The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s name appears multiple times in Justice Department records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation.
According to the article, Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump in May that his name was among several mentioned in the files — though she reportedly clarified that the information consisted of “unverified hearsay.”
“Being mentioned in the records isn’t a sign of wrongdoing,” the Wall Street Journal stated, citing senior administration officials who were present during the briefing.
The report follows a move by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to ask courts in Florida and New York to unseal grand jury materials tied to Epstein’s past prosecutions. One judge in Florida has already denied the request, while two other motions are still pending in federal court.
The Wall Street Journal article also claimed that DOJ officials reviewed a large volume of documents related to Epstein, referred to by Bondi as a “truckload.”
DOJ Responds
In response, DOJ spokesperson Gates McGavick issued a strongly worded statement on X, writing:
“This is a collection of falsehoods and innuendo designed to push a [narrative] and drive clicks.”
Previous WSJ Report on Epstein Birthday Album
Last week, The Wall Street Journal also reported on a separate trove of documents related to Epstein, including a 2003 birthday album compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell. According to the article, the album allegedly included personal letters and notes from Epstein’s associates, including one attributed to Donald Trump.
The letter reportedly featured bawdy artwork and a typewritten message on a page outlined by a nude female figure, with the signature “Donald” incorporated into the drawing. President Trump has denied authoring the letter.
“It’s unclear if any of the pages are part of the Trump administration’s recent review,” the WSJ noted.
Legal Action
In response to the July 18 article, President Trump filed a lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, challenging the accuracy of the reporting. His legal team has not publicly commented on the specific claims within the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, President Trump has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to release any remaining credible information from the Epstein case, subject to court approval. Bondi has filed motions to unseal grand jury transcripts, but federal judges have thus far rejected those requests on legal grounds tied to grand jury secrecy.
