Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Speaker Johnson blocks bipartisan Epstein files release resolution before August recess — Speaker Mike Johnson announced he will not bring a bipartisan resolution to release the Epstein files to the House floor before the August recess. The resolution is sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and is supported by at least 7 Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Greene. Johnson stated his belief that "we need the administration to have the space to do what it is doing." The resolution is certain to pass if brought to a vote.
• House Republicans call early recess to avoid voting on Epstein files release — The Republican-controlled House of Representatives announced it would end its legislative week one day early, moving the final votes from Thursday to Wednesday, ahead of the five-week summer recess. Democrats accused Republicans of fleeing to avoid politically difficult votes on amendments demanding release of Jeffrey Epstein case documents. Speaker Mike Johnson defended the decision as protecting victims, while the GOP majority declined to directly address whether the Epstein issue prompted the early departure.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson sent members home without voting on Epstein files release — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) sent members of the House of Representatives home early for their summer break without holding a vote on whether to release the Epstein files. The House will not reconvene until September 2, effectively postponing any legislative action on the matter.
• Speaker Johnson shut down the House to block Epstein files vote — Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home early for summer recess and canceled all scheduled votes and business to prevent a bipartisan vote on releasing Epstein-related documents. House Republicans lost control of the floor due to bipartisan pressure. Rep. Thomas Massie's discharge petition will ripen in September, forcing a vote unless the Trump administration releases documents satisfying Republican concerns by August. Johnson stated he would wait until August to give the Trump administration time to release the documents.
• Speaker Mike Johnson sent House home until September to avoid Epstein files vote — Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home until September to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Johnson claimed that release may not be necessary upon return because DOJ was working on releasing grand jury transcripts. However, the DOJ conceded it had no legal basis to unseal the transcripts, and the court denied the request. Judge Robin Rosenberg noted the court's "hands are tied" by the government's own concession that criminal procedure laws forbid unsealing grand jury testimony except in narrow circumstances.

Supporting reports

• Fox News amplifies Obama-Tulsi Gabbard hoax to divert from Epstein coverage — Fox News continues to promote a hoax that former President Obama committed treason, with the apparent purpose of diverting MAGA attention away from the Epstein story. Media Matters reported that Fox mentions of Epstein totaled 63 over the weekend, while mentions of Obama totaled 129, demonstrating a deliberate editorial choice to amplify the false narrative.

