Who is Paolo Zampolli? Trump insider who allegedly 'brought' Melania to the US now linked to Epstein-Maxwell web

The name has suddenly surged into public debate after claims linking him to both Melania Trump and the controversial network surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Once known mainly as a businessman and Trump ally, Zampolli now finds himself at the centre of renewed scrutiny over his past connections and role in bringing Melania into elite circles in the United States.

Zampolli's Link to Melania and Trump

Zampolli is widely credited with introducing Melania to Donald Trump during a New York party in 1998. At the time, he was working as a modelling agent and had connections across the fashion and business worlds.

According to long standing accounts, he helped Melania establish herself in the United States, including assisting with her visa process. Some reports have described this as an 'Einstein visa,' a category typically reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability.

Melania herself has repeatedly stated that she met Trump by chance at a social event, a version of events she also detailed in her memoir. However, Zampolli has now publicly offered to testify under oath, insisting he was the one who introduced the couple and could bring witnesses to support his claim.

This apparent contradiction has reignited questions about the early days of Melania's life in the US and how she entered influential social circles.

Connection to Epstein and Maxwell Explained

The controversy deepens with allegations linking Zampolli to figures associated with Epstein. Reports and online claims suggest he moved within similar elite networks that included Maxwell and others tied to Epstein's social and business world.

Zampolli has also been connected to John Casablancas, a modelling industry figure who himself faced past allegations and whose name has surfaced in discussions around Epstein era circles.

While there is no formal accusation of wrongdoing against Zampolli, the overlap of these connections has drawn attention. Critics argue that such networks often intersected in ways that are only now being fully examined through document releases and testimonies.

At the same time, conflicting narratives have emerged about who introduced Melania to Trump, with some controversial claims originating from recordings gathered by author Michael Wolff. These include assertions attributed to Epstein, although their accuracy remains disputed.

Role Inside Trump's Circle and Influence

Zampolli's relationship with Trump did not end with that initial introduction. Over the years, he has remained a close ally and was rewarded with roles linked to the administration, including diplomatic assignments.

His continued presence in Trump's orbit has reinforced perceptions of him as a trusted insider. Beyond politics, he has been involved in business ventures and international dealings, further cementing his influence.

Recent reports have also highlighted his involvement in personal legal matters, including a high profile custody dispute where he allegedly sought assistance from immigration authorities. Critics have pointed to this as an example of how connections to power can be leveraged for personal outcomes.

Despite the controversies, Zampolli has maintained his position within Trump's wider network, signalling that his standing has not significantly diminished.

Why His Name Is Back in the Spotlight

The renewed attention on Zampolli comes amid broader scrutiny of Epstein related files and testimonies. As more documents surface, individuals with even indirect links to Epstein are being re examined.

Melania's recent public denial of any meaningful connection to Epstein has also played a role. By addressing the issue directly, she has drawn fresh focus to the people around her during that period, including Zampolli.

His willingness to testify has only added to the intrigue. It suggests that key details about how Melania entered Trump's world may soon be revisited in a formal setting.

Who is Paolo Zampolli? Trump insider who allegedly 'brought' Melania to the US now linked to Epstein-Maxwell web

Story by Crisnel Longino

Trump insider reveals cabinet head 'too dumb' to save themselves from disaster

 

The ongoing disasters of President Donald Trump's second term in office have left many of his closest administration cronies "rattled," according to a biographer with close ties to the White House, leaving them shaken about their future political ambitions and "scrambling" to find solutions.

Michael Wolff is a veteran reporter and author, best known for a series of tell-all biographies detailing the chaos of Trump's first term, based on inside sources within the White House. During the most recent episode of his Daily Beast podcast, "Inside Trump's Head," Wolff revealed how spooked those within the administration are about Trump's disastrous decisions as president, especially the war in Iran, and what they fear it might mean for their futures.

Wolff based these revelations on conversations from Wednesday with one of his anonymous, "highly placed" White House sources, who said they have seen many top officials "rattled about everything."

"This person has never seen so many people in the seat of power, let’s say, who are so rattled —rattled about everything," Wolff detailed. "Rattled about their own careers, rattled about what happens tomorrow, and at some level, rattled about how the government continues to operate, and... rattled about the fate of the country."

He further added, "This person also says that ‘no one is getting a clear message from POTUS," and suggested that Trump himself "is also probably rattled" by the current state of affairs.

"He doesn’t know what’s going on," Wolff added. "He does not know what to do. He, at some level, recognizes that he has gotten himself into a corner which he can’t get out of."

