Hopping into a stranger’s car is already a weird concept when you think about it. Add the potential of being flirted with, harassed, or just straight-up creeped out by a driver, and it becomes an all-too-familiar uncomfortable experience for women. 

To ease some of that anxiety and address long-standing safety concerns, Uber is rolling out a new feature that lets women riders choose women drivers. The update, designed to give women “more choice, more confidence, and more flexibility,” also enables women drivers to opt into being paired with women riders through a new toggle in their app settings.

“Across the U.S., women riders and drivers have told us they want the option to be matched with other women on trips,” Uber said in a press release. 

With only 1 in 5 Uber drivers identifying as women, the company says riders may face longer wait times, but they’ll have options. Riders can choose to wait, book a ride with a woman driver in advance, or go with any available driver who might not match their preference.

“That is what we expect to learn more about during this pilot,” an Uber representative said. “Riders may experience longer wait times if women drivers are unavailable or further away. If so, they can choose to wait, reserve a ride with a woman driver for a later time, or choose a ride with any available driver that may not match their preference.” 

This is not the first time Uber has launched a women-only rideshare option. In 2019, the rideshare company introduced the “women rider preference” in Saudi Arabia after the country’s women gained the right to drive. Since then, the brand says the feature has expanded to 40 countries but was unavailable in the U.S. until now. 

Uber’s women’s preference feature comes two years after Lyft introduced “Women+ Connect” a feature that matches women and nonbinary drivers with more women and nonbinary riders.

“Most drivers are men, so we’ve worked to ensure this feature was truly usable in different places around the world,” Uber explained. “We tested, listened, and refined it in markets like Germany and France, adapting the feature to real-world rider and driver behaviors. As a result, in a first for the industry, we’re able to launch more reliable features that offer women riders multiple ways to be matched with a woman driver.”

Uber will pilot its “women preference” feature in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit in the next few weeks.

1

She didn’t log any minutes on the hardwood Thursday night, but Cameron Brink still managed to steal the show.

The 6-foot-4 Los Angeles Sparks forward, who’s been sidelined for over a year due to a torn ACL, had social media in a chokehold after rocking a white miniskirt and powder blue jacket on the bench during her team’s statement win against the Connecticut Sun. And while Nneka Ogwumike and Co. handled business on the court, the internet was handling something else entirely: Cameron Brink’s look.

“Stacy Keibler vibes,” one user tweeted, likening the WNBA star’s towering glam to the iconic WWE diva.

“Cameron Brink looking good on the bench,” another wrote, summing up the collective thirst.

“Never get why tall women are so insecure like come here palm tree let me climb you,” one post read, garnering thousands of likes and replies.

“She been a baddie,” added another.

“Extra tall mid version of Cameron Diaz,” a user joked, though the consensus was anything but mid.

Her Comeback Era Is Already Stylishly Dominant

Brink hasn’t suited up for the Sparks since suffering a devastating ACL tear in her rookie season on June 18, 2024. The injury was a brutal blow to both the franchise and fans, who had watched the Stanford alum quickly become one of the most exciting young names in the WNBA.

But while she’s been grinding through rehab behind the scenes, she’s also been leveling up in the public eye. And it shows.

This offseason alone, Brink got engaged to longtime boyfriend and Stanford rower Ben Felter, debuting a diamond ring large enough to send the internet spiraling, graduated from Stanford (stealing headlines again in a show-stopping white dress), and launched a podcast, “Straight to Cam,” with her god-sibling Sydel Curry (yes, Steph’s sister).

Oh, and she’s been doing weighted lunges while holding a small child in one arm.

A Tunnel Walk Legend in the Making

Even as she’s remained off the court, Brink’s presence has been felt. Hard.

From her viral black leather shorts and blazer combo that had her posing courtside with Kevin Durant, to a recent switch-up where she ditched her blonde hair in favor of a more natural brunette tone, Brink has quickly become the WNBA fashion girl to watch. And Thursday’s look may have been her most viral yet.

Stepping off the team bus in Connecticut, Brink wore a cropped powder blue jacket, a sleek white miniskirt, and thigh-skimming boots, a clean, flirtatious silhouette that instantly had WNBA Twitter on fire.

“The primary reason I’ll watch the WNBA is because I have a crush on Cameron Brink,” one person confessed.