Supporting reports

• White House removes Wall Street Journal reporter from Trump's Scotland trip — The White House removed Tarini Parti, a Wall Street Journal reporter scheduled to serve as print pooler for the final two days of Trump's four-day trip to his golf courses in Turnberry and Aberdeen, Scotland, from the trip manifest. The White House took control of pool rotations earlier in 2025, removing that authority from the White House Correspondents' Association. The removal follows the WSJ's recent story connecting Trump to Jeffrey Epstein via a signed birthday card.
• Press Secretary Leavitt defends exclusion of Wall Street Journal from coverage — Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets are not guaranteed special access to cover President Trump in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, or in private workspaces. She cited the WSJ's "fake and defamatory conduct" as the reason for excluding them from the 13 outlets on board Trump's trip, while claiming the White House has "taken significant steps to include as many voices as possible."
• White House removed Wall Street Journal from Trump's press pool — The White House pulled the Wall Street Journal off the reporters' pool covering Trump's Friday trip to Scotland after the Journal published an article about a "bawdy" letter the president wrote to Epstein in 2003. In response, the New York Times released a statement in solidarity, calling the move "an attack on the core constitutional principles underpinning free speech and a free press" and "simple retribution by a president against a news organization for doing reporting he doesn't like."
• White House assumes direct control of press pool assignments — The Trump administration has assumed direct control of press pool assignments, a role traditionally managed by the White House Correspondents' Association. This shift enables selective inclusion and exclusion of media outlets from official access, representing a departure from established norms of independent press pool management.
• White House bars Wall Street Journal from press pool over Epstein reporting — The Trump administration excluded the Wall Street Journal from the White House press pool following the publication of investigative reporting about alleged ties between Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, specifically a story claiming Trump sent a "bawdy" birthday letter to Epstein in 2003. The New York Times and White House Correspondents' Association condemned the exclusion as retribution and an attack on press freedom. Trump has filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the WSJ; the paper stands by its reporting.
• Trump administration sues Wall Street Journal over Epstein story — The Trump administration sued the Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch in response to reporting that Trump had sent Epstein a lewd drawing and suggestive dialogue. The lawsuit represents a direct legal action against press coverage of Trump's personal connections to Epstein during a period of heightened scrutiny over the administration's handling of Epstein files.
• Trump files defamation lawsuits against major media companies — Trump has filed lawsuits against several major media companies, including CBS/Paramount, ABC News, Meta, and the Wall Street Journal. The article notes that all companies have settled their cases for millions of dollars. These lawsuits follow unfavorable reporting and represent a pattern of legal action against press outlets.
• Trump sues Wall Street Journal and bans outlet from press pool over Epstein letter report — After the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump allegedly sent a "bawdy" letter to Epstein in 2003, Trump sued the Journal and its owners. In retaliation, the paper was subsequently banned from participating in the press pool during Trump's upcoming trip to Scotland. The action reflects Trump's use of legal threats and access restrictions to punish media coverage of his ties to Epstein.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice releases declassified files on Martin Luther King Jr. assassination — Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced the coordinated release of 230,000 pages of documents related to the April 4, 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., executed pursuant to Executive Order 14176. The disclosure resulted from months of collaboration between DOJ, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, CIA, and National Archives and Records Administration. Dr. Alveda King attended the DOJ event and praised the transparency initiative.
• Trump administration published 230,000 MLK assassination documents — The Trump administration published 230,000 documents related to the 1968 assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a move that his family and supporters publicly opposed. Rev. Al Sharpton called the release "a desperate attempt to distract people from the firestorm engulfing Trump over the Epstein files," while MLK's daughter Bernice King responded on Twitter, "Now, do the Epstein files."
• Trump administration released sealed FBI files on Martin Luther King Jr. — The Trump administration released over 240,000 pages of FBI records on Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that had been sealed since 1977, when the FBI transferred them to the National Archives and Records Administration. The release occurred over objections from King's family. The files were compiled during the FBI's COINTELPRO operations (1956–1971), which illegally surveilled and worked to discredit Americans FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover deemed threats to national security, including King.

Supporting reports

• Trump reposted AI-generated video depicting Obama's arrest and imprisonment — Trump reposted a video from a TikTok user on Truth Social that included an AI-generated portion showing Trump and Obama in the Oval Office with FBI officers handcuffing Obama, followed by a scene of the former president in a jail cell. The post amplified false imagery suggesting criminal prosecution of a political opponent.
• Trump posted AI-generated video of Obama being arrested by FBI — Trump posted on social media an AI-generated video showing former president Barack Obama being arrested by FBI agents and held in a jail cell. He also posted an image of intelligence agents and politicians in prison garb as mug shots and reposted an image of lawmakers in handcuffs. These posts appeared designed to project fears onto perceived Democratic enemies.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet claiming six-month record of policy achievements — The White House published a fact sheet asserting accomplishments across economic, border, military, and diplomatic domains during the first six months of the Trump administration. The document claims the largest tax cut in history, record-low border encounters, 671,000 net job additions, egg price declines, tariff revenue collection, military recruitment goals met, and diplomatic agreements including ceasefires and NATO defense spending increases. The fact sheet attributes these outcomes to executive orders, legislation, and administration policy direction.
• White House issues promotional fact sheet claiming fulfillment of campaign promises — The White House published a fact sheet titled "President Trump Has Kept His Promises — and Then Some," asserting that the administration has delivered on 20 core campaign commitments within six months. The document claims achievements across border security, deportations, inflation reduction, energy production, manufacturing, tax cuts, constitutional protections, military modernization, and election integrity. It attributes specific policy actions (executive orders, regulatory changes, enforcement operations) to each claimed promise and frames them as accomplished outcomes.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration sues Corporation for Public Broadcasting members — The Trump administration sued three members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting more than two months after the president tried to fire them. The corporation provides funding to PBS and NPR, two public broadcasters that Trump defunded later in the week.

