The Trump admin promised full transparency for Americans. The MAGA base is holding them to it.
And now President Trump’s finally come clean about the Epstein files.
Trump Addresses Epstein Files, Calls Handling a “Hoax”
During a visit to Turnberry, Scotland, President Donald Trump responded to questions about his connection to the Jeffrey Epstein case, asserting that any damaging information in the Epstein files would have been disclosed by the administration of former President Joe Biden. Trump dismissed the handling of the files as a “hoax,” suggesting they were controlled by political adversaries to undermine him.
When pressed about whether his name appears in the Epstein documents, Trump claimed the files were managed by individuals he described as corrupt. “Those files were run by the worst scum on Earth. They were run by [former FBI Director James] Comey, they were run by [former Attorney General Merrick] Garland, they were run by Biden and all of the people who actually ran the government, including the autopen,” Trump said. He argued that if incriminating evidence existed, it would have been used against him during the 2024 presidential election to benefit Biden or former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has faced significant scrutiny for withholding Epstein-related files. A July 6 report from the DOJ and FBI concluded that Epstein took his own life in August 2019 and that no “client list” existed. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has been criticized for her handling of the case, hinted during a February Fox News interview that she had access to a client list. In response to public pressure, Trump posted on Truth Social on July 17, urging Bondi to release “all pertinent grand jury testimony” pending court approval.
Trump admitted to a past friendship with Epstein but claimed they parted ways after a dispute over a Palm Beach property in 2004, according to The New York Times. Epstein’s first arrest came two years later in 2006, when he faced charges of felony solicitation of prostitution.
A July 17 article by The Wall Street Journal alleged that Trump sent Epstein a suggestive letter for his 50th birthday in 2003, accompanied by a drawing of a “naked woman.” Trump denied the claim and filed a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, its parent companies, and the reporters responsible for the story.
On the night of Epstein’s death, correctional officers Tova Noel and Michael Thomas failed to conduct mandatory checks at 12:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., and 5:00 a.m., falsifying records to indicate compliance. Initially charged, they avoided prosecution in May 2021 after meeting the terms of a deferred prosecution agreement, as determined by the DOJ.
Questions surrounding Epstein’s death persist. Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist hired by Epstein’s brother, appeared on “Fox & Friends” in October 2019, stating that the autopsy suggested homicidal strangulation rather than su*cide.
Why Americans Demand More Answers on the Epstein Scandal
The Jeffrey Epstein case remains a lightning rod for public distrust, with many Americans seeking greater transparency into the disgraced financier’s activities and death. Epstein, arrested in 2019 for s*x trafficking, was found dead in his cell, officially ruled a su*cide. Yet, lingering questions about his connections to powerful figures, the handling of his case, and the circumstances of his death continue to fuel public skepticism.
Epstein’s network included influential individuals across politics, business, and entertainment, raising suspicions about the extent of his operations. Court documents, including those unsealed in recent years, have named prominent figures, intensifying calls for the release of all related files. The Department of Justice’s July 6 report, which concluded Epstein acted alone and maintained no “client list,” has done little to quell public doubt, as many believe critical information remains hidden.
The official narrative of Epstein’s su*cide has faced scrutiny. Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist, stated on “Fox & Friends” in October 2019 that Epstein’s autopsy was more consistent with homicidal strangulation than suicidal hanging. This claim, coupled with reported lapses by correctional officers Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, who falsified records on the night of Epstein’s death, has fueled theories of foul play. The officers’ deferred prosecution agreements, which spared them from further legal consequences, have added to perceptions of a cover-up.
Public frustration stems from the DOJ’s reluctance to release all Epstein-related documents. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s vague reference to a “client list” during a February Fox News interview sparked hope for new revelations, but no such list has been made public. President Trump’s July 17 Truth Social post, calling for the release of grand jury testimony, highlighted ongoing pressure to disclose more information, though court restrictions have limited progress.
Epstein’s 2006 arrest for solicitation of prostitution in Florida, followed by a lenient plea deal, has long been a point of contention. Critics argue the deal, which allowed Epstein to serve minimal jail time, protected his powerful associates. The 2019 charges, which promised a deeper investigation, ended abruptly with his death, leaving victims and the public without closure.
