MAGA supporters have criticized President Donald Trump following a review by the FBI and Department of Justice that found “no incriminating ‘client list'” related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump received major pushback when he praised FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino in a post on Truth Social.

The Context

Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting further sex trafficking charges. The financier was known to host high-profile guests on his private island of Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where authorities say many of his crimes occurred.

Rumors of an Epstein “client list” have long circulated online, and during his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump suggested that if voters returned him to the White House, he might release a list of individuals associated with Epstein.

In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi fueled speculation about such a list when announcing the release of records related to the case. However, much of what was later distributed had been in the public domain for years.

Last month, billionaire Elon Musk said the government had not released records related to the case because Trump “is in the Epstein files.” While the president has dismissed Musk’s claim, it has sparked further interest in the government’s records.

What To Know

In a memo published earlier this week, following an “exhaustive review of investigative holdings relating to Jeffrey Epstein,” the FBI and DOJ said, “While we have labored to provide the public with maximum information regarding Epstein and ensured examination of any evidence in the government’s possession, it is the determination of the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.”

On Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The FBI, under the direction of Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, is back to the basics: Locking up criminals, and cleaning up America’s streets.

“We have the Greatest Law Enforcement professionals in the World, but ‘Politics’ and Corrupt Leadership often prevented them from doing their job. That is no longer the case, and now, they have been unleashed to do their jobs, and they are doing just that. Keep it up—MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!”

More than 5,000 people have responded to the post, with many criticizing the president in the comments section.

One user, Andrea Lizabeth, wrote: “Trump I have been extremely loyal to you! I’m very pleased with almost everything you’re doing, but I absolutely draw the line on this one! If you are who I think you are … brave, big heart, and will stand ten toes down for what’s right, then bring the truth to light!! Release the info no matter what!!!

“If you don’t stop/expose what happened on that island and what is a huge problem in our country for these children then who will?! Somebody is being blackmailed!!! God put you in your position for a reason!!! if you do what’s right your supporters will always stand by you!!!”

Another user, Belinda Chartrand, who describes herself as a “wife, mother and patriot,” wrote: “I appreciate the hard work being done, but America deserves to see the Epstein list—and we need to see arrests! No child should ever have to endure the kind of trauma these young girls suffered.

“I don’t care if the names on that list are Democrats or Republicans, CEOs, or pastors. If they abused children, they belong in prison. As someone who has survived this kind of trauma, I can tell you these kids will carry the weight of it for the rest of their lives—it touches every single part of who they are, and they will never fully recover.”

A user called only Katie, whose profile picture was a graphic that said, “We the people love Trump,” wrote: “We The People do not believe the latest Epstein excuses by the FBI and it’s insulting to your base of MAGA supporters!!! We KNOW it is not true!!!

“When will you, Mr President, demand accountability from the FBI? The children, sir?? Do it for them!! Heads need to roll for what these people did to the children!!”

The account “MAGA God Bless America” wrote: “No one of big significance has been arrested! Yes, they’ve done great things but the elite still skate.”

The account “Patriot4Life” wrote, “We thought no one was above the law i guess we were wrong!”

What People Are Saying

Elon Musk wrote on X last month in a since-deleted post: “Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”

He added in another post: “Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.”

White House press secretary Karolina Leavitt told Newsweek in response to Musk’s claim: “This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is unhappy with the One Big Beautiful Bill because it does not include the policies he wanted. The President is focused on passing this historic piece of legislation and making our country great again.”

President Donald Trump also said Musk was acting out because he was upset about Trump’s lack of an EV mandate, writing on Truth Social at the time: “Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!”

What Happens Next

The Trump administration is likely to face continued scrutiny about the release of the Epstein files.