“There just aren’t many things on earth that compare to the beauty of a woman with long legs,” wrote another admirer.

“She’s definitely seen the Sophie discourse and had to remind us who the hell she is,” someone added, referencing Sophie Cunningham’s own viral TikTok moment earlier this week.

Still, not everyone was sold.

“Y’all find her attractive?” one skeptical tweet asked, though they were quickly outnumbered and quote-tweeted into oblivion.

Brink’s Return Nears

While her fashion game has been in full force all season, there’s growing anticipation around Brink’s official return to the court.

The Sparks’ medical staff has confirmed that her rehab has been progressing well and that she is expected to make her return sometime this season, a major boost for an LA squad fighting to stay in playoff contention. Thursday’s game marked the first time Brink traveled with the team since the injury, signaling that her comeback is nearing.

Until then, the internet seems more than happy to admire her from the sideline.

“Umar not even a doctor,” one fan joked, mocking thirst-trapping commenters while still indulging in it themselves.

In a league rapidly expanding in viewership, cultural relevance, and fashion-forward star power, Cameron Brink is proving that you don’t need to check into the game to dominate it.

Related

July 24, 2025July 25, 2025

Noir Nation, this one hurts…

An Alabama family is grieving the loss of 3-year-old Ke’Torrius “KJ” Sparks, who tragically died after being left in a sweltering car for over five hours — not by his parents, but by a contracted worker for the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the same system that removed him from his biological family for being “unfit.”

According to reports from WRBC, KJ was picked up from daycare around 9 AM on Tuesday morning for a routine supervised visit with his father. But instead of returning him to daycare after the visit, the DHR worker — who was contracted to handle child transport — made several personal stops, including grabbing food, visiting a tobacco store, and eventually heading home… with KJ still in the backseat.

By the time she returned to the vehicle around 6:40 PM, it was too late. First responders pronounced little KJ dead on the scene.

Temperatures that day climbed into dangerous territory, with a heat index of 108°F. Investigators believe the interior of the vehicle likely reached well over 150°F — a fatal environment for any child, let alone a toddler strapped in a car seat for hours.

This wasn’t a tragic parental oversight. This was gross professional neglect.

A worker specifically hired to protect vulnerable children was the one who left this baby to die. The Alabama DHR has since confirmed the worker has been terminated, but both KJ’s biological and foster families — as well as the wider community — are demanding accountability. An attorney representing the family has launched a formal investigation into the incident, and many are calling for criminal charges, sweeping reforms, and serious answers.

KJ was a baby labeled “unsafe” with his own parents, but tragically perished in the care of a system that was supposed to protect him.

We’ll keep you updated as this story develops. Say his name: Ke’Torrius “KJ” Sparks.

Kennedy Ryan doesn’t just write romance novels. She reshapes the genre with every book. As a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, her stories showcase Black women as complex, desirable, and fully human, starring in love stories that are tender, political, and deeply personal.

In an interview with theGrio’s Natasha S. Alford for the newest episode of Masters of the Game, Ryan opened up about her unconventional journey to literary stardom, the challenges she still faces despite her success, and the latest addition to her Skyland book series, Can’t Get Enough.

The North Carolina native and daughter of pastors, originally thought she’d go into journalism, but soon realized that being in war zones wouldn’t be for her.  Instead, she worked diligently writing for non-profits and other family-style publications before investing all-out in her own writing career.

By centering Black women with depth, dignity, and joy, Ryan has carved out a lane for herself that didn’t exist when she first started. “I want Black women to be front and center,” she told theGrio. “I want us to see ourselves unambiguously… desired, chosen, and with joyful outcomes.”

It’s a bold mission that has resonated with readers across the country. Ryan’s books have made her a critically acclaimed author whose Before I Let Go is in development with Universal Television’s Peacock streaming platform. Her work has helped expand what’s possible in the world of romantic fiction, especially after becoming the first Black woman to win the highest honor in her genre- The RITA. But that success hasn’t come without resistance.

“I tell people all the time, I feel like every time I release a book, I’m starting over,” she shared. Despite critical acclaim and commercial wins, Ryan says some retailers still question whether her books will sell. “My publisher could say, ‘Kennedy’s doing really well… you should order more books,’ and they’ll say, ‘We’ll wait and see how she does.’”

Still, Ryan continues to prove them wrong.

