Convicted Sex Trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell Opens Up About Epstein, Trump In New DOJ Interview

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Plus: The Retribution Presidency? FBI Raids Home Of Trump's Former National Security Adviser & Critic

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Good afternoon,

Before we get to today’s headlines, here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead for all of us this weekend in our weekly ‘Cheers to the Freakin’ Weekend’ section:

What We’re Watching:

What We’re Reading:

What We’re Eating:

Have a great weekend!

🚨 ONE THING WE’RE FOLLOWING

DOJ Releases Transcripts/Audio From Ghislaine Maxwell’s Interview

Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted sex trafficker and Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice, told Justice Department officials last month that President Donald Trump was “never inappropriate with anybody” during the years he knew Epstein.

The newly released transcripts and audio come from her two-day interview in July with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche — a former Trump lawyer. Click here to read the 337-page transcript and listen to the hours of audio.

WHAT WE’RE FOLLOWING
Maxwell, convicted in 2021 on multiple sex trafficking charges, is serving a 20-year sentence and continues to appeal her conviction. While she was given limited immunity but promised no benefits for testifying. However, she was transferred to a lower-security federal prison camp in Texas shortly after the interview.

  • Maxwell said she did not witness Trump getting any massages — referring to sexual encounters with underage girls.

  • She speculated that Epstein did not hang himself but was the victim of a homicide inside the jail, carried out by another prisoner.

  • She said she never witnessed Epstein abusing underage girls, but added “I’m not saying that Mr. Epstein did not do those things.”

Head over to the Mo News Instagram for the latest.

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

FBI Raids Home Of Trump’s Former National Security Adviser & Critic John Bolton

FBI agents raided the Maryland home of President Trump’s former National Security Adviser John Bolton early Friday in a national security probe involving classified documents.

Bolton, once a top aide in Trump’s first administration, has been an outspoken critic of the president. Weeks ago, Bolton warned that Trump’s second term was shaping up to be a “retribution presidency.”

HOW WE GOT HERE
The raid, ordered by FBI Director Kash Patel, comes after years of Bolton’s sharp criticism of Trump.

  • A federal magistrate judge approved the search — as a president or FBI head cannot unilaterally approve such a move.

    • However, the bar for a former senior White House official having classified information is likely lower than that of a person outside the administration. The court papers explaining the search may remain sealed for some time.

  • Bolton was not detained or charged with any crimes on Friday.

Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X Friday, appearing to reference the raid.

Rewind: Patel included Bolton in a list of members of the “Executive Branch Deep State,” in a 2023 book he wrote. That list reportedly includes dozens of government figures deemed harmful to the Trump administration — including former Deputy National Security Adviser Charles Kupperman, retired Marine General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., and former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley.

Bolton was investigated during the first Trump administration over a book he wrote about his time in government that officials argued disclosed classified information. In the book, Bolton called Trump unfit for office. The Biden Justice Department in 2021 abandoned its lawsuit and dropped a separate grand jury investigation.

THE TRUMP OF IT
President Trump denied Friday having advance knowledge of the FBI search of Bolton’s house. But, added: “I’m not a fan of John Bolton.”

  • Trump told reporters the Justice Department did not to inform him of such things, but took time to criticize Bolton.

Early in Trump’s second term, he pulled Bolton’s government security despite ongoing assassination threats from Iran.

Tomorrow, August 23, is Find Your Inner Nerd Day — and what better way to celebrate it than with advice from the experts at NerdWallet.

NerdWallet informs and empowers consumers and small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) with personalized, unbiased, and actionable insights so they can make smart money moves. Here is some expert financial advice from some of their resident Nerds.

