Donald Trump’s Name Found in Epstein Files
According to the Wall Street Journal, there are reports suggesting that Donald Trump’s name appears more than once in the so-called “Epstein files.” This news comes amidst ongoing scrutiny directed at the Trump administration for not fully disclosing files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted individual whose connections with renowned figures have drawn much public attention.
During his second presidential campaign, Trump had assured his Republican supporters that he would strive for openness concerning these files. However, recent statements from the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI indicate there is no discernible “Epstein client list” among the documents. Nonetheless, Trump surprised many last week by filing a court order to disclose transcripts from Epstein’s 2007–08 legal proceedings in Florida.
Epstein, who pled guilty to charges involving juveniles, served a brief sentence. In 2019, while awaiting a separate trial, he died by suicide under what some consider controversial circumstances. Recently, two judges have denied requests to release the records, citing legal restrictions.
Inside the Alleged Mentions of Trump
The Wall Street Journal report claims that senior officials from the Trump administration mentioned Trump’s name appearing “multiple times” in the files. It’s important to note, however, that merely being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing.
Trump has not faced accusations of misconduct linked to Epstein.Attorney General Pam Bondi had reportedly reviewed a vast number of documents, and during her review, she mentioned that Epstein’s “client list” was at her disposal. However, she clarified later that it referred broadly to Epstein’s information rather than a specific list of clients. Trump recently denied any suggestion that his name was present in these files during an interview.
Awareness of the Findings
Officials Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed to WSJ that Trump was briefed about the documents. “We informed the president about the findings as part of our usual briefings,” they stated. Bondi also mentioned that no material in these documents necessitated further investigation.
Legal Action Against The Wall Street Journal
In a different instance, the Trump administration has initiated a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch, alleging that the paper published a false narrative about a fabricated birthday message from Trump to Epstein. Citing this as “false, malicious, and defamatory,” Trump is pursuing compensation for damages totaling $10 billion.
White House’s Response to WSJ’s Claims
The White House, through communications director Steven Cheung, has dismissed the WSJ’s report as unfounded. “This is yet another manufactured story, similar to prior misrepresentations by The Wall Street Journal,” Cheung stated, adding that it was a mere extension of the fictitious reports propagated by adversaries.
The Past Relationship Between Trump and Epstein
Trump and Epstein traveled within similar social circles from the late 1980s through 2004 when they purportedly had a falling out over a real estate disagreement. Back in 2002, Trump had complimented Epstein in a conversation with New York Magazine, calling him a “terrific guy.” However, after Epstein’s detainment in 2019, Trump distanced himself by asserting, “I was not a fan of his.”