Her stories include heroines living with lupus, dealing with mental health struggles, or navigating the world as dark-skinned, plus-size, or disabled. They offer the kind of representation rarely seen in mainstream romance. She calls her approach “from the margins to the center,” unapologetically putting those who are often sidelined at the heart of the narrative.

And she doesn’t shy away from real-world issues either. Ryan seamlessly weaves themes like gerrymandering, hair discrimination, and the CROWN Act into her books, all while delivering swoon-worthy love stories. “Romance is the most popular genre. It’s palatable, it’s digestible—so it’s the perfect place to have difficult conversations,” she tells theGrio.

But beyond the accolades and adaptations, Ryan is deeply committed to community. She uses her platform to uplift other Black writers, often shouting out their work in interviews and even working behind the scenes to help option their books for the big screen. “If I walk through a door, I want to hold it open. There’s room for all of us,” Ryan says.

In an industry that doesn’t always invest in Black stories with the resources they deserve, Kennedy Ryan is reminding the world that Black love sells, and more importantly, that Black lovers deserve happy endings.

Watch the full episode of Masters of the Game with Kennedy Ryan on theGrio TV’s cable channel at 8pm EST this Friday.

9

Rapper GloRilla has broken her silence following reports of her arrest on felony drug charges earlier this week, and she’s not holding back. In a fiery tweet, the Memphis native shared her version of events, claiming that while she was out performing at the WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, her Georgia home was being home invaded. Yet somehow, she says, she ended up being the only person in handcuffs.

“CRAZY‼️ My House got Home Invaded Saturday while I was in Indianapolis performing for the WNBA all star game & instead of focusing on finding the suspects, they focus on some cannabis,” GloRilla wrote on Instagram.

“1. So no I wasn’t busted
2. My house got robbed
3. I wasn’t home

Long story short my house gets home invaded and I’m the only one that gets arrested.

So that’s tea🤷🏼‍♀️”

The Arrest That Sparked a Firestorm

According to an official statement from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a call about a burglary in progress at GloRilla’s Georgia residence around 1:30 a.m. on July 20. The initial report claimed that three suspects were in the process of stealing items from the home when they were allegedly shot at by someone inside the property. The intruders reportedly fled the scene before deputies arrived.

Although GloRilla, born Gloria Woods, was not present at the time of the incident, deputies conducted a search of the home and found what they described as a “significant amount of marijuana in plain view” inside the master bedroom closet. Authorities also reportedly discovered a schedule one controlled substance, though they did not disclose the exact substance publicly.

Charged in Absentia, Booked by Choice

Despite being the reported victim of a crime, GloRilla found herself on the wrong side of the law. After investigators completed their preliminary search, warrants were issued for her arrest on two felony charges:

• Possession of marijuana over one ounce






• Possession of a schedule one controlled substance

On July 22, GloRilla voluntarily turned herself in to the Forsyth County Jail. She was booked and released the same day after posting a $22,260 bond.

Sheriff Ron Freeman defended the department’s actions in a statement that acknowledged the complexity of the situation.

“The homeowner is a victim of a serious crime, and we are committed to bringing the suspects to justice,” Freeman said. “At the same time, we must continue to uphold and enforce the law in all aspects of this case.”

Fans React With Outrage and Support

GloRilla’s arrest has sparked a firestorm of reactions online. Many fans and followers criticized the sheriff’s department for what they viewed as prioritizing the rapper’s marijuana possession over the actual home invasion.

“How does someone get robbed and then arrested for being the victim?” one X (formerly Twitter) user asked.

“This country will arrest you for being famous and Black before they’ll arrest the people who tried to rob you,” wrote another.

The rapper’s statement, delivered in a casual, tea-spilling tone, only added fuel to the cultural discourse about celebrity treatment, law enforcement priorities, and systemic injustice in the South.

A Timeline of the Chaos

• July 20, 1:30 a.m.: Police respond to a reported burglary in progress at GloRilla’s Georgia home






• At the scene: Three suspects reportedly flee after shots are fired by someone inside the home






• During investigation: Police discover marijuana and a controlled substance in the master bedroom closet






• July 22: GloRilla turns herself in at the Forsyth County Jail






• Later that day: She is released on bond






• July 23: GloRilla addresses the arrest publicly, claiming the real story is being overlooked

Related

In Hulu’s brand-new action-packed series “Washington Black,” freedom isn’t the end goal for the eponymous main character who was born into enslavement in Barbados—it’s just the beginning of his story. 

