Key Points
- President
Donald Trump called on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to release
“whatever she thinks is credible” related to the Jeffrey Epstein case,
facing intense pressure from his own MAGA supporters for greater
transparency. - Trump
made these remarks after significant Republican criticism and public
outrage over how his administration has managed Epstein-related
information. - Pam
Bondi, the attorney general, has faced backlash over her earlier statement
asserting there was “no evidence” of a so-called “client list” or Epstein
blackmailing high-profile individuals. - Trump’s
calls came after a Justice Department and FBI memo last week that
reaffirmed Epstein’s 2019 death was a suicide and found no incriminating
client list. - The
president speculated that some Epstein-related claims and tapes were “made
up” by former FBI Director James Comey and ex-Presidents Barack Obama and
Joe Biden, but he emphasized any credible material should be disclosed. - While
Trump tried to downplay the ongoing interest in the Epstein case as
“sordid, but boring,” prominent Republican figures continue to demand full
disclosure. - Bondi
has not responded directly to calls for immediate release of additional
files and declined to address the subject during a scheduled drug
trafficking media briefing. - House
Speaker Mike Johnson, Lara Trump, and Members of Congress including
Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert have publicly called for more
transparency on Epstein files. - No
credible evidence has been found implicating influential figures or
indicating Epstein maintained a “client list,” according to government
investigations and official memos.
With criticism surging from his own supporters, President Donald Trump has directed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to release any
“credible” information on the Jeffrey Epstein case, a marked shift in his
administration’s stance on government transparency and infamous sex trafficking
scandal. The decision comes amid deepening pressure from the MAGA base and key
Republican leaders demanding a more open accounting of the files tied to the
late financier’s crimes.
What Did President Trump Say About the Release of Epstein
Files?
As reported by Alexandra Hutzler of ABC News, President
Donald Trump, addressing the press as he left the White House, stated: “Let
them have it,” responding to MAGA supporters’ demands to see more government
files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump emphasized, “Whatever she thinks
is credible, she should release,” referring to Attorney General Bondi’s
discretion in the matter.
According to reporting by The New York Post and AOL News,
Trump also noted, “She’s handled it very well, and it’s going to be up to her.
Anything that’s credible, I would say, let them have it”.
However, as reported by several outlets including Malay Mail
and Al Jazeera, Trump tried to temper expectations for any dramatic
revelations, stating,
“I don’t understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be
of interest to anybody, it’s pretty boring stuff. It’s sordid, but it’s boring,
and I don’t understand why it keeps going”.
Why Is the Epstein File Release a Political Flashpoint for
Trump?
As described by Arise News and the BBC, the demand for
transparency comes after a Justice Department and FBI memo last week found no
evidence that Epstein maintained a “client list” or was blackmailing
high-profile individuals. This announcement triggered backlash from
Trump’s base. Pam Bondi’s assertion that there was “no evidence” of further
wrongdoing was also criticized by supporters and conservative commentators.
Lara Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Congress members
like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert joined the chorus, insisting
that full disclosure of any Epstein-related files was essential to restore
public trust.
What Did Attorney General Pam Bondi Say About the Files?
Mahammed Fathur of LiveNOW Fox reported that Bondi has so
far refused to directly address questions about the Epstein files at recent law
enforcement briefings, declining to commit to any specific timeline or detail. However,
her earlier public comments stressed that no “client list” or credible evidence
of powerful individuals being blackmailed was found in the files.
Her department’s memo, released last week in coordination
with the DOJ and FBI, reaffirmed these findings but did not completely quell
public suspicion, especially among MAGA supporters who recall Bondi’s earlier
(February 2025) reference to a “list sitting on [her] desk,” per the coverage
from Straight Arrow News.
How Did Trump Respond to Allegations of Fabricated Evidence?
As reported by Indian Express and Al Jazeera, President
Trump suggested some parts of the Epstein files—most notably claims of secret
tapes and blackmail evidence—were fabricated by political adversaries,
including former Presidents Obama and Biden as well as ex-FBI director Comey. Trump commented when asked if Bondi told him his name appeared in
any files,
“You
know, these files were made up by Comey, they were made up by Obama, they were
made up by the Biden… we went through years of that with the Russia, Russia,
Russia hoax.”
Trump did not present any evidence for this assertion, and
major news outlets have noted the absence of supporting material behind his
claims.
How Has the MAGA Base Reacted to Bondi’s Handling of the
Case?
According to reports from SAN News and the BBC, Bondi has
come under exceptional fire from within the Trump base after her department
released a memo ruling out a client list, seen as backtracking on her prior
statements. The tension underscores lingering mistrust among MAGA voters
and conspiracy theorists who have long believed that Epstein’s crimes involved
blackmail of well-connected individuals and were subsequently covered up by
“Deep State” actors.
Despite Trump’s repeated attempts to dismiss the ongoing
focus on Epstein as “a distraction” and encourage his supporters to “move on”
from the case, calls for transparency have grown louder in recent weeks.
What Are the Official Findings on Epstein’s Death and
Alleged “Client List”?
As reported by Krishna Mohan of The Times of India and
confirmed by ABC News, the official review conducted by the Department of
Justice and FBI concluded there was no evidence Epstein kept a “client list” or
engaged in blackmailing, and his 2019 death in a Manhattan jail cell was ruled
a suicide.
Hours of surveillance footage and case files were made
public, but officials said no new charges are expected against any associates. The
Department of Justice stated it found “no basis to charge any uncharged third
parties” with respect to the Epstein investigation.
Why Are Congressional Republicans and Trump Allies Pushing
for Full Disclosure?
As described in reports from Straight Arrow News, Arise
News, and the BBC, Members of Congress and other Republican leaders have argued
that the best way to address public suspicion and rumors is robust transparency
regarding Epstein-related evidence.
This pressure, combined with grassroots anger and
high-profile social media campaigns, prompted Trump to relax his earlier
stance. While Trump had previously advised his base to stop focusing on
Epstein, he has now deferred to Bondi, making it her option to release whatever
she considers “credible” to the public.
How Has the Broader Public and Media Responded?
As Sarah Green reports for Al Jazeera, the Epstein case
continues to fuel both legitimate scrutiny and conspiracy-fueled speculation,
with advocacy groups and media watchdogs urging careful, fact-based reporting
on any new materials. Editorials across The New York Post, BBC, and AOL
have echoed that while the public deserves answers, government officials must
ensure that only information of verifiable credibility is released to avoid
fueling baseless rumors.
What Next for the Epstein Investigation Files?
As covered by the Indian Express, Trump’s directive places
the onus squarely on Attorney General Bondi to decide what information, if any,
meets her threshold for credibility and public release. Meanwhile,
numerous investigations and memos support the official position that no new
revelations are imminent.
Notably, Bondi’s public silence on the timing of any release
leaves the door open for further political debate and partisan infighting as
Americans—especially Trump’s own supporters—continue to demand complete
transparency in the Epstein affair.
