Trump administration 'screwed up' Epstein files communication, Vance says
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Vice President JD Vance stated the Trump administration mishandled communications regarding the Epstein files.
- Vance specifically pointed to former Attorney General Pam Bondi's public statements, which he believes overstated the administration's findings.
- He asserted that while the communication was flawed, it was not an attempt to hide information but rather a response to political pressure.
Vice President JD Vance has acknowledged that the Trump administration "absolutely screwed up" the communication surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files, admitting that the handling of information was flawed.
We absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files. Like, we just did.
During a podcast interview, Vance pointed to former Attorney General Pam Bondi's public statements, including her infamous remark about an alleged "client list" being "sitting on my desk right now." Vance suggested Bondi overstated what the administration possessed, stating, "I think she overstated what we had and what we didn't have."
Vance clarified that he does not believe there was malicious intent behind the mishandling. "I think Pam was trying to respond to the political moment," he told podcast host Joe Rogan. "I don't think there was anything malicious going on."
I think she overstated what we had and what we didn't have.
Despite the communication errors, Vance maintained that the administration was not attempting to hide information. "But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No," he said. He believes the flawed communication led to public mistrust in the administration's transparency efforts regarding the Epstein files.
But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No.
Originally published by PBS NewsHour. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.