‘It’s perpetuated this news cycle’: Frustration mounts in Trump’s orbit about messaging on latest Epstein documents

 

The Justice Department recently released thousands of Jeffrey Epstein files, sparking renewed scrutiny of high-profile figures connected to him. While the initial batch included images of former President Bill Clinton which White House officials quickly highlighted the subsequent release referenced President Donald Trump, prompting a much different response from his administration: downplay and skepticism.

Trump aides dismissed some of the new documents as unverified or even fabricated, even as records showed Trump repeatedly traveled on Epstein’s plane. This shift in messaging reflects ongoing challenges within the White House, as officials struggle to control the narrative and avoid political fallout. GOP strategist Matthew Barlett described the administration’s approach as “confusing and compounding,” adding that the inconsistent messaging continues to fuel a difficult news cycle.

The Justice Department itself cautioned against taking some of the documents at face value, noting that sensational claims targeting Trump were submitted right before the 2020 election and would have been leveraged earlier if credible. Meanwhile, Trump largely stayed out of public view, spending part of the day golfing and declining comment.

This contrasts sharply with how the administration previously handled the Clinton-related disclosures, when aides circulated the photos to put pressure on Democrats. Even staunch Trump allies, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have criticized the president for his handling of the Epstein files, highlighting the political and ethical tensions surrounding their release.

Despite repeated changes in messaging and public confusion, Trump and Clinton maintain they have done nothing wrong in connection with Epstein. The saga continues to dominate social media and public discourse, drawing attention away from other policy priorities the administration would prefer to emphasize, such as economic growth and affordability.