The series, starring Sterling K. Brown, Ernest Kingsley Junior, Eddie Karanja, Iola Evans, and Edward Bluemel—and adapted from a novel by Canadian writer Esi Edugyan, of the same name—tells the fictional tale of a boy set in the mid-1800s who is plucked from slavery and set on an adventure spanning Barbados to Nova Scotia, the last stop on the Underground Railroad.  

“I was drawn to the story because it has a message of finding hope in darkness and finding light out of trauma and resistance,” series showrunner and producer Selwyn Seyfu Hinds told theGrio during an interview before the release. 

Meanwhile, Kimberly Ann Harrison, also a showrunner and producer on the series, said, “I had never seen a story told through the lens of a young boy like this, in this way, and not living in trauma but in discovery.” 

Through airships, run-ins with pirates, and daring ocean crossings, “Washington Black” charts a radical journey not just away from slavery, but toward the infinite possibilities of who a Black boy might become. In a cultural landscape often fixated on trauma in Black period pieces, the series offers a tender and expansive view of Black life that is inventive, adventurous, romantic at times, and deeply human. 

“There’s no story like this,” Karanja, who stars as the Young George Washington “Wash” Black in the mini series, told theGrio. “The lens in which this is told from, from this young boy and this journey, this worldwide journey, is unlike anything I’ve ever read or seen.”

He added that he hopes viewers, particularly Black teens and children, see how “remarkable” Wash’s story is.  

“[Young Wash] is in the era still shown in a powerful light, in an intelligent light, and in a beautiful light,” he said. 

Even though the show has high-flying fantasy aspects and wide-sweeping adventures, it also nurses a healthy dose of reality. The characters are on an enduring quest for identity and authenticity. Kingsley, who stars as Wash Black, said many characters in the show lead “double lives” to be their true selves. They are constantly navigating the question of who they would be “if there was no kind of restriction,” he said, “as opposed to who the world says they should be.”

“There is that tension,” he expressed. “You see Wash take the leap of faith to be who he wants to be, and therefore encourage those around him to do the same.” 

He added, “I feel like we need more of that. I feel like there is a tendency in this world and this society for people to kind of go in a route in life that they feel they should do because the world tells them to, or people tell them to.”

Kingsley noted how he could have just as easily given into others fears about pursuing acting instead, he clearly followed his heart. 

“I want people to do the same, and you see it in the show in abundance,” he said. 

Another character who grapples with themes of identity is Tanna Goff (Evans), who is of mixed race and white passing at a time when Black people are striving for freedom around the world. 

“One of the things which I really like about this story is it’s kind of a bit of a quest for authenticity, to find people who make you feel at home, and to people who kind of celebrate your authentic self,” Evans told theGrio. 

Bluemel, who plays Billy McGee, described how Wash Black’s character has an impact on nearly everyone he encounters. 

“He sort of ends up teaching so many of these characters, directly or indirectly, and I think that’s really sort of magical,” he said. 

For its cast and creators, the show is also a call to protect the dreamers and honor those who dared to imagine a world beyond what they were born into. Brown, who takes on the role as a mentor in Wash’s life, Medwin Harris, noted how Wash, early on in childhood and throughout his life, is “protected” in one way or another, in large part because of his innate, unique wonder. 

“There’s a certain innocence that was protected and just sort of nurtured and sort of appreciated,” he noted. “Because sometimes our childhoods get cut short. We have to grow up very fast. We have to know what it means to live in a white world, in a male-dominated world, in a hetero dominated world, in a cis gendered world, etc.” 

He continued, “But like, every once in a while, there are people that come along they say, ‘You know what? No matter who has the power, no matter how the world is supposed to be shaped in order for me not to thrive or whatnot, I know what I have inside of me. I know what I have inside of me is beautiful, and I know what I have inside of me can transform the world.’” 

He added, “I want us to foster and relish the dreamers within ourselves and protect the dreamers around us, because they give us permission to do the same thing.”

“Washington Black” is streaming now on Hulu and Disney+.

1

Kristin Cabot, the now-former Chief People Officer at AI and data tech company Astronomer, has resigned in the wake of a viral cheating scandal involving the firm’s recently departed CEO, Andy Byron.

