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Donald Trump's first term chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said Thursday that he believes the president is mentioned in the Jeffery Epstein files.
"He's in the files. A lot of people are in the files," Mulvaney said during an appearance on news network Al Jazeera. "There's photographs of them together. So if there's a file somewhere, which I assume there is... I have to imagine his name is on the list someplace."
Mulvaney said that he was confident there was not any incriminating evidence in the files against Trump, for one reason; "If there was something in the files that was particularly damning about Donald Trump, the files would have been released by the Biden administration."
However, he did offer a theory as to why Trump has branded the documents connected to the Epstein case a "hoax", despite making their release a campaign promise. The former chief of staff said that the Department of Justice investigation had probably uncovered some damning evidence of "very important people on both sides of the political aisle, which is why Trump doesn't want to release it and why Biden didn't release it either."
What to Know:
- Trump has labeled renewed interest in Epstein documents a "hoax," blaming Democrats and condemning his own supporters as "weaklings."
- A DOJ/FBI memo last week said no client list exists and confirmed Epstein died by suicide, contradicting expectations built by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- Speaker Mike Johnson and retired Gen. Michael Flynn have called for more transparency, urging Trump to restore trust between voters and the government.
- Polls show that half of U.S. adults are dissatisfied with the federal disclosures in the Epstein case, potentially fueling broader discontent ahead of the 2026 elections.
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
Jul 17, 2025 at 08:05 PM EDT
Jeffries brands Trump ‘conspiracy theory provocateur-in-chief’ over Epstein
Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, has branded President Donald Trump the "conspiracy theory provocateur-in-chief" for campaigning on the Jeffrey Epstein files, only to try and shut down the conversation once in office.
"Democrats didn't put this into the public domain, conspiracy theory provocateur-in-chief Donald Trump is the one, along with his extreme MAGA Republican associates, who put this whole thing into the public domain for years," Jeffries said on Thursday. "And now they are reaping what they have sown."
"This is very simple. The American people simply need to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," he added.
Jul 17, 2025 at 07:36 PM EDT
Rep. Robert Garcia accuses Trump, Fox News of ‘potential cover-up’ over Epstein
Congressman Robert Garcia has accused President Donald Trump and Fox News of orchestrating a potential "cover-up" over the Epstein files.
"What the hell is going on with the Epstein case?" Garcia demanded to know during a Thursday appearance on MSNBC.
"There is no question that Donald Trump – and now possibly Fox News – are hiding something and are involved in a potential cover-up. We need the Epstein files released immediately," he added in a post on X, sharing the clip.
Garcia, the ranking Democratic member on the House Oversight Committee, sent a letter on Thursday to Fox Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch and Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott demanding answers about Fox's editing of Trump interview from June 2024.
During the edited version of the "Fox & Friends Weekend" interview, Trump had appeared to show unwavering support for releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files. But in the unedited version, played on Fox radio the next day, he appeared to express concerns about the impact releasing the files could have on people's lives, and the potential for fake information.
Garcia, who argues the edit was misleading and presented a different position than Trump held, has requested the network's communications with Trump regarding the interview and its internal records.
"There is now no question that Donald Trump is hiding something, that his attorney general is covering for him, that the FBI is in turmoil of what to do," Garcia said on MSNBC.
"And now we're going back and discovering more information that Fox News may have also been somehow involved in the messaging around Epstein. Clearly we know at the same time, his comments are being edited by Fox and Friends."
Fox News shared the following statement with Newsweek: "As previously stated, there was no selective or deceptive editing whatsoever. Portions of the initial interview that aired on Fox & Friends Weekend with then-candidate Trump on June 2, 2024, had standard editorial cuts for time, and the full answer to the Epstein question aired on the following day's show. The entire unedited interview was also run on multiple FOX News Media platforms with full transparency on June 3, 2024, including audio, digital and streaming, while the entire transcript was posted on foxnews.com."
Jul 17, 2025 at 07:16 PM EDT
Republican lawmaker claims Biden administration could have ‘added or deleted things’ to Epstein files
Sen. Ron Johnson, of Minnesota, has suggested that the Biden administration may have "added or deleted" items to the Jeffrey Epstein files.
"I do know that the Epstein files were in the custody of the Biden administration," Johnson said during a Thursday appearance on CNN.
"I don't know to what extent they added or deleted things."
Johnson had been asked why the Trump administration did not simply release the files, given it was a campaign promise and the issue was proving to be deeply divisive for the Republicans.
The Republican senator said that he did not know anything personally about the files but said he questioned their "chain of custody."
Jul 17, 2025 at 07:12 PM EDT
Trump responds after report on his alleged birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein
President Donald Trump responded to a Wall Street Journal story published Thursday that revealed an alleged birthday letter sent by Trump to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday.
The letter bearing Donald Trump's name, reviewed by the Journal, reportedly features several lines of typewritten text surrounded by the outline of a naked woman, sketched in marker. The illustration also includes two small arcs representing breasts, with Trump's signature—a "Donald"—positioned below the waist, resembling pubic hair.
The letter concludes: "Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret."
The president told the Journal on Tuesday, "This is not me. This is a fake thing. It's a fake Wall Street Journal story," he said. "I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women. It's not my language. It's not my words."
He also said he would file a lawsuit against the publication if it published the story:
"I'm gonna sue The Wall Street Journal just like I sued everyone else," he said, according to the newspaper.
