The White House is giving its own response to ongoing reports in American media claiming that Donald Trump’s name appears among the hundreds mentioned in Justice Department documents related to convicted pedophile and deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein.
These claims are “nothing more than a continuation of fake news invented by Democrats and liberal media,” a White House spokesperson said, according to the BBC. This comes as a US judge rejected the Justice Department’s attempt to unseal Florida court records related to Epstein.
Pressure mounts on Trump to release Epstein case files
The Trump administration faces increasing pressure to reveal more information about Epstein. During last year’s presidential campaign, Trump had promised to release such files.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump’s name appeared multiple times, along with many others – including high-profile figures – in files maintained by the Justice Department.
The mention of someone’s name in these documents does not constitute evidence of criminal activity, nor has Trump ever been charged with any wrongdoing related to the Epstein case.
Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed Trump during a routine White House briefing in February that the files contained secondhand testimony (rumors) about many individuals, including himself, who had past social contacts with Epstein.
Bondi also told the president that Epstein’s files include child pornography and victim information that should not be disclosed, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Trump maintained friendly relations with Epstein in the past before cutting ties in 2004. Last week, a reporter asked the president if his Attorney General had told him his name was included in the files. “No, no,” Trump replied.
The Attorney General stated: “Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said: “Criminal leakers and fake news media relentlessly try to undermine President Trump with slander and lies, and this story is no exception.”
However, an anonymous White House official told Reuters news agency that they do not deny Trump’s name appears in the documents.
With information from ERT
