A recent review commissioned by the leadership of the Justice Department and the FBI, appointed during the Trump administration, has concluded that there is no evidence to support claims that the notorious deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein maintained a client list of associates he blackmailed or conspired with to victimize numerous women. This finding is detailed in a new memo that was reviewed by ABC News.
The Justice Department has also released hours of purported surveillance footage as part of this review. Officials assert that this evidence further substantiates the conclusion that Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell in Manhattan in 2019. This assertion stands in stark contrast to various conspiracy theories that have been circulated, particularly by allies of President Trump and others who have long questioned the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death.
The memo is anticipated to provoke significant backlash among those who have speculated that high-profile associates of Epstein could be implicated in his crimes. According to the findings of the FBI and DOJ review, no additional charges are anticipated in connection with their investigations into Epstein, as no evidence was uncovered that would warrant further investigation of uncharged third parties.
Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously assured the public that a multitude of records linked to federal probes into Epstein would be made available. However, in recent interviews, she attributed the delays to the presence of tens of thousands of videos within the FBI's possession that reportedly contain potential pornography involving minors. In a notable incident in late February, Bondi distributed binders containing Epstein case files to pro-Trump social media influencers at the White House, which ultimately contained minimal new information. This move surprised White House officials and dismayed some of the president's supporters who had been promised more transparency regarding Epstein's case.
Bondi has faced increasing criticism from segments of Trump's supporter base over the postponement in releasing these records. The Epstein files have been the subject of extensive speculation and conspiracy theories suggesting that the government is intentionally withholding information to shield powerful businessmen and politicians. Multiple sources have confirmed to ABC News that no such client list has ever been discovered.
In explaining its decision not to release additional records from the investigation, the DOJ memo emphasized that one of the government's top priorities is combating child exploitation and delivering justice to victims. The memo stated, "Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends."
In recent months, both President Trump and the White House have faced a barrage of inquiries regarding the timing of the anticipated release of the next batch of documents promised by Bondi. In an Oval Office exchange on April 22, Trump expressed uncertainty about when the Epstein files would be made public, stating, "I don't know. I'll speak to the Attorney General about that."
In the middle of a public falling out with Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk shared a post on X, claiming that the delay in releasing the Epstein files was due to Trump's name appearing among them. Musk suggested, "Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files; that is the real reason they have not been made public." This post was part of several critical remarks about Trump that Musk later deleted.
Shortly after Musk's claims, Trump dismissed the allegations in an interview with NBC News, referring to them as "old news" that had been discussed for years. He stated, "Even Epstein's lawyer said I had nothing to do with it. I was not friendly with Epstein for probably 18 years before he died."
In private discussions, Bondi has pressed FBI Director Kash Patel to review the confidential information related to Epstein, who is considered one of the most infamous sex trafficking criminals in recent history. Reports suggest that up to a thousand FBI agents, typically focused on national security issues, have been assigned to assist in this effort.
In a March interview, Bondi was questioned about the growing pressure from Trump's supporters for more information regarding the Epstein files. She confirmed that the department was actively working to make more records public and assured that they would release as much information as possible, as quickly as they could to the American public.
Axios was the first to report on the release of the DOJ and FBI's memo regarding Epstein, further illuminating the ongoing complexities surrounding this high-profile case.
