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
Mint
29 minutes ago
- Mint
‘I will announce it…': Donald Trump to set new deadline for Putin to reach Ukraine truce or face economic penalties
US President Donald Trump said that he is shortening the timeline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a truce with Ukraine, warning that failure to do so could lead to economic consequences. The move marks a significant escalation in pressure on Moscow to end the ongoing conflict. 'I'm going to make a new deadline of about 10, 10 or 12 days from today,' Trump told reporters in Scotland on Monday during talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as reported by Bloomberg. 'I'll announce it probably tonight or tomorrow,' Trump added. 'But there's no reason to wait. If you know what the answer is,' expressing frustration with Putin for rebuffing previous calls for a ceasefire. An end to the conflict has proven elusive for the American president, who as a candidate promised to quickly resolve the Russia-Ukraine war as well as the one between Israel and Hamas. Trump has announced his ultimatum to Putin, initially setting a 50-day deadline on July 14 set to expire on September 2, to halt the war in Ukraine or face severe economic sanctions. With no progress made and Russian missile and drone attacks intensifying, Trump has now signalled a shorter timeline. The Kremlin has yet to respond publicly to the updated deadline. Following Trump's announcement, the Russian ruble fell over 2%, dropping below 81 per US dollar—its weakest point since mid-May, Bloomberg reported. Oil prices also climbed amid concerns that escalating U.S.-Russia tensions could disrupt global crude supplies. 'What I'm doing is we're going to do secondary sanctions, unless we make a deal, and we might make a deal, I don't know,' Trump added Monday. Trump has intensified pressure on Putin, expressing growing frustration over stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine. 'I'm not so interested in talking any more,' Trump said Monday. 'He talks. We have such nice conversations, such respectful and nice conversations, and then people die the following night with a missile going into a town.' Trump, who returned to office pledging a swift resolution to the conflict, has seen no progress, as Moscow continues to demand extensive territorial concessions and refuses direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Earlier this month, Trump said he would impose 100% tariffs on Russia if it did not halt the fighting. Officials have cast secondary levies that would fall on countries who buy Russian exports such as oil. Washington and other capitals allied with Kyiv view such oil purchases as a form of tacit support for Russia, helping to bolster its economy and undercut sanctions. I'm going to make a new deadline of about 10, 10 or 12 days from today. Trump, though, has threatened economic repercussions against Putin in the past but held off, suggesting that he wanted to preserve room for negotiations. (With inputs from Bloomberg) I'm not so interested in talking any more.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
29 minutes ago
- First Post
US must accept that North Korea will never give up nuclear weapons, says Kim Jong-Un's sister
Kim Yo-Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Un, has said that the United States must accept the new reality that her nation will never give up nuclear weapons no matter how many rounds of talks are held about them. read more North Korea said on Tuesday the United States must accept that reality has changed since the countries' summit meetings in the past, and no future dialogue would end its nuclear programme, state media KCNA reported. Kim Yo-Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un who is believed to speak for his brother, said she conceded that the personal relationship between Kim and US President Donald Trump 'is not bad'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But if Washington intended to use a personal relationship as a way to end the North's nuclear weapons programme, the effort would only be the subject of 'mockery,' Kim Yo Jong said in a statement carried by KCNA. 'If the US fails to accept the changed reality and persists in the failed past, the DPRK-US meeting will remain as a 'hope' of the US side,' she said. DPRK is short for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. North Korea's capabilities as a nuclear weapons state and the geopolitical environment have radically changed since Kim and Trump held talks three times during the US president's first term, she said. 'Any attempt to deny the position of the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state … will be thoroughly rejected,' she said. Asked about the North Korean statement, a White House official said Trump was still committed to the goal he had for the three summit meetings he held with Kim in his first term. 'The President retains those objectives and remains open to engaging with Leader Kim to achieve a fully denuclearised North Korea,' the White House official told Reuters. At their first meeting in Singapore in 2018, Trump and Kim signed an agreement in principle to make the Korean peninsula free of nuclear weapons. The subsequent summit in Hanoi next year broke down due to a disagreement over removing international sanctions that had been imposed against Pyongyang. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has said he has a 'great relationship' with Kim, and the White House has said the president is receptive to the idea of communicating with the reclusive North Korean leader. (This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump says he is not seeking summit with President Xi, but may visit China
Donald Trump might visit China if President Xi Jinping invites him. This could happen during Trump's Asia trip later this year. It would be their first meeting since Trump's second term. Trade and security tensions between the US and China are high. Discussions are ongoing about a possible meeting around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was not seeking a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping , but added that he may visit China at Xi's invitation, which Trump said had been extended."I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!," Trump said on Truth Social Aides to Trump and Xi have discussed a potential meeting between the leaders during a trip by the U.S. president to Asia later this year, sources previously told Reuters.A trip would be the first face-to-face encounter between the men since Trump's second term in office, at a time when trade and security tensions between the two superpower rivals remain plans for a meeting have not been finalized, discussions on both sides of the Pacific have included a possible Trump stopover around the time of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea or talks on the sidelines of the October 30-November 1 event, the people third round of U.S.-China trade talks taking place in Stockholm this week may lay the groundwork ahead of a leaders' summit in the autumn, analysts say.A new flare-up of tariffs and export controls would likely impact any plans for a meeting with Xi.
