Trump and "Epstein files"

[koganf]

Compilation of Last Three Answers

1: Origin of "Epstein Files"

The term "Epstein files" (often referring to documents, records, or evidence from investigations into Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking activities that could implicate high-profile associates) doesn't seem to trace back to a single individual "inventing" it. Instead, it emerged organically in public discourse around early 2015, driven by media coverage and online activism surrounding a civil defamation lawsuit filed by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre (formerly Roberts) against Ghislaine Maxwell. This lawsuit included court filings alleging Epstein trafficked underage girls to powerful figures like Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton, sparking calls for the release of related documents.

Key Timeline and Origins

Based on web sources and X (formerly Twitter) posts, here's how the concept developed chronologically:

• Pre-2015 Context: Epstein's activities had been under scrutiny since his 2005-2008 Palm Beach investigation and plea deal, where police seized photos, journals, and other evidence from his home (e.g., a house manager's journal with witness names and victim details, later referenced in 2010 court records).^[130] However, these were typically called "court records," "investigation files," or "evidence" rather than "Epstein files." No widespread use of the specific term appears before 2015.


• Early 2015: Emergence in Media and Activism: The term first gained traction in January-February 2015 amid Giuffre's lawsuit filings, which included affidavits and motions to unseal documents alleging Epstein's "sexual abuse ring." Journalists and activists began labeling these as "Epstein files."
  
  
  
  • January 2015: Media outlets like The Guardian, The Independent, and International Business Times reported on Giuffre's claims, referencing "papers filed against Jeffrey Epstein" (from 2006 onward) about hidden cameras recording sexual acts for blackmail, flight logs, and a "sex slave diary."^[130] These stories framed the documents as potentially implicating elites, introducing the idea of explosive "files" to the public.
  
  
  • February 2015: Online activists, particularly from the Anonymous-linked #OpDeathEaters campaign (aimed at exposing global pedophile networks), popularized the phrase on X. Posts called for "RELEASE the Epstein files" to track his "pedo network," compiling and sharing unsealed court documents from the lawsuit.^{[101][102][103][104]} This seems to be the earliest consistent use of "Epstein files" as a catch-all for incriminating records.
  
  
  
  


• How It Spread: The idea spread via:
  
  
  
  • News Coverage: Articles hyped the lawsuit's documents as containing "video footage of underage sex with powerful men" and FBI-held videos, fueling conspiracy theories about blackmail.^[130]
  
  
  • Social Media: Hashtags like #OpDeathEaters amplified calls for transparency, turning "Epstein files" into a meme-like term for hidden evidence.
  
  
  • Later Amplification: By 2016, ex-Palm Beach deputy John Mark Dougan (who fled to Russia with copies of 2008 investigation files) claimed to have "Epstein tapes," including alleged sex videos of figures like Prince Andrew.^[122][123] His story, first widely reported in 2019, retroactively tied into the "files" narrative but wasn't the origin.
  
  
  
  


• 2018-2019 Surge: The Miami Herald's "Perversion of Justice" series (November 2018) exposed Epstein's lenient 2008 plea deal, referencing seized evidence like photos and journals, reigniting interest.^[130] After Epstein's 2019 arrest and death, X posts exploded with "Epstein files" references, often in conspiracy contexts (e.g., "foreign intelligence" getting the files or them explaining his "suicide").^[40][42][45]


• 2024-2025 Mainstream Use: The term became ubiquitous with the January 2024 unsealing of ~900 pages from Giuffre's lawsuit (naming ~170 associates) and DOJ releases in February 2025 (including evidence lists and memos denying a "client list").^[4][20][22] Figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump referenced it in 2025 disputes, but this built on earlier foundations.^[1][13]

In summary, no one person "introduced" it— it arose from 2015 court filings and was propelled by journalists (e.g., in The Guardian and The Independent) and activists (#OpDeathEaters). The core idea stemmed from real evidence like seized photos, journals, and cameras, but it evolved into a broader symbol for alleged elite cover-ups through social media and conspiracy theories. If you're looking for specifics on a particular aspect (e.g., recent releases), let me know!

