July 16, 2025 — President Donald Trump sharply rebuked requires transparency within the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, labeling the controversy a “hoax” in a fiery Reality Social submit on Wednesday morning. The outburst focused each Democrats and a few of his personal supporters, escalating tensions inside the MAGA motion as distinguished Republicans demand the discharge of Epstein-related recordsdata.
The Justice Division’s July 7 memo, which reaffirmed Epstein’s 2019 demise as a suicide and denied the existence of a “shopper record” or blackmail scheme, has sparked a uncommon GOP rift. Home Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have publicly referred to as for extra disclosure, with Johnson telling conservative commentator Benny Johnson, “I’m for transparency. It’s a fragile topic, however we should always put the whole lot on the market and let the folks resolve.” Greene described the Justice Division’s refusal to launch additional paperwork as a “full reversal” of Trump’s marketing campaign promise to declassify the recordsdata, calling it a “punch within the intestine” for justice.
Trump, who through the 2024 marketing campaign expressed help for releasing Epstein recordsdata, now downplays their significance, urging supporters to “not waste time and vitality on Jeffrey Epstein, someone that no person cares about.” He defended Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi, who has confronted criticism after claiming in February 2025 that she had a shopper record on her desk, just for the DOJ to later deny its existence. “Pam Bondi is doing a FANTASTIC JOB,” Trump wrote, dismissing critics as falling for a Democratic “rip-off.”
The backlash has grown amongst MAGA figures, with influencers like Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, and Steve Bannon amplifying requires transparency, viewing the Epstein case as central to claims of a corrupt elite. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) initiated a procedural maneuver to drive a Home vote on releasing the recordsdata, whereas Rep. Lauren Boebert advised a particular counsel if the administration refuses. A Democratic modification to compel disclosure, provided by Rep. Ro Khanna and pushed by Rep. Jim McGovern, was blocked by Republicans 7-5 within the Home Guidelines Committee, although Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) broke ranks to help it.
Democrats have seized on the divide, with Rep. Ted Lieu questioning what Bondi is “hiding” and Sen. Jon Ossoff referencing Trump’s previous Epstein ties, together with their documented interactions within the Nineteen Nineties. A CNN ballot discovered 52% of Individuals, together with 40% of Republicans, are dissatisfied with the federal government’s dealing with of Epstein info.
Tensions inside Trump’s administration have additionally surfaced, with experiences of a conflict between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who has not appeared at work since July 9 following a heated dispute. Vice President JD Vance reportedly mediated, however Bongino’s future stays unsure. The controversy extends to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted affiliate, whose authorized staff argues her non-prosecution settlement ought to be upheld, whereas some Republicans push for her congressional testimony.
Trump’s dismissal of the difficulty, together with calling Epstein a “creep” and claiming the recordsdata are irrelevant, has annoyed supporters who see full disclosure as a check of his dedication to exposing a “deep state.” Posts on X mirror this sentiment, with customers like @Liz_Wheeler warning that Trump’s stance might value him midterm help, noting, “Folks CARE about Epstein” because of the “grisly crimes in opposition to youngsters.”
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