FBI redacted Trump's name from Epstein files: Bloomberg
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The FBI redacted Donald Trump’s name from Epstein-related documents during a major records review, saying there was no evidence of criminal activity, despite pressure on the Justice Department to release the full files.
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Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., listens during a news conference about the Jeffrey Epstein files, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Bloomberg reported Saturday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation redacted Donald Trump's name, along with those of other public figures, from documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case during a large-scale records review earlier this year.
According to three sources familiar with the process, nearly 1,000 FBI agents were instructed to flag any mention of Trump while examining over 100,000 pages of Epstein-related materials in March. The documents, which included flight logs and contact lists, were reviewed following a request from US Attorney General Pam Bondi to assess what could be made public.
While Trump's name appeared in Epstein's records, including his contact book and private jet manifests, the Justice Department concluded there was no evidence linking the now-president to any criminal activity. The FBI stated there was no "client list" found during the review, and that redactions were made in line with standard FOIA practices protecting the privacy of individuals who were not charged.
Secrecy Fallout
After the review was completed, the files were submitted to Bondi's office. According to Bloomberg, she informed Trump in May that his name had appeared in the material. In early July, the Justice Department and the FBI issued a joint statement, saying, "While we have labored to provide the public with maximum information regarding Epstein, it is the determination of the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted."
The decision to withhold additional materials, citing privacy concerns and the need to protect victims, has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Many, including Trump's own supporters, have questioned why the administration has not fulfilled its earlier promise to fully release the files.
Representative Robert Garcia, a Democrat from California, told MSNBC on Friday, "Donald Trump, after spending years campaigning, promising to release the files, making it central to his whole message when running for the presidency, has now done a complete flip. He is obviously hiding something."
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In a statement to reporters earlier this week, Trump denied wrongdoing and rejected the accusations surrounding the documents. "The whole thing is a hoax. They ran the files. I was running against somebody that ran the files. If they had something they would have released," he said.
Lingering Ties
Trump has publicly acknowledged knowing Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, referring to him in 2002 as a "terrific guy." However, he has since claimed he ended all contact with Epstein long before the financier's arrest in 2019. Trump also denied ever visiting Epstein's private island, saying Monday, "I never had the privilege. I turned down the invitation."
Despite those denials, records show Trump flew on Epstein's plane at least eight times between 1993 and 1997, though all flights were between Florida and New York.
As the controversy over the files continues to mount, pressure is growing on the Justice Department to release more documents, with critics accusing the administration of shielding key information from the public.
