President Donald Trump has called on the Justice Department and FBI to investigate convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s connections with prominent Democrats and major financial institutions.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump urged Attorney General Pam Bondi and federal authorities to examine Epstein’s ties to figures including former President Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, and institutions such as JPMorgan Chase. Trump claimed Democrats were using the “Epstein hoax” to deflect attention from the recent government shutdown.
Trump wrote that records show many individuals “spent large portions of their life with Epstein, and on his ‘Island,’” and compared the situation to past controversies he said were used against him, including the Russia investigation.
Bondi responded that she had requested U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York to lead the review. She emphasized that the Department will act “with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people.” Clayton’s office covers Manhattan, the Bronx, and surrounding counties.
This request follows a July Justice Department memo in which officials said they had conducted an “exhaustive review” of Epstein-related material and found no evidence to justify an investigation into uncharged third parties. They also reported no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent figures or maintained a client list.
The House is expected to vote next week on a bill requiring the Justice Department to release files from its investigation into Epstein. Trump opposes the release, calling it misguided, while some Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have criticized the president’s position.
The Oversight and Government Reform Committee has already released more than 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein’s estate. These include emails and messages referencing Trump and other public figures. For example, an email from Epstein in 2019 suggested Trump was aware of certain activities, though the context remains unclear.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, was convicted in 2021 for her role in recruiting and grooming underage girls and is serving a 20-year sentence. Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan correctional facility in 2019 after being indicted on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Epstein also corresponded with Summers, former Treasury Secretary under Clinton and Obama, who expressed regret for interactions with Epstein after the latter’s 2008 conviction. JPMorgan Chase confirmed it regretted any association with Epstein but said the bank did not participate in his criminal activities. The bank previously settled a lawsuit for $290 million involving Epstein victims.
Other figures mentioned by Trump, including Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, have publicly acknowledged past interactions with Epstein and expressed regret. Clinton’s office has stated that trips he took on Epstein’s plane were for foundation work, and the former president denies any wrongdoing.
Trump himself has not been accused of criminal activity in connection with Epstein. While he and Epstein were part of the same social circles from the late 1980s to early 2000s, Trump has said they had a falling out around 2004 and had no contact leading up to Epstein’s death.
The Justice Department and FBI memo previously stated that while efforts were made to provide maximum transparency, “no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.” Despite this, the Oversight Committee continues to release documents, including flight records, messages, and other materials from Epstein’s estate.
Trump’s call for renewed investigation has sparked significant debate, drawing both support and criticism from across the political spectrum, as questions about Epstein’s network and influence continue to capture public attention.
