Welcome to the live blog covering developments in U.S. politics.
Melania Trump has come under scrutiny for what some describe as “shifting the burden” onto survivors of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein following her recent statement made at the White House.
In her remarks aimed at distancing herself from the controversial financier, the First Lady urged Congress to hold public hearings where Epstein’s victims could provide sworn testimony. It is important to note that several survivors had previously met with the House oversight committee in a private session last fall.
However, on Thursday evening, a group of Epstein’s survivors issued a joint statement, criticizing the First Lady for allegedly attempting to “protect those in power.” They claimed that her call for more victim testimonies placed undue pressure on survivors and diverted attention away from significant accountability issues, specifically referencing former Attorney General Pam Bondi. The survivors argued that asking more from them was a deflection of responsibility rather than a pursuit of justice.
“Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have shown immense bravery by coming forward and sharing their experiences. To expect more from them now is simply a way to evade accountability,” they stated.
In her statement, Melania Trump asserted to the press that she “never had a relationship” with Epstein or his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. It remains unclear what specific allegations prompted her public response. She delivered her comments from the same podium used by Donald Trump in a recent address regarding the conflict in Iran.
Trump emphasized, “I have never been friends with Epstein. I am not one of Epstein’s victims. He did not introduce me to Donald Trump.” She elaborated that she and the president occasionally attended the same social events as Epstein due to their overlapping social circles in New York City and Palm Beach, while denying that her communications with Maxwell were anything beyond “casual correspondence.”
In other news:
The effort by House Democrats to pass a war powers resolution through unanimous consent failed on Thursday, as Republican Speaker Chris Smith did not acknowledge their proposal. Given the potential for dissent from even a single member, this outcome was anticipated. Nevertheless, Democrats in both chambers have expressed their intention to hold another vote when Congress reconvenes after its recess next week. Confidence among House Democrats is high that they will garner support from at least a few Republicans willing to break ranks to pass the resolution.
Former President Donald Trump expressed optimism to NBC News regarding the possibility of achieving a peace agreement with Iran, coinciding with a diplomatic mission led by Vice President JD Vance set to take place in Pakistan this weekend. Trump commented that Iran’s leadership tends to adopt a more reasonable tone during negotiations compared to their public statements, suggesting a disparity between their private and public communications.
Democrats have criticized the Trump administration following the release of a new inflation report indicating a 3.3% increase in consumer prices since March 2025. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a leading figure on the Senate banking committee, remarked, “This data reveals that Trump’s conflict with Iran has escalated costs and resulted in the highest inflation figures we have seen in nearly two years.” She further noted the impact of rising energy prices, highlighting that gas is now priced over $4 per gallon, which is contributing to the financial strain on American families.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pointed to the March consumer price index (CPI) as further justification for ending the ongoing conflict with Iran. “Americans are bearing the costs of Trump’s misguided policies daily,” he stated on social media.
In an interview with CNBC, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg criticized the Trump administration for exacerbating energy prices through an unwanted war, asserting that this situation directly correlates with the current inflation levels, which are now higher than they were previously.
This morning, Donald Trump made a vague post on Truth Social that seemed to reference the upcoming negotiations in Islamabad: “WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL RESET!!!” he declared.
Additionally, Vice President JD Vance, prior to his departure for Islamabad, cautioned Iran against attempting to manipulate the United States during the negotiations. He stated, “If the Iranians are prepared to negotiate in good faith, we are open to that. However, if they attempt to deceive us, they will find our negotiating team unyielding.”
The latest consumer price index has shown that the annualized inflation rate has not exceeded 3% since the summer of 2024, following a peak of 9.1% in June 2022.
The ongoing conflict with Iran has introduced further instability into the U.S. economy, compounding the uncertainties initially sparked by tariffs implemented last year by the Trump administration.
