(Washington) entangled in the Epstein case, Donald Trump tries to redirect the frustration of his supporters and the media attention to Barack Obama, which he went so far as to accuse of “betrayal” on Tuesday.
While he received the Philippine President in the Oval Office, the Republican leader was questioned about the last twist of the ultra-sensitive file of Jeffrey Epstein, a rich financier who died in 2019 before his trial for sexual crimes.
The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that they want to question Ghislaine Maxwell, ex-partner and accomplice of the sexual offender to the abundant address book, with whom Donald Trump has friendly relations.
Photo Johannes Eisele, Archives Agency France-Presse
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell
The American president assured that he was not aware of this initiative and that in any case he “did not follow this very closely”, he that some supporters accuse of not shedding light on the actions of Jeffrey Epstein.
The billionaire then launched into virulent diatribes against former Democratic President Barack Obama (2009-2017), according to him “guilty” of “betrayal”.
“Gang leader”
He portrayed him as a “gang leader” who “tried to set up a coup”. “This is what you should really talk about,” said the Republican president to journalists, after having overwhelmed the press of criticism.
“Out of respect for the presidential function, we do not usually respond to the constant flow of absurdity and disinformation from the White House. But these declarations are sufficiently scandalous to deserve an answer. These absurd allegations are ridiculous and constitute a poor attempt to divert attention, “said Patrick Rodenbush, spokesperson for Barack Obama, in a statement.
The billionaire described the renewed interest in the Epstein affair of “continuation of the witch hunt” of which he said he was a victim from his political opponents, who was sentenced once and several times prosecuted.
The director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had published a report on Friday accusing Barack Obama and her entourage of “conspiracy” in connection with the accusations of Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, who brought Donald Trump to the White House.
The Republican has always rejected the conclusions of the American intelligence services, according to which Moscow worked to promote his first election. But his attacks have redoubled an ardor in recent days.
They “participate in a desire to divert attention” and to “present the president as a victim of a democratic plot. If Trump manages to take off this idea, then he can apply it in the Epstein case “and rally his base, sensitive to this rhetoric of persecution, deciphers for AFP Todd Belt, professor of political science at George Washington University.
On Sunday, Donald Trump had broadcast on his Truth Social network a video probably generated by artificial intelligence, showing the first black president of the United States being arrested in the oval office by FBI agents.
“After what they did to me, and it’s good or not, it’s time to track down people,” said Republican President on Tuesday.
Anger
The Epstein affair rebounded on July 7 when the US government said that he had no proof of the existence of a secret list of customers of the rich financial.
This has angered the figures of Donald Trump’s “Maga” movement, convinced for years that the authorities have been protecting leading personalities linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
To try to appease them, the Department of Justice therefore turns to Ghislaine Maxwell, sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking.
“If Ghislaine Maxwell has information on anyone who has committed crimes or offenses on victims, the FBI and the Department of Justice will listen to what she has to say,” promised in a Todd Blanche statement, number two of the department, who will meet her in his Florida prison “in the coming days”.
In a Yougov/The Economist Made public Tuesday, 56 % of those questioned criticize the way Donald Trump manages the Epstein affair, 22 % approve it and 22 % have no opinion.
Among the only republican voters, 45 % are satisfied with the way in which the republican resident leads this file, 30 % say they are undecided and 25 % dissatisfied.
