Elon Musk tweeted (and deleted) Donald Trump was in Epstein files
Donald Trump
was in the Epstein files.
And now we know—he was right. Pam Bondi privately told Trump in May that his name appeared in the DOJ's Epstein document review. Trump denied it. The Justice Department buried it.
And Musk—who'd already torched the bromance—turned out to be the one telling the truth.
TL;DR
In June 2025,
Elon Musk
posted (then deleted) a tweet suggesting Donald Trump's name was in the unreleased Epstein files.
On July 23, it was confirmed that Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy privately briefed Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in the DOJ's Epstein-related documents.
The DOJ declined to release the full files, citing the presence of child pornography and sensitive victim information.
Trump had publicly denied being informed; Bondi's private briefing contradicts that.
The incident has deepened the rift between Musk and Trump, further fracturing the Republican base.
The Deleted Tweet Was Right
When Elon Musk posted a cryptic tweet in June implying Donald Trump might be named in the unreleased Epstein files, it was quickly dismissed by Trump allies as conspiratorial innuendo.
Musk later deleted the tweet. Now it's official: the deleted tweet wasn't a tantrum—it was a tip-off. Musk was right.
According to senior administration officials, Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy informed President Trump in May 2025 that his name appeared multiple times in the Justice Department's trove of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. The White House briefing reportedly included mentions of many prominent individuals, not just Trump.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Do you have a mouse? Play this for 1 minute and see why everyone is crazy about it.
Panzer.Quest
Play Game
Undo
Bondi characterised the references as unverified hearsay and said no evidence of criminal wrongdoing was found.
Despite this, the Justice Department chose not to release the remaining files. In a statement published on July 7, the department said much of the unreleased material contained child pornography or sensitive victim information that would be sealed in court. The memo also stated no 'client list' was discovered and that the files included no basis for further investigations into uncharged third parties.
But once it became clear that Trump's name was in fact among the documents, the decision to withhold them has come under fresh scrutiny.
Trump Denies, DOJ Contradicts
On July 15, when asked by an ABC News journalist whether Pam Bondi had informed him about his name appearing in the Epstein files, Trump replied:
'No, no, she's—she's given us just a very quick briefing.'
That denial doesn't hold up. Senior officials now confirm Trump was explicitly told about the mentions during the May meeting at the White House—contradicting his public claim.
The revelation has triggered political fallout—not just for Trump but also for Bondi and the Justice Department. Critics from across the spectrum have accused the administration of suppressing information for political reasons, especially given Trump's 2024 campaign pledge to declassify all Epstein-related documents in full.
The Bromance That Blew Up
The confirmation also marks the sharpest rupture yet in Musk's once-close relationship with Trump.
After endorsing him in 2024, Musk donated $300 million to GOP operations and was appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He was frequently spotted at fundraisers and high-level events, with his son even attending White House dinners.
But by early 2025, the alliance soured. Musk criticised Trump's tariffs, immigration policy, and his flagship 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' which gutted EV subsidies.
In May, Musk resigned from DOGE. Weeks later came the Epstein tweet—short-lived but, as it turns out, accurate.
Trump retaliated by threatening federal contracts with Musk's companies. MAGA influencers turned on him. But the facts now suggest the real betrayal wasn't the tweet—it was the administration's silence.
No Charges, Just Chaos
To be clear, DOJ officials continue to assert that Trump is not under investigation. Mentions in the Epstein files, they say, do not amount to criminal evidence.
The materials reportedly include guest lists, correspondence, and unverifiable claims—nothing actionable.
Still, the political cost is high. A 2023 Journal of Interpersonal Violence study found that 78% of Americans believe the Epstein case involved a cover-up to shield powerful figures. The decision to suppress more files, coupled with Trump's denial, has only intensified that perception.
Cover-Up or Cleanup? DOJ Faces Heat
The fallout has reached inside the administration itself.
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino reportedly clashed with Bondi behind closed doors, accusing her of eroding public trust. Bondi, for her part, denies any wrongdoing and maintains the DOJ acted to protect victims and follow federal law.
The DOJ has since petitioned a federal court to consider releasing limited grand jury testimony, but officials admit the odds of approval are low. Meanwhile, Musk has not commented publicly since the WSJ's July report—but he hasn't needed to.
The facts have done the talking.
FAQ
Was Trump named in the Epstein files?
Yes. Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy briefed Trump in May 2025 that his name appeared multiple times in DOJ-reviewed Epstein-related materials.
Is Donald Trump under investigation?
No. The DOJ has made clear that mentions in the files were not treated as criminal evidence and do not indicate wrongdoing.
Why didn't the DOJ release the full Epstein files?
The department cited the presence of child pornography and the need to protect victims' identities. A memo released on July 7 stated there was no Epstein 'client list' and no further files merited public disclosure.
Did Trump publicly deny being told his name appeared in the documents?
Yes. On July 15, Trump told ABC News he had only received a 'quick briefing' and was not told about any references to himself.
Did Elon Musk make this claim before it was confirmed?
Yes. In early June, Musk posted a tweet suggesting Trump was named in the Epstein files. He later deleted it. The claim was confirmed weeks later.
Is Musk facing legal action for the post?
