The Wall Street Journal is reporting that President Donald Trump was told back in May that his name is in the government’s investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein. Attorney General Pam Bondi gave him the news during a White House meeting that also included Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The report touches on the larger controversy surrounding the Epstein case and the fight for more transparency, an issue that has continued to cause political problems since the financier’s death in jail in 2019.
White House Shifts Position
Initially, the White House dismissed the report as “fake news.” But later, an official told Reuters that the administration was not denying Trump’s name appears in the records. That official noted that Bondi had already shared similar material in February with some conservative influencers.
The DOJ files include flight logs and Epstein’s contact book, which list Trump and members of his family among hundreds of names. Trump appeared multiple times on Epstein’s private jet logs in the 1990s. These records were part of the evidence made public during the trial of Epstein’s former associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Despite his inclusion in the documents, Trump has denied flying on Epstein’s plane. He has also maintained that their relationship ended before Epstein’s legal troubles began.
DOJ Maintains No Grounds for Further Action
In a joint statement, Bondi and Blanche said, “Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.” They added that they had filed a court motion to unseal grand jury transcripts and had briefed the president on the findings.
A recent DOJ memo concluded that there is no basis to pursue further probes into Epstein’s case. That decision drew backlash from some Trump supporters who had hoped for more disclosures involving wealthy figures tied to Epstein.
Court Blocks One Release Request
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg denied one of the DOJ’s motions to unseal sealed grand jury records, saying it failed to meet the legal threshold required for disclosure. The request stemmed from federal investigations between 2005 and 2007. A separate motion remains pending in a Manhattan court involving later indictments.
Trump had publicly urged the Justice Department to seek unsealing of documents following mounting criticism, including from within his own party.
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Continued Pressure from Lawmakers and Public
A subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee voted Wednesday to subpoena the DOJ for all Epstein-related materials. Three Republicans joined five Democrats in backing the move.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, seeking to avoid a floor battle over the issue, had earlier adjourned the House for summer recess a day ahead of schedule.
Polling by Reuters/Ipsos last week found that more than two-thirds of Americans believe the Trump administration is concealing details about Epstein’s clients.
Old Connections and Renewed Scrutiny
Trump’s past friendship with Epstein, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s, continues to attract attention. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Trump once sent Epstein a birthday card with the note, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump has sued the Journal and its parent company, claiming the note was fabricated.
Even as the Justice Department stands by its official conclusion that Epstein died by suicide, the case continues to be a political headache for Republicans. The party is split, with some demanding full disclosure while others clearly want the issue to disappear.
For his part, Trump has attempted to create a distraction from the infighting by making unsubstantiated claims, including an accusation that former President Barack Obama interfered with the 2016 election—a charge Obama’s office immediately shot down as “ridiculous.”
The debate over the files, and what they may or may not contain, remains unresolved.
