Washington, July 17: U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the Justice Department should release all “credible” information from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as criticism mounted from his conservative base over the administration’s handling of the case.
Speaking at the White House, Trump repeated his claim that the Epstein files were fabricated by Democratic administrations, even though he had previously indicated during his election campaign that he would “probably” release them if elected.
“The attorney general has handled that very well,” Trump said, referring to Justice Department head Pam Bondi. “Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release.”
The remarks marked a notable shift from Trump’s recent attempts to downplay the controversy, which has increasingly drawn ire from right-wing supporters who accuse his administration of covering up details of Epstein’s crimes to protect powerful individuals.
The backlash has exposed one of the deepest rifts in Trump’s political career, with supporters of his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement demanding transparency on what they believe is a conspiracy to shield elites tied to Epstein.
Earlier this month, the Justice Department and FBI publicly rejected key claims circulating among Trump’s base, including allegations that Epstein maintained a “client list” or was murdered in jail. Officials reaffirmed Epstein’s 2019 death was ruled a suicide and said no further information would be released.
The administration’s stance has sparked infighting, including a reported clash between Bondi and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, a Trump appointee and former Secret Service agent, who is said to be weighing resignation over the dispute.
Calls for disclosure have also emerged from within Trump’s circle. Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law and a Fox News host, has publicly urged greater transparency. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a key Trump ally, echoed those demands during an appearance on MAGA influencer Benny Johnson’s online show.
“We should put everything out there and let the people decide,” Johnson said, urging Bondi to clarify contradictory statements she made earlier this year. In February, Bondi told Fox News that a list of Epstein clients was on her desk, but later denied such a list existed.
Trump, who has denied visiting Epstein’s private estate in the U.S. Virgin Islands — a key site in the trafficking case — said on Tuesday that Bondi had given him only a brief update on the matter. Asked whether his name appeared in any related file, Trump replied, “No.”
Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death, along with years of speculation over his ties to influential figures, has fueled a wave of conspiracy theories embraced by much of Trump’s base.
Despite the administration’s attempts to close the chapter, the controversy continues to dominate conservative media and online discourse, posing a political challenge to Trump as he seeks re-election.