The resignation was confirmed by the company in a statement to TMZ on Thursday, marking the latest fallout from an explosive workplace controversy that has dominated tech and gossip circles alike.

“I can confirm that Kristin Cabot is no longer with Astronomer, she has resigned,” a company spokesperson told the outlet.

The scandal has sparked a corporate firestorm as Astronomer, known for providing advanced data infrastructure and AI tools, scrambles to repair both its internal culture and public image. Just days ago, the company had announced a formal internal investigation, with both Cabot and Byron placed on immediate leave pending the outcome.

Kiss Cam Catastrophe Sparks Scandal

The controversy began on July 16, when Kristin Cabot and Andy Byron were caught getting intimate on the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. In front of tens of thousands, including a massive live audience and soon, the internet, Byron was seen holding Cabot from behind as the camera lingered on them.

The moment took a sharp left turn when Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, watching the jumbotron like the rest of the crowd, couldn’t help but comment on the couple’s strange reaction.

“Whoa, look at these two,” Martin said, reacting as Byron hastily ducked out of view and Cabot awkwardly shielded her face.

“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” he added, triggering a round of laughter from the crowd.

The video instantly went viral, racking up millions of views as online sleuths quickly discovered the two execs were very much married but not to each other.

Double Lives Exposed

Cabot, who joined Astronomer in November 2024 as Chief People Officer, is married to Andrew Cabot, CEO of Privateer Rum. Public records show the couple shares a $2.2 million four-bedroom home in Massachusetts.

Byron, meanwhile, is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, with whom he shares two children. The aftermath of the kiss cam debacle hit home quickly. Megan reportedly dropped Byron’s last name from her Facebook profile and later deactivated her entire account.

Corporate Cleanup: Astronomer Tries to Regain Control

In response to the scandal, Astronomer released a formal statement on July 18 emphasizing its commitment to professional standards:

“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability,” the company wrote on LinkedIn.

Just 24 hours after the viral video, Andy Byron stepped down from his role as CEO. In a separate statement to Page Six on July 19, the company doubled down:

“Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.”

Despite the executive implosion, Astronomer insists its product and mission remain unchanged.

“While awareness of our company may have changed overnight, our product and our work for our customers have not,” the company said. “We’re continuing to do what we do best: helping our customers with their toughest data & AI problems.”

Related

GloRilla, the rapper born Gloria Hallelujah Woods, was the recent victim of a crime and ended up being the one put in jail. Hollon’, what? 

On the morning of July 19 at around 1:30 a.m., police were called to the Forsyth County (north metro Atlanta), Ga., home of GloRilla. According to Atlanta’s WSB-TV, three intruders broke into her home and, while burglarizing it, somebody inside the home–not Glo; she wasn’t at the home at the time of the robbery—shot at them and they fled. It is not believed that any of the intruders were shot. 

During the investigation into the robbery, deputies from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s department smelled drugs and found “a significant amount of marijuana” in the closet of the rapper’s master bedroom. According to TMZ, GloRilla was subsequently charged with possession of a scheduled controlled substance and possession of marijuana over one ounce. Both charges are felonies in Georgia. 

On Tuesday, GloRilla turned herself into the Forsyth County Sheriff’s office and was released a short time later after paying a $22,260 bond. 

This isn’t GloRilla’s first brush with the law in Georgia. In April 2024, the “Yeah Glo!” rapper was arrested for a DUI in neighboring Gwinnett County after making an illegal U-turn and then failing a sobriety test. The police also found marijuana and an open alcoholic beverage after searching the vehicle. 

46

Keanu Reeves is many things: action star, meme god, motorcycle enthusiast, and beloved Hollywood unicorn, but in Good Fortune, the icon is ascending to his most celestial form yet: an actual angel. And no, not that kind of angel. This isn’t a moody, brooding archangel of vengeance type of vibe à la John Wick. In fact, Reeves trades assassin bullets for divine bumbling in Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune, playing a well-intentioned but comically incompetent angel named Gabriel. Yes, that Keanu Reeves is now playing the Angel Gabriel. And yes, it is every bit as strange and brilliant as it sounds.

