A White House official gave a straightforward response when asked about Donald Trump’s name allegedly appearing in the controversial ‘Epstein files.’
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump expressed a willingness to release government information about Jeffrey Epstein. However, his stance on the issue has become inconsistent over time.
Earlier this year, the ‘first phase’ of files regarding the disgraced financier were made public. The Department of Justice later concluded this month that no further information needed to be disclosed, leading to speculation that Trump might be attempting to conceal some connection to Epstein.
Historically, Trump and Epstein were seen at social events together long before Epstein’s 2019 arrest on charges of sex trafficking minors. Recently, Trump referred to Epstein as a ‘creep.’
President Trump has directed the Justice Department to release grand jury materials related to Epstein. Nonetheless, reports surfaced that Trump was allegedly informed in May that his name ‘appears’ in the Epstein files.
The Wall Street Journal, alongside sources who spoke to CNN, reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump during a ‘routine briefing’ that his name was in the files as part of findings from the Justice Department. The context of Trump’s name in the files remains unclear.
Sources indicated that Trump’s name was not the primary focus of discussions. They also claimed that several allegations uncovered during the file review were deemed not credible by the Justice Department, including those concerning Trump.
In response to reports of Trump’s name, a White House official commented: “The White House is not surprised by this – Trump’s name was present in the binders that Bondi produced and handed out.”
The official further noted that Trump’s name had been mentioned in previously released materials by the Justice Department.
“The White House does not view this as groundbreaking or new or surprising at all,” the official added.
Steven Cheung, White House communications director, told UNILAD: “The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep. This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media, just like the Obama Russiagate scandal, which President Trump was right about.”
The details about the alleged May meeting emerged after Trump was asked last week if Bondi had informed him about his name in the files. He replied: “No, no. She’s given us just a very quick briefing.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who was reportedly part of the May discussion, issued a joint statement with Bondi, stating: “The DOJ and FBI reviewed the Epstein Files and reached the conclusion set out in the July 6 memo. Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution, and we have filed a motion in court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts. As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings.”