Newsweek has reached out to the White House via email on Thursday evening for comment.
Jul 17, 2025 at 07:04 PM EDT
Nancy Pelosi finds agreement with Trump on Epstein
Rep. Nancy Pelosi echoed President Donald Trump Thursday as she urged lawmakers to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein files.
"This is a distraction," she said on MSNBC. "We have major issues right here with things we're voting on today in the Congress, again, in terms of the rescission that the president and the Senate have sent back over....
"Instead we're talking about him- about this thing and [Trump's] own base has its own views of what the president should do. I'll leave it up to them to talk it out," the Democrat former Speaker of the House said.
"But again, whether it's Jeffrey Epstein or Alcatraz, it's all off the subject of what they're doing with this budget that is harmful to the kitchen table, meeting the kitchen-table needs of the American people."
Jul 17, 2025 at 06:32 PM EDT
Trump’s ex-chief of staff says Epstein was banned from Mar-A-Lago for being ‘too weird’
Donald Trump's first term chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said that Donald Trump banned his former friend Jeffrey Epstein from Mar-A-Lago "for being too weird."
Mulvaney did not elaborate on the exact "weird" behavior that got Epstein banned, but a 2020 book, "The Grifter's Club: Trump, Mar-a-Lago, and the Selling of the Presidency," co-written by Sarah Blaskey, a Miami Herald investigative reporter, claims it was after Epstein had hit on a member's daughter.
Jul 17, 2025 at 06:10 PM EDT
Trump’s ex-chief of staff says president is in Epstein files
Donald Trump's first term chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said Thursday that he believes the president is mentioned in the Jeffery Epstein files.
"He's in the files. A lot of people are in the files," Mulvaney said during an appearance on the news network Al Jazeera. "There's photographs of them together. So if there's a file somewhere, which I assume there is... I have to imagine his name is on the list someplace."
Mulvaney said that he was confident there was not any incriminating evidence in the files against Trump, for one reason.
"If there was something in the files that was particularly damning about Donald Trump, the files would have been released by the Biden administration," Mulvaney said.
However, he did offer a theory as to why Trump has branded the documents connected to the Epstein case a hoax, despite making their release a campaign promise.
The former chief of staff said that the Department of Justice investigation had probably uncovered some damning evidence of "very important people on both sides of the political aisle, which is why Trump doesn't want to release it and why Biden didn't release it either."
Jul 17, 2025 at 05:26 PM EDT
Rep. Nadler dismisses Mike Johnson’s potential Epstein resolution as ‘smoke screen’
Rep. Jerry Nadler has called House Speaker Mike Johnson's potential Jeffrey Epstein resolution, nothing more than a "political smokescreen."
"A non-binding resolution—or any action that doesn't require the release of the Epstein files—is nothing more than a political smokescreen designed to shield Republicans who refuse to demand full transparency and accountability from the Trump Administration on Epstein," he said on X.
Johnson and his leadership team's resolution, aimed at quelling he uproar from Democrats and Republicans alike, would almost certainly be non-binding.
Jul 17, 2025 at 04:51 PM EDT
Rep. Schiff: No ‘good or innocent’ reason why ex-Epstein prosecutor Maurene Comey was fired
Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff said Thursday that there was no "good or innocent" reason why former Jeffrey Epstein prosecutor Maurene Comey, who is the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, had been suddenly fired from the department of Justice.
"Either she was fired because she's James Comey's daughter, which would be totally inappropriate and a wrongful termination, or she was fired because she was prosecuting Epstein and his accomplices. And why would they fire her over that? And why would they fire her now?" Schiff asked during an appearance on MSNBC.
"None of this has a good or innocent explanation to it. Which is why they are continuing to flounder over it," he added.
Schiff said that President Trump and his administration had created a conspiracy theory they could no longer control.
"They created this conspiracy theory, they've fed this conspiracy theory, and now they have MAGA base that has bought into it and Donald Trump is at the point of calling his own Trump supporters 'weaklings' who bought into this bulls--- that he was peddling among us," he said. "This is widening and expanding upon all of the distrust of Donald Trump by his own base."
Jul 17, 2025 at 04:30 PM EDT
Trump supporters allegedly burning Maga hats over Trump’s Epstein comments
Some President Donald Trump supporters have reportedly become so angry with him dismissing the Jeffrey Epstein files as a hoax, that they are burning their MAGA hats in protest.
Footage posted on X, that has not been independently verified, showed people throwing MAGA merchandise on their grills, and lighting it up.
Controversial right-wing personality Nick Fuentes said on his show, "We need to burn our MAGA hats, I think that's a solution. That's the only language Trump will understand. He needs to be abandoned at this point."
Jul 17, 2025 at 03:57 PM EDT
Speaker Johnson weighs support for Epstein file disclosure amid GOP unrest
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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is considering backing a Republican-led measure to release more information related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to reporting from The Hill. The move comes as frustration mounts within the GOP over the Trump administration's refusal to disclose additional records, despite past promises of transparency.
Johnson's comments signal a potential shift, as House Republicans face backlash from constituents and conservative influencers. A Democrat-led amendment demanding the release of Epstein files was recently blocked in committee, with only Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) breaking ranks to support it.
