Trump orders release of Epstein grand jury testimony amid backlash from supporters

Trump directs Bondi to release Epstein grand jury transcripts

The Washington Examiner's Kaelan Deese joins LiveNOW's Austin Westfall to explain the latest reporting from the Wall Street Journal, which says President Donald Trump sent a "bawdy" letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Trump has since denied the report and threatened to sue the outlet. He has also directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce "any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony" related to the Epstein files. Bondi responded, saying the Justice Department is ready to "move the court tomorrow to unseal" the transcripts.

President Trump has ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of grand jury materials tied to Jeffrey Epstein, escalating a political firestorm that has reignited conspiracy theories and angered parts of the president’s base.

In a post Thursday night on Truth Social, Trump wrote that he had directed Bondi to produce "any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval," calling the controversy a "SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats."

Bondi echoed the announcement moments later on X, saying, "we are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts." However, the timeline for any release remains uncertain. Grand jury materials are typically kept secret unless a judge approves disclosure.

Why did Trump order the release?

The backstory:

Trump’s announcement comes days after the Justice Department released a memo asserting that Epstein had no blackmail "client list," didn’t extort anyone, and died by suicide. The memo, meant to quash speculation, only added fuel to the fire.

Some of Trump’s own supporters expressed frustration with the limited disclosures, especially after Bondi previously suggested in a Fox News interview that a "client list" was "sitting on my desk." She later clarified that she meant Epstein material more broadly.

In February, the DOJ had distributed a binder labeled The Epstein Files: Phase 1 to a group of right-wing influencers. Many later said it contained mostly already-public information.

What we know:

The DOJ memo denied the existence of a "client list" and reaffirmed the official finding that Epstein died by suicide.

Trump ordered Bondi to ask a judge to release grand jury testimony tied to Epstein, though no specifics were provided.

Any release will require court approval, which could take time and may not result in full public disclosure.

What we don't know:

It’s unclear exactly what materials the Trump administration wants unsealed, or how much of it was originally presented to a grand jury.

It’s also not known whether the court will approve the request or redact key information.

There’s no timeline yet for when a judge will rule or whether other agencies could intervene.

President Donald Trump appears during a public event in July 2025, shortly before ordering the release of grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein. The move follows renewed pressure from critics and allies demanding transparency. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

How Trump responded to renewed Epstein scrutiny

The other side:

Trump has tried to distance himself from the case, calling it a "hoax" and lashing out at Republicans who question the official narrative. He also denied a Wall Street Journal report that claimed he once sent Epstein a signed birthday letter with a nude cartoon, calling it "FAKE" and threatening to sue the paper and its parent company, News Corp.

RELATED: Trump drew naked woman, wrote 'bawdy' message in birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein: WSJ

"Also, I don’t draw pictures," he posted on Truth Social.

While Trump admits he knew Epstein, he’s said the two had a falling out years ago and insists he had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal network.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 

• AG Pam Bondi says FBI delivered 'truckload' of Epstein files after she put out hard deadline
• Epstein ‘client list’ does not exist, DOJ, FBI conclude

Why you should care:

This is the first time a sitting president has publicly pushed for the release of grand jury testimony in a politically sensitive case involving sex trafficking and high-profile connections. Whether anything gets released or not, the move signals that Epstein remains a political flashpoint—and a source of deep distrust across party lines.