Gavin Newsom Labels Trump a “Liar” Over Epstein Files Controversy

California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized former President Donald Trump during a recent podcast interview, calling him a “liar” in connection with the ongoing controversy surrounding the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Newsom’s remarks came as he accused Trump of creating a complex narrative to obscure his involvement in the Epstein case. The interview, hosted by political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, aired on July 29, 2023.

Newsom stated, “He’s lying to cover up his prior lies and then lying again. Now he doesn’t even know truth from fiction, and so look, he’s caught red-handed.” He emphasized that Trump’s name appears in the Epstein files, asserting, “We know it, period, full stop.” This exchange is not the first instance of conflict between the two political figures, as tensions have escalated over various issues.

The day prior to the podcast, Trump claimed that Newsom’s administration mishandled funds intended for victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, stating, “$100 MILLION IS MISSING.” He criticized Newsom for not releasing water supplies from Northern California that could have aided the situation. In response, Newsom clarified that FireAid, the organization responsible for disbursing aid, is not government-run and has already allocated $75 million to various non-profits, with another $25 million expected to be distributed soon.

In recent weeks, Trump has faced scrutiny not only from political opponents but also from allies regarding his handling of the Epstein files. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Trump was informed during a routine briefing in May that his name was included among many others in the Epstein files. Instead of releasing the documents, he opted to adhere to the guidance provided by the Department of Justice.

During the podcast, Newsom remarked that Trump has created his own problems, stating, “You reap what you sow.” He further described Trump as a “pretzel” on the issue, due to his contradictory statements. “Every hour he contradicts a statement,” Newsom added, underscoring the confusion surrounding Trump’s narrative.

In a separate incident, Trump denied ever visiting Epstein’s infamous island during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He asserted, “I never went to the island and Bill Clinton went there, supposedly, 28 times,” while attempting to deflect attention away from his own connections to Epstein.

Trump’s strategy appears to involve shifting blame onto Democratic figures, including Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, alleging that they have constructed a false narrative to tarnish his reputation. Last week, he also accused the former Obama administration of orchestrating a distraction by suggesting they planted false information linking him to Russian interference in the 2016 election, a claim Barack Obama has labeled “outrageous.”

The controversy surrounding Trump and Epstein continues to evolve, especially following the emergence of documents alleging connections between Trump and Epstein. A note purportedly written by Trump to Epstein on the financier’s 50th birthday, which includes a hand-drawn sketch, has attracted considerable attention. Trump has denied authorship of the note, referring to it as “a fake thing” and subsequently filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, the ongoing investigation into Epstein’s activities has garnered renewed focus. Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, recently met with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former associate, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in his operations. Epstein was scheduled to stand trial in 2019 on serious charges before his death in a New York City prison.

As the dialogue surrounding Trump, Epstein, and the implications of their connections continues, both the political and public landscapes remain closely monitored for further developments. The fallout from this controversy is likely to shape the narratives leading up to the upcoming elections.