Rewritten Article
Florida Attorney General Bondi References Further Epstein Documents, Yet Offers No Specific Release Schedule
Spill the Tea, AG Bondi! More Epstein Docs On the Way… Maybe* Give it a Like on Facebook* Give it a Tweet on Twitter* Share it on LinkedIn
Juicy Gossip
Attorney General Pam Bondi hinted on Fox Business that she has received a mountainous pile of unreleased documents pertaining to the scandalous financier, convicted sex offender, and, apparently, socialite extraordinaire, Jeffrey Epstein. This confirmation comes nearly two weeks after her initial statement, but she reserves the right to keep us waiting for further details regarding the release of these intriguing pieces of evidence.
The Lowdown
Speaking to Fox News host, Sean Hannity, Bondi explained that the FBI Director, Kash Patel, is about to set a due date for wading through the documents, taking care to protect the dignity of sex trafficking victims. She reaffirmed the Justice Department's and FBI's commitment to expedite the process as much as possible, but failed to offer a more specific timeframe.
Bondi made a similar statement last week, after accusing the FBI's Southern District of New York field office of withholding evidence from the Department of Justice. Wilting under pressure (or perhaps feeling like a catachew), the Justice Department agreed to crack open the papers and expedite their release to the public–slow and steady wins the race, y'all!
A curious White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, was asked about Bondi's newly acquired documentation trove on Tuesday. Leavitt confirmed that she had no timeline to offer, and instead referred the question to the Department of Justice. Forbes reached out to both the Department of Justice and the FBI for comment, but we're still waiting for their response, so hold your horses!
Fingers Pointing
As the wait for new Epstein documents drags on, both Democrats and Republicans have expressed their displeasure. The Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats took to their X account last week, alleging Bondi of hoarding the Epstein files, following a lackluster performance that released no new information. On Monday, they reprimanded Bondi for placing prosecutor Andrew Rohrbach, who prosecuted Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, on leave. "Not only is Pam Bondi stonewalling the Epstein files' release... she just punched Ghislaine Maxwell's prosecutor in the kisser!" the Judiciary Democrats X account declared.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., previously criticized the February release of Epstein files as a "complete disappointment."She voiced her concerns once again on X, lamenting the lack of communication between the DOJ and Congress on the matter, stating, "It's time to get our hands on some delicious Epstein secrets!"
Politics & Influence
The Justice Department's long-awaited release of Epstein documents has been eagerly anticipated by politicians and right-wing influencers, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 election. During his 2024 presidential campaign, President Donald Trump told podcaster Lex Fridman that, if given the chance, he would reveal Epstein-related documents. Trump insisted that he had never ventured to Epstein's mysterious island (thank Abraham Lincoln's beard!), but he was named in flight logs as having flown on Epstein's private jets at least seven times in the 1990s, making him an honorary member of the Mile-High Club (if such a thing even exists).
Elon Musk, the eccentric billionaire and founder of DOGE, took to Twitter in July 2024 to speculate about Epstein's so-called "client list." Musk claimed that the FBI should do their duty or face being called out for "office malpractice." During an interview with Tucker Carlson in October 2024, Musk said, "If Trump wins, that Epstein client list is going to turn up like a bad case of chickenpox." He also accused various billionaires of supporting former Vice President Kamala Harris's candidacy out of sheer terror of being named on that mythical list (not to mention the prospect of a good old fashioned mob ostracism).
Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., during FBI Director Kash Patel's confirmation hearing in January, inquired about his intentions regarding Epstein-related documents, to which Patel responded in the affirmative. In January 2024, Bondi stated on Fox News that Epstein documents should have been released a long time ago, suggesting that those who may be implicated in any Epstein-related files have "no legal basis" for keeping their names hidden. Several popular right-wing X accounts, such as Libs of TikTok and End Wokeness, have frequently shared Epstein-related content with their combined audience of 8 million followers.
Ain't No Such Thing as a Client List
Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that a so-called "client list" kept by Epstein actually exists. Those who subscribe to the idea of the elusive list believe it houses the names of celebrities, the ultra-wealthy, and political VIPs who may have been involved in, or aware of, Epstein's transgressions. However, experts on Epstein, such as Pulitzer-winning journalist Julie K. Brown, have repeatedly cast doubt on the existence of a client list, questioning its very origin.
The Epstein Document Debacle
The initial release of Epstein-related documents in late February was widely criticized as a flop, since most of the information had already been leaked. The Justice Department handed large binders to several right-wing influencers at the White House, which were labeled "The Epstein Files: Phase I." This haphazard move caused quite the stir, and Bondi sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel demanding the agency send Epstein-related documents that they allegedly withheld from the Justice Department. Without mentioning Bondi or the Epstein controversy, Patel X-fographically posted that the FBI had entered a "new era" in which there would be "no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned."
Here's the Whole Bill of Particulars
Epstein was indicted in federal court in 2019 for sex trafficking and was accused of abusing underage girls. He has long been the subject of sensational internet conspiracy theories, such as the notion that he didn't take his own life while in jail and instead (wait for it) was executed! There is no evidence to back this claim whatsoever. Epstein has associated with a Who's Who of powerful individuals, including former President Bill Clinton (who allegedly rode Epstein's lavender unicorn, but denies any knowledge of his misdeeds), and Prince Andrew (who was accused of sexual assault by an alleged Epstein victim and later settled the case out of court).
- Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed that she has received documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, with FBI Director Kash Patel setting a date for reviewing them to protect the dignity of sex trafficking victims.
- If the documents are released, they could potentially contain slanderous information, as both Democrats and Republicans have expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of their disclosure.
- The abolishment of the supposed "client list" rumored to exist among Epstein's associates remains unproven, despite claims by some influential individuals such as Elon Musk and Senator Marsha Blackburn.