While the details of the GOP measure remain unclear, Johnson emphasized the party's commitment to transparency, saying, "The House Republicans are for transparency and they're looking for a way to say that". The challenge for Republicans will be crafting a proposal that satisfies public demands without provoking President Trump, who has dismissed the controversy as a "hoax."
Jul 17, 2025 at 03:45 PM EDT
Demand Progress backs bipartisan push to release Epstein files
Social welfare organization Demand Progress Action has launched a national campaign urging lawmakers to support a discharge petition introduced by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) that would force a House vote on releasing all government records related to Jeffrey Epstein. The petition needs 218 signatures to bypass leadership and compel Attorney General Pam Bondi to disclose the files.
The campaign, hosted at Releasethefiles.org, allows constituents to track which representatives have signed on and contact their own lawmakers directly. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 69% of Americans believe the government is withholding information about Epstein's alleged clients.
Demand Progress Senior Policy Advisor Cavan Kharrazian called the release "obviously in the public interest," citing Epstein's ties to powerful figures, including President Trump. "This transcends partisan politics," he said, urging Americans across the political spectrum to demand transparency.
Jul 17, 2025 at 03:30 PM EDT
What’s stopping Epstein Files release? Karoline Leavitt explains
Jul 17, 2025 at 03:13 PM EDT
NEWSLETTER: The 1600: Is Trump losing a step?
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Let's start this disgustingly hot and humid day off with a little thought experiment. The 79-year-old president of the United States is asked in the Oval Office if he has plans to fire the chairman of the Federal Reserve. He responds, "I was surprised he was appointed" and then goes on to blame his predecessor for something he did in his first term. Would you be asking questions about the president's mental acuity after that exchange?
Because that exact sequence of events happened yesterday—on camera—and nobody in the room corrected Trump or gently reminded him that it was he who appointed Jerome Powell in 2017, and that Biden merely reappointed him in the middle of Covid in the name of stability. Trump's misremembering of this relatively important piece of information didn't really get picked up in the press. Would that have been the case if it was anyone else? If Joe Biden threatened to fire someone he appointed, and then when asked about it blamed Trump for appointing him, people would rightly be asking questions about whether ol' Joe was still with the ballgame.
One of the many contradictions of the Trump era is that he is both pilloried in the media, but also given a pass and graded on a curve at the same time. He gets away with 10 things a day that would have sunk other presidencies. It's always been his political superpower.
That back-and-forth in the Oval yesterday didn't happen in isolation. There's a handful of recent examples that raise the legitimate question of whether Trump is losing a bit of his fastball. His messaging on the Smeffrey Smepstein saga has been nothing short of a disaster. Like, I've never actually seen him so ill-equipped to spin a story that's bad for him. He is the king of that! Literally nobody on earth is better at shifting the national conversation by sheer force of their own personality. But look at how he's been handling this growing crisis, which has now jumped containment from the world of politics to pop culture with Shane Gillis' (very funny) monologue at the ESPYs last night.
Read the full article by Carlo Versano on Newsweek.
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Jul 17, 2025 at 02:57 PM EDT
Trump won’t recommend special prosecutor for Epstein case: White House
President Donald Trump does not plan to appoint a special prosecutor to look into the Jeffrey Epstein case, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday.
"The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That's how he feels," she said.
On Wednesday, Trump was asked directly if he would consider appointing a special prosecutor, but he replied, "I have nothing to do with it."
Jul 17, 2025 at 02:51 PM EDT
House GOP faces internal turmoil over Epstein file vote
House Republican leaders are under mounting pressure to send members home early amid growing anxiety over a possible vote to release Jeffrey Epstein-related records. A bipartisan discharge petition launched by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) could force a floor vote next week, putting lawmakers on the spot over transparency demands.
The controversy has triggered a surge of constituent calls and internal unrest, with some GOP members pleading privately for leadership to take action. Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise have so far resisted calls to cancel next week's session, despite fears the issue could escalate over the summer.
President Trump's attempts to dismiss the uproar as a "hoax" have only deepened the divide, with some Republicans openly questioning his response. The discharge petition would compel Attorney General Pam Bondi to release Epstein-related files regardless of political sensitivity.
Jul 17, 2025 at 02:37 PM EDT
Decision to fire former Epstein prosecutor Maurene Comey was made by DOJ, says White House
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday that the decision to fire former Jeffrey Epstein prosecutor Maurene Comey, had been made by the Department of Justice.
"This was a decision that was made by the Department of Justice," Leavitt said when asked about Comey's firing, before she immediately moved on to the next question.
Comey, the daughter of ex-FBI Director James Comey, served as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, and worked on the cases against Epstein and Sean "Diddy" Combs.
The reason for her termination was not immediately clear.
Jul 17, 2025 at 02:33 PM EDT
Pirro advances toward confirmation as D.C.’s top federal prosecutor
Former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro is one step closer to becoming the permanent U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to advance her nomination. All Republican members supported the move, while Democrats staged a walkout in protest of another Trump nominee, Emil Bove, for a federal judgeship.
Pirro has served in the role on an interim basis since May, following the withdrawal of Ed Martin Jr., whose support for January 6 defendants drew bipartisan criticism. Her nomination now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
Before joining the Trump administration, Pirro cohosted Fox News' "The Five" and previously served as a judge and district attorney in New York's Westchester County.
