The distasteful, infamous name of Jeffrey Epstein circulates headlines once again after the Department of Justice publicly released files related to the convicted sex offender on Feb. 27. Before he died in 2019, Epstein was charged with running a sex trafficking ring involving minors. Over the years, many documents have leaked revealing details about his crimes, but the public continues to question and theorize what occurred while he was still alive.
The files were first released in binders titled “The Epstein Files: Phase 1.” They were provided to 15 conservative social media influencers at the White House before being released to the public. These influencers can be seen inappropriately smiling and holding the binders proudly to cameras. That same day, the DOJ made a press release with the first wave of the files.
The press release reads, “Attorney General Pam Bondi, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), declassified and publicly released files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.” The introduction concluded with the disappointing statement, “The first phase of declassified files largely contains documents that have been previously leaked but never released in a formal capacity by the U.S. Government.”
The files only re-released Epstein’s contact list, flight logs and a list of evidence. This release sparked outrage online, with Liz Wheeler, one of the influencers who held the binder at the White House, saying on X, “Be outraged that the binder is boring. You should be. Because the evil deep state LIED TO YOUR FACE.”
Anna Paulina Luna, the lawmaker who was tasked with revisiting the Epstein files, also shared her disappointment on X, “I nor the task force were given or reviewed the Epstein documents being released today…” She continued in the post, “THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR. GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR instead of leaking old info to press.”
The release of these files was highly anticipated — as this topic has been one of the public’s obsessions for many years — but to everyone’s dismay, no new revelations were made. President Donald Trump, who has been previously tied to Epstein, was ironically mentioned in a praising manner in the press release. “The Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,” said Bondi.
The press release also states that Bondi was later informed that there were thousands of pages that the FBI did not release to her, and she requested that they deliver the remaining files by 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28 — though this has yet to happen. To the media, many right-wing public figures, including Bondi, have been blind-sided, left disgusted and disappointed by the FBI’s alleged “foul play.” However, all this media coverage only raises more questions.
It is highly questionable why Bondi released these documents instead of postponing the release to await completion. It is also suspicious that the task force was not involved, but social media influencers were. This situation has gained tact and attention, with all conservatives pointing fingers in all the wrong directions. This release was likely a publicity stunt meant to distract from other global issues or maybe even divert the public from the truth deeply buried in the full files.
Epstein was known to be involved with hundreds of people in power, as elites are known to have a way of hiding secrets. It is hard to believe anything would be different now. For years, the public has theorized there is an even darker side to these horrible crimes involving celebrities, governments and politicians — it is not strange to wonder why so much has gone wrong with this release and why, after years, the truth remains unrevealed.
