively releasing documents to spin "a fake narrative to smear President Trump".
Garcia says: "We release everything
that we get, and so people can look and read the emails and make the judgement
for themselves."
"We also think that Republicans
should release everything they have in their possession as we do as well. We want every single piece of correspondence to be
released."
Epstein talk as government shutdown vote loomspublished at 19:45 GMT
19:45 GMT
Ana Faguy Reporting from Capitol Hill
Image source, BBC/Ana Faguy
I’m on Capitol Hill waiting for a vote on ending the government shutdown.
Epstein is not far from the minds of many here.
I’m waiting for a press conference to start on the steps of the Capitol and behind me I see folks holding signs calling for the release of the Epstein files.
Reporters and staffers are talking about the document dump, too.
We’re expecting an important vote on releasing the files to take place in December, but until then, the chatter continues.
How today has unfolded... so farpublished at 19:41 GMT
19:41 GMT
We've just heard from Trump's Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt - and the president himself on social media - hours after US House Democrats released new Epstein emails referencing Trump.
If you're just joining us, let's get you up to speed:
First, Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee released three email exchanges, one of which is between Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in 2019, and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell
The email from April 2011 reads: "I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is trump.. [Victim] spent hours at my house with him"
The White House says the unnamed victim is Virginia Giuffre "who repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing" - and an unredacted version of the message includes the name "Virginia" - BBC Verify explains this here
Leavitt accuses the Democrats of creating a "manufactured hoax" by releasing some of the Epstein documents this morning ahead of the House returning
When asked about the emails, Leavitt says they prove "absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong"
The documents also suggest that Lord Peter Mandelson had contact with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein as late as 2016, politics reporter Alex Partridge writes
And in a post on Truth Social, Trump says: "The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because they’ll do anything at all to deflect on how badly they’ve done on the [government] Shutdown, and so many other subjects."
White House appears to confirm meeting to discuss Epstein filespublished at 19:31 GMT
19:31 GMT
Image source, CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Image caption,
Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appears to have confirmed a meeting between senior administration officials and Republican Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert to discuss the Epstein saga.
CNN first reported the meeting that it said would involve Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel.
Boebert is part of a bipartisan group of US House members who has pushed for the Department of Justice to release documents related to Epstein. When a new Democratic congresswoman is sworn in later today, the group will have enough votes to start the process of forcing the administration to release every file it has on Epstein.
Leavitt suggests the high-level meeting was another example of transparency from the administration.
"Doesn't that show the
level of transparency when we are willing to sit down with members of Congress
and address their concerns?" Leavitt says.
Trump says Democrats using Epstein documents to 'deflect' from shutdownpublished at 19:14 GMT
19:14 GMTBreaking
Donald Trump has commented for the first time following the release of new Epstein documents.
In a post on Truth Social he writes: "The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because they’ll do anything at all to deflect on how badly they’ve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects.
"Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.
"The Democrats cost our Country $1.5 Trillion Dollars with their recent antics of viciously closing our Country, while at the same time putting many at risk — and they should pay a fair price.
"There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats!"
Leavitt asked if Trump thinks Andrew should testify to Congresspublished at 19:01 GMT
19:01 GMT
Next up, a question about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor - formerly Prince Andrew.
A reporter asks Leavitt if President Trump thinks Andrew should testify to Congress on the Epstein scandal.
Leavitt says she hasn't spoken to Trump about that specifically, but will ask the president and get back to him.
The White House briefing ends. As Leavitt walks out of the room, a reporter shouts another question about Epstein, which she ignores.
Documents show that 'Trump did nothing wrong', says Leavittpublished at 18:54 GMT
18:54 GMT
When asked about the trove of documents from the Epstein Estate released by the House Oversight Committee this morning, Leavitt says the emails included in the release prove "absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong".
She repeats a point the White House has mentioned before, saying that the president and Epstein knew each other in Palm Beach, but that Trump kicked the financier out of his Mar-a-Lago club because he was a "paedophile and he was a creep".
Leavitt accuses Democrats of 'distraction campaign'published at 18:52 GMT
18:52 GMT
Bernd Debusmann Jr Reporting from the White House
Image source, Getty Images
Echoing her statement earlier this morning, Leavitt attacks Democrats - accusing them of launching a "distraction campaign" to divert media attention away from shutdown news.
"There are no coincidences in Washington DC, and is is not a coincidence that the Democrats leaked these emails to the fake news this morning," she says.
Moments later, a reporter says she has a shutdown question.
"I'm glad somebody does," she added.
Email release 'manufactured hoax' by Democrats, says press secretarypublished at 18:50 GMT
18:50 GMT
Leavitt accuses the Democrats of creating a "manufactured hoax" by releasing some of the Epstein documents this morning ahead of the House returning.
She says it was "not a coincidence" that they had been released on Wednesday.
The press secretary claims Democrats did not care about the Epstein files while President Joe Biden was in office, and instead: "They care
about trying to score political points against President Trump."
She adds that the administration is committed to transparency on the issue.
Media caption,
WH asked about Epstein allegations that Trump 'spent hours' with one of his victims
Press secretary says White House has been supporting Oversight Committeepublished at 18:48 GMT
18:48 GMT
Image source, Getty Images
Leavitt is now questioned about these newly-released Epstein documents, and is asked why all the files in the government's possession on Epstein have not been released.
Leavitt says they have done more for transparency than any other administration.