No. Trump has not taken any legal action against Musk over the tweet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
WATCH: Supposed Indian-origin man shouts ‘bomb the flight' and ‘death to Trump' mid-flight on EasyJet plane
A seemingly middle-aged man was arrested on Sunday morning after causing panic aboard an EasyJet flight from London Luton to Glasgow, repeatedly shouting threats including 'I'm going to bomb the plane!' and 'Death to America! Death to Trump!' as passengers tackled him mid-air. The flight, designated EZY609, was met by police upon landing at Glasgow Airport around 8:20 am local time, where the man was taken into custody. According to New York Post citing one witness, the man carried documents suggesting he was an Indian national with refugee status. According to New York Post, the suspect allegedly shouted that he wanted to 'send a message' to US President Donald Trump, who was in Scotland at the time, visiting his Turnberry golf course. The incident occurred roughly an hour after takeoff from Luton. The man also kept shouting 'Allahu Akbar' while raising his hands aggressively. Footage shared online shows the man shouting the threats, as a passenger wrestles him to the floor. Following this, he seemingly gives up and stops shouting. 'DEATH to Trump' and 'ALLAHU AKBAR' — man causes panic on flight Says he's going to 'BOMB the plane' SLAMMED to ground by passenger — RT (@RT_com) July 27, 2025 The plane, already close to its destination, was placed under emergency landing protocol as air traffic control cleared a safe path for descent. Officers from Police Scotland boarded the aircraft upon arrival and detained the man. A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed, according to The Jerusalem Post: 'We received a report of a man causing a disturbance on a flight arriving in Glasgow around 8:20 am on Sunday, 27 July 2025. A 41-year-old man was arrested and remains in custody. Enquiries are continuing.' Authorities added that counterterrorism officers are assessing the footage and conducting a full investigation. Police believe the man acted alone and there is no indication of a wider threat. In a statement, EasyJet said according to The Jerusalem Post said: 'Flight EZY609 from Luton to Glasgow this morning was met by police on arrival in Glasgow, where they boarded the aircraft and removed a passenger due to their behaviour onboard.' They added, 'EasyJet's crew are trained to assess all situations and act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other customers is not compromised at any time. The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always EasyJet's highest priority.' (With inputs from BBC, The Jerusalem Post, New York Post)
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
US, China officials to hold trade talks in Stockholm: What to expect?
Senior officials from the United States and China will meet in Stockholm today to discuss trade and economic issues, in what both sides describe as a step toward easing tensions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will be meeting for the third time this year, nearly four months after President Donald Trump proposed sweeping tariffs, including an import tax of up to 145% on Chinese goods. The meeting is also expected to lay the groundwork for a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. The planned meeting in the Swedish capital is part of broader efforts by both countries to stabilise a relationship that has been strained by trade disputes, technology competition, and geopolitical rivalry. While officials have kept the agenda under wraps, it is expected, as per AP, that the discussions will cover: This could be the first real opportunity for the two governments to address structural reform issues including market access in China for US companies, said Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, as per AP. The US imposed a 20% tariff on fentanyl-related products earlier this year. China responded with a 10% tariff on US goods. In July, China placed two fentanyl precursor chemicals under enhanced control. Gabriel Wildau, managing director at the consultancy Teneo, said major relief is unlikely. 'It's possible that Trump would cancel the 20% tariff that he has explicitly linked with fentanyl… but I would expect the final tariff level on China to be at least as high as the 15–20% rate contained in the recent deals with Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam.' A key concern for Washington is China's industrial overcapacity. 'Right now, many companies, especially in manufacturing, feel quite deeply that China's manufacturing capacity is so strong, and the Chinese people are incredibly diligent,' Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Thursday, as per Bloomberg News. 'Factories run 24 hours a day.' The US is expected to pressure China on reducing oil purchases from Russia and Iran. The Stockholm talks will be 'geared towards building a trade agreement based around Chinese purchase commitments and pledges of investment in the US in exchange for partial relief from US tariffs and export controls,' Wildau said, as per AP. (With inputs from AP)
India Today
8 minutes ago
- India Today
Donald Trump's DOGE AI tool aims to wipe out half of US federal regulations, says report
The US government under Donald Trump is reportedly using an artificial intelligence tool to identify and scrap nearly half of all federal regulations. A new report by The Washington Post reveals that the AI system, known as the DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool, is part of a larger plan to cut down thousands of rules by the first anniversary of Trump's return to tool is being operated by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and has been trained to review over 200,000 federal rules. Based on early estimates, around 100,000 of these regulations may be marked for removal. The AI tool has already been used at agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where it reportedly reviewed and suggested deletions for more than 1,000 regulatory sections within two weeks. At the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), it is said to have been responsible for writing all of the agency's recent officials told The Post that the AI system was created by engineers brought into the administration during Elon Musk's involvement in DOGE. While some agencies have embraced the tool, others remain cautious about depending on an AI model to review sensitive and often complex federal rules. According to a presentation reviewed by The Post, the tool is being positioned as a solution to save both time and money. The Trump administration believes this AI-driven approach could reduce the federal budget, cut red tape, and attract more investment by easing compliance burdens for broader deregulation agenda is not new. In January, he signed an executive order aimed at fast-tracking deregulation efforts, asking agencies to repeal 10 rules for every new one. Since then, departments like Transportation and Labor have publicly announced large-scale cuts to existing rules and regulatory legal experts warn that the process may not be as straightforward. Scrapping a federal rule often requires going through detailed procedures under administrative law. There are also concerns that using AI to make such decisions could lead to mistakes or House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement that the administration is still exploring all options and that nothing has been finalized. But he praised the DOGE team for bringing new ideas into government the tool's full impact remains to be seen, it has already created tension within the federal workforce. Some staff members worry that relying on AI for complex legal decisions may lead to unintended consequences. Others point out that ongoing staff cuts within agencies are slowing down the overall deregulation push, even as pressure builds from the White House to deliver faster results.- Ends
