Trump cuts off question about Epstein list: What we know about Bondi's claims
New footage shows Jeffrey Epstein before death in jail
Newly released footage shows Jeffrey Epstein?s final moments at a New York prison on August 9, 2019, but a one-minute gap of missing footage raises questions about the nature of his death. (Credit: DOJ/FBI via Storyful)
President Donald Trump came to the defense of Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday amid criticism from some over the Justice Department’s refusal to release additional documents from the Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking investigation.
An alleged Epstein "client list" that Bondi once implied was sitting on her desk for review does not exist, the DOJ acknowledged in a two-page memo Monday that further infuriated conservative critics who were hoping for proof of a government cover-up.
Trump cuts off reporter’s question
Trump asked about Epstein during cabinet meeting
Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump were asked about the Epstein client list files that were just announced as not being released.
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During a White House Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, a reporter attempted to ask Attorney General Pam Bondi about Jeffrey Epstein, and President Donald Trump headed off the questions and reprimanded the journalist: "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy’s been talked about for years."
RELATED: Epstein ‘client list’ does not exist, DOJ, FBI conclude
"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 — it just seems like a desecration," Trump concluded.
Billionaire Elon Musk, the former Trump adviser who has said he is forming a new political party, posted Tuesday on his X platform, "How can people be expected to have faith in Trump if he won’t release the Epstein files?"
FILE-President Donald Trump (R), meets with members of his Cabinet during a Cabinet Meeting at the White House on July 08, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Bondi’s Epstein claims
The backstory:
Attorney General Pam Bondi implied in a FOX News interview in February that Jeffrey Epstein had an alleged "client list" that was sitting on her desk.
But the Associated Press reported that the Department of Justice later distributed binders marked "declassified" to conservative influencers at the White House, and it was apparent that the information was in the public domain for a while, and no "client list" was released, and there was no evidence that a list existed.
RELATED: Attorney General Pam Bondi says 'some Epstein information' will be released Thursday
Bondi later said an FBI "source" told her of the existence of thousands of pages of previously undisclosed documents and ordered the agency to furnish the "full and complete Epstein files," including any videos.
AG Bondi faces scrutiny over no Epstein 'client list'
The Washington Examiner's Kaelan Deese joins LiveNOW's Andrew Craft to discuss recent questions directed at Attorney General Pam Bondi after the Justice Department concluded there was no Jeffrey Epstein "client list."
According to the AP, the attorney general was approached in a restaurant by a woman in April. The woman had a hidden camera and asked Bondi about the release of the Epstein files, with Bondi responding that there were tens of thousands of videos with "little kids" and the FBI would review each video.
RELATED: Jeffrey Epstein files: Bondi claims FBI reviewing 'tens of thousands' of videos in case
Conservative activist James O’Keefe, who obtained and shared the hidden-camera video, notified the DOJ of Bondi’s encounter with the woman. The Associated Press noted that Bondi told reporters at the White House: "There are tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn."
Federal prosecutors in New York charged Jeffrey Epstein in 2019 with sex trafficking, but he killed himself in jail while awaiting trial. Maxwell was prosecuted for helping recruit his underage victims, and she was convicted in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year prison term.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by previous LIVENOW from FOX reporting and the Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.