Charlie Kirk Says He Is 'Done Talking' About Jeffrey Epstein for the Moment
Turning Point USA cofounder and CEO Charlie Kirk said he is "done talking about Epstein for the time being" on his podcast Monday amid the firestorm of backlash the Trump administration has faced following a memo on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's death and investigation last week.
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Justice (DOJ) via online form for comment.
Why It Matters
The Epstein case has remained a lightning rod in American political discourse, fueling conspiracy theories and mistrust in governmental institutions over the past several years. The controversy reignited after the Justice Department's recent memo concluded there was no evidence of a client list or blackmail materials, contradicting previous statements.
Disagreements and criticism over the handling of the Epstein investigation have intensified from both President Donald Trump's supporters and detractors.
The fallout has deepened divisions within conservative ranks, as prominent figures debate the credibility of the government's official narrative and the conduct of officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Amid the backlash, Trump has publicly defended Bondi.
Turning Point USA cofounder Charlie Kirk is shown as President Donald Trump, not pictured, speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
Turning Point USA cofounder Charlie Kirk is shown as President Donald Trump, not pictured, speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
What To Know
Kirk made his remarks following the release of a joint memo from the DOJ and FBI saying there was no evidence that Epstein maintained a "client list" and reiterating that the disgraced financier died in 2019 by suicide in his prison cell.
While speaking on his podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, on Monday, Kirk mentioned the Epstein controversy: "Plenty was said this last weekend at our event about Epstein. Honestly, I'm done talking about Epstein for the time being. I'm gonna trust my friends in the administration, I'm gonna trust my friends in the government to do what needs to be done, solve it, ball's in their hands. I've said plenty this last weekend. So, if you guys want to see my commentary on it, that's fine. We have escalatory action potentially being taken in Ukraine and Russia. We have tons of announcements happening when it comes to NATO."
Kirk was referencing a Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit held over the weekend in Florida.
Continuing in the video, Kirk said: "But let me just say this again—everyone knows my opinion about the Epstein thing, the messaging fumble. I would love to see the DOJ move to unseal the grand jury testimony. I think that would be a big win. I would love to see that. And I'm gonna trust my friends Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, my friend Pam Bondi. All these guys. I'm gonna—Todd Blanche—I'm gonna trust them to solve it. Ball's in their court. I think that there was plenty of, let's say, speeches that were directed towards this topic this last weekend. So, we don't need to spend our valuable time on this program relitigating it."
CNN also reported, citing three people familiar with the matter, that the president called Kirk over the weekend to express his support for the attorney general amid the strife.
Kirk has repeatedly called for the Epstein list to be released, saying it would be "one of the surest ways to rid our billionaire class of the corruption and cowardice that currently plagues it." He also called on voters to pick Trump ahead of the election to ensure its release.
Turning Point USA cofounder Charlie Kirk speaks after President Donald Trump's inauguration during an event at Capital One Arena on January 20 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
Turning Point USA cofounder Charlie Kirk speaks after President Donald Trump's inauguration during an event at Capital One Arena on January 20 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
What People Are Saying
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Monday, while speaking to reporters: "The American people deserve to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth as it relates to this whole sordid Jeffrey Epstein matter. Democrats didn't put the Jeffrey Epstein thing into the public domain. This was a conspiracy that Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, and these MAGA extremists have been fanning the flames of for the last several years, and now the chickens are coming home to roost. The American people deserve to know the truth.
"What if anything, is the Trump administration and the Department of Justice hiding? What are you hiding? If you're not hiding anything, prove that to the American people, and if you are trying to hide something, as many of Donald Trump's MAGA supporters apparently believe, then the Congress should actually work hard to try to uncover the truth for the American people.
"There are only two things that are possible here. Option one, Donald Trump, Pam Bondi and the MAGA extremists intentionally lied to the American people for years about the Jeffrey Epstein situation. That's option one.
"Option two is that, in fact ... is reason for the American people to be concerned, as it relates to what information has not been released that could be damaging to the Trump administration and the friends and family of the Trump administration and their billionaire corrupt supporters. And so, they are actively engaging in a cover-up. Option one: they lied for years. Option two: they're engaging in a cover-up. At this point, it seems reasonable that can only be one of the two things. And so, it's Congress' responsibility, in a bipartisan way, to ask the questions and try to get answers on behalf of the American people."
Spokesperson for Turning Point, Andrew Kolvet, to Newsweek via email on Monday: "Charlie didn't say he was done talking about Epstein. He said 'for the time being.' He's feels confident the administration has heard the concern expressed by himself, by the grassroots and by the attendees and speakers at TPUSA's Student Action Summit in Tampa over the weekend. He is hopeful a change in approach is underway."
Kirk on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday: "This is such a lame, non-controversy. Yes, I spent the weekend talking about Epstein, as did many of our speakers at SAS. Nothing was off limits. I discussed how the communication and transparency could be much improved, how the base wasn't going to just move on, and provided options for ways forward.
"Now, I'm giving them space to operate. The ball is in their court, and I'm trusting those in charge, many of whom I know personally and consider friends, to find a solution, which I'm confident is in the works. I will be more than happy to talk about Epstein again as updates come."
Kirk then replied with a full quote of his remarks.
What Happens Next
The DOJ's findings and the Trump administration's messaging will likely continue to influence public and political discourse and opinion.
Lara Trump, daughter-in-law to the president, also teased more coming from the Trump administration regarding the Epstein case.
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