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The U.S. Department of Justice stated Monday that no “client list” exists in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, and no additional documents related to the case will be made public, dealing a blow to conservative figures and conspiracy theorists who had promoted the idea of a government-held dossier naming individuals who exploited minors trafficked by Epstein.
The two-page DOJ memo released Monday states that after a comprehensive review of the case evidence, there is “no further disclosure appropriate or warranted.” That decision directly contradicts recent public claims by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had earlier told Fox News that a client list was “sitting on my desk.”
The memo, co-branded by the Justice Department and FBI, was unsigned and offered little explanation beyond citing the need to protect victims. It also confirmed the existence of “images and videos of victims who are either minors or appear to be minors,” but said those materials — including over 10,000 downloaded videos — would remain sealed.
“Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither the victims nor the truth,” the DOJ stated.
Conservatives Lash Out After Reversal
The announcement sparked backlash from conservative commentators, many of whom had been encouraged to expect a full declassification of Epstein’s records.
“We were all told more was coming,” wrote Jack Posobiec, a far-right influencer.
Alex Jones claimed the DOJ would next assert that “Jeffrey Epstein never even existed.”
Elon Musk mocked the situation by reposting memes ridiculing Bondi for walking back her previous statements.
The Justice Department memo comes after months of anticipation, including a February event at the White House, where influencers were reportedly handed binders labeled “The Epstein Files: Phase 1.” Much of that material was already public, prompting disappointment and criticism among Trump supporters who expected new revelations.
Bondi, who has led the public communications around the DOJ’s Epstein review, had repeatedly pledged transparency and accused the Biden administration of hiding documents. Yet, her tone changed this week, with Trump White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and DOJ spokesperson Chad Gilmartin clarifying that Bondi was referring not to a client list, but to general case files.
Conflicting Claims and Missing Evidence
Despite the DOJ’s clear statement, lingering confusion surrounds claims made by Bondi in March, when she referenced a “truckload” of FBI evidence, including “tens of thousands” of videos she alleged contained footage of Epstein with minors or illegal pornography. Yet no charges were ever brought against Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell for possession of such materials — a prosecutorial move legal experts say would have been easier than the trafficking charges they faced.
The Associated Press reported last week that multiple individuals involved in Epstein’s and Maxwell’s criminal cases were unaware of any large trove of recordings. A civil lawsuit filing from the Epstein estate references some media materials, but those remain sealed under court orders, and the DOJ has not clarified what they contain or when they were obtained.
“We do not know what’s real and what’s not at this point,” said one attorney for Epstein’s victims who spoke to AP anonymously due to ongoing litigation.
Conspiracy Theories Persist Despite Suicide Evidence
The DOJ reiterated that Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell in August 2019, citing released video footage and internal investigations. Former Attorney General William Barr and current FBI Director Kash Patel have both stated publicly that no foul play occurred.
Despite this, Epstein’s death continues to fuel conspiracy theories — especially on the right — as part of broader narratives alleging government corruption and elite cover-ups.
Legal experts say that without a trial, the opportunity for further evidence to become public was permanently foreclosed.
“Only a fraction of what investigators collected would have been shown in court,” the DOJ memo read.
With this week’s memo, it now appears that no such “client list” will ever emerge from official sources — leaving unanswered questions, persistent misinformation, and deepened distrust between the federal government and a politically polarized public.
