Pam Bondi Told Trump He's Named in Epstein Files

Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Epstein Files

In May, Attorney General Pam Bondi informed President Donald Trump that his name appeared multiple times in government documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and CNN. A White House official confirmed that Bondi's briefing materials for MAGA influencers included the president’s name but denied any suggestion of wrongdoing on Trump's part.

According to the reports, Bondi told the president that he and several other prominent figures were mentioned in the files. The Wall Street Journal cited "senior administration officials," while CNN referenced "sources familiar with the discussion." Being named in such documents does not necessarily imply legal violations.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung stated that the president had removed Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club, calling him a "creep." Cheung also dismissed the reports as part of a pattern of "fake news" orchestrated by Democrats and the liberal media, drawing comparisons to the "Russiagate" scandal during the Obama administration.

The Justice Department has faced scrutiny over its decision not to release the Epstein files publicly. In a memo released on July 7, the department stated that a review of the documents found no incriminating evidence of clients involved in Epstein's sex-trafficking ring. The review also found no evidence that Epstein blackmailed high-profile individuals or was murdered while in custody.

In 2019, New York's chief medical examiner ruled that Epstein died by suicide, but Trump has expressed doubts about this conclusion. During an appearance on Fox & Friends Weekend on June 3, 2024, Trump suggested that the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death were suspicious, noting that cameras were not working at the time.

Backlash Over the Decision Not to Disclose the Files

The revelations have intensified criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files. Earlier this year, Bondi made public statements that sparked curiosity about the contents of the files. In a March interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, she claimed, “It's a new day, it's a new administration, and everything's going to come out to the public.”

Amid the growing scrutiny, Trump has attempted to shift focus to issues that resonate with his base, including unsubstantiated claims that former President Barack Obama committed "treason" during the 2016 election. On July 22, Trump said, “It’s time to go after people.”

On July 15, Trump alleged that his political opponents fabricated the Epstein files when asked whether Bondi had informed the president that his name was in the documents. He responded, “No no,” and claimed that the files were created by figures such as Comey, Obama, and Biden, referencing the "Russia, Russia, Russia" narrative.

Trump has urged Bondi to release all "credible" information from the Epstein files. Last week, he directed her to request a federal court to produce "all pertinent Grand Jury testimony" from cases involving Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. A federal judge in Florida rejected one of the administration’s requests on July 23, while two others remain pending in a Manhattan federal court.

Contents of the Epstein Files

The Epstein files reportedly contain extensive materials, including images of Epstein and minors who were victims, as well as over 10,000 videos and images of illegal child sex abuse material and other pornography. The Justice Department and FBI stated in their July 7 memo that there is "no basis to revisit the disclosure of those materials" and will not permit the release of child pornography.

The Justice Department has not yet commented on the matter. This article has been updated with additional details.