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The recent release of documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case has sparked intense backlash from conservative commentators and supporters of former President Trump. This uproar follows an unusual announcement by the White House, which involved a group of right-wing social media personalities being granted access to what they termed “declassified” files of Epstein-related information, much of which had been available to the public for quite some time.
On Thursday, the Justice Department, under the direction of Attorney General Pamela Bondi, unveiled what they labeled The Epstein Files: Part I. The announcement was made in a perplexing manner, as several prominent right-wing figures, including Mike Cernovich, Liz Wheeler, Jack Posobiec, and Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok fame, were captured leaving the White House with official binders that allegedly contained the first installment of the Epstein files.
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(From L) Political commentator Rogan O’Handley, aka DC Draino, TikToker Chaya Raichik, US conservative activist Scott Presler, commentator Liz Wheeler, and US conservative political commentator Chad Prather carry binders marked with the seal of the US Justice Department reading “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” as they exit the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC.
Reports indicate that the files released included flight logs from Epstein’s private jet, documents that had previously surfaced in court proceedings. Additionally, a heavily redacted address book, purportedly linked to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, was among the materials, which have long since been acknowledged in various media narratives.
Furthermore, the Justice Department issued a redacted list of individuals providing massages and included an inventory of over 150 items that comprised nude photographs, massage equipment, sex toys, and various other paraphernalia. The connection of this list to either Epstein’s or Maxwell’s investigations remained ambiguous.
Responses from Trump’s supporters across social media platforms were largely negative, focusing on the lack of new insights provided by the documents while directing significant criticism towards Bondi for the release’s handling.
“The Epstein Files should not have been handed to influencers for promotion. This entire situation is ridiculous. All information should be made public at once, not leveraged for profit by insiders,” tweeted Jeremy Hambly, better known as The Quartering, a rising figure in right-wing media.
Another tweet from The Quartering expressed disappointment regarding Bondi’s claim of providing “new” flight logs, accusing her of misleading the public by concealing prior knowledge of the binder’s content. He insisted that she should step down from her position.
Laura Loomer, a noted right-wing activist, echoed similar sentiments, casting doubt on the credibility of the files due to the manner in which they were released. She expressed her distrust over the process on X, stating, “The release was unprofessional and orchestrated with paid influencers promoting it.”
Loomer criticized the influencers involved for their behavior, asserting that their focus on publicity while withholding the documents from the public amounted to “gatekeeping.” In a series of tweets, she emphasized the need for more rigorous vetting of Trump’s associates, lamenting the global perception of incompetence surrounding the administration.
Even Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who previously endorsed Trump during his campaign, voiced frustration about the chaotic rollout of the Epstein files, questioning the disorganization surrounding the release process.
Actor Kevin Sorbo expressed dismay at the release, tweeting that no new information had emerged, further criticizing the government for using the scandal for publicity rather than transparency.
Among lawmakers, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) was notably vocal, labeling the release a “complete disappointment” on X and emphasizing the need for accountability in obtaining the requested information.
Shortly after the outcry, Raheem Kassem, a former editor at Breitbart, offered an insider’s perspective on the chaotic rollout, citing frustration among both influencers and White House staff. He noted that Trump was present during the initial discussions and alleged that one document explicitly mentioned him by name in connection with Epstein.
Kassem’s insights highlighted the mishandling of the event, suggesting that many influencers were unprepared for the nature of the documents they were regarding.
In response to the outrage, Bondi issued a letter to the newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel, suggesting the discovery of more records and ordering the FBI to expedite the transfer of all relevant documents to her office by the following morning.
In a separate post, Patel reassured the public, pledging that all records pertinent to the Epstein case would be thoroughly reviewed and provided to the Justice Department promptly.
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