Supporting reports

• Wired reports surveillance video footage cut from Epstein cell recording — Wired reported that nearly three minutes of footage were cut from the so-called "full raw" surveillance video released by the Justice Department and FBI of Epstein's prison cell the night before he was found dead, according to metadata from the video. The omission raises questions about the completeness of the released evidence.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration proposed $56 million budget cut to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — The Trump administration proposed slashing $56 million from the Bureau of Labor Statistics budget. The article notes this follows earlier decisions to eliminate hundreds of gauges tracking wholesale prices and represents part of broader cuts to government agencies responsible for collecting economic statistics.
• Trump administration cut data collection efforts at the Bureau of Labor Statistics — The Trump administration scaled back data-collection efforts at the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, which produces the monthly inflation estimate and employment report. The article reports that the BLS was forced to increase the percentage of prices it "imputes" (estimates from other data) from 9% before Trump took office to 35% currently. Additional cutbacks are anticipated if Congress approves Trump's proposal to slash $56 million from the BLS budget.

Supporting reports

• House Republicans pass Trump's $9 billion federal funding rescissions package — The House of Representatives passed a rescissions bill on a party-line vote (216–213) that claws back $9 billion in federal spending, including $8 billion in foreign assistance and $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS). Two Republicans broke ranks. The Senate had approved the measure earlier; it now heads to the president's desk for signature. The vote was delayed by Democratic amendments related to Jeffrey Epstein documents.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration cut data collection efforts at the Bureau of Labor Statistics — The Trump administration scaled back data-collection efforts at the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, which produces the monthly inflation estimate and employment report. The article reports that the BLS was forced to increase the percentage of prices it "imputes" (estimates from other data) from 9% before Trump took office to 35% currently. Additional cutbacks are anticipated if Congress approves Trump's proposal to slash $56 million from the BLS budget.

Supporting reports

• Trump posts second social media message attacking supporters over Epstein files — Trump posted another lengthy message on social media on the morning of July 17, 2025, again blaming "Radical Left Democrats" for the Epstein files story and calling it the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax." He attacked his own supporters for demanding the administration release the files, calling them "stupid Republicans," "foolish Republicans," and "stupid people" who had been "conned by the Lunatic Left."

Supporting reports

• Trump announced Coca-Cola agreement to use cane sugar in U.S. products — On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Trump announced via social media that he had been speaking to Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in U.S. Coke products and that the company had agreed. Coca-Cola subsequently clarified on its website that it has used high-fructose corn syrup in U.S. products since 1985 and uses cane sugar only in foreign markets. The company stated it appreciated Trump's enthusiasm and would share details on new product offerings soon, suggesting no such agreement existed.
• Coca-Cola denies Trump's cane sugar claim — Coca-Cola issued a statement saying the company appreciates Trump's enthusiasm for its brand but did not confirm the claimed agreement to switch to cane sugar in U.S. products.
• Trump posts false claim about Coca-Cola cane sugar agreement — Trump posted that he had been speaking to Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in U.S. Coke and that the company agreed to do so. However, Coca-Cola stated it appreciates Trump's enthusiasm but did not confirm such a move. Industry experts noted that cane sugar costs significantly more than corn syrup, would require plant retrofitting, and would increase imports and reduce American manufacturing jobs.
• Corn Refiners Association opposes cane sugar switch — Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode stated that replacing high-fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, boost imports of foreign sugar, and provide no nutritional benefit.

Supporting reports

• House Speaker Mike Johnson calls for release of Epstein documents — On July 15, 2025, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a fierce Trump ally, called for the Epstein documents to be released, telling a rightwing podcaster: "It's a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it." Johnson joined a small but growing number of Republicans, including Representatives Chip Roy, Thomas Massie, and Ralph Norman, demanding more information be made public.
• House Speaker Johnson calls for Epstein files release after voting to block it — House Speaker Mike Johnson called for the Justice Department to release the Epstein files, saying, "We should put everything out there and let the people decide it." Johnson's comments came just hours after he voted with fellow House Republicans to block another attempt by Democrats to release the files.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson calls for DOJ release of Epstein documents — House Speaker Mike Johnson broke with President Trump by calling on the Justice Department to publicly release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, stating "we should put everything out there and let the people decide it." This came after Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the department would not release an Epstein client list or further disclosures. Johnson's statement reflected growing conservative backlash over the administration's handling of the case, though Republicans voted down a Democratic amendment requiring Epstein file disclosure.

