Former President Donald Trump has voiced his support for the release of “credible” files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein, reigniting discussions in right-wing circles about the notorious financier’s controversial life and death. In August 2019, Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell as he awaited trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His untimely death led to a flood of speculation and conspiracy theories.
At the center of Trump’s appeal is the desire for transparency regarding the investigations into Epstein’s activities. He urged U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to publicize “whatever she deems credible” regarding the government’s investigations. Good government Trump product’s aim, he said, is to let the public decide what they want, based on what’s out there.
Trump has reiterated his call for credible information to be made public, asserting that doing so would enable greater understanding of Epstein’s connections and alleged crimes.
“Credible information – let them give it,” – Donald Trump
The impetus for Trump’s remarks comes amid unrest within his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, particularly following the release of a law enforcement memo that concluded Epstein died by suicide. Based on the memo’s findings, this has sent shockwaves of disappointment through supporters. Echoing victims, they are especially aggravated because there is no credible proof Epstein actually maintained a “client list” or blackmailed influential people on a systematic foundation. Speculation surrounding Epstein’s connections to high-profile Democratic politicians and celebrities has inspired an explosion of theorizing in far-right, MAGA-adjacent circles.
That’s why Matt Walsh, a conservative commentator popular on right-wing social media, raged against calls from the left and the libertarian right to drop the Epstein story.
“I want to make this very clear to those on the right, including the president himself, who are telling us to just drop the subject and move on,” – Matt Walsh
Walsh stressed that there’s still plenty left to investigate, adding, “We can’t close it. We can’t just walk away.”
It’s not just Trump who continues to shock. Even more disturbing, Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, is calling for more sunshine and transparency on the Epstein case. To do that, he suggested, all information of public concern should be brought into the public light.
“We should put everything out there and let the people decide,” – Mike Johnson
During the entirety of Trump’s administration, officials raised red flags about Epstein. They featured allegations of heavily damaging tapes that would implicate some of the highest power players. For his part, the former president has largely denied these claims. He derides them as hoaxes masterminded by, among others, previous presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden and former FBI Director James Comey.
What happened, how and why, is a sordid story that the MAGA movement is still grappling with. In the meantime, Trump’s promise to fight government secrecy shows just how deep the fight for accountability and trust in our government institutions remains. The push for the release of Epstein’s files may further intensify discussions among supporters who seek clarity on one of America’s most controversial figures.
