Fact Check: Did DOJ remove a file related to Trump from the latest Epstein files drop?
WASHINGTON, DC: The Justice Department on Friday, January 30, released disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein's personal emails, disclosing a large cache of records. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the emails spanned several years and were reviewed as part of a broader investigation into Epstein’s activities.
Following the release of these emails, there were claims that the Department of Justice (DOJ) removed a file related to President Donald Trump from the latest Epstein files drop. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.
Claim: DOJ removed a file related to Trump from latest Epstein files drop
Todd Blanche said on Friday that the White House had no oversight on the latest documents released. He told Fox News that no evidence of criminal conduct by the president was found in the Epstein files.
"In none of these communications, even when doing his best to disparage President Trump, did Epstein suggest President Trump had done anything criminal or had any inappropriate contact with any of his victims," he said.
Following this, a rumor circulated online claiming that the DOJ dropped a file related to Donald Trump from the latest Epstein files drop. An X post read, "BREAKING: The Department of Justice has promptly deleted the newest batch of Epstein Files, in which Trump's name appeared thousands of times."
The post also attached a screenshot of a page from the DOJ website with the message that read 'Page not found'.
"US Justice Department has deleted the recent Epstein files document about Trump," another X user posted.
Interestingly, CNN’s Jake Tapper was also among those who noted the DOJ removed the files.
Partly True: DOJ temporarily removed a specific file
The claims made online are partly true, as the DOJ did temporarily remove a particular file from its recent release of Epstein-related documents that included a spreadsheet summarizing unverified FBI tips and complaints mentioning President Trump.
However, the file was later restored to the public website, as the DOJ officials attributed the brief removal to site overload rather than an intent to censor.
Furthermore, allegations stem from anonymous, uncorroborated public tips submitted to the FBI, and there is no indication they were verified or led to any charges against the POTUS.
Additionally, Todd Blanche has stated that the DOJ made no effort to protect Trump or withhold any incriminating information, emphasizing that the files did not contain evidence of criminal misconduct by the POTUS.
The DOJ on Friday released new files from the Epstein investigation, fulfilling a legal mandate signed by Trump himself. The POTUS is mentioned multiple times across the documents due to his past association with Epstein, but he has denied any knowledge of or involvement in Epstein's crimes.
Emails reveal Epstein's hostility toward Trump
Even though the records did not allege criminal behavior, they did, however, show Jeffrey Epstein expressing personal hostility towards Donald Trump.
During a January 2018 exchange with author Michael Wolff, Epstein complained that Trump didn't 'take advice' and criticized his children’s judgment, referring to the POTUS as 'dopey Donald' and 'demented Donald'.
However, Wolff encouraged the disgraced financier to develop what he described as an 'immediate counter-narrative' ahead of the release of James Patterson’s book 'Filthy Rich', which focused on Epstein’s crimes.
Wolff wrote, "I believe Trump offers an ideal opportunity", and added that such an approach could shift attention away from Epstein while allowing him to shape his own public narrative.
