Bipartisan duo pushing for Epstein files release disagrees on Ghislaine Maxwell pardon
NBC5 days
Trump and the Epstein Files
Above:Â Political influencer Rogan O'Handley, aka DC Draino, holds up a binder given to him by the U.S Justice Department, reading "The Epstein Files: Phase 1," on Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Â Image copyright:Â Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
MAGA conspiracies over Epstein have distracted from Trump's agenda and set expectations that were never realistic. There's likely nothing explosive in the files, but to end the saga and restore focus, Trump should release everything legally permissible. After hyping this conspiracy theory for so long, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino had nothing to show for it once in office, only deepening mistrust and fueling chaos.
Democratic narrative
Trump created this mess by promising transparency and appointing loyalists who fueled conspiracy theories. Now, facing public distrust — even among Republicans — he's hiding behind secrecy. If he has nothing to hide, he should prove it. Americans overwhelmingly demand the truth, and this months-long cover-up is doing more damage than disclosure likely ever would.
Establishment-critical narrative
For decades, presidents of both parties, as well as billionaire elites and their media allies, have helped bury Epstein's secrets. Now they point fingers while guarding the same files. From Donald Trump to Bill Clinton, they've all maintained secrecy despite public outcries. As questions grow around Epstein's ties to U.S. and Israeli intelligence, it's becoming clear that this isn't left versus right but the powerful protecting themselves.