Supporting reports

• Senate considers $9.4 billion spending rescission package — The Senate considered a White House request for Congress to approve $9.4 billion in spending cuts the Trump administration made unilaterally to congressionally appropriated funds. The package includes ending federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR, PBS, and local stations. The House had already passed it. Congress must approve by Friday or the funds revert to original appropriations. Senate Republicans expressed frustration that the White House had not specified which programs would be cut.
• Senate Republicans and White House reverse PEPFAR funding cut — Senate Republicans and the White House reached an agreement to reverse a proposed $400 million cut to PEPFAR, the global HIV and AIDS relief program, as part of Trump's $9 billion recissions package. The reversal preserved funding for the international health initiative.
• Trump administration announces plan to defund public broadcasting — The Trump administration included in its rescission package a request to end federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR, PBS, and local public broadcasting stations. The administration stated that NPR and PBS "fuel…partisanship and left-wing propaganda." The cuts are part of the broader $9.4 billion rescission request before Congress.
• Senate Republicans advance rescissions bill cutting $9bn in public broadcasting and foreign aid — Senate Republicans moved to pass a rescissions package slashing up to $9bn in previously appropriated funds, targeting $1.1bn for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS) and approximately $8bn in foreign assistance. The GOP is racing to meet a Friday legal deadline. Vice President JD Vance broke a tie on a procedural vote after three Republican senators joined all Democrats in opposition. The Senate began a vote-a-rama on Wednesday afternoon. Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced a compromise to preserve $400m in PEPFAR funding, requiring a second House vote.
• Senate passes Trump rescissions package to claw back $9bn in spending — Congressional Republicans advanced legislation requested by President Trump to rescind $9 billion in previously appropriated federal funding, including $1.1 billion for public broadcasting (NPR/PBS) and approximately $8 billion in foreign aid. The Senate passed the bill 51–48 on July 17, 2025, with Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voting against it. The measure now returns to the House for final approval before the 45-day rescission window expires on July 18.
• US Senate passes Trump-requested rescissions package cutting $9bn in foreign aid and public broadcasting — The Republican-controlled Senate voted 51–48 to approve a rescissions bill that claws back $9 billion in previously appropriated spending, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS) and approximately $8 billion in foreign assistance. All Democrats and two Republicans (Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins) opposed the measure. Senate Majority Leader John Thune framed it as "fiscal sanity," while Democrats condemned it as an unconstitutional surrender of Congress's spending authority to the executive branch. The bill now proceeds to the House for final approval before a Friday deadline.

Supporting reports

• House Rules Committee blocked amendment to release Epstein files — Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced an amendment in the Rules Committee to release the Epstein files. The amendment was rejected, with only Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) voting in favor. Seven Republicans voted to block release: Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Austin Scott (R-GA), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Brian Jack (R-GA). Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) skipped the vote.

Supporting reports

• DOJ releases Epstein prison video with 2 minutes 53 seconds cut — The Department of Justice released video footage from a camera near Jeffrey Epstein's prison cell as "raw" footage, but the video had approximately 2 minutes and 53 seconds removed. Journalist Dhruv Mehrotra of Wired reported the omission. Journalist Garrett Graff commented that the redaction made it difficult to believe the DOJ was releasing complete evidence.
• Wired reports missing footage from Epstein prison video — Dhruv Mehrotra of Wired reported that two minutes and fifty-three seconds were missing from the "raw" video released by the Department of Justice from outside Epstein's prison cell the night he died.

