The Epstein file drama inside Trump’s second term just hit another gear. On July 12, 2025, President Trump posted a long defense of Attorney General Pam Bondi on Truth Social, blasting his own base for demanding the release of Epstein documents. He claimed the files were “written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration.” That’s the new line. The files exist, but they’re fake. Fabricated. Opposition research. Just like the Steele dossier, according to Trump.
This comes after months of shifting statements. In February, Bondi told Fox News the Epstein client list was “sitting on my desk right now to review.” That was a directive from Trump. In March, she said “everything’s going to come out to the public.” In May, she claimed the FBI was reviewing “tens of thousands of videos.” Then came the July 7 memo from the Department of Justice. It said Epstein died by suicide. It said there was no client list. It said no further disclosures were warranted. That memo triggered backlash from MAGA influencers, who accused Bondi of betrayal and called for her resignation.
Trump’s response was to defend Bondi and attack the base. He said “selfish people” were hurting the administration over “a guy who never dies.” He told supporters to stop wasting time on Epstein. He said the files were created by Democrats to smear him. He said MAGA was playing into their hands. He told Kash Patel to focus on voter fraud and political corruption. He told Dan Bongino to stay quiet. He told everyone to leave Bondi alone.
The backlash hasn’t cooled. Elon Musk posted that Trump is in the Epstein files. Laura Loomer called the memo a cover-up. Steve Bannon said the administration is protecting powerful names. Trump’s post didn’t settle the issue. It escalated it. The base wanted transparency. They got deflection.
The Epstein files are now a political liability. The promise of disclosure has turned into a blame game. Bondi says the files don’t exist. Trump says they do, but they’re fake. The DOJ says the case is closed. MAGA says it’s just beginning.
Sources
https://www.politifact.com/article/2025/jul/08/timeline-trump-admin-epstein-files-release/
