Right-wing figures erupted in anger on Thursday after the release of federal files on Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of running a sex trafficking ring with minors. Instead of uncovering fresh revelations, the files rehashed old information and, to their fury, further tied Donald Trump to the disgraced sex trafficker.
“THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment,” wrote Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican on the House Oversight Committee, on X. She also mentioned that her committee hadn’t even reviewed the files. “GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!”
Liz Wheeler, a former One America News host, was also frustrated and suggested that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) was hiding important information.
“We’re talking recordings, evidence, etc. The juicy stuff. Names,” Wheeler wrote on X. “These swamp creatures at SDNY deceived Bondi, Kash, and YOU. Be outraged that the binder is boring. You should be. Because the evil deep state LIED TO YOUR FACE.”
“The Epstein files are a total joke,” conservative Glenn Beck posted on X. “Who is subverting POTUS? [president of the United States]”
Trump’s name appears several times in the flight logs of Jeffrey Epstein, which were released by his own Attorney General, Pam Bondi. However, it’s not clear how many times Trump flew with Epstein, as the FBI has not made the full report available.
Epstein, who had connections with powerful people in politics, business, and academia, died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial in a New York prison.
The lack of major revelations led some on the right to suggest that the files might be part of a cover-up. Epstein is already at the center of many conspiracy theories across the political spectrum.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also claimed that important documents were being hidden.
“Late yesterday, I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein,” she wrote in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel. “Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of these files.”
She added that the FBI should deliver the full Epstein files to her by 8 am Friday and launch an investigation into why her order wasn’t followed.
The newly released information included an evidence list, flight logs, Epstein’s contact book, and a redacted list of masseuses with over 250 names, much of which was already known.
However, some new details did emerge, such as the revelation that Epstein had Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, actor Alec Baldwin, and supermodel Naomi Campbell in his phone contacts.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, remains the only person charged and jailed for her involvement in his crimes, despite the widespread belief that Epstein exploited many young women over the years.
In 2008, Epstein was convicted in Florida and registered as a sex offender after reaching a controversial plea deal, which allowed him to avoid a life sentence and continue working in his office during the day, possibly continuing his abuse.
