Staff Reports
The latest dust-up in the Trump camp involves one of the president’s longtime advisers, Boris Epshteyn, who has seemingly taken on the role of a one-man consulting office while still serving his duties for the Trump campaign. It appears that Epshteyn was pitching lucrative consulting contracts to several political candidates and even a defense contractor—all while he was advising Trump on legal issues and other high-stakes matters. Talk about multitasking! It’s like trying to maintain a poker face while also offering betting tips to the other players at the table.
In a twist that would make any seasoned soap opera writer proud, Scott Bessent, Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, found himself on the receiving end of Epshteyn’s business overtures. Bessent reportedly declined an offer for consulting services and then, in an apparent moment of civic duty, alerted the Trump transition team about Epshteyn’s antics. It’s always amusing to witness such a scene unfold in the upper echelons of the Transition Team—one can only imagine the awkward glances at pay-grade gatherings where everyone wonders if anyone else got pitched.
Updated: Inquiry into Trump lawyer’s consulting push risks undercutting signature ‘drain the swamp’ pledge https://t.co/DQ0482awe3
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) November 26, 2024
To add another layer of complexity, Trump has ordered an internal investigation into Epshteyn’s dealings, led by attorney David Warrington, a man with a history of playing hardball in the political arena. If Trump’s “draining the swamp” mantra wasn’t in jeopardy before, this ongoing inquiry seems poised to add some friendly fire. Who knew “the swamp” could also be within Mar-a-Lago’s emerald green expanse? This has all the makings of a classic political maneuver—a little turf battle out of the public eye, if you will.
In a series of self-declarations, Trump professed ignorance regarding Epshteyn’s side hustles and vehemently rejected the notion that his staff should be considering ways to make a quick buck off influence. Yet, in a classic case of political irony, it seems that Epshteyn’s actions might actually raise doubts about Trump’s commitment to keeping his administration clean from the very swampy elements he promised to eradicate. What’s next? An after-school special about the importance of ethical consulting?
Amid the uproar, Epshteyn remains unfazed, denying any wrongdoing and labeling the allegations against him as “fake claims.” Following his lead, other candidates who have found themselves in Epshteyn’s crosshairs have spoken out, recounting pressure tactics and questionable pitches for consulting contracts that reek of opportunism. It’s not hard to see how this cloud of mixed motives could make one wonder about their chances for future positions—especially when Epshteyn himself had previously traded a thriving legal bag of tricks for a cozy gig in the Trump administration.
As the investigation continues, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Epshteyn and his questionable side deals, promising to take everyone along for this wild rollercoaster of political drama. Keep your popcorn ready—the show is just getting started.