Jul 17, 2025 at 02:28 PM EDT
Raskin accuses Trump of backtracking on Epstein files
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is sharply criticizing Trump over his administration's refusal to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case. In a CNN interview, Raskin said Trump had long promised transparency but now appears to be shielding the files, possibly due to personal connections.
Raskin pointed to Trump's past friendship with Epstein, including photos and videos of the two together, and suggested the reversal may be tied to others in Trump's orbit appearing in the documents. He also condemned the lenient treatment Epstein received in 2008, calling it a "sweetheart deal" that exposed a double standard in the justice system.
The congressman said the files "exist" and accused Trump of creating a crisis by inflaming public expectations and then retreating. He even speculated that Trump might be withholding the information for leverage, though he stopped short of making a direct accusation.
Raskin's remarks come amid growing bipartisan calls for full disclosure of Epstein-related records.
Jul 17, 2025 at 02:22 PM EDT
White House says Epstein files grand jury seals are ‘out of president’s control’
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that some of the decisions to lift grand jury seals on the Epstein files were "out of the president's control."
"In terms of redactions or grand jury seals, those are questions for the Department of Justice, those are also questions for the judges who have that information under a seal, and that would have to be requested and a judge would have to approve it," she told a reporter who asked why the DOJ did not simply redact sensitive information but then release the rest to the American people.
"That's out of the president's control," she added.
Leavitt claimed that Trump was "in agreement with some of the leaders on Capitol Hill" who had been demanding the release of the files, and said, "if the attorney general and the Department of Justice comes across any other credible evidence, they should provide that to the American people."
Jul 17, 2025 at 02:13 PM EDT
Gracia calls out Trump ‘to come clean’ and release Jeffrey Epstein Files
Jul 17, 2025 at 02:12 PM EDT
White House explains why Donald Trump calls Epstein files a ‘hoax’
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt faced questions on Thursday about President Donald Trump comments about the Jeffrey Epstein files, which he has repeatedly branded a "hoax."
When asked which part of the Department of Justice investigation into convicted pedophile Epstein was a "hoax," Leavitt replied, "The president is referring to the fact that Democrats have now seized on this, as if they ever wanted transparency when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, which is an asinine suggestion when it comes to any Democrat to make.
"The Democrats had control of this building, the White House for four years and they didn't do a dang thing when it came to transparency in regards to Jeffrey Epstein and his heinous crimes," she continued.
"It was this president that directed the department of justice and the attorney general to do an exhaustive review of all files related to Jeffrey Epstein which they did
"The attorney general and the FBI...they spent many months going through all of the files related to Jeffrey Epstein and they concluded what they found, in that memo which they drafted and released.
"The president has been transparent, he has followed through on his promises to the American people.
"But he doesn't like to see Democrats and the mainstream media covering this like it's the biggest story that the American people care about."
Jul 17, 2025 at 02:01 PM EDT
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds first press conference since Trump’s Epstein rant
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is holding first press conference since President Donald Trump's Truth Social rant about the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Jul 17, 2025 at 01:39 PM EDT
Read Sens. Van Hollen and Durbin’s letter to Bondi in full
Jul 17, 2025 at 01:31 PM EDT
Democrat lawmakers send Pam Bondi letter demanding immediate release of Epstein files
Two Democratic senators are demanding that Attorney General Pam Bondi release the DOJ files on Jeffrey Epstein immediately, rather than waiting for Congress to pass their bill to order the release.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, of Maryland, and Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, sent Bondi a letter on Thursday referencing the Senate Appropriations Committee's unanimous, bipartisan vote last week that ordered the attorney general to retain the Epstein files and submit a report on them within 60 days of the act being passed.
"This unanimous vote reflects the urgent need to provide transparency and accountability with respect to the Epstein files," they wrote in Thursday's letter.
"There is no reason to wait until the bill with our amendment makes its way through Congress. We call upon you to follow the bipartisan directive of the Appropriations Committee and release the Epstein files without delay."
The senators added it was crucial that Americans "can have confidence in a justice system that operates without secrecy or undue influence—especially in the handling of such a prominent case involving the sexual exploitation and trafficking of so many victims.
"Delivering transparency in this case is necessary to providing accountability and answers to the American people," they added.
Jul 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM EDT
Epstein prison video raises red flags, forensic expert says
Forensic analyst Jake Green is raising serious concerns about the Justice Department's recently released surveillance footage from outside Jeffrey Epstein's prison cell, The Hill reported. Intended to dispel theories of foul play, the 11-hour video appears to be missing nearly three minutes, including a full minute between 11:58 p.m. and midnight.
Green told NewsNation's Banfield that the footage shows signs of editing, cursor movements, and formatting inconsistencies, suggesting it may be a screen recording rather than raw data. "This is not the original. This is a child of the original," he said, warning that the video lacks forensic reliability.
Attorney General Pam Bondi attributed the missing minute to routine system resets, claiming the same gap occurs nightly. But Green dismissed that explanation, arguing that such predictable outages would compromise surveillance integrity year-round.
The controversy adds fuel to ongoing skepticism about Epstein's death and the government's handling of related evidence.
Jul 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM EDT
Maurene Comey fired amid Epstein fallout, warns of ‘tyranny’ in DOJ
Federal prosecutor Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI director James Comey, was abruptly fired Wednesday from the Southern District of New York, where she led high-profile cases against Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Sean "Diddy" Combs. In a farewell note to colleagues, Comey condemned her termination as a warning sign, writing, "Fear is the tool of a tyrant... Let this moment fuel the fire of righteous indignation at abuses of power".
