The House Oversight Committee got exactly what it feared from Ghislaine Maxwell: nothing — at least, nothing free. After appearing virtually for less than an hour, the woman convicted of helping Jeffrey Epstein traffic girls refused to answer lawmakers' questions, repeatedly invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. And then her lawyer effectively held out a price tag for 'the truth:' full clemency from PresidentDonald Trump.
That offer should set off alarm bells for anyone who still believes accountability can be bought wholesale in American politics. Maxwell is not positioning herself as a remorseful witness; she is positioning herself as leverage.
🚨 BREAKING: Files confirm Donald Trump BLEW THE WHISTLE on Jeffrey Epstein's disgusting activities in a 2006 phone call with the police"TRUMP was one of the very first people to call" 👀Trump said Ghislaine Maxwell is "evil" and "focus on her"Democrats are SPEECHLESS.pic.twitter.com/Ak3CysQb1U
According to ABC News, Maxwell repeatedly said, 'I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence,' more than a dozen times during the closed-door deposition.
Oversight Committee chairman James Comer did not hide his frustration afterwards, telling reporters: 'As expected, Ghislaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions. This obviously is very disappointing.'
As expected, Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth today and refused to answer our questions about her crimes with Jeffrey Epstein and potential co-conspirators.This is extremely disappointing.Our goal remains unchanged: uncover the truth and secure justice for the survivors.pic.twitter.com/eZCfgxP57i
Comer said the committee wanted answers about 'the crimes she and Epstein committed,' and about 'potential co-conspirators,' adding: 'We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people and justice for the survivors.' That framing matters — because the committee is trying to sell the public on the idea that this process is about victims and transparency, not political theatre.
🚨BREAKING: Unsealed court documents detail how Trump called the police about Jeffrey Epstein in 2006 where he described Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein’s evil “operative”.pic.twitter.com/gEWsSW1qMP
Maxwell's attorney, David Oscar Markus, supplied the counter-offer. In a statement quoted by Time and CBS News, Markus said: 'Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump. Only she can provide the complete account.'
Then came the most eyebrow-raising line, the kind that sounds designed for headlines rather than justice. Markus added: 'Some may not like what they hear, but the truth matters. For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing.' He claimed Maxwell alone could explain why, and that the public was 'entitled' to that explanation.
Source: International Business Times UK
