This is 25th amendment territory. Wonder why we are not taking advantage of the section that addresses the mental stability of a sitting president? I am not a mental health professional, but it doesn't take a person with a PhD in mental health disorders to see Mr. Trump is mentally ill. A review of his rallies, speeches, tweets, and interviews can surely provide what is needed to provide an appropriate mental health diagnosis that explains his erratic and often bizarre behavior. I see a man in pain and who in turn is causing us citizens pain. We as a nation are edging towards our own mental health diagnosis; PTSD.
5
Clinton is acting Presidential and not responding --quite a stark contrast to the current occupant of the White House.
4
No surprise . When working mental health the Dr would be checking these conspiracists out and nursing staff observing and documenting to try and find a med that might help .
I have a loved one that I cannot talk to because she uses “whataboutism” and it’s the Clinton’s for her . Wonder where she got that ? hmmm. Unbelievable that Trump finds all these people that believe him .
2
Trump knows his core voters. Conspiracy theorists stand in the front row of his supporters, willing to believe trump’s mouth is the clarion of truth, rather than a toilet constantly seeded with lies. Federal authorities are sniffing at the possibility that there are connections between Epstein and the White House, all of which trump is doing his utmost to deflect. What about those palzee walzee photos of trump and Epstein? Michael Cohen, can you illuminate the issue?
3
Figures Trump would try to pin the "murder" of Epstein on the Clintons when we all know that he has the clearest and most obvious motive of all! If it comes out that Trump was cavorting with underage girls with Epstein, that would be the end of everything for Trump. Impeachment would be the least of his problems.
6
Enough already of "conspiracy theories." Those are not theories in any way-- just manic myths and fantasies dreamed up by delusionary fanatics. Please find a better way to describe them. Writers are supposed to be able to do that.
4
He is himself a conspirator along with the Republican governors of several battleground states. They rigged the Electoral College vote by voter suppression to bring about his fraudulent election.
And that's no "conspiracy theory; it's the truth.
7
Trump espouses conspiracy theories. How demeaning for the office, the nation, and for the people. How degrading for political discourse. How deluded for the believers.
12
I am appalled that the President of the United States would stoop so low as to traffic in unfounded conspiracy theories about the Clinton's. How long can this person hold a grudge? Doesn't he have a country he should be paying attention to?
Second, isn't there some governmental legislation policies that he could be promoting that are making america great again?
Perhaps the Southern Border...No.
Perhaps the Chinese tariffs...No
What about DACA...what about it?
Perhaps the great Tax Bill...No
Maybe Health Care...No
How about Infrastructure...No
What about that Inauguration crowd size...No
Warm relations with our European Allies...Perhaps Not
Stop and think about Climate Change...Actually don't
What about the rise of White Nationalism...hmm
8
When Trump points his finger and accuses somebody it's code for: what he is guilty of doing. It's called projection.
It's a defense where unwanted feelings impulses are displaced onto another,
For instance , when a person who is habitually rude, may constantly accuse other people of being rude. It shifts the blame
away from themselves.
This is what we are witnessing from Trump many. Times a day!
14
@Ed Your psychological analysis is sound. But with all the horrific crimes and misdemeanors that Trump is guilty of, Projection, which we all engage in, may be the least of his sins.
1
Duma Don shows us again his vileness.
6
Proverbs 6:16-19 King James Version (KJV)
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
12
@Woodson Dart
It's as if the Lord knows Trump's type and warned us against it!
3
Holy Smokes! -- The POTUS has nothing better to do than traffic in sick, malevolent internet conspiracy theories/lies?! Does this not tell us something is seriously wrong here?
13
Hey, Don - tell us the real story about Abe Lincoln. Thumbs Up, pal.
7
Trump's mouth and Trump's thumbs have a bad case of the stomach flu. They operate without the use of a functioning brain and just spray filth in every direction. Most amazingly they operate without even a hint of self reflection. A man who was seen with, videoed with, photographed with, and connected to Epstein on numerous occasions should be smart enough to know that he, way more than Bill Clinton, might be suspected of having a motive to get rid of Epstein.
12
"Epstein had information about Trump's sexual encounters and criminal financial dealings, and now he's dead."
9
Funny how when he feels accused of something, there follows a mindless, baseless accusation against other people.
8
Isn’t lying against the Ten Commandments that the Evangelicals who worship Trump as their Lord and Savior, pretend to follow?
9
Waiting no time to point the finger at someone else is like a man who murdered his wife, who calls the cops to say she's missing, and leads the search party while he knows where the body is hidden all along.
