MAGA media's theory linking Epstein to a conspiracy takes a risky and escalating turn
In a much-anticipated move, Attorney General Pam Bondi, under President Trump's administration, distributed "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" to a select group of pro-Trump media personalities in February 2025. However, the contents of the binders, which were labeled as containing new, undisclosed documents, left many disappointed as they primarily contained previously public information with little new revelation.
The binders, which included redacted material and flight logs that had already been made public in 2021, were presented as a significant step towards transparency regarding the disgraced financier, Jeffrey Epstein. Yet, they failed to live up to expectations raised by the promise of thousands of pages of previously undisclosed documents.
The Justice Department and FBI have since confirmed that no further disclosure of Epstein-related documents will be made. The decision was primarily based on the protection of victims, as much of the material is sealed by court order. The DOJ has also refuted claims of a "client list" existing, a central part of many conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein's case.
The release of "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" was met with a mix of excitement and anticipation, with conservative media figures like Laura Ingraham teasing the release while cautioning that more information might be revealed the next morning. However, the lack of new revelations led to angry posts on right-wing media social media sites.
Julie K. Brown, the best-sourced reporter on this beat, stated that those who have worked with the FBI on the case for decades say there is no evidence Epstein kept a ledger or a list of clients who were involved with his sex trafficking operation. This finding casts doubt on the existence of a "client list," a central part of many conspiracy theories.
The move by the Trump administration to prioritise the release of "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" has been criticised by some, with Noah Rothman, a senior writer at National Review, labelling it as a ploy to appease conservative media and Trump supporters. The New York Times observed that Bondi and FBI director Kash Patel chose to prioritise a long-concluded case to assuage conservative media and the obsessive core of Trump supporters who see the case as nefarious unfinished business.
The saga surrounding the Epstein files is not new, with many right-wing media figures suggesting for years that the government is hiding secrets relating to Epstein. The case continues to be a source of intrigue and speculation, with President Trump, who was friends with Epstein decades ago, talking during the 2024 presidential campaign about potentially releasing more governmental files about the disgraced financier.
However, the current status of the release of further Epstein-related documents remains unclear, with the official position being that no further disclosure will be made to the public. The Epstein case continues to be a topic of conversation, but the release of "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" has not provided the new, groundbreaking information that many were hoping for.
Despite the distribution of "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" by Attorney General Pam Bondi under President Trump's administration in February 2025, the files primarily consisted of previously public information and failed to disclose new, undisclosed documents as promised. Interestingly, the business and political arena, including conservative media figures and pro-Trump personalities, had high expectations, yet were left disappointed with the general-news and crime-and-justice contents.
