House passes aid and broadcasting cuts – as it happened

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• Trump requests release of Epstein grand jury transcripts amid report of bawdy' birthday note

• Trump supporters burn Maga hats after he dismisses Epstein files furor

Donald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters, calling them gullible weaklings" for questioning the transparency of a secretive government inquiry into the late high-profile socialite and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The US president is struggling to contain a political crisis within his usually loyal Make America Great Again (Maga) base over suspicion that the administration is hiding details of Epstein's crimes to protect the rich elite Epstein associated with, which included Trump.