2: Trump or Cabinet Members Mentioning "Epstein Files"

Donald Trump has been recorded mentioning the "Epstein files" (often in the context of alleged client lists, tapes, or documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's activities) both during his 2024 presidential campaign and after his 2024 election victory. This includes video recordings from interviews, press conferences, and cabinet meetings, as well as public statements quoted in news reports. Attorney General Pam Bondi, a member of his current cabinet, has also been recorded discussing the files post-election, particularly in relation to their handling and release (or lack thereof) by the Department of Justice.

To provide context, Trump's second-term cabinet as of July 2025 includes key confirmed members such as:

• Vice President: JD Vance


• Secretary of State: Marco Rubio


• Attorney General: Pam Bondi


• Secretary of Defense: Pete Hegseth


• Secretary of the Treasury: Scott Bessent


• And others like Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., based on confirmed nominations and Senate approvals by mid-2025.

No direct recordings or mentions of the "Epstein files" were found from other cabinet members like Vance or Rubio in the searched sources. Below is a breakdown of the relevant mentions by Trump and Bondi, focusing on verifiable recordings and quotes.

During the 2024 Campaign (Pre-November 2024 Election)

Trump referenced the Epstein files in interviews and public statements, often promising their release as part of broader pledges to declassify sensitive documents. These were framed as efforts to expose alleged corruption or "deep state" activities.

• In a resurfaced Fox News interview from summer 2024 (aired on "Fox & Friends"), Trump expressed hesitation about fully releasing the files, stating he was "doubtful" because "people's lives could be ruined" if unverified information came out. He walked back earlier promises, calling parts of the files potentially "made up." This clip has been widely recirculated in 2025 amid backlash.^[35][9][8]


• Trump also alluded to the files in campaign speeches and Truth Social posts, claiming they contained evidence implicating figures like Bill Clinton and suggesting he would release them if elected. No specific video from these events directly quotes "Epstein files," but reports confirm he discussed Epstein-related declassifications as a campaign pledge.^[14][49]

After the Election (November 2024 Onward)

Post-inauguration in January 2025, Trump has frequently addressed the topic amid public and intra-party pressure for release, often dismissing the files as a "hoax" or "scam" perpetrated by Democrats, while defending his administration's decisions. These mentions have been captured in videos from White House events, press briefings, and interviews.

• July 2025 Cabinet Meeting: In a recorded White House cabinet meeting on July 8, 2025, Trump was asked about the files and scolded the reporter, saying, "Why are we still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?" He downplayed their significance, stating, "As if blackmail on all our politicians is not a big deal," and confirmed it was "time to move on." Video footage from this meeting has circulated widely on social media and news outlets.^[52][42][3]


• July 15-17, 2025 Press Interactions and Statements: Trump has repeatedly defended Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the files in recent days. In a July 15 interview, he said, "Any credible Epstein files should be released," while claiming they were "made up" by Obama and James Comey. He reiterated this in a July 16 statement, calling the uproar a "hoax" and suggesting the FBI investigate it as election interference. Video clips from these include a "meltdown" segment on outlets like Times of India and MSNBC.^{[1][3][5][6][7][8]}


• March 2025 Interview: In a March 16, 2025, appearance, Trump praised Bondi, saying, "Pam Bondi has done a phenomenal job in every respect. The bottom line is, the records are getting out." This was part of early post-election discussions on declassification.^[40]


• Truth Social Posts (July 2025): Trump posted on Truth Social dismissing the files as a "scam" and supporting Bondi, though these are text-based rather than audio/video recordings.^[26][32]

Cabinet Member: Attorney General Pam Bondi

Bondi, confirmed as Attorney General in early 2025, has been directly involved in decisions about the files and has mentioned them in official capacities post-election.

