The U.S. Department of Justice discovered that former President Donald Trump’s name was mentioned repeatedly in Jeffrey Epstein’s files during an extensive review this year. Attorney General Pam Bondi personally informed Trump of this discovery during a private briefing at the White House in May.
Trump’s name appeared alongside several other prominent figures in documents relating to the late financier and convicted sex offender. This May meeting marked the first time Trump was formally informed of his connection to the Epstein investigation.
Bondi made it clear to Trump that releasing more documents would be difficult. These documents contained child pornography and sensitive information about victims that needed to be protected. Justice Department officials said that protecting victims was paramount, overriding political concerns.
The meeting was described as tense, but was moderated by White House advisers. Sources indicated that Trump’s reaction was clearly one of frustration, but not surprise. Trump has long been questioned about his past ties to Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019.
Trump and Epstein dated in the 1990s and early 2000s in Manhattan and Palm Beach. Trump has previously acknowledged dating Epstein but denied any involvement in his crimes, saying in 2019, “I was never a fan.”
After the briefing, Trump reportedly asked Bondi if the files would be released before the 2026 election. She assured him that the Justice Department had no immediate plans to release them, citing legal and ethical risks.
This discovery complicates the transparency commitments made in the Epstein case. Some documents were released earlier this year, including logs and depositions, but many remain classified.
Legal experts believe the Justice Department is in a delicate situation. Many people are eager to learn more about Epstein’s connections and the influential figures associated with him. However, the files contain images of child sexual abuse and sensitive victim testimony that cannot be made public.
Former federal prosecutor David Weinstein said: “The government can’t simply release these records. Doing so could further harm victims and expose illegal content.”
These revelations are fueling political controversy as Trump prepares for the 2026 election. Democrats have called for more transparency, while his allies have dismissed the controversy as politically motivated.
“Just because his name is mentioned doesn’t mean there was any impropriety,” said a Republican strategist close to the Trump campaign. However, polls show that some Trump supporters are concerned about his handling of Epstein issues.
Recent interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell, a former Epstein aide, showed her praising Trump and denying witnessing any inappropriate behavior. Maxwell told Justice Department officials: “The president has never engaged in any inappropriate behavior with anyone.” »
Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking, said he never saw Trump “anywhere inappropriate” during their previous interactions. His comments came during extensive interviews with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in July.
The U.S. Department of Justice has begun releasing some documents to Congress following subpoenas from the House Oversight Committee. However, most of the documents submitted so far contain information that has already been made public.
Committee Chairman James Comer said his committee would release the documents after reviewing them to protect the identities of victims. The committee intends to preserve the confidentiality of sensitive information while ensuring transparency.