Her dismissal comes amid mounting criticism of the Justice Department's decision to halt further disclosures in the Epstein investigation. Right-wing figures like Laura Loomer had publicly called for Comey's removal, while Attorney General Pam Bondi faces backlash from Trump's base over the agency's refusal to release additional files.
Comey's firing also raises questions about political retaliation, given her father's long-standing feud with Trump and the DOJ's recent acknowledgment of an investigation into James Comey. Though the department cited presidential authority under Article II, no formal reason was provided.
Maurene Comey had been widely respected for her courtroom work, including securing Maxwell's conviction and leading closing arguments in the Combs trial. Her exit adds to a growing list of prosecutors who have been dismissed after working on cases that have drawn Trump's ire.
Jul 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM EDT
Trump faces growing GOP revolt over Epstein files as discharge petition gains traction
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Trump's efforts to shut down calls for transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein case are faltering, as a bipartisan push in Congress threatens to force the release of sealed documents. Despite a Justice Department memo claiming Epstein died by suicide and no client list exists, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna have launched a discharge petition to compel a House vote on full disclosure.
The petition, which bypasses House leadership if 218 members sign on, has already drawn support from Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Eric Burlison, with more Republicans signaling interest. Trump has dismissed the controversy as a "Democratic hoax" and labeled supporters of the release "weaklings," but polling shows significant dissatisfaction among GOP voters.
While discharge petitions rarely succeed, experts say the threat alone could pressure the administration to act. The Epstein case, long a source of conspiracy theories and political tension, may now test the limits of Trump's influence over his party.
Jul 17, 2025 at 12:20 PM EDT
Tillis breaks with Trump over Epstein files: ‘Release the damn files’
Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is challenging President Trump's dismissal of renewed calls to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, urging the administration to "just release the damn files." In a Charlotte radio interview, Tillis said the exploitation of minors by billionaires is "despicable," not "boring," as Trump recently described the case.
The pushback comes after a Justice Department memo concluded there was no client list or evidence of blackmail, sparking outrage among conservatives who had expected more disclosures. Tillis, who is retiring after the 2026 midterms, joins a growing chorus of Republicans—including Speaker Mike Johnson—pressuring Attorney General Pam Bondi to clarify her earlier claims about reviewing Epstein-related documents.
Trump has dismissed the controversy as a distraction, but critics say transparency is essential to accountability.
Jul 17, 2025 at 11:53 AM EDT
Late-night hosts roast Trump over Epstein file fallout
Late-night comedians took aim at Donald Trump this week as tensions escalated between the former president and his MAGA base over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files. Trump's refusal to release documents and his dismissal of the controversy as "boring" sparked ridicule across multiple shows.
Seth Meyers mocked Trump's meltdown, noting the irony of conspiracy theorists expecting Trump—once a close friend of Epstein—to expose a sex-trafficking ring. "They can't reconcile the fake Trump they believed in with the real Trump they're actually getting," Meyers said.
Stephen Colbert lampooned Trump's claim that Epstein "was never a big factor," sarcastically calling the saga "a total snoozefest" involving "super illegal sex stuff" and a suspicious jailhouse death. "You can't build a brand on conspiracy theories and then get mad when people are interested in your conspiracy theories," Colbert quipped.
Jordan Klepper on The Daily Show spotlighted the MAGA split, joking that Trump had gone "full messy bitch" by calling his own supporters "weaklings" and rejecting their support. Klepper also skewered Rep. Lauren Boebert's suggestion that Matt Gaetz lead a special counsel, calling it "game recognize game."
Jul 17, 2025 at 11:40 AM EDT
WATCH: Cory Booker reads portion of letter to Emil Bove regarding latter’s role in withholding Epstein files
Jul 17, 2025 at 11:25 AM EDT
Musk escalates Epstein file feud, challenges Trump’s ‘hoax’ claim
Elon Musk is intensifying his public push for transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein case, questioning the federal government's handling of investigative files and directly challenging Trump's dismissal of the controversy. Using his social platform X and AI chatbot Grok, Musk suggested the government likely possesses flight logs and passenger manifests that could identify victims and potential perpetrators.
Musk's posts come amid growing pressure on the Trump administration, which recently released a memo stating Epstein died by suicide and did not maintain a client list. That conclusion has angered many in Trump's base, including Rep. Lauren Boebert and activist Laura Loomer, who are calling for a special counsel.
Trump has responded by labeling the Epstein case a "hoax" and criticizing Republicans who continue to press for answers. Musk, however, remains defiant, asking, "Where is Phase 2?" about the DOJ's binder titled "The Epstein Files: Phase 1."
Jul 17, 2025 at 11:12 AM EDT
WATCH: Ro Khanna vows to ‘fight with everything’ to reveal Epstein files—Exclusive
Jul 17, 2025 at 10:59 AM EDT
Boebert calls for Epstein special counsel amid GOP frustration
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is urging the Trump administration to appoint a special counsel to investigate its handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, citing widespread public frustration and a lack of transparency. In a NewsNation interview, Boebert said Americans "want to know if there's more information" and suggested Attorney General Pam Bondi may not be the right person to lead the review.
