He helped him get elected, got a cabinet post, donated $300 million, and even let his son attend White House dinners. Then came the breakup—and the tweet Musk later deleted: Donald Trump was in the Epstein files. And now we know—he was right. Pam Bondi privately told Trump in May that his name appeared in the DOJ’s Epstein document review. Trump denied it. The Justice Department buried it. And Musk—who’d already torched the bromance—turned out to be the one telling the truth.
TL;DR
- In June 2025,
Elon Musk posted (then deleted) a tweet suggesting Donald Trump’s name was in the unreleased Epstein files. - On July 23, it was confirmed that Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy privately briefed Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in the DOJ’s Epstein-related documents.
- The DOJ declined to release the full files, citing the presence of child pornography and sensitive victim information.
- Trump had publicly denied being informed; Bondi’s private briefing contradicts that.
- The incident has deepened the rift between Musk and Trump, further fracturing the Republican base.
The Deleted Tweet Was Right
When Elon Musk posted a cryptic tweet in June implying Donald Trump might be named in the unreleased Epstein files, it was quickly dismissed by Trump allies as conspiratorial innuendo. Musk later deleted the tweet. Now it’s official: the deleted tweet wasn’t a tantrum—it was a tip-off. Musk was right.According to senior administration officials, Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy informed President Trump in May 2025 that his name appeared multiple times in the Justice Department’s trove of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. The White House briefing reportedly included mentions of many prominent individuals, not just Trump. Bondi characterised the references as unverified hearsay and said no evidence of criminal wrongdoing was found.Despite this, the Justice Department chose not to release the remaining files. In a statement published on July 7, the department said much of the unreleased material contained child pornography or sensitive victim information that would be sealed in court. The memo also stated no “client list” was discovered and that the files included no basis for further investigations into uncharged third parties.But once it became clear that Trump’s name was in fact among the documents, the decision to withhold them has come under fresh scrutiny.
Trump Denies, DOJ Contradicts
On July 15, when asked by an ABC News journalist whether Pam Bondi had informed him about his name appearing in the Epstein files, Trump replied: “No, no, she’s—she’s given us just a very quick briefing.”That denial doesn’t hold up. Senior officials now confirm Trump was explicitly told about the mentions during the May meeting at the White House—contradicting his public claim.The revelation has triggered political fallout—not just for Trump but also for Bondi and the Justice Department. Critics from across the spectrum have accused the administration of suppressing information for political reasons, especially given Trump’s 2024 campaign pledge to declassify all Epstein-related documents in full.
The Bromance That Blew Up
The confirmation also marks the sharpest rupture yet in Musk’s once-close relationship with Trump. After endorsing him in 2024, Musk donated $300 million to GOP operations and was appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He was frequently spotted at fundraisers and high-level events, with his son even attending White House dinners.But by early 2025, the alliance soured. Musk criticised Trump’s tariffs, immigration policy, and his flagship “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which gutted EV subsidies. In May, Musk resigned from DOGE. Weeks later came the Epstein tweet—short-lived but, as it turns out, accurate.Trump retaliated by threatening federal contracts with Musk’s companies. MAGA influencers turned on him. But the facts now suggest the real betrayal wasn’t the tweet—it was the administration’s silence.
No Charges, Just Chaos
To be clear, DOJ officials continue to assert that Trump is not under investigation. Mentions in the Epstein files, they say, do not amount to criminal evidence. The materials reportedly include guest lists, correspondence, and unverifiable claims—nothing actionable.Still, the political cost is high. A 2023 Journal of Interpersonal Violence study found that 78% of Americans believe the Epstein case involved a cover-up to shield powerful figures. The decision to suppress more files, coupled with Trump’s denial, has only intensified that perception.Cover-Up or Cleanup? DOJ Faces HeatThe fallout has reached inside the administration itself. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino reportedly clashed with Bondi behind closed doors, accusing her of eroding public trust. Bondi, for her part, denies any wrongdoing and maintains the DOJ acted to protect victims and follow federal law.The DOJ has since petitioned a federal court to consider releasing limited grand jury testimony, but officials admit the odds of approval are low. Meanwhile, Musk has not commented publicly since the WSJ’s July report—but he hasn’t needed to. The facts have done the talking.
FAQ
Was Trump named in the Epstein files?Yes. Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy briefed Trump in May 2025 that his name appeared multiple times in DOJ-reviewed Epstein-related materials.Is Donald Trump under investigation?No. The DOJ has made clear that mentions in the files were not treated as criminal evidence and do not indicate wrongdoing.Why didn’t the DOJ release the full Epstein files?The department cited the presence of child pornography and the need to protect victims’ identities. A memo released on July 7 stated there was no Epstein “client list” and no further files merited public disclosure.Did Trump publicly deny being told his name appeared in the documents?Yes. On July 15, Trump told ABC News he had only received a “quick briefing” and was not told about any references to himself.Did Elon Musk make this claim before it was confirmed?Yes. In early June, Musk posted a tweet suggesting Trump was named in the Epstein files. He later deleted it. The claim was confirmed weeks later.Is Musk facing legal action for the post?No. Trump has not taken any legal action against Musk over the tweet.
