Elon Musk tweeted (and deleted) Donald Trump was in Epstein files – he was right | World News

He helped him get elected, bought a cupboard put up, donated $300 million, and even let his son attend White House dinners. Then got here the breakup—and the tweet Musk later deleted: Donald Trump was in the Epstein files. And now we all know—he was right. Pam Bondi privately instructed Trump in May that his identify appeared in the DOJ’s Epstein doc evaluation. Trump denied it. The Justice Department buried it. And Musk—who’d already torched the bromance—turned out to be the one telling the reality.

TL;DR

The Deleted Tweet Was Right

When Elon Musk posted a cryptic tweet in June implying Donald Trump may be named in the unreleased Epstein files, it was shortly 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 officers, Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy knowledgeable President Trump in May 2025 that his identify appeared a number of instances in the Justice Department’s trove of Jeffrey Epstein-related paperwork. The White House briefing reportedly included mentions of many outstanding people, not simply Trump. Bondi characterised the references as unverified rumour and mentioned no proof of felony wrongdoing was discovered.Despite this, the Justice Department selected to not launch the remaining files. In an announcement printed on July 7, the division mentioned a lot of the unreleased materials contained little one pornography or delicate sufferer data that will be sealed in court docket. The memo additionally acknowledged no “client list” was found and that the files included no foundation for additional investigations into uncharged third events.But as soon as it grew to become clear that Trump’s identify was in truth among the many paperwork, the choice to withhold them has come below recent scrutiny.

Trump Denies, DOJ Contradicts

On July 15, when requested by an ABC News journalist whether or not Pam Bondi had knowledgeable him about his identify showing in the Epstein files, Trump replied: “No, no, she’s—she’s given us just a very quick briefing.”That denial doesn’t maintain up. Senior officers now affirm Trump was explicitly instructed in regards to the mentions throughout the May assembly on the White House—contradicting his public declare.The revelation has triggered political fallout—not only for Trump but in addition for Bondi and the Justice Department. Critics from throughout the spectrum have accused the administration of suppressing data for political causes, particularly given Trump’s 2024 marketing campaign pledge to declassify all Epstein-related paperwork in full.

The Bromance That Blew Up

The affirmation additionally marks the sharpest rupture but 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 incessantly noticed at fundraisers and high-level occasions, together with his son even attending White House dinners.But by early 2025, the alliance soured. Musk criticised Trump’s tariffs, immigration coverage, and his flagship “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which gutted EV subsidies. In May, Musk resigned from DOGE. Weeks later got here the Epstein tweet—short-lived however, because it seems, correct.Trump retaliated by threatening federal contracts with Musk’s firms. MAGA influencers turned on him. But the information now counsel the true betrayal wasn’t the tweet—it was the administration’s silence.

No Charges, Just Chaos

To be clear, DOJ officers proceed to claim that Trump shouldn’t be below investigation. Mentions in the Epstein files, they are saying, don’t quantity to felony proof. The supplies reportedly embody visitor lists, correspondence, and unverifiable claims—nothing actionable.Still, the political price is excessive. A 2023 Journal of Interpersonal Violence examine discovered that 78% of Americans imagine the Epstein case concerned a cover-up to defend highly effective figures. The determination to suppress extra files, coupled with Trump’s denial, has solely intensified that notion.Cover-Up or Cleanup? DOJ Faces HeatThe fallout has reached contained in the administration itself. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino reportedly clashed with Bondi behind closed doorways, accusing her of eroding public belief. Bondi, for her half, denies any wrongdoing and maintains the DOJ acted to guard victims and comply with federal regulation.The DOJ has since petitioned a federal court docket to think about releasing restricted grand jury testimony, however officers admit the percentages of approval are low. Meanwhile, Musk has not commented publicly for the reason that WSJ’s July report—however he hasn’t wanted to. The information have achieved the speaking.

FAQ

Was Trump named in the Epstein files?Yes. Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy briefed Trump in May 2025 that his identify appeared a number of instances in DOJ-reviewed Epstein-related supplies.Is Donald Trump below investigation?No. The DOJ has made clear that mentions in the files weren’t handled as felony proof and don’t point out wrongdoing.Why didn’t the DOJ launch the total Epstein files?The division cited the presence of kid pornography and the necessity to defend victims’ identities. A memo launched on July 7 acknowledged there was no Epstein “client list” and no additional files merited public disclosure.Did Trump publicly deny being instructed his identify appeared in the paperwork?Yes. On July 15, Trump instructed ABC News he had solely obtained a “quick briefing” and was not instructed about any references to himself.Did Elon Musk make this declare earlier than it was confirmed?Yes. In early June, Musk posted a tweet suggesting Trump was named in the Epstein files. He later deleted it. The declare was confirmed weeks later.Is Musk going through authorized motion for the put up?No. Trump has not taken any authorized motion towards Musk over the tweet.