Trump-Epstein latest: Sex trafficking co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell ‘never declined to answer’ in DOJ meeting

Here’s Ellie Muir’s report.

David Oscar Markus, Ghislaine Maxwell’s attorney, briefly talked to reporters outside the Tallahassee federal courthouse following his client’s meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

He did not take questions but said Maxwell answered every question during the all-day meeting with Justice Department officials.

Markus said his client “never declined to answer,” nor did she invoke any privilege during the meeting.

There was no statement from Blanche.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell shakes his head no when President Donald Trump mentions the cost of the Fed’s renovation.

Powell looks at a piece of paper Trump was referencing and says he was factoring in another building.

Donald Trump’s attempts to keep his personal attorney Alina Habba as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor has sparked yet another showdown between his administration and a judiciary he despises.

In a rare move Tuesday morning, New Jersey’s federal trial judges named their own nominee to replace Habba at the end of her 120-day term as the state’s acting U.S. Attorney. But hours later, Attorney General Pam Bondi not only blocked the judges’ nominee but “removed” her from the office entirely.

President Donald Trump is en route to the Federal Reserve Building for a site visit, continuing to express concerns about the costs of the renovation project.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whom the president continues to lambast about interest rates, will be there to greet the president.

Trump wrote on Truth Social:

Getting ready to head over to the Fed to look at their, now, $3.1 Billion Dollar (PLUS!) construction project. Also present will be Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Senator Tim Scott, Senator Thom Tillis, OMB Director Russ Vought, Chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Bill Pulte, my Appointees to the National Capital Planning Commission, James Blair and Will Scharf, and various other construction professionals.

President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has plummeted to 37 percent six months into his second term, the lowest of this term and only marginally higher than his all-time low of 34 percent recorded at the conclusion of his first term in 2021.

The decline represents a significant 10-percentage-point drop among US adults since Trump was sworn into office in January. Notably, support among independent voters has seen a sharp 17-point decrease, falling to 29 percent, which matches his lowest rating with this crucial demographic across both of his terms in office.

The latest findings are from a Gallup poll conducted between July 7 and 21, 2025, which commenced days after President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law on July 4. The legislation addresses many of his second-term priorities, including tax cuts for individuals and corporations, and increased spending for border security, defense, and energy production. It also cuts funding for healthcare and nutrition programmes such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme to offset costs.

Republicans’ ratings have remained generally steady near 90 percent, while Democrats have consistently been in the low single digits.

Trump’s handling of key foreign and domestic issues is generally registering as poor.

His highest marks were recorded for his approach to the situation with Iran, at 42 percent, closely followed by foreign affairs, which received 41 percent approval. However, public sentiment dipped for his performance on immigration (38%), the economy (37%), the Israeli-Palestinian situation in the Middle East (36%), and foreign trade (36%).

Even lower approval ratings were noted for his management of the situation in Ukraine, at 33 percent, and the federal budget, which stood at just 29 percent. With the exception of the Iran situation, which had not been previously assessed during his second term, ratings for each of these issues have declined since the beginning of this year.

This includes a significant 14-point drop concerning the federal budget, alongside eight-point decreases for both immigration and the situation in Ukraine.

In a recent email to supporters, first reported by MeidasTouch News, the Republican wrote that “the most powerful people on earth have been working overtime to keep the Epstein files hidden for many years.”