Last Updated on July 22, 2025 by ThePublic
Introduction
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly promised to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, fueling expectations among his supporters that he would expose hidden truths about the disgraced financier’s crimes. However, in July 2025, following a Justice Department memo stating no “client list” exists and reaffirming Epstein’s 2019 suicide, Trump’s rhetoric shifted dramatically. In a Truth Social post on July 16, 2025, he labeled the Epstein controversy a “hoax” orchestrated by Democrats, deflected responsibility to Attorney General Pam Bondi, and dismissed his own supporters as “weaklings” for demanding transparency. This analysis compares Trump’s past campaign promises with his recent statements, highlighting inconsistencies, his use of Bondi as a scapegoat, and his alienation of his base, supported by verifiable quotes and facts.
Trump’s 2024 Campaign Promises on Epstein Files
During the 2024 campaign, Trump consistently suggested the Epstein files were real and that he would declassify or release them if elected, positioning himself as the key to uncovering hidden truths. Below are verified quotes from that period:
- June 2024, Interview with Dr. Phil: When asked if he would declassify the Epstein files, Trump said, “Yeah, I would. I guess I would. I think that less so because you know, you don’t want to affect people’s lives if it’s phony stuff in there.” This cautious but affirmative stance implied the files existed and contained significant information, raising expectations among supporters.
- September 3, 2024, Public Statement: Trump stated, “Yeah, I’d be inclined to do the Epstein. I’d have no problem with it.” This reinforced his commitment to releasing the files, framing it as a straightforward act of transparency.
- General Campaign Rhetoric: Sources note Trump “fanned conspiracy theories linked to Epstein’s 2019 death in prison” and promised to investigate an alleged “client list,” aligning with his base’s belief in a cover-up by elites. His statements suggested he had unique authority to reveal the truth, a narrative that resonated with MAGA supporters who viewed him as an outsider fighting the “deep state.”
These promises were strategic, tapping into longstanding conservative interest in Epstein’s case and amplifying expectations that Trump’s presidency would deliver explosive revelations.
Trump’s 2025 Reversal: The “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax”
In July 2025, after the Justice Department and FBI issued a memo on July 7, 2025, concluding there was no “client list” and reaffirming Epstein’s suicide, Trump’s tone shifted dramatically. His Truth Social post on July 16, 2025, marks a stark reversal:
- Labeling the Epstein Files a “Hoax”: Trump wrote, “Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bullshit,’ hook, line, and sinker.” This directly contradicts his campaign promises, where he treated the files as real and worthy of release. By calling it a “hoax,” he dismisses the entire controversy as a Democratic fabrication, despite his own administration’s role in reviewing and withholding the files.
- Blaming Democrats: He claimed the files were “created” by Democrats like Obama, Biden, and Hillary Clinton, echoing his earlier narrative about the Steele dossier and Russia investigation. No evidence supports this claim; the Epstein files stem from federal investigations and court cases predating the Biden administration, with some released publicly since 2019.
- Deflection to Other Priorities: Trump downplayed the issue, stating, “Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success.” This redirects attention from the files to his administration’s claimed achievements, despite public and supporter demands for transparency.
This 180-degree shift from promising transparency to dismissing the files as a “hoax” undermines the trust of supporters who believed his campaign pledges, as evidenced by backlash at events like the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit.
Using Pam Bondi as a Scapegoat
Trump’s statements and actions suggest he is deflecting responsibility onto Attorney General Pam Bondi, making her the focal point of criticism while shielding himself. Key points:
- Bondi’s Role and Missteps: In February 2025, Bondi fueled expectations by stating on Fox News that the Epstein “client list” was “sitting on my desk right now to review.” She later clarified she meant the entire case file, not a specific list, after the July 7 memo confirmed no such list existed. This inconsistency drew ire from MAGA supporters, who felt misled. Trump capitalized on this by positioning Bondi as the primary decision-maker, distancing himself from the fallout.
