Jeffrey Epstein’s ghost seems to haunt the Trump presidency.
For President Donald Trump, the Epstein case lingers.
It’s a case steeped in alleged conspiracy and political intrigue. There are reports of the powerful protecting the powerful.
Everything seems steeped in secrecy. That includes the president’s relationship with Epstein, whether or not there’s a client list, and the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death.
Trump wanted the case closed. He still does.
Trump and his allies long maintained the existence of a secret client list and that Epstein was murdered in his cell, alleging that the whole thing was part of a cover-up and a conspiracy.
But Trump now says that the Epstein documents do not exist and that they’re part of a Democratic-led “hoax,” calling Epstein a “creep” as he repeatedly distances himself from the late sex offender.
And Trump’s second-term Justice Department and the FBI recently said there was no evidence that Epstein kept such a list or that he was blackmailing powerful political figures.
If it seems like the narrative keeps changing and things get confusing, it’s because it does!
Suddenly, Trump’s MAGA backers feel cheated. The president tried to extinguish the flames. Explanations shifted. There were excuses and distractions, and he called those who demanded the files stupid and bashed those he called “foolish Republicans” for being duped by the Democrats.
So, where are we now? Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to “produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony” in the Jeffrey Epstein case. It’s not really clear what’s in that material.
A judge denied the request to unseal the Epstein Grand Jury transcripts here in Florida. And who knows if there was anything in there about a client list anyway.
In the meantime, Trump is reportedly frustrated at having to take the heat for the way Bondi handled the whole Epstein affair.
Publicly, the president is supporting her. But you know who is not? Trump’s right-wing activist friend, Laura Loomer.
She has been throwing Bondi under the bus on “X.” Calling the A.G. “Blondi,” she posts: “Some White House staff literally called me begging me to stop attacking her back in February and March. But I’m not getting any calls to stop this week. Speaks volumes, doesn’t it?”
Those calls, by the way, would have been on behalf of Trump; thus, a sign he’s now frustrated with Bondi despite the public show of support.
Will she become a scapegoat in this case? Sources say probably not because she’s well-liked by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and is fiercely loyal.
Back to things haunting Mr. Trump.
Hours after trying to fight one fire, the Wall Street Journal sends another surprise flying, reporting that Trump sent a “bawdy” 50th birthday letter to Epstein in 2003. It reportedly also included a drawing of a naked woman and Trump telling Epstein, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump denies it and is suing the WSJ and News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion, alleging they defamed him by publishing the story.
Some litigation attorneys believe the president’s case against the newspaper could backfire.
Why might it work against him? Well, if he’s forced to turn over information about his relationship with the disgraced financier, that might not work in Trump’s favor.
Speaking of the WSJ, it is also reporting that the president was told in May by Bondi that his name appeared a number of times in Justice Department documents concerning Epstein. The meeting with Bondi happened weeks before the DOJ said it would not release the Epstein files.
So, how did the president find himself in this political conundrum?
Ankush Khardori, a former federal prosecutor and senior writer for Politico, outlined three scenarios in a recent article on the Epstein case. He’s our guest this week on Politics & Power, so we’ll be talking about those scenarios with Khardori.
Political analyst Daniel Cronrath will join me and Khardori for this week’s episode of Politics & Power. The American people deserve to know the truth, and we’ll try to get some answers!
Watch at 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. Tuesday on News4JAX+, or watch anytime on demand on News4JAX+, News4JAX.com or our YouTube Channel.