Donald Trump’s name appeared multiple times in documents relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to new reports.
Senior Trump administration officials told The Wall Street Journal that the U.S. president was made aware of his name being in files related to Epstein.
Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump of this during a White House meeting in May, sources told the publication, but his mention wasn’t the focus of the briefing.
Highlights
- Trump was reportedly informed in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi that his name appeared in Jeffrey Epstein-related files, but it wasn’t the focus of the briefing.
- Officials described mentions of Trump in the files as unverified hearsay and decided against releasing documents due to sensitive content.
- A DOJ and FBI memo confirmed no Epstein client list exists and no further charges will come from the investigation.
The DOJ reportedly informed Donald Trump that his name appeared in files related to Jeffrey Epstein
Image credits: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images
Hundreds of other high-profile individuals are understood to have been named alongside Trump.
There is no suggestion that being mentioned in those files is a sign of wrongdoing.
Officials at the meeting told Trump they felt there was unverified hearsay about him and several people named in the files who had previously socialized with Epstein, sources told the WSJ.
Due to the files containing child pornography and victims’ personal information, officials told Trump the Department of Justice (DOJ) didn’t plan to release further documents, the WSJ reported.
Image credits: The White House
Trump then reportedly agreed to defer to their decision.
It marked the end of the mammoth file review and led to the FBI and DOJ’s public memo on July 6 to announce there was no Epstein client list and that Epstein died by suicide in 2019.
That memo also confirmed no further parties would be charged as a result of the review.
The White House has described the WSJ reports as fake news.
Image credits: The White House
“This is another fake news story, just like the previous story by The Wall Street Journal,” White House communications director Steven Cheung told the publication.
It comes after another WSJ report last week that claimed Trump wrote a provocative birthday note to Epstein, complete with a crude sketch of a naked woman.
That claim relates to a birthday album for Epstein’s 50th in 2003 that included letters collected by convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
The birthday card reportedly contained a drawing of a naked woman and the message, “Happy Birthday—and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump has denied having any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities
Image credits: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images
Trump has denied writing the card and is suing the WSJ over its report.
There has been intense criticism from Trump’s supporter base in recent weeks over the non-existent Epstein files, with many MAGA Republicans demanding the release of more documents.
During the 2024 presidential election, Trump suggested multiple times that he would release the Epstein files if he were elected.
Trump has now continuously tried to end the speculation, claiming the files were made up by Democrats and urging his supporters to stop talking about Epstein.
Image credits: Donald J Trump
However, his efforts have been unsuccessful, and he has come under further scrutiny himself regarding his relationship with Epstein.
Photographs showing Epstein at Trump’s second wedding to Marla Maples in 1993 have now resurfaced, as has a video showing the pair talking at an event in 1993.
Amid the speculation, Trump directed Bondi to release any and all pertinent grand jury testimony regarding the Epstein case, subject to court approval.
Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch have asked a federal court to unseal the documents as a matter of public interest.
Image credits: Donald J Trump
On Wednesday, a federal judge in Florida denied that request to release transcripts from 2005 and 2007 regarding the Epstein investigation.
That ruling is separate from the DOJ filing for grand jury transcripts to be released in New York, where Epstein was indicted.
Blanch confirmed that the DOJ arranged a meeting with Maxwell to assess whether she has information about those involved with Epstein.
Sources told ABC News that the meeting has been scheduled for Thursday.
Ghislaine Maxwell has been subpoenaed by Congress
“If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say,” he said in a statement.
“Therefore, at the direction of @AGPamBondi, I have communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department.
“I anticipate meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days. Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now.”
David Oscar Markus, one of Maxwell’s lawyers, confirmed the upcoming meeting to WSJ.
“We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case,” he said.
Separately, Maxwell has been subpoenaed by Congress to answer questions on the Epstein files.
James Comer, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chair, said in a statement that the deposition would occur on August 11 at the Federal Correctional Institution Tallahassee.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson shut down procedure in the House of Representatives to block Democrats from forcing a vote on releasing files related to Epstein.
It means summer recess started one week early.
“We're not going to allow them to engage in that charade,” Johnson later told reporters.
“They controlled the Department of Justice for the last four years. Has anyone forgotten they had all these files the entire time?”