While Boebert emphasized the need for answers, she also cautioned against letting the Epstein controversy overshadow Trump's policy achievements, including border security and energy dominance. "We can walk and chew gum at the same time," she said.
The Justice Department and FBI recently released a memo stating Epstein died by suicide and did not maintain a client list, contradicting earlier claims from Bondi and fueling backlash among Trump's base. Boebert joins a growing chorus of Republicans calling for more transparency, even as Trump dismisses the case as a "hoax" and urges supporters to move on.
Jul 17, 2025 at 10:46 AM EDT
Charlie Kirk has a new message for Trump amid Epstein firestorm
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Turning Point USA founder and staunch MAGA loyalist Charlie Kirk issued a new message to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, after the president went after Republicans and his own supporters for questioning the administration's handling of the investigation into the death of disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Kirk sought to smooth things over on Wednesday's episode of his show, saying MAGA's "emphasis" on the Epstein files is "because we care about you" and "want what's best for the presidency."
The Department of Justice infuriated Trump's base when it released a memo last week concluding that Epstein died by suicide in 2019 in his Manhattan jail cell. It also concluded that the government is not in possession of a list of wealthy and powerful businesspeople and politicians connected to Epstein.
The memo threw a wrench into years of conspiracy theories that Trump supporters peddled about Epstein's death, as well as public statements that administration officials—including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Vice President JD Vance—had made suggesting that the government was covering up his "client list."
Read the full story by Sonam Sheth on Newsweek.
Jul 17, 2025 at 10:32 AM EDT
Trump faces mounting pressure over Epstein files as allies split on next steps
Trump is under growing pressure from both allies and critics to increase transparency around the Jeffrey Epstein case, following a Justice Department memo that denied the existence of a client list and ruled out further disclosures. The memo, released jointly with the FBI, contradicted earlier promises from Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to release more documents, sparking backlash across the political spectrum.
While Trump has dismissed the controversy as "boring" and labeled it a "hoax," prominent Republicans—including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. Josh Hawley, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene—have called for clarity. Proposals range from releasing all unclassified records to appointing a special counsel and holding congressional hearings that could include testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell.
Bondi, once praised for her commitment to transparency, now faces calls for resignation from some Trump supporters. Others, such as Lara Trump and Sen. Thom Tillis, have urged the administration to release the files and move forward.
The divide within Trump's base underscores the political risk of backtracking on a case that has long fueled conspiracy theories and demands for accountability. Whether the administration will act remains uncertain, but the pressure to resolve the issue continues to build.
Jul 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM EDT
Maxwell family says trial was unfair as DOJ urges Supreme Court rejection
As the Epstein case continues to dominate headlines in Washington, Ghislaine Maxwell's family is pushing back against her 2021 conviction, arguing she was denied a fair trial. Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence in Florida, was found guilty of sex trafficking and conspiracy charges for her role in recruiting and grooming minors for Jeffrey Epstein between 1994 and 2004.
Her legal team petitioned the Supreme Court earlier this year, citing a clause in Epstein's 2007 non-prosecution agreement that they claim should have shielded her. The Justice Department, however, urged the court to reject the appeal, arguing the agreement applied only to Florida-based charges and did not extend to Maxwell's prosecution in New York.
Maxwell's attorney, David Oscar Markus, invoked President Trump in his defense, saying, "He's the ultimate dealmaker—and I'm sure he'd agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it." The DOJ and White House have not commented on the appeal.
The controversy comes amid growing tension within Trump's base over the administration's handling of Epstein-related documents. Trump recently dismissed the uproar as the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax" and criticized former supporters for fueling the narrative.
Adding to the turmoil, federal prosecutor Maurene Comey—who worked on the Maxwell and Epstein cases—was fired Wednesday, further intensifying scrutiny of the Justice Department's actions.
Jul 17, 2025 at 10:04 AM EDT
What Epstein did for a living
Jeffrey Epstein was a financier and convicted sex offender whose rise to power and subsequent criminal downfall stunned the world. Born in New York City, he began his career teaching math and physics at the elite Dalton School before transitioning into finance.
He quickly climbed the ranks at Bear Stearns and launched his own firm, J. Epstein & Co., managing assets for billionaires and amassing a fortune estimated at over $500 million.
Epstein cultivated relationships with celebrities, politicians, and royalty, including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Prince Andrew. He owned lavish properties across the globe, including a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which later became central to allegations of sex trafficking.
Jul 17, 2025 at 09:51 AM EDT
Epstein victims’ lawyer urges transparency, warns against politicizing case
Brad Edwards, a Florida-based victims' rights attorney who has represented more than 200 survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse, is calling for the release of government-held documents to help dispel conspiracy theories and protect victims. Edwards, who has spent nearly two decades investigating Epstein's crimes, says the financier operated primarily to satisfy his own sexual desires, not to run a trafficking ring for powerful associates.
"There's no evidence Epstein kept a client list or used blackmail as a business model," Edwards told ABC News. He emphasized that while some high-profile men may have engaged in coercive acts, they represented a small fraction of Epstein's network.
Edwards criticized the Trump administration's reversal on releasing Epstein-related files, saying the lack of transparency is fueling misinformation and retraumatizing survivors. He urged officials to redact the names of victims but release financial records, travel logs, and other materials that could clarify Epstein's rise to power and potential government ties.