Supporting reports

• House blocks release of Epstein files — Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives voted to block a Democratic effort aimed at forcing the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The amendment, proposed by Democratic members, sought to allow Congress to vote on whether the FBI's evidence, which includes various media and documents, should be made public. This decision reflects ongoing partisan divisions regarding transparency in high-profile cases.
• Republican House members block Democratic effort to release Epstein files — On July 14, 2025, Republican members of the U.S. House Rules Committee voted down a Democratic-led amendment that would have allowed Congress to vote on whether the FBI's Epstein evidence—including micro cassettes, computer hard drives, DVDs, and CDs—should be released to the public. The action blocked a procedural path to force disclosure of materials potentially relevant to the president.
• House Republicans vote down amendment to release Epstein files — House Republicans voted down an amendment introduced by Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna to force the Justice Department to release the Epstein files. The vote blocked a transparency measure despite public pressure.
• House floor vote rejected amendment to release Epstein files 211-210 — Rep. Khanna brought the amendment to release Epstein files to the House floor. The amendment was defeated 211-210, with Republicans voting to block release. The narrow margin indicated significant Democratic support and some Republican dissent, but the majority blocked transparency on the matter.
• House Rules Committee blocked amendment to release Epstein files — Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced an amendment in the Rules Committee to release the Epstein files. The amendment was rejected, with only Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) voting in favor. Seven Republicans voted to block release: Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Austin Scott (R-GA), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Brian Jack (R-GA). Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) skipped the vote.
• House Republicans block Epstein amendments to prevent floor votes — Republican members of the House Rules Committee met with Speaker Johnson and planned to vote down Democratic amendments on the Epstein situation to prevent them from reaching the House floor, a move that exposes Republicans to criticism of protecting Epstein.
• House Republicans block Democratic motion to release Epstein files — House Republicans voted twice during the week of July 14–18 to block Democratic attempts to force public release of all Epstein-related files within 30 days. Only one Republican, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, voted in favor of the release. The votes occurred amid growing bipartisan and public pressure for transparency regarding Epstein's associates and clients.

Supporting reports

• White House Communications Director Steven Cheung's slur use documented — White House Communications Director Steven Cheung is documented as regularly using the slur "cuck" to attack Democrats. When Governor Newsom's communications director was asked why Newsom used the same slur to describe Stephen Miller, the director confirmed they were inspired by Cheung's use of the term. The slur may also reference rumors about Miller's wife having an affair with Elon Musk.

Supporting reports

• Fox News ceased coverage of Epstein after Trump's directive — After discussing Epstein coverage extensively for days, Fox News shut down all mentions of Epstein following Trump's post demanding the base move on. Media Matters reported that as of noon ET on July 14, Fox News had zero live mentions of Epstein while maintaining 46 mentions of Biden, demonstrating coordinated suppression of coverage aligned with Trump's directive.
• Fox News and Newsmax declined to air Wall Street Journal Epstein story — Fox News host Laura Ingraham announced on air that the network would discuss a new Wall Street Journal story about Trump and Epstein but did not follow through after the commercial break. Newsmax also did not mention the story on air, indicating editorial decisions to suppress coverage of the report.

Supporting reports

• NASA announces it will not publish climate change assessments — Trump's NASA announced that it will not publish major Congress-mandated climate change assessments and reports on the agency's website, after saying earlier this month that it would do so. The decision reverses a prior commitment to transparency.

Supporting reports

• DOJ and FBI jointly decide to withhold further Epstein files from public release — US Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel jointly concluded a systematic review of Jeffrey Epstein materials and decided not to release further information, including a purported "client list." The memo stated no credible evidence of blackmail or basis for investigation of uncharged third parties was found. The decision triggered backlash from MAGA hardliners, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Steve Bannon, who questioned the Epstein autopsy conclusion and demanded disclosure.
• Justice Department announced no "incriminating client list" exists for Jeffrey Epstein; withheld evidence — The Department of Justice announced that deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain an "incriminating 'client list'" and stated it would not release additional evidence accumulated by investigators, including photographs and more than 10,000 videos. In February 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi had told Fox News that a list was "sitting on her desk awaiting review." The announcement reversed that position. MAGA influencers and media figures had previously demanded release of the files, claiming the Biden administration was covering up Democratic involvement. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, who had promoted the conspiracy theory, reportedly threatened to resign over Bondi's reversal.
• DOJ releases memo concluding no Epstein client list exists and death was suicide — The Department of Justice released a memo stating that a systematic review of evidence regarding convicted sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein found no incriminating client list and no credible evidence of blackmail. The memo concluded that Epstein died by suicide and that no further disclosure would be appropriate. This announcement contradicted years of claims by Trump and MAGA figures that Epstein was murdered to protect powerful men and that a client list existed naming prominent individuals involved in child trafficking.

