MAGA loyalists losing patience with Trump over Epstein

4 hours ago Share Save Kayla Epstein BBC News, in Pennsylvania Share Save

Watch: Trump calls out "stupid Republicans" in Jeffrey Epstein files saga

West Pittston, just outside of the industrial centre of Scranton, Pennsylvania, has a classic smalltown-American look. There are clapboard houses, a main drag with businesses bearing charming vintage patina and lampposts bearing flags of the town's military veterans. And MAGA faithful. On Wednesday, in 85F (30C) weather, they lined the streets outside Don's Machine Shop where JD Vance spoke, touting President Donald Trump's recent legislative victory, what he calls his Big Beautiful Bill. But a lawn sign nearby as the US vice-president spoke pointed to an additional priority on some minds - a rare backlash against the Trump presidency from his own supporters. "WHERE IS THE LIST???" the sign read - a reference to the release of the so-called Jeffrey Epstein files, a purported tranche of government documents on the disgraced financier and sex offender. Rumors of a "client list" of Epstein's famous friends have circulated online for years. But the Justice Department recently threw cold water on the theory, releasing a memo saying it found no evidence that a client list exists.

Among those attending the Vance event, some put their faith in Trump. "When he's ready, he'll let them out," Ed DeLucca, 72, told the BBC, saying he hoped Trump would bring the documents to light. For Mr DeLucca, the rumoured files would ultimately be delivered much like any other Trump promise, such as closing the border or mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Epstein was charged by federal prosecutors for sex trafficking of minors and other crimes in 2019. He died by suicide in jail later that year, sparking continued rumors and conspiracies about his death and - most recently - about possible "clients" named in government files. Yet, according to the president and his top law enforcement officials, the documents may not be forthcoming - and some may not exist at all. That concession has thrown Trump's Make America Great Again movement into chaos, with even staunch supporters calling for the removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino. The fact that several of these officials previously called for the government to release allegedly hidden Epstein files has led to accusations of broken promises from within MAGA. The resulting online storm has also threatened to overshadow the budget bill, a major legislative win Trump just clawed from Congress. Trump's Epstein strategy could pit him against loyal supporters

Prosecutor in Diddy and Epstein cases fired by justice department "We put you in office, you ran on this platform," Steven Taylor, a local truck driver and Trump supporter who was in West Pittson on Wednesday, told CBS News, the BBC's US partner. "We didn't ask for it. And now we want it. We demand it." "There needs to be accountability. There needs to be justice," he said. But others like Mr DeLucca were more sanguine. "There's a reason for it. They'll come out," he said. "They got to make peace," he said of the MAGA factions warring over Epstein. "They can't exist without Pam, or Dan Bongino," he said of the administration. "It's like the Avengers assembled, the Justice League of America."

REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz People gather to watch US Vice-President JD Vance to speak about the "One Big Beautiful Bill" law in West Pittston, Pennsylvania.

Manchester United have made a third bid for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo that could be worth up to £70m.

The offer is understood to be an initial £65m, with £5m in add-ons.

Brentford are yet to discuss the offer.

United have remained confident about getting Mbeumo and had been hopeful of adding the Cameroon international to Ruben Amorim's squad before they head to the US on Tuesday for three pre-season games.

Trump's voters want to see the Epstein files - but have faith in their president

5 hours ago Share Save Kayla Epstein BBC News, in Pennsylvania Share Save

Watch: Trump calls out "stupid Republicans" in Jeffrey Epstein files saga

West Pittston, just outside of the industrial centre of Scranton, Pennsylvania, has a classic smalltown-American look. There are clapboard houses, a main drag with businesses bearing charming vintage patina and lampposts bearing flags of the town's military veterans. And MAGA faithful. On Wednesday, in 85F (30C) weather, they lined the streets outside Don's Machine Shop where JD Vance spoke, touting President Donald Trump's recent legislative victory, what he calls his Big Beautiful Bill. But a lawn sign nearby as the US vice-president spoke pointed to an additional priority on some minds - a rare backlash against the Trump presidency from his own supporters. "WHERE IS THE LIST???" the sign read - a reference to the release of the so-called Jeffrey Epstein files, a purported tranche of government documents on the disgraced financier and sex offender. Rumors of a "client list" of Epstein's famous friends have circulated online for years. But the Justice Department recently threw cold water on the theory, releasing a memo saying it found no evidence that a client list exists.

Trump's former VP, Mike Pence, urges release of Epstein files

Among those attending the Vance event, some put their faith in Trump. "When he's ready, he'll let them out," Ed DeLucca, 72, told the BBC, saying he hoped Trump would bring the documents to light. For Mr DeLucca, the rumoured files would ultimately be delivered much like any other Trump promise, such as closing the border or mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Epstein was charged by federal prosecutors for sex trafficking of minors and other crimes in 2019. He died by suicide in jail later that year, sparking continued rumors and conspiracies about his death and - most recently - about possible "clients" named in government files. Yet, according to the president and his top law enforcement officials, the documents may not be forthcoming - and some may not exist at all. That concession has thrown Trump's Make America Great Again movement into chaos, with even staunch supporters calling for the removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino. The fact that several of these officials previously called for the government to release allegedly hidden Epstein files has led to accusations of broken promises from within MAGA. The resulting online storm has also threatened to overshadow the budget bill, a major legislative win Trump just clawed from Congress. Trump's Epstein strategy could pit him against loyal supporters

Prosecutor in Diddy and Epstein cases fired by justice department "We put you in office, you ran on this platform," Steven Taylor, a local truck driver and Trump supporter who was in West Pittson on Wednesday, told CBS News, the BBC's US partner. "We didn't ask for it. And now we want it. We demand it." "There needs to be accountability. There needs to be justice," he said. But others like Mr DeLucca were more sanguine. "There's a reason for it. They'll come out," he said. "They got to make peace," he said of the MAGA factions warring over Epstein. "They can't exist without Pam, or Dan Bongino," he said of the administration. "It's like the Avengers assembled, the Justice League of America."

REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz People gather to watch US Vice-President JD Vance to speak about the "One Big Beautiful Bill" law in West Pittston, Pennsylvania.

Connie Francis: Pretty Little Baby singer dies at 87

31 minutes ago Share Save Mark Savage Music Correspondent Share Save

Getty Images Connie Francis sold millions of records, and was the first female recording artist to top the US Billboard Charts

Connie Francis, who was at one time the world's biggest-selling female artist, has died at the age of 87. The musician, whose hits included Stupid Cupid and Who's Sorry Now, had recently enjoyed a resurgence after her 1962 song Pretty Little Baby went viral on TikTok. Francis had recently been treated for pelvic pain caused by a fracture. Her death was first reported by the president of her record label, Ron Roberts, and confirmed to the BBC by Universal Music. "It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," Roberts wrote on Facebook.

"I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news."

Getty Images The singer had recently been active on Facebook, updating fans about her health

The star's death comes just months after Pretty Little Baby became a trending song on TikTok. Millions of people, including Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, lip-synced to the easy listening ballad, while showing off their children and pets, or making displays of affection. One video, by social media influencers Brooke Monk and Sam Dezz, was watched more than 158 million times. ABBA singer Agnetha Fältskog also posted the song, saying that Francis had long been her favourite singer. And the actress Gracie Lawrence, who is currently playing Francis in the Broadway musical Just in Time, also shared a video of herself singing the track, while dressed in character. Speaking last month, Francis said she had been surprised by the sudden success of a track that had originally been a b-side. "To tell you the truth, I didn't even remember the song!" she told People magazine. "I had to listen to it to remember. To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is touching the hearts of millions of people is truly awesome. It is an amazing feeling."

Getty Images The singer was the biggest-selling female artist in the world in the early 1960s

Francis was born Concetta Rosemarie Franconero and grew up in a working-class Italian American family in Brooklyn, New York. Encouraged by her father, she started playing the accordion at the age of three. By the time she was a teenager, she had changed her name to Connie Francis, and was making regular appearances on the US TV variety show Startime Kids. Early attempts to launch a singing career were not successful. She was turned down by almost every record label, only securing a contract with MGM Records because her demo song was called Freddy - which happened to be the name of the president's son. Her initial recordings failed to find an audience, and Francis accepted a place to study medicine at university. But she scored a breakout hit with her last contracted recording for MGM - a cover of the 1923 song Who's Sorry Now?, that she only recorded at her father's insistence. "I had 18 bomb records," Francis told UPI in 1996. "He wanted me to record a song written in 1923. I said 'Forget about it - the kids on American Bandstand would laugh me right off the show.' "He said, 'If you don't record this song, dummy, the only way you'll get on American Bandstand is to sit on the TV'." It was almost prophetic. In 1958, Dick Clark championed the track on American Bandstand, telling viewers: "There's no doubt about it, she is headed straight for the number one spot." Francis, who was watching at home, had no idea the song was going to feature on the show. "Well, the feeling was cosmic - just cosmic!" she wrote in her diary that night. "Right there in my living-room, it became Mardi Gras-time and New Year's Eve at the turn of the century!"

Pop icon turned victims' advocate

Over the next couple of years, Francis became a true pop icon. She sold millions of records - including teen hits like Lipstick On Your Collar and Everybody's Somebody's Fool. In 1969, she became the first woman to top the Billboard Top 100, with the bluesy ballad Everybody's Somebody's Fool. Francis also had an affinity for languages, and was one of the first stars to record in multiple dialects. Her title song from the 1961 movie Where the Boys Are, for example, was released in seven different languages - English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Neopolitan and Spanish. In 1963, she also recorded one of the first known charity singles, In The Summer Of His Years, a tribute to the assassinated US president John F Kennedy. Her popularity waned in the mid-60s, as acts like The Beatles and Bob Dylan took over the pop charts; and she briefly lost her voice as a result of nasal surgery.

The singer spoke about her rape in a moving interview with Terry Wogan in 1989

In 1974 Francis mounted a comeback at the Westbury Music Fair in New York, but after the performance she was beaten and raped at knife point in her motel. Traumatised, she became a recluse and spent several spells in psychiatric hospitals (she later said she had been admitted against her will by her father). At her lowest point, the star tried to kill herself with sleeping pills. "I just felt that there was nothing for me to live for," she told Terry Wogan on his BBC One chat show in 1989. "I had this free-floating fear of life in general after the rape, and I just said, 'Well, that's it, I'm going to check out'." Francis said it was her adopted son, Joey, who saved her life. "I was looking at this bottle of sleeping pills... and my son knocked at the door of the bathrooom and he said, 'Mommy, you're the best mommy I ever had'," she told Wogan. "And that was it. I took the pills and threw them right down the toilet." The singer later won $1.5 million (£1.1 million) in a lawsuit against the Howard Johnson's motel chain for failing to provide safe locks on the glass door through which her attacker entered.

Getty Images The musician recorded more than 70 albums over her career