US Attorney General told Trump his name appeared in Epstein files: report

US President Donald Trump was directly informed in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi that his name appeared in Justice Department files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to senior Trump administration officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.

This revelation directly contradicts Trump's subsequent public statements denying such notification, intensifying scrutiny on his past association with Epstein.

During the May briefing, Bondi, accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, “made it clear” that Trump's name was flagged during a review of Epstein documents.

The Justice Department concluded there was "no credible evidence of criminal conduct" against those named, including Trump, and "no justification for reopening the case".

Furthermore, the DOJ stated it found "no incriminating 'client list'" and would not release more documents due to the presence of child pornography and the need to protect victims' privacy. Trump reportedly deferred to this decision.

Despite this direct briefing, Trump publicly denied being informed, telling reporters, "No, no. She's given us just a very quick briefing".

On another occasion, he claimed the files were "made up by [former FBI Director James] Comey, they were made up by [former President Barack] Obama, they were made up by the Biden [administration]".

However, the White House has not denied that Trump's name is in the documents, only insisting that the content does not rise to the level of legal concern.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed reports as "fake news" and stated Trump "kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep".

Trump and Epstein maintained a well-documented friendship spanning at least 15 years, moving in the same social circles in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Trump famously called Epstein a "terrific guy" in 2002 who "likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side".

Trump's name appeared seven times in Epstein's private jet flight logs between 1993 and 1997, and he was listed in Epstein's "little black book".

Trump claims their friendship ended in 2004 over a real estate dispute.

Pam Bondi, a staunch Trump loyalist and his Attorney General pick, has a history of promoting Trump's political narratives.