Supporting reports

• MAGA influencer Evan Kilgore expressed betrayal over Epstein handling — MAGA influencer Evan Kilgore stated "I feel totally betrayed" in response to Trump's handling of the Epstein files controversy.
• Alex Jones criticized Trump's Epstein suppression strategy — Alex Jones stated that Trump's handling of the Epstein files has put the Trump administration into a "mega-massive crisis." Jones criticized Trump's press conference statements telling people not to ask questions about Epstein, characterizing this as triggering the Streisand Effect and describing the strategy as "insane."
• Author Michael Wolff described Trump's long Epstein relationship — Author Michael Wolff told Meidas that Trump has gotten away with literally everything, and that Trump's long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein has been hidden in plain sight, waved away, swept under the rug, and ignored. Wolff recounted that when he visited Mar-a-Lago for an interview, Trump's aides asked for a rough outline of topics and told him that if he asked about Epstein, Trump would stop the interview and he would get nothing.
• Elon Musk criticized Trump's Epstein post as "worst post ever made" — Elon Musk responded to Trump's Truth Social post defending AG Bondi by calling it "in the running for worst post ever made." Musk criticized Trump for mentioning "Epstein" half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein, and called for the files to be released as promised. Musk stated that if thousands of children were abused and the government has videos of the abusers, none of the abusers should remain uncharged.
• MAGA podcaster Benny Johnson broke with Trump over Epstein post — MAGA podcaster Benny Johnson, who has consistently backed Trump for years, broke with Trump over his Epstein post. Johnson stated that Trump has acknowledged the Epstein files exist and that there is something substantive in them, but claims they were written by his enemies and therefore will not be released, questioning what kind of system allows thousands of children to be abused while the government possesses evidence.
• Megyn Kelly criticized Bondi's Epstein handling and media avoidance — Megyn Kelly posted on X that while it may be a relief for AG Pam Bondi to hear the president is still in her corner, huge swaths of the Republican Party are not. Kelly stated that Bondi repeatedly misled on Epstein and did not have the courage to explain herself, and has become camera shy with no questions allowed. Kelly's post received 1.9 million views and 52,000 likes in 24 hours.
• Right-wing podcaster Nick Fuentes declared "MAGA is dead" — Right-wing podcaster and white nationalist leader Nick Fuentes responded to Trump's Epstein post by stating that Trump is now claiming the Epstein files are a Democratic hoax, and declared "MAGA is dead."
• Flynn urges Trump to address Epstein allegations — Mike Flynn, former national security advisor, urged Trump to address the unanswered questions surrounding Epstein, emphasizing the need for accountability regarding child abuse by elites. Flynn's comments reflect ongoing concerns within the MAGA movement about the administration's response to the Epstein case.
• MAGA influencers call for Bondi's firing — Following the DOJ's announcement regarding Epstein, MAGA influencers began calling for the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi, expressing dissatisfaction with her handling of the situation. This reflects a growing rift within the MAGA movement regarding the administration's transparency and accountability.
• Mike Flynn calls on Trump to address Epstein questions — Mike Flynn, Trump's former national security advisor, posted on social media calling on President Trump to address the "massive number of unanswered questions about Epstein, especially the ABUSE OF CHILDREN BY ELITES." Flynn stated that if the administration does not address these questions, "moving forward on so many other monumental challenges our nation is facing becomes much harder" and concluded that "We cannot allow pedophiles to get away" regardless of their elite status.
• Turning Point USA conference attendees boo Trump administration's Epstein handling — Over the weekend, attendees at a conference held by the right-wing Turning Point USA booed the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case, signaling grassroots disapproval of the administration's reversal on releasing the files.
• Elon Musk amplifies calls to release Epstein files — After Trump's Saturday post attempting to downplay the Epstein issue, Elon Musk wrote to his 222 million followers on X: "Seriously. He said 'Epstein' half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised." Musk used his control of the X platform to amplify criticism of Trump's handling of the Epstein files.

Supporting reports

• DOJ and FBI jointly decide to withhold further Epstein files from public release — US Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel jointly concluded a systematic review of Jeffrey Epstein materials and decided not to release further information, including a purported "client list." The memo stated no credible evidence of blackmail or basis for investigation of uncharged third parties was found. The decision triggered backlash from MAGA hardliners, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Steve Bannon, who questioned the Epstein autopsy conclusion and demanded disclosure.
• Justice Department announced no "incriminating client list" exists for Jeffrey Epstein; withheld evidence — The Department of Justice announced that deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain an "incriminating 'client list'" and stated it would not release additional evidence accumulated by investigators, including photographs and more than 10,000 videos. In February 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi had told Fox News that a list was "sitting on her desk awaiting review." The announcement reversed that position. MAGA influencers and media figures had previously demanded release of the files, claiming the Biden administration was covering up Democratic involvement. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, who had promoted the conspiracy theory, reportedly threatened to resign over Bondi's reversal.

