Many of President Donald Trump’s close advisers, both inside and outside the White House, have grown increasingly frustrated with Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, following days of intense criticism from some of the president’s most devoted supporters.
Frustration Grows Inside the White House After DOJ’s Epstein Review Comes Up Empty
A storm of criticism is brewing inside and outside the Trump White House after the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a memo concluding that Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide — and stating there is no “client list.” The DOJ and FBI’s brief findings have sparked outrage, not only among Trump critics but also among some of his most loyal supporters.
Conservative activist and longtime Trump ally Laura Loomer openly demanded that President Trump fire Attorney General Pam Bondi, accusing her of mishandling the case. “She needs to be fired. She has tainted the investigation,” Loomer posted on social media. Other prominent MAGA voices, including Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon, echoed that frustration. Even Elon Musk chimed in, questioning how the public could trust Trump if he won’t release the Epstein files.
The anger stems largely from what many in Trump’s base feel were broken promises. In February, Bondi gave an interview claiming she had the Epstein “client list” sitting on her desk for review. But in a Cabinet meeting this week, she attempted to walk that back, saying she meant the full case file — not an actual list of names. “It’s sitting on my desk right now to review,” she said at the time. But now she insists that she was referring to broader documents, lumped in with files on JFK and MLK.
That explanation didn’t satisfy many in the MAGA movement. According to CNN, even officials inside the White House were shocked by the DOJ’s approach — particularly the decision to release the memo quietly, through a short statement and a leak to select media outlets. One Trump adviser called it “a political nightmare,” while another said Bondi had “bungled this case from the start.”
During that same Cabinet meeting, President Trump brushed off questions about the Epstein case, calling it “old news” and referring to Epstein as “that creep.” He expressed frustration that the issue was being brought up while “important things” like the Texas flooding and Ukraine crisis were unfolding. “It just seems like a desecration,” Trump said.
However, critics quickly pointed out the hypocrisy. Many in Trump’s orbit, including his Cabinet and campaign, had repeatedly used the Epstein case as a political weapon — promising justice, prosecutions, and full transparency. Now, those promises seem empty.
Political commentators say this controversy highlights a bigger issue: the divide between Trump and parts of his own base. Even conservative influencers like Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk have criticized the administration’s handling of the Epstein files. Kirk even polled his audience, asking if they’d still want justice if Republicans were on the list — and the overwhelming response was yes.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Democrats or Republicans. Americans want the truth. They want accountability,” said political analyst Christine Quinn. “Protecting young girls and victims should be above politics.”
There’s also confusion over why Bondi made such bold claims in the first place. Was she misled by career DOJ officials? Was it a desperate attempt to stay in the spotlight as a former Fox News contributor? Or did the files simply not contain what was promised?
Some inside Trump’s camp believe the whole situation could have been avoided with better communication and transparency. Instead, the administration now faces backlash from its own supporters at a time when it can least afford more controversy.
While Trump may try to move on and focus on foreign policy or the upcoming midterms, this Epstein fallout shows no signs of going away soon. The White House will likely continue to face tough questions about why the promised bombshells never arrived — and whether political convenience took priority over justice.
In the end, the frustration isn’t just about what’s in the files. It’s about broken trust and rising doubts about whether the administration is truly willing to take on powerful figures, no matter who they are.