White House excludes Wall Street Journal from Scotland trip due to coverage of Epstein story.
The Wall Street Journal has been excluded from accompanying President Trump on his forthcoming trip to Scotland, following the publication of an article linking him to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Tarini Parti, a reporter from the Journal, was initially slated to join the pool reporting team for the latter segment of Trump’s excursion, which begins Friday. However, this arrangement has since been altered amid tensions regarding the Journal’s reporting.
The friction escalated after the Journal published a story alleging that Trump sent Epstein a suggestive note for the financier’s 50th birthday in 2003—a revelation that has reportedly caused discontent within the White House. Epstein, who was convicted for sexual offenses, died in prison in 2019 while facing scrutiny for his relationships with underage girls.
In response to the reporting, Trump has asserted that the note is a fabrication and has initiated legal action against the Wall Street Journal. In a statement, Leavitt remarked that the Journal’s “fake and defamatory conduct” had led to its removal from the list of media outlets permitted on the trip. She emphasized the White House’s commitment to include a diverse range of voices in its media engagements.
The Wall Street Journal maintains that its reporting on the alleged birthday note is accurate. Notably, the reporter planned to cover Trump’s trip was not involved in crafting the contentious story.
The note in question reportedly concludes with the phrase, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” a line that has drawn considerable attention given Epstein’s notorious history. The Department of Justice has previously stated that Epstein caused harm to over 1,000 victims prior to his arrest in July 2019.
While Trump has not faced any legal charges in connection with Epstein, he has expressed irritation over ongoing inquiries concerning their association. In multiple statements, he has noted that his relationship with Epstein soured at some point.
In a 2003 interview, Trump remarked on the type of women Epstein was known to favor, describing them as “on the younger side,” while also portraying Epstein as someone “a lot of fun to be with.” However, recent developments have placed significant scrutiny on Trump’s past connections to Epstein, further complicating the narratives surrounding both figures.
This evolving situation underscores the heightened sensitivity around allegations tied to Epstein’s extensive criminal activities and the interconnectedness of high-profile individuals in matters of public interest.
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