Sunday shows preview: Trump remains embroiled in Epstein drama as tariff deadline looms

The Trump administration and Cabinet members remain entangled in a saga entrenched in controversy over files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which is likely to be a focus of this week’s Sunday shows.

Members of Congress and the public are continuing to call on leaders to release the names of past clients, associates and businessmen linked to Epstein’s dealings, urging President Trump to make good on his campaign promise to provide transparency on the deceased criminal’s actions. 

Their push for more information follows a July joint memo from the FBI and Justice Department (DOJ) that confirmed Epstein kept no “client list” and said no further files tied to the late financier would be released by the federal government. 

Epstein’s longtime partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, agreed to speak with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche this week about the international sex trafficking ring run by the two. 

“This was a thorough, comprehensive interview by the Deputy Attorney General. No person and no topic were off-limits. We are very grateful. The truth will come out,” Maxwell’s attorney David Oscar Markus said in a statement to NewsNation, the sister network of The Hill.

Maxwell was granted limited immunity amid her push to appeal her conviction before the Supreme Court. 

DOJ officials have opposed the effort but continue to applaud her cooperation while the president has not completely ruled out the possibility of pardoning Epstein’s accomplice, who’s now serving a 20-year sentence behind bars. 

Lawmakers disgruntled by the lengthy delay to unveil new evidence voted Tuesday to subpoena Maxwell to testify before the House Oversight Committee. 

A House Oversight subpanel on Wednesday approved several subpoenas including one directing the DOJ to turn over materials relating to the Epstein files.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) will likely discuss the huddle amongst their GOP colleagues this week on Sunday shows, addressing their party’s strategy to investigate Epstein’s criminal dealings without stepping on the Trump administration’s toes. Mullin is set to appear on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is set to address the Democratic push to force transparency on the president’s ties to Epstein’s illegal actions on his Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”

Amidst the legislative drama, the White House is courting foreign nations to coax mutually beneficial trade deals between the U.S. and its international partners. 

Officials sent out the first batch of letters earlier this month to other nations informing them of new tariff rates, but those tariffs won’t go into effect until Aug. 1, White House officials said.

White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought may address the impact set to strike the country’s business through the onset of levies during Sunday appearances on CBS’ “Face the Nation” and CNN’s “State of the Union.”

This week, markets surged as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell waved off criticism from the president on Thursday and corrected his projected costs for projects undertaken by the entity.  

The S&P 500 finished 0.4 percent up, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 208 points or 0.47 percent.

Many await further direction from the Fed Chair on inflation as more permanent tariffs take effect and Americans begin to feel the jolt from its repercussions. 

All this and more will be discussed on this week’s Sunday shows. 

Please see the full list of appearances below:

NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday:” Former Amb. John Bolton, Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Former Gov. Chris Sununu (R-N.H.)

ABC’s “This Week:” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.)

CNN’s “State of the Union:” Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.); Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.); White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought; Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA)

CBS’ “Face the Nation:” White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought; Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland; French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot; Ted Carter, the Ohio State University president

NBC’s “Meet the Press:” Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.); House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.); Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)

Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday:” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Reps. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.); Jason Crow (D-Colo.)

Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures:” John Ratcliffe, CIA Director; Former Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA); Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.)