Epstein Fallout Puts Trump on Defense as White House Scrambles

White House scrambles to contain fallout after a surge of criticism targeting President Trump's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. A Daily Show segment and reports of a "shot across the bow" leak from Ghislaine Maxwell have prompted the administration to launch multiple defenses.

• Trump has publicly claimed Epstein "stole" Mar-a-Lago spa workers, including Virginia Giuffre.


• Insider polls show only 43% of MAGA Republicans approve his crisis management, with fears a 5% base defection could thin rally crowds.

President Trump on Air Force One set an Aug. 8 deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, warning of secondary sanctions if Moscow fails to budge—but conceded: "It may or may not affect them."

• Russia's rouble slid 4.3% against the dollar and oil prices jumped more than 3% after Trump's threat, prompting exporters like Rosneft and Nornickel shares to rally.


• The Kremlin, via spokesman Dmitry Peskov, shrugged off new U.S. measures—saying Russia has built up "immunity" over years of sanctions—while continued bombardments on Ukraine underscore Moscow's unwillingness to negotiate.

Analysts warn that a weaker rouble and higher oil could cushion Russia's economy in the short term, even as Western backers push for tougher pressure on President Putin.

President Trump escalated his public campaign against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell ahead of this week's rate-setting meeting, staging a rare visit to the Fed's Washington headquarters to accuse Powell of dragging his feet on interest-rate cuts.

• During a tour of a $2.5 billion renovation, Trump waved a document claiming cost overruns, prompting Powell to visibly shake his head in disagreement.

• Trump—who nominated and twice reappointed Powell—has blasted the Fed for keeping rates at 4.25%–4.5%, floated firing the chair and warned that persistent resistance could undermine economic growth and job creation.

Washington, D.C. — The White House is set to release a long-anticipated report from a crypto working group formed by President Donald Trump, outlining a comprehensive framework for tokenization and digital-asset legislation.

Key highlights likely include:

• SEC tokenization roadmap for blockchain-based stocks and bonds


• Legislative wish list for Congress's market-structure bills

Industry leaders from Jito Labs to Teucrium and the Investment Company Institute say the report could serve as a clear blueprint for fast-tracking crypto innovation under the Trump administration.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced he will force Senate votes Wednesday on two privileged resolutions aimed at blocking the Trump administration's planned arms sales to Israel.

• S.J.Res.34 would prohibit the sale of 1,000-pound bombs and JDAM guidance kits.


• S.J.Res.41 would bar tens of thousands of assault rifles and related logistical support.

Sanders decried U.S. funding for the "racist, extremist" Netanyahu government, citing roughly 60,000 Palestinian deaths and 143,000 injuries—most women, children and the elderly—and noted that a simple majority vote can overcome Senate filibuster rules.