WSJ Reports Trump’s Name in Epstein Files; White House Denies Claim

Summary

Wall Street Journal reports Trump informed his name one of many that appeared in materials related to Epstein
White House calls report “fake news”
Judge rejects request to release materials related to Florida Epstein investigation
Trump administration sought release of transcripts on probe
Trump’s political base has demanded more information on Epstein case

WASHINGTON, July 23 (AfrikTimes) — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Donald Trump in May that his name appeared in Justice Department files related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in prison, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing senior administration officials.

AfrikTimes has not independently verified the Journal’s report, which the White House characterized as “fake news.” The newspaper’s report threatens to expand what has become a major political crisis for Trump, whose past friendship with Epstein has drawn renewed scrutiny, especially after his administration said it would not release the files, reversing a campaign promise.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department released a memo stating there was no basis to continue probing the Epstein case. That conclusion triggered backlash among Trump’s political base, who have long demanded more transparency about wealthy and powerful individuals connected to Epstein.

Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has said their relationship ended before Epstein’s first prosecution. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He had pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed after his death.

Amid mounting political pressure, Trump last week directed the Justice Department to seek the release of sealed grand jury transcripts from the case. However, a federal judge denied the request earlier on Wednesday.

From left, Donald Trump, future wife Melania Knauss, Jeffrey Epstein and his companion Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in 2000.

While the White House immediately dismissed the Journal’s report as fictitious, Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a joint statement that did not directly address the article’s claims.

“Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution, and we have filed a motion in court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts,” the statement read. “As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, Bondi and her deputy told Trump at a White House meeting that his name, along with those of “many other high-profile figures,” appeared in the department’s files.

TRUMP SUED WSJ

Last week, the newspaper reported that Trump had once sent Epstein a suggestive birthday note in 2003, ending with: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” AfrikTimes has not confirmed the authenticity of the alleged letter. Trump has since filed a lawsuit against the Journal and its owner, including billionaire Rupert Murdoch, asserting that the birthday note was fake.

Following the Justice Department’s memo, frustration has been mounting within Trump’s political base, especially among far-right figures who have spent years promoting conspiracy theories — at times echoed by Trump — about Epstein and alleged ties to prominent Democratic politicians.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he hosts a dinner with Republican members of the U.S. Congress in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 22, 2025.

Epstein hung himself in prison in 2019, according to the New York City chief medical examiner. But his connections with wealthy and powerful individuals prompted speculation that his death was not a suicide. The Justice Department said in its memo this month that it had concluded Epstein died by his own hand.

In a sign of how the issue has bedeviled Trump and his fellow Republicans, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday abruptly said he would send lawmakers home for the summer a day early to avoid a floor fight over a vote on the Epstein files. His decision temporarily stymied a push by Democrats and some Republicans for a vote on a bipartisan resolution that would require the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related documents.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted last week found that more than two-thirds of Americans believe the Trump administration is withholding information about Epstein’s clients.

Wednesday’s court motion stems from federal investigations into Epstein in 2005 and 2007, according to court documents. U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg ruled that the Justice Department’s request in Florida did not fall into any of the exceptions to rules requiring grand jury material be kept secret.

Separately, the Justice Department also has pending requests to unseal grand jury transcripts in Manhattan federal court related to later indictments brought against Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after her conviction on child sex trafficking and other crimes.