President Trump lashed out Tuesday at a reporter for asking Attorney General Pam Bondi about Jeffrey Epstein during his Cabinet meeting, accusing the journalist of wasting time by focusing on the late sex trafficker. Here’s what you need to know about the Epstein Cabinet meeting confrontation:
Trump’s angry response
President berates reporter for Epstein question:
- “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy has been talked about for years”
- “And are people still talking about this guy? This creep? That is unbelievable”
- Referred to deadly flooding in Texas as more important priority
- Asked Bondi if she wanted to “waste the time” answering question
The reporter’s question
New York Post journalist seeks Epstein intelligence clarification:
- Steven Nelson asked Bondi to reconcile Alex Acosta’s claims
- Acosta claimed Epstein was working for U.S. intelligence agencies
- Former U.S. attorney in Miami said he gave sweetheart plea deal
- Acosta insisted he was told Epstein “belonged to U.S. intelligence agencies”
Trump’s desecration accusation
President calls timing of question inappropriate:
- “I can’t believe you are asking a question about Epstein at a time like this”
- Referenced “greatest success and also tragedy with what happened in Texas”
- Called question “a desecration” given current events
- Emphasized other priorities over Epstein discussion
The Acosta backstory
Former labor secretary’s Epstein connection explained:
- Acosta served as labor secretary during Trump’s first term
- Was forced to resign as part of fallout over Epstein plea deal
- Had been U.S. attorney in Miami when deal was made
- Said he needed to “leave it alone” regarding Epstein case
Bondi’s intelligence denial
Attorney general refutes claims about Epstein’s government work:
- Said she has “no knowledge” that Epstein ever worked for intelligence agencies
- Video from Manhattan jail was “conclusive” that he committed suicide in 2019
- Suicide has long been disputed by conspiracy theorists and others
- Bondi addressed intelligence claims directly
The client list clarification
Attorney general explains earlier statements about files:
- Said no evidence of Epstein possessing incriminating client list
- Earlier statement about files being “on her desk” referred to totality of paperwork
- “I was asked a question about the client list and my response was ’It’s sitting on my desk to be reviewed’”
- Meant “the file along with the JFK, MLK, files”
Epstein’s death timeline
Sex trafficker died in custody in 2019:
- Epstein died in jail cell in August 2019
- Death occurred weeks after arrest on sex trafficking charges
- Was convicted sex offender from previous Florida state court case
- Had pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution and soliciting prostitution from minor
Read more:
• Trump erupts over Epstein question as AG Bondi says no knowledge he worked for intel
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The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