12
Epstein was getting too close to people who matter (of course not the young girls he abused) so he was neutralized.
Pretty obvious. Jack Ruby would understand.
9
The original conspiracy was Epstein’s sweetheart deal, hammered out in a restaurant by Acosta and Epstein’s lawyers. Why did a sexual predator get “overnights” in jail and freedom during the day to do whatever he wanted in his office? Plus, his victims weren’t informed. Let’s start there.
14
If Donald Trump had more intellectual depth than your average goldfish, perhaps he'd manage to consider the implications of the idiotic rumors about Jeffery Epstein's death that he's so gleefully helping to circulate. If, say, the Clintons somehow DID manage to commit murder here, that would mean (a) they pulled it off right under his nose, and (b) they OUTSMARTED him, the original, self-proclaimed "stable genius." Not a good look there, Mr. "President."
12
Although suspicious minds are duly admonished, over the past several days since Mr. Epstein's demise, that speculation about foul play are "unfounded," at least here it is allowed that it is a murky story with substantial irregularities, albeit the latter duly placed in quotes. This contrasts with that other murky death, that of Seth Rich, where speculations were set aside under pain of lawsuits, thwarting any efforts into easing nagging doubts and more suspicions about the Clintons that might have exonerated them.
Every single time Donald Trump has tried to point the finger at someone else, it was him.
He even has a history of bringing up things that no one asked him about, out of the blue, which later generated questions and prompted exposure of nefarious activity.
The fact Trump is suggesting there was something shady happening here doesn’t make a conspiracy less likely. If anything, it increases the odds that something is up.
Like the time he said Russians were working with the Clintons. It was his campaign team.
Or all the times he says that other people use inflammatory language. It’s him.
He can’t help it. It’s a compulsion he has. Like a poker player that can’t control a cheek twitch wen they get A-K suited. When Trump is involved in a scheme, he is compelled to point the finger elsewhere, with a wink and a nod. Probably something he picked up while doing business with the mob in Atlantic City.
11
Clearly, Trump is willing to use any ends to deflect the press from looking at his own past escapades. If it is not the fault of the Obamas, then it must be the Clintons, or the Muslims, or the "illegals". Donald Trump has never had an issue he could not run from either through bankruptcy in the courts, or simple minded lies. I don't know why he felt he had to tweet anything in this instance given he has not dealt with Epstein in over a decade, but his Tweeting a far fetched link to this death on the Clintons makes me think he protesteth too much.
13
To me, the official story is bad enough, since it acknowledges that prisons in the USA are dangerous cesspools. No rococo stylings from conspiracy theorists are needed, since they obscure more than they illuminate, but it’s characteristic of Trump to muddy the waters so he can thrive in a swamp he promised to drain.
8
Trump and Epstein hung
out together during the 80’s and 90’s. Epstein admired Trump for his connection to girls and women, and is documented as saying that he wanted to own a modeling agency, set up like Trump’s. Both subsequently owned modeling agencies which brought them close to young women and teens being brought into the USA from foreign countries. Both put up these girls and women in apartments in NYC. Both held events packed with young women and teens from their modeling agencies. Both have been accused of abusing some of these women and girls. Both have paid off their accusers to silence them. Both have manipulated their situations in order to hide their actions and avoid public trials.
Bill Clinton has not been publicly accused by the girls and women who have accused both Trump and Epstein of molesting or raping them.
Trump is using his classic bait and switch technique in order to draw attention away from the fact that he was strongly connected to Epstein and that they have both been accused of being rapists. Russian bots are supporting Trump’s conspiracy theories he’s peddling to draw attention away from himself. Trump wants us to forget that there is a woman, Jane Doe/Katie Johnson, who filed a complaint that she was raped by both Epstein and Trump in 1984 in Epstein’s mansion when she was 13 years old. She didn’t go to trial because she feared for her life. She has witnesses who corroborate her claim. Is it not time for the DOJ to pursue this claim?
10
He often reveals himself through projection. You have to wonder why he jumped into this, why he felt such an urgency to deflect.
11
Jonathan Swift forewarned us:
Falsehood flies, and the Truth comes limping after it; so that when Men come to be undeceiv’d, it is too late; the Jest is over, and the Tale has had its Effect…
Trump can try to play down his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and even try to direct the focus elsewhere, but that does not change the truth.
"I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side." - Donald Trump
9
RE: "On Saturday, when the news of Mr. Epstein’s death broke, Mr. Trump was at his New Jersey golf club,"
I remember a reader posting this exact scenario a while back. Something awful happens to someone who could hurt trump while he is miles away playing golf.