"The world needs to know who Epstein was, what he was doing, and how he operated," Edwards said. "But let's not forget—real people were hurt. Their well-being should come first."
Jul 17, 2025 at 09:38 AM EDT
Poll: Most Americans say Trump is hiding Epstein case details
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A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that 69% of Americans believe the Trump administration is concealing information about Jeffrey Epstein's alleged clientele, despite earlier promises to release documents. Only 17% approve of Trump's handling of the case, his lowest rating across all issues surveyed.
The backlash has exposed deep divisions within Trump's base, with nearly two-thirds of Republicans also suspecting a cover-up. Trump has dismissed the controversy as a "hoax" and lashed out at supporters who continue to demand transparency, calling them "weaklings".
The Justice Department recently concluded that Epstein died by suicide and stated that no client list exists. Behind the scenes, Trump aides are reportedly urging MAGA influencers to shift focus away from Epstein and toward broader campaign priorities.
The poll underscores growing frustration among voters, especially as Trump faces criticism over foreign policy, immigration, and perceived backtracking on key promises. The Epstein case remains a flashpoint in the president's effort to maintain control over his political coalition.
Jul 17, 2025 at 09:25 AM EDT
Jeffrey Epstein’s net worth at its peak
Jeffrey Epstein's net worth was estimated at roughly $560 million to $600 million at the time of his death in 2019. His assets included cash, equities, hedge fund stakes, and a portfolio of luxury properties—from a Manhattan townhouse and Palm Beach mansion to two private Caribbean islands and a jet.
Epstein's wealth stemmed largely from managing billionaire Leslie Wexner's finances, though his early career was marred by deception, including falsely claiming a college degree and being fired from Bear Stearns.
Just days before his death, Epstein transferred his assets into a private trust, shielding beneficiaries from public view. Since then, the estate has paid out over $164 million to victims through a compensation fund, while ongoing legal fees and property upkeep have further reduced its value to an estimated $150–200 million as of 2025.
Jul 17, 2025 at 09:12 AM EDT
Shane Gillis mocks Trump over Epstein files at 2025 ESPYs
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Comedian Shane Gillis took aim at President Trump during his monologue at the 2025 ESPY Awards, joking about the administration's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. Gillis quipped that an Epstein joke had "deleted itself," referencing Trump's recent claims that the controversy is a "hoax" manufactured by Democrats.
The timing of Gillis' remarks coincided with renewed scrutiny of the administration's stance on Epstein. Trump has publicly dismissed calls for transparency, saying the case is "boring" and a distraction from his achievements. Meanwhile, prominent Republicans like Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Lauren Boebert have urged the Justice Department to release more files.
A DOJ memo last week reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide and denied the existence of a "client list," contradicting earlier comments from Attorney General Pam Bondi. The reversal has sparked backlash from Trump's base, many of whom believe key details are being withheld.
Gillis' monologue, which also included jabs at January 6 and Trump's UFC ambitions, drew mixed reactions online but underscored how deeply the Epstein case continues to divide the political right.
Jul 17, 2025 at 08:54 AM EDT
Maurene Comey’s head ‘just rolled’ amid Epstein backlash, Van Jones says
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Maurene Comey, federal prosecutor in Manhattan who played a key role in the criminal cases against sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, marks "the head that just rolled" after being fired Wednesday, former Barack Obama adviser Van Jones said.
Newsweek previously reached out to the White House and Department of Justice (DOJ) for comment.
The decision to dismiss Comey—former FBI Director James Comey's daughter—was delivered as the DOJ faces renewed scrutiny over its handling of evidence and records in the case against Epstein, the disgraced financier who in 2019 died by suicide in jail before his trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was convicted of the same charges and is serving a 20-year prison term.
Comey was informed of her firing in a letter that noted Article II of the U.S. Constitution in the decision, according to The New York Times, citing three people familiar with the matter.
The Times first reported the firing, which ABC News and the Associated Press later picked up.
Comey played an integral role in prosecuting high-profile sex trafficking cases involving Epstein and Maxwell, proceedings that have cast a long shadow over U.S. and international legal and political arenas.
Her dismissal comes during a period of heightened public suspicion and political controversy, particularly among President Donald Trump's MAGA-aligned supporters who have voiced concerns about government transparency in the Epstein investigation, with pointed backlash at U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Read the full article by Anna Commander on Newsweek.
Jul 17, 2025 at 08:39 AM EDT
Trump allies reverse course on Epstein claims amid backlash
Top Trump administration officials are walking back earlier claims about Jeffrey Epstein, contradicting years of speculation they once fueled. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, both former MAGA commentators, now say there's no evidence Epstein was murdered or maintained a "client list" of powerful men. Patel testified in May that Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously said that the client list was "on her desk," has also aligned with the Justice Department's conclusion that no such list exists and that no further files will be released.
President Trump has taken the most aggressive stance, denouncing his former supporters who continue to push Epstein conspiracy theories. In a Truth Social post, he called them "weaklings" and labeled the controversy the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax." He also defended Bondi, urging his base to move on and praising her for doing a "FANTASTIC JOB." The reversal has sparked confusion and division within the MAGA movement.
