Trump's Name Appears in Epstein Files, Attorney General Briefs President

Strategic Insights -

Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed President Trump in the spring on the Jeffrey Epstein files, informing him that his name appeared in the documents, according to three people with knowledge of the exchange. The disclosure came as part of a broader briefing on the re-examination of the case against Mr. Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The briefing was made during a meeting that included Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and covered various topics. Bondi and Blanche informed the president that his name, as well as those of other high-profile figures, had come up in their re-examination of documents connected to the case.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Trump's name appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who briefed him on the matter in the spring.
  • The briefing was part of a broader discussion on the re-examination of the case against Mr. Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
  • The attorney general and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche informed the president that his name, as well as those of other high-profile figures, had come up in their re-examination of documents connected to the case.
  • Trump has previously denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein, saying he ejected him from Mar-a-Lago for being a "creep."
  • The White House received an inquiry from ABC News about the briefing in the week of June 7, and Trump responded by saying he had not been informed of his name appearing in the files.
  • Trump's top two F.B.I. appointees were among those who were adamant, before taking on their government roles, that there was more to uncover in the files.
  • The Epstein files contain sensitive information, including the phone numbers of some of Trump's family members, including his daughter.
  • Bondi frequency meets with Trump to brief him on various matters and informed him about Epstein files.
  • The briefing on the Epstein files was not the first time Trump's name has been associated with the case, as he has appeared in documents related to the investigation that have been made public.
  • Trump was a friend of Epstein's until the early 2000s, when they had a falling out.
  • Epstein was found dead in his jail cell in 2019, with some officials suggesting it may have been suspicious or foul play, although an investigation concluded he died by suicide.

Statistics:

  • 1990s: Trump and Epstein became friends.
  • 2002: Trump called Epstein a "terrific guy" and said Epstein had a "lot of great qualities."
  • 2003: Trump signed a bawdy birthday card for Epstein, which he later denied composing or drawing.
  • 2019: Epstein died in his jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
  • 2020: Trump said he wished Maxwell well after her arrest on charges related to Epstein's crimes.
  • 2021: A federal jury convicted Maxwell of five counts, including the most serious charge, sexually trafficking a minor.
  • June 7, 2023: The White House received an inquiry from ABC News about the May briefing.
  • July 7, 2023: The Justice Department and F.B.I. released a memo declaring an end to the investigation into Epstein's crimes.

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • ABC News
  • The White House
  • The Justice Department
  • F.B.I. officials
  • Multiple administration officials