I guess we shouldn't be too surprised given the amount time spends playing golf the the number of those who are associated with Trump coming to ill fortune.
11
Why does the Times continue to run this conspiracy theory when Epstein died in a federal prison under Trump’s control? If any murder occurred, it would seem like current federal officials were involved. And why is Trump so quick to point the finger elsewhere? Methinks he doth protest too much.
The federal involvement needs investigation.
27
" ... he should stop and think about the fact that he’s the president of the United States, and stop his thumbs, but he never does ... " Character? Ethics? Judgement? No, just an agglomeration of personality disorders.
19
The role of the Clintons is certainly a credible question. Just as credible as pointing out that Barr’s father enabled Epstein and Barr had the motive and opportunity (as de facto head of the federal penal system) to terminate Epstein’s testimony about Barr’s father.
13
These are not "conspiracy theories." They are lies. Pure and simple. Why not call them out?
20
Maybe Donald can call Angela Lansbury to solve Epstein’s “murder” as he seems to live in an alternate reality based on his obsession with Television ratings, Emmy Awards, and “how many people love him”. So far his Administration has had a cast of characters that is only rivaled in a Fellini film. Was it Kellyanne Conway in the parlor with a candlestick? Or Mitch McConnell in the Dog House with a muzzle?
18
By making accusations about Clinton (who probably has a lot to hide about sex scandals), Trump is getting the spot light away from him and putting it on Clinton. Trump is a master of deceit and nasty games. He has done this in the past to deflect attention from himself. He was friend with Epstein and God knows what Epstein had against Trump. Yes, the death seems suspicious and convenient. Trump and his staff are responsible for the Federal prison where Epstein died. So it looks like Trump and Barr are responsible even if it was a suicide. It happened under their watch.
13
Epstein is not an "accused pedophile." He pleaded guilty and was convicted.
21
“It’s another example of something where he should stop and think about the fact that he’s the president of the United States, and stop his thumbs, but he never does,” said Rich Lowry, a columnist and editor of the conservative National Review.
Conservatives attacked Obama and attacked the Clintons over nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to Trump's compulsive lying, wholesale incompetence, indifference to patriotism, and groveling before Putin.
Here is a conservative admitting that Trump habitually falls short of his responsibilities as President through intentional conduct.
All Republicans should be condemning Trump's lies. Their silence is almost as sickening as Trump is.
20
Who else benefits from Epstein's mouth being forever sealed other than Trump. And who else has complete control over the Justice Department and every aspect of its operation other than Trump. Trump's control over Barr is the perfect conspiracy to protect Trump from whatever he may have done with Epstein from becoming public knowledge. Additionally It would not be at all surprising if Trump called Putin to thank him for the suggestion.
14
Trump distraction is working, I have read far more about Clintons relationship with Epstein, than the sitting President of the United States who controls the Justice department, knows no bounds when to comes to abiding by laws and has an election he could lose, if a huge scandal is buried with Epstein.
14
The thing that amuses me about this towering buffoon is that he doesn't seem to realize that HE is the one with the most power and the most public exposure in company with Jefferey Epstein.
Of the big names associated with Mr. Epstein, his is the one with the longest duration, the highest number of documentable public and social interactions, and an incident of having bragged about knowing this "great guy".
When he lashes out it's like he doesn't exist, only those he attacks.
16
The unsubstantiated rumor that Trump peddled insinuating that the father of one of his rivals, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, had been involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy remained just that: unsubstantiated. Case closed.
Nonetheless the elder Cruz was not exonerated.
4
Why amplify his tweets, craziness, lies and theories by reporting on them? They are meaningless in the scope of all things. What's important is reporting on his actions, the actions of the agencies and departments in his administration. Most recently the Endangered Species Act for example.
So weary.
11
Considering Trump's fondness for projecting his own misdeeds onto others, this should give us serious pause. Of course, a man like Trump would never order someone killed to prove he's a real man to his gangster friends, now, would he?
11
Donald Trump thinks the National Enquirer is a legitimate source of news. I suspect he reads it as his primary source of "information" about people, events, the current political-cultural scene.
Donald Trump is a walking conspiracy theory.
It is of course in his interest to LOWER the level of political discourse rather to RAISE it, for the simple reason that many of his voters tend to be among the less educated.
But it is not just in his interest; it is in his nature. I am not really sure he knows differently.
16
Yes there is indeed a “deep state” working in the government today but it is so transparent, so in our faces each day that one would miss it if one we’re not paying attention...
The name of the “deep state” is Donald Trump himself . And unfortunately he is neither deep nor in any state to be president.
