Karoline Leavitt dodges question on Trump considering a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell amid Epstein uproar

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to answer whether President Donald Trump would consider pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, even as he directed the Justice Department on Thursday, July 17, to pursue the public release of sealed grand jury materials related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

The move came amid renewed media and political scrutiny following a Wall Street Journal report alleging Trump contributed a letter to Epstein’s 50th birthday album, compiled by Maxwell herself.

The president’s announcement appeared timed to deflect attention from the backlash within his base.

Karoline Leavitt dodges Ghislaine Maxwell pardon question

During a tense press briefing Thursday, Independent White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg asked, “Will the president consider Ghislaine Maxwell if the Epstein case is a hoax?”

Instead of answering the question, Leavitt deflected and called on a different reporter. Her refusal to respond drew attention, particularly since Feinberg had just been reprimanded by the press secretary for bringing up an unrelated query about Trump’s bizarre story connecting his uncle to Unabomber Ted Kaczynski.

Feinberg’s question referenced Trump’s recent characterization of the Epstein scandal as a “hoax” perpetrated by Democrats, a claim that prompted Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich to follow up earlier in the briefing by asking Leavitt to clarify, “Which part of the case is a hoax?” Leavitt offered no direct answer to either question.

The question of whether Trump would pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former partner, now serving a 20-year sentence after her 2021 conviction, has become a flashpoint. Trump's previous comments, including his infamous 2020 remark “I wish her well,” continue to draw scrutiny.

Despite rising calls for accountability and transparency, Leavitt confirmed during the briefing that Trump would not appoint a special prosecutor to reinvestigate the Epstein matter, a move that angered many in his base, expecting deeper investigations.

Donald Trump orders Epstein grand jury transcripts unsealed after WSJ birthday book report

Separately on Thursday, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had authorized Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of sealed grand jury transcripts related to Epstein’s case.

Trump framed the move as a response to what he described as “the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein” and claimed that transparency was necessary to put the issue to rest.

Bondi, who has faced increasing criticism from Trump supporters for failing to release promised documents on Epstein, quickly followed with a Truth Social post of her own: “President Trump—we are ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts.”

The directive followed a Wall Street Journal expose earlier this week alleging that Trump contributed a typewritten personal message and a drawing to Epstein’s birthday book, which was organized by Maxwell and included notes from the late financier’s influential friends.

Donald Trump faces MAGA backlash over Epstein files

Trump’s MAGA base has reacted with confusion and anger as the administration’s narrative on Epstein shifts. While the Trump DOJ concluded there was no so-called “Epstein list”, right-wing commentators and influencers remain unconvinced.

Many, including QAnon-aligned figures and conservative activists, have expressed skepticism about Bondi’s handling of the case and accused her of withholding damning documents. Trump’s recent insistence that the entire Epstein case is a hoax has only fueled the sense of betrayal among die-hard supporters.

Trump’s push to release grand jury materials appears to be an effort to control the narrative and address mounting unease inside the GOP. His critics argue that this latest gesture is both reactive and politically calculated, coming as the Journal’s report about his past ties to Epstein began to circulate widely on social media.

While the DOJ’s ability to release the sealed transcripts is legally limited, requiring court approval, Trump’s public order and Bondi’s swift response may help deflect some criticism, at least temporarily.