In response to this mess, Wolff reported that several top administration officials are "plotting" how to save their own skin and political futures from the stain of Trump's presidency. He also singled out one top official, however, as "too dumb" to plot properly, and another who does not have the skill to effectively plan their escape.

"This person who I was speaking to yesterday described it as... ‘everybody’s plotting," Wolff continued. “Marco Rubio is plotting, Hegseth is plotting, Jared Kushner is plotting, and JD Vance is plotting, but JD Vance doesn’t really know how to plot."

Noting that many of these figures are also attempting to distance themselves from the Iran debacle, Wolff added, "The only one not trying to retreat is Pete Hegseth—[who is] too dumb to know that he has to retreat."

Trump insider reveals cabinet head 'too dumb' to save themselves from disaster

Story by Thomas Kika

What Melania Trump said to Ghislaine Maxwell in Epstein files email

 

• Melania Trump has issued a statement on an email she sent to Ghislaine Maxwell that was included in the recent release of millions of files related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
• “Dear G! How are you?” she wrote in the email dated October 23, 2002. “Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great on the picture.”
• She continued, “I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!” The first lady signed the email, “Love, Melania.”
• Melania Trump denied having any relationship with Maxwell or Epstein in a national address Thursday, stating, “My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence. My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”
• The first lady also insisted that Epstein did not introduce her to her husband and condemned “unfounded and baseless lies” about her from “politically motivated individuals and entities” who have sought to “gain financially and climb politically.” Such statements “must stop,” she said.

What Melania Trump said to Ghislaine Maxwell in Epstein files email

Story by Brittney Donovan

Netanyahu faces political storm in Israel after Iran ceasefire

 

Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a domestic backlash over the Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire deal with Iran, with critics accusing him of presiding over “the worst political disaster in history”.

The Israeli prime minister is facing an onslaught from parties across the country’s political spectrum for not continuing the conflict, although Tel Aviv was not involved in the peace talks.

There is also a growing international outcry over ongoing Israeli strikes on Lebanon, which, as of Thursday, have killed 1,700 people including 130 children. Western countries have insisted that Lebanon must be part of the ceasefire, while Tehran has claimed that attacks on the country represent a “grave violation” of the agreement.

The developments have sparked outrage among Israeli politicians, who have urged Mr Netanyahu to continue the war. Opposition leader Yair Lapid branded the Israeli PM’s handling of the conflict a catastrophe.

“There has never been such a political disaster in all of our history,” he wrote in a post on X on Wednesday. “Israel wasn’t even at the table when decisions were made concerning the core of our national security.”

He praised the military for carrying out “everything that was asked of it” and the public for demonstrating “amazing resilience”, but said they had both been let down by Mr Netanyahu due to what he called the leader’s “arrogance, negligence and lack of strategic planning”.

Mr Lapid’s criticism was repeated by former prime minister Naftali Bennett, who said Israel’s failure to achieve its war goals would leave it “facing a vengeful Iran”.

“The reason why so many people feel disappointed tonight is that the leadership sold us illusions,” he said in a live broadcast on Wednesday.

“All their empty promises have exploded in our faces. Unfortunately, each of us sees with our own eyes that Hamas is getting stronger. Hezbollah and Iran are standing on their own two feet, and this is happening because a government that dismantles Israel from within cannot defeat the enemy from without.”

Yair Golan, centre-left politician and the head of the Democrats party, accused Mr Netanyahu of lying.

“He promised a ‘historic victory’ and security for generations, and in practice, we got one of the gravest strategic failures Israel has known,” he said in a post on X, adding: “Blood was spilled ... brave citizens killed (and) soldiers fell ... none of the goals were accomplished.”

 

Lapid has called Netanyahu’s strategy a ‘political disaster’

“The nuclear program was not destroyed; the ballistic threat remains; the regime is in place and is even stronger coming out of this war,” he continued.

Mr Netanyahu’s education minister Yoav Kisch hit back at the critics, accusing them of “pumping up a defeat that’s echoed in the enemy’s media outlets”.

The Israeli PM has also faced a growing international outcry over the IDF’s campaign in Lebanon, which aid agencies warn has created a humanitarian catastrophe. More than 250 people have been killed in 24 hours in the deadliest attacks on the country since the conflict began.

More than 100 sites were targeted in 10 minutes on Wednesday and more than a million people (20 per cent of the population) has been displaced since the attacks began in late February.

Despite a ceasefire being agreed on Wednesday, Mr Netanyahu and the White House said that the 14-day truce does not apply to Lebanese territory – a key demand for Tehran.

Netanyahu and Trump both acted jointly in declaring war on Iran

Israel says it must continue its attacks in order to defeat Hezbollah, an Iran-backed proxy group. However, large numbers of civilians have been killed and humanitarian groups have warned there are similarities to the IDF’s campaign in Gaza.