💳 On Credit Cards… “If you’re chipping away at credit card debt, the high interest rate you’re paying doesn’t have to be permanent. Look into ways to save on interest, like a balance transfer card with a 0% APR promo for a year or more, or a personal loan with a lower rate. Both can save you hundreds in interest.” —Sara Rathner

💸 On Investing & Banking… If you’re looking to start saving for long-term goals, you have a lot of high-yield account choices. Many online-focused financial institutions have lower overhead costs than traditional banks, and pass the savings onto consumers in the form of higher yields. NerdWallet gives you access to two high-yield accounts to manage your cash: a Cash Account offered by Atomic Brokerage with a 4.65% APY*, and a Treasury Account offered by Atomic Invest with a 4.40% APY** and no state or local tax on earned interest. —Sam Taube

📊 On Small Businesses… Thinking about a business or side gig? Keep personal and business finances separate. Opening a business bank account and credit card helps protect personal assets, simplifies records, and builds legitimacy with lenders. It also makes taxes easier. You can compare business checking accounts and business credit cards at NerdWallet. —Kate Ashford

🏡 On Buying A Home… You’ve found the right neighborhood and you’re ready to buy a home, but prices are out of reach. What if your mortgage also covered renovations? That loan exists: the FHA 203(k), with a down payment as low as 3.5%. Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle and Freddie Mac’s CHOICERenovation loans also roll in renovation costs with just 3% down. FHA usually costs less for credit scores under 760; Fannie and Freddie are cheaper if you’re 760 or higher. —Holden Lewis

🔧 On Insurance… If you upgrade your home, let your insurer know. This ensures renovations are covered and could earn you a discount. Insurers often cut rates for improvements like a new roof, upgraded plumbing, or security systems. Keeping them in the loop also gives peace of mind that your home is protected. Learn more about homeowners insurance at NerdWallet —Kim Palmer

✈️ On Travel… My favorite hack? The 10-$10 rule: if I can buy that “maybe I’ll need it” item (like an umbrella or ibuprofen) at my destination for under $10 and in under 10 minutes, I don’t pack it. Traveling light means breezing through transit and no stress at the gate. Make it your own — 5-$5 for budget travelers, or 15-$15 for families. Don’t let “just in case” weigh you down. Get more tips in our Travel Nerd newsletter. —Sally French

And check out our recent interview with the co-hosts of Nerdwallet’s Smart Money podcast over on the Mo News podcast. 🎧

⏳ THE SPEED READ

🚨NATION

  • Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from criminal custody in Tennessee (ABC)

  • Trump Administration to review all 55 million U.S. visa holders for potential violations (MO NEWS)

  • Hegseth orders National Guard troops in DC to carry weapons (CNN)

  • Parents of missing 7-month-old child in California arrested for murder (ABC)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

  • The world’s food crises authority announces a famine in Gaza (AP)

  • At least six dead and more than 60 injured in attack on military base in Cali, Colombia (EL PAIS)

  • Ukraine attacks pipeline that sends Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia (GUARDIAN) Kim Jong Un acknowledges deaths of 100 North Korean soldiers he sent to fight for Vladimir Putin (FOX)

  • Canada to remove retaliatory tariffs on many U.S. goods (CBS)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

  • Fed chair signals imminent interest rate cut, markets rally (MO NEWS)

  • Trump says Intel agreed to sell 10% stake to U.S. government (AXIOS)

  • Trump says he’ll fire Federal Reserve Chair Governor Lisa Cook ‘if she doesn’t resign’ (CNBC)

  • SpaceX launches unpiloted X-37B rocket plane on classified Space Force mission (CBS)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

  • Lil Nas X arrested for alleged battery on officer in Studio City, hospitalized for possible overdose (ABC7)

  • ‘Stranger Things’ star Millie Bobby Brown surprises fans with news she adopted a baby (FOX)

  • Man arrested for WNBA sex-toy throwing at Liberty game, the 3rd arrest in string of disturbances (AP)

  • ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ sets single-week record for a movie on Nielsen Charts (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… Erik Menendez will not be released from prison, the California parole board announced after his hearing on Thursday. Lyle Menendez, the older of the two, has his parole hearings today.

They pair have spent more than 30 years in prison for the 1989 murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion.

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