- Trump’s Defense of Bondi: In a July 12, 2025, Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! … LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!” On July 15, he told reporters, “She’s handled it very well, and it’s up to her,” and “Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release.” These statements shift responsibility to Bondi, implying she alone determines what is released, despite Trump’s ultimate authority as president over the Justice Department.
- Scapegoating Dynamics: By praising Bondi while urging supporters to move on, Trump avoids direct accountability for the decision not to release more files. Sources report Bondi faced internal criticism and clashed with Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, who considered resigning over the handling of the memo. Trump’s public support for Bondi, coupled with his silence on Bongino, suggests he’s allowing her to absorb the backlash from supporters like Laura Loomer, who called for her resignation. This protects Trump’s image while Bondi takes the heat, a classic scapegoating tactic.
Dismissing His Own Supporters
Trump’s July 16, 2025, Truth Social post takes a confrontational stance toward his own base, particularly those demanding transparency, alienating them in a way that contrasts with his usual loyalty-driven rhetoric:
- Calling Supporters “Weaklings”: He wrote, “Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!” This is a direct rebuke of supporters, including prominent MAGA figures like Laura Loomer, Tucker Carlson, and even his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who called for more transparency.
- Dismissing Their Concerns: On July 15, 2025, Trump told reporters, “I don’t understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody. It’s pretty boring stuff. It’s sordid, but it’s boring, and I don’t understand why it keeps going.” This trivializes the issue, despite his campaign promises and the fact that supporters like Sharon Allen at the Turning Point USA summit said, “We trusted you to get rid of these people and expose these people.”
- Political Fallout: The backlash was significant enough that Trump’s July 12 post defending Bondi was “ratioed” on Truth Social, with over 36,000 replies, many critical, marking the first time his base publicly rebuked him more than supported him on his platform. Comments from supporters like “Mother Rosie” expressed heartbreak, stating, “This statement breaks my heart, Mr. President. … These victims were some ones daughters, sisters, nieces, granddaughter.” Former state Rep. Anthony Sabatini called Trump “out of touch.”
Trump’s dismissal of his supporters as “weaklings” and his claim that only “pretty bad people, including fake news” care about Epstein contradicts his campaign narrative and alienates a base that expected action based on his promises.
Demonstrating Inconsistency and Deception
Trump’s shift from promising to release the Epstein files to calling them a “hoax” reveals a pattern of inconsistency and deception:
- Campaign Promises vs. Current Stance: In 2024, Trump’s statements like “I’d have no problem with it” and “Yeah, I would” suggested the files were real and actionable. In 2025, he claims the files are a Democratic “scam,” with no evidence to support this, contradicting his earlier acknowledgment of their significance.
- No Evidence for “Hoax” Claim: The Epstein files are documented products of federal investigations and court cases, not Democratic fabrications. The July 7, 2025, memo, issued by Trump’s own Justice Department, confirms the files’ existence but notes no “client list” or evidence of murder, undermining his “hoax” narrative.
- Deflection Tactics: By blaming Democrats and urging focus on other priorities, Trump avoids addressing why his administration, under his authority, chose not to release more files, despite his campaign promises. His claim that he “doesn’t understand” the interest in Epstein is disingenuous, given his role in amplifying that interest.
- Hypocrisy in Leadership: Trump’s willingness to throw supporters under the bus, calling them “weaklings” and disowning their support, contrasts with his campaign image as a champion of the MAGA base. This suggests a pragmatic pivot to protect his administration’s image, even at the cost of his loyalists’ trust.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign promises to release the Epstein files created a narrative of transparency that galvanized his base. His 2025 Truth Social post and related statements reveal a complete reversal, labeling the files a “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax” and deflecting blame to Democrats and Pam Bondi, while dismissing his supporters as “weaklings.” This shift is not only inconsistent but deceptive, as it ignores the documented reality of the files and his administration’s control over their release. By making Bondi the scapegoat, Trump sidesteps accountability for failing to deliver on his promises, while his harsh rebuke of his own supporters risks fracturing his MAGA base. The contrast between his past pledges and current deflection underscores a pattern of prioritizing political expediency over truth and loyalty, alienating those who believed in his commitment to transparency.