Spain, France and the UK have all called for the ceasefire to be extended to Lebanon.

Britain’s foreign minister Yvette Cooper called for the country to be “urgently included” and on Thursday called Israel’s attacks “highly damaging”, following similar comments by French president Emmanuel Macron.

The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas criticised the number of civilian deaths in Lebanon and said it was becoming “hard to argue that such heavy-handed actions fall within self-defence”.

More than 200 people were killed in one day in Lebanon on Wednesday after Israel’s deadliest strikes yet

Mr Trump has also come under fire in Israel for agreeing a ceasefire.

“Donald, you came off as a duck,” said the far-right head of the country’s National Security Committee, Tzvika Foghel in a since-deleted post on X.

The head of the conservative Yisrael Beytenu party, Avigdor Liberman, said the agreement with Iran “gives the ayatollah’s regime a break and time to regroup”.

“Any agreement with Iran, without giving up on destroying Israel, enriching uranium, manufacturing ballistic missiles and supporting terror groups in the region, means we’ll return to another war in harder conditions with a heavier price,” he wrote on X.

Netanyahu faces political storm in Israel after Iran ceasefire

Story by Maira Butt

Hegseth's own words backfire and take Trump's war claim with them: analysis

 

Pete Hegseth went out Wednesday to sell America on Donald Trump's Iran triumph — and ended up accidentally dismantling it, according to a new analysis.

The Defense Secretary insisted that Trump's threat to erase Iranian civilization is what brought Tehran back to the negotiating table.

"That type of threat is what brought them to the place where they effectively said, ‘We want to cut this deal,'" Hegseth told reporters, preening about American killing power with what New Republic analyst Greg Sargent called "unnerving relish and bloodlust."

But he noted Iran was already negotiating with Trump before the war started.

According to Sargent, citing a New York Times investigation, Trump sabotaged those pre-war talks himself — convinced by Benjamin Netanyahu that the war would be quick and glorious, and by his own team that nothing short of regime change would do. Iran had been prepared to make real concessions on nuclear development, and Trump walked away anyway.

"Trump’s approach to the talks made success impossible—deliberately," Sargent declared.

Iran's regime survived, radicalized, and now negotiates from a position of greater confidence, he said. The ceasefire terms appear more favorable to Tehran than the deal Trump could have had without firing a shot.

"The civilizational threat did not factor into the ceasefire," Center for International Policy senior fellow Sina Toossi told Sargent flatly.

Sargent concluded that despite the war showcasing "awesome technological prowess," it failed to deliver what Trump and Hegseth promised — that American military power and the threat of it could force anyone to do anything. They set out to prove otherwise, he wrote, "and at this, too, they failed miserably."

Hegseth's own words backfire and take Trump's war claim with them: analysis

Story by Daniel Hampton

Charlie Kirk's alleged shooter Tyler Robinson was already in custody hours before officials said, Owens reveals

 

Tyler Robinson seen smiling court during hearing

Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was already in police custody hours earlier than official accounts stated, according to cCandace Owens.

In a post on X, Owens wrote that Robinson was detained 'before 7 pm' on 11 September 2025, well ahead of the timeline given by authorities, who reported his arrest later that evening. Owens added that what Robinson was wearing—and the timing of his arrival at a police station—was also misrepresented at a press conference led by Utah Governor Spencer Cox.

Kirk was shot in front of thousands of attendees and later died in hospital. Authorities launched a multi‑agency search for the suspect and announced that Robinson, 22, was taken into custody on the night of 11 September after a roughly 33‑hour manhunt. FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrest followed 'waves of tips' flooding federal and local law enforcement.

Allegations of a Different Timeline

In a quote tweet of investigator Baron Coleman's post on X, Owens claimed that Robinson was already detained by 6:25 pm Utah Time on 11 September, several hours before officials publicly said he was in custody. Coleman's post asserted that open‑source investigation had revealed police records showing Robinson in custody earlier than reported.

Owens also wrote that 'they also lied about what Tyler Robinson was wearing when he came into the police station,' repeating her contention that statements made by Governor Cox at a press briefing were inaccurate.

In a press conference announcing the arrest, Governor Cox credited Robinson's family for facilitating the suspect's surrender after recognising him in publicly released images and contacting a family friend, a retired law enforcement official, who then alerted police.

Owens also wrote that 'they also lied about what Tyler Robinson was wearing when he came into the police station,' repeating her contention that statements made by Governor Cox at a press briefing were inaccurate.

