Topline
President Donald Trump slammed a reporter who asked about the Justice Department’s memo on its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, calling continued questions about the issue a “desecration” amid criticism from some on the far-right that there won’t be any additional government revelations about the convicted sex offender.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks as President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi … More
Key Facts
Trump said it was “unbelievable” reporters were still asking about Epstein, who he called a “creep,” after a journalist questioned Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting about a Justice Department memo released Monday on the agency’s Epstein investigation.
“I can’t believe you’re asking a question on Epstein at a time like this, where we’re having some of the greatest success and also tragedy with what happened in Texas,” Trump said, adding “it just seems like a desecration.”
Some in Trump’s base criticized his administration after it released a memo Monday saying no additional documents regarding the federal investigation into Epstein would be released, concluding he committed suicide and no purported “Epstein list” of his alleged clients exists.
Bondi in particular has come under fire after she suggested previously the list was in her possession, with some, including staunch Trump ally Laura Loomer, calling for Bondi to be fired.
Tangent
Other high-ranking law enforcement officials in the Trump administration, including FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, have also watered down their previous conspiratorial suggestions about the information the Trump administration has on Epstein. Bongino and Patel both said earlier this year they believe the official narrative that Epstein committed suicide, despite previously suggesting significant questions remain about the convicted sex offender and disgraced financier.
Key Background
The White House defended Bondi on Monday, insisting she was referring to the entirety of the DOJ’s investigatory files earlier this year when she affirmatively said the list was on her desk when asked by Fox News. Former Trump ally-turned-GOP-nemesis Elon Musk also blasted the Trump administration in a series of tweets earlier this week for failing to deliver on its promises to reveal more Epstein findings. The DOJ said in its memo Monday it did not release any additional materials after an initial document dump in February because a significant portion was placed under seal to protect victims and “only a fraction” would be released had Epstein gone to trial.
Further Reading
Here’s Why The ‘Epstein List’ Still Haunts The Trump White House (Forbes)
Attorney General Pam Bondi Accuses FBI Of Withholding Jeffrey Epstein Files—What To Know (Forbes)
Here’s How FBI’s Kash Patel And Dan Bongino Fueled Right-Wing Hopes For Bombshell Epstein Revelations (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/07/08/trump-calls-questions-about-epstein-investigation-a-desecration-amid-continued-pushback-from-right-wing-base/