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President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the unsealing of grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein, as his administration faces renewed scrutiny over his past ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender.
“Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!”
Bondi confirmed the directive on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “We are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts.”
Trump’s call comes as pressure mounts from both the public and some of his supporters to release long-sought-after documents related to Epstein’s sex trafficking network and alleged connections to prominent individuals. The topic has grown into a flashpoint for political controversy and conspiracy theories, many of which Trump has at times embraced or dismissed, depending on the political context.
But we must point out that under U.S. federal law, grand jury proceedings are strictly confidential, governed by Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. These rules are designed to protect the integrity of investigations, the privacy of witnesses, and the reputations of individuals who are not indicted. For any grand jury testimony to be released, a federal judge must approve the unsealing, and even then, it must serve a compelling legal interest—such as in furthering justice, responding to congressional subpoenas, or correcting public misinformation. Simply ordering their release is not legally sufficient; it must meet strict criteria, and disclosure may still be limited or partial. As such, Trump’s directive may be more political than practical—unlikely to provide the sweeping revelations some are demanding, and subject to significant legal challenges in court.
For nearly 15 years, Trump and Epstein maintained a social friendship, frequently attending events together. In 1992, NBC News filmed Trump and Epstein partying at Mar-a-Lago with NFL cheerleaders. In the footage, Trump is seen dancing with women, whispering to Epstein, and making lewd comments.
In the years that followed, Trump and Epstein were photographed at various events, including a 1997 Victoria’s Secret party. Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least seven times between 1990 and 1997, according to court records. In a 2002 interview with New York Magazine, Trump said, “I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy… It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
In 2016, a series of lawsuits were filed against both Trump and Epstein by a woman identified as “Jane Doe,” who alleged they had sexually assaulted her when she was 13 years old. Though the suits were ultimately dropped, they attracted national media attention during Trump’s first presidential campaign.
The matter reemerged in June 2025 when Elon Musk alleged that Trump’s name appeared in undisclosed Epstein-related files, claiming this was the real reason behind Trump’s failure to fulfill a 2024 campaign promise to release them. Trump’s hesitancy has since fueled growing dissatisfaction among parts of his political base, particularly those who subscribe to conspiracy theories linking Epstein to a supposed network of political elites.
Weeks ago, Attorney General Bondi released a memo stating that there was no evidence Epstein kept a so-called “client list” or that he had blackmailed public figures. The memo reaffirmed the official conclusion that Epstein died by suicide in federal custody.
The announcement was met with anger by conspiracy theorists and some members of the pro-Trump MAGA base, who accused Trump’s administration of withholding critical information. Trump lashed out online, calling the demands a hoax “perpetuated by Democrats” and describing former supporters pushing for the files’ release as “stupid” and “foolish.”
Further controversy erupted on July 17 when The Wall Street Journal reported on a 2003 letter Trump allegedly sent Epstein for his 50th birthday. The letter, reportedly part of a photo album assembled by Ghislaine Maxwell, featured Trump’s signature beneath a cartoon outline of a nude woman. Trump responded by filing a $20 billion libel lawsuit against the publication, claiming defamation.
“The Wall Street Journal printed a FAKE letter, supposedly to Epstein. These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures. I told Rupert Murdoch it was a Scam, that he shouldn’t print this Fake Story. But he did, and now I’m going to sue his ass off, and that of his third-rate newspaper. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DJT,” Trump stated on Social Media.
Some very Trump supporters like conservative radio talk show host Michael Savage has said that the handling of the Epstein case could sink the presidency