A broken promise by President Donald Trump’s administration to release more information about the Jeffrey Epstein case has triggered widespread anger among his core MAGA supporters, with some now openly questioning the administration’s transparency and motives.
Last week, the Justice Department announced that Epstein left behind no “client list”, and that no further documents from the high-profile sex trafficking case would be made public. This conclusion directly contradicted earlier claims made by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had previously said that the case file—implied to contain explosive material—was on her desk and under review.
Bondi had said in February that authorities were sifting through a “truckload” of previously withheld evidence. But the DOJ now says most of the material remains sealed by court order and will not be disclosed “to protect victims.”
The move has enraged key MAGA figures, including Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, and Steve Bannon, who accused the administration of backtracking on its own promises and fueling conspiracy theories instead of extinguishing them. Many in the conservative base have long pushed unsubstantiated claims that Epstein was murdered and that the U.S. government is hiding a secret client list, surveillance videos, and other key evidence.
🗂️ What Are the ‘Epstein Files’?
The controversy deepened in February when far-right influencers were invited to the White House and given binders labeled “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” and “Declassified.” These, however, turned out to contain mostly publicly available documents, sparking further skepticism.
Bondi intensified speculation in May by stating, “There were tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn,” though multiple officials involved in the cases denied ever seeing such material.
📄 The DOJ’s Final Word
On July 7, a two-page memo—bearing the logos of the FBI and Justice Department—declared that “no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.” It cited sealed court orders and said that only a fraction of the material would have ever been made public, even if Epstein had gone to trial.
The memo, unsigned by any official, marked a stark departure from earlier rhetoric, including that of Trump himself, who in previous years had called for a full investigation.
🧨 Backlash Within the Base
The DOJ’s announcement has deepened rifts within the MAGA movement. Influencers like Glenn Beck and Laura Loomer have called on Pam Bondi to resign, while Megyn Kelly labeled her “either lazy or incompetent.”
Trump’s 2019 comments had fueled expectations of transparency. At the time, he retweeted a conspiracy theory implicating former President Bill Clinton, writing:
Epstein “had information on Bill Clinton & now he’s dead.”
Later, he clarified that he was simply calling for a thorough investigation. In a 2023 interview with Tucker Carlson, Trump said he believed Epstein died by suicide but acknowledged that it was also “possible” he had been murdered, as “many people” believed.
🔁 Recent Shift in Tone
In a Cabinet meeting last week, Trump attempted to shift the narrative, calling continued focus on Epstein “unbelievable” and a “desecration,” suggesting Americans should be more concerned about issues like flooding in Texas.
In a Saturday social media post, Trump backed Bondi amid growing pressure:
“They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! We’re on one Team, MAGA, and I don’t like what’s happening.”
The Epstein saga continues to stir controversy—and may prove to be a rare source of division within Trump’s otherwise loyal base, as promises of transparency clash with sealed files and institutional silence.