• In February 2025, Bondi released 350 pages of Epstein-related documents but stated there was no "client list" and that further releases were under review due to sensitive content like potential child pornography. She described reviewing a "truckload" of evidence from the FBI.^[14][32][42]


• In July 2025 press briefings, Bondi has been recorded defending the administration's stance, saying officials were "poring over" materials and that no further credible files existed for release. Trump has echoed her in videos, praising her handling as "phenomenal."^{[22][24][31][40]}


• A timeline of administration statements includes Bondi in January-March 2025 discussions, where she confirmed the files' review process.^[21]

These mentions have fueled controversy, with some MAGA supporters accusing the administration of a cover-up, while Trump has shifted blame to prior administrations.^[2][23][28] If you'd like me to dive deeper into a specific mention, video transcript, or check another cabinet member, just let me know!

3: Links to Speeches and Posts

It is possible to provide links to relevant examples where Trump alluded to the Epstein files during his 2024 campaign. While direct Truth Social posts from Trump specifically mentioning the files weren't located in the searches (his platform posts often focused on broader topics like declassification pledges, but without explicit "Epstein files" phrasing in archived 2024 examples), the allusions primarily appeared in campaign interviews and speeches that were shared and amplified on social media, including by his official campaign accounts. These include promises or discussions about declassifying Epstein-related documents as part of exposing alleged cover-ups.

Here are the key verified instances with links:

June 2024 Fox & Friends Interview (Aired During Campaign Rallies and Promoted as a Pledge)

In this interview, Trump alluded to declassifying the Epstein files when asked directly, though he expressed some hesitation about "phony stuff" potentially harming lives. This was framed as a campaign promise and widely shared. The clip was edited in the broadcast version but the full context is available.

• Broadcast Clip (Edited Version): https://youtu.be/I12BrDyu1n0?t=301 (Starts at ~5:01, where host Rachel Campos-Duffy asks about declassifying the Epstein files; Trump responds affirmatively but caveats follow in full versions.)


• Full Unedited Answer (From Will Cain’s Fox News Radio Show): https://youtu.be/HVKRNcQUbRY?list=PLlTLHnxSVuIzi_tPVKjt5y7KMgvlch5o6&t=2119 (Starts at ~35:19; includes Trump's full response: "Yeah, I would... But I think I would, or at least—... Certainly about the way he died. It’d be interesting to find out what happened there.")


• Shared on X by Trump War Room (Campaign Account): https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1797720117737865557 (Posted June 3, 2024, with the caption: "🚨 President Trump says he will DECLASSIFY the 9/11 Files, JFK Files, and Epstein Files." Includes a video clip from the interview.)

This interview occurred amid Trump's campaign rallies and was referenced in subsequent speeches as part of his broader "drain the swamp" and declassification themes, implicating figures like Bill Clinton in conspiracy contexts.

September 2024 Lex Fridman Podcast (Campaign Appearance)

Trump appeared on the podcast during the height of his 2024 campaign, where he alluded to releasing Epstein-related information, including a potential "client list" from Epstein's island, suggesting he'd "take a look at it" and be "inclined to do the Epstein" files if elected.

• Full Podcast Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCbfTN-caFI (The Epstein discussion starts around 1:52:00; Trump says: "It's very interesting, isn't it? It probably will be, by the way... Yeah, I'd certainly take a look at it... I'd be inclined to do the Epstein. I'd have no problem with it.")


• Specific Clip on Epstein Files: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUwH58XCrko (Short excerpt focusing on the declassification promise.)


• Full Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/donald-trump-transcript/ (Search for "Epstein" to find the section; includes the quote: "It's just very strange for a lot of people that the list of clients that went to the island has not been made public... Yeah, I'd certainly take a look at it.")

This podcast was promoted as a campaign event, with Trump using it to discuss declassifying sensitive files to expose elites, aligning with his rally rhetoric about figures like Clinton.

These examples capture the allusions in the paragraph, often tied to promises of releasing evidence implicating high-profile individuals. If no direct Truth Social posts from 2024 were found, it's likely because Trump's mentions were more verbal in interviews/speeches, which his team then amplified online.^{[81][73][77][74][44]}