President Donald Trump and several of his close allies, including many who are working in his administration, vowed that the so-called Epstein client list would be released by Trump.
However, Trump has now said on Truth Social “Let’s not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about,” and the Department of Justice (DOJ) led by Attorney General Pam Bondi released a memo saying there is “no credible evidence…that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.”
The so-called Epstein client list is what some believe is a hidden list of people who were involved in Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking operation, which he was awaiting trial over when he died by suicide in New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center in 2019.
Epstein conspiracy theorists also doubt that he took his own life, which the FBI under Trump has said is the case.
Why It Matters
The president and DOJ’s shift regarding Epstein has led to pushback and anger from MAGA voters and from one member of the Trump administration.
What To Know
Dan Bongino
Bongino, now the deputy director of the FBI, said on his podcast in May 2023: “That Jeffrey Epstein story is a big deal. Please do not let that story go. Keep your eye on it.”
Although Bongino backed up FBI Director Kash Patel‘s assertions earlier in 2025 that Epstein took his own life, Bongino is reported to be angry at Bondi and the DOJ for failing to produce the alleged client list, and did not report to work on Friday, per NPR reporting.
Kash Patel
FBI Director Patel has pushed several times for Epstein’s alleged client list. In 2023, prior to being appointed to his current position, he told social media personality Benny Johnson that he could obtain Epstein’s list with a subpoena to Congress.
During his Senate confirmation hearing he told Senator Marsha Blackburn: “I will do everything if confirmed as FBI director to make sure the American public knows the full weight of what happened.”
Patel then said in his position as FBI director that after reviewing official material, he came to the conclusion that Epstein took his own life.
JD Vance
Vice President Vance posted on X (formerly Twitter) in 2021: “Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don’t talk about it.” He then asserted on Theo Vonn’s podcast during the 2024 election campaign: “We need to release the Epstein list.”
Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don’t talk about it.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 4, 2021
He is yet to comment publicly on Trump’s refusal to look further into the Epstein case, and the president’s assertion on Truth Social that the Biden Administration and other Democratic politicians “created the Epstein Files.”
Pam Bondi
Bondi played a key role in pushing Epstein file disclosure. In February 2025, she publicly announced on Fox News that the Epstein “client list” was “sitting on my desk right now to review,” noting this was “a directive by President Donald Trump.” However, the documents she released to influencers in February outside of the White House did not contain new information on Epstein.
A memo from Bondi’s DOJ, reported on by Axios, has now said that there is no client list, and Bondi is under scrutiny for her previous statements.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL)
On February 25, 2025, Luna publicly pressured Bondi on X, formerly Twitter, to act on the Epstein documents. She revealed that House Oversight Committee leaders had sent letters on February 11 and February 19 seeking the status of “releasing the Epstein files” (among other long-secret records) with no response from the DOJ.
Luna also posted to X saying: “Reaching out on X because we can’t seem to get a response from the AG… what is the status of the documents? These documents were ordered to be declassified.”
Luna then posted on X on July 8: “The American people deserve to know truth [re.] Epstein, regardless of who it impacts.”
The American people deserve to know truth ref. Epstein, regardless of who it impacts.There is plenty of evidence and info not pertaining to CSAM/victims that DOJ leadership can authorize the @FBIDirectorKash and @FBIDDBongino to release. The @FBI cannot release anything without…
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) July 8, 2025
Other Trump allies who have called for a more thorough Epstein investigation
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
- Rep. Mike Lee
- Rep. Lauren Boebert
- Donald Trump Jr.
- Rudy Giuliani
- Rep. Tim Burchett
- Rep. Mike Collins
- Alina Habba
- Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn
- Laura Loomer
What Happens Next
The DOJ has said there is no Epstein client list, however MAGA voters have expressed anger and frustration with the administration over this conclusion.
Epstein’s partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently in prison for 20 years over sex trafficking charges, but has appealed her case to the Supreme Court. The DOJ has until July 14 to respond to this appeal.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
The post List of Trump Allies Who Called for Release of Epstein Files appeared first on Newsweek.