From Saving Drivers to Saving Souls

Good Fortune, written and directed by Aziz Ansari, sees Reeves stepping away from his usual stoic characters to play a celestial being who, instead of smiting demons or parting seas, mostly spends his time stopping distracted drivers from texting while crossing the street. But after centuries of minor miracles, Gabriel decides he wants a change. His new divine mission? Teaching a broke and beleaguered human that money isn’t the answer to happiness.

Enter Arj, played by Ansari himself, a poor man whose life has become a mess of bills, rejections, and existential dread. In an effort to show Arj the value of non-material happiness (cue It’s a Wonderful Life vibes), Gabriel orchestrates a Freaky Friday-esque body swap with Jeff, a pompous, painfully rich tech bro played by Seth Rogen. Suddenly, Jeff is forced to live Arj’s grimy, cash-strapped reality, while Arj wakes up in a Silicon Valley palace he can’t understand.

A Social Satire With Divine Timing

Though the plot sounds like a high-concept comedy with a metaphysical twist, Good Fortune also aims its halo-shaped spotlight at issues of class, privilege, and what really defines a meaningful life. According to sources at Lionsgate, the film blends absurdist comedy with surprisingly emotional depth, all while maintaining the kind of zany pacing you’d expect from a movie featuring Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, and Keanu Reeves as a clueless heavenly being.

The chemistry between the three leads already has fans intrigued. Rogen’s portrayal of a billionaire forced to microwave ramen and ride the bus is ripe for comedy gold, while Ansari’s character arcs toward enlightenment through private jets and board meetings. But it’s Reeves, with his luminous white robes, ethereal wig, and befuddled attempts at divine intervention, who seems poised to steal the show.

From CinemaCon to Theaters: A Long Road to the Big Screen

Good Fortune was originally teased over a year ago at CinemaCon 2024, where insiders praised the early footage for its originality and unexpected casting. Reeves’ angelic turn was the talk of the event. Lionsgate gave the project another nod during their 2025 presentation, promising fans a fall release that was worth the wait.

That wait is almost over. The film is officially scheduled to hit theaters on October 17, 2025, positioning it squarely in awards-season territory. Whether it ends up nabbing a statue or not, the buzz surrounding the film’s tonal blend of Heaven Can Wait, Trading Places, and Bruce Almighty has already made it a must-watch for comedy lovers and cinephiles alike.

Trailer Drops, Internet Reacts

The full trailer for Good Fortune was finally released this week after a teaser debuted back in May. And if the teaser was a whisper of chaos, the trailer is a divine megaphone of absurdity. Featuring everything from divine light beams shooting out of Keanu’s fingers to Seth Rogen trying and failing to make toast in a toaster oven, the footage reveals a film that refuses to take itself too seriously while still delivering emotional punches.

To mark the trailer’s release, Reeves and Ansari took to social media with a playful promo video. In the skit, Keanu, still dressed in his angel robes, floats into Ansari’s living room and zaps his coffee mug with holy power, only for it to explode all over the walls. Fans flooded the comments with reactions ranging from “Keanu is finally playing his true form” to “This is either going to be brilliant or absolutely unhinged, I’m watching either way.”

Watch the Good Fortune Trailer Below:

Related

 Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing Democratic calls to testify before Congress following a newspaper’s revelation that she told President Donald Trump that his name appeared in the files of the Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking investigation.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Bondi told Trump his name was among many high-profile figures mentioned in the files, which the Justice Department this month said it would not be releasing despite a clamor from online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and members of Trump’s base.

Trump’s personal ties to Epstein are well-established and his name is already known to have been included in records related to the wealthy financier, who killed himself in jail in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

Sen. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, responded to the report by calling on Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“We need to bring Bondi and Patel into the Judiciary Committee to testify about this now,” Schiff said in a video posted on X.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the report but issued a joint statement from Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche saying that investigators had reviewed the records and “nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.”

“As par of our routine briefing, we made the president aware of the findings,” the statement said.

The mere inclusion of a person’s name in Epstein’s files does not imply wrongdoing and he was known to have been associated with multiple prominent figures, including Trump.

Over the years, thousands of pages of records have been released through lawsuits, Epstein’s criminal dockets, public disclosures and Freedom of Information Act requests.

They include a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted she spent several hours with Epstein at Trump’s Atlantic City casino but didn’t say if she met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing.

Trump has also said he once thought Epstein was a “terrific guy” but they later had a falling-out.

White House spokesman Steven Cheung on Wednesday said the reports were “nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media.”