Kash Patel Under Fire As Trump Tries To Shift Narrative On Epstein Files
India-West News Desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Once central to Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric and conservative media outrage, the promise of explosive revelations about Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged network of clients now appears to be fading—quietly and controversially—under Trump’s own administration.
On July 8, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel faced growing criticism from right-wing influencers and MAGA supporters after the Justice Department released findings that debunked key conspiracy theories long circulated about Epstein’s death and alleged clientele.
The DOJ memo, published July 7, stated that after reviewing over 300 gigabytes of data, investigators found “no incriminating client list” and no evidence that Epstein was blackmailing powerful individuals. It reaffirmed the FBI’s earlier conclusion that Epstein died by suicide while in federal custody in 2019, not by foul play.
The reversal comes as a surprise to many in Trump’s base—particularly because Trump himself had repeatedly amplified questions about Epstein’s connections and stoked speculation that the government was hiding “a list of names.” Former conservative pundits-turned-officials Kash Patel and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino had, before taking office, publicly hinted at such a list and accused the government of a cover-up. Their earlier comments have now come back to haunt them.
Once a favorite in MAGA circles for his attacks on the “deep state,” Patel is now at the center of accusations that the Justice Department’s findings fall short of promises made. Conservative figures like Laura Loomer and Elon Musk have blasted both Patel and Bondi, accusing them of betrayal and demanding transparency.
The about-face has raised uncomfortable questions—not only about what is or isn’t in the Epstein files, but also about the motivations behind Trump’s sudden urge to move on. At a cabinet meeting the same day, Trump brushed off questions from reporters, saying, “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?”
Critics see that as a shift in tone for someone who once made Epstein’s secrets a campaign talking point. Now, as Trump attempts to distance himself from a narrative he once fueled, scrutiny has turned inward. What exactly is in those files? Why the sudden reversal? And what, if anything, is being withheld?
Even as Trump tried to defend Patel and Bondi in a July 7 Truth Social post, calling them “the greatest law enforcement professionals,” the rift between campaign promises and official findings is widening.
