'Rare firestorm': Analyst says Ghislaine Maxwell just became a major 'liability for Trump'

An analyst reports that President Donald Trump is facing a dilemma over how to handle Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's former confidante and convicted child sex trafficker, as a new set of emails reveals Trump may have had knowledge of the abuse and conduct under Epstein.

Although Trump and the White House have continued to deny the claims, saying the emails were "selectively released" and meant to "smear" the president, the question now remains how will Trump handle Maxwell, who sits in a Texas prison reportedly receiving special meals, a puppy and other special privileges, Zeeshan Aleem, MSNBC Opinion Writer/Editor writes Thursday.

"This alleged special treatment only raises more questions about how Maxwell has been able to secure it — and whether she’s expected to offer anything in return," Aleem writes. "As the latest Epstein emails capture the headlines, the softening treatment of Maxwell will continue to be a liability for Trump."

The three emails, released by House Democrats, referred to Trump as the “dog who hasn’t barked” and said Trump “spent hours” with a victim at Epstein's home.

It's unclear what steps Trump and the White House will take next in response.

"Trump could, theoretically, use a commutation — or a promise of one — of Maxwell’s sentence to try to extract more exculpatory (or seemingly exculpatory) testimony from her as he endures a rare firestorm of controversy that splits his own base," Aleem writes. "But if Trump did grant the commutation, it would also only add to the questions about whether Trump is trying to bury any evidence about his ties to Epstein after their falling out. The president, in short, has no good options."