The Epstein “client list” isn’t a hoax
Numerous right-wing figures—including Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, Steve Bannon, Elon Musk, the Hodgetwins, Alex Jones, and Liz Wheeler—have claimed a secret “Epstein client list” exists, alleging it was buried to protect powerful people. In early July 2025, however, the DOJ and FBI issued a memo stating they found “no credible evidence” that Epstein maintained a blackmail-focused client list or that unnamed high-profile individuals were being shielded. While this undercuts conspiracy claims, it doesn’t contradict the existence of substantial files—flight logs, victim statements, Epstein’s “little black book”—that include Trump’s name multiple times. Court documents reflecting that evidence show the “files” are real, even if no single “client list” is confirmed.
AP News, Deutsche Well, The Daily Beast
Trump’s relationship with Epstein & Maxwell
Trump met Epstein decades ago in Palm Beach, often calling him a “terrific guy” in 2002, saying he was “a lot of fun to be with” and enjoyed “beautiful women,” some “on the younger side.” Video from Mar‑a‑Lago in 1992 shows Epstein and then‑model Melania Trump socializing, with Maxwell present.
Flight logs reveal that in the mid-1990s, Trump, Marla Maples, and daughter Tiffany flew on Epstein’s plane at least seven times. Michael Wolff’s 2017 tapes quote Epstein calling himself Trump’s “closest friend for ten years,” and reportedly say Trump and Melania first slept together aboard Epstein’s private jet.
By 2004–2005, their relationship soured after a bidding war over a Palm Beach mansion, with Trump winning the sale. Trump later claimed he hadn’t spoken to Epstein for roughly 15 years (i.e., since around 2004) and referred to him in 2019 as “a fixture in Palm Beach” but “not a fan.”
Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and later convicted trafficker, frequently accompanied Epstein at Trump events—visible in the 1992 footage and through social circles in New York and Palm Beach.
Time, House.gov (PDF), Wikipedia
Trump’s contradictory comments
Trump’s public statements about Epstein are inconsistent. In 2002, he praised him openly. By 2004, he had distanced himself during their real estate clash. After Epstein’s 2019 arrest, Trump criticized the case as “sordid but boring,” claimed he hadn’t spoken to Epstein in 15 years, and described him as “not a fan.” In 2025, he defended Pam Bondi, referred to the files as a “hoax,” and dismissed MAGA concerns by calling the case unimportant. Yet earlier in February, Bondi stated a “client list” was literally “sitting on my desk” per Trump directive—only to later backtrack. That flip‑flop, from promoting to denying the list, highlights the tension inside the Trump sphere.
The New York Post, AP News, Wikipedia
Trump’s use of Epstein’s private plane
Records and campaign disclosures confirm that after Epstein’s death in 2019, in August 2024, Trump’s team chartered Epstein’s former Gulfstream G550 (tail number once N212JE, later N550GP) for travel from Bozeman to Jackson Hole, Aspen, and Denver—because his own 757 had technical issues. In addition, the logs from the 1990s show Trump flew on Epstein’s jet multiple times when Epstein was alive.
The Guardian, Time
MAGA’s shifting tone & Pam Bondi’s reversal
From February to July 2025, MAGA influencers loudly demanded Epstein files. Initially, Bondi hinted a “client list” was imminent. MAGA figures like Tucker Carlson, Loomer, Bannon, and Elon Musk amplified expectations. But after the DOJ/FBI memo in July—the same week Bondi reversed her earlier remarks—the tone shifted sharply: MAGA voices felt betrayed. Fox News reported some were “not pleased,” while Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn warned the administration couldn’t move on. Conservative authors and outlets labeled it an internal revolt. Even Trump himself suggested supporters should “forget” Epstein—calling attention “boring,” “a hoax,” and insisting Bondi had done “very well.”
AP News, Fox News
Conclusion
The documents and flight logs show Trump’s longstanding connection with Epstein and Maxwell, including shared plane travel both before and after Epstein’s death. His public messaging has swung from affection to distancing, and his support of Bondi’s shifting claims has fueled deep friction within his base. While the DOJ/FBI dismiss claims of a “client list,” the archives—the so-called Epstein files—are very real. MAGA’s demand for disclosure and subsequent frustration with Trump’s reversal underscores the political stakes.
This is not a conspiracy—documents, flight logs, tapes, and news footage confirm a complex relationship. The real surprise is the sudden shift from MAGA triumph to MAGA turmoil.