House Recesses Early Amid Epstein Controversy
GOP Divided as Democrats Demand Release of Files
Heightened scrutiny surrounding President **Donald Trump**’s alleged connections to the late convicted sex offender **Jeffrey Epstein** has reportedly created deep rifts within the Republican party in Congress. This intense pressure led the House speaker to call for an early adjournment of the legislative session on Tuesday.
Democrats Cite Dodge Tactics
Democrats had pressed for a vote to unseal documents pertinent to **Epstein**’s case, coinciding with **Trump**’s ongoing efforts to address questions about his relationship with the financier, who died in custody in 2019. The House is now scheduled to break for recess on Wednesday, a day earlier than planned, a move Democrats contend is an attempt to avoid a vote on the matter.
Speaker Dismisses Calls as ‘Political Games’
House Speaker **Mike Johnson** downplayed the decision to shorten the workweek, asserting that the White House has already taken steps to clarify concerns related to the case. Last week, **Trump** reportedly asked Attorney General **Pam Bondi** to release grand jury testimony, though this is anticipated to represent only a portion of the total case records.
Johnson characterized the push for a vote as mere “political games.” He also stressed the need for caution when demanding the release of documents, citing a concern for the potential retraumatization of victims.
Trump Claims Media Sweetheart Deal
President **Trump** has asserted that the impending owner of the U.S. television network CBS intends to provide him with $20 million in advertising and programming. This claim follows the network’s recent decision to cancel “The Late Show with **Stephen Colbert**.” Earlier this month, **Trump** reached a $16 million settlement with Paramount, CBS News’s parent company, over allegations of misleading editing in a pre-election interview with Democratic presidential candidate **Kamala Harris**.
U.S. Exits UNESCO
The United States will withdraw from the United Nations’ cultural and education agency, UNESCO, the U.S. State Department announced. This action continues President **Trump**’s trend of disengaging from international bodies, marking a significant blow to the Paris-based organization founded to foster peace through global cooperation in education, science, and culture.
Obama Rejects Prosecution Calls
Barack Obama has broken his public silence regarding **Trump**’s calls for his prosecution. The former president unequivocally rejected his successor’s accusations that he attempted to orchestrate a “coup” post-2016 election by fabricating evidence of Russian interference. An office statement dismissed the allegations as “nonsense,” “misinformation,” “outrageous,” and “a weak attempt at distraction.”
Japan Trade Deal Announced
President **Trump** announced a trade agreement with Japan, potentially resolving weeks of contentious negotiations. The talks had generated significant political outcry and economic uncertainty in Tokyo. While offering few specifics, **Trump** described the deal as “massive” on social media, stating that “Japan will invest, at my direction, $550 Billion Dollars into the United States.”
Coca-Cola to Launch Cane Sugar Product
Coca-Cola announced plans to introduce a product made with U.S. cane sugar this year. This comes days after **Trump** claimed the company had agreed to replace high-fructose corn syrup. However, the beverage giant clarified that the new drink will be an addition rather than a substitute for existing products containing corn syrup. In 2023, U.S. consumers purchased approximately 19.7 billion gallons of soft drinks, underscoring the market’s scale (Statista, 2025).
