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Trump Urges Bondi to Release “Credible” Epstein Files Amidst MAGA Backlash
Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the release of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to disclose “whatever she thinks is credible.” The President’s remarks come as he faces a rare wave of criticism from some within his own political base, who feel the administration has not been transparent enough regarding the sordid case.
The controversy gained steam after Bondi’s department stated there was no evidence of Epstein maintaining a “client list,” a declaration that appeared to contradict earlier assertions from Trump allies and Bondi herself, who had previously advocated for greater transparency. Trump, however, defended Bondi’s handling of the matter, telling reporters, “She’s handled it very well, and it’s going to be up to her. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release.”
When pressed by a journalist about whether Bondi had informed him if his name appeared in any of the Epstein-related records, Trump emphatically stated, “No, no.”
The President also expressed a degree of bewilderment at the persistent public fascination with the Epstein scandal, labeling it “sordid but boring.” He suggested that only “really bad people, including the fake news,” are keen to keep the story alive, a sentiment that appears to be at odds with calls for further disclosure from within his own movement.
Trump himself had previously pledged to release files pertaining to the disgraced financier during his campaigning. The issue resurfaced earlier this year, notably during a public disagreement with his former advisor, Elon Musk.
Calls for Transparency Echo from Allies
Despite Trump’s desire to move past the Epstein saga, several prominent Republican figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, continue to champion transparency. Trump’s comments defending Bondi were made in response to a reporter highlighting that his own daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, had also publicly called for increased transparency.
Johnson, speaking with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, expressed confidence in Trump and his team but stressed the need for Bondi to “come forward and explain it to everybody.” He added, “We should put everything out there and let the people decide.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who stated, “I fully support transparency on this issue.” While praising Bondi’s tenure as attorney general, Greene emphasized the importance of elected officials honoring their promises to voters. Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert proposed the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Epstein’s crimes if further files are not released. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana voiced the public’s expectation for accountability, noting, “I think it’s perfectly understandable that the American people would like to know who he [Epstein] trafficked those women to and why they weren’t prosecuted.”
Conversely, other influential Republicans, such as Senator John Thune and Congressman Jim Jordan, deferred to the President’s judgment on the matter.
The Official Narrative and Lingering Doubts
Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. This followed a decade-old conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, which required his registration as a sex offender.
A recently released two-page memo from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI indicated that investigators found no “incriminating list” of clients and no “credible evidence” of Epstein blackmailing prominent individuals. The memo also included footage intended to support the medical examiner’s conclusion that Epstein’s death was a suicide.
However, the official narrative has been persistently challenged by conspiracy theorists who suggest Epstein was murdered to prevent him from implicating powerful figures, celebrities, and business tycoons involved in his criminal activities. Notably, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino had previously expressed skepticism about the official cause of Epstein’s death, though both have since acknowledged his suicide since joining the Trump administration.
The DOJ/FBI memo further clarified that investigators “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.” Despite these findings, a segment of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement continues to suspect that crucial details of the convicted pedophile’s crimes have been deliberately withheld to shield influential individuals or intelligence agencies.
Bondi’s Stance and Political Maneuvering
The pressure on Pam Bondi intensified following her February interview where she stated an Epstein client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review.” Her spokesperson later clarified that she was referring to overall case files. Bondi herself recently dismissed questions about the controversy, stating that the DOJ memo “speaks for itself” and refusing to comment further on Epstein.
The government’s findings were reportedly based on a review of over 300 gigabytes of data. Meanwhile, House Democratic lawmakers made an unsuccessful attempt to force a vote on releasing Epstein-related files. Republicans countered by pointing out that the Biden administration, which also had access to the files, had not released them either.
As the debate over transparency and accountability in the Epstein case continues, the President’s call for Bondi to release “credible” information underscores the lingering public demand for answers, even as he seeks to close the chapter on this sensitive and politically charged issue.