Supporting reports

• Trump calls for supporters to stop focusing on Epstein files — On July 12, 2025, President Trump posted on Truth Social urging his supporters to stop pursuing the Epstein files, calling the matter a distraction from his administration's accomplishments. Trump wrote that supporters should "not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about" and criticized "selfish people" trying to hurt the administration over the issue. The post was notably "ratioed" on Truth Social—receiving more comments than likes—suggesting unusual disagreement from his base.
• Trump posts lengthy social media screed defending Bondi and attacking critics — At 5:21 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, July 12, Trump posted a long, incoherent message on Truth Social defending Attorney General Pam Bondi and attacking "selfish people" trying to hurt his "PERFECT administration" by focusing on Epstein. He suggested the Epstein files were created by Obama, Hillary Clinton, Comey, Brennan, and Biden administration officials, and called for focus on voter fraud and political corruption instead. The post received more comments than likes or shares, indicating disapproval from his own followers.
• Trump posts social media message dismissing Epstein files as Democratic fabrication — Trump posted a lengthy message on social media on July 12, 2025, characterizing the Epstein files as a "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax" created by "Radical Left Democrats" and other supposed enemies. He dismissed the matter as a scam and criticized his own supporters for demanding the administration release the files, calling them "weaklings" and stating he no longer wanted their support.
• Trump posted on Truth Social defending AG Pam Bondi amid MAGA base backlash over Epstein files — Trump posted a lengthy message on Truth Social defending Attorney General Pam Bondi against criticism from his MAGA base, claiming the Epstein files were created by Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other Democratic figures. The post backfired severely; after 24 hours it received over 40,000 replies, 99% negative, all from Trump supporters. The post triggered the largest rift in the MAGA movement since the author began covering it five years ago, with prominent MAGA figures, podcasters, and influencers expressing betrayal and disillusionment.
• Trump posts unhinged Truth Social rant about Epstein files closure — Trump posted a 400-word Truth Social message attacking critics of his administration's decision to close the Epstein file, calling them "selfish people" and claiming "We have a PERFECT Administration." He directed the FBI and Director Kash Patel to focus instead on "Voter Fraud, Political Corruption, ActBlue, The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020," dismissing the Epstein matter as unimportant.
• Trump posted on Truth Social about Epstein and blamed Obama for cover-up — Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday night telling followers to move on from Epstein allegations while blaming Obama for covering up "everything." The post received over 46,000 replies, with over 90% negative responses from Trump's base. The post attempted to shift focus away from the Epstein matter while attributing responsibility to the previous administration.
• Trump dismisses Epstein question at cabinet meeting — When a reporter asked Trump about Epstein during a press opportunity at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump responded dismissively, saying "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years. Are people still talking about this guy? This creep? That is unbelievable." His attempt to downplay the story drew further attention to it.
• Trump claims Epstein files were "made up" by Comey and Obama — Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that the Epstein files were "made up" by former FBI Director James Comey, along with former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, comparing the matter to investigations of the 2016 Trump campaign's ties to Russia. The claim contradicts the existence of documented criminal proceedings.
• Trump dismisses Epstein inquiry as "hoax" and attacks supporters demanding transparency — President Trump posted on Truth Social calling supporters who question the administration's handling of Jeffrey Epstein case details "weaklings" and accused them of falling for a "radical left hoax." He told reporters the case was "boring" but said he would release "credible" files without defining the term. The Justice Department and FBI had announced the previous week that Epstein died by suicide and no client list would be released, sparking backlash from Trump's base and calls from House Speaker Mike Johnson for full transparency.
• Trump rants about Epstein backlash on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump ranted about the Epstein backlash, which he calls a "Hoax," saying his "PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," called them "weaklings," and said he doesn't want their support anymore. The post demonstrates Trump's frustration with criticism of his handling of the Epstein matter.