Melania Trump’s Epstein denial sparks questions as policy headlines pile up

First Lady Melania Trump says she never had a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, suggesting they only shared social circles, while noting it’s unclear if President Trump knew the topic would be raised; lawmakers push for public testimony from Epstein victims. In other headlines, a federal judge found the Pentagon violated a press-pass order and ordered NYT credentials restored; a DoD AI official reportedly profited up to $24 million from xAI stock; George Clooney denounces Trump’s Iran threats as a war crime; Republicans block a Democratic effort to curb Trump’s war powers over Iran. The day’s brief items also include immigration enforcement allegations, hospice-fraud charges, DNC actions on AIPAC, Cuba-US doctor deals, and a proposed relaxation of coal-ash disposal rules by the EPA.