White House hits back at reports Trump named in Epstein files

The White House has responded to reports indicating that US President Donald Trump was informed in May that his name was among the numerous individuals referenced in justice department documents concerning the late convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi conveyed this information to the president during a standard briefing. It emphasized that being mentioned in these documents does not imply any misconduct on Trump’s part.
In reaction, a spokesperson for the White House labeled the report as a “fake news story.”
The Trump administration has faced increasing pressure to provide additional details regarding Epstein, with whom Trump had a friendly relationship until their falling out in 2004, according to the president.
Watch: Epstein case is “not a hoax”, says US House Speaker Mike Johnson
During his presidential campaign last year, Trump pledged to release documents pertaining to the well-connected sex offender.
However, his supporters have since expressed frustration over the administration’s management of the situation, particularly its inability to produce a rumored “client list” associated with Epstein. Earlier this month, a memo from the justice department and FBI stated that no such list exists.
What do we know about the Epstein files?
Epstein passed away in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, following a prior conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. His death was officially ruled a suicide.
The nature of his crimes and the circumstances surrounding his death have been the focus of numerous conspiracy theories.
Separately, on Wednesday, a US judge in Florida rejected the justice department’s request to unseal court documents related to Epstein’s prosecution in that state.
Later that same day, a sub-committee of the US House of Representatives voted to issue a subpoena to the justice department for its files. The legal order requires the signature of the committee chairman before it can be formally issued.
Accuser says ‘rollercoaster’ of Epstein files saga is a ‘real weight’ on victims
Why the Epstein case looms large in MAGA world
Risky strategy for Trump as he escalates

The White House has reacted to reports suggesting that US President Donald Trump was made aware in May that he was one of many individuals mentioned in justice department documents related to the late convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the president was informed of this by Attorney General Pam Bondi during a routine briefing. The report clarified that being included in these documents does not indicate any wrongdoing on Trump’s part.
In response, a spokesperson for the White House referred to the report as a “fake news story.”
The Trump administration has been under increasing pressure to reveal more information about Epstein, with whom Trump reportedly had a friendly relationship until their fallout in 2004, as stated by the president.
Watch: Epstein case is “not a hoax”, says US House Speaker Mike Johnson
While campaigning for the presidency last year, Trump had vowed to release documents concerning the well-connected sex offender.
However, his supporters have since become frustrated with the administration’s approach to the issue, particularly its failure to provide a rumored “client list” associated with Epstein. A memo from the justice department and FBI earlier this month indicated that no such list exists.
What do we know about the Epstein files?
Epstein died in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, following a previous conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. His death was ruled a suicide.
The details of his crimes and the circumstances of his death have been the subject of various conspiracy theories.
Separately, on Wednesday, a US judge in Florida denied the justice department’s request to unseal court documents related to Epstein’s prosecution in that jurisdiction.
Later that same day, a sub-committee of the US House of Representatives voted to subpoena the justice department for its files. The legal order must be signed by the committee chairman before it can be officially issued.
Accuser says ‘rollercoaster’ of Epstein files saga is a ‘real weight’ on victims
Why the Epstein case looms large in MAGA world
Risky strategy for Trump as he escalates

The White House has countered reports that US President Donald Trump was informed in May that he was one of many names included in justice department documents concerning the late convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The Wall Street Journal stated that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed the president of this fact during a routine briefing. It highlighted that being mentioned in these documents does not suggest any wrongdoing by Trump.
In response, a White House spokesperson dismissed the report as a “fake news story.”
The Trump administration has been facing increasing pressure to disclose further information about Epstein, with whom Trump was reportedly friendly until their falling out in 2004, according to the president.
Watch: Epstein case is “not a hoax”, says US House Speaker Mike Johnson
During his presidential campaign last year, Trump had committed to releasing documents related to the well-connected sex offender.
However, his supporters have since expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the matter, particularly its failure to produce a rumored “client list” of Epstein. A memo from the justice department and FBI earlier this month stated that no such list exists.
What do we know about the Epstein files?
Epstein died in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, following a previous conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. His death was ruled a suicide.
The nature of his crimes and the circumstances surrounding his death have been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories.
Separately, on Wednesday, a US judge in Florida denied the justice department’s request to unseal court documents related to Epstein’s prosecution in that state.
Later that same day, a sub-committee of the US House of Representatives voted to subpoena the justice department for its files. The legal order requires the signature of the committee chairman before it can be formally issued.
Accuser says ‘rollercoaster’ of Epstein files saga is a ‘real weight’ on victims
Why the Epstein case looms large in MAGA world
Risky strategy for Trump as he escalates