On Jeffrey Epstein, Trump rolls out a new conspiracy theory about the conspiracy theory [View all]

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/jeffrey-epstein-trump-rolls-new-conspiracy-theory-conspiracy-theory-rcna218606

On Jeffrey Epstein, Trump rolls out a new conspiracy theory about the conspiracy theory
The president has come up with a new conspiracy theory about the so-called Epstein Files, which is a bit like watching a snake eat its own tail.
July 14, 2025, 7:00 AM CDT
By Steve Benen

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Why are we giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration. ... They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me, and now my so-called ‘friends’ are playing right into their hands.

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114842356238631061

To the extent that reality still has any relevance in the public discussion, it was the Trump administration that investigated, arrested and charged Epstein. It was during Trump’s first term when Epstein, facing sex trafficking and conspiracy charges, died in 2019 while in custody, and a medical examiner ruled his death a suicide.

But according to Trump, the so-called Epstein files were written by Barack Obama (who left office in early 2017), Hillary Clinton (who left office in early 2013), former FBI Director James Comey (who left office in 2017) and former CIA Director John Brennan (who left office in early 2017).

How could they have “created the Epstein Files” given that they were nowhere near public office when Trump’s own team tried to prosecute him? I haven’t the foggiest idea, and Trump’s weird tantrum never explained how this could even be possible.

Complicating matters, the president appeared to reinvigorate the story he wants to go away, but changing his administration’s official line. What started with (1) the “Epstein Files” are real and important, transformed into (2) the “Epstein Files” don’t actually exist so everyone should just move on, has now evolved into (3) the “Epstein Files” do exist, but they’re fake.

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