In a press conference announcing the arrest, Governor Cox credited Robinson's family for facilitating the suspect's surrender after recognising him in publicly released images and contacting a family friend, a retired law enforcement official, who then alerted police.

Robinson was taken into custody peacefully at a sheriff's office, without the violent confrontation that some media speculation had anticipated.

What Officials Have Said

Official accounts of the timeline place Robinson's arrest late on 11 September, approximately 33 hours after the shooting. The FBI, working alongside local law enforcement, said it received thousands of tips during the search, making it one of the most extensive public assistance efforts since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, according to federal officials at the time.

Robinson was identified as a 22‑year‑old Utah resident and, according to court filings, had been living near St George and briefly attended university before dropping out. Charging documents released later showed DNA evidence linking Robinson to the scene, including material recovered from the rifle suspected of being used in the shooting.

While a family member and retired officer helping to secure the suspect's surrender has been widely reported, the precise moment Robinson was first held in custody has not been unequivocally documented in public law‑enforcement records. State and federal officials have described the overall sequence—shooting, search, identification, surrender, and charges—but have not addressed claims from open‑source investigators about an earlier custody time.

Update on Robinson's Upcoming Trial

Robinson is still months away from a full trial, but the court calendar is filling up with key pre‑trial activity. Prosecutors have said they have 'plenty of evidence' ready for a preliminary hearing scheduled for 18 May, arguing it should proceed on time and not be delayed by defence motions.

The alleged shooter's legal team has filed several motions, including an effort to ban cameras and recording equipment from an April 17 hearing and other attempts to limit public access to filings. A judge has denied some efforts to restrict media access so far, though deliberations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, a court filing noted that ballistics analysis did not conclusively link the bullet recovered from Kirk's body to the rifle alleged to belong to Robinson, a point the defence is expected to raise ahead of the May hearing.

Charlie Kirk's alleged shooter Tyler Robinson was already in custody hours before officials said, Owens reveals

Story by Thea Felicity

MAGA allies turn on Trump calling him 'insane' and 'evil' over Easter message

 

Donald Trump has ignited another MAGA meltdown with his unhinged Easter message infuriating Christians, while former allies of the president accuse him of going "insane."

After missing at least three Easter events on Sunday, Trump, who identifies as a non-denominational Christian, took to Truth Social on Easter. However, it wasn't a message about the Christian holiday that Trump delivered.

Instead, the president issued a violent threat to Iran in an expletive-filled post in which he also praised "Allah," the Arabic term for God, used by Muslims. "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Trump warned. This follows Pam Bondi breaking her silence after being sacked and having a message for Trump.

The post adopted an even more unhinged tone as the president continued: "Open the F***** Strait, you crazy b*******, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Marjorie Taylor Greene, once one of Trump's most steadfast allies, urged Christians within the Trump administration to "beg forgiveness from God," following Trump's post as she accused them of being "complicit" in the president's "madness.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Trump warned. It comes after Pam Bondi breaks her silence after being fired and has a message for Trump, reports the Mirror US.

The post took on an even more unhinged tone as the president continued: "Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trump's madness. I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit," the former congresswoman posted on X.

"On Easter, of all days, we as Christians should be reminded that the son of God died and rose from the grave so that we can be forgiven once and for all of our sins. Jesus commanded us to love one another and forgive one another. Even our enemies," Greene went on.

"Our President is not a Christian and his words and actions should not be supported by Christians. Christians in the administration should be pursuing peace. Urging the President to make peace," she posted. "This is not making America great again, this is evil," she finished regarding Trump's message.

Greene wasn't the sole MAGA supporter left furious by the president's statement. "'Praise be to Allah' on Easter morning. I love how this went from 'we're freeing the Iranian people'. To, 'we're sending them back to the Stone Age and stealing their oil," Vance Murphy, who has backed Trump six times, including in the primaries, posted on X.I

I'm a 6-time Trump voter. I have devoted thousands of hours to defending him and helping him get elected... That being said: Invoke the 25th and let's try to salvage anything we can from this disaster. America first," the now former Trump backer stated in a follow-up message. Clint Russell, presenter of the Liberty Lockdown podcast, also accused Trump of becoming "insane" and betraying MAGA. "Losing a ton of followers. Don't care. I'm right. You're wrong. This war is an abomination and Trump is clearly insane," he penned on X.

"Keep clapping for the demise of our country. This ain't MAGA. This ain't America First. If you haven't figured out that you've been played by now you never will," he continued.

This follows a shocking revelation made by the daughter of Donald Trump's doctor about his health.

MAGA allies turn on Trump calling him 'insane' and 'evil' over Easter message

Story by Kelly Williams & Reanna Smith