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'Release the files as promised': Musk blasts Trump after GOP leader urges MAGA to not waste time on Jeffrey Epstein

'Release the files as promised': Musk blasts Trump after GOP leader urges MAGA to not waste time on Jeffrey Epstein

First Posta day ago
Elon Musk poked fun at Donald Trump and urged him to release the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as he had promised during his campaign read more
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who recently had a major falling out with US President Donald Trump, poked fun at him and urged him to release the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as he had promised during his campaign.
'Seriously. He said 'Epstein' half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised," Musk said on X in reply to Trump's post.
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Seriously.
He said 'Epstein' half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein.
Just release the files as promised. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2025
Trump administration under fire
Musk's comments came after Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, asking his supporters to stop criticising his administration over the Epstein files.
Trump also claimed that former presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Democratic leader Hillary Clinton were the ones who 'created' the Epstein files.
Once a close ally of Trump, Musk briefly led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) but their relationship soured when Musk publicly slammed Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' on tax cuts and government spending.
Trump hit back by threatening to cut federal contracts for Musk's companies, like Tesla and SpaceX.
The tension grew when Musk posted on X that the Trump administration was holding back the Epstein files because Trump's name was in them. Musk later deleted the post, admitting he 'went too far' with the claim.
Trump defends Attorney General Pam Bondi
On Saturday, President Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi, saying she was doing a 'fantastic job".
'LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE'S GREAT!" he said. 'One year ago, our Country was DEAD, now it's the 'HOTTEST" Country anywhere in the World. Let's keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about."
Trump's administration is now facing a lot of criticism, even from his own supporters, for not releasing the Epstein files as promised during his campaign.
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Many MAGA supporters believe 'Deep State' figures are hiding details about Epstein's connections to powerful people.
The issue blew up after the Justice Department and FBI released a joint memo recently, saying that after a thorough review, they concluded Epstein took his own life and that there was no 'client list' or evidence to charge anyone else.
This contradicted earlier statements from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had said a 'client list' was on her desk and would be considered for release.
Far-right influencer Laura Loomer demanded that Trump fire Bondi, calling her 'an embarrassment.'
Former White House aide Steve Bannon warned that Republicans could lose up to 40 seats in the House during the 2026 midterm elections because of how Trump has handled the Epstein files issue.
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