Jul 17, 2025 at 08:26 AM EDT
Trump’s FBI picks once pushed Epstein theories now undercut by DOJ
Trump's appointments to lead the FBI—Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino—are facing scrutiny after previously promoting conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein's death and alleged client list. Both were prominent voices in the MAGA media ecosystem before joining federal law enforcement.
In 2023, Patel criticized House Republicans for failing to release Epstein-related documents, demanding they "let us know who the pedophiles are." Bongino, meanwhile, called the case "one of the biggest political scandals of our time," suggesting a cover-up involving global elites.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also fueled speculation earlier this year, claiming she had Epstein's client list and "tens of thousands of videos" involving children. However, the Justice Department now says no such list exists and maintains Epstein died by suicide, contradicting the narrative once pushed by Patel, Bongino, and Bondi.
Jul 17, 2025 at 08:13 AM EDT
Trump’s Epstein remarks continue to stir controversy
Trump's comments surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's death have fueled speculation for years, beginning with a 2019 social media post that linked the incident to former President Bill Clinton. Days later, Trump called for a "full investigation," citing Clinton's travel on Epstein's private jet and questioning whether he had visited Epstein's island.
In a 2020 interview with Axios, Trump cast doubt on the official ruling of suicide and controversially wished Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell "well" following her arrest. Maxwell was later convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Trump has since wavered on whether Epstein died by suicide and offered mixed signals about releasing related government files. In a 2024 Fox News interview, he said he "guessed" he would declassify the Epstein documents, but warned against releasing "phony stuff" that could harm reputations. His comments continue to draw scrutiny amid ongoing demands for transparency.
Jul 17, 2025 at 07:58 AM EDT
Trump’s shifting stance on Epstein friendship draws scrutiny
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Before Jeffrey Epstein's crimes became public, he and Donald Trump shared a social bond as wealthy New Yorkers with homes in Palm Beach. In a 2002 interview, Trump described Epstein as a "terrific guy" who enjoyed the company of "beautiful women... on the younger side." At the time, there was no public evidence linking Epstein to sex trafficking, and Trump has maintained he was unaware of any criminal behavior.
Following Epstein's 2019 arrest, Trump distanced himself, saying he hadn't spoken to Epstein in 15 years and was "not a fan." He confirmed Epstein had been banned from Mar-a-Lago but declined to elaborate on the reason. "The reason doesn't make any difference, frankly," Trump told reporters.
Epstein died by suicide in jail a month later, triggering widespread speculation and renewed interest in his connections to powerful figures. Trump's evolving narrative—from praise to disavowal—continues to fuel debate over how much he knew and when.
Jul 17, 2025 at 07:45 AM EDT
Bongino at center of Epstein fallout as MAGA tensions rise
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is under scrutiny amid growing unrest in the Trump administration over its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files. Bongino, a longtime MAGA media figure turned federal official, has reportedly clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi and considered resigning after the Justice Department declared the case closed, sparking backlash from Trump's base.
Bongino's influence stems from his deep ties to conservative media and his reputation as a trusted voice among Trump loyalists. His appointment was seen as a win for the base, but his recent silence and frustration over the DOJ's memo—stating Epstein died by suicide and no client list exists—has fueled speculation of internal discord.
While Trump has defended both Bondi and Bongino, he's also expressed irritation over the continued focus on Epstein, calling it a distraction from his administration's achievements. Bongino's potential departure could signal deeper fractures within the MAGA coalition, as supporters demand transparency and accountability on a case they believe was mishandled.
Jul 17, 2025 at 07:32 AM EDT
DOJ fires Maurene Comey, prosecutor in Epstein and Combs cases
The Justice Department has dismissed Maurene Comey, a senior federal prosecutor in Manhattan and the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, according to multiple reports. No official reason was given for her termination, which comes amid mounting political pressure over the department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Comey played key roles in high-profile cases, including the sex trafficking prosecutions of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and the recent trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. Her firing follows criticism from Trump-aligned figures who accused her of shielding elite interests in the Epstein case, despite her record of convictions.
The move has raised concerns about politicized firings within the DOJ, especially as Attorney General Pam Bondi faces backlash for refusing to release additional Epstein-related files. Trump has publicly distanced himself from the controversy, calling it a "hoax" and blaming his former supporters for fueling it.
Comey's dismissal also coincides with renewed scrutiny of her father, who was fired by Trump in 2017 and is reportedly under investigation. The timing has sparked speculation that Maurene Comey's removal may be part of a broader purge of officials tied to past probes into Trump and his allies.
Jul 17, 2025 at 07:15 AM EDT
Donald Trump suffers major polling blow over Jeffrey Epstein files
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President Donald Trump has been hit with a negative poll about his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
According to a Quinnipiac University poll, the majority of U.S. voters disapprove of Trump's handling of files related to Epstein, a wealthy financier who died by suicide in jail in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges.
Trump has been embroiled in controversy after backtracking on the Epstein case. Initially, the White House had ordered a review of the case and said it would publish names and evidence about Epstein's associates. However, a recent memo from the Department of Justice and the FBI said there was no "client list" and that no further charges would be brought.
Amid the backlash, Trump has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to release "whatever she thinks is credible" regarding Epstein. While the president has repeatedly called on his supporters to move past what he describes as the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax," the controversy has continued, and negative polling could affect the Republican Party in the 2026 midterms.
Read the full story by Kate Plummer on Newsweek.
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