24
For what it's worth, recent history has shown that when Trump points an accusatory finger at someone else, he tends to be engaging in self-projection more often than not.
30
"Whether he believes the theories he promotes or not, Mr. Trump knows that many people will latch onto them, lured by the idea that a hidden force is controlling fate."
I mean, you could say the same thing about anyone who has preached any religion, ever.
10
Trump's first instinct to call out others for what he might be accused of doing and deflecting attention from himself. I wonder why?
11
The ironic thing about all of Trump's 'Deep State' and conspiracy theory talk is that he is now in a position to expose all of it. He is the President he can order all of the "secret files" opened and make them available for all to see but there has been nothing at all revealed. He can uncover the "Deep State" and purge it but there has been no action. Could it be that the truth is that there is nothing there, that it is all phony? It would appear so.
11
Jeffry Epstein had closer ties to Donald Trump and his businesses than he did to the Clintons. Jeffrey and Donald were best of buds for a while, and Jeffrey used Mar A Lago to recruit many of his victims. If there was a conspiracy, it was between the Trumps and Mr. Epstein.
30
If there is any conspiracy to be revealed in the death of Epstein, it would fall under the responsibility of Pres. Trump's own administration, the Department of Justice (DOJ)! In light of the fact that the arrest of Epstein made all of the nation's headlines, you would think Epstein would be safeguarded, especially after the initial suicide attempt!
Attorney General Barr may be "upset" about it, but among those who may be experiencing a sigh of relief may be the president himself. In the meantime, Trump's followers blame everything on the Clintons.
18
Strange how Trump is quick to trumpet conspiracy theories when it serves his purposes to degrade others.For the life of him he cannot accept the facts of the actual conspiracy by the Russians to sway the 2016 election.He lives in a fantasy world of murder, mayhem and invasion by aliens.This is the way he can justify the “ American Carnage” which he described in his inaugural address.
16
It is true that there is an ominous force deep inside the government which is working to undermine America from within, to create disorder and gain control over our lives.
The name of this malign force is Donald Trump.
149
@GBM
And his wealthy patron Vladimir.
6
Trump is the Master Of Distraction... and you gotta wonder why he felt the need to speak out about Epstein.
"Hey look! A predatory squirrel!"
6
@GBM
Or maybe GBM
One of the six, nay, seven things that the Lord finds an abomination is, according to Proverbs 6:16-19: "feet that be swift in running to mischief." That's Trump for you -- from the Central Park Five to the birther business to conspiracy theories and now to the Epstein speculation, if there's a way for him to monger some rumors and stir up some trouble, i.e., make some mischief, he runs toward it and puts himself right in the middle of it.
58
And yet, all of (or nearly all of) the most vocal, self-righteous, judgemental, influence-hungry, holier-than-thou bible beaters shamelessly support this "mischief" maker. I would call that irony, but self-serving hypocrisy is the much more accurate term. (P.S. It is important to note that modern mischief & biblical mischief are not the same thing--not even close. "[P]layful misbehavior or troublemaking, especially in children," is not what djt is about--although the child attribution kind of works.)
2
Trump's promotion of a groundless conspiracy theory is reprehensible and just another reason that he is unfit and should be removed from office. However, if we want to let our minds roam in the realm of conspiracy, there are plenty of actual coincidences and facts from which Donald Trump cannot be absolved. Trump knew Epstein for approximately 15 years, there is a video of them ogling cheerleaders together, there is Trump's comment that Epstein was always surrounded by beautiful women, some on the young side. There was also a lawsuit filed by a girl who was thirteen of the time, who alleged that Donald Trump raped her. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed by the plaintiff, who says that she had received death threats. So if we're going to delve into the realm of conspiracy, it would appear that there are more conspiratorial tentacles linking Trump to Epstein, and giving Trump potentially more reason to want Epstein dead. Additionally, who else had better access to Epstein than Trump? So there. Your conspiracy theory for the day run with it.
91
@Kjensen Excellent points, thanks.
4
@Kjensen conspiracy theory? Some of what you stated are facts. As in public record, verifiable, facts. And yet...round and round we go.
3
Let me first say: I’m not a conspiracy theorist, and I think DTs efforts to discredit and defame individuals he views as threats are despicable. That said, I think perhaps we should take DT at his word on this (that there was a conspiracy to murder), but to consider that whenever DT makes a claim about others (whether it’s lying, cheating, covering up, being a perv, racism, or killing people), he seems to be deeply involved in the dirty deed he’s accused others of. From recent news reports, he certainly would have a lot to lose if the criminal case against Epstein had gone forward. DT is quite transparent (and arrogant). One does not need “fixers” if one is not involved is dirty deeds that need fixing. I just hope Barr doesn’t fall into that category.
