Megyn Kelly, Ben Shapiro spar over Epstein theories, DOJ response

The Hill

15 hours ago

Commentators Megyn Kelly and Ben Shapiro sparred on Monday over Jeffrey Epstein's files and theories regarding his death.
Kelly said sources have confirmed to her that Epstein did not kill himself but was targeted while working as an 'agent' for the Israeli government, while Shapiro said unnamed whistleblowers were unreliable.
'I can claim that he was working for a cadre of space aliens who are blackmailing high-profile Americans in order to protect from a future invasion. And there's just about as much evidence for that as many of the claims that were being made on the other side,' Shapiro said during a Monday appearance on the ' Megyn Kelly Show.'
Instead, he said he trusts the findings outlined by Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel released in a memo July 7 declaring there was no evidence to suggest Epstein was killed and ultimately no record of a 'client list.'
Kelly pushed back on Shapiro's comments, alleging that administration officials didn't directly respond to evidence published by the Department of Justice and FBI.
'Trump hasn't specifically weighed in on that specific aspect of it. We've all seen the limited things that Trump has said and tweeted on this. And JD Vance was calling for transparency and suggesting otherwise prior to taking office. He hasn't commented on this so far, so he's not one of your sources,' Kelly said.
'You've got Kash, you've got Dan [Bongino], and you've got Pam, and we've already discussed that memo in full detail. I'm talking about people behind the scenes who, prior to this, to Trump taking office, I'm not going to get too specific, but trust me, I have high-level sources who have said they don't believe any of that, any of that,' she added, noting that she didn't have the 'authorization' to name her sources.
But Shapiro said instead of being outed, whistleblowers should name themselves, 'because otherwise they are being complicit in one of the greatest cover-ups in the history of the American republic.'
'That's easy for you to say, Ben. That's very easy for you to say, OK …' Kelly responded.
'Because you'll have your job, and you'll have your millions, no matter what they do.'
But Shapiro said those who step forward with proof to counter the government's findings would make millions.
'Megyn, give me a break. If somebody came out today and they were a whistleblower on the greatest scandal in the history of the American republic, they would make more money tomorrow than in their entire life working for the FBI,' he said on the Monday show.
'OK, there are reasons not to cross the people who are in charge and that's all I'm gonna say,' Kelly responded.
The pair's conversation represents a broader spectrum of views on the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files.
Some, including Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk have said they will trust the White House at their word while others, like Steve Bannon, said the gesture could cost the GOP 40 House seats in the midterm election cycle.
But President Trump said he will not allow outside clamor to divide Cabinet members in his administration.
'We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein, ' Trump said in a Saturday post on Truth Social.