Before the election, Trump promised to release files related to the Epstein case. During a February event at the White House, the administration furnished several right-wing podcasters and influencers with folders of documents, in what was described as “phase one” of a bigger release.
Jeffrey Epstein was to stand trial on sex trafficking charges.Credit: AP
But those files turned out to rehash information that was already known. Bondi had promised to release more documents, but in a memo just over a week ago, the FBI said there was nothing further to add.
“This systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list’,” memo by the FBI and Department of Justice said.
“There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.
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“One of our highest priorities is combatting child exploitation and bringing justice to victims. Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends.”
While insinuations about an Epstein cover-up are driven by far-right activists and conspiracy theorists, and thrive on the internet and in MAGA media, many prominent Republicans and government members are also calling for greater transparency.
On Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson – the second in line to the presidency – said he wanted the remaining documents to be released.
“I’m for transparency,” he told a conservative commentator in an interview. “We should put everything out there and let the people decide.”
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Johnson also called on Bondi to explain her previous remarks that the Epstein case files were sitting on her desk, ready for release. “I’m anxious to get this behind us,” he said.
Amid a bitter, public falling out with Trump, billionaire Elon Musk alleged Trump was himself named in the files.
Trump and Epstein were friends in decades gone by and moved in the same New York finance circles, but the US president has strongly denied any involvement in Epstein’s sex rings and says their relationship ruptured at some point in the 2000s.
One of the key MAGA influencers driving the Epstein push, Laura Loomer, reacted to Trump’s latest comments with relative indifference, saying the Epstein issue was “one of many” and that it should not be allowed to drive apart and consume the MAGA movement.
“It’s wild to me how so many people can’t walk and chew gum at the same time,” she said on X.
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