Trump Allies Stoke Right-Wing Hopes for Epstein Revelations Amid DOJ Memo Denial
As federal authorities deny the existence of a “client list,” figures like Kash Patel and Dan Bongino continue to suggest explosive Epstein disclosures are being withheld—fueling ongoing speculation on the right.
FBI Memo: No Epstein Client List, No New Disclosures
The FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) officially announced this week that no new information will be released regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. In a memo released Monday, federal officials concluded there is no so-called “Epstein client list” and reaffirmed the agency’s long-standing position: Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019, and the investigation is now closed.
The memo was intended to shut down years of speculation and conspiracies. Instead, it has further ignited outrage and suspicion among right-wing commentators and segments of Donald Trump’s base, many of whom were expecting the former president to deliver long-promised revelations about Epstein’s alleged network of elite abusers.
Trump Signals Support for FBI Leadership Amid Base Frustration
Despite disappointment from some of his most loyal supporters, Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Monday to praise the FBI’s new leadership. He singled out FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, writing that the agency is “back to the basics” under their watch and urging them to “keep it up.”
Though Trump made no direct reference to Epstein or the DOJ memo, the post came just hours after the announcement and appeared designed to defend the FBI’s direction under his appointees—while attempting to calm backlash from those demanding more transparency about the Epstein case.
Bongino Pushes Epstein Narrative on Podcasts and Social Media
Dan Bongino, former Secret Service agent and now a prominent conservative commentator, has been a leading voice in keeping Epstein-related conspiracy theories alive among right-wing audiences.
On his podcast in 2023, Bongino told listeners:
“That Jeffrey Epstein story is a big deal. Please do not let that story go.”
He has also floated provocative, unverified claims that Epstein may have been an intelligence asset for Middle Eastern countries. During an appearance on the “Timcast IRL” podcast hosted by Tim Pool, Bongino alleged that foreign actors may have bugged Epstein’s planes and are using that information to blackmail American elites—though he offered no concrete evidence or sources.
In a cryptic April post on X (formerly Twitter), Bongino wrote:
“Just because you don’t immediately see it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.”
The ambiguity of the message only deepened speculation among followers eager for a dramatic revelation.
Kash Patel Accuses Congress of Cover-Up
Kash Patel, former Trump advisor and now touted FBI director under a future Trump administration, has also played a key role in fanning the flames.
In a December 2023 appearance on Benny Johnson’s right-wing podcast, Patel claimed that Congress is blocking the release of a supposed Epstein list, accusing powerful figures of interference:
“You don’t think that Bill Gates is lobbying Congress night and day to prevent the disclosure of that list?”
He also criticized House Republicans, urging them to
“put on your big boy pants and let us know who the pedophiles are.”
A month earlier—just before the 2024 election—Patel again teased a possible Trump disclosure of Epstein-related files, telling Johnson that Trump might “maybe” release the so-called list.
Conservative Critics Demand Accountability
The official denial from federal authorities did not go unchallenged from within conservative circles.
Tom Fitton, president of conservative watchdog Judicial Watch, told Steve Bannon on his “War Room” podcast that the memo was suspiciously dismissive:
“I don’t even think the Biden administration would have written anything like this… I gotta wonder what is going on at the leadership of the Justice Department and the FBI.”
His comments echoed growing discontent from Trump-aligned commentators who view the FBI’s denial as a cover-up rather than closure.
Confusion Over Epstein “List” Fuels Further Mistrust
Adding to the controversy, the White House clarified remarks by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously claimed that an “Epstein client list” was on her desk.
On Monday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Bondi was referring to the full set of government documents related to the investigation, not a specific list of names. Bondi’s earlier comments, made during a Fox News appearance, had fueled renewed speculation in conservative media.
Background: Trump Admin Faces Backlash Over Epstein Promises
Despite repeated hints and campaign trail rhetoric, the Trump administration has failed to deliver the bombshell Epstein revelations many of his supporters expected.
In a May interview with Fox News, both Bongino and Patel admitted they believed Epstein died by suicide, aligning with the official government narrative and contradicting a significant portion of their audience. The statement caused backlash among followers who view the Epstein case as a nexus of elite criminality and government secrecy.
Their public insistence that they still want more transparency—even while supporting the suicide conclusion—has left critics wondering whether their claims are designed to maintain engagement, not deliver answers.
Source: Forbes – Here’s How FBI’s Kash Patel And Dan Bongino Fueled Right-Wing Hopes For Bombshell Epstein Revelations