77
With trump, if there are accusations made by him, his name is always replaced by someone else’s. He tries super hard to get people to believe his rants accusing others of criminal activity, but to the point of obsessing over them. “No collusion” is (according to him) off the table. Then there’s the “No obstruction” that seems to still be lingering. But now, we’ll have “Clinton did it” and “Lock him up” at his rallies.
10
@Nancy Mullin
I've never heard "fixers" until Donald Trump came along.
What innocent person needs fixers?
19
Yes!
The man has an epic case of projection (coupled with an inability no to weigh in on everything). As soon as he accuses someone of something, my initial reaction is, "oh, he did that himself."
18
“'Conspiracy theories are a perfect tool to emotionally connect with voters and supporters,' said Sam Nunberg, a former campaign aide."
"Perfect tool." Wow. Nothing like admitting how shamelessly dishonest you are. This is the kind of thing authoritarians do. This seems to be the direction Republicans are heading under Trump: power by any means necessary.
44
People in glass houses...
Barr's father hired Epstein at Dalton. Trump and Epstein were sued by a woman who alleged they raped her when she was 13 years old. The woman eventually dropped the suit, claiming she and her family were threatened with physical harm and possible death. One of Epstein's employees corroborated the rapes. In Florida, Acosta strikes a plea deal with Epstein, reducing the charges substantially and resulting in Epstein allowed to leave prison 6 days a week to work. Acosta was found to have broken the law by not informing the victims before concluding the plea deal. Trump appointed Barr AG and Acosta Secretary of Labor.
Conspiracy theory, anyone?
91
@Robert Thank you for the FACTS....not a "theory".
4
Whatever the conspiracy theories, the camera monitors in the prison hallways will provide some truth to those ascribing Jeffrey Epstein's death to a murderer from any conspiracy group, won't they? Those camera videos for sure will provide "the receipts" All of us know that, why wouldn't Donald Trump right away?
11
@Liz I'm not holding my breath that any video of Epsteins cell would be made public, or even exists anymore. If this was a murder made to look like suicide, that would've been the first roadblock removed.
4
@JG An early on NYT investigative article said the prison officials reported there were camera monitors and video tapes to get them off the hook that they let Epstein to be murdered. They'd be in more trouble in that situation than if they said they were sorry they were understaffed and didn't have time to look in on him as much as they should have. So they are keeping the tapes for their own protection.
1
In his private strategy conversations, Trump no doubt has spoken many times of scamming the gullible. "I love uneducated people," he once said. Oh, yes, he loves them. I wish we had one recording or video in which he strategizes riding on the backs of the undereducated, underinformed masses he deliberately front-loads with distrust of media and skepticism of truth.
41
Would it even make a difference if we had such a “smoking gun”? Sadly, I doubt it.
1
Trump shouldn’t throw stones in a glass house. Trump has a known friendship with Epstein, and has been quoted noting Epstein’s penchant for girls on the younger side. The prison Epstein died in was under control of the Department of Justice which is headed by the notoriously loyal Trump appointee Bill Barr. While we’re on the discussion of Trump appointees, Trump appointed Acosta to the Department of Labor. Acosta was responsible for Epstein’s sweetheart deal for his prior sex trafficking charges. Trump may have had a lot to gain from Epstein’s death.
66
Instead of writing this kind of story - which repeats Trump's framing - why not investigate and report FACTS about Trump's line to Epstein?
This is why he is diverting - to get media to focus on Clinton and not himself.
Don't think of an elephant.
60
Trump is willing to believe the worst about anybody. He also spreads the worst about anybody. November, 2020 can't come soon enough
27
Adding to the list of deficits of this presidency, here’s another one - a president who traffics in conspiracy theories,
There are no words . . . but there might a conspiracy theory or two to explain this . Ya think?
15
Trump's conspiracy theories seem to be projected fears of conspiracy against him.........the fears of an insecure, needy, bullying and cruel, very tiny creature.
31
Revisits? How about wallows?
16
The no- facts , unknowledgeable leader as usual puts his 2 cents in. Did anyone doubt juvenile response? As usual comes out swinging before he is pointed at.
16
Who is now at the top of our federal government? Who would most likely be in a position to influence the operation of a federal prison. Who would stand to gain by pointing a finger elsewhere??
50
Did anyone doubt this was going to happen? He’s known for 1.Accusing people with out any proof. 2. Needing 24-7 attention 3. Lying!Lying,Lying!
34