"We are cooperating and showing support for the House Oversight Committee," she says. "That's part of the reason why you are seeing these documents that were released today."
BBC 'leftist propaganda machine', says Leavittpublished at 18:46 GMT
18:46 GMT
The first question comes from a GB News reporter, who asks about Trump's legal threats against the BBC, and how it would impact the president's relationship with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
For context: Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for damages up to $1bn (£760m), claiming the organisation made "false, defamatory, disparaging and inflammatory statements" about him in a documentary
Leavitt says Trump has a good relationship with Starmer, but says the BBC is a "leftist propaganda machine".
It's "unfortunate" the corporation is subsidised by UK taxpayers, she says.
She added that Trump's external legal counsel has filed a lawsuit, which they expect to continue: "And whether they apologise
or not is up to them."
No mention of Epstein at top of White House briefingpublished at 18:38 GMT
18:38 GMT
Bernd Debusmann Jr Reporting from the White House
There's been so far very little mention of the Epstein document release.
The White House has so far been dismissive of today's release, and that is clearly reflected in Karoline Leavitt - and Kash Patel's - opening remarks, which have focused on the shutdown, an event focused on foster care tomorrow, affordability, and, in Patel's case, fentanyl trafficking.
In a statement earlier, Leavitt accused Democrats of "selectively" leaking emails to media to create a "fake narrative to smear Donald Trump."
It's likely that when asked, we'll hear a similar response in this briefing.
White House press briefing beginspublished at 18:29 GMT
18:29 GMT
Image source, Reuters
Today's White House briefing begins, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and FBI Director Kash Patel present - you can watch live at the top of the page.
Patel is now giving an announcement on the administration's efforts to reduce the flow of fentanyl.
We're listening for lines relating to the Epstein file release, and will bring you them if and when we have them.
Lord Mandelson was still in contact with Epstein in 2016, emails showpublished at 18:18 GMT
18:18 GMTBreaking
Alex Partridge Politics reporter
Lord Peter Mandelson had contact with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein as late as 2016, according to documents released by the US House of Representatives Oversight Committee.
The latest previous reported contact between the two was when the then-business secretary took advice from Epstein in a banking deal in March 2010, just months after his release from prison for child sex offences, as reported by the Daily Telegraph.
The documents contain an email from Epstein to Lord Mandelson on 6 November 2016 saying "63 years old. You made it".
Lord Mandelson’s birthday was a week and a half beforehand.
Lord Mandelson replies less than 90 minutes later saying: "Just. I have decided to extend my life by spending more of it in the US" before Epstein replies "in the Donald White House" referring to the US presidential election due later that week.
Epstein goes on to say "you were right about staying away from Andrew. I was right in your staying with Rinaldo [sic]", a reference to Lord Mandelson’s now husband Reinaldo Avilda da Silva.
When approached by the BBC, Lord Mandelson declined to comment.
White House to hold daily press briefing shortlypublished at 18:10 GMT
18:10 GMT
We are expecting to hear from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shortly, as she delivers her daily press briefing.
The latest release of documents is likely to come up - we'll update you with what she says in this page.
Trump named in newly-released Epstein email exchanges - a recappublished at 18:02 GMT
18:02 GMT
It has been a whirlwind afternoon, starting with the release of three emails and escalating to a flood of more than 23,000 pages of documents.
Here's a recap of events so far:
Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee release three email exchanges between Epstein, and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell and writer Michael Wolff. The exchanges name Trump, calling him "the dog that hasn't barked" and alleging he "spent hours" at Epstein's house with a victim
The White House says the email exchanges create a "fake narrative". Trump has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein
The White House adds that the victim referenced in the emails is Virginia Giuffre, "who repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever"
Shortly afterwards, thousands more pages of documents are released - this time by the wider Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee. There are more than 23,000 pages in total - many published with little context. We are still unpicking these and will share our findings
"I want you to
realize that that dog that hasn't barked is trump.. [Victim] spent hours
at my house with him."
The victim’s name was
fully redacted in the email.
Shortly afterwards, the White House put out a statement saying the “unnamed victim” was Virginia Giuffre who "repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever".
Since that statement, BBC Verify has been combing through the documents released by the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee. It has found the same email - in a file named HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031326.txt.
However, unlike the fully redacted one put out by the US House Democrats, a name does appear:
"i want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is trump.. virignia spent hours at my house with him ,,"
Asked why the name was originally redacted, Representative Robert Garcia - the leading Democrat on the US House Oversight Committee - said the party will never release names of victims in line with the wishes of the families.
Epstein Estate confirms release of 23,124 pages of documentspublished at 17:31 GMT
17:31 GMTBreaking
The Epstein Estate confirms it handed over 2,900 documents - comprised of 23,124 pages - to the House Oversight Committee yesterday.
A spokesman says: "On behalf of the Epstein Estate, we confirm that the Estate produced
these documents yesterday in its continuing compliance with the subpoena issued
in late August by the House Oversight Committee."
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2 hours ago
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Anthony Zurcher
Ana Faguy
Image source, BBC/Ana Faguy
Image source, CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Reuters
![“i want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is trump.. VICTIM [redacted] spent hours at my house with him,, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75% there.” Below the email the quote “that dog that hasn't barked is trump.. VICTIM spent hours at my house with him” is highlighted in red.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/640/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2025/11/12/91483529-3c21-4d1d-a5e0-859658fc4eab.png.webp)
