Debate within Trump administration about disclosing interview transcript between Ghislaine Maxwell and the Department of Justice, according to insider reports
The Trump administration is currently weighing the decision to release the transcript of Ghislaine Maxwell's interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, conducted last month. The release, if it happens, could occur within the coming weeks, though no definitive date has been announced.
The interview, which lasted nine hours over two days and was audio recorded, took place amidst increased public scrutiny and congressional subpoenas in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. However, it remains unclear whether the administration also plans to release the audio recording itself along with the transcript.
Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for her role in a years-long scheme with Epstein to groom and sexually abuse underage girls, reportedly said nothing during the interview that was harmful to former President Trump.
The White House Communications Director, Steven Cheung, has dismissed the potential release as nothing more than an attempt by CNN to create news out of old news. However, some within the White House are reportedly concerned that releasing the details from the interview could bring the Epstein controversy back to the surface.
The Justice Department and White House have not publicly confirmed specifics or timing regarding the release of the transcript and audio. The discussions over the potential publication of the transcripts and audio are ongoing, with a final decision yet to be made.
Meanwhile, Maxwell continues to appeal her conviction, including with the Supreme Court. Portions of the transcript that could reveal sensitive details like victim names would need to be redacted before any potential release.
It was not immediately clear whether the White House and DOJ were aligned on the issue of releasing the transcript and audio. The president has stated that he's "allowed to do it" regarding clemency for Maxwell, but he has not currently considered clemency for her, leaving the door open on the matter in recent weeks.
The administration's potential decision to release the transcript and audio follows the Justice Department's possession of these materials since Maxwell's interview last month. The recording and transcript have not been previously reported.
[1] CNN, "Trump administration considering releasing Maxwell interview transcript," 2 August 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/02/politics/maxwell-interview-transcript-trump-administration/index.html
[2] The Washington Post, "White House considers releasing Maxwell interview transcript," 3 August 2025, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/03/white-house-considers-releasing-maxwell-interview-transcript/
[4] The New York Times, "Maxwell's Interview with Blanche Under Review for Release," 5 August 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/us/maxwell-interview-release.html
- The Trump administration is primarily considering releasing a transcript from Ghislaine Maxwell's interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, but it remains unclear whether they will also release the audio recording.
- The ongoing discussions within the White House and the Justice Department involve the potential release of the transcript and audio from Ghislaine Maxwell's interview, with media outlets like CNN and The Washington Post reporting on the issue.
