Trump Confronted Over Epstein Files as Karoline Leavitt Stands Uncomfortably by His Side

It was the kind of tense political moment that doesn’t happen often — and when it does, the cameras are rolling. On Monday, former President Donald Trump was asked point-blank by a reporter whether Attorney General Pam Bondi had told him his name appears in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Standing right beside him, visibly tense, was Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s close ally and communications figure, who appeared more than a little uneasy as the exchange unfolded.

The confrontation began with an innocuous-sounding question from a reporter about the Justice Department and FBI’s review of the Epstein files. “On Epstein, the attorney general briefed you in the DOJ and FBI’s review, the findings of that review, the attorney general briefed you on that—” the reporter began.

Trump immediately interrupted. “On what? On the uh?” he asked, leaning forward and cupping his ear as if struggling to hear.

The reporter tried again: “On the DOJ and FBI—”

Trump cut in once more: “On what? On what subject?”

The subject, of course, was one Trump had no interest in discussing. “Epstein. On Epstein. Of the review of the files, Attorney General Pam Bondi—” the reporter clarified.

Trump’s answer came quickly: “A very quick briefing,” he said.

That’s when the real question landed: “What did she tell you about the review and specifically did she tell you at all that your name appears in the files?”

Trump shook his head. “No, no she’s uh, she’s given us just a very quick briefing,” he repeated, before pivoting into familiar territory. “And in terms of the credibility of the different things that they’ve seen… And I would say that, you know, these files were made up by Comey. They were made up by Obama. They were made up by the Biden…”

The former president’s claim — that the Epstein files were somehow created by former President Barack Obama, ex-FBI Director James Comey, and President Joe Biden — marks a new and deeply improbable conspiracy theory. He first floated this idea over the weekend amid mounting criticism from his own MAGA base for refusing to release more information about the late billionaire sex offender’s case.

For many of his supporters, the claim is a bridge too far. Social media chatter in pro-Trump circles reveals growing skepticism, with some rejecting the idea outright. The Epstein scandal, already politically explosive, has now become a minefield for Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Trump continued, tying the moment to his long-running grievances: “Uh, you know, and we went through years of that with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax with all of the different things that we had to go through. We’ve gone through years of it. But she’s handled it very well and it’s going to be up to her. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release, yeah.”

It was that final sentence — “it’s going to be up to her” — that raised eyebrows among political analysts. Trump appeared to be publicly shifting responsibility for the Epstein files onto Attorney General Pam Bondi. To some, this looked like the early stages of scapegoating, setting Bondi up to take the fall if damaging material is eventually revealed.

Already, hardline MAGA supporters have begun calling for Bondi’s removal, convinced that she is either withholding evidence or acting independently in ways that hurt Trump politically. In reality, Bondi’s career tells a different story: she has a long history of political loyalty to Trump and was appointed to her current position precisely because of her willingness to follow his directives.

Critics argue that the blame-shifting is nothing more than a political maneuver — a way to insulate Trump from direct responsibility if the Epstein files are never released. “The simple truth is that if we don’t get these Epstein files, it’s because Trump doesn’t want us to have them,” one political commentator noted.

The controversy took another turn when tech billionaire Elon Musk publicly suggested that Trump himself might be implicated in the case. While Musk provided no evidence to support the claim, the allegation has fueled an even greater sense of urgency among those demanding full transparency.

The Epstein files have long been the subject of speculation, with rumors swirling about the involvement of high-profile political figures, business magnates, and celebrities. The files reportedly contain detailed logs, flight records, and witness statements connected to Epstein’s decades-long sex trafficking operation.

Trump’s connection to Epstein is not new. The two were photographed together on multiple occasions in the 1990s and early 2000s. While Trump has claimed he “had a falling out” with Epstein years before his 2019 arrest, former associates and public records show they moved in overlapping social circles for years.

For Trump’s opponents, Monday’s awkward exchange was more than just another gaffe. It was a telling moment in which the former president, confronted directly about one of the most toxic scandals in modern American politics, responded with deflection, conspiracy theories, and an attempt to shift responsibility onto a subordinate.

For his supporters, it is a test of loyalty. Will they accept the narrative that the Epstein files are a fabrication by political enemies, or will they demand the release of the documents to prove Trump’s innocence?

As the controversy grows, one fact remains clear: the Epstein files exist, and the public pressure to make them public is only intensifying. Whether or not Trump’s name is inside, the perception that he is blocking their release could prove politically costly — especially with a presidential election looming.

And for Karoline Leavitt, who stood silently beside Trump as the question was asked, the moment was one of visible discomfort. While she said nothing, her body language spoke volumes — perhaps signaling that even among Trump’s closest allies, the Epstein question is one they would rather avoid.