Washington, D.C. — A bombshell report by The Wall Street Journal has sent shockwaves through the U.S. political landscape after revealing that former President Donald Trump was briefed in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi about his name appearing multiple times in files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The revelations came during a Justice Department briefing focused on the re-examination of Epstein’s extensive criminal network and its connections to high-profile individuals. Bondi reportedly informed Trump that numerous influential figures were named in the files, but emphasized that investigators did not uncover a “client list” or sufficient grounds for new charges.
White House Denies, Then Clarifies
Initially, the White House responded with a blanket denial, calling the WSJ report “fake news.” However, a senior official later clarified to Reuters that the administration did not deny Trump’s name was mentioned in the Epstein records.
In fact, the same official acknowledged that the material had already been partially shared with conservative influencers earlier this year as part of the DOJ’s transparency push.
Trump’s association with Epstein, which dates back to the 1990s, has been widely documented, with flight logs, contact lists, and testimonies from Epstein’s pilot confirming Trump’s presence on Epstein’s private jet. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing or travel on Epstein’s plane.
DOJ Faces Heat for Withholding Records
The Department of Justice has come under growing pressure, even from Trump’s supporters, for backtracking on promises to release all Epstein-related records. In a sharp reversal from his 2016 campaign stance, Trump’s Justice Department earlier this month claimed there was “no longer a reason” to pursue the case further.
This decision angered many in Trump’s political base, who had long believed that Epstein’s network included powerful political and financial elites.
Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a joint statement saying:
“Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution, and we have filed a motion in court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts.”
Despite these assurances, public trust remains low. Calls for transparency have intensified across the political spectrum.
High-Profile Names and a Controversial Birthday Note
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump’s name appeared alongside those of several other public figures in the re-examined files. These findings stem from materials linked to federal probes from 2005, 2007, and later indictments in Manhattan involving both Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for child sex trafficking.
The WSJ also reported that Trump once sent Epstein a 2003 birthday note, ending with the cryptic message:
“Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.“
Trump has denied authoring the note and filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its parent company, accusing them of forgery and defamation.
Congress and Courts Clash Over Record Releases
In response to public demand, Trump recently ordered the DOJ to request the release of sealed grand jury transcripts connected to Epstein’s earlier federal investigations. However, U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg denied one such request, stating it did not meet the legal criteria for unsealing.
The blocked transcripts include material from Justice Department probes in 2005 and 2007, as well as more recent filings in the Manhattan federal court.
The controversy has even disrupted congressional proceedings. Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson sent lawmakers home a day early to avoid a politically explosive vote on the public release of Epstein-related documents.
Trump Supporters Clash with Official Narrative
Ironically, Trump is now facing backlash from his own base, which had long pushed conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s death and connections. While Trump and many of his allies have insisted Epstein was murdered, the Justice Department once again confirmed earlier this month that Epstein died by suicide in 2019 at a Manhattan federal detention center.
The Epstein issue is increasingly becoming a thorn in the side for Trump’s re-election campaign, forcing him to shift attention to other controversial topics — including unfounded claims that former President Barack Obama spied on his 2016 campaign. Obama’s spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous.”
As the 2026 election season looms, this renewed attention on the Epstein files is likely to haunt Trump and the Republican Party, despite the lack of criminal accusations against the former president.
With continued pressure from activists, lawmakers, and public interest groups, the fate of the sealed records — and Trump’s ability to manage the political fallout — remains uncertain.
