How Trump and his team stoked expectations of Epstein's "client list"

Financier Jeffrey Epstein, a friend to top figures in business, politics and entertianment, was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019. He later killed himself in jail, sparking conspiracy theories about a supposed "client list" of powerful men.

In 2021, Vice President JD Vance also cast doubt on Epstein's suicide, and suggested a Biden administration cover-up. "What possible interest would the US government have in keeping Epstein’s clients secret? Oh…" Vance posted on Dec. 30, 2021.

In 2023, before taking office, Trump FBI Director Kash Patel told an interviewer that Biden's FBI had direct control of Epstein's "black book." "That's why you don't have the black book," Patel added. "And, to me, that's a thing I think President Trump should run on. On Day 1, roll out the 'black book.'"

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, in 2023 talked on his podcast about "serious allegations out there that Epstein may have had video and audio of people out there doing things they shouldn't have been doing." He reportedly threatened to quit after the FBI and DOJ said in July 2025 there had been no Epstein "client list."

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Fox News in 2023: "We should get real answers on what happened to Jeffrey Epstein and any of the high-level political people that he was involved with. All of that should be open to the public."

Donald Trump Jr.

An attendee flashes a shirt reading “WHERE IS THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN CLIENT LIST” during the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconson, on July 16, 2024.

"Seriously, we need to release the Epstein list," Vance, then a U.S. Senator and Trump's vice presidential pick, said on Oct. 22, 2024, on podcaster Theo Von's show. "That, that is an important thing."

Political commentator Rogan O'Handley, aka DC Draino, and influencer Chaya Raichik (R) carry binders bearing the seal of the US Justice Department reading "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" as they leave the White House in Washington, DC, on February 27, 2025.

Asked if the Justice Department might release the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients, Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News on Feb. 21, 2025, "It's sitting on my desk right now to review. That's been a directive by President Trump. I'm reviewing that."

Alina Habba, now the interim US Attorney for New Jersey, told an interviewer in February 2025: "In this case, in Epstein's case, it is incredibly disturbing. We have flight logs, we have information, names that will come out." She added: "You have to hold individuals who are indeed rapists accountable."

On July 7, the Justice Department released a memo saying a "systematic review revealed no incriminating 'client list'" and that Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide, adding that "perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein" won't help combat child exploitation.