According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the FBI redacted Donald Trump’s name, along with those of other prominent public figures, from its records related to Jeffrey Epstein. Around 1,000 FBI agents were reportedly directed to flag any mention of Trump during a March review of roughly 100,000 pages of Epstein-related documents. The Justice Department later concluded that there was no “client list” or any evidence linking Trump to criminal activity, despite his name appearing in Epstein’s contact book and on flight logs.
The decision to withhold or redact parts of the Epstein files has stirred criticism, particularly from within Trump’s own political base, many of whom have demanded full transparency. The White House and top officials have maintained that there is no reason to release additional documents and have repeatedly attempted to close the book on the matter.
The FBI began its review earlier this year following a request from Attorney General Pam Bondi. During the review, agents flagged numerous references to Trump and other high-profile individuals. FOIA officers then redacted those names under standard practices that shield private citizens not charged with a crime. Once redacted, the files were sent to Bondi, who reportedly informed Trump in May that his name had come up in the materials.
In July, the Department of Justice and the FBI issued a joint statement declaring that they found no further disclosures to be appropriate, citing privacy protections and the need to protect victims. However, critics from both parties have called the decision incomplete and questioned whether the redactions served to shield powerful individuals from scrutiny.
Trump has suggested that his name was inserted into the files by former President Barack Obama’s administration, though there is no evidence to support the claim.
Trump and Epstein had a social relationship that began in the late 1980s. Trump acknowledged in a 2002 interview that Epstein was a “terrific guy,” but later claimed the two had fallen out and had not spoken for over a decade before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. Epstein died by suicide in jail that year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands became a focal point of investigations into his alleged abuse of underage girls. Prosecutors accused him of operating a criminal enterprise involving young victims, with some as young as 11. His estate settled a $105 million lawsuit with the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2022.
Flight logs indicate Trump took eight trips on Epstein’s jet between 1993 and 1997, but all flights were between New York and Florida. Trump has denied ever visiting Epstein’s island, stating earlier this week that he had “never had the privilege” and declined Epstein’s invitation.
Asked about the FBI’s redactions and public speculation, Trump dismissed the issue, calling it a hoax: “They ran the files. If they had something, they would have released it.” Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia criticized Trump for what he described as a complete reversal on his campaign promises to make the Epstein documents public, suggesting the president is now “obviously hiding something.”
