US President Donald Trump has been spotted apparently ignoring a call from a long-time advisor embroiled in an investigation.
Mr Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States of America today, Monday, January 20, in an historic non-consecutive term after previously serving from 2017 to 2021.
But while travelling to Capitol Hill in Washington DC for the ceremony, Mr Trump was seen ignoring a call from his long-time adviser, Boris Epshteyn.
Mr Epshteyn has been accused of seeking payments from people to promote them for roles in the incoming administration.
He has called the allegations, which were the subject of an internal investigation by Trump’s legal team, “false and defamatory”.
Mr Epshteyn is a highly visible member of Trump’s inner circle. He appeared beside him in court during a criminal trial last year and on stage when President Trump delivered his election victory speech in November.
His trusted aide has also been indicted in Arizona for allegedly working to overturn the state’s lawful 2020 election results in order to help Trump remain in the White House after he lost to President Joe Biden.
Trump’s son, Eric, connected his father with Epshteyn after they were classmates at Georgetown University.
Epshteyn’s career with the Trump team started as a staffer during the president-elect’s run for office in the 2016 presidential election. When President Trump first won office he earned a junior White House communications position.
He resigned unexpectedly two months later, but it is still unclear why.
Since then, he has remained a loyal and close confidant of the President, serving as an adviser and attorney and helping run his legal teams.
On Monday, Mr Trump became the president for a historic non-consecutive term after swearing an oath on the Bible at midday local time (5pm GMT). He previously served from 2017 to 2021.
World leaders, dignatories and politicians gathered in Washington DC for the event, including the Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, however, was not among them. Mr Trump is said to have snubbed Sir Keir because he “undermined the US election”, according to Elon Musk.
