As the Trump administration still grappled with the fallout from the Epstein file release, Friday (Feb 20) appeared particularly tough for the Trump presidency, which dealt a triple blow during the day. The most significant comes from the United States Supreme Court, which ruled against Donald Trump's tariffs, saying that the US president has exceeded his authority in imposing sweeping duties that disrupted global trade. Despite being a conservative majority, the court ruled six-three in the judgment stating that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) "does not authorise the President to impose tariffs."&nbsp;Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the opinion of the court while Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. The decision blocks Trump from using tariffs as a tool, which he used freely to achieve political goals and renegotiate trade deals with countries aligned with his economic agenda.&nbsp;The second setback came on economic polices, as the government data on Friday showed that the US economy recorded a moderate GDP growth rate of 1.4 per cent in the October to December quarter against earlier forecasts of 2.5 per cent.&nbsp;Full-year GDP growth came in at 2.2 per cent in 2025, lower than the 2.8 per cent figure for the prior year.&nbsp;Trump, who often touts himself as the best president in US history in terms of managning economy, blamed Democrats for the faltering growth.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-strikes-down-donald-trump-s-global-tariffs-1771601310479">US Supreme Court strikes down Donald Trump's global tariffs</a> "The Democrat Shutdown cost the U.S.A. at least two points in GDP," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, about a half-hour before the official results were published.&nbsp;He also pointed the finger again at the Federal Reserve, bashing outgoing Chairman Jerome Powell and calling for "LOWER INTEREST RATES."&nbsp;The third hit comes in terms of the US president's approval rating, which plummeted to its lowest in his second term after nearly 13 months in the White House.&nbsp;According to Reuters/Ipsos polls, Trump's overall approval rating in the four-day poll is reported to be 38%. The president was previously reported to be at 39% in January, which was a drastic decline from the 50% highpoint shortly after his 2025 inauguration. A new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll showed that a majority 58% said Trump was going "too far" with deportations of undocumented immigrants, which was an increase from the 50% reported in October. Only 12% of respondents claimed the president was "not going far enough", and 28% said he is “handling it about right.”

The government data on Friday showed that the US economy recorded a moderate GDP growth rate of 1.4 per cent in the October to December quarter against earlier forecasts of 2.5 per cent.

As the Trump administration still grappled with the fallout from the Epstein file release, Friday (Feb 20) appeared particularly tough for the Trump presidency, which dealt a triple blow during the day. The most significant comes from the United States Supreme Court, which ruled against Donald Trump's tariffs, saying that the US president has exceeded his authority in imposing sweeping duties that disrupted global trade. Despite being a conservative majority, the court ruled six-three in the judgment stating that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) "does not authorise the President to impose tariffs." Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the opinion of the court while Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. The decision blocks Trump from using tariffs as a tool, which he used freely to achieve political goals and renegotiate trade deals with countries aligned with his economic agenda. The second setback came on economic polices, as the government data on Friday showed that the US economy recorded a moderate GDP growth rate of 1.4 per cent in the October to December quarter against earlier forecasts of 2.5 per cent. Full-year GDP growth came in at 2.2 per cent in 2025, lower than the 2.8 per cent figure for the prior year. Trump, who often touts himself as the best president in US history in terms of managning economy, blamed Democrats for the faltering growth. Also Read: US Supreme Court strikes down Donald Trump's global tariffs "The Democrat Shutdown cost the U.S.A. at least two points in GDP," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, about a half-hour before the official results were published. He also pointed the finger again at the Federal Reserve, bashing outgoing Chairman Jerome Powell and calling for "LOWER INTEREST RATES." The third hit comes in terms of the US president's approval rating, which plummeted to its lowest in his second term after nearly 13 months in the White House. According to Reuters/Ipsos polls, Trump's overall approval rating in the four-day poll is reported to be 38%. The president was previously reported to be at 39% in January, which was a drastic decline from the 50% highpoint shortly after his 2025 inauguration. A new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll showed that a majority 58% said Trump was going "too far" with deportations of undocumented immigrants, which was an increase from the 50% reported in October. Only 12% of respondents claimed the president was "not going far enough", and 28% said he is “handling it about right.”

The government data on Friday showed that the US economy recorded a moderate GDP growth rate of 1.4 per cent in the October to December quarter against earlier forecasts of 2.5 per cent.

Tough day for Trump administration as US president dealt triple blow

Donald Trump reshared a supporter’s post defending him against Epstein links, as he reiterated being “exonerated.” While allies dismiss allegations as political attacks, Democrats cite Epstein files mentioning Trump, keeping the controversy alive.

'Stop this bulls**t': Trump denies links with Epstein again, shares ally's post amid cover-up claims

Ghislaine Maxwell did not revoke her Fifth Amendment rights during today's House Oversight Committee deposition on Epstein and Trump connections; her legal team confirmed she invoked them repeatedly to avoid self-incrimination.



 Maxwell Revokes Fifth Amendment to Dodge Questions on Epstein & Trump

Ghislaine Maxwell is scheduled for deposition by the US House Oversight Committee today, February 9, 2026, probing Epstein case handling, though she plans to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.


Epstein: Maxwell to Plead the Fifth in Congress Epstein Probe

French authorities opened a preliminary investigation into former Culture Minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline for alleged laundering of aggravated tax fraud proceeds, after Epstein files revealed over 670 mentions of Lang and financial links to the late sex offender. Lang, offered to resign as head of Paris's Arab World Institute (IMA), bowing to pressure from Macron's office and critics, despite denying wrongdoing and claiming Epstein ties via Woody Allen were innocent.


Epstein Files: French Ex-Minister Lang Faces Probe

Peter Mandelson, former UK ambassador to the US and Labour heavyweight, faces intense scrutiny over newly released Epstein files revealing post-conviction emails, payments, and lobbying ties to the disgraced financier.


Mandelson Grilled Over Epstein Emails, Payments in DOJ Files

The DOJ disclosed on January 5, 2026, that only about 12,285 documents (0.6% of total) from the Epstein Files Transparency Act mandate have been released—totaling 125,575 pages—while over 2 million more remain in review and redaction by 400+ lawyers and FBI analysts, missing the December 19 deadline amid victim privacy concerns

Epstein Files Stalled: 99% Hidden, Millions Pending 

Trump-Epstein: House Democrats have released newly uncovered emails related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation that contain mentions of former President Donald Trump. The emails add to the ongoing scrutiny of Epstein’s network and its powerful associates. 


Trump-Epstein: House Democrats